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Lee WG, Asuelime GE, Asuelime-Smith MBT, Chen SY, Kim ES. Differential RNA Expression Between Metastatic and Primary Neuroblastoma Cells. J Surg Res 2024; 298:240-250. [PMID: 38631173 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2024.03.032] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extra-cranial malignancy in children. Poor survival in high-risk NB is attributed to recurrent metastatic disease. To better study metastatic disease, we used a novel mouse model to investigate differential gene expression between primary tumor cells and metastatic cells. We hypothesized that metastatic NB cells have a different gene expression profile from primary tumor cells and cultured cells. METHODS Using three human NB cell lines (NGP, CHLA255, and SH-SY5Y), orthotopic xenografts were established in immunodeficient nod/scid gamma mice via subcapsular renal injection. Mice were sacrificed and NB cells were isolated from the primary tumor and from sites of metastasis (bone marrow, liver). RNA sequencing, gene set analysis, and pathway analysis were performed to identify differentially expressed genes and molecular pathways in the metastatic cells compared to primary tumor cells. RESULTS There were 266 differentially expressed genes in metastatic tumor cells (bone marrow and liver combined) compared to primary tumor cells. The top upregulated gene was KCNK1 and the top downregulated genes were PDE7B and NEBL. Top upregulated pathways in the metastatic cells were involved in ion transport, cell signaling, and cell proliferation. Top downregulated pathways were involved in DNA synthesis, transcription, and cellular metabolism. CONCLUSIONS In metastatic NB cells, our study identified the upregulation of biologic processes involved in cell cycle regulation, cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Ongoing studies aim to validate downstream translation of these genomic alterations, as well as target these pathways to more effectively suppress and inhibit recurrent metastatic disease in NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- William G Lee
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Division of Pediatric Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Grace E Asuelime
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | | | - Stephanie Y Chen
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Division of Pediatric Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Eugene S Kim
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Division of Pediatric Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California; Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
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2
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Capasso M, Brignole C, Lasorsa VA, Bensa V, Cantalupo S, Sebastiani E, Quattrone A, Ciampi E, Avitabile M, Sementa AR, Mazzocco K, Cafferata B, Gaggero G, Vellone VG, Cilli M, Calarco E, Giusto E, Perri P, Aveic S, Fruci D, Tondo A, Luksch R, Mura R, Rabusin M, De Leonardis F, Cellini M, Coccia P, Iolascon A, Corrias MV, Conte M, Garaventa A, Amoroso L, Ponzoni M, Pastorino F. From the identification of actionable molecular targets to the generation of faithful neuroblastoma patient-derived preclinical models. J Transl Med 2024; 22:151. [PMID: 38351008 PMCID: PMC10863144 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-04954-w] [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: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma (NB) represents the most frequent and aggressive form of extracranial solid tumor of infants. Although the overall survival of patients with NB has improved in the last years, more than 50% of high-risk patients still undergo a relapse. Thus, in the era of precision/personalized medicine, the need for high-risk NB patient-specific therapies is urgent. METHODS Within the PeRsonalizEd Medicine (PREME) program, patient-derived NB tumors and bone marrow (BM)-infiltrating NB cells, derived from either iliac crests or tumor bone lesions, underwent to histological and to flow cytometry immunophenotyping, respectively. BM samples containing a NB cells infiltration from 1 to 50 percent, underwent to a subsequent NB cells enrichment using immune-magnetic manipulation. Then, NB samples were used for the identification of actionable targets and for the generation of 3D/tumor-spheres and Patient-Derived Xenografts (PDX) and Cell PDX (CPDX) preclinical models. RESULTS Eighty-four percent of NB-patients showed potentially therapeutically targetable somatic alterations (including point mutations, copy number variations and mRNA over-expression). Sixty-six percent of samples showed alterations, graded as "very high priority", that are validated to be directly targetable by an approved drug or an investigational agent. A molecular targeted therapy was applied for four patients, while a genetic counseling was suggested to two patients having one pathogenic germline variant in known cancer predisposition genes. Out of eleven samples implanted in mice, five gave rise to (C)PDX, all preserved in a local PDX Bio-bank. Interestingly, comparing all molecular alterations and histological and immunophenotypic features among the original patient's tumors and PDX/CPDX up to second generation, a high grade of similarity was observed. Notably, also 3D models conserved immunophenotypic features and molecular alterations of the original tumors. CONCLUSIONS PREME confirms the possibility of identifying targetable genomic alterations in NB, indeed, a molecular targeted therapy was applied to four NB patients. PREME paves the way to the creation of clinically relevant repositories of faithful patient-derived (C)PDX and 3D models, on which testing precision, NB standard-of-care and experimental medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Capasso
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80138, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Advanced Biotecnology, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Brignole
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Veronica Bensa
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Sueva Cantalupo
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80138, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Advanced Biotecnology, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Eleonora Ciampi
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marianna Avitabile
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80138, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Advanced Biotecnology, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela R Sementa
- Pathological Anatomy, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Katia Mazzocco
- Pathological Anatomy, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Barbara Cafferata
- Pathological Anatomy, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gabriele Gaggero
- Pathological Anatomy, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Valerio G Vellone
- Pathological Anatomy, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michele Cilli
- Animal Facility, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, 16100, Genoa, Italy
| | - Enzo Calarco
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elena Giusto
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Patrizia Perri
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Sanja Aveic
- Pediatric Research Institute Città Della Speranza, 35127, Padua, Italy
| | - Doriana Fruci
- Department of Emato-Oncology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, 00146, -Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Tondo
- Department of Emato-Oncology, Anna Meyer Children's Hospital, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Roberto Luksch
- Emato-Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Rossella Mura
- Emato-Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Brotzu, 09047, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marco Rabusin
- Pediatric Department, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34137, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Monica Cellini
- Emato-Oncology Unit, University-Hospital Polyclinic of Modena, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Paola Coccia
- University-Hospital of Marche, Presidio Ospedaliero "G. Salesi", 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - Achille Iolascon
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80138, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Advanced Biotecnology, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria V Corrias
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Massimo Conte
- Clinical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, -Genoa, Italy
| | - Alberto Garaventa
- Clinical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, -Genoa, Italy
| | - Loredana Amoroso
- Clinical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, -Genoa, Italy
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
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Chung YH, Ortega-Rivera OA, Volckaert BA, Jung E, Zhao Z, Steinmetz NF. Viral nanoparticle vaccines against S100A9 reduce lung tumor seeding and metastasis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2221859120. [PMID: 37844250 PMCID: PMC10614828 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2221859120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic cancer accounts for 90% of all cancer-related deaths and continues to be one of the toughest challenges in cancer treatment. A growing body of data indicates that S100A9, a major regulator of inflammation, plays a central role in cancer progression and metastasis, particularly in the lungs, where S100A9 forms a premetastatic niche. Thus, we developed a vaccine against S100A9 derived from plant viruses and virus-like particles. Using multiple tumor mouse models, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the S100A9 vaccine candidates in preventing tumor seeding within the lungs and outgrowth of metastatic disease. The elicited antibodies showed high specificity toward S100A9 without cross-reactivity toward S100A8, another member of the S100A family. When tested in metastatic mouse models of breast cancer and melanoma, the vaccines significantly reduced lung tumor nodules after intravenous challenge or postsurgical removal of the primary tumor. Mechanistically, the vaccines reduce the levels of S100A9 within the lungs and sera, thereby increasing the expression of immunostimulatory cytokines with antitumor function [(interleukin) IL-12 and interferonγ] while reducing levels of immunosuppressive cytokines (IL-10 and transforming growth factorβ). This also correlated with decreased myeloid-derived suppressor cell populations within the lungs. This work has wide-ranging impact, as S100A9 is overexpressed in multiple cancers and linked with poor prognosis in cancer patients. The data presented lay the foundation for the development of therapies and vaccines targeting S100A9 to prevent metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Hun Chung
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, CA92093
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, CA92093
| | | | | | - Eunkyeong Jung
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, CA92093
| | - Zhongchao Zhao
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, CA92093
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, CA92093
| | - Nicole F. Steinmetz
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, CA92093
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, CA92093
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, CA92093
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, CA92093
- Institute for Materials Discovery and Design, University of California, San Diego, CA92093
- Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, CA92093
- Center for Engineering in Cancer, University of California, San Diego, CA92093
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Li X, Wang Q, Xu C, Zhang L, Zhou J, Lv J, Xu M, Jiang D. Ferroptosis Inducers Kill Mesenchymal Stem Cells Affected by Neuroblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041301. [PMID: 36831642 PMCID: PMC9954189 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Bone marrow (BM) is the most common site of neuroblastoma (NB) metastasis, and its involvement represents poor patient prognosis. In accordance with the "seed and soil" theory of tumor metastasis, BM provides a favorable environment for NB metastasis while bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have been recognized as a central part of tumor stroma formation. Yet, there is currently no effective method for intervening these BMSCs. We found that BMSCs affected by NB (NB-BMSCs) could significantly promote NB growth and migration. Additionally, tumor cell-endowed BMSCs showed stronger resistance to several chemotherapeutic agents. Surprisingly, NB-BMSCs were more sensitive to ferroptosis than normal BMSCs. NB-BMSCs had lower levels of intracellular free iron while synthesizing more iron-sulfur clusters and heme. Moreover, the Xc-/glutathione/glutathione peroxidase 4 (Xc-/GSH/GPX4) pathway of the anti-ferroptosis system was significantly downregulated. Accordingly, ferroptosis inducers erastin and RAS-selective lethal 3 (RSL3) could significantly kill NB-BMSCs with limited effects on normal BMSCs. BMSCs from NB patients with BM metastasis also showed poor anti-ferroptosis ability compared with those from NB patients without BM metastasis. In vivo studies suggested that co-injection of mice with BMSCs and NB cells could significantly promote the growth of tumor tissues compared with injecting NB cells alone. However, treatment with erastin or RSL3 resulted in the opposite effect to some extent. Our results revealed that NB-BMSCs were vulnerable to ferroptosis from downregulation of the Xc-/GSH/GPX4 pathway. Ferroptosis inducers could effectively kill NB-BMSCs, but not normal BMSCs. This study provides possible new ideas for the treatment of tumor-associated BMSCs in NB patients.
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Pastorino F, Capasso M, Brignole C, Lasorsa VA, Bensa V, Perri P, Cantalupo S, Giglio S, Provenzi M, Rabusin M, Pota E, Cellini M, Tondo A, De Ioris MA, Sementa AR, Garaventa A, Ponzoni M, Amoroso L. Therapeutic Targeting of ALK in Neuroblastoma: Experience of Italian Precision Medicine in Pediatric Oncology. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030560. [PMID: 36765519 PMCID: PMC9913103 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood. Patients with relapsed/refractory disease have a poor prognosis, and additional therapeutic options are needed. Mutations and amplifications in the ALK (Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase) gene constitute a key target for treatment. Our goal, within the Italian project of PeRsonalizEdMEdicine (PREME), was to evaluate the genomic status of patients with relapsed/refractory NB and to implement targeted therapies in those with targetable mutations. From November 2018 to November 2021, we performed Whole Exome Sequencing or Targeted Gene Panel Sequencing in relapsed/refractory NB patients in order to identify druggable variants. Activating mutations of ALK were identified in 8(28.57%) of 28 relapsed/refractory NB patients. The mutation p.F1174L was found in six patients, whereas p.R1275Q was found in one and the unknown mutation p.S104R in another. Three patients died before treatment could be started, while five patients received crizotinib: two in monotherapy (one with p.F1174L and the other with p.S104R) and three (with p.F1174L variant) in combination with chemotherapy. All treated patients showed a clinical improvement, and one had complete remission after two cycles of combined treatment. The most common treatment-related toxicities were hematological. ALK inhibitors may play an important role in the treatment of ALK-mutated NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Pastorino
- UOSD Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Mario Capasso
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Via G. Salvatore, 486, 80145 Napoli, Italy
| | - Chiara Brignole
- UOSD Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Vito A. Lasorsa
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Via G. Salvatore, 486, 80145 Napoli, Italy
| | - Veronica Bensa
- UOSD Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Patrizia Perri
- UOSD Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Sueva Cantalupo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Via G. Salvatore, 486, 80145 Napoli, Italy
| | - Serena Giglio
- UO Pediatria-Neonatologia/Nido PO A. Ajello ASP Trapani, 91100 Trapani, Italy
| | - Massimo Provenzi
- Pediatric Oncology, Ospedale Papa Giovanni XXIII, Piazza Organizzazione Mondiale Sanità 1, 24127 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Marco Rabusin
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Via dell’Istria 65/1, 34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Elvira Pota
- UOSD di Ematologia ed Oncologia Pediatrica, Università Degli Studi Della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli,” Piazza Luigi Miraglia 2, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Monica Cellini
- Division of Paediatric Hemato-Oncology, University Hospital Azienda Policlinico di Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41124 Modena, Italy
| | - Annalisa Tondo
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Anna Meyer Children’s Hospital, VialePieraccini 24, 50139 Firenze, Italy
| | - Maria A. De Ioris
- Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Angela R. Sementa
- Dipartimento di Patologia, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Alberto Garaventa
- UOC Oncologia, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- UOSD Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-01056363539; Fax: +39-0103779820
| | - Loredana Amoroso
- UOC Oncologia, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
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Cangelosi D, Brignole C, Bensa V, Tamma R, Malaguti F, Carlini B, Giusto E, Calarco E, Perri P, Ribatti D, Fonseca NA, Moreira JN, Eva A, Amoroso L, Conte M, Garaventa A, Sementa AR, Corrias MV, Ponzoni M, Pastorino F. Nucleolin expression has prognostic value in neuroblastoma patients. EBioMedicine 2022; 85:104300. [PMID: 36209521 PMCID: PMC9547201 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104300] [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: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma (NB) represents the most frequent form of extra-cranial solid tumour of infants, responsible for 15% of childhood cancer deaths. Nucleolin (NCL) prognostic value in NB was investigated. METHODS NCL protein expression was retrospectively evaluated in tumour samples of NB patients at diagnosis and after chemotherapy. NCL prognostic value at mRNA level was assessed in a cohort of 20 patients with stage 4 NB (qPCR20, n=20, discovery dataset) and in the MultiPlatform786 including 786 patients of all stages (validation dataset). Overall and event-free survival curves were plotted by Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log-rank test. FINDINGS NCL protein, down-modulated after chemotherapy in association with features of neuroblastic differentiation,resulted statistically significantly overexpressed in NB tumours and higher in stage 4 compared to stage 1,2,3 patients. In the stage 4 patients cohort qPCR20, patients with high NCLmRNA expression revealed a statisticallysignificant lower survival probability than those with low NCL expression (OS: HR 4.1 95%CI 1.2-13.8;p=0.0215[Log-rank test], EFS: HR 4.1 95%CI 1.2-14.0, p=0.0197[Log-rank test]). In the MultiPlatform786 (n=786), multivariate analysis suggested thatNCL expression has a statistically significant prognostic value even in the model adjusted for established prognostic markers. NCL expression significantly stratified also patients with >18 months and stage 4 tumour (OS: HR 1.8 95%CI 1.2-2.7, p=0.0009[Log-rank test]; EFS: HR 1.7 95%CI 1.1-2.5, p=0.002[Log-rank test]), patients with>18 months stage 4 with MYCN non amplified tumour[EFS: HR 2.3 95%CI 1.2-4.7, p=0.01[Log-rank test]), and patients with MYCN non amplified and MYC high [OS: HR 11.9 95%CI 2.3-62.4, p=0.003[Log-rank test]; EFS: HR 7.2 95%CI 1.6-33.4, p=0.01[Log-rank test]). A statistically significant correlation between NCL and MYCN, MYC, and TERT was found in independent datasets (MultiPlatform786 (n=786) and Agilent394 (n=394). Gene set enrichment analysis revealed a statisticallysignificant positive enrichment of MYC target genes and genes involved in telomerase maintenance. INTERPRETATION NCL is a novel and independent (adjusting for age, INSS stage, and MYCN status) prognostic marker for NB. FUNDING IMH-EuroNanoMed II-2015 and AIRC-IG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Cangelosi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Chiara Brignole
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Veronica Bensa
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Roberto Tamma
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences, and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Fabiana Malaguti
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS IstitutoGianninaGaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Barbara Carlini
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS IstitutoGianninaGaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elena Giusto
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Enzo Calarco
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Patrizia Perri
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Domenico Ribatti
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences, and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Nuno André Fonseca
- CNC – Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joao Nuno Moreira
- CNC – Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Coimbra, Portugal,Univ Coimbra – University of Coimbra, CIBB, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Alessandra Eva
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Massimo Conte
- UOC Oncologia, IRCCS IstitutoGiannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | | | | | - Maria Valeria Corrias
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy,Corresponding authors.
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy,Corresponding authors.
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HLA-G and Other Immune Checkpoint Molecules as Targets for Novel Combined Immunotherapies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23062925. [PMID: 35328349 PMCID: PMC8948858 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23062925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
HLA-G is an HLA-class Ib molecule that is involved in the establishment of tolerance at the maternal/fetal interface during pregnancy. The expression of HLA-G is highly restricted in adults, but the de novo expression of this molecule may be observed in different hematological and solid tumors and is related to cancer progression. Indeed, tumor cells expressing high levels of HLA-G are able to suppress anti-tumor responses, thus escaping from the control of the immune system. HLA-G has been proposed as an immune checkpoint (IC) molecule due to its crucial role in tumor progression, immune escape, and metastatic spread. We here review data available in the literature in which the interaction between HLA-G and other IC molecules is reported, in particular PD-1, CTLA-4, and TIM-3, but also IDO and TIGIT. Clinical trials using monoclonal antibodies against HLA-G and other IC are currently ongoing with cancer patients where antibodies and inhibitors of PD-1 and CTLA-4 showed encouraging results. With this background, we may envisage that combined therapies using antibodies targeting HLA-G and another IC may be successful for clinical purposes. Indeed, such immunotherapeutic protocols may achieve a better rescue of effective anti-tumor immune response, thus improving the clinical outcome of patients.
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Ban J, Fock V, Aryee DNT, Kovar H. Mechanisms, Diagnosis and Treatment of Bone Metastases. Cells 2021; 10:2944. [PMID: 34831167 PMCID: PMC8616226 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone and bone marrow are among the most frequent metastatic sites of cancer. The occurrence of bone metastasis is frequently associated with a dismal disease outcome. The prevention and therapy of bone metastases is a priority in the treatment of cancer patients. However, current therapeutic options for patients with bone metastatic disease are limited in efficacy and associated with increased morbidity. Therefore, most current therapies are mainly palliative in nature. A better understanding of the underlying molecular pathways of the bone metastatic process is warranted to develop novel, well-tolerated and more successful treatments for a significant improvement of patients' quality of life and disease outcome. In this review, we provide comparative mechanistic insights into the bone metastatic process of various solid tumors, including pediatric cancers. We also highlight current and innovative approaches to biologically targeted therapy and immunotherapy. In particular, we discuss the role of the bone marrow microenvironment in the attraction, homing, dormancy and outgrowth of metastatic tumor cells and the ensuing therapeutic implications. Multiple signaling pathways have been described to contribute to metastatic spread to the bone of specific cancer entities, with most knowledge derived from the study of breast and prostate cancer. However, it is likely that similar mechanisms are involved in different types of cancer, including multiple myeloma, primary bone sarcomas and neuroblastoma. The metastatic rate-limiting interaction of tumor cells with the various cellular and noncellular components of the bone-marrow niche provides attractive therapeutic targets, which are already partially exploited by novel promising immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jozef Ban
- St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (J.B.); (V.F.); (D.N.T.A.)
| | - Valerie Fock
- St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (J.B.); (V.F.); (D.N.T.A.)
| | - Dave N. T. Aryee
- St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (J.B.); (V.F.); (D.N.T.A.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Heinrich Kovar
- St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (J.B.); (V.F.); (D.N.T.A.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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9
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Brignole C, Pastorino F, Perri P, Amoroso L, Bensa V, Calarco E, Ponzoni M, Corrias MV. Bone Marrow Environment in Metastatic Neuroblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13102467. [PMID: 34069335 PMCID: PMC8158729 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13102467] [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: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of the interactions occurring in the BM environment has been facilitated by the peculiar nature of metastatic NB. In fact: (i) metastases are present at diagnosis; (ii) metastases are confined in a very specific tissue, the BM, suggestive of a strong attraction and possibility of survival; (iii) differently from adult cancers, NB metastases are available because the diagnostic procedures require morphological examination of BM; (iv) NB metastatic cells express surface antigens that allow enrichment of NB metastatic cells by immune-magnetic separation; and (v) patients with localized disease represent an internal control to discriminate specific alterations occurring in the metastatic niche from generic alterations determined by the neoplastic growth at the primary site. Here, we first review the information regarding the features of BM-infiltrating NB cells. Then, we focus on the alterations found in the BM of children with metastatic NB as compared to healthy children and children with localized NB. Specifically, information regarding all the BM cell populations and their sub-sets will be first examined in the context of BM microenvironment in metastatic NB. In the last part, the information regarding the soluble factors will be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Brignole
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (C.B.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (V.B.); (E.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (C.B.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (V.B.); (E.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Patrizia Perri
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (C.B.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (V.B.); (E.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Loredana Amoroso
- Pediatric Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy;
| | - Veronica Bensa
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (C.B.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (V.B.); (E.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Enzo Calarco
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (C.B.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (V.B.); (E.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (C.B.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (V.B.); (E.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Maria Valeria Corrias
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (C.B.); (F.P.); (P.P.); (V.B.); (E.C.); (M.P.)
- Correspondence:
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10
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The Role of Extracellular Vesicles in the Progression of Human Neuroblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22083964. [PMID: 33921337 PMCID: PMC8069919 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The long-underestimated role of extracellular vesicles in cancer is now reconsidered worldwide by basic and clinical scientists, who recently highlighted novel and crucial activities of these moieties. Extracellular vesicles are now considered as king transporters of specific cargoes, including molecular components of parent cells, thus mediating a wide variety of cellular activities both in normal and neoplastic tissues. Here, we discuss the multifunctional activities and underlying mechanisms of extracellular vesicles in neuroblastoma, the most frequent common extra-cranial tumor in childhood. The ability of extracellular vesicles to cross-talk with different cells in the tumor microenvironment and to modulate an anti-tumor immune response, tumorigenesis, tumor growth, metastasis and drug resistance will be pinpointed in detail. The results obtained on the role of extracellular vesicles may represent a panel of suggestions potentially useful in practice, due to their involvement in the response to chemotherapy, and, moreover, their ability to predict resistance to standard therapies—all issues of clinical relevance.
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11
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Marengo B, Pulliero A, Corrias MV, Leardi R, Farinini E, Fronza G, Menichini P, Monti P, Monteleone L, Valenti GE, Speciale A, Perri P, Madia F, Izzotti A, Domenicotti C. Potential Role of miRNAs in the Acquisition of Chemoresistance in Neuroblastoma. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11020107. [PMID: 33562297 PMCID: PMC7916079 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11020107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) accounts for about 8–10% of pediatric cancers, and the main causes of death are the presence of metastases and the acquisition of chemoresistance. Metastatic NB is characterized by MYCN amplification that correlates with changes in the expression of miRNAs, which are small non-coding RNA sequences, playing a crucial role in NB development and chemoresistance. In the present study, miRNA expression was analyzed in two human MYCN-amplified NB cell lines, one sensitive (HTLA-230) and one resistant to Etoposide (ER-HTLA), by microarray and RT-qPCR techniques. These analyses showed that miRNA-15a, -16-1, -19b, -218, and -338 were down-regulated in ER-HTLA cells. In order to validate the presence of this down-regulation in vivo, the expression of these miRNAs was analyzed in primary tumors, metastases, and bone marrow of therapy responder and non-responder pediatric patients. Principal component analysis data showed that the expression of miRNA-19b, -218, and -338 influenced metastases, and that the expression levels of all miRNAs analyzed were higher in therapy responders in respect to non-responders. Collectively, these findings suggest that these miRNAs might be involved in the regulation of the drug response, and could be employed for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Marengo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16100 Genova, Italy; (L.M.); (G.E.V.); (A.I.); (C.D.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-010-3538831
| | | | - Maria Valeria Corrias
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16100 Genova, Italy; (M.V.C.); (P.P.)
| | - Riccardo Leardi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genova, 16100 Genova, Italy; (R.L.); (E.F.)
| | - Emanuele Farinini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genova, 16100 Genova, Italy; (R.L.); (E.F.)
| | - Gilberto Fronza
- UOC Mutagenesis and Cancer Prevention, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16100 Genova, Italy; (G.F.); (P.M.); (P.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Paola Menichini
- UOC Mutagenesis and Cancer Prevention, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16100 Genova, Italy; (G.F.); (P.M.); (P.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Paola Monti
- UOC Mutagenesis and Cancer Prevention, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16100 Genova, Italy; (G.F.); (P.M.); (P.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Lorenzo Monteleone
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16100 Genova, Italy; (L.M.); (G.E.V.); (A.I.); (C.D.)
| | - Giulia Elda Valenti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16100 Genova, Italy; (L.M.); (G.E.V.); (A.I.); (C.D.)
| | - Andrea Speciale
- UOC Mutagenesis and Cancer Prevention, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16100 Genova, Italy; (G.F.); (P.M.); (P.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Patrizia Perri
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16100 Genova, Italy; (M.V.C.); (P.P.)
| | - Francesca Madia
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, 16100 Genova, Italy;
| | - Alberto Izzotti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16100 Genova, Italy; (L.M.); (G.E.V.); (A.I.); (C.D.)
- UOC Mutagenesis and Cancer Prevention, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16100 Genova, Italy; (G.F.); (P.M.); (P.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Cinzia Domenicotti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16100 Genova, Italy; (L.M.); (G.E.V.); (A.I.); (C.D.)
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12
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Liu KX, Joshi S. "Re-educating" Tumor Associated Macrophages as a Novel Immunotherapy Strategy for Neuroblastoma. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1947. [PMID: 32983125 PMCID: PMC7493646 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial pediatric tumor and often presents with metastatic disease, and patients with high-risk neuroblastoma have survival rates of ~50%. Neuroblastoma tumorigenesis is associated with the infiltration of various types of immune cells, including myeloid derived suppressor cells, tumor associated macrophages (TAMs), and regulatory T cells, which foster tumor growth and harbor immunosuppressive functions. In particular, TAMs predict poor clinical outcomes in neuroblastoma, and among these immune cells, TAMs with an M2 phenotype comprise an immune cell population that promotes tumor metastasis, contributes to immunosuppression, and leads to failure of radiation or checkpoint inhibitor therapy. This review article summarizes the role of macrophages in tumor angiogenesis, metastasis, and immunosuppression in neuroblastoma and discusses the recent advances in "macrophage-targeting strategies" in neuroblastoma with a focus on three aspects: (1) inhibition of macrophage recruitment, (2) targeting macrophage survival, and (3) reprogramming of macrophages into an immunostimulatory phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin X. Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Shweta Joshi
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, UCSD Rady's Children's Hospital, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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13
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Bhoopathi P, Pradhan AK, Bacolod MD, Emdad L, Sarkar D, Das SK, Fisher PB. Regulation of neuroblastoma migration, invasion, and in vivo metastasis by genetic and pharmacological manipulation of MDA-9/Syntenin. Oncogene 2019; 38:6781-6793. [PMID: 31406249 PMCID: PMC6786950 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-0920-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Despite multi-modality treatments, prognosis for advanced stage neuroblastoma (NB) remains challenging with residual long-term disabilities in survivors. Advanced stage NB is metastatic, which is a principal cause of cancer-related deaths. We presently document a primary role of MDA-9 in NB progression and define the molecular mechanisms by which MDA-9 promotes transformed phenotypes. NB cell lines and clinical samples display elevated MDA-9 expression and bioinformatic analysis supports an association between elevated MDA-9 and bone metastasis and poor prognosis. Genetic (shmda-9, mda-9 siRNA) or pharmacological (small molecule inhibitor of protein-protein interactions; PDZ1i) blockade of MDA-9 decreases NB migration, invasion, and metastasis. Blocking mda-9 expression or disrupting MDA-9 partner protein interactions downregulates integrin α6 and β4, diminishing Src activity and suppressing Rho-Rac-Cdc42 activity. These signaling changes inhibit cofilin and matrix metalloproteinases reducing in vitro and in vivo NB cell migration. Overexpression of integrin α6 and β4 rescues the invasion phenotype and increases Src activity, supporting integrins as essential regulators of MDA-9-mediated NB migration and invasion. We identify MDA-9 as a key contributor to NB pathogenesis and show that genetic or pharmacological inhibition suppresses NB pathogenesis by an integrin-mediated Src-disruption pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Bhoopathi
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA.,VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Anjan K Pradhan
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA.,VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | | | - Luni Emdad
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA.,VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA.,VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Devanand Sarkar
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA.,VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA.,VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Swadesh K Das
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA.,VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA.,VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Paul B Fisher
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA. .,VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA. .,VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA.
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14
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Morandi F, Marimpietri D, Horenstein AL, Corrias MV, Malavasi F. Microvesicles expressing adenosinergic ectoenzymes and their potential role in modulating bone marrow infiltration by neuroblastoma cells. Oncoimmunology 2019; 8:e1574198. [PMID: 31069133 PMCID: PMC6492972 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2019.1574198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic diffusion of Neuroblastoma (NB) cells in the bone marrow (BM) represents the most negative prognostic factors for NB patients. Multiple immune escape mechanisms are postulated as responsible. Our working hypothesis is that adenosine (ADO), an immunosuppressive molecule along with the ectoenzymatic pathways (CD39-CD73 and CD38-CD203a/PC-1-CD73) controlling its production, are involved in the dynamics of NB cells in the BM. The results indicate that ectonucleotidases are expressed by i) NB cell lines, ii) metastatic NB cells isolated from NB patients' BM, iii) microvesicles (MV) derived from both NB cell types and iv) resident BM cell populations. BM infiltration by NB cells increased CD203a/PC-1 and CD73 expression on lymphoid and myeloid cells, respectively. Expressions of ectoenzymes and GD2 (NB-associated marker) were higher on MV from NB patients' BM than in controls. Moreover, CD203a/PC-1 expression on BM-derived MV provide a basis for distinguishing NB patients with high or low BM infiltration. ADO production and consumption of related by-products were significantly higher when assessed on NB patients' MV than those from controls. MV isolated from NB patients' BM significantly downregulated in vitro T cell proliferation. Lastly, NB patients with worse prognosis are identified by a high percentage of CD38+ or CD73+ MV in the BM. In conclusion, ectonucleotidases are present and functional on NB cells, as well as in NB-infiltrated BM and in MV derived from BM. It is reasonable that MV are involved in BM infiltration by NB cells. Therefore, targeting these molecules may widen the therapeutic armamentarium for metastatic NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Morandi
- Stem Cell Laboratory and Cell Therapy Center, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Danilo Marimpietri
- Stem Cell Laboratory and Cell Therapy Center, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Alberto L Horenstein
- Department of Medical Sciences, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.,CeRMS, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Maria Valeria Corrias
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Fabio Malavasi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.,CeRMS, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.,Fondazione Ricerca Molinette, Torino, Italy
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15
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Lee NH, Nikfarjam M, He H. Functions of the CXC ligand family in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment. Pancreatology 2018; 18:705-716. [PMID: 30078614 DOI: 10.1016/j.pan.2018.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic resistance is the major contributor to the poor prognosis of and low survival from pancreatic cancer (PC). Cancer progression is a complex process reliant on interactions between the tumor and the tumor microenvironment (TME). Members of the CXCL family of chemokines are present in the pancreatic TME and seem to play a vital role in regulating PC progression. As pancreatic tumors interact with the TME and with PC stem cells (CSCs), determining the roles of specific members of the CXCL family is vital to the development of improved therapies. This review highlights the roles of selected CXCLs in the interactions between pancreatic tumor and its stroma, and in CSC phenotypes, which can be used to identify potential treatment targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nien-Hung Lee
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mehrdad Nikfarjam
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hong He
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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16
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Zhang Y, Yu S, Han Y, Wang Y, Sun Y. Human leukocyte antigen-G expression and polymorphisms promote cancer development and guide cancer diagnosis/treatment. Oncol Lett 2017; 15:699-709. [PMID: 29399142 PMCID: PMC5772757 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.7407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is a non-classical HLA molecule, predominantly expressed in cytotrophoblast cells to protect the fetus during pregnancy. Notably, a high frequency of HLA-G expression has been observed in a wide variety of cancer types in previous studies. Furthermore, HLA-G expression in cancer has been considered to be detrimental, since it can protect cancer cells from natural killer cell cytotoxic T lymphocyte-mediated destruction, promote tumor spreading and shorten the survival time of patients by facilitating tumor immune evasion. In addition, HLA-G polymorphisms have been investigated in numerous types of cancer and are considered as risk factors and predictive markers of cancer. This review focuses on HLA-G expression and its polymorphisms in cancer, analyzing the mechanisms of HLA-G in promoting cancer development, and evaluating the potential and value of its clinical application as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker, or even as a prospective therapeutic target in certain types of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanwen Zhang
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China.,Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Shuwen Yu
- Department of Pharmacy, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Yali Han
- Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Yunshan Wang
- Medical Research and Laboratory Diagnostic Center, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Yuping Sun
- Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
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17
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Rifatbegovic F, Frech C, Abbasi MR, Taschner-Mandl S, Weiss T, Schmidt WM, Schmidt I, Ladenstein R, Ambros IM, Ambros PF. Neuroblastoma cells undergo transcriptomic alterations upon dissemination into the bone marrow and subsequent tumor progression. Int J Cancer 2017; 142:297-307. [PMID: 28921546 PMCID: PMC5725737 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood. The vast majority of metastatic (M) stage patients present with disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) in the bone marrow (BM) at diagnosis and relapse. Although these cells represent a major obstacle in the treatment of neuroblastoma patients, insights into their expression profile remained elusive. The present RNA‐Seq study of stage 4/M primary tumors, enriched BM‐derived diagnostic and relapse DTCs, as well as the corresponding BM‐derived mononuclear cells (MNCs) from 53 patients revealed 322 differentially expressed genes in DTCs as compared to the tumors (q < 0.001, |log2FC|>2). Particularly, the levels of transcripts encoded by mitochondrial DNA were elevated in DTCs, whereas, for example, genes involved in angiogenesis were downregulated. Furthermore, 224 genes were highly expressed in DTCs and only slightly, if at all, in MNCs (q < 8 × 10−75 log2FC > 6). Interestingly, we found the transcriptome of relapse DTCs largely resembling those of diagnostic DTCs with only 113 differentially expressed genes under relaxed cut‐offs (q < 0.01, |log2FC|>0.5). Notably, relapse DTCs showed a positional enrichment of 31 downregulated genes on chromosome 19, including five tumor suppressor genes: SIRT6, BBC3/PUMA, STK11, CADM4 and GLTSCR2. This first RNA‐Seq analysis of neuroblastoma DTCs revealed their unique expression profile in comparison to the tumors and MNCs, and less pronounced differences between diagnostic and relapse DTCs. The latter preferentially affected downregulation of genes encoded by chromosome 19. As these alterations might be associated with treatment failure and disease relapse, further functional studies on DTCs should be considered. What's new? More than 90% of patients diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic (4/M) neuroblastoma present with disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) in the bone marrow (BM). Despite treatment, a substantial fraction of these patients experience disease relapse. Here, sequencing analysis of tumor tissue, BM‐derived mononuclear cells (MNCs), and DTCs from stage 4/M neuroblastoma patients indicates that numerous genes are differentially expressed in DTCs but are not or are only slightly altered in tumors and MNCs. Moreover, DTCs exhibited significant downregulation of tumor suppressor genes specifically on chromosome 19. Further studies are needed to determine whether DTC transcriptomic alterations are associated with neuroblastoma relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fikret Rifatbegovic
- Department of Tumor Biology, Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Frech
- Department of Tumor Biology, Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - M Reza Abbasi
- Department of Tumor Biology, Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Sabine Taschner-Mandl
- Department of Tumor Biology, Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Tamara Weiss
- Department of Tumor Biology, Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang M Schmidt
- Neuromuscular Research Department, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Iris Schmidt
- Neuromuscular Research Department, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ruth Ladenstein
- Department of Tumor Biology, Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria.,Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Inge M Ambros
- Department of Tumor Biology, Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter F Ambros
- Department of Tumor Biology, Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria.,Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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18
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Altered erythropoiesis and decreased number of erythrocytes in children with neuroblastoma. Oncotarget 2017; 8:53194-53209. [PMID: 28881804 PMCID: PMC5581103 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a pediatric tumor presenting at diagnosis either as localized or metastatic disease, which mainly involves the bone marrow (BM). The physical occupancy of BM space by metastatic NB cells has been held responsible for impairment of BM function. Here, we investigated whether localized or metastatic NB may alter hematopoietic lineages’ maturation and release of mature cells in the periphery, through gene expression profiling, analysis of BM smears, cell blood count and flow cytometry analysis. Gene ontology and disease-associated analysis of the genes significantly under-expressed in BM resident cells from children with localized and metastatic NB, as compared to healthy children, indicated anemia, blood group antigens, and heme and porphyrin biosynthesis as major functional annotation clusters. Accordingly, in children with NB there was a selective impairment of erythrocyte maturation at the ortho-chromic stage that resulted in reduced erythrocyte count in the periphery, regardless of the presence of metastatic cells in the BM. By considering all NB patients, low erythrocyte count at diagnosis associated with worse survival. Moreover, in the subset of metastatic patients, low erythrocyte count, hemoglobin and hematocrit and high red cell distribution width at follow-up also associated with worse outcome. These observations provide an alternative model to the tenet that infiltrating cells inhibit BM functions due to physical occupancy of space and may open a new area of research in NB to understand the mechanism(s) responsible for such selective impairment.
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Zhen Z, Yang K, Ye L, You Z, Chen R, Liu Y, He Y. HLA-E inhibitor enhances the killing of neuroblastoma stem cells by co-cultured dendritic cells and cytokine-induced killer cells loaded with membrane-based microparticles. Am J Cancer Res 2017; 7:334-345. [PMID: 28337381 PMCID: PMC5336506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma stem cells (NSCs) can cause drug resistance and tumor recurrence. This study aimed to enhance the lytic effect of dendritic cells (DCs) co-cultured with cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells. NSCs were obtained by suspension culture, and DC-CIK cells were loaded with extracted NSC membrane-based microparticles (MMPs) before evaluating the lytic effect of DC-CIK cells on NSCs. After inhibiting the function or expression of human leukocyte antigen-E (HLA-E) in NSCs by anti-HLA-E monoclonal antibody or siRNA, the DC-CIK cell lytic effect on NSCs was re-assessed. NSC nestin expression was high, but glial fibrillary acid protein expression and class IIIβ-tubulin-1 expression were low. Moreover, NSCs exhibited strong tumorigenic ability in nude mice. Loading DCs with NSC-derived MMPs induced the differentiation of DCs and CIK cells and enhanced the killing of NSCs by DC-CIK cells. Inhibiting the function or expression of HLA-E in NSCs further enhanced the cytolytic capability of DC-CIK cells loaded with NSC-derived MMPs. HLA-E inhibitor can enhance the killing of NSC by DC-CIK cells loaded with NSC-derived MMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijun Zhen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangzhou, China
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer MedicineGuangzhou, China
| | - Kaibin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangzhou, China
- Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan School of MedicineGuangzhou, China
| | - Litong Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangzhou, China
- Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan School of MedicineGuangzhou, China
| | - Zhiyao You
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangzhou, China
- Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan School of MedicineGuangzhou, China
| | - Rirong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangzhou, China
- Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan School of MedicineGuangzhou, China
| | - Ying Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangzhou, China
- Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan School of MedicineGuangzhou, China
| | - Youjian He
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer MedicineGuangzhou, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou, China
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Morandi F, Pozzi S, Carlini B, Amoroso L, Pistoia V, Corrias MV. Soluble HLA-G and HLA-E Levels in Bone Marrow Plasma Samples Are Related to Disease Stage in Neuroblastoma Patients. J Immunol Res 2016; 2016:7465741. [PMID: 27610393 PMCID: PMC5004009 DOI: 10.1155/2016/7465741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Revised: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of nonclassical HLA-class Ib molecules HLA-G and HLA-E in the progression of Neuroblastoma (NB), the most common pediatric extracranial solid tumor, has been characterized in the last years. Since BM infiltration by NB cells is an adverse prognostic factor, we have here analyzed for the first time the concentration of soluble (s)HLA-G and HLA-E in bone marrow (BM) plasma samples from NB patients at diagnosis and healthy donors. sHLA-G and sHLA-E are present in BM plasma samples, and their levels were similar between NB patients and controls, thus suggesting that these molecules are physiologically released by resident or stromal BM cell populations. This hypothesis was supported by the finding that sHLA-G and sHLA-E levels did not correlate with BM infiltration and other adverse prognostic factors (MYCN amplification and age at diagnosis). In contrast, BM plasma levels of both molecules were higher in patients with metastatic disease than in patients with localized NB, thus suggesting that concentration of these molecules might be correlated with disease progression. The prognostic role of sHLA-G and sHLA-E concentration in the BM plasma for NB patients will be evaluated in future studies, by analyzing the clinical outcome of the same NB patients at follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Morandi
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - Sarah Pozzi
- Centro Cellule Staminali, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Barbara Carlini
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - Loredana Amoroso
- UOC Oncologia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - Vito Pistoia
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Valeria Corrias
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy
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Zhen Z, Guo X, Liao R, Yang K, Ye L, You Z. Involvement of IL-10 and TGF-β in HLA-E-mediated neuroblastoma migration and invasion. Oncotarget 2016; 7:44340-44349. [PMID: 27322426 PMCID: PMC5190101 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-E is highly expressed in a variety of tumors and, in addition to immune escape, may promote tumor growth via other mechanisms. However, the role of HLA-E in neuroblastoma (NB) migration and invasion is unknown. In the present study, HLA-E expression in human NB tumors was measured by immunohistochemistry. The effect of HLA-E on NB cell migration and invasion was studied in vitro and in vivo, as well as the effect of HLA-E on natural killer (NK)-cell cytotoxicity. HLA-E was expressed in 70.2% of the NB tumor tissues examined. HLA-E expression by NB cells inhibited NK-cell cytotoxicity and induced the release of interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. HLA-E and the released cytokines enhanced the ability of NB cells migration and invasion. NK cell infusion did not inhibit the growth of NB cells with high HLA-E expression but instead increased the number of metastatic cells in the bone marrow. Taken together, the results indicate that IL-10 and TGF-β are involved in HLA-E-mediated NB migration and invasion. Thus, HLA-E may be a new treatment target in NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijun Zhen
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, 510060, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Xiaofang Guo
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, 510060, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Ru Liao
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, 510060, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Kaibin Yang
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Litong Ye
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Zhiyao You
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
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Stigliani S, Scaruffi P, Lagazio C, Persico L, Carlini B, Varesio L, Morandi F, Morini M, Gigliotti AR, Esposito MR, Viscardi E, Cecinati V, Conte M, Corrias MV. Deregulation of focal adhesion pathway mediated by miR-659-3p is implicated in bone marrow infiltration of stage M neuroblastoma patients. Oncotarget 2016; 6:13295-308. [PMID: 25980492 PMCID: PMC4537015 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
To get insights on the metastatic process of human neuroblastoma (NB), the miRNA expression profile of bone marrow (BM)-infiltrating cells has been determined and compared to that of primary tumors.Twenty-two BM-infiltrating cells, 22 primary tumors, and 4 paired samples from patients with metastatic NB aged > 12 months were analyzed for the expression of 670 miRNAs by stem-loop RT-qPCR. The miRNAs whose expression was significantly different were subjected to selection criteria, and 20 selected miRNAs were tested in 10 additional BM-infiltrating cells and primary tumors. Among the miRNAs confirmed to be differentially expressed, miR-659-3p was further analyzed. Transfection of miR-659-3p mimic and inhibitor demonstrated the specific suppression and over-expression, respectively, of the miR-659-3p target gene CNOT1, a regulator of transcription of genes containing AU-rich element (ARE) sequence. Among the ARE-containing genes, miR-659-3p mimic and inhibitor specifically modified the expression of AKT3, BCL2, CYR61 and THSB2, belonging to the focal adhesion pathway. Most importantly, in BM-infiltrating cells CNOT1 expression was significantly higher, and that of AKT3, BCL2, THSB2 and CYR61 was significantly lower than in primary tumors. Thus, our study suggests a role of the focal adhesion pathway, regulated by miR-659-3p through CNOT1, in the human NB metastatic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Stigliani
- U.O.S. Physiopathology of Human Reproduction, IRCCS A.O.U. San Martino-IST, Genova, Italy
| | - Paola Scaruffi
- U.O.S. Physiopathology of Human Reproduction, IRCCS A.O.U. San Martino-IST, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Luca Persico
- Department of Economy, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Barbara Carlini
- Laboratory of Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Luigi Varesio
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Fabio Morandi
- Laboratory of Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Martina Morini
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Gigliotti
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Committees Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Esposito
- Neuroblastoma Laboratory, Pediatric Research Institute, Fondazione Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Viscardi
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Division, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy
| | - Valerio Cecinati
- UOS Divisione Oncoematologia Pediatrica, Ospedale Civile di Pescara, Pescara, Italy
| | - Massimo Conte
- Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
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Harreld JH, Bratton EM, Federico SM, Li X, Grover W, Li Y, Kerr NC, Wilson MW, Hoehn ME. Orbital Metastasis Is Associated With Decreased Survival in Stage M Neuroblastoma. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2016; 63:627-33. [PMID: 26599346 PMCID: PMC5127440 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.25847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately 30% of patients with metastatic (stage M) neuroblastoma present with periorbital ecchymosis from orbital osseous disease. Though locoregional disease is staged by imaging, the prognostic significance of metastatic site in stage M disease is unknown. We hypothesize that, compared to nonorbital metastasis, orbital metastasis is associated with decreased survival in patients with stage M neuroblastoma, and that periorbital ecchymosis reflects location and extent of orbital disease. PROCEDURE Medical records and imaging from 222 patients with stage M neuroblastoma seen at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital between January 1995 and May 2009 were reviewed. Thirty-seven patients were <18 months of age at diagnosis and 185 were ≥18 months of age. Overall survival (OS) and 5-year survival (5YS) were compared for patients with and without orbital, calvarial and nonorbital osseous metastasis, and with and without periorbital ecchymosis (log-rank test). Associations of periorbital ecchymosis with orbital metastasis location/extent were explored (Fisher's exact test, t-test). RESULTS In patients ≥18 months of age, only orbital metastasis was associated with decreased 5YS (P = 0.0323) and OS (P = 0.0288). In patients <18 months of age, neither orbital, calvarial, or nonorbital bone metastasis was associated with OS or 5YS. Periorbital ecchymosis was associated with higher number of involved orbital bones (P = 0.0135), but not location or survival. CONCLUSIONS In patients ≥ 18 months of age with stage M neuroblastoma, orbital metastatic disease is associated with decreased 5YS and OS. In future clinical trials, orbital disease may be useful as an imaging-based risk factor for substratification of stage M neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie H. Harreld
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | | | - Sara M. Federico
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Xingyu Li
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - William Grover
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC
| | - Yimei Li
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Natalie C Kerr
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of TN Hamilton Eye Institute, Memphis, TN; Department of Pediatrics, University of TN College of Medicine, Memphis, TN; Division of Ophthalmology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Matthew W. Wilson
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of TN Hamilton Eye Institute, Memphis, TN; Division of Ophthalmology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Mary E. Hoehn
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of TN Hamilton Eye Institute, Memphis, TN; Department of Pediatrics, University of TN College of Medicine, Memphis, TN; Division of Ophthalmology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
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24
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Smith JR, Moreno L, Heaton SP, Chesler L, Pearson ADJ, Garrett MD. Novel pharmacodynamic biomarkers for MYCN protein and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway signaling in children with neuroblastoma. Mol Oncol 2016; 10:538-52. [PMID: 26686971 PMCID: PMC5423144 DOI: 10.1016/j.molonc.2015.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need for improved therapies for children with high-risk neuroblastoma where survival rates remain low. MYCN amplification is the most common genomic change associated with aggressive neuroblastoma and drugs targeting PI3K/AKT/mTOR, to activate MYCN oncoprotein degradation, are entering clinical evaluation. Our aim was to develop and validate pharmacodynamic (PD) biomarkers to evaluate both proof of mechanism and proof of concept for drugs that block PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway activity in children with neuroblastoma. We have addressed the issue of limited access to tumor biopsies for quantitative detection of protein biomarkers by optimizing a three-color fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) method to purify CD45-/GD2+/CD56+ neuroblastoma cells from bone marrow. We then developed a novel quantitative measurement of MYCN protein in these isolated neuroblastoma cells, providing the potential to demonstrate proof of concept for drugs that inhibit PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in this disease. In addition we have established quantitative detection of three biomarkers for AKT pathway activity (phosphorylated and total AKT, GSK3β and P70S6K) in surrogate platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from pediatric patients. Together our new approach to neuroblastoma cell isolation for protein detection and suite of PD assays provides for the first time the opportunity for robust, quantitative measurement of protein-based PD biomarkers in this pediatric patient population. These will be ideal tools to support clinical evaluation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway drugs and their ability to target MYCN oncoprotein in upcoming clinical trials in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R Smith
- Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, SM2 5NG, United Kingdom; Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, SM2 5NG, United Kingdom
| | - Lucas Moreno
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, SM2 5NG, United Kingdom; Children's and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, SM2 5PT, United Kingdom; CNIO, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Melchor Fernandez Almagro 3, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Simon P Heaton
- Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, SM2 5NG, United Kingdom
| | - Louis Chesler
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, SM2 5NG, United Kingdom; Children's and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, SM2 5PT, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew D J Pearson
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, SM2 5NG, United Kingdom; Children's and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, SM2 5PT, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle D Garrett
- Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, SM2 5NG, United Kingdom; School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NJ, United Kingdom.
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25
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Croce M, Corrias MV, Rigo V, Ferrini S. New immunotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of neuroblastoma. Immunotherapy 2016; 7:285-300. [PMID: 25804480 DOI: 10.2217/imt.14.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The prognosis of high-risk neuroblastoma (NB) is still poor, in spite of aggressive multimodal treatment. Recently, adjuvant immunotherapy with anti-GD2 antibodies combined with IL-2 or GM-CSF has been shown to improve survival. Several other immunotherapy strategies proved efficacy in preclinical models of NB, including different types of vaccines, adoptive cell therapies and combined approaches. The remarkable differences in the immunobiology of syngeneic models and human NB may, at least in part, limit the translation of preclinical therapies to a clinical setting. Nonetheless, several preliminary evidences suggest that new antibodies, cancer vaccines and adoptive transfer of lymphocytes, genetically engineered to acquire NB specificity, may result in clinical benefit, and clinical studies are currently ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Croce
- IRCCS-A.O.U. San-Martino-IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Biotherapy Unit c/o CBA Torre C2, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy
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26
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Rifatbegovic F, Abbasi MR, Taschner-Mandl S, Kauer M, Weinhäusel A, Handgretinger R, Ambros PF. Enriched Bone Marrow Derived Disseminated Neuroblastoma Cells Can Be a Reliable Source for Gene Expression Studies-A Validation Study. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0137995. [PMID: 26360775 PMCID: PMC4567134 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metastases in the bone marrow (BM) in form of disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) are frequent events at diagnosis and also at relapse in high-risk neuroblastoma patients. The frequently highly diluted occurrence of DTCs requires adequate enrichment strategies to enable their detailed characterization. However, to avoid methodical artifacts we tested whether pre-analytical processing steps-including transport duration, temperature and, importantly, tumor cell enrichment techniques-are confounding factors for gene expression analysis in DTCs. METHODS LAN-1 neuroblastoma cells were spiked into tumor free BM and/or peripheral blood and: i) kept at room temperature or at 4°C for 24, 48 and 72 hours; ii) frozen down at -80°C and thawed; iii) enriched via magnetic beads. The effect on the gene expression signature of LAN-1 cells was analyzed by qPCR arrays and gene expression microarrays. RESULTS Neither storage at -80°C in DMSO and subsequent thawing nor enrichment of spiked-in neuroblastoma cells changed the expression of the analyzed genes significantly. Whereas storage at 4°C altered the expression of analyzed genes (14.3%) only at the 72h-timepoint in comparison to the 0h-timepoint, storage at room temperature had a much more profound effect on gene expression by affecting 20% at 24h, 26% at 48h and 43% at 72h of the analyzed genes. CONCLUSION Using neuroblastoma as a model, we show that tumor cell enrichment by magnetic bead separation has virtually no effect on gene expression in DTCs. However, transport time and temperature can influence the expression profile remarkably. Thus, the expression profile of routinely collected BM samples can be analyzed without concern as long as the transport conditions are monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fikret Rifatbegovic
- CCRI, Children’s Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail: (FR); (PFA)
| | - M. Reza Abbasi
- CCRI, Children’s Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sabine Taschner-Mandl
- CCRI, Children’s Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maximilian Kauer
- CCRI, Children’s Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andreas Weinhäusel
- Molecular Diagnostics, Health & Environment Department, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Peter F. Ambros
- CCRI, Children’s Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail: (FR); (PFA)
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IL-10 and ARG-1 concentrations in bone marrow and peripheral blood of metastatic neuroblastoma patients do not associate with clinical outcome. J Immunol Res 2015; 2015:718975. [PMID: 25961062 PMCID: PMC4417583 DOI: 10.1155/2015/718975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 09/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression of the immunosuppressive molecules IL-10 and arginase 1 (ARG-1), and of FOXP3 and CD163, as markers of regulatory T cells (Treg) and macrophages, respectively, was evaluated in bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) samples collected at diagnosis from patients with metastatic neuroblastoma (NB). IL-10 and ARG-1 plasma concentrations were measured and the association of each parameter with patients' outcome was tested. The percentages of immunosuppressive Treg and type-1 regulatory (Tr1) cells were also determined. In both BM and PB samples, IL-10 mRNA expression was higher in metastatic NB patients than in controls. IL-10 plasma concentration was higher in patients with NB regardless of stage. Neither IL-10 expression nor IL-10 plasma concentration significantly associated with patient survival. In PB samples from metastatic NB patients, ARG-1 and CD163 expression was higher than in controls but their expression did not associate with survival. Moreover, ARG-1 plasma concentration was lower than in controls, and no association with patient outcome was found. Finally, in metastatic NB patients, the percentage of circulating Treg was higher than in controls, whereas that of Tr1 cells was lower. In conclusion, although IL-10 concentration and Treg percentage were increased, their contribution to the natural history of metastatic NB appears uncertain.
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28
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Dias FC, Castelli EC, Collares CVA, Moreau P, Donadi EA. The Role of HLA-G Molecule and HLA-G Gene Polymorphisms in Tumors, Viral Hepatitis, and Parasitic Diseases. Front Immunol 2015; 6:9. [PMID: 25699038 PMCID: PMC4313582 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 01/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Considering that the non-classical HLA-G molecule has well-recognized tolerogenic properties, HLA-G expression is expected to be deleterious when present in tumor cells and in cells chronically infected by viruses, whereas HLA-G expression is expected to be advantageous in autoimmune disorders. The expression of HLA-G on tissue or peripheral blood cells, the levels of soluble HLA-G and polymorphic sites along the gene have been studied in several disorders. In this study, we revised the role of the molecule and polymorphic sites along the HLA-G gene in tumors, viral hepatitis, and parasitic disorders. Overall, several lines of evidence clearly show that the induction of HLA-G expression in tumors has been associated with worse disease outcome and disease spread. In addition, the few studies conducted on hepatitis and parasitic disorders indicate that HLA-G may contribute to disease pathogenesis. Few isolated polymorphic sites, primarily located at the coding or 3′ untranslated HLA-G region, have been evaluated in these disorders, and a complete HLA-G typing together with the study of gene regulatory elements may further help on the understanding of the influence of the genetic background on disease susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrício C Dias
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
| | - Erick C Castelli
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine of Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista , Botucatu , Brazil
| | - Cristhianna V A Collares
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
| | - Philippe Moreau
- Research Division in Hematology and Immunology, Institute of Emerging Diseases and Innovative Therapies, Saint-Louis Hospital, CEA , Paris , France
| | - Eduardo A Donadi
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
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Morandi F, Corrias MV, Pistoia V. Evaluation of bone marrow as a metastatic site of human neuroblastoma. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2014; 1335:23-31. [PMID: 25315505 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.12554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Arising from neural crest cells, neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial pediatric solid tumor. The clinical presentation of NB is heterogeneous, ranging from patients with asymptomatic tumor masses, who require minimal treatment, to patients with metastatic disease who are treated with multimodal therapies. Clinical outcome is also variable, with overall survival ranging from 98% to 100% in infants with stage 1 NB, to less than 30% in patients with stage 4 MYCN-amplified NB. More than 50% of patients show metastasis at diagnosis, with the involvement of different vascularized tissues, including the bone marrow (BM). In this paper, we focus on BM infiltration by NB cells, which is considered an adverse prognostic factor. In particular, we discuss the role of different biological factors that may favor the dissemination of NB cells in the BM, such as chromosomic abnormalities, gene amplification, transcription factors, cell-surface receptors, products of oncogenes, and, more importantly, cytokines and chemokines. In addition, we analyze different techniques to evaluate BM infiltration by malignant cells (i.e., flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction). Finally, we review recent data regarding phenotypic and genetic characterization of BM-infiltrating malignant cells and characterization of the BM microenvironment in NB patients compared to healthy subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Morandi
- Laboratory of Oncology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
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HLA-G dimers in the prolongation of kidney allograft survival. J Immunol Res 2014; 2014:153981. [PMID: 24741575 PMCID: PMC3985180 DOI: 10.1155/2014/153981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2013] [Revised: 02/23/2014] [Accepted: 02/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) contributes to acceptance of allografts in solid organ/tissue transplantation. Most studies have determined that soluble HLA-G isoforms are systematically detected in serum/plasma of transplanted patients with significantly fewer episodes of acute and/or chronic rejection of allogeneic tissue/organ. Current models of the interactions of HLA-G and its specific receptors explain it as functioning in a monomeric form. However, in recent years, new data has revealed the ability of HLA-G to form disulfide-linked dimeric complexes with high preferential binding and functional activities. Limited data are available on the role of soluble HLA-G dimers in clinical pathological conditions. We describe here the presence of soluble HLA-G dimers in kidney transplant patients. Our study showed that a high level of HLA-G dimers in plasma and increased expression of the membrane-bound form of HLA-G on monocytes are associated with prolongation of kidney allograft survival. We also determined that the presence of soluble HLA-G dimers links to the lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines, suggesting a potential role of HLA-G dimers in controlling the accompanying inflammatory state.
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Bottino C, Dondero A, Bellora F, Moretta L, Locatelli F, Pistoia V, Moretta A, Castriconi R. Natural killer cells and neuroblastoma: tumor recognition, escape mechanisms, and possible novel immunotherapeutic approaches. Front Immunol 2014; 5:56. [PMID: 24575100 PMCID: PMC3921882 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2013] [Accepted: 01/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extra-cranial solid tumor of childhood and arises from developing sympathetic nervous system. Most primary tumors localize in the abdomen, the adrenal gland, or lumbar sympathetic ganglia. Amplification in tumor cells of MYCN, the major oncogenic driver, patients' age over 18 months, and the presence at diagnosis of a metastatic disease (stage IV, M) identify NB at high risk of treatment failure. Conventional therapies did not significantly improve the overall survival of these patients. Moreover, the limited landscape of somatic mutations detected in NB is hampering the development of novel pharmacological approaches. Major efforts aim to identify novel NB-associated surface molecules that activate immune responses and/or direct drugs to tumor cells and tumor-associated vessels. PVR (Poliovirus Receptor) and B7-H3 are promising targets, since they are expressed by most high-risk NB, are upregulated in tumor vasculature and are essential for tumor survival/invasiveness. PVR is a ligand of DNAM-1 activating receptor that triggers the cytolytic activity of natural killer (NK) cells against NB. In animal models, targeting of PVR with an attenuated oncolytic poliovirus induced tumor regression and elimination. Also B7-H3 was successfully targeted in preclinical studies and is now being tested in phase I/II clinical trials. B7-H3 down-regulates NK cytotoxicity, providing NB with a mechanism of escape from immune response. The immunosuppressive potential of NB can be enhanced by the release of soluble factors that impair NK cell function and/or recruitment. Among these, TGF-β1 modulates the cytotoxicity receptors and the chemokine receptor repertoire of NK cells. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on the main cell surface molecules and soluble mediators that modulate the function of NK cells in NB, considering the pros and cons that must be taken into account in the design of novel NK cell-based immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Bottino
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova , Genova , Italy ; Istituto Giannina Gaslini , Genova , Italy
| | - Alessandra Dondero
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova , Genova , Italy
| | - Francesca Bellora
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova , Genova , Italy
| | | | - Franco Locatelli
- Dipartimento di Onco-Ematologia Pediatrica, Ospedale Bambino Gesù , Roma , Italy ; Università di Pavia , Pavia , Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Moretta
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova , Genova , Italy ; Centro di Eccellenza per le Ricerche Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Genova , Genova , Italy
| | - Roberta Castriconi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova , Genova , Italy ; Centro di Eccellenza per le Ricerche Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Genova , Genova , Italy
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Reverse engineering the neuroblastoma regulatory network uncovers MAX as one of the master regulators of tumor progression. PLoS One 2013; 8:e82457. [PMID: 24349289 PMCID: PMC3857773 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2013] [Accepted: 10/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial tumor and a major cause of infant cancer mortality worldwide. Despite its importance, little is known about its molecular mechanisms. A striking feature of this tumor is its clinical heterogeneity. Possible outcomes range from aggressive invasion to other tissues, causing patient death, to spontaneous disease regression or differentiation into benign ganglioneuromas. Several efforts have been made in order to find tumor progression markers. In this work, we have reconstructed the neuroblastoma regulatory network using an information-theoretic approach in order to find genes involved in tumor progression and that could be used as outcome predictors or as therapeutic targets. We have queried the reconstructed neuroblastoma regulatory network using an aggressive neuroblastoma metastasis gene signature in order to find its master regulators (MRs). MRs expression profiles were then investigated in other neuroblastoma datasets so as to detect possible clinical significance. Our analysis pointed MAX as one of the MRs of neuroblastoma progression. We have found that higher MAX expression correlated with favorable patient outcomes. We have also found that MAX expression and protein levels were increased during neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells differentiation. We propose that MAX is involved in neuroblastoma progression, possibly increasing cell differentiation by means of regulating the availability of MYC:MAX heterodimers. This mechanism is consistent with the results found in our SH-SY5Y differentiation protocol, suggesting that MAX has a more central role in these cells differentiation than previously reported. Overexpression of MAX has been identified as anti-tumorigenic in other works, but, to our knowledge, this is the first time that the link between the expression of this gene and malignancy was verified under physiological conditions.
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Morandi F, Cangemi G, Barco S, Amoroso L, Giuliano M, Gigliotti AR, Pistoia V, Corrias MV. Plasma levels of soluble HLA-E and HLA-F at diagnosis may predict overall survival of neuroblastoma patients. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 2013:956878. [PMID: 24350297 PMCID: PMC3856218 DOI: 10.1155/2013/956878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2013] [Accepted: 09/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify the plasma/serum biomarkers that are able to predict overall survival (OS) of neuroblastoma (NB) patients. Concentration of soluble (s) biomarkers was evaluated in plasma (sHLA-E, sHLA-F, chromogranin, and B7H3) or serum (calprotectin) samples from NB patients or healthy children. The levels of biomarkers that were significantly higher in NB patients were then analyzed considering localized or metastatic subsets. Finally, biomarkers that were significantly different in these two subsets were correlated with patient's outcome. With the exception of B7H3, levels of all molecules were significantly higher in NB patients than those in controls. However, only chromogranin, sHLA-E, and sHLA-F levels were different between patients with metastatic and localized tumors. sHLA-E and -F levels correlated with each other but not chromogranin. Chromogranin levels correlated with different event-free survival (EFS), whereas sHLA-E and -F levels also correlated with different OS. Association with OS was also detected considering only patients with metastatic disease. In conclusion, low levels of sHLA-E and -F significantly associated with worse EFS/OS in the whole cohort of NB patients and in patients with metastatic NB. Thus, these molecules deserve to be tested in prospective studies to evaluate their predictive power for high-risk NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Morandi
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16148 Genova, Italy
| | - Giuliana Cangemi
- Laboratorio di Analisi, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16148 Genova, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Barco
- Laboratorio di Analisi, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16148 Genova, Italy
| | - Loredana Amoroso
- Oncologia Clinica, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16148 Genova, Italy
| | - Maria Giuliano
- Oncoematologia, Ospedale Pausillipon, Via Mario Fiore 6, 80123 Napoli, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Gigliotti
- Epidemiologia, Biostatistica e Comitati, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16148 Genova, Italy
| | - Vito Pistoia
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16148 Genova, Italy
| | - Maria Valeria Corrias
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16148 Genova, Italy
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Bae GE, Suh YL, Sung KW, Kim JS. Morphologic alteration of metastatic neuroblastic tumor in bone marrow after chemotherapy. KOREAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2013; 47:433-42. [PMID: 24255631 PMCID: PMC3830990 DOI: 10.4132/koreanjpathol.2013.47.5.433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2013] [Revised: 09/25/2013] [Accepted: 09/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Background The aim of this study is to evaluate the histologic features of metastatic neuroblastic tumors (NTs) in bone marrow (BM) before and after chemotherapy in comparison with those of primary NTs. Methods A total of 294 biopsies from 48 children diagnosed with NTs with BM metastasis were examined. There were 48 primary neoplasm biopsies, 48 BM biopsies before chemotherapy, 36 primary neoplasm excisional biopsies after chemotherapy, and 162 BM biopsies after chemotherapy. Results Metastatic NTs in BM before chemotherapy were composed of undifferentiated and/or differentiating neuroblasts, but had neither ganglion cells nor Schwannian stroma. Metastatic foci of BM after chemotherapy were found to have differentiated into ganglion cells or Schwannian stroma, which became more prominent after further cycles of chemotherapy. Persistence of NTs or tumor cell types in BM after treatment did not show statistically significant correlation to patients' outcome. However, three out of five patients who newly developed poorly differentiated neuroblasts in BM after treatment expired due to disease progression. Conclusions Metastatic NTs in BM initially consist of undifferentiated or differentiating neuroblasts regardless of the primary tumor subtype, and become differentiated after chemotherapy. Newly appearing poorly differentiated neuroblasts after treatment might be an indicator for poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Go Eun Bae
- Department of Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Marchesi M, Andersson E, Villabona L, Seliger B, Lundqvist A, Kiessling R, Masucci GV. HLA-dependent tumour development: a role for tumour associate macrophages? J Transl Med 2013; 11:247. [PMID: 24093459 PMCID: PMC3856519 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-11-247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2013] [Accepted: 10/01/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
HLA abnormalities on tumour cells for immune escape have been widely described. In addition, cellular components of the tumour microenvironment, in particular myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and alternatively activated M2 tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs), are involved in tumour promotion, progression, angiogenesis and suppression of anti-tumour immunity. However, the role of HLA in these activities is poorly understood. This review details MHC class I characteristics and describes MHC class I receptors functions. This analysis established the basis for a reflection about the crosstalk among the tumour cells, the TAMs and the cells mediating an immune response.The tumour cells and TAMs exploit MHC class I molecules to modulate the surrounding immune cells. HLA A, B, C and G molecules down-regulate the macrophage myeloid activation through the interaction with the inhibitory LILRB receptors. HLA A, B, C are able to engage inhibitory KIR receptors negatively regulating the Natural Killer and cytotoxic T lymphocytes function while HLA-G induces the secretion of pro-angiogenic cytokines and chemokine thanks to an activator KIR receptor expressed by a minority of peripheral NK cells. The open conformer of classical MHC-I is able to interact with LILRA receptors described as being associated to the Th2-type cytokine response, triggering a condition for the M2 like TAM polarization. In addition, HLA-E antigens on the surface of the TAMs bind the inhibitory receptor CD94/NKG2A expressed by a subset of NK cells and activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes protecting from the cytolysis.Furthermore MHC class II expression by antigen presenting cells is finely regulated by factors provided with immunological capacities. Tumour-associated macrophages show an epigenetically controlled down-regulation of the MHC class II expression induced by the decoy receptor DcR3, a member of the TNFR, which further enhances the M2-like polarization. BAT3, a positive regulator of MHC class II expression in normal macrophages, seems to be secreted by TAMs, consequently lacking its intracellular function, it looks like acting as an immunosuppressive factor.In conclusion HLA could cover a considerable role in tumour-development orchestrated by tumour-associated macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maddalena Marchesi
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
- Roche Pharma, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Emilia Andersson
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lisa Villabona
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Andreas Lundqvist
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rolf Kiessling
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Giuseppe V Masucci
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
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The role of calprotectin in pediatric disease. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 2013:542363. [PMID: 24175291 PMCID: PMC3794633 DOI: 10.1155/2013/542363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2013] [Revised: 08/06/2013] [Accepted: 08/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Calprotectin (CP) is a calcium- and zinc-binding protein of the S100 family expressed mainly by neutrophils with important extracellular activity. The aim of the current review is to summarize the latest findings concerning the role of CP in a diverse range of inflammatory and noninflammatory conditions among children. Increasing evidence suggests the implication of CP in the diagnosis, followup, assessment of relapses, and response to treatment in pediatric pathological conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, necrotizing enterocolitis, celiac disease, intestinal cystic fibrosis, acute appendicitis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Kawasaki disease, polymyositis-dermatomyositis, glomerulonephritis, IgA nephropathy, malaria, HIV infection, hyperzincemia and hypercalprotectinemia, and cancer. Further studies are required to provide insights into the actual role of CP in these pathological processes in pediatrics.
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Pistoia V, Morandi F, Bianchi G, Pezzolo A, Prigione I, Raffaghello L. Immunosuppressive microenvironment in neuroblastoma. Front Oncol 2013; 3:167. [PMID: 23805414 PMCID: PMC3693127 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2013.00167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2013] [Accepted: 06/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
According to the cancer immunoediting model, the interplay between tumor cells and the host immune system is crucial for the control of tumor growth. NB is a pediatric tumor that presents with metastatic disease at diagnosis in about 50% of the cases, the majority of which have poor prognosis. In this Review article, immune escape pathways adopted by human neuroblastoma (NB) cells are reviewed. These include intrinsic defects of tumor cells such impaired expression of the HLA class I related antigen processing machinery and functional alterations of the tumor microenvironment (TM) induced by NB cell-derived immunosuppressive molecules as MICA and HLA-G. Finally, examples of therapeutic interventions targeting the TM are discussed to emphasize the concept that successful cancer treatment may be achieved using this strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Pistoia
- Oncology, Translational Research and Laboratory Medicine, Istituto Giannina Gaslini , Genoa , Italy
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Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a solid tumour that arises from the developing sympathetic nervous system. Over the past decade, our understanding of this disease has advanced tremendously. The future challenge is to apply the knowledge gained to developing risk-based therapies and, ultimately, improving outcome. In this Review we discuss the key discoveries in the developmental biology, molecular genetics and immunology of neuroblastoma, as well as new translational tools for bringing these promising scientific advances into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nai-Kong V. Cheung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065
| | - Michael A. Dyer
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
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