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García-García L, Fernández-Tabanera E, Cervera ST, Melero-Fernández de Mera RM, Josa S, González-González L, Rodríguez-Martín C, Grünewald TGP, Alonso J. The Transcription Factor FEZF1, a Direct Target of EWSR1-FLI1 in Ewing Sarcoma Cells, Regulates the Expression of Neural-Specific Genes. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5668. [PMID: 34830820 PMCID: PMC8616448 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is a rare pediatric tumor characterized by chromosomal translocations that give rise to aberrant chimeric transcription factors (e.g., EWSR1-FLI1). EWSR1-FLI1 promotes a specific cellular transcriptional program. Therefore, the study of EWSR1-FLI1 target genes is important to identify critical pathways involved in Ewing sarcoma tumorigenesis. In this work, we focused on the transcription factors regulated by EWSR1-FLI1 in Ewing sarcoma. Transcriptomic analysis of the Ewing sarcoma cell line A673 indicated that one of the genes more strongly upregulated by EWSR1-FLI1 was FEZF1 (FEZ family zinc finger protein 1), a transcriptional repressor involved in neural cell identity. The functional characterization of FEZF1 was performed in three Ewing sarcoma cell lines (A673, SK-N-MC, SK-ES-1) through an shRNA-directed silencing approach. FEZF1 knockdown inhibited clonogenicity and cell proliferation. Finally, the analysis of the FEZF1-dependent expression profile in A673 cells showed several neural genes regulated by FEZF1 and concomitantly regulated by EWSR1-FLI1. In summary, FEZF1 is transcriptionally regulated by EWSR1-FLI1 in Ewing sarcoma cells and is involved in the regulation of neural-specific genes, which could explain the neural-like phenotype observed in several Ewing sarcoma tumors and cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura García-García
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras (IIER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28220 Madrid, Spain; (L.G.-G.); (E.F.-T.); (S.T.C.); (R.M.M.-F.d.M.); (S.J.); (L.G.-G.); (C.R.-M.)
| | - Enrique Fernández-Tabanera
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras (IIER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28220 Madrid, Spain; (L.G.-G.); (E.F.-T.); (S.T.C.); (R.M.M.-F.d.M.); (S.J.); (L.G.-G.); (C.R.-M.)
- Centro de Investigación, Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Saint T. Cervera
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras (IIER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28220 Madrid, Spain; (L.G.-G.); (E.F.-T.); (S.T.C.); (R.M.M.-F.d.M.); (S.J.); (L.G.-G.); (C.R.-M.)
- Centro de Investigación, Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel M. Melero-Fernández de Mera
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras (IIER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28220 Madrid, Spain; (L.G.-G.); (E.F.-T.); (S.T.C.); (R.M.M.-F.d.M.); (S.J.); (L.G.-G.); (C.R.-M.)
- Centro de Investigación, Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Santiago Josa
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras (IIER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28220 Madrid, Spain; (L.G.-G.); (E.F.-T.); (S.T.C.); (R.M.M.-F.d.M.); (S.J.); (L.G.-G.); (C.R.-M.)
| | - Laura González-González
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras (IIER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28220 Madrid, Spain; (L.G.-G.); (E.F.-T.); (S.T.C.); (R.M.M.-F.d.M.); (S.J.); (L.G.-G.); (C.R.-M.)
| | - Carlos Rodríguez-Martín
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras (IIER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28220 Madrid, Spain; (L.G.-G.); (E.F.-T.); (S.T.C.); (R.M.M.-F.d.M.); (S.J.); (L.G.-G.); (C.R.-M.)
- Centro de Investigación, Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Thomas G. P. Grünewald
- Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- Hopp-Children’s Cancer Center (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Javier Alonso
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras (IIER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28220 Madrid, Spain; (L.G.-G.); (E.F.-T.); (S.T.C.); (R.M.M.-F.d.M.); (S.J.); (L.G.-G.); (C.R.-M.)
- Centro de Investigación, Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Marais YA, Saini AK, Ferreira N, Reddy K, Zühlke A, Rossouw N, Zaharie SD, Schubert PT. Adamantinoma-like Variant of Ewing Sarcoma in the Metatarsal Bone After Chemotherapy: Report of a Case Successfully Treated with Pedicled Osteocutaneous Fibular Transfer. Int J Surg Pathol 2021; 29:798-803. [PMID: 33703949 DOI: 10.1177/10668969211001449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Adamantinoma-like Ewing sarcoma is a rare variant of Ewing sarcoma with histologic and immunohistochemical evidence of squamous differentiation. This variant most commonly occurs in the head and neck region with a few cases reported in the long bones of the limbs. It may be associated with poorer clinical outcome and could pose a diagnostic challenge, particularly if it occurs in older patients or as a metastatic lesion. We present a case of Ewing sarcoma in the metatarsal of an 11-year-old boy that manifested adamantinoma-like morphology after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Chemotherapy has been reported to induce neuronal maturation and rhabdoid morphology in cases of Ewing sarcoma, but no reports of treatment-induced squamous differentiation with P40/P63 expression have been demonstrated. This is also the first documented case treated with a pedicled osteocutaneous fibular transfer in a metatarsal malignancy, which is usually treated by either ray or below-knee amputation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolandi A Marais
- National Health Laboratory Service, 121470Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Aaron K Saini
- 26697Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nando Ferreira
- 26697Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kershinee Reddy
- Paediatric Oncology Unit, 26697Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Alexander Zühlke
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 26697Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nelmarie Rossouw
- Division of Radiodiagnosis, 26697Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Stefan D Zaharie
- National Health Laboratory Service, 121470Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Pawel T Schubert
- National Health Laboratory Service, 121470Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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3
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Trk inhibition reduces cell proliferation and potentiates the effects of chemotherapeutic agents in Ewing sarcoma. Oncotarget 2017; 7:34860-80. [PMID: 27145455 PMCID: PMC5085195 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Accepted: 04/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a highly aggressive pediatric cancer that may arise from neuronal precursors. Neurotrophins stimulate neuronal devlopment and plasticity. Here, we found that neurotrophins nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as well as their receptors (TrkA and TrkB, respectively) are expressed in ES tumors. Treatment with TrkA (GW-441756) or TrkB (Ana-12) selective inhibitors decreased ES cell proliferation, and the effect was increased when the two inhibitors were combined. ES cells treated with a pan-Trk inhibitor, K252a, showed changes in morphology, reduced levels of β-III tubulin, and decreased mRNA expression of NGF, BDNF, TrkA and TrkB. Furthermore, combining K252a with subeffective doses of cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drugs resulted in a decrease in ES cell proliferation and colony formation, even in chemoresistant cells. These results indicate that Trk inhibition may be an emerging approach for the treatment of ES.
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4
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Weissferdt A, Kalhor N, Moran CA. Ewing sarcoma with extensive neural differentiation: a clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular analysis of three cases. Am J Clin Pathol 2015; 143:659-64. [PMID: 25873499 DOI: 10.1309/ajcpfhfx07jfcrgu] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Three patients with Ewing sarcomas showing extensive neural differentiation are presented. METHODS The patients were two women and one man between the ages of 15 and 35 years. Anatomically, one tumor was in the lung, one in the testis, and one in the cervix uteri. The symptoms were determined by the location of the neoplasm and included respiratory symptoms, testicular pain, and pelvic manifestations, respectively. Complete surgical resection of the tumors was performed. RESULTS Histologically, all neoplasms showed similar characteristics-namely, a neoplastic cellular proliferation arranged in sheets and composed of small blue cells with round to oval nuclei and inconspicuous nucleoli typical for Ewing sarcoma. In addition, in two cases, there were areas characterized by the presence of neuropil, ganglion cells, and small cells most compatible with ganglioneuroblastoma, while in one tumor, the neural component was characterized by the presence of small cells with prominent perivascular pseudorosettes more closely resembling ependymoma. Immunohistochemical studies in all cases and molecular analysis in two tumors were in keeping with a diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma. CONCLUSIONS The recognition of such histologic variants is important in the diagnostic assessment of these tumors to avoid misinterpretation, especially in small biopsy specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annikka Weissferdt
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
| | - Neda Kalhor
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
| | - Cesar A. Moran
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
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5
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Vali K, Kokta V, Beaunoyer M, Fetni R, Teira P, Sartelet H. Extraosseous Ewing sarcoma with foci of neuroblastoma-like differentiation associated with EWSR1(Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1)/FLI1 translocation without prior chemotherapy. Hum Pathol 2012; 43:1772-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2012.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2011] [Revised: 02/28/2012] [Accepted: 03/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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von Levetzow C, Jiang X, Gwye Y, von Levetzow G, Hung L, Cooper A, Hsu JHR, Lawlor ER. Modeling initiation of Ewing sarcoma in human neural crest cells. PLoS One 2011; 6:e19305. [PMID: 21559395 PMCID: PMC3084816 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0019305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2011] [Accepted: 03/29/2011] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma family tumors (ESFT) are aggressive bone and soft tissue tumors that express EWS-ETS fusion genes as driver mutations. Although the histogenesis of ESFT is controversial, mesenchymal (MSC) and/or neural crest (NCSC) stem cells have been implicated as cells of origin. For the current study we evaluated the consequences of EWS-FLI1 expression in human embryonic stem cell-derived NCSC (hNCSC). Ectopic expression of EWS-FLI1 in undifferentiated hNCSC and their neuro-mesenchymal stem cell (hNC-MSC) progeny was readily tolerated and led to altered expression of both well established as well as novel EWS-FLI1 target genes. Importantly, whole genome expression profiling studies revealed that the molecular signature of established ESFT is more similar to hNCSC than any other normal tissue, including MSC, indicating that maintenance or reactivation of the NCSC program is a feature of ESFT pathogenesis. Consistent with this hypothesis, EWS-FLI1 induced hNCSC genes as well as the polycomb proteins BMI-1 and EZH2 in hNC-MSC. In addition, up-regulation of BMI-1 was associated with avoidance of cellular senescence and reversible silencing of p16. Together these studies confirm that, unlike terminally differentiated cells but consistent with bone marrow-derived MSC, NCSC tolerate expression of EWS-FLI1 and ectopic expression of the oncogene initiates transition to an ESFT-like state. In addition, to our knowledge this is the first demonstration that EWS-FLI1-mediated induction of BMI-1 and epigenetic silencing of p16 might be critical early initiating events in ESFT tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia von Levetzow
- Departments of Pediatrics and Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Xiaohua Jiang
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Ynnez Gwye
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Gregor von Levetzow
- Departments of Pediatrics and Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Long Hung
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Aaron Cooper
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Jessie Hao-Ru Hsu
- Departments of Pediatrics and Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth R. Lawlor
- Departments of Pediatrics and Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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7
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Pinto A, Dickman P, Parham D. Pathobiologic markers of the ewing sarcoma family of tumors: state of the art and prediction of behaviour. Sarcoma 2010; 2011:856190. [PMID: 20981347 PMCID: PMC2957858 DOI: 10.1155/2011/856190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2010] [Revised: 09/20/2010] [Accepted: 09/23/2010] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past three decades, the outcome of Ewing sarcoma family tumor (ESFT) patients who are nonmetastatic at presentation has improved considerably. The prognosis of patients with metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis and recurrence after therapy remains dismal. Drug-resistant disease at diagnosis or at relapse remains a major cause of mortality among patients diagnosed with ESFT. In order to improve the outcome for patients with potential relapse, there is an urgent need to find reliable markers that either predict tumor behaviour at diagnosis or identify therapeutic molecular targets at the time of recurrence. An improved understanding of the cell of origin and the molecular pathways that regulate tumorigenicity in ESFT should aid us in the search for novel therapies for ESFT. The purpose of this paper is thus to outline current concepts of sarcomagenesis in ESFT and to discuss ESFT patterns of differentiation and molecular markers that might affect prognosis or direct future therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Pinto
- Calgary Laboratory Services, University of Calgary, Alberta Children's Hospital, 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW, Calgary, AB, Canada T3B 6A8
| | - Paul Dickman
- Department of Pathology, Phoenix Children's Hospital, 1919 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA
- Departments of Pathology and Pediatrics, University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA
| | - David Parham
- Health Sciences Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
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8
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9
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10
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Coles EG, Lawlor ER, Bronner-Fraser M. EWS-FLI1 causes neuroepithelial defects and abrogates emigration of neural crest stem cells. Stem Cells 2008; 26:2237-44. [PMID: 18556509 DOI: 10.1634/stemcells.2008-0133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The most frequently occurring chromosomal translocation that gives rise to the Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) is the chimeric fusion gene EWS-FLI1 that encodes an oncogenic protein composed of the N terminus of EWS and the C terminus of FLI1. Although the genetic basis of ESFT is fairly well understood, its putative cellular origin remains to be determined. Previous work has proposed that neural crest progenitor cells may be the causative cell type responsible for ESFT. However, surprisingly little is known about the expression pattern or role of either wild-type EWS or wild-type FLI1 in this cell population during early embryonic development. Using the developing chick embryo as a model system, we identified EWS expression in emigrating and migratory neural crest stem cells, whereas FLI1 transcripts were found to be absent in these populations and were restricted to developing endothelial cells. By ectopically expressing EWS-FLI1 or wild-type FLI1 in the developing embryo, we have been able to study the cellular transformations that ensue in the context of an in vivo model system. Our results reveal that misexpression of the chimeric EWS-FLI1 fusion gene, or wild-type FLI1, in the developing neural crest stem cell population leads to significant aberrations in neural crest development. An intriguing possibility is that misexpression of the EWS-FLI1 oncogene in neural crest-derived stem cells may be an initiating event in ESFT genesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward G Coles
- Division of Biology M/C 139-74, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA
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11
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Weissferdt A, Neuling K, English M, Arul S, McMullan D, Ely A, Bründler MA, Brown R. Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor with postchemotherapy neuroblastoma-like differentiation. Pediatr Dev Pathol 2006; 9:229-33. [PMID: 16944972 DOI: 10.2350/06-01-0018.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2005] [Accepted: 01/18/2006] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We report the case of an 11-year-old girl with a retroperitoneal tumor in the left upper quadrant. The girl was admitted to hospital with weight loss and a painless abdominal mass that on biopsy was diagnosed as a peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor/Ewing sarcoma (pPNET/EWS) of the soft tissue. The patient underwent chemotherapy followed by surgical resection of the tumor 5 months after diagnosis. The posttreatment residual viable tumor showed a morphologic appearance resembling a neuroblastoma. Interphase and metaphase fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) studies performed on the pretreatment and posttreatment samples showed the presence of a t(11;22) rearrangement resulting in EWSR1/FLI1 gene fusion consistent with pPNET/EWS in both specimens. This case is unusual in the sense of showing the typical gene fusion for pPNET/EWS both in the pretherapy sample with the typical morphological appearance of this tumor and in the posttherapy specimen showing neural differentiation suggestive of a neuroblastoma.
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MESH Headings
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use
- Cell Differentiation
- Child
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22
- Cyclophosphamide/therapeutic use
- Dactinomycin/therapeutic use
- Disease-Free Survival
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
- Karyotyping
- Neuroblastoma/physiopathology
- Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive, Peripheral/diagnosis
- Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive, Peripheral/drug therapy
- Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive, Peripheral/genetics
- Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive, Peripheral/metabolism
- Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive, Peripheral/pathology
- Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive, Peripheral/physiopathology
- Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive, Peripheral/radiotherapy
- Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive, Peripheral/surgery
- Oncogene Fusion
- Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
- Time Factors
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed
- Translocation, Genetic
- Vincristine/therapeutic use
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Affiliation(s)
- Annikka Weissferdt
- Birmingham Children's Hospital, Department of Histopathology, West Midlands, UK.
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12
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McAllister NR, Lessnick SL. The potential for molecular therapeutic targets in Ewing's sarcoma. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2006; 6:461-71. [PMID: 16242051 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-005-0025-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Ewing's sarcoma is an uncompromising tumor of children and young adults. Before the introduction of chemotherapy for Ewing's sarcoma, nearly all patients succumbed to their disease, even with highly aggressive approaches to local control. The realization that most patients have micrometastatic disease at presentation, and the identification of active chemotherapeutic agents for this tumor, have resulted in significant improvements in patient survival. Modern therapy for Ewing's sarcoma combines high-dose chemotherapy for systemic control of disease, with advanced surgical and/or radiation therapeutic approaches for local control. Current therapy remains imperfect. Despite optimal management, the cure rate for localized disease is only approximately 70%, whereas the cure rate for metastatic disease at presentation is less than 30%. Patients who experience long-term disease-free survival are at risk for significant side effects of therapy, including infertility, limb dysfunction, and an increased risk for second malignancies. More effective and less toxic therapies are needed. This report presents an overview of dysregulated molecular pathways in Ewing's sarcoma and highlights the possibility that they may serve as therapeutic targets for the disease. Although a great deal of additional investigation is required before most of these approaches can be assessed in the clinic, we think that these potential new targets offer a great deal of hope for patients with Ewing's sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy R McAllister
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, Room 4242, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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13
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Kovar H, Ban J, Pospisilova S. Potentials for RNAi in sarcoma research and therapy: Ewing’s sarcoma as a model. Semin Cancer Biol 2003; 13:275-81. [PMID: 14563122 DOI: 10.1016/s1044-579x(03)00041-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Existing data identify EWS-FLI1 as indispensable for sustained Ewing's sarcoma growth and as the ideal therapeutic target in this disease. The siRNA may hold great promises as a fusion gene specific agent. RNAi mediated suppression of EWS-FLI1 is likely to result in an altered tumor cell phenotype including changes in chemosensitivity, and a restored differentiation potential. Thus, RNAi may serve as an adjuvant to chemotherapy. As a therapeutic means however, RNAi is hampered by limitations in the delivery of the agent and emergence of resistant clones. In vitro suppression of EWS-FLI1 expression will allow to define the phenotypic characteristics of dormant tumor cells that may give rise to late relapses, enabling improved diagnosis and treatment even of minimal residual disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heinrich Kovar
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderspital, Kinderspitalgasse 6, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
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14
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Collini P, Mezzelani A, Modena P, Dagrada P, Tamborini E, Luksch R, Gronchi A, Navarria P, Sozzi G, Pilotti S. Evidence of neural differentiation in a case of post-therapy primitive neuroectodermal tumor/Ewing sarcoma of bone. Am J Surg Pathol 2003; 27:1161-6. [PMID: 12883251 DOI: 10.1097/00000478-200308000-00016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Neural differentiation with the appearance of ganglion-like cells has been reported in untreated primitive neuroectodermal tumor/Ewing sarcoma (PNET/EWS) at peculiar sites, such as the cauda equina, and following treatment. The case is presented here of a 17-year-old girl with a tumor in the iliac bone. An open biopsy was diagnosed as PNET/EWS of the bone. The tumor had the typical morphology of this tumor type and showed diffuse membranous immunoreactivity for CD99, intense immunoreactivity for synaptophysin, and focal immunoreactivity for neuron-specific enolase and S-100 protein. Occasional reactivity for vimentin was evident, while no immunoreactivity for NB84a, Hu, chromogranins A and B, neurofilaments, cytokeratins, and desmin was present. The patient underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, followed by right internal hemipelvectomy. The post-treatment residual viable tumor showed a morphologic appearance resembling a neuroblastoma, with immunoreactivity for NB84a, Hu, synaptophysin, and chromogranins A and B, but not for CD99. RT-PCR performed on tumor tissue before and after therapy showed the presence of the EWS-FLI1 fusion transcript, type I in both samples. This case of PNET/EWS is unique in the sense of showing the typical fusion transcript associated with this tumor both in the morphologically typical pretherapy tumor and in the sample from the post-therapy specimen showing neuroblastoma-like features.
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MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Biomarkers, Tumor
- Bone Neoplasms/genetics
- Bone Neoplasms/pathology
- Bone Neoplasms/therapy
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
- Disease-Free Survival
- Female
- Humans
- Ilium/diagnostic imaging
- Ilium/pathology
- Neoplasms, Second Primary
- Neuroblastoma/genetics
- Neuroblastoma/pathology
- Neuroblastoma/therapy
- Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive/genetics
- Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive/pathology
- Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive/therapy
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/metabolism
- Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA, Neoplasm/analysis
- RNA-Binding Protein EWS
- Radiography
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Sarcoma, Ewing/genetics
- Sarcoma, Ewing/pathology
- Sarcoma, Ewing/therapy
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Transcription Factors/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Collini
- Department of pathology, Experimental Oncology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
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15
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16
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Sandberg AA, Bridge JA. Updates on cytogenetics and molecular genetics of bone and soft tissue tumors: Ewing sarcoma and peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors. CANCER GENETICS AND CYTOGENETICS 2000; 123:1-26. [PMID: 11120329 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-4608(00)00295-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A A Sandberg
- Department of DNA Diagnostics, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, 350 West Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA.
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18
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Abstract
Identification of genetic alterations has contributed greatly to the understanding of sarcoma biology. Additionally, detection of these abnormalities is providing new tools for the diagnosis of sarcomas. In this paper, three important new genetic findings from the past year are reviewed, including the t(12;15) translocation of congenital fibrosarcoma, mutation of the putative tumor suppressor gene hSNF5/INI1 in malignant rhabdoid tumor, and the association of c-kit mutations with gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Highlighted are important studies concerning mechanisms of chromosomal translocation, functions of sarcoma-specific fusion proteins, genetic abnormalities other than translocations, molecular diagnosis, and molecular profiling of gene expression. Particular emphasis is placed on information obtained with comparative genomic hybridization and microarray techniques, because these powerful technologies will facilitate the rapid acquisition of data that provide insight into the molecular genetic and biologic basis of sarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Bennicelli
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia 19104, USA
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19
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Abstract
The ideal cancer therapy would accomodate the specific biology of a tumor and be based upon understanding the mechanisms of malignancy. This vision has been the driving force in cancer research. However, the story of success in clinical cancer management is a story of empirie largely independent from progress in basic research. For the Ewing family of tumors (EFT) comprising Ewing's sarcoma and peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor, significant insights into the molecular basis have appeared recently. Some of last year's discoveries may have taken us closer to the identification of the Achilles' heel in this disease. The first clue has been obtained to the mechanism of chromosomal translocation, which constitutes a rate-limiting step in EFT pathogenesis. Also, researchers have progressed in understanding the control of EFT cell proliferation, differentiation, and death. A major role in these processes has been attributed to the EWS-ets gene rearrangement. Specific growth factor circuits appear to be involved in deregulated tumor cell growth. By analogy to heterologous cellular systems, it is possible to postulate an important functional role for CD99(MIC2) as it contributes to the malignant phenotype of EFT. In vitro, as well as the first in vivo, experimental evidence suggests that tumor cell expansion and spread can be counteracted by breaking these physiological pathways. Still, we are far from a tailored biological therapy of EFT. Before this goal may be achieved, we must seek further improvements and diversification of today's standard and intensified treatment regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Kovar
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderspital, Vienna, Austria.
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