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Nyirő G, Szeredás BK, Decmann Á, Herold Z, Vékony B, Borka K, Dezső K, Zalatnai A, Kovalszky I, Igaz P. miRNA Expression Profiling in G1 and G2 Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2528. [PMID: 39061169 PMCID: PMC11275009 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16142528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms pose a growing clinical challenge due to their rising incidence and variable prognosis. The current study aims to investigate microRNAs (miRNA; miR) as potential biomarkers for distinguishing between grade 1 (G1) and grade 2 (G2) pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNET). A total of 33 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples were analyzed, comprising 17 G1 and 16 G2 tumors. Initially, literature-based miRNAs were validated via real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), confirming significant downregulation of miR-130b-3p and miR-106b in G2 samples. Through next-generation sequencing, we have identified and selected the top six miRNAs showing the highest difference between G1 and G2 tumors, which were further validated. RT-qPCR validation confirmed the downregulation of miR-30d-5p in G2 tumors. miRNA combinations were created to distinguish between the two PanNET grades. The highest diagnostic performance in distinguishing between G1 and G2 PanNETs by a machine learning algorithm was achieved when using the combination miR-106b + miR-130b-3p + miR-127-3p + miR-129-5p + miR-30d-5p. The ROC analysis resulted in a sensitivity of 83.33% and a specificity of 87.5%. The findings underscore the potential use of miRNAs as biomarkers for stratifying PanNET grades, though further research is warranted to enhance diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Nyirő
- Department of Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Korányi Str. 2/a, 1083 Budapest, Hungary; (G.N.); (B.K.S.); (B.V.)
- Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Korányi Str. 2/a, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad sq. 4., 1089 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bálint Kende Szeredás
- Department of Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Korányi Str. 2/a, 1083 Budapest, Hungary; (G.N.); (B.K.S.); (B.V.)
| | - Ábel Decmann
- Dr. László Vass Health Center, Municipality of District XV, 1152 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Zoltan Herold
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology, Semmelweis University, Baross Str. 23-25, 1082 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bálint Vékony
- Department of Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Korányi Str. 2/a, 1083 Budapest, Hungary; (G.N.); (B.K.S.); (B.V.)
- Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Korányi Str. 2/a, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Katalin Borka
- Department of Pathology, Forensic and Insurance Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Üllői Str. 93, 1083 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Katalin Dezső
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Üllői Str. 26, 1085 Budapest, Hungary; (K.D.); (A.Z.); (I.K.)
| | - Attila Zalatnai
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Üllői Str. 26, 1085 Budapest, Hungary; (K.D.); (A.Z.); (I.K.)
| | - Ilona Kovalszky
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Üllői Str. 26, 1085 Budapest, Hungary; (K.D.); (A.Z.); (I.K.)
| | - Peter Igaz
- Department of Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Korányi Str. 2/a, 1083 Budapest, Hungary; (G.N.); (B.K.S.); (B.V.)
- Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Korányi Str. 2/a, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
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Seyhan AA. Circulating microRNAs as Potential Biomarkers in Pancreatic Cancer-Advances and Challenges. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13340. [PMID: 37686149 PMCID: PMC10488102 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent unmet need for robust and reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of response to specific treatments of many aggressive and deadly cancers, such as pancreatic cancer, and liquid biopsy-based miRNA profiling has the potential for this. MiRNAs are a subset of non-coding RNAs that regulate the expression of a multitude of genes post-transcriptionally and thus are potential diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers and have also emerged as potential therapeutics. Because miRNAs are involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of their target mRNAs via repressing gene expression, defects in miRNA biogenesis pathway and miRNA expression perturb the expression of a multitude of oncogenic or tumor-suppressive genes that are involved in the pathogenesis of various cancers. As such, numerous miRNAs have been identified to be downregulated or upregulated in many cancers, functioning as either oncomes or oncosuppressor miRs. Moreover, dysregulation of miRNA biogenesis pathways can also change miRNA expression and function in cancer. Profiling of dysregulated miRNAs in pancreatic cancer has been shown to correlate with disease diagnosis, indicate optimal treatment options and predict response to a specific therapy. Specific miRNA signatures can track the stages of pancreatic cancer and hold potential as diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive markers, as well as therapeutics such as miRNA mimics and miRNA inhibitors (antagomirs). Furthermore, identified specific miRNAs and genes they regulate in pancreatic cancer along with downstream pathways can be used as potential therapeutic targets. However, a limited understanding and validation of the specific roles of miRNAs, lack of tissue specificity, methodological, technical, or analytical reproducibility, harmonization of miRNA isolation and quantification methods, the use of standard operating procedures, and the availability of automated and standardized assays to improve reproducibility between independent studies limit bench-to-bedside translation of the miRNA biomarkers for clinical applications. Here I review recent findings on miRNAs in pancreatic cancer pathogenesis and their potential as diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attila A. Seyhan
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Experimental Cancer Therapeutics, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA;
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
- Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Lifespan Health System and Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
- Legorreta Cancer Center, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
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3
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Choi JH, Paik WH. Risk Stratification of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms Based on Clinical, Pathological, and Molecular Characteristics. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11247456. [PMID: 36556070 PMCID: PMC9786745 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11247456] [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: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms consist of heterogeneous diseases. Depending on the novel features detected by various modern technologies, their classification and related prognosis predictions continue to change and develop. The role of traditional clinicopathological prognostic factors, including classification systems, is also being refined, and several attempts have been made to predict a more accurate prognosis through novel serum biomarkers, genetic factors, and epigenetic factors that have been identified through various state-of-the-art molecular techniques with multiomics sequencing. In this review article, the latest research results including the traditional approach to prognostic factors and recent advanced strategies for risk stratification of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms based on clinical, pathological, and molecular characteristics are summarized. Predicting prognosis through multi-factorial assessments seems to be more efficacious, and prognostic factors through noninvasive methods are expected to develop further advances in liquid biopsy in the future.
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Pozas J, Alonso-Gordoa T, Román MS, Santoni M, Thirlwell C, Grande E, Molina-Cerrillo J. Novel therapeutic approaches in GEP-NETs based on genetic and epigenetic alterations. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188804. [PMID: 36152904 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) are heterogeneous malignancies with distinct prognosis based on primary tumor localization, grade, stage and functionality. Surgery remains the only curative option in localized tumors, but systemic therapy is the mainstay of treatment for patients with advanced disease. For decades, the therapeutic landscape of GEP-NETs was limited to chemotherapy regimens with low response rates. The arrival of novel agents such as somatostatin analogues, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, tyrosine kinase inhibitors or mTOR-targeted drugs, has changed the therapeutic paradigm of GEP-NETs. However, the efficacy of these agents is limited in time and there is scarce knowledge of optimal treatment sequencing. In recent years, massive parallel sequencing techniques have started to unravel the genomic intricacies of these tumors, allowing us to better understand the mechanisms of resistance to current treatments and to develop new targeted agents that will hopefully start an era for personalized treatment in NETs. In this review we aim to summarize the most relevant genomic aberrations and signaling pathways underlying GEP-NET tumorigenesis and potential therapeutic strategies derived from them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Pozas
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Medicine School, Alcalá University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Teresa Alonso-Gordoa
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Medicine School, Alcalá University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria San Román
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Medicine School, Alcalá University, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Enrique Grande
- Medical Oncology Ddepartment. MD Anderson Cancer Center Madrid, 28033 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Molina-Cerrillo
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Medicine School, Alcalá University, Madrid, Spain.
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Melone V, Salvati A, Palumbo D, Giurato G, Nassa G, Rizzo F, Palo L, Giordano A, Incoronato M, Vitale M, Mian C, Di Biase I, Cristiano S, Narciso V, Cantile M, Di Mauro A, Tatangelo F, Tafuto S, Modica R, Pivonello C, Salvatore M, Colao A, Weisz A, Tarallo R. Identification of functional pathways and molecular signatures in neuroendocrine neoplasms by multi-omics analysis. J Transl Med 2022; 20:306. [PMID: 35794609 PMCID: PMC9258165 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03511-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) represent a heterogeneous class of rare tumors with increasing incidence. They are characterized by the ability to secrete peptide hormones and biogenic amines but other reliable biomarkers are lacking, making diagnosis and identification of the primary site very challenging. While in some NENs, such as the pancreatic ones, next generation sequencing technologies allowed the identification of new molecular hallmarks, our knowledge of the molecular profile of NENs from other anatomical sites is still poor. METHODS Starting from the concept that NENs from different organs may be clinically and genetically correlated, we applied a multi-omics approach by combining multigene panel testing, CGH-array, transcriptome and miRNome profiling and computational analyses, with the aim to highlight common molecular and functional signatures of gastroenteropancreatic (GEP)-NENs and medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTCs) that could aid diagnosis, prognosis and therapy. RESULTS By comparing genomic and transcriptional profiles, ATM-dependent signaling emerged among the most significant pathways at multiple levels, involving gene variations and miRNA-mediated regulation, thus representing a novel putative druggable pathway in these cancer types. Moreover, a set of circulating miRNAs was also selected as possible diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers useful for clinical management of NENs. CONCLUSIONS These findings depict a complex molecular and functional landscape of NENs, shedding light on novel therapeutic targets and disease biomarkers to be exploited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viola Melone
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Annamaria Salvati
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
- Medical Genomics Program and Division of Oncology, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona' University of Salerno, Rete Oncologica Campana, 84131, Salerno, Italy
| | - Domenico Palumbo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
- Medical Genomics Program and Division of Oncology, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona' University of Salerno, Rete Oncologica Campana, 84131, Salerno, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Giovanni Nassa
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
- Medical Genomics Program and Division of Oncology, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona' University of Salerno, Rete Oncologica Campana, 84131, Salerno, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Francesca Rizzo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
- Medical Genomics Program and Division of Oncology, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona' University of Salerno, Rete Oncologica Campana, 84131, Salerno, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Luigi Palo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Alessandro Giordano
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | | | - Mario Vitale
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Caterina Mian
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Immacolata Di Biase
- MeriGen Diagnostic & c sas, traversa M. Pietravalle 11, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano Cristiano
- MeriGen Diagnostic & c sas, traversa M. Pietravalle 11, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Viviana Narciso
- MeriGen Diagnostic & c sas, traversa M. Pietravalle 11, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Monica Cantile
- Pathology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Annabella Di Mauro
- Pathology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Fabiana Tatangelo
- Pathology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Salvatore Tafuto
- Sarcomas and Rare Tumors Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Modica
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Endocrinology Unit, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia Pivonello
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Endocrinology Unit, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Salvatore
- IRCCS Synlab SDN s.p.a, Via Gianturco 113, 80143, Naples, Italy
| | - Annamaria Colao
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Endocrinology Unit, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
- UNESCO Chair for Health Education and Sustainable Development, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy.
- Medical Genomics Program and Division of Oncology, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona' University of Salerno, Rete Oncologica Campana, 84131, Salerno, Italy.
- Genome Research Center for Health, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy.
| | - Roberta Tarallo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy.
- Medical Genomics Program and Division of Oncology, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona' University of Salerno, Rete Oncologica Campana, 84131, Salerno, Italy.
- Genome Research Center for Health, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy.
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Prisciandaro M, Antista M, Raimondi A, Corti F, Morano F, Centonze G, Sabella G, Mangogna A, Randon G, Pagani F, Prinzi N, Niger M, Corallo S, Castiglioni di Caronno E, Massafra M, Bartolomeo MD, de Braud F, Milione M, Pusceddu S. Biomarker Landscape in Neuroendocrine Tumors With High-Grade Features: Current Knowledge and Future Perspective. Front Oncol 2022; 12:780716. [PMID: 35186729 PMCID: PMC8856722 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.780716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are classified based on morphology and are graded based on their proliferation rate as either well-differentiated low-grade (G1) to intermediate (G2–G3) or poorly differentiated high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas (NEC G3). Recently, in gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) NETs, a new subgroup of well-differentiated high-grade tumors (NET G3) has been divided from NEC by WHO due to its different clinical–pathologic features. Although several mutational analyses have been performed, a molecular classification of NET is an unmet need in particular for G3, which tends to be more aggressive and have less benefit to the available therapies. Specifically, new possible prognostic and, above all, predictive factors are highly awaited, giving the basis for new treatments. Alteration of KRAS, TP53, and RB1 is mainly reported, but also druggable alterations, including BRAF and high microsatellite instability (MSI-H), have been documented in subsets of patients. In addition, PD-L1 demonstrated to be highly expressed in G3 NETs, probably becoming a new biomarker for G3 neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN) discrimination and a predictive one for immunotherapy response. In this review, we describe the current knowledge available on a high-grade NET molecular landscape with a specific focus on those harboring potentially therapeutic targets in the advanced setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Prisciandaro
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Michele Prisciandaro,
| | - Maria Antista
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Raimondi
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Corti
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Morano
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Centonze
- First Pathology Division, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Sabella
- First Pathology Division, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mangogna
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofalo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giovanni Randon
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo Pagani
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Natalie Prinzi
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Niger
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Salvatore Corallo
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Marco Massafra
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Di Bartolomeo
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo de Braud
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Milione
- First Pathology Division, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Pusceddu
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Havasi A, Sur D, Cainap SS, Lungulescu CV, Gavrilas LI, Cainap C, Vlad C, Balacescu O. Current and New Challenges in the Management of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: The Role of miRNA-Based Approaches as New Reliable Biomarkers. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:1109. [PMID: 35163032 PMCID: PMC8834851 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) are rare tumors; however, their incidence greatly increases with age, and they occur more frequently among the elderly. They represent 5% of all pancreatic tumors, and despite the fact that low-grade tumors often have an indolent evolution, they portend a poor prognosis in an advanced stages and undifferentiated tumors. Additionally, functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors greatly impact quality of life due to the various clinical syndromes that result from abnormal hormonal secretion. With limited therapeutic and diagnostic options, patient stratification and selection of optimal therapeutic strategies should be the main focus. Modest improvements in the management of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors have been achieved in the last years. Therefore, it is imperative to find new biomarkers and therapeutic strategies to improve patient survival and quality of life, limiting the disease burden. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous molecules that modulate the expression of thousands of genes and control numerous critical processes involved in tumor development and progression. New data also suggest the implication of miRNAs in treatment resistance and their potential as prognostic or diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In this review, we discusses the current and new challenges in the management of PanNETs, including genetic and epigenetic approaches. Furthermore, we summarize the available data on miRNAs as potential prognostic, predictive, or diagnostic biomarkers and discuss their function as future therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei Havasi
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Oncology Institute “Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta”, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.H.); (C.C.)
- 11th Department of Medical Oncology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- MedEuropa Radiotherapy Center, 410191 Oradea, Romania
| | - Daniel Sur
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Oncology Institute “Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta”, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.H.); (C.C.)
- 11th Department of Medical Oncology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Simona Sorana Cainap
- Department of Mother and Child, Pediatric Cardiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | | | - Laura-Ioana Gavrilas
- Department of Bromatology, Hygiene, Nutrition, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 23 Marinescu Street, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Calin Cainap
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Oncology Institute “Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta”, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.H.); (C.C.)
- 11th Department of Medical Oncology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Catalin Vlad
- Department of Surgery, The Oncology Institute “Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta”, 34–36, Republicii Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Department of Oncology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8, Victor Babes Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ovidiu Balacescu
- 11th Department of Medical Oncology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Experimental Pathology, The Oncology Institute “Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta’’, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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8
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The Role of miRNA in the Pathophysiology of Neuroendocrine Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168569. [PMID: 34445276 PMCID: PMC8395312 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168569] [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: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) represent a tumor group that is both rare and heterogeneous. Prognosis is largely determined by the tumor grading and the site of the primary tumor and metastases. Despite intensive research efforts, only modest advances in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches have been achieved in recent years. For patients with non-respectable tumor stages, prognosis is poor. In this context, the development of novel diagnostic tools for early detection of NETs and prediction of tumor response to therapy as well as estimation of the overall prognosis would greatly improve the clinical management of NETs. However, identification of novel diagnostic molecules is hampered by an inadequate understanding of the pathophysiology of neuroendocrine malignancies. It has recently been demonstrated that microRNA (miRNA), a family of small RNA molecules with an established role in the pathophysiology of quite different cancer entities, may also play a role as a biomarker. Here, we summarize the available knowledge on the role of miRNAs in the development of NET and highlight their potential use as serum-based biomarkers in the context of this disease. We discuss important challenges currently preventing their use in clinical routine and give an outlook on future directions of miRNA research in NET.
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MiRNA Expression in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms of Frequent Localizations. Noncoding RNA 2021; 7:ncrna7030038. [PMID: 34202122 PMCID: PMC8293323 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna7030038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) are infrequent malignant tumors of a neuroendocrine nature that arise in various organs. They occur most frequently in the lungs, intestines, stomach and pancreas. Molecular diagnostics and prognosis of NEN development are highly relevant. The role of clinical biomarkers can be played by microRNAs (miRNAs). This work is devoted to the analysis of data on miRNA expression in NENs. For the first time, a search for specificity or a community of their functional characteristics in different types of NEN was carried out. Their properties as biomarkers were also analyzed. To date, more than 100 miRNAs have been characterized as differentially expressed and significant for the development of NEN tumors. Only about 10% of the studied miRNAs are expressed in several types of NEN; differential expression of the remaining 90% was found only in tumors of specific localizations. A significant number of miRNAs have been identified as potential biomarkers. However, only a few miRNAs have values that characterized their quality as markers. The analysis demonstrates the predominant specific expression of miRNA in each studied type of NEN. This indicates that miRNA’s functional features are predominantly influenced by the tissue in which they are formed.
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