1
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Do AD, Wu KS, Chu SS, Giang LH, Lin YL, Chang CC, Wong TT, Hsieh CL, Sung SY. LOXL1-AS1 contributes to metastasis in sonic-hedgehog medulloblastoma by promoting cancer stem-like phenotypes. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:130. [PMID: 38689348 PMCID: PMC11059759 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03057-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medulloblastomas (MBs) are one of the most common malignant brain tumor types in children. MB prognosis, despite improvement in recent years, still depends on clinical and biological risk factors. Metastasis is the leading cause of MB-related deaths, which highlights an unmet need for risk stratification and targeted therapy to improve clinical outcomes. Among the four molecular subgroups, sonic-hedgehog (SHH)-MB harbors clinical and genetic heterogeneity with a subset of high-risk cases. Recently, long non-coding (lnc)RNAs were implied to contribute to cancer malignant progression, but their role in MB remains unclear. This study aimed to identify pro-malignant lncRNAs that have prognostic and therapeutic significance in SHH-MB. METHODS The Daoy SHH-MB cell line was engineered for ectopic expression of MYCN, a genetic signature of SHH-MB. MYCN-associated lncRNA genes were identified using RNA-sequencing data and were validated in SHH-MB cell lines, MB tissue samples, and patient cohort datasets. SHH-MB cells with genetic manipulation of the candidate lncRNA were evaluated for metastatic phenotypes in vitro, including cell migration, invasion, sphere formation, and expressions of stemness markers. An orthotopic xenograft mouse model was used to evaluate metastasis occurrence and survival. Finally, bioinformatic screening and in vitro assays were performed to explore downstream mechanisms. RESULTS Elevated lncRNA LOXL1-AS1 expression was identified in MYCN-expressing Daoy cells and MYCN-amplified SHH-MB tumors, and was significantly associated with lower survival in SHH-MB patients. Functionally, LOXL1-AS1 promoted SHH-MB cell migration and cancer stemness in vitro. In mice, MYCN-expressing Daoy cells exhibited a high metastatic rate and adverse effects on survival, both of which were suppressed under LOLX1-AS1 perturbation. Integrative bioinformatic analyses revealed associations of LOXL1-AS1 with processes of cancer stemness, cell differentiation, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. LOXL1-AS1 positively regulated the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2. Knockdown of TGF-β2 in SHH-MB cells significantly abrogated their LOXL1-AS1-mediated prometastatic functions. CONCLUSIONS This study proved the functional significance of LOXL1-AS1 in SHH-MB metastasis by its promotion of TGF-β2-mediated cancer stem-like phenotypes, providing both prognostic and therapeutic potentials for targeting SHH-MB metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh Duy Do
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Department of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Immunology, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
| | - Kuo-Sheng Wu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Shing-Shung Chu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Le Hien Giang
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Department of Biology and Genetics, Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hai Phong, 180000, Vietnam
| | - Yu-Ling Lin
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Che-Chang Chang
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Neuroscience Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Tong Wong
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Neuroscience Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Pediatric Brain Tumor Program, Taipei Cancer Center, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Taipei Neuroscience Institute, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ling Hsieh
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
- Neuroscience Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
- Institute for Drug Evaluation Platform, Development Center for Biotechnology, Taipei, 11571, Taiwan.
| | - Shian-Ying Sung
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
- Neuroscience Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
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Yang H, Li M, Deng Y, Wen H, Luo M, Zhang W. Roles and interactions of tumor microenvironment components in medulloblastoma with implications for novel therapeutics. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2024; 63:e23233. [PMID: 38607297 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.23233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastomas, the most common malignant pediatric brain tumors, can be classified into the wingless, sonic hedgehog (SHH), group 3, and group 4 subgroups. Among them, the SHH subgroup with the TP53 mutation and group 3 generally present with the worst patient outcomes due to their high rates of recurrence and metastasis. A novel and effective treatment for refractory medulloblastomas is urgently needed. To date, the tumor microenvironment (TME) has been shown to influence tumor growth, recurrence, and metastasis through immunosuppression, angiogenesis, and chronic inflammation. Treatments targeting TME components have emerged as promising approaches to the treatment of solid tumors. In this review, we summarize progress in research on medulloblastoma microenvironment components and their interactions. We also discuss challenges and future research directions for TME-targeting medulloblastoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanjie Yang
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuhao Deng
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huantao Wen
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Minjie Luo
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wangming Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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3
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Sanghrajka RM, Koche R, Medrano H, El Nagar S, Stephen DN, Lao Z, Bayin NS, Ge K, Joyner AL. KMT2D suppresses Sonic hedgehog-driven medulloblastoma progression and metastasis. iScience 2023; 26:107831. [PMID: 37822508 PMCID: PMC10562805 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The major cause of treatment failure and mortality among medulloblastoma patients is metastasis intracranially or along the spinal cord. The molecular mechanisms driving tumor metastasis in Sonic hedgehog-driven medulloblastoma (SHH-MB) patients, however, remain largely unknown. In this study we define a tumor suppressive role of KMT2D (MLL2), a gene frequently mutated in the most metastatic β-subtype. Strikingly, genetic mouse models of SHH-MB demonstrate that heterozygous loss of Kmt2d in conjunction with activation of the SHH pathway causes highly penetrant disease with decreased survival, increased hindbrain invasion and spinal cord metastasis. Loss of Kmt2d attenuates neural differentiation and shifts the transcriptional/chromatin landscape of primary and metastatic tumors toward a decrease in differentiation genes and tumor suppressors and an increase in genes/pathways implicated in advanced stage cancer and metastasis (TGFβ, Notch, Atoh1, Sox2, and Myc). Thus, secondary heterozygous KMT2D mutations likely have prognostic value for identifying SHH-MB patients prone to develop metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reeti Mayur Sanghrajka
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard Koche
- Center for Epigenetics Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hector Medrano
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Salsabiel El Nagar
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniel N. Stephen
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zhimin Lao
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - N. Sumru Bayin
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kai Ge
- Adipocyte Biology and Gene Regulation Section, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Alexandra L. Joyner
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY, USA
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4
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Penco-Campillo M, Pages G, Martial S. Angiogenesis and Lymphangiogenesis in Medulloblastoma Development. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1028. [PMID: 37508458 PMCID: PMC10376362 DOI: 10.3390/biology12071028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most prevalent brain tumor in children. Although the current cure rate stands at approximately 70%, the existing treatments that involve a combination of radio- and chemotherapy are highly detrimental to the patients' quality of life. These aggressive therapies often result in a significant reduction in the overall well-being of the patients. Moreover, the most aggressive forms of MB frequently relapse, leading to a fatal outcome in a majority of cases. However, MB is highly vascularized, and both angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are believed to play crucial roles in tumor development and spread. In this context, our objective is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current research progress in elucidating the functions of these two pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Penco-Campillo
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging (IRCAN), Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS UMR 7284 and INSERM U1081, 33 Avenue de Valombrose, 06107 Nice, France
| | - Gilles Pages
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging (IRCAN), Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS UMR 7284 and INSERM U1081, 33 Avenue de Valombrose, 06107 Nice, France
| | - Sonia Martial
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging (IRCAN), Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS UMR 7284 and INSERM U1081, 33 Avenue de Valombrose, 06107 Nice, France
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Damodharan S, Puccetti D. Pediatric Central Nervous System Tumor Overview and Emerging Treatment Considerations. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1106. [PMID: 37509034 PMCID: PMC10377074 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13071106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the most common solid tumor in children, with the majority being glial in origin. These tumors are classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as either being low grade (WHO grade 1 and 2) or high grade (WHO grade 3 and 4). Our knowledge of the molecular landscape of pediatric brain tumors has advanced over the last decade, which has led to newer categorizations along with an expansion of therapeutic targets and options. In this review, we will give an overview of common CNS tumors seen in children along with a focus on treatment options and future considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudarshawn Damodharan
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Diane Puccetti
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA
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6
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Soltys BJ, Grausam KB, Messerli SM, Hsia CJC, Zhao H. Inhibition of metastatic brain cancer in Sonic Hedgehog medulloblastoma using caged nitric oxide albumin nanoparticles. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1129533. [PMID: 37213306 PMCID: PMC10197928 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1129533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is a tumor of the cerebellum that metastasizes to the leptomeninges of the central nervous system (CNS), including to forebrain and to spinal cord. The inhibitory effect of polynitroxylated albumin (PNA), a caged nitroxide nanoparticle, on leptomeningeal dissemination and metastatic tumor growth was studied in a Sonic Hedgehog transgenic mouse model. PNA treated mice showed an increased lifespan with a mean survival of 95 days (n = 6, P<0.05) compared with 71 days in controls. In primary tumors, proliferation was significantly reduced and differentiation was significantly increased (P<0.001) as shown by Ki-67+ and NeuN+ immunohistochemistry, while cells in spinal cord tumors appeared unaffected. Yet, histochemical analysis of metastatic tumor in spinal cord showed that the mean total number of cells in spinal cord was significantly reduced in mice treated with PNA compared to albumin vehicle (P<0.05). Examination of various levels of the spinal cord showed that PNA treated mice had significantly reduced metastatic cell density in the thoracic, lumbar and sacral spinal cord levels (P<0.05), while cell density in the cervical region was not significantly changed. The mechanism by which PNA may exert these effects on CNS tumors is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katie B. Grausam
- Cancer Biology and Immunotherapies, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, United States
| | - Shanta M. Messerli
- Cancer Biology and Immunotherapies, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, United States
| | | | - Haotian Zhao
- Cancer Biology and Immunotherapies, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, United States
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY, United States
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7
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Cocito C, Martin B, Giantini-Larsen AM, Valcarce-Aspegren M, Souweidane MM, Szalontay L, Dahmane N, Greenfield JP. Leptomeningeal dissemination in pediatric brain tumors. Neoplasia 2023; 39:100898. [PMID: 37011459 PMCID: PMC10124141 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2023.100898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Leptomeningeal disease (LMD) in pediatric brain tumors (PBTs) is a poorly understood and categorized phenomenon. LMD incidence rates, as well as diagnosis, treatment, and screening practices, vary greatly depending on the primary tumor pathology. While LMD is encountered most frequently in medulloblastoma, reports of LMD have been described across a wide variety of PBT pathologies. LMD may be diagnosed simultaneously with the primary tumor, at time of recurrence, or as primary LMD without a primary intraparenchymal lesion. Dissemination and seeding of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) involves a modified invasion-metastasis cascade and is often the result of direct deposition of tumor cells into the CSF. Cells develop select environmental advantages to survive the harsh, nutrient poor and turbulent environment of the CSF and leptomeninges. Improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie LMD, along with improved diagnostic and treatment approaches, will help the prognosis of children affected by primary brain tumors.
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8
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Modvig S, Jeyakumar J, Marquart HV, Christensen C. Integrins and the Metastasis-like Dissemination of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia to the Central Nervous System. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092504. [PMID: 37173970 PMCID: PMC10177281 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) disseminates with high prevalence to the central nervous system (CNS) in a process resembling aspects of the CNS surveillance of normal immune cells as well as aspects of brain metastasis from solid cancers. Importantly, inside the CNS, the ALL blasts are typically confined within the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-filled cavities of the subarachnoid space, which they use as a sanctuary protected from both chemotherapy and immune cells. At present, high cumulative doses of intrathecal chemotherapy are administered to patients, but this is associated with neurotoxicity and CNS relapse still occurs. Thus, it is imperative to identify markers and novel therapy targets specific to CNS ALL. Integrins represent a family of adhesion molecules involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, implicated in the adhesion and migration of metastatic cancer cells, normal immune cells, and leukemic blasts. The ability of integrins to also facilitate cell-adhesion mediated drug resistance, combined with recent discoveries of integrin-dependent routes of leukemic cells into the CNS, have sparked a renewed interest in integrins as markers and therapeutic targets in CNS leukemia. Here, we review the roles of integrins in CNS surveillance by normal lymphocytes, dissemination to the CNS by ALL cells, and brain metastasis from solid cancers. Furthermore, we discuss whether ALL dissemination to the CNS abides by known hallmarks of metastasis, and the potential roles of integrins in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Signe Modvig
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jenani Jeyakumar
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hanne Vibeke Marquart
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Claus Christensen
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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9
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Zou H, Poore B, Brown EE, Qian J, Xie B, Asimakidou E, Razskazovskiy V, Ayrapetian D, Sharma V, Xia S, Liu F, Chen A, Guan Y, Li Z, Wanggou S, Saulnier O, Ly M, Fellows-Mayle W, Xi G, Tomita T, Resnick AC, Mack SC, Raabe EH, Eberhart CG, Sun D, Stronach BE, Agnihotri S, Kohanbash G, Lu S, Herrup K, Rich JN, Gittes GK, Broniscer A, Hu Z, Li X, Pollack IF, Friedlander RM, Hainer SJ, Taylor MD, Hu B. A neurodevelopmental epigenetic programme mediated by SMARCD3-DAB1-Reelin signalling is hijacked to promote medulloblastoma metastasis. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:493-507. [PMID: 36849558 PMCID: PMC10014585 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01093-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
How abnormal neurodevelopment relates to the tumour aggressiveness of medulloblastoma (MB), the most common type of embryonal tumour, remains elusive. Here we uncover a neurodevelopmental epigenomic programme that is hijacked to induce MB metastatic dissemination. Unsupervised analyses of integrated publicly available datasets with our newly generated data reveal that SMARCD3 (also known as BAF60C) regulates Disabled 1 (DAB1)-mediated Reelin signalling in Purkinje cell migration and MB metastasis by orchestrating cis-regulatory elements at the DAB1 locus. We further identify that a core set of transcription factors, enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2) and nuclear factor I X (NFIX), coordinates with the cis-regulatory elements at the SMARCD3 locus to form a chromatin hub to control SMARCD3 expression in the developing cerebellum and in metastatic MB. Increased SMARCD3 expression activates Reelin-DAB1-mediated Src kinase signalling, which results in a MB response to Src inhibition. These data deepen our understanding of how neurodevelopmental programming influences disease progression and provide a potential therapeutic option for patients with MB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Zou
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Brain Tumor Research, Changsha, China
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- John G. Rangos Sr Research Center, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Bradley Poore
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- John G. Rangos Sr Research Center, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Emily E Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jieqi Qian
- John G. Rangos Sr Research Center, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Bin Xie
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Evridiki Asimakidou
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- John G. Rangos Sr Research Center, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Vladislav Razskazovskiy
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- John G. Rangos Sr Research Center, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Deanna Ayrapetian
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- John G. Rangos Sr Research Center, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Vaibhav Sharma
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- John G. Rangos Sr Research Center, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Shunjin Xia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Radiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Apeng Chen
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- John G. Rangos Sr Research Center, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yongchang Guan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- John G. Rangos Sr Research Center, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Zhengwei Li
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- John G. Rangos Sr Research Center, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Siyi Wanggou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Olivier Saulnier
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michelle Ly
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wendy Fellows-Mayle
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Guifa Xi
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Tadanori Tomita
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Adam C Resnick
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Stephen C Mack
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Eric H Raabe
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Charles G Eberhart
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Dandan Sun
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Beth E Stronach
- Office of Research, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Sameer Agnihotri
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- John G. Rangos Sr Research Center, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Gary Kohanbash
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- John G. Rangos Sr Research Center, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Songjian Lu
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Karl Herrup
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jeremy N Rich
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - George K Gittes
- John G. Rangos Sr Research Center, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Alberto Broniscer
- John G. Rangos Sr Research Center, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Zhongliang Hu
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xuejun Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Brain Tumor Research, Changsha, China
| | - Ian F Pollack
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- John G. Rangos Sr Research Center, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Robert M Friedlander
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Sarah J Hainer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Michael D Taylor
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Baoli Hu
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- John G. Rangos Sr Research Center, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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10
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Chen Z, Yang H, Wang J, Long G, Xi Q, Chen T, He Y, Zhang B, Wan F. Molecular characterization of sub-frontal recurrent medulloblastomas reveals potential clinical relevance. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1148848. [PMID: 37181548 PMCID: PMC10173865 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1148848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Single recurrence in the sub-frontal region after cerebellar medulloblastoma (MB) resection is rare and the underlying molecular characteristics have not been specifically addressed. Methods We summarized two such cases in our center. All five samples were molecularly profiled for their genome and transcriptome signatures. Results The recurrent tumors displayed genomic and transcriptomic divergence. Pathway analysis of recurrent tumors showed functional convergence in metabolism, cancer, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways. Notably, the sub-frontal recurrent tumors had a much higher proportion (50-86%) of acquired driver mutations than that reported in other recurrent locations. The acquired putative driver genes in the sub-frontal recurrent tumors functionally enriched for chromatin remodeler-associated genes, such as KDM6B, SPEN, CHD4, and CHD7. Furthermore, the germline mutations of our cases showed a significant functional convergence in focal adhesion, cell adhesion molecules, and ECM-receptor interaction. Evolutionary analysis showed that the recurrence could be derived from a single primary tumor lineage or had an intermediate phylogenetic similarity to the matched primary one. Conclusion Rare single sub-frontal recurrent MBs presented specific mutation signatures that might be related to the under-dose radiation. Particular attention should be paid to optimally covering the sub-frontal cribriform plate during postoperative radiotherapy targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zirong Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Huaitao Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jingzhou Central Hospital, Jingzhou, China
| | - Jiajia Wang
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoxian Long
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qingsong Xi
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Tao Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jingzhou Central Hospital, Jingzhou, China
| | - Yue He
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- The Institute for Brain Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Bin Zhang
| | - Feng Wan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Feng Wan
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11
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Schoen LF, Craveiro RB, Pietsch T, Moritz T, Troeger A, Jordans S, Dilloo D. The
PI3K
inhibitor pictilisib and the multikinase inhibitors pazopanib and sorafenib have an impact on Rac1 level and migration of medulloblastoma in vitro. J Cell Mol Med 2022; 26:5832-5845. [DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Leonie F. Schoen
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Center for Pediatrics University Hospital Bonn Bonn Germany
| | | | - Torsten Pietsch
- Department of Neuropathology University Hospital Bonn Bonn Germany
| | - Thomas Moritz
- Institute of Experimental Hematology Hannover Medical School Hannover Germany
| | - Anja Troeger
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation University Hospital Regensburg Regensburg Germany
| | - Silvia Jordans
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Center for Pediatrics University Hospital Bonn Bonn Germany
| | - Dagmar Dilloo
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Center for Pediatrics University Hospital Bonn Bonn Germany
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12
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van Bree NFHN, Wilhelm M. The Tumor Microenvironment of Medulloblastoma: An Intricate Multicellular Network with Therapeutic Potential. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14205009. [PMID: 36291792 PMCID: PMC9599673 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14205009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The current treatment options for medulloblastoma, the most common malignant childhood brain cancer, are associated with many negative side effects and toxicities. Therefore, novel treatment options are needed that target the tumor without affecting the healthy tissue. Medulloblastoma tumors consist of a wide variety of cell types and extracellular components that make up the microenvironment of the tumor. This tumor microenvironment influences the development, progression, and relapse of medulloblastoma through different cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix interactions. Obtaining insights into these interactions will help with gaining a better understanding of this malignancy. Additionally, it could support the search for new targets of treatments directed at components of the tumor microenvironment. Abstract Medulloblastoma (MB) is a heterogeneous disease in which survival is highly affected by the underlying subgroup-specific characteristics. Although the current treatment modalities have increased the overall survival rates of MB up to 70–80%, MB remains a major cause of cancer-related mortality among children. This indicates that novel therapeutic approaches against MB are needed. New promising treatment options comprise the targeting of cells and components of the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME of MB consists of an intricate multicellular network of tumor cells, progenitor cells, astrocytes, neurons, supporting stromal cells, microglia, immune cells, extracellular matrix components, and vasculature systems. In this review, we will discuss all the different components of the MB TME and their role in MB initiation, progression, metastasis, and relapse. Additionally, we briefly introduce the effect that age plays on the TME of brain malignancies and discuss the MB subgroup-specific differences in TME components and how all of these variations could affect the progression of MB. Finally, we highlight the TME-directed treatments, in which we will focus on therapies that are being evaluated in clinical trials.
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13
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Hu Y, Zhu S, Xu R, Wang M, Chen F, Zhang Z, Feng B, Wang J, Chen Z, Wang J. Delta-catenin attenuates medulloblastoma cell invasion by targeting EMT pathway. Front Genet 2022; 13:867872. [PMID: 36303547 PMCID: PMC9595215 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.867872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Medulloblastoma is the most common pediatric malignant tumor in central nervous system. Although its prognosis has been improved enormously by the combination treatments with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, it still could progress via invasion and distant dissemination. We aimed to investigate molecular mechanisms of medulloblastoma invasion in the current work. Methods: The gene expression profile of medulloblastoma were analyzed based on the data deposited in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and filtered according to brain specific proteins in the Uniprot. Delta-catenin was identified and further analyzed about its expression and roles in the prognosis of medulloblastoma patient. The function of delta-catenin on cell invasion and migration were investigated by transwell and wound healing assay. Whether delta-catenin participates in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) regulated invasion was also studied. Results: Delta-catenin expression was highly upregulated in tumor tissues compared to normal tissues from medulloblastoma patients in five independent, nonoverlapping cohorts. Furthermore, delta-catenin expression level was upregulated in WNT subgroup, and significantly correlated with better prognosis, and associated with metastasis through GEO database analysis. Functional assays indicated that delta-catenin inhibited medulloblastoma cell invasion and migration through regulating the key factors of EMT pathway, such as E-cadherin and vimentin. Conclusion: Delta-catenin might be a positive predictor for prognosis of medulloblastoma patients, through attenuating medulloblastoma cell invasion by inhibiting EMT pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanjun Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sihan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rizhen Xu
- Department of Surgery, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Manxia Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Furong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zeshun Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Binghong Feng
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jing Wang, Zhongping Chen, Jian Wang,
| | - Zhongping Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jing Wang, Zhongping Chen, Jian Wang,
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jing Wang, Zhongping Chen, Jian Wang,
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14
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Wang YX, Wu H, Ren Y, Lv S, Ji C, Xiang D, Zhang M, Lu H, Fu W, Liu Q, Yan Z, Ma Q, Miao J, Cai R, Lan X, Wu B, Wang W, Liu Y, Wang DZ, Cao M, He Z, Shi Y, Ping Y, Yao X, Zhang X, Zhang P, Wang JM, Wang Y, Cui Y, Bian XW. Elevated Kir2.1/nuclear N2ICD defines a highly malignant subtype of non-WNT/SHH medulloblastomas. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:72. [PMID: 35273141 PMCID: PMC8913686 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-00890-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is one of the most common childhood malignant brain tumors (WHO grade IV), traditionally divided into WNT, SHH, Group 3, and Group 4 subgroups based on the transcription profiles, somatic DNA alterations, and clinical outcomes. Unlike WNT and SHH subgroup MBs, Group 3 and Group 4 MBs have similar transcriptomes and lack clearly specific drivers and targeted therapeutic options. The recently revised WHO Classification of CNS Tumors has assigned Group 3 and 4 to a provisional non-WNT/SHH entity. In the present study, we demonstrate that Kir2.1, an inwardly-rectifying potassium channel, is highly expressed in non-WNT/SHH MBs, which promotes tumor cell invasion and metastasis by recruiting Adam10 to enhance S2 cleavage of Notch2 thereby activating the Notch2 signaling pathway. Disruption of the Notch2 pathway markedly inhibited the growth and metastasis of Kir2.1-overexpressing MB cell-derived xenograft tumors in mice. Moreover, Kir2.1high/nuclear N2ICDhigh MBs are associated with the significantly shorter lifespan of the patients. Thus, Kir2.1high/nuclear N2ICDhigh can be used as a biomarker to define a novel subtype of non-WNT/SHH MBs. Our findings are important for the modification of treatment regimens and the development of novel-targeted therapies for non-WNT/SHH MBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Xia Wang
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (former Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Haibo Wu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, 230036, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Intelligent Pathology Institute, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230036, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yong Ren
- Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of PLA, 627 Wuluo Road, Hongshan District, 430070, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shengqing Lv
- Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Chengdong Ji
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (former Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Dongfang Xiang
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (former Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Mengsi Zhang
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (former Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Huimin Lu
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (former Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenjuan Fu
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (former Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Qing Liu
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (former Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Zexuan Yan
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (former Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Qinghua Ma
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (former Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Jingya Miao
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (former Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Ruili Cai
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (former Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Xi Lan
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (former Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Bin Wu
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (former Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenying Wang
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (former Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Yinhua Liu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, 241001, Wuhu, Anhui, China
| | - Dai-Zhong Wang
- Department of Pathology, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, 442000, Shiyan, Hubei, China
| | - Mianfu Cao
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (former Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhicheng He
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (former Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu Shi
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (former Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Yifang Ping
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (former Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaohong Yao
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (former Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Xia Zhang
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (former Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (former Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Ji Ming Wang
- Laboratory of Cancer and Immunometabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, 21703, US
| | - Yan Wang
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (former Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China.
| | - Youhong Cui
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (former Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China.
| | - Xiu-Wu Bian
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (former Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China.
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15
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Primary leptomeningeal medulloblastoma: a case-based review. Childs Nerv Syst 2022; 38:527-536. [PMID: 35059784 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-021-05435-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor, accounting for 40% of childhood tumors in posterior fossa. Metastatic disease, occurring in 20-30% of all medulloblastoma cases at diagnosis, is largely exclusive to the leptomeninges. On the contrary, primary leptomeningeal medulloblastoma or so-called chameleon medulloblastoma, defined by the absence of a detectable intraparenchymal lesion with a widespread diffusion along leptomeninges, is a rare entity of difficult diagnosis with only a few cases reported in literature. METHODS AND RESULTS A comprehensive literature search of three databases (PubMed, Ovid Medline, and Ovid Embase) have been conducted to identify pertinent papers focusing on the diagnostic process, management, and treatment of primary leptomeningeal medulloblastoma and its peculiar features. To our knowledge, only eight cases are described in literature, including five pediatric patients and three adults, two of which with the initial involvement of the spinal cord. In addition, we report another two pediatric cases, showing widespread primary diffusion along leptomeninges of brain and spinal cord. Finally, we analyze in-depth the peculiar morphological MRI features of this tumor. CONCLUSION The classification and treatment of medulloblastomas are likely to change in the coming years due to new insights into the molecular biology of medulloblastoma. Primary leptomeningeal medulloblastoma could represent another potential challenge for biologists to start exploring the underlying mechanisms of this different clinical and pathological entity, with different implications for diagnosis and its management.
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16
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Li J, Huang D, Lei B, Huang J, Yang L, Nie M, Su S, Zhao Q, Wang Y. VLA-4 suppression by senescence signals regulates meningeal immunity and leptomeningeal metastasis. eLife 2022; 11:83272. [PMID: 36484779 PMCID: PMC9803356 DOI: 10.7554/elife.83272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptomeningeal metastasis is associated with dismal prognosis and has few treatment options. However, very little is known about the immune response to leptomeningeal metastasis. Here, by establishing an immunocompetent mouse model of breast cancer leptomeningeal metastasis, we found that tumor-specific CD8+ T cells were generated in deep cervical lymph nodes (dCLNs) and played an important role in controlling leptomeningeal metastasis. Mechanistically, T cells in dCLNs displayed a senescence phenotype and their recruitment was impaired in mice bearing cancer cells that preferentially colonized in leptomeningeal space. Upregulation of p53 suppressed the transcription of VLA-4 in senescent dCLN T cells and consequently inhibited their migration to the leptomeningeal compartment. Clinically, CD8+ T cells from the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with leptomeningeal metastasis exhibited senescence and VLA-4 downregulation. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that CD8+ T cell immunosenescence drives leptomeningeal metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqian Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina,Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Di Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina,Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Bingxi Lei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sun Yat-sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Jingying Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina,Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Linbing Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina,Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Man Nie
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Shicheng Su
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina,Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina,Department of Immunology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Qiyi Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityGuangzhouChina,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Ying Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina,Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
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17
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Maklad A, Sedeeq M, Milevskiy MJG, Azimi I. Calcium Signalling in Medulloblastoma: An In Silico Analysis of the Expression of Calcium Regulating Genes in Patient Samples. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:1329. [PMID: 34573310 PMCID: PMC8468187 DOI: 10.3390/genes12091329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation in calcium signalling is implicated in several cancer-associated processes, including cell proliferation, migration, invasion and therapy resistance. Modulators of specific calcium-regulating proteins have been proposed as promising future therapeutic agents for some cancers. Alterations in calcium signalling have been extensively studied in some cancers; however, this area of research is highly underexplored in medulloblastoma (MB), the most common paediatric malignant brain tumour. Current MB treatment modalities are not completely effective and can result in several long-lasting mental complications. Hence, new treatment strategies are needed. In this study, we sought to probe the landscape of calcium signalling regulators to uncover those most likely to be involved in MB tumours. We investigated the expression of calcium signalling regulator genes in MB patients using publicly available datasets. We stratified the expression level of these genes with MB molecular subgroups, tumour metastasis and patient survival to uncover correlations with clinical features. Of particular interest was CACNA1 genes, in which we were able to show a developmentally-driven change in expression within the cerebellum, MB's tissue of origin, highlighting a potential influence on tumour incidence. This study lays a platform for future investigations into molecular regulators of calcium signalling in MB formation and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Maklad
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7005, Australia; (A.M.); (M.S.)
| | - Mohammed Sedeeq
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7005, Australia; (A.M.); (M.S.)
| | - Michael J. G. Milevskiy
- ACRF Cancer Biology and Stem Cells Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Iman Azimi
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7005, Australia; (A.M.); (M.S.)
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18
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Martirosian V, Deshpande K, Zhou H, Shen K, Smith K, Northcott P, Lin M, Stepanosyan V, Das D, Remsik J, Isakov D, Boire A, De Feyter H, Hurth K, Li S, Wiemels J, Nakamura B, Shao L, Danilov C, Chen T, Neman J. Medulloblastoma uses GABA transaminase to survive in the cerebrospinal fluid microenvironment and promote leptomeningeal dissemination. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109302. [PMID: 34192534 PMCID: PMC8848833 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is a malignant pediatric brain tumor arising in the cerebellum. Although abnormal GABAergic receptor activation has been described in MB, studies have not yet elucidated the contribution of receptor-independent GABA metabolism to MB pathogenesis. We find primary MB tumors globally display decreased expression of GABA transaminase (ABAT), the protein responsible for GABA metabolism, compared with normal cerebellum. However, less aggressive WNT and SHH subtypes express higher ABAT levels compared with metastatic G3 and G4 tumors. We show that elevated ABAT expression results in increased GABA catabolism, decreased tumor cell proliferation, and induction of metabolic and histone characteristics mirroring GABAergic neurons. Our studies suggest ABAT expression fluctuates depending on metabolite changes in the tumor microenvironment, with nutrient-poor conditions upregulating ABAT expression. We find metastatic MB cells require ABAT to maintain viability in the metabolite-scarce cerebrospinal fluid by using GABA as an energy source substitute, thereby facilitating leptomeningeal metastasis formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahan Martirosian
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; USC Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Krutika Deshpande
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; USC Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Hao Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Keyue Shen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Kyle Smith
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Paul Northcott
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Michelle Lin
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Vazgen Stepanosyan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Diganta Das
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Jan Remsik
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Department of Neuro-Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Danielle Isakov
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Department of Neuro-Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Adrienne Boire
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Department of Neuro-Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Henk De Feyter
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Kyle Hurth
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; USC Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Shaobo Li
- Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Preventative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Joseph Wiemels
- Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Preventative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Brooke Nakamura
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Ling Shao
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Camelia Danilov
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Thomas Chen
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; USC Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Josh Neman
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; USC Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
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19
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Paul MR, Zage PE. Overview and recent advances in the targeting of medulloblastoma cancer stem cells. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2021; 21:957-974. [PMID: 34047251 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2021.1932472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Medulloblastoma, an embryonal small round blue cell tumor primarily arising in the posterior fossa, is the most common malignancy of the central nervous system in children and requires intensive multi-modality therapy for cure. Overall 5-year survival is approximately 75% in children with primary disease, but outcomes for relapsed disease are very poor. Recent advances have identified molecular subgroups with excellent prognosis, with 5-year overall survival rates >90%, and subgroups with very poor prognosis with overall survival rates <50%. Molecular subtyping has allowed for more sophisticated risk stratification of patients, but new treatments for the highest risk patients have not yet improved outcomes. Targeting cancer stem cells may improve outcomes, and several candidate targets and novel drugs are under investigation.Areas covered: We discuss medulloblastoma epidemiology, biology, treatment modalities, risk stratification, and molecular subgroup analysis, links between subgroup and developmental biology, cancer stem cell biology in medulloblastoma including previously described cancer stem cell markers and proposed targeted treatments in the current literature.Expert opinion: The understanding of cancer stem cells in medulloblastoma will advance therapies targeting the most treatment-resistant cells within the tumor and therefore reduce the incidence of treatment refractory and relapsed disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Rose Paul
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA (M.R.P., P.E.Z.); Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Peter E Zage
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA (M.R.P., P.E.Z.); Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
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20
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Li M, Deng Y, Zhang W. Molecular Determinants of Medulloblastoma Metastasis and Leptomeningeal Dissemination. Mol Cancer Res 2021; 19:743-752. [PMID: 33608450 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-1026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain cancer in pediatrics consisting of four molecular subgroups, namely wingless (WNT), sonic hedgehog (SHH), Group 3, and Group 4. One of the biggest challenges in the clinical management of this disease is the leptomeningeal dissemination (LMD) of tumor cells with high morbidity and mortality. Many molecular regulators to date have been identified to participate in medulloblastoma metastasis. In the SHH subgroup, the co-upregulation of CXCR4 and PDGFR, as well as the activation of c-MET, show significant promigratory effects on medulloblastoma cells. Amplification or overexpression of genes on the long arm of chromosome 17, such as LASP1 and WIP1, facilitates tumor invasion in both Group 3 and Group 4 medulloblastomas. PRUNE1, NOTCH1, and MYC interactor JPO2 are more specific genetic drivers of metastatic Group 3 tumors. The RAS/MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways are two crucial signal transduction pathways that may work as the convergent downstream mechanism of various metastatic drivers. Extracellular signals and cellular components in the tumor microenvironment also play a vital role in promoting the spread and colonization of medulloblastoma cells. For instance, the stromal granule cells and astrocytes support tumor growth and dissemination by secreting PlGF and CCL2, respectively. Importantly, the genetic divergence has been determined between the matched primary and metastatic medulloblastoma samples. However, the difficulty of obtaining metastatic medulloblastoma tissue hinders more profound studies of LMD. Therefore, identifying and analyzing the subclone with the metastatic propensity in the primary tumor is essential for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Li
- Department of Pediatrics Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuhao Deng
- Department of Pediatrics Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wangming Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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21
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Roper SJ, Linke F, Scotting PJ, Coyle B. 3D spheroid models of paediatric SHH medulloblastoma mimic tumour biology, drug response and metastatic dissemination. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4259. [PMID: 33608621 PMCID: PMC7895940 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83809-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Studying medulloblastoma, the most common malignant paediatric brain tumour, requires simple yet realistic in vitro models. In this study, we optimised a robust, reliable, three-dimensional (3D) culture method for medulloblastoma able to recapitulate the spatial conformation, cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions that exist in vivo and in patient tumours. We show that, when grown under the same stem cell enriching conditions, SHH subgroup medulloblastoma cell lines established tight, highly reproducible 3D spheroids that could be maintained for weeks in culture and formed pathophysiological oxygen gradients. 3D spheroid culture also increased resistance to standard-of-care chemotherapeutic drugs compared to 2D monolayer culture. We exemplify how this model can enhance in vitro therapeutic screening approaches through dual-inhibitor studies and continual monitoring of drug response. Next, we investigated the initial stages of metastatic dissemination using brain-specific hyaluronan hydrogel matrices. RNA sequencing revealed downregulation of cell cycle genes and upregulation of cell movement genes and key fibronectin interactions in migrating cells. Analyses of these upregulated genes in patients showed that their expression correlated with early relapse and overall poor prognosis. Our 3D spheroid model is a significant improvement over current in vitro techniques, providing the medulloblastoma research community with a well-characterised and functionally relevant culture method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie J Roper
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Franziska Linke
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Paul J Scotting
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Beth Coyle
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
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22
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Glioblastoma with a primitive neuroectodermal component: two cases with implications for glioblastoma cell-of-origin. Clin Imaging 2020; 73:139-145. [PMID: 33406475 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2020.10.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain malignancy, but much remains unknown about the histogenesis of these tumors. In the great majority of cases, GBM is a purely glial tumor but in rare cases the classic-appearing high-grade glioma component is admixed with regions of small round blue cells with neuronal immunophenotype, and these tumors have been defined in the WHO 2016 Classification as "glioblastoma with a primitive neuronal component." METHODS In this paper, we present two cases of GBM-PNC with highly divergent clinical courses, and review current theories for the GBM cell-of-origin. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS GBM-PNC likely arises from a cell type competent to give rise to glial or neuronal lineages. The thesis that GBM recapitulates to some extent normal neurodevelopmental cellular pathways is supported by molecular and clinical features of our two cases of GBM-PNC, but more work is needed to determine which cellular precursor gives rise to specific cases of GBM. GBM-PNC may have a dramatically altered clinical course compared to standard GBM and may benefit from specific lines of treatment.
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23
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Sedeeq M, Maklad A, Gueven N, Azimi I. Development of a High-throughput Agar Colony Formation Assay to Identify Drug Candidates against Medulloblastoma. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:E368. [PMID: 33167547 PMCID: PMC7694510 DOI: 10.3390/ph13110368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant childhood brain cancer. High-risk MB tumours have a high incidence of metastasis and result in poor patient survival. Drug screens, commonly used to identify potential novel therapeutic agents against MB, focus on 2D cell proliferation and viability assays given that these assays are easily adaptable to high-throughput regimes. However, 2D models fail to address invasive characteristics that are crucial to MB metastasis and are thus not representative of tumour growth in vivo. In this study, we developed a 3D 384-well agar colony formation assay using MB cells of molecular subgroup 3 that is associated with the highest level of metastasis. Two fluorescence substrates, resazurin and glycyl-phenylalanyl-aminofluorocoumarin (GF-AFC) that measure cell viability via distinct mechanisms were used to assess the growth of MB cells in the agar matrix. The assay was optimised for seeding density, growth period, substrate incubation time and homogeneity of the fluorescent signals within individual wells. Our data demonstrate the feasibility to multiplex the two fluorescent substrates without detectable signal interference. This assay was validated by assessing the concentration-dependent effect of two commonly used chemotherapeutic agents clinically used for MB treatment, vincristine and lomustine. Subsequently, a panel of plasma membrane calcium channel modulators was screened for their effect on the 3D growth of D341 MB cells, which identified modulators of T-type voltage gated and ORAI calcium channels as selective growth modulators. Overall, this 3D assay provides a reproducible, time and cost-effective assay for high-throughput screening to identify potential drugs against MB.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Iman Azimi
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart TAS 7005, Tasmania, Australia; (M.S.); (A.M.); (N.G.)
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24
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Abstract
Ommaya reservoir insertion is an elective neurosurgical procedure to deliver repeated intraventricular therapy, but placement can be complicated by malposition of the catheter, clogging, infection or poor postoperative cosmesis. Here, we describe the technique used by the senior author for accurate placement including preassembly of the reservoir and catheter, and recessing of the reservoir so that others may consider the technique for their practice. Results in a consecutive series of 27 Ommaya placements were reviewed. Catheter tip placement accuracy, complications and surgical times were reported. Indications were leptomeningeal cancer or infection. Postoperative imaging showed the catheter tip was located in the frontal horn (96%) or body (4%) of the ipsilateral lateral ventricle. The median surgical time was 36 minutes (range 17-63 minutes). There were no parenchymal or subarachnoid hemorrhages. Infections occurred in 7% (n=2) of cases, and both infections presented greater than 60 days postoperative. In conclusion, we have found that image guidance can optimize accuracy in placement, that preassembly of the reservoir and catheter may be used with a 25-gauge spinal needle stylet to minimize risk of clogging during placement, and that recessing of the reservoir produces the best aesthetic result.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen T Magill
- Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
| | - Winward Choy
- Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
| | - Minh P Nguyen
- Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
| | - Michael W McDermott
- Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
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25
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Van Ommeren R, Garzia L, Holgado BL, Ramaswamy V, Taylor MD. The molecular biology of medulloblastoma metastasis. Brain Pathol 2020; 30:691-702. [PMID: 31883407 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor of childhood and a significant contributor to pediatric morbidity and death. While metastatic dissemination is the predominant cause of morbidity and mortality for patients with this disease, most research efforts and clinical trials to date have focused on the primary tumor; this is due mostly to the paucity of metastatic tumor samples and lack of robust mouse models of MB dissemination. Most current insights into the molecular drivers of metastasis have been derived from comparative molecular studies of metastatic and non-metastatic primary tumors. However, small studies on matched primary and metastatic tissues and recently developed mouse models of dissemination have begun to uncover the molecular biology of MB metastasis more directly. With respect to anatomical routes of dissemination, a hematogenous route for MB metastasis has recently been demonstrated, opening new avenues of investigation. The tumor micro-environment of the primary and metastatic niches has also been increasingly scrutinized in recent years, and further investigation of these tumor compartments is likely to result in a better understanding of the molecular mediators of MB colonization and growth in metastatic compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randy Van Ommeren
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Livia Garzia
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Borja L Holgado
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Vijay Ramaswamy
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael D Taylor
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Senior Author
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26
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Hovestadt V, Ayrault O, Swartling FJ, Robinson GW, Pfister SM, Northcott PA. Medulloblastomics revisited: biological and clinical insights from thousands of patients. Nat Rev Cancer 2020; 20:42-56. [PMID: 31819232 PMCID: PMC9113832 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-019-0223-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma, a malignant brain tumour primarily diagnosed during childhood, has recently been the focus of intensive molecular profiling efforts, profoundly advancing our understanding of biologically and clinically heterogeneous disease subgroups. Genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic and proteomic landscapes have now been mapped for an unprecedented number of bulk samples from patients with medulloblastoma and, more recently, for single medulloblastoma cells. These efforts have provided pivotal new insights into the diverse molecular mechanisms presumed to drive tumour initiation, maintenance and recurrence across individual subgroups and subtypes. Translational opportunities stemming from this knowledge are continuing to evolve, providing a framework for improved diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. In this Review, we summarize recent advances derived from this continued molecular characterization of medulloblastoma and contextualize this progress towards the deployment of more effective, molecularly informed treatments for affected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Hovestadt
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Olivier Ayrault
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR, INSERM, Orsay, France
- Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR 3347, INSERM U1021, Orsay, France
| | - Fredrik J Swartling
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Giles W Robinson
- Department of Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Stefan M Pfister
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Paediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Paul A Northcott
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
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27
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Inhibition of Rho-Associated Kinase Suppresses Medulloblastoma Growth. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 12:cancers12010073. [PMID: 31888022 PMCID: PMC7016943 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12010073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is one of the most common malignant brain tumor types in children, with an overall survival of 70%. Mortality is associated with metastatic relapsed tumors. Rho-associated kinases (ROCKs), important for epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and proper nervous system development, have previously been identified as a promising drug target to inhibit cancer growth and metastatic spread. Here, we show that ROCKs are expressed in medulloblastoma, with higher ROCK2 mRNA expression in metastatic compared to non-metastatic tumors. By evaluating three ROCK inhibitors in a panel of medulloblastoma cell lines we demonstrated that medulloblastoma cells were sensitive for pharmacological ROCK inhibition. The specific ROCK inhibitor RKI-1447 inhibited the tumorigenicity in medulloblastoma cells as well as impeded cell migration and invasion. Differential gene expression analysis suggested that ROCK inhibition was associated with the downregulation of signaling pathways important in proliferation and metastasis e.g., TNFα via NFκβ, TGFβ, and EMT. Expression of key proteins in these pathways such as RHOA, RHOB, JUN, and vimentin was downregulated in ROCK inhibited cells. Finally, we showed that ROCK inhibition by RKI-1447 suppressed medulloblastoma growth and proliferation in vivo. Collectively, our results suggest that ROCK inhibition presents a potential new therapeutic option in medulloblastoma, especially for children with metastatic disease.
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28
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Tamayo-Orrego L, Charron F. Recent advances in SHH medulloblastoma progression: tumor suppressor mechanisms and the tumor microenvironment. F1000Res 2019; 8. [PMID: 31700613 PMCID: PMC6820827 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.20013.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma, the most common of the malignant pediatric brain tumors, is a group of four molecularly and clinically distinct cancers with different cells of origin. One of these medulloblastoma groups displays activation of Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling and originates from granule cell precursors of the developing cerebellum. Ongoing basic and clinical research efforts are tailored to discover targeted and safer therapies, which rely on the identification of the basic mechanisms regulating tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. In SHH medulloblastoma, the mechanisms regulating neural progenitor transformation and progression to advanced tumors have been studied in some detail. The present review discusses recent advances on medulloblastoma progression derived from studies using mouse models of SHH medulloblastoma. We focus on mechanisms that regulate progression from precancerous lesions to medulloblastoma, describing novel roles played by tumor suppressor mechanisms and the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Tamayo-Orrego
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Grupo Neuroaprendizaje, Autonomous University of Manizales, Manizales, Colombia
| | - Frédéric Charron
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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