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Kalita B, Sahu S, Bharadwaj A, Panneerselvam L, Martinez-Cebrian G, Agarwal M, Mathew SJ. The Wnt-pathway corepressor TLE3 interacts with the histone methyltransferase KMT1A to inhibit differentiation in Rhabdomyosarcoma. Oncogene 2024; 43:524-538. [PMID: 38177411 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02911-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma tumor cells resemble differentiating skeletal muscle cells, which unlike normal muscle cells, fail to undergo terminal differentiation, underlying their proliferative and metastatic properties. We identify the corepressor TLE3 as a key regulator of rhabdomyosarcoma tumorigenesis by inhibiting the Wnt-pathway. Loss of TLE3 function leads to Wnt-pathway activation, reduced proliferation, decreased migration, and enhanced differentiation in rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Muscle-specific TLE3-knockout results in enhanced expression of terminal myogenic differentiation markers during normal mouse development. TLE3-knockout rhabdomyosarcoma cell xenografts result in significantly smaller tumors characterized by reduced proliferation, increased apoptosis and enhanced differentiation. We demonstrate that TLE3 interacts with and recruits the histone methyltransferase KMT1A, leading to repression of target gene activation and inhibition of differentiation in rhabdomyosarcoma. A combination drug therapy regime to promote Wnt-pathway activation by the small molecule BIO and inhibit KMT1A by the drug chaetocin led to significantly reduced tumor volume, decreased proliferation, increased expression of differentiation markers and increased survival in rhabdomyosarcoma tumor-bearing mice. Thus, TLE3, the Wnt-pathway and KMT1A are excellent drug targets which can be exploited for treating rhabdomyosarcoma tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhargab Kalita
- Developmental Genetics Laboratory Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) NCR Biotech Science Cluster 3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurgaon Expressway, Faridabad, 121001, Haryana, India
- Department of Pathology and Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Subhashni Sahu
- Developmental Genetics Laboratory Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) NCR Biotech Science Cluster 3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurgaon Expressway, Faridabad, 121001, Haryana, India
| | - Anushree Bharadwaj
- Developmental Genetics Laboratory Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) NCR Biotech Science Cluster 3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurgaon Expressway, Faridabad, 121001, Haryana, India
| | - Lakshmikanthan Panneerselvam
- Developmental Genetics Laboratory Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) NCR Biotech Science Cluster 3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurgaon Expressway, Faridabad, 121001, Haryana, India
| | | | - Megha Agarwal
- Developmental Genetics Laboratory Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) NCR Biotech Science Cluster 3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurgaon Expressway, Faridabad, 121001, Haryana, India
- Affiliated to Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sam J Mathew
- Developmental Genetics Laboratory Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) NCR Biotech Science Cluster 3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurgaon Expressway, Faridabad, 121001, Haryana, India.
- Affiliated to Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.
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2
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Nakazawa K, Shaw T, Song YK, Kouassi-Brou M, Molotkova A, Tiwari PB, Chou HC, Wen X, Wei JS, Deniz E, Toretsky JA, Keller C, Barr FG, Khan J, Üren A. Piperacetazine Directly Binds to the PAX3::FOXO1 Fusion Protein and Inhibits Its Transcriptional Activity. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:2030-2043. [PMID: 37732905 PMCID: PMC10557868 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
The tumor-specific chromosomal translocation product, PAX3::FOXO1, is an aberrant fusion protein that plays a key role for oncogenesis in the alveolar subtype of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). PAX3::FOXO1 represents a validated molecular target for alveolar RMS and successful inhibition of its oncogenic activity is likely to have significant clinical applications. Even though several PAX3::FOXO1 function-based screening studies have been successfully completed, a directly binding small-molecule inhibitor of PAX3::FOXO1 has not been reported. Therefore, we screened small-molecule libraries to identify compounds that were capable of directly binding to PAX3::FOXO1 protein using surface plasmon resonance technology. Compounds that directly bound to PAX3::FOXO1 were further evaluated in secondary transcriptional activation assays. We discovered that piperacetazine can directly bind to PAX3::FOXO1 protein and inhibit fusion protein-derived transcription in multiple alveolar RMS cell lines. Piperacetazine inhibited anchorage-independent growth of fusion-positive alveolar RMS cells but not embryonal RMS cells. On the basis of our findings, piperacetazine is a molecular scaffold upon which derivatives could be developed as specific inhibitors of PAX3::FOXO1. These novel inhibitors could potentially be evaluated in future clinical trials for recurrent or metastatic alveolar RMS as novel targeted therapy options. SIGNIFICANCE RMS is a malignant soft-tissue tumor mainly affecting the pediatric population. A subgroup of RMS with worse prognosis harbors a unique chromosomal translocation creating an oncogenic fusion protein, PAX3::FOXO1. We identified piperacetazine as a direct inhibitor of PAX3::FOXO1, which may provide a scaffold for designing RMS-specific targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay Nakazawa
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Taryn Shaw
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Young K. Song
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Marilyn Kouassi-Brou
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Anna Molotkova
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Purushottam B. Tiwari
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Hsien-Chao Chou
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Xinyu Wen
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jun S. Wei
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Emre Deniz
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Jeffrey A. Toretsky
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Charles Keller
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Hillsboro, Oregon
| | - Frederic G. Barr
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Javed Khan
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Aykut Üren
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
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3
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Candido MF, Medeiros M, Veronez LC, Bastos D, Oliveira KL, Pezuk JA, Valera ET, Brassesco MS. Drugging Hijacked Kinase Pathways in Pediatric Oncology: Opportunities and Current Scenario. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020664. [PMID: 36839989 PMCID: PMC9966033 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Childhood cancer is considered rare, corresponding to ~3% of all malignant neoplasms in the human population. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a universal occurrence of more than 15 cases per 100,000 inhabitants around the globe, and despite improvements in diagnosis, treatment and supportive care, one child dies of cancer every 3 min. Consequently, more efficient, selective and affordable therapeutics are still needed in order to improve outcomes and avoid long-term sequelae. Alterations in kinases' functionality is a trademark of cancer and the concept of exploiting them as drug targets has burgeoned in academia and in the pharmaceutical industry of the 21st century. Consequently, an increasing plethora of inhibitors has emerged. In the present study, the expression patterns of a selected group of kinases (including tyrosine receptors, members of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK pathways, coordinators of cell cycle progression, and chromosome segregation) and their correlation with clinical outcomes in pediatric solid tumors were accessed through the R2: Genomics Analysis and Visualization Platform and by a thorough search of published literature. To further illustrate the importance of kinase dysregulation in the pathophysiology of pediatric cancer, we analyzed the vulnerability of different cancer cell lines against their inhibition through the Cancer Dependency Map portal, and performed a search for kinase-targeted compounds with approval and clinical applicability through the CanSAR knowledgebase. Finally, we provide a detailed literature review of a considerable set of small molecules that mitigate kinase activity under experimental testing and clinical trials for the treatment of pediatric tumors, while discuss critical challenges that must be overcome before translation into clinical options, including the absence of compounds designed specifically for childhood tumors which often show differential mutational burdens, intrinsic and acquired resistance, lack of selectivity and adverse effects on a growing organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Ferreira Candido
- Department of Cell Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Mariana Medeiros
- Regional Blood Center, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciana Chain Veronez
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - David Bastos
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, SP, Brazil
| | - Karla Laissa Oliveira
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, SP, Brazil
| | - Julia Alejandra Pezuk
- Departament of Biotechnology and Innovation, Anhanguera University of São Paulo, UNIAN/SP, São Paulo 04119-001, SP, Brazil
| | - Elvis Terci Valera
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - María Sol Brassesco
- Departament of Biotechnology and Innovation, Anhanguera University of São Paulo, UNIAN/SP, São Paulo 04119-001, SP, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-16-3315-9144; Fax: +55-16-3315-4886
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Wei D, Zhu X, Li S, Liu G, Wang Y, Wang W, Zhang Q, Jiang S. Tideglusib suppresses stem-cell-like features and progression of osteosarcoma by inhibiting GSK-3β/NOTCH1 signaling. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 554:206-213. [PMID: 33813076 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.12.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumor in children, teenagers and adolescents. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have the function to self-renew and keep the phenotype of tumor, causing clinical treatment failure. Therefore, developing effective therapies to inhibit osteosarcoma progression is urgently necessary. Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β)is highly expressed in osteosarcoma. In the present study, we made an exploration on the anti-tumor effect of tideglusib (TID), a small-molecule inhibitor of GSK-3β, and revealed the underlying mechanisms. Here, we found that TID markedly reduced the cell viability of different osteosarcoma cell lines. Cell cycle arrest distributed in G2/M was markedly up-regulated in TID-incubated osteosarcoma cells through enhancing p21 expression levels. Apoptosis was evidently induced in osteosarcoma cells via blocking Caspase-3 activation. Consistently, tumor growth was effectively suppressed in an established murine xenograft model with few toxicity and side effects in vivo. Furthermore, TID markedly repressed stem-cell-like activity in osteosarcoma cells through down-regulating NOTCH1 expression. Notably, rescuing NOTCH1 significantly abolished the role of TID in reducing cell proliferation and sarcosphere-formation. Mechanistically, we found that TID-inhibited NOTCH1 expression was associated with the blockage of AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway. In summary, we for the first time provided evidence that TID could effectively inhibit osteosarcoma progression through repressing cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis, suppressing stem-cell-like properties via down-regulating AKT/GSK-3β/NOTCH1 signaling pathway. Thus, TID may be a promising therapeutic strategy for osteosarcoma treatment without side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Wei
- School of the First Clinical Medical, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Longzihu University Park, Zhengdong New District, 156 Jinshui East Road, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Xinghao Zhu
- School of the First Clinical Medical, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Longzihu University Park, Zhengdong New District, 156 Jinshui East Road, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- School of the First Clinical Medical, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Longzihu University Park, Zhengdong New District, 156 Jinshui East Road, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Guangyao Liu
- Biomedical Research and Development Center, Jilin Institute of Biomedicine Ltd.Co, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Yongkun Wang
- Biomedical Research and Development Center, Jilin Institute of Biomedicine Ltd.Co, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Biomedical Research and Development Center, Jilin Institute of Biomedicine Ltd.Co, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Qiao Zhang
- Biomedical Research and Development Center, Jilin Institute of Biomedicine Ltd.Co, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Shiqing Jiang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, 19 Renmin Road, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
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5
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Zhu H, Dronamraju V, Xie W, More SS. Sulfur-containing therapeutics in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Med Chem Res 2021; 30:305-352. [PMID: 33613018 PMCID: PMC7889054 DOI: 10.1007/s00044-020-02687-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Sulfur is widely existent in natural products and synthetic organic compounds as organosulfur, which are often associated with a multitude of biological activities. OBenzothiazole, in which benzene ring is fused to the 4,5-positions of the thiazolerganosulfur compounds continue to garner increasing amounts of attention in the field of medicinal chemistry, especially in the development of therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD is a fatal neurodegenerative disease and the primary cause of age-related dementia posing severe societal and economic burdens. Unfortunately, there is no cure for AD. A lot of research has been conducted on sulfur-containing compounds in the context of AD due to their innate antioxidant potential and some are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. In this review, we have described emerging trends in the field, particularly the concept of multi-targeting and formulation of disease-modifying strategies. SAR, pharmacological targets, in vitro/vivo ADMET, efficacy in AD animal models, and applications in clinical trials of such sulfur compounds have also been discussed. This article provides a comprehensive review of organosulfur-based AD therapeutic agents and provides insights into their future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haizhou Zhu
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Venkateshwara Dronamraju
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Wei Xie
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Swati S. More
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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6
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Pal A, Leung JY, Ang GCK, Rao VK, Pignata L, Lim HJ, Hebrard M, Chang KT, Lee VK, Guccione E, Taneja R. EHMT2 epigenetically suppresses Wnt signaling and is a potential target in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. eLife 2020; 9:57683. [PMID: 33252038 PMCID: PMC7728445 DOI: 10.7554/elife.57683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling is downregulated in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) and contributes to the block of differentiation. Epigenetic mechanisms leading to its suppression are unknown and could pave the way toward novel therapeutic modalities. We demonstrate that EHMT2 suppresses canonical Wnt signaling by activating expression of the Wnt antagonist DKK1. Inhibition of EHMT2 expression or activity in human ERMS cell lines reduced DKK1 expression and elevated canonical Wnt signaling resulting in myogenic differentiation in vitro and in mouse xenograft models in vivo. Mechanistically, EHMT2 impacted Sp1 and p300 enrichment at the DKK1 promoter. The reduced tumor growth upon EHMT2 deficiency was reversed by recombinant DKK1 or LGK974, which also inhibits Wnt signaling. Consistently, among 13 drugs targeting chromatin modifiers, EHMT2 inhibitors were highly effective in reducing ERMS cell viability. Our study demonstrates that ERMS cells are vulnerable to EHMT2 inhibitors and suggest that targeting the EHMT2-DKK1-β-catenin node holds promise for differentiation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananya Pal
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jia Yu Leung
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gareth Chin Khye Ang
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Vinay Kumar Rao
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Luca Pignata
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Huey Jin Lim
- Department of Pathology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Maxime Hebrard
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kenneth Te Chang
- Department of Pathology, KK Women and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Victor Km Lee
- Department of Pathology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ernesto Guccione
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Reshma Taneja
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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7
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FAK Signaling in Rhabdomyosarcoma. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228422. [PMID: 33182556 PMCID: PMC7697003 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma of children and adolescents. The fusion-positive (FP)-RMS variant expressing chimeric oncoproteins such as PAX3-FOXO1 and PAX7-FOXO1 is at high risk. The fusion negative subgroup, FN-RMS, has a good prognosis when non-metastatic. Despite a multimodal therapeutic approach, FP-RMS and metastatic FN-RMS often show a dismal prognosis with 5-year survival of less than 30%. Therefore, novel targets need to be discovered to develop therapies that halt tumor progression, reducing long-term side effects in young patients. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that regulates focal contacts at the cellular edges. It plays a role in cell motility, survival, and proliferation in response to integrin and growth factor receptors’ activation. FAK is often dysregulated in cancer, being upregulated and/or overactivated in several adult and pediatric tumor types. In RMS, both in vitro and preclinical studies point to a role of FAK in tumor cell motility/invasion and proliferation, which is inhibited by FAK inhibitors. In this review, we summarize the data on FAK expression and modulation in RMS. Moreover, we give an overview of the approaches to inhibit FAK in both preclinical and clinical cancer settings.
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8
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Zhang S, Gao W, Tang J, Zhang H, Zhou Y, Liu J, Chen K, Liu F, Li W, To SKY, Wong AST, Zhang XK, Zhou H, Zeng JZ. The Roles of GSK-3β in Regulation of Retinoid Signaling and Sorafenib Treatment Response in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Theranostics 2020; 10:1230-1244. [PMID: 31938062 PMCID: PMC6956800 DOI: 10.7150/thno.38711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) plays key roles in metabolism and many cellular processes. It was recently demonstrated that overexpression of GSK-3β can confer tumor growth. However, the expression and function of GSK-3β in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain largely unexplored. This study is aimed at investigating the role and therapeutic target value of GSK-3β in HCC. Methods: We firstly clarified the expression of GSK-3β in human HCC samples. Given that deviated retinoid signalling is critical for HCC development, we studied whether GSK-3β could be involved in the regulation. Since sorafenib is currently used to treat HCC, the involvement of GSK-3β in sorafenib treatment response was determined. Co-immunoprecipitation, GST pull down, in vitro kinase assay, luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation were used to explore the molecular mechanism. The biological readouts were examined with MTT, flow cytometry and animal experiments. Results: We demonstrated that GSK-3β is highly expressed in HCC and associated with shorter overall survival (OS). Overexpression of GSK-3β confers HCC cell colony formation and xenograft tumor growth. Tumor-associated GSK-3β is correlated with reduced expression of retinoic acid receptor-β (RARβ), which is caused by GSK-3β-mediated phosphorylation and heterodimerization abrogation of retinoid X receptor (RXRα) with RARα on RARβ promoter. Overexpression of functional GSK-3β impairs retinoid response and represses sorafenib anti-HCC effect. Inactivation of GSK-3β by tideglusib can potentiate 9-cis-RA enhancement of sorafenib sensitivity (tumor inhibition from 48.3% to 93.4%). Efficient induction of RARβ by tideglusib/9-cis-RA is required for enhanced therapeutic outcome of sorafenib, which effect is greatly inhibited by knocking down RARβ. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that GSK-3β is a disruptor of retinoid signalling and a new resistant factor of sorafenib in HCC. Targeting GSK-3β may be a promising strategy for HCC treatment in clinic.
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Noori MS, Bhatt PM, Courreges MC, Ghazanfari D, Cuckler C, Orac CM, McMills MC, Schwartz FL, Deosarkar SP, Bergmeier SC, McCall KD, Goetz DJ. Identification of a novel selective and potent inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase-3. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2019; 317:C1289-C1303. [PMID: 31553649 PMCID: PMC6962522 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00061.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is a multitasking protein kinase that regulates numerous critical cellular functions. Not surprisingly, elevated GSK-3 activity has been implicated in a host of diseases including pathological inflammation, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, asthma, bipolar disorder, and Alzheimer's. Therefore, reagents that inhibit GSK-3 activity provide a means to investigate the role of GSK-3 in cellular physiology and pathophysiology and could become valuable therapeutics. Finding a potent inhibitor of GSK-3 that can selectively target this kinase, among over 500 protein kinases in the human genome, is a significant challenge. Thus there remains a critical need for the identification of selective inhibitors of GSK-3. In this work, we introduce a novel small organic compound, namely COB-187, which exhibits potent and highly selective inhibition of GSK-3. Specifically, this study 1) utilized a molecular screen of 414 kinase assays, representing 404 unique kinases, to reveal that COB-187 is a highly potent and selective inhibitor of GSK-3; 2) utilized a cellular assay to reveal that COB-187 decreases the phosphorylation of canonical GSK-3 substrates indicating that COB-187 inhibits cellular GSK-3 activity; and 3) reveals that a close isomer of COB-187 is also a selective and potent inhibitor of GSK-3. Taken together, these results demonstrate that we have discovered a region of chemical design space that contains novel GSK-3 inhibitors. These inhibitors will help to elucidate the intricate function of GSK-3 and can serve as a starting point for the development of potential therapeutics for diseases that involve aberrant GSK-3 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahboubeh S Noori
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
| | - Pooja M Bhatt
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
| | | | - Davoud Ghazanfari
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
| | - Chaz Cuckler
- Biomedical Engineering Program, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
| | - Crina M Orac
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
| | - Mark C McMills
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
| | - Frank L Schwartz
- Department of Specialty Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
- The Diabetes Institute, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
| | | | - Stephen C Bergmeier
- Biomedical Engineering Program, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
| | - Kelly D McCall
- Department of Specialty Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
- Biomedical Engineering Program, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
- The Diabetes Institute, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
| | - Douglas J Goetz
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
- Biomedical Engineering Program, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
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10
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Ahmad F, Woodgett JR. Emerging roles of GSK-3α in pathophysiology: Emphasis on cardio-metabolic disorders. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2019; 1867:118616. [PMID: 31785335 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2019.118616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is a widely expressed serine/threonine kinase regulates a variety of cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation and death. Mammals harbor two structurally similar isoforms GSK-3α and β that have overlapping as well as unique functions. Of the two, GSK-3β has been studied (and reviewed) in far greater detail with analysis of GSK-3α often as an afterthought. It is now evident that systemic, chronic inhibition of either GSK-3β or both GSK-3α/β is not clinically feasible and if achieved would likely lead to adverse clinical conditions. Emerging evidence suggests important and specific roles for GSK-3α in fatty acid accumulation, insulin resistance, amyloid-β-protein precursor metabolism, atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy, fibrosis, aging, fertility, and in a variety of cancers. Selective targeting of GSK-3α may present a novel therapeutic opportunity to alleviate a number of pathological conditions. In this review, we assess the evidence for roles of GSK-3α in a variety of pathophysiological settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Firdos Ahmad
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
| | - James R Woodgett
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Canada
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Nagini S, Sophia J, Mishra R. Glycogen synthase kinases: Moonlighting proteins with theranostic potential in cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 56:25-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2017.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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12
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Cornillie J, Wozniak A, Li H, Wang Y, Boeckx B, Gebreyohannes YK, Wellens J, Vanleeuw U, Hompes D, Stas M, Sinnaeve F, Wafa H, Lambrechts D, Debiec-Rychter M, Sciot R, Schöffski P. Establishment and Characterization of Histologically and Molecularly Stable Soft-tissue Sarcoma Xenograft Models for Biological Studies and Preclinical Drug Testing. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 18:1168-1178. [PMID: 30962320 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-18-1045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Revised: 01/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) represent a heterogeneous group of rare, malignant tumors of mesenchymal origin. Reliable in vivo sarcoma research models are scarce. We aimed to establish and characterize histologically and molecularly stable patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models from a broad variety of STS subtypes. A total of 188 fresh tumor samples from consenting patients with localized or advanced STS were transplanted subcutaneously in NMRI-nu/nu-immunodeficient mice. Once tumor growth was observed, the material was passaged to a next generation of mice. A patient-derived tumor sample was considered "successfully engrafted" whenever the sample was transplanted to passage 1. A PDX model was considered "established" when observing stable morphologic and molecular features for at least two passages. With every passage, histologic and molecular analyses were performed. Specific genomic alterations and copy-number profile were assessed by FISH and low coverage whole-genome sequencing. The tumor engraftment rate was 32% (61/188) and 188 patient samples generated a total of 32 PDX models, including seven models of myxofibrosarcoma, five dedifferentiated liposarcoma, five leiomyosarcoma, three undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, two malignant peripheral nerve sheet tumor models, and single models of synovial sarcoma and some other (ultra)rare subtypes. Seventeen additional models are in early stages of engraftment (passage 1-2). Histopathologic and molecular features were compared with the original donor tumor and were stable throughout passaging. The platform is used for studies on sarcoma biology and suited for in vivo preclinical drug testing as illustrated by a number of completed and ongoing laboratory studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmien Cornillie
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, and Department of General Medical Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven Cancer Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Agnieszka Wozniak
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, and Department of General Medical Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven Cancer Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Haifu Li
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, and Department of General Medical Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven Cancer Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yannick Wang
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, and Department of General Medical Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven Cancer Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bram Boeckx
- Laboratory for Translational Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,VIB Center for Cancer Biology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yemarshet K Gebreyohannes
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, and Department of General Medical Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven Cancer Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jasmien Wellens
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, and Department of General Medical Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven Cancer Institute, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Ulla Vanleeuw
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, and Department of General Medical Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven Cancer Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Daphne Hompes
- Department of Surgical Oncology, KU Leuven and University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marguerite Stas
- Department of Surgical Oncology, KU Leuven and University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Friedl Sinnaeve
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hazem Wafa
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Diether Lambrechts
- Laboratory for Translational Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,VIB Center for Cancer Biology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maria Debiec-Rychter
- Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven and University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Raf Sciot
- Department of Pathology, KU Leuven and University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patrick Schöffski
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, and Department of General Medical Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven Cancer Institute, Leuven, Belgium
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13
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Fujiwara H, Yoshida J, Dibwe DF, Awale S, Hoshino H, Kohama H, Arai H, Kudo Y, Matsumoto K. Orengedokuto and san'oshashinto improve memory deficits by inhibiting aging-dependent activation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β. J Tradit Complement Med 2018; 9:328-335. [PMID: 31453129 PMCID: PMC6702137 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2018.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and aim The aging-dependent activation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) has been suggested to be important in the onset of dementia. To discover novel therapeutic Kampo medicines for dementia, we examined the effects of orengedokuto (OGT; 黃連解毒湯 huáng lián jiědú tāng) and san'oshashinto (SST; 三黃瀉心湯 sān huáng xiè xīn tāng) on memory deficits and GSK-3β activity in senescence-accelerated prone mice (SAMP8). Experimental procedure The object recognition test (ORT) and conditioned fear memory test (CFT) were employed to elucidate short-term working memory and long-term fear memory. The activity of GSK-3β and the phosphorylation of related molecules were measured using a kinase assay and Western blotting. Results and conclusion OGT and SST attenuated memory deficits in SAMP8 in ORT, but not in CFT. In ex vivo experiments, cortical GSK-3β activity was significantly stronger in SAMP8 than in SAMR1. The enhanced cortical GSK-3β activity in SAMP8 was accompanied by a significant increase in the level of phosphorylated collapsin response mediator protein-2 (CRMP2), an important factor that is involved in the regulation of microtubule stability. OGT and SST attenuated not only increases in cortical GSK-3β activity, but also the levels of phosphorylated CRMP2 in SAMP8. In vitro experiments, flavonoids contained in these kampo medicines, inhibited GSK-3β activity in concentration-dependent manners. These results suggest that OGT and SST prevent aging-induced short-term working memory deficits by inhibiting aging-dependent elevations in the cortical GSK-3β activity and subsequent CRMP2 phosphorylation. OGT and SST attenuated short-term working memory deficits in SAMP8. Age-dependent cortical GSK-3β activation was suppressed by OGT and SST. OGT and SST also attenuated the levels of phosphorylated CRMP2 in SAMP8.
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Key Words
- AD, Alzheimer's disease
- Alzheimer's disease
- BPSD, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia
- CFT, conditioned fear memory test
- CRMP2, collapsin response mediator protein-2
- Collapsin response mediator protein-2
- GSK-3β, glycogen synthase kinase-3β
- Glycogen synthase kinase-3β
- OGT, orengedokuto
- ORT, object recognition test
- Orengedokuto
- SAMP8, senescence-accelerated prone mice 8
- SAMR1, senescence-accelerated prone mice-resistant
- SST, san'oshashinto
- san'oshashinto
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jun Yoshida
- Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Dya Fita Dibwe
- Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Suresh Awale
- Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Haruka Hoshino
- Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kohama
- Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Arai
- Department of Geriatric and Respiratory Medicine, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yukitsuka Kudo
- Department of Geriatric and Respiratory Medicine, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Kinzo Matsumoto
- Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
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Lu W, Chao T, Ruiqi C, Juan S, Zhihong L. Patient-derived xenograft models in musculoskeletal malignancies. J Transl Med 2018; 16:107. [PMID: 29688859 PMCID: PMC5913806 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-018-1487-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful oncological drug development for bone and soft tissue sarcoma is grossly stagnating. A major obstacle in this process is the lack of appropriate animal models recapitulating the complexity and heterogeneity of musculoskeletal malignancies, resulting in poor efficiency in translating the findings of basic research to clinical applications. In recent years, patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models generated by directly engrafting patient-derived tumor fragments into immunocompromised mice have recaptured the attention of many researchers due to their properties of retaining the principle histopathology, biological behaviors, and molecular and genetic characteristics of the original tumor, showing promising future in both basic and clinical studies of bone and soft tissue sarcoma. Despite several limitations including low take rate and long take time in PDX generation, deficient immune system and heterologous tumor microenvironment of the host, PDXs offer a more advantageous platform for preclinical drug screening, biomarker identification and clinical therapeutic decision guiding. Here, we provide a timely review of the establishment and applications of PDX models for musculoskeletal malignancies and discuss current challenges and future directions of this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan Lu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410010, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Tu Chao
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410010, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Ruiqi
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410010, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Su Juan
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410010, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Zhihong
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410010, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
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15
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Ragab N, Viehweger F, Bauer J, Geyer N, Yang M, Seils A, Belharazem D, Brembeck FH, Schildhaus HU, Marx A, Hahn H, Simon-Keller K. Canonical WNT/β-Catenin Signaling Plays a Subordinate Role in Rhabdomyosarcomas. Front Pediatr 2018; 6:378. [PMID: 30568936 PMCID: PMC6290061 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2018.00378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of skeletal muscle from immature precursors is partially driven by canonical WNT/β-catenin signaling. Rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) are immature skeletal muscle-like, highly lethal cancers with a variably pronounced blockade of muscle differentiation. To investigate whether canonical β-catenin signaling in RMS is involved in differentiation and aggressiveness of RMS, we analyzed the effects of WNT3A and of a siRNA-mediated or pharmacologically induced β-catenin knock-down on proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of embryonal and alveolar RMS cell lines. While the canonical WNT pathway was maintained in all cell lines as shown by WNT3A induced AXIN expression, more distal steps including transcriptional activation of its key target genes were consistently impaired. In addition, activation or inhibition of canonical WNT/β-catenin only moderately affected proliferation, apoptosis or myodifferentiation of the RMS tumor cells and a conditional knockout of β-catenin in RMS of Ptch del/+ mice did not alter RMS incidence or multiplicity. Together our data indicates a subordinary role of the canonical WNT/β-catenin signaling for RMS proliferation, apoptosis or differentiation and thus aggressiveness of this malignant childhood tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nada Ragab
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Florian Viehweger
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.,Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julia Bauer
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Natalie Geyer
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Mingya Yang
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Anna Seils
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Djeda Belharazem
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Felix H Brembeck
- Tumor Biology and Signal Transduction, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Alexander Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Heidi Hahn
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Katja Simon-Keller
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
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