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Vazaios K, van Berkum RE, Calkoen FG, van der Lugt J, Hulleman E. OV Modulators of the Paediatric Brain TIME: Current Status, Combination Strategies, Limitations and Future Directions. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5007. [PMID: 38732225 PMCID: PMC11084613 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25095007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are characterised by their preference for infecting and replicating in tumour cells either naturally or after genetic modification, resulting in oncolysis. Furthermore, OVs can elicit both local and systemic anticancer immune responses while specifically infecting and lysing tumour cells. These characteristics render them a promising therapeutic approach for paediatric brain tumours (PBTs). PBTs are frequently marked by a cold tumour immune microenvironment (TIME), which suppresses immunotherapies. Recent preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the capability of OVs to induce a proinflammatory immune response, thereby modifying the TIME. In-depth insights into the effect of OVs on different cell types in the TIME may therefore provide a compelling basis for using OVs in combination with other immunotherapy modalities. However, certain limitations persist in our understanding of oncolytic viruses' ability to regulate the TIME to enhance anti-tumour activity. These limitations primarily stem from the translational limitations of model systems, the difficulties associated with tracking reliable markers of efficacy throughout the course of treatment and the role of pre-existing viral immunity. In this review, we describe the different alterations observed in the TIME in PBTs due to OV treatment, combination therapies of OVs with different immunotherapies and the hurdles limiting the development of effective OV therapies while suggesting future directions based on existing evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Esther Hulleman
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (K.V.); (F.G.C.); (J.v.d.L.)
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2
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Upadhye A, Meza Landeros KE, Ramírez-Suástegui C, Schmiedel BJ, Woo E, Chee SJ, Malicki D, Coufal NG, Gonda D, Levy ML, Greenbaum JA, Seumois G, Crawford J, Roberts WD, Schoenberger SP, Cheroutre H, Ottensmeier CH, Vijayanand P, Ganesan AP. Intra-tumoral T cells in pediatric brain tumors display clonal expansion and effector properties. NATURE CANCER 2024; 5:791-807. [PMID: 38228835 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-023-00706-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Brain tumors in children are a devastating disease in a high proportion of patients. Owing to inconsistent results in clinical trials in unstratified patients, the role of immunotherapy remains unclear. We performed an in-depth survey of the single-cell transcriptomes and clonal relationship of intra-tumoral T cells from children with brain tumors. Our results demonstrate that a large fraction of T cells in the tumor tissue are clonally expanded with the potential to recognize tumor antigens. Such clonally expanded T cells display enrichment of transcripts linked to effector function, tissue residency, immune checkpoints and signatures of neoantigen-specific T cells and immunotherapy response. We identify neoantigens in pediatric brain tumors and show that neoantigen-specific T cell gene signatures are linked to better survival outcomes. Notably, among the patients in our cohort, we observe substantial heterogeneity in the degree of clonal expansion and magnitude of T cell response. Our findings suggest that characterization of intra-tumoral T cell responses may enable selection of patients for immunotherapy, an approach that requires prospective validation in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Upadhye
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kevin E Meza Landeros
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Genomic Sciences, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | | | | | - Edwin Woo
- Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Serena J Chee
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Denise Malicki
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Nicole G Coufal
- Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - David Gonda
- Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Michael L Levy
- Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | | | - John Crawford
- Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Children's Hospital Orange County, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - William D Roberts
- Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Christian H Ottensmeier
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Clatterbridge Cancer Center NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Pandurangan Vijayanand
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Anusha-Preethi Ganesan
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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3
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Santiago-Vicente Y, de Jesús Castillejos-López M, Carmona-Aparicio L, Coballase-Urrutia E, Velasco-Hidalgo L, Niembro-Zúñiga AM, Zapata-Tarrés M, Torres-Espíndola LM. Immunotherapy for Pediatric Gliomas: CAR-T Cells Against B7H3: A Review of the Literature. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2024; 23:420-430. [PMID: 37038673 DOI: 10.2174/1871527322666230406094257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND B7H3 is a co-stimulatory molecule for immune reactions found on the surface of tumor cells in a wide variety of tumors. Preclinical and clinical studies have reported it as a tumor target towards which various immunotherapy modalities could be directed. So far, good results have been obtained in hematological neoplasms; however, a contrasting situation is evident in solid tumors, including those of the CNS, which show high refractoriness to current treatments. The appearance of cellular immunotherapies has transformed oncology due to the reinforcement of the immune response that is compromised in people with cancer. OBJECTIVE This article aims to review the literature to describe the advancement in knowledge on B7H3 as a target of CAR-T cells in pediatric gliomas to consider them as an alternative in the treatment of these patients. RESULTS Although B7H3 is considered a suitable candidate as a target agent for various immunotherapy techniques, there are still limitations in using CAR-T cells to achieve the desired success. CONCLUSION Results obtained with CAR-T cells can be further improved by the suggested proposals; therefore, more clinical trials are needed to study this new therapy in children with gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda Santiago-Vicente
- Iztacala Faculty of Higher Studies, Tlalnepantla, México
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, National Institute of Pediatrics, Mexico City, México
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Marta Zapata-Tarrés
- Head of Research Coordination at Mexican Social Security Institute Foundation, Mexico City, México
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4
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Budhiraja S, Najem H, Tripathi S, Wadhawani NR, Horbinski C, McCord M, Lenzen AC, Heimberger AB, DeCuypere M. Immunobiology and Cytokine Modulation of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Microenvironment: A Scoping Review. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3655. [PMID: 37509316 PMCID: PMC10377457 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143655] [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: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Utilizing a Scoping Review strategy in the domain of immune biology to identify immune therapeutic targets, knowledge gaps for implementing immune therapeutic strategies for pediatric brain tumors was assessed. The analysis demonstrated limited efforts to date to characterize and understand the immunological aspects of tumor biology with an over-reliance on observations from the adult glioma population. Foundational knowledge regarding the frequency and ubiquity of immune therapeutic targets is an area of unmet need along with the development of immune-competent pediatric tumor models to test therapeutics and especially combinatorial treatment. Opportunities arise in the evolution of pediatric tumor classification from histological to molecular with targeted immune therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreya Budhiraja
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Hinda Najem
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Shashwat Tripathi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Nitin R Wadhawani
- Division of Pathology, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Craig Horbinski
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Matthew McCord
- Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Alicia C Lenzen
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, Neuro-Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Amy B Heimberger
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Michael DeCuypere
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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5
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Han YP, Lin HW, Li H. Cancer Stem Cells in Tumours of the Central Nervous System in Children: A Comprehensive Review. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3154. [PMID: 37370764 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123154] [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: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subgroup of cells found in various kinds of tumours with stem cell characteristics, such as self-renewal, induced differentiation, and tumourigenicity. The existence of CSCs is regarded as a major source of tumour recurrence, metastasis, and resistance to conventional chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Tumours of the central nervous system (CNS) are the most common solid tumours in children, which have many different types including highly malignant embryonal tumours and midline gliomas, and low-grade gliomas with favourable prognoses. Stem cells from the CNS tumours have been largely found and reported by researchers in the last decade and their roles in tumour biology have been deeply studied. However, the cross-talk of CSCs among different CNS tumour types and their clinical impacts have been rarely discussed. This article comprehensively reviews the achievements in research on CSCs in paediatric CNS tumours. Biological functions, diagnostic values, and therapeutic perspectives are reviewed in detail. Further investigations into CSCs are warranted to improve the clinical practice in treating children with CNS tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Peng Han
- Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Hou-Wei Lin
- Department of Paediatric Urology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Jiaxing Women and Children Hospital Affiliated to Jiaxing University, Jiaxing 314001, China
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai 201102, China
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6
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Yao B, Delaidelli A, Vogel H, Sorensen PH. Pediatric Brain Tumours: Lessons from the Immune Microenvironment. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:5024-5046. [PMID: 37232837 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30050379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In spite of recent advances in tumour molecular subtyping, pediatric brain tumours (PBTs) remain the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children. While some PBTs are treatable with favourable outcomes, recurrent and metastatic disease for certain types of PBTs remains challenging and is often fatal. Tumour immunotherapy has emerged as a hopeful avenue for the treatment of childhood tumours, and recent immunotherapy efforts have been directed towards PBTs. This strategy has the potential to combat otherwise incurable PBTs, while minimizing off-target effects and long-term sequelae. As the infiltration and activation states of immune cells, including tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes and tumour-associated macrophages, are key to shaping responses towards immunotherapy, this review explores the immune landscape of the developing brain and discusses the tumour immune microenvironments of common PBTs, with hopes of conferring insights that may inform future treatment design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betty Yao
- Department of Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Alberto Delaidelli
- Department of Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Hannes Vogel
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Poul H Sorensen
- Department of Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
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7
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Parisi R, Patel RR, Rood G, Bowden A, Turco G, Korones DN, Andolina JR, Comito M, Barth M, Weintraub L. Multi-institution analysis of tumor mutational burden and outcomes in pediatric central nervous system tumor patients. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2023; 70:e30139. [PMID: 36573296 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the leading cause of pediatric cancer mortality. Research addressing genomic biomarkers and clinical outcomes is needed to inform therapeutic decision-making. METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of pediatric patients (age <21) diagnosed with a primary CNS tumor at four upstate New York hospitals from 2008 to 2021. Clinical and histopathologic data were identified from each patient, including genomic analysis of somatic mutations and tumor mutational burden (TMB) where available. These variables were each compared with overall survival using Cox regression analyses. Multivariable analysis was conducted to identify patient characteristics that may independently predict survival. RESULTS We identified 119 patients. Common tumor types included low-grade glioma (N = 51), high-grade glioma (N = 29), and medulloblastoma (N = 11). Common driver mutations included TP53 inactivation (N = 16), BRAF-KIAA1549 fusion (N = 16), FGFR1 amplification (N = 12), BRAF V600E mutation (N = 12), NF1 loss (N = 12), and H3F3A K28M mutation (N = 6). Median TMB was one mutation/megabase (mut/Mb, range = 0-132). Overall survival was 79.9%. Variables associated with poorer survival on univariable analysis were higher TMB (p = .002, HR 4.97), high-grade tumors (p = .009, HR 84.3), and high-grade glioma histology (p = .021, HR 3.14). Multivariable analyses further identified TMB (p = .011, HR 4.46) and high-grade histology (p = .015, HR 5.28) as independently predictive of worse survival. Tumor progression was more common in high-TMB (N = 15, 44%) than in low-TMB tumors (N = 19, 35%). CONCLUSIONS High TMB is correlated with higher rates of progression and death as compared to low-TMB tumors. These findings may help identify patients who may benefit from alternative treatments, such as immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose Parisi
- Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Roshal R Patel
- Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, USA.,Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Gavrielle Rood
- Upstate Medical University College of Medicine, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Acacia Bowden
- University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - George Turco
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - David N Korones
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Andolina
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Melanie Comito
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Upstate University Hospital, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Matthew Barth
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Lauren Weintraub
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York, USA
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8
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Guzman G, Pellot K, Reed MR, Rodriguez A. CAR T-cells to treat brain tumors. Brain Res Bull 2023; 196:76-98. [PMID: 36841424 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Tremendous success using CAR T therapy in hematological malignancies has garnered significant interest in developing such treatments for solid tumors, including brain tumors. This success, however, has yet to be mirrored in solid organ neoplasms. CAR T function has shown limited efficacy against brain tumors due to several factors including the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, blood-brain barrier, and tumor-antigen heterogeneity. Despite these considerations, CAR T-cell therapy has the potential to be implemented as a treatment modality for brain tumors. Here, we review adult and pediatric brain tumors, including glioblastoma, diffuse midline gliomas, and medulloblastomas that continue to portend a grim prognosis. We describe insights gained from different preclinical models using CAR T therapy against various brain tumors and results gathered from ongoing clinical trials. Furthermore, we outline the challenges limiting CAR T therapy success against brain tumors and summarize advancements made to overcome these obstacles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Guzman
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | | | - Megan R Reed
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Analiz Rodriguez
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States.
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9
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Bartlett AL, Lane A, Chaney B, Escorza NY, Black K, Cochrane A, Minturn J, Bartels U, Warren K, Hansford J, Ziegler D, Diez B, Goldman S, Packer R, Kieran M, DeWire-Schottmiller M, Erker C, Monje-Deisseroth M, Wagner L, Koschmann C, Dorris K, Shih CS, Hassall T, Samson Y, Fisher P, Wang SS, Tsui K, Sevlever G, Zhu X, Dexheimer P, Asher A, Fuller C, Drissi R, Jones B, Leach J, Fouladi M. Characteristics of children ≤36 months of age with DIPG: A report from the international DIPG registry. Neuro Oncol 2022; 24:2190-2199. [PMID: 35552452 PMCID: PMC9713498 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noac123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children ≤36 months with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) have increased long-term survival (LTS, overall survival (OS) ≥24 months). Understanding distinguishing characteristics in this population is critical to improving outcomes. METHODS Patients ≤36 months at diagnosis enrolled on the International DIPG Registry (IDIPGR) with central imaging confirmation were included. Presentation, clinical course, imaging, pathology and molecular findings were analyzed. RESULTS Among 1183 patients in IDIPGR, 40 were eligible (median age: 29 months). Median OS was 15 months. Twelve patients (30%) were LTS, 3 (7.5%) very long-term survivors ≥5 years. Among 8 untreated patients, median OS was 2 months. Patients enrolled in the registry but excluded from our study by central radiology review or tissue diagnosis had median OS of 7 months. All but 1 LTS received radiation. Among 32 treated patients, 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 68.8%, 31.2%, 15.6% and 12.5%, respectively. LTS had longer duration of presenting symptoms (P = .018). No imaging features were predictive of outcome. Tissue and genomic data were available in 18 (45%) and 10 patients, respectively. Among 9 with known H3K27M status, 6 had a mutation. CONCLUSIONS Children ≤36 months demonstrated significantly more LTS, with an improved median OS of 15 months; 92% of LTS received radiation. Median OS in untreated children was 2 months, compared to 17 months for treated children. LTS had longer duration of symptoms. Excluded patients demonstrated a lower OS, contradicting the hypothesis that children ≤36 months with DIPG show improved outcomes due to misdiagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison L Bartlett
- Corresponding Author: Allison Bartlett, MD, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 1107, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA ()
| | - Adam Lane
- Division of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Immune Deficiency, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Brooklyn Chaney
- Division of Oncology, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Nancy Yanez Escorza
- Division of Oncology, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Katie Black
- Division of Oncology, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Anne Cochrane
- Brain Tumor Center, Division of Oncology, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA,University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Jane Minturn
- Division of Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,USA
| | - Ute Bartels
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Oncology, University of Toronto and The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kathy Warren
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jordan Hansford
- Children’s Cancer Centre, Royal Children’s Hospital; Murdoch Children’s Research Institute; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David Ziegler
- Children’s Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW and Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney’s Children Hospital, Randwick, Sydney NSW, Australia,School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Blanca Diez
- FLENI (Fundacion para Lucha contra las Enfermedes Neurologicas de Infantes), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Stewart Goldman
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois,USA
| | - Roger Packer
- Department of Neurology, Center for Neuroscience and Behavioral Medicine, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Mark Kieran
- Department of Pediatrics, Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mariko DeWire-Schottmiller
- Brain Tumor Center, Division of Oncology, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Craig Erker
- Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University and IWK Health Center, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Michelle Monje-Deisseroth
- Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery, Pediatrics, and Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Lars Wagner
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Kentucky Children’s Hospital, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Carl Koschmann
- Department of Pediatrics, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Kathleen Dorris
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Chie-Schin Shih
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Tim Hassall
- Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Yvan Samson
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Université de Montréal and CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Paul Fisher
- Department of Neurology, Division of Child Neurology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Stacie S Wang
- Children’s Cancer Centre, Royal Children’s Hospital; Murdoch Children’s Research Institute; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Karen Tsui
- Starship Blood and Cancer Centre, Starship Children’s Health, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Gustavo Sevlever
- FLENI (Fundacion para Lucha contra las Enfermedes Neurologicas de Infantes), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Xiaoting Zhu
- Brain Tumor Center, Division of Oncology, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA,Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Cincinnati College of Engineering and Applied Science, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Phillip Dexheimer
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Anthony Asher
- Division of Oncology, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Christine Fuller
- Department of Pathology, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Rachid Drissi
- Center for Childhood Cancer & Blood Disorders, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA,The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Blaise Jones
- Division of Radiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - James Leach
- Division of Radiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Maryam Fouladi
- The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA,Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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10
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Hotz MJ, O'Halloran EA, Hill MV, Hayden K, Zaladonis AG, Deng M, Olszanski AJ, Reddy SS, Wu H, Luo B, Farma JM. Tumor mutational burden and somatic mutation status to predict disease recurrence in advanced melanoma. Melanoma Res 2022; 32:112-119. [PMID: 35213415 PMCID: PMC9109603 DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0000000000000808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Tumor mutational burden (TMB) has recently been identified as a biomarker of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in many cancers, including melanoma. Co-assessment of TMB with inflammatory markers and genetic mutations may better predict disease outcomes. The goal of this study was to evaluate the potential for TMB and somatic mutations in combination to predict the recurrence of disease in advanced melanoma. A retrospective review of 85 patients with stage III or IV melanoma whose tumors were analyzed by next-generation sequencing was conducted. Fisher's exact test was used to assess differences in TMB category by somatic mutation status as well as recurrence locations. Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox-proportional regression model were used for survival analyses. The most frequently detected mutations were TERT (32.9%), CDKN2A (28.2%), KMT2 (25.9%), BRAF V600E (24.7%), and NRAS (24.7%). Patients with TMB-L + BRAFWT status were more likely to have a recurrence [hazard ratio (HR), 3.43; confidence interval (CI), 1.29-9.15; P = 0.01] compared to TMB-H + BRAF WT. Patients with TMB-L + NRASmut were more likely to have a recurrence (HR, 5.29; 95% CI, 1.44-19.45; P = 0.01) compared to TMB-H + NRAS WT. TMB-L tumors were associated with local (P = 0.029) and in-transit (P = 0.004) recurrences. Analysis of TMB alone may be insufficient in understanding the relationship between melanoma's molecular profile and the body's immune system. Classification into BRAFmut, NRASmut, and tumor mutational load groups may aid in identifying patients who are more likely to have disease recurrence in advanced melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan J Hotz
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Maureen V Hill
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Valley Health, Winchester, Virginia
| | - Kelly Hayden
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Angela G Zaladonis
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | | | - Sanjay S Reddy
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center
| | | | - Biao Luo
- Cancer Biology Division, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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11
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Epigenetic mechanisms in paediatric brain tumours: regulators lose control. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:167-185. [PMID: 35076654 DOI: 10.1042/bst20201227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms are essential to regulate gene expression during normal development. However, they are often disrupted in pathological conditions including tumours, where they contribute to their formation and maintenance through altered gene expression. In recent years, next generation genomic techniques has allowed a remarkable advancement of our knowledge of the genetic and molecular landscape of paediatric brain tumours and have highlighted epigenetic deregulation as a common hallmark in their pathogenesis. This review describes the main epigenetic dysregulations found in paediatric brain tumours, including at DNA methylation and histone modifications level, in the activity of chromatin-modifying enzymes and in the expression of non-coding RNAs. How these altered processes influence tumour biology and how they can be leveraged to dissect the molecular heterogeneity of these tumours and contribute to their classification is also addressed. Finally, the availability and value of preclinical models as well as the current clinical trials exploring targeting key epigenetic mediators in paediatric brain tumours are discussed.
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12
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The prognosis of pediatric patients with metastatic solid tumors remains poor, necessitating development of novel therapeutic strategies. The biology of the pediatric tumor microenvironment (TME) presents obstacles for the efficacy of current therapeutic approaches including immunotherapies. Targeting various aspects of the TME in pediatric patients with solid tumors represents a therapeutic opportunity that may improve outcomes. Here we will discuss recent advances in characterization of the TME, and clinical advances in targeting the immune, vascular, and stromal aspects of the TME. RECENT FINDINGS Although immunotherapies have shown limited success in the treatment of pediatric solid tumor patients thus far, optimization of these approaches to overcome the TME shows promise. In addition, there is increasing focus on the myeloid compartment as a therapeutic target. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) targeting has resulted in responses in some refractory pediatric solid tumors. There has been relatively little focus on stromal targeting; however, emerging preclinical data are improving our understanding of underlying biology, paving the way for future therapies. SUMMARY Although translation of TME-targeting therapies for pediatric solid tumors is in the early stages, we are optimistic that continued exploration of approaches aimed at rebalancing the TME will lead to improved outcomes for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin M Wessel
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Section, Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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13
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Identification of an Immunogenic Medulloblastoma-Specific Fusion Involving EPC2 and GULP1. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13225838. [PMID: 34830991 PMCID: PMC8616194 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. Immunotherapy is yet to demonstrate dramatic results in medulloblastoma, one reason being the low rate of mutations creating new antigens in this entity. In tumors with low mutational burden, gene fusions may represent a source of tumor-specific neoantigens. Here, we reviewed the landscape of fusions in medulloblastoma and analyzed their predicted immunogenicity. Furthermore, we described a new in-frame fusion protein identified by RNA-Seq. The fusion involved two genes on chromosome 2 coding for the enhancer of polycomb homolog 2 (EPC2) and GULP PTB domain containing engulfment adaptor 1 (GULP1) respectively. By qRT-PCR analysis, the fusion was detected in 3 out of 11 medulloblastoma samples, whereby 2 samples were from the same patients obtained at 2 different time points (initial diagnosis and relapse), but not in other pediatric brain tumor entities. Cloning of the full-length sequence indicated that the fusion protein contains the N-terminal enhancer of polycomb-like domain A (EPcA) of EPC2 and the coiled-coil domain of GULP1. In silico analyses predicted binding of the neoantigen-derived peptide to HLA-A*0201. A total of 50% of the fusions described in the literature were also predicted to produce an immunogenic peptide. The EPC2-GULP1 fusion peptide was able to induce a de novo T cell response characterized by interferon gamma release of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells in vitro. While the functional relevance of this fusion in medulloblastoma biology remains to be clarified, our data support an immunotherapeutic approach for pediatric medulloblastoma patients carrying the EPC2-GULP1 fusion and other immunogenic fusions.
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14
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Melcher V, Kerl K. The Growing Relevance of Immunoregulation in Pediatric Brain Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5601. [PMID: 34830753 PMCID: PMC8615622 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pediatric brain tumors are genetically heterogeneous solid neoplasms. With a prevailing poor prognosis and widespread resistance to conventional multimodal therapy, these aggressive tumors are the leading cause of childhood cancer-related deaths worldwide. Advancement in molecular research revealed their unique genetic and epigenetic characteristics and paved the way for more defined prognostication and targeted therapeutic approaches. Furthermore, uncovering the intratumoral metrics on a single-cell level placed non-malignant cell populations such as innate immune cells into the context of tumor manifestation and progression. Targeting immune cells in pediatric brain tumors entails unique challenges but promising opportunities to improve outcome. Herein, we outline the current understanding of the role of the immune regulation in pediatric brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria Melcher
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Kornelius Kerl
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
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15
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Thomas P, Galopin N, Bonérandi E, Clémenceau B, Fougeray S, Birklé S. CAR T Cell Therapy's Potential for Pediatric Brain Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13215445. [PMID: 34771608 PMCID: PMC8582542 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary T cells that are genetically engineered to express chimeric antigen receptors constitute an effective new therapy with curative potential for patients with hematological tumors. The value of chimeric antigen receptor T cells in childhood brain tumors, the leading cause of cancer death in children, is less clear. In this context, the main obstacles for these engineered T cells remain how to find them, allow them to infiltrate, and induce them to remain active in the tumor site. Here, we discuss recent progress in the field and examine future directions for realizing the potential of this therapy. Abstract Malignant central nervous system tumors are the leading cause of cancer death in children. Progress in high-throughput molecular techniques has increased the molecular understanding of these tumors, but the outcomes are still poor. Even when efficacious, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy cause neurologic and neurocognitive morbidity. Adoptive cell therapy with autologous CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR T) has demonstrated remarkable remission rates in patients with relapsed refractory B cell malignancies. Unfortunately, tumor heterogeneity, the identification of appropriate target antigens, and location in a growing brain behind the blood–brain barrier within a specific suppressive immune microenvironment restrict the efficacy of this strategy in pediatric neuro-oncology. In addition, the vulnerability of the brain to unrepairable tissue damage raises important safety concerns. Recent preclinical findings, however, have provided a strong rationale for clinical trials of this approach in patients. Here, we examine the most important challenges associated with the development of CAR T cell immunotherapy and further present the latest preclinical strategies intending to optimize genetically engineered T cells’ efficiency and safety in the field of pediatric neuro-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Thomas
- Université de Nantes, INSERM, CRCINA, F-44000 Nantes, France; (P.T.); (N.G.); (E.B.); (S.F.)
| | - Natacha Galopin
- Université de Nantes, INSERM, CRCINA, F-44000 Nantes, France; (P.T.); (N.G.); (E.B.); (S.F.)
| | - Emma Bonérandi
- Université de Nantes, INSERM, CRCINA, F-44000 Nantes, France; (P.T.); (N.G.); (E.B.); (S.F.)
| | - Béatrice Clémenceau
- Université de Nantes, CHU Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, CRCINA, F-44000 Nantes, France;
| | - Sophie Fougeray
- Université de Nantes, INSERM, CRCINA, F-44000 Nantes, France; (P.T.); (N.G.); (E.B.); (S.F.)
| | - Stéphane Birklé
- Université de Nantes, INSERM, CRCINA, F-44000 Nantes, France; (P.T.); (N.G.); (E.B.); (S.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-228-08-03-00
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16
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Bagchi A, Beddows I, Cornelius A, Robinson GW, Jewell SD. Rare cases of medulloblastoma with hypermutation. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2021; 5:e1521. [PMID: 34351088 PMCID: PMC9124508 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor of childhood and is considered a tumor with low mutational burden (~1 Mut/Mb). Therefore, though the medulloblastoma genomes have been extensively characterized in literature, reports on potential hypermutations and underlying mutagenic processes in medulloblastomas are limited. AIM In this report, we studied the landscape of mutational burden in primary and recurrent medulloblastoma. Furthermore, we wanted to understand the differences in underlying mutagenic mechanisms in medulloblastoma with low and high mutational burdens. METHODS Fifty-three primary and recurrent medulloblastoma genomic sequence were downloaded from the European Genome Archive as BAM files. Thirty-three cases were obtained from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from pathology diagnostic archives of Spectrum Health and Cooperative Human Tissue Network. Somatic mutations were called using Mutect2, following best practices guidelines for Genome Analysis Toolkit V4. Mutational signatures were analyzed using deconstructSigs. RESULTS We identified nine medulloblastoma cases with high mutational burden (>5 Mut/Mb). Of them, five cases met the criteria of hypermutation (>10Mut/Mb), two of the five tumors had canonical mutations in the POLE proof-reading domain, where a large proportion of mutations in these tumor genomes contributed to signature 10. The hypermutated cases also demonstrated mutational signatures 14, 15, and 21, indicating the role of mis match repair deficiency in their mutagenesis. Of the four known molecular subgroups in medulloblastoma-SHH, WNT, Group 3, and Group 4-both the POLE-mutated cases belonged to the SHH subgroup. This report identifies rare cases of hypermutation in medulloblastoma driven by defects in DNA repair mechanisms. CONCLUSION Hypermutation in medulloblastoma can impact therapeutic decisions, especially at recurrence in otherwise fatal high risk SHH-medulloblastomas. A defect in DNA repair leading to SHH -medulloblastoma is yet another important mechanism that should be further investigated in the genesis of these tumors. Therefore, this report provides important scientific and clinical rationale for future research looking for incidence of hypermutation in large cohorts of medulloblastoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Bagchi
- Van Andel Institute Graduate School, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.,Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.,Division of Neuro-oncology, Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Hospital Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ian Beddows
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Core, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
| | - Albert Cornelius
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
| | - Giles W Robinson
- Division of Neuro-oncology, Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Hospital Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Scott D Jewell
- Van Andel Institute Graduate School, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.,Pathology and Biorepository Core, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
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17
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Zhou J, Wang P, Zhang R, Huang X, Dai H, Yuan L, Ruan J. Association of HMGA2 Polymorphisms with Glioma Susceptibility in Chinese Children. PHARMACOGENOMICS & PERSONALIZED MEDICINE 2021; 14:601-607. [PMID: 34079335 PMCID: PMC8164710 DOI: 10.2147/pgpm.s310780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background Glioma is a malignant central nervous system tumor in children, with poor outcomes and prognosis. HMGA2 is a proto-oncogene with increased expression in various malignancies. Methods We explored the association of HMGA2 polymorphisms with glioma susceptibility in Chinese children using a case-control study (191 cases, 248 controls). HMGA2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs6581658 A>G; rs8756 A>C; rs968697 T>C) were genotyped using PCR-based TaqMan. Results Increased glioma susceptibility was associated with rs6581658 A>G; AG (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.13–2.58, P = 0.010) or GG (adjusted OR = 3.12, 95% CI = 1.26–7.74, P = 0.014) genotype carriers had significantly raised glioma risk compared with AA genotype carriers. The rs6581658 AG/GG (adjusted OR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.25–2.73, P = 0.002) and AA/GG (adjusted OR = 2.58, 95% CI = 1.05–6.33, P = 0.038) genotypes were associated with an increased risk of glioma relative to the AA genotype. Subjects with 2–3 risk genotypes had a significantly elevated risk (adjusted OR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.31–2.84, P = 0.001) relative to those with 0–1 risk genotype. Conclusion HMGA2 rs6581658 A>G is associated with glioma susceptibility in Chinese children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingying Zhou
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Pan Wang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Ran Zhang
- Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Xiaokai Huang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Hanqi Dai
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Yuan
- Department of Pathology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jichen Ruan
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
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18
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Buck J, Dyer PJC, Hii H, Carline B, Kuchibhotla M, Byrne J, Howlett M, Whitehouse J, Ebert MA, McDonald KL, Gottardo NG, Endersby R. Veliparib Is an Effective Radiosensitizing Agent in a Preclinical Model of Medulloblastoma. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:633344. [PMID: 33996894 PMCID: PMC8116896 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.633344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant childhood brain tumor, and 5-year overall survival rates are as low as 40% depending on molecular subtype, with new therapies critically important. As radiotherapy and chemotherapy act through the induction of DNA damage, the sensitization of cancer cells through the inhibition of DNA damage repair pathways is a potential therapeutic strategy. The poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor veliparib was assessed for its ability to augment the cellular response to radiation-induced DNA damage in human medulloblastoma cells. DNA repair following irradiation was assessed using the alkaline comet assay, with veliparib inhibiting the rate of DNA repair. Veliparib treatment also increased the number of γH2AX foci in cells treated with radiation, and analysis of downstream pathways indicated persistent activation of the DNA damage response pathway. Clonogenicity assays demonstrated that veliparib effectively inhibited the colony-forming capacity of medulloblastoma cells, both as a single agent and in combination with irradiation. These data were then validated in vivo using an orthotopic implant model of medulloblastoma. Mice harboring intracranial D425 medulloblastoma xenografts were treated with vehicle, veliparib, 18 Gy multifractionated craniospinal irradiation (CSI), or veliparib combined with 18 Gy CSI. Animals treated with combination therapy exhibited reduced tumor growth rates concomitant with increased intra-tumoral apoptosis observed by immunohistochemistry. Kaplan–Meier analyses revealed a statistically significant increase in survival with combination therapy compared to CSI alone. In summary, PARP inhibition enhanced radiation-induced cytotoxicity of medulloblastoma cells; thus, veliparib or other brain-penetrant PARP inhibitors are potential radiosensitizing agents for the treatment of medulloblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Buck
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia.,Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Patrick J C Dyer
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Hilary Hii
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Brooke Carline
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Mani Kuchibhotla
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Jacob Byrne
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Meegan Howlett
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia.,Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Jacqueline Whitehouse
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia.,Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Martin A Ebert
- School of Physics, Mathematics and Computing, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.,Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
| | | | - Nicholas G Gottardo
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia.,Department of Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Raelene Endersby
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia.,Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
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19
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Mamrot J, Hall NE, Lindley RA. Predicting clinical outcomes using cancer progression associated signatures. Oncotarget 2021; 12:845-858. [PMID: 33889305 PMCID: PMC8057277 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatic mutation signatures are an informative facet of cancer aetiology, however they are rarely useful for predicting patient outcome. The aim of this study is to evaluate the utility of a panel of 142 mutation-signature–associated metrics (P142) for predicting cancer progression in patients from a ‘TCGA PanCancer Atlas’ cohort. The P142 metrics are comprised of AID/APOBEC and ADAR deaminase associated SNVs analyzed for codon context, strand bias, and transitions/transversions. TCGA tumor-normal mutation data was obtained for 10,437 patients, representing 31 of the most prevalent forms of cancer. Stratified random sampling was used to split patients into training, tuning and validation cohorts for each cancer type. Cancer specific machine learning (XGBoost) models were built using the output from the P142 panel to predict patient Progression Free Survival (PFS) status as either “High PFS” or “Low PFS”. Predictive performance of each model was evaluated using the validation cohort. Models accurately predicted PFS status for several cancer types, including adrenocortical carcinoma, glioma, mesothelioma, and sarcoma. In conclusion, the P142 panel of metrics successfully predicted cancer progression status in patients with some, but not all cancer types analyzed. These results pave the way for future studies on cancer progression associated signatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared Mamrot
- GMDx Group Ltd, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Robyn A Lindley
- GMDx Group Ltd, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Clinical Pathology, The Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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20
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Liquid Biomarkers for Pediatric Brain Tumors: Biological Features, Advantages and Perspectives. J Pers Med 2020; 10:jpm10040254. [PMID: 33260839 PMCID: PMC7711550 DOI: 10.3390/jpm10040254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumors of the central nervous system are the most frequent solid tumor type and the major cause for cancer-related mortality in children and adolescents. These tumors are biologically highly heterogeneous and comprise various different entities. Molecular diagnostics are already well-established for pediatric brain tumors and have facilitated a more accurate patient stratification. The availability of targeted, biomarker-driven therapies has increased the necessity of longitudinal monitoring of molecular alterations within tumors for precision medicine-guided therapy. Nevertheless, diagnosis is still primarily based on analyses of the primary tumor and follow-up is usually performed by imaging techniques which lack important information on tumor biology possibly changing the course of the disease. To overcome this shortage of longitudinal information, liquid biopsy has emerged as a promising diagnostic tool representing a less-invasive source of biomarkers for tumor monitoring and therapeutic decision making. Novel ultrasensitive methods for detection of allele variants, genetic alterations with low abundance, have been developed and are promising tools for establishing and integrating liquid biopsy techniques into clinical routine. Pediatric brain tumors harbor multiple molecular alterations with the potential to be used as liquid biomarkers. Consequently, studies have already investigated different types of biomarker in diverse entities of pediatric brain tumors. However, there are still certain pitfalls until liquid biomarkers can be unleashed and implemented into routine clinical care. Within this review, we summarize current knowledge on liquid biopsy markers and technologies in pediatric brain tumors, their advantages and drawbacks, as well as future potential biomarkers and perspectives with respect to clinical implementation in patient care.
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21
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Clinical, Genomic, and Pharmacological Study of MYCN-Amplified RB1 Wild-Type Metastatic Retinoblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12092714. [PMID: 32971811 PMCID: PMC7565107 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
An uncommon subgroup of unilateral retinoblastomas with highly aggressive histological features, lacking aberrations in RB1 gene with high-level amplification of MYCN (MCYNamplRB1+/+) has only been described as intra-ocular cases treated with initial enucleation. Here, we present a comprehensive clinical, genomic, and pharmacological analysis of two cases of MCYNamplRB1+/+ with orbital and cervical lymph node involvement, but no central nervous system spread, rapidly progressing to fatal disease due to chemoresistance. Both patients showed in common MYCN high amplification and chromosome 16q and 17p loss. A somatic mutation in TP53, in homozygosis by LOH, and high chromosomal instability leading to aneuploidy was identified in the primary ocular tumor and sites of dissemination of one patient. High-throughput pharmacological screening was performed in a primary cell line derived from the lymph node dissemination of one case. This cell line showed resistance to broad spectrum chemotherapy consistent with the patient's poor response but sensitivity to the synergistic effects of panobinostat-bortezomib and carboplatin-panobinostat associations. From these cells we established a cell line derived xenograft model that closely recapitulated the tumor dissemination pattern of the patient and served to evaluate whether triple chemotherapy significantly prolonged survival of the animals. We report novel genomic alterations in two cases of metastatic MCYNamplRB1+/+ that may be associated with chemotherapy resistance and in vitro/in vivo models that serve as basis for tailoring therapy in these cases.
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