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Kervarrec T, Appenzeller S, Gramlich S, Coyaud E, Bachiri K, Appay R, Macagno N, Tallet A, Bonenfant C, Lecorre Y, Kapfer J, Kettani S, Srinivas N, Lei KC, Lange A, Becker JC, Sarosi EM, Sartelet H, von Deimling A, Touzé A, Guyétant S, Samimi M, Schrama D, Houben R. Analyses of combined Merkel cell carcinomas with neuroblastic components suggests that loss of T antigen expression in Merkel cell carcinoma may result in cell cycle arrest and neuroblastic transdifferentiation. J Pathol 2024; 264:112-124. [PMID: 39049595 DOI: 10.1002/path.6304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive skin cancer frequently caused by genomic integration of the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). MCPyV-negative cases often present as combined MCCs, which represent a distinctive subset of tumors characterized by association of an MCC with a second tumor component, mostly squamous cell carcinoma. Up to now, only exceptional cases of combined MCC with neuroblastic differentiation have been reported. Herein we describe two additional combined MCCs with neuroblastic differentiation and provide comprehensive morphologic, immunohistochemical, transcriptomic, genetic and epigenetic characterization of these tumors, which both arose in elderly men and appeared as an isolated inguinal adenopathy. Microscopic examination revealed biphasic tumors combining a poorly differentiated high-grade carcinoma with a poorly differentiated neuroblastic component lacking signs of proliferation. Immunohistochemical investigation revealed keratin 20 and MCPyV T antigen (TA) in the MCC parts, while neuroblastic differentiation was confirmed in the other component in both cases. A clonal relation of the two components can be deduced from 20 and 14 shared acquired point mutations detected by whole exome analysis in both combined tumors, respectively. Spatial transcriptomics demonstrated a lower expression of stem cell marker genes such as SOX2 and MCM2 in the neuroblastic component. Interestingly, although the neuroblastic part lacked TA expression, the same genomic MCPyV integration and the same large T-truncating mutations were observed in both tumor parts. Given that neuronal transdifferentiation upon TA repression has been reported for MCC cell lines, the most likely scenario for the two combined MCC/neuroblastic tumors is that neuroblastic transdifferentiation resulted from loss of TA expression in a subset of MCC cells. Indeed, DNA methylation profiling suggests an MCC-typical cellular origin for the combined MCC/neuroblastomas. © 2024 The Author(s). The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Carcinoma, Merkel Cell/pathology
- Carcinoma, Merkel Cell/virology
- Carcinoma, Merkel Cell/genetics
- Carcinoma, Merkel Cell/metabolism
- Male
- Skin Neoplasms/pathology
- Skin Neoplasms/genetics
- Skin Neoplasms/virology
- Skin Neoplasms/metabolism
- Antigens, Viral, Tumor/genetics
- Antigens, Viral, Tumor/metabolism
- Cell Transdifferentiation
- Merkel cell polyomavirus/genetics
- Cell Cycle Checkpoints/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Aged, 80 and over
- Aged
- Neoplasms, Complex and Mixed/pathology
- Neoplasms, Complex and Mixed/genetics
- Neoplasms, Complex and Mixed/metabolism
- Neuroblastoma/pathology
- Neuroblastoma/genetics
- Neuroblastoma/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibault Kervarrec
- Department of Pathology, Université de Tours, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours, Tours, France
- "Biologie des infections à polyomavirus" team, UMR INRAE ISP 1282, Université de Tours, Tours, France
- CARADERM Network
| | - Silke Appenzeller
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Gramlich
- Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Kamel Bachiri
- PRISM INSERM U1192, Université de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Romain Appay
- Department of Pathology, Université de Marseille, Assistance publique des Hopitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Nicolas Macagno
- CARADERM Network
- Department of Pathology, Université de Marseille, Assistance publique des Hopitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Anne Tallet
- Platform of Somatic Tumor Molecular Genetics, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Christine Bonenfant
- Platform of Somatic Tumor Molecular Genetics, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Yannick Lecorre
- Dermatology Department, LUNAM Université, CHU Angers, Angers, France
| | | | | | - Nalini Srinivas
- Department of Translational Skin Cancer Research and Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Kuan Cheok Lei
- Department of Translational Skin Cancer Research and Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Essen/Düsseldorf and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anja Lange
- Bioinformatics & Computational Biophysics, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jürgen C Becker
- Department of Translational Skin Cancer Research and Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Essen/Düsseldorf and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eva Maria Sarosi
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hervé Sartelet
- Laboratoire de Biopathologie, CHRU de Nancy, Nancy, France
- INSERM U1256, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Andreas von Deimling
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Antoine Touzé
- "Biologie des infections à polyomavirus" team, UMR INRAE ISP 1282, Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Serge Guyétant
- Department of Pathology, Université de Tours, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours, Tours, France
- "Biologie des infections à polyomavirus" team, UMR INRAE ISP 1282, Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Mahtab Samimi
- "Biologie des infections à polyomavirus" team, UMR INRAE ISP 1282, Université de Tours, Tours, France
- CARADERM Network
- Department of Dermatology, Université de Tours, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours, Tours, France
| | - David Schrama
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Roland Houben
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Kervarrec T, Lei KC, Sohier P, Macagno N, Jullie ML, Frouin E, Goto K, Taniguchi K, Hamard A, Taillandier A, Tallet A, Collin C, Sahin Y, Barry F, Taibjee S, Cokelaere K, Houben R, Schrama D, Nardin C, Aubin F, Doucet L, Pissaloux D, Tirode F, de la Fouchardière A, Balme B, Laurent-Roussel S, Becker JC, von Deimling A, Samimi M, Cribier B, Battistella M, Calonje E, Guyétant S. Wnt/beta-catenin activated non pilomatrical carcinoma of the skin: a case series. Mod Pathol 2024:100586. [PMID: 39094735 DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2024.100586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Among skin epithelial tumors, recurrent mutations in the APC/CTNNB1 genes resulting in activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway have been reported predominantly in neoplasms with matrical differentiation. In the present study, we describe the morphologic, immunohistochemical, and genetic features of 16 primary cutaneous carcinomas harboring mutations activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway without evidence of matrical differentiation, as well as four combined tumors in which a similar Wnt/β-catenin activated carcinoma component was associated with Merkel cell carcinoma or pilomatrical carcinoma. Among the pure tumor cases, 6/16 patients were female with a median age of 80 years (range: 58-98). Tumors were located on the head and neck (n=7, 44%), upper limb (n=4, 25%), trunk (n=3, 18%), and leg (n=2, 13%). Metastatic spread was observed in 4 cases resulting in death from disease in one patient. Microscopically, all cases were poorly differentiated neoplasms infiltrating the dermis and/or subcutaneous tissue. In 13 cases, solid "squamoid" areas were associated with a basophilic component characterized by rosette/pseudoglandular formation resulting in a biphasic appearance. Three specimens consisted only of poorly differentiated carcinoma lacking rosette formation. Immunohistochemical studies showed frequent expression of EMA (100%), BerEP4 (100%), cytokeratin 7 (94%), chromogranin A (44%), synaptophysin (82%) and cytokeratin 20 (69%). Complete loss of Rb expression was observed in all but one case. Nuclear β-catenin and CDX2 expressions were detected in all cases. Recurrent pathogenic somatic mutations were observed in APC (60%), CTNNB1 (40%) and RB1 (n=47%). Global methylation analysis confirmed that cases with rosette formation constituted a homogenous tumor group distinct from established skin tumor entities (pilomatrical carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) while the 3 other cases lacking such morphologic features did not. In addition, we identified four combined neoplasms in which there was a component showing a similar poorly differentiated rosette forming carcinoma demonstrating Rb loss and beta-catenin activation associated with either Merkel cell carcinoma (n=3) or pilomatrical carcinoma (n=1). In conclusion, we describe a distinctive neoplasm, for which we propose the term "Wnt/β-catenin activated rosette-forming carcinoma", morphologically characterized by the association of rosette formation, squamous and/or neuroendocrine differentiation, diffuse CDX2 expression, Rb loss, and mutations in CTNNB1/APC genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibault Kervarrec
- Department of Pathology, Université de Tours, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours, Tours, France; "Biologie des infections à polyomavirus" team, UMR INRA ISP 1282, Université de Tours, Tours, France; CARADERM Network.
| | - Kuan Cheok Lei
- Translational Skin Cancer Research, Department of Dermatology and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Essen, University Medicine Essen, Essen; and Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ); Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Pierre Sohier
- Department of Dermatology, Université de Tours, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours, Tours, France; Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France; Department of Pathology, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP.Centre-Université Paris Cité, Paris, France.
| | - Nicolas Macagno
- CARADERM Network; Department of Pathology, Timone University Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Marie-Laure Jullie
- CARADERM Network; Department of Pathology, Hopital Haut-Leveque, CHU de Bordeaux, Pessac, France
| | - Eric Frouin
- CARADERM Network; Department of Pathology, University hospital of Poitiers, Poitiers France; Department of Pathology, University hospital of Nimes, Nimes, France
| | - Keisuke Goto
- Department of Pathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Disease Center Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital, Sunto, Japan; Department of Diagnostic Pathology and Cytology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, Japan; Department of Dermatology, Hyogo Cancer Center, Akashi, Japan
| | - Kohei Taniguchi
- Department of Pathology, Hiroshima City Hiroshima Citizens Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Aymeric Hamard
- Department of Pathology, Université de Tours, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Antoine Taillandier
- Department of Pathology, Université de Tours, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Anne Tallet
- Platform of Somatic Tumor Molecular Genetics, Université de Tours, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Christine Collin
- Department of Pathology, Hiroshima City Hiroshima Citizens Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yusuf Sahin
- Department of Pathology, University hospital of Poitiers, Poitiers France
| | - Fatoumata Barry
- Department of Pathology, University hospital of Poitiers, Poitiers France
| | - Saleem Taibjee
- Poundbury Cancer Institute, Dorchester, Dorset, United Kingdom
| | | | - Roland Houben
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, German Dermatology
| | - David Schrama
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, German Dermatology
| | - Charline Nardin
- Department, Inserm 1098, Université de Franche Comté, CHU Besançon, Besançon, France
| | - Francois Aubin
- Department, Inserm 1098, Université de Franche Comté, CHU Besançon, Besançon, France
| | - Laurent Doucet
- Department of Pathology, Université de Brest, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Brest, Brest, France
| | - Daniel Pissaloux
- Department of Biopathology, Center Léon Bérard, Lyon, France; University of Lyon, Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France
| | - Franck Tirode
- Department of Biopathology, Center Léon Bérard, Lyon, France; University of Lyon, Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France
| | - Arnaud de la Fouchardière
- Department of Biopathology, Center Léon Bérard, Lyon, France; University of Lyon, Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France
| | - Brigitte Balme
- Dermatology Unit, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Univesrity Hospital Lyon Sud, Pierre Bénite, France
| | | | - Jürgen C Becker
- Translational Skin Cancer Research, Department of Dermatology and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Essen, University Medicine Essen, Essen; and Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ); Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Dermatology, University Clinic Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Andreas von Deimling
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany; Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mahtab Samimi
- "Biologie des infections à polyomavirus" team, UMR INRA ISP 1282, Université de Tours, Tours, France; Department of Dermatology, Université de Tours, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Bernard Cribier
- CARADERM Network; Dermatology Clinic, Hôpitaux Universitaires & Université de Strasbourg, Hôpital Civil, Strasbourg, France
| | - Maxime Battistella
- CARADERM Network; Department of Pathology, APHP Hôpital Saint Louis, Université Paris 7, Paris, France
| | - Eduardo Calonje
- Department of Dermatopathology, St John's Institute of Dermatology, St Thomas's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Serge Guyétant
- Department of Pathology, Université de Tours, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours, Tours, France; "Biologie des infections à polyomavirus" team, UMR INRA ISP 1282, Université de Tours, Tours, France
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Pedersen EA, Verhaegen ME, Joseph MK, Harms KL, Harms PW. Merkel cell carcinoma: updates in tumor biology, emerging therapies, and preclinical models. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1413793. [PMID: 39136002 PMCID: PMC11317257 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1413793] [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: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma thought to arise via either viral (Merkel cell polyomavirus) or ultraviolet-associated pathways. Surgery and radiotherapy have historically been mainstays of management, and immunotherapy has improved outcomes for advanced disease. However, there remains a lack of effective therapy for those patients who fail to respond to these established approaches, underscoring a critical need to better understand MCC biology for more effective prognosis and treatment. Here, we review the fundamental aspects of MCC biology and the recent advances which have had profound impact on management. The first genetically-engineered mouse models for MCC tumorigenesis provide opportunities to understand the potential MCC cell of origin and may prove useful for preclinical investigation of novel therapeutics. The MCC cell of origin debate has also been advanced by recent observations of MCC arising in association with a clonally related hair follicle tumor or squamous cell carcinoma in situ. These studies also suggested a role for epigenetics in the origin of MCC, highlighting a potential utility for this therapeutic avenue in MCC. These and other therapeutic targets form the basis for a wealth of ongoing clinical trials to improve MCC management. Here, we review these recent advances in the context of the existing literature and implications for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mallory K. Joseph
- Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Kelly L. Harms
- Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Paul W. Harms
- Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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Kim EY, Liu M, Giobbie-Hurder A, Bahar F, Khaddour K, Silk AW, Thakuria M. Patterns of initial distant metastases in 151 patients undergoing surveillance for treated Merkel cell carcinoma. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2024; 38:1202-1212. [PMID: 38433521 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.19907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is associated with high rates of recurrence and distant metastatic progression. Current guidelines for surveillance imaging are not evidence based. Better characterization of the pattern of distant metastatic spread will better inform surveillance and facilitate earlier detection of metastases. OBJECTIVES This retrospective study aimed to assess potential relationships between primary tumour site and site of initial distant metastasis, time to distant metastasis, overall survival (OS) and MCC-specific death (MSD). METHODS Patients with local or regional (Stage I-III) disease who were treated with curative intent and progressed to Stage IV were included in this study (n = 151). Fisher's exact test was used to assess differences in patterns of initial distant metastases based on primary tumour site. Time to initial distant metastasis was calculated from date of MCC diagnosis. OS and MSD were calculated from date of initial distant metastasis to date of death from any or MCC-related causes, respectively. RESULTS Of 151 patients included in analysis, 89 (58.9%) had a single initial distant metastatic site, and 62 (41.1%) had multiple sites. Patients with upper limb primary tumours were significantly less likely to develop distant lymph node or liver metastases (p = 0.02 and 0.04, respectively). Median time to distant metastasis was 11 months (IQR 6.7-17.9 months). Median OS was 15.3 months, and was shorter for patients with liver (7.0 months, p = 0.0004) or bone metastases (8.9 months, p < 0.0001). Using skin/soft tissue metastasis as a reference group, patients with multiple metastatic sites had significantly higher hazards of MSD (HR = 3.46 univariate, 3.77 multivariate analysis). Time to distant metastasis, OS and MSD did not differ by viral status. CONCLUSION Sites of initial distant metastasis are related to primary tumour sites and survival outcomes. Because patients often have multiple initial metastases, full-body cross-sectional rather than region-specific imaging may facilitate earlier detection of metastatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Y Kim
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mofei Liu
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Furkan Bahar
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Karam Khaddour
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ann W Silk
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Manisha Thakuria
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Bahar F, DeCaprio JA. Why do we distinguish between virus-positive and virus-negative Merkel cell carcinoma? Br J Dermatol 2024; 190:785-786. [PMID: 38391034 DOI: 10.1093/bjd/ljae086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Furkan Bahar
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James A DeCaprio
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
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Torre-Castro J, Rodríguez M, Alonso-Alonso R, Mendoza Cembranos MD, Díaz-Alejo JF, Rebollo-González M, Borregón J, Nájera Botello L, Mahillo-Fernández I, Samimi M, Kervarrec T, Requena L, Piris MÁ. LT and SOX9 expression are associated with gene sets that distinguish Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV)-positive and MCPyV-negative Merkel cell carcinoma. Br J Dermatol 2024; 190:876-884. [PMID: 38261397 DOI: 10.1093/bjd/ljae033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive malignant neuroendocrine tumour. There are two subsets of MCC, one related to Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) and the other to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). MCPyV-positive and MCPyV-negative MCCs have been considered to be different tumours, as the former harbour few DNA mutations and are not related to UVR, and the latter usually arise in sun-exposed areas and may be found in conjunction with other keratinocytic tumours, mostly squamous cell carcinomas. Two viral oncoproteins, large T antigen (LT; coded by MCPyV_gp3) and small T antigen (sT; coded by MCPyV_gp4), promote different carcinogenic pathways. OBJECTIVES To determine which genes are differentially expressed in MCPyV-positive and MCPyV-negative MCC; to describe the mutational burden and the most frequently mutated genes in both MCC subtypes; and to identify the clinical and molecular factors that may be related to patient survival. METHODS Ninety-two patients with a diagnosis of MCC were identified from the medical databases of participating centres. To study gene expression, a customized panel of 172 genes was developed. Gene expression profiling was performed with nCounter technology. For mutational studies, a customized panel of 26 genes was designed. Somatic single nucleotide variants (SNVs) were identified following the GATK Best Practices workflow for somatic mutations. RESULTS The expression of LT enabled the series to be divided into two groups (LT positive, n = 55; LT negative, n = 37). Genes differentially expressed in LT-negative patients were related to epithelial differentiation, especially SOX9, or proliferation and the cell cycle (MYC, CDK6), among others. Congruently, LT displayed lower expression in SOX9-positive patients, and differentially expressed genes in SOX9-positive patients were related to epithelial/squamous differentiation. In LT-positive patients, the mean SNV frequency was 4.3; in LT-negative patients it was 10 (P = 0.03). On multivariate survival analysis, the expression of SNAI1 [hazard ratio (HR) 1.046, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.007-1.086; P = 0.02] and CDK6 (HR 1.049, 95% CI 1.020-1.080; P = 0.001) were identified as risk factors. CONCLUSIONS Tumours with weak LT expression tend to co-express genes related to squamous differentiation and the cell cycle, and to have a higher mutational burden. These findings are congruent with those of earlier studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marta Rodríguez
- Pathology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Network on Cancer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ruth Alonso-Alonso
- Pathology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Network on Cancer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Jesús Frutos Díaz-Alejo
- Pathology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marcos Rebollo-González
- Pathology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jennifer Borregón
- Pathology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Nájera Botello
- Pathology Department, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Mahillo-Fernández
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology Unit, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Miguel Ángel Piris
- Pathology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain
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7
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Buck CB, Welch N, Belford AK, Varsani A, Pastrana DV, Tisza MJ, Starrett GJ. Widespread Horizontal Gene Transfer Among Animal Viruses. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.25.586562. [PMID: 38712252 PMCID: PMC11071296 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.25.586562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
The initial objective of this study was to shed light on the evolution of small DNA tumor viruses by analyzing de novo assemblies of publicly available deep sequencing datasets. The survey generated a searchable database of contig snapshots representing more than 100,000 Sequence Read Archive records. Using modern structure-aware search tools, we iteratively broadened the search to include an increasingly wide range of other virus families. The analysis revealed a surprisingly diverse range of chimeras involving different virus groups. In some instances, genes resembling known DNA-replication modules or known virion protein operons were paired with unrecognizable sequences that structural predictions suggest may represent previously unknown replicases and novel virion architectures. Discrete clades of an emerging group called adintoviruses were discovered in datasets representing humans and other primates. As a proof of concept, we show that the contig database is also useful for discovering RNA viruses and candidate archaeal phages. The ancillary searches revealed additional examples of chimerization between different virus groups. The observations support a gene-centric taxonomic framework that should be useful for future virus-hunting efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicole Welch
- National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
- current affiliation: L.E.K. Consulting, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anna K. Belford
- National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
- current affiliation: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Arvind Varsani
- Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
- University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Michael J. Tisza
- National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
- current affiliation: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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Catozzi A, Peiris-Pagès M, Humphrey S, Revill M, Morgan D, Roebuck J, Chen Y, Davies-Williams B, Lallo A, Galvin M, Pearce SP, Kerr A, Priest L, Foy V, Carter M, Caeser R, Chan J, Rudin CM, Blackhall F, Frese KK, Dive C, Simpson KL. Functional Characterisation of the ATOH1 Molecular Subtype Indicates a Pro-Metastatic Role in Small Cell Lung Cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.16.580247. [PMID: 38405859 PMCID: PMC10888785 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.16.580247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Molecular subtypes of Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) have been described based on differential expression of transcription factors (TFs) ASCL1, NEUROD1, POU2F3 and immune-related genes. We previously reported an additional subtype based on expression of the neurogenic TF ATOH1 within our SCLC Circulating tumour cell-Derived eXplant (CDX) model biobank. Here we show that ATOH1 protein was detected in 7/81 preclinical models and 16/102 clinical samples of SCLC. In CDX models, ATOH1 directly regulated neurogenesis and differentiation programs consistent with roles in normal tissues. In ex vivo cultures of ATOH1-positive CDX, ATOH1 was required for cell survival. In vivo, ATOH1 depletion slowed tumour growth and suppressed liver metastasis. Our data validate ATOH1 as a bona fide oncogenic driver of SCLC with tumour cell survival and pro-metastatic functions. Further investigation to explore ATOH1 driven vulnerabilities for targeted treatment with predictive biomarkers is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Catozzi
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Peiris-Pagès
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Sam Humphrey
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Mitchell Revill
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Derrick Morgan
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jordan Roebuck
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Yitao Chen
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Bethan Davies-Williams
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Alice Lallo
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Melanie Galvin
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Simon P Pearce
- Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Alastair Kerr
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Lynsey Priest
- Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria Foy
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Mathew Carter
- Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Caeser
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Joseph Chan
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Charles M. Rudin
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Fiona Blackhall
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Division of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Kristopher K Frese
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Dive
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn L Simpson
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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9
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Koumaki D, Manios G, Papadakis M, Doxastaki A, Zacharopoulos GV, Katoulis A, Manios A. Color Analysis of Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Comparative Study with Cherry Angiomas, Hemangiomas, Basal Cell Carcinomas, and Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:230. [PMID: 38275477 PMCID: PMC10814937 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14020230] [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: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is recognized as one of the most malignant skin tumors. Its rarity might explain the limited exploration of digital color studies in this area. The objective of this study was to delineate color alterations in MCCs compared to benign lesions resembling MCC, such as cherry angiomas and hemangiomas, along with other non-melanoma skin cancer lesions like basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), utilizing computer-aided digital color analysis. This was a retrospective study where clinical images of the color of the lesion and adjacent normal skin from 11 patients with primary MCC, 11 patients with cherry angiomas, 12 patients with hemangiomas, and 12 patients with BCC/SCC (totaling 46 patients) were analyzed using the RGB (red, green, and blue) and the CIE Lab color system. The Lab color system aided in estimating the Individual Typology Angle (ITA) change in the skin, and these results are documented in this study. It was demonstrated that the estimation of color components can assist in the differential diagnosis of these types of lesions because there were significant differences in color parameters between MCC and other categories of skin lesions such as hemangiomas, common skin carcinomas, and cherry hemangiomas. Significant differences in values were observed in the blue color of RGB (p = 0.003) and the b* parameter of Lab color (p < 0.0001) of MCC versus cherry angiomas. Similarly, the mean a* value of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) compared to basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001). Larger prospective studies are warranted to further validate the clinical application of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Koumaki
- Dermatology Department, University Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Greece;
| | - Georgios Manios
- Department of Computer Science and Biomedical Informatics, University of Thessaly, 35100 Lamia, Greece;
| | - Marios Papadakis
- Department of Surgery II, Witten/Herdecke University, Heusnerstrasse 40, 42283 Witten, Germany;
| | - Aikaterini Doxastaki
- Dermatology Department, University Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Greece;
| | | | - Alexander Katoulis
- 2nd Department of Dermatology and Venereology, “Attikon” General University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Rimini 1, Haidari, 12462 Athens, Greece;
| | - Andreas Manios
- Plastic Surgery Unit, Surgical Oncology Department, University Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Greece; (G.V.Z.); (A.M.)
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10
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Kervarrec T, Appenzeller S, Tallet A, Jullie ML, Sohier P, Guillonneau F, Rütten A, Berthon P, Le Corre Y, Hainaut-Wierzbicka E, Blom A, Beneton N, Bens G, Nardin C, Aubin F, Dinulescu M, Visée S, Herfs M, Touzé A, Guyétant S, Samimi M, Houben R, Schrama D. Detection of wildtype Merkel cell polyomavirus genomic sequence and VP1 transcription in a subset of Merkel cell carcinoma. Histopathology 2024; 84:356-368. [PMID: 37830288 DOI: 10.1111/his.15068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is frequently caused by the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). Characteristic for these virus-positive (VP) MCC is MCPyV integration into the host genome and truncation of the viral oncogene Large T antigen (LT), with full-length LT expression considered as incompatible with MCC growth. Genetic analysis of a VP-MCC/trichoblastoma combined tumour demonstrated that virus-driven MCC can arise from an epithelial cell. Here we describe two further cases of VP-MCC combined with an adnexal tumour, i.e. one trichoblastoma and one poroma. METHODS AND RESULTS Whole-genome sequencing of MCC/trichoblastoma again provided evidence of a trichoblastoma-derived MCC. Although an MCC-typical LT-truncating mutation was detected, we could not determine an integration site and we additionally detected a wildtype sequence encoding full-length LT. Similarly, Sanger sequencing of the combined MCC/poroma revealed coding sequences for both truncated and full-length LT. Moreover, in situ RNA hybridization demonstrated expression of a late region mRNA encoding the viral capsid protein VP1 in both combined as well as in a few cases of pure MCC. CONCLUSION The data presented here suggest the presence of wildtype MCPyV genomes and VP1 transcription in a subset of MCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibault Kervarrec
- Department of Pathology, Université de Tours, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours, Tours, France
- "Biologie des Infections à Polyomavirus" Team, UMR INRAE ISP 1282, Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Silke Appenzeller
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anne Tallet
- Platform of Somatic Tumor Molecular Genetics, Université de Tours, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Marie-Laure Jullie
- Department of Pathology, Hôpital Haut-Lévêque, CHU de Bordeaux, CARADERM Network, Pessac, France
| | - Pierre Sohier
- Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Department of Pathology, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP.Centre-Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Francois Guillonneau
- 3P5 Proteomics, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP, Centre-Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | | | - Patricia Berthon
- "Biologie des Infections à Polyomavirus" Team, UMR INRAE ISP 1282, Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Yannick Le Corre
- Dermatology Department, LUNAM Université, CHU Angers, Angers, France
| | | | - Astrid Blom
- Department of General and Oncologic Dermatology, CARADERM Network Ambroise-Paré hospital, APHP & Research Unit EA 4340, University of Versailles-Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Paris-Saclay University, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | | | - Guido Bens
- Dermatology Department, CHR d'Orléans, Orléans, France
- Dermatology Department, CH de Blois, Blois, France
| | - Charline Nardin
- Dermatology Department, Inserm 1098, Université de Franche Comté, CHU Besançon, Besançon, France
| | - Francois Aubin
- Dermatology Department, Inserm 1098, Université de Franche Comté, CHU Besançon, Besançon, France
| | - Monica Dinulescu
- Dermatology Department, CHR Rennes, Rennes, France
- Institut Dermatologique du Grand Ouest (IDGO), Rennes, France
| | - Sebastien Visée
- Department of Pathology, Centre Hospitalier d'Angoulème, Angoulème, France
| | - Michael Herfs
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Antoine Touzé
- "Biologie des Infections à Polyomavirus" Team, UMR INRAE ISP 1282, Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Serge Guyétant
- Department of Pathology, Université de Tours, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours, Tours, France
- "Biologie des Infections à Polyomavirus" Team, UMR INRAE ISP 1282, Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Mahtab Samimi
- "Biologie des Infections à Polyomavirus" Team, UMR INRAE ISP 1282, Université de Tours, Tours, France
- Departement of Dermatology, Université de Tours, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Roland Houben
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - David Schrama
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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11
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Studstill CJ, Mac M, Moody CA. Interplay between the DNA damage response and the life cycle of DNA tumor viruses. Tumour Virus Res 2023; 16:200272. [PMID: 37918513 PMCID: PMC10685005 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvr.2023.200272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Approximately 20 % of human cancers are associated with virus infection. DNA tumor viruses can induce tumor formation in host cells by disrupting the cell's DNA replication and repair mechanisms. Specifically, these viruses interfere with the host cell's DNA damage response (DDR), which is a complex network of signaling pathways that is essential for maintaining the integrity of the genome. DNA tumor viruses can disrupt these pathways by expressing oncoproteins that mimic or inhibit various DDR components, thereby promoting genomic instability and tumorigenesis. Recent studies have highlighted the molecular mechanisms by which DNA tumor viruses interact with DDR components, as well as the ways in which these interactions contribute to viral replication and tumorigenesis. Understanding the interplay between DNA tumor viruses and the DDR pathway is critical for developing effective strategies to prevent and treat virally associated cancers. In this review, we discuss the current state of knowledge regarding the mechanisms by which human papillomavirus (HPV), merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) interfere with DDR pathways to facilitate their respective life cycles, and the consequences of such interference on genomic stability and cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb J Studstill
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States
| | - Michelle Mac
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States
| | - Cary A Moody
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States.
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12
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Weilandt J, Peitsch WK. Moderne Diagnostik und Therapie des Merkelzellkarzinoms. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2023; 21:1524-1548. [PMID: 38082520 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.15214_g] [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: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
ZusammenfassungDas Merkelzellkarzinom (MCC) ist ein seltener, aggressiver Hauttumor mit epithelialer und neuroendokriner Differenzierung, dessen Inzidenz in den letzten Jahrzehnten deutlich zugenommen hat. Risikofaktoren sind fortgeschrittenes Lebensalter, heller Hauttyp, UV‐Exposition und Immunsuppression. Pathogenetisch wird ein durch das Merkelzell‐Polyomavirus (MCPyV) hervorgerufener Typ von einem UV‐induzierten Typ mit hoher Tumormutationslast unterschieden.Klinisch präsentiert sich das MCC als meist schmerzloser, schnell wachsender, rötlich‐violetter Tumor mit glänzender Oberfläche, der bevorzugt im Kopf‐Hals‐Bereich und an den distalen Extremitäten lokalisiert ist. Eine sichere Diagnose kann nur anhand histologischer und immunhistochemischer Merkmale gestellt werden. Bei Erstdiagnose weisen 20%–26% der Patienten lokoregionäre Metastasen und 8%–14% Fernmetastasen auf, weshalb eine Ausbreitungsdiagnostik unabdingbar ist. Bei fehlenden klinischen Hinweisen auf Metastasen wird eine Sentinel‐Lymphknotenbiopsie empfohlen.Wesentliche Säulen der Therapie sind die Operation, die adjuvante oder palliative Strahlentherapie und in fortgeschrittenen inoperablen Stadien die medikamentöse Tumortherapie. Die Einführung von Immuncheckpoint‐Inhibitoren führte zu einem Paradigmenwechsel, da sich hiermit ein wesentlich langfristigeres Ansprechen und bessere Überlebensraten als mit Chemotherapie erreichen lassen. Zur Therapie des metastasierten MCC ist in Deutschland der PD‐L1‐Inhibitor Avelumab zugelassen, aber auch die PD‐1‐Antikörper Pembrolizumab und Nivolumab werden mit Erfolg eingesetzt. Adjuvante und neoadjuvante Therapiekonzepte, Immunkombinationstherapien und zielgerichtete Therapien als Monotherapie oder in Kombination mit Immuncheckpoint‐Inhibitoren befinden sich in klinischer Prüfung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Weilandt
- Klinik für Dermatologie und Phlebologie, Vivantes Klinikum im Friedrichshain, Berlin, Germany
| | - Wiebke K Peitsch
- Klinik für Dermatologie und Phlebologie, Vivantes Klinikum im Friedrichshain, Berlin, Germany
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13
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Weilandt J, Peitsch WK. Modern diagnostics and treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2023; 21:1524-1546. [PMID: 37875785 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.15214] [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: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive skin cancer with epithelial and neuroendocrine differentiation, the incidence of which has increased substantially during the last decades. Risk factors include advanced age, fair skin type, UV exposure, and immunosuppression. Pathogenetically, a type caused by the Merkel cell polyomavirus is distinguished from a UV-induced type with a high tumor mutational burden. Clinically, MCC presents as a mostly painless, rapidly growing, reddish-violet tumor with a shiny surface, which is preferentially localized in the head-neck region and at the distal extremities. A reliable diagnosis can only be made based on histological and immunohistochemical features. At initial diagnosis, 20-26% of patients show locoregional metastases and 8-14% distant metastases, making staging examinations indispensable. If there is no clinical evidence of metastases, a sentinel lymph node biopsy is recommended. Essential columns of therapy are surgery, adjuvant or palliative radiotherapy and, in advanced inoperable stages, medicamentous tumor therapy. The introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors has led to a paradigm shift, as they provide a considerably longer duration of response and better survival rates than chemotherapy. The PD-L1 inhibitor avelumab is approved for treatment of metastatic MCC in Germany, but the PD-1 antibodies pembrolizumab and nivolumab are also used with success. Adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment concepts, immune combination therapies and targeted therapies as monotherapy or in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors are in the clinical trial phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Weilandt
- Department of Dermatology and Phlebology, Vivantes Klinikum im Friedrichshain, Berlin, Germany
| | - Wiebke K Peitsch
- Department of Dermatology and Phlebology, Vivantes Klinikum im Friedrichshain, Berlin, Germany
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14
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Yang J, Lim JT, Victor P, Chen C, Khwaja H, Schnellmann RG, Roe DJ, Gokhale PC, DeCaprio JA, Padi M. Integrative analysis reveals therapeutic potential of pyrvinium pamoate in Merkel cell carcinoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.01.565218. [PMID: 37961132 PMCID: PMC10635082 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.01.565218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) is a highly aggressive neuroendocrine cutaneous malignancy arising from either ultraviolet-induced mutagenesis or Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) integration. It is the only known neuroendocrine tumor (NET) with a virus etiology. Despite extensive research, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving the transition from normal cells to MCC remains limited. To address this knowledge gap, we assessed the impact of inducible MCPyV T antigens into normal human fibroblasts by performing RNA sequencing. Our findings suggested that the WNT signaling pathway plays a critical role in the development of MCC. To test this model, we bioinformatically evaluated various perturbagens for their ability to reverse the MCC gene expression signature and identified pyrvinium pamoate, an FDA-approved anthelminthic drug known for its anti-tumor potential in multiple cancers. Leveraging transcriptomic, network, and molecular analyses, we found that pyrvinium effectively targets multiple MCC vulnerabilities. Specifically, pyrvinium not only reverses the neuroendocrine features of MCC by modulating canonical and non-canonical WNT signaling pathways but also inhibits cancer cell growth by activating the p53-mediated apoptosis pathway, disrupting mitochondrial function, and inducing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Pyrvinium also effectively inhibits tumor growth in an MCC mouse xenograft model. These findings offer new avenues for the development of therapeutic strategies for neuroendocrine cancer and highlight the utility of pyrvinium as a potential treatment for MCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawen Yang
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - James T Lim
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Paul Victor
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Chen Chen
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Hunain Khwaja
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Rick G Schnellmann
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- The University of Arizona, BIO5 Institute, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, USA
| | - Denise J Roe
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Prafulla C Gokhale
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James A DeCaprio
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Megha Padi
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
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15
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DeCoste RC, Carter MD, Ly TY, Gruchy JR, Nicolela AP, Pasternak S. Merkel cell carcinoma: an update. Hum Pathol 2023; 140:39-52. [PMID: 36898590 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2023.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an uncommon primary cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma associated with an adverse prognosis. In recent years, our understanding of MCC biology has markedly progressed. Since the discovery of the Merkel cell polyomavirus, it has become clear that MCC represents an ontogenetically dichotomous group of neoplasms with overlapping histopathology. Specifically, most MCCs arise secondary to viral oncogenesis, while a smaller subset is the direct result of UV-associated mutations. The distinction of these groups bears relevance in their immunohistochemical and molecular characterization, as well as in disease prognosis. Further recent developments relate to the landmark utilization of immunotherapeutics in MCC, providing optimistic options for the management of this aggressive disease. In this review, we discuss both fundamental and emerging concepts in MCC, with a particular focus on topics of practical relevance to the surgical or dermatopathologist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C DeCoste
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, QEII Health Science Centre, Nova Scotia Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1V8, Canada; Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1V8, Canada.
| | - Michael D Carter
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, QEII Health Science Centre, Nova Scotia Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1V8, Canada; Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1V8, Canada
| | - Thai Yen Ly
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, QEII Health Science Centre, Nova Scotia Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1V8, Canada; Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1V8, Canada
| | - Jennette R Gruchy
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, QEII Health Science Centre, Nova Scotia Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1V8, Canada; Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1V8, Canada
| | - Anna P Nicolela
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Sylvia Pasternak
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, QEII Health Science Centre, Nova Scotia Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1V8, Canada; Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1V8, Canada
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16
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Durand MA, Drouin A, Mouchard A, Durand L, Esnault C, Berthon P, Tallet A, Le Corre Y, Hainaut-Wierzbicka E, Blom A, Saiag P, Beneton N, Bens G, Nardin C, Aubin F, Dinulescu M, Collin C, Fromont-Hankard G, Cribier B, Laurent-Roussel S, Cokelaere K, Houben R, Schrama D, Peixoto P, Hervouet E, Bachiri K, Kantar D, Coyaud E, Guyétant S, Samimi M, Touzé A, Kervarrec T. Distinct Regulation of EZH2 and its Repressive H3K27me3 Mark in Polyomavirus-Positive and -Negative Merkel Cell Carcinoma. J Invest Dermatol 2023; 143:1937-1946.e7. [PMID: 37037414 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.02.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive skin cancer for which Merkel cell polyomavirus integration and expression of viral oncogenes small T and Large T have been identified as major oncogenic determinants. Recently, a component of the PRC2 complex, the histone methyltransferase enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) that induces H3K27 trimethylation as a repressive mark has been proposed as a potential therapeutic target in MCC. Because divergent results have been reported for the levels of EZH2 and trimethylation of lysine 27 on histone 3, we analyzed these factors in a large MCC cohort to identify the molecular determinants of EZH2 activity in MCC and to establish MCC cell lines' sensitivity to EZH2 inhibitors. Immunohistochemical expression of EZH2 was observed in 92% of MCC tumors (156 of 170), with higher expression levels in virus-positive than virus-negative tumors (P = 0.026). For the latter, we showed overexpression of EZHIP, a negative regulator of the PRC2 complex. In vitro, ectopic expression of the large T antigen in fibroblasts led to the induction of EZH2 expression, whereas the knockdown of T antigens in MCC cell lines resulted in decreased EZH2 expression. EZH2 inhibition led to selective cytotoxicity on virus-positive MCC cell lines. This study highlights the distinct mechanisms of EZH2 induction between virus-negative and -positive MCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Alice Durand
- Team "Biologie des Infections à Polyomavirus", ISP UMR 1282, INRAE, University of Tours, Tours, France
| | - Aurélie Drouin
- Team "Biologie des Infections à Polyomavirus", ISP UMR 1282, INRAE, University of Tours, Tours, France
| | - Alice Mouchard
- Team "Biologie des Infections à Polyomavirus", ISP UMR 1282, INRAE, University of Tours, Tours, France; Department of Dermatology, CHRU of Tours, University of Tours, Chambray-lès-Tours, France
| | - Laurine Durand
- Team "Biologie des Infections à Polyomavirus", ISP UMR 1282, INRAE, University of Tours, Tours, France
| | - Clara Esnault
- Team "Biologie des Infections à Polyomavirus", ISP UMR 1282, INRAE, University of Tours, Tours, France
| | - Patricia Berthon
- Team "Biologie des Infections à Polyomavirus", ISP UMR 1282, INRAE, University of Tours, Tours, France
| | - Anne Tallet
- Platform of Somatic Tumor Molecular Genetics, CHU of Tours, University of Tours, Tours, France
| | - Yannick Le Corre
- Dermatology Department, CHU of Angers, LUNAM University, Angers, France
| | | | - Astrid Blom
- Department of General and Oncologic Dermatology, Ambroise-Paré Hospital, CARADERM Network, Boulogne-Billancourt, France; Research unit EA 4340, University of Versailles-Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Paris-Saclay University, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Philippe Saiag
- Department of General and Oncologic Dermatology, Ambroise-Paré Hospital, CARADERM Network, Boulogne-Billancourt, France; Research unit EA 4340, University of Versailles-Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Paris-Saclay University, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Nathalie Beneton
- Dermatology Department, CHU of Le Mans, University of Le Mans, Le Mans, France
| | - Guido Bens
- Dermatology department, CHR Orleans, Orleans, France
| | - Charlee Nardin
- Dermatology, CHU Besançon, Besançon, France; INSERM 1098, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - François Aubin
- Dermatology, CHU Besançon, Besançon, France; INSERM 1098, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Monica Dinulescu
- Dermatology department, CHU Rennes, Institut Dermatologique du Grand Ouest (IDGO), Rennes, France
| | - Christine Collin
- Platform of Somatic Tumor Molecular Genetics, CHU of Tours, University of Tours, Tours, France
| | | | - Bernard Cribier
- Dermatology Department, CHU of Strasbourg, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | | | | | - Roland Houben
- Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - David Schrama
- Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Paul Peixoto
- INSERM, EFS-BFC, UMR 1098 RIGHT, University Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Besançon, France; EPIgenetics and GENe Expression Technical Platform (EPIGENExp), University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Eric Hervouet
- INSERM, EFS-BFC, UMR 1098 RIGHT, University Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Besançon, France; EPIgenetics and GENe Expression Technical Platform (EPIGENExp), University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Kamel Bachiri
- Department of Biology, Inserm U1192, Protéomique Réponse Inflammatoire Spectrométrie de Masse-PRISM, CHU Lille, Université de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Diala Kantar
- Department of Biology, Inserm U1192, Protéomique Réponse Inflammatoire Spectrométrie de Masse-PRISM, CHU Lille, Université de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Etienne Coyaud
- Department of Biology, Inserm U1192, Protéomique Réponse Inflammatoire Spectrométrie de Masse-PRISM, CHU Lille, Université de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Serge Guyétant
- Pathology Department, CHU of Tours, University of Tours, Tours, France; Team "Biologie des Infections à Polyomavirus", ISP UMR 1282, INRAE, University of Tours, Tours, France
| | - Mahtab Samimi
- Team "Biologie des Infections à Polyomavirus", ISP UMR 1282, INRAE, University of Tours, Tours, France; Department of Dermatology, CHRU of Tours, University of Tours, Chambray-lès-Tours, France
| | - Antoine Touzé
- Team "Biologie des Infections à Polyomavirus", ISP UMR 1282, INRAE, University of Tours, Tours, France
| | - Thibault Kervarrec
- Team "Biologie des Infections à Polyomavirus", ISP UMR 1282, INRAE, University of Tours, Tours, France; Pathology Department, CHU of Tours, University of Tours, Tours, France.
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17
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Karpinski P, Rosales I, Laczmanski L, Kowalik A, Wenson S, Hoang MP. Expression of Genes Associated With Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Merkel Cell Polyomavirus-Negative Merkel Cell Carcinoma. J Transl Med 2023; 103:100177. [PMID: 37207705 DOI: 10.1016/j.labinv.2023.100177] [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: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Two accepted possible pathways for Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) pathogenesis include the clonal integration of the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) into the neoplastic cells and by UV irradiation. We hypothesize that, in UV etiology, the expression of genes associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) would be higher in MCPyV-negative MCCs. We compared RNA expression in 16 MCPyV-negative with that in 14 MCPyV-positive MCCs in 30 patients using NanoString panel of 760 gene targets as an exploratory method. Subsequently, we confirmed the findings with a publicly available RNA sequencing data set. The NanoString method showed that 29 of 760 genes exhibited significant deregulation. Ten genes (CD44, COL6A3, COL11A1, CXCL8, INHBA, MMP1, NID2, SPP1, THBS1, and THY1) were part of the EMT pathway. The expression of CDH1/E-cadherin, a key EMT gene, and TWIST1, regulator gene of EMT, was higher in MCPyV-negative tumors. To further investigate the expression of EMT genes in MCPyV-negative MCCs, we analyzed publicly available RNA sequencing data of 111 primary MCCs. Differential expression and gene set enrichment analysis of 35 MCPyV-negative versus 76 MCPyV-positive MCCs demonstrated significantly higher expression of EMT-related genes and associated pathways such as Notch signaling, TGF-β signaling, and Hedgehog signaling, and UV response pathway in MCPyV-negative MCCs. The significance of the EMT pathway in MCPyV-negative MCCs was confirmed independently by a coexpression module analysis. One of the modules (M3) was specifically activated in MCPyV-negative MCCs and showed significant enrichment for genes involved in EMT. A network analysis of module M3 revealed that CDH1/E-cadherin was among the most connected genes (hubs). E-cadherin and LEF1 immunostains demonstrated significantly more frequent expression in MCPvV-negative versus MCPyV-positive tumors (P < .0001). In summary, our study showed that the expression of EMT-associated genes is higher in MCPyV-negative MCC. Because EMT-related proteins can be targeted, the identification of EMT pathways in MCPyV-negative MCCs is of potential therapeutic relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawel Karpinski
- Department of Genetics, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland; Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Ivy Rosales
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lukasz Laczmanski
- Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Artur Kowalik
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Holycross Cancer Center, Kielce, Poland; Division of Medical Biology, Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland
| | - Scott Wenson
- Department of Pathology, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mai P Hoang
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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18
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Gaubert A, Kervarrec T, Montaudié H, Burel-Vandenbos F, Cardot-Leccia N, Di Mauro I, Fabas T, Tallet A, Kubiniek V, Pedeutour F, Dadone-Montaudié B. BRCA1/2 Pathogenic Variants Are Not Common in Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Comprehensive Molecular Study of 30 Cases and Meta-Analysis of the Literature. J Invest Dermatol 2023; 143:1178-1186. [PMID: 36754117 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine cancer. Management of advanced MCC is mainly based on immune-checkpoint inhibitors. The high failure rate warrants an investigation of new therapeutic targets. The recent identification of BRCA1 or BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) mutations in some MCC raises the issue of the use of poly-(ADP-Ribose)-polymerase inhibitors in selected advanced cases. The main objective of our study is to determine the accurate frequency of BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants. We studied a series of 30 MCC and performed a meta-analysis of BRCA1/2 variants of published cases in the literature. In our series, we detected only one BRCA2 pathogenic variant. The low frequency of BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants in our series of MCC (3%) was confirmed by the meta-analysis of BRCA1/2 variants in the literature. Among the 915 MCC from 13 published series studied for molecular alterations of BRCA1/2, only 12 BRCA1/2 pathogenic mutations were identified (1-2% of MCC), whereas many other BRCA1/2 variants were variants of unknown significance or benign. BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants are uncommon in MCC. However, in BRCA-mutated MCC, poly-(ADP-Ribose)-polymerase inhibitors might be a valuable therapeutic option requiring validation by clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Gaubert
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Oncology, Central Laboratory of Pathology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Thibault Kervarrec
- Biologie des infections à polyomavirus team, UMR INRA ISP 1282, University of Tours, Tours, France; Department of Pathology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Henri Montaudié
- INSERM U1065, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire (C3M), Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France; Department of Dermatology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Fanny Burel-Vandenbos
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Oncology, Central Laboratory of Pathology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Nathalie Cardot-Leccia
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Oncology, Central Laboratory of Pathology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Ilaria Di Mauro
- Laboratory of Solid Tumor Genetics, Department of Pathology and Molecular Oncology, University Hospital of Nice, University Côte d'Azur, Nice, France; Laboratory of Solid Tumor Genetics, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), CNRS UMR 7284/INSERM U1081, Nice, France
| | - Thibault Fabas
- Laboratory of Solid Tumor Genetics, Department of Pathology and Molecular Oncology, University Hospital of Nice, University Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Anne Tallet
- Platform of Somatic Tumor Molecular Genetics, Université de Tours, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Valérie Kubiniek
- Laboratory of Solid Tumor Genetics, Department of Pathology and Molecular Oncology, University Hospital of Nice, University Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Florence Pedeutour
- Laboratory of Solid Tumor Genetics, Department of Pathology and Molecular Oncology, University Hospital of Nice, University Côte d'Azur, Nice, France; Laboratory of Solid Tumor Genetics, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), CNRS UMR 7284/INSERM U1081, Nice, France
| | - Bérengère Dadone-Montaudié
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Oncology, Central Laboratory of Pathology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France; Laboratory of Solid Tumor Genetics, Department of Pathology and Molecular Oncology, University Hospital of Nice, University Côte d'Azur, Nice, France; Laboratory of Solid Tumor Genetics, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), CNRS UMR 7284/INSERM U1081, Nice, France.
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19
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Robb TJ, Ward Z, Houseman P, Woodhouse B, Patel R, Fitzgerald S, Tsai P, Lawrence B, Parker K, Print CG, Blenkiron C. Chromosomal Aberrations Accumulate during Metastasis of Virus-Negative Merkel Cell Carcinoma. J Invest Dermatol 2023; 143:1168-1177.e2. [PMID: 36736454 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare, aggressive skin tumor initiated by polyomavirus integration or UV light DNA damage. In New Zealand, there is a propensity toward the UV-driven form (31 of 107, 29% virus positive). Using archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues, we report targeted DNA sequencing covering 246 cancer genes on 71 tumor tissues and 38 nonmalignant tissues from 37 individuals, with 33 of 37 being negative for the virus. Somatic variants of New Zealand virus-negative Merkel cell carcinomas partially overlapped with those reported overseas, including TP53 variants in all tumors and RB1, LRP1B, NOTCH1, and EPHA3/7 variants each found in over half of the cohort. Variants in genes not analyzed or reported in previous studies were also found. Cataloging variants in TP53 and RB1 from published datasets revealed a broad distribution across these genes. Chr 1p gain and Chr 3p loss were identified in around 50% of New Zealand virus-negative Merkel cell carcinomas, and RB1 loss of heterozygosity was found in 90% of cases. Copy number variants accumulate in most metastases. Virus-negative Merkel cell carcinomas have complex combinations of somatic DNA-sequence variants and copy number variants. They likely carry the small genomic changes permissive for metastasis from early tumor development; however, chromosomal alterations may contribute to driving metastatic progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamsin J Robb
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Hosted by the University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Zoe Ward
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Pascalene Houseman
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Braden Woodhouse
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Rachna Patel
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sandra Fitzgerald
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Hosted by the University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Peter Tsai
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Hosted by the University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ben Lawrence
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Hosted by the University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kate Parker
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Cristin G Print
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Hosted by the University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Cherie Blenkiron
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Hosted by the University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
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20
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Passerini S, Prezioso C, Babini G, Ferlosio A, Cosio T, Campione E, Moens U, Ciotti M, Pietropaolo V. Detection of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus (MCPyV) DNA and Transcripts in Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC). Pathogens 2023; 12:894. [PMID: 37513741 PMCID: PMC10385104 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070894] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is the etiological agent of the majority of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC): a rare skin tumor. To improve our understanding of the role of MCPyV in MCCs, the detection and analysis of MCPyV DNA and transcripts were performed on primary tumors and regional lymph nodes from two MCC patients: one metastatic and one non-metastatic. MCPyV-DNA was searched by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), followed by the amplification of a Large T Antigen (LTAg), Viral Protein 1 (VP1) and Non-Coding Control Region (NCCR). LTAg and VP1 transcripts were investigated by reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Viral integration was also studied, and full-length LTAg sequencing was performed. qPCR revealed that the primary tumor of both patients and the lymph node of one patient was positive for the small t-antigen, with an average value of 7.0 × 102 copies/µg. The same samples harbored LTAg, NCCR and VP1 DNA. Sequencing results showed truncated LTAg with the conserved retinoblastoma (Rb) protein binding motif and VP1 and NCCR sequences identical to the MCC350 strain. RT-PCR detected LTAg but not VP1 transcripts. The MCPyV genome was integrated into the primary tumor of both patients. The results confirmed the connection between MCPyV and MCC, assuming integration, LTAg truncation and Rb sequestration as key players in MCPyV-mediated oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Passerini
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Prezioso
- Laboratory of Microbiology of Chronic-Neurodegenerative Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, 00166 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Babini
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Amedeo Ferlosio
- Anatomic Pathology, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Terenzio Cosio
- Dermatologic Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Campione
- Dermatologic Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Ugo Moens
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø-The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Marco Ciotti
- Virology Unit, Polyclinic Tor Vergata Foundation, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Pietropaolo
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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21
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Dennis LK, Brown HE, Arrington AK. Comparison of Prognostic Factors for Merkel Cell Carcinoma, Mucosal Melanoma and Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma: Insights into Their Etiologies. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:3974-3988. [PMID: 37185414 PMCID: PMC10136436 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30040301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the epidemiology of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) and mucosal melanoma (MM). Using the United States (US) National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program data, we compared MCC and MM with cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) with respect to incidence rates and prognostic factors to better understand disease etiologies. We describe the proportional incidences of the three cancers along with their survival rates based on 20 years of national data. The incidence rates in 2000–2019 were 203.7 per 1,000,000 people for CMM, 5.9 per 1,000,000 people for MCC and 0.1 per 1,000,000 people for MM. The rates of these cancers increased over time, with the rate of MM tripling between 2000–2009 and 2010–2019. The incidences of these cancers increased with age and rates were highest among non-Hispanic Whites. Fewer MCCs and MMS were diagnosed at the local stage compared with CMM. The cases in the 22 SEER registries in California were not proportional to the 2020 population census but instead were higher than expected for CMM and MCC and lower than expected for MM. Conversely, MM rates were higher than expected in Texas and New York. These analyses highlight similarities in the incidence rates of CMM and MCC—and differences between them and MM rates—by state. Understanding more about MCC and MM is important because of their higher potential for late diagnosis and metastasis, which lead to poor survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie K. Dennis
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Heidi E. Brown
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
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22
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Starrett GJ, Yu K, Golubeva Y, Lenz P, Piaskowski ML, Petersen D, Dean M, Israni A, Hernandez BY, Tucker TC, Cheng I, Gonsalves L, Morris CR, Hussain SK, Lynch CF, Harris RS, Prokunina-Olsson L, Meltzer PS, Buck CB, Engels EA. Evidence for virus-mediated oncogenesis in bladder cancers arising in solid organ transplant recipients. eLife 2023; 12:e82690. [PMID: 36961501 PMCID: PMC10446826 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
A small percentage of bladder cancers in the general population have been found to harbor DNA viruses. In contrast, up to 25% of tumors of solid organ transplant recipients, who are at an increased risk of developing bladder cancer and have an overall poorer outcomes, harbor BK polyomavirus (BKPyV). To better understand the biology of the tumors and the mechanisms of carcinogenesis from potential oncoviruses, we performed whole genome and transcriptome sequencing on bladder cancer specimens from 43 transplant patients. Nearly half of the tumors from this patient population contained viral sequences. The most common were from BKPyV (N=9, 21%), JC polyomavirus (N=7, 16%), carcinogenic human papillomaviruses (N=3, 7%), and torque teno viruses (N=5, 12%). Immunohistochemistry revealed variable Large T antigen expression in BKPyV-positive tumors ranging from 100% positive staining of tumor tissue to less than 1%. In most cases of BKPyV-positive tumors, the viral genome appeared to be clonally integrated into the host chromosome consistent with microhomology-mediated end joining and coincided with focal amplifications of the tumor genome similar to other virus-mediated cancers. Significant changes in host gene expression consistent with the functions of BKPyV Large T antigen were also observed in these tumors. Lastly, we identified four mutation signatures in our cases, with those attributable to APOBEC3 and SBS5 being the most abundant. Mutation signatures associated with an antiviral drug, ganciclovir, and aristolochic acid, a nephrotoxic compound found in some herbal medicines, were also observed. The results suggest multiple pathways to carcinogenesis in solid organ transplant recipients with a large fraction being virus-associated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kelly Yu
- DCEG, NCI, NIHRockvilleUnited States
| | | | - Petra Lenz
- Leidos Biomedical Research IncFrederickUnited States
| | | | | | | | - Ajay Israni
- Department of Medicine, Nephrology Division, Hennepin Healthcare System, University of MinnesotaMinneapolisUnited States
| | | | - Thomas C Tucker
- The Kentucky Cancer Registry, University of KentuckyLexingtonUnited States
| | - Iona Cheng
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics,and Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San FranciscoFremontUnited States
| | - Lou Gonsalves
- Connecticut Tumor Registry, Connecticut Department of Public HealthHartfordUnited States
| | - Cyllene R Morris
- California Cancer Reporting and Epidemiologic Surveillance Program, University of California, DavisDavisUnited States
| | - Shehnaz K Hussain
- Cedars-Sinai Cancer and Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Charles F Lynch
- The Iowa Cancer Registry, University of IowaIowa CityUnited States
| | - Reuben S Harris
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of MinnesotaMinneapolisUnited States
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23
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Gomez K, Schiavoni G, Nam Y, Reynier JB, Khamnei C, Aitken M, Palmieri G, Cossu A, Levine A, van Noesel C, Falini B, Pasqualucci L, Tiacci E, Rabadan R. Genomic landscape of virus-associated cancers. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.02.14.23285775. [PMID: 36824731 PMCID: PMC9949223 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.14.23285775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
It has been estimated that 15%-20% of human cancers are attributable to infections, mostly by carcinogenic viruses. The incidence varies worldwide, with a majority affecting developing countries. Here, we present a comparative analysis of virus-positive and virus-negative tumors in nine cancers linked to five viruses. We find that virus-positive tumors occur more frequently in males and show geographical disparities in incidence. Genomic analysis of 1,658 tumors reveals virus-positive tumors exhibit distinct mutation signatures and driver gene mutations and possess a lower somatic mutation burden compared to virus-negative tumors of the same cancer type. For example, compared to the respective virus-negative counterparts, virus-positive cases across different cancer histologies had less often mutations of TP53 and deletions of 9p21.3/ CDKN2 A- CDKN1A ; Epstein-Barr virus-positive (EBV+) gastric cancer had more frequent mutations of EIF4A1 and ARID1A and less marked mismatch repair deficiency signatures; and EBV-positive cHL had fewer somatic genetic lesions of JAK-STAT, NF-κB, PI3K-AKT and HLA-I genes and a less pronounced activity of the aberrant somatic hypermutation signature. In cHL, we also identify germline homozygosity in HLA class I as a potential risk factor for the development of EBV-positive Hodgkin lymphoma. Finally, an analysis of clinical trials of PD-(L)1 inhibitors in four virus-associated cancers suggested an association of viral infection with higher response rate in patients receiving such treatments, which was particularly evident in gastric cancer and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. These results illustrate the epidemiological, genetic, prognostic, and therapeutic trends across virus-associated malignancies.
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Merkel Cell Polyomavirus: Infection, Genome, Transcripts and Its Role in Development of Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15020444. [PMID: 36672392 PMCID: PMC9857234 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15020444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The best characterized polyomavirus family member, i.e., simian virus 40 (SV40), can cause different tumors in hamsters and can transform murine and human cells in vitro. Hence, the SV40 contamination of millions of polio vaccine doses administered from 1955-1963 raised fears that this may cause increased tumor incidence in the vaccinated population. This is, however, not the case. Indeed, up to now, the only polyomavirus family member known to be the most important cause of a specific human tumor entity is Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). MCC is a highly deadly form of skin cancer for which the cellular origin is still uncertain, and which appears as two clinically very similar but molecularly highly different variants. While approximately 80% of cases are found to be associated with MCPyV the remaining MCCs carry a high mutational load. Here, we present an overview of the multitude of molecular functions described for the MCPyV encoded oncoproteins and non-coding RNAs, present the available MCC mouse models and discuss the increasing evidence that both, virus-negative and -positive MCC constitute epithelial tumors.
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Salmikangas M, Laaksonen M, Edgren H, Salgado M, Suoranta A, Mattila P, Koljonen V, Böhling T, Sihto H. Neurocan expression associates with better survival and viral positivity in Merkel cell carcinoma. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285524. [PMID: 37146093 PMCID: PMC10162530 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma that is frequently divided into Merkel cell polyomavirus negative and positive tumors due their distinct genomic and transcriptomic profiles, and disease outcomes. Although some prognostic factors in MCC are known, tumorigenic pathways, which that explain outcome differences in MCC are not fully understood. We investigated transcriptomes of 110 tissue samples of a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded MCC series by RNA sequencing to identify genes showing a bimodal expression pattern and predicting outcome in cancer and that potentially could play a role in tumorigenesis. We discovered 19 genes among which IGHM, IGKC, NCAN, OTOF, and USH2A were associated also with overall survival (all p-values < 0.05). From these genes, NCAN (neurocan) expression was detected in all 144 MCC samples by immunohistochemistry. Increased NCAN expression was associated with presence of Merkel cell polyomavirus DNA (p = 0.001) and viral large T antigen expression in tumor tissue (p = 0.004) and with improved MCC-specific survival (p = 0.027) and overall survival (p = 0.034). We conclude that NCAN expression is common in MCC, and further studies are warranted to investigate its role in MCC tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko Salmikangas
- Department of Pathology, Medicum, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | - Marco Salgado
- Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anu Suoranta
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pirkko Mattila
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Virve Koljonen
- Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tom Böhling
- Department of Pathology, Medicum, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Harri Sihto
- Department of Pathology, Medicum, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
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Ouyang K, Zheng DX, Agak GW. T-Cell Mediated Immunity in Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246058. [PMID: 36551547 PMCID: PMC9775569 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246058] [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: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and frequently lethal skin cancer with neuroendocrine characteristics. MCC can originate from either the presence of MCC polyomavirus (MCPyV) DNA or chronic ultraviolet (UV) exposure that can cause DNA mutations. MCC is predominant in sun-exposed regions of the body and can metastasize to regional lymph nodes, liver, lungs, bone, and brain. Older, light-skinned individuals with a history of significant sun exposure are at the highest risk. Previous studies have shown that tumors containing a high number of tumor-infiltrating T-cells have favorable survival, even in the absence of MCPyV DNA, suggesting that MCPyV infection enhances T-cell infiltration. However, other factors may also play a role in the host antitumor response. Herein, we review the impact of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), mainly the CD4+, CD8+, and regulatory T-cell (Tregs) responses on the course of MCC, including their role in initiating MCPyV-specific immune responses. Furthermore, potential research avenues related to T-cell biology in MCC, as well as relevant immunotherapies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey Ouyang
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - David X. Zheng
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - George W. Agak
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Correspondence:
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Dimitraki MG, Sourvinos G. Merkel Cell Polyomavirus (MCPyV) and Cancers: Emergency Bell or False Alarm? Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225548. [PMID: 36428641 PMCID: PMC9688650 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225548] [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: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), the sole member of Polyomavirus associated with oncogenesis in humans, is the major causative factor of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare, neuroendocrine neoplasia of the skin. Many aspects of MCPyV biology and oncogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood. However, it has been established that oncogenic transformation is the outcome of the integration of the viral genome into the host DNA. The high prevalence of MCPyV in the population, along with the detection of the virus in various human tissue samples and the strong association of MCPyV with the emergence of MCC, have prompted researchers to further investigate the role of MCPyV in malignancies other than MCC. MCPyV DNA has been detected in several different non-MCC tumour tissues but with significantly lower prevalence, viral load and protein expression. Moreover, the two hallmarks of MCPyV MCC have rarely been investigated and the studies have produced generally inconsistent results. Therefore, the outcomes of the studies are inadequate and unable to clearly demonstrate a direct correlation between cellular transformation and MCPyV. This review aims to present a comprehensive recapitulation of the available literature regarding the association of MCPyV with oncogenesis (MCC and non-MCC tumours).
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Ferrándiz‐Pulido C, Gómez‐Tomás A, Llombart B, Mendoza D, Marcoval J, Piaserico S, Baykal C, Bouwes‐Bavinck J, Rácz E, Kanitakis J, Harwood C, Cetkovská P, Geusau A, del Marmol V, Masferrer E, Orte Cano C, Ricar J, de Oliveira W, Salido‐Vallejo R, Ducroux E, Gkini M, López‐Guerrero J, Kutzner H, Kempf W, Seçkin D. Clinicopathological features, MCPyV status and outcomes of Merkel cell carcinoma in solid-organ transplant recipients: a retrospective, multicentre cohort study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2022; 36:1991-2001. [PMID: 35607918 PMCID: PMC9796956 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.18256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The proportion of Merkel cell carcinomas (MCCs) in solid-organ transplant recipients (SOTR) harbouring Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is unknown, as are factors affecting their outcomes. OBJECTIVE To describe clinicopathological features of MCC in SOTR, investigate the tumoral MCPyV-status and identify factors associated with tumour outcomes. METHODS Retrospective, international, cohort-study. MCPyV-status was investigated by immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS A total of 30 SOTR and 44 consecutive immunocompetent patients with MCC were enrolled. SOTR were younger at diagnosis (69 vs. 78 years, P < 0.001). Thirty-three percent of SOTR MCCs were MCPyV-positive vs. 91% of immunocompetent MCCs (P = 0.001). Solid-organ transplantation was associated with an increased cumulative incidence of progression (SHR: 3.35 [1.57-7.14], P = 0.002), MCC-specific mortality (SHR: 2.55 [1.07-6.06], P = 0.034) and overall mortality (HR: 3.26 [1.54-6.9], P = 0.002). MCPyV-positivity and switching to an mTOR inhibitor (mTORi) after MCC diagnosis were associated with an increased incidence of progression (SHR: 4.3 [1.5-13], P = 0.008 and SHR: 3.6 [1.1-12], P = 0.032 respectively) in SOTR. LIMITATIONS Retrospective design and heterogeneity of SOTR cohort. CONCLUSIONS MCPyV appears to play a less prominent role in the aetiopathogenesis of MCC in SOTR. SOTR have a worse prognosis than their immunocompetent counterparts and switching to an mTORi after the diagnosis of MCC does not improve progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Ferrándiz‐Pulido
- Department of DermatologyHospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - A. Gómez‐Tomás
- Department of DermatologyHospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - B. Llombart
- Servicio de DermatologíaInstituto Valenciano de OncologíaValenciaSpain
| | - D. Mendoza
- Department of DermatologyFundación Jiménez DíazMadridSpain
| | - J. Marcoval
- Department of DermatologyHospital de Bellvitge, IDIBELL, University of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - S. Piaserico
- Dermatology Unit, Department of MedicineUniversità di PadovaPadovaItaly
| | - C. Baykal
- Department of DermatologyIstanbul University, Istanbul Medical FacultyIstanbulTurkey
| | - J.N. Bouwes‐Bavinck
- Department of DermatologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - E. Rácz
- Department of DermatologyUniversity of Groningen, University Medical Center GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - J. Kanitakis
- Department of DermatologyEdouard Herriot Hospital Group, Hospices Civils de LyonLyonFrance
| | - C.A. Harwood
- Centre for Cell Biology and Cutaneous ResearchBlizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of LondonLondonUK
| | - P. Cetkovská
- Department of DermatovenereologyFaculty of Medicine, Charles UniversityPilsenThe Czech Republic
| | - A. Geusau
- Department of DermatologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - V. del Marmol
- Service de DermatologieHôpital Erasme, Université Libre de BruxellesBrusselsBelgium
| | - E. Masferrer
- Department of DermatologyHospital Universitari Mútua de TerrassaBarcelonaSpain
| | - C. Orte Cano
- Service de DermatologieHôpital Erasme, Université Libre de BruxellesBrusselsBelgium
| | - J. Ricar
- Department of DermatovenereologyFaculty of Medicine, Charles UniversityPilsenThe Czech Republic
| | | | - R. Salido‐Vallejo
- Department of DermatologyUniversity Clinic of Navarra, School of Medicine, University of NavarraPamplonaSpain
| | - E. Ducroux
- Department of DermatologyEdouard Herriot Hospital Group, Hospices Civils de LyonLyonFrance
| | - M.A. Gkini
- Centre for Cell Biology and Cutaneous ResearchBlizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of LondonLondonUK
| | - J.A. López‐Guerrero
- Laboratory of Molecular BiologyFundación Instituto Valenciano de OncologíaValenciaSpain,IVO‐CIPF Joint Research Unit of Cancer, Príncipe Felipe Research Center (CIPF)ValenciaSpain,Department of PathologySchool of Medicine, Catholic University of Valencia ‘San Vicente Martir’ValenciaSpain
| | | | - W. Kempf
- Kempf und Pfaltz Histologische Diagnostik and Department of DermatologyUniversity Hospital ZurichZürichSwitzerland
| | - D. Seçkin
- Department of DermatologyBaşkent University Faculty of MedicineAnkaraTurkey
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29
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Loke ASW, Lambert PF, Spurgeon ME. Current In Vitro and In Vivo Models to Study MCPyV-Associated MCC. Viruses 2022; 14:2204. [PMID: 36298759 PMCID: PMC9607385 DOI: 10.3390/v14102204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is the only human polyomavirus currently known to cause human cancer. MCPyV is believed to be an etiological factor in at least 80% of cases of the rare but aggressive skin malignancy Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). In these MCPyV+ MCC tumors, clonal integration of the viral genome results in the continued expression of two viral proteins: the viral small T antigen (ST) and a truncated form of the viral large T antigen. The oncogenic potential of MCPyV and the functional properties of the viral T antigens that contribute to neoplasia are becoming increasingly well-characterized with the recent development of model systems that recapitulate the biology of MCPyV+ MCC. In this review, we summarize our understanding of MCPyV and its role in MCC, followed by the current state of both in vitro and in vivo model systems used to study MCPyV and its contribution to carcinogenesis. We also highlight the remaining challenges within the field and the major considerations related to the ongoing development of in vitro and in vivo models of MCPyV+ MCC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Megan E. Spurgeon
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, USA
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30
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Gartin AK, Frost TC, Cushman CH, Leeper BA, Gokhale PC, DeCaprio JA. Merkel Cell Carcinoma Sensitivity to EZH2 Inhibition Is Mediated by SIX1 Derepression. J Invest Dermatol 2022; 142:2783-2792.e15. [PMID: 35331717 PMCID: PMC9492898 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Polycomb repressive complex 2 has a critical role in the maintenance of bivalent promoters and is often perturbed in cancer, including neuroendocrine tumors. In this study, we investigated the susceptibility of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin, to inhibitors of the Polycomb repressive complex 2 catalytic subunit EZH2. We show that a subset of MCC cell lines is sensitive to EZH2 inhibitor-induced cell viability loss. We find that inhibitor treatment of susceptible cells derepresses the Polycomb repressive complex 2 target SIX1, a transcription factor in the PAX-SIX-EYA-DACH network normally involved in inner ear hair cell development, and that PAX-SIX-EYA-DACH network transcription factors are critical contributors to EZH2 inhibitor-induced MCC cell viability loss. Furthermore, we show the EZH2 inhibitor tazemetostat slows the growth of MCC xenografts and derepresses SIX1 and its downstream inner ear transcriptional target MYO6 in vivo. We propose that EZH2 inhibition in MCC leads to SIX1 derepression with dysregulation of hearing-related transcriptional programs and growth inhibition. This study provides evidence that MCC tumors may be specifically susceptible to EZH2 inhibitors, while giving mechanistic insight into the transcriptional programs these inhibitors perturb in MCC, and potentially in other neuroendocrine cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley K Gartin
- Program in Virology, The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thomas C Frost
- Program in Virology, The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Camille H Cushman
- Program in Virology, The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brittaney A Leeper
- Experimental Therapeutics Core, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Robert and Renée Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Prafulla C Gokhale
- Experimental Therapeutics Core, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Robert and Renée Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James A DeCaprio
- Program in Virology, The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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31
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Therapeutic Potential of 5'-Methylschweinfurthin G in Merkel Cell Polyomavirus-Positive Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Viruses 2022; 14:v14091848. [PMID: 36146655 PMCID: PMC9506461 DOI: 10.3390/v14091848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but aggressive form of skin cancer predominantly caused by the human Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). Treatment for MCC includes excision and radiotherapy of local disease, and chemotherapy or immunotherapy for metastatic disease. The schweinfurthin family of natural compounds previously displayed potent and selective growth inhibitory activity against the NCI-60 panel of human-derived cancer cell lines. Here, we investigated the impact of schweinfurthin on human MCC cell lines. Treatment with the schweinfurthin analog, 5'-methylschweinfurth G (MeSG also known as TTI-3114), impaired metabolic activity through induction of an apoptotic pathway. MeSG also selectively inhibited PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK pathways in the MCPyV-positive MCC cell line, MS-1. Interestingly, expression of the MCPyV small T (sT) oncogene selectively sensitizes mouse embryonic fibroblasts to MeSG. These results suggest that the schweinfurthin family of compounds display promising potential as a novel therapeutic option for virus-induced MCCs.
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Ananthapadmanabhan V, Frost TC, Soroko KM, Knott A, Magliozzi BJ, Gokhale PC, Tirunagaru VG, Doebele RC, DeCaprio JA. Milademetan is a highly potent MDM2 inhibitor in Merkel cell carcinoma. JCI Insight 2022; 7:e160513. [PMID: 35801592 PMCID: PMC9310528 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.160513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin with 2 etiologies. Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) integration is present in about 80% of all MCC. Virus-positive MCC (MCCP) tumors have few somatic mutations and usually express WT p53 (TP53). By contrast, virus-negative MCC (MCCN) tumors present with a high tumor mutational burden and predominantly UV mutational signature. MCCN tumors typically contain mutated TP53. MCCP tumors express 2 viral proteins: MCPyV small T antigen and a truncated form of large T antigen. MCPyV ST specifically activates expression of MDM2, an E3 ubiquitin ligase of p53, to inhibit p53-mediated tumor suppression. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of milademetan, a potent, selective, and orally available MDM2 inhibitor in several MCC models. Milademetan reduced cell viability of WT p53 MCC cell lines and triggered a rapid and sustained p53 response. Milademetan showed a dose-dependent inhibition of tumor growth in MKL-1 xenograft and patient-derived xenograft models. Here, along with preclinical data for the efficacy of milademetan in WT p53 MCC tumors, we report several in vitro and in vivo models useful for future MCC studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varsha Ananthapadmanabhan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thomas C. Frost
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Program in Virology, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kara M. Soroko
- Experimental Therapeutics Core at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Aine Knott
- Experimental Therapeutics Core at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brianna J. Magliozzi
- Experimental Therapeutics Core at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Prafulla C. Gokhale
- Experimental Therapeutics Core at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - James A. DeCaprio
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Program in Virology, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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Addiction of Merkel cell carcinoma to MUC1-C identifies a potential new target for treatment. Oncogene 2022; 41:3511-3523. [PMID: 35688945 PMCID: PMC9249628 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02361-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive malignancy with neuroendocrine (NE) features, limited treatment options, and a lack of druggable targets. There is no reported involvement of the MUC1-C oncogenic protein in MCC progression. We show here that MUC1-C is broadly expressed in MCCs and at higher levels in Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV)-positive (MCCP) relative to MCPyV-negative (MCCN) tumors. Our results further demonstrate that MUC1-C is expressed in MCCP, as well as MCCN, cell lines and regulates common sets of signaling pathways related to RNA synthesis, processing, and transport in both subtypes. Mechanistically, MUC1-C (i) interacts with MYCL, which drives MCC progression, (ii) is necessary for expression of the OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, MYC, and NANOG pluripotency factors, and (iii) induces the NEUROD1, BRN2 and ATOH1 NE lineage dictating transcription factors. We show that MUC1-C is also necessary for MCCP and MCCN cell survival by suppressing DNA replication stress, the p53 pathway, and apoptosis. In concert with these results, targeting MUC1-C genetically and pharmacologically inhibits MCC self-renewal capacity and tumorigenicity. These findings demonstrate that MCCP and MCCN cells are addicted to MUC1-C and identify MUC1-C as a potential target for MCC treatment.
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Lee PC, Klaeger S, Le PM, Korthauer K, Cheng J, Ananthapadmanabhan V, Frost TC, Stevens JD, Wong AY, Iorgulescu JB, Tarren AY, Chea VA, Carulli IP, Lemvigh CK, Pedersen CB, Gartin AK, Sarkizova S, Wright KT, Li LW, Nomburg J, Li S, Huang T, Liu X, Pomerance L, Doherty LM, Apffel AM, Wallace LJ, Rachimi S, Felt KD, Wolff JO, Witten E, Zhang W, Neuberg D, Lane WJ, Zhang G, Olsen LR, Thakuria M, Rodig SJ, Clauser KR, Starrett GJ, Doench JG, Buhrlage SJ, Carr SA, DeCaprio JA, Wu CJ, Keskin DB. Reversal of viral and epigenetic HLA class I repression in Merkel cell carcinoma. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:e151666. [PMID: 35775490 PMCID: PMC9246387 DOI: 10.1172/jci151666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancers avoid immune surveillance through an array of mechanisms, including perturbation of HLA class I antigen presentation. Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive, HLA-I-low, neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin often caused by the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). Through the characterization of 11 newly generated MCC patient-derived cell lines, we identified transcriptional suppression of several class I antigen presentation genes. To systematically identify regulators of HLA-I loss in MCC, we performed parallel, genome-scale, gain- and loss-of-function screens in a patient-derived MCPyV-positive cell line and identified MYCL and the non-canonical Polycomb repressive complex 1.1 (PRC1.1) as HLA-I repressors. We observed physical interaction of MYCL with the MCPyV small T viral antigen, supporting a mechanism of virally mediated HLA-I suppression. We further identify the PRC1.1 component USP7 as a pharmacologic target to restore HLA-I expression in MCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick C. Lee
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Susan Klaeger
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Phuong M. Le
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Keegan Korthauer
- Department of Statistics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jingwei Cheng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Varsha Ananthapadmanabhan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thomas C. Frost
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Program in Virology, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jonathan D. Stevens
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alan Y.L. Wong
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - J. Bryan Iorgulescu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anna Y. Tarren
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Translational Immunogenomics Laboratory, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Vipheaviny A. Chea
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Translational Immunogenomics Laboratory, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Isabel P. Carulli
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Translational Immunogenomics Laboratory, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Camilla K. Lemvigh
- Section for Bioinformatics, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Christina B. Pedersen
- Section for Bioinformatics, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ashley K. Gartin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Program in Virology, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Siranush Sarkizova
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kyle T. Wright
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Letitia W. Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jason Nomburg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Program in Virology, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shuqiang Li
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Translational Immunogenomics Laboratory, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Teddy Huang
- Translational Immunogenomics Laboratory, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Xiaoxi Liu
- Department of Cancer Biology and the Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology
| | - Lucas Pomerance
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Immunology, and
| | - Laura M. Doherty
- Department of Cancer Biology and the Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology
- Department of Systems Biology and Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Annie M. Apffel
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Luke J. Wallace
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Suzanna Rachimi
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Elizabeth Witten
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Wandi Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Donna Neuberg
- Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - William J. Lane
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Guanglan Zhang
- Department of Computer Science, Metropolitan College, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lars R. Olsen
- Section for Bioinformatics, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Manisha Thakuria
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Merkel Cell Carcinoma Center of Excellence, Dana-Farber/Brigham Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Scott J. Rodig
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Immuno-Oncology and
| | - Karl R. Clauser
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gabriel J. Starrett
- Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - John G. Doench
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sara J. Buhrlage
- Department of Cancer Biology and the Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology
| | - Steven A. Carr
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James A. DeCaprio
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Program in Virology, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Merkel Cell Carcinoma Center of Excellence, Dana-Farber/Brigham Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Catherine J. Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Derin B. Keskin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Translational Immunogenomics Laboratory, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Section for Bioinformatics, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Computer Science, Metropolitan College, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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35
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Yang JF, You J. Merkel cell polyomavirus and associated Merkel cell carcinoma. Tumour Virus Res 2022; 13:200232. [PMID: 34920178 PMCID: PMC8715208 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvr.2021.200232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is a ubiquitous skin infection that can cause Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a highly lethal form of skin cancer with a nearly 50% mortality rate. Since the discovery of MCPyV in 2008, great advances have been made to improve our understanding of how the viral encoded oncoproteins contribute to MCC oncogenesis. However, our knowledge of the MCPyV infectious life cycle and its oncogenic mechanisms are still incomplete. The incidence of MCC has tripled over the past two decades, but effective treatments are lacking. Only recently have there been major victories in combatting metastatic MCC with the application of PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade. Still, these immune-based therapies are not ideal for patients with a medical need to maintain systemic immune suppression. As such, a better understanding of MCPyV's oncogenic mechanisms is needed in order to develop more effective and targeted therapies against virus-associated MCC. In this review, we discuss current areas of interest for MCPyV and MCC research and the progress made in elucidating both the natural host of MCPyV infection and the cell of origin for MCC. We also highlight the remaining gaps in our knowledge on the transcriptional regulation of MCPyV, which may be key to understanding and targeting viral oncogenesis for developing future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- June F Yang
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6076, USA
| | - Jianxin You
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6076, USA.
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36
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Wang Y, Li Y, Liang X, Xin S, Yang L, Cao P, Jiang M, Xin Y, Zhang S, Yang Y, Lu J. The implications of cell-free DNAs derived from tumor viruses as biomarkers of associated cancers. J Med Virol 2022; 94:4677-4688. [PMID: 35652186 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is still ranked as a leading cause of death according to estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the strong link between tumor viruses and human cancers have been proved for almost six decades. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has drawn enormous attention for its dynamic, instant, and noninvasive advantages as one popular type of cancer biomarker. cfDNAs are mainly released from apoptotic cells and exosomes released from cancer cells, including those infected with viruses. Although cfDNAs are present at low concentrations in peripheral blood, they can reflect tumor load with high sensitivity. Considering the relevance of the tumor viruses to the associated cancers, cfDNAs derived from viruses may serve as good biomarkers for the early screening, diagnosis, and treatment monitoring. In this review, we summarize the methods and newly developed analytic techniques for the detection of cfDNAs from different body fluids, and discuss the implications of cfDNAs derived from different tumor viruses in the detection and treatment monitoring of virus-associated cancers. A better understanding of cfDNAs derived from tumor viruses may help formulate novel anti-tumoral strategies to decrease the burden of cancers that attributed to viruses. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwei Wang
- Hunan Cancer Hospital/the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,Department of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410080, Hunan, China.,China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Yanling Li
- Hunan Cancer Hospital/the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,Department of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410080, Hunan, China.,China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Xinyu Liang
- Hunan Cancer Hospital/the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Shuyu Xin
- Hunan Cancer Hospital/the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,Department of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410080, Hunan, China.,China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Li Yang
- Hunan Cancer Hospital/the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,Department of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410080, Hunan, China.,China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Pengfei Cao
- Department of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410080, Hunan, China
| | - Mingjuan Jiang
- Hunan Cancer Hospital/the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,Department of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410080, Hunan, China.,China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Yujie Xin
- Hunan Cancer Hospital/the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,Department of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410080, Hunan, China.,China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Senmiao Zhang
- Hunan Cancer Hospital/the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,Department of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410080, Hunan, China.,China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Hunan Cancer Hospital/the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,Department of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410080, Hunan, China.,China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Jianhong Lu
- Hunan Cancer Hospital/the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.,Department of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410080, Hunan, China.,China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
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37
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Merkel cell carcinoma and immune evasion: Merkel cell polyomavirus small T-antigen induced surface changes can be reverted by therapeutic intervention. J Invest Dermatol 2022; 142:3071-3081.e13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Ursu RG, Damian C, Porumb-Andrese E, Ghetu N, Cobzaru RG, Lunca C, Ripa C, Costin D, Jelihovschi I, Petrariu FD, Iancu LS. Merkel Cell Polyoma Virus and Cutaneous Human Papillomavirus Types in Skin Cancers: Optimal Detection Assays, Pathogenic Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Vaccination. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11040479. [PMID: 35456154 PMCID: PMC9032856 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11040479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic viruses are recognized to be involved in some cancers, based on very well-established criteria of carcinogenicity. For cervical cancer and liver cancer, the responsible viruses are well-known (e.g., HPV, HBV); in the case of skin cancer, there are still many studies which are trying to identify the possible viral etiologic agents as principal co-factors in the oncogenic process. We analysed scientific literature published in the last 5 years regarding mechanisms of carcinogenicity, methods of detection, available targeted therapy, and vaccination for Merkel cell polyomavirus, and beta human papillomavirus types, in relation to skin cancer. This review is targeted at presenting the recent findings which support the involvement of these viruses in the development of some types of skin cancers. In order to optimize the management of skin cancer, a health condition of very high importance, it would be ideal that the screening of skin cancer for these two analysed viruses (MCPyV and beta HPV types) to be implemented in each region's/country's cancer centres' molecular detection diagnostic platforms, with multiplex viral capability, optimal sensitivity, and specificity; clinically validated, and if possible, at acceptable costs. For confirmatory diagnosis of skin cancer, another method should be used, with a different principle, such as immunohistochemistry, with specific antibodies for each virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramona Gabriela Ursu
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Interdisciplinarity (IX)—Microbiology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.G.U.); (C.D.); (R.G.C.); (C.L.); (C.R.); (D.C.); (I.J.); (F.D.P.); (L.S.I.)
| | - Costin Damian
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Interdisciplinarity (IX)—Microbiology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.G.U.); (C.D.); (R.G.C.); (C.L.); (C.R.); (D.C.); (I.J.); (F.D.P.); (L.S.I.)
| | - Elena Porumb-Andrese
- Department of Medical Specialties (III)—Dermatology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Nicolae Ghetu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Regional Oncology Institute, 700483 Iasi, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Roxana Gabriela Cobzaru
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Interdisciplinarity (IX)—Microbiology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.G.U.); (C.D.); (R.G.C.); (C.L.); (C.R.); (D.C.); (I.J.); (F.D.P.); (L.S.I.)
| | - Catalina Lunca
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Interdisciplinarity (IX)—Microbiology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.G.U.); (C.D.); (R.G.C.); (C.L.); (C.R.); (D.C.); (I.J.); (F.D.P.); (L.S.I.)
| | - Carmen Ripa
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Interdisciplinarity (IX)—Microbiology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.G.U.); (C.D.); (R.G.C.); (C.L.); (C.R.); (D.C.); (I.J.); (F.D.P.); (L.S.I.)
| | - Diana Costin
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Interdisciplinarity (IX)—Microbiology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.G.U.); (C.D.); (R.G.C.); (C.L.); (C.R.); (D.C.); (I.J.); (F.D.P.); (L.S.I.)
| | - Igor Jelihovschi
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Interdisciplinarity (IX)—Microbiology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.G.U.); (C.D.); (R.G.C.); (C.L.); (C.R.); (D.C.); (I.J.); (F.D.P.); (L.S.I.)
| | - Florin Dumitru Petrariu
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Interdisciplinarity (IX)—Microbiology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.G.U.); (C.D.); (R.G.C.); (C.L.); (C.R.); (D.C.); (I.J.); (F.D.P.); (L.S.I.)
| | - Luminita Smaranda Iancu
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Interdisciplinarity (IX)—Microbiology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.G.U.); (C.D.); (R.G.C.); (C.L.); (C.R.); (D.C.); (I.J.); (F.D.P.); (L.S.I.)
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39
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Investigation of the RB1-SOX2 axis constitutes a tool for viral status determination and diagnosis in Merkel cell carcinoma. Virchows Arch 2022; 480:1239-1254. [PMID: 35412101 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-022-03315-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
MCC (Merkel cell carcinoma) is an aggressive neuroendocrine cutaneous neoplasm. Integration of the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is observed in about 80% of the cases, while the remaining 20% are related to UV exposure. Both MCPyV-positive and -negative MCCs-albeit by different mechanisms-are associated with RB1 inactivation leading to overexpression of SOX2, a major contributor to MCC biology. Moreover, although controversial, loss of RB1 expression seems to be restricted to MCPyV-negative cases.The aim of the present study was to assess the performances of RB1 loss and SOX2 expression detected by immunohistochemistry to determine MCPyV status and to diagnose MCC, respectively.Overall, 196 MCC tumors, 233 non-neuroendocrine skin neoplasms and 70 extra-cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinomas (NEC) were included. SOX2 and RB1 expressions were assessed by immunohistochemistry in a tissue micro-array. Diagnostic performances were determined using the likelihood ratio (LHR).RB1 expression loss was evidenced in 27% of the MCC cases, 12% of non-neuroendocrine skin tumors and 63% of extra-cutaneous NEC. Importantly, among MCC cases, RB1 loss was detected in all MCPyV(-) MCCs, while MCPyV( +) cases were consistently RB1-positive (p < 0.001). SOX2 diffuse expression was observed in 92% of the MCC cases and almost never observed in non-neuroendocrine skin epithelial neoplasms (2%, p < 0.0001, LHR + = 59). Furthermore, SOX2 diffuse staining was more frequently observed in MCCs than in extra-cutaneous NECs (30%, p < 0.001, LHR + = 3.1).These results confirm RB1 as a robust predictor of MCC viral status and further suggest SOX2 to be a relevant diagnostic marker of MCC.
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40
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Nomburg J, Zou W, Frost TC, Datta C, Vasudevan S, Starrett GJ, Imperiale MJ, Meyerson M, DeCaprio JA. Long-read sequencing reveals complex patterns of wraparound transcription in polyomaviruses. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010401. [PMID: 35363834 PMCID: PMC9007360 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyomaviruses (PyV) are ubiquitous pathogens that can cause devastating human diseases. Due to the small size of their genomes, PyV utilize complex patterns of RNA splicing to maximize their coding capacity. Despite the importance of PyV to human disease, their transcriptome architecture is poorly characterized. Here, we compare short- and long-read RNA sequencing data from eight human and non-human PyV. We provide a detailed transcriptome atlas for BK polyomavirus (BKPyV), an important human pathogen, and the prototype PyV, simian virus 40 (SV40). We identify pervasive wraparound transcription in PyV, wherein transcription runs through the polyA site and circles the genome multiple times. Comparative analyses identify novel, conserved transcripts that increase PyV coding capacity. One of these conserved transcripts encodes superT, a T antigen containing two RB-binding LxCxE motifs. We find that superT-encoding transcripts are abundant in PyV-associated human cancers. Together, we show that comparative transcriptomic approaches can greatly expand known transcript and coding capacity in one of the simplest and most well-studied viral families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Nomburg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Program in Virology, Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Wei Zou
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Thomas C. Frost
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Program in Virology, Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Chandreyee Datta
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN4202, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Shobha Vasudevan
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN4202, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Gabriel J. Starrett
- Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, CCR, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Michael J. Imperiale
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Matthew Meyerson
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - James A. DeCaprio
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Program in Virology, Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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41
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Thibault K. Evidence of an epithelial origin of Merkel cell carcinoma. Mod Pathol 2022; 35:446-448. [PMID: 34732840 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-021-00964-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kervarrec Thibault
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Center of Tours, Tours, France. .,"Biologie des infections à Polyomavirus" team, UMR INRA ISP1282, University of Tours, Tours, France.
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42
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Mazziotta C, Lanzillotti C, Gafà R, Touzé A, Durand MA, Martini F, Rotondo JC. The Role of Histone Post-Translational Modifications in Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:832047. [PMID: 35350569 PMCID: PMC8957841 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.832047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but highly aggressive form of non–melanoma skin cancer whose 5-year survival rate is 63%. Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), a small DNA tumor virus, is the etiological agent of MCC. Although representing a small proportion of MCC cases, MCPyV-negative MCCs have also been identified. The role of epigenetic mechanisms, including histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) in MCC, have been only partially determined. This review aims to describe the most recent progress on PTMs and their regulative factors in the context of MCC onset/development, providing an overview of current findings on both MCC subtypes. An outline of current knowledge on the potential employment of PTMs and related factors as diagnostic and prognostic markers, as well as novel treatment strategies targeting the reversibility of PTMs for MCC therapy is provided. Recent research shows that PTMs are emerging as important epigenetic players involved in MCC onset/development, and therefore may show a potential clinical significance. Deeper and integrated knowledge of currently known PTM dysregulations is of paramount importance in order to understand the molecular basis of MCC and improve the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic options for this deadly tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Mazziotta
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Center for Studies on Gender Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Carmen Lanzillotti
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Center for Studies on Gender Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberta Gafà
- Department of Translational Medicine and for Romagna, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Antoine Touzé
- ISP "Biologie des infections à polyomavirus" Team, UMR INRA 1282, University of Tours, Tours, France
| | - Marie-Alice Durand
- ISP "Biologie des infections à polyomavirus" Team, UMR INRA 1282, University of Tours, Tours, France
| | - Fernanda Martini
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Center for Studies on Gender Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - John Charles Rotondo
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Center for Studies on Gender Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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43
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Replication Kinetics for a Reporter Merkel Cell Polyomavirus. Viruses 2022; 14:v14030473. [PMID: 35336880 PMCID: PMC8950423 DOI: 10.3390/v14030473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) causes one of the most aggressive human skin cancers, but laboratory studies on MCV replication have proven technically difficult. We report the first recombinase-mediated MCV minicircle (MCVmc) system that generates high levels of circularized virus, allowing facile MCV genetic manipulation and characterization of viral gene expression kinetics during replication. Mutations to Fbw7, Skp2, β-TrCP and hVam6p interaction sites, or to the stem loop sequence for the MCV-encoded miRNA precursor, markedly increase viral replication, whereas point mutation to an origin-binding site eliminates active virus replication. To further increase the utility of this system, an mScarlet fusion protein was inserted into the VP1 c-terminus to generate a non-infectious reporter virus for studies on virus kinetics. When this reporter virus genome is heterologously expressed together with MCV VP1 and VP2, virus-like particles are generated. The reporter virus genome is encapsidated and can be used at lower biosafety levels for one-round infection studies. Our findings reveal that MCV has multiple, self-encoded viral restriction mechanisms to promote viral latency over lytic replication, and these mechanisms are now amenable to examination using a recombinase technology.
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44
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Ahmed MM, Cushman CH, DeCaprio JA. Merkel Cell Polyomavirus: Oncogenesis in a Stable Genome. Viruses 2021; 14:v14010058. [PMID: 35062263 PMCID: PMC8781562 DOI: 10.3390/v14010058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) is the causative agent for the majority of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) cases. Polyomavirus-associated MCC (MCCP) is characterized by the integration of MCV DNA into the tumor genome and a low tumor mutational burden. In contrast, nonviral MCC (MCCN) is characterized by a high tumor mutational burden induced by UV damage. Since the discovery of MCV, much work in the field has focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of oncogenesis driven by the MCV tumor (T) antigens. Here, we review our current understanding of how the activities of large T (LT) and small T (ST) promote MCC oncogenesis in the absence of genomic instability. We highlight how both LT and ST inhibit tumor suppressors to evade growth suppression, an important cancer hallmark. We discuss ST interactions with cellular proteins, with an emphasis on those that contribute to sustaining proliferative signaling. Finally, we examine active areas of research into open questions in the field, including the origin of MCC and mechanisms of viral integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona M. Ahmed
- Program in Virology, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; (M.M.A.); (C.H.C.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Camille H. Cushman
- Program in Virology, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; (M.M.A.); (C.H.C.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - James A. DeCaprio
- Program in Virology, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; (M.M.A.); (C.H.C.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Correspondence:
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45
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Symer DE, Akagi K, Geiger HM, Song Y, Li G, Emde AK, Xiao W, Jiang B, Corvelo A, Toussaint NC, Li J, Agrawal A, Ozer E, El-Naggar AK, Du Z, Shewale JB, Stache-Crain B, Zucker M, Robine N, Coombes KR, Gillison ML. Diverse tumorigenic consequences of human papillomavirus integration in primary oropharyngeal cancers. Genome Res 2021; 32:55-70. [PMID: 34903527 PMCID: PMC8744672 DOI: 10.1101/gr.275911.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes 5% of all cancers and frequently integrates into host chromosomes. The HPV oncoproteins E6 and E7 are necessary but insufficient for cancer formation, indicating that additional secondary genetic events are required. Here, we investigate potential oncogenic impacts of virus integration. Analysis of 105 HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers by whole-genome sequencing detects virus integration in 77%, revealing five statistically significant sites of recurrent integration near genes that regulate epithelial stem cell maintenance (i.e., SOX2, TP63, FGFR, MYC) and immune evasion (i.e., CD274). Genomic copy number hyperamplification is enriched 16-fold near HPV integrants, and the extent of focal host genomic instability increases with their local density. The frequency of genes expressed at extreme outlier levels is increased 86-fold within ±150 kb of integrants. Across 95% of tumors with integration, host gene transcription is disrupted via intragenic integrants, chimeric transcription, outlier expression, gene breaking, and/or de novo expression of noncoding or imprinted genes. We conclude that virus integration can contribute to carcinogenesis in a large majority of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers by inducing extensive disruption of host genome structure and gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E Symer
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Keiko Akagi
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | | | - Yang Song
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Gaiyun Li
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | | | - Weihong Xiao
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Bo Jiang
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - André Corvelo
- New York Genome Center, New York, New York 10013, USA
| | | | - Jingfeng Li
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Amit Agrawal
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Enver Ozer
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Adel K El-Naggar
- Division of Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Zoe Du
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Jitesh B Shewale
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | | | - Mark Zucker
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | | | - Kevin R Coombes
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Maura L Gillison
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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46
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Que L, Li Y, Dainichi T, Kukimoto I, Nishiyama T, Nakano Y, Shima K, Suzuki T, Sato Y, Horike S, Aizaki H, Watashi K, Kato T, Aly HH, Watanabe N, Kabashima K, Wakae K, Muramatsu M. Interferon-gamma induced APOBEC3B contributes to Merkel cell polyomavirus genome mutagenesis in Merkel cell carcinoma. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 142:1793-1803.e11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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47
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Nakamura M, Morita A. Immune activity in Merkel cell carcinoma. J Dermatol 2021; 49:68-74. [PMID: 34766373 PMCID: PMC9299685 DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.16232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is widely known as a highly malignant skin cancer. The pathogenesis of MCC, however, remains mysterious due to the extremely small number of cases and its prevalence in the elderly. Despite its high‐grade malignancy, spontaneous regression occurs with some frequency. The immune activity of the tumor underlies this peculiar behavior. In recent years, immune checkpoint blockade therapies, including the anti‐programmed death ligand 1 antibody, have provided successful results. These therapies, however, are ineffective in approximately half the patients with advanced MCC and few treatments are available for those patients. In this review, we summarize the increasing body of evidence relating to the immune activity of MCC and immunological biomarkers. The interesting and sometimes peculiar behavior of MCC, such as their spontaneous regression, is largely due to their high immunosensitivity. Understanding the tumor immunokinetics of MCC should provide critical insight for understanding cancer immunotherapy. Here, we introduce a new classification for MCC according to its immune activity. Combined application of programmed death ligand 1 (a prognostic factor and predictor of the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in various cancers) with glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (a new promising biomarker for MCC) may enable classification of MCC based on its immune status. Whether the new classification can be used to predict the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapies remains to be evaluated in future studies, but the classification may facilitate future treatment selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motoki Nakamura
- Department of Geriatric and Environmental Dermatology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Akimichi Morita
- Department of Geriatric and Environmental Dermatology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
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48
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Rotondo JC, Mazziotta C, Lanzillotti C, Tognon M, Martini F. Epigenetic Dysregulations in Merkel Cell Polyomavirus-Driven Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11464. [PMID: 34768895 PMCID: PMC8584046 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is a small DNA virus with oncogenic potential. MCPyV is the causative agent of Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC), a rare but aggressive tumor of the skin. The role of epigenetic mechanisms, such as histone posttranslational modifications (HPTMs), DNA methylation, and microRNA (miRNA) regulation on MCPyV-driven MCC has recently been highlighted. In this review, we aim to describe and discuss the latest insights into HPTMs, DNA methylation, and miRNA regulation, as well as their regulative factors in the context of MCPyV-driven MCC, to provide an overview of current findings on how MCPyV is involved in the dysregulation of these epigenetic processes. The current state of the art is also described as far as potentially using epigenetic dysregulations and related factors as diagnostic and prognostic tools is concerned, in addition to targets for MCPyV-driven MCC therapy. Growing evidence suggests that the dysregulation of HPTMs, DNA methylation, and miRNA pathways plays a role in MCPyV-driven MCC etiopathogenesis, which, therefore, may potentially be clinically significant for this deadly tumor. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms and related factors may improve diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy for MCPyV-driven MCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Charles Rotondo
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.M.); (C.L.); (M.T.)
- Center for Studies on Gender Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 64/b, Fossato di Mortara Street, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Chiara Mazziotta
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.M.); (C.L.); (M.T.)
- Center for Studies on Gender Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 64/b, Fossato di Mortara Street, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Carmen Lanzillotti
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.M.); (C.L.); (M.T.)
- Center for Studies on Gender Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 64/b, Fossato di Mortara Street, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Mauro Tognon
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.M.); (C.L.); (M.T.)
| | - Fernanda Martini
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.M.); (C.L.); (M.T.)
- Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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49
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Krump NA, You J. From Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Infection to Merkel Cell Carcinoma Oncogenesis. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:739695. [PMID: 34566942 PMCID: PMC8457551 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.739695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) infection causes near-ubiquitous, asymptomatic infection in the skin, but occasionally leads to an aggressive skin cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). Epidemiological evidence suggests that poorly controlled MCPyV infection may be a precursor to MCPyV-associated MCC. Clearer understanding of host responses that normally control MCPyV infection could inform prophylactic measures in at-risk groups. Similarly, the presence of MCPyV in most MCCs could imbue them with vulnerabilities that-if better characterized-could yield targeted intervention solutions for metastatic MCC cases. In this review, we discuss recent developments in elucidating the interplay between host cells and MCPyV within the context of viral infection and MCC oncogenesis. We also propose a model in which insufficient restriction of MCPyV infection in aging and chronically UV-damaged skin causes unbridled viral replication that licenses MCC tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jianxin You
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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50
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Kervarrec T, Appenzeller S, Samimi M, Sarma B, Sarosi EM, Berthon P, Le Corre Y, Hainaut-Wierzbicka E, Blom A, Benethon N, Bens G, Nardin C, Aubin F, Dinulescu M, Jullie ML, Pekár-Lukacs Á, Calonje E, Thanguturi S, Tallet A, Wobser M, Touzé A, Guyétant S, Houben R, Schrama D. Merkel Cell Polyomavirus‒Negative Merkel Cell Carcinoma Originating from In Situ Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Keratinocytic Tumor with Neuroendocrine Differentiation. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 142:516-527. [PMID: 34480892 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.07.175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Although virus-negative Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is characterized by a high frequency of UV-induced mutations, the expression of two viral oncoproteins is regarded as a key mechanism driving Merkel cell polyomavirus‒positive MCC. The cells in which these molecular events initiate MCC oncogenesis have yet not been identified for both MCC subsets. A considerable proportion of virus-negative MCC is found in association with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), suggesting (i) coincidental collision, (ii) one providing a niche for the other, or (iii) one evolving from the other. Whole-exome sequencing of four combined tumors consisting of SCC in situ and Merkel cell polyomavirus‒negative MCC showed many mutations shared between SCC and MCC in all cases, indicating a common ancestry and thereby a keratinocytic origin of these MCCs. Moreover, analyses of the combined cases as well as of pure SCC and MCC suggest that RB1 inactivation in SCC facilitates MCC development and that epigenetic changes may contribute to the SCC/MCC transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibault Kervarrec
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Center of Tours, University of Tours, Tours, France; Biologie des infections à polyomavirus team, UMR INRAE ISP 1282, University of Tours, Tours, France; Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Silke Appenzeller
- Core Unit Bioinformatics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mahtab Samimi
- Biologie des infections à polyomavirus team, UMR INRAE ISP 1282, University of Tours, Tours, France; Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Center of Tours, University of Tours, Tours, France
| | - Bhavishya Sarma
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Eva-Maria Sarosi
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Patricia Berthon
- Biologie des infections à polyomavirus team, UMR INRAE ISP 1282, University of Tours, Tours, France
| | - Yannick Le Corre
- Dermatology Department, LUNAM University, University Hospital Center of Angers, Angers, France
| | - Ewa Hainaut-Wierzbicka
- Dermatology Department, University Hospital Center of Poitiers, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Astrid Blom
- Department of General and Oncologic Dermatology, Ambroise-Paré hospital, APHP, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | | | - Guido Bens
- Dermatology Department, Hospital Center of Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - Charline Nardin
- Dermatology Department, University Hospital Center of Besançon, University of Franche Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Francois Aubin
- Dermatology Department, University Hospital Center of Besançon, University of Franche Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Monica Dinulescu
- Dermatology Department, University Hospital Center of Rennes, Rennes, France; "Institut Dermatologie du Grand Ouest" (IDGO), Nantes, France
| | - Marie-Laure Jullie
- Department of Pathology, Hôpital Haut-Lévêque, University Hospital Center of Bordeaux, CARADERM network, Pessac, France
| | - Ágnes Pekár-Lukacs
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Department of Dermatopathology, St John's Institute of Dermatology, St Thomas's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eduardo Calonje
- Department of Dermatopathology, St John's Institute of Dermatology, St Thomas's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Soumanth Thanguturi
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Center of Tours, University of Tours, Tours, France
| | - Anne Tallet
- Platform of Somatic Tumor Molecular Genetics, University Hospital Center of Tours, Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Marion Wobser
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Antoine Touzé
- Biologie des infections à polyomavirus team, UMR INRAE ISP 1282, University of Tours, Tours, France
| | - Serge Guyétant
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Center of Tours, University of Tours, Tours, France; Biologie des infections à polyomavirus team, UMR INRAE ISP 1282, University of Tours, Tours, France
| | - Roland Houben
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - David Schrama
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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