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Magrath JW, Espinosa-Cotton M, Flinchum DA, Sampath SS, Cheung NK, Lee SB. Desmoplastic small round cell tumor: from genomics to targets, potential paths to future therapeutics. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1442488. [PMID: 39139449 PMCID: PMC11319132 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1442488] [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: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor (DSRCT) is a highly aggressive pediatric cancer caused by a reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 11 and 22, leading to the formation of the EWSR1::WT1 oncoprotein. DSRCT presents most commonly in the abdominal and pelvic peritoneum and remains refractory to current treatment regimens which include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. As a rare cancer, sample and model availability have been a limiting factor to DSRCT research. However, the establishment of rare tumor banks and novel cell lines have recently propelled critical advances in the understanding of DSRCT biology and the identification of potentially promising targeted therapeutics. Here we review model and dataset availability, current understanding of the EWSR1::WT1 oncogenic mechanism, and promising preclinical therapeutics, some of which are now advancing to clinical trials. We discuss efforts to inhibit critical dependencies including NTRK3, EGFR, and CDK4/6 as well as novel immunotherapy strategies targeting surface markers highly expressed in DSRCT such as B7-H3 or neopeptides either derived from or driven by the fusion oncoprotein. Finally, we discuss the prospect of combination therapies and strategies for prioritizing clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin W. Magrath
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Madelyn Espinosa-Cotton
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Dane A. Flinchum
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Shruthi Sanjitha Sampath
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Nai Kong Cheung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sean B. Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
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Fujii E, Kato MK, Yamaguchi M, Higuchi D, Koyama T, Komatsu M, Hamamoto R, Ishikawa M, Kato T, Kohno T, Shiraishi K, Yoshida H. Genomic profiles of Japanese patients with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13058. [PMID: 38844774 PMCID: PMC11156893 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63913-z] [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: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The incidence of vulvar carcinoma varies by race; however, it is a rare disease, and its genomic profiles remain largely unknown. This study examined the characteristics of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) in Japanese patients, focusing on genomic profiles and potential racial disparities. The study included two Japanese groups: the National Cancer Center Hospital (NCCH) group comprised 19 patients diagnosed between 2015 and 2023, and the Center for Cancer Genomics and Advanced Therapeutics group comprised 29 patients diagnosed between 2019 and 2022. Somatic mutations were identified by targeted or panel sequencing, and TP53 was identified as the most common mutation (52-81%), followed by HRAS (7-26%), CDKN2A (21-24%), and PIK3CA (5-10%). The mutation frequencies, except for TP53, were similar to those of Caucasian cohorts. In the NCCH group, 16 patients of HPV-independent tumors were identified by immunohistochemistry and genotyping. Univariate analysis revealed that TP53-mutated patients were associated with a poor prognosis (log-rank test, P = 0.089). Japanese VSCC mutations resembled those of Caucasian vulvar carcinomas, and TP53 mutations predicted prognosis regardless of ethnicity. The present findings suggest potential molecular-targeted therapies for select VSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erisa Fujii
- Division of Genome Biology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
- Department of Gynecology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mayumi Kobayashi Kato
- Division of Genome Biology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
- Department of Gynecology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Maiko Yamaguchi
- Division of Genome Biology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daiki Higuchi
- Division of Genome Biology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takafumi Koyama
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaaki Komatsu
- Division of Medical AI Research and Development, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
- Cancer Translational Research Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryuji Hamamoto
- Division of Medical AI Research and Development, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
- Cancer Translational Research Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mitsuya Ishikawa
- Department of Gynecology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoyasu Kato
- Department of Gynecology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Kohno
- Division of Genome Biology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Kouya Shiraishi
- Division of Genome Biology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
- Department of Clinical Genomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Yoshida
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
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Hassanzadeh A, Shomali N, Kamrani A, Soltani-Zangbar MS, Nasiri H, Akbari M. Cancer therapy by cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs): bench to bedside. EXCLI JOURNAL 2024; 23:862-882. [PMID: 38983782 PMCID: PMC11231458 DOI: 10.17179/excli2024-7076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
A major characteristic of cancer is dysregulated cell division, which results in aberrant growth of cells. Consequently, medicinal targets that prevent cell division would be useful in the fight against cancer. The primary regulator of proliferation is a complex consisting of cyclin and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). The FDA has granted approval for CDK inhibitors (CDKIs) to treat metastatic hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Specifically, CDK4/6 CDKIs block the enzyme activity of CDK4 and CDK6. Unfortunately, the majority of first-generation CDK inhibitors, also known as pan-CDK inhibitors because they target multiple CDKs, have not been authorized for clinical use owing to their serious side effects and lack of selection. In contrast to this, significant advancements have been created to permit the use of pan-CDK inhibitors in therapeutic settings. Notably, the toxicity and negative consequences of pan-CDK inhibitors have been lessened in recent years thanks to the emergence of combination therapy tactics. Therefore, pan-CDK inhibitors have renewed promise for clinical use when used in a combination regimen. The members of the CDK family have been reviewed and their primary roles in cell cycle regulation were covered in this review. Next, we provided an overview of the state of studies on CDK inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Hassanzadeh
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Navid Shomali
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amin Kamrani
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Sadegh Soltani-Zangbar
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hadi Nasiri
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Morteza Akbari
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Kucinski JP, Calderon D, Kendall GC. Biological and therapeutic insights from animal modeling of fusion-driven pediatric soft tissue sarcomas. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050704. [PMID: 38916046 PMCID: PMC11225592 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050704] [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] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Survival for children with cancer has primarily improved over the past decades due to refinements in surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Although these general therapies are sometimes curative, the cancer often recurs, resulting in poor outcomes for patients. Fusion-driven pediatric soft tissue sarcomas are genetically defined by chromosomal translocations that create a chimeric oncogene. This distinctive, almost 'monogenic', genetic feature supports the generation of animal models to study the respective diseases in vivo. This Review focuses on a subset of fusion-driven pediatric soft tissue sarcomas that have transgenic animal tumor models, which includes fusion-positive and infantile rhabdomyosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, undifferentiated small round cell sarcoma, alveolar soft part sarcoma and clear cell sarcoma. Studies using the animal models of these sarcomas have highlighted that pediatric cancers require a specific cellular state or developmental stage to drive tumorigenesis, as the fusion oncogenes cause different outcomes depending on their lineage and timing of expression. Therefore, understanding these context-specific activities could identify targetable activities and mechanisms critical for tumorigenesis. Broadly, these cancers show dependencies on chromatin regulators to support oncogenic gene expression and co-opting of developmental pathways. Comparative analyses across lineages and tumor models will further provide biological and therapeutic insights to improve outcomes for these children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack P. Kucinski
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology PhD Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Delia Calderon
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology PhD Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Genevieve C. Kendall
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology PhD Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
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Magrath JW, Sampath SS, Flinchum DA, Hartono AB, Goldberg IN, Boehling JR, Savkovic SD, Lee SB. Comprehensive Transcriptomic Analysis of EWSR1::WT1 Targets Identifies CDK4/6 Inhibitors as an Effective Therapy for Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumors. Cancer Res 2024; 84:1426-1442. [PMID: 38588409 PMCID: PMC11063761 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-3334] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Desmoplastic small round cell tumors (DSRCT) are a type of aggressive, pediatric sarcoma characterized by the EWSR1::WT1 fusion oncogene. Targeted therapies for DSRCT have not been developed, and standard multimodal therapy is insufficient, leading to a 5-year survival rate of only 15% to 25%. Here, we depleted EWSR1::WT1 in DSRCT and established its essentiality in vivo. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that EWSR1::WT1 induces unique transcriptional alterations compared with WT1 and other fusion oncoproteins and that EWSR1::WT1 binding directly mediates gene upregulation. The E-KTS isoform of EWSR1::WT1 played a dominant role in transcription, and it bound to the CCND1 promoter and stimulated DSRCT growth through the cyclin D-CDK4/6-RB axis. Treatment with the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib successfully reduced growth in two DSRCT xenograft models. As palbociclib has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of breast cancer, these findings demonstrate the sensitivity of DSRCT to palbociclib and support immediate clinical investigation of palbociclib for treating this aggressive pediatric cancer. SIGNIFICANCE EWSR1::WT1 is essential for desmoplastic small round cell tumors and upregulates the cyclin D-CDK4/6-RB axis that can be targeted with palbociclib, providing a targeted therapeutic strategy for treating this deadly tumor type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin W. Magrath
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Shruthi Sanjitha Sampath
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Dane A. Flinchum
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Alifiani B. Hartono
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Ilon N. Goldberg
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Julia R. Boehling
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Suzana D. Savkovic
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Sean B. Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
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Honoki K, Tsujiuchi T, Kishi S, Kuniyasu H. Revisiting 'Hallmarks of Cancer' In Sarcomas. J Cancer 2024; 15:1786-1804. [PMID: 38434982 PMCID: PMC10905407 DOI: 10.7150/jca.92844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
There is no doubt that anyone who has participated in cancer care or research has once read the 'Hallmarks of Cancer' papers published by Hanahan and Weinberg in 2001 and 2011. They initially defined the six qualities of cancer cells as cancer hallmarks in 2001, but expanded that to 11 as a next generation in 2011. In their papers, they discussed the potential treatment strategies against cancer corresponding to each of the 11 hallmarks, and to date, proposed therapies that target genes and signaling pathways associated with each of these hallmarks have guided a trail that cancer treatments should take, some of which are now used as standard in clinical practice and some of which have yet to progress that far. Along with the recent advances in cancer research such as genomic analysis with next generation sequencing, they can be reconverged to an alternative six categories defined as selective proliferative advantages, altered stress response, deregulated cellular metabolism, immune modulation and inflammation, tumor microenvironment, tissue invasion and metastasis. In this paper, we will overview the current state of these alternative hallmarks and their corresponding treatments in the current sarcoma practice, then discuss the future direction of sarcoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanya Honoki
- Dept. Of Orthopedic Oncology & Reconstructive Medicine, Nara Medical University, Japan
| | | | - Shingo Kishi
- Dept. of Clinical Pathology, Nozaki Tokushukai Hospital, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kuniyasu
- Dept. of Molecular Pathology, Nara Medical University, Japan
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Huang H, Zhang H, Cao B. A study protocol for an open-label, single-arm, single-center phase I clinical study on tolerability, safety, and efficacy of dalpiciclib combined with apatinib in the treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic sarcoma. Thorac Cancer 2024; 15:427-433. [PMID: 38211967 PMCID: PMC10864114 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.15208] [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: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The prognosis of patients with advanced or metastatic sarcoma is very poor, and a new strategy for patients who fail systemic treatment is urgently required. Apatinib is a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor of VEGFR-2, which can exert an antitumor effect by blocking downstream PI3K/AKT and VEGFR2/STAT3 signaling pathways of sarcoma. Dysregulation of the cyclin D (CCND)-cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6)-retinoblastoma 1 (Rb) pathway is highly prevalent in sarcoma. Thus, blocking VEGFR2 and CDK4/6 may exert a synergistic effect. We hypothesize that a combination of apatinib and dalpiciclib, an oral, highly effective, and selective small molecule CDK4/6 inhibitor, may result in higher antitumor efficacy in patients with refractory sarcoma. METHODS In this open-label, single-arm, single-center phase I trial, participants diagnosed with sarcoma who failed standard systemic treatment will be enrolled. Dose escalation will be conducted into three groups according to traditional 3 + 3 principle: dose 1, dalpiciclib 100 mg once daily oral d1-21+ apatinib 250 mg once daily oral d1-28, every 28 days as one cycle; dose 2, dalpiciclib 100 mg d1-21+ apatinib 500 mg d1-28; dose 3, dalpiciclib 150 mg d-21+ apatinib 500 mg d1-28. The primary endpoint is the safety and tolerability of combined treatment. The secondary endpoint is to evaluate the initial efficacy, including objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), duration of response (DoR), and progression-free survival (PFS). DISCUSSION This trial will provide evidence of the tolerability, safety, and efficacy of dalpiciclib in combination with apatinib in metastatic sarcoma patients who have failed first-line systemic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiying Huang
- Department of Medical Oncology and Radiation SicknessPeking University Third HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Hua Zhang
- Research Center of Clinical EpidemiologyPeking University Third HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Baoshan Cao
- Department of Medical Oncology and Radiation SicknessPeking University Third HospitalBeijingChina
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Saleh Z, Moccia MC, Ladd Z, Joneja U, Li Y, Spitz F, Hong YK, Gao T. Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: Signaling Pathways and Epigenetic Regulation. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1331. [PMID: 38279330 PMCID: PMC10816436 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021331] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are characterized by dysregulated signaling pathways that are crucial for tumor formation and progression. The efficacy of traditional therapies is limited, particularly in the treatment of PNETs at an advanced stage. Epigenetic alterations profoundly impact the activity of signaling pathways in cancer development, offering potential opportunities for drug development. There is currently a lack of extensive research on epigenetic regulation in PNETs. To fill this gap, we first summarize major signaling events that are involved in PNET development. Then, we discuss the epigenetic regulation of these signaling pathways in the context of both PNETs and commonly occurring-and therefore more extensively studied-malignancies. Finally, we will offer a perspective on the future research direction of the PNET epigenome and its potential applications in patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zena Saleh
- Department of Surgery, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ 08103, USA; (Z.S.); (Z.L.)
| | - Matthew C. Moccia
- Department of Surgery, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ 08103, USA; (Z.S.); (Z.L.)
| | - Zachary Ladd
- Department of Surgery, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ 08103, USA; (Z.S.); (Z.L.)
| | - Upasana Joneja
- Department of Pathology, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ 08103, USA
| | - Yahui Li
- Department of Surgery, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ 08103, USA; (Z.S.); (Z.L.)
| | - Francis Spitz
- Department of Surgery, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ 08103, USA; (Z.S.); (Z.L.)
| | - Young Ki Hong
- Department of Surgery, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ 08103, USA; (Z.S.); (Z.L.)
| | - Tao Gao
- Department of Surgery, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ 08103, USA; (Z.S.); (Z.L.)
- Camden Cancer Research Center, Camden, NJ 08103, USA
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Lavernia J, Claramunt R, Romero I, López-Guerrero JA, Llombart-Bosch A, Machado I. Soft Tissue Sarcomas with Chromosomal Alterations in the 12q13-15 Region: Differential Diagnosis and Therapeutic Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:432. [PMID: 38275873 PMCID: PMC10814159 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020432] [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: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The chromosomal region 12q13-15 is rich in oncogenes and contains several genes involved in the pathogenesis of various mesenchymal neoplasms. Notable genes in this region include MDM2, CDK4, STAT6, DDIT3, and GLI1. Amplification of MDM2 and CDK4 genes can be detected in various mesenchymal and nonmesenchymal neoplasms. Therefore, gene amplification alone is not entirely specific for making a definitive diagnosis and requires the integration of clinical, radiological, morphological, and immunohistochemical findings. Neoplasms with GLI1 alterations may exhibit either GLI1 rearrangements or amplifications of this gene. Despite the diagnostic implications that the overlap of genetic alterations in neoplasms with changes in genes within the 12q13-15 region could create, the discovery of coamplifications of MDM2 with CDK4 and GLI1 offers new therapeutic targets in neoplasms with MDM2/CDK4 amplification. Lastly, it is worth noting that MDM2 or CDK4 amplification is not exclusive to mesenchymal neoplasms; this genetic alteration has also been observed in other epithelial neoplasms or melanomas. This suggests the potential use of MDM2 or CDK4 inhibitors in neoplasms where alterations in these genes do not aid the pathological diagnosis but may help identify potential therapeutic targets. In this review, we delve into the diagnosis and therapeutic implications of tumors with genetic alterations involving the chromosomal region 12q13-15, mainly MDM2, CDK4, and GLI1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Lavernia
- Oncology Unit, Instituto Valenciano de Oncología, 46009 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Reyes Claramunt
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Instituto Valenciano de Oncología, 46009 Valencia, Spain; (R.C.); (J.A.L.-G.)
| | - Ignacio Romero
- Oncology Unit, Instituto Valenciano de Oncología, 46009 Valencia, Spain;
| | - José Antonio López-Guerrero
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Instituto Valenciano de Oncología, 46009 Valencia, Spain; (R.C.); (J.A.L.-G.)
| | | | - Isidro Machado
- Pathology Department, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain;
- Pathology Department, Instituto Valenciano de Oncología, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- CIBERONC Cancer, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Patologika Laboratory, Hospital Quiron-Salud, 46010 Valencia, Spain
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Martin-Broto J, Martinez-Garcia J, Moura DS, Redondo A, Gutierrez A, Lopez-Pousa A, Martinez-Trufero J, Sevilla I, Diaz-Beveridge R, Solis-Hernandez MP, Carnero A, Perez M, Marcilla D, Garcia-Foncillas J, Romero P, Fernandez-Jara J, Lopez-Lopez D, Arribas I, Hindi N. Phase II trial of CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib in advanced sarcoma based on mRNA expression of CDK4/ CDKN2A. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:405. [PMID: 37875500 PMCID: PMC10598203 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01661-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors demonstrated activity in terms of progression-free survival (PFS) in advanced dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DD-LPS), a sarcoma with CDK4 amplification. CDK4 overexpression is by far more common than amplification in sarcomas and it might be a rational target for CDK inhibitors. Preclinical investigators of this study found that CDK4 overexpression, while not of CDKN2A, was the most consistent predictive factor for palbociclib efficacy in sarcomas. Advanced adult-type soft-tissue sarcoma, excluding DD-LPS, or bone sarcoma patients, progressing after at least one systemic line, whose tumors overexpressed CDK4, but not CDKN2A at baseline biopsy, were accrued in this single-arm phase II trial (EudraCT number: 2016-004039-19). With the main endpoint of a 6-month PFS rate, 40% was considered promising in this population. Palbociclib was administered orally at 125 mg/day for 21 days in 28-day cycles. A total of 214 patients with 236 CDK4/CDKN2A determinations were assessed for prescreening, archival material (141), and screening, baseline biopsy (95). There were 28 (29%) with favorable mRNA profiles from 95 screened patients at baseline. From 23 enrolled patients, 21 evaluable, the 6-month PFS rate was 29% (95% CI 9-48), and there were 6 patients out of 21 with a PFS longer than 6 months. The median PFS and overall survival were 4.2 (95% CI 3.6-4.8) and 12 (95% CI 8.7-15.4) months, respectively. Translational research showed a significant correlation between CDK4 mRNA and protein expression. Palbociclib was active in a variety of sarcoma subtypes, selected by CDK4/CDKN2A, and deserves further investigation in the sarcoma context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Martin-Broto
- Health Research Institute-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IIS-FJD, UAM), 28040, Madrid, Spain.
- Medical Oncology Department, Fundación Jimenez Diaz University Hospital, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
- General de Villalba University Hospital, 28400, Madrid, Spain.
| | | | - David S Moura
- Health Research Institute-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IIS-FJD, UAM), 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Andres Redondo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario La Paz-IdiPAZ, P. Castellana, 261, 28046, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Gutierrez
- Hematology Department, University Hospital Son Espases, 07120, Mallorca, Spain
| | | | | | - Isabel Sevilla
- Investigación Clínica y Traslacional en Cáncer/ Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Malaga (IBIMA)/ Hospitales Universitarios Regional y Virgen de la Victoria de Malaga, Malaga, Spain
| | - Roberto Diaz-Beveridge
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, 46026, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Amancio Carnero
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS; HUVR, CSIC, US), 41013, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Marco Perez
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS; HUVR, CSIC, US), 41013, Sevilla, Spain
- Pathology Department, Virgen del Rocio University Hospital, 41013, Sevilla, Spain
| | - David Marcilla
- Pathology Department, Virgen del Rocio University Hospital, 41013, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Jesus Garcia-Foncillas
- Health Research Institute-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IIS-FJD, UAM), 28040, Madrid, Spain
- Medical Oncology Department, Fundación Jimenez Diaz University Hospital, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Romero
- Health Research Institute-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IIS-FJD, UAM), 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Fernandez-Jara
- Radiology Department, Fundación Jimenez Diaz University Hospital, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Lopez-Lopez
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS; HUVR, CSIC, US), 41013, Sevilla, Spain
- Computational Medicine Platform, Fundación progreso y salud (FPS), Hospital Virgen del Rocío, 41013, Seville, Spain
- Bioinformatics in Rare Diseases (BiER). Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), FPS, Hospital Virgen del Rocio, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Ivan Arribas
- Universitat de València - ERI-CES, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | - Nadia Hindi
- Health Research Institute-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IIS-FJD, UAM), 28040, Madrid, Spain
- Medical Oncology Department, Fundación Jimenez Diaz University Hospital, 28040, Madrid, Spain
- General de Villalba University Hospital, 28400, Madrid, Spain
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11
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Oberoi S, Crane JN, Haduong JH, Rudzinski ER, Wolden SL, Dasgupta R, Linardic CM, Weiss AR, Venkatramani R. Children's Oncology Group's 2023 blueprint for research: Soft tissue sarcomas. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2023; 70 Suppl 6:e30556. [PMID: 37430436 PMCID: PMC10519430 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
In the United States, approximately 850-900 children and adolescents each year are diagnosed with soft tissue sarcomas (STS). STS are divided into rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and non-rhabdomyosarcoma STS (NRSTS). RMS and NRSTS are risk stratified into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk categories, with 5-year survival rates of approximately 90%, 50%-70%, and 20%, respectively. Recent key achievements from the Children's Oncology Group (COG) STS Committee include the identification of new molecular prognostic factors for RMS, development and validation of a novel risk stratification system for NRSTS, successful completion of a collaborative NRSTS clinical trial with adult oncology consortia, and collaborative development of the INternational Soft Tissue SaRcoma ConsorTium (INSTRuCT). Current COG trials for RMS are prospectively evaluating a new risk stratification system that incorporates molecular findings, de-intensification of therapy for a very low-risk subgroup, and augmented therapy approaches for intermediate- and high-risk RMS. Trials for NRSTS exploring novel targets and local control modalities are in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sapna Oberoi
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Jacquelyn N Crane
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Josephine H Haduong
- Division of Oncology, Hyundai Cancer Institute, Children’s Hospital Orange County, Orange, California, USA
| | - Erin R. Rudzinski
- Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA
- Department of Laboratories, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Suzanne L Wolden
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | - Roshni Dasgupta
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Corinne M Linardic
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Aaron R Weiss
- Department of Pediatrics, Maine Medical Center, Portland, Main, USA
| | - Rajkumar Venkatramani
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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12
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Cao B, Sun H, Fan Z, Khawar MB, Cai L, Yu S, Liang Z, Lv D, Wang N, Bi C, Sun H. Integrative analyses of bulk microarray data to discover genes, pathways, and immune infiltration characteristics associated with targeting of Ewing sarcoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:6967-6977. [PMID: 36849756 PMCID: PMC10374716 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-04642-0] [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: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore transcriptome and immunological features of patients with Ewing sarcoma (ES) using all publicly available microarray data. METHODS Data of 479 ES tissues were integrated and normalized. Gene expression, immune infiltration, and cancer-specific pathways were analyzed. Genes of interest were knocked down, followed by cell proliferation and colony formation assays. RESULTS Consistent with the previous reports of differential expressed genes (DEGs) in ES, our analysis identified CCND1, HMCN1, and NKX2-2 were among the most highly expressed, while TWNC1, MYBPC1, and CKM were among the lowest expressed genes. GO, KEGG, and GSEA enrichment analysis identified that the DEGs related to bone and muscle functioning, those that contributed to crucial cellular, and metabolism pathways such as actin binding, apoptosis, TCA cycle, and cell cycle were also significantly enriched. Immune infiltration analysis discovered that many T cell subsets including CD4T, CD8 T, and Gamma delta T cells were highly infiltrated, while monocytes and B cells were less infiltrated in tumors. A total of 138 genes were both significantly up-regulated in tumors and associated with decreased survival, while 38 significantly down-regulated genes were associated with increased survival, many of which were previously reported as oncogenes and tumor suppressors in ES and other cancers. Silencing of four newly identified top ranked up-regulated genes with decreased survivals in ES inhibited proliferation and colony formation of ES cells. CONCLUSION This study may provide a clear representative transcriptome profile of ES, providing diagnostic biomarkers, pathways, and immune infiltrative characteristics targets for ES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binjie Cao
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental and, Translational Non-Coding RNA Research, Yangzhou, China
| | - Haijian Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhehao Fan
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental and, Translational Non-Coding RNA Research, Yangzhou, China
| | - Muhammad Babar Khawar
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental and, Translational Non-Coding RNA Research, Yangzhou, China
- Applied Molecular Biology and Biomedicine Lab, Department of Zoology, University of Narowal, Narowal, Pakistan
| | - Liangliang Cai
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental and, Translational Non-Coding RNA Research, Yangzhou, China
| | - Shiyi Yu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental and, Translational Non-Coding RNA Research, Yangzhou, China
| | - Zhengyan Liang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental and, Translational Non-Coding RNA Research, Yangzhou, China
| | - Dan Lv
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental and, Translational Non-Coding RNA Research, Yangzhou, China
| | - Ning Wang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental and, Translational Non-Coding RNA Research, Yangzhou, China
| | - Caili Bi
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental and, Translational Non-Coding RNA Research, Yangzhou, China
| | - Haibo Sun
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental and, Translational Non-Coding RNA Research, Yangzhou, China.
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13
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Fischer GM, Gliem TJ, Greipp PT, Rosenberg AE, Folpe AL, Hornick JL. Anaplastic Kaposi Sarcoma: A Clinicopathologic and Molecular Genetic Analysis. Mod Pathol 2023; 36:100191. [PMID: 37080393 DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2023.100191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8)-associated vascular proliferation that most often involves the skin. Rarely, KS shows marked nuclear atypia or pleomorphism; such examples are known as "anaplastic" KS. This poorly characterized variant often pursues an aggressive course; little is known of its genetic landscape. This study evaluated the clinicopathologic and genomic features of anaplastic KS. We identified 9 anaplastic KS cases from 7 patients and 8 conventional KS cases, including a matched conventional KS and primary metastasis anaplastic KS pair from a single patient (anaplastic KS diagnosed 9 years after conventional KS). All patients with anaplastic KS were men, aged 51 to 82 years, who had locally aggressive tumors predominantly affecting the soft tissue and bone of the lower extremities (5/7 patients). Four patients were known to be HIV positive (all on antiretrovirals), 2 were HIV negative, and 1 was of unknown HIV status. The tumors showed angiosarcoma-like or pleomorphic spindle cell sarcoma morphology. Plasma cell-rich chronic inflammation and hemosiderin deposition were commonly present. Single-nucleotide polymorphism-based chromosomal microarray analysis showed the anaplastic KS cohort to demonstrate highly recurrent whole chromosome (chr) gains of chr 7, 11, 19, and 21, which primarily affected olfactory and G protein-coupled receptor signaling and losses of chr6_q and chrY. Compared with conventional KS, anaplastic KS cases showed significantly more total copy number alterations and more frequent gains of chr7 and chr11_q13.1 (MARK2, RELA, and ESRRA, including high copy number gain in 1 case). Pathway analysis demonstrated that these gains preferentially affected genes that facilitate cyclin-dependent cell signaling. Furthermore, anaplastic KS cases were phylogenetically distinct from conventional KS cases, including the patient-matched primary metastasis anaplastic KS pair and conventional KS. Our study is the first to demonstrate that a more complex genome and distinct copy number alterations distinguish anaplastic KS from conventional KS. Gains of chr7 and chr11_q13.1 appear central to biological transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant M Fischer
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Troy J Gliem
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Patricia T Greipp
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Andrew E Rosenberg
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Andrew L Folpe
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Jason L Hornick
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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14
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Seligson ND, Kolesar JM, Alam B, Baker L, Lamba JK, Fridley BL, Salahudeen AA, Hertz DL, Hicks JK. Integrating pharmacogenomic testing into paired germline and somatic genomic testing in patients with cancer. Pharmacogenomics 2023; 24:731-738. [PMID: 37702060 DOI: 10.2217/pgs-2023-0125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Precision medicine has revolutionized clinical care for patients with cancer through the development of targeted therapy, identification of inherited cancer predisposition syndromes and the use of pharmacogenetics to optimize pharmacotherapy for anticancer drugs and supportive care medications. While germline (patient) and somatic (tumor) genomic testing have evolved separately, recent interest in paired germline/somatic testing has led to an increase in integrated genomic testing workflows. However, paired germline/somatic testing has generally lacked the incorporation of germline pharmacogenomics. Integrating pharmacogenomics into paired germline/somatic genomic testing would be an efficient method for increasing access to pharmacogenomic testing. In this perspective, the authors argue for the benefits of implementing a comprehensive approach integrating somatic and germline testing that is inclusive of pharmacogenomics in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D Seligson
- Department of Pharmacotherapy & Translational Research, The University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA
- Center for Pharmacogenomics & Translational Research, Nemours Children's Health, Jacksonville, FL 32207, USA
| | - Jill M Kolesar
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Department of Pharmacy Practice & Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Benish Alam
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Laura Baker
- Nemours Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders, Nemours Children's Health, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
| | - Jatinder K Lamba
- Department of Pharmacotherapy & Translational Research, The University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Brooke L Fridley
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Ameen A Salahudeen
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Tempus Labs Inc., Chicago, IL 60654, USA
| | - Daniel L Hertz
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - J Kevin Hicks
- Department of Individualized Cancer Management, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
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15
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Thanh Nguyen TD, Wang Y, Bui TN, Lazcano R, Ingram DR, Yi M, Vakulabharanam V, Luo L, Pina MA, Karakas C, Li M, Kettner NM, Somaiah N, Hougton PJ, Mawlawi O, Lazar AJ, Hunt KK, Keyomarsi K. Sequential Targeting of Retinoblastoma and DNA Synthesis Pathways Is a Therapeutic Strategy for Sarcomas That Can Be Monitored in Real Time. Cancer Res 2023; 83:939-955. [PMID: 36603130 PMCID: PMC10023441 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-2258] [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: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Treatment strategies with a strong scientific rationale based on specific biomarkers are needed to improve outcomes in patients with advanced sarcomas. Suppression of cell-cycle progression through reactivation of the tumor suppressor retinoblastoma (Rb) using CDK4/6 inhibitors is a potential avenue for novel targeted therapies in sarcomas that harbor intact Rb signaling. Here, we evaluated combination treatment strategies (sequential and concomitant) with the CDK4/6 inhibitor abemacicib to identify optimal combination strategies. Expression of Rb was examined in 1,043 sarcoma tumor specimens, and 50% were found to be Rb-positive. Using in vitro and in vivo models, an effective two-step sequential combination strategy was developed. Abemaciclib was used first to prime Rb-positive sarcoma cells to reversibly arrest in G1 phase. Upon drug removal, cells synchronously traversed to S phase, where a second treatment with S-phase targeted agents (gemcitabine or Wee1 kinase inhibitor) mediated a synergistic response by inducing DNA damage. The response to treatment could be noninvasively monitored using real-time positron emission tomography imaging and serum thymidine kinase activity. Collectively, these results show that a novel, sequential treatment strategy with a CDK4/6 inhibitor followed by a DNA-damaging agent was effective, resulting in synergistic tumor cell killing. This approach can be readily translated into a clinical trial with noninvasive functional imaging and serum biomarkers as indicators of response and cell cycling. SIGNIFICANCE An innovative sequential therapeutic strategy targeting Rb, followed by treatment with agents that perturb DNA synthesis pathways, results in synergistic killing of Rb-positive sarcomas that can be noninvasively monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuyen Duong Thanh Nguyen
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Tuyen N. Bui
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Rossana Lazcano
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Davis R. Ingram
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Min Yi
- Departments of Breast Surgical Oncology and Surgical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | | | - Linjie Luo
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Marc A. Pina
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Cansu Karakas
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Mi Li
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Nicole M. Kettner
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Neeta Somaiah
- Department of Sarcoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Peter J. Hougton
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute and Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Heath Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Osama Mawlawi
- Department of Imaging Physics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Alexander J. Lazar
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kelly K. Hunt
- Departments of Breast Surgical Oncology and Surgical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Khandan Keyomarsi
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
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16
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Kim T, Bui NQ. The Next Frontier in Sarcoma: Molecular Pathways and Associated Targeted Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15061692. [PMID: 36980578 PMCID: PMC10046114 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a rare, complex, heterogeneous group of mesenchymal neoplasms with over 150 different histological subtypes. Treatments for this malignancy have been especially challenging due to the heterogeneity of the disease and the modest efficacy of conventional chemotherapy. The next frontier lies in discerning the molecular pathways in which these mesenchymal neoplasms arise, metastasize, and develop drug-resistance, thereby helping guide new therapeutic targets for the treatment of STS. This comprehensive review will discuss the current understanding of tumorigenesis of specific STS subtypes, including oncogenic pathway alterations involved in cell cycle regulation, angiogenesis, NOTCH signaling, and aberrant genetic rearrangements. It will then review current therapies that have been recently developed to target these pathways, including a review of ongoing clinical studies for targeted sarcoma treatment, as well as discuss new potential avenues for therapies against known molecular pathways of sarcomagenesis.
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17
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Merlini A, Pavese V, Manessi G, Rabino M, Tolomeo F, Aliberti S, D’Ambrosio L, Grignani G. Targeting cyclin-dependent kinases in sarcoma treatment: Current perspectives and future directions. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1095219. [PMID: 36741019 PMCID: PMC9893281 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1095219] [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: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Effective treatment of advanced/metastatic bone and soft tissue sarcomas still represents an unmet medical need. Recent advances in targeted therapies have highlighted the potential of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) inhibitors in several cancer types, including sarcomas. CDKs are master regulators of the cell cycle; their dysregulation is listed among the "hallmarks of cancer" and sarcomas are no exception to the rule. In this review, we report both the molecular basis, and the potential therapeutic implications for the use of CDK inhibitors in sarcoma treatment. What is more, we describe and discuss the possibility and biological rationale for combination therapies with conventional treatments, target therapy and immunotherapy, highlighting potential avenues for future research to integrate CDK inhibition in sarcoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Merlini
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, IRCCS-FPO, Turin, Italy,Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Valeria Pavese
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giulia Manessi
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Martina Rabino
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | | | - Lorenzo D’Ambrosio
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy,Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Luigi Gonzaga, Turin, Italy,*Correspondence: Lorenzo D’Ambrosio,
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18
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Identification of Methylation Signatures and Rules for Sarcoma Subtypes by Machine Learning Methods. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:5297235. [PMID: 36619306 PMCID: PMC9812612 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5297235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Sarcoma, the second common type of solid tumor in children and adolescents, has a wide variety of subtypes that are often not properly diagnosed at an early stage, leading to late metastases and causing serious loss of life and property to patients and families. It exhibits a high degree of heterogeneity at the cellular, molecular, and epigenetic levels, where DNA methylation has been proposed to play a role in the diagnosis of sarcoma subtypes. Thus, this study is aimed at finding potential biomarkers at the DNA methylation level to distinguish different sarcoma subtypes. A machine learning process was designed to analyse sarcoma samples, each of which was represented by lots of methylation sites. Irrelevant sites were removed using the Boruta method, and remaining sites related to the target variables were kept for further analyses. Afterward, three feature ranking methods (LASSO, LightGBM, and MCFS) were adopted to rank these features, and six classification models were constructed by combining incremental feature selection and two classification algorithms (decision tree and random forest). Among these models, the performance of RF model was higher than that of DT model under all three ranking conditions. The specific expression of genes obtained from the annotation of highly correlated methylation site features, such as PRKAR1B, INPP5A, and GLI3, was proven to be associated with sarcoma by publications. Moreover, the quantitative rules obtained by decision tree algorithm helped us to understand the essential differences between various sarcoma types and classify sarcoma subtypes, providing a new means of clinical identification and determining new therapeutic targets.
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19
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Higuchi T, Igarashi K, Yamamoto N, Hayashi K, Kimura H, Miwa S, Bouvet M, Tsuchiya H, Hoffman RM. Review: Precise sarcoma patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) mouse models enable identification of novel effective combination therapies with the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor palbociclib: A strategy for clinical application. Front Oncol 2022; 12:957844. [PMID: 36003796 PMCID: PMC9393494 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.957844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Sarcomas are rare heterogeneous malignant tumors that originate and develop in soft tissue or bone. Effective treatment for sarcomas is still limited to traditional chemotherapy and surgery that are often ineffective for recurrent disease. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) promote abnormal cell cycling and cell division in many cancers including sarcomas. Therefore, our hypothesis was that CDK inhibitors may be useful candidates for sarcoma treatment. Patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) mouse models mimic the clinical disease for all major cancer types and have identified effective treatments that hold much clinical promise. The present report reviews sarcoma PDOX models that we have established for their potential to discover effective combination treatments based on CDK inhibitors for recalcitrant sarcoma. Methods We have previously reported six sarcoma PDOX studies evaluating the CDK inhibitor palbociclib on sarcoma, including osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, de-differentiated liposarcoma, and peritoneal metastatic leiomyosarcoma. Results Palbociclib monotherapy significantly inhibited, but not regressed, the PDOX growth of osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, de-differentiated liposarcoma, and peritoneal metastatic leiomyosarcoma. A combination of palbociclib and a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, everolimus, significantly inhibited, but did not regress, the PDOX growth of osteosarcoma. Combinations of palbociclib with a multikinase inhibitor, sorafenib, and palbociclib combined with recombinant methioninase were effective and regressed the osteosarcoma and de-differentiated liposarcoma PDOX models, respectively. Conclusions Novel effective drug combinations using the CDK inhibitor palbociclib were identified in PDOX models of the major types of sarcomas. Methionine restriction effected by methioninase increased the efficacy of palbociclib. Combination therapy with palbociclib is a promising future strategy for improved sarcoma therapy in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Higuchi
- AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, United States
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Kentaro Igarashi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Norio Yamamoto
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Katsuhiro Hayashi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kimura
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Shinji Miwa
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Michael Bouvet
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Hiroyuki Tsuchiya
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
- *Correspondence: Hiroyuki Tsuchiya, ; Robert M. Hoffman,
| | - Robert M. Hoffman
- AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, United States
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Hiroyuki Tsuchiya, ; Robert M. Hoffman,
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20
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Thiel JT, Daigeler A, Kolbenschlag J, Rachunek K, Hoffmann S. The Role of CDK Pathway Dysregulation and Its Therapeutic Potential in Soft Tissue Sarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:3380. [PMID: 35884441 PMCID: PMC9323700 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143380] [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: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are tumors that are challenging to treat due to their pathologic and molecular heterogeneity and their tumor biology that is not yet fully understood. Recent research indicates that dysregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) signaling pathways can be a strong driver of sarcogenesis. CDKs are enzyme forms that play a crucial role in cell-cycle control and transcription. They belong to the protein kinases group and to the serine/threonine kinases subgroup. Recently identified CDK/cyclin complexes and established CDK/cyclin complexes that regulate the cell cycle are involved in the regulation of gene expression through phosphorylation of critical components of transcription and pre-mRNA processing mechanisms. The current and continually growing body of data shows that CDKs play a decisive role in tumor development and are involved in the proliferation and growth of sarcoma cells. Since the abnormal expression or activation of large numbers of CDKs is considered to be characteristic of cancer development and progression, dysregulation of the CDK signaling pathways occurs in many subtypes of STSs. This review discusses how reversal and regulation can be achieved with new therapeutics and summarizes the current evidence from studies regarding CDK modulation for STS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Tobias Thiel
- Department of Hand, Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery, BG Unfallklinik Tuebingen, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (A.D.); (J.K.); (K.R.); (S.H.)
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