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Saraei P, Heshmati A, Hosseini S. Small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the female genital tract: A comprehensive overview. J Neuroendocrinol 2024; 36:e13394. [PMID: 38626758 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
Small-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (SCNECs) of the female genital tract are rare and aggressive tumors that are characterized by a high rate of recurrence and poor prognosis. They can arise from various sites within the female genital tract, including the cervix, endometrium, ovary, fallopian tube, vagina, and vulva. They are composed of cells with neuroendocrine features, such as the ability to produce and secrete hormones and peptides, and a high mitotic rate. Immunohistochemical staining for neuroendocrine markers, such as chromogranin A, synaptophysin, and CD56, can aid in the diagnosis of these tumors. This article provides an overview of the epidemiology, etiology, and risk factors associated with these tumors, as well as their clinical presentation, cellular characteristics, diagnosis, and finally the current treatment options for SCNECs, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, alone or in combination.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Female
- Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/diagnosis
- Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/therapy
- Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/pathology
- Carcinoma, Small Cell/therapy
- Carcinoma, Small Cell/diagnosis
- Carcinoma, Small Cell/epidemiology
- Carcinoma, Small Cell/pathology
- Genital Neoplasms, Female/therapy
- Genital Neoplasms, Female/diagnosis
- Genital Neoplasms, Female/pathology
- Genital Neoplasms, Female/epidemiology
- Risk Factors
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Affiliation(s)
- Pouya Saraei
- Department of Medical Physics, Medicine School, Ahvaz Jondishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Abbas Heshmati
- Cancer Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Sare Hosseini
- Cancer Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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2
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Li X, Tian S, Shi H, Ta N, Ni X, Bai C, Zhu Z, Chen Y, Shi D, Huang H, Chen L, Hu Z, Qu L, Fang Y, Bai C. The golden key to open mystery boxes of SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated thoracic tumor: focusing immunotherapy, tumor microenvironment and epigenetic regulation. Cancer Gene Ther 2024; 31:687-697. [PMID: 38347129 PMCID: PMC11101339 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-024-00732-4] [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: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated thoracic tumor is extremely invasive. This tumor with poor prognosis is easily confused with SMARCA4-deficent non-small cell lung cancer or sarcoma. Standard and efficient treatment has not been established. In this review, we summarized the etiology, pathogenesis and diagnosis, reviewed current and proposed innovative strategies for treatment and improving prognosis. Immunotherapy, targeting tumor microenvironment and epigenetic regulator have improved the prognosis of cancer patients. We summarized clinicopathological features and immunotherapy strategies and analyzed the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients with SMARCA4-UT who received immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). In addition, we proposed the feasibility of epigenetic regulation in the treatment of SMARCA4-UT. To our knowledge, this is the first review that aims to explore innovative strategies for targeting tumor microenvironment and epigenetic regulation and identify potential benefit population for immunotherapy to improve the prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, China
| | - Sen Tian
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, No. 906 Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force, Ningbo, China
| | - Hui Shi
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China.
| | - Na Ta
- Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang Ni
- Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
| | - Chenguang Bai
- Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
| | - Zhanli Zhu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
| | - Yilin Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
| | - Dongchen Shi
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
| | - Haidong Huang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
| | - Longpei Chen
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenhong Hu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, China
| | - Lei Qu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, China
| | - Yao Fang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, China
| | - Chong Bai
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China.
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3
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Ma T, Chen Y, Yi ZG, Li YH, Bai J, Li LJ, Zhang LS. BET in hematologic tumors: Immunity, pathogenesis, clinical trials and drug combinations. Genes Dis 2023; 10:2306-2319. [PMID: 37554207 PMCID: PMC10404881 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins act as "readers" for lysine acetylation and facilitate the recruitment of transcriptional elongation complexes. BET protein is associated with transcriptional elongation of genes such as c-MYC and BCL-2, and is involved in the regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis. Meanwhile, BET inhibitors (BETi) have regulatory effects on immune checkpoints, immune cells, and cytokine expression. The role of BET proteins and BETi in a variety of tumors has been studied. This paper reviews the recent research progress of BET and BETi in hematologic tumors (mainly leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma) from cellular level studies, animal studies, clinical trials, drug combination, etc. BETi has a promising future in hematologic tumors, and future research directions may focus on the combination with other drugs to improve the efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Ma
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China
- Department of Hematology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Yi
- Department of Hematology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Yan-Hong Li
- Department of Hematology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Jun Bai
- Department of Hematology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Li-Juan Li
- Department of Hematology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Lian-Sheng Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
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4
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Gao Y, Zheng K, Kang M, Xu J, Ning Y, Hu W, Li K, Kang Y, Xu C. Establishment and characterization of a novel cell line (SCCOHT-CH-1) and PDX models derived from Chinese patients of small cell ovarian carcinoma of the hypercalcemic type. Hum Cell 2023; 36:2214-2227. [PMID: 37535222 PMCID: PMC10587334 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-023-00966-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Small cell carcinoma of the ovary hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT) is a rare and aggressive malignancy that poses a significant clinical challenge due to its grim prognosis. Unfortunately, only three SCCOHT cell lines are currently available for scientific research. In this study, we have successfully established a novel SCCOHT cell line from a recurrent lesion of a SCCOHT patient, named SCCOHT-CH-1. We comprehensively characterized the novel cell line by employing techniques such as morphological observation, CCK-8 assay, Transwell assay, clone formation assay, short tandem repeat sequence (STR) analysis, karyotype analysis, immunohistochemical staining, western blot assay, and xenograft tumor formation assay. SCCOHT-CH-1 cells were small circular and had a unique STR profile. The population-doubling time of SCCOHT-CH-1 was 33.02 h. The cell line showed potential migratory and invasive ability. Compared with another SCCOHT cell line COV434, SCCOHT-CH-1 exhibited higher expression of AKT, VIM, and CCND1. At the same time, SCCOHT-CH-1 has the ability of tumorigenesis in vivo. We also successfully constructed three patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of SCCOHT, which were pathologically diagnosed to be consistent with the primary tumor, accompanied by loss of SAMRCA4 protein expression. The establishment of SCCOHT-CH-1 cell line and PDX models from Chinese people represent a pivotal step toward unraveling the molecular mechanism of SCCOHT and fostering the development of targeted interventions to tackle this challenging malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Gao
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Kewei Zheng
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Mingyi Kang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Jing Xu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Yan Ning
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Weiguo Hu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Ke Li
- Cancer Institute, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yu Kang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China.
| | - Congjian Xu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, 200011, China.
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5
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Zhu X, Fu Z, Chen SY, Ong D, Aceto G, Ho R, Steinberger J, Monast A, Pilon V, Li E, Ta M, Ching K, Adams BN, Negri GL, Choiniere L, Fu L, Pavlakis K, Pirrotte P, Avizonis DZ, Trent J, Weissman BE, Klein Geltink RI, Morin GB, Park M, Huntsman DG, Foulkes WD, Wang Y, Huang S. Alanine supplementation exploits glutamine dependency induced by SMARCA4/2-loss. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2894. [PMID: 37210563 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38594-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023] Open
Abstract
SMARCA4 (BRG1) and SMARCA2 (BRM) are the two paralogous ATPases of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes frequently inactivated in cancers. Cells deficient in either ATPase have been shown to depend on the remaining counterpart for survival. Contrary to this paralog synthetic lethality, concomitant loss of SMARCA4/2 occurs in a subset of cancers associated with very poor outcomes. Here, we uncover that SMARCA4/2-loss represses expression of the glucose transporter GLUT1, causing reduced glucose uptake and glycolysis accompanied with increased dependency on oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS); adapting to this, these SMARCA4/2-deficient cells rely on elevated SLC38A2, an amino acid transporter, to increase glutamine import for fueling OXPHOS. Consequently, SMARCA4/2-deficient cells and tumors are highly sensitive to inhibitors targeting OXPHOS or glutamine metabolism. Furthermore, supplementation of alanine, also imported by SLC38A2, restricts glutamine uptake through competition and selectively induces death in SMARCA4/2-deficient cancer cells. At a clinically relevant dose, alanine supplementation synergizes with OXPHOS inhibition or conventional chemotherapy eliciting marked antitumor activity in patient-derived xenografts. Our findings reveal multiple druggable vulnerabilities of SMARCA4/2-loss exploiting a GLUT1/SLC38A2-mediated metabolic shift. Particularly, unlike dietary deprivation approaches, alanine supplementation can be readily applied to current regimens for better treatment of these aggressive cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianbing Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Zheng Fu
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Shary Y Chen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Dionzie Ong
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Giulio Aceto
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Rebecca Ho
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jutta Steinberger
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Anie Monast
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Virginie Pilon
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Eunice Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Monica Ta
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kyle Ching
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Bianca N Adams
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gian L Negri
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Science Centre, British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Luc Choiniere
- Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, Metabolomics Innovation Resource, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lili Fu
- Department of Pathology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Kitty Pavlakis
- Department of Pathology, IASO women's hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Patrick Pirrotte
- Cancer & Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Integrated Mass Spectrometry Shared Resource, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Daina Z Avizonis
- Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, Metabolomics Innovation Resource, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jeffrey Trent
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, Division of Integrated Cancer Genomics, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Bernard E Weissman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ramon I Klein Geltink
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Gregg B Morin
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Science Centre, British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Morag Park
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - David G Huntsman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - William D Foulkes
- Departments of Human Genetics, Medicine and Oncology McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Specialized Medicine and Cancer Research Program, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Specialized Medicine and Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Yemin Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Department of Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Sidong Huang
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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6
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Singh A, Modak SB, Chaturvedi MM, Purohit JS. SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodelers: Structural, Functional and Mechanistic Implications. Cell Biochem Biophys 2023:10.1007/s12013-023-01140-5. [PMID: 37119511 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-023-01140-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
The nuclear events of a eukaryotic cell, such as replication, transcription, recombination and repair etc. require the transition of the compactly arranged chromatin into an uncompacted state and vice-versa. This is mediated by post-translational modification of the histones, exchange of histone variants and ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling. The SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes are one of the most well characterized families of chromatin remodelers. In addition to their role in modulating chromatin, they have also been assigned roles in cancer and health-related anomalies such as developmental, neurocognitive, and intellectual disabilities. Owing to their vital cellular and medical connotations, developing an understanding of the structural and functional aspects of the complex becomes imperative. However, due to the intricate nature of higher-order chromatin as well as compositional heterogeneity of the SWI/SNF complex, intra-species isoforms and inter-species homologs, this often becomes challenging. To this end, the present review attempts to present an amalgamated perspective on the discovery, structure, function, and regulation of the SWI/SNF complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhilasha Singh
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
| | | | - Madan M Chaturvedi
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
- SGT University, Gurugram (Delhi-NCR), Haryana, 122505, India
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7
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Li Z, Zhao J, Tang Y. Advances in the role of SWI/SNF complexes in tumours. J Cell Mol Med 2023; 27:1023-1031. [PMID: 36883311 PMCID: PMC10098296 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer development is a complex process involving both genetic and epigenetic changes. The SWI/SNF (switch/sucrose non-fermentable) chromatin remodelling complex, one of the most studied ATP-dependent complexes, plays an important role in coordinating chromatin structural stability, gene expression and post-translational modifications. The SWI/SNF complex can be classified into BAF, PBAF and GBAF according to their constituent subunits. Cancer genome sequencing studies have shown a high incidence of mutations in genes encoding subunits of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodelling complex, with abnormalities in one or more of these genes present in nearly 25% of all cancers, which indicating that stabilizing normal expression of genes encoding subunits in the SWI/SNF complex may prevent tumorigenesis. In this paper, we will review the relationship between the SWI/SNF complex and some clinical tumours and its mechanism of action. The aim is to provide a theoretical basis to guide the diagnosis and treatment of tumours caused by mutations or inactivation of one or more genes encoding subunits of the SWI/SNF complex in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwei Li
- Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiumei Zhao
- Chongqing Nanchuan District People's Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu Tang
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, Kunming, China.,Department of Genetics, Zunyi Medical University, Guizhou, China
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8
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Walker RR, Rentia Z, Chiappinelli KB. Epigenetically programmed resistance to chemo- and immuno-therapies. Adv Cancer Res 2023; 158:41-71. [PMID: 36990538 PMCID: PMC10184181 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.12.001] [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] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Resistance to cancer treatments remains a major barrier in developing cancer cures. While promising combination chemotherapy treatments and novel immunotherapies have improved patient outcomes, resistance to these treatments remains poorly understood. New insights into the dysregulation of the epigenome show how it promotes tumor growth and resistance to therapy. By altering control of gene expression, tumor cells can evade immune cell recognition, ignore apoptotic cues, and reverse DNA damage induced by chemotherapies. In this chapter, we summarize the data on epigenetic remodeling during cancer progression and treatment that enable cancer cell survival and describe how these epigenetic changes are being targeted clinically to overcome resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reddick R Walker
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, DC, United States; Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Zainab Rentia
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, DC, United States
| | - Katherine B Chiappinelli
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, DC, United States; Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States.
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9
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Nguyen VT, Tessema M, Weissman BE. The SWI/SNF Complex: A Frequently Mutated Chromatin Remodeling Complex in Cancer. Cancer Treat Res 2023; 190:211-244. [PMID: 38113003 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-45654-1_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
The switch/sucrose non-fermenting (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complex is a global regulator of gene expression known to maintain nucleosome-depleted regions at active enhancers and promoters. The mammalian SWI/SNF protein subunits are encoded by 29 genes and 11-15 subunits including an ATPase domain of either SMARCA4 (BRG1) or SMARCA2 (BRM) are assembled into a complex. Based on the distinct subunits, SWI/SNF are grouped into 3 major types (subfamilies): the canonical BRG1/BRM-associated factor (BAF/cBAF), polybromo-associated BAF (PBAF), and non-canonical BAF (GBAF/ncBAF). Pan-cancer genome sequencing studies have shown that nearly 25% of all cancers bear mutations in subunits of the SWI/SNF complex, many of which are loss of function (LOF) mutations, suggesting a tumor suppressor role. Inactivation of SWI/SNF complex subunits causes widespread epigenetic dysfunction, including increased dependence on antagonistic components such as polycomb repressor complexes (PRC1/2) and altered enhancer regulation, likely promoting an oncogenic state leading to cancer. Despite the prevalence of mutations, most SWI/SNF-mutant cancers lack targeted therapeutic strategies. Defining the dependencies created by LOF mutations in SWI/SNF subunits will identify better targets for these cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinh The Nguyen
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mathewos Tessema
- Lung Cancer Program, Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Bernard Ellis Weissman
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
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10
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Lau SCM, Pan Y, Velcheti V, Wong KK. Squamous cell lung cancer: Current landscape and future therapeutic options. Cancer Cell 2022; 40:1279-1293. [PMID: 36270277 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2022.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Squamous cell lung cancers (lung squamous cell carcinomas [LUSCs]) are associated with high mortality and a lack of therapies specific to this disease. Although recurrent molecular aberrations are present in LUSCs, efforts to develop targeted therapies against receptor tyrosine kinases, signaling transduction, and cell cycle checkpoints in LUSCs were met with significant challenges. The present therapeutic landscape focuses on epigenetic therapies to modulate the expression of lineage-dependent survival pathways and undruggable oncogenes. Another important therapeutic approach is to exploit metabolic vulnerabilities unique to LUSCs. These novel therapies may synergize with immune checkpoint inhibitors in the right therapeutic context. For example, the recognition that alterations in KEAP1-NFE2L2 in LUSCs affected antitumor immune responses created unique opportunities for targeted, metabolic, and immune combinations. This article provides a perspective on how lessons learned from the past influence the current therapeutic landscape and opportunities for future drug development for LUSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally C M Lau
- Department of Medical Oncology, Laura & Issac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, Smilow Building 10th Floor, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Yuanwang Pan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Laura & Issac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, Smilow Building 10th Floor, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Vamsidhar Velcheti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Laura & Issac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, Smilow Building 10th Floor, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Kwok Kin Wong
- Department of Medical Oncology, Laura & Issac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, Smilow Building 10th Floor, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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11
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Navitski A, Al-Rawi DH, Makker V, Weigelt B, Zamarin D, Liu Y, Arnold AG, Chui MH, Mandelker DL, Walsh M, DeLair DF, Cadoo KA, O'Cearbhaill RE. Germline SMARCA4 Deletion as a Driver of Uterine Cancer: An Atypical Presentation. JCO Precis Oncol 2022; 6:e2200349. [PMID: 36265117 PMCID: PMC9616641 DOI: 10.1200/po.22.00349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Navitski
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA
| | - Duaa H. Al-Rawi
- Gynecologic Medical Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Vicky Makker
- Gynecologic Medical Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
| | - Britta Weigelt
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Dmitriy Zamarin
- Gynecologic Medical Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
| | - Ying Liu
- Gynecologic Medical Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
- Clinical Genetics Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Angela G. Arnold
- Clinical Genetics Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - M. Herman Chui
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Diana L. Mandelker
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Michael Walsh
- Clinical Genetics Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | | | - Karen A. Cadoo
- St James's Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Roisin E. O'Cearbhaill
- Gynecologic Medical Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
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12
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Hilton J, Cristea M, Postel-Vinay S, Baldini C, Voskoboynik M, Edenfield W, Shapiro GI, Cheng ML, Vuky J, Corr B, Das S, Apfel A, Xu K, Kozicki M, Ünsal-Kaçmaz K, Hammell A, Wang G, Ravindran P, Kollia G, Esposito O, Coker S, Diamond JR. BMS-986158, a Small Molecule Inhibitor of the Bromodomain and Extraterminal Domain Proteins, in Patients with Selected Advanced Solid Tumors: Results from a Phase 1/2a Trial. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14174079. [PMID: 36077617 PMCID: PMC9454848 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This phase 1/2a, open-label study (NCT02419417) evaluated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics of BMS-986158, a selective bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) inhibitor. Dose escalation was performed with 3 BMS-986158 dosing schedules: A (5 days on, 2 days off; range, 0.75–4.5 mg), B (14 days on, 7 days off; 2.0–3.0 mg), and C (7 days on, 14 days off; 2.0–4.5 mg). Eighty-three patients were enrolled and received ≥1 BMS-986158 dose. Diarrhea (43%) and thrombocytopenia (39%) were the most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). A lower incidence of TRAEs was found with schedules A (72%) and C (72%) vs. B (100%). Stable disease was achieved in 12 (26.1%), 3 (37.5%), and 9 (31.0%) patients on schedules A, B, and C, respectively. Two patients on schedule A with a 4.5-mg starting dose (ovarian cancer, n = 1; nuclear protein in testis [NUT] carcinoma, n = 1) experienced a partial response. BMS-986158 demonstrated rapid-to-moderate absorption (median time to maximum observed plasma concentration, 1–4 h). As expected with an epigenetic modifier, expression changes in select BET-regulated genes occurred with BMS-986158 treatment. Schedule A dosing (5 days on, 2 days off) yielded tolerable safety, preliminary antitumor activity, and a dose-proportional PK profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Hilton
- Division of Medical Oncology, Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
- Correspondence:
| | - Mihaela Cristea
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Sophie Postel-Vinay
- Drug Development Department, Institut Gustave Roussy, 94805 Villejuif, France
| | - Capucine Baldini
- Drug Development Department, Institut Gustave Roussy, 94805 Villejuif, France
| | - Mark Voskoboynik
- Department of Medical Oncology, Alfred Health, Melbourne 3004, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Jacqueline Vuky
- Department of Medicine/Oncology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Bradley Corr
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | | | | | - Ke Xu
- Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ 08648, USA
| | | | | | - Amy Hammell
- Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Guan Wang
- Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ 08648, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Jennifer R. Diamond
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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13
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Li G, Jiang Y. Case Report: A Durable Response to Camrelizumab and Apatinib Combination Therapy in a Heavily Treated Small Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary, Hypercalcemic Type. Front Oncol 2022; 12:916790. [PMID: 35903699 PMCID: PMC9315103 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.916790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT) is a rare and highly aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis. Most patients experience recurrence even after surgery and chemotherapy, and there are no standard treatment options for recurrent disease. Here, we report the case of a 36-year-old woman with SCCOHT who underwent primary cytoreductive surgery without adjuvant chemotherapy and remained disease-free for 9 months. She then developed retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis and was treated with two cycles of bleomycin/etoposide/cisplatin chemotherapy. However, the disease progressed and the patient received four cycles of liposomal doxorubicin/ifosfamide chemotherapy, followed by local radiation to the enlarged retroperitoneal lymph nodes. She achieved partial remission for 13 months, after which the disease progressed again. Tumor tissues and blood samples were sent for next-generation sequencing. The results indicated a somatic SWI/SNF-related, matrix-associated, actin-dependent regulator of chromatin, subfamily A, member 4 (SMARCA4) mutation, microsatellite stability, and a tumor mutation burden of 1.0 muts/Mb without any germline mutations. An anti-PD-1 antibody, camrelizumab, and an antiangiogenic agent, apatinib, were administered, and the patient achieved partial remission for 28 months. Our study provides the first clinical evidence that the combination therapy of camrelizumab and apatinib could be an effective treatment for recurrent SCCOHT.
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Kumar VE, Nambiar R, De Souza C, Nguyen A, Chien J, Lam KS. Targeting Epigenetic Modifiers of Tumor Plasticity and Cancer Stem Cell Behavior. Cells 2022; 11:cells11091403. [PMID: 35563709 PMCID: PMC9102449 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor heterogeneity poses one of the greatest challenges to a successful treatment of cancer. Tumor cell populations consist of different subpopulations that have distinct phenotypic and genotypic profiles. Such variability poses a challenge in successfully targeting all tumor subpopulations at the same time. Relapse after treatment has been previously explained using the cancer stem cell model and the clonal evolution model. Cancer stem cells are an important subpopulation of tumor cells that regulate tumor plasticity and determine therapeutic resistance. Tumor plasticity is controlled by genetic and epigenetic changes of crucial genes involved in cancer cell survival, growth and metastasis. Targeting epigenetic modulators associated with cancer stem cell survival can unlock a promising therapeutic approach in completely eradicating cancer. Here, we review various factors governing epigenetic dysregulation of cancer stem cells ranging from the role of epigenetic mediators such as histone and DNA methyltransferases, histone deacetylases, histone methyltransferases to various signaling pathways associated with cancer stem cell regulation. We also discuss current treatment regimens targeting these factors and other promising inhibitors in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vigneshwari Easwar Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (V.E.K.); (R.N.); (C.D.S.); (A.N.); (K.S.L.)
| | - Roshni Nambiar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (V.E.K.); (R.N.); (C.D.S.); (A.N.); (K.S.L.)
| | - Cristabelle De Souza
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (V.E.K.); (R.N.); (C.D.S.); (A.N.); (K.S.L.)
- Department of Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Audrey Nguyen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (V.E.K.); (R.N.); (C.D.S.); (A.N.); (K.S.L.)
| | - Jeremy Chien
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (V.E.K.); (R.N.); (C.D.S.); (A.N.); (K.S.L.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Kit S. Lam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (V.E.K.); (R.N.); (C.D.S.); (A.N.); (K.S.L.)
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15
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Yadav R, Sun L, Salyana M, Eric M, Gotlieb V, Wang JC. SMARCA4-Deficient Undifferentiated Tumor of Lung Mass—A Rare Tumor With the Rarer Occurrence of Brain Metastasis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep 2022; 10:23247096221074864. [PMID: 35356840 PMCID: PMC8978313 DOI: 10.1177/23247096221074864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Among thoracic tumors, these include subsets of a relatively newly described and yet to be fully characterized tumor entity: SMARCA4-deficient Undifferentiated Tumor (SMARCA4-dUT). Mutations of SMARCA4 (SWI/SNF-related, matrix-associated, actin-dependent regulator of chromatin, subfamily A, member 4) gene and loss of BRG1 (Brahma-related gene-1) is the underlying molecular hallmark of SMARCA4-dUT. They mostly involved the mediastinum, lung, and/or pleura showing undifferentiated round cell or rhabdoid morphology associated with aggressive clinical behavior. The pathogenesis of these tumors is still not clear. Morphologically, SMARAC4-dUT is differentiated from SMARCA4-dNSCLC by the presence of squamous and solid components in the latter. Immunohistochemically SMARC4-dUT has characteristic loss of SMARCA4 and SMARCA2 and strong expression of SOX2, CD34, and SALL4. Common sites of metastasis include lymph nodes, bones, and adrenal glands but rarely brain metastasis. We present a unique and rare case of a 76-year-old male with a right lung mass with documented pathology of SMARCA4-dUT and was found to have multiple brain metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruchi Yadav
- Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Lishi Sun
- Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | | | - Minkin Eric
- Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | | | - Jen C. Wang
- Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
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16
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Rare Hereditary Gynecological Cancer Syndromes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031563. [PMID: 35163487 PMCID: PMC8835983 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Hereditary cancer syndromes, which are characterized by onset at an early age and an increased risk of developing certain tumors, are caused by germline pathogenic variants in tumor suppressor genes and are mostly inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Therefore, hereditary cancer syndromes have been used as powerful models to identify and characterize susceptibility genes associated with cancer. Furthermore, clarification of the association between genotypes and phenotypes in one disease has provided insights into the etiology of other seemingly different diseases. Molecular genetic discoveries from the study of hereditary cancer syndrome have not only changed the methods of diagnosis and management, but have also shed light on the molecular regulatory pathways that are important in the development and treatment of sporadic tumors. The main cancer susceptibility syndromes that involve gynecologic cancers include hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome as well as Lynch syndrome. However, in addition to these two hereditary cancer syndromes, there are several other hereditary syndromes associated with gynecologic cancers. In the present review, we provide an overview of the clinical features, and discuss the molecular genetics, of four rare hereditary gynecological cancer syndromes; Cowden syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, DICER1 syndrome and rhabdoid tumor predisposition syndrome 2.
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17
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Turri-Zanoni M, Gravante G, Castelnuovo P. Molecular Biomarkers in Sinonasal Cancers: New Frontiers in Diagnosis and Treatment. Curr Oncol Rep 2022; 24:55-67. [PMID: 35059992 PMCID: PMC8831338 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-021-01154-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Sinonasal tumors are rare and heterogeneous diseases which pose challenges in diagnosis and treatment. Despite significant progress made in surgical, oncological, and radiotherapy fields, their prognosis still remains poor. Therefore, alternative strategies should be studied in order to refine diagnosis and improve patient care. Recent Findings In recent years, in-depth molecular studies have identified new biological markers, such as genetic abnormalities and epigenetic variations, which have allowed to refine diagnosis and predict prognosis. As a consequence, new histological entities have been described and specific subgroup stratifications within the well-known histotypes have been made possible. These discoveries have expanded indications for immunotherapy and targeted therapies in order to reduce tumor spread, thus representing a valuable implementation of standard treatments. Summary Recent findings in molecular biology have paved the way for better understanding and managing such rare and aggressive tumors. Although further efforts need to be made in this direction, expectations are promising.
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18
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Unusual lung tumors-from morphology to genetics. Mod Pathol 2022; 35:57-65. [PMID: 34518633 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-021-00914-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Most pathologists are well versed in the diagnosis of lung cancer, given the common nature of the disease. Occasionally more unusual neoplasms are encountered in lung biopsies and resections, which may be difficult to distinguish from "run of the mill" lung cancer cases based on overlapping morphologic and immunophenotypic features. The accurate diagnosis of these rare entities is quite challenging and requires careful morphological examination paired with judicious use of ancillary immunohistochemical and genetic studies. Herein, the clinicopathological and genetic features of five unusual lung tumors will be reviewed, including thoracic SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumor, NUT carcinoma, sclerosing pneumocytoma, primary pulmonary myxoid sarcoma/angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma, and bronchiolar adenoma/ ciliated muconodular papillary tumor. Since recognition of these entities by pathologists is of increasing importance to guide prognosis and therapy, emphasis will be placed on practical tips to reach these rare diagnoses with confidence.
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19
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Mardinian K, Adashek JJ, Botta GP, Kato S, Kurzrock R. SMARCA4: Implications of an Altered Chromatin-Remodeling Gene for Cancer Development and Therapy. Mol Cancer Ther 2021; 20:2341-2351. [PMID: 34642211 PMCID: PMC8643328 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-21-0433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, via nucleosome topology modulation, regulates transcription. The SMARCA4 (BRG1) subunit codes for the ATPase energy engine of the SWI/SNF complex. SMARCA4 is a tumor suppressor that is aberrant in ∼5% to 7% of human malignancies. Class I SMARCA4 alterations (truncating mutations, fusions, and homozygous deletion) lead to loss of function whereas class II alterations (missense mutations) have a dominant negative/gain-of-function effect and/or loss-of function. SMARCA4 alterations typify the ultra-rare small cell carcinomas of the ovary hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT) and SMARCA4-deficient thoracic and uterine sarcomas; they are also found in a subset of more common tumors, for example, lung, colon, bladder, and breast carcinomas. Germline variants in the SMARCA4 gene lead to various hereditary conditions: rhabdoid tumor predisposition syndrome-2 (RTPS2), characterized by loss-of-function alterations and aggressive rhabdoid tumors presenting in infants and young children; and Coffin-Siris syndrome, characterized by dominant negative/gain-of function alterations and developmental delays, microcephaly, unique facies, and hypoplastic nails of the fifth fingers or toes. A minority of rhabdoid tumors have a germline SMARCA4 variant as do >40% of women with SCCOHT. Importantly, immune checkpoint blockade has shown remarkable, albeit anecdotal, responses in SCCOHT. In addition, there is ongoing research into BET, EZH2, HDAC, CDK4/6, and FGFR inhibitors, as well as agents that might induce synthetic lethality via DNA damage repair impairment (ATR inhibitors and platinum chemotherapy), or via the exploitation of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation inhibitors or AURKA inhibitors, in SMARCA4-aberrant cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Mardinian
- Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, University of California San Diego, Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, California
| | - Jacob J Adashek
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida.
| | - Gregory P Botta
- Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, University of California San Diego, Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, California
| | - Shumei Kato
- Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, University of California San Diego, Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, California
| | - Razelle Kurzrock
- Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, University of California San Diego, Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, California. .,WIN Consortium, Paris, France
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20
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Xie W, Sun H, Li X, Lin F, Wang Z, Wang X. Ovarian cancer: epigenetics, drug resistance, and progression. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:434. [PMID: 34404407 PMCID: PMC8369623 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02136-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in women. OC is associated with the activation of oncogenes, the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes, and the activation of abnormal cell signaling pathways. Moreover, epigenetic processes have been found to play an important role in OC tumorigenesis. Epigenetic processes do not change DNA sequences but regulate gene expression through DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA. This review comprehensively considers the importance of epigenetics in OC, with a focus on microRNA and long non-coding RNA. These types of RNA are promising molecular markers and therapeutic targets that may support precision medicine in OC. DNA methylation inhibitors and histone deacetylase inhibitors may be useful for such targeting, with a possible novel approach combining these two therapies. Currently, the clinical application of such epigenetic approaches is limited by multiple obstacles, including the heterogeneity of OC, insufficient sample sizes in reported studies, and non-optimized methods for detecting potential tumor markers. Nonetheless, the application of epigenetic approaches to OC patient diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis is a promising area for future clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Xie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Xinhua Hospital, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, China
| | - Huizhen Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Xinhua Hospital, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoduan Li
- Department of Gynecology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Feikai Lin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Xinhua Hospital, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, China
| | - Ziliang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Xinhua Hospital, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xipeng Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Xinhua Hospital, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, China.
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21
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Glückstein MI, Dintner S, Arndt TT, Vlasenko D, Schenkirsch G, Agaimy A, Müller G, Märkl B, Grosser B. Comprehensive Immunohistochemical Study of the SWI/SNF Complex Expression Status in Gastric Cancer Reveals an Adverse Prognosis of SWI/SNF Deficiency in Genomically Stable Gastric Carcinomas. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3894. [PMID: 34359794 PMCID: PMC8345509 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153894] [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: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The SWI/SNF complex has important functions in the mobilization of nucleosomes and consequently influences gene expression. Numerous studies have demonstrated that mutations or deficiency of one or more subunits can have an oncogenic effect and influence the development, progression, and eventual therapy resistance of tumor diseases. Genes encoding subunits of the SWI/SNF complex are mutated in approximately 20% of all human tumors. This study aimed to investigate the frequency, association with clinicopathological characteristics, and prognosis of immunohistochemical expression of proteins of the SWI/SNF complexes, SMARCA2, SMARCA4 SMARCB1, ARID1A, ARID1B, and PBRM1 in 477 adenocarcinomas of the stomach and gastroesophageal junction. Additionally, the tumors were classified immunohistochemically in analogy to The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) classification. Overall, 32% of cases demonstrated aberrant expression of the SWI/SNF complex. Complete loss of SMARCA4 was detected in three cases (0.6%) and was associated with adverse clinical characteristics. SWI/SNF aberration emerged as an independent negative prognostic factor for overall survival in genomically stable patients in analogy to TCGA. In conclusion, determination of SWI/SNF status could be suggested in routine diagnostics in genomically stable tumors to identify patients who might benefit from new therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Isabelle Glückstein
- Institute of General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany; (M.-I.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.A.); (B.M.)
| | - Sebastian Dintner
- Institute of General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany; (M.-I.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.A.); (B.M.)
| | - Tim Tobias Arndt
- Institute of General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany; (M.-I.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.A.); (B.M.)
- Institute of Mathematics and Computational Statistics, University of Augsburg, 86159 Augsburg, Germany;
| | - Dmytro Vlasenko
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany;
| | - Gerhard Schenkirsch
- Tumor Data Management, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany;
| | - Abbas Agaimy
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Hospital Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Gernot Müller
- Institute of Mathematics and Computational Statistics, University of Augsburg, 86159 Augsburg, Germany;
| | - Bruno Märkl
- Institute of General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany; (M.-I.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.A.); (B.M.)
| | - Bianca Grosser
- Institute of General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany; (M.-I.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.A.); (B.M.)
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22
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Perspectives and Issues in the Assessment of SMARCA4 Deficiency in the Management of Lung Cancer Patients. Cells 2021; 10:cells10081920. [PMID: 34440689 PMCID: PMC8394288 DOI: 10.3390/cells10081920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancers are ranked third among the cancer incidence in France in the year 2020, with adenocarcinomas being the commonest sub-type out of ~85% of non-small cell lung carcinomas. The constant evolution of molecular genotyping, which is used for the management of lung adenocarcinomas, has led to the current focus on tumor suppressor genes, specifically the loss of function mutation in the SMARCA4 gene. SMARCA4-deficient adenocarcinomas are preponderant in younger aged male smokers with a predominant solid morphology. The importance of identifying SMARCA4-deficient adenocarcinomas has gained interest for lung cancer management due to its aggressive behavior at diagnosis with vascular invasion and metastasis to the pleura seen upon presentation in most cases. These patients have poor clinical outcome with short overall survival rates, regardless of the stage of disease. The detection of SMARCA4 deficiency is possible in most pathology labs with the advent of sensitive and specific immunohistochemical antibodies. The gene mutations can be detected together with other established lung cancer molecular markers based on the current next generation sequencing panels. Sequencing will also allow the identification of associated gene mutations, notably KRAS, KEAP1, and STK11, which have an impact on the overall survival and progression-free survival of the patients. Predictive data on the treatment with anti-PD-L1 are currently uncertain in this high tumor mutational burden cancer, which warrants more groundwork. Identification of target drugs is also still in pre-clinical testing. Thus, it is paramount to identify the SMARCA4-deficient adenocarcinoma, as it carries worse repercussions on patient survival, despite having an exceptionally low prevalence. Herein, we discuss the pathophysiology of SMARCA4, the clinicopathological consequences, and different detection methods, highlighting the perspectives and challenges in the assessment of SMARCA4 deficiency for the management of non-small cell lung cancer patients. This is imperative, as the contemporary shift on identifying biomarkers associated with tumor suppressor genes such as SMARCA4 are trending; hence, awareness of pathologists and clinicians is needed for the SMARCA4-dNSCLC entity with close follow-up on new management strategies to overcome the poor possibilities of survival in such patients.
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Lap CJ, Nassereddine S, Dunleavy K. Novel Biological Insights and New Developments in Management of Burkitt Lymphoma and High-Grade B-Cell Lymphoma. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2021; 22:60. [PMID: 34097157 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-021-00857-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is highly curable, and prompt institution of therapy is critical to achieving optimal outcomes. Although current "standard" approaches are very effective in disease eradication, treatment-related toxicity makes optimal delivery of curative therapy a challenge, especially in older and immunocompromised individuals. Reduced intensity approaches with fewer toxic complications have been the focus of some recent studies. A critical question is if they can replace "standard" approaches by maintaining high curability with improved tolerability. Additionally, new molecular insights in BL biology suggest that in the future, "targeted therapy" approaches may be feasible using small molecule inhibitors and novel strategies. Recently, a new category of aggressive lymphoma named "high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBL) with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 translocations" has been recognized. This category overlaps clinically and biologically with BL and has an inferior prognosis compared to most B-cell lymphomas, and the optimal approach to its management remains, as yet, undefined. In this review, we discuss the current landscape of BL treatment including recent results with low-intensity regimens and also consider current approaches to HGBL. We also explore how recently elucidated novel biological insights in BL biology may shape future therapeutic directions including the use of novel cellular therapy approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coen J Lap
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Medical Faculty Associates, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
- The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Samah Nassereddine
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Medical Faculty Associates, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
- The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kieron Dunleavy
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.
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Nambirajan A, Jain D. Recent updates in thoracic SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumor. Semin Diagn Pathol 2021; 38:83-89. [PMID: 34147303 DOI: 10.1053/j.semdp.2021.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Germline inactivating mutations in SMARCA4 (SWI/SNF-related, matrix-associated, actin-dependent regulator of chromatin, subfamily A, member 4) gene encoding for BRG1 (Brahma related gene-1) are the molecular drivers in small cell carcinoma of ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT) and in malignant rhabdoid tumors (MRT) that occur in the context of rhabdoid tumor predisposition syndrome-type 2. Somatic SMARCA4 mutations and/or loss of BRG1 have been identified in a variety of adult-onset epithelial and mesenchymal neoplasms. Among thoracic tumors, these include subsets of smoking-related non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and a relatively rare, newly recognised tumor entity: thoracic SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumor (SMARCA4-UT). Less than 100 cases of SMARCA4-UT have been reported to date. They present as large compressive and infiltrative mediastinal, lung and/or pleural masses in middle-aged male smokers. They are undifferentiated tumors composed of sheets of small/epithelioid and/or rhabdoid tumor cells variably expressing epithelial markers and consistently showing loss of BRG1 and the closely related protein, Brahma (BRM). Frequent expression of stem cell markers (SOX2, CD34, SALL4) is noted. Despite gene expression profiles similar to MRTs and SCCOHT, they show striking genomic overlap with SMARCA4-mutant NSCLC with frequent TP53, STK11, KEAP1, and KRAS mutations, high tumor mutation burden (TMB), and presence of smoking related molecular signatures in tumor cells. SMARCA4-UT show uniformly poor survival and are irresponsive to conventional therapies. Immunotherapy responses are variable but promising, although PDL1 expression appears to be of poor predictive value. Drugs exploiting genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of SMARCA4 antagonism hold promise for future targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aruna Nambirajan
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Deepali Jain
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
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25
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Abstract
The epigenetic landscape, which in part includes DNA methylation, chromatin organization, histone modifications, and noncoding RNA regulation, greatly contributes to the heterogeneity that makes developing effective therapies for lung cancer challenging. This review will provide an overview of the epigenetic alterations that have been implicated in all aspects of cancer pathogenesis and progression as well as summarize clinical applications for targeting epigenetics in the treatment of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne L Chao
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, USA
| | - Chad V Pecot
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, USA
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26
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Wanior M, Krämer A, Knapp S, Joerger AC. Exploiting vulnerabilities of SWI/SNF chromatin remodelling complexes for cancer therapy. Oncogene 2021; 40:3637-3654. [PMID: 33941852 PMCID: PMC8154588 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01781-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Multi-subunit ATPase-dependent chromatin remodelling complexes SWI/SNF (switch/sucrose non-fermentable) are fundamental epigenetic regulators of gene transcription. Functional genomic studies revealed a remarkable mutation prevalence of SWI/SNF-encoding genes in 20-25% of all human cancers, frequently driving oncogenic programmes. Some SWI/SNF-mutant cancers are hypersensitive to perturbations in other SWI/SNF subunits, regulatory proteins and distinct biological pathways, often resulting in sustained anticancer effects and synthetic lethal interactions. Exploiting these vulnerabilities is a promising therapeutic strategy. Here, we review the importance of SWI/SNF chromatin remodellers in gene regulation as well as mechanisms leading to assembly defects and their role in cancer development. We will focus in particular on emerging strategies for the targeted therapy of SWI/SNF-deficient cancers using chemical probes, including proteolysis targeting chimeras, to induce synthetic lethality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Wanior
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Andreas Krämer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- German Translational Cancer Network (DKTK) site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Andreas C Joerger
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- German Translational Cancer Network (DKTK) site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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27
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Shorstova T, Foulkes WD, Witcher M. Achieving clinical success with BET inhibitors as anti-cancer agents. Br J Cancer 2021; 124:1478-1490. [PMID: 33723398 PMCID: PMC8076232 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01321-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 186] [Impact Index Per Article: 62.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcriptional upregulation of oncogenes is a driving force behind the progression of many tumours. However, until a decade ago, the concept of 'switching off' these oncogenic pathways represented a formidable challenge. Research has revealed that members of the bromo- and extra-terminal domain (BET) motif family are key activators of oncogenic networks in a spectrum of cancers; their function depends on their recruitment to chromatin through two bromodomains (BD1 and BD2). The advent of potent inhibitors of BET proteins (BETi), which target either one or both bromodomains, represents an important step towards the goal of suppressing oncogenic networks within tumours. Here, we discuss the biology of BET proteins, advances in BETi design and highlight potential biomarkers predicting their activity. We also outline the logic of incorporating BETi into combination therapies to enhance its efficacy. We suggest that understanding mechanisms of activity, defining predictive biomarkers and identifying potent synergies represents a roadmap for clinical success using BETi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Shorstova
- grid.414980.00000 0000 9401 2774Departments of Oncology and Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Lady Davis Institute and Segal Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC Canada
| | - William D. Foulkes
- grid.414980.00000 0000 9401 2774Departments of Oncology and Human Genetics, McGill University, Lady Davis Institute and Segal Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Michael Witcher
- grid.414980.00000 0000 9401 2774Departments of Oncology and Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Lady Davis Institute and Segal Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC Canada
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28
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Animireddy S, Kavadipula P, Kotapalli V, Gowrishankar S, Rao S, Bashyam MD. Aberrant cytoplasmic localization of ARID1B activates ERK signaling and promotes oncogenesis. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:jcs251637. [PMID: 33443092 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.251637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The ARID1B (BAF250b) subunit of the human SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex is a canonical nuclear tumor suppressor. We employed in silico prediction, intracellular fluorescence and cellular fractionation-based subcellular localization analyses to identify the ARID1B nuclear localization signal (NLS). A cytoplasm-restricted ARID1B-NLS mutant was significantly compromised in its canonical transcription activation and tumor suppressive functions, as expected. Surprisingly however, cytoplasmic localization appeared to induce a gain of oncogenic function for ARID1B, as evidenced from several cell line- and mouse xenograft-based assays. Mechanistically, cytoplasm-localized ARID1B could bind c-RAF (RAF1) and PPP1CA causing stimulation of RAF-ERK signaling and β-catenin (CTNNB1) transcription activity. ARID1B harboring NLS mutations derived from tumor samples also exhibited aberrant cytoplasmic localization and acquired a neo-morphic oncogenic function via activation of RAF-ERK signaling. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry on a tissue microarray revealed significant correlation of ARID1B cytoplasmic localization with increased levels of active forms of ERK1 and ERK2 (also known as MAPK3 and MAPK1) and of β-catenin, as well as with advanced tumor stage and lymph node positivity in human primary pancreatic tumor tissues. ARID1B therefore promotes oncogenesis through cytoplasm-based gain-of-function mechanisms in addition to dysregulation in the nucleus.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivas Animireddy
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad 500039, India
- Graduate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India
| | - Padmavathi Kavadipula
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad 500039, India
| | - Viswakalyan Kotapalli
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad 500039, India
| | | | - Satish Rao
- Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad 500003, India
| | - Murali Dharan Bashyam
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad 500039, India
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29
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Sesboue C, Le Loarer F. SWI/SNF-deficient thoraco-pulmonary neoplasms. Semin Diagn Pathol 2021; 38:183-194. [PMID: 33451916 DOI: 10.1053/j.semdp.2020.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The SWI/SNF complexes are major regulators of gene expression and their alterations occur in a large array of cancers both of epithelial and mesenchymal lineages. Malignant rhabdoid tumors were the first malignancies linked to deregulation of these complexes with the involvement of SMARCB1 in their development but genetic alterations affect all subunits in other malignancies. In the chest and lung regions, SMARCA4 (BRG1) is the most frequently altered subunit and is involved in the pathogenesis of two subtypes of tumors, including bona fide carcinomas (SMARCA4-deficient non-small cell lung cancers) but also undifferentiated tumors that harbor an undifferentiated phenotype close to those of malignant rhabdoid tumors (SMARCA4-undifferentiated tumors). Although their histogenesis is yet to be fully understood, these tumors are associated with distinct clinical and pathological features even though some overlapping features have been reported in rare cases. SMARCA4 deficiency is easily asserted by immunohistochemistry that show the loss of nuclear expression of the protein in the nuclei of tumor cells. These tumors are commonly associated with high-grade cytological features, rhabdoid cytomorphology, solid architecture and extensive necrosis. The typical immunohistochemical signature of SMARCA4-UT combines co-inactivation of SMARCA2 (BRM) and the overexpression of SOX2 and SALL4. No specific therapeutic strategies have been so far developed for SMARCA4-deficient neoplasms. SMARCB1 subunit is involved in the development of several SMARCB1-deficient sarcomas on top of malignant rhabdoid tumors that may develop in the thorax. Malignant rhabdoid tumors affect mostly children of less than 5y. The differential diagnosis includes epithelioid sarcomas, malignant myoepithelial tumors or myoepithelial carcinomas, extra-skeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas and synovial sarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Come Sesboue
- University of Bordeaux, Talence, France; Cancer center of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Francois Le Loarer
- University of Bordeaux, Talence, France; Cancer center of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France; INSERM U1218, Siric Brio, Cancer center of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.
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30
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Chatzopoulos K, Boland JM. Update on genetically defined lung neoplasms: NUT carcinoma and thoracic SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumors. Virchows Arch 2021; 478:21-30. [PMID: 33409598 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-020-03011-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
NUT carcinoma, also known as NUT midline carcinoma, is an aggressive malignancy mainly affecting the midline structures of younger patients and almost invariably leading to death within a few months of the diagnosis. Morphologically, NUT carcinoma consists of sheets of monomorphous small or medium size cells with scant cytoplasm, commonly featuring areas of abrupt squamous differentiation with keratinization. Immunohistochemistry for NUT protein is sensitive and specific, typically showing a speckled nuclear reactivity, assisting in diagnosis. The molecular background of NUT carcinoma includes the reciprocal translocation t(15;19) leading to expression of the BRD4-NUT fusion transcript with oncogenic properties. Other less common genes may occasionally be fused with NUT not only in NUT carcinoma but also in other soft tissue tumors, highlighting the fact that NUT-rearranged tumors may represent a larger and more diverse family of neoplasms. Thoracic SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumors are aggressive malignancies diagnosed more often in young male smokers, which often lead to death within a few months. SMARCA4-deficient tumors show undifferentiated morphology with occasional hepatoid and rhabdoid features. Immunohistochemically, the hallmark of diagnosis is loss of expression of SMARCA4 (BRG1). Concurrent loss of SMARCA2 expression, as well as expression of one or more stem cell markers SOX2, CD34, or SALL4 is common. Truncating mutations in SMARCA4, a catalytic subunit of the mammalian BAF (SWI/SNF) complex, are the dominant oncogenic molecular event underlying the pathogenesis of these tumors. SMARCA4 deficiency can also be seen as a passenger somatic event in multiple solid neoplasms manifesting as focal dedifferentiation and rhabdoid morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyriakos Chatzopoulos
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Jennifer M Boland
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
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31
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Du A, Li L, Jiao Z, Zhu G, Peng T, Li H. Protein expression pattern of calcium-responsive transactivator in early postnatal and adult testes. Histochem Cell Biol 2021; 155:491-502. [PMID: 33398438 PMCID: PMC8062385 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-020-01942-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Calcium-responsive transactivator (CREST), a nuclear protein highly expressed in postmitotic neurons, is involved in the regulation of cell cycle, differentiation and dendritic development of neuronal cells. Its mRNA has been detected in the testis of adult rat, whilst its protein expression and distribution pattern in the testis remain to be elucidated. In this study, we examined the distribution of CREST in the adult testes of both rats and human as well as the expression pattern of CREST in the testes of postnatal developing rats. In the adult testes of both human and rats, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that CREST was selectively distributed in the mature Sertoli cells but not in the spermatogenic cells. In the testes of postnatal developmental rats, CREST was expressed not only in Sertoli cells but also in the gonocytes and spermatogenic cells at the initial stage of spermatogenic cell differentiation. CREST immunoreactivity continued to increase in Sertoli cells during differentiation, reaching its peak in adulthood. However, CREST immunostaining intensity dramatically decreased as the spermatogenic cells differentiate, disappearing in the post-differentiation stage. Furthermore, Brg1 and p300, two CREST-interacting proteins ubiquitously expressed in the body, are found to be colocalized with CREST in the spermatogenic epithelial cells including Sertoli cells. The unique expression pattern of CREST in developing testis suggests that CREST might play regulatory roles in the differentiation of spermatogenic epithelial cells. The Sertoli cell-specific expression of CREST in the adulthood hints that CREST might be a novel biomarker for the mature Sertoli cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Du
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Li Li
- School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zhaoshuang Jiao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Gaochun Zhu
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Ting Peng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - He Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China. .,Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, China.
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32
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Shorstova T, Su J, Zhao T, Dahabieh M, Leibovitch M, De Sa Tavares Russo M, Avizonis D, Rajkumar S, Watson IR, Del Rincón SV, Miller WH, Foulkes WD, Witcher M. Reprogramming of Nucleotide Metabolism Mediates Synergy between Epigenetic Therapy and MAP Kinase Inhibition. Mol Cancer Ther 2021; 20:64-75. [PMID: 33087508 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-20-0259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT) is a rare but often lethal cancer that is diagnosed at a median age of 24 years. Optimal management of patients is not well defined, and current treatment remains challenging, necessitating the discovery of novel therapeutic approaches. The identification of SMARCA4-inactivating mutations invariably characterizing this type of cancer provided insights facilitating diagnostic and therapeutic measures against this disease. We show here that the BET inhibitor OTX015 acts in synergy with the MEK inhibitor cobimetinib to repress the proliferation of SCCOHT in vivo Notably, this synergy is also observed in some SMARCA4-expressing ovarian adenocarcinoma models intrinsically resistant to BETi. Mass spectrometry, coupled with knockdown of newly found targets such as thymidylate synthase, revealed that the repression of a panel of proteins involved in nucleotide synthesis underlies this synergy both in vitro and in vivo, resulting in reduced pools of nucleotide metabolites and subsequent cell-cycle arrest. Overall, our data indicate that dual treatment with BETi and MEKi represents a rational combination therapy against SCCOHT and potentially additional ovarian cancer subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Shorstova
- Departments of Oncology and Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Lady Davis Institute and Segal Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jie Su
- Departments of Oncology and Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Lady Davis Institute and Segal Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Tiejun Zhao
- Departments of Oncology and Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Lady Davis Institute and Segal Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michael Dahabieh
- Departments of Oncology and Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Lady Davis Institute and Segal Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Matthew Leibovitch
- Departments of Oncology and Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Lady Davis Institute and Segal Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Daina Avizonis
- Goodman Cancer Research Centre's (GCRC) Metabolomics Facility, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Shivshankari Rajkumar
- Department of Biochemistry, Goodman Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ian R Watson
- Department of Biochemistry, Goodman Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sonia V Del Rincón
- Departments of Oncology and Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Lady Davis Institute and Segal Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Wilson H Miller
- Departments of Oncology and Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Lady Davis Institute and Segal Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - William D Foulkes
- Departments of Oncology and Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Lady Davis Institute and Segal Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Departments of Oncology and Human Genetics, McGill University, Lady Davis Institute and Segal Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michael Witcher
- Departments of Oncology and Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Lady Davis Institute and Segal Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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33
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Bala P, Singh AK, Kavadipula P, Kotapalli V, Sabarinathan R, Bashyam MD. Exome sequencing identifies ARID2 as a novel tumor suppressor in early-onset sporadic rectal cancer. Oncogene 2020; 40:863-874. [PMID: 33262464 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01537-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Early-onset sporadic rectal cancer (EOSRC) is a unique and predominant colorectal cancer (CRC) subtype in India. In order to understand the tumorigenic process in EOSRC, we performed whole-exome sequencing of 47 microsatellite stable EOSRC samples. Signature 1 was the predominant mutational signature in EOSRC, as previously shown in other CRC exome studies. More importantly, we identified TP53, KRAS, APC, PIK3R1, SMAD4 and ZNF880 as significantly mutated (q < 0.1) and ARID1A and ARID2 as near-significantly mutated (restricted hypothesis testing; q < 0.1) candidate drivers. Unlike the other candidates, the tumorigenic potential of ARID2, encoding a component of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, is largely unexplored in CRC. shRNA-mediated ARID2 knockdown performed in different CRC cell lines resulted in significant alterations in transcript levels of cancer-related target genes. More importantly, ARID2 knockdown promoted several tumorigenic features including cell viability, proliferation, ability to override contact inhibition of growth, and migration besides significantly increasing tumor formation ability in nude mice. The observed gain in tumorigenic features was rescued upon ectopic expression of wild type but not mutant ARID2. Analyses of the TCGA pan-cancer dataset revealed several modes of ARID2 inactivation and of the CRC dataset revealed poorer survival in patients with ARID2 alterations. We therefore propose ARID2 as a novel tumor suppressor in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratyusha Bala
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad, 500039, India.,Graduate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India
| | - Anurag Kumar Singh
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, 560065, India
| | - Padmavathi Kavadipula
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad, 500039, India
| | - Viswakalyan Kotapalli
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad, 500039, India
| | - Radhakrishnan Sabarinathan
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, 560065, India
| | - Murali Dharan Bashyam
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad, 500039, India.
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34
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Bhat-Nakshatri P, Kumar B, Simpson E, Ludwig KK, Cox ML, Gao H, Liu Y, Nakshatri H. Breast Cancer Cell Detection and Characterization from Breast Milk-Derived Cells. Cancer Res 2020; 80:4828-4839. [PMID: 32934021 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-1030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Radiologic techniques remain the main method for early detection for breast cancer and are critical to achieve a favorable outcome from cancer. However, more sensitive detection methods to complement radiologic techniques are needed to enhance early detection and treatment strategies. Using our recently established culturing method that allows propagation of normal and cancerous breast epithelial cells of luminal origin, flow cytometry characterization, and genomic sequencing, we show that cancer cells can be detected in breast milk. Cells derived from milk from the breast with cancer were enriched for CD49f+/EpCAM-, CD44+/CD24-, and CD271+ cancer stem-like cells (CSC). These CSCs carried mutations within the cytoplasmic retention domain of HDAC6, stop/gain insertion in MORF4L1, and deletion mutations within SWI/SNF complex component SMARCC2. CSCs were sensitive to HDAC6 inhibitors, BET bromodomain inhibitors, and EZH2 inhibitors, as mutations in SWI/SNF complex components are known to increase sensitivity to these drugs. Among cells derived from breast milk of additional ten women not known to have breast cancer, two of them contained cells that were enriched for the CSC phenotype and carried mutations in NF1 or KMT2D, which are frequently mutated in breast cancer. Breast milk-derived cells with NF1 mutations also carried copy-number variations in CDKN2C, PTEN, and REL genes. The approach described here may enable rapid cancer cell characterization including driver mutation detection and therapeutic screening for pregnancy/postpartum breast cancers. Furthermore, this method can be developed as a surveillance or early detection tool for women at high risk for developing breast cancer. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings describe how a simple method for characterization of cancer cells in pregnancy and postpartum breast cancer can be exploited as a surveillance tool for women at risk of developing breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brijesh Kumar
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Ed Simpson
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Kandice K Ludwig
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Mary L Cox
- IU Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Hongyu Gao
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Yunlong Liu
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,IU Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Harikrishna Nakshatri
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana. .,Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,IU Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,VA Roudebush Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Sinonasal cancers are a heterogenous group of rare cancers for which histopathological diagnosis can be very challenging and treatment options are limited for advanced disease in particular. Here, we review the candidacy of novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, and therapeutic targets for sinonasal cancers. RECENT FINDINGS Molecular multidimensional analyses of sinonasal cancers have been lagging behind other major cancers, but there are numerous publications describing the discovery of novel candidate biomarkers, e.g. the methylation classifier, originally developed for brain cancers, and gene expression panels for the prediction of response to induction chemotherapy in sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma. The most promising biomarkers are summarized and discussed further with regard to their clinical applicability and future potential. Many of the described novel biomarkers for sinonasal cancers will eventually overcome the pitfalls associated with the frequently non-specific immunohistological tests. With comprehensive, multidimensional molecular testing of these tumours in collaborative consortia projects, our better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of sinonasal cancers and their carcinogenesis will determine the most useful diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, allow stringent multi-institutional validation and guide trials on targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matt Lechner
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London, UK
- Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
- Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital/Head and Neck Centre, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Jacklyn Liu
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London, UK
- Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital/Head and Neck Centre, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Valerie J Lund
- Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital/Head and Neck Centre, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
- UCL Ear Institute, University College London, London, UK.
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Soldi R, Ghosh Halder T, Weston A, Thode T, Drenner K, Lewis R, Kaadige MR, Srivastava S, Daniel Ampanattu S, Rodriguez del Villar R, Lang J, Vankayalapati H, Weissman B, Trent JM, Hendricks WPD, Sharma S. The novel reversible LSD1 inhibitor SP-2577 promotes anti-tumor immunity in SWItch/Sucrose-NonFermentable (SWI/SNF) complex mutated ovarian cancer. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235705. [PMID: 32649682 PMCID: PMC7351179 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex occur in 20% of all human cancers, including ovarian cancer. Approximately half of ovarian clear cell carcinomas (OCCC) carry mutations in the SWI/SNF subunit ARID1A, while small cell carcinoma of the ovary hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT) presents with inactivating mutations of the SWI/SNF ATPase SMARCA4 alongside epigenetic silencing of the ATPase SMARCA2. Loss of these ATPases disrupts SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling activity and may also interfere with the function of other histone-modifying enzymes that associate with or are dependent on SWI/SNF activity. One such enzyme is lysine-specific histone demethylase 1 (LSD1/KDM1A), which regulates the chromatin landscape and gene expression by demethylating proteins such as histone H3. Cross-cancer analysis of the TCGA database shows that LSD1 is highly expressed in SWI/SNF-mutated tumors. SCCOHT and OCCC cell lines have shown sensitivity to the reversible LSD1 inhibitor SP-2577 (Seclidemstat), suggesting that SWI/SNF-deficient ovarian cancers are dependent on LSD1 activity. Moreover, it has been shown that inhibition of LSD1 stimulates interferon (IFN)-dependent anti-tumor immunity through induction of endogenous retroviral elements and may thereby overcome resistance to checkpoint blockade. In this study, we investigated the ability of SP-2577 to promote anti-tumor immunity and T-cell infiltration in SCCOHT and OCCC cell lines. We found that SP-2577 stimulated IFN-dependent anti-tumor immunity in SCCOHT and promoted the expression of PD-L1 in both SCCOHT and OCCC. Together, these findings suggest that the combination therapy of SP-2577 with checkpoint inhibitors may induce or augment immunogenic responses of SWI/SNF-mutated ovarian cancers and warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Soldi
- Applied Cancer Research and Drug Discovery Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) of City of Hope, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Tithi Ghosh Halder
- Applied Cancer Research and Drug Discovery Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) of City of Hope, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Alexis Weston
- Applied Cancer Research and Drug Discovery Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) of City of Hope, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Trason Thode
- Applied Cancer Research and Drug Discovery Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) of City of Hope, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Kevin Drenner
- Applied Cancer Research and Drug Discovery Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) of City of Hope, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Rhonda Lewis
- Applied Cancer Research and Drug Discovery Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) of City of Hope, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Mohan R. Kaadige
- Applied Cancer Research and Drug Discovery Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) of City of Hope, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Shreyesi Srivastava
- HonorHealth Clinical Research Institute, Scottsdale, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Sherin Daniel Ampanattu
- Applied Cancer Research and Drug Discovery Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) of City of Hope, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Ryan Rodriguez del Villar
- Applied Cancer Research and Drug Discovery Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) of City of Hope, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Jessica Lang
- Integrated Cancer Genomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) of City of Hope, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | | | - Bernard Weissman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Lineberger Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey M. Trent
- Integrated Cancer Genomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) of City of Hope, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - William P. D. Hendricks
- Integrated Cancer Genomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) of City of Hope, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Sunil Sharma
- Applied Cancer Research and Drug Discovery Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) of City of Hope, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Lee EK, Esselen KM, Kolin DL, Lee LJ, Matulonis UA, Konstantinopoulos PA. Combined CDK4/6 and PD-1 Inhibition in Refractory SMARCA4-Deficient Small-Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary, Hypercalcemic Type. JCO Precis Oncol 2020; 4:736-742. [PMID: 32704608 PMCID: PMC7377332 DOI: 10.1200/po.20.00063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth K Lee
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Katharine M Esselen
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
| | - David L Kolin
- Department of Pathology, Division of Women's and Perinatal Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Larissa J Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA
| | - Ursula A Matulonis
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
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Wang Y, Hoang L, Ji JX, Huntsman DG. SWI/SNF Complex Mutations in Gynecologic Cancers: Molecular Mechanisms and Models. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY-MECHANISMS OF DISEASE 2020; 15:467-492. [PMID: 31977292 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathmechdis-012418-012917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The SWI/SNF (mating type SWItch/Sucrose NonFermentable) chromatin remodeling complexes interact with histones and transcription factors to modulate chromatin structure and control gene expression. These evolutionarily conserved multisubunit protein complexes are involved in regulating many biological functions, such as differentiation and cell proliferation. Genomic studies have revealed frequent mutations of genes encoding multiple subunits of the SWI/SNF complexes in a wide spectrum of cancer types, including gynecologic cancers. These SWI/SNF mutations occur at different stages of tumor development and are restricted to unique histologic types of gynecologic cancers. Thus, SWI/SNF mutations have to function in the appropriate tissue and cell context to promote gynecologic cancer initiation and progression. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of SWI/SNF mutations in the development of gynecologic cancers to provide insights into both molecular pathogenesis and possible treatment implications for these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yemin Wang
- Department of Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1L3, Canada; , , .,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2B5, Canada; .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6Z 2K8, Canada
| | - Lien Hoang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2B5, Canada;
| | - Jennifer X Ji
- Department of Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1L3, Canada; , , .,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2B5, Canada;
| | - David G Huntsman
- Department of Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1L3, Canada; , , .,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2B5, Canada; .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6Z 2K8, Canada
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39
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The SWI/SNF complex in cancer - biology, biomarkers and therapy. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2020; 17:435-448. [PMID: 32303701 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-020-0357-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 285] [Impact Index Per Article: 71.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cancer genome-sequencing studies have revealed a remarkably high prevalence of mutations in genes encoding subunits of the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodelling complexes, with nearly 25% of all cancers harbouring aberrations in one or more of these genes. A role for such aberrations in tumorigenesis is evidenced by cancer predisposition in both carriers of germline loss-of-function mutations and genetically engineered mouse models with inactivation of any of several SWI/SNF subunits. Whereas many of the most frequently mutated oncogenes and tumour-suppressor genes have been studied for several decades, the cancer-promoting role of mutations in SWI/SNF genes has been recognized only more recently, and thus comparatively less is known about these alterations. Consequently, increasing research interest is being focused on understanding the prognostic and, in particular, the potential therapeutic implications of mutations in genes encoding SWI/SNF subunits. Herein, we review the burgeoning data on the mechanisms by which mutations affecting SWI/SNF complexes promote cancer and describe promising emerging opportunities for targeted therapy, including immunotherapy with immune-checkpoint inhibitors, presented by these mutations. We also highlight ongoing clinical trials open specifically to patients with cancers harbouring mutations in certain SWI/SNF genes.
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40
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Tischkowitz M, Huang S, Banerjee S, Hague J, Hendricks WPD, Huntsman DG, Lang JD, Orlando KA, Oza AM, Pautier P, Ray-Coquard I, Trent JM, Witcher M, Witkowski L, McCluggage WG, Levine DA, Foulkes WD, Weissman BE. Small-Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary, Hypercalcemic Type-Genetics, New Treatment Targets, and Current Management Guidelines. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:3908-3917. [PMID: 32156746 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-3797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Small-cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT) is a rare and highly aggressive ovarian malignancy. In almost all cases, it is associated with somatic and often germline pathogenic variants in SMARCA4, which encodes for the SMARCA4 protein (BRG1), a subunit of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex. Approximately 20% of human cancers possess pathogenic variants in at least one SWI/SNF subunit. Because of their role in regulating many important cellular processes including transcriptional control, DNA repair, differentiation, cell division, and DNA replication, SWI/SNF complexes with mutant subunits are thought to contribute to cancer initiation and progression. Fewer than 500 cases of SCCOHT have been reported in the literature and approximately 60% are associated with hypercalcemia. SCCOHT primarily affects females under 40 years of age who usually present with symptoms related to a pelvic mass. SCCOHT is an aggressive cancer, with long-term survival rates of 30% in early-stage cases. Although various treatment approaches have been proposed, there is no consensus on surveillance and therapeutic strategy. An international group of multidisciplinary clinicians and researchers recently formed the International SCCOHT Consortium to evaluate current knowledge and propose consensus surveillance and therapeutic recommendations, with the aim of improving outcomes. Here, we present an overview of the genetics of this cancer, provide updates on new treatment targets, and propose management guidelines for this challenging cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Tischkowitz
- Department of Medical Genetics, National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom. .,East Anglian Medical Genetics Unit, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sidong Huang
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,The Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Susana Banerjee
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Hague
- East Anglian Medical Genetics Unit, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - William P D Hendricks
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, Division of Integrated Cancer Genomics, Phoenix, Arizona
| | | | - Jessica D Lang
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, Division of Integrated Cancer Genomics, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Krystal A Orlando
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Amit M Oza
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Isabelle Ray-Coquard
- Centre Anti cancereux Léon Bérard, & University Claude Bernard Lyon, GINECO Group, Lyon, France
| | - Jeffrey M Trent
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, Division of Integrated Cancer Genomics, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Michael Witcher
- The Lady Davis Institute of the Jewish General Hospital, Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Leora Witkowski
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - W Glenn McCluggage
- Department of Pathology, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Douglas A Levine
- Gynecologic Oncology, Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York
| | - William D Foulkes
- The Lady Davis Institute of the Jewish General Hospital, Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Medical Genetics, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Medical Genetics and Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Bernard E Weissman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. .,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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41
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Dagogo-Jack I, Schrock AB, Kem M, Jessop N, Lee J, Ali SM, Ross JS, Lennerz JK, Shaw AT, Mino-Kenudson M. Clinicopathologic Characteristics of BRG1-Deficient NSCLC. J Thorac Oncol 2020; 15:766-776. [PMID: 31988001 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2020.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ten percent of NSCLCs harbor mutations in SMARCA4, the gene encoding the SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable ATPase BRG1. In preclinical models, BRG1 inactivation increases tumor aggressiveness but enhances sensitivity to drugs that target oxidative phosphorylation and inhibit SMARCA2, EZH2, CDK4, or CDK6. To facilitate translation of preclinical findings into clinical studies exploiting these therapeutic vulnerabilities, we assessed the clinical features of patients with tumors harboring BRG1-inactivating mutations. METHODS Data sets from Massachusetts General Hospital and Foundation Medicine were reviewed to determine the prevalence of SMARCA4-mutant NSCLC and describe its clinicopathologic characteristics. BRG1 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and correlated with SMARCA4 mutations. Treatment outcomes were retrospectively assessed. RESULTS We detected SMARCA4 genomic alterations in 9% (n = 117 of 1422) and 11% (n = 3188 of 27,281) of NSCLCs in the institutional and Foundation Medicine data sets, respectively. In both cohorts, truncating mutations comprised over one-third of SMARCA4 alterations. Twenty-nine of 64 SMARCA4-mutant NSCLCs (45%) assessed for BRG1 expression reported loss of expression, most (90%) of which had truncating SMARCA4 mutations. Overall, 84% (n = 26 of 31) of evaluated NSCLCs with truncating SMARCA4 mutations lacked BRG1 expression. Deficient BRG1 expression was predominantly detected in adenocarcinomas with co-occurring mutations in KRAS, TP53, KEAP1, and STK11. Among patients with BRG1-deficient NSCLC who received first-line platinum doublet chemotherapy (n = 11) or chemotherapy plus immunotherapy (n = 5), median progression-free survival was 38 days and 35 days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS BRG1 deficiency is enriched in NSCLCs with truncating SMARCA4 mutations. Clinical outcomes are poor in this molecular subgroup, highlighting the importance of developing novel strategies to target unique vulnerabilities associated with the BRG1-deficient state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibiayi Dagogo-Jack
- Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Marina Kem
- Center for Integrated Diagnostics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nicholas Jessop
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jessica Lee
- Foundation Medicine, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Siraj M Ali
- Foundation Medicine, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Jeffrey S Ross
- Foundation Medicine, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts; Departments of Pathology, Urology, and Oncology, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York
| | - Jochen K Lennerz
- Center for Integrated Diagnostics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Alice T Shaw
- Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mari Mino-Kenudson
- Center for Integrated Diagnostics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
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Finetti MA, Grabovska Y, Bailey S, Williamson D. Translational genomics of malignant rhabdoid tumours: Current impact and future possibilities. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 61:30-41. [PMID: 31923457 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Malignant Rhabdoid Tumours (MRT) are the quintessential example of an epigenetic cancer. Mutation of a single gene, SMARCB1 or more rarely SMARCA4, is capable of causing one of the most aggressive and lethal cancers of early childhood and infancy. SMARCB1 encodes a core subunit of the SWI/SNF complex and its mutation evokes genome-wide downstream effects which may be counteracted therapeutically. Here we review and discuss the use of translational genomics in the study of MRT biology and the ways in which this has impacted clinical practice or may do so in the future. First, the diagnosis and definition of MRT and the transition from a histopathological to a molecular definition. Second, epigenetic and transcriptomic subgroups within MRT, their defining features and potential prognostic or therapeutic significance. Third, functional genomic studies of MRT by mouse modelling and forced re-expression of SMARCB1 in MRT cells. Fourth, studies of underlying epigenetic mechanisms (e.g. EZH2, HDACs) or deregulated kinases (e.g. PDGFR, FGFR1) and the potential therapeutic opportunities these provide. Finally, we discuss likely future directions and proffer opinion on how future translational genomics should be integrated into future biological/clinical studies to select and evaluate the best anti-MRT therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina A Finetti
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Yura Grabovska
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Simon Bailey
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Daniel Williamson
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
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Schallenberg S, Bork J, Essakly A, Alakus H, Buettner R, Hillmer AM, Bruns C, Schroeder W, Zander T, Loeser H, Gebauer F, Quaas A. Loss of the SWI/SNF-ATPase subunit members SMARCF1 (ARID1A), SMARCA2 (BRM), SMARCA4 (BRG1) and SMARCB1 (INI1) in oesophageal adenocarcinoma. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:12. [PMID: 31906887 PMCID: PMC6945480 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-6425-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The SWI/SNF complex is an important chromatin remodeler, commonly dysregulated in cancer, with an estimated mutation frequency of 20%. ARID1A is the most frequently mutated subunit gene. Almost nothing is known about the other familiar members of the SWI/SNF complexes, SMARCA2 (BRM), SMARCA4 (BRG1) and SMARCB1 (INI1), in oesophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Methods We analysed a large cohort of 685 patients with EAC. We used four different antibodies to detect a loss-of-protein of ARID1A BRM, BRG1 and INI1 by immunohistochemistry and correlated these findings with molecular and clinical data. Results Loss of ARID1A, BRG1, BRM and INI1 was observed in 10.4, 3.4, 9.9 and 2% of EAC. We found a co-existing protein loss of ARID1A and BRM in 9.9% and of ARID1A and BRG1 in 2.2%. Patients with loss of ARID1A and TP53 wildtype EACs showed a shortened overall survival compared with AIRDA1A-positive tumours [median overall survival was 60.1 months (95%CI 1.2–139.9 months)] in patients with ARIDA-1A expression and 26.2 months (95%CI 3.7–19.1 months) in cases of ARIDA-1A loss (p = 0.044). Tumours with loss or expression of ARID1A and TP53 loss were not associated with a difference in survival. Only one tumour revealed high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) with concomitant ARID1A loss. All other ARID1A loss-EACs were microsatellite-stable (MSS). No predictive relevance was seen for SWI/SNF-complex alterations and simultaneous amplification of different genes (PIK3CA, KRAS, c-MYC, MET, GATA6, ERBB2). Conclusion Our work describes, for the first time, loss of one of the SWI/SNF ATPase subunit proteins in a large number of adenocarcinomas of the oesophagus. Several papers discuss possible therapeutic interventions for tumours showing a loss of function of the SWI/SNF complex, such as PARP inhibitors or PI3K and AKT inhibitors. Future studies will be needed to show whether SWI/SNF complex-deficient EACs may benefit from personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Schallenberg
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
| | - Julian Bork
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Ahlem Essakly
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Hakan Alakus
- Department of General, Visceral and Cancer Surgery, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Reinhard Buettner
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Axel M Hillmer
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Christiane Bruns
- Department of General, Visceral and Cancer Surgery, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Schroeder
- Department of General, Visceral and Cancer Surgery, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Thomas Zander
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO)University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Heike Loeser
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Florian Gebauer
- Department of General, Visceral and Cancer Surgery, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Alexander Quaas
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
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Ciechomska IA, Jayaprakash C, Maleszewska M, Kaminska B. Histone Modifying Enzymes and Chromatin Modifiers in Glioma Pathobiology and Therapy Responses. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1202:259-279. [PMID: 32034718 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-30651-9_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Signal transduction pathways directly communicate and transform chromatin to change the epigenetic landscape and regulate gene expression. Chromatin acts as a dynamic platform of signal integration and storage. Histone modifications and alteration of chromatin structure play the main role in chromatin-based gene expression regulation. Alterations in genes coding for histone modifying enzymes and chromatin modifiers result in malfunction of proteins that regulate chromatin modification and remodeling. Such dysregulations culminate in profound changes in chromatin structure and distorted patterns of gene expression. Gliomagenesis is a multistep process, involving both genetic and epigenetic alterations. Recent applications of next generation sequencing have revealed that many chromatin regulation-related genes, including ATRX, ARID1A, SMARCA4, SMARCA2, SMARCC2, BAF155 and hSNF5 are mutated in gliomas. In this review we summarize newly identified mechanisms affecting expression or functions of selected histone modifying enzymes and chromatin modifiers in gliomas. We focus on selected examples of pathogenic mechanisms involving ATRX, histone methyltransferase G9a, histone acetylases/deacetylases and chromatin remodeling complexes SMARCA2/4. We discuss the impact of selected epigenetics alterations on glioma pathobiology, signaling and therapeutic responses. We assess the attempts of targeting defective pathways with new inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona A Ciechomska
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Neurobiology Center, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Chinchu Jayaprakash
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Neurobiology Center, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Maleszewska
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Neurobiology Center, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bozena Kaminska
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Neurobiology Center, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland.
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Jangal M, Lebeau B, Witcher M. Beyond EZH2: is the polycomb protein CBX2 an emerging target for anti-cancer therapy? Expert Opin Ther Targets 2019; 23:565-578. [PMID: 31177918 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2019.1627329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Epigenetic modifications are important regulators of transcription and appropriate gene expression answering an environmental stimulus. In cancer, these epigenetic modifications are altered, which impact the transcriptome, promoting initiation and cancer progression. Thus, targeting epigenetic machinery has proven to be an efficient cancer therapy. Areas covered: We review CBX2 as a therapeutic target. CBX2 is a polycomb protein, responsible for polycomb-repressive complex 1 (PRC1) targeting to chromatin via recognition of the repressive mark H3K27me3. Mechanistically, CBX2 overexpression may be implicated in poor survival by maintaining cancer stem cells in an undifferentiated state and via repression of tumor suppressors. We discuss strategies used to target CBX proteins and provide insights into biomarker considerations that may be important when targeting CBX family members for anti-cancer therapy. Expert opinion: CBX2 inhibition is a promising approach for the targeting of polycomb complexes in the cancer stem cell niche. However, extensive optimization of the current field of small molecules targeting CBX family proteins will be critical to reach in vivo, or clinical, utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maïka Jangal
- a The Lady Davis Institute of the Jewish General Hospital, Department of Oncology , McGill University , Montreal , Canada
| | - Benjamin Lebeau
- a The Lady Davis Institute of the Jewish General Hospital, Department of Oncology , McGill University , Montreal , Canada
| | - Michael Witcher
- a The Lady Davis Institute of the Jewish General Hospital, Department of Oncology , McGill University , Montreal , Canada
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Orlando KA, Nguyen V, Raab JR, Walhart T, Weissman BE. Remodeling the cancer epigenome: mutations in the SWI/SNF complex offer new therapeutic opportunities. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2019; 19:375-391. [PMID: 30986130 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2019.1605905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cancer genome sequencing studies have discovered mutations in members of the SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin-remodeling complex in nearly 25% of human cancers. The SWI/SNF complex, first discovered in S. cerevisiae, shows strong conservation from yeast to Drosophila to mammals, contains approximately 10-12 subunits and regulates nucleosome positioning through the energy generated by its ATPase subunits. The unexpected finding of frequent mutations in the complex has fueled studies to identify the mechanisms that drive tumor development and the accompanying therapeutic vulnerabilities. Areas covered: In the review, we focus upon the potential roles different SWI/SNF subunit mutations play in human oncogenesis, their common and unique mechanisms of transformation and the potential for translating these mechanisms into targeted therapies for SWI/SNF-mutant tumors. Expert opinion: We currently have limited insights into how mutations in different SWI/SNF subunits drive the development of human tumors. Because the SWI/SNF complex participates in a broad range of normal cellular functions, defining specific oncogenic pathways has proved difficult. In addition, therapeutic options for SWI/SNF-mutant cancers have mainly evolved from high-throughput screens of cell lines with mutations in different subunits. Future studies should follow a more coherent plan to pinpoint common vulnerabilities among these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystal A Orlando
- a Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine , University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
| | - Vinh Nguyen
- b Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine , University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
| | - Jesse R Raab
- c Department of Genetics , University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
| | - Tara Walhart
- d Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center , University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
| | - Bernard E Weissman
- a Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine , University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , NC , USA.,b Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine , University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , NC , USA.,d Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center , University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
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