1
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Voena C, Ambrogio C, Iannelli F, Chiarle R. ALK in cancer: from function to therapeutic targeting. Nat Rev Cancer 2025; 25:359-378. [PMID: 40055571 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-025-00797-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2025] [Indexed: 05/01/2025]
Abstract
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) that acts as an oncogenic driver in solid and haematological malignancies in both children and adults. Although ALK-expressing (ALK+) tumours show strong initial responses to the series of ALK inhibitors currently available, many patients will develop resistance. In this Review, we discuss recent advances in ALK oncogenic signalling, together with existing and promising new modalities to treat ALK-driven tumours, including currently approved ALK-directed therapies, namely tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and novel approaches such as ALK-specific immune therapies. Although ALK inhibitors have changed the management and clinical history of ALK+ tumours, they are still insufficient to cure most of the patients. Therefore, more effort is needed to further improve outcomes and prevent the tumour resistance, recurrence and metastatic spread that many patients with ALK+ tumours experience. Here, we outline how a multipronged approach directed against ALK and other essential pathways that sustain the persistence of ALK+ tumours, together with potent or specific immunotherapies, could achieve this goal. We envision that the lessons learned from treating ALK+ tumours in the clinic could ultimately accelerate the implementation of innovative combination therapies to treat tumours driven by other tyrosine kinases or oncogenes with similar properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Voena
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
| | - Chiara Ambrogio
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Fabio Iannelli
- Division of Hematopathology, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Chiarle
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
- Division of Hematopathology, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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2
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Lai WY, Chuang TP, Borenäs M, Lind DE, Hallberg B, Palmer RH. Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase signaling stabilizes SLC3A2 expression via MARCH11 to promote neuroblastoma cell growth. Cell Death Differ 2024; 31:910-923. [PMID: 38858548 PMCID: PMC11239919 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-024-01319-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Solute Carrier Family 3, Member 2 (SLC3A2 or 4F2hc) is a multifunctional glycoprotein that mediates integrin-dependent signaling, acts as a trafficking chaperone for amino acid transporters, and is involved in polyamine transportation. We identified SLC3A2 as a potential Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) interacting partner in a BioID-proximity labeling screen in neuroblastoma (NB) cells. In this work we show that endogenous SLC3A2 and ALK interact in NB cells and that this SLC3A2:ALK interaction was abrogated upon treatment with the ALK inhibitor lorlatinib. We show here that loss of ALK activity leads to decreased SLC3A2 expression and reduced SLC3A2 protein stability in a panel of NB cell lines, while stimulation of ALK with ALKAL2 ligand resulted in increased SLC3A2 protein levels. We further identified MARCH11, an E3 ligase, as a regulator of SLC3A2 ubiquitination downstream of ALK. Further, knockdown of SLC3A2 resulted in inhibition of NB cell growth. To investigate the therapeutic potential of SLC3A2 targeting, we performed monotreatment of NB cells with AMXT-1501 (a polyamine transport inhibitor), which showed only moderate effects in NB cells. In contrast, a combination lorlatinib/AMXT-1501 treatment resulted in synergistic inhibition of cell growth in ALK-driven NB cell lines. Taken together, our results identify a novel role for the ALK receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), working in concert with the MARCH11 E3 ligase, in regulating SLC3A2 protein stability and function in NB cells. The synergistic effect of combined ALK and polyamine transport inhibition shows that ALK/MARCH11/SLC3A2 regulation of amino acid transport is important for oncogenic growth and survival in NB cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Yun Lai
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-40530, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Tzu-Po Chuang
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-40530, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Marcus Borenäs
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-40530, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Dan E Lind
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-40530, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Bengt Hallberg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-40530, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Ruth H Palmer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-40530, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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3
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Polychronopoulos PA, Bedoya-Reina OC, Johnsen JI. The Neuroblastoma Microenvironment, Heterogeneity and Immunotherapeutic Approaches. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1863. [PMID: 38791942 PMCID: PMC11119056 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16101863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a peripheral nervous system tumor that almost exclusively occurs in young children. Although intensified treatment modalities have led to increased patient survival, the prognosis for patients with high-risk disease is still around 50%, signifying neuroblastoma as a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children. Neuroblastoma is an embryonal tumor and is shaped by its origin from cells within the neural crest. Hence, neuroblastoma usually presents with a low mutational burden and is, in the majority of cases, driven by epigenetically deregulated transcription networks. The recent development of Omic techniques has given us detailed knowledge of neuroblastoma evolution, heterogeneity, and plasticity, as well as intra- and intercellular molecular communication networks within the neuroblastoma microenvironment. Here, we discuss the potential of these recent discoveries with emphasis on new treatment modalities, including immunotherapies which hold promise for better future treatment regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Alkinoos Polychronopoulos
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, 11883 Stockholm, Sweden; (P.A.P.); (O.C.B.-R.)
| | - Oscar C. Bedoya-Reina
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, 11883 Stockholm, Sweden; (P.A.P.); (O.C.B.-R.)
- School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, 70182 Örebro, Sweden
| | - John Inge Johnsen
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, 11883 Stockholm, Sweden; (P.A.P.); (O.C.B.-R.)
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4
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Borenäs M, Umapathy G, Lind DE, Lai WY, Guan J, Johansson J, Jennische E, Schmidt A, Kurhe Y, Gabre JL, Aniszewska A, Strömberg A, Bemark M, Hall MN, den Eynden JV, Hallberg B, Palmer RH. ALK signaling primes the DNA damage response sensitizing ALK-driven neuroblastoma to therapeutic ATR inhibition. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2315242121. [PMID: 38154064 PMCID: PMC10769851 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2315242121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
High-risk neuroblastoma (NB) is a significant clinical challenge. MYCN and Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK), which are often involved in high-risk NB, lead to increased replication stress in cancer cells, suggesting therapeutic strategies. We previously identified an ATR (ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related)/ALK inhibitor (ATRi/ALKi) combination as such a strategy in two independent genetically modified mouse NB models. Here, we identify an underlying molecular mechanism, in which ALK signaling leads to phosphorylation of ATR and CHK1, supporting an effective DNA damage response. The importance of ALK inhibition is supported by mouse data, in which ATRi monotreatment resulted in a robust initial response, but subsequent relapse, in contrast to a 14-d ALKi/ATRi combination treatment that resulted in a robust and sustained response. Finally, we show that the remarkable response to the 14-d combined ATR/ALK inhibition protocol reflects a robust differentiation response, reprogramming tumor cells to a neuronal/Schwann cell lineage identity. Our results identify an ability of ATR inhibition to promote NB differentiation and underscore the importance of further exploring combined ALK/ATR inhibition in NB, particularly in high-risk patient groups with oncogene-induced replication stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Borenäs
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Ganesh Umapathy
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Dan E. Lind
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Wei-Yun Lai
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Jikui Guan
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Joel Johansson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Eva Jennische
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Alexander Schmidt
- Proteomics Core Facility, Biozentrum, Basel University, Basel4056, Switzerland
| | - Yeshwant Kurhe
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Jonatan L. Gabre
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Anatomy and Embryology Unit, Ghent University, Ghent9000, Belgium
| | - Agata Aniszewska
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Anneli Strömberg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Mats Bemark
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg SE-405 30, Sweden
| | | | - Jimmy Van den Eynden
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Anatomy and Embryology Unit, Ghent University, Ghent9000, Belgium
| | - Bengt Hallberg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Ruth H. Palmer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
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5
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Bergaggio E, Tai WT, Aroldi A, Mecca C, Landoni E, Nüesch M, Mota I, Metovic J, Molinaro L, Ma L, Alvarado D, Ambrogio C, Voena C, Blasco RB, Li T, Klein D, Irvine DJ, Papotti M, Savoldo B, Dotti G, Chiarle R. ALK inhibitors increase ALK expression and sensitize neuroblastoma cells to ALK.CAR-T cells. Cancer Cell 2023; 41:2100-2116.e10. [PMID: 38039964 PMCID: PMC10793157 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Selection of the best tumor antigen is critical for the therapeutic success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) receptor is expressed by most neuroblastomas while virtually absent in most normal tissues. ALK is an oncogenic driver in neuroblastoma and ALK inhibitors show promising clinical activity. Here, we describe the development of ALK.CAR-T cells that show potent efficacy in monotherapy against neuroblastoma with high ALK expression without toxicity. For neuroblastoma with low ALK expression, combination with ALK inhibitors specifically potentiates ALK.CAR-T cells but not GD2.CAR-T cells. Mechanistically, ALK inhibitors impair tumor growth and upregulate the expression of ALK, thereby facilitating the activity of ALK.CAR-T cells against neuroblastoma. Thus, while neither ALK inhibitors nor ALK.CAR-T cells will likely be sufficient as monotherapy in neuroblastoma with low ALK density, their combination specifically enhances therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Bergaggio
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Wei-Tien Tai
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Andrea Aroldi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Carmen Mecca
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Elisa Landoni
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Manuel Nüesch
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ines Mota
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jasna Metovic
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Luca Molinaro
- Department of Medical Science, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Leyuan Ma
- Koch Institute and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Chiara Ambrogio
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Claudia Voena
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Rafael B Blasco
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Tongqing Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Daryl Klein
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | | | - Mauro Papotti
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Barbara Savoldo
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Gianpietro Dotti
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Roberto Chiarle
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy.
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6
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Katic L, Priscan A. Multifaceted Roles of ALK Family Receptors and Augmentor Ligands in Health and Disease: A Comprehensive Review. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1490. [PMID: 37892172 PMCID: PMC10605310 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This review commemorates the 10-year anniversary of the discovery of physiological ligands Augα (Augmentor α; ALKAL2; Fam150b) and Augβ (Augmentor β; ALKAL1; Fam150a) for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and leukocyte tyrosine kinase (LTK), previously considered orphan receptors. This manuscript provides an in-depth review of the biophysical and cellular properties of ALK family receptors and their roles in cancer, metabolism, pain, ophthalmology, pigmentation, central nervous system (CNS) function, and reproduction. ALK and LTK receptors are implicated in the development of numerous cancers, and targeted inhibition of their signaling pathways can offer therapeutic benefits. Additionally, ALK family receptors are involved in regulating body weight and metabolism, modulating pain signaling, and contributing to eye development and pigmentation. In the CNS, these receptors play a role in synapse modulation, neurogenesis, and various psychiatric pathologies. Lastly, ALK expression is linked to reproductive functions, with potential implications for patients undergoing ALK inhibitor therapy. Further research is needed to better understand the complex interactions of ALK family receptors and Aug ligands and to repurpose targeted therapy for a wide range of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luka Katic
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Morningside/West, 1000 Tenth Avenue, New York, NY 10019, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Anamarija Priscan
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA;
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7
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Chai C, Chen Y, Luo Y, Zhang H, Ye Z, He X, Zou Y, Xu Y, Li L, Tang J, Wu Q. Mitochondria-associated gene expression perturbation predicts clinical outcomes and shows potential for targeted therapy in neuroblastoma. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1094926. [PMID: 37025299 PMCID: PMC10070980 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1094926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Mitochondria have long been considered a potential target in cancer therapy because malignant cells are known for their altered energy production. However, there is a lack of comprehensive research on the involvement of mitochondria-associated proteins (MAPs) in neuroblastoma (NB), and their potential as therapeutic targets is yet to be fully explored. Methods MAP genes were defined based on the protein-coding genes with mitochondrial localization. The mRNA expression patterns and dynamics of MAP genes associated with NB were investigated by integrating publicly available transcriptional profiles at the cellular and tissue levels. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was conducted to reveal the association of MAP genes with the overall survival (OS) and clinical subgroups of NB patients. The single-cell RNA-seq dataset and gene dependency screening datasets were analyzed to reveal the therapeutic potential of targeting MAP genes. Results We compiled a total of 1,712 MAP genes. We found the global and cell type-specific mRNA expression changes of the MAP genes associated with NB status and survival. Our analyses revealed a group of MAP gene signatures independent of MYCN-amplification status associated with NB outcome. We provided computational evidence with selected MAP genes showing good performance in predicting long-term prognosis. By analyzing gene dependency of the MAP genes in NB cell lines and ex vivo human primary T cells, we demonstrated the therapeutic potential of targeting several MAP genes in NB tumors. Conclusions Collectively, our study provides evidence for the MAP genes as extended candidates in NB tumor stratification and staging, prognostic prediction, and targeted drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengwei Chai
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Correspondence: Chengwei Chai Qiang Wu
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Luo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhihua Ye
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaobing He
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Zou
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingyi Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Le Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jue Tang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiang Wu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Correspondence: Chengwei Chai Qiang Wu
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Abstract
Purpose of Review The evolving information of the initiation, tumor cell heterogeneity, and plasticity of childhood neuroblastoma has opened up new perspectives for developing therapies based on detailed knowledge of the disease. Recent Findings The cellular origin of neuroblastoma has begun to unravel and there have been several reports on tumor cell heterogeneity based on transcriptional core regulatory circuitries that have given us important information on the biology of neuroblastoma as a developmental disease. This together with new insight of the tumor microenvironment which acts as a support for neuroblastoma growth has given us the prospect for designing better treatment approaches for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma. Here, we discuss these new discoveries and highlight some emerging therapeutic options. Summary Neuroblastoma is a disease with multiple facets. Detailed biological and molecular knowledge on neuroblastoma initiation, heterogeneity, and the communications between cells in the tumor microenvironment holds promise for better therapies.
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Treis D, Umapathy G, Fransson S, Guan J, Mendoza-García P, Siaw JT, Wessman S, Gordon Murkes L, Stenman JJE, Djos A, Elfman LHM, Johnsen JI, Hallberg B, Palmer RH, Martinsson T, Kogner P. Sustained Response to Entrectinib in an Infant With a Germline ALKAL2 Variant and Refractory Metastatic Neuroblastoma With Chromosomal 2p Gain and Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase and Tropomyosin Receptor Kinase Activation. JCO Precis Oncol 2022; 6:e2100271. [PMID: 35085006 PMCID: PMC8830523 DOI: 10.1200/po.21.00271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Personalized molecular workup enabled successful ALK inhibitor treatment in a child with resistant neuroblastoma.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Treis
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Pediatric Oncology, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ganesh Umapathy
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Susanne Fransson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jikui Guan
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Patricia Mendoza-García
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Joachim T. Siaw
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sandra Wessman
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lena Gordon Murkes
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jakob J. E. Stenman
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Pediatric Oncology, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Djos
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lotta H. M. Elfman
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Pediatric Oncology, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - John Inge Johnsen
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Pediatric Oncology, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bengt Hallberg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ruth H. Palmer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Tommy Martinsson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Per Kogner
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Pediatric Oncology, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Per Kogner, MD, PhD; Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet , Tomtebodavägen 18A, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden;
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10
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Nunes-Xavier CE, Zaldumbide L, Mosteiro L, López-Almaraz R, García de Andoin N, Aguirre P, Emaldi M, Torices L, López JI, Pulido R. Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases in Neuroblastoma: Emerging Roles as Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:811297. [PMID: 34957126 PMCID: PMC8692838 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.811297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer intimately related with early development and differentiation of neuroendocrine cells, and constitutes one of the pediatric cancers with higher incidence and mortality. Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are key regulators of cell growth and differentiation by their direct effect on tyrosine dephosphorylation of specific protein substrates, exerting major functions in the modulation of intracellular signaling during neuron development in response to external cues driving cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation. We review here the current knowledge on the role of PTPs in neuroblastoma cell growth, survival, and differentiation. The potential of PTPs as biomarkers and molecular targets for inhibition in neuroblastoma therapies is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline E. Nunes-Xavier
- Biomarkers in Cancer Unit, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway
- *Correspondence: Caroline E. Nunes-Xavier, ; Rafael Pulido,
| | - Laura Zaldumbide
- Department of Pathology, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Lorena Mosteiro
- Department of Pathology, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | | | | | - Pablo Aguirre
- Department of Pathology, Donostia University Hospital, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Maite Emaldi
- Biomarkers in Cancer Unit, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Leire Torices
- Biomarkers in Cancer Unit, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - José I. López
- Biomarkers in Cancer Unit, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Rafael Pulido
- Biomarkers in Cancer Unit, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
- *Correspondence: Caroline E. Nunes-Xavier, ; Rafael Pulido,
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11
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Structural basis of cytokine-mediated activation of ALK family receptors. Nature 2021; 600:143-147. [PMID: 34646012 PMCID: PMC9343967 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03959-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)1 and the related leukocyte tyrosine kinase (LTK)2 are recently deorphanized receptor tyrosine kinases3. Together with their activating cytokines, ALKAL1 and ALKAL24-6 (also called FAM150A and FAM150B or AUGβ and AUGα, respectively), they are involved in neural development7, cancer7-9 and autoimmune diseases10. Furthermore, mammalian ALK recently emerged as a key regulator of energy expenditure and weight gain11, consistent with a metabolic role for Drosophila ALK12. Despite such functional pleiotropy and growing therapeutic relevance13,14, structural insights into ALK and LTK and their complexes with cognate cytokines have remained scarce. Here we show that the cytokine-binding segments of human ALK and LTK comprise a novel architectural chimera of a permuted TNF-like module that braces a glycine-rich subdomain featuring a hexagonal lattice of long polyglycine type II helices. The cognate cytokines ALKAL1 and ALKAL2 are monomeric three-helix bundles, yet their binding to ALK and LTK elicits similar dimeric assemblies with two-fold symmetry, that tent a single cytokine molecule proximal to the cell membrane. We show that the membrane-proximal EGF-like domain dictates the apparent cytokine preference of ALK. Assisted by these diverse structure-function findings, we propose a structural and mechanistic blueprint for complexes of ALK family receptors, and thereby extend the repertoire of ligand-mediated dimerization mechanisms adopted by receptor tyrosine kinases.
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12
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Chromosome Imbalances in Neuroblastoma-Recent Molecular Insight into Chromosome 1p-deletion, 2p-gain, and 11q-deletion Identifies New Friends and Foes for the Future. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13235897. [PMID: 34885007 PMCID: PMC8657310 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13235897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Neuroblastoma is a pediatric cancer that arises in the sympathetic nervous system. High-risk neuroblastoma is clinically challenging and identification of novel therapies, particularly those that offer a reduction in morbidity for these patients, is a high priority. Combining genetic analyses with investigation of molecular mechanisms, while considering recent advances in our understanding of key developmental events, provides avenues for future treatment. Here we review and highlight several recently published articles that address novel molecular mechanisms arising from chromosome 1p, 2p, and 11q aberrations, which likely contribute to high-risk neuroblastoma, and discusses their potential impact on treatment options. Abstract Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid pediatric tumor, with around 15% childhood cancer-related mortality. High-risk neuroblastomas exhibit a range of genetic, morphological, and clinical heterogeneities, which add complexity to diagnosis and treatment with existing modalities. Identification of novel therapies is a high priority in high-risk neuroblastoma, and the combination of genetic analysis with increased mechanistic understanding—including identification of key signaling and developmental events—provides optimism for the future. This focused review highlights several recent findings concerning chromosomes 1p, 2p, and 11q, which link genetic aberrations with aberrant molecular signaling output. These novel molecular insights contribute important knowledge towards more effective treatment strategies for neuroblastoma.
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13
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Szydzik J, Lind DE, Arefin B, Kurhe Y, Umapathy G, Siaw JT, Claeys A, Gabre JL, Van den Eynden J, Hallberg B, Palmer RH. ATR inhibition enables complete tumour regression in ALK-driven NB mouse models. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6813. [PMID: 34819497 PMCID: PMC8613282 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27057-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
High-risk neuroblastoma (NB) often involves MYCN amplification as well as mutations in ALK. Currently, high-risk NB presents significant clinical challenges, and additional therapeutic options are needed. Oncogenes like MYCN and ALK result in increased replication stress in cancer cells, offering therapeutically exploitable options. We have pursued phosphoproteomic analyses highlighting ATR activity in ALK-driven NB cells, identifying the BAY1895344 ATR inhibitor as a potent inhibitor of NB cell growth and proliferation. Using RNA-Seq, proteomics and phosphoproteomics we characterize NB cell and tumour responses to ATR inhibition, identifying key components of the DNA damage response as ATR targets in NB cells. ATR inhibition also produces robust responses in mouse models. Remarkably, a 2-week combined ATR/ALK inhibition protocol leads to complete tumor regression in two independent genetically modified mouse NB models. These results suggest that NB patients, particularly in high-risk groups with oncogene-induced replication stress, may benefit from ATR inhibition as therapeutic intervention. Effective therapeutic options are still needed in neuroblastoma treatment. Here, the authors, through a comprehensive proteomics analysis, identify ATR as a potential therapeutic target of neuroblastoma and demonstrate the efficacy of the ATR inhibitor BAY1895344 in combination with the ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor lorlatinib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Szydzik
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-40530, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Dan E Lind
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-40530, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Badrul Arefin
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-40530, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Yeshwant Kurhe
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-40530, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ganesh Umapathy
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-40530, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Joachim Tetteh Siaw
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-40530, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Arne Claeys
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Anatomy and Embryology Unit, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jonatan L Gabre
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-40530, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Human Structure and Repair, Anatomy and Embryology Unit, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jimmy Van den Eynden
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Anatomy and Embryology Unit, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Bengt Hallberg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-40530, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Ruth H Palmer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-40530, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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14
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Perri P, Ponzoni M, Corrias MV, Ceccherini I, Candiani S, Bachetti T. A Focus on Regulatory Networks Linking MicroRNAs, Transcription Factors and Target Genes in Neuroblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5528. [PMID: 34771690 PMCID: PMC8582685 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a tumor of the peripheral sympathetic nervous system that substantially contributes to childhood cancer mortality. NB originates from neural crest cells (NCCs) undergoing a defective sympathetic neuronal differentiation and although the starting events leading to the development of NB remain to be fully elucidated, the master role of genetic alterations in key oncogenes has been ascertained: (1) amplification and/or over-expression of MYCN, which is strongly associated with tumor progression and invasion; (2) activating mutations, amplification and/or over-expression of ALK, which is involved in tumor initiation, angiogenesis and invasion; (3) amplification and/or over-expression of LIN28B, promoting proliferation and suppression of neuroblast differentiation; (4) mutations and/or over-expression of PHOX2B, which is involved in the regulation of NB differentiation, stemness maintenance, migration and metastasis. Moreover, altered microRNA (miRNA) expression takes part in generating pathogenetic networks, in which the regulatory loops among transcription factors, miRNAs and target genes lead to complex and aberrant oncogene expression that underlies the development of a tumor. In this review, we have focused on the circuitry linking the oncogenic transcription factors MYCN and PHOX2B with their transcriptional targets ALK and LIN28B and the tumor suppressor microRNAs let-7, miR-34 and miR-204, which should act as down-regulators of their expression. We have also looked at the physiologic role of these genetic and epigenetic determinants in NC development, as well as in terminal differentiation, with their pathogenic dysregulation leading to NB oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Perri
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (M.P.); (M.V.C.)
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (M.P.); (M.V.C.)
| | - Maria Valeria Corrias
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (M.P.); (M.V.C.)
| | - Isabella Ceccherini
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics of Rare Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Simona Candiani
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Tiziana Bachetti
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics of Rare Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy;
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
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15
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Defining Pathological Activities of ALK in Neuroblastoma, a Neural Crest-Derived Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111718. [PMID: 34769149 PMCID: PMC8584162 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a common extracranial solid tumour of childhood, responsible for 15% of cancer-related deaths in children. Prognoses vary from spontaneous remission to aggressive disease with extensive metastases, where treatment is challenging. Tumours are thought to arise from sympathoadrenal progenitor cells, which derive from an embryonic cell population called neural crest cells that give rise to diverse cell types, such as facial bone and cartilage, pigmented cells, and neurons. Tumours are found associated with mature derivatives of neural crest, such as the adrenal medulla or paraspinal ganglia. Sympathoadrenal progenitor cells express anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), which encodes a tyrosine kinase receptor that is the most frequently mutated gene in neuroblastoma. Activating mutations in the kinase domain are common in both sporadic and familial cases. The oncogenic role of ALK has been extensively studied, but little is known about its physiological role. Recent studies have implicated ALK in neural crest migration and sympathetic neurogenesis. However, very few downstream targets of ALK have been identified. Here, we describe pathological activation of ALK in the neural crest, which promotes proliferation and migration, while preventing differentiation, thus inducing the onset of neuroblastoma. Understanding the effects of ALK activity on neural crest cells will help find new targets for neuroblastoma treatment.
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16
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Braoudaki M, Hatziagapiou K, Zaravinos A, Lambrou GI. MYCN in Neuroblastoma: "Old Wine into New Wineskins". Diseases 2021; 9:78. [PMID: 34842635 PMCID: PMC8628738 DOI: 10.3390/diseases9040078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
MYCN Proto-Oncogene, BHLH Transcription Factor (MYCN) has been one of the most studied genes in neuroblastoma. It is known for its oncogenetic mechanisms, as well as its role in the prognosis of the disease and it is considered one of the prominent targets for neuroblastoma therapy. In the present work, we attempted to review the literature, on the relation between MYCN and neuroblastoma from all possible mechanistic sites. We have searched the literature for the role of MYCN in neuroblastoma based on the following topics: the references of MYCN in the literature, the gene's anatomy, along with its transcripts, the protein's anatomy, the epigenetic mechanisms regulating MYCN expression and function, as well as MYCN amplification. MYCN plays a significant role in neuroblastoma biology. Its functions and properties range from the forming of G-quadraplexes, to the interaction with miRNAs, as well as the regulation of gene methylation and histone acetylation and deacetylation. Although MYCN is one of the most primary genes studied in neuroblastoma, there is still a lot to be learned. Our knowledge on the exact mechanisms of MYCN amplification, etiology and potential interventions is still limited. The knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of MYCN in neuroblastoma, could have potential prognostic and therapeutic advantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Braoudaki
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, Hertfordshire, UK;
| | - Kyriaki Hatziagapiou
- Choremeio Research Laboratory, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Thivon & Levadeias 8, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Apostolos Zaravinos
- Department of Life Sciences, European University Cyprus, Diogenis Str., 6, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus
- Cancer Genetics, Genomics and Systems Biology Group, Basic and Translational Cancer Research Center, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 1516, Cyprus
| | - George I. Lambrou
- Choremeio Research Laboratory, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Thivon & Levadeias 8, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece;
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17
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Molecular Genetics in Neuroblastoma Prognosis. CHILDREN-BASEL 2021; 8:children8060456. [PMID: 34072462 PMCID: PMC8226597 DOI: 10.3390/children8060456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, much research has been carried out to identify the biological and genetic characteristics of the neuroblastoma (NB) tumor in order to precisely define the prognostic subgroups for improving treatment stratification. This review will describe the major genetic features and the recent scientific advances, focusing on their impact on diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic solutions in NB clinical management.
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18
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Borenäs M, Umapathy G, Lai W, Lind DE, Witek B, Guan J, Mendoza‐Garcia P, Masudi T, Claeys A, Chuang T, El Wakil A, Arefin B, Fransson S, Koster J, Johansson M, Gaarder J, Van den Eynden J, Hallberg B, Palmer RH. ALK ligand ALKAL2 potentiates MYCN-driven neuroblastoma in the absence of ALK mutation. EMBO J 2021; 40:e105784. [PMID: 33411331 PMCID: PMC7849294 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020105784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
High-risk neuroblastoma (NB) is responsible for a disproportionate number of childhood deaths due to cancer. One indicator of high-risk NB is amplification of the neural MYC (MYCN) oncogene, which is currently therapeutically intractable. Identification of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) as an NB oncogene raised the possibility of using ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in treatment of patients with activating ALK mutations. 8-10% of primary NB patients are ALK-positive, a figure that increases in the relapsed population. ALK is activated by the ALKAL2 ligand located on chromosome 2p, along with ALK and MYCN, in the "2p-gain" region associated with NB. Dysregulation of ALK ligand in NB has not been addressed, although one of the first oncogenes described was v-sis that shares > 90% homology with PDGF. Therefore, we tested whether ALKAL2 ligand could potentiate NB progression in the absence of ALK mutation. We show that ALKAL2 overexpression in mice drives ALK TKI-sensitive NB in the absence of ALK mutation, suggesting that additional NB patients, such as those exhibiting 2p-gain, may benefit from ALK TKI-based therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Borenäs
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell BiologyInstitute of BiomedicineSahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Ganesh Umapathy
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell BiologyInstitute of BiomedicineSahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Wei‐Yun Lai
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell BiologyInstitute of BiomedicineSahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Dan E Lind
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell BiologyInstitute of BiomedicineSahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Barbara Witek
- Department of Molecular BiologyUmeå UniversityUmeåSweden
| | - Jikui Guan
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell BiologyInstitute of BiomedicineSahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Patricia Mendoza‐Garcia
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell BiologyInstitute of BiomedicineSahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Tafheem Masudi
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell BiologyInstitute of BiomedicineSahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Arne Claeys
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Anatomy and Embryology UnitGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Tzu‐Po Chuang
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell BiologyInstitute of BiomedicineSahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Abeer El Wakil
- Department of Molecular BiologyUmeå UniversityUmeåSweden
- Present address:
Department of Biological SciencesAlexandria UniversityAlexandriaEgypt
| | - Badrul Arefin
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell BiologyInstitute of BiomedicineSahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Susanne Fransson
- Laboratory MedicineInstitute of BiomedicineSahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Jan Koster
- Department of OncogenomicsAcademic Medical CenterUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Mathias Johansson
- Clinical GenomicsScience for life laboratoryUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Jennie Gaarder
- Laboratory MedicineInstitute of BiomedicineSahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Jimmy Van den Eynden
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Anatomy and Embryology UnitGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Bengt Hallberg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell BiologyInstitute of BiomedicineSahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Ruth H Palmer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell BiologyInstitute of BiomedicineSahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
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