1
|
Csergeová L, Krbušek D, Janoštiak R. CIP/KIP and INK4 families as hostages of oncogenic signaling. Cell Div 2024; 19:11. [PMID: 38561743 PMCID: PMC10985988 DOI: 10.1186/s13008-024-00115-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
CIP/KIP and INK4 families of Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CKIs) are well-established cell cycle regulatory proteins whose canonical function is binding to Cyclin-CDK complexes and altering their function. Initial experiments showed that these proteins negatively regulate cell cycle progression and thus are tumor suppressors in the context of molecular oncology. However, expanded research into the functions of these proteins showed that most of them have non-canonical functions, both cell cycle-dependent and independent, and can even act as tumor enhancers depending on their posttranslational modifications, subcellular localization, and cell state context. This review aims to provide an overview of canonical as well as non-canonical functions of CIP/KIP and INK4 families of CKIs, discuss the potential avenues to promote their tumor suppressor functions instead of tumor enhancing ones, and how they could be utilized to design improved treatment regimens for cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Csergeová
- BIOCEV-First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - David Krbušek
- BIOCEV-First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sahakian N, Castinetti F, Romanet P. Molecular Basis and Natural History of Medullary Thyroid Cancer: It is (Almost) All in the RET. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4865. [PMID: 37835559 PMCID: PMC10572078 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a rare disease, which can be either sporadic (roughly 75% of cases) or genetically determined (multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, due to REarranged during Transfection RET germline mutations, 25% of cases). Interestingly, RET pathogenic variants (mainly M918T) have also been reported in aggressive forms of sporadic MTC, suggesting the importance of RET signalling pathways in the pathogenesis of MTC. The initial theory of RET codon-related MTC aggressiveness has been recently questioned by studies suggesting that this would only define the age at disease onset rather than the aggressiveness of MTC. Other factors might however impact the natural history of the disease, such as RET polymorphisms, epigenetic factors, environmental factors, MET (mesenchymal-epithelial transition) alterations, or even other genetic alterations such as RAS family (HRAS, KRAS, NRAS) genetic alterations. This review will detail the molecular bases of MTC, focusing on RET pathways, and the potential mechanisms that explain the phenotypic intra- and interfamilial heterogeneity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Sahakian
- Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, INSERM, MMG, La Conception University Hospital, Department of Endocrinology, Marseille, France; (N.S.); (F.C.)
| | - Frédéric Castinetti
- Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, INSERM, MMG, La Conception University Hospital, Department of Endocrinology, Marseille, France; (N.S.); (F.C.)
| | - Pauline Romanet
- Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, INSERM, MMG, La Conception University Hospital, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Marseille, France
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tasoulas J, Srivastava S, Xu X, Tarasova V, Maniakas A, Karreth FA, Amelio AL. Genetically engineered mouse models of head and neck cancers. Oncogene 2023; 42:2593-2609. [PMID: 37474617 PMCID: PMC10457205 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02783-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
The head and neck region is one of the anatomic sites commonly afflicted by cancer, with ~1.5 million new diagnoses reported worldwide in 2020 alone. Remarkable progress has been made in understanding the underlying disease mechanisms, personalizing care based on each tumor's individual molecular characteristics, and even therapeutically exploiting the inherent vulnerabilities of these neoplasms. In this regard, genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) have played an instrumental role. While progress in the development of GEMMs has been slower than in other major cancer types, several GEMMs are now available that recapitulate most of the heterogeneous characteristics of head and neck cancers such as the tumor microenvironment. Different approaches have been employed in GEMM development and implementation, though each can generally recapitulate only certain disease aspects. As a result, appropriate model selection is essential for addressing specific research questions. In this review, we present an overview of all currently available head and neck cancer GEMMs, encompassing models for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and salivary and thyroid gland carcinomas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason Tasoulas
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Sonal Srivastava
- Department of Tumor Biology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Xiaonan Xu
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Valentina Tarasova
- Department of Head and Neck-Endocrine Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Anastasios Maniakas
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Florian A Karreth
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Antonio L Amelio
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Tumor Biology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA.
- Department of Head and Neck-Endocrine Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Porcelli T, Moccia M, De Stefano MA, Ambrosio R, Capoluongo E, Santoro M, Hadoux J, Schlumberger M, Carlomagno F, Salvatore D. D898_E901 RET Deletion Is Oncogenic, Responds to Selpercatinib, and Treatment Resistance Can Arise Via RET-Independent Mechanisms. JCO Precis Oncol 2023; 7:e2300052. [PMID: 37535881 PMCID: PMC10581602 DOI: 10.1200/po.23.00052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We analyzed the oncogenic potential of RET Δ898-901 mutant and its response to selpercatinib, vandetanib, and cabozantinib in vitro and in a clinical case. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 35-year-old man with a medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) harboring a somatic D898_E901 RET deletion was sequentially treated with vandetanib, selpercatinib, cabozantinib, and fluorouracil (5-FU)-dacarbazine. Functional study of RET Δ898-901 mutant was performed in HEK-293T, NIH-3T3, and Ba/F3 cells. RET C634R and wild-type cells served as positive and negative controls, respectively. RESULTS The patient showed primary resistance to vandetanib and secondary resistance to selpercatinib after 12 months. Comprehensive next-generation sequencing of a progressing lesion during selpercatinib showed no additional RET mutation but an acquired complete genetic loss of CDKN2A, CDKN2B, and MTAP genes. Subsequent treatment with cabozantinib and 5-FU-dacarbazine had poor efficacy. In vitro, RET Δ898-901 showed higher ligand-independent RET autophosphorylation compared with RET C634R and similar proliferation rates in cell models. Subcutaneous injection of Δ898-901 NIH 3T3 cells in nude mice produced tumors of around 500 mm3 in 2 weeks, similarly to RET C634R cells. Selpercatinib inhibited cell growth of Ba/F3 RET Δ898-901 and RET C634R with a similar half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of approximately 3 nM. Vandetanib was five-fold less effective at inhibiting cell growth promoted by RET Δ898-901 mutant (IC50, 564 nM) compared with RET C634R one (IC50, 91 nM). Cabozantinib efficiently inhibited Ba/F3 RET C634 proliferation (IC50, 25.9 nM), but was scarcely active in Ba/F3 RET 898-901 (IC50 > 1,350 nM). CONCLUSION D898_E901 RET deletion is a gain-of-function mutation and responds to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in MTC. RET Δ898-901 mutant is sensitive to selpercatinib and vandetanib, and acquired resistance to selpercatinib may develop via RET-independent mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Porcelli
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Marialuisa Moccia
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Ettore Capoluongo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Massimo Santoro
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Julien Hadoux
- Department of Endocrine Oncology, Gustave Roussy and University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Martin Schlumberger
- Department of Endocrine Oncology, Gustave Roussy and University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Francesca Carlomagno
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Salvatore
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Looking at Thyroid Cancer from the Tumor-Suppressor Genes Point of View. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14102461. [PMID: 35626065 PMCID: PMC9139614 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102461] [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: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer. As tumor-suppressor genes (TSGs) are implicated in many different functions in the organism, their loss in cells in a normal tissue may drive their transformation into cancer cells. TSGs are generally classified into three subclasses: (i) gatekeepers that encode proteins involved in the control of cell cycle and apoptosis; (ii) caretakers that produce proteins implicated in maintaining genomic stability; and (iii) landscapers that, when mutated, create a suitable environment for neoplastic growth. Different inactivation mechanisms may suppress TSG function. Understanding these mechanisms and TSG alterations in thyroid tumors is of great importance for thyroid cancer prognosis, diagnosis, and therapy. The present review paper discusses TSG inactivation mechanisms and alterations in order to help to identify more efficient therapeutic modalities for thyroid cancer management. Abstract Thyroid cancer is the most frequent endocrine malignancy and accounts for approximately 1% of all diagnosed cancers. A variety of mechanisms are involved in the transformation of a normal tissue into a malignant one. Loss of tumor-suppressor gene (TSG) function is one of these mechanisms. The normal functions of TSGs include cell proliferation and differentiation control, genomic integrity maintenance, DNA damage repair, and signaling pathway regulation. TSGs are generally classified into three subclasses: (i) gatekeepers that encode proteins involved in cell cycle and apoptosis control; (ii) caretakers that produce proteins implicated in the genomic stability maintenance; and (iii) landscapers that, when mutated, create a suitable environment for malignant cell growth. Several possible mechanisms have been implicated in TSG inactivation. Reviewing the various TSG alteration types detected in thyroid cancers may help researchers to better understand the TSG defects implicated in the development/progression of this cancer type and to find potential targets for prognostic, predictive, diagnostic, and therapeutic purposes. Hence, the main purposes of this review article are to describe the various TSG inactivation mechanisms and alterations in human thyroid cancer, and the current therapeutic options for targeting TSGs in thyroid cancer.
Collapse
|
6
|
Landa I, Pozdeyev N, Korch C, Marlow LA, Smallridge RC, Copland JA, Henderson YC, Lai SY, Clayman GL, Onoda N, Tan AC, Garcia-Rendueles MER, Knauf JA, Haugen BR, Fagin JA, Schweppe RE. Comprehensive Genetic Characterization of Human Thyroid Cancer Cell Lines: A Validated Panel for Preclinical Studies. Clin Cancer Res 2019; 25:3141-3151. [PMID: 30737244 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-2953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Thyroid cancer cell lines are valuable models but have been neglected in pancancer genomic studies. Moreover, their misidentification has been a significant problem. We aim to provide a validated dataset for thyroid cancer researchers. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We performed next-generation sequencing (NGS) and analyzed the transcriptome of 60 authenticated thyroid cell lines and compared our findings with the known genomic defects in human thyroid cancers. RESULTS Unsupervised transcriptomic analysis showed that 94% of thyroid cell lines clustered distinctly from other lineages. Thyroid cancer cell line mutations recapitulate those found in primary tumors (e.g., BRAF, RAS, or gene fusions). Mutations in the TERT promoter (83%) and TP53 (71%) were highly prevalent. There were frequent alterations in PTEN, PIK3CA, and of members of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, mismatch repair, cell-cycle checkpoint, and histone methyl- and acetyltransferase functional groups. Copy number alterations (CNA) were more prevalent in cell lines derived from advanced versus differentiated cancers, as reported in primary tumors, although the precise CNAs were only partially recapitulated. Transcriptomic analysis showed that all cell lines were profoundly dedifferentiated, regardless of their derivation, making them good models for advanced disease. However, they maintained the BRAFV600E versus RAS-dependent consequences on MAPK transcriptional output, which correlated with differential sensitivity to MEK inhibitors. Paired primary tumor-cell line samples showed high concordance of mutations. Complete loss of p53 function in TP53 heterozygous tumors was the most prominent event selected during in vitro immortalization. CONCLUSIONS This cell line resource will help inform future preclinical studies exploring tumor-specific dependencies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iñigo Landa
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Nikita Pozdeyev
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.,Division of Biomedical Informatics and Personalized Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.,Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | | | - Laura A Marlow
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Robert C Smallridge
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida.,Division of Endocrinology, Internal Medicine Department, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - John A Copland
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Ying C Henderson
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Stephen Y Lai
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Naoyoshi Onoda
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Aik Choon Tan
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, Colorado
| | | | - Jeffrey A Knauf
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.,Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Bryan R Haugen
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.,Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - James A Fagin
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York. .,Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Rebecca E Schweppe
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado. .,Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Valenciaga A, Saji M, Yu L, Zhang X, Bumrah C, Yilmaz AS, Knippler CM, Miles W, Giordano TJ, Cote GJ, Ringel MD. Transcriptional targeting of oncogene addiction in medullary thyroid cancer. JCI Insight 2018; 3:122225. [PMID: 30135308 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.122225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is incurable and FDA-approved kinase inhibitors that include oncogenic RET as a target do not result in complete responses. Association studies of human MTCs and murine models suggest that the CDK/RB pathway may be an alternative target. The objective of this study was to determine if CDKs represent therapeutic targets for MTC and to define mechanisms of activity. Using human MTC cells that are either sensitive or resistant to vandetanib, we demonstrate that palbociclib (CDK4/6 inhibitor) is not cytotoxic to MTC cells but that they are highly sensitive to dinaciclib (CDK1/2/5/9 inhibitor) accompanied by reduced CDK9 and RET protein and mRNA levels. CDK9 protein was highly expressed in 83 of 83 human MTCs and array-comparative genomic hybridization had copy number gain in 11 of 30 tumors. RNA sequencing demonstrated that RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription was markedly reduced by dinaciclib. The CDK7 inhibitor THZ1 also demonstrated high potency and reduced RET and CDK9 levels. ChIP-sequencing using H3K27Ac antibody identified a superenhancer in intron 1 of RET. Finally, combined inhibition of dinaciclib with a RET kinase inhibitor was synergistic. In summary, we have identified what we believe is a novel mechanism of RET transcription regulation that potentially can be exploited to improve RET therapeutic targeting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anisley Valenciaga
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Motoyasu Saji
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Christina M Knippler
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Wayne Miles
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Thomas J Giordano
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Gilbert J Cote
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Matthew D Ringel
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lindquist D, Alsina FC, Herdenberg C, Larsson C, Höppener J, Wang N, Paratcha G, Tarján M, Tot T, Henriksson R, Hedman H. LRIG1 negatively regulates RET mutants and is downregulated in thyroid cancer. Int J Oncol 2018; 52:1189-1197. [PMID: 29436694 PMCID: PMC5843404 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2018.4273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) are characterized by genomic rearrangements and point mutations in the proto-oncogene RET. Leucine-rich repeats and immunoglobulin-like domains 1 (LRIG1) is a suppressor of various receptor tyrosine kinases, including RET. LRIG1 expression levels are associated with patient survival in many cancer types. In the present study, we investigated whether the oncogenic RET mutants RET2A (C634R) and RET2B (M918T) were regulated by LRIG1, and the possible effects of LRIG1 expression in thyroid cancer were investigated in three different clinical cohorts and in a RET2B-driven mouse model of MTC. LRIG1 was shown to physically interact with both RET2A and RET2B and to restrict their ligand-independent activation. LRIG1 mRNA levels were downregulated in PTC and MTC compared to normal thyroid gland tissue. There was no apparent association between LRIG1 RNA or protein expression levels and patient survival in the studied cohorts. The transgenic RET2B mice developed pre-cancerous medullary thyroid lesions at a high frequency (36%); however, no overt cancers were observed. There was no significant difference in the incidence of pre-cancerous lesions between Lrig1 wild-type and Lrig1-deficient RET2B mice. In conclusion, the findings that LRIG1 is a negative regulator of RET2A and RET2B and is also downregulated in PTC and MTC may suggest that LRIG1 functions as a thyroid tumor suppressor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Lindquist
- Oncology Research Laboratory, Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, SE-90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Fernando C Alsina
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neuroscience (IBCN)-CONICET, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina
| | - Carl Herdenberg
- Oncology Research Laboratory, Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, SE-90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Catharina Larsson
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Cancer Center Karolinska, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jo Höppener
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Division of Biomedical Genetics and Laboratory of Translational Immunology, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Na Wang
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Cancer Center Karolinska, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gustavo Paratcha
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neuroscience (IBCN)-CONICET, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina
| | - Miklós Tarján
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Cytology, Central Hospital Falun, 791 82 Falun, Sweden
| | - Tibor Tot
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Cytology, Central Hospital Falun, 791 82 Falun, Sweden
| | - Roger Henriksson
- Oncology Research Laboratory, Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, SE-90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Håkan Hedman
- Oncology Research Laboratory, Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, SE-90187 Umeå, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Valenciaga A, Grubbs EG, Porter K, Wakely PE, Williams MD, Cote GJ, Vasko VV, Saji M, Ringel MD. Reduced Retinoblastoma Protein Expression Is Associated with Decreased Patient Survival in Medullary Thyroid Cancer. Thyroid 2017; 27:1523-1533. [PMID: 29105562 PMCID: PMC5734142 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2017.0113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The retinoblastoma (RB) transcriptional corepressor 1 protein functions to slow cell-cycle progression. Inactivation of RB by reduced expression and/or hyperphosphorylation allow for enhanced progression through the cell cycle. Murine models develop medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) after generalized loss of RB. However, RB expression in MTC has only been evaluated in a small number of tumors, with differing results. The objective of this study was to determine whether reduced expression of RB and/or overexpression of hyperphosphorylated RB predict MTC aggressive behavior. METHODS Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded primary thyroid tumors and lymph node metastases from MTC patients were evaluated for calcitonin, RB, and phosphorylated RB (pRB) expression by immunohistochemistry. Two expert pathologists evaluated the slides in a blinded manner, and the immunohistochemistry results were compared to disease-specific survival as a primary endpoint. RESULTS Seventy-four MTC samples from 56 patients were analyzed in this study, including 51 primary tumors and 23 lymph node metastases. The median follow-up time was 6.75 years after surgery (range 0.64-24.30 years), and the median primary tumor size was 30 mm (range 6-96 mm). Sixty-six percent of cases were classified as stage IV. RB nuclear expression was diffusely present in 88% of primary tumors and 78% of lymph node metastases. Nuclear pRB expression was present in 22% of primary tumors and 22% of lymph node metastases. On univariate analysis, reduced RB (<75% tumor cell staining) trended with lower MTC-specific survival for primary tumor and metastatic nodes (primary tumor hazard ratio = 3.54 [confidence interval 0.81-15.47], p = 0.08; and lymph node hazard ratio = 4.35 [confidence interval 0.87-21.83], p = 0.05). For primary tumors, multivariable analysis showed that low nuclear RB expression was independently associated with worse disease-specific (p = 0.01) and overall (p = 0.02) survival. pRB levels were not associated with survival for either primary tumor or lymph node metastases. CONCLUSIONS Reduced RB expression is associated with decreased patient survival in univariate and multivariable analyses, independent from patient age at surgery or advanced TNM stage. Future studies involving larger MTC patient populations are warranted to determine if lower RB expression levels may serve as a biomarker for aggressive disease in patients with MTC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anisley Valenciaga
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Elizabeth G. Grubbs
- Department of Surgical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Kyle Porter
- Center for Biostatistics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Paul E. Wakely
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Michelle D. Williams
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Gilbert J. Cote
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Vasyl V. Vasko
- Department of Pediatrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Motoyasu Saji
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Matthew D. Ringel
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
El Naofal M, Kim A, Yon HY, Baity M, Ming Z, Bui-Griffith J, Tang Z, Robinson M, Grubbs EG, Cote GJ, Hu P. Role of CDKN2C Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization in the Management of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma. ANNALS OF CLINICAL AND LABORATORY SCIENCE 2017; 47:523-528. [PMID: 29066476 PMCID: PMC7057027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), an aggressive form of thyroid cancer, occurs sporadically in approximately 75% of MTCs. RET and RAS mutations play a role in about 40% and 15%, respectively, of sporadic MTCs and are predominant drivers in MTC pathways. These mutations are some of the most comprehensively described and screened for in MTC patients; however, in recent studies, other mutations in the CDKN2C gene (p18) have been implicated in the tumorigenesis of MTC. Comparative genomic hybridization analysis revealed that approximately 40% of sporadic MTC samples have loss of CDKN2C at chromosome 1p32 in addition to frequent losses of CDKN2D (p19) at chromosome 19p13. However, no feasible routine method had been established to detect loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of CDKN2C and CD-KN2D The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of using Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH) to screen MTC patients for CDKN2C and CDKN2D deletions. We subjected 5 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) MTC samples with defined RET/RAS mutations to dual-color FISH assays to detect loss of CDKN2C and/or CDKN2D We prepared spectrum orange probes using the bacterial artificial chromosomes RP11-779F9 for CDKN2C (p18) and RP11-177J4 for CDKN2D (p19) and prepared spectrum green control probes to the 1q25.2 and 19q11 regions (RP11-1146A3 and RP11-942P7, respectively). Nine FFPE normal thyroid tissue samples were used to establish the cutoff values for the FISH signal patterns. Of the five FFPE MTC samples, four and one yielded a positive significant result for CDKNN2C loss and CDKN2D loss, respectively. The results of a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments validation with a CDKN2C/CKS1B probe set for CDKN2C (p18) loss of heterozygosity were 100% concordant with the FISH results obtained in this study. Thus, FISH is a fast and reliable diagnostic or prognostic indicator of gene loss in MTC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maha El Naofal
- School of Health Professions Program in Diagnostic Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Adriel Kim
- School of Health Professions Program in Diagnostic Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hui Yi Yon
- School of Health Professions Program in Diagnostic Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mohamed Baity
- School of Health Professions Program in Diagnostic Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zhao Ming
- Program in Cytogenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jacquelin Bui-Griffith
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zhenya Tang
- Department of Clinical Cytogenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Melissa Robinson
- Department of Clinical Cytogenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Elizabeth G Grubbs
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Gilbert J Cote
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Peter Hu
- School of Health Professions Program in Diagnostic Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Vitale G, Gaudenzi G, Circelli L, Manzoni MF, Bassi A, Fioritti N, Faggiano A, Colao A. Animal models of medullary thyroid cancer: state of the art and view to the future. Endocr Relat Cancer 2017; 24:R1-R12. [PMID: 27799362 DOI: 10.1530/erc-16-0399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Medullary thyroid carcinoma is a neuroendocrine tumour originating from parafollicular C cells accounting for 5-10% of thyroid cancers. Increased understanding of disease-specific molecular targets of therapy has led to the regulatory approval of two drugs (vandetanib and cabozantinib) for the treatment of medullary thyroid carcinoma. These drugs increase progression-free survival; however, they are often poorly tolerated and most treatment responses are transient. Animal models are indispensable tools for investigating the pathogenesis, mechanisms for tumour invasion and metastasis and new therapeutic approaches for cancer. Unfortunately, only few models are available for medullary thyroid carcinoma. This review provides an overview of the state of the art of animal models in medullary thyroid carcinoma and highlights future developments in this field, with the aim of addressing salient features and clinical relevance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Vitale
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health (DISCCO)University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Laboratory of Endocrine and Metabolic ResearchIstituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Germano Gaudenzi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health (DISCCO)University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Circelli
- Department of Experimental OncologyLaboratory of Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, 'Fondazione Pascale' - IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco F Manzoni
- Department of Endocrinology and Internal MedicineEndocrine Tumors Unit, San Raffaele Hospital Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Bassi
- Department of PhysicsPolitecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Antongiulio Faggiano
- Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery UnitIstituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori 'Fondazione G. Pascale' - IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Annamaria Colao
- Department of Clinical Medicine and SurgerySection of Endocrinology, 'Federico II' University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Lee EK, Hong SH, Shin S, Lee HS, Lee JS, Park EJ, Choi SS, Min JW, Park D, Hwang JA, Johnson BH, Jeon SH, Kim IH, Lee YS, Lee YS. nc886, a non-coding RNA and suppressor of PKR, exerts an oncogenic function in thyroid cancer. Oncotarget 2016; 7:75000-75012. [PMID: 27612419 PMCID: PMC5342718 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
nc886 is a recently identified cellular non-coding RNA and its depletion leads to acute cell death via PKR (Protein Kinase RNA-activated) activation. nc886 expression is increased in some malignancies, but silenced in others. However, the precise role of nc886/PKR is controversial: is it a tumor suppressor or an oncogene? In this study, we have clarified the role of nc886 in thyroid cancer by sequentially generating PKR knockout (KO) and PKR/nc886 double KO cell lines from Nthy-ori 3-1, a partially transformed thyroid cell line. Compared to the wildtype, PKR KO alone does not exhibit any significant phenotypic changes. However, nc886 KO cells are less proliferative, migratory, and invasive than their parental PKR KO cells. Importantly, the requirement of nc886 in tumor phenotypes is totally independent of PKR. In our microarray data, nc886 KO suppresses some genes whose elevated expression is associated with poor survival confirmed by data from total of 505 thyroid cancer patients in the Caner Genome Atlas project. Also, the nc886 expression level tends to be elevated and in more aggressively metastatic tumor specimens from thyroid cancer patients. In summary, we have discovered nc886's tumor-promoting role in thyroid cancer which has been concealed by the PKR-mediated acute cell death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eun Kyung Lee
- Center for Thyroid Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 410-769, Korea
| | - Seung-Hyun Hong
- Cancer Genomics Branch, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 410-769, Korea
| | - Sooyong Shin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Life Science and Center for Aging and Health Care, Hallym University, Chuncheon, 200-702, Korea
| | - Hyun-Sung Lee
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ju-Seog Lee
- Department of Systems Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Eun Jung Park
- Cancer Immunology Branch, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 410-769, Korea
- Department of Cancer System Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 410-769, Korea
| | - Sun Shim Choi
- Division of Biomedical Convergence, College of Biomedical Science, and Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 200–701, Korea
| | - Jae Woong Min
- Division of Biomedical Convergence, College of Biomedical Science, and Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 200–701, Korea
| | - Daeyoon Park
- Center for Thyroid Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 410-769, Korea
| | - Jung-Ah Hwang
- Cancer Genomics Branch, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 410-769, Korea
| | - Betty H. Johnson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Sung Ho Jeon
- Department of Life Science and Center for Aging and Health Care, Hallym University, Chuncheon, 200-702, Korea
| | - In-Hoo Kim
- Department of Cancer System Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 410-769, Korea
| | - Yeon-Su Lee
- Cancer Genomics Branch, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 410-769, Korea
| | - Yong Sun Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Cancer System Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 410-769, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Grubbs EG, Williams MD, Scheet P, Vattathil S, Perrier ND, Lee JE, Gagel RF, Hai T, Feng L, Cabanillas ME, Cote GJ. Role of CDKN2C Copy Number in Sporadic Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma. Thyroid 2016; 26:1553-1562. [PMID: 27610696 PMCID: PMC6453497 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2016.0224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cyclin-dependent-kinase inhibitors (CDKN)/retinoblastoma (RB1) pathway has been implicated as having a role in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) tumorigenesis. CDKN2C loss has been associated with RET-mediated MTC in humans but with minimal phenotypic correlation provided. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between tumor RET mutation status, CDKN2C loss, and aggressiveness of MTC in a cohort of patients with sporadic disease. METHODS Tumors from patients with sporadic MTC treated at a single institution were evaluated for somatic RETM918T mutation and CDKN2C copy number loss. These variables were compared to patient demographics, pathology detail, clinical course, and disease-specific and overall survival. RESULTS Sixty-two MTC cases with an initial surgery date ranging from 1983 to 2009 met the inclusion criteria, of whom 36 (58%) were male. The median age at initial surgery was 53 years (range 22-81 years). The median tumor size was 30 mm (range 6-145 mm) with 29 (57%) possessing extrathyroidal extension. Nodal and/or distant metastasis at presentation was found in 47/60 (78%) and 12/61 (20%) patients, respectively. Median follow-up time was 10.5 years (range 1.1-27.8 years) for the censored observations. The presence of CDKN2C loss was associated with worse M stage and overall AJCC stage. Median overall survival of patients with versus without CDKN2C loss was 4.14 [confidence interval (CI) 1.93-NA] versus 18.27 [CI 17.24-NA] years (p < 0.0001). Median overall survival of patients with a combined somatic RETM918T mutation and CDKN2C loss versus no somatic RETM918T mutation and CDKN2C loss versus somatic RETM918T mutation and CDKN2C 2N versus no somatic RETM918T mutation and CDKN2C 2N was 2.38 [CI 1.67-NA] years versus 10.81 [CI 2.46-NA] versus 17.24 [CI 9.82-NA] versus not reached [CI 13.46-NA] years (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS The detection of somatic CDKN2C loss is associated with the presence of distant metastasis at presentation as well decreased overall survival, a relationship enhanced by concomitant RETM918T mutation. Further defining the genes involved in the progression of metastatic MTC will be an important step toward identifying pathways of disease progression and new therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth G. Grubbs
- Department of Surgical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Michelle D. Williams
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Paul Scheet
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Selina Vattathil
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Nancy D. Perrier
- Department of Surgical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jeffrey E. Lee
- Department of Surgical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Robert F. Gagel
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Tao Hai
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Lei Feng
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Maria E. Cabanillas
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Gilbert J. Cote
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Paragliola RM, Torino F, Papi G, Locantore P, Pontecorvi A, Corsello SM. Mouse models of medullary thyroid cancer and developing new targeted therapies. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2016; 11:917-9. [PMID: 27541085 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2016.1223036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesco Torino
- b Department of Systems Medicine , Università di Roma 'Tor Vergata' , Roma , Italy
| | - Giampaolo Papi
- a Unit of Endocrinology , Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore , Roma , Italy
| | - Pietro Locantore
- a Unit of Endocrinology , Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore , Roma , Italy
| | - Alfredo Pontecorvi
- a Unit of Endocrinology , Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore , Roma , Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Heilmann AM, Subbiah V, Wang K, Sun JX, Elvin JA, Chmielecki J, Sherman SI, Murthy R, Busaidy NL, Subbiah I, Yelensky R, Nangia C, Vergilio JA, Khan SA, Erlich RL, Lipson D, Ross JS, Miller VA, Shah MH, Ali SM, Stephens PJ. Comprehensive Genomic Profiling of Clinically Advanced Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma. Oncology 2016; 90:339-46. [PMID: 27207748 DOI: 10.1159/000445978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the genomic alterations of cancer-related genes in advanced medullary thyroid carcinoma during the course of clinical care. METHODS Hybrid-capture-based comprehensive genomic profiling was performed on 34 consecutive medullary thyroid carcinoma cases to identify all four classes of genomic alterations, and outcome for an index patient was collected. RESULTS RET was mutated in 88% (30/34) of cases, with RET M918T being responsible for 70% (21/30) of the RET alterations. The other RET alterations were RET E632_L633del, C634R, C620R, C618G/R/S, V804M, and RET amplification. Two of the four RET wild-type patients harbored mutations in KRAS or HRAS (1/34 each). The next most frequent genomic alterations were amplifications of CCND1, FGF3, and FGF19 and alterations in CDKN2A (3/34 each). One case with a RET M918T mutation developed acquired resistance to progressively dose-escalated vandetanib. When the mTOR inhibitor everolimus was added to continued vandetanib treatment, the patient achieved a second 25% reduction of tumor volume (RECIST 1.1) for 8 months. CONCLUSIONS Comprehensive genomic profiling identified the full breadth of RET alterations in metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma and possible cooperating oncogenic driver alterations. This approach may refine the use of targeted therapy for these patients.
Collapse
|
16
|
Pozo K, Hillmann A, Augustyn A, Plattner F, Hai T, Singh T, Ramezani S, Sun X, Pfragner R, Minna JD, Cote GJ, Chen H, Bibb JA, Nwariaku FE. Differential expression of cell cycle regulators in CDK5-dependent medullary thyroid carcinoma tumorigenesis. Oncotarget 2016; 6:12080-93. [PMID: 25900242 PMCID: PMC4494924 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a neuroendocrine cancer of thyroid C-cells, for which few treatment options are available. We have recently reported a role for cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) in MTC pathogenesis. We have generated a mouse model, in which MTC proliferation is induced upon conditional overexpression of the CDK5 activator, p25, in C-cells, and arrested by interrupting p25 overexpression. Here, we identify genes and proteins that are differentially expressed in proliferating versus arrested benign mouse MTC. We find that downstream target genes of the tumor suppressor, retinoblastoma protein, including genes encoding cell cycle regulators such as CDKs, cyclins and CDK inhibitors, are significantly upregulated in malignant mouse tumors in a CDK5-dependent manner. Reducing CDK5 activity in human MTC cells down-regulated these cell cycle regulators suggesting that CDK5 activity is critical for cell cycle progression and MTC proliferation. Finally, the same set of cell cycle proteins was consistently overexpressed in human sporadic MTC but not in hereditary MTC. Together these findings suggest that aberrant CDK5 activity precedes cell cycle initiation and thus may function as a tumor-promoting factor facilitating cell cycle protein expression in MTC. Targeting aberrant CDK5 or its downstream effectors may be a strategy to halt MTC tumorigenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karine Pozo
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Antje Hillmann
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Alexander Augustyn
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Florian Plattner
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Tao Hai
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Tanvir Singh
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Saleh Ramezani
- Department of Radiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Xiankai Sun
- Department of Radiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Roswitha Pfragner
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Immunology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - John D Minna
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Gilbert J Cote
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Herbert Chen
- Endocrine Surgery Research Laboratory, The University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI, USA
| | - James A Bibb
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Radiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Fiemu E Nwariaku
- Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Kirschner LS, Qamri Z, Kari S, Ashtekar A. Mouse models of thyroid cancer: A 2015 update. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2016; 421:18-27. [PMID: 26123589 PMCID: PMC4691568 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2015.06.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2015] [Revised: 05/28/2015] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine neoplasm, and its rate is rising at an alarming pace. Thus, there is a compelling need to develop in vivo models which will not only enable the confirmation of the oncogenic potential of driver genes, but also point the way towards the development of new therapeutics. Over the past 20 years, techniques for the generation of mouse models of human diseases have progressed substantially, accompanied by parallel advances in the genetics and genomics of human tumors. This convergence has enabled the development of mouse lines carrying mutations in the genes that cause thyroid cancers of all subtypes, including differentiated papillary and follicular thyroid cancers, poorly differentiated/anaplastic cancers, and medullary thyroid cancers. In this review, we will discuss the state of the art of mouse modeling of thyroid cancer, with the eventual goal of providing insight into tumor biology and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence S Kirschner
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Zahida Qamri
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Suresh Kari
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Amruta Ashtekar
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Cai J, Li L, Ye L, Jiang X, Shen L, Gao Z, Fang W, Huang F, Su T, Zhou Y, Wang W, Ning G. Exome sequencing reveals mutant genes with low penetrance involved in MEN2A-associated tumorigenesis. Endocr Relat Cancer 2015; 22:23-33. [PMID: 25404689 DOI: 10.1530/erc-14-0225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Activating rearranged during transfection (RET) mutations function as the initiating causative mutation for multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A). However, no conclusive findings regarding the non-RET genetic events have been reported. This is the first study, to our knowledge, examining genomic alterations in matched MEN2A-associated tumors. We performed exome sequencing and SNP array analysis of matched MEN2A tumors and germline DNA. Somatic alterations were validated in an independent set of patients using Sanger sequencing. Genes of functional interest were further evaluated. The germline RET mutation was found in all MEN2A-component tumors. Thirty-two somatic mutations were identified in the nine MEN2A-associated tumors, of which 28 (87.5%) were point mutations and 4 (12.5%) were small insertions, duplications, or deletions. We sequenced all the mutations as well as coding sequence regions of the 12 genes in an independent sample set including 35 medullary thyroid cancers (20 MEN2A) and 34 PCCs (22 MEN2A), but found no recurrent mutations. Recurrent alterations were found in 13 genes with either mutations or alterations in copy number, including an EIF4G1 mutation (p. E1147V). Mutation of EIF4G1 led to increased cell proliferation and RET/MAPK phosphorylation, while knockdown of EIF4G1 led to reduced cell proliferation and RET/MAPK phosphorylation in TT, MZ-CRC1, and PC-12 cells. We found fewer somatic mutations in endocrine tumors compared with non-endocrine tumors. RET was the primary driver in MEN2A-associated tumors. However, low-frequency alterations such as EIF4G1 might participate in MEN2A-associated tumorigenesis, possibly by regulating the activity of the RET pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Cai
- School of MedicineShanghai Clinical Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, #197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai 200025 People's Republic of ChinaBGI-ShenzhenShenzhen 518083, ChinaLaboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of Institute of Health ScienceShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, #227 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Li
- School of MedicineShanghai Clinical Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, #197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai 200025 People's Republic of ChinaBGI-ShenzhenShenzhen 518083, ChinaLaboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of Institute of Health ScienceShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, #227 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Ye
- School of MedicineShanghai Clinical Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, #197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai 200025 People's Republic of ChinaBGI-ShenzhenShenzhen 518083, ChinaLaboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of Institute of Health ScienceShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, #227 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaohua Jiang
- School of MedicineShanghai Clinical Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, #197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai 200025 People's Republic of ChinaBGI-ShenzhenShenzhen 518083, ChinaLaboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of Institute of Health ScienceShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, #227 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Liyun Shen
- School of MedicineShanghai Clinical Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, #197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai 200025 People's Republic of ChinaBGI-ShenzhenShenzhen 518083, ChinaLaboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of Institute of Health ScienceShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, #227 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhibo Gao
- School of MedicineShanghai Clinical Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, #197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai 200025 People's Republic of ChinaBGI-ShenzhenShenzhen 518083, ChinaLaboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of Institute of Health ScienceShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, #227 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiyuan Fang
- School of MedicineShanghai Clinical Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, #197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai 200025 People's Republic of ChinaBGI-ShenzhenShenzhen 518083, ChinaLaboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of Institute of Health ScienceShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, #227 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Fengjiao Huang
- School of MedicineShanghai Clinical Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, #197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai 200025 People's Republic of ChinaBGI-ShenzhenShenzhen 518083, ChinaLaboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of Institute of Health ScienceShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, #227 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Tingwei Su
- School of MedicineShanghai Clinical Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, #197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai 200025 People's Republic of ChinaBGI-ShenzhenShenzhen 518083, ChinaLaboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of Institute of Health ScienceShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, #227 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Yulin Zhou
- School of MedicineShanghai Clinical Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, #197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai 200025 People's Republic of ChinaBGI-ShenzhenShenzhen 518083, ChinaLaboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of Institute of Health ScienceShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, #227 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiqing Wang
- School of MedicineShanghai Clinical Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, #197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai 200025 People's Republic of ChinaBGI-ShenzhenShenzhen 518083, ChinaLaboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of Institute of Health ScienceShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, #227 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Guang Ning
- School of MedicineShanghai Clinical Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, #197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai 200025 People's Republic of ChinaBGI-ShenzhenShenzhen 518083, ChinaLaboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of Institute of Health ScienceShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, #227 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China School of MedicineShanghai Clinical Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, #197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai 200025 People's Republic of ChinaBGI-ShenzhenShenzhen 518083, ChinaLaboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of Institute of Health ScienceShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, #227 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Abstract
The thyroid parafollicular cell, or commonly named "C-cell," functions in serum calcium homeostasis. Elevations in serum calcium trigger release of calcitonin from the C-cell, which in turn functions to inhibit absorption of calcium by the intestine, resorption of bone by the osteoclast, and reabsorption of calcium by renal tubular cells. Oncogenic transformation of the thyroid C-cell is thought to progress through a hyperplastic process prior to malignancy with increasing levels of serum calcitonin serving as a biomarker for tumor burden. The discovery that multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 is caused by activating mutations of the RET gene serves to highlight the RET-RAS-MAPK signaling pathway in both initiation and progression of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Thyroid C-cells are known to express RET at high levels relative to most cell types; therefore, aberrant activation of this receptor is targeted primarily to the C-cell, providing one possible cause of tissue-specific oncogenesis. The role of RET signaling in normal C-cell function is unknown though calcitonin gene transcription appears to be sensitive to RET activation. Beyond RET, the modeling of oncogenesis in animals and screening of human tumors for candidate gene mutations have uncovered mutation of RAS family members and inactivation of Rb1 regulatory pathway as potential mediators of C-cell transformation. A growing understanding of how RET interacts with these pathways, both in normal C-cell function and during oncogenic transformation, will help in the development of novel molecular-targeted therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gilbert J Cote
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 1461, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Elizabeth G Grubbs
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 1484, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Marie-Claude Hofmann
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 1461, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Lips CJ, Links TP, Höppener JW, Dreijerink KM, ten Kroode HF. Standards of care intended for multiple endocrine neoplasia families. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINE ONCOLOGY 2014. [DOI: 10.2217/ije.14.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the past, the medical expenditure for multiple endocrine neoplasia families was high and the course of their disease not predictable. In a couple of decades, the prospects changed completely. The genetic origin of the diseases is well known and prevention is possible, whereas in advanced stages target-directed treatment is coming within reach. The most important change is the responsibility for these families. Initially, this was completely the task of the attending physician, whereas at this moment patients and disease gene carriers themselves have the central responsibility with respect to these diseases. Unfortunately, for them information about the disease is insufficiently available.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cornelis J Lips
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Wassenaarseweg 109, The Hague, 2596 CN, The Netherlands
| | - Thera P Links
- Department of Endocrinology, University Medical Center Groningen
| | - Jo W Höppener
- Division of Biomededical Genetics & Molecular Cancer Research, University Utrecht
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Key roles for MYC, KIT and RET signaling in secondary angiosarcomas. Br J Cancer 2014; 111:407-12. [PMID: 24983371 PMCID: PMC4102954 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2014.359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2013] [Revised: 05/26/2014] [Accepted: 06/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Angiosarcomas may develop as primary tumours of unknown cause or as secondary tumours, most commonly following radiotherapy to the involved field. The different causative agents may be linked to alternate tumorigenesis, which led us to investigate the genetic profiles of morphologically indistinguishable primary and secondary angiosarcomas. Methods: Whole-genome (18k) c-DNA-mediated annealing, selection, extension and ligation analysis was used to genetically profile 26 primary and 29 secondary angiosarcomas. Key findings were thereafter validated using RT–qPCR, immunohistochemistry and validation of the gene signature to an external data set. Results: In total, 103 genes were significantly deregulated between primary and secondary angiosarcomas. Secondary angiosarcomas showed upregulation of MYC, KIT and RET and downregulation of CDKN2C. Functional annotation analysis identified multiple target genes in the receptor protein tyrosine kinase pathway. The results were validated using RT–qPCR and immunohistochemistry. Further, the gene signature was applied to an external data set and, herein, distinguished primary from secondary angiosarcomas. Conclusions: Upregulation of MYC, KIT and RET and downregulation of CDKN2C characterise secondary angiosarcoma, which implies possibilities for diagnostic application and a mechanistic basis for therapeutic evaluation of RET-kinase-inhibitors in these highly aggressive tumours.
Collapse
|
22
|
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2). Mol Oncol 2013. [DOI: 10.1017/cbo9781139046947.067] [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
|
23
|
Lips CJ, Dreijerink KM, Links TP, Höppener JW. Recent results of basic and clinical research in MEN1: opportunities to improve early detection and treatment. Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab 2012; 7:331-344. [PMID: 30780845 DOI: 10.1586/eem.12.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Due to the variable expression of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), it is difficult to predict the course of the disease. However, knowledge about the normal function of the MEN1 gene product, together with the effects of cellular derangement by subsequent genetic events, has increased considerably. At first, the possible existence of a genotype-phenotype correlation is discussed. Thus, mild- and late-onset phenotypes may be distinguished from more malignant phenotypes depending on the character of the primary MEN1 disease gene mutation. Subsequently, tumor-promoting factors such as gender, additional genetic mutations and ecogenetic factors may contribute to the course of the disease. New developments in management are based on the knowledge and experience of the multidisciplinary teams involved. Finally, the metabolic effects of MEN1 mutations in aged patients are discussed. Early identification of predisposition to the disease, together with knowledge about the natural history of specific mutations, risks of additional mutations and periodic clinical monitoring, allow early treatment and may improve life expectancy and quality of life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cornelis Jm Lips
- a Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, University Medical Center, Utrecht & The Hague, The Netherlands
- d Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, University Medical Center, Utrecht & The Hague, The Netherlands.
| | - Koen Ma Dreijerink
- a Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, University Medical Center, Utrecht & The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Thera P Links
- b Department of Endocrinology, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jo Wm Höppener
- c Department of Metabolic Diseases, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Lips CJ, Dreijerink KM, Höppener JW. Variable clinical expression in patients with a germline MEN1 disease gene mutation: clues to a genotype-phenotype correlation. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2012; 67 Suppl 1:49-56. [PMID: 22584706 PMCID: PMC3328827 DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2012(sup01)10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 is an inherited endocrine tumor syndrome, predominantly characterized by tumors of the parathyroid glands, gastroenteropancreatic tumors, pituitary adenomas, adrenal adenomas, and neuroendocrine tumors of the thymus, lungs or stomach. Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 is caused by germline mutations of the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 tumor suppressor gene. The initial germline mutation, loss of the wild-type allele, and modifying genetic and possibly epigenetic and environmental events eventually result in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 tumors. Our understanding of the function of the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 gene product, menin, has increased significantly over the years. However, to date, no clear genotype-phenotype correlation has been established. In this review we discuss reports on exceptional clinical presentations of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1, which may provide more insight into the pathogenesis of this disorder and offer clues for a possible genotype-phenotype correlation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cornelis J Lips
- Department of Internal Medicine & Endocrinology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Flicker K, Ulz P, Höger H, Zeitlhofer P, Haas OA, Behmel A, Buchinger W, Scheuba C, Niederle B, Pfragner R, Speicher MR. High-resolution analysis of alterations in medullary thyroid carcinoma genomes. Int J Cancer 2011; 131:E66-73. [PMID: 22038905 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.26494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2011] [Revised: 09/05/2011] [Accepted: 09/22/2011] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Hereditary and sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) are closely associated with RET proto-oncogene mutations. However, the role of additional changes in the tumor genomes remains unclear. Our objective was the identification of chromosomal regions involved in MTC tumorigenesis and to assess their significance by using MTC-derived cell lines. We used array-CGH (comparative genomic hybridization) to map chromosomal imbalances in 52 primary tumors and ten metastases. Eleven tumors (11/52, 21%) were hereditary and 41 (41/52, 79%) were sporadic. Among the latter, 15 tumors (15/41, 37%) harbored RET mutations. Furthermore, we characterized five MTC cell lines in detail and evaluated the tumorigenicity by severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)-mouse experiments. Most MTCs had only few copy number changes, and losses of chromosomes 1p, 4q, 19p and 22q were observed most frequently. The number of chromosomal aberrations increased in metastases. Twenty-three percent (12/52) of the primary tumors did not even show any chromosomal gains and losses. We injected three cell lines (two of these were without chromosomal changes and pathogenic RET mutations) into immune deficient SCID mice, and in each case, we observed rapid tumor growth at the injection sites. Our data suggest that MTCs--in contrast to most other tumor entities--do not acquire a multitude of genomic imbalances. SCID mouse experiments performed with chromosomally normal cell lines and without RET mutations suggest that presently unknown submicroscopic genomic changes are sufficient in MTC tumorigenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karin Flicker
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Broxmeyer HE, Franklin DS, Cooper S, Hangoc G, Mantel C. Cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors differentially modulate synergistic cytokine responsiveness of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Stem Cells Dev 2011; 21:1597-603. [PMID: 21936707 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2011.0476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs) influence proliferation of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs), but little is known of how they influence proliferative responsiveness of HPCs to colony stimulating factors (CSFs), alone and in combination with other hematopoietically active factors, such as the potent co-stimulating cytokine stem cell factor (SCF), or inhibition by myelosuppressive chemokines. Using mice with deletions in p18(INK4c), p21(CIP1/WAF1), or p27(KIP1) genes, and in mice with double gene deletions for either p18/p21 or p18/p27, we determined effects of absence of these CDKIs and their interactions on functional HPC numbers in vivo, and HPC proliferative responsiveness in vitro. There is a decrease in bone marrow HPC proliferation in p18(-/-) mice commensurate with decreased numbers of HPC, suggesting a positive role for p18 on HPC in vivo, similar to that for p21. These positive effects of p18 dominate negative effects of p27 gene deletion. Moreover, the CDKIs differentially regulate responsiveness of granulocyte macrophage (GM) progenitors to synergistic cell proliferation in response to GM-CSF plus SCF, which is considered important for normal hematopoiesis. Responsiveness of HPCs to inhibition by myelosuppressive chemokines is directly related to the capacity of HPCs to respond to synergistic stimulation, and their cell cycle status. P18(INK4c) gene deletion rescued the loss of chemokine suppression of synergistic proliferation due to deletion of p21(CIP1/WAF1). These findings underscore the complex interplay of cell cycle regulators in HPC, and demonstrate that loss of one can sometimes be compensated by loss of another CDKI in both, a pro- or anti-proliferative context.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hal E Broxmeyer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-5181, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Prazeres H, Torres J, Rodrigues F, Couto JP, Vinagre J, Sobrinho-Simões M, Soares P. How to Treat a Signal? Current Basis for RET-Genotype-Oriented Choice of Kinase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Medullary Thyroid Cancer. J Thyroid Res 2011; 2011:678357. [PMID: 21765992 PMCID: PMC3134398 DOI: 10.4061/2011/678357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2011] [Accepted: 04/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The significance of RET in thyroid cancer comes from solid evidence that, when inherited, an RET activating mutation primes C-cells to transform into medullary carcinomas. Moreover, environmental exposure to radiation also induces rearranged transforming RET “isoforms” that are found in papillary thyroid cancer. The RET gene codes for a tyrosine kinase receptor that targets a diverse set of intracellular signaling pathways. The nature of RET point mutations predicts differences in the mechanisms by which the receptor becomes activated and correlates with different forms of clinical presentation, age of onset, and biological aggressiveness. A number of RET-targeting Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) are currently undergoing clinical trials to evaluate their effectiveness in the treatment of thyroid cancer, and it is conceivable that the RET genotype may also influence response to these compounds. The question that now emerges is whether, in the future, the rational for treatment of refractory thyroid cancer will be based on the management of an abnormal RET signal. In this paper we address the RET-targeting TKIs and review studies about the signaling properties of distinct RET mutants as a means to predict response and design combinatorial therapies for the soon to be available TKIs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Prazeres
- Cancer Biology Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Abraham DT, Low TH, Messina M, Jackson N, Gill A, Chou AS, Delbridge L, Learoyd D, Robinson BG, Sidhu S, Sywak M. Medullary thyroid carcinoma: long-term outcomes of surgical treatment. Ann Surg Oncol 2010; 18:219-25. [PMID: 20878247 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-010-1339-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2010] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) accounts for 5 to 10% of all thyroid cancers but is responsible for a disproportionate number of deaths. METHODS We performed a retrospective review to describe clinical outcomes in patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma, screening a subset of patients for somatic mutations in the RET and p18 genes and performing genotype-phenotype correlation in a tertiary-care referral hospital from 1967 to 2009. RESULTS We studied a total of 94 patients identified from a prospectively maintained thyroid cancer database. Data gathered included patient demographics, serum calcitonin, clinical outcomes, histopathology, genetic analysis, and status at final follow-up. A subset cohort (n = 50) was screened for somatic mutations in the RET gene and the three exons of the p18 gene. The subset cohort was composed of hereditary medullary thyroid carcinoma (HMTC) (n = 19, index patients = 10, screen detected = 9) and sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma (SMTC) (n = 31). There were no mutations in the p18 gene in the subset cohort. CONCLUSIONS A total of 67 SMTC and 27 (28.7%) HMTC cases identified. SMTC were older at initial presentation (52 vs. 34, P = 0.003), had higher preoperative serum calcitonin levels (7968 vs. 1346 ng/L, P = 0.008), and had lymph node recurrence (P = 0.001) compared to HMTC. The tumors were smaller in HMTC (P = 0.038). Overall 10-year survival in SMTC versus HMTC was 69 versus 93% (P = 0.12). On multivariate analysis, vascular invasion (hazard ratio 6.4, P = 0.019) was an adverse predictor for disease-free survival. HMTC in the era of RET analysis presents with a smaller primary tumor, lower preoperative serum calcitonin levels, and lower rates of lymph node metastasis. Mutations in the p18 gene were not a major factor in medullary thyroid carcinoma tumorigenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deepak T Abraham
- Department of Surgery, University Clinic, Royal North Shore Hospital, University of Sydney Endocrine Surgical Unit, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Georgitsi M. MEN-4 and other multiple endocrine neoplasias due to cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (p27(Kip1) and p18(INK4C)) mutations. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2010; 24:425-37. [PMID: 20833334 DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2010.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs) are known targets to become deregulated in various tumour types, including endocrine tumours. Typically, these cell cycle regulators are somatically inactivated in sporadic endocrine tumours. Recently, it became known that certain CDKI genes cause inherited susceptibility to endocrine neoplasia. Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 4 (MEN4) emerged as a novel form of multiple endocrine neoplasia, caused by mutations in the CDKI gene CDKN1B/p27(Kip1). The MEN4 phenotype remains unclear, but all MEN4 patients identified thus far present with parathyroid involvement, and less typically with pituitary adenomas and other endocrine features. Moreover, the CDKI gene CDKN2C/p18(INK4C) has been also implicated in endocrine neoplasia susceptibility. This review presents the recent advances in these novel MEN-related states and summarises the current knowledge of how these CDKIs may be implicated in endocrine neoplasia. In addition, it briefly presents data from Cdkn1b/p27(Kip1) and Cdkn2c/p18(INK4C) murine models, which strongly support the protective role of these inhibitors against endocrine tumourigenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marianthi Georgitsi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, 26500 Rio, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Abstract
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) is an autosomal dominantly inherited tumor syndrome subclassified into three distinct syndromes: MEN 2A, MEN 2B and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma. In MEN 2 families, medullary thyroid carcinoma, pheochromocytomas and parathyroid adenomas occur with a variable frequency, also depending on the specific genetic defect involved. In 1993, the responsible MEN2 gene was identified. The genetic defect in these disorders involves the RET proto-oncogene on chromosome 10. The germline RET mutations result in a gain-of-function of the RET protein. Extensive studies on large families revealed that there is a strong genotype-phenotype correlation. In this review, guidelines for early diagnosis, including MEN2 gene mutation analysis, and treatment, including preventive surgery, periodic and clinical monitoring, have been formulated, enabling improvement of life expectancy and quality of life. Identification of the RET protein has also provided new insights into its function, and the specific pathways it effects involved in cell proliferation, migration, differentiation and survival. In the near future, identification of biological tumor markers will enable target-directed intervention and may prevent and/or delay progression of both primary and residual tumor growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cornelis Jm Lips
- a University Medical Center Utrecht, Department of Internal Medicine, Wassenaarseweg 109, 2596 CN The Hague, The Netherlands.
| | - Wendy van Veelen
- b Erasmus Medical Center Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam The Netherlands.
| | - Thera P Links
- c University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Internal Medicine, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Jo Wm Höppener
- d University Medical Center Utrecht Department of Metabolic and Endocrine Diseases & Netherlands Metabolomics Centre, Utrecht KC-02.069.1, PO Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Santarpia L, Ye L, Gagel RF. Beyond RET: potential therapeutic approaches for advanced and metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma. J Intern Med 2009; 266:99-113. [PMID: 19522829 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.2009.02112.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare calcitonin-producing neuroendocrine tumour that originates from the parafollicular C-cells of the thyroid gland. The RET proto-oncogene encodes the RET receptor tyrosine kinase, which has essential roles in cell survival, differentiation and proliferation. Activating mutations of RET are associated with the pathogenesis of MTC and have been demonstrated in nearly all hereditary and in 30-50% of sporadic MTC cases, making this receptor an excellent target for small-molecule inhibitors for this tumour. Clinical trials of small organic inhibitors of tyrosine kinase receptors (TKIs) targeting the RET receptor have shown efficacy for treatment of metastatic MTC with 30-50% of patients responding to these agents. Despite the importance of the RET receptor in MTC, it is clear that other signal transduction pathways, tyrosine kinase receptors, and tumour suppressor genes are involved in MTC tumourigenesis and progression. A better understanding of molecular cross-talk between these signal pathways and the RET receptor may lead to combinatorial therapy that will improve outcomes beyond what is currently possible with RET-directed TKIs. Finally, there is evidence that immunological-based therapy using dendritic cell vaccination strategies have been effective for reducing tumour mass in a small number of patients. The identification of additional MTC-specific tumour antigens and a better understanding of specific epitopes in these tumour antigens may lead to improvement of response rates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Santarpia
- The Department of Endocrine Neoplasia & Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
van Veelen W, Klompmaker R, Gloerich M, van Gasteren CJR, Kalkhoven E, Berger R, Lips CJM, Medema RH, Höppener JWM, Acton DS. P18 is a tumor suppressor gene involved in human medullary thyroid carcinoma and pheochromocytoma development. Int J Cancer 2009; 124:339-45. [PMID: 18942719 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.23977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome Type 2 (MEN2), medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and pheochromocytoma (PC) are associated with hereditary activating germ-line mutations in the RET proto-oncogene. Also in a large percentage of sporadic MTCs and PCs, somatic RET mutations appear to be involved in tumor formation. In one single MEN2 family an extensive variety in disease expression may be observed, indicating that additional genetic events are responsible for progression of the disease towards a more aggressive phenotype. However, these additional mutations in both hereditary and sporadic MTC and PC development are largely unknown. Here, we show for the first time the presence of somatic mutations in the cell cycle regulator P18 in human RET-associated MTCs and PCs. Each of these mutations causes an amino acid substitution in the cyclin dependent kinase-interacting region of P18(INK4C). Since these mutations partly inhibited P18(INK4C) function and reduced its stability, our findings implicate P18 as a tumor suppressor gene involved in human MTC and PC development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wendy van Veelen
- Division of Biomedical Genetics, Department of Metabolic and Endocrine Diseases, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Hossain MG, Iwata T, Mizusawa N, Qian ZR, Shima SWN, Okutsu T, Yamada S, Sano T, Yoshimoto K. Expression of p18(INK4C) is down-regulated in human pituitary adenomas. Endocr Pathol 2009; 20:114-21. [PMID: 19401813 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-009-9076-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors represented by the INK4 family comprising p16(INK4A), p15(INK4B), p18(INK4C), and p19(INK4D) are regulators of the cell cycle shown to be aberrant in many types of cancer. Mice lacking p18(Ink4c) exhibit a series of phenotypes including the development of widespread organomegaly and pituitary adenomas. The objective of our study is to examine the role of p18(INK4C) in the pathogenesis of human pituitary tumors. The protein and mRNA levels of p18(INK4C) were examined by immunohistochemistry and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The methylation status of the p18(INK4C) gene promoter and somatic mutations of the p18(INK4C) gene were also investigated. p18(INK4C) protein expression was lost or significantly reduced in 64% of pituitary adenomas compared with levels in normal pituitary glands. p18(INK4C) mRNA levels were low in all ACTH adenomas and non-functioning (NF)-FSH and in 42%, 70% and 66% of GH, PRL, and subtype 3 adenomas, respectively. p18(INK4C) mRNA levels were significantly associated with p18(INK4C) protein levels. Neither methylated promoters in pituitary adenomas, except in one NF-FSH adenoma, nor somatic mutations of the p18(INK4C) gene in any pituitary adenomas were detected. The down-regulation of p18(INK4C) expression may contribute to the tumorigenesis of pituitary adenomas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Golam Hossain
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Ye L, Santarpia L, Cote GJ, El-Naggar AK, Gagel RF. High resolution array-comparative genomic hybridization profiling reveals deoxyribonucleic acid copy number alterations associated with medullary thyroid carcinoma. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2008; 93:4367-72. [PMID: 18765511 PMCID: PMC2729231 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2008-0912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Activating mutations in the RET protooncogene have been demonstrated in multiple endocrine neoplasia 2 and sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). However, the complete genetic etiology underlying MTC tumorigenesis remains unclear. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to define more precisely the chromosomal regions and uncover novel genes associated with MTC tumorigenesis. DESIGN AND SETTING In this study, we used high resolution array-based comparative genomic hybridization to define tumor-associated copy number alterations (CNA) in 30 primary MTCs: 20 sporadic tumors (50% of which harbored RET mutation), and 10 hereditary. RESULTS We identified 98 CNA, including 76 genomic allelic losses, two gains, and 20 copy number variations associated with MTC. Across sporadic and hereditary groups, there was a similar and overlapping pattern of predominant allelic loss. There were 29 regions containing at least 30% CNA in the 30 tumor samples. The most frequent allelic loss occurred in four loci, 7q36.1, 12p13.31, 13q12.11, and 19p13.3-11. No regions were found to be uniquely altered in the hereditary tumors. There were 21 CNA specific to sporadic MTC, with loss of 11q23.3 uniquely altered in RET negative tumors. Pathway analysis found cellular growth and proliferation as the most significant overall target, and cell death as the most significant pathway targeted in sporadic MTC. CONCLUSIONS Our findings underscore the importance of candidate tumor suppressor genes together with RET alterations in MTCs. Despite of RET status, all MTC might share similar oncogenetic mechanisms. Dysfunction of cell proliferation and cell death may both be involved in MTC tumorigenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Ye
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, Unit 433, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|