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Janssen FW, Lak NSM, Janda CY, Kester LA, Meister MT, Merks JHM, van den Heuvel-Eibrink MM, van Noesel MM, Zsiros J, Tytgat GAM, Looijenga LHJ. A comprehensive overview of liquid biopsy applications in pediatric solid tumors. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:172. [PMID: 39097671 PMCID: PMC11297996 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00657-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Liquid biopsies are emerging as an alternative source for pediatric cancer biomarkers with potential applications during all stages of patient care, from diagnosis to long-term follow-up. While developments within this field are reported, these mainly focus on dedicated items such as a specific liquid biopsy matrix, analyte, and/or single tumor type. To the best of our knowledge, a comprehensive overview is lacking. Here, we review the current state of liquid biopsy research for the most common non-central nervous system pediatric solid tumors. These include neuroblastoma, renal tumors, germ cell tumors, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and other soft tissue sarcomas, and liver tumors. Within this selection, we discuss the most important or recent studies involving liquid biopsy-based biomarkers, anticipated clinical applications, and the current challenges for success. Furthermore, we provide an overview of liquid biopsy-based biomarker publication output for each tumor type based on a comprehensive literature search between 1989 and 2023. Per study identified, we list the relevant liquid biopsy-based biomarkers, matrices (e.g., peripheral blood, bone marrow, or cerebrospinal fluid), analytes (e.g., circulating cell-free and tumor DNA, microRNAs, and circulating tumor cells), methods (e.g., digital droplet PCR and next-generation sequencing), the involved pediatric patient cohort, and proposed applications. As such, we identified 344 unique publications. Taken together, while the liquid biopsy field in pediatric oncology is still behind adult oncology, potentially relevant publications have increased over the last decade. Importantly, steps towards clinical implementation are rapidly gaining ground, notably through validation of liquid biopsy-based biomarkers in pediatric clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Michael T Meister
- Princess Máxima Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Johannes H M Merks
- Princess Máxima Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Division of Imaging and Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marry M van den Heuvel-Eibrink
- Princess Máxima Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Wilhelmina Children's Hospital-Division of CHILDHEALTH, University Medical Center Utrech, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Max M van Noesel
- Princess Máxima Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Division of Imaging and Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Godelieve A M Tytgat
- Princess Máxima Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Leendert H J Looijenga
- Princess Máxima Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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2
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Shawraba F, Hammoud H, Mrad Y, Saker Z, Fares Y, Harati H, Bahmad HF, Nabha S. Biomarkers in Neuroblastoma: An Insight into Their Potential Diagnostic and Prognostic Utilities. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2021; 22:102. [PMID: 34580780 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-021-00898-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Neuroblastoma (NB) is a heterogeneous solid tumor of the pediatric population that originates from neural crest cells and affects the developing sympathetic nervous system. It is the most common neuroblastic tumor accounting for approximately 10% of all childhood cancers and 10-15% of pediatric tumor mortalities. The outcomes range from spontaneous tumor regression in low-risk groups to metastasis and death even after multimodal therapy in high-risk groups. Hence, the detection of NB at an early stage improves outcomes and provides a better prognosis for patients. Early detection and prognosis of NB depend on specific molecules termed biomarkers which can be tissue-specific or circulating. Certain biomarkers are employed in the classification of NB into different groups to improve the treatment and prognosis, and others can be used as therapeutic targets. Therefore, novel biomarker discovery is essential for the early detection of NB, predicting the course of the disease, and developing new targeted treatment strategies. In this review, we aim to summarize the literature pertinent to some important biomarkers of NB and discuss the prognostic role of these biomarkers as well as their potential role in targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Shawraba
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hussein Hammoud
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Yara Mrad
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Inserm, Neuro-Dol, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Zahraa Saker
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Youssef Fares
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath, Beirut, Lebanon.,Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hayat Harati
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hisham F Bahmad
- Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL, 33140, USA.
| | - Sanaa Nabha
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath, Beirut, Lebanon.
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3
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Liquid biomarkers for the management of paediatric neuroblastoma: an approach to personalised and targeted cancer therapy. JOURNAL OF RADIOTHERAPY IN PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1017/s1460396920000102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
AbstractBackground:Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumour of infancy and accounts for about 6–10% of paediatric cancers. It has a biologically and clinically heterogeneous behaviour that ranges from spontaneous regression to cases of highly aggressive metastatic disease that could be unresponsive to standard therapy. In recent years, there have been several investigations into the development of various diagnostic, predictive and prognostic biomarkers towards personalised and targeted management of the disease.Materials and Methods:This paper reports on the review of current clinical and emerging biomarkers used in risk assessment, screening for early detection and diagnosis, prognostication and monitoring of the response of treatment of neuroblastoma in paediatric patients.Conclusions:Tumour markers can significantly improve diagnosis; however, the invasive, unpleasant and inconvenient nature of current tissue biopsies limits their applications, especially in paediatric patients. Therefore, the development of a non-invasive, reliable high accurate and personalised diagnostic tool capable of early detection and rapid response is the most promising step towards advanced cancer management from tumour diagnosis, therapy to patient monitoring and represents an important step towards the promise of precision, personalised and targeted medicine. Liquid biopsy assay with wide ranges of clinical applications is emerging to hold incredible potential for advancing cancer treatment and has greater promise for diagnostic purposes, identification and tracking of tumour-specific alterations during the course of the disease and to guide therapeutic decisions.
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4
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Trigg RM, Shaw JA, Turner SD. Opportunities and challenges of circulating biomarkers in neuroblastoma. Open Biol 2019; 9:190056. [PMID: 31088252 PMCID: PMC6544987 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.190056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular analysis of nucleic acid and protein biomarkers is becoming increasingly common in paediatric oncology for diagnosis, risk stratification and molecularly targeted therapeutics. However, many current and emerging biomarkers are based on analysis of tumour tissue, which is obtained through invasive surgical procedures and in some cases may not be accessible. Over the past decade, there has been growing interest in the utility of circulating biomarkers such as cell-free nucleic acids, circulating tumour cells and extracellular vesicles as a so-called liquid biopsy of cancer. Here, we review the potential of emerging circulating biomarkers in the management of neuroblastoma and highlight challenges to their implementation in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricky M. Trigg
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Jacqui A. Shaw
- Leicester Cancer Research Centre, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester LE2 7LX, UK
| | - Suzanne D. Turner
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
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5
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Prognostic value of initial bone marrow disease detection by multiparameter flow cytometry in children with neuroblastoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2019; 145:535-542. [PMID: 30603901 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-018-02831-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Multicolor flow cytometry (MFC) is widely available, fast and has an easy-to perform approach for finding neuroblastoma (NB) cells among normal bone marrow (BM) hematopoietic cells. Aim of the study was to investigate prognostic significance of initial MFC tumor cells' detection in BM of children with NB. METHODS 51 patients (24 boys and 27 girls) aged from 6 days to 15 years (median age 1 year 3 months) with NB were included in the study. BM samples at the time of diagnosis were obtained from 2 to 5 aspiration sites per patient. CD45(-)CD56(+)CD81(+)GD2(+)-cells were evaluated by MFC. RESULTS NB cells were detected in BM by FC more frequently compared to conventional cytomorphology (49.0% and 29.4% patients, respectively, р = 0.043). Patients with NB cells detected in BM by MFC had significantly worse event-free survival and cumulative incidence of relapse/progression [0.24(0.08) and 0.60(0.10), respectively] compared to children with negative result of immunophenotyping [0.85(0.07) and 0.12(0.06), respectively, p < 0.001 in both cases]. BM involvement detection by MFC maintained its prognostic significance in various patients groups. In multivariate analysis, immunophenotyping proved to be an independent prognostic factor when analyzed jointly with other NB risk factors. In 42 patients BM involvement was also studied by RQ-PCR for PHOX2B and TH genes expression. Within groups of patients divided by RQ-PCR positivity, MFC-positivity retained prognostic significance. CONCLUSIONS Thus flow cytometric BM involvement detection has very strong prognostic impact even stronger than RQ-PCR. It could be used in combination with other parameters for the treatment strategy choice in patients with NB.
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Makena MR, Cho HE, Nguyen TH, Koneru B, Verlekar DU, Hindle A, Kang MH, Reynolds CP. Cytotoxic activity of difluoromethylornithine compared with fenretinide in neuroblastoma cell lines. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2018; 65:e27447. [PMID: 30251395 PMCID: PMC9621602 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.27447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maintenance therapy with 13-cis-retinoic acid and immunotherapy (given after completion of intensive cytotoxic therapy) improves outcome for high-risk neuroblastoma patients. The synthetic retinoid fenretinide (4-HPR) achieved multiple complete responses in relapse/refractory neuroblastoma in early-phase clinical trials, has low systemic toxicity, and has been considered for maintenance therapy clinical trials. Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO, an irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase with minimal single-agent clinical response data) is being used for maintenance therapy of neuroblastoma. We evaluated the cytotoxic activity of DFMO and fenretinide in neuroblastoma cell lines. PROCEDURE We tested 16 neuroblastoma cell lines in bone marrow-level hypoxia (5% O2 ) using the DIMSCAN cytotoxicity assay. Polyamines were measured by HPLC-mass spectrometry and apoptosis by transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) using flow cytometry. RESULTS At clinically achievable levels (100 μM), DFMO significantly decreased (P < 0.05) polyamine putrescine and achieved modest cytotoxicity (<1 log (90% cytotoxicity). Prolonged exposures (7 days) or culture in 2% and 20% O2 did not enhance DFMO cytotoxicity. However, fenretinide (10 μM) even at a concentration lower than clinically achievable in neuroblastoma patients (20 μM) induced ≥ 1 log cell kill in 14 cell lines. The average IC90 and IC99 of fenretinide was 4.7 ± 1 μM and 9.9 ± 1.8 μM, respectively. DFMO did not induce a significant increase (P > 0.05) in apoptosis (TUNEL assay). Apoptosis by fenretinide was significantly higher (P < 0.001) compared with DFMO or controls. CONCLUSIONS DFMO as a single agent has minimal cytotoxic activity for neuroblastoma cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monish R. Makena
- Cancer Center, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX.,Departments of Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX
| | - Hwang Eui Cho
- Cancer Center, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX.,Departments of Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX
| | - Thinh H. Nguyen
- Cancer Center, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX.,Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX
| | - Balakrishna Koneru
- Cancer Center, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX.,Departments of Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX
| | - Dattesh U. Verlekar
- Cancer Center, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX.,Departments of Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX
| | - Ashly Hindle
- Cancer Center, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX.,Departments of Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX
| | - Min H. Kang
- Cancer Center, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX.,Departments of Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX.,Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX
| | - C. Patrick Reynolds
- Cancer Center, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX.,Departments of Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX.,Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX.,Pediatrics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX.,Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX
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7
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Druy AE, Shorikov EV, Tsaur GA, Popov AM, Zaychikov AN, Tuponogov SN, Saveliev LI, Tytgat GAM, Fechina LG. Prospective investigation of applicability and the prognostic significance of bone marrow involvement in patients with neuroblastoma detected by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2018; 65:e27354. [PMID: 30007008 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.27354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Detection of bone marrow (BM) involvement in patients with neuroblastoma is crucial for staging and defining prognosis. Furthermore, the persistence of residual tumor cells in the BM is associated with an unfavorable outcome. METHODS Expression of PHOX2B, TH, ELAVL4, and B4GALNT1 (GD2-synthase) was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in neuroblastoma cell lines, control BM samples, and in BM samples from patients. The threshold level of expression for each gene was established through receiver operator characteristic analysis and used to determine the diagnostic test performance. The prognostic significance of BM involvement was assessed by survival rates calculations. The median of follow-up time was 36.1 months. RESULTS Neither PHOX2B nor TH expression was detected in control BM, while expression of ELAVL4 was found in 20 (76.9%) and GD2-synthase in 15 (57.7%) of 26 samples. The overall correct predictive value for TH, ELAVL4, and GD2-synthase, based on thresholds levels, was 0.952, 0.828, and 0.767, respectively, whereas the overall correct predictive value for PHOX2B was 0.994. The PHOX2B/TH expression in diagnostic BM of patients with neuroblastoma corresponded with a decreased survival rate (P < 0.001) in the total cohort and in different risk groups. Predominance of normalized expression of PHOX2B over TH > 1.68 in the diagnostic BM samples demonstrated an adverse prognostic effect (P = 0.006). Persistence of PHOX2B/TH expression in the BM during and after induction chemotherapy resulted in dismal outcome (P = 0.022 and P = 0.012). CONCLUSION PHOX2B and TH are the most optimal markers for detection of BM involvement, allowing identification of high-risk patients. Predominance of PHOX2B expression over TH has a strong adverse prognostic impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander E Druy
- Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Moscow, Russian Federation.,Research Institute of Medical Cell Technologies, Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation
| | - Egor V Shorikov
- PET-Technology Center of Nuclear Medicine, Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation
| | - Grigory A Tsaur
- Research Institute of Medical Cell Technologies, Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation.,Regional Children's Hospital N1, Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation.,Department of Immunochemistry, Ural Federal University named after the First President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin, Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation
| | - Alexander M Popov
- Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | | | | | - Leonid I Saveliev
- Research Institute of Medical Cell Technologies, Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation.,Regional Children's Hospital N1, Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation
| | - Godelieve A M Tytgat
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Emma Children's Hospital (EKZ/AMC), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Princess Máxima Centre for Pediatric Oncology (PMC), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Larisa G Fechina
- Regional Children's Hospital N1, Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation
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Gholamin S, Mirzaei H, Razavi S, Hassanian SM, Saadatpour L, Masoudifar A, ShahidSales S, Avan A. GD2‐targeted immunotherapy and potential value of circulating microRNAs in neuroblastoma. J Cell Physiol 2017; 233:866-879. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sharareh Gholamin
- Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative MedicineStanford UniversityStanfordCalifornia
- Department of Bioengineering at California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCalifornia
| | - Hamed Mirzaei
- Department of Medical BiotechnologySchool of MedicineMashhad University of Medical SciencesMashhadIran
| | | | - Seyed Mahdi Hassanian
- Department of Medical BiochemistrySchool of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical SciencesMashhadIran
- Microanatomy Research CenterMashhad University of Medical SciencesMashhadIran
| | - Leila Saadatpour
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Florida College of MedicineGainesvilleFlorida
| | - Aria Masoudifar
- Department of Molecular BiotechnologyCell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECRIsfahanIran
| | - Soodabeh ShahidSales
- Cancer Research CenterSchool of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical SciencesMashhadIran
| | - Amir Avan
- Metabolic Syndrome Research CenterSchool of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical SciencesMashhadIran
- Molecular Medicine group, Department of Modern Sciences and TechnologiesMashhad University of Medical SciencesMashhadIran
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Naftali O, Maman S, Meshel T, Sagi-Assif O, Ginat R, Witz IP. PHOX2B is a suppressor of neuroblastoma metastasis. Oncotarget 2016; 7:10627-37. [PMID: 26840262 PMCID: PMC4891146 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 01/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Paired like homeobox 2B (PHOX2B) is a minimal residual disease (MRD) marker of neuroblastoma. The presence of MRD, also referred to as micro-metastases, is a powerful marker of poor prognosis in neuroblastoma. Lung metastasis is considered a terminal event in neuroblastoma. Lung micro-metastatic neuroblastoma (MicroNB) cells show high expression levels of PHOX2B and possess a less malignant and metastatic phenotype than lung macro metastatic neuroblastoma (MacroNB) cells, which hardly express PHOX2B. In vitro assays showed that PHOX2B knockdown in MicroNB cells did not affect cell viability; however it decreased the migratory capacity of the MicroNB-shPHOX2B cells. An orthotopic inoculation of MicroNB-shPHOX2B cells into the adrenal gland of nude mice resulted in significantly larger primary tumors and a heavier micro-metastatic load in the lungs and bone-marrow, than when control cells were inoculated. PHOX2B expression was found to be regulated by methylation. The PHOX2B promoter in MacroNB cells is significantly more methylated than in MicroNB cells. Demethylation assays using 5-azacytidine demonstrated that methylation can indeed inhibit PHOX2B transcription in MacroNB cells. These pre-clinical data strongly suggest that PHOX2B functions as a suppressor of neuroblastoma progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osnat Naftali
- Department of Cell Research and Immunology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel 69978
| | - Shelly Maman
- Department of Cell Research and Immunology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel 69978
| | - Tsipi Meshel
- Department of Cell Research and Immunology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel 69978
| | - Orit Sagi-Assif
- Department of Cell Research and Immunology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel 69978
| | - Ravit Ginat
- Department of Cell Research and Immunology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel 69978
| | - Isaac P Witz
- Department of Cell Research and Immunology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel 69978
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Tellez-Gabriel M, Brown HK, Young R, Heymann MF, Heymann D. The Challenges of Detecting Circulating Tumor Cells in Sarcoma. Front Oncol 2016; 6:202. [PMID: 27656422 PMCID: PMC5013264 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2016.00202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of malignant neoplasms of mesenchymal origin, many of which have a propensity to develop distant metastases. Cancer cells that have escaped from the primary tumor are able to invade into surrounding tissues, to intravasate into the bloodstream to become circulating tumor cells (CTCs), and are responsible for the generation of distant metastases. Due to the rarity of these tumors and the absence of specific markers expressed by sarcoma tumor cells, the characterization of sarcoma CTCs has to date been relatively limited. Current techniques for isolating sarcoma CTCs are based on size criteria, the identification of circulating cells that express either common mesenchymal markers, sarcoma-specific markers, such as CD99, CD81, or PAX3, and chromosomal translocations found in certain sarcoma subtypes, such as EWS-FLI1 in Ewing’s sarcoma, detection of osteoblast-related genes, or measurement of the activity of specific metabolic enzymes. Further studies are needed to improve the isolation and characterization of sarcoma CTCs, to demonstrate their clinical significance as predictive and/or prognostic biomarkers, and to utilize CTCs as a tool for investigating the metastatic process in sarcoma and to identify novel therapeutic targets. The present review provides a short overview of the most recent literature on CTCs in sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Tellez-Gabriel
- UMR 957, Pathophysiology of Bone Resorption and Therapy of Primary Bone Tumours, Equipe Ligue 2012, Faculty of Medicine, INSERM, University of Nantes, Nantes, France; Laboratotio Hematologia Oncologica y de Transplantes, Institut Investigacions Biomèdiques (IBB) Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Hannah K Brown
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; European Associated Laboratory, INSERM-University of Sheffield, Sarcoma Research Unit, Medical School, Sheffield, UK
| | - Robin Young
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; European Associated Laboratory, INSERM-University of Sheffield, Sarcoma Research Unit, Medical School, Sheffield, UK
| | - Marie-Françoise Heymann
- UMR 957, Pathophysiology of Bone Resorption and Therapy of Primary Bone Tumours, Equipe Ligue 2012, Faculty of Medicine, INSERM, University of Nantes, Nantes, France; Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; European Associated Laboratory, INSERM-University of Sheffield, Sarcoma Research Unit, Medical School, Sheffield, UK; Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France
| | - Dominique Heymann
- UMR 957, Pathophysiology of Bone Resorption and Therapy of Primary Bone Tumours, Equipe Ligue 2012, Faculty of Medicine, INSERM, University of Nantes, Nantes, France; Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; European Associated Laboratory, INSERM-University of Sheffield, Sarcoma Research Unit, Medical School, Sheffield, UK; Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France
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11
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Kletzel M, Chou PM, Olszewski M, Rademaker AW, Khan S. Expression of Wilms tumor gene in high risk neuroblastoma: complementary marker to tyrosine hydroxylase for detection of minimal residual disease. Transl Pediatr 2015; 4:219-25. [PMID: 26835379 PMCID: PMC4729048 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2224-4336.2015.07.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma (NB) is an enigmatic tumor that often presents with metastatic disease at diagnosis and it is this aggressive propensity which places it among the deadliest pediatric tumors despite intensive multimodal therapy including hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We have previously demonstrated that Wilms tumor 1 gene (WT1) is a surrogate marker of proliferation in leukemia. To determine the potential association between WT1 and a known marker of NB, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in this high risk group of patients. METHODS A total of 141 random samples from 34 patients were obtained, at diagnosis (n=27), during therapy (n=95), in clinical remission (n=13), and at the time of relapse (n=6). Quantitative RT-PCR was used for the evaluation of the level of gene expression using specific primers. RESULTS Although similar gene expressions were demonstrated in both controls when evaluating both genes, significant difference was found at each clinical time point. Furthermore, when comparing patient samples from diagnosis to clinical remission and diagnosis to clinical relapse, individual gene expression varied. WT1 demonstrated significance (P=0.0002) and insignificance (P=0.06) whereas TH remained non-significant (P=0.2, P=0.09) respectively. CONCLUSIONS WT1 gene is indicative of cellular proliferation in NB and for this reason it can be adjuvant to TH for the detection minimal residual disease (MRD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Morris Kletzel
- 1 Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago Il, USA ; 2 Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Department of Hematology, Oncology and Transplant, Chicago Il, USA ; 3 Stem Cell Transplant Research Laboratory, Chicago Il, USA ; 4 Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Department of Pathology, Chicago Il, USA
| | - Pauline M Chou
- 1 Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago Il, USA ; 2 Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Department of Hematology, Oncology and Transplant, Chicago Il, USA ; 3 Stem Cell Transplant Research Laboratory, Chicago Il, USA ; 4 Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Department of Pathology, Chicago Il, USA
| | - Marie Olszewski
- 1 Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago Il, USA ; 2 Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Department of Hematology, Oncology and Transplant, Chicago Il, USA ; 3 Stem Cell Transplant Research Laboratory, Chicago Il, USA ; 4 Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Department of Pathology, Chicago Il, USA
| | - Alfred W Rademaker
- 1 Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago Il, USA ; 2 Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Department of Hematology, Oncology and Transplant, Chicago Il, USA ; 3 Stem Cell Transplant Research Laboratory, Chicago Il, USA ; 4 Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Department of Pathology, Chicago Il, USA
| | - Sana Khan
- 1 Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago Il, USA ; 2 Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Department of Hematology, Oncology and Transplant, Chicago Il, USA ; 3 Stem Cell Transplant Research Laboratory, Chicago Il, USA ; 4 Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Department of Pathology, Chicago Il, USA
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12
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Stability of PCR targets for monitoring minimal residual disease in neuroblastoma. J Mol Diagn 2012; 14:168-75. [PMID: 22251610 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoldx.2011.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2011] [Revised: 10/23/2011] [Accepted: 12/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In neuroblastoma (NB) patients, minimal residual disease (MRD) can be detected by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) using NB-specific target genes, such as PHOX2B and TH. However, it is unknown whether the mRNA levels of these targets vary either during treatment or at relapse. If marker genes are not stably expressed, estimation of MRD levels in bone marrow (BM) or peripheral blood will be hampered. We studied the stability of a panel of qPCR markers in primary tumors at diagnosis compared with i) paired metastasis (n = 7), ii) treated (n = 10), and iii) relapse (n = 6) tumors. We also compared relative expression of the targets in iv) primary tumors and BM at diagnosis (n = 17), v) BM and peripheral blood at diagnosis (n = 20), vi) BM at diagnosis and during treatment (n = 26), and vii) BM from different puncture sides (n = 110). Especially at diagnosis, PCR target expression is quite stable. Accurate quantification is possible when expression level can be related to the primary tumor; however, PCR target expression can alter on treatment and at relapse. If the median value of relative expression of a panel of PCR targets is used, most variations due to treatment and outgrowth of subclones level out, allowing for reliable application and quantification of MRD-PCR targets in NB patients.
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13
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Corrias MV, Haupt R, Carlini B, Cappelli E, Giardino S, Tripodi G, Tonini GP, Garaventa A, Pistoia V, Pistorio A. Multiple target molecular monitoring of bone marrow and peripheral blood samples from patients with localized neuroblastoma and healthy donors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 58:43-9. [PMID: 21254375 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.22960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2010] [Accepted: 11/11/2010] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple target molecular monitoring of minimal residual disease in neuroblastoma (NB) patients may increase sensitivity and overcome tumor heterogeneity. However, multiple target analysis is costly and time consuming, thus improvement with respect to single target monitoring needs to be achieved. PROCEDURES Italian patients with localized NB were evaluated at diagnosis for TH, GD2-s, DDC, DCX, ELAV-4, STX, and Phox2b mRNA expressions. Patients with metastatic NB were tested as positive controls, together with NB primary tumors and cell lines, while healthy donors were tested as negative controls. RESULTS All NB-related markers but Phox2b were expressed in healthy donors, and in a high percentage of patients with localized NB without association with clinical events. The introduction of cut-off levels increased marker specificity, although the percentage of positive results was only slightly modified. While TH positivity in PB samples significantly associated with a worse prognosis, a paradox association was found for GD2-s mRNA expression. No correlation and agreement between quantitative and qualitative results obtained with the two assays were found. In the set of samples tested for all markers, no pattern of expression was found to be associated with a specific clinical situation. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that positive molecular results may not reflect the presence of disease, and that correlation among different markers is small in condition of low tumor burden. Thus, to reduce cost and amount of precious samples, in addition to TH, whose prognostic value was confirmed, only Phox2b warrants further evaluation in multi-center, prospective studies for high risk patients.
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14
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Stutterheim J, Ichou FA, den Ouden E, Versteeg R, Caron HN, Tytgat GAM, van der Schoot CE. Methylated RASSF1a is the first specific DNA marker for minimal residual disease testing in neuroblastoma. Clin Cancer Res 2011; 18:808-14. [PMID: 22142825 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-11-0849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE PCR-based detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) in neuroblastoma (NB) is presently based on NB-specific transcripts. However, the expression of these targets varies between patients and upon treatment, and only PHOX2B is truly specific. RASSF1a is methylated (RASSF1a(M)) in NB, and we investigated whether it can serve as a specific and stable DNA MRD marker. PATIENTS AND METHODS The RASSF1a(M)-specific quantitative real-time PCR was tested on control bone marrow (BM; n = 50), on 71 NB tumors, and on 159 clinical BM samples at diagnosis and at follow-up of 77 patients. Results were compared with a panel of RNA markers and correlated with prognosis. RESULTS RASSF1a(M) was present in all stage 4 and 4s tumors (n = 50) and in 86% stages 1 to 3 tumors (n = 21). The level of methylation in stage 4 NB was correlated with overall survival (P = 0.02). RASSF1a(M)-PCR was highly specific (only 1 amplification in 50 control samples tested in triplicate) and had a similar sensitivity as the RNA-based PCRs, as shown on clinical samples. Moreover, RASSF1a(M) enabled accurate quantification without need for the original tumor. CONCLUSIONS RASSF1a(M) is a novel, highly specific DNA marker for MRD detection in NB, equal to PHOX2B in specificity and sensitivity, and better suitable for MRD quantification. We propose to include RASSF1a(M) in further prospective MRD studies in NB alongside RNA MRD markers. In addition, this assay might also be applicable for detection of circulating tumor cells in patients with other cancers withRASSF1a(M) such as breast or lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Stutterheim
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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15
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Parodi F, Passoni L, Massimo L, Luksch R, Gambini C, Rossi E, Zuffardi O, Pistoia V, Pezzolo A. Identification of novel prognostic markers in relapsing localized resectable neuroblastoma. OMICS-A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2011; 15:113-21. [PMID: 21319993 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2010.0085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Patients with localized resectable neuroblastoma (NB) generally have an excellent prognosis and can be treated by surgery alone, but approximately 10% of them develop local recurrences or metastatic progression. The known predictive risk factors are important for the identification of localized resectable NB patients at risk of relapse and/or progression, who may benefit from early and aggressive treatment. These factors, however, identify only a subset of patients at risk, and the search for novel prognostic markers is warranted. This review focuses on the recent advances in the identification of new prognostic markers. Recently we addressed the search of novel genetic prognostic markers in a selected cohort of patients with stroma-poor localized resectable NB who underwent disease relapse or progression (group 1) or complete remission (group 2). High-resolution array-comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) DNA copy-number analysis technology was used. Chromosome 1p36.22p36.32 loss and 1q22qter gain, detected almost exclusively in group 1 patients, were significantly associated with poor event-free survival (EFS). Increasing evidence points to anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) as a fundamental oncogene associated with NB. The immunohistochemical analysis of sporadic NB localized resectable primary tumors (stage 1-2) showed a correlation between aberrant ALK level of expression and tumor progression and clinical outcome. Moreover, other factors that might influence the clinical behavior of these tumors will be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Parodi
- Laboratory of Oncology, IRCCS G.Gaslini Hospital, Genova, Italy
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16
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Lee ST, Ki CS, Sung KW, Kim HJ, Kim JW, Kim SH, Lee SH, Yoo KH, Koo HH, Kim JY, Cho EJ. Molecular detection of tyrosine hydroxylase in the peripheral blood of patients with neuroblastoma: useful at diagnosis but not predictive of subsequent relapse during off-therapy follow-up. Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2011; 28:16-23. [PMID: 21083359 DOI: 10.3109/08880018.2010.514694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, the authors analyzed the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in peripheral blood (PB) of neuroblastoma (NB) patients and investigated the clinical implications. From April 2005 to October 2008, a total of 683 PB specimens (64 at diagnosis, 244 during chemotherapy, 355 during off-therapy follow-up, and 20 at relapse) acquired from 141 patients were investigated. TH expression was measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). TH-positive rate at diagnosis (21.4%) was higher than those during chemotherapy (0.8%) or off-therapy follow-up (1.7%). TH expression at diagnosis was associated with high-risk features (ie, advanced stage, older age, unfavorable pathology, and amplified N-myc) and the probability of 3-year relapse-free survival in the TH-positive patients was lower than in the TH-negative patients (45.8% ± 27.8% versus 95.8% ± 5.7%, P < .001). TH expression was positive in only 6 specimens during off-therapy follow-up. However, tumor relapse occurred in only 2 out of 6 TH-positive patients. In addition, TH expression was negative during previous off-therapy follow-up, prior to relapse, in 8 out of 10 relapsed patients. Whereas TH expression in PB at diagnosis was associated with high-risk features and a poorer outcome, TH expression during off-therapy follow-up had very limited value for the prediction of a subsequent relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Tae Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Abstract
Small cell malignancies of children constitute a continuing diagnostic challenge for surgical pathologists, although modern methods of ancillary diagnosis provide powerful tools that resolve most difficult cases. Current techniques range from identification of DNA alternations, including gene fusions, chromosome translocations, and genetic deletions, to recognition of characteristic patterns of protein expression, usually visualized with immunohistochemistry. In spite of these advances, recognition of key cellular and histologic features remains the keystone of diagnosis but requires adequately fixed and carefully stained histologic sections. Cytologic features now suffice for diagnosis if confirmed by appropriate testing. This article outlines key histologic features of pediatric small cell neoplasms and the algorithms that allow diagnostic confirmation and the initiation of appropriate therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Parham
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 940 Stanton L. Young Boulevard, Room BMSB 451, Oklahoma City, OK 70104, USA.
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18
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Lee ST, Suh YL, Ko YH, Ki CS, Sung KW, Kim HJ, Kim JW, Kim SH, Chueh H, Lee SH, Yoo KH, Koo HH. Measurement of tyrosine hydroxylase transcripts in bone marrow using biopsied tissue instead of aspirates for neuroblastoma. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2010; 55:273-8. [PMID: 20582938 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.22483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Molecular detection of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) transcripts by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) is a sensitive method to detect neuroblastoma (NB) cells in the bone marrow (BM). However, its clinical utility following chemotherapy has not been thoroughly investigated. PROCEDURES TH transcripts in the BM were measured by qRT-PCR both at diagnosis and during the course of chemotherapy. The results were analyzed with respect to assay timing, tumor volume and histological findings. RESULTS TH transcripts were detected in 100% of BM aspirates at diagnosis in cases with concurrent tumor involvement in the BM section; however, the proportion of TH transcript positive BM aspirates in cases with concurrent tumor involvement in the BM section gradually decreased following chemotherapy (55.5% after three cycles, 28.6% after six cycles and 0% after nine or more cycles of chemotherapy). Decreased proportion of TH transcript positive BM aspirates was associated with reduced tumor volume in the BM and differentiation of tumors into mature forms during chemotherapy. When qRT-PCR was performed with both aspirated and biopsied tissue during chemotherapy, TH transcripts were detected in BM tissue not only in all of the histology-positive cases but also in some of the histology-negative cases, while the proportion of TH transcript positive BM aspirates was low, even in histology-positive cases. CONCLUSIONS Measurement of TH transcripts in BM aspirates does not appear to be clinically useful during or after chemotherapy. Therefore, molecular monitoring of NB cells during or after chemotherapy using BM tissue is more optimal than testing on BM aspirates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Tae Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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19
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Corrias MV, Pistorio A, Cangemi G, Tripodi G, Carlini B, Scaruffi P, Fardin P, Garaventa A, Pistoia V, Haupt R. Detection of cell-free RNA in children with neuroblastoma and comparison with that of whole blood cell RNA. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2010; 54:897-903. [PMID: 20405510 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.22498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since there is no validated assay to monitor disease in children with neuroblastoma (NB), we tested whether NB specific cell-free RNA could be detected in their plasma samples. Moreover, with the aim of reducing patients' discomfort, we compared this assay to a recently standardized procedure that uses a larger amount of whole blood. PROCEDURES Using conditions that excluded RNA recovery from contaminating tumor cells, the total amount of cell-free RNA present in healthy children and patients with NB was quantified. Expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was assayed by quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS In patients with NB the amount of cell-free RNA was higher than in healthy children. However, it was less and more degraded than in healthy adults. The median amount of cell-free RNA that was reverse transcribed, measured through the use of standard curves for reference genes, was 0.03 (range 0-30) pg of input RNA, that is, always less than 1/10,000 of that reverse transcribed from total RNA extracted from whole cells. Despite the presence of disease and the positive results obtained with RNA extracted from peripheral blood cells, few cell-free RNA samples tested positive by the TH assay. Similar results were obtained also with TH primers specifically designed to amplify 50 bp RNA fragments. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that for monitoring disease status detection of cell-free tumor-specific RNAs in patients with NB is not a reliable alternative to whole cell RNA.
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20
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Stutterheim J, Gerritsen A, Zappeij-Kannegieter L, Yalcin B, Dee R, van Noesel MM, Berthold F, Versteeg R, Caron HN, van der Schoot CE, Tytgat GAM. Detecting minimal residual disease in neuroblastoma: the superiority of a panel of real-time quantitative PCR markers. Clin Chem 2009; 55:1316-26. [PMID: 19460840 DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2008.117945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND PCR-based detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) in neuroblastoma (NB) patients can be used for initial staging and monitoring therapy response in bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB). PHOX2B has been identified as a sensitive and specific MRD marker; however, its expression varies between tumors. Therefore, a panel of markers could increase sensitivity. METHODS To identify additional MRD markers for NB, we selected genes by comparing SAGE (serial analysis of gene expression) libraries of healthy and NB tissues followed by extensive real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) testing in samples of tumors (n = 56), control BM (n = 51), PB (n = 37), and cell subsets. The additional value of a panel was determined in 222 NB samples from 82 Dutch stage 4 NB patients (54 diagnosis BM samples, 143 BM samples during/after treatment, and 25 PB samples). RESULTS We identified 2 panels of specific RQ-PCR markers for MRD detection in NB patients: 1 for analysis of BM samples (PHOX2B, TH, DDC, CHRNA3, and GAP43) and 1 for analysis of PB samples (PHOX2B, TH, DDC, DBH, and CHRNA3). These markers all showed high expression in NB tumors and no or low expression in control BM or PB samples. In patients' samples, the PHOX2B marker detected most positive samples. In PB samples, however, 3 of 7 PHOX2B-negative samples were positive for 1 or more markers, and in BM examinations during treatment, 7% (6 of 86) of the PHOX2B-negative samples were positive for another marker. CONCLUSIONS Because of differences in the sensitivities of the markers in BM and PB, we advise the use of 2 different panels to detect MRD in these compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Stutterheim
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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21
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Beiske K, Burchill SA, Cheung IY, Hiyama E, Seeger RC, Cohn SL, Pearson ADJ, Matthay KK. Consensus criteria for sensitive detection of minimal neuroblastoma cells in bone marrow, blood and stem cell preparations by immunocytology and QRT-PCR: recommendations by the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group Task Force. Br J Cancer 2009; 100:1627-37. [PMID: 19401690 PMCID: PMC2696761 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6605029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2008] [Revised: 02/16/2009] [Accepted: 03/17/2009] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Disseminating disease is a predictive and prognostic indicator of poor outcome in children with neuroblastoma. Its accurate and sensitive assessment can facilitate optimal treatment decisions. The International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG) Task Force has defined standardised methods for the determination of minimal disease (MD) by immunocytology (IC) and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) using disialoganglioside G(D2) and tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA respectively. The INRG standard operating procedures (SOPs) define methods for collecting, processing and evaluating bone marrow (BM), peripheral blood (PB) and peripheral blood stem cell harvest by IC and QRT-PCR. Sampling PB and BM is recommended at diagnosis, before and after myeloablative therapy and at the end of treatment. Peripheral blood stem cell products should be analysed at the time of harvest. Performing MD detection according to INRG SOPs will enable laboratories throughout the world to compare their results and thus facilitate quality-controlled multi-centre prospective trials to assess the clinical significance of MD and minimal residual disease in heterogeneous patient groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Beiske
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
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22
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Träger C, Vernby A, Kullman A, Ora I, Kogner P, Kågedal B. mRNAs of tyrosine hydroxylase and dopa decarboxylase but not of GD2 synthase are specific for neuroblastoma minimal disease and predicts outcome for children with high-risk disease when measured at diagnosis. Int J Cancer 2009; 123:2849-55. [PMID: 18814238 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.23846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Several transcripts have been claimed to be clinically valuable for detecting minimal disease in neuroblastoma, but they have not been prospectively compared in a standardized manner. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopa decarboxylase (DDC) and GD2 synthase (GD2S) mRNAs were analyzed in 554 blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) samples from 58 children with neuroblastoma. Samples from 44 children with other diseases served as controls. High transcript concentrations of TH, GD2S or DDC in PB or BM at diagnosis were associated with poor prognosis. TH in BM above median indicated worse outcome for a homogenous cohort with high-risk neuroblastoma (survival probability 91% for TH below median versus 33% for TH above median, p = 0.009). The number of children with localized neuroblastoma with increased results in PB did not differ between the three transcripts. In these children, all without morphologically detectable neuroblastoma in BM, the number of patients with elevated GD2S in BM at diagnosis was significantly higher than for the other transcripts (10/16 elevated, p = 0.012). GD2S was elevated in PB from 10/28 controls without neuroblastoma compared to 1/28 for TH and DDC (p < 0.001). In BM from these children GD2S was significantly elevated. We conclude that high expression of TH and DDC both in PB and BM corresponds to metastatic neuroblastoma at diagnosis, residual disease, and poor outcome. Children with high-risk neuroblastoma and low levels of TH in BM at diagnosis may be cured by current therapy. GD2S is less specific than TH and DDC mRNA for neuroblastoma detection in PB and BM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Träger
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Woman and Child Health, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
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23
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Stutterheim J, Gerritsen A, Zappeij-Kannegieter L, Kleijn I, Dee R, Hooft L, van Noesel MM, Bierings M, Berthold F, Versteeg R, Caron HN, van der Schoot CE, Tytgat GAM. PHOX2B is a novel and specific marker for minimal residual disease testing in neuroblastoma. J Clin Oncol 2008; 26:5443-9. [PMID: 18838715 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2007.13.6531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) in neuroblastoma can be used to monitor therapy response and to evaluate stem cell harvests. Commonly used PCR markers, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and GD2 synthase, have expression in normal tissues, thus limiting MRD detection. To identify a more specific MRD marker, we tested PHOX2B. PATIENTS AND METHODS To determine PHOX2B, TH, and GD2 synthase expression in normal tissues, it was measured by real-time quantitative PCR in samples of normal bone marrow (BM; n = 51), peripheral blood (PB; n = 37), and peripheral-blood stem cells (PBSCs; n = 24). Then, 289 samples of 101 Dutch patients and 47 samples of 43 German patients were tested for PHOX2B and TH; these samples included 52 tumor, 214 BM, 32 BM, and 38 PBSC harvests. Of the 214 BM samples, 167 were compared with cytology, and 47 BM samples were compared with immunocytology (IC). RESULTS In contrast to TH and GD2 synthase, PHOX2B was not expressed in any of the normal samples. In patient samples, PHOX2B was detected in 32% cytology-negative and in 14% IC-negative samples and in 94% of cytology-positive and in 90% of IC-positive BM samples. Overall, PHOX2B was positive in 43% compared with 31% for TH. In 24% of all samples, TH expression was inconclusive, which is similar to expression found in normal tissues. In 42% of these samples, PHOX2B expression was positive. CONCLUSION PHOX2B is superior to TH and GD2 synthase in specificity and sensitivity for MRD detection of neuroblastoma by using real-time quantitative PCR. We propose to include PHOX2B in additional prospective MRD studies in neuroblastoma alongside TH and other MRD markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Stutterheim
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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24
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Corrias MV, Parodi S, Haupt R, Lacitignola L, Negri F, Sementa AR, Dau D, Scuderi F, Carlini B, Bianchi M, Casale F, Faulkner L, Garaventa A. Detection of GD2-positive cells in bone marrow samples and survival of patients with localised neuroblastoma. Br J Cancer 2008; 98:263-9. [PMID: 18182983 PMCID: PMC2361437 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6604179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The impact of bone marrow (BM) GD2-positive cells on survival has been evaluated in 145 Italian children with localised neuroblastoma (NB) evaluated at diagnosis by anti-GD2 immunocytochemistry. Nineteen of these (13.1%) were found to be BM GD2-positive, with the number of positive cells ranging between 1 and 155 out of 1 × 106 total cells analysed. Seven/19 (38.8%) GD2-positive vs 12/126 (9.5%) GD2-negative patients relapsed. The 5-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival of the GD2-positive patients was significantly worse than that of the GD2-negative ones (62.2 vs 89.9%, P<0.001; and 74.9 vs 95.9%, P=0.005, respectively). GD2 positivity was not associated to other known risk factors, and in particular to Myc-N amplification and 1p deletion. Among Myc-N-negative patients, the EFS of those negative for both GD2 and 1p deletion was significantly better than in children positive for either one of these two markers (EFS=96.9 vs 66.0%, P<0.001). In conclusion, GD2 positivity may represent a prognostic marker for patients with non-metastatic NB without Myc-N amplification, and its combination with genetic alterations might help identifying patients that require a more careful follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- M V Corrias
- Department of Experimental and Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Oncology, Gaslini Institute, Largo Gaslini, 5, Genoa 16147, Italy.
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25
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Cheung IY, Feng Y, Vickers A, Gerald W, Cheung NKV. Cyclin D1, a novel molecular marker of minimal residual disease, in metastatic neuroblastoma. J Mol Diagn 2007; 9:237-41. [PMID: 17384216 PMCID: PMC1867438 DOI: 10.2353/jmoldx.2007.060130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Accurate monitoring of minimal residual disease (MRD) is critical for the management of metastatic neuroblastoma (NB). We evaluated cyclin D1 (CCND1), a cell-cycle control gene, as a novel MRD marker of NB. Using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, we studied CCND1 expression in 133 solid tumors of different histological types, including 39 NB tumors, and examined its potential clinical utility as an early response marker in the bone marrows before and after treatment of 118 stage 4 patients enrolled after induction chemotherapy in an immunotherapy protocol. Based on 40 normal marrow and peripheral blood samples, a CCND1 transcript value greater than the mean + 2 SD was defined as positive. Sensitivity of this assay was one NB cell in 10(6) normal mononuclear cells. CCND1 transcript levels were high in NB, breast cancer, and Ewing family tumors. Among the NB patients evaluated, early (2.5 months from protocol entry) marrow response was strongly associated with both progression-free (P=0.0001) and overall survival (P=0.0006). CCND1 response remained predictive of survival among a subset of 66 patients who had no histological evidence of marrow disease before immunotherapy. We conclude that CCND1 has potential clinical utility as a novel molecular marker of MRD in the bone marrow of patients with metastatic NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Y Cheung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave., New York, NY 10021, USA.
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26
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Kågedal B, Farnebäck M, Håkansson A, Gustafsson B, Håkansson L. How useful are housekeeping genes? Variable expression in melanoma metastases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 45:1481-7. [PMID: 17892440 DOI: 10.1515/cclm.2007.303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
AbstractClin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:1481–7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bertil Kågedal
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Clinical Chemistry, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
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27
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Viprey VF, Corrias MV, Kagedal B, Oltra S, Swerts K, Vicha A, Ladenstein R, Burchill SA. Standardisation of operating procedures for the detection of minimal disease by QRT-PCR in children with neuroblastoma: Quality assurance on behalf of SIOPEN-R-NET. Eur J Cancer 2007; 43:341-50. [PMID: 17023157 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2006.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2006] [Revised: 07/14/2006] [Accepted: 08/02/2006] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The clinical utility of detecting minimal residual disease (MRD) in children with neuroblastoma (NB) by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) is not clear. This in part reflects the lack of uniform methodology for analysis and reporting. Reference laboratories across Europe have therefore established standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the detection of NB cells by QRT-PCR. Haemopoietic samples are collected into PAXgene blood RNA tubes, which stabilise mRNA for 48 h at room temperature and more than 6 months at -80 degrees C. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was selected as the target for NB cell detection, expression is normalised to beta2-microglobulin and reported using the DeltaDeltaCt method. The sensitivity of QRT-PCR increased from 58% to 90% following the development of SOPs. A robust, transferable, objective method for the detection of NB cells by QRT-PCR has been defined to improve the power and consistency of studies on MRD in children with NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie F Viprey
- Children's Cancer Research Laboratory, Cancer Research UK Clinical Centre, St James's University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
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Morandi F, Chiesa S, Bocca P, Millo E, Salis A, Solari M, Pistoia V, Prigione I. Tumor mRNA-transfected dendritic cells stimulate the generation of CTL that recognize neuroblastoma-associated antigens and kill tumor cells: immunotherapeutic implications. Neoplasia 2006; 8:833-42. [PMID: 17032500 PMCID: PMC1715922 DOI: 10.1593/neo.06415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Several observations suggest a potential role of T-cell-mediated immunity in the control of neuroblastoma (NB). However, the generation of NB-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) on T-cell priming with tumor mRNA-transfected dendritic cells (DC) has never been investigated before. In the present study, the feasibility of this strategy has been analyzed, both in healthy donors and in NB patients. Monocyte-derived DC were raised from three human leukocyte antigen (HLA) A2+ NB patients and seven HLA-A1+ or HLA-A2+ healthy donors transfected with mRNA from four NB cell lines and cocultured with autologous CD8+ lymphocytes. Expanded CTL expressed an effector/memory phenotype and a T cytotoxic 1-like profile of cytokine secretion. CTL specificity was demonstrated by interferon-gamma release on incubation with HLA-matched NB cell lines. The latter cell lines, but not autologous T-cell blasts, were lysed by CTL in an HLA-restricted manner. Cytotoxicity was found to involve the release of granzyme B. When tested for reactivity against NB-associated antigens, CTL from normal individuals recognized anaplastic lymphoma-associated kinase (ALK) and preferentially expressed antigen of melanoma (PRAME) peptides only, whereas patients' CTL reacted also to survivin, telomerase, and tyrosine hydroxylase peptides. This study demonstrates that DC transfected with NB mRNA induce the generation of patients' CTL specific for different NB-associated antigens, supporting the feasibility of NB T-cell immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Morandi
- Laboratory of Oncology, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy.
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29
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Corrias MV, Haupt R, Carlini B, Parodi S, Rivabella L, Garaventa A, Pistoia V, Dallorso S. Peripheral blood stem cell tumor cell contamination and survival of neuroblastoma patients. Clin Cancer Res 2006; 12:5680-5. [PMID: 17020970 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-06-0740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Contribution of peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) contaminating tumor cells to subsequent relapse and overall survival of neuroblastoma patients remains controversial. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Neuroblastoma cell contamination of 27 PBSC harvests from stage IV neuroblastoma patients was assessed by quantitative RT-PCR for both tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and GD2 synthase (GD2-s). The effect of PBSC contamination on survival was then analyzed. RESULTS Seven PBSC tested negative for both markers; 19 were positive for GD2-s, 6 for TH, with 5 positive for both. Survival of the 20 patients with positive PBSC did not differ from that of the patients with negative PBSC (log-rank test, P = 0.134 and 0.218 for event-free survival and overall survival, respectively). By considering the TH and GD2-s results independently, a borderline (P = 0.053) negative effect on event-free survival was observed in patients reinfused with GD2-s-positive PBSC. When the status at transplant was taken into account, only the event-free survival of the patients rescued when in complete remission with GD2-s-negative PBSC was better, although not significantly, than that of patients infused with GD2-s-positive PBSC. CONCLUSIONS Our results obtained in a small cohort of homogeneously treated stage IV patients suggest that patient survival is not affected by PBSC contamination with the exception of a borderline negative effect on event-free survival in patients rescued when in complete remission.
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Rosanda C, Gambini C, Carlini B, Conte M, De Bernardi B, Garaventa A, Corrias MV. Diagnostic identification of malignant cells in the cerebrospinal fluid by tumor-specific qRT-PCR. Clin Exp Metastasis 2006; 23:223-6. [PMID: 17028920 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-006-9032-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2006] [Accepted: 08/03/2006] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Tumor specific quantitative RT-PCRs for two neuroblastoma specific molecular markers, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and GD2 synthase, were used to unequivocally demonstrate the neoplastic nature of the cells present in the cerebrospinal fluid of a neuroblastoma patient. After radical surgery of two separate tumoral lesions, localized in the extradural area, the patient presented with meningitis. Common sites of neuroblastoma metastatization, e.g. bone and bone marrow, were not infiltrated by tumor cells, as assessed by standard scintigraphy, morphological investigation and by sensitive and specific immunocytochemical and molecular assays. The results presented here demonstrate the successful use of tumor-specific qRT-PCRs in cerebrospinal fluid to investigate questionable clinical cases. The technique, which compared to other detection methods (e.g., immunocytochemistry) requires very few cells, yields unambiguous information once a suspected diagnosis has been formulated and a tumor-specific molecular marker is available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Rosanda
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Gaslini Institute, 16147, Genoa, Italy
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31
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Cui G, Olsen T, Christiansen I, Vonen B, Florholmen J, Goll R. Improvement of real-time polymerase chain reaction for quantifying TNF-alpha mRNA expression in inflamed colorectal mucosa: an approach to optimize procedures for clinical use. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation 2006; 66:249-59. [PMID: 16714253 DOI: 10.1080/00365510600590472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The precise measurement of local tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) expression in tissue is important in understanding the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a sensitive, versatile method and is becoming a commonly used tool for the quantification of gene expression. The aim of this study was to optimize the laboratory procedure for biopsy sampling, storage and calibration of result for TNF-alpha mRNA quantification with real-time PCR of colorectal biopsies. MATERIAL AND METHODS Endoscopic biopsies from the colorectum were obtained from 18 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), 11 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and 18 normal controls. Optimization of procedures for real-time PCR performance was carried out. RESULTS The transport medium, RNAlater, exhibited a high preservation effect against RNA degradation even after 8 days of storage at room temperature; one biopsy from each patient was sufficient for RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis and TNF-mRNA quantification. An assay was established with a technical reproducible sensitivity of 100 copies/microL. The observed interassay variations were 7.4 % coefficient of variation (CV) and 7.2 % CV in low and high TNF-alpha mRNA expression biopsies, respectively. TNF-alpha mRNA levels in colorectal biopsies from patients with either CD or moderate to severe UC were markedly increased, and 8 approximately 9-fold higher than those in healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS This optimization improves the clinical use of real-time PCR for quantification of TNF-alpha gene expression in colorectal biopsies and provides a sensitive reproducible assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Cui
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tromsø, Norway.
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Berois N, Blanc E, Ripoche H, Mergui X, Trajtenberg F, Cantais S, Barrois M, Dessen P, Kågedal B, Bénard J, Osinaga E, Raguénez G. ppGalNAc-T13: a new molecular marker of bone marrow involvement in neuroblastoma. Clin Chem 2006; 52:1701-12. [PMID: 16873292 DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2006.067975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To identify new molecular markers of bone marrow dissemination in human neuroblastoma (NB), we studied the transcriptome profiles of malignant neuroblasts established from the human MYCN-amplified IGR-N-91 model. METHODS This experimental model includes human neuroblastoma cells derived from a subcutaneous stage 4 disease, myocardium (Myoc) and bone marrow (BM) metastatic cells. RESULTS Gene expression profiles obtained with Agilent oligo microarrays revealed a set of 107 differentially expressed genes in the metastatic neuroblasts. This set included up-regulated genes involved in chemoresistance, cell motility, neuronal structure/signaling, and the recently characterized GALNT13 gene encoding a glycosyltransferase that initiates mucin-type O-glycosylation. Because the glycosylation process is involved in the progression of primary tumor to metastatic disease, we investigated whether the most strongly up-regulated gene, GALNT13, might be a marker of bone marrow involvement in stage 4 NB patients. Importantly, in the BM of healthy adults no GALNT13 transcript was detected with analysis by quantitative (n = 3) and nested reverse transcription-PCR (n = 4) assays. In contrast, GALNT13 transcripts were detected in 23/23 cytologically involved BM samples obtained at diagnosis of stage 4 NB patients and in 5/27 cytologically noninvolved BM samples obtained from patients with stage 1-4 and 4S and treated stage 4 NB. The quantitative measurements of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), ganglioside D2 synthase, dopa decarboxylase, and GALNT13 transcript values were compared in the same NB patients, and the results showed that GALNT13 expression was most highly correlated to poor clinical outcome at diagnosis. CONCLUSION We propose ppGalNAc-T13 as a new informative marker for the molecular diagnosis of BM involvement and the follow-up of minimal residual disease in NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Berois
- CNRS-UMR 8126, Interactions Moléculaires at Cancer, Villejuif, France
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Swerts K, De Moerloose B, Dhooge C, Vandesompele J, Hoyoux C, Beiske K, Benoit Y, Laureys G, Philippé J. Potential Application of ELAVL4 Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription-PCR for Detection of Disseminated Neuroblastoma Cells. Clin Chem 2006; 52:438-45. [PMID: 16384890 DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2005.059485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Reliable detection of neuroblastoma cells in bone marrow (BM) is critical because BM involvement influences staging, risk assessment, and evaluation of therapeutic response in neuroblastoma patients. Standard cytomorphologic examination of BM aspirates is sensitive enough to detect single tumor cells. Consequently, more sensitive and specific detection methods are indispensable.
Methods: We used real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (QPCR) of the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), GD2 synthetase (GALGT), and embryonic lethal, abnormal vision, Drosophila-like 4 (ELAVL4) genes to detect disseminated neuroblastoma cells. We assessed assay sensitivity by addition experiments and then analyzed 97 neuroblastic tumor, BM, peripheral blood (PB), or peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) samples from 30 patients. The QPCR results were compared with those of a standardized immunocytochemical assay.
Results: The molecular markers were highly expressed in all evaluated tumor samples. In addition, 32%, 11%, and 38% of all BM, PB, and PBSC samples scored positive for TH, GALGT, or ELAVL4, respectively. The TH and ELAVL4 assays could detect 1 neuroblastoma cell in 106 mononuclear cells. By contrast, the GALGT QPCR assay could detect 1 neuroblastoma cell in 104 mononuclear cells. We assessed the potential prognostic value of TH, GALGT, and ELAVL4 QPCR by analyzing subsequent samples from 3 patients with stage 4 disease. Preliminary results indicated that persistence of high ELAVL4 expression has prognostic value.
Conclusions: ELAVL4 QPCR can be used to detect residual neuroblastoma cells in clinical samples. However, combination of several molecular markers and screening techniques should be considered to ensure reliable detection of rare neuroblastoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrien Swerts
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
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Mitsuhashi M, Tomozawa S, Endo K, Shinagawa A. Quantification of mRNA in whole blood by assessing recovery of RNA and efficiency of cDNA synthesis. Clin Chem 2006; 52:634-42. [PMID: 16497944 DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2005.048983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current gene expression analysis relies on the assumption that the isolated RNA represents all species of mRNA in proportions equal to those in the original materials. No system is available for absolute quantification of mRNA. METHODS We applied whole blood to 96-well filterplates to trap leukocytes. Lysis buffer containing cocktails of specific reverse primers and known concentrations of synthetic external control RNA (RNA34) was added to filterplates, and cell lysates were transferred to oligo(dT)-immobilized microplates for hybridization. We then synthesized the cDNA in the oligo(dT)-immobilized microplates from these primer sites and used the cDNA for real-time PCR. RNA34 acted as a universal control, and gene amplification results were converted to quantities of mRNA per microliter of whole blood after the recovery of RNA34 in each sample was determined. RESULTS Under fully optimized conditions, both added RNA34 and native mRNA species exhibited approximately 10% recovery from whole blood to real-time PCR. When whole blood was stimulated ex vivo, changes in gene expression as low as 30%-40% were detected with statistical significance, and the experimental CVs were low (10%-20%). CONCLUSION This new system to estimate mRNA copies per microliter of whole blood may allow standardization of gene-expression-based molecular diagnostics.
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Beiske K, Ambros PF, Burchill SA, Cheung IY, Swerts K. Detecting minimal residual disease in neuroblastoma patients-the present state of the art. Cancer Lett 2005; 228:229-40. [PMID: 15951104 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2005.02.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2005] [Accepted: 02/05/2005] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
While cyto- and histological screening of bone marrow samples are still accepted as the gold standard for initial staging of neuroblastoma patients, these applications are insufficient during or after therapy because it is not always possible to detect tumour cell infiltration below the level of 1% by morphology alone. For monitoring of minimal residual disease, techniques offering a considerably higher sensitivity have been developed. Immunocytology, RT-PCR and flow cytometry are most frequently used, but differ with regard to targets (single cells, RNA transcripts), measured parameters (tumour cell number, antigen expression, cytomorphology, cytogenetic aberrations, level/number of RNA transcripts), specificity (uni-/multi-parameter analysis) and sensitivity (number of investigated cells). The pros and cons of these methods are reviewed. Precise quantification of residual tumour cells in bone marrow and blood may show a future impact on risk grouping and therapeutic strategies for patients with disseminated disease, but the potential clinical application of these techniques has to be preceded by thorough standardisation and validation in multi-centre studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Beiske
- Department of Pathology, Rikshospitalet, Sognsvannsveien 23, N-0027 Oslo, Norway.
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Schumacher-Kuckelkorn R, Hero B, Ernestus K, Berthold F. Lacking immunocytological GD2 expression in neuroblastoma: report of 3 cases. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2005; 45:195-201. [PMID: 15800908 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.20301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Immunocytological bone marrow assessment for contamination with neuroblastoma cells is based on their characteristic GD2 surface staining. Neuroblastoma without GD2 expression have been rarely and only after antibody therapy reported. Conventional cytology was performed using Pappenheim staining. For immunocytology, the APAAP method was utilized with the 14G2a anti-GD2 mouse monoclonal antibody. 7 x 10(5) cells on cytospin preparations were investigated. In 2003, 288 bone marrow samples from 191 neuroblastoma patients were investigated by cytology and immunocytology. Three cases demonstrated GD2 negativity on cytologically unambiguous neuroblastoma cells. Two female cases (94 and 37 months of age) with stage 4 neuroblastoma had GD2 expressing neuroblastoma cells in bone marrow at diagnosis. At 2nd relapse 25 and 23 months after diagnosis and 8 months and 12 months after anti-GD2 antibody treatment (ch14.18), the bone marrow infiltrating neuroblastoma cells lacked GD2 staining. The third patient, a 63-month-old girl with bone marrow replacement by neuroblastoma cells showed at diagnosis a mixture of GD2-unstained tumor clumps and very weakly stained neuroblastoma cells. Neuroblastoma cells may lack GD2 expression at diagnosis and at recurrence. This observation has diagnostic and therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Castel
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Hospital Infantil La Fe, Avda. Campanar 21, 48009 Valencia, Spain.
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38
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Oltra S, Martinez F, Orellana C, Grau E, Fernandez JM, Cañete A, Castel V. The Doublecortin Gene, A New Molecular Marker to Detect Minimal Residual Disease in Neuroblastoma. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 14:53-7. [PMID: 15714065 DOI: 10.1097/01.pas.0000149876.32376.c0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a pediatric cancer of highly variable clinical outcome. Much effort is devoted to detection of minimal residual (MRD) disease through RT-PCR or immunology of tissue-specific markers. Tyrosine hyrdroxylase (TH) has demonstrated a high utility to assess disease dissemination, although this marker can be lost due to clonal variability. Here we propose the use of the doublecortin (DCX) gene as a new molecular marker of neuroblastoma cells. DCX specifically appears in migrating neurons of the central and peripheral nervous system and interacts with and regulates the microtobule cytoskeleton. We have studied this gene by real-time quantitative RT-PCR in a total of 47 primary tumors and 202 samples of bone marrow or peripheral blood from 34 high-risk neuroblastoma patients as well as in 41 normal controls. The expression of DCX demonstrated a good specificity and concordance with TH, showing a higher expression rate in all the sample types studied as well as at different time points from diagnosis. We conclude that DCX would be a more efficient marker of minimal disease in neuroblastoma and perhaps other tumors of neuronal lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvestre Oltra
- Unidad de Genetica, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
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Swerts K, De Moerloose B, Dhooge C, Brichard B, Benoit Y, Laureys G, Philippé J. Detection of residual neuroblastoma cells in bone marrow: comparison of flow cytometry with immunocytochemistry. CYTOMETRY PART B-CLINICAL CYTOMETRY 2005; 61:9-19. [PMID: 15351977 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.b.20019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Because the cytomorphologic examination of bone marrow (BM) aspirates appears not sensitive enough to detect residual neuroblastoma cells, two four-color flow cytometric assays using different combinations of CD9, CD81, CD56, CD45, and anti-GD2 were evaluated. METHODS The sensitivity of the flow cytometric assays was assessed by spiking experiments in normal peripheral blood samples. Twenty-eight BM samples, 12 biopsies, and 3 peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) preparations from 22 patients with neuroblastoma were analyzed. The results were compared with those of an anti-GD2 immunocytochemical reference assay. RESULTS Flow cytometric and immunocytochemical analyses showed residual neuroblastoma cells in four BM samples. One PBSC preparation and 20 BM samples were negative for both assays. Four BM and two PBSC samples scored positive for the immunocytochemical assay but were negative for the flow cytometric tests. This was due to the limited number of cells that were flow cytometrically analyzed. A strong correlation between the flow cytometric and immunocytochemical tests was found (chi2 = 6.4, P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS When an equal amount of cells is analyzed, the sensitivity of the flow cytometric assays is to be about 10 times lower than that of the immunocytochemical test. However, the flow cytometric assays can be used to screen for residual cells in clinical samples with a sensitivity of one neuroblastoma cell in 10(4) to 10(5) normal mononuclear cells. Flow cytometry is simple, quick, and cost effective compared with immunocytochemistry. In addition, the flow cytometric assays can be used to screen for residual neuroblastoma cells in case of a GD2-negative primary tumor. Therefore we recommend flow cytometry for the detection of residual neuroblastoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrien Swerts
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
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van den Berg H. Biology and therapy of malignant solid tumors in childhood. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 22:643-76. [PMID: 16110632 DOI: 10.1016/s0921-4410(04)22028-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Henk van den Berg
- Department of Paediatric Oncology, Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Cheung IY, Sahota A, Cheung NKV. Measuring circulating neuroblastoma cells by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Cancer 2004; 101:2303-8. [PMID: 15484213 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.20660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Histologic examination of bone marrow (BM) is an accepted clinical standard for the detection of metastatic neuroblastoma (NB). Circulating tumor cells in peripheral blood (PB) derive from depots other than BM, and its measurement may provide additional information in the management of patients with NB. METHODS One hundred twenty patients with Stage 4 NB were evaluated for tumor cell content in PB by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis of GD2 synthase mRNA with a sensitivity of 1 NB cell in 10(6) normal cells. These findings were correlated with qRT-PCR analysis of their simultaneously sampled BM aspirates and 5 standard modalities of disease detection (histology, computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging, bone scan, metaiodobenzylguanidine scan, and urinary homovanillic acid/vanillylmandelic acid levels). RESULTS Detection of GD2 synthase transcript was found in 62 patients: Eleven patients had positive (+) samples in their BM and PB (BM+PB+), 38 patients had BM+PB-negative (BM+PB-) specimens, and 13 patients had BM-PB+ samples. BM+PB+ paired samples had the highest transcript levels. When the extent of disease was scored (from 0 to 5) according to the number of positive disease detection modalities, the magnitude of the transcript level correlated with disease score. Ninety-one percent of patients with BM+PB+ samples had evidence of disease in >/= 3 modalities, whereas 97% of patients with BM-PB- samples and 100% of patients with BM-PB+ samples had low disease scores </= 2. Marker positivity in BM correlated with disease score. Patients who had positive marker in BM or PB had higher rates of relapse and death compared with patients who had negative marker. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated a significantly greater risk of death for patients who had BM+PB+ specimens compared with patients who had BM-PB- samples (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS BM monitoring should continue to be an integral part of disease follow-up for patients with Stage 4 NB. PB monitoring to complement tumor surveillance in the BM can be informative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Y Cheung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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Kågedal B, Kullman A, Lenner L, Träger C, Kogner P, Farnebäck M. Pterin-Dependent Tyrosine Hydroxylase mRNA is not Expressed in Human Melanocytes or Melanoma Cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 17:346-51. [PMID: 15250936 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0749.2004.00153.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Pterin-dependent tyrosine hydroxylase has been described to occur occasionally in melanocytes. It is therefore important to quantify the mRNA of this enzyme in pigment cells to understand whether this enzyme can take an active part in pigment formation. A real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction method was used to quantify tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA in melanocytes and melanoma cells. The calibrator was obtained by amplification of a segment of cDNA from tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA, which included the target thus allowing enumeration of the number of transcripts per cell. In melanocytes (n = 3), tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA ranged from non-detectable to 0.000492 transcripts/cell and in melanoma cells from non-detectable to 0.005340 transcripts/cell. In neuroblastoma cells, the median tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA number was 0.4 transcripts/cell (range 0.02-25 transcripts/cell). The amount of tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA in the pigment cells was far less than the mRNA concentrations of four melanocyte-specific proteins measured in the same melanocytes and melanoma cells. We conclude that on the average less than 1 of 1000 melanocytes and melanoma cells contains at least one tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA molecule. Consequently, in 999 of 1000 cells translation into the corresponding enzyme protein cannot occur because of the lack of an mRNA template. Thus, in these cells there is no pterin-dependent tyrosine hydroxylase that can contribute to pigment formation by producing priming amounts of l-dopa for proper function of tyrosinase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bertil Kågedal
- Division of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Biomedicine and Surgery, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
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Abstract
Despite advances in the treatment of neuroblastoma (NBL), recurrence and metastases continue to pose major problems in clinical management. The relation between micrometastases and the development of secondary disease is not fully understood. However, accurate methods to detect low numbers of tumour cells may allow the evaluation of their role in the disease process, and by implication the possible benefits of eliminating them. Although there is substantial evidence for the increased sensitivity of current molecular methods for the detection of NBL cells compared with more conventional cytology, the clinical relevance and usefulness of detecting this disease remain controversial. The primary goal of current translational research must be to evaluate the clinical relevance of micrometastatic disease detected by these methods in multicentre prospective clinical outcome studies. Only then can the clinical usefulness of these methods be defined so that they may be introduced into relevant clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Burchill
- Children's Cancer Research Laboratory, Cancer Research UK Clinical Centre, St James's University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK.
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