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1
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Ratz L, Brambillasca C, Bartke L, Huetzen MA, Goergens J, Leidecker O, Jachimowicz RD, van de Ven M, Proost N, Siteur B, de Korte-Grimmerink R, Bouwman P, Pulver EM, de Bruijn R, Isensee J, Hucho T, Pandey G, van Lohuizen M, Mallmann P, Reinhardt HC, Jonkers J, Puppe J. Combined inhibition of EZH2 and ATM is synthetic lethal in BRCA1-deficient breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res 2022; 24:41. [PMID: 35715861 PMCID: PMC9206299 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-022-01534-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The majority of BRCA1-mutant breast cancers are characterized by a triple-negative phenotype and a basal-like molecular subtype, associated with aggressive clinical behavior. Current treatment options are limited, highlighting the need for the development of novel targeted therapies for this tumor subtype. Methods Our group previously showed that EZH2 is functionally relevant in BRCA1-deficient breast tumors and blocking EZH2 enzymatic activity could be a potent treatment strategy. To validate the role of EZH2 as a therapeutic target and to identify new synergistic drug combinations, we performed a high-throughput drug combination screen in various cell lines derived from BRCA1-deficient and -proficient mouse mammary tumors.
Results We identified the combined inhibition of EZH2 and the proximal DNA damage response kinase ATM as a novel synthetic lethality-based therapy for the treatment of BRCA1-deficient breast tumors. We show that the combined treatment with the EZH2 inhibitor GSK126 and the ATM inhibitor AZD1390 led to reduced colony formation, increased genotoxic stress, and apoptosis-mediated cell death in BRCA1-deficient mammary tumor cells in vitro. These findings were corroborated by in vivo experiments showing that simultaneous inhibition of EZH2 and ATM significantly increased anti-tumor activity in mice bearing BRCA1-deficient mammary tumors.
Conclusion Taken together, we identified a synthetic lethal interaction between EZH2 and ATM and propose this synergistic interaction as a novel molecular combination for the treatment of BRCA1-mutant breast cancer. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13058-022-01534-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Ratz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 34, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
| | - Chiara Brambillasca
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Leandra Bartke
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 34, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Maxim A Huetzen
- Max Planck Research Group Mechanisms of DNA Repair, Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Cologne, Germany.,Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne and Duesseldorf, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Ageing-Associated Diseases, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jonas Goergens
- Max Planck Research Group Mechanisms of DNA Repair, Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Cologne, Germany.,Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne and Duesseldorf, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Ageing-Associated Diseases, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Orsolya Leidecker
- Max Planck Research Group Mechanisms of DNA Repair, Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Cologne, Germany.,Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne and Duesseldorf, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Ageing-Associated Diseases, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Ron D Jachimowicz
- Max Planck Research Group Mechanisms of DNA Repair, Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Cologne, Germany.,Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne and Duesseldorf, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Ageing-Associated Diseases, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Marieke van de Ven
- Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Mouse Clinic for Cancer and Ageing, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Natalie Proost
- Mouse Clinic for Cancer and Ageing, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bjørn Siteur
- Mouse Clinic for Cancer and Ageing, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Peter Bouwman
- Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Emilia M Pulver
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Roebi de Bruijn
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jörg Isensee
- Translational Pain Research, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Tim Hucho
- Translational Pain Research, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Gaurav Pandey
- Mouse Clinic for Cancer and Ageing, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Division of Molecular Genetics, Cancer Genomics Centre Netherlands, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten van Lohuizen
- Mouse Clinic for Cancer and Ageing, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Division of Molecular Genetics, Cancer Genomics Centre Netherlands, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Mallmann
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 34, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Hans Christian Reinhardt
- Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK Partner Site Essen), Essen, Germany
| | - Jos Jonkers
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Mouse Clinic for Cancer and Ageing, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Julian Puppe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 34, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
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2
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Niwa Y, Kamimura K, Ogawa K, Oda C, Tanaka Y, Horigome R, Ohtsuka M, Miura H, Fujisawa K, Yamamoto N, Takami T, Okuda S, Ko M, Owaki T, Kimura A, Shibata O, Morita S, Sakai N, Abe H, Yokoo T, Sakamaki A, Kamimura H, Terai S. Cyclin D1 Binding Protein 1 Responds to DNA Damage through the ATM–CHK2 Pathway. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11030851. [PMID: 35160302 PMCID: PMC8836734 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11030851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin D1 binding protein 1 (CCNDBP1) is considered a tumor suppressor, and when expressed in tumor cells, CCNDBP1 can contribute to the viability of cancer cells by rescuing these cells from chemotherapy-induced DNA damage. Therefore, this study focused on investigating the function of CCNDBP1, which is directly related to the survival of cancer cells by escaping DNA damage and chemoresistance. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and tissues obtained from Ccndbp1 knockout mice were used for the in vitro and in vivo examination of the molecular mechanisms of CCNDBP1 associated with the recovery of cells from DNA damage. Subsequently, gene and protein expression changes associated with the upregulation, downregulation, and irradiation of CCNDBP1 were assessed. The overexpression of CCNDBP1 in HCC cells stimulated cell growth and showed resistance to X-ray-induced DNA damage. Gene expression analysis of CCNDBP1-overexpressed cells and Ccndbp1 knockout mice revealed that Ccndbp1 activated the Atm–Chk2 pathway through the inhibition of Ezh2 expression, accounting for resistance to DNA damage. Our study demonstrated that by inhibiting EZH2, CCNDBP1 contributed to the activation of the ATM–CHK2 pathway to alleviate DNA damage, leading to chemoresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Niwa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Niigata, Japan; (Y.N.); (K.O.); (C.O.); (Y.T.); (R.H.); (M.K.); (T.O.); (A.K.); (O.S.); (S.M.); (N.S.); (H.A.); (T.Y.); (A.S.); (H.K.); (S.T.)
| | - Kenya Kamimura
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Niigata, Japan; (Y.N.); (K.O.); (C.O.); (Y.T.); (R.H.); (M.K.); (T.O.); (A.K.); (O.S.); (S.M.); (N.S.); (H.A.); (T.Y.); (A.S.); (H.K.); (S.T.)
- Department of General Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine, Niigata 951-8510, Niigata, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-(25)-227-2207
| | - Kohei Ogawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Niigata, Japan; (Y.N.); (K.O.); (C.O.); (Y.T.); (R.H.); (M.K.); (T.O.); (A.K.); (O.S.); (S.M.); (N.S.); (H.A.); (T.Y.); (A.S.); (H.K.); (S.T.)
| | - Chiyumi Oda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Niigata, Japan; (Y.N.); (K.O.); (C.O.); (Y.T.); (R.H.); (M.K.); (T.O.); (A.K.); (O.S.); (S.M.); (N.S.); (H.A.); (T.Y.); (A.S.); (H.K.); (S.T.)
| | - Yuto Tanaka
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Niigata, Japan; (Y.N.); (K.O.); (C.O.); (Y.T.); (R.H.); (M.K.); (T.O.); (A.K.); (O.S.); (S.M.); (N.S.); (H.A.); (T.Y.); (A.S.); (H.K.); (S.T.)
| | - Ryoko Horigome
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Niigata, Japan; (Y.N.); (K.O.); (C.O.); (Y.T.); (R.H.); (M.K.); (T.O.); (A.K.); (O.S.); (S.M.); (N.S.); (H.A.); (T.Y.); (A.S.); (H.K.); (S.T.)
| | - Masato Ohtsuka
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Tokai University, Isehara 259-1193, Kanagawa, Japan; (M.O.); (H.M.)
| | - Hiromi Miura
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Tokai University, Isehara 259-1193, Kanagawa, Japan; (M.O.); (H.M.)
| | - Koichi Fujisawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube 755-8505, Yamaguchi, Japan; (K.F.); (N.Y.); (T.T.)
| | - Naoki Yamamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube 755-8505, Yamaguchi, Japan; (K.F.); (N.Y.); (T.T.)
| | - Taro Takami
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube 755-8505, Yamaguchi, Japan; (K.F.); (N.Y.); (T.T.)
| | - Shujiro Okuda
- Division of Bioinformatics, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Niigata, Japan;
| | - Masayoshi Ko
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Niigata, Japan; (Y.N.); (K.O.); (C.O.); (Y.T.); (R.H.); (M.K.); (T.O.); (A.K.); (O.S.); (S.M.); (N.S.); (H.A.); (T.Y.); (A.S.); (H.K.); (S.T.)
| | - Takashi Owaki
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Niigata, Japan; (Y.N.); (K.O.); (C.O.); (Y.T.); (R.H.); (M.K.); (T.O.); (A.K.); (O.S.); (S.M.); (N.S.); (H.A.); (T.Y.); (A.S.); (H.K.); (S.T.)
| | - Atsushi Kimura
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Niigata, Japan; (Y.N.); (K.O.); (C.O.); (Y.T.); (R.H.); (M.K.); (T.O.); (A.K.); (O.S.); (S.M.); (N.S.); (H.A.); (T.Y.); (A.S.); (H.K.); (S.T.)
| | - Osamu Shibata
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Niigata, Japan; (Y.N.); (K.O.); (C.O.); (Y.T.); (R.H.); (M.K.); (T.O.); (A.K.); (O.S.); (S.M.); (N.S.); (H.A.); (T.Y.); (A.S.); (H.K.); (S.T.)
| | - Shinichi Morita
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Niigata, Japan; (Y.N.); (K.O.); (C.O.); (Y.T.); (R.H.); (M.K.); (T.O.); (A.K.); (O.S.); (S.M.); (N.S.); (H.A.); (T.Y.); (A.S.); (H.K.); (S.T.)
| | - Norihiro Sakai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Niigata, Japan; (Y.N.); (K.O.); (C.O.); (Y.T.); (R.H.); (M.K.); (T.O.); (A.K.); (O.S.); (S.M.); (N.S.); (H.A.); (T.Y.); (A.S.); (H.K.); (S.T.)
| | - Hiroyuki Abe
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Niigata, Japan; (Y.N.); (K.O.); (C.O.); (Y.T.); (R.H.); (M.K.); (T.O.); (A.K.); (O.S.); (S.M.); (N.S.); (H.A.); (T.Y.); (A.S.); (H.K.); (S.T.)
| | - Takeshi Yokoo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Niigata, Japan; (Y.N.); (K.O.); (C.O.); (Y.T.); (R.H.); (M.K.); (T.O.); (A.K.); (O.S.); (S.M.); (N.S.); (H.A.); (T.Y.); (A.S.); (H.K.); (S.T.)
| | - Akira Sakamaki
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Niigata, Japan; (Y.N.); (K.O.); (C.O.); (Y.T.); (R.H.); (M.K.); (T.O.); (A.K.); (O.S.); (S.M.); (N.S.); (H.A.); (T.Y.); (A.S.); (H.K.); (S.T.)
| | - Hiroteru Kamimura
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Niigata, Japan; (Y.N.); (K.O.); (C.O.); (Y.T.); (R.H.); (M.K.); (T.O.); (A.K.); (O.S.); (S.M.); (N.S.); (H.A.); (T.Y.); (A.S.); (H.K.); (S.T.)
| | - Shuji Terai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Niigata, Japan; (Y.N.); (K.O.); (C.O.); (Y.T.); (R.H.); (M.K.); (T.O.); (A.K.); (O.S.); (S.M.); (N.S.); (H.A.); (T.Y.); (A.S.); (H.K.); (S.T.)
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3
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Singh R, Fazal Z, Bikorimana E, Boyd RI, Yerby C, Tomlin M, Baldwin H, Shokry D, Corbet AK, Shahid K, Hattab A, Freemantle SJ, Spinella MJ. Reciprocal epigenetic remodeling controls testicular cancer hypersensitivity to hypomethylating agents and chemotherapy. Mol Oncol 2021; 16:683-698. [PMID: 34482638 PMCID: PMC8807365 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are aggressive but sensitive to cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Alternative therapies are needed for tumors refractory to cisplatin with hypomethylating agents providing one possibility. The mechanisms of cisplatin hypersensitivity and resistance in TGCTs remain poorly understood. Recently, it has been shown that TGCTs, even those resistant to cisplatin, are hypersensitive to very low doses of hypomethylating agents including 5-aza deoxy-cytosine (5-aza) and guadecitabine. We undertook a pharmacogenomic approach in order to better understand mechanisms of TGCT hypomethylating agent hypersensitivity by generating a panel of acquired 5-aza-resistant TGCT cells and contrasting these to previously generated acquired isogenic cisplatin-resistant cells from the same parent. Interestingly, there was a reciprocal relationship between cisplatin and 5-aza sensitivity, with cisplatin resistance associated with increased sensitivity to 5-aza and 5-aza resistance associated with increased sensitivity to cisplatin. Unbiased transcriptome analysis revealed 5-aza-resistant cells strongly downregulated polycomb target gene expression, the exact opposite of the finding for cisplatin-resistant cells, which upregulated polycomb target genes. This was associated with a dramatic increase in H3K27me3 and decrease in DNMT3B levels in 5-aza-resistant cells, the exact opposite changes seen in cisplatin-resistant cells. Evidence is presented that reciprocal regulation of polycomb and DNMT3B may be initiated by changes in DNMT3B levels as DNMT3B knockdown alone in parental cells resulted in increased expression of H3K27me3, EZH2, and BMI1, conferred 5-aza resistance and cisplatin sensitization, and mediated genome-wide repression of polycomb target gene expression. Finally, genome-wide analysis revealed that 5-aza-resistant, cisplatin-resistant, and DNMT3B-knockdown cells alter the expression of a common set of polycomb target genes. This study highlights that reciprocal epigenetic changes mediated by DNMT3B and polycomb may be a key driver of the unique cisplatin and 5-aza hypersensitivity of TGCTs and suggests that distinct epigenetic vulnerabilities may exist for pharmacological targeting of TGCTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ratnakar Singh
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Zeeshan Fazal
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Emmanuel Bikorimana
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Raya I Boyd
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Cliff Yerby
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Megan Tomlin
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Hannah Baldwin
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Doha Shokry
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Andrea K Corbet
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Khadeeja Shahid
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Aleyah Hattab
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Sarah J Freemantle
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Michael J Spinella
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA.,Carle Illinois College of Medicine and Cancer Center of Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
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4
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Marchetti C, De Felice F, Romito A, Iacobelli V, Sassu CM, Corrado G, Ricci C, Scambia G, Fagotti A. Chemotherapy resistance in epithelial ovarian cancer: Mechanisms and emerging treatments. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 77:144-166. [PMID: 34464704 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) remains a fatal malignancy because most patients experience recurrent disease, which is resistant to chemotherapy. The outcomes for patients with platinum-resistant OC are poor, response rates to further chemotherapy are low and median survival is lower than 12 months. The complexity of platinum-resistant OC, which comprises a heterogeneous spectrum of diseases, is indeed far from being completely understood. Therefore, comprehending tumors' biological behaviour to identify reliable biomarkers, which may predict responses to therapies, is a demanding challenge to improve OC management. In the age of precision medicine, efforts to overcome platinum resistance in OC represent a dynamic and vast field in which innovative drugs and clinical trials rapidly develop. This review will present the exceptional biochemical environment implicated in OC and highlights mechanisms of chemoresistance. Furthermore, innovative molecules and new therapeutic opportunities are presented, along with currently available therapies and ongoing clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Marchetti
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy.
| | - Francesca De Felice
- Division of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Policlinico Umberto I, Roma, Italy; Università La Sapienza, Roma, Italy
| | - Alessia Romito
- Gynecology and Breast Care Center, Mater Olbia Hospital, Olbia, Italy
| | - Valentina Iacobelli
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy; Department Woman and Child Health Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Carolina Maria Sassu
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Polyclinic Umberto I, Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Corrado
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Caterina Ricci
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Giovanni Scambia
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy; Department Woman and Child Health Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Fagotti
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy; Department Woman and Child Health Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
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5
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Ashrafizadeh M, Mirzaei S, Hashemi F, Zarrabi A, Zabolian A, Saleki H, Sharifzadeh SO, Soleymani L, Daneshi S, Hushmandi K, Khan H, Kumar AP, Aref AR, Samarghandian S. New insight towards development of paclitaxel and docetaxel resistance in cancer cells: EMT as a novel molecular mechanism and therapeutic possibilities. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 141:111824. [PMID: 34175815 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) mechanism is responsible for metastasis and migration of cancer cells to neighboring cells and tissues. Morphologically, epithelial cells are transformed to mesenchymal cells, and at molecular level, E-cadherin undergoes down-regulation, while an increase occurs in N-cadherin and vimentin levels. Increasing evidence demonstrates role of EMT in mediating drug resistance of cancer cells. On the other hand, paclitaxel (PTX) and docetaxel (DTX) are two chemotherapeutic agents belonging to taxene family, capable of inducing cell cycle arrest in cancer cells via preventing microtubule depolymerization. Aggressive behavior of cancer cells resulted from EMT-mediated metastasis can lead to PTX and DTX resistance. Upstream mediators of EMT such as ZEB1/2, TGF-β, microRNAs, and so on are involved in regulating response of cancer cells to PTX and DTX. Tumor-suppressing factors inhibit EMT to promote PTX and DTX sensitivity of cancer cells. Furthermore, three different strategies including using anti-tumor compounds, gene therapy and delivery systems have been developed for suppressing EMT, and enhancing cytotoxicity of PTX and DTX against cancer cells that are mechanistically discussed in the current review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Orta Mahalle, Üniversite Caddesi No. 27, Orhanlı, Tuzla, 34956 Istanbul, Turkey; Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Tuzla, 34956 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Sepideh Mirzaei
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farid Hashemi
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Zarrabi
- Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Tuzla, 34956 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Amirhossein Zabolian
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Saleki
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Omid Sharifzadeh
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leyla Soleymani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Salman Daneshi
- Department of Public Health, School of Health, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran
| | - Kiavash Hushmandi
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Division of epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Haroon Khan
- Department of Pharmacy, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Alan Prem Kumar
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore and Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117599, Singapore; NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore.
| | - Amir Reza Aref
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Vice President at Translational Sciences, Xsphera Biosciences Inc. 6 Tide Street, Boston, MA 02210, USA
| | - Saeed Samarghandian
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran.
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6
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Reid BM, Vyas S, Chen Z, Chen A, Kanetsky PA, Permuth JB, Sellers TA, Saglam O. Morphologic and molecular correlates of EZH2 as a predictor of platinum resistance in high-grade ovarian serous carcinoma. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:714. [PMID: 34140011 PMCID: PMC8212453 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08413-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Enhancer of zesta homologue 2 (EZH2) is an essential component of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) that contributes to tumor progression and chemo-resistance. The aim of this study was to comprehensively assess the prognostic value of EZH2 across the morphologic and molecular spectra of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) by utilizing both immunohistochemistry (IHC) and proteogenomic technologies. METHODS IHC of EZH2 was performed using a tissue microarray of 79 HGSOC scored (+/-) for lymphovascular invasion (LVI), tumor-infiltrating lymphocytic aggregates ≥1 mm (TIL) and architectural growth patterns. The association of EZH2 H-score with response to therapy and overall survival was evaluated by tumor features. We also evaluated EZH2 transcriptional (RNA sequencing) and protein (mass spectrometry) expression from bulk tumor samples from 336 HGSOC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). EZH2 expression and co-expression networks were compared by clinical outcomes. RESULTS For HGSOC without TIL (58%), EZH2 expression was almost 2-fold higher in platinum resistant tumors (P = 0.01). Conversely, EZH2 was not associated with platinum resistance among TIL+ HGSOC (P = 0.41). EZH2 expression was associated with reduced survival for tumors with LVI (P = 0.04). Analysis of TCGA found higher EZH2 expression in immunoreactive and proliferative tumors (P = 6.7 × 10- 5) although protein levels were similar across molecular subtypes (P = 0.52). Both mRNA and protein levels of EZH2 were lower in platinum resistant tumors although they were not associated with survival. Co-expression analysis revealed EZH2 networks totaling 1049 mRNA and 448 proteins that were exclusive to platinum sensitive or resistant tumors. The EZH2 network in resistant HGSOC included CARM1 which was positively correlated with EZH2 at both mRNA (r = 0.33, p = 0.003) and protein (r = 0.14, P = 0.01) levels. Further, EZH2 co-expression with CARM1 corresponded to a decreased prognostic significance of EZH2 expression in resistant tumors. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that EZH2 expression varies based on its interactions with immunologic pathways and tumor microenvironment, impacting the prognostic interpretation. The association between high EZH2 expression and platinum resistance in TIL- HGSOC warrants further study of the implications for therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett M Reid
- Cancer Epidemiology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA.
| | - Shraddha Vyas
- Cancer Epidemiology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Zhihua Chen
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Ann Chen
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | | | | | | - Ozlen Saglam
- Department of Pathology, Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 USF Magnolia Dr, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
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7
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Li M, Zhang S, Ma Y, Yang Y, An R. Role of hsa‑miR‑105 during the pathogenesis of paclitaxel resistance and its clinical implication in ovarian cancer. Oncol Rep 2021; 45:84. [PMID: 33846814 PMCID: PMC8025119 DOI: 10.3892/or.2021.8035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 70% of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), one of the leading cause of gynecological cancer-related deaths worldwide, are diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease. Currently, the mainstay for treatment of advanced EOC is tumor debulking surgery followed by combined platinum- and paclitaxel (PTX)-based chemotherapy. However, most patients eventually develop chemoresistance, which remains a major obstacle to successful treatment. Herein, by using clinical specimens and experimentally induced cell models, we found that the expression levels of hsa-miR-105 were significantly decreased in PTX-resistant EOC tissues and cell lines. Follow-up functional experiments demonstrated that repression of hsa-miR-105 conferred resistance to paclitaxel in EOC cells, whereas restoration of hsa-miR-105 expression in situ via intratumoral injection of hsa-miR-105 micrON™ agomir potentiated in vivo sensitivity to PTX and thereafter significantly inhibited tumor growth in a PTX-challenged xenograft model. Mechanistically, hsa-miR-105 exerted its tumor suppressor function by directly inhibiting the zinc and ring finger 2 (ZNRF2) signaling pathway. Importantly, aberrant expression of hsa-miR-105 in both tumor and circulating samples predicted a poor post-chemotherapy prognosis in EOC patients. These findings collectively suggest that hsa-miR-105 may act as a potent tumor suppressor miRNA during the progression of EOC, likely affecting cell proliferation, invasiveness and chemosensitivity to PTX, and functioning at least in part via inhibition of ZNRF2 signaling. The stability and availability and ease in measurement of circulating hsa-miR-105 make it a valuable diagnostic/prognostic biomarker candidate for chemotherapy of EOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mao Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Shun Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine Center, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710038, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine Center, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710038, P.R. China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710082, P.R. China
| | - Ruifang An
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
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8
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Leitner K, Tsibulak I, Wieser V, Knoll K, Reimer D, Marth C, Fiegl H, Zeimet AG. Clinical impact of EZH2 and its antagonist SMARCA4 in ovarian cancer. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20412. [PMID: 33230143 PMCID: PMC7684284 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77532-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
SMARCA4 and EZH2 are two functional key players of their respective antagonizing chromatin remodeling complexes SWI/SNF and PRC2. EZH2 inhibitory drugs may abrogate pro-oncogenic features of PRC2 and turn the balance to cell differentiation via SWI/SNF activity in cancers. SMARCA4 and EZH2 expression was assessed by RT-PCR in 238 epithelial ovarian cancers (OCs) and put in relation to clinico-pathological parameters and patients' outcome. Optimal thresholds for high and low expression of both variables were calculated by the Youden's index based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. High SMARCA4 mRNA expression was independently associated with favorable progression-free survival (PFS) (P = 0.03) and overall survival (OS) (P = 0.018). As Youden's threshold determination for EZH2 yielded a S-shaped ROC-curve, two cut-off points (29th and 94th percentile) predicting opposite features were defined. Whereas EZH2 mRNA levels beyond the 29th percentile independently predicted poor PFS (P = 0.034), Cox-regression in EZH2 transcripts above the 94th percentile revealed a conversion from unfavorable to favorable PFS and OS (P = 0.009 and P = 0.032, respectively). High SMARCA4 expression associates with improved survival, whereas moderate/high EZH2 expression predicts poor outcome, which converts to favorable survival in ultra-high expressing OCs. This small OC subgroup could be characterized by REV7-abrogated platinum hypersensitivity but concomitant PARP-inhibitor resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Leitner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstraße 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Irina Tsibulak
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstraße 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Verena Wieser
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstraße 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Katharina Knoll
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstraße 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Daniel Reimer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstraße 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christian Marth
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstraße 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Heidi Fiegl
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstraße 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alain G Zeimet
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstraße 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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9
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Le Page C, Amuzu S, Rahimi K, Gotlieb W, Ragoussis J, Tonin PN. Lessons learned from understanding chemotherapy resistance in epithelial tubo-ovarian carcinoma from BRCA1and BRCA2mutation carriers. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 77:110-126. [PMID: 32827632 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are multi-functional proteins and key factors for maintaining genomic stability through their roles in DNA double strand break repair by homologous recombination, rescuing stalled or damaged DNA replication forks, and regulation of cell cycle DNA damage checkpoints. Impairment of any of these critical roles results in genomic instability, a phenotypic hallmark of many cancers including breast and epithelial ovarian carcinomas (EOC). Damaging, usually loss of function germline and somatic variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2, are important drivers of the development, progression, and management of high-grade serous tubo-ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC). However, mutations in these genes render patients particularly sensitive to platinum-based chemotherapy, and to the more innovative targeted therapies with poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPis) that are targeted to BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation carriers. Here, we reviewed the literature on the responsiveness of BRCA1/2-associated HGSOC to platinum-based chemotherapy and PARPis, and propose mechanisms underlying the frequent development of resistance to these therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Le Page
- McGill Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Setor Amuzu
- McGill Genome Centre, and Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Kurosh Rahimi
- Department of Pathology du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Walter Gotlieb
- Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Lady Davis Research Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jiannis Ragoussis
- McGill Genome Centre, and Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Patricia N Tonin
- Departments of Medicine and Human Genetics, McGill University, Cancer Research Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Bockmayr T, Erdmann G, Treue D, Jurmeister P, Schneider J, Arndt A, Heim D, Bockmayr M, Sachse C, Klauschen F. Multiclass cancer classification in fresh frozen and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue by DigiWest multiplex protein analysis. J Transl Med 2020; 100:1288-1299. [PMID: 32601356 PMCID: PMC7498367 DOI: 10.1038/s41374-020-0455-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Histomorphology and immunohistochemistry are the most common ways of cancer classification in routine cancer diagnostics, but often reach their limits in determining the organ origin in metastasis. These cancers of unknown primary, which are mostly adenocarcinomas or squamous cell carcinomas, therefore require more sophisticated methodologies of classification. Here, we report a multiplex protein profiling-based approach for the classification of fresh frozen and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) cancer tissue samples using the digital western blot technique DigiWest. A DigiWest-compatible FFPE extraction protocol was developed, and a total of 634 antibodies were tested in an initial set of 16 FFPE samples covering tumors from different origins. Of the 303 detected antibodies, 102 yielded significant correlation of signals in 25 pairs of fresh frozen and FFPE primary tumor samples, including head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSC), lung squamous cell carcinomas (LUSC), lung adenocarcinomas (LUAD), colorectal adenocarcinomas (COAD), and pancreatic adenocarcinomas (PAAD). For this signature of 102 analytes (covering 88 total proteins and 14 phosphoproteins), a support vector machine (SVM) algorithm was developed. This allowed for the classification of the tissue of origin for all five tumor types studied here with high overall accuracies in both fresh frozen (90.4%) and FFPE (77.6%) samples. In addition, the SVM classifier reached an overall accuracy of 88% in an independent validation cohort of 25 FFPE tumor samples. Our results indicate that DigiWest-based protein profiling represents a valuable method for cancer classification, yielding conclusive and decisive data not only from fresh frozen specimens but also FFPE samples, thus making this approach attractive for routine clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Bockmayr
- grid.7468.d0000 0001 2248 7639Institute of Pathology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Denise Treue
- grid.7468.d0000 0001 2248 7639Institute of Pathology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany ,Central Biobank Charité (ZeBanC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Jurmeister
- grid.7468.d0000 0001 2248 7639Institute of Pathology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | - Daniel Heim
- grid.7468.d0000 0001 2248 7639Institute of Pathology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Bockmayr
- grid.7468.d0000 0001 2248 7639Institute of Pathology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany ,grid.13648.380000 0001 2180 3484Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany ,grid.470174.1Research Institute Children’s Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Frederick Klauschen
- Institute of Pathology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany. .,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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