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Slika H, Alimonti P, Raj D, Caraway C, Alomari S, Jackson EM, Tyler B. The Neurodevelopmental and Molecular Landscape of Medulloblastoma Subgroups: Current Targets and the Potential for Combined Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3889. [PMID: 37568705 PMCID: PMC10417410 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153889] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. Despite the use of multiple therapeutic approaches consisting of surgical resection, craniospinal irradiation, and multiagent chemotherapy, the prognosis of many patients with medulloblastoma remains dismal. Additionally, the high doses of radiation and the chemotherapeutic agents used are associated with significant short- and long-term complications and adverse effects, most notably neurocognitive delay. Hence, there is an urgent need for the development and clinical integration of targeted treatment regimens with greater efficacy and superior safety profiles. Since the adoption of the molecular-based classification of medulloblastoma into wingless (WNT) activated, sonic hedgehog (SHH) activated, group 3, and group 4, research efforts have been directed towards unraveling the genetic, epigenetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic profiles of each subtype. This review aims to delineate the progress that has been made in characterizing the neurodevelopmental and molecular features of each medulloblastoma subtype. It further delves into the implications that these characteristics have on the development of subgroup-specific targeted therapeutic agents. Furthermore, it highlights potential future avenues for combining multiple agents or strategies in order to obtain augmented effects and evade the development of treatment resistance in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Slika
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon;
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
| | - Paolo Alimonti
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Divyaansh Raj
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
| | - Chad Caraway
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
| | - Safwan Alomari
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
| | - Eric M. Jackson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
| | - Betty Tyler
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
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Zhou L, Liu H, Chen Z, Chen S, Lu J, Liu C, Liao S, He S, Chen S, Zhou Z. Downregulation of miR-182-5p by NFIB promotes NAD+ salvage synthesis in colorectal cancer by targeting NAMPT. Commun Biol 2023; 6:775. [PMID: 37491379 PMCID: PMC10368701 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05143-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear factor I B (NFIB) plays an important role in tumors. Our previous study found that NFIB can promote colorectal cancer (CRC) cell proliferation in acidic environments. However, its biological functions and the underlying mechanism in CRC are incompletely understood. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) effectively affects cancer cell proliferation. Nevertheless, the regulatory mechanism of NAD+ synthesis in cancer remains to be elucidated. Here we show NFIB promotes CRC proliferation in vitro and growth in vivo, and down-regulation of NFIB can reduce the level of NAD+. In addition, supplementation of NAD+ precursor NMN can recapture cell proliferation in CRC cells with NFIB knockdown. Mechanistically, we identified that NFIB promotes CRC cell proliferation by inhibiting miRNA-182-5p targeting and binding to NAMPT, the NAD+ salvage synthetic rate-limiting enzyme. Our results delineate a combination of high expression of NFIB and NAMPT predicted a clinical poorest prognosis. This work provides potential therapeutic targets for CRC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Hongtao Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Zhiji Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Siyuan Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Junyu Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Cao Liu
- Department of Emergency, The General Hospital of Xinjiang Military Command, Urumqi, 830000, China
| | - Siqi Liao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Song He
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Shu Chen
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China.
| | - Zhihang Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China.
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Liu L, Sang M, Shi J, Zheng Y, Meng L, Gu L, Li Z, Liu F, Bu J, Duan X, Zhao F, Zhang W, Shan B. CircRNA mannosidase alpha class 1A member 2 promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression by regulating C-C chemokine ligand 5. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 645:61-70. [PMID: 36680938 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.01.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a common malignancy with high morbidity and mortality. Although circular RNAs (circRNAs) play important roles in various cancers including ESCC, the role of the circRNA mannosidase alpha class 1A member 2 (circMAN1A2) in ESCC has been rarely studied. This study aimed to explore the role of circMAN1A2 in ESCC. CircMAN1A2 expression in ESCC tissues and cells was evaluated, and the relationship between circMAN1A2 expression and prognosis in patients with ESCC was analyzed. C-C chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) was found to be a downstream target of circMAN1A2 by analysing the Agilent Microarray. Next, we performed in vitro and in vivo xenotransplantation assays to explore the role of circMAN1A2 in ESCC. We observed that high circMAN1A2 expression is associated with poor prognosis in patients with ESCC. Suppression of circMAN1A2 expression inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasiveness of ESCC via regulating CCL5. Our results suggest that circMAN1A2 can promote the progression of ESCC by regulating CCL5. Thus, circMAN1A2 might be a novel diagnostic biomarker of ESCC, and targeting circMAN1A2 using inhibitors could be a potential therapeutic strategy to treat ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lie Liu
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, People's Republic of China
| | - Meixiang Sang
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, People's Republic of China; Department of Tumor Research Institute, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Shi
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Zheng
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingjiao Meng
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, People's Republic of China
| | - Lina Gu
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, People's Republic of China
| | - Ziyi Li
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Bu
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyang Duan
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, People's Republic of China
| | - Feifei Zhao
- Department of Hematology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, People's Republic of China
| | - Wentian Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Lingshou County Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050500, People's Republic of China
| | - Baoen Shan
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, People's Republic of China; Department of Tumor Research Institute, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, People's Republic of China.
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4
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Seyednejad SA, Sartor GC. Noncoding RNA therapeutics for substance use disorder. ADVANCES IN DRUG AND ALCOHOL RESEARCH 2022; 2:10807. [PMID: 36601439 PMCID: PMC9808746 DOI: 10.3389/adar.2022.10807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Although noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been shown to regulate maladaptive neuroadaptations that drive compulsive drug use, ncRNA-targeting therapeutics for substance use disorder (SUD) have yet to be clinically tested. Recent advances in RNA-based drugs have improved many therapeutic issues related to immune response, specificity, and delivery, leading to multiple successful clinical trials for other diseases. As the need for safe and effective treatments for SUD continues to grow, novel nucleic acid-based therapeutics represent an appealing approach to target ncRNA mechanisms in SUD. Here, we review ncRNA processes implicated in SUD, discuss recent therapeutic approaches for targeting ncRNAs, and highlight potential opportunities and challenges of ncRNA-targeting therapeutics for SUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Afshin Seyednejad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
- Connecticut Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Sciences (CT IBACS), Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Gregory C. Sartor
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
- Connecticut Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Sciences (CT IBACS), Storrs, CT, United States
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To kill a cancer: Targeting the immune inhibitory checkpoint molecule, B7-H3. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188783. [PMID: 36028149 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Targeting the anti-tumor immune response via the B7 family of immune-regulatory checkpoint proteins has revolutionized cancer treatment and resulted in punctuated responses in patients. B7-H3 has gained recent attention given its prominent deregulation and immunomodulatory role in a multitude of cancers. Numerous cancer studies have firmly established a strong link between deregulated B7-H3 expression and poorer outcomes. B7-H3 has been shown to augment cancer cell survival, proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance by inducing an immune evasive phenotype through its effects on tumor-infiltrating immune cells, cancer cells, cancer-associated vasculature, and the stroma. Given the complex interplay between each of these components of the tumor microenvironment, a deeper understanding of B7-H3 signaling properties is inherently crucial to developing efficacious therapies that can target and inhibit these cancer-promoting interactions. This review delves into the various ways B7-H3 acts as an immunomodulator to facilitate immune evasion and promote tumor growth and spread. With post-transcriptional and post-translational modifications giving rise to different active isoforms coupled with recent discoveries of its putative receptors, B7-H3 can perform diverse functions. Here, we first discuss the dual co-stimulatory/co-inhibitory functions of B7-H3 in the context of normal physiology and cancer. We then discuss the crosstalk facilitated by B7-H3 between stromal components and tumor cells that promote tumor growth and metastasis in different populations of tumor cells, associated vasculature, and the stroma. Concurrently, we highlight therapeutic strategies that can exploit these interactions and their associated limitations, concluding with a special focus on the promise of next-gen in silico-based approaches to small molecule inhibitor drug discovery for B7-H3 that may mitigate these limitations.
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Lamberti MJ, Montico B, Ravo M, Nigro A, Giurato G, Iorio R, Tarallo R, Weisz A, Stellato C, Steffan A, Dolcetti R, Casolaro V, Faè DA, Dal Col J. Integration of miRNA:mRNA Co-Expression Revealed Crucial Mechanisms Modulated in Immunogenic Cancer Cell Death. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081896. [PMID: 36009442 PMCID: PMC9405340 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunogenic cell death (ICD) in cancer represents a functionally unique therapeutic response that can induce tumor-targeting immune responses. ICD is characterized by the exposure and release of numerous damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which confer adjuvanticity to dying cancer cells. The spatiotemporally defined emission of DAMPs during ICD has been well described, whereas the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate ICD hallmarks have not yet been deeply elucidated. Here, we aimed to examine the involvement of miRNAs and their putative targets using well-established in vitro models of ICD. To this end, B cell lymphoma (Mino) and breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cell lines were exposed to two different ICD inducers, the combination of retinoic acid (RA) and interferon-alpha (IFN-α) and doxorubicin, and to non ICD inducers such as gamma irradiation. Then, miRNA and mRNA profiles were studied by next generation sequencing. Co-expression analysis identified 16 miRNAs differentially modulated in cells undergoing ICD. Integrated miRNA-mRNA functional analysis revealed candidate miRNAs, mRNAs, and modulated pathways associated with Immune System Process (GO Term). Specifically, ICD induced a distinctive transcriptional signature hallmarked by regulation of antigen presentation, a crucial step for proper activation of immune system antitumor response. Interestingly, the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) pathway was upregulated whereas class II (MHC-II) was downregulated. Analysis of MHC-II associated transcripts and HLA-DR surface expression confirmed inhibition of this pathway by ICD on lymphoma cells. miR-4284 and miR-212-3p were the strongest miRNAs upregulated by ICD associated with this event and miR-212-3p overexpression was able to downregulate surface expression of HLA-DR. It is well known that MHC-II expression on tumor cells facilitates the recruitment of CD4+ T cells. However, the interaction between tumor MHC-II and inhibitory coreceptors on tumor-associated lymphocytes could provide an immunosuppressive signal that directly represses effector cytotoxic activity. In this context, MHC-II downregulation by ICD could enhance antitumor immunity. Overall, we found that the miRNA profile was significantly altered during ICD. Several miRNAs are predicted to be involved in the regulation of MHC-I and II pathways, whose implication in ICD is demonstrated herein for the first time, which could eventually modulate tumor recognition and attack by the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Julia Lamberti
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, SA, Italy
- INBIAS, CONICET-UNRC, Río Cuarto, Córdoba 5800, Argentina
- Correspondence: (M.J.L.); (J.D.C.); Tel.: +54-358-4676437 (M.J.L.); +39-089-965210 (J.D.C.)
| | - Barbara Montico
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Maria Ravo
- Genomix Life Srl, 84081 Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Annunziata Nigro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Tarallo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Cristiana Stellato
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Agostino Steffan
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Riccardo Dolcetti
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Vincenzo Casolaro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Damiana Antonia Faè
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Jessica Dal Col
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, SA, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.J.L.); (J.D.C.); Tel.: +54-358-4676437 (M.J.L.); +39-089-965210 (J.D.C.)
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Lei TX, He DJ, Cao J, Lv WG. CircWDR26 regulates endometrial carcinoma progression via miR-212-3p-mediated typing genes MSH2. Eur J Med Res 2022; 27:135. [PMID: 35897048 PMCID: PMC9327368 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-022-00755-3] [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: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Circular RNAs (circRNA) are important in mediating tumor progression, but their roles in endometrial carcinoma (EC) are not fully understood yet. Many circRNAs are dysregulated and may contribute to EC progression. The functions of circWDR26 in EC remain unknown. Methods The expression of circWDR26 in EC and adjacent normal tissues, and cell lines was determined by qPCR. The proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of EC cells was examined by CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, wound healing assay and Transwell assay. The interaction between circWDR26, MSH2 and miR-212-3p was determined by luciferase assay. EC cells were inoculated into nude mice and tumor burden was determined by measuring tumor dimensions, size, and weight. The proliferative marker Ki67 in EC tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry. Results The expression of circWDR26 in EC tissues or cell lines was higher than in the normal tissue or endometrial epithelial cells. Downregulation of circWDR26 resulted in attenuated proliferation, increased apoptosis, reduced migration and invasion of EC cells. Mechanistically, circWDR26 targeted and suppressed the expression of miR-212-3p. We further found that MSH2 was the novel target of miR-212-3p and was upregulated by circWDR26 via inhibiting miR-212-3p. In vivo experiment demonstrated that circWDR26 was essential for EC tumor growth. Conclusion circWDR26 promoted EC progression by regulating miR-212-3p/MSH2 axis and provided novel insights into anti-cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao-Xiang Lei
- Department of Gynecological Oncology Surgery, Chenzhou First People's Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiangnan University), No.849 Youth Avenue, Chenzhou, 423000, Hunan Province, China
| | - De-Jian He
- Department of Emergency, Chenzhou First People's Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiangnan University), Chenzhou, 423000, Hunan Province, China
| | - Jian Cao
- Medical Imaging Center, Chenzhou Fourth People's Hospital, Chenzhou, 423000, Hunan Province, China
| | - Wang-Gui Lv
- Department of Gynecological Oncology Surgery, Chenzhou First People's Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiangnan University), No.849 Youth Avenue, Chenzhou, 423000, Hunan Province, China.
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Ray S, Chaturvedi NK, Bhakat KK, Rizzino A, Mahapatra S. Subgroup-Specific Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Predictive Markers Influencing Pediatric Medulloblastoma Treatment. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 12:diagnostics12010061. [PMID: 35054230 PMCID: PMC8774967 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12010061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant central nervous system tumor in pediatric patients. Mainstay of therapy remains surgical resection followed by craniospinal radiation and chemotherapy, although limitations to this therapy are applied in the youngest patients. Clinically, tumors are divided into average and high-risk status on the basis of age, metastasis at diagnosis, and extent of surgical resection. However, technological advances in high-throughput screening have facilitated the analysis of large transcriptomic datasets that have been used to generate the current classification system, dividing patients into four primary subgroups, i.e., WNT (wingless), SHH (sonic hedgehog), and the non-SHH/WNT subgroups 3 and 4. Each subgroup can further be subdivided on the basis of a combination of cytogenetic and epigenetic events, some in distinct signaling pathways, that activate specific phenotypes impacting patient prognosis. Here, we delve deeper into the genetic basis for each subgroup by reviewing the extent of cytogenetic events in key genes that trigger neoplastic transformation or that exhibit oncogenic properties. Each of these discussions is further centered on how these genetic aberrations can be exploited to generate novel targeted therapeutics for each subgroup along with a discussion on challenges that are currently faced in generating said therapies. Our future hope is that through better understanding of subgroup-specific cytogenetic events, the field may improve diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment to improve overall quality of life for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sutapa Ray
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 601 S Saddle Creek Road, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (S.R.); (N.K.C.)
- Fred and Pamela Buffet Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68105, USA; (K.K.B.); (A.R.)
| | - Nagendra K. Chaturvedi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 601 S Saddle Creek Road, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (S.R.); (N.K.C.)
- Fred and Pamela Buffet Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68105, USA; (K.K.B.); (A.R.)
| | - Kishor K. Bhakat
- Fred and Pamela Buffet Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68105, USA; (K.K.B.); (A.R.)
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Angie Rizzino
- Fred and Pamela Buffet Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68105, USA; (K.K.B.); (A.R.)
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Disease, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Sidharth Mahapatra
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 601 S Saddle Creek Road, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (S.R.); (N.K.C.)
- Fred and Pamela Buffet Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68105, USA; (K.K.B.); (A.R.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(402)-599-7754
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