1
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Larribère L, Martens UM. Advantages and Challenges of Using ctDNA NGS to Assess the Presence of Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) in Solid Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5698. [PMID: 34830853 PMCID: PMC8616165 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to detect minimal residual disease (MRD) after a curative-intent surgery or treatment is of paramount importance, because it offers the possibility to help guide the clinical decisions related adjuvant therapy. Thus, the earlier MRD is detected, the earlier potentially beneficial treatment can be proposed to patients who might need it. Liquid biopsies, and in particular the next-generation sequencing of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the blood, have been the focus of an increasing amount of research in the past years. The ctDNA detection at advanced cancer stages is practicable for several solid tumors, and complements molecular information on acquired therapy resistance. In the context of MRD, it is by definition more challenging to detect ctDNA, but it is technically achievable and provides information on treatment response and probability of relapse significantly earlier than standard imaging methods. The clinical benefit of implementing this new technique in the routine is being tested in interventional clinical trials at the moment. We propose here an update of the current use of ctDNA detection by NGS as a tool to assess the presence of MRD and improve adjuvant treatment of solid tumors. We also discuss the main limitations and medium-term perspectives of this process in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lionel Larribère
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Cancer Center Heilbronn-Franken, SLK Clinics Heilbronn GmbH, 74078 Heilbronn, Germany;
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Uwe M. Martens
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Cancer Center Heilbronn-Franken, SLK Clinics Heilbronn GmbH, 74078 Heilbronn, Germany;
- MOLIT Institute for Personalized Medicine GmbH, 74076 Heilbronn, Germany
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2
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Larribère L, Utikal J. NF1-Dependent Transcriptome Regulation in the Melanocyte Lineage and in Melanoma. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10153350. [PMID: 34362135 PMCID: PMC8347768 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10153350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The precise role played by the tumor suppressor gene NF1 in melanocyte biology and during the transformation into melanoma is not completely understood. In particular, understanding the interaction during melanocyte development between NF1 and key signaling pathways, which are known to be reactivated in advanced melanoma, is still under investigation. Here, we used RNAseq datasets from either situation to better understand the transcriptomic regulation mediated by an NF1 partial loss of function. We found that NF1 mutations had a differential impact on pluripotency and on melanoblast differentiation. In addition, major signaling pathways such as VEGF, senescence/secretome, endothelin, and cAMP/PKA are likely to be upregulated upon NF1 loss of function in both melanoblasts and metastatic melanoma. In sum, these data bring new light on the transcriptome regulation of the NF1-mutated melanoma subgroup and will help improve the possibilities for specific treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lionel Larribère
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Jochen Utikal
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
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3
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Larribère L, Gordejeva J, Kuhnhenn L, Kurscheidt M, Pobiruchin M, Vladimirova D, Martin M, Roser M, Schramm W, Martens UM, Eigenbrod T. Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Healthcare Workers of a German COVID-19 Treatment Center. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:7057. [PMID: 34281000 PMCID: PMC8297119 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18137057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
To date, more than 160 million people have been infected with COVID-19 worldwide. In the present study, we investigated the history of SARS-CoV-2 infection among 3067 healthcare workers (HCW) in a German COVID-19 treatment center during the early phase of the pandemic (July 2020) based on the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and self-reported previous PCR results. The results demonstrate a low prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection (n = 107 [3.5%]) with no increased risk for employees with a high level of patient exposure in general or working in COVID-19-confined areas in particular. This suggests that the local hygiene standards implemented in our hospital during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic were effective in preventing patient-to-HCW transmission. No evidence for highly mobile staff serving as a vector for SARS-CoV-2 transmission could be found. In addition, impairment of smell and/or taste was strongly associated with SARS-CoV-2 history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lionel Larribère
- Cancer Center Heilbronn-Franken, SLK Clinics Heilbronn GmbH, 74078 Heilbronn, Germany; (D.V.); (U.M.M.)
| | - Jelizaveta Gordejeva
- GECKO Institute for Medicine, Informatics and Economics, Hochschule Heilbronn, 74081 Heilbronn, Germany; (J.G.); (M.K.); (M.P.); (W.S.)
| | - Lisa Kuhnhenn
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, SLK Clinics Heilbronn GmbH, 74078 Heilbronn, Germany; (L.K.); (M.R.); (T.E.)
| | - Maximilian Kurscheidt
- GECKO Institute for Medicine, Informatics and Economics, Hochschule Heilbronn, 74081 Heilbronn, Germany; (J.G.); (M.K.); (M.P.); (W.S.)
| | - Monika Pobiruchin
- GECKO Institute for Medicine, Informatics and Economics, Hochschule Heilbronn, 74081 Heilbronn, Germany; (J.G.); (M.K.); (M.P.); (W.S.)
| | - Dilyana Vladimirova
- Cancer Center Heilbronn-Franken, SLK Clinics Heilbronn GmbH, 74078 Heilbronn, Germany; (D.V.); (U.M.M.)
| | - Maria Martin
- Institute for Infection Prevention and Clinical Hygiene, SLK Clinics Heilbronn GmbH, 74078 Heilbronn, Germany;
| | - Markus Roser
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, SLK Clinics Heilbronn GmbH, 74078 Heilbronn, Germany; (L.K.); (M.R.); (T.E.)
| | - Wendelin Schramm
- GECKO Institute for Medicine, Informatics and Economics, Hochschule Heilbronn, 74081 Heilbronn, Germany; (J.G.); (M.K.); (M.P.); (W.S.)
| | - Uwe M. Martens
- Cancer Center Heilbronn-Franken, SLK Clinics Heilbronn GmbH, 74078 Heilbronn, Germany; (D.V.); (U.M.M.)
| | - Tatjana Eigenbrod
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, SLK Clinics Heilbronn GmbH, 74078 Heilbronn, Germany; (L.K.); (M.R.); (T.E.)
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4
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Larribère L, Utikal J. Update on GNA Alterations in Cancer: Implications for Uveal Melanoma Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1524. [PMID: 32532044 PMCID: PMC7352965 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumorigenesis is correlated with abnormal expression and activity of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and associated G proteins. Oncogenic mutations in both GPCRs and G proteins (GNAS, GNAQ or GNA11) encoding genes have been identified in a significant number of tumors. Interestingly, uveal melanoma driver mutations in GNAQ/GNA11 were identified for a decade, but their discovery did not lead to mutation-specific drug development, unlike it the case for BRAF mutations in cutaneous melanoma which saw enormous success. Moreover, new immunotherapies strategies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors have given underwhelming results. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on cancer-associated alterations of GPCRs and G proteins and we focus on the case of uveal melanoma. Finally, we discuss the possibilities that this signaling might represent in regard to novel drug development for cancer prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lionel Larribère
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jochen Utikal
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
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5
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Federico A, Steinfass T, Larribère L, Novak D, Morís F, Núñez LE, Umansky V, Utikal J. Mithramycin A and Mithralog EC-8042 Inhibit SETDB1 Expression and Its Oncogenic Activity in Malignant Melanoma. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2020; 18:83-99. [PMID: 32637583 PMCID: PMC7327877 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2020.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is the most deadly skin cancer, associated with rising incidence and mortality rates. Most of the patients with melanoma, treated with current targeted therapies, develop a drug resistance, causing tumor relapse. The attainment of a better understanding of novel cancer-promoting molecular mechanisms driving melanoma progression is essential for the development of more effective targeted therapeutic approaches. Recent studies, including the research previously conducted in our laboratory, reported that the histone methyltransferase SETDB1 contributes to melanoma pathogenesis. In this follow-up study, we further elucidated the role of SETDB1 in melanoma, showing that SETDB1 modulated relevant transcriptomic effects in melanoma, in particular, as activator of cancer-related secreted (CRS) factors and as repressor of melanocyte-lineage differentiation (MLD) and metabolic enzymes. Next, we investigated the effects of SETDB1 inhibition via compounds belonging to the mithramycin family, mithramycin A and mithramycin analog (mithralog) EC-8042: melanoma cells showed strong sensitivity to these drugs, which effectively suppressed the expression of SETDB1 and induced changes at the transcriptomic, morphological, and functional level. Moreover, SETDB1 inhibitors enhanced the efficacy of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor-based therapies against melanoma. Taken together, this work highlights the key regulatory role of SETDB1 in melanoma and supports the development of SETDB1-targeting therapeutic strategies for the treatment of melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aniello Federico
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, 69120 Baden Württemberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, 68135 Baden Württemberg, Germany
| | - Tamara Steinfass
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, 69120 Baden Württemberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, 68135 Baden Württemberg, Germany
| | - Lionel Larribère
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, 69120 Baden Württemberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, 68135 Baden Württemberg, Germany
| | - Daniel Novak
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, 69120 Baden Württemberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, 68135 Baden Württemberg, Germany
| | - Francisco Morís
- EntreChem SL, Vivero Ciencias de la Salud, 33011 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Luz-Elena Núñez
- EntreChem SL, Vivero Ciencias de la Salud, 33011 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Viktor Umansky
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, 69120 Baden Württemberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, 68135 Baden Württemberg, Germany
| | - Jochen Utikal
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, 69120 Baden Württemberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, 68135 Baden Württemberg, Germany
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6
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Granados K, Hüser L, Federico A, Sachindra S, Wolff G, Hielscher T, Novak D, Madrigal-Gamboa V, Sun Q, Vierthaler M, Larribère L, Umansky V, Utikal J. T-type calcium channel inhibition restores sensitivity to MAPK inhibitors in de-differentiated and adaptive melanoma cells. Br J Cancer 2020; 122:1023-1036. [PMID: 32063604 PMCID: PMC7109069 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-020-0751-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Drug resistance remains as one of the major challenges in melanoma therapy. It is well known that tumour cells undergo phenotypic switching during melanoma progression, increasing melanoma plasticity and resistance to mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors (MAPKi). Methods We investigated the melanoma phenotype switching using a partial reprogramming model to de-differentiate murine melanoma cells and target melanoma therapy adaptation against MAPKi. Results Here, we show that partially reprogrammed cells are a less proliferative and more de-differentiated cell population, expressing a gene signature for stemness and suppressing melanocyte-specific markers. To investigate adaptation to MAPKi, cells were exposed to B-Raf Proto-Oncogene (BRAF) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors. De-differentiated cells became less sensitive to MAPKi, showed increased cell viability and decreased apoptosis. Furthermore, T-type calcium channels expression increased in adaptive murine cells and in human adaptive melanoma cells. Treatment with the calcium channel blocker mibefradil induced cell death, differentiation and susceptibility to MAPKi in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion In summary, we show that partial reprogramming of melanoma cells induces de-differentiation and adaptation to MAPKi. Moreover, we postulated a calcium channel blocker such as mibefradil, as a potential candidate to restore sensitivity to MAPKi in adaptive melanoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karol Granados
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, D-68135, Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Costa Rica (UCR), Rodrigo Facio Campus, San Pedro Montes Oca, San Jose, 2060, Costa Rica
| | - Laura Hüser
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, D-68135, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Aniello Federico
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, D-68135, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sachindra Sachindra
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, D-68135, Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gretchen Wolff
- Joint Heidelberg-IDC Translational Diabetes Program, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Hielscher
- Division of Biostatistics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniel Novak
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, D-68135, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Verónica Madrigal-Gamboa
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Costa Rica (UCR), Rodrigo Facio Campus, San Pedro Montes Oca, San Jose, 2060, Costa Rica
| | - Qian Sun
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, D-68135, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marlene Vierthaler
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, D-68135, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Lionel Larribère
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, D-68135, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Viktor Umansky
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, D-68135, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jochen Utikal
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, D-68135, Mannheim, Germany.
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7
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Kim J, Novak D, Sachpekidis C, Utikal J, Larribère L. STAT3 Relays a Differential Response to Melanoma-Associated NRAS Mutations. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E119. [PMID: 31906480 PMCID: PMC7016650 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12010119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma patients carrying an oncogenic NRAS mutation represent 20% of all cases and present worse survival, relapse rate and therapy response than patients with wild type NRAS or with BRAF mutations. Nevertheless, no efficient targeted therapy has emerged so far for this group of patients in comparison with the classical combination of BRAF and MEK inhibitors for the patient group carrying a BRAF mutation. NRAS key downstream actors should therefore be identified for drug targeting, possibly in combination with MEK inhibitors. Here, we investigated the influence of different melanoma-associated NRAS mutations (codon 12, 13 or 61) on several parameters such as oncogene-induced senescence, cell proliferation, migration or colony formation in immortalized melanocytes and in melanoma cell lines. We identified AXL/STAT3 axis as a main regulator of NRASQ61-induced oncogene-induced senescence (OIS) and observed that NRASQ61 mutations are not only more tumorigenic than NRASG12/13 mutations but also associated to STAT3 activation. In conclusion, these data bring new evidence of the potential tumorigenic role of STAT3 in NRAS-mutant melanomas and will help improving current therapy strategies for this particular patient group.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Kim
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (J.K.); (D.N.); (J.U.)
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Daniel Novak
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (J.K.); (D.N.); (J.U.)
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Christos Sachpekidis
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Nuclear Medicine, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
| | - Jochen Utikal
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (J.K.); (D.N.); (J.U.)
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Lionel Larribère
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (J.K.); (D.N.); (J.U.)
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
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8
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Orouji E, Federico A, Larribère L, Novak D, Lipka DB, Assenov Y, Sachindra S, Hüser L, Granados K, Gebhardt C, Plass C, Umansky V, Utikal J. Histone methyltransferase SETDB1 contributes to melanoma tumorigenesis and serves as a new potential therapeutic target. Int J Cancer 2019; 145:3462-3477. [PMID: 31131878 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [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: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Alterations in histone modifications play a crucial role in the progression of various types of cancer. The histone methyltransferase SETDB1 catalyzes the addition of methyl groups to histone H3 at lysine 9. Here, we describe how overexpression of SETDB1 contributes to melanoma tumorigenesis. SETDB1 is highly amplified in melanoma cells and in the patient tumors. Increased expression of SETDB1, which correlates with SETDB1 amplification, is associated with a more aggressive phenotype in in vitro and in vivo studies. Mechanistically, SETDB1 implements its effects via regulation of thrombospondin 1, and the SET-domain of SETDB1 is essential for the maintenance of its tumorigenic activity. Inhibition of SETDB1 reduces cell growth in melanomas resistant to targeted treatments. Our results indicate that SETDB1 is a major driver of melanoma development and may serve as a potential future target for the treatment of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Orouji
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Skin Cancer Unit, Heidelberg, Baden Württemberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Baden Württemberg, Germany
| | - Aniello Federico
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Skin Cancer Unit, Heidelberg, Baden Württemberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Baden Württemberg, Germany
| | - Lionel Larribère
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Skin Cancer Unit, Heidelberg, Baden Württemberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Baden Württemberg, Germany
| | - Daniel Novak
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Skin Cancer Unit, Heidelberg, Baden Württemberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Baden Württemberg, Germany
| | - Daniel B Lipka
- Division of Epigenomics and Cancer Risk Factors, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Baden Württemberg, Germany
| | - Yassen Assenov
- Division of Epigenomics and Cancer Risk Factors, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Baden Württemberg, Germany
| | - Sachindra Sachindra
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Skin Cancer Unit, Heidelberg, Baden Württemberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Baden Württemberg, Germany
| | - Laura Hüser
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Skin Cancer Unit, Heidelberg, Baden Württemberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Baden Württemberg, Germany
| | - Karol Granados
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Skin Cancer Unit, Heidelberg, Baden Württemberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Baden Württemberg, Germany
| | - Christoffer Gebhardt
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Skin Cancer Unit, Heidelberg, Baden Württemberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Baden Württemberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Plass
- Division of Epigenomics and Cancer Risk Factors, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Baden Württemberg, Germany
| | - Viktor Umansky
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Skin Cancer Unit, Heidelberg, Baden Württemberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Baden Württemberg, Germany
| | - Jochen Utikal
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Skin Cancer Unit, Heidelberg, Baden Württemberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Baden Württemberg, Germany
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9
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Larribère L, Utikal J. Stem Cell-Derived Models of Neural Crest Are Essential to Understand Melanoma Progression and Therapy Resistance. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:111. [PMID: 31118886 PMCID: PMC6506783 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During development, neural crest (NC) cells are early precursors of several lineages including melanocytes. Along their differentiation from multipotent cells to mature melanocytes, NC cells will go through successive steps which require either proliferative or motile capacities. For example, they will undergo Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in order the separate from the neural tube and migrate to their final location in the epidermis (Larribere and Utikal, 2013; Skrypek et al., 2017). The differentiated melanocytes are the cells of origin of melanoma tumors which progress through several stages such as radial growth phase, vertical growth phase, metastasis formation, and often resistance to current therapies. Interestingly, depending on the stage of the disease, melanoma tumor cells share phenotypes with NC cells (proliferative, motile, EMT). These phenotypes are tightly controlled by specific signaling pathways and transcription factors (TFs) which tend to be reactivated during the onset of melanoma. In this review, we summarize first the main TFs which control these common phenotypes. Then, we focus on the existing strategies used to generate human NCs. Finally we discuss how identification and regulation of NC-associated genes provide an additional approach to improving current melanoma targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lionel Larribère
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jochen Utikal
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
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10
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Sachpekidis C, Larribère L, Kopp-Schneider A, Hassel JC, Dimitrakopoulou-Strauss A. Can benign lymphoid tissue changes in 18F-FDG PET/CT predict response to immunotherapy in metastatic melanoma? Cancer Immunol Immunother 2019; 68:297-303. [PMID: 30478475 PMCID: PMC11028352 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-018-2279-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An association between immune-related adverse events (irAEs) caused by immunotherapeutic agents and the clinical benefit of immunotherapy has been suggested. We retrospectively evaluated by means of 18F-FDG PET/CT lymphoid tissue changes in the mediastinal/hilar lymph nodes and the spleen in response to ipilimumab administration in metastatic melanoma. METHODS A total of 41 patients with unresectable metastatic melanoma underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT before the start of ipilimumab (baseline PET/CT), after two cycles (interim PET/CT) and at the end of treatment (late PET/CT). Data analysis was focused on the mediastinal/hilar lymph nodes and the spleen. The patients' best clinical response (BCR) was used as reference. RESULTS According to the BCR reference, 31 patients showed disease control (DC) and 10 patients showed progressive disease (PD). Mediastinal/hilar lymph node evaluation revealed that in total 4 patients in the interim or late PET/CT (10%) demonstrated a 'sarcoid-like lymphadenopathy' as response to treatment (LN-positive). All LN-positive patients responded to ipilimumab with DC. On the other hand, no significant differences between the DC and PD groups regarding both semi-quantitative and quantitative 18F-FDG PET spleen-related parameters at baseline and as response to treatment were detected. CONCLUSION Based on our findings, 10% patients in the interim or late PET/CT showed 'sarcoid-like lymphadenopathy' as response to treatment. All these patients showed disease control, implying a relation between the appearance of sarcoid-like lymphadenopathy and the clinical benefit of anti-CTLA-4 therapy. On the other hand, quantitative 18F-FDG PET analysis of the spleen showed a poor performance in predicting clinical benefit to ipilimumab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Sachpekidis
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Nuclear Medicine, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69210, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Lionel Larribère
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | | | - Jessica C Hassel
- Department of Dermatology and National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Antonia Dimitrakopoulou-Strauss
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Nuclear Medicine, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69210, Heidelberg, Germany
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11
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Hüser L, Sachindra S, Granados K, Federico A, Larribère L, Novak D, Umansky V, Altevogt P, Utikal J. SOX2-mediated upregulation of CD24 promotes adaptive resistance toward targeted therapy in melanoma. Int J Cancer 2018; 143:3131-3142. [PMID: 29905375 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [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: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma is often characterized by a constitutively active RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway. For targeted therapy, BRAF inhibitors are available that are powerful in the beginning but resistance occurs rather fast. A better understanding of the mechanisms of resistance is urgently needed to increase the success of the treatment. Here, we observed that SOX2 and CD24 are upregulated upon BRAF inhibitor treatment. A similar upregulation was seen in targeted therapy-resistant, melanoma-derived induced pluripotent cancer cells (iPCCs). SOX2 and CD24 are known to promote an undifferentiated and cancer stem cell-like phenotype associated with resistance. We, therefore, elucidated the role of SOX2 and CD24 in targeted therapy resistance in more detail. We found that the upregulation of SOX2 and CD24 required activation of STAT3 and that SOX2 induced the expression of CD24 by binding to its promoter. We find that the overexpression of SOX2 or CD24 significantly increases the resistance toward BRAF inhibitors, while SOX2 knock-down rendered cells more sensitivity toward treatment. The overexpression of CD24 or SOX2 induced Src and STAT3 activity. Importantly, by either CD24 knock-down or Src/STAT3 inhibition in resistant SOX2-overexpressing cells, the sensitivity toward BRAF inhibitors was re-established. Hence, we suggest a novel mechanism of adaptive resistance whereby BRAF inhibition is circumvented via the activation of STAT3, SOX2 and CD24. Thus, to prevent adaptive resistance, it might be beneficial to combine Src/STAT3 inhibitors together with MAPK pathway inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Hüser
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, D-68135, Germany
| | - Sachindra Sachindra
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, D-68135, Germany
| | - Karol Granados
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, D-68135, Germany
| | - Aniello Federico
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, D-68135, Germany
| | - Lionel Larribère
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, D-68135, Germany
| | - Daniel Novak
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, D-68135, Germany
| | - Viktor Umansky
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, D-68135, Germany
| | - Peter Altevogt
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, D-68135, Germany
| | - Jochen Utikal
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, D-68135, Germany
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12
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Wu H, Larribère L, Sun Q, Novak D, Sachindra S, Granados K, Umansky V, Utikal J. Loss of neural crest-associated gene FOXD1 impairs melanoma invasion and migration via RAC1B downregulation. Int J Cancer 2018; 143:2962-2972. [PMID: 30110134 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [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: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that malignant melanoma heterogeneity includes subpopulations of cells with features of multipotent neural crest (NC) cells. Zebrafish and mouse models have shown that reactivation of neural crest-specific pathways during transformation determines the invasiveness of melanoma cells. In our study, we show that the neural crest-associated transcription factor FOXD1 plays a key role in the invasion and the migration capacities of metastatic melanomas both in vivo and in vitro. Gene expression profiling analysis identified both an upregulation of FOXD1 in NC and melanoma cells, as well as a downregulation of several genes related to cell invasion in FOXD1 knockdown cells, including MMP9 and RAC1B. Furthermore, we demonstrate that knockdown of RAC1B a tumor-specific isoform of RAC1, significantly impaired melanoma cell migration and invasion and could abrogate enhanced invasiveness induced by FOXD1 overexpression. We conclude that FOXD1 may influence invasion and migration via indirect regulation of MMP9 and RAC1B alternative splicing in melanoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huizi Wu
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lionel Larribère
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Qian Sun
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Daniel Novak
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sachindra Sachindra
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Karol Granados
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Viktor Umansky
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jochen Utikal
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
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13
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Reinhard R, Gebhardt C, Maurier N, Larribère L, Orouji A, Utikal J. Multiple epidermotropic melanoma metastases developing during BRAF and MEK inhibitor therapy. JAAD Case Rep 2018; 4:129-131. [PMID: 29387762 PMCID: PMC5789521 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdcr.2017.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Reinhard
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.,Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoffer Gebhardt
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.,Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nolwenn Maurier
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Lionel Larribère
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.,Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Azadeh Orouji
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jochen Utikal
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.,Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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14
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Sachindra, Larribère L, Novak D, Wu H, Hüser L, Granados K, Orouji E, Utikal J. New role of ID3 in melanoma adaptive drug-resistance. Oncotarget 2017; 8:110166-110175. [PMID: 29299138 PMCID: PMC5746373 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [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: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Adaptive resistance to targeted therapy such as BRAF inhibitors represents in melanoma a major drawback to this otherwise powerful treatment. Some of the underlying molecular mechanisms have recently been described: hyperactivation of the BRAF-MAPK pathway, of the AKT pathway, of the TGFβ/EGFR/PDGFRB pathway, or the low MITF/AXL ratio. Nevertheless, the phenomenon of early resistance is still not clearly understood. In this report, we show that knockdown of neural crest-associated gene ID3 increases the melanoma sensitivity to vemurafenib short-term treatment. In addition, we observe an ID3-mediated regulation of cell migration and of the expression of resistance-associated genes such as SOX10 and MITF. In sum, these data suggest ID3 as a new key actor of melanoma adaptive resistance to vemurafenib and as a potential drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachindra
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Lionel Larribère
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Daniel Novak
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Huizi Wu
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Laura Hüser
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Karol Granados
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Elias Orouji
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jochen Utikal
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
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15
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Weina K, Wu H, Knappe N, Orouji E, Novak D, Bernhardt M, Hüser L, Larribère L, Umansky V, Gebhardt C, Utikal J. TGF-β induces SOX2 expression in a time-dependent manner in human melanoma cells. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2017; 29:453-8. [PMID: 27105574 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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: 08/26/2015] [Accepted: 04/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The sry-related high-mobility box (SOX)-2 protein has recently been proven to play a significant role in progression, metastasis, and clinical prognosis spanning several cancer types. Research on the role of SOX2 in melanoma is limited and currently little is known about the mechanistic function of this gene in this context. Here, we observed high expression of SOX2 in both human melanoma cell lines and primary melanomas in contrast to melanocytic nevi. This overexpression in melanoma can, in part, be explained by extra gene copy numbers of SOX2 in primary samples. Interestingly, we were able to induce SOX2 expression, mediated by SOX4, via TGF-β1 stimulation in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, the knockdown of SOX2 impaired TGF-β-induced invasiveness. This phenotype switch can be explained by SOX2-mediated cross talk between TGF-β and non-canonical Wnt signaling. Thus, we propose that SOX2 is involved in the critical TGF-β signaling pathway, which has been shown to correlate with melanoma aggressiveness and metastasis. In conclusion, we have identified a novel downstream factor of TGF-β signaling in melanoma, which may have further implications in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasia Weina
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Huizi Wu
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Nathalie Knappe
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Elias Orouji
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Daniel Novak
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Mathias Bernhardt
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Laura Hüser
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Lionel Larribère
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Viktor Umansky
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Christoffer Gebhardt
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jochen Utikal
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
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16
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Larribère L, Galach M, Novak D, Arévalo K, Volz HC, Stark HJ, Boukamp P, Boutros M, Utikal J. An RNAi Screen Reveals an Essential Role for HIPK4 in Human Skin Epithelial Differentiation from iPSCs. Stem Cell Reports 2017; 9:1234-1245. [PMID: 28966120 PMCID: PMC5639458 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular mechanisms responsible for the development of human skin epithelial cells are incompletely understood. As a consequence, the efficiency to establish a pure skin epithelial cell population from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) remains poor. Using an approach including RNAi and high-throughput imaging of early epithelial cells, we identified candidate kinases involved in their differentiation from hiPSCs. Among these, we found HIPK4 to be an important inhibitor of this process. Indeed, its silencing increased the amount of generated skin epithelial precursors at an early time point, increased the amount of generated keratinocytes at a later time point, and improved growth and differentiation of organotypic cultures, allowing for the formation of a denser basal layer and stratification with the expression of several keratins. Our data bring substantial input regarding regulation of human skin epithelial differentiation and for improving differentiation protocols from pluripotent stem cells. High-throughput RNAi screen setup during human skin epithelial differentiation Identification of HIPK4 as a crucial blocker of human skin epithelial differentiation Improvement of human organotypic epithelial cultures after HIPK4 silencing
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Affiliation(s)
- Lionel Larribère
- Skin Cancer Unit (G300), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69121 Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Marta Galach
- Skin Cancer Unit (G300), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69121 Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Daniel Novak
- Skin Cancer Unit (G300), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69121 Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Karla Arévalo
- Skin Cancer Unit (G300), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69121 Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Hans Christian Volz
- Division of Signaling and Functional Genomics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Cardiology, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hans-Jürgen Stark
- Genetics of Skin Carcinogenesis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Petra Boukamp
- Genetics of Skin Carcinogenesis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40021 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Michael Boutros
- Division of Signaling and Functional Genomics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jochen Utikal
- Skin Cancer Unit (G300), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69121 Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany.
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17
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Abstract
NF1 is a tumour suppressor gene, germline mutations of which lead to neurofibromatosis type 1 syndrome. Patients develop benign tumours from several types of cells including neural crest-derived cells. NF1 somatic mutations also occur in 15% of sporadic melanoma, a cancer originating from melanocytes. Evidence now suggests the involvement of NF1 mutations in melanoma resistance to targeted therapies. Although NF1 is ubiquitously expressed, genetic links between NF1 and genes involved in melanocyte biology have been described, implying the lineage-specific mechanisms. In this review, we summarize and discuss the latest advances related to the roles of NF1 in melanocyte biology and in cutaneous melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lionel Larribère
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jochen Utikal
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
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18
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Orouji E, Orouji A, Gaiser T, Larribère L, Gebhardt C, Utikal J. MAP kinase pathway gene copy alterations inNRAS/BRAFwild-type advanced melanoma. Int J Cancer 2016; 138:2257-62. [DOI: 10.1002/ijc.29970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Revised: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elias Orouji
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ); Heidelberg Germany
- Department of Dermatology; Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg; Mannheim Germany
| | - Azadeh Orouji
- Department of Dermatology; Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg; Mannheim Germany
| | - Timo Gaiser
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg; Mannheim Germany
| | - Lionel Larribère
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ); Heidelberg Germany
- Department of Dermatology; Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg; Mannheim Germany
| | - Christoffer Gebhardt
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ); Heidelberg Germany
- Department of Dermatology; Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg; Mannheim Germany
| | - Jochen Utikal
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ); Heidelberg Germany
- Department of Dermatology; Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg; Mannheim Germany
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Buscà R, Berra E, Gaggioli C, Khaled M, Bille K, Marchetti B, Thyss R, Fitsialos G, Larribère L, Bertolotto C, Virolle T, Barbry P, Pouysségur J, Ponzio G, Ballotti R. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1{alpha} is a new target of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) in melanoma cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 170:49-59. [PMID: 15983061 PMCID: PMC2171372 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.200501067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In melanocytes and melanoma cells α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), via the cAMP pathway, elicits a large array of biological responses that control melanocyte differentiation and influence melanoma development or susceptibility. In this work, we show that cAMP transcriptionally activates Hif1a gene in a melanocyte cell–specific manner and increases the expression of a functional hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) protein resulting in a stimulation of Vegf expression. Interestingly, we report that the melanocyte-specific transcription factor, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), binds to the Hif1a promoter and strongly stimulates its transcriptional activity. Further, MITF “silencing” abrogates the cAMP effect on Hif1a expression, and overexpression of MITF in human melanoma cells is sufficient to stimulate HIF1A mRNA. Our data demonstrate that Hif1a is a new MITF target gene and that MITF mediates the cAMP stimulation of Hif1a in melanocytes and melanoma cells. Importantly, we provide results demonstrating that HIF1 plays a pro-survival role in this cell system. We therefore conclude that the α-MSH/cAMP pathway, using MITF as a signal transducer and HIF1α as a target, might contribute to melanoma progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roser Buscà
- INSERM U597, Biologie et physiopathologie des cellules mélanocytaires, Faculty of Medicine, 06107 Nice cedex 2, France.
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