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Xia W, Yang J, Li H, Li L, Liu J. Comparing Genomic Profiles of ALK Fusion-Positive and ALK Fusion-Negative Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer Patients. Glob Med Genet 2024; 11:175-186. [PMID: 38873557 PMCID: PMC11175831 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1787301] [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] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Anaplastic lymphoma kinase ( ALK ) fusion events account for 3 to 7% of genetic alterations in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to explore the landscape of ALK fusion-positive and ALK fusion-negative in a large cohort of NSCLC patients. Methods The formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens of NSCLC patients who underwent next-generation sequencing from 2020 to 2023 in Yinfeng Gene Technology Co., Ltd. Clinical laboratory were included in this study. Results In the current study, a total of 180 (3.20%) patients tested positive for ALK fusions in 5,622 NSCLC samples. Within the ALK -positive cohort, a total of 228 ALK fusions were identified. Furthermore, five novel ALK fusion partners, including DAB1-ALK , KCMF1-ALK , KIF13A-ALK , LOC643770-ALK , and XDH-ALK were identified. In cases with ALK fusion-positive, TP53 alterations were the most prevalent (26.3%), followed by CDKN2A (8.4%), epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR , 5.6%), and ALK (5.6%). By contrast, EGFR alterations were most prevalent (51%) in patients with ALK fusion-negative NSCLC, followed by TP53 (42.7%), KRAS (11.6%), and CDKN2A (11.3%). A total of 10 cases where ALK fusion co-occurred with EGFR mutations were also identified. Notably, the ALK fusion positivity rate was higher in younger patients ( p < 0.0001) and in female patients ( p = 0.0429). Additionally, positive ALK test results were more prevalent in patients with high programmed death-ligand 1 expression, especially when applying a 50% cutoff. Conclusions Collectively, these findings offer valuable genomic insights that could inform the personalized clinical care of patients with NSCLC harboring ALK fusions within the context of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchao Xia
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Logistics University of Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongbin Li
- Department of Oncology, Rongcheng County People's Hospital, Baoding, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Medicine, Yinfeng Gene Technology Co., Ltd., Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinfeng Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, People's Republic of China
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Ye Z, Liu C, Wu S, Jin X, Lin H, Wang T, Zheng Q, Guo Z. Identification of cuproptosis-related long non-coding RNA and construction of a novel prognostic signature for bladder cancer: An observational study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e38005. [PMID: 38701267 PMCID: PMC11062696 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000038005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma (BLCA), a prevalent and lethal cancer, lacks understanding regarding the roles and prognostic value of cuproptosis-related lncRNAs (CRLs), a novel form of cell death induced by copper. We collected RNA-seq data, clinical information, and prognostic data for 414 BLCA samples and 19 matched controls from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Using multivariate and univariate Cox regression analyses, we identified CRLs to create a prognostic signature. Patients were then divided into low- and high-risk groups based on their risk scores. We analyzed overall survival using the Kaplan-Meier method, evaluated stromal and immune scores, and explored functional differences between these risk groups with gene set enrichment analysis. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were also conducted to understand the links between CRLs and BLCA development. We developed a prognostic signature using 4 independent CRLs: RC3H1-IT1, SPAG5-AS1, FAM13A-AS1, and GNG12-AS1. This signature independently predicted the prognosis of BLCA patients. High-risk patients had worse outcomes, with gene set enrichment analysis revealing enrichment in tumor- and immune-related pathways in the high-risk group. Notably, high-risk patients exhibited enhanced responses to immunotherapy and conventional chemotherapy drugs like sunitinib, paclitaxel, and gemcitabine. The independent prognostic signature variables RC3H1-IT1, SPAG5-AS1, FAM13A-AS1, and GNG12-AS1 predicted the prognoses of BLCA patients and provided a basis for the study of the mechanism of CRLs in BLCA development and progression, and the guidance of clinical treatments for patients with BLCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zegen Ye
- Lishui Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated to Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lishui, Zhejiang 323000, China
| | - Chunhua Liu
- Lishui Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated to Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lishui, Zhejiang 323000, China
| | - Simin Wu
- Lishui Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated to Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lishui, Zhejiang 323000, China
| | - Xinxin Jin
- Lishui Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated to Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lishui, Zhejiang 323000, China
| | - Huajian Lin
- Lishui Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated to Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lishui, Zhejiang 323000, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- Lishui Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated to Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lishui, Zhejiang 323000, China
| | - Qiuxia Zheng
- Lishui Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated to Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lishui, Zhejiang 323000, China
| | - Zhaofu Guo
- Lishui Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated to Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lishui, Zhejiang 323000, China
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Wang Y, Zhou C, Li T, Luo J. Prognostic value of CDKN2A in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma via pathomics and machine learning. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18394. [PMID: 38751024 PMCID: PMC11096642 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18394] [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: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aims to enhance the prognosis prediction of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) by employing artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse CDKN2A gene expression from pathology images, directly correlating with patient outcomes. Our approach introduces a novel AI-driven pathomics framework, delineating a more precise relationship between CDKN2A expression and survival rates compared to previous studies. Utilizing 475 HNSCC cases from the TCGA database, we stratified patients into high-risk and low-risk groups based on CDKN2A expression thresholds. Through pathomics analysis of 271 cases with available slides, we extracted 465 distinctive features to construct a Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM) model. This model was then employed to compute Pathomics scores (PS), predicting CDKN2A expression levels with validation for accuracy and pathway association analysis. Our study demonstrates a significant correlation between higher CDKN2A expression and improved median overall survival (66.73 months for high expression vs. 42.97 months for low expression, p = 0.013), establishing CDKN2A's prognostic value. The pathomic model exhibited exceptional predictive accuracy (training AUC: 0.806; validation AUC: 0.710) and identified a strong link between higher Pathomics scores and cell cycle activation pathways. Validation through tissue microarray corroborated the predictive capacity of our model. Confirming CDKN2A as a crucial prognostic marker in HNSCC, this study advances the existing literature by implementing an AI-driven pathomics analysis for gene expression evaluation. This innovative methodology offers a cost-efficient and non-invasive alternative to traditional diagnostic procedures, potentially revolutionizing personalized medicine in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yandan Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Huaihe HospitalHenan UniversityKaifengChina
| | - Chaoqun Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Huaihe HospitalHenan UniversityKaifengChina
| | - Tian Li
- School of Basic MedicineFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Junpeng Luo
- Translational Medical Center of Huaihe HospitalHenan UniversityKaifengChina
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4
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Marret G, Temam S, Kamal M, Even C, Delord JP, Hoffmann C, Dolivet G, Malard O, Fayette J, Capitain O, Vergez S, Geoffrois L, Rolland F, Zrounba P, Laccourreye L, Saada-Bouzid E, Aide N, Bénavent V, Klijianenko J, Lamy C, Girard E, Vacher S, Masliah-Planchon J, de Koning L, Puard V, Borcoman E, Jimenez M, Bièche I, Gal J, Le Tourneau C. Randomized phase II study of preoperative afatinib in untreated head and neck cancers: predictive and pharmacodynamic biomarkers of activity. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22524. [PMID: 38110561 PMCID: PMC10728082 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49887-4] [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: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
There is no strong and reliable predictive biomarker in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) for EGFR inhibitors. We aimed to identify predictive and pharmacodynamic biomarkers of efficacy of afatinib, a pan-HER tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in a window-of-opportunity trial (NCT01415674). Multi-omics analyses were carried out on pre-treatment biopsy and surgical specimen for biological assessment of afatinib activity. Sixty-one treatment-naïve and operable HNSCC patients were randomised to afatinib 40 mg/day for 21-28 days versus no treatment. Afatinib produced a high rate of metabolic response. Responders had a higher expression of pERK1/2 (P = 0.02) and lower expressions of pHER4 (P = 0.03) and pRB1 (P = 0.002) in pre-treatment biopsy compared to non-responders. At the cellular level, responders displayed an enrichment of tumor-infiltrating B cells under afatinib (P = 0.02). At the molecular level, NF-kappa B signaling was over-represented among upregulated genes in non-responders (P < 0.001; FDR = 0.01). Although exploratory, phosphoproteomics-based biomarkers deserve further investigations as predictors of afatinib efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grégoire Marret
- Department of Drug Development and Innovation (D3i), Institut Curie, 26 Rue d'Ulm, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Stéphane Temam
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Maud Kamal
- Department of Drug Development and Innovation (D3i), Institut Curie, 26 Rue d'Ulm, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Caroline Even
- Head and Neck Oncology Department, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Delord
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Claudius Régaud, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Gilles Dolivet
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Olivier Malard
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Nantes, France
| | - Jérôme Fayette
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Olivier Capitain
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Paul Papin, Angers, France
| | - Sébastien Vergez
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Institut Claudius Regaud, Toulouse, France
| | - Lionel Geoffrois
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Frédéric Rolland
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre René Gauducheau, Nantes, France
| | - Philippe Zrounba
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Laurent Laccourreye
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Angers, France
| | - Esma Saada-Bouzid
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Antoine Lacassagne, Nice, France
| | - Nicolas Aide
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Centre François Baclesse, Caen, France
| | | | | | - Constance Lamy
- Department of Drug Development and Innovation (D3i), Institut Curie, 26 Rue d'Ulm, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Elodie Girard
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, INSERM U900, Mines Paris Tech, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Leanne de Koning
- Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Puard
- Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Edith Borcoman
- Department of Drug Development and Innovation (D3i), Institut Curie, 26 Rue d'Ulm, 75005, Paris, France
| | | | - Ivan Bièche
- Genetics Department, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Jocelyn Gal
- Department of Biostatistics, Centre Antoine Lacassagne, Nice, France
| | - Christophe Le Tourneau
- Department of Drug Development and Innovation (D3i), Institut Curie, 26 Rue d'Ulm, 75005, Paris, France.
- INSERM U900, Institut Curie, Paris-Saclay University, Paris, France.
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Xue L, Tang W, Zhou J, Xue J, Li Q, Ge X, Lin F, Zhao W, Guo Y. Next-generation sequencing identifies CDKN2A alterations as prognostic biomarkers in recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma predominantly receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1276009. [PMID: 37936609 PMCID: PMC10627168 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1276009] [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: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This study aimed to identify potential biomarkers in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and further probe the prognostic implications of CDKN2A mutations, particularly within a subset receiving immunotherapy. Methods In this retrospective single-center study, we evaluated the next-generation sequencing (NGS) data from Foundation Medicine (FM) for patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2021. Patients were stratified based on CDKN2A loss-of-function (LOF) versus wild-type (WT) categorizations, with a focused subgroup analysis on those administered immunotherapy. Results The study encompassed 77 patients, of which 62 had undergone immunotherapy. The median duration of follow-up was 22.6 months. For the CDKN2A LOF group, the median overall survival (OS) was 16.5 months, contrasted with 30.0 months in the CDKN2A WT group (P=0.014). Notably, female gender (hazard ratio [HR]=4.526, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.934-10.180, P=0.0003) and CDKN2A LOF (HR=2.311, 95% CI: 1.156-4.748, P=0.019) emerged as independent risk factors for mortality in patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC. Within the immunotherapy subset, the median OS was 11.7 months for the CDKN2A LOF group, and 22.5 months for the CDKN2A WT group (P=0.017). Further, the female gender (HR=4.022, 95% CI: 1.417-10.710, P=0.006), CDKN2A LOF (HR=4.389, 95% CI: 1.782-11.460, P=0.002), and a combined positive score below 1 (HR=17.20, 95% CI: 4.134-79.550, P<0.0001) were identified as significant predictors of mortality among patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC receiving immunotherapy. Conclusion Alterations manifesting as LOF in the CDKN2A gene stand as robust indicators of unfavorable survival outcomes in HNSCC patients, including the subset that underwent immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ye Guo
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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6
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Farag CM, Johnston EK, Antar RM, Issa SG, Gadiwalla Q, Tariq Z, Kim SA, Whalen MJ. Unveiling the genomic landscape of possible metastatic malignant transformation of teratoma secondary to cisplatin-chemotherapy: a Tempus gene analysis-based case report literature review. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1192843. [PMID: 37427132 PMCID: PMC10324607 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1192843] [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: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In this case report, we describe a patient who developed metastatic liver cancer of unknown primary origin one year following the surgical removal of a retroperitoneal adenocarcinoma. The retroperitoneal adenocarcinoma is considered a malignant transformation of teratoma (MTT), given the patient's distant history of testicular tumor excised 25 years prior and treated with chemotherapy. Despite no primary tumor being identified, the leading primary hypothesis is that the liver metastasis stemmed from the resected retroperitoneal adenocarcinoma from one year prior. We theorize that the patient's cisplatin-based chemotherapy 25 years ago may have triggered the MTT, as documented in the existing literature. Using TEMPUS gene testing on both the retroperitoneal adenocarcinoma and the recently discovered liver metastasis, we identified several genes with variants of unknown significance (VUS) that could potentially be linked to cisplatin chemotherapy resistance. While we cannot conclude that this patient definitively underwent MTT, it remains the most plausible explanation. Future research should investigate both the validity of the genes we have uncovered with respect to cisplatin resistance, as well as other genes associated with cisplatin resistance to further understand the pathogenesis of cisplatin resistance for better prediction of treatment response. As the world of medicine shifts towards individualized therapies and precision medicine, reporting and analyzing genetic mutations derived from tumors remains imperative. Our case report aims to contribute to the growing database of defined mutations and underscores the immense potential of genetic analysis in directing personalized treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian M. Farag
- Department of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Elena K. Johnston
- Department of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Ryan M. Antar
- Department of Urology, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Shaher G. Issa
- Department of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Qasim Gadiwalla
- Department of Surgery, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Zoon Tariq
- Department of Pathology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Sun A. Kim
- Department of Pathology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Michael J. Whalen
- Department of Urology, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States
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Mezghani N, Yao A, Vasilyeva D, Kaplan N, Shackelford A, Yoon A, Phillipone E, Dubey S, Schwartz GK, Taylor AM, Momen-Heravi F. Molecular Subtypes of Head and Neck Cancer in Patients of African Ancestry. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:910-920. [PMID: 36508165 PMCID: PMC9991972 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-2258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to better understand the complex molecular biomarkers and signatures of head and neck cancer (HNC) among Black patients and identify possible molecular changes associated with HNC disparities. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Molecular subtypes and genomic changes in HNC samples from patients of African and European ancestry in The Cancer Genome Atlas, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Broad Institute, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and John Hopkins University were identified. Molecular features (genomic, proteomic, transcriptomic) associated with race and genomic alterations associated with clinical outcomes were determined. An independent cohort of HNC tumor specimens was used to validate the primary findings using IHC. RESULTS Black patients were found to have a younger age at diagnosis, more aggressive tumor types, higher rates of metastasis, and worse survival compared with White patients. Black patients had fewer human papillomavirus-positive tumor types and higher frequencies of laryngeal subtype tumors. Higher frequencies of TP53, MYO18B, KMT2D, and UNC13C mutations and a lower frequency of PIK3CA mutations were observed in Black patients. Tumors of Black patients showed significant enrichment of c-MYC and RET-tyrosine signaling and amplifications. A significant increase in tumor expression of c-MYC in Black patients was observed and was associated with poor survival outcomes in the independent cohort. CONCLUSIONS Novel genomic modifications and molecular signatures may be related to environmental, social, and behavioral factors associated with racial disparities in HNC. Unique tumor mutations and biological pathways have potential clinical utility in providing more targeted and individualized screening, diagnostic, and treatment modalities to improve health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Mezghani
- Cancer Biology and Immunology Laboratory, College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Section of Oral, Diagnostic and Rehabilitation Sciences, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alex Yao
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daria Vasilyeva
- Cancer Biology and Immunology Laboratory, College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicole Kaplan
- Cancer Biology and Immunology Laboratory, College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Austin Shackelford
- Cancer Biology and Immunology Laboratory, College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Angela Yoon
- Department of Pathology, College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elizabeth Phillipone
- Department of Pathology, College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sunil Dubey
- Cancer Biology and Immunology Laboratory, College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Section of Oral, Diagnostic and Rehabilitation Sciences, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gary K. Schwartz
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alison M. Taylor
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Fatemeh Momen-Heravi
- Cancer Biology and Immunology Laboratory, College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Section of Oral, Diagnostic and Rehabilitation Sciences, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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8
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Fan K, Dong Y, Li T, Li Y. Cuproptosis-associated CDKN2A is targeted by plicamycin to regulate the microenvironment in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Front Genet 2023; 13:1036408. [PMID: 36699463 PMCID: PMC9868476 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1036408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the most common malignancy of the head and neck, has an overall 5-year survival rate of <50%. Genes associated with cuproptosis, a newly identified copper-dependent form of cell death, are aberrantly expressed in various tumours. However, their role in HNSCC remains unknown. In this study, bioinformatic analysis revealed that the cuproptosis-related gene CDKN2A was correlated with the malignant behaviour of HNSCC. Kaplan-Meier (KM) curves showed that patients with high CDKN2A expression had a better prognosis. Multiomic analysis revealed that CDKN2A may be associated with cell cycle and immune cell infiltration in the tumour microenvironment and is important for maintaining systemic homeostasis in the body. Furthermore, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations suggested strong binding between plicamycin and CDKN2A. And plicamycin inhibits the progression of HNSCC in cellular assays. In conclusion, this study elucidated a potential mechanism of action of the cuproptosis-associated gene CDKN2A in HNSCC and revealed that plicamycin targets CDKN2A to improve the prognosis of patients.
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A novel cuproptosis-related gene signature of prognosis and immune microenvironment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:203-218. [PMID: 36376617 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04471-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cuproptosis is a novel form of cell death that is highly related to mitochondrial metabolism and mediated by protein lipoacetylation. This study systematically assessed the differential expression and genetic alterations of cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) in head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and constructed CRG risk models to predict survival in patients with HNSCC. METHODS We investigated the expression of 19 CRGs in HNSCC and noncancerous tissues, and the relationship between mutation load, immune infiltration, and clinical features was examined based on data from public databases. CRG risk models were constructed by univariate Cox analysis and lasso regression and validated by independent datasets for their accuracy in predicting survival outcomes in patients with HNSCC. The expression distribution of CRGs in HNSCC cells was further explored in the HNSCC single-cell sequencing dataset. RESULTS NFE2L2, ATP7A, FDX1, LIAS, DLD, DLAT, PDHB, MTF1 and DBT were highly expressed in noncancerous samples, while GLS, CDKN2A and DLST were highly expressed in HNSCC samples (p < 0.05). Gene copy number variation frequency (CNV) revealed CDKN2A, FDX1 and DLAT copy number deletions and LIPT2 and NFE2L2 copy number increases. Ten CRGs were used to construct a risk model to predict overall survival (OS) in HNSCC, yielding reduced OS in the high-risk group compared to the low-risk group, training group (p = 9.733e - 05), and testing group (p = 0.040). The CRG risk model was significantly correlated with various immune cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs) and memory B cells were significantly negatively correlated (p = 0.027, p = 0.00084), and resting CD4 memory T cells was significantly positively correlated (p = 9e - 04). Most CRGs significantly affected the clinical characteristics of HNSCC. NFE2L2, SLC31A1, PDHA1, CDKN2A and DBT were highly expressed in epithelial cells of HNSCC, while SLC31A1, DBT and NFE2L2 were highly expressed in T cells, and SLC31A1 in B cells. In monocytes, NFE2L2, SLC31A1 and PDHA1 were highly expressed. CONCLUSION The CRG risk model can be used as a potential prognostic factor for HNSCC patients and may provide new insights into cancer treatment from the perspective of copper metabolism.
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10
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Tsuriel S, Hannes V, Hasona A, Raz M, Hershkovitz D. Digital PCR-Based Method for Detecting CDKN2A Loss in Brain Tumours. Mol Diagn Ther 2022; 26:689-698. [PMID: 36129665 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-022-00610-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION CDKN2A is a key tumour suppressor gene and loss of CDKN2A can be found in many tumours. In astrocytoma grade IV, CDKN2A is deleted in more than 50% of tumours. In many instances, low-grade gliomas with homozygous loss of CDKN2A behave like high grade tumours. The available techniques for CDKN2A loss are laborious, expensive, unreliable, or unavailable in most pathology institutes. Therefore, although it is essential for accurate brain tumour diagnosis, the routine diagnosis does not include testing for CDKN2A deletion. METHODS We developed a digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) assay for CDKN2A loss detection. The assay is based on counting the copy number of CDKN2A gene and of a reference gene on the same chromosome. It was tested for the detection limit with regard to tumour content and minimal DNA quantity. It was then tested on 24 clinical samples with known CDKN2A status. Additionally, we tested 44 gliomas with unknown CDKN2A status. RESULTS We found that the newly developed assay is reliable in tissue with more than 50% tumour content and more than 0.4 ng of DNA. The validation cohort showed complete concordance, and we were able to detect homozygous loss in 16 gliomas with unknown CDKN2A status. DISCUSSION The method presented can give a fast, cost-effective, clinically reliable evaluation of CDKN2A loss in tissue with more than 50% tumour content. Its ability to work with old samples and with low amounts of DNA makes it the favoured assay in cases where other techniques fail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shlomo Tsuriel
- Institute of Pathology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 62431, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
| | - Victoria Hannes
- Institute of Pathology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 62431, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Asala Hasona
- Institute of Pathology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 62431, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, 69978, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Michal Raz
- Institute of Pathology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 62431, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Dov Hershkovitz
- Institute of Pathology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 62431, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, 69978, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
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Identification and Analysis of Senescence-Related Genes in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma by a Comprehensive Bioinformatics Approach. Mediators Inflamm 2022; 2022:4007469. [PMID: 36299414 PMCID: PMC9592240 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4007469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancer is the sixth most frequent cancer all over the world, with the majority of subtypes of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Cellular senescence-associated genes have been confirmed to play a critical role in cancer and have the potential to be prognostic biomarkers for cancer. Clinical information of HNSCC samples and expression data were acquired from public databases. Expression profiles of genes related to cellular senescence were used to identify molecular subtypes by consensus clustering. To screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between different subtypes, differential analysis was performed. We used the univariate Cox regression to identify prognostic DEGs and performed least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) to optimize and construct a prognostic model. CIBERSORT, ESTIMATE, and TIDE tools were applied to estimate immune characteristics. Four molecular subtypes were established based on cellular senescence-associated genes. Differential prognosis was observed among different subtypes with C4 having the longest overall survival and C1 having the worst prognosis. C4 subtype also showed the highest immune infiltration. We screened a total of eight cellular senescence prognosis-related genes and established a cellular senescence-related signature score (CSRS.Score) that could stratify samples into high-CSRS.Score and low-CSRS.Score groups. The high-CSRS.Score group had worse prognosis, lower immune infiltration, and lower response to immunotherapy. We further improved the prognostic model and survival prediction by combining CSRS.Score with clinicopathological features using a decision tree model, which had high predictive accuracy and survival prediction. This study demonstrated an important role of cellular senescence in HNSCC. The identified eight cellular senescence-associated genes have the potential to provide ideas for adjuvant treatment and personalized treatment of HNSCC patients.
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12
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Ji Z, Fang Z, Dong X, Wang J, Wan X, Yan A. Potential ferroptosis-related diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in laryngeal cancer. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2022; 279:5277-5288. [PMID: 35829804 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-022-07433-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Laryngeal cancer (LC) is a common malignant tumor of the head and neck. However, the relationship between ferroptosis and LC is still unclear. The aim of this study was to identify potential ferroptosis-related biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis in LC. METHODS We screened differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to ferroptosis in LC from the TCGA and FerrDb database. DEGs were identified and enrichment by GO/KEGG, GSEA, GSVA analysis. PPI analysis was performed using String and Cytoscape, then hub genes were extracted. Furthermore, ROC analysis, pan-cancer analysis, gene mutation analysis, immune infiltration correlation analysis and clinical correlation analysis of hub genes were performed. RESULTS A total of 59 DEGs were screened, which were more significantly enriched in biological processes and involved in HIF-1 signaling pathway, serotonergic synapse and ferroptosis. A total of 29 significant gene set pathways of LC data were performed by GSEA analysis. The GSVA analysis obtained 53 significant differential gene set pathways. The top 20 genes were identified by PPI. ROC curves revealed four of the top20 genes had a good performance, which were CA9 (AUC = 0.930), MAPK3 (AUC = 0.915), MUC1 (AUC = 0.945), and NOX4 (AUC = 0.933). Subsequent analysis found that CDKN2A has the highest mutation frequency in the top 20 gene, and IFNG had a significant correlation with age, tumor stage, degree of tumor differentiation and lymphatic clearance surgery. CONCLUSION Our study identified key genes closely related to ferroptosis in LC, which still need more studies to explore the mechanisms involved and may become effective clinical diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zao Ji
- Department of Otolaryngology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China
| | - Zhiyao Fang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Xue Dong
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Jia Wang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116021, China.
| | - Xianyao Wan
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116021, China.
| | - Aihui Yan
- Department of Otolaryngology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China.
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LncRNA-Associated Genetic Etiologies Are Shared between Type 2 Diabetes and Cancers in the UAE Population. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143313. [PMID: 35884374 PMCID: PMC9313416 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous epidemiological studies place patients with T2D at a higher risk for cancer. Many risk factors, such as obesity, ageing, poor diet and low physical activity, are shared between T2D and cancer; however, the biological mechanisms linking the two diseases remain largely unknown. The advent of genome wide association studies (GWAS) revealed large numbers of genetic variants associated with both T2D and cancer. Most significant disease-associated variants reside in non-coding regions of the genome. Several studies show that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at or near long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) genes may impact the susceptibility to T2D and cancer. Therefore, the identification of genetic variants predisposing individuals to both T2D and cancer may help explain the increased risk of cancer in T2D patients. We aim to investigate whether lncRNA genetic variants with significant diabetes and cancer associations overlap in the UAE population. We first performed an annotation-based analysis of UAE T2D GWAS, confirming the high prevalence of variants at or near non-coding RNA genes. We then explored whether these T2D SNPs in lncRNAs were relevant to cancer. We highlighted six non-coding genetic variants, jointly reaching statistical significance in T2D and cancer, implicating a shared genetic architecture between the two diseases in the UAE population.
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14
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Dai Y, Liu P, He W, Yang L, Ni Y, Ma X, Du F, Song C, Liu Y, Sun Y. Genomic Features of Solid Tumor Patients Harboring ALK/ROS1/NTRK Gene Fusions. Front Oncol 2022; 12:813158. [PMID: 35785159 PMCID: PMC9243239 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.813158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The fusions of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) involving anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), c-ros oncogene 1 (ROS1), and neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase (NTRK) represent the potential targets of therapeutic intervention for various types of solid tumors. Here, the genomic features of 180 Chinese solid tumor patients with ALK, ROS1, and NTRK fusions by next generation sequencing (NGS) were comprehensively characterized, and the data from 121 patients in Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) database were used to compare. We found that ALK, ROS1, and NTRK fusions were more common in younger female patients (p<0.001) and showed a higher expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1). The gene-intergenic fusion and the fusion with rare formation directions accounted for a certain proportion in all samples and 62 novel fusions were discovered. Alterations in TP53 and MUC16 were common in patients with RTK fusions. The mutational signatures of patients were mainly distributed in COSMIC signature 1, 2, 3, 15 and 30, while had a higher frequency in copy number variations (CNVs) of individual genes, such as IL-7R. In the MSKCC cohort, patients with fusions and CNVs showed shorter overall survival than those with only fusions. Furthermore, the differentially mutated genes between fusion-positive and -negative patients mainly concentrated on MAPK signaling and FOXO signaling pathways. These results may provide genomic information for the personalized clinical management of solid tumor patients with ALK, ROS1, and NTRK fusions in the era of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghuan Dai
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ping Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wenlong He
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lizhen Yang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yang Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China
- Department of Medicine, Nanjing Simcere Medical Laboratory Science Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China
| | - Xuejiao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China
- Department of Medicine, Nanjing Simcere Medical Laboratory Science Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China
| | - Furong Du
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China
- Department of Medicine, Nanjing Simcere Medical Laboratory Science Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China
| | - Chao Song
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China
- Department of Medicine, Nanjing Simcere Medical Laboratory Science Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Yi Sun, ; Yang Liu, ; Chao Song,
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- *Correspondence: Yi Sun, ; Yang Liu, ; Chao Song,
| | - Yi Sun
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Yi Sun, ; Yang Liu, ; Chao Song,
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15
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Chen F, Gong X, Xia M, Yu F, Wu J, Yu C, Li J. The Aging-Related Prognostic Signature Reveals the Landscape of the Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:857994. [PMID: 35619896 PMCID: PMC9127417 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.857994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Numerous studies have shown that the aging microenvironment played a huge impact on tumor progression. However, the clinical prognostic value of aging-related risk signatures and their effects on the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains largely unclear. This study aimed to identify novel prognostic signatures based on aging-related genes (AGs) and reveal the landscape of the TIME in HNSCC. Methods Differentially expressed AGs were identified using the gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). The prognostic risk model of AGs was established by univariate and multivariate Cox regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analyses. The independent prognostic value of the risk model and the correlations of the prognostic signature with immune score, tumor immune cell infiltration, and immune checkpoints were systematically analyzed. Results A prognostic risk model of four AGs (BAK1, DKK1, CDKN2A, and MIF) was constructed and validated in the training and testing datasets. Kaplan–Meier curves and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis confirmed that the four-AG risk signature possessed an accurate predictive value for the prognosis of patients with HNSCC. Correlation analysis revealed that the risk score was negatively associated with immune score and immune cell infiltration level while positively correlated with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) response score. Patients of the high-risk subtype contained higher infiltration levels of resting natural killer (NK) cells, M0 macrophages, M2 macrophages, and resting mast cells while having lower infiltration levels of memory B cells, CD8+ T cells, follicular helper T cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), and activated mast cells than did those of the low-risk subtype. The expressions of CTLA4, PDCD1, and TIGIT were downregulated while the PDCD1LG2 expression was upregulated in the high-risk subtype compared to those in the low-risk subtype. Furthermore, the four selected AGs in the risk model were demonstrated to possess important functions in immune cell infiltration and ICB response of HNSCC. Conclusions The aging-related risk signature is a reliable prognostic model for predicting the survival of HNSCC patients and provides potential targets for improving outcomes of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Chen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Gong
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Wushan County People's Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing, China
| | - Meng Xia
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Feng Yu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chaosheng Yu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junzheng Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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16
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Bencivenga D, Stampone E, Vastante A, Barahmeh M, Della Ragione F, Borriello A. An Unanticipated Modulation of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitors: The Role of Long Non-Coding RNAs. Cells 2022; 11:cells11081346. [PMID: 35456025 PMCID: PMC9028986 DOI: 10.3390/cells11081346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
It is now definitively established that a large part of the human genome is transcribed. However, only a scarce percentage of the transcriptome (about 1.2%) consists of RNAs that are translated into proteins, while the large majority of transcripts include a variety of RNA families with different dimensions and functions. Within this heterogeneous RNA world, a significant fraction consists of sequences with a length of more than 200 bases that form the so-called long non-coding RNA family. The functions of long non-coding RNAs range from the regulation of gene transcription to the changes in DNA topology and nucleosome modification and structural organization, to paraspeckle formation and cellular organelles maturation. This review is focused on the role of long non-coding RNAs as regulators of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors’ (CDKIs) levels and activities. Cyclin-dependent kinases are enzymes necessary for the tuned progression of the cell division cycle. The control of their activity takes place at various levels. Among these, interaction with CDKIs is a vital mechanism. Through CDKI modulation, long non-coding RNAs implement control over cellular physiology and are associated with numerous pathologies. However, although there are robust data in the literature, the role of long non-coding RNAs in the modulation of CDKIs appears to still be underestimated, as well as their importance in cell proliferation control.
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17
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Shi WK, Li YH, Bai XS, Lin GL. The Cell Cycle-Associated Protein CDKN2A May Promotes Colorectal Cancer Cell Metastasis by Inducing Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. Front Oncol 2022; 12:834235. [PMID: 35311137 PMCID: PMC8929760 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.834235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common gastrointestinal malignancy, and recurrence and metastasis contribute considerably to its high mortality. It is well known that the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) accelerates the rate of cancer cell dissemination and migration, thus promoting cancer metastasis. Targeted therapy is a common modality for cancer treatment, and it can play a role in inhibiting cancer progression. In this study, bioinformatics was used to search for genes associated with the prognosis of CRC. First, differential analysis was performed on colon and rectal cancer samples to obtain 2,840 and 3,177 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), respectively. A Venn diagram was then used to identify 262 overlapping genes from the two groups of DEGs and EMT-related genes. The overlapping genes were subjected to batch survival analysis and batch expression analysis successively, and nine genes were obtained whose high expression in CRC led to a poor prognosis. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) prognostic model was then constructed to obtain the risk score formula. A nomogram was constructed to seek prognostic independent factors to obtain CDKN2A. Finally, CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry and western blotting assays were performed to analyze the cellular biological function of CDKN2A. The results showed that knockdown of CDKN2A expression inhibited HT-29 cell proliferation, promoted apoptosis and cell cycle progression, and affected the EMT process in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Kun Shi
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yun-Hao Li
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xue-Shan Bai
- Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Guo-Le Lin
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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Ettl T, Schulz D, Bauer RJ. The Renaissance of Cyclin Dependent Kinase Inhibitors. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:293. [PMID: 35053461 PMCID: PMC8773807 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) regulate cell cycle progression. During tumor development, altered expression and availability of CDKs strongly contribute to impaired cell proliferation, a hallmark of cancer. In recent years, targeted inhibition of CDKs has shown considerable therapeutic benefit in a variety of tumor entities. Their success is reflected in clinical approvals of specific CDK4/6 inhibitors for breast cancer. This review provides a detailed insight into the molecular mechanisms of CDKs as well as a general overview of CDK inhibition. It also summarizes the latest research approaches and current advances in the treatment of head and neck cancer with CDK inhibitors. Instead of monotherapies, combination therapies with CDK inhibitors may especially provide promising results in tumor therapy. Indeed, recent studies have shown a synergistic effect of CDK inhibition together with chemo- and radio- and immunotherapy in cancer treatment to overcome tumor evasion, which may lead to a renaissance of CDK inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Ettl
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
| | - Daniela Schulz
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Richard Josef Bauer
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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19
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Brennan S, Baird AM, O’Regan E, Sheils O. The Role of Human Papilloma Virus in Dictating Outcomes in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:677900. [PMID: 34250016 PMCID: PMC8262095 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.677900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is an oncogenic virus which is associated with the development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), predominantly within the oropharynx. Approximately 25% of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) cases worldwide are attributable to HPV infection, with an estimated 65% in the United States. Transmission is via exposure during sexual contact, with distinctive anatomical features of the tonsils providing this organ with a predilection for infection by HPV. No premalignant lesion is identifiable on clinical examination, thus no comparative histological features to denote the stages of carcinogenesis for HPV driven HNSCC are identifiable. This is in contrast to HPV-driven cervical carcinoma, making screening a challenge for the head and neck region. However, HPV proffers a favorable prognosis in the head and neck region, with better overall survival rates in contrast to its HPV negative counterparts. This has resulted in extensive research into de-intensifying therapies aiming to minimize the morbidity induced by standard concurrent chemo-radiotherapy without compromising efficacy. Despite the favorable prognosis, cases of recurrence and/or metastasis of HPV positive HNSCC do occur, and are linked with poor outcomes. HPV 16 is the most frequent genotype identified in HNSCC, yet there is limited research to date studying the impact of other HPV genotype with respect to overall survival. A similar situation pertains to genetic aberrations associated in those with HPV positive HNSCC who recur, with only four published studies to date. Somatic mutations in TSC2, BRIP1, NBN, TACC3, NFE2l2, STK11, HRAS, PIK3R1, TP63, and FAT1 have been identified in recurrent HPV positive OPSCC. Finding alternative therapeutic strategies for this young cohort may depend on upfront identification of HPV genotypes and mutations which are linked with worse outcomes, thus ensuring appropriate stratification of treatment regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane Brennan
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anne-Marie Baird
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Esther O’Regan
- Department of Histopathology, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Orla Sheils
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
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Xu J, Li N, Deng W, Luo S. Discovering the mechanism and involvement of the methylation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) gene and its special locus region in gastric cancer. Bioengineered 2021; 12:1286-1298. [PMID: 33896386 PMCID: PMC8806355 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1887646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) gene methylation has been paramount in the development of malignant masses. The purpose of the conducted research was to evaluate the mechanism and involvement of methylation in regards to the CDKN2A gene and the specific locus region in gastric cancer (GC) with comprehensive statistical analysis utilizing statistics acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) revealed that the level of CDKN2A gene methylation and its locus in GC tissues was increased compared to para-cancerous tissues. In multivariate analysis, low methylation of CDKN2A gene, cg03079681, cg04026675, cg07562918, and cg13601799 locus were independently linked to better OS. In addition, the methylation of CDKN2A gene, cg00718440, cg03079681, cg04026675, cg07562918, cg10848754, cg14069088 and cg14430974 locus were negative correlated with CDKN2A gene expression. Meanwhile, the methylation of cg12840719 locus was positively correlated with CDKN2A gene expression. GSEA showed that hallmark_kras_signaling_dn, hallmark_myogenesis, and hallmark_epithelial_mesenchymal_transition pathways were enriched in the CDKN2A gene hypermethylation phenotype. Taken together, the low methylation of CDKN2A gene, cg03079681, cg04026675, cg07562918, and cg13601799 locus indicated a better prognosis in GC. The methylation levels of cg14069088 were most negatively correlated with CDKN2A gene expression. Hallmark_kras_signaling_dn, Hallmark_myogenesis, and hallmark_epithelial_mesenchymal_transition pathways might be important in the regulation of CDKN2A gene hypermethylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiye Xu
- Department of Oncology, Henan Cancer Hospital, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Medical Oncology, Zhoukou Central Hospital, Zhoukou, Henan, China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Oncology, Henan Cancer Hospital, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wenying Deng
- Department of Oncology, Henan Cancer Hospital, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Suxia Luo
- Department of Oncology, Henan Cancer Hospital, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Lazăr CS, Şovrea AS, Georgiu C, Crişan D, Mirescu ŞC, Cosgarea M. Different patterns of p16INK4a immunohistochemical expression and their biological implications in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. ROMANIAN JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY AND EMBRYOLOGY 2021; 61:697-706. [PMID: 33817711 PMCID: PMC8112783 DOI: 10.47162/rjme.61.3.08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: p16INK4a immunohistochemistry (IHC) is widely used to facilitate the diagnosis of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated neoplasia, when ≥70% of cells show strong nuclear and cytoplasmic positivity. In this study, we aim to compare partial expression patterns that do not fulfill the above criteria and seek biological implications in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Materials and Methods: p16INK4a IHC staining was conducted on representative sections of archived tissue from 88 LSCCs. Immunoreactivity was described based on four parameters: intracellular localization of immunostaining, intensity of immunostaining, distribution pattern and percentage of positive cells. Results: Six patterns of p16INK4a immunoexpression were observed and defined as: strong diffuse (strong immunostaining, expression in cytoplasm and nucleus in >70% of tumor cells), weak diffuse (moderate or weak immunostaining, expression in cytoplasm in >70% of tumor cells), marginal (strong cytoplasmic immunostaining, limited to the periphery of tumor islets), strong scattered (strong immunostaining, expression in cytoplasm and nucleus in <50% of tumor cells), weak scattered (moderate or weak immunostaining, expression in cytoplasm in <50% of tumor cells), negative (no expression). The pN stage of the patients was associated with p16INK4a immunoexpression patterns, the marginal pattern was only found in the pN0-Nx stages, while the weak diffuse pattern was more frequently observed in pN2-N3 stages. Conclusions: Partial immunostaining with architecturally distinct p16INK4a immunoexpression patterns may prove significant in stratifying characteristic clinicopathological subgroups among LSCC. Our observations may support the hypothesis that p16INK4a has different roles in different subcellular locations, with tumorigenic molecular pathways unrelated to HPV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camelia Sidonia Lazăr
- Discipline of Histology, Department of Morphological Sciences, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
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22
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Koo K, Mouradov D, Angel CM, Iseli TA, Wiesenfeld D, McCullough MJ, Burgess AW, Sieber OM. Genomic Signature of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas from Non-Smoking Non-Drinking Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13051029. [PMID: 33804510 PMCID: PMC7957667 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary A clinically distinct cohort of non-smoking non-drinking patients who develop oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas has been identified, with previous work suggesting that these patients tend to be older, female, and have poor outcomes. Our study characterised tumour molecular alterations in these patients, identifying differences in genomic profiles as compared to patients who smoke and/or drink. Associations between molecular alterations and other clinical and pathological characteristics were also explored. Abstract Molecular alterations in 176 patients with oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) were evaluated to delineate differences in non-smoking non-drinking (NSND) patients. Somatic mutations and DNA copy number variations (CNVs) in a 68-gene panel and human papilloma virus (HPV) status were interrogated using targeted next-generation sequencing. In the entire cohort, TP53 (60%) and CDKN2A (24%) were most frequently mutated, and the most common CNVs were EGFR amplifications (9%) and deletions of BRCA2 (5%) and CDKN2A (4%). Significant associations were found for TP53 mutation and nodal disease, lymphovascular invasion and extracapsular spread, CDKN2A mutation or deletion with advanced tumour stage, and EGFR amplification with perineural invasion and extracapsular spread. PIK3CA mutation, CDKN2A deletion, and EGFR amplification were associated with worse survival in univariate analyses (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). There were 59 NSND patients who tended to be female and older than patients who smoke and/or drink, and showed enrichment of CDKN2A mutations, EGFR amplifications, and BRCA2 deletions (p < 0.05 for all comparisons), with a younger subset showing higher mutation burden. HPV was detected in three OSCC patients and not associated with smoking and drinking habits. NSND OSCC exhibits distinct genomic profiles and further exploration to elucidate the molecular aetiology in these patients is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendrick Koo
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medial Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (K.K.); (D.M.); (A.W.B.)
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Surgery, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia; (T.A.I.); (D.W.)
- Melbourne Dental School, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia;
| | - Dmitri Mouradov
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medial Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (K.K.); (D.M.); (A.W.B.)
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | | | - Tim A. Iseli
- Department of Surgery, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia; (T.A.I.); (D.W.)
| | - David Wiesenfeld
- Department of Surgery, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia; (T.A.I.); (D.W.)
- Melbourne Dental School, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia;
| | | | - Antony W. Burgess
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medial Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (K.K.); (D.M.); (A.W.B.)
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Surgery, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia; (T.A.I.); (D.W.)
| | - Oliver M. Sieber
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medial Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (K.K.); (D.M.); (A.W.B.)
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Surgery, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia; (T.A.I.); (D.W.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- Correspondence:
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23
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de Klerk LK, Goedegebuure RSA, van Grieken NCT, van Sandick JW, Cats A, Stiekema J, van der Kaaij RT, Farina Sarasqueta A, van Engeland M, Jacobs MAJM, van Wanrooij RLJ, van der Peet DL, Thorner AR, Verheul HMW, Thijssen VLJL, Bass AJ, Derks S. Molecular profiles of response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in oesophageal cancers to develop personalized treatment strategies. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:901-914. [PMID: 33506581 PMCID: PMC8024738 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification of molecular predictive markers of response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation could aid clinical decision‐making in patients with localized oesophageal cancer. Therefore, we subjected pretreatment biopsies of 75 adenocarcinoma (OAC) and 16 squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients to targeted next‐generation DNA sequencing, as well as biopsies of 85 OAC and 20 OSCC patients to promoter methylation analysis of eight GI‐specific genes, and subsequently searched for associations with histopathological response and disease‐free (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Thereby, we found that in OAC, CSMD1 deletion (8%) and ETV4 amplification (5%) were associated with a favourable histopathological response, whereas SMURF1 amplification (5%) and SMARCA4 mutation (7%) were associated with an unfavourable histopathological response. KRAS (15%) and GATA4 (7%) amplification were associated with shorter OS. In OSCC, TP63 amplification (25%) and TFPI2 (10%) gene promoter methylation were associated with an unfavourable histopathological response and shorter DFS (TP63) and OS (TFPI2), whereas CDKN2A deletion (38%) was associated with prolonged OS. In conclusion, this study identified candidate genetic biomarkers associated with response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with localized oesophageal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie K de Klerk
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.,Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben S A Goedegebuure
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, The Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nicole C T van Grieken
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, The Netherlands
| | - Johanna W van Sandick
- Department of Surgery, Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annemieke Cats
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jurrien Stiekema
- Department of Surgery, Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rosa T van der Kaaij
- Department of Surgery, Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arantza Farina Sarasqueta
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, The Netherlands.,Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Manon van Engeland
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten A J M Jacobs
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, The Netherlands
| | - Roy L J van Wanrooij
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, The Netherlands
| | | | - Aaron R Thorner
- Center for Cancer Genome Discovery, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Henk M W Verheul
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, The Netherlands
| | | | - Adam J Bass
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.,Cancer Program, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sarah Derks
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, The Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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24
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Raudenská M, Balvan J, Masařík M. Cell death in head and neck cancer pathogenesis and treatment. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:192. [PMID: 33602906 PMCID: PMC7893032 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-03474-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Many cancer therapies aim to trigger apoptosis in cancer cells. Nevertheless, the presence of oncogenic alterations in these cells and distorted composition of tumour microenvironment largely limit the clinical efficacy of this type of therapy. Luckily, scientific consensus describes about 10 different cell death subroutines with different regulatory pathways and cancer cells are probably not able to avoid all of cell death types at once. Therefore, a focused and individualised therapy is needed to address the specific advantages and disadvantages of individual tumours. Although much is known about apoptosis, therapeutic opportunities of other cell death pathways are often neglected. Molecular heterogeneity of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) causing unpredictability of the clinical response represents a grave challenge for oncologists and seems to be a critical component of treatment response. The large proportion of this clinical heterogeneity probably lies in alterations of cell death pathways. How exactly cells die is very important because the predominant type of cell death can have multiple impacts on the therapeutic response as cell death itself acts as a second messenger. In this review, we discuss the different types of programmed cell death (PCD), their connection with HNSCC pathogenesis and possible therapeutic windows that result from specific sensitivity to some form of PCD in some clinically relevant subgroups of HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Raudenská
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University / Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ-613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Balvan
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University / Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Masařík
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University / Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00, Brno, Czech Republic. .,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ-613 00, Brno, Czech Republic. .,Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University / Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00, Brno, Czech Republic. .,BIOCEV, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prumyslova 595, CZ-252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic.
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25
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Yang J, Jiang Q, Liu L, Peng H, Wang Y, Li S, Tang Y, Yu J, Gan R, Liu Z. Identification of prognostic aging-related genes associated with immunosuppression and inflammation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:25778-25804. [PMID: 33232279 PMCID: PMC7803584 DOI: 10.18632/aging.104199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Aging is regarded as a dominant risk factor for cancer. Additionally, inflammation and asthenic immune surveillance with aging may facilitate tumor formation and development. However, few studies have comprehensively analyzed the relationship between aging-related genes (AGs) and the prognosis, inflammation and tumor immunity of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Here, we initially screened 41 differentially expressed AGs from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. In the training set, a prognosis risk model with seven AGs (APP, CDKN2A, EGFR, HSPD1, IL2RG, PLAU and VEGFA) was constructed and validated in the TCGA test set and the GEO set (P < 0.05). Using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, we confirmed that risk score was an independent prognostic factor of HNSCC patients. In addition, a high risk score was significantly correlated with immunosuppression, and high expression of PLAU, APP and EGFR was the main factor. Furthermore, we confirmed that a high risk score was significantly associated with levels of proinflammatory factors (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8) in HNSCC samples. Thus, this risk model may serve as a prognostic signature and provide clues for individualized immunotherapy for HNSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan Province, P.R. China.,Cancer Research Institute, Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular and Molecular Pathology, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Qingshan Jiang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Lijun Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Hong Peng
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Yaya Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Shuyan Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Yanhua Tang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Jing Yu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Runliang Gan
- Cancer Research Institute, Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular and Molecular Pathology, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Zhifeng Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan Province, P.R. China
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26
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[Tumor biology of oropharyngeal carcinoma]. HNO 2020; 69:249-255. [PMID: 33215226 DOI: 10.1007/s00106-020-00964-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Etiologically, oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) can be divided into OPSCC caused by noxious agents and human papillomavirus (HPV)-driven carcinoma. These types differ with regard to clinical features and prognosis-differences which are rooted in the underlying molecular biology of the tumor. OBJECTIVE The aim of this work is to provide an overview of the molecular biological characteristics of the genetics, epigenetics, and immunology of OPSCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS A literature review was performed on a selection of genetic, epigenetic, and immunological factors characterizing OPSCC. RESULTS The understanding of genetic aberrations and their consequences for cancerogenesis and tumor biology is increasing. Epigenetic phenomena are complementing functional relationships. However, epigenetic mechanisms of gene regulation are complex and much research is still required in this field. Immunological aspects of cancer molecular biology have moved into the focus in light of recent advances in the field of immunotherapy. CONCLUSION The tumor biology of OPSCC is primarily defined by its HPV status. Additionally, HPV-independent genetic, epigenetic, and immunological signatures are being defined. From these advances, rationales for new treatment concepts may evolve.
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27
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Plath M, Gass J, Hlevnjak M, Li Q, Feng B, Hostench XP, Bieg M, Schroeder L, Holzinger D, Zapatka M, Freier K, Weichert W, Hess J, Zaoui K. Unraveling most abundant mutational signatures in head and neck cancer. Int J Cancer 2020; 148:115-127. [PMID: 32930393 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Genomic alterations are a driving force in the multistep process of head and neck cancer (HNC) and result from the interaction of exogenous environmental exposures and endogenous cellular processes. Each of these processes leaves a characteristic pattern of mutations on the tumor genome providing the unique opportunity to decipher specific signatures of mutational processes operative during HNC pathogenesis and to address their prognostic value. Computational analysis of whole exome sequencing data of the HIPO-HNC (Heidelberg Center for Personalized Oncology-head and neck cancer) (n = 83) and TCGA-HNSC (The Cancer Genome Atlas-Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma) (n = 506) cohorts revealed five common mutational signatures (Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer [COSMIC] Signatures 1, 2, 3, 13 and 16) and demonstrated their significant association with etiological risk factors (tobacco, alcohol and HPV16). Unsupervised hierarchical clustering identified four clusters (A, B, C1 and C2) of which Subcluster C2 was enriched for cases with a higher frequency of signature 16 mutations. Tumors of Subcluster C2 had significantly lower p16INK4A expression accompanied by homozygous CDKN2A deletion in almost one half of cases. Survival analysis revealed an unfavorable prognosis for patients with tumors characterized by a higher mutation burden attributed to signature 16 as well as cases in Subcluster C2. Finally, a LASSO-Cox regression model was applied to prioritize clinically relevant signatures and to establish a prognostic risk score for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients. In conclusion, our study provides a proof of concept that computational analysis of somatic mutational signatures is not only a powerful tool to decipher environmental and intrinsic processes in the pathogenesis of HNC, but could also pave the way to establish reliable prognostic patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Plath
- Section Experimental and Translational Head and Neck Oncology, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Johanna Gass
- Section Experimental and Translational Head and Neck Oncology, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mario Hlevnjak
- Division Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Qiaoli Li
- Section Experimental and Translational Head and Neck Oncology, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bohai Feng
- Section Experimental and Translational Head and Neck Oncology, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Xavier Pastor Hostench
- Division of Theoretical Bioinformatics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Center for Personalized Oncology, DKFZ-HIPO, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Bieg
- Division of Theoretical Bioinformatics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Center for Personalized Oncology, DKFZ-HIPO, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lea Schroeder
- Division of Molecular Diagnostics of Oncogenic Infections, Infection, Inflammation and Cancer Program, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dana Holzinger
- Division of Molecular Diagnostics of Oncogenic Infections, Infection, Inflammation and Cancer Program, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marc Zapatka
- Division Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kolja Freier
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wilko Weichert
- Institute of Pathology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jochen Hess
- Section Experimental and Translational Head and Neck Oncology, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Molecular Mechanisms of Head and Neck Tumors, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Karim Zaoui
- Section Experimental and Translational Head and Neck Oncology, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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28
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Facompre ND, Rajagopalan P, Sahu V, Pearson AT, Montone KT, James CD, Gleber-Netto FO, Weinstein GS, Jalaly J, Lin A, Rustgi AK, Nakagawa H, Califano JA, Pickering CR, White EA, Windle BE, Morgan IM, Cohen RB, Gimotty PA, Basu D. Identifying predictors of HPV-related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma progression and survival through patient-derived models. Int J Cancer 2020; 147:3236-3249. [PMID: 32478869 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic innovation for human papilloma virus-related (HPV+) head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) is impaired by inadequate preclinical models and the absence of accurate biomarkers. Our study establishes the first well-characterized panel of patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) and organoids from HPV+ HNSCCs while determining fidelity of the models to the distinguishing genetic features of this cancer type. Despite low engraftment rates, whole exome sequencing showed that PDXs retain multiple distinguishing features of HPV+ HNSCC lost in existing cell lines, including PIK3CA mutations, TRAF3 deletion and the absence of EGFR amplifications. Engrafted HPV+ tumors frequently contained NOTCH1 mutations, thus providing new models for a negatively prognostic alteration in this disease. Genotype-phenotype associations in the models were then tested for prediction of tumor progression and survival in published clinical cohorts. Observation of high tumor mutational burdens (TMBs) in the faster-growing models facilitated identification of a novel association between TMB and local progression in both HPV+ and HPV- patients that was prognostic in HPV- cases. In addition, reduced E7 and p16INK4A levels found in a PDX from an outlier case with lethal outcome led to detection of similar profiles among recurrent HPV+ HNSCCs. Transcriptional data from the Cancer Genome Atlas was used to demonstrate that the lower E2F target gene expression predicted by reduced E7 levels has potential as a biomarker of disease recurrence risk. Our findings bridge a critical gap in preclinical models for HPV+ HNSCCs and simultaneously reveal novel potential applications of quantifying mutational burden and viral oncogene functions for biomarker development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole D Facompre
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Pavithra Rajagopalan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Varun Sahu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Kathleen T Montone
- Department of Pathology, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Claire D James
- School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Gregory S Weinstein
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jalal Jalaly
- Department of Pathology, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alexander Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Anil K Rustgi
- Department of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hiroshi Nakagawa
- Department of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Joseph A Califano
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Curtis R Pickering
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Elizabeth A White
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Bradford E Windle
- School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Iain M Morgan
- School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Roger B Cohen
- Department of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Phyllis A Gimotty
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Devraj Basu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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29
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Novotný J, Bandúrová V, Strnad H, Chovanec M, Hradilová M, Šáchová J, Šteffl M, Grušanović J, Kodet R, Pačes V, Lacina L, Smetana K, Plzák J, Kolář M, Vomastek T. Analysis of HPV-Positive and HPV-Negative Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas and Paired Normal Mucosae Reveals Cyclin D1 Deregulation and Compensatory Effect of Cyclin D2. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E792. [PMID: 32224897 PMCID: PMC7226528 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12040792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant regulation of the cell cycle is a typical feature of all forms of cancer. In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), it is often associated with the overexpression of cyclin D1 (CCND1). However, it remains unclear how CCND1 expression changes between tumor and normal tissues and whether human papillomavirus (HPV) affects differential CCND1 expression. Here, we evaluated the expression of D-type cyclins in a cohort of 94 HNSCC patients of which 82 were subjected to whole genome expression profiling of primary tumors and paired normal mucosa. Comparative analysis of paired samples showed that CCND1 was upregulated in 18% of HNSCC tumors. Counterintuitively, CCND1 was downregulated in 23% of carcinomas, more frequently in HPV-positive samples. There was no correlation between the change in D-type cyclin expression and patient survival. Intriguingly, among the tumors with downregulated CCND1, one-third showed an increase in cyclin D2 (CCND2) expression. On the other hand, one-third of tumors with upregulated CCND1 showed a decrease in CCND2. Collectively, we have shown that CCND1 was frequently downregulated in HNSCC tumors. Furthermore, regardless of the HPV status, our data suggested that a change in CCND1 expression was alleviated by a compensatory change in CCND2 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiří Novotný
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic; (J.N.)
- Department of Informatics and Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology, 160 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Bandúrová
- Institute of Anatomy, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (V.B.); (K.S.J.)
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Faculty Hospital Motol, 150 06 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Hynek Strnad
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic; (J.N.)
| | - Martin Chovanec
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Miluše Hradilová
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic; (J.N.)
| | - Jana Šáchová
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic; (J.N.)
| | - Martin Šteffl
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Josipa Grušanović
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Kodet
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Charles University, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and Faculty Hospital Motol, 150 06 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Václav Pačes
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic; (J.N.)
| | - Lukáš Lacina
- Institute of Anatomy, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (V.B.); (K.S.J.)
| | - Karel Smetana
- Institute of Anatomy, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (V.B.); (K.S.J.)
| | - Jan Plzák
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Faculty Hospital Motol, 150 06 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Kolář
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic; (J.N.)
| | - Tomáš Vomastek
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 00 Prague, Czech Republic
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30
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Bochtler T, Reiling A, Endris V, Hielscher T, Volckmar AL, Neumann O, Kirchner M, Budczies J, Heukamp LC, Leichsenring J, Allgäuer M, Kazdal D, Löffler H, Weichert W, Schirmacher P, Stenzinger A, Krämer A. Integrated clinicomolecular characterization identifies RAS activation and CDKN2A deletion as independent adverse prognostic factors in cancer of unknown primary. Int J Cancer 2020; 146:3053-3064. [PMID: 31970771 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) denotes a malignancy with histologically confirmed metastatic spread while the primary tumor remains elusive. Here, we address prognostic and therapeutic implications of mutations and copy number variations (CNVs) detected in tumor tissue in the context of a comprehensive clinical risk assessment. Targeted panel sequencing was performed in 252 CUP patients. 71.8% of patients had unfavorable CUP according to ESMO guidelines. 74.7% were adeno- and 13.7% squamous cell carcinomas. DNA was extracted from microdissected formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. For library preparation, mostly multiplex PCR-based Ion Torrent AmpliSeq™ technology with Oncomine comprehensive assays was used. Most frequent genetic alterations were mutations/deletions of TP53 (49.6%), CDKN2A (19.0%) and NOTCH1 (14.1%) as well as oncogenic activation of KRAS (23.4%), FGFR4 (14.9%) and PIK3CA (10.7%). KRAS activation was predominantly found in adenocarcinomas (p = 0.01), PIK3CA activation in squamous cell carcinomas (p = 0.03). Male sex, high ECOG score, unfavorable CUP, higher number of involved organs and RAS activation predicted decreased event-free and overall survival in multivariate analysis. Deletions of CDKN2A were prognostically adverse regarding overall survival. TP53 mutations did not significantly influence prognosis in the overall cohort, but worsened prognosis in otherwise favorable CUP subtypes. Although not standard in CUP, for 17/198 (8.6%) patients molecularly targeted treatment was recommended and 10 patients (5.1%) were treated accordingly. In conclusion, besides the identification of drug targets, panel sequencing in CUP is prognostically relevant, with RAS activation and CDKN2A deletion emerging as novel independent risk factors in a comprehensive assessment with clinicopathological data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tilmann Bochtler
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Molecular Hematology/Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Department of Internal Medicine V, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Thoracic Oncology, Thoraxklinik Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Germany.,Department of Internal Medicine V, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anna Reiling
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Molecular Hematology/Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Department of Internal Medicine V, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Internal Medicine V, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Volker Endris
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Germany
| | - Thomas Hielscher
- Division of Biostatistics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anna-Lena Volckmar
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Olaf Neumann
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martina Kirchner
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jan Budczies
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Jonas Leichsenring
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Allgäuer
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniel Kazdal
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Harald Löffler
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Molecular Hematology/Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Department of Internal Medicine V, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Marienhospital Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Wilko Weichert
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Germany.,Institute of Pathology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Peter Schirmacher
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Albrecht Stenzinger
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Germany
| | - Alwin Krämer
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Molecular Hematology/Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Department of Internal Medicine V, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Internal Medicine V, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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31
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Immune profiles in primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Oral Oncol 2019; 96:77-88. [PMID: 31422218 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2019.06.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In this study we describe the tumor microenvironment, the signaling pathways and genetic alterations associated with the presence or absence of CD8+ T-cell infiltration in primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two SCCHN multi-analyte cohorts were utilized, the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Chicago Head and Neck Genomics (CHGC) cohort. A well-established chemokine signature classified SCCHN tumors into high and low CD8+ T-cell inflamed phenotypes (TCIP-H, TCIP-L respectively). Gene set enrichment and iPANDA analyses were conducted to dissect differences in signaling pathways, somatic mutations and copy number aberrations for TCIP-H versus TCIP-L tumors, stratified by HPV status. RESULTS TCIP-H SCCHN tumors were enriched in multiple immune checkpoints irrespective of HPV-status. HPV-positive tumors were enriched in markers of T-regulatory cells (Tregs) and HPV-negative tumors in protumorigenic M2 macrophages. TCIP-L SCCHN tumors were enriched for the β-catenin/WNT and Hedgehog signaling pathways, had frequent mutations in NSD1, amplifications in EGFR and YAP1, as well as CDKN2A deletions. TCIP-H SCCHN tumors were associated with the MAPK/ERK, JAK/STAT and mTOR/AKT signaling pathways, and were enriched in CASP8, EP300, EPHA2, HRAS mutations, CD274, PDCD1LG2, JAK2 amplifications. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support that combinatorial immune checkpoint blockade and depletion strategies targeting Tregs in HPV-positive and M2 macrophages in HPV-negative tumors may lead to improved antitumor immune responses in patients with TCIP-H SCCHN. We highlight novel pathways and genetic events that may serve as candidate biomarkers and novel targeted therapies to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy in SCCHN patients.
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32
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Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection and the Association with Survival in Saudi Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11060820. [PMID: 31200489 PMCID: PMC6627701 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11060820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) shows wide disparities, association with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and prognosis. We aimed at determining HPV prevalence, and its prognostic association with overall survival (OS) in Saudi HNSCC patients. The study included 285 oropharyngeal and oral-cavity HNSCC patients. HPV was detected using HPV Linear-Array and RealLine HPV-HCR. In addition, p16INK4a (p16) protein overexpression was evaluated in 50 representative cases. Oropharyngeal cancers were infrequent (10%) compared to oral-cavity cancers (90%) with no gender differences. Overall, HPV-DNA was positive in 10 HNSCC cases (3.5%), mostly oropharyngeal (21%). However, p16 expression was positive in 21 cases of the 50 studied (42%) and showed significantly higher OS (p = 0.02). Kaplan–Meier univariate analysis showed significant associations between patients’ OS and age (p < 0.001), smoking (p = 0.02), and tumor stage (p < 0.001). A Cox proportional hazard multivariate analysis confirmed the significant associations with age, tumor stage, and also treatment (p < 0.01). In conclusion, HPV-DNA prevalence was significantly lower in our HNSCC patients than worldwide 32–36% estimates (p ≤ 0.001). Although infrequent, oropharyngeal cancer increased over years and showed 21% HPV-DNA positivity, which is close to the worldwide 36–46% estimates (p = 0.16). Besides age, smoking, tumor stage, and treatment, HPV/p16 status was an important determinant of patients’ survival. The HPV and/or p16 positivity patients had a better OS than HPV/p16 double-negative patients (p = 0.05). Thus, HPV/p16 status helps improve prognosis by distinguishing between the more favorable p16/HPV positive and the less favorable double-negative tumors.
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33
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Li K, Zhang C, Chen L, Wang P, Fang Y, Zhu J, Chen S, Du J, Shen B, Wu K, Liu Y. The role of acetyl-coA carboxylase2 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. PeerJ 2019; 7:e7037. [PMID: 31218122 PMCID: PMC6568254 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) plays an important role in the metabolism of various cancer cells, but its role in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is uncertain. Therefore, in the present study, we explored the role of ACC2 in HNSCC. Methods Western blot and immunohistochemistry assays were used to determine ACC2 protein expression levels in laryngocarcinoma and adjacent normal tissues derived from patients with laryngocarcinoma. ACC2 expression was knocked down in the hypopharyngeal cancer cell line FaDu to determine its effect on apoptosis. Lipid oil red staining was used to test the change of intracellular lipid. Results The results showed that the ACC2 protein was highly expressed in laryngocarcinoma and that the ACC2 expression level was positively associated with the clinical cancer stage and negatively associated with the degree of laryngocarcinoma cell differentiation. Kaplan-Meier analyses indicated that compared with patients having low levels of ACC2, those with high ACC2 levels had a decreased 5-year survival rate. The results of western blot and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling assays showed that knockdown of ACC2 accelerated apoptosis in FaDu cells. Furthermore, knockdown of ACC2 significantly reduced the intracellular lipid levels in FaDu cells. Conclusion These findings suggest that ACC2 may be an important prognostic marker for patients with HNSCC and that ACC2 may be a potential target in the treatment of HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Chengcheng Zhang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Pingping Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yang Fang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Junwei Zhu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Shuo Chen
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Juan Du
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Bing Shen
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Kaile Wu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yehai Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
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Qian X, Nguyen DT, Dong Y, Sinikovic B, Kaufmann AM, Myers JN, Albers AE, Graviss EA. Prognostic Score Predicts Survival in HPV-Negative Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer Patients. Int J Biol Sci 2019; 15:1336-1344. [PMID: 31337965 PMCID: PMC6643134 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.33329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Although patients having head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have high mortality, standardized prognostic tools are unavailable. As such, having a validated simple prognostic scoring system to help predict mortality in these high-risk patients is urgently needed. The current study aimed to develop and internally validate a prognostic scoring system for overall mortality in human papillomavirus (HPV)-independent HNSCC patients. Data on 400 consecutive patients from the Cancer Genome Atlas database with a known HPV-RNA negative status were analyzed. A prognostic model to predict patient overall mortality was developed using the logistic regression beta coefficients and a simple risk score was created. The model was internally validated using bootstrap validation with 2000 replications. Five covariates (age, pT, pN, perineural invasion, and EAp53 score) were used in the development of the mortality risk score in the final model. Three risk groups were stratified based on the prognostic scores: low-risk (<96 points), medium-risk (96-121 points), and high-risk (≥122 points) with a survival of 76%, 62% and 35%, respectively. The proposed model presented good discrimination in both the development (AUC = 0.76; 95% CI 0.70, 0.81) and bootstrap validation (AUC = 0.76; 95% CI 0.70, 0.81) with a non-significant Hosmer-Lemeshow chi-square of 6.17 (p = 0.63). The proposed prognostic scoring system is easy to use to predict patient overall mortality and could also help in the appropriate allocation of medical resources while managing HNSCC patients. External validation (including re-calibration if needed) should be conducted to test the model's generalizability in different populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Qian
- Division of Molecular Diagnostics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou 310022, P.R. China.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité- Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin 12200, Germany.,Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, P.R. China
| | - Duc T Nguyen
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston 77030, United States
| | - Yue Dong
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, P.R. China
| | - Branko Sinikovic
- Department of Craniomaxillofacial, Oral and Plastic Surgery, Klinikum Ernst von Bergmann, Potsdam 14467, Germany
| | - Andreas M Kaufmann
- Clinic for Gynecology, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité- Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin 12200, Germany
| | - Jeffrey N Myers
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, United States
| | - Andreas E Albers
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité- Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin 12200, Germany
| | - Edward A Graviss
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston 77030, United States
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Sánchez Barrueco A, González Galán F, Villacampa Aubá JM, Díaz Tapia G, Fernández Hernández S, Martín-Arriscado Arroba C, Cenjor Español C, Almodóvar Álvarez C. p16 Influence on Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Relapse and Survival. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2019; 160:1042-1047. [PMID: 30642220 DOI: 10.1177/0194599818821910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE (1) To identify p16 protein in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) specimens and to correlate it with the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) found in these specimens from a previous study. (2) To analyze p16 impact on 10-year overall and disease-free survival. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective case series with oncologic database chart review. SETTING Academic tertiary care hospital. SUBJECTS A total of 123 samples of LSCC (taken from the glottis only) from patients treated with primary surgical resection between 1977 and 2005. METHODS p16 protein expression was analyzed through immunohistochemistry and compared with the presence of HPV established in our previous studies. Results were compared with histologic, clinicopathologic, and survival parameters, with a 10-year follow-up. RESULTS Of the samples, 39.02% were positive for p16, but only 11.38% were positive for both p16 and HPV. The p16+ cohort showed a significant improvement in disease-free survival ( P = .0022); statistical significance was not achieved for overall survival. p16+ cases had fewer relapses over time, with no relapses after a 2-year follow-up. Age at the time of diagnosis and tobacco consumption were the only epidemiologic factors that influenced overall survival. CONCLUSION The expression of p16 protein was a beneficial prognostic factor for disease-free survival among patients with LSCC of the glottis, with no relapses after a 2-year follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Sánchez Barrueco
- 1 ENT and Cervicofacial Surgery Department, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando González Galán
- 1 ENT and Cervicofacial Surgery Department, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Gonzalo Díaz Tapia
- 1 ENT and Cervicofacial Surgery Department, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Carlos Cenjor Español
- 1 ENT and Cervicofacial Surgery Department, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
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Cho WCS, Tan KT, Ma VWS, Li JYC, Ngan RKC, Cheuk W, Yip TTC, Yang YT, Chen SJ. Targeted next-generation sequencing reveals recurrence-associated genomic alterations in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 9:36344-36357. [PMID: 30555633 PMCID: PMC6284742 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The identification of genomic alterations related to recurrence in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients may help better stratify high-risk individuals and guide treatment strategies. This study aimed to identify the molecular biomarkers of recurrence in early-stage NSCLC. Results Of the 42 tumors evaluable for genomic alterations, TP53 and EGFR were the most frequent alterations with population frequency 52.4% and 50.0%, respectively. Fusion genes were detected in four patients, which had lower mutational burden and relatively better genomic stability. EGFR mutation and fusion gene were mutually exclusive in this study. CDKN2A, FAS, SUFU and SMARCA4 genomic alterations were only observed in the relapsed patients. Increased copy number alteration index was observed in early relapsed patients. Among these genomic alterations, early-stage NSCLCs harboring CDKN2A, FAS, SUFU and SMARCA4 genomic alterations were found to be significantly associated with recurrence. Some of these new findings were validated using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. Conclusions The genomic alterations of CDKN2A, FAS, SUFU and SMARCA4 in early-stage NSCLC are found to be associated with recurrence, but confirmation in a larger independent cohort is required to define the clinical impact. Materials and Methods Paired primary tumor and normal lung tissue samples were collected for targeted next-generation sequencing analysis. A panel targets exons for 440 genes was used to assess the mutational and copy number status of selected genes in three clinically relevant groups of stage I/II NSCLC patients: 1) Early relapse; 2) Late relapse; and 3) No relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- William C S Cho
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | | | - Victor W S Ma
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Jacky Y C Li
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Roger K C Ngan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong, Gleneagles Hong Kong Hospital, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong
| | - Wah Cheuk
- Department of Pathology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
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