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Camero S, Camicia L, Marampon F, Ceccarelli S, Shukla R, Mannarino O, Pizer B, Schiavetti A, Pizzuti A, Tombolini V, Marchese C, Dominici C, Megiorni F. BET inhibition therapy counteracts cancer cell survival, clonogenic potential and radioresistance mechanisms in rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Cancer Lett 2020; 479:71-88. [PMID: 32200036 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The antitumour effects of OTX015, a first-in-class BET inhibitor (BETi), were investigated as a single agent or in combination with ionizing radiation (IR) in preclinical in vitro models of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common childhood soft tissue sarcoma. Herein, we demonstrated the upregulation of BET Bromodomain gene expression in RMS tumour biopsies and cell lines compared to normal skeletal muscle. In vitro experiments showed that OTX015 significantly reduced RMS cell proliferation by altering cell cycle modulators and apoptotic related proteins due to the accumulation of DNA breaks that cells are unable to repair. Interestingly, OTX015 also impaired migration capacity and tumour-sphere architecture by downregulating pro-stemness genes and was able to potentiate ionizing radiation effects by reducing the expression of different drivers of tumour dissemination and resistance mechanisms, including the GNL3 gene, that we correlated for the first time with the RMS phenotype. In conclusion, our research sheds further light on the molecular events of OTX015 action against RMS cells and indicates this novel BETi as an effective option to improve therapeutic strategies and overcome the development of resistant cancer cells in patients with RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Camero
- Department of Maternal, Infantile, and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Lucrezia Camicia
- Department of Maternal, Infantile, and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Simona Ceccarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Rajeev Shukla
- Department of Perinatal and Paediatric Pathology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK.
| | - Olga Mannarino
- Department of Maternal, Infantile, and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Barry Pizer
- Department of Oncology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Eaton Road, Liverpool, L12 2AP, UK.
| | - Amalia Schiavetti
- Department of Maternal, Infantile, and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Antonio Pizzuti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Vincenzo Tombolini
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Cinzia Marchese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Carlo Dominici
- Department of Maternal, Infantile, and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesca Megiorni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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2
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Zschiesche H, Campos APC, Dominici C, Roussel L, Charai A, Mangelinck D, Alfonso C. Correlated TKD/EDS - TEM - APT analysis on selected interfaces of CoSi 2 thin films. Ultramicroscopy 2019; 206:112807. [PMID: 31301607 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2019.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Correlative analysis is a powerful way to relate crystallographic and chemical information to the properties of materials. In this work, a procedure is proposed to select and analyze interfaces of polycrystalline thin film materials through correlative transmission Kikuchi diffraction/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TKD/EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atom probe tomography (APT). TKD provides information on the crystallographic orientation. The EDS analysis performed together with TKD in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) makes chemical information available allowing phases of similar crystal structure, but with a different composition to be distinguished. The information of TKD/EDS can be correlated to successive TEM and APT analysis on selected interfaces for structural and chemical analysis at the atomic scale. An interface of an epitaxial orientated grain of a polycrystalline CoSi2 thin film on (111)Si is selected and analyzed. The selected interface has a twin character and shows facets of different orientation and area. Site-specific segregation of Ge to junctions of the facets is evidenced. The correlation between local strain from misfit (defects) at the interface and segregation is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Zschiesche
- Aix-Marseille Université, IM2NP, CNRS, Faculté de Saint-Jérôme, Case 142, Marseille Cedex 20 13397, France.
| | - A P C Campos
- Aix-Marseille Université, CP2M, Faculté de Saint-Jérôme, Case 142, Marseille Cedex 20 13397, France
| | - C Dominici
- Aix-Marseille Université, CP2M, Faculté de Saint-Jérôme, Case 142, Marseille Cedex 20 13397, France
| | - L Roussel
- Aix-Marseille Université, IM2NP, CNRS, Faculté de Saint-Jérôme, Case 142, Marseille Cedex 20 13397, France
| | - A Charai
- Aix-Marseille Université, IM2NP, CNRS, Faculté de Saint-Jérôme, Case 142, Marseille Cedex 20 13397, France
| | - D Mangelinck
- Aix-Marseille Université, IM2NP, CNRS, Faculté de Saint-Jérôme, Case 142, Marseille Cedex 20 13397, France
| | - C Alfonso
- Aix-Marseille Université, IM2NP, CNRS, Faculté de Saint-Jérôme, Case 142, Marseille Cedex 20 13397, France
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3
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Giannattasio S, Megiorni F, Di Nisio V, Del Fattore A, Fontanella R, Camero S, Antinozzi C, Festuccia C, Gravina GL, Cecconi S, Dominici C, Di Luigi L, Ciccarelli C, De Cesaris P, Riccioli A, Zani BM, Lenzi A, Pestell RG, Filippini A, Crescioli C, Tombolini V, Marampon F. Testosterone-mediated activation of androgenic signalling sustains in vitro the transformed and radioresistant phenotype of rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines. J Endocrinol Invest 2019; 42:183-197. [PMID: 29790086 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-018-0900-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common soft-tissue sarcoma in childhood, rarely affects adults, preferring male. RMS expresses the receptor for androgen (AR) and responds to androgen; however, the molecular action of androgens on RMS is unknown. METHODS Herein, testosterone (T) effects were tested in embryonal (ERMS) and alveolar (ARMS) RMS cell lines, by performing luciferase reporter assay, RT-PCR, and western blotting experiments. RNA interference experiments or bicalutamide treatment was performed to assess the specific role of AR. Radiation treatment was delivered to characterise the effects of T treatment on RMS intrinsic radioresistance. RESULTS Our study showed that RMS cells respond to sub-physiological levels of T stimulation, finally promoting AR-dependent genomic and non-genomic effects, such as the transcriptional regulation of several oncogenes, the phosphorylation-mediated post-transductional modifications of AR and the activation of ERK, p38 and AKT signal transduction pathway mediators that, by physically complexing or not with AR, participate in regulating its transcriptional activity and the expression of T-targeted genes. T chronic daily treatment, performed as for the hormone circadian rhythm, did not significantly affect RMS cell growth, but improved RMS clonogenic and radioresistant potential and increased AR mRNA both in ERMS and ARMS. AR protein accumulation was evident in ERMS, this further developing an intrinsic T-independent AR activity. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that androgens sustain and improve RMS transformed and radioresistant phenotype, and therefore, their therapeutic application should be avoided in RMS post puberal patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Giannattasio
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
| | - F Megiorni
- Department of Paediatrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - V Di Nisio
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - A Del Fattore
- Multi-Factorial Disease and Complex Phenotype Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - R Fontanella
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - S Camero
- Department of Paediatrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - C Antinozzi
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
| | - C Festuccia
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio 1, 67100, L'Aquila, Coppito, Italy
| | - G L Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio 1, 67100, L'Aquila, Coppito, Italy
| | - S Cecconi
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - C Dominici
- Department of Paediatrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - L Di Luigi
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
| | - C Ciccarelli
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio 1, 67100, L'Aquila, Coppito, Italy
| | - P De Cesaris
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio 1, 67100, L'Aquila, Coppito, Italy
| | - A Riccioli
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - B M Zani
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio 1, 67100, L'Aquila, Coppito, Italy
| | - A Lenzi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - R G Pestell
- Pennsylvania Center for Cancer and Regenerative Medicine, Wynnewood, PA, 19096, USA
| | - A Filippini
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - C Crescioli
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
| | - V Tombolini
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - F Marampon
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio 1, 67100, L'Aquila, Coppito, Italy.
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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4
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Marampon F, Codenotti S, Megiorni F, Del Fattore A, Camero S, Gravina GL, Festuccia C, Musio D, De Felice F, Nardone V, Santoro AN, Dominici C, Fanzani A, Pirtoli L, Fioravanti A, Tombolini V, Cheleschi S, Tini P. NRF2 orchestrates the redox regulation induced by radiation therapy, sustaining embryonal and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cells radioresistance. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2019; 145:881-893. [PMID: 30701326 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-019-02851-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Tumor cells generally exhibit higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), however, when stressed, tumor cells can undergo a process of 'Redox Resetting' to acquire a new redox balance with stronger antioxidant systems that enable cancer cells to become resistant to radiation therapy (RT). Here, we describe how RT affects the oxidant/antioxidant balance in human embryonal (RD) and alveolar (RH30) rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cell lines, investigating on the molecular mechanisms involved. METHODS Radiations were delivered using an x-6 MV photon linear accelerator and their effects were assessed by vitality and clonogenic assays. The expression of specific antioxidant-enzymes, such as Superoxide Dismutases (SODs), Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione Peroxidases 4 (GPx4), miRNAs (miR-22, -126, -210, -375, -146a, -34a) and the transcription factor NRF2 was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) and western blotting. RNA interference experiments were performed to evaluate the role of NRF2. RESULTS Doses of RT higher than 2 Gy significantly affected RMS clonogenic ability by increasing ROS production. RMS rapidly and efficiently brought back ROS levels by up-regulating the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, miRNAs as well as of NRF2. Silencing of NRF2 restrained the RMS ability to counteract RT-induced ROS accumulation, antioxidant enzyme and miRNA expression and was able to increase the abundance of γ-H2AX, a biomarker of DNA damage, in RT-treated cells. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our data suggest the strategic role of oxidant/antioxidant balance in restraining the therapeutic efficiency of RT in RMS treatment and identify NRF2 as a new potential molecular target whose inhibition might represent a novel radiosensitizing therapeutic strategy for RMS clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Marampon
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Silvia Codenotti
- Division of Biotechnology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Del Fattore
- Multi-Factorial Disease and Complex Phenotype Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Viale di San Paolo 15, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Camero
- Department of Pediatrics, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Claudio Festuccia
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Daniela Musio
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca De Felice
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Carlo Dominici
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Fanzani
- Division of Biotechnology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Luigi Pirtoli
- Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy.,Unit of Radiation Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy.,Istituto Toscano Tumori, Florence, Italy.,Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.,Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Rheumatology Unit, University of Siena, Policlinico Le Scotte, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Vincenzo Tombolini
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Cheleschi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Rheumatology Unit, University of Siena, Policlinico Le Scotte, Siena, Italy
| | - Paolo Tini
- Unit of Radiation Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy.,Istituto Toscano Tumori, Florence, Italy.,Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Sbarro Health Research Organization, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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5
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Rossi F, Legnini I, Megiorni F, Colantoni A, Santini T, Morlando M, Di Timoteo G, Dattilo D, Dominici C, Bozzoni I. Circ-ZNF609 regulates G1-S progression in rhabdomyosarcoma. Oncogene 2019; 38:3843-3854. [PMID: 30670781 PMCID: PMC6544520 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-0699-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) represent a class of covalently closed RNAs, derived from non-canonical splicing events, which are expressed in all eukaryotes and often conserved among different species. We previously showed that the circRNA originating from the ZNF609 locus (circ-ZNF609) acts as a crucial regulator of human primary myoblast growth: indeed, the downregulation of the circRNA, and not of its linear counterpart, strongly reduced the proliferation rate of in vitro cultured myoblasts. To deepen our knowledge about circ-ZNF609 role in cell cycle regulation, we studied its expression and function in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a pediatric skeletal muscle malignancy. We found that circ-ZNF609 is upregulated in biopsies from the two major RMS subtypes, embryonal (ERMS) and alveolar (ARMS). Moreover, we discovered that in an ERMS-derived cell line circ-ZNF609 knock-down induced a specific block at the G1-S transition, a strong decrease of p-Akt protein level and an alteration of the pRb/Rb ratio. Regarding p-Akt, we were able to show that circ-ZNF609 acts by counteracting p-Akt proteasome-dependent degradation, thus working as a new regulator of cell proliferation-related pathways. As opposed to ERMS-derived cells, the circRNA depletion had no cell cycle effects in ARMS-derived cells. Since in these cells the p53 gene resulted downregulated, with a concomitant upregulation of its cell cycle-related target genes, we suggest that this could account for the lack of circ-ZNF609 effect in ARMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Rossi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Ivano Legnini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Alessio Colantoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziana Santini
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariangela Morlando
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Gaia Di Timoteo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Dario Dattilo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Dominici
- Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Bozzoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. .,Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy.
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Camero S, Ceccarelli S, De Felice F, Marampon F, Mannarino O, Camicia L, Vescarelli E, Pontecorvi P, Pizer B, Shukla R, Schiavetti A, Mollace MG, Pizzuti A, Tombolini V, Marchese C, Megiorni F, Dominici C. PARP inhibitors affect growth, survival and radiation susceptibility of human alveolar and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2019; 145:137-152. [PMID: 30357520 PMCID: PMC6326011 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-018-2774-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE PARP inhibitors (PARPi) are used in a wide range of human solid tumours but a limited evidence is reported in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most frequent childhood soft-tissue sarcoma. The cellular and molecular effects of Olaparib, a specific PARP1/2 inhibitor, and AZD2461, a newly synthesized PARP1/2/3 inhibitor, were assessed in alveolar and embryonal RMS cells both as single-agent and in combination with ionizing radiation (IR). METHODS Cell viability was monitored by trypan blue exclusion dye assays. Cell cycle progression and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry, and alterations of specific molecular markers were investigated by, Real Time PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence experiments. Irradiations were carried out at a dose rate of 2 Gy (190 UM/min) or 4 Gy (380 UM/min). Radiosensitivity was assessed by using clonogenic assays. RESULTS Olaparib and AZD2461 dose-dependently reduced growth of both RH30 and RD cells by arresting growth at G2/M phase and by modulating the expression, activation and subcellular localization of specific cell cycle regulators. Downregulation of phospho-AKT levels and accumulation of γH2AX, a specific marker of DNA damage, were significantly and persistently induced by Olaparib and AZD2461 exposure, this leading to apoptosis-related cell death. Both PARPi significantly enhanced the effects of IR by accumulating DNA damage, increasing G2 arrest and drastically reducing the clonogenic capacity of RMS-cotreated cells. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that the combined exposure to PARPi and IR might display a role in the treatment of RMS tumours compared with single-agent exposure, since stronger cytotoxic effects are induced, and compensatory survival mechanisms are prevented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Camero
- Department of Paediatrics, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Ceccarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca De Felice
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Olga Mannarino
- Department of Paediatrics, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Camicia
- Department of Paediatrics, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Enrica Vescarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Pontecorvi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Barry Pizer
- Department of Oncology, Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Eaton Road, Liverpool, L12 2AP UK
| | - Rajeev Shukla
- Department of Perinatal and Paediatric Pathology, Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Amalia Schiavetti
- Department of Paediatrics, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Giovanna Mollace
- Department of Paediatrics, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Pizzuti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Tombolini
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Marchese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Megiorni
- Department of Paediatrics, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Dominici
- Department of Paediatrics, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
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7
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Ceccamea A, Carlei F, Dominici C, Castello MA, Lomanto D, Cappelli CA, Lezoche E. Correlation between Tyrosine Hydroxylase Immunoreactive Cells in Tumors and Urinary Catecholamine Output in Neuroblastoma Patients. Tumori 2018; 72:451-7. [PMID: 2879374 DOI: 10.1177/030089168607200501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The results of an immunocytochemical evaluation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity in 30 neuroblastic tumors of infancy are reported. Although no correlations could be found between the immunoreactive pattern and the site of origin or the staging of the tumor, a positive relationship between the urinary catecholamine output and the density of TH-immunoreactive cells could be established. TH was mostly localized on the cytoplasm of the differentiating neuroblasts, whereas immature elements were rarely positive. Moreover, 2 stage IVS cases did not contain any TH immunoreactivity. The possible significance of this finding in the investigation of this form of neuroblastoma, which has a peculiar biological behavior, is considered.
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8
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Ceccamea A, Dominici C, Clerico A, Ferrante E, Vignetti P, Castello MA. Bilateral Rhabdomyomatous Tumor Relapsed as Typical Triphasic Wilms’ Tumor. Tumori 2018; 73:85-9. [PMID: 3029926 DOI: 10.1177/030089168707300117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The authors report on a child affected with bilateral renal tumor, which was treated with cancer chemotherapy before and after surgery. Twenty-eight months after the discontinuance of therapy, a neoplasm was disclosed in the left kidney and then removed. Histologically, the bilateral tumor excised by the first surgery could be classified as biphasic Wilms’ tumor, rhabdomyomatous variant, whereas the neoplasm removed by the second surgery was the typical triphasic Wilms’ tumor. The authors suggest that preoperative chemotherapy might have played a role in the histologic changes of the initial tumor. Nonetheless, it is also tempting to postulate that the two histologic variants of Wilms’ tumor could have occurred in the patient in spite of any treatment.
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9
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Megiorni F, Camero S, Ceccarelli S, De Felice F, Marampon F, Pizer B, Shukla R, Tombolini V, Marchese C, Dominici C. Synergistic effects of PARP inhibitors and ionizing radiation on growth and survival of rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Ann Oncol 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdy047.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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10
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Godefroy D, Dominici C, Hardin-Pouzet H, Anouar Y, Melik-Parsadaniantz S, Rostène W, Reaux-Le Goazigo A. Three-dimensional distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase, vasopressin and oxytocin neurones in the transparent postnatal mouse brain. J Neuroendocrinol 2017; 29. [PMID: 29044774 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Revised: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Over the years, advances in immunohistochemistry techniques have been a critical step in detecting and mapping neuromodulatory substances in the central nervous system. The better quality and specificity of primary antibodies, new staining procedures and the spectacular development of imaging technologies have allowed such progress. Very recently, new methods permitting tissue transparency have been successfully used on brain tissues. In the present study, we combined whole-mount immunostaining for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), oxytocin (OXT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP), with the iDISCO+ clearing method, light-sheet microscopy and semi-automated counting of three-dimensionally-labelled neurones to obtain a (3D) distribution of these neuronal populations in a 5-day postnatal (P5) mouse brain. Segmentation procedure and 3D reconstruction allowed us, with high resolution, to map TH staining of the various catecholaminergic cell groups and their ascending and descending fibre pathways. We show that TH pathways are present in the whole P5 mouse brain, similar to that observed in the adult rat brain. We also provide new information on the postnatal distribution of OXT and AVP immunoreactive cells in the mouse hypothalamus, and show that, compared to AVP neurones, OXT neurones in the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular (PVN) nuclei are not yet mature in the early postnatal period. 3D semi-automatic quantitative analysis of the PVN reveals that OXT cell bodies are more numerous than AVP neurones, although their immunoreactive soma have a volume half smaller. More AVP nerve fibres compared to OXT were observed in the PVN and the retrochiasmatic area. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrate the utility and the potency of imaging large brain tissues with clearing procedures coupled to novel 3D imaging technologies to study, localise and quantify neurotransmitter substances involved in brain and neuroendocrine functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Godefroy
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Universités, INSERM CNRS UMRS 968, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Paris, France
- Normandie Université, INSERM, U1239, DC2N, IRIB, UNIROUEN, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - C Dominici
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Universités, INSERM CNRS UMRS 968, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Paris, France
| | - H Hardin-Pouzet
- Neuroscience Paris - Seine Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Universités, INSERM CNRS, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Paris, France
| | - Y Anouar
- Normandie Université, INSERM, U1239, DC2N, IRIB, UNIROUEN, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - S Melik-Parsadaniantz
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Universités, INSERM CNRS UMRS 968, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Paris, France
| | - W Rostène
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Universités, INSERM CNRS UMRS 968, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Paris, France
| | - A Reaux-Le Goazigo
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Universités, INSERM CNRS UMRS 968, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Paris, France
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11
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Megiorni F, Gravina GL, Camero S, Ceccarelli S, Del Fattore A, Desiderio V, Papaccio F, McDowell HP, Shukla R, Pizzuti A, Beirinckx F, Pujuguet P, Saniere L, der Aar EV, Maggio R, De Felice F, Marchese C, Dominici C, Tombolini V, Festuccia C, Marampon F. Pharmacological targeting of the ephrin receptor kinase signalling by GLPG1790 in vitro and in vivo reverts oncophenotype, induces myogenic differentiation and radiosensitizes embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma cells. J Hematol Oncol 2017; 10:161. [PMID: 28985758 PMCID: PMC6389084 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-017-0530-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background EPH (erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular) receptors are clinically relevant targets in several malignancies. This report describes the effects of GLPG1790, a new potent pan-EPH inhibitor, in human embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) cell lines. Methods EPH-A2 and Ephrin-A1 mRNA expression was quantified by real-time PCR in 14 ERMS tumour samples and in normal skeletal muscle (NSM). GLPG1790 effects were tested in RD and TE671 cell lines, two in vitro models of ERMS, by performing flow cytometry analysis, Western blotting and immunofluorescence experiments. RNA interfering experiments were performed to assess the role of specific EPH receptors. Radiations were delivered using an x-6 MV photon linear accelerator. GLPG1790 (30 mg/kg) in vivo activity alone or in combination with irradiation (2 Gy) was determined in murine xenografts. Results Our study showed, for the first time, a significant upregulation of EPH-A2 receptor and Ephrin-A1 ligand in ERMS primary biopsies in comparison to NSM. GLPG1790 in vitro induced G1-growth arrest as demonstrated by Rb, Cyclin A and Cyclin B1 decrease, as well as by p21 and p27 increment. GLPG1790 reduced migratory capacity and clonogenic potential of ERMS cells, prevented rhabdosphere formation and downregulated CD133, CXCR4 and Nanog stem cell markers. Drug treatment committed ERMS cells towards skeletal muscle differentiation by inducing a myogenic-like phenotype and increasing MYOD1, Myogenin and MyHC levels. Furthermore, GLPG1790 significantly radiosensitized ERMS cells by impairing the DNA double-strand break repair pathway. Silencing of both EPH-A2 and EPH-B2, two receptors preferentially targeted by GLPG1790, closely matched the effects of the EPH pharmacological inhibition. GLPG1790 and radiation combined treatments reduced tumour mass by 83% in mouse TE671 xenografts. Conclusions Taken together, our data suggest that altered EPH signalling plays a key role in ERMS development and that its pharmacological inhibition might represent a potential therapeutic strategy to impair stemness and to rescue myogenic program in ERMS cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Megiorni
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Division of Radiation Oncology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Simona Camero
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Ceccarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Del Fattore
- Multi-Factorial Disease and Complex Phenotype Research Area, Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Desiderio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biotechnology and Medical Histology and Embriology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Papaccio
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Surgery "F. Magrassi A. Lanzara", Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Heather P McDowell
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Department of Oncology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Rajeev Shukla
- Department of Perinatal and Paediatric Pathology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Antonio Pizzuti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Filip Beirinckx
- Galapagos NV, Industriepark Mechelen Noord, General De Wittelaan L11 A3, 2880, Mechelen, Belgium
| | - Philippe Pujuguet
- Galapagos France, 102 avenue Gaston Roussel, 93230, Romainville, France
| | - Laurent Saniere
- Galapagos France, 102 avenue Gaston Roussel, 93230, Romainville, France
| | - Ellen Van der Aar
- Galapagos NV, Industriepark Mechelen Noord, General De Wittelaan L11 A3, 2880, Mechelen, Belgium
| | - Roberto Maggio
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Division of Pharmacology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesca De Felice
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Marchese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Dominici
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Tombolini
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Festuccia
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Division of Radiation Oncology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Division of Radiation Oncology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
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12
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Megiorni F, Colaiacovo M, Cialfi S, McDowell HP, Guffanti A, Camero S, Felsani A, Losty PD, Pizer B, Shukla R, Cappelli C, Ferrara E, Pizzuti A, Moles A, Dominici C. A sketch of known and novel MYCN-associated miRNA networks in neuroblastoma. Oncol Rep 2017; 38:3-20. [PMID: 28586032 PMCID: PMC5492854 DOI: 10.3892/or.2017.5701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) originates from neural crest-derived precursors and represents the most common childhood extracranial solid tumour. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs that participate in a wide variety of biological processes by regulating gene expression, appear to play an essential role within the NB context. High-throughput next generation sequencing (NGS) was applied to study the miRNA transcriptome in a cohort of NB tumours with and without MYCN-amplification (MNA and MNnA, respectively) and in dorsal root ganglia (DRG), as a control. Out of the 128 miRNAs differentially expressed in the NB vs. DRG comparison, 47 were expressed at higher levels, while 81 were expressed at lower levels in the NB tumours. We also found that 23 miRNAs were differentially expressed in NB with or without MYCN-amplification, with 17 miRNAs being upregulated and 6 being downregulated in the MNA subtypes. Functional annotation analysis of the target genes of these differentially expressed miRNAs demonstrated that many mRNAs were involved in cancer-related pathways, such as DNA-repair and apoptosis as well as FGFR and EGFR signalling. In particular, we found that miR-628-3p negatively affects MYCN gene expression. Furthermore, we identified a novel miRNA candidate with variable expression in MNA vs. MNnA tumours, whose putative target genes are implicated in the mTOR pathway. The present study provides further insight into the molecular mechanisms that correlate miRNA dysregulation to NB development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Megiorni
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Samantha Cialfi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Heather P McDowell
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Simona Camero
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Paul D Losty
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, L12 2AP Liverpool, UK
| | - Barry Pizer
- Department of Oncology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, L12 2AP Liverpool, UK
| | - Rajeev Shukla
- Department of Perinatal and Paediatric Pathology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, L12 2AP Liverpool, UK
| | - Carlo Cappelli
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Eva Ferrara
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Pizzuti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Moles
- Genomnia s.r.l., I-20091 Bresso, MI, Italy
| | - Carlo Dominici
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy
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13
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Megiorni F, Camero S, Ceccarelli S, McDowell HP, Mannarino O, Marampon F, Pizer B, Shukla R, Pizzuti A, Marchese C, Clerico A, Dominici C. DNMT3B in vitro knocking-down is able to reverse embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma cell phenotype through inhibition of proliferation and induction of myogenic differentiation. Oncotarget 2016; 7:79342-79356. [PMID: 27764816 PMCID: PMC5346718 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant DNA methylation has been frequently observed in many human cancers, including rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. To date, the expression and function of the de novo DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) 3B in RMS have not yet been investigated. Our study show for the first time a significant up-regulation of DNMT3B levels in 14 RMS tumour samples and 4 RMS cell lines in comparison to normal skeletal muscle. Transfection of RD and TE671 cells, two in vitro models of embryonal RMS (ERMS), with a synthetic DNMT3B siRNA decreased cell proliferation by arresting cell cycle at G1 phase, as demonstrated by the reduced expression of Cyclin B1, Cyclin D1 and Cyclin E2, and by the concomitant up-regulation of the checkpoint regulators p21 and p27. DNMT3B depletion also impaired RB phosphorylation status and decreased migratory capacity and clonogenic potential. Interestingly, DNMT3B knock-down was able to commit ERMS cells towards myogenic terminal differentiation, as confirmed by the acquisition of a myogenic-like phenotype and by the increased expression of the myogenic markers MYOD1, Myogenin and MyHC. Finally, inhibition of MEK/ERK signalling by U0126 resulted in a reduction of DNMT3B protein, giving evidence that DNMT3B is a down-stream molecule of this oncogenic pathway.Taken together, our data indicate that altered expression of DNMT3B plays a key role in ERMS development since its silencing is able to reverse cell cancer phenotype by rescuing myogenic program. Epigenetic therapy, by targeting the DNA methylation machinery, may represent a novel therapeutic strategy against RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Megiorni
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Camero
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Ceccarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Heather P. McDowell
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Department of Oncology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Olga Mannarino
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Barry Pizer
- Department of Oncology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Rajeev Shukla
- Department of Perinatal and Paediatric Pathology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Antonio Pizzuti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Marchese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Clerico
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Dominici
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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14
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Abstract
The authors describe a new exper imental model for lymphedema of rabbit ear. The method proved to be reliable and easily reproducible. The dilatation of lymph vessels after ex perimental provocation of lymphe dema permits study of the physio pathologic basis of lymphovenous shunts created by means of micro surgery and proves to be helpful for the microsurgeon's practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Dominici
- Department of Clinical Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - S. De Leo
- Department of Clinical Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - P. Covarelli
- Department of Clinical Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - M. Cordellini
- Department of Clinical Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - D. Severini
- Department of Clinical Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - D. Giusti
- Department of Clinical Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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15
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Nardella M, Guglielmi L, Musa C, Iannetti I, Maresca G, Amendola D, Porru M, Carico E, Sessa G, Camerlingo R, Dominici C, Megiorni F, Milan M, Bearzi C, Rizzi R, Pirozzi G, Leonetti C, Bucci B, Mercanti D, Felsani A, D'Agnano I. Down-regulation of the Lamin A/C in neuroblastoma triggers the expansion of tumor initiating cells. Oncotarget 2016; 6:32821-40. [PMID: 26439802 PMCID: PMC4741732 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 08/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-initiating cells constitute a population within a tumor mass that shares properties with normal stem cells and is considered responsible for therapy failure in many cancers. We have previously demonstrated that knockdown of the nuclear envelope component Lamin A/C in human neuroblastoma cells inhibits retinoic acid-mediated differentiation and results in a more aggressive phenotype. In addition, Lamin A/C is often lost in advanced tumors and changes in the nuclear envelope composition occur during tumor progression. Based on our previous data and considering that Lamin A/C is expressed in differentiated tissues, we hypothesize that the lack of Lamin A/C could predispose cells toward a stem-like phenotype, thus influencing the development of tumor-initiating cells in neuroblastoma. This paper demonstrates that knockdown of Lamin A/C triggers the development of a tumor-initiating cell population with self-renewing features in human neuroblastoma cells. We also demonstrates that the development of TICs is due to an increased expression of MYCN gene and that in neuroblastoma exists an inverse relationship between LMNA and MYCN expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Nardella
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology-CNR, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Loredana Guglielmi
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology-CNR, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Musa
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology-CNR, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Iannetti
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology-CNR, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Maresca
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology-CNR, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Elisabetta Carico
- UOD Cytopathology, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sessa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, National Cancer Institute-IRCCS "Fondazione G. Pascale", Naples, Italy
| | - Rosalba Camerlingo
- Department of Experimental Oncology, National Cancer Institute-IRCCS "Fondazione G. Pascale", Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Dominici
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,School of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca Megiorni
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Marika Milan
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology-CNR, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Bearzi
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology-CNR, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy.,I.R.C.C.S Multimedica, Scientific and Technology Pole, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Rizzi
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology-CNR, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy.,I.R.C.C.S Multimedica, Scientific and Technology Pole, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pirozzi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, National Cancer Institute-IRCCS "Fondazione G. Pascale", Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Delio Mercanti
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology-CNR, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Armando Felsani
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology-CNR, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Igea D'Agnano
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology-CNR, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
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16
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Megiorni F, McDowell HP, Camero S, Mannarino O, Ceccarelli S, Paiano M, Losty PD, Pizer B, Shukla R, Pizzuti A, Clerico A, Dominici C. Crizotinib-induced antitumour activity in human alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cells is not solely dependent on ALK and MET inhibition. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2015; 34:112. [PMID: 26445453 PMCID: PMC4596370 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-015-0228-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Background Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most commonly diagnosed malignant soft tissue tumour in children and adolescents. Aberrant expression of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) and MET gene has been implicated in the malignant progression of RMS, especially in the alveolar subtype. This observation suggests that crizotinib (PF-02341066), a kinase inhibitor against ALK and MET, may have a therapeutic role in RMS, although its antitumour activity in this malignancy has not yet been studied. Methods RH4 and RH30 alveolar RMS (ARMS) cell lines were treated with crizotinib and then assessed by using proliferation, viability, migration and colony formation assays. Multiple approaches, including flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, western blotting and siRNA-based knock-down, were used in order to investigate possible molecular mechanisms linked to crizotinib activity. Results In vitro treatment with crizotinib inhibited ALK and MET proteins, as well as Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Receptor (IGF1R), with a concomitant robust dephosphorylation of AKT and ERK, two downstream kinases involved in RMS cell proliferation and survival. Exposure to crizotinib impaired cell growth, and accumulation at G2/M phase was attributed to an altered expression and activation of checkpoint regulators, such as Cyclin B1 and Cdc2. Crizotinib was able to induce apoptosis and autophagy in a dose-dependent manner, as shown by caspase-3 activation/PARP proteolytic cleavage down-regulation and by LC3 activation/p62 down-regulation, respectively. The accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) seemed to contribute to crizotinib effects in RH4 and RH30 cells. Moreover, crizotinib-treated RH4 and RH30 cells exhibited a decreased migratory/invasive capacity and clonogenic potential. Conclusions These results provide a further insight into the molecular mechanisms affected by crizotinib in ARMS cells inferring that it could be a useful therapeutic tool in ARMS cancer treatment. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13046-015-0228-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Megiorni
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Heather P McDowell
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy. .,Department of Oncology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Eaton Road, L12 2AP, Liverpool, UK.
| | - Simona Camero
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Olga Mannarino
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Simona Ceccarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Milena Paiano
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Paul D Losty
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust; Academic Paediatric Surgery Unit, University of Liverpool, Eaton Road, L12 2AP, Liverpool, UK.
| | - Barry Pizer
- Department of Oncology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Eaton Road, L12 2AP, Liverpool, UK.
| | - Rajeev Shukla
- Department of Perinatal and Paediatric Pathology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Eaton Road, L12 2AP, Liverpool, UK.
| | - Antonio Pizzuti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Anna Clerico
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Carlo Dominici
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy.
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17
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Garavelli L, Cordeddu V, Errico S, Bertolini P, Street ME, Rosato S, Pollazzon M, Wischmeijer A, Ivanovski I, Daniele P, Bacchini E, Lombardi AA, Izzi G, Biasucci G, Del Rossi C, Corradi D, Cazzaniga G, Dominici C, Rossi C, De Luca A, Bernasconi S, Riccardi R, Legius E, Tartaglia M. Noonan syndrome-like disorder with loose anagen hair: a second case with neuroblastoma. Am J Med Genet A 2015; 167A:1902-7. [PMID: 25846317 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.37082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Accepted: 03/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Noonan-like syndrome with loose anagen hair (NSLH), also known as Mazzanti syndrome, is a RASopathy characterized by craniofacial features resembling Noonan syndrome, cardiac defects, cognitive deficits and behavioral issues, reduced growth generally associated with GH deficit, darkly pigmented skin, and an unique combination of ectodermal anomalies. Virtually all cases of NSLH are caused by an invariant and functionally unique mutation in SHOC2 (c.4A>G, p.Ser2Gly). Here, we report on a child with molecularly confirmed NSLH who developed a neuroblastoma, first suspected at the age 3 months by abdominal ultrasound examination. Based on this finding, scanning of the SHOC2 coding sequence encompassing the c.4A>G change was performed on selected pediatric cohorts of malignancies documented to occur in RASopathies (i.e., neuroblastoma, brain tumors, rhabdomyosarcoma, acute lymphoblastic, and myeloid leukemia), but failed to identify a functionally relevant cancer-associated variant. While these results do not support a major role of somatic SHOC2 mutations in these pediatric cancers, this second instance of neuroblastoma in NSLAH suggests a possible predisposition to this malignancy in subjects heterozygous for the c.4A>G SHOC2 mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Garavelli
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Pediatrics, IRCCS S. Maria Nuova Hospital, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Viviana Cordeddu
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Errico
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Pediatrics, IRCCS S. Maria Nuova Hospital, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Patrizia Bertolini
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Simonetta Rosato
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Pediatrics, IRCCS S. Maria Nuova Hospital, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Marzia Pollazzon
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Pediatrics, IRCCS S. Maria Nuova Hospital, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Anita Wischmeijer
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Pediatrics, IRCCS S. Maria Nuova Hospital, Reggio Emilia, Italy.,Department of Medical Genetics, Policlinico Sant'Orsola-Malpighi, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Ivan Ivanovski
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Pediatrics, IRCCS S. Maria Nuova Hospital, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Paola Daniele
- IRCCS-Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Hospital, Mendel Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Ermanno Bacchini
- Department of Pediatrics Radiology, Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Giancarlo Izzi
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy
| | - Giacomo Biasucci
- Department of Pediatrics, "Guglielmo da Saliceto" Hospital, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Carmine Del Rossi
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Cazzaniga
- Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Ospedale San Gerardo/Fondazione MBBM, Monza, Italy
| | - Carlo Dominici
- Department of Pediatrics, Università "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Cesare Rossi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Policlinico Sant'Orsola-Malpighi, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandro De Luca
- IRCCS-Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Hospital, Mendel Institute, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Riccardo Riccardi
- Department of Pediatrics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Eric Legius
- Department of Human Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marco Tartaglia
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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Megiorni F, Cialfi S, McDowell HP, Felsani A, Camero S, Guffanti A, Pizer B, Clerico A, De Grazia A, Pizzuti A, Moles A, Dominici C. Deep Sequencing the microRNA profile in rhabdomyosarcoma reveals down-regulation of miR-378 family members. BMC Cancer 2014; 14:880. [PMID: 25427715 PMCID: PMC4289215 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-14-880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2014] [Accepted: 11/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a highly malignant tumour accounting for nearly half of soft tissue sarcomas in children. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent a class of short, non-coding, regulatory RNAs which play a critical role in different cellular processes. Altered miRNA levels have been reported in human cancers, including RMS. METHODS Using deep sequencing technology, a total of 685 miRNAs were investigated in a group of alveolar RMSs (ARMSs), embryonal RMSs (ERMSs) as well as in normal skeletal muscle (NSM). Q-PCR, MTT, cytofluorimetry, migration assay, western blot and immunofluorescence experiments were carried out to determine the role of miR-378a-3p in cancer cell growth, apoptosis, migration and differentiation. Bioinformatics pipelines were used for miRNA target prediction and clustering analysis. RESULTS Ninety-seven miRNAs were significantly deregulated in ARMS and ERMS when compared to NSM. MiR-378 family members were dramatically decreased in RMS tumour tissue and cell lines. Interestingly, members of the miR-378 family presented as a possible target the insulin-like growth factor receptor 1 (IGF1R), a key signalling molecule in RMS. MiR-378a-3p over-expression in an RMS-derived cell line suppressed IGF1R expression and affected phosphorylated-Akt protein levels. Ectopic expression of miR-378a-3p caused significant changes in apoptosis, cell migration, cytoskeleton organization as well as a modulation of the muscular markers MyoD1, MyoR, desmin and MyHC. In addition, DNA demethylation by 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) was able to up-regulate miR-378a-3p levels with a concomitant induction of apoptosis, decrease in cell viability and cell cycle arrest in G2-phase. Cells treated with 5-aza-dC clearly changed their morphology and expressed moderate levels of MyHC. CONCLUSIONS MiR-378a-3p may function as a tumour suppressor in RMS and the restoration of its expression would be of therapeutic benefit in RMS. Furthermore, the role of epigenetic modifications in RMS deserves further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Megiorni
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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Abstract
Wilms' tumor (WT) is a common childhood renal cancer. A 25-year single center UK experience is reported. During 1985-2010, 97 children underwent immediate nephrectomy or delayed resection of tumor after chemotherapy. Survival, morbidity, and late effects following treatment are described. Tumor distribution was: Stage I, 25.7% (n = 25); Stage II, 24.7% (n = 24); Stage III, 26.8% (n = 26); Stage IV, 17.5% (n = 17); and Stage V, 5.2% (n = 5). Immediate nephrectomy was performed in 39% (n = 38) patients with elective delayed resection in 61% (n = 59) cases. Ten patients had cavotomy to excise tumor involving vena cava territory. Two cases required cardiopulmonary bypass. Tumor rupture was recorded in eight (8.5%) total operated cases-after immediate (n = 5/37), 13.5% vs delayed nephrectomy-(n = 3/57), 5.2%; X(2) P = .154. From 2001 onwards, one case of tumor rupture was recorded at this center after the universal adoption of UKW3 and SIOP guidelines advocating preoperative chemotherapy and delayed nephrectomy for all WT. Three treatment-related deaths occurred-hepatic veno-occlusive disease (n = 2) with actinomycin D and a single WT fatality due to vascular injury. Overall survival was 84.5% (82/97 cases). Two patients developed "late malignancies" -thyroid cancer and a basal cell carcinoma. This study demonstrates excellent survival for WT comparable with national outcomes and international cooperative studies. Adverse events with chemotherapy and surgery, including "late onset," second malignancies deserve special consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Fawkner-Corbett
- 1Department of Paediatric Surgery, Institute of Child Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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20
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Veschi V, Petroni M, Bartolazzi A, Altavista P, Dominici C, Capalbo C, Boldrini R, Castellano A, McDowell HP, Pizer B, Frati L, Screpanti I, Gulino A, Giannini G. Galectin-3 is a marker of favorable prognosis and a biologically relevant molecule in neuroblastic tumors. Cell Death Dis 2014; 5:e1100. [PMID: 24603328 PMCID: PMC3973198 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2014.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2013] [Revised: 01/16/2014] [Accepted: 01/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Childhood neuroblastic tumors are characterized by heterogeneous clinical courses, ranging from benign ganglioneuroma (GN) to highly lethal neuroblastoma (NB). Although a refined prognostic evaluation and risk stratification of each tumor patient is becoming increasingly essential to personalize treatment options, currently only few biomolecular markers (essentially MYCN amplification, chromosome 11q status and DNA ploidy) are validated for this purpose in neuroblastic tumors. Here we report that Galectin-3 (Gal-3), a β-galactoside-binding lectin involved in multiple biological functions that has already acquired diagnostic relevance in specific clinical settings, is variably expressed in most differentiated and less aggressive neuroblastic tumors, such as GN and ganglioneuroblastoma, as well as in a subset of NB cases. Gal-3 expression is associated with the INPC histopathological categorization (P<0.001) and Shimada favorable phenotype (P=0.001), but not with other prognostically relevant features. Importantly, Gal-3 expression was associated with a better 5-year overall survival (P=0.003), and with improved cumulative survival in patient subsets at worse prognosis, such as older age at diagnosis, advanced stages or NB histopathological classification. In vitro, Gal-3 expression and nuclear accumulation accompanied retinoic acid-induced cell differentiation in NB cell lines. Forced Gal-3 overexpression increased phenotypic differentiation and substrate adherence, while inhibiting proliferation. Altogether, these findings suggest that Gal-3 is a biologically relevant player for neuroblastic tumors, whose determination by conventional immunohistochemistry might be used for outcome assessment and patient's risk stratification in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Veschi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - M Petroni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - A Bartolazzi
- 1] Department of Pathology, St. Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy [2] Pathology Research Laboratory, Cancer Center Karolinska (CCK), Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - P Altavista
- Unit of Radiation Biology and Human Health, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Research Center Casaccia, Rome, Italy
| | - C Dominici
- 1] Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy [2] School of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Liverpool University, Liverpool, UK
| | - C Capalbo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - R Boldrini
- Division of Pathology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - A Castellano
- Division of Oncology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - H P McDowell
- 1] Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy [2] School of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Liverpool University, Liverpool, UK
| | - B Pizer
- Department of Oncology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - L Frati
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - I Screpanti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - A Gulino
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - G Giannini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
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Megiorni F, Cialfi S, Cimino G, De Biase R, Savi D, Dominici C, Quattrucci S, Pizzuti A. WS20.2 Over-expression of miR-494 and miR-145 correlates with CFTR and SMAD3 down-regulation in cystic fibrosis patients. J Cyst Fibros 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/s1569-1993(13)60124-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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22
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Calafiore L, Amoroso L, Della Casa Alberighi O, Luksch R, Zanazzo G, Castellano A, Podda M, Dominici C, Haupt R, Corrias M, Garaventa A. Two-stage phase II study of imatinib mesylate in subjects with refractory or relapsing neuroblastoma. Ann Oncol 2013; 24:1406-13. [DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mds648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
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23
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Veschi V, Petroni M, Cardinali B, Dominici C, Screpanti I, Frati L, Bartolazzi A, Gulino A, Giannini G. Galectin-3 impairment of MYCN-dependent apoptosis-sensitive phenotype is antagonized by nutlin-3 in neuroblastoma cells. PLoS One 2012; 7:e49139. [PMID: 23152863 PMCID: PMC3494673 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0049139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2012] [Accepted: 10/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
MYCN amplification occurs in about 20–25% of human neuroblastomas and characterizes the majority of the high-risk cases, which display less than 50% prolonged survival rate despite intense multimodal treatment. Somehow paradoxically, MYCN also sensitizes neuroblastoma cells to apoptosis, understanding the molecular mechanisms of which might be relevant for the therapy of MYCN amplified neuroblastoma. We recently reported that the apoptosis-sensitive phenotype induced by MYCN is linked to stabilization of p53 and its proapoptotic kinase HIPK2. In MYCN primed neuroblastoma cells, further activation of both HIPK2 and p53 by Nutlin-3 leads to massive apoptosis in vitro and to tumor shrinkage and impairment of metastasis in xenograft models. Here we report that Galectin-3 impairs MYCN-primed and HIPK2-p53-dependent apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells. Galectin-3 is broadly expressed in human neuroblastoma cell lines and tumors and is repressed by MYCN to induce the apoptosis-sensitive phenotype. Despite its reduced levels, Galectin-3 can still exert residual antiapoptotic effects in MYCN amplified neuroblastoma cells, possibly due to its specific subcellular localization. Importantly, Nutlin-3 represses Galectin-3 expression, and this is required for its potent cell killing effect on MYCN amplified cell lines. Our data further characterize the apoptosis-sensitive phenotype induced by MYCN, expand our understanding of the activity of MDM2-p53 antagonists and highlight Galectin-3 as a potential biomarker for the tailored p53 reactivation therapy in patients with high-risk neuroblastomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Veschi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Beatrice Cardinali
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council, Monterotondo Scalo, Italy
| | - Carlo Dominici
- Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
- School of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Liverpool University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | - Luigi Frati
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Armando Bartolazzi
- Experimental Pathology Laboratory, S. Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
- Cancer Center Karolinska (CCK) R8∶04, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alberto Gulino
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Giannini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Schiavetti A, McDowell HP, Conti L, Altavista P, Antenucci A, Pizer B, Dominici C. Vascular endothelial growth factor serum levels in children with newly diagnosed rhabdomyosarcoma. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 59:627-30. [PMID: 22231858 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.24072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2011] [Accepted: 12/13/2011] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The adverse prognostic impact of elevated levels of circulating Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is described in several malignancies. However, no information is available in childhood rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). In the present study, serum VEGF-A (sVEGF-A) was measured at diagnosis in a series of patients with RMS. PROCEDURE sVEGF-A was assessed retrospectively in 17 newly diagnosed RMS patients. sVEGF-A concentrations were determined by quantitative enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent ELISA kit and their possible associations with age at diagnosis, gender, histology, primary site, primary size, Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study (IRS) post-surgical group, and outcome were investigated. RESULTS sVEGF-A median value in patients with RMS was significantly higher than in controls: 499.0 pg/ml, range: 2,648.0 versus 301.5 pg/ml, range: 716.0 (P = 0.013). Although not statistically significant probably due to the limited number of patients, sVEGF-A median levels resulted higher in unfavorable primary sites (277.0 vs. 539.0 pg/ml; P = 0.31), and advanced groups (390.0 vs. 715.0; P = 0.29). Patients with shorter 5-year overall survival (OS) and 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) times also had higher sVEGF-A levels, although again the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.18 and P = 0.22, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Circulating VEGF is significantly increased in pediatric patients with newly diagnosed RMS. Further studies in larger series of RMS patients are needed to understand whether measurements of circulating VEGF might have a role in assessing prognosis and modulating treatment.
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Cialfi S, Palermo R, Manca S, Checquolo S, Bellavia D, Pelullo M, Quaranta R, Dominici C, Gulino A, Screpanti I, Talora C. Glucocorticoid sensitivity of T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma is associated with glucocorticoid receptor-mediated inhibition of Notch1 expression. Leukemia 2012; 27:485-8. [PMID: 22846929 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2012.192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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26
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Megiorni F, Cialfi S, Dominici C, Quattrucci S, Pizzuti A. Synergistic post-transcriptional regulation of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane conductance Regulator (CFTR) by miR-101 and miR-494 specific binding. PLoS One 2011; 6:e26601. [PMID: 22028919 PMCID: PMC3197680 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0026601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2011] [Accepted: 09/29/2011] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of regulatory small non-coding molecules that control gene expression at post-transcriptional level. Deregulation of miRNA functions affects a variety of biological processes also involved in the etiology of several human mendelian and complex diseases. Recently, aberrant miRNA expression has been observed in Cystic Fibrosis (CF), an autosomal-recessive genetic disorder caused by mutations in the CFTR gene, in which a genotype-phenotype correlation is not always found. In order to determine miRNA role in CFTR post-transcriptional regulation, we searched for miR-responsive elements in the CFTR 3′-UTR. In silico analysis, performed using different computational on-line programs, identified some putative miRNAs. Both miR-101 and miR-494 synthetic mimics significantly inhibited the expression of a reporter construct containing the 3′-UTR of CFTR in luciferase assays. Interestingly, miR-101/miR-494 combination was able to markedly suppress CFTR activity by approximately 80% (p<0.001). This is one of the first in vitro studies implicating microRNAs as negative regulators of the CFTR gene expression. miRNA aberrant expression and function might explain the wide phenotypic variability observed among CF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Megiorni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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27
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Levard C, Masion A, Rose J, Doelsch E, Borschneck D, Olivi L, Chaurand P, Dominici C, Ziarelli F, Thill A, Maillet P, Bottero JY. Synthesis of Ge-imogolite: influence of the hydrolysis ratio on the structure of the nanotubes. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2011; 13:14516-22. [DOI: 10.1039/c1cp20346k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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28
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Petroni M, Veschi V, Prodosmo A, Rinaldo C, Massimi I, Carbonari M, Dominici C, McDowell HP, Rinaldi C, Screpanti I, Frati L, Bartolazzi A, Gulino A, Soddu S, Giannini G. MYCN sensitizes human neuroblastoma to apoptosis by HIPK2 activation through a DNA damage response. Mol Cancer Res 2010; 9:67-77. [PMID: 21173028 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-10-0227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
MYCN amplification occurs in approximately 20% of human neuroblastomas and is associated with early tumor progression and poor outcome, despite intensive multimodal treatment. However, MYCN overexpression also sensitizes neuroblastoma cells to apoptosis. Thus, uncovering the molecular mechanisms linking MYCN to apoptosis might contribute to designing more efficient therapies for MYCN-amplified tumors. Here we show that MYCN-dependent sensitization to apoptosis requires activation of p53 and its phosphorylation at serine 46. The p53(S46) kinase HIPK2 accumulates on MYCN expression, and its depletion by RNA interference impairs p53(S46) phosphorylation and apoptosis. Remarkably, MYCN induces a DNA damage response that accounts for the inhibition of HIPK2 degradation through an ATM- and NBS1-dependent pathway. Prompted by the rare occurrence of p53 mutations and by the broad expression of HIPK2 in our human neuroblastoma series, we evaluated the effects of the p53-reactivating compound Nutlin-3 on this pathway. At variance from other tumor histotypes, in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma, Nutlin-3 further induced HIPK2 accumulation, p53(S46) phosphorylation, and apoptosis, and in combination with clastogenic agents purged virtually the entire cell population. Altogether, our data uncover a novel mechanism linking MYCN to apoptosis that can be triggered by the p53-reactivating compound Nutlin-3, supporting its use in the most difficult-to-treat subset of neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marialaura Petroni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale Regina Elena, 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
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Limage S, Schmitt M, Vincent-Bonnieu S, Dominici C, Antoni M. Characterization of solid-stabilized water/oil emulsions by scanning electron microscopy. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2010.02.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Cialfi S, McDowell HP, Altavista P, Boldrini R, Bosco S, Clerico A, Jenkner A, Kokai G, Pizer B, Dominici C. ABC drug transporter gene expression in neuroblastoma. J Clin Oncol 2010. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2010.28.15_suppl.9524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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31
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Donfrancesco A, De Ioris MA, McDowell HP, De Pasquale MD, Ilari I, Jenkner A, Castellano A, Cialfi S, De Laurentis C, Dominici C. Gefitinib in combination with oral topotecan and cyclophosphamide in relapsed neuroblastoma: pharmacological rationale and clinical response. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2010; 54:55-61. [PMID: 19821523 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.22219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
AIM Activity and toxiciy of gefitinib in combination with topotecan and cyclophosphamide (CPA) were evaluated in a case-series of relapsed neuroblastoma (NB) patients. The in vitro activity of the combination was also assessed. PROCEDURE Gefitinib (250 mg/day), topotecan (0.8 mg/m(2)/day), and CPA (50 mg/m(2)/day) (GTC) were administered orally for 14 consecutive days out of 28 days. Antitumor activity of gefitinib as single agent and in combination with either topotecan or CPA was assessed in a panel of NB cell lines. RESULTS Ninety-two courses were given in 10 patients. Grade 4 neutropenia was observed in 7/92 courses (8%) and grade 4 thrombocytopenia in 8/92 (9%). Two patients had a grade 2 liver toxicity, four a grade 1/2 skin toxicity, and two a grade 1/2 diarrhea. Dose reduction of topotecan and/or CPA was required in eight patients. After four courses, three patients were in partial response (PR) and four with a stable disease (SD), while three experienced a progressive disease (PD). Time to progression (TTP) was 9 months (range, 1-27). After a median follow-up of 16 months (range 5-54), seven patients are died of disease (DOD) and three alive with disease (AWD). All but one patient discontinued oral chemotherapy because of a PD, whilst one patient stopped chemotherapy after 27 months with a SD. In vitro, gefitinib was synergistic with topotecan and additive with CPA. CONCLUSION The GTC combination was well tolerated and the TTP was encouraging. These promising results, also supported by in vitro evidence, should be further confirmed in a phase II study.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Mullassery
- Academic Paediatric Surgery, Division of Child Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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Vitali R, Mancini C, Cesi V, Tanno B, Piscitelli M, Mancuso M, Sesti F, Pasquali E, Calabretta B, Dominici C, Raschellà G. Activity of tyrosine kinase inhibitor Dasatinib in neuroblastoma cells in vitro and in orthotopic mouse model. Int J Cancer 2009; 125:2547-55. [PMID: 19623650 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.24606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Stage 4 neuroblastoma (NB) is a devastating childhood cancer whose poor outcome has remained essentially unchanged in the last 20 years. Receptor tyrosine kinases have important roles in the control of proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of NB cells. Thus, we tested the activity of second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor Dasatinib in human NB cell lines in vitro and in an orthotopic mouse model. Dasatinib inhibited cell viability with an IC(50) in the submicromolar range in 7 of 10 tested cell lines. In sensitive cells, Dasatinib reduced anchorage-independent growth and, in some instances, induced senescence and apoptosis. In HTLA-230 cells, Dasatinib treatment caused down-regulation of c-Kit and c-Src phosphorylation in conjunction with strong inhibition of Erk1/2 and Akt activity. To test the efficacy of Dasatinib in vivo, HTLA-230 and SY5Y cells were orthotopically injected in the adrenal gland of nude mice and drug treatments carried out until day 40. In mice injected with HTLA-230 cells, tumour growth was significantly inhibited at the dose of 30 mg/(kg day) when treatment was started 7 days after injection. In animals injected with SY5Y cells that were exquisitely sensitive in vitro (IC(50)= 92 nM), the antitumour effect of Dasatinib was observed at the dose of 60 mg/(kg day) but only when treatment was started 1 day after injection. However, the anti-tumour effect of Dasatinib in vivo was partial in both orthotopic models, emphasizing the importance of testing candidate new drugs in animal environments closely mimicking the human tumour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Vitali
- Section of Toxicology and Biomedical Sciences, Research Center Casaccia, ENEA, Rome, Italy
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Martinelli S, McDowell HP, Vigne SD, Kokai G, Uccini S, Tartaglia M, Dominici C. RAS signaling dysregulation in human embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2009; 48:975-82. [DOI: 10.1002/gcc.20702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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Evangelisti C, Florian MC, Massimi I, Dominici C, Giannini G, Galardi S, Buè MC, Massalini S, McDowell HP, Messi E, Gulino A, Farace MG, Ciafrè SA. MiR-128 up-regulation inhibits Reelin and DCX expression and reduces neuroblastoma cell motility and invasiveness. FASEB J 2009; 23:4276-87. [PMID: 19713529 DOI: 10.1096/fj.09-134965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs are a class of sophisticated regulators of gene expression, acting as post-transcriptional inhibitors that recognize their target mRNAs through base pairing with short regions along the 3'UTRs. Several microRNAs are tissue specific, suggesting a specialized role in tissue differentiation or maintenance, and quite a few are critically involved in tumorigenesis. We studied miR-128, a brain-enriched microRNA, in retinoic acid-differentiated neuroblastoma cells, and we found that this microRNA is up-regulated in treated cells, where it down-modulates the expression of two proteins involved in the migratory potential of neural cells: Reelin and DCX. Consistently, miR-128 ectopic overexpression suppressed Reelin and DCX, whereas the LNA antisense-mediated miR-128 knockdown caused the two proteins to increase. Ectopic miR-128 overexpression reduced neuroblastoma cell motility and invasiveness, and impaired cell growth. Finally, the analysis of a small series of primary human neuroblastomas showed an association between high levels of miR-128 expression and favorable features, such as favorable Shimada category or very young age at diagnosis. Thus, we provide evidence for a role for miR-128 in the molecular events modulating neuroblastoma progression and aggressiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Evangelisti
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Rome "Tor Vergata," Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Roma, Italy
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McDowell H, Marsilio S, Altavista P, Bosco S, Donfrancesco A, Inserra A, Losty P, Dominici C. 503 POSTER ABCG2 transporter gene expression in childhood rhabdomyosarcoma. EJC Suppl 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/s1359-6349(08)72437-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Vitali R, Mancini C, Cesi V, Tanno B, Mancuso M, Bossi G, Zhang Y, Martinez RV, Calabretta B, Dominici C, Raschellà G. Slug (SNAI2) down-regulation by RNA interference facilitates apoptosis and inhibits invasive growth in neuroblastoma preclinical models. Clin Cancer Res 2008; 14:4622-30. [PMID: 18628477 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-07-5210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We assessed the relevance of Slug (SNAI2) for apoptosis resistance and invasion potential of neuroblastoma cells in vitro and in vivo. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We evaluated the effect of imatinib mesylate on invasion and analyzed the genes modulated by imatinib mesylate treatment in neuroblastoma cells. Slug expression, inhibited by imatinib mesylate treatment, was knocked down in neuroblastoma cells by RNA interference, and the effects on invasion and apoptosis were evaluated in vitro. A pseudometastatic model of neuroblastoma in severe combined immunodeficient mice was used to assess the effects of Slug silencing alone or in combination with imatinib mesylate treatment on metastasis development. RESULTS Microarray analysis revealed that several genes, including Slug, were down-regulated by imatinib mesylate. Slug expression was detectable in 8 of 10 human neuroblastoma cell lines. Two Slug-expressing cell lines were infected with a vector encoding a microRNA to Slug mRNA. Infected cells with reduced levels of Slug were tested for the expression of apoptosis-related genes (p53, Bax, and Bcl-2) identified previously as Slug targets. Bcl-2 was down-regulated in Slug-interfered cells. Slug down-regulation increased sensitivity to apoptosis induced by imatinib mesylate, etoposide, or doxorubicin. Invasion of Slug-silenced cells was reduced in vitro. Animals injected with Slug-silenced cells had fewer tumors than controls and the inhibition of tumor growth was even higher in animals treated with imatinib mesylate. CONCLUSIONS Slug down-regulation facilitates apoptosis induced by proapoptotic drugs in neuroblastoma cells and decreases their invasion capability in vitro and in vivo. Slug inhibition, possibly combined with imatinib mesylate, may represent a novel strategy for treatment of metastatic neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Vitali
- Section of Toxicology and Biomedical Sciences, ENEA Research Center Casaccia, Rome, Italy
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Uccini S, Perotti D, Colarossi C, Stoppacciaro A, Sardella M, Mannarino O, Collini P, Casieri P, Cozzi D, Amoroso L, Spreafico F, Radice P, Dominici C. Molecular evidence of the independent origin of multiple Wilms tumors in a case of WAGR syndrome. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008; 51:344-8. [PMID: 18293378 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.21507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study investigated the genetic events leading to tumorigenesis in a patient affected with WAGR syndrome who developed multiple distinct Wilms tumors (WTs). PROCEDURE AND RESULTS At 1 year of age, the child developed two synchronous bilateral WTs that were resected by partial nephrectomy. Histologically, these tumors were fetal rhabdomyomatous nephroblastomas. Immunohistochemical study revealed the absence of nuclear expression of WT1 protein, while beta-catenin protein was expressed at nuclear level by the large majority of tumor cells. Molecular investigations of WT1 gene and exon 3 of beta-catenin (CTNNB1) gene detected no mutations. At 4 years of age, 28 months after the chemotherapy completion, a third WT was diagnosed in the left kidney, and surgically removed before any further chemotherapy. Nine months after surgery, a metastasis was detected in the left lung. Both the third renal tumor and the lung metastasis showed a blastema-predominant morphology. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the lack of expression of WT1 protein, while beta-catenin protein was expressed at nuclear level by the large majority of tumor cells. Molecular analysis of the third renal tumor and the lung metastasis revealed a 4 bp deletion in exon 7 of WT1 gene, leading to a frameshift of the reading frame and to a premature stop of the translation (c.925_928delACTC, p.T309LfsX71); no mutations in the exon 3 of the beta-catenin gene were documented. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that multiple WTs can arise as a consequence of different genetic events in a patient with genetic predisposition, such as WAGR syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Uccini
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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Diomedi-Camassei F, McDowell HP, De Ioris MA, Uccini S, Altavista P, Raschellà G, Vitali R, Mannarino O, De Sio L, Cozzi DA, Donfrancesco A, Inserra A, Callea F, Dominici C. Clinical significance of CXC chemokine receptor-4 and c-Met in childhood rhabdomyosarcoma. Clin Cancer Res 2008; 14:4119-27. [PMID: 18593989 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-07-4446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The CXC chemokine receptor-4 (CXCR4)/stromal-derived factor-1 and c-Met/hepatocyte growth factor axes promote the metastatic potential of rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines in experimental models, but no data are available on their role in rhabdomyosarcoma tumors. The expressions of CXCR4 and c-Met were evaluated in primary tumors and isolated tumor cells in marrow, and were correlated with clinicopathologic variables and survival. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Forty patients with recently diagnosed rhabdomyosarcoma were retrospectively enrolled. CXCR4 and c-Met expression was investigated in primary tumors by immunohistochemistry, in isolated marrow-infiltrating tumor cells using double-label immunocytology. Results were expressed as the mean percentage of immunostained tumor cells. RESULTS CXCR4 and c-Met were expressed in >/=5% of tumor cells from 40 of 40 tumors, with 14 of 40 cases showing >/=50% of immunostained tumor cells (high expression). High CXCR4 expression correlated with alveolar histology (P = 0.006), unfavorable primary site (P = 0.009), advanced group (P < 0.001), marrow involvement (P = 0.007), and shorter overall survival and event-free survival (P < 0.001); high c-Met expression correlated with alveolar histology (P = 0.005), advanced group (P = 0.04), and marrow involvement (P = 0.02). In patients with a positive diagnosis for isolated tumor cells in marrow (n = 16), a significant enrichment in the percentage of CXCR4-positive (P = 0.001) and c-Met-positive (P = 0.003) tumor cells was shown in marrow aspirates compared with the corresponding primary tumors. CONCLUSIONS CXCR4 and c-Met are widely expressed in both rhabdomyosarcoma subtypes and, at higher levels, in isolated marrow-infiltrating tumor cells. High levels of expression are associated with unfavorable clinical features, tumor marrow involvement and, only for CXCR4, poor outcome. In rhabdomyosarcoma, CXCR4 and c-Met represent novel exploitable targets for disease-directed therapy.
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Cattelani S, Defferrari R, Marsilio S, Bussolari R, Candini O, Corradini F, Ferrari-Amorotti G, Guerzoni C, Pecorari L, Menin C, Bertorelle R, Altavista P, McDowell HP, Boldrini R, Dominici C, Tonini GP, Raschellà G, Calabretta B. Impact of a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in the MDM2 Gene on Neuroblastoma Development and Aggressiveness: Results of a Pilot Study on 239 Patients. Clin Cancer Res 2008; 14:3248-53. [DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-07-4725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Donfrancesco A, Ilari I, De Ioris M, De Pasquale D, Pessolano R, Castellano A, Serra A, De Sio L, Dominici C, Jenkner A. Topotecan-based induction regimen in high-risk neuroblastoma. J Clin Oncol 2008. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2008.26.15_suppl.21001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Berardi AC, Marsilio S, Rofani C, Salvucci O, Altavista P, Perla FM, Diomedi-Camassei F, Uccini S, Kokai G, Landuzzi L, McDowell HP, Dominici C. Up-regulation of EphB and ephrin-B expression in rhabdomyosarcoma. Anticancer Res 2008; 28:763-769. [PMID: 18507018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased expression of Eph receptors and their ephrin ligands has been implicated in promoting angiogenesis and tumour progression in several malignancies. Here the expression of mRNA for ephrin-B and EphB receptors in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cell lines and primary tumours was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Expression of mRNA for ephrin-B and EphB receptors in RMS cell lines and primary tumours was measured by real-time RT-PCR and compared with the expression in normal striated muscle. RESULTS A dysregulation of both ligands and receptors was found in all cell lines. In embryonal tumours, overexpression of ephrin-B1 correlated with overexpression of EphB1 (r = 0.97, p < 0.01) and EphB3 (r = 0.94, p < 0.05); overexpression of ephrin-B2 correlated with overexpression of EphB1 (r = 0.94, p < 0.05), EphB2 (r = 0.88, p < 0.01) and EphB4 (r = 0.76, p < 0.01). In alveolar tumours, no similar correlations were found. A correlation between EphB2 and EphB4 receptors was demonstrated in both tumour types, being positive in embryonal cases (r = 0.81, p < 0.01) and negative in alveolar (r = -1.00, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION A global up-regulation of ephrin-B and EphB receptors in RMS tumours was found. The correlation between EphB2 and EphB4 receptors suggests a possible role for ephrin-B and EphB receptors in RMS development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna C Berardi
- Laboratory of Stem Cells, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, I-00165 Rome, Italy
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Diomedi Camassei F, McDowell HP, De Ioris MA, Altavista P, Cozza R, Donfrancesco A, Inserra A, Callea F, Dominici C. Clinical significance of CXC chemokine receptor-4 (CXCR4) and c-Met in childhood rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) tumors. J Clin Oncol 2007. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2007.25.18_suppl.9510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
9510 Background: Both CXCR4/SDF-1 and c-Met/HGF axes promote invasive growth of RMS cells in experimental models, but no data are available on their expression and significance in RMS tumors. Expression for CXCR4 and c-Met (and their ligands) was evaluated in primary RMS tumors and correlated with clinical features, marrow involvement at diagnosis, overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Methods: Forty newly diagnosed pts, aged 2–180 months (median 58), with embryonal (n. 20) or alveolar (n. 20) RMS admitted between 1994 and 2004 were retrospectively enrolled. The only selection criterion was availability of data on marrow involvement at diagnosis as assessed by cytomorphology and immunocytochemistry for MyoD1 and myogenin. Primary site was favorable (orbit, paratesticular, uterus/vagina) in 7 pts and unfavorable (all the others) in 33. Pts were entered as group I/II (n. 5), III (n. 28) or IV (n. 7) (IRS grouping system). Marrow was infiltrated at diagnosis in 16 pts. Treatment was according to Italian RMS protocols. Expression for CXCR4, SDF-1, c-Met and HGF proteins was investigated by immunohistochemistry. Three separate counts (each >5,000 tumor cells) were performed without knowledge of clinical features and outcome; results expressed as mean percentage of immunostained tumor cells. Student t test, log-rank test, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were applied. Institutional informed consent and ethical approval were obtained. Results: As of December 2006, median follow-up was 60 months, with 25 pts DF, 1 AWD and 14 DOD. CXCR4 and c-Met were expressed in =5% of tumor cells in all cases, but 14/40 tumors showed =50% tumor cell positivity (high expression) for either markers. High CXCR4 expression correlated with alveolar histology (p=0.006), unfavorable primary site (p=0.009), advanced group (p<0.001), marrow involvement (p=0.007), shorter OS and PFS (p<0.001). High c- Met expression with alveolar histology (p=0.005), advanced group (p=0.04), marrow involvement (p=0.02). SDF-1 and HGF were expressed by a lower percentage of tumor cells (1–95% of cells positive for the correspondent receptor). Conclusions: CXCR4/SDF-1 and c-Met/HGF pathways are clinically relevant in children with RMS and represent novel targets for disease-directed therapy. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Diomedi Camassei
- Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy; Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust Alder Hey, Liverpool, United Kingdom; ENEA Research Center Casaccia, Rome, Italy; La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - H. P. McDowell
- Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy; Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust Alder Hey, Liverpool, United Kingdom; ENEA Research Center Casaccia, Rome, Italy; La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - M. A. De Ioris
- Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy; Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust Alder Hey, Liverpool, United Kingdom; ENEA Research Center Casaccia, Rome, Italy; La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - P. Altavista
- Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy; Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust Alder Hey, Liverpool, United Kingdom; ENEA Research Center Casaccia, Rome, Italy; La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - R. Cozza
- Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy; Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust Alder Hey, Liverpool, United Kingdom; ENEA Research Center Casaccia, Rome, Italy; La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - A. Donfrancesco
- Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy; Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust Alder Hey, Liverpool, United Kingdom; ENEA Research Center Casaccia, Rome, Italy; La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - A. Inserra
- Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy; Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust Alder Hey, Liverpool, United Kingdom; ENEA Research Center Casaccia, Rome, Italy; La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - F. Callea
- Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy; Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust Alder Hey, Liverpool, United Kingdom; ENEA Research Center Casaccia, Rome, Italy; La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - C. Dominici
- Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy; Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust Alder Hey, Liverpool, United Kingdom; ENEA Research Center Casaccia, Rome, Italy; La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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Donfrancesco A, De Ioris M, Jenkner A, Ilari I, De Sio L, Castellano A, Fidani P, Serra A, Cozza R, De Laurentis C, Dominici C. Effects of multiple courses of oral gefitinib, topotecan, and cyclophosphamide in poor risk neuroblastoma. J Clin Oncol 2007. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2007.25.18_suppl.20009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
20009 Background: Gefitinib (G) has shown potent inhibitory activity on neuroblastoma (NB) cell proliferation in in vitro models. Experimental data have also reported that the addition of G to cytotoxic drugs can increase in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity in several tumor models, but if this will translate in significant clinical benefits, with respect to survival, is still unclear. We evaluated the feasibility of administering an oral regimen including G combined with topotecan (TPT) and cyclophosphamide (CPA) in heavily pretreated pts with relapsed/resistant metastatic NB. Methods: Patients received oral CPA (50 mg/m2/day) followed by TPT (0.8 mg/m2/day) plus G (at the fixed dose of 250 mg/day) for 14 consecutive days in an outpatient setting. Courses were repeated every 28 days until progression, and response was evaluated every second course. Expression of EGFR mRNA in primary tumors was assessed by real-time RT-PCR. Results: Six pts (1M/5F), median age 5.4 years (range 4.1–8.2), were enrolled between October 2004 and October 2006. All pts were relapsed after high-dose chemotherapy and hemopoietic rescue with PBSCs. At the time of inclusion, 3 pts were in PR after 8 courses of second-line therapy, whilst 2 pts had achieved SD after 1 and 8 courses of second-line therapy, resp; 1 pt had PD right after PBSC rescue. Significant levels of EGFR mRNA were detected in 4/6 tumors. A median of 7.5 courses (range 1–24) per pt were administered. In 4 pts, the dose of TPT and CPA was reduced by 25% after the first course. After a median follow-up of 12 months (range 1–26), 1 pt is DOD at 15 months since the inclusion and 5 pts are alive, 1 in VGPR (26+ months) and 5 with SD (26+, 1+, 4+, 9+ and 18+ months). Median PFS is 7.5 months (range 1–26). Neutropenia grade 4 was observed in 4/6 pts; rash grade 2 in 2 pts, and hepatic (LFT increase) grade 3 toxicity in 1. Conclusions: The regimen was feasible and well tolerated in this series of heavily pretreated pts. PFS is encouraging, but deserves further evaluation and longer follow-up. Additional molecular studies are ongoing aimed at identifying the subset of NB pts most likely to benefit from the synergy between G and cytotoxic drugs observed in preclinical models. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - A. Jenkner
- Ospedale Bambino Gesù IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - I. Ilari
- Ospedale Bambino Gesù IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - L. De Sio
- Ospedale Bambino Gesù IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - P. Fidani
- Ospedale Bambino Gesù IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - A. Serra
- Ospedale Bambino Gesù IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - R. Cozza
- Ospedale Bambino Gesù IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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McDowell HP, Meco D, Riccardi A, Tanno B, Berardi AC, Raschellà G, Riccardi R, Dominici C. Imatinib mesylate potentiates topotecan antitumor activity in rhabdomyosarcoma preclinical models. Int J Cancer 2007; 120:1141-9. [PMID: 17131346 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.22391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
High levels of PDGFR expression in primary rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) have been associated with disease progression. To date however, there are no reports on the activity of imatinib mesylate, a selective PDGFR inhibitor, in RMS preclinical models. A panel of 5 RMS cell lines was used to investigate the expression of PDGFRalpha and PDGFRbeta, c-Kit and the multidrug transporter ABCG2 (also inhibited by imatinib). In vitro and in vivo experiments were performed using RD (embryonal) and RH30 (alveolar) cell lines to determine the efficacy of imatinib as single agent and in combination with topotecan (TPT). PDGFRbeta was significantly expressed in all cell lines, with the highest levels in RD, while PDGFR alpha and ABCG2 were significantly expressed only in RH30 and RMZ-RC2. c-Kit was not detected. PDGFRbeta signaling was active in RD but not in RH30, whilst PDGFRalpha signaling was not active in either cell lines. Significant ABCG2-mediated extrusion of Hoechst 33342 was demonstrated in RH30 but not in RD, and was inhibited by imatinib and the specific ABCG2 inhibitor Ko143. In vitro, imatinib was not active as a single agent at therapeutic concentrations, but significantly potentiated TPT antitumor activity in both cell lines. In vivo experiments using tumor xenografts confirmed the synergistic interaction in both cell lines. These results suggest that at least 2 different mechanisms--inhibition of ABCG2 and/or PDGFRbeta--are involved in the synergistic interaction between imatinib and TPT, and support the use of this combination for the treatment of high-risk RMS patients.
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MESH Headings
- ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2
- ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/analysis
- ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/antagonists & inhibitors
- ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/genetics
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
- Benzamides
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
- Humans
- Imatinib Mesylate
- Mice
- Mice, Nude
- Neoplasm Proteins/analysis
- Neoplasm Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Neoplasm Proteins/genetics
- Piperazines/therapeutic use
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit/analysis
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit/genetics
- Pyrimidines/therapeutic use
- RNA, Messenger/analysis
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor/analysis
- Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor/genetics
- Rhabdomyosarcoma/drug therapy
- Topotecan/therapeutic use
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather P McDowell
- Department of Oncology, Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust Alder Hey, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
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Tanno B, Mancini C, Vitali R, Mancuso M, McDowell HP, Dominici C, Raschellà G. Down-Regulation of Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Receptor Activity by NVP-AEW541 Has an Antitumor Effect on Neuroblastoma Cells In vitro and In vivo. Clin Cancer Res 2006; 12:6772-80. [PMID: 17121898 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-06-1479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Signaling through insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR) is important for growth and survival of many tumor types. Neuroblastoma is sensitive to IGF. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We assessed the ability of NVP-AEW541, a recently developed small molecule that selectively inhibits IGF-IR activity, for neuroblastoma growth effects in vitro and in vivo. Our data showed that, in a panel of 10 neuroblastoma cell lines positive for IGF-IR expression, NVP-AEW541 inhibited in vitro proliferation in a submicromolar/micromolar (0.4-6.8) range of concentrations. RESULTS As expected, NVP-AEW541 inhibited IGF-II-mediated stimulation of IGF-IR and Akt. In addition to growth inhibition, the drug also induced apoptosis in vitro. Oral administration of NVP-AEW541 (50 mg/kg twice daily) inhibited tumor growth of neuroblastoma xenografts in nude mice. Analysis of tumors from the drug-treated animals revealed a marked apoptotic pattern and a decrease in microvascularization compared with controls. Interestingly, quantitative real-time PCR detected both in vitro and in vivo a significant down-regulation of mRNA for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) caused by NVP-AEW541. In addition, in Matrigel-coated chambers and in severe combined immunodeficient mice tail vein injected with neuroblastoma cells, tumor invasiveness was significantly reduced by this agent. Analysis of IGF-IR expression in a series of 43 neuroblastoma primary tumors revealed IGF-IR positivity in 86% of cases. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these data indicate that NVP-AEW541 can be considered as a novel promising candidate for treatment of neuroblastoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Tanno
- Section of Toxicology and Biomedical Sciences, Ente per le Nuove tecnologie l'Energia e l'Ambiente, Research Center Casaccia, La Sapienza University, Department of Pediatrics, Laboratory of Oncology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
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McDowell H, Meco D, Riccardi A, Tanno B, Berardi A, Raschellà G, Riccardi R, Dominici C. 441 POSTER Imatinib mesylate potentiates topotecan antitumor activity in rhabdomyosarcoma preclinical models. EJC Suppl 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/s1359-6349(06)70446-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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48
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Tanno B, Vitali R, De Arcangelis D, Mancini C, Eleuteri P, Dominici C, Raschellà G. Bim-dependent apoptosis follows IGFBP-5 down-regulation in neuroblastoma cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2006; 351:547-52. [PMID: 17067554 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.10.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2006] [Accepted: 10/11/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis is frequently activated in neuroblastoma (NB) tumors and cell lines. We show that silencing endogenous expression of IGF Binding Protein-5 (IGFBP-5) in NB cells by using microRNA and siRNA causes mitochondrial apoptosis that is characterized by: (a) release of cytochrome C in the cytoplasm and activation of caspase 9; (b) Erk1 and Erk2 inhibition; and (c) upregulation of pro-apoptotic proteins Bim and Bax. Bim upregulation is caused, at least in part, by protein stabilization that may depend on inhibition of Erk1 and Erk2. Of interest, Bim knock-down by siRNA decreases apoptosis in IGFBP-5-interfered cells. Thus, inhibition of endogenously produced IGFBP-5 is associated with Bim-dependent apoptosis in NB cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Tanno
- ENEA, Research Center Casaccia, Section of Toxicology and Biomedical Sciences, Rome, Italy
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Servidei T, Riccardi A, Sanguinetti M, Dominici C, Riccardi R. Increased sensitivity to the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor inhibitor STI571 in chemoresistant glioma cells is associated with enhanced PDGF-BB-mediated signaling and STI571-induced Akt inactivation. J Cell Physiol 2006; 208:220-8. [PMID: 16575905 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.20659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) is a tyrosine kinase, implicated in the development and progression of different tumors, including gliomas. Chemoresistance is a common feature of malignant gliomas. Since receptor tyrosine kinases contribute to chemoresistance in tumors, we addressed whether PDGFR signaling might confer selective growth advantage to chemoresistant cells. The effects of the PDGFR inhibitor STI571 on proliferation and PDGFR signaling were compared in chemosensitive and cisplatin-selected, chemoresistant sublines derived from glioma and from two other PDGFR-expressing tumors (ovarian carcinoma and neuroblastoma). The chemoresistant glioma U87/Pt cells were twofold more sensitive to STI571 growth-inhibitory effects than the chemosensitive U87 cells, and two- to threefold more sensitive than five unrelated glioma cell lines. The other two paired cell lines were equally responsive. Sensitization of U87/Pt cells correlated with upregulation of the PDGF-B isoform and with PDGF-BB-induced Akt overactivation, which was prevented by STI571. STI571 specifically inhibited PDGF-BB-, but not PDGF-AA- or stem cell factor-mediated signaling. In serum-containing medium, STI571 decreased phospho-Akt in U87/Pt cells, but not in U87, while activating extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) in both. STI571 antiproliferative effects were partially reverted by constitutively active Akt. Cotreatment with inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3K) or mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) resulted in enhanced growth inhibition in glioma cells. Our results suggest that increased PDGF-BB signaling may sensitize chemoresistant glioma cells to STI571, suggesting a therapeutic potential for STI571 in patients with malignant gliomas refractory to chemotherapy. Simultaneous blockade of PDGFR and PI3K or Erk pathway may enhance therapeutic targeting in gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Servidei
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
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Abstract
PURPOSE We report the off-label study aimed at investigating the use of temozolomide (TMZ) as single agent in relapsed or resistant pediatric solid tumors. The drug was administered at the dose of 215 mg/m2/day x 5 days or 180 mg/m2/day x 5 days in patients with prior craniospinal irradiation (CSI) or autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). PATIENTS AND METHODS Fifty two patients, median age 127.6 months, with resistant or relapsed solid tumors were enrolled. Tumor types were: neuroblastoma (NB; n = 17), medulloblastoma (MB; 8), brain stem glioma (BSG; 8), extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma/peripheral neuroectodermal tumor (EOES; 4), Ewing's sarcoma (ES; 4), anaplastic astrocytoma (AA; 3), rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS; 2), ependymoma (EP; 2), cerebral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (cPNET; 2), hepatocarcinoma (HC; 1), and osteosarcoma (OS; 1). All patients were pre-treated. Two outpatient courses were administered, with a median of 4.8 courses/pt. RESULTS Objective response-rate (CR + PR + MR) in our series was 13.4% (1.9% CR, 3.8% PR, and 7.7% MR), SD occurred in 38.4% of patients and 48% had PD. The median survival was 7.8 months (range 1-37) and median time to progression was 3.4 months (range 1-20); these data were significantly correlated with histology and previous nitrosureas administration in multivariate analysis. Haematological toxicity grade 3-4 (mainly thrombocytopenia) was observed in 21.4% of administered courses, nausea was reported in 3.1% and respiratory distress in 0.7%. CONCLUSION Oral TMZ was well tolerated in children with resistant or relapsed solid tumors and showed activity in NB and CNS tumours refractory to standard chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- L De Sio
- Division and Laboratory of Oncology, Department of Pediatric of Pediatric Oncology Oncology-Haematology and Blood Bank Service, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
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