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Zhou J, Wu C, Li S. CNS Germ Cell Tumors: Molecular Advances, Significance in Risk Stratification and Future Directions. Brain Sci 2024; 14:445. [PMID: 38790424 PMCID: PMC11119131 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14050445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Central Nervous System Germ Cell Tumors (CNS GCTs) represent a subtype of intracranial malignant tumors characterized by highly heterogeneous histology. Current diagnostic methods in clinical practice have notable limitations, and treatment strategies struggle to achieve personalized therapy based on patient risk stratification. Advances in molecular genetics, biology, epigenetics, and understanding of the tumor microenvironment suggest the diagnostic potential of associated molecular alterations, aiding risk subgroup identification at diagnosis. Furthermore, they suggest the existence of novel therapeutic approaches targeting chromosomal alterations, mutated genes and altered signaling pathways, methylation changes, microRNAs, and immune checkpoints. Moving forward, further research is imperative to explore the pathogenesis of CNS GCTs and unravel the intricate interactions among various molecular alterations. Additionally, these findings require validation in clinical cohorts to assess their role in the diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Shouwei Li
- Department of Neuro-Oncology (No.6 Neurosurgery Department), Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, No.50. Yi-Ke-Song, Xiangshan, Haidian District, Beijing 100093, China; (J.Z.); (C.W.)
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2
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The epigenetic regulatory mechanism of PIWI/piRNAs in human cancers. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:45. [PMID: 36882835 PMCID: PMC9990219 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01749-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
PIWI proteins have a strong correlation with PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), which are significant in development and reproduction of organisms. Recently, emerging evidences have indicated that apart from the reproductive function, PIWI/piRNAs with abnormal expression, also involve greatly in varieties of human cancers. Moreover, human PIWI proteins are usually expressed only in germ cells and hardly in somatic cells, so the abnormal expression of PIWI proteins in different types of cancer offer a promising opportunity for precision medicine. In this review, we discussed current researches about the biogenesis of piRNA, its epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in human cancers, such as N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation, histone modifications, DNA methylation and RNA interference, providing novel insights into the markers for clinical diagnosis, treatment and prognosis in human cancers.
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3
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Liu S, Ren L, Gao X, Hao M, Wang G. Pathogenesis of central nervous system germ cell tumors. Front Oncol 2022; 12:991484. [PMID: 36158643 PMCID: PMC9500539 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.991484] [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: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracranial germ cell tumors (IGCTs) are clinically rare. They are more common in children and adolescents and the incidence in Asia is higher than in Western countries. Histologically, IGCTs are divided into germinoma and non-germinomatous germ cell tumor (NGGCT). Germinoma is sensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy and therefore, patients with germinoma have a good prognosis. However, NGGCTs, especially those with malignant components, are not sensitive to radiotherapy and chemoradiotherapy, leading to a poor prognosis. The pathogenesis of IGCTs is not fully understood. By summarizing previous literature, we found that the occurrence of IGCTs may be related to the following factors: chromosomal instability, MAPK and/or PI3K pathway changes, and DNA hypomethylation in pure germ cell tumors.
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4
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Schmidtova S, Dorssers LCJ, Kalavska K, Gillis AJM, Oosterhuis JW, Stoop H, Miklikova S, Kozovska Z, Burikova M, Gercakova K, Durinikova E, Chovanec M, Mego M, Kucerova L, Looijenga LHJ. Napabucasin overcomes cisplatin resistance in ovarian germ cell tumor-derived cell line by inhibiting cancer stemness. Cancer Cell Int 2020; 20:364. [PMID: 32774158 PMCID: PMC7397611 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-020-01458-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cisplatin resistance of ovarian yolk sac tumors (oYST) is a clinical challenge due to dismal patient prognosis, even though the disease is extremely rare. We investigated potential association between cisplatin resistance and cancer stem cell (CSC) markers in chemoresistant oYST cells and targeting strategies to overcome resistance in oYST. Methods Chemoresistant cells were derived from chemosensitive human oYST cells by cultivation in cisplatin in vitro. Derivative cells were characterized by chemoresistance, functional assays, flow cytometry, gene expression and protein arrays focused on CSC markers. RNAseq, methylation and microRNA profiling were performed. Quail chorioallantoic membranes (CAM) with implanted oYST cells were used to analyze the micro-tumor extent and interconnection with the CAM. Tumorigenicity in vivo was determined on immunodeficient mouse model. Chemoresistant cells were treated by inhibitors intefering with the CSC properties to examine the chemosensitization to cisplatin. Results Long-term cisplatin exposure resulted in seven-fold higher IC50 value in resistant cells, cross-resistance to oxaliplatin and carboplatin, and increased migratory capacity, invasiveness and tumorigenicity, associated with hypomethylation of differentially methylated genes/promotors. Resistant cells exhibited increased expression of prominin-1 (CD133), ATP binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2), aldehyde dehydrogenase 3 isoform A1 (ALDH3A1), correlating with reduced gene and promoter methylation, as well as increased expression of ALDH1A3 and higher overall ALDH enzymatic activity, rendering them cross-resistant to DEAB, disulfiram and napabucasin. Salinomycin and tunicamycin were significantly more toxic to resistant cells. Pretreatment with napabucasin resensitized the cells to cisplatin and reduced their tumorigenicity in vivo. Conclusions The novel chemoresistant cells represent unique model of refractory oYST. CSC markers are associated with cisplatin resistance being possible targets in chemorefractory oYST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Schmidtova
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, University Science Park for Biomedicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia.,Translational Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Klenova 1, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lambert C J Dorssers
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory for Experimental Patho-Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Katarina Kalavska
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, University Science Park for Biomedicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia.,Translational Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Klenova 1, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia.,2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, Klenova 1, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ad J M Gillis
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory for Experimental Patho-Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - J Wolter Oosterhuis
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory for Experimental Patho-Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Stoop
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory for Experimental Patho-Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Svetlana Miklikova
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, University Science Park for Biomedicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Zuzana Kozovska
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, University Science Park for Biomedicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Monika Burikova
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, University Science Park for Biomedicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Katarina Gercakova
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, University Science Park for Biomedicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Erika Durinikova
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, University Science Park for Biomedicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Chovanec
- Translational Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Klenova 1, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia.,2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, Klenova 1, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Mego
- Translational Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Klenova 1, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia.,2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, Klenova 1, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lucia Kucerova
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, University Science Park for Biomedicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Leendert H J Looijenga
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory for Experimental Patho-Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
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5
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Tsunezuka H, Nakamura T, Fujikawa K, Shimomura M, Okada S, Shimada J, Teramukai S, Ukimura O, Inoue M. Prediction models for the viability of pulmonary metastatic lesions after chemotherapy in nonseminomatous germ cell tumors. Int J Urol 2020; 27:206-212. [PMID: 31916319 DOI: 10.1111/iju.14162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To analyze predictors associated with viable cells in pulmonary residual lesions after chemotherapy for metastatic testicular nonseminomatous germ cell tumors and to develop models to prioritize pulmonary resection. METHODS Between 2008 and 2017, 40 patients underwent pulmonary metastasectomy after chemotherapy for nonseminomatous germ cell tumors. We evaluated these patients, and 326 pulmonary residual lesions were confirmed using computed tomography and pathological evaluations. Relationships with outcomes were analyzed using logistic regression analyses. Risk prediction models were developed, and predictive probabilities for the risk of viable cells were estimated. RESULTS Histological examinations showed that 73 (22%) pulmonary residual lesions contained viable cells: teratomas, 46 (14%); and cancer cells, 37 (11%). Multivariate analyses showed that the predictors associated with cancer cells in the residual lesions were elevated tumor marker levels, multiregimen chemotherapy, increased tumor size 6 months before surgery and the histological composition of the primary lesion, including yolk sac tumors. Additional predictors associated with teratomas were aspect ratio and histological composition of the primary lesion, including teratomas. CONCLUSIONS Intratumoral heterogeneity contributes to nonseminomatous germ cell tumor chemoresistance, and primary lesion site yolk sac tumors and teratomas are associated with greater risks of viable cells. Increased residual lesion size during chemotherapy could also be a predictor. Our simple model can predict the presence of viable cells in residual lesions after chemotherapy, and it might assist in decision-making and prioritizing pulmonary residual lesion resection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Tsunezuka
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Terukazu Nakamura
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Urology, Saiseikai Suita Hospital, Suita, Japan
| | - Kei Fujikawa
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masanori Shimomura
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Satoru Okada
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Junichi Shimada
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Satoshi Teramukai
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Osamu Ukimura
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masayoshi Inoue
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
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6
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Kakkar A, Kaur K, Verma A. Pediatric mediastinal germ cell tumors. MEDIASTINUM (HONG KONG, CHINA) 2019; 3:30. [PMID: 35118258 PMCID: PMC8794418 DOI: 10.21037/med.2019.07.02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
Mediastinal germ cell tumors (GCTs) are a rare and heterogeneous group of neoplasms. Although histologically resembling their gonadal counterparts, they differ considerably in their clinical characteristics, biological behavior and prognostic outcome. The rarity of mediastinal GCTs has hindered their meaningful analysis, with most studies and clinical trials including them along with other extragonadal GCTs, which has led to a lack of consensus on optimal treatment strategies, and a lull in improvement in patient outcomes. Diagnosis of mediastinal GCT requires a multipronged approach, and encompasses multidisciplinary treatment including chemotherapy followed by surgery, with or without radiotherapy. In view of sustained response rates to current management protocols, the focus needs to be shifted to identifying patients in whom treatment regimens can be downscaled with the aim of decreasing long term morbidity and improving quality of life in low risk patient groups, while improving survival rates in poor risk patient subsets. In this scenario, better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of these tumors may lead to identification of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets, as well as improved disease segmentation and risk stratification, thus helping to avoid the toxicity and morbidity associated with current one-fits-all treatment strategies. Multi-institutional collaborations across continents are necessary to generate meaningful data, and are the face of future developments in this arena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aanchal Kakkar
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Kavneet Kaur
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Ajay Verma
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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Williams LA, Mills L, Hooten AJ, Langer E, Roesler M, Frazier AL, Krailo M, Nelson HH, Bestrashniy J, Amatruda JF, Poynter JN. Differences in DNA methylation profiles by histologic subtype of paediatric germ cell tumours: a report from the Children's Oncology Group. Br J Cancer 2018; 119:864-872. [PMID: 30287918 PMCID: PMC6189207 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-018-0277-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abnormal DNA methylation may be important in germ cell tumour (GCT) aetiology, as germ cells undergo complete epigenetic reprogramming during development. GCTs show differences in global and promoter methylation patterns by histologic subtype. We conducted an epigenome-wide study to identify methylation differences by GCT histology. METHODS Using the Illumina HumanMethylation450K array we measured methylation in 154 paediatric GCTs (21 germinomas/seminomas/dysgerminoma, 70 yolk sac tumours [YST], 9 teratomas, and 54 mixed histology tumours). We identified differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between GCT histologies by comparing methylation beta values. RESULTS We identified 8,481 DMRs (FWER < 0.05). Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of individual probes within DMRs resulted in four high level clusters closely corresponding to tumour histology. Clusters corresponding to age, location, sex and FFPE status were not observed within these DMRs. Germinomas displayed lower levels of methylation across the DMRs relative to the other histologic subtypes. Pathway analysis on the top 10% of genes with differential methylation in germinomas/seminomas/dysgerminoma compared to YST suggested angiogenesis and immune cell-related pathways displayed decreased methylation in germinomas/seminomas/dysgerminoma relative to YST. CONCLUSIONS Paediatric GCT histologies have differential methylation patterns. The genes that are differentially methylated may provide insights into GCT aetiology including the timing of GCT initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay A Williams
- Division of Epidemiology & Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Lauren Mills
- Minnesota Supercomputing Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Anthony J Hooten
- Division of Epidemiology & Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Erica Langer
- Division of Epidemiology & Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Michelle Roesler
- Division of Epidemiology & Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - A Lindsay Frazier
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mark Krailo
- Department of Preventative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Heather H Nelson
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Jessica Bestrashniy
- Division of Epidemiology & Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - James F Amatruda
- Departments of Pediatrics, Molecular Biology and Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jenny N Poynter
- Division of Epidemiology & Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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Schulte SL, Waha A, Steiger B, Denkhaus D, Dörner E, Calaminus G, Leuschner I, Pietsch T. CNS germinomas are characterized by global demethylation, chromosomal instability and mutational activation of the Kit-, Ras/Raf/Erk- and Akt-pathways. Oncotarget 2018; 7:55026-55042. [PMID: 27391150 PMCID: PMC5342399 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
CNS germinomas represent a unique germ cell tumor entity characterized by undifferentiated tumor cells and a high response rate to current treatment protocols. Limited information is available on their underlying genomic, epigenetic and biological alterations. We performed a genome-wide analysis of genomic copy number alterations in 49 CNS germinomas by molecular inversion profiling. In addition, CpG dinucleotide methylation was studied by immunohistochemistry for methylated cytosine residues. Mutational analysis was performed by resequencing of candidate genes including KIT and RAS family members. Ras/Erk and Akt pathway activation was analyzed by immunostaining with antibodies against phospho-Erk, phosho-Akt, phospho-mTOR and phospho-S6. All germinomas coexpressed Oct4 and Kit but showed an extensive global DNA demethylation compared to other tumors and normal tissues. Molecular inversion profiling showed predominant genomic instability in all tumors with a high frequency of regional gains and losses including high level gene amplifications. Activating mutations of KIT exons 11, 13, and 17 as well as a case with genomic KIT amplification and activating mutations or amplifications of RAS gene family members including KRAS, NRAS and RRAS2 indicated mutational activation of crucial signaling pathways. Co-activation of Ras/Erk and Akt pathways was present in 83% of germinomas. These data suggest that CNS germinoma cells display a demethylated nuclear DNA similar to primordial germ cells in early development. This finding has a striking coincidence with extensive genomic instability. In addition, mutational activation of Kit-, Ras/Raf/Erk- and Akt- pathways indicate the biological importance of these pathways and their components as potential targets for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andreas Waha
- Department of Neuropathology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Barbara Steiger
- Department of Neuropathology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Dorota Denkhaus
- Department of Neuropathology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Evelyn Dörner
- Department of Neuropathology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Gabriele Calaminus
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ivo Leuschner
- Kiel Paediatric Tumor Registry, Department of Paediatric Pathology, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Germany
| | - Torsten Pietsch
- Department of Neuropathology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
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Marcotte EL, Pankratz N, Amatruda JF, Frazier AL, Krailo M, Davies S, Starr JR, Lau CC, Roesler M, Langer E, Hallstrom C, Hooten AJ, Poynter JN. Variants in BAK1, SPRY4, and GAB2 are associated with pediatric germ cell tumors: A report from the children's oncology group. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2017; 56:548-558. [PMID: 28295819 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.22457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Revised: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Germ cell tumors (GCT) are a rare form of childhood cancer that originate from the primordial germ cell. Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified susceptibility alleles for adult testicular GCT (TGCT). We test whether these SNPs are associated with GCT in pediatric and adolescent populations. This case-parent triad study includes individuals with GCT diagnosed between ages 0 and 19. We evaluated 26 SNPs from GWAS of adult TGCT and estimated main effects for pediatric GCT within complete trios (N = 366) using the transmission disequilibrium test. We used Estimation of Maternal, Imprinting and interaction effects using Multinomial modelling to evaluate maternal effects in non-Hispanic white trios and dyads (N = 244). We accounted for multiple comparisons using a Bonferroni correction. A variant in SPRY4 (rs4624820) was associated with reduced risk of GCT (OR [95% CI]: 0.70 [0.57, 0.86]). A variant in BAK1 (rs210138) was positively associated with GCT (OR [95% CI]: 1.70 [1.32, 2.18]), with a strong estimated effect for testis tumors (OR [95% CI]: 3.31 [1.89, 5.79]). Finally, a SNP in GAB2 (rs948662) was associated with increased risk for GCT (OR [95% CI]: 1.56 [1.20, 2.03]). Nominal associations (P < 0.05) were noted for eight additional loci. A maternal effect was observed for KITLG SNP rs4474514 (OR [95% CI]: 1.66 [1.21, 2.28]) and a paternal parent-of-origin effect was observed for rs7221274 (P = 0.00007), near TEX14, RAD51C, and PPM1E. We observed associations between SNPs in SPRY4, BAK1, and GAB2 and GCTs. This analysis suggests there may be common genetic risk factors for GCT in all age groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin L Marcotte
- Division of Epidemiology & Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Nathan Pankratz
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - James F Amatruda
- Departments of Pediatrics, Molecular Biology and Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | | | - Mark Krailo
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Stella Davies
- Division of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Immune Deficiency, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | | | - Ching C Lau
- Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Centers, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Michelle Roesler
- Division of Epidemiology & Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Erica Langer
- Division of Epidemiology & Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Caroline Hallstrom
- Division of Epidemiology & Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Anthony J Hooten
- Division of Epidemiology & Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Jenny N Poynter
- Division of Epidemiology & Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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10
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Genome-wide methylation profiles in primary intracranial germ cell tumors indicate a primordial germ cell origin for germinomas. Acta Neuropathol 2017; 133:445-462. [PMID: 28078450 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-017-1673-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Revised: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Intracranial germ cell tumors (iGCTs) are the second most common brain tumors among children under 14 in Japan. The World Health Organization classification recognizes several subtypes of iGCTs, which are conventionally subclassified into pure germinoma or non-germinomatous GCTs. Recent exhaustive genomic studies showed that mutations of the genes involved in the MAPK and/or PI3K pathways are common in iGCTs; however, the mechanisms of how different subtypes develop, often as a mixed-GCT, are unknown. To elucidate the pathogenesis of iGCTs, we investigated 61 GCTs of various subtypes by genome-wide DNA methylation profiling. We showed that pure germinomas are characterized by global low DNA methylation, a unique epigenetic feature making them distinct from all other iGCTs subtypes. The patterns of methylation strongly resemble that of primordial germ cells (PGC) at the migration phase, possibly indicating the cell of origin for these tumors. Unlike PGC, however, hypomethylation extends to long interspersed nuclear element retrotransposons. Histologically and epigenetically distinct microdissected components of mixed-GCTs shared identical somatic mutations in the MAPK or PI3K pathways, indicating that they developed from a common ancestral cell.
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11
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Pérez-Ramírez M, Hernández-Jiménez AJ, Guerrero-Guerrero A, Siordia-Reyes AG, Hernández-Caballero ME, García-Méndez A, Chico-Ponce de León F, Salamanca-Gómez FA, García-Hernández N. Pediatric pineal germinomas: Epigenetic and genomic approach. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2016; 152:45-51. [PMID: 27889662 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2016.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We identify and correlate chromosomal alterations, methylation patterns and gene expression in pediatric pineal germinomas. METHODS CGH microarray, methylation and gene expression were performed through the Agilent platform. The results were analyzed with MatLab software, MapViewer, DAVID, GeneCards and Hippie. RESULTS Amplifications were found in 1q24.2, 1q31.3, 2p11.2, 3p22.2, 7p13, 7p15.2, 8p22, 12p13.2, 14q24.3 y 22q12; and deletions were found in 1q21.2, 9p24.1, 10q11.22, 11q11, 15q11.2 and 17q21.31. In the methylation analysis, we observed 10,428 CpG Islands with a modified methylation status that may affect 11,726 genes. We identified 1260 overexpressed genes and 470 underexpressed genes. The genes RUNDC3A, CDC247, CDCA7L, ASAH1, TRA2A, LPL and NPC2 were altered among the three levels. CONCLUSIONS We identified the 1q24.2 and 1q31.3 amplified regions and the 1q21.3 and 11q11 deleted regions as the most important aims. The genes NPC2 and ASAH1 may play an important role in the development, progression and tumor maintenance. The ASAH1 gene is an ideal candidate to identify drug responses. These genomic and epigenetic studies may help to characterize the formation of pineal germ cell tumors to determine prognostic markers and also to identify shared characteristics in gonadal and extragonadal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monserrat Pérez-Ramírez
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Genética Humana, Hospital de Pediatría "Dr. Silvestre Frenk Freud", Centro Médico Nacional "Siglo XXI", IMSS, Av. Cuauhtémoc 330, Col. Doctores, 06720, Del. Cuauhtémoc, México D.F., Mexico; Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Ciudad Universitaria 3000, 04360, Coyoacán, México D.F., Mexico
| | - Alejo Justino Hernández-Jiménez
- Servicio de Neurocirugía Pediátrica, Hospital General "Dr. Gaudencio González Garza", Centro Médico Nacional "La Raza", IMSS, Calzada Vallejo y Jacarandas S/N, 02980, Col. La Raza, Del. Azcapotzalco, México D.F., Mexico
| | - Armando Guerrero-Guerrero
- Servicio de Neurocirugía Pediátrica, Hospital General "Dr. Gaudencio González Garza", Centro Médico Nacional "La Raza", IMSS, Calzada Vallejo y Jacarandas S/N, 02980, Col. La Raza, Del. Azcapotzalco, México D.F., Mexico
| | - Alicia Georgina Siordia-Reyes
- Servicio de Patología, Hospital de Pediatría "Dr. Silvestre Frenk Freud", Centro Médico Nacional "Siglo XXI", IMSS, Av. Cuauhtémoc 330, Col. Doctores, 06720, Del. Cuauhtémoc, México D.F., Mexico
| | | | - Antonio García-Méndez
- Servicio de Neurocirugía Pediátrica, Hospital General "Dr. Gaudencio González Garza", Centro Médico Nacional "La Raza", IMSS, Calzada Vallejo y Jacarandas S/N, 02980, Col. La Raza, Del. Azcapotzalco, México D.F., Mexico
| | - Fernando Chico-Ponce de León
- Departamento de Neurocirugía, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Dr. Márquez 162, Col. Doctores, 06720, Del. Cuauhtémoc, México D.F., Mexico
| | - Fabio Abdel Salamanca-Gómez
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Genética Humana, Hospital de Pediatría "Dr. Silvestre Frenk Freud", Centro Médico Nacional "Siglo XXI", IMSS, Av. Cuauhtémoc 330, Col. Doctores, 06720, Del. Cuauhtémoc, México D.F., Mexico
| | - Normand García-Hernández
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Genética Humana, Hospital de Pediatría "Dr. Silvestre Frenk Freud", Centro Médico Nacional "Siglo XXI", IMSS, Av. Cuauhtémoc 330, Col. Doctores, 06720, Del. Cuauhtémoc, México D.F., Mexico.
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12
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Shaikh F, Murray MJ, Amatruda JF, Coleman N, Nicholson JC, Hale JP, Pashankar F, Stoneham SJ, Poynter JN, Olson TA, Billmire DF, Stark D, Rodriguez-Galindo C, Frazier AL. Paediatric extracranial germ-cell tumours. Lancet Oncol 2016; 17:e149-e162. [PMID: 27300675 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(15)00545-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Revised: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Management of paediatric extracranial germ-cell tumours carries a unique set of challenges. Germ-cell tumours are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that present across a wide age range and vary in site, histology, and clinical behaviour. Patients with germ-cell tumours are managed by a diverse array of specialists. Thus, staging, risk stratification, and treatment approaches for germ-cell tumours have evolved disparately along several trajectories. Paediatric germ-cell tumours differ from the adolescent and adult disease in many ways, leading to complexities in applying age-appropriate, evidence-based care. Suboptimal outcomes remain for several groups of patients, including adolescents, and patients with extragonadal tumours, high tumour markers at diagnosis, or platinum-resistant disease. Survivors have significant long-term toxicities. The challenge moving forward will be to translate new insights from molecular studies and collaborative clinical data into improved patient outcomes. Future trials will be characterised by improved risk-stratification systems, biomarkers for response and toxic effects, rational reduction of therapy for low-risk patients and novel approaches for poor-risk patients, and improved international collaboration across paediatric and adult cooperative research groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Furqan Shaikh
- Division of Haematology and Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Matthew J Murray
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - James F Amatruda
- Department of Pediatrics, Department of Molecular Biology and Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's Health, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Nicholas Coleman
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Histopathology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, UK
| | - James C Nicholson
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Juliet P Hale
- Royal Victoria Infirmary NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Sara J Stoneham
- University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Jenny N Poynter
- Division of Pediatric Epidemiology and Clinical Research and Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Thomas A Olson
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Daniel Stark
- Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, UK
| | | | - A Lindsay Frazier
- Boston Children's Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
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13
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Noor DAM, Jeyapalan JN, Alhazmi S, Carr M, Squibb B, Wallace C, Tan C, Cusack M, Hughes J, Reader T, Shipley J, Sheer D, Scotting PJ. Genome-wide methylation analysis identifies genes silenced in non-seminoma cell lines. NPJ Genom Med 2016; 1:15009. [PMID: 29263807 PMCID: PMC5685295 DOI: 10.1038/npjgenmed.2015.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Revised: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Silencing of genes by DNA methylation is a common phenomenon in many types of cancer. However, the genome-wide effect of DNA methylation on gene expression has been analysed in relatively few cancers. Germ cell tumours (GCTs) are a complex group of malignancies. They are unique in developing from a pluripotent progenitor cell. Previous analyses have suggested that non-seminomas exhibit much higher levels of DNA methylation than seminomas. The genomic targets that are methylated, the extent to which this results in gene silencing and the identity of the silenced genes most likely to play a role in the tumours’ biology have not yet been established. In this study, genome-wide methylation and expression analysis of GCT cell lines was combined with gene expression data from primary tumours to address this question. Genome methylation was analysed using the Illumina infinium HumanMethylome450 bead chip system and gene expression was analysed using Affymetrix GeneChip Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 arrays. Regulation by methylation was confirmed by demethylation using 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine and reverse transcription–quantitative PCR. Large differences in the level of methylation of the CpG islands of individual genes between tumour cell lines correlated well with differential gene expression. Treatment of non-seminoma cells with 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine verified that methylation of all genes tested played a role in their silencing in yolk sac tumour cells and many of these genes were also differentially expressed in primary tumours. Genes silenced by methylation in the various GCT cell lines were identified. Several pluripotency-associated genes were identified as a major functional group of silenced genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dzul Azri Mohamed Noor
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Jennie N Jeyapalan
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.,The Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London, London, UK
| | - Safiah Alhazmi
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.,Biology Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Matthew Carr
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Benjamin Squibb
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Claire Wallace
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Christopher Tan
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Martin Cusack
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Jaime Hughes
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Tom Reader
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Janet Shipley
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Denise Sheer
- The Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London, London, UK
| | - Paul J Scotting
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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14
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Poynter JN, Bestrashniy JRBM, Silverstein KAT, Hooten AJ, Lees C, Ross JA, Tolar J. Cross platform analysis of methylation, miRNA and stem cell gene expression data in germ cell tumors highlights characteristic differences by tumor histology. BMC Cancer 2015; 15:769. [PMID: 26497383 PMCID: PMC4619074 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1796-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2014] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Alterations in methylation patterns, miRNA expression, and stem cell protein expression occur in germ cell tumors (GCTs). Our goal is to integrate molecular data across platforms to identify molecular signatures in the three main histologic subtypes of Type I and Type II GCTs (yolk sac tumor (YST), germinoma, and teratoma). Methods We included 39 GCTs and 7 paired adjacent tissue samples in the current analysis. Molecular data available for analysis include DNA methylation data (Illumina GoldenGate Cancer Methylation Panel I), miRNA expression (NanoString nCounter miRNA platform), and stem cell factor expression (SABiosciences Human Embryonic Stem Cell Array). We evaluated the cross platform correlations of the data features using the Maximum Information Coefficient (MIC). Results In analyses of individual datasets, differences were observed by tumor histology. Germinomas had higher expression of transcription factors maintaining stemness, while YSTs had higher expression of cytokines, endoderm and endothelial markers. We also observed differences in miRNA expression, with miR-371-5p, miR-122, miR-302a, miR-302d, and miR-373 showing elevated expression in one or more histologic subtypes. Using the MIC, we identified correlations across the data features, including six major hubs with higher expression in YST (LEFTY1, LEFTY2, miR302b, miR302a, miR 126, and miR 122) compared with other GCT. Conclusions While prognosis for GCTs is overall favorable, many patients experience resistance to chemotherapy, relapse and/or long term adverse health effects following treatment. Targeted therapies, based on integrated analyses of molecular tumor data such as that presented here, may provide a way to secure high cure rates while reducing unintended health consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny N Poynter
- Division of Pediatric Epidemiology and Clinical Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA. .,Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA. .,Corresponding address: 420 Delaware St SE MMC 715, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
| | - Jessica R B M Bestrashniy
- Division of Pediatric Epidemiology and Clinical Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
| | - Kevin A T Silverstein
- Minnesota Supercomputing Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
| | - Anthony J Hooten
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
| | - Christopher Lees
- Division of Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
| | - Julie A Ross
- Division of Pediatric Epidemiology and Clinical Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA. .,Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
| | - Jakub Tolar
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA. .,Division of Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA. .,Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
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15
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Rijlaarsdam MA, Tax DMJ, Gillis AJM, Dorssers LCJ, Koestler DC, de Ridder J, Looijenga LHJ. Genome wide DNA methylation profiles provide clues to the origin and pathogenesis of germ cell tumors. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0122146. [PMID: 25859847 PMCID: PMC4479500 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2014] [Accepted: 02/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell of origin of the five subtypes (I-V) of germ cell tumors (GCTs) are assumed to be germ cells from different maturation stages. This is (potentially) reflected in their methylation status as fetal maturing primordial germ cells are globally demethylated during migration from the yolk sac to the gonad. Imprinted regions are erased in the gonad and later become uniparentally imprinted according to fetal sex. Here, 91 GCTs (type I-IV) and four cell lines were profiled (Illumina’s HumanMethylation450BeadChip). Data was pre-processed controlling for cross hybridization, SNPs, detection rate, probe-type bias and batch effects. The annotation was extended, covering snRNAs/microRNAs, repeat elements and imprinted regions. A Hidden Markov Model-based genome segmentation was devised to identify differentially methylated genomic regions. Methylation profiles allowed for separation of clusters of non-seminomas (type II), seminomas/dysgerminomas (type II), spermatocytic seminomas (type III) and teratomas/dermoid cysts (type I/IV). The seminomas, dysgerminomas and spermatocytic seminomas were globally hypomethylated, in line with previous reports and their demethylated precursor. Differential methylation and imprinting status between subtypes reflected their presumed cell of origin. Ovarian type I teratomas and dermoid cysts showed (partial) sex specific uniparental maternal imprinting. The spermatocytic seminomas showed uniparental paternal imprinting while testicular teratomas exhibited partial imprinting erasure. Somatic imprinting in type II GCTs might indicate a cell of origin after global demethylation but before imprinting erasure. This is earlier than previously described, but agrees with the totipotent/embryonic stem cell like potential of type II GCTs and their rare extra-gonadal localization. The results support the common origin of the type I teratomas and show strong similarity between ovarian type I teratomas and dermoid cysts. In conclusion, we identified specific and global methylation differences between GCT subtypes, providing insight into their developmental timing and underlying developmental biology. Data and extended annotation are deposited at GEO (GSE58538 and GPL18809).
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin A. Rijlaarsdam
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute—University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - David M. J. Tax
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science Intelligent Systems—Delft Bioinformatics Lab, Technical University of Delft, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Ad J. M. Gillis
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute—University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lambert C. J. Dorssers
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute—University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Devin C. Koestler
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Jeroen de Ridder
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science Intelligent Systems—Delft Bioinformatics Lab, Technical University of Delft, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Leendert H. J. Looijenga
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute—University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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16
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Murray MJ, Nicholson JC, Coleman N. Biology of childhood germ cell tumours, focussing on the significance of microRNAs. Andrology 2014; 3:129-39. [PMID: 25303610 PMCID: PMC4409859 DOI: 10.1111/andr.277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2014] [Revised: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Genomic and protein-coding transcriptomic data have suggested that germ cell tumours (GCTs) of childhood are biologically distinct from those of adulthood. Global messenger RNA profiles segregate malignant GCTs primarily by histology, but then also by age, with numerous transcripts showing age-related differential expression. Such differences are likely to account for the heterogeneous clinico-pathological behaviour of paediatric and adult malignant GCTs. In contrast, as global microRNA signatures of human tumours reflect their developmental lineage, we hypothesized that microRNA profiles would identify common biological abnormalities in all malignant GCTs owing to their presumed shared origin from primordial germ cells. MicroRNAs are short, non-protein-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression via translational repression and/or mRNA degradation. We showed that all malignant GCTs over-express the miR-371-373 and miR-302/367 clusters, regardless of patient age, histological subtype or anatomical tumour site. Furthermore, bioinformatic approaches and subsequent Gene Ontology analysis revealed that these two over-expressed microRNAs clusters co-ordinately down-regulated genes involved in biologically significant pathways in malignant GCTs. The translational potential of this finding has been demonstrated with the detection of elevated serum levels of miR-371-373 and miR-302/367 microRNAs at the time of malignant GCT diagnosis, with levels falling after treatment. The tumour-suppressor let-7 microRNA family has also been shown to be universally down-regulated in malignant GCTs, because of abundant expression of the regulatory gene LIN28. Low let-7 levels resulted in up-regulation of oncogenes including MYCN, AURKB and LIN28 itself, the latter through a direct feedback mechanism. Targeting LIN28, or restoring let-7 levels, both led to effective inhibition of this pathway. In summary, paediatric malignant GCTs show biological differences from their adult counterparts at a genomic and protein-coding transcriptome level, whereas they both display very similar microRNA expression profiles. These similarities and differences may be exploited for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Murray
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
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17
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Age-related biological features of germ cell tumors. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2013; 53:215-27. [DOI: 10.1002/gcc.22131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2013] [Accepted: 11/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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18
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Cusack M, Scotting P. DNA methylation in germ cell tumour aetiology: current understanding and outstanding questions. Reproduction 2013; 146:R49-60. [PMID: 23661326 DOI: 10.1530/rep-12-0382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Germ cell tumours (GCTs) are a diverse group of neoplasms that can be histologically subclassified as either seminomatous or non-seminomatous. These two subtypes have distinct levels of differentiation and clinical characteristics, the non-seminomatous tumours being associated with poorer prognosis. In this article, we review how different patterns of aberrant DNA methylation relate to these subtypes. Aberrant DNA methylation is a hallmark of all human cancers, but particular subsets of cancers show unusually high frequencies of promoter region hypermethylation. Such a 'methylator phenotype' has been described in non-seminomatous tumours. We discuss the possible cause of distinct methylation profiles in GCTs and the potential of DNA methylation to provide new targets for therapy. We also consider how recent developments in our understanding of this epigenetic modification and the development of genome-wide technologies are shedding new light on the role of DNA methylation in cancer aetiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Cusack
- School of Biology, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
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19
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Amatruda JF, Ross JA, Christensen B, Fustino NJ, Chen KS, Hooten AJ, Nelson H, Kuriger JK, Rakheja D, Frazier AL, Poynter JN. DNA methylation analysis reveals distinct methylation signatures in pediatric germ cell tumors. BMC Cancer 2013; 13:313. [PMID: 23806198 PMCID: PMC3701494 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-13-313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2012] [Accepted: 06/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Aberrant DNA methylation is a prominent feature of many cancers, and may be especially relevant in germ cell tumors (GCTs) due to the extensive epigenetic reprogramming that occurs in the germ line during normal development. Methods We used the Illumina GoldenGate Cancer Methylation Panel to compare DNA methylation in the three main histologic subtypes of pediatric GCTs (germinoma, teratoma and yolk sac tumor (YST); N = 51) and used recursively partitioned mixture models (RPMM) to test associations between methylation pattern and tumor and demographic characteristics. We identified genes and pathways that were differentially methylated using generalized linear models and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. We also measured global DNA methylation at LINE1 elements and evaluated methylation at selected imprinted loci using pyrosequencing. Results Methylation patterns differed by tumor histology, with 18/19 YSTs forming a distinct methylation class. Four pathways showed significant enrichment for YSTs, including a human embryonic stem cell pluripotency pathway. We identified 190 CpG loci with significant methylation differences in mature and immature teratomas (q < 0.05), including a number of CpGs in stem cell and pluripotency-related pathways. Both YST and germinoma showed significantly lower methylation at LINE1 elements compared with normal adjacent tissue while there was no difference between teratoma (mature and immature) and normal tissue. DNA methylation at imprinted loci differed significantly by tumor histology and location. Conclusion Understanding methylation patterns may identify the developmental stage at which the GCT arose and the at-risk period when environmental exposures could be most harmful. Further, identification of relevant genetic pathways could lead to the development of new targets for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- James F Amatruda
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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20
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Kraggerud SM, Hoei-Hansen CE, Alagaratnam S, Skotheim RI, Abeler VM, Rajpert-De Meyts E, Lothe RA. Molecular characteristics of malignant ovarian germ cell tumors and comparison with testicular counterparts: implications for pathogenesis. Endocr Rev 2013; 34:339-76. [PMID: 23575763 PMCID: PMC3787935 DOI: 10.1210/er.2012-1045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
This review focuses on the molecular characteristics and development of rare malignant ovarian germ cell tumors (mOGCTs). We provide an overview of the genomic aberrations assessed by ploidy, cytogenetic banding, and comparative genomic hybridization. We summarize and discuss the transcriptome profiles of mRNA and microRNA (miRNA), and biomarkers (DNA methylation, gene mutation, individual protein expression) for each mOGCT histological subtype. Parallels between the origin of mOGCT and their male counterpart testicular GCT (TGCT) are discussed from the perspective of germ cell development, endocrinological influences, and pathogenesis, as is the GCT origin in patients with disorders of sex development. Integrated molecular profiles of the 3 main histological subtypes, dysgerminoma (DG), yolk sac tumor (YST), and immature teratoma (IT), are presented. DGs show genomic aberrations comparable to TGCT. In contrast, the genome profiles of YST and IT are different both from each other and from DG/TGCT. Differences between DG and YST are underlined by their miRNA/mRNA expression patterns, suggesting preferential involvement of the WNT/β-catenin and TGF-β/bone morphogenetic protein signaling pathways among YSTs. Characteristic protein expression patterns are observed in DG, YST and IT. We propose that mOGCT develop through different developmental pathways, including one that is likely shared with TGCT and involves insufficient sexual differentiation of the germ cell niche. The molecular features of the mOGCTs underline their similarity to pluripotent precursor cells (primordial germ cells, PGCs) and other stem cells. This similarity combined with the process of ovary development, explain why mOGCTs present so early in life, and with greater histological complexity, than most somatic solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigrid Marie Kraggerud
- Department of Cancer Prevention, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, N-0310 Oslo, Norway
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21
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Tan C, Scotting PJ. Stem cell research points the way to the cell of origin for intracranial germ cell tumours. J Pathol 2012; 229:4-11. [DOI: 10.1002/path.4098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2012] [Revised: 08/15/2012] [Accepted: 08/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chris Tan
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, School of Biology; University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre; Nottingham UK
| | - Paul J Scotting
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, School of Biology; University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre; Nottingham UK
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