1
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Patton A, Dermawan JK. Current updates in sarcoma biomarker discovery: emphasis on next-generation sequencing-based methods. Pathology 2024; 56:274-282. [PMID: 38185613 DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2023.10.015] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Soft tissue sarcomas comprise a heterogeneous group of neoplasms. Although soft tissue malignancies make up only 2% of adult cancers, classification based on histomorphology presents a diagnostic challenge. Characterisation of soft tissue sarcomas by molecular analysis is rapidly evolving to improve diagnostic accuracy and develop targeted therapies. This review highlights the advances in molecular techniques, including current next-generation sequencing-based assays (fusion detection by RNA sequencing, targeted/whole exome sequencing, microRNA profiling), as well as emerging methods (liquid biopsies, DNA methylation profiling, single-cell molecular profiling and next-generation immunohistochemistry) for future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Patton
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Josephine K Dermawan
- Robert J. Tomsich Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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2
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Searcy MB, Larsen RK, Stevens BT, Zhang Y, Jin H, Drummond CJ, Langdon CG, Gadek KE, Vuong K, Reed KB, Garcia MR, Xu B, Kimbrough DW, Adkins GE, Djekidel N, Porter SN, Schreiner PA, Pruett-Miller SM, Abraham BJ, Rehg JE, Hatley ME. PAX3-FOXO1 dictates myogenic reprogramming and rhabdomyosarcoma identity in endothelial progenitors. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7291. [PMID: 37968277 PMCID: PMC10651858 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43044-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Fusion-positive rhabdomyosarcoma (FP-RMS) driven by the expression of the PAX3-FOXO1 (P3F) fusion oncoprotein is an aggressive subtype of pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma. FP-RMS histologically resembles developing muscle yet occurs throughout the body in areas devoid of skeletal muscle highlighting that FP-RMS is not derived from an exclusively myogenic cell of origin. Here we demonstrate that P3F reprograms mouse and human endothelial progenitors to FP-RMS. We show that P3F expression in aP2-Cre expressing cells reprograms endothelial progenitors to functional myogenic stem cells capable of regenerating injured muscle fibers. Further, we describe a FP-RMS mouse model driven by P3F expression and Cdkn2a loss in endothelial cells. Additionally, we show that P3F expression in TP53-null human iPSCs blocks endothelial-directed differentiation and guides cells to become myogenic cells that form FP-RMS tumors in immunocompromised mice. Together these findings demonstrate that FP-RMS can originate from aberrant development of non-myogenic cells driven by P3F.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline B Searcy
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
- St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Randolph K Larsen
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
- St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Bradley T Stevens
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
- St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Hongjian Jin
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Catherine J Drummond
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Casey G Langdon
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Katherine E Gadek
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Kyna Vuong
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Kristin B Reed
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Matthew R Garcia
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Beisi Xu
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Darden W Kimbrough
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
- Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, 38112, USA
| | - Grace E Adkins
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
- St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Nadhir Djekidel
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Shaina N Porter
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Patrick A Schreiner
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Shondra M Pruett-Miller
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Brian J Abraham
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Jerold E Rehg
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Mark E Hatley
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
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3
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Timpanaro A, Piccand C, Dzhumashev D, Anton-Joseph S, Robbi A, Moser J, Rössler J, Bernasconi M. CD276-CAR T cells and Dual-CAR T cells targeting CD276/FGFR4 promote rhabdomyosarcoma clearance in orthotopic mouse models. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:293. [PMID: 37924157 PMCID: PMC10625270 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02838-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in childhood, whose prognosis is still poor especially for metastatic, high-grade, and relapsed RMS. New treatments are urgently needed, especially systemic therapies. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cells (CAR Ts) are very effective against hematological malignancies, but their efficacy against solid tumors needs to be improved. CD276 (B7-H3) is a target upregulated in RMS and detected at low levels in normal tissues. FGFR4 is a very specific target for RMS. Here, we optimized CAR Ts for these two targets, alone or in combination, and tested their anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo. METHODS Four different single-domain antibodies were used to select the most specific FGFR4-CAR construct. RMS cell killing and cytokine production by CD276- and FGFR4-CAR Ts expressing CD8α or CD28 HD/TM domains in combination with 4-1BB and/or CD28 co-stimulatory domains were tested in vitro. The most effective CD276- and FGFR4-CAR Ts were used to generate Dual-CAR Ts. Tumor killing was evaluated in vivo in three orthotopic RMS mouse models. RESULTS CD276.V-CAR Ts (276.MG.CD28HD/TM.CD28CSD.3ζ) showed the strongest killing of RMS cells, and the highest release of IFN-γ and Granzyme B in vitro. FGFR4.V-CAR Ts (F8-FR4.CD28HD/TM.CD28CSD.3ζ) showed the most specific killing. CD276-CAR Ts successfully eradicated RD- and Rh4-derived RMS tumors in vivo, achieving complete remission in 3/5 and 5/5 mice, respectively. In CD276low JR-tumors, however, they achieved complete remission in only 1/5 mice. FGFR4 CAR Ts instead delayed Rh4 tumor growth. Dual-CAR Ts promoted Rh4-tumors clearance in 5/5 mice. CONCLUSIONS CD276- and CD276/FGFR4-directed CAR Ts showed effective RMS cell killing in vitro and eradication of CD276high RMS tumors in vivo. CD276low tumors escaped the therapy highlighting a correlation between antigen density and effectiveness. FGFR4-CAR Ts showed specific killing in vitro but could only delay RMS growth in vivo. Our results demonstrate that combined expression of CD276-CAR with other CAR does not reduce its benefit. Introducing immunotherapy with CD276-CAR Ts in RMS seems to be feasible and promising, although CAR constructs design and target combinations have to be further improved to eradicate tumors with low target expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Timpanaro
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
- Translational Cancer Research, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Piccand
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
- Translational Cancer Research, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dzhangar Dzhumashev
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
- Translational Cancer Research, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stenija Anton-Joseph
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
- Translational Cancer Research, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Robbi
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
- Translational Cancer Research, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Janine Moser
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
- Translational Cancer Research, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jochen Rössler
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
- Translational Cancer Research, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michele Bernasconi
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, 3010, Bern, Switzerland.
- Translational Cancer Research, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3008, Bern, Switzerland.
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4
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Benton A, Terwilliger E, Moriarty NM, Liu B, Murphy A, Maluvac H, Shu M, Gartenhaus LE, Janson ND, Pfeffer CM, Utturkar SM, Parkinson EI, Lanman NA, Hanna JA. Target gene regulatory network of miR-497 in angiosarcoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.24.559218. [PMID: 37808715 PMCID: PMC10557590 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.24.559218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Angiosarcoma (AS) is a vascular sarcoma that is highly aggressive and metastatic. Due to its rarity, treatment options for patients are limited, therefore more research is needed to identify possible therapeutic vulnerabilities. We previously found that conditional deletion of Dicer1 drives AS development in mice. Given the role of DICER1 in canonical microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis, this suggests that miRNA loss is important in AS development. After testing miRNAs previously suggested to have a tumor-suppressive role in AS, microRNA-497-5p (miR-497) suppressed cell viability most significantly. We also found that miR-497 overexpression led to significantly reduced cell migration and tumor formation. To understand the mechanism of miR-497 in tumor suppression, we identified clinically relevant target genes using a combination of RNA-sequencing data in an AS cell line, expression data from AS patients, and target prediction algorithms. We validated miR-497 direct regulation of CCND2, CDK6, and VAT1. One of these genes, VAT1, is an understudied protein that has been suggested to promote cell migration and metastasis in other cancers. Indeed, we find that pharmacologic inhibition of VAT1 with the natural product Neocarzilin A reduces AS migration. This work provides insight into the mechanisms of miR-497 and its target genes in AS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annaleigh Benton
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
- Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
| | - Emma Terwilliger
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
- Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
| | - Noah M. Moriarty
- Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
| | - Bozhi Liu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
- Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
| | - Ant Murphy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
- Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
| | - Hannah Maluvac
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
- Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
| | - Mae Shu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
- Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
| | - Lauren E. Gartenhaus
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
- Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
| | - Nimod D. Janson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
- Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
| | - Claire M. Pfeffer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
- Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
| | - Sagar M. Utturkar
- Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
| | - Elizabeth I. Parkinson
- Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Nadia A. Lanman
- Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
| | - Jason A. Hanna
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
- Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
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5
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Hüttner SS, Henze H, Elster D, Koch P, Anderer U, von Eyss B, von Maltzahn J. A dysfunctional miR-1-TRPS1-MYOG axis drives ERMS by suppressing terminal myogenic differentiation. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2612-2632. [PMID: 37452493 PMCID: PMC10492030 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.07.003] [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: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common pediatric soft tissue tumor, comprising two major subtypes: the PAX3/7-FOXO1 fusion-negative embryonal and the PAX3/7-FOXO1 fusion-positive alveolar subtype. Here, we demonstrate that the expression levels of the transcriptional repressor TRPS1 are specifically enhanced in the embryonal subtype, resulting in impaired terminal myogenic differentiation and tumor growth. During normal myogenesis, expression levels of TRPS1 have to decrease to allow myogenic progression, as demonstrated by overexpression of TRPS1 in myoblasts impairing myotube formation. Consequentially, myogenic differentiation in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in vitro as well as in vivo can be achieved by reducing TRPS1 levels. Furthermore, we show that TRPS1 levels in RD cells, the bona fide model cell line for embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, are regulated by miR-1 and that TRPS1 and MYOD1 share common genomic binding sites. The myogenin (MYOG) promoter is one of the critical targets of TRPS1 and MYOD1; we demonstrate that TRPS1 restricts MYOG expression and thereby inhibits terminal myogenic differentiation. Therefore, reduction of TRPS1 levels in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma might be a therapeutic approach to drive embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma cells into myogenic differentiation, thereby generating postmitotic myotubes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sören S Hüttner
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Henriette Henze
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Dana Elster
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Philipp Koch
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Ursula Anderer
- Department of Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Universitätsplatz 1, 01968 Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Björn von Eyss
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Julia von Maltzahn
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany; Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Universitätsplatz 1, 01968 Senftenberg, Germany.
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6
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Kakooza J, Odur F, Ogei E, Taylor K, Kalungi S, Lewis CR. Mesenteric embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in an adolescent: a case report. J Surg Case Rep 2023; 2023:rjad451. [PMID: 37560601 PMCID: PMC10409587 DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjad451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a soft tissue sarcoma that histologically resembles embryonic skeletal muscle. It can occur anywhere in the body, including tissues devoid of skeletal muscles. RMS is a common malignancy in children, and it accounts for ˃50% of all soft tissue sarcomas in children. Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) mostly affects children younger than 10 years of age. The head and neck area, the genitourinary tract and the retroperitoneum are described as the preferred anatomic sites for ERMS development. However, the mesentery location is extremely rare. We report a rare case of an ERMS occurring in the mesentery of a 17-year-old male.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackson Kakooza
- Department of Surgery, St. Joseph’s Hospital Kitovu, Masaka, Uganda
| | - Felix Odur
- Department of Surgery, St. Joseph’s Hospital Kitovu, Masaka, Uganda
| | - Esau Ogei
- Department of Surgery, St. Joseph’s Hospital Kitovu, Masaka, Uganda
| | - Katrina Taylor
- Department of Pathology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA
| | - Sam Kalungi
- Department of Pathology, Lancet Laboratories, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Catherine R Lewis
- Department of Surgery, St. Joseph’s Hospital Kitovu, Masaka, Uganda
- Department of Surgery, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA
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7
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Chen J, Baxi K, Lipsitt AE, Hensch NR, Wang L, Sreenivas P, Modi P, Zhao XR, Baudin A, Robledo DG, Bandyopadhyay A, Sugalski A, Challa AK, Kurmashev D, Gilbert AR, Tomlinson GE, Houghton P, Chen Y, Hayes MN, Chen EY, Libich DS, Ignatius MS. Defining function of wild-type and three patient-specific TP53 mutations in a zebrafish model of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. eLife 2023; 12:e68221. [PMID: 37266578 PMCID: PMC10322150 DOI: 10.7554/elife.68221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) and generally in sarcomas, the role of wild-type and loss- or gain-of-function TP53 mutations remains largely undefined. Eliminating mutant or restoring wild-type p53 is challenging; nevertheless, understanding p53 variant effects on tumorigenesis remains central to realizing better treatment outcomes. In ERMS, >70% of patients retain wild-type TP53, yet mutations when present are associated with worse prognosis. Employing a kRASG12D-driven ERMS tumor model and tp53 null (tp53-/-) zebrafish, we define wild-type and patient-specific TP53 mutant effects on tumorigenesis. We demonstrate that tp53 is a major suppressor of tumorigenesis, where tp53 loss expands tumor initiation from <35% to >97% of animals. Characterizing three patient-specific alleles reveals that TP53C176F partially retains wild-type p53 apoptotic activity that can be exploited, whereas TP53P153Δ and TP53Y220C encode two structurally related proteins with gain-of-function effects that predispose to head musculature ERMS. TP53P153Δ unexpectedly also predisposes to hedgehog-expressing medulloblastomas in the kRASG12D-driven ERMS-model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangfei Chen
- Institute of Environmental Safety and Human Health, Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute (GCCRI), UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
| | - Kunal Baxi
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute (GCCRI), UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
- Department of Molecular Medicine, UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
| | - Amanda E Lipsitt
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute (GCCRI), UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology Oncology, UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
| | - Nicole Rae Hensch
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute (GCCRI), UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
- Department of Molecular Medicine, UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
| | - Long Wang
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute (GCCRI), UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
- Department of Molecular Medicine, UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
| | - Prethish Sreenivas
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute (GCCRI), UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
- Department of Molecular Medicine, UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
| | - Paulomi Modi
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute (GCCRI), UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
- Department of Molecular Medicine, UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
| | - Xiang Ru Zhao
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute (GCCRI), UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
- Department of Molecular Medicine, UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
| | - Antoine Baudin
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute (GCCRI), UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
| | - Daniel G Robledo
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute (GCCRI), UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
| | - Abhik Bandyopadhyay
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute (GCCRI), UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
| | - Aaron Sugalski
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology Oncology, UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
| | - Anil K Challa
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute (GCCRI), UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamUnited States
| | - Dias Kurmashev
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute (GCCRI), UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
| | - Andrea R Gilbert
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
| | - Gail E Tomlinson
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute (GCCRI), UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology Oncology, UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
| | - Peter Houghton
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute (GCCRI), UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
- Department of Molecular Medicine, UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
| | - Yidong Chen
- Department of Population Health Sciences, UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
| | - Madeline N Hayes
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick ChildrenTorontoCanada
| | - Eleanor Y Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - David S Libich
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute (GCCRI), UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
| | - Myron S Ignatius
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute (GCCRI), UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
- Department of Molecular Medicine, UT Health Sciences CenterSan AntonioUnited States
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8
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DeMartino J, Meister MT, Visser LL, Brok M, Groot Koerkamp MJA, Wezenaar AKL, Hiemcke-Jiwa LS, de Souza T, Merks JHM, Rios AC, Holstege FCP, Margaritis T, Drost J. Single-cell transcriptomics reveals immune suppression and cell states predictive of patient outcomes in rhabdomyosarcoma. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3074. [PMID: 37244912 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38886-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Paediatric rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a soft tissue malignancy of mesenchymal origin that is thought to arise as a consequence of derailed myogenic differentiation. Despite intensive treatment regimens, the prognosis for high-risk patients remains dismal. The cellular differentiation states underlying RMS and how these relate to patient outcomes remain largely elusive. Here, we use single-cell mRNA sequencing to generate a transcriptomic atlas of RMS. Analysis of the RMS tumour niche reveals evidence of an immunosuppressive microenvironment. We also identify a putative interaction between NECTIN3 and TIGIT, specific to the more aggressive fusion-positive (FP) RMS subtype, as a potential cause of tumour-induced T-cell dysfunction. In malignant RMS cells, we define transcriptional programs reflective of normal myogenic differentiation and show that these cellular differentiation states are predictive of patient outcomes in both FP RMS and the less aggressive fusion-negative subtype. Our study reveals the potential of therapies targeting the immune microenvironment of RMS and suggests that assessing tumour differentiation states may enable a more refined risk stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeff DeMartino
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Michael T Meister
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lindy L Visser
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mariël Brok
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marian J A Groot Koerkamp
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Amber K L Wezenaar
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Laura S Hiemcke-Jiwa
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Terezinha de Souza
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes H M Merks
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anne C Rios
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Frank C P Holstege
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Center for Molecular Medicine, UMC Utrecht and Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Thanasis Margaritis
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Jarno Drost
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Oncode Institute, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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9
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Lin WH, Cooper LM, Anastasiadis PZ. Cadherins and catenins in cancer: connecting cancer pathways and tumor microenvironment. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1137013. [PMID: 37255594 PMCID: PMC10225604 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1137013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cadherin-catenin complexes are integral components of the adherens junctions crucial for cell-cell adhesion and tissue homeostasis. Dysregulation of these complexes is linked to cancer development via alteration of cell-autonomous oncogenic signaling pathways and extrinsic tumor microenvironment. Advances in multiomics have uncovered key signaling events in multiple cancer types, creating a need for a better understanding of the crosstalk between cadherin-catenin complexes and oncogenic pathways. In this review, we focus on the biological functions of classical cadherins and associated catenins, describe how their dysregulation influences major cancer pathways, and discuss feedback regulation mechanisms between cadherin complexes and cellular signaling. We discuss evidence of cross regulation in the following contexts: Hippo-Yap/Taz and receptor tyrosine kinase signaling, key pathways involved in cell proliferation and growth; Wnt, Notch, and hedgehog signaling, key developmental pathways involved in human cancer; as well as TGFβ and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition program, an important process for cancer cell plasticity. Moreover, we briefly explore the role of cadherins and catenins in mechanotransduction and the immune tumor microenvironment.
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10
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Danielli SG, Porpiglia E, De Micheli AJ, Navarro N, Zellinger MJ, Bechtold I, Kisele S, Volken L, Marques JG, Kasper S, Bode PK, Henssen AG, Gürgen D, Delattre O, Surdez D, Roma J, Bühlmann P, Blau HM, Wachtel M, Schäfer BW. Single-cell profiling of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma reveals RAS pathway inhibitors as cell-fate hijackers with therapeutic relevance. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade9238. [PMID: 36753540 PMCID: PMC9908029 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade9238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a group of pediatric cancers with features of developing skeletal muscle. The cellular hierarchy and mechanisms leading to developmental arrest remain elusive. Here, we combined single-cell RNA sequencing, mass cytometry, and high-content imaging to resolve intratumoral heterogeneity of patient-derived primary RMS cultures. We show that the aggressive alveolar RMS (aRMS) subtype contains plastic muscle stem-like cells and cycling progenitors that drive tumor growth, and a subpopulation of differentiated cells that lost its proliferative potential and correlates with better outcomes. While chemotherapy eliminates cycling progenitors, it enriches aRMS for muscle stem-like cells. We screened for drugs hijacking aRMS toward clinically favorable subpopulations and identified a combination of RAF and MEK inhibitors that potently induces myogenic differentiation and inhibits tumor growth. Overall, our work provides insights into the developmental states underlying aRMS aggressiveness, chemoresistance, and progression and identifies the RAS pathway as a promising therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara G. Danielli
- Department of Oncology and Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital of Zurich, Zürich 8032, Switzerland
| | - Ermelinda Porpiglia
- Baxter Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C 8000, Denmark
- Corresponding author. (B.W.S.); (M.W.); (E.P.)
| | - Andrea J. De Micheli
- Department of Oncology and Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital of Zurich, Zürich 8032, Switzerland
| | - Natalia Navarro
- Laboratory of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08035, Spain
| | | | - Ingrid Bechtold
- Department of Oncology and Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital of Zurich, Zürich 8032, Switzerland
| | - Samanta Kisele
- Department of Oncology and Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital of Zurich, Zürich 8032, Switzerland
| | - Larissa Volken
- Department of Oncology and Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital of Zurich, Zürich 8032, Switzerland
| | - Joana G. Marques
- Department of Oncology and Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital of Zurich, Zürich 8032, Switzerland
| | - Stephanie Kasper
- Department of Oncology and Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital of Zurich, Zürich 8032, Switzerland
| | - Peter K. Bode
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anton G. Henssen
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin 13353, Germany
| | - Dennis Gürgen
- EPO Experimental Pharmacology and Oncology Berlin-Buch GmbH Berlin 13125, Germany
| | - Olivier Delattre
- INSERM U830, Équipe Labellisée LNCC, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Laboratory, PSL Research University, SIREDO Oncology Center, Institut Curie Research Center, Paris 75005, France
| | - Didier Surdez
- INSERM U830, Équipe Labellisée LNCC, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Laboratory, PSL Research University, SIREDO Oncology Center, Institut Curie Research Center, Paris 75005, France
- Balgrist University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Josep Roma
- Laboratory of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08035, Spain
| | - Peter Bühlmann
- Seminar for Statistics, ETH Zürich, Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Helen M. Blau
- Baxter Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Marco Wachtel
- Department of Oncology and Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital of Zurich, Zürich 8032, Switzerland
- Corresponding author. (B.W.S.); (M.W.); (E.P.)
| | - Beat W. Schäfer
- Department of Oncology and Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital of Zurich, Zürich 8032, Switzerland
- Corresponding author. (B.W.S.); (M.W.); (E.P.)
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11
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Zarzosa P, Garcia-Gilabert L, Hladun R, Guillén G, Gallo-Oller G, Pons G, Sansa-Girona J, Segura MF, Sánchez de Toledo J, Moreno L, Gallego S, Roma J. Targeting the Hedgehog Pathway in Rhabdomyosarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030727. [PMID: 36765685 PMCID: PMC9913695 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway is known to play an oncogenic role in a wide range of cancers; in the particular case of rhabdomyosarcoma, this pathway has been demonstrated to be an important player for both oncogenesis and cancer progression. In this review, after a brief description of the pathway and the characteristics of its molecular components, we describe, in detail, the main activation mechanisms that have been found in cancer, including ligand-dependent, ligand-independent and non-canonical activation. In this context, the most studied inhibitors, i.e., SMO inhibitors, have shown encouraging results for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma, both tumour types often associated with mutations that lead to the activation of the pathway. Conversely, SMO inhibitors have not fulfilled expectations in tumours-among them sarcomas-mostly associated with ligand-dependent Hh pathway activation. Despite the controversy existing regarding the results obtained with SMO inhibitors in these types of tumours, several compounds have been (or are currently being) evaluated in sarcoma patients. Finally, we discuss some of the reasons that could explain why, in some cases, encouraging preclinical data turned into disappointing results in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Zarzosa
- Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lia Garcia-Gilabert
- Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raquel Hladun
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gabriela Guillén
- Pediatric Surgery Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gabriel Gallo-Oller
- Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Guillem Pons
- Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julia Sansa-Girona
- Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel F. Segura
- Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Sánchez de Toledo
- Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lucas Moreno
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Soledad Gallego
- Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: (S.G.); (J.R.)
| | - Josep Roma
- Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: (S.G.); (J.R.)
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12
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PROX1 transcription factor controls rhabdomyosarcoma growth, stemness, myogenic properties and therapeutic targets. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2116220119. [PMID: 36459642 PMCID: PMC9894179 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2116220119] [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: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is an aggressive pediatric soft-tissue cancer with features of skeletal muscle. Because of poor survival of RMS patients and severe long-term side effects of RMS therapies, alternative RMS therapies are urgently needed. Here we show that the prospero-related homeobox 1 (PROX1) transcription factor is highly expressed in RMS tumors regardless of their cell type of origin. We demonstrate that PROX1 is needed for RMS cell clonogenicity, growth and tumor formation. PROX1 gene silencing repressed several myogenic and tumorigenic transcripts and transformed the RD cell transcriptome to resemble that of benign mesenchymal stem cells. Importantly, we found that fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR) mediated the growth effects of PROX1 in RMS. Because of receptor cross-compensation, paralog-specific FGFR inhibition did not mimic the effects of PROX1 silencing, whereas a pan-FGFR inhibitor ablated RMS cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. Our findings uncover the critical role of PROX1 in RMS and offer insights into the mechanisms that regulate RMS development and growth. As FGFR inhibitors have already been tested in clinical phase I/II trials in other cancer types, our findings provide an alternative option for RMS treatment.
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13
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Affinita MC, Merks JHM, Chisholm JC, Haouy S, Rome A, Rabusin M, Brennan B, Bisogno G. Rhabdomyosarcoma with unknown primary tumor site: A report from European pediatric Soft tissue sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG). Pediatr Blood Cancer 2022; 69:e29967. [PMID: 36094298 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29967] [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: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is an aggressive malignancy, and 20% of children present with metastases at diagnosis. Patients presenting with disseminated disease very occasionally have no clear evidence of a primary tumor mass. As these patients have rarely been investigated, we report on a series of patients with RMS and unknown primary tumor site registered in the Metastatic (MTS) RMS 2008 protocol (October 2008 to December 2016) coordinated by the European pediatric Soft tissue sarcoma Study Group. METHODS Patients were administered nine cycles of induction chemotherapy, and 48 weeks of maintenance chemotherapy. Surgery and/or radiotherapy were planned after the first assessment of tumor response, and implemented after six cycles of chemotherapy. If feasible, radiotherapy to all sites of metastasis was recommended. RESULTS We identified 10 patients with RMS and unknown primary site, most of them adolescents (median age 15.8 years, range: 4.6-20.4). Nine had fusion-positive alveolar RMS. Multiple organ involvement was identified in seven patients, two only had bone marrow disease, and one only had leptomeningeal dissemination. All patients were given chemotherapy, four were irradiated, and none had surgery. Three patients underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. At the time of this analysis, only two patients are alive in complete remission: one had received radiotherapy; and one had a bone marrow transplant. CONCLUSIONS RMS with unknown primary tumor occurs mainly in adolescents and is typically fusion-positive alveolar. Radiotherapy may be important, but survival is poor and patients should be offered enrollment in investigational trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Carmen Affinita
- Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant Division, Department of Women's and Children's Health University Hospital of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Julia C Chisholm
- Children and Young People's Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Stèphanie Haouy
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Montpellier University Hospital Centre, Montpellier, France
| | - Angelique Rome
- Department of Pediatric Immunology, Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of La Timone, AP-HM, Marseille, France
| | - Marco Rabusin
- Department of Pediatric, Hemato-Oncology Unit, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Bernadette Brennan
- Pediatric Oncology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | - Gianni Bisogno
- Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant Division, Department of Women's and Children's Health University Hospital of Padova, Padua, Italy
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14
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Meister MT, Groot Koerkamp MJA, de Souza T, Breunis WB, Frazer‐Mendelewska E, Brok M, DeMartino J, Manders F, Calandrini C, Kerstens HHD, Janse A, Dolman MEM, Eising S, Langenberg KPS, van Tuil M, Knops RRG, van Scheltinga ST, Hiemcke‐Jiwa LS, Flucke U, Merks JHM, van Noesel MM, Tops BBJ, Hehir‐Kwa JY, Kemmeren P, Molenaar JJ, van de Wetering M, van Boxtel R, Drost J, Holstege FCP. Mesenchymal tumor organoid models recapitulate rhabdomyosarcoma subtypes. EMBO Mol Med 2022; 14:e16001. [PMID: 35916583 PMCID: PMC9549731 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202216001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) are mesenchyme-derived tumors and the most common childhood soft tissue sarcomas. Treatment is intense, with a nevertheless poor prognosis for high-risk patients. Discovery of new therapies would benefit from additional preclinical models. Here, we describe the generation of a collection of 19 pediatric RMS tumor organoid (tumoroid) models (success rate of 41%) comprising all major subtypes. For aggressive tumors, tumoroid models can often be established within 4-8 weeks, indicating the feasibility of personalized drug screening. Molecular, genetic, and histological characterization show that the models closely resemble the original tumors, with genetic stability over extended culture periods of up to 6 months. Importantly, drug screening reflects established sensitivities and the models can be modified by CRISPR/Cas9 with TP53 knockout in an embryonal RMS model resulting in replicative stress drug sensitivity. Tumors of mesenchymal origin can therefore be used to generate organoid models, relevant for a variety of preclinical and clinical research questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Meister
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands,Oncode InstituteUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Marian J A Groot Koerkamp
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands,Oncode InstituteUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Terezinha de Souza
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands,Oncode InstituteUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Willemijn B Breunis
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands,Department of Oncology and Children's Research CenterUniversity Children's Hospital ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Ewa Frazer‐Mendelewska
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands,Oncode InstituteUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Mariël Brok
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands,Oncode InstituteUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Jeff DeMartino
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands,Oncode InstituteUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Freek Manders
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands,Oncode InstituteUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Camilla Calandrini
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands,Oncode InstituteUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | | | - Alex Janse
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - M Emmy M Dolman
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands,Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer CentreUNSW SydneyKensingtonNSWAustralia,School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of MedicineUNSW SydneyKensingtonNSWAustralia
| | - Selma Eising
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | | | - Marc van Tuil
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Rutger R G Knops
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | | | | | - Uta Flucke
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | | | - Max M van Noesel
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | | | | | - Patrick Kemmeren
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands,Center for Molecular MedicineUMC Utrecht and Utrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Jan J Molenaar
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Marc van de Wetering
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands,Oncode InstituteUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Ruben van Boxtel
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands,Oncode InstituteUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Jarno Drost
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands,Oncode InstituteUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Frank C P Holstege
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands,Center for Molecular MedicineUMC Utrecht and Utrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
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15
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Wei Y, Qin Q, Yan C, Hayes MN, Garcia SP, Xi H, Do D, Jin AH, Eng TC, McCarthy KM, Adhikari A, Onozato ML, Spentzos D, Neilsen GP, Iafrate AJ, Wexler LH, Pyle AD, Suvà ML, Dela Cruz F, Pinello L, Langenau DM. Single-cell analysis and functional characterization uncover the stem cell hierarchies and developmental origins of rhabdomyosarcoma. NATURE CANCER 2022; 3:961-975. [PMID: 35982179 PMCID: PMC10430812 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-022-00414-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a common childhood cancer that shares features with developing skeletal muscle. Yet, the conservation of cellular hierarchy with human muscle development and the identification of molecularly defined tumor-propagating cells has not been reported. Using single-cell RNA-sequencing, DNA-barcode cell fate mapping and functional stem cell assays, we uncovered shared tumor cell hierarchies in RMS and human muscle development. We also identified common developmental stages at which tumor cells become arrested. Fusion-negative RMS cells resemble early myogenic cells found in embryonic and fetal development, while fusion-positive RMS cells express a highly specific gene program found in muscle cells transiting from embryonic to fetal development at 7-7.75 weeks of age. Fusion-positive RMS cells also have neural pathway-enriched states, suggesting less-rigid adherence to muscle-lineage hierarchies. Finally, we identified a molecularly defined tumor-propagating subpopulation in fusion-negative RMS that shares remarkable similarity to bi-potent, muscle mesenchyme progenitors that can make both muscle and osteogenic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Wei
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Research Institute, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Qian Qin
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Research Institute, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Chuan Yan
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Research Institute, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Madeline N Hayes
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Research Institute, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sara P Garcia
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Research Institute, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Haibin Xi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Do
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Research Institute, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alexander H Jin
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Research Institute, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Tiffany C Eng
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Research Institute, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Karin M McCarthy
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Research Institute, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Abhinav Adhikari
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Research Institute, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Maristela L Onozato
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Research Institute, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Dimitrios Spentzos
- Center for Sarcoma and Connective Tissue Oncology, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gunnlaugur P Neilsen
- Center for Sarcoma and Connective Tissue Oncology, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - A John Iafrate
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Research Institute, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Leonard H Wexler
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - April D Pyle
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mario L Suvà
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Research Institute, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Filemon Dela Cruz
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Luca Pinello
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Research Institute, Charlestown, MA, USA.
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA.
| | - David M Langenau
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Research Institute, Charlestown, MA, USA.
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA.
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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16
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Patel AG, Chen X, Huang X, Clay MR, Komorova N, Krasin MJ, Pappo A, Tillman H, Orr BA, McEvoy J, Gordon B, Blankenship K, Reilly C, Zhou X, Norrie JL, Karlstrom A, Yu J, Wodarz D, Stewart E, Dyer MA. The myogenesis program drives clonal selection and drug resistance in rhabdomyosarcoma. Dev Cell 2022; 57:1226-1240.e8. [PMID: 35483358 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2022.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a pediatric cancer with features of skeletal muscle; patients with unresectable or metastatic RMS fare poorly due to high rates of disease recurrence. Here, we use single-cell and single-nucleus RNA sequencing to show that RMS tumors recapitulate the spectrum of embryonal myogenesis. Using matched patient samples from a clinical trial and orthotopic patient-derived xenografts (O-PDXs), we show that chemotherapy eliminates the most proliferative component with features of myoblasts within embryonal RMS; after treatment, the immature population with features of paraxial mesoderm expands to reconstitute the developmental hierarchy of the original tumor. We discovered that this paraxial mesoderm population is dependent on EGFR signaling and is sensitive to EGFR inhibitors. Taken together, these data serve as a proof of concept that targeting each developmental state in embryonal RMS is an effective strategy for improving outcomes by preventing disease recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anand G Patel
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Xiang Chen
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Xin Huang
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Michael R Clay
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Natalia Komorova
- Department of Mathematics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Matthew J Krasin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Alberto Pappo
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Heather Tillman
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Brent A Orr
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Justina McEvoy
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Brittney Gordon
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Kaley Blankenship
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Colleen Reilly
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Jackie L Norrie
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Asa Karlstrom
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Jiyang Yu
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Dominik Wodarz
- Department of Population Health and Disease Prevention, Program in Public Health, Susan and Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Elizabeth Stewart
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Michael A Dyer
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
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17
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Novel animal model of soft tissue tumor due to aberrant hedgehog signaling activation in pericyte lineage. Cell Tissue Res 2022; 388:63-73. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-022-03578-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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18
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Hanna JA, Langdon CG, Garcia MR, Benton A, Lanman NA, Finkelstein D, Rehg JE, Hatley ME. Genetic context of oncogenic drivers dictates vascular sarcoma development in
aP2‐Cre
mice. J Pathol 2022; 257:109-124. [PMID: 35066877 PMCID: PMC9007915 DOI: 10.1002/path.5873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Angiosarcomas are aggressive vascular sarcomas that arise from endothelial cells and have an extremely poor prognosis. Because of the rarity of angiosarcomas, knowledge of molecular drivers and optimized treatment strategies is lacking, highlighting the need for in vivo models to study the disease. Previously, we generated genetically engineered mouse models of angiosarcoma driven by aP2‐Cre‐mediated biallelic loss of Dicer1 or conditional activation of KrasG12D with Cdkn2a loss that histologically and genetically resemble human tumors. In the present study, we found that DICER1 functions as a potent tumor suppressor and its deletion, in combination with either KRASG12D expression or Cdkn2a loss, is associated with angiosarcoma development. Independent of the genetic driver, the mTOR pathway was activated in all murine angiosarcoma models. Direct activation of the mTOR pathway by conditional deletion of Tsc1 with aP2‐Cre resulted in tumors that resemble intermediate grade human kaposiform hemangioendotheliomas, indicating that mTOR activation was not sufficient to drive the malignant angiosarcoma phenotype. Genetic dissection of the spectrum of vascular tumors identified genes specifically regulated in the aggressive murine angiosarcomas that are also enriched in human angiosarcoma. The genetic dissection driving the transition across the malignant spectrum of endothelial sarcomas provides an opportunity to identify key determinants of the malignant phenotype, novel therapies for angiosarcoma, and novel in vivo models to further explore angiosarcoma pathogenesis. © 2022 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason A. Hanna
- Department of Oncology St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis TN 38105 USA
- Department of Biological Sciences Purdue University 201 S. University Street West Lafayette IN 47906 USA
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research Purdue University West Lafayette, IN, 47907 USA
| | - Casey G. Langdon
- Department of Oncology St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Matthew R. Garcia
- Department of Oncology St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Annaleigh Benton
- Department of Biological Sciences Purdue University 201 S. University Street West Lafayette IN 47906 USA
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research Purdue University West Lafayette, IN, 47907 USA
| | - Nadia A. Lanman
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology Purdue University 201 S. University Street West Lafayette IN 47906 USA
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research Purdue University West Lafayette, IN, 47907 USA
| | - David Finkelstein
- Department of Computational Biology St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Jerold E. Rehg
- Department of Pathology St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Mark E. Hatley
- Department of Oncology St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis TN 38105 USA
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19
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Langdon CG, Hatley ME. The perfect PTEN – transcriptional regulation by PTEN dictates sarcoma identity. Mol Cell Oncol 2021; 8:2002120. [PMID: 35419479 PMCID: PMC8997253 DOI: 10.1080/23723556.2021.2002120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Fusion-negative rhabdomyosarcoma (FN-RMS) is molecularly heterogeneous with few universal alterations except for Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) promoter hypermethylation. We demonstrate that losing Pten in FN-RMS engages an aberrant transcriptional program key in tumor maintenance and cell identity. These results highlight the importance between transcriptional state, cell of origin, and genetic perturbation in tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey G. Langdon
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Mark E. Hatley
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
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20
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Neural is Fundamental: Neural Stemness as the Ground State of Cell Tumorigenicity and Differentiation Potential. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 18:37-55. [PMID: 34714532 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-021-10275-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Tumorigenic cells are similar to neural stem cells or embryonic neural cells in regulatory networks, tumorigenicity and pluripotent differentiation potential. By integrating the evidence from developmental biology, tumor biology and evolution, I will make a detailed discussion on the observations and propose that neural stemness underlies two coupled cell properties, tumorigenicity and pluripotent differentiation potential. Neural stemness property of tumorigenic cells can hopefully integrate different observations/concepts underlying tumorigenesis. Neural stem cells and tumorigenic cells share regulatory networks; both exhibit neural stemness, tumorigenicity and pluripotent differentiation potential; both depend on expression or activation of ancestral genes; both rely primarily on aerobic glycolytic metabolism; both can differentiate into various cells/tissues that are derived from three germ layers, leading to tumor formation resembling severely disorganized or more degenerated process of embryonic tissue differentiation; both are enriched in long genes with more splice variants that provide more plastic scaffolds for cell differentiation, etc. Neural regulatory networks, which include higher levels of basic machineries of cell physiological functions and developmental programs, work concertedly to define a basic state with fast cell cycle and proliferation. This is predestined by the evolutionary advantage of neural state, the ground or initial state for multicellularity with adaptation to an ancient environment. Tumorigenesis might represent a process of restoration of neural ground state, thereby restoring a state with fast proliferation and pluripotent differentiation potential in somatic cells. Tumorigenesis and pluripotent differentiation potential might be better understood from understanding neural stemness, and cancer therapy should benefit more from targeting neural stemness.
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21
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Genetic Characterization, Current Model Systems and Prognostic Stratification in PAX Fusion-Negative vs. PAX Fusion-Positive Rhabdomyosarcoma. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12101500. [PMID: 34680895 PMCID: PMC8535289 DOI: 10.3390/genes12101500] [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: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children and adolescents and accounts for approximately 2% of soft tissue sarcomas in adults. It is subcategorized into distinct subtypes based on histological features and fusion status (PAX-FOXO1/VGLL2/NCOA2). Despite advances in our understanding of the pathobiological and molecular landscape of RMS, the prognosis of these tumors has not significantly improved in recent years. Developing a better understanding of genetic abnormalities and risk stratification beyond the fusion status are crucial to developing better therapeutic strategies. Herein, we aim to highlight the genetic pathways/abnormalities involved, specifically in fusion-negative RMS, assess the currently available model systems to study RMS pathogenesis, and discuss available prognostic factors as well as their importance for risk stratification to achieve optimal therapeutic management.
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22
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Langdon CG, Gadek KE, Garcia MR, Evans MK, Reed KB, Bush M, Hanna JA, Drummond CJ, Maguire MC, Leavey PJ, Finkelstein D, Jin H, Schreiner PA, Rehg JE, Hatley ME. Synthetic essentiality between PTEN and core dependency factor PAX7 dictates rhabdomyosarcoma identity. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5520. [PMID: 34535684 PMCID: PMC8448747 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25829-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
PTEN promoter hypermethylation is nearly universal and PTEN copy number loss occurs in ~25% of fusion-negative rhabdomyosarcoma (FN-RMS). Here we show Pten deletion in a mouse model of FN-RMS results in less differentiated tumors more closely resembling human embryonal RMS. PTEN loss activated the PI3K pathway but did not increase mTOR activity. In wild-type tumors, PTEN was expressed in the nucleus suggesting loss of nuclear PTEN functions could account for these phenotypes. Pten deleted tumors had increased expression of transcription factors important in neural and skeletal muscle development including Dbx1 and Pax7. Pax7 deletion completely rescued the effects of Pten loss. Strikingly, these Pten;Pax7 deleted tumors were no longer FN-RMS but displayed smooth muscle differentiation similar to leiomyosarcoma. These data highlight how Pten loss in FN-RMS is connected to a PAX7 lineage-specific transcriptional output that creates a dependency or synthetic essentiality on the transcription factor PAX7 to maintain tumor identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey G Langdon
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Katherine E Gadek
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Matthew R Garcia
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Myron K Evans
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Kristin B Reed
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
- Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, 38112, USA
| | - Madeline Bush
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
- St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Jason A Hanna
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
- Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Catherine J Drummond
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
| | - Matthew C Maguire
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Patrick J Leavey
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - David Finkelstein
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Hongjian Jin
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Patrick A Schreiner
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Jerold E Rehg
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Mark E Hatley
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
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23
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TERAMOTO N, IKEDA M, SUGIHARA H, SHIGA T, MATSUWAKI T, NISHIHARA M, UCHIDA K, YAMANOUCHI K. Loss of p16/Ink4a drives high frequency of rhabdomyosarcoma in a rat model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. J Vet Med Sci 2021; 83:1416-1424. [PMID: 34334511 PMCID: PMC8498826 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.21-0243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is an aggressive type of soft tissue sarcoma, and pleomorphic RMS is a rare subtype of RMS found in adult. p16 is a tumor suppressor which inhibits cell cycle. In human RMS, p16 gene is frequently deleted, but p16-null mice do not develop RMS. We reported that genetic ablation of p16 by the crossbreeding of p16 knock-out rats (p16-KO rats) improved the dystrophic phenotype of a rat model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Dmd-KO rats). However, p16/Dmd double knock-out rats (dKO rats) unexpectedly developed sarcoma. In the present study, we raised p16-KO, Dmd-KO, and dKO rats until 11 months of age. Twelve out of 22 dKO rats developed pleomorphic RMS after 9 months of age, while none of p16-KO rats and Dmd-KO rats developed tumor. The neoplasms were connected to skeletal muscle tissue with indistinct borders and characterized by diffuse proliferation of pleomorphic cells which had eosinophilic cytoplasm and atypical nuclei with anisokaryosis. For almost all cases, the tumor cells immunohistochemically expressed myogenic markers including desmin, MyoD, and myogenin. The single cell cloning from tumor primary cells gained 20 individual Pax7-negative MyoD-positive RMS cell clones. Our results demonstrated that double knock-out of p16 and dystrophin in rats leads to the development of pleomorphic RMS, providing an animal model that may be useful to study the developmental mechanism of pleomorphic RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi TERAMOTO
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Masanari IKEDA
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi SUGIHARA
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Takanori SHIGA
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Takashi MATSUWAKI
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Masugi NISHIHARA
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki UCHIDA
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Keitaro YAMANOUCHI
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
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24
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Ng DCH, Ho UY, Grounds MD. Cilia, Centrosomes and Skeletal Muscle. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9605. [PMID: 34502512 PMCID: PMC8431768 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary cilia are non-motile, cell cycle-associated organelles that can be found on most vertebrate cell types. Comprised of microtubule bundles organised into an axoneme and anchored by a mature centriole or basal body, primary cilia are dynamic signalling platforms that are intimately involved in cellular responses to their extracellular milieu. Defects in ciliogenesis or dysfunction in cilia signalling underlie a host of developmental disorders collectively referred to as ciliopathies, reinforcing important roles for cilia in human health. Whilst primary cilia have long been recognised to be present in striated muscle, their role in muscle is not well understood. However, recent studies indicate important contributions, particularly in skeletal muscle, that have to date remained underappreciated. Here, we explore recent revelations that the sensory and signalling functions of cilia on muscle progenitors regulate cell cycle progression, trigger differentiation and maintain a commitment to myogenesis. Cilia disassembly is initiated during myoblast fusion. However, the remnants of primary cilia persist in multi-nucleated myotubes, and we discuss their potential role in late-stage differentiation and myofiber formation. Reciprocal interactions between cilia and the extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment described for other tissues may also inform on parallel interactions in skeletal muscle. We also discuss emerging evidence that cilia on fibroblasts/fibro-adipogenic progenitors and myofibroblasts may influence cell fate in both a cell autonomous and non-autonomous manner with critical consequences for skeletal muscle ageing and repair in response to injury and disease. This review addresses the enigmatic but emerging role of primary cilia in satellite cells in myoblasts and myofibers during myogenesis, as well as the wider tissue microenvironment required for skeletal muscle formation and homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic C. H. Ng
- School of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Uda Y. Ho
- School of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Miranda D. Grounds
- School of Human Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
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25
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Kommoss FKF, Stichel D, Mora J, Esteller M, Jones DTW, Pfister SM, Brack E, Wachtel M, Bode PK, Sinn HP, Schmidt D, Mentzel T, Kommoss F, Sahm F, von Deimling A, Koelsche C. Clinicopathologic and molecular analysis of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the genitourinary tract: evidence for a distinct DICER1-associated subgroup. Mod Pathol 2021; 34:1558-1569. [PMID: 33846547 PMCID: PMC8295035 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-021-00804-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) of the uterus has recently been shown to frequently harbor DICER1 mutations. Interestingly, only rare cases of extrauterine DICER1-associated ERMS, mostly located in the genitourinary tract, have been reported to date. Our goal was to study clinicopathologic and molecular profiles of DICER1-mutant (DICER1-mut) and DICER1-wild type (DICER1-wt) ERMS in a cohort of genitourinary tumors. We collected a cohort of 17 ERMS including nine uterine (four uterine corpus and five cervix), one vaginal, and seven urinary tract tumors. DNA sequencing revealed mutations of DICER1 in 9/9 uterine ERMS. All other ERMS of our cohort were DICER1-wt. The median age at diagnosis of patients with DICER1-mut and DICER1-wt ERMS was 36 years and 5 years, respectively. Limited follow-up data (available for 15/17 patients) suggested that DICER1-mut ERMS might show a less aggressive clinical course than DICER1-wt ERMS. Histological features only observed in DICER1-mut ERMS were cartilaginous nodules (6/9 DICER1-mut ERMS), in one case accompanied by foci of ossification. Recurrent mutations identified in both DICER1-mut and DICER1-wt ERMS affected KRAS, NRAS, and TP53. Copy number analysis revealed similar structural variations with frequent gains on chromosomes 2, 3, and 8, independent of DICER1 mutation status. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of array-based whole-genome DNA methylation data of our study cohort together with an extended methylation data set including different RMS subtypes from genitourinary and extra-genitourinary locations (n = 102), revealed a distinct cluster for DICER1-mut ERMS. Such tumors clearly segregated from the clusters of DICER1-wt ERMS, alveolar RMS, and MYOD1-mutant spindle cell and sclerosing RMS. Only one tumor, previously diagnosed as ERMS arising in the maxilla of a 6-year-old boy clustered with DICER1-mut ERMS of the uterus. Subsequent sequencing analysis identified two DICER1 mutations in the latter case. Our results suggest that DICER1-mut ERMS might qualify as a distinct subtype in future classifications of RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix K F Kommoss
- Institute of Pathology, Department of General Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Soft-Tissue Sarcoma Research Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Damian Stichel
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jaume Mora
- Department of Pediatric Onco‑Hematology and Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Manel Esteller
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cancer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Physiological Sciences Department, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - David T W Jones
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Pediatric Glioma Research Group, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan M Pfister
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eva Brack
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marco Wachtel
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Peter Karl Bode
- Institute of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich (USZ), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hans-Peter Sinn
- Institute of Pathology, Department of General Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dietmar Schmidt
- MVZ für Histologie, Zytologie und molekulare Diagnostik Trier GmbH, Trier, Germany
| | | | - Friedrich Kommoss
- Institute of Pathology, Medizin Campus Bodensee, Friedrichshafen, Germany
| | - Felix Sahm
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas von Deimling
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Christian Koelsche
- Institute of Pathology, Department of General Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
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26
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Martin-Giacalone BA, Weinstein PA, Plon SE, Lupo PJ. Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma: Epidemiology and Genetic Susceptibility. J Clin Med 2021; 10:2028. [PMID: 34065162 PMCID: PMC8125975 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10092028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma in children, yet little is known about its etiology. Studies that examine either environmental exposures or germline genetic predisposition in RMS have begun to identify factors that contribute to this malignancy. Here, we summarize epidemiological reports of RMS incidence in terms of several factors, including age at diagnosis, biological sex, and geographic location. We then describe findings from association studies, which explore the role of parental exposures, birth and perinatal characteristics, and childhood exposures in RMS. Further, we discuss RMS predisposition syndromes and large-scale sequencing studies that have further identified RMS-associated genes. Finally, we propose future directions of study, which aim to advance our understanding of the origin of RMS and can provide knowledge for novel RMS therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bailey A. Martin-Giacalone
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (B.A.M.-G.); (P.A.W.); (S.E.P.)
- Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - P. Adam Weinstein
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (B.A.M.-G.); (P.A.W.); (S.E.P.)
- Genetics and Genomics Graduate Program, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sharon E. Plon
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (B.A.M.-G.); (P.A.W.); (S.E.P.)
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Philip J. Lupo
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (B.A.M.-G.); (P.A.W.); (S.E.P.)
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Lu J, Wood D, Ingley E, Koks S, Wong D. Update on genomic and molecular landscapes of well-differentiated liposarcoma and dedifferentiated liposarcoma. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:3637-3647. [PMID: 33893924 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06362-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Well-differentiated liposarcoma (WDLPS) is the most frequent subtype of liposarcoma and may transform into dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) which is a more aggressive subtype. Retroperitoneal lesions of WDLPS/DDLPS tend to recur repeatedly due to incomplete resections, and adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy have little effect on patient survival. Consequently, identifying therapeutic targets and developing targeted drugs is critical for improving the outcome of WDLPS/DDLPS patients. In this review, we summarised the mutational landscape of WDLPS/DDLPS from recent studies focusing on potential oncogenic drivers and the development of molecular targeted drugs for DDLPS. Due to the limited number of studies on the molecular networks driving WDLPS to DDLPS development, we looked at other dedifferentiation-related tumours to identify potential parallel mechanisms that could be involved in the dedifferentiation process generating DDLPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Lu
- Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia. .,Cell Signalling Group, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia.
| | - David Wood
- Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Evan Ingley
- Cell Signalling Group, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia.,Discipline of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Sulev Koks
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Daniel Wong
- Anatomical Pathology, PathWest, QEII Medical Centre, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
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28
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Suresh R, Picard D, Lo R, Beaulieu J, Remke M, Diaz RJ. Expression of cell type incongruent alpha-cardiac actin 1 subunit in medulloblastoma reveals a novel mechanism for cancer cell survival and control of migration. Neurooncol Adv 2021; 3:vdab064. [PMID: 34337410 PMCID: PMC8320690 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdab064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Alterations in actin subunit expression have been reported in multiple cancers, but have not been investigated previously in medulloblastoma. Methods Bioinformatic analysis of multiple medulloblastoma tumor databases was performed to profile ACTC1 mRNA levels. Western blot was used to verify protein expression in established medulloblastoma cell lines. Immunofluorescence microscopy was performed to assess ACTC1 localization. Stable cell lines with ACTC1 overexpression were generated and shRNA knockdown of ACTC1 was accomplished. We used PARP1 cleavage by Western blot as a marker of apoptosis and cell survival was determined by FACS viability assay and colony formation. Cell migration with overexpression or knockdown of ACTC1 was determined by the scratch assay. Stress fiber length distribution was assessed by fluorescence microscopy. Results ACTC1 mRNA expression is highest in SHH and WNT medulloblastoma among all subgroups. ACTC1 protein was confirmed by Western blot in SHH subgroup and Group 3 subgroup cell lines with the lowest expression in Group 3 cells. Microscopy demonstrated ACTC1 co-localization with F-actin. Overexpression of ACTC1 in Group 3 cells abolished the apoptotic response to Aurora kinase B inhibition. Knockdown of ACTC1 in SHH cells and in Myc overexpressing SHH cells induced apoptosis, impaired colony formation, and inhibited migration. Changes in stress fiber length distribution in medulloblastoma cells are induced by alterations in ACTC1 abundance. Conclusions Alpha-cardiac actin (ACTC1) is expressed in SHH medulloblastoma. Expression of this protein in medulloblastoma modifies stress fiber composition and functions in promoting resistance to apoptosis induced by mitotic inhibition, enhancing cell survival, and controlling migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Suresh
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Daniel Picard
- Division of Pediatric Neuro-Oncogenomics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), partner site Essen/Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Rita Lo
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jamie Beaulieu
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Marc Remke
- Division of Pediatric Neuro-Oncogenomics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), partner site Essen/Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University (HHU), University Hospital Düsseldorf (UKD), Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, HHU, UKD, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Roberto Jose Diaz
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
- Corresponding Author: Roberto Jose Diaz, MD, PhD, FRCSC, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, 3801 Rue University, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2B4, Canada ()
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29
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Kannan S, Lock I, Ozenberger BB, Jones KB. Genetic drivers and cells of origin in sarcomagenesis. J Pathol 2021; 254:474-493. [DOI: 10.1002/path.5617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarmishta Kannan
- Departments of Orthopaedics and Oncological Sciences Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City UT USA
| | - Ian Lock
- Departments of Orthopaedics and Oncological Sciences Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City UT USA
| | - Benjamin B Ozenberger
- Departments of Orthopaedics and Oncological Sciences Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City UT USA
| | - Kevin B Jones
- Departments of Orthopaedics and Oncological Sciences Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City UT USA
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Skeletal Muscle Subpopulation Rearrangements upon Rhabdomyosarcoma Development through Single-Cell Mass Cytometry. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10040823. [PMID: 33671425 PMCID: PMC7922544 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10040823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (eRMS) is a soft tissue sarcoma commonly affecting the head and neck, the extremities and the genitourinary tract. To contribute to revealing the cell types that may originate this tumor, we exploited mass cytometry, a single-cell technique that, by using heavy-metal-tagged antibodies, allows the accurate monitoring of the changes occurring in the mononuclear cell composition of skeletal muscle tissue during tumor development. To this end, we compared cell populations of healthy muscles with those from spatiotemporal-induced eRMS tumors in a mouse model (LSL-KrasG12D/+;Tp53Fl/Fl) that can be used to develop rhabdomyosarcoma by means of infection with an adenovirus vector expressing Cre (Ad-Cre) recombinase. By monitoring different time points after tumor induction, we were able to analyze tumor progression and composition, identifying fibro/adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) as the cell type that, in this model system, had a pivotal role in tumor development. In vitro studies highlighted that both FAPs and satellite cells (SCs), upon infection with the Ad-Cre, acquired the potential to develop rhabdomyosarcomas when transplanted into immunocompromised mice. However, only infected FAPs had an antigen profile that was similar to embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Overall, our analysis supports the involvement of FAPs in eRMS development.
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Xu L, Zhang M, Shi L, Yang X, Chen L, Cao N, Lei A, Cao Y. Neural stemness contributes to cell tumorigenicity. Cell Biosci 2021; 11:21. [PMID: 33468253 PMCID: PMC7814647 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-021-00531-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies demonstrated the dependence of cancer on nerve. Recently, a growing number of studies reveal that cancer cells share the property and regulatory network with neural stem/progenitor cells. However, relationship between the property of neural stemness and cell tumorigenicity is unknown. Results We show that neural stem/progenitor cells, but not non-neural embryonic or somatic stem/progenitor cell types, exhibit tumorigenicity and the potential for differentiation into tissue types of all germ layers when they are placed in non-native environment by transplantation into immunodeficient nude mice. Likewise, cancer cells capable of tumor initiation have the property of neural stemness because of their abilities in neurosphere formation in neural stem cell-specific serum-free medium and in differentiation potential, in addition to their neuronal differentiation potential that was characterized previously. Moreover, loss of a pro-differentiation factor in myoblasts, which have no tumorigenicity, lead to the loss of myoblast identity, and gain of the property of neural stemness, tumorigenicity and potential for re-differentiation. By contrast, loss of neural stemness via differentiation results in the loss of tumorigenicity. These suggest that the property of neural stemness contributes to cell tumorigenicity, and tumor phenotypic heterogeneity might be an effect of differentiation potential of neural stemness. Bioinformatic analysis reveals that neural genes in general are correlated with embryonic development and cancer, in addition to their role in neural development; whereas non-neural genes are not. Most of neural specific genes emerged in typical species representing transition from unicellularity to multicellularity during evolution. Genes in Monosiga brevicollis, a unicellular species that is a closest known relative of metazoans, are biased toward neural cells. Conclusions We suggest that the property of neural stemness is the source of cell tumorigenicity. This is due to that neural biased unicellular state is the ground state for multicellularity and hence cell type diversification or differentiation during evolution, and tumorigenesis is a process of restoration of neural ground state in somatic cells along a default route that is pre-determined by an evolutionary advantage of neural state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyang Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Min Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Lihua Shi
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Xiaoli Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Lu Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Ning Cao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Anhua Lei
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Ying Cao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China.
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Grünewald TGP, Alonso M, Avnet S, Banito A, Burdach S, Cidre‐Aranaz F, Di Pompo G, Distel M, Dorado‐Garcia H, Garcia‐Castro J, González‐González L, Grigoriadis AE, Kasan M, Koelsche C, Krumbholz M, Lecanda F, Lemma S, Longo DL, Madrigal‐Esquivel C, Morales‐Molina Á, Musa J, Ohmura S, Ory B, Pereira‐Silva M, Perut F, Rodriguez R, Seeling C, Al Shaaili N, Shaabani S, Shiavone K, Sinha S, Tomazou EM, Trautmann M, Vela M, Versleijen‐Jonkers YMH, Visgauss J, Zalacain M, Schober SJ, Lissat A, English WR, Baldini N, Heymann D. Sarcoma treatment in the era of molecular medicine. EMBO Mol Med 2020; 12:e11131. [PMID: 33047515 PMCID: PMC7645378 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201911131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas are heterogeneous and clinically challenging soft tissue and bone cancers. Although constituting only 1% of all human malignancies, sarcomas represent the second most common type of solid tumors in children and adolescents and comprise an important group of secondary malignancies. More than 100 histological subtypes have been characterized to date, and many more are being discovered due to molecular profiling. Owing to their mostly aggressive biological behavior, relative rarity, and occurrence at virtually every anatomical site, many sarcoma subtypes are in particular difficult-to-treat categories. Current multimodal treatment concepts combine surgery, polychemotherapy (with/without local hyperthermia), irradiation, immunotherapy, and/or targeted therapeutics. Recent scientific advancements have enabled a more precise molecular characterization of sarcoma subtypes and revealed novel therapeutic targets and prognostic/predictive biomarkers. This review aims at providing a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in the molecular biology of sarcomas and their effects on clinical oncology; it is meant for a broad readership ranging from novices to experts in the field of sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas GP Grünewald
- Max‐Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma BiologyInstitute of PathologyFaculty of MedicineLMU MunichMunichGermany
- Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma ResearchGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)HeidelbergGermany
- Institute of PathologyHeidelberg University HospitalHeidelbergGermany
| | - Marta Alonso
- Program in Solid Tumors and BiomarkersFoundation for the Applied Medical ResearchUniversity of Navarra PamplonaPamplonaSpain
| | - Sofia Avnet
- Orthopedic Pathophysiology and Regenerative Medicine UnitIRCCS Istituto Ortopedico RizzoliBolognaItaly
| | - Ana Banito
- Pediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma Research GroupGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Stefan Burdach
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Cancer Research Center (CCRC)Technische Universität MünchenMunichGermany
| | - Florencia Cidre‐Aranaz
- Max‐Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma BiologyInstitute of PathologyFaculty of MedicineLMU MunichMunichGermany
| | - Gemma Di Pompo
- Orthopedic Pathophysiology and Regenerative Medicine UnitIRCCS Istituto Ortopedico RizzoliBolognaItaly
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Merve Kasan
- Max‐Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma BiologyInstitute of PathologyFaculty of MedicineLMU MunichMunichGermany
| | | | | | - Fernando Lecanda
- Division of OncologyAdhesion and Metastasis LaboratoryCenter for Applied Medical ResearchUniversity of NavarraPamplonaSpain
| | - Silvia Lemma
- Orthopedic Pathophysiology and Regenerative Medicine UnitIRCCS Istituto Ortopedico RizzoliBolognaItaly
| | - Dario L Longo
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB)Italian National Research Council (CNR)TurinItaly
| | | | | | - Julian Musa
- Max‐Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma BiologyInstitute of PathologyFaculty of MedicineLMU MunichMunichGermany
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation SurgeryUniversity of HeidelbergHeidelbergGermany
| | - Shunya Ohmura
- Max‐Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma BiologyInstitute of PathologyFaculty of MedicineLMU MunichMunichGermany
| | | | - Miguel Pereira‐Silva
- Department of Pharmaceutical TechnologyFaculty of PharmacyUniversity of CoimbraCoimbraPortugal
| | - Francesca Perut
- Orthopedic Pathophysiology and Regenerative Medicine UnitIRCCS Istituto Ortopedico RizzoliBolognaItaly
| | - Rene Rodriguez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de AsturiasOviedoSpain
- CIBER en oncología (CIBERONC)MadridSpain
| | | | - Nada Al Shaaili
- Department of Oncology and MetabolismUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Shabnam Shaabani
- Department of Drug DesignUniversity of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Kristina Shiavone
- Department of Oncology and MetabolismUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Snehadri Sinha
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial DiseasesUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | | | - Marcel Trautmann
- Division of Translational PathologyGerhard‐Domagk‐Institute of PathologyMünster University HospitalMünsterGermany
| | - Maria Vela
- Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ)MadridSpain
| | | | | | - Marta Zalacain
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB)Italian National Research Council (CNR)TurinItaly
| | - Sebastian J Schober
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Cancer Research Center (CCRC)Technische Universität MünchenMunichGermany
| | - Andrej Lissat
- University Children′s Hospital Zurich – Eleonoren FoundationKanton ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - William R English
- Department of Oncology and MetabolismUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Nicola Baldini
- Orthopedic Pathophysiology and Regenerative Medicine UnitIRCCS Istituto Ortopedico RizzoliBolognaItaly
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor SciencesUniversity of BolognaBolognaItaly
| | - Dominique Heymann
- Department of Oncology and MetabolismUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
- Université de NantesInstitut de Cancérologie de l'OuestTumor Heterogeneity and Precision MedicineSaint‐HerblainFrance
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Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is an aggressive childhood mesenchymal tumor with two major molecular and histopathologic subtypes: fusion-positive (FP)RMS, characterized by the PAX3-FOXO1 fusion protein and largely of alveolar histology, and fusion-negative (FN)RMS, the majority of which exhibit embryonal tumor histology. Metastatic disease continues to be associated with poor overall survival despite intensive treatment strategies. Studies on RMS biology have provided some insight into autocrine as well as paracrine signaling pathways that contribute to invasion and metastatic propensity. Such pathways include those driven by the PAX3-FOXO1 fusion oncoprotein in FPRMS and signaling pathways such as IGF/RAS/MEK/ERK, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, cMET, FGFR4, and PDGFR in both FP and FNRMS. In addition, specific cytoskeletal proteins, G protein coupled receptors, Hedgehog, Notch, Wnt, Hippo, and p53 pathways play a role, as do specific microRNA. Paracrine factors, including secreted proteins and RMS-derived exosomes that carry cargo of protein and miRNA, have also recently emerged as potentially important players in RMS biology. This review summarizes the known factors contributing to RMS invasion and metastasis and their implications on identifying targets for treatment and a better understanding of metastatic RMS.
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Endothelial Cell Contributions to COVID-19. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9100785. [PMID: 32992810 PMCID: PMC7600722 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9100785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding of the clinical, histological and molecular features of the novel coronavirus 2019 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)) has remained elusive. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by this virus has unusual clinical presentation with regard to other related coronaviruses. Recent reports suggest that SARS-CoV-2, unlike other related viruses, infects and replicates within endothelial cells, which may explain a significant portion of the observed clinical pathology. Likewise, mounting evidence associates vascular and endothelial cell dysfunction with increased mortality. This review focuses on understanding how endothelial cell pathology is caused by SARS-CoV-2 at the molecular and cellular levels and how these events relate to COVID-19. A detailed examination of current knowledge regarding canonical inflammatory reaction pathways as well as alteration of endothelial cell-derived exosomes and transdifferentiation by SARS-CoV-2 is included in this assessment. Additionally, given an understanding of endothelial contributions to COVID-19, potential therapeutic aims are discussed, particularly as would affect endothelial function and pathology.
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35
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Boscolo Sesillo F, Fox D, Sacco A. Muscle Stem Cells Give Rise to Rhabdomyosarcomas in a Severe Mouse Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Cell Rep 2020; 26:689-701.e6. [PMID: 30650360 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.12.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Most human cancers originate from high-turnover tissues, while low-proliferating tissues, like skeletal muscle, exhibit a lower incidence of tumor development. In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which induces increased skeletal muscle regeneration, tumor incidence is increased. Rhabdomyosarcomas (RMSs), a rare and aggressive type of soft tissue sarcoma, can develop in this context, but the impact of DMD severity on RMS development and its cell of origin are poorly understood. Here, we show that RMS latency is affected by DMD severity and that muscle stem cells (MuSCs) can give rise to RMS in dystrophic mice. We report that even before tumor formation, MuSCs exhibit increased self-renewal and an expression signature associated with RMSs. These cells can form tumorspheres in vitro and give rise to RMSs in vivo. Finally, we show that the inflammatory genes Ccl11 and Rgs5 are involved in RMS growth. Together, our results show that DMD severity drives MuSC-mediated RMS development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Boscolo Sesillo
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - David Fox
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Alessandra Sacco
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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Liu Z, Zhang X, Lei H, Lam N, Carter S, Yockey O, Xu M, Mendoza A, Hernandez ER, Wei JS, Khan J, Yohe ME, Shern JF, Thiele CJ. CASZ1 induces skeletal muscle and rhabdomyosarcoma differentiation through a feed-forward loop with MYOD and MYOG. Nat Commun 2020; 11:911. [PMID: 32060262 PMCID: PMC7021771 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14684-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) is a childhood cancer that expresses myogenic master regulatory factor MYOD but fails to differentiate. Here, we show that the zinc finger transcription factor CASZ1 up-regulates MYOD signature genes and induces skeletal muscle differentiation in normal myoblasts and ERMS. The oncogenic activation of the RAS-MEK pathway suppresses CASZ1 expression in ERMS. ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq and RNA-seq experiments reveal that CASZ1 directly up-regulates skeletal muscle genes and represses non-muscle genes through affecting regional epigenetic modifications, chromatin accessibility and super-enhancer establishment. Next generation sequencing of primary RMS tumors identified a single nucleotide variant in the CASZ1 coding region that potentially contributes to ERMS tumorigenesis. Taken together, loss of CASZ1 activity, due to RAS-MEK signaling or genetic alteration, impairs ERMS differentiation, contributing to RMS tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihui Liu
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Xiyuan Zhang
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Haiyan Lei
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Norris Lam
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sakereh Carter
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Oliver Yockey
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Max Xu
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Arnulfo Mendoza
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Edjay R Hernandez
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jun S Wei
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Javed Khan
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Marielle E Yohe
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jack F Shern
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Carol J Thiele
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Sobral LM, Sechler M, Parrish JK, McCann TS, Jones KL, Black JC, Jedlicka P. KDM3A/Ets1/MCAM axis promotes growth and metastatic properties in Rhabdomyosarcoma. Genes Cancer 2020; 11:53-65. [PMID: 32577157 PMCID: PMC7289905 DOI: 10.18632/genesandcancer.200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue malignancy of childhood. RMS exists as two major disease subtypes, with oncofusion-positive RMS (FP-RMS) typically carrying a worse prognosis than oncofusion-negative RMS (FN-RMS), in part due to higher propensity for metastasis. Epigenetic mechanisms have recently emerged as critical players in the pathogenesis of pediatric cancers, as well as potential new therapeutic vulnerabilities. Herein, we show that the epigenetic regulator KDM3A, a member of the Jumonji-domain histone demethylase (JHDM) family, is overexpressed, potently promotes colony formation and transendothelial invasion, and activates the expression of genes involved in cell growth, migration and metastasis, in both FN-RMS and FP-RMS. In mechanistic studies, we demonstrate that both RMS subtypes utilize a KDM3A/Ets1/MCAM disease-promoting axis recently discovered in Ewing Sarcoma, another aggressive pediatric cancer of distinct cellular and molecular origin. We further show that KDM3A depletion in FP-RMS cells inhibits both tumor growth and metastasis in vivo, and that RMS cells are highly sensitive to colony growth inhibition by the pan-JHDM inhibitor JIB-04. Together, our studies reveal an important role for the KDM3A/Ets1/MCAM axis in pediatric sarcomas of distinct cellular and molecular ontogeny, and identify new targetable vulnerabilities in RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lays Martin Sobral
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Marybeth Sechler
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.,Cancer Biology Graduate Program, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Janet K Parrish
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Tyler S McCann
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kenneth L Jones
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Joshua C Black
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Paul Jedlicka
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.,Cancer Biology Graduate Program, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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38
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Rafaeva M, Erler JT. Framing cancer progression: influence of the organ- and tumour-specific matrisome. FEBS J 2020; 287:1454-1477. [PMID: 31972068 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a crucial role in regulating organ homeostasis. It provides mechanical and biochemical cues directing cellular behaviour and, therefore, has control over the progression of diseases such as cancer. Recent efforts have greatly enhanced our knowledge of the protein composition of the ECM and its regulators, the so-called matrisome, in healthy and cancerous tissues; yet, an overview of the common signatures and organ-specific ECM in cancer is missing. Here, we address this by taking a detailed approach to review why cancer grows in certain organs, and focus on the influence of the matrisome at primary and metastatic tumour sites. Our in-depth and comprehensive review of the current literature and general understanding identifies important commonalities and distinctions, providing insight into the biology of metastasis, which could pave the way to improve future diagnostics and therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rafaeva
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Denmark
| | - Janine T Erler
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Denmark
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Bisogno G, De Salvo GL, Bergeron C, Gallego Melcón S, Merks JH, Kelsey A, Martelli H, Minard-Colin V, Orbach D, Glosli H, Chisholm J, Casanova M, Zanetti I, Devalck C, Ben-Arush M, Mudry P, Ferman S, Jenney M, Ferrari A. Vinorelbine and continuous low-dose cyclophosphamide as maintenance chemotherapy in patients with high-risk rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS 2005): a multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol 2019; 20:1566-1575. [PMID: 31562043 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(19)30617-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND For more than three decades, standard treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma in Europe has included 6 months of chemotherapy. The European paediatric Soft tissue sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG) aimed to investigate whether prolonging treatment with maintenance chemotherapy would improve survival in patients with high-risk rhabdomyosarcoma. METHODS RMS 2005 was a multicentre, open-label, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial done at 102 hospitals in 14 countries. We included patients aged 6 months to 21 years with rhabdomyosarcoma who were considered to be at high risk of relapse: those with non-metastatic incompletely resected embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma occurring at unfavourable sites with unfavourable age (≥10 years) or tumour size (>5 cm), or both; those with any non-metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma with nodal involvement; and those with non-metastatic alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma but without nodal involvement. Patients in remission after standard treatment (nine cycles of ifosfamide, vincristine, dactinomycin with or without doxorubicin, and surgery or radiotherapy, or both) were randomly assigned (1:1) to stop treatment or continue maintenance chemotherapy (six cycles of intravenous vinorelbine 25 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15, and daily oral cyclophosphamide 25 mg/m2, on days 1-28). Randomisation was done by use of a web-based system and was stratified (block size of four) by enrolling country and risk subgroup. Neither investigators nor patients were masked to treatment allocation. The primary outcome was disease-free survival in the intention-to-treat population. Secondary outcomes were overall survival and toxicity. This trial is registered with EudraCT, number 2005-000217-35, and ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00339118, and follow-up is ongoing. FINDINGS Between April 20, 2006, and Dec 21, 2016, 371 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to the two groups: 186 to stop treatment and 185 to receive maintenance chemotherapy. Median follow-up was 60·3 months (IQR 32·4-89·4). In the intention-to-treat population, 5-year disease-free survival was 77·6% (95% CI 70·6-83·2) with maintenance chemotherapy versus 69·8% (62·2-76·2) without maintenance chemotherapy (hazard ratio [HR] 0·68 [95% CI 0·45-1·02]; p=0·061), and 5-year overall survival was 86·5% (95% CI 80·2-90·9) with maintenance chemotherapy versus 73·7% (65·8-80·1) without (HR 0·52 [95% CI 0·32-0·86]; p=0·0097). Toxicity was manageable in patients who received maintenance chemotherapy: 136 (75%) of 181 patients had grade 3-4 leucopenia, 148 (82%) had grade 3-4 neutropenia, 19 (10%) had anaemia, two (1%) had thrombocytopenia, and 56 (31%) had an infection. One (1%) patient had a grade 4 non-haematological toxicity (neurotoxicity). Two treatment-related serious adverse events occurred: one case of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion and one of a severe steppage gait with limb pain, both of which resolved. INTERPRETATION Adding maintenance chemotherapy seems to improve survival for patients with high-risk rhabdomyosarcoma. This approach will be the new standard of care for patients with high-risk rhabdomyosarcoma in future EpSSG trials. FUNDING Fondazione Città della Speranza, Association Léon Berard Enfant Cancéreux, Clinical Research Hospital Program (French Ministry of Health), and Cancer Research UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianni Bisogno
- Haematology Oncology Division, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Gian Luca De Salvo
- Clinical Research Unit, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV-IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Christophe Bergeron
- Institut d'Hématologie et d'Oncologie Pédiatrique, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Soledad Gallego Melcón
- Servicio de Oncología y Hematología Pediatrica, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Johannes H Merks
- Princess Máxima Center for Paediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands; Department of Paediatric Oncology, Emma Children's Hospital-Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Anna Kelsey
- Department of Paediatric Histopathology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | - Helene Martelli
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Hôpital Bicêtre-Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Sud, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, Paris, France
| | | | - Daniel Orbach
- SIREDO Oncology Center, Institut Curie, PSL University, Paris, France
| | - Heidi Glosli
- Department of Paediatric Research and Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Julia Chisholm
- Children and Young Peoples Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton, Surrey, UK
| | - Michela Casanova
- Paediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Zanetti
- Haematology Oncology Division, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Christine Devalck
- Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Hôpital Universitaire des Enfants Reine Fabiola, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Myriam Ben-Arush
- Joan and Sanford Weill Pediatric Hematology Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Division, Ruth Rappaport Children's Hospital, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
| | - Peter Mudry
- University Children's Hospital Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Sima Ferman
- Instituto Nacional de Câncer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Meriel Jenney
- Department of Paediatric Oncology, Children's Hospital for Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- Paediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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40
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Yohe ME, Heske CM, Stewart E, Adamson PC, Ahmed N, Antonescu CR, Chen E, Collins N, Ehrlich A, Galindo RL, Gryder BE, Hahn H, Hammond S, Hatley ME, Hawkins DS, Hayes MN, Hayes-Jordan A, Helman LJ, Hettmer S, Ignatius MS, Keller C, Khan J, Kirsch DG, Linardic CM, Lupo PJ, Rota R, Shern JF, Shipley J, Sindiri S, Tapscott SJ, Vakoc CR, Wexler LH, Langenau DM. Insights into pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma research: Challenges and goals. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2019; 66:e27869. [PMID: 31222885 PMCID: PMC6707829 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.27869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Overall survival rates for pediatric patients with high-risk or relapsed rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) have not improved significantly since the 1980s. Recent studies have identified a number of targetable vulnerabilities in RMS, but these discoveries have infrequently translated into clinical trials. We propose streamlining the process by which agents are selected for clinical evaluation in RMS. We believe that strong consideration should be given to the development of combination therapies that add biologically targeted agents to conventional cytotoxic drugs. One example of this type of combination is the addition of the WEE1 inhibitor AZD1775 to the conventional cytotoxic chemotherapeutics, vincristine and irinotecan.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Nabil Ahmed
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | | | | | | | | | - Rene L. Galindo
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390
| | | | - Heidi Hahn
- University Medical Center Gӧttingen, Gӧttingen, Germany
| | | | - Mark E. Hatley
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105
| | - Douglas S. Hawkins
- Seattle Children’s Hospital, University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98105
| | - Madeline N. Hayes
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02114
| | | | - Lee J. Helman
- Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027
| | | | | | - Charles Keller
- Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR 97005
| | - Javed Khan
- National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | | | | | - Philip J. Lupo
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Rossella Rota
- Children’s Hospital Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Janet Shipley
- The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | - David M. Langenau
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02114
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41
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Boscolo Sesillo F, Sacco A. Tumorsphere Derivation and Treatment from Primary Tumor Cells Isolated from Mouse Rhabdomyosarcomas. J Vis Exp 2019. [PMID: 31566597 DOI: 10.3791/59897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. Although significant efforts have enabled the identification of common mutations associated with RMS and allowed discrimination of different RMS subtypes, major challenges still exist for the development of novel treatments to further improve prognosis. Although identified by the expression of myogenic markers, there is still significant controversy over whether RMS has myogenic or non-myogenic origins, as the cell of origin is still poorly understood. In the present study, a reliable method is provided for the tumorsphere assay for mouse RMS. The assay is based on functional properties of tumor cells and allows the identification of rare populations in the tumor with tumorigenic functions. Also described are procedures for testing recombinant proteins, integrating transfection protocols with the tumorsphere assay, and evaluating candidate genes involved in tumor development and growth. Described further is a procedure for allograft transplantation of tumorspheres into recipient mice to validate tumorigenic function in vivo. Overall, the described method allows reliable identification and testing of rare RMS tumorigenic populations that can be applied to RMS arising in different contexts. Finally, the protocol can be utilized as a platform for drug screening and future development of therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Boscolo Sesillo
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute; Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, University California San Diego
| | - Alessandra Sacco
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute;
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42
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Helm BR, Zhan X, Pandya PH, Murray ME, Pollok KE, Renbarger JL, Ferguson MJ, Han Z, Ni D, Zhang J, Huang K. Gene Co-Expression Networks Restructured Gene Fusion in Rhabdomyosarcoma Cancers. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10090665. [PMID: 31480361 PMCID: PMC6770752 DOI: 10.3390/genes10090665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma is subclassified by the presence or absence of a recurrent chromosome translocation that fuses the FOXO1 and PAX3 or PAX7 genes. The fusion protein (FOXO1-PAX3/7) retains both binding domains and becomes a novel and potent transcriptional regulator in rhabdomyosarcoma subtypes. Many studies have characterized and integrated genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic differences among rhabdomyosarcoma subtypes that contain the FOXO1-PAX3/7 gene fusion and those that do not; however, few investigations have investigated how gene co-expression networks are altered by FOXO1-PAX3/7. Although transcriptional data offer insight into one level of functional regulation, gene co-expression networks have the potential to identify biological interactions and pathways that underpin oncogenesis and tumorigenicity. Thus, we examined gene co-expression networks for rhabdomyosarcoma that were FOXO1-PAX3 positive, FOXO1-PAX7 positive, or fusion negative. Gene co-expression networks were mined using local maximum Quasi-Clique Merger (lmQCM) and analyzed for co-expression differences among rhabdomyosarcoma subtypes. This analysis observed 41 co-expression modules that were shared between fusion negative and positive samples, of which 17/41 showed significant up- or down-regulation in respect to fusion status. Fusion positive and negative rhabdomyosarcoma showed differing modularity of co-expression networks with fusion negative (n = 109) having significantly more individual modules than fusion positive (n = 53). Subsequent analysis of gene co-expression networks for PAX3 and PAX7 type fusions observed 17/53 were differentially expressed between the two subtypes. Gene list enrichment analysis found that gene ontology terms were poorly matched with biological processes and molecular function for most co-expression modules identified in this study; however, co-expressed modules were frequently localized to cytobands on chromosomes 8 and 11. Overall, we observed substantial restructuring of co-expression networks relative to fusion status and fusion type in rhabdomyosarcoma and identified previously overlooked genes and pathways that may be targeted in this pernicious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan R Helm
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3082, USA
| | - Xiaohui Zhan
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3082, USA
- National-Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Medical Ultrasound, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Pankita H Pandya
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3082, USA
| | - Mary E Murray
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3082, USA
| | - Karen E Pollok
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3082, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3082, USA
| | - Jamie L Renbarger
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3082, USA
| | - Michael J Ferguson
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3082, USA
| | - Zhi Han
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3082, USA
| | - Dong Ni
- National-Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Medical Ultrasound, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3082, USA.
| | - Kun Huang
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3082, USA.
- Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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43
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Shallis RM, Bewersdorf JP, Boddu PC, Zeidan AM. Hedgehog pathway inhibition as a therapeutic target in acute myeloid leukemia. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2019; 19:717-729. [PMID: 31422721 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2019.1652095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: The Hedgehog (HH) pathway constitutes a collection of signaling molecules which critically influence embryogenesis. In adults, however, the HH pathway remains integral to the proliferation, maintenance, and apoptosis of adult stem cells including hematopoietic stem cells. Areas covered: We discuss the current understanding of the HH pathway as it relates to normal hematopoiesis, the pathology of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the rationale for and data from combination therapies including HH pathway inhibitors, and ultimately the prospects that might offer promise in targeting this pathway in AML. Expert opinion: Efforts to target the HH pathway have been focused on impeding this disposition and restoring chemosensitivity to conventional myeloid neoplasm therapies. The year 2018 saw the first approval of a HH pathway inhibitor (glasdegib) for AML, though for an older population and in combination with an uncommonly-used therapy. Several other clinical trials with agents targeting modulators of HH signaling in AML and MDS are underway. Further study and understanding of the interplay between the numerous aspects of HH signaling and how it relates to the augmented survival of AML will provide a more reliable substrate for therapeutic strategies in patients with this poor-risk disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rory M Shallis
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine , New Haven , CT , USA
| | - Jan Philipp Bewersdorf
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine , New Haven , CT , USA
| | - Prajwal C Boddu
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine , New Haven , CT , USA
| | - Amer M Zeidan
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine , New Haven , CT , USA.,Cancer Outcomes, Public Policy, and Effectiveness Research (COPPER) Center, Yale University , New Haven , CT , USA
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44
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Alkhormi AM, Alqifari A, Aljarbou OZ, Alqarni M. Primary duodenal embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in adults: a case report. AME Case Rep 2019; 3:29. [PMID: 31559385 DOI: 10.21037/acr.2019.07.09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a soft tissue sarcoma that histologically resembles embryonic skeletal muscle. It is a rare malignancy in adults with a predilection in the head and neck, the genitourinary tract, and other extremities. However, RMS of the gastrointestinal tract is an even rarer condition that merits presentation and discussion. Here, we report on a case of primary duodenal embryonal RMS in an adult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulrahman M Alkhormi
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Department of Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Alqifari
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Department of Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ohoud Z Aljarbou
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Alqarni
- Department of Medical Oncology, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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45
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Gerhart J, Behling K, Paessler M, Milton L, Bramblett G, Garcia D, Pitts M, Hurtt R, Crawford M, Lackman R, Nguyen D, Infanti J, FitzGerald P, George-Weinstein M. Rhabdomyosarcoma and Wilms tumors contain a subpopulation of noggin producing, myogenic cells immunoreactive for lens beaded filament proteins. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0214758. [PMID: 30973903 PMCID: PMC6459534 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Myo/Nog cells are identified by their expression of the skeletal muscle specific transcription factor MyoD and the bone morphogenetic protein inhibitor noggin, and binding of the G8 monoclonal antibody. Their release of noggin is critical for morphogenesis and skeletal myogenesis. In the adult, Myo/Nog cells are present in normal tissues, wounds and skin tumors. Myo/Nog cells in the lens give rise to myofibroblasts that synthesize skeletal muscle proteins. The purpose of this study was to screen human lens tissue, rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines, and tissue sections from rhabdomyosarcoma, Wilms and tumors lacking features of skeletal muscle for co-localization of antibodies to Myo/Nog cell markers and the lens beaded filament proteins filensin and CP49. Immunofluorescence localization experiments revealed that Myo/Nog cells of the lens bind antibodies to beaded filament proteins. Co-localization of antibodies to G8, noggin, filensin and CP49 was observed in most RC13 and a subpopulation of RD human rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines. Western blotting with beaded filament antibodies revealed bands of similar molecular weights in RC13 and murine lens cells. Human alveolar, embryonal, pleomorphic and spindle cell rhabdomyosarcomas and Wilms tumors contained a subpopulation of cells immunoreactive for G8, noggin, MyoD and beaded filaments. G8 was also co-localized with filensin mRNA. Staining for beaded filament proteins was not detected in G8 positive cells in leiomyosarcomas, squamous and basal cell carcinomas, syringocarciomas and malignant melanomas. Lens beaded filament proteins were thought to be present only in the lens. Myo/Nog-like cells immunoreactive for beaded filaments may be diagnostic of tumors related to the skeletal muscle lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelyn Gerhart
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Kathryn Behling
- Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, United States of America
- Dept. of Pathology, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ, United States of America
| | - Michele Paessler
- Division of Hematopathology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - LaBraya Milton
- Dept. of Orthopaedics, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ, United States of America
| | - Gregory Bramblett
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, PA, United States of America
| | - Denise Garcia
- Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, United States of America
| | - Meghan Pitts
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, PA, United States of America
| | - Reginald Hurtt
- Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, United States of America
| | - Mitchell Crawford
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Richard Lackman
- Dept. of Orthopaedics, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ, United States of America
| | - Daniela Nguyen
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Joseph Infanti
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Paul FitzGerald
- Dept. of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Mindy George-Weinstein
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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46
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Sun W, Chatterjee B, Shern JF, Patidar R, Song Y, Wang Y, Walker RL, Pawel BR, Linardic CM, Houghton P, Hewitt SM, Edelman DC, Khan J, Meltzer PS, Barr FG. Relationship of DNA methylation to mutational changes and transcriptional organization in fusion-positive and fusion-negative rhabdomyosarcoma. Int J Cancer 2019; 144:2707-2717. [PMID: 30565669 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Our previous study of DNA methylation in the pediatric soft tissue tumor rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) demonstrated that fusion-positive (FP) and fusion-negative (FN) RMS tumors exhibit distinct DNA methylation patterns. To further examine the significance of DNA methylation differences in RMS, we investigated genome-wide DNA methylation profiles in discovery and validation cohorts. Unsupervised analysis of DNA methylation data identified novel distinct subsets associated with the specific fusion subtype in FP RMS and with RAS mutation status in FN RMS. Furthermore, the methylation pattern in normal muscle is most similar to the FN subset with wild-type RAS mutation status. Several biologically relevant genes were identified with methylation and expression differences between the two fusion subtypes of FP RMS or between the RAS wild-type and mutant subsets of FN RMS. Genomic localization studies showed that promoter and intergenic regions were hypomethylated and the 3' untranslated regions were hypermethylated in FP compared to FN tumors. There was also a significant difference in the distribution of PAX3-FOXO1 binding sites between genes with and without differential methylation. Moreover, genes with PAX3-FOXO1 binding sites and promoter hypomethylation exhibited the highest frequency of overexpression in FP tumors. Finally, a comparison of RMS model systems revealed that patient-derived xenografts most closely recapitulate the DNA methylation patterns found in human RMS tumors compared to cell lines and cell line-derived xenografts. In conclusion, these findings highlight the interaction of epigenetic changes with mutational alterations and transcriptional organization in RMS tumors, and contribute to improved molecular categorization of these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyue Sun
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | | | - Jack F Shern
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - Rajesh Patidar
- Genetics Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - Young Song
- Genetics Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - Yonghong Wang
- Genetics Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | | | - Bruce R Pawel
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Corinne M Linardic
- Departments of Pediatrics and Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Peter Houghton
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
| | - Stephen M Hewitt
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | | | - Javed Khan
- Genetics Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - Paul S Meltzer
- Genetics Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - Frederic G Barr
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
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Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children and represents a high-grade neoplasm of skeletal myoblast-like cells. Decades of clinical and basic research have gradually improved our understanding of the pathophysiology of RMS and helped to optimize clinical care. The two major subtypes of RMS, originally characterized on the basis of light microscopic features, are driven by fundamentally different molecular mechanisms and pose distinct clinical challenges. Curative therapy depends on control of the primary tumour, which can arise at many distinct anatomical sites, as well as controlling disseminated disease that is known or assumed to be present in every case. Sophisticated risk stratification for children with RMS incorporates various clinical, pathological and molecular features, and that information is used to guide the application of multifaceted therapy. Such therapy has historically included cytotoxic chemotherapy as well as surgery, ionizing radiation or both. This Primer describes our current understanding of RMS epidemiology, disease susceptibility factors, disease mechanisms and elements of clinical care, including diagnostics, risk-based care of newly diagnosed and relapsed disease and the prevention and management of late effects in survivors. We also outline potential opportunities to further translate new biological insights into improved clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen X Skapek
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Abha A Gupta
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Philip J Lupo
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Erin Butler
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Janet Shipley
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Belmont, UK
| | - Frederic G Barr
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Douglas S Hawkins
- Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
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Grizzi F, Borroni EM, Qehajaj D, Stifter S, Chiriva-Internati M, Cananzi FCM. The Complex Nature of Soft Tissue Sarcomas, Including Retroperitoneal Sarcomas. CURRENT TREATMENT OF RETROPERITONEAL SARCOMAS 2019:21-32. [DOI: 10.1007/978-88-470-3980-3_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
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49
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Oncogenic Amplification of Zygotic Dux Factors in Regenerating p53-Deficient Muscle Stem Cells Defines a Molecular Cancer Subtype. Cell Stem Cell 2018; 23:794-805.e4. [PMID: 30449715 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2018.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The identity of tumor-initiating cells in many cancer types is unknown. Tumors often express genes associated with embryonic development, although the contributions of zygotic programs to tumor initiation and formation are poorly understood. Here, we show that regeneration-induced loss of quiescence in p53-deficient muscle stem cells (MuSCs) results in rhabdomyosarcoma formation with 100% penetrance. Genomic analyses of purified tumor cells revealed spontaneous and discrete oncogenic amplifications in MuSCs that drive tumorigenesis, including, but not limited to, the amplification of the cleavage-stage Dux transcription factor (TF) Duxbl. We further found that Dux factors drive an early embryonic gene signature that defines a molecular subtype across a broad range of human cancers. Duxbl initiates tumorigenesis by enforcing a mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition, and targeted inactivation of Duxbl specifically in Duxbl-expressing tumor cells abolishes their expansion. These findings reveal how regeneration and genomic instability can interact to activate zygotic genes that drive tumor initiation and growth.
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50
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Tavakkoli M, Mueller L. Cutaneous Ewing Sarcoma and Ewing Sarcoma of the Bone: Distinct Diseases. Case Rep Oncol 2018; 11:729-734. [PMID: 30519175 PMCID: PMC6276761 DOI: 10.1159/000492667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive mesenchymal malignancy. It is the second most common bone tumor among children and adolescents and less commonly presents as a soft tissue or primary skin lesion. Cutaneous Ewing sarcoma has only been reported in case reports and case series. In this article, we describe a 12-year-old Hispanic female cured of localized, cutaneous Ewing sarcoma (pT1aN0M0) at the 40-month follow-up following surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy according to the COG AEWS1031 protocol for Ewing sarcoma of the bone. To our knowledge, this is the first article to provide a potential biological explanation for the differences in the prognosis of Ewing sarcoma of the bone, soft tissue, and skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montreh Tavakkoli
- New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
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