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Sekihara K, Himuro H, Toda S, Saito N, Hirayama R, Suganuma N, Sasada T, Hoshino D. Recent Trends and Potential of Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1286. [PMID: 38927493 PMCID: PMC11201408 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061286] [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: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare but highly aggressive malignancy characterized by advanced disease at diagnosis and a poor prognosis. Despite multimodal therapeutic approaches that include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, an optimal treatment strategy remains elusive. Current developments in targeted therapies and immunotherapy offer promising avenues for improved outcomes, particularly for BRAF-mutant patients. However, challenges remain regarding overcoming drug resistance and developing effective treatments for BRAF-wild-type tumors. This comprehensive review examines the clinical and biological features of ATC, outlines the current standards of care, and discusses recent developments with a focus on the evolving role of radiotherapy. Moreover, it emphasizes the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach and highlights the urgent need for further research to better understand ATC pathogenesis and identify new therapeutic targets. Collaborative efforts, including large-scale clinical trials, are essential for translating these findings into improved patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazumasa Sekihara
- Cancer Biology Division, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama 2418515, Japan; (K.S.); (S.T.); (N.S.)
- Biospecimen Center, Kanagawa Cancer Center, Yokohama 2418515, Japan
| | - Hidetomo Himuro
- Division of Cancer Immunotherapy, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama 2418515, Japan; (H.H.); (T.S.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Kanagawa Cancer Center, Yokohama 2418515, Japan
| | - Soji Toda
- Cancer Biology Division, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama 2418515, Japan; (K.S.); (S.T.); (N.S.)
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama 2320024, Japan
| | - Nao Saito
- Cancer Biology Division, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama 2418515, Japan; (K.S.); (S.T.); (N.S.)
- Biospecimen Center, Kanagawa Cancer Center, Yokohama 2418515, Japan
| | - Ryoichi Hirayama
- Department of Charged Particle Therapy Research, QST Hospital, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba 2638555, Japan;
| | - Nobuyasu Suganuma
- Department of Surgery, Yokohama City University, Yokohama 2360004, Japan;
| | - Tetsuro Sasada
- Division of Cancer Immunotherapy, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama 2418515, Japan; (H.H.); (T.S.)
| | - Daisuke Hoshino
- Cancer Biology Division, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama 2418515, Japan; (K.S.); (S.T.); (N.S.)
- Biospecimen Center, Kanagawa Cancer Center, Yokohama 2418515, Japan
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2
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Chen H, Lu Y, Dai Z, Yang Y, Li Q, Rao Y. Comprehensive single-cell RNA-seq analysis using deep interpretable generative modeling guided by biological hierarchy knowledge. Brief Bioinform 2024; 25:bbae314. [PMID: 38960404 PMCID: PMC11221887 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbae314] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in microfluidics and sequencing technologies allow researchers to explore cellular heterogeneity at single-cell resolution. In recent years, deep learning frameworks, such as generative models, have brought great changes to the analysis of transcriptomic data. Nevertheless, relying on the potential space of these generative models alone is insufficient to generate biological explanations. In addition, most of the previous work based on generative models is limited to shallow neural networks with one to three layers of latent variables, which may limit the capabilities of the models. Here, we propose a deep interpretable generative model called d-scIGM for single-cell data analysis. d-scIGM combines sawtooth connectivity techniques and residual networks, thereby constructing a deep generative framework. In addition, d-scIGM incorporates hierarchical prior knowledge of biological domains to enhance the interpretability of the model. We show that d-scIGM achieves excellent performance in a variety of fundamental tasks, including clustering, visualization, and pseudo-temporal inference. Through topic pathway studies, we found that d-scIGM-learned topics are better enriched for biologically meaningful pathways compared to the baseline models. Furthermore, the analysis of drug response data shows that d-scIGM can capture drug response patterns in large-scale experiments, which provides a promising way to elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms. Lastly, in the melanoma dataset, d-scIGM accurately identified different cell types and revealed multiple melanin-related driver genes and key pathways, which are critical for understanding disease mechanisms and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hegang Chen
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou University Town, 510006, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuyin Lu
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou University Town, 510006, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiming Dai
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou University Town, 510006, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuedong Yang
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou University Town, 510006, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Computing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, PQ806, Mong Man Wai Building, 999077, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Yanghui Rao
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou University Town, 510006, Guangzhou, China
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Duan SL, Wu M, Zhang ZJ, Chang S. The potential role of reprogrammed glucose metabolism: an emerging actionable codependent target in thyroid cancer. J Transl Med 2023; 21:735. [PMID: 37853445 PMCID: PMC10585934 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04617-2] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing year by year, most patients, especially those with differentiated thyroid cancer, can usually be cured with surgery, radioactive iodine, and thyroid-stimulating hormone suppression. However, treatment options for patients with poorly differentiated thyroid cancers or radioiodine-refractory thyroid cancer have historically been limited. Altered energy metabolism is one of the hallmarks of cancer and a well-documented feature in thyroid cancer. In a hypoxic environment with extreme nutrient deficiencies resulting from uncontrolled growth, thyroid cancer cells utilize "metabolic reprogramming" to satisfy their energy demand and support malignant behaviors such as metastasis. This review summarizes past and recent advances in our understanding of the reprogramming of glucose metabolism in thyroid cancer cells, which we expect will yield new therapeutic approaches for patients with special pathological types of thyroid cancer by targeting reprogrammed glucose metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai-Li Duan
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhe-Jia Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shi Chang
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
- Xiangya Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
- Clinical Research Center for Thyroid Disease in Hunan Province, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Thyroid and Related Diseases Treatment Technology, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
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4
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Gunda V, Ghosh C, Hu J, Zhang L, Zhang YQ, Shen M, Kebebew E. Combination BRAFV600E Inhibition with the Multitargeting Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Axitinib Shows Additive Anticancer Activity in BRAFV600E-Mutant Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. Thyroid 2023; 33:1201-1214. [PMID: 37675898 PMCID: PMC10625471 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2023.0201] [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] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Background: Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is uniformly lethal. BRAFV600E mutation is present in 45% of patients with ATC. Targeted therapy with combined BRAF and MEK inhibition in BRAFV600E-mutant ATC can be effective, but acquired resistance is common because this combination targets the same pathway. Drug matrix screening, in BRAFV600E ATC cells, of highly active compounds in combination with BRAF inhibition showed multitargeting tyrosine kinase inhibitors (MTKIs) had the highest synergistic/additive activity. Thus, we hypothesized that the combination of BRAFV600E inhibition and an MTKI is more effective than a single drug or combined BRAF and MEK inhibition in BRAFV600E-mutant ATC. We evaluated the effect of BRAFV600E inhibitors in combination with the MTKI axitinib and its mechanism(s) of action. Methods: We evaluated the effects of BRAFV600E inhibitors and axitinib alone and in combination in in vitro and in vivo models of BRAFV600E-mutant and wild-type ATC. Results: The combination of axitinib and BRAFV600E inhibitors (dabrafenib and PLX4720) showed an additive effect on inhibiting cell proliferation based on the Chou-Talalay algorithm in BRAFV600E-mutant ATC cell lines. This combination also significantly inhibited cell invasion and migration (p < 0.001) compared with the control. Dabrafenib and PLX4720 arrested ATC cells in the G0/G1 phase. Axitinib arrested ATC cells in the G2/M phase by decreasing phosphorylation of aurora kinase B (Thr232) and histone H3 (Ser10) proteins and by upregulating the c-JUN signaling pathway. The combination of BRAF inhibition and axitinib significantly inhibited tumor growth and was associated with improved survival in an orthotopic ATC model. Conclusions: The novel combination of axitinib and BRAFV600E inhibition enhanced anticancer activity in in vitro and in vivo models of BRAFV600E-mutant ATC. This combination may have clinical utility in BRAFV600E-mutant ATC that is refractory to current standard therapy, namely combined BRAF and MEK inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viswanath Gunda
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Chandrayee Ghosh
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jiangnan Hu
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Lisa Zhang
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ya qin Zhang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Min Shen
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Electron Kebebew
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
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5
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Xing Y, Wang Y, Wu X. Radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy successfully treated one case of anaplastic thyroid cancer: A case report. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1125226. [PMID: 37256174 PMCID: PMC10225731 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1125226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare but highly fatal form of thyroid cancer. This highly malignant tumor progresses rapidly and is prone to relapse and metastasis, with a poor prognosis. Novel treatments have improved survival in recent years, but the outcome of treatment is not satisfactory. Case presentation We report a case of multiple postoperative recurrences of papillary thyroid carcinoma that later transformed into undifferentiated carcinoma. The patient's neck mass was huge and the operation was unsuitable. Then, she achieved remarkable tumor shrinkage by tislelizumab immunotherapy combined with radiotherapy. Conclusion This case indicates that radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy is a promising treatment for ATC. Such a combined approach warrants further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurou Xing
- Thoracic Oncology Ward, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yongsheng Wang
- Thoracic Oncology Ward, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xin Wu
- Head and Neck Oncology Ward, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Zhang K, Wang J, He Z, Qiu X, Sa R, Chen L. Epigenetic Targets and Their Inhibitors in Thyroid Cancer Treatment. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16040559. [PMID: 37111316 PMCID: PMC10142462 DOI: 10.3390/ph16040559] [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: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Although biologically targeted therapies based on key oncogenic mutations have made significant progress in the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic thyroid cancer, the challenges of drug resistance are urging us to explore other potentially effective targets. Herein, epigenetic modifications in thyroid cancer, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNAs, chromatin remodeling and RNA alterations, are reviewed and epigenetic therapeutic agents for the treatment of thyroid cancer, such as DNMT (DNA methyltransferase) inhibitors, HDAC (histone deacetylase) inhibitors, BRD4 (bromodomain-containing protein 4) inhibitors, KDM1A (lysine demethylase 1A) inhibitors and EZH2 (enhancer of zeste homolog 2) inhibitors, are updated. We conclude that epigenetics is promising as a therapeutic target in thyroid cancer and further clinical trials are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Junyao Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Ziyan He
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Xian Qiu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Ri Sa
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai 200233, China
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin St., Changchun 130021, China
| | - Libo Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai 200233, China
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7
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Coca-Pelaz A, Rodrigo JP, Lopez F, Shah JP, Silver CE, Al Ghuzlan A, Menke-van der Houven van Oordt CW, Smallridge RC, Shaha AR, Angelos P, Mendenhall WM, Piazza C, Olsen KD, Corry J, Tufano RP, Sanabria A, Nuyts S, Nathan CA, Vander Poorten V, Dias FL, Suarez C, Saba NF, de Graaf P, Williams MD, Rinaldo A, Ferlito A. Evaluating new treatments for anaplastic thyroid cancer. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2022; 22:1239-1247. [PMID: 36283091 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2022.2139680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is one of the most lethal diseases known to humans with a median survival of 5 months. The American Thyroid Association (ATA) recently published guidelines for the treatment of this dreadful thyroid malignancy. AREAS COVERED This review presents the current therapeutic landscape of this challenging disease. We also present the results from trials published over the last five years and summarize currently active clinical trials. EXPERT OPINION Recent attempts to improve the prognosis of these tumors are moving toward personalized medicine, basing the treatment decision on the specific genetic profile of the individual tumor. The positive results of dabrafenib and trametinib for ATC harboring the BRAF V600E mutation have provided a useful treatment option. For the other genetic profiles, different drugs are available and can be used to individualize the treatment, likely using drug combinations. Combinations of drugs act on different molecular pathways and achieve inhibition at separate areas. With new targeted therapies, average survival has improved considerably and death from local disease progression or airway compromise is less likely with improvement in quality of life. Unfortunately, the results remain poor in terms of survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Coca-Pelaz
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, University of Oviedo, ISPA, IUOPA, CIBERONC, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Juan P Rodrigo
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, University of Oviedo, ISPA, IUOPA, CIBERONC, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Fernando Lopez
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, University of Oviedo, ISPA, IUOPA, CIBERONC, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Jatin P Shah
- Head and Neck Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carl E Silver
- Departments of Surgery and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Abir Al Ghuzlan
- Department of Medical Biology and Pathology, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - C Willemien Menke-van der Houven van Oordt
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam Center for Endocrine and Neuro Endocrine Tumors (ACcENT), Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Imaging and Biomarkers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Ashok R Shaha
- Head and Neck Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Peter Angelos
- Department of Surgery and MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - William M Mendenhall
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Cesare Piazza
- Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Kerry D Olsen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - June Corry
- Department Radiation Oncology, GenesisCare St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ralph P Tufano
- FPG Thyroid and Parathyroid Center, Division of Head and Neck Endocrine Surgery, The Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, Sarasota, FL, USA
| | - Alvaro Sanabria
- Department of Surgery, Universidad de Antioquia, CEXCA Centro de Excelencia en Enfermedades de Cabeza y cuello, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Sandra Nuyts
- Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy, Department of Oncology, University of Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Cherie-Ann Nathan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Louisiana State University-Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Vincent Vander Poorten
- Department of Oncology, Section Head and Neck Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven Cancer Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Fernando Luiz Dias
- Head and Neck Surgery Section, Instituto Nacional do Câncer (INCA), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carlos Suarez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias, IUOPA, CIBERONC, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Nabil F Saba
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, The Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Pim de Graaf
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michelle D Williams
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Alfio Ferlito
- Coordinator of the International Head Neck Scientific Group, Padua, Italy
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8
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Seninge L, Anastopoulos I, Ding H, Stuart J. VEGA is an interpretable generative model for inferring biological network activity in single-cell transcriptomics. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5684. [PMID: 34584103 PMCID: PMC8478947 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26017-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Deep learning architectures such as variational autoencoders have revolutionized the analysis of transcriptomics data. However, the latent space of these variational autoencoders offers little to no interpretability. To provide further biological insights, we introduce a novel sparse Variational Autoencoder architecture, VEGA (VAE Enhanced by Gene Annotations), whose decoder wiring mirrors user-provided gene modules, providing direct interpretability to the latent variables. We demonstrate the performance of VEGA in diverse biological contexts using pathways, gene regulatory networks and cell type identities as the gene modules that define its latent space. VEGA successfully recapitulates the mechanism of cellular-specific response to treatments, the status of master regulators as well as jointly revealing the cell type and cellular state identity in developing cells. We envision the approach could serve as an explanatory biological model for development and drug treatment experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Seninge
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering and Genomics Institute, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Ioannis Anastopoulos
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering and Genomics Institute, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Hongxu Ding
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering and Genomics Institute, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.
| | - Joshua Stuart
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering and Genomics Institute, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.
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9
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Kawamura Y, Saijo K, Imai H, Ishioka C. Inhibition of IRAK1/4 enhances the antitumor effect of lenvatinib in anaplastic thyroid cancer cells. Cancer Sci 2021; 112:4711-4721. [PMID: 34328666 PMCID: PMC8586669 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is an extremely aggressive tumor associated with poor prognosis due to a lack of efficient therapies. In Japan, lenvatinib is the only drug approved for patients with ATC; however, its efficacy is limited. Therefore, novel therapeutic strategies are urgently required for patients with ATC. The present study aimed to identify compounds that enhance the antiproliferative effects of lenvatinib in ATC cells using a compound library. IRAK1/4 Inhibitor I was identified as a candidate compound. Combined treatment with lenvatinib and IRAK1/4 Inhibitor I showed synergistic antiproliferative effects via induction of cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase in the ATC cell lines 8305C, HTC/C3, ACT-1, and 8505C. Furthermore, IRAK1/4 Inhibitor I enhanced the inhibition of ERK phosphorylation by lenvatinib in 8305C, HTC/C3, and 8505C cells. In an HTC/C3 xenograft mouse model, tumor volume was lower in the combined IRAK1/4 Inhibitor I and lenvatinib group compared with that in the vehicle control, IRAK1/4 Inhibitor I, and lenvatinib groups. IRAK1/4 Inhibitor I was identified as a promising compound that enhances the antiproliferative and antitumor effects of lenvatinib in ATC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshifumi Kawamura
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Institute for Development, Aging, and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Ken Saijo
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Institute for Development, Aging, and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hiroo Imai
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Institute for Development, Aging, and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Chikashi Ishioka
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Institute for Development, Aging, and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Department of Clinical Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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10
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Poorly Differentiated and Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer: Insights into Genomics, Microenvironment and New Drugs. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13133200. [PMID: 34206867 PMCID: PMC8267688 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In the last decades, many researchers produced promising data concerning genetics and tumor microenvironment of poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC) and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). They are trying to tear the veil covering these orphan cancers, suggesting new therapeutic weapons as single or combined therapies. Abstract PDTC and ATC present median overall survival of 6 years and 6 months, respectively. In spite of their rarity, patients with PDTC and ATC represent a significant clinical problem, because of their poor survival and the substantial inefficacy of classical therapies. We reviewed the newest findings about genetic features of PDTC and ATC, from mutations occurring in DNA to alterations in RNA. Therefore, we describe their tumor microenvironments (both immune and not-immune) and the interactions between tumor and neighboring cells. Finally, we recapitulate how this upcoming evidence are changing the treatment of PDTC and ATC.
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11
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Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma: Current Issues in Genomics and Therapeutics. Curr Oncol Rep 2021; 23:31. [PMID: 33582932 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-021-01019-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is a type of thyroid carcinoma with the most aggressive biological behaviour amongst thyroid cancer. Here, we review the current genomic and the impacts of advances in therapies to improve the management of patients with the cancer. RECENT FINDINGS Common mutations being identified in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma are p53 and TERT promoter mutations. Other common mutated genes included BRAF, RAS, EIF1AX, PIK3CA, PTEN and AKT1, SWI/SNF, ALK and CDKN2A. Changes in expression of different microRNAs are also involved in the pathogenesis of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Curative resection combined with radiotherapy and combination chemotherapies (such as anthracyclines, platins and taxanes) has been shown to have effects in the treatment of some patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Newer molecular targeted therapies in clinical trials target mostly the cell membrane kinase and downstream proteins. These include targeting the EGFR, FGFR, VEGFR, c-kit, PDGFR and RET on the cell membrane as well as VEGF itself and the downstream targets such as BRAF, MEK and mTOR. Immunotherapy is also being tested in the cancer. Updated knowledge of genomic as well as clinical trials on novel therapies is needed to improve the management of the patients with this aggressive cancer.
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12
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De Leo S, Trevisan M, Fugazzola L. Recent advances in the management of anaplastic thyroid cancer. Thyroid Res 2020; 13:17. [PMID: 33292371 PMCID: PMC7684758 DOI: 10.1186/s13044-020-00091-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is undoubtedly the thyroid cancer histotype with the poorest prognosis. The conventional treatment includes surgery, radiotherapy, and conventional chemotherapy. Surgery should be as complete as possible, securing the airway and ensuring access for nutritional support; the current standard of care of radiotherapy is the intensity-modulated radiation therapy; chemotherapy includes the use of doxorubicin or taxanes (paclitaxel or docetaxel) generally with platin (cisplatin or carboplatin). However, frequently, these treatments are not sufficient and a systemic treatment with kinase inhibitors is necessary. These include multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitors (Lenvatinib, Sorafenib, Sunitinib, Vandetanib, Axitinib, Pazopanib, Pyrazolo-pyrimidine compounds), single target tyrosine kinase inhibitors (Dabrafenib plus Trametinib and Vemurafenib against BRAF, Gefitinib against EGFR, PPARγ ligands (e.g. Efatutazone), Everolimus against mTOR, vascular disruptors (e.g. Fosbretabulin), and immunotherapy (e.g. Spartalizumab and Pembrolizumab, which are anti PD-1/PD-L1 molecules). Therapy should be tailored to the patients and to the tumor genetic profile. A BRAF mutation analysis is mandatory, but a wider evaluation of tumor mutational status (e.g. by next-generation sequencing) is desirable. When a BRAFV600E mutation is detected, treatment with Dabrafenib and Trametinib should be preferred: this combination has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic ATC with BRAFV600E mutation and with no satisfactory locoregional treatment options. Alternatively, Lenvatinib, regardless of mutational status, reported good results and was approved in Japan for treating unresectable tumors. Other single target mutation agents with fair results are Everolimus when a mutation involving the PI3K/mTOR pathway is detected, Imatinib in case of PDGF-receptors overexpression, and Spartalizumab in case of PD-L1 positive tumors. Several trials are currently evaluating the possible beneficial role of a combinatorial therapy in ATC. Since in this tumor several genetic alterations are usually found, the aim is to inhibit or disrupt several pathways: these combination strategies use therapy targeting angiogenesis, survival, proliferation, and may act against both MAPK and PI3K pathways. Investigating new treatment options is eagerly awaited since, to date, even the molecules with the best radiological results have not been able to provide a durable disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone De Leo
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia, 20, 20149, Milan, Italy.
| | - Matteo Trevisan
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Fugazzola
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia, 20, 20149, Milan, Italy.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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13
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Momtaz AZ, Ahumada Sabagh AD, Gonzalez Amortegui JG, Salazar SA, Finessi A, Hernandez J, Christensen S, Serbus LR. A Role for Maternal Factors in Suppressing Cytoplasmic Incompatibility. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:576844. [PMID: 33240234 PMCID: PMC7680759 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.576844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Wolbachia are maternally transmitted bacterial endosymbionts, carried by approximately half of all insect species. Wolbachia prevalence in nature stems from manipulation of host reproduction to favor the success of infected females. The best known reproductive modification induced by Wolbachia is referred to as sperm-egg Cytoplasmic Incompatibility (CI). In CI, the sperm of Wolbachia-infected males cause embryonic lethality, attributed to paternal chromatin segregation defects during early mitotic divisions. Remarkably, the embryos of Wolbachia-infected females “rescue” CI lethality, yielding egg hatch rates equivalent to uninfected female crosses. Several models have been discussed as the basis for Rescue, and functional evidence indicates a major contribution by Wolbachia CI factors. A role for host contributions to Rescue remains largely untested. In this study, we used a chemical feeding approach to test for CI suppression capabilities by Drosophila simulans. We found that uninfected females exhibited significantly higher CI egg hatch rates in response to seven chemical treatments that affect DNA integrity, cell cycle control, and protein turnover. Three of these treatments suppressed CI induced by endogenous wRi Wolbachia, as well as an ectopic wMel Wolbachia infection. The results implicate DNA integrity as a focal aspect of CI suppression for different Wolbachia strains. The framework presented here, applied to diverse CI models, will further enrich our understanding of host reproductive manipulation by insect endosymbionts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajm Zehadee Momtaz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States.,Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Abraham D Ahumada Sabagh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States.,Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Julian G Gonzalez Amortegui
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States.,Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Samuel A Salazar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States.,Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Andrea Finessi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States.,Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Jethel Hernandez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States.,Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Steen Christensen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States.,Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Laura R Serbus
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States.,Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
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14
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Fallahi P, Ferrari SM, Elia G, Ragusa F, Patrizio A, Paparo SR, Marone G, Galdiero MR, Guglielmi G, Foddis R, Cristaudo A, Antonelli A. Primary cell cultures for the personalized therapy in aggressive thyroid cancer of follicular origin. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 79:203-216. [PMID: 32569821 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most prevalent endocrine malignancy. More than 90 % of TC is represented by differentiated TC (DTC) arising from the follicular thyroid cells. DTC includes papillary TC (PTC), follicular TC (FTC), and Hürthle cell TC. Anaplastic TC (ATC) accounts for 1% of TC, and it represents 15-40 % of TC death. Current treatment strategies are not completely effective against aggressive DTC or ATC, and mortality is one of the most important challenges. Recently, progresses have been obtained in the understanding of the molecular/genetic basis of TC progression, and new drugs have been introduced [i.e. tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs)], able to block the oncogenic or signaling kinases, associated with cellular growth. Thyroid cell lines, obtained from tumoral cells and chosen for high proliferation in vitro, have been used as preclinical models. Actually, these cells lose the characteristic features of the primary tumor, because they adapt to in vitro growth conditions. For these reasons, the use of these cell lines has important limitations, and more recently human primary cell cultures have been established as monolayer cultures, and investigated for their biological behavior. Moreover, in the past, primary TC cells could be collected only through surgical biopsies, while recently human primary cell cultures can be established also from samples of fine-needle aspiration citology from aggressive dedifferentiated DTC or ATC. Testing in vitro different TKIs in each patient can help to develop new personalized treatments, without using ineffective drugs. In conclusion, personalized medicine and precise oncology, which consider both patients and their disease features, represent the future of the treatment approach, and further progress is needed in this direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poupak Fallahi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Giusy Elia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Ragusa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Armando Patrizio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Gianni Marone
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; World Allergy Organization Center of Excellence, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology "Gaetano Salvatore", National Research Council, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Galdiero
- Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; World Allergy Organization Center of Excellence, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology "Gaetano Salvatore", National Research Council, 80131 Naples, Italy; Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Guglielmi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rudy Foddis
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alfonso Cristaudo
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Antonelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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15
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Gretarsson S, Nygren A, Rosendahl AH, Mylona N, Kjellén E, Jin Y, Paulsson K, Borg Å, Brun E, Tennvall J, Bergenfelz A, Greiff L, Wennerberg J, Ekblad L. Substantial intrinsic variability in chemoradiosensitivity of newly established anaplastic thyroid cancer cell-lines. Acta Otolaryngol 2020; 140:337-343. [PMID: 31922436 DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2019.1704055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Background: Well characterized human cell lines are needed for preclinical treatment studies of anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC).Aims/Objectives: The aim was to establish, verify and characterize a panel of ATC cell lines.Material and methods: Cell lines were established from ATC fine-needle aspiration biopsies and characterized genetically and functionally regarding treatment sensitivities.Results: Eight cell lines were established in vitro and the anaplastic thyroid origin was verified. Seven of the cell lines were also grown as xenografts. The cell lines harboured complex karyotypes with modal numbers in hyperdiploid to near-pentaploid range. Five were TP53 mutated and three carried the BRAFV600E mutation. None had rearrangements of RET. For doxorubicin, IC50 ranged from 0.42 to 46 nmol/L and for paclitaxel from 1.6 to 196 nmol/L. Radiation sensitivity varied between 2.6 and 6.3 Gy. Two of the BRAF mutated cell lines displayed high sensitivity to vemurafenib, while the third was similar to the wild-type ones.Conclusions and significance: We describe a series of new ATC cell lines demonstrating large heterogeneity in the response to cytostatic drugs and the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib. The observations are relevant to future attempts to optimize treatment combinations for ATC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigurdur Gretarsson
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oto-rhino-laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Alexander Nygren
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oto-rhino-laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ann H. Rosendahl
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oncology and Pathology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Nektaria Mylona
- Department of Pathology, Regional Laboratories Region Skåne, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Elisabeth Kjellén
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oncology and Pathology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Yuesheng Jin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Genetics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Kajsa Paulsson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Genetics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Åke Borg
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oncology and Pathology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Eva Brun
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oncology and Pathology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jan Tennvall
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oncology and Pathology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anders Bergenfelz
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Surgery, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Lennart Greiff
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oto-rhino-laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Johan Wennerberg
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oto-rhino-laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Lars Ekblad
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oncology and Pathology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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16
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Laetitia G, Sven S, Fabrice J. Combinatorial Therapies in Thyroid Cancer: An Overview of Preclinical and Clinical Progresses. Cells 2020; 9:E830. [PMID: 32235612 PMCID: PMC7226736 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Accounting for about 2% of cancers diagnosed worldwide, thyroid cancer has caused about 41,000 deaths in 2018. Despite significant progresses made in recent decades in the treatment of thyroid cancer, many resistances to current monotherapies are observed. In our complete review, we report all treatments that were tested in combination against thyroid cancer. Many preclinical studies investigating the effects of inhibitors of the MAPK and PI3K pathways highlighted the importance of mutations in such signaling pathways and their impacts on the subsequent efficacy of targeted therapies, thus reinforcing the need of more personalized therapeutic strategies. Our review also points out the multiple possibilities of combinatory strategies, particularly using therapies targeting proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, and in combination with conventional treatments such as chemotherapies. In any case, resistances to anticancer therapies always develop through the activation of alternative signaling pathways. Combinatory treatments aim to blockade such mechanisms, which are gradually decrypted, thus offering new perspectives for the future. The preclinical and clinical aspects of our review allow us to have a global opinion of the different therapeutic options currently evaluated in combination and to be aware about new perspectives of treatment of thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gheysen Laetitia
- Laboratory of Human Anatomy and Experimental Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Mons University, Avenue du Champ de Mars, 8, B7000 Mons, Belgium; (S.S.); (J.F.)
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17
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Ferrari SM, Elia G, Ragusa F, Ruffilli I, La Motta C, Paparo SR, Patrizio A, Vita R, Benvenga S, Materazzi G, Fallahi P, Antonelli A. Novel treatments for anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Gland Surg 2020; 9:S28-S42. [PMID: 32055496 DOI: 10.21037/gs.2019.10.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is one of the deadliest human cancers and it is less than 2% of thyroid carcinomas (TCs). The standard treatment of ATC includes surgical debulking, accelerated hyperfractionated external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), and chemotherapy, in particular with cisplatin or doxorubicin, achieving about 10 months of median survival. Since ATC is a rare and aggressive tumor, it is still challenging to predict the patient clinical therapy responsiveness. Several genetic mutations have been described in ATC, involved in different molecular pathways linked to tumor progression, and novel therapies acting on these molecular pathways have been investigated, to improve the quality of life in these patients. Here we review the new targeted therapy of ATC. We report interesting results obtained with molecules targeting different pathways: angiogenesis (vandetanib, combretastatin, sorafenib, lenvatinib, sunitinib, CLM94, CLM3, etc.); EGFR (gefitinib, docetaxel); BRAF (dabrafenib/trametinib, vemurafenib); PPARγ agonists (rosiglitazone, pioglitazone, efatutazone); PD-1 and PD-L1 (pembrolizumab); TERT. To escape resistance to monotherapies, the evaluation of combination strategies with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or targeted drugs is ongoing. The results of clinical trials with dabrafenib and trametinib led to the approval from FDA of this combination for patients with BRAF V600E mutated ATC with locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic ATC. The anti-PD-L1 antibody immunotherapy, alone or combined with a BRAF inhibitor, has been shown also promising in the treatment of ATC. Furthermore, to increase the therapeutic success and not to use ineffective or even harmful treatments, a real tailored therapy should be pursued, and this can be achieved thanks to the new available genomic analysis methods and to the possibility to test in vitro novel treatments directly in primary cells from each ATC patient. Exploring new treatment strategies is mandatory to improve the survival of these patients, guaranteeing a good quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giusy Elia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Ragusa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ilaria Ruffilli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Armando Patrizio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberto Vita
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Benvenga
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Master Program on Childhood, Adolescent and Women's Endocrine Health, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Interdepartmental Program on Molecular & Clinical Endocrinology, and Women's Endocrine Health, University hospital, A.O.U. Policlinico Gaetano Martino, Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriele Materazzi
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Poupak Fallahi
- Department of Translational Research of New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Antonelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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18
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Ishihara S, Onoda N, Noda S, Asano Y, Tauchi Y, Morisaki T, Kashiwagi S, Takashima T, Ohira M. Sorafenib inhibits vascular endothelial cell proliferation stimulated by anaplastic thyroid cancer cells regardless of BRAF mutation status. Int J Oncol 2019; 55:1069-1076. [PMID: 31545405 PMCID: PMC6776193 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2019.4881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare refractory disease, frequently associated with BRAF mutations and aberrant vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion. The antitumor effects of sorafenib were evaluated, and its mechanisms of action were investigated. Four human ATC cell lines were used: OCUT‑4, which possesses a BRAF mutation; OCUT‑6 and ACT‑1, which carry NRAS mutations; and OCUT‑2, which possesses mutations in BRAF and PI3KCA. The viability of Sorafenib was evaluated by MTT assay. In order to examine the inhibitory effect of Sorafenib on intracellular signal transduction, expression of mitogen‑activated protein kinase kinase was examined by western blotting. In addition, cell cycle analysis was performed using flow cytometry. The inhibitory effects of sorafenib on the growth of ATC cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) stimulated with conditioned media from ATC cells were examined. Sorafenib inhibited the viability of OCUT‑4 more effectively than other ATC cell lines; these effects may have been mediated cytostatically by suppressing mitogen‑activated protein kinase kinase phosphorylation. Conversely, similar suppression was not observed in OCUT‑6 cells, which possess an NRAS mutation. The four cell lines secreted different quantities of VEGF, and the proliferation of HUVECs was differentially stimulated by their conditioned media. Both anti‑VEGF antibody and sorafenib prevented this stimulation of proliferation. In conclusion, sorafenib more effectively inhibited RAF‑generated growth signals in ATC cells compared with signals generated by its upstream gene, RAS. ATC cells stimulated the growth of HUVECs via humoral factors, including VEGF; this effect was clearly inhibited by sorafenib. The present findings highlighted the potential of sorafenib for the treatment of ATC and provided insight into its mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sae Ishihara
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka 545‑8585, Japan
| | - Naoyoshi Onoda
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka 545‑8585, Japan
| | - Satoru Noda
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka 545‑8585, Japan
| | - Yuka Asano
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka 545‑8585, Japan
| | - Yukie Tauchi
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka 545‑8585, Japan
| | - Tamami Morisaki
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka 545‑8585, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Kashiwagi
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka 545‑8585, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Takashima
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka 545‑8585, Japan
| | - Masaichi Ohira
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka 545‑8585, Japan
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19
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Wang R, Yamada T, Arai S, Fukuda K, Taniguchi H, Tanimoto A, Nishiyama A, Takeuchi S, Yamashita K, Ohtsubo K, Matsui J, Onoda N, Hirata E, Taira S, Yano S. Distribution and Activity of Lenvatinib in Brain Tumor Models of Human Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Cells in Severe Combined Immune Deficient Mice. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 18:947-956. [DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-18-0695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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20
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Nakagawa N, Kikuchi K, Yagyu S, Miyachi M, Iehara T, Tajiri T, Sakai T, Hosoi H. Mutations in the RAS pathway as potential precision medicine targets in treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 512:524-530. [PMID: 30904164 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.03.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Precision medicine strategies for treating rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a childhood malignancy, have not been developed. We examined the effect of CH5126766, a potent selective dual RAF/MEK inhibitor, on RMS cell lines. Among the eleven cell lines studied, one NRAS and two HRAS mutated cell lines were detected. CH5126766 inhibited the proliferation and growth in all of the RAS-mutated RMS cell lines, while it induced G1 cell cycle arrest in two of them. G1 cell cycle arrest was accompanied by p21 up-regulation and RB dephosphorylation. CH5126766 also suppressed the in vivo growth of RAS-mutated RMS tumor, and the mice showed improved survival. Thus, our results demonstrate that CH5126766 is an effective RAF/MEK inhibitor in RAS-mutated RMS. This study not only shows that in RMS, mutations in the RAS pathway can be a target for precision medicine, but also demonstrates that the evaluation of the gene mutation status is important in childhood malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norio Nakagawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ken Kikuchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Uji Takeda Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shigeki Yagyu
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Miyachi
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomoko Iehara
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Tatsuro Tajiri
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Sakai
- Department of Molecular-Targeting Cancer Prevention, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hajime Hosoi
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
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21
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Ferrari SM, Fallahi P, La Motta C, Elia G, Ragusa F, Ruffilli I, Patrizio A, Baldini E, Ulisse S, Antonelli A. Recent advances in precision medicine for the treatment of anaplastic thyroid cancer. EXPERT REVIEW OF PRECISION MEDICINE AND DRUG DEVELOPMENT 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/23808993.2019.1565940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Poupak Fallahi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Giusy Elia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Ragusa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ilaria Ruffilli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Armando Patrizio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Enke Baldini
- Department of Surgical Sciences, ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Ulisse
- Department of Surgical Sciences, ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Antonelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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22
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Li HL, Su MM, Xu YJ, Xu C, Yang YS, Zhu HL. Design and biological evaluation of novel triaryl pyrazoline derivatives with dioxane moiety for selective BRAFV600E inhibition. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 155:725-735. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.06.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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23
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Fallahi P, Ruffilli I, Elia G, Ragusa F, Ulisse S, Baldini E, Miccoli M, Materazzi G, Antonelli A, Ferrari SM. Novel treatment options for anaplastic thyroid cancer. Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab 2017; 12:279-288. [PMID: 30058884 DOI: 10.1080/17446651.2017.1340155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Several genetic alterations have been identified in different molecular pathways ofanaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) and associated with tumor aggressiveness and progression (BRAF, p53,RAS, EGFR, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, etc). New drugs targeting these molecular pathways have beenrecently evaluated in ATC. Areas covered: We review the new targeted therapies of ATC. Interesting results have been reported with molecules targeting different pathways, as: a-BRAF (dabrafenib/trametinib, vemurafenib); b-angiogenesis (sorafenib, combretastatin, vandetanib, sunitinib, lenvatinib, CLM3, etc); c-EGFR (gefitinib); d- PPARγ agonists (rosiglitazone, pioglitazone, efatutazone). In patients with ATC treated with lenvatinib, a median overall survival of 10.6 (3.8-19.8) months was reported. In order to bypass the resistance to the single drug, the capability of targeted drugs to synergize with radiation, or chemotherapy, or other targeted drugs is explored. Expert commentary: New, affordable and individual genomic analysis combined with the opportunity to test these new treatments in primary cell cultures from every ATC patient in vitro, may permit the personalization of therapy. Increasing the therapeutic effectiveness and avoiding the use of ineffective drugs. The identification of new treatments is necessary, to extend life duration guaranteing a good quality of life. To bypass the resistance to asingle drug, the capability of targeted drugs to synergize with radiation, or chemotherapy, or othertargeted drugs is explored. Moreover, new affordable individual genomic analysis and the opportunity totest these novel treatments in primary cell cultures from every ATC patient in vitro, might permit topersonalize the therapy, increasing the therapeutic effectiveness and avoiding the use of ineffectivedrugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poupak Fallahi
- a Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | - Ilaria Ruffilli
- a Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | - Giusy Elia
- a Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | - Francesca Ragusa
- a Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | - Salvatore Ulisse
- b Department of Experimental Medicine , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Enke Baldini
- b Department of Experimental Medicine , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Mario Miccoli
- a Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | - Gabriele Materazzi
- c Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | - Alessandro Antonelli
- a Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
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