1
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Lerario AM, Mohan DR, Hammer GD. Update on Biology and Genomics of Adrenocortical Carcinomas: Rationale for Emerging Therapies. Endocr Rev 2022; 43:1051-1073. [PMID: 35551369 PMCID: PMC9695111 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnac012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The adrenal glands are paired endocrine organs that produce steroid hormones and catecholamines required for life. Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and often fatal cancer of the peripheral domain of the gland, the adrenal cortex. Recent research in adrenal development, homeostasis, and disease have refined our understanding of the cellular and molecular programs controlling cortical growth and renewal, uncovering crucial clues into how physiologic programs are hijacked in early and late stages of malignant neoplasia. Alongside these studies, genome-wide approaches to examine adrenocortical tumors have transformed our understanding of ACC biology, and revealed that ACC is composed of distinct molecular subtypes associated with favorable, intermediate, and dismal clinical outcomes. The homogeneous transcriptional and epigenetic programs prevailing in each ACC subtype suggest likely susceptibility to any of a plethora of existing and novel targeted agents, with the caveat that therapeutic response may ultimately be limited by cancer cell plasticity. Despite enormous biomedical research advances in the last decade, the only potentially curative therapy for ACC to date is primary surgical resection, and up to 75% of patients will develop metastatic disease refractory to standard-of-care adjuvant mitotane and cytotoxic chemotherapy. A comprehensive, integrated, and current bench-to-bedside understanding of our field's investigations into adrenocortical physiology and neoplasia is crucial to developing novel clinical tools and approaches to equip the one-in-a-million patient fighting this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Marcondes Lerario
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2200, USA
| | - Dipika R Mohan
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2200, USA
| | - Gary D Hammer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2200, USA
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2200, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2200, USA
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2200, USA
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2
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Antileukemic properties of the kinase inhibitor OTSSP167 in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood Adv 2022; 7:422-435. [PMID: 36399528 PMCID: PMC9979715 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2022008548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel drugs are needed to increase treatment response in children with high-risk T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Following up on our previous report on the activation of the MAP2K7-JNK pathway in pediatric T-ALL, here we demonstrate that OTSSP167, recently shown to inhibit MAP2K7, has antileukemic capacity in T-ALL. OTSSP167 exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity against a panel of T-ALL cell lines with IC50 in the nanomolar range (10-50 nM). OTSSP167 induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in T-ALL cell lines, associated at least partially with the inhibition of MAP2K7 kinase activity and lower activation of its downstream substrate, JNK. Other leukemic T-cell survival pathways, such as mTOR and NOTCH1 were also inhibited. Daily intraperitoneal administration of 10 mg/kg OTSSP167 was well tolerated, with mice showing no hematological toxicity, and effective at reducing the expansion of human T-ALL cells in a cell-based xenograft model. The same dosage of OTSSP167 efficiently controlled the leukemia burden in the blood, bone marrow, and spleen of 3 patient-derived xenografts, which resulted in prolonged survival. OTSSP167 exhibited synergistic interactions when combined with dexamethasone, L-asparaginase, vincristine, and etoposide. Our findings reveal novel antileukemic properties of OTSSP167 in T-ALL and support the use of OTSSP167 as an adjuvant drug to increase treatment response and reduce relapses in pediatric T-ALL.
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3
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Sigala S, Rossini E, Abate A, Tamburello M, Bornstein SR, Hantel C. An update on adrenocortical cell lines of human origin. Endocrine 2022; 77:432-437. [PMID: 35764904 PMCID: PMC9385758 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-022-03112-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare, heterogenous and highly malignant disease. Management of ACC is dependent on disease stage with complete surgical resection as the only potentially curative option. However, advanced, un-resectable, metastatic stages and also recurrences often require systemic treatments, which are unfortunately nowadays still unsatisfactory. The scarcity of preclinical models reflecting patient heterogeneities and furthermore drug-resistant phenotypes, has hampered the progress and development of new therapies in recent years. In this review, we provide an overview on the classical models and substantial progress which has been made over the last years in context of this aggressive disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Sigala
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Elisa Rossini
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Andrea Abate
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Mariangela Tamburello
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefan R Bornstein
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), 8091, Zürich, Switzerland
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, King's College London, London, WC2R 2LS, UK
- Center for Regenerative Therapies, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- Paul-Langerhans-Institute Dresden, Helmholtz Center Munich, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 636921, Singapore
| | - Constanze Hantel
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), 8091, Zürich, Switzerland.
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
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4
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Characterizing the single cell protein enriched noodles for nutritional and organoleptic attributes. JOURNAL OF FOOD MEASUREMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11694-022-01300-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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5
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Feng L, Sun YD, Li C, Li YX, Chen LN, Zeng R. Pan-cancer Network Disorders Revealed by Overall and Local Signaling Entropy. J Mol Cell Biol 2021; 13:622-635. [PMID: 34097054 PMCID: PMC8648393 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjab031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor development is a process involving loss of the differentiation phenotype and acquisition of stem-like characteristics, which is driven by intracellular rewiring of signaling network. The measurement of network reprogramming and disorder would be challenging due to the complexity and heterogeneity of tumors. Here, we proposed signaling entropy (SR) to assess the degree of tumor network disorder. We calculated SR for 33 tumor types in The Cancer Genome Atlas database based on transcriptomic and proteomic data. The SR of tumors was significantly higher than that of normal samples and was highly correlated with cell stemness, cancer type, tumor grade, and metastasis. We further demonstrated the sensitivity and accuracy of using local SR in prognosis prediction and drug response evaluation. Overall, SR could reveal cancer network disorders related to tumor malignant potency, clinical prognosis, and drug response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Feng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yi-Di Sun
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Chen Li
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yi-Xue Li
- Bio-Med Big Data Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Luo-Nan Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Rong Zeng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
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6
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Alzofon N, Koc K, Panwell K, Pozdeyev N, Marshall CB, Albuja-Cruz M, Raeburn CD, Nathanson KL, Cohen DL, Wierman ME, Kiseljak-Vassiliades K, Fishbein L. Mastermind Like Transcriptional Coactivator 3 (MAML3) Drives Neuroendocrine Tumor Progression. Mol Cancer Res 2021; 19:1476-1485. [PMID: 33986121 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Metastatic disease in pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PCC/PGL) is not well-understood. The Cancer Genome Atlas discovered recurrent MAML3 fusion genes in a subset of tumors that lacked known germline or somatic driver mutations and were associated with aggressive disease. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of MAML3 in tumorigenesis. Human PCC/PGLs were used for IHC and genetic analysis. Three neuroendocrine tumor cell lines, SK-N-SH, QGP-1, and BON-1, were transiently transfected with MAML3 (FL) or exon 1 deleted MAML3 (dEx1; mimicking the fusion), and biologic effects of overexpression were examined in vitro. We found 7% (4/55) of human PCC/PGL have UBTF∼MAML3 fusions and all were sporadic cases with metastatic disease. Fusion-positive tumors had intense MAML3 nuclear staining and increased β-catenin by IHC and showed increased WNT4 expression. In vitro, overexpression of FL and dEx1 MAML3 increased invasion in SK-N-SH, QGP-1, and BON-1 (all P < 0.05) and increased soft-agar colony formation in QGP-1 and BON-1 (all P < 0.05). Cotransfection with FL or dEx1 MAML3 and β-catenin increased TCF/LEF promoter activation by luciferase activity and coimmunoprecipitation confirmed interaction between MAML3 and β-catenin. These data suggest MAML3 is involved in WNT signaling pathway activation. In summary, UBTF∼MAML3 fusions are present in a subset of PCC/PGL and associated with metastatic disease without other known drivers. MAML3 overexpression led to increased tumorigenicity in neuroendocrine tumor cells and the mechanism of action may involve WNT signaling pathways. IMPLICATIONS: MAML3 increases tumorigenicity and invasion in neuroendocrine tumor cells and may be a prognostic marker for aggressive disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel Alzofon
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Katrina Koc
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Kristin Panwell
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Nikita Pozdeyev
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado.,Division of Biomedical Informatics and Personalized Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | | | - Maria Albuja-Cruz
- Division of Trauma, GI and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Christopher D Raeburn
- Division of Trauma, GI and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Katherine L Nathanson
- Department of Medicine, Translational Medicine Division and Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Debbie L Cohen
- Renal and Hypertension Division, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Margaret E Wierman
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado.,Research Service, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Katja Kiseljak-Vassiliades
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado.,Research Service, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Lauren Fishbein
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado. .,Division of Biomedical Informatics and Personalized Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
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7
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Nanba K, Blinder AR, Rainey WE. Primary Cultures and Cell Lines for In Vitro Modeling of the Human Adrenal Cortex. TOHOKU J EXP MED 2021; 253:217-232. [PMID: 33840647 DOI: 10.1620/tjem.253.217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The human adrenal cortex is a complex endocrine organ that produces mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids and androgens. These steroids are produced in distinct cell types located within the glomerulosa, fasciculata and reticularis of the adrenal cortex. Abnormal adrenal steroidogenesis leads to a variety of diseases that can cause hypertension, metabolic syndrome, infertility and premature adrenarche. The adrenal cortex can also develop steroid-producing adenomas and rarely adrenocortical carcinomas. In vitro cell culture models provide important tools to study molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling both the physiologic and pathologic conditions of the adrenal cortex. In addition, the presence of multiple steroid-metabolizing enzymes within adrenal cells makes it a model for defining possible endocrine disruptors that might block these enzymes. The regulation and dysregulation of human adrenal steroid production and cell division/tumor growth can be studied using freshly isolated cells but this requires access to human adrenal glands, which are not available to most investigators. Immortalized human adrenocortical cell lines have proven to be of considerable value in studying the molecular and biochemical mechanisms controlling adrenal steroidogenesis and tumorigenesis. Current human adrenal cell lines include the original NCI-H295 and its substrains: H295A, H295R, HAC13, HAC15, HAC50 and H295RA as well as the recently established MUC-1, CU-ACC1 and CU-ACC2. The current review will discuss the use of primary cultures of fetal and adult adrenal cells as well as adrenocortical cell lines as in vitro models for the study of human adrenal physiology and pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazutaka Nanba
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan.,Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center
| | - Amy R Blinder
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan
| | - William E Rainey
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan.,Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan
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8
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Kar A, Wierman ME, Kiseljak-Vassiliades K. Update on in-vivo preclinical research models in adrenocortical carcinoma. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes 2020; 27:170-176. [PMID: 32304391 PMCID: PMC8103733 DOI: 10.1097/med.0000000000000543] [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] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The aim of this review is to summarize recent advances on development of in vivo preclinical models of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). RECENT FINDINGS Significant progress has been achieved in the underlying molecular mechanisms of adrenocortical tumorigenesis over the last decade, and recent comprehensive profiling analysis of ACC tumors identified several genetic and molecular drivers of this disease. Therapeutic breakthroughs, however, have been limited because of the lack of preclinical models recapitulating the molecular features and heterogeneity of the tumors. Recent publications on genetically engineered mouse models and development of patient-derived ACC xenografts in both nude mice and humanized mice now provide researchers with novel tools to explore therapeutic targets in the context of heterogeneity and tumor microenvironment in human ACC. SUMMARY We review current in-vivo models of ACC and discuss potential therapeutic opportunities that have emerged from these studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adwitiya Kar
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora
| | - Margaret E. Wierman
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora
- Research Service, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Katja Kiseljak-Vassiliades
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora
- Research Service, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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9
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Ettaieb M, Kerkhofs T, van Engeland M, Haak H. Past, Present and Future of Epigenetics in Adrenocortical Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12051218. [PMID: 32414074 PMCID: PMC7281315 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12051218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation profiling has been suggested a reliable technique to distinguish between benign and malignant adrenocortical tumors, a process which with current diagnostic methods remains challenging and lacks diagnostic accuracy of borderline tumors. Accurate distinction between benign and malignant adrenal tumors is of the essence, since ACC is a rare but aggressive endocrine disease with an annual incidence of about 2.0 cases per million people per year. The estimated five-year overall survival rate for ACC patients is <50%. However, available treatment regimens are limited, in which a radical surgical resection is the only curable option. Nevertheless, up to 85% of patients with radical resection show recurrence of the local disease often with concurrent metastases. Adrenolytic therapy with mitotane, administered alone or in combination with cytotoxic agents, is currently the primary (palliative) treatment for patients with advanced ACC and is increasingly used in adjuvant setting to prevent recurrence. Prognostic stratification is important in order to individualize adjuvant therapies. On April 1, 2020, there were 7404 publications on adrenocortical carcinoma (adrenocortical carcinoma) OR adrenocortical carcinoma [MeSH Terms]) OR adrenal cortex cancer[MeSH Terms]) OR adrenal cortical carcinoma [MeSH Terms]) OR adrenal cortex neoplasm [MeSH Terms]) OR adrenocortical cancer [MeSH Terms]), yet the underlying pathophysiology and characteristics of ACC is not fully understood. Knowledge on epigenetic alterations in the process of adrenal tumorigenesis is rapidly increasing and will add to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of ACC. DNA methylation profiling has been heralded as a promising method in the prognostication of ACC. This review summarizes recent findings on epigenetics of ACC and its role in diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Ettaieb
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Maxima Medical Center, 5631 Eindhoven/Veldhoven, The Netherlands;
- Correspondence:
| | - Thomas Kerkhofs
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Maastricht University Medical Center, 6229 Maastricht, The Netherlands;
| | - Manon van Engeland
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, 6229 Maastricht, The Netherlands;
| | - Harm Haak
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Maxima Medical Center, 5631 Eindhoven/Veldhoven, The Netherlands;
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, 6229 Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Health Services Research and CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University Medical Center, 6229 Maastricht, The Netherlands
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10
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Schreiber AR, Kar A, Goodspeed AE, Pozdeyev N, Somerset H, Raeburn CD, Tan AC, Leong S, Wierman ME, Kiseljak-Vassiliades K. Leptomeningeal Metastasis from Adrenocortical Carcinoma: A Case Report. J Endocr Soc 2020; 4:bvaa017. [PMID: 32154490 PMCID: PMC7053406 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvaa017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an uncommon endocrine malignancy with limited treatment options. While the overall 5-year survival rate in patients with ACC is 35%, the disease is often rapidly progressive with long-term survival in only 5% of patients. Although tumor stage, grade, and excess hormonal activity predict unfavorable prognosis, additional biomarkers are needed to identify patients with aggressive disease. A 23-year-old woman presented with rapidly progressing signs and symptoms of Cushing's syndrome, with associated abdominal pain and fullness. Evaluation revealed a large left adrenal mass which had developed over 8 months. En bloc surgical resection was performed by an endocrine surgeon, and pathology revealed adrenocortical carcinoma with Ki67 of 60%. Despite adjuvant treatment with mitotane and etoposide-doxorubicin-carboplatin chemotherapy, the patient had rapid disease progression with metastatic spread to liver, lung, bone, brain, and leptomeningies, and she died 11 months after the initial diagnosis. Subsequent analysis of the patient's tumor revealed mutations in TP53 and MEN1. RNA sequencing was compared against the the Cancer Genome Atlas data set and clustered with the high steroid, proliferative subtype, associated with the worst prognosis. The tumor also demonstrated a low BUB1B/PINK1 ratio and G0S2 hypermethylation, both predictive of very aggressive ACC. This case represents a subset of ACC characterized by rapid and fatal progression. Clinically available predictors as well as recently reported molecular signatures and biomarkers correlated with this tumor's aggressiveness, suggesting that development and validation of combinations of biomarkers may be useful in guiding personalized approaches to patients with ACC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna R Schreiber
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Adwitiya Kar
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Andrew E Goodspeed
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Nikita Pozdeyev
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Hilary Somerset
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora Colorado
| | - Christopher D Raeburn
- Department of Surgery, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora Colorado
| | - Aik-Choon Tan
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora Colorado
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Stephen Leong
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, Colorado
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora Colorado
| | - Margaret E Wierman
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
- Research Service Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora Colorado
| | - Katja Kiseljak-Vassiliades
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
- Research Service Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora Colorado
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11
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Liu S, Tian W, Li B. Integrative Bioinformatics Analysis Identifies NEK2 as a Potential Biomarker in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. J Comput Biol 2020; 27:100-108. [PMID: 31460782 DOI: 10.1089/cmb.2019.0208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenjuan Tian
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Burong Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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12
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Chen S, Zhou Q, Guo Z, Wang Y, Wang L, Liu X, Lu M, Ju L, Xiao Y, Wang X. Inhibition of MELK produces potential anti-tumour effects in bladder cancer by inducing G1/S cell cycle arrest via the ATM/CHK2/p53 pathway. J Cell Mol Med 2019; 24:1804-1821. [PMID: 31821699 PMCID: PMC6991658 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We aimed to investigate the biological function of MELK and the therapeutic potential of OTSSP167 in human bladder cancer (BCa). First, we observed overexpression of MELK in BCa cell lines and tissues and found that it was associated with higher tumour stage and tumour grade, which was consistent with transcriptome analysis. High expression of MELK was significantly correlated with poor prognosis in BCa patients, and MELK was found to have a role in the cell cycle, the G1/S transition in mitosis, and DNA repair and replication. Furthermore, BCa cells presented significantly decreased proliferation capacity following silencing of MELK or treatment with OTSSP167 in vitro and in vivo. Functionally, reduction in MELK or treatment of cells with OTSSP167 could induce cell cycle arrest and could suppress migration. In addition, these treatments could activate phosphorylation of ATM and CHK2, which would be accompanied by down‐regulated MDMX, cyclin D1, CDK2 and E2F1; however, p53 and p21 would be activated. Opposite results were observed when MELK expression was induced. Overall, MELK was found to be a novel oncogene in BCa that induces cell cycle arrest via the ATM/CHK2/p53 pathway. OTSSP167 displays potent anti‐tumour activities, which may provide a new molecule‐based strategy for BCa treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Chen
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiang Zhou
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zicheng Guo
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Department of Urology, Enshi Clinical College of Wuhan University, Enshi, China
| | - Yejinpeng Wang
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Department of Urology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xuefeng Liu
- Department of Pathology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Mengxin Lu
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lingao Ju
- Department of Biological Repositories, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Human Genetics Resource Preservation Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Xiao
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Department of Biological Repositories, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Human Genetics Resource Preservation Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinghuan Wang
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Human Genetics Resource Preservation Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China.,Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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13
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Kar A, Zhang Y, Yacob BW, Saeed J, Tompkins KD, Bagby SM, Pitts TM, Somerset H, Leong S, Wierman ME, Kiseljak-Vassiliades K. Targeting PDZ-binding kinase is anti-tumorigenic in novel preclinical models of ACC. Endocr Relat Cancer 2019; 26:765-778. [PMID: 31325906 PMCID: PMC6938568 DOI: 10.1530/erc-19-0262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an aggressive orphan malignancy with less than 35% 5-year survival and 75% recurrence. Surgery remains the primary therapy and mitotane, an adrenolytic, is the only FDA-approved drug with wide-range toxicities and poor tolerability. There are no targeted agents available to date. For the last three decades, H295R cell line and its xenograft were the only available preclinical models. We recently developed two new ACC patient-derived xenograft mouse models and corresponding cell lines (CU-ACC1 and CU-ACC2) to advance research in the field. Here, we have utilized these novel models along with H295R cells to establish the mitotic PDZ-binding kinase (PBK) as a promising therapeutic target. PBK is overexpressed in ACC samples and correlates with poor survival. We show that PBK is regulated by FOXM1 and targeting PBK via shRNA decreased cell proliferation, clonogenicity and anchorage-independent growth in ACC cell lines. PBK silencing inhibited pAkt, pp38MAPK and pHistone H3 altering the cell cycle. Therapeutically, targeting PBK with the small-molecule inhibitor HITOPK032 phenocopied PBK-specific modulation of pAkt and pHistone H3, but also induced apoptosis via activation of JNK. Consistent with in vitro findings, treatment of CU-ACC1 PDXs with HITOPK032 significantly reduced tumor growth by 5-fold (P < 0.01). Treated tumor tissues demonstrated increased rates of apoptosis and JNK activation, with decreased pAkt and Histone H3 phosphorylation, consistent with effects observed in ACC cell lines. Together these studies elucidate the mechanism of PBK in ACC tumorigenesis and establish the potential therapeutic potential of HITOPK032 in ACC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adwitiya Kar
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Yu Zhang
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Betelehem W. Yacob
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Jordan Saeed
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Kenneth D. Tompkins
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Stacey M. Bagby
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Todd M. Pitts
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Hilary Somerset
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Stephen Leong
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Margaret E. Wierman
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora, CO 80045
- Research Service, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Katja Kiseljak-Vassiliades
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora, CO 80045
- Research Service, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, CO 80045
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14
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Hadjidemetriou I, Mariniello K, Ruiz-Babot G, Pittaway J, Mancini A, Mariannis D, Gomez-Sanchez CE, Parvanta L, Drake WM, Chung TT, Abdel-Aziz TE, DiMarco A, Palazzo FF, Wierman ME, Kiseljak-Vassiliades K, King PJ, Guasti L. DLK1/PREF1 marks a novel cell population in the human adrenal cortex. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2019; 193:105422. [PMID: 31265901 PMCID: PMC6736711 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.105422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The adrenal cortex governs fundamental metabolic processes though synthesis of glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoids and androgens. Studies in rodents have demonstrated that the cortex undergoes a self-renewal process and that capsular/subcapsular stem/progenitor cell pools differentiate towards functional steroidogenic cells supporting the dynamic centripetal streaming of adrenocortical cells throughout life. We previously demonstrated that the Notch atypical ligand Delta-like homologue 1 (DLK1)/preadipocyte factor 1 (PREF1) is expressed in subcapsular Sf1 and Shh-positive, CYP11B1-negative and CYP11B2-partially positive cortical progenitor cells in rat adrenals, and that secreted DLK1 can modulate GLI1 expression in H295R cells. Here we show that the human adrenal cortex remodels with age to generate clusters of relatively undifferentiated cells expressing DLK1. These clusters (named DLK1-expressing cell clusters or DCCs) increased with age in size and were found to be different entities to aldosterone-producing cell clusters, another well-characterized and age-dependent cluster structure. DLK1 was markedly overexpressed in adrenocortical carcinomas but not in aldosterone-producing adenomas. Thus, this data identifies a novel cell population in the human adrenal cortex and might suggest a yet-to be identified role of DLK1 in the pathogenesis of adrenocortical carcinoma in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Hadjidemetriou
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Bart's and the London, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Katia Mariniello
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Bart's and the London, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Gerard Ruiz-Babot
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Bart's and the London, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - James Pittaway
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Bart's and the London, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Alessandra Mancini
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Bart's and the London, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Demetris Mariannis
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Bart's and the London, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Celso E Gomez-Sanchez
- G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center and Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Centre, Jackson MS, USA
| | - Laila Parvanta
- Department of Surgery, St Bartholomew's Hospital, West Smithfield, London, EC1A 7BE, UK
| | - William M Drake
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Bart's and the London, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Teng-Teng Chung
- Department of Endocrinology, University College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, NW1 2PG, London, UK
| | - Tarek Ezzat Abdel-Aziz
- Department of Endocrinology, University College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, NW1 2PG, London, UK
| | - Aimee DiMarco
- Department of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgery, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Fausto F Palazzo
- Department of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgery, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Margaret E Wierman
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA; Research Service, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Katja Kiseljak-Vassiliades
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA; Research Service, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Peter J King
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Bart's and the London, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Leonardo Guasti
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Bart's and the London, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
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15
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Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an uncommon and heterogeneous disease and may present differently in children and adults. Management of ACC is dependent on disease stage and complete surgical resection is the only potentially curative treatment. The first and most extensively used adrenocortical cancer cell line, as model system to examine mechanisms controlling normal and pathologic function of adrenal cortex, was initially isolated in 1980. Although NCI-H295 maintained steroid capabilities and adrenocortical characteristics, the lack of new cell lines and animal models of ACC has hampered the progress and development of new therapies. In this review we provide description of cellular and patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDTX) models of ACC generated for the elucidation of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms and preclinical functional studies for this aggressive disease.
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16
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Identification of important invasion and proliferation related genes in adrenocortical carcinoma. Med Oncol 2019; 36:73. [DOI: 10.1007/s12032-019-1296-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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17
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Mohan DR, Lerario AM, Else T, Mukherjee B, Almeida MQ, Vinco M, Rege J, Mariani BMP, Zerbini MCN, Mendonca BB, Latronico AC, Marie SKN, Rainey WE, Giordano TJ, Fragoso MCBV, Hammer GD. Targeted Assessment of G0S2 Methylation Identifies a Rapidly Recurrent, Routinely Fatal Molecular Subtype of Adrenocortical Carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2019; 25:3276-3288. [PMID: 30770352 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-2693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare, aggressive malignancy with few therapies; however, patients with locoregional disease have variable outcomes. The Cancer Genome Atlas project on ACC (ACC-TCGA) identified that cancers of patients with homogeneously rapidly recurrent or fatal disease bear a unique CpG island hypermethylation phenotype, "CIMP-high." We sought to identify a biomarker that faithfully captures this subgroup.Experimental Design: We analyzed ACC-TCGA data to characterize differentially regulated biological processes, and identify a biomarker that is methylated and silenced exclusively in CIMP-high ACC. In an independent cohort of 114 adrenocortical tumors (80 treatment-naive primary ACC, 22 adrenocortical adenomas, and 12 non-naive/nonprimary ACC), we evaluated biomarker methylation by a restriction digest/qPCR-based approach, validated by targeted bisulfite sequencing. We evaluated expression of this biomarker and additional prognostic markers by qPCR. RESULTS We show that CIMP-high ACC is characterized by upregulation of cell cycle and DNA damage response programs, and identify that hypermethylation and silencing of G0S2 distinguishes this subgroup. We confirmed G0S2 hypermethylation and silencing is exclusive to 40% of ACC, and independently predicts shorter disease-free and overall survival (median 14 and 17 months, respectively). Finally, G0S2 methylation combined with validated molecular markers (BUB1B-PINK1) stratifies ACC into three groups, with uniformly favorable, intermediate, and uniformly dismal outcomes. CONCLUSIONS G0S2 hypermethylation is a hallmark of rapidly recurrent or fatal ACC, amenable to targeted assessment using routine molecular diagnostics. Assessing G0S2 methylation is straightforward, feasible for clinical decision-making, and will enable the direction of efficacious adjuvant therapies for patients with aggressive ACC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipika R Mohan
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Doctoral Program in Cancer Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Antonio Marcondes Lerario
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Unidade de Suprarrenal, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular/LIM42, Hospital das Clínicas, Disciplina de Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Tobias Else
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Bhramar Mukherjee
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Madson Q Almeida
- Unidade de Suprarrenal, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular/LIM42, Hospital das Clínicas, Disciplina de Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo - ICESP, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Michelle Vinco
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Juilee Rege
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Beatriz M P Mariani
- Unidade de Suprarrenal, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular/LIM42, Hospital das Clínicas, Disciplina de Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Claudia N Zerbini
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Berenice B Mendonca
- Unidade de Endocrinologia do Desenvolvimento, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular/LIM42, Hospital das Clínicas, Disciplina de Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Claudia Latronico
- Unidade de Endocrinologia do Desenvolvimento, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular/LIM42, Hospital das Clínicas, Disciplina de Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Suely K N Marie
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Celular/LIM15, Departamento de Neurologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - William E Rainey
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Thomas J Giordano
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Maria Candida B V Fragoso
- Unidade de Suprarrenal, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular/LIM42, Hospital das Clínicas, Disciplina de Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo - ICESP, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Gary D Hammer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. .,Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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18
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Wang Y, Li BB, Li J, Roberts TM, Zhao JJ. A Conditional Dependency on MELK for the Proliferation of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells. iScience 2018; 9:149-160. [PMID: 30391850 PMCID: PMC6215964 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2018.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of maternal and embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) in cancer cell proliferation has been contentious, with recent studies arriving at disparate conclusions. We investigated the in vitro dependency of cancer cells on MELK under a range of assay conditions. Abrogation of MELK expression has little effect under common culture conditions, in which cells are seeded at high densities and reach confluence in 3–5 days. However, MELK dependency becomes clearly apparent in clonogenic growth assays using either RNAi or CRISPR technologies to modulate MELK expression. This dependency is in sharp contrast to that of essential genes, such as those encoding classic mitotic kinases, but is similar to that of other oncogenes including MYC and KRAS. Our study provides an example demonstrating some of the challenges encountered in cancer target validation, and reveals how subtle, but important, technical variations can ultimately lead to divergent outcomes and conclusions. Inhibiting MELK expression compromises clonogenic growth of cancer cells MELK depletion minimally affects non-clonogenic cell growth MELK depletion by RNAi or CRISPR has similar effects on cell growth Cancer cell dependency on MELK is similar to that on classic oncogenes
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Affiliation(s)
- Yubao Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Ben B Li
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Thomas M Roberts
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jean J Zhao
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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19
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Mohan DR, Lerario AM, Hammer GD. Therapeutic Targets for Adrenocortical Carcinoma in the Genomics Era. J Endocr Soc 2018; 2:1259-1274. [PMID: 30402590 PMCID: PMC6215083 DOI: 10.1210/js.2018-00197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and often fatal cancer, affecting ~1 person per million per year worldwide. Approximately 75% of patients with ACC eventually develop metastases and progress on the few available standard-of-care medical therapies, highlighting an incredible need for an improved understanding of the molecular biology of this disease. Although it has long been known that ACC is characterized by certain histological and genetic features (e.g., high mitotic activity, chromosomal instability, and overexpression of IGF2), only in the last two decades of genomics has the molecular landscape of ACC been more thoroughly characterized. In this review, we describe the findings of historical genetics and recent genomics studies on ACC and discuss how underlying concepts emerging from these studies contribute to the current model of critical pathways for adrenocortical carcinogenesis. Integrative synthesis across these studies reveals that ACC consists of three distinct molecular subtypes with divergent clinical outcomes and implicates differential regulation of Wnt signaling, cell cycle, DNA methylation, immune biology, and steroidogenesis in ACC biology. These cellular programs are pharmacologically targetable and may enable the development of therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes for patients facing this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipika R Mohan
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Doctoral Program in Cancer Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Antonio Marcondes Lerario
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Gary D Hammer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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