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Ferraguti G, Terracina S, Tarani L, Fanfarillo F, Allushi S, Caronti B, Tirassa P, Polimeni A, Lucarelli M, Cavalcanti L, Greco A, Fiore M. Nerve Growth Factor and the Role of Inflammation in Tumor Development. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:965-989. [PMID: 38392180 PMCID: PMC10888178 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46020062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Nerve growth factor (NGF) plays a dual role both in inflammatory states and cancer, acting both as a pro-inflammatory and oncogenic factor and as an anti-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic mediator in a context-dependent way based on the signaling networks and its interaction with diverse cellular components within the microenvironment. This report aims to provide a summary and subsequent review of the literature on the role of NGF in regulating the inflammatory microenvironment and tumor cell growth, survival, and death. The role of NGF in inflammation and tumorigenesis as a component of the inflammatory system, its interaction with the various components of the respective microenvironments, its ability to cause epigenetic changes, and its role in the treatment of cancer have been highlighted in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giampiero Ferraguti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Terracina
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Tarani
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Fanfarillo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Allushi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Brunella Caronti
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University Hospital of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Tirassa
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC-CNR), Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Polimeni
- Department of Odontostomatological and Maxillofacial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Lucarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Pasteur Institute, Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Cavalcanti
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Greco
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Fiore
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC-CNR), Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Sohn JI, Choi MH, Yi D, Menon VA, Kim YJ, Lee J, Park JW, Kyung S, Shin SH, Na B, Joung JG, Ju YS, Yeom MS, Koh Y, Yoon SS, Baek D, Kim TM, Nam JW. Ultrafast prediction of somatic structural variations by filtering out reads matched to pan-genome k-mer sets. Nat Biomed Eng 2023; 7:853-866. [PMID: 36536253 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-022-00980-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Variant callers typically produce massive numbers of false positives for structural variations, such as cancer-relevant copy-number alterations and fusion genes resulting from genome rearrangements. Here we describe an ultrafast and accurate detector of somatic structural variations that reduces read-mapping costs by filtering out reads matched to pan-genome k-mer sets. The detector, which we named ETCHING (for efficient detection of chromosomal rearrangements and fusion genes), reduces the number of false positives by leveraging machine-learning classifiers trained with six breakend-related features (clipped-read count, split-reads count, supporting paired-end read count, average mapping quality, depth difference and total length of clipped bases). When benchmarked against six callers on reference cell-free DNA, validated biomarkers of structural variants, matched tumour and normal whole genomes, and tumour-only targeted sequencing datasets, ETCHING was 11-fold faster than the second-fastest structural-variant caller at comparable performance and memory use. The speed and accuracy of ETCHING may aid large-scale genome projects and facilitate practical implementations in precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jang-Il Sohn
- Department of Life Science, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute for Convergence of Basic Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Hak Choi
- Department of Life Science, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dohun Yi
- Department of Life Science, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Vipin A Menon
- Department of Life Science, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon Jeong Kim
- Samsung Genome Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Junehawk Lee
- Center for Supercomputing Applications, Division of National Supercomputing, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Woo Park
- Center for Supercomputing Applications, Division of National Supercomputing, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | - Byunggook Na
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Je-Gun Joung
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Seok Ju
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Science and Engineering Interdisciplinary Program, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Sun Yeom
- Center for Supercomputing Applications, Division of National Supercomputing, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngil Koh
- College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Soo Yoon
- College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Daehyun Baek
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Min Kim
- Department of Medical Informatics and Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Wu Nam
- Department of Life Science, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Research Institute for Convergence of Basic Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Bio-BigData Center, Hanyang Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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3
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Jin M, Wang Y, Zhou T, Li W, Wen Q. Norepinephrine/β 2-Adrenergic Receptor Pathway Promotes the Cell Proliferation and Nerve Growth Factor Production in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. J Breast Cancer 2023; 26:268-285. [PMID: 37387350 DOI: 10.4048/jbc.2023.26.e25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) accounts for 90% of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). IDC is mainly derived from the breast ductal epithelium which is innervated by the 4th to 6th thoracic sympathetic nerves. However, little is known about the contribution of the interactions between sympathetic nerves and breast cancer cells to the malignant progression of TNBC. METHODS The expression levels of the β2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR, encoded by ADRB2 gene), nerve growth factor (NGF), and tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) were determined using immunohistochemistry (IHC). NGF expression levels in the serum were compared by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cell proliferation was assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. The β2-AR, NGF, p-ERK, and p-CERB expression levels were determined using western blotting. TNBC cells and neuronal cells of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in 2-day-old Sprague Dawley rats were co-cultured. Using norepinephrine (NE), NGF, and β2-AR, NGF/TrkA blocker pretreatments, the axon growth of each group of DRG neuron cells was detected by immunofluorescence analysis. RESULTS The sympathetic adrenergic neurotransmitter NE activated the ERK signaling pathway in TNBC cells. NE/β2-AR signaling promotes NGF secretion. NGF further facilitates the malignant progression of TNBC by increasing sympathetic neurogenesis. In the co-culture assay, the sympathetic adrenergic NE/β2-AR signal pathway also enhanced NGF secretion. NGF binds TrkA in DRG neurons and promotes axonal growth. CONCLUSION These results suggest that NE/β2-AR pathway promotes cell proliferation and NGF production in triple-negative breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meihua Jin
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Dalian Women and Children's Medical Group, Dalian, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Institute (College) of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Tingting Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Wenzhe Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China.
| | - Qingping Wen
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
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The Alternative TrkAIII Splice Variant, a Targetable Oncogenic Participant in Human Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma. Cells 2023; 12:cells12020237. [PMID: 36672171 PMCID: PMC9856487 DOI: 10.3390/cells12020237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-therapeutic relapse, poor survival rates and increasing incidence justify the search for novel therapeutic targets and strategies in cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM). Within this context, a potential oncogenic role for TrkA in CMM is suggested by reports of NTRK1 amplification, enhanced TrkA expression and intracellular TrkA activation associated with poor prognosis. TrkA, however, exhibits tumour-suppressing properties in melanoma cell lines and has recently been reported not to be associated with CMM progression. To better understand these contradictions, we present the first analysis of potential oncogenic alternative TrkA mRNA splicing, associated with TrkA immunoreactivity, in CMMs, and compare the behaviour of fully spliced TrkA and the alternative TrkAIII splice variant in BRAF(V600E)-mutated A375 melanoma cells. Alternative TrkA splicing in CMMs was associated with unfolded protein response (UPR) activation. Of the several alternative TrkA mRNA splice variants detected, TrkAIII was the only variant with an open reading frame and, therefore, oncogenic potential. TrkAIII expression was more frequent in metastatic CMMs, predominated over fully spliced TrkA mRNA expression in ≈50% and was invariably linked to intracellular phosphorylated TrkA immunoreactivity. Phosphorylated TrkA species resembling TrkAIII were also detected in metastatic CMM extracts. In A375 cells, reductive stress induced UPR activation and promoted TrkAIII expression and, in transient transfectants, promoted TrkAIII and Akt phosphorylation, enhancing resistance to reductive stress-induced death, which was prevented by lestaurtinib and entrectinib. In contrast, fully spliced TrkA was dysfunctional in A375 cells. The data identify fully spliced TrkA dysfunction as a novel mechanism for reducing melanoma suppression, support a causal relationship between reductive stress, UPR activation, alternative TrkAIII splicing and TrkAIII activation and characterise a targetable oncogenic pro-survival role for TrkAIII in CMM.
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Marsland M, Dowdell A, Jiang CC, Wilmott JS, Scolyer RA, Zhang XD, Hondermarck H, Faulkner S. Expression of NGF/proNGF and Their Receptors TrkA, p75 NTR and Sortilin in Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084260. [PMID: 35457078 PMCID: PMC9032112 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that nerve growth factor (NGF) and its receptors, the neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase 1 (NTRK1/TrkA), the common neurotrophin receptor (NGFR/p75NTR) and the membrane receptor sortilin, participate in cancer growth. In melanoma, there have been some reports suggesting that NGF, TrkA and p75NTR are dysregulated, but the expression of the NGF precursor (proNGF) and its membrane receptor sortilin is unknown. In this study, we investigated the expression of NGF, proNGF, TrkA, p75NTR and sortilin by immunohistochemistry in a series of human tissue samples (n = 100), including non-cancerous nevi (n = 20), primary melanomas (n = 40), lymph node metastases (n = 20) and distant metastases (n = 20). Immunostaining was digitally quantified and revealed NGF and proNGF were expressed in all nevi and primary melanomas, and that the level of expression decreased from primary tumors to melanoma metastases (p = 0.0179 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Interestingly, TrkA protein expression was high in nevi and thin primary tumors but was strongly downregulated in thick primary tumors (p < 0.0001) and metastases (p < 0.0001). While p75NTR and sortilin were both expressed in most nevi and melanomas, there was no significant difference in expression between them. Together, these results pointed to a downregulation of NGF/ProNGF and TrkA in melanoma, and thus did not provide evidence to support the use of anti-proNGF/NGF or anti-TrkA therapies in advanced and metastatic forms of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Marsland
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; (M.M.); (A.D.); (X.D.Z.); (S.F.)
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia;
| | - Amiee Dowdell
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; (M.M.); (A.D.); (X.D.Z.); (S.F.)
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia;
| | - Chen Chen Jiang
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia;
- School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - James S. Wilmott
- Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (J.S.W.); (R.A.S.)
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Richard A. Scolyer
- Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (J.S.W.); (R.A.S.)
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Xu Dong Zhang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; (M.M.); (A.D.); (X.D.Z.); (S.F.)
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia;
| | - Hubert Hondermarck
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; (M.M.); (A.D.); (X.D.Z.); (S.F.)
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-2492-18830
| | - Sam Faulkner
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; (M.M.); (A.D.); (X.D.Z.); (S.F.)
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia;
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Laetsch TW, Hong DS. Tropomyosin Receptor Kinase Inhibitors for the Treatment of TRK Fusion Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2021; 27:4974-4982. [PMID: 33893159 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-0465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Chromosomal rearrangements of NTRK1-3 resulting in gene fusions (NTRK gene fusions) have been clinically validated as oncogenic drivers in a wide range of human cancers. Typically, NTRK gene fusions involve both inter- and intrachromosomal fusions of the 5' regions of a variety of genes with the 3' regions of NTRK genes leading to TRK fusion proteins with constitutive, ligand-independent activation of the intrinsic tyrosine kinase. The incidence of NTRK gene fusions can range from the majority of cases in certain rare cancers to lower rates in a wide range of more common cancers. Two small-molecule TRK inhibitors have recently received regulatory approval for the treatment of patients with solid tumors harboring NTRK gene fusions, including the selective TRK inhibitor larotrectinib and the TRK/ROS1/ALK multikinase inhibitor entrectinib. In this review, we consider the practicalities of detecting tumors harboring NTRK gene fusions, the pharmacologic properties of TRK inhibitors currently in clinical development, the clinical evidence for larotrectinib and entrectinib efficacy, and possible resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore W Laetsch
- Department of Pediatrics and Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and the Division of Oncology, Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - David S Hong
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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Lebedev TD, Vagapova ER, Popenko VI, Leonova OG, Spirin PV, Prassolov VS. Two Receptors, Two Isoforms, Two Cancers: Comprehensive Analysis of KIT and TrkA Expression in Neuroblastoma and Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1046. [PMID: 31681584 PMCID: PMC6813278 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric cancers represent a wide variety of different tumors, though they have unique features that distinguish them from adult cancers. Receptor tyrosine kinases KIT and TrkA functions in AML and NB, respectively, are well-characterized. Though expression of these receptors is found in both tumors, little is known about KIT function in NB and TrkA in AML. By combining gene enrichment analysis with multidimensional scaling we showed that pediatric AMLs with t(8;21) or inv16 and high KIT expression levels stand out from other AML subtypes as they share prominent transcriptomic features exclusively with KIT-overexpressing NBs. We showed that AML cell lines had a predominant expression of an alternative TrkAIII isoform, which reportedly has oncogenic features, while NB cell lines had dominating TrkAI-II isoforms. NB cells, on the other hand, had an abnormal ratio of KIT isoforms as opposed to AML cells. Both SCF and NGF exerted protective action against doxorubicin and cytarabine for t(8;21) AML and NB cells. We identified several gene sets both unique and common for pediatric AML and NB, and this expression is associated with KIT or TrkA levels. NMU, DUSP4, RET, SUSD5, NOS1, and GABRA5 genes are differentially expressed in NBs with high KIT expression and are associated with poor survival in NB. We identified HOXA10, BAG3, and MARCKS genes that are connected with TrkA expression and are marker genes of poor outcome in AML. We also report that SLC18A2, PLXNC1, and MRPL33 gene expression is associated with TrkA or KIT expression levels in both AML and NB, and these genes have a prognostic value for both cancers. Thus, we have provided a comprehensive characterization of TrkA and KIT expression along with the oncogenic signatures of these genes across two pediatric tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timofey D Lebedev
- Department of Cancer Cell Biology, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, RAS, Moscow, Russia
| | - Elmira R Vagapova
- Department of Cancer Cell Biology, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, RAS, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir I Popenko
- Department of Cancer Cell Biology, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, RAS, Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga G Leonova
- Department of Cancer Cell Biology, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, RAS, Moscow, Russia
| | - Pavel V Spirin
- Department of Cancer Cell Biology, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, RAS, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir S Prassolov
- Department of Cancer Cell Biology, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, RAS, Moscow, Russia
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8
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Antunes LCM, Cartell A, de Farias CB, Bakos RM, Roesler R, Schwartsmann G. Tropomyosin-Related Kinase Receptor and Neurotrophin Expression in Cutaneous Melanoma Is Associated with a Poor Prognosis and Decreased Survival. Oncology 2019; 97:26-37. [PMID: 31071716 DOI: 10.1159/000499384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Normally, activation of tropomyosin-related kinase (TRK) receptors by neurotrophins (NTs) stimulates intracellular pathways involved in cell survival and proliferation. Dysregulation of NT/TRK signaling may affect neoplasm prognosis. Data on NT and TRK expression in melanomas are limited, and it is unclear whether NT/TRK signaling pathways are involved in the origin and progression of this neoplasm. METHODS We examined whether NT/TRK expression differs across different cutaneous melanoma grades and subtypes, and whether it is associated with melanoma prognosis and survival. A cross-sectional study was performed in which the expression of TrkA, TrkB, nerve growth factor (NGF), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry of 154 melanoma samples. We investigated NT/TRK expression associations with prognostic factors for melanoma, relapse-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS Of the 154 melanoma samples, 77 (55.4%) were TrkA immunopositive, 81 (58.3%) were TrkB immunopositive, 113 (81.3%) were BDNF immunopositive, and 104 (75.4%) were NGF immunopositive. We found NT/TRK expression associated strongly with several clinical prognostic factors, including the tumor-node-metastasis stage (p < 0.001), histological subtype (p < 0.001), and Clark level (p < 0.05), as well as with a worse OS (p < 0.05 for all, except TrkB) and RFS (p < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS Our results show strong associations of NT/TRK expression with melanoma stage progression and a poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Carlos Moreira Antunes
- Graduate Program in Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil,
- Hematology and Oncology Service, Santa Maria University Hospital, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil,
| | - André Cartell
- Department of Pathology, Porto Alegre Clinical Hospital, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Caroline Brunetto de Farias
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Porto Alegre Clinical Hospital, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Renato Marchiori Bakos
- Graduate Program in Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Department of Dermatology, Porto Alegre Clinical Hospital, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Rafael Roesler
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Porto Alegre Clinical Hospital, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Gilberto Schwartsmann
- Graduate Program in Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Porto Alegre Clinical Hospital, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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9
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Hsiao SJ, Zehir A, Sireci AN, Aisner DL. Detection of Tumor NTRK Gene Fusions to Identify Patients Who May Benefit from Tyrosine Kinase (TRK) Inhibitor Therapy. J Mol Diagn 2019; 21:553-571. [PMID: 31075511 PMCID: PMC7456740 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoldx.2019.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal rearrangements involving the NTRK1, NTRK2, and NTRK3 genes (NTRK genes), which encode the high-affinity nerve growth factor receptor (TRKA), brain-derived neurotrophic factor/neurotrophin-3 (BDNF/NT-3) growth factor receptor (TRKB), and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) growth factor receptor (TRKC) tyrosine kinases (TRK proteins), act as oncogenic drivers in a broad range of pediatric and adult tumor types. NTRK gene fusions have been shown to be actionable genomic events that are predictive of response to TRK kinase inhibitors, making their routine detection an evolving clinical priority. In certain exceedingly rare tumor types, NTRK gene fusions may be seen in the overwhelming majority of cases, whereas in a range of common cancers, reported incidences are in the range of 0.1% to 2%. Herein, we review the structure of the three NTRK genes and the nature and incidence of NTRK gene fusions in different solid tumor types, and we summarize the clinical data showing the importance of identifying tumors harboring such genomic events. We also outline the laboratory techniques that can be used to diagnose NTRK gene fusions in clinical samples. Finally, we propose a diagnostic algorithm for solid tumors to facilitate the identification of patients with TRK fusion cancer. This algorithm accounts for the widely varying frequencies by tumor histology and the underlying prevalence of TRK expression in the absence of NTRK gene fusions and is based on a combination of fluorescence in situ hybridization, next-generation sequencing, and immunohistochemistry assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan J Hsiao
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Ahmet Zehir
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Anthony N Sireci
- Department of Medical Affairs, Loxo Oncology, Inc., Stamford, Connecticut
| | - Dara L Aisner
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado.
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10
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Sinik L, Minson KA, Tentler JJ, Carrico J, Bagby SM, Robinson WA, Kami R, Burstyn-Cohen T, Eckhardt SG, Wang X, Frye SV, Earp HS, DeRyckere D, Graham DK. Inhibition of MERTK Promotes Suppression of Tumor Growth in BRAF Mutant and BRAF Wild-Type Melanoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 18:278-288. [PMID: 30482852 PMCID: PMC9787186 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-18-0456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Molecularly-targeted agents have improved outcomes for a subset of patients with BRAF-mutated melanoma, but treatment of resistant and BRAF wild-type tumors remains a challenge. The MERTK receptor tyrosine kinase is aberrantly expressed in melanoma and can contribute to oncogenic phenotypes. Here we report the effect of treatment with a MERTK-selective small molecule inhibitor, UNC2025, in preclinical models of melanoma. In melanoma cell lines, treatment with UNC2025 potently inhibited phosphorylation of MERTK and downstream signaling, induced cell death, and decreased colony formation. In patient-derived melanoma xenograft models, treatment with UNC2025 blocked or significantly reduced tumor growth. Importantly, UNC2025 had similar biochemical and functional effects in both BRAF-mutated and BRAF wild-type models and irrespective of NRAS mutational status, implicating MERTK inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy in tumors that are not amenable to BRAF-targeting and for which there are limited treatment options. In BRAF-mutated cell lines, combined treatment with UNC2025 and the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib provided effective inhibition of oncogenic signaling through ERK, AKT, and STAT6, increased induction of cell death, and decreased colony-forming potential. Similarly, in NRAS-mutated cell lines, addition of UNC2025 to cobimetinib therapy increased cell death and decreased colony-forming potential. In a BRAF-mutated patient-derived xenograft, treatment with combined UNC2025 and vemurafenib was well-tolerated and significantly decreased tumor growth compared with vemurafenib alone. These data support the use of UNC2025 for treatment of melanoma, irrespective of BRAF or NRAS mutational status, and suggest a role for MERTK and targeted combination therapy in BRAF and NRAS-mutated melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenka Sinik
- School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Katherine A Minson
- Aflac Cancer Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University Department of Pediatrics, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - John J Tentler
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Jacqueline Carrico
- School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Stacey M Bagby
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - William A Robinson
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Rotem Kami
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Tal Burstyn-Cohen
- Institute for Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - S Gail Eckhardt
- Department of Oncology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Stephen V Frye
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - H Shelton Earp
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University Department of Pediatrics, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Aflac Cancer Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University Department of Pediatrics, Atlanta, Georgia.
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11
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Targeting neurotrophin signaling in cancer: The renaissance. Pharmacol Res 2018; 135:12-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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12
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Farina AR, Cappabianca L, Ruggeri P, Gneo L, Pellegrini C, Fargnoli MC, Mackay AR. The oncogenic neurotrophin receptor tropomyosin-related kinase variant, TrkAIII. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2018; 37:119. [PMID: 29914559 PMCID: PMC6006588 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0786-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncogenes derived from the neurotrophin receptor tropomyosin-related kinase TrkA act as drivers in sub-populations of a wide-range of human cancers. This, combined with a recent report that both adult and childhood cancers driven by novel oncogenic TrkA chimeric-fusions exhibit profound, long-lived therapeutic responses to the Trk inhibitor Larotrectinib, highlights the need to improve clinical detection of TrkA oncogene-driven cancers in order to maximise this novel therapeutic potential. Cancers potentially driven by TrkA oncogenes include a proportion of paediatric neuroblastomas (NBs) that express the alternative TrkA splice variant TrkAIII, which exhibits exon 6, 7 and 9 skipping and oncogenic-activity that depends upon deletion of the extracellular D4 Ig-like domain. In contrast to fully spliced TrkA, which exhibits tumour suppressor activity in NB and associates with good prognosis, TrkAIII associates with advanced stage metastatic disease, post therapeutic relapse and worse prognosis, induces malignant transformation of NIH-3T3 cells and exhibits oncogenic activity in NB models. TrkAIII induction in NB cells is stress-regulated by conditions that mimic hypoxia or perturbate the ER with potential to change TrkA tumour-suppressing signals into oncogenic TrkAIII signals within the stressful tumour microenvironment. In contrast to cell surface TrkA, TrkAIII re-localises to intracellular pre-Golgi membranes, centrosomes and mitochondria, within which it exhibits spontaneous ligand-independent activation, triggering a variety of mechanisms that promote tumorigenicity and malignant behaviour, which impact the majority of cancer hallmarks. In this review, we present updates on TrkAIII detection and association with human malignancies, the multiple ways TrkAIII exerts oncogenic activity and potential therapeutic approaches for TrkAIII expressing cancers, with particular reference to NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonietta Rosella Farina
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Lucia Cappabianca
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Pierdomenico Ruggeri
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Luciana Gneo
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Cristina Pellegrini
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Maria-Concetta Fargnoli
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Andrew Reay Mackay
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
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13
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Ryu HJ, Koh YW, Yoon SO. The implications of TrkA and MET aberrations in de novo salivary duct carcinoma. Hum Pathol 2018; 81:18-25. [PMID: 29753009 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2018.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is an aggressive carcinoma with poor prognosis. Although anti-HER2 therapy is a potential treatment option for HER2-positive SDC, other potential therapeutic targets are not known, in particular for HER2-negative cases. In this study, the recently identified receptors tyrosine kinases MET and tropomyosin-receptor kinase (Trk) were investigated as potential therapeutic targets. A total of 28 consecutive, surgically resected, de novo SDC cases were selected after evaluating histology and immunohistochemical expression of androgen receptor. Immunohistochemical expression of c-erb2, TrkA, TrkB, TrkC, and c-MET was analyzed, and the genetic status of the HER2 and MET genes was investigated through dual-color silver in situ hybridization. High expression of c-MET or Trk was defined as that above the median value. Among the 28 SDC cases, 64.3% (18/28) were HER2-positive. c-MET expression varied, with a median H-score of 65 (range, 0 to 200). Copy number gain and amplification of MET were noted in 57.1% (16/28) and 10.7% (3/28) of cases, respectively. TrkA was variably expressed, with a median H-score of 100 (range, 0 to250). High TrkA expression was significantly related to an inferior overall survival rate in HER2-negative SDC. High expression of TrkA and c-MET and MET copy number gain/amplification were frequent events in SDC, and high expression of TrkA revealed the tendency to be related to poor prognosis in HER2-negative SDC. TrkA and MET may be possible therapeutic targets in SDC, especially in HER2-negative SDC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyang Joo Ryu
- Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Severance Hospital, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Woo Koh
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Severance Hospital, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Och Yoon
- Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Severance Hospital, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
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14
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Anticarcinogenic activities of sulforaphane are influenced by Nerve Growth Factor in human melanoma A375 cells. Food Chem Toxicol 2018; 113:154-161. [PMID: 29407470 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2018.01.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma is a severe form of cancer, resistant to conventional therapies. According to in vitro studies, sulforaphane, a dietary component, has been considered a promising antineoplastic candidate. The present study analyzes the in vitro biological effects of sulforaphane in A375 melanoma cell line with or without the addition of Nerve Growth Factor. For the first time, our results show that a supplementation of Nerve Growth Factor partially reverses the sulforaphane-induced: i) inhibition of cell migration, ii) pro apoptotic changes in cell cycle and iii) modulation of active caspase-3. Furthermore, we report the sulforaphane-induced modulation in the expression of Nerve Growth Factor receptors TrKA and p75NTR, shifting their ratio from pro survival to pro apoptotic. In conclusion, the present study evidences that in vivo the antineoplastic effects of sulforaphane may be reduced by the contemporaneous presence of other biological elements such as Nerve Growth Factor and it contributes to a better definition of the real in vivo potentiality of sulforaphane as antineoplastic candidate.
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15
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Gillis NK, Rotroff DM, Mesa TE, Yao J, Chen Z, Carulli MA, Yoder SJ, Walko CM, Teer JK, McLeod HL. Tumor exome sequencing and copy number alterations reveal potential predictors of intrinsic resistance to multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Oncotarget 2017; 8:115114-115127. [PMID: 29383146 PMCID: PMC5777758 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have broad efficacy and similar FDA-approved indications, suggesting shared molecular drug targets across cancer types. Irrespective of tumor type, 20-30% of patients treated with multi-targeted TKIs demonstrate intrinsic resistance, with progressive disease as a best response. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to identify tumor (somatic) point mutations, insertion/deletions, and copy number alterations (CNA) associated with intrinsic resistance to multi-targeted TKIs. Using a candidate gene approach (n=243), tumor next-generation sequencing and CNA data was associated with resistant and non-resistant outcomes. Resistant individuals (n=11) more commonly harbored somatic point mutations in NTRK1, KDR, TGFBR2, and PTPN11 and CNA in CDK4, CDKN2B, and ERBB2 compared to non-resistant (n=26, p<0.01). Using a random forest classification model for variable reduction and a decision tree classification model, we were able to differentiate intrinsically resistant from non-resistant patients. CNA in CDK4 and CDKN2B were the most important analytical features, implicating the cyclin D pathway as a potentially important factor in resistance to multi-targeted TKIs. Replication of these results in a larger, independent patient cohort has potential to inform personalized prescribing of these widely utilized agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy K. Gillis
- DeBartolo Family Personalized Medicine Institute, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
- Department of Cancer Epidemiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
- Center for Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Therapy Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Daniel M. Rotroff
- Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Tania E. Mesa
- Molecular Genomics Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jiqiang Yao
- Cancer Informatics Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Zhihua Chen
- Cancer Informatics Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | | - Sean J. Yoder
- Molecular Genomics Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Christine M. Walko
- DeBartolo Family Personalized Medicine Institute, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
- Department of Cancer Epidemiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jamie K. Teer
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Howard L. McLeod
- DeBartolo Family Personalized Medicine Institute, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
- Department of Cancer Epidemiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
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