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He W, Chen C, Lin T, Xu Q, Ye C, Du J, Huang J. Epidemiology, treatments, and related biomarkers of locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma in Chinese population: A scoping review. Cancer Med 2023; 12:15384-15403. [PMID: 37387501 PMCID: PMC10417093 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Bladder cancer is the 13th most common cancer in China with the predominant histologic type being urothelial carcinoma (UC). Locally advanced and metastatic (la/m) UC accounts for 12% of UC and the five-year survival rate is only 39.4%, imposing a significant disease and economic burden on the patients. The aim of this scoping review is to synthesize existing evidence of epidemiology, the landscape of treatment options and associated efficacy and safety profiles, as well as treatment-related biomarkers among Chinese la/mUC patients. METHODS A systematic search was conducted on five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Wanfang, and CNKI) from January 2011 to March 2022 based on the scoping review criteria in accordance with the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews. RESULTS A total of 6211 records were identified, and further review resulted in 41 relevant studies that met all criteria. Additional searches were conducted on epidemiology and treatment-related biomarkers of bladder cancer to supplement the evidence. Among 41 studies, 24 reported on platinum-based chemotherapy, eight on non-platinum-based chemotherapy, six on immunotherapy, two on targeted therapy, and one on surgery. Efficacy outcomes were summarized by line of therapy. Treatment-related biomarkers including PD-L1, HER2, and FGFR3 alterations were identified, and the alteration rate of FGFR3 of Chinese UC patients was lower than that of the western patients. CONCLUSIONS Despite chemotherapy has been the main treatment choice for decades, appealing new therapeutic strategies including ICIs, targeted therapies and ADCs were applied in clinical practice. Further research on epidemiology and treatment-related biomarkers of la/mUC patients is needed given only a limited number of studies have been identified thus far. High genomic heterogeneity and complexity of molecular features were observed among la/mUC patients; thus, further studies are required to identify critical drivers and promote potential precise therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang He
- Department of UrologySun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene RegulationSun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangzhouChina
| | - Changhao Chen
- Department of UrologySun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene RegulationSun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangzhouChina
| | - Tianxin Lin
- Department of UrologySun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene RegulationSun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangzhouChina
| | - Qian Xu
- Xi'an Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd.BeijingChina
| | - Chong Ye
- Xi'an Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd.BeijingChina
| | - Jieyi Du
- Xi'an Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd.BeijingChina
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of UrologySun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene RegulationSun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangzhouChina
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2
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Cheng L, Zhang S, Wang M, Lopez-Beltran A. Biological and clinical perspectives of TERT promoter mutation detection on bladder cancer diagnosis and management. Hum Pathol 2023; 133:56-75. [PMID: 35700749 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2022.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutations are associated with increased TERT mRNA and TERT protein levels, telomerase activity, and shorter but stable telomere length. TERT promoter mutation is the most common mutation that occurs in approximately 60-80% of patients with bladder cancer. The TERT promoter mutations occur in a wide spectrum of urothelial lesions, including benign urothelial proliferation and tumor-like conditions, benign urothelial tumors, premalignant and putative precursor lesions, urothelial carcinoma and its variants, and nonurothelial malignancies. The prevalence and incidence of TERT promoter mutations in a total of 7259 cases from the urinary tract were systematically reviewed. Different platforms of TERT promoter mutation detection were presented. In this review, we also discussed the significance and clinical implications of TERT promoter mutation detection in urothelial tumorigenesis, surveillance and early detection, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, prognosis, prediction of treatment responses, and clinical outcome. Identification of TERT promoter mutations from urine or plasma cell-free DNA (liquid biopsy) will facilitate bladder cancer screening program and optimal clinical management. A better understanding of TERT promoter mutation and its pathway would open new therapeutic avenues for patients with bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Cheng
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Lifespan Academic Medical Center, Providence, RI, 02903, USA.
| | - Shaobo Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Mingsheng Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Antonio Lopez-Beltran
- Department of Morphological Sciences, University of Cordoba Medical School, Cordoba, E-14004, Spain
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3
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Liu T, Li S, Xia C, Xu D. TERT promoter mutations and methylation for telomerase activation in urothelial carcinomas: New mechanistic insights and clinical significance. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1071390. [PMID: 36713366 PMCID: PMC9877314 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1071390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase, an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase synthesizing telomeric TTAGGG sequences, is primarily silent in normal human urothelial cells (NHUCs), but widely activated in urothelial cell-derived carcinomas or urothelial carcinomas (UCs) including UC of the bladder (UCB) and upper track UC (UTUC). Telomerase activation for telomere maintenance is required for the UC development and progression, and the key underlying mechanism is the transcriptional de-repression of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), a gene encoding the rate-limiting, telomerase catalytic component. Recent mechanistic explorations have revealed important roles for TERT promoter mutations and aberrant methylation in activation of TERT transcription and telomerase in UCs. Moreover, these TERT-featured genomic and epigenetic alterations have been evaluated for their usefulness in non-invasive UC diagnostics, recurrence monitoring, outcome prediction and response to treatments such as immunotherapy. Importantly, the detection of the mutated TERT promoter and TERT mRNA as urinary biomarkers holds great promise for urine-based UC liquid biopsy. In the present article, we review recent mechanistic insights into altered TERT promoter-mediated telomerase activation in UCs and discuss potential clinical implications. Specifically, we compare differences in senescence and transformation between NHUCs and other types of epithelial cells, address the interaction between TERT promoter mutations and other factors to affect UC progression and outcomes, evaluate the impact of TERT promoter mutations and TERT-mediated activation of human endogenous retrovirus genes on UC immunotherapy including Bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Finally, we suggest the standardization of a TERT assay and evaluation system for UC clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Liu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shihong Li
- Department of Pathology, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Liaocheng, Liaocheng, China
| | - Chuanyou Xia
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China,*Correspondence: Chuanyou Xia, ; Dawei Xu,
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden,*Correspondence: Chuanyou Xia, ; Dawei Xu,
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Li X, Tian B, Liu M, Miao C, Wang D. Adult-type granulosa cell tumor of the ovary. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:3495-3511. [PMID: 36119817 PMCID: PMC9442026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult-type Granulosa Cell Tumor of the Ovary (AGCT) is a relatively rare subtype of ovarian cancer, accounting for 2-4% of all ovarian cancer. AGCT originates from proliferating normal preovulatory granulosa cells (GCs) and retains several features of those GCs. The hormonal features of AGCT explain the clinical manifestations and provide reliable markers for early diagnosis and recurrence prediction of the disease. Most AGCT patients are diagnosed at an early stage and usually demonstrate a better prognosis than patients with other types of ovarian cancer. Surgery is crucial for both initial and post-relapse treatments, whereas adjuvant therapy is still in the exploratory stage. In 2009, a population-based screening makes an exciting step, about 97% of AGCT has somatic missense mutations in the transcription factor FOXL2 gene and the FOXL2 mutation is considered to be a molecular characteristic of AGCT. Unfortunately, the FOXL2 mutation does not fully explain the development of AGCT. Ongoing research is focusing on signalling pathways in the molecular pathogenesis of AGCT to identify the possible pathogenetic factors and signal transduction pathways and provide a theoretical basis for targeted treatment. Postoperative recurrence of ovarian AGCT is common and is associated with a high mortality rate, which necessitates regular follow-up. The life management of postoperative patients is also crucial, which requires multidisciplinary experts to design recurrence treatment from the perspective of patients and implement meaningful treatment measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuwen Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Weifang Medical UniversityWeifang 261053, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Bo Tian
- Plastic Surgery Institute, Weifang Medical UniversityWeifang 261053, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Mengyan Liu
- Taoyuan People’s HospitalChangde 425700, Hunan, P. R. China
| | - Chunlei Miao
- Plastic Surgery Institute, Weifang Medical UniversityWeifang 261053, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Di Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Weifang Medical UniversityWeifang 261053, Shandong, P. R. China
- Plastic Surgery Institute, Weifang Medical UniversityWeifang 261053, Shandong, P. R. China
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Urine Cellular DNA Point Mutation and Methylation for Identifying Upper Tract Urinary Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143537. [PMID: 35884598 PMCID: PMC9319988 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary It’s difficult to detect upper tract urothelial carcinoma at early stage. Invasive testing may increase risk of cancer recurrences in the bladder after radical nephroureterectomy. Thus, in the present study, we incorporated two-gene mutation and methylation biomarkers to conduct the diagnostic tool of upper tract urothelial carcinoma and performed external validation to investigate the utility and stability of the optimal panel. It showed a highly specific and robust performance. It may be used as a replaceable approach for early detection of upper tract urothelial carcinoma, resulting in less extensive examinations in patients at low risk. Abstract Background: To improve the selection of patients for ureteroscopy, avoid excessive testing and reduce costs, we aimed to develop and validate a diagnostic urine assay for upper tract urinary carcinoma (UTUC). Methods: In this cohort study we recruited 402 patients from six Hunan hospitals who underwent ureteroscopy for hematuria, including 95 patients with UTUC and 307 patients with non-UTUC findings. Midstream morning urine samples were collected before ureteroscopy and surgery. DNA was extracted and qPCR was used to analyze mutations in TERT and FGFR3 and the methylation of NRN1. In the training set, the random forest algorithm was used to build an optimal panel. Lastly, the Beijing cohort (n = 76) was used to validate the panel. Results: The panel combining the methylation with mutation markers led to an AUC of 0.958 (95% CI: 0.933–0.975) with a sensitivity of 91.58% and a specificity of 94.79%. The panel presented a favorable diagnostic value for UTUC vs. other malignant tumors (AUC = 0.920) and UTUC vs. benign disease (AUC = 0.975). Furthermore, combining the panel with age revealed satisfactory results, with 93.68% sensitivity, 94.44% specificity, AUC = 0.970 and NPV = 98.6%. In the external validation process, the model showed an AUC of 0.971, a sensitivity of 95.83% and a specificity of 92.31, respectively. Conclusions: A novel diagnostic model for analyzing hematuria patients for the risk of UTUC was developed, which could lead to a reduction in the need for invasive examinations. Combining NRN1 methylation and gene mutation (FGFR3 and TERT) with age resulted in a validated accurate prediction model.
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Jain M, Kamalov D, Tivtikyan A, Balatsky A, Samokhodskaya L, Okhobotov D, Kozlova P, Pisarev E, Zvereva M, Kamalov A. Urine TERT promoter mutations-based tumor DNA detection in patients with bladder cancer: A pilot study. Mol Clin Oncol 2021; 15:253. [PMID: 34712485 PMCID: PMC8548999 DOI: 10.3892/mco.2021.2415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutations are the most frequent genetic events in bladder cancer (BC). The aim of the present pilot study was to evaluate the diagnostic potential of urine TERT promoter mutations-based liquid biopsy in patients with an ongoing oncological process, as well as in post-resection patients at risk of BC recurrence. A total of 60 patients were enrolled, of whom 27 patients had histologically proven BC; 23 had no signs of BC (control group); and 10 patients underwent transurethral malignancy resection 3-6 months prior to urine donation ('second look' group). Urine TERT promoter mutations were detected using Droplet Digital PCR. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed significant diagnostic power of the present approach (area under the curve: -0.768). At the cut-off value of tumor DNA fraction 0.34%, the sensitivity and specificity were 55.56 and 100%, respectively. In the positive samples, tumor DNA fraction varied significantly from 0.59 to 48.77%. In the 'second look' group, tumor DNA was detected in 4/10 patients, highlighting the possibility of BC recurrence with its fraction ranging only from 0.90 to 6.61%. Therefore, urine TERT promoter mutations-based liquid biopsy appears to be a promising tool for BC diagnosis and surveillance. The main study will include recruitment of additional patients, extension of the mutation panel, prolonged follow-up of the post-resection patients, as well as screening of industrial workers exposed to specific carcinogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Jain
- Medical Research and Educational Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia
| | - David Kamalov
- Medical Research and Educational Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander Tivtikyan
- Medical Research and Educational Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander Balatsky
- Medical Research and Educational Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia
| | - Larisa Samokhodskaya
- Medical Research and Educational Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry Okhobotov
- Medical Research and Educational Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia
| | - Polina Kozlova
- Department of Fundamental Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Eduard Pisarev
- Department of Bioinformatics and Bioengineering, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria Zvereva
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Armais Kamalov
- Medical Research and Educational Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia
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7
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Xing X, Yuan X, Liu T, Dai M, Fan Y, Liu C, Strååt K, Björkholm M, Xu D. Regulatory region mutations of TERT, PLEKHS1 and GPR126 genes as urinary biomarkers in upper tract urothelial carcinomas. J Cancer 2021; 12:3853-3861. [PMID: 34093793 PMCID: PMC8176235 DOI: 10.7150/jca.56779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The hotspot regulatory region mutations of the TERT, PLEKHS1 and GPR126 genes have been shown to occur frequently in urothelial bladder carcinoma (UBC). However, it is currently unclear whether these mutations are all present in upper tract urothelial carcinomas (UTUC) including renal pelvic carcinoma (RPC) and ureter carcinoma (UC), although TERT promoter mutations were previously observed in these malignancies. Methods: The hotspot mutations of TERT and PLEKHS1 promoters and GPR126 intron 6 (enhancer) in tumors derived from 164 patients with UTUC were determined using Sanger sequencing, and the obtained results were further compared with the mutation frequency in 106 UBCs. The mutations were also assessed in urine from patients with UTUC and UBC. Results: The mutation frequencies in UTUC tumors were 28%, 5.8% and 11% for TERT and PLEKHS1 promoters and GPR126 intron 6, respectively, which were lower than those (44.3%, 26.4%, and 31.4%, respectively) in UBCs. The total frequencies for the presence of any of these mutations were 50.8% and 34.4% for RPCs and UCs, respectively. All these mutated DNA sequences were detectable in urine from both UTUC and UBC patients and disappeared rapidly in most patients after surgery. Conclusions: This proof-of-concept study demonstrates that the hotspot mutations in the TERT, PLEKHS1 and GPR126 non-coding regions are present in UTUCs, and that urinary assays of these mutated sequences serve as potential biomarkers for UTUC diagnostics and disease monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangling Xing
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinsk Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xiaotian Yuan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinsk Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tiantian Liu
- Pathology Department, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Mingkai Dai
- Central Research Laboratory, the Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, PR China
| | - Yidong Fan
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, PR China
| | - Cheng Liu
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, PR China
| | - Klas Strååt
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinsk Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Magnus Björkholm
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinsk Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinsk Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
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8
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Morozov A, Potoldykova N, Chinenov D, Enikeev M, Glukhov A, Shpikina A, Goryacheva E, Taratkin M, Malavaud B, Enikeev D. hTERT, hTR and TERT promoter mutations as markers for urological cancers detection: A systematic review. Urol Oncol 2021; 39:498.e21-498.e33. [PMID: 33676848 DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2021.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The clinical relevance of telomerase subunits (human reverse transcriptase - hTERT, and human telomerase RNA - hTR) and TERT promotor mutations as biomarkers in genitourinary cancers was reviewed through the systematic analysis of the current literature. We performed a systematic literature search using 2 databases (Medline and Scopus) over the past 20 years. Primary outcomes were sensitivity and specificity of hTR, hTERT and TERT promoter mutations. Secondary outcomes were the biomarkers predictive values for tumor characteristics. Regarding bladder cancer, hTERT in urine showed high sensitivity (mean values: 55%-96%), and specificity (69%-100%): it correlated with bladder cancer grade and/or stage. hTR sensitivity ranged from 77% to 92%. With adapted cut-off, it demonstrated 72% to 89% specificity. TERT promoter mutation rate was up to 80% both in tissue and urine, resulting in 62%-92% sensitivity for primary tumors and 42% for relapse. Specificity ranged from 73% to 96%, no correlations with stage were observed. In prostate cancer, hTERT in tissue, prostate secretion and serum showed high sensitivity (97.9%, 36%, and 79.2%-97.5%, respectively) and specificity values (70%, 66%, 60%-100%). hTR showed very high sensitivity (88% in serum and 100% in tissue) although specificity values were highly variable depending on the series and techniques (0%-96.5%). In RCC, hTERT sensitivity on tissue ranged from 90 to 97%, specificity from 25 to 58%. There was an association of hTERT expression with tumor stage and grade. hTERT showed high accuracy in genitourinary cancers, while the value of hTR was more controversial. hTERT and TERT promotor mutations may have predictive value for bladder cancer and RCC staging and grading, while no such relationship was observed in CaP. Although telomerase subunits showed clinically relevant values in genitourinary cancers, developing fast and cost-effective methods is required before contemplating routine use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey Morozov
- Institute for Urology and Reproductive Health, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Natalya Potoldykova
- Institute for Urology and Reproductive Health, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Denis Chinenov
- Institute for Urology and Reproductive Health, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Mikhail Enikeev
- Institute for Urology and Reproductive Health, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander Glukhov
- Sechenov University, Department of Biochemistry, Moscow, Russia; Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Biology, Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | - Mark Taratkin
- Institute for Urology and Reproductive Health, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Bernard Malavaud
- Department of Urology, Institut Universitaire du Cancer, Toulouse, France
| | - Dmitry Enikeev
- Institute for Urology and Reproductive Health, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia.
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9
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Tran L, Xiao JF, Agarwal N, Duex JE, Theodorescu D. Advances in bladder cancer biology and therapy. Nat Rev Cancer 2021; 21:104-121. [PMID: 33268841 PMCID: PMC10112195 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-020-00313-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 323] [Impact Index Per Article: 107.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The field of research in bladder cancer has seen significant advances in recent years. Next-generation sequencing has identified the genes most mutated in bladder cancer. This wealth of information allowed the definition of driver mutations, and identification of actionable therapeutic targets, as well as a clearer picture of patient prognosis and therapeutic direction. In a similar vein, our understanding of the cellular aspects of bladder cancer has grown. The identification of the cellular geography and the populations of different cell types and quantifications of normal and abnormal cell types in tumours provide a better prediction of therapeutic response. Non-invasive methods of diagnosis, including liquid biopsies, have seen major advances as well. These methods will likely find considerable utility in assessing minimal residual disease following treatment and for early-stage diagnosis. A significant therapeutic impact on patients with bladder cancer is found in the use of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapeutics. These therapeutics have been shown to cure some patients with bladder cancer and significantly decrease adverse events. These developments provide patients with better monitoring opportunities, unique therapeutic options and greater hope for prolonged survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Tran
- Department of Surgery (Urology), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jin-Fen Xiao
- Department of Surgery (Urology), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Neeraj Agarwal
- Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine (Hematology/Oncology), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jason E Duex
- Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dan Theodorescu
- Department of Surgery (Urology), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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10
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Yuan X, Dai M, Xu D. Telomere-related Markers for Cancer. Curr Top Med Chem 2020; 20:410-432. [PMID: 31903880 PMCID: PMC7475940 DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200106145340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres are structurally nucleoprotein complexes at termini of linear chromosomes and essential to chromosome stability/integrity. In normal human cells, telomere length erodes progressively with each round of cell divisions, which serves as an important barrier to uncontrolled proliferation and malignant transformation. In sharp contrast, telomere maintenance is a key feature of human malignant cells and required for their infinite proliferation and maintenance of other cancer hallmarks as well. Thus, a telomere-based anti-cancer strategy has long been suggested. However, clinically efficient and specific drugs targeting cancer telomere-maintenance have still been in their infancy thus far. To achieve this goal, it is highly necessary to elucidate how exactly cancer cells maintain functional telomeres. In the last two decades, numerous studies have provided profound mechanistic insights, and the identified mechanisms include the aberrant activation of telomerase or the alternative lengthening of telomere pathway responsible for telomere elongation, dysregulation and mutation of telomere-associated factors, and other telomere homeostasis-related signaling nodes. In the present review, these various strategies employed by malignant cells to regulate their telomere length, structure and function have been summarized, and potential implications of these findings in the rational development of telomere-based cancer therapy and other clinical applications for precision oncology have been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Yuan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Mingkai Dai
- Central Research Laboratory, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250033, China.,Karolinska Institute Collaborative Laboratory for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250033, China
| | - Dawei Xu
- Karolinska Institute Collaborative Laboratory for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250033, China.,Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM) and Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Solna 171 64, Sweden
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11
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Liu Z, Sun Z, Zhang D, Ma C, Jiang Y, Cao G, Sun C, Li K, Xu D, Liu J, Zhao S. Paris polyphylla ethanol extract induces G2/M arrest and suppresses migration and invasion in bladder cancer. Transl Cancer Res 2020; 9:5994-6004. [PMID: 35117211 PMCID: PMC8797771 DOI: 10.21037/tcr-20-1512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paris polyphylla is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with multiple antitumor activities, but the role of P. polyphylla in bladder cancer (BC) is under investigation. This study aims to examine the antitumor activities of P. polyphylla ethanol extract (PPE) on BC cells and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. METHODS Viable cells were counted using the trypan blue exclusion assay. The cell cycle was analyzed using flow cytometry, and scratch wound-healing and transwell assays were used to evaluate cell migration and invasion abilities, respectively. The protein expression levels were determined by western blotting. A xenograft model was used to assess the in vivo inhibitory effect of PPE on BC tumor growth. RESULTS Our results showed that PPE inhibited the growth of BC cells in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, PPE regulated the levels of cell cycle-associated proteins, with PPE-induced G2/M phase arrest occurring through cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1 (CDKN1A) accumulation and cyclin B1 (CCNB1)/cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) inhibition. BC tumor growth was also inhibited by PPE treatment. Moreover, the migration and invasion abilities of J82 cells were suppressed through modulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) regulatory factors with upregulation of cadherin-1 (CDH1) and downregulation of cadherin-2 (CDH2), snail family transcriptional repressor 2 (SNAI2), and twist family bHLH transcription factor 1 (TWIST1). CONCLUSIONS PPE inhibited cell growth, induced G2/M arrest, and suppressed the migration and invasion of J82 cells. BC tumor growth in vivo was also inhibited by PPE. Our results lay the foundation for further studies on the antitumor mechanisms of PPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyong Liu
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Zhonghua Sun
- Medical Department, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Denglu Zhang
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Chenchen Ma
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yuehua Jiang
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Guangshang Cao
- Pharmacy Department, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Chao Sun
- Department of Central Research Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Kailin Li
- Department of Central Research Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Centre for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital Solna and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jiang Liu
- Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Shengtian Zhao
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
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12
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Yuan X, Dai M, Xu D. TERT promoter mutations and GABP transcription factors in carcinogenesis: More foes than friends. Cancer Lett 2020; 493:1-9. [PMID: 32768523 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The transcriptional de-repression of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene and subsequent activation of telomerase is a prerequisite step in malignant transformation and progression. Recently, the gain-of-function mutation of the TERT promoter was identified in many types of human malignancies, and the mutated promoter acquires de novo ETS binding motifs through which the TERT transcription is activated. The ETS family transcription factors GABPA and GABPB1 have been shown to act as master drivers for the mutant TERT promoter activity. Indeed, GABPA or GABPB1 depletion leads to the down-regulation of TERT expression in the mutant TERT promoter-bearing cancer cells, and is thus proposed as targets for cancer therapy. Surprisingly, however, despite its key role in activating the mutant TERT promoter and telomerase, GABPA may itself function as a potent tumor suppressor in several malignancies. In this review, we address the collaboration between GABPA and mutant TERT promoter in cancer development, discuss selection trade-offs among different activities of GABPA in cancer evolution, and underscore the suppressive function of GABPA in cancer progression and implications in precision oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Yuan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, PR China.
| | - Mingkai Dai
- Central Research Laboratory, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, PR China; Shandong University-Karolinska Institute Collaborative Laboratory for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250033, PR China.
| | - Dawei Xu
- Shandong University-Karolinska Institute Collaborative Laboratory for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250033, PR China; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, 171 64 Solna, Sweden.
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13
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Guo Y, Yuan X, Li K, Dai M, Zhang L, Wu Y, Sun C, Chen Y, Cheng G, Liu C, Strååt K, Kong F, Zhao S, Bjorkhölm M, Xu D. GABPA is a master regulator of luminal identity and restrains aggressive diseases in bladder cancer. Cell Death Differ 2020; 27:1862-1877. [PMID: 31802036 PMCID: PMC7244562 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-019-0466-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
TERT promoter mutations occur in the majority of glioblastoma, bladder cancer (BC), and other malignancies while the ETS family transcription factors GABPA and its partner GABPB1 activate the mutant TERT promoter and telomerase in these tumors. GABPA depletion or the disruption of the GABPA/GABPB1 complex by knocking down GABPB1 was shown to inhibit telomerase, thereby eliminating the tumorigenic potential of glioblastoma cells. GABPA/B1 is thus suggested as a cancer therapeutic target. However, it is unclear about its role in BC. Here we unexpectedly observed that GABPA ablation inhibited TERT expression, but robustly increased proliferation, stem, and invasive phenotypes and cisplatin resistance in BC cells, while its overexpression exhibited opposite effects, and inhibited in vivo metastasizing in a xenograft transplant model. Mechanistically, GABPA directly activates the transcription of FoxA1 and GATA3, key transcription factors driving luminal differentiation of urothelial cells. Consistently, TCGA/GEO dataset analyses show that GABPA expression is correlated positively with luminal while negatively with basal signatures. Luminal tumors express higher GABPA than do basal ones. Lower GABPA expression is associated with the GABPA gene methylation or deletion (especially in basal subtype of BC tumors), and predicted significantly shorter patient survival based on TCGA and our cohort of BC patient analyses. Taken together, GABPA dictates luminal identity of BC cells and inhibits aggressive diseases in BC by promoting cellular differentiation despite its stimulatory effect on telomerase/TERT activation. Given these biological functions and its frequent methylation and/or deletion, GABPA serves as a tumor suppressor rather than oncogenic factor in BC. The GABPA effect on oncogenesis is context-dependent and its targeting for telomerase inhibition in BC may promote disease metastasizing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxia Guo
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
- Key Laboratory for Kidney Regeneration of Shandong Province, Jinan, PR China
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinsk Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xiaotian Yuan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinsk Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
- School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Kailin Li
- Central Research Laboratory, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Mingkai Dai
- Key Laboratory for Kidney Regeneration of Shandong Province, Jinan, PR China
- Central Research Laboratory, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Central Research Laboratory, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Yujiao Wu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinsk Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Chao Sun
- Central Research Laboratory, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Yuan Chen
- Central Research Laboratory, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Guanghui Cheng
- Central Research Laboratory, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Cheng Liu
- Department of Urology, The Third Hospital of Beijing University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Klas Strååt
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinsk Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Feng Kong
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, PR China.
- Key Laboratory for Kidney Regeneration of Shandong Province, Jinan, PR China.
| | - Shengtian Zhao
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, PR China.
- Key Laboratory for Kidney Regeneration of Shandong Province, Jinan, PR China.
| | - Magnus Bjorkhölm
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinsk Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
- Karolinska Institute-Shandong University Collaborative Laboratories for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Jinan, PR China
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinsk Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Karolinska Institute-Shandong University Collaborative Laboratories for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Jinan, PR China.
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14
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Yuan X, Larsson C, Xu D. Mechanisms underlying the activation of TERT transcription and telomerase activity in human cancer: old actors and new players. Oncogene 2019; 38:6172-6183. [PMID: 31285550 PMCID: PMC6756069 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-0872-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 250] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Long-lived species Homo sapiens have evolved robust protection mechanisms against cancer by repressing telomerase and maintaining short telomeres, thereby delaying the onset of the majority of cancer types until post-reproductive age. Indeed, telomerase is silent in most differentiated human cells, predominantly due to the transcriptional repression of its catalytic component telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene. The lack of telomerase/TERT expression leads to progressive telomere erosion in dividing human cells, whereas critically shortened telomere length induces a permanent growth arrest stage named replicative senescence. TERT/telomerase activation has been experimentally shown to be essential to cellular immortalization and malignant transformation by stabilizing telomere length and erasing the senescence barrier. Consistently, TERT expression/telomerase activity is detectable in up to 90% of human primary cancers. Compelling evidence has also accumulated that TERT contributes to cancer development and progression via multiple activities beyond its canonical telomere-lengthening function. Given these key roles of telomerase and TERT in oncogenesis, great efforts have been made to decipher mechanisms underlying telomerase activation and TERT induction. In the last two decades since the TERT gene and promoter were cloned, the derepression of the TERT gene has been shown to be achieved typically at a transcriptional level through dysregulation of oncogenic factors or signaling, post-transcriptional/translational regulation and genomic amplification. However, advances in high-throughput next-generation sequencing technologies have prompted a revolution in cancer genomics, which leads to the recent discovery that genomic alterations take center stage in activating the TERT gene. In this review article, we summarize critical mechanisms activating TERT transcription, with special emphases on the contribution of TERT promoter mutations and structural alterations at the TERT locus, and briefly discuss the underlying implications of these genomic events-driven TERT hyperactivity in cancer initiation/progression and potential clinical applications as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Yuan
- School of Medicine, Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, People's Republic of China. .,Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM) and Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, 171 64, Solna, Sweden.
| | - Catharina Larsson
- Department of Oncology-Pathology and Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, 171 64, Solna, Sweden
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM) and Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, 171 64, Solna, Sweden.
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15
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Raja SA, Shah STA, Tariq A, Bibi N, Sughra K, Yousuf A, Khawaja A, Nawaz M, Mehmood A, Khan MJ, Hussain A. Caveolin-1 and dynamin-2 overexpression is associated with the progression of bladder cancer. Oncol Lett 2019; 18:219-226. [PMID: 31289491 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.10310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Caveolae-mediated endocytosis regulates cell adhesion and growth in an anchorage-dependent manner. Studies of the endocytic function of caveolae have suggested a wide-ranging list of cargoes, including a number of receptors and extracellular proteins, ligands and nutrients from the extracellular matrix. Disruption of the processes of caveolae-mediated endocytosis mediated by signaling proteins is critical to cellular integrity. Caveolin-1 and dynamin-2 are the 2 major proteins associated with endocytotic function. Mechanistically, dynamin-2 has a co-equal role with caveolin-1 in terms of caveolae-derived endosome formation. Recent studies have revealed the pathological outcomes associated with the dysregulation of caveolin-1 and dynamin-2 expression. Increased expression levels of the gene for caveolin, Cav-1, resulting in augmented cellular metastasis and invasion, have been demonstrated in various types of cancer, and overexpression of the gene for dynamin-2, DNM2, has been associated with tumorigenesis in cervical, pancreatic and lung cancer. An increased expression of Cav-1 and DNM2 is known to be associated with the invasive behavior of cancer cells, and with cancer progression. Furthermore, it has been previously demonstrated that, in caveolar assembly and caveolae mediated endocytosis, Cav-1 interacts directly with DNM2 during the processes. Altered expression of the 2 genes is critical for the normal function of the cell. The expression patterns of Cav-1 and DNM2 have been previously examined in bladder cancer cell lines, and were each demonstrated to be overexpressed. In the present study, the expression levels of these 2 genes in bladder cancer samples were quantified. The gene expression levels of Cav-1 and DNM2 were identified to be increased 8.88- and 8.62-fold, respectively, in tumors compared with the normal controls. Furthermore, high-grade tumors exhibited significantly increased expression levels of Cav-1 and DNM2 (both P<0.0001) compared with the low-grade tumors. In addition, compared with normal control samples, the expression of the 2 genes in tumor samples was observed to be highly significant (P<0.0001), with a marked positive correlation identified for the tumors (Pearson's correlation coefficient, r=0.80 for the tumor samples vs. r=0.32 in the normal control samples). Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrated that the overexpression of Cav-1 and DNM2 genes, and a determination of their correlation coefficients, may be a potential risk factor for bladder cancer, in addition to other clinical factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadaf Azad Raja
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
| | | | - Aamira Tariq
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
| | - Nazia Bibi
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
| | - Kalsoom Sughra
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Gujrat, Gujrat 50700, Pakistan
| | - Arzu Yousuf
- Department of Urology and Kidney Transplant, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad 44790, Pakistan
| | - Athar Khawaja
- Department of Urology and Kidney Transplant, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad 44790, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Nawaz
- Armed Forces Institute of Urology, Rawalpindi 46000, Pakistan
| | - Arshad Mehmood
- Armed Forces Institute of Urology, Rawalpindi 46000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Jadoon Khan
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
| | - Alamdar Hussain
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
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16
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Gaspar TB, Sá A, Lopes JM, Sobrinho-Simões M, Soares P, Vinagre J. Telomere Maintenance Mechanisms in Cancer. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:E241. [PMID: 29751586 PMCID: PMC5977181 DOI: 10.3390/genes9050241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumour cells can adopt telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) to avoid telomere shortening, an inevitable process due to successive cell divisions. In most tumour cells, telomere length (TL) is maintained by reactivation of telomerase, while a small part acquires immortality through the telomerase-independent alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism. In the last years, a great amount of data was generated, and different TMMs were reported and explained in detail, benefiting from genome-scale studies of major importance. In this review, we address seven different TMMs in tumour cells: mutations of the TERT promoter (TERTp), amplification of the genes TERT and TERC, polymorphic variants of the TERT gene and of its promoter, rearrangements of the TERT gene, epigenetic changes, ALT, and non-defined TMM (NDTMM). We gathered information from over fifty thousand patients reported in 288 papers in the last years. This wide data collection enabled us to portray, by organ/system and histotypes, the prevalence of TERTp mutations, TERT and TERC amplifications, and ALT in human tumours. Based on this information, we discuss the putative future clinical impact of the aforementioned mechanisms on the malignant transformation process in different setups, and provide insights for screening, prognosis, and patient management stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Bordeira Gaspar
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Medical Faculty of University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
- Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Ana Sá
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - José Manuel Lopes
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Medical Faculty of University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology and Oncology, Centro Hospitalar São João, 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Manuel Sobrinho-Simões
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Medical Faculty of University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology and Oncology, Centro Hospitalar São João, 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Paula Soares
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - João Vinagre
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Medical Faculty of University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
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17
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Guo Y, Liu Z, Li K, Cao G, Sun C, Cheng G, Zhang D, Peng W, Liu J, Qi Y, Zhang L, Wang P, Chen Y, Lin Z, Guan Y, Zhang J, Wen J, Wang F, Kong F, Xu D, Zhao S. Paris Polyphylla-Derived Saponins Inhibit Growth of Bladder Cancer Cells by Inducing Mutant P53 Degradation While Up-Regulating CDKN1A Expression. Curr Urol 2018; 11:131-138. [PMID: 29692692 DOI: 10.1159/000447207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis (PPVY), a Chinese herb, has long been used for cancer treatment, and its steroidal saponins are suggested to exert an anti-tumor activity, however, the underlying mechanism is incompletely understood and their effect on bladder cancer (BC) remains unknown. The present study is thus designed to address these issues. Material and Methods Total steroidal saponins were extracted with ethanol from PPVY and used to treat BC cells (HT1197 and J82 carrying mutant p53). Gene expression was determined using qPCR and immunoblotting and cell cycle analyzed using flow cytometry. DNA damage response activation was assessed using immunofluorescence staining. Results PPVY saponins treatment led to dose-dependent declines in the number of both HT1197 and J82 cells with IC50 approximately 1.2 μg/ml, which was coupled with strong growth arrest at G2/M phase and the activation of DNA damage response pathway. Moreover, the clonogenic potential of these cells was severely impaired even in the presence of low concentrations of PPVY saponins. Mechanistically, PPVY saponins induced the degradation of mutant p53 while stimulated CDKN1A gene transcription. Phosphorylated AKT was diminished in PPVY saponin-treated cells, but its specific inhibitor LY294002 exhibited significantly weaker efficacy in inducing CDKN1A expression than did PPVY saponins. Conclusion PPVY saponins activate DNA damage response pathway, degrade mutant p53 and stimulate CDKN1A expression, thereby inhibiting BC cell growth. Given their poor absorption via oral administration, PPVY saponins may be applicable for intravesical instillations in BC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxia Guo
- Central Research Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Medicine-Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital CMM, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Zhiyong Liu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Kailin Li
- Central Research Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Guangshang Cao
- The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Chao Sun
- Central Research Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Guanghui Cheng
- Central Research Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Denglu Zhang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Wei Peng
- The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Jiaxin Liu
- Key Laboratory for Kidney Regeneration of Shandong Province
| | - Yuanfu Qi
- The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Lu Zhang
- Central Research Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Central Research Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yuan Chen
- Central Research Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhaomin Lin
- Central Research Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yong Guan
- Central Research Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jianye Zhang
- Central Research Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jiliang Wen
- Central Research Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Central Research Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Feng Kong
- Central Research Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine-Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital CMM, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Shengtian Zhao
- The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.,Key Laboratory for Kidney Regeneration of Shandong Province.,Shandong University-Karolinska Institutet Collaborative Laboratory for Stem Cell Research, Jinan, China
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18
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Detection of multiple mutations in urinary exfoliated cells from male bladder cancer patients at diagnosis and during follow-up. Oncotarget 2018; 7:67435-67448. [PMID: 27611947 PMCID: PMC5341887 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Most bladder cancer (BC) patients need life-long, invasive and expensive monitoring and treatment, making it a serious burden on the health system. Thus, there is a pressing need for an accurate test to assist diagnosis and surveillance of BC as an alternative to cystoscopy. Mutations in human TERT, FGFR3, PIK3CA, and RAS genes have been proposed as potential molecular markers in bladder tumor. Their concomitant presence in urine samples has not been fully explored. We investigated a panel of mutations in DNA from exfoliated urinary cells of 255 BC patients at diagnosis. Forty-one mutations in TERT, FGFR3, PIK3CA, and RAS were analyzed by SNaPshot assay in relation to clinical outcome. In 81 of these patients under surveillance, the same set of mutations was screened in additional 324 samples prospectively collected. The most common mutations detected in urine at diagnosis were in the TERT promoter. In non-invasive BC, these mutations were related to high risk and grade (p<0.0001) as well as progression to muscle-invasive disease (p=0.01), whereas FGFR3 mutations were observed in low-grade BC (p=0.02) and patients with recurrences (p=0.05). Stronger associations were observed for combined TERT and FGFR3 mutations and number of recurrences (OR: 4.54 95% CI: 1.23-16.79, p=0.02). Analyses of the area under the curve for combinations of mutations detected at diagnosis and follow-up showed an accuracy of prediction of recurrence of 0.80 (95% CI: 0.71-0.89). Mutations in urine of BC patients may represent reliable biomarkers. In particular, TERT and FGFR3 mutations have a good accuracy of recurrence prediction.
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19
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Russo IJ, Ju Y, Gordon NS, Zeegers MP, Cheng K, James ND, Bryan RT, Ward DG. Toward Personalised Liquid Biopsies for Urothelial Carcinoma: Characterisation of ddPCR and Urinary cfDNA for the Detection of the TERT 228 G>A/T Mutation. Bladder Cancer 2018; 4:41-48. [PMID: 29430506 PMCID: PMC5798520 DOI: 10.3233/blc-170152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND TERT promotor mutations are present in >75% of bladder tumours; these mutations are also detectable in urine. Previous studies have used urinary pellet DNA, and semi-quantitative methods unsuitable for detecting very low mutant allele frequencies. OBJECTIVE In this proof-of-principle study we use ddPCR to count the DNA molecules with wt and mutant TERT sequences in urinary cfDNA from patients whose bladder cancers harbour TERT mutations. METHODS Urinary cfDNA prepared from the urine from 104 bladder cancer patients was analysed. We determined the mutant allele frequency across stages and grades of disease, analysed concordance between cfDNA and tumour DNA, compared cfDNA with pellet DNA, and analysed the quantity and size distribution of cfDNA. RESULTS In 71 of 77 patients with a 228 G>A/T mutant tumour, the mutation was also detected in urinary cfDNA by ddPCR; all 6 "false negatives" were low grade pTa tumours. Overall concordance between tissue and cfDNA mutation status was 92%, and 100% was achieved for high grade disease. Median mutant allele frequencies in urinary cfDNA were 3.4, 13.4 and 32.1% in grade 1, 2 and 3 disease. The 228 G>A/T mutation was not detected in urinary cfDNA in 26 out of 27 mutation-negative patients (96% specificity). CONCLUSIONS Concordance between tumour DNA and urinary cfDNA is high, and TERT 228 G>A/T ddPCR may prove useful for monitoring patients that harbour this mutation. Mutant allele frequencies in cfDNA are often high, but assays capable of detecting very low mutant allele frequencies will be required to achieve high sensitivity in low grade disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria J. Russo
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Yongwon Ju
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Naheema S. Gordon
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Maurice P. Zeegers
- NUTRIM School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - K.K. Cheng
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Nicholas D. James
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Richard T. Bryan
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Douglas G. Ward
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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20
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The TERT promoter mutation incidence is modified by germline TERT rs2736098 and rs2736100 polymorphisms in hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncotarget 2018; 8:23120-23129. [PMID: 28416747 PMCID: PMC5410290 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase activation via induction of the catalytic component telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) plays essential roles in malignant transformation. TERT promoter-activating mutations were recently identified as a novel mechanism to activate telomerase in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and many other malignancies. In addition, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TERT rs2736098 and rs2736100 are significantly associated with cancer susceptibility. It is currently unclear whether different germline TERT variants modify TERT promoter mutations. Here we analyzed the TERT promoter status and genotyped the TERT SNPs at rs2736098 and rs2736100 in patients with HCC. Thirty percent of HCCs harbored TERT promoter mutations and there was a significant difference in rs2736098 and rs2736100 genotypes between wt and mutant TERT promoter-bearing HCC tumors (P = 0.007 and 0.018, respectively). For rs2736100, the cancer risk genotype CC was significantly associated with a reduced incidence of TERT promoter mutations compared to AA + AC variants [Odds ratio (OR): 0.181, 95% Confidence interval (CI): 0.0543-0.601, P = 0.004]. The rs2736098_CT genotype was significantly associated with the TERT promoter mutation-positive tumors compared to the TT genotype (OR: 5.391, 95% CI: 1.234-23.553, P = 0.025). These differences in genotype distribution did not differ between patients with a wt TERT promoter and controls. The presence of TERT promoter mutations was not associated with clinico-pathological variables. Taken together, the germline TERT genetic background may significantly affect the onset of TERT promoter mutations in HCCs, which provides a better understanding of HCC-related TERT promoter mutations and telomerase regulation in cancer.
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21
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Yuan X, Meng Y, Li P, Ge N, Kong F, Yang L, Björkholm M, Zhao S, Xu D. The association between the TERT rs2736100 AC genotype and reduced risk of upper tract urothelial carcinomas in a Han Chinese population. Oncotarget 2017; 7:31972-9. [PMID: 26934125 PMCID: PMC5077989 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Upper tract urothelial carcinomas (UTUCs) are originated from urothelium, and consist of renal pelvic carcinomas (RPCs) and ureter carcinomas (UCs). Most UTUCs have already become invasive when diagnosed and there is thus a need to identify high-risk populations for preventive intervention. Recent evidence has accumulated supporting common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to be associated with increased risk of various malignancies. However, little is known about susceptibility loci in relation to UTUC development. We genotyped telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) rs2736100 variants, the SNP associated with a risk of multiple-types of cancer, in patients with UTUC (n = 212) and evaluated the relationship between the rs2736100 and UTUC risk by comparing to 289 healthy controls. Neither AA nor CC genotypes differed significantly between cases and controls, while the AC-carriers were associated with a reduced risk of UTUC compared to the homozygous AA (OR = 0.583; 95% CI: 0.388 − 0.875; P = 0.012) or AA + CC genotypes (0.613; 95% CI: 0.428 − 0.879; P = 0.010). Further analyses showed that the AC variant conferred a lower risk for early stage UTUCs or those with a wt TERT promoter. When UTUCs were sub-grouped into UCs and RPCs, the AC genotype still predicts a significantly lower risk for UC (P = 0.045, OR = 0.597, 95% CI: 0.370 − 0.963), while at a border line significance for RPC (P = 0.055, OR = 0.597, 95% CI: 0.324 − 0.976). Collectively, the rs2736100 AC variant predicts a reduced risk to develop UTUC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Yuan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Haematology and Centre for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska University Hospital Solna and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Karolinska Institutet-Shandong University Collaborative Laboratories for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Jinan, China
| | - Yan Meng
- Department of Urology and Central Research Laboratory, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Ping Li
- Nursing School, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Nan Ge
- Department of Urology and Central Research Laboratory, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Feng Kong
- Department of Urology and Central Research Laboratory, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, China.,Karolinska Institutet-Shandong University Collaborative Laboratories for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Jinan, China
| | - Liu Yang
- Department of Urology and Central Research Laboratory, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, China.,Karolinska Institutet-Shandong University Collaborative Laboratories for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Jinan, China
| | - Magnus Björkholm
- Department of Medicine, Division of Haematology and Centre for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska University Hospital Solna and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Karolinska Institutet-Shandong University Collaborative Laboratories for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Jinan, China
| | - Shengtian Zhao
- Department of Urology and Central Research Laboratory, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, China.,Karolinska Institutet-Shandong University Collaborative Laboratories for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Jinan, China
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Haematology and Centre for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska University Hospital Solna and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Karolinska Institutet-Shandong University Collaborative Laboratories for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Jinan, China
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22
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Yuan X, Liu C, Wang K, Liu L, Liu T, Ge N, Kong F, Yang L, Björkholm M, Fan Y, Zhao S, Xu D. The genetic difference between Western and Chinese urothelial cell carcinomas: infrequent FGFR3 mutation in Han Chinese patients. Oncotarget 2017; 7:25826-35. [PMID: 27029078 PMCID: PMC5041947 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC) includes urothelial bladder carcinoma (UBC), renal pelvic carcinoma (RPC) and ureter carcinoma (UC), and its incidence varies dependent on geographical areas and tumor locations, which indicates different oncogenic mechanisms and/or different genetic susceptibility/environment exposure. The activating mutations of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter are the most frequent genetic events in UCCs. These mutations have clinical utilities in UCC initial diagnostics, prognosis, recurrence monitoring and management. However, the vast majority of the results are obtained from studies of UCC patients in Western countries, and little has been known about these in Han Chinese patients. In the present study, we screened the FGFR3 gene and TERT promoter for mutations in 116 UBC, 91 RPC and 115 UC tumors from Han Chinese patients by using Sanger Sequencing. TERT promoter mutations occurred at a high frequency in these UCC patients, comparable with that seen in Western patients, however, the FGFR3 mutation was surprisingly lower, only 9.4% for UBCs, 8.8% for RPCs and 2.6% for UCs, respectively. Taken together, the FGFR3 gene is an infrequent target in the pathogenesis of Han Chinese UCCs, and its mutation detection and targeted therapy have limited clinical utility in these patients. Our results underscore the need for extensive characterization of cancer genomes from diverse patient populations, thereby contributing to precision medicine for cancer treatment and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Yuan
- Department of Central Research Laboratory and Urology, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, China.,Department of Medicine, Division of Haematology and Centre for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska University Hospital Solna and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Karolinska Institutet-Shandong University Collaborative Laboratory for Cancer Research, Jinan, China
| | - Cheng Liu
- Department of Urology, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Haematology and Centre for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska University Hospital Solna and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Karolinska Institutet-Shandong University Collaborative Laboratory for Cancer Research, Jinan, China.,Department of Urology, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Li Liu
- Shandong University Nursing School, Jinan, China
| | - Tiantian Liu
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Nan Ge
- Department of Central Research Laboratory and Urology, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Feng Kong
- Department of Central Research Laboratory and Urology, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Liu Yang
- Department of Central Research Laboratory and Urology, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Magnus Björkholm
- Department of Medicine, Division of Haematology and Centre for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska University Hospital Solna and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Karolinska Institutet-Shandong University Collaborative Laboratory for Cancer Research, Jinan, China
| | - Yidong Fan
- Department of Urology, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Shengtian Zhao
- Department of Central Research Laboratory and Urology, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Haematology and Centre for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska University Hospital Solna and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Karolinska Institutet-Shandong University Collaborative Laboratory for Cancer Research, Jinan, China
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23
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Liu L, Liu C, Fotouhi O, Fan Y, Wang K, Xia C, Shi B, Zhang G, Wang K, Kong F, Larsson C, Hu S, Xu D. TERT Promoter Hypermethylation in Gastrointestinal Cancer: A Potential Stool Biomarker. Oncologist 2017; 22:1178-1188. [PMID: 28754720 PMCID: PMC5634768 DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2017-0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a high demand for noninvasive screening tools for gastrointestinal cancer (GIC) detection, and GIC-specific markers are required for such purposes. It is established that induction of the telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (TERT) coupled with telomerase activation is essential for cancer development/progression and aberrant TERT promoter methylation of specific 5'-C-phosphate-G-3' (CpGs) has been linked to TERT induction in oncogenesis. Here we analyzed TERT promoter methylation in fecal samples from GIC patients and healthy adults and determined its value as a stool biomarker for GIC detection. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty-nine GIC patients (34 colorectal carcinoma and 35 gastric cancer) and 62 healthy adults were recruited and fecal samples were collected. Paired tumors and adjacent non-cancerous tissues from 34 patients and normal mucosa tissues from 12 healthy individuals were collected. TERT promoter methylation density was determined using pyrosequencing. RESULTS We identified two GIC-specific methylation sites at -218 (CpG site 1) and -210 (CpG site 2) in the TERT promoter in tumor tissues. Methylated TERT promoter CpG sites 1 and 2 were also detectable in patient stool, while only background levels were observed in healthy individuals. The overall sensitivity reached 52.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 48.3-56.0) for fecal methylated TERT promoter assays at 90% specificity, which was comparable to other known stool methylation markers for GIC detection. The combined assays of fecal TERT promoter methylation and occult blood (OB) significantly improved sensitivity and specificity in colorectal cancer (area under curves for methylation alone: 0.798, 95% CI: 0.707-0.889 vs. methylation + OB: 0.920, 95% CI: 0.859-0.981; p = .028), but not in gastric cancer. CONCLUSION This proof-of-concept study suggests the feasibility of stool TERT promoter methylation analyses as an additional tool in noninvasive GIC screening. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Induction of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression coupled with telomerase activation is essential for cancer development/progression, while aberrant TERT promoter methylation has been linked to TERT induction in oncogenesis. We identified two cancer-specific methylation sites (CpG1 and 2) in the TERT promoter in tumors from GIC patients. Methylated TERT promoter CpG sites 1 and 2 were detectable in patient stool, while only background levels were observed in healthy individuals. The sensitivity and specificity was comparable to other known stool methylation markers for GIC detection. This proof-of-concept study suggests the feasibility of stool TERT promoter methylation analyses for noninvasive screening of GIC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Liu
- Departments of General Surgery, Jinan, People's Republic of China
- Shandong University, School of Nursing, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Liu
- Urology, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan, People's Republic of China
- Shandong University-Karolinska Institutet Collaborative Laboratory for Cancer Research, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Omid Fotouhi
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, and Cancer Center Karolinska, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yidong Fan
- Urology, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan, People's Republic of China
- Shandong University-Karolinska Institutet Collaborative Laboratory for Cancer Research, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Kun Wang
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuanyou Xia
- Urology, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan, People's Republic of China
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Centre for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital Solna and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Benkang Shi
- Urology, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangyong Zhang
- Departments of General Surgery, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Kexin Wang
- Departments of General Surgery, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Kong
- Central Research Laboratory, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Catharina Larsson
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, and Cancer Center Karolinska, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sanyuan Hu
- Departments of General Surgery, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Dawei Xu
- Shandong University-Karolinska Institutet Collaborative Laboratory for Cancer Research, Jinan, People's Republic of China
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Centre for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital Solna and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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24
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Wang X, Lopez-Beltran A, Osunkoya AO, Wang M, Zhang S, Davidson DD, Emerson RE, Williamson SR, Tan PH, Kaimakliotis HZ, Baldridge LA, MacLennan GT, Montironi R, Cheng L. TERT promoter mutation status in sarcomatoid urothelial carcinomas of the upper urinary tract. Future Oncol 2017; 13:705-714. [PMID: 28052688 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2016-0414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To determine TERT promoter mutation status as well as the expression of PAX8, GATA3, p63, p40, p53 and uroplakin III in 17 patients with the upper urinary tract sarcomatoid urothelial carcinoma. METHODS & RESULTS TERT C228T mutations were found in six of 17 cases (35%). p53 was expressed in 77% of these tumors. PAX8, GATA3, p40 and uroplakin III are less frequently expressed. Lymph node metastases were present in ten cases (59%). Eight patients (47%), including all three patients with TERT mutation, died of cancer within 2 years after surgery. CONCLUSION Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the upper urinary tract is an aggressive tumor and the presence of TERT mutation may portend poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Wang
- Department of Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | - Adeboye O Osunkoya
- Departments of Pathology & Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Mingsheng Wang
- Department of Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Shaobo Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Darrell D Davidson
- Department of Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Robert E Emerson
- Department of Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Sean R Williamson
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Puay-Hoon Tan
- Department of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | | | - Lee Ann Baldridge
- Department of Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Gregory T MacLennan
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Rodolfo Montironi
- Institute of Pathological Anatomy & Histopathology, School of Medicine, Polytechnic University of the Marche Region (Ancona), United Hospitals, Ancona, Italy
| | - Liang Cheng
- Department of Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Department of Pathology & Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Cordoba, Spain
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25
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Transcription Regulation of the Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (hTERT) Gene. Genes (Basel) 2016; 7:genes7080050. [PMID: 27548225 PMCID: PMC4999838 DOI: 10.3390/genes7080050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Revised: 07/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells have the ability to maintain their telomere length via expression of an enzymatic complex called telomerase. Similarly, more than 85%–90% of cancer cells are found to upregulate the expression of telomerase, conferring them with the potential to proliferate indefinitely. Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT), the catalytic subunit of telomerase holoenzyme, is the rate-limiting factor in reconstituting telomerase activity in vivo. To date, the expression and function of the human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (hTERT) gene are known to be regulated at various molecular levels (including genetic, mRNA, protein and subcellular localization) by a number of diverse factors. Among these means of regulation, transcription modulation is the most important, as evident in its tight regulation in cancer cell survival as well as pluripotent stem cell maintenance and differentiation. Here, we discuss how hTERT gene transcription is regulated, mainly focusing on the contribution of trans-acting factors such as transcription factors and epigenetic modifiers, as well as genetic alterations in hTERT proximal promoter.
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26
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Cancer-Specific Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT) Promoter Mutations: Biological and Clinical Implications. Genes (Basel) 2016; 7:genes7070038. [PMID: 27438857 PMCID: PMC4962008 DOI: 10.3390/genes7070038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2016] [Revised: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The accumulated evidence has pointed to a key role of telomerase in carcinogenesis. As a RNA-dependent DNA polymerase, telomerase synthesizes telomeric DNA at the end of linear chromosomes, and attenuates or prevents telomere erosion associated with cell divisions. By lengthening telomeres, telomerase extends cellular life-span or even induces immortalization. Consistent with its functional activity, telomerase is silent in most human normal somatic cells while active only in germ-line, stem and other highly proliferative cells. In contrast, telomerase activation widely occurs in human cancer and the enzymatic activity is detectable in up to 90% of malignancies. Recently, hotspot point mutations in the regulatory region of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene, encoding the core catalytic component of telomerase, was identified as a novel mechanism to activate telomerase in cancer. This review discusses the cancer-specific TERT promoter mutations and potential biological and clinical significances.
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27
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Bell RJA, Rube HT, Xavier-Magalhães A, Costa BM, Mancini A, Song JS, Costello JF. Understanding TERT Promoter Mutations: A Common Path to Immortality. Mol Cancer Res 2016; 14:315-23. [PMID: 26941407 PMCID: PMC4852159 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-16-0003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase (TERT) activation is a fundamental step in tumorigenesis. By maintaining telomere length, telomerase relieves a main barrier on cellular lifespan, enabling limitless proliferation driven by oncogenes. The recently discovered, highly recurrent mutations in the promoter of TERT are found in over 50 cancer types, and are the most common mutation in many cancers. Transcriptional activation of TERT, via promoter mutation or other mechanisms, is the rate-limiting step in production of active telomerase. Although TERT is expressed in stem cells, it is naturally silenced upon differentiation. Thus, the presence of TERT promoter mutations may shed light on whether a particular tumor arose from a stem cell or more differentiated cell type. It is becoming clear that TERT mutations occur early during cellular transformation, and activate the TERT promoter by recruiting transcription factors that do not normally regulate TERT gene expression. This review highlights the fundamental and widespread role of TERT promoter mutations in tumorigenesis, including recent progress on their mechanism of transcriptional activation. These somatic promoter mutations, along with germline variation in the TERT locus also appear to have significant value as biomarkers of patient outcome. Understanding the precise molecular mechanism of TERT activation by promoter mutation and germline variation may inspire novel cancer cell-specific targeted therapies for a large number of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J A Bell
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - H Tomas Rube
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Ana Xavier-Magalhães
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California. Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal. ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Braga, Portugal
| | - Bruno M Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal. ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Braga, Portugal
| | - Andrew Mancini
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Jun S Song
- Departments of Bioengineering and Physics, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
| | - Joseph F Costello
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California.
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28
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Yang J, Yuan D, Li J, Zheng S, Wang B. miR-186 downregulates protein phosphatase PPM1B in bladder cancer and mediates G1-S phase transition. Tumour Biol 2015; 37:4331-41. [DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-4117-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2015] [Accepted: 09/20/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
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