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Morel VJ, Rössler J, Bernasconi M. Targeted immunotherapy and nanomedicine for rhabdomyosarcoma: The way of the future. Med Res Rev 2024. [PMID: 38885148 DOI: 10.1002/med.22059] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma of childhood. Histology separates two main subtypes: embryonal RMS (eRMS; 60%-70%) and alveolar RMS (aRMS; 20%-30%). The aggressive aRMS carry one of two characteristic chromosomal translocations that result in the expression of a PAX3::FOXO1 or PAX7::FOXO1 fusion transcription factor; therefore, aRMS are now classified as fusion-positive (FP) RMS. Embryonal RMS have a better prognosis and are clinically indistinguishable from fusion-negative (FN) RMS. Next to histology and molecular characteristics, RMS risk groupings are now available defining low risk tumors with excellent outcomes and advanced stage disease with poor prognosis, with an overall survival of about only 20% despite intensified multimodal treatment. Therefore, development of novel effective targeted strategies to increase survival and to decrease long-term side effects is urgently needed. Recently, immunotherapies and nanomedicine have been emerging for potent and effective tumor treatments with minimal side effects, raising hopes for effective and safe cures for RMS patients. This review aims to describe the most relevant preclinical and clinical studies in immunotherapy and targeted nanomedicine performed so far in RMS and to provide an insight in future developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Judith Morel
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jochen Rössler
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michele Bernasconi
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Martynov I, Dhaka L, Wilke B, Hoyer P, Vahdad MR, Seitz G. Contemporary preclinical mouse models for pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma: from bedside to bench to bedside. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1333129. [PMID: 38371622 PMCID: PMC10869630 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1333129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common pediatric soft-tissue malignancy, characterized by high clinicalopathological and molecular heterogeneity. Preclinical in vivo models are essential for advancing our understanding of RMS oncobiology and developing novel treatment strategies. However, the diversity of scholarly data on preclinical RMS studies may challenge scientists and clinicians. Hence, we performed a systematic literature survey of contemporary RMS mouse models to characterize their phenotypes and assess their translational relevance. Methods We identified papers published between 01/07/2018 and 01/07/2023 by searching PubMed and Web of Science databases. Results Out of 713 records screened, 118 studies (26.9%) were included in the qualitative synthesis. Cell line-derived xenografts (CDX) were the most commonly utilized (n = 75, 63.6%), followed by patient-derived xenografts (PDX) and syngeneic models, each accounting for 11.9% (n = 14), and genetically engineered mouse models (GEMM) (n = 7, 5.9%). Combinations of different model categories were reported in 5.9% (n = 7) of studies. One study employed a virus-induced RMS model. Overall, 40.0% (n = 30) of the studies utilizing CDX models established alveolar RMS (aRMS), while 38.7% (n = 29) were embryonal phenotypes (eRMS). There were 20.0% (n = 15) of studies that involved a combination of both aRMS and eRMS subtypes. In one study (1.3%), the RMS phenotype was spindle cell/sclerosing. Subcutaneous xenografts (n = 66, 55.9%) were more frequently used compared to orthotopic models (n = 29, 24.6%). Notably, none of the employed cell lines were derived from primary untreated tumors. Only a minority of studies investigated disseminated RMS phenotypes (n = 16, 13.6%). The utilization areas of RMS models included testing drugs (n = 64, 54.2%), studying tumorigenesis (n = 56, 47.5%), tumor modeling (n = 19, 16.1%), imaging (n = 9, 7.6%), radiotherapy (n = 6, 5.1%), long-term effects related to radiotherapy (n = 3, 2.5%), and investigating biomarkers (n = 1, 0.8%). Notably, no preclinical studies focused on surgery. Conclusions This up-to-date review highlights the need for mouse models with dissemination phenotypes and cell lines from primary untreated tumors. Furthermore, efforts should be directed towards underexplored areas such as surgery, radiotherapy, and biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Illya Martynov
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Urology, University Hospital Giessen-Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Giessen-Marburg, Giessen, Germany
| | - Lajwanti Dhaka
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Urology, University Hospital Giessen-Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Benedikt Wilke
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Urology, University Hospital Giessen-Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Paul Hoyer
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Urology, University Hospital Giessen-Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - M. Reza Vahdad
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Urology, University Hospital Giessen-Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Giessen-Marburg, Giessen, Germany
| | - Guido Seitz
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Urology, University Hospital Giessen-Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Giessen-Marburg, Giessen, Germany
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3
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Heinz AT, Schönstein A, Ebinger M, Fuchs J, Timmermann B, Seitz G, Vokuhl C, Münter M, Pajtler KW, Stegmaier S, von Kalle T, Kratz CP, Ljungman G, Juntti H, Klingebiel T, Koscielniak E, Sparber-Sauer M. Significance of fusion status, Oberlin risk factors, local and maintenance treatment in pediatric and adolescent patients with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma: Data of the European Soft Tissue Sarcoma Registry SoTiSaR. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2024; 71:e30707. [PMID: 37814424 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Outcome of primary metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is poor. Certain risk factors as fusion status, Oberlin score, and local treatment of primary tumor are known to influence prognosis. PROCEDURE Patients with metastatic RMS were treated according to Cooperative Weichteilsarkom Studiengruppe (CWS) guidance with chemotherapy (CHT), radiotherapy (RT) excluding total lung irradiation (TLI), complete resection of the primary tumor, and metastasectomy if possible. Kaplan-Meier estimators and Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) involving also landmark analyses. RESULTS In the European Soft Tissue Sarcoma Registry SoTiSaR (2009-2018), 211 patients were analyzed. Many patients had fusion-positive alveolar RMS (n = 83; 39%). Median age was 9.4 years [0.1-19.7 years]. Treatment primarily consisted of CHT with CEVAIE (carboplatin, epirubicine, vincristine, actinomycin-D, ifosfamide, etoposide: 86%, other regimens: 14%), RT (71%), resection of primary tumor (37%), metastasectomy (19%), and lymph node sampling/dissection (21%). Maintenance treatment (MT) (oral trofosfamide, idarubicin, etoposide) was added in 74% of patients. Oberlin factors, fusion status, and MT were predictive for EFS and OS. MT with O-TIE was not improving outcome when adjusting for the immortal time bias. Local treatment of the primary tumor and radical irradiation (except TLI) improved EFS, not OS, when adjusting for the Oberlin score. Patients with fusion-negative alveolar RMS (n = 9) had an excellent outcome with a 5-year EFS and OS of 100%, compared to patients with embryonal RMS (49%/62%), PAX7- (22%/47%) and PAX3/FOXO1-positive ARMS (10/13%), respectively (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS Prognosis of metastatic RMS primarily depends on fusion status and Oberlin score. Fusion status needs to be considered in future trials to optimize treatment outcome. The role of radical irradiation needs further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amadeus T Heinz
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children´s Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Stuttgart Cancer Center, Zentrum für Kinder-, Jugend- und Frauenmedizin (Olgahospital), Pädiatrie 5 (Pädiatrische Onkologie, Hämatologie, Immunologie), Klinikum der Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Anton Schönstein
- Network Aging Research, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Ebinger
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children´s Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Jörg Fuchs
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Urology, University Children's Hospital, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Beate Timmermann
- Department of Particle Therapy, West German Proton Therapy Centre Essen (WPE), University Medical Center Essen, West German Cancer Center (WTZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen, Germany
| | - Guido Seitz
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Urology, University Hospital Giessen-Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Christian Vokuhl
- Section of Pediatric Pathology, Department of Pathology, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marc Münter
- Stuttgart Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Klinikum der Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Kristian W Pajtler
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, and Immunology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sabine Stegmaier
- Stuttgart Cancer Center, Zentrum für Kinder-, Jugend- und Frauenmedizin (Olgahospital), Pädiatrie 5 (Pädiatrische Onkologie, Hämatologie, Immunologie), Klinikum der Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Thekla von Kalle
- Stuttgart Cancer Center, Zentrum für Kinder-, Jugend- und Frauenmedizin (Olgahospital), Department of Radiology, Klinikum der Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Christian P Kratz
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Gustaf Ljungman
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Children's University Hospital, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hanna Juntti
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescence, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Thomas Klingebiel
- Department of Children and Adolescents, University Hospital of Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ewa Koscielniak
- Stuttgart Cancer Center, Zentrum für Kinder-, Jugend- und Frauenmedizin (Olgahospital), Pädiatrie 5 (Pädiatrische Onkologie, Hämatologie, Immunologie), Klinikum der Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
- Medical Faculty, University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Monika Sparber-Sauer
- Stuttgart Cancer Center, Zentrum für Kinder-, Jugend- und Frauenmedizin (Olgahospital), Pädiatrie 5 (Pädiatrische Onkologie, Hämatologie, Immunologie), Klinikum der Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
- Medical Faculty, University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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4
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Sparber-Sauer M, Dietzschold M, Schönstein A, Heinz A, Vokuhl C, Pajtler KW, Harrabi S, Lin YL, Kalle TV, Hagen R, Ladenstein R, Kazanowska B, Ljungman G, Klingebiel T, Ebinger M, Koscielniak E, Münter M, Timmermann B. Radiotherapy and long-term sequelae in pediatric patients with parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma: Results of two Cooperative Weichteilsarkom Studiengruppe (CWS) trials and one registry. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2024; 71:e30742. [PMID: 37880926 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parameningeal location of rhabdomyosarcoma (PM RMS) is known to be an unfavorable prognostic factor. Scarce data are available on radiotherapy (RT) concepts with regard to outcome. METHODS Treatment and outcome of 395 children with PM RMS registered within two Cooperative Weichteilsarkom Studiengruppe (CWS) trials and one registry (1995-2021) were evaluated. RESULTS Patients were IRS group II (n = 15) and III (n = 380) and received systemic treatment according to the enrolled protocols: I2VA (n = 172), VAIA/CEVAIE (n = 223). Delayed resection was performed in 88/395 (22%) patients, and RT was additionally given in 79/88 (90%) resected patients. RT was the predominant local treatment in 355/395 (90%) patients: hyperfractionated accelerated photon (HART; n = 77), conventionally fractionated photon (n = 91) or proton beam (n = 126), brachytherapy (n = 4), heavy ions (n = 1), not available (n = 56). In the subgroup of RT as only local treatment (n = 278), no intracranial tumor extension and complete remission at end of treatment were significant positive prognostic factors. No significant difference on tumor outcome was seen between different radiotherapy concepts. Long-term toxicity with mostly endocrinological and visual deficiencies was reported in 161/279 (58%) surviving patients with a lower trend after proton beam RT (48%) when compared to HART or conventionally fractionated photon RT (71% and 72%, respectively). Ten-year event-free and overall survival in the overall group were 62% (±5, 95% confidence interval [CI]) and 67% (±5, 95% CI); in the RT-only group 67% (±6, 95% CI) and 71% (±6, 95% CI), respectively. CONCLUSION CWS data confirm the recent RT concept in PM RMS. Long-term sequelae as endocrinological and visual deficiencies need to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Sparber-Sauer
- Klinikum der Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart gKAöR, Olgahospital, Stuttgart Cancer Center, Zentrum für Kinder-, Jugend- und Frauenmedizin, Pädiatrie 5 (Pädiatrische Onkologie, Hämatologie, Immunologie), Stuttgart, Germany
- University of Medicine Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Anton Schönstein
- Network Aging Research, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Amadeus Heinz
- Klinikum der Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart gKAöR, Olgahospital, Stuttgart Cancer Center, Zentrum für Kinder-, Jugend- und Frauenmedizin, Pädiatrie 5 (Pädiatrische Onkologie, Hämatologie, Immunologie), Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Christian Vokuhl
- Department of Pathology, Section of Pediatric Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kristian W Pajtler
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, and Immunology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Semi Harrabi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yi-Lan Lin
- Department of Particle Therapy, University Hospital Essen, West German Proton Therapy Centre Essen (WPE), West German Cancer Centre (WTZ), West German, Germany
| | - Thekla von Kalle
- Klinikum Stuttgart - Olgahospital, Stuttgart Cancer Center, Zentrum für Kinder-, Jugend- und Frauenmedizin, Olgahospital, Institute of Radiology, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Rudolf Hagen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | | | - Bernarda Kazanowska
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and BMT, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Gustaf Ljungman
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Pediatric Oncology, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Thomas Klingebiel
- Department for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Martin Ebinger
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Ewa Koscielniak
- Klinikum der Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart gKAöR, Olgahospital, Stuttgart Cancer Center, Zentrum für Kinder-, Jugend- und Frauenmedizin, Pädiatrie 5 (Pädiatrische Onkologie, Hämatologie, Immunologie), Stuttgart, Germany
- University of Medicine Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marc Münter
- Klinikum Stuttgart, Institute of Radiotherapy, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Beate Timmermann
- Department of Particle Therapy, University Hospital Essen, West German Proton Therapy Centre Essen (WPE), West German Cancer Centre (WTZ), West German, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen, Germany
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5
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Chehelgerdi M, Behdarvand Dehkordi F, Chehelgerdi M, Kabiri H, Salehian-Dehkordi H, Abdolvand M, Salmanizadeh S, Rashidi M, Niazmand A, Ahmadi S, Feizbakhshan S, Kabiri S, Vatandoost N, Ranjbarnejad T. Exploring the promising potential of induced pluripotent stem cells in cancer research and therapy. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:189. [PMID: 38017433 PMCID: PMC10683363 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01873-0] [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: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The advent of iPSCs has brought about a significant transformation in stem cell research, opening up promising avenues for advancing cancer treatment. The formation of cancer is a multifaceted process influenced by genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. iPSCs offer a distinctive platform for investigating the origin of cancer, paving the way for novel approaches to cancer treatment, drug testing, and tailored medical interventions. This review article will provide an overview of the science behind iPSCs, the current limitations and challenges in iPSC-based cancer therapy, the ethical and social implications, and the comparative analysis with other stem cell types for cancer treatment. The article will also discuss the applications of iPSCs in tumorigenesis, the future of iPSCs in tumorigenesis research, and highlight successful case studies utilizing iPSCs in tumorigenesis research. The conclusion will summarize the advancements made in iPSC-based tumorigenesis research and the importance of continued investment in iPSC research to unlock the full potential of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matin Chehelgerdi
- Novin Genome (NG) Lab, Research and Development Center for Biotechnology, Shahrekord, Iran
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Behdarvand Dehkordi
- Novin Genome (NG) Lab, Research and Development Center for Biotechnology, Shahrekord, Iran
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Mohammad Chehelgerdi
- Novin Genome (NG) Lab, Research and Development Center for Biotechnology, Shahrekord, Iran.
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran.
| | - Hamidreza Kabiri
- Novin Genome (NG) Lab, Research and Development Center for Biotechnology, Shahrekord, Iran
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | | | - Mohammad Abdolvand
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Sharareh Salmanizadeh
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Hezar-Jereeb Street, Isfahan, 81746-73441, Iran
| | - Mohsen Rashidi
- Department Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- The Health of Plant and Livestock Products Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Anoosha Niazmand
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Saba Ahmadi
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Tbilisi State Medical University, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Sara Feizbakhshan
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Saber Kabiri
- Novin Genome (NG) Lab, Research and Development Center for Biotechnology, Shahrekord, Iran
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Nasimeh Vatandoost
- Pediatric Inherited Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Tayebeh Ranjbarnejad
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran
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Asperti M, Cantamessa L, Gryzik M, Bugatti M, Codenotti S, Denardo A, Vermi W, Fanzani A, Poli M. The modulation of iron metabolism affects the Rhabdomyosarcoma tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Clin Exp Med 2023; 23:2487-2502. [PMID: 36764998 PMCID: PMC10543952 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-023-01012-5] [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: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is an aggressive rare neoplasm that derives from mesenchymal cells, which frequently develops resistance to the current therapies and the formation of metastases. Thus, new therapies are needed. The alteration of iron metabolism in cancer cells was effective in reducing the progression of many tumors but not yet investigated in RMS. Here we investigated the effect of iron modulation in RMS both in vitro and in vivo. We first characterized the most used RMS cell lines representing the most common subtypes, embryonal (ERMS, RD cells) and alveolar (ARMS, RH30 cells), for their iron metabolism, in basal condition and in response to its modulation. Then we investigated the effects of both iron overload and chelation strategies in vitro and in vivo. RMS cell lines expressed iron-related proteins, even if at lower levels compared to hepatic cell lines and they are correctly modulated in response to iron increase and deprivation. Interestingly, the treatment with different doses of ferric ammonium citrate (FAC, as iron source) and with deferiprone (DFP, as iron chelator), significantly affected the cell viability of RD and RH30. Moreover, iron supplementation (in the form of iron dextran) or iron chelation (in the form of DFP) were also effective in vivo in inhibiting the tumor mass growth both derived from RD and RH30 with iron chelation treatment the most effective one. All the data suggest that the iron modulation could be a promising approach to overcome the RMS tumor growth. The mechanism of action seems to involve the apoptotic cell death for both iron supplementation and chelation with the concomitant induction of ferroptosis in the case of iron supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Asperti
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Luca Cantamessa
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Magdalena Gryzik
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123, Brescia, Italy
- Unit of Pathology, ASST Spedali Civili Di Brescia, 25100, Brescia, Italy
| | - Mattia Bugatti
- Unit of Pathology, ASST Spedali Civili Di Brescia, 25100, Brescia, Italy
| | - Silvia Codenotti
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Andrea Denardo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - William Vermi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123, Brescia, Italy
- Unit of Pathology, ASST Spedali Civili Di Brescia, 25100, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Fanzani
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maura Poli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
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Hüttner SS, Henze H, Elster D, Koch P, Anderer U, von Eyss B, von Maltzahn J. A dysfunctional miR-1-TRPS1-MYOG axis drives ERMS by suppressing terminal myogenic differentiation. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2612-2632. [PMID: 37452493 PMCID: PMC10492030 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.07.003] [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: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common pediatric soft tissue tumor, comprising two major subtypes: the PAX3/7-FOXO1 fusion-negative embryonal and the PAX3/7-FOXO1 fusion-positive alveolar subtype. Here, we demonstrate that the expression levels of the transcriptional repressor TRPS1 are specifically enhanced in the embryonal subtype, resulting in impaired terminal myogenic differentiation and tumor growth. During normal myogenesis, expression levels of TRPS1 have to decrease to allow myogenic progression, as demonstrated by overexpression of TRPS1 in myoblasts impairing myotube formation. Consequentially, myogenic differentiation in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in vitro as well as in vivo can be achieved by reducing TRPS1 levels. Furthermore, we show that TRPS1 levels in RD cells, the bona fide model cell line for embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, are regulated by miR-1 and that TRPS1 and MYOD1 share common genomic binding sites. The myogenin (MYOG) promoter is one of the critical targets of TRPS1 and MYOD1; we demonstrate that TRPS1 restricts MYOG expression and thereby inhibits terminal myogenic differentiation. Therefore, reduction of TRPS1 levels in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma might be a therapeutic approach to drive embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma cells into myogenic differentiation, thereby generating postmitotic myotubes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sören S Hüttner
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Henriette Henze
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Dana Elster
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Philipp Koch
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Ursula Anderer
- Department of Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Universitätsplatz 1, 01968 Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Björn von Eyss
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Julia von Maltzahn
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany; Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Universitätsplatz 1, 01968 Senftenberg, Germany.
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8
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Wang M, Sreenivas P, Sunkel BD, Wang L, Ignatius M, Stanton B. The 3D chromatin landscape of rhabdomyosarcoma. NAR Cancer 2023; 5:zcad028. [PMID: 37325549 PMCID: PMC10261698 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcad028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a pediatric soft tissue cancer with a lack of precision therapy options for patients. We hypothesized that with a general paucity of known mutations in RMS, chromatin structural driving mechanisms are essential for tumor proliferation. Thus, we carried out high-depth in situ Hi-C in representative cell lines and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) to define chromatin architecture in each major RMS subtype. We report a comprehensive 3D chromatin structural analysis and characterization of fusion-positive (FP-RMS) and fusion-negative RMS (FN-RMS). We have generated spike-in in situ Hi-C chromatin interaction maps for the most common FP-RMS and FN-RMS cell lines and compared our data with PDX models. In our studies, we uncover common and distinct structural elements in large Mb-scale chromatin compartments, tumor-essential genes within variable topologically associating domains and unique patterns of structural variation. Our high-depth chromatin interactivity maps and comprehensive analyses provide context for gene regulatory events and reveal functional chromatin domains in RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Wang
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Center for Childhood Cancer, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Prethish Sreenivas
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Benjamin D Sunkel
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Center for Childhood Cancer, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Long Wang
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Myron Ignatius
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Benjamin Z Stanton
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Center for Childhood Cancer, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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9
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Gandhi J, Mantilla JG, Ricciotti RW, Chen EY, Liu YJ, Bandhlish A. Myoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland with a novel CTCF::NCOA2 fusion. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2023; 62:161-166. [PMID: 36331420 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.23101] [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: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe a case of a myoepithelial carcinoma of the superficial parotid gland in a 46-year-old male harboring a novel CTCF::NCOA2 gene fusion. To our knowledge, this novel gene fusion has not been described previously in myoepithelial carcinoma. A 46-year-old male patient presented with a mass involving the superficial left parotid gland with extension into the external auditory canal (EAC) and erosion of the conchal cartilage. Histologically, the neoplasm was composed of uniform spindled, epithelioid/ovoid cells arranged in cords and nests within hyalinized to myxoid stroma. On immunohistochemistry (IHC), the tumor cells demonstrated patchy and variable staining for low molecular weight cytokeratin (CAM5.2), pan-cytokeratin (OSCAR), and S-100. Overall, the morphological and immunohistochemical attributes supported a locally aggressive tumor of myoepithelial differentiation consistent with myoepithelial carcinoma. Molecular analysis using a custom 115-gene gene panel by targeted RNA sequencing, showed an in-frame CTCF::NCOA2 fusion. In addition to reporting this novel fusion in myoepithelial carcinoma, we also discuss relevant differential diagnosis, and provide a brief review of NCOA2 gene function in both normal and neoplastic contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jatin Gandhi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Washington, USA
| | - Jose G Mantilla
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Robert W Ricciotti
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Eleanor Y Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Yajuan J Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Anshu Bandhlish
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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10
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Zarzosa P, Garcia-Gilabert L, Hladun R, Guillén G, Gallo-Oller G, Pons G, Sansa-Girona J, Segura MF, Sánchez de Toledo J, Moreno L, Gallego S, Roma J. Targeting the Hedgehog Pathway in Rhabdomyosarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030727. [PMID: 36765685 PMCID: PMC9913695 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030727] [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: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway is known to play an oncogenic role in a wide range of cancers; in the particular case of rhabdomyosarcoma, this pathway has been demonstrated to be an important player for both oncogenesis and cancer progression. In this review, after a brief description of the pathway and the characteristics of its molecular components, we describe, in detail, the main activation mechanisms that have been found in cancer, including ligand-dependent, ligand-independent and non-canonical activation. In this context, the most studied inhibitors, i.e., SMO inhibitors, have shown encouraging results for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma, both tumour types often associated with mutations that lead to the activation of the pathway. Conversely, SMO inhibitors have not fulfilled expectations in tumours-among them sarcomas-mostly associated with ligand-dependent Hh pathway activation. Despite the controversy existing regarding the results obtained with SMO inhibitors in these types of tumours, several compounds have been (or are currently being) evaluated in sarcoma patients. Finally, we discuss some of the reasons that could explain why, in some cases, encouraging preclinical data turned into disappointing results in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Zarzosa
- Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lia Garcia-Gilabert
- Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raquel Hladun
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gabriela Guillén
- Pediatric Surgery Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gabriel Gallo-Oller
- Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Guillem Pons
- Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julia Sansa-Girona
- Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel F. Segura
- Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Sánchez de Toledo
- Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lucas Moreno
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Soledad Gallego
- Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: (S.G.); (J.R.)
| | - Josep Roma
- Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: (S.G.); (J.R.)
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11
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Castle AMR, Empringham B, Pinto LM, Villani A, Kanwar N, Abbott LS, Sawyer SL. Rhabdomyosarcoma as the first presentation in Neurofibromatosis Type 1: case series and review of the literature. Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2023:1-10. [PMID: 36625737 DOI: 10.1080/08880018.2022.2153951] [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] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is a neurocutaneous syndrome characterized by multiple café-au-lait macules, neurofibromas, and predisposition to malignancies, including rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS). Somatic NF1 mutations occur in RMS and other cancers, and ∼1% of patients with RMS have NF1. We describe three patients who presented prior to one year of age with RMS and were subsequently diagnosed with NF1. Compared to sporadic RMS, patients with this cancer predisposition syndrome are diagnosed younger, genitourinary sites are more common, and tumors are almost exclusively the embryonal subtype. Genomic sequencing of the tumor was initiated in one patient, and we identified a second sequence variant in NF1. The identification of molecular drivers in tumors is changing the nature of pediatric oncology by informing therapeutics targeted to specific molecular pathways and selecting patients who are likely to harbor germline variants in cancer predisposition genes who would benefit from a Medical Genetics assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison M R Castle
- Department of Genetics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), Ottawa, Canada
| | - Brianna Empringham
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), Ottawa, Canada
| | - Lisa M Pinto
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), Ottawa, Canada
| | - Anita Villani
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Nisha Kanwar
- Division of Genome Diagnostics, Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Lesleigh S Abbott
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), Ottawa, Canada
| | - Sarah L Sawyer
- Department of Genetics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), Ottawa, Canada.,Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
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12
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Fahs A, Hussein N, Zalzali H, Ramadan F, Ghamloush F, Tamim H, El Homsi M, Badran B, Boulos F, Tawil A, Ghayad SE, Saab R. CD147 Promotes Tumorigenesis via Exosome-Mediated Signaling in Rhabdomyosarcoma. Cells 2022; 11:cells11152267. [PMID: 35892564 PMCID: PMC9331498 DOI: 10.3390/cells11152267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is an aggressive childhood soft-tissue tumor, with propensity for local invasion and distant metastasis. Exosomes are secreted vesicles that mediate paracrine signaling by delivering functional proteins and miRNA to recipient cells. The transmembrane protein CD147, also known as Basigin or EMMPRIN, is enriched in various tumor cells, as well as in tumor-derived exosomes, and has been correlated with poor prognosis in several types of cancer, but has not been previously investigated in RMS. We investigated the effects of CD147 on RMS cell biology and paracrine signaling, specifically its contribution to invasion and metastatic phenotype. CD147 downregulation diminishes RMS cell invasion and inhibits anchorage-independent growth in vitro. While treatment of normal fibroblasts with RMS-derived exosomes results in a significant increase in proliferation, migration, and invasion, these effects are reversed when using exosomes from CD147-downregulated RMS cells. In human RMS tissue, CD147 was expressed exclusively in metastatic tumors. Altogether, our results demonstrate that CD147 contributes to RMS tumor cell aggressiveness, and is involved in modulating the microenvironment through RMS-secreted exosomes. Targeted inhibition of CD147 reduces its expression levels within the isolated exosomes and reduces the capacity of these exosomes to enhance cellular invasive properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assil Fahs
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science II, Lebanese University, Fanar P.O. Box 90656, Lebanon; (A.F.); (F.R.)
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Molecular Immunology, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science I, Lebanese University, Hadat 1003, Lebanon; (N.H.); (M.E.H.); (B.B.)
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Nader Hussein
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Molecular Immunology, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science I, Lebanese University, Hadat 1003, Lebanon; (N.H.); (M.E.H.); (B.B.)
| | - Hasan Zalzali
- Department of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (H.Z.); (F.G.)
| | - Farah Ramadan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science II, Lebanese University, Fanar P.O. Box 90656, Lebanon; (A.F.); (F.R.)
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Molecular Immunology, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science I, Lebanese University, Hadat 1003, Lebanon; (N.H.); (M.E.H.); (B.B.)
| | - Farah Ghamloush
- Department of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (H.Z.); (F.G.)
| | - Hani Tamim
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon;
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mahmoud El Homsi
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Molecular Immunology, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science I, Lebanese University, Hadat 1003, Lebanon; (N.H.); (M.E.H.); (B.B.)
| | - Bassam Badran
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Molecular Immunology, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science I, Lebanese University, Hadat 1003, Lebanon; (N.H.); (M.E.H.); (B.B.)
| | - Fouad Boulos
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (F.B.); (A.T.)
| | - Ayman Tawil
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (F.B.); (A.T.)
| | - Sandra E. Ghayad
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science II, Lebanese University, Fanar P.O. Box 90656, Lebanon; (A.F.); (F.R.)
- C2VN, INSERM 1263, INRAE 1260, Aix-Marseille University, CEDEX 5, 13385 Marseille, France
- Correspondence: (S.E.G.); (R.S.); Tel.: +33-491835601 (S.E.G.); +961-1-350000 (ext. 4780) (R.S.); Fax: +33-491835602 (S.E.G.); +961-1-377384 (R.S.)
| | - Raya Saab
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
- Department of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (H.Z.); (F.G.)
- Correspondence: (S.E.G.); (R.S.); Tel.: +33-491835601 (S.E.G.); +961-1-350000 (ext. 4780) (R.S.); Fax: +33-491835602 (S.E.G.); +961-1-377384 (R.S.)
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