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Pearson AD, DuBois SG, Macy ME, de Rojas T, Donoghue M, Weiner S, Knoderer H, Bernardi R, Buenger V, Canaud G, Cantley L, Chung J, Fox E, Friend J, Glade-Bender J, Gorbatchevsky I, Gore L, Gupta A, Hawkins DS, Juric D, Lang LA, Leach D, Liaw D, Lesa G, Ligas F, Lindberg G, Lindberg W, Ludwinski D, Marshall L, Mazar A, McDonough J, Nysom K, Ours C, Pappo A, Parsons DW, Rosenfeld A, Scobie N, Smith M, Taylor D, Weigel B, Weinstein A, Karres D, Vassal G. Paediatric strategy forum for medicinal product development of PI3-K, mTOR, AKT and GSK3β inhibitors in children and adolescents with cancer. Eur J Cancer 2024; 207:114145. [PMID: 38936103 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2024.114145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) signalling pathway is a crucial path in cancer for cell survival and thus represents an intriguing target for new paediatric anti-cancer drugs. However, the unique clinical toxicities of targeting this pathway (resulting in hyperglycaemia) difficulties combining with chemotherapy, rarity of mutations in childhood tumours and concomitant mutations have resulted in major barriers to clinical translation of these inhibitors in treating both adults and children. Mutations in PIK3CA predict response to PI3-K inhibitors in adult cancers. The same mutations occur in children as in adults, but they are significantly less frequent in paediatrics. In children, high-grade gliomas, especially diffuse midline gliomas (DMG), have the highest incidence of PIK3CA mutations. New mutation-specific PI3-K inhibitors reduce toxicity from on-target PI3-Kα wild-type activity. The mTOR inhibitor everolimus is approved for subependymal giant cell astrocytomas. In paediatric cancers, mTOR inhibitors have been predominantly evaluated by academia, without an overall strategy, in empiric, mutation-agnostic clinical trials with very low response rates to monotherapy. Therefore, future trials of single agent or combination strategies of mTOR inhibitors in childhood cancer should be supported by very strong biological rationale and preclinical data. Further preclinical evaluation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta inhibitors is required. Similarly, even where there is an AKT mutation (∼0.1 %), the role of AKT inhibitors in paediatric cancers remains unclear. Patient advocates strongly urged analysing and conserving data from every child participating in a clinical trial. A priority is to evaluate mutation-specific, central nervous system-penetrant PI3-K inhibitors in children with DMG in a rational biological combination. The choice of combination, should be based on the genomic landscape e.g. PTEN loss and resistance mechanisms supported by preclinical data. However, in view of the very rare populations involved, innovative regulatory approaches are needed to generate data for an indication.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Steven G DuBois
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ronald Bernardi
- Genentech, A Member of the Roche Group, South San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Vickie Buenger
- Coalition Against Childhood Cancer (CAC2), Philadelphia, USA
| | | | | | - John Chung
- Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Whippany, NJ, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Abha Gupta
- The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Princess Margaret Hospital Toronto, Canada
| | | | | | - Leigh Anna Lang
- Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | - Giovanni Lesa
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), the Netherlands
| | - Franca Ligas
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Lynley Marshall
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK; The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | | | - Joe McDonough
- The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, Wilmington, DE, USA
| | | | - Christopher Ours
- National Human Genome Research Institute/National Institutes of Health, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Amy Weinstein
- Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the US, Atlanta, USA
| | - Dominik Karres
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), the Netherlands
| | - Gilles Vassal
- ACCELERATE, Europe, Belgium; Gustave Roussy Cancer Centre, Paris, France
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Mohan D, Nambirajan A, Malik R, Sharma A, Suri V, Kaur K, Doddamani R, Garg A, Gupta S, Mallick S, Sharma MC. MYCN immunohistochemistry as surrogate marker for MYCN-amplified spinal ependymomas. Hum Cell 2024; 37:704-713. [PMID: 38411836 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-024-01037-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
MYCN (master regulator of cell cycle entry and proliferative metabolism) gene amplification defines a molecular subgroup of spinal cord ependymomas that show high-grade morphology and aggressive behavior. Demonstration of MYCN amplification by DNA methylation or fluorescence-in situ hybridization (FISH) is required for diagnosis. We aimed to (i) assess prevalence and clinicopathological features of MYCN-amplified spinal ependymomas and (ii) evaluate utility of immunohistochemistry (IHC) for MYCN protein as a surrogate for molecular testing. A combined retrospective-prospective study spanning 8 years was designed during which all spinal cord ependymomas with adequate tissue were subjected to MYCN FISH and MYCN IHC. Among 77 spinal cord ependymomas included, MYCN amplification was identified in 4 samples from 3 patients (3/74, 4%) including two (1st and 2nd recurrences) from the same patient. All patients were adults (median age at diagnosis of 32 years) including two females and one male. The index tumors were located in thoracic (n = 2) and lumbar (n = 1) spinal cord. One of the female patients had neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). All four tumors showed anaplastic histology. Diffuse expression of MYCN protein was seen in all four MYCN-amplified samples but in none of the non-amplified cases, thus showing 100% concordance with FISH results. On follow-up, the NF2 patient developed widespread spinal dissemination while another developed recurrence proximal to the site of previous excision. To conclude, MYCN-amplified spinal ependymomas are rare tumors, accounting for ~ 4% of spinal cord ependymomas. Within the limitation of small sample size, MYCN IHC showed excellent concordance with MYCN gene amplification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Mohan
- Departments of Pathology, Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology and Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Aruna Nambirajan
- Departments of Pathology, Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology and Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Rafat Malik
- Departments of Pathology, Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology and Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Agrima Sharma
- Departments of Pathology, Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology and Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Vaishali Suri
- Departments of Pathology, Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology and Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Kavneet Kaur
- Departments of Pathology, Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology and Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Ramesh Doddamani
- Departments of Pathology, Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology and Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Ajay Garg
- Departments of Pathology, Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology and Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Subhash Gupta
- Departments of Pathology, Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology and Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Supriya Mallick
- Departments of Pathology, Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology and Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Mehar Chand Sharma
- Departments of Pathology, Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology and Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India.
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Liu J, Wu Y, Meng S, Xu P, Li S, Li Y, Hu X, Ouyang L, Wang G. Selective autophagy in cancer: mechanisms, therapeutic implications, and future perspectives. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:22. [PMID: 38262996 PMCID: PMC10807193 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-01934-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic cells engage in autophagy, an internal process of self-degradation through lysosomes. Autophagy can be classified as selective or non-selective depending on the way it chooses to degrade substrates. During the process of selective autophagy, damaged and/or redundant organelles like mitochondria, peroxisomes, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), lysosomes, nuclei, proteasomes, and lipid droplets are selectively recycled. Specific cargo is delivered to autophagosomes by specific receptors, isolated and engulfed. Selective autophagy dysfunction is closely linked with cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, heart failure, etc. Through reviewing latest research, this review summarized molecular markers and important signaling pathways for selective autophagy, and its significant role in cancers. Moreover, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of small-molecule compounds targeting selective autophagy for their potential application in anti-tumor therapy, elucidating the underlying mechanisms involved. This review aims to supply important scientific references and development directions for the biological mechanisms and drug discovery of anti-tumor targeting selective autophagy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxi Liu
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yongya Wu
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Sha Meng
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Ping Xu
- Emergency Department, Zigong Fourth People's Hospital, Zigong, 643000, China
| | - Shutong Li
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yong Li
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiuying Hu
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Liang Ouyang
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Guan Wang
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Drastichova Z, Trubacova R, Novotny J. Regulation of phosphosignaling pathways involved in transcription of cell cycle target genes by TRH receptor activation in GH1 cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115830. [PMID: 37931515 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115830] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is known to activate several cellular signaling pathway, but the activation of the TRH receptor (TRH-R) has not been reported to regulate gene transcription. The aim of this study was to identify phosphosignaling pathways and phosphoprotein complexes associated with gene transcription in GH1 pituitary cells treated with TRH or its analog, taltirelin (TAL), using label-free bottom-up mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Our detailed analysis provided insight into the mechanism through which TRH-R activation may regulate the transcription of genes related to the cell cycle and proliferation. It involves control of the signaling pathways for β-catenin/Tcf, Notch/RBPJ, p53/p21/Rbl2/E2F, Myc, and YY1/Rb1/E2F through phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of their key components. In many instances, the phosphorylation patterns of differentially phosphorylated phosphoproteins in TRH- or TAL-treated cells were identical or displayed a similar trend in phosphorylation. However, some phosphoproteins, especially components of the Wnt/β-catenin/Tcf and YY1/Rb1/E2F pathways, exhibited different phosphorylation patterns in TRH- and TAL-treated cells. This supports the notion that TRH and TAL may act, at least in part, as biased agonists. Additionally, the deficiency of β-arrestin2 resulted in a reduced number of alterations in phosphorylation, highlighting the critical role of β-arrestin2 in the signal transduction from TRH-R in the plasma membrane to transcription factors in the nucleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdenka Drastichova
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 128 00 Prague, Czechia
| | - Radka Trubacova
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 128 00 Prague, Czechia; Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20 Prague, Czechia
| | - Jiri Novotny
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 128 00 Prague, Czechia.
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Smiles WJ, Catalano L, Stefan VE, Weber DD, Kofler B. Metabolic protein kinase signalling in neuroblastoma. Mol Metab 2023; 75:101771. [PMID: 37414143 PMCID: PMC10362370 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2023.101771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma is a paediatric malignancy of incredibly complex aetiology. Oncogenic protein kinase signalling in neuroblastoma has conventionally focussed on transduction through the well-characterised PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways, in which the latter has been implicated in treatment resistance. The discovery of the receptor tyrosine kinase ALK as a target of genetic alterations in cases of familial and sporadic neuroblastoma, was a breakthrough in the understanding of the complex genetic heterogeneity of neuroblastoma. However, despite progress in the development of small-molecule inhibitors of ALK, treatment resistance frequently arises and appears to be a feature of the disease. Moreover, since the identification of ALK, several additional protein kinases, including the PIM and Aurora kinases, have emerged not only as drivers of the disease phenotype, but also as promising druggable targets. This is particularly the case for Aurora-A, given its intimate engagement with MYCN, a driver oncogene of aggressive neuroblastoma previously considered 'undruggable.' SCOPE OF REVIEW Aided by significant advances in structural biology and a broader understanding of the mechanisms of protein kinase function and regulation, we comprehensively outline the role of protein kinase signalling, emphasising ALK, PIM and Aurora in neuroblastoma, their respective metabolic outputs, and broader implications for targeted therapies. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS Despite massively divergent regulatory mechanisms, ALK, PIM and Aurora kinases all obtain significant roles in cellular glycolytic and mitochondrial metabolism and neuroblastoma progression, and in several instances are implicated in treatment resistance. While metabolism of neuroblastoma tends to display hallmarks of the glycolytic "Warburg effect," aggressive, in particular MYCN-amplified tumours, retain functional mitochondrial metabolism, allowing for survival and proliferation under nutrient stress. Future strategies employing specific kinase inhibitors as part of the treatment regimen should consider combinatorial attempts at interfering with tumour metabolism, either through metabolic pathway inhibitors, or by dietary means, with a view to abolish metabolic flexibility that endows cancerous cells with a survival advantage.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Smiles
- Research Program for Receptor Biochemistry and Tumor Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Luca Catalano
- Research Program for Receptor Biochemistry and Tumor Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Victoria E Stefan
- Research Program for Receptor Biochemistry and Tumor Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Daniela D Weber
- Research Program for Receptor Biochemistry and Tumor Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Barbara Kofler
- Research Program for Receptor Biochemistry and Tumor Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
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Bartolucci D, Montemurro L, Raieli S, Lampis S, Pession A, Hrelia P, Tonelli R. MYCN Impact on High-Risk Neuroblastoma: From Diagnosis and Prognosis to Targeted Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14184421. [PMID: 36139583 PMCID: PMC9496712 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Neuroblastoma is one of the most diffuse and the deadliest cancer in children. While many advances have been made in the last few decades to improve patients’ outcome, high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NB) still shows a very aggressive pattern of development and poor prognosis, with only a 50% chance of 5-year survival. Moreover, while many factors contribute to defining the high-risk condition, MYCN status is well established as the major element in pathology disclosure. The aim of this review is to describe the current knowledge in the diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic approaches of HR-NB, particularly in relation to MYCN. The review highlights how MYCN influences the HR-NB scenario and the new therapeutic approaches that are currently proposed to target it, in consideration of MYCN as a highly relevant target for HR-NB patient management. Abstract Among childhood cancers, neuroblastoma is the most diffuse solid tumor and the deadliest in children. While to date, the pathology has become progressively manageable with a significant increase in 5-year survival for its less aggressive form, high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NB) remains a major issue with poor outcome and little survivability of patients. The staging system has also been improved to better fit patient needs and to administer therapies in a more focused manner in consideration of pathology features. New and improved therapies have been developed; nevertheless, low efficacy and high toxicity remain a staple feature of current high-risk neuroblastoma treatment. For this reason, more specific procedures are required, and new therapeutic targets are also needed for a precise medicine approach. In this scenario, MYCN is certainly one of the most interesting targets. Indeed, MYCN is one of the most relevant hallmarks of HR-NB, and many studies has been carried out in recent years to discover potent and specific inhibitors to block its activities and any related oncogenic function. N-Myc protein has been considered an undruggable target for a long time. Thus, many new indirect and direct approaches have been discovered and preclinically evaluated for the interaction with MYCN and its pathways; a few of the most promising approaches are nearing clinical application for the investigation in HR-NB.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luca Montemurro
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Unit, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | - Andrea Pession
- Pediatric Unit, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Patrizia Hrelia
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Tonelli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Urban-Wójciuk Z, Graham A, Barker K, Kwok C, Sbirkov Y, Howell L, Campbell J, Woster PM, Poon E, Petrie K, Chesler L. The biguanide polyamine analog verlindamycin promotes differentiation in neuroblastoma via induction of antizyme. Cancer Gene Ther 2022; 29:940-950. [PMID: 34522028 PMCID: PMC9293756 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-021-00386-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Deregulated polyamine biosynthesis is emerging as a common feature of neuroblastoma and drugs targeting this metabolic pathway such as DFMO are in clinical and preclinical development. The polyamine analog verlindamycin inhibits the polyamine biosynthesis pathway enzymes SMOX and PAOX, as well as the histone demethylase LSD1. Based on our previous research in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), we reasoned verlindamycin may also unblock neuroblastoma differentiation when combined with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). Indeed, co-treatment with verlindamycin and ATRA strongly induced differentiation regardless of MYCN status, but in MYCN-expressing cells, protein levels were strongly diminished. This process was not transcriptionally regulated but was due to increased degradation of MYCN protein, at least in part via ubiquitin-independent, proteasome-dependent destruction. Here we report that verlindamycin effectively induces the expression of functional tumor suppressor-antizyme via ribosomal frameshifting. Consistent with previous results describing the function of antizyme, we found that verlindamycin treatment led to the selective targeting of ornithine decarboxylase (the rate-limiting enzyme for polyamine biosynthesis) as well as key oncoproteins, such as cyclin D and Aurora A kinase. Retinoid-based multimodal differentiation therapy is one of the few interventions that extends relapse-free survival in MYCN-associated high-risk neuroblastoma and these results point toward the potential use of verlindamycin in this regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna Urban-Wójciuk
- Division of Clinical Studies, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
- Division of Cancer Therapeutics, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
| | - Amy Graham
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - Karen Barker
- Division of Clinical Studies, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Division of Cancer Therapeutics, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Colin Kwok
- Division of Clinical Studies, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Division of Cancer Therapeutics, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Yordan Sbirkov
- Division of Clinical Studies, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Division of Cancer Therapeutics, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Louise Howell
- Cell Imaging Facility, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - James Campbell
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Patrick M Woster
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Evon Poon
- Division of Clinical Studies, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
- Division of Cancer Therapeutics, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
| | - Kevin Petrie
- Division of Clinical Studies, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Division of Cancer Therapeutics, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Sunderland, Sunderland, UK
| | - Louis Chesler
- Division of Clinical Studies, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Division of Cancer Therapeutics, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
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Jakobsson AW, Kundu S, Guo J, Chowdhury A, Zhao M, Lindell E, Bergsten P, Swartling FJ, Sjöblom T, Zhang X. Iron Chelator VLX600 Inhibits Mitochondrial Respiration and Promotes Sensitization of Neuroblastoma Cells in Nutrition-Restricted Conditions. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14133225. [PMID: 35805002 PMCID: PMC9264775 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14133225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma, the most common solid tumor in children, is characterized by amplification of the MYCN proto-oncogene, a high-risk aggressive clinical marker associated with treatment failure. MYCN plays an important role in cell growth, proliferation, metabolism, and chemoresistance. Here, we show for the first time that in neuroblastoma, iron chelator VLX600 inhibits mitochondrial respiration, decreases expression levels of MYCN/LMO1, and induces an efficient cell death regardless of MYCN status in both 2D and 3D culture conditions. Moreover, insufficient induction of autophagy was observed in cells treated with VLX600, which is essential as a protective response in the event of ATP synthesis disruption. Further inhibition of glucose uptake using DRB18, a pan-GLUT (glucose transporter) inhibitor, synergized the effect of VLX600 and no significant cell death was found in immortalized epithelial cells under this combination treatment. Our results demonstrate that inhibition of mitochondrial respiration by iron chelator VLX600 accompanied by autophagy deficiency promotes sensitivity of neuroblastoma cells in a nutrition-restricted microenvironment regardless of MYCN status, indicating that MYCN expression level is an essential clinical marker but might not be a necessary target for the treatment of neuroblastoma which warrants further investigation. VLX600 has been studied in Phase I clinical trials; combining VLX600 with conventional chemotherapy could be an innovative therapeutic strategy for neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Westergren Jakobsson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (A.W.J.); (S.K.); (M.Z.); (E.L.); (F.J.S.); (T.S.)
| | - Snehangshu Kundu
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (A.W.J.); (S.K.); (M.Z.); (E.L.); (F.J.S.); (T.S.)
| | - Jing Guo
- Centre for Computational Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore;
| | - Azazul Chowdhury
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, BMC, Husargatan 3, SE-75123 Uppsala, Sweden; (A.C.); (P.B.)
| | - Miao Zhao
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (A.W.J.); (S.K.); (M.Z.); (E.L.); (F.J.S.); (T.S.)
| | - Emma Lindell
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (A.W.J.); (S.K.); (M.Z.); (E.L.); (F.J.S.); (T.S.)
| | - Peter Bergsten
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, BMC, Husargatan 3, SE-75123 Uppsala, Sweden; (A.C.); (P.B.)
| | - Fredrik J. Swartling
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (A.W.J.); (S.K.); (M.Z.); (E.L.); (F.J.S.); (T.S.)
| | - Tobias Sjöblom
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (A.W.J.); (S.K.); (M.Z.); (E.L.); (F.J.S.); (T.S.)
| | - Xiaonan Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (A.W.J.); (S.K.); (M.Z.); (E.L.); (F.J.S.); (T.S.)
- Correspondence:
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Lampis S, Raieli S, Montemurro L, Bartolucci D, Amadesi C, Bortolotti S, Angelucci S, Scardovi AL, Nieddu G, Cerisoli L, Paganelli F, Valente S, Fischer M, Martelli AM, Pasquinelli G, Pession A, Hrelia P, Tonelli R. The MYCN inhibitor BGA002 restores the retinoic acid response leading to differentiation or apoptosis by the mTOR block in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:160. [PMID: 35490242 PMCID: PMC9055702 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02367-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma is a deadly childhood cancer, and MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma (MNA-NB) patients have the worst prognoses and are therapy-resistant. While retinoic acid (RA) is beneficial for some neuroblastoma patients, the cause of RA resistance is unknown. Thus, there remains a need for new therapies to treat neuroblastoma. Here we explored the possibility of combining a MYCN-specific antigene oligonucleotide BGA002 and RA as therapeutic approach to restore sensitivity to RA in NB. METHODS By molecular and cellular biology techniques, we assessed the combined effect of the two compounds in NB cell lines and in a xenograft mouse model MNA-NB. RESULTS We found that MYCN-specific inhibition by BGA002 in combination with RA (BGA002-RA) act synergistically and overcame resistance in NB cell lines. BGA002-RA also reactivated neuron differentiation (or led to apoptosis) and inhibited invasiveness capacity in MNA-NB. Moreover, we found that neuroblastoma had the highest level of mRNA expression of mTOR pathway genes, and that BGA002 led to mTOR pathway inhibition followed by autophagy reactivation in MNA-NB cells, which was strengthened by BGA002-RA. BGA002-RA in vivo treatment also eliminated tumor vascularization in a MNA-NB mouse model and significantly increased survival. CONCLUSION Taken together, MYCN modulation mediates the therapeutic efficacy of RA and the development of RA resistance in MNA-NB. Furthermore, by targeting MYCN, a cancer-specific mTOR pathway inhibition occurs only in MNA-NB, thus avoiding the side effects of targeting mTOR in normal cells. These findings warrant clinical testing of BGA002-RA as a strategy for overcoming RA resistance in MNA-NB.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Luca Montemurro
- Pediatric Unit, S. Orsola IRCCS, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Francesca Paganelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- CNR Institute of Molecular Genetics "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Unit of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sabrina Valente
- Biotechnology and Methods in Laboratory Medicine, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Matthias Fischer
- Department of Experimental Pediatric Oncology, University Children's Hospital of Cologne, Medical Faculty, Cologne, Germany; and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Gianandrea Pasquinelli
- Biotechnology and Methods in Laboratory Medicine, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Subcellular nephro-vascular diagnostic program, Pathology Unit S. Orsola IRCCS, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Pession
- Pediatric Unit, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Patrizia Hrelia
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Tonelli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
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10
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Stengel S, Petrie KR, Sbirkov Y, Stanko C, Ghazvini Zadegan F, Gil V, Skopek R, Kamiński P, Szymański Ł, Brioli A, Zelent A, Schenk T. Suppression of MYC by PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibition in combination with all-trans retinoic acid treatment for therapeutic gain in acute myeloid leukaemia. Br J Haematol 2022; 198:338-348. [PMID: 35468223 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.18187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant activity of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR [PAM]) pathway, as well as suppressed retinoic acid signalling, contribute to enhanced proliferation and the differentiation blockade of immature myeloid cells in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Inhibition of the PAM pathway was shown to affect especially mixed-lineage leukaemia-rearranged AML. Here, we sought to test a combined strategy using small molecule inhibitors against members of the PAM signalling pathway in conjunction with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) to target a larger group of different AML subtypes. We find that ATRA treatment in combination with inhibition of PI3K (ZSTK474), mTOR (WYE132) or PI3K/mTOR (BEZ235, dactolisib) drastically reduces protein levels of the proto-oncogene MYC. In combination with BEZ235, ATRA treatment led to almost complete eradication of cellular MYC, G1 arrest, loss of clonal capacity and terminal granulocytic differentiation. We demonstrate that PAM inhibitor/ATRA treatment targets MYC via independent mechanisms. While inhibition of the PAM pathway causes MYC phosphorylation at threonine 58 via glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta and subsequent degradation, ATRA reduces its expression. Here, we present an approach using a combination of known drugs to synergistically reduce aberrant MYC levels, thereby effectively blocking proliferation and enabling differentiation in various AML subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Stengel
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine IV, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Kevin R Petrie
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing University of Sunderland, Sunderland, UK
| | - Yordan Sbirkov
- Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.,Research Institute at Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Clara Stanko
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Clinic of Internal Medicine II, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,Institute of Molecular Cell Biology, CMB, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Faezeh Ghazvini Zadegan
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Clinic of Internal Medicine II, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,Institute of Molecular Cell Biology, CMB, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Veronica Gil
- The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.,The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, UK
| | - Rafał Skopek
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Science, Magdalenka, Poland
| | - Paweł Kamiński
- Department of Gynecology and Oncological Gynecology, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Łukasz Szymański
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Science, Magdalenka, Poland
| | - Annamaria Brioli
- Clinic of Internal Medicine C, Hematology and Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Palliative Care, Greifswald University Medicine, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Arthur Zelent
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Science, Magdalenka, Poland
| | - Tino Schenk
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Clinic of Internal Medicine II, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,Institute of Molecular Cell Biology, CMB, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
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11
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Synthetic Heterocyclic Derivatives as Kinase Inhibitors Tested for the Treatment of Neuroblastoma. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26237069. [PMID: 34885651 PMCID: PMC8658969 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26237069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last few years, small molecules endowed with different heterocyclic scaffolds have been developed as kinase inhibitors. Some of them are being tested at preclinical or clinical levels for the potential treatment of neuroblastoma (NB). This disease is the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood and is responsible for 10% to 15% of pediatric cancer deaths. Despite the availability of some treatments, including the use of very toxic cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents, high-risk (HR)-NB patients still have a poor prognosis and a survival rate below 50%. For these reasons, new pharmacological options are urgently needed. This review focuses on synthetic heterocyclic compounds published in the last five years, which showed at least some activity on this severe disease and act as kinase inhibitors. The specific mechanism of action, selectivity, and biological activity of these drug candidates are described, when established. Moreover, the most remarkable clinical trials are reported. Importantly, kinase inhibitors approved for other diseases have shown to be active and endowed with lower toxicity compared to conventional cytotoxic agents. The data collected in this article can be particularly useful for the researchers working in this area.
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12
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Kling MJ, Griggs CN, McIntyre EM, Alexander G, Ray S, Challagundla KB, Joshi SS, Coulter DW, Chaturvedi NK. Synergistic efficacy of inhibiting MYCN and mTOR signaling against neuroblastoma. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:1061. [PMID: 34565342 PMCID: PMC8474810 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08782-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma (NB) patients with MYCN amplification or overexpression respond poorly to current therapies and exhibit extremely poor clinical outcomes. PI3K-mTOR signaling-driven deregulation of protein synthesis is very common in NB and various other cancers that promote MYCN stabilization. In addition, both the MYCN and mTOR signaling axes can directly regulate a common translation pathway that leads to increased protein synthesis and cell proliferation. However, a strategy of concurrently targeting MYCN and mTOR signaling in NB remains unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of targeting dysregulated protein synthesis pathways by inhibiting the MYCN and mTOR pathways together in NB. METHODS Using small molecule/pharmacologic approaches, we evaluated the effects of combined inhibition of MYCN transcription and mTOR signaling on NB cell growth/survival and associated molecular mechanism(s) in NB cell lines. We used two well-established BET (bromodomain extra-terminal) protein inhibitors (JQ1, OTX-015), and a clinically relevant mTOR inhibitor, temsirolimus, to target MYCN transcription and mTOR signaling, respectively. The single agent and combined efficacies of these inhibitors on NB cell growth, apoptosis, cell cycle and neurospheres were assessed using MTT, Annexin-V, propidium-iodide staining and sphere assays, respectively. Effects of inhibitors on global protein synthesis were quantified using a fluorescence-based (FamAzide)-based protein synthesis assay. Further, we investigated the specificities of these inhibitors in targeting the associated pathways/molecules using western blot analyses. RESULTS Co-treatment of JQ1 or OTX-015 with temsirolimus synergistically suppressed NB cell growth/survival by inducing G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis with greatest efficacy in MYCN-amplified NB cells. Mechanistically, the co-treatment of JQ1 or OTX-015 with temsirolimus significantly downregulated the expression levels of phosphorylated 4EBP1/p70-S6K/eIF4E (mTOR components) and BRD4 (BET protein)/MYCN proteins. Further, this combination significantly inhibited global protein synthesis, compared to single agents. Our findings also demonstrated that both JQ1 and temsirolimus chemosensitized NB cells when tested in combination with cisplatin chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Together, our findings demonstrate synergistic efficacy of JQ1 or OTX-015 and temsirolimus against MYCN-driven NB, by dual-inhibition of MYCN (targeting transcription) and mTOR (targeting translation). Additional preclinical evaluation is warranted to determine the clinical utility of targeted therapy for high-risk NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Kling
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology Division, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986395, Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Connor N Griggs
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology Division, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986395, Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Erin M McIntyre
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology Division, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986395, Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Gracey Alexander
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology Division, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986395, Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Sutapa Ray
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology Division, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986395, Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Kishore B Challagundla
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Shantaram S Joshi
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Don W Coulter
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology Division, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986395, Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Nagendra K Chaturvedi
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology Division, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986395, Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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13
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Moulin AP, Stathopoulos C, Marcelli F, Schoumans Pouw J, Beck-Popovic M, Munier FL. Secondary enucleated retinoblastoma with MYCN amplification. Ophthalmic Genet 2021; 42:354-359. [PMID: 33870828 DOI: 10.1080/13816810.2021.1897847] [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] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Background: Absence of RB1 mutation is rare in retinoblastoma and MYCN amplifications were recently identified in a subset of aggressive retinoblastomas occurring in infants. Here we describe not only the clinical phenotype of MYCN retinoblastoma at presentation, but also the tumor response to the first attempt of conservative management in this context.Methods: Interventional retrospective case reportResults: A 6-month-old boy was referred with right leukocoria. Examination under anesthesia revealed a group D unilateral retinoblastoma with an extensive whitish mass and total retinal detachment. Despite partial response following combined sequential intravenous and intra-arterial chemotherapy, tumor relapse in the aqueous humor occurred with posterior chamber involvement over 360°, this transiently controlled by intracameral and intravitreal melphalan injections. Eleven months post-diagnosis the eye was enucleated due to diffuse retinal recurrence invading the ciliary body and obscuring the optic nerve, associated with neovascular glaucoma. Histopathology revealed a poorly differentiated retinoblastoma with diffuse retinal invasion, extending from the superior ciliary body to the inferior equatorial choroid. There was post laminar optic nerve extension without involvement of the surgical margin. RB1 and diffuse MYCN nuclear expression were identified. FISH and SNP-array confirmed MYCN amplification. At 65 months follow-up the patient remained in good health without local recurrence or metastasis.Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to attempt conservative management of an MYCN retinoblastoma, although secondary enucleation could not be avoided due to highly aggressive recurrence resisting all targeted modalities of chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Francis L Munier
- Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland
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14
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Borgenvik A, Čančer M, Hutter S, Swartling FJ. Targeting MYCN in Molecularly Defined Malignant Brain Tumors. Front Oncol 2021; 10:626751. [PMID: 33585252 PMCID: PMC7877538 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.626751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Misregulation of MYC genes, causing MYC overexpression or protein stabilization, is frequently found in malignant brain tumors highlighting their important roles as oncogenes. Brain tumors in children are the most lethal of all pediatric malignancies and the most common malignant primary adult brain tumor, glioblastoma, is still practically incurable. MYCN is one of three MYC family members and is crucial for normal brain development. It is associated with poor prognosis in many malignant pediatric brain tumor types and is focally amplified in specific adult brain tumors. Targeting MYCN has proved to be challenging due to its undruggable nature as a transcription factor and for its importance in regulating developmental programs also in healthy cells. In this review, we will discuss efforts made to circumvent the difficulty of targeting MYCN specifically by using direct or indirect measures to treat MYCN-driven brain tumors. We will further consider the mechanism of action of these measures and suggest which molecularly defined brain tumor patients that might benefit from MYCN-directed precision therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Borgenvik
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Matko Čančer
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sonja Hutter
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fredrik J Swartling
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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15
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Holzhauser S, Lukoseviciute M, Papachristofi C, Vasilopoulou C, Herold N, Wickström M, Kostopoulou ON, Dalianis T. Effects of PI3K and FGFR inhibitors alone and in combination, and with/without cytostatics in childhood neuroblastoma cell lines. Int J Oncol 2021; 58:211-225. [PMID: 33491755 PMCID: PMC7864013 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2021.5167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a heterogenous disease with treatment varying from observation for low-risk tumors, to extensive therapy with chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, and autologous bone-marrow-transplantation and immunotherapy. However, a high frequency of primary-chemo-refractory disease and recurrences urgently require novel treatment strategies. The present study therefore investigated the anti-NB efficacy of the recently FDA-approved phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitors, alpelisib (BYL719) and erdafitinib (JNJ-42756493), alone and in combination with or without cisplatin, vincristine, or doxorubicin on 5 NB cell lines. For this purpose, the NB cell lines, SK-N-AS, SK-N-BE(2)-C, SK-N-DZ, SK-N-FI and SK-N-SH (where SK-N-DZ had a deletion of PIK3C2G and none had FGFR mutations according to the Cancer Program's Dependency Map, although some were chemoresistant), were tested for their sensitivity to FDA-approved inhibitors alone or in combination, or together with cytostatic drugs by viability, cytotoxicity, apoptosis and proliferation assays. The results revealed that monotherapy with alpelisib or erdafitinib resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell viability and proliferation. Notably, the combined use of PI3K and FGFR inhibitors resulted in an enhanced efficacy, while their combined use with the canonical cytotoxic agents, cisplatin, vincristine and doxorubicin, resulted in variable synergistic, additive and antagonistic effects. Collectively, the present study provides pre-clinical evidence that PI3K and FGFR inhibitors exhibit promising anti-NB activity. The data presented herein also indicate that the incorporation of these inhibitors into chemotherapeutic regimens requires careful consideration and further research in order to obtain a beneficial efficacy. Nevertheless, the addition of PI3K and FGFR inhibitors to the treatment arsenal might reduce the occurrence of refractory and relapsing disease in NB without FGFR and PI3K mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Holzhauser
- Department of Oncology‑Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Monika Lukoseviciute
- Department of Oncology‑Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Nikolas Herold
- Children and Women's Health, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Malin Wickström
- Children and Women's Health, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Tina Dalianis
- Department of Oncology‑Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Stockholm, Sweden
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16
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Waetzig R, Matthes M, Leister J, Penkivech G, Heise T, Corbacioglu S, Sommer G. Comparing mTOR inhibitor Rapamycin with Torin-2 within the RIST molecular-targeted regimen in neuroblastoma cells. Int J Med Sci 2021; 18:137-149. [PMID: 33390782 PMCID: PMC7738968 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.48393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The prognosis for patients with relapsed or refractory high-risk neuroblastoma remains dismal and novel therapeutic options are urgently needed. The RIST treatment protocol has a multimodal metronomic therapy design combining molecular-targeted drugs (Rapamycin and Dasatinib) with chemotherapy backbone (Irinotecan and Temozolomide), which is currently verified in a phase II clinical trial (NCT01467986). With the availability of novel and more potent ATP competitive mTOR inhibitors, we expect to improve the RIST combination therapy. By comparing the IC50 values of Torin-1, Torin-2, AZD3147 and PP242 we established that only Torin-2 inhibited cell viability of all three MycN-amplified neuroblastoma cell lines tested at nanomolar concentration. Single treatment of both mTOR inhibitors induced a significant G1 cell cycle arrest and combination treatment with Dasatinib reduced the expression of cell cycle regulator cyclin D1 or increased the expression of cell cycle inhibitor p21. The combinatorial index depicted for both mTOR inhibitors a synergistic effect with Dasatinib. Interestingly, compared to Rapamycin, the combination treatment with Torin-2 resulted in a broader mTOR pathway inhibition as indicated by reduced phosphorylation of AKT (Thr308, Ser473), 4E-BP (Ser65), and S6K (Thr389). Furthermore, substituting Rapamycin in the modified multimodal RIST protocol with Torin-2 reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis despite a significant lower Torin-2 drug concentration applied. The efficacy of nanomolar concentrations may significantly reduce unwanted immunosuppression associated with Rapamycin. However, at this point we cannot rule out that Torin-2 has increased toxicity due to its potency in more complex systems. Nonetheless, our results suggest that including Torin-2 as a substitute for Rapamycin in the RIST protocol may represent a valid option to be evaluated in prospective clinical trials for relapsed or treatment-refractory high-risk neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Waetzig
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Marie Matthes
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Leister
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gina Penkivech
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Tilman Heise
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Selim Corbacioglu
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gunhild Sommer
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
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17
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Kong D, Fan S, Sun L, Chen X, Zhao Y, Zhao L, Guo Z, Li Y. Growth inhibition and suppression of the mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin pathways in T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia by rapamycin and MYCN depletion. Hematol Oncol 2020; 39:222-230. [PMID: 33300153 DOI: 10.1002/hon.2831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive malignancy. Understanding of the molecular pathogenesis may lead to novel therapeutic targets. Rapamycin, the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, showed inhibitory effects on T-ALL cells. In this study, we showed that rapamycin significantly reduced MYCN mRNA and protein in a concentration-dependent manner in T-ALL cells. Selective knockdown of MYCN by small interfering RNA had similar effects to rapamycin to inhibit T-ALL proliferation and colony formation and to induce G1-phase cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. The inhibitory effects of rapamycin and MYCN depletion were also found in a Molt-4 xenograft model. Rapamycin and MYCN inhibition suppressed both Wnt/β-catenin and mTOR signaling pathways. The results suggest the effects of rapamycin on adult T-ALL is likely mediated by downregulation of MYCN. The findings suggest MYCN a potential target for the treatment of adult T-ALL. Additionally, dual targeting of mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin pathways may represent a novel strategy in the treatment of adult T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desheng Kong
- Department of Hematology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shengjin Fan
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Lili Sun
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yanqiu Zhao
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Linlin Zhao
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhibo Guo
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yinghua Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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18
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Turnock S, Turton DR, Martins CD, Chesler L, Wilson TC, Gouverneur V, Smith G, Kramer-Marek G. 18F-meta-fluorobenzylguanidine ( 18F-mFBG) to monitor changes in norepinephrine transporter expression in response to therapeutic intervention in neuroblastoma models. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20918. [PMID: 33262374 PMCID: PMC7708446 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77788-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted radiotherapy with 131I-mIBG, a substrate of the human norepinephrine transporter (NET-1), shows promising responses in heavily pre-treated neuroblastoma (NB) patients. Combinatorial approaches that enhance 131I-mIBG tumour uptake are of substantial clinical interest but biomarkers of response are needed. Here, we investigate the potential of 18F-mFBG, a positron emission tomography (PET) analogue of the 123I-mIBG radiotracer, to quantify NET-1 expression levels in mouse models of NB following treatment with AZD2014, a dual mTOR inhibitor. The response to AZD2014 treatment was evaluated in MYCN amplified NB cell lines (Kelly and SK-N-BE(2)C) by Western blot (WB) and immunohistochemistry. PET quantification of 18F-mFBG uptake post-treatment in vivo was performed, and data correlated with NET-1 protein levels measured ex vivo. Following 72 h AZD2014 treatment, in vitro WB analysis indicated decreased mTOR signalling and enhanced NET-1 expression in both cell lines, and 18F-mFBG revealed a concentration-dependent increase in NET-1 function. AZD2014 treatment failed however to inhibit mTOR signalling in vivo and did not significantly modulate intratumoural NET-1 activity. Image analysis of 18F-mFBG PET data showed correlation to tumour NET-1 protein expression, while further studies are needed to elucidate whether NET-1 upregulation induced by blocking mTOR might be a useful adjunct to 131I-mIBG therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Turnock
- Preclinical Molecular Imaging, Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, 123 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3RP, UK
| | - David R Turton
- PET Radiochemistry, Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, 123 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3RP, UK
| | - Carlos Daniel Martins
- Preclinical Molecular Imaging, Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, 123 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3RP, UK
| | - Louis Chesler
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, 123 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3RP, UK
| | - Thomas C Wilson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Véronique Gouverneur
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Graham Smith
- PET Radiochemistry, Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, 123 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3RP, UK
| | - Gabriela Kramer-Marek
- Preclinical Molecular Imaging, Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, 123 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3RP, UK.
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19
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The antitumour drug ABTL0812 impairs neuroblastoma growth through endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated autophagy and apoptosis. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:773. [PMID: 32943619 PMCID: PMC7498451 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-02986-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the leading cause of cancer death in children aged 1 to 4 years. Particularly, five-year overall survival for high-risk neuroblastoma is below 50% with no curative options when refractory or relapsed. Most of current therapies target cell division and proliferation, thereby inducing DNA damage and programmed cell death. However, aggressive tumours often present alterations of these processes and are resistant to therapy. Therefore, exploring alternative pathways to induce tumour cell death will provide new therapeutic opportunities for these patients. In this study we aimed at testing the therapeutic potential of ABTL0812, a novel anticancer drug that induces cytotoxic autophagy to eliminate cancer cells, which is currently in phase II clinical trials of adult tumours. Here, we show that ABTL0812 impaired the viability of clinical representative neuroblastoma cell lines regardless of genetic alterations associated to bad prognosis and resistance to therapy. Oral administration of ABTL0812 to mice bearing neuroblastoma xenografts impaired tumour growth. Furthermore, our findings revealed that, in neuroblastoma, ABTL0812 induced cancer cell death via induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress, activation of the unfolded protein response, autophagy and apoptosis. Remarkably, ABTL0812 potentiated the antitumour activity of chemotherapies and differentiating agents such as irinotecan and 13-cis-retinoic acid. In conclusion, ABTL0812 distinctive mechanism of action makes it standout to be used alone or in combination in high-risk neuroblastoma patients.
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20
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Moreno L, Barone G, DuBois SG, Molenaar J, Fischer M, Schulte J, Eggert A, Schleiermacher G, Speleman F, Chesler L, Geoerger B, Hogarty MD, Irwin MS, Bird N, Blanchard GB, Buckland S, Caron H, Davis S, De Wilde B, Deubzer HE, Dolman E, Eilers M, George RE, George S, Jaroslav Š, Maris JM, Marshall L, Merchant M, Mortimer P, Owens C, Philpott A, Poon E, Shay JW, Tonelli R, Valteau-Couanet D, Vassal G, Park JR, Pearson ADJ. Accelerating drug development for neuroblastoma: Summary of the Second Neuroblastoma Drug Development Strategy forum from Innovative Therapies for Children with Cancer and International Society of Paediatric Oncology Europe Neuroblastoma. Eur J Cancer 2020; 136:52-68. [PMID: 32653773 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2020.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Only one class of targeted agents (anti-GD2 antibodies) has been incorporated into front-line therapy for neuroblastoma since the 1980s. The Neuroblastoma New Drug Development Strategy (NDDS) initiative commenced in 2012 to accelerate the development of new drugs for neuroblastoma. Advances have occurred, with eight of nine high-priority targets being evaluated in paediatric trials including anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors being investigated in front-line, but significant challenges remain. This article reports the conclusions of the second NDDS forum, which expanded across the Atlantic to further develop the initiative. Pre-clinical and clinical data for 40 genetic targets and mechanisms of action were prioritised and drugs were identified for early-phase trials. Strategies to develop drugs targeting TERT, telomere maintenance, ATRX, alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT), BRIP1 and RRM2 as well as direct targeting of MYCN are high priority and should be championed for drug discovery. Promising pre-clinical data suggest that targeting of ALT by ATM or PARP inhibition may be potential strategies. Drugs targeting CDK2/9, CDK7, ATR and telomere maintenance should enter paediatric clinical development rapidly. Optimising the response to anti-GD2 by combinations with chemotherapy, targeted agents and other immunological targets are crucial. Delivering this strategy in the face of small patient cohorts, genomically defined subpopulations and a large number of permutations of combination trials, demands even greater international collaboration. In conclusion, the NDDS provides an internationally agreed, biologically driven selection of prioritised genetic targets and drugs. Improvements in the strategy for conducting trials in neuroblastoma will accelerate bringing these new drugs more rapidly to front-line therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Moreno
- Paediatric Haematology & Oncology Division, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Giuseppe Barone
- Department of Paediatric Oncology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
| | - Steven G DuBois
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jan Molenaar
- Princess Máxima Centre for Paediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Matthias Fischer
- Experimental Pediatric Oncology, University Children's Hospital, Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Johannes Schulte
- Department of Pediatric Oncology & Hematology, Charité University Hospital, Berlin, Germany
| | - Angelika Eggert
- Department of Pediatric Oncology & Hematology, Charité University Hospital, Berlin, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK Berlin), Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Gudrun Schleiermacher
- SIREDO, Department of Paediatric, Adolescents and Young Adults Oncology and INSERM U830, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Frank Speleman
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Belgium
| | - Louis Chesler
- Paediatric Drug Development, Children & Young People's Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, UK; Division of Clinical Studies and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Birgit Geoerger
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Center, University Paris-Saclay & Inserm U1015, Villejuif, France
| | - Michael D Hogarty
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania, USA; Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Meredith S Irwin
- Department of Paediatrics, Medical Biophysics and Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, The Hospital for Sick Kids, Toronto, Canada
| | - Nick Bird
- Solving Kids' Cancer, UK and National Cancer Research Institute Children's Cancer & Leukaemia Clinical Studies Group, UK
| | - Guy B Blanchard
- Neuroblastoma UK & Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | | | - Bram De Wilde
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Belgium
| | - Hedwig E Deubzer
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Emmy Dolman
- Department of Translational Research, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Martin Eilers
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Rani E George
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sally George
- Paediatric Drug Development, Children & Young People's Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, UK; Division of Clinical Studies and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Štěrba Jaroslav
- Pediatric Oncology Department, University Hospital Brno, School of Medicine Masaryk University Brno, Regional Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, ICRC Brno, St Anna University Hospital Brno, Czech Republic
| | - John M Maris
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania, USA; Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Lynley Marshall
- Paediatric Drug Development, Children & Young People's Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, UK; Division of Clinical Studies and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Melinda Merchant
- Astrazeneca, Early Clinical Projects, Oncology Translation Medicines Unit, Innovative Medicines Unit, Cambridge, UK
| | - Peter Mortimer
- Astrazeneca, Early Clinical Projects, Oncology Translation Medicines Unit, Innovative Medicines Unit, Cambridge, UK
| | - Cormac Owens
- Department of Paediatric Haemaology/Oncology, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Evon Poon
- Division of Clinical Studies and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Jerry W Shay
- Department of Cell Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Roberto Tonelli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Dominique Valteau-Couanet
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Center, University Paris-Saclay & Inserm U1015, Villejuif, France
| | - Gilles Vassal
- Department of Clinical Research, Gustave Roussy, Paris-Sud University, Paris, France
| | - Julie R Park
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine and Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Seattle Children's Hospital, USA
| | - Andrew D J Pearson
- Paediatric Drug Development, Children & Young People's Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, UK; Division of Clinical Studies and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
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21
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Zormpas-Petridis K, Poon E, Clarke M, Jerome NP, Boult JKR, Blackledge MD, Carceller F, Koers A, Barone G, Pearson ADJ, Moreno L, Anderson J, Sebire N, McHugh K, Koh DM, Chesler L, Yuan Y, Robinson SP, Jamin Y. Noninvasive MRI Native T 1 Mapping Detects Response to MYCN-targeted Therapies in the Th- MYCN Model of Neuroblastoma. Cancer Res 2020; 80:3424-3435. [PMID: 32595135 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-0133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Noninvasive early indicators of treatment response are crucial to the successful delivery of precision medicine in children with cancer. Neuroblastoma is a common solid tumor of young children that arises from anomalies in neural crest development. Therapeutic approaches aiming to destabilize MYCN protein, such as small-molecule inhibitors of Aurora A and mTOR, are currently being evaluated in early phase clinical trials in children with high-risk MYCN-driven disease, with limited ability to evaluate conventional pharmacodynamic biomarkers of response. T1 mapping is an MRI scan that measures the proton spin-lattice relaxation time T1. Using a multiparametric MRI-pathologic cross-correlative approach and computational pathology methodologies including a machine learning-based algorithm for the automatic detection and classification of neuroblasts, we show here that T1 mapping is sensitive to the rich histopathologic heterogeneity of neuroblastoma in the Th-MYCN transgenic model. Regions with high native T1 corresponded to regions dense in proliferative undifferentiated neuroblasts, whereas regions characterized by low T1 were rich in apoptotic or differentiating neuroblasts. Reductions in tumor-native T1 represented a sensitive biomarker of response to treatment-induced apoptosis with two MYCN-targeted small-molecule inhibitors, Aurora A kinase inhibitor alisertib (MLN8237) and mTOR inhibitor vistusertib (AZD2014). Overall, we demonstrate the potential of T1 mapping, a scan readily available on most clinical MRI scanners, to assess response to therapy and guide clinical trials for children with neuroblastoma. The study reinforces the potential role of MRI-based functional imaging in delivering precision medicine to children with neuroblastoma. SIGNIFICANCE: This study shows that MRI-based functional imaging can detect apoptotic responses to MYCN-targeted small-molecule inhibitors in a genetically engineered murine model of MYCN-driven neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Zormpas-Petridis
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Evon Poon
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Clarke
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Neil P Jerome
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
- Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
- Clinic of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jessica K R Boult
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew D Blackledge
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Fernando Carceller
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
- Children & Young People's Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander Koers
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Giuseppe Barone
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew D J Pearson
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Lucas Moreno
- Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - John Anderson
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Neil Sebire
- Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Pathology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kieran McHugh
- Department of Radiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dow-Mu Koh
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Louis Chesler
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Yinyin Yuan
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Simon P Robinson
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Yann Jamin
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom.
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22
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Joshi S. Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment in Neuroblastoma: Recent Advances and Future Directions. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2057. [PMID: 32722460 PMCID: PMC7465822 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common pediatric tumor malignancy that originates from the neural crest and accounts for more than 15% of all the childhood deaths from cancer. The neuroblastoma cancer research has long been focused on the role of MYCN oncogene amplification and the contribution of other genetic alterations in the progression of this malignancy. However, it is now widely accepted that, not only tumor cells, but the components of tumor microenvironment (TME), including extracellular matrix, stromal cells and immune cells, also contribute to tumor progression in neuroblastoma. The complexity of different components of tumor stroma and their resemblance with surrounding normal tissues pose huge challenges for therapies targeting tumor microenvironment in NB. Hence, the detailed understanding of the composition of the TME of NB is crucial to improve existing and future potential immunotherapeutic approaches against this childhood cancer. In this review article, I will discuss different components of the TME of NB and the recent advances in the strategies, which are used to target the tumor microenvironment in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Joshi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0815, USA
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23
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Swanson AA, Raghunathan A, Jenkins RB, Messing-Jünger M, Pietsch T, Clarke MJ, Kaufmann TJ, Giannini C. Spinal Cord Ependymomas With MYCN Amplification Show Aggressive Clinical Behavior. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2020; 78:791-797. [PMID: 31373367 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlz064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2019] [Revised: 06/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult spinal cord ependymomas are typically low grade and have a relatively favorable clinical course following gross total resection. We report 4 cases of anaplastic spinal cord ependymoma with MYCN amplification, an exceptionally rare finding. All cases occurred in the spinal cord of adolescent and young adult women and had morphological and immunohistochemical features of anaplastic ependymomas (World Health Organization grade III). Chromosomal microarray analysis demonstrated amplification of 2p24 (including MYCN) in all cases. One patient died 6 months after surgery. Another patient recently had removal of metastatic nodules in the thoracic region, following gross total resection and adjuvant radiation therapy of a lumbar ependymoma 1 year previously. One patient responded well after chemotherapy but died after multiple relapses 82 months after diagnosis. We found MYCN amplification reported in 2 other ependymomas, both anaplastic and arising in the spinal cord of adult females (Brain Pathol 2001;11:133-43). One patient had multiple recurrences in the spinal cord and an intracranial metastasis. Although MYCN amplification is rare in ependymomas, the current and previously reported cases suggest that this is associated with higher-grade histology, spinal location, and often unfavorable prognosis. The clinical significance and therapeutic implications of MYCN amplification in ependymomas require further evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy A Swanson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Aditya Raghunathan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Robert B Jenkins
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Martina Messing-Jünger
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Asklepios Children's Hospital, St. Augustin, Germany
| | - Torsten Pietsch
- Institute of Neuropathology, DGNN Brain Tumor Reference Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | | | - Caterina Giannini
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
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24
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N-Myc-induced metabolic rewiring creates novel therapeutic vulnerabilities in neuroblastoma. Sci Rep 2020; 10:7157. [PMID: 32346009 PMCID: PMC7188804 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64040-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
N-Myc is a transcription factor that is aberrantly expressed in many tumor types and is often correlated with poor patient prognosis. Recently, several lines of evidence pointed to the fact that oncogenic activation of Myc family proteins is concomitant with reprogramming of tumor cells to cope with an enhanced need for metabolites during cell growth. These adaptions are driven by the ability of Myc proteins to act as transcriptional amplifiers in a tissue-of-origin specific manner. Here, we describe the effects of N-Myc overexpression on metabolic reprogramming in neuroblastoma cells. Ectopic expression of N-Myc induced a glycolytic switch that was concomitant with enhanced sensitivity towards 2-deoxyglucose, an inhibitor of glycolysis. Moreover, global metabolic profiling revealed extensive alterations in the cellular metabolome resulting from overexpression of N-Myc. Limited supply with either of the two main carbon sources, glucose or glutamine, resulted in distinct shifts in steady-state metabolite levels and significant changes in glutathione metabolism. Interestingly, interference with glutamine-glutamate conversion preferentially blocked proliferation of N-Myc overexpressing cells, when glutamine levels were reduced. Thus, our study uncovered N-Myc induction and nutrient levels as important metabolic master switches in neuroblastoma cells and identified critical nodes that restrict tumor cell proliferation.
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25
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Le Grand M, Kimpton K, Gana CC, Valli E, Fletcher JI, Kavallaris M. Targeting Functional Activity of AKT Has Efficacy against Aggressive Neuroblastoma. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2020; 3:148-160. [PMID: 32259094 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.9b00085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma is one of the deadliest forms of childhood cancer and remains a significant clinical challenge. Direct pharmacological inhibition of MYCN is not currently achievable. One strategy could be to target the AKT/GSK3β pathway, which directly regulates the stability of the MYCN protein. Numerous potent and isoform-specific small-molecule AKT inhibitors have been developed. However, the selection of the right drug combinations in the relevant indication will have a significant impact on AKT inhibitor clinical success. To maximally exploit the potential of AKT inhibitors, a better understanding of AKT isoform functions in cancer is crucial. Here using RNAi to downregulate specific AKT isoforms, we demonstrated that loss of total AKT activity rather than isoform-specific expression was necessary to decrease MYCN expression and cause a significant decrease in neuroblastoma cell proliferation. Consistent with these observations, isoform-specific pharmacological inhibition of AKT was substantially less effective than pan-AKT inhibition in combination with cytotoxic drugs in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma. The allosteric pan-AKT inhibitor perifosine had promising in vitro and in vivo activity in combination with conventional cytotoxic drugs in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cells. Our results demonstrated that perifosine drug combination was able to induce apoptosis and downregulate ABC transporter expression. Collectively, this study shows that selecting pan-AKT inhibitors rather than isoform-specific drugs to synergize with first-line chemotherapy treatment should be considered for clinical trials for aggressive neuroblastoma and, potentially, other MYCN -driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Le Grand
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for Nanomedicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Kathleen Kimpton
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for Nanomedicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Christine C Gana
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Emanuele Valli
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Jamie I Fletcher
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Maria Kavallaris
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for Nanomedicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
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26
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Almstedt E, Elgendy R, Hekmati N, Rosén E, Wärn C, Olsen TK, Dyberg C, Doroszko M, Larsson I, Sundström A, Arsenian Henriksson M, Påhlman S, Bexell D, Vanlandewijck M, Kogner P, Jörnsten R, Krona C, Nelander S. Integrative discovery of treatments for high-risk neuroblastoma. Nat Commun 2020; 11:71. [PMID: 31900415 PMCID: PMC6941971 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13817-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in the molecular exploration of paediatric cancers, approximately 50% of children with high-risk neuroblastoma lack effective treatment. To identify therapeutic options for this group of high-risk patients, we combine predictive data mining with experimental evaluation in patient-derived xenograft cells. Our proposed algorithm, TargetTranslator, integrates data from tumour biobanks, pharmacological databases, and cellular networks to predict how targeted interventions affect mRNA signatures associated with high patient risk or disease processes. We find more than 80 targets to be associated with neuroblastoma risk and differentiation signatures. Selected targets are evaluated in cell lines derived from high-risk patients to demonstrate reversal of risk signatures and malignant phenotypes. Using neuroblastoma xenograft models, we establish CNR2 and MAPK8 as promising candidates for the treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma. We expect that our method, available as a public tool (targettranslator.org), will enhance and expedite the discovery of risk-associated targets for paediatric and adult cancers. We lack effective treatment for half of children with high-risk neuroblastoma. Here, the authors introduce an algorithm that can predict the effect of interventions on gene expression signatures associated with high disease processes and risk, and identify and validate promising drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elin Almstedt
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ramy Elgendy
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Neda Hekmati
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Emil Rosén
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Caroline Wärn
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Thale Kristin Olsen
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17176, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Dyberg
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17176, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Milena Doroszko
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ida Larsson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anders Sundström
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Marie Arsenian Henriksson
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sven Påhlman
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, SE-223 81, Lund, Sweden
| | - Daniel Bexell
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, SE-223 81, Lund, Sweden
| | - Michael Vanlandewijck
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Medicine, Integrated Cardio-Metabolic Centre Single Cell Facility, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17177, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per Kogner
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17176, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rebecka Jörnsten
- Mathematical Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, SE-41296, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Krona
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sven Nelander
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden.
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27
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Kostopoulou ON, Holzhauser S, Lange BKA, Ohmayer A, Andonova T, Bersani C, Wickström M, Dalianis T. Analyses of FGFR3 and PIK3CA mutations in neuroblastomas and the effects of the corresponding inhibitors on neuroblastoma cell lines. Int J Oncol 2019; 55:1372-1384. [PMID: 31638167 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2019.4896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)3 and phosphatidylinositol‑4,5‑bisphosphate 3‑kinase, catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) mutations are found in various types of cancer, such as urinary bladder cancer, human papillomavirus‑positive tonsillar and base of the tongue squamous cell carcinoma, breast cancer and some childhood sarcomas. Several drugs can target these genes, some of which have been used for the treatment of urinary bladder cancer. Much less is known about childhood cancer. For this reason, the present study investigated the presence of such mutations in neuroblastomas (NBs) and tested NB cell lines for sensitivity to FGFR and phosphoinositide 3‑kinase (PI3K) inhibitors. In total, 29 NBs were examined for the presence of the three most common FGFR3 and PIK3CA mutations using a competitive allele‑specific TaqMan PCR (CAST‑PCR). Furthermore, the SK‑N‑AS, SK‑N‑BE(2)‑C, SK‑N‑DZ, SK‑N‑FI and SK‑N‑SH NB cell lines (where SK‑N‑DZ had a deletion of PIK3C2G, none had FGFR mutations according to the Cancer Program's Dependency Map, but some were chemoresistant), were tested for sensitivity to FGFR (AZD4547) and PI3K (BEZ235 and BKM120) inhibitors by viability, cytotoxicity, apoptosis and proliferation assays. CAST‑PCR detected one FGFR3 mutation in 1/29 NBs. Following treatment with FGFR and PI3K inhibitors, a decrease in viability and proliferation was observed in the majority, but not all, the cell lines. Following combination treatment with both drugs, the sensitivity of all cell lines was increased. On the whole, the findings of this study demonstrate that FGFR3 and PIK3CA mutations are uncommon in patients with NB. However, certain NB cell lines are rather sensitive to both FGFR and PI3K inhibitors alone, and even more so when the different drugs are used in combination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefan Holzhauser
- Department of Oncology‑Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 74 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Birthe K A Lange
- Department of Oncology‑Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 74 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Ohmayer
- Department of Oncology‑Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 74 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Teodora Andonova
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, 171 74 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cinzia Bersani
- Department of Oncology‑Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 74 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Malin Wickström
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, 171 74 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tina Dalianis
- Department of Oncology‑Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 74 Stockholm, Sweden
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McGuire TR, Coulter DW, Bai D, Sughroue JA, Li J, Yang Z, Qiao Z, Liu Y, Murry DJ, Chhonker YS, McIntyre EM, Alexander G, Sharp JG, Li R. Effects of novel pyrrolomycin MP1 in MYCN amplified chemoresistant neuroblastoma cell lines alone and combined with temsirolimus. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:837. [PMID: 31455317 PMCID: PMC6712804 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-6033-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The activity of MP1, a pyrrolomycin, was studied in MYCN amplified neuroblastoma (NB) alone and combined with temsirolimus (TEM). METHODS Activity of MP1 was tested in MYCN amplified (BE-2c, IMR) and non amplified (SKN-AS) NB cells. The effect of MP1 on MYCN, MCL-1, cleaved PARP, LC3II/LC3I, bcl-2, BAX, and BRD-4 were determined by western blot and RNAseq. The effect of MP1 on metabolism, mitochondrial morphology, and cell cycle was determined. Toxicology and efficacy of MP1 plus TEM were evaluated. RESULTS The IC50 of MP1 was 0.096 μM in BE-2c cells compared to 0.89 μM in IMR, and >50 μM in SKN-AS. The IC50 of MP1 plus TEM in BE-2c cells was 0.023 μM. MP1 inhibited metabolism leading to quiescence and produced a decline in cell cycle S-phase. Electron microscopy showed cristae loss and rounding up of mitochondria. Gene and protein expression for MYCN and MCL-1 declined while LCII and cleaved PARP increased. Protein expression of BAX, bcl-2, and BRD-4 were not significantly changed after MP1 treatment. The in-vivo concentrations of MP1 in blood and tumor were sufficient to produce the biologic effects seen in-vitro. MP1 plus TEM produced a complete response in 3 out of 5 tumor bearing mice. In a second mouse study, the combination of MP1 and TEM slowed tumor growth compared to control. CONCLUSIONS MP1 has a potent inhibitory effect on the viability of MYCN amplified NB. Inhibition of metabolism by MP1 induced quiescence and autophagy with a favorable toxicology and drug distribution profile. When combined with TEM anti-tumor activity was potentiated in-vitro and in-vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy R McGuire
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986145 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6145, USA.
| | - Don W Coulter
- College of Medicine, Division of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Dachang Bai
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986145 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6145, USA
| | - Jason A Sughroue
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986145 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6145, USA
| | - Jerry Li
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986145 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6145, USA
| | - Zunhua Yang
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986145 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6145, USA
| | - Zhen Qiao
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986145 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6145, USA
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986145 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6145, USA
| | - Daryl J Murry
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986145 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6145, USA
| | - Yashpal S Chhonker
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986145 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6145, USA
| | - Erin M McIntyre
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986145 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6145, USA
| | - Gracey Alexander
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986145 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6145, USA
| | - John G Sharp
- Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Rongshi Li
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986145 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6145, USA.
- Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry, UNMC Center for Drug Discovery & Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 986125 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
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29
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Mohlin S, Hansson K, Radke K, Martinez S, Blanco-Apiricio C, Garcia-Ruiz C, Welinder C, Esfandyari J, O'Neill M, Pastor J, von Stedingk K, Bexell D. Anti-tumor effects of PIM/PI3K/mTOR triple kinase inhibitor IBL-302 in neuroblastoma. EMBO Mol Med 2019; 11:e10058. [PMID: 31310053 PMCID: PMC6685085 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201810058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The PI3K pathway is a major driver of cancer progression. However, clinical resistance to PI3K inhibition is common. IBL‐302 is a novel highly specific triple PIM, PI3K, and mTOR inhibitor. Screening IBL‐302 in over 700 cell lines representing 47 tumor types identified neuroblastoma as a strong candidate for PIM/PI3K/mTOR inhibition. IBL‐302 was more effective than single PI3K inhibition in vitro, and IBL‐302 treatment of neuroblastoma patient‐derived xenograft (PDX) cells induced apoptosis, differentiated tumor cells, and decreased N‐Myc protein levels. IBL‐302 further enhanced the effect of the common cytotoxic chemotherapies cisplatin, doxorubicin, and etoposide. Global genome, proteome, and phospho‐proteome analyses identified crucial biological processes, including cell motility and apoptosis, targeted by IBL‐302 treatment. While IBL‐302 treatment alone reduced tumor growth in vivo, combination therapy with low‐dose cisplatin inhibited neuroblastoma PDX growth. Complementing conventional chemotherapy treatment with PIM/PI3K/mTOR inhibition has the potential to improve clinical outcomes and reduce severe late effects in children with high‐risk neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Mohlin
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karin Hansson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Translational Cancer Research, Lund University Cancer Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Katarzyna Radke
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Translational Cancer Research, Lund University Cancer Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sonia Martinez
- Experimental Therapeutics Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Blanco-Apiricio
- Experimental Therapeutics Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristian Garcia-Ruiz
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Translational Cancer Research, Lund University Cancer Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Charlotte Welinder
- Division of Oncology and Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Javanshir Esfandyari
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Translational Cancer Research, Lund University Cancer Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Joaquin Pastor
- Experimental Therapeutics Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Kristoffer von Stedingk
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Oncogenomics, University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel Bexell
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Translational Cancer Research, Lund University Cancer Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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30
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ALK positively regulates MYCN activity through repression of HBP1 expression. Oncogene 2018; 38:2690-2705. [PMID: 30538293 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0595-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Revised: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
ALK mutations occur in 10% of primary neuroblastomas and represent a major target for precision treatment. In combination with MYCN amplification, ALK mutations infer an ultra-high-risk phenotype resulting in very poor patient prognosis. To open up opportunities for future precision drugging, a deeper understanding of the molecular consequences of constitutive ALK signaling and its relationship to MYCN activity in this aggressive pediatric tumor entity will be essential. We show that mutant ALK downregulates the 'HMG-box transcription factor 1' (HBP1) through the PI3K-AKT-FOXO3a signaling axis. HBP1 inhibits both the transcriptional activating and repressing activity of MYCN, the latter being mediated through PRC2 activity. HBP1 itself is under negative control of MYCN through miR-17~92. Combined targeting of HBP1 by PI3K antagonists and MYCN signaling by BET- or HDAC-inhibitors blocks MYCN activity and significantly reduces tumor growth, suggesting a novel targeted therapy option for high-risk neuroblastoma.
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31
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Johnsen JI, Dyberg C, Fransson S, Wickström M. Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets in neuroblastoma. Pharmacol Res 2018; 131:164-176. [PMID: 29466695 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranical tumor of childhood and the most deadly tumor of infancy. It is characterized by early age onset and high frequencies of metastatic disease but also the capacity to spontaneously regress. Despite intensive therapy, the survival for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma and those with recurrent or relapsed disease is low. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop new therapies for these patient groups. The molecular pathogenesis based on high-throughput omics technologies of neuroblastoma is beginning to be resolved which have given the opportunity to develop personalized therapies for high-risk patients. Here we discuss the potential of developing targeted therapies against aberrantly expressed molecules detected in sub-populations of neuroblastoma patients and how these selected targets can be drugged in order to overcome treatment resistance, improve survival and quality of life for these patients and also the possibilities to transfer preclinical research into clinical testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Inge Johnsen
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Cecilia Dyberg
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Susanne Fransson
- Department of Pathology and Genetics, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Malin Wickström
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
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32
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Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common solid childhood tumor outside the brain and causes 15% of childhood cancer-related mortality. The main drivers of NB formation are neural crest cell-derived sympathoadrenal cells that undergo abnormal genetic arrangements. Moreover, NB is a complex disease that has high heterogeneity and is therefore difficult to target for successful therapy. Thus, a better understanding of NB development helps to improve treatment and increase the survival rate. One of the major causes of sporadic NB is known to be MYCN amplification and mutations in ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) are responsible for familial NB. Many other genetic abnormalities can be found; however, they are not considered as driver mutations, rather they support tumor aggressiveness. Tumor cell elimination via cell death is widely accepted as a successful technique. Therefore, in this review, we provide a thorough overview of how different modes of cell death and treatment strategies, such as immunotherapy or spontaneous regression, are or can be applied for NB elimination. In addition, several currently used and innovative approaches and their suitability for clinical testing and usage will be discussed. Moreover, significant attention will be given to combined therapies that show more effective results with fewer side effects than drugs targeting only one specific protein or pathway.
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33
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Megiorni F, Colaiacovo M, Cialfi S, McDowell HP, Guffanti A, Camero S, Felsani A, Losty PD, Pizer B, Shukla R, Cappelli C, Ferrara E, Pizzuti A, Moles A, Dominici C. A sketch of known and novel MYCN-associated miRNA networks in neuroblastoma. Oncol Rep 2017; 38:3-20. [PMID: 28586032 PMCID: PMC5492854 DOI: 10.3892/or.2017.5701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) originates from neural crest-derived precursors and represents the most common childhood extracranial solid tumour. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs that participate in a wide variety of biological processes by regulating gene expression, appear to play an essential role within the NB context. High-throughput next generation sequencing (NGS) was applied to study the miRNA transcriptome in a cohort of NB tumours with and without MYCN-amplification (MNA and MNnA, respectively) and in dorsal root ganglia (DRG), as a control. Out of the 128 miRNAs differentially expressed in the NB vs. DRG comparison, 47 were expressed at higher levels, while 81 were expressed at lower levels in the NB tumours. We also found that 23 miRNAs were differentially expressed in NB with or without MYCN-amplification, with 17 miRNAs being upregulated and 6 being downregulated in the MNA subtypes. Functional annotation analysis of the target genes of these differentially expressed miRNAs demonstrated that many mRNAs were involved in cancer-related pathways, such as DNA-repair and apoptosis as well as FGFR and EGFR signalling. In particular, we found that miR-628-3p negatively affects MYCN gene expression. Furthermore, we identified a novel miRNA candidate with variable expression in MNA vs. MNnA tumours, whose putative target genes are implicated in the mTOR pathway. The present study provides further insight into the molecular mechanisms that correlate miRNA dysregulation to NB development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Megiorni
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Samantha Cialfi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Heather P McDowell
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Simona Camero
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Paul D Losty
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, L12 2AP Liverpool, UK
| | - Barry Pizer
- Department of Oncology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, L12 2AP Liverpool, UK
| | - Rajeev Shukla
- Department of Perinatal and Paediatric Pathology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, L12 2AP Liverpool, UK
| | - Carlo Cappelli
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Eva Ferrara
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Pizzuti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Moles
- Genomnia s.r.l., I-20091 Bresso, MI, Italy
| | - Carlo Dominici
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy
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34
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The MYCN Protein in Health and Disease. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:genes8040113. [PMID: 28358317 PMCID: PMC5406860 DOI: 10.3390/genes8040113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
MYCN is a member of the MYC family of proto-oncogenes. It encodes a transcription factor, MYCN, involved in the control of fundamental processes during embryonal development. The MYCN protein is situated downstream of several signaling pathways promoting cell growth, proliferation and metabolism of progenitor cells in different developing organs and tissues. Conversely, deregulated MYCN signaling supports the development of several different tumors, mainly with a childhood onset, including neuroblastoma, medulloblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and Wilms’ tumor, but it is also associated with some cancers occurring during adulthood such as prostate and lung cancer. In neuroblastoma, MYCN-amplification is the most consistent genetic aberration associated with poor prognosis and treatment failure. Targeting MYCN has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of these tumors and great efforts have allowed the development of direct and indirect MYCN inhibitors with potential clinical use.
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35
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Hutter S, Bolin S, Weishaupt H, Swartling FJ. Modeling and Targeting MYC Genes in Childhood Brain Tumors. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:genes8040107. [PMID: 28333115 PMCID: PMC5406854 DOI: 10.3390/genes8040107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Revised: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors are the second most common group of childhood cancers, accounting for about 20%–25% of all pediatric tumors. Deregulated expression of the MYC family of transcription factors, particularly c-MYC and MYCN genes, has been found in many of these neoplasms, and their expression levels are often correlated with poor prognosis. Elevated c-MYC/MYCN initiates and drives tumorigenesis in many in vivo model systems of pediatric brain tumors. Therefore, inhibition of their oncogenic function is an attractive therapeutic target. In this review, we explore the roles of MYC oncoproteins and their molecular targets during the formation, maintenance, and recurrence of childhood brain tumors. We also briefly summarize recent progress in the development of therapeutic approaches for pharmacological inhibition of MYC activity in these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Hutter
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Sara Bolin
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Holger Weishaupt
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Fredrik J Swartling
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden.
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Applebaum MA, Desai AV, Glade Bender JL, Cohn SL. Emerging and investigational therapies for neuroblastoma. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2017; 5:355-368. [PMID: 29062613 PMCID: PMC5649635 DOI: 10.1080/21678707.2017.1304212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Treatment for children with clinically aggressive, high-risk neuroblastoma remains challenging. Less than 50% of patients with high-risk neuroblastoma will survive long-term with current therapies, and survivors are at risk for serious treatment-related late toxicities. Here, we review new and evolving treatments that may ultimately improve outcome for children with high-risk neuroblastoma with decreased potential for late adverse events. AREAS COVERED New strategies for treating high-risk neuroblastoma are reviewed including: radiotherapy, targeted cytotoxics, biologics, immunotherapy, and molecularly targeted agents. Recently completed and ongoing neuroblastoma clinical trials testing these novel treatments are highlighted. In addition, we discuss ongoing clinical trials designed to evaluate precision medicine approaches that target actionable somatic mutations and oncogenic cellular pathways. EXPERT OPINION Advances in genomic medicine and molecular biology have led to the development of early phase studies testing biologically rational therapies targeting aberrantly activated cellular pathways. Because many of these drugs have a wider therapeutic index than standard chemotherapeutic agents, these treatments may be more effective and less toxic than current strategies. However, to effectively integrate these targeted strategies, robust predictive biomarkers must be developed that will identify patients who will benefit from these approaches and rapidly match treatments to patients at diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A. Applebaum
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, 60637, United States of America
- Committee on Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, 60637, United States of America
| | - Ami V. Desai
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, 60637, United States of America
| | - Julia L. Glade Bender
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, 10032
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, 10032
| | - Susan L. Cohn
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, 60637, United States of America
- Committee on Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, 60637, United States of America
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37
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Lee J, Solomon DA, Tihan T. The role of histone modifications and telomere alterations in the pathogenesis of diffuse gliomas in adults and children. J Neurooncol 2017; 132:1-11. [PMID: 28064387 PMCID: PMC5354997 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-016-2349-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Genetic profiling is an increasingly useful tool for sub-classification of gliomas in adults and children. Specific gene mutations, structural rearrangements, DNA methylation patterns, and gene expression profiles are now recognized to define molecular subgroups of gliomas that arise in distinct anatomic locations and patient age groups, and also provide a better prediction of clinical outcomes for glioma patients compared to histologic assessment alone. Understanding the role of these distinctive genetic alterations in gliomagenesis is also important for the development of potential targeted therapeutic interventions. Mutations including K27M and G34R/V that affect critical amino acids within the N-terminal tail of the histone H3 variants, H3.3 and H3.1 (encoded by H3F3A and HIST1H3B genes), are prime examples of mutations in diffuse gliomas with characteristic clinical associations that can help diagnostic classification and guide effective patient management. These histone H3 mutations frequently co-occur with inactivating mutations in ATRX in association with alternative lengthening of telomeres. Telomere length can also be maintained through upregulation of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression driven by mutation within the TERT gene promoter region, an alteration most commonly found in oligodendrogliomas and primary glioblastomas arising in adults. Interestingly, the genetic alterations perturbing histone and telomere function in pediatric gliomas tend to be different from those present in adult tumors. We present a review of these mutations affecting the histone code and telomere length, highlighting their importance in prognosis and as targets for novel therapeutics in the treatment of diffuse gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julieann Lee
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Ave, Room M-551, Box 0102, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - David A Solomon
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Ave, Room M-551, Box 0102, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Tarik Tihan
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Ave, Room M-551, Box 0102, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
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38
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Esposito MR, Aveic S, Seydel A, Tonini GP. Neuroblastoma treatment in the post-genomic era. J Biomed Sci 2017; 24:14. [PMID: 28178969 PMCID: PMC5299732 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-017-0319-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is an embryonic malignancy of early childhood originating from neural crest cells and showing heterogeneous biological, morphological, genetic and clinical characteristics. The correct stratification of neuroblastoma patients within risk groups (low, intermediate, high and ultra-high) is critical for the adequate treatment of the patients. High-throughput technologies in the Omics disciplines are leading to significant insights into the molecular pathogenesis of neuroblastoma. Nonetheless, further study of Omics data is necessary to better characterise neuroblastoma tumour biology. In the present review, we report an update of compounds that are used in preclinical tests and/or in Phase I-II trials for neuroblastoma. Furthermore, we recapitulate a number of compounds targeting proteins associated to neuroblastoma: MYCN (direct and indirect inhibitors) and downstream targets, Trk, ALK and its downstream signalling pathways. In particular, for the latter, given the frequency of ALK gene deregulation in neuroblastoma patients, we discuss on second-generation ALK inhibitors in preclinical or clinical phases developed for the treatment of neuroblastoma patients resistant to crizotinib. We summarise how Omics drive clinical trials for neuroblastoma treatment and how much the research of biological targets is useful for personalised medicine. Finally, we give an overview of the most recent druggable targets selected by Omics investigation and discuss how the Omics results can provide us additional advantages for overcoming tumour drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rosaria Esposito
- Paediatric Research Institute, Fondazione Città della Speranza, Neuroblastoma Laboratory, Corso Stati Uniti, 4, Padua, 35127, Italy.
| | - Sanja Aveic
- Paediatric Research Institute, Fondazione Città della Speranza, Neuroblastoma Laboratory, Corso Stati Uniti, 4, Padua, 35127, Italy
| | - Anke Seydel
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Gian Paolo Tonini
- Paediatric Research Institute, Fondazione Città della Speranza, Neuroblastoma Laboratory, Corso Stati Uniti, 4, Padua, 35127, Italy
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Cachat F, Renella R. Risk of cancer in patients with polycystic kidney disease. Lancet Oncol 2016; 17:e474. [DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(16)30529-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Revised: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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