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Abstract
Mouse models of colorectal cancer (CRC) have been crucial in the identification of the role of genes responsible for the full range of pathology of the human disease and have proved to be dependable for testing anti-cancer drugs. Recent research points toward the relevance of tumor, angiogenic, and immune microenvironments in CRC progression to late-stage disease, as well as the treatment of it. This study examines important mouse models in CRC, discussing inherent strengths and weaknesses disclosed during their construction. It endeavors to provide both a synopsis of previous work covering how investigators have defined various models and to evaluate critically how researchers are most likely to use them in the future. Accumulated evidence regarding the metastatic process and the hope of using checkpoint inhibitors and immunological inhibitor therapies points to the need for a genetically engineered mouse model that is both immunocompetent and autochthonous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Haas Kucherlapati
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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2
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Snow SM, Matkowskyj KA, Maresh M, Clipson L, Vo TN, Johnson KA, Deming DA, Newton MA, Grady WM, Pickhardt PJ, Halberg RB. Validation of genetic classifiers derived from mouse and human tumors to identify molecular subtypes of colorectal cancer. Hum Pathol 2022; 119:1-14. [PMID: 34655611 PMCID: PMC9936405 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2021.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Standard treatment for advanced-stage CRC for decades has included 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy. More recently, targeted therapies for metastatic CRC are being used based on the individual cancer's molecular profile. In the past few years, several different molecular subtype schemes for human CRC have been developed. The molecular subtypes can be distinguished by gene expression signatures and have the potential to be used to guide treatment decisions. However, many subtyping classification methods were developed using mRNA expression levels of hundreds to thousands of genes, making them impractical for clinical use. In this study, we assessed whether an immunohistochemical approach could be used for molecular subtyping of CRCs. We validated two previously published, independent sets of immunohistochemistry classifiers and modified the published methods to improve the accuracy of the scoring methods. In addition, we evaluated whether protein and genetic signatures identified originally in the mouse were linked to clinical outcomes of patients with CRC. We found that low DDAH1 or low GAL3ST2 protein levels in human CRCs correlate with poor patient outcomes. The results of this study have the potential to impact methods for determining the prognosis and therapy selection for patients with CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santina M. Snow
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, 53705
| | - Kristina A. Matkowskyj
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, 53705,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, 53705,William S. Middleton VA Medical Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, 53705
| | - Morgan Maresh
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, 53705
| | - Linda Clipson
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, 53705
| | - Tien N. Vo
- Department of Statistics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, 53706,Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, 53792,Present address: StataCorp LLC, College Station, Texas 77845
| | | | - Dustin A. Deming
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, 53705,Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, 53705,Division of Hematology, Medical Oncology, and Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, 53705
| | - Michael A. Newton
- Department of Statistics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, 53706,Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, 53792
| | - William M. Grady
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA 98109,Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA 98109,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Perry J. Pickhardt
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, 53705
| | - Richard B. Halberg
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, 53705,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, 53705, Corresponding author Richard B. Halberg, Ph.D., Departments of Medicine and Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA Phone: 608-263-8433
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3
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Mantilla Rojas C, McGill MP, Salvador AC, Bautz D, Threadgill DW. Epithelial-specific ERBB3 deletion results in a genetic background-dependent increase in intestinal and colon polyps that is mediated by EGFR. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009931. [PMID: 34843459 PMCID: PMC8659709 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
ERBB3 has gained attention as a potential therapeutic target to treat colorectal and other types of cancers. To confirm a previous study showing intestinal polyps are dependent upon ERBB3, we generated an intestinal epithelia-specific ERBB3 deletion in C57BL/6-ApcMin/+ mice. Contrary to the previous report showing a significant reduction in intestinal polyps with ablation of ERBB3 on a B6;129 mixed genetic background, we observed a significant increase in polyp number with ablation of ERBB3 on C57BL/6J compared to control littermates. We confirmed the genetic background dependency of ERBB3 by also analyzing polyp development on B6129 hybrid and B6;129 advanced intercross mixed genetic backgrounds, which showed that ERBB3 deficiency only reduced polyp number on the mixed background as previously reported. Increased polyp number with ablation of ERBB3 was also observed in C57BL/6J mice treated with azoxymethane showing the effect is model independent. Polyps forming in absence of ERBB3 were generally smaller than those forming in control mice, albeit the effect was greatest in genetic backgrounds with reduced polyp numbers. The mechanism for differential polyp number in the absence of ERBB3 was through altered proliferation. Backgrounds with increased polyp number with loss of ERBB3 showed an increase in cell proliferation even in non-tumor epithelia, while backgrounds showing reduced polyp number with loss of ERBB3 showed reduced cellular proliferation. Increase polyp number caused by loss of ERBB3 was mediated by increased epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression, which was confirmed by deletion of Egfr. Taken together, this study raises substantial implications on the use of ERBB3 inhibitors against colorectal cancer. The prediction is that some patients may have increased progression with ERBB3 inhibitor therapy, which is consistent with observations reported for ERBB3 inhibitor clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Mantilla Rojas
- Interdisciplinary Program in Genetics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Michael P McGill
- Interdisciplinary Program in Genetics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Anna C Salvador
- Interdisciplinary Program in Genetics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - David Bautz
- Department of Genetics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - David W Threadgill
- Interdisciplinary Program in Genetics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics and Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
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Leystra AA, Harvey KN, Kaunga E, Hensley H, Vanderveer LA, Devarajan K, Clapper ML. High Variability in Cellular Proliferation, Gene Expression, and Cytokine Production in the Nonneoplastic Colonic Epithelium of Young Apc+/Min-FCCC Mice. Front Oncol 2021; 11:705562. [PMID: 34513688 PMCID: PMC8429936 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.705562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
An urgent need exists to identify efficacious therapeutic preventive interventions for individuals who are at high risk of developing colorectal cancer. To maximize the benefits of preventive intervention, it is vital to identify the time interval during which the initiation of a preventive intervention will lead to an optimal outcome. The goal of the present study was to determine if oncogenic events can be detected in the nonneoplastic colonic mucosa of Apc+/Min-FCCC mice prior to formation of the first adenoma, thus defining an earlier point of intervention along the cancer continuum. Tissues taken at three potential points of intervention were characterized: prior to Apc mutation (wild type Apc+/+-FCCC mice); after initiation but prior to colon adenoma formation (tumor-free Apc+/Min-FCCC mice); and after formation of the first colon adenoma (tumor-bearing Apc+/Min-FCCC mice). Experimentation focused on molecular processes that are dysregulated in early colon lesions: 1) cellular proliferation (proliferative index and size of the proliferative zone); 2) cellular stemness (expression of Ascl2, Grem1, Lgr5 and Muc2); 3) EGFR signaling (expression of Ereg); and 4) inflammation (expression of Mmp9, Ptsg2, and Reg4, as well as secretion of 18 cytokines involved in immune activation and response). Interestingly, the nonneoplastic colonic mucosa of wild type, tumor-free Apc+/Min-FCCC , and tumor-bearing Apc+/Min-FCCC mice did not display significant differences in average epithelial cell proliferation (fold change 0.8-1.3, p≥0.11), mucosal gene expression (fold change 0.8-1.4, p≥0.22), or secretion of specific cytokines from colonic mucosa (fold change 0.2-1.5, p≥0.06). However, the level of cytokine secretion was highly variable, with many (22% of wild type, 31% of tumor-free Apc+/Min-FCCC , and 31% of tumor-bearing Apc+/Min-FCCC ) mice categorized as outliers (> 1.5 x interquartile ranges below the first quartile or above the third quartile) due to elevated expression of at least one cytokine. In summary, no differences were observed in proliferation, stemness, and EGFR signaling in the colonic mucosa of wild type vs Apc+/Min-FCCC mice, with low baseline cytokine expression, prior to the formation of the first colon adenoma. The results of this study provide valuable baseline data to inform the design of future cancer prevention studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa A. Leystra
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kristen N. Harvey
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Esther Kaunga
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Harvey Hensley
- Biological Imaging Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Lisa A. Vanderveer
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Karthik Devarajan
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Margie L. Clapper
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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5
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A molecular subtype of colorectal cancers initiates independently of epidermal growth factor receptor and has an accelerated growth rate mediated by IL10-dependent anergy. Oncogene 2021; 40:3047-3059. [PMID: 33767440 PMCID: PMC9113393 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01752-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Although epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted therapies are approved for colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment, only 15% of CRC patients respond to EGFR inhibition. Here, we show that colorectal cancers (CRC) can initiate and grow faster through an EGFR-independent mechanism, irrespective of the presence of EGFR, in two different mouse models using tissue-specific ablation of Egfr. The growth benefit in the absence of EGFR is also independent of Kras status. An EGFR-independent gene expression signature, also observed in human CRCs, revealed that anergy-inducing genes are overexpressed in EGFR-independent polyps, suggesting increased infiltration of anergic lymphocytes promotes an accelerated growth rate that is partially caused by escape from cell-mediated immune responses. Many genes in the EGFR-independent gene expression signature are downstream targets of interleukin 10 receptor alpha (IL10RA). We further show that IL10 is detectable in serum from mice with EGFR-independent colon polyps. Using organoids in vitro and Src ablation in vivo, we show that IL10 contributes to growth of EGFR-independent CRCs, potentially mediated by the well-documented role of SRC in IL10 signaling. Based on these data, we show that the combination of an EGFR inhibitor with an anti-IL10 neutralizing antibody results in decreased cell proliferation in organoids and in decreased polyp size in pre-clinical models harboring EGFR-independent CRCs, providing a new therapeutic intervention for CRCs resistant to EGFR inhibitor therapies.
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Bürtin F, Mullins CS, Linnebacher M. Mouse models of colorectal cancer: Past, present and future perspectives. World J Gastroenterol 2020; 26:1394-1426. [PMID: 32308343 PMCID: PMC7152519 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i13.1394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common diagnosed malignancy among both sexes in the United States as well as in the European Union. While the incidence and mortality rates in western, high developed countries are declining, reflecting the success of screening programs and improved treatment regimen, a rise of the overall global CRC burden can be observed due to lifestyle changes paralleling an increasing human development index. Despite a growing insight into the biology of CRC and many therapeutic improvements in the recent decades, preclinical in vivo models are still indispensable for the development of new treatment approaches. Since the development of carcinogen-induced rodent models for CRC more than 80 years ago, a plethora of animal models has been established to study colon cancer biology. Despite tenuous invasiveness and metastatic behavior, these models are useful for chemoprevention studies and to evaluate colitis-related carcinogenesis. Genetically engineered mouse models (GEMM) mirror the pathogenesis of sporadic as well as inherited CRC depending on the specific molecular pathways activated or inhibited. Although the vast majority of CRC GEMM lack invasiveness, metastasis and tumor heterogeneity, they still have proven useful for examination of the tumor microenvironment as well as systemic immune responses; thus, supporting development of new therapeutic avenues. Induction of metastatic disease by orthotopic injection of CRC cell lines is possible, but the so generated models lack genetic diversity and the number of suited cell lines is very limited. Patient-derived xenografts, in contrast, maintain the pathological and molecular characteristics of the individual patient’s CRC after subcutaneous implantation into immunodeficient mice and are therefore most reliable for preclinical drug development – even in comparison to GEMM or cell line-based analyses. However, subcutaneous patient-derived xenograft models are less suitable for studying most aspects of the tumor microenvironment and anti-tumoral immune responses. The authors review the distinct mouse models of CRC with an emphasis on their clinical relevance and shed light on the latest developments in the field of preclinical CRC models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Bürtin
- Department of General, Visceral, Vascular and Transplantation Surgery, University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, Rostock 18057, Germany
| | - Christina S Mullins
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, Rostock 18057, Germany
| | - Michael Linnebacher
- Molecular Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of General, Visceral, Vascular and Transplantation Surgery, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock 18057, Germany
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Machado VF, Parra RS, Leite CA, Minto SB, Cunha TM, Cunha FDQ, Garcia SB, Feitosa MR, da Rocha JJR, Feres O. Experimental Model of Rectal Carcinogenesis Induced by N-Methyl-N-Nitrosoguanidine in Mice with Endoscopic Evaluation. Int J Med Sci 2020; 17:2505-2510. [PMID: 33029093 PMCID: PMC7532479 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.48231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and purpose: The discovery of chemical substances with carcinogenic properties has allowed the development of several experimental models of colorectal cancer (CRC). Classically, experimental models of CRC in mice have been evaluated through clinical or serial euthanasia. The present study aims to investigate the role of low endoscopy in the analysis of carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). Methods: Thirty C57BL6 mice were divided into two groups: a control group with fifteen animals that underwent rectal instillation of saline solution on day 0 and a carcinogen group with fifteen animals that underwent a 100 mg/kg MNNG rectal instillation on day 0. In both groups, low endoscopies were performed on weeks 4 and 8. We used a validated endoscopic scoring system to evaluate the severity of colitis and colorectal tumor. Euthanasia was carried out at week 12. Results: We observed higher inflammation scores (p <0.001) and a higher number of tumors (p <0.05) in the MNNG group than the control group, both at weeks 4 and 8. A worsening of inflammation scores from the first to the second endoscopy was also noticeable in the MNNG group. There were no bowel perforations related to the procedure, and there was one death in the control group. Conclusion: Low endoscopy in experimental animals allows safe macroscopic evaluation of colorectal carcinogenesis without the need for euthanasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Foresto Machado
- Department of Surgery and Anatomy, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rogerio Serafim Parra
- Department of Surgery and Anatomy, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Caio Abner Leite
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Stefania Bovo Minto
- Pathology and Legal Medicine Department, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thiago Mattar Cunha
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Sergio Britto Garcia
- Pathology and Legal Medicine Department, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marley Ribeiro Feitosa
- Department of Surgery and Anatomy, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Omar Feres
- Department of Surgery and Anatomy, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
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Pooler BD, Lubner MG, Theis JR, Halberg RB, Liang Z, Pickhardt PJ. Volumetric Textural Analysis of Colorectal Masses at CT Colonography: Differentiating Benign versus Malignant Pathology and Comparison with Human Reader Performance. Acad Radiol 2019; 26:30-37. [PMID: 29566994 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2018.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Revised: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES To (1) apply a quantitative volumetric textural analysis (VTA) to colorectal masses at CT colonography (CTC) for the differentiation of malignant and benign lesions and to (2) compare VTA with human performance. MATERIALS AND METHODS A validated, quantitative VTA method was applied to 63 pathologically proven colorectal masses (mean size, 4.2 cm; range, 3-8 cm) at noncontrast CTC in 59 adults (mean age, 66.5 years; range, 45.9-91.6 years). Fifty-one percent (32/63) of the masses were invasive adenocarcinoma, and the remaining 49% (31/63) were large benign adenomas. Three readers with CTC experience independently assessed the likelihood of malignancy using a 5-point scale (1 = definitely benign, 2 = probably benign, 3 = indeterminate, 4 = probably malignant, 5 = definitely malignant). Areas under the curve (AUCs) and accuracy levels were compared. RESULTS VTA achieved optimal sensitivity of 83.6% vs 91.7% for human readers (P = .034), with specificities of 87.5% and 77.4%, respectively (P = .007). No significant difference in overall accuracy was seen between VTA and human readers (85.5% vs 84.7%, P = .753). The AUC for differentiating benign and malignant lesions was 0.936 for VTA and 0.917 for human readers. Intraclass correlation coefficient among the human readers was 0.76, indicating good to excellent agreement. CONCLUSION VTA demonstrates excellent performance for distinguishing benign from malignant colorectal masses (≥3 cm) at CTC, comparable yet potentially complementary to experienced human performance.
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Sievers CK, Zou LS, Pickhardt PJ, Matkowskyj KA, Albrecht DM, Clipson L, Bacher JW, Pooler BD, Moawad FJ, Cash BD, Reichelderfer M, Vo TN, Newton MA, Larget BR, Halberg RB. Subclonal diversity arises early even in small colorectal tumours and contributes to differential growth fates. Gut 2017; 66:2132-2140. [PMID: 27609830 PMCID: PMC5342955 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2016-312232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Revised: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN The goal of the study was to determine whether the mutational profile of early colorectal polyps correlated with growth behaviour. The growth of small polyps (6-9 mm) that were first identified during routine screening of patients was monitored over time by interval imaging with CT colonography. Mutations in these lesions with known growth rates were identified by targeted next-generation sequencing. The timing of mutational events was estimated using computer modelling and statistical inference considering several parameters including allele frequency and fitness. RESULTS The mutational landscape of small polyps is varied both within individual polyps and among the group as a whole but no single alteration was correlated with growth behaviour. Polyps carried 0-3 pathogenic mutations with the most frequent being in APC, KRAS/NRAS, BRAF, FBXW7 and TP53. In polyps with two or more pathogenic mutations, allele frequencies were often variable, indicating the presence of multiple populations within a single tumour. Based on computer modelling, detectable mutations occurred at a mean polyp size of 30±35 crypts, well before the tumour is of a clinically detectable size. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that small colon polyps can have multiple pathogenic mutations in crucial driver genes that arise early in the existence of a tumour. Understanding the molecular pathway of tumourigenesis and clonal evolution in polyps that are at risk for progressing to invasive cancers will allow us to begin to better predict which polyps are more likely to progress into adenocarcinomas and which patients are at greater risk of developing advanced disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsie K Sievers
- Department of Oncology, McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Luli S Zou
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Perry J Pickhardt
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Kristina A Matkowskyj
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA,US Department of Veterans Affairs, William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Dawn M Albrecht
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Linda Clipson
- Department of Oncology, McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jeffery W Bacher
- Genetic Analysis Group, Promega Corporation, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - B Dustin Pooler
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Fouad J Moawad
- Gastroenterology Service, Department of Medicine, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Brooks D Cash
- Gastroenterology Service, Department of Medicine, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA,Gastroenterology Division, Department of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA
| | - Mark Reichelderfer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Tien N Vo
- Department of Statistics, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Michael A Newton
- Department of Statistics, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA,Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Bret R Larget
- Department of Statistics, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA,Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Richard B Halberg
- Department of Oncology, McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA,Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Sievers CK, Grady WM, Halberg RB, Pickhardt PJ. New insights into the earliest stages of colorectal tumorigenesis. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2017; 11:723-729. [PMID: 28503955 PMCID: PMC5859121 DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2017.1330150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Tumors in the large intestine have been postulated to arise via a stepwise accumulation of mutations, a process that takes up to 20 years. Recent advances in lineage tracing and DNA sequencing, however, are revealing new evolutionary models that better explain the vast amount of heterogeneity observed within and across colorectal tumors. Areas covered: A review of the literature supporting a novel model of colorectal tumor evolution was conducted. The following commentary examines the basic science and clinical evidence supporting a modified view of tumor initiation and progression in the colon. Expert commentary: The proposed 'cancer punctuated equilibrium' model of tumor evolution better explains the variability seen within and across polyps of the colon and rectum. Small colorectal polyps (6-9mm) followed longitudinally by interval imaging with CT colonography have been reported to have multiple fates: some growing, some remaining static in size, and others regressing in size over time. This new model allows for this variability in growth behavior and supports the hypothesis that some tumors can be 'born to be bad' as originally postulated by Sottoriva and colleagues, with very early molecular events impacting tumor fitness and growth behavior in the later stages of the disease process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsie K. Sievers
- Department of Oncology, McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - William M. Grady
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA; Department of Medicine, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA
| | - Richard B. Halberg
- Department of Oncology, McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA,Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Perry J. Pickhardt
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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11
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Hadac JN, Miller DD, Grimes IC, Clipson L, Newton MA, Schelman WR, Halberg RB. Heterochromatin Protein 1 Binding Protein 3 Expression as a Candidate Marker of Intrinsic 5-Fluorouracil Resistance. Anticancer Res 2016; 36:845-852. [PMID: 26976970 PMCID: PMC4876978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite receiving post-operative 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy, approximately 50% of patients with stage IIIC colon cancer experience recurrence. Currently, no molecular signature can predict response to 5-FU. MATERIALS AND METHODS Mouse models of colon cancer have been developed and characterized. Individual tumors in these mice can be longitudinally monitored and assessed to identify differences between those that are responsive and those that are resistant to therapy. Gene expression was analyzed in serial biopsies that were collected before and after treatment with 5-FU. Colon tumors had heterogeneous responses to treatment with 5-FU. Microarray analysis of pre-treatment biopsies revealed that Hp1bp3, a gene encoding heterochromatin protein 1 binding protein 3, was differentially expressed between sensitive and resistant tumors. CONCLUSION Using mouse models of human colorectal cancer, Hp1bp3 was identified as a candidate marker of intrinsic 5-FU resistance and may represent a potential biomarker for patient stratification or a target of clinical importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie N Hadac
- Department of Oncology, K4/532 Clinical Science Center, Madison, WI, U.S.A
| | - Devon D Miller
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, K4/532 Clinical Science Center, Madison, WI, U.S.A
| | - Ian C Grimes
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, K4/532 Clinical Science Center, Madison, WI, U.S.A
| | - Linda Clipson
- Department of Oncology, K4/532 Clinical Science Center, Madison, WI, U.S.A
| | - Michael A Newton
- Departments of Statistics and of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, 1245a, K6/434 Medical Sciences Center, Madison, WI, U.S.A
| | - William R Schelman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, K4/532 Clinical Science Center, Madison, WI, U.S.A
| | - Richard B Halberg
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, K4/532 Clinical Science Center, Madison, WI, U.S.A. Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, U.S.A.
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12
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Hadac JN, Leystra AA, Paul Olson TJ, Maher ME, Payne SN, Yueh AE, Schwartz AR, Albrecht DM, Clipson L, Pasch CA, Matkowskyj KA, Halberg RB, Deming DA. Colon Tumors with the Simultaneous Induction of Driver Mutations in APC, KRAS, and PIK3CA Still Progress through the Adenoma-to-carcinoma Sequence. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2015; 8:952-61. [PMID: 26276752 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-15-0003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Accepted: 07/15/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Human colorectal cancers often possess multiple mutations, including three to six driver mutations per tumor. The timing of when these mutations occur during tumor development and progression continues to be debated. More advanced lesions carry a greater number of driver mutations, indicating that colon tumors might progress from adenomas to carcinomas through the stepwise accumulation of mutations following tumor initiation. However, mutations that have been implicated in tumor progression have been identified in normal-appearing epithelial cells of the colon, leaving the possibility that these mutations might be present before the initiation of tumorigenesis. We utilized mouse models of colon cancer to investigate whether tumorigenesis still occurs through the adenoma-to-carcinoma sequence when multiple mutations are present at the time of tumor initiation. To create a model in which tumors could concomitantly possess mutations in Apc, Kras, and Pik3ca, we developed a novel minimally invasive technique to administer an adenovirus expressing Cre recombinase to a focal region of the colon. Here, we demonstrate that the presence of these additional driver mutations at the time of tumor initiation results in increased tumor multiplicity and an increased rate of progression to invasive adenocarcinomas. These cancers can even metastasize to retroperitoneal lymph nodes or the liver. However, despite having as many as three concomitant driver mutations at the time of initiation, these tumors still proceed through the adenoma-to-carcinoma sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie N Hadac
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Alyssa A Leystra
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Terrah J Paul Olson
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Molly E Maher
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Susan N Payne
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Alexander E Yueh
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Alexander R Schwartz
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Dawn M Albrecht
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Linda Clipson
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Cheri A Pasch
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Kristina A Matkowskyj
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin. William S Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Richard B Halberg
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Dustin A Deming
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin. William S Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin.
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13
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Irving AA, Yoshimi K, Hart ML, Parker T, Clipson L, Ford MR, Kuramoto T, Dove WF, Amos-Landgraf JM. The utility of Apc-mutant rats in modeling human colon cancer. Dis Model Mech 2014; 7:1215-25. [PMID: 25288683 PMCID: PMC4213726 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.016980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Prior to the advent of genetic engineering in the mouse, the rat was the model of choice for investigating the etiology of cancer. Now, recent advances in the manipulation of the rat genome, combined with a growing recognition of the physiological differences between mice and rats, have reignited interest in the rat as a model of human cancer. Two recently developed rat models, the polyposis in the rat colon (Pirc) and Kyoto Apc Delta (KAD) strains, each carry mutations in the intestinal-cancer-associated adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc) gene. In contrast to mouse models carrying Apc mutations, in which cancers develop mainly in the small intestine rather than in the colon and there is no gender bias, these rat models exhibit colonic predisposition and gender-specific susceptibility, as seen in human colon cancer. The rat also provides other experimental resources as a model organism that are not provided by the mouse: the structure of its chromosomes facilitates the analysis of genomic events, the size of its colon permits longitudinal analysis of tumor growth, and the size of biological samples from the animal facilitates multiplexed molecular analyses of the tumor and its host. Thus, the underlying biology and experimental resources of these rat models provide important avenues for investigation. We anticipate that advances in disease modeling in the rat will synergize with resources that are being developed in the mouse to provide a deeper understanding of human colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy A Irving
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Kazuto Yoshimi
- Institute of Laboratory Animals, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Marcia L Hart
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Taybor Parker
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Linda Clipson
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Madeline R Ford
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Takashi Kuramoto
- Institute of Laboratory Animals, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - William F Dove
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - James M Amos-Landgraf
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53792, USA. Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
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