1
|
Xu W, Kim JS, Yang T, Ya A, Sadzewicz L, Tallon L, Harris B, Sarkaria J, Jin F, Waldman T. STAG2 mutations regulate 3D genome organization, chromatin loops, and Polycomb signaling in glioblastoma multiforme. J Biol Chem 2024:107341. [PMID: 38705393 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Inactivating mutations of genes encoding the cohesin complex are common in a wide range of human cancers. STAG2 is the most commonly mutated subunit. Here we report the impact of stable correction of endogenous, naturally occurring STAG2 mutations on gene expression, 3D genome organization, chromatin loops, and Polycomb signaling in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). In two GBM cell lines, correction of their STAG2 mutations significantly altered the expression of ∼10% of all expressed genes. Virtually all the most highly regulated genes were negatively regulated by STAG2 (i.e., expressed higher in STAG2-mutant cells), and one of them - HEPH - was regulated by STAG2 in uncultured GBM tumors as well. While STAG2 correction had little effect on large scale features of 3D genome organization (A/B compartments, TADs), STAG2 correction did alter thousands of individual chromatin loops, some of which controlled the expression of adjacent genes. Loops specific to STAG2-mutant cells, which were regulated by STAG1-containing cohesin complexes, were very large, supporting prior findings that STAG1-containing cohesin complexes have greater loop extrusion processivity than STAG2-containing cohesin complexes and suggesting that long loops may be a general feature of STAG2-mutant cancers. Finally, STAG2 mutation activated Polycomb activity leading to increased H3K27me3 marks, identifying Polycomb signaling a potential target for therapeutic intervention in STAG2-mutant GBM tumors. Together, these findings illuminate the landscape of STAG2-regulated genes, A/B compartments, chromatin loops, and pathways in GBM, providing important clues into the largely still unknown mechanism of STAG2 tumor suppression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wanying Xu
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH USA; The Biomedical Sciences Training Program, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jung-Sik Kim
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Tianyi Yang
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH USA; The Biomedical Sciences Training Program, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Alvin Ya
- MD/PhD Program, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA; Tumor Biology Training Program, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Lisa Sadzewicz
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Luke Tallon
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Brent Harris
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA; Department of Pathology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jann Sarkaria
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Fulai Jin
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH USA; Department of Computer and Data Sciences, Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Todd Waldman
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xu JJ, Viny AD. Chromatin organization in myelodysplastic syndrome. Exp Hematol 2024; 134:104216. [PMID: 38582293 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2024.104216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Disordered chromatin organization has emerged as a new aspect of the pathogenesis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Characterized by lineage dysplasia and a high transformation rate to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the genetic determinant of MDS is thought to be the main driver of the disease's progression. Among the recurrently mutated pathways, alterations in chromatin organization, such as the cohesin complex, have a profound impact on hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function and lineage commitment. The cohesin complex is a ring-like structure comprised of structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC), RAD21, and STAG proteins that involve three-dimensional (3D) genome organization via loop extrusion in mammalian cells. The partial loss of the functional cohesin ring leads to altered chromatin accessibility specific to key hematopoietic transcription factors, which is thought to be the molecular mechanism of cohesin dysfunction. Currently, there are no specific targeting agents for cohesin mutant MDS/AML. Potential therapeutic strategies have been proposed based on the current understanding of cohesin mutant leukemogenesis. Here, we will review the recent advances in investigation and targeting approaches against cohesin mutant MDS/AML.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jane Jialu Xu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York City, New York
| | - Aaron D Viny
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York City, New York.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sannigrahi MK, Cao AC, Rajagopalan P, Sun L, Brody RM, Raghav L, Gimotty PA, Basu D. A novel pipeline for prioritizing cancer type-specific therapeutic vulnerabilities using DepMap identifies PAK2 as a target in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Mol Oncol 2024; 18:336-349. [PMID: 37997254 PMCID: PMC10850805 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13558] [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: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
There is limited guidance on exploiting the genome-wide loss-of-function CRISPR screens in cancer Dependency Map (DepMap) to identify new targets for individual cancer types. This study integrated multiple tools to filter these data in order to seek new therapeutic targets specific to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The resulting pipeline prioritized 143 targetable dependencies that represented both well-studied targets and emerging target classes like mitochondrial carriers and RNA-binding proteins. In total, 14 targets had clinical inhibitors used for other cancers or nonmalignant diseases that hold near-term potential to repurpose for HNSCC therapy. Comparing inhibitor response data that were publicly available for 13 prioritized targets between the cell lines with high vs. low dependency on each target uncovered novel therapeutic potential for the PAK2 serine/threonine kinase. PAK2 gene dependency was found to be associated with wild-type p53, low PAK2 mRNA, and diploid status of the 3q amplicon containing PAK2. These findings establish a generalizable pipeline to prioritize clinically relevant targets for individual cancer types using DepMap. Its application to HNSCC highlights novel relevance for PAK2 inhibition and identifies biomarkers of PAK2 inhibitor response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Malay K. Sannigrahi
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology‐Head and Neck SurgeryUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Austin C. Cao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology‐Head and Neck SurgeryUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Pavithra Rajagopalan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology‐Head and Neck SurgeryUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Lova Sun
- Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Robert M. Brody
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology‐Head and Neck SurgeryUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Lovely Raghav
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology‐Head and Neck SurgeryUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Phyllis A. Gimotty
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and InformaticsUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Devraj Basu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology‐Head and Neck SurgeryUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
- Ellen and Ronald Caplan Cancer CenterThe Wistar InstitutePhiladelphiaPAUSA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
De Feo A, Manfredi M, Mancarella C, Maqueda JJ, De Giorgis V, Pignochino Y, Sciandra M, Cristalli C, Donadelli M, Scotlandi K. CD99 Modulates the Proteomic Landscape of Ewing Sarcoma Cells and Related Extracellular Vesicles. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1588. [PMID: 38338867 PMCID: PMC10855178 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031588] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (EWS) is an aggressive pediatric bone tumor characterized by unmet clinical needs and an incompletely understood epigenetic heterogeneity. Here, we considered CD99, a major surface molecule hallmark of EWS malignancy. Fluctuations in CD99 expression strongly impair cell dissemination, differentiation, and death. CD99 is also loaded within extracellular vesicles (EVs), and the delivery of CD99-positive or CD99-negative EVs dynamically exerts oncogenic or oncosuppressive functions to recipient cells, respectively. We undertook mass spectrometry and functional annotation analysis to investigate the consequences of CD99 silencing on the proteomic landscape of EWS cells and related EVs. Our data demonstrate that (i) the decrease in CD99 leads to major changes in the proteomic profile of EWS cells and EVs; (ii) intracellular and extracellular compartments display two distinct signatures of differentially expressed proteins; (iii) proteomic changes converge to the modulation of cell migration and immune-modulation biological processes; and (iv) CD99-silenced cells and related EVs are characterized by a migration-suppressive, pro-immunostimulatory proteomic profile. Overall, our data provide a novel source of CD99-associated protein biomarkers to be considered for further validation as mediators of EWS malignancy and as EWS disease liquid biopsy markers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra De Feo
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (A.D.F.); (C.M.); (J.J.M.); (M.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Marcello Manfredi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (M.M.); (V.D.G.)
| | - Caterina Mancarella
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (A.D.F.); (C.M.); (J.J.M.); (M.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Joaquín J. Maqueda
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (A.D.F.); (C.M.); (J.J.M.); (M.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Veronica De Giorgis
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (M.M.); (V.D.G.)
| | - Ymera Pignochino
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Turin, Italy;
- Sarcoma Unit, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Turin, Italy
| | - Marika Sciandra
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (A.D.F.); (C.M.); (J.J.M.); (M.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Camilla Cristalli
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (A.D.F.); (C.M.); (J.J.M.); (M.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Massimo Donadelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Biochemistry, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Katia Scotlandi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (A.D.F.); (C.M.); (J.J.M.); (M.S.); (C.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wrenn ED, Apfelbaum AA, Rudzinski ER, Deng X, Jiang W, Sud S, Van Noord RA, Newman EA, Garcia NM, Miyaki A, Hoglund VJ, Bhise SS, Kanaan SB, Waltner OG, Furlan SN, Lawlor ER. Cancer-Associated Fibroblast-Like Tumor Cells Remodel the Ewing Sarcoma Tumor Microenvironment. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:5140-5154. [PMID: 37471463 PMCID: PMC10801911 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-1111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Despite limited genetic and histologic heterogeneity, Ewing sarcoma (EwS) tumor cells are transcriptionally heterogeneous and display varying degrees of mesenchymal lineage specification in vitro. In this study, we investigated if and how transcriptional heterogeneity of EwS cells contributes to heterogeneity of tumor phenotypes in vivo. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Single-cell proteogenomic-sequencing of EwS cell lines was performed and integrated with patient tumor transcriptomic data. Cell subpopulations were isolated by FACS for assessment of gene expression and phenotype. Digital spatial profiling and human whole transcriptome analysis interrogated transcriptomic heterogeneity in EwS xenografts. Tumor cell subpopulations and matrix protein deposition were evaluated in xenografts and patient tumors using multiplex immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS We identified CD73 as a biomarker of highly mesenchymal EwS cell subpopulations in tumor models and patient biopsies. CD73+ tumor cells displayed distinct transcriptional and phenotypic properties, including selective upregulation of genes that are repressed by EWS::FLI1, and increased migratory potential. CD73+ cells were distinguished in vitro and in vivo by increased expression of matrisomal genes and abundant deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. In epithelial-derived malignancies, ECM is largely deposited by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), and we thus labeled CD73+ EwS cells, CAF-like tumor cells. Marked heterogeneity of CD73+ EwS cell frequency and distribution was detected in tumors in situ, and CAF-like tumor cells and associated ECM were observed in peri-necrotic regions and invasive foci. CONCLUSIONS EwS tumor cells can adopt CAF-like properties, and these distinct cell subpopulations contribute to tumor heterogeneity by remodeling the tumor microenvironment. See related commentary by Kuo and Amatruda, p. 5002.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma D. Wrenn
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - April A. Apfelbaum
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
- Cancer Biology PhD Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Erin R. Rudzinski
- Pathology Department, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, Washington
| | - Xuemei Deng
- Pathology Department, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, Washington
| | - Wei Jiang
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Sudha Sud
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Erika A. Newman
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Nicolas M. Garcia
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Aya Miyaki
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Virginia J. Hoglund
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Shruti S. Bhise
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Sami B. Kanaan
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Olivia G. Waltner
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Scott N. Furlan
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Elizabeth R. Lawlor
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhou J, Nie R, He Z, Cai X, Chen J, Lin W, Yin Y, Xiang Z, Zhu T, Xie J, Zhang Y, Wang X, Lin P, Xie D, D'Andrea AD, Cai M. STAG2 Regulates Homologous Recombination Repair and Sensitivity to ATM Inhibition. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2302494. [PMID: 37985839 PMCID: PMC10754142 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202302494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Stromal antigen 2 (STAG2), a subunit of the cohesin complex, is recurrently mutated in various tumors. However, the role of STAG2 in DNA repair and its therapeutic implications are largely unknown. Here it is reported that knockout of STAG2 results in increased double-stranded breaks (DSBs) and chromosomal aberrations by reducing homologous recombination (HR) repair, and confers hypersensitivity to inhibitors of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATMi), Poly ADP Ribose Polymerase (PARPi), or the combination of both. Of note, the impaired HR by STAG2-deficiency is mainly attributed to the restored expression of KMT5A, which in turn methylates H4K20 (H4K20me0) to H4K20me1 and thereby decreases the recruitment of BRCA1-BARD1 to chromatin. Importantly, STAG2 expression correlates with poor prognosis of cancer patients. STAG2 is identified as an important regulator of HR and a potential therapeutic strategy for STAG2-mutant tumors is elucidated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
- Guangxi International Travel Healthcare Centre (Port Clinic of Nanning Customs District)NanningGuangxi530021China
| | - Run‐Cong Nie
- Department of Gastric SurgeryState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Zhang‐Ping He
- Department of PathologyState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Xiao‐Xia Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Jie‐Wei Chen
- Department of PathologyState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Wen‐ping Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Yi‐Xin Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Zhi‐Cheng Xiang
- Department of PathologyState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Tian‐Chen Zhu
- Department of PathologyState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Juan‐Juan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - You‐Cheng Zhang
- Department of PathologyState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Xin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Peng Lin
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Dan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
- Department of PathologyState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Alan D D'Andrea
- Department of Radiation OncologyDana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMA02215USA
- Center for DNA Damage and RepairDana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMA02215USA
| | - Mu‐Yan Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
- Department of PathologyState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kimura S, Polonen P, Montefiori L, Park CS, Iacobucci I, Yeoh AE, Attarbaschi A, Moore AS, Brown A, Manabe A, Buldini B, Freeman BB, Chen C, Cheng C, Kean Hui C, Li CK, Pui CH, Qu C, Tomizawa D, Teachey DT, Varotto E, Paietta EM, Arnold ED, Locatelli F, Escherich G, Elisa Muhle H, Marquart HV, de Groot-Kruseman HA, Rowe JM, Stary J, Trka J, Choi JK, Meijerink JPP, Yang JJ, Takita J, Pawinska-Wasikowska K, Roberts KG, Han K, Caldwell KJ, Schmiegelow K, Crews KR, Eguchi M, Schrappe M, Zimmerman M, Takagi M, Maybury M, Svaton M, Reiterova M, Kicinski M, Prater MS, Kato M, Reyes N, Spinelli O, Thomas P, Mazilier P, Gao Q, Masetti R, Kotecha RS, Pieters R, Elitzur S, Luger SM, Mitchell S, Pruett-Miller SM, Shen S, Jeha S, Köhrer S, Kornblau SM, Skoczeń S, Miyamura T, Vincent TL, Imamura T, Conter V, Tang Y, Liu YC, Chang Y, Gu Z, Cheng Z, Yinmei Z, Inaba H, Mullighan CG. Biologic and clinical features of childhood gamma delta T-ALL: identification of STAG2/LMO2 γδ T-ALL as an extremely high risk leukemia in the very young. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.11.06.23298028. [PMID: 37986997 PMCID: PMC10659466 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.06.23298028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Gamma delta T-cell receptor-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (γδ T-ALL) is a high-risk but poorly characterized disease. METHODS We studied clinical features of 200 pediatric γδ T-ALL, and compared the prognosis of 93 cases to 1,067 protocol-matched non-γδ T-ALL. Genomic features were defined by transcriptome and genome sequencing. Experimental modeling was used to examine the mechanistic impacts of genomic alterations. Therapeutic vulnerabilities were identified by high throughput drug screening of cell lines and xenografts. RESULTS γδ T-ALL in children under three was extremely high-risk with 5-year event-free survival (33% v. 70% [age 3-<10] and 73% [age ≥10], P =9.5 x 10 -5 ) and 5-year overall survival (49% v. 78% [age 3-<10] and 81% [age ≥10], P =0.002), differences not observed in non-γδ T-ALL. γδ T-ALL in this age group was enriched for genomic alterations activating LMO2 activation and inactivating STAG2 inactivation ( STAG2/LMO2 ). Mechanistically, we show that inactivation of STAG2 profoundly perturbs chromatin organization by altering enhancer-promoter looping resulting in deregulation of gene expression associated with T-cell differentiation. Drug screening showed resistance to prednisolone, consistent with clinical slow treatment response, but identified a vulnerability in DNA repair pathways arising from STAG2 inactivation, which was efficaciously targeted by Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition, with synergism with HDAC inhibitors. Ex-vivo drug screening on PDX cells validated the efficacy of PARP inhibitors as well as other potential targets including nelarabine. CONCLUSION γδ T-ALL in children under the age of three is extremely high-risk and enriched for STAG2/LMO2 ALL. STAG2 loss perturbs chromatin conformation and differentiation, and STAG2/LMO2 ALL is sensitive to PARP inhibition. These data provide a diagnostic and therapeutic framework for pediatric γδ T-ALL. SUPPORT The authors are supported by the American and Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities of St Jude Children's Research Hospital, NCI grants R35 CA197695, P50 CA021765 (C.G.M.), the Henry Schueler 41&9 Foundation (C.G.M.), and a St. Baldrick's Foundation Robert J. Arceci Innovation Award (C.G.M.), Gabriella Miller Kids First X01HD100702 (D.T.T and C.G.M.) and R03CA256550 (D.T.T. and C.G.M.), F32 5F32CA254140 (L.M.), and a Garwood Postdoctoral Fellowship of the Hematological Malignancies Program of the St Jude Children's Research Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center (S.K.). This project was supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under the following award numbers: U10CA180820, UG1CA189859, U24CA114766, U10CA180899, U10CA180866 and U24CA196173. DISCLAIMER The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. The funding agencies were not directly involved in the design of the study, gathering, analysis and interpretation of the data, writing of the manuscript, or decision to submit the manuscript for publication.
Collapse
|
8
|
Rock A, Uche A, Yoon J, Agulnik M, Chow W, Millis S. Bioinformatic Analysis of Recurrent Genomic Alterations and Corresponding Pathway Alterations in Ewing Sarcoma. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1499. [PMID: 37888109 PMCID: PMC10608227 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13101499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing Sarcoma (ES) is an aggressive, mesenchymal malignancy associated with a poor prognosis in the recurrent or metastatic setting with an estimated overall survival (OS) of <30% at 5 years. ES is characterized by a balanced, reciprocal chromosomal translocation involving the EWSR1 RNA-binding protein and ETS transcription factor gene (EWS-FLI being the most common). Interestingly, murine ES models have failed to produce tumors phenotypically representative of ES. Genomic alterations (GA) in ES are infrequent and may work synergistically with EWS-ETS translocations to promote oncogenesis. Aberrations in fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR4), a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) have been shown to contribute to carcinogenesis. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) derived from knock-in strain of homologous Fgfr4G385R mice display a transformed phenotype with enhanced TGF-induced mammary carcinogenesis. The association between the FGFRG388R SNV in high-grade soft tissue sarcomas has previously been demonstrated conferring a statistically significant association with poorer OS. How the FGFR4G388R SNV specifically relates to ES has not previously been delineated. To further define the genomic landscape and corresponding pathway alterations in ES, comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) was performed on the tumors of 189 ES patients. The FGFR4G388R SNV was identified in a significant proportion of the evaluable cases (n = 97, 51%). In line with previous analyses, TP53 (n = 36, 19%), CDK2NA/B (n = 33, 17%), and STAG2 (n = 22, 11.6%) represented the most frequent alterations in our cohort. Co-occurrence of CDK2NA and STAG2 alterations was observed (n = 5, 3%). Notably, we identified a higher proportion of TP53 mutations than previously observed. The most frequent pathway alterations affected MAPK (n = 89, 24% of pathological samples), HRR (n = 75, 25%), Notch1 (n = 69, 23%), Histone/Chromatin remodeling (n = 57, 24%), and PI3K (n = 64, 20%). These findings help to further elucidate the genomic landscape of ES with a novel investigation of the FGFR4G388R SNV revealing frequent aberration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam Rock
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (J.Y.); (M.A.)
| | - An Uche
- Alameda Health System, 1411 E. 31st St., Oakland, CA 94602, USA;
| | - Janet Yoon
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (J.Y.); (M.A.)
| | - Mark Agulnik
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (J.Y.); (M.A.)
| | - Warren Chow
- UCI Health, 101 The City Drive, South Orange, CA 92868, USA;
| | - Sherri Millis
- Foundation Medicine, Inc., 150 Second St., Cambridge, MA 02141, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Yasir M, Park J, Chun W. EWS/FLI1 Characterization, Activation, Repression, Target Genes and Therapeutic Opportunities in Ewing Sarcoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15173. [PMID: 37894854 PMCID: PMC10607184 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015173] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite their clonal origins, tumors eventually develop into complex communities made up of phenotypically different cell subpopulations, according to mounting evidence. Tumor cell-intrinsic programming and signals from geographically and temporally changing microenvironments both contribute to this variability. Furthermore, the mutational load is typically lacking in childhood malignancies of adult cancers, and they still exhibit high cellular heterogeneity levels largely mediated by epigenetic mechanisms. Ewing sarcomas represent highly aggressive malignancies affecting both bone and soft tissue, primarily afflicting adolescents. Unfortunately, the outlook for patients facing relapsed or metastatic disease is grim. These tumors are primarily fueled by a distinctive fusion event involving an FET protein and an ETS family transcription factor, with the most prevalent fusion being EWS/FLI1. Despite originating from a common driver mutation, Ewing sarcoma cells display significant variations in transcriptional activity, both within and among tumors. Recent research has pinpointed distinct fusion protein activities as a principal source of this heterogeneity, resulting in markedly diverse cellular phenotypes. In this review, we aim to characterize the role of the EWS/FLI fusion protein in Ewing sarcoma by exploring its general mechanism of activation and elucidating its implications for tumor heterogeneity. Additionally, we delve into potential therapeutic opportunities to target this aberrant fusion protein in the context of Ewing sarcoma treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wanjoo Chun
- Department of Pharmacology, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea; (M.Y.); (J.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Marques Da Costa ME, Zaidi S, Scoazec JY, Droit R, Lim WC, Marchais A, Salmon J, Cherkaoui S, Morscher RJ, Laurent A, Malinge S, Mercher T, Tabone-Eglinger S, Goddard I, Pflumio F, Calvo J, Redini F, Entz-Werlé N, Soriano A, Villanueva A, Cairo S, Chastagner P, Moro M, Owens C, Casanova M, Hladun-Alvaro R, Berlanga P, Daudigeos-Dubus E, Dessen P, Zitvogel L, Lacroix L, Pierron G, Delattre O, Schleiermacher G, Surdez D, Geoerger B. A biobank of pediatric patient-derived-xenograft models in cancer precision medicine trial MAPPYACTS for relapsed and refractory tumors. Commun Biol 2023; 6:949. [PMID: 37723198 PMCID: PMC10507044 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05320-0] [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: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric patients with recurrent and refractory cancers are in most need for new treatments. This study developed patient-derived-xenograft (PDX) models within the European MAPPYACTS cancer precision medicine trial (NCT02613962). To date, 131 PDX models were established following heterotopical and/or orthotopical implantation in immunocompromised mice: 76 sarcomas, 25 other solid tumors, 12 central nervous system tumors, 15 acute leukemias, and 3 lymphomas. PDX establishment rate was 43%. Histology, whole exome and RNA sequencing revealed a high concordance with the primary patient's tumor profile, human leukocyte-antigen characteristics and specific metabolic pathway signatures. A detailed patient molecular characterization, including specific mutations prioritized in the clinical molecular tumor boards are provided. Ninety models were shared with the IMI2 ITCC Pediatric Preclinical Proof-of-concept Platform (IMI2 ITCC-P4) for further exploitation. This PDX biobank of unique recurrent childhood cancers provides an essential support for basic and translational research and treatments development in advanced pediatric malignancies.
Collapse
Grants
- This work was supported by grants from Fondation Gustave Roussy; Fédération Enfants Cancers et Santé, Société Française de lutte contre les Cancers et les leucémies de l’Enfant et l’adolescent (SFCE), Association AREMIG and Thibault BRIET; Parrainage médecin-chercheur of Gustave Roussy; INSERM; Canceropôle Ile-de-France; Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer (Equipe labellisée); Fondation ARC for the European projects ERA-NET on Translational Cancer Research (TRANSCAN 2) Joint Transnational Call 2014 (JTC 2014) ‘Targeting Of Resistance in PEDiatric Oncology (TORPEDO)’, ERA-NET TRANSCAN JTC 2014 (TRAN201501238), and TRANSCAN JTC 2017 (TRANS201801292); Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR-10-EQPX-03, Institut Curie Génomique d’Excellence (ICGex); IMI ITCC-P4 ; The Child Cancer Research Foundation (CCRF), Cancer Council Western Australia (CCWA); PAIR-Pédiatrie/CONECT-AML (INCa-ARC-LIGUE_11905 and Association Laurette Fugain), Ligue contre le cancer (Equipe labellisée, since 2016), OPALE Carnot institute; Dell; Fondation Bristol-Myers Squibb; Association Imagine for Margo; Association Manon Hope; L’Etoile de Martin; La Course de l’Espoir; M la vie avec Lisa; ADAM; Couleur Jade; Dans les pas du Géant; Courir pour Mathieu; Marabout de Ficelle; Olivier Chape; Les Bagouz à Manon; Association Hubert Gouin Enfance et Cancer; Les Amis de Claire; Kurt-und Senta Hermann Stiftung; Holcim Stiftung Wissen; Gertrud-Hagmann-Stiftung für Malignom-Forschung; Heidi Ras Grant Forschungszentrum fürs Kind; Children’s Liver Tumour European Research Network (ChiLTERN) EU H2020 projet (668596); Fundación FERO and the Rotary Clubs Barcelona Eixample, Barcelona Diagonal, Santa Coloma de Gramanet, München-Blutenburg, Sassella-Stiftung, Berger-Janser Stiftung and Krebsliga Zürich, Deutschland Gemeindienst e.V. and others from Barcelona and province, and No Limits Contra el Cáncer Infantil Association.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Eugénia Marques Da Costa
- INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Sakina Zaidi
- INSERM U830, Equipe Labellisée LNCC, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Lab, PSL Research University, SIREDO Oncology Centre, Institut Curie Research Centre, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Yves Scoazec
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Translational Research Laboratory and Biobank, AMMICA, INSERM US23/CNRS UMS3655, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Robin Droit
- INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Bioinformatics Platform, AMMICA, INSERM US23/CNRS, UAR3655, Villejuif, France
| | - Wan Ching Lim
- INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- School of Data Sciences, Perdana University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Antonin Marchais
- INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Jerome Salmon
- INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Sarah Cherkaoui
- INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Division of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Raphael J Morscher
- INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Division of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anouchka Laurent
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, INSERM U1170, Université Paris-Saclay, Equipe labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, PEDIAC program, Villejuif, France
| | - Sébastien Malinge
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, INSERM U1170, Université Paris-Saclay, Equipe labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, PEDIAC program, Villejuif, France
- Telethon Kids Institute - Cancer Centre, Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Thomas Mercher
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, INSERM U1170, Université Paris-Saclay, Equipe labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, PEDIAC program, Villejuif, France
| | | | - Isabelle Goddard
- Small Animal Platform, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Claude Bernard Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Francoise Pflumio
- UMR-E008 Stabilité Génétique, Cellules Souches et Radiations, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Université de Paris-Université Paris-Saclay, 92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Julien Calvo
- UMR-E008 Stabilité Génétique, Cellules Souches et Radiations, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Université de Paris-Université Paris-Saclay, 92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | | | - Natacha Entz-Werlé
- Pediatric Onco-Hematology Unit, University Hospital of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, UMR CNRS 7021, team tumoral signaling and therapeutic targets, University of Strasbourg, Faculty of Pharmacy, Illkirch, France
| | - Aroa Soriano
- Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders Research Group, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alberto Villanueva
- Chemoresistance and Predictive Factors Group, Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE), Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet del Llobregat, Xenopat SL, Parc Cientific de Barcelona (PCB), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Pascal Chastagner
- Children University Hospital, Vandoeuvre‑lès‑Nancy, University of Nancy, Nancy, France
| | - Massimo Moro
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Cormac Owens
- Paediatric Haematology/Oncology, Children's Health Ireland, Crumlin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
| | | | - Raquel Hladun-Alvaro
- Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders Research Group, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo Berlanga
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | | | - Philippe Dessen
- INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Bioinformatics Platform, AMMICA, INSERM US23/CNRS, UAR3655, Villejuif, France
| | - Laurence Zitvogel
- INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Ludovic Lacroix
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Translational Research Laboratory and Biobank, AMMICA, INSERM US23/CNRS UMS3655, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Gaelle Pierron
- Unité de Génétique Somatique, Service d'oncogénétique, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Delattre
- INSERM U830, Equipe Labellisée LNCC, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Lab, PSL Research University, SIREDO Oncology Centre, Institut Curie Research Centre, Paris, France
- Unité de Génétique Somatique, Service d'oncogénétique, Institut Curie, Paris, France
- SiRIC RTOP (Recherche Translationnelle en Oncologie Pédiatrique); Translational Research Department, Institut Curie Research Center, PSL Research University, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Gudrun Schleiermacher
- INSERM U830, Equipe Labellisée LNCC, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Lab, PSL Research University, SIREDO Oncology Centre, Institut Curie Research Centre, Paris, France
- SiRIC RTOP (Recherche Translationnelle en Oncologie Pédiatrique); Translational Research Department, Institut Curie Research Center, PSL Research University, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Didier Surdez
- INSERM U830, Equipe Labellisée LNCC, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Lab, PSL Research University, SIREDO Oncology Centre, Institut Curie Research Centre, Paris, France
- Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Birgit Geoerger
- INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France.
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Reed DR, Grohar P, Rubin E, Binitie O, Krailo M, Davis J, DuBois SG, Janeway KA. Children's Oncology Group's 2023 blueprint for research: Bone tumors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2023; 70 Suppl 6:e30583. [PMID: 37501549 PMCID: PMC10499366 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The Children's Oncology Group (COG) Bone Tumor Committee is responsible for clinical trials and biological research on localized, metastatic, and recurrent osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma (EWS). Results of clinical trials in localized disease completed and published in the past 10 years have led to international standard-of-care chemotherapy for osteosarcoma and EWS. A recent focus on identifying disease subgroups has led to the identification of biological features associated with poor outcomes including the presence of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) at diagnosis, and specific genomic alterations-MYC amplification for osteosarcoma and STAG2 and TP53 mutation for EWS. Studies validating these potential biomarkers are under way. Clinical trials evaluating the addition of multitargeted kinase inhibitors, which are active in relapsed bone sarcomas, to standard chemotherapy are under way in osteosarcoma and planned in EWS. In addition, the Committee has data analyses and a clinical trial under way to evaluate approaches to local management of the primary tumor and metastatic sites. Given the rarity of bone sarcomas, we have prioritized international interactions and are in the process of forming an international data-sharing consortium to facilitate refinement of risk stratification and study of rare disease subtypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Damon R Reed
- Department of Individualized Cancer Management, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Patrick Grohar
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Elyssa Rubin
- Department of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Orange County, Orange, California, USA
| | - Odion Binitie
- Department of Sarcoma, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Mark Krailo
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California and Children's Oncology Group, Monrovia, California, USA
| | - Jessica Davis
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Steven G DuBois
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Katherine A Janeway
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Pietrobon A, Yockell-Lelièvre J, Melong N, Smith LJ, Delaney SP, Azzam N, Xue C, Merwin N, Lian E, Camacho-Magallanes A, Doré C, Musso G, Julian LM, Kristof AS, Tam RY, Berman JN, Shoichet MS, Stanford WL. Tissue-Engineered Disease Modeling of Lymphangioleiomyomatosis Exposes a Therapeutic Vulnerability to HDAC Inhibition. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2302611. [PMID: 37400371 PMCID: PMC10502849 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202302611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare disease involving cystic lung destruction by invasive LAM cells. These cells harbor loss-of-function mutations in TSC2, conferring hyperactive mTORC1 signaling. Here, tissue engineering tools are employed to model LAM and identify new therapeutic candidates. Biomimetic hydrogel culture of LAM cells is found to recapitulate the molecular and phenotypic characteristics of human disease more faithfully than culture on plastic. A 3D drug screen is conducted, identifying histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors as anti-invasive agents that are also selectively cytotoxic toward TSC2-/- cells. The anti-invasive effects of HDAC inhibitors are independent of genotype, while selective cell death is mTORC1-dependent and mediated by apoptosis. Genotype-selective cytotoxicity is seen exclusively in hydrogel culture due to potentiated differential mTORC1 signaling, a feature that is abrogated in cell culture on plastic. Importantly, HDAC inhibitors block invasion and selectively eradicate LAM cells in vivo in zebrafish xenografts. These findings demonstrate that tissue-engineered disease modeling exposes a physiologically relevant therapeutic vulnerability that would be otherwise missed by conventional culture on plastic. This work substantiates HDAC inhibitors as possible therapeutic candidates for the treatment of patients with LAM and requires further study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam Pietrobon
- The Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, K1Y 4E9, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, K1N 6N5, Canada
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Ottawa, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Julien Yockell-Lelièvre
- The Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, K1Y 4E9, Canada
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Ottawa, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Nicole Melong
- Department of Pediatrics, CHEO Research Institute, Ottawa, K1H 5B2, Canada
| | - Laura J Smith
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 3E5, Canada
- Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 3G9, Canada
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, Toronto, M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Sean P Delaney
- The Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, K1Y 4E9, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, K1N 6N5, Canada
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Ottawa, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Nadine Azzam
- Department of Pediatrics, CHEO Research Institute, Ottawa, K1H 5B2, Canada
| | - Chang Xue
- Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 3G9, Canada
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, Toronto, M5S 3E1, Canada
| | | | - Eric Lian
- The Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, K1Y 4E9, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, K1N 6N5, Canada
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Ottawa, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Alberto Camacho-Magallanes
- The Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, K1Y 4E9, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, K1N 6N5, Canada
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Ottawa, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Carole Doré
- The Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, K1Y 4E9, Canada
| | | | - Lisa M Julian
- Centre for Cell Biology, Development, and Disease, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Arnold S Kristof
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories and Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Departments of Medicine and Critical Care, Montreal, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Roger Y Tam
- Centre for Biologics Evaluation, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, K1Y 4X2, Canada
| | - Jason N Berman
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, K1N 6N5, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, CHEO Research Institute, Ottawa, K1H 5B2, Canada
| | - Molly S Shoichet
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 3E5, Canada
- Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 3G9, Canada
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, Toronto, M5S 3E1, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - William L Stanford
- The Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, K1Y 4E9, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, K1N 6N5, Canada
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Ottawa, K1H 8M5, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Gong H, Xue B, Ru J, Pei G, Li Y. Targeted Therapy for EWS-FLI1 in Ewing Sarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4035. [PMID: 37627063 PMCID: PMC10452796 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is a rare and predominantly pediatric malignancy of bone and soft tissue in children and adolescents. Although international collaborations have greatly improved the prognosis of most EwS, the occurrence of macrometastases or relapse remains challenging. The prototypic oncogene EWS-FLI1 acts as an aberrant transcription factor that drives the cellular transformation of EwS. In addition to its involvement in RNA splicing and the DNA damage response, this chimeric protein directly binds to GGAA repeats, thereby modifying the transcriptional profile of EwS. Direct pharmacological targeting of EWS-FLI1 is difficult because of its intrinsically disordered structure. However, targeting the EWS-FLI1 protein complex or downstream pathways provides additional therapeutic options. This review describes the EWS-FLI1 protein partners and downstream pathways, as well as the related target therapies for the treatment of EwS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helong Gong
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, No. 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang 110004, China;
| | - Busheng Xue
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China;
| | - Jinlong Ru
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Centre Munich, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany;
| | - Guoqing Pei
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China;
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, No. 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang 110004, China;
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Vredevoogd DW, Peeper DS. Heterogeneity in functional genetic screens: friend or foe? Front Immunol 2023; 14:1162706. [PMID: 37398651 PMCID: PMC10312307 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1162706] [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: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional genetic screens to uncover tumor-intrinsic nodes of immune resistance have uncovered numerous mechanisms by which tumors evade our immune system. However, due to technical limitations, tumor heterogeneity is imperfectly captured with many of these analyses. Here, we provide an overview of the nature and sources of heterogeneity that are relevant for tumor-immune interactions. We argue that this heterogeneity may actually contribute to the discovery of novel mechanisms of immune evasion, given a sufficiently large and heterogeneous set of input data. Taking advantage of tumor cell heterogeneity, we provide proof-of-concept analyses of mechanisms of TNF resistance. Thus, consideration of tumor heterogeneity is imperative to increase our understanding of immune resistance mechanisms.
Collapse
|
15
|
Xin Y, Zhang Y. Paralog-based synthetic lethality: rationales and applications. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1168143. [PMID: 37350942 PMCID: PMC10282757 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1168143] [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: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells can result from gene mutations and over-expression. Synthetic lethality (SL) offers a desirable setting where cancer cells bearing one mutated gene of an SL gene pair can be specifically targeted by disrupting the function of the other genes, while leaving wide-type normal cells unharmed. Paralogs, a set of homologous genes that have diverged from each other as a consequence of gene duplication, make the concept of SL feasible as the loss of one gene does not affect the cell's survival. Furthermore, homozygous loss of paralogs in tumor cells is more frequent than singletons, making them ideal SL targets. Although high-throughput CRISPR-Cas9 screenings have uncovered numerous paralog-based SL pairs, the unclear mechanisms of targeting these gene pairs and the difficulty in finding specific inhibitors that exclusively target a single but not both paralogs hinder further clinical development. Here, we review the potential mechanisms of paralog-based SL given their function and genetic combination, and discuss the challenge and application prospects of paralog-based SL in cancer therapeutic discovery.
Collapse
|
16
|
Wood GE, Graves LA, Rubin EM, Reed DR, Riedel RF, Strauss SJ. Bad to the Bone: Emerging Approaches to Aggressive Bone Sarcomas. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2023; 43:e390306. [PMID: 37220319 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_390306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Bone sarcomas are rare heterogeneous tumors that affect patients of all ages including children, adolescent young adults, and older adults. They include many aggressive subtypes and patient groups with poor outcomes, poor access to clinical trials, and lack of defined standard therapeutic strategies. Conventional chondrosarcoma remains a surgical disease, with no defined role for cytotoxic therapy and no approved targeted systemic therapies. Here, we discuss promising novel targets and strategies undergoing evaluation in clinical trials. Multiagent chemotherapy has greatly improved outcomes for patients with Ewing sarcoma (ES) and osteosarcoma, but management of those with high-risk or recurrent disease remains challenging and controversial. We describe the impact of international collaborative trials, such as the rEECur study, that aim to define optimal treatment strategies for those with recurrent, refractory ES, and evidence for high-dose chemotherapy with stem-cell support. We also discuss current and emerging strategies for other small round cell sarcomas, such as CIC-rearranged, BCOR-rearranged tumors, and the evaluation of emerging novel therapeutics and trial designs that may offer a new paradigm to improve survival in these aggressive tumors with notoriously bad (to the bone) outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georgina E Wood
- Department of Oncology, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, UCL Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laurie A Graves
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, NC
| | - Elyssa M Rubin
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Orange County, Orange, CA
| | - Damon R Reed
- Department of Individualized Cancer Management, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
| | - Richard F Riedel
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, NC
| | - Sandra J Strauss
- Department of Oncology, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, UCL Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Smits WK, Vermeulen C, Hagelaar R, Kimura S, Vroegindeweij EM, Buijs-Gladdines JGCAM, van de Geer E, Verstegen MJAM, Splinter E, van Reijmersdal SV, Buijs A, Galjart N, van Eyndhoven W, van Min M, Kuiper R, Kemmeren P, Mullighan CG, de Laat W, Meijerink JPP. Elevated enhancer-oncogene contacts and higher oncogene expression levels by recurrent CTCF inactivating mutations in acute T cell leukemia. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112373. [PMID: 37060567 PMCID: PMC10750298 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112373] [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: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Monoallelic inactivation of CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) in human cancer drives altered methylated genomic states, altered CTCF occupancy at promoter and enhancer regions, and deregulated global gene expression. In patients with T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), we find that acquired monoallelic CTCF-inactivating events drive subtle and local genomic effects in nearly half of t(5; 14) (q35; q32.2) rearranged patients, especially when CTCF-binding sites are preserved in between the BCL11B enhancer and the TLX3 oncogene. These solitary intervening sites insulate TLX3 from the enhancer by inducing competitive looping to multiple binding sites near the TLX3 promoter. Reduced CTCF levels or deletion of the intervening CTCF site abrogates enhancer insulation by weakening competitive looping while favoring TLX3 promoter to BCL11B enhancer looping, which elevates oncogene expression levels and leukemia burden.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Willem K Smits
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Carlo Vermeulen
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Hubrecht Institute-KNAW, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Rico Hagelaar
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Shunsuke Kimura
- Laboratory of Pathology, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Memphis TN, USA
| | | | | | - Ellen van de Geer
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marjon J A M Verstegen
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Hubrecht Institute-KNAW, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Arjan Buijs
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Niels Galjart
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Roland Kuiper
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Patrick Kemmeren
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Charles G Mullighan
- Laboratory of Pathology, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Memphis TN, USA
| | - Wouter de Laat
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Hubrecht Institute-KNAW, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Wrenn ED, Apfelbaum AA, Rudzinski ER, Deng X, Jiang W, Sud S, Van Noord RA, Newman EA, Garcia NM, Hoglund VJ, Bhise SS, Kanaan SB, Waltner OG, Furlan SN, Lawlor ER. Carcinoma-associated fibroblast-like tumor cells remodel the Ewing sarcoma tumor microenvironment. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.12.536619. [PMID: 37090655 PMCID: PMC10120623 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.12.536619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Tumor heterogeneity is a major driver of cancer progression. In epithelial-derived malignancies, carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) contribute to tumor heterogeneity by depositing extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins that dynamically remodel the tumor microenvironment (TME). Ewing sarcomas (EwS) are histologically monomorphous, mesenchyme-derived tumors that are devoid of CAFs. Here we identify a previously uncharacterized subpopulation of transcriptionally distinct EwS tumor cells that deposit pro-tumorigenic ECM. Single cell analyses revealed that these CAF-like cells differ from bulk EwS cells by their upregulation of a matrisome-rich gene signature that is normally repressed by EWS::FLI1, the oncogenic fusion transcription factor that underlies EwS pathogenesis. Further, our studies showed that ECM-depositing tumor cells express the cell surface marker CD73, allowing for their isolation ex vivo and detection in situ. Spatial profiling of tumor xenografts and patient biopsies demonstrated that CD73 + EwS cells and tumor cell-derived ECM are prevalent along tumor borders and invasive fronts. Importantly, despite loss of EWS::FLI1-mediated gene repression, CD73 + EwS cells retain expression of EWS::FLI1 and the fusion-activated gene signature, as well as tumorigenic and proliferative capacities. Thus, EwS tumor cells can be reprogrammed to adopt CAF-like properties and these transcriptionally and phenotypically distinct cell subpopulations contribute to tumor heterogeneity by remodeling the TME.
Collapse
|
19
|
Horsfield JA. Full circle: a brief history of cohesin and the regulation of gene expression. FEBS J 2023; 290:1670-1687. [PMID: 35048511 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The cohesin complex has a range of crucial functions in the cell. Cohesin is essential for mediating chromatid cohesion during mitosis, for repair of double-strand DNA breaks, and for control of gene transcription. This last function has been the subject of intense research ever since the discovery of cohesin's role in the long-range regulation of the cut gene in Drosophila. Subsequent research showed that the expression of some genes is exquisitely sensitive to cohesin depletion, while others remain relatively unperturbed. Sensitivity to cohesin depletion is also remarkably cell type- and/or condition-specific. The relatively recent discovery that cohesin is integral to forming chromatin loops via loop extrusion should explain much of cohesin's gene regulatory properties, but surprisingly, loop extrusion has failed to identify a 'one size fits all' mechanism for how cohesin controls gene expression. This review will illustrate how early examples of cohesin-dependent gene expression integrate with later work on cohesin's role in genome organization to explain mechanisms by which cohesin regulates gene expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia A Horsfield
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Genetics Otago Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Wang Y, Huang Z, Sun M, Huang W, Xia L. ETS transcription factors: Multifaceted players from cancer progression to tumor immunity. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188872. [PMID: 36841365 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
The E26 transformation specific (ETS) family comprises 28 transcription factors, the majority of which are involved in tumor initiation and development. Serving as a group of functionally heterogeneous gene regulators, ETS factors possess a structurally conserved DNA-binding domain. As one of the most prominent families of transcription factors that control diverse cellular functions, ETS activation is modulated by multiple intracellular signaling pathways and post-translational modifications. Disturbances in ETS activity often lead to abnormal changes in oncogenicity, including cancer cell survival, growth, proliferation, metastasis, genetic instability, cell metabolism, and tumor immunity. This review systematically addresses the basics and advances in studying ETS factors, from their tumor relevance to clinical translational utility, with a particular focus on elucidating the role of ETS family in tumor immunity, aiming to decipher the vital role and clinical potential of regulation of ETS factors in the cancer field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yufei Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Zhao Huang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Health, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Mengyu Sun
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Wenjie Huang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Health, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
| | - Limin Xia
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Lu DY, Ellegast JM, Ross KN, Malone CF, Lin S, Mabe NW, Dharia NV, Meyer A, Conway A, Su AH, Selich-Anderson J, Taslim C, Byrum AK, Seong BKA, Adane B, Gray NS, Rivera MN, Lessnick SL, Stegmaier K. The ETS transcription factor ETV6 constrains the transcriptional activity of EWS-FLI to promote Ewing sarcoma. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:285-297. [PMID: 36658220 PMCID: PMC9928584 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-022-01059-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) are frequently mutated in cancer. Paediatric cancers exhibit few mutations genome-wide but frequently harbour sentinel mutations that affect TFs, which provides a context to precisely study the transcriptional circuits that support mutant TF-driven oncogenesis. A broadly relevant mechanism that has garnered intense focus involves the ability of mutant TFs to hijack wild-type lineage-specific TFs in self-reinforcing transcriptional circuits. However, it is not known whether this specific type of circuitry is equally crucial in all mutant TF-driven cancers. Here we describe an alternative yet central transcriptional mechanism that promotes Ewing sarcoma, wherein constraint, rather than reinforcement, of the activity of the fusion TF EWS-FLI supports cancer growth. We discover that ETV6 is a crucial TF dependency that is specific to this disease because it, counter-intuitively, represses the transcriptional output of EWS-FLI. This work discovers a previously undescribed transcriptional mechanism that promotes cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana Y Lu
- Harvard/MIT MD-PhD Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jana M Ellegast
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kenneth N Ross
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Clare F Malone
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Shan Lin
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nathaniel W Mabe
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Neekesh V Dharia
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ashleigh Meyer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Amy Conway
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Angela H Su
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Julia Selich-Anderson
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Cenny Taslim
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Andrea K Byrum
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Bo Kyung A Seong
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Biniam Adane
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Miguel N Rivera
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Stephen L Lessnick
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and BMT, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA.
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
ETV6 dependency in Ewing sarcoma by antagonism of EWS-FLI1-mediated enhancer activation. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:298-308. [PMID: 36658219 PMCID: PMC10101761 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-022-01060-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The EWS-FLI1 fusion oncoprotein deregulates transcription to initiate the paediatric cancer Ewing sarcoma. Here we used a domain-focused CRISPR screen to implicate the transcriptional repressor ETV6 as a unique dependency in this tumour. Using biochemical assays and epigenomics, we show that ETV6 competes with EWS-FLI1 for binding to select DNA elements enriched for short GGAA repeat sequences. Upon inactivating ETV6, EWS-FLI1 overtakes and hyper-activates these cis-elements to promote mesenchymal differentiation, with SOX11 being a key downstream target. We show that squelching of ETV6 with a dominant-interfering peptide phenocopies these effects and suppresses Ewing sarcoma growth in vivo. These findings reveal targeting of ETV6 as a strategy for neutralizing the EWS-FLI1 oncoprotein by reprogramming of genomic occupancy.
Collapse
|
23
|
Therapeutic targeting the oncogenic driver EWSR1::FLI1 in Ewing sarcoma through inhibition of the FACT complex. Oncogene 2023; 42:11-25. [PMID: 36357572 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02533-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
EWS/ETS fusion transcription factors, most commonly EWSR1::FLI1, drives initiation and progression of Ewing sarcoma (EwS). Even though direct targeting EWSR1::FLI1 is a formidable challenge, epigenetic/transcriptional modulators have been proved to be promising therapeutic targets for indirectly disrupting its expression and/or function. Here, we identified structure-specific recognition protein 1 (SSRP1), a subunit of the Facilitates Chromatin Transcription (FACT) complex, to be an essential tumor-dependent gene directly induced by EWSR1::FLI1 in EwS. The FACT-targeted drug CBL0137 exhibits potent therapeutic efficacy against multiple EwS preclinical models both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, SSRP1 and EWSR1::FLI1 form oncogenic positive feedback loop via mutual transcriptional regulation and activation, and cooperatively promote cell cycle/DNA replication process and IGF1R-PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway to drive EwS oncogenesis. The FACT inhibitor drug CBL0137 effectively targets the EWSR1::FLI1-FACT circuit, resulting in transcriptional disruption of EWSR1::FLI1, SSRP1 and their downstream effector oncogenic signatures. Our study illustrates a crucial role of the FACT complex in facilitating the expression and function of EWSR1::FLI1 and demonstrates FACT inhibition as a novel and effective epigenetic/transcriptional-targeted therapeutic strategy against EwS, providing preclinical support for adding EwS to CBL0137's future clinical trials.
Collapse
|
24
|
Pallotta MM, Di Nardo M, Hennekam RCM, Kaiser FJ, Parenti I, Pié J, Ramos FJ, Kline AD, Musio A. Cornelia de Lange syndrome and cancer: An open question. Am J Med Genet A 2023; 191:292-295. [PMID: 36253936 PMCID: PMC10092277 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria M Pallotta
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maddalena Di Nardo
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Raoul C M Hennekam
- Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Frank J Kaiser
- Institute for Human Genetics, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Essen Center for Rare Diseases (Essener Zentrum für Seltene Erkrankungen, EZSE), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ilaria Parenti
- Institute for Human Genetics, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Juan Pié
- Unit of Clinical Genetics and Functional Genomics, Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, CIBERER-GCV02 and ISS-Aragon, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Feliciano J Ramos
- Unit of Clinical Genetics and Functional Genomics, Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, CIBERER-GCV02 and ISS-Aragon, Zaragoza, Spain.,Clinical Genetics Unit, Service of Paediatrics, University Hospital "Lozano Blesa", University of Zaragoza, CIBERER GCV02 and ISS-Aragón, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Antonie D Kline
- Harvey Institute for Human Genetics, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Antonio Musio
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Balaji AK, Saha S, Deshpande S, Poola D, Sengupta K. Nuclear envelope, chromatin organizers, histones, and DNA: The many achilles heels exploited across cancers. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1068347. [PMID: 36589746 PMCID: PMC9800887 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1068347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In eukaryotic cells, the genome is organized in the form of chromatin composed of DNA and histones that organize and regulate gene expression. The dysregulation of chromatin remodeling, including the aberrant incorporation of histone variants and their consequent post-translational modifications, is prevalent across cancers. Additionally, nuclear envelope proteins are often deregulated in cancers, which impacts the 3D organization of the genome. Altered nuclear morphology, genome organization, and gene expression are defining features of cancers. With advances in single-cell sequencing, imaging technologies, and high-end data mining approaches, we are now at the forefront of designing appropriate small molecules to selectively inhibit the growth and proliferation of cancer cells in a genome- and epigenome-specific manner. Here, we review recent advances and the emerging significance of aberrations in nuclear envelope proteins, histone variants, and oncohistones in deregulating chromatin organization and gene expression in oncogenesis.
Collapse
|
26
|
Adverse prognostic impact of the loss of STAG2 protein expression in patients with newly diagnosed localised Ewing sarcoma: A report from the Children's Oncology Group. Br J Cancer 2022; 127:2220-2226. [PMID: 36221002 PMCID: PMC9726932 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-01977-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ewing sarcoma (EWS) is an aggressive sarcoma with no validated molecular biomarkers. We aimed to determine the frequency of STAG2 protein loss by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and whether loss of expression is associated with outcome. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with EWS enrolled to Children's Oncology Group studies. We obtained unstained slides from 235 patients and DNA for sequencing from 75 patients. STAG2 expression was tested for association with clinical features and survival was estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods with log-rank tests. RESULTS In total, 155 cases passed quality control for STAG2 IHC. STAG2 expression in 20/155 cases could not be categorised with the limited available tissue, leaving 135 patients with definitive STAG2 IHC. In localised and metastatic disease, STAG2 was lost in 29/108 and 6/27 cases, respectively. Among patients with IHC and sequencing, 0/17 STAG2 expressing cases had STAG2 mutations, and 2/7 cases with STAG2 loss had STAG2 mutations. Among patients with localised disease, 5-year event-free survival was 54% (95% CI 34-70%) and 75% (95% CI 63-84%) for patients with STAG2 loss vs. expression (P = 0.0034). CONCLUSION STAG2 loss of expression is identified in a population of patients without identifiable STAG2 mutations and carries a poor prognosis.
Collapse
|
27
|
Orth MF, Surdez D, Faehling T, Ehlers AC, Marchetto A, Grossetête S, Volckmann R, Zwijnenburg DA, Gerke JS, Zaidi S, Alonso J, Sastre A, Baulande S, Sill M, Cidre-Aranaz F, Ohmura S, Kirchner T, Hauck SM, Reischl E, Gymrek M, Pfister SM, Strauch K, Koster J, Delattre O, Grünewald TGP. Systematic multi-omics cell line profiling uncovers principles of Ewing sarcoma fusion oncogene-mediated gene regulation. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111761. [PMID: 36476851 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is characterized by EWSR1-ETS fusion transcription factors converting polymorphic GGAA microsatellites (mSats) into potent neo-enhancers. Although the paucity of additional mutations makes EwS a genuine model to study principles of cooperation between dominant fusion oncogenes and neo-enhancers, this is impeded by the limited number of well-characterized models. Here we present the Ewing Sarcoma Cell Line Atlas (ESCLA), comprising whole-genome, DNA methylation, transcriptome, proteome, and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) data of 18 cell lines with inducible EWSR1-ETS knockdown. The ESCLA shows hundreds of EWSR1-ETS-targets, the nature of EWSR1-ETS-preferred GGAA mSats, and putative indirect modes of EWSR1-ETS-mediated gene regulation, converging in the duality of a specific but plastic EwS signature. We identify heterogeneously regulated EWSR1-ETS-targets as potential prognostic EwS biomarkers. Our freely available ESCLA (http://r2platform.com/escla/) is a rich resource for EwS research and highlights the power of comprehensive datasets to unravel principles of heterogeneous gene regulation by chimeric transcription factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin F Orth
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany
| | - Didier Surdez
- INSERM Unit 830 "Genetics and Biology of Cancers," Institut Curie Research Center, 75005 Paris, France; Balgrist University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zürich, 8008 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Faehling
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anna C Ehlers
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Aruna Marchetto
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany
| | - Sandrine Grossetête
- INSERM Unit 830 "Genetics and Biology of Cancers," Institut Curie Research Center, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Richard Volckmann
- Department of Oncogenomics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (AUMC), 1105 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Danny A Zwijnenburg
- Department of Oncogenomics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (AUMC), 1105 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Julia S Gerke
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany
| | - Sakina Zaidi
- INSERM Unit 830 "Genetics and Biology of Cancers," Institut Curie Research Center, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Javier Alonso
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CB06/07/1009, CIBERER-ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Sastre
- Unidad Hemato-oncología Pediátrica, Hospital Infantil Universitario La Paz, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sylvain Baulande
- Institut Curie Genomics of Excellence (ICGex) Platform, Institut Curie Research Center, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Martin Sill
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Florencia Cidre-Aranaz
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Shunya Ohmura
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Kirchner
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefanie M Hauck
- Research Unit Protein Science and Metabolomics and Proteomics Core, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Eva Reischl
- Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Melissa Gymrek
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA; Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Stefan M Pfister
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Konstantin Strauch
- Institute of Medical Biometry, Epidemiology, and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; Institute of Genetic Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology (IBE), Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Jan Koster
- Department of Oncogenomics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (AUMC), 1105 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Olivier Delattre
- INSERM Unit 830 "Genetics and Biology of Cancers," Institut Curie Research Center, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Thomas G P Grünewald
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Chromatin structure in cancer. BMC Mol Cell Biol 2022; 23:35. [PMID: 35902807 PMCID: PMC9331575 DOI: 10.1186/s12860-022-00433-6] [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: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past decade, we have seen the emergence of sequence-based methods to understand chromosome organization. With the confluence of in situ approaches to capture information on looping, topological domains, and larger chromatin compartments, understanding chromatin-driven disease is becoming feasible. Excitingly, recent advances in single molecule imaging with capacity to reconstruct “bulk-cell” features of chromosome conformation have revealed cell-to-cell chromatin structural variation. The fundamental question motivating our analysis of the literature is, can altered chromatin structure drive tumorigenesis? As our community learns more about rare disease, including low mutational frequency cancers, understanding “chromatin-driven” pathology will illuminate the regulatory structures of the genome. We describe recent insights into altered genome architecture in human cancer, highlighting multiple pathways toward disruptions of chromatin structure, including structural variation, noncoding mutations, metabolism, and de novo mutations to architectural regulators themselves. Our analysis of the literature reveals that deregulation of genome structure is characteristic in distinct classes of chromatin-driven tumors. As we begin to integrate the findings from single cell imaging studies and chromatin structural sequencing, we will be able to understand the diversity of cells within a common diagnosis, and begin to define structure–function relationships of the misfolded genome.
Collapse
|
29
|
Apfelbaum AA, Wrenn ED, Lawlor ER. The importance of fusion protein activity in Ewing sarcoma and the cell intrinsic and extrinsic factors that regulate it: A review. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1044707. [PMID: 36505823 PMCID: PMC9727305 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1044707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence shows that despite clonal origins tumors eventually become complex communities comprised of phenotypically distinct cell subpopulations. This heterogeneity arises from both tumor cell intrinsic programs and signals from spatially and temporally dynamic microenvironments. While pediatric cancers usually lack the mutational burden of adult cancers, they still exhibit high levels of cellular heterogeneity that are largely mediated by epigenetic mechanisms. Ewing sarcomas are aggressive bone and soft tissue malignancies with peak incidence in adolescence and the prognosis for patients with relapsed and metastatic disease is dismal. Ewing sarcomas are driven by a single pathognomonic fusion between a FET protein and an ETS family transcription factor, the most common of which is EWS::FLI1. Despite sharing a single driver mutation, Ewing sarcoma cells demonstrate a high degree of transcriptional heterogeneity both between and within tumors. Recent studies have identified differential fusion protein activity as a key source of this heterogeneity which leads to profoundly different cellular phenotypes. Paradoxically, increased invasive and metastatic potential is associated with lower EWS::FLI1 activity. Here, we review what is currently understood about EWS::FLI1 activity, the cell autonomous and tumor microenvironmental factors that regulate it, and the downstream consequences of these activity states on tumor progression. We specifically highlight how transcription factor regulation, signaling pathway modulation, and the extracellular matrix intersect to create a complex network of tumor cell phenotypes. We propose that elucidation of the mechanisms by which these essential elements interact will enable the development of novel therapeutic approaches that are designed to target this complexity and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
Collapse
|
30
|
Shields JA, Meier SR, Bandi M, Mulkearns-Hubert EE, Hajdari N, Ferdinez MD, Engel JL, Silver DJ, Shen B, Zhang W, Hubert CG, Mitchell K, Shakya S, Zhao SC, Bejnood A, Zhang M, Tjin Tham Sjin R, Wilker E, Lathia JD, Andersen JN, Chen Y, Li F, Weber B, Huang A, Emmanuel N. VRK1 Is a Synthetic-Lethal Target in VRK2-Deficient Glioblastoma. Cancer Res 2022; 82:4044-4057. [PMID: 36069976 PMCID: PMC9627132 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-4443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic lethality is a genetic interaction that results in cell death when two genetic deficiencies co-occur but not when either deficiency occurs alone, which can be co-opted for cancer therapeutics. Pairs of paralog genes are among the most straightforward potential synthetic-lethal interactions by virtue of their redundant functions. Here, we demonstrate a paralog-based synthetic lethality by targeting vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) in glioblastoma (GBM) deficient of VRK2, which is silenced by promoter methylation in approximately two thirds of GBM. Genetic knockdown of VRK1 in VRK2-null or VRK2-methylated cells resulted in decreased activity of the downstream substrate barrier to autointegration factor (BAF), a regulator of post-mitotic nuclear envelope formation. Reduced BAF activity following VRK1 knockdown caused nuclear lobulation, blebbing, and micronucleation, which subsequently resulted in G2-M arrest and DNA damage. The VRK1-VRK2 synthetic-lethal interaction was dependent on VRK1 kinase activity and was rescued by ectopic expression of VRK2. In VRK2-methylated GBM cell line-derived xenograft and patient-derived xenograft models, knockdown of VRK1 led to robust tumor growth inhibition. These results indicate that inhibiting VRK1 kinase activity could be a viable therapeutic strategy in VRK2-methylated GBM. SIGNIFICANCE A paralog synthetic-lethal interaction between VRK1 and VRK2 sensitizes VRK2-methylated glioblastoma to perturbation of VRK1 kinase activity, supporting VRK1 as a drug discovery target in this disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Nicole Hajdari
- Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kelly Mitchell
- Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Sajina Shakya
- Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Fang Li
- Tango Therapeutics, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Alan Huang
- Tango Therapeutics, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Natasha Emmanuel
- Tango Therapeutics, Boston, Massachusetts.,Corresponding Author: Natasha Emmanuel, Tango Therapeutics, 201 Brookline Avenue, Suite 901, Boston, MA 02215. Phone: 857-320-4900, E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Apfelbaum AA, Wu F, Hawkins AG, Magnuson B, Jiménez JA, Taylor SD, Wrenn ED, Waltner O, Pfaltzgraff ER, Song JY, Hall C, Wellik DM, Ljungman M, Furlan SN, Ryan RJ, Sarthy JF, Lawlor ER. EWS::FLI1 and HOXD13 Control Tumor Cell Plasticity in Ewing Sarcoma. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:4466-4478. [PMID: 35653119 PMCID: PMC9588607 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-0384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Propagation of Ewing sarcoma requires precise regulation of EWS::FLI1 transcriptional activity. Determining the mechanisms of fusion regulation will advance our understanding of tumor progression. Here we investigated whether HOXD13, a developmental transcription factor that promotes Ewing sarcoma metastatic phenotypes, influences EWS::FLI1 transcriptional activity. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Existing tumor and cell line datasets were used to define EWS::FLI1 binding sites and transcriptional targets. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and CRISPR interference were employed to identify enhancers. CUT&RUN and RNA sequencing defined binding sites and transcriptional targets of HOXD13. Transcriptional states were investigated using bulk and single-cell transcriptomic data from cell lines, patient-derived xenografts, and patient tumors. Mesenchymal phenotypes were assessed by gene set enrichment, flow cytometry, and migration assays. RESULTS We found that EWS::FLI1 creates a de novo GGAA microsatellite enhancer in a developmentally conserved regulatory region of the HOXD locus. Knockdown of HOXD13 led to widespread changes in expression of developmental gene programs and EWS::FLI1 targets. HOXD13 binding was enriched at established EWS::FLI1 binding sites where it influenced expression of EWS::FLI1-activated genes. More strikingly, HOXD13 bound and activated EWS::FLI1-repressed genes, leading to adoption of mesenchymal and migratory cell states that are normally suppressed by the fusion. Single-cell analysis confirmed that direct transcriptional antagonism between HOXD13-mediated gene activation and EWS::FLI1-dependent gene repression defines the state of Ewing sarcoma cells along a mesenchymal axis. CONCLUSIONS Ewing sarcoma tumors are comprised of tumor cells that exist along a mesenchymal transcriptional continuum. The identity of cells along this continuum is, in large part, determined by the competing activities of EWS::FLI1 and HOXD13. See related commentary by Weiss and Bailey, p. 4360.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- April A. Apfelbaum
- Cancer Biology PhD Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA,Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Feinan Wu
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Shared Resource, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Allegra G. Hawkins
- Childhood Cancer Data Lab Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Brian Magnuson
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Jennifer A. Jiménez
- Cancer Biology PhD Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Sean D. Taylor
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Emma D. Wrenn
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Olivia Waltner
- Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | | | - Jane Y. Song
- Immunology Discovery, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Cody Hall
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Deneen M. Wellik
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53705
| | - Mats Ljungman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Scott N. Furlan
- Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA,Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Russell J.H. Ryan
- Immunology Discovery, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Jay F. Sarthy
- Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA,Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Elizabeth R. Lawlor
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA,Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA.,Correspondence: Elizabeth R. Lawlor MD, PhD, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Olive Lab, 1100 Olive Way, Suite 100 Seattle, WA 98101,
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Guo Y, Wang GG. Modulation of the high-order chromatin structure by Polycomb complexes. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1021658. [PMID: 36274840 PMCID: PMC9579376 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1021658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The multi-subunit Polycomb Repressive Complex (PRC) 1 and 2 act, either independently or synergistically, to maintain and enforce a repressive state of the target chromatin, thereby regulating the processes of cell lineage specification and organismal development. In recent years, deep sequencing-based and imaging-based technologies, especially those tailored for mapping three-dimensional (3D) chromatin organization and structure, have allowed a better understanding of the PRC complex-mediated long-range chromatin contacts and DNA looping. In this review, we review current advances as for how Polycomb complexes function to modulate and help define the high-order chromatin structure and topology, highlighting the multi-faceted roles of Polycomb proteins in gene and genome regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiran Guo
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- *Correspondence: Yiran Guo, ; Gang Greg Wang,
| | - Gang Greg Wang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- *Correspondence: Yiran Guo, ; Gang Greg Wang,
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Athans SR, Krishnan N, Ramakrishnan S, Cortes Gomez E, Lage-Vickers S, Rak M, Kazmierczak ZI, Ohm JE, Attwood K, Wang J, Woloszynska A. STAG2 expression is associated with adverse survival outcomes and regulates cell phenotype in muscle-invasive bladder cancer. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 2:1129-1143. [PMID: 36275363 PMCID: PMC9583756 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-22-0155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
STAG2 (Stromal Antigen 2), in healthy somatic cells, functions in sister chromatid cohesion, DNA damage repair, and genome organization, but its role in muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) remains unknown. Here, using whole-exome and targeted sequencing (n=119 bladder cancer clinical samples), we found several STAG2 mutations in MIBC that correlate with loss of protein expression. The analysis of a bladder cancer tissue microarray (n=346) revealed that decreased STAG2 protein expression is associated with improved overall and progression-free survival for MIBC patients. In mouse xenograft studies, STAG2 knockdown (KD) decelerated MIBC tumor growth, whereas STAG2 overexpression accelerated tumor growth. In cell line studies, STAG2 loss augmented treatment with cisplatin, a first-line therapy for MIBC. STAG2 KD or overexpression did not alter degree of aneuploidy, copy number variations, or cell cycle distribution. However, unbiased RNA sequencing analysis revealed that STAG2 KD altered gene expression. STAG2 KD led to significant downregulation of several gene sets, such as collagen containing extracellular matrix, external encapsulating structure organization, and regulation of chemotaxis. Therefore, we investigated the effect of STAG2 KD on cell migration and invasion in vitro. We found that STAG2 KD minimized cell speed, displacement, and invasion. Altogether, our results present a non-canonical function of STAG2 in promoting cell motility and invasion of MIBC cells. This work forms the basis for additional investigation into the role of STAG2 in transcriptional regulation and how it becomes dysregulated in STAG2-mutant MIBC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R. Athans
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Nithya Krishnan
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Swathi Ramakrishnan
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Eduardo Cortes Gomez
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | | | - Monika Rak
- Department of Cell Biology, Jagiellonian University, 31-007, Krakow, Poland
| | - Zara I. Kazmierczak
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Joyce Ellen Ohm
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Kristopher Attwood
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Jianmin Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Anna Woloszynska
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
- Corresponding Author: Anna Woloszynska, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203. Phone: 716-845-8495; E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Showpnil IA, Selich-Anderson J, Taslim C, Boone MA, Crow JC, Theisen ER, Lessnick SL. EWS/FLI mediated reprogramming of 3D chromatin promotes an altered transcriptional state in Ewing sarcoma. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:9814-9837. [PMID: 36124657 PMCID: PMC9508825 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is a prototypical fusion transcription factor-associated pediatric cancer that expresses EWS/FLI or a highly related FET/ETS chimera. EWS/FLI dysregulates transcription to induce and maintain sarcomagenesis, but the mechanisms utilized are not fully understood. We therefore sought to define the global effects of EWS/FLI on chromatin conformation and transcription in Ewing sarcoma cells using a well-validated ‘knock-down/rescue’ model of EWS/FLI function in combination with next generation sequencing assays to evaluate how the chromatin landscape changes with loss, and recovery, of EWS/FLI expression. We found that EWS/FLI (and EWS/ERG) genomic localization is largely conserved across multiple patient-derived Ewing sarcoma cell lines. This EWS/FLI binding signature is associated with establishment of topologically-associated domain (TAD) boundaries, compartment activation, enhancer-promoter looping that involve both intra- and inter-TAD interactions, and gene activation. In addition, EWS/FLI co-localizes with the loop-extrusion factor cohesin to promote chromatin loops and TAD boundaries. Importantly, local chromatin features provide the basis for transcriptional heterogeneity in regulation of direct EWS/FLI target genes across different Ewing sarcoma cell lines. These data demonstrate a key role of EWS/FLI in mediating genome-wide changes in chromatin configuration and support the notion that fusion transcription factors serve as master regulators of three-dimensional reprogramming of chromatin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iftekhar A Showpnil
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.,Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Julia Selich-Anderson
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Cenny Taslim
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Megann A Boone
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.,Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jesse C Crow
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Emily R Theisen
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.,Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.,Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Stephen L Lessnick
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.,Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.,Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.,Division of Pediatric Heme/Onc/BMT, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
An international working group consensus report for the prioritization of molecular biomarkers for Ewing sarcoma. NPJ Precis Oncol 2022; 6:65. [PMID: 36115869 PMCID: PMC9482616 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-022-00307-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The advent of dose intensified interval compressed therapy has improved event-free survival for patients with localized Ewing sarcoma (EwS) to 78% at 5 years. However, nearly a quarter of patients with localized tumors and 60–80% of patients with metastatic tumors suffer relapse and die of disease. In addition, those who survive are often left with debilitating late effects. Clinical features aside from stage have proven inadequate to meaningfully classify patients for risk-stratified therapy. Therefore, there is a critical need to develop approaches to risk stratify patients with EwS based on molecular features. Over the past decade, new technology has enabled the study of multiple molecular biomarkers in EwS. Preliminary evidence requiring validation supports copy number changes, and loss of function mutations in tumor suppressor genes as biomarkers of outcome in EwS. Initial studies of circulating tumor DNA demonstrated that diagnostic ctDNA burden and ctDNA clearance during induction are also associated with outcome. In addition, fusion partner should be a pre-requisite for enrollment on EwS clinical trials, and the fusion type and structure require further study to determine prognostic impact. These emerging biomarkers represent a new horizon in our understanding of disease risk and will enable future efforts to develop risk-adapted treatment.
Collapse
|
36
|
Ogura K, Elkrief A, Bowman AS, Koche RP, de Stanchina E, Benayed R, Mauguen A, Mattar MS, Khodos I, Meyers PA, Healey JH, Tap WD, Hameed M, Zehir A, Shukla N, Sawyers C, Bose R, Slotkin E, Ladanyi M. Prospective Clinical Genomic Profiling of Ewing Sarcoma: ERF and FGFR1 Mutations as Recurrent Secondary Alterations of Potential Biologic and Therapeutic Relevance. JCO Precis Oncol 2022; 6:e2200048. [PMID: 35952322 PMCID: PMC9384944 DOI: 10.1200/po.22.00048] [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: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a primitive sarcoma defined by EWSR1-ETS fusions as the primary driver alteration. To better define the landscape of cooperating secondary genetic alterations in ES, we analyzed clinical genomic profiling data of 113 patients with ES, a cohort including more adult patients (> 18 years) and more patients with advanced stage at presentation than previous genomic cohorts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Koichi Ogura
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.,Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Arielle Elkrief
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.,Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Anita S Bowman
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Richard P Koche
- Center for Epigenetics Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Elisa de Stanchina
- Anti-tumor Assessment Core Facility, Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Ryma Benayed
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.,AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Wilmington, DE
| | - Audrey Mauguen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Marissa S Mattar
- Anti-tumor Assessment Core Facility, Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Inna Khodos
- Anti-tumor Assessment Core Facility, Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Paul A Meyers
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - John H Healey
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.,Department of Surgery, Orthopaedic Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - William D Tap
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Meera Hameed
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Ahmet Zehir
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.,AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Wilmington, DE
| | - Neerav Shukla
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Charles Sawyers
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.,HHMI, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Rohit Bose
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA.,Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA.,Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA.,Benioff Initiative for Prostate Cancer Research, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Emily Slotkin
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Marc Ladanyi
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.,Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Buskirk S, Skibbens RV. G1-Cyclin2 (Cln2) promotes chromosome hypercondensation in eco1/ctf7 rad61 null cells during hyperthermic stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2022; 12:6613937. [PMID: 35736360 PMCID: PMC9339302 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Eco1/Ctf7 is a highly conserved acetyltransferase that activates cohesin complexes and is critical for sister chromatid cohesion, chromosome condensation, DNA damage repair, nucleolar integrity, and gene transcription. Mutations in the human homolog of ECO1 (ESCO2/EFO2), or in genes that encode cohesin subunits, result in severe developmental abnormalities and intellectual disabilities referred to as Roberts syndrome and Cornelia de Lange syndrome, respectively. In yeast, deletion of ECO1 results in cell inviability. Codeletion of RAD61 (WAPL in humans), however, produces viable yeast cells. These eco1 rad61 double mutants, however, exhibit a severe temperature-sensitive growth defect, suggesting that Eco1 or cohesins respond to hyperthermic stress through a mechanism that occurs independent of Rad61. Here, we report that deletion of the G1 cyclin CLN2 rescues the temperature-sensitive lethality otherwise exhibited by eco1 rad61 mutant cells, such that the triple mutant cells exhibit robust growth over a broad range of temperatures. While Cln1, Cln2, and Cln3 are functionally redundant G1 cyclins, neither CLN1 nor CLN3 deletions rescue the temperature-sensitive growth defects otherwise exhibited by eco1 rad61 double mutants. We further provide evidence that CLN2 deletion rescues hyperthermic growth defects independent of START and impacts the state of chromosome condensation. These findings reveal novel roles for Cln2 that are unique among the G1 cyclin family and appear critical for cohesin regulation during hyperthermic stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sean Buskirk
- Department of Biology, West Chester University, West Chester, PA 19383, USA
| | - Robert V Skibbens
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Hypoxia-activated neuropeptide Y/Y5 receptor/RhoA pathway triggers chromosomal instability and bone metastasis in Ewing sarcoma. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2323. [PMID: 35484119 PMCID: PMC9051212 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29898-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Adverse prognosis in Ewing sarcoma (ES) is associated with the presence of metastases, particularly in bone, tumor hypoxia and chromosomal instability (CIN). Yet, a mechanistic link between these factors remains unknown. We demonstrate that in ES, tumor hypoxia selectively exacerbates bone metastasis. This process is triggered by hypoxia-induced stimulation of the neuropeptide Y (NPY)/Y5 receptor (Y5R) pathway, which leads to RhoA over-activation and cytokinesis failure. These mitotic defects result in the formation of polyploid ES cells, the progeny of which exhibit high CIN, an ability to invade and colonize bone, and a resistance to chemotherapy. Blocking Y5R in hypoxic ES tumors prevents polyploidization and bone metastasis. Our findings provide evidence for the role of the hypoxia-inducible NPY/Y5R/RhoA axis in promoting genomic changes and subsequent osseous dissemination in ES, and suggest that targeting this pathway may prevent CIN and disease progression in ES and other cancers rich in NPY and Y5R. Ewing sarcoma tumour cells frequently metastasize to the bone but the molecular mechanisms governing this process are not well understood. Here, the authors show that neuropeptide Y/Y5 receptor pathway is activated in the hypoxic tumour microenvironment, which results in cytokinesis defects and chromosomal instability, leading to bone invasion.
Collapse
|
39
|
Flores G, Grohar PJ. One oncogene, several vulnerabilities: EWS/FLI targeted therapies for Ewing sarcoma. J Bone Oncol 2021; 31:100404. [PMID: 34976713 PMCID: PMC8686064 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbo.2021.100404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
EWS/FLI is the defining mutation of Ewing sarcoma. This oncogene drives malignant transformation and progression and occurs in a genetic background characterized by few other recurrent cooperating mutations. In addition, the tumor is absolutely dependent on the continued expression of EWS/FLI to maintain the malignant phenotype. However, EWS/FLI is a transcription factor and therefore a challenging drug target. The difficulty of directly targeting EWS/FLI stems from unique features of this fusion protein as well as the network of interacting proteins required to execute the transcriptional program. This network includes interacting proteins as well as upstream and downstream effectors that together reprogram the epigenome and transcriptome. While the vast number of proteins involved in this process challenge the development of a highly specific inhibitors, they also yield numerous therapeutic opportunities. In this report, we will review how this vast EWS-FLI transcriptional network has been exploited over the last two decades to identify compounds that directly target EWS/FLI and/or associated vulnerabilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Flores
- Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
- Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, USA
| | - Patrick J Grohar
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, 3501 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Ban J, Fock V, Aryee DNT, Kovar H. Mechanisms, Diagnosis and Treatment of Bone Metastases. Cells 2021; 10:2944. [PMID: 34831167 PMCID: PMC8616226 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone and bone marrow are among the most frequent metastatic sites of cancer. The occurrence of bone metastasis is frequently associated with a dismal disease outcome. The prevention and therapy of bone metastases is a priority in the treatment of cancer patients. However, current therapeutic options for patients with bone metastatic disease are limited in efficacy and associated with increased morbidity. Therefore, most current therapies are mainly palliative in nature. A better understanding of the underlying molecular pathways of the bone metastatic process is warranted to develop novel, well-tolerated and more successful treatments for a significant improvement of patients' quality of life and disease outcome. In this review, we provide comparative mechanistic insights into the bone metastatic process of various solid tumors, including pediatric cancers. We also highlight current and innovative approaches to biologically targeted therapy and immunotherapy. In particular, we discuss the role of the bone marrow microenvironment in the attraction, homing, dormancy and outgrowth of metastatic tumor cells and the ensuing therapeutic implications. Multiple signaling pathways have been described to contribute to metastatic spread to the bone of specific cancer entities, with most knowledge derived from the study of breast and prostate cancer. However, it is likely that similar mechanisms are involved in different types of cancer, including multiple myeloma, primary bone sarcomas and neuroblastoma. The metastatic rate-limiting interaction of tumor cells with the various cellular and noncellular components of the bone-marrow niche provides attractive therapeutic targets, which are already partially exploited by novel promising immunotherapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jozef Ban
- St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (J.B.); (V.F.); (D.N.T.A.)
| | - Valerie Fock
- St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (J.B.); (V.F.); (D.N.T.A.)
| | - Dave N. T. Aryee
- St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (J.B.); (V.F.); (D.N.T.A.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Heinrich Kovar
- St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (J.B.); (V.F.); (D.N.T.A.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Seong BKA, Dharia NV, Lin S, Donovan KA, Chong S, Robichaud A, Conway A, Hamze A, Ross L, Alexe G, Adane B, Nabet B, Ferguson FM, Stolte B, Wang EJ, Sun J, Darzacq X, Piccioni F, Gray NS, Fischer ES, Stegmaier K. TRIM8 modulates the EWS/FLI oncoprotein to promote survival in Ewing sarcoma. Cancer Cell 2021; 39:1262-1278.e7. [PMID: 34329586 PMCID: PMC8443273 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2021.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Fusion-transcription factors (fusion-TFs) represent a class of driver oncoproteins that are difficult to therapeutically target. Recently, protein degradation has emerged as a strategy to target these challenging oncoproteins. The mechanisms that regulate fusion-TF stability, however, are generally unknown. Using CRISPR-Cas9 screening, we discovered tripartite motif-containing 8 (TRIM8) as an E3 ubiquitin ligase that ubiquitinates and degrades EWS/FLI, a driver fusion-TF in Ewing sarcoma. Moreover, we identified TRIM8 as a selective dependency in Ewing sarcoma compared with >700 other cancer cell lines. Mechanistically, TRIM8 knockout led to an increase in EWS/FLI protein levels that was not tolerated. EWS/FLI acts as a neomorphic substrate for TRIM8, defining the selective nature of the dependency. Our results demonstrate that fusion-TF protein stability is tightly regulated and highlight fusion oncoprotein-specific regulators as selective therapeutic targets. This study provides a tractable strategy to therapeutically exploit oncogene overdose in Ewing sarcoma and potentially other fusion-TF-driven cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Kyung A Seong
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Neekesh V Dharia
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shan Lin
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Katherine A Donovan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shasha Chong
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Amanda Robichaud
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amy Conway
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amanda Hamze
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Linda Ross
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gabriela Alexe
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Biniam Adane
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Behnam Nabet
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fleur M Ferguson
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Björn Stolte
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Dr.von Hauner Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Emily Jue Wang
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jialin Sun
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xavier Darzacq
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA; CIRM Center of Excellence, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric S Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|