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Zou C, Huang R, Lin T, Wang Y, Tu J, Zhang L, Wang B, Huang J, Zhao Z, Xie X, Huang G, Wang K, Yin J, Shen J. Age-dependent molecular variations in osteosarcoma: implications for precision oncology across pediatric, adolescent, and adult patients. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1382276. [PMID: 38841159 PMCID: PMC11150704 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1382276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Osteosarcoma is a leading subtype of bone tumor affecting adolescents and adults. Comparative molecular characterization among different age groups, especially in pediatric, adolescents and adults, is scarce. Methods We collected samples from 194 osteosarcoma patients, encompassing pediatric, adolescent, and adult cohorts. Genomic analyses were conducted to reveal prevalent mutations and compare molecular features in pediatric, adolescent, and adult patients. Results Samples from 194 osteosarcoma patients across pediatric to adult ages were analyzed, revealing key mutations such as TP53, FLCN, NCOR1, and others. Children and adolescents showed more gene amplifications and HRD mutations, while adults had a greater Tumor Mutational Burden (TMB). Mutations in those over 15 were mainly in cell cycle and PI3K/mTOR pathways, while under 15s had more in cell cycle and angiogenesis with higher VEGFA, CCND3, TFEB mutations. CNV patterns varied with age: VEGFA and XPO5 amplifications more in under 25s, and CDKN2A/B deletions in over 25s. Genetic alterations in genes like MCL1 and MYC were associated with poor prognosis, with VEGFA mutations also indicating worse outcomes. 58% of patients had actionable mutations, suggesting opportunities for targeted therapies. Age-specific patterns were observed, with Multi-TKI mutations more common in younger patients and CDK4/6 inhibitor mutations in adults, highlighting the need for personalized treatment approaches in osteosarcoma. In a small group of patients with VEGFR amplification, postoperative treatment with multi-kinase inhibitors resulted in a PR in 3 of 13 cases, especially in patients under 15. A significant case involved a 13-year-old with a notable tumor size reduction achieving PR, even with other genetic alterations present in some patients with PD. Conclusion This study delineates the molecular differences among pediatric, adolescent, and adult osteosarcoma patients at the genomic level, emphasizing the necessity for precision diagnostics and treatment strategies, and may offer novel prognostic biomarkers for patients with osteosarcoma. These findings provide a significant scientific foundation for the development of individualized treatment approaches tailored to patients of different age groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changye Zou
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Renxuan Huang
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tiao Lin
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Jian Tu
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Bo Wang
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Zhiqiang Zhao
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianbiao Xie
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Gang Huang
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Junqiang Yin
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingnan Shen
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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2
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Cullen MM, Floyd W, Dow B, Schleupner B, Brigman BE, Visgauss JD, Cardona DM, Somarelli JA, Eward WC. ATRX and Its Prognostic Significance in Soft Tissue Sarcoma. Sarcoma 2024; 2024:4001796. [PMID: 38741704 PMCID: PMC11090676 DOI: 10.1155/2024/4001796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Recently, the association between ATRX and a more aggressive sarcoma phenotype has been shown. We performed a retrospective study of sarcomas from an individual institution to evaluate ATRX as a prognosticator in soft tissue sarcoma. Experimental Design. 128 sarcomas were collected from a single institution and stained for ATRX. The prognostic significance of these markers was evaluated in a smaller cohort of primary soft tissue sarcomas (n = 68). Kaplan-Meier curves were created for univariate analysis, and Cox regression was utilized for multivariate analysis. Results High expression of ATRX was found to be a positive prognostic indicator for overall survival and metastasis-free survival in our group of soft tissue sarcomas both in univariate analysis and multivariate analysis (HR: 0.38 (0.17-0.85), P=0.02 and HR: 0.49 (0.24-0.99), P=0.05, respectively). Conclusions High expression of ATRX is a positive prognostic indicator of overall survival and metastasis-free survival in patients with STS. This is consistent with studies in osteosarcoma, which indicate possible mechanisms through which loss of ATRX leads to more aggressive phenotypes. Future prospective clinical studies are required to validate the prognostic significance of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark M. Cullen
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Warren Floyd
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Bobby Dow
- Texas A&M University Health Center College of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA
| | | | - Brian E. Brigman
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Julia D. Visgauss
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Diana M. Cardona
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jason A. Somarelli
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - William C. Eward
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
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3
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Zhao SJ, Prior D, Heske CM, Vasquez JC. Therapeutic Targeting of DNA Repair Pathways in Pediatric Extracranial Solid Tumors: Current State and Implications for Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1648. [PMID: 38730598 PMCID: PMC11083679 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16091648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA damage is fundamental to tumorigenesis, and the inability to repair DNA damage is a hallmark of many human cancers. DNA is repaired via the DNA damage repair (DDR) apparatus, which includes five major pathways. DDR deficiencies in cancers give rise to potential therapeutic targets, as cancers harboring DDR deficiencies become increasingly dependent on alternative DDR pathways for survival. In this review, we summarize the DDR apparatus, and examine the current state of research efforts focused on identifying vulnerabilities in DDR pathways that can be therapeutically exploited in pediatric extracranial solid tumors. We assess the potential for synergistic combinations of different DDR inhibitors as well as combinations of DDR inhibitors with chemotherapy. Lastly, we discuss the immunomodulatory implications of targeting DDR pathways and the potential for using DDR inhibitors to enhance tumor immunogenicity, with the goal of improving the response to immune checkpoint blockade in pediatric solid tumors. We review the ongoing and future research into DDR in pediatric tumors and the subsequent pediatric clinical trials that will be critical to further elucidate the efficacy of the approaches targeting DDR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia J. Zhao
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; (S.J.Z.); (D.P.)
| | - Daniel Prior
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; (S.J.Z.); (D.P.)
| | - Christine M. Heske
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
| | - Juan C. Vasquez
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; (S.J.Z.); (D.P.)
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4
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Dymerska D, Marusiak AA. Drivers of cancer metastasis - Arise early and remain present. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189060. [PMID: 38151195 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Cancer and its metastases arise from mutations of genes, drivers that promote a tumor's growth. Analyses of driver events provide insights into cancer cell history and may lead to a better understanding of oncogenesis. We reviewed 27 metastatic research studies, including pan-cancer studies, individual cancer studies, and phylogenetic analyses, and summarized our current knowledge of metastatic drivers. All of the analyzed studies had a high level of consistency of driver mutations between primary tumors and metastasis, indicating that most drivers appear early in cancer progression and are maintained in metastatic cells. Additionally, we reviewed data from around 50,000 metastatic cancer patients and compiled a list of genes altered in metastatic lesions. We performed Gene Ontology analysis and confirmed that the most significantly enriched processes in metastatic lesions were the epigenetic regulation of gene expression, signal transduction, cell cycle, programmed cell death, DNA damage, hypoxia and EMT. In this review, we explore the most recent discoveries regarding genetic factors in the advancement of cancer, specifically those that drive metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmara Dymerska
- Laboratory of Molecular OncoSignalling, IMol Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Anna A Marusiak
- Laboratory of Molecular OncoSignalling, IMol Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
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5
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Liu Y, Jiang B, Li Y, Zhang X, Wang L, Yao Y, Zhu B, Shi H, Chai X, Hu X, Zhang B, Li H. Effect of traditional Chinese medicine in osteosarcoma: Cross-interference of signaling pathways and potential therapeutic targets. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e36467. [PMID: 38241548 PMCID: PMC10798715 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000036467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) has a high recurrence rate, disability rate, mortality and metastasis, it brings great economic burden and psychological pressure to patients, and then seriously affects the quality of life of patients. At present, the treatment methods of OS mainly include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgical therapy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with limb salvage surgery. These treatment methods can relieve the clinical symptoms of patients to a certain extent, and also effectively reduce the disability rate, mortality and recurrence rate of OS patients. However, because metastasis of tumor cells leads to new complications, and OS cells become resistant with prolonged drug intervention, which reduces the sensitivity of OS cells to drugs, these treatments still have some limitations. More and more studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has the characteristics of "multiple targets and multiple pathways," and can play an important role in the development of OS through several key signaling pathways, including PI3K/AKT, Wnt/β-catenin, tyrosine kinase/transcription factor 3 (JAK/STAT3), Notch, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad, nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Hippo/YAP, OPG/RANK/RANKL, Hedgehog and so on. In this paper, the signaling pathways of cross-interference between active ingredients of TCM and OS were reviewed, and the development status of novel OS treatment was analyzed. The active ingredients in TCM can provide therapeutic benefits to patients by targeting the activity of signaling pathways. In addition, potential strategies for targeted therapy of OS by using ferroptosis were discussed. We hope to provide a unique insight for the in-depth research and clinical application of TCM in the fields of OS growth, metastasis and chemotherapy resistance by understanding the signaling crosstalk between active ingredients in TCM and OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuezhen Liu
- Clinical College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Bing Jiang
- Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yanqiang Li
- Clinical College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaoshou Zhang
- Clinical College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Lijun Wang
- Clinical College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yasai Yao
- Clinical College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Baohong Zhu
- Clinical College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hengwei Shi
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiping Chai
- Gansu Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xingrong Hu
- Gansu Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Bangneng Zhang
- Gansu Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hongzhuan Li
- Gansu Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
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6
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Kinnaman MD, Zaccaria S, Makohon-Moore A, Arnold B, Levine MF, Gundem G, Arango Ossa JE, Glodzik D, Rodríguez-Sánchez MI, Bouvier N, Li S, Stockfisch E, Dunigan M, Cobbs C, Bhanot UK, You D, Mullen K, Melchor JP, Ortiz MV, O'Donohue TJ, Slotkin EK, Wexler LH, Dela Cruz FS, Hameed MR, Glade Bender JL, Tap WD, Meyers PA, Papaemmanuil E, Kung AL, Iacobuzio-Donahue CA. Subclonal Somatic Copy-Number Alterations Emerge and Dominate in Recurrent Osteosarcoma. Cancer Res 2023; 83:3796-3812. [PMID: 37812025 PMCID: PMC10646480 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-0385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Multiple large-scale genomic profiling efforts have been undertaken in osteosarcoma to define the genomic drivers of tumorigenesis, therapeutic response, and disease recurrence. The spatial and temporal intratumor heterogeneity could also play a role in promoting tumor growth and treatment resistance. We conducted longitudinal whole-genome sequencing of 37 tumor samples from 8 patients with relapsed or refractory osteosarcoma. Each patient had at least one sample from a primary site and a metastatic or relapse site. Subclonal copy-number alterations were identified in all patients except one. In 5 patients, subclones from the primary tumor emerged and dominated at subsequent relapses. MYC gain/amplification was enriched in the treatment-resistant clones in 6 of 7 patients with multiple clones. Amplifications in other potential driver genes, such as CCNE1, RAD21, VEGFA, and IGF1R, were also observed in the resistant copy-number clones. A chromosomal duplication timing analysis revealed that complex genomic rearrangements typically occurred prior to diagnosis, supporting a macroevolutionary model of evolution, where a large number of genomic aberrations are acquired over a short period of time followed by clonal selection, as opposed to ongoing evolution. A mutational signature analysis of recurrent tumors revealed that homologous repair deficiency (HRD)-related SBS3 increases at each time point in patients with recurrent disease, suggesting that HRD continues to be an active mutagenic process after diagnosis. Overall, by examining the clonal relationships between temporally and spatially separated samples from patients with relapsed/refractory osteosarcoma, this study sheds light on the intratumor heterogeneity and potential drivers of treatment resistance in this disease. SIGNIFICANCE The chemoresistant population in recurrent osteosarcoma is subclonal at diagnosis, emerges at the time of primary resection due to selective pressure from neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and is characterized by unique oncogenic amplifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D. Kinnaman
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, New York
| | - Simone Zaccaria
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Computational Cancer Genomics Research Group, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alvin Makohon-Moore
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- David M. Rubenstein Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Brian Arnold
- Department of Computer Science, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
- Center for Statistics and Machine Learning, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
| | - Max F. Levine
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Gunes Gundem
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Juan E. Arango Ossa
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Dominik Glodzik
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | | | - Nancy Bouvier
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Shanita Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Emily Stockfisch
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Marisa Dunigan
- Integrated Genomics Operation Core, Center for Molecular Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Cassidy Cobbs
- Integrated Genomics Operation Core, Center for Molecular Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Umesh K. Bhanot
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Precision Pathology Biobanking Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Daoqi You
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Katelyn Mullen
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, New York, New York
| | - Jerry P. Melchor
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- David M. Rubenstein Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Michael V. Ortiz
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Tara J. O'Donohue
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Emily K. Slotkin
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Leonard H. Wexler
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Filemon S. Dela Cruz
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Meera R. Hameed
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Julia L. Glade Bender
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - William D. Tap
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Paul A. Meyers
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Elli Papaemmanuil
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Andrew L. Kung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Christine A. Iacobuzio-Donahue
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- David M. Rubenstein Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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7
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Nirala BK, Yamamichi T, Petrescu DI, Shafin TN, Yustein JT. Decoding the Impact of Tumor Microenvironment in Osteosarcoma Progression and Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5108. [PMID: 37894474 PMCID: PMC10605493 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15205108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is a heterogeneous, highly metastatic bone malignancy in children and adolescents. Despite advancements in multimodal treatment strategies, the prognosis for patients with metastatic or recurrent disease has not improved significantly in the last four decades. OS is a highly heterogeneous tumor; its genetic background and the mechanism of oncogenesis are not well defined. Unfortunately, no effective molecular targeted therapy is currently available for this disease. Understanding osteosarcoma's tumor microenvironment (TME) has recently gained much interest among scientists hoping to provide valuable insights into tumor heterogeneity, progression, metastasis, and the identification of novel therapeutic avenues. Here, we review the current understanding of the TME of OS, including different cellular and noncellular components, their crosstalk with OS tumor cells, and their involvement in tumor progression and metastasis. We also highlight past/current clinical trials targeting the TME of OS for effective therapies and potential future therapeutic strategies with negligible adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jason T. Yustein
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (B.K.N.); (T.Y.); (D.I.P.); (T.N.S.)
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8
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Salomoni P, Flanagan AM, Cottone L. (B)On(e)-cohistones and the epigenetic alterations at the root of bone cancer. Cell Death Differ 2023:10.1038/s41418-023-01227-9. [PMID: 37828086 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01227-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Identification of mutations in histones in a number of human neoplasms and developmental syndromes represents the most compelling evidence to date for a causal role of epigenetic perturbations in human disease. In most cases, these mutations have gain of function properties that cause deviation from normal developmental processes leading to embryo defects and/or neoplastic transformation. These exciting discoveries represent a step-change in our understanding of the role of chromatin (dys)regulation in development and disease. However, the mechanisms of action of oncogenic histone mutations (oncohistones) remain only partially understood. Here, we critically assess existing literature on oncohistones focussing mainly on bone neoplasms. We show how it is possible to draw parallels with some of the cell-autonomous mechanisms of action described in paediatric brain cancer, although the functions of oncohistones in bone tumours remain under-investigated. In this respect, it is becoming clear that histone mutations targeting the same residues display, at least in part, tissue-specific oncogenic mechanisms. Furthermore, it is emerging that cancer cells carrying oncohistones can modify the surrounding microenvironment to support growth and/or alter differentiation trajectories. A better understanding of oncohistone function in different neoplasms provide potential for identification of signalling that could be targeted therapeutically. Finally, we discuss some of the main concepts and future directions in this research area, while also drawing possible connections and parallels with other cancer epigenetic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Salomoni
- Nuclear Function Group, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 53127, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Adrienne M Flanagan
- Department of Histopathology, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, Middlesex, HA7 4LP, UK
- Department of Pathology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Lucia Cottone
- Department of Pathology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
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9
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Wang X, Jin Z, Tang S, Huang X, Wang S, Ren X, Xu M. ATRX loss suppresses the type I interferon response in sarcoma cells through chromatin remodeling. Am J Cancer Res 2023; 13:3547-3558. [PMID: 37693131 PMCID: PMC10492102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas constitute a heterogeneous group of mesenchymal cancers and are particularly common in children and adolescents, leading to significant lethality. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the underlying mechanisms by which genetic alterations promote sarcoma progression. Here, we demonstrate that loss-of-function of ATRX, a member of the SWI/SNF DNA-remodeling family, represses the interferon (IFN)-β response by inducing chromatin remodeling in sarcoma cells. We show that ATRX mutations are associated with worse prognosis and attenuate IFN-α/β response in patients with specific types of sarcomas. Using poly(I:C) as a stimulation model, we show that natural ATRX mutation or ATRX depletion via CRISPR/Cas9 or siRNA significantly suppresses the expression of IFNB1 and other cytokines in sarcoma cells. Moreover, RNA-seq data reveal that ATRX ablation globally influences the expression pattern of poly(I:C)-stimulated genes (PSGs). Through ATAC-seq, we show that ATRX loss enhance chromatin accessibility generally, which consistent with the heterochromatin modulating function of ATRX. However, a set of PSGs display a decrease of chromatin accessibility after ATRX depletion, indicating that ATRX promote the transcription of these genes through chromatin remodeling. Thus, we highlight that ATRX mutation plays critical roles in blocking Type I IFN signaling in sarcoma cells and point out the clinical importance of this effect on sarcoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinrui Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Medical University Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Zige Jin
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Medical University Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Shanshan Tang
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Medical University Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Xiyu Huang
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Medical University Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Medical University Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaohe Ren
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Medical University Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Mafei Xu
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Medical University Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
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10
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Nirala BK, Yamamichi T, Yustein JT. Deciphering the Signaling Mechanisms of Osteosarcoma Tumorigenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11367. [PMID: 37511127 PMCID: PMC10379831 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is the predominant primary bone tumor in the pediatric and adolescent populations. It has high metastatic potential, with the lungs being the most common site of metastasis. In contrast to many other sarcomas, OS lacks conserved translocations or genetic mutations; instead, it has heterogeneous abnormalities, including somatic DNA copy number alteration, ploidy, chromosomal amplification, and chromosomal loss and gain. Unfortunately, clinical outcomes have not significantly improved in over 30 years. Currently, no effective molecularly targeted therapies are available for this disease. Several genomic studies showed inactivation in the tumor suppressor genes, including p53, RB, and ATRX, and hyperactivation of the tumor promoter genes, including MYC and MDM2, in OS. Alterations in the major signaling pathways, including the PI3K/AKT/mTOR, JAK/STAT, Wnt/β-catenin, NOTCH, Hedgehog/Gli, TGF-β, RTKs, RANK/RANKL, and NF-κB signaling pathways, have been identified in OS development and metastasis. Although OS treatment is currently based on surgical excision and systematic multiagent therapies, several potential targeted therapies are in development. This review focuses on the major signaling pathways of OS, and we propose a biological rationale to consider novel and targeted therapies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bikesh K Nirala
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Taku Yamamichi
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jason T Yustein
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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