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Plum PS, Hess T, Bertrand D, Morgenstern I, Velazquez Camacho O, Jonas C, Alidousty C, Wagner B, Roessler S, Albrecht T, Becker J, Richartz V, Holz B, Hoppe S, Poh HM, Chia BKH, Chan CX, Pathiraja T, Teo AS, Marquardt JU, Khng A, Heise M, Fei Y, Thieme R, Klein S, Hong JH, Dima SO, Popescu I, Hoppe-Lotichius M, Buettner R, Lautem A, Otto G, Quaas A, Nagarajan N, Rozen S, Teh BT, Goeppert B, Drebber U, Lang H, Tan P, Gockel I, Schumacher J, Hillmer AM. Integrative genomic analyses of European intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: Novel ROS1 fusion gene and PBX1 as prognostic marker. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1723. [PMID: 38877653 PMCID: PMC11178519 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1723] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a fatal cancer of the bile duct with a poor prognosis owing to limited therapeutic options. The incidence of intrahepatic CCA (iCCA) is increasing worldwide, and its molecular basis is emerging. Environmental factors may contribute to regional differences in the mutation spectrum of European patients with iCCA, which are underrepresented in systematic genomic and transcriptomic studies of the disease. METHODS We describe an integrated whole-exome sequencing and transcriptomic study of 37 iCCAs patients in Germany. RESULTS We observed as most frequently mutated genes ARID1A (14%), IDH1, BAP1, TP53, KRAS, and ATM in 8% of patients. We identified FGFR2::BICC1 fusions in two tumours, and FGFR2::KCTD1 and TMEM106B::ROS1 as novel fusions with potential therapeutic implications in iCCA and confirmed oncogenic properties of TMEM106B::ROS1 in vitro. Using a data integration framework, we identified PBX1 as a novel central regulatory gene in iCCA. We performed extended screening by targeted sequencing of an additional 40 CCAs. In the joint analysis, IDH1 (13%), BAP1 (10%), TP53 (9%), KRAS (7%), ARID1A (7%), NF1 (5%), and ATM (5%) were the most frequently mutated genes, and we found PBX1 to show copy gain in 20% of the tumours. According to other studies, amplifications of PBX1 tend to occur in European iCCAs in contrast to liver fluke-associated Asian iCCAs. CONCLUSIONS By analyzing an additional European cohort of iCCA patients, we found that PBX1 protein expression was a marker of poor prognosis. Overall, our findings provide insight into key molecular alterations in iCCA, reveal new targetable fusion genes, and suggest that PBX1 is a novel modulator of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick S Plum
- Department of General, Visceral, Cancer and Transplantation Surgery, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Department of Visceral, Transplant, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Timo Hess
- Center for Human Genetics, University Hospital of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Denis Bertrand
- Computational and Systems Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Isabelle Morgenstern
- General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Oscar Velazquez Camacho
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Christoph Jonas
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Christina Alidousty
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Britta Wagner
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Stephanie Roessler
- Institute of Pathology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Liver Cancer Center Heidelberg (LCCH), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Albrecht
- Institute of Pathology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Liver Cancer Center Heidelberg (LCCH), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jessica Becker
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Vanessa Richartz
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Barbara Holz
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sascha Hoppe
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Huay Mei Poh
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Burton Kuan Hui Chia
- Computational and Systems Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Cheryl Xueli Chan
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Thushangi Pathiraja
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Audrey Sm Teo
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jens U Marquardt
- I Department of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Alexis Khng
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Michael Heise
- General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- Department for General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University Frankfurt/Main, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Yao Fei
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - René Thieme
- Department of Visceral, Transplant, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sebastian Klein
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jing Han Hong
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Medical Science, Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Simona O Dima
- Center of Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Irinel Popescu
- Center of Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Maria Hoppe-Lotichius
- General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Reinhard Buettner
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Anja Lautem
- General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Gerd Otto
- Emeritus of the Division of Transplantation Surgery, University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
| | - Alexander Quaas
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Niranjan Nagarajan
- Computational and Systems Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Steve Rozen
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bin Tean Teh
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Benjamin Goeppert
- RKH Klinikum Ludwigsburg, Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, Ludwigsburg, Germany
- Institute of Tissue Medicine and Pathology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Uta Drebber
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Hauke Lang
- General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Patrick Tan
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Singapore, Singapore
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ines Gockel
- Department of Visceral, Transplant, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Axel M Hillmer
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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Kao TW, Chen HH, Lin J, Wang TL, Shen YA. PBX1 as a novel master regulator in cancer: Its regulation, molecular biology, and therapeutic applications. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189085. [PMID: 38341110 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189085] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
PBX1 is a critical transcription factor at the top of various cell fate-determining pathways. In cancer, PBX1 stands at the crossroads of multiple oncogenic signaling pathways and mediates responses by recruiting a broad repertoire of downstream targets. Research thus far has corroborated the involvement of PBX1 in cancer proliferation, resisting apoptosis, tumor-associated neoangiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis, immune evasion, genome instability, and dysregulating cellular metabolism. Recently, our understanding of the functional regulation of the PBX1 protein has advanced, as increasing evidence has depicted a regulatory network consisting of transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational levels of control mechanisms. Furthermore, accumulating studies have supported the clinical utilization of PBX1 as a prognostic or therapeutic target in cancer. Preliminary results showed that PBX1 entails vast potential as a targetable master regulator in the treatment of cancer, particularly in those with high-risk features and resistance to other therapeutic strategies. In this review, we will explore the regulation, protein-protein interactions, molecular pathways, clinical application, and future challenges of PBX1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Wan Kao
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110301, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110301, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Han Chen
- Department of General Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100224, Taiwan
| | - James Lin
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110301, Taiwan
| | - Tian-Li Wang
- Departments of Pathology, Oncology and Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 1550 Orleans Street, CRB2, Room 306, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Yao-An Shen
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110301, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110301, Taiwan; International Master/Ph.D. Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110301, Taiwan.
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Crisafulli L, Brindisi M, Liturri MG, Sobacchi C, Ficara F. PBX1: a TALE of two seasons-key roles during development and in cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1372873. [PMID: 38404687 PMCID: PMC10884236 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1372873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Pre-B cell leukemia factor 1 (PBX1) is a Three Aminoacid Loop Extension (TALE) homeodomain-containing transcription factor playing crucial roles in organ pattering during embryogenesis, through the formation of nuclear complexes with other TALE class and/or homeobox proteins to regulate target genes. Its contribution to the development of several organs has been elucidated mainly through the study of murine knockout models. A crucial role for human development has been recently highlighted through the discovery of different de novo pathogenic PBX1 variants in children affected by developmental defects. In the adult, PBX1 is expressed in selected tissues such as in the brain, in the gastro-intestinal and urinary systems, or in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, while in other organs is barely detectable. When involved in the t(1;19) chromosomal translocation it acts as an oncogene, since the resulting fusion protein drives pre-B cell leukemia, due to the induction of target genes not normally targeted by the native protein. Its aberrant expression has been associated to tumor development, progression, or therapy-resistance as in breast cancer, ovarian cancer or myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN). On the other hand, in colorectal cancer PBX1 functions as a tumor suppressor, highlighting its context-dependent role. We here discuss differences and analogies of PBX1 roles during embryonic development and in cancer, focusing mainly on the most recent discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Crisafulli
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Milan Unit, Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), National Research Council, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Brindisi
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Milan Unit, Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), National Research Council, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Sobacchi
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Milan Unit, Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), National Research Council, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Ficara
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Milan Unit, Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), National Research Council, Milan, Italy
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Liu XT, Huang Y, Liu D, Jiang YC, Zhao M, Chung LH, Han XD, Zhao Y, Chen J, Coleman P, Ting KK, Tran C, Su Y, Dennis CV, Bhatnagar A, Liu K, Don AS, Vadas MA, Gorrell MD, Zhang S, Murray M, Kavurma MM, McCaughan GW, Gamble JR, Qi Y. Targeting the SphK1/S1P/PFKFB3 axis suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression by disrupting glycolytic energy supply that drives tumor angiogenesis. J Transl Med 2024; 22:43. [PMID: 38200582 PMCID: PMC10782643 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04830-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading life-threatening health challenge worldwide, with pressing needs for novel therapeutic strategies. Sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1), a well-established pro-cancer enzyme, is aberrantly overexpressed in a multitude of malignancies, including HCC. Our previous research has shown that genetic ablation of Sphk1 mitigates HCC progression in mice. Therefore, the development of PF-543, a highly selective SphK1 inhibitor, opens a new avenue for HCC treatment. However, the anti-cancer efficacy of PF-543 has not yet been investigated in primary cancer models in vivo, thereby limiting its further translation. METHODS Building upon the identification of the active form of SphK1 as a viable therapeutic target in human HCC specimens, we assessed the capacity of PF-543 in suppressing tumor progression using a diethylnitrosamine-induced mouse model of primary HCC. We further delineated its underlying mechanisms in both HCC and endothelial cells. Key findings were validated in Sphk1 knockout mice and lentiviral-mediated SphK1 knockdown cells. RESULTS SphK1 activity was found to be elevated in human HCC tissues. Administration of PF-543 effectively abrogated hepatic SphK1 activity and significantly suppressed HCC progression in diethylnitrosamine-treated mice. The primary mechanism of action was through the inhibition of tumor neovascularization, as PF-543 disrupted endothelial cell angiogenesis even in a pro-angiogenic milieu. Mechanistically, PF-543 induced proteasomal degradation of the critical glycolytic enzyme 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3, thus restricting the energy supply essential for tumor angiogenesis. These effects of PF-543 could be reversed upon S1P supplementation in an S1P receptor-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS This study provides the first in vivo evidence supporting the potential of PF-543 as an effective anti-HCC agent. It also uncovers previously undescribed links between the pro-cancer, pro-angiogenic and pro-glycolytic roles of the SphK1/S1P/S1P receptor axis. Importantly, unlike conventional anti-HCC drugs that target individual pro-angiogenic drivers, PF-543 impairs the PFKFB3-dictated glycolytic energy engine that fuels tumor angiogenesis, representing a novel and potentially safer therapeutic strategy for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Tracy Liu
- Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Yu Huang
- Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Da Liu
- Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Yingxin Celia Jiang
- Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Min Zhao
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, QLD, 4558, Australia
| | - Long Hoa Chung
- Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Xingxing Daisy Han
- Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Yinan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Bioresources Utilization of Ministry of Education, Dalian Minzu University, Dalian, 116600, Liaoning, China
| | - Jinbiao Chen
- Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Paul Coleman
- Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Ka Ka Ting
- Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Collin Tran
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Yingying Su
- Sydney Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Claude Vincent Dennis
- AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Atul Bhatnagar
- Sydney Mass Spectrometry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Ken Liu
- AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Anthony Simon Don
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Mathew Alexander Vadas
- Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Mark Douglas Gorrell
- Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
- AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Shubiao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Bioresources Utilization of Ministry of Education, Dalian Minzu University, Dalian, 116600, Liaoning, China
| | - Michael Murray
- Sydney Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | | | - Geoffrey William McCaughan
- Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
- AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Jennifer Ruth Gamble
- Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Yanfei Qi
- Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia.
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