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Puliga E, De Bellis C, Vietti Michelina S, Capeloa T, Migliore C, Orrù C, Baiocchi GL, De Manzoni G, Pietrantonio F, Reddavid R, Fumagalli Romario U, Ambrogio C, Corso S, Giordano S. Biological and targeting differences between the rare KRAS A146T and canonical KRAS mutants in gastric cancer models. Gastric Cancer 2024; 27:473-483. [PMID: 38261067 PMCID: PMC11016506 DOI: 10.1007/s10120-024-01468-8] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with a poor prognosis for patients with advanced disease. Since the oncogenic role of KRAS mutants has been poorly investigated in GC, this study aims to biochemically and biologically characterize different KRAS-mutated models and unravel differences among KRAS mutants in response to therapy. METHODS Taking advantage of a proprietary, molecularly annotated platform of more than 200 GC PDXs (patient-derived xenografts), we identified KRAS-mutated PDXs, from which primary cell lines were established. The different mutants were challenged with KRAS downstream inhibitors in in vitro and in vivo experiments. RESULTS Cells expressing the rare KRAS A146T mutant showed lower RAS-GTP levels compared to those bearing the canonical G12/13D mutations. Nevertheless, all the KRAS-mutated cells displayed KRAS addiction. Surprisingly, even if the GEF SOS1 is considered critical for the activation of KRAS A146T mutants, its abrogation did not significantly affect cell viability. From the pharmacologic point of view, Trametinib monotherapy was more effective in A146T than in G12D-mutated models, suggesting a vulnerability to MEK inhibition. However, in the presence of mutations in the PI3K pathway, more frequently co-occurrent in A146T models, the association of Trametinib and the AKT inhibitor MK-2206 was required to optimize the response. CONCLUSION A deeper genomic and biological characterization of KRAS mutants might sustain the development of more efficient and long-lasting therapeutic options for patients harbouring KRAS-driven GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Puliga
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Italy.
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy.
| | - Chiara De Bellis
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Sandra Vietti Michelina
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Tania Capeloa
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Cristina Migliore
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Claudia Orrù
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Gian Luca Baiocchi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Surgery "Santo Spirito Hospital", ASL-AL, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni De Manzoni
- Section of Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Filippo Pietrantonio
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Chiara Ambrogio
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Simona Corso
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Silvia Giordano
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
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Brambilla M, Beninato T, Piemontese A, Mazzeo L, Pircher CC, Manglaviti S, Ambrosini P, Signorelli D, Lorenzini D, Prelaj A, Ferrara R, Proto C, Lo Russo G, Pizzutilo EG, Ganzinelli M, Grande I, Capone I, Di Mauro RM, Conca E, Dumitrascu AD, Zanella C, Leporati R, Rota S, Garassino MC, Marchetti P, de Braud FM, Occhipinti M. Exploring the Role of Immunotherapy-Based Treatments for Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer With Novel Driver Alterations. Clin Lung Cancer 2023; 24:631-640.e2. [PMID: 37775370 DOI: 10.1016/j.cllc.2023.08.004] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunotherapy (IO) single agent or combined with chemotherapy (CT-IO) is the standard treatment for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) without driver alterations. IO efficacy in patients with novel driver alterations is not well reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data of aNSCLC patients treated with IO or CT-IO in any line from January 2016 to September 2022 were retrospectively collected. Patients harboring novel driver alterations (m-cohort), including MET exon 14 skipping, BRAF (V600E or atypical), RET rearrangements, HER2 point mutations/exon 20 insertions or uncommon EGFR mutations/EGFR exon 20 insertions, and wild type patients (wt-cohort) were eligible. Clinico-pathological data were extracted from Institutional databases and compared through chi square or Fisher's exact test. Survivals were estimated through Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log-rank test. RESULTS m-cohort and wt-cohort included 84 and 444 patients, respectively. Progression free survival (PFS) was 5.53 vs. 4.57 months (P= .846) and overall survival (OS) was 25.1 vs. 9.37 months, (P < .0001) for m-cohort compared to wt-cohort. Within the m-cohort, BRAF atypical mutations had the better outcomes (Overall Response Rate [ORR], PFS), targeted agents timing did not affect response to IO and CT-IO had better ORR and disease control rate (DCR) compared to IO single agent (P = .0160 and P = .0152). In the PD-L1≥50% group, first line IO single agent resulted in inferior ORR (P = .027) and PFS (P = .022) in m-cohort compared to wt-cohort. CONCLUSION IO based treatments seem not detrimental for patients harboring novel driver alteration. Adding CT could improve modest responses to IO alone. Confirmation on larger datasets is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Brambilla
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Teresa Beninato
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
| | - Anna Piemontese
- Niguarda Cancer Center, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Mazzeo
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy; Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Polytechnic University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Sara Manglaviti
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Ambrosini
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Diego Signorelli
- Niguarda Cancer Center, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Lorenzini
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Arsela Prelaj
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy; Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Polytechnic University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Ferrara
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy; Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Proto
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lo Russo
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Elio Gregory Pizzutilo
- Niguarda Cancer Center, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy; Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Ganzinelli
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Grande
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Iolanda Capone
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Rosa Maria Di Mauro
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Conca
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Andra Diana Dumitrascu
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Zanella
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Rita Leporati
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Simone Rota
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Marina Chiara Garassino
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy; Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | | | - Filippo Maria de Braud
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy; Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Occhipinti
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Chaturvedi S, Biswas M, Sadhukhan S, Sonawane A. Role of EGFR and FASN in breast cancer progression. J Cell Commun Signal 2023:10.1007/s12079-023-00771-w. [PMID: 37490191 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-023-00771-w] [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] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) emerged as one of the life-threatening diseases among females. Despite notable improvements made in cancer detection and treatment worldwide, according to GLOBACAN 2020, BC is the fifth leading cancer, with an estimated 1 in 6 cancer deaths, in a majority of countries. However, the exact cause that leads to BC progression still needs to be determined. Here, we reviewed the role of two novel biomarkers responsible for 50-70% of BC progression. The first one is epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) which belongs to the ErbB tyrosine kinases family, signalling pathways associated with it play a significant role in regulating cell proliferation and division. Another one is fatty acid synthase (FASN), a key enzyme responsible for the de novo lipid synthesis required for cancer cell development. This review presents a rationale for the EGFR-mediated pathways, their interaction with FASN, communion of these two biomarkers with BC, and improvements to overcome drug resistance caused by them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suchi Chaturvedi
- Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Khandwa Road, Simrol, Madhya Pradesh, 453552, India
| | - Mainak Biswas
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751024, India
| | - Sushabhan Sadhukhan
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Palakkad, Palakkad, Kerala, 678623, India.
- Physical & Chemical Biology Laboratory and Department of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Palakkad, Palakkad, Kerala, 678623, India.
| | - Avinash Sonawane
- Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Khandwa Road, Simrol, Madhya Pradesh, 453552, India.
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Orlando E, Medo M, Bensimon A, Quintin A, Riedo R, Roth SM, Riether C, Marti TM, Aebersold DM, Medová M, Aebersold R, Zimmer Y. An oncogene addiction phosphorylation signature and its derived scores inform tumor responsiveness to targeted therapies. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 80:6. [PMID: 36494469 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04634-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Oncogene addiction provides important therapeutic opportunities for precision oncology treatment strategies. To date the cellular circuitries associated with driving oncoproteins, which eventually establish the phenotypic manifestation of oncogene addiction, remain largely unexplored. Data suggest the DNA damage response (DDR) as a central signaling network that intersects with pathways associated with deregulated addicting oncoproteins with kinase activity in cancer cells. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We employed a targeted mass spectrometry approach to systematically explore alterations in 116 phosphosites related to oncogene signaling and its intersection with the DDR following inhibition of the addicting oncogene alone or in combination with irradiation in MET-, EGFR-, ALK- or BRAF (V600)-positive cancer models. An NSCLC tissue pipeline combining patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) and ex vivo patient organotypic cultures has been established for treatment responsiveness assessment. RESULTS We identified an 'oncogene addiction phosphorylation signature' (OAPS) consisting of 8 protein phosphorylations (ACLY S455, IF4B S422, IF4G1 S1231, LIMA1 S490, MYCN S62, NCBP1 S22, P3C2A S259 and TERF2 S365) that are significantly suppressed upon targeted oncogene inhibition solely in addicted cell line models and patient tissues. We show that the OAPS is present in patient tissues and the OAPS-derived score strongly correlates with the ex vivo responses to targeted treatments. CONCLUSIONS We propose a score derived from OAPS as a quantitative measure to evaluate oncogene addiction of cancer cell samples. This work underlines the importance of protein phosphorylation assessment for patient stratification in precision oncology and corresponding identification of tumor subtypes sensitive to inhibition of a particular oncogene.
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Pokorna Z, Vyslouzil J, Vojtesek B, Coates PJ. Identifying pathways regulating the oncogenic p53 family member ΔNp63 provides therapeutic avenues for squamous cell carcinoma. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2022; 27:18. [PMID: 35196980 PMCID: PMC8903560 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-022-00323-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background ΔNp63 overexpression is a common event in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) that contributes to tumorigenesis, making ΔNp63 a potential target for therapy. Methods We created inducible TP63-shRNA cells to study the effects of p63-depletion in SCC cell lines and non-malignant HaCaT keratinocytes. DNA damaging agents, growth factors, signaling pathway inhibitors, histone deacetylase inhibitors, and metabolism-modifying drugs were also investigated for their ability to influence ΔNp63 protein and mRNA levels. Results HaCaT keratinocytes, FaDu and SCC-25 cells express high levels of ΔNp63. HaCaT and FaDu inducible TP63-shRNA cells showed reduced proliferation after p63 depletion, with greater effects on FaDu than HaCaT cells, compatible with oncogene addiction in SCC. Genotoxic insults and histone deacetylase inhibitors variably reduced ΔNp63 levels in keratinocytes and SCC cells. Growth factors that regulate proliferation/survival of squamous cells (IGF-1, EGF, amphiregulin, KGF, and HGF) and PI3K, mTOR, MAPK/ERK or EGFR inhibitors showed lesser and inconsistent effects, with dual inhibition of PI3K and mTOR or EGFR inhibition selectively reducing ΔNp63 levels in HaCaT cells. In contrast, the antihyperlipidemic drug lovastatin selectively increased ΔNp63 in HaCaT cells. Conclusions These data confirm that ΔNp63-positive SCC cells require p63 for continued growth and provide proof of concept that p63 reduction is a therapeutic option for these tumors. Investigations of ΔNp63 regulation identified agent-specific and cell-specific pathways. In particular, dual inhibition of the PI3K and mTOR pathways reduced ΔNp63 more effectively than single pathway inhibition, and broad-spectrum histone deacetylase inhibitors showed a time-dependent biphasic response, with high level downregulation at the transcriptional level within 24 h. In addition to furthering our understanding of ΔNp63 regulation in squamous cells, these data identify novel drug combinations that may be useful for p63-based therapy of SCC. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s11658-022-00323-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Pokorna
- Research Center of Applied Molecular Oncology (RECAMO), Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Vyslouzil
- Research Center of Applied Molecular Oncology (RECAMO), Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Borivoj Vojtesek
- Research Center of Applied Molecular Oncology (RECAMO), Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Philip J Coates
- Research Center of Applied Molecular Oncology (RECAMO), Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53, Brno, Czech Republic.
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Liefwalker DF, Ryan M, Wang Z, Pathak KV, Plaisier S, Shah V, Babra B, Dewson GS, Lai IK, Mosley AR, Fueger PT, Casey SC, Jiang L, Pirrotte P, Swaminathan S, Sears RC. Metabolic convergence on lipogenesis in RAS, BCR-ABL, and MYC-driven lymphoid malignancies. Cancer Metab 2021; 9:31. [PMID: 34399819 PMCID: PMC8369789 DOI: 10.1186/s40170-021-00263-8] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metabolic reprogramming is a central feature in many cancer subtypes and a hallmark of cancer. Many therapeutic strategies attempt to exploit this feature, often having unintended side effects on normal metabolic programs and limited efficacy due to integrative nature of metabolic substrate sourcing. Although the initiating oncogenic lesion may vary, tumor cells in lymphoid malignancies often share similar environments and potentially similar metabolic profiles. We examined cells from mouse models of MYC-, RAS-, and BCR-ABL-driven lymphoid malignancies and find a convergence on de novo lipogenesis. We explore the potential role of MYC in mediating lipogenesis by 13C glucose tracing and untargeted metabolic profiling. Inhibition of lipogenesis leads to cell death both in vitro and in vivo and does not induce cell death of normal splenocytes. METHODS We analyzed RNA-seq data sets for common metabolic convergence in lymphoma and leukemia. Using in vitro cell lines derived in from conditional MYC, RAS, and BCR-ABL transgenic murine models and oncogene-driven human cell lines, we determined gene regulation, metabolic profiles, and sensitivity to inhibition of lipogenesis in lymphoid malignancies. We utilize preclinical murine models and transgenic primary model of T-ALL to determine the effect of lipogenesis blockade across BCR-ABL-, RAS-, and c-MYC-driven lymphoid malignancies. Statistical significance was calculated using unpaired t-tests and one-way ANOVA. RESULTS This study illustrates that de novo lipid biogenesis is a shared feature of several lymphoma subtypes. Using cell lines derived from conditional MYC, RAS, and BCR-ABL transgenic murine models, we demonstrate shared responses to inhibition of lipogenesis by the acetyl-coA carboxylase inhibitor 5-(tetradecloxy)-2-furic acid (TOFA), and other lipogenesis inhibitors. We performed metabolic tracing studies to confirm the influence of c-MYC and TOFA on lipogenesis. We identify specific cell death responses to TOFA in vitro and in vivo and demonstrate delayed engraftment and progression in vivo in transplanted lymphoma cell lines. We also observe delayed progression of T-ALL in a primary transgenic mouse model upon TOFA administration. In a panel of human cell lines, we demonstrate sensitivity to TOFA treatment as a metabolic liability due to the general convergence on de novo lipogenesis in lymphoid malignancies driven by MYC, RAS, or BCR-ABL. Importantly, cell death was not significantly observed in non-malignant cells in vivo. CONCLUSIONS These studies suggest that de novo lipogenesis may be a common survival strategy for many lymphoid malignancies and may be a clinically exploitable metabolic liability. TRIAL REGISTRATION This study does not include any clinical interventions on human subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F Liefwalker
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA.
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA.
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Meital Ryan
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Zhichao Wang
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Khyatiben V Pathak
- Collaborative Center for Translational Mass Spectrometry, Translational Genomics Research Institute, 445 N 5th St, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Seema Plaisier
- Collaborative Center for Translational Mass Spectrometry, Translational Genomics Research Institute, 445 N 5th St, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Vidhi Shah
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
- Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Bobby Babra
- Molecular & Cellular Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA
| | - Gabrielle S Dewson
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
- Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Ian K Lai
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Adriane R Mosley
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Patrick T Fueger
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Stephanie C Casey
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Lei Jiang
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Patrick Pirrotte
- Collaborative Center for Translational Mass Spectrometry, Translational Genomics Research Institute, 445 N 5th St, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Srividya Swaminathan
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
- Department of Hematological Malignancies, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Rosalie C Sears
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
- Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
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Lau SCM, Fares AF, Le LW, Mackay KM, Soberano S, Chan SW, Smith E, Ryan M, Tsao MS, Bradbury PA, Pal P, Shepherd FA, Liu G, Leighl NB, Sacher AG. Subtypes of EGFR- and HER2-Mutant Metastatic NSCLC Influence Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. Clin Lung Cancer 2021; 22:253-259. [PMID: 33582070 DOI: 10.1016/j.cllc.2020.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [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: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is low among EGFR-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), although prolonged responses have occasionally been reported. We investigated the association between mutation subtypes and ICI outcomes among HER2- and EGFR-mutated NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS This retrospective single-center study analyzed patients with EGFR- and HER2-mutated advanced NSCLC who received at least 1 cycle of ICI between 2013 and 2019. Patient characteristics, mutation subtype, and ICI outcomes. RESULTS Among 48 patients with advanced NSCLC, 14 (29%) had HER2 mutations and 34 (71%) had EGFR mutations. EGFR mutations included 16 (47%) exon 19 deletion, 7 (21%) L858R, 5 (15%) uncommon, and 6 (18%) exon 20 insertion. Compared to EGFR-sensitizing mutations (ESMs), HER2 and EGFR exon 20 mutations were associated with a trend toward better response (respectively, ESM, HER2, and EGFR exon 20: 11%, 29%, and 50%; P = .07) and significantly better disease control rates (respectively, 18%, 57%, and 67%; P = .008). Compared to ESM, HER2 mutations (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.35; P = .02) and EGFR exon 20 mutations (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.37; P = .10 trend) were also associated with improved PFS. Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression remained an independent predictor of PFS (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.42; 95% confidence interval, 0.23-0.76; P = .004). The 6-month PFS rates were 29% (HER2), 33% (EGFR exon 20), and 4% (ESM). ICIs were generally well tolerated in this population. Importantly, no immune-related toxicity was observed in 10 patients who received a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) as the immediate next line treatment after ICI. CONCLUSION HER2 and EGFR exon 20 mutations derive greater benefit from ICIs with comparable PFS to wild-type historical second/third-line unselected cohorts. ICIs remain a treatment option for this genomic subgroup, given the absence of approved targeted therapies for these rare mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally C M Lau
- Department of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Aline Fusco Fares
- Department of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Lisa W Le
- Department of Biostatistics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kate M Mackay
- Department of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Spencer Soberano
- Department of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sze Wah Chan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Elliot Smith
- Department of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Malcolm Ryan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ming Sound Tsao
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory Medicine Program, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Penelope A Bradbury
- Department of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Prodipto Pal
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory Medicine Program, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Frances A Shepherd
- Department of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Geoffrey Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Natasha B Leighl
- Department of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Adrian G Sacher
- Department of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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Bonanno L, Pavan A, Ferro A, Calvetti L, Frega S, Pasello G, Aprile G, Guarneri V, Conte P. Clinical Impact of Plasma and Tissue Next-Generation Sequencing in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Real-World Experience. Oncologist 2020; 25:e1996-e2005. [PMID: 32557976 PMCID: PMC8108051 DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2020-0148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Targeted agents have improved the outcome of a subset of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Molecular profiling by next-generation sequencing (NGS) allows screening for multiple genetic alterations both in tissue and in plasma, but limited data are available concerning its feasibility and impact in real-world clinical practice. METHODS Patients with advanced NSCLC consecutively referring to our Institution for potential eligibility to VISION trial (NCT02864992) were prospectively enrolled. They were already screened with standard method, and EGFR/ALK/ROS-1 positive cases were excluded. NGS was performed in plasma and tissue using the Guardant360 test covering 73 genes and the Oncomine Focus Assay covering 59 genes, respectively. RESULTS The study included 235 patients. NGS was performed in plasma in 209 (88.9%) cases; 78 of these (37.3%) were evaluated also in tissue; tissue only was analyzed in 26 cases (11.1%). Half of the tissue samples were deemed not evaluable. Druggable alterations were detected in 13 (25%) out of 52 evaluable samples and 31 of 209 (14.8%) of plasma samples. Improved outcome was observed for patients with druggable alterations if treated with matched targeted agents: they had a longer median overall survival (not reached) compared with the ones who did not start any targeted therapy (9.1 months; 95% confidence interval, 4.6-13.6; p = .046). The results of NGS testing potentially also affected the outcome of patients treated with immunotherapy. CONCLUSION Systematic real-life NGS testing showed the limit of tissue analysis in NSCLC and highlighted the potentiality of genetic characterization in plasma in increasing the number of patients who may benefit from NGS screening, both influencing the clinical decision-making process and affecting treatment outcome. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Genetic characterization of cancer has become more important with time, having had positive implications for treatment specificity and efficacy. Such analyses changed the natural history of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) with the introduction of drugs targeted to specific gene alterations (e.g., EGFR mutations, ALK and ROS-1 rearrangements). In the field of cancer molecular characterization, the applicability of the analysis of a wide panel of genes using a high-throughput sequencing approach, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), is still a matter of research. This study used NGS in a real-world setting to systematically and prospectively profile patients with aNSCLC. The aim was to evaluate its feasibility and reliability, as well as consequent access to targeted agents and impact on clinical outcome whenever a druggable alteration was detected either in tumor tissue samples or through liquid biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Bonanno
- Medical Oncology 2, Istituto Oncologico Veneto (IOV)–Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS)PadovaItaly
| | - Alberto Pavan
- Medical Oncology 2, Istituto Oncologico Veneto (IOV)–Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS)PadovaItaly
| | - Alessandra Ferro
- Medical Oncology 2, Istituto Oncologico Veneto (IOV)–Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS)PadovaItaly
- Department of Surgery, Oncology, and Gastroenterology, University of PadovaPadovaItaly
| | - Lorenzo Calvetti
- Department of Oncology, San Bortolo General HospitalUnità Locale Socio Sanitaria (ULSS) 8 Berica—East DistrictVicenzaItaly
| | - Stefano Frega
- Medical Oncology 2, Istituto Oncologico Veneto (IOV)–Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS)PadovaItaly
| | - Giulia Pasello
- Medical Oncology 2, Istituto Oncologico Veneto (IOV)–Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS)PadovaItaly
| | - Giuseppe Aprile
- Department of Oncology, San Bortolo General HospitalUnità Locale Socio Sanitaria (ULSS) 8 Berica—East DistrictVicenzaItaly
| | - Valentina Guarneri
- Medical Oncology 2, Istituto Oncologico Veneto (IOV)–Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS)PadovaItaly
- Department of Surgery, Oncology, and Gastroenterology, University of PadovaPadovaItaly
| | - PierFranco Conte
- Medical Oncology 2, Istituto Oncologico Veneto (IOV)–Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS)PadovaItaly
- Department of Surgery, Oncology, and Gastroenterology, University of PadovaPadovaItaly
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Yi M, Tan Y, Wang L, Cai J, Li X, Zeng Z, Xiong W, Li G, Li X, Tan P, Xiang B. TP63 links chromatin remodeling and enhancer reprogramming to epidermal differentiation and squamous cell carcinoma development. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:4325-4346. [PMID: 32447427 PMCID: PMC7588389 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03539-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is an aggressive malignancy that can originate from various organs. TP63 is a master regulator that plays an essential role in epidermal differentiation. It is also a lineage-dependent oncogene in SCC. ΔNp63α is the prominent isoform of TP63 expressed in epidermal cells and SCC, and overexpression promotes SCC development through a variety of mechanisms. Recently, ΔNp63α was highlighted to act as an epidermal-specific pioneer factor that binds closed chromatin and enhances chromatin accessibility at epidermal enhancers. ΔNp63α coordinates chromatin-remodeling enzymes to orchestrate the tissue-specific enhancer landscape and three-dimensional high-order architecture of chromatin. Moreover, ΔNp63α establishes squamous-like enhancer landscapes to drive oncogenic target expression during SCC development. Importantly, ΔNp63α acts as an upstream regulator of super enhancers to activate a number of oncogenic transcripts linked to poor prognosis in SCC. Mechanistically, ΔNp63α activates genes transcription through physically interacting with a number of epigenetic modulators to establish enhancers and enhance chromatin accessibility. In contrast, ΔNp63α also represses gene transcription via interacting with repressive epigenetic regulators. ΔNp63α expression is regulated at multiple levels, including transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational levels. In this review, we summarize recent advances of p63 in epigenomic and transcriptional control, as well as the mechanistic regulation of p63.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Yi
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Provincial Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008 Hunan China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078 Hunan China
| | - Yixin Tan
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, The Central South University, Changsha, 410011 Hunan China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011 Hunan China
| | - Jing Cai
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Provincial Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008 Hunan China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078 Hunan China
| | - Xiaoling Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Provincial Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078 Hunan China
| | - Zhaoyang Zeng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Provincial Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078 Hunan China
| | - Wei Xiong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Provincial Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078 Hunan China
| | - Guiyuan Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Provincial Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078 Hunan China
| | - Xiayu Li
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
| | - Pingqing Tan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Provincial Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Hunan Provincial Cancer Hospital and Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
| | - Bo Xiang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Provincial Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078 Hunan China
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Li Y, Agrawal I, Gong Z. Reversion of tumor hepatocytes to normal hepatocytes during liver tumor regression in an oncogene-expressing transgenic zebrafish model. Dis Model Mech 2019; 12:dmm.039578. [PMID: 31515263 PMCID: PMC6826027 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.039578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumors are frequently dependent on primary oncogenes to maintain their malignant properties (known as 'oncogene addiction'). We have previously established several inducible hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) models in zebrafish by transgenic expression of an oncogene. These tumor models are strongly oncogene addicted, as the induced and histologically proven liver tumors regress after suppression of oncogene expression by removal of a chemical inducer. However, the question of whether the liver tumor cells are eliminated or revert to normal cells remains unanswered. In the present study, we generated a novel Cre/loxP transgenic zebrafish line, Tg(fabp10: loxP-EGFP-stop-loxP-DsRed; TRE: CreERT2) (abbreviated to CreER), in order to trace tumor cell lineage during tumor regression after crossing with the xmrk (activated EGFR homolog) oncogene transgenic line, Tg(fabp10: rtTA; TRE: xmrk; krt4: EGFP) We found that, during HCC regression, restored normal liver contained both reverted tumor hepatocytes (RFP+) and newly differentiated hepatocytes (GFP+). RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses of the RFP+ and GFP+ hepatocyte populations after tumor regression confirmed the conversion of tumor cells to normal hepatocytes, as most of the genes and pathways that were deregulated in the tumor stages were found to have normal regulation in the tumor-reverted hepatocytes. Thus, our lineage-tracing studies demonstrated the potential for transformed tumor cells to revert to normal cells after suppression of expression of a primary oncogene. This observation may provide a basis for the development of a therapeutic approach targeting addicted oncogenes or oncogenic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
| | - Ira Agrawal
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
| | - Zhiyuan Gong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
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11
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Abstract
Thyroid nodules are heterogeneous tumors with variable genetic signatures. Thyroid cancers are monoclonal lesions with a defined histomorphology that largely depends on the underlying somatic mutation. While the mutation rate is generally low in differentiated thyroid cancers, poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid cancers show a high mutation load. The identification of somatic mutations in fine needle aspirates can be helpful for the differential diagnostics of thyroid nodules; however, a prognostic contribution is less certain. The molecular pathology of thyroid tumors is helpful for the development of targeted therapies and may infer novel immuno-oncological concepts for advanced aggressive thyroid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Führer
- Klinik für Endokrinologie, Diabetologie und Stoffwechsel, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Deutschland.
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12
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Paliouras AR, Monteverde T, Garofalo M. Oncogene-induced regulation of microRNA expression: Implications for cancer initiation, progression and therapy. Cancer Lett 2018; 421:152-160. [PMID: 29476790 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
A plethora of tumours have characteristic oncogenic mutations which are the main causes of malignant transformation, exerting their effects through multiple signalling pathways. Downstream of such pathways, microRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression, assisting or antagonizing oncogenic signalling. The differential expression of microRNAs in cancer is well-documented and is considered a fundamental aspect of tumourigenesis. While data mapping the interaction between oncogenic lesions and microRNAs are accruing, we provide particular cases of such interaction. Except for notable, well-studied examples of microRNAs regulated by oncogenes, we examine the effect of this relationship in regard to tumour initiation, progression, metastasis and ultimately, its implications for the development of new therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios R Paliouras
- Transcriptional Networks in Lung Cancer, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, M20 4GJ, Manchester, UK
| | - Tiziana Monteverde
- Transcriptional Networks in Lung Cancer, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, M20 4GJ, Manchester, UK
| | - Michela Garofalo
- Transcriptional Networks in Lung Cancer, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, M20 4GJ, Manchester, UK.
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Abstract
Clonal myeloid disorders are characterized by genetic alterations that activate cytokine signaling pathways and stimulate cell proliferation. These activated signaling pathways have been extensively studied as potential therapeutic targets, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors have indeed had extraordinary success in treating BCR/ABL-positive chronic myeloiud leukemia. However, although inhibitors of other activated kinases have been developed that perform well in preclinical studies, the therapeutic efficacy of these drugs in patients has been unimpressive. This article discusses potential reasons for these discordant results and outlines recent scientific advances that are informing future efforts to target activated kinases in clonal myeloid disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rob Sellar
- Division of Hematology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 1 Blackfan Circle, Karp Building, CHRB05.125, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Julie-Aurore Losman
- Department of Medical Oncology, Division of Hematology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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Abstract
The prototypes of the human MYC and RAF gene families are orthologs of animal proto-oncogenes that were originally identified as transduced alleles in the genomes of highly oncogenic retroviruses. MYC and RAF genes are now established as key regulatory elements in normal cellular physiology, but also as major cancer driver genes. Although the predominantly nuclear MYC proteins and the cytoplasmic RAF proteins have different biochemical functions, they are functionally linked in pivotal signaling cascades and circuits. The MYC protein is a transcription factor and together with its dimerization partner MAX holds a central position in a regulatory network of bHLH-LZ proteins. MYC regulates transcription conducted by all RNA polymerases and controls virtually the entire transcriptome. Fundamental cellular processes including distinct catabolic and anabolic branches of metabolism, cell cycle regulation, cell growth and proliferation, differentiation, stem cell regulation, and apoptosis are under MYC control. Deregulation of MYC expression by rearrangement or amplification of the MYC locus or by defects in kinase-mediated upstream signaling, accompanied by loss of apoptotic checkpoints, leads to tumorigenesis and is a hallmark of most human cancers. The critically controlled serine/threonine RAF kinases are central nodes of the cytoplasmic MAPK signaling cascade transducing converted extracellular signals to the nucleus for reshaping transcription factor controlled gene expression profiles. Specific mutations of RAF kinases, such as the prevalent BRAF(V600E) mutation in melanoma, or defects in upstream signaling or feedback loops cause decoupled kinase activities which lead to tumorigenesis. Different strategies for pharmacological interference with MYC- or RAF-induced tumorigenesis are being developed and several RAF kinase inhibitors are already in clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduard Stefan
- Institute of Biochemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Klaus Bister
- Institute of Biochemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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15
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Abstract
The advent of precision medicine in non-small cell lung cancer has remarkably altered the direction of research and improved clinical outcomes. The identification of molecular subsets with differential response to targeted therapies began with the identification of epidermal growth factor receptor mutated tumors in subsets of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Emboldened by unprecedented response rates to kinase inhibitors seen in that subset, the oncologic community searched for other molecular subsets featuring oncogene addiction. An early result of this search was the discovery of NSCLC driven by activating rearrangements of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene. In an astoundingly brief period following the recognition of ALK-positive NSCLC, details of the biology, clinicopathologic features, development of targeted inhibitors, mechanisms of therapeutic resistance, and new generations of treatment were elucidated. This review summarizes the current understanding of the pathologic features, diagnostic approach, treatment options, resistance mechanisms, and future research areas for ALK-positive NSCLC.
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16
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Zhu Z, Ihle NT, Rejto PA, Zarrinkar PP. Outlier analysis of functional genomic profiles enriches for oncology targets and enables precision medicine. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:455. [PMID: 27296290 PMCID: PMC4907009 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-2807-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [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: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Genome-scale functional genomic screens across large cell line panels provide a rich resource for discovering tumor vulnerabilities that can lead to the next generation of targeted therapies. Their data analysis typically has focused on identifying genes whose knockdown enhances response in various pre-defined genetic contexts, which are limited by biological complexities as well as the incompleteness of our knowledge. We thus introduce a complementary data mining strategy to identify genes with exceptional sensitivity in subsets, or outlier groups, of cell lines, allowing an unbiased analysis without any a priori assumption about the underlying biology of dependency. Results Genes with outlier features are strongly and specifically enriched with those known to be associated with cancer and relevant biological processes, despite no a priori knowledge being used to drive the analysis. Identification of exceptional responders (outliers) may not lead only to new candidates for therapeutic intervention, but also tumor indications and response biomarkers for companion precision medicine strategies. Several tumor suppressors have an outlier sensitivity pattern, supporting and generalizing the notion that tumor suppressors can play context-dependent oncogenic roles. Conclusions The novel application of outlier analysis described here demonstrates a systematic and data-driven analytical strategy to decipher large-scale functional genomic data for oncology target and precision medicine discoveries. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-2807-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Zhu
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, La Jolla Laboratories, 10777 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA.
| | - Nathan T Ihle
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, La Jolla Laboratories, 10777 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Paul A Rejto
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, La Jolla Laboratories, 10777 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Patrick P Zarrinkar
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, La Jolla Laboratories, 10777 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA.
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Kempf E, Lacroix L, Soria JC. First Reported Case of Unexpected Response to an Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor in the I744M Uncommon EGFR Mutation. Clin Lung Cancer 2015. [PMID: 26206728 DOI: 10.1016/j.cllc.2015.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle Kempf
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Drug Development Department and University Paris-Sud, Villejuif, France.
| | - Ludovic Lacroix
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Department of Medical Biology and Pathology, Translational Research Laboratory and Biobank (UMS3655 CNRS /US23 INSERM), INSERM Unit U981, Villejuif, France
| | - Jean-Charles Soria
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Drug Development Department and University Paris-Sud, Villejuif, France
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Pellicano F, Mukherjee L, Holyoake TL. Concise review: cancer cells escape from oncogene addiction: understanding the mechanisms behind treatment failure for more effective targeting. Stem Cells 2015; 32:1373-9. [PMID: 24520002 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2013] [Revised: 10/09/2013] [Accepted: 10/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Oncogene addiction describes the dependence of some cancers on one or a few genes for their survival. Inhibition of the corresponding oncoproteins can lead to dramatic responses. However, in some cases, such as chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a disease characterized by the presence of the abnormal fusion tyrosine kinase BCR-ABL, cancer stem cells may never acquire addiction to the oncogene that drives disease development. The suggested mechanism(s) for treatment failure include a quiescent stem cell population capable of reinstating disease, high levels of oncoprotein expression, or acquired mutations in the oncogene. In this review, we discuss the evidence for oncogene addiction in several solid tumors and their potential escape mechanism(s) with a particular focus on CML stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Pellicano
- Paul O'Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Abstract
Aneuploidy is one of the most common genetic alterations in cancer cell genomes. It greatly contributes to the heterogeneity of cancer cell genomes, and its roles in tumorigenesis are attracting more and more attentions. Zebrafish is emerging as a new genetic model for many human diseases including cancer. The zebrafish cancer model has shown an equivalent degree of aneuploidy as found in corresponding human cancers, thus it provides a great tool for us to study cancer aneuploidy and, in general, cancer biology. Here, we discuss some new advances of aneuploidy and the potential usages of this cancer model system.
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20
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Casey SC, Li Y, Fan AC, Felsher DW. Oncogene withdrawal engages the immune system to induce sustained cancer regression. J Immunother Cancer 2014; 2:24. [PMID: 25089198 PMCID: PMC4118610 DOI: 10.1186/2051-1426-2-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 03/11/2014] [Accepted: 06/06/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The targeted inactivation of a single oncogene can induce dramatic tumor regression, suggesting that cancers are “oncogene addicted.” Tumor regression following oncogene inactivation has been thought to be a consequence of restoration of normal physiological programs that induce proliferative arrest, apoptosis, differentiation, and cellular senescence. However, recent observations illustrate that oncogene addiction is highly dependent upon the host immune cells. In particular, CD4+ helper T cells were shown to be essential to the mechanism by which MYC or BCR-ABL inactivation elicits “oncogene withdrawal.” Hence, immune mediators contribute in multiple ways to the pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of cancer, including mechanisms of tumor initiation, progression, and surveillance, but also oncogene inactivation-mediated tumor regression. Data from both the bench and the bedside illustrates that the inactivation of a driver oncogene can induce activation of the immune system that appears to be essential for sustained tumor regression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie C Casey
- Division of Oncology, Departments of Medicine and Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 269 Campus Drive, CCSR 1105, Stanford 94305-5151, CA, USA
| | - Yulin Li
- Division of Oncology, Departments of Medicine and Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 269 Campus Drive, CCSR 1105, Stanford 94305-5151, CA, USA
| | - Alice C Fan
- Division of Oncology, Departments of Medicine and Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 269 Campus Drive, CCSR 1105, Stanford 94305-5151, CA, USA
| | - Dean W Felsher
- Division of Oncology, Departments of Medicine and Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 269 Campus Drive, CCSR 1105, Stanford 94305-5151, CA, USA
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Sundin T, Peffley D, Hentosh P. eIF4E-Overexpression imparts perillyl alcohol and rapamycin-mediated regulation of telomerase reverse transcriptase. Exp Cell Res 2013; 319:2103-12. [PMID: 23747720 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2013.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2013] [Revised: 05/24/2013] [Accepted: 05/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Translation is mediated partly by regulation of free eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) levels through PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling. Cancer cells treated with the plant-derived perillyl alcohol (POH) or the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor rapamycin dephosphorylate eIF4E-binding protein (4E-BP1) and attenuate cap-dependent translation. We previously showed in cancer cell lines with elevated eIF4E that POH and rapamycin regulate telomerase activity through this pathway. Here, immortalized Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) control cells and CHO cells with forced eIF4E expression (rb4E) were used to elucidate eIF4E's role in telomerase regulation by POH and rapamycin. Despite 5-fold higher eIF4E amounts in rb4E, telomerase activity, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) mRNA, and TERT protein were nearly equivalent in control and rb4E cells. In control cells, telomerase activity, TERT mRNA and protein levels were unaffected by either compound. In contrast, telomerase activity and TERT protein were both attenuated by either agent in rb4E cells, but without corresponding TERT mRNA decreases indicating a translational/post-translational process. S6K, Akt, and 4E-BP1 were modulated by mTOR mediators only in the presence of increased eIF4E. Thus, eIF4E-overexpression in rb4E cells enables inhibitory effects of POH and rapamycin on telomerase and TERT protein. Importantly, eIF4E-overexpression modifies cellular protein synthetic processes and gene regulation.
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Abstract
In this paper, we provide an overview of targeted anticancer therapies with small molecule kinase inhibitors. First, we discuss why a single constitutively active kinase emanating from a variety of aberrant genetic alterations is capable of transforming a normal cell, leading it to acquire the hallmarks of a cancer cell. To draw attention to the fact that kinase inhibition in targeted cancer therapeutics differs from conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy, we exploit a conceptual framework explaining why suppressed kinase activity will selectively kill only the so-called oncogene 'addicted' cancer cell, while sparing the healthy cell. Second, we introduce the protein kinase superfamily in light of its common active conformation with precisely positioned structural elements, and the diversified auto-inhibitory conformations among the kinase families. Understanding the detailed activation mechanism of individual kinases is essential to relate the observed oncogenic alterations to the elevated constitutively active state, to identify the mechanism of consequent drug resistance, and to guide the development of the next-generation inhibitors. To clarify the vital importance of structural guidelines in studies of oncogenesis, we explain how somatic mutations in EGFR result in kinase constitutive activation. Third, in addition to the common theme of secondary (acquired) mutations that prevent drug binding from blocking a signaling pathway which is hijacked by the aberrant activated kinase, we discuss scenarios of drug resistance and relapse by compensating lesions that bypass the inactivated pathway in a vertical or horizontal fashion. Collectively, these suggest that the future challenge of cancer therapy with small molecule kinase inhibitors will rely on the discovery of distinct combinations of optimized drugs to target individual subtypes of different cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Jung Tsai
- Basic Science Program, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
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Shlomai A. Targeting late SV40 factor: Is the achilles heel of hepatocarcinogenesis revealed? World J Gastroenterol 2012; 18:6709-11. [PMID: 23239907 PMCID: PMC3520158 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i46.6709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2012] [Revised: 05/29/2012] [Accepted: 06/07/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a dreadful cancer and a major cause of death among patients with chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. The apparent alterations in a diversity of intracellular pathways found in HCC has set the rational for developing molecular-directed drugs that simultaneously inhibit multiple pathways, such as the multi-kinase inhibitor Sorafenib. However, recently this concept has been challenged by showing that HCC is heavily dependent on a single oncogene designated late SV-40 factor (LSF), a transcription factor that is over-expressed in liver cancer cells and that its expression is strongly correlated with tumor grade and aggressiveness. Furthermore, using an intensive screening for drugs that inhibit LSF activity, Grant et al have found a molecule designated factor quinolinone inhibitor 1 that can specifically block the ability of LSF to bind its target promoters, resulting in a massive death of HCC cells both in vitro and in vivo. The innovative findings of HCC representing “oncogene addiction” to LSF and the ability of a single molecule to block the activity of this oncogene resulting in tumor abolishment are encouraging and provide us with the hope that the “Achilles heel” of HCC has been found.
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