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Gong H, Xue B, Ru J, Pei G, Li Y. Targeted Therapy for EWS-FLI1 in Ewing Sarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4035. [PMID: 37627063 PMCID: PMC10452796 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is a rare and predominantly pediatric malignancy of bone and soft tissue in children and adolescents. Although international collaborations have greatly improved the prognosis of most EwS, the occurrence of macrometastases or relapse remains challenging. The prototypic oncogene EWS-FLI1 acts as an aberrant transcription factor that drives the cellular transformation of EwS. In addition to its involvement in RNA splicing and the DNA damage response, this chimeric protein directly binds to GGAA repeats, thereby modifying the transcriptional profile of EwS. Direct pharmacological targeting of EWS-FLI1 is difficult because of its intrinsically disordered structure. However, targeting the EWS-FLI1 protein complex or downstream pathways provides additional therapeutic options. This review describes the EWS-FLI1 protein partners and downstream pathways, as well as the related target therapies for the treatment of EwS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helong Gong
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, No. 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang 110004, China;
| | - Busheng Xue
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China;
| | - Jinlong Ru
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Centre Munich, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany;
| | - Guoqing Pei
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China;
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, No. 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang 110004, China;
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2
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Walters R, Vasilaki E, Aman J, Chen CN, Wu Y, Liang OD, Ashek A, Dubois O, Zhao L, Sabrin F, Cebola I, Ferrer J, Morrell NW, Klinger JR, Wilkins MR, Zhao L, Rhodes CJ. SOX17 Enhancer Variants Disrupt Transcription Factor Binding And Enhancer Inactivity Drives Pulmonary Hypertension. Circulation 2023; 147:1606-1621. [PMID: 37066790 PMCID: PMC7614572 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.122.061940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease characterized by remodeling of the pulmonary arteries, increased vascular resistance, and right-sided heart failure. Genome-wide association studies of idiopathic/heritable PAH established novel genetic risk variants, including conserved enhancers upstream of transcription factor (TF) SOX17 containing 2 independent signals. SOX17 is an important TF in embryonic development and in the homeostasis of pulmonary artery endothelial cells (hPAEC) in the adult. Rare pathogenic mutations in SOX17 cause heritable PAH. We hypothesized that PAH risk alleles in an enhancer region impair TF-binding upstream of SOX17, which in turn reduces SOX17 expression and contributes to disturbed endothelial cell function and PAH development. METHODS CRISPR manipulation and siRNA were used to modulate SOX17 expression. Electromobility shift assays were used to confirm in silico-predicted TF differential binding to the SOX17 variants. Functional assays in hPAECs were used to establish the biological consequences of SOX17 loss. In silico analysis with the connectivity map was used to predict compounds that rescue disturbed SOX17 signaling. Mice with deletion of the SOX17-signal 1 enhancer region (SOX17-4593/enhKO) were phenotyped in response to chronic hypoxia and SU5416/hypoxia. RESULTS CRISPR inhibition of SOX17-signal 2 and deletion of SOX17-signal 1 specifically decreased SOX17 expression. Electromobility shift assays demonstrated differential binding of hPAEC nuclear proteins to the risk and nonrisk alleles from both SOX17 signals. Candidate TFs HOXA5 and ROR-α were identified through in silico analysis and antibody electromobility shift assays. Analysis of the hPAEC transcriptomes revealed alteration of PAH-relevant pathways on SOX17 silencing, including extracellular matrix regulation. SOX17 silencing in hPAECs resulted in increased apoptosis, proliferation, and disturbance of barrier function. With the use of the connectivity map, compounds were identified that reversed the SOX17-dysfunction transcriptomic signatures in hPAECs. SOX17 enhancer knockout in mice reduced lung SOX17 expression, resulting in more severe pulmonary vascular leak and hypoxia or SU5416/hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. CONCLUSIONS Common PAH risk variants upstream of the SOX17 promoter reduce endothelial SOX17 expression, at least in part, through differential binding of HOXA5 and ROR-α. Reduced SOX17 expression results in disturbed hPAEC function and PAH. Existing drug compounds can reverse the disturbed SOX17 pulmonary endothelial transcriptomic signature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Walters
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom (R.W., E.V., J.A., C.-N.C., Y.W., A.A., O.D., L.Z., F.S., M.R.W., L.Z., C.J.R.)
| | - Eleni Vasilaki
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom (R.W., E.V., J.A., C.-N.C., Y.W., A.A., O.D., L.Z., F.S., M.R.W., L.Z., C.J.R.)
| | - Jurjan Aman
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom (R.W., E.V., J.A., C.-N.C., Y.W., A.A., O.D., L.Z., F.S., M.R.W., L.Z., C.J.R.)
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, The Netherlands (J.A.)
| | - Chien-Nien Chen
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom (R.W., E.V., J.A., C.-N.C., Y.W., A.A., O.D., L.Z., F.S., M.R.W., L.Z., C.J.R.)
| | - Yukyee Wu
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom (R.W., E.V., J.A., C.-N.C., Y.W., A.A., O.D., L.Z., F.S., M.R.W., L.Z., C.J.R.)
| | - Olin D Liang
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine (O.D.L.), Rhode Island Hospital and Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence
| | - Ali Ashek
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom (R.W., E.V., J.A., C.-N.C., Y.W., A.A., O.D., L.Z., F.S., M.R.W., L.Z., C.J.R.)
| | - Olivier Dubois
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom (R.W., E.V., J.A., C.-N.C., Y.W., A.A., O.D., L.Z., F.S., M.R.W., L.Z., C.J.R.)
| | - Lin Zhao
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom (R.W., E.V., J.A., C.-N.C., Y.W., A.A., O.D., L.Z., F.S., M.R.W., L.Z., C.J.R.)
| | - Farah Sabrin
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom (R.W., E.V., J.A., C.-N.C., Y.W., A.A., O.D., L.Z., F.S., M.R.W., L.Z., C.J.R.)
| | - Inês Cebola
- Section of Genetics & Genomics, Department of Metabolism, Digestion & Reproduction, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom (I.C., J.F.)
| | - Jorge Ferrer
- Section of Genetics & Genomics, Department of Metabolism, Digestion & Reproduction, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom (I.C., J.F.)
- Computational Biology and Health Genomics Programme, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Spain (J.F.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Barcelona, Spain (J.F.)
| | - Nicholas W Morrell
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (N.W.M.)
- NIHR BioResource for Translational Research, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (N.W.M.)
- On Behalf of the British Heart Foundation/Medical Research Council UK PAH Cohort Consortium (N.W.M., M.R.W., C.J.R.)
| | - James R Klinger
- Division of Pulmonary, Sleep and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine (J.R.K.), Rhode Island Hospital and Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence
| | - Martin R Wilkins
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom (R.W., E.V., J.A., C.-N.C., Y.W., A.A., O.D., L.Z., F.S., M.R.W., L.Z., C.J.R.)
- On Behalf of the British Heart Foundation/Medical Research Council UK PAH Cohort Consortium (N.W.M., M.R.W., C.J.R.)
| | - Lan Zhao
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom (R.W., E.V., J.A., C.-N.C., Y.W., A.A., O.D., L.Z., F.S., M.R.W., L.Z., C.J.R.)
| | - Christopher J Rhodes
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom (R.W., E.V., J.A., C.-N.C., Y.W., A.A., O.D., L.Z., F.S., M.R.W., L.Z., C.J.R.)
- On Behalf of the British Heart Foundation/Medical Research Council UK PAH Cohort Consortium (N.W.M., M.R.W., C.J.R.)
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Shifting from a Biological-Agnostic Approach to a Molecular-Driven Strategy in Rare Cancers: Ewing Sarcoma Archetype. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030874. [PMID: 36979853 PMCID: PMC10045500 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas of the thoracic cavity are rare entities that predominantly affect children and young adults. They can be very heterogeneous encompassing several different histological entities. Ewing Sarcoma (ES) can potentially arise from every bone, soft tissue, or visceral site in the body. However, it represents an extremely rare finding when it affects the thoracic cavity. It represents the second most frequent type of thoracic sarcoma, after chondrosarcoma. ES arises more frequently in sites that differ from the thoracic cavity, but it displays the same biological features and behavior of extra-thoracic ones. Current management of ES often requires a multidisciplinary treatment approach including surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic therapy, as it can guarantee local and distant disease control, at least transiently, although the long-term outcome remains poor. Unfortunately, due to the paucity of clinical trials purposely designed for this rare malignancy, there are no optimal strategies that can be used for disease recurrence. As a result of its complex biological features, ES might be suitable for emerging biology-based therapeutic strategies. However, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving tumor growth and treatment resistance, including those related to oncogenic pathways, epigenetic landscape, and immune microenvironment, is necessary in order to develop new valid therapeutic opportunities. Here, we provide an overview of the most recent therapeutic advances for ES in both the preclinical and clinical settings. We performed a review of the current available literature and of the ongoing clinical trials focusing on new treatment strategies, after failure of conventional multimodal treatments.
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Bertacca I, Pegoraro F, Tondo A, Favre C. Targeted treatment of solid tumors in pediatric precision oncology. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1176790. [PMID: 37213274 PMCID: PMC10196192 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1176790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The treatment of childhood solid cancer has markedly evolved in recent years following a refined molecular characterization and the introduction of novel targeted drugs. On one hand, larger sequencing studies have revealed a spectrum of mutations in pediatric tumors different from adults. On the other hand, specific mutations or immune dysregulated pathways have been targeted in preclinical and clinical studies, with heterogeneous results. Of note, the development of national platforms for tumor molecular profiling and, in less measure, for targeted treatment, has been essential in the process. However, many of the available molecules have been tested only in relapsed or refractory patients, and have proven poorly effective, at least in monotherapy. Our future approaches should certainly aim at improving the access to molecular characterization, to obtain a deeper picture of the distinctive phenotype of childhood cancer. In parallel, the implementation of access to novel drugs should not only be limited to basket or umbrella studies but also to larger, multi-drug international studies. In this paper we reviewed the molecular features and the main available therapeutic options in pediatric solid cancer, focusing on available targeted drugs and ongoing investigations, aiming at providing a useful tool to navigate the heterogeneity of this promising but complex field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Bertacca
- Paediatric Hematology/Oncology Department, Meyer Children’s Hospital, Firenze, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences , University of Firenze, Firenze, Italy
| | - Francesco Pegoraro
- Paediatric Hematology/Oncology Department, Meyer Children’s Hospital, Firenze, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences , University of Firenze, Firenze, Italy
| | - Annalisa Tondo
- Paediatric Hematology/Oncology Department, Meyer Children’s Hospital, Firenze, Italy
| | - Claudio Favre
- Paediatric Hematology/Oncology Department, Meyer Children’s Hospital, Firenze, Italy
- *Correspondence: Claudio Favre,
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The regulatory role of AP-2β in monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems: insights on its signalling pathway, linked disorders and theragnostic potential. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:151. [PMID: 36076256 PMCID: PMC9461128 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00891-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractMonoaminergic neurotransmitter systems play a central role in neuronal function and behaviour. Dysregulation of these systems gives rise to neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders with high prevalence and societal burden, collectively termed monoamine neurotransmitter disorders (MNDs). Despite extensive research, the transcriptional regulation of monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems is not fully explored. Interestingly, certain drugs that act on these systems have been shown to modulate central levels of the transcription factor AP-2 beta (AP-2β, gene: TFAP2Β). AP-2β regulates multiple key genes within these systems and thereby its levels correlate with monoamine neurotransmitters measures; yet, its signalling pathways are not well understood. Moreover, although dysregulation of TFAP2Β has been associated with MNDs, the underlying mechanisms for these associations remain elusive. In this context, this review addresses AP-2β, considering its basic structural aspects, regulation and signalling pathways in the controlling of monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems, and possible mechanisms underpinning associated MNDS. It also underscores the significance of AP-2β as a potential diagnostic biomarker and its potential and limitations as a therapeutic target for specific MNDs as well as possible pharmaceutical interventions for targeting it. In essence, this review emphasizes the role of AP-2β as a key regulator of the monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems and its importance for understanding the pathogenesis and improving the management of MNDs.
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Management of Unresectable Localized Pelvic Bone Sarcomas: Current Practice and Future Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14102546. [PMID: 35626150 PMCID: PMC9139258 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Some locally advanced pelvic bone tumors are deemed unresectable and, as such, not suitable for curative surgery. In this setting, treatment options are generally limited and not unanimous, with decisions being made on an individual basis after multidisciplinary discussion. Ultimately, and notwithstanding the bright prospects raised by novel therapeutic approaches, treatment should be patient-tailored, weighing a panoply of patient- and tumor-related factors. Abstract Bone sarcomas (BS) are rare mesenchymal tumors usually located in the extremities and pelvis. While surgical resection is the cornerstone of curative treatment, some locally advanced tumors are deemed unresectable and hence not suitable for curative intent. This is often true for pelvic sarcoma due to anatomic complexity and proximity to vital structures, making treatment options for these tumors generally limited and not unanimous, with decisions being made on an individual basis after multidisciplinary discussion. Several studies have been published in recent years focusing on innovative treatment options for patients with locally advanced sarcoma not amenable to local surgery. The present article reviews the evidence regarding the treatment of patients with locally advanced and unresectable pelvic BS, with the goal of providing an overview of treatment options for the main BS histologic subtypes involving this anatomic area and exploring future therapeutic perspectives. The management of unresectable localized pelvic BS represents a major challenge and is hampered by the lack of comprehensive and standardized guidelines. As such, the optimal treatment needs to be individually tailored, weighing a panoply of patient- and tumor-related factors. Despite the bright prospects raised by novel therapeutic approaches, the role of each treatment option in the therapeutic armamentarium of these patients requires solid clinical evidence before becoming fully established.
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7
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Fayzullina D, Tsibulnikov S, Stempen M, Schroeder BA, Kumar N, Kharwar RK, Acharya A, Timashev P, Ulasov I. Novel Targeted Therapeutic Strategies for Ewing Sarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14081988. [PMID: 35454895 PMCID: PMC9032664 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14081988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Ewing sarcoma is an uncommon cancer that arises in mesenchymal tissues and represents the second most widespread malignant bone neoplasm after osteosarcoma in children. Therapy has increased the 5-year survival rate in the last 40 years, although the recurrence rate has remained high. There is an immediate and unmet need for the development of novel Ewing sarcoma therapies. We offer new prospective targets for the therapy of Ewing sarcoma. The EWSR1/FLI1 fusion protein, which is identified in 85–90% of Ewing sarcoma tumors, and its direct targets are given special focus in this study. Experimantal therapy that targets multiple signaling pathways activated during ES progression, alone or in combination with existing regimens, may become the new standard of care for Ewing sarcoma patients, improving patient survival. Abstract Ewing sarcoma (ES) is an uncommon cancer that arises in mesenchymal tissues and represents the second most widespread malignant bone neoplasm after osteosarcoma in children. Amplifications in genomic, proteomic, and metabolism are characteristics of sarcoma, and targeting altered cancer cell molecular processes has been proposed as the latest promising strategy to fight cancer. Recent technological advancements have elucidated some of the underlying oncogenic characteristics of Ewing sarcoma. Offering new insights into the physiological basis for this phenomenon, our current review examines the dynamics of ES signaling as it related to both ES and the microenvironment by integrating genomic and proteomic analyses. An extensive survey of the literature was performed to compile the findings. We have also highlighted recent and ongoing studies integrating metabolomics and genomics aimed at better understanding the complex interactions as to how ES adapts to changing biochemical changes within the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Fayzullina
- Group of Experimental Biotherapy and Diagnostic, Department of Advanced Materials, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (D.F.); (S.T.); (M.S.); (P.T.)
| | - Sergey Tsibulnikov
- Group of Experimental Biotherapy and Diagnostic, Department of Advanced Materials, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (D.F.); (S.T.); (M.S.); (P.T.)
| | - Mikhail Stempen
- Group of Experimental Biotherapy and Diagnostic, Department of Advanced Materials, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (D.F.); (S.T.); (M.S.); (P.T.)
| | - Brett A. Schroeder
- National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA;
| | - Naveen Kumar
- Tumor Immunology Lab, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India; (N.K.); (A.A.)
| | - Rajesh Kumar Kharwar
- Endocrine Research Lab, Department of Zoology, Kutir Post Graduate College, Chakkey, Jaunpur 222146, India;
| | - Arbind Acharya
- Tumor Immunology Lab, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India; (N.K.); (A.A.)
| | - Peter Timashev
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (D.F.); (S.T.); (M.S.); (P.T.)
- Department of Advanced Materials, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Ilya Ulasov
- Group of Experimental Biotherapy and Diagnostic, Department of Advanced Materials, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (D.F.); (S.T.); (M.S.); (P.T.)
- Correspondence:
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Huang L, Zhai Y, Fajardo CD, Lang D. YK-4-279 Attenuates Progression of Pre-Existing Pigmented Lesions to Nodular Melanoma in a Mouse Model. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 14:143. [PMID: 35008307 PMCID: PMC8749984 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
More options are needed for the effective treatment of melanoma. In a previous study, we discovered the small molecule drug YK-4-279 almost completely inhibited tumor progression in the BrafCA;Tyr-CreERT2;Ptenflox/flox transgenic mouse model. YK-4-279 had no effect on tumor initiation but blocked progression of invasive melanoma. Our current study was designed as a treatment model, where YK-4-279 was administered during pigmented lesion formation. The study design included the use of three groups: (1) a control group that received only DMSO without a drug (MOCK), (2) mice following our prior studies with YK-4-279 administered at the time of tumor induction (YK-4-279), and (3) mice treated during tumor initiation (YK-4-279 delay). While the MOCK mice had progression of tumors, both YK-4-279 and YK-4-279 delay groups had a significant block or delay of progression. The majority of mice in the YK-4-279 groups had a block of progression, while the YK-4-279 delay group had either a partial block (60% in male mice or 29% in females) or a delay in disease progression in females (28 days in controls to 50 days in YK-4-279 delay group). Here, we demonstrate that YK-4-279 has a significant impact on blocking or delaying tumor progression in a pre-clinical treatment model of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Deborah Lang
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (L.H.); (Y.Z.); (C.D.F.)
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The Landscape of Regulatory Noncoding RNAs in Ewing's Sarcoma. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9080933. [PMID: 34440137 PMCID: PMC8391329 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9080933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing’s sarcoma (ES) is a pediatric sarcoma caused by a chromosomal translocation. Unlike in most cancers, the genomes of ES patients are very stable. The translocation product of the EWS-FLI1 fusion is most often the predominant genetic driver of oncogenesis, and it is pertinent to explore the role of epigenetic alterations in the onset and progression of ES. Several types of noncoding RNAs, primarily microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs, are key epigenetic regulators that have been shown to play critical roles in various cancers. The functions of these epigenetic regulators are just beginning to be appreciated in ES. Here, we performed a comprehensive literature review to identify these noncoding RNAs. We identified clinically relevant tumor suppressor microRNAs, tumor promoter microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs. We then explored the known interplay between different classes of noncoding RNAs and described the currently unmet need for expanding the noncoding RNA repertoire of ES. We concluded the review with a discussion of epigenetic regulation of ES via regulatory noncoding RNAs. These noncoding RNAs provide new avenues of exploration to develop better therapeutics and identify novel biomarkers.
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Abbas A, Alaa MN. Ewing Sarcoma Family Tumors: Past, Present and Future Prospects. CURRENT CANCER THERAPY REVIEWS 2021. [DOI: 10.2174/1573394716999201125204643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Ewing’s sarcoma (ES), also known as mesenchymal primitive neuroectodermal tumor
(PNET), is a malignant round blue cell tumor (MRBCT) with a varying degree of neuronal differentiation.
PNET arises from the primitive nerve cells of the central nervous system (CNS) but may
also occur in the bones of the extremities, pelvis, vertebral column, and chest wall. Extraskeletal
ES/PNET may affect the various soft tissues, including those of the pelvis, paraspinal region, and
thoracopulmonary region.
Histopathological differentiation between ES, PNET, and other related sarcomas is often difficult.
On light microscopy, the same histopathological appearance of ES has been termed PNET, Askin-
Rosay (A-R) tumor, and malignant neuroepithelioma by various other authors. The immunohistochemical
distinction is also difficult due to poor tissue differentiation and low intake of the various
specific immunohistochemical markers. The most frequent translocation is t (11; 22) (q24; q12), resulting
in the EWSR1-FLI1 fusion gene detected in nearly 90% of cases and is considered the hallmark
of the diagnosis of ES, PNET, atypical ES, and A-R tumor. Therefore, ES, atypical ES,
PNET, and A-R tumor are currently regarded as one entity grouped together under the Ewing Family
Tumor (EFT) and are treated in an identical way. EFT represents only about 3% of all pediatric
malignancies. The annual incidence is between 2 and 5 cases per million children per year. The
peak prevalence of the tumor is between the ages of 10 and 15 years. The incidence is higher in
males than in females, with a ratio of 1.3:1.
Newer groups of MRBCT that have great similarities to EFT are being recently described. These tumors,
atypical EFT and Ewing’s like Sarcomas (ELS), bear similarities to EFT but have basic morphological
and molecular differences. Optimal treatment requires the use of adjuvant and new-adjuvant
chemotherapy (CTR), radical surgical resection and/or involves field radiotherapy (RT). The
reported disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) range between 45-80% and 36-71%,
respectively. The overall prognosis for the metastatic and recurrent disease remains poor. The use
of newer conventional and targeted medications, improved RT delivery, and surgical techniques
may further improve the outcomes. The past few years have seen advances in genomics-based sarcoma
diagnosis and targeted therapies. In this comprehensive review article, we provide a detailed
report of EFT and discuss the various clinical aspects and the recent advances used in the diagnosis
and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adil Abbas
- College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, The Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Setion, Princess Nourah Oncology Centre, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed N.S. Alaa
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Gartrell J, Rodriguez-Galindo C. Ewing sarcoma: investigational mono- and combination therapies in clinical trials. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2021; 30:653-663. [PMID: 33870845 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2021.1919623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Over the last decades, multi-institutional clinical trials have resulted in significant improvements in the outcomes of patients with localized Ewing sarcoma; however, those with metastatic and recurrent diseases continue to fare poorly. More recently, advancements made in understanding the biology of the disease and mechanisms of response to therapy have opened the door for the incorporation of targeted therapies. Here we review the current state of treatment for Ewing sarcoma and the most recent preclinical advancements that have the potential to translate to improved care. AREAS COVERED This review provides a general overview of the most recent clinical trials completed in Ewing sarcoma, as well as the preclinical and translational data that has the potential to be incorporated into clinical trials. A PubMed review as well as a review of published meeting abstracts was used to compose this review. EXPERT OPINION While dose-intenstifying strategies have failed to lead to improvements in outcomes for patients with the highest-risk disease, recent preclinical advancements have shed light on potential new targeted strategies. The lack of early-phase clinical trial responses should not deter us from further developing these agents, but instead should guide us in designing novel combination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Gartrell
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, United States of America
| | - Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, United States of America.,Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, United States of America
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12
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Markey FB, Romero B, Parashar V, Batish M. Identification of a New Transcriptional Co-Regulator of STEAP1 in Ewing's Sarcoma. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061300. [PMID: 34073779 PMCID: PMC8225120 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing’s sarcoma (ES) is caused by a chromosomal translocation leading to the formation of the fused EWSFLI1 gene, which codes for an aberrant transcription factor EWSFLI1. The transcriptional targets of EWSFLI1 have been viewed as promising and novel drug targets in the treatment of ES. One such target is six transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate 1 (STEAP1), a transmembrane protein that is upregulated by EWSFLI1 in ES. STEAP1 is a hallmark of tumor invasiveness and an indicator of tumor responsiveness to therapy. EWSFLI1 binds to the STEAP1 promoter region, but the mechanism of action by which it upregulates STEAP1 expression in ES is not entirely understood. Upon analysis of the STEAP1 promoter, we predicted two binding sites for NKX2.2, another crucial transcription factor involved in ES pathogenesis. We confirmed the interaction of NKX2.2 with the STEAP1 promoter using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis. We used single-molecule RNA imaging, biochemical, and genetic studies to identify the novel role of NKX2.2 in regulating STEAP1 expression in ES. Our results show that NKX2.2 is a co-regulator of STEAP1 expression and functions by interacting with the STEAP1 promoter at sites proximal to the reported EWSFLI1 sites. The co-operative interaction of NKX2.2 with EWSFLI1 in regulating STEAP1 holds potential as a new target for therapeutic interventions for ES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatu Badiane Markey
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07103, USA;
| | - Brigette Romero
- Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19713, USA; (B.R.); (V.P.)
| | - Vijay Parashar
- Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19713, USA; (B.R.); (V.P.)
| | - Mona Batish
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07103, USA;
- Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19713, USA; (B.R.); (V.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-302-831-8591
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13
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Huang L, Zhai Y, La J, Lui JW, Moore SP, Little EC, Xiao S, Haresi AJ, Brem C, Bhawan J, Lang D. Targeting Pan-ETS Factors Inhibits Melanoma Progression. Cancer Res 2021; 81:2071-2085. [PMID: 33526511 PMCID: PMC8137525 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-1668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The failure of once promising target-specific therapeutic strategies often arises from redundancies in gene expression pathways. Even with new melanoma treatments, many patients are not responsive or develop resistance, leading to disease progression in terms of growth and metastasis. We previously discovered that the transcription factors ETS1 and PAX3 drive melanoma growth and metastasis by promoting the expression of the MET receptor. Here, we find that there are multiple ETS family members expressed in melanoma and that these factors have redundant functions. The small molecule YK-4-279, initially developed to target the ETS gene-containing translocation product EWS-FLI1, significantly inhibited cellular growth, invasion, and ETS factor function in melanoma cell lines and a clinically relevant transgenic mouse model, BrafCA;Tyr-CreERT2;Ptenf/f. One of the antitumor effects of YK-4-279 in melanoma is achieved via interference of multiple ETS family members with PAX3 and the expression of the PAX3-ETS downstream gene MET. Expression of exogenous MET provided partial rescue of the effects of YK-4-279, further supporting that MET loss is a significant contributor to the antitumor effects of the drug. This is the first study identifying multiple overlapping functions of the ETS family promoting melanoma. In addition, targeting all factors, rather than individual members, demonstrated impactful deleterious consequences in melanoma progression. Given that multiple ETS factors are known to have oncogenic functions in other malignancies, these findings have a high therapeutic impact. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings identify YK-4-279 as a promising therapeutic agent against melanoma by targeting multiple ETS family members and blocking their ability to act as transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee Huang
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
| | - Yougang Zhai
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
| | - Jennifer La
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
| | - Jason W. Lui
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.,Section of Dermatology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.,Committee on Development, Regeneration, and Stem Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
| | - Stephen P.G. Moore
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
| | | | - Sixia Xiao
- Section of Dermatology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
| | - Adil J. Haresi
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
| | - Candice Brem
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
| | - Jag Bhawan
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
| | - Deborah Lang
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.,To whom correspondence should be addressed: Deborah Lang, PhD, Boston University, Department of Dermatology, 609 Albany Street, room J205, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. 02118 Telephone: 01-617-358-9721; Fax: 01-617-638-5515;
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14
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Endothelial ERG alleviates cardiac fibrosis via blocking endothelin-1-dependent paracrine mechanism. Cell Biol Toxicol 2021; 37:873-890. [PMID: 33469864 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-021-09581-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac endothelium communicates closely with adjacent cardiac cells by multiple cytokines and plays critical roles in regulating fibroblasts proliferation, activation, and collagen synthesis during cardiac fibrosis. E26 transformation-specific (ETS)-related gene (ERG) belongs to the ETS transcriptional factor family and is required for endothelial cells (ECs) homeostasis and cardiac development. This study aims at investigating the potential role and molecular basis of ERG in fibrotic remodeling within the adult heart. We observed that ERG was abundant in murine hearts, especially in cardiac ECs, but decreased during cardiac fibrosis. ERG knockdown within murine hearts caused spontaneously cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction, accompanied by the activation of multiple Smad-dependent and independent pathways. However, the direct silence of ERG in cardiac fibroblasts did not affect the expression of fibrotic markers. Intriguingly, ERG knockdown in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) promoted the secretion of endothelin-1 (ET-1), which subsequently accelerated the proliferation, phenotypic transition, and collagen synthesis of cardiac fibroblasts in a paracrine manner. Suppressing ET-1 with either a neutralizing antibody or a receptor blocker abolished ERG knockdown-mediated deleterious effect in vivo and in vitro. This pro-fibrotic effect was also negated by RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp)-peptide magnetic nanoparticles target delivery of ET-1 small interfering RNA to ECs in mice. More importantly, we proved that endothelial ERG overexpression notably prevented pressure overload-induced cardiac fibrosis. Collectively, endothelial ERG alleviates cardiac fibrosis via blocking ET-1-dependent paracrine mechanism and it functions as a candidate for treating cardiac fibrosis. • ERG is abundant in murine hearts, especially in cardiac ECs, but decreased during fibrotic remodeling. • ERG knockdown causes spontaneously cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction. • ERG silence in HUVECs promotes the secretion of endothelin-1, which in turn activates cardiac fibroblasts in a paracrine manner. • Endothelial ERG overexpression prevents pressure overload-induced cardiac fibrosis.
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15
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Riggi
- From the Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland (N.R., I.S.); and the Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, and the Broad Institute of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge - both in Massachusetts (M.L.S.)
| | - Mario L Suvà
- From the Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland (N.R., I.S.); and the Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, and the Broad Institute of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge - both in Massachusetts (M.L.S.)
| | - Ivan Stamenkovic
- From the Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland (N.R., I.S.); and the Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, and the Broad Institute of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge - both in Massachusetts (M.L.S.)
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16
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Conn E, Hour S, Allegakoen D, Graham G, Petro J, Kouassi-Brou M, Hong SH, Selvanathan S, Çelik H, Toretsky J, Üren A. Development of an Ewing sarcoma cell line with resistance to EWS‑FLI1 inhibitor YK‑4‑279. Mol Med Rep 2020; 21:1667-1675. [PMID: 32016454 PMCID: PMC8371434 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.10948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite Ewing sarcoma (ES) being the second most common pediatric malignancy of bone and soft tissue, few novel therapeutic approaches have been introduced over the past few decades. ES contains a pathognomonic chromosomal translocation that leads to a fusion protein between EWSR1 and an ets family member, most often FLI1. EWS‑FLI1 is the most common type of fusion protein and is a well‑vetted therapeutic target. A small molecule inhibitor of EWS‑FLI1, YK‑4‑279 (YK) was developed with the intention to serve as a targeted therapy option for patients with ES. The present study investigated resistance mechanisms by developing an ES cell line specifically resistant to YK. The ES cell line A4573 was treated with YK to create resistant cells by long term continuous exposure. The results revealed that resistance in A4573 was robust and sustainable, with a >27‑fold increase in IC50 lasting up to 16 weeks in the absence of the compound. Resistant ES cells were still sensitive to standard of care drugs, including doxorubicin, vincristine and etoposide, which may be valuable in future combination treatments in the clinic. Resistant ES cells revealed an increased expression of CD99. RNA sequencing and qPCR validation of resistant ES cells confirmed an increased expression of ANO1, BRSK2 and IGSF21, and a reduced expression of COL24A1, PRSS23 and RAB38 genes. A functional association between these genes and mechanism of resistance remains to be investigated. The present study created a cell line to investigate YK resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Conn
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Sarah Hour
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - David Allegakoen
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Garrett Graham
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Jeff Petro
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Marilyn Kouassi-Brou
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Sung Hyeok Hong
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Saravana Selvanathan
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Haydar Çelik
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Jeffrey Toretsky
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Aykut Üren
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
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17
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Precision medicine in Ewing sarcoma: a translational point of view. Clin Transl Oncol 2020; 22:1440-1454. [PMID: 32026343 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-020-02298-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is a rare tumor that arises in bones of children and teenagers but, in 15% of the patients it is presented as a primary soft tissue tumor. Balanced reciprocal chimeric translocation t(11;22)(q24;q12), which encodes an oncogenic protein fusion (EWSR1/FLI1), is the most generalized and characteristic molecular event. Using conventional treatments, (chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy) long-term overall survival rate is 30% for patients with disseminated disease and 65-75% for patients with localized tumors. Urgent new effective drug development is a challenge. This review summarizes the preclinical and clinical investigational knowledge about prognostic and targetable biomarkers in Ewing sarcoma, finally suggesting a workflow for precision medicine committees.
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18
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Spriano F, Chung EYL, Gaudio E, Tarantelli C, Cascione L, Napoli S, Jessen K, Carrassa L, Priebe V, Sartori G, Graham G, Selvanathan SP, Cavalli A, Rinaldi A, Kwee I, Testoni M, Genini D, Ye BH, Zucca E, Stathis A, Lannutti B, Toretsky JA, Bertoni F. The ETS Inhibitors YK-4-279 and TK-216 Are Novel Antilymphoma Agents. Clin Cancer Res 2019; 25:5167-5176. [PMID: 31182435 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-2718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Transcription factors are commonly deregulated in cancer, and they have been widely considered as difficult to target due to their nonenzymatic mechanism of action. Altered expression levels of members of the ETS-transcription factors are often observed in many different tumors, including lymphomas. Here, we characterized two small molecules, YK-4-279 and its clinical derivative, TK-216, targeting ETS factors via blocking the protein-protein interaction with RNA helicases, for their antilymphoma activity. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The study included preclinical in vitro activity screening on a large panel of cell lines, both as single agent and in combination; validation experiments on in vivo models; and transcriptome and coimmunoprecipitation experiments. RESULTS YK-4-279 and TK-216 demonstrated an antitumor activity across several lymphoma cell lines, which we validated in vivo. We observed synergistic activity when YK-4-279 and TK-216 were combined with the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax and with the immunomodulatory drug lenalidomide. YK-4-279 and TK-216 interfere with protein interactions of ETS family members SPIB, in activated B-cell-like type diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, and SPI1, in germinal center B-cell-type diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. CONCLUSIONS The ETS inhibitor YK-4-279 and its clinical derivative TK-216 represent a new class of agents with in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity in lymphomas. Although their detailed mechanism of action needs to be fully defined, in DLBCL they might act by targeting subtype-specific essential transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Spriano
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Institute of Oncology Research, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Elaine Yee Lin Chung
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Institute of Oncology Research, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Eugenio Gaudio
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Institute of Oncology Research, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Chiara Tarantelli
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Institute of Oncology Research, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Luciano Cascione
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Institute of Oncology Research, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sara Napoli
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Institute of Oncology Research, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | | | - Laura Carrassa
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy
| | - Valdemar Priebe
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Institute of Oncology Research, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Giulio Sartori
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Institute of Oncology Research, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Garrett Graham
- Departments of Oncology and Pediatrics, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
| | - Saravana P Selvanathan
- Departments of Oncology and Pediatrics, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
| | - Andrea Cavalli
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Institute of Biomedical Research, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Rinaldi
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Institute of Oncology Research, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Ivo Kwee
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Institute of Oncology Research, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Manno, Switzerland
| | - Monica Testoni
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Institute of Oncology Research, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Davide Genini
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Institute of Oncology Research, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - B Hilda Ye
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, New York
| | - Emanuele Zucca
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Jeffrey A Toretsky
- Departments of Oncology and Pediatrics, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
| | - Francesco Bertoni
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Institute of Oncology Research, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
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19
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Trigos AS, Pearson RB, Papenfuss AT, Goode DL. Somatic mutations in early metazoan genes disrupt regulatory links between unicellular and multicellular genes in cancer. eLife 2019; 8:40947. [PMID: 30803482 DOI: 10.7554/elife.40947.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Extensive transcriptional alterations are observed in cancer, many of which activate core biological processes established in unicellular organisms or suppress differentiation pathways formed in metazoans. Through rigorous, integrative analysis of genomics data from a range of solid tumors, we show many transcriptional changes in tumors are tied to mutations disrupting regulatory interactions between unicellular and multicellular genes within human gene regulatory networks (GRNs). Recurrent point mutations were enriched in regulator genes linking unicellular and multicellular subnetworks, while copy-number alterations affected downstream target genes in distinctly unicellular and multicellular regions of the GRN. Our results depict drivers of tumourigenesis as genes that created key regulatory links during the evolution of early multicellular life, whose dysfunction creates widespread dysregulation of primitive elements of the GRN. Several genes we identified as important in this process were associated with drug response, demonstrating the potential clinical value of our approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Trigos
- Computational Cancer Biology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Richard B Pearson
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Anthony T Papenfuss
- Computational Cancer Biology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Bioinformatics Division, The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
| | - David L Goode
- Computational Cancer Biology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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20
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Trigos AS, Pearson RB, Papenfuss AT, Goode DL. Somatic mutations in early metazoan genes disrupt regulatory links between unicellular and multicellular genes in cancer. eLife 2019; 8:40947. [PMID: 30803482 PMCID: PMC6402835 DOI: 10.7554/elife.40947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensive transcriptional alterations are observed in cancer, many of which activate core biological processes established in unicellular organisms or suppress differentiation pathways formed in metazoans. Through rigorous, integrative analysis of genomics data from a range of solid tumors, we show many transcriptional changes in tumors are tied to mutations disrupting regulatory interactions between unicellular and multicellular genes within human gene regulatory networks (GRNs). Recurrent point mutations were enriched in regulator genes linking unicellular and multicellular subnetworks, while copy-number alterations affected downstream target genes in distinctly unicellular and multicellular regions of the GRN. Our results depict drivers of tumourigenesis as genes that created key regulatory links during the evolution of early multicellular life, whose dysfunction creates widespread dysregulation of primitive elements of the GRN. Several genes we identified as important in this process were associated with drug response, demonstrating the potential clinical value of our approach. Cancers arise when harmful changes happen in the genetic information of certain cells. These ‘mutations’ are different from person to person, but overall, they disrupt healthy cells in similar ways. In particular, cancer cells tend to lose features that help cells work together in the body. Researchers have suggested that cancers may emerge when cells stop being able to cooperate with each other as part of an organism. Our bodies still rely on old genes that were present in our earliest, single-cell ancestors. However, we also have newer genes that evolved when the organisms in our lineage started to have more than one cell. A complex network of signals exists to ensure that both sets of genes work together smoothly, and previous studies have suggested that cancers may appear when this delicate balance is disrupted. To address this question, Trigos et al. have now used a computational approach to analyse different types of tumours from over 9,000 patients. This showed that, in cancer, many mutations disrupt the genes that coordinate old and new genes. These mutations were usually small, punctual changes in the genetic sequence. However, large modifications, such as an entire gene being deleted or repeated, took place more often in the old or the new genes themselves. Therefore, different classes of mutations have specific roles when disrupting how old and new genes work in cancer. While certain genes highlighted during this analysis were already known to be associated with cancer, others were not – including genes present during the evolution of the earliest animals on Earth. Looking more closely into how these genes can cause disease may help us better understand and fight cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Trigos
- Computational Cancer Biology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Richard B Pearson
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Anthony T Papenfuss
- Computational Cancer Biology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.,Bioinformatics Division, The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
| | - David L Goode
- Computational Cancer Biology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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21
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Qian Z, Li Y, Yang H, Chen J, Li X, Gou D. PDGFBB promotes proliferation and migration via regulating miR-1181/STAT3 axis in human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2018; 315:L965-L976. [DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00224.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) can induce hyperproliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), which is a key causative factor to the occurrence and progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We previously identified that miR-1181 is significantly downregulated by PDGFBB in human PASMCs. In this work, we further explore the function of miR-1181 and underlying regulatory mechanisms in PDGF-induced PASMCs. First, the expression pattern of miR-1181 was characterized under PDGFBB treatment, and PDGF receptor/PKCβ signaling was found to repress miR-1181 expression. Then, gain- and loss-of-function experiments were respectively conducted and revealed the prominent role of miR-1181 in inhibiting PASMC proliferation and migration. Flow cytometry analysis suggested that miR-1181 regulated the PASMC proliferation through influencing the cell cycle transition from G0/G1 to S phase. Moreover, we exhibited that miR-1181 targeting STAT3 formed a regulatory axis to modulate PASMC proliferation. Finally, serum miR-1181 expression was also observed to be reduced in adult and newborn patients with PAH. Overall, this study provides novel findings that the miR-1181/STAT3 axis mediated PDGFBB-induced dysfunction in human PASMCs, implying a potential use of miR-1181 as a therapeutic and diagnostic candidate for the vascular remodeling diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengjiang Qian
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yanjiao Li
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haiyang Yang
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jidong Chen
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiang Li
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Deming Gou
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
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22
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Dancsok AR, Asleh-Aburaya K, Nielsen TO. Advances in sarcoma diagnostics and treatment. Oncotarget 2018; 8:7068-7093. [PMID: 27732970 PMCID: PMC5351692 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The heterogeneity of sarcomas with regard to molecular genesis, histology, clinical characteristics, and response to treatment makes management of these rare yet diverse neoplasms particularly challenging. This review encompasses recent developments in sarcoma diagnostics and treatment, including cytotoxic, targeted, epigenetic, and immune therapy agents. In the past year, groups internationally explored the impact of adding mandatory molecular testing to histological diagnosis, reporting some changes in diagnosis and/or management; however, the impact on outcomes could not be adequately assessed. Transcriptome sequencing techniques have brought forward new diagnostic tools for identifying fusions and/or characterizing unclassified entities. Next-generation sequencing and advanced molecular techniques were also applied to identify potential targets for directed and epigenetic therapy, where preclinical studies reported results for agents active within the receptor tyrosine kinase, mTOR, Notch, Wnt, Hedgehog, Hsp90, and MDM2 signaling networks. At the level of clinical practice, modest developments were seen for some sarcoma subtypes in conventional chemotherapy and in therapies targeting the pathways activated by various receptor tyrosine kinases. In the burgeoning field of immune therapy, sarcoma work is in its infancy; however, elaborate protocols for immune stimulation are being explored, and checkpoint blockade agents advance from preclinical models to clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda R Dancsok
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Karama Asleh-Aburaya
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Torsten O Nielsen
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Sarcoma Disease Site Committee, Canadian Cancer Trials Group
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23
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Yu H, Ge Y, Guo L, Huang L. Potential approaches to the treatment of Ewing's sarcoma. Oncotarget 2018; 8:5523-5539. [PMID: 27740934 PMCID: PMC5354928 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing’s sarcoma (ES) is a highly aggressive and metastatic tumor in children and young adults caused by a chromosomal fusion between the Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1 (EWSR1) gene and the transcription factor FLI1 gene. ES is managed with standard treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Although the 5-year survival rate for primary ES has improved, the survival rate for ES patients with metastases or recurrence remains low. Several novel molecular targets in ES have recently been identified and investigated in preclinical and clinical settings, and targeting the function of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), the fusion protein EWS-FLI1 and mTOR has shown promise. There has also been increasing interest in the immune responses of ES patients. Immunotherapies using T cells, NK cells, cancer vaccines and monoclonal antibodies have been considered for ES, especially for recurrent patients. Because understanding the pathogenesis of ES is extremely important for the development of novel treatments, this review focuses on the mechanisms and functions of targeted therapies and immunotherapies in ES. It is anticipated that integrating the knowledge obtained from basic research and translational and clinical studies will lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of ES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjiu Yu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, P.R. China.,Department of VIP, The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Yonggui Ge
- Department of Pathophysiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Lianying Guo
- Department of Pathophysiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Lin Huang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, P.R. China
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24
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Dai X, Theobard R, Cheng H, Xing M, Zhang J. Fusion genes: A promising tool combating against cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2018; 1869:149-160. [PMID: 29357299 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2017.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Revised: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The driving roles of fusion genes during tumorigenesis have been recognized for decades, with efficacies demonstrated in clinical diagnosis and targeted therapy. With advances in sequencing technologies and computational biology, a surge in the identification of fusion genes has been witnessed during the past decade. The discovery and presence of splicing based fusions in normal tissues have challenged our canonical conceptions on fusion genes and offered us novel medical opportunities. The specificity of fusion genes to neoplastic tissues and their diverse functionalities during carcinogenesis foster them as promising tools in the battle against cancer. It is time to re-visit and comb through our cutting-edge knowledge on fusion genes to accelerate clinical translation of these internal markers. Urged as such, we are encouraged to categorize fusion events according to mechanisms leading to their generation, oncological consequences and clinical implications, offer insights on fusion occurrence across tumors from the system level, highlight feasible practices in fusion-related pharmaceutical development, and identify understudied yet important niches that may lead future research trend in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Dai
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
| | - Rutaganda Theobard
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Hongye Cheng
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Mengtao Xing
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Jianying Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas, El Paso, TX 79968, USA; Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences & Henan Key Laboratory of Tumor Epidemiology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
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25
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Lee T, Pelletier J. The biology of DHX9 and its potential as a therapeutic target. Oncotarget 2018; 7:42716-42739. [PMID: 27034008 PMCID: PMC5173168 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
DHX9 is member of the DExD/H-box family of helicases with a “DEIH” sequence at its eponymous DExH-box motif. Initially purified from human and bovine cells and identified as a homologue of the Drosophila Maleless (MLE) protein, it is an NTP-dependent helicase consisting of a conserved helicase core domain, two double-stranded RNA-binding domains at the N-terminus, and a nuclear transport domain and a single-stranded DNA-binding RGG-box at the C-terminus. With an ability to unwind DNA and RNA duplexes, as well as more complex nucleic acid structures, DHX9 appears to play a central role in many cellular processes. Its functions include regulation of DNA replication, transcription, translation, microRNA biogenesis, RNA processing and transport, and maintenance of genomic stability. Because of its central role in gene regulation and RNA metabolism, there are growing implications for DHX9 in human diseases and their treatment. This review will provide an overview of the structure, biochemistry, and biology of DHX9, its role in cancer and other human diseases, and the possibility of targeting DHX9 in chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jerry Pelletier
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Center, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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26
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Sun W, Rojas Y, Wang H, Yu Y, Wang Y, Chen Z, Rajapakshe K, Xu X, Huang W, Agarwal S, Patel RH, Woodfield S, Zhao Y, Jin J, Zhang H, Major A, Hicks MJ, Shohet JM, Vasudevan SA, Coarfa C, Yang J, Nuchtern JG. EWS-FLI1 and RNA helicase A interaction inhibitor YK-4-279 inhibits growth of neuroblastoma. Oncotarget 2017; 8:94780-94792. [PMID: 29212266 PMCID: PMC5706912 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment failure in high risk neuroblastoma (NB) is largely due to the development of chemotherapy resistance. We analyzed the gene expression changes associated with exposure to chemotherapy in six high risk NB tumors with the aid of the Connectivity Map bioinformatics platform. Ten therapeutic agents were predicted to have a high probability of reversing the transcriptome changes associated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy treatment. Among these agents, initial screening showed the EWS-FLI1 and RNA helicase A interaction inhibitor YK-4-279, had obvious cytotoxic effects on NB cell lines. Using a panel of NB cell lines, including MYCN nonamplified (SK-N-AS, SH-SY5Y, and CHLA-255), and MYCN amplified (NB-19, NGP, and IMR-32) cell lines, we found that YK-4-279 had cytotoxic effects on all lines tested. In addition, YK-4-279 also inhibited cell proliferation and anchorage-independent growth and induced cell apoptosis of these cells. YK-4-279 enhanced the cytotoxic effect of doxorubicin (Dox). Moreover, YK-4-279 was able to overcome the established chemoresistance of LA-N-6 NB cells. In an orthotopic xenograft NB mouse model, YK-4-279 inhibited NB tumor growth and induced apoptosis in tumor cells through PARP and Caspase 3 cleavage in vivo. While EWS-FLI1 fusion protein is not frequently found in NB, using the R2 public database of neuroblastoma outcome and gene expression, we found that high expression of EWSR1 was associated with poor patient outcome. Knockdown of EWSR1 inhibited the oncogenic potential of neuroblastoma cell lines. Taken together, our results indicate that YK-4-279 might be a promising agent for treatment of NB that merits further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Sun
- Pediatric Surgery Division, Michael E. Debakey Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Yesenia Rojas
- Pediatric Surgery Division, Michael E. Debakey Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Pathology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Pediatric Surgery Division, Michael E. Debakey Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yongfeng Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhenghu Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kimal Rajapakshe
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xin Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Saurabh Agarwal
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Roma H Patel
- Pediatric Surgery Division, Michael E. Debakey Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sarah Woodfield
- Pediatric Surgery Division, Michael E. Debakey Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yanling Zhao
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jingling Jin
- Pediatric Surgery Division, Michael E. Debakey Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Pathology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Angela Major
- Department of Pathology, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - M John Hicks
- Department of Pathology, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jason M Shohet
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sanjeev A Vasudevan
- Pediatric Surgery Division, Michael E. Debakey Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Cristian Coarfa
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jianhua Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jed G Nuchtern
- Pediatric Surgery Division, Michael E. Debakey Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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27
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Zöllner SK, Selvanathan SP, Graham GT, Commins RMT, Hong SH, Moseley E, Parks S, Haladyna JN, Erkizan HV, Dirksen U, Hogarty MD, Üren A, Toretsky JA. Inhibition of the oncogenic fusion protein EWS-FLI1 causes G 2-M cell cycle arrest and enhanced vincristine sensitivity in Ewing's sarcoma. Sci Signal 2017; 10:10/499/eaam8429. [PMID: 28974650 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aam8429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is a rare and highly malignant cancer that grows in the bones or surrounding tissues mostly affecting adolescents and young adults. A chimeric fusion between the RNA binding protein EWS and the ETS family transcription factor FLI1 (EWS-FLI1), which is generated from a chromosomal translocation, is implicated in driving most ES cases by modulation of transcription and alternative splicing. The small-molecule YK-4-279 inhibits EWS-FLI1 function and induces apoptosis in ES cells. We aimed to identify both the underlying mechanism of the drug and potential combination therapies that might enhance its antitumor activity. We tested 69 anticancer drugs in combination with YK-4-279 and found that vinca alkaloids exhibited synergy with YK-4-279 in five ES cell lines. The combination of YK-4-279 and vincristine reduced tumor burden and increased survival in mice bearing ES xenografts. We determined that independent drug-induced events converged to cause this synergistic therapeutic effect. YK-4-279 rapidly induced G2-M arrest, increased the abundance of cyclin B1, and decreased EWS-FLI1-mediated generation of microtubule-associated proteins, which rendered cells more susceptible to microtubule depolymerization by vincristine. YK-4-279 reduced the expression of the EWS-FLI1 target gene encoding the ubiquitin ligase UBE2C, which, in part, contributed to the increase in cyclin B1. YK-4-279 also increased the abundance of proapoptotic isoforms of MCL1 and BCL2, presumably through inhibition of alternative splicing by EWS-FLI1, thus promoting cell death in response to vincristine. Thus, a combination of vincristine and YK-4-279 might be therapeutically effective in ES patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan K Zöllner
- Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20057, USA.,Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Gebäude A1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Saravana P Selvanathan
- Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Garrett T Graham
- Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Ryan M T Commins
- Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Sung Hyeok Hong
- Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Eric Moseley
- Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Sydney Parks
- Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Jessica N Haladyna
- Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Hayriye V Erkizan
- Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Uta Dirksen
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Gebäude A1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Michael D Hogarty
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Colket Translational Research Building, Room 3020, 3501 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19014, USA
| | - Aykut Üren
- Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Toretsky
- Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20057, USA.
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28
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Wagner MJ, Gopalakrishnan V, Ravi V, Livingston JA, Conley AP, Araujo D, Somaiah N, Zarzour MA, Ratan R, Wang WL, Patel SR, Lazar A, Ludwig JA, Benjamin RS. Vincristine, Ifosfamide, and Doxorubicin for Initial Treatment of Ewing Sarcoma in Adults. Oncologist 2017; 22:1271-1277. [PMID: 28710342 DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2016-0464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are no clinical trials specifically addressing chemotherapy for adults with Ewing sarcoma (ES). Five-year event-free survival (EFS) of adults on pediatric studies of ES (44%-47%) is worse than that of children treated with the same therapy (69%). The object of this study was to review the results of therapy with vincristine, ifosfamide, and doxorubicin (VID) in the multidisciplinary treatment of adults with ES at our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS Charts for adults treated for ES from 1995 to 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinician-reported radiographic tumor response, type of local therapy, pathologic response, and survival data were collected. RESULTS Seventy-one patients were identified who received VID as initial therapy. The median age was 25 (range: 16-64). Forty-two patients (59%) presented with a localized disease and 29 patients (41%) presented with a distant metastasis. Of all patients treated with VID, 83.6% showed a radiological response. Patients who presented with a localized disease had a 5-year overall survival (OS) of 68% (median not reached), compared with 10.3% (median: 1.9 years) in those who presented with distant metastases. Five-year EFS was 67%. The nine patients with a pelvic primary tumor had inferior 5-year OS (42%) to the 33 with primary tumors at other sites (75%). The 5-year OS of those who had greater than or equal to 95% necrosis after neoadjuvant VID (n = 20; 5-year OS: 84%) was superior to those who had less than 95% necrosis (n = 13; 5-year OS: 53%). CONCLUSION In adults with primary ES, VID combined with an adjuvant strategy based on post-treatment percent necrosis has favorable outcomes compared with historical adult controls. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a rare tumor in adults, and there are no dedicated clinical trials in the adult population. Most therapy is modeled after the published pediatric studies, although the small numbers of adult patients included on those studies did significantly worse than the children. We modeled our treatment on other adult sarcomas and reviewed the charts of 71 adult patients with ES treated with vincristine, ifosfamide, and doxorubicin (VID). In adults with primary ES, VID combined with an adjuvant strategy based on post-treatment percent necrosis has favorable outcomes compared with historical adult controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Wagner
- Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Vinod Ravi
- Department of Sarcoma Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - J Andrew Livingston
- Department of Sarcoma Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Anthony P Conley
- Department of Sarcoma Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Dejka Araujo
- Department of Sarcoma Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Neeta Somaiah
- Department of Sarcoma Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Maria A Zarzour
- Department of Sarcoma Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ravin Ratan
- Department of Sarcoma Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Wei-Lien Wang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Shreyaskumar R Patel
- Department of Sarcoma Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Alexander Lazar
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Joseph A Ludwig
- Department of Sarcoma Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Robert S Benjamin
- Department of Sarcoma Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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29
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Sizemore GM, Pitarresi JR, Balakrishnan S, Ostrowski MC. The ETS family of oncogenic transcription factors in solid tumours. Nat Rev Cancer 2017; 17:337-351. [PMID: 28450705 DOI: 10.1038/nrc.2017.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Findings over the past decade have identified aberrant activation of the ETS transcription factor family throughout all stages of tumorigenesis. Specifically in solid tumours, gene rearrangement and amplification, feed-forward growth factor signalling loops, formation of gain-of-function co-regulatory complexes and novel cis-acting mutations in ETS target gene promoters can result in increased ETS activity. In turn, pro-oncogenic ETS signalling enhances tumorigenesis through a broad mechanistic toolbox that includes lineage specification and self-renewal, DNA damage and genome instability, epigenetics and metabolism. This Review discusses these different mechanisms of ETS activation and subsequent oncogenic implications, as well as the clinical utility of ETS factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina M Sizemore
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University, 598 Biomedical Research Tower, 460 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Jason R Pitarresi
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University, 598 Biomedical Research Tower, 460 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Subhasree Balakrishnan
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University, 598 Biomedical Research Tower, 460 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Michael C Ostrowski
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University, 598 Biomedical Research Tower, 460 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
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30
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Hou C, Weidenbach S, Cano KE, Wang Z, Mitra P, Ivanov DN, Rohr J, Tsodikov OV. Structures of mithramycin analogues bound to DNA and implications for targeting transcription factor FLI1. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:8990-9004. [PMID: 27587584 PMCID: PMC5063001 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 08/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors have been considered undruggable, but this paradigm has been recently challenged. DNA binding natural product mithramycin (MTM) is a potent antagonist of oncogenic transcription factor EWS–FLI1. Structural details of MTM recognition of DNA, including the FLI1 binding sequence GGA(A/T), are needed to understand how MTM interferes with EWS–FLI1. We report a crystal structure of an MTM analogue MTM SA–Trp bound to a DNA oligomer containing a site GGCC, and two structures of a novel analogue MTM SA–Phe in complex with DNA. MTM SA–Phe is bound to sites AGGG and GGGT on one DNA, and to AGGG and GGGA(T) (a FLI1 binding site) on the other, revealing how MTM recognizes different DNA sequences. Unexpectedly, at sub-micromolar concentrations MTMs stabilize FLI1–DNA complex on GGAA repeats, which are critical for the oncogenic function of EWS–FLI1. We also directly demonstrate by nuclear magnetic resonance formation of a ternary FLI1–DNA–MTM complex on a single GGAA FLI1/MTM binding site. These biochemical and structural data and a new FLI1–DNA structure suggest that MTM binds the minor groove and perturbs FLI1 bound nearby in the major groove. This ternary complex model may lead to development of novel MTM analogues that selectively target EWS–FLI1 or other oncogenic transcription factors, as anti-cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caixia Hou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Stevi Weidenbach
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Kristin E Cano
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Zhonghua Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Prithiba Mitra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Dmitri N Ivanov
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Jürgen Rohr
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Oleg V Tsodikov
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
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31
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Lamhamedi-Cherradi SE, Menegaz BA, Ramamoorthy V, Vishwamitra D, Wang Y, Maywald RL, Buford AS, Fokt I, Skora S, Wang J, Naing A, Lazar AJ, Rohren EM, Daw NC, Subbiah V, Benjamin RS, Ratan R, Priebe W, Mikos AG, Amin HM, Ludwig JA. IGF-1R and mTOR Blockade: Novel Resistance Mechanisms and Synergistic Drug Combinations for Ewing Sarcoma. J Natl Cancer Inst 2016; 108:djw182. [PMID: 27576731 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djw182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Therapies cotargeting insulin-like growth factor receptor 1 (IGF-1R) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) have demonstrated remarkable, albeit short-lived, clinical responses in a subset of Ewing sarcoma (ES) patients. However, the mechanisms of resistance and applicable strategies for overcoming drug resistance to the IGF-1R/mTOR blockade are still undefined. METHODS To elucidate predominant mechanism(s) of acquired drug resistance while identifying synergistic drug combinations that improve clinical efficacy, we generated more than 18 ES cell lines resistant to IGF-1R- or mTOR-targeted therapy. Two small-molecule inhibitors of IGF-1R were chosen, NVP-ADW-742 (IGF-1R-selective) and OSI-906 (a dual IGF-1R/insulin receptor alpha [IR-α] inhibitor). Reverse-phase protein lysate arrays (RPPAs) revealed proteomic changes linked to IGF-1R/mTOR resistance, and selected proteins were validated in cell-based assays, xenografts, and within human clinical samples. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS Novel mechanisms of resistance (MOR) emerged after dalotuzumab-, NVP-ADW-742-, and OSI-906-based targeting of IGF-1R. MOR to dalotuzumab included upregulation of IRS1, PI3K, and STAT3, as well as p38 MAPK, which was also induced by OSI-906. pEIF4E(Ser209), a key regulator of Cap-dependent translation, was induced in ridaforolimus-resistant ES cell lines. Unique drug combinations targeting IGF-1R and PI3K-alpha or Mnk and mTOR were synergistic in vivo and vitro (P < .001) as assessed respectively by Mantel-Cox and isobologram testing. CONCLUSIONS We discovered new druggable targets expressed by chemoresistant ES cells, xenografts, and relapsed human tumors. Joint suppression of these newfound targets, in concert with IGF-1R or mTOR blockade, should improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salah-Eddine Lamhamedi-Cherradi
- Departments of Sarcoma Medical Oncology (SELC, BAM, VR, RSB, RR, JAL), Hematopathology (DV, HMA), Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (YW, JW), Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (AN, VS), Pediatrics-Patient Care (NCD), Experimental Therapeutics (IF, SS, WP), and Pathology (AJL), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Departments of Radiology (EMR) and Molecular & Human Genetics (RLM), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Pediatric-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital. Houston, TX (ASB); Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX (AGM)
| | - Brian A Menegaz
- Departments of Sarcoma Medical Oncology (SELC, BAM, VR, RSB, RR, JAL), Hematopathology (DV, HMA), Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (YW, JW), Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (AN, VS), Pediatrics-Patient Care (NCD), Experimental Therapeutics (IF, SS, WP), and Pathology (AJL), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Departments of Radiology (EMR) and Molecular & Human Genetics (RLM), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Pediatric-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital. Houston, TX (ASB); Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX (AGM)
| | - Vandhana Ramamoorthy
- Departments of Sarcoma Medical Oncology (SELC, BAM, VR, RSB, RR, JAL), Hematopathology (DV, HMA), Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (YW, JW), Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (AN, VS), Pediatrics-Patient Care (NCD), Experimental Therapeutics (IF, SS, WP), and Pathology (AJL), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Departments of Radiology (EMR) and Molecular & Human Genetics (RLM), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Pediatric-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital. Houston, TX (ASB); Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX (AGM)
| | - Deeksha Vishwamitra
- Departments of Sarcoma Medical Oncology (SELC, BAM, VR, RSB, RR, JAL), Hematopathology (DV, HMA), Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (YW, JW), Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (AN, VS), Pediatrics-Patient Care (NCD), Experimental Therapeutics (IF, SS, WP), and Pathology (AJL), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Departments of Radiology (EMR) and Molecular & Human Genetics (RLM), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Pediatric-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital. Houston, TX (ASB); Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX (AGM)
| | - Ying Wang
- Departments of Sarcoma Medical Oncology (SELC, BAM, VR, RSB, RR, JAL), Hematopathology (DV, HMA), Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (YW, JW), Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (AN, VS), Pediatrics-Patient Care (NCD), Experimental Therapeutics (IF, SS, WP), and Pathology (AJL), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Departments of Radiology (EMR) and Molecular & Human Genetics (RLM), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Pediatric-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital. Houston, TX (ASB); Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX (AGM)
| | - Rebecca L Maywald
- Departments of Sarcoma Medical Oncology (SELC, BAM, VR, RSB, RR, JAL), Hematopathology (DV, HMA), Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (YW, JW), Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (AN, VS), Pediatrics-Patient Care (NCD), Experimental Therapeutics (IF, SS, WP), and Pathology (AJL), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Departments of Radiology (EMR) and Molecular & Human Genetics (RLM), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Pediatric-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital. Houston, TX (ASB); Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX (AGM)
| | - Adriana S Buford
- Departments of Sarcoma Medical Oncology (SELC, BAM, VR, RSB, RR, JAL), Hematopathology (DV, HMA), Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (YW, JW), Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (AN, VS), Pediatrics-Patient Care (NCD), Experimental Therapeutics (IF, SS, WP), and Pathology (AJL), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Departments of Radiology (EMR) and Molecular & Human Genetics (RLM), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Pediatric-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital. Houston, TX (ASB); Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX (AGM)
| | - Izabela Fokt
- Departments of Sarcoma Medical Oncology (SELC, BAM, VR, RSB, RR, JAL), Hematopathology (DV, HMA), Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (YW, JW), Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (AN, VS), Pediatrics-Patient Care (NCD), Experimental Therapeutics (IF, SS, WP), and Pathology (AJL), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Departments of Radiology (EMR) and Molecular & Human Genetics (RLM), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Pediatric-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital. Houston, TX (ASB); Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX (AGM)
| | - Stanislaw Skora
- Departments of Sarcoma Medical Oncology (SELC, BAM, VR, RSB, RR, JAL), Hematopathology (DV, HMA), Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (YW, JW), Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (AN, VS), Pediatrics-Patient Care (NCD), Experimental Therapeutics (IF, SS, WP), and Pathology (AJL), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Departments of Radiology (EMR) and Molecular & Human Genetics (RLM), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Pediatric-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital. Houston, TX (ASB); Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX (AGM)
| | - Jing Wang
- Departments of Sarcoma Medical Oncology (SELC, BAM, VR, RSB, RR, JAL), Hematopathology (DV, HMA), Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (YW, JW), Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (AN, VS), Pediatrics-Patient Care (NCD), Experimental Therapeutics (IF, SS, WP), and Pathology (AJL), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Departments of Radiology (EMR) and Molecular & Human Genetics (RLM), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Pediatric-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital. Houston, TX (ASB); Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX (AGM)
| | - Aung Naing
- Departments of Sarcoma Medical Oncology (SELC, BAM, VR, RSB, RR, JAL), Hematopathology (DV, HMA), Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (YW, JW), Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (AN, VS), Pediatrics-Patient Care (NCD), Experimental Therapeutics (IF, SS, WP), and Pathology (AJL), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Departments of Radiology (EMR) and Molecular & Human Genetics (RLM), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Pediatric-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital. Houston, TX (ASB); Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX (AGM)
| | - Alexander J Lazar
- Departments of Sarcoma Medical Oncology (SELC, BAM, VR, RSB, RR, JAL), Hematopathology (DV, HMA), Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (YW, JW), Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (AN, VS), Pediatrics-Patient Care (NCD), Experimental Therapeutics (IF, SS, WP), and Pathology (AJL), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Departments of Radiology (EMR) and Molecular & Human Genetics (RLM), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Pediatric-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital. Houston, TX (ASB); Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX (AGM)
| | - Eric M Rohren
- Departments of Sarcoma Medical Oncology (SELC, BAM, VR, RSB, RR, JAL), Hematopathology (DV, HMA), Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (YW, JW), Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (AN, VS), Pediatrics-Patient Care (NCD), Experimental Therapeutics (IF, SS, WP), and Pathology (AJL), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Departments of Radiology (EMR) and Molecular & Human Genetics (RLM), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Pediatric-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital. Houston, TX (ASB); Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX (AGM)
| | - Najat C Daw
- Departments of Sarcoma Medical Oncology (SELC, BAM, VR, RSB, RR, JAL), Hematopathology (DV, HMA), Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (YW, JW), Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (AN, VS), Pediatrics-Patient Care (NCD), Experimental Therapeutics (IF, SS, WP), and Pathology (AJL), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Departments of Radiology (EMR) and Molecular & Human Genetics (RLM), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Pediatric-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital. Houston, TX (ASB); Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX (AGM)
| | - Vivek Subbiah
- Departments of Sarcoma Medical Oncology (SELC, BAM, VR, RSB, RR, JAL), Hematopathology (DV, HMA), Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (YW, JW), Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (AN, VS), Pediatrics-Patient Care (NCD), Experimental Therapeutics (IF, SS, WP), and Pathology (AJL), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Departments of Radiology (EMR) and Molecular & Human Genetics (RLM), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Pediatric-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital. Houston, TX (ASB); Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX (AGM)
| | - Robert S Benjamin
- Departments of Sarcoma Medical Oncology (SELC, BAM, VR, RSB, RR, JAL), Hematopathology (DV, HMA), Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (YW, JW), Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (AN, VS), Pediatrics-Patient Care (NCD), Experimental Therapeutics (IF, SS, WP), and Pathology (AJL), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Departments of Radiology (EMR) and Molecular & Human Genetics (RLM), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Pediatric-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital. Houston, TX (ASB); Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX (AGM)
| | - Ravin Ratan
- Departments of Sarcoma Medical Oncology (SELC, BAM, VR, RSB, RR, JAL), Hematopathology (DV, HMA), Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (YW, JW), Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (AN, VS), Pediatrics-Patient Care (NCD), Experimental Therapeutics (IF, SS, WP), and Pathology (AJL), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Departments of Radiology (EMR) and Molecular & Human Genetics (RLM), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Pediatric-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital. Houston, TX (ASB); Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX (AGM)
| | - Waldemar Priebe
- Departments of Sarcoma Medical Oncology (SELC, BAM, VR, RSB, RR, JAL), Hematopathology (DV, HMA), Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (YW, JW), Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (AN, VS), Pediatrics-Patient Care (NCD), Experimental Therapeutics (IF, SS, WP), and Pathology (AJL), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Departments of Radiology (EMR) and Molecular & Human Genetics (RLM), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Pediatric-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital. Houston, TX (ASB); Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX (AGM)
| | - Antonios G Mikos
- Departments of Sarcoma Medical Oncology (SELC, BAM, VR, RSB, RR, JAL), Hematopathology (DV, HMA), Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (YW, JW), Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (AN, VS), Pediatrics-Patient Care (NCD), Experimental Therapeutics (IF, SS, WP), and Pathology (AJL), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Departments of Radiology (EMR) and Molecular & Human Genetics (RLM), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Pediatric-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital. Houston, TX (ASB); Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX (AGM)
| | - Hesham M Amin
- Departments of Sarcoma Medical Oncology (SELC, BAM, VR, RSB, RR, JAL), Hematopathology (DV, HMA), Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (YW, JW), Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (AN, VS), Pediatrics-Patient Care (NCD), Experimental Therapeutics (IF, SS, WP), and Pathology (AJL), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Departments of Radiology (EMR) and Molecular & Human Genetics (RLM), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Pediatric-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital. Houston, TX (ASB); Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX (AGM)
| | - Joseph A Ludwig
- Departments of Sarcoma Medical Oncology (SELC, BAM, VR, RSB, RR, JAL), Hematopathology (DV, HMA), Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (YW, JW), Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (AN, VS), Pediatrics-Patient Care (NCD), Experimental Therapeutics (IF, SS, WP), and Pathology (AJL), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Departments of Radiology (EMR) and Molecular & Human Genetics (RLM), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Pediatric-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital. Houston, TX (ASB); Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX (AGM)
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Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive, poorly differentiated neoplasm of solid bone that disproportionally afflicts the young. Despite intensive multi-modal therapy and valiant efforts, 70% of patients with relapsed and metastatic Ewing sarcoma will succumb to their disease. The persistent failure to improve overall survival for this subset of patients highlights the urgent need for rapid translation of novel therapeutic strategies. As Ewing sarcoma is associated with a paucity of mutations in readily targetable signal transduction pathways, targeting the key genetic aberration and master regulator of Ewing sarcoma, the EWS/ETS fusion, remains an important goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen I Pishas
- Cancer Therapeutics Laboratory, Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Discipline of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Stephen L Lessnick
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA; Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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33
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Vornicova O, Bar-Sela G. Investigational therapies for Ewing sarcoma: a search without a clear finding. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2016; 25:679-86. [PMID: 26988130 DOI: 10.1517/13543784.2016.1168398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ewing sarcoma family tumors (ESFT) are a group of aggressive diseases, characterized histologically by small, round, blue cells and genetically by translocation involving EWS and ETS partner genes. The current treatment of localized Ewing sarcoma (ES) requires a multi-disciplinary approach, including multidrug chemotherapy, administrated before and after local treatment, surgery and radiation therapy. Unfortunately, the cure rate of metastatic or refractory/recurrent disease is still very poor. AREAS COVERED In this review, the authors summarize the new types of therapy and strategies aimed to improve the prognosis or cure ES. Herein, the authors discuss several preclinical and phase I-II studies with new-targeted therapies. The most studied therapies are insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF1R) inhibitors but have limited efficacy. Other strategies include Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) Inhibition, poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibition, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibition, tyrosine kinase inhibitors and telomerase inhibitors, all with limited effectiveness. EXPERT OPINION Future treatment strategies should combine one or more targeted therapies with conventional chemotherapy. Some combined modality treatments are under clinical study. However, treatment breakthroughs are still needed to improve the relatively poor prognosis of recurrent/metastatic ESFT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Vornicova
- a Division of Oncology, Rambam Health Care Campus and Faculty of Medicine , Technion-Israel Institute of Technology , Haifa , Israel
| | - Gil Bar-Sela
- a Division of Oncology, Rambam Health Care Campus and Faculty of Medicine , Technion-Israel Institute of Technology , Haifa , Israel
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