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Goodspeed A, Bodlak A, Duffy AB, Nelson-Taylor S, Oike N, Porfilio T, Shirai R, Walker D, Treece A, Black J, Donaldson N, Cost C, Garrington T, Greffe B, Luna-Fineman S, Demedis J, Lake J, Danis E, Verneris M, Adams DL, Hayashi M. Characterization of transcriptional heterogeneity and novel therapeutic targets using single cell RNA-sequencing of primary and circulating Ewing sarcoma cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.18.576251. [PMID: 38293103 PMCID: PMC10827204 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.18.576251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is the second most common bone cancer in children, accounting for 2% of pediatric cancer diagnoses. Patients who present with metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis have a dismal prognosis, compared to the >70% 5-year survival of those with localized disease. Here, we utilized single cell RNA-sequencing to characterize the transcriptional landscape of primary Ewing sarcoma tumors and surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME). Copy-number analysis identified subclonal evolution within patients prior to treatment. Primary tumor samples demonstrate a heterogenous transcriptional landscape with several conserved gene expression programs, including those composed of genes related to proliferation and EWS targets. Single cell RNA-sequencing and immunofluorescence of circulating tumor cells at the time of diagnosis identified TSPAN8 as a novel therapeutic target.
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2
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Dupuy M, Lamoureux F, Mullard M, Postec A, Regnier L, Baud’huin M, Georges S, Brounais-Le Royer B, Ory B, Rédini F, Verrecchia F. Ewing sarcoma from molecular biology to the clinic. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1248753. [PMID: 37752913 PMCID: PMC10518617 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1248753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In Europe, with an incidence of 7.5 cases per million, Ewing sarcoma (ES) is the second most common primary malignant bone tumor in children, adolescents and young adults, after osteosarcoma. Since the 1980s, conventional treatment has been based on the use of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapeutic agents combined with surgical resection of the tumor when possible. These treatments have increased the patient survival rate to 70% for localized forms, which drops drastically to less than 30% when patients are resistant to chemotherapy or when pulmonary metastases are present at diagnosis. However, the lack of improvement in these survival rates over the last decades points to the urgent need for new therapies. Genetically, ES is characterized by a chromosomal translocation between a member of the FET family and a member of the ETS family. In 85% of cases, the chromosomal translocation found is (11; 22) (q24; q12), between the EWS RNA-binding protein and the FLI1 transcription factor, leading to the EWS-FLI1 fusion protein. This chimeric protein acts as an oncogenic factor playing a crucial role in the development of ES. This review provides a non-exhaustive overview of ES from a clinical and biological point of view, describing its main clinical, cellular and molecular aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryne Dupuy
- Nantes Université, Inserm UMR 1307, CNRS UMR 6075, CRCI2NA, Université d'Angers, Nantes, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Franck Verrecchia
- Nantes Université, Inserm UMR 1307, CNRS UMR 6075, CRCI2NA, Université d'Angers, Nantes, France
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3
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Zota V, Siegal GP, Kelly D, Bridge JA, Berglund A, Bui K, Khalil F, R Reed D, Altiok S, Magliocco A, Bui MM. Validation of PRKCB Immunohistochemistry as a Biomarker for the Diagnosis of Ewing Sarcoma. Fetal Pediatr Pathol 2023; 42:241-252. [PMID: 36062956 DOI: 10.1080/15513815.2022.2117579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Background: Ewing sarcoma (ES) can be confirmed by identifying the EWSR1-FLI1 fusion transcript. This study is to investigate whether immunostaining (IHC) of PRKCB-a protein directly regulated by EWSR1-FLI1 is a surrogate maker for diagnosing ES in routine practice. Methods: Microarray gene expression analyses were conducted. RKCB IHC was applied to 69 ES confirmed by morphology and molecular methods, and 41 non-Ewing small round cell tumors. EWSR1 rearrangement, EWSR1-FLI1 fusion or t(11;22)(q24;q12) were identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, or cytogenetic analysis, respectively. Results: Gene array analyses showed significant overexpression of the PRKCB in ES. PRKCB IHC was positive in 19 cases of ES with EWSR1-FLI1 fusion, 3 cases with cytogenetic 11:22 translocation and 59 cases with EWSR1 rearrangement while negative in only one EWSR1 rearranged case. PRKCB IHC is sensitive (98%) and specific (96%) in detecting EWSR1 rearranged ES. Conclusions: PRKCB is a reliable antibody for diagnosing ES in routine practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Zota
- Department of Pathology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Gene P Siegal
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - David Kelly
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory, Children's of Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Julia A Bridge
- Molecular Pathology, ProPath, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Anders Berglund
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Katherine Bui
- Department of Pathology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Farah Khalil
- Department of Pathology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Damon R Reed
- Department of Individualized Cancer Management, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Soner Altiok
- Department of Pathology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Anthony Magliocco
- Department of Pathology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Marilyn M Bui
- Department of Pathology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Center, Tampa, FL, USA
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4
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ETV6 dependency in Ewing sarcoma by antagonism of EWS-FLI1-mediated enhancer activation. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:298-308. [PMID: 36658219 PMCID: PMC10101761 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-022-01060-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The EWS-FLI1 fusion oncoprotein deregulates transcription to initiate the paediatric cancer Ewing sarcoma. Here we used a domain-focused CRISPR screen to implicate the transcriptional repressor ETV6 as a unique dependency in this tumour. Using biochemical assays and epigenomics, we show that ETV6 competes with EWS-FLI1 for binding to select DNA elements enriched for short GGAA repeat sequences. Upon inactivating ETV6, EWS-FLI1 overtakes and hyper-activates these cis-elements to promote mesenchymal differentiation, with SOX11 being a key downstream target. We show that squelching of ETV6 with a dominant-interfering peptide phenocopies these effects and suppresses Ewing sarcoma growth in vivo. These findings reveal targeting of ETV6 as a strategy for neutralizing the EWS-FLI1 oncoprotein by reprogramming of genomic occupancy.
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5
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Regulation of EWSR1-FLI1 Function by Post-Transcriptional and Post-Translational Modifications. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15020382. [PMID: 36672331 PMCID: PMC9857208 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15020382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is the second most common bone tumor in childhood and adolescence. Currently, first-line therapy includes multidrug chemotherapy with surgery and/or radiation. Although most patients initially respond to chemotherapy, recurrent tumors become treatment refractory. Pathologically, Ewing sarcoma consists of small round basophilic cells with prominent nuclei marked by expression of surface protein CD99. Genetically, Ewing sarcoma is driven by a fusion oncoprotein that results from one of a small number of chromosomal translocations composed of a FET gene and a gene encoding an ETS family transcription factor, with ~85% of tumors expressing the EWSR1::FLI1 fusion. EWSR1::FLI1 regulates transcription, splicing, genome instability and other cellular functions. Although a tumor-specific target, EWSR1::FLI1-targeted therapy has yet to be developed, largely due to insufficient understanding of EWSR1::FLI1 upstream and downstream signaling, and the challenges in targeting transcription factors with small molecules. In this review, we summarize the contemporary molecular understanding of Ewing sarcoma, and the post-transcriptional and post-translational regulatory mechanisms that control EWSR1::FLI1 function.
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6
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Ebrahimi R, sohi ASM, Mirsardoo A, Moosavi N, Khonji MS. Primary intradural extramedullary Ewing sarcoma in the lumbar area: A case report. Radiol Case Rep 2022; 17:4617-4621. [PMID: 36204406 PMCID: PMC9530492 DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2022.09.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary intradural extramedullary Ewing sarcoma (IEES) is the rarest type of Ewing sarcoma. Extreme caution is required for the diagnosis of IEES because benign intradural spinal tumors can be mistaken for IEES in the early stages of imaging and clinical evaluation. IEES tumors have no standardized treatment guidelines because of the lack of research on the therapeutic aspects of these tumors. Herein, we present a case of primary IEES in a male adolescent with a fast progression of the disease. Diagnosis of IEES was suspected with imaging (computed tomography scan and lumbosacral magnetic resonance imaging) and was confirmed with histology and immunohistochemistry (positive reactivity for CD99 and FLI1). He was successfully treated with surgical intervention with no radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Imaging studies are helpful in making the initial diagnosis of intradural extramedullary Ewing sarcoma. Surgery is considered to be a successful method of treatment for this condition.
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7
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Molnar C, Reina J, Herrero A, Heinen JP, Méndiz V, Bonnal S, Irimia M, Sánchez-Jiménez M, Sánchez-Molina S, Mora J, Gonzalez C. Human EWS-FLI protein recapitulates in Drosophila the neomorphic functions that induce Ewing sarcoma tumorigenesis. PNAS NEXUS 2022; 1:pgac222. [PMID: 36714878 PMCID: PMC9802468 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is a human malignant tumor typically driven by the Ewing sarcoma-Friend leukemia integration (EWS-FLI) fusion protein. A paucity of genetically modified animal models, partially owed to the high toxicity of EWS-FLI, hinders research on EwS. Here, we report a spontaneous mutant variant, EWS-FLI1FS, that circumvents the toxicity issue in Drosophila. Through proteomic and genomic analyses, we show that human EWS-FLI1FS interacts with the Drosophila homologues of EWS-FLI human protein partners, including core subunits of chromatin remodeling complexes, the transcription machinery, and the spliceosome; brings about a massive dysregulation of transcription that affects a significant fraction of known targets of EWS-FLI in human cells; and modulates splicing. We also show that EWS-FLI1FS performs in Drosophila the two major neomorphic activities that it is known to have in human cells: activation of transcription from GGAA microsatellites and out competition of ETS transcription factors. We conclude that EWS-FLI1FS reproduces in Drosophila the known oncogenic activities of EWS-FLI that drive EwS tumorigenesis in humans. These results open up an unprecedented opportunity to investigate EWS-FLI's oncogenic pathways in vivo in a genetically tractable organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Molnar
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Carrer Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Reina
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Carrer Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anastasia Herrero
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Carrer Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain,Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat 08950 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jan Peter Heinen
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Carrer Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Victoria Méndiz
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Carrer Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sophie Bonnal
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003 Barcelona, Spain,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08002 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuel Irimia
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003 Barcelona, Spain,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08002 Barcelona, Spain,Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Pg Lluis Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Sánchez-Jiménez
- Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat 08950 Barcelona, Spain,Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona (PCCB), Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, 08950 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sara Sánchez-Molina
- Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat 08950 Barcelona, Spain,Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona (PCCB), Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, 08950 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jaume Mora
- To whom correspondence should be addressed:
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8
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Carballo Cuello CM, De Jesus O, de Jesús Espinosa A, Fernández-de Thomas RJ, Murray G, Pastrana EA. Prognosis and Outcome of Cervical Primary Extraosseous Intradural Extramedullary Ewing Sarcoma: A Systematic Review. Cureus 2022; 14:e26665. [PMID: 35959190 PMCID: PMC9360665 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.26665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary spinal extraosseous Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a rare mesenchymal tumor characterized by high malignancy, occurring in a few patients with ES. The occurrence of this tumor in the intradural extramedullary spinal region is infrequent. This systematic review examines primary extraosseous intradural extramedullary ES in the cervical region to provide specific outcomes and evaluate the role of adjuvant chemoradiation in overall prognosis. A systematic review was conducted to identify all cervical primary extraosseous intradural extramedullary ES reported in the literature. The search included the databases of PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline, Embase, and Scopus from inception to June 2021. Inclusion criteria include a reported death outcome or a minimum one-year follow-up. Our search retrieved 21 articles that involved the cervical spine, but only 11 cases met the inclusion criteria. Of the nine patients who demonstrated disease progression, six experienced local failure, two had distant craniospinal axis failure, and one had systemic metastases. Five patients died of the disease at a median of 11 months after diagnosis. Our analysis showed a one-, two-, and five-year progression-free survival (PFS) of 36.4%, 36.4%, and 12.1%, respectively. The one-, two-, and five-year overall survival rates were 72.7%, 62.3%, and 46.8%, respectively. Three of the five (60%) patients who died received craniospinal radiotherapy. Of the six patients who survived, two received craniospinal radiotherapy (33%), and one received whole spine radiotherapy (17%). This review showed that patients with cervical primary extraosseous intradural extramedullary ES had poor progression-free survival and overall survival rates. The addition of adjunct craniospinal radiotherapy did not improve the prognosis of these patients.
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9
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Pedot G, Marques JG, Ambühl PP, Wachtel M, Kasper S, Ngo QA, Niggli FK, Schäfer BW. Inhibition of HDACs reduces Ewing sarcoma tumor growth through EWS-FLI1 protein destabilization. Neoplasia 2022; 27:100784. [PMID: 35366465 PMCID: PMC8971315 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2022.100784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Oncogenic transcription factors lacking enzymatic activity or targetable binding pockets are typically considered "undruggable". An example is provided by the EWS-FLI1 oncoprotein, whose continuous expression and activity as transcription factor are critically required for Ewing sarcoma tumor formation, maintenance, and proliferation. Because neither upstream nor downstream targets have so far disabled its oncogenic potential, we performed a high-throughput drug screen (HTS), enriched for FDA-approved drugs, coupled to a Global Protein Stability (GPS) approach to identify novel compounds capable to destabilize EWS-FLI1 protein by enhancing its degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome system. The protein stability screen revealed the dual histone deacetylase (HDAC) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor called fimepinostat (CUDC-907) as top candidate to modulate EWS-FLI1 stability. Fimepinostat strongly reduced EWS-FLI1 protein abundance, reduced viability of several Ewing sarcoma cell lines and PDX-derived primary cells and delayed tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model, whereas it did not significantly affect healthy cells. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that EWS-FLI1 protein levels were mainly regulated by fimepinostat's HDAC activity. Our study demonstrates that HTS combined to GPS is a reliable approach to identify drug candidates able to modulate stability of EWS-FLI1 and lays new ground for the development of novel therapeutic strategies aimed to reduce Ewing sarcoma tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Pedot
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 32, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Joana Graça Marques
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 32, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Philip P Ambühl
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 32, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marco Wachtel
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 32, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stephanie Kasper
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 32, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Quy A Ngo
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 32, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Felix K Niggli
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 32, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beat W Schäfer
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 32, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland.
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10
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Korsching E, Matschke J, Hotfilder M. Splice variants denote differences between a cancer stem cell side population of EWSR1‑ERG‑based Ewing sarcoma cells, its main population and EWSR1‑FLI‑based cells. Int J Mol Med 2022; 49:39. [PMID: 35088879 PMCID: PMC8815407 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2022.5094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is a challenging cancer entity, which, besides the characteristic presence of a fusion gene, is driven by multiple alternative splicing events. So far, splice variants in Ewing sarcoma cells were mainly analyzed for EWSR1‑FLI1. The present study provided a comprehensive alternative splicing study on CADO‑ES1, an Ewing model cell line for an EWSR1‑ERG fusion gene. Based on a well‑-characterized RNA‑sequencing dataset with extensive control mechanisms across all levels of analysis, the differential spliced genes in Ewing cancer stem cells were ATP13A3 and EPB41, while the main population was defined by ACADVL, NOP58 and TSPAN3. All alternatively spliced genes were further characterized by their Gene Ontology (GO) terms and by their membership in known protein complexes. These results confirm and extend previous studies towards a systematic whole‑transcriptome analysis. A highlight is the striking segregation of GO terms associated with five basic splice events. This mechanistic insight, together with a coherent integration of all observations with prior knowledge, indicates that EWSR1‑ERG is truly a close twin to EWSR1‑FLI1, but still exhibits certain individuality. Thus, the present study provided a measure of variability in Ewing sarcoma, whose understanding is essential both for clinical procedures and basic mechanistic insight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eberhard Korsching
- Institute of Bioinformatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Münster, D‑48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Julian Matschke
- Institute of Bioinformatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Münster, D‑48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Marc Hotfilder
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Münster, D‑48149 Münster, Germany
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11
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Flores G, Grohar PJ. One oncogene, several vulnerabilities: EWS/FLI targeted therapies for Ewing sarcoma. J Bone Oncol 2021; 31:100404. [PMID: 34976713 PMCID: PMC8686064 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbo.2021.100404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
EWS/FLI is the defining mutation of Ewing sarcoma. This oncogene drives malignant transformation and progression and occurs in a genetic background characterized by few other recurrent cooperating mutations. In addition, the tumor is absolutely dependent on the continued expression of EWS/FLI to maintain the malignant phenotype. However, EWS/FLI is a transcription factor and therefore a challenging drug target. The difficulty of directly targeting EWS/FLI stems from unique features of this fusion protein as well as the network of interacting proteins required to execute the transcriptional program. This network includes interacting proteins as well as upstream and downstream effectors that together reprogram the epigenome and transcriptome. While the vast number of proteins involved in this process challenge the development of a highly specific inhibitors, they also yield numerous therapeutic opportunities. In this report, we will review how this vast EWS-FLI transcriptional network has been exploited over the last two decades to identify compounds that directly target EWS/FLI and/or associated vulnerabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Flores
- Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
- Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, USA
| | - Patrick J Grohar
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, 3501 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA, USA
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12
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García-García L, Fernández-Tabanera E, Cervera ST, Melero-Fernández de Mera RM, Josa S, González-González L, Rodríguez-Martín C, Grünewald TGP, Alonso J. The Transcription Factor FEZF1, a Direct Target of EWSR1-FLI1 in Ewing Sarcoma Cells, Regulates the Expression of Neural-Specific Genes. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5668. [PMID: 34830820 PMCID: PMC8616448 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is a rare pediatric tumor characterized by chromosomal translocations that give rise to aberrant chimeric transcription factors (e.g., EWSR1-FLI1). EWSR1-FLI1 promotes a specific cellular transcriptional program. Therefore, the study of EWSR1-FLI1 target genes is important to identify critical pathways involved in Ewing sarcoma tumorigenesis. In this work, we focused on the transcription factors regulated by EWSR1-FLI1 in Ewing sarcoma. Transcriptomic analysis of the Ewing sarcoma cell line A673 indicated that one of the genes more strongly upregulated by EWSR1-FLI1 was FEZF1 (FEZ family zinc finger protein 1), a transcriptional repressor involved in neural cell identity. The functional characterization of FEZF1 was performed in three Ewing sarcoma cell lines (A673, SK-N-MC, SK-ES-1) through an shRNA-directed silencing approach. FEZF1 knockdown inhibited clonogenicity and cell proliferation. Finally, the analysis of the FEZF1-dependent expression profile in A673 cells showed several neural genes regulated by FEZF1 and concomitantly regulated by EWSR1-FLI1. In summary, FEZF1 is transcriptionally regulated by EWSR1-FLI1 in Ewing sarcoma cells and is involved in the regulation of neural-specific genes, which could explain the neural-like phenotype observed in several Ewing sarcoma tumors and cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura García-García
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras (IIER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28220 Madrid, Spain; (L.G.-G.); (E.F.-T.); (S.T.C.); (R.M.M.-F.d.M.); (S.J.); (L.G.-G.); (C.R.-M.)
| | - Enrique Fernández-Tabanera
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras (IIER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28220 Madrid, Spain; (L.G.-G.); (E.F.-T.); (S.T.C.); (R.M.M.-F.d.M.); (S.J.); (L.G.-G.); (C.R.-M.)
- Centro de Investigación, Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Saint T. Cervera
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras (IIER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28220 Madrid, Spain; (L.G.-G.); (E.F.-T.); (S.T.C.); (R.M.M.-F.d.M.); (S.J.); (L.G.-G.); (C.R.-M.)
- Centro de Investigación, Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel M. Melero-Fernández de Mera
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras (IIER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28220 Madrid, Spain; (L.G.-G.); (E.F.-T.); (S.T.C.); (R.M.M.-F.d.M.); (S.J.); (L.G.-G.); (C.R.-M.)
- Centro de Investigación, Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Santiago Josa
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras (IIER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28220 Madrid, Spain; (L.G.-G.); (E.F.-T.); (S.T.C.); (R.M.M.-F.d.M.); (S.J.); (L.G.-G.); (C.R.-M.)
| | - Laura González-González
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras (IIER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28220 Madrid, Spain; (L.G.-G.); (E.F.-T.); (S.T.C.); (R.M.M.-F.d.M.); (S.J.); (L.G.-G.); (C.R.-M.)
| | - Carlos Rodríguez-Martín
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras (IIER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28220 Madrid, Spain; (L.G.-G.); (E.F.-T.); (S.T.C.); (R.M.M.-F.d.M.); (S.J.); (L.G.-G.); (C.R.-M.)
- Centro de Investigación, Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Thomas G. P. Grünewald
- Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- Hopp-Children’s Cancer Center (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Javier Alonso
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras (IIER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28220 Madrid, Spain; (L.G.-G.); (E.F.-T.); (S.T.C.); (R.M.M.-F.d.M.); (S.J.); (L.G.-G.); (C.R.-M.)
- Centro de Investigación, Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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13
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Mullard M, Lavaud M, Regnier L, Tesfaye R, Ory B, Rédini F, Verrecchia F. Ubiquitin-specific proteases as therapeutic targets in paediatric primary bone tumours? Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 194:114797. [PMID: 34678225 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
In children and young adults, primary malignant bone tumours are mainly composed of osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma. Despite advances in treatments, nearly 40% of patients succumb to these diseases. In particular, the clinical outcome of metastatic osteosarcoma or Ewing's sarcoma remains poor, with less than 30% of patients who develop metastases surviving five years after initial diagnosis. Over the last decade, the cancer research community has shown considerable interest in the processes of protein ubiquitination and deubiquitination. In particular, a growing number of studies show the relevance to target the ubiquitin-specific protease (USP) family in various cancers. This review provides an update on the current knowledge regarding the implication of these USPs in the progression of bone sarcoma: osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Mullard
- INSERM, Université de Nantes, UMR1238, "Bone Sarcoma and Remodelling of Calcified Tissues", 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Mélanie Lavaud
- INSERM, Université de Nantes, UMR1238, "Bone Sarcoma and Remodelling of Calcified Tissues", 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Laura Regnier
- INSERM, Université de Nantes, UMR1238, "Bone Sarcoma and Remodelling of Calcified Tissues", 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Robel Tesfaye
- INSERM, Université de Nantes, UMR1238, "Bone Sarcoma and Remodelling of Calcified Tissues", 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Benjamin Ory
- INSERM, Université de Nantes, UMR1238, "Bone Sarcoma and Remodelling of Calcified Tissues", 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Françoise Rédini
- INSERM, Université de Nantes, UMR1238, "Bone Sarcoma and Remodelling of Calcified Tissues", 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Franck Verrecchia
- INSERM, Université de Nantes, UMR1238, "Bone Sarcoma and Remodelling of Calcified Tissues", 44000 Nantes, France.
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14
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Tanaka M, Nakamura T. Modeling fusion gene-associated sarcoma: Advantages for understanding sarcoma biology and pathology. Pathol Int 2021; 71:643-654. [PMID: 34265156 DOI: 10.1111/pin.13142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Disease-specific gene fusions are reportedly major driver mutations in approximately 30% of bone and soft tissue sarcomas. Most fusion genes encode transcription factors or co-factors that regulate downstream target genes, altering cell growth, lineage commitment, and differentiation. Given the limitations of investigating their functions in vitro, the generation of mouse models expressing fusion genes in the appropriate cellular lineages is pivotal. Therefore, we generated a series of mouse models by introducing fusion genes into embryonic mesenchymal progenitors. This review describes mouse models of Ewing, synovial, alveolar soft part, and CIC-rearranged sarcomas. Furthermore, we describe the similarities between these models and their human counterparts. These models provide remarkable advantages to identify cells-of-origin, specific collaborators of fusion genes, angiogenesis key factors, or diagnostic biomarkers. Finally, we discuss the relationship between fusion proteins and the epigenetic background as well as the possible role of the super-enhancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miwa Tanaka
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuro Nakamura
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
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15
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Hernandez Tejada FN, Zamudio A, Marques-Piubelli ML, Cuglievan B, Harrison D. Advances in the Management of Pediatric Sarcomas. Curr Oncol Rep 2020; 23:3. [PMID: 33196879 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-020-00995-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The prognosis of pediatric patients who present with metastatic or recurrent sarcomas remains poor. In this review, we summarize the advances in the management of metastatic and relapsed pediatric sarcoma by highlighting recent and future clinical trials. RECENT FINDINGS Research into the identification of novel therapies for refractory pediatric sarcomas continues to advance. Outcomes have not improved in several decades underlying a need for improved understanding of the biology behind these tumors and the identification of novel therapeutic molecular targets that can be exploited pharmacologically. Multiple challenges remain for novel therapy in sarcomas such as the selection of effective targets, management of toxicities, and the tumor microenvironment. Many unique challenges remain in the treatment of patients with refractory pediatric sarcomas. Multiple strategies and targets are under investigation that hold promise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiorela N Hernandez Tejada
- Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Alejandro Zamudio
- Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Mario L Marques-Piubelli
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Branko Cuglievan
- Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Douglas Harrison
- Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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16
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Neuronal Repressor REST Controls Ewing Sarcoma Growth and Metastasis by Affecting Vascular Pericyte Coverage and Vessel Perfusion. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061405. [PMID: 32486064 PMCID: PMC7352345 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Survival rates for Ewing sarcoma (ES) patients with metastatic disease have not improved in over 20 years. Tumor growth and metastasis are dependent on tumor vasculature expansion; therefore, identifying the regulators that control this process in ES may provide new therapeutic opportunities. ES expresses high levels of repressor element 1 silencing transcription factor (REST), which is regulated by the EWS-FLI-1 fusion gene. However, the role of REST in ES growth and the regulation of the tumor vasculature have not been elucidated. To study this role, we established REST-knockout human TC71 ES cell lines through CRISPR/Cas9 recombination. While knockout of REST did not alter tumor cell proliferation in vitro, REST knockout reduced tumor growth and metastasis to the lung in vivo and altered tumor vascular morphology and function. Tumor vessels in the REST-knockout tumors had a punctate appearance with significantly decreased tumor vascular pericytes, decreased perfusion, and increased permeability. REST-knockout tumors also showed increased apoptosis and hypoxia. These results indicate that REST plays a critical role in ES vascular function, which in turn impacts the ability of ES tumors to grow and metastasize. These findings therefore provide a basis for the targeting of REST as a novel therapeutic approach in ES.
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17
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Conn E, Hour S, Allegakoen D, Graham G, Petro J, Kouassi-Brou M, Hong SH, Selvanathan S, Çelik H, Toretsky J, Üren A. Development of an Ewing sarcoma cell line with resistance to EWS‑FLI1 inhibitor YK‑4‑279. Mol Med Rep 2020; 21:1667-1675. [PMID: 32016454 PMCID: PMC8371434 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.10948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite Ewing sarcoma (ES) being the second most common pediatric malignancy of bone and soft tissue, few novel therapeutic approaches have been introduced over the past few decades. ES contains a pathognomonic chromosomal translocation that leads to a fusion protein between EWSR1 and an ets family member, most often FLI1. EWS‑FLI1 is the most common type of fusion protein and is a well‑vetted therapeutic target. A small molecule inhibitor of EWS‑FLI1, YK‑4‑279 (YK) was developed with the intention to serve as a targeted therapy option for patients with ES. The present study investigated resistance mechanisms by developing an ES cell line specifically resistant to YK. The ES cell line A4573 was treated with YK to create resistant cells by long term continuous exposure. The results revealed that resistance in A4573 was robust and sustainable, with a >27‑fold increase in IC50 lasting up to 16 weeks in the absence of the compound. Resistant ES cells were still sensitive to standard of care drugs, including doxorubicin, vincristine and etoposide, which may be valuable in future combination treatments in the clinic. Resistant ES cells revealed an increased expression of CD99. RNA sequencing and qPCR validation of resistant ES cells confirmed an increased expression of ANO1, BRSK2 and IGSF21, and a reduced expression of COL24A1, PRSS23 and RAB38 genes. A functional association between these genes and mechanism of resistance remains to be investigated. The present study created a cell line to investigate YK resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Conn
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Sarah Hour
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - David Allegakoen
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Garrett Graham
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Jeff Petro
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Marilyn Kouassi-Brou
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Sung Hyeok Hong
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Saravana Selvanathan
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Haydar Çelik
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Jeffrey Toretsky
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Aykut Üren
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
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18
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Transcriptional Programs Define Intratumoral Heterogeneity of Ewing Sarcoma at Single-Cell Resolution. Cell Rep 2020; 30:1767-1779.e6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.01.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
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19
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Casey DL, Lin TY, Cheung NKV. Exploiting Signaling Pathways and Immune Targets Beyond the Standard of Care for Ewing Sarcoma. Front Oncol 2019; 9:537. [PMID: 31275859 PMCID: PMC6593481 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (ES) family of tumors includes bone and soft tissue tumors that are often characterized by a specific translocation between chromosome 11 and 22, resulting in the EWS-FLI1 fusion gene. With the advent of multi-modality treatment including cytotoxic chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy, the prognosis for patients with ES has substantially improved. However, a therapeutic plateau is now reached for both localized and metastatic disease over the last two decades. Burdened by the toxicity limits associated with the current frontline systemic therapy, there is an urgent need for novel targeted therapeutic strategies. In this review, we discuss the current treatment paradigm of ES, and explore preclinical evidence and emerging treatments directed at tumor signaling pathways and immune targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana L Casey
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Tsung-Yi Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Nai-Kong V Cheung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
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20
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Bailey K, Cost C, Davis I, Glade-Bender J, Grohar P, Houghton P, Isakoff M, Stewart E, Laack N, Yustein J, Reed D, Janeway K, Gorlick R, Lessnick S, DuBois S, Hingorani P. Emerging novel agents for patients with advanced Ewing sarcoma: a report from the Children's Oncology Group (COG) New Agents for Ewing Sarcoma Task Force. F1000Res 2019; 8:F1000 Faculty Rev-493. [PMID: 31031965 PMCID: PMC6468706 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.18139.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is a small round blue cell malignancy arising from bone or soft tissue and most commonly affects adolescents and young adults. Metastatic and relapsed Ewing sarcoma have poor outcomes and recurrences remain common. Owing to the poor outcomes associated with advanced disease and the need for a clear research strategy, the Children's Oncology Group Bone Tumor Committee formed the New Agents for Ewing Sarcoma Task Force to bring together experts in the field to evaluate and prioritize new agents for incorporation into clinical trials. This group's mission was to evaluate scientific and clinical challenges in moving new agents forward and to recommend agents and trial designs to the Bone Tumor Committee. The task force generated a framework for vetting prospective agents that included critical evaluation of each drug by using both clinical and non-clinical parameters. Representative appraisal of agents of highest priority, including eribulin, dinutuximab, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors, anti-angiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, is described. The task force continues to analyze new compounds by using the paradigm established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Bailey
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Carrye Cost
- Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Ian Davis
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Julia Glade-Bender
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Patrick Grohar
- Departement of Pediatrics, Van Andel Institute, Helen De Vos Children’s Hospital and Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Peter Houghton
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Michael Isakoff
- Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Elizabeth Stewart
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Nadia Laack
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jason Yustein
- The Faris D. Virani Ewing Sarcoma Center at the Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Damon Reed
- AYA Program, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
- Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL, USA
| | - Katherine Janeway
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Richard Gorlick
- Division of Pediatrics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Stephen Lessnick
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplantation, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Steven DuBois
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pooja Hingorani
- Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ, USA
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21
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Lindén M, Thomsen C, Grundevik P, Jonasson E, Andersson D, Runnberg R, Dolatabadi S, Vannas C, Luna Santamarίa M, Fagman H, Ståhlberg A, Åman P. FET family fusion oncoproteins target the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex. EMBO Rep 2019; 20:embr.201845766. [PMID: 30962207 PMCID: PMC6500973 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201845766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the human FET family of RNA‐binding proteins, comprising FUS, EWSR1, and TAF15, are ubiquitously expressed and engage at several levels of gene regulation. Many sarcomas and leukemias are characterized by the expression of fusion oncogenes with FET genes as 5′ partners and alternative transcription factor‐coding genes as 3′ partners. Here, we report that the N terminus of normal FET proteins and their oncogenic fusion counterparts interact with the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex. In contrast to normal FET proteins, increased fractions of FET oncoproteins bind SWI/SNF, indicating a deregulated and enhanced interaction in cancer. Forced expression of FET oncogenes caused changes of global H3K27 trimethylation levels, accompanied by altered gene expression patterns suggesting a shift in the antagonistic balance between SWI/SNF and repressive polycomb group complexes. Thus, deregulation of SWI/SNF activity could provide a unifying pathogenic mechanism for the large group of tumors caused by FET fusion oncoproteins. These results may help to develop common strategies for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin Lindén
- Department of Pathology and Genetics, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Christer Thomsen
- Department of Pathology and Genetics, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Pathology and Genetics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Pernilla Grundevik
- Department of Pathology and Genetics, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Emma Jonasson
- Department of Pathology and Genetics, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Daniel Andersson
- Department of Pathology and Genetics, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Rikard Runnberg
- Department of Pathology and Genetics, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Soheila Dolatabadi
- Department of Pathology and Genetics, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Christoffer Vannas
- Department of Pathology and Genetics, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Oncology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Manuel Luna Santamarίa
- Department of Pathology and Genetics, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Henrik Fagman
- Department of Pathology and Genetics, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Pathology and Genetics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anders Ståhlberg
- Department of Pathology and Genetics, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden .,Department of Clinical Pathology and Genetics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Pierre Åman
- Department of Pathology and Genetics, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden .,Department of Clinical Pathology and Genetics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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22
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Huijbers EJM, van der Werf IM, Faber LD, Sialino LD, van der Laan P, Holland HA, Cimpean AM, Thijssen VLJL, van Beijnum JR, Griffioen AW. Targeting Tumor Vascular CD99 Inhibits Tumor Growth. Front Immunol 2019; 10:651. [PMID: 31001265 PMCID: PMC6455290 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
CD99 (MIC2; single-chain type-1 glycoprotein) is a heavily O-glycosylated transmembrane protein (32 kDa) present on leukocytes and activated endothelium. Expression of CD99 on endothelium is important in lymphocyte diapedesis. CD99 is a diagnostic marker for Ewing's Sarcoma (EWS), as it is highly expressed by these tumors. It has been reported that CD99 can affect the migration, invasion and metastasis of tumor cells. Our results show that CD99 is also highly expressed in the tumor vasculature of most solid tumors. Furthermore, we found that in vitro CD99 expression in cultured endothelial cells is induced by starvation. Targeting of murine CD99 by a conjugate vaccine, which induced antibodies against CD99 in mice, resulted in inhibition of tumor growth in both a tumor model with high CD99 (Os-P0109 osteosarcoma) and low CD99 (CT26 colon carcinoma) expression. We demonstrated that vaccination against CD99 is safe, since no toxicity was observed in mice with high antibody titers against CD99 in their sera during a period of almost 11 months. Targeting of CD99 in humans is more complicated due to the fact that the human and mouse CD99 protein are not identical. We are the first to show that growth factor activated endothelial cells express a distinct human CD99 isoform. We conclude that our observations provide an opportunity for specific targeting of CD99 isoforms in human tumor vasculature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth J M Huijbers
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Inge M van der Werf
- Hematology Laboratory, Department of Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Lisette D Faber
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Lena D Sialino
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Pia van der Laan
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Hanna A Holland
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Anca M Cimpean
- Department of Histology, Angiogenesis Research Center Timisoara, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Victor L J L Thijssen
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Judy R van Beijnum
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Arjan W Griffioen
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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23
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Dallmayer M, Li J, Ohmura S, Alba Rubio R, Baldauf MC, Hölting TLB, Musa J, Knott MML, Stein S, Cidre-Aranaz F, Wehweck FS, Romero-Pérez L, Gerke JS, Orth MF, Marchetto A, Kirchner T, Bach H, Sannino G, Grünewald TGP. Targeting the CALCB/RAMP1 axis inhibits growth of Ewing sarcoma. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:116. [PMID: 30741933 PMCID: PMC6370763 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-1372-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is an aggressive cancer characterized by chromosomal translocations generating fusions of the EWSR1 gene with ETS transcription factors (in 85% FLI1). EWSR1-FLI1 induces gene expression via binding to enhancer-like GGAA-microsatellites, whose activity correlates with the number of consecutive GGAA-repeats. Herein we investigate the role of the secretory neuropeptide CALCB (calcitonin-related polypeptide β) in EwS, which signals via the CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) receptor complex, containing RAMP1 (receptor activity modifying protein 1) as crucial part for receptor specificity. Analysis of 2678 gene expression microarrays comprising 50 tumor entities and 71 normal tissue types revealed that CALCB is specifically and highly overexpressed in EwS. Time-course knockdown experiments showed that CALCB expression is tightly linked to that of EWSR1-FLI1. Consistently, gene set enrichment analyses of genes whose expression in primary EwS is correlated to that of CALCB indicated that it is co-expressed with other EWSR1-FLI1 target genes and associated with signatures involved in stemness and proliferation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) data for FLI1 and histone marks from EwS cell lines demonstrated that EWSR1-FLI1 binds to a GGAA-microsatellite close to CALCB, which exhibits characteristics of an active enhancer. Reporter assays confirmed the strong EWSR1-FLI1- and length-dependent enhancer activity of this GGAA-microsatellite. Mass spectrometric analyses of EwS cell culture supernatants demonstrated that CALCB is secreted by EwS cells. While short-term RNA interference-mediated CALCB knockdown had no effect on proliferation and clonogenic growth of EwS cells in vitro, its long-term knockdown decreased EwS growth in vitro and in vivo. Similarly, knockdown of RAMP1 reduced clonogenic/spheroidal growth and tumorigenicity, and small-molecule inhibitors directed against the RAMP1-comprising CGRP receptor reduced growth of EwS. Collectively, our findings suggest that CALCB is a direct EWSR1-FLI1 target and that targeting the CALCB/RAMP1 axis may offer a new therapeutic strategy for inhibition of EwS growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Dallmayer
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology of the LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jing Li
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology of the LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Shunya Ohmura
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology of the LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rebeca Alba Rubio
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology of the LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Michaela C Baldauf
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology of the LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tilman L B Hölting
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology of the LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Julian Musa
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology of the LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Max M L Knott
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology of the LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Institute of Pathology of the LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefanie Stein
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology of the LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Florencia Cidre-Aranaz
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology of the LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Fabienne S Wehweck
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology of the LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Institute of Pathology of the LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Laura Romero-Pérez
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology of the LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia S Gerke
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology of the LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin F Orth
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology of the LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Aruna Marchetto
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology of the LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Kirchner
- Institute of Pathology of the LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Horacio Bach
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, and IIRC Antibody Engineering and Proteomics facility, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Giuseppina Sannino
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology of the LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas G P Grünewald
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology of the LMU Munich, Munich, Germany. .,Institute of Pathology of the LMU Munich, Munich, Germany. .,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany. .,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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24
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Harlow ML, Chasse MH, Boguslawski EA, Sorensen KM, Gedminas JM, Kitchen-Goosen SM, Rothbart SB, Taslim C, Lessnick SL, Peck AS, Madaj ZB, Bowman MJ, Grohar PJ. Trabectedin Inhibits EWS-FLI1 and Evicts SWI/SNF from Chromatin in a Schedule-dependent Manner. Clin Cancer Res 2019; 25:3417-3429. [PMID: 30723142 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-3511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Revised: 12/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The successful clinical translation of compounds that target specific oncogenic transcription factors will require an understanding of the mechanism of target suppression to optimize the dose and schedule of administration. We have previously shown trabectedin reverses the gene signature of the EWS-FLI1 transcription factor. In this report, we establish the mechanism of suppression and use it to justify the reevaluation of this drug in the clinic in patients with Ewing sarcoma.Experimental Design: We demonstrate a novel epigenetic mechanism of trabectedin using biochemical fractionation and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing. We link the effect to drug schedule and EWS-FLI1 downstream target expression using confocal microscopy, qPCR, Western blot analysis, and cell viability assays. Finally, we quantitate target suppression within the three-dimensional architecture of the tumor in vivo using 18F-FLT imaging. RESULTS Trabectedin evicts the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complex from chromatin and redistributes EWS-FLI1 in the nucleus leading to a marked increase in H3K27me3 and H3K9me3 at EWS-FLI1 target genes. These effects only occur at high concentrations of trabectedin leading to suppression of EWS-FLI1 target genes and a loss of cell viability. In vivo, low-dose irinotecan is required to improve the magnitude, penetrance, and duration of target suppression in the three-dimensional architecture of the tumor leading to differentiation of the Ewing sarcoma xenograft into benign mesenchymal tissue. CONCLUSIONS These data provide the justification to evaluate trabectedin in the clinic on a short infusion schedule in combination with low-dose irinotecan with 18F-FLT PET imaging in patients with Ewing sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matt L Harlow
- Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | | | | | | | - Jenna M Gedminas
- Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan.,Department of Pediatrics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.,Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan
| | | | | | - Cenny Taslim
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children's Hospital Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Stephen L Lessnick
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children's Hospital Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio.,Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | | | | | | | - Patrick J Grohar
- Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan. .,Department of Pediatrics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.,Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan
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25
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Lu VM, Goyal A, Alvi MA, Kerezoudis P, Haddock MG, Bydon M. Primary intradural Ewing’s sarcoma of the spine: a systematic review of the literature. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2019; 177:12-19. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2018.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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26
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Thangaretnam KP, Paramasivam OR, Ramanathan P, Gopisetty G, Rajkumar T. Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against recombinant extracellular domain of CD99. Hum Antibodies 2019; 27:69-83. [PMID: 30282350 DOI: 10.3233/hab-180350] [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] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE CD99/MIC2 gene product is a heavily glycosylated transmembrane protein which plays a major role in homotypic cell adhesion, apoptosis of double positive T cells and vesicular protein trafficking. It is over expressed in various cancers and has been considered as an ideal therapeutic target. The present study focused at developing monoclonal antibodies against the extracellular domain (ECD) of CD99 using hybridoma technology. MATERIALS AND METHODS In order to generate monoclonal antibodies, the recombinant ECD of CD99 was used for immunizing the mice. Resulting hybridomas were screened through indirect ELISA. Clones which gave high absorbance values were sub cloned by limiting dilution followed by isotype determination, IP, WB and FACS. The monoclonal antibody 547F2 4F12 was purified from culture supernatant using FPLC and further screened using IF. Finally, the antibodies were validated for specificity using siRNA knock-down. RESULTS We were able to establish stable hybridoma clones secreting CD99 antibodies. The antibodies reacted with both the recombinant ECD as well as the wild type CD99 and their isotype's were determined as IgM. CONCLUSION Based on these results, we propose that the purified monoclonal antibody 547F2 4F12 could be possibly used for targeting tumors which over express CD99.
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27
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Tavakkoli M, Mueller L. Cutaneous Ewing Sarcoma and Ewing Sarcoma of the Bone: Distinct Diseases. Case Rep Oncol 2018; 11:729-734. [PMID: 30519175 PMCID: PMC6276761 DOI: 10.1159/000492667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive mesenchymal malignancy. It is the second most common bone tumor among children and adolescents and less commonly presents as a soft tissue or primary skin lesion. Cutaneous Ewing sarcoma has only been reported in case reports and case series. In this article, we describe a 12-year-old Hispanic female cured of localized, cutaneous Ewing sarcoma (pT1aN0M0) at the 40-month follow-up following surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy according to the COG AEWS1031 protocol for Ewing sarcoma of the bone. To our knowledge, this is the first article to provide a potential biological explanation for the differences in the prognosis of Ewing sarcoma of the bone, soft tissue, and skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montreh Tavakkoli
- New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
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28
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Çelik H, Sciandra M, Flashner B, Gelmez E, Kayraklıoğlu N, Allegakoen DV, Petro JR, Conn EJ, Hour S, Han J, Oktay L, Tiwari PB, Hayran M, Harris BT, Manara MC, Toretsky JA, Scotlandi K, Üren A. Clofarabine inhibits Ewing sarcoma growth through a novel molecular mechanism involving direct binding to CD99. Oncogene 2018; 37:2181-2196. [PMID: 29382926 PMCID: PMC9936921 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-017-0080-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Revised: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (ES) is an aggressive bone and soft tissue malignancy that predominantly affects children and adolescents. CD99 is a cell surface protein that is highly expressed on ES cells and is required to maintain their malignancy. We screened small molecule libraries for binding to extracellular domain of recombinant CD99 and subsequent inhibition of ES cell growth. We identified two structurally similar FDA-approved compounds, clofarabine and cladribine that selectively inhibited the growth of ES cells in a panel of 14 ES vs. 28 non-ES cell lines. Both drugs inhibited CD99 dimerization and its interaction with downstream signaling components. A membrane-impermeable analog of clofarabine showed similar cytotoxicity in culture, suggesting that it can function through inhibiting CD99 independent of DNA metabolism. Both drugs drastically inhibited anchorage-independent growth of ES cells, but clofarabine was more effective in inhibiting growth of three different ES xenografts. Our findings provide a novel molecular mechanism for clofarabine that involves direct binding to a cell surface receptor CD99 and inhibiting its biological activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haydar Çelik
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007
| | - Marika Sciandra
- CRS Development of Biomolecular Therapies, Experimental Oncology Laboratory, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, 40136 Bologna, Italy,PROMETEO Laboratory, STB, RIT Department, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Bess Flashner
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007
| | - Elif Gelmez
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007
| | - Neslihan Kayraklıoğlu
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007
| | - David V. Allegakoen
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007
| | - Jeff R. Petro
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007
| | - Erin J. Conn
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007
| | - Sarah Hour
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007
| | - Jenny Han
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007
| | - Lalehan Oktay
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007
| | - Purushottam B. Tiwari
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007
| | - Mutlu Hayran
- Department of Preventive Oncology, Cancer Institute, Hacettepe University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey
| | - Brent T. Harris
- Department of Pathology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007
| | - Maria Cristina Manara
- CRS Development of Biomolecular Therapies, Experimental Oncology Laboratory, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, 40136 Bologna, Italy,PROMETEO Laboratory, STB, RIT Department, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Jeffrey A. Toretsky
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007
| | - Katia Scotlandi
- CRS Development of Biomolecular Therapies, Experimental Oncology Laboratory, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy. .,PROMETEO Laboratory, STB, RIT Department, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Aykut Üren
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
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29
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Martinelli M, Parra A, Scapoli L, De Sanctis P, Chiadini V, Hattinger C, Picci P, Zucchini C, Scotlandi K. CD99 polymorphisms significantly influence the probability to develop Ewing sarcoma in earlier age and patient disease progression. Oncotarget 2018; 7:77958-77967. [PMID: 27792997 PMCID: PMC5363635 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12862] [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: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (EWS), the second most common primary bone tumor in pediatric age, is known for its paucity of recurrent somatic abnormalities. Apart from the chimeric oncoprotein that derives from the fusion of EWS and FLI genes, recent genome-wide association studies have identified susceptibility variants near the EGR2 gene that regulate DNA binding of EWS-FLI. However, to induce transformation, EWS-FLI requires the presence of additional molecular events, including the expression of CD99, a cell surface molecule with critical relevance for the pathogenesis of EWS. High expression of CD99 is a common and distinctive feature of EWS cells, and it has largely been used for the differential diagnosis of the disease. The present study first links CD99 germline genetic variants to the susceptibility of EWS development and its progression. In particular, a panel of 25 single nucleotide polymorphisms has been genotyped in a case-control study. The CD99 rs311059 T variant was found to be significantly associated [P value = 0.0029; ORhet = 3.9 (95% CI 1.5-9.8) and ORhom = 5.3 (95% CI 1.2-23.7)] with EWS onset in patients less than 14 years old, while the CD99 rs312257-T was observed to be associated [P value = 0.0265; ORhet = 3.5 (95% CI 1.3-9.9)] with a reduced risk of relapse. Besides confirming the importance of CD99, our findings indicate that polymorphic variations in this gene may affect either development or progression of EWS, leading to further understanding of this cancer and development of better diagnostics/prognostics for children and adolescents with this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Martinelli
- Dept. of Experimental Diagnostics and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandro Parra
- CRS Development of Biomolecular Therapies, Oncology Lab, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy.,Experimental Oncology Lab, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Scapoli
- Dept. of Experimental Diagnostics and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Paola De Sanctis
- Dept. of Experimental Diagnostics and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Chiadini
- CRS Development of Biomolecular Therapies, Oncology Lab, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy.,Experimental Oncology Lab, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudia Hattinger
- Experimental Oncology Lab, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy
| | - Piero Picci
- Experimental Oncology Lab, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy
| | - Cinzia Zucchini
- Dept. of Experimental Diagnostics and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Katia Scotlandi
- CRS Development of Biomolecular Therapies, Oncology Lab, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy.,Experimental Oncology Lab, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy
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30
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Abstract
The cell surface molecule CD99 has gained interest because of its involvement in regulating cell differentiation and adhesion/migration of immune and tumor cells. However, the molecule plays an intriguing and dual role in different cell types. In particular, it acts as a requirement for cell malignancy or as an oncosuppressor in tumors. In addition, the gene encodes for two different isoforms, which also act in opposition inside the same cell. This review highlights key studies focusing on the dual role of CD99 and its isoforms and discusses major critical issues, challenges, and strategies for overcoming those challenges. The review specifically underscores the properties that make the molecule an attractive therapeutic target and identifies new relationships and areas of study that may be exploited. The elucidation of the spatial and temporal control of the expression of CD99 in normal and tumor cells is required to obtain a full appreciation of this molecule and its signaling.
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31
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Yu H, Ge Y, Guo L, Huang L. Potential approaches to the treatment of Ewing's sarcoma. Oncotarget 2018; 8:5523-5539. [PMID: 27740934 PMCID: PMC5354928 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing’s sarcoma (ES) is a highly aggressive and metastatic tumor in children and young adults caused by a chromosomal fusion between the Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1 (EWSR1) gene and the transcription factor FLI1 gene. ES is managed with standard treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Although the 5-year survival rate for primary ES has improved, the survival rate for ES patients with metastases or recurrence remains low. Several novel molecular targets in ES have recently been identified and investigated in preclinical and clinical settings, and targeting the function of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), the fusion protein EWS-FLI1 and mTOR has shown promise. There has also been increasing interest in the immune responses of ES patients. Immunotherapies using T cells, NK cells, cancer vaccines and monoclonal antibodies have been considered for ES, especially for recurrent patients. Because understanding the pathogenesis of ES is extremely important for the development of novel treatments, this review focuses on the mechanisms and functions of targeted therapies and immunotherapies in ES. It is anticipated that integrating the knowledge obtained from basic research and translational and clinical studies will lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of ES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjiu Yu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, P.R. China.,Department of VIP, The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Yonggui Ge
- Department of Pathophysiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Lianying Guo
- Department of Pathophysiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Lin Huang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, P.R. China
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32
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Dai X, Theobard R, Cheng H, Xing M, Zhang J. Fusion genes: A promising tool combating against cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2018; 1869:149-160. [PMID: 29357299 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2017.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Revised: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The driving roles of fusion genes during tumorigenesis have been recognized for decades, with efficacies demonstrated in clinical diagnosis and targeted therapy. With advances in sequencing technologies and computational biology, a surge in the identification of fusion genes has been witnessed during the past decade. The discovery and presence of splicing based fusions in normal tissues have challenged our canonical conceptions on fusion genes and offered us novel medical opportunities. The specificity of fusion genes to neoplastic tissues and their diverse functionalities during carcinogenesis foster them as promising tools in the battle against cancer. It is time to re-visit and comb through our cutting-edge knowledge on fusion genes to accelerate clinical translation of these internal markers. Urged as such, we are encouraged to categorize fusion events according to mechanisms leading to their generation, oncological consequences and clinical implications, offer insights on fusion occurrence across tumors from the system level, highlight feasible practices in fusion-related pharmaceutical development, and identify understudied yet important niches that may lead future research trend in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Dai
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
| | - Rutaganda Theobard
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Hongye Cheng
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Mengtao Xing
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Jianying Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas, El Paso, TX 79968, USA; Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences & Henan Key Laboratory of Tumor Epidemiology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
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33
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Hernandez-Muñoz I, Figuerola E, Sanchez-Molina S, Rodriguez E, Fernández-Mariño AI, Pardo-Pastor C, Bahamonde MI, Fernández-Fernández JM, García-Domínguez DJ, Hontecillas-Prieto L, Lavarino C, Carcaboso AM, de Torres C, Tirado OM, de Alava E, Mora J. RING1B contributes to Ewing sarcoma development by repressing the NaV1.6 sodium channel and the NF-κB pathway, independently of the fusion oncoprotein. Oncotarget 2018; 7:46283-46300. [PMID: 27317769 PMCID: PMC5216798 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (ES) is an aggressive tumor defined by EWSR1 gene fusions that behave as an oncogene. Here we demonstrate that RING1B is highly expressed in primary ES tumors, and its expression is independent of the fusion oncogene. RING1B-depleted ES cells display an expression profile enriched in genes functionally involved in hematological development but RING1B depletion does not induce cellular differentiation. In ES cells, RING1B directly binds the SCN8A sodium channel promoter and its depletion results in enhanced Nav1.6 expression and function. The signaling pathway most significantly modulated by RING1B is NF-κB. RING1B depletion results in enhanced p105/p50 expression, which sensitizes ES cells to apoptosis by FGFR/SHP2/STAT3 blockade. Reduced NaV1.6 function protects ES cells from apoptotic cell death by maintaining low NF-κB levels. Our findings identify RING1B as a trait of the cell-of-origin and provide a potential targetable vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elisabeth Figuerola
- Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08950-Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sara Sanchez-Molina
- Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08950-Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eva Rodriguez
- Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08950-Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Isabel Fernández-Mariño
- Laboratori de Fisiologia Molecular, Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003-Barcelona, Spain.,Present Affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Biomolecular Chemistry, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison-53705, USA
| | - Carlos Pardo-Pastor
- Laboratori de Fisiologia Molecular, Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003-Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Isabel Bahamonde
- Laboratori de Fisiologia Molecular, Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003-Barcelona, Spain
| | - José M Fernández-Fernández
- Laboratori de Fisiologia Molecular, Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003-Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel J García-Domínguez
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013-Seville, Spain
| | - Lourdes Hontecillas-Prieto
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013-Seville, Spain
| | - Cinzia Lavarino
- Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08950-Barcelona, Spain
| | - Angel M Carcaboso
- Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08950-Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen de Torres
- Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08950-Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oscar M Tirado
- Sarcoma Research Group, Laboratori d'Oncología Molecular, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908-Barcelona, Spain
| | - Enrique de Alava
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013-Seville, Spain
| | - Jaume Mora
- Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08950-Barcelona, Spain
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Pasello M, Manara MC, Scotlandi K. CD99 at the crossroads of physiology and pathology. J Cell Commun Signal 2018; 12:55-68. [PMID: 29305692 PMCID: PMC5842202 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-017-0445-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
CD99 is a cell surface protein with unique features and only partly defined mechanisms of action. This molecule is involved in crucial biological processes, including cell adhesion, migration, death, differentiation and diapedesis, and it influences processes associated with inflammation, immune responses and cancer. CD99 is frequently overexpressed in many types of tumors, particularly pediatric tumors including Ewing sarcoma and specific subtypes of leukemia. Engagement of CD99 induces the death of malignant cells through non-conventional mechanisms. In Ewing sarcoma, triggering of CD99 by specific monoclonal antibodies activates hyperstimulation of micropinocytosis and leads to cancer cells killing through a caspase-independent, non-apoptotic pathway resembling methuosis. This process is characterized by extreme accumulation of vacuoles in the cytoplasmic space, which compromises cell viability, requires the activation of RAS-Rac1 downstream signaling and appears to be rather specific for tumor cells. In addition, anti-CD99 monoclonal antibodies exhibit antitumor activities in xenografts in the absence of immune effector cells or complement proteins. Overall, these data establish CD99 as a new opportunity to treat patients with high expression of CD99, particularly those that are resistant to canonical apoptosis-inducing agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Pasello
- Experimental Oncology Lab, CRS Development of Biomolecular Therapies, Orthopaedic Rizzoli Institute, via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Maria Cristina Manara
- Experimental Oncology Lab, CRS Development of Biomolecular Therapies, Orthopaedic Rizzoli Institute, via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136, Bologna, Italy
| | - Katia Scotlandi
- Experimental Oncology Lab, CRS Development of Biomolecular Therapies, Orthopaedic Rizzoli Institute, via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136, Bologna, Italy.
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Choo S, Wang P, Newbury R, Roberts W, Yang J. Reactivation of TWIST1 contributes to Ewing sarcoma metastasis. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2018; 65:10.1002/pbc.26721. [PMID: 28873262 PMCID: PMC5759052 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.26721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 06/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ewing sarcoma is a cancer of bone and soft tissue. Despite aggressive treatment, survival remains poor, particularly in patients with metastatic disease. Failure to treat Ewing sarcoma is due to the lack of understanding of the molecular pathways that regulate metastasis. In addition, no molecular prognostic markers have been identified for Ewing sarcoma to risk stratify patients. PROCEDURE Ewing sarcoma patients were divided into high or low Twist1 gene expression and survival curves were generated using the R2 microarray-based Genomic Analysis platform (http://r2.amc.nl). Tumors from Ewing sarcoma patients were also evaluated for TWIST1 expression by immunohistochemistry. Ewing sarcoma xenografts were established to evaluate the role of TWIST1 in metastasis. The effects of Twist1 on migration and invasion were evaluated using migration and invasion assays in A673 and RDES cells. RESULTS Twist1 expression was a negative prognostic marker for overall survival in a public Ewing sarcoma patient data set based on Twist1 mRNA levels and in patient tumor samples based on Twist1 immunohistochemistry. TWIST1 is detected in significantly higher percentage of patients with metastatic diseases than localized disease. Using Ewing sarcoma tumor xenografts in mice, we found that suppressing TWIST1 levels suppressed metastasis without affecting primary tumor development. Knockdown of Twist1 inhibited the migration and invasion capability, while overexpression of Twist1 promoted migration and invasion in Ewing sarcoma cells. CONCLUSION These results suggest that TWIST1 promotes metastasis in Ewing sarcoma and could be used as a prognostic marker for treatment stratification; however, further validation is required in a larger cohort of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun Choo
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
- Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego, San Diego, CA
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Robert Newbury
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
- Department of Pathology, Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego, San Diego, CA
| | - William Roberts
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
- Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego, San Diego, CA
| | - Jing Yang
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
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36
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Johnson KM, Taslim C, Saund RS, Lessnick SL. Identification of two types of GGAA-microsatellites and their roles in EWS/FLI binding and gene regulation in Ewing sarcoma. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0186275. [PMID: 29091716 PMCID: PMC5665490 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is a bone malignancy of children and young adults, frequently harboring the EWS/FLI chromosomal translocation. The resulting fusion protein is an aberrant transcription factor that uses highly repetitive GGAA-containing elements (microsatellites) to activate and repress thousands of target genes mediating oncogenesis. However, the mechanisms of EWS/FLI interaction with microsatellites and regulation of target gene expression is not clearly understood. Here, we profile genome-wide protein binding and gene expression. Using a combination of unbiased genome-wide computational and experimental analysis, we define GGAA-microsatellites in a Ewing sarcoma context. We identify two distinct classes of GGAA-microsatellites and demonstrate that EWS/FLI responsiveness is dependent on microsatellite length. At close range “promoter-like” microsatellites, EWS/FLI binding and subsequent target gene activation is highly dependent on number of GGAA-motifs. “Enhancer-like” microsatellites demonstrate length-dependent EWS/FLI binding, but minimal correlation for activated and none for repressed targets. Our data suggest EWS/FLI binds to “promoter-like” and “enhancer-like” microsatellites to mediate activation and repression of target genes through different regulatory mechanisms. Such characterization contributes valuable insight to EWS/FLI transcription factor biology and clarifies the role of GGAA-microsatellites on a global genomic scale. This may provide unique perspective on the role of non-coding DNA in cancer susceptibility and therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten M. Johnson
- The Medical Scientist Training Program and the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Cenny Taslim
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Ranajeet S. Saund
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Stephen L. Lessnick
- The Medical Scientist Training Program and the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Baldauf MC, Orth MF, Dallmayer M, Marchetto A, Gerke JS, Rubio RA, Kiran MM, Musa J, Knott MML, Ohmura S, Li J, Akpolat N, Akatli AN, Özen Ö, Dirksen U, Hartmann W, de Alava E, Baumhoer D, Sannino G, Kirchner T, Grünewald TGP. Robust diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma by immunohistochemical detection of super-enhancer-driven EWSR1-ETS targets. Oncotarget 2017; 9:1587-1601. [PMID: 29416716 PMCID: PMC5788584 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.20098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is an undifferentiated small-round-cell sarcoma. Although molecular detection of pathognomonic EWSR1-ETS fusions such as EWSR1-FLI1 enables definitive diagnosis, substantial confusion can arise if molecular diagnostics are unavailable. Diagnosis based on the conventional immunohistochemical marker CD99 is unreliable due to its abundant expression in morphological mimics. To identify novel diagnostic immunohistochemical markers for Ewing sarcoma, we performed comparative expression analyses in 768 tumors representing 21 entities including Ewing-like sarcomas, which confirmed that CIC-DUX4-, BCOR-CCNB3-, EWSR1-NFATc2-, and EWSR1-ETS-translocated sarcomas are distinct entities, and revealed that ATP1A1, BCL11B, and GLG1 constitute specific markers for Ewing sarcoma. Their high expression was validated by immunohistochemistry and proved to depend on EWSR1-FLI1-binding to highly active proximal super-enhancers. Automated cut-off-finding and combination-testing in a tissue-microarray comprising 174 samples demonstrated that detection of high BCL11B and/or GLG1 expression is sufficient to reach 96% specificity for Ewing sarcoma. While 88% of tested Ewing-like sarcomas displayed strong CD99-immunoreactivity, none displayed combined strong BCL11B- and GLG1-immunoreactivity. Collectively, we show that ATP1A1, BCL11B, and GLG1 are EWSR1-FLI1 targets, of which BCL11B and GLG1 offer a fast, simple, and cost-efficient way to diagnose Ewing sarcoma by immunohistochemistry. These markers may significantly reduce the number of misdiagnosed patients, and thus improve patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela C Baldauf
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin F Orth
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Marlene Dallmayer
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Aruna Marchetto
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia S Gerke
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rebeca Alba Rubio
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Merve M Kiran
- Department of Pathology, Medical Faculty, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Julian Musa
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Maximilian M L Knott
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Shunya Ohmura
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jing Li
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Nusret Akpolat
- Department of Pathology, Turgut Ozal Medical Center, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Ayse N Akatli
- Department of Pathology, Turgut Ozal Medical Center, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Özlem Özen
- Department of Pathology, Başkent University Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Uta Dirksen
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Hartmann
- Gerhard-Domagk-Institute for Pathology, University Hospital Münster, Westfalian Wilhelms University, Münster, Germany
| | - Enrique de Alava
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, CIBERONC, Seville, Spain
| | - Daniel Baumhoer
- Bone Tumour Reference Center, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Giuseppina Sannino
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Kirchner
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas G P Grünewald
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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Grohar PJ, Glod J, Peer CJ, Sissung TM, Arnaldez FI, Long L, Figg WD, Whitcomb P, Helman LJ, Widemann BC. A phase I/II trial and pharmacokinetic study of mithramycin in children and adults with refractory Ewing sarcoma and EWS-FLI1 fusion transcript. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2017; 80:645-652. [PMID: 28735378 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-017-3382-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In a preclinical drug screen, mithramycin was identified as a potent inhibitor of the Ewing sarcoma EWS-FLI1 transcription factor. We conducted a phase I/II trial to determine the dose-limiting toxicities (DLT), maximum tolerated dose (MTD), and pharmacokinetics (PK) of mithramycin in children with refractory solid tumors, and the activity in children and adults with refractory Ewing sarcoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Mithramycin was administered intravenously over 6 h once daily for 7 days for 28 day cycles. Adult patients (phase II) initially received mithramycin at the previously determined recommended dose of 25 µg/kg/dose. The planned starting dose for children (phase I) was 17.5 µg/kg/dose. Plasma samples were obtained for mithramycin PK analysis. RESULTS The first two adult patients experienced reversible grade 4 alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/aspartate aminotransferase (AST) elevation exceeding the MTD. Subsequent adult patients received mithramycin at 17.5 µg/kg/dose, and children at 13 µg/kg/dose with dexamethasone pretreatment. None of the four subsequent adult and two pediatric patients experienced cycle 1 DLT. No clinical responses were observed. The average maximal mithramycin plasma concentration in four patients was 17.8 ± 4.6 ng/mL. This is substantially below the sustained mithramycin concentrations ≥50 nmol/L required to suppress EWS-FLI1 transcriptional activity in preclinical studies. Due to inability to safely achieve the desired mithramycin exposure, the trial was closed to enrollment. CONCLUSIONS Hepatotoxicity precluded the administration of a mithramycin at a dose required to inhibit EWS-FLI1. Evaluation of mithramycin in patients selected for decreased susceptibility to elevated transaminases may allow for improved drug exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J Grohar
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Van Andel Research Institute, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA
| | - John Glod
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Cody J Peer
- Clinical Pharmacology Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Tristan M Sissung
- Department of Pediatrics, Van Andel Research Institute, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA
| | - Fernanda I Arnaldez
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lauren Long
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - William D Figg
- Clinical Pharmacology Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Patricia Whitcomb
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lee J Helman
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Brigitte C Widemann
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Theisen ER, Pishas KI, Saund RS, Lessnick SL. Therapeutic opportunities in Ewing sarcoma: EWS-FLI inhibition via LSD1 targeting. Oncotarget 2017; 7:17616-30. [PMID: 26848860 PMCID: PMC4951237 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 01/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive primary pediatric bone tumor, often diagnosed in adolescents and young adults. A pathognomonic reciprocal chromosomal translocation results in a fusion gene coding for a protein which derives its N-terminus from a FUS/EWS/TAF15 (FET) protein family member, commonly EWS, and C-terminus containing the DNA-binding domain of an ETS transcription factor, commonly FLI1. Nearly 85% of cases express the EWS-FLI protein which functions as a transcription factor and drives oncogenesis. As the primary genomic lesion and a protein which is not expressed in normal cells, disrupting EWS-FLI function is an attractive therapeutic strategy for Ewing sarcoma. However, transcription factors are notoriously difficult targets for the development of small molecules. Improved understanding of the oncogenic mechanisms employed by EWS-FLI to hijack normal cellular programming has uncovered potential novel approaches to pharmacologically block EWS-FLI function. In this review we examine targeting the chromatin regulatory enzymes recruited to conspire in oncogenesis with a focus on the histone lysine specific demethylase 1 (LSD1). LSD1 inhibitors are being aggressively investigated in acute myeloid leukemia and the results of early clinical trials will help inform the future use of LSD1 inhibitors in sarcoma. High LSD1 expression is observed in Ewing sarcoma patient samples and mechanistic and preclinical data suggest LSD1 inhibition globally disrupts the function of EWS-ETS proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Theisen
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Kathleen I Pishas
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Cancer Therapeutics Laboratory, Centre for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Discipline of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Ranajeet S Saund
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Stephen L Lessnick
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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40
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Tu J, Huo Z, Gingold J, Zhao R, Shen J, Lee DF. The Histogenesis of Ewing Sarcoma. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [PMID: 28626837 DOI: 10.15761/crr.1000111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jian Tu
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zijun Huo
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Julian Gingold
- Women's Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Ruiying Zhao
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jingnan Shen
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dung-Fang Lee
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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41
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Targeting the EWS-ETS transcriptional program by BET bromodomain inhibition in Ewing sarcoma. Oncotarget 2016; 7:1451-63. [PMID: 26623725 PMCID: PMC4811472 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcomas (ES) are highly malignant bone or soft tissue tumors. Genetically, ES are defined by balanced chromosomal EWS/ETS translocations, which give rise to chimeric proteins (EWS-ETS) that generate an oncogenic transcriptional program associated with altered epigenetic marks throughout the genome. By use of an inhibitor (JQ1) blocking BET bromodomain binding proteins (BRDs) we strikingly observed a strong down-regulation of the predominant EWS-ETS protein EWS-FLI1 in a dose dependent manner. This was further enhanced by co-treatment with an inhibitor of the PI3K pathway. Microarray analysis further revealed JQ1 treatment to block a typical ES associated expression program. The effect on this expression program was mimicked by RNA interference with BRD3 or BRD4 expression, indicating that the EWS-FLI1 mediated expression profile is at least in part mediated via such epigenetic readers. Consequently, contact dependent and independent proliferation of different ES lines was strongly inhibited. Mechanistically, treatment of ES resulted in a partial arrest of the cell cycle as well as induction of apoptosis. Tumor development was suppressed dose dependently in a xeno-transplant model in immune deficient mice, overall indicating that ES may be susceptible to treatment with epigenetic inhibitors blocking BET bromodomain activity and the associated pathognomonic EWS-ETS transcriptional program.
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Scheil-Bertram S, Krenn V. [Minutes of the AG Knochen-, Gelenk- und Weichgewebspathologie : DGB-Conference on 19 May 2016]. DER PATHOLOGE 2016; 37:242-246. [PMID: 27638537 DOI: 10.1007/s00292-016-0193-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- S Scheil-Bertram
- Institut für Pathologie und Zytologie, Helios Dr. Horst Schmidt Kliniken Wiesbaden, Ludwig-Erhard-Str. 100, 65199, Wiesbaden, Deutschland.
| | - V Krenn
- MVZ für Histologie, Zytologie & Molekulare Diagnostik, Trier, Deutschland
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43
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He T, Surdez D, Rantala JK, Haapa-Paananen S, Ban J, Kauer M, Tomazou E, Fey V, Alonso J, Kovar H, Delattre O, Iljin K. High-throughput RNAi screen in Ewing sarcoma cells identifies leucine rich repeats and WD repeat domain containing 1 (LRWD1) as a regulator of EWS-FLI1 driven cell viability. Gene 2016; 596:137-146. [PMID: 27760381 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2016.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Revised: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
A translocation leading to the formation of an oncogenic EWS-ETS fusion protein defines Ewing sarcoma. The most frequent gene fusion, present in 85 percent of Ewing sarcomas, is EWS-FLI1. Here, a high-throughput RNA interference screen was performed to identify genes whose function is critical for EWS-FLI1 driven cell viability. In total, 6781 genes were targeted by siRNA molecules and the screen was performed both in presence and absence of doxycycline-inducible expression of the EWS-FLI1 shRNA in A673/TR/shEF Ewing sarcoma cells. The Leucine rich repeats and WD repeat Domain containing 1 (LRWD1) targeting siRNA pool was the strongest hit reducing cell viability only in EWS-FLI1 expressing Ewing sarcoma cells. LRWD1 had been previously described as a testis specific gene with only limited information on its function. Analysis of LRWD1 mRNA levels in patient samples indicated that high expression associated with poor overall survival in Ewing sarcoma. Gene ontology analysis of LRWD1 co-expressed genes in Ewing tumors revealed association with DNA replication and analysis of differentially expressed genes in LRWD1 depleted Ewing sarcoma cells indicated a role in connective tissue development and cellular morphogenesis. Moreover, EWS-FLI1 repressed genes with repressive H3K27me3 chromatin marks were highly enriched among LRWD1 target genes in A673/TR/shEF Ewing sarcoma cells, suggesting that LRWD1 contributes to EWS-FLI1 driven transcriptional regulation. Taken together, we have identified LRWD1 as a novel regulator of EWS-FLI1 driven cell viability in A673/TR/shEF Ewing sarcoma cells, shown association between high LRWD1 mRNA expression and aggressive disease and identified processes by which LRWD1 may promote oncogenesis in Ewing sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao He
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Turku, Finland
| | - Didier Surdez
- Institut Curie, Unité de génétique somatique, Paris, France; Genetics and Biology of Cancers Unit, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France; INSERM U830, Institut Curie Research Center, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Jozef Ban
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maximilian Kauer
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eleni Tomazou
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vidal Fey
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Turku, Finland
| | - Javier Alonso
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Área de Genética Humana, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Heinrich Kovar
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics, Medical University, Vienna, Austria
| | - Olivier Delattre
- Institut Curie, Unité de génétique somatique, Paris, France; Genetics and Biology of Cancers Unit, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France; INSERM U830, Institut Curie Research Center, Paris, France; Institut Curie Genomics of Excellence (ICGex) Platform, Institut Curie Research Center, Paris, France
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Villasante A, Marturano-Kruik A, Ambati SR, Liu Z, Godier-Furnemont A, Parsa H, Lee BW, Moore MA, Vunjak-Novakovic G. Recapitulating the Size and Cargo of Tumor Exosomes in a Tissue-Engineered Model. Theranostics 2016; 6:1119-30. [PMID: 27279906 PMCID: PMC4893640 DOI: 10.7150/thno.13944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a growing interest in the pivotal role of exosomes in cancer and in their use as biomarkers. However, despite the importance of the microenvironment for cancer initiation and progression, monolayer cultures of tumor cells still represent the main in vitro source of exosomes. As a result, their environmental regulation remains largely unknown. Here, we report a three-dimensional tumor model for studying exosomes, using Ewing's sarcoma type 1 as a clinically relevant example. The bioengineered model was designed based on the hypothesis that the 3-dimensionality, composition and stiffness of the tumor matrix are the critical determinants of the size and cargo of exosomes released by the cancer cells. We analyzed the effects of the tumor microenvironment on exosomes, and the effects of exosomes on the non-cancer cells from the bone niche. Exosomes from the tissue-engineered tumor had similar size distribution as those in the patients' plasma, and were markedly smaller than those in monolayer cultures. Bioengineered tumors and the patients' plasma contained high levels of the Polycomb histone methyltransferase EZH2 mRNA relatively to their monolayer counterparts. Notably, EZH2 mRNA, a potential tumor biomarker detectable in blood plasma, could be transferred to the surrounding mesenchymal stem cells. This study provides the first evidence that an in vitro culture environment can recapitulate some properties of tumor exosomes.
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Abstract
In this article, the authors summarize the state of the art and future potential in the management of Osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, and Chondrosarcoma. They cover systemic therapy, surgical therapy, and radiotherapy, along with targeted therapies to inhibit signal transduction pathways. They discuss staging and the role of imaging evaluation to provide an overview of bone tumor treatment. Images presenting pathologic-radiologic correlations are included.
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Lim HJ, Yang JL. Regulatory roles and therapeutic potential of microRNA in sarcoma. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2016; 97:118-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2015.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Revised: 07/15/2015] [Accepted: 08/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
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Ventura S, Aryee DNT, Felicetti F, De Feo A, Mancarella C, Manara MC, Picci P, Colombo MP, Kovar H, Carè A, Scotlandi K. CD99 regulates neural differentiation of Ewing sarcoma cells through miR-34a-Notch-mediated control of NF-κB signaling. Oncogene 2015; 35:3944-54. [PMID: 26616853 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Revised: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Sarcomas are mesenchymal tumors characterized by blocked differentiation process. In Ewing sarcoma (EWS) both CD99 and EWS-FLI1 concur to oncogenesis and inhibition of differentiation. Here, we demonstrate that uncoupling CD99 from EWS-FLI1 by silencing the former, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling is inhibited and the neural differentiation program is re-established. NF-κB inhibition passes through miR-34a-mediated repression of Notch pathway. CD99 counteracts EWS-FLI1 in controlling NF-κB signaling through the miR-34a, which is increased and secreted into exosomes released by CD99-silenced EWS cells. Delivery of exosomes from CD99-silenced cells was sufficient to induce neural differentiation in recipient EWS cells through miR-34a inhibition of Notch-NF-κB signaling. Notably, even the partial delivery of CD99 small interfering RNA may have a broad effect on the entire tumor cell population owing to the spread operated by their miR-34a-enriched exosomes, a feature opening to a new therapeutic option.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ventura
- CRS Development of Biomolecular Therapies, Experimental Oncology Laboratory, Rizzoli Istituto Ortopedico, Bologna, Italy
| | - D N T Aryee
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Pediatrics, Medical University, Vienna, Austria
| | - F Felicetti
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - A De Feo
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - C Mancarella
- CRS Development of Biomolecular Therapies, Experimental Oncology Laboratory, Rizzoli Istituto Ortopedico, Bologna, Italy
| | - M C Manara
- CRS Development of Biomolecular Therapies, Experimental Oncology Laboratory, Rizzoli Istituto Ortopedico, Bologna, Italy
| | - P Picci
- CRS Development of Biomolecular Therapies, Experimental Oncology Laboratory, Rizzoli Istituto Ortopedico, Bologna, Italy
| | - M P Colombo
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS 'Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori', Milan, Italy
| | - H Kovar
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Pediatrics, Medical University, Vienna, Austria
| | - A Carè
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - K Scotlandi
- CRS Development of Biomolecular Therapies, Experimental Oncology Laboratory, Rizzoli Istituto Ortopedico, Bologna, Italy
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48
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Roberts SS, Chou AJ, Cheung NKV. Immunotherapy of Childhood Sarcomas. Front Oncol 2015; 5:181. [PMID: 26301204 PMCID: PMC4528283 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Pediatric sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of malignant tumors of bone and soft tissue origin. Although more than 100 different histologic subtypes have been described, the majority of pediatric cases belong to the Ewing’s family of tumors, rhabdomyosarcoma and osteosarcoma. Most patients that present with localized stage are curable with surgery and/or chemotherapy; however, those with metastatic disease at diagnosis or those who experience a relapse continue to have a very poor prognosis. New therapies for these patients are urgently needed. Immunotherapy is an established treatment modality for both liquid and solid tumors, and in pediatrics, most notably for neuroblastoma and osteosarcoma. In the past, immunomodulatory agents such as interferon, interleukin-2, and liposomal-muramyl tripeptide phosphatidyl-ethanolamine have been tried, with some activity seen in subsets of patients; additionally, various cancer vaccines have been studied with possible benefit. Monoclonal antibody therapies against tumor antigens such as disialoganglioside GD2 or immune checkpoint targets such as CTLA-4 and PD-1 are being actively explored in pediatric sarcomas. Building on the success of adoptive T cell therapy for EBV-related lymphoma, strategies to redirect T cells using chimeric antigen receptors and bispecific antibodies are rapidly evolving with potential for the treatment of sarcomas. This review will focus on recent preclinical and clinical developments in targeted agents for pediatric sarcomas with emphasis on the immunobiology of immune checkpoints, immunoediting, tumor microenvironment, antibody engineering, cell engineering, and tumor vaccines. The future integration of antibody-based and cell-based therapies into an overall treatment strategy of sarcoma will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen S Roberts
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York, NY , USA
| | - Alexander J Chou
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York, NY , USA
| | - Nai-Kong V Cheung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York, NY , USA
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Cidre-Aranaz F, Alonso J. EWS/FLI1 Target Genes and Therapeutic Opportunities in Ewing Sarcoma. Front Oncol 2015; 5:162. [PMID: 26258070 PMCID: PMC4507460 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive bone malignancy that affect children and young adults. Ewing sarcoma is the second most common primary bone malignancy in pediatric patients. Although significant progress has been made in the treatment of Ewing sarcoma since it was first described in the 1920s, in the last decade survival rates have remained unacceptably invariable, thus pointing to the need for new approaches centered in the molecular basis of the disease. Ewing sarcoma driving mutation, EWS–FLI1, which results from a chromosomal translocation, encodes an aberrant transcription factor. Since its first characterization in 1990s, many molecular targets have been described to be regulated by this chimeric transcription factor. Their contribution to orchestrate Ewing sarcoma phenotype has been reported over the last decades. In this work, we will focus on the description of a selection of EWS/FLI1 targets, their functional role, and their potential clinical relevance. We will also discuss their role in other types of cancer as well as the need for further studies to be performed in order to achieve a broader understanding of their particular contribution to Ewing sarcoma development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florencia Cidre-Aranaz
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Área de Genética Humana, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III , Madrid , Spain
| | - Javier Alonso
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Área de Genética Humana, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III , Madrid , Spain
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EWS/FLI utilizes NKX2-2 to repress mesenchymal features of Ewing sarcoma. Genes Cancer 2015; 6:129-43. [PMID: 26000096 PMCID: PMC4426950 DOI: 10.18632/genesandcancer.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 04/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In Ewing sarcoma, NKX2-2 is a critical activated target of the oncogenic transcription factor EWS/FLI that is required for transformation. However, its biological function in this malignancy is unknown. Here we provide evidence that NKX2-2 mediates the EWS/FLI-controlled block of mesenchymal features. Transcriptome-wide RNA sequencing revealed that NKX2-2 represses cell adhesion and extracellular matrix organization genes. NKX2-2-depleted cells form more focal adhesions and organized actin stress fibers, and spread over a wider area—hallmarks of mesenchymally derived cells. Furthermore, NKX2-2 represses the actin-stabilizing protein zyxin, suggesting that these morphological changes are attributable to zyxin de-repression. In addition, NKX2-2-knockdown cells display marked increases in migration and substrate adhesion. However, only part of the EWS/FLI phenotype is NKX2-2-dependent; consequently, NKX2-2 is insufficient to rescue EWS/FLI repression of mesenchymalization. Strikingly, we found that EWS/FLI-and NKX22-repressed genes are activated by ZEB2, which was previously shown to block Ewing sarcoma epithelialization. Together, these data support an emerging theme wherein Ewing sarcoma cells highly express transcription factors that maintain an undifferentiated state. Importantly, co-opting epithelial and mesenchymal traits by Ewing sarcoma cells may explain how the primary tumor grows rapidly while also “passively” metastasizing, without the need for transitions toward differentiated states, as in carcinomas.
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