|
1
|
Jovanović A, Tošić N, Marjanović I, Komazec J, Zukić B, Nikitović M, Ilić R, Grujičić D, Janić D, Pavlović S. Germline Variants in Cancer Predisposition Genes in Pediatric Patients with Central Nervous System Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17387. [PMID: 38139220 PMCID: PMC10744041 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) tumors comprise around 20% of childhood malignancies. Germline variants in cancer predisposition genes (CPGs) are found in approximately 10% of pediatric patients with CNS tumors. This study aimed to characterize variants in CPGs in pediatric patients with CNS tumors and correlate these findings with clinically relevant data. Genomic DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood of 51 pediatric patients and further analyzed by the next-generation sequencing approach. Bioinformatic analysis was done using an "in-house" gene list panel, which included 144 genes related to pediatric brain tumors, and the gene list panel Neoplasm (HP:0002664). Our study found that 27% of pediatric patients with CNS tumors have a germline variant in some of the known CPGs, like ALK, APC, CHEK2, ELP1, MLH1, MSH2, NF1, NF2 and TP53. This study represents the first comprehensive evaluation of germline variants in pediatric patients with CNS tumors in the Western Balkans region. Our results indicate the necessity of genomic research to reveal the genetic basis of pediatric CNS tumors, as well as to define targets for the application and development of innovative therapeutics that form the basis of the upcoming era of personalized medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksa Jovanović
- Pediatric Oncology Department, National Cancer Research Center, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (A.J.); (D.J.)
| | - Nataša Tošić
- Laboratory for Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia; (N.T.); (I.M.); (J.K.); (B.Z.)
| | - Irena Marjanović
- Laboratory for Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia; (N.T.); (I.M.); (J.K.); (B.Z.)
| | - Jovana Komazec
- Laboratory for Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia; (N.T.); (I.M.); (J.K.); (B.Z.)
| | - Branka Zukić
- Laboratory for Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia; (N.T.); (I.M.); (J.K.); (B.Z.)
| | - Marina Nikitović
- Pediatric Radiation Oncology Department, National Cancer Research Center, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (R.I.); (D.G.)
| | - Rosanda Ilić
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (R.I.); (D.G.)
- Neurooncology Department, Neurosurgery Clinic, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Danica Grujičić
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (R.I.); (D.G.)
- Neurooncology Department, Neurosurgery Clinic, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dragana Janić
- Pediatric Oncology Department, National Cancer Research Center, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (A.J.); (D.J.)
| | - Sonja Pavlović
- Laboratory for Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia; (N.T.); (I.M.); (J.K.); (B.Z.)
| |
Collapse
|
|
2
|
Draper GM, Panken DJ, Largaespada DA. Modeling human cancer predisposition syndromes using CRISPR/Cas9 in human cell line models. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2023; 62:493-500. [PMID: 36959711 PMCID: PMC10517061 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.23140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The advancement of CRISPR mediated gene engineering provides an opportunity to improve upon preclinical human cell line models of cancer predisposing syndromes. This review focuses on using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing tools to model various human cancer predisposition syndromes. We examine the genetic mutations associated with neurofibromatosis type 1, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Gorlin syndrome, BRCA mutant breast and ovarian cancers, and APC mutant cancers. Furthermore, we discuss the possibilities of using next-generation CRISPR-derived precision gene editing tools to introduce a variety of genetic lesions into human cell lines. The goal is to improve the quality of preclinical models surrounding these cancer predisposition syndromes through dissecting the effects of these mutations on the development of cancer and to provide new insights into the underlying mechanisms of these cancer predisposition syndromes. These studies demonstrate the continued utility and improvement of CRISPR/Cas9-induced human cell line models in studying the genetic basis of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Garrett M Draper
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, USA
- Comparative Molecular Biosciences PhD Program, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Daniel J Panken
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, USA
| | - David A Largaespada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, USA
| |
Collapse
|
|
3
|
Báez-Flores J, Rodríguez-Martín M, Lacal J. The therapeutic potential of neurofibromin signaling pathways and binding partners. Commun Biol 2023; 6:436. [PMID: 37081086 PMCID: PMC10119308 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04815-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromin controls many cell processes, such as growth, learning, and memory. If neurofibromin is not working properly, it can lead to health problems, including issues with the nervous, skeletal, and cardiovascular systems and cancer. This review examines neurofibromin's binding partners, signaling pathways and potential therapeutic targets. In addition, it summarizes the different post-translational modifications that can affect neurofibromin's interactions with other molecules. It is essential to investigate the molecular mechanisms that underlie neurofibromin variants in order to provide with functional connections between neurofibromin and its associated proteins for possible therapeutic targets based on its biological function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Báez-Flores
- Laboratory of Functional Genetics of Rare Diseases, Department of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Salamanca (USAL), 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Mario Rodríguez-Martín
- Laboratory of Functional Genetics of Rare Diseases, Department of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Salamanca (USAL), 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Jesus Lacal
- Laboratory of Functional Genetics of Rare Diseases, Department of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Salamanca (USAL), 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|