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Gorodezki D, Schuhmann MU, Ebinger M, Schittenhelm J. Dissecting the Natural Patterns of Progression and Senescence in Pediatric Low-Grade Glioma: From Cellular Mechanisms to Clinical Implications. Cells 2024; 13:1215. [PMID: 39056798 PMCID: PMC11274692 DOI: 10.3390/cells13141215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Pediatric low-grade gliomas (PLGGs) comprise a heterogeneous set of low-grade glial and glioneuronal tumors, collectively representing the most frequent CNS tumors of childhood and adolescence. Despite excellent overall survival rates, the chronic nature of the disease bears a high risk of long-term disease- and therapy-related morbidity in affected patients. Recent in-depth molecular profiling and studies of the genetic landscape of PLGGs led to the discovery of the paramount role of frequent upregulation of RAS/MAPK and mTOR signaling in tumorigenesis and progression of these tumors. Beyond, the subsequent unveiling of RAS/MAPK-driven oncogene-induced senescence in these tumors may shape the understanding of the molecular mechanisms determining the versatile progression patterns of PLGGs, potentially providing a promising target for novel therapies. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies moreover indicate a strong dependence of PLGG formation and growth on the tumor microenvironment. In this work, we provide an overview of the current understanding of the multilayered cellular mechanisms and clinical factors determining the natural progression patterns and the characteristic biological behavior of these tumors, aiming to provide a foundation for advanced stratification for the management of these tumors within a multimodal treatment approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Gorodezki
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany;
| | - Martin U. Schuhmann
- Section of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Martin Ebinger
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany;
| | - Jens Schittenhelm
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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2
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Timofeev O, Giron P, Lawo S, Pichler M, Noeparast M. ERK pathway agonism for cancer therapy: evidence, insights, and a target discovery framework. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:70. [PMID: 38485987 PMCID: PMC10940698 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00554-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
At least 40% of human cancers are associated with aberrant ERK pathway activity (ERKp). Inhibitors targeting various effectors within the ERKp have been developed and explored for over two decades. Conversely, a substantial body of evidence suggests that both normal human cells and, notably to a greater extent, cancer cells exhibit susceptibility to hyperactivation of ERKp. However, this vulnerability of cancer cells remains relatively unexplored. In this review, we reexamine the evidence on the selective lethality of highly elevated ERKp activity in human cancer cells of varying backgrounds. We synthesize the insights proposed for harnessing this vulnerability of ERK-associated cancers for therapeutical approaches and contextualize these insights within established pharmacological cancer-targeting models. Moreover, we compile the intriguing preclinical findings of ERK pathway agonism in diverse cancer models. Lastly, we present a conceptual framework for target discovery regarding ERKp agonism, emphasizing the utilization of mutual exclusivity among oncogenes to develop novel targeted therapies for precision oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleg Timofeev
- Institute of Molecular Oncology, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Philipps University, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Philippe Giron
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Clinical Sciences, Research group Genetics, Reproduction and Development, Centre for Medical Genetics, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Steffen Lawo
- CRISPR Screening Core Facility, Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Martin Pichler
- Translational Oncology, II. Med Clinics Hematology and Oncology, 86156, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Maxim Noeparast
- Translational Oncology, II. Med Clinics Hematology and Oncology, 86156, Augsburg, Germany.
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3
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Pan-cancer transcriptomic analysis identified six classes of immunosenescence genes revealed molecular links between aging, immune system and cancer. Genes Immun 2023; 24:81-91. [PMID: 36807625 DOI: 10.1038/s41435-023-00197-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Aging is a complex process that significantly impacts the immune system. The aging-related decline of the immune system, termed immunosenescence, can lead to disease development, including cancer. The perturbation of immunosenescence genes may characterize the associations between cancer and aging. However, the systematical characterization of immunosenescence genes in pan-cancer remains largely unexplored. In this study, we comprehensively investigated the expression of immunosenescence genes and their roles in 26 types of cancer. We developed an integrated computational pipeline to identify and characterize immunosenescence genes in cancer based on the expression profiles of immune genes and clinical information of patients. We identified 2218 immunosenescence genes that were significantly dysregulated in a wide variety of cancers. These immunosenescence genes were divided into six categories based on their relationships with aging. Besides, we assessed the importance of immunosenescence genes in clinical prognosis and identified 1327 genes serving as prognostic markers in cancers. BTN3A1, BTN3A2, CTSD, CYTIP, HIF1AN, and RASGRP1 were associated with ICB immunotherapy response and served as prognostic factors after ICB immunotherapy in melanoma. Collectively, our results furthered the understanding of the relationship between immunosenescence and cancer and provided insights into immunotherapy for patients.
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4
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Pihlajamaa P, Kauko O, Sahu B, Kivioja T, Taipale J. A competitive precision CRISPR method to identify the fitness effects of transcription factor binding sites. Nat Biotechnol 2023; 41:197-203. [PMID: 36163549 PMCID: PMC9931575 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-022-01444-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Here we describe a competitive genome editing method that measures the effect of mutations on molecular functions, based on precision CRISPR editing using template libraries with either the original or altered sequence, and a sequence tag, enabling direct comparison between original and mutated cells. Using the example of the MYC oncogene, we identify important transcriptional targets and show that E-box mutations at MYC target gene promoters reduce cellular fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Päivi Pihlajamaa
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Otto Kauko
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Biswajyoti Sahu
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Teemu Kivioja
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jussi Taipale
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
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5
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Li M, Long X, Bu W, Zhang G, Deng G, Liu Y, Su J, Huang K. Immune-related risk score: An immune-cell-pair-based prognostic model for cutaneous melanoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1112181. [PMID: 36875110 PMCID: PMC9975150 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1112181] [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: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Melanoma is among the most malignant immunologic tumor types and is associated with high mortality. However, a considerable number of melanoma patients cannot benefit from immunotherapy owing to individual differences. This study attempts to build a novel prediction model of melanoma that fully considers individual differences in the tumor microenvironment. Methods An immune-related risk score (IRRS) was constructed based on cutaneous melanoma data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) was used to calculate immune enrichment scores of 28 immune cell signatures. We performed pairwise comparisons to obtain scores for cell pairs based on the difference in the abundance of immune cells within each sample. The resulting cell pair scores, in the form of a matrix of relative values of immune cells, formed the core of the IRRS. Results The area under the curve (AUC) for the IRRS was over 0.700, and when the IRRS was combined with clinical information, the AUC reached 0.785, 0.817, and 0.801 for the 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival, respectively. Differentially expressed genes between the two groups were enriched in staphylococcal infection and estrogen metabolism pathway. The low IRRS group showed a better immunotherapeutic response and exhibited more neoantigens, richer T-cell receptor and B-cell receptor diversity, and higher tumor mutation burden. Conclusion The IRRS enables a good prediction of prognosis and immunotherapy effect, based on the difference in the relative abundance of different types of infiltrating immune cells, and could provide support for further research in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjia Li
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Changsha, China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Dermatology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinrui Long
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Changsha, China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wenbo Bu
- Department of Dermatological Surgery, Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
| | - Guanxiong Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Changsha, China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Guangtong Deng
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Changsha, China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yuancheng Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Changsha, China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Juan Su
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Changsha, China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Kai Huang
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Changsha, China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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6
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Kallenbach J, Atri Roozbahani G, Heidari Horestani M, Baniahmad A. Distinct mechanisms mediating therapy-induced cellular senescence in prostate cancer. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:200. [PMID: 36522745 PMCID: PMC9753376 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00941-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate cancer (PCa) is an age-related malignancy in men with a high incidence rate. PCa treatments face many obstacles due to cancer cell resistance and many bypassing mechanisms to escape therapy. According to the intricacy of PCa, many standard therapies are being used depending on PCa stages including radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, androgen receptor (AR) targeted therapy (androgen deprivation therapy, supraphysiological androgen, and AR antagonists) and chemotherapy. Most of the aforementioned therapies have been implicated to induce cellular senescence. Cellular senescence is defined as a stable cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase and is one of the mechanisms that prevent cancer proliferation. RESULTS In this review, we provide and analyze different mechanisms of therapy-induced senescence (TIS) in PCa and their effects on the tumor. Interestingly, it seems that different molecular pathways are used by cancer cells for TIS. Understanding the complexity and underlying mechanisms of cellular senescence is very critical due to its role in tumorigenesis. The most prevalent analyzed pathways in PCa as TIS are the p53/p21WAF1/CIP1, the p15INK4B/p16INK4A/pRb/E2F/Cyclin D, the ROS/ERK, p27Kip1/CDK/pRb, and the p27Kip1/Skp2/C/EBP β signaling. Despite growth inhibition, senescent cells are highly metabolically active. In addition, their secretome, which is termed senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), affects within the tumor microenvironment neighboring non-tumor and tumor cells and thereby may regulate the growth of tumors. Induction of cancer cell senescence is therefore a double-edged sword that can lead to reduced or enhanced tumor growth. CONCLUSION Thus, dependent on the type of senescence inducer and the specific senescence-induced cellular pathway, it is useful to develop pathway-specific senolytic compounds to specifically targeting senescent cells in order to evict senescent cells and thereby to reduce SASP side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Kallenbach
- grid.9613.d0000 0001 1939 2794Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Am Klinikum 1, 07740 Jena, Germany
| | - Golnaz Atri Roozbahani
- grid.9613.d0000 0001 1939 2794Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Am Klinikum 1, 07740 Jena, Germany
| | - Mehdi Heidari Horestani
- grid.9613.d0000 0001 1939 2794Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Am Klinikum 1, 07740 Jena, Germany
| | - Aria Baniahmad
- grid.9613.d0000 0001 1939 2794Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Am Klinikum 1, 07740 Jena, Germany
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7
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Chibaya L, Snyder J, Ruscetti M. Senescence and the tumor-immune landscape: Implications for cancer immunotherapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:827-845. [PMID: 35143990 PMCID: PMC9357237 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Cancer therapies, including conventional chemotherapy, radiation, and molecularly targeted agents, can lead to tumor eradication through a variety of mechanisms. In addition to their effects on tumor cell growth and survival, these regimens can also influence the surrounding tumor-immune microenvironment in ways that ultimately impact therapy responses. A unique biological outcome of cancer therapy is induction of cellular senescence. Senescence is a damage-induced stress program that leads to both the durable arrest of tumor cells and remodeling the tumor-immune microenvironment through activation of a collection pleiotropic cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and proteinases known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Depending on the cancer context and the mechanism of action of the therapy, the SASP produced following therapy-induced senescence (TIS) can promote anti-tumor immunity that enhances therapeutic efficacy, or alternatively chronic inflammation that leads to therapy failure and tumor relapse. Thus, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms regulating the SASP and components necessary for robust anti-tumor immune surveillance in different cancer and therapy contexts are key to harnessing senescence for tumor control. Here we draw a roadmap to modulate TIS and its immune-stimulating features for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loretah Chibaya
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Jarin Snyder
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Marcus Ruscetti
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Immunology and Microbiology Program, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Cancer Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
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8
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Kaur G, Jena L, Gupta R, Farswan A, Gupta A, Sriram K. Correlation of changes in subclonal architecture with progression in the MMRF CoMMpass study. Transl Oncol 2022; 23:101472. [PMID: 35777247 PMCID: PMC9253848 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2022.101472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a heterogeneous plasma cell proliferative disorder that arises from its premalignant precursor stages through a complex cascade of interactions between clonal mutations and co-evolving microenvironment. The temporo-spatial evolutionary trajectories of MM are established early during myelomatogenesis in precursor stages and retained in MM. Such molecular events impact subsequent disease progression and clinical outcomes. Identification of clonal sweeps of actionable gene targets in MM could reveal potential vulnerabilities that may exist in early stages and thus potentiate prognostication and customization of early therapeutic interventions. We have evaluated clonal evolution at multiple time points in 76 MM patients enrolled in the MMRF CoMMpass study. The major findings of this study are (a) MM progresses predominantly through branching evolution, (b) there is a heterogeneous spectrum of mutational landscapes that include unique actionable gene targets at diagnosis compared to progression, (c) unique clonal gains/ losses of mutant driver genes can be identified in patients with different cytogenetic aberrations, (d) there is a significant correlation between co-occurring oncogenic mutations/ co-occurring subclones e.g., with mutated TP53+SYNE1, NRAS+MAGI3, and anticorrelative dependencies between FAT3+FCGBP gene pairs. Such co-trajectories may synchronize molecular events of drug response, myelomatogenesis and warrant future studies to explore their potential for early prognostication and development of risk stratified personalized therapies in MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gurvinder Kaur
- Laboratory Oncology Unit, Dr. B. R.A. IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi
| | - Lingaraja Jena
- Laboratory Oncology Unit, Dr. B. R.A. IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi
| | - Ritu Gupta
- Laboratory Oncology Unit, Dr. B. R.A. IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi.
| | - Akanksha Farswan
- SBILab, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, IIIT, Delhi
| | - Anubha Gupta
- SBILab, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, IIIT, Delhi.
| | - K Sriram
- Department of Computational Biology & Centre for Computational Biology, IIIT, Delhi
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9
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Jandova J, Park SL, Corenblum MJ, Madhavan L, Snell JA, Rounds L, Wondrak GT. Mefloquine induces ER stress and apoptosis in BRAFi-resistant A375-BRAF V600E /NRAS Q61K malignant melanoma cells targeting intracranial tumors in a bioluminescent murine model. Mol Carcinog 2022; 61:603-614. [PMID: 35417045 PMCID: PMC9133119 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Molecularly targeted therapeutics have revolutionized the treatment of BRAFV600E -driven malignant melanoma, but the rapid development of resistance to BRAF kinase inhibitors (BRAFi) presents a significant obstacle. The use of clinical antimalarials for the investigational treatment of malignant melanoma has shown only moderate promise, attributed mostly to inhibition of lysosomal-autophagic adaptations of cancer cells, but identification of specific antimalarials displaying single-agent antimelanoma activity has remained elusive. Here, we have screened a focused library of clinically used artemisinin-combination therapeutic (ACT) antimalarials for the apoptotic elimination of cultured malignant melanoma cell lines, also examining feasibility of overcoming BRAFi-resistance comparing isogenic melanoma cells that differ only by NRAS mutational status (BRAFi-sensitive A375-BRAFV600E /NRASQ61 vs. BRAFi-resistant A375-BRAFV600E /NRASQ61K ). Among ACT antimalarials tested, mefloquine (MQ) was the only apoptogenic agent causing melanoma cell death at low micromolar concentrations. Comparative gene expression-array analysis (A375-BRAFV600E /NRASQ61 vs. A375-BRAFV600E /NRASQ61K ) revealed that MQ is a dual inducer of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and redox stress responses that precede MQ-induced loss of viability. ER-trackerTM DPX fluorescence imaging and electron microscopy indicated ER swelling, accompanied by rapid induction of ER stress signaling (phospho-eIF2α, XBP-1s, ATF4). Fluo-4 AM-fluorescence indicated the occurrence of cytosolic calcium overload observable within seconds of MQ exposure. In a bioluminescent murine model employing intracranial injection of A375-Luc2 (BRAFV600E /NRASQ61K ) cells, an oral MQ regimen efficiently antagonized brain tumor growth. Taken together, these data suggest that the clinical antimalarial MQ may be a valid candidate for drug repurposing aiming at chemotherapeutic elimination of malignant melanoma cells, even if metastasized to the brain and BRAFi-resistant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Jandova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, RK Coit College of Pharmacy & UA Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Sophia L. Park
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, RK Coit College of Pharmacy & UA Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Mandi J. Corenblum
- Department of Neurology, Evelyn F McKnight Brain Institute and BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Lalitha Madhavan
- Department of Neurology, Evelyn F McKnight Brain Institute and BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Jeremy A. Snell
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, RK Coit College of Pharmacy & UA Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Liliana Rounds
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, RK Coit College of Pharmacy & UA Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Georg T. Wondrak
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, RK Coit College of Pharmacy & UA Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
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10
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Gutierrez-Prat N, Zuberer HL, Mangano L, Karimaddini Z, Wolf L, Tyanova S, Wellinger LC, Marbach D, Griesser V, Pettazzoni P, Bischoff JR, Rohle D, Palladino C, Vivanco I. DUSP4 protects BRAF- and NRAS-mutant melanoma from oncogene overdose through modulation of MITF. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 5:5/9/e202101235. [PMID: 35580987 PMCID: PMC9113946 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202101235] [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: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
MAPK inhibitors (MAPKi) remain an important component of the standard of care for metastatic melanoma. However, acquired resistance to these drugs limits their therapeutic benefit. Tumor cells can become refractory to MAPKi by reactivation of ERK. When this happens, tumors often become sensitive to drug withdrawal. This drug addiction phenotype results from the hyperactivation of the oncogenic pathway, a phenomenon commonly referred to as oncogene overdose. Several feedback mechanisms are involved in regulating ERK signaling. However, the genes that serve as gatekeepers of oncogene overdose in mutant melanoma remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that depletion of the ERK phosphatase, DUSP4, leads to toxic levels of MAPK activation in both drug-naive and drug-resistant mutant melanoma cells. Importantly, ERK hyperactivation is associated with down-regulation of lineage-defining genes including MITF Our results offer an alternative therapeutic strategy to treat mutant melanoma patients with acquired MAPKi resistance and those unable to tolerate MAPKi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria Gutierrez-Prat
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Oncology Discovery, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hedwig L Zuberer
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Oncology Discovery, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Luca Mangano
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Oncology Discovery, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Zahra Karimaddini
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Informatics, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Luise Wolf
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Informatics, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefka Tyanova
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Informatics, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Daniel Marbach
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Vera Griesser
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Piergiorgio Pettazzoni
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Oncology Discovery, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - James R Bischoff
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Oncology Discovery, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Chiara Palladino
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Oncology Discovery, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Igor Vivanco
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, UK
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11
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Cathcart AM, Smith H, Labrie M, Mills GB. Characterization of anticancer drug resistance by reverse-phase protein array: new targets and strategies. Expert Rev Proteomics 2022; 19:115-129. [PMID: 35466854 PMCID: PMC9215307 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2022.2070065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Drug resistance is the main barrier to achieving cancer cures with medical therapy. Cancer drug resistance occurs, in part, due to adaptation of the tumor and microenvironment to therapeutic stress at a proteomic level. Reverse-phase protein arrays (RPPA) are well suited to proteomic analysis of drug resistance due to high sample throughput, sensitive detection of phosphoproteins, and validation for a large number of critical cellular pathways. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes contributions of RPPA to understanding and combating drug resistance. In particular, contributions of RPPA to understanding resistance to PARP inhibitors, BRAF inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and breast cancer investigational therapies are discussed. Articles reviewed were identified by MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane search for keywords 'proteomics,' 'reverse-phase protein array,' 'drug resistance,' 'PARP inhibitor,' 'BRAF inhibitor,' 'immune checkpoint inhibitor,' and 'I-SPY' spanning October 1, 1960 - October 1, 2021. EXPERT OPINION Precision oncology has thus far failed to convert the armament of targeted therapies into durable responses for most patients, highlighting that genetic sequencing alone is insufficient to guide therapy selection and overcome drug resistance. Combined genomic and proteomic analyses paired with creative drug combinations and dosing strategies hold promise for maturing precision oncology into an era of improved patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann M Cathcart
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Hannah Smith
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Marilyne Labrie
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.,Department of Immunology and Cellular Biology, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Gordon B Mills
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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12
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Inam H, Sokirniy I, Rao Y, Shah A, Naeemikia F, O'Brien E, Dong C, McCandlish DM, Pritchard JR. Genomic and experimental evidence that ALK ATI does not predict single agent sensitivity to ALK inhibitors. iScience 2021; 24:103343. [PMID: 34825133 PMCID: PMC8603052 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic data can facilitate personalized treatment decisions by enabling therapeutic hypotheses in individual patients. Mutual exclusivity has been an empirically useful signal for identifying activating mutations that respond to single agent targeted therapies. However, a low mutation frequency can underpower this signal for rare variants. We develop a resampling based method for the direct pairwise comparison of conditional selection between sets of gene pairs. We apply this method to a transcript variant of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) in melanoma, termed ALKATI that was suggested to predict sensitivity to ALK inhibitors and we find that it is not mutually exclusive with key melanoma oncogenes. Furthermore, we find that ALKATI is not likely to be sufficient for cellular transformation or growth, and it does not predict single agent therapeutic dependency. Our work strongly disfavors the role of ALKATI as a targetable oncogenic driver that might be sensitive to single agent ALK treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haider Inam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, 211 Wartik Lab, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Ivan Sokirniy
- The Huck Institute for the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Yiyun Rao
- The Huck Institute for the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Anushka Shah
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Farnaz Naeemikia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, 211 Wartik Lab, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Edward O'Brien
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Cheng Dong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, 211 Wartik Lab, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - David M. McCandlish
- Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Justin R. Pritchard
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, 211 Wartik Lab, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- The Huck Institute for the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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13
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Jandova J, Wondrak GT. Vemurafenib Drives Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Gene Expression in BRAF Inhibitor‒Resistant BRAF V600E/NRAS Q61K Melanoma Enhancing Tumor Growth and Metastasis in a Bioluminescent Murine Model. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 142:1456-1465.e1. [PMID: 34687745 PMCID: PMC9021323 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi) resistance compromises long-term survivorship of patients with malignant melanoma, and mutant NRAS is a major mediator of BRAFi resistance. In this study, employing phenotypic and transcriptomic analysis of isogenic melanoma cells that differ only by NRAS mutational status (BRAFi-sensitive A375-BRAFV600E/NRASQ61 vs. BRAFi-resistant A375-BRAFV600E/NRASQ61K), we show that BRAFi (vemurafenib) treatment selectively targets BRAFV600E/NRASQ61K cells upregulating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) gene expression, paradoxically promoting invasiveness and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. First, NanoString nCounter transcriptomic analysis identified the upregulation of specific gene expression networks (EMT and EMT to metastasis) as a function of NRASQ61K status. Strikingly, BRAFi treatment further exacerbated the upregulation of genes promoting EMT in BRAFV600E/NRASQ61K cells (with opposing downregulation of EMT-driver genes in the BRAFV600E/NRASQ61 genotype) as detected by EMT-focused RT2 Profiler qPCR array analysis. In BRAFV600E/NRASQ61K cells, BRAFi treatment enhanced proliferation and invasiveness, together with activation of phosphorylated protein kinase B (Ser473), with opposing phenotypic effects observable in BRAFV600E/NRASQ61 cells displaying downregulation of phosphorylated protein kinase B and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2. In a SCID mouse bioluminescent melanoma metastasis model, BRAFi treatment enhanced lung tumor burden imposed by BRAFV600E/NRASQ61K cells while blocking BRAFV600E/NRASQ61 metastasis. These preclinical data document the BRAFi-driven enhancement of tumorigenesis and metastasis in BRAFi-resistant human BRAFV600E/NRASQ61K melanoma, a finding with potential clinical implications for patients with NRAS-driven BRAFi-resistant tumors receiving BRAFi treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Jandova
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA; UA Cancer Center, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Georg T Wondrak
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA; UA Cancer Center, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
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14
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Nicol PB, Coombes KR, Deaver C, Chkrebtii O, Paul S, Toland AE, Asiaee A. Oncogenetic network estimation with disjunctive Bayesian networks. COMPUTATIONAL AND SYSTEMS ONCOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/cso2.1027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kevin R. Coombes
- Department of Biomedical Informatics Ohio State University Columbus Ohio
| | - Courtney Deaver
- Natural Sciences Division Pepperdine University Malibu California
| | | | - Subhadeep Paul
- Department of Statistics Ohio State University Columbus Ohio
| | - Amanda E. Toland
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics and Department of Internal Medicine Division of Human Genetics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Ohio State University Columbus Ohio
| | - Amir Asiaee
- Mathematical Biosciences Institute Ohio State University Columbus Ohio
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15
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El Tekle G, Bernasocchi T, Unni AM, Bertoni F, Rossi D, Rubin MA, Theurillat JP. Co-occurrence and mutual exclusivity: what cross-cancer mutation patterns can tell us. Trends Cancer 2021; 7:823-836. [PMID: 34031014 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2021.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is the dysregulated proliferation of cells caused by acquired mutations in key driver genes. The most frequently mutated driver genes promote tumorigenesis in various organisms, cell types, and genetic backgrounds. However, recent cancer genomics studies also point to the existence of context-dependent driver gene functions, where specific mutations occur predominately or even exclusively in certain tumor types or genetic backgrounds. Here, we review examples of co-occurring and mutually exclusive driver gene mutation patterns across cancer genomes and discuss their underlying biology. While co-occurring driver genes typically activate collaborating oncogenic pathways, we identify two distinct biological categories of incompatibilities among the mutually exclusive driver genes depending on whether the mutated drivers trigger the same or divergent tumorigenic pathways. Finally, we discuss possible therapeutic avenues emerging from the study of incompatible driver gene mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geniver El Tekle
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, TI 6500, Switzerland
| | - Tiziano Bernasocchi
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, TI 6500, Switzerland
| | - Arun M Unni
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Francesco Bertoni
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, TI 6500, Switzerland
| | - Davide Rossi
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, TI 6500, Switzerland; Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, TI 6500, Switzerland
| | - Mark A Rubin
- Department for BioMedical Research, Precision Oncology Laboratory, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Bern Center for Precision Medicine, University of Bern and Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Philippe Theurillat
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, TI 6500, Switzerland.
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16
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Myers S, Ortega JA, Cavalli A. Synthetic Lethality through the Lens of Medicinal Chemistry. J Med Chem 2020; 63:14151-14183. [PMID: 33135887 PMCID: PMC8015234 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Personalized medicine and therapies represent the goal of modern medicine, as drug discovery strives to move away from one-cure-for-all and makes use of the various targets and biomarkers within differing disease areas. This approach, especially in oncology, is often undermined when the cells make use of alternative survival pathways. As such, acquired resistance is unfortunately common. In order to combat this phenomenon, synthetic lethality is being investigated, making use of existing genetic fragilities within the cancer cell. This Perspective highlights exciting targets within synthetic lethality, (PARP, ATR, ATM, DNA-PKcs, WEE1, CDK12, RAD51, RAD52, and PD-1) and discusses the medicinal chemistry programs being used to interrogate them, the challenges these programs face, and what the future holds for this promising field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel
H. Myers
- Computational
& Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano
di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Jose Antonio Ortega
- Computational
& Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano
di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Andrea Cavalli
- Computational
& Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano
di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University
of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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17
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You J, Dong R, Ying M, He Q, Cao J, Yang B. Cellular Senescence and Anti-Cancer Therapy. Curr Drug Targets 2020; 20:705-715. [PMID: 30556499 DOI: 10.2174/1389450120666181217100833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cellular senescence is generally understood as a permanent cell cycle arrest stemming from different causes. The mechanism of cellular senescence-induced cell cycle arrest is complex, involving interactions between telomere shortening, inflammations and cellular stresses. In recent years, a growing number of studies have revealed that cellular senescence could mediate the cancer progression of neighboring cells, but this idea is controversial and contradictory evidence argues that cellular senescence also contributes to tumor suppression. OBJECTIVE Given that the complicated role of senescence in various physiological and pathological scenarios, we try to clarify the precise contribution role of cellular senescence to tumor progression. METHODS Search for the information in a large array of relevant articles to support our opinion. RESULTS We discuss the relatively widespread occurrence of cellular senescence in cancer treatment and identify the positive and negative side of senescence contributed to tumor progression. CONCLUSION We argue that the availability of pro-senescence therapy could represent as a promising regimen for managing cancer disease, particularly with regard to the poor clinical outcome obtained with other anticancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieqiong You
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Rong Dong
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Meidan Ying
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Qiaojun He
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Ji Cao
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
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18
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Guglielmi L, Nardella M, Musa C, Cifola I, Porru M, Cardinali B, Iannetti I, Di Pietro C, Bolasco G, Palmieri V, Vilardo L, Panini N, Bonaventura F, Papi M, Scavizzi F, Raspa M, Leonetti C, Falcone G, Felsani A, D’Agnano I. Circulating miRNAs in Small Extracellular Vesicles Secreted by a Human Melanoma Xenograft in Mouse Brains. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061635. [PMID: 32575666 PMCID: PMC7352810 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of liquid biomarkers remains a major challenge to improve the diagnosis of melanoma patients with brain metastases. Circulating miRNAs packaged into tumor-secreted small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) contribute to tumor progression. To investigate the release of tumor-secreted miRNAs by brain metastasis, we developed a xenograft model where human metastatic melanoma cells were injected intracranially in nude mice. The comprehensive profiles of both free miRNAs and those packaged in sEVs secreted by the melanoma cells in the plasma demonstrated that most (80%) of the sEV-associated miRNAs were also present in serum EVs from a cohort of metastatic melanomas, included in a publicly available dataset. Remarkably, among them, we found three miRNAs (miR-224-5p, miR-130a-3p and miR-21-5p) in sEVs showing a trend of upregulation during melanoma progression. Our model is proven to be valuable for identifying miRNAs in EVs that are unequivocally secreted by melanoma cells in the brain and could be associated to disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loredana Guglielmi
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies (ITB), CNR, 20090 Segrate, Italy; (L.G.); (I.C.); (L.V.)
| | - Marta Nardella
- Department of Neurosciences, Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy;
| | - Carla Musa
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), CNR, 00015 Monterotond, Italy; (C.M.); (B.C.); (I.I.); (C.D.P.); (F.B.); (F.S.); (M.R.); (G.F.)
| | - Ingrid Cifola
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies (ITB), CNR, 20090 Segrate, Italy; (L.G.); (I.C.); (L.V.)
| | - Manuela Porru
- UOSD SAFU–IRCCS-Regina Elena Cancer Institute, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (C.L.)
| | - Beatrice Cardinali
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), CNR, 00015 Monterotond, Italy; (C.M.); (B.C.); (I.I.); (C.D.P.); (F.B.); (F.S.); (M.R.); (G.F.)
| | - Ilaria Iannetti
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), CNR, 00015 Monterotond, Italy; (C.M.); (B.C.); (I.I.); (C.D.P.); (F.B.); (F.S.); (M.R.); (G.F.)
| | - Chiara Di Pietro
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), CNR, 00015 Monterotond, Italy; (C.M.); (B.C.); (I.I.); (C.D.P.); (F.B.); (F.S.); (M.R.); (G.F.)
| | | | - Valentina Palmieri
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCSS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (V.P.); (M.P.)
- Istituto di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Vilardo
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies (ITB), CNR, 20090 Segrate, Italy; (L.G.); (I.C.); (L.V.)
| | - Nicolò Panini
- Laboratory of Cancer Pharmacology, Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy;
| | - Fabrizio Bonaventura
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), CNR, 00015 Monterotond, Italy; (C.M.); (B.C.); (I.I.); (C.D.P.); (F.B.); (F.S.); (M.R.); (G.F.)
| | - Massimiliano Papi
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCSS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (V.P.); (M.P.)
- Istituto di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Scavizzi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), CNR, 00015 Monterotond, Italy; (C.M.); (B.C.); (I.I.); (C.D.P.); (F.B.); (F.S.); (M.R.); (G.F.)
| | - Marcello Raspa
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), CNR, 00015 Monterotond, Italy; (C.M.); (B.C.); (I.I.); (C.D.P.); (F.B.); (F.S.); (M.R.); (G.F.)
| | - Carlo Leonetti
- UOSD SAFU–IRCCS-Regina Elena Cancer Institute, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (C.L.)
| | - Germana Falcone
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), CNR, 00015 Monterotond, Italy; (C.M.); (B.C.); (I.I.); (C.D.P.); (F.B.); (F.S.); (M.R.); (G.F.)
| | | | - Igea D’Agnano
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies (ITB), CNR, 20090 Segrate, Italy; (L.G.); (I.C.); (L.V.)
- Correspondence:
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19
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Madsen MB, Kiss K, Cilius Nielsen F, Bennedbæk FN, Rossing M. Amplicon-Based NGS Panels for Actionable Cancer Target Identification in Follicular Cell-Derived Thyroid Neoplasia. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:146. [PMID: 32265839 PMCID: PMC7105679 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Follicular cell-derived thyroid cancers are heterogenous and morphological classification is a complex and highly specialized task. Hence, identification of somatic alterations could provide insights to tumor biology and serve as an add-on diagnostic tool. Furthermore, results from these add-on tools could point in the direction of a more personalized treatment strategy. In the present study we set out to identify and validate the somatic mutation profile in a sample-set of follicular cell-derived thyroid neoplasia. One-hundred-and-one archived formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue samples from patients diagnosed with follicular cell-derived thyroid neoplasia were included, and upon DNA-extraction and qualitative measurements 99 samples were eligible for amplicon-based next-generation-sequencing. Libraries were generated using the TruSeq Amplicon Cancer Panel, followed by sequencing using a MiSeq. Upon data processing and variant filtering all variants were manually assessed to exclude false positive mutations in the final curated list. Moreover, hot-spot mutations were validated using an independent platform from Agilent. Each diagnostic group were correlated to mutation burden and individual mutations were classified according to recent guidelines for somatic mutation classification. Close to 100% of the archived FFPE samples were eligible for DNA-library preparation and amplicon sequencing based on DNA quality criterion. The distribution of mutations in the specific diagnostic groups resulted in a higher mutation frequency among the most dedifferentiated than in the groups with a more differentiated cell profile. Based on the distribution mutations across the samples and using hierarchical clustering, we generated four tentative mutational signatures; highly mutated tumors; tumors with mainly NRAS and TP53 mutations; BRAF mutated tumors and tumors with none or single sporadic mutations. Future studies including more samples and follow-up data may amend these signatures, however our results imply that morphological classification of follicular cell derived thyroid neoplasia could be supplemented with a somatic mutational signature. Taken together, broad screening of the somatic alterations in FFPE tissue of thyroid neoplasia is comprehensible and essential for future identification of possible treatment targets and personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majbritt Busk Madsen
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Katalin Kiss
- Department of Pathology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Finn Cilius Nielsen
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Finn Noe Bennedbæk
- Department of Endocrinology, Herlev University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Maria Rossing
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Maria Rossing
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20
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Zeng H, Judson-Torres RL, Shain AH. The Evolution of Melanoma - Moving beyond Binary Models of Genetic Progression. J Invest Dermatol 2019; 140:291-297. [PMID: 31623932 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2019.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
To date, over 1000 melanocytic neoplasms, spanning all stages of tumorigenesis, have been sequenced, offering detailed views into their -omic landscapes. This has coincided with advances in genetic engineering technologies that allow molecular biologists to edit the human genome with extreme precision and new mouse models to simulate disease progression. In this review, we describe how these technologies are being harnessed to provide insights into the evolution of melanoma at an unprecedented resolution, revealing that prior models of melanoma evolution, in which pathways are turned 'on' or 'off' in a binary fashion during the run-up to melanoma, are oversimplified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanlin Zeng
- University of Utah, Department of Dermatology, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Robert L Judson-Torres
- University of Utah, Department of Dermatology, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - A Hunter Shain
- University of California San Francisco, Department of Dermatology, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, California.
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21
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Jung J, Venkatachalam K. TRPing the homeostatic alarm - Melanoma cells are selectively vulnerable to TRPML1 deletion. Cell Calcium 2019; 84:102082. [PMID: 31634759 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2019.102082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
To thrive in otherwise inhospitable conditions, cancer cells utilize endolysosomes to impose homeostatic control over cellular metabolism and growth. In a recent study, Kasitinon et al. demonstrate a requirement for the endolysosomal channel, TRPML1, in proliferation and survival of melanoma cells. This study adds to a growing list of cancers that exhibit selective vulnerability to the loss of TRPML1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jewon Jung
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center (UTHealth), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kartik Venkatachalam
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center (UTHealth), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Cell Biology, MD Anderson Cancer Center and UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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22
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Parseghian CM, Loree JM, Morris VK, Liu X, Clifton KK, Napolitano S, Henry JT, Pereira AA, Vilar E, Johnson B, Kee B, Raghav K, Dasari A, Wu J, Garg N, Raymond VM, Banks KC, Talasaz AA, Lanman RB, Strickler JH, Hong DS, Corcoran RB, Overman MJ, Kopetz S. Anti-EGFR-resistant clones decay exponentially after progression: implications for anti-EGFR re-challenge. Ann Oncol 2019; 30:243-249. [PMID: 30462160 PMCID: PMC6657008 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdy509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) has been shown to acquire RAS and EGFR ectodomain mutations as mechanisms of resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibition (anti-EGFR). After anti-EGFR withdrawal, RAS and EGFR mutant clones lack a growth advantage relative to other clones and decay; however, the kinetics of decay remain unclear. We sought to determine the kinetics of acquired RAS/EGFR mutations after discontinuation of anti-EGFR therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS We present the post-progression circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) profiles of 135 patients with RAS/BRAF wild-type metastatic CRC treated with anti-EGFR who acquired RAS and/or EGFR mutations during therapy. Our validation cohort consisted of an external dataset of 73 patients with a ctDNA profile suggestive of prior anti-EGFR exposure and serial sampling. A separate retrospective cohort of 80 patients was used to evaluate overall response rate and progression free survival during re-challenge therapies. RESULTS Our analysis showed that RAS and EGFR relative mutant allele frequency decays exponentially (r2=0.93 for RAS; r2=0.94 for EGFR) with a cumulative half-life of 4.4 months. We validated our findings using an external dataset of 73 patients with a ctDNA profile suggestive of prior anti-EGFR exposure and serial sampling, confirming exponential decay with an estimated half-life of 4.3 months. A separate retrospective cohort of 80 patients showed that patients had a higher overall response rate during re-challenge therapies after increasing time intervals, as predicted by our model. CONCLUSION These results provide scientific support for anti-EGFR re-challenge and guide the optimal timing of re-challenge initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Parseghian
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA.
| | | | - V K Morris
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - X Liu
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - K K Clifton
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - S Napolitano
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - J T Henry
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - A A Pereira
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - E Vilar
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA; Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - B Johnson
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - B Kee
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - K Raghav
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - A Dasari
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - J Wu
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - N Garg
- Division of Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | | | - K C Banks
- Guardant Health Inc, Redwood City, USA
| | | | | | | | - D S Hong
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - R B Corcoran
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - M J Overman
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - S Kopetz
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
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23
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Chuang HH, Wang PH, Niu SW, Zhen YY, Huang MS, Hsiao M, Yang CJ. Inhibition of FAK Signaling Elicits Lamin A/C-Associated Nuclear Deformity and Cellular Senescence. Front Oncol 2019; 9:22. [PMID: 30761269 PMCID: PMC6363943 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor kinase that facilitates tumor aggressiveness. The effects of FAK inhibition include arresting proliferation, limiting metastasis, and inhibiting angiogenesis. PF-573228 is an ATP-competitive inhibitor of FAK. Treating lung cancer cells with PF-573228 resulted in FAK inactivation and changes in the expressions of lamin A/C and nuclear deformity. Since lamin A/C downregulation or deficiency was associated with cellular senescence, the senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) assay was used to investigate whether PF-573228 treatment drove cellular senescence, which showed more SA-β-gal-positive cells in culture. p53 is known to play a pivotal role in mediating the progression of cellular senescence, and the PF-573228-treated lung cancer cells resulted in a higher p53 expression level. Subsequently, the FAK depletion in lung cancer cells was employed to confirm the role of FAK inhibition on cellular senescence. FAK depletion and pharmacological inhibition of lung cancer cells elicited similar patterns of cellular senescence, lamin A/C downregulation, and p53 upregulation, implying that FAK signaling is associated with the expression of p53 and the maintenance of lamin A/C levels to shape regular nuclear morphology and manage anti-senescence. Conversely, FAK inactivation led to p53 upregulation, disorganization of the nuclear matrix, and consequently cellular senescence. Our data suggest a new FAK signaling pathway, in that abolishing FAK signaling can activate the senescence program in cells. Triggering cellular senescence could be a new therapeutic approach to limit tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiang-Hao Chuang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Hui Wang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Wen Niu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Yi Zhen
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Shyan Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Cancer Hospital, School of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Michael Hsiao
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Jen Yang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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24
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Kumar R, Njauw CN, Reddy BY, Ji Z, Rajadurai A, Klebanov N, Tsao H. Growth suppression by dual BRAF(V600E) and NRAS(Q61) oncogene expression is mediated by SPRY4 in melanoma. Oncogene 2019; 38:3504-3520. [PMID: 30651601 PMCID: PMC6756020 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0632-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The underlying forces that shape mutational patterns within any type of cancer have been poorly characterized. One of the best preserved exclusionary relationships is that between BRAF(V600E) and NRAS(Q61) in melanomas. To explore possible mechanisms which could explain this phenomenon, we overexpressed NRAS(Q61) in a set of BRAF(V600E) melanoma lines and vice versa. Controlled expression of a second activating oncogene led to growth arrest (“synthetic suppression”) in a subset of cells, which was accompanied by cell cycle arrest and senescence in several melanoma cell lines along with apoptosis. Through differential gene expression analysis, we identified SPRY4 as the potential mediator of this synthetic response to dual oncogene suppression. Ectopic introduction of SPRY4 recapitulated the growth arrest phenotype of dual BRAF(V600E)/NRAS(Q61) expression while SPRY4 depletion led to a partial rescue from oncogenic antagonism. This study thus defined SPRY4 as a potential mediator of synthetic suppression, which is likely to contribute to the observed exclusivity between BRAF(V600E) and NRAS(Q61R) mutations in melanoma. Further leverage of the SPRY4 pathway may also hold therapeutic promise for NRAS(Q61) melanomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raj Kumar
- Department of Dermatology and Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ching-Ni Njauw
- Department of Dermatology and Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bobby Y Reddy
- Department of Dermatology and Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zhenyu Ji
- Department of Dermatology and Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Edwards 211 50 Blossom Street, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anpuchchelvi Rajadurai
- Department of Dermatology and Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nikolai Klebanov
- Department of Dermatology and Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hensin Tsao
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Edwards 211 50 Blossom Street, Boston, MA, USA.
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25
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Unni AM, Harbourne B, Oh MH, Wild S, Ferrarone JR, Lockwood WW, Varmus H. Hyperactivation of ERK by multiple mechanisms is toxic to RTK-RAS mutation-driven lung adenocarcinoma cells. eLife 2018; 7:33718. [PMID: 30475204 PMCID: PMC6298772 DOI: 10.7554/elife.33718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic lethality results when mutant KRAS and EGFR proteins are co-expressed in human lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cells, revealing the biological basis for mutual exclusivity of KRAS and EGFR mutations. We have now defined the biochemical events responsible for the toxic effects by combining pharmacological and genetic approaches and to show that signaling through extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) mediates the toxicity. These findings imply that tumors with mutant oncogenes in the RAS pathway must restrain the activity of ERK1/2 to avoid toxicities and enable tumor growth. A dual specificity phosphatase, DUSP6, that negatively regulates phosphorylation of (P)-ERK is up-regulated in EGFR- or KRAS-mutant LUAD, potentially protecting cells with mutations in the RAS signaling pathway, a proposal supported by experiments with DUSP6-specific siRNA and an inhibitory drug. Targeting DUSP6 or other negative regulators might offer a treatment strategy for certain cancers by inducing the toxic effects of RAS-mediated signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun M Unni
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, United States
| | - Bryant Harbourne
- Department of Integrative Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Min Hee Oh
- Department of Integrative Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Sophia Wild
- Department of Integrative Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada
| | - John R Ferrarone
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, United States
| | - William W Lockwood
- Department of Integrative Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Harold Varmus
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, United States
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26
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Hodges TR, Abbott JR, Little AJ, Sarkar D, Salovich JM, Howes JE, Akan DT, Sai J, Arnold AL, Browning C, Burns MC, Sobolik T, Sun Q, Beesetty Y, Coker JA, Scharn D, Stadtmueller H, Rossanese OW, Phan J, Waterson AG, McConnell DB, Fesik SW. Discovery and Structure-Based Optimization of Benzimidazole-Derived Activators of SOS1-Mediated Nucleotide Exchange on RAS. J Med Chem 2018; 61:8875-8894. [PMID: 30205005 PMCID: PMC8314423 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Son of sevenless homologue 1 (SOS1) is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor that catalyzes the exchange of GDP for GTP on RAS. In its active form, GTP-bound RAS is responsible for numerous critical cellular processes. Aberrant RAS activity is involved in ∼30% of all human cancers; hence, SOS1 is an attractive therapeutic target for its role in modulating RAS activation. Here, we describe a new series of benzimidazole-derived SOS1 agonists. Using structure-guided design, we discovered small molecules that increase nucleotide exchange on RAS in vitro at submicromolar concentrations, bind to SOS1 with low double-digit nanomolar affinity, rapidly enhance cellular RAS-GTP levels, and invoke biphasic signaling changes in phosphorylation of ERK 1/2. These compounds represent the most potent series of SOS1 agonists reported to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy R. Hodges
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, USA
| | - Jason R. Abbott
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, USA
| | - Andrew J. Little
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, USA
| | - Dhruba Sarkar
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, USA
| | - James M. Salovich
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, USA
| | - Jennifer E. Howes
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, USA
| | - Denis T. Akan
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, USA
| | - Jiqing Sai
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, USA
| | - Allison L. Arnold
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, USA
| | - Carrie Browning
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, USA
| | - Michael C. Burns
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, USA
| | - Tammy Sobolik
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, USA
| | - Qi Sun
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, USA
| | - Yugandhar Beesetty
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, USA
| | - Jesse A. Coker
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, USA
| | - Dirk Scharn
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Doktor-Boehringer-Gasse 5-11, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - Heinz Stadtmueller
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Doktor-Boehringer-Gasse 5-11, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - Olivia W. Rossanese
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, USA
| | - Jason Phan
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, USA
| | - Alex G. Waterson
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, USA
| | - Darryl B. McConnell
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Doktor-Boehringer-Gasse 5-11, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stephen W. Fesik
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, USA
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27
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Li J, Lu L, Zhang YH, Liu M, Chen L, Huang T, Cai YD. Identification of synthetic lethality based on a functional network by using machine learning algorithms. J Cell Biochem 2018; 120:405-416. [PMID: 30125975 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.27395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic lethality is the synthesis of mutations leading to cell death. Tumor-specific synthetic lethality has been targeted in research to improve cancer therapy. With the advances of techniques in molecular biology, such as RNAi and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, efforts have been made to systematically identify synthetic lethal interactions, especially for frequently mutated genes in cancers. However, elucidating the mechanism of synthetic lethality remains a challenge because of the complexity of its influencing conditions. In this study, we proposed a new computational method to identify critical functional features that can accurately predict synthetic lethal interactions. This method incorporates several machine learning algorithms and encodes protein-coding genes by an enrichment system derived from gene ontology terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways to represent their functional features. We built a random forest-based prediction engine by using 2120 selected features and obtained a Matthews correlation coefficient of 0.532. We examined the top 15 features and found that most of them have potential roles in synthetic lethality according to previous studies. These results demonstrate the ability of our proposed method to predict synthetic lethal interactions and provide a basis for further characterization of these particular genetic combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- JiaRui Li
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Lu
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York
| | - Yu-Hang Zhang
- Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Liu
- College of Information Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Chen
- College of Information Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Dong Cai
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
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28
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Raaijmakers MIG, Widmer DS, Narechania A, Eichhoff O, Freiberger SN, Wenzina J, Cheng PF, Mihic-Probst D, Desalle R, Dummer R, Levesque MP. Co-existence of BRAF and NRAS driver mutations in the same melanoma cells results in heterogeneity of targeted therapy resistance. Oncotarget 2018; 7:77163-77174. [PMID: 27791198 PMCID: PMC5363577 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Acquired chemotherapeutic resistance of cancer cells can result from a Darwinistic evolution process in which heterogeneity plays an important role. In order to understand the impact of genetic heterogeneity on acquired resistance and second line therapy selection in metastatic melanoma, we sequenced the exomes of 27 lesions which were collected from 3 metastatic melanoma patients treated with targeted or non-targeted inhibitors. Furthermore, we tested the impact of a second NRAS mutation in 7 BRAF inhibitor resistant early passage cell cultures on the selection of second line therapies.We observed a rapid monophyletic evolution of melanoma subpopulations in response to targeted therapy that was not observed in non-targeted therapy. We observed the acquisition of NRAS mutations in the BRAF mutated patient treated with a BRAF inhibitor in 1 of 5 of his post-resistant samples. In an additional cohort of 5 BRAF-inhibitor treated patients we detected 7 NRAS mutations in 18 post-resistant samples. No NRAS mutations were detected in pre-resistant samples. By sequencing 65 single cell clones we prove that NRAS mutations co-occur with BRAF mutations in single cells. The double mutated cells revealed a heterogeneous response to MEK, ERK, PI3K, AKT and multi RTK - inhibitors.We conclude that BRAF and NRAS co-mutations are not mutually exclusive. However, the sole finding of double mutated cells in a resistant tumor is not sufficient to determine follow-up therapy. In order to target the large pool of heterogeneous cells in a patient, we think combinational therapy targeting different pathways will be necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel S Widmer
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Ossia Eichhoff
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Sandra N Freiberger
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zürich, Switzerland.,Department of Dermatology, Skin and Endothelium Research Division, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith Wenzina
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zürich, Switzerland.,Department of Dermatology, Skin and Endothelium Research Division, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Phil F Cheng
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Mihic-Probst
- Department of Pathology, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Rob Desalle
- American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, USA
| | - Reinhard Dummer
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Mitchell P Levesque
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zürich, Switzerland
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29
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Poenitzsch Strong AM, Berry SM, Beebe DJ, Li JL, Spiegelman VS. miFAST: A novel and rapid microRNA target capture method. Mol Carcinog 2018; 57:559-566. [PMID: 29350431 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 12/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small 22-25 nucleotide non-coding RNAs, play important roles in cellular and tumor biology. However, characterizing miRNA function remains challenging due to an abundance of predicted targets and an experimental bottleneck in identifying biologically relevant direct targets. Here, we developed a novel technique (miFAST) to identify direct miRNA target genes. Using miFAST, we confirmed several previously reported miR-340 target genes and identified five additional novel direct miR-340 targets in melanoma cells. This methodology can also be efficiently applied for the global characterization of miRNA targets. Utilizing miFAST to characterize direct miRNA targetomes will further our understanding of miRNA biology and function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Scott M Berry
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - David J Beebe
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Jian-Liang Li
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Orlando, Florida
| | - Vladimir S Spiegelman
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
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30
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Tazzari M, Indio V, Vergani B, De Cecco L, Rini F, Negri T, Camisaschi C, Fiore M, Stacchiotti S, Dagrada GP, Casali PG, Gronchi A, Astolfi A, Pantaleo MA, Villa A, Lombardo C, Arienti F, Pilotti S, Rivoltini L, Castelli C. Adaptive Immunity in Fibrosarcomatous Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans and Response to Imatinib Treatment. J Invest Dermatol 2017; 137:484-493. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2016.06.634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Revised: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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31
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Varmus H, Unni AM, Lockwood WW. How Cancer Genomics Drives Cancer Biology: Does Synthetic Lethality Explain Mutually Exclusive Oncogenic Mutations? COLD SPRING HARBOR SYMPOSIA ON QUANTITATIVE BIOLOGY 2017; 81:247-255. [PMID: 28123049 DOI: 10.1101/sqb.2016.81.030866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Large-scale analyses of cancer genomes are revealing patterns of mutations that suggest biologically significant ideas about many aspects of cancer, including carcinogenesis, classification, and preventive and therapeutic strategies. Among those patterns is "mutual exclusivity," a phenomenon observed when two or more mutations that are commonly observed in samples of a type of cancer are not found combined in individual tumors. We have been studying a striking example of mutual exclusivity: the absence of coexisting mutations in the KRAS and EGFR proto-oncogenes in human lung adenocarcinomas, despite the high individual frequencies of such mutations in this common type of cancer. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that toxic effects of the joint expression of KRAS and EGFR mutant oncogenes, rather than loss of any selective advantages conferred by a second oncogene that operates through the same signaling pathway, are responsible for the observed mutational pattern. We discuss the potential for understanding the physiological basis of such toxicity, for exploiting it therapeutically, and for extending the studies to other examples of mutual exclusivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harold Varmus
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10065
| | - Arun M Unni
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10065
| | - William W Lockwood
- BC Cancer Agency and University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1L3, Canada
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32
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Nagel R, Semenova EA, Berns A. Drugging the addict: non-oncogene addiction as a target for cancer therapy. EMBO Rep 2016; 17:1516-1531. [PMID: 27702988 PMCID: PMC5090709 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201643030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Historically, cancers have been treated with chemotherapeutics aimed to have profound effects on tumor cells with only limited effects on normal tissue. This approach was followed by the development of small‐molecule inhibitors that can target oncogenic pathways critical for the survival of tumor cells. The clinical targeting of these so‐called oncogene addictions, however, is in many instances hampered by the outgrowth of resistant clones. More recently, the proper functioning of non‐mutated genes has been shown to enhance the survival of many cancers, a phenomenon called non‐oncogene addiction. In the current review, we will focus on the distinct non‐oncogenic addictions found in cancer cells, including synthetic lethal interactions, the underlying stress phenotypes, and arising therapeutic opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remco Nagel
- Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ekaterina A Semenova
- Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anton Berns
- Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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33
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Abstract
Cancer is driven by mutations in genes whose products participate in major signaling pathways that fuel cell proliferation and survival. It is easy to assume that the more of these so-called driver mutations a tumor accumulates, the faster it progresses. However, this does not appear to be the case: Data from large-scale genome sequencing studies indicate that mutations in driver oncogenes often are mutually exclusive. The mechanisms underlying the mutual exclusivity of oncogenes are not completely understood, but recent reports suggest that the mechanisms may depend on the tumor type, and the nature of interacting oncogenes. Here we discuss our recent findings that the oncogenes KRASG12D and BRAFV600E are mutually exclusive in lung cancer in mouse models because their coexpression leads to oncogene-induced senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslaw Cisowski
- a Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine , University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg , Sweden
| | - Martin O Bergo
- a Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine , University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg , Sweden.,b Department of Biosciences and Nutrition , Karolinska Institutet , Huddinge , Sweden
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34
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NRASQ61R immunohistochemistry: a new tool for mutational status screening in challenging melanoma samples. Mod Pathol 2016; 29:91-2. [PMID: 26715063 DOI: 10.1038/modpathol.2015.78] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Amin AD, Rajan SS, Groysman MJ, Pongtornpipat P, Schatz JH. Oncogene Overdose: Too Much of a Bad Thing for Oncogene-Addicted Cancer Cells. BIOMARKERS IN CANCER 2015; 7:25-32. [PMID: 26688666 PMCID: PMC4681422 DOI: 10.4137/bic.s29326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Revised: 08/17/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Acquired resistance to targeted inhibitors remains a major, and inevitable, obstacle in the treatment of oncogene-addicted cancers. Newer-generation inhibitors may help overcome resistance mutations, and inhibitor combinations can target parallel pathways, but durable benefit to patients remains elusive in most clinical scenarios. Now, recent studies suggest a third approach may be available in some cases—exploitation of oncogene overexpression that may arise to promote resistance. Here, we discuss the importance of maintaining oncogenic signaling at “just-right” levels in cells, with too much signaling, or oncogene overdose, being potentially as detrimental as too little. This is highlighted in particular by recent studies of mutant-BRAF in melanoma and the fusion kinase nucleophosmin–anaplastic lymphoma kinase (NPM–ALK) in anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Oncogene overdose may be exploitable to prolong tumor control through intermittent dosing in some cases, and studies of acute lymphoid leukemias suggest that it may be specifically pharmacologically inducible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Dipak Amin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Soumya S Rajan
- Sheila and David Fuente Graduate Program in Cancer Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Matthew J Groysman
- Undergraduate Biology Research Program, University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | | | - Jonathan H Schatz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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36
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Bennett DC. Genetics of melanoma progression: the rise and fall of cell senescence. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2015; 29:122-40. [PMID: 26386262 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
There are many links between cell senescence and the genetics of melanoma, meaning both familial susceptibility and somatic-genetic changes in sporadic melanoma. For example, CDKN2A, the best-known melanoma susceptibility gene, encodes two effectors of cell senescence, while other familial melanoma genes are related to telomeres and their maintenance. This article aimed to analyze our current knowledge of the genetic or epigenetic driver changes necessary to generate a cutaneous metastatic melanoma, the commonest order in which these occur, and the relation of these changes to the biology and pathology of melanoma progression. Emphasis is laid on the role of cell senescence and the escape from senescence leading to cellular immortality, the ability to divide indefinitely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothy C Bennett
- Molecular Cell Sciences Research Centre, St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, UK
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37
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BRAF and NRAS Mutations are Not Mutually Exclusive in Melanoma and in Single Melanoma Cells. Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol 2015; 24:e14-5. [PMID: 26317309 DOI: 10.1097/pai.0000000000000217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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38
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Shitara D, Tell-Martí G, Badenas C, Enokihara MMSS, Alós L, Larque AB, Michalany N, Puig-Butille JA, Carrera C, Malvehy J, Puig S, Bagatin E. Mutational status of naevus-associated melanomas. Br J Dermatol 2015; 173:671-80. [PMID: 25857817 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.13829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The origin of melanoma has always been a debated subject, as well as the role of adjacent melanocytic naevi. Epidemiological and histopathological studies point to melanomas arising either de novo or from a naevus. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the presence of mutations in genes from well-known melanomagenesis pathways in a large series of naevus-associated melanomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty-one melanomas found in association with a pre-existing naevus were microdissected, after careful selection of cell subpopulations, and submitted to Sanger sequencing of the BRAF, NRAS, c-KIT, PPP6C, STK19 and RAC1 genes. Each gene was evaluated twice in all samples by sequencing or by sequencing and another confirmation method, allele-specific fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and capillary electrophoresis detection or by SNaPshot analysis. Only mutations confirmed via two different molecular methods or twice by sequencing were considered positive. RESULTS The majority of cases presented concordance of mutational status between melanoma and the associated naevus for all six genes (40 of 60; 66.7%). Nine cases presented concomitant BRAF and NRAS mutations, including one case in which both the melanoma and the adjacent naevus harboured V600E and Q61K double mutations. In two cases, both melanoma and associated naevus located on acral sites were BRAF mutated, including an acral lentiginous melanoma. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge this is the largest naevus-associated melanoma series evaluated molecularly. The majority of melanomas and adjacent naevi in our sample share the same mutational profile, corroborating the theory that the adjacent naevus and melanoma are clonally related and that the melanoma originated within a naevus.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Shitara
- Department of Dermatology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Melanoma Unit, Dermatology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Departments, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - G Tell-Martí
- Melanoma Unit, Dermatology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Departments, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Badenas
- Melanoma Unit, Dermatology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Departments, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M M S S Enokihara
- Department of Dermatology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Pathology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L Alós
- Melanoma Unit, Pathology Service, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A B Larque
- Melanoma Unit, Pathology Service, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - N Michalany
- Department of Dermatology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Pathology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - J A Puig-Butille
- Melanoma Unit, Dermatology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Departments, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Carrera
- Melanoma Unit, Dermatology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Departments, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain.,University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Malvehy
- Melanoma Unit, Dermatology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Departments, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain.,University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Puig
- Melanoma Unit, Dermatology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Departments, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain.,University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Bagatin
- Department of Dermatology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Unni AM, Lockwood WW, Zejnullahu K, Lee-Lin SQ, Varmus H. Evidence that synthetic lethality underlies the mutual exclusivity of oncogenic KRAS and EGFR mutations in lung adenocarcinoma. eLife 2015; 4:e06907. [PMID: 26047463 PMCID: PMC4478584 DOI: 10.7554/elife.06907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Human lung adenocarcinomas (LUAD) contain mutations in EGFR in ∼15% of cases and in KRAS in ∼30%, yet no individual adenocarcinoma appears to carry activating mutations in both genes, a finding we have confirmed by re-analysis of data from over 600 LUAD. Here we provide evidence that co-occurrence of mutations in these two genes is deleterious. In transgenic mice programmed to express both mutant oncogenes in the lung epithelium, the resulting tumors express only one oncogene. We also show that forced expression of a second oncogene in human cancer cell lines with an endogenous mutated oncogene is deleterious. The most prominent features accompanying loss of cell viability were vacuolization, other changes in cell morphology, and increased macropinocytosis. Activation of ERK, p38 and JNK in the dying cells suggests that an overly active MAPK signaling pathway may mediate the phenotype. Together, our findings indicate that mutual exclusivity of oncogenic mutations may reveal unexpected vulnerabilities and therapeutic possibilities. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.06907.001 A person develops cancer when changes in a cell's DNA (called mutations) allow the cell to grow rapidly and spread around the body. The mutated genes are often involved in controlling the growth of cells, such as two genes called EGFR and KRAS, which are associated with forms of lung cancer. In a type of lung cancer called adenocarcinoma, the KRAS gene is mutated in about one-third of tumors and the EGFR gene is mutated in about 15%. However, the two mutations rarely or never occur in the same tumor. This could be because the effects of the mutations overlap, so that cells with both mutations have no advantages over cells with just one. Alternatively, it is possible that having both mutations may be harmful to tumor cells. Here, Unni, Lockwood et al. analyzed genetic data from over 600 lung tumors and confirmed that none of them have cancer-causing mutations in both KRAS and EGFR. Then, Unni, Lockwood et al. carried out experiments using genetically engineered mice with mutated forms of both KRAS and EGFR that are activated by a drug called doxycycline. As expected, the mice developed lung tumors when exposed to the drug, but these tumors didn't grow any faster than mouse tumors that had mutations in only one of the genes. In the mice with both mutant genes, only one of the two genes was actually active in most of the tumor cells. Unni, Lockwood et al. manipulated human lung tumor cells in the laboratory so that the cells had mutated versions of both genes. These cells developed serious abnormalities and died, which may be due to the over-activation of a communication pathway within the cells called MAPK signaling. The next challenges are to understand why the combination of these two mutant genes kills these cancer cells and to look for other combinations of mutations that can be toxic to cancer cells. In the future, it might be possible to develop drugs that can mimic the effects of these gene mutations to treat cancers. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.06907.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun M Unni
- Cancer Biology Section, Cancer Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, United States
| | - William W Lockwood
- Cancer Biology Section, Cancer Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, United States
| | - Kreshnik Zejnullahu
- Cancer Biology Section, Cancer Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, United States
| | - Shih-Queen Lee-Lin
- Cancer Biology Section, Cancer Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, United States
| | - Harold Varmus
- Cancer Biology Section, Cancer Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, United States
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40
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Cisowski J, Sayin VI, Liu M, Karlsson C, Bergo MO. Oncogene-induced senescence underlies the mutual exclusive nature of oncogenic KRAS and BRAF. Oncogene 2015; 35:1328-33. [PMID: 26028035 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2014] [Revised: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
KRAS and BRAF are among the most commonly mutated oncogenes in human cancer that contribute to tumorigenesis in both distinct and overlapping tissues. However, KRAS and BRAF mutations are mutually exclusive; they never occur in the same tumor cell. The reason for the mutual exclusivity is unknown, but there are several possibilities. The two mutations could be functionally redundant and not create a selective advantage to tumor cells. Alternatively, they could be deleterious for the tumor cell and induce apoptosis or senescence. To distinguish between these possibilities, we activated the expression of BRAF(V600E) and KRAS(G12D) from their endogenous promoters in mouse lungs. Although the tumor-forming ability of BRAF(V600E) was higher than KRAS(G12D), KRAS(G12D) tumors were larger and more advanced. Coactivation of BRAF(V600E) and KRAS(G12D) markedly reduced lung tumor numbers and overall tumor burden compared with activation of BRAF(V600E) alone. Moreover, several tumors expressed only one oncogene, suggesting negative selection against expression of both. Similarly, expression of both oncogenes in mouse embryonic fibroblasts essentially stopped proliferation. The expression of both oncogenes hyperactivated the MEK-ERK-cyclin D pathway but reduced proliferation by increasing the production of p15, p16 and p19 proteins encoded by the Ink4/Arf locus and thereby increased senescence-associated β-galactosidase-positive cells. The data suggest that coexpression of BRAF(V600E) and KRAS(G12D) in early tumorigenesis leads to negative selection due to oncogene-induced senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Cisowski
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - V I Sayin
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Wallenberg Laboratory, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - M Liu
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Transfusion Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - C Karlsson
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - M O Bergo
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Abstract
Activating mutations in KIT have been identified in melanomas of acral and mucosal types and in those arising in chronically sun-damaged skin. Until now, KIT has been considered an oncogenic driver and a potential therapeutic target. However, data presented by Dhal et al. show that in cutaneous melanomas the KIT promoter is a target for hypermethylation, leading to its downregulation. Their observations suggest that signaling pathways downstream of KIT may have distinct and opposing roles in the pathogenesis of melanoma subtypes. This will have important implications for the use of KIT inhibitors in treating melanomas.
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42
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Hartsough EJ, Basile KJ, Aplin AE. Beneficial effects of RAF inhibitor in mutant BRAF splice variant-expressing melanoma. Mol Cancer Res 2014; 12:795-802. [PMID: 24520098 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-13-0581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Resistance to RAF inhibitors such as vemurafenib and dabrafenib is a major clinical problem in the treatment of melanoma. Patients with mutant BRAF melanoma that progress on RAF inhibitors have limited treatment options, and drug removal from resistant tumors may elicit multiple effects. A frequent mechanism of resistance to RAF inhibitors is caused by expression of mutant BRAF splice variants. RAF inhibitor-resistant cell lines, generated in vivo, were tested as to whether or not mutant BRAF splice variants confer a fitness advantage in the presence of RAF inhibitor. Critically, cells expressing distinct mutant BRAF splice variants grow more efficiently in vitro and in vivo in the presence of the vemurafenib analog, PLX4720, compared with in the absence of inhibitor. PLX4720-treated BRAF splice variant-expressing cells exhibited levels of phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 comparable to untreated parental cells. In addition, a reduction in phospho-ERK1/2 levels following treatment with the MEK inhibitor, trametinib (GSK1120212) phenocopied the fitness benefit provided by PLX4720. These data indicate that mutant BRAF splice variant-expressing melanoma cells are benefited by defined concentrations of RAF inhibitors. IMPLICATIONS This study provides evidence that RAF inhibitor-resistant melanoma cells benefit from continued therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Hartsough
- Authors' Affiliations: Departments of Cancer Biology and 2Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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43
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Das Thakur M, Stuart DD. Molecular pathways: response and resistance to BRAF and MEK inhibitors in BRAF(V600E) tumors. Clin Cancer Res 2013; 20:1074-80. [PMID: 24352648 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-13-0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The RAS-RAF-MEK (MAP-ERK kinase)-ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) pathway plays a central role in driving proliferation, survival, and metastasis signals in tumor cells, and the prevalence of oncogenic mutations in RAS and BRAF and upstream nodes makes this pathway the focus of significant oncology drug development efforts. This focus has been justified by the recent success of BRAF and MEK inhibitors in prolonging the lives of patients with BRAF(V600E/K)-mutant melanoma. Although it is disappointing that cures are relatively rare, this should not detract from the value of these agents to patients with cancer and the opportunity they provide in allowing us to gain a deeper understanding of drug response and resistance. These insights have already provided the basis for the evaluation of alternative dosing regimens and combination therapies in patients with melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghna Das Thakur
- Authors' Affiliation: Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California
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44
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Yasui K, Shimamura M, Mitsutake N, Nagayama Y. SNAIL induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cell-like properties in aldehyde dehydroghenase-negative thyroid cancer cells. Thyroid 2013; 23:989-96. [PMID: 23432420 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2012.0319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is thought to play a critical role in the invasion and metastasis of cancer and to be associated with cancer stem cell (CSC) properties. It is not clear if there is a link between EMT and CSCs in thyroid cancers. We therefore investigated the CSC properties of thyroid cancers that underwent EMT. METHOD To induce EMT (spindle-like cell morphology, loss and acquisition of expression of an epithelial marker E-cadherin and a mesenchymal marker vimentin respectively) in an epithelial-type thyroid cancer cell line ACT-1, we used transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), BRAF(V600E), and/or Snail homolog 1 (SNAI1, also known as SNAIL). CSC properties were analyzed with assays for cell proliferation, chemosensitivity, in vitro and in vivo tumor formation ability, cell surface antigens, and intracellular aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH; a known CSC marker) activities. RESULTS EMT was induced most efficiently by SNAIL (ACT-SNAIL cells), whereas TGF-β and BRAF(V600E) were less efficient. ACT-SNAIL cells showed slightly but significantly enhanced tumor formation ability in an in vitro sphere assay (approximately 3-fold) but not an in vivo subcutaneous tumor growth assay, and showed comparable chemosensitivity compared with the parental ACT-1 cells. However, of interest, although the in vitro sphere-formation ability of ALDH(+) cells was almost unchanged after SNAIL induction, SNAIL overexpression induced much higher (approximately 14-fold) spheres in ALDH(-) cells. Thus, ALDH was no longer a CSC marker in ACT-SNAIL cells. CONCLUSIONS All these data indicate that EMT confers CSC properties in ALDH(-) cells and appears to influence the ability of ALDH to enrich CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuaki Yasui
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
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45
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AMPK activators inhibit the proliferation of human melanomas bearing the activated MAPK pathway. Melanoma Res 2013; 22:341-50. [PMID: 22588166 DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0b013e3283544929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Raf/MEK/ERK signaling can inhibit the liver kinase B1-AMP-activated protein kinase (LKB1-AMPK) pathway, thus rendering melanoma cells resistant to energy stress conditions. We evaluated whether pharmacological reactivation of the AMPK function could exert antitumor effects on melanoma cells bearing this pathway constitutively active because of a mutation in NRAS or BRAF genes. Nine melanoma cell lines were treated with the AMPK activators 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-ribonucleoside (AICAR) and phenformin. The activation of AMPK enzymatic activity, phosphorylation of AMPK and acetyl-CoA carboxylase kinase, in-vitro proliferation, cell cycle, and in-vivo growth of xenografts in nude mice were evaluated. AICAR and phenformin promoted phosphorylation and enzymatic activity of AMPK, as well as phosphorylation of the AMPK downstream target acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Drug treatment of either BRAF-mutant or NRAS-mutant melanomas, at doses not inducing cell death, was accompanied by a dose-dependent decrease in melanoma cell proliferation because of cell cycle arrest in either the G0/G1 or the S phase, associated with an increased expression of the p21 cell cycle inhibitor. Melanomas isolated from subcutaneously implanted mice, 25 days from treatment with AICAR, showed increased staining of the senescence-associated marker β-galactosidase, high p21 expression, and evidence of necrosis. Altogether, these results indicate that pharmacological activators of AMPK-dependent pathways inhibit the cell growth of melanoma cells with active Raf/MEK/ERK signaling and provide a rationale for further investigation on their use in combination therapies.
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46
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Ewald JA, Desotelle JA, Church DR, Yang B, Huang W, Laurila TA, Jarrard DF. Androgen deprivation induces senescence characteristics in prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Prostate 2013; 73:337-45. [PMID: 22911222 PMCID: PMC4753826 DOI: 10.1002/pros.22571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2012] [Accepted: 07/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The treatment of non-localized prostate cancer involves androgen deprivation (AD) therapy which results in tumor regression. Apoptosis has been implicated in the tumor response to AD, but constitutes a small fraction of the total tumor at any time. Cellular senescence is a response to sub-lethal stress in which cells are persistently growth arrested and develop distinct morphological and biochemical characteristics. The occurrence of senescence in prostate tumor tissue after AD therapy has not previously been investigated. METHODS Phenotypic and molecular characteristics of senescence were examined in models of androgen-sensitive prostate cancer after AD and compared with androgen-intact controls. RESULTS In vitro in LNCaP cells, AD induced elevated senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining, decreased proliferation, and increased flow cytometric side scatter while minimally affecting cell viability. The increased expression of the senescence-related proteins Glb1, the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(Kip1) and chromatin-regulating heterochromatin protein 1γ (HP1γ) were detected in LNCaP cells after AD in vitro by immunoblot and immunofluorescence microscopy. In mice bearing LuCaP xenograft tumors in vivo, surgical castration similarly increased SA-β-gal staining, increased expression of p27(Kip1) and HP1γ, and decreased expression of the proliferation marker KI-67, with minimal induction of apoptosis identified by detection of cleaved caspase 3 and TUNEL. Immunohistochemical analysis of human prostate tumors removed after AD shows similar induction of Glb1, HP1γ and decreased KI-67. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that AD induces characteristics consistent with cellular senescence in androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cells. This finding may explain incomplete tumor regression in response to AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan A. Ewald
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
- Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Joshua A. Desotelle
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Dawn R. Church
- Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Bing Yang
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Wei Huang
- Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Timo A. Laurila
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - David F. Jarrard
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
- Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
- Correspondence to: David F. Jarrard, Department of Urology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 7048 WIMR, 1111 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705-2275,
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Das Thakur M, Salangsang F, Landman AS, Sellers WR, Pryer NK, Levesque MP, Dummer R, McMahon M, Stuart DD. Modelling vemurafenib resistance in melanoma reveals a strategy to forestall drug resistance. Nature 2013; 494:251-5. [PMID: 23302800 DOI: 10.1038/nature11814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 562] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2012] [Accepted: 11/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mutational activation of BRAF is the most prevalent genetic alteration in human melanoma, with ≥50% of tumours expressing the BRAF(V600E) oncoprotein. Moreover, the marked tumour regression and improved survival of late-stage BRAF-mutated melanoma patients in response to treatment with vemurafenib demonstrates the essential role of oncogenic BRAF in melanoma maintenance. However, as most patients relapse with lethal drug-resistant disease, understanding and preventing mechanism(s) of resistance is critical to providing improved therapy. Here we investigate the cause and consequences of vemurafenib resistance using two independently derived primary human melanoma xenograft models in which drug resistance is selected by continuous vemurafenib administration. In one of these models, resistant tumours show continued dependency on BRAF(V600E)→MEK→ERK signalling owing to elevated BRAF(V600E) expression. Most importantly, we demonstrate that vemurafenib-resistant melanomas become drug dependent for their continued proliferation, such that cessation of drug administration leads to regression of established drug-resistant tumours. We further demonstrate that a discontinuous dosing strategy, which exploits the fitness disadvantage displayed by drug-resistant cells in the absence of the drug, forestalls the onset of lethal drug-resistant disease. These data highlight the concept that drug-resistant cells may also display drug dependency, such that altered dosing may prevent the emergence of lethal drug resistance. Such observations may contribute to sustaining the durability of the vemurafenib response with the ultimate goal of curative therapy for the subset of melanoma patients with BRAF mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghna Das Thakur
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, USA
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48
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Desotelle J, Truong M, Ewald J, Weeratunga P, Yang B, Huang W, Jarrard D. CpG island hypermethylation frequently silences FILIP1L isoform 2 expression in prostate cancer. J Urol 2012; 189:329-35. [PMID: 23174249 DOI: 10.1016/j.juro.2012.08.188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2012] [Accepted: 06/06/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Senescence related regulatory pathways serve as barriers to cancer immortalization and progression but they are currently not well defined. FILIP1L is a growth inhibitory gene with multiple isoforms whose expression is increased in senescent prostate and prostate cancer cells, and decreased in many cancers. We investigated whether DNA methylation regulates FILIP1L in senescence and in prostate cancer development. MATERIALS AND METHODS FILIP1L mRNA expression was assessed in prostate cancer and associated normal prostate tissues using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. A tissue microarray was constructed using 95 prostate cancer specimens and 45 benign prostate specimens. Vectra™ imaging was used to quantitate nuclear and cytoplasmic FILIP1L protein expression. Bisulfite sequencing and Pyrosequencing® were used to assess methylation. Prostate cancer cell lines were treated with 2'-deoxy-5-azacytidine and mRNA expression was assessed. RESULTS FILIP1L isoform 2 mRNA was increased in replicatively senescent human prostate epithelial cells and decreased in prostate cancer specimens. We verified a reduction in nuclear FILIP1L protein in prostate cancer using tissue microarrays (p = 0.006). A CpG island 5' of the isoform 2 translational start site was identified that showed hypermethylation in prostate cancer cell lines and tumors compared to normal prostate cells and tissues. Pyrosequencing confirmed FILIP1L hypermethylation in all 14 tumors compared to paired normal tissues (p <0.0001). Isoform 2 expression was induced in prostate cancer cell lines using 2'-deoxy-5-azacytidine. CONCLUSIONS FILIP1L isoform 2 is one of the most commonly hypermethylated genes in prostate cancer. It may serve as an important marker of prostate cancer. Isoform 2 expression is associated with senescence and its down-regulation may represent an early important biological event in prostate cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Desotelle
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin, USA
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Yang Y, Wu J, Demir A, Castillo-Martin M, Melamed RD, Zhang G, Fukunaga-Kanabis M, Perez-Lorenzo R, Zheng B, Silvers DN, Brunner G, Wang S, Rabadan R, Cordon-Cardo C, Celebi JT. GAB2 induces tumor angiogenesis in NRAS-driven melanoma. Oncogene 2012; 32:3627-37. [PMID: 22926523 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2012.367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2011] [Revised: 07/02/2012] [Accepted: 07/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
GAB2 is a scaffold protein with diverse upstream and downstream effectors. MAPK and PI3K signaling pathways are known effectors of GAB2. It is amplified and overexpressed in a variety of human tumors including melanoma. Here we show a previously undescribed role for GAB2 in NRAS-driven melanoma. Specifically, we found that GAB2 is co-expressed with mutant NRAS in melanoma cell lines and tumor samples and its expression correlated with metastatic potential. Co-expression of GAB2(WT) and NRAS(G12D) in melanocytes and in melanoma cells increased anchorage-independent growth by providing GAB2-expressing cells a survival advantage through upregulation of BCL-2 family of anti-apoptotic factors. Of note, collaboration of GAB2 with mutant NRAS enhanced tumorigenesis in vivo and led to an increased vessel density with strong CD34 and VEGFR2 activity. We found that GAB2 facilitiated an angiogenic switch by upregulating HIF-1α and VEGF levels. This angiogenic response was significantly suppressed with the MEK inhibitor PD325901. These data suggest that GAB2-mediated signaling cascades collaborate with NRAS-driven downstream activation for conferring an aggressive phenotype in melanoma. Second, we show that GAB2/NRAS signaling axis is non-linear and non-redundant in melanocytes and melanoma, and thus are acting independent of each other. Finally, we establish a link between GAB2 and angiogenesis in melanoma for the first time. In conclusion, our findings provide evidence that GAB2 is a novel regulator of tumor angiogenesis in NRAS-driven melanoma through regulation of HIF-1α and VEGF expressions mediated by RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Yang
- Department of Dermatology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
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50
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Perotti V, Baldassari P, Bersani I, Molla A, Vegetti C, Tassi E, Dal Col J, Dolcetti R, Anichini A, Mortarini R. NFATc2 is a potential therapeutic target in human melanoma. J Invest Dermatol 2012; 132:2652-60. [PMID: 22718120 DOI: 10.1038/jid.2012.179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The identification of intracellular signaling pathways that promote cell proliferation and resistance to cell death may lead to the development of improved treatment for advanced melanoma. Here we show that the calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T cells c2 (NFATc2) pathway has an antiapoptotic role in melanoma cells. Expression of NFATc2 was constitutive in vitro and in vivo in human melanoma, and cyclosporin A (CsA) treatment of melanoma cells led to downmodulation of NFATc2. Inhibition of the calcineurin/NFAT pathway by CsA, or by NFATc2 silencing, led to modulation of cell cycle inhibitors and apoptosis-related proteins such as Apollon, and promoted caspase-dependent apoptosis of neoplastic cells. Calcineurin/NFATc2 targeting significantly enhanced melanoma cell death induced by antitumor agents, such as MEK- or BRAF(V600E)-specific inhibitors, and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, which trigger the intrinsic or extrinsic pathway of apoptosis, respectively. These findings identify NFATc2 as a potential therapeutic target in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Perotti
- Human Tumors Immunobiology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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