1
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Ebegboni VJ, Jones TL, Brownmiller T, Zhao PX, Pehrsson EC, Rajan SS, Caplen NJ. ETS1, a Target Gene of the EWSR1::FLI1 Fusion Oncoprotein, Regulates the Expression of the Focal Adhesion Protein TENSIN3. Mol Cancer Res 2024; 22:625-641. [PMID: 38588446 PMCID: PMC11219265 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-23-1090] [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: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
The mechanistic basis for the metastasis of Ewing sarcomas remains poorly understood, as these tumors harbor few mutations beyond the chromosomal translocation that initiates the disease. Instead, the epigenome of Ewing sarcoma cells reflects the regulatory state of genes associated with the DNA-binding activity of the fusion oncoproteins EWSR1::FLI1 or EWSR1::ERG. In this study, we examined the EWSR1::FLI1/ERG's repression of transcription factor genes, concentrating on those that exhibit a broader range of expression in tumors than in Ewing sarcoma cell lines. Focusing on one of these target genes, ETS1, we detected EWSR1::FLI1 binding and an H3K27me3-repressive mark at this locus. Depletion of EWSR1::FLI1 results in ETS1's binding of promoter regions, substantially altering the transcriptome of Ewing sarcoma cells, including the upregulation of the gene encoding TENSIN3 (TNS3), a focal adhesion protein. Ewing sarcoma cell lines expressing ETS1 (CRISPRa) exhibited increased TNS3 expression and enhanced movement compared with control cells. Visualization of control Ewing sarcoma cells showed a distributed vinculin signal and a network-like organization of F-actin; in contrast, ETS1-activated Ewing sarcoma cells showed an accumulation of vinculin and F-actin toward the plasma membrane. Interestingly, the phenotype of ETS1-activated Ewing sarcoma cell lines depleted of TNS3 resembled the phenotype of the control cells. Critically, these findings have clinical relevance as TNS3 expression in Ewing sarcoma tumors positively correlates with that of ETS1. Implications: ETS1's transcriptional regulation of the gene encoding the focal adhesion protein TENSIN3 in Ewing sarcoma cells promotes cell movement, a critical step in the evolution of metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vernon Justice Ebegboni
- Functional Genetics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tamara L. Jones
- Functional Genetics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tayvia Brownmiller
- Functional Genetics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Patrick X. Zhao
- Omics Bioinformatics Facility, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Advanced Biomedical Computational Science, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Erica C. Pehrsson
- Omics Bioinformatics Facility, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Advanced Biomedical Computational Science, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Soumya Sundara Rajan
- Functional Genetics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Natasha J. Caplen
- Functional Genetics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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2
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Bhattacharya R, Brown JS, Gatenby RA, Ibrahim-Hashim A. A gene for all seasons: The evolutionary consequences of HIF-1 in carcinogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis. Semin Cancer Biol 2024; 102-103:17-24. [PMID: 38969311 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2024.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Oxygen played a pivotal role in the evolution of multicellularity during the Cambrian Explosion. Not surprisingly, responses to fluctuating oxygen concentrations are integral to the evolution of cancer-a disease characterized by the breakdown of multicellularity. Poorly organized tumor vasculature results in chaotic patterns of blood flow characterized by large spatial and temporal variations in intra-tumoral oxygen concentrations. Hypoxia-inducible growth factor (HIF-1) plays a pivotal role in enabling cells to adapt, metabolize, and proliferate in low oxygen conditions. HIF-1 is often constitutively activated in cancers, underscoring its importance in cancer progression. Here, we argue that the phenotypic changes mediated by HIF-1, in addition to adapting the cancer cells to their local environment, also "pre-adapt" them for proliferation at distant, metastatic sites. HIF-1-mediated adaptations include a metabolic shift towards anaerobic respiration or glycolysis, activation of cell survival mechanisms like phenotypic plasticity and epigenetic reprogramming, and formation of tumor vasculature through angiogenesis. Hypoxia induced epigenetic reprogramming can trigger epithelial to mesenchymal transition in cancer cells-the first step in the metastatic cascade. Highly glycolytic cells facilitate local invasion by acidifying the tumor microenvironment. New blood vessels, formed due to angiogenesis, provide cancer cells a conduit to the circulatory system. Moreover, survival mechanisms acquired by cancer cells in the primary site allow them to remodel tissue at the metastatic site generating tumor promoting microenvironment. Thus, hypoxia in the primary tumor promoted adaptations conducive to all stages of the metastatic cascade from the initial escape entry into a blood vessel, intravascular survival, extravasation into distant tissues, and establishment of secondary tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjini Bhattacharya
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of South Florida, United States; Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, United States
| | - Joel S Brown
- Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, United States; Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Illinois, at Chicago, United States
| | - Robert A Gatenby
- Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, United States; Department of Radiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, United States.
| | - Arig Ibrahim-Hashim
- Department of Metabolism and Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, United States.
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3
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Li L, Xie W, Zhan L, Wen S, Luo X, Xu S, Cai Y, Tang W, Wang Q, Li M, Xie Z, Deng L, Zhu H, Yu G. Resolving tumor evolution: a phylogenetic approach. JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL CANCER CENTER 2024; 4:97-106. [PMID: 39282584 PMCID: PMC11390690 DOI: 10.1016/j.jncc.2024.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The evolutionary dynamics of cancer, characterized by its profound heterogeneity, demand sophisticated tools for a holistic understanding. This review delves into tumor phylogenetics, an essential approach bridging evolutionary biology with oncology, offering unparalleled insights into cancer's evolutionary trajectory. We provide an overview of the workflow, encompassing study design, data acquisition, and phylogeny reconstruction. Notably, the integration of diverse data sets emerges as a transformative step, enhancing the depth and breadth of evolutionary insights. With this integrated perspective, tumor phylogenetics stands poised to redefine our understanding of cancer evolution and influence therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Li
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenqin Xie
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Zhan
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaodi Wen
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University & Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiao Luo
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuangbin Xu
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiome Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yantong Cai
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenli Tang
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qianwen Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zijing Xie
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lin Deng
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongyuan Zhu
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guangchuang Yu
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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4
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Butler G, Amend SR, Axelrod R, Venditti C, Pienta KJ. Punctuational evolution is pervasive in distal site metastatic colonization. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.08.588529. [PMID: 38645078 PMCID: PMC11030309 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.08.588529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
The evolution of metastasis represents a lethal stage of cancer progression. Yet, the evolutionary kinetics of metastatic disease remain unresolved. Here, using single cell CRISPR-Cas9 lineage tracing data, we show that in metastatic disease, gradual molecular evolution is punctuated by episodes of rapid evolutionary change associated with lineage divergence. By measuring punctuational effects across the metastatic cascade, we show that punctuational effects contribute more to the molecular diversity at distal site metastases compared to the paired primary tumor, suggesting qualitatively different modes of evolution may drive primary and metastatic tumor progression. This is the first empirical evidence for distinct patterns of molecular evolution at early and late stages of metastasis and demonstrates the complex interplay of cell intrinsic and extrinsic factors that shape lethal cancer.
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5
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Li X, Luo L, Qian H. Improving the predictive accuracy of efficacy evaluation using tumor orthotopic transplant and resection model. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1309876. [PMID: 38476330 PMCID: PMC10927943 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1309876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Preclinical efficacy evaluation and tumor drug sensitivity analysis are two main applications of efficacy evaluation. Preclinical efficacy evaluation is to predict whether candidate drugs or therapies may improve patient outcomes in clinical trials. Tumor drug sensitivity analysis is an approach for the personalized evaluation and optimization of approved anti-cancer drugs and treatment regimens. Overall survival (OS) is the gold standard to evaluate the outcome of drugs or therapies in both clinical trials and clinical treatment. Many efficacy evaluation models, such as cell model, tumor cell-line transplant model, patient-derived tumor xenograft model, tumor organoid model, have been developed to assess the inhibitory effect of tested drugs or therapies on tumor growth. In fact, many treatments may also lead to malignant progression of tumors, such as chemotherapy, which can lead to metastasis. Therefore, tumor growth inhibition does not necessarily predict OS benefit. Whether it can prevent or inhibit tumor recurrence and metastasis is the key to whether drugs and therapies can improve patient outcomes. In this perspective, we summarize the current understanding of the pathological progression of tumor recurrence and metastasis, point out the shortcomings of existing tumor transplant models for simulating the clinical scenario of malignant progression of tumors, and propose five improved indicators for comprehensive efficacy evaluation to predict OS benefit using tumor orthotopic transplant and resection model. Improvement in the accuracy of efficacy evaluation will accelerate the development process of anti-cancer drugs or therapies, optimize treatment regimens to improve OS benefit, and reduce drug development and cancer treatment costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxi Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | | | - Hui Qian
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
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6
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Ebegboni VJ, Jones TL, Brownmiller T, Zhao PX, Pehrsson EC, Rajan SS, Caplen NJ. ETS1, a target gene of the EWSR1::FLI1 fusion oncoprotein, regulates the expression of the focal adhesion protein TENSIN3. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.21.572864. [PMID: 38187702 PMCID: PMC10769395 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.21.572864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The mechanistic basis for the metastasis of Ewing sarcomas remains poorly understood, as these tumors harbor few mutations beyond the chromosomal translocation that initiates the disease. Instead, the epigenome of Ewing sarcoma (EWS) cells reflects the regulatory state of genes associated with the DNA binding activity of the fusion oncoproteins EWSR1::FLI1 or EWSR1::ERG. In this study, we examined the EWSR1::FLI1/ERG's repression of transcription factor genes, concentrating on those that exhibit a broader range of expression in tumors than in EWS cell lines. Focusing on one of these target genes, ETS1, we detected EWSR1::FLI1 binding and an H3K27me3 repressive mark at this locus. Depletion of EWSR1::FLI1 results in ETS1's binding of promoter regions, substantially altering the transcriptome of EWS cells, including the upregulation of the gene encoding TENSIN3 (TNS3), a focal adhesion protein. EWS cell lines expressing ETS1 (CRISPRa) exhibited increased TNS3 expression and enhanced movement compared to control cells. The cytoskeleton of control cells and ETS1-activated EWS cell lines also differed. Specifically, control cells exhibited a distributed vinculin signal and a network-like organization of F-actin. In contrast, ETS1-activated EWS cells showed an accumulation of vinculin and F-actin towards the plasma membrane. Interestingly, the phenotype of ETS1-activated EWS cell lines depleted of TNS3 resembled the phenotype of the control cells. Critically, these findings have clinical relevance as TNS3 expression in EWS tumors positively correlates with that of ETS1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vernon Justice Ebegboni
- Functional Genetics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tamara L Jones
- Functional Genetics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tayvia Brownmiller
- Functional Genetics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Patrick X Zhao
- Omics Bioinformatics Facility, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Advanced Biomedical Computational Science, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Erica C Pehrsson
- Omics Bioinformatics Facility, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Advanced Biomedical Computational Science, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Soumya Sundara Rajan
- Functional Genetics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Natasha J Caplen
- Functional Genetics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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7
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Santorsola M, Capuozzo M, Savarese G, Ianniello M, Petrillo N, Casillo M, Sabbatino F, Perri F, Ferrara F, Zovi A, Berretta M, Granata V, Nasti G, Ottaiano A. Oligo-Metastatic Disease in Oncology: Exploring the Limits and the Potential of Genetic Assessment. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2131. [PMID: 38136953 PMCID: PMC10742616 DOI: 10.3390/genes14122131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Oligo-metastatic disease (OMD) in the field of oncology denotes a distinct subset of metastatic tumors characterized by less aggressive biological behavior and extended survival times in comparison to their widely metastatic counterparts. While there is a general consensus regarding the existence of OMD, there remains a lack of widely accepted criteria for its a priori identification at the time of presentation. This review delves into the concept of OMD, placing a particular emphasis on the significance of understanding the limitations and potential of genetic assessments. It explores how these aspects are crucial in advancing our comprehension of this phenomenon. In a rapidly advancing era of precision medicine, understanding the intricacies of OMD opens up exciting possibilities for tailored treatment approaches. By elucidating the genetic underpinnings and dynamic nature of this condition, we stand to improve patient outcomes and potentially shift the paradigm of metastatic cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariachiara Santorsola
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Napoli, IRCCS “G. Pascale”, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (M.S.); (F.P.); (V.G.); (G.N.)
| | | | - Giovanni Savarese
- AMES, Centro Polidiagnostico Strumentale srl, Via Padre Carmine Fico 24, 80013 Casalnuovo Di Napoli, Italy; (G.S.); (M.I.); (N.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Monica Ianniello
- AMES, Centro Polidiagnostico Strumentale srl, Via Padre Carmine Fico 24, 80013 Casalnuovo Di Napoli, Italy; (G.S.); (M.I.); (N.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Nadia Petrillo
- AMES, Centro Polidiagnostico Strumentale srl, Via Padre Carmine Fico 24, 80013 Casalnuovo Di Napoli, Italy; (G.S.); (M.I.); (N.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Marika Casillo
- AMES, Centro Polidiagnostico Strumentale srl, Via Padre Carmine Fico 24, 80013 Casalnuovo Di Napoli, Italy; (G.S.); (M.I.); (N.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Francesco Sabbatino
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy;
| | - Francesco Perri
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Napoli, IRCCS “G. Pascale”, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (M.S.); (F.P.); (V.G.); (G.N.)
| | - Francesco Ferrara
- Hospital Pharmacist Manager, Pharmaceutical Department, Asl Napoli 3 Sud, Via Dell’amicizia 22, 80035 Nola, Italy;
| | - Andrea Zovi
- Hospital Pharmacist, Ministry of Health, Viale Giorgio Ribotta 5, 00144 Rome, Italy;
| | - Massimiliano Berretta
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy;
| | - Vincenza Granata
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Napoli, IRCCS “G. Pascale”, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (M.S.); (F.P.); (V.G.); (G.N.)
| | - Guglielmo Nasti
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Napoli, IRCCS “G. Pascale”, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (M.S.); (F.P.); (V.G.); (G.N.)
| | - Alessandro Ottaiano
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Napoli, IRCCS “G. Pascale”, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (M.S.); (F.P.); (V.G.); (G.N.)
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8
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Spain L, Coulton A, Lobon I, Rowan A, Schnidrig D, Shepherd ST, Shum B, Byrne F, Goicoechea M, Piperni E, Au L, Edmonds K, Carlyle E, Hunter N, Renn A, Messiou C, Hughes P, Nobbs J, Foijer F, van den Bos H, Wardenaar R, Spierings DC, Spencer C, Schmitt AM, Tippu Z, Lingard K, Grostate L, Peat K, Kelly K, Sarker S, Vaughan S, Mangwende M, Terry L, Kelly D, Biano J, Murra A, Korteweg J, Lewis C, O'Flaherty M, Cattin AL, Emmerich M, Gerard CL, Pallikonda HA, Lynch J, Mason R, Rogiers A, Xu H, Huebner A, McGranahan N, Al Bakir M, Murai J, Naceur-Lombardelli C, Borg E, Mitchison M, Moore DA, Falzon M, Proctor I, Stamp GW, Nye EL, Young K, Furness AJ, Pickering L, Stewart R, Mahadeva U, Green A, Larkin J, Litchfield K, Swanton C, Jamal-Hanjani M, Turajlic S. Late-Stage Metastatic Melanoma Emerges through a Diversity of Evolutionary Pathways. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:1364-1385. [PMID: 36977461 PMCID: PMC10236155 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-22-1427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the evolutionary pathways to metastasis and resistance to immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in melanoma is critical for improving outcomes. Here, we present the most comprehensive intrapatient metastatic melanoma dataset assembled to date as part of the Posthumous Evaluation of Advanced Cancer Environment (PEACE) research autopsy program, including 222 exome sequencing, 493 panel-sequenced, 161 RNA sequencing, and 22 single-cell whole-genome sequencing samples from 14 ICI-treated patients. We observed frequent whole-genome doubling and widespread loss of heterozygosity, often involving antigen-presentation machinery. We found KIT extrachromosomal DNA may have contributed to the lack of response to KIT inhibitors of a KIT-driven melanoma. At the lesion-level, MYC amplifications were enriched in ICI nonresponders. Single-cell sequencing revealed polyclonal seeding of metastases originating from clones with different ploidy in one patient. Finally, we observed that brain metastases that diverged early in molecular evolution emerge late in disease. Overall, our study illustrates the diverse evolutionary landscape of advanced melanoma. SIGNIFICANCE Despite treatment advances, melanoma remains a deadly disease at stage IV. Through research autopsy and dense sampling of metastases combined with extensive multiomic profiling, our study elucidates the many mechanisms that melanomas use to evade treatment and the immune system, whether through mutations, widespread copy-number alterations, or extrachromosomal DNA. See related commentary by Shain, p. 1294. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1275.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia Spain
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Skin and Renal Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alexander Coulton
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Tumour Immunogenomics and Immunosurveillance (TIGI) Lab, UCL Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Irene Lobon
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Rowan
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Desiree Schnidrig
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Scott T.C. Shepherd
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Skin and Renal Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin Shum
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Skin and Renal Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Byrne
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Goicoechea
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elisa Piperni
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lewis Au
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Skin and Renal Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kim Edmonds
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Nikki Hunter
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Christina Messiou
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- The Institute of Cancer Research, Kensington and Chelsea, United Kingdom
| | - Peta Hughes
- Skin and Renal Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jaime Nobbs
- Skin and Renal Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Floris Foijer
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Hilda van den Bos
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Rene Wardenaar
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Diana C.J. Spierings
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Charlotte Spencer
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Skin and Renal Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Zayd Tippu
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Skin and Renal Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Kema Peat
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sarah Sarker
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Lauren Terry
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Denise Kelly
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Aida Murra
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Anne-Laure Cattin
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Max Emmerich
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, Guy's and St Thomas’ Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Camille L. Gerard
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Precision Oncology Center, Oncology Department, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Joanna Lynch
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Mason
- Gold Coast University Hospital, Queensland, Australia
| | - Aljosja Rogiers
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hang Xu
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ariana Huebner
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Cancer Genome Evolution Research Group, Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, UCL Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, UCL Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas McGranahan
- Cancer Genome Evolution Research Group, Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, UCL Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maise Al Bakir
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, UCL Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jun Murai
- Tumour Immunogenomics and Immunosurveillance (TIGI) Lab, UCL Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Drug Discovery Technology Laboratories, Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Elaine Borg
- University College London Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - David A. Moore
- Guy's and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mary Falzon
- University College London Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ian Proctor
- University College London Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Emma L. Nye
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kate Young
- Skin and Renal Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J.S. Furness
- Skin and Renal Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- The Institute of Cancer Research, Kensington and Chelsea, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ruby Stewart
- Guy's and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ula Mahadeva
- Guy's and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Green
- Guy's and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - James Larkin
- Guy's and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin Litchfield
- Tumour Immunogenomics and Immunosurveillance (TIGI) Lab, UCL Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Charles Swanton
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mariam Jamal-Hanjani
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, UCL Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Cancer Metastasis Laboratory, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Medical Oncology, University College London Hospitals, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Samra Turajlic
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Skin and Renal Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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9
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CPT1A promotes anoikis resistance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via redox homeostasis. Redox Biol 2022; 58:102544. [PMID: 36427397 PMCID: PMC9692043 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2022.102544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Anoikis resistance was a prominent hallmark of cancer metastasis, and lipo-genic characteristics have been identified as another metabolic alteration during tumorigenesis. However, their crosstalk has not been fully elucidated, especially in advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In this study, we showed, for the first time, that the key enzyme carnitine O-palmitoyl transferase 1 (CPT1A), which is involved in fatty acid oxidation (FAO), was markedly upregulated in ESCC cells upon detached culture via a metabolism PCR array. Overexpression of CPT1A was associated with poor survival of ESCC patients and could protect ESCC cells from apoptosis via maintaining redox homeostasis through supply of GSH and NADPH. Mechanistically, detached culture conditions enhanced the expression of the transcription factor ETV4 and suppressed the expression of the ubiquitin enzyme RNF2, which were responsible for the elevated expression of CPT1A at the mRNA and protein levels, respectively. Moreover, genetic or pharmacologic disruption of CPT1A switched off the NADPH supply and therefore prevented the anchorage-independent growth of ESCC cells in vitro and lung metastases of xenografted tumor models in vivo. Collectively, our results provide novel insights into how ESCC cancer cells exploit metabolic switching to form distant metastases and some evidence for the link between anoikis and FAO.
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10
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Guo X, Sui R, Piao H. Tumor-derived small extracellular vesicles: potential roles and mechanism in glioma. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:383. [PMID: 35999601 PMCID: PMC9400220 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01584-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Small extracellular vesicles (SEVs) are extracellular vesicles containing DNA, RNA, and proteins and are involved in intercellular communication and function, playing an essential role in the growth and metastasis of tumors. SEVs are present in various body fluids and can be isolated and extracted from blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid. Under both physiological and pathological conditions, SEVs can be released by some cells, such as immune, stem, and tumor cells, in a cytosolic manner. SEVs secreted by tumor cells are called tumor-derived exosomes (TEXs) because of their origin in the corresponding parent cells. Glioma is the most common intracranial tumor, accounting for approximately half of the primary intracranial tumors, and is characterized by insidious onset, high morbidity, and high mortality rate. Complete removal of tumor tissues by surgery is difficult. Chemotherapy can improve the survival quality of patients to a certain extent; however, gliomas are prone to chemoresistance, which seriously affects the prognosis of patients. In recent years, TEXs have played a vital role in the occurrence, development, associated immune response, chemotherapy resistance, radiation therapy resistance, and metastasis of glioma. This article reviews the role of TEXs in glioma progression, drug resistance, and clinical diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Guo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, No. 44 Xiaoheyan Road, Shenyang, 110042, Liaoning, China
| | - Rui Sui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute), No. 44 Xiaoheyan Road, Shenyang, 110042, Liaoning, China
| | - Haozhe Piao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, No. 44 Xiaoheyan Road, Shenyang, 110042, Liaoning, China.
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11
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Tao J, Zhu L, Yakoub M, Reißfelder C, Loges S, Schölch S. Cell-Cell Interactions Drive Metastasis of Circulating Tumor Microemboli. Cancer Res 2022; 82:2661-2671. [PMID: 35856896 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-0906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells are the cellular mediators of distant metastasis in solid malignancies. Their metastatic potential can be augmented by clustering with other tumor cells or nonmalignant cells, forming circulating tumor microemboli (CTM). Cell-cell interactions are key regulators within CTM that convey enhanced metastatic properties, including improved cell survival, immune evasion, and effective extravasation into distant organs. However, the cellular and molecular mechanism of CTM formation, as well as the biology of interactions between tumor cells and immune cells, platelets, and stromal cells in the circulation, remains to be determined. Here, we review the current literature on cell-cell interactions in homotypic and heterotypic CTM and provide perspectives on therapeutic strategies to attenuate CTM-mediated metastasis by targeting cell-cell interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxin Tao
- JCCU Translational Surgical Oncology (A430), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Lei Zhu
- JCCU Translational Surgical Oncology (A430), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Mina Yakoub
- JCCU Translational Surgical Oncology (A430), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Christoph Reißfelder
- DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sonja Loges
- DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.,Division of Personalized Medical Oncology (A420), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Personalized Oncology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sebastian Schölch
- JCCU Translational Surgical Oncology (A430), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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