1
|
Thu Nguyen T, Van Tran K, Cam Ho T, Xuan Nguyen H, Trong Nguyen T. A systematic analysis with the hierarchical cluster analysis strategy on the complex interaction of TERT and CTNNB1 somatic mutations in Vietnamese hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Gene 2024; 927:148646. [PMID: 38851365 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148646] [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: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and β-catenin (CTNNB1) mutations may occur following the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) pathway signal. We conducted a Hierarchical cluster analysis study on 408 patients diagnosed with HCC by pathological surgery, identifying TERT promoter and CTNNB1 exon 3 mutations by sequencing. The overall preclinical characteristics, cumulative cut-point values, and the factors associated with these somatic mutations were analyzed in uni/multidimensional scaling model. HBV(+) HCV(-) HCC male patients who were older than 62.74 years old and have TERT promoter mutation as well as AFP > 489.78 ng/ml got a higher risk of HCC grade more than two from 27 % to 200 % with p < 0.05 (RR are from 1.27 [1.09-1.47] to 3.06 [2.04-4.61]). This mutation was a good indicator of grade 2 risk (HR = 0.37 [2.72-0.16], β = -1.00, p = 0.019). TERT promoter and CTNNB1 exon 3 mutations independently influenced tumor size and tumor site status in grade 3 and HBV(-) HCV (-) male HCC patients, where the hazard rates, respectively, were 0.28 [0.09-0.89], 0.023 [0.0023-0.23] and 0.06 [0.012-0.32] (β < 0 and p < 0.01). These two mutations inversely impacted each other the tumor sites status, especially in male HCC patients with grade 2 without B, C hepatitis virus (RRCTNNB1 exon 3 mutate - TERT promoter wildtype = 1.12 [1.04-1.20], p < 0.05). Consequently, the mutations in TERT promoter and CTNNB1 exon 3 may synchronize with other factors or independently impact the hepatocarcinogenesis and are important indicators for HCC prognostic in male patients with very high AFP levels or with moderately as well as poorly differentiated in tumor. Our results serve as the basis for further studies to understand the impact of different factors on the outcome of HCC, especially in monitoring and assessing the cancer risk of patients infect HBV and carry mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thuy Thu Nguyen
- Center for Gene and Protein Research, Hanoi Medical University, 116177 Hanoi, Viet Nam
| | - Khanh Van Tran
- Center for Gene and Protein Research, Hanoi Medical University, 116177 Hanoi, Viet Nam
| | - Tu Cam Ho
- Center for Gene and Protein Research, Hanoi Medical University, 116177 Hanoi, Viet Nam; Institute of Virology, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Hau Xuan Nguyen
- Department of Oncology, Hanoi Medical University, 116177 Hanoi, Viet Nam
| | - Tue Trong Nguyen
- Medical Laboratory Department, Hanoi Medical University, 116177 Hanoi, Viet Nam; Clinical Laboratory Department, Hanoi Medical University Hospital, 116177 Hanoi, Viet Nam.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
O'Neill AF, Church AJ, Feraco A, Spidle J, Wall CB, Kim HB, Elisofon S, Vakili K, Pimkin M, Dharia NV, Shelman NR, Perez-Atayde AR, Rodriguez-Galindo C. Clinical and immunophenotype correlating with response to immunotherapy in paediatric patients with primary liver carcinoma. A case series. EBioMedicine 2024; 104:105147. [PMID: 38749302 PMCID: PMC11108818 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paediatric hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) traditionally arise in the context of a normal structural and functional liver and carry a dismal prognosis. While chemotherapy is the frontline standard, there is emerging interest in the study of immunotherapies for paediatric patients with relapsed/refractory disease. There is limited data to support whether immunotherapies will be of utility in this patient population. METHODS Six paediatric patients (median age:16 years, range: 12-17 at the time of treatment) with advanced hepatocellular neosplams, either conventional hepatocellular or fibrolamellar carcinoma, were treated with immunotherapy. Patients were consented to institutional genomic profiling and biobanking protocols. Baseline samples and serial tissue samples, when available, were evaluated for somatic mutation rate, actionable gene mutations, and pan-immune bulk RNA expression profiling. Results were correlated with clinical course. FINDINGS Three patients responded to checkpoint inhibition: one achieved a complete, durable response and the other two, prolonged stable disease. Three additional patients progressed. Diagnostic tissue from the complete responder demonstrated a higher relative mutational burden and robust immune infiltrate. Pre-treatment samples from the three responders demonstrated decreased expression of genes associated with T-cell dysfunction. INTERPRETATION A subset of patients with primary paediatric hepatocellular tumours will respond to immunotherapy. Immunotherapies are currently under prospective study for relapsed/refractory liver tumours in paediatric patients. Results from this report support the prospective collection of serial serum and tissue samples which may further identify genomic and immunophenotypic patterns predictive of response. FUNDING This work was supported by Philanthropic funds (Pan Mass Challenge, Team Angus and Team Perspective).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allison F O'Neill
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and Harvard Medical School, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Alanna J Church
- Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Department of Pathology, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Angela Feraco
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and Harvard Medical School, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer Spidle
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and Harvard Medical School, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Catherine B Wall
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and Harvard Medical School, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Heung Bae Kim
- Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Department of Surgery, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Scott Elisofon
- Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Department of Hepatology, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Khashayar Vakili
- Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Department of Surgery, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Max Pimkin
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and Harvard Medical School, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Nathan R Shelman
- University of Kentucky, Department of Pathology, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Antonio R Perez-Atayde
- Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Department of Pathology, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Departments of Global Pediatric Medicine and Oncology, Memphis, TN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mahadik JD, Fernandez RJ, Ramani NS. Metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma to the shoulder with an unknown primary. Indian J Gastroenterol 2024; 43:519-521. [PMID: 37450101 DOI: 10.1007/s12664-023-01383-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Juhi D Mahadik
- Department of Pathology, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Pathology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ryan J Fernandez
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Nisha S Ramani
- Department of Pathology, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wen KW, Kakar S. Hepatic Precancerous Lesions and Early Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Gastroenterol Clin North Am 2024; 53:109-132. [PMID: 38280744 DOI: 10.1016/j.gtc.2023.11.005] [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] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
This review discusses the diagnostic challenges of diagnosing and treating precursor lesions of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic livers. The distinction of high-grade dysplastic nodule (the primary precursor lesion in cirrhotic liver) from early HCC is emphasized based on morphologic, immunohistochemical, and genomic features. The risk factors associated with HCC in hepatocellular adenomas (precursor lesion in non-cirrhotic liver) are delineated, and the risk in different subtypes is discussed with emphasis on terminology, diagnosis, and genomic features.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kwun Wah Wen
- 505 Parnassus Avenue, M545, Box #0102, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - Sanjay Kakar
- 505 Parnassus Avenue, M545, Box #0102, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Fischer AK, Semaan A, Wulf AL, Vokuhl C, Goltz D, Fischer HP. Pathology of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Tumor-Bearing Liver Tissue in Association with hTERT Promoter Mutation. Int J Hepatol 2023; 2023:4313504. [PMID: 37593089 PMCID: PMC10432107 DOI: 10.1155/2023/4313504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The hTERT promoter mutation represents a common and early event in hepatocarcinogenesis, but its linkage to the morphological status of the underlying liver tissue is poorly understood. We analyzed the connection between the histopathological changes in tumor-bearing liver tissue and the occurrence of the hTERT promoter mutation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), correlated with clinical data. Methods The study cohort comprised 160 histologically confirmed HCC in patients with or without cirrhosis that were investigated for the hTERT promoter mutation. We evaluated the frequency of the hTERT promoter mutation in patients with HCC with or without cirrhosis and correlated it with potential clinical and histopathological drivers. In particular, we examined tumor-bearing noncirrhotic liver tissue regarding inflammation; the modified histological activity index (mHAI), fibrosis, and steatosis; and its correlation with the frequency of the hTERT promoter mutation in HCC. We evaluated overall survival with multivariate Cox regression. Furthermore, we compared hTERT antibody immunohistochemistry and molecular hTERT promoter mutation analysis of both HCC and background liver tissue. Results The hTERT promoter mutation was especially related to HCC in cirrhotic compared with noncirrhotic liver (p < 0.001) and independently of cirrhosis in patients ≥ 60 years (p = 0.005). Furthermore, the hTERT promoter mutation was associated with cirrhosis caused by alcohol toxicity and hepatitis C virus infection. In noncirrhotic liver tissue, the frequency of hTERT-promoter-mutated HCC increased with the degree of inflammation and fibrosis. Nevertheless, 25% of the hTERT-promoter-mutated HCC developed in normal liver tissue without HCC risk factors. Multivariate Cox regression analysis did not reveal an influence of the hTERT promoter mutation in HCC on overall survival at 3, 5, and 16 years. Immunohistochemical analysis with the hTERT antibodies LS-B95 and 2D8 in hTERT-promoter-mutated HCC and hTERT-wildtype HCC showed a mildly stronger immunoreaction compared with the tumor-bearing liver tissue (LS-B95: p < 0.01, 2D8: p < 0.01). Conclusions Our study reveals a connection between pathological changes in tumor-bearing liver tissue and the hTERT promoter mutation in most HCC, even in noncirrhotic liver tissue. Immunohistochemical hTERT antibodies do not discriminate between hTERT-promoter-mutated and wildtype HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexander Semaan
- Department of General, Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University of Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Anna-Lena Wulf
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Christian Vokuhl
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Diane Goltz
- Institute of Pathology and Hematopathology Hamburg, Fangdieckstraße 75a, 22547 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Fischer
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
- Institute of Pathology Troisdorf, Mendener Str. 12, 53840 Troisdorf, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lin D, Luo R, Ye Z, Wei Q, Bae H, Juon HS, Hann HW, Posey J, Wang C. Genomic characterization of early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma patients with Hepatitis B using circulating tumor DNA. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2023; 47:102161. [PMID: 37307947 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2023.102161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of mortality, with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection as a dominant etiology worldwide. Effective early detection strategies may facilitate curative therapies and improve survival. We investigated genomic aberrations in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as potential diagnostic markers of HCC in HBV-infected patients. METHODS We identified early stage (BCLC 0-A) HCC cases (n = 21) and patients without HCC (n = 14) from a cohort of Asian patients with HBV, undergoing surveillance between 2013 and 2017. Circulating cell-free DNA was isolated from blood samples, and assayed by next-generation sequencing of 23 genes implicated in HCC pathogenesis. Somatic mutations were identified using a computational pipeline. Using area under the curve (AUC) in receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, we evaluated gene alterations and clinical factors in an exploratory early HCC detection model. RESULTS Mutant ARID1A, CTNNB1, TP53 genes were increased in HCC cases vs. non-HCC patients (85.7% vs 42.9%, P = 0.011; 42.9% vs 0%, P = 0.005; 100% vs 71.4%, P = 0.019, respectively). Using these three genes, AUC for discriminating HCC from non-HCC patients was 0.844 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.7317-0.9553). When combining these genes with clinical factors in an exploratory early HCC detection model, AUC increased from 0.7415 (using clinical factors alone) to 0.9354 (P = 0.041). CONCLUSION Genomic aberrations in ctDNA were more prevalent in HBV-infected HCC patients compared with patients without HCC. Combining these alterations with clinical factors may identify HCC in HBV-infected patients at an early stage. These findings warrant validation in future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Lin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Rui Luo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zhong Ye
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Qiang Wei
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Ho Bae
- Asia-Pacific Liver Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hee-Soon Juon
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hie Won Hann
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Liver Disease Prevention Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - James Posey
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Chun Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abdel-Wahed MA, Amer EMAR, Mahmoud RM, Montasser IF, Massoud YM, Hamdy P, Hassan SHZ. CTNNB1 polymorphism (rs121913407) in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in Egyptian hepatocellular carcinoma patients. EGYPTIAN LIVER JOURNAL 2022. [DOI: 10.1186/s43066-022-00204-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents the sixth most common cancer worldwide and the fourth in Egypt. Persistent inflammation and specific somatic mutations in driving genes play a major role in the development of HCC. One of these somatic mutations is CTNNB1 mutations with subsequent activation of β-catenin in HCC, associated with a risk of malignant transformation. In this study, we investigate the clinical utility of peripheral blood circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) CTNNB1 (rs121913407) in HCC patients compared to pathological chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients and healthy controls.
Methods
Our study is a case-control study at the Ain Shams Centre for Organ Transplantation, Ain Shams University Hospitals, enrolling twenty-eight adult HCC patients (twelve early HCC patients and sixteen advanced HCC patients), ten patients with chronic hepatitis C as a disease control group, and ten healthy controls. We collected plasma and stored at −80 °C. We detected mutations in the gene locus CTNNB1 rs121913407 by real-time PCR.
Results
All of our studied cases (early and advanced HCC) in addition to HCV and healthy control groups were CTNNB1 wild (TT) genotype. There was statistical significant difference between early and late cases of HCC as regards AFP and AST.
Conclusions
None of our recruited subjects showed CTNNB1 rs121913407 gene mutation. Further studies on larger number of patients are needed to clarify and confirm the clinical utility of CTNNB1 single-nucleotide polymorphism in the pathogenesis of HCC related to HCV in Egyptian population.
Collapse
|
8
|
Maloberti T, De Leo A, Sanza V, Gruppioni E, Altimari A, Riefolo M, Visani M, Malvi D, D’Errico A, Tallini G, Vasuri F, de Biase D. Correlation of molecular alterations with pathological features in hepatocellular carcinoma: Literature review and experience of an Italian center. World J Gastroenterol 2022; 28:2854-2866. [PMID: 35978866 PMCID: PMC9280731 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i25.2854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents the primary carcinoma of the liver and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The World Health Organization estimates an increase in cases in the coming years. The risk factors of HCC are multiple, and the incidence in different countries is closely related to the different risk factors to which the population is exposed. The molecular mechanisms that drive HCC tumorigenesis are extremely complex, but understanding this multistep process is essential for the identification of diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic markers. The development of multigenic next-generation sequencing panels through the parallel analysis of multiple markers can provide a landscape of the genomic status of the tumor. Considering the literature and our preliminary data based on 36 HCCs, the most frequently altered genes in HCCs are TERT, CTNNB1, and TP53. Over the years, many groups have attempted to classify HCCs on a molecular basis, but a univocal classification has never been achieved. Nevertheless, statistically significant correlations have been found in HCCs between the molecular signature and morphologic features, and this leads us to think that it would be desirable to integrate the approach between anatomic pathology and molecular laboratories.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thais Maloberti
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Antonio De Leo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Viviana Sanza
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Elisa Gruppioni
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Annalisa Altimari
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Mattia Riefolo
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Michela Visani
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Deborah Malvi
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Antonia D’Errico
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Giovanni Tallini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Francesco Vasuri
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Dario de Biase
- Department of Pharmacy and biotechnology (FaBiT), University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Mota JIS, Silva-Júnior RMP, Martins CS, Bueno AC, Wildemberg LE, Antunes XLDS, Ozaki JGO, Coeli-Lacchini FB, Garcia-Peral C, Oliveira AER, Santos AC, Moreira AC, Machado HR, Dos Santos MV, Colli LM, Gadelha MR, Antonini SRR, de Castro M. Telomere length and Wnt/β-catenin pathway in adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas. Eur J Endocrinol 2022; 187:219-230. [PMID: 35584004 DOI: 10.1530/eje-21-1269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate how telomere length behaves in adamantinomtous craniopharyngioma (aCP) and if it contributes to the pathogenesis of aCPs with and without CTNNB1 mutations. DESIGN Retrospective cross-sectional study enrolling 42 aCP patients from 2 tertiary institutions. METHODS Clinicopathological features were retrieved from the patient's charts. Fresh frozen tumors were used for RNA and DNA analyses. Telomere length was evaluated by qPCR (T/S ratio). Somatic mutations in TERT promoter (TERTp) and CTNNB1 were detected by Sanger and/or whole-exome sequencing. We performed RNA-Seq to identify differentially expressed genes in aCPs presenting with shorter or longer telomere lengths. RESULTS Mutations in CTNNB1 were detected in 29 (69%) tumors. There was higher frequency of CTNNB1 mutations in aCPs from patients diagnosed under the age of 15 years (85% vs 15%; P = 0.04) and a trend to recurrent disease (76% vs 24%; P = 0.1). No mutation was detected in the TERTp region. The telomeres were shorter in CTNNB1-mutated aCPs (0.441, IQR: 0.297-0.597vs 0.607, IQR: 0.445-0.778; P = 0.04), but it was neither associated with clinicopathological features nor with recurrence. RNAseq identified a total of 387 differentially expressed genes, generating two clusters, being one enriched for short telomeres and CTNNB1-mutated aCPs. CONCLUSIONS: CTNNB1 mutations are more frequent in children and adolescents and appear to associate with progressive disease. CTNNB1-mutated aCPs have shorter telomeres, demonstrating a relationship between the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and telomere biology in the pathogenesis of aCPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jose Italo Soares Mota
- Department of Internal Medicine of Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Clarissa Silva Martins
- Department of Internal Medicine of Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Bueno
- Department of Pediatrics of Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiz Eduardo Wildemberg
- Neuroendocrinology Research Center/Endocrinology Section, Medical School and Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ximene Lima da Silva Antunes
- Neuroendocrinology Research Center/Endocrinology Section, Medical School and Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jorge Guilherme Okanobo Ozaki
- Department of Internal Medicine of Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Carlos Garcia-Peral
- Institute of Neuroscience of Castilla y León, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Antonio Edson Rocha Oliveira
- Department of Internal Medicine of Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Antônio Carlos Santos
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology and Oncology of Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ayrton Custodio Moreira
- Department of Internal Medicine of Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Helio Rubens Machado
- Department of Surgery and Anatomy of Ribeirao Preto Medical School, Hematology and Oncology of Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Volpon Dos Santos
- Department of Surgery and Anatomy of Ribeirao Preto Medical School, Hematology and Oncology of Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leandro M Colli
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology and Oncology of Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Monica R Gadelha
- Neuroendocrinology Research Center/Endocrinology Section, Medical School and Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sonir Roberto R Antonini
- Department of Pediatrics of Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Margaret de Castro
- Department of Internal Medicine of Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Xu C, Xu Z, Zhang Y, Evert M, Calvisi DF, Chen X. β-Catenin signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:154515. [PMID: 35166233 PMCID: PMC8843739 DOI: 10.1172/jci154515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Deregulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling is one of the main genetic alterations in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Comprehensive genomic analyses have revealed that gain-of-function mutation of CTNNB1, which encodes β-catenin, and loss-of-function mutation of AXIN1 occur in approximately 35% of human HCC samples. Human HCCs with activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway demonstrate unique gene expression patterns and pathological features. Activated Wnt/β-catenin synergizes with multiple signaling cascades to drive HCC formation, and it functions through its downstream effectors. Therefore, strategies targeting Wnt/β-catenin have been pursued as possible therapeutics against HCC. Here, we review the genetic alterations and oncogenic roles of aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling during hepatocarcinogenesis. In addition, we discuss the implication of this pathway in HCC diagnosis, classification, and personalized treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chuanrui Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhong Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Matthias Evert
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Diego F Calvisi
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Multiple Faces of the Glioblastoma Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020595. [PMID: 35054779 PMCID: PMC8775531 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is a highly dynamic accumulation of resident and infiltrating tumor cells, responsible for growth and invasion. The authors focused on the leading-edge concepts regarding the glioblastoma microenvironment. Due to the fact that the modern trend in the research and treatment of glioblastoma is represented by multiple approaches that target not only the primary tumor but also the neighboring tissue, the study of the microenvironment in the peritumoral tissue is an appealing direction for current and future therapies.
Collapse
|
12
|
Kotiyal S, Evason KJ. Exploring the Interplay of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase and β-Catenin in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164202. [PMID: 34439356 PMCID: PMC8393605 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Liver cancer is one of the deadliest human cancers. Two of the most common molecular aberrations in liver cancer are: (1) activating mutations in the gene encoding β-catenin (CTNNB1); and (2) promoter mutations in telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). Here, we review recent findings regarding the interplay between TERT and β-catenin in order to better understand their role in liver cancer. Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest human cancers. Activating mutations in the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter (TERTp) and CTNNB1 gene encoding β-catenin are widespread in HCC (~50% and ~30%, respectively). TERTp mutations are predicted to increase TERT transcription and telomerase activity. This review focuses on exploring the role of TERT and β-catenin in HCC and the current findings regarding their interplay. TERT can have contradictory effects on tumorigenesis via both its canonical and non-canonical functions. As a critical regulator of proliferation and differentiation in progenitor and stem cells, activated β-catenin drives HCC; however, inhibiting endogenous β-catenin can also have pro-tumor effects. Clinical studies revealed a significant concordance between TERTp and CTNNB1 mutations in HCC. In stem cells, TERT acts as a co-factor in β-catenin transcriptional complexes driving the expression of WNT/β-catenin target genes, and β-catenin can bind to the TERTp to drive its transcription. A few studies have examined potential interactions between TERT and β-catenin in HCC in vivo, and their results suggest that the coexpression of these two genes promotes hepatocarcinogenesis. Further studies are required with vertebrate models to better understand how TERT and β-catenin influence hepatocarcinogenesis.
Collapse
|
13
|
Hayashi Y, Fujita K, Netto GJ, Nonomura N. Clinical Application of TERT Promoter Mutations in Urothelial Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:705440. [PMID: 34395278 PMCID: PMC8358429 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.705440] [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: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is a common urological malignancy with a high rate of disease recurrence. Telomerase activity, a hallmark of cancer characterized by overcoming the replicative senescence, is upregulated in over 90% of patients with UC. Somatic mutations in the promoter region of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) are frequently detected in UC, and drive telomerase activity. Recent studies have demonstrated a strong association between TERT promoter mutation and tumorigenesis of UC. Also, TERT promoter mutation has great potential for diagnosis, as well as prognosis in UC treatment, and this is also applicable for the liquid biopsy techniques. In this review, we discuss the progress in these areas and highlight the challenges, clinical potential, and future direction for developing UC treatment methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yujiro Hayashi
- Department of Urology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan.,Department of Urology, Osaka General Medical Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazutoshi Fujita
- Department of Urology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osakasayama, Japan
| | - George J Netto
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Norio Nonomura
- Department of Urology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Establishment and Validation of the Detection of TERT Promoter Mutations by Human Gliomas U251 Cell Lines. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:3271395. [PMID: 34159191 PMCID: PMC8187059 DOI: 10.1155/2021/3271395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Gliomas are the most common type of primary brain tumor, yet the prognosis for glioma patients remains poor. Mutations in the promoter region of the telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (TERTp) are associated with diagnosis and poor prognosis in gliomas. Here, we developed a precise and rapid Sanger sequencing assay to screen or TERTp mutations. We established the Sanger sequencing approach for the detection of TERTp mutations based on human glioma cell lines U251 and assessed the analytical validation by determining the accuracy, sensitivity, precision, and specificity. In our study, we verified the accuracy of Sanger sequencing by the real-time polymerase chain reaction method. Our data showed that TERTp mutations were detected at an analytical sensitivity of 10% per mutant. The precision and specificity validation also showed the desired results. In total, 147 glioma patients were investigated for TERTp mutations, and of each patient, clinical data and molecular characteristics were analyzed. We found that anaplastic oligodendroglioma had the highest frequency of TERTp mutations (66.7%). No differences in TERTp mutation frequency were observed between frozen tissue specimens and formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue. TERTp mutations were associated with older patients (≥45 years), whereas isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations were inclined to a younger age (<45 years), frontal location, and pathologic stage II-III patients. IDH mutations were significantly associated with O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) methylation (P = 0.003) and lower Ki-67 protein expression (P = 0.011). Moreover, MGMT methylation was enriched in IDH-mutant/TERTp-mutant gliomas, and Ki-67 protein expression was the highest in the IDH-wild type/TERTp-mutant group. Taken together, the findings of this study indicate the establishment of a rapid, precise, and practical Sanger sequencing technique for TERTp mutations in gliomas that may show promising results in clinical applications.
Collapse
|
15
|
Wang S, Shi H, Liu T, Li M, Zhou S, Qiu X, Wang Z, Hu W, Guo W, Chen X, Guo H, Shi X, Shi J, Zang Y, Cao J, Wu L. Mutation profile and its correlation with clinicopathology in Chinese hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Hepatobiliary Surg Nutr 2021; 10:172-179. [PMID: 33898558 DOI: 10.21037/hbsn.2019.09.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common causes of cancer worldwide. Although many studies have focused on oncogene characteristics, the genomic landscape of Chinese HCC patients has not been fully clarified. Methods A total of 165 HCC patients, including 146 males and 19 females, were enrolled. The median age was 55 years (range, 27-78 years). Corresponding clinical and pathological information was collected for further analysis. A total of 168 tumor tissues from these patients were selected for next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based 450 panel gene sequencing. Genomic alterations including single nucleotide variations (SNV), short and long insertions and deletions (InDels), copy number variations, and gene rearrangements were analyzed. Tumor mutational burden (TMB) was measured by an algorithm developed in-house. The top quartile of HCC was classified as TMB high. Results A total of 1,004 genomic alterations were detected from 258 genes in 168 HCC tissues. TMB values were identified in 160 HCC specimens, with a median TMB of 5.4 Muts/Mb (range, 0-28.4 Muts/Mb) and a 75% TMB of 7.7 Muts/Mb. The most commonly mutated genes were TP53, TERT, CTNNB1, AXIN1, RB1, TSC2, CCND1, ARID1A, and FGF19. SNV was the most common mutation type and C:G>T:A and guanine transformation were the most common SNVs. Compared to wild-type patients, the proportion of Edmondson grade III-IV and microvascular invasion was significantly higher in TP53 mutated patients (P<0.05). The proportion of tumors invading the hepatic capsule was significantly higher in TERT mutated patients (P<0.05). The proportion of Edmondson grade I-II, alpha fetoprotein (AFP) <25 µmg/L, and those without a history of hepatitis B was significantly higher in CTNNB1 mutated patients (P<0.05). CTNNB1 mutations were associated with TMB high in HCC patients (P<0.05). Based on correlation analysis, the mutation of TP53 was independently correlated with microvascular invasion (P=0.002, OR =3.096) and Edmondson grade III-IV (P=0.008, OR =2.613). The mutation of TERT was independently correlated with tumor invasion of the liver capsule (P=0.001, OR =3.030), and the mutation of CTNNB1 was independently correlated with AFP (<25 µmg/L) (P=0.009, OR =3.414). Conclusions The most frequently mutated genes of HCC patients in China were TP53, TERT, and CTNNB1, which mainly lead to the occurrence and development of HCC by regulating the P53 pathway, Wnt pathway, and telomere repair pathway. There were more patients with microvascular invasion and Edmondson III-IV grade in TP53 mutated patients and more patients with hepatic capsule invasion in TERT mutated patients, while in CTNNB1 mutated patients, there were more patients with Edmondson I-II grade, AFP <25 µmg/L, and a non-hepatitis B background. Also, the TMB values were significantly higher in CTNNB1 mutated patients than in wild type patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Wang
- Liver Disease Center, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Huasheng Shi
- Liver Disease Center, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Liver Disease Center, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Manjiang Li
- Liver Disease Center, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Sanshun Zhou
- Liver Disease Center, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xuan Qiu
- Liver Disease Center, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zusen Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Weiyu Hu
- Department of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Weidong Guo
- Department of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | | | | | | | | | - Yunjin Zang
- Liver Disease Center, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jingyu Cao
- Department of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Liqun Wu
- Liver Disease Center, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Sansone V, Le Grazie M, Roselli J, Polvani S, Galli A, Tovoli F, Tarocchi M. Telomerase reactivation is associated with hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2020; 19:420-428. [PMID: 32386990 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2020.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and its components play a significant role in cancer progression, but recent data demonstrated that telomeres and telomerase alterations could be found in other diseases; increasing evidence suggests a key role of this enzyme in the fields of hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases. DATA SOURCES We performed a PubMed search with the following keywords: telomerase, hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma by December 2019. We reviewed the relevant publications that analyzed the correlation between telomerase activity and hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases. RESULTS Telomerase reactivation plays a significant role in the development and progression of hepatobiliary and pancreatic tumors and could be used as a diagnostic biomarker for hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers, as a predictor for prognosis and a promising therapeutic target. CONCLUSIONS Our review summarized the evidence about the critical role of hTERT in cancerous and precancerous lesions of the alteration and its activity in hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vito Sansone
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Marco Le Grazie
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50139 Firenze, Italy
| | - Jenny Roselli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50139 Firenze, Italy
| | - Simone Polvani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50139 Firenze, Italy
| | - Andrea Galli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50139 Firenze, Italy
| | - Francesco Tovoli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mirko Tarocchi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50139 Firenze, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
in der Stroth L, Tharehalli U, Günes C, Lechel A. Telomeres and Telomerase in the Development of Liver Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2048. [PMID: 32722302 PMCID: PMC7464754 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is one of the most common cancer types worldwide and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death. Liver carcinoma is distinguished by a high heterogeneity in pathogenesis, histopathology and biological behavior. Dysregulated signaling pathways and various gene mutations are frequent in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), which represent the two most common types of liver tumors. Both tumor types are characterized by telomere shortening and reactivation of telomerase during carcinogenesis. Continuous cell proliferation, e.g., by oncogenic mutations, can cause extensive telomere shortening in the absence of sufficient telomerase activity, leading to dysfunctional telomeres and genome instability by breakage-fusion-bridge cycles, which induce senescence or apoptosis as a tumor suppressor mechanism. Telomerase reactivation is required to stabilize telomere functionality and for tumor cell survival, representing a genetic risk factor for the development of liver cirrhosis and liver carcinoma. Therefore, telomeres and telomerase could be useful targets in hepatocarcinogenesis. Here, we review similarities and differences between HCC and iCCA in telomere biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lena in der Stroth
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (L.i.d.S.); (U.T.)
| | - Umesh Tharehalli
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (L.i.d.S.); (U.T.)
| | - Cagatay Günes
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany;
| | - André Lechel
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (L.i.d.S.); (U.T.)
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Investigation of CTNNB1 gene mutations and expression in hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis in association with hepatitis B virus infection. Infect Agent Cancer 2020; 15:37. [PMID: 32514293 PMCID: PMC7268324 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-020-00297-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV), along with Hepatitis C virus chronic infection, represents a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. However, molecular mechanisms involved in the development of HCC are not yet completely understood. Recent studies have indicated that mutations in CTNNB1 gene encoding for β-catenin protein lead to aberrant activation of the Wnt/ β-catenin pathway. The mutations in turn activate several downstream genes, including c-Myc, promoting the neoplastic process. The present study evaluated the mutational profile of the CTNNB1 gene and expression levels of CTNNB1 and c-Myc genes in HBV-related HCC, as well as in cirrhotic and control tissues. Mutational analysis of the β-catenin gene and HBV genotyping were conducted by direct sequencing. Expression of β-catenin and c-Myc genes was assessed using real-time PCR. Among the HCC cases, 18.1% showed missense point mutation in exon 3 of CTNNB1, more frequently in codons 32, 33, 38 and 45. The frequency of mutation in the hotspots of exon 3 was significantly higher in non-viral HCCs (29.4%) rather than HBV-related cases (12.7%, P = 0.021). The expression of β-catenin and c-Myc genes was found upregulated in cirrhotic tissues in association with HBV infection. Mutations at both phosphorylation and neighboring sites were associated with increased activity of the Wnt pathway. The results demonstrated that mutated β-catenin caused activation of the Wnt pathway, but the rate of CTNNB1 gene mutations was not related to HBV infection. HBV factors may deregulate the Wnt pathway by causing epigenetic alterations in the HBV-related HCC.
Collapse
|
19
|
Wu X, Li J, Gassa A, Buchner D, Alakus H, Dong Q, Ren N, Liu M, Odenthal M, Stippel D, Bruns C, Zhao Y, Wahba R. Circulating tumor DNA as an emerging liquid biopsy biomarker for early diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring in hepatocellular carcinoma. Int J Biol Sci 2020; 16:1551-1562. [PMID: 32226301 PMCID: PMC7097921 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.44024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
As one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is known for its poor prognosis due to diagnosis only in advanced stages. Nearly 50% of the patients with the first diagnosis of HCC die within a year. Currently, the advancements in the integration of omics information have begun to transform the clinical management of cancer patients. Molecular profiling for HCC patients is in general obtained from resected tumor materials or biopsies. However, the resected tumor tissue is limited and can only be obtained through surgery, so that dynamic monitoring of patients cannot be performed. Compared to invasive procedures, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has been proposed as an alternative source to perform molecular profiling of tumor DNA in cancer patients. The detection of abnormal forms of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) that originate from cancer cells (ctDNA) provides a novel tool for cancer detection and disease monitoring. This may also be an opportunity to optimize the early diagnosis of HCC. In this review, we summarized the updated methods, materials, storage of sampling, detection techniques for ctDNA and the comparison of the applications among different biomarkers in HCC patients. In particular, we analyzed ctDNA studies dealing with copy number variations, gene integrity, mutations (RAS, TERT, CTNNB1, TP53 and so on), DNA methylation alterations (DBX2, THY1, TGR5 and so on) for the potential utility of ctDNA in the diagnosis and management of HCC. The biological functions and correlated signaling pathways of ctDNA associated genes (including MAPK/RAS pathway, p53 signaling pathway and Wnt-β catenin pathway) are also discussed and highlighted. Thus, exploration of ctDNA/cfDNA as potential biomarkers may provide a great opportunity in future liquid biopsy applications for HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Wu
- Department of General, Visceral, Cancer and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jiahui Li
- Department of General, Visceral, Cancer and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Asmae Gassa
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Heart Center, University Hospital of Cologne, Germany, Kerpener Straße 62, 5.937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Denise Buchner
- Department of General, Visceral, Cancer and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Hakan Alakus
- Department of General, Visceral, Cancer and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Qiongzhu Dong
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, 200032, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Ning Ren
- Liver Cancer Institute & Zhongshan Hospital; Department of Surgery, Institute of Fudan-Minhang Academic Health System, Minhang Branch, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 200032, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Ming Liu
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, 510095, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Margarete Odenthal
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Cologne, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Dirk Stippel
- Department of General, Visceral, Cancer and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Christiane Bruns
- Department of General, Visceral, Cancer and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of General, Visceral, Cancer and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
- Department of General, Visceral und Vascular Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Roger Wahba
- Department of General, Visceral, Cancer and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Ranganathan S, Lopez-Terrada D, Alaggio R. Hepatoblastoma and Pediatric Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Update. Pediatr Dev Pathol 2020; 23:79-95. [PMID: 31554479 DOI: 10.1177/1093526619875228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hepatoblastomas (HBs) and pediatric hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) together account for almost 80% of primary malignant liver tumors in children and adolescents/young adults. Children's Hepatic International Collaboration (CHIC), Children's Oncology Group (COG), SociétéInternationale d'Oncologie Pédiatrique (SIOP), and International Childhood Liver Tumors Strategy Group trials have contributed to define prognostic factors and risk stratification in these tumors. The recently proposed histologic International Consensus classification of HB and HCC in children based on retrospective analysis from CHIC cases represents the base to define entities with homogeneous clinicopathologic and molecular features. This review will provide a morphologic guide for the upcoming International Liver Tumor treatment trial (Pediatric Hepatic International Tumour Trial) to be conducted through several continents. There will be an emphasis on molecular features and immunohistochemical markers for the definition of the individual histologic subtypes of HB and to better characterize the group of liver tumors in the provisional category of hepatocellular neoplasm-not otherwise specified. A brief overview of HCC in children will also be provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarangarajan Ranganathan
- Department of Pathology, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Pathology, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Dolores Lopez-Terrada
- Department of Pathology, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Pathology, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Rita Alaggio
- Department of Pathology, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Pathology, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Kong F, Kong D, Yang X, Yuan D, Zhang N, Hua X, You H, Zheng K, Tang R. Integrative analysis of highly mutated genes in hepatitis B virus-related hepatic carcinoma. Cancer Med 2020; 9:2462-2479. [PMID: 32017470 PMCID: PMC7131865 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.2903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene mutation is responsible for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection; however, the characteristics and associated biological functions of highly mutated genes, in which the mutation frequencies are at least 5% in HCC patients with HBV infection, are not clearly evaluated. In the study, we analyzed the information regarding somatic mutation obtained by whole‐exome sequencing in 280 HBV‐related HCC tissues from public databases and published studies. Via integrative analysis, 78 genes, including TP53, TTN, MUC16, CTNNB1, and PCLO were summarized as highly mutated genes, and some of these mutated genes were further identified as cancer driver genes. Besides, we discovered that the highly mutated genes were enriched with various biological functions and pathways. The expression of many of highly mutated genes was found to be significantly altered in HBV‐related HCC, and several highly mutated genes were related to a variety of clinical factors and associated with the poor survival of the disease. Taken together, these results could enrich our understanding of highly mutated genes and their relationships with HBV‐related HCC. Some of the identified highly mutated genes might be used as novel biomarkers of disease prognosis, or as molecular targets for the treatment of HCC with HBV infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fanyun Kong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Delong Kong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoying Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Dongchen Yuan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Xuan Hua
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Hongjuan You
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Kuiyang Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China.,National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Sciences Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Renxian Tang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China.,National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Sciences Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Lombardo D, Saitta C, Giosa D, Di Tocco FC, Musolino C, Caminiti G, Chines V, Franzè MS, Alibrandi A, Navarra G, Raimondo G, Pollicino T. Frequency of somatic mutations in TERT promoter, TP53 and CTNNB1 genes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma from Southern Italy. Oncol Lett 2020; 19:2368-2374. [PMID: 32194736 PMCID: PMC7039085 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.11332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatic mutations in the TERT promoter and in the TP53 and CTNNB1 genes are considered drivers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. They show variable frequencies in different geographic areas, possibly depending on liver disease etiology and environmental factors. TP53, CTNNB1 and TERT genetic mutations were investigated in tumor and non-tumor liver tissues from 67 patients with HCC and liver tissue specimens from 41 control obese subjects from Southern Italy. Furthermore, TERT expression was assessed by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Neither CTNNB1 mutations or TP53 R249S substitution were detected in any case. The TP53 R72P polymorphism was found in 10/67 (14.9%) tumors, but was not found in either non-tumor tissues (P=0.001) or controls (P=0.009). TERT gene promoter mutations were found in 29/67 (43.3%) tumor tissues but were not found in either non-tumor (P<0.0001) or control liver specimens (P<0.0001). The most frequent mutation in the tumors was the known hot spot at -124 bp from the TERT ATG start site (-124G>A, 28 cases, 41.8%; P<0.0001). A new previously never reported TERT promoter mutation (at -297 bp from the ATG, -297C>T) was found in 5/67 (7.5%) tumors, in 0/67 (0%) non-tumor (P<0.0001), and in 0/41 (0%) controls (P=0.07). This mutation creates an AP2 consensus sequence, and was found alone (1 case) or in combination (4 cases) with the -124 bp mutation. The mutation at -124 and -297 bp induced a 33-fold (P<0.0001) and 40-fold increase of TERT expression levels, respectively. When both mutations were present, TERT expression levels were increased >300-fold (P=0.001). A new TERT promoter mutation was identified, which generates a de novo binding motif for AP2 transcription factors, and which significantly increases TERT promoter transcriptional activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Lombardo
- Division of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, University Hospital 'G. Martino' of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital 'G. Martino' of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Carlo Saitta
- Division of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, University Hospital 'G. Martino' of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy.,Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital 'G. Martino' of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Domenico Giosa
- Division of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, University Hospital 'G. Martino' of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital 'G. Martino' of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Francesca Casuscelli Di Tocco
- Division of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, University Hospital 'G. Martino' of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital 'G. Martino' of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Cristina Musolino
- Division of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, University Hospital 'G. Martino' of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital 'G. Martino' of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Caminiti
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital 'G. Martino' of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Valeria Chines
- Division of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, University Hospital 'G. Martino' of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital 'G. Martino' of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Stella Franzè
- Division of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, University Hospital 'G. Martino' of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital 'G. Martino' of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Angela Alibrandi
- Department of Economics, University Hospital 'G. Martino' of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Navarra
- Department of Human Pathology, University Hospital 'G. Martino' of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Raimondo
- Division of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, University Hospital 'G. Martino' of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital 'G. Martino' of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Teresa Pollicino
- Division of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, University Hospital 'G. Martino' of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy.,Department of Human Pathology, University Hospital 'G. Martino' of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Abstract
Liver cancer is a particularly aggressive group of malignancies with historically low survival rates. Despite advancements in cancer treatments in general in the last few decades, incidence and mortality have not changed. Even though some phase 1 and 2 studies have shown promising results, many medication have failed to reach a sustainable level of efficacy to move into the clinical setting. Immunotherapy drugs have shown impressive results in the treatment of specific immunogenic cancers, prompting the possibility of their use in liver cancers. Immunotherapy medications approved for other cancers have received FDA accelerated approval for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. But, these approvals are contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. With more treatments in development involving cancer vaccines and natural killer cell-mediated therapy, liver cancer treatment is being reinvigorated with a broad array of new treatment angles. In this review article, we discuss these treatments, focusing on mechanism of action and clinical trials. Much needed advancements in treating late- and early-stage liver cancers will require new and innovative immunotherapeutic treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christoffer Briggs Lambring
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas
| | | | | | - Riyaz Basha
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas
- Department of Pediatrics and Women’s Health, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, The University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Kaseb AO, Sánchez NS, Sen S, Kelley RK, Tan B, Bocobo AG, Lim KH, Abdel-Wahab R, Uemura M, Pestana RC, Qiao W, Xiao L, Morris J, Amin HM, Hassan MM, Rashid A, Banks KC, Lanman RB, Talasaz A, Mills-Shaw KR, George B, Haque A, Raghav KPS, Wolff RA, Yao JC, Meric-Bernstam F, Ikeda S, Kurzrock R. Molecular Profiling of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using Circulating Cell-Free DNA. Clin Cancer Res 2019; 25:6107-6118. [PMID: 31363003 PMCID: PMC9292132 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-3341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Molecular profiling has been used to select patients for targeted therapy and determine prognosis. Noninvasive strategies are critical to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) given the challenge of obtaining liver tissue biopsies. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We analyzed blood samples from 206 patients with HCC using comprehensive genomic testing (Guardant Health) of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). RESULTS A total of 153/206 (74.3%) were men; median age, 62 years (range, 18-91 years). A total of 181/206 patients had ≥1 alteration. The total number of alterations was 680 (nonunique); median number of alterations/patient was three (range, 1-13); median mutant allele frequency (% cfDNA), 0.49% (range, 0.06%-55.03%). TP53 was the common altered gene [>120 alterations (non-unique)] followed by EGFR, MET, ARID1A, MYC, NF1, BRAF, and ERBB2 [20-38 alterations (nonunique)/gene]. Of the patients with alterations, 56.9% (103/181) had ≥1 actionable alterations, most commonly in MYC, EGFR, ERBB2, BRAF, CCNE1, MET, PIK3CA, ARID1A, CDK6, and KRAS. In these genes, amplifications occurred more frequently than mutations. Hepatitis B (HBV)-positive patients were more likely to have ERBB2 alterations, 35.7% (5/14) versus 8.8% HBV-negative (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS This study represents the first large-scale analysis of blood-derived ctDNA in HCC in United States. The genomic distinction based on HCC risk factors and the high percentage of potentially actionable genomic alterations suggests potential clinical utility for this technology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed O Kaseb
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
| | - Nora S Sánchez
- Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Shiraj Sen
- Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Robin K Kelley
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Benjamin Tan
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Andrea G Bocobo
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Kian H Lim
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Reham Abdel-Wahab
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Arizona Clinical Oncology Department, Assiut University Hospital, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Marc Uemura
- Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Wei Qiao
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Lianchun Xiao
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jeffrey Morris
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Hesham M Amin
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Manal M Hassan
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Asif Rashid
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | | | | | - Kenna R Mills-Shaw
- Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Bhawana George
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Abedul Haque
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Kanwal P S Raghav
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Robert A Wolff
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - James C Yao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Funda Meric-Bernstam
- Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Sadakatsu Ikeda
- Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy and Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California San Diego, Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, California
| | - Razelle Kurzrock
- Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy and Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California San Diego, Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, California.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Aquilanti E, Miller J, Santagata S, Cahill DP, Brastianos PK. Updates in prognostic markers for gliomas. Neuro Oncol 2019; 20:vii17-vii26. [PMID: 30412261 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noy158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gliomas are the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults. The traditional classification of gliomas has been based on histologic features and tumor grade. The advent of sophisticated molecular diagnostic techniques has led to a deeper understanding of genomic drivers implicated in gliomagenesis, some of which have important prognostic implications. These advances have led to an extensive revision of the World Health Organization classification of diffuse gliomas to include molecular markers such as isocitrate dehydrogenase mutation, 1p/19q codeletion, and histone mutations as integral components of brain tumor classification. Here, we report a comprehensive analysis of molecular prognostic factors for patients with gliomas, including those mentioned above, but also extending to others such as telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter mutations, O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase promoter methylation, glioma cytosine-phosphate-guanine island methylator phenotype DNA methylation, and epidermal growth factor receptor alterations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Aquilanti
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.,Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Cancer Program, Broad Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Julie Miller
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology, Stephen E. and Catherine Pappas Center for Neuro-Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sandro Santagata
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.,Ludwig Center at Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Daniel P Cahill
- Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology, Stephen E. and Catherine Pappas Center for Neuro-Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Priscilla K Brastianos
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology, Stephen E. and Catherine Pappas Center for Neuro-Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Cancer Program, Broad Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
The role of telomeres and telomerase in cirrhosis and liver cancer. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 16:544-558. [PMID: 31253940 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-019-0165-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 275] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase is a key enzyme for cell survival that prevents telomere shortening and the subsequent cellular senescence that is observed after many rounds of cell division. In contrast, inactivation of telomerase is observed in most cells of the adult liver. Absence of telomerase activity and shortening of telomeres has been implicated in hepatocyte senescence and the development of cirrhosis, a chronic liver disease that can lead to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. During hepatocarcinogenesis, telomerase reactivation is required to enable the uncontrolled cell proliferation that leads to malignant transformation and HCC development. Part of the telomerase complex, telomerase reverse transcriptase, is encoded by TERT, and several mechanisms of telomerase reactivation have been described in HCC that include somatic TERT promoter mutations, TERT amplification, TERT translocation and viral insertion into the TERT gene. An understanding of the role of telomeres and telomerase in HCC development is important to develop future targeted therapies and improve survival of this disease. In this Review, the roles of telomeres and telomerase in liver carcinogenesis are discussed, in addition to their potential translation to clinical practice as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Collapse
|
27
|
Histological and molecular features of solitary fibrous tumor of the extremities: clinical correlation. Virchows Arch 2019; 476:445-454. [PMID: 31463729 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-019-02650-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Solitary fibrous tumor is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm that exhibits a broad spectrum of biological behaviors. Few studies relative to clinical-pathologic features and predictive factors have been reported, all involving a mixed population of tumors occurring at different anatomic sites. In this study, we described a cohort of 41 patients with solitary fibrous tumor of the extremities and evaluated the prognostic role of clinical and histological features, presence of C228T and C250T mutations at the TERT promoter region, and NAB2-STAT6 fusion variants. Patients were stratified according to the latest risk stratification model proposed by Demicco. The two patients with metastasis at presentation were in the high-risk group; the one with metastasis after surgery was classified in the intermediate-risk group. TERT promoter mutations were detected in 9 out of 38 DNA available. All patients with metastasis were characterized by a TERT promoter mutation. TERT promoter mutation was associated with mitoses > 4 per high-power field (p = 0.001), necrosis (p = 0.049), and size > 10 cm (p = 0.031). NAB2-STAT6 fusion variants were detected in 27 out of 41 cases without any prognostic value. In conclusion, we confirmed that the patients with solitary fibrous tumor of the limbs have a better prognosis than other solitary fibrous tumors, with a very low percentage of metastatic events. Besides, our data support an association between TERT promoter mutations and histologically malignant features, suggesting a possible molecular role in stratifying patients into intermediate- to high-risk tumor.
Collapse
|
28
|
Akita M, Ajiki T, Fukumoto T, Itoh T, Zen Y. Keratin 19‐expressing hepatocellular carcinoma and small‐duct type intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma show a similar postoperative clinical course but have distinct genetic features. Histopathology 2019; 75:385-393. [DOI: 10.1111/his.13884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Akita
- Department of Diagnostic PathologyKobe University Graduate School of Medicine KobeJapan
- Department of Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic Surgery Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine Kobe Japan
| | - Tetsuo Ajiki
- Department of Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic Surgery Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine Kobe Japan
| | - Takumi Fukumoto
- Department of Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic Surgery Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine Kobe Japan
| | - Tomoo Itoh
- Department of Diagnostic PathologyKobe University Graduate School of Medicine KobeJapan
| | - Yoh Zen
- Department of Diagnostic PathologyKobe University Graduate School of Medicine KobeJapan
- Institute of Liver Studies King's College Hospital & King's College London London UK
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Zhang HE, Henderson JM, Gorrell MD. Animal models for hepatocellular carcinoma. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2018; 1865:993-1002. [PMID: 31007176 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2018.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents ~90% of all cases of primary liver cancer and occurs predominantly in patients with underlying chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. Establishing appropriate animal models for HCC is required for basic and translational studies, especially the models that can recapitulate one of the human disease settings. Current animal models can be categorized as chemically-induced, genetically-engineered, xenograft, or a combination of these with each other or with a metabolic insult. A single approach to resemble human HCC in animals is not sufficient. Combining pathogenic insults in animal models may more realistically recapitulate the multiple etiologic agents occurring in humans. Combining chemical injury with metabolic disorder or alcohol consumption in mice reduces the time taken to hepatocarcinogenesis. Genetically-engineering weak activation of HCC-promoting pathways combined with disease-specific injury models will possibly mimic the pathophysiology of human HCC in distinct clinical settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Emma Zhang
- Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Newtown, New South Wales, 2042, Australia; The University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - James M Henderson
- Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Newtown, New South Wales, 2042, Australia; The University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Mark D Gorrell
- Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Newtown, New South Wales, 2042, Australia; The University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Lim HY, Merle P, Weiss KH, Yau T, Ross P, Mazzaferro V, Blanc JF, Ma YT, Yen CJ, Kocsis J, Choo SP, Sukeepaisarnjaroen W, Gérolami R, Dufour JF, Gane EJ, Ryoo BY, Peck-Radosavljevic M, Dao T, Yeo W, Lamlertthon W, Thongsawat S, Teufel M, Roth K, Reis D, Childs BH, Krissel H, Llovet JM. Phase II Studies with Refametinib or Refametinib plus Sorafenib in Patients with RAS-Mutated Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2018; 24:4650-4661. [PMID: 29950351 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-17-3588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Refametinib, an oral MEK inhibitor, has demonstrated antitumor activity in combination with sorafenib in patients with RAS-mutated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Two phase II studies evaluated the efficacy of refametinib monotherapy and refametinib plus sorafenib in patients with RAS-mutant unresectable or metastatic HCC.Patients and Methods: Eligible patients with RAS mutations of cell-free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) determined by beads, emulsion, amplification, and magnetics technology received twice-daily refametinib 50 mg ± sorafenib 400 mg. Potential biomarkers were assessed in ctDNA via next-generation sequencing (NGS).Results: Of 1,318 patients screened, 59 (4.4%) had a RAS mutation, of whom 16 received refametinib and 16 received refametinib plus sorafenib. With refametinib monotherapy, the objective response rate (ORR) was 0%, the disease control rate (DCR) was 56.3%, overall survival (OS) was 5.8 months, and progression-free survival (PFS) was 1.9 months. With refametinib plus sorafenib, the ORR was 6.3%, the DCR was 43.8%, OS was 12.7 months, and PFS was 1.5 months. In both studies, time to progression was 2.8 months. Treatment-emergent toxicities included fatigue, hypertension, and acneiform rash. Twenty-seven patients had ctDNA samples available for NGS. The most frequently detected mutations were in TERT (63.0%), TP53 (48.1%), and β-catenin (CTNNB1; 37.0%).Conclusions: Prospective testing for RAS family mutations using ctDNA was a feasible, noninvasive approach for large-scale mutational testing in patients with HCC. A median OS of 12.7 months with refametinib plus sorafenib in this small population of RAS-mutant patients may indicate a synergistic effect between sorafenib and refametinib-this preliminary finding should be further explored. Clin Cancer Res; 24(19); 4650-61. ©2018 AACR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ho Yeong Lim
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Philippe Merle
- Service of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Hepatology Unit, Croix-Rousse Hospital, Lyon, France
| | - Karl Heinz Weiss
- Section of Transplant Hepatology, Liver Cancer Center Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Yau
- Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong
| | - Paul Ross
- Cancer Centre, Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vincenzo Mazzaferro
- Gastrointestinal Surgery and Liver Transplant Unit, The Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori (National Cancer Institute) and University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Jean-Frédéric Blanc
- Service of Hepato-Gastroenterology and Digestive Oncology, Hôpital Haut-Lévêque, Bordeaux, France
| | - Yuk Ting Ma
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Chia Jui Yen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Judit Kocsis
- Oncology Department, Debrecen University Clinical Center, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Su Pin Choo
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - René Gérolami
- Service of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-François Dufour
- Department of Hepatology, University Clinic for Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University Hospital of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Edward J Gane
- New Zealand Liver & Transplant Unit, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Baek-Yeol Ryoo
- Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Markus Peck-Radosavljevic
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Nephrology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thong Dao
- Service of Hepato-Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Caen University Hospital, Caen, France
| | - Winnie Yeo
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | | | - Satawat Thongsawat
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Michael Teufel
- Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Whippany, New Jersey
| | | | - Diego Reis
- Medical and Data Management, Bayer S.A., São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Josep M Llovet
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York. .,Liver Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Group (BCLC), IDIBAPS-Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Gaspar TB, Sá A, Lopes JM, Sobrinho-Simões M, Soares P, Vinagre J. Telomere Maintenance Mechanisms in Cancer. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:E241. [PMID: 29751586 PMCID: PMC5977181 DOI: 10.3390/genes9050241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumour cells can adopt telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) to avoid telomere shortening, an inevitable process due to successive cell divisions. In most tumour cells, telomere length (TL) is maintained by reactivation of telomerase, while a small part acquires immortality through the telomerase-independent alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism. In the last years, a great amount of data was generated, and different TMMs were reported and explained in detail, benefiting from genome-scale studies of major importance. In this review, we address seven different TMMs in tumour cells: mutations of the TERT promoter (TERTp), amplification of the genes TERT and TERC, polymorphic variants of the TERT gene and of its promoter, rearrangements of the TERT gene, epigenetic changes, ALT, and non-defined TMM (NDTMM). We gathered information from over fifty thousand patients reported in 288 papers in the last years. This wide data collection enabled us to portray, by organ/system and histotypes, the prevalence of TERTp mutations, TERT and TERC amplifications, and ALT in human tumours. Based on this information, we discuss the putative future clinical impact of the aforementioned mechanisms on the malignant transformation process in different setups, and provide insights for screening, prognosis, and patient management stratification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Bordeira Gaspar
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Medical Faculty of University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
- Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Ana Sá
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - José Manuel Lopes
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Medical Faculty of University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology and Oncology, Centro Hospitalar São João, 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Manuel Sobrinho-Simões
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Medical Faculty of University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology and Oncology, Centro Hospitalar São João, 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Paula Soares
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - João Vinagre
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Medical Faculty of University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Pezzuto F, Buonaguro L, Buonaguro FM, Tornesello ML. Frequency and geographic distribution of TERT promoter mutations in primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Infect Agent Cancer 2017; 12:27. [PMID: 28529542 PMCID: PMC5437489 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-017-0138-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mainly develops in subjects chronically infected with hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses through a multistep process characterized by the accumulation of genetic alterations in the human genome. Nucleotide changes in coding regions (i.e. TP53, CTNNB1, ARID1A and ARID2) as well as in non-coding regions (i.e. TERT promoter) are considered cancer drivers for HCC development with variable frequencies in different geographic regions depending on the etiology and environmental factors. Recurrent hot spot mutations in TERT promoter (G > A at-124 bp; G > A at -146 bp), have shown to be common events in many tumor types including HCC and to up regulate the expression of telomerases. We performed a comprehensive review of the literature evaluating the differential distribution of TERT promoter mutations in 1939 primary HCC from four continents. Mutation rates were found higher in Europe (56.6%) and Africa (53.3%) than America (40%) and Asia (42.5%). In addition, HCV-related HCC were more frequently mutated (44.8% in US and 69.7% in Asia) than HBV-related HCC (21.4% in US and 45.5% in Africa). HCC cases associated to factors other than hepatitis viruses are also frequently mutated in TERT promoter (43.6%, 52.6% and 57.7% in USA, Asia and Europe, respectively). These results support a major role for telomere elongation in HCV-related and non-viral related hepatic carcinogenesis and suggest that TERT promoter mutations could represent a candidate biomarker for the early detection of liver cancer in subjects with HCV infection or with metabolic liver diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Pezzuto
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS "Fondazione G Pascale", 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Luigi Buonaguro
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS "Fondazione G Pascale", 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Franco M Buonaguro
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS "Fondazione G Pascale", 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Maria Lina Tornesello
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS "Fondazione G Pascale", 80131 Napoli, Italy
| |
Collapse
|