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Dhamdhere MR, Spiegelman VS. Extracellular vesicles in neuroblastoma: role in progression, resistance to therapy and diagnostics. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1385875. [PMID: 38660306 PMCID: PMC11041043 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1385875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid pediatric cancer, and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in children. Despite the current multi-modal treatment regimens, majority of patients with advanced-stage NBs develop therapeutic resistance and relapse, leading to poor disease outcomes. There is a large body of knowledge on pathophysiological role of small extracellular vesicles (EVs) in progression and metastasis of multiple cancer types, however, the importance of EVs in NB was until recently not well understood. Studies emerging in the last few years have demonstrated the involvement of EVs in various aspects of NB pathogenesis. In this review we summarize these recent findings and advances on the role EVs play in NB progression, such as tumor growth, metastasis and therapeutic resistance, that could be helpful for future investigations in NB EV research. We also discuss different strategies for therapeutic targeting of NB-EVs as well as utilization of NB-EVs as potential biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vladimir S. Spiegelman
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
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2
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Epp S, Chuah SM, Halasz M. Epigenetic Dysregulation in MYCN-Amplified Neuroblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17085. [PMID: 38069407 PMCID: PMC10707345 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB), a childhood cancer arising from the neural crest, poses significant clinical challenges, particularly in cases featuring amplification of the MYCN oncogene. Epigenetic factors play a pivotal role in normal neural crest and NB development, influencing gene expression patterns critical for tumorigenesis. This review delves into the multifaceted interplay between MYCN and known epigenetic modifications during NB genesis, shedding light on the intricate regulatory networks underlying the disease. We provide an extensive survey of known epigenetic mechanisms, encompassing DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNAs, super-enhancers (SEs), bromodomains (BET), and chromatin modifiers in MYCN-amplified (MNA) NB. These epigenetic changes collectively contribute to the dysregulated gene expression landscape observed in MNA NB. Furthermore, we review emerging therapeutic strategies targeting epigenetic regulators, including histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), histone methyltransferase inhibitors (HMTi), and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi). We also discuss and summarize current drugs in preclinical and clinical trials, offering insights into their potential for improving outcomes for MNA NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraya Epp
- Systems Biology Ireland, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (S.E.)
| | - Shin Mei Chuah
- Systems Biology Ireland, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (S.E.)
| | - Melinda Halasz
- Systems Biology Ireland, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (S.E.)
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
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3
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Anoushirvani AA, Jafarian Yazdi A, Amirabadi S, Asouri SA, Shafabakhsh R, Sheida A, Hosseini Khabr MS, Jafari A, Tamehri Zadeh SS, Hamblin MR, Kalantari L, Talaei Zavareh SA, Mirzaei H. Role of non-coding RNAs in neuroblastoma. Cancer Gene Ther 2023; 30:1190-1208. [PMID: 37217790 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-023-00623-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is known as the most prevalent extracranial malignancy in childhood with a neural crest origin. It has been widely accepted that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play important roles in many types of cancer, including glioma and gastrointestinal cancers. They may regulate the cancer gene network. According to recent sequencing and profiling studies, ncRNAs genes are deregulated in human cancers via deletion, amplification, abnormal epigenetic, or transcriptional regulation. Disturbances in the expression of ncRNAs may act either as oncogenes or as anti-tumor suppressor genes, and can lead to the induction of cancer hallmarks. ncRNAs can be secreted from tumor cells inside exosomes, where they can be transferred to other cells to affect their function. However, these topics still need more study to clarify their exact roles, so the present review addresses different roles and functions of ncRNAs in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Arash Anoushirvani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Firoozgar Hospital, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Sanaz Amirabadi
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sahar Ahmadi Asouri
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University, Kashan, Iran
| | - Rana Shafabakhsh
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University, Kashan, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Sheida
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Maryam Sadat Hosseini Khabr
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Ameneh Jafari
- ATMP Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, P.O. BOX: 15179/64311, Tehran, Iran
- Proteomics Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Michael R Hamblin
- Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Science, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, South Africa
| | - Leila Kalantari
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
| | | | - Hamed Mirzaei
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University, Kashan, Iran.
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Altun Z, Yuan H, Baran B, Aktaş S, Sönmez EE, Küçük C, Olgun N. Whole-exome sequencing reveals genetic variants in low-risk and high-risk neuroblastoma. Gene 2023; 860:147233. [PMID: 36736507 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the genetic aberrations in neuroblastoma (NB) by comparing high and low-risk NB patients by whole-exome sequencing (WES) and to reveal the heterogeneity and association between somatic variants and clinical features. Seven NB patients with available clinical data were included in the study (4 in the low-risk group and 3 in the high-risk group). WES was performed and somatic variants associated with NB genes in the COSMIC database were selected through bioinformatics pipeline analysis. Variants were determined using the Integrative Genomics Viewer (IGV). Some gene variations were found in both groups, including variations in oncogene and tumor suppressor genes. In general, candidate gene variations were associated with chromatin remodeling complexes, the RAS pathway, cell proliferation, and DNA repair mechanism. Some variations in CSF1R, MSH6, PTPN11, SOX9, RET, TSC1, and DNMT1 genes were detected only in high-risk patients, while EP300, TET2, MYCN, PRDM1, and ARID2 gene variations were detected only in low-risk patients. When high-risk gene variants were compared with the cBioportal cancer genomic database, two common gene variants (ARID1A and NCOR2) were identified. However, when low-risk gene variants were compared with the cBioportal cancer genomic database, no common genes were found. GO/KEGG enrichment analysis was performed to find relevant biological processes and molecular pathways related to gene variants, which will help to decipher the molecular mechanisms of NB tumorigenesis and the phenotypic differences between high-risk and low-risk patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zekiye Altun
- Department of Basic Oncology, Institute of Oncology, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Turkey.
| | - Hongling Yuan
- Department of Basic Oncology, Institute of Oncology, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Burçin Baran
- Department of Basic Oncology, Institute of Oncology, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Safiye Aktaş
- Department of Basic Oncology, Institute of Oncology, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Esra Esmeray Sönmez
- İzmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, İzmir, Turkey; İzmir Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Can Küçük
- İzmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, İzmir, Turkey; İzmir Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Turkey; Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Nur Olgun
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Institute of Oncology, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Turkey
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5
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Zhang Y, Chen M, Huang D, Gu H, Yi Y, Meng X. Correlation between ARID1B gene mutation (p.A460, p.V215G) and prognosis of high-risk refractory neuroblastoma. Cell Biol Int 2023. [PMID: 36883912 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.12013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
In a few reports, ARID1B/A mutation was found in neuroblastoma. We analyzed the clinical characteristics, clinical efficacy, and prognosis of three children with high-risk refractory neuroblastoma (NB) with somatic ARID1B gene mutation. The whole exon sequencing results showed that there were involved in transcription, DNA synthesis, and repair of ARID1B gene mutations. All mutation sites were located in the promoter region of the exon: ARID1B (p.A460) mutation was found in cases 1 and 2, and ARID1B (p.V215G) mutation was found in cases 1 and 3. The nucleic acid site of ARID1B (p.A460) mutation was c.1379 (exon1) C > G, and the nucleic acid site of ARID1B (p.V215G) mutation was c.644 (exon1) T > G. The meningeal metastasis in case 1 turned negative after 4 cycles of intrathecal injection combined with chemotherapy. However, the child died of agranulocytosis combined with sepsis during the 5th cycle of chemotherapy. Case 2 achieved complete remission (CR). Case 3 achieved CR after chemotherapy, surgery, metaiodobenzylguanidine, and 3F-8 (Naxitamab) immunotherapy after the initial diagnosis. The mediastinum and lymph node metastasis occurred during the 6-month observation period after stopping treatment. He achieved very good partial remission after individualized chemotherapy and surgical treatment. ARID1B is a component protein of the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complex that participates in the occurrence of a variety of tumors by regulating DNA repair and synthesis. ARID1B nucleic acid mutation (p.A460, p.V215G) in the promoter region of three children may contribute to the poor prognosis of NB children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Moyi Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Dongsheng Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Huali Gu
- Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - You Yi
- Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xue Meng
- Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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6
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Zhou X, Wang X, Li N, Guo Y, Yang X, Lei Y. Therapy resistance in neuroblastoma: Mechanisms and reversal strategies. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1114295. [PMID: 36874032 PMCID: PMC9978534 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1114295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is one of the most common pediatric solid tumors that threaten the health of children, accounting for about 15% of childhood cancer-related mortality in the United States. Currently, multiple therapies have been developed and applied in clinic to treat neuroblastoma including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. However, the resistance to therapies is inevitable following long-term treatment, leading to treatment failure and cancer relapse. Hence, to understand the mechanisms of therapy resistance and discover reversal strategies have become an urgent task. Recent studies have demonstrated numerous genetic alterations and dysfunctional pathways related to neuroblastoma resistance. These molecular signatures may be potential targets to combat refractory neuroblastoma. A number of novel interventions for neuroblastoma patients have been developed based on these targets. In this review, we focus on the complicated mechanisms of therapy resistance and the potential targets such as ATP-binding cassette transporters, long non-coding RNAs, microRNAs, autophagy, cancer stem cells, and extracellular vesicles. On this basis, we summarized recent studies on the reversal strategies to overcome therapy resistance of neuroblastoma such as targeting ATP-binding cassette transporters, MYCN gene, cancer stem cells, hypoxia, and autophagy. This review aims to provide novel insight in how to improve the therapy efficacy against resistant neuroblastoma, which may shed light on the future directions that would enhance the treatment outcomes and prolong the survival of patients with neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Zhou
- Shenzhen Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaokang Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Natural Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China.,The Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Guangdong Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Nan Li
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Guo
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaolin Yang
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuhe Lei
- Shenzhen Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
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Akita N, Okada R, Mukae K, Sugino RP, Takenobu H, Chikaraishi K, Ochiai H, Yamaguchi Y, Ohira M, Koseki H, Kamijo T. Polycomb group protein BMI1 protects neuroblastoma cells against DNA damage-induced apoptotic cell death. Exp Cell Res 2023; 422:113412. [PMID: 36370852 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2022.113412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The overexpression of BMI1, a polycomb protein, correlates with cancer development and aggressiveness. We previously reported that MYCN-induced BMI1 positively regulated neuroblastoma (NB) cell proliferation via the transcriptional inhibition of tumor suppressors in NB cells. To assess the potential of BMI1 as a new target for NB therapy, we examined the effects of reductions in BMI1 on NB cells. BMI1 knockdown (KD) in NB cells significantly induced their differentiation for up to 7 days. BMI1 depletion significantly induced apoptotic NB cell death for up to 14 days along with the activation of p53, increases in p73, and induction of p53 family downstream molecules and pathways, even in p53 mutant cells. BMI1 depletion in vivo markedly suppressed NB xenograft tumor growth. BMI1 reductions activated ATM and increased γ-H2AX in NB cells. These DNA damage signals and apoptotic cell death were not canceled by the transduction of the polycomb group molecules EZH2 and RING1B. Furthermore, EZH2 and RING1B KD did not induce apoptotic NB cell death to the same extent as BMI1 KD. Collectively, these results suggest the potential of BMI1 as a target of molecular therapy for NB and confirmed, for the first time, the shared role of PcG proteins in the DNA damage response of NB cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuhiro Akita
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Medical Center, Japanese Red Cross Aichi Medical Center Nagoya First Hospital, Japan; Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Chiba University School of Medicine, Japan; Research Institute for Clinical Oncology, Saitama Cancer Center, Japan
| | - Ryu Okada
- Research Institute for Clinical Oncology, Saitama Cancer Center, Japan; Department of Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Japan
| | - Kyosuke Mukae
- Research Institute for Clinical Oncology, Saitama Cancer Center, Japan
| | - Ryuichi P Sugino
- Research Institute for Clinical Oncology, Saitama Cancer Center, Japan
| | - Hisanori Takenobu
- Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute, Japan; Research Institute for Clinical Oncology, Saitama Cancer Center, Japan.
| | - Koji Chikaraishi
- Department of Pediatrics, Chiba University School of Medicine, Japan; Research Institute for Clinical Oncology, Saitama Cancer Center, Japan
| | - Hidemasa Ochiai
- Department of Pediatrics, Chiba University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Yohko Yamaguchi
- Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute, Japan; Department of Molecular Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, Japan
| | - Miki Ohira
- Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute, Japan; Research Institute for Clinical Oncology, Saitama Cancer Center, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Koseki
- Developmental Genetics Group, RIKEN Research Center for Allergy and Immunology, Japan
| | - Takehiko Kamijo
- Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute, Japan; Research Institute for Clinical Oncology, Saitama Cancer Center, Japan; Department of Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Japan.
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Cao L, Liu Q, Ma Y, Shao F, Zhao Z, Deng X, Zhou J, Wang S. Expression of ADRB2 in children with neuroblastoma and its influence on prognosis. Front Surg 2022; 9:1026156. [DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2022.1026156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectiveNeuroblastoma (NB), originating from sympathetic spinal tissue, is a serious threat to the life of children. Especially in the high-risk group, an overall five-year survival rate less than 50% indicates an extremely poor clinical outcome. Here, the expression the of β-2 adrenergic (ADRB2) receptor gene in tumor tissues of children with NB was detected and the correlation between its expression and clinical characteristics and prognosis was analyzed.MethodsForty-five tumor tissue samples and forty-eight paraffin sections of NB were obtained from Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from 2015 to 2021. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT–qPCR) was utilized to detect the expression of ADRB2 at the mRNA level and immunohistochemistry (IHC) at the protein level.ResultsFor the RT–qPCR, the analysis showed that the expression of ADRB2 in the high-risk group was significantly lower (P = 0.0003); in addition, there were also statistically significant differences in Shimada classification (P = 0.0025) and N-MYC amplification (P = 0.0011). Survival prognosis analysis showed that the prognosis was better with high ADRB2 expression (P = 0.0125), and the ROC curve showed that ADRB2 has a certain accuracy in predicting prognosis (AUC = 0.707, CI: 0.530–0.884). Moreover, the expression of ADRB2, N-MYC amplification and bone marrow metastasis were the factors that independently affected prognosis, and at the protein level, the results showed that the differential expression of ADRB2 was conspicuous in risk (P = 0.0041), Shimada classification (P = 0.0220) and N-MYC amplification (P = 0.0166). In addition, Kaplan–Meier curves showed that the prognosis in the group with high expression of ADRB2 was better (P = 0.0287), and the ROC curve showed that the score of ADRB2 had poor accuracy in predicting prognosis (AUC = 0.662, CI: 0.505–0.820).ConclusionADRB2 is a protective potential biomarker and is expected to become a new prognostic biomolecular marker of NB.
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Bartolucci D, Montemurro L, Raieli S, Lampis S, Pession A, Hrelia P, Tonelli R. MYCN Impact on High-Risk Neuroblastoma: From Diagnosis and Prognosis to Targeted Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4421. [PMID: 36139583 PMCID: PMC9496712 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Among childhood cancers, neuroblastoma is the most diffuse solid tumor and the deadliest in children. While to date, the pathology has become progressively manageable with a significant increase in 5-year survival for its less aggressive form, high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NB) remains a major issue with poor outcome and little survivability of patients. The staging system has also been improved to better fit patient needs and to administer therapies in a more focused manner in consideration of pathology features. New and improved therapies have been developed; nevertheless, low efficacy and high toxicity remain a staple feature of current high-risk neuroblastoma treatment. For this reason, more specific procedures are required, and new therapeutic targets are also needed for a precise medicine approach. In this scenario, MYCN is certainly one of the most interesting targets. Indeed, MYCN is one of the most relevant hallmarks of HR-NB, and many studies has been carried out in recent years to discover potent and specific inhibitors to block its activities and any related oncogenic function. N-Myc protein has been considered an undruggable target for a long time. Thus, many new indirect and direct approaches have been discovered and preclinically evaluated for the interaction with MYCN and its pathways; a few of the most promising approaches are nearing clinical application for the investigation in HR-NB.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luca Montemurro
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Unit, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | - Andrea Pession
- Pediatric Unit, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Patrizia Hrelia
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Tonelli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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Perri P, Ponzoni M, Corrias MV, Ceccherini I, Candiani S, Bachetti T. A Focus on Regulatory Networks Linking MicroRNAs, Transcription Factors and Target Genes in Neuroblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5528. [PMID: 34771690 PMCID: PMC8582685 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a tumor of the peripheral sympathetic nervous system that substantially contributes to childhood cancer mortality. NB originates from neural crest cells (NCCs) undergoing a defective sympathetic neuronal differentiation and although the starting events leading to the development of NB remain to be fully elucidated, the master role of genetic alterations in key oncogenes has been ascertained: (1) amplification and/or over-expression of MYCN, which is strongly associated with tumor progression and invasion; (2) activating mutations, amplification and/or over-expression of ALK, which is involved in tumor initiation, angiogenesis and invasion; (3) amplification and/or over-expression of LIN28B, promoting proliferation and suppression of neuroblast differentiation; (4) mutations and/or over-expression of PHOX2B, which is involved in the regulation of NB differentiation, stemness maintenance, migration and metastasis. Moreover, altered microRNA (miRNA) expression takes part in generating pathogenetic networks, in which the regulatory loops among transcription factors, miRNAs and target genes lead to complex and aberrant oncogene expression that underlies the development of a tumor. In this review, we have focused on the circuitry linking the oncogenic transcription factors MYCN and PHOX2B with their transcriptional targets ALK and LIN28B and the tumor suppressor microRNAs let-7, miR-34 and miR-204, which should act as down-regulators of their expression. We have also looked at the physiologic role of these genetic and epigenetic determinants in NC development, as well as in terminal differentiation, with their pathogenic dysregulation leading to NB oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Perri
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (M.P.); (M.V.C.)
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (M.P.); (M.V.C.)
| | - Maria Valeria Corrias
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (M.P.); (M.V.C.)
| | - Isabella Ceccherini
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics of Rare Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Simona Candiani
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Tiziana Bachetti
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics of Rare Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy;
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
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11
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Ashok G, Miryala SK, Anbarasu A, Ramaiah S. Integrated systems biology approach using gene network analysis to identify the important pathways and new potential drug targets for Neuroblastoma. GENE REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2021.101101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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12
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Misiak D, Hagemann S, Bell JL, Busch B, Lederer M, Bley N, Schulte JH, Hüttelmaier S. The MicroRNA Landscape of MYCN-Amplified Neuroblastoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:647737. [PMID: 34026620 PMCID: PMC8138323 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.647737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
MYCN gene amplification and upregulated expression are major hallmarks in the progression of high-risk neuroblastoma. MYCN expression and function in modulating gene synthesis in neuroblastoma is controlled at virtually every level, including poorly understood regulation at the post-transcriptional level. MYCN modulates the expression of various microRNAs including the miR-17-92 cluster. MYCN mRNA expression itself is subjected to the control by miRNAs, most prominently the miR-17-92 cluster that balances MYCN expression by feed-back regulation. This homeostasis seems disturbed in neuroblastoma where MYCN upregulation coincides with severely increased expression of the miR-17-92 cluster. In the presented study, we applied high-throughput next generation sequencing to unravel the miRNome in a cohort of 97 neuroblastomas, representing all clinical stages. Aiming to reveal the MYCN-dependent miRNome, we evaluate miRNA expression in MYCN-amplified as well as none amplified tumor samples. In correlation with survival data analysis of differentially expressed miRNAs, we present various putative oncogenic as well as tumor suppressive miRNAs in neuroblastoma. Using microRNA trapping by RNA affinity purification, we provide a comprehensive view of MYCN-regulatory miRNAs in neuroblastoma-derived cells, confirming a pivotal role of the miR-17-92 cluster and moderate association by the let-7 miRNA family. Attempting to decipher how MYCN expression escapes elevated expression of inhibitory miRNAs, we present evidence that RNA-binding proteins like the IGF2 mRNA binding protein 1 reduce miRNA-directed downregulation of MYCN in neuroblastoma. Our findings emphasize the potency of post-transcriptional regulation of MYCN in neuroblastoma and unravel new avenues to pursue inhibition of this potent oncogene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danny Misiak
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Sven Hagemann
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Jessica L. Bell
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Bianca Busch
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Marcell Lederer
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Nadine Bley
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Johannes H. Schulte
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Partner Site Charité Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Hüttelmaier
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
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13
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Baldini F, Calderoni M, Vergani L, Modesto P, Florio T, Pagano A. An Overview of Long Non-Coding (lnc)RNAs in Neuroblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22084234. [PMID: 33921816 PMCID: PMC8072620 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a heterogeneous developmental tumor occurring in childhood, which arises from the embryonic sympathoadrenal cells of the neural crest. Although the recent progress that has been done on this tumor, the mechanisms involved in NB are still partially unknown. Despite some genetic aberrations having been identified, the sporadic cases represent the majority. Due to its wide heterogeneity in clinical behavior and etiology, NB represents a challenge in terms of prevention and treatment. Since a definitive therapy is lacking so far, there is an urgent necessity to unveil the molecular mechanisms behind NB onset and progression to develop new therapeutic approaches. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of RNAs longer than 200 nucleotides. Whether lncRNAs are destined to become a protein or not, they exert multiple biological functions such as regulating gene expression and functions. In recent decades, different research has highlighted the possible role of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of many diseases, including cancer. Moreover, lncRNAs may represent potential markers or targets for diagnosis and treatment of diseases. This mini-review aimed to briefly summarize the most recent findings on the involvement of some lncRNAs in NB disease by focusing on their mechanisms of action and possible role in unveiling NB onset and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Baldini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (F.B.); (M.C.)
| | - Matilde Calderoni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (F.B.); (M.C.)
| | - Laura Vergani
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences DISTAV, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy;
| | - Paola Modesto
- National Reference Center for Veterinary and Comparative Oncology-Veterinary Medical Research Institute for Piemonte, Liguria and Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy;
| | - Tullio Florio
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy;
- Department of Internal Medicine (DIMI), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Aldo Pagano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (F.B.); (M.C.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-010-5558213
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14
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Chen W, Hao X, Yang B, Zhang Y, Sun L, Hua Y, Yang L, Yu J, Zhao J, Hou L, Lu H. MYCN‑amplified neuroblastoma cell‑derived exosomal miR‑17‑5p promotes proliferation and migration of non‑MYCN amplified cells. Mol Med Rep 2021; 23:245. [PMID: 33537818 PMCID: PMC7893779 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.11884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is considered a highly prevalent extracranial solid tumor in young children, and the upregulation of N‑myc proto‑oncogene (MYCN) is closely associated with the late stages of NB and poor prognostic outcomes. The current study was designed to evaluate the effects of exosomal microRNA (miRNA/miR)‑17‑5p from MYCN‑amplified NB cells on the proliferative and migratory potential of non‑MYCN amplified NB cells. miR‑17‑5p was found to activate the PI3K/Akt signaling cascade by targeting PTEN, and the overexpression of miR‑17‑5p was found to promote cellular migration and proliferation in vitro. Further experimentation revealed that the elevated expression of miR‑17‑5p in SK‑N‑BE(2) cell‑derived exosomes significantly promoted the proliferative and migratory capacities of SH‑SY5Y cells by inhibiting PTEN. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that miR‑17‑5p derived from MYCN‑amplified NB cell exosomes promoted the migration and proliferation of non‑MYCN amplified cells, highlighting an exosome‑associated malignant role for miR‑17‑5p.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiming Chen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| | - Xiwei Hao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| | - Binyi Yang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| | - Yuezhen Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| | - Lingyun Sun
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| | - Yanan Hua
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Basic Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, P.R. China
| | - Li Yang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| | - Jiabin Yu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| | - Lin Hou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Basic Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, P.R. China
| | - Hongting Lu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong 266034, P.R. China
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15
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Tu R, Chen Z, Bao Q, Liu H, Qing G. Crosstalk between oncogenic MYC and noncoding RNAs in cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 75:62-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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16
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Maeshima R, Moulding D, Stoker AW, Hart SL. MYCN Silencing by RNAi Induces Neurogenesis and Suppresses Proliferation in Models of Neuroblastoma with Resistance to Retinoic Acid. Nucleic Acid Ther 2020; 30:237-248. [PMID: 32240058 PMCID: PMC7415885 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2019.0831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common solid tumor in childhood. Twenty percent of patients display MYCN amplification, which indicates a very poor prognosis. MYCN is a highly specific target for an NB tumor therapy as MYCN expression is absent or very low in most normal cells, while, as a transcription factor, it regulates many essential cell activities in tumor cells. We aim to develop a therapy for NB based on MYCN silencing by short interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules, which can silence target genes by RNA interference (RNAi), a naturally occurring method of gene silencing. It has been shown previously that MYCN silencing can induce apoptosis and differentiation in MYCN amplified NB. In this article, we have demonstrated that siRNA-mediated silencing of MYCN in MYCN-amplified NB cells induced neurogenesis in NB cells, whereas retinoic acid (RA) treatment did not. RA can differentiate NB cells and is used for treatment of residual disease after surgery or chemotherapy, but resistance can develop. In addition, MYCN siRNA treatment suppressed growth in a MYCN-amplified NB cell line more than that by RA. Our result suggests that gene therapy using RNAi targeting MYCN can be a novel therapy toward MYCN-amplified NB that have complete or partial resistance toward RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruhina Maeshima
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dale Moulding
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew W. Stoker
- Developmental Biology & Cancer Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen L. Hart
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
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17
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Di Paolo D, Pastorino F, Brignole C, Corrias MV, Emionite L, Cilli M, Tamma R, Priddy L, Amaro A, Ferrari D, Marotta R, Ferretti E, Pfeffer U, Ribatti D, Sementa AR, Brown D, Ikegaki N, Shimada H, Ponzoni M, Perri P. Combined Replenishment of miR-34a and let-7b by Targeted Nanoparticles Inhibits Tumor Growth in Neuroblastoma Preclinical Models. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e1906426. [PMID: 32323486 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201906426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) tumor substantially contributes to childhood cancer mortality. The design of novel drugs targeted to specific molecular alterations becomes mandatory, especially for high-risk patients burdened by chemoresistant relapse. The dysregulated expression of MYCN, ALK, and LIN28B and the diminished levels of miR-34a and let-7b are oncogenic in NB. Due to the ability of miRNA-mimics to recover the tumor suppression functions of miRNAs underexpressed into cancer cells, safe and efficient nanocarriers selectively targeted to NB cells and tested in clinically relevant mouse models are developed. The technology exploits the nucleic acids negative charges to build coated-cationic liposomes, then functionalized with antibodies against GD2 receptor. The replenishment of miR-34a and let-7b by NB-targeted nanoparticles, individually and more powerfully in combination, significantly reduces cell division, proliferation, neoangiogenesis, tumor growth and burden, and induces apoptosis in orthotopic xenografts and improves mice survival in pseudometastatic models. These functional effects highlight a cooperative down-modulation of MYCN and its down-stream targets, ALK and LIN28B, exerted by miR-34a and let-7b that reactivate regulatory networks leading to a favorable therapeutic response. These findings demonstrate a promising therapeutic efficacy of miR-34a and let-7b combined replacement and support its clinical application as adjuvant therapy for high-risk NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Di Paolo
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, 16147, Italy
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, 16147, Italy
| | - Chiara Brignole
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, 16147, Italy
| | - Maria Valeria Corrias
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, 16147, Italy
| | - Laura Emionite
- Animal Facility, IRCSS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Michele Cilli
- Animal Facility, IRCSS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Roberto Tamma
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, 70124, Italy
| | - Leslie Priddy
- Mirna Therapeutics, Inc. 2150 Woodward Street, Suite 100, Austin, TX, 78744, USA
| | - Adriana Amaro
- Tumor Epigenetic Unit, IRCSS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Davide Ferrari
- TIB MOLBIOL S.r.l., Advanced Biotechnology Center, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Roberto Marotta
- Electron Microscopy Facility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa, 16163, Italy
| | - Elisa Ferretti
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, 16147, Italy
| | - Ulrich Pfeffer
- Tumor Epigenetic Unit, IRCSS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Domenico Ribatti
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, 70124, Italy
| | - Angela Rita Sementa
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, Genoa, 16147, Italy
| | - David Brown
- Mirna Therapeutics, Inc. 2150 Woodward Street, Suite 100, Austin, TX, 78744, USA
| | - Naohiko Ikegaki
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Hiroyuki Shimada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, Genoa, 16147, Italy
| | - Patrizia Perri
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, Genoa, 16147, Italy
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18
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Aravindan N, Subramanian K, Somasundaram DB, Herman TS, Aravindan S. MicroRNAs in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis, therapy resistance, and disease evolution. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2019; 2:1086-1105. [PMID: 31867575 PMCID: PMC6924638 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2019.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) deriving from neural crest cells is the most common extra-cranial solid cancer at infancy. NB originates within the peripheral sympathetic ganglia in adrenal medulla and along the midline of the body. Clinically, NB exhibits significant heterogeneity stretching from spontaneous regression to rapid progression to therapy resistance. MicroRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) are small (19-22 nt in length) non-coding RNAs that regulate human gene expression at the post-transcriptional level and are known to regulate cellular signaling, growth, differentiation, death, stemness, and maintenance. Consequently, the function of miRs in tumorigenesis, progression and resistance is of utmost importance for the understanding of dysfunctional cellular pathways that lead to disease evolution, therapy resistance, and poor clinical outcomes. Over the last two decades, much attention has been devoted to understanding the functional roles of miRs in NB biology. This review focuses on highlighting the important implications of miRs within the context of NB disease progression, particularly miRs’ influences on NB disease evolution and therapy resistance. In this review, we discuss the functions of both the “oncomiRs” and “tumor suppressor miRs” in NB progression/therapy resistance. These are the critical components to be considered during the development of novel miR-based therapeutic strategies to counter therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natarajan Aravindan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Karthikeyan Subramanian
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Dinesh Babu Somasundaram
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Terence S Herman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
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19
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Prajapati B, Fatma M, Fatima M, Khan MT, Sinha S, Seth PK. Identification of lncRNAs Associated With Neuroblastoma in Cross-Sectional Databases: Potential Biomarkers. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:293. [PMID: 31920530 PMCID: PMC6920248 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as an important regulatory control in biological systems. Though the field of lncRNA has been progressing rapidly, a complete understanding of the role of lncRNAs in neuroblastoma pathogenesis is still lacking. To identify the abrogated lncRNAs in primary neuroblastoma and in the metastasized as well as the relapsed form of neuroblastoma, we analyzed an RNA-seq dataset on neuroblastoma that is available online to identify the lncRNAs that could potentially be contributing to the biology of neuroblastoma. The identified lncRNAs were further scrutinized using a publicly available epigenetic dataset of neuroblastoma and a cancer database. After this cross-sectional study, we were able to identify three significant lncRNAs, CASC15, PPP1R26-AS1, and USP3-AS1, which could serve as potential biomarkers in clinical studies of neuroblastoma pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mena Fatma
- National Brain Research Centre, Gurgaon, India
| | | | | | - Subrata Sinha
- National Brain Research Centre, Gurgaon, India.,Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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20
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Chava S, Reynolds CP, Pathania AS, Gorantla S, Poluektova LY, Coulter DW, Gupta SC, Pandey MK, Challagundla KB. miR-15a-5p, miR-15b-5p, and miR-16-5p inhibit tumor progression by directly targeting MYCN in neuroblastoma. Mol Oncol 2019; 14:180-196. [PMID: 31637848 PMCID: PMC6944109 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid malignancy in children. Despite current aggressive treatment regimens, the prognosis for high-risk NB patients remains poor, with the survival of less than 40%. Amplification/stabilization of MYCN oncogene, in NB is associated with a high risk of recurrence. Thus, there is an urgent need for novel therapeutics. The deregulated expression of microRNA (miR) is reported in NB; nonetheless, its effect on MYCN regulation is poorly understood. First, we identified that miR-15a-5p, miR-15b-5p, and miR-16-5p (hereafter miR-15a, miR-15b or miR-16) were down-regulated in patient-derived xenografts (PDX) with high MYCN expression. MiR targeting sequences on MYCN mRNA were predicted using online databases such as TargetScan and miR database. The R2 database, containing 105 NB patients, showed an inverse correlation between MYCN mRNA and deleted in lymphocytic leukemia (DLEU) 2, a host gene of miR-15. Moreover, overexpression of miR-15a, miR-15b or miR-16 significantly reduced the levels of MYCN mRNA and N-Myc protein. Conversely, inhibiting miR dramatically enhanced MYCN mRNA and N-Myc protein levels, as well as increasing mRNA half-life in NB cells. By performing immunoprecipitation assays of argonaute-2 (Ago2), a core component of the RNA-induced silencing complex, we showed that miR-15a, miR-15b and miR-16 interact with MYCN mRNA. Luciferase reporter assays showed that miR-15a, miR-15b and miR-16 bind with 3'UTR of MYCN mRNA, resulting in MYCN suppression. Moreover, induced expression of miR-15a, miR-15b and miR-16 significantly reduced the proliferation, migration, and invasion of NB cells. Finally, transplanting miR-15a-, miR-15b- and miR-16-expressing NB cells into NSG mice repressed tumor formation and MYCN expression. These data suggest that miR-15a, miR-15b and miR-16 exert a tumor-suppressive function in NB by targeting MYCN. Therefore, these miRs could be considered as potential targets for NB treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivas Chava
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - C Patrick Reynolds
- Childhood Cancer Repository, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Anup S Pathania
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Santhi Gorantla
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Larisa Y Poluektova
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Don W Coulter
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Subash C Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Manoj K Pandey
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Kishore B Challagundla
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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Utnes P, Løkke C, Flægstad T, Einvik C. Clinically Relevant Biomarker Discovery in High-Risk Recurrent Neuroblastoma. Cancer Inform 2019; 18:1176935119832910. [PMID: 30886518 PMCID: PMC6413431 DOI: 10.1177/1176935119832910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a pediatric cancer of the developing sympathetic nervous system.
High-risk neuroblastoma patients typically undergo an initial remission in
response to treatment, followed by recurrence of aggressive tumors that have
become refractory to further treatment. The need for biomarkers that can select
patients not responding well to therapy in an early phase is therefore needed.
In this study, we used next generation sequencing technology to determine the
expression profiles in high-risk neuroblastoma cell lines established before and
after therapy. Using partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) with
least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and leave-one-out
cross-validation, we identified a panel of 55 messenger RNAs and 17 long
non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) which were significantly altered in the expression
between cell lines isolated from primary and recurrent tumors. From a
neuroblastoma patient cohort, we found 20 of the 55 protein-coding genes to be
differentially expressed in patients with unfavorable compared with favorable
outcome. We further found a twofold increase or decrease in hazard ratios in
these genes when comparing patients with unfavorable and favorable outcome. Gene
set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed that these genes were involved in
proliferation, differentiation and regulated by Polycomb group (PcG) proteins.
Of the 17 lncRNAs, 3 upregulated (NEAT1, SH3BP5-AS1, NORAD) and
3 downregulated lncRNAs (DUBR, MEG3, DHRS4-AS1) were also found
to be differentially expressed in favorable compared with unfavorable outcome.
Moreover, using expression profiles on both miRNAs and mRNAs in the same cohort
of cell lines, we found 13 downregulated and 18 upregulated experimentally
observed miRNA target genes targeted by miR-21, -424 and
-30e, -29b, -138, -494, -181a, -34a, -29b,
respectively. The advantage of analyzing biomarkers in a clinically relevant
neuroblastoma model system enables further studies on the effect of individual
genes upon gene perturbation. In summary, this study identified several genes,
which may aid in the prediction of response to therapy and tumor recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Utnes
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child and Adolescent Health, UNN - University Hospital of North-Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Cecilie Løkke
- Pediatric Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, The Arctic University of Norway - UiT, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Trond Flægstad
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child and Adolescent Health, UNN - University Hospital of North-Norway, Tromsø, Norway.,Pediatric Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, The Arctic University of Norway - UiT, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Christer Einvik
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child and Adolescent Health, UNN - University Hospital of North-Norway, Tromsø, Norway.,Pediatric Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, The Arctic University of Norway - UiT, Tromsø, Norway
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22
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Laneve P, Rea J, Caffarelli E. Long Noncoding RNAs: Emerging Players in Medulloblastoma. Front Pediatr 2019; 7:67. [PMID: 30923703 PMCID: PMC6426782 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2019.00067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Central Nervous System tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related death in children, and medulloblastoma has the highest incidence rate. The current therapies achieve a 5-year survival rate of 50-80%, but often inflict severe secondary effects demanding the urgent development of novel, effective, and less toxic therapeutic strategies. Historically identified on a histopathological basis, medulloblastoma was later classified into four major subgroups-namely WNT, SHH, Group 3, and Group 4-each characterized by distinct transcriptional profiles, copy-number aberrations, somatic mutations, and clinical outcomes. Additional complexity was recently provided by integrating gene- and non-gene-based data, which indicates that each subclass can be further subdivided into specific subtypes. These deeper classifications, while getting over the typical tumor heterogeneity, indicate that different forms of medulloblastoma hold different molecular drivers that can be successfully exploited for a greater diagnostic accuracy and for the development of novel, targeted treatments. Long noncoding RNAs are transcripts that lack coding potential and play relevant roles as regulators of gene expression in mammalian differentiation and developmental processes. Their cell type- and tissue-specificity, higher than mRNAs, make them more informative about cell- type identity than protein-coding genes. Remarkably, about 40% of long noncoding RNAs are expressed in the brain and their aberrant expression has been linked to neuro-oncological disorders. However, while their involvement in gliomas and neuroblastomas has been extensively studied, their role in medulloblastoma is still poorly explored. Here, we present an overview of current knowledge regarding the function played by long noncoding RNAs in medulloblastoma biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Laneve
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Jessica Rea
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Caffarelli
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
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23
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Burkholderia Lethal Factor 1, a Novel Anti-Cancer Toxin, Demonstrates Selective Cytotoxicity in MYCN-Amplified Neuroblastoma Cells. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10070261. [PMID: 29954071 PMCID: PMC6071135 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10070261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotoxins are being investigated as anti-cancer therapies and consist of a cytotoxic enzyme fused to a cancer targeting antibody. All currently used toxins function via the inhibition of protein synthesis, making them highly potent in both healthy and transformed cells. This non-specific cell killing mechanism causes dose-limiting side effects that can severely limit the potential of immunotoxin therapy. In this study, the recently characterised bacterial toxin Burkholderia lethal factor 1 (BLF1) is investigated as a possible alternative payload for targeted toxin therapy in the treatment of neuroblastoma. BLF1 inhibits translation initiation by inactivation of eukaryotic initiation translation factor 4A (eIF4A), a putative anti-cancer target that has been shown to regulate a number of oncogenic proteins at the translational level. We show that cellular delivery of BLF1 selectively induces apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells that display MYCN amplification but has little effect on non-transformed cells. Future immunotoxins based on this enzyme may therefore have higher specificity towards MYCN-amplified cancer cells than more conventional ribosome-inactivating proteins, leading to an increased therapeutic window and decreased side effects.
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Nakagawara A, Li Y, Izumi H, Muramori K, Inada H, Nishi M. Neuroblastoma. Jpn J Clin Oncol 2018; 48:214-241. [PMID: 29378002 DOI: 10.1093/jjco/hyx176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is one of the most common solid tumors in children and has a diverse clinical behavior that largely depends on the tumor biology. Neuroblastoma exhibits unique features, such as early age of onset, high frequency of metastatic disease at diagnosis in patients over 1 year of age and the tendency for spontaneous regression of tumors in infants. The high-risk tumors frequently have amplification of the MYCN oncogene as well as segmental chromosome alterations with poor survival. Recent advanced genomic sequencing technology has revealed that mutation of ALK, which is present in ~10% of primary tumors, often causes familial neuroblastoma with germline mutation. However, the frequency of gene mutations is relatively small and other aberrations, such as epigenetic abnormalities, have also been proposed. The risk-stratified therapy was introduced by the Japan Neuroblastoma Study Group (JNBSG), which is now moving to the Neuroblastoma Committee of Japan Children's Cancer Group (JCCG). Several clinical studies have facilitated the reduction of therapy for children with low-risk neuroblastoma disease and the significant improvement of cure rates for patients with intermediate-risk as well as high-risk disease. Therapy for patients with high-risk disease includes intensive induction chemotherapy and myeloablative chemotherapy, followed by the treatment of minimal residual disease using differentiation therapy and immunotherapy. The JCCG aims for better cures and long-term quality of life for children with cancer by facilitating new approaches targeting novel driver proteins, genetic pathways and the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Life Science Research Institute, Saga Medical Center Koseikan
| | - Hideki Izumi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Life Science Research Institute, Saga Medical Center Koseikan
| | | | - Hiroko Inada
- Department of Pediatrics, Saga Medical Center Koseikan
| | - Masanori Nishi
- Department of Pediatrics, Saga University, Saga 849-8501, Japan
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25
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MicroRNA-193b-3p represses neuroblastoma cell growth via downregulation of Cyclin D1, MCL-1 and MYCN. Oncotarget 2018; 9:18160-18179. [PMID: 29719597 PMCID: PMC5915064 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common diagnosed tumor in infants and the second most common extracranial tumor of childhood. The survival rate of patients with high-risk neuroblastoma is still very low despite intensive multimodal treatments. Therefore, new treatment strategies are needed. In recent years, miRNA-based anticancer therapy has received growing attention. Advances in this novel treatment strategy strongly depends on the identification of candidate miRNAs with broad-spectrum antitumor activity. Here, we identify miR-193b as a miRNA with tumor suppressive properties. We show that miR-193b is expressed at low levels in neuroblastoma cell lines and primary tumor samples. Introduction of miR-193b mimics into nine neuroblastoma cell lines with distinct genetic characteristics significantly reduces cell growth in vitro independent of risk factors such as p53 functionality or MYCN amplification. Functionally, miR-193b induces a G1 cell cycle arrest and cell death in neuroblastoma cell lines by reducing the expression of MYCN, Cyclin D1 and MCL-1, three important oncogenes in neuroblastoma of which inhibition has shown promising results in preclinical testing. Therefore, we suggest that miR-193b may represent a new candidate for miRNA-based anticancer therapy in neuroblastoma.
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26
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Agarwal S, Ghosh R, Chen Z, Lakoma A, Gunaratne PH, Kim ES, Shohet JM. Transmembrane adaptor protein PAG1 is a novel tumor suppressor in neuroblastoma. Oncotarget 2018; 7:24018-26. [PMID: 26993602 PMCID: PMC5029681 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
(NB) is the most common extracranial pediatric solid tumor with high mortality rates. The tyrosine kinase c-Src has been known to play an important role in differentiation of NB cells, but the mechanism of c-Src regulation has not been defined. Here, we characterize PAG1 (Cbp, Csk binding protein), a central inhibitor of c-Src and other Src family kinases, as a novel tumor suppressor in NB. Clinical cohort analysis demonstrate that low expression of PAG1 is a significant prognostic factor for high stage disease, increased relapse, and worse overall survival for children with NB. PAG1 knockdown in NB cells promotes proliferation and anchorage-independent colony formation with increased activation of AKT and ERK downstream of c-Src, while PAG1 overexpression significantly rescues these effects. In vivo, PAG1 overexpression significantly inhibits NB tumorigenicity in an orthotopic xenograft model. Our results establish PAG1 as a potent tumor suppressor in NB by inhibiting c-Src and downstream effector pathways. Thus, reactivation of PAG1 and inhibition of c-Src kinase activity represents an important novel therapeutic approach for high-risk NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saurabh Agarwal
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Texas Children's Cancer Center, and Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Rajib Ghosh
- Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, USA
| | - Zaowen Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Texas Children's Cancer Center, and Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Anna Lakoma
- Michael E. DeBakey, Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Preethi H Gunaratne
- Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, USA
| | - Eugene S Kim
- Michael E. DeBakey, Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.,Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90027, USA
| | - Jason M Shohet
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Texas Children's Cancer Center, and Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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27
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Zhao Z, Ma X, Shelton SD, Sung DC, Li M, Hernandez D, Zhang M, Losiewicz MD, Chen Y, Pertsemlidis A, Yu X, Liu Y, Du L. A combined gene expression and functional study reveals the crosstalk between N-Myc and differentiation-inducing microRNAs in neuroblastoma cells. Oncotarget 2018; 7:79372-79387. [PMID: 27764804 PMCID: PMC5346721 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
MYCN amplification is the most common genetic alteration in neuroblastoma and plays a critical role in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis. MYCN regulates neuroblastoma cell differentiation, which is one of the mechanisms underlying its oncogenic function. We recently identified a group of differentiation-inducing microRNAs. Given the demonstrated inter-regulation between MYCN and microRNAs, we speculated that MYCN and the differentiation-inducing microRNAs might form an interaction network to control the differentiation of neuroblastoma cells. In this study, we found that eight of the thirteen differentiation-inducing microRNAs, miR-506-3p, miR-124-3p, miR-449a, miR-34a-5p, miR-449b-5p, miR-103a-3p, miR-2110 and miR-34b-5p, inhibit N-Myc expression by either directly targeting the MYCN 3'UTR or through indirect regulations. Further investigation showed that both MYCN-dependent and MYCN-independent pathways play roles in mediating the differentiation-inducing function of miR-506-3p and miR-449a, two microRNAs that dramatically down-regulate MYCN expression. On the other hand, we found that N-Myc inhibits the expression of multiple differentiation-inducing microRNAs, suggesting that these miRNAs play a role in mediating the function of MYCN. In examining the published dataset collected from clinical neuroblastoma specimens, we found that expressions of two miRNAs, miR-137 and miR-2110, were significantly anti-correlated with MYCN mRNA levels, suggesting their interactions with MYCN play a clinically-relevant role in maintaining the MYCN and miRNA expression levels in neuroblastoma. Our findings altogether suggest that MYCN and differentiation-inducing miRNAs form an interaction network that play an important role in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis through regulating cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenze Zhao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, USA
| | - Xiuye Ma
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute at UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Spencer D Shelton
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, USA
| | - Derek C Sung
- Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Monica Li
- University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Daniel Hernandez
- Department of Biology at Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, USA
| | - Maggie Zhang
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Michael D Losiewicz
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at St. Mary's University, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Yidong Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, at UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Alexander Pertsemlidis
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute at UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, at UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA.,Cellular and Structural Biology, at UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Xiaojie Yu
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Yuanhang Liu
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Liqin Du
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, USA
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Zammit V, Baron B, Ayers D. MiRNA Influences in Neuroblast Modulation: An Introspective Analysis. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9010026. [PMID: 29315268 PMCID: PMC5793179 DOI: 10.3390/genes9010026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/29/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common occurring solid paediatric cancer in children under the age of five years. Whether of familial or sporadic origin, chromosome abnormalities contribute to the development of NB and cause dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs). MiRNAs are small non-coding, single stranded RNAs that target messenger RNAs at the post-transcriptional levels by repressing translation within all facets of human physiology. Such gene 'silencing' activities by miRNAs allows the development of regulatory feedback loops affecting multiple functions within the cell, including the possible differentiation of neural stem cell (NSC) lineage selection. Neurogenesis includes stages of self-renewal and fate specification of NSCs, migration and maturation of young neurones, and functional integration of new neurones into the neural circuitry, all of which are regulated by miRNAs. The role of miRNAs and their interaction in cellular processes are recognised aspects of cancer genetics, and miRNAs are currently employed as biomarkers for prognosis and tumour characterisation in multiple cancer models. Consequently, thorough understanding of the mechanisms of how these miRNAs interplay at the transcriptomic level will definitely lead to the development of novel, bespoke and efficient therapeutic measures, with this review focusing on the influences of miRNAs on neuroblast modulations leading to neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Zammit
- National Blood Transfusion Service, St. Luke's Hospital, PTA1010 G'Mangia, Malta.
- School of Biomedical Science and Physiology, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, UK.
| | - Byron Baron
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MSD2080 Msida, Malta.
| | - Duncan Ayers
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MSD2080 Msida, Malta.
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
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29
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PD-L1, inflammation, non-coding RNAs, and neuroblastoma: Immuno-oncology perspective. Semin Cancer Biol 2017; 52:53-65. [PMID: 29196189 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2017.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Revised: 11/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common pediatric solid tumor of neural crest origin. The current treatment options for neuroblastoma produce severe side effects. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), chronic inflammation, and non-coding RNAs are known to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of neuroblastoma. Cancer cells and the surrounding cells in the tumor microenvironment express PD-L1. Programmed death-1 (PD-1) is a co-receptor expressed predominantly by T cells. The binding of PD-1 to its ligands, PD-L1 or PD-L2, is vital for the physiologic regulation of the immune system. Chronic inflammation is involved in the recruitment of leukocytes, production of cytokines and chemokines that in turn, lead to survival, metastasis, and angiogenesis in neuroblastoma tumors. The miRNAs and long non-coding (lnc) RNAs have emerged as a novel class of non-coding RNAs that can regulate neuroblastoma associated cell-signaling pathways. The dysregulation of PD-1/PD-L1, inflammatory pathways, lncRNAs, and miRNAs have been reported in clinical and experimental samples of neuroblastoma. These signaling molecules are currently being evaluated for their potential as the biomarker and therapeutic targets in the management of neuroblastoma. A monoclonal antibody called dinutuximab (Unituxin) that attaches to a carbohydrate molecule GD2, on the surface of many neuroblastoma cells, is being used as an immunotherapy drug for neuroblastoma treatment. Atezolizumab (Tecentriq), an engineered monoclonal antibody against PD-L1, are currently in clinical trial for neuroblastoma patients. The lncRNA/miRNA-based therapeutics is being developed to deliver tumor suppressor lncRNAs/miRNAs or silencing of oncogenic lncRNAs/miRNAs. The focus of this review is to discuss the current knowledge on the immune checkpoint molecules, PD-1/PD-L1 signaling, inflammation, and non-coding RNAs in neuroblastoma.
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30
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Megiorni F, Colaiacovo M, Cialfi S, McDowell HP, Guffanti A, Camero S, Felsani A, Losty PD, Pizer B, Shukla R, Cappelli C, Ferrara E, Pizzuti A, Moles A, Dominici C. A sketch of known and novel MYCN-associated miRNA networks in neuroblastoma. Oncol Rep 2017; 38:3-20. [PMID: 28586032 PMCID: PMC5492854 DOI: 10.3892/or.2017.5701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) originates from neural crest-derived precursors and represents the most common childhood extracranial solid tumour. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs that participate in a wide variety of biological processes by regulating gene expression, appear to play an essential role within the NB context. High-throughput next generation sequencing (NGS) was applied to study the miRNA transcriptome in a cohort of NB tumours with and without MYCN-amplification (MNA and MNnA, respectively) and in dorsal root ganglia (DRG), as a control. Out of the 128 miRNAs differentially expressed in the NB vs. DRG comparison, 47 were expressed at higher levels, while 81 were expressed at lower levels in the NB tumours. We also found that 23 miRNAs were differentially expressed in NB with or without MYCN-amplification, with 17 miRNAs being upregulated and 6 being downregulated in the MNA subtypes. Functional annotation analysis of the target genes of these differentially expressed miRNAs demonstrated that many mRNAs were involved in cancer-related pathways, such as DNA-repair and apoptosis as well as FGFR and EGFR signalling. In particular, we found that miR-628-3p negatively affects MYCN gene expression. Furthermore, we identified a novel miRNA candidate with variable expression in MNA vs. MNnA tumours, whose putative target genes are implicated in the mTOR pathway. The present study provides further insight into the molecular mechanisms that correlate miRNA dysregulation to NB development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Megiorni
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Samantha Cialfi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Heather P McDowell
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Simona Camero
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Paul D Losty
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, L12 2AP Liverpool, UK
| | - Barry Pizer
- Department of Oncology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, L12 2AP Liverpool, UK
| | - Rajeev Shukla
- Department of Perinatal and Paediatric Pathology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, L12 2AP Liverpool, UK
| | - Carlo Cappelli
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Eva Ferrara
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Pizzuti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Moles
- Genomnia s.r.l., I-20091 Bresso, MI, Italy
| | - Carlo Dominici
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy
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31
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Gholamin S, Mirzaei H, Razavi S, Hassanian SM, Saadatpour L, Masoudifar A, ShahidSales S, Avan A. GD2‐targeted immunotherapy and potential value of circulating microRNAs in neuroblastoma. J Cell Physiol 2017; 233:866-879. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sharareh Gholamin
- Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative MedicineStanford UniversityStanfordCalifornia
- Department of Bioengineering at California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCalifornia
| | - Hamed Mirzaei
- Department of Medical BiotechnologySchool of MedicineMashhad University of Medical SciencesMashhadIran
| | | | - Seyed Mahdi Hassanian
- Department of Medical BiochemistrySchool of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical SciencesMashhadIran
- Microanatomy Research CenterMashhad University of Medical SciencesMashhadIran
| | - Leila Saadatpour
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Florida College of MedicineGainesvilleFlorida
| | - Aria Masoudifar
- Department of Molecular BiotechnologyCell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECRIsfahanIran
| | - Soodabeh ShahidSales
- Cancer Research CenterSchool of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical SciencesMashhadIran
| | - Amir Avan
- Metabolic Syndrome Research CenterSchool of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical SciencesMashhadIran
- Molecular Medicine group, Department of Modern Sciences and TechnologiesMashhad University of Medical SciencesMashhadIran
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32
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Bettinsoli P, Ferrari-Toninelli G, Bonini SA, Prandelli C, Memo M. Notch ligand Delta-like 1 as a novel molecular target in childhood neuroblastoma. BMC Cancer 2017; 17:352. [PMID: 28525978 PMCID: PMC5438559 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-017-3340-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid malignancy in childhood, responsible for 15% of all pediatric cancer deaths. It is an heterogeneous disease that does not always respond to classical therapy; so the identification of new and specific molecular targets to improve existing therapy is needed. We have previously demonstrated the involvement of the Notch pathway in the onset and progression of neuroblastoma. In this study we further investigated the role of Notch signaling and identified Delta-like 1 (DLL1) as a novel molecular target in neuroblastoma cells with a high degree of MYCN amplification, which is a major oncogenic driver in neuroblastoma. The possibility to act on DLL1 expression levels by using microRNAs (miRNAs) was assessed. METHODS DLL1 mRNA and protein expression levels were measured in three different neuroblastoma cell lines using quantitative real-time PCR and Western Blot analysis, respectively. Activation of the Notch pathway as a result of increased levels of DLL1 was analyzed by Immunofluorescence and Western Blot methods. In silico tools revealed the possibility to act on DLL1 expression levels with miRNAs, in particular with the miRNA-34 family. Neuroblastoma cells were transfected with miRNA-34 family members, and the effect of miRNAs transfection on DLL1 mRNA expression levels, on cell differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis was measured. RESULTS In this study, the DLL1 ligand was identified as the Notch pathway component highly expressed in neuroblastoma cells with MYCN amplification. In silico analysis demonstrated that DLL1 is one of the targets of miRNA-34 family members that maps on chromosome regions that are frequently deregulated or deleted in neuroblastoma. We studied the possibility to use miRNAs to target DLL1. Among all miRNA-34 family members, miRNA-34b is able to significantly downregulate DLL1 mRNA expression levels, to arrest cell proliferation and to induce neuronal differentiation in malignant neuroblastoma cells. CONCLUSIONS Targeted therapies have emerged as new strategies for cancer treatment. This study identified the Notch ligand DLL1 as a novel and attractive molecular target in childhood neuroblastoma and its results could help to devise a targeted therapy using miRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Bettinsoli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia Medical School, Viale Europa, 11, Brescia, Italy.
| | - G Ferrari-Toninelli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia Medical School, Viale Europa, 11, Brescia, Italy
| | - S A Bonini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia Medical School, Viale Europa, 11, Brescia, Italy
| | - C Prandelli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia Medical School, Viale Europa, 11, Brescia, Italy
| | - M Memo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia Medical School, Viale Europa, 11, Brescia, Italy
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33
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Yi S, Lin S, Li Y, Zhao W, Mills GB, Sahni N. Functional variomics and network perturbation: connecting genotype to phenotype in cancer. Nat Rev Genet 2017; 18:395-410. [PMID: 28344341 DOI: 10.1038/nrg.2017.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Proteins interact with other macromolecules in complex cellular networks for signal transduction and biological function. In cancer, genetic aberrations have been traditionally thought to disrupt the entire gene function. It has been increasingly appreciated that each mutation of a gene could have a subtle but unique effect on protein function or network rewiring, contributing to diverse phenotypic consequences across cancer patient populations. In this Review, we discuss the current understanding of cancer genetic variants, including the broad spectrum of mutation classes and the wide range of mechanistic effects on gene function in the context of signalling networks. We highlight recent advances in computational and experimental strategies to study the diverse functional and phenotypic consequences of mutations at the base-pair resolution. Such information is crucial to understanding the complex pleiotropic effect of cancer genes and provides a possible link between genotype and phenotype in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Yi
- Department of Systems Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Shengda Lin
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Yongsheng Li
- Department of Systems Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Wei Zhao
- Department of Systems Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Gordon B Mills
- Department of Systems Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Nidhi Sahni
- Department of Systems Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.,Graduate Program in Structural and Computational Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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34
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He XY, Tan ZL, Mou Q, Liu FJ, Liu S, Yu CW, Zhu J, Lv LY, Zhang J, Wang S, Bao LM, Peng B, Zhao H, Zou L. microRNA-221 Enhances MYCN via Targeting Nemo-like Kinase and Functions as an Oncogene Related to Poor Prognosis in Neuroblastoma. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 23:2905-2918. [PMID: 28003306 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-1591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose:MYCN is one of the most well-characterized genetic markers of neuroblastoma. However, the mechanisms as to how MYCN mediate neuroblastoma tumorigenesis are not fully clear. Increasing evidence has confirmed that the dysregulation of miRNAs is involved in MYCN-mediated neuroblastoma tumorigenesis, supporting their potential as therapeutic targets for neuroblastoma. Although miR-221 has been reported as one of the upregulated miRNAs, the interplay between miR-221 and MYCN-mediated neuroblastoma progression remains largely elusive.Experimental Design: The expression of miR-221 in the formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from 31 confirmed patients with neuroblastoma was detected by locked nucleic acid-in situ hybridization and qRT-PCR. The correlation between miR-221 expression and clinical features in patients with neuroblastoma was assessed. The mechanisms as to how miR-221 regulate MYCN in neuroblastoma were addressed. The effect of miR-221 on cellular proliferation in neuroblastoma was determined both in vitro and in vivoResults: miR-221 was significantly upregulated in neuroblastoma tumor cells and tissues that overexpress MYCN, and high expression of miR-221 was positively associated with poor survival in patients with neuroblastoma. Nemo-like kinase (NLK) as a direct target of miR-221 in neuroblastoma was verified. In addition, overexpression of miR-221 decreased LEF1 phosphorylation but increased the expression of MYCN via targeting of NLK and further regulated cell cycle, particularly in S-phase, promoting the growth of neuroblastoma cells.Conclusions: This study provides a novel insight for miR-221 in the control of neuroblastoma cell proliferation and tumorigenesis, suggesting potentials of miR-221 as a prognosis marker and therapeutic target for patients with MYCN overexpressing neuroblastoma. Clin Cancer Res; 23(11); 2905-18. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Yan He
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Zheng-Lan Tan
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Qin Mou
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Fang-Jie Liu
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Shan Liu
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Chao-Wen Yu
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Jin Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lin-Ya Lv
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shan Wang
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li-Ming Bao
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine Dartmouth College, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Bin Peng
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lin Zou
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China.
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35
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Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a disease that affects infants and despite intense multimodal therapy, high-risk patients have low survival rates (<50%). In recent years long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have become the cutting edge of cancer research with inroads made in understanding their roles in multiple cancer types, including prostate and breast cancers. The roles of lncRNAs in neuroblastoma have just begun to be elucidated. This review summarises where we are with regards to lncRNAs in neuroblastoma. The known mechanistic roles of lncRNAs during neuroblastoma pathogenesis are discussed, as well as the relationship between lncRNA expression and the differentiation capacity of neuroblastoma cells. We speculate about the use of some of these lncRNAs, such as those mapping to the 6p22 hotspot, as biomarkers for neuroblastoma prognosis and treatment. This novel way of thinking about both neuroblastoma and lncRNAs brings a new perspective to the prognosis and treatment of high-risk patients.
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36
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Li X, Zheng J, Diao H, Liu Y. RUNX3 is down-regulated in glioma by Myc-regulated miR-4295. J Cell Mol Med 2016; 20:518-25. [PMID: 26756701 PMCID: PMC4759466 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs are increasingly reported as tumour suppressors that regulate gene expression after transcription. Our results demonstrated that miR-4295 is overexpression in glioma tissues and its level is significantly correlated with clinical stage. We also found that miR-4295 inhibited the cell G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis leading to promoted cell proliferation and activity. The murine modelling study revealed that female nude mice injected with U87/anti-miR-4295 exhibit subcutaneous tumours in the right groin. Compared with anti-NC, the tumour volume was significantly decreased in anti-miR-4295 treatment group. Furthermore, we confirmed miR-4295 mediates the expression of RUNX3 by targeting its 3'untranslation region. In addition, N-myc protein also could bind to the promoter of pri-miR-4295 and inhibit the expression of RUNX3 in glioma cells. These results validate a pathogenetic role of a miR-4295 in gliomas and establish a potentially regulatory and signalling pathway involving N-myc/miR-4295/RUNX3 in gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxing Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jihui Zheng
- Department of Radiology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hongyu Diao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yunhui Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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37
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Khurana E, Fu Y, Chakravarty D, Demichelis F, Rubin MA, Gerstein M. Role of non-coding sequence variants in cancer. Nat Rev Genet 2016; 17:93-108. [PMID: 26781813 DOI: 10.1038/nrg.2015.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 319] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Patients with cancer carry somatic sequence variants in their tumour in addition to the germline variants in their inherited genome. Although variants in protein-coding regions have received the most attention, numerous studies have noted the importance of non-coding variants in cancer. Moreover, the overwhelming majority of variants, both somatic and germline, occur in non-coding portions of the genome. We review the current understanding of non-coding variants in cancer, including the great diversity of the mutation types--from single nucleotide variants to large genomic rearrangements--and the wide range of mechanisms by which they affect gene expression to promote tumorigenesis, such as disrupting transcription factor-binding sites or functions of non-coding RNAs. We highlight specific case studies of somatic and germline variants, and discuss how non-coding variants can be interpreted on a large-scale through computational and experimental methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekta Khurana
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10065, USA.,Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10065, USA.,Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10021, USA.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Yao Fu
- Bina Technologies, Roche Sequencing, Redwood City, California 94065, USA
| | - Dimple Chakravarty
- Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10065, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Francesca Demichelis
- Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10065, USA.,Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10021, USA.,Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Mark A Rubin
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10065, USA.,Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10065, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Mark Gerstein
- Program in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA.,Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA.,Department of Computer Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA
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38
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Roth SA, Knutsen E, Fiskaa T, Utnes P, Bhavsar S, Hald ØH, Løkke C, Mestdagh P, Johansen SD, Flægstad T, Einvik C. Next generation sequencing of microRNAs from isogenic neuroblastoma cell lines isolated before and after treatment. Cancer Lett 2015; 372:128-36. [PMID: 26708804 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2015.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2015] [Revised: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 11/17/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a pediatric cancer of the developing sympathetic nervous system. High risk neuroblastoma patients typically undergo an initial remission in response to treatment, followed by recurrence of aggressive tumors that have become refractory to further treatment. Recent works have underlined the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in neuroblastoma development and evolution of drug resistance. In this study we have used deep sequencing technology to identify miRNAs differentially expressed in neuroblastoma cell lines isolated from 6 patients at diagnosis and at relapse after intensive treatments. This approach revealed a panel of 42 differentially expressed miRNAs, 8 of which were upregulated and 34 were downregulated. Most strikingly, the 14q32 miRNA clusters encode 22 of the downregulated miRNAs. Reduced expression of 14q32 miRNAs in tumors associated with poor prognosis factors was confirmed in a cohort consisting of 226 primary neuroblastomas. In order to gain insight into the nature of the genes that may be affected by the differentially expressed miRNAs we utilized Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). This analysis revealed several biological functions and canonical pathways associated with cancer progression and drug resistance. The results of this study contribute to the identification of miRNAs involved in the complex processes of surviving therapeutic treatment and developing drug resistance in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Andrea Roth
- Pediatric Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, The Arctic University of Norway - UiT, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Erik Knutsen
- RNA and Molecular Pathology (RAMP), Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Arctic University of Norway - UiT, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Tonje Fiskaa
- RNA and Molecular Pathology (RAMP), Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Arctic University of Norway - UiT, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Peter Utnes
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child and Adolescent Health, UNN - University Hospital of North-Norway, NO-9038 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Swapnil Bhavsar
- Pediatric Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, The Arctic University of Norway - UiT, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Øyvind H Hald
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child and Adolescent Health, UNN - University Hospital of North-Norway, NO-9038 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Cecilie Løkke
- Pediatric Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, The Arctic University of Norway - UiT, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Pieter Mestdagh
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Steinar D Johansen
- RNA and Molecular Pathology (RAMP), Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Arctic University of Norway - UiT, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway; Marine Genomics Group, Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, University of Nordland, Bodø, Norway
| | - Trond Flægstad
- Pediatric Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, The Arctic University of Norway - UiT, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child and Adolescent Health, UNN - University Hospital of North-Norway, NO-9038 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Christer Einvik
- Pediatric Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, The Arctic University of Norway - UiT, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child and Adolescent Health, UNN - University Hospital of North-Norway, NO-9038 Tromsø, Norway.
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39
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Jin Y, Wang H, Han W, Lu J, Chu P, Han S, Ni X, Ning B, Yu D, Guo Y. Single nucleotide polymorphism rs11669203 in TGFBR3L is associated with the risk of neuroblastoma in a Chinese population. Tumour Biol 2015; 37:3739-47. [PMID: 26468016 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-4192-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2015] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
With a primary mortality, neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood. Amplification of the MYCN (v-myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene neuroblastoma derived homolog) oncogene is observed in 20-30 % of NB cases, a feature which also characterizes a highly aggressive subtype of the disease. However, the systematic study of association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MYCN-regulated genes and the risk of NB has not been investigated. In the current study, we scanned a set of 16 SNPs located within known or predicted MYCN binding sites in a cohort of 247 patients of Chinese origin with neuroblastic family tumors, including neuroblastoma (NB), ganglioneuroma (GN), and ganglioneuroblastoma (GNB), and in 290 cancer-free controls to determine whether any of the tested SNPs are associated with neuroblastic family tumors. We found that the rs11669203 G>C polymorphism, located in TGFBR3L promoter, is significantly associated with the risk of NB. Further, we found that this association is site specific to adrenal NB compared to non-adrenal NB. In addition, transcriptome analysis indicated that increased expression of TGFBR3L is strongly correlated with poor survival. The SNP rs11669203 located at the MYCN binding site of TGFBR3L is significantly associated with elevated risk of NB, and abnormal MYCN-regulated TGFBR3L expression may contribute to NB oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqiong Jin
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Pediatric Diseases of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Huanmin Wang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Han
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Lu
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Pediatric Diseases of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Chu
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Pediatric Diseases of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shujing Han
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Pediatric Diseases of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Ni
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Pediatric Diseases of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Baitang Ning
- National Center for Toxicological Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, USA
| | - Dianke Yu
- National Center for Toxicological Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, USA.
| | - Yongli Guo
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Pediatric Diseases of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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40
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Chemoresistance, cancer stem cells, and miRNA influences: the case for neuroblastoma. Anal Cell Pathol (Amst) 2015; 2015:150634. [PMID: 26258008 PMCID: PMC4516851 DOI: 10.1155/2015/150634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Revised: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 07/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that develops most often in infants and children under the age of five years. Neuroblastoma originates within the peripheral sympathetic ganglia, with 30% of the cases developing within the adrenal medulla, although it can also occur within other regions of the body such as nerve tissue in the spinal cord, neck, chest, abdomen, and pelvis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate cellular pathways, differentiation, apoptosis, and stem cell maintenance. Such miRNAs regulate genes involved in cellular processes. Consequently, they are implicated in the regulation of a spectrum of signaling pathways within the cell. In essence, the role of miRNAs in the development of cancer is of utmost importance for the understanding of dysfunctional cellular pathways that lead to the conversion of normal cells into cancer cells. This review focuses on highlighting the recent, important implications of miRNAs within the context of neuroblastoma basic research efforts, particularly concerning miRNA influences on cancer stem cell pathology and chemoresistance pathology for this condition, together with development of translational medicine approaches for novel diagnostic tools and therapies for this neuroblastoma.
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41
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Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the third most common pediatric cancer. Although NB accounts for 7% of pediatric malignancies, it is responsible for more than 10% of childhood cancer-related mortality. Prognosis and treatment are determined by clinical and biological risk factors. Estimated 5-year survival rates for patients with non-high-risk and high-risk NB are more than 90% and less than 50%, respectively. Recent clinical trials have continued to reduce therapy for patients with non-high-risk NB, including the most favorable subsets who are often followed with observation approaches. In contrast, high-risk patients are treated aggressively with chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and myeloablative and immunotherapies.
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42
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Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a developmental tumor of young children arising from the embryonic sympathoadrenal lineage of the neural crest. Neuroblastoma is the primary cause of death from pediatric cancer for children between the ages of one and five years and accounts for ∼13% of all pediatric cancer mortality. Its clinical impact and unique biology have made this aggressive malignancy the focus of a large concerted translational research effort. New insights into tumor biology are driving the development of new classification schemas. Novel targeted therapeutic approaches include small-molecule inhibitors as well as epigenetic, noncoding-RNA, and cell-based immunologic therapies. In this review, recent insights regarding the pathogenesis and biology of neuroblastoma are placed in context with the current understanding of tumor biology and tumor/host interactions. Systematic classification of patients coupled with therapeutic advances point to a future of improved clinical outcomes for this biologically distinct and highly aggressive pediatric malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrystal U Louis
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030; ,
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43
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Kiyonari S, Kadomatsu K. Neuroblastoma models for insights into tumorigenesis and new therapies. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2014; 10:53-62. [DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2015.974544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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44
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Jansen SR, Holman R, Hedemann I, Frankes E, Elzinga CRS, Timens W, Gosens R, de Bont ES, Schmidt M. Prostaglandin E2 promotes MYCN non-amplified neuroblastoma cell survival via β-catenin stabilization. J Cell Mol Med 2014; 19:210-26. [PMID: 25266063 PMCID: PMC4288364 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2014] [Accepted: 08/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Amplification of MYCN is the most well-known prognostic marker of neuroblastoma risk classification, but still is only observed in 25% of cases. Recent evidence points to the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) elevating ligand prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ) and β-catenin as two novel players in neuroblastoma. Here, we aimed to define the potential role of PGE2 and cAMP and its potential interplay with β-catenin, both of which may converge on neuroblastoma cell behaviour. Gain and loss of β-catenin function, PGE2 , the adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin and pharmacological inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were studied in two human neuroblastoma cell lines without MYCN amplification. Our findings show that PGE2 enhanced cell viability through the EP4 receptor and cAMP elevation, whereas COX-2 inhibitors attenuated cell viability. Interestingly, PGE2 and forskolin promoted glycogen synthase kinase 3β inhibition, β-catenin phosphorylation at the protein kinase A target residue ser675, β-catenin nuclear translocation and TCF-dependent gene transcription. Ectopic expression of a degradation-resistant β-catenin mutant enhances neuroblastoma cell viability and inhibition of β-catenin with XAV939 prevented PGE2 -induced cell viability. Finally, we show increased β-catenin expression in human high-risk neuroblastoma tissue without MYCN amplification. Our data indicate that PGE2 enhances neuroblastoma cell viability, a process which may involve cAMP-mediated β-catenin stabilization, and suggest that this pathway is of relevance to high-risk neuroblastoma without MYCN amplification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepp R Jansen
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Paediatrics, Department of Pediatric Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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45
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Solari V, Borriello L, Turcatel G, Shimada H, Sposto R, Fernandez GE, Asgharzadeh S, Yates EA, Turnbull JE, DeClerck YA. MYCN-dependent expression of sulfatase-2 regulates neuroblastoma cell survival. Cancer Res 2014; 74:5999-6009. [PMID: 25164011 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-13-2513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) play a critical role in the interaction of tumor cells and their microenvironment. HSPG activity is dictated by sulfation patterns controlled by sulfotransferases, which add sulfate groups, and sulfatases (Sulf), which remove 6-O-sulfates. Here, we report altered expression of these enzymes in human neuroblastoma cells with higher levels of Sulf-2 expression, a specific feature of MYCN-amplified cells (MYCN-A cells) that represent a particularly aggressive subclass. Sulf-2 overexpression in neuroblastoma cells lacking MYCN amplification (MYCN-NA cells) increased their in vitro survival. Mechanistic investigations revealed evidence of a link between Sulf-2 expression and MYCN pathogenicity in vitro and in vivo. Analysis of Sulf-2 protein expression in 65 human neuroblastoma tumors demonstrated a higher level of Sulf-2 expression in MYCN-A tumors than in MYCN-NA tumors. In two different patient cohorts, we confirmed the association in expression patterns of Sulf-2 and MYCN and determined that Sulf-2 overexpression predicted poor outcomes in a nonindependent manner with MYCN. Our findings define Sulf-2 as a novel positive regulator of neuroblastoma pathogenicity that contributes to MYCN oncogenicity. Cancer Res; 74(21); 5999-6009. ©2014 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Solari
- Centre for Glycobiology, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom. Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California. The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital, Los Angeles, California
| | - Lucia Borriello
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California. The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital, Los Angeles, California
| | - Gianluca Turcatel
- The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital, Los Angeles, California
| | - Hiroyuki Shimada
- Department of Pathology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Richard Sposto
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California. Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - G Esteban Fernandez
- The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital, Los Angeles, California
| | - Shahab Asgharzadeh
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California. Department of Pathology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California. Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Edwin A Yates
- Centre for Glycobiology, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Jeremy E Turnbull
- Centre for Glycobiology, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
| | - Yves A DeClerck
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California. The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital, Los Angeles, California. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
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46
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Deng K, Guo X, Wang H, Xia J. The lncRNA-MYC regulatory network in cancer. Tumour Biol 2014; 35:9497-503. [PMID: 25139102 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-014-2511-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 08/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been widely studied in recent years, and accumulating evidence identified lncRNAs as crucial regulators of various biological processes, including cell cycle progression, chromatin remodeling, gene transcription, and posttranscriptional processing. In addition, the fact that lncRNAs interact with the MYC gene family in human carcinomas has been discovered. This review summarizes the latest progress on the investigation of lncRNAs and MYC, particularly focusing on the interplay between lncRNAs and MYC in cancer to reveal the significance of lncRNA-MYC network in regulating initiation, development, and metastasis of tumors. Further research and collection of clinical data would provide a better understanding of lncRNA-MYC network in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyuan Deng
- Department of General Surgery and Translational Medicine Center, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Wuxi Second Hospital, Wuxi, 214002, Jiangsu, China
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47
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Li Y, Li W, Zhang JG, Li HY, Li YM. Downregulation of tumor suppressor menin by miR-421 promotes proliferation and migration of neuroblastoma. Tumour Biol 2014; 35:10011-7. [PMID: 25012242 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-014-1921-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma, featured by a high rate of spontaneous remissions, is the most common extra-cranial solid tumor in infants and children. Numerous reports have demonstrated that MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play essential roles in cancer progression, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis. miR-421 functions as an onco-miR in some malignancies. However, its role in neuroblastoma remains poorly understood. In the present study, we found that miR-421 was increased in neuroblastoma tissues compared with matched adjacent normal tissues. Forced overexpression of miR-421 substantially enhanced cell proliferation, cell-cycle progression, migration, and invasion of neuroblastoma cells. At the molecular level, tumor suppressor menin was found to be a target of miR-421. Furthermore, downregulation of menin by small interfering RNA oligos exhibited similar effects with overexpression of miR-421. On the other hand, overexpression of menin partially reversed the proliferative effects of miR-421 in neuroblastoma cells. Collectively, miR-421 may promote neuroblastoma cell growth and motility partially by targeting menin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Henan, 450003, China,
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48
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Significance and therapeutic value of miRNAs in embryonal neural tumors. Molecules 2014; 19:5821-62. [PMID: 24806581 PMCID: PMC6271640 DOI: 10.3390/molecules19055821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2014] [Revised: 04/25/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryonal tumors of the nervous system are the leading cause of childhood cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Medulloblastoma, supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors, atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor and neuroblastoma account for more than 20% of childhood malignancies and typify the current neural embryonal tumor model in pediatric oncology. Mechanisms driving the formation of these tumors point towards impaired differentiation of neuronal and neuron-associated cells during the development of the nervous system as an important factor. The importance of microRNAs (miRNAs) for proper embryonic cell function has been confirmed and their aberrant expressions have been linked to tumor development. The role of miRNAs in controlling essential regulators of key pathways implicated in tumor development makes their use in diagnostics a powerful tool to be used for early detection of cancer, risk assessment and prognosis, as well as for the design of innovative therapeutic strategies. In this review we focus on the significance of miRNAs involved in the biology of embryonal neural tumors, delineate their clinical significance and discuss their potential as a novel therapeutic target.
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49
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Pieraccioli M, Imbastari F, Antonov A, Melino G, Raschellà G. Activation of miR200 by c-Myb depends on ZEB1 expression and miR200 promoter methylation. Cell Cycle 2014; 12:2309-20. [PMID: 24067373 DOI: 10.4161/cc.25405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor progression to metastasis is a complex, sequential process that requires proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, motility and invasion to colonize at distant sites. The acquisition of these features implies a phenotypic plasticity by tumor cells that must adapt to different conditions by modulating several signaling pathways (1) during the journey to the final site of metastasis. Several transcription factors and microRNA play a role in tumor progression, but less is known about the control of their expression during this process. Here, we demonstrate by ectopic expression and gene silencing that the proto-oncogene c-Myb activates the expression of the 5 members of miR200 family (miR200b, miR200a, miR429, miR200c and miR141) that are involved in the control of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis in many types of cancers. Transcriptional activation of miR200 by c-Myb occurs through binding to myb binding sites located in the promoter regions of miR200 genes on human chromosomes 1 and 12. Furthermore, when c-Myb and the transcriptional repressor ZEB1 are co-expressed, as at the onset EMT, the repression by ZEB1 prevails over the activation by c-Myb, and the expression of miR200 is inhibited. We also demonstrate that during EMT induced by TGF-β, the promoters of miR200 genes are methylated, and their transcription is repressed regardless of the presence of repressors such as ZEB1 and activators such as c-Myb. Finally, we find a correlation between the expression of c-Myb and that of four out of 5 miR200 in a data set of 207 breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Pieraccioli
- ENEA Research Center Casaccia, Radiation Biology and Human Health Unit, Rome, Italy
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Beltran H. The N-myc Oncogene: Maximizing its Targets, Regulation, and Therapeutic Potential. Mol Cancer Res 2014; 12:815-22. [PMID: 24589438 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-13-0536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
N-myc (MYCN), a member of the Myc family of basic-helix-loop-helix-zipper (bHLHZ) transcription factors, is a central regulator of many vital cellular processes. As such, N-myc is well recognized for its classic oncogenic activity and association with human neuroblastoma. Amplification and overexpression of N-myc has been described in other tumor types, particularly those of neural origin and neuroendocrine tumors. This review outlines N-myc's contribution to normal development and oncogenic progression. In addition, it highlights relevant transcriptional targets and mechanisms of regulation. Finally, the clinical implications of N-Myc as a biomarker and potential as a target using novel therapeutic approaches are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himisha Beltran
- Author's Affiliation: Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
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