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Xu M, Hong JJ, Zhang X, Sun M, Liu X, Kang J, Stack H, Fang W, Lei H, Lacoste X, Okada R, Jung R, Nguyen R, Shern JF, Thiele CJ, Liu Z. Targeting SWI/SNF ATPases reduces neuroblastoma cell plasticity. EMBO J 2024; 43:4522-4541. [PMID: 39174852 PMCID: PMC11480351 DOI: 10.1038/s44318-024-00206-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor cell heterogeneity defines therapy responsiveness in neuroblastoma (NB), a cancer derived from neural crest cells. NB consists of two primary subtypes: adrenergic and mesenchymal. Adrenergic traits predominate in NB tumors, while mesenchymal features becomes enriched post-chemotherapy or after relapse. The interconversion between these subtypes contributes to NB lineage plasticity, but the underlying mechanisms driving this phenotypic switching remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex ATPases are essential in establishing an mesenchymal gene-permissive chromatin state in adrenergic-type NB, facilitating lineage plasticity. Targeting SWI/SNF ATPases with SMARCA2/4 dual degraders effectively inhibits NB cell proliferation, invasion, and notably, cellular plasticity, thereby preventing chemotherapy resistance. Mechanistically, depletion of SWI/SNF ATPases compacts cis-regulatory elements, diminishes enhancer activity, and displaces core transcription factors (MYCN, HAND2, PHOX2B, and GATA3) from DNA, thereby suppressing transcriptional programs associated with plasticity. These findings underscore the pivotal role of SWI/SNF ATPases in driving intrinsic plasticity and therapy resistance in neuroblastoma, highlighting an epigenetic target for combinational treatments in this cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Xu
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jason J Hong
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Xiyuan Zhang
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ming Sun
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Xingyu Liu
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jeeyoun Kang
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Hannah Stack
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Wendy Fang
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Haiyan Lei
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Xavier Lacoste
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Reona Okada
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Raina Jung
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Rosa Nguyen
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jack F Shern
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Carol J Thiele
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Zhihui Liu
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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2
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Vempuluru VS, Maniar A, Bakal K, Kaliki S. Role of MYCN in retinoblastoma: A review of current literature. Surv Ophthalmol 2024; 69:697-706. [PMID: 38796108 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2024.05.009] [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: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Chromosomal abnormalities that involve the MYCN gene are rare; however, it is one of the most commonly mutated genes in retinoblastoma (RB) after the RB1 gene. MYCN is amplified in approximately 1-9 % of all RB tumors. It plays a role in RB oncogenesis via many mechanisms, including synergism with RB1 deletion, positive feedback with MDM2, upregulation of cell cycle regulating genes, upregulation of miRNA, and upregulation of glucose metabolism. MYCN amplifications are not mutually exclusive and can occur even in the presence of RB1 gene mutations. Clinically, RB1+/+MYCNA tumors present as sporadic, unilateral, advanced tumors in very young children and tend to follow an aggressive course. Magnetic resonance imaging features include peripheral tumor location, placoid configuration, retinal folding, tumor-associated hemorrhage, and anterior chamber enhancement. Genetic testing for MYCNA is especially recommended in patients with unilateral RB where genetic blood testing and tumor tissue show a lack of RB1 mutation. MYCN-targeted therapies are evolving and hold promise for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijitha S Vempuluru
- The Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad 500034, India
| | - Arpita Maniar
- Duke Eye Center, Duke University, Durham, NC 27705, USA
| | - Komal Bakal
- The Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad 500034, India
| | - Swathi Kaliki
- The Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad 500034, India.
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3
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Casacuberta-Serra S, González-Larreategui Í, Capitán-Leo D, Soucek L. MYC and KRAS cooperation: from historical challenges to therapeutic opportunities in cancer. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:205. [PMID: 39164274 PMCID: PMC11336233 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01907-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
RAS and MYC rank amongst the most commonly altered oncogenes in cancer, with RAS being the most frequently mutated and MYC the most amplified. The cooperative interplay between RAS and MYC constitutes a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, profoundly influencing tumor development. Together and individually, these two oncogenes regulate most, if not all, hallmarks of cancer, including cell death escape, replicative immortality, tumor-associated angiogenesis, cell invasion and metastasis, metabolic adaptation, and immune evasion. Due to their frequent alteration and role in tumorigenesis, MYC and RAS emerge as highly appealing targets in cancer therapy. However, due to their complex nature, both oncogenes have been long considered "undruggable" and, until recently, no drugs directly targeting them had reached the clinic. This review aims to shed light on their complex partnership, with special attention to their active collaboration in fostering an immunosuppressive milieu and driving immunotherapeutic resistance in cancer. Within this review, we also present an update on the different inhibitors targeting RAS and MYC currently undergoing clinical trials, along with their clinical outcomes and the different combination strategies being explored to overcome drug resistance. This recent clinical development suggests a paradigm shift in the long-standing belief of RAS and MYC "undruggability", hinting at a new era in their therapeutic targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Íñigo González-Larreategui
- Models of cancer therapies Laboratory, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Cellex Centre, Hospital University Vall d'Hebron Campus, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Capitán-Leo
- Models of cancer therapies Laboratory, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Cellex Centre, Hospital University Vall d'Hebron Campus, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Soucek
- Peptomyc S.L., Barcelona, Spain.
- Models of cancer therapies Laboratory, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Cellex Centre, Hospital University Vall d'Hebron Campus, Barcelona, Spain.
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Barcelona, Spain.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.
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4
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Scardovi AL, Bartolucci D, Montemurro L, Bortolotti S, Angelucci S, Amadesi C, Nieddu G, Oosterholt S, Cerisoli L, Della Pasqua O, Hrelia P, Tonelli R. Preclinical Pharmacokinetics in Tumors and Normal Tissues of the Antigene PNA Oligonucleotide MYCN-Inhibitor BGA002. Nucleic Acid Ther 2024; 34:173-187. [PMID: 38957973 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2024.0005] [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] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Although MYCN has been considered an undruggable target, MYCN alterations confer poor prognosis in many pediatric and adult cancers. The novel MYCN-specific inhibitor BGA002 is an antigene peptide nucleic acid oligonucleotide covalently bound to a nuclear localization signal peptide. In the present study, we characterized the pharmacokinetics (PK) of BGA002 after single and repeated administration to mice using a novel specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. BGA002 concentrations in plasma showed linear PK, with dose proportional increase across the tested dose levels and similar exposure between male and female and between intravenous and subcutaneous route of administration. Repeated dosing resulted in no accumulation in plasma. Biodistribution up to 7 days after single subcutaneous administration of [14C]-radiolabeled BGA002 showed broad tissues and organ distribution (suggesting a potential capability to reach primary tumor and metastasis in several body sites), with high concentrations in kidney, liver, spleen, lymph nodes, adrenals, and bone marrow. Remarkably, we demonstrated that BGA002 concentrates in tumors after repeated systemic administrations in three mouse models with MYCN amplification (neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and small-cell lung cancer), leading to a significant reduction in tumor weight. Taking into account the available safety profile of BGA002, these data support further evaluation of BGA002 in patients with MYCN-positive tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Luca Montemurro
- AGEOP Ricerca OdV, IRCCS S. Orsola Hospital, Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Unit, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Sean Oosterholt
- Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics Group, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Oscar Della Pasqua
- Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics Group, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Patrizia Hrelia
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnologies, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Tonelli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnologies, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Murray JE, Valli E, Milazzo G, Mayoh C, Gifford AJ, Fletcher JI, Xue C, Jayatilleke N, Salehzadeh F, Gamble LD, Rouaen JRC, Carter DR, Forgham H, Sekyere EO, Keating J, Eden G, Allan S, Alfred S, Kusuma FK, Clark A, Webber H, Russell AJ, de Weck A, Kile BT, Santulli M, De Rosa P, Fleuren EDG, Gao W, Wilkinson-White L, Low JKK, Mackay JP, Marshall GM, Hilton DJ, Giorgi FM, Koster J, Perini G, Haber M, Norris MD. The transcriptional co-repressor Runx1t1 is essential for MYCN-driven neuroblastoma tumorigenesis. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5585. [PMID: 38992040 PMCID: PMC11239676 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49871-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
MYCN oncogene amplification is frequently observed in aggressive childhood neuroblastoma. Using an unbiased large-scale mutagenesis screen in neuroblastoma-prone transgenic mice, we identify a single germline point mutation in the transcriptional corepressor Runx1t1, which abolishes MYCN-driven tumorigenesis. This loss-of-function mutation disrupts a highly conserved zinc finger domain within Runx1t1. Deletion of one Runx1t1 allele in an independent Runx1t1 knockout mouse model is also sufficient to prevent MYCN-driven neuroblastoma development, and reverse ganglia hyperplasia, a known pre-requisite for tumorigenesis. Silencing RUNX1T1 in human neuroblastoma cells decreases colony formation in vitro, and inhibits tumor growth in vivo. Moreover, RUNX1T1 knockdown inhibits the viability of PAX3-FOXO1 fusion-driven rhabdomyosarcoma and MYC-driven small cell lung cancer cells. Despite the role of Runx1t1 in MYCN-driven tumorigenesis neither gene directly regulates the other. We show RUNX1T1 forms part of a transcriptional LSD1-CoREST3-HDAC repressive complex recruited by HAND2 to enhancer regions to regulate chromatin accessibility and cell-fate pathway genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayne E Murray
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Emanuele Valli
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Giorgio Milazzo
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Chelsea Mayoh
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew J Gifford
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Anatomical Pathology, NSW Health Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Jamie I Fletcher
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Chengyuan Xue
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Nisitha Jayatilleke
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Firoozeh Salehzadeh
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Laura D Gamble
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Jourdin R C Rouaen
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Daniel R Carter
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW, Australia
| | - Helen Forgham
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Eric O Sekyere
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Joanna Keating
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Georgina Eden
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Sophie Allan
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Stephanie Alfred
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Frances K Kusuma
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Ashleigh Clark
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Hannah Webber
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Amanda J Russell
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Antoine de Weck
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Benjamin T Kile
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Martina Santulli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Piergiuseppe De Rosa
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Emmy D G Fleuren
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Weiman Gao
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Lorna Wilkinson-White
- Sydney Analytical Core Research Facility, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jason K K Low
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Joel P Mackay
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Glenn M Marshall
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Douglas J Hilton
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Federico M Giorgi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Jan Koster
- Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Giovanni Perini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michelle Haber
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Murray D Norris
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2031, Australia.
- UNSW Centre for Childhood Cancer Research, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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6
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Nishio Y, Kato K, Oishi H, Takahashi Y, Saitoh S. MYCN in human development and diseases. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1417607. [PMID: 38884091 PMCID: PMC11176553 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1417607] [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: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Somatic mutations in MYCN have been identified across various tumors, playing pivotal roles in tumorigenesis, tumor progression, and unfavorable prognoses. Despite its established notoriety as an oncogenic driver, there is a growing interest in exploring the involvement of MYCN in human development. While MYCN variants have traditionally been associated with Feingold syndrome type 1, recent discoveries highlight gain-of-function variants, specifically p.(Thr58Met) and p.(Pro60Leu), as the cause for megalencephaly-polydactyly syndrome. The elucidation of cellular and murine analytical data from both loss-of-function (Feingold syndrome model) and gain-of-function models (megalencephaly-polydactyly syndrome model) is significantly contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the physiological role of MYCN in human development and pathogenesis. This review discusses the MYCN's functional implications for human development by reviewing the clinical characteristics of these distinct syndromes, Feingold syndrome, and megalencephaly-polydactyly syndrome, providing valuable insights into the understanding of pathophysiological backgrounds of other syndromes associated with the MYCN pathway and the overall comprehension of MYCN's role in human development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Nishio
- Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Genetics, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kohji Kato
- Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Genetics, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hisashi Oishi
- Department of Comparative and Experimental Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Takahashi
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shinji Saitoh
- Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
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Romiani A, Simonsson K, Pettersson D, Al-Awar A, Rassol N, Bakr H, Lind D, Umapathy G, Spetz J, Palmer R, Hallberg B, Helou K, Forssell-Aronsson E. Comparison of 177Lu-octreotate and 177Lu-octreotide for treatment in human neuroblastoma-bearing mice. Heliyon 2024; 10:e31409. [PMID: 38826727 PMCID: PMC11141386 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31409] [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: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Patients with high-risk neuroblastoma (NB) have a 5-year event-free survival of less than 50 %, and novel and improved treatment options are needed. Radiolabeled somatostatin analogs (SSTAs) could be a treatment option. The aims of this work were to compare the biodistribution and the therapeutic effects of 177Lu-octreotate and 177Lu-octreotide in mice bearing the human CLB-BAR NB cell line, and to evaluate their regulatory effects on apoptosis-related genes. Methods The biodistribution of 177Lu-octreotide in mice bearing CLB-BAR tumors was studied at 1, 24, and 168 h after administration, and the absorbed dose was estimated to tumor and normal tissues. Further, animals were administered different amounts of 177Lu-octreotate or 177Lu-octreotide. Tumor volume was measured over time and compared to a control group given saline. RNA was extracted from tumors, and the expression of 84 selected genes involved in apoptosis was quantified with qPCR. Results The activity concentration was generally lower in most tissues for 177Lu-octreotide compared to 177Lu-octreotate. Mean absorbed dose per administered activity to tumor after injection of 1.5 MBq and 15 MBq was 0.74 and 0.03 Gy/MBq for 177Lu-octreotide and 2.9 and 0.45 Gy/MBq for 177Lu-octreotate, respectively. 177Lu-octreotide treatment resulted in statistically significant differences compared to controls. Fractionated administration led to a higher survival fraction than after a single administration. The pro-apoptotic genes TNSFS8, TNSFS10, and TRADD were regulated after administration with 177Lu-octreotate. Treatment with 177Lu-octreotide yielded regulation of the pro-apoptotic genes CASP5 and TRADD, and of the anti-apoptotic gene IL10 as well as the apoptosis-related gene TNF. Conclusion 177Lu-octreotide gave somewhat better anti-tumor effects than 177Lu-octreotate. The similar effect observed in the treated groups with 177Lu-octreotate suggests saturation of the somatostatin receptors. Pronounced anti-tumor effects following fractionated administration merited receptor saturation as an explanation. The gene expression analyses suggest apoptosis activation through the extrinsic pathway for both radiopharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Romiani
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - K. Simonsson
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - D. Pettersson
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - A. Al-Awar
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - N. Rassol
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - H. Bakr
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - D.E. Lind
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - G. Umapathy
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - J. Spetz
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - R.H. Palmer
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - B. Hallberg
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - K. Helou
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - E. Forssell-Aronsson
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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8
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Xu Y, Qi W, Zheng C, Li Y, Lu Z, Guan J, Lu C, Zhao B. Loss of the vitamin D receptor triggers senescence in chronic myeloid leukemia via DDIT4-mediated DNA damage. J Mol Cell Biol 2024; 15:mjad066. [PMID: 37880985 PMCID: PMC11190374 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjad066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a hematopoietic malignancy driven by the fusion gene BCR::ABL1. Drug resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), due to BCR::ABL1 mutations and residual leukemia stem cells (LSCs), remains a major challenge in CML treatment. Here, we revealed the requirement of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in the progression of CML. VDR was upregulated by BCR::ABL1 and highly expressed in CML cells. Interestingly, VDR knockdown inhibited the proliferation of CML cells driven by both BCR::ABL1 and TKI-resistant BCR::ABL1 mutations. Mechanistically, VDR transcriptionally regulated DDIT4 expression; reduced DDIT4 levels upon VDR knockdown triggered DNA damage and senescence via p53 signaling activation in CML cells. Furthermore, VDR deficiency not only suppressed tumor burden and progression in primary CML mice but also reduced the self-renewal capacity of CML-LSCs. Together, our study demonstrated that targeting VDR is a promising strategy to overcome TKI resistance and eradicate LSCs in CML.
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MESH Headings
- Receptors, Calcitriol/metabolism
- Receptors, Calcitriol/genetics
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/pathology
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/genetics
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/drug therapy
- Animals
- DNA Damage
- Humans
- Mice
- Cell Proliferation
- Cellular Senescence/genetics
- Cellular Senescence/drug effects
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics
- Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl/genetics
- Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl/metabolism
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/metabolism
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/pathology
- Signal Transduction
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xu
- Key Lab of Chemical Biology (MOE), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technology Research and Evaluation of Drug Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Wentao Qi
- Key Lab of Chemical Biology (MOE), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technology Research and Evaluation of Drug Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Chengzu Zheng
- Key Lab of Chemical Biology (MOE), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technology Research and Evaluation of Drug Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Key Lab of Chemical Biology (MOE), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technology Research and Evaluation of Drug Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Zhiyuan Lu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Institute of Materia Medica, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Jianmin Guan
- Department of Hematology, Heze Municipal Hospital, Heze 274031, China
| | - Chunhua Lu
- Key Lab of Chemical Biology (MOE), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technology Research and Evaluation of Drug Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Baobing Zhao
- Key Lab of Chemical Biology (MOE), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technology Research and Evaluation of Drug Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
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9
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Liu Z, Zhang X, Xu M, Hong JJ, Ciardiello A, Lei H, Shern JF, Thiele CJ. MYCN drives oncogenesis by cooperating with the histone methyltransferase G9a and the WDR5 adaptor to orchestrate global gene transcription. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002240. [PMID: 38547242 PMCID: PMC11003700 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
MYCN activates canonical MYC targets involved in ribosome biogenesis, protein synthesis, and represses neuronal differentiation genes to drive oncogenesis in neuroblastoma (NB). How MYCN orchestrates global gene expression remains incompletely understood. Our study finds that MYCN binds promoters to up-regulate canonical MYC targets but binds to both enhancers and promoters to repress differentiation genes. MYCN binding also increases H3K4me3 and H3K27ac on canonical MYC target promoters and decreases H3K27ac on neuronal differentiation gene enhancers and promoters. WDR5 facilitates MYCN promoter binding to activate canonical MYC target genes, whereas MYCN recruits G9a to enhancers to repress neuronal differentiation genes. Targeting both MYCN's active and repressive transcriptional activities using both WDR5 and G9a inhibitors synergistically suppresses NB growth. We demonstrate that MYCN cooperates with WDR5 and G9a to orchestrate global gene transcription. The targeting of both these cofactors is a novel therapeutic strategy to indirectly target the oncogenic activity of MYCN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihui Liu
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Xiyuan Zhang
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Man Xu
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jason J. Hong
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Amanda Ciardiello
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Haiyan Lei
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jack F. Shern
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Carol J. Thiele
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
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10
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Kouroukli O, Bravou V, Giannitsas K, Tzelepi V. Tissue-Based Diagnostic Biomarkers of Aggressive Variant Prostate Cancer: A Narrative Review. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:805. [PMID: 38398199 PMCID: PMC10887410 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16040805] [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: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PC) is a common malignancy among elderly men, characterized by great heterogeneity in its clinical course, ranging from an indolent to a highly aggressive disease. The aggressive variant of prostate cancer (AVPC) clinically shows an atypical pattern of disease progression, similar to that of small cell PC (SCPC), and also shares the chemo-responsiveness of SCPC. The term AVPC does not describe a specific histologic subtype of PC but rather the group of tumors that, irrespective of morphology, show an aggressive clinical course, dictated by androgen receptor (AR) indifference. AR indifference represents an adaptive response to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), driven by epithelial plasticity, an inherent ability of tumor cells to adapt to their environment by changing their phenotypic characteristics in a bi-directional way. The molecular profile of AVPC entails combined alterations in the tumor suppressor genes retinoblastoma protein 1 (RB1), tumor protein 53 (TP53), and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). The understanding of the biologic heterogeneity of castration-resistant PC (CRPC) and the need to identify the subset of patients that would potentially benefit from specific therapies necessitate the development of prognostic and predictive biomarkers. This review aims to discuss the possible pathophysiologic mechanisms of AVPC development and the potential use of emerging tissue-based biomarkers in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Kouroukli
- Department of Pathology, Evaggelismos General Hospital, 10676 Athens, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Bravou
- Department of Anatomy-Histology-Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece;
| | | | - Vasiliki Tzelepi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
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11
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Muehling J, Fröba-Pohl A, Muensterer OJ, von Schweinitz D, Kappler R. Impact of BCL-2 Expression on Course of Disease in Neuroblastoma. Eur J Pediatr Surg 2024; 34:69-77. [PMID: 37774735 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1774798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The antiapoptotic BCL-2 protein has implications for maturation and differentiation of neural tissue and acts as a strong modulator of carcinogenesis in different tumors. Recent research focuses not only on its benefit as a prognostic factor, but also as a potential therapeutic target. The role of BCL-2 in neuroblastoma, the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood, remains controversial. The aim of our study was to determine the gene expression level of BCL-2 in a large cohort of neuroblastoma patients and its correlation with clinical parameters. METHODS Tumor samples and clinical data were collected from 100 neuroblastoma patients treated according to the NB2004 protocol of the German Society of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology. BCL-2 gene expression levels were measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and correlated with clinical parameters. RESULTS BCL-2 expression was detected in all tumor samples. Relative BCL-2 expression levels were higher in females versus males (1.839 vs. 1.342; p = 0.0143), in patients with low versus high International Neuroblastoma Staging System stage (2.051 vs. 1.463; p = 0.0206), in nonmetastatic versus metastatic disease (1.801 vs. 1.342; p = 0.0242), as well as in patients without presurgical chemotherapy (2.145 vs. 1.402; p = 0.0016), but was not associated with overall survival and MYCN amplification. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates the ubiquitous expression of BCL-2 in neuroblastoma and suggests the possibility for targeted therapy with BCL-2 inhibitors, even in lower-stage neuroblastoma. It also underlines the need for further research on concomitant genetic alterations for a better understanding of the impact of BCL-2 on this pediatric tumor type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Muehling
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Munich University Hospital, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, München, Germany
| | - Alexandra Fröba-Pohl
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Munich University Hospital, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, München, Germany
| | - Oliver J Muensterer
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Munich University Hospital, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, München, Germany
| | - Dietrich von Schweinitz
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Munich University Hospital, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, München, Germany
| | - Roland Kappler
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Munich University Hospital, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, München, Germany
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12
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Lu H, Shen H, Mao L, Mussap M, Song L. A ferroptosis-related ceRNA network for investigating the molecular mechanisms and the treatment of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Transl Pediatr 2024; 13:119-136. [PMID: 38323182 PMCID: PMC10839276 DOI: 10.21037/tp-23-596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) is a clinical syndrome causing brain injury in newborns with obscure etiology. Increasing evidence suggests that ferroptosis plays a role in HIBD. This study aimed to clarify the key ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) of HIBD, construct a long non-coding RNA-microRNA-messenger RNA (lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA) network, and further investigate the pathogenesis of HIBD. Methods Gene expression data were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus and FerrDb databases. The differentially expressed lncRNAs and FRGs were screened, and the related miRNAs and mRNAs were predicted. The obtained mRNA was intersected with the differentially expressed FRGs (DE-FRGs) to identify the key DE-FRGs. Cell-type Identification by Estimating Relative Subsets of RNA Transcripts method was applied to analyze the immune cell infiltration level and the relationship between key genes and immune cells. Results Gene differential expression analysis revealed that 1,178 lncRNAs, 207 miRNAs, and 647 mRNAs were differentially expressed in the blood of HIBD patients in comparison to healthy controls. The correlations of the lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs lead to the establishment of a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network associated with ferroptosis in HIBD. Further validation using an external dataset and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of brain tissues from hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy rats confirmed the expression patterns of three key genes, including HMOX1, MYCN, and QSOX1. Meanwhile, the three key genes were closely correlated with the infiltration of multiple immune cells and might affect the function of HIBD regulatory genes such as CPT2 and GCK. In addition, drug prediction suggested that four drugs, including cephaeline, emetine, mestranol, and sulmazole, might alleviate HIBD. Conclusions Our study established a ceRNA network, identified three key genes, and predicted four drugs that are associated with ferroptosis in HIBD, which provides new ideas for the investigation of the disease mechanisms and might facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyi Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, Nantong First People’s Hospital (The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University), Nantong, China
| | - Haiyan Shen
- Department of Pediatrics, Nantong First People’s Hospital (The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University), Nantong, China
| | - Liming Mao
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
- Basic Medical Research Center, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Michele Mussap
- Laboratory Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Lei Song
- Department of Pediatrics, Nantong First People’s Hospital (The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University), Nantong, China
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13
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Mesquita FP, Lima LB, da Silva EL, Souza PFN, de Moraes MEA, Burbano RMR, Montenegro RC. A Review on Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) Rearrangements and Mutations: Implications for Gastric Carcinogenesis and Target Therapy. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2024; 25:539-552. [PMID: 38424421 DOI: 10.2174/0113892037291318240130103348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Gastric adenocarcinoma is a complex disease with diverse genetic modifications, including Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) gene changes. The ALK gene is located on chromosome 2p23 and encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase that plays a crucial role in embryonic development and cellular differentiation. ALK alterations can result from gene fusion, mutation, amplification, or overexpression in gastric adenocarcinoma. Fusion occurs when the ALK gene fuses with another gene, resulting in a chimeric protein with constitutive kinase activity and promoting oncogenesis. ALK mutations are less common but can also result in the activation of ALK signaling pathways. Targeted therapies for ALK variations in gastric adenocarcinoma have been developed, including ALK inhibitors that have shown promising results in pre-clinical studies. Future studies are needed to elucidate the ALK role in gastric cancer and to identify predictive biomarkers to improve patient selection for targeted therapy. Overall, ALK alterations are a relevant biomarker for gastric adenocarcinoma treatment and targeted therapies for ALK may improve patients' overall survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Pantoja Mesquita
- Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 60430-275, Brazil
| | - Luina Benevides Lima
- Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 60430-275, Brazil
| | - Emerson Lucena da Silva
- Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 60430-275, Brazil
| | - Pedro Filho Noronha Souza
- Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 60430-275, Brazil
| | | | - Rommel Mario Rodrigues Burbano
- Department of Biological Sciences, Oncology Research Center, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Ophir Loyola Hospital, Belém, Brazil
| | - Raquel Carvalho Montenegro
- Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 60430-275, Brazil
- Latinoamericana de Implementación y Validación de guias clinicas Farmacogenomicas (RELIVAF), Brazil
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14
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Epp S, Chuah SM, Halasz M. Epigenetic Dysregulation in MYCN-Amplified Neuroblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17085. [PMID: 38069407 PMCID: PMC10707345 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB), a childhood cancer arising from the neural crest, poses significant clinical challenges, particularly in cases featuring amplification of the MYCN oncogene. Epigenetic factors play a pivotal role in normal neural crest and NB development, influencing gene expression patterns critical for tumorigenesis. This review delves into the multifaceted interplay between MYCN and known epigenetic modifications during NB genesis, shedding light on the intricate regulatory networks underlying the disease. We provide an extensive survey of known epigenetic mechanisms, encompassing DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNAs, super-enhancers (SEs), bromodomains (BET), and chromatin modifiers in MYCN-amplified (MNA) NB. These epigenetic changes collectively contribute to the dysregulated gene expression landscape observed in MNA NB. Furthermore, we review emerging therapeutic strategies targeting epigenetic regulators, including histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), histone methyltransferase inhibitors (HMTi), and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi). We also discuss and summarize current drugs in preclinical and clinical trials, offering insights into their potential for improving outcomes for MNA NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraya Epp
- Systems Biology Ireland, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (S.E.)
| | - Shin Mei Chuah
- Systems Biology Ireland, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (S.E.)
| | - Melinda Halasz
- Systems Biology Ireland, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (S.E.)
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
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15
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Le Clorennec C, Subramonian D, Huo Y, Zage PE. UBE4B interacts with the ITCH E3 ubiquitin ligase to induce Ku70 and c-FLIPL polyubiquitination and enhanced neuroblastoma apoptosis. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:739. [PMID: 37957138 PMCID: PMC10643674 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06252-7] [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: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Expression of the UBE4B ubiquitin ligase is strongly associated with neuroblastoma patient outcomes, but the functional roles of UBE4B in neuroblastoma pathogenesis are not known. We evaluated interactions of UBE4B with the E3 ubiquitin ligase ITCH/AIP4 and the effects of UBE4B expression on Ku70 and c-FLIPL ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation by co-immunoprecipitation and Western blots. We also evaluated the role of UBE4B in apoptosis induced by histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition using Western blots. UBE4B binding to ITCH was mediated by WW domains in the ITCH protein. ITCH activation led to ITCH-UBE4B complex formation and recruitment of Ku70 and c-FLIPL via ITCH WW domains, followed by Ku70 and c-FLIPL Lys48/Lys63 branched polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. HDAC inhibition induced Ku70 acetylation, leading to release of c-FLIPL and Bax from Ku70, increased Ku70 and c-FLIPL Lys48/Lys63 branched polyubiquitination via the ITCH-UBE4B complex, and induction of apoptosis. UBE4B depletion led to reduced polyubiquitination and increased levels of Ku70 and c-FLIPL and to reduced apoptosis induced by HDAC inhibition via stabilization of c-FLIPL and Ku70 and inhibition of caspase 8 activation. Our results have identified novel interactions and novel targets for UBE4B ubiquitin ligase activity and a direct role for the ITCH-UBE4B complex in responses of neuroblastoma cells to HDAC inhibition, suggesting that the ITCH-UBE4B complex plays a critical role in responses of neuroblastoma to therapy and identifying a potential mechanism underlying the association of UBE4B expression with neuroblastoma patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Le Clorennec
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Divya Subramonian
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yuchen Huo
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Peter E Zage
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA.
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16
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Xu H, Xiao L, Chen Y, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Gao Y, Man S, Yan N, Zhang M. Effect of CDK7 inhibitor on MYCN-amplified retinoblastoma. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2023; 1866:194964. [PMID: 37536559 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2023.194964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Retinoblastoma (RB) is a common malignancy that primarily affects pediatric populations. Although a well-known cause of RB is RB1 mutation, MYCN amplification can also lead to the disease, which is a poor prognosis factor. Studies conducted in various tumor types have shown that MYCN inhibition is an effective approach to impede tumor growth. Various indirect approaches have been developed to overcome the difficulty of directly targeting MYCN, such as modulating the super enhancer (SE) upstream of MYCN. The drug used in this study to treat MYCN-amplified RB was THZ1, a CDK7 inhibitor that can effectively suppress transcription by interfering with the activity of SEs. The study findings confirmed the anticancer activity of THZ1 against RB in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Therapy with THZ1 was found to affect numerous genes in RB according to the RNA-seq analysis. Moreover, the gene expression changes induced by THZ1 treatment were enriched in ribosome, endocytosis, cell cycle, apoptosis, etc. Furthermore, the combined analysis of ChIP-Seq and RNA-seq data suggested a potential role of SEs in regulating the expression of critical transcription factors, such as MYCN, OTX2, and SOX4. Moreover, ChIP-qPCR experiments were conducted to confirm the interaction between MYCN and SEs. In conclusion, THZ1 caused substantial changes in gene transcription in RB, resulting in inhibited cell proliferation, interference with the cell cycle, and increased apoptosis. The efficacy of THZ1 is positively correlated with the degree of MYCN amplification and is likely exerted by interfering with MYCN upstream SEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanyue Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, PR China; Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Lirong Xiao
- Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yi Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, PR China; Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yilin Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yifan Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yuzhu Gao
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Shulei Man
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Naihong Yan
- Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, PR China.
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, PR China.
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17
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Schoof M, Epplen GD, Walter C, Ballast A, Holdhof D, Göbel C, Neyazi S, Varghese J, Albert TK, Kerl K, Schüller U. The tumor suppressor CREBBP and the oncogene MYCN cooperate to induce malignant brain tumors in mice. Oncogenesis 2023; 12:36. [PMID: 37407554 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-023-00481-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor suppressor and chromatin modifier cAMP response element-binding protein binding protein (CREBBP) and v-myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene neuroblastoma derived homolog (MYCN), a member of the MYC oncogene family, are critically involved in brain development. Both genes are frequently mutated in the same tumor entities, including high-grade glioma and medulloblastoma. Therefore, we hypothesized that alterations in both genes cooperate to induce brain tumor formation. For further investigation, hGFAP-cre::CrebbpFl/Fl::lsl-MYCN mice were generated, which combine Crebbp deletion with overexpression of MYCN in neural stem cells (NSCs). Within eight months, these animals developed aggressive forebrain tumors. The first tumors were detectable in the olfactory bulbs of seven-day-old mice. This location raises the possibility that presumptive founder cells are derived from the ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ). To examine the cellular biology of these tumors, single-cell RNA sequencing was performed, which revealed high intratumoral heterogeneity. Data comparison with reference CNS cell types indicated the highest similarity of tumor cells with transit-amplifying NSCs or activated NSCs of the V-SVZ. Consequently, we analyzed V-SVZ NSCs of our mouse model aiming to confirm that the tumors originate from this stem cell niche. Mutant V-SVZ NSCs showed significantly increased cell viability and proliferation as well as reduced glial and neural differentiation in vitro compared to control cells. In summary, we demonstrate the oncogenic potential of a combined loss of function of CREBBP and overexpression of MYCN in this cell population. hGFAP-cre::CrebbpFl/Fl::lsl-MYCN mice thus provide a valuable tool to study tumor-driving mechanisms in a key neural stem/ progenitor cell niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Schoof
- Research Institute Children`s Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Carolin Walter
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Annika Ballast
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Dörthe Holdhof
- Research Institute Children`s Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Carolin Göbel
- Research Institute Children`s Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sina Neyazi
- Research Institute Children`s Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julian Varghese
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Thomas Karl Albert
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Kornelius Kerl
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schüller
- Research Institute Children`s Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany.
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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Zhou Y, Yan H, Zhou Q, Wang P, Yang F, Yuan Z, Du Q, Zhai B. CCNB1IP1 prevents ubiquitination-mediated destabilization of MYCN and potentiates tumourigenesis of MYCN-amplificated neuroblastoma. Clin Transl Med 2023; 13:e1328. [PMID: 37461251 PMCID: PMC10352605 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND MYCN amplification as a common genetic alteration that correlates with a poor prognosis for neuroblastoma (NB) patients. However, given the challenge of directly targeting MYCN, indirect strategies to modulate MYCN by interfering with its cofactors are attractive in NB treatment. Although cyclin B1 interacting protein 1 (CCNB1IP1) has been found to be upregulated in MYCN-driven mouse NB tissues, its regulation with MYCN and collaboration in driving the biological behaviour of NB remains unknown. METHODS To evaluate the expression and clinical significance of CCNB1IP1 in NB patients, public datasets, clinical NB samples and cell lines were explored. MTT, EdU incorporation, colony and tumour sphere formation assays, and a mouse xenograft tumour model were utilized to examine the biological function of CCNB1IP1. The reciprocal manipulation of CCNB1IP1 and MYCN and the underlying mechanisms involved were investigated by gain- and loss-of-function approaches, dual-luciferase assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) experiments. RESULTS CCNB1IP1 was upregulated in MYCN-amplified (MYCN-AM) NB cell lines and patients-derived tumour tissues, which was associated with poor prognosis. Phenotypic studies revealed that CCNB1IP1 facilitated the proliferation and tumourigenicity of NB cells in cooperation with MYCN in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, MYCN directly mediates the transcription of CCNB1IP1, which in turn attenuated the ubiquitination and degradation of MYCN protein, thus enhancing CCNB1IP1-MYCN cooperativity. Moreover, CCNB1IP1 competed with F box/WD-40 domain protein 7 (FBXW7) for MYCN binding and enabled MYCN-mediated tumourigenesis in a C-terminal domain-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed a previously uncharacterized mechanism of CCNB1IP1-mediated MYCN protein stability and will provide new prospects for precise treatment of MYCN-AM NB based on MYCN-CCNB1IP1 interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhou
- Henan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Pediatric Diseases, Henan Key Laboratory of Pediatric Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hui Yan
- Henan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Pediatric Diseases, Henan Key Laboratory of Pediatric Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qiang Zhou
- Henan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Pediatric Diseases, Henan Key Laboratory of Pediatric Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Penggao Wang
- Henan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Pediatric Diseases, Henan Key Laboratory of Pediatric Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Fang Yang
- Henan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Pediatric Diseases, Henan Key Laboratory of Pediatric Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ziqiao Yuan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qianming Du
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, P. R. China
- School of Basic Medicine & Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Bo Zhai
- Henan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Pediatric Diseases, Henan Key Laboratory of Pediatric Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
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Hagemann S, Misiak D, Bell JL, Fuchs T, Lederer MI, Bley N, Hämmerle M, Ghazy E, Sippl W, Schulte JH, Hüttelmaier S. IGF2BP1 induces neuroblastoma via a druggable feedforward loop with MYCN promoting 17q oncogene expression. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:88. [PMID: 37246217 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01792-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma is the most common solid tumor in infants accounting for approximately 15% of all cancer-related deaths. Over 50% of high-risk neuroblastoma relapse, emphasizing the need of novel drug targets and therapeutic strategies. In neuroblastoma, chromosomal gains at chromosome 17q, including IGF2BP1, and MYCN amplification at chromosome 2p are associated with adverse outcome. Recent, pre-clinical evidence indicates the feasibility of direct and indirect targeting of IGF2BP1 and MYCN in cancer treatment. METHODS Candidate oncogenes on 17q were identified by profiling the transcriptomic/genomic landscape of 100 human neuroblastoma samples and public gene essentiality data. Molecular mechanisms and gene expression profiles underlying the oncogenic and therapeutic target potential of the 17q oncogene IGF2BP1 and its cross-talk with MYCN were characterized and validated in human neuroblastoma cells, xenografts and PDX as well as novel IGF2BP1/MYCN transgene mouse models. RESULTS We reveal a novel, druggable feedforward loop of IGF2BP1 (17q) and MYCN (2p) in high-risk neuroblastoma. This promotes 2p/17q chromosomal gains and unleashes an oncogene storm resulting in fostered expression of 17q oncogenes like BIRC5 (survivin). Conditional, sympatho-adrenal transgene expression of IGF2BP1 induces neuroblastoma at a 100% incidence. IGF2BP1-driven malignancies are reminiscent to human high-risk neuroblastoma, including 2p/17q-syntenic chromosomal gains and upregulation of Mycn, Birc5, as well as key neuroblastoma circuit factors like Phox2b. Co-expression of IGF2BP1/MYCN reduces disease latency and survival probability by fostering oncogene expression. Combined inhibition of IGF2BP1 by BTYNB, MYCN by BRD inhibitors or BIRC5 by YM-155 is beneficial in vitro and, for BTYNB, also. CONCLUSION We reveal a novel, druggable neuroblastoma oncogene circuit settling on strong, transcriptional/post-transcriptional synergy of MYCN and IGF2BP1. MYCN/IGF2BP1 feedforward regulation promotes an oncogene storm harboring high therapeutic potential for combined, targeted inhibition of IGF2BP1, MYCN expression and MYCN/IGF2BP1-effectors like BIRC5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Hagemann
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany.
| | - Danny Misiak
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Jessica L Bell
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Tommy Fuchs
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Marcell I Lederer
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Nadine Bley
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Monika Hämmerle
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Ehab Ghazy
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Sippl
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Johannes H Schulte
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Hüttelmaier
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany.
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Bhardwaj N, Das G, Srinivasan R. Neuroblastoma-derived v-myc avian myelocytomatosis viral related oncogene or MYCN gene. J Clin Pathol 2023:jcp-2022-208476. [PMID: 37221048 DOI: 10.1136/jcp-2022-208476] [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: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The MYCN gene belongs to the MYC family of transcription factors. Amplification of MYCN, first discovered in neuroblastoma cells, ushered in the era of cancer genomics. The MYCN gene and MYCN protein are extensively studied in the context of neuroblastoma. As demonstrated in transgenic mouse models, MYCN gene shows a restricted spatiotemporal expression predominantly in the neural crest cells which explains the associated neoplasms including neuroblastoma and central nervous system tumours. In neuroblastoma, MYCN amplification is a marker of aggressive tumours with poor prognosis and survival and forms the basis of risk stratification classifications.MYCN dysregulated expression occurs by several mechanisms at the transcriptional, translational and post-translational levels. These include massive gene amplification which occurs in an extrachromosomal location, upregulated transcription and stabilisation of the protein increasing its half-life. MYCN protein, a basic loop-helix-loop leucine zipper transcription factor, has many regions which bind to several proteins foremost of which is MAX forming the MYC:MAX heterodimer. Overall, MYCN controls multiple aspects of cell fate, foremost of which is cellular proliferation besides cell differentiation, apoptosis and cellular metabolism, all of which are the focus of this brief review. In addition to amplification, other mechanisms of MYCN overexpression include activating missense mutations as reported in basal cell carcinoma and Wilms tumour. A better understanding of this molecule will help in the discovery of novel strategies for its indirect targeting to improve the outcomes of patients with neuroblastoma and other MYCN-associated neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Bhardwaj
- Department of Pathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Gargi Das
- Medical Oncology (Pediatric Oncology), Cancer Institute-WIA, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Radhika Srinivasan
- Pathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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Bhavsar SP. Metastasis in neuroblastoma: the MYCN question. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1196861. [PMID: 37274289 PMCID: PMC10233040 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1196861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic drivers like MYCN in neuroblastoma subsets continues to present a significant challenge owing to its strong correlation with high-risk metastatic disease and poor prognosis. However, only a limited number of MYCN-regulatory proteins associated with tumor initiation and progression have been elucidated. In this minireview, I summarize the recent progress in understanding the functional role of MYCN and its regulatory partners in neuroblastoma metastasis.
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22
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Rivera Z, Escutia C, Madonna MB, Gupta KH. Biological Insight and Recent Advancement in the Treatment of Neuroblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108470. [PMID: 37239815 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most frequent solid tumors in children is neuroblastoma, which has a variety of clinical behaviors that are mostly influenced by the biology of the tumor. Unique characteristics of neuroblastoma includes its early age of onset, its propensity for spontaneous tumor regression in newborns, and its high prevalence of metastatic disease at diagnosis in individuals older than 1 year of age. Immunotherapeutic techniques have been added to the previously enlisted chemotherapeutic treatments as therapeutic choices. A groundbreaking new treatment for hematological malignancies is adoptive cell therapy, specifically chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy. However, due to the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment (TME) of neuroblastoma tumor, this treatment approach faces difficulties. Numerous tumor-associated genes and antigens, including the MYCN proto-oncogene (MYCN) and disialoganglioside (GD2) surface antigen, have been found by the molecular analysis of neuroblastoma cells. The MYCN gene and GD2 are two of the most useful immunotherapy findings for neuroblastoma. The tumor cells devise numerous methods to evade immune identification or modify the activity of immune cells. In addition to addressing the difficulties and potential advancements of immunotherapies for neuroblastoma, this review attempts to identify important immunological actors and biological pathways involved in the dynamic interaction between the TME and immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoriamin Rivera
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Carlos Escutia
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Mary Beth Madonna
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Kajal H Gupta
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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23
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Choi S, Hong SP, Bae JH, Suh SH, Bae H, Kang KP, Lee HJ, Koh GY. Hyperactivation of YAP/TAZ Drives Alterations in Mesangial Cells through Stabilization of N-Myc in Diabetic Nephropathy. J Am Soc Nephrol 2023; 34:809-828. [PMID: 36724799 PMCID: PMC10125647 DOI: 10.1681/asn.0000000000000075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Mesangial cells (MCs) in the kidney are essential to maintaining glomerular integrity, and their impairment leads to major glomerular diseases including diabetic nephropathy (DN). Although high blood glucose elicits abnormal alterations in MCs, the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. We show that YAP/TAZ are increased in MCs of patients with DN and two animal models of DN. High glucose directly induces activation of YAP/TAZ through the canonical Hippo pathway in cultured MCs. Hyperactivation of YAP/TAZ in mouse MCs recapitulates the hallmarks of DN. Activated YAP/TAZ bind and stabilize N-Myc, one of the Myc family. N-Myc stabilization leads to aberrant enhancement of its transcriptional activity and to MC impairments. Our findings shed light on how high blood glucose in diabetes mellitus leads to DN and support a rationale that lowering blood glucose in diabetes mellitus could delay DN pathogenesis. BACKGROUND Mesangial cells (MCs) in the kidney are central to maintaining glomerular integrity, and their impairment leads to major glomerular diseases, including diabetic nephropathy (DN). Although high blood glucose elicits abnormal alterations in MCs, the underlying molecular mechanism is poorly understood. METHODS Immunolocalization of YAP/TAZ and pathological features of PDGFRβ + MCs were analyzed in the glomeruli of patients with DN, in Zucker diabetic fatty rats, and in Lats1/2i ΔPβ mice. RiboTag bulk-RNA sequencing and transcriptomic analysis of gene expression profiles of the isolated MCs from control and Lats1/2iΔPβ mice were performed. Immunoprecipitation analysis and protein stability of N-Myc were performed by the standard protocols. RESULTS YAP and TAZ, the final effectors of the Hippo pathway, are highly increased in MCs of patients with DN and in Zucker diabetic fatty rats. Moreover, high glucose directly induces activation of YAP/TAZ through the canonical Hippo pathway in cultured MCs. Hyperactivation of YAP/TAZ in mouse model MCs recapitulates the hallmarks of DN, including excessive proliferation of MCs and extracellular matrix deposition, endothelial cell impairment, glomerular sclerosis, albuminuria, and reduced glomerular filtration rate. Mechanistically, activated YAP/TAZ bind and stabilize N-Myc protein, one of the Myc family of oncogenes. N-Myc stabilization leads to aberrant enhancement of its transcriptional activity and eventually to MC impairments and DN pathogenesis. CONCLUSIONS Our findings shed light on how high blood glucose in diabetes mellitus leads to DN and support a rationale that lowering blood glucose in diabetes mellitus could delay DN pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seunghyeok Choi
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon Pyo Hong
- Center for Vascular Research, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Hyun Bae
- Center for Vascular Research, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Heon Suh
- Center for Vascular Research, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hosung Bae
- Center for Vascular Research, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Pyo Kang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyuek Jong Lee
- Center for Vascular Research, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Gou Young Koh
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Center for Vascular Research, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
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24
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Talapatra J, Reddy MM. Lipid Metabolic Reprogramming in Embryonal Neoplasms with MYCN Amplification. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15072144. [PMID: 37046804 PMCID: PMC10093342 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072144] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells reprogram their metabolism, including glucose, glutamine, nucleotide, lipid, and amino acids to meet their enhanced energy demands, redox balance, and requirement of biosynthetic substrates for uncontrolled cell proliferation. Altered lipid metabolism in cancer provides lipids for rapid membrane biogenesis, generates the energy required for unrestricted cell proliferation, and some of the lipids act as signaling pathway mediators. In this review, we focus on the role of lipid metabolism in embryonal neoplasms with MYCN dysregulation. We specifically review lipid metabolic reactions in neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma, medulloblastoma, Wilms tumor, and rhabdomyosarcoma and the possibility of targeting lipid metabolism. Additionally, the regulation of lipid metabolism by the MYCN oncogene is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyotirmayee Talapatra
- The Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar 751024, India
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India
| | - Mamatha M Reddy
- The Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar 751024, India
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India
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25
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Rishfi M, Krols S, Martens F, Bekaert SL, Sanders E, Eggermont A, De Vloed F, Goulding JR, Risseeuw M, Molenaar J, De Wilde B, Van Calenbergh S, Durinck K. Targeted AURKA degradation: Towards new therapeutic agents for neuroblastoma. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 247:115033. [PMID: 36549117 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.115033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Aurora kinase A (AURKA) is a well-established target in neuroblastoma (NB) due to both its catalytic functions during mitosis and its kinase-independent functions, including stabilization of the key oncoprotein MYCN. We present a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study of MK-5108-derived PROTACs against AURKA by exploring different linker lengths and exit vectors on the thalidomide moiety. PROTAC SK2188 induces the most potent AURKA degradation (DC50,24h 3.9 nM, Dmax,24h 89%) and shows an excellent binding and degradation selectivity profile. Treatment of NGP neuroblastoma cells with SK2188 induced concomitant MYCN degradation, high replication stress/DNA damage levels and apoptosis. Moreover, SK2188 significantly outperforms the parent inhibitor MK-5108 in a cell proliferation screen and patient-derived organoids. Furthermore, altering the attachment point of the PEG linker to the 5-position of thalidomide allowed us to identify a potent AURKA degrader with a linker as short as 2 PEG units. With this, our SAR-study provides interesting lead structures for further optimization and validation of AURKA degradation as a potential therapeutic strategy in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Rishfi
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Simon Krols
- Laboratory for medicinal chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Fien Martens
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sarah-Lee Bekaert
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ellen Sanders
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Aline Eggermont
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Fanny De Vloed
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Joshua Robert Goulding
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Martijn Risseeuw
- Laboratory for medicinal chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jan Molenaar
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Bram De Wilde
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium; Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Serge Van Calenbergh
- Laboratory for medicinal chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Kaat Durinck
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
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Antigene MYCN Silencing by BGA002 Inhibits SCLC Progression Blocking mTOR Pathway and Overcomes Multidrug Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030990. [PMID: 36765949 PMCID: PMC9913109 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most aggressive lung cancer type, and is associated with smoking, low survival rate due to high vascularization, metastasis and drug resistance. Alterations in MYC family members are biomarkers of poor prognosis for a large number of SCLC. In particular, MYCN alterations define SCLC cases with immunotherapy failure. MYCN has a highly restricted pattern of expression in normal cells and is an ideal target for cancer therapy but is undruggable by traditional approaches. We propose an innovative approach to MYCN inhibition by an MYCN-specific antigene-PNA oligonucleotide (BGA002)-as a new precision medicine for MYCN-related SCLC. We found that BGA002 profoundly and specifically inhibited MYCN expression in SCLC cells, leading to cell-growth inhibition and apoptosis, while also overcoming multidrug resistance. These effects are driven by mTOR pathway block in concomitance with autophagy reactivation, thus avoiding the side effects of targeting mTOR in healthy cells. Moreover, we identified an MYCN-related SCLC gene signature comprehending CNTFR, DLX5 and TNFAIP3, that was reverted by BGA002. Finally, systemic treatment with BGA002 significantly increased survival in MYCN-amplified SCLC mouse models, including in a multidrug-resistant model in which tumor vascularization was also eliminated. These findings warrant the clinical testing of BGA002 in MYCN-related SCLC.
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A Review of the Regulatory Mechanisms of N-Myc on Cell Cycle. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28031141. [PMID: 36770809 PMCID: PMC9920120 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma has obvious heterogeneity. It is one of the few undifferentiated malignant tumors that can spontaneously degenerate into completely benign tumors. However, for its high-risk type, even with various intensive treatment options, the prognosis is still unsatisfactory. At the same time, a large number of research data show that the abnormal amplification and high-level expression of the MYCN gene are positively correlated with the malignant progression, poor prognosis, and mortality of neuroblastoma. In this context, this article explores the role of the N-Myc, MYCN gene expression product on its target genes related to the cell cycle and reveals its regulatory network in promoting tumor proliferation and malignant progression. We hope it can provide ideas and direction for the research and development of drugs targeting N-Myc and its downstream target genes.
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Deciphering the Role of p53 and TAp73 in Neuroblastoma: From Pathogenesis to Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246212. [PMID: 36551697 PMCID: PMC9777536 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246212] [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: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is an embryonic cancer that develops from neural crest stem cells, being one of the most common malignancies in children. The clinical manifestation of this disease is highly variable, ranging from spontaneous regression to increased aggressiveness, which makes it a major therapeutic challenge in pediatric oncology. The p53 family proteins p53 and TAp73 play a key role in protecting cells against genomic instability and malignant transformation. However, in NB, their activities are commonly inhibited by interacting proteins such as murine double minute (MDM)2 and MDMX, mutant p53, ΔNp73, Itch, and Aurora kinase A. The interplay between the p53/TAp73 pathway and N-MYC, a known biomarker of poor prognosis and drug resistance in NB, also proves to be decisive in the pathogenesis of this tumor. More recently, a strong crosstalk between microRNAs (miRNAs) and p53/TAp73 has been established, which has been the focused of great attention because of its potential for developing new therapeutic strategies. Collectively, this review provides an updated overview about the critical role of the p53/TAp73 pathway in the pathogenesis of NB, highlighting encouraging clues for the advance of alternative NB targeted therapies.
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Jiang Y. Contribution of Microhomology to Genome Instability: Connection between DNA Repair and Replication Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12937. [PMID: 36361724 PMCID: PMC9657218 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112937] [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: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ) is a highly mutagenic pathway to repair double-strand breaks (DSBs). MMEJ was thought to be a backup pathway of homologous recombination (HR) and canonical nonhomologous end joining (C-NHEJ). However, it attracts more attention in cancer research due to its special function of microhomology in many different aspects of cancer. In particular, it is initiated with DNA end resection and upregulated in homologous recombination-deficient cancers. In this review, I summarize the following: (1) the recent findings and contributions of MMEJ to genome instability, including phenotypes relevant to MMEJ; (2) the interaction between MMEJ and other DNA repair pathways; (3) the proposed mechanistic model of MMEJ in DNA DSB repair and a new connection with microhomology-mediated break-induced replication (MMBIR); and (4) the potential clinical application by targeting MMEJ based on synthetic lethality for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuning Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
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30
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Pharmacophore-Model-Based Virtual-Screening Approaches Identified Novel Natural Molecular Candidates for Treating Human Neuroblastoma. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 44:4838-4858. [PMID: 36286044 PMCID: PMC9600652 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44100329] [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: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The mortality of cancer patients with neuroblastoma is increasing due to the limited availability of specific treatment options. Few drug candidates for combating neuroblastoma have been developed, and identifying novel therapeutic candidates against the disease is an urgent issue. It has been found that muc-N protein is amplified in one-third of human neuroblastomas and expressed as an attractive drug target against the disease. The myc-N protein interferes with the bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) family proteins. Pharmacologically inhibition of the protein potently depletes MYCN in neuroblastoma cells. BET inhibitors target MYCN transcription and show therapeutic efficacy against neuroblastoma. Therefore, the study aimed to identify potential inhibitors against the BET family protein, specifically Brd4 (brodamine-containing protein 4), to hinder the activity of neuroblastoma cells. To identify effective molecular candidates against the disease, a structure-based pharmacophore model was created for the binding site of the Brd4 protein. The pharmacophore model generated from the protein Brd4 was validated to screen potential natural active compounds. The compounds identified through the pharmacophore-model-based virtual-screening process were further screened through molecular docking, ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion), toxicity, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation approach. The pharmacophore-model-based screening process initially identified 136 compounds, further evaluated based on molecular docking, ADME analysis, and toxicity approaches, identifying four compounds with good binding affinity and lower side effects. The stability of the selected compounds was also confirmed by dynamic simulation and molecular mechanics with generalized Born and surface area solvation (MM-GBSA) methods. Finally, the study identified four natural lead compounds, ZINC2509501, ZINC2566088, ZINC1615112, and ZINC4104882, that will potentially inhibit the activity of the desired protein and help to fight against neuroblastoma and related diseases. However, further evaluations through in vitro and in vivo assays are suggested to identify their efficacy against the desired protein and disease.
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31
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Cornett K, Puderbaugh A, Back O, Craven R. GAPDH in neuroblastoma: Functions in metabolism and survival. Front Oncol 2022; 12:979683. [PMID: 36267982 PMCID: PMC9577191 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.979683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a pediatric cancer of neural crest cells. It develops most frequently in nerve cells around the adrenal gland, although other locations are possible. Neuroblastomas rely on glycolysis as a source of energy and metabolites, and the enzymes that catalyze glycolysis are potential therapeutic targets for neuroblastoma. Furthermore, glycolysis provides a protective function against DNA damage, and there is evidence that glycolysis inhibitors may improve outcomes from other cancer treatments. This mini-review will focus on glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), one of the central enzymes in glycolysis. GAPDH has a key role in metabolism, catalyzing the sixth step in glycolysis and generating NADH. GAPDH also has a surprisingly diverse number of localizations, including the nucleus, where it performs multiple functions, and the plasma membrane. One membrane-associated function of GAPDH is stimulating glucose uptake, consistent with a role for GAPDH in energy and metabolite production. The plasma membrane localization of GAPDH and its role in glucose uptake have been verified in neuroblastoma. Membrane-associated GAPDH also participates in iron uptake, although this has not been tested in neuroblastoma. Finally, GAPDH activates autophagy through a nuclear complex with Sirtuin. This review will discuss these activities and their potential role in cancer metabolism, treatment and drug resistance.
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Bartolucci D, Montemurro L, Raieli S, Lampis S, Pession A, Hrelia P, Tonelli R. MYCN Impact on High-Risk Neuroblastoma: From Diagnosis and Prognosis to Targeted Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4421. [PMID: 36139583 PMCID: PMC9496712 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Among childhood cancers, neuroblastoma is the most diffuse solid tumor and the deadliest in children. While to date, the pathology has become progressively manageable with a significant increase in 5-year survival for its less aggressive form, high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NB) remains a major issue with poor outcome and little survivability of patients. The staging system has also been improved to better fit patient needs and to administer therapies in a more focused manner in consideration of pathology features. New and improved therapies have been developed; nevertheless, low efficacy and high toxicity remain a staple feature of current high-risk neuroblastoma treatment. For this reason, more specific procedures are required, and new therapeutic targets are also needed for a precise medicine approach. In this scenario, MYCN is certainly one of the most interesting targets. Indeed, MYCN is one of the most relevant hallmarks of HR-NB, and many studies has been carried out in recent years to discover potent and specific inhibitors to block its activities and any related oncogenic function. N-Myc protein has been considered an undruggable target for a long time. Thus, many new indirect and direct approaches have been discovered and preclinically evaluated for the interaction with MYCN and its pathways; a few of the most promising approaches are nearing clinical application for the investigation in HR-NB.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luca Montemurro
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Unit, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | - Andrea Pession
- Pediatric Unit, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Patrizia Hrelia
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Tonelli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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Li W, Li X, Xia Y, Wang J. Pyroptosis-Related Gene Signature Predicts the Prognosis and Immune Infiltration in Neuroblastoma. Front Genet 2022; 13:809587. [PMID: 35664308 PMCID: PMC9162481 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.809587] [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: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common pediatric extracranial solid tumor. The 5-year survival rate for high-risk neuroblastoma is less than 50%, despite multimodal treatment. Pyroptosis, an inflammatory type of programmed cell death, manifested pro-tumor and anti-tumor roles in the adult tumor. Thus, we aimed to elucidate the function of pyroptosis in neuroblastoma. We classified neuroblastoma patients into two clusters based on the pyroptosis gene expression. We found high pyroptosis neuroblastoma manifested favorable overall survival and more anti-tumor immune cell infiltration. Based on the results of a stepwise Cox regression analysis, we built a four-gene predictive model including NLRP3, CASP3, IL18, and GSDMB. The model showed excellent predictive performance in internal and external validation. Our findings highlight that high pyroptosis positively correlated with neuroblastoma outcomes and immune landscape, which may pave the way for further studies on inducing pyroptosis therapy in high-risk neuroblastoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanrong Li
- Tianjin Cancer Hospital Airport Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xin Li
- Tianjin Cancer Hospital Airport Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuren Xia
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Jian Wang,
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Integrated Analysis of Cancer Tissue and Vitreous Humor from Retinoblastoma Eyes Reveals Unique Tumor-Specific Metabolic and Cellular Pathways in Advanced and Non-Advanced Tumors. Cells 2022; 11:cells11101668. [PMID: 35626705 PMCID: PMC9139581 DOI: 10.3390/cells11101668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinoblastoma (Rb) is a pediatric intraocular malignancy that is proposed to originate from maturing cone cell precursors in the developing retina. The molecular mechanisms underlying the biological and clinical behaviors are important to understand in order to improve the management of advanced-stage tumors. While the genetic causes of Rb are known, an integrated understanding of the gene expression and metabolic processes in tumors of human eyes is deficient. By integrating transcriptomic profiling from tumor tissues and metabolomics from tumorous eye vitreous humor samples (with healthy, age-matched pediatric retinae and vitreous samples as controls), we uncover unique functional associations between genes and metabolites. We found distinct gene expression patterns between clinically advanced and non-advanced Rb. Global metabolomic analysis of the vitreous humor of the same Rb eyes revealed distinctly altered metabolites, indicating how tumor metabolism has diverged from healthy pediatric retina. Several key enzymes that are related to cellular energy production, such as hexokinase 1, were found to be reduced in a manner corresponding to altered metabolites; notably, a reduction in pyruvate levels. Similarly, E2F2 was the most significantly elevated E2F family member in our cohort that is part of the cell cycle regulatory circuit. Ectopic expression of the wild-type RB1 gene in the Rb-null Y79 and WERI-Rb1 cells rescued hexokinase 1 expression, while E2F2 levels were repressed. In an additional set of Rb tumor samples and pediatric healthy controls, we further validated differences in the expression of HK1 and E2F2. Through an integrated omics analysis of the transcriptomics and metabolomics of Rb, we uncovered a significantly altered tumor-specific metabolic circuit that reduces its dependence on glycolytic pathways and is governed by Rb1 and HK1.
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Trieu KG, Tsai SY, Eberl M, Ju V, Ford NC, Doane OJ, Peterson JK, Veniaminova NA, Grachtchouk M, Harms PW, Swartling FJ, Dlugosz AA, Wong SY. Basal cell carcinomas acquire secondary mutations to overcome dormancy and progress from microscopic to macroscopic disease. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110779. [PMID: 35508126 PMCID: PMC9127636 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) frequently possess immense mutational burdens; however, the functional significance of most of these mutations remains unclear. Here, we report that loss of Ptch1, the most common mutation that activates upstream Hedgehog (Hh) signaling, initiates the formation of nascent BCC-like tumors that eventually enter into a dormant state. However, rare tumors that overcome dormancy acquire the ability to hyperactivate downstream Hh signaling through a variety of mechanisms, including amplification of Gli1/2 and upregulation of Mycn. Furthermore, we demonstrate that MYCN overexpression promotes the progression of tumors induced by loss of Ptch1. These findings suggest that canonical mutations that activate upstream Hh signaling are necessary, but not sufficient, for BCC to fully progress. Rather, tumors likely acquire secondary mutations that further hyperactivate downstream Hh signaling in order to escape dormancy and enter a trajectory of uncontrolled expansion. Trieu et al. generate BCC mouse models in which rare macroscopic tumors form alongside numerous failed microscopic lesions. Successful macroscopic tumors acquire secondary changes that elevate Gli1, Gli2, and/or Mycn levels, causing hyperactivation of downstream Hedgehog (Hh) signaling. Loss of p53 and Notch1 also contributes to tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth G Trieu
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Shih-Ying Tsai
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Markus Eberl
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Virginia Ju
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Noah C Ford
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Owen J Doane
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jamie K Peterson
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Natalia A Veniaminova
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Marina Grachtchouk
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Paul W Harms
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Fredrik J Swartling
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, 751 05 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Andrzej A Dlugosz
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sunny Y Wong
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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Khazan N, Kim KK, Hansen JN, Singh NA, Moore T, Snyder CWA, Pandita R, Strawderman M, Fujihara M, Takamura Y, Jian Y, Battaglia N, Yano N, Teramoto Y, Arnold LA, Hopson R, Kishor K, Nayak S, Ojha D, Sharon A, Ashton JM, Wang J, Milano MT, Miyamoto H, Linehan DC, Gerber SA, Kawar N, Singh AP, Tabdanov ED, Dokholyan NV, Kakuta H, Jurutka PW, Schor NF, Rowswell-Turner RB, Singh RK, Moore RG. Identification of a Vitamin-D Receptor Antagonist, MeTC7, which Inhibits the Growth of Xenograft and Transgenic Tumors In Vivo. J Med Chem 2022; 65:6039-6055. [PMID: 35404047 PMCID: PMC9059124 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Vitamin-D receptor (VDR) mRNA is overexpressed in neuroblastoma and carcinomas of lung, pancreas, and ovaries and predicts poor prognoses. VDR antagonists may be able to inhibit tumors that overexpress VDR. However, the current antagonists are arduous to synthesize and are only partial antagonists, limiting their use. Here, we show that the VDR antagonist MeTC7 (5), which can be synthesized from 7-dehydrocholesterol (6) in two steps, inhibits VDR selectively, suppresses the viability of cancer cell-lines, and reduces the growth of the spontaneous transgenic TH-MYCN neuroblastoma and xenografts in vivo. The VDR selectivity of 5 against RXRα and PPAR-γ was confirmed, and docking studies using VDR-LBD indicated that 5 induces major changes in the binding motifs, which potentially result in VDR antagonistic effects. These data highlight the therapeutic benefits of targeting VDR for the treatment of malignancies and demonstrate the creation of selective VDR antagonists that are easy to synthesize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negar Khazan
- Wilmot
Cancer Institute and Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University
of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester New York 14624, United States
| | - Kyu Kwang Kim
- Wilmot
Cancer Institute and Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University
of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester New York 14624, United States
| | - Jeanne N. Hansen
- Department
of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical
Center, Rochester, New York 14642, United
States
| | - Niloy A. Singh
- Wilmot
Cancer Institute and Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University
of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester New York 14624, United States
| | - Taylor Moore
- Wilmot
Cancer Institute and Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University
of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester New York 14624, United States
| | - Cameron W. A. Snyder
- Wilmot
Cancer Institute and Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University
of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester New York 14624, United States
| | - Ravina Pandita
- Wilmot
Cancer Institute and Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University
of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester New York 14624, United States
| | - Myla Strawderman
- Department
of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 14624, United States
| | - Michiko Fujihara
- Division
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of
Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Yuta Takamura
- Division
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of
Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Ye Jian
- Division
of Surgery and of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 14624, United States
| | - Nicholas Battaglia
- Division
of Surgery and of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 14624, United States
| | - Naohiro Yano
- Department
of Surgery, Division of Surgical Research, Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, United States
| | - Yuki Teramoto
- Department
of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University
of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 14624, United States
| | - Leggy A. Arnold
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211, United States
| | - Russell Hopson
- Department
of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
| | - Keshav Kishor
- Department
of Chemistry, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi 835215, India
| | - Sneha Nayak
- Department
of Chemistry, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi 835215, India
| | - Debasmita Ojha
- Department
of Chemistry, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi 835215, India
| | - Ashoke Sharon
- Department
of Chemistry, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi 835215, India
| | - John M. Ashton
- Genomics Core Facility, Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 14624, United States
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology, Penn State College of Medicine, Penn State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17036, United States
| | - Michael T. Milano
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University
of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 16424, United States
| | - Hiroshi Miyamoto
- Department
of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University
of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 14624, United States
| | - David C. Linehan
- Division
of Surgery and of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 14624, United States
| | - Scott A. Gerber
- Division
of Surgery and of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 14624, United States
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University
of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 16424, United States
| | - Nada Kawar
- Center for Breast Health and Gynecologic
Oncology, Mercy Medical Center, 271 Carew Street, Springfield, Massachusetts 01104, United States
| | - Ajay P. Singh
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 59 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08019, United States
| | - Erdem D. Tabdanov
- CytoMechanobiology
Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17036, United States
| | - Nikolay V. Dokholyan
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology, Penn State College of Medicine, Penn State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17036, United States
| | - Hiroki Kakuta
- Division
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of
Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Peter W. Jurutka
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Arizona State University, Health Futures Center, Phoenix, Arizona 85054, United States
- University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona 85004, United States
| | - Nina F. Schor
- Departments of Pediatrics, Neurology, and Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 14642, United States
| | - Rachael B. Rowswell-Turner
- Wilmot
Cancer Institute and Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University
of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester New York 14624, United States
| | - Rakesh K. Singh
- Wilmot
Cancer Institute and Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University
of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester New York 14624, United States
| | - Richard G. Moore
- Wilmot
Cancer Institute and Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University
of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester New York 14624, United States
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Bownes LV, Marayati R, Quinn CH, Beierle AM, Hutchins SC, Julson JR, Erwin MH, Stewart JE, Mroczek-Musulman E, Ohlmeyer M, Aye JM, Yoon KJ, Beierle EA. Pre-Clinical Study Evaluating Novel Protein Phosphatase 2A Activators as Therapeutics for Neuroblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:1952. [PMID: 35454859 PMCID: PMC9026148 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14081952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) functions as an inhibitor of cancer cell proliferation, and its tumor suppressor function is attenuated in many cancers. Previous studies utilized FTY720, an immunomodulating compound known to activate PP2A, and demonstrated a decrease in the malignant phenotype in neuroblastoma. We wished to investigate the effects of two novel PP2A activators, ATUX-792 (792) and DBK-1154 (1154). METHODS Long-term passage neuroblastoma cell lines and human neuroblastoma patient-derived xenograft (PDX) cells were used. Cells were treated with 792 or 1154, and viability, proliferation, and motility were examined. The effect on tumor growth was investigated using a murine flank tumor model. RESULTS Treatment with 792 or 1154 resulted in PP2A activation, decreased cell survival, proliferation, and motility in neuroblastoma cells. Immunoblotting revealed a decrease in MYCN protein expression with increasing concentrations of 792 and 1154. Treatment with 792 led to tumor necrosis and decreased tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSIONS PP2A activation with 792 or 1154 decreased survival, proliferation, and motility of neuroblastoma in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Both compounds resulted in decreased expression of the oncogenic protein MYCN. These findings indicate a potential therapeutic role for these novel PP2A activators in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura V. Bownes
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (L.V.B.); (R.M.); (C.H.Q.); (A.M.B.); (J.R.J.); (M.H.E.); (J.E.S.)
| | - Raoud Marayati
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (L.V.B.); (R.M.); (C.H.Q.); (A.M.B.); (J.R.J.); (M.H.E.); (J.E.S.)
| | - Colin H. Quinn
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (L.V.B.); (R.M.); (C.H.Q.); (A.M.B.); (J.R.J.); (M.H.E.); (J.E.S.)
| | - Andee M. Beierle
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (L.V.B.); (R.M.); (C.H.Q.); (A.M.B.); (J.R.J.); (M.H.E.); (J.E.S.)
| | - Sara C. Hutchins
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (S.C.H.); (J.M.A.)
| | - Janet R. Julson
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (L.V.B.); (R.M.); (C.H.Q.); (A.M.B.); (J.R.J.); (M.H.E.); (J.E.S.)
| | - Michael H. Erwin
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (L.V.B.); (R.M.); (C.H.Q.); (A.M.B.); (J.R.J.); (M.H.E.); (J.E.S.)
| | - Jerry E. Stewart
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (L.V.B.); (R.M.); (C.H.Q.); (A.M.B.); (J.R.J.); (M.H.E.); (J.E.S.)
| | | | | | - Jamie M. Aye
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (S.C.H.); (J.M.A.)
| | - Karina J. Yoon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA;
| | - Elizabeth A. Beierle
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (L.V.B.); (R.M.); (C.H.Q.); (A.M.B.); (J.R.J.); (M.H.E.); (J.E.S.)
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38
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Shi W, Tang Y, Lu J, Zhuang Y, Wang J. MIR210HG promotes breast cancer progression by IGF2BP1 mediated m6A modification. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:38. [PMID: 35346372 PMCID: PMC8962467 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00772-z] [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: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women around the world, and the molecular mechanisms of breast cancer progression and metastasis are still unclear. This study aims to clarify the function and N6,2'-O-dimethyladenosine (m6A) regulation of lncRNA MIR210HG in breast cancer. RESULTS High expression of MIR210HG was confirmed in breast cancer. MIR210HG promoted breast cancer progression, which was mediated by its encoded miR-210. MIR210HG was regulated by IGF2BP1 mediated m6A modification. IGF2BP1 was confirmed highly expressed in breast cancer and induced both MIR210HG and miR-210 expression, which contributed to breast cancer progression. In addition, MIR210HG transcript was stabilized by IGF2BP1 and co-factor ELAVL1. IGF2BP1 was a direct target of MYCN via E-box binding motif. MYCN induced IGF2BP1 expression in breast cancer cells. MIR210HG and miR-210 expressions were also increased by MYCN. CONCLUSIONS In breast cancer, MIR210HG functions as an oncogenic lncRNA, which is also mediated by its encoded miR-210. In addition, both IGF2BP1 and ELAVL1 enhance the stability of MIR210HG, which contributes to the progression of breast cancer. Interestingly, IGF2BP1 is directly activated by MYCN, which explains the oncogenic role of MYCN. These findings clarify the m6A regulation related molecular mechanism of breast cancer progression. The MYCN/IGF2BP1/MIR210HG axis may serve as an alternative molecular mechanism of breast cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Shi
- Department of Breast Diseases, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Hengshan Rd. 910, Shanghai, 200030, China.,Experimental and Molecular Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.,Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Speciality, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongzhe Tang
- Department of Breast Diseases, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Hengshan Rd. 910, Shanghai, 200030, China.,Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Speciality, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Lu
- Department of Breast Diseases, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Hengshan Rd. 910, Shanghai, 200030, China.,Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Speciality, Shanghai, China
| | - Yihui Zhuang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Breast Diseases, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Hengshan Rd. 910, Shanghai, 200030, China. .,Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Speciality, Shanghai, China.
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39
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Alferiev IS, Guerrero DT, Soberman D, Guan P, Nguyen F, Kolla V, Fishbein I, Pressly BB, Brodeur GM, Chorny M. Nanocarrier-Based Delivery of SN22 as a Tocopheryl Oxamate Prodrug Achieves Rapid Tumor Regression and Extends Survival in High-Risk Neuroblastoma Models. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031752. [PMID: 35163672 PMCID: PMC8836113 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the use of intensive multimodality therapy, the majority of high-risk neuroblastoma (NB) patients do not survive. Without significant improvements in delivery strategies, anticancer agents used as a first-line treatment for high-risk tumors often fail to provide clinically meaningful results in the settings of disseminated, recurrent, or refractory disease. By enhancing pharmacological selectivity, favorably shifting biodistribution, strengthening tumor cell killing potency, and overcoming drug resistance, nanocarrier-mediated delivery of topoisomerase I inhibitors of the camptothecin family has the potential to dramatically improve treatment efficacy and minimize side effects. In this study, a structurally enhanced camptothecin analog, SN22, reversibly coupled with a redox-silent tocol derivative (tocopheryl oxamate) to allow its optimally stable encapsulation and controlled release from PEGylated sub-100 nm nanoparticles (NP), exhibited strong NB cell growth inhibitory activity, translating into rapid regression and durably suppressed regrowth of orthotopic, MYCN-amplified NB tumors. The robust antitumor effects and markedly extended survival achieved in preclinical models recapitulating different phases of high-risk disease (at diagnosis vs. at relapse with an acquired loss of p53 function after intensive multiagent chemotherapy) demonstrate remarkable potential of SN22 delivered in the form of a hydrolytically cleavable superhydrophobic prodrug encapsulated in biodegradable nanocarriers as an experimental strategy for treating refractory solid tumors in high-risk cancer patients.
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40
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Gargini R, Segura-Collar B, Garranzo-Asensio M, Hortigüela R, Iglesias-Hernández P, Lobato-Alonso D, Moreno-Raja M, Esteban-Martin S, Sepúlveda-Sánchez JM, Nevola L, Sánchez-Gómez P. IDP-410: a Novel Therapeutic Peptide that Alters N-MYC Stability and Reduces Angiogenesis and Tumor Progression in Glioblastomas. Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19:408-420. [PMID: 35099769 PMCID: PMC9130446 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-021-01176-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastomas (GBMs) are the most frequent and highly aggressive brain tumors, being resistant to all cytotoxic and molecularly targeted agents tested so far. There is, therefore, an urgent need to find novel therapeutic approaches and/or alternative targets to bring treatment options to patients. Here, we first show that GBMs express high levels of N-MYC protein, a transcription factor involved in normal brain development. A novel stapled peptide designed to specifically target N-MYC protein monomer, IDP-410, is able to impair the formation of N-MYC/MAX complex and reduce the stability of N-MYC itself. As a result, the viability of GBM cells is compromised. Moreover, the efficacy is found dependent on the levels of expression of N-MYC. Finally, we demonstrate that IDP-410 reduces GBM growth in vivo when administered systemically, both in subcutaneous and intracranial xenografts, reducing the vascularization of the tumors, highlighting a potential relationship between the function of N-MYC and the expression of mesenchymal/angiogenic genes. Overall, our results strengthen the view of N-MYC as a therapeutic target in GBM and strongly suggest that IDP-410 could be further developed to become a first-in-class inhibitor of N-MYC protein, affecting not only tumor cell proliferation and survival, but also the interplay between GBM cells and their microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Gargini
- Neurooncology Unit, Instituto de Salud Carlos III-UFIEC, Madrid, Spain.
| | | | | | - Rafael Hortigüela
- Neurooncology Unit, Instituto de Salud Carlos III-UFIEC, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigaciones, Biológicas Margarita Salas-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
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41
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Galinski B, Alexander TB, Mitchell DA, Chatwin HV, Awah C, Green AL, Weiser DA. Therapeutic Targeting of Exportin-1 in Childhood Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:6161. [PMID: 34944778 PMCID: PMC8699059 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Overexpression of Exportin-1 (XPO1), a key regulator of nuclear-to-cytoplasmic transport, is associated with inferior patient outcomes across a range of adult malignancies. Targeting XPO1 with selinexor has demonstrated promising results in clinical trials, leading to FDA approval of its use for multiple relapsed/refractory cancers. However, XPO1 biology and selinexor sensitivity in childhood cancer is only recently being explored. In this review, we will focus on the differential biology of childhood and adult cancers as it relates to XPO1 and key cargo proteins. We will further explore the current state of pre-clinical and clinical development of XPO1 inhibitors in childhood cancers. Finally, we will outline potentially promising future therapeutic strategies for, as well as potential challenges to, integrating XPO1 inhibition to improve outcomes for children with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basia Galinski
- Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; (B.G.); (D.A.M.); (C.A.)
| | - Thomas B. Alexander
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
| | - Daniel A. Mitchell
- Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; (B.G.); (D.A.M.); (C.A.)
| | - Hannah V. Chatwin
- Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA;
| | - Chidiebere Awah
- Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; (B.G.); (D.A.M.); (C.A.)
| | - Adam L. Green
- Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA;
| | - Daniel A. Weiser
- Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; (B.G.); (D.A.M.); (C.A.)
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42
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Das SK, Kuzin V, Cameron DP, Sanford S, Jha RK, Nie Z, Rosello MT, Holewinski R, Andresson T, Wisniewski J, Natsume T, Price DH, Lewis BA, Kouzine F, Levens D, Baranello L. MYC assembles and stimulates topoisomerases 1 and 2 in a "topoisome". Mol Cell 2021; 82:140-158.e12. [PMID: 34890565 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
High-intensity transcription and replication supercoil DNA to levels that can impede or halt these processes. As a potent transcription amplifier and replication accelerator, the proto-oncogene MYC must manage this interfering torsional stress. By comparing gene expression with the recruitment of topoisomerases and MYC to promoters, we surmised a direct association of MYC with topoisomerase 1 (TOP1) and TOP2 that was confirmed in vitro and in cells. Beyond recruiting topoisomerases, MYC directly stimulates their activities. We identify a MYC-nucleated "topoisome" complex that unites TOP1 and TOP2 and increases their levels and activities at promoters, gene bodies, and enhancers. Whether TOP2A or TOP2B is included in the topoisome is dictated by the presence of MYC versus MYCN, respectively. Thus, in vitro and in cells, MYC assembles tools that simplify DNA topology and promote genome function under high output conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhendu K Das
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Vladislav Kuzin
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Donald P Cameron
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Suzanne Sanford
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Rajiv Kumar Jha
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Zuqin Nie
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Marta Trullols Rosello
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ronald Holewinski
- Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Bethesda, MD 21701, USA
| | - Thorkell Andresson
- Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Bethesda, MD 21701, USA
| | - Jan Wisniewski
- Confocal Microscopy and Digital Imaging Facility, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Toyoaki Natsume
- Department of Chromosome Science, National Institute of Genetics, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan; Research Center for Genome & Medical Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - David H Price
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Brian A Lewis
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Fedor Kouzine
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - David Levens
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
| | - Laura Baranello
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden.
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43
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Perri P, Ponzoni M, Corrias MV, Ceccherini I, Candiani S, Bachetti T. A Focus on Regulatory Networks Linking MicroRNAs, Transcription Factors and Target Genes in Neuroblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5528. [PMID: 34771690 PMCID: PMC8582685 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a tumor of the peripheral sympathetic nervous system that substantially contributes to childhood cancer mortality. NB originates from neural crest cells (NCCs) undergoing a defective sympathetic neuronal differentiation and although the starting events leading to the development of NB remain to be fully elucidated, the master role of genetic alterations in key oncogenes has been ascertained: (1) amplification and/or over-expression of MYCN, which is strongly associated with tumor progression and invasion; (2) activating mutations, amplification and/or over-expression of ALK, which is involved in tumor initiation, angiogenesis and invasion; (3) amplification and/or over-expression of LIN28B, promoting proliferation and suppression of neuroblast differentiation; (4) mutations and/or over-expression of PHOX2B, which is involved in the regulation of NB differentiation, stemness maintenance, migration and metastasis. Moreover, altered microRNA (miRNA) expression takes part in generating pathogenetic networks, in which the regulatory loops among transcription factors, miRNAs and target genes lead to complex and aberrant oncogene expression that underlies the development of a tumor. In this review, we have focused on the circuitry linking the oncogenic transcription factors MYCN and PHOX2B with their transcriptional targets ALK and LIN28B and the tumor suppressor microRNAs let-7, miR-34 and miR-204, which should act as down-regulators of their expression. We have also looked at the physiologic role of these genetic and epigenetic determinants in NC development, as well as in terminal differentiation, with their pathogenic dysregulation leading to NB oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Perri
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (M.P.); (M.V.C.)
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (M.P.); (M.V.C.)
| | - Maria Valeria Corrias
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (M.P.); (M.V.C.)
| | - Isabella Ceccherini
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics of Rare Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Simona Candiani
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Tiziana Bachetti
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics of Rare Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy;
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
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44
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Defining Pathological Activities of ALK in Neuroblastoma, a Neural Crest-Derived Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111718. [PMID: 34769149 PMCID: PMC8584162 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a common extracranial solid tumour of childhood, responsible for 15% of cancer-related deaths in children. Prognoses vary from spontaneous remission to aggressive disease with extensive metastases, where treatment is challenging. Tumours are thought to arise from sympathoadrenal progenitor cells, which derive from an embryonic cell population called neural crest cells that give rise to diverse cell types, such as facial bone and cartilage, pigmented cells, and neurons. Tumours are found associated with mature derivatives of neural crest, such as the adrenal medulla or paraspinal ganglia. Sympathoadrenal progenitor cells express anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), which encodes a tyrosine kinase receptor that is the most frequently mutated gene in neuroblastoma. Activating mutations in the kinase domain are common in both sporadic and familial cases. The oncogenic role of ALK has been extensively studied, but little is known about its physiological role. Recent studies have implicated ALK in neural crest migration and sympathetic neurogenesis. However, very few downstream targets of ALK have been identified. Here, we describe pathological activation of ALK in the neural crest, which promotes proliferation and migration, while preventing differentiation, thus inducing the onset of neuroblastoma. Understanding the effects of ALK activity on neural crest cells will help find new targets for neuroblastoma treatment.
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45
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MYCN in Neuroblastoma: "Old Wine into New Wineskins". Diseases 2021; 9:diseases9040078. [PMID: 34842635 PMCID: PMC8628738 DOI: 10.3390/diseases9040078] [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: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
MYCN Proto-Oncogene, BHLH Transcription Factor (MYCN) has been one of the most studied genes in neuroblastoma. It is known for its oncogenetic mechanisms, as well as its role in the prognosis of the disease and it is considered one of the prominent targets for neuroblastoma therapy. In the present work, we attempted to review the literature, on the relation between MYCN and neuroblastoma from all possible mechanistic sites. We have searched the literature for the role of MYCN in neuroblastoma based on the following topics: the references of MYCN in the literature, the gene's anatomy, along with its transcripts, the protein's anatomy, the epigenetic mechanisms regulating MYCN expression and function, as well as MYCN amplification. MYCN plays a significant role in neuroblastoma biology. Its functions and properties range from the forming of G-quadraplexes, to the interaction with miRNAs, as well as the regulation of gene methylation and histone acetylation and deacetylation. Although MYCN is one of the most primary genes studied in neuroblastoma, there is still a lot to be learned. Our knowledge on the exact mechanisms of MYCN amplification, etiology and potential interventions is still limited. The knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of MYCN in neuroblastoma, could have potential prognostic and therapeutic advantages.
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46
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Whitfield JR, Soucek L. The long journey to bring a Myc inhibitor to the clinic. J Cell Biol 2021; 220:212429. [PMID: 34160558 PMCID: PMC8240852 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202103090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The oncogene Myc is deregulated in the majority of human tumors and drives numerous hallmarks of cancer. Despite its indisputable role in cancer development and maintenance, Myc is still undrugged. Developing a clinical inhibitor for Myc has been particularly challenging owing to its intrinsically disordered nature and lack of a binding pocket, coupled with concerns regarding potentially deleterious side effects in normal proliferating tissues. However, major breakthroughs in the development of Myc inhibitors have arisen in the last couple of years. Notably, the direct Myc inhibitor that we developed has just entered clinical trials. Celebrating this milestone, with this Perspective, we pay homage to the different strategies developed so far against Myc and all of the researchers focused on developing treatments for a target long deemed undruggable.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Soucek
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Edifici Cellex, Barcelona, Spain.,Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.,Peptomyc S.L., Barcelona, Spain
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