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Sehgal M, Nayak SP, Sahoo S, Somarelli JA, Jolly MK. Mutually exclusive teams-like patterns of gene regulation characterize phenotypic heterogeneity along the noradrenergic-mesenchymal axis in neuroblastoma. Cancer Biol Ther 2024; 25:2301802. [PMID: 38230570 PMCID: PMC10795782 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2024.2301802] [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: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most frequent extracranial pediatric tumor and leads to 15% of all cancer-related deaths in children. Tumor relapse and therapy resistance in neuroblastoma are driven by phenotypic plasticity and heterogeneity between noradrenergic (NOR) and mesenchymal (MES) cell states. Despite the importance of this phenotypic plasticity, the dynamics and molecular patterns associated with these bidirectional cell-state transitions remain relatively poorly understood. Here, we analyze multiple RNA-seq datasets at both bulk and single-cell resolution, to understand the association between NOR- and MES-specific factors. We observed that NOR-specific and MES-specific expression patterns are largely mutually exclusive, exhibiting a "teams-like" behavior among the genes involved, reminiscent of our earlier observations in lung cancer and melanoma. This antagonism between NOR and MES phenotypes was also associated with metabolic reprogramming and with immunotherapy targets PD-L1 and GD2 as well as with experimental perturbations driving the NOR-MES and/or MES-NOR transition. Further, these "teams-like" patterns were seen only among the NOR- and MES-specific genes, but not in housekeeping genes, possibly highlighting a hallmark of network topology enabling cancer cell plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manas Sehgal
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Sonali Priyadarshini Nayak
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- Max Planck School Matter to Life, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sarthak Sahoo
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | | | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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2
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Ognibene M, Parodi S, Amoroso L, Zara F, Pezzolo A. Overexpression of H2AFX gene in neuroblastoma is associated with worse prognosis. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2024; 71:e31146. [PMID: 38938078 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.31146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common solid tumour in childhood, and rises in the sympathetic nervous system. Here, we addressed the in silico analysis of the association between the expression of H2AFX gene involved in DNA damage response, and the survival of a cohort of 786 NB patients. METHODS In silico gene expression was retrieved from the publicly available dataset summarised by Cangelosi et al., including 13,696 gene expression profiles of 786 NB tumours at onset of disease. The prognostic value of H2AFX (H2A histone family member X) gene expression for event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis. The main results were validated on another openly accessible in silico database (NRC-283) containing 13,489 gene expressions in 283 NB patients. The expression of H2AFX protein was then tested by immunofluorescence on 48 primary NB samples of different tumour stages. H2AFX activity as an oncogene has been further validated in vitro by silencing the molecule in two NB cell lines, characterised by MYCN amplified or not, and performing cell growth and migration assays. RESULTS A strong inverse association between H2AFX expression and patients' survival was observed and confirmed by immunofluorescence results on primary NB tissue sections. Cox regression analysis also disclosed H2AFX as an independent predictor of EFS and OS. The gene-silencing experiments strongly suggested an oncogenic role for H2AFX on NB cells, regardless of MYCN amplification. CONCLUSIONS H2AFX is a prognostic marker for unfavourable NB and could be considered a target for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzia Ognibene
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Stefano Parodi
- Epidemiologia e Biostatistica, Direzione Scientifica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Loredana Amoroso
- UOC Oncologia Pediatrica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federico Zara
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
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3
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Lukoseviciute M, Need E, Holzhauser S, Dalianis T, Kostopoulou ON. Combined targeted therapy with PI3K and CDK4/6, or FGFR inhibitors show synergistic effects in a neuroblastoma spheroid culture model. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 177:116993. [PMID: 38889643 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
AIM Neuroblastoma (NB) is, in spite of current intensive therapy with severe side effects, still not cured so new therapies are needed. Recently, we showed combining phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) (BYL719), fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) (JNJ-42756493) and cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) (PD-0332991) inhibitors, in vitro in NB cell lines grown as monolayers had synergistic effects. However, there were variations depending on the combinations used and the targeted NB cell lines. To obtain further information and to mimic more natural circumstances, we investigated the effects of single and combined administrations of the above inhibitors in spheroid NB-cultures. MATERIAL AND METHODS Spheroid cultures of NB cell lines SK-N-AS, SK-N-BE(2)-C, SK-N-FI and SK-N-SH were established and treated with single and combined administrations of BYL719, JNJ-42756493, and PD-0332991 and followed for growth, viability, proliferation, cytotoxicity and migration. KEY FINDINGS Single inhibitor administrations gave dose dependent responses with regard to growth and viability and their combinations were efficient and resulted in a range of additive and synergistic effects. The responses to individual drugs and their various combinations were predominantly alike regardless of whether the cells were cultivated in monolayer or D spheroid NB models. However, in general, slightly higher drug concentrations were necessary in spheroidcultures. SIGNIFICANCE This study provides pre-clinical evidence that single PI3K, FGFR, and CDK4/6, inhibitors exhibit promising anti-NB activity and when combined lower doses of the drugs could be also used in spheroid NB-cultures, supporting the pursuit of further in vitro and in vivo studies in preparation for future potential clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Lukoseviciute
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm 171 64, Sweden
| | - Emma Need
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm 171 64, Sweden
| | - Stefan Holzhauser
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm 171 64, Sweden
| | - Tina Dalianis
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm 171 64, Sweden
| | - Ourania N Kostopoulou
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm 171 64, Sweden.
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Mrunalini B, Dev A, Kushwaha AC, Sardoiwala MN, Karmakar S. Encapsulation of 4-oxo- N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide in human serum albumin nanoparticles promotes EZH2 degradation in preclinical neuroblastoma models. NANOSCALE 2024. [PMID: 39087878 DOI: 10.1039/d4nr00642a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most prevalent and aggressive solid tumor that develops extracranially in children between the ages of 0-14 years, which accounts for 8-10% of all childhood malignancies and ∼15% of pediatric cancer-related mortality. The polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) protein, EZH2, is overexpressed in neuroblastoma and mediates histone H3 methylation at lysine 27 (K27) positions through its methyl transferase activity and is a potential epigenetic silencer of many tumor suppressor genes in cancer. Phosphorylation of EZH2 decreases its stability and leads to proteasomal degradation. The 4-oxo-N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide (4O4HPR) promotes EZH2 degradation via activation of PKC-δ, but its limited solubility and physiological instability limit its application. In the current study, the encapsulation of 4O4HPR in Human Serum Albumin Nanoparticles (HSANPs) enhanced the solubility and physiological stability of the nanoformulation, leading to improved therapeutic efficacy through G2-M cell cycle arrest, depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, generation of reactive oxygen species and caspase 3 mediated apoptosis activation. The molecular mechanistic approach of 4O4HPR loaded HSANPs has activated caspase 3, which further cleaves PKC-δ into two fragments wherein the cleaved fragment of PKC-δ possesses the kinase activity that phosphorylates EZH2 and decreases the protein stability leading to its further ubiquitination in SH-SY5Y cells. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed the direct interaction between PKC-δ and EZH2 phosphorylation, followed by ubiquitination. Moreover, 4O4HPR loaded HSANPs demonstrated improved in vivo biodistribution, greater dispersibility, and biocompatibility and exhibited enhanced protein instability and degradation of EZH2 in the neuroblastoma xenograft mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boddu Mrunalini
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector 81, Mohali 140306, India.
| | - Atul Dev
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector 81, Mohali 140306, India.
| | | | | | - Surajit Karmakar
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector 81, Mohali 140306, India.
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5
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Braile M, Luciano N, Carlomagno D, Salvatore G, Orlandella FM. Insight into the Role of the miR-584 Family in Human Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7448. [PMID: 39000555 PMCID: PMC11242779 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137448] [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: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Among the non-coding RNAs, the aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) is well described in the oncology field. It is clear that the altered expression of miRNAs is crucial for a variety of processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, motility, angiogenesis and metastasis insurgence. Considering these aspects, RNA-based therapies and the use of miRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis are underlined as promising opportunities against cancer death. In the era of precision medicine, significant progress in next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques has broadened knowledge regarding the miRNAs expression profile in cancer tissues and in the blood of cancer patients. In this scenario, pre-clinical and clinical studies suggested that the members of the miR-584 family, i.e., miR-584-5p and -3p, are prominent players in cancer development and progression. Under some conditions, these miRNAs are under-expressed in cancer tissues acting as tumor suppressors, while in other conditions, they are overexpressed, acting as oncogenes increasing the aggressive behavior of cancer cells. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview on the expression, upstream genes, molecular targets and signaling pathways influenced by the miR-584 family (i.e., miR-584-3p and -5p) in various human solid and hematological cancers. To achieve this goal, 64 articles on this topic are discussed. Among these articles, 55 are focused on miR-584-5p, and it is outlined how this miRNA could be used in future applications as a potential new therapeutic strategy and diagnostic tool.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Neila Luciano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Avanzate, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Davide Carlomagno
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Giuliana Salvatore
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, 80145 Naples, Italy;
- Dipartimento delle Scienze Mediche, Motorie e del Benessere, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Parthenope”, 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Maria Orlandella
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, 80145 Naples, Italy;
- Dipartimento delle Scienze Mediche, Motorie e del Benessere, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Parthenope”, 80133 Naples, Italy
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6
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Louault K, Blavier L, Lee MH, Kennedy RJ, Fernandez GE, Pawel BR, Asgharzadeh S, DeClerck YA. Nuclear factor-κB activation by transforming growth factor-β1 drives tumour microenvironment-mediated drug resistance in neuroblastoma. Br J Cancer 2024; 131:90-100. [PMID: 38806726 PMCID: PMC11231159 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02686-8] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intrinsic and extrinsic factors in the tumour microenvironment (TME) contribute to therapeutic resistance. Here we demonstrate that transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 produced in the TME increased drug resistance of neuroblastoma (NB) cells. METHODS Human NB cell lines were tested in vitro for their sensitivity to Doxorubicin (DOX) and Etoposide (ETOP) in the presence of tumour-associated macrophages (TAM) and mesenchymal stromal cells/cancer-associated fibroblasts (MSC/CAF). These experiments were validated in xenotransplanted and primary tumour samples. RESULTS Drug resistance was associated with an increased expression of efflux transporter and anti-apoptotic proteins. Upregulation was dependent on activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB by TGF-β-activated kinase (TAK1) and SMAD2. Resistance was reversed upon pharmacologic and genetic inhibitions of NF-κB, and TAK1/SMAD2. Interleukin-6, leukaemia inhibitory factor and oncostatin M were upregulated by this TGF-β/TAK1/NF-κB/SMAD2 signalling pathway contributing to drug resistance via an autocrine loop activating STAT3. An analysis of xenotransplanted NB tumours revealed an increased presence of phospho (p)-NF-κB in tumours co-injected with MSC/CAF and TAM, and these tumours failed to respond to Etoposide but responded if treated with a TGF-βR1/ALK5 inhibitor. Nuclear p-NF-κB was increased in patient-derived tumours rich in TME cells. CONCLUSIONS The data provides a novel insight into a targetable mechanism of environment-mediated drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kévin Louault
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA
| | - Laurence Blavier
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA
| | - Men-Hua Lee
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA
| | - Rebekah J Kennedy
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA
| | - G Esteban Fernandez
- The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA
| | - Bruce R Pawel
- Department of Pathology, and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Shahab Asgharzadeh
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA
- Department of Pathology, and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Yves A DeClerck
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
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7
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Chapple RH, Liu X, Natarajan S, Alexander MIM, Kim Y, Patel AG, LaFlamme CW, Pan M, Wright WC, Lee HM, Zhang Y, Lu M, Koo SC, Long C, Harper J, Savage C, Johnson MD, Confer T, Akers WJ, Dyer MA, Sheppard H, Easton J, Geeleher P. An integrated single-cell RNA-seq map of human neuroblastoma tumors and preclinical models uncovers divergent mesenchymal-like gene expression programs. Genome Biol 2024; 25:161. [PMID: 38898465 PMCID: PMC11186099 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-024-03309-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma is a common pediatric cancer, where preclinical studies suggest that a mesenchymal-like gene expression program contributes to chemotherapy resistance. However, clinical outcomes remain poor, implying we need a better understanding of the relationship between patient tumor heterogeneity and preclinical models. RESULTS Here, we generate single-cell RNA-seq maps of neuroblastoma cell lines, patient-derived xenograft models (PDX), and a genetically engineered mouse model (GEMM). We develop an unsupervised machine learning approach ("automatic consensus nonnegative matrix factorization" (acNMF)) to compare the gene expression programs found in preclinical models to a large cohort of patient tumors. We confirm a weakly expressed, mesenchymal-like program in otherwise adrenergic cancer cells in some pre-treated high-risk patient tumors, but this appears distinct from the presumptive drug-resistance mesenchymal programs evident in cell lines. Surprisingly, however, this weak-mesenchymal-like program is maintained in PDX and could be chemotherapy-induced in our GEMM after only 24 h, suggesting an uncharacterized therapy-escape mechanism. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our findings improve the understanding of how neuroblastoma patient tumor heterogeneity is reflected in preclinical models, provides a comprehensive integrated resource, and a generalizable set of computational methodologies for the joint analysis of clinical and pre-clinical single-cell RNA-seq datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard H Chapple
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Xueying Liu
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Sivaraman Natarajan
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Margaret I M Alexander
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Yuna Kim
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Anand G Patel
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Christy W LaFlamme
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Min Pan
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - William C Wright
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Hyeong-Min Lee
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Yinwen Zhang
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Meifen Lu
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Selene C Koo
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Courtney Long
- Animal Resources Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - John Harper
- Animal Resources Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Chandra Savage
- Animal Resources Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Melissa D Johnson
- Center for In Vivo Imaging and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Thomas Confer
- Center for In Vivo Imaging and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Walter J Akers
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Michael A Dyer
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
| | - Heather Sheppard
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - John Easton
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Paul Geeleher
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
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8
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Prathipati P, Pathania AS, Chaturvedi NK, Gupta SC, Byrareddy SN, Coulter DW, Challagundla KB. SAP30, an oncogenic driver of progression, poor survival, and drug resistance in neuroblastoma. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:101543. [PMID: 38817681 PMCID: PMC11137595 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most devastating extracranial solid malignancy in children. Despite an intense treatment regimen, the prognosis for high-risk neuroblastoma patients remains poor, with less than 40% survival. So far, MYCN amplification status is considered the most prognostic factor but corresponds to only ∼25% of neuroblastoma patients. Therefore, it is essential to identify a better prognosis and therapy response marker in neuroblastoma patients. We applied robust bioinformatic data mining tools, such as weighted gene co-expression network analysis, cisTarget, and single-cell regulatory network inference and clustering on two neuroblastoma patient datasets. We found Sin3A-associated protein 30 (SAP30), a driver transcription factor positively associated with high-risk, progression, stage 4, and poor survival in neuroblastoma patient cohorts. Tumors of high-risk neuroblastoma patients and relapse-specific patient-derived xenografts showed higher SAP30 levels. The advanced pharmacogenomic analysis and CRISPR-Cas9 screens indicated that SAP30 essentiality is associated with cisplatin resistance and further showed higher levels in cisplatin-resistant patient-derived xenograft tumor cell lines. Silencing of SAP30 induced cell death in vitro and led to a reduced tumor burden and size in vivo. Altogether, these results indicate that SAP30 is a better prognostic and cisplatin-resistance marker and thus a potential drug target in high-risk neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Prathipati
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki City, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Anup S. Pathania
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Nagendra K. Chaturvedi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Subash C. Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, India
| | - Siddappa N. Byrareddy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Don W. Coulter
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Kishore B. Challagundla
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- The Child Health Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
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9
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Shah A, Dabhade A, Bharadia H, Parekh PS, Yadav MR, Chorawala MR. Navigating the landscape of theranostics in nuclear medicine: current practice and future prospects. Z NATURFORSCH C 2024; 0:znc-2024-0043. [PMID: 38807355 DOI: 10.1515/znc-2024-0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Theranostics refers to the combination of diagnostic biomarkers with therapeutic agents that share a specific target expressed by diseased cells and tissues. Nuclear medicine is an exciting component explored for its applicability in theranostic concepts in clinical and research investigations. Nuclear theranostics is based on the employment of radioactive compounds delivering ionizing radiation to diagnose and manage certain diseases employing binding with specifically expressed targets. In the realm of personalized medicine, nuclear theranostics stands as a beacon of potential, potentially revolutionizing disease management. Studies exploring the theranostic profile of radioactive compounds have been presented in this review along with a detailed explanation of radioactive compounds and their theranostic applicability in several diseases. It furnishes insights into their applicability across diverse diseases, elucidating the intricate interplay between these compounds and disease pathologies. Light is shed on the important milestones of nuclear theranostics beginning with radioiodine therapy in thyroid carcinomas, MIBG labelled with iodine in neuroblastoma, and several others. Our perspectives have been put forth regarding the most important theranostic agents along with emerging trends and prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aayushi Shah
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad 380009, Gujarat, India
| | - Akshada Dabhade
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad 380009, Gujarat, India
| | - Hetvi Bharadia
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad 380009, Gujarat, India
| | - Priyajeet S Parekh
- AV Pharma LLC, 1545 University Blvd N Ste A, Jacksonville, FL, 32211, USA
| | - Mayur R Yadav
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, Western University of Health Science, 309 E Second St, Pomona, CA, 91766, USA
| | - Mehul R Chorawala
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad 380009, Gujarat, India
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10
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Sherwood M, Zhou Y, Sui Y, Wang Y, Skipp P, Kaid C, Gray J, Okamoto K, Ewing RM. Integrated re-analysis of transcriptomic and proteomic datasets reveals potential mechanisms for Zika viral-based oncolytic therapy in neuroblastoma. F1000Res 2024; 12:719. [PMID: 38903860 PMCID: PMC11187533 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.132627.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Paediatric neuroblastoma and brain tumours account for a third of all childhood cancer-related mortality. High-risk neuroblastoma is highly aggressive and survival is poor despite intensive multi-modal therapies with significant toxicity. Novel therapies are desperately needed. The Zika virus (ZIKV) can access the nervous system and there is growing interest in employing ZIKV as a potential therapy against paediatric nervous system tumours, including neuroblastoma. Methods Here, we perform extensive data mining, integration and re-analysis of ZIKV infection datasets to highlight molecular mechanisms that may govern the oncolytic response in neuroblastoma cells. We collate infection data of multiple neuroblastoma cell lines by different ZIKV strains from a body of published literature to inform the susceptibility of neuroblastoma to the ZIKV oncolytic response. Integrating published transcriptomics, interaction proteomics, dependency factor and compound datasets we propose the involvement of multiple host systems during ZIKV infection. Results Through data mining of published literature, we observed most paediatric neuroblastoma cell lines to be highly susceptible to ZIKV infection and propose the PRVABC59 ZIKV strain to be the most promising candidate for neuroblastoma oncolytic virotherapy. ZIKV induces TNF signalling, lipid metabolism, the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), and downregulates cell cycle and DNA replication processes. ZIKV infection is dependent on sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)-regulated lipid metabolism and three protein complexes; V-ATPase, ER Membrane Protein Complex (EMC) and mammalian translocon. We propose ZIKV non-structural protein 4B (NS4B) as a likely mediator of ZIKVs interaction with IRE1-mediated UPR, lipid metabolism and mammalian translocon. Conclusions Our work provides a significant understanding of ZIKV infection in neuroblastoma cells, which will facilitate the progression of ZIKV-based oncolytic virotherapy through pre-clinical research and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matt Sherwood
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, England, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Yilu Zhou
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, England, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Yi Sui
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, England, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Yihua Wang
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, England, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Paul Skipp
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, England, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Carolini Kaid
- Human Genome and Stem-Cell Center (HUG-CELL), Biosciences Institute, Universidade de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, State of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliet Gray
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, England, UK
| | - Keith Okamoto
- Human Genome and Stem-Cell Center (HUG-CELL), Biosciences Institute, Universidade de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, State of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rob M. Ewing
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, England, SO17 1BJ, UK
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11
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Cappabianca L, Ruggieri M, Sebastiano M, Sbaffone M, Martelli I, Ruggeri P, Di Padova M, Farina AR, Mackay AR. Molecular Characterization and Inhibition of a Novel Stress-Induced Mitochondrial Protecting Role for Misfolded TrkAIII in Human SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5475. [PMID: 38791513 PMCID: PMC11122047 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105475] [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: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Pediatric neuroblastomas (NBs) are heterogeneous, aggressive, therapy-resistant embryonal tumors that originate from cells of neural crest origin committed to the sympathoadrenal progenitor cell lineage. Stress- and drug-resistance mechanisms drive post-therapeutic relapse and metastatic progression, the characterization and inhibition of which are major goals in improving therapeutic responses. Stress- and drug-resistance mechanisms in NBs include alternative TrkAIII splicing of the neurotrophin receptor tropomyosin-related kinase A (NTRK1/TrkA), which correlates with post-therapeutic relapse and advanced-stage metastatic disease. The TrkAIII receptor variant exerts oncogenic activity in NB models by mechanisms that include stress-induced mitochondrial importation and activation. In this study, we characterize novel targetable and non-targetable participants in this pro-survival mechanism in TrkAIII-expressing SH-SY5Y NB cells, using dithiothreitol (DTT) as an activator and a variety of inhibitors by regular and immunoprecipitation Western blotting of purified mitochondria and IncuCyte cytotoxicity assays. We report that stress-induced TrkAIII misfolding initiates this mechanism, resulting in Grp78, Ca2+-calmodulin, adenosine ribosylating factor (Arf) and Hsp90-regulated mitochondrial importation. TrkAIII imported into inner mitochondrial membranes is cleaved by Omi/high temperature requirement protein A2 (HtrA2) then activated by a mechanism dependent upon calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII), alpha serine/threonine kinase (Akt), mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter and reactive oxygen species (ROS), involving inhibitory mitochondrial protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) oxidation, resulting in phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K) activation of mitochondrial Akt, which enhances stress resistance. This novel pro-survival function for misfolded TrkAIII mitigates the cytotoxicity of mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis disrupted during integrated stress responses, and is prevented by clinically approved Trk and Akt inhibitors and also by inhibitors of 78kDa glucose regulated protein (Grp78), heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), Ca2+-calmodulin and PI3K. This identifies Grp78, Ca2+-calmodulin, Hsp90, PI3K and Akt as novel targetable participants in this mechanism, in addition to TrkAIII, the inhibition of which has the potential to enhance the stress-induced elimination of TrkAIII-expressing NB cells, with the potential to improve therapeutic outcomes in NBs that exhibit TrkAIII expression and activation.
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12
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Hussein R, Abou-Shanab AM, Badr E. A multi-omics approach for biomarker discovery in neuroblastoma: a network-based framework. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2024; 10:52. [PMID: 38760476 PMCID: PMC11101461 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-024-00371-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is one of the leading causes of cancer-associated death in children. MYCN amplification is a prominent genetic marker for NB, and its targeting to halt NB progression is difficult to achieve. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of the molecular interactome of NB is needed to improve treatment outcomes. Analysis of NB multi-omics unravels valuable insight into the interplay between MYCN transcriptional and miRNA post-transcriptional modulation. Moreover, it aids in the identification of various miRNAs that participate in NB development and progression. This study proposes an integrated computational framework with three levels of high-throughput NB data (mRNA-seq, miRNA-seq, and methylation array). Similarity Network Fusion (SNF) and ranked SNF methods were utilized to identify essential genes and miRNAs. The specified genes included both miRNA-target genes and transcription factors (TFs). The interactions between TFs and miRNAs and between miRNAs and their target genes were retrieved where a regulatory network was developed. Finally, an interaction network-based analysis was performed to identify candidate biomarkers. The candidate biomarkers were further analyzed for their potential use in prognosis and diagnosis. The candidate biomarkers included three TFs and seven miRNAs. Four biomarkers have been previously studied and tested in NB, while the remaining identified biomarkers have known roles in other types of cancer. Although the specific molecular role is yet to be addressed, most identified biomarkers possess evidence of involvement in NB tumorigenesis. Analyzing cellular interactome to identify potential biomarkers is a promising approach that can contribute to optimizing efficient therapeutic regimens to target NB vulnerabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahma Hussein
- Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Science and Technology, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, 12578, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Abou-Shanab
- Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Science and Technology, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, 12578, Egypt
| | - Eman Badr
- Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Science and Technology, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, 12578, Egypt.
- Faculty of Computers and Artificial Intelligence, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt.
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13
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Polychronopoulos PA, Bedoya-Reina OC, Johnsen JI. The Neuroblastoma Microenvironment, Heterogeneity and Immunotherapeutic Approaches. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1863. [PMID: 38791942 PMCID: PMC11119056 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16101863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a peripheral nervous system tumor that almost exclusively occurs in young children. Although intensified treatment modalities have led to increased patient survival, the prognosis for patients with high-risk disease is still around 50%, signifying neuroblastoma as a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children. Neuroblastoma is an embryonal tumor and is shaped by its origin from cells within the neural crest. Hence, neuroblastoma usually presents with a low mutational burden and is, in the majority of cases, driven by epigenetically deregulated transcription networks. The recent development of Omic techniques has given us detailed knowledge of neuroblastoma evolution, heterogeneity, and plasticity, as well as intra- and intercellular molecular communication networks within the neuroblastoma microenvironment. Here, we discuss the potential of these recent discoveries with emphasis on new treatment modalities, including immunotherapies which hold promise for better future treatment regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Alkinoos Polychronopoulos
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, 11883 Stockholm, Sweden; (P.A.P.); (O.C.B.-R.)
| | - Oscar C. Bedoya-Reina
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, 11883 Stockholm, Sweden; (P.A.P.); (O.C.B.-R.)
- School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, 70182 Örebro, Sweden
| | - John Inge Johnsen
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, 11883 Stockholm, Sweden; (P.A.P.); (O.C.B.-R.)
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14
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Wang Z, Zhang Y, Li K. Nuclear miRNAs as transcriptional regulators in processes related to various cancers (Review). Int J Oncol 2024; 64:56. [PMID: 38606502 PMCID: PMC11015916 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2024.5644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding small nucleic acids that contain ~22 nucleotides and are considered to promote the degradation or inhibit the translation of mRNA by targeting its 3'‑untranslated region. However, growing evidence has revealed that nuclear miRNAs, combined with gene promoters or enhancers, are able to directly mediate gene transcription. These miRNAs exert a critical influence on cancer progression by affecting cell growth, migration and invasion. In this review, the direct regulation of gene expression by nuclear miRNAs at the transcriptional level was discussed and summarized, and their mechanisms of action in cancers were highlighted with reference to the various body systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqiang Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
- Biomedical Sciences College & Shandong Medicinal Biotechnology Centre, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250117, P.R. China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Biomedical Sciences College & Shandong Medicinal Biotechnology Centre, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250117, P.R. China
| | - Kun Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
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15
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Singhto N, Pongphitcha P, Jinawath N, Hongeng S, Chutipongtanate S. Extracellular Vesicles for Childhood Cancer Liquid Biopsy. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1681. [PMID: 38730633 PMCID: PMC11083250 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16091681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Liquid biopsy involves the utilization of minimally invasive or noninvasive techniques to detect biomarkers in biofluids for disease diagnosis, monitoring, or guiding treatments. This approach is promising for the early diagnosis of childhood cancer, especially for brain tumors, where tissue biopsies are more challenging and cause late detection. Extracellular vesicles offer several characteristics that make them ideal resources for childhood cancer liquid biopsy. Extracellular vesicles are nanosized particles, primarily secreted by all cell types into body fluids such as blood and urine, and contain molecular cargos, i.e., lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids of original cells. Notably, the lipid bilayer-enclosed structure of extracellular vesicles protects their cargos from enzymatic degradation in the extracellular milieu. Proteins and nucleic acids of extracellular vesicles represent genetic alterations and molecular profiles of childhood cancer, thus serving as promising resources for precision medicine in cancer diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and prognosis prediction. This review evaluates the recent progress of extracellular vesicles as a liquid biopsy platform for various types of childhood cancer, discusses the mechanistic roles of molecular cargos in carcinogenesis and metastasis, and provides perspectives on extracellular vesicle-guided therapeutic intervention. Extracellular vesicle-based liquid biopsy for childhood cancer may ultimately contribute to improving patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilubon Singhto
- Ramathibodi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - Pongpak Pongphitcha
- Bangkok Child Health Center, Bangkok Hospital Headquarters, Bangkok 10130, Thailand;
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - Natini Jinawath
- Program in Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
- Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Samut Prakan 10540, Thailand
- Integrative Computational Biosciences Center, Mahidol University, Nakon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Suradej Hongeng
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - Somchai Chutipongtanate
- MILCH and Novel Therapeutics Laboratory, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
- Extracellular Vesicle Working Group, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
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16
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Chapple RH, Liu X, Natarajan S, Alexander MIM, Kim Y, Patel AG, LaFlamme CW, Pan M, Wright WC, Lee HM, Zhang Y, Lu M, Koo SC, Long C, Harper J, Savage C, Johnson MD, Confer T, Akers WJ, Dyer MA, Sheppard H, Easton J, Geeleher P. An integrated single-cell RNA-seq map of human neuroblastoma tumors and preclinical models uncovers divergent mesenchymal-like gene expression programs. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.04.13.536639. [PMID: 38712039 PMCID: PMC11071300 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.13.536639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a common pediatric cancer, where preclinical studies suggest that a mesenchymal-like gene expression program contributes to chemotherapy resistance. However, clinical outcomes remain poor, implying we need a better understanding of the relationship between patient tumor heterogeneity and preclinical models. Here, we generated single-cell RNA-seq maps of neuroblastoma cell lines, patient-derived xenograft models (PDX), and a genetically engineered mouse model (GEMM). We developed an unsupervised machine learning approach ('automatic consensus nonnegative matrix factorization' (acNMF)) to compare the gene expression programs found in preclinical models to a large cohort of patient tumors. We confirmed a weakly expressed, mesenchymal-like program in otherwise adrenergic cancer cells in some pre-treated high-risk patient tumors, but this appears distinct from the presumptive drug-resistance mesenchymal programs evident in cell lines. Surprisingly however, this weak-mesenchymal-like program was maintained in PDX and could be chemotherapy-induced in our GEMM after only 24 hours, suggesting an uncharacterized therapy-escape mechanism. Collectively, our findings improve the understanding of how neuroblastoma patient tumor heterogeneity is reflected in preclinical models, provides a comprehensive integrated resource, and a generalizable set of computational methodologies for the joint analysis of clinical and pre-clinical single-cell RNA-seq datasets.
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17
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Sheeter DA, Garza S, Park HG, Benhamou LRE, Badi NR, Espinosa EC, Kothapalli KSD, Brenna JT, Powers JT. Unsaturated Fatty Acid Synthesis Is Associated with Worse Survival and Is Differentially Regulated by MYCN and Tumor Suppressor microRNAs in Neuroblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1590. [PMID: 38672672 PMCID: PMC11048984 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16081590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
MYCN amplification (MNA) and disruption of tumor suppressor microRNA (TSmiR) function are key drivers of poor outcomes in neuroblastoma (NB). While MYCN and TSmiRs regulate glucose metabolism, their role in de novo fatty acid synthesis (FAS) and unsaturated FAS (UFAS) remains poorly understood. Here, we show that FAS and UFAS (U/FAS) genes FASN, ELOVL6, SCD, FADS2, and FADS1 are upregulated in high-risk (HR) NB and that their expression is associated with lower overall survival. RNA-Seq analysis of human NB cell lines revealed parallel U/FAS gene expression patterns. Consistent with this, we found that NB-related TSmiRs were predicted to target these genes extensively. We further observed that both MYC and MYCN upregulated U/FAS pathway genes while suppressing TSmiR host gene expression, suggesting a possible U/FAS regulatory network between MYCN and TSmiRs in NB. NB cells are high in de novo synthesized omega 9 (ω9) unsaturated fatty acids and low in both ω6 and ω3, suggesting a means for NB to limit cell-autonomous immune stimulation and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-driven apoptosis from ω6 and ω3 unsaturated fatty acid derivatives, respectively. We propose a model in which MYCN and TSmiRs regulate U/FAS and play an important role in NB pathology, with implications for other MYC family-driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis A. Sheeter
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78723, USA; (D.A.S.); (H.G.P.); (L.-R.E.B.); (N.R.B.); (E.C.E.)
| | - Secilia Garza
- Department of Chemistry, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78723, USA;
| | - Hui Gyu Park
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78723, USA; (D.A.S.); (H.G.P.); (L.-R.E.B.); (N.R.B.); (E.C.E.)
| | - Lorraine-Rana E. Benhamou
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78723, USA; (D.A.S.); (H.G.P.); (L.-R.E.B.); (N.R.B.); (E.C.E.)
| | - Niharika R. Badi
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78723, USA; (D.A.S.); (H.G.P.); (L.-R.E.B.); (N.R.B.); (E.C.E.)
| | - Erika C. Espinosa
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78723, USA; (D.A.S.); (H.G.P.); (L.-R.E.B.); (N.R.B.); (E.C.E.)
| | - Kumar S. D. Kothapalli
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA;
| | - J. Thomas Brenna
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78723, USA; (D.A.S.); (H.G.P.); (L.-R.E.B.); (N.R.B.); (E.C.E.)
- Department of Chemistry, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78723, USA;
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA;
| | - John T. Powers
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78723, USA; (D.A.S.); (H.G.P.); (L.-R.E.B.); (N.R.B.); (E.C.E.)
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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18
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Zhang Z, Li D, Xie F, Zhang H. The causal relationship between gut microbiota and neuroblastoma: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis and meta-analysis. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0365623. [PMID: 38411074 PMCID: PMC10986465 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03656-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a type of neuroectodermal tumor that originates from primitive sympathetic ganglion cells. Although many risk factors contributing to the occurrence of NB have been reported in recent years, the role of the gut microbiota in its development remains unclear. A bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted to elucidate the causal relationship between the gut microbiota and NB. In the MR analysis, we employed the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method as the primary criterion for assessing causality, while also utilizing three additional approaches, including MR-Egger, weighted median model, and weighted mode, for comprehensive evaluation. For gut microbiota that were causally associated with NB, a reverse MR was also used to assess the stability of this causal relationship. Finally, we also used external cohorts for validation and performed a meta-analysis of the results. The IVW results indicated a causal relationship between six gut microbiota and NB. Among the six gut microbiota, genus Lachnospiraceae [IVW odds ratio (OR): 2.66, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09-6.51, P value: 0.03] exhibited a detrimental effect against NB. On the other hand, the class Actinobacteria (IVW OR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.07-0.77, P value: 0.02), the family Bifidobacteriaceae (IVW OR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.17-0.96, P value: 0.04), the genus Desulfovibrio (IVW OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.25-0.97, P value: 0.04), the genus Bifidobacterium (IVW OR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.16-0.92, P value: 0.03), and the genus Howardella (IVW OR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.31-0.97, P value: 0.04) displayed a protective effect on NB. A reverse MR analysis did not reveal a causality between NB and the six gut microbiota. Meta-analysis showed that genus Bifidobacterium (meta OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.22-0.75, P < 0.01) and genus Lachnospiraceae (meta OR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.01-4.79, P < 0.05) were still significant. IMPORTANCE Bidirectional Mendelian randomization was used to explore the causality between gut microbiota and neuroblastoma (NB). The results showed that there is a causal relationship between the six gut microbiota and NB, of which two gut microbiota were further confirmed in the meta-analysis. This may provide a new perspective on the prevention and treatment of NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zexin Zhang
- The Second Clinical School of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dongting Li
- The Affiliated Guangzhou Hospital of TCM of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fengxi Xie
- Maoming Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Maoming, China
| | - Haibo Zhang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Clinical Research of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Joint Laboratory of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Chinese Medicine and Immune Diseases, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Wet Certificate of Chinese Medicine Jointly Built by the Province and the Ministry, Guangzhou, China
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Wang H, Chen X, Li T, Xie M, Qin J, Zhang L, Ding H, He L. Identification of an Ultra-High-Risk Subgroup of Neuroblastoma Patients within the High-Risk Cohort Using a Computed Tomography-Based Radiomics Approach. Acad Radiol 2024; 31:1655-1665. [PMID: 37714717 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2023.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES To identify ultra-high-risk (UHR) neuroblastoma patients who experienced disease-related mortality within 18 months of diagnosis within the high-risk cohort using computed tomography (CT)-based radiomics analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on 105 high-risk neuroblastoma patients, divided into a training set (n = 74) and a test set (n = 31). Radiomics features were extracted and selected from arterial phase CT images, and an optimal radiomics signature was established using the support vector machine algorithm. Evaluation metrics, including area under the curve (AUC) and 95% confidence interval (CI), were calculated. Furthermore, the fit and clinical benefit of the signature, along with its correlation with overall survival (OS), were analyzed. RESULTS The optimal radiomics signature comprised 11 features. In the training set, AUC and accuracy were 0.911 (95% CI: 0.840-0.982) and 0.892, respectively. In the test set, AUC and accuracy were 0.828 (95% CI: 0.669-0.987) and 0.839, respectively. There was no significant difference between predicted probability and actual probability, and the signature demonstrated net benefit. The concordance index of this signature for predicting OS was 0.743 (95% CI: 0.672-0.814) in the training set and 0.688 (95% CI: 0.566-0.810) in the test set. Moreover, the signature achieved AUC values of 0.832, 0.863, and 0.721 for 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year OS in the training set, and 0.870, 0.836, and 0.638 in the test set for the respective time periods. CONCLUSION The utilization of CT-based radiomics signature to identify an UHR subgroup of neuroblastoma patients within the high-risk cohort can help aid in predicting early disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoru Wang
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, No. 136 Zhongshan Road 2, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, No. 136 Zhongshan Road 2, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - Ting Li
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, No. 136 Zhongshan Road 2, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - Mingye Xie
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, No. 136 Zhongshan Road 2, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - Jinjie Qin
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, No. 136 Zhongshan Road 2, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, No. 136 Zhongshan Road 2, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - Hao Ding
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, No. 136 Zhongshan Road 2, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - Ling He
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, No. 136 Zhongshan Road 2, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400014, China.
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20
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Dangoni GD, Teixeira ACB, da Costa SS, Scliar MO, Carvalho LML, Silva LN, Novak EM, Vince CSC, Maschietto MC, Sugayama SMM, Odone-Filho V, Krepischi ACV. Germline mutations in cancer predisposition genes among pediatric patients with cancer and congenital anomalies. Pediatr Res 2024; 95:1346-1355. [PMID: 38182823 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-023-03000-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood cancer has a poorly known etiology, and investigating the underlying genetic background may provide novel insights. A recognized association exists between non-chromosomal birth defects and childhood cancer susceptibility. METHODS We performed whole-exome sequencing and chromosomal microarray analysis in a cohort of childhood cancer (22 individuals, 50% with congenital anomalies) to unravel deleterious germline variants. RESULTS A diagnostic yield of 14% was found, encompassing heterozygous variants in bona fide dominant Cancer Predisposition Genes (CPGs). Considering candidate and recessive CPGs harboring monoallelic variants, which were also deemed to play a role in the phenotype, the yield escalated to 45%. Most of the deleterious variants were mapped in genes not conventionally linked to the patient's tumor type. Relevant findings were detected in 55% of the syndromic individuals, mostly variants potentially underlying both phenotypes. CONCLUSION We uncovered a remarkable prevalence of germline deleterious CPG variants, highlighting the significance of a comprehensive genetic analysis in pediatric cancer, especially when coupled with additional clinical signs. Moreover, our findings emphasized the potential for oligogenic inheritance, wherein multiple genes synergistically increase cancer risk. Lastly, our investigation unveiled potentially novel genotype-phenotype associations, such as SETD5 in neuroblastoma, KAT6A in gliomas, JAG1 in hepatoblastomas, and TNFRSF13B in Langerhans cell histiocytosis. IMPACT Novel gene-phenotype associations and candidate genes for pediatric cancer were unraveled, such as KAT6A in gliomas, SETD5 in neuroblastoma, JAG1 in hepatoblastomas, and TNFRSF13B in Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Our analysis revealed a high frequency of deleterious germline variants, particularly in cases accompanied by additional clinical signs, highlighting the importance of a comprehensive genetic evaluation in childhood cancer. Our findings also underscored the potential for oligogenic inheritance in pediatric cancer risk. Understanding the cancer etiology is crucial for genetic counseling, often influencing therapeutic decisions and offering valuable insights into molecular targets for the development of oncological therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo D Dangoni
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Anne Caroline B Teixeira
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Silvia S da Costa
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Marília O Scliar
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Laura M L Carvalho
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciana N Silva
- Department of Pediatrics, Instituto de Tratamento do Câncer Infantil (ITACI), Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Estela M Novak
- Department of Pediatrics, Instituto de Tratamento do Câncer Infantil (ITACI), Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Sofia M M Sugayama
- Department of Pediatrics, Instituto de Tratamento do Câncer Infantil (ITACI), Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Vicente Odone-Filho
- Department of Pediatrics, Instituto de Tratamento do Câncer Infantil (ITACI), Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Cristina V Krepischi
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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21
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Sbaffone M, Jaffrain-Rea ML, Cappabianca L, Carbonara F, Gianno F, Feola T, Ruggieri M, Zelli V, Maccarone R, Guadagni S, Clementi M, Arcella A, Esposito V, Carozza G, Martelli I, Farina AR, Mackay AR. A Study of Alternative TrkA Splicing Identifies TrkAIII as a Novel Potentially Targetable Participant in PitNET Progression. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:171. [PMID: 38534441 DOI: 10.3390/biology13030171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) are generally benign but comprise an aggressive, invasive, therapy-resistant, metastatic subset, underpinning a need for novel therapeutic targets. PitNETs exhibit low mutation rates but are associated with conditions linked to alternative splicing, an alternative oncogene pathway activation mechanism. PitNETs express the neurotrophin receptor TrkA, which exhibits oncogenic alternative TrkAIII splicing in other neuroendocrine tumors. We, therefore, assessed whether TrkAIII splicing represents a potential oncogenic participant in PitNETs. TrkAIII splicing was RT-PCR assessed in 53 PitNETs and TrkA isoform(s) expression and activation were assessed by confocal immunofluorescence. TrkAIII splicing was also compared to HIF1α, HIF2α, SF3B1, SRSF2, U2AF1, and JCPyV large T antigen mRNA expression, Xbp1 splicing, and SF3B1 mutation. TrkAIII splicing was detected in all invasive and most non-invasive PitNETs and was significantly elevated in invasive cases. In PitNET lineages, TrkAIII splicing was significantly elevated in invasive PIT1 PitNETs and high in invasive and non-invasive SF1 and TPIT lineages. Immunoreactivity consistent with TrkAIII activation characterized PitNET expressing TrkAIII mRNA, and invasive Pit1 PitNETs exhibited elevated HIF2α expression. TrkAIII splicing did not associate with SF3B1 mutations, altered SF3B1, SRSF2, and U2AF1 or JCPyV large T antigen expression, or Xbp1 splicing. Therefore, TrkAIII splicing is common in PitNETs, is elevated in invasive, especially PIT1 tumors, can result in intracellular TrkAIII activation, and may involve hypoxia. The data support a role for TrkAIII splicing in PitNET pathogenesis and progression and identify TrkAIII as a novel potential target in refractory PitNETs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maddalena Sbaffone
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Marie-Lise Jaffrain-Rea
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
- Neuromed, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Lucia Cappabianca
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesca Carbonara
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesca Gianno
- Neuromed, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, La Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziana Feola
- Neuromed, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, La Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marianna Ruggieri
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Veronica Zelli
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Rita Maccarone
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Stefano Guadagni
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Marco Clementi
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Antonietta Arcella
- Neuromed, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Esposito
- Neuromed, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, La Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Carozza
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Ilaria Martelli
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Antonietta Rosella Farina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Andrew Reay Mackay
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
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22
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Hua Z, Chen B, Gong B, Lin M, Ma Y, Li Z. SESN1 functions as a new tumor suppressor gene via Toll-like receptor signaling pathway in neuroblastoma. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14664. [PMID: 38516781 PMCID: PMC10958400 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14664] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children, with a 5-year survival rate of <50% in high-risk patients. MYCN amplification is an important factor that influences the survival rate of high-risk patients. Our results indicated MYCN regulates the expression of SESN1. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role and mechanisms of SESN1 in NB. METHODS siRNAs or overexpression plasmids were used to change MYCN, SESN1, or MyD88's expression. The role of SESN1 in NB cell proliferation, migration, and invasion was elucidated. Xenograft mice models were built to evaluate SESN1's effect in vivo. The correlation between SESN1 expression and clinicopathological data of patients with NB was analyzed. RNA-Seq was done to explore SESN1's downstream targets. RESULTS SESN1 was regulated by MYCN in NB cells. Knockdown SESN1 promoted NB cell proliferation, cell migration, and cell invasion, and overexpressing SESN1 had opposite functions. Knockdown SESN1 promoted tumor growth and shortened tumor-bearing mice survival time. Low expression of SESN1 had a positive correlation with poor prognosis in patients with NB. RNA-Seq showed that Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway, and PD-L1 expression and PD-1 checkpoint pathway in cancer were potential downstream targets of SESN1. Knockdown MyD88 or TLRs inhibitor HCQ reversed the effect of knockdown SESN1 in NB cells. High expression of SESN1 was significantly associated with a higher immune score and indicated an active immune microenvironment for patients with NB. CONCLUSIONS SESN1 functions as a new tumor suppressor gene via TLR signaling pathway in NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyan Hua
- Department of PediatricsShengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangChina
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environmental and Metabolic Diseases, Medical Research CenterShengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Bo Chen
- Department of PediatricsShengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangChina
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environmental and Metabolic Diseases, Medical Research CenterShengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Baocheng Gong
- Department of PediatricsShengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangChina
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environmental and Metabolic Diseases, Medical Research CenterShengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Meizhen Lin
- Department of PediatricsShengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangChina
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environmental and Metabolic Diseases, Medical Research CenterShengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Yifan Ma
- Department of PediatricsShengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangChina
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environmental and Metabolic Diseases, Medical Research CenterShengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Zhijie Li
- Department of PediatricsShengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangChina
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environmental and Metabolic Diseases, Medical Research CenterShengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangChina
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23
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Menendez JA, Cuyàs E, Encinar JA, Vander Steen T, Verdura S, Llop‐Hernández À, López J, Serrano‐Hervás E, Osuna S, Martin‐Castillo B, Lupu R. Fatty acid synthase (FASN) signalome: A molecular guide for precision oncology. Mol Oncol 2024; 18:479-516. [PMID: 38158755 PMCID: PMC10920094 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13582] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The initial excitement generated more than two decades ago by the discovery of drugs targeting fatty acid synthase (FASN)-catalyzed de novo lipogenesis for cancer therapy was short-lived. However, the advent of the first clinical-grade FASN inhibitor (TVB-2640; denifanstat), which is currently being studied in various phase II trials, and the exciting advances in understanding the FASN signalome are fueling a renewed interest in FASN-targeted strategies for the treatment and prevention of cancer. Here, we provide a detailed overview of how FASN can drive phenotypic plasticity and cell fate decisions, mitochondrial regulation of cell death, immune escape and organ-specific metastatic potential. We then present a variety of FASN-targeted therapeutic approaches that address the major challenges facing FASN therapy. These include limitations of current FASN inhibitors and the lack of precision tools to maximize the therapeutic potential of FASN inhibitors in the clinic. Rethinking the role of FASN as a signal transducer in cancer pathogenesis may provide molecularly driven strategies to optimize FASN as a long-awaited target for cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier A. Menendez
- Metabolism & Cancer Group, Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE)Catalan Institute of OncologyGironaSpain
- Girona Biomedical Research InstituteGironaSpain
| | - Elisabet Cuyàs
- Metabolism & Cancer Group, Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE)Catalan Institute of OncologyGironaSpain
- Girona Biomedical Research InstituteGironaSpain
| | - Jose Antonio Encinar
- Institute of Research, Development and Innovation in Biotechnology of Elche (IDiBE) and Molecular and Cell Biology Institute (IBMC)Miguel Hernández University (UMH)ElcheSpain
| | - Travis Vander Steen
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and PathologyMayo ClinicRochesterMNUSA
- Mayo Clinic Cancer CenterRochesterMNUSA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology LaboratoryMayo Clinic LaboratoryRochesterMNUSA
| | - Sara Verdura
- Metabolism & Cancer Group, Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE)Catalan Institute of OncologyGironaSpain
- Girona Biomedical Research InstituteGironaSpain
| | - Àngela Llop‐Hernández
- Metabolism & Cancer Group, Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE)Catalan Institute of OncologyGironaSpain
- Girona Biomedical Research InstituteGironaSpain
| | - Júlia López
- Metabolism & Cancer Group, Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE)Catalan Institute of OncologyGironaSpain
- Girona Biomedical Research InstituteGironaSpain
| | - Eila Serrano‐Hervás
- Metabolism & Cancer Group, Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE)Catalan Institute of OncologyGironaSpain
- Girona Biomedical Research InstituteGironaSpain
- CompBioLab Group, Institut de Química Computacional i Catàlisi (IQCC) and Departament de QuímicaUniversitat de GironaGironaSpain
| | - Sílvia Osuna
- CompBioLab Group, Institut de Química Computacional i Catàlisi (IQCC) and Departament de QuímicaUniversitat de GironaGironaSpain
- ICREABarcelonaSpain
| | - Begoña Martin‐Castillo
- Metabolism & Cancer Group, Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE)Catalan Institute of OncologyGironaSpain
- Girona Biomedical Research InstituteGironaSpain
- Unit of Clinical ResearchCatalan Institute of OncologyGironaSpain
| | - Ruth Lupu
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and PathologyMayo ClinicRochesterMNUSA
- Mayo Clinic Cancer CenterRochesterMNUSA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology LaboratoryMayo Clinic LaboratoryRochesterMNUSA
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24
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Johnsen JI, Kogner P. Recent Advances in Neuroblastoma Research. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:812. [PMID: 38398203 PMCID: PMC10887196 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16040812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a neural crest-derived tumor of the peripheral nervous system that is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- John Inge Johnsen
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden;
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25
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Tambasco D, Franklin M, Harris SA, Tibout P, Doria AS. A geospatial assessment of industrial releases and pediatric neuroblastic tumours at diagnosis: A retrospective case series. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH 2024; 78:455-470. [PMID: 38190263 DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2023.2291734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Environmental risk factors associated with malignancy of pediatric neuroblastic tumours are not well-known and few studies have examined the relationship between industrial emissions and neuroblastic tumour diagnosis. A retrospective case series of 310 patients was evaluated at a tertiary hospital in Toronto, Canada between January 2008, and December 2018. Data from the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) were used to estimate exposure for a dozen chemicals with known or suspected carcinogenicity or embryotoxicity. Comparative analysis and predictive logistic regression models for malignant versus benign neuroblastic tumours included variables for residential proximity, number, and type of industries, mean total emissions within 2 km, and inverse distance weighted (IDW) quantity of chemical-specific industrial emissions estimated within 10 and 50 km of cases. No significant difference was seen between malignant and benign cases with respect to the mean nearest residential distance to industry, the number or type of industry, or the mean total quantity of industrial emissions within a 2 km radius of residential location of cases. However, there were statistically significant differences in the interpolated IDW emissions of dioxins and furans released between 1993 and 2019 within 10 km. Concentrations were significantly higher in malignant neuroblastic tumours at 1.65 grams (g) toxic equivalent (TEQ) (SD 2.01 g TEQ) compared to benign neuroblastic tumours at 1.13 g TEQ (SD 0.84 g TEQ) (p = 0.05). Within 50 km 3 years prior to diagnosis, malignant cases were exposed to higher levels of aluminum, benzene, and nitrogen dioxide (p = 0.02, p = 0.04, and p = 0.02 respectively). Regression analysis of the IDW emissions within a 50 km radius revealed higher odds of exposure to benzene for malignant neuroblastic tumours (OR = 1.03, CI: 1.01-1.05, p = 0.01). These preliminary findings suggest a potential role of industrial emissions in the development of malignant pediatric neuroblastic tumours and underscore the need for further research to investigate these associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenica Tambasco
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Women's College Hospital, Environmental Health Clinic and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Meredith Franklin
- Department of Statistical Sciences and School of the Environment, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shelley A Harris
- Divisions of Epidemiology & Occupational and Environmental Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pauline Tibout
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrea S Doria
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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26
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Goswami N, Singh A, Bharadwaj S, Sahoo AK, Singh IK. Targeting neuroblastoma by small-molecule inhibitors of human ALYREF protein: mechanistic insights using molecular dynamics simulations. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:1352-1367. [PMID: 37158061 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2204376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a tumour of the sympathetic nervous system mainly prevalent in children. Many strategies have been employed to target several drug-targetable proteins for the clinical management of neuroblastoma. However, the heterogeneous nature of neuroblastoma presents serious challenges in drug development for its treatment. Albeit numerous medications have been developed to target various signalling pathways in neuroblastoma, the redundant nature of the tumour pathways makes its suppression unsuccessful. Recently, the quest for neuroblastoma therapy resulted in the identification of human ALYREF, a nuclear protein that plays an essential role in tumour growth and progression. Therefore, this study used the structure-based drug discovery method to identify the putative inhibitors targeting ALYREF for the Neuroblastoma treatment. Herein, a library of 119 blood-brain barrier crossing small molecules from the ChEMBL database was downloaded and docked against the predicted binding pocket of the human ALYREF protein. Based on docking scores, the top four compounds were considered for intermolecular interactions and molecular dynamics simulation analysis, which revealed CHEMBL3752986 and CHEMBL3753744 with substantial affinity and stability with the ALYREF. These results were further supported by binding free energies and essential dynamics analysis of the respective complexes. Hence, this study advocates the sorted compounds targeting ALYREF for further in vitro and in vivo assessment to develop a drug against neuroblastoma.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Goswami
- Molecular Biology Research Lab, Department of Zoology, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- Neuropharmacology and Drug Delivery Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Archana Singh
- Department of Botany, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Shiv Bharadwaj
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, College of Life and Applied Sciences, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Amaresh Kumar Sahoo
- Department of Applied Sciences, Indian Institute of Information Technology Allahabad, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Indrakant K Singh
- Molecular Biology Research Lab, Department of Zoology, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- Delhi School of Public Health, Institute of Eminence, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
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27
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MUW researcher of the month. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2024; 136:126-127. [PMID: 38305880 DOI: 10.1007/s00508-024-02328-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
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28
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Quesnel-Vallières M, Jewell S, Lynch KW, Thomas-Tikhonenko A, Barash Y. MAJIQlopedia: an encyclopedia of RNA splicing variations in human tissues and cancer. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:D213-D221. [PMID: 37953365 PMCID: PMC10767883 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Quantification of RNA splicing variations based on RNA-Sequencing can reveal tissue- and disease-specific splicing patterns. To study such splicing variations, we introduce MAJIQlopedia, an encyclopedia of splicing variations that encompasses 86 human tissues and 41 cancer datasets. MAJIQlopedia reports annotated and unannotated splicing events for a total of 486 175 alternative splice junctions in normal tissues and 338 317 alternative splice junctions in cancer. This database, available at https://majiq.biociphers.org/majiqlopedia/, includes a user-friendly interface that provides graphical representations of junction usage quantification for each junction across all tissue or cancer types. To demonstrate case usage of MAJIQlopedia, we review splicing variations in genes WT1, MAPT and BIN1, which all have known tissue or cancer-specific splicing variations. We also use MAJIQlopedia to highlight novel splicing variations in FDX1 and MEGF9 in normal tissues, and we uncover a novel exon inclusion event in RPS6KA6 that only occurs in two cancer types. Users can download the database, request the addition of data to the webtool, or install a MAJIQlopedia server to integrate proprietary data. MAJIQlopedia can serve as a reference database for researchers seeking to understand what splicing variations exist in genes of interest, and those looking to understand tissue- or cancer-specific splice isoform usage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Quesnel-Vallières
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - San Jewell
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kristen W Lynch
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Andrei Thomas-Tikhonenko
- Division of Cancer Pathobiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yoseph Barash
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Computer and Information Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Zhao K, Wang X, Jin Y, Zhu X, Zhou T, Yu Y, Ji X, Chang Y, Luo J, Ni X, Guo Y, Yu D. LncRNA ZNF674-AS1 drives cell growth and inhibits cisplatin-induced pyroptosis via up-regulating CA9 in neuroblastoma. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:5. [PMID: 38177154 PMCID: PMC10766958 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06394-8] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a challenging pediatric extracranial solid tumor characterized by a poor prognosis and resistance to chemotherapy. Identifying targets to enhance chemotherapy sensitivity in NB is of utmost importance. Increasing evidence implicates long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in cancer, but their functional roles remain largely unexplored. Here, we analyzed our RNA sequencing data and identified the upregulated lncRNA ZNF674-AS1 in chemotherapy non-responsive NB patients. Elevated ZNF674-AS1 expression is associated with poor prognosis and high-risk NB. Importantly, targeting ZNF674-AS1 expression in NB cells suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Further functional studies have revealed that ZNF674-AS1 constrains cisplatin sensitivity by suppressing pyroptosis and promoting cell proliferation. Moreover, ZNF674-AS1 primarily relies on CA9 to fulfill its functions on cisplatin resistance. High CA9 levels were associated with high-risk NB and predicted poor patient outcomes. Mechanistically, ZNF674-AS1 directly interacted with the RNA binding protein IGF2BP3 to enhance the stability of CA9 mRNA by binding with CA9 transcript, leading to elevated CA9 expression. As a novel regulator of CA9, IGF2BP3 positively upregulated CA9 expression. Together, these results expand our understanding of the cancer-associated function of lncRNAs, highlighting the ZNF674-AS1/IGF2BP3/CA9 axis as a constituting regulatory mode in NB tumor growth and cisplatin resistance. These insights reveal the pivotal role of ZNF674-AS1 inhibition in recovering cisplatin sensitivity, thus providing potential therapeutic targets for NB treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunming Zhao
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, 266071, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xinyi Wang
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, 266071, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yaqiong Jin
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Pediatric Diseases of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, MOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Zhu
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, 266071, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Tao Zhou
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, 266071, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yongbo Yu
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Pediatric Diseases of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, MOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoying Ji
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, 266071, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yan Chang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Pediatric Diseases of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, MOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
| | - Jiao Luo
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, 266071, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xin Ni
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Pediatric Diseases of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, MOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China.
| | - Yongli Guo
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Pediatric Diseases of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, MOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China.
| | - Dianke Yu
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, 266071, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China.
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Sanlav G, Baran B, Kum Özşengezer S, Kizmazoğlu D, Altun Z, Aktaş S, Olgun N. S-100 and MATH-1 Protein Expressions Can Be Useful for the Prediction of Clinical Outcome in Neuroblastoma Patients. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2024; 46:21-28. [PMID: 37943051 DOI: 10.1097/mph.0000000000002783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most frequent extracranial solid tumor of childhood, remarkable for its broad spectrum of clinical behavior. This diversity in behavior correlates closely with defined clinical and biological features and combinations of prognostic variables are used for risk-group assignment. S-100 proteins have roles in differentiation and were shown to be frequently dysregulated in NB. MATH-1 protein plays role in neuronal cell differentiation through development. However, up to date, there are no studies evaluating the relationship between MATH-1 and NB. Grb2-associated binding (Gab) proteins have roles in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation. Gab1 was reported to be related to poor survival of high-risk NB patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between differentiation-related S-100, MATH-1, and Gab1 proteins and risk group and/or stages of NB. A significant relation was found between S-100 and early stages of NB. This study also revealed a significant association between MATH-1 and low-risk groups. S-100 and MATH-1 were also shown to provide survival advantages among stages and risk groups. The findings of this study support the assumption that S-100 and MATH-1 can be potential prognostic biomarkers for staging and risk-group assignment of NB patients. These proteins can be useful tools for clinicians to guide through treatment options, especially for the evaluation of tumor differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Deniz Kizmazoğlu
- Pediatric Oncology, Dokuz Eylul University Institute of Oncology, İzmir, Turkey
| | | | | | - Nur Olgun
- Pediatric Oncology, Dokuz Eylul University Institute of Oncology, İzmir, Turkey
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Epp S, Chuah SM, Halasz M. Epigenetic Dysregulation in MYCN-Amplified Neuroblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17085. [PMID: 38069407 PMCID: PMC10707345 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB), a childhood cancer arising from the neural crest, poses significant clinical challenges, particularly in cases featuring amplification of the MYCN oncogene. Epigenetic factors play a pivotal role in normal neural crest and NB development, influencing gene expression patterns critical for tumorigenesis. This review delves into the multifaceted interplay between MYCN and known epigenetic modifications during NB genesis, shedding light on the intricate regulatory networks underlying the disease. We provide an extensive survey of known epigenetic mechanisms, encompassing DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNAs, super-enhancers (SEs), bromodomains (BET), and chromatin modifiers in MYCN-amplified (MNA) NB. These epigenetic changes collectively contribute to the dysregulated gene expression landscape observed in MNA NB. Furthermore, we review emerging therapeutic strategies targeting epigenetic regulators, including histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), histone methyltransferase inhibitors (HMTi), and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi). We also discuss and summarize current drugs in preclinical and clinical trials, offering insights into their potential for improving outcomes for MNA NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraya Epp
- Systems Biology Ireland, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (S.E.)
| | - Shin Mei Chuah
- Systems Biology Ireland, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (S.E.)
| | - Melinda Halasz
- Systems Biology Ireland, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (S.E.)
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
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Yang Y, Li H, Zheng D, Li X, Liu H. Immune microenvironment heterogeneity reveals distinct subtypes in neuroblastoma: insights into prognosis and therapeutic targets. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:13345-13367. [PMID: 38019470 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma (NB) is a childhood cancer originating from immature nerve cells in the sympathetic nervous system. Current clinical and molecular subtyping methods for NB have limitations in providing accurate prognostic information and guiding treatment decisions. RESULTS To overcome these challenges, we explored the microenvironment of NB based on the knowledge-based functional gene expression signatures (Fges), which revealed heterogeneous subtypes. Consensus clustering of Fges activity scores identified three subtypes (Cluster 1, Cluster 2, and Cluster 3) that demonstrated significant differences in prognosis compared to mainstream subtypes. We assessed the immune infiltration, immunogenicity, CD8T cytotoxicity, and tumor purity of these subtypes, uncovering their distinct biological functions. Cluster 1 and Cluster 2 exhibited higher immunoreactivity, while Cluster 3 displayed higher tumor purity and poor prognosis. Gene ontology annotation and pathway analysis identified immune activation in Cluster 1, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in Cluster 2, and cell cycle processes in Cluster 3. Notably, the impact of EMT activity on prognosis may vary across NB subtypes. A classification model using XGBoost accurately predicted subtypes in independent NB cohorts, with significant prognostic differences. GPR125, CDK4, and GREB1 emerged as potential therapeutic targets in Cluster 3. CD4K inhibitors showed subtype-specific responses, suggesting tailored treatment strategies. Single-cell analysis highlighted unfavorable clinical features in Cluster 3, including high-risk classification and reduced cytotoxicity. Suppressed interactions between monocytes, macrophages, and regulatory T cells were observed, affecting immune regulation and patient prognosis. CONCLUSION To summarize, we have identified a new independent prognostic factor in NB that underscores the significant correlation between tumor phenotype and immune contexture. These findings deepen our understanding of NB subtypes and immune cell interactions, paving the way for more effective treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanlan Yang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Huamei Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, PR China
| | - Donghui Zheng
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Xuemei Li
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Hongyan Liu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, PR China
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Chu J. Exploration of the molecular mechanism of intercellular communication in paediatric neuroblastoma by single-cell sequencing. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20406. [PMID: 37990103 PMCID: PMC10663476 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47796-0] [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: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is an embryonic tumour that originates in the sympathetic nervous system and occurs most often in infants and children under 2 years of age. Moreover, it is the most common extracranial solid tumour in children. Increasing studies suggest that intercellular communication within the tumour microenvironment is closely related to tumour development. This study aimed to construct a prognosis-related intercellular communication-associated genes model by single-cell sequencing and transcriptome sequencing to predict the prognosis of patients with NB for precise management. Single-cell data from patients with NB were downloaded from the gene expression omnibus database for comprehensive analysis. Furthermore, prognosis-related genes were screened in the TARGET database based on epithelial cell marker genes through a combination of Cox regression and Lasso regression analyses, using GSE62564 and GSE85047 for external validation. The patients' risk scores were calculated, followed by immune infiltration analysis, drug sensitivity analysis, and enrichment analysis of risk scores, which were conducted for the prognostic model. I used the Lasso regression feature selection algorithm to screen characteristic genes in NB and developed a 21-gene prognostic model. The risk scores were highly correlated with multiple immune cells and common anti-tumour drugs. Furthermore, the risk score was identified as an independent prognostic factor for NB. In this study, I constructed and validated a prognostic signature based on epithelial marker genes, which may provide useful information on the development and prognosis of NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Chu
- Department of Pathology, Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital, 39 Wangjiang East Road, Hefei, 230051, Anhui, China.
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Ognibene M, De Marco P, Amoroso L, Fragola M, Zara F, Parodi S, Pezzolo A. Neuroblastoma Patients' Outcome and Chromosomal Instability. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15514. [PMID: 37958497 PMCID: PMC10648898 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115514] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal instability (CIN) induces a high rate of losses or gains of whole chromosomes or parts of chromosomes. It is a hallmark of most human cancers and one of the causes of aneuploidy and intra-tumor heterogeneity. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential prognostic role of CIN in NB patients at diagnosis. We performed array comparative genomic hybridization analyses on 451 primary NB patients at the onset of the disease. To assess global chromosomal instability with high precision, we focused on the total number of DNA breakpoints of gains or losses of chromosome arms. For each tumor, an array-CGH-based breakpoint instability index (BPI) was assigned which defined the total number of chromosomal breakpoints per genome. This approach allowed us to quantify CIN related to whole genome disruption in all NB cases analyzed. We found differences in chromosomal breakages among the NB clinical risk groups. High BPI values are negatively associated with survival of NB patients. This association remains significant when correcting for stage, age, and MYCN status in the Cox model. Stratified analysis confirms the prognostic effect of BPI index in low-risk NB patients with non-amplified MYCN and with segmental chromosome aberrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzia Ognibene
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (P.D.M.); (F.Z.)
| | - Patrizia De Marco
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (P.D.M.); (F.Z.)
| | - Loredana Amoroso
- U.O.C. Oncologia Pediatrica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy;
| | - Martina Fragola
- Epidemiologia e Biostatistica, Direzione Scientifica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (M.F.); (S.P.)
| | - Federico Zara
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (P.D.M.); (F.Z.)
| | - Stefano Parodi
- Epidemiologia e Biostatistica, Direzione Scientifica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (M.F.); (S.P.)
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Klonisch T, Logue SE, Hombach-Klonisch S, Vriend J. DUBing Primary Tumors of the Central Nervous System: Regulatory Roles of Deubiquitinases. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1503. [PMID: 37892185 PMCID: PMC10605193 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) utilizes an orchestrated enzymatic cascade of E1, E2, and E3 ligases to add single or multiple ubiquitin-like molecules as post-translational modification (PTM) to proteins. Ubiquitination can alter protein functions and/or mark ubiquitinated proteins for proteasomal degradation but deubiquitinases (DUBs) can reverse protein ubiquitination. While the importance of DUBs as regulatory factors in the UPS is undisputed, many questions remain on DUB selectivity for protein targeting, their mechanism of action, and the impact of DUBs on the regulation of diverse biological processes. Furthermore, little is known about the expression and role of DUBs in tumors of the human central nervous system (CNS). In this comprehensive review, we have used publicly available transcriptional datasets to determine the gene expression profiles of 99 deubiquitinases (DUBs) from five major DUB families in seven primary pediatric and adult CNS tumor entities. Our analysis identified selected DUBs as potential new functional players and biomarkers with prognostic value in specific subtypes of primary CNS tumors. Collectively, our analysis highlights an emerging role for DUBs in regulating CNS tumor cell biology and offers a rationale for future therapeutic targeting of DUBs in CNS tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Klonisch
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
- Department of Pathology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
- CancerCare Research Institute, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - Susan E. Logue
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
- CancerCare Research Institute, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - Sabine Hombach-Klonisch
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
- Department of Pathology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - Jerry Vriend
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
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Freire NH, Jaeger MDC, de Farias CB, Nör C, Souza BK, Gregianin L, Brunetto AT, Roesler R. Targeting the epigenome of cancer stem cells in pediatric nervous system tumors. Mol Cell Biochem 2023; 478:2241-2255. [PMID: 36637615 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-022-04655-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma, neuroblastoma, and pediatric glioma account for almost 30% of all cases of pediatric cancers. Recent evidence indicates that pediatric nervous system tumors originate from stem or progenitor cells and present a subpopulation of cells with highly tumorigenic and stem cell-like features. These cancer stem cells play a role in initiation, progression, and resistance to treatment of pediatric nervous system tumors. Histone modification, DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling, and microRNA regulation display a range of regulatory activities involved in cancer origin and progression, and cellular identity, especially those associated with stem cell features, such as self-renewal and pluripotent differentiation potential. Here, we review the contribution of different epigenetic mechanisms in pediatric nervous system tumor cancer stem cells. The choice between a differentiated and undifferentiated state can be modulated by alterations in the epigenome through the regulation of stemness genes such as CD133, SOX2, and BMI1 and the activation neuronal of differentiation markers, RBFOX3, GFAP, and S100B. Additionally, we highlighted the stage of development of epigenetic drugs and the clinical benefits and efficacy of epigenetic modulators in pediatric nervous system tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália Hogetop Freire
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500 (Setor IV - Campus do Vale), Porto Alegre, 91501-970, Brazil.
| | - Mariane da Cunha Jaeger
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Caroline Brunetto de Farias
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Carolina Nör
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Lauro Gregianin
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Pediatric Oncology Service, Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - André Tesainer Brunetto
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Rafael Roesler
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500 (Setor IV - Campus do Vale), Porto Alegre, 91501-970, Brazil
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Dharmalingam P, Chenniappan AD, Alashetty S, Bidadi Lingappa K, Patil Okaly GV. Neuroblastoma in uncommon age group - A case series diagnosed on cytology. Diagn Cytopathol 2023; 51:629-635. [PMID: 37326472 DOI: 10.1002/dc.25189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial malignant neoplasm in early childhood. It is rare in the adult population. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES We aimed to study the incidence of neuroblastoma in the uncommon age group diagnosed on cytology. MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospective descriptive study spanning 2 years from December 2020 to January 2022 was done, in which neuroblastoma cases diagnosed by Fine needle aspiration cytology aged >12 years were collected. The clinical, cytomorphological and immunohistochemical findings were studied. Histopathological correlation was done wherever available. RESULTS We identified three cases of neuroblastoma during this period. Two cases were middle-aged adults, and one was an adolescent. All cases presented with abdominal masses and revealed small round cell tumor on cytology. Two cases fell into undifferentiated category and one case fell into the poorly differentiated subtype. All cases were positive for neuroendocrine markers. Histopathological correlation was available in two cases. MYC N amplification was absent in all cases. CONCLUSION It differs from pediatric neuroblastoma due to the lack of classical histomorphological features and molecular alterations. Adult-onset neuroblastomas carry a worse prognosis than childhood tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Dharmalingam
- Department of Pathology, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bengaluru, India
| | | | - Soumya Alashetty
- Department of Pathology, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bengaluru, India
| | | | - Geeta V Patil Okaly
- Department of Pathology, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bengaluru, India
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Yang R, Liu N, Li T, Liu F, Zhang J, Zhao H, Zou L, He X. LncRNA AC142119.1 facilitates the progression of neuroblastoma by epigenetically initiating the transcription of MYCN. J Transl Med 2023; 21:659. [PMID: 37741985 PMCID: PMC10518117 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04535-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oncogene MYCN is closely related with malignant progression and poor prognosis of neuroblastoma (NB). Recently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been recognized as crucial regulators in various cancers. However, whether lncRNAs contribute to the overexpression of MYCN in NB is unclear. METHODS Microarray analysis were applied to analyze the differentially expressed lncRNAs between MYCN-amplified and MYCN-non-amplified NB cell lines. Bioinformatic analyses were utilized to identify lncRNAs nearby MYCN locus. qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression level of lncRNA AC142119.1 in NB cell lines and tissues. Gain- and loss-of-function assays were conducted to investigate the biological effect of AC142119.1 in NB. Fluorescence in situ hybridization, RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, RNA electrophoretic mobility shift, chromatin immunoprecipitation and chromatin isolation by RNA purification assays were performed to validate the interaction between AC142119.1 and WDR5 protein as well as MYCN promoter. RESULTS AC142119.1 was significantly elevated in NB tissues with MYCN amplification, advanced INSS stage and high risk, and associated with poor survival of NB patients. Moreover, enforced expression of AC142119.1 reinforced the proliferation of NB cells in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, AC142119.1 specifically recruited WDR5 protein to interact with MYCN promoter, further initiating the transcription of MYCN and accelerating NB progression. CONCLUSIONS We identified a novel lncRNA AC142119.1, which promoted the progression of NB through epigenetically initiating the transcription of MYCN via interacting with both WDR5 protein and the promoter of MYCN, indicating that AC142119.1 might be a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Yang
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Nanjing Liu
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, 400030, China
| | - Ting Li
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Fangjie Liu
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Lin Zou
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China.
- Clinical Research Unit, Children's Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Institute of Pediatric Infection, Immunity, and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200062, China.
| | - Xiaoyan He
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China.
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Proestler E, Donzelli J, Nevermann S, Breitwieser K, Koch LF, Best T, Fauth M, Wickström M, Harter PN, Kogner P, Lavieu G, Larsson K, Saul MJ. The multiple functions of miR-574-5p in the neuroblastoma tumor microenvironment. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1183720. [PMID: 37731742 PMCID: PMC10507178 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1183720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood and arises from neural crest cells of the developing sympathetic nervous system. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has been identified as a key pro-inflammatory mediator of the tumor microenvironment (TME) that promotes neuroblastoma progression. We report that the interaction between the microRNA miR-574-5p and CUG-binding protein 1 (CUGBP1) induces the expression of microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase 1 (mPGES-1) in neuroblastoma cells, which contributes to PGE2 biosynthesis. PGE2 in turn specifically induces the sorting of miR-574-5p into small extracellular vesicles (sEV) in neuroblastoma cell lines. sEV are one of the major players in intercellular communication in the TME. We found that sEV-derived miR-574-5p has a paracrine function in neuroblastoma. It acts as a direct Toll-like receptor 7/8 (TLR7/8) ligand and induces α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression in fibroblasts, contributing to fibroblast differentiation. This is particularly noteworthy as it has an opposite function to that in the TME of lung carcinoma, another PGE2 dependent tumor type. Here, sEV-derived miR-574-5p has an autokrine function that inhibits PGE2 biosynthesis in lung cancer cells. We report that the tetraspanin composition on the surface of sEV is associated with the function of sEV-derived miR-574-5p. This suggests that the vesicles do not only transport miRs, but also appear to influence their mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Proestler
- Fachbereich Biologie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Julia Donzelli
- Fachbereich Biologie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Sheila Nevermann
- Fachbereich Biologie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Kai Breitwieser
- Fachbereich Biologie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Leon F. Koch
- Fachbereich Biologie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Tatjana Best
- Fachbereich Biologie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
- Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Maria Fauth
- Fachbereich Biologie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
- Prolytic GmbH, a Kymos Company, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Malin Wickström
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Children’s and Women’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Patrick N. Harter
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger-Institute), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Per Kogner
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Children’s and Women’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Grégory Lavieu
- INSERM U1316, UMR7057, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Karin Larsson
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Meike J. Saul
- Fachbereich Biologie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
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Wang ZN, Zhang Y, Sun J, Zhao ZZ, Wang S, Yang C. The prognostic and predictive value of plasma D-dimer in children with neuroblastoma: a 7-year retrospective analysis at a single institution. Ann Surg Treat Res 2023; 105:148-156. [PMID: 37693287 PMCID: PMC10485353 DOI: 10.4174/astr.2023.105.3.148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Elevated plasma D-dimer level is a poor prognostic factor for many solid tumors. However, limited research has been conducted on D-dimer in children with neuroblastoma (NB), and its clinical significance remains unclear. The present study investigated the clinical and prognostic significance of D-dimer in pediatric NB patients. Methods A retrospective analysis of all newly admitted NB patients was conducted from January 2014 to December 2020. Baseline clinicopathological features, preoperative laboratory parameters, and follow-up information were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the relationship between D-dimer level, clinical features, and the prognostic value. Results Among 266 patients, the median value of D-dimer was 2.98 ng/mL, of which 132 patients showed elevated D-dimer levels before surgery (>2.98 ng/mL). Univariate analysis revealed that elevated D-dimer was significantly associated with age, hemoglobin, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, neuron-specific enolase, 24-hour vanillylmandelic acid, overall survival, and so on (P < 0.05). Patients with elevated D-dimer levels had shorter median overall survival time when compared with normal D-dimer levels (P = 0.01). The prognosis was better in patients with normal D-dimer levels when combined with lower age, ganglioneuroblastoma tumor type, lower stage on International Neuroblastoma Staging System, low-risk group, and without bone metastasis or bone marrow metastasis. The continuous increase of D-dimer level after treatment indicated tumor recurrence or progression. Conclusion A high D-dimer level is associated with low overall survival, and an elevated D-dimer level after treatment indicates tumor recurrence and progression. D-dimer can be used as one of the evaluation factors for NB treatment or prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Ni Wang
- Department of Pediatric Surgical Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- National International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Critical Children’s Developmental Diseases, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Child Developmental Diseases Research of Ministry of Education, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Surgical Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- National International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Critical Children’s Developmental Diseases, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Child Developmental Diseases Research of Ministry of Education, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Jian Sun
- Department of Pediatric Surgical Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- National International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Critical Children’s Developmental Diseases, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Child Developmental Diseases Research of Ministry of Education, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhen-Zhen Zhao
- Department of Pediatric Surgical Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- National International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Critical Children’s Developmental Diseases, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Child Developmental Diseases Research of Ministry of Education, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Shan Wang
- Department of Pediatric Surgical Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- National International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Critical Children’s Developmental Diseases, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Child Developmental Diseases Research of Ministry of Education, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Chao Yang
- Department of Pediatric Surgical Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- National International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Critical Children’s Developmental Diseases, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Child Developmental Diseases Research of Ministry of Education, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
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Gao J, Fosbrook C, Gibson J, Underwood TJ, Gray JC, Walters ZS. Review: Targeting EZH2 in neuroblastoma. Cancer Treat Rev 2023; 119:102600. [PMID: 37467626 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2023.102600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is one of the commonest extra-cranial pediatric tumors, and accounts for over 15% of all childhood cancer mortality. Risk stratification for children with neuroblastoma is based on age, stage, histology, and tumor cytogenetics. The majority of patients are considered to have high-risk neuroblastoma, for which the long-term survival is less than 50%. Current treatments combine surgical resection, chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, radiotherapy, anti-GD2 based immunotherapy as well as the differentiating agent isotretinoin. Despite the intensive multimodal therapies applied, there are high relapse rates, and recurrent disease is often resistant to further therapy. Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2), a catalytic subunit of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), is a histone methyltransferase that represses transcription through trimethylation of lysine residue K27 on histone H3 (H3K27me3). It is responsible for epigenetic repression of transcription, making EZH2 an essential regulator for cell differentiation. Overexpression of EZH2 has been shown to promote tumorigenesis, cancer cell proliferation and prevent tumor cells from differentiating in a number of cancers. Therefore, research has been ongoing for the past decade, developing treatments that target EZH2 in neuroblastoma. This review summarises the role of EZH2 in neuroblastoma and evaluates the latest research findings on the therapeutic potential of targeting EZH2 in the treatment of neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhui Gao
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.
| | - Claire Fosbrook
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Jane Gibson
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Timothy J Underwood
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Juliet C Gray
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Zoë S Walters
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
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Chen C, Wu J, Hicks C, Lan MS. Repurposing a plant alkaloid homoharringtonine targets insulinoma associated-1 in N-Myc-activated neuroblastoma. Cell Signal 2023; 109:110753. [PMID: 37301315 PMCID: PMC10527743 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110753] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
High-risk neuroblastoma (NB) is a heterogeneous and malignant childhood cancer that is frequently characterized by MYCN proto-oncogene amplification or elevated N-Myc protein (N-Myc) expression. An N-Myc downstream target gene, insulinoma associated-1 (INSM1) has emerged as a biomarker that plays a critical role in facilitating NB tumor cell growth and transformation. N-Myc activates endogenous INSM1 gene expression through binding to the E2-box of the INSM1 proximal promoter in NB. We identified a plant alkaloid, homoharringtonine (HHT), from a chemical library screening showing potent inhibition of INSM1 promoter activity. This positive-hit plant alkaloid exemplifies an effective screening approach for repurposed compound targeting INSM1 expression in NB cancer therapy. The elevated N-Myc and INSM1 expression in NB constitutes a positive-loop through INSM1 activation that promotes N-Myc stability. In the present study, the biological effects and anti-tumor properties of HHT against NB were examined. HHT either down regulates and/or interferes with the binding of N-Myc to the E2-box of the INSM1 promoter and the inhibition of PI3K/AKT-mediated N-Myc stability could lead to the NB cell apoptosis. HHT inhibition of NB cell proliferation is consistent with the INSM1 expression as higher level of INSM1 exhibits a more sensitive IC50 value. The combination treatment of HHT and A674563 provides a better option of increasing potency and reducing cellular cytotoxicity than HHT or A674563 treatment alone. Taken together, the suppression of the INSM1-associated signaling pathway axis promotes the inhibition of NB tumor cell growth. This study developed a feasible approach for repurposing an effective anti-NB drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiachen Chen
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 533 Bolivar St. CSRB, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Jiande Wu
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 533 Bolivar St. CSRB, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; Bioinformatics and Genomics Program, 533 Bolivar St. CSRB, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Chindo Hicks
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 533 Bolivar St. CSRB, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; Bioinformatics and Genomics Program, 533 Bolivar St. CSRB, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Michael S Lan
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 533 Bolivar St. CSRB, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
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Cai L, DeBerardinis RJ, Xie Y, Minna JD, Xiao G. A Comparative Study of Neuroendocrine Heterogeneity in Small Cell Lung Cancer and Neuroblastoma. Mol Cancer Res 2023; 21:795-807. [PMID: 37255415 PMCID: PMC10390888 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-23-0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Lineage plasticity has long been documented in both small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and neuroblastoma, two clinically distinct neuroendocrine (NE) cancers. In this study, we quantified the NE features of cancer as NE scores and performed a systematic comparison of SCLC and neuroblastoma. We found neuroblastoma and SCLC cell lines have highly similar molecular profiles and shared therapeutic sensitivity. In addition, NE heterogeneity was observed at both the inter- and intra-cell line levels. Surprisingly, we did not find a significant association between NE scores and overall survival in SCLC or neuroblastoma. We described many shared and unique NE score-associated features between SCLC and neuroblastoma, including dysregulation of Myc oncogenes, alterations in protein expression, metabolism, drug resistance, and selective gene dependencies. IMPLICATIONS Our work establishes a reference for molecular changes and vulnerabilities associated with NE to non-NE transdifferentiation through mutual validation of SCLC and neuroblastoma samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Cai
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Children's Research Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Ralph J. DeBerardinis
- Children's Research Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Yang Xie
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Department of Bioinformatics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - John D. Minna
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Guanghua Xiao
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Department of Bioinformatics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
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Fetahu IS, Esser-Skala W, Dnyansagar R, Sindelar S, Rifatbegovic F, Bileck A, Skos L, Bozsaky E, Lazic D, Shaw L, Tötzl M, Tarlungeanu D, Bernkopf M, Rados M, Weninger W, Tomazou EM, Bock C, Gerner C, Ladenstein R, Farlik M, Fortelny N, Taschner-Mandl S. Single-cell transcriptomics and epigenomics unravel the role of monocytes in neuroblastoma bone marrow metastasis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3620. [PMID: 37365178 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39210-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the major cause of cancer-related deaths. Neuroblastoma (NB), a childhood tumor has been molecularly defined at the primary cancer site, however, the bone marrow (BM) as the metastatic niche of NB is poorly characterized. Here we perform single-cell transcriptomic and epigenomic profiling of BM aspirates from 11 subjects spanning three major NB subtypes and compare these to five age-matched and metastasis-free BM, followed by in-depth single cell analyses of tissue diversity and cell-cell interactions, as well as functional validation. We show that cellular plasticity of NB tumor cells is conserved upon metastasis and tumor cell type composition is NB subtype-dependent. NB cells signal to the BM microenvironment, rewiring via macrophage mgration inhibitory factor and midkine signaling specifically monocytes, which exhibit M1 and M2 features, are marked by activation of pro- and anti-inflammatory programs, and express tumor-promoting factors, reminiscent of tumor-associated macrophages. The interactions and pathways characterized in our study provide the basis for therapeutic approaches that target tumor-to-microenvironment interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irfete S Fetahu
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Wolfgang Esser-Skala
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Rohit Dnyansagar
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Samuel Sindelar
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Andrea Bileck
- University of Vienna, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Vienna, Austria
- Joint Metabolomics Facility, University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Skos
- University of Vienna, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Bozsaky
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daria Lazic
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lisa Shaw
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Dermatology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marcus Tötzl
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Marie Bernkopf
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
| | - Magdalena Rados
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Weninger
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Dermatology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eleni M Tomazou
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Bock
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
- Medical University of Vienna, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Center for Medical Data Science, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christopher Gerner
- University of Vienna, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Vienna, Austria
- Joint Metabolomics Facility, University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ruth Ladenstein
- St. Anna Children's Hospital and St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, Department of Studies and Statistics for Integrated Research and Projects, Vienna, Austria
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Pediatrics, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Farlik
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Dermatology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nikolaus Fortelny
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
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Suk Y, Singh SK. Safety and efficacy of lorlatinib against ALK-driven refractory or relapsed neuroblastoma. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101071. [PMID: 37343514 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
We spotlight the promising preliminary findings reported by Goldsmith et al. of a phase 1 first-in-child study showcasing the safety and efficacy of lorlatinib against treatment-refractory or relapsed ALK-driven neuroblastoma.1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujin Suk
- Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research (CDCR), McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Michael G DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Sheila K Singh
- Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research (CDCR), McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
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Wenzel CK, von Montfort C, Ebbert L, Klahm NP, Reichert AS, Stahl W, Brenneisen P. The natural chalcone cardamonin selectively induces apoptosis in human neuroblastoma cells. Toxicol In Vitro 2023:105625. [PMID: 37268255 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2023.105625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial malignant tumor in childhood. Approximately 60% of all patients are classified as high-risk and require intensive treatment including non-selective chemotherapeutic agents leading to severe side effects. Recently, phytochemicals like the natural chalcone cardamonin (CD) have gained attention in cancer research. For the first time, we investigated the selective anti-cancer effects of CD in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells compared to healthy (normal) fibroblasts (NHDF). Our study revealed selective and dose-dependent cytotoxicity of CD in SH-SY5Y. The natural chalcone CD specifically altered the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), as an early marker of apoptosis, in human neuroblastoma cells. Caspase activity was also selectively induced and the amount of cleaved caspase substrates such as PARP was thus increased in human neuroblastoma cells. CD-mediated apoptotic cell death was rescued by pan caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. The natural chalcone CD selectively induced apoptosis, the programmed cell death, in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells whereas NHDF being a model for normal (healthy) cells were unaffected. Our data indicates a clinical potential of CD in the more selective and less harmful treatment of neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal-Kristin Wenzel
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Claudia von Montfort
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Lara Ebbert
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Niklas P Klahm
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Andreas S Reichert
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Wilhelm Stahl
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Peter Brenneisen
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Ognibene M, De Marco P, Amoroso L, Cangelosi D, Zara F, Parodi S, Pezzolo A. Multiple Genes with Potential Tumor Suppressive Activity Are Present on Chromosome 10q Loss in Neuroblastoma and Are Associated with Poor Prognosis. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15072035. [PMID: 37046696 PMCID: PMC10093755 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a tumor affecting the peripheral sympathetic nervous system that substantially contributes to childhood cancer mortality. Despite recent advances in understanding the complexity of NB, the mechanisms determining its progression are still largely unknown. Some recurrent segmental chromosome aberrations (SCA) have been associated with poor survival. However, the prognostic role of most SCA has not yet been investigated. We examined a cohort of 260 NB primary tumors at disease onset for the loss of chromosome 10q, by array-comparative genomic hybridization (a-CGH) and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) array and we found that 26 showed 10q loss, while the others 234 displayed different SCA. We observed a lower event-free survival for NB patients displaying 10q loss compared to patients with tumors carrying other SCA. Furthermore, analyzing the region of 10q loss, we identified a cluster of 75 deleted genes associated with poorer outcome. Low expression of six of these genes, above all CCSER2, was significantly correlated to worse survival using in silico data from 786 NB patients. These potential tumor suppressor genes can be partly responsible for the poor prognosis of NB patients with 10q loss.
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Potential Treatment Options for Neuroblastoma with Polyphenols through Anti-Proliferative and Apoptotic Mechanisms. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13030563. [PMID: 36979499 PMCID: PMC10046851 DOI: 10.3390/biom13030563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is an extracranial tumor of the peripheral nervous system arising from neural crest cells. It is the most common malignancy in infants and the most common extracranial solid tumor in children. The current treatment for high-risk NB involves chemotherapy and surgical resection followed by high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem-cell rescue and radiation treatment. However, those with high-risk NB are susceptible to relapse and the long-term side effects of standard chemotherapy. Polyphenols, including the sub-class of flavonoids, contain more than one aromatic ring with hydroxyl groups. The literature demonstrates their utility in inducing the apoptosis of neuroblastoma cells, mostly in vitro and some in vivo. This review explores the use of various polyphenols outlined in primary studies, underlines the pathways involved in apoptotic activity, and discusses the dosage and delivery of these polyphenols. Primary studies were obtained from multiple databases with search the terms “neuroblastoma”, “flavonoid”, and “apoptosis”. The in vitro studies showed that polyphenols exert an apoptotic effect on several NB cell lines. These polyphenols include apigenin, genistein, didymin, rutin, quercetin, curcumin, resveratrol, butein, bisphenols, and various plant extracts. The mechanisms of the therapeutic effects include calpain-dependent pathways, receptor-mediated apoptosis, and, notably, and most frequently, mitochondrial apoptosis pathways, including the mitochondrial proteins Bax and Bcl-2. Overall, polyphenols demonstrate potency in decreasing NB proliferation and inducing apoptosis, indicating significant potential for further in vivo research.
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Motofei IG. Biology of Cancer; Understanding the Supracellular Control of Mitosis in Physiological Processes and Malignancy. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 92:42-44. [PMID: 37004926 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
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Cagnin S, Knedlik T, Vianello C, Magalhães Rebelo AP, De Mario A, Giacomello M. Comparison among Neuroblastoma Stages Suggests the Involvement of Mitochondria in Tumor Progression. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020596. [PMID: 36831133 PMCID: PMC9953471 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial tumor of early childhood and accounts for 15% of all pediatric cancer mortalities. However, the precise pathways and genes underlying its progression are unknown. Therefore, we performed a differential gene expression analysis of neuroblastoma stage 1 and stage 4 + 4S to discover biological processes associated with NB progression. From this preliminary analysis, we found that NB samples (stage 4 + 4S) are characterized by altered expression of some proteins involved in mitochondria function and mitochondria-ER contact sites (MERCS). Although further analyses remain necessary, this review may provide new hints to better understand NB molecular etiopathogenesis, by suggesting that MERCS alterations could be involved in the progression of NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Cagnin
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35121 Padua, Italy
- CIR-Myo Myology Center, University of Padova, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Tomas Knedlik
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Caterina Vianello
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | | | - Agnese De Mario
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35121 Padua, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.D.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Marta Giacomello
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35121 Padua, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35121 Padua, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.D.M.); (M.G.)
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