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Anderson CJ, Yang H, Parsons J, Ahrens WA, Jagosky MH, Hsu JH, Patt JC, Kneisl JS, Steuerwald NM. Can a Liquid Biopsy Detect Circulating Tumor DNA With Low-passage Whole-genome Sequencing in Patients With a Sarcoma? A Pilot Evaluation. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2024:00003086-990000000-01651. [PMID: 38905450 DOI: 10.1097/corr.0000000000003161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A liquid biopsy is a test that evaluates the status of a disease by analyzing a sample of bodily fluid, most commonly blood. In recent years, there has been progress in the development and clinical application of liquid biopsy methods to identify blood-based, tumor-specific biomarkers for many cancer types. However, the implementation of these technologies to aid in the treatment of patients who have a sarcoma remains behind other fields of cancer medicine. For this study, we chose to evaluate a sarcoma liquid biopsy based on circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). All human beings have normal cell-free DNA (cfDNA) circulating in the blood. In contrast with cfDNA, ctDNA is genetic material present in the blood stream that is derived from a tumor. ctDNA carries the unique genomic fingerprint of the tumor with changes that are not present in normal circulating cfDNA. A successful ctDNA liquid biopsy must be able to target these tumor-specific genetic alterations. For instance, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are common in lung cancers, and ctDNA liquid biopsies are currently in clinical use to evaluate the status of disease in patients who have a lung cancer by detecting EGFR mutations in the blood. As opposed to many carcinomas, sarcomas do not have common recurrent mutations that could serve as the foundation to a ctDNA liquid biopsy. However, many sarcomas have structural changes to their chromosomes, including gains and losses of portions or entire chromosomes, known as copy number alterations (CNAs), that could serve as a target for a ctDNA liquid biopsy. Murine double minute 2 (MDM2) amplification in select lipomatous tumors or parosteal osteosarcoma is an example of a CNA due to the presence of extra copies of a segment of the long arm of chromosome 12. Since a majority of sarcomas demonstrate a complex karyotype with numerous CNAs, a blood-based liquid biopsy strategy that searches for these CNAs may be able to detect the presence of sarcoma ctDNA. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is a next-generation sequencing technique that evaluates the entire genome. The depth of coverage of WGS refers to how detailed the sequencing is, like higher versus lower power on a microscope. WGS can be performed with high-depth sequencing (that is, > 60×), which can detect individual point mutations, or low-depth sequencing (that is, 0.1× to 5×), referred to as low-passage whole-genome sequencing (LP-WGS), which may not detect individual mutations but can detect structural chromosomal changes including gains and losses (that is, CNAs). While similar strategies have shown favorable early results for specific sarcoma subtypes, LP-WGS has not been evaluated for applicability to the broader population of patients who have a sarcoma. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES Does an LP-WGS liquid biopsy evaluating for CNAs detect ctDNA in plasma samples from patients who have sarcomas representing a variety of histologic subtypes? METHODS This was a retrospective study conducted at a community-based, tertiary referral center. Nine paired (plasma and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded [FFPE] tissue) and four unpaired (plasma) specimens from patients who had a sarcoma were obtained from a commercial biospecimen bank. Three control specimens from individuals who did not have cancer were also obtained. The paired and unpaired specimens from patients who had a sarcoma represented a variety of sarcoma histologic subtypes. cfDNA was extracted, amplified, and quantified. Libraries were prepared, and LP-WGS was performed using a NextSeq 500 next-generation sequencing machine at a low depth of sequencing coverage (∼1×). The ichorCNA bioinformatics algorithm, which was designed to detect CNAs from low-depth genomic sequencing data, was used to analyze the data. In contrast with the gold standard for diagnosis in the form of histopathologic analysis of a tissue sample, this test does not discriminate between sarcoma subtypes but detects the presence of tumor-derived CNAs within the ctDNA in the blood that should not be present in a patient who does not have cancer. The liquid biopsy was positive for the detection of cancer if the ichorCNA algorithm detected the presence of ctDNA. The algorithm was also used to quantitatively estimate the percent ctDNA within the cfDNA. The concentration of ctDNA was then calculated from the percent ctDNA relative to the total concentration of cfDNA. The CNAs of the paired FFPE tissue and plasma samples were graphically visualized using aCNViewer software. RESULTS This LP-WGS liquid biopsy detected ctDNA in 9 of 13 of the plasma specimens from patients with a sarcoma. The other four samples from patients with a sarcoma and all serum specimens from patients without cancer had no detectable ctDNA. Of those 9 patients with positive liquid biopsy results, the percent ctDNA ranged from 6% to 11%, and calculated ctDNA quantities were 0.04 to 5.6 ng/mL, which are levels to be expected when ctDNA is detectable. CONCLUSION In this small pilot study, we were able to detect sarcoma ctDNA with an LP-WGS liquid biopsy searching for CNAs in the plasma of most patients who had a sarcoma representing a variety of histologic subtypes. CLINICAL RELEVANCE These results suggest that an LP-WGS liquid biopsy evaluating for CNAs to identify ctDNA may be more broadly applicable to the population of patients who have a sarcoma than previously reported in studies focusing on specific subtypes. Large prospective clinical trials that gather samples at multiple time points during the process of diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance will be needed to further assess whether this technique can be clinically useful. At our institution, we are in the process of developing a large prospective clinical trial for this purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin J Anderson
- Musculoskeletal Institute, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Charlotte, NC, USA
- Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - HsihTe Yang
- Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Judy Parsons
- Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Will A Ahrens
- Carolina Pathology Group, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Megan H Jagosky
- Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Johann H Hsu
- Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Joshua C Patt
- Musculoskeletal Institute, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Charlotte, NC, USA
- Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Kneisl
- Musculoskeletal Institute, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Charlotte, NC, USA
- Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Nury M Steuerwald
- Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Charlotte, NC, USA
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Zhang J, Guo B, Jiang Y, Hu C, Kim J, Debnath S, Shi X, Zhang C, Kim JS, Wang F. Luciferase-Decorated Gold Nanorods as Dual-Modal Contrast Agents for Tumor-Targeted High-Performance Bioluminescence/Photoacoustic Imaging. Anal Chem 2024; 96:9132-9140. [PMID: 38764163 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c00817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Gold nanorods (AuNRs) have been considered highly compelling materials for early cancer diagnosis and have aroused a burgeoning fascination among the biomedical sectors. By leveraging the versatile tunable optical properties of AuNRs, herein, we have developed a novel tumor-targeted dual-modal nanoprobe (FFA) that exhibits excellent bioluminescence and photoacoustic imaging performance for early tumor diagnosis. FFA has been synthesized by anchoring the recombinant bioluminescent firefly luciferase protein (Fluc) on the folate-conjugated AuNRs via the PEG linker. TEM images and UV-vis studies confirm the nanorod morphology and successful conjugation of the biomolecules to AuNRs. The nanoprobe FFA relies on the ability of the folate module to target the folate receptor-positive tumor cells actively, and simultaneously, the Fluc module facilitates excellent bioluminescent properties in physiological conditions. The success of chemical engineering in the present study enables stronger bioluminescent signals in the folate receptor-positive cells (Skov3, Hela, and MCF-7) than in folate receptor-negative cells (A549, 293T, MCF-10A, and HepG2). Additionally, the AuNRs induced strong photoacoustic conversion performance, enhancing the resolution of tumor imaging. No apparent toxicity was detected at the cellular and mouse tissue levels, manifesting the biocompatibility nature of the nanoprobe. Prompted by the positive merits of FFA, the in vivo animal studies were performed, and a notable enhancement was observed in the bioluminescent/photoacoustic intensity of the nanoprobe in the tumor region compared to that in the folate-blocking region. Therefore, this synergistic dual-modal bioluminescent and photoacoustic imaging platform holds great potential as a tumor-targeted contrast agent for early tumor diagnosis with high-performance imaging information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyu Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong Universityy, Xi'an 710004, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, China
| | - Bin Guo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Yiyi Jiang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, China
| | - Chong Hu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, China
| | - Jaewon Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | | | - Xiaorui Shi
- School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, China
| | - Chuanxian Zhang
- Institute of Medical Engineering, Department of Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Jong Seung Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Fu Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong Universityy, Xi'an 710004, China
- Institute of Medical Engineering, Department of Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
- Xianyang Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging and Drug Synthesis, School of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of International Trade & Commerce, Xianyang 712046, Shaanxi, China
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3
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Le MCN, Smith KA, Dopico PJ, Greer B, Alipanah M, Zhang Y, Siemann DW, Lagmay JP, Fan ZH. Investigating surface proteins and antibody combinations for detecting circulating tumor cells of various sarcomas. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12374. [PMID: 38811642 PMCID: PMC11137101 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61651-w] [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: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have gathered attention as a biomarker for carcinomas. However, CTCs in sarcomas have received little attention. In this work, we investigated cell surface proteins and antibody combinations for immunofluorescence detection of sarcoma CTCs. A microfluidic device that combines filtration and immunoaffinity using gangliosides 2 and cell surface vimentin (CSV) antibodies was employed to capture CTCs. For CTC detection, antibodies against cytokeratins 7 and 8 (CK), pan-cytokeratin (panCK), or a combination of panCK and CSV were used. Thirty-nine blood samples were collected from 21 patients of various sarcoma subtypes. In the independent samples study, samples were subjected to one of three antibody combination choices. Significant difference in CTC enumeration was found between CK and panCK + CSV, and between panCK and panCK + CSV. Upon stratification of CK+ samples, those of metastatic disease had a higher CTC number than those of localized disease. In the paired samples study involving cytokeratin-positive sarcoma subtypes, using panCK antibody detected more CTCs than CK. Similarly, for osteosarcoma, using panCK + CSV combination resulted in a higher CTC count than panCK. This study emphasized deliberate selection of cell surface proteins for sarcoma CTC detection and subtype stratification for studying cancers as heterogeneous as sarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh-Chau N Le
- Interdisciplinary Microsystems Group, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, PO Box 116250, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Kierstin A Smith
- Interdisciplinary Microsystems Group, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, PO Box 116250, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Pablo J Dopico
- Interdisciplinary Microsystems Group, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, PO Box 116250, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Beate Greer
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Morteza Alipanah
- Interdisciplinary Microsystems Group, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, PO Box 116250, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Yang Zhang
- Interdisciplinary Microsystems Group, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, PO Box 116250, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Dietmar W Siemann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Joanne P Lagmay
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
| | - Z Hugh Fan
- Interdisciplinary Microsystems Group, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, PO Box 116250, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
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Cordier F, Ferdinande L, Hoorens A, Van de Vijver K, Van Dorpe J, Creytens D. Soft Tissue and Bone Tumor Diagnostics: Harnessing the Power of Molecular Techniques. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2229. [PMID: 38137051 PMCID: PMC10742688 DOI: 10.3390/genes14122229] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the introduction of new molecular techniques, the diagnostic landscape of soft tissue and bone tumors has expanded greatly over the past few years. The use of new molecular techniques has led to the identification of new genetic alterations and, therefore, to a better understanding of tumorigenesis, tumor detection and classification. Furthermore, methylation profiling has emerged as a classification tool for soft tissue and bone tumors. Molecular pathology also plays an important role in the determination of patient prognosis and in the identification of targets that can be used for targeted therapy. As a result, molecular pathology has gained a more prominent role in the daily practice of the surgical pathologist. This review delves into various molecular techniques applied in the surgical pathology of soft tissue and bone tumors. It highlights their applications through the analysis of five specific cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fleur Cordier
- Department of Pathology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (F.C.); (L.F.); (A.H.); (K.V.d.V.); (J.V.D.)
- CRIG, Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Liesbeth Ferdinande
- Department of Pathology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (F.C.); (L.F.); (A.H.); (K.V.d.V.); (J.V.D.)
| | - Anne Hoorens
- Department of Pathology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (F.C.); (L.F.); (A.H.); (K.V.d.V.); (J.V.D.)
| | - Koen Van de Vijver
- Department of Pathology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (F.C.); (L.F.); (A.H.); (K.V.d.V.); (J.V.D.)
- CRIG, Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jo Van Dorpe
- Department of Pathology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (F.C.); (L.F.); (A.H.); (K.V.d.V.); (J.V.D.)
- CRIG, Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - David Creytens
- Department of Pathology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (F.C.); (L.F.); (A.H.); (K.V.d.V.); (J.V.D.)
- CRIG, Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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5
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Chico MA, Mesas C, Doello K, Quiñonero F, Perazzoli G, Ortiz R, Prados J, Melguizo C. Cancer Stem Cells in Sarcomas: In Vitro Isolation and Role as Prognostic Markers: A Systematic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092449. [PMID: 37173919 PMCID: PMC10177331 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092449] [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: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas are a diverse group of neoplasms with an incidence rate of 15% of childhood cancers. They exhibit a high tendency to develop early metastases and are often resistant to available treatments, resulting in poor prognosis and survival. In this context, cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been implicated in recurrence, metastasis, and drug resistance, making the search for diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of the disease crucial. The objective of this systematic review was to analyze the expression of CSC biomarkers both after isolation from in vitro cell lines and from the complete cell population of patient tumor samples. A total of 228 publications from January 2011 to June 2021 was retrieved from different databases, of which 35 articles were included for analysis. The studies demonstrated significant heterogeneity in both the markers detected and the CSC isolation techniques used. ALDH was identified as a common marker in various types of sarcomas. In conclusion, the identification of CSC markers in sarcomas may facilitate the development of personalized medicine and improve treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Angeles Chico
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Center of Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain
- Instituto Biosanitario de Granada (ibs. GRANADA), 18014 Granada, Spain
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Cristina Mesas
- Instituto Biosanitario de Granada (ibs. GRANADA), 18014 Granada, Spain
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Kevin Doello
- Instituto Biosanitario de Granada (ibs. GRANADA), 18014 Granada, Spain
- Medical Oncology Service, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco Quiñonero
- Instituto Biosanitario de Granada (ibs. GRANADA), 18014 Granada, Spain
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Medical Oncology Service, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Gloria Perazzoli
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Center of Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain
- Instituto Biosanitario de Granada (ibs. GRANADA), 18014 Granada, Spain
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Almería, 04120 Granada, Spain
| | - Raul Ortiz
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Center of Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain
- Instituto Biosanitario de Granada (ibs. GRANADA), 18014 Granada, Spain
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Jose Prados
- Instituto Biosanitario de Granada (ibs. GRANADA), 18014 Granada, Spain
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Medical Oncology Service, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Consolacion Melguizo
- Instituto Biosanitario de Granada (ibs. GRANADA), 18014 Granada, Spain
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Medical Oncology Service, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain
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Pavlidis ET, Pavlidis TE. New trends in the surgical management of soft tissue sarcoma: The role of preoperative biopsy. World J Clin Oncol 2023; 14:89-98. [PMID: 36908679 PMCID: PMC9993143 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v14.i2.89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) accounts for 1% of all malignant neoplasms in adults. Their diagnosis and management constitute a challenging target. They originate from the mesenchyme, and 50 subtypes with various cytogenetic profiles concerning soft tissue and bones have been recognized. These tumors mainly affect middle-aged adults but may be present at any age. Half of the patients have metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis and require systemic therapy. Tumors above 3-5 cm in size must be suspected of potential malignancy. A thorough history, clinical examination and imaging that must precede biopsy are necessary. Modern imaging techniques include ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography/CT. MRI findings may distinguish low-grade from high-grade STS based on a diagnostic score (tumor heterogeneity, intratumoral and peritumoral enhancement). A score ≥ 2 indicates a high-grade lesion, and a score ≤ 1 indicates a low-grade lesion. For disease staging, abdominal imaging is recommended to detect early abdominal or retroperitoneal metastases. Liquid biopsy by detecting genomic material in serum is a novel diagnostic tool. A preoperative biopsy is necessary for diagnosis, prognosis and optimal planning of surgical intervention. Core needle biopsy is the most indicative and effective. Its correct performance influences surgical management. An unsuccessful biopsy means the dissemination of cancer cells into healthy anatomical structures that ultimately affect resectability and survival. Complete therapeutic excision (R0) with an acceptable resection margin of 1 cm is the method of choice. However, near significant structures, i.e., vessels, nerves, an R2 resection (macroscopic margin involvement) preserving functionality but having a risk of local recurrence can be an acceptable choice, after informing the patient, to prevent an unavoidable amputation. For borderline resectability of the tumor, neoadjuvant chemo/radiotherapy has a place. Likewise, after surgical excision, adjuvant therapy is indicated, but chemotherapy in nonmetastatic disease is still debatable. The five-year survival rate reaches up to 55%. Reresection is considered after positive or uncertain resection margins. Current strategies are based on novel chemotherapeutic agents, improved radiotherapy applications to limit local side effects and targeted biological therapy or immunotherapy, including vaccines. Young age is a risk factor for distant metastasis within 6 mo following primary tumor resection. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy lasting 5-6 wk and surgical resection are indicated for high-grade STS (grade 2 or 3). Wide surgical excision alone may be acceptable for patients older than 70 years. However, locally advanced disease requires a multidisciplinary task of decision-making for amputation or limb salvage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efstathios T Pavlidis
- 2nd Propedeutic Department of Surgery, Hippocration Hospital, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece
| | - Theodoros E Pavlidis
- 2nd Propedeutic Department of Surgery, Hippocration Hospital, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece
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7
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Ashley CW, Selenica P, Patel J, Wu M, Nincevic J, Lakhman Y, Zhou Q, Shah RH, Berger MF, Da Cruz Paula A, Brown DN, Marra A, Iasonos A, Momeni-Boroujeni A, Alektiar KM, Roche KL, Zivanovic O, Mueller JJ, Zamarin D, Broach VA, Sonoda Y, Leitao MM, Friedman CF, Jewell E, Reis-Filho JS, Ellenson LH, Aghajanian C, Abu-Rustum NR, Cadoo K, Weigelt B. High-Sensitivity Mutation Analysis of Cell-Free DNA for Disease Monitoring in Endometrial Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:410-421. [PMID: 36007103 PMCID: PMC9852004 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-1134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We sought to determine whether sequencing analysis of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in patients with prospectively accrued endometrial cancer captures the mutational repertoire of the primary lesion and allows for disease monitoring. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Peripheral blood was prospectively collected from 44 newly diagnosed patients with endometrial cancer over a 24-month period (i.e., baseline, postsurgery, every 6 months after). DNA from the primary endometrial cancers was subjected to targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) of 468 cancer-related genes, and cfDNA to a high-depth NGS assay of 129 genes with molecular barcoding. Sequencing data were analyzed using validated bioinformatics methods. RESULTS cfDNA levels correlated with surgical stage in endometrial cancers, with higher levels of cfDNA being present in advanced-stage disease. Mutations in cfDNA at baseline were detected preoperatively in 8 of 36 (22%) patients with sequencing data, all of whom were diagnosed with advanced-stage disease, high tumor volume, and/or aggressive histologic type. Of the 38 somatic mutations identified in the primary tumors also present in the cfDNA assay, 35 (92%) and 38 (100%) were detected at baseline and follow-up, respectively. In 6 patients with recurrent disease, changes in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) fraction/variant allele fractions in cfDNA during follow-up closely mirrored disease progression and therapy response, with a lead time over clinically detected recurrence in two cases. The presence of ctDNA at baseline (P < 0.001) or postsurgery (P = 0.014) was significantly associated with reduced progression-free survival. CONCLUSIONS cfDNA sequencing analysis in patients with endometrial cancer at diagnosis has prognostic value, and serial postsurgery cfDNA analysis enables disease and treatment response monitoring. See related commentary by Grant et al., p. 305.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles W. Ashley
- Gynecology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.,Current address: Department of OB/GYN, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Pier Selenica
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Juber Patel
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michelle Wu
- Gynecology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Josip Nincevic
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yulia Lakhman
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Qin Zhou
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ronak H Shah
- Kravis Center for Molecular Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael F Berger
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.,Kravis Center for Molecular Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Arnaud Da Cruz Paula
- Gynecology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - David N Brown
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.,Kravis Center for Molecular Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Antonio Marra
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alexia Iasonos
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amir Momeni-Boroujeni
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kaled M. Alektiar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kara Long Roche
- Gynecology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Oliver Zivanovic
- Gynecology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jennifer J. Mueller
- Gynecology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dmitriy Zamarin
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vance A Broach
- Gynecology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yukio Sonoda
- Gynecology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mario M. Leitao
- Gynecology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Claire F. Friedman
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elizabeth Jewell
- Gynecology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jorge S. Reis-Filho
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lora H Ellenson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carol Aghajanian
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nadeem R. Abu-Rustum
- Gynecology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Karen Cadoo
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.,Current address: HOPe Directorate, St. James’s Hospital Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, Trinitiy St. James’s Cancer Institute
| | - Britta Weigelt
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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Principle Superiority and Clinical Extensibility of 2D and 3D Charged Nanoprobe Detection Platform Based on Electrophysiological Characteristics of Circulating Tumor Cells. Cells 2023; 12:cells12020305. [PMID: 36672240 PMCID: PMC9856308 DOI: 10.3390/cells12020305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The electrical characteristic of cancer cells is neglected among tumor biomarkers. The development of nanoprobes with opposing charges for monitoring the unique electrophysiological characteristics of cancer cells. Micro-nano size adsorption binding necessitates consideration of the nanoprobe's specific surface area. On the basis of the electrophysiological characteristics of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), clinical application and performance assessment are determined. To demonstrate that cancer cells have a unique pattern of electrophysiological patterns compared to normal cells, fluorescent nanoprobes with opposing charges were developed and fabricated. Graphene oxide (GO) was used to transform three-dimensional (3D) nanoprobes into two-dimensional (2D) nanoprobes. Compare 2D and 3D electrophysiological magnetic nanoprobes (MNP) in clinical samples and evaluate the adaptability and development of CTCs detection based on cell electrophysiology. Positively charged nanoprobes rapidly bind to negatively charged cancer cells based on electrostatic interactions. Compared to MNPs(+) without GO, the GO/MNPs(+) nanoprobe is more efficient and uses less material to trap cancer cells. CTCs can be distinguished from normal cells that are fully unaffected by nanoprobes by microscopic cytomorphological inspection, enabling the tracking of the number and pathological abnormalities of CTCs in the same patient at various chemotherapy phases to determine the efficacy of treatment. The platform for recognizing CTCs on the basis of electrophysiological characteristics compensates for the absence of epithelial biomarker capture and size difference capture in clinical performance. Under the influence of electrostatic attraction, the binding surface area continues to influence the targeting of cancer cells by nanoprobes. The specific recognition and detection of nanoprobes based on cell electrophysiological patterns has enormous potential in the clinical diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of cancer.
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9
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Relapsing pediatric non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas: The impact of routine imaging surveillance on early detection and post-relapse survival. Eur J Cancer 2022; 175:274-281. [PMID: 36174299 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The chances of patients with relapsing pediatric non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas (NRSTS) being cured are limited. This retrospective single-institutional study examines the potential role of routine surveillance imaging for detecting recurrent tumor, and its impact on post-relapse survival. METHODS The analysis concerned 86 patients < 21 years old with relapsing NRSTS treated from 1985 to 2020. Clinical findings, treatment modalities and survival were analyzed, comparing patients whose relapse was first suspected from symptoms (symptomatic group) with those whose relapse was detected by radiological surveillance (imaging group). RESULTS Tumor relapses were identified from clinical symptoms in 49 cases and on routine imaging in 37. Time to relapse was similar in the two groups. Routine imaging detected 6/32 local relapses and 31/48 distant relapses (and 79% of the cases of lung metastases). Overall survival (OS) at 5 years was 34.3% for the symptomatic group, and 24.0% for the imaging group (p-value 0.270). In patients with lung metastases at relapse, the 5-year OS was statistically better for the imaging group, that is, 25.8% versus 0% for the symptomatic group (p-value 0.044). CONCLUSION This is the first study to explore the role of surveillance imaging in pediatric NRSTS. Judging from our findings, the value of routine scanning of primary sites seems limited, while radiological surveillance may help to detect lung metastases, improving survival for this patient category. The potentially negative effects of periodic radiological exams should be considered in deciding the optimal follow-up for patients off therapy.
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10
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Qin Q, Gomez-Salazar M, Tower RJ, Chang L, Morris CD, McCarthy EF, Ting K, Zhang X, James AW. NELL1 Regulates the Matrisome to Promote Osteosarcoma Progression. Cancer Res 2022; 82:2734-2747. [PMID: 35700263 PMCID: PMC9357190 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-0732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Sarcomas produce an abnormal extracellular matrix (ECM), which in turn provides instructive cues for cell growth and invasion. Neural EGF like-like molecule 1 (NELL1) is a secreted glycoprotein characterized by its nonneoplastic osteoinductive effects, yet it is highly expressed in skeletal sarcomas. Here, we show that genetic deletion of NELL1 markedly reduces invasive behavior across human osteosarcoma (OS) cell lines. NELL1 deletion resulted in reduced OS disease progression, inhibiting metastasis and improving survival in a xenograft mouse model. These observations were recapitulated with Nell1 conditional knockout in mouse models of p53/Rb-driven sarcomagenesis, which reduced tumor frequency and extended tumor-free survival. Transcriptomic and phosphoproteomic analyses demonstrated that NELL1 loss skews the expression of matricellular proteins associated with reduced FAK signaling. Culturing NELL1 knockout sarcoma cells on wild-type OS-enriched matricellular proteins reversed the phenotypic and signaling changes induced by NELL1 deficiency. In sarcoma patients, high expression of NELL1 correlated with decreased overall survival. These findings in mouse and human models suggest that NELL1 expression alters the sarcoma ECM, thereby modulating cellular invasive potential and prognosis. Disruption of NELL1 signaling may represent a novel therapeutic approach to short-circuit sarcoma disease progression. SIGNIFICANCE NELL1 modulates the sarcoma matrisome to promote tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis, identifying the matrix-associated protein as an orchestrator of cell-ECM interactions in sarcomagenesis and disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qizhi Qin
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | | | - Robert J. Tower
- Department of Orthopaedics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Leslie Chang
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Carol D. Morris
- Department of Orthopaedics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | | | - Kang Ting
- Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - Xinli Zhang
- Section of Orthodontics, Division of Growth and Development, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095
| | - Aaron W. James
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205,Corresponding Author: Aaron W. James, M.D., Ph.D., 720 Rutland Avenue, Room 524A, Baltimore, MD 21205, Phone: (410) 502-4143,
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11
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Accuracy of core needle biopsy for histologic diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1886. [PMID: 35115589 PMCID: PMC8813997 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05752-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The biopsy technique of choice in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) diagnosis is controversial. We examined the diagnostic accuracy of percutaneous core needle biopsy (CNB) and compared it to open incisional biopsy. A retrospective study included 91 incisional biopsies and 102 CNBs. A pair-match investigation was conducted on 19 patient pairs, comparing sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy. Furthermore, we investigated the role of molecular pathology in sarcoma diagnostics. In 81/91 (89%) patients with incisional biopsy, the entity was confirmed by definitive pathology, whereas this was the case in 89/102 (87%) CNB patients (p = 0.52). Grading remained unchanged in 46/55 (84%) of incisional and 54/62 (87%) of CNBs (p = 0.61). The pair matched analysis showed that the correct entity was determined in 96% of incisional and 97.6% of core needle biopsies. The time between the initial consultation and the interdisciplinary tumor board's treatment recommendation was shorter in core needle biopsies (8.37 vs. 15.63 days; p < 0.002). Incisional biopsies led to two wound infections and one hematoma, whereas wound infection occurred in one patient after CNB. CNB leads to faster diagnosis while reaching the same histological accuracy and is less burdensome for patients. Still, surgeons need to remain aware of the possibility of biopsy failure.
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12
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Seidel MG, Kashofer K, Moser T, Thueringer A, Liegl-Atzwanger B, Leithner A, Szkandera J, Benesch M, El-Heliebi A, Heitzer E. Clinical implementation of plasma cell-free circulating tumor DNA quantification by digital droplet PCR for the monitoring of Ewing sarcoma in children and adolescents. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:926405. [PMID: 36046479 PMCID: PMC9420963 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.926405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment stratification and response assessment in pediatric sarcomas has relied on imaging studies and surgical/histopathological evidence of vital tumor cells. Such studies and evidence collection processes often involve radiation and/or general anesthesia in children. Cell-free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection in blood plasma is one available method of so-called liquid biopsies that has been shown to correlate qualitatively and quantitatively with the existence of vital tumor cells in the body. Our clinical observational study focused on the utility and feasibility of ctDNA detection in pediatric Ewing sarcoma (EWS) as a marker of minimal residual disease (MRD). PATIENTS AND METHODS We performed whole genome sequencing (WGS) to identify the exact breakpoints in tumors known to carry the EWS-FLI1 fusion gene. Patient-specific fusion breakpoints were tracked in peripheral blood plasma using digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) before, during, and after therapy in six children and young adults with EWS. Presence and levels of fusion breakpoints were correlated with clinical disease courses. RESULTS We show that the detection of ctDNA in the peripheral blood of EWS patients (i) is feasible in the clinical routine and (ii) allows for the longitudinal real-time monitoring of MRD activity in children and young adults. Although changing ctDNA levels correlated well with clinical outcome within patients, between patients, a high variability was observed (inter-individually). CONCLUSION ctDNA detection by ddPCR is a highly sensitive, specific, feasible, and highly accurate method that can be applied in EWS for follow-up assessments as an additional surrogate parameter for clinical MRD monitoring and, potentially, also for treatment stratification in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus G Seidel
- Division for Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Karl Kashofer
- Diagnostic and Research Center for Molecular BioMedicine, Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Tina Moser
- Diagnostic and Research Center for Molecular BioMedicine, Diagnostic and Research Institute of Human Genetics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Liquid Biopsies for Early Detection of Cancer, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Andrea Thueringer
- Diagnostic and Research Center for Molecular BioMedicine, Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Bernadette Liegl-Atzwanger
- Diagnostic and Research Center for Molecular BioMedicine, Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Andreas Leithner
- Department of Orthopedics and Trauma, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Joanna Szkandera
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Martin Benesch
- Division for Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Amin El-Heliebi
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria.,Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,Center for Biomarker Research in Medicine (CBmed), Graz, Austria
| | - Ellen Heitzer
- Diagnostic and Research Center for Molecular BioMedicine, Diagnostic and Research Institute of Human Genetics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Liquid Biopsies for Early Detection of Cancer, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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