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Pellecchia S, Franchini M, Viscido G, Arnese R, Gambardella G. Single cell lineage tracing reveals clonal dynamics of anti-EGFR therapy resistance in triple negative breast cancer. Genome Med 2024; 16:55. [PMID: 38605363 PMCID: PMC11008053 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-024-01327-2] [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: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most primary Triple Negative Breast Cancers (TNBCs) show amplification of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) gene, leading to increased protein expression. However, unlike other EGFR-driven cancers, targeting this receptor in TNBC yields inconsistent therapeutic responses. METHODS To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of this variability, we employ cellular barcoding and single-cell transcriptomics to reconstruct the subclonal dynamics of EGFR-amplified TNBC cells in response to afatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that irreversibly inhibits EGFR. RESULTS Integrated lineage tracing analysis revealed a rare pre-existing subpopulation of cells with distinct biological signature, including elevated expression levels of Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2 (IGFBP2). We show that IGFBP2 overexpression is sufficient to render TNBC cells tolerant to afatinib treatment by activating the compensatory insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF1-R) signalling pathway. Finally, based on reconstructed mechanisms of resistance, we employ deep learning techniques to predict the afatinib sensitivity of TNBC cells. CONCLUSIONS Our strategy proved effective in reconstructing the complex signalling network driving EGFR-targeted therapy resistance, offering new insights for the development of individualized treatment strategies in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Pellecchia
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Naples, Italy
- Scuola Superiore Meridionale, Genomics and Experimental Medicine Program, Naples, Italy
| | - Melania Franchini
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Naples, Italy
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Gaetano Viscido
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Naples, Italy
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Industrial Engineering , University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Riccardo Arnese
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Naples, Italy
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Niemira M, Erol A, Bielska A, Zeller A, Skwarska A, Chwialkowska K, Kuzmicki M, Szamatowicz J, Reszec J, Knapp P, Moniuszko M, Kretowski A. Identification of serum miR-1246 and miR-150-5p as novel diagnostic biomarkers for high-grade serous ovarian cancer. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19287. [PMID: 37935712 PMCID: PMC10630404 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45317-7] [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: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is one of the leading cancers in women, with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) being the most common and lethal subtype of this disease. A vast majority of HGSOC are diagnosed at the late stage of the disease when the treatment and total recovery chances are low. Thus, there is an urgent need for novel, more sensitive and specific methods for early and routine HGSOC clinical diagnosis. In this study, we performed miRNA expression profiling using the NanoString miRNA assay in 34 serum samples from patients with HGSOC and 36 healthy women. We identified 13 miRNAs that were differentially expressed (DE). For additional exploration of expression patterns correlated with HGSOC, we performed weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). As a result, we showed that the module most correlated with tumour size, nodule and metastasis contained 8 DE miRNAs. The panel including miR-1246 and miR-150-5p was identified as a signature that could discriminate HGSOC patients with AUCs of 0.98 and 1 for the training and test sets, respectively. Furthermore, the above two-miRNA panel had an AUC = 0.946 in the verification cohorts of RT-qPCR data and an AUC = 0.895 using external data from the GEO public database. Thus, the model we developed has the potential to markedly improve the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Niemira
- Clinical Research Centre, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
| | - Anna Erol
- Clinical Research Centre, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Bielska
- Clinical Research Centre, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Anna Zeller
- Clinical Research Centre, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Anna Skwarska
- Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Karolina Chwialkowska
- Centre for Bioinformatics and Data Analysis, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Mariusz Kuzmicki
- Department of Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Jacek Szamatowicz
- Department of Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Joanna Reszec
- Department of Medical Pathomorphology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Pawel Knapp
- University Oncology Centre, University Clinical Hospital in Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Marcin Moniuszko
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Immune Regulation, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Adam Kretowski
- Clinical Research Centre, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
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Kološa K, Žegura B, Štampar M, Filipič M, Novak M. Adverse Toxic Effects of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors on Non-Target Zebrafish Liver (ZFL) Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043894. [PMID: 36835302 PMCID: PMC9965539 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past 20 years, numerous tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been introduced for targeted therapy of various types of malignancies. Due to frequent and increasing use, leading to eventual excretion with body fluids, their residues have been found in hospital and household wastewaters as well as surface water. However, the effects of TKI residues in the environment on aquatic organisms are poorly described. In the present study, we investigated the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of five selected TKIs, namely erlotinib (ERL), dasatinib (DAS), nilotinib (NIL), regorafenib (REG), and sorafenib (SOR), using the in vitro zebrafish liver cell (ZFL) model. Cytotoxicity was determined using the MTS assay and propidium iodide (PI) live/dead staining by flow cytometry. DAS, SOR, and REG decreased ZFL cell viability dose- and time-dependently, with DAS being the most cytotoxic TKI studied. ERL and NIL did not affect viability at concentrations up to their maximum solubility; however, NIL was the only TKI that significantly decreased the proportion of PI negative cells as determined by the flow cytometry. Cell cycle progression analyses showed that DAS, ERL, REG, and SOR caused the cell cycle arrest of ZFL cells in the G0/G1 phase, with a concomitant decrease of cells in the S-phase fraction. No data could be obtained for NIL due to severe DNA fragmentation. The genotoxic activity of the investigated TKIs was evaluated using comet and cytokinesis block micronucleus (CBMN) assays. The dose-dependent induction of DNA single strand breaks was induced by NIL (≥2 μM), DAS (≥0.006 μM), and REG (≥0.8 μM), with DAS being the most potent. None of the TKIs studied induced micronuclei formation. These results suggest that normal non-target fish liver cells are sensitive to the TKIs studied in a concentration range similar to those previously reported for human cancer cell lines. Although the TKI concentrations that induced adverse effects in exposed ZFL cells are several orders of magnitude higher than those currently expected in the aquatic environment, the observed DNA damage and cell cycle effects suggest that residues of TKIs in the environment may pose a hazard to non-intentionally exposed organisms living in environments contaminated with TKIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Kološa
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, Večna Pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bojana Žegura
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, Večna Pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jozef Stefan International Postgraduate School, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Correspondence:
| | - Martina Štampar
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, Večna Pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Metka Filipič
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, Večna Pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jozef Stefan International Postgraduate School, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matjaž Novak
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, Večna Pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Expression and Role of TRIM2 in Human Diseases. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:9430509. [PMID: 36051486 PMCID: PMC9427271 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9430509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Tripartite motif (TRIM) protein family proteins contain more than 80 members in humans, and most of these proteins exhibit E3 ubiquitin ligase activity mediated through a RING finger domain. Their biological functions are very complex, and they perform diverse functions in cell evolution processes, such as intracellular signaling, development, apoptosis, protein quality control, innate immunity, autophagy, and carcinogenesis. Tripartite motif-containing protein 2 (TRIM2), a member of the TRIM superfamily, is an 81 kDa multidomain protein, also known as CMT2R or RNF86, located at 4q31.3. TRIM2 functions as an E3 ubiquitin ligase. Current studies have shown that TRIM2 can play roles in neuroprotection, neuronal rapid ischemic tolerance, antiviral responses, neurological diseases, etc. Moreover, based on some studies in tumors, TRIM2 regulates tumor proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and drug resistance through different mechanisms and plays a critical role in tumor occurrence and development. This review is aimed at providing a systematic and comprehensive summary of research on TRIM2 and at exploring the potential role of TRIM2 as a biomarker and therapeutic target in many kinds of human diseases.
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Kudaravalli S, den Hollander P, Mani SA. Role of p38 MAP kinase in cancer stem cells and metastasis. Oncogene 2022; 41:3177-3185. [PMID: 35501462 PMCID: PMC9166676 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02329-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic resistance and metastatic progression are responsible for the majority of cancer mortalities. In particular, the development of resistance is a significant barrier to the efficacy of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) underlie treatment resistance and metastasis. p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) is downstream of several CSC-specific signaling pathways, and it plays an important role in CSC development and maintenance and contributes to metastasis and chemoresistance. Therefore, the development of therapeutic approaches targeting p38 can sensitize tumors to chemotherapy and prevent metastatic progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sriya Kudaravalli
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Rice University, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Petra den Hollander
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Sendurai A Mani
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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Recent Advances in Ovarian Cancer: Therapeutic Strategies, Potential Biomarkers, and Technological Improvements. Cells 2022; 11:cells11040650. [PMID: 35203301 PMCID: PMC8870715 DOI: 10.3390/cells11040650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aggressive and recurrent gynecological cancers are associated with worse prognosis and a lack of effective therapeutic response. Ovarian cancer (OC) patients are often diagnosed in advanced stages, when drug resistance, angiogenesis, relapse, and metastasis impact survival outcomes. Currently, surgical debulking, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy remain the mainstream treatment modalities; however, patients suffer unwanted side effects and drug resistance in the absence of targeted therapies. Hence, it is urgent to decipher the complex disease biology and identify potential biomarkers, which could greatly contribute to making an early diagnosis or predicting the response to specific therapies. This review aims to critically discuss the current therapeutic strategies for OC, novel drug-delivery systems, and potential biomarkers in the context of genetics and molecular research. It emphasizes how the understanding of disease biology is related to the advancement of technology, enabling the exploration of novel biomarkers that may be able to provide more accurate diagnosis and prognosis, which would effectively translate into targeted therapies, ultimately improving patients’ overall survival and quality of life.
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