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Aljabali AAA, Tambuwala MM, El-Tanani M, Hassan SS, Lundstrom K, Mishra V, Mishra Y, Hromić-Jahjefendić A, Redwan EM, Uversky VN. A comprehensive review of PRAME and BAP1 in melanoma: Genomic instability and immunotherapy targets. Cell Signal 2024; 124:111434. [PMID: 39326690 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2024.111434] [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: 08/24/2024] [Revised: 09/12/2024] [Accepted: 09/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
In a thorough review of the literature, the complex roles of PRAME (preferentially expressed Antigen of Melanoma) and BAP1 (BRCA1-associated protein 1) have been investigated in uveal melanoma (UM) and cutaneous melanoma. High PRAME expression in UM is associated with poor outcomes and correlated with extraocular extension and chromosome 8q alterations. BAP1 mutations in the UM indicate genomic instability and a poor prognosis. Combining PRAME and BAP1 immunohistochemical staining facilitates effective risk stratification. Mechanistically, both genes are associated with genomic instability, making them promising targets for cancer immunotherapy. Hypomethylation of PRAME, specifically in its promoter regions, is critical for UM progression and contributes to epigenetic reprogramming. Additionally, miR-211 regulation is crucial in melanoma and has therapeutic potential. The way PRAME changes signaling pathways provides clues about the cause of cancer due to genomic instability related to modifications in DNA repair. Inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and PARP-2 in cells expressing PRAME could lead to potential therapeutic applications. Pathway enrichment analysis underscores the significance of PRAME and BAP1 in melanoma pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa A A Aljabali
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology, Yarmouk University, Irbid 21163, Jordan.
| | - Murtaza M Tambuwala
- College of Pharmacy, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah, PO Box 11172, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Mohamed El-Tanani
- College of Pharmacy, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah, PO Box 11172, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Sk Sarif Hassan
- Department of Mathematics, Pingla Thana Mahavidyalaya, Maligram, Paschim Medinipur, 721140, West Bengal, India.
| | | | - Vijay Mishra
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab 144411, India
| | - Yachana Mishra
- School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab 144411, India
| | - Altijana Hromić-Jahjefendić
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, International University of Sarajevo, Hrasnicka Cesta 15, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
| | - Elrashdy M Redwan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Centre of Excellence in Bionanoscience Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Therapeutic and Protective Proteins Laboratory, Protein Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), New Borg EL-Arab, 21934 Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
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2
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Alfei S, Zuccari G, Athanassopoulos CM, Domenicotti C, Marengo B. Strongly ROS-Correlated, Time-Dependent, and Selective Antiproliferative Effects of Synthesized Nano Vesicles on BRAF Mutant Melanoma Cells and Their Hyaluronic Acid-Based Hydrogel Formulation. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:10071. [PMID: 39337557 PMCID: PMC11432396 DOI: 10.3390/ijms251810071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2024] [Revised: 09/12/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous metastatic melanoma (CMM) is the most aggressive form of skin cancer with a poor prognosis. Drug-induced secondary tumorigenesis and the emergency of drug resistance worsen an already worrying scenario, thus rendering urgent the development of new treatments not dealing with mutable cellular processes. Triphenyl phosphonium salts (TPPSs), in addiction to acting as cytoplasmic membrane disruptors, are reported to be mitochondria-targeting compounds, exerting anticancer effects mainly by damaging their membranes and causing depolarization, impairing mitochondria functions and their DNA, triggering oxidative stress (OS), and priming primarily apoptotic cell death. TPP-based bola amphiphiles are capable of self-forming nanoparticles (NPs) with enhanced biological properties, as commonly observed for nanomaterials. Already employed in several other biomedical applications, the per se selective potent antibacterial effects of a TPP bola amphiphile have only recently been demonstrated on 50 multidrug resistant (MDR) clinical superbugs, as well as its exceptional and selective anticancer properties on sensitive and MDR neuroblastoma cells. Here, aiming at finding new molecules possibly developable as new treatments for counteracting CMM, the effects of this TPP-based bola amphiphile (BPPB) have been investigated against two BRAF mutants CMM cell lines (MeOV and MeTRAV) with excellent results (even IC50 = 49 nM on MeOV after 72 h treatment). With these findings and considering the low cytotoxicity of BPPB against different mammalian non-tumoral cell lines and red blood cells (RBCs, selectivity indexes up to 299 on MeOV after 72 h treatment), the possible future development of BPPB as topical treatment for CMM lesions was presumed. With this aim, a biodegradable hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogel formulation (HA-BPPB-HG) was prepared without using any potentially toxic crosslinking agents simply by dispersing suitable amounts of the two ingredients in water and sonicating under gentle heating. HA-BPPB-HA was completely characterized, with promising outcomes such as high swelling capability, high porosity, and viscous elastic rheological behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Alfei
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano, 16148 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Guendalina Zuccari
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano, 16148 Genoa, Italy;
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Cinzia Domenicotti
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Via Alberti L.B., 16132 Genoa, Italy;
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Barbara Marengo
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Via Alberti L.B., 16132 Genoa, Italy;
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
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3
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Xiao Y, He S, Xie B, Zhao W, Ji D. Unveiling the impact of cell death-related genes and immune dynamics on drug resistance in lung adenocarcinoma: a risk score model and functional insights. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:441. [PMID: 39269650 PMCID: PMC11399484 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-01336-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 09/11/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), characterized by its heterogeneity and complex pathogenesis, is the focus of this study which investigates the association between cell death-related genes and LUAD. Through machine learning, a risk score model was developed using the Coxboost rsf algorithm, demonstrating strong prognostic accuracy in both validation (GSE30219, GSE31210, GSE72094) and training (TCGA-LUAD) datasets with C-indices of 0.93, 0.67, 0.68, and 0.64, respectively. The study reveals that the expression of Keratin 18 (KRT18), a key cytoskeletal protein, varies across LUAD cell lines (DV-90, PC-9, A549) compared to normal bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B), suggesting its potential role in LUAD's pathogenesis. Kaplan-Meier survival curves further validate the model, indicating longer survival in the low-risk group. A comprehensive analysis of gene expression, functional differences, immune infiltration, and mutations underscores significant variations between risk groups, highlighting the high-risk group's immunological dysfunction. This points to a more intricate tumor immune environment and the possibility of alternative therapeutic strategies. The study also delves into drug sensitivity, showing distinct responses between risk groups, underscoring the importance of risk stratification in treatment decisions for LUAD patients. Additionally, it explores KRT18's epigenetic regulation and its correlation with immune cell infiltration and immune regulatory molecules, suggesting KRT18's significant role in the tumor immune landscape. This research not only offers a valuable prognostic tool for LUAD but also illuminates the complex interplay between cell death-related genes, drug sensitivity, and immune infiltration, positioning KRT18 as a potential therapeutic or prognostic target to improve patient outcomes by personalizing LUAD treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Xiao
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Fifth People's Hospital of Ganzhou City, Ganzhou, 341000, China
- Ganzhou Institute of Liver Disease, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Shancheng He
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Fifth People's Hospital of Ganzhou City, Ganzhou, 341000, China
- Ganzhou Institute of Liver Disease, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Baochang Xie
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Fifth People's Hospital of Ganzhou City, Ganzhou, 341000, China
- Ganzhou Institute of Liver Disease, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Wenqi Zhao
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Fifth People's Hospital of Ganzhou City, Ganzhou, 341000, China
- Ganzhou Institute of Liver Disease, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Dengliang Ji
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Fifth People's Hospital of Ganzhou City, Ganzhou, 341000, China.
- Ganzhou Institute of Liver Disease, Ganzhou, 341000, China.
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4
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Colombino M, Casula M, Paliogiannis P, Manca A, Sini MC, Pisano M, Santeufemia DA, Cossu A, Palmieri G. Heterogeneous pathogenesis of melanoma: BRAF mutations and beyond. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 201:104435. [PMID: 38977143 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104435] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma pathogenesis, conventionally perceived as a linear accumulation of molecular changes, discloses substantial heterogeneity driven by non-linear biological processes, including the direct transformation of melanocyte stem cells. This heterogeneity manifests in diverse biological phenotypes and developmental states, influencing variable responses to treatments. Unveiling the aberrant mechanisms steering melanoma initiation, progression, and metastasis is imperative. Beyond mutations in oncogenic and tumor suppressor genes, the involvement of distinct molecular pathways assumes a pivotal role in melanoma pathogenesis. Ultraviolet (UV) radiations, a principal factor in melanoma etiology, categorizes melanomas based on cumulative sun damage (CSD). The genomic landscape of lesions correlates with UV exposure, impacting mutational load and spectrum of mutations. The World Health Organization's 2018 classification underscores the interplay between sun exposure and genomic characteristics, distinguishing melanomas associated with CSD from those unrelated to CSD. The classification elucidates molecular features such as tumor mutational burden and copy number alterations associated with different melanoma subtypes. The significance of the mutated BRAF gene and its pathway, notably BRAFV600 variants, in melanoma is paramount. BRAF mutations, prevalent across diverse cancer types, present therapeutic avenues, with clinical trials validating the efficacy of targeted therapies and immunotherapy. Additional driver mutations in oncogenes further characterize specific melanoma pathways, impacting tumor behavior. While histopathological examination remains pivotal, challenges persist in molecularly classifying melanocytic tumors. In this review, we went through all molecular characterization that aid in discriminating common and ambiguous lesions. Integration of highly sensitive molecular diagnostic tests into the diagnostic workflow becomes indispensable, particularly in instances where histology alone fails to achieve a conclusive diagnosis. A diagnostic algorithm based on different molecular features inferred by the various studies is here proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Colombino
- Unit of Cancer Genetics, Institute of Genetic Biomedical Research (IRGB), National Research Council (CNR), Sassari, Italy.
| | - Milena Casula
- Unit of Cancer Genetics, Institute of Genetic Biomedical Research (IRGB), National Research Council (CNR), Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Antonella Manca
- Unit of Cancer Genetics, Institute of Genetic Biomedical Research (IRGB), National Research Council (CNR), Sassari, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Sini
- Unit of Cancer Genetics, Institute of Genetic Biomedical Research (IRGB), National Research Council (CNR), Sassari, Italy
| | - Marina Pisano
- Unit of Cancer Genetics, Institute of Genetic Biomedical Research (IRGB), National Research Council (CNR), Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Cossu
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Palmieri
- Unit of Cancer Genetics, Institute of Genetic Biomedical Research (IRGB), National Research Council (CNR), Sassari, Italy; Immuno-Oncology & Targeted Cancer Biotherapies, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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5
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Kolathur KK, Nag R, Shenoy PV, Malik Y, Varanasi SM, Angom RS, Mukhopadhyay D. Molecular Susceptibility and Treatment Challenges in Melanoma. Cells 2024; 13:1383. [PMID: 39195270 DOI: 10.3390/cells13161383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2024] [Revised: 08/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the most aggressive subtype of cancer, with a higher propensity to spread compared to most solid tumors. The application of OMICS approaches has revolutionized the field of melanoma research by providing comprehensive insights into the molecular alterations and biological processes underlying melanoma development and progression. This review aims to offer an overview of melanoma biology, covering its transition from primary to malignant melanoma, as well as the key genes and pathways involved in the initiation and progression of this disease. Utilizing online databases, we extensively explored the general expression profile of genes, identified the most frequently altered genes and gene mutations, and examined genetic alterations responsible for drug resistance. Additionally, we studied the mechanisms responsible for immune checkpoint inhibitor resistance in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Kumar Kolathur
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MCOPS), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Radhakanta Nag
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Science & Humanities, Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar 751003, Odisha, India
| | - Prathvi V Shenoy
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MCOPS), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Yagya Malik
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MCOPS), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Sai Manasa Varanasi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Ramcharan Singh Angom
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Debabrata Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
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Limonta P, Chiaramonte R, Casati L. Unveiling the Dynamic Interplay between Cancer Stem Cells and the Tumor Microenvironment in Melanoma: Implications for Novel Therapeutic Strategies. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2861. [PMID: 39199632 PMCID: PMC11352669 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16162861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma still represents a significant health burden worldwide, being responsible for the majority of skin cancer deaths. Key advances in therapeutic strategies have significantly improved patient outcomes; however, most patients experience drug resistance and tumor relapse. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subpopulation of cells in different tumors, including melanoma, endowed with distinctive capacities of self-renewal and differentiation into bulk tumor cells. Melanoma CSCs are characterized by the expression of specific biomarkers and intracellular pathways; moreover, they play a pivotal role in tumor onset, progression and drug resistance. In recent years, great efforts have been made to dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying the protumor activities of melanoma CSCs to provide the basis for novel CSC-targeted therapies. Herein, we highlight the intricate crosstalk between melanoma CSCs and bystander cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), including immune cells, endothelial cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and its role in melanoma progression. Specifically, we discuss the peculiar capacities of melanoma CSCs to escape the host immune surveillance, to recruit immunosuppressive cells and to educate immune cells toward an immunosuppressive and protumor phenotype. We also address currently investigated CSC-targeted strategies that could pave the way for new promising therapeutic approaches for melanoma care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Limonta
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences “R. Paoletti”, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaella Chiaramonte
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milan, Italy;
| | - Lavinia Casati
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milan, Italy;
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Tovar-Parra D, Zammit-Mangion M. Comparative Analysis of the Effect of the BRAF Inhibitor Dabrafenib in 2D and 3D Cell Culture Models of Human Metastatic Melanoma Cells. In Vivo 2024; 38:1579-1593. [PMID: 38936891 PMCID: PMC11215570 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Melanoma, a variant of skin cancer, presents the highest mortality rates among all skin cancers. Despite advancements in targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and tissue culture techniques, the absence of an effective early treatment model remains a challenge. This study investigated the impact of dabrafenib on both 2D and 3D cell culture models with distinct molecular profiles. MATERIALS AND METHODS We developed a high-throughput workflow enabling drug screening on spheroids. Our approach involved cultivating 2D and 3D cultures derived from normal melanocytes and metastatic melanoma cells, treating them with dabrafenib and conducting viability, aggregation, migration, cell cycle, and apoptosis assays. RESULTS Dabrafenib exerted multifaceted influences, particularly on migration at concentrations of 10 and 25 μM. It induced a decrease in cell viability, impeded cellular adhesion to the matrix, inhibited cellular aggregation and spheroid formation, arrested the cell cycle in the G1 phase, and induced apoptosis. CONCLUSION These results confirm the therapeutic potential of dabrafenib in treating melanoma with the BRAF V600E mutation and that 3D models are validated models to study the potential of new molecules for therapeutic purposes. Furthermore, our study underscores the relevance of 3D models in simulating physiological in vivo microenvironments, providing insights into varied treatment responses between normal and tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Tovar-Parra
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta;
| | - Marion Zammit-Mangion
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta;
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
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8
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Xia Q, Ma Q, Zhu J, Gu L, Zhou F. Prognostic factors in postoperative patients with cutaneous melanoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Cancer Res 2024; 14:1947-1956. [PMID: 38859868 PMCID: PMC11162687 DOI: 10.62347/sqzt7285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is a prevalent tumor associated with a poor prognosis. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify and evaluate prognostic factors for patients with cutaneous melanoma following surgery, thereby providing crucial insights for enhancing patient outcomes. We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and Web of Science for studies on postoperative prognostic factors of cutaneous melanoma up to March 2024. Literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed, followed by meta-analysis using RevMan 5.3 software. Trial Sequential Analysis (TSA) was conducted with Stata 17 software to verify the robustness of the findings. Eleven studies encompassing 27,352 patients were included. The meta-analysis identified several prognostic factors impacting disease-specific survival post-surgery: age over 50 years (HR=1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.08), female gender (HR=0.71, 95% CI: 0.57-0.87), Breslow thickness greater than 2 mm (HR=1.11, 95% CI: 1.06-1.17), presence of ulceration (HR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.63-2.60), and positive sentinel lymph node (HR=3.03, 95% CI: 2.50-3.66). TSA confirmed the adequacy of the sample size. Aggressive treatment strategies are recommended for patients exhibiting these characteristics to improve prognosis and extend 5-year survival rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Xia
- Department of PICC, Day Chemotherapy Center, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengdu 610072, Sichuan, China
| | - Qinghua Ma
- Department of Nursing, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengdu 610072, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiuqun Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengdu 610072, Sichuan, China
| | - Lu Gu
- Department of Radiation, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengdu 610072, Sichuan, China
| | - Fengling Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengdu 610072, Sichuan, China
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9
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Naddeo M, Broseghini E, Venturi F, Vaccari S, Corti B, Lambertini M, Ricci C, Fontana B, Durante G, Pariali M, Scotti B, Milani G, Campione E, Ferracin M, Dika E. Association of miR-146a-5p and miR-21-5p with Prognostic Features in Melanomas. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1688. [PMID: 38730639 PMCID: PMC11083009 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16091688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is one of the most lethal tumors among skin cancers and its incidence is rising worldwide. Recent data support the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in melanoma carcinogenesis and their potential use as disease biomarkers. METHODS We quantified the expression of miR-146a-5p and miR-21-5p in 170 formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) samples of CM, namely 116 superficial spreading melanoma (SSM), 26 nodular melanoma (NM), and 28 lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM). We correlated miRNA expression with specific histopathologic features including Breslow thickness (BT), histological subtype, ulceration and regression status, and mitotic index. RESULTS miR-146a-5p and miR-21-5p were significantly higher in NM compared to SSM and LMM. The positive correlation between miR-146a-5p and miR-21-5p expression and BT was confirmed for both miRNAs in SSM. Considering the ulceration status, we assessed that individual miR-21-5p expression was significantly higher in ulcerated CMs. The increased combined expression of the two miRNAs was strongly associated with ulceration (p = 0.0093) and higher mitotic rate (≥1/mm2) (p = 0.0005). We demonstrated that the combination of two-miRNA expression and prognostic features (BT and ulceration) can better differentiate cutaneous melanoma prognostic groups, considering overall survival and time-to-relapse clinical outcomes. Specifically, miRNA expression can further stratify prognostic groups among patients with BT ≥ 0.8 mm but without ulceration. Our findings provide further insights into the characterization of CM with specific prognostic features. The graphical abstract was created with BioRender.com.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Naddeo
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.N.); (E.B.)
| | - Elisabetta Broseghini
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.N.); (E.B.)
| | - Federico Venturi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.V.); (M.L.); (C.R.); (B.F.); (G.D.)
- Oncologic Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (S.V.); (B.S.); (G.M.)
| | - Sabina Vaccari
- Oncologic Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (S.V.); (B.S.); (G.M.)
| | - Barbara Corti
- Division of Pathology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Martina Lambertini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.V.); (M.L.); (C.R.); (B.F.); (G.D.)
- Oncologic Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (S.V.); (B.S.); (G.M.)
| | - Costantino Ricci
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.V.); (M.L.); (C.R.); (B.F.); (G.D.)
- Pathology Unit, Ospedale Maggiore, 40133 Bologna, Italy
| | - Beatrice Fontana
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.V.); (M.L.); (C.R.); (B.F.); (G.D.)
| | - Giorgio Durante
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.V.); (M.L.); (C.R.); (B.F.); (G.D.)
| | - Milena Pariali
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research, S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Biagio Scotti
- Oncologic Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (S.V.); (B.S.); (G.M.)
| | - Giulia Milani
- Oncologic Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (S.V.); (B.S.); (G.M.)
| | - Elena Campione
- Dermatologic Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Manuela Ferracin
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.N.); (E.B.)
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.V.); (M.L.); (C.R.); (B.F.); (G.D.)
| | - Emi Dika
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.V.); (M.L.); (C.R.); (B.F.); (G.D.)
- Oncologic Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (S.V.); (B.S.); (G.M.)
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10
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Caraban BM, Aschie M, Deacu M, Cozaru GC, Pundiche MB, Orasanu CI, Voda RI. A Narrative Review of Current Knowledge on Cutaneous Melanoma. Clin Pract 2024; 14:214-241. [PMID: 38391404 PMCID: PMC10888040 DOI: 10.3390/clinpract14010018] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is a public health problem. Efforts to reduce its incidence have failed, as it continues to increase. In recent years, many risk factors have been identified. Numerous diagnostic systems exist that greatly assist in early clinical diagnosis. The histopathological aspect illustrates the grim nature of these cancers. Currently, pathogenic pathways and the tumor microclimate are key to the development of therapeutic methods. Revolutionary therapies like targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors are starting to replace traditional therapeutic methods. Targeted therapy aims at a specific molecule in the pathogenic chain to block it, stopping cell growth and dissemination. The main function of immune checkpoint inhibitors is to boost cellular immunity in order to combat cancer cells. Unfortunately, these therapies have different rates of effectiveness and side effects, and cannot be applied to all patients. These shortcomings are the basis of increased incidence and mortality rates. This study covers all stages of the evolutionary sequence of melanoma. With all these data in front of us, we see the need for new research efforts directed at therapies that will bring greater benefits in terms of patient survival and prognosis, with fewer adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bogdan Marian Caraban
- Clinical Department of Plastic Surgery, Microsurgery-Reconstructive, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
- Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
| | - Mariana Aschie
- Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Clinical Service of Pathology, Departments of Pathology, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
- Academy of Medical Sciences of Romania, 030171 Bucharest, Romania
- The Romanian Academy of Scientists, 030167 Bucharest, Romania
- Center for Research and Development of the Morphological and Genetic Studies of Malignant Pathology (CEDMOG), "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania
| | - Mariana Deacu
- Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Clinical Service of Pathology, Departments of Pathology, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
| | - Georgeta Camelia Cozaru
- Center for Research and Development of the Morphological and Genetic Studies of Malignant Pathology (CEDMOG), "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania
- Clinical Service of Pathology, Departments of Genetics, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
| | - Mihaela Butcaru Pundiche
- Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Clinical Department of General Surgery, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
| | - Cristian Ionut Orasanu
- Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Clinical Service of Pathology, Departments of Pathology, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
- Center for Research and Development of the Morphological and Genetic Studies of Malignant Pathology (CEDMOG), "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania
| | - Raluca Ioana Voda
- Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Clinical Service of Pathology, Departments of Pathology, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
- Center for Research and Development of the Morphological and Genetic Studies of Malignant Pathology (CEDMOG), "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania
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11
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Huang C, Lau TWS, Smoller BR. Diagnosing Cutaneous Melanocytic Tumors in the Molecular Era: Updates and Review of Literature. Dermatopathology (Basel) 2024; 11:26-51. [PMID: 38247727 PMCID: PMC10801542 DOI: 10.3390/dermatopathology11010005] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, molecular and genomic discoveries have experienced unprecedented growth, fundamentally reshaping our comprehension of melanocytic tumors. This review comprises three main sections. The first part gives an overview of the current genomic landscape of cutaneous melanocytic tumors. The second part provides an update on the associated molecular tests and immunohistochemical stains that are helpful for diagnostic purposes. The third section briefly outlines the diverse molecular pathways now utilized for the classification of cutaneous melanomas. The primary goal of this review is to provide a succinct overview of the molecular pathways involved in melanocytic tumors and demonstrate their practical integration into the realm of diagnostic aids. As the molecular and genomic knowledge base continues to expand, this review hopes to serve as a valuable resource for healthcare professionals, offering insight into the evolving molecular landscape of cutaneous melanocytic tumors and its implications for patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea Huang
- Department of Pathology, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | | | - Bruce R. Smoller
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA;
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12
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Zakariya F, Salem FK, Alamrain AA, Sanker V, Abdelazeem ZG, Hosameldin M, Tan JK, Howard R, Huang H, Awuah WA. Refining mutanome-based individualised immunotherapy of melanoma using artificial intelligence. Eur J Med Res 2024; 29:25. [PMID: 38183141 PMCID: PMC10768232 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01625-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Using the particular nature of melanoma mutanomes to develop medicines that activate the immune system against specific mutations is a game changer in immunotherapy individualisation. It offers a viable solution to the recent rise in resistance to accessible immunotherapy alternatives, with some patients demonstrating innate resistance to these drugs despite past sensitisation to these agents. However, various obstacles stand in the way of this method, most notably the practicality of sequencing each patient's mutanome, selecting immunotherapy targets, and manufacturing specific medications on a large scale. With the robustness and advancement in research techniques, artificial intelligence (AI) is a potential tool that can help refine the mutanome-based immunotherapy for melanoma. Mutanome-based techniques are being employed in the development of immune-stimulating vaccines, improving current options such as adoptive cell treatment, and simplifying immunotherapy responses. Although the use of AI in these approaches is limited by data paucity, cost implications, flaws in AI inference capabilities, and the incapacity of AI to apply data to a broad population, its potential for improving immunotherapy is limitless. Thus, in-depth research on how AI might help the individualisation of immunotherapy utilising knowledge of mutanomes is critical, and this should be at the forefront of melanoma management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farida Zakariya
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Fatma K Salem
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, 83523, Egypt
| | | | - Vivek Sanker
- Research Assistant, Dept. Of Neurosurgery, Trivandrum Medical College, Trivandrum, India
| | - Zainab G Abdelazeem
- Division of Molecular Biology, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | | | | | - Rachel Howard
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England
| | - Helen Huang
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Wireko Andrew Awuah
- Medical Institute, Sumy State University, Zamonstanksya 7, Sumy, 40007, Ukraine.
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13
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Alda S, Ceausu RA, Gaje PN, Raica M, Cosoroaba RM. Mast Cell: A Mysterious Character in Skin Cancer. In Vivo 2024; 38:58-68. [PMID: 38148067 PMCID: PMC10756458 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Cutaneous malignancies represent a real concern and burden for the healthcare system, not only due to their increased frequency, but also due to the significant number of deaths attributed to these types of cancer. The genesis of tumors, their progression and metastasis are highly complex and researched subjects; apparently, mast cells (MCs) constitute an important piece in the complicated jigsaw puzzle of cancer. This article reviews the current knowledge of the roles MCs might play in the development of cutaneous malignancies. Besides their well-known and studied role in allergic reactions, MCs are linked to multiple and various disorders, including cancer. MCs exhibit incredible heterogeneity, being able to secrete numerous mediators that influence the tumor microenvironment and tumor cells. They are involved in many physiological and pathological processes, such as inflammation and angiogenesis. In this context, it is paramount to explore the advancements made so far in elucidating the roles that MCs have in skin cancer because they might provide valuable therapeutic targets in the future. Controversial and conflicting results were obtained across the studies examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Alda
- Department of Microscopic Morphology/Histology, Angiogenesis Research Center Timişoara, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania
| | - Raluca Amalia Ceausu
- Department of Microscopic Morphology/Histology, Angiogenesis Research Center Timişoara, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania;
| | - Pusa Nela Gaje
- Department of Microscopic Morphology/Histology, Angiogenesis Research Center Timişoara, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania
| | - Marius Raica
- Department of Microscopic Morphology/Histology, Angiogenesis Research Center Timişoara, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania
| | - Raluca Mioara Cosoroaba
- Department of Management, Legislation and Communication in Dental Medicine, First Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania
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14
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Aoude LG, Brosda S, Ng J, Lonie JM, Belle CJ, Patel K, Koufariotis LT, Wood S, Atkinson V, Smithers BM, Pearson JV, Waddell N, Barbour AP, Bonazzi VF. Circulating Tumor DNA: A Promising Biomarker for Predicting Recurrence in Patients with BRAF-Negative Melanoma. J Mol Diagn 2023; 25:771-781. [PMID: 37544359 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoldx.2023.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
For patients with BRAF wild-type stage III and IV melanoma, there is an urgent clinical need to identify prognostic biomarkers and biomarkers predictive of treatment response. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is emerging as a blood-based biomarker and has shown promising results for many cancers, including melanoma. The purpose of this study was to identify targetable, tumor-derived mutations in patient blood that may lead to treatment alternatives and improved outcomes for patients with BRAF-negative melanoma. Using a CAncer Personalized Profiling by deep Sequencing (CAPP-seq) pan-cancer gene panel, ctDNA from 150 plasma samples (n = 106 patients) was assessed, including serial blood collections for a subset of patients (n = 16). ctDNA variants were detected in 85% of patients, all in targetable pathways, such as vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT, Bcl2/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), ALK/MET, and cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6. Patients with stage IV melanoma with low ctDNA concentrations, <10 ng/mL, had significantly better disease-specific survival and progression-free survival. Patients with both a high concentration of ctDNA and any detectable ctDNA variants had the worst prognosis. In addition, these results indicated that longitudinal changes in ctDNA correlated with treatment response and disease progression determined by radiology. This study confirms that ctDNA may be used as a noninvasive liquid biopsy to identify recurrent disease and detect targetable variants in patients with late-stage melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren G Aoude
- Frazer Institute, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland.
| | - Sandra Brosda
- Frazer Institute, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland
| | - Jessica Ng
- Queensland Melanoma Project, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland
| | - James M Lonie
- Frazer Institute, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland
| | - Clemence J Belle
- Frazer Institute, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland
| | - Kalpana Patel
- Frazer Institute, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland
| | | | - Scott Wood
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland
| | - Victoria Atkinson
- Queensland Melanoma Project, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland
| | - B Mark Smithers
- Queensland Melanoma Project, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland; Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - John V Pearson
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland
| | - Nicola Waddell
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland
| | - Andrew P Barbour
- Frazer Institute, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland; Queensland Melanoma Project, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland
| | - Vanessa F Bonazzi
- Frazer Institute, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland.
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15
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Xi Q, Lu X, Zhang J, Wang D, Sun Y, Chen H. A practical nomogram and risk stratification system predicting the cancer-specific survival for patients aged >50 with advanced melanoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1166877. [PMID: 37519813 PMCID: PMC10374428 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1166877] [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: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate risk factors for advanced melanoma over 50 years of age and to develop and validate a new line chart and classification system. Methods The SEER database was screened for patients diagnosed with advanced melanoma from 2010 to 2019 and Cox regression analysis was applied to select variables affecting patient prognosis. The area under curve (AUC), relative operating characteristic curve (ROC), Consistency index (C-index), decision curve analysis (DCA), and survival calibration curves were used to verify the accuracy and utility of the model and to compare it with traditional AJCC tumor staging. The Kaplan-Meier curve was applied to compare the risk stratification between the model and traditional AJCC tumor staging. Results A total of 5166 patients were included in the study. Surgery, age, gender, tumor thickness, ulceration, the number of primary melanomas, M stage and N stage were the independent prognostic factors of CSS in patients with advanced melanoma (P<0.05). The predictive nomogram model was constructed and validated. The C-index values obtained from the training and validation cohorts were 0.732 (95%CI: 0.717-0.742) and 0.741 (95%CI: 0.732-0.751). Based on the observation and analysis results of the ROC curve, survival calibration curve, NRI, and IDI, the constructed prognosis model can accurately predict the prognosis of advanced melanoma and performs well in internal verification. The DCA curve verifies the practicability of the model. Compared with the traditional AJCC staging, the risk stratification in the model has a better identification ability for patients in different risk groups. Conclusion The nomogram of advanced melanoma and the new classification system were successfully established and verified, which can provide a practical tool for individualized clinical management of patients.
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16
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Fratta E, Giurato G, Guerrieri R, Colizzi F, Dal Col J, Weisz A, Steffan A, Montico B. Autophagy in BRAF-mutant cutaneous melanoma: recent advances and therapeutic perspective. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:202. [PMID: 37386023 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01496-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Macroautophagy, hereafter referred to as autophagy, represents a highly conserved catabolic process that maintains cellular homeostasis. At present, the role of autophagy in cutaneous melanoma (CM) is still controversial, since it appears to be tumor-suppressive at early stages of malignant transformation and cancer-promoting during disease progression. Interestingly, autophagy has been found to be often increased in CM harboring BRAF mutation and to impair the response to targeted therapy. In addition to autophagy, numerous studies have recently conducted in cancer to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of mitophagy, a selective form of mitochondria autophagy, and secretory autophagy, a process that facilitates unconventional cellular secretion. Although several aspects of mitophagy and secretory autophagy have been investigated in depth, their involvement in BRAF-mutant CM biology has only recently emerged. In this review, we aim to overview autophagy dysregulation in BRAF-mutant CM, along with the therapeutic advantages that may arise from combining autophagy inhibitors with targeted therapy. In addition, the recent advances on mitophagy and secretory autophagy involvement in BRAF-mutant CM will be also discussed. Finally, since a number of autophagy-related non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been identified so far, we will briefly discussed recent advances linking ncRNAs to autophagy regulation in BRAF-mutant CM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Fratta
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano, Italy.
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Roberto Guerrieri
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Francesca Colizzi
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Jessica Dal Col
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
- Molecular Pathology and Medical Genomics Program, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona' University of Salerno and Rete Oncologica Campana, 84131, Salerno, Italy
| | - Agostino Steffan
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Barbara Montico
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano, Italy.
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Kolenda T, Poter P, Guglas K, Kozłowska-Masłoń J, Braska A, Kazimierczak U, Teresiak A. Biological role and diagnostic utility of ribosomal protein L23a pseudogene 53 in cutaneous melanoma. Rep Pract Oncol Radiother 2023; 28:255-270. [PMID: 37456695 PMCID: PMC10348336 DOI: 10.5603/rpor.a2023.0030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Skin melanoma is one of the deadliest types of skin cancer and develops from melanocytes. The genetic aberrations in protein-coding genes are well characterized, but little is known about changes in non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) such as pseudogenes. Ribosomal protein pseudogenes (RPPs) have been described as the largest group of pseudogenes which are dispersed in the human genome. Materials and methids We looked deeply at the role of one of them, ribosomal protein L23a pseudogene 53 (RPL23AP53), and its potential diagnostic use. The expression level of RPL23AP53 was profiled in melanoma cell lines using real time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and analyzed based on the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data depending on BRAF status and clinicopathological parameters. Cellular phenotype, which was associated with RPL23AP53 levels, was described based on the REACTOME pathway browser, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) analysis as well as Immune and ESTIMATE Scores. Results We indicted in vitro changes in RPL23AP53 level depending on a cell line, and based on in silico analysis of TCGA samples demonstrated significant differences in RPL23AP53 expression between primary and metastatic melanoma, as well as correlation between RPL23AP53 and overall survival. No differences depending on BRAF status were observed. RPL23AP53 is associated with several signaling pathways and cellular processes. Conclusions This study showed that patients with higher expression of RPL23AP53 displayed changed infiltration of lymphocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils compared to groups with lower expression of RPL23AP53. RPL23AP53 pseudogene is differently expressed in melanoma compared with normal tissue and its expression is associated with cellular proliferation. Thus, it may be considered as an indicator of patients' survival and a marker for the immune profile assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Kolenda
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
- Research and Implementation Unit, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
| | - Paulina Poter
- Department of Oncologic Pathology and Prophylaxis, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznan, Poland
- Department of Pathology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Kacper Guglas
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
- Research and Implementation Unit, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
- Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Joanna Kozłowska-Masłoń
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
- Research and Implementation Unit, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Human Biology and Evolution, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Alicja Braska
- Research and Implementation Unit, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
| | - Urszula Kazimierczak
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Chair of Medical Biotechnology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
- Department of Diagnostics and Cancer Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznan, Poland
| | - Anna Teresiak
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
- Research and Implementation Unit, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
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18
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Tan Y, Lu Y, Chen S, Zou C, Qin B. Immunotherapy for ocular melanoma: a bibliometric and visualization analysis from 1991 to 2022. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1161759. [PMID: 37324010 PMCID: PMC10265996 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1161759] [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: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In recent years, new therapeutic options to overcome the mechanisms of tumor immune suppression be effective in the treatment of cutaneous melanoma. These approaches have also been applied in ocular melanoma. The aim of this study is to present the current status and research hotspots of immunotherapy for ocular melanoma from a bibliometric perspective and to explore the field of immunotherapy for malignant ocular melanoma research. Methods In this study, the Web of Science Core Collection database (WoSCC) and Pubmed were selected to search the literature related to immunotherapy of ocular melanoma. Using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, the R package "bibliometrix," and the bibliometric online platform through the construction and visualization of bibliometric networks, the country/region, institution, journal, author, and keywords were analyzed to predict the most recent trends in research pertaining to ocular melanoma and immunotherapy. Results A total of 401 papers and 144 reviews related to immunotherapy of ocular melanoma were included. The United States is the main driver of research in the field, ranking first in terms of the number of publications, total citations, and H-index. The UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM is the most active institution, contributing the most papers. Jager, Martine is the most prolific author, and Carvajal, Richard is the most frequently cited author. CANCERS is the most published journal in the field and J CLIN ONCOL is the most cited journal. In addition to ocular melanoma and immunotherapy, the most popular keywords were "uveal melanoma" and "targeted therapy". According to keyword co-occurrence and burst analysis, uveal melanoma, immunotherapy, melanoma, metastases, bap1, tebentafusp, bioinformatics, conjunctival melanoma, immune checkpoint inhibitors, ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, and other research topics appear to be at the forefront of this field's research and have the potential to remain a hot research topic in the future. Conclusion This is the first bibliometric study in the last 30 years to comprehensively map the knowledge structure and trends in the field of research related to ocular melanoma and immunotherapy. The results comprehensively summarize and identify research frontiers for scholars studying immunotherapy associated with ocular melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Tan
- Shenzhen Aier Eye Hospital, Aier Eye Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yijie Lu
- Shenzhen Aier Eye Hospital, Aier Eye Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Sheng Chen
- Shenzhen Eye Hospital, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chang Zou
- Shenzhen Aier Eye Hospital, Aier Eye Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Aier Ophthalmic Technology Institute, Shenzhen, China
- School of Life and Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Kong Hong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Bo Qin
- Shenzhen Aier Eye Hospital, Aier Eye Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Aier Ophthalmic Technology Institute, Shenzhen, China
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Howell R, Davies J, Clarke MA, Appios A, Mesquita I, Jayal Y, Ringham-Terry B, Boned Del Rio I, Fisher J, Bennett CL. Localized immune surveillance of primary melanoma in the skin deciphered through executable modeling. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadd1992. [PMID: 37043573 PMCID: PMC10096595 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add1992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
While skin is a site of active immune surveillance, primary melanomas often escape detection. Here, we have developed an in silico model to determine the local cross-talk between melanomas and Langerhans cells (LCs), the primary antigen-presenting cells at the site of melanoma development. The model predicts that melanomas fail to activate LC migration to lymph nodes until tumors reach a critical size, which is determined by a positive TNF-α feedback loop within melanomas, in line with our observations of murine tumors. In silico drug screening, supported by subsequent experimental testing, shows that treatment of primary tumors with MAPK pathway inhibitors may further prevent LC migration. In addition, our in silico model predicts treatment combinations that bypass LC dysfunction. In conclusion, our combined approach of in silico and in vivo studies suggests a molecular mechanism that explains how early melanomas develop under the radar of immune surveillance by LC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Matthew A. Clarke
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Anna Appios
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Inês Mesquita
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Yashoda Jayal
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Ben Ringham-Terry
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Isabel Boned Del Rio
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DD, UK
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20
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Tinca AC, Raicea A, Szőke AR, Cocuz IG, Şincu MC, Niculescu R, Sabău AH, Popelea MC, Fruntelată RF, Cotoi OS. Morphological aspects and therapeutic options in melanoma: a narrative review of the past decade. ROMANIAN JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY AND EMBRYOLOGY = REVUE ROUMAINE DE MORPHOLOGIE ET EMBRYOLOGIE 2023; 64:135-141. [PMID: 37518869 PMCID: PMC10520381 DOI: 10.47162/rjme.64.2.02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma is a malignant cancer of the skin, the incidence of which has been increasing year by year. This neoplasm has high aggressivity as well as the potential for invasion and metastases. Multiple factors related to the proliferation of this type of tumor have been identified, such as exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and specific genetic backgrounds. From a histological and cytological point of view, the most common cells that are found in melanoma are epithelioid or spindle cells. To confirm the diagnosis and the melanocytic origin of the tumor, specific and sensitive markers are used. Also, observation of the behavior of this cancer, including its proliferative properties, has led to the development of multiple therapies, each of which is characteristic of the pathological stage at the time of diagnosis. While surgery is the most important therapeutic and curative option in cases of melanoma in situ, chemotherapy has been the main treatment for advanced stages of melanoma for many years. However, recently, targeted therapy and immunotherapy have changed the approach to treatment. At present, multiple studies are attempting to obtain further data about the tumor microenvironment and investigating how targeting particular molecules can change the prognosis of patients.
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21
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Hypoxia in Skin Cancer: Molecular Basis and Clinical Implications. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054430. [PMID: 36901857 PMCID: PMC10003002 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in the Caucasian population. In the United States, it is estimated that at least one in five people will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, leading to significant morbidity and a healthcare burden. Skin cancer mainly arises from cells in the epidermal layer of the skin, where oxygen is scarce. There are three main types of skin cancer: malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Accumulating evidence has revealed a critical role for hypoxia in the development and progression of these dermatologic malignancies. In this review, we discuss the role of hypoxia in treating and reconstructing skin cancers. We will summarize the molecular basis of hypoxia signaling pathways in relation to the major genetic variations of skin cancer.
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22
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Wang T, Xu P, Fang J, Li C, Zeng X, Liu J, Meng L, Zhuang R, Zhang X, Su X, Guo Z. Synthesis and Preclinical Evaluation of a 68Ga-Labeled Pyridine-Based Benzamide Dimer for Malignant Melanoma Imaging. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:1015-1024. [PMID: 36562303 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Benzamide (BZA), a small molecule that can freely cross cell membranes and bind to melanin, has served as an effective targeting group for melanoma theranostics. In this study, a novel pyridine-based BZA dimer (denoted as H-2) was labeled with 68Ga ([68Ga]Ga-H-2) for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of malignant melanomas. [68Ga]Ga-H-2 was obtained with high radiochemical yield (98.0 ± 2.0%) and satisfactory radiochemical purity (>95.0%). The specificity and affinity of [68Ga]Ga-H-2 were confirmed in melanoma B16F10 cells and in vivo PET imaging of multiple tumor models (B16F10 tumors, A375 melanoma, and lung metastases). Monomeric [68Ga]Ga-H-1 was prepared as a control radiotracer to verify the effects of the molecular structure on pharmacokinetics. The values of the lipid-water partition coefficient of [68Ga]Ga-H-2 and [68Ga]Ga-H-1 demonstrated hydrophilicity with log P = -2.37 ± 0.07 and -2.02 ± 0.09, respectively. PET imaging and biodistribution showed a higher uptake of [68Ga]Ga-H-2 in B16F10 primary and metastatic melanomas than that in A375 melanomas. However, the relatively low uptake of monomeric [68Ga]Ga-H-1 in B16F10 tumors and high accumulation in nontarget organs resulted in poor PET imaging quality. This study demonstrates the synthesis and preclinical evaluation of the novel pyridine-based BZA dimer [68Ga]Ga-H-2 and indicates that the dimer tracer has promising applications in malignant melanoma-specific PET imaging because of its high uptake and long-time retention in malignant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, China.,PET Center, Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, China.,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, 4221-116 Xiang'An South Rd, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Pengfei Xu
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacology, Jining First People's Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining 272000, China
| | - Jianyang Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, 4221-116 Xiang'An South Rd, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Cijuan Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, China
| | - Xinying Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, 4221-116 Xiang'An South Rd, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jia Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, 4221-116 Xiang'An South Rd, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Lingxin Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, 4221-116 Xiang'An South Rd, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Rongqiang Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, 4221-116 Xiang'An South Rd, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xianzhong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, 4221-116 Xiang'An South Rd, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xinhui Su
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, China.,PET Center, Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Zhide Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, 4221-116 Xiang'An South Rd, Xiamen 361102, China
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23
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Pressete CG, Viegas FPD, Campos TG, Caixeta ES, Hanemann JAC, Ferreira-Silva GÁ, Zavan B, Aissa AF, Miyazawa M, Viegas-Jr C, Ionta M. Piperine-Chlorogenic Acid Hybrid Inhibits the Proliferation of the SK-MEL-147 Melanoma Cells by Modulating Mitotic Kinases. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:145. [PMID: 37259298 PMCID: PMC9965075 DOI: 10.3390/ph16020145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is considered the most aggressive form of skin cancer, showing high metastatic potential and persistent high mortality rates despite the introduction of immunotherapy and targeted therapies. Thus, it is important to identify new drug candidates for melanoma. The design of hybrid molecules, with different pharmacophore fragments combined in the same scaffold, is an interesting strategy for obtaining new multi-target and more effective anticancer drugs. We designed nine hybrid compounds bearing piperine and chlorogenic acid pharmacophoric groups and evaluated their antitumoral potential on melanoma cells with distinct mutational profiles SK-MEL-147, CHL-1 and WM1366. We identified the compound named PQM-277 (3a) to be the most cytotoxic one, inhibiting mitosis progression and promoting an accumulation of cells in pro-metaphase and metaphase by altering the expression of genes that govern G2/M transition and mitosis onset. Compound 3a downregulated FOXM1, CCNB1, CDK1, AURKA, AURKB, and PLK1, and upregulated CDKN1A. Molecular docking showed that 3a could interact with the CUL1-RBX1 complex, which activity is necessary to trigger molecular events essential for FOXM1 transactivation and, in turn, G2/M gene expression. In addition, compound 3a effectively induced apoptosis by increasing BAX/BCL2 ratio. Our findings demonstrate that 3a is an important antitumor candidate prototype and support further investigations to evaluate its potential for melanoma treatment, especially for refractory cases to BRAF/MEK inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Flávia Pereira Dias Viegas
- Institute of Chemistry, Laboratory of Research in Medicinal Chemistry, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37133-840, MG, Brazil
| | - Thâmara Gaspar Campos
- Institute of Chemistry, Laboratory of Research in Medicinal Chemistry, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37133-840, MG, Brazil
| | - Ester Siqueira Caixeta
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, MG, Brazil
| | - João Adolfo Costa Hanemann
- Department of Clinic and Surgery, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Bruno Zavan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, MG, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Ferro Aissa
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, MG, Brazil
| | - Marta Miyazawa
- Department of Clinic and Surgery, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, MG, Brazil
| | - Claudio Viegas-Jr
- Institute of Chemistry, Laboratory of Research in Medicinal Chemistry, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37133-840, MG, Brazil
| | - Marisa Ionta
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, MG, Brazil
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Comparison of the Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) Tumour Microenvironment to Other Solid Malignancies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15010305. [PMID: 36612301 PMCID: PMC9818508 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer, contributing to nearly a third of new cancer cases in Western countries. Most BCCs are considered low risk "routine" lesions that can either be excised through surgery or treated with chemotherapeutic agents. However, around 1-2% of BCC cases are locally aggressive, present a high risk of metastasis, and often develop chemoresistance, termed advanced BCC. There currently exists no animal model or cell line that can recapitulate advanced BCC, let alone intermediate-risk and high-risk early BCC. We previously found that aggressive BCC tumours presented a Th2 cytokine inflammation profile, mesenchymal stem cell properties, and macrophage-induced tumoral inflammation. In this study, we aimed to identify potential BCC "relatives" among solid-organ malignancies who present similar immune cell proportions in their microenvironment compositions. Using immune cell type deconvolution by CIBERSORTx, and cell type enrichment by xCell, we determined three cancers with the most similar tumour microenvironments as compared to BCC. Specifically, chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, sarcoma, and skin cutaneous melanoma presented significance in multiple cell types, namely in CD4+ T lymphocytes, gammadelta T lymphocytes, and NK cell populations. Consequently, further literature analysis was conducted to understand similarities between BCC and its "relatives", as well as investigating novel treatment targets. By identifying cancers most like BCC, we hope to propose prospective druggable pathways, as well as to gain insight on developing a reliable animal or cell line model to represent advanced BCC.
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25
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Oranges T, Janowska A, Scatena C, Faita F, Lascio ND, Izzetti R, Fidanzi C, Romanelli M, Dini V. Ultra-High Frequency Ultrasound in Melanoma Management: A New Combined Ultrasonographic-Histopathological Approach. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2023; 42:99-108. [PMID: 36117417 DOI: 10.1002/jum.16096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The main aim of this study is to evaluate the correspondence between the ultrasonographic thickness and the Breslow thickness in melanoma using ultra-high frequency ultrasound and the intra- and inter-operator repeatability in the ultrasonographic measurements of melanoma depth. Moreover, we propose a new protocol based on a combined ultrasonographic-histopathological approach. METHODS We analyzed 27 melanomas in a population consisted of 27 patients (mean age 57.6 years, 51.8% males), who came at the Department of Dermatology (University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy) from April 2016 to March 2018 and had an ultrasonographic examination of a suspected lesion before the surgical removal using ultra-high frequency ultrasound (Vevo®MD, Fujifilm, Visualsonics, Toronto, Canada; 70 MHz probe). B-mode images were analyzed by two skilled and blinded operators, and the maximum depth of the lesions was measured using a dedicated graphical user interface developed in Matlab R2016b (MathWorks Inc., Natick, MA), to obtain repetitive measurements. RESULTS All melanomas appeared as band-like or oval/fusiform shaped hypoechoic inhomogeneous lesions. We observed an excellent agreement between the Breslow thickness of melanomas and the ultrasonographic thickness, as well as a reduced intra- and inter-operator variability in the ultrasonographic measurements of melanoma depth. CONCLUSIONS We propose a ultrasonographic-histopathological protocol which may help clinicians to reduce the diagnostic delay, improve prognosis and survival rates, perform a surgical excision with negative margins, and reduce the variability in the assessment of Breslow thickness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Oranges
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Meyer Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Agata Janowska
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristian Scatena
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Faita
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Nicole Di Lascio
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rossana Izzetti
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Valentina Dini
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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26
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Anti-Tumor Effects of Engineered VNP20009-Abvec-Igκ-mPD-1 Strain in Melanoma Mice via Combining the Oncolytic Therapy and Immunotherapy. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14122789. [PMID: 36559282 PMCID: PMC9781615 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14122789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Programmed cell death protein 1/Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) immune checkpoint inhibitors are the most promising treatments for malignant tumors currently, but the low response rate limits their further clinical utilization. To address this problem, our group constructed an engineered strain of VNP20009-Abvec-Igκ-mPD-1 [V-A-mPD-1 (mPD-1, murine PD-1)] to combine oncolytic bacterial therapy with immunotherapy. Further, we evaluated its growth performance and mPD-1 expression ability in vitro while establishing the melanoma mice model to explore its potential anti-cancer effects in tumor therapy. Our results indicated that the V-A-mPD-1 strain has superior growth performance and can invade B16F10 melanoma cells and express PD-1. In addition, in the melanoma mice model, we observed a marked reduction in tumor volume and the formation of a larger necrotic area. V-A-mPD-1 administration resulted in a high expression of mPD-1 at the tumor site, inhibiting tumor cell proliferation via the down-regulation of the expression of rat sarcoma (Ras), phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-MEK)/MEK, and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK)/ERK expression significantly inhibited tumor cell proliferation. Tumor cell apoptosis was promoted by down-regulating phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathways, as evidenced by an increased Bcl-2-associated X protein/B cell lymphoma-2 (Bax/Bcl-2) expression ratio. Meanwhile, the expression levels of systemic inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were substantially reduced. In conclusion, our research demonstrated that V-A-mPD-1 has an excellent anti-tumor effect, prompting that the combined application of microbial therapy and immunotherapy is a feasible cancer treatment strategy.
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27
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Sadrolashrafi K, Cotter DG. Not Your Mother's Melanoma: Causes and Effects of Early Melanoma Diagnosis. Dermatopathology (Basel) 2022; 9:368-378. [PMID: 36547217 PMCID: PMC9777089 DOI: 10.3390/dermatopathology9040043] [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: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The year 2022 will herald approximately 100,000 new cases of cutaneous melanoma (CM), and over 7000 deaths from CM. Over the past 40 years, CM incidence has increased nearly six-fold; however, annual mortality has remained relatively constant. These trends encapsulate the phenomenon of overdiagnosis. Increased recognition of indolent lesions that appear histologically malignant may be leading to a melanoma epidemic. Enhanced melanoma awareness, screening efforts, physician uncertainty, medical-legal pressures, and diagnostic scrutiny using tools like immunohistochemical staining, mole mapping, dermoscopy, confocal microscopy, and molecular diagnostics contribute to increased CM diagnosis. As a result, current melanoma staging and treatment guidelines are being challenged. Existing standards fail to accurately identify histologically benign lesions that are lethal or, conversely, histologically malignant lesions that are innocuous. Healthcare systems and, more importantly, patients suffer from this diagnostic ambiguity that leads to the over-treatment of innocuous melanomas and under-treatment of aggressive melanomas. As dermatology continues to experience a shift towards earlier diagnosis of melanoma, management strategies must adapt. Herein, we review factors that may contribute to the increased incidence of melanoma, emphasize deficiencies in current staging systems, and provide insights into the future of melanoma management via precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaviyon Sadrolashrafi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, Las Vegas, NV 89106, USA
| | - David Graham Cotter
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, Las Vegas, NV 89106, USA
- Las Vegas Dermatology, Las Vegas, NV 89144, USA
- Correspondence:
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28
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Muñoz-Barrera A, Rubio-Rodríguez LA, Díaz-de Usera A, Jáspez D, Lorenzo-Salazar JM, González-Montelongo R, García-Olivares V, Flores C. From Samples to Germline and Somatic Sequence Variation: A Focus on Next-Generation Sequencing in Melanoma Research. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:1939. [PMID: 36431075 PMCID: PMC9695713 DOI: 10.3390/life12111939] [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: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) applications have flourished in the last decade, permitting the identification of cancer driver genes and profoundly expanding the possibilities of genomic studies of cancer, including melanoma. Here we aimed to present a technical review across many of the methodological approaches brought by the use of NGS applications with a focus on assessing germline and somatic sequence variation. We provide cautionary notes and discuss key technical details involved in library preparation, the most common problems with the samples, and guidance to circumvent them. We also provide an overview of the sequence-based methods for cancer genomics, exposing the pros and cons of targeted sequencing vs. exome or whole-genome sequencing (WGS), the fundamentals of the most common commercial platforms, and a comparison of throughputs and key applications. Details of the steps and the main software involved in the bioinformatics processing of the sequencing results, from preprocessing to variant prioritization and filtering, are also provided in the context of the full spectrum of genetic variation (SNVs, indels, CNVs, structural variation, and gene fusions). Finally, we put the emphasis on selected bioinformatic pipelines behind (a) short-read WGS identification of small germline and somatic variants, (b) detection of gene fusions from transcriptomes, and (c) de novo assembly of genomes from long-read WGS data. Overall, we provide comprehensive guidance across the main methodological procedures involved in obtaining sequencing results for the most common short- and long-read NGS platforms, highlighting key applications in melanoma research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Muñoz-Barrera
- Genomics Division, Instituto Tecnológico y de Energías Renovables (ITER), 38600 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Luis A. Rubio-Rodríguez
- Genomics Division, Instituto Tecnológico y de Energías Renovables (ITER), 38600 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Ana Díaz-de Usera
- Genomics Division, Instituto Tecnológico y de Energías Renovables (ITER), 38600 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- Research Unit, Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, 38010 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - David Jáspez
- Genomics Division, Instituto Tecnológico y de Energías Renovables (ITER), 38600 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - José M. Lorenzo-Salazar
- Genomics Division, Instituto Tecnológico y de Energías Renovables (ITER), 38600 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Rafaela González-Montelongo
- Genomics Division, Instituto Tecnológico y de Energías Renovables (ITER), 38600 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Víctor García-Olivares
- Genomics Division, Instituto Tecnológico y de Energías Renovables (ITER), 38600 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Carlos Flores
- Genomics Division, Instituto Tecnológico y de Energías Renovables (ITER), 38600 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- Research Unit, Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, 38010 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Fernando de Pessoa Canarias, 35450 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
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Identification of Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase as Potential Target of Vemurafenib-Resistant Melanoma Cells. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27227800. [PMID: 36431901 PMCID: PMC9698468 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27227800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite recent improvements in therapy, the five-year survival rate for patients with advanced melanoma is poor, mainly due to the development of drug resistance. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, applying proteomics and structural approaches to models of melanoma cells. METHODS Sublines from two human (A375 and SK-MEL-28) cells with acquired vemurafenib resistance were established, and their proteomic profiles when exposed to denaturation were identified through LC-MS/MS analysis. The pathways derived from bioinformatics analyses were validated by in silico and functional studies. RESULTS The proteomic profiles of resistant melanoma cells were compared to parental counterparts by taking into account protein folding/unfolding behaviors. Several proteins were found to be involved, with dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD) being the only one similarly affected by denaturation in all resistant cell sublines compared to parental ones. DLD expression was observed to be increased in resistant cells by Western blot analysis. Protein modeling analyses of DLD's catalytic site coupled to in vitro assays with CPI-613, a specific DLD inhibitor, highlighted the role of DLD enzymatic functions in the molecular mechanisms of BRAFi resistance. CONCLUSIONS Our proteomic and structural investigations on resistant sublines indicate that DLD may represent a novel and potent target for overcoming vemurafenib resistance in melanoma cells.
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Chang GA, Robinson E, Wiggins JM, Zhang Y, Tadepalli JS, Schafer CN, Darvishian F, Berman RS, Shapiro R, Shao Y, Osman I, Polsky D. Associations between TERT Promoter Mutations and Survival in Superficial Spreading and Nodular Melanomas in a Large Prospective Patient Cohort. J Invest Dermatol 2022; 142:2733-2743.e9. [PMID: 35469904 PMCID: PMC9509439 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Survival outcomes in melanoma and their association with mutations in the telomerase reverse transcriptase gene TERT promoter remain uncertain. In addition, few studies have examined whether these associations are affected by a nearby common germline polymorphism or vary on the basis of melanoma histopathological subtype. We analyzed 408 primary tumors from a prospective melanoma cohort for somatic TERT-124[C>T] and TERT-146[C>T] mutations, the germline polymorphism rs2853669, and BRAFV600 and NRASQ61 mutations. We tested the associations between these variants and clinicopathologic factors and survival outcomes. TERT-124[C>T] was associated with thicker tumors, ulceration, mitoses (>0/mm2), nodular histotype, and CNS involvement. In a multivariable model controlling for the American Joint Committee on Cancer stage, TERT-124[C>T] was an independent predictor of shorter recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio = 2.58, P = 0.001) and overall survival (hazard ratio = 2.47, P = 0.029). Patients with the germline variant and TERT-124[C>T]-mutant melanomas had significantly shorter recurrence-free survival than those lacking either or both sequence variants (P < 0.04). The impact of the germline variant appeared to be more pronounced in superficial spreading than in nodular melanoma. No associations were found between survival and TERT-146[C>T], BRAF, or NRAS mutations. These findings strongly suggest that TERT-124[C>T] mutation is a biomarker of aggressive primary melanomas, an effect that may be modulated by rs2853669.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory A Chang
- The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Eric Robinson
- The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jennifer M Wiggins
- The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yilong Zhang
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Merck, Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jyothirmayee S Tadepalli
- The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Christine N Schafer
- The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Farbod Darvishian
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Russell S Berman
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Richard Shapiro
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yongzhao Shao
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Iman Osman
- The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - David Polsky
- The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA.
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31
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Georgescu SR, Mitran CI, Mitran MI, Matei C, Constantin C, Neagu M, Tampa M. Apprising Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in Cutaneous Melanoma—Persistent Updating. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12091506. [PMID: 36143291 PMCID: PMC9505119 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12091506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of melanoma, a very aggressive skin cancer, has increased over the past few decades. Although there are well-established clinical, dermoscopic and histopathological criteria, the diagnosis is often performed late, which has important implications on the patient’s clinical outcome. Unfortunately, melanoma is one of the most challenging tumors to diagnose because it is a heterogeneous neoplasm at the clinical, histopathological, and molecular level. The use of reliable biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression is becoming a standard of care in modern medicine. In this review, we discuss the latest studies, which highlight findings from the genomics, epitranscriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics areas, pointing out different genes, molecules and cells as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in cutaneous melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Roxana Georgescu
- Department of Dermatology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Dermatology, “Victor Babes” Clinical Hospital for Infectious Diseases, 030303 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristina Iulia Mitran
- Department of Microbiology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence: (C.I.M.); (M.I.M.)
| | - Madalina Irina Mitran
- “Cantacuzino” National Medico-Military Institute for Research and Development, 011233 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence: (C.I.M.); (M.I.M.)
| | - Clara Matei
- Department of Dermatology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Carolina Constantin
- Immunology Department, “Victor Babes” National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania
- Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Monica Neagu
- Immunology Department, “Victor Babes” National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania
- Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 030018 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mircea Tampa
- Department of Dermatology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Dermatology, “Victor Babes” Clinical Hospital for Infectious Diseases, 030303 Bucharest, Romania
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32
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Loras A, Gil-Barrachina M, Marqués-Torrejón MÁ, Perez-Pastor G, Martinez-Cadenas C. UV-Induced Somatic Mutations Driving Clonal Evolution in Healthy Skin, Nevus, and Cutaneous Melanoma. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12091339. [PMID: 36143375 PMCID: PMC9503451 DOI: 10.3390/life12091339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Due to its aggressiveness, cutaneous melanoma (CM) is responsible for most skin cancer-related deaths worldwide. The origin of CM is closely linked to the appearance of UV-induced somatic mutations in melanocytes present in normal skin or in CM precursor lesions (nevi or dysplastic nevi). In recent years, new NGS studies performed on CM tissue have increased the understanding of the genetic somatic changes underlying melanomagenesis and CM tumor progression. Methods: We reviewed the literature using all important scientific databases. All articles related to genomic mutations in CM as well as normal skin and nevi were included, in particular those related to somatic mutations produced by UV radiation. Conclusions: CM development and progression are strongly associated with exposure to UV radiation, although each melanoma subtype has different characteristic genetic alterations and evolutionary trajectories. While BRAF and NRAS mutations are common in the early stages of tumor development for most CM subtypes, changes in CDKN2A, TP53 and PTEN, together with TERT promoter mutations, are especially common in advanced stages. Additionally, large genome duplications, loss of heterozygosity, and copy number variations are hallmarks of metastatic disease. Finally, the mutations driving melanoma targeted-therapy drug resistance are also summarized. The complete sequential stages of clonal evolution leading to CM onset from normal skin or nevi are still unknown, so further studies are needed in this field to shed light on the molecular pathways involved in CM malignant transformation and in melanoma acquired drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Loras
- Department of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Jaume I University of Castellon, 12071 Castellon, Spain
| | | | | | - Gemma Perez-Pastor
- Department of Dermatology, Valencia General University Hospital, 46014 Valencia, Spain
| | - Conrado Martinez-Cadenas
- Department of Medicine, Jaume I University of Castellon, 12071 Castellon, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-964387607
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33
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Pecorelli A, Valacchi G. Oxidative-Stress-Sensitive microRNAs in UV-Promoted Development of Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:3224. [PMID: 35804995 PMCID: PMC9265047 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14133224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the most aggressive and life-threatening form of skin cancer. Key molecular events underlying the melanocytic transformation into malignant melanoma mainly involve gene mutations in which exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation plays a prominent role. However, several aspects of UV-induced melanomagenesis remain to be explored. Interestingly, redox-mediated signaling and perturbed microRNA (miRNA) profiles appear to be interconnected contributing factors able to act synergistically in melanoma initiation and progression. Since UV radiation can promote both redox imbalance and miRNA dysregulation, a harmful crosstalk between these two key cellular networks, with UV as central hub among them, is likely to occur in skin tissue. Therefore, decoding the complex circuits that orchestrate the interaction of UV exposure, oxidative stress, and dysregulated miRNA profiling can provide a deep understanding of the molecular basis of the melanomagenesis process. Furthermore, these mechanistic insights into the reciprocal regulation between these systems could have relevant implications for future therapeutic approaches aimed at counteracting UV-induced redox and miRNome imbalances for the prevention and treatment of malignant melanoma. In this review, we illustrate current information on the intricate connection between UV-induced dysregulation of redox-sensitive miRNAs and well-known signaling pathways involved in the malignant transformation of normal melanocytes to malignant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Pecorelli
- Department of Animal Science, N.C. Research Campus, Plants for Human Health Institute, North Carolina State University, Kannapolis, NC 28081, USA;
| | - Giuseppe Valacchi
- Department of Animal Science, N.C. Research Campus, Plants for Human Health Institute, North Carolina State University, Kannapolis, NC 28081, USA;
- Department of Environment and Prevention, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea
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Bakr MN, Takahashi H, Kikuchi Y. Analysis of Melanoma Gene Expression Signatures at the Single-Cell Level Uncovers 45-Gene Signature Related to Prognosis. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10071478. [PMID: 35884783 PMCID: PMC9313451 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the current melanoma clinicopathological staging system remains restricted to predicting survival outcomes, establishing precise prognostic targets is needed. Here, we used gene expression signature (GES) classification and Cox regression analyses to biologically characterize melanoma cells at the single-cell level and construct a prognosis-related gene signature for melanoma. By analyzing publicly available scRNA-seq data, we identified six distinct GESs (named: “Anti-apoptosis”, “Immune cell interactions”, “Melanogenesis”, “Ribosomal biogenesis”, “Extracellular structure organization”, and “Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)”). We verified these GESs in the bulk RNA-seq data of patients with skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Four GESs (“Immune cell interactions”, “Melanogenesis”, “Ribosomal biogenesis”, and “Extracellular structure organization”) were significantly correlated with prognosis (p = 1.08 × 10−5, p = 0.042, p = 0.001, and p = 0.031, respectively). We identified a prognostic signature of melanoma composed of 45 genes (MPS_45). MPS_45 was validated in TCGA-SKCM (HR = 1.82, p = 9.08 × 10−6) and three other melanoma datasets (GSE65904: HR = 1.73, p = 0.006; GSE19234: HR = 3.83, p = 0.002; and GSE53118: HR = 1.85, p = 0.037). MPS_45 was independently associated with survival (p = 0.002) and was proved to have a high potential for predicting prognosis in melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Nabil Bakr
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-3-1, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan;
- National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF), Cairo 11516, Egypt
| | - Haruko Takahashi
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-3-1, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan;
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-3-1, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
- Correspondence: (H.T.); (Y.K.); Tel.: +81-82-424-7440 (Y.K.)
| | - Yutaka Kikuchi
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-3-1, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan;
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-3-1, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
- Correspondence: (H.T.); (Y.K.); Tel.: +81-82-424-7440 (Y.K.)
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35
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Reddi KK, Guruvaiah P, Edwards YJK, Gupta R. Changes in the Transcriptome and Chromatin Landscape in BRAFi-Resistant Melanoma Cells. Front Oncol 2022; 12:937831. [PMID: 35785205 PMCID: PMC9247198 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.937831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic and drug-resistant melanoma are leading causes of skin cancer-associated death. Mitogen-associated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway inhibitors and immunotherapies have provided substantial benefits to patients with melanoma. However, long-term therapeutic efficacy has been limited due to emergence of treatment resistance. Despite the identification of several molecular mechanisms underlying the development of resistant phenotypes, significant progress has still not been made toward the effective treatment of drug-resistant melanoma. Therefore, the identification of new targets and mechanisms driving drug resistance in melanoma represents an unmet medical need. In this study, we performed unbiased RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) and assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with sequencing (ATAC-seq) to identify new targets and mechanisms that drive resistance to MAPK pathway inhibitors targeting BRAF and MAPK kinase (MEK) in BRAF-mutant melanoma cells. An integrative analysis of ATAC-seq combined with RNA-seq showed that global changes in chromatin accessibility affected the mRNA expression levels of several known and novel genes, which consequently modulated multiple oncogenic signaling pathways to promote resistance to MAPK pathway inhibitors in melanoma cells. Many of these genes were also associated with prognosis predictions in melanoma patients. This study resulted in the identification of new genes and signaling pathways that might be targeted to treat MEK or BRAF inhibitors resistant melanoma patients. The present study applied new and advanced approaches to identify unique changes in chromatin accessibility regions that modulate gene expression associated with pathways to promote the development of resistance to MAPK pathway inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Kumar Reddi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Praveen Guruvaiah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Yvonne J. K. Edwards
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Romi Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
- O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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36
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Popecki P, Jurczyszyn K, Ziętek M, Kozakiewicz M. Texture Analysis in Diagnosing Skin Pigmented Lesions in Normal and Polarized Light-A Preliminary Report. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11092505. [PMID: 35566634 PMCID: PMC9101611 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11092505] [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: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The differential diagnosis of benign nevi (BN), dysplastic nevi (DN), and melanomas (MM) represents a considerable clinical problem. These lesions are similar in clinical examination but have different prognoses and therapeutic management techniques. A texture analysis (TA) is a mathematical and statistical analysis of pixel patterns of a digital image. This study aims to demonstrate the relationship between the TA of digital images of pigmented lesions under polarized and non-polarized light and their histopathological diagnosis. Ninety pigmented lesions of 76 patients were included in this study. We obtained 166 regions of interest (ROI) images for MM, 166 for DN, and 166 for BN. The pictures were taken under polarized and non-polarized light. Selected image texture features (entropy and difference entropy and long-run emphasis) of ROIs were calculated. Those three equations were used to construct the texture index (TI) and bone index (BI). All of the presented features distinguish melanomas, benign and dysplastic lesions under polarized light very well. In non-polarized images, only the long-run emphasis moment and both indices effectively differentiated nevi from melanomas. TA is an objective method of assessing pigmented lesions and can be used in automatic diagnostic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Popecki
- Department of Oral Surgery, Wroclaw Medical University, Krakowska 26, 50-425 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Kamil Jurczyszyn
- Department of Oral Surgery, Wroclaw Medical University, Krakowska 26, 50-425 Wroclaw, Poland;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-71-784-04-23
| | - Marcin Ziętek
- Department of Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland;
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Wroclaw Comprehensive Cancer Center, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Marcin Kozakiewicz
- Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical University of Lodz, 113 S. Zeromski Street, 90-549 Lodz, Poland;
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37
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Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Inhibitors: A Promising Weapon to Tackle Therapy Resistance in Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073660. [PMID: 35409020 PMCID: PMC8998190 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is an aggressive malignant tumor, arising more commonly on the skin, while it can also occur on mucosal surfaces and the uveal tract of the eye. In the context of the unresectable and metastatic cases that account for the vast majority of melanoma-related deaths, the currently available therapeutic options are of limited value. The exponentially increasing knowledge in the field of molecular biology has identified epigenetic reprogramming and more specifically histone deacetylation (HDAC), as a crucial regulator of melanoma progression and as a key driver in the emergence of drug resistance. A variety of HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) have been developed and evaluated in multiple solid and hematologic malignancies, showing promising results. In melanoma, various experimental models have elucidated a critical role of histone deacetylases in disease pathogenesis. They could, therefore, represent a promising novel therapeutic approach for advanced disease. A number of clinical trials assessing the efficacy of HDACi have already been completed, while a few more are in progress. Despite some early promising signs, a lot of work is required in the field of clinical studies, and larger patient cohorts are needed in order for more valid conclusions to be extracted, regarding the potential of HDACi as mainstream treatment options for melanoma.
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38
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Hartmann T, Perron R, Razavi M. Utilization of Nanoparticles, Nanodevices, and Nanotechnology in the Treatment Course of Cutaneous Melanoma. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202100208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hartmann
- College of Medicine University of Central Florida Orlando FL 32827 USA
| | - Rebecca Perron
- College of Medicine University of Central Florida Orlando FL 32827 USA
| | - Mehdi Razavi
- College of Medicine University of Central Florida Orlando FL 32827 USA
- Biionix™ (Bionic Materials, Implants & Interfaces) Cluster Department of Internal Medicine College of Medicine University of Central Florida Orlando FL 32827 USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering University of Central Florida Orlando FL 32816 USA
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39
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Liu Y, Shou Y, Zhu R, Qiu Z, Zhang Q, Xu J. Construction and Validation of a Ferroptosis-Related Prognostic Signature for Melanoma Based on Single-Cell RNA Sequencing. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:818457. [PMID: 35309911 PMCID: PMC8927698 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.818457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer, is on the rise globally. The generally poor prognosis makes melanoma still an enormous public health problem. Ferroptosis is a newly emerging form of iron-dependent regulated cell death, which has been implicated in the development and treatment of several tumors. However, whether there is a connection between ferroptosis-related genes and the prognosis of melanoma patients remains an enigma. In the present study, we identified a ferroptosis-related genes signature to predict the prognosis of melanoma patients by analyzing single-cell RNA-sequencing data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Single-cell trajectory analysis was performed to explore malignant differentiation. CellChat was used to investigate intercellular communications in melanoma. Collectively, a novel four-gene signature (CP, MAP1LC3A, transferrin, and TP53) was constructed for prognosis prediction. COX proportional hazards regression analysis showed that the established ferroptosis-associated risk model was an independent prognostic predictor for melanoma patients (HR = 2.3293; 95%CI 1.1528–4.706) (p < 0.018). Patients with low-risk scores had significantly better overall survival (OS) than those with high-risk scores in The Cancer Genome Atlas, GSE59455, and GSE22153 dataset (p = 0.0015, p = 0.031, p = 0.077). Furthermore, the gene expression level of the four genes were verified in multistrain melanoma cell lines and normal human epidermal melanocytes (NHEM). The protein expression level of the four genes in clinical samples were further verified in the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) databases. Taken together, our study identified the prognostic significance of the ferroptosis-related genes in melanoma and developed a novel four-gene prognostic signature, which may shed light on the prognostic assessment and clinical decision making for melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yating Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanhong Shou
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ronghui Zhu
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhuoqiong Qiu
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Qi Zhang, ; Jinhua Xu,
| | - Jinhua Xu
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Dermatology, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Qi Zhang, ; Jinhua Xu,
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40
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Amalinei C, Grigoraș A, Lozneanu L, Căruntu ID, Giușcă SE, Balan RA. The Interplay between Tumour Microenvironment Components in Malignant Melanoma. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 58:medicina58030365. [PMID: 35334544 PMCID: PMC8953474 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58030365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma has shown an increasing incidence during the last two decades, exhibiting a large spectrum of locations and clinicopathological characteristics. Although current histopathological, biochemical, immunohistochemical, and molecular methods provide a deep insight into its biological behaviour and outcome, melanoma is still an unpredictable disease, with poor outcome. This review of the literature is aimed at updating the knowledge regarding melanoma’s clinicopathological and molecular hallmarks, including its heterogeneity and plasticity, involving cancer stem cells population. A special focus is given on the interplay between different cellular components and their secretion products in melanoma, considering its contribution to tumour progression, invasion, metastasis, recurrences, and resistance to classical therapy. Furthermore, the influences of the specific tumour microenvironment or “inflammasome”, its association with adipose tissue products, including the release of “extracellular vesicles”, and distinct microbiota are currently studied, considering their influences on diagnosis and prognosis. An insight into melanoma’s particular features may reveal new molecular pathways which may be exploited in order to develop innovative therapeutic approaches or tailored therapy.
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41
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Manjunath HS, Al Khulaifi M, Sidahmed H, Ammar A, Vadakekolathu J, Rutella S, Al-Mohannadi MJ, Elawad M, Mifsud W, Charles A, Maccalli C, Tomei S. Gene Expression Profiling of FFPE Samples: A Titration Test. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2022; 21:15330338221129710. [PMID: 36415121 PMCID: PMC9706083 DOI: 10.1177/15330338221129710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The gene expression analysis of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues is often hampered by poor RNA quality, which results from the oxidation, cross-linking and other chemical modifications induced by the inclusion in paraffin. Yet, FFPE samples are a valuable source for molecular studies and can provide great insights into disease progression and prognosis. With the advancement of genomic technologies, new methods have been established that offer reliable and accurate gene expression workflows on samples of poor quality. NanoString is a probe-based technology that allows the direct counting of the mRNA transcripts and can be applied to degraded samples. Here, we have tested 2 RNA extraction methods for FFPE samples, and we have performed a titration experiment to evaluate the impact of RNA degradation and RNA input on the gene expression profiles assessed using the NanoString IO360 panel. We have selected FFPE samples of different DV200 values and assessed them on the nCounter platform with 2 different amounts of input RNA. This study concludes that the nCounter is a robust and reliable platform to assess the gene expression of RNA samples with DV200 > 30%; its robustness and ease of use could be of particular benefit to clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Moza Al Khulaifi
- Laboratory of Immune and Biological Therapy, Research Department,
Sidra
Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Heba Sidahmed
- Laboratory of Immune and Biological Therapy, Research Department,
Sidra
Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Adham Ammar
- Department of Pathology, Hamad Medical
Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Jayakumar Vadakekolathu
- John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and
Technology, Nottingham
Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Sergio Rutella
- John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and
Technology, Nottingham
Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - Mamoun Elawad
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sidra Medicine,
Doha, Qatar
| | - William Mifsud
- Department of Anatomical Pathology,
Sidra
Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Adrian Charles
- Department of Anatomical Pathology,
Sidra
Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Cristina Maccalli
- Laboratory of Immune and Biological Therapy, Research Department,
Sidra
Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sara Tomei
- Omics Core, Integrated Genomics Services, Research Department,
Sidra
Medicine, Doha, Qatar
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42
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Aleotti V, Catoni C, Poggiana C, Rosato A, Facchinetti A, Scaini MC. Methylation Markers in Cutaneous Melanoma: Unravelling the Potential Utility of Their Tracking by Liquid Biopsy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:6217. [PMID: 34944843 PMCID: PMC8699653 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is the most serious, life-threatening form of all dermatologic diseases, with a poor prognosis in the presence of metastases and advanced disease. Despite recent advances in targeted therapy and immunotherapy, there is still a critical need for a better understanding of the fundamental mechanisms behind melanoma progression and resistance onset. Recent advances in genome-wide methylation methods have revealed that aberrant changes in the pattern of DNA methylation play an important role in many aspects of cancer progression, including cell proliferation and migration, evasion of cell death, invasion, and metastasization. The purpose of the current review was to gather evidence regarding the usefulness of DNA methylation tracking in liquid biopsy as a potential biomarker in melanoma. We investigated the key genes and signal transduction pathways that have been found to be altered epigenetically in melanoma. We then highlighted the circulating tumor components present in blood, including circulating melanoma cells (CMC), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), and tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), as a valuable source for identifying relevant aberrations in DNA methylation. Finally, we focused on DNA methylation signatures as a marker for tracking response to therapy and resistance, thus facilitating personalized medicine and decision-making in the treatment of melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Aleotti
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy; (V.A.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.C.S.)
| | - Cristina Catoni
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy; (V.A.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.C.S.)
| | - Cristina Poggiana
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy; (V.A.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.C.S.)
| | - Antonio Rosato
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy; (V.A.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.C.S.)
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Oncology and Immunology Section, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Antonella Facchinetti
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy; (V.A.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.C.S.)
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Oncology and Immunology Section, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Scaini
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy; (V.A.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.C.S.)
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Olmeda D, Cerezo‐Wallis D, Mucientes C, Calvo TG, Cañón E, Alonso‐Curbelo D, Ibarz N, Muñoz J, Rodriguez‐Peralto JL, Ortiz‐Romero P, Ortega S, Soengas MS. Live imaging of neolymphangiogenesis identifies acute antimetastatic roles of dsRNA mimics. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e12924. [PMID: 34762341 PMCID: PMC8649872 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202012924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-range communication between tumor cells and the lymphatic vasculature defines competency for metastasis in different cancer types, particularly in melanoma. Nevertheless, the discovery of selective blockers of lymphovascular niches has been compromised by the paucity of experimental systems for whole-body analyses of tumor progression. Here, we exploit immunocompetent and immunodeficient mouse models for live imaging of Vegfr3-driven neolymphangiogenesis, as a versatile platform for drug screening in vivo. Spatiotemporal analyses of autochthonous melanomas and patient-derived xenografts identified double-stranded RNA mimics (dsRNA nanoplexes) as potent inhibitors of neolymphangiogenesis, metastasis, and post-surgical disease relapse. Mechanistically, dsRNA nanoplexes were found to exert a rapid dual action in tumor cells and in their associated lymphatic vasculature, involving the transcriptional repression of the lymphatic drivers Midkine and Vegfr3, respectively. This suppressive function was mediated by a cell-autonomous type I interferon signaling and was not shared by FDA-approved antimelanoma treatments. These results reveal an alternative strategy for targeting the tumor cell-lymphatic crosstalk and underscore the power of Vegfr3-lymphoreporters for pharmacological testing in otherwise aggressive cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Olmeda
- Melanoma LaboratoryMolecular Oncology ProgrammeSpanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)MadridSpain
| | - Daniela Cerezo‐Wallis
- Melanoma LaboratoryMolecular Oncology ProgrammeSpanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)MadridSpain
- Present address:
Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC)MadridSpain
| | - Cynthia Mucientes
- Melanoma LaboratoryMolecular Oncology ProgrammeSpanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)MadridSpain
| | - Tonantzin G Calvo
- Melanoma LaboratoryMolecular Oncology ProgrammeSpanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)MadridSpain
| | - Estela Cañón
- Melanoma LaboratoryMolecular Oncology ProgrammeSpanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)MadridSpain
| | - Direna Alonso‐Curbelo
- Melanoma LaboratoryMolecular Oncology ProgrammeSpanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)MadridSpain
- Present address:
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CentreNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Nuria Ibarz
- Proteomics UnitBiotechnology Programme, ProteoRed‐ISCIIISpanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)MadridSpain
| | - Javier Muñoz
- Proteomics UnitBiotechnology Programme, ProteoRed‐ISCIIISpanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)MadridSpain
| | - José L Rodriguez‐Peralto
- Instituto de Investigación i+12Hospital 12 de OctubreUniversidad Complutense Madrid Medical SchoolMadridSpain
| | - Pablo Ortiz‐Romero
- Department of DermatologyHospital 12 de OctubreUniversidad Complutense Madrid Medical SchoolMadridSpain
| | - Sagrario Ortega
- Mouse Genome Editing Core UnitSpanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)MadridSpain
| | - María S Soengas
- Melanoma LaboratoryMolecular Oncology ProgrammeSpanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)MadridSpain
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Massone C, Hofman-Wellenhof R, Chiodi S, Sola S. Dermoscopic Criteria, Histopathological Correlates and Genetic Findings of Thin Melanoma on Non-Volar Skin. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:1288. [PMID: 34440462 PMCID: PMC8391530 DOI: 10.3390/genes12081288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Dermoscopy is a non-invasive, in vivo technique that allows the visualization of subsurface skin structures in the epidermis, at the dermoepidermal junction, and in the upper dermis. Dermoscopy brought a new dimension in evaluating melanocytic skin neoplasms (MSN) also representing a link between clinical and pathologic examination of any MSN. However, histopathology remains the gold standard in diagnosing MSN. Dermoscopic-pathologic correlation enhances the level of quality of MSN diagnosis and increases the level of confidence of pathologists. Melanoma is one of the most genetically predisposed among all cancers in humans. The genetic landscape of melanoma has been described in the last years but is still a field in continuous evolution. Melanoma genetic markers play a role not only in melanoma susceptibility, initiation, and progression but also in prognosis and therapeutic decisions. Several studies described the dermoscopic specific criteria and predictors for melanoma and their histopathologic correlates, but only a few studies investigated the correlation among dermoscopy, pathology, and genetic of MSN. The aim of this work is to review the published data about dermoscopic features of melanoma, their histopathological correlates with regards also to genetic alterations. Particularly, this review will focus on low-CSD (cumulative sun damage) melanoma or superficial spreading melanoma, high-CSD melanoma, and nevus-associated melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Simona Sola
- Surgical Pathology, Galliera Hospital, 16128 Genoa, Italy;
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Dorado G, Gálvez S, Rosales TE, Vásquez VF, Hernández P. Analyzing Modern Biomolecules: The Revolution of Nucleic-Acid Sequencing - Review. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1111. [PMID: 34439777 PMCID: PMC8393538 DOI: 10.3390/biom11081111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent developments have revolutionized the study of biomolecules. Among them are molecular markers, amplification and sequencing of nucleic acids. The latter is classified into three generations. The first allows to sequence small DNA fragments. The second one increases throughput, reducing turnaround and pricing, and is therefore more convenient to sequence full genomes and transcriptomes. The third generation is currently pushing technology to its limits, being able to sequence single molecules, without previous amplification, which was previously impossible. Besides, this represents a new revolution, allowing researchers to directly sequence RNA without previous retrotranscription. These technologies are having a significant impact on different areas, such as medicine, agronomy, ecology and biotechnology. Additionally, the study of biomolecules is revealing interesting evolutionary information. That includes deciphering what makes us human, including phenomena like non-coding RNA expansion. All this is redefining the concept of gene and transcript. Basic analyses and applications are now facilitated with new genome editing tools, such as CRISPR. All these developments, in general, and nucleic-acid sequencing, in particular, are opening a new exciting era of biomolecule analyses and applications, including personalized medicine, and diagnosis and prevention of diseases for humans and other animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Dorado
- Dep. Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Campus Rabanales C6-1-E17, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario (ceiA3), Universidad de Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Sergio Gálvez
- Dep. Lenguajes y Ciencias de la Computación, Boulevard Louis Pasteur 35, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain;
| | - Teresa E. Rosales
- Laboratorio de Arqueobiología, Avda. Universitaria s/n, Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, 13011 Trujillo, Peru;
| | - Víctor F. Vásquez
- Centro de Investigaciones Arqueobiológicas y Paleoecológicas Andinas Arqueobios, Martínez de Companón 430-Bajo 100, Urbanización San Andres, 13088 Trujillo, Peru;
| | - Pilar Hernández
- Instituto de Agricultura Sostenible (IAS), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Alameda del Obispo s/n, 14080 Córdoba, Spain;
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NecroX-5 Can Suppress Melanoma Metastasis by Reducing the Expression of Rho-Family GTPases. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10132790. [PMID: 34201921 PMCID: PMC8267632 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10132790] [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: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
NecroX-5 (NX-5) is a cell-permeable necrosis inhibitor with cytoprotective effects. Although it has been reported to inhibit lung and breast cancer metastasis by modulating migration, its therapeutic effect on melanoma metastasis is still unknown. In this study, we examined the anti-metastatic effect of NX-5 on melanoma cell lines and its related therapeutic mechanism. The anti-metastatic effect of NX-5 on melanoma cell lines was determined using a transwell migration assay. We performed a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis to measure changes in the expression of mRNA and protein, respectively, for major mediators of Rho-family GTPases after NX-5 treatment in melanoma cells. In addition, after constructing the 3D melanoma model, the expression of Rho-family GTPases was measured by immunohistochemistry. NX-5 (10 μM and 20 μM) treatment significantly reduced melanoma cell migration (p < 0.01). Additionally, NX-5 (20 μM) treatment significantly decreased the mRNA and protein expression levels of Cdc42, Rac1, and RhoA in melanoma cells compared with the untreated group (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). Immunohistochemistry for our 3D melanoma model showed that Cdc42, Rac1, and RhoA were constitutively expressed in the nuclei of melanoma cells of the untreated group, and NX-5 treatment decreased their expression. These results demonstrate that NX-5 can suppress melanoma metastasis by reducing the expression of Rho-family GTPases.
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