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Tourigny DS, Altieri B, Secener KA, Sbiera S, Schauer MP, Arampatzi P, Herterich S, Sauer S, Fassnacht M, Ronchi CL. Cellular landscape of adrenocortical carcinoma at single-nuclei resolution. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2024; 590:112272. [PMID: 38759836 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2024.112272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare yet devastating tumour of the adrenal gland with a molecular pathology that remains incompletely understood. To gain novel insights into the cellular landscape of ACC, we generated single-nuclei RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) data sets from twelve ACC tumour samples and analysed these alongside snRNA-seq data sets from normal adrenal glands (NAGs). We find the ACC tumour microenvironment to be relatively devoid of immune cells compared to NAG tissues, consistent with known high tumour purity values for ACC as an immunologically "cold" tumour. Our analysis identifies three separate groups of ACC samples that are characterised by different relative compositions of adrenocortical cell types. These include cell populations that are specifically enriched in the most clinically aggressive and hormonally active tumours, displaying hallmarks of reorganised cell mechanobiology and dysregulated steroidogenesis, respectively. We also identified and validated a population of mitotically active adrenocortical cells that strongly overexpress genes POLQ, DIAPH3 and EZH2 to support tumour expansion alongside an LGR4+ progenitor-like or cell-of-origin candidate for adrenocortical carcinogenesis. Trajectory inference suggests the fate adopted by malignant adrenocortical cells upon differentiation is associated with the copy number or allelic balance state of the imprinted DLK1/MEG3 genomic locus, which we verified by assessing bulk tumour DNA methylation status. In conclusion, our results therefore provide new insights into the clinical and cellular heterogeneity of ACC, revealing how genetic perturbations to healthy adrenocortical renewal and zonation provide a molecular basis for disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Tourigny
- School of Mathematics, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Barbara Altieri
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, 97080, Germany
| | - Kerim A Secener
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, 13125, Germany; Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Free University Berlin, Berlin, 14195, Germany
| | - Silviu Sbiera
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, 97080, Germany
| | - Marc P Schauer
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, 97080, Germany; Center for Cellular Immunotherapy, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, 97080, Germany
| | | | - Sabine Herterich
- Central Laboratory, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, 97080, Germany
| | - Sascha Sauer
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, 13125, Germany
| | - Martin Fassnacht
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, 97080, Germany
| | - Cristina L Ronchi
- Institute of Metabolism and System Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK; Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (CEDAM), Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, B15 2GW, UK.
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2
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Zhang J, Wu L, Su T, Liu H, Jiang L, Jiang Y, Wu Z, Chen L, Li H, Zheng J, Sun Y, Peng H, Han R, Ning G, Ye L, Wang W. Pharmacogenomic analysis in adrenocortical carcinoma reveals genetic features associated with mitotane sensitivity and potential therapeutics. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1365321. [PMID: 38779454 PMCID: PMC11109426 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1365321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an aggressive endocrine malignancy with limited therapeutic options. Treating advanced ACC with mitotane, the cornerstone therapy, remains challenging, thus underscoring the significance to predict mitotane response prior to treatment and seek other effective therapeutic strategies. Objective We aimed to determine the efficacy of mitotane via an in vitro assay using patient-derived ACC cells (PDCs), identify molecular biomarkers associated with mitotane response and preliminarily explore potential agents for ACC. Methods In vitro mitotane sensitivity testing was performed in 17 PDCs and high-throughput screening against 40 compounds was conducted in 8 PDCs. Genetic features were evaluated in 9 samples using exomic and transcriptomic sequencing. Results PDCs exhibited variable sensitivity to mitotane treatment. The median cell viability inhibition rate was 48.4% (IQR: 39.3-59.3%) and -1.2% (IQR: -26.4-22.1%) in responders (n=8) and non-responders (n=9), respectively. Median IC50 and AUC were remarkably lower in responders (IC50: 53.4 µM vs 74.7 µM, P<0.0001; AUC: 158.0 vs 213.5, P<0.0001). Genomic analysis revealed CTNNB1 somatic alterations were only found in responders (3/5) while ZNRF3 alterations only in non-responders (3/4). Transcriptomic profiling found pathways associated with lipid metabolism were upregulated in responder tumors whilst CYP27A1 and ABCA1 expression were positively correlated to in vitro mitotane sensitivity. Furthermore, pharmacologic analysis identified that compounds including disulfiram, niclosamide and bortezomib exhibited efficacy against PDCs. Conclusion ACC PDCs could be useful for testing drug response, drug repurposing and guiding personalized therapies. Our results suggested response to mitotane might be associated with the dependency on lipid metabolism. CYP27A1 and ABCA1 expression could be predictive markers for mitotane response, and disulfiram, niclosamide and bortezomib could be potential therapeutics, both warranting further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Endocrine Tumor, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Luming Wu
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Endocrine Tumor, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tingwei Su
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Endocrine Tumor, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haoyu Liu
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Endocrine Tumor, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Jiang
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Endocrine Tumor, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiran Jiang
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Endocrine Tumor, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyuan Wu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Department of Urology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haorong Li
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Endocrine Tumor, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Endocrine Tumor, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingkai Sun
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Endocrine Tumor, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hangya Peng
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Endocrine Tumor, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Rulai Han
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Endocrine Tumor, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guang Ning
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Endocrine Tumor, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Ye
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Endocrine Tumor, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiqing Wang
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Endocrine Tumor, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Scatolini M, Grisanti S, Tomaiuolo P, Grosso E, Basile V, Cosentini D, Puglisi S, Laganà M, Perotti P, Saba L, Rossini E, Palermo F, Sigala S, Volante M, Berruti A, Terzolo M. Germline NGS targeted analysis in adult patients with sporadic adrenocortical carcinoma. Eur J Cancer 2024; 205:114088. [PMID: 38714106 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2024.114088] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare cancer that arises sporadically or due to hereditary syndromes. Data on germline variants (GVs) in sporadic ACC are limited. Our aim was to characterize GVs of genes potentially related to adrenal diseases in 150 adult patients with sporadic ACC. METHODS This was a retrospective analysis of stage I-IV ACC patients with sporadic ACC from two reference centers for ACC in Italy. Patients were included in the analysis if they had confirmed diagnosis of ACC, a frozen peripheral blood sample and complete clinical and follow-up data. Next generation sequencing technology was used to analyze the prevalence of GVs in a custom panel of 17 genes belonging to either cancer-predisposition genes or adrenocortical-differentiation genes categories. RESULTS We identified 18 GVs based on their frequency, enrichment and predicted functional characteristics. We found six pathogenic (P) or likely pathogenic (LP) variants in ARMC5, CTNNB1, MSH2, PDE11A and TP53 genes; and twelve variants lacking evidence of pathogenicity. New unique P/LP variants were identified in TP53 (p.G105D) and, for the first time, in ARMC5 (p.P731R). The presence of P/LP GVs was associated with reduced survival outcomes and had a significant and independent impact on both progression-free survival and overall survival. CONCLUSIONS GVs were present in 6.7 % of patients with sporadic ACC, and we identified novel variants of ARMC5 and TP53. These findings may improve understanding of ACC pathogenesis and enable genetic counseling of patients and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Scatolini
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Fondazione Edo ed Elvo Tempia, 13875 Ponderano, BI, Italy
| | - Salvatore Grisanti
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Pasquale Tomaiuolo
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Fondazione Edo ed Elvo Tempia, 13875 Ponderano, BI, Italy; Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, S. Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
| | - Enrico Grosso
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Fondazione Edo ed Elvo Tempia, 13875 Ponderano, BI, Italy
| | - Vittoria Basile
- Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, S. Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
| | - Deborah Cosentini
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Soraya Puglisi
- Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, S. Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy.
| | - Marta Laganà
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Paola Perotti
- Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, S. Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
| | - Laura Saba
- Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, S. Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
| | - Elisa Rossini
- Department of Molecular & Translational Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Flavia Palermo
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Fondazione Edo ed Elvo Tempia, 13875 Ponderano, BI, Italy
| | - Sandra Sigala
- Department of Molecular & Translational Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Volante
- Pathology Unit, Oncology department, University of Turin, San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Alfredo Berruti
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Massimo Terzolo
- Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, S. Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
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Elsakka EGE, Elshafei A, Elkady MA, Yehia AM, Abulsoud AI, Shahin RK, Abdelmaksoud NM, Elkhawaga SY, Ismail A, Mokhtar MM, Elrebehy MA, Hegazy M, Elballal MS, Mohammed OA, Abdel-Reheim MA, El-Dakroury WA, Abdel Mageed SS, El-Mahdy HA, Doghish AS. From diagnosis to resistance: a symphony of miRNAs in pheochromocytoma progression and treatment response. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:1957-1969. [PMID: 37801146 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02759-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Pheochromocytoma (PCC) is a neuroendocrine tumor that produces and secretes catecholamine from either the adrenal medulla or extra-adrenal locations. MicroRNAs (miRNAs, miR) can be used as biomarkers to detect cancer or the return of a previously treated disease. Blood-borne miRNAs might be envisioned as noninvasive markers of malignancy or prognosis, and new studies demonstrate that microRNAs are released in body fluids as well as tissues. MiRNAs have the potential to be therapeutic targets, which would greatly increase the restricted therapy options for adrenal tumors. This article aims to consolidate and synthesize the most recent studies on miRNAs in PCC, discussing their potential clinical utility as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers while also addressing their limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsayed G E Elsakka
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, 11231, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Elshafei
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, 11231, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A Elkady
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, 11231, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Amr Mohamed Yehia
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, 11231, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed I Abulsoud
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, 11231, Cairo, Egypt
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Heliopolis University, Cairo, 11785, Egypt
| | - Reem K Shahin
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, 11829, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nourhan M Abdelmaksoud
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Heliopolis University, Cairo, 11785, Egypt
| | - Samy Y Elkhawaga
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, 11231, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Ismail
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, 11231, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Mohamed Mokhtar
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, 11231, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud A Elrebehy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, 11829, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Maghawry Hegazy
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, 11231, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohammed S Elballal
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, 11829, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Osama A Mohammed
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, 61922, Bisha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mustafa Ahmed Abdel-Reheim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Shaqra University, 11961, Shaqra, Saudi Arabia.
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef, 62521, Egypt.
| | - Walaa A El-Dakroury
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, 11829, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Sherif S Abdel Mageed
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, 11829, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hesham A El-Mahdy
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, 11231, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed S Doghish
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, 11829, Cairo, Egypt.
- Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, 11231, Cairo, Egypt.
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5
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Pak C, Yoon S, Lee JL, Yun T, Park I. Current Status and Future Direction in the Treatment of Advanced Adrenocortical Carcinoma. Curr Oncol Rep 2024; 26:307-317. [PMID: 38381366 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-024-01510-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding and developments in the treatment options for adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), focusing on the strategies utilized for advanced disease. RECENT FINDINGS Research has delved into the genomic landscape of ACC, revealing potential targets for therapy. Despite the failure of inhibitors aimed at the insulin like growth factor 1(IGF-1) receptor, other approaches, including vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEFGR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors, are being investigated. There are also ongoing trials of combination treatments such as lenvatinib with pembrolizumab and cabozantinib with atezolizumab. ACC remains a challenging malignancy with limited effective treatment options. Although EDP-M stands as the frontline treatment, the search for effective second-line therapies is ongoing. Targeted therapies and immunotherapies, especially in combination regimens, are demonstrating potential and are the subject of continued research. The evolving genomic landscape emphasizes the significance of targeted therapies and the need for further in-depth studies to solidify effective treatment regimens for ACC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chulkue Pak
- Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88 Olympic-Ro 43-Gil, Songpa-Gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Shinkyo Yoon
- Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88 Olympic-Ro 43-Gil, Songpa-Gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Lyun Lee
- Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88 Olympic-Ro 43-Gil, Songpa-Gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Tak Yun
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Rare Cancers Clinic, Center for Specific Organs Center, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Inkeun Park
- Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88 Olympic-Ro 43-Gil, Songpa-Gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea.
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6
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Ma C, Yang B, Mao Q. Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio in Adrenocortical Carcinoma. Clin Genitourin Cancer 2024; 22:109-114. [PMID: 37852864 DOI: 10.1016/j.clgc.2023.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim was to explore the value of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a biomarker for predicting the prognosis or diagnosis in adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). METHODS We identified 262 patients with adrenal gland disease who underwent operation at our institution between 2013 and 2018. According to postoperative pathology, patients were divided into 2 groups: ACC and non-ACC groups. The neutrophil and lymphocyte count of patients were recorded. Within the intergroup comparison, data obtained from ACC and non-ACC groups were evaluated using ANOVA test. The cut-off values of NLR for the prognosis in ACC were determined according to 3 methods. RESULTS The NLR values of ACC and non-ACC groups were 5.36 ± 5.30 and (1.73 ± 0.26) ∼ (2.56 ± 1.35), respectively (P < .001). NLR carry a differential property was evaluated with ROC curve to distinguish the above 2 groups. The cut-off value of NLR was estimated as 2.65 according to the Youden index. With this value, sensitivity was found as 67.5%, specificity was 83.8% and AUC was 0.749 (P < .001, confidence interval = 0.638-0.860). In ACC, the higher NLR group was not shown significantly poorer overall survival than the lower NLR group (NLR ≥2.65 vs. NLR < 2.65, NLR ≥5 vs. NLR <5, NLR ≥5.36 vs. NLR <5.36) (P > .05). CONCLUSION According to the data in this study, it can be said that adrenocortical tumors are likely to be malignant by 67.5% if the NLR value is greater than 2.65. When we use the NLR to predict the prognosis of ACC, there is not statistically significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengquan Ma
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.
| | - Bin Yang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Quanzong Mao
- Department of Urology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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7
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Ohmoto A, Hayashi N, Takahashi S, Ueki A. Current prospects of hereditary adrenal tumors: towards better clinical management. Hered Cancer Clin Pract 2024; 22:4. [PMID: 38532453 DOI: 10.1186/s13053-024-00276-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) and pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PPGL) are two rare types of adrenal gland malignancies. Regarding hereditary tumors, some patients with ACC are associated with with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), and those with PPGL with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2. Recent studies have expanded this spectrum to include other types of hereditary tumors, such as Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis. Individuals harboring germline TP53 pathogenic variants that cause LFS have heterogeneous phenotypes depending on the respective variant type. As an example, R337H variant found in Brazilian is known as low penetrant. While 50-80% of pediatric ACC patients harbored a LFS, such a strong causal relationship is not observed in adult patients, which suggests different pathophysiologies between the two populations. As for PPGL, because multiple driver genes, such as succinate dehydrogenase (SDH)-related genes, RET, NF1, and VHL have been identified, universal multi-gene germline panel testing is warranted as a comprehensive and cost-effective approach. PPGL pathogenesis is divided into three molecular pathways (pseudohypoxia, Wnt signaling, and kinase signaling), and this classification is expected to result in personalized medicine based on genomic profiles. It remains unknown whether clinical characteristics differ between cases derived from genetic predisposition syndromes and sporadic cases, or whether the surveillance strategy should be changed depending on the genetic background or whether it should be uniform. Close cooperation among medical genomics experts, endocrinologists, oncologists, and early investigators is indispensable for improving the clinical management for multifaceted ACC and PPGL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiro Ohmoto
- Division of Medical Oncology, Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, 1358550, Japan.
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 417 East 68th Street, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| | - Naomi Hayashi
- Division of Genomic Medicine, Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, 1358550, Japan
- Division of Clinical Genetic Oncology, Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, 1358550, Japan
| | - Shunji Takahashi
- Division of Medical Oncology, Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, 1358550, Japan
- Division of Genomic Medicine, Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, 1358550, Japan
| | - Arisa Ueki
- Division of Clinical Genetic Oncology, Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, 1358550, Japan
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8
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Liu M, Zhao H, Peng S, Wu Y, Liu Y, Sun W, Zen K, Sun X. Comprehensive analysis of zinc and ring finger 3 in prognostic value and pan-cancer immunity. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23523. [PMID: 38457275 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301161r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Zinc and ring finger 3 (ZNRF3) is a negative suppressor of Wnt signal and newly identified as an important regulator in tumorigenesis and development. However, the pan-cancer analysis of ZNRF3 has not been reported. We found that ZNRF3 was significantly decreased in six tumors including CESC, KIRP, KIRC, SKCM, OV, and ACC, but increased in twelve tumors, namely LGG, ESCA, STES, COAD, STAD, LUSC, LIHC, THCA, READ, PAAD, TGCT, and LAML. Clinical outcomes of cancer patients were closely related to ZNRF3 expression in ESCA, GBM, KIRC, LUAD, STAD, UCEC, LGG, and SARC. The highest genetic alteration frequency of ZNRF3 occurred in ACC. Abnormal expression of ZNRF3 could be attributed to the differences of copy number variation (CNV) and DNA methylation as well as ZNRF3-interacting proteins. Besides, ZNRF3 were strongly associated with tumor heterogeneity, tumor stemness, immune score, stromal score and ESTIMATE score in certain cancers. In terms of immune cell infiltration, ZNRF3 was positively correlated to infiltration of cancer-associated fibroblasts in CESC, HNSC, OV, PAAD, PRAD, and THYM, but negatively associated with infiltration of CD8 T cells in HNSC, KIRC, KIRP and THYM. Moreover, ZNRF3 expression was correlated with most immune checkpoint genes in SARC, LUSC, LUAD, PRAD, THCA, UVM, TGCT, and OV, and associated with overwhelming majority of immunoregulatory genes in almost all cancers. Most RNA modification genes were also remarkably related to ZNRF3 level in KIRP, LUAD, LUSC, THYM, UVM, PRAD, and UCEC, indicating that ZNRF3 might have an important effect on cancer epigenetic regulation. Finally, we verified the expression and role of ZNRF3 in clinical specimens and cell lines of renal cancer and liver cancer. This study provides a comprehensive pan-cancer analysis of ZNRF3 and reveals the complexity of its carcinogenic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Suming Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yunfei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanyan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wu Sun
- Department of oncology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ke Zen
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinlei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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Wang YM, Luo ZW, Shu YL, Zhou X, Wang LQ, Liang CH, Wu CQ, Li CP. Effects of Helicobacter pylori and Moluodan on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in mice with precancerous gastric cancer lesions. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16:979-990. [PMID: 38577474 PMCID: PMC10989371 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i3.979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the primary risk factor for gastric cancer (GC), the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway is closely linked to tumourigenesis. GC has a high mortality rate and treatment cost, and there are no drugs to prevent the progression of gastric precancerous lesions to GC. Therefore, it is necessary to find a novel drug that is inexpensive and preventive to against GC. AIM To explore the effects of H. pylori and Moluodan on the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway and precancerous lesions of GC (PLGC). METHODS Mice were divided into the control, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), H. pylori + MNU, and Moluodan groups. We first created an H. pylori infection model in the H. pylori + MNU and Moluodan groups. A PLGC model was created in the remaining three groups except for the control group. Moluodan was fed to mice in the Moloudan group ad libitum. The general condition of mice were observed during the whole experiment period. Gastric tissues of mice were grossly and microscopically examined. Through quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting analysis, the expression of relevant genes were detected. RESULTS Mice in the H. pylori + MNU group showed the worst performance in general condition, gastric tissue visual and microscopic observation, followed by the MNU group, Moluodan group and the control group. QRT-PCR and Western blotting analysis were used to detect the expression of relevant genes, the results showed that the H. pylori + MNU group had the highest expression, followed by the MNU group, Moluodan group and the control group. CONCLUSION H. pylori can activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby facilitating the development and progression of PLGC. Moluodan suppressed the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby decreasing the progression of PLGC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Mei Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Zheng-Wei Luo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yu-Lin Shu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xiu Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Lin-Qing Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Chun-Hong Liang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Chao-Qun Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Chang-Ping Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
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10
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Lippert J, Smith G, Appenzeller S, Landwehr LS, Prete A, Steinhauer S, Asia M, Urlaub H, Elhassan YS, Kircher S, Arlt W, Fassnacht M, Altieri B, Ronchi CL. Circulating cell-free DNA-based biomarkers for prognostication and disease monitoring in adrenocortical carcinoma. Eur J Endocrinol 2024; 190:234-247. [PMID: 38451242 DOI: 10.1093/ejendo/lvae022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare aggressive cancer with heterogeneous behaviour. Disease surveillance relies on frequent imaging, which comes with significant radiation exposure. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA)-related biomarkers (BMs) for prognostication and monitoring of ACC. DESIGN AND METHODS We investigated 34 patients with ACC and 23 healthy subjects (HSs) as controls. Circulating cell-free DNA was extracted by commercial kits and ccfDNA concentrations were quantified by fluorimeter (BM1). Targeted sequencing was performed using a customized panel of 27 ACC-specific genes. Leucocyte DNA was used to discriminate somatic variants (BM2), while tumour DNA was sequenced in 22/34 cases for comparison. Serial ccfDNA samples were collected during follow-up in 19 ACC patients (median period 9 months) and analysed in relationship with standard radiological imaging. RESULTS Circulating cell-free DNA concentrations were higher in ACC than HS (mean ± SD, 1.15 ± 1.56 vs 0.05 ± 0.05 ng/µL, P < .0001), 96% of them being above the cut-off of 0.146 ng/µL (mean HS + 2 SD, positive BM1). At ccfDNA sequencing, 47% of ACC showed at least 1 somatic mutation (positive BM2). A combined ccfDNA-BM score was strongly associated with both progression-free and overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.63; 95% CI, 1.13-6.13; P = .010, and HR = 5.98; 95% CI, 2.29-15.6; P = .0001, respectively). During disease monitoring, positive BM2 showed the best specificity (100%) and sensitivity (67%) to detect ACC recurrence or progress compared with BM1. CONCLUSION ccfDNA-related BMs are frequently detected in ACC patients and represent a promising, minimally invasive tool to predict clinical outcome and complement surveillance imaging. Our findings will be validated in a larger cohort of ACCs with long-term follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Lippert
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Wuerzburg, 97070 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Gabrielle Smith
- Institute of Metabolism and System Research, University of Birmingham, B152TT Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Silke Appenzeller
- Core Unit Bioinformatics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Wuerzburg, 97070 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Laura-Sophie Landwehr
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Alessandro Prete
- Institute of Metabolism and System Research, University of Birmingham, B152TT Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (CEDAM), Birmingham Health Partners, B152TT Birmingham, United Kingdom
- NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University of Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, B152GW Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sonja Steinhauer
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Miriam Asia
- Endocrine Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust, B152GW Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Hanna Urlaub
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Yasir S Elhassan
- Institute of Metabolism and System Research, University of Birmingham, B152TT Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Endocrine Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust, B152GW Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Kircher
- Department of Pathology, University of Wuerzburg, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Wiebke Arlt
- Institute of Metabolism and System Research, University of Birmingham, B152TT Birmingham, United Kingdom
- MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, W120TN London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Fassnacht
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Barbara Altieri
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Cristina L Ronchi
- Institute of Metabolism and System Research, University of Birmingham, B152TT Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (CEDAM), Birmingham Health Partners, B152TT Birmingham, United Kingdom
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11
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Amano N, Narumi S, Aizu K, Miyazawa M, Okamura K, Ohashi H, Katsumata N, Ishii T, Hasegawa T. Single-Exon Deletions of ZNRF3 Exon 2 Cause Congenital Adrenal Hypoplasia. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024; 109:641-648. [PMID: 37878959 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) is a life-threatening condition characterized by the inability of the adrenal cortex to produce sufficient steroid hormones. E3 ubiquitin protein ligase zinc and ring finger 3 (ZNRF3) is a negative regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. R-spondin 1 (RSPO1) enhances Wnt/β-catenin signaling via binding and removal of ZNRF3 from the cell surface. OBJECTIVE This work aimed to explore a novel genetic form of PAI. METHODS We analyzed 9 patients with childhood-onset PAI of biochemically and genetically unknown etiology using array comparative genomic hybridization. To examine the functionality of the identified single-exon deletions of ZNRF3 exon 2, we performed three-dimensional (3D) structure modeling and in vitro functional studies. RESULTS We identified various-sized single-exon deletions encompassing ZNRF3 exon 2 in 3 patients who showed neonatal-onset adrenal hypoplasia with glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid deficiencies. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed that the 3 distinct single-exon deletions were commonly transcribed into a 126-nucleotide deleted mRNA and translated into 42-amino acid deleted protein (ΔEx2-ZNRF3). Based on 3D structure modeling, we predicted that interaction between ZNRF3 and RSPO1 would be disturbed in ΔEx2-ZNRF3, suggesting loss of RSPO1-dependent activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Cell-based functional assays with the TCF-LEF reporter showed that RSPO1-dependent activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling was attenuated in cells expressing ΔEx2-ZNRF3 as compared with those expressing wild-type ZNRF3. CONCLUSION We provided genetic evidence linking deletions encompassing ZNRF3 exon 2 and congenital adrenal hypoplasia, which might be related to constitutive inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling by ΔEx2-ZNRF3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoko Amano
- Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Saitama City Hospital, Saitama, 336-8522, Japan
| | - Satoshi Narumi
- Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan
| | - Katsuya Aizu
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Saitama Children's Medical Center, Saitama, 330-8777, Japan
| | - Mari Miyazawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Kochi Health Sciences Center, Kochi, 781-8555, Japan
| | - Kohji Okamura
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Ohashi
- Division of Medical Genetics, Saitama Children's Medical Center, Saitama, 330-8777, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Katsumata
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Ishii
- Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Tomonobu Hasegawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
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12
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Pato E, Srougi V, Zerbini C, Ledesma FL, Tanno F, Almeida MQ, Nahas W, Latronico AC, Mendonca BB, Chambô JL, Fragoso MCBV. Clinical and Pathological Predictors of Death for Adrenocortical Carcinoma. J Endocr Soc 2024; 8:bvad170. [PMID: 38384443 PMCID: PMC10881101 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvad170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and lethal disease with a poor prognosis. This study aims to share our 41-year experience as a referral center, focusing on identifying risk factors associated with ACC mortality. Our retrospective analysis included a cohort of 150 adult patients with ACC in all stage categories, treated between 1981 and 2022. Tumor hormonal hypersecretion was observed in 78.6% of the patients, and the median age of diagnosis was 40 years. The majority presented as European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors (ENSAT) III or IV (22.9% and 31.2%, respectively), and the overall mortality rate was 54.6%. Independent predictors of death were elevated secretion of cortisol (HR = 2.0), androstenedione (HR = 2.2), estradiol (HR = 2.8), 17-OH progesterone (HR = 2.0), and 11-deoxycortisol (HR = 5.1), higher Weiss (HR = 4.3), modified Weiss (HR = 4.4), and Helsinki scores (HR = 12.0), advanced ENSAT stage (HR = 27.1), larger tumor size (HR = 2.7), higher Ki-67 percentage (HR = 2.3), and incomplete surgical resection (HR = 2.5). Mitosis greater than 5/50 high-power field (HR = 5.6), atypical mitosis (HR = 2.3), confluent necrosis (HR = 15.4), venous invasion (HR = 2.8), and capsular invasion (HR = 2.4) were also identified as independent predictors of death. Knowing the risk factors for ACC's mortality may help determine the best treatment option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Pato
- Division of Urology, Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, SP 05403-010, Brazil
| | - Victor Srougi
- Division of Urology, Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, SP 05403-010, Brazil
| | - Claudia Zerbini
- Division of Pathology, Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, SP 05403-010, Brazil
| | - Felipe L Ledesma
- Division of Pathology, Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, SP 05403-010, Brazil
| | - Fabio Tanno
- Division of Urology, Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, SP 05403-010, Brazil
| | - Madson Q Almeida
- Division of Endocrinology, Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, SP 05403-010, Brazil
| | - William Nahas
- Division of Urology, Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, SP 05403-010, Brazil
| | - Ana Claudia Latronico
- Division of Endocrinology, Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, SP 05403-010, Brazil
| | - Berenice B Mendonca
- Division of Endocrinology, Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, SP 05403-010, Brazil
| | - Jose L Chambô
- Division of Urology, Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, SP 05403-010, Brazil
| | - Maria Candida B V Fragoso
- Division of Endocrinology, Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, SP 05403-010, Brazil
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Song H, Qiu J, Hua K. USP14 promotes the proliferation of cervical cancer via upregulating β-catenin. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024; 39:1031-1043. [PMID: 38069565 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) has become a hot spot in medical research in cervical cancer (CC) and has received extensive attention. Among them, ubiquitin-specific protease 14 (USP14) is involved in a wide variety of typical cell signaling pathways and is recognized to be involved in the progression of most known tumors. However, the expression and significance of USP14 in CC have not been directly studied. Through database analysis, we found that USP14 was overexpressed in CC, which influenced the FIGO stage and prognosis of CC patients, and it was positively correlated with the expression level of β-catenin. In this study, USP14 promoted the G1-S phase transition of Hela and Siha cells and inhibited cell apoptosis, thereby promoting the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CC cells. In addition, USP14 also significantly promoted the growth of subcutaneous tumor in nude mice. We also found that overexpression of USP14 significantly upregulated β-catenin expression and increased the activity of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. While knockdown of USP14 resulted in the opposite. These results suggest that USP14 may promote the proliferation of CC by up-regulating the expression of β-catenin, contributing to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of CC and providing a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Song
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junjun Qiu
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Keqin Hua
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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14
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De Leo A, Ruscelli M, Maloberti T, Coluccelli S, Repaci A, de Biase D, Tallini G. Molecular pathology of endocrine gland tumors: genetic alterations and clinicopathologic relevance. Virchows Arch 2024; 484:289-319. [PMID: 38108848 PMCID: PMC10948534 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-023-03713-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Tumors of the endocrine glands are common. Knowledge of their molecular pathology has greatly advanced in the recent past. This review covers the main molecular alterations of tumors of the anterior pituitary, thyroid and parathyroid glands, adrenal cortex, and adrenal medulla and paraganglia. All endocrine gland tumors enjoy a robust correlation between genotype and phenotype. High-throughput molecular analysis demonstrates that endocrine gland tumors can be grouped into molecular groups that are relevant from both pathologic and clinical point of views. In this review, genetic alterations have been discussed and tabulated with respect to their molecular pathogenetic role and clinicopathologic implications, addressing the use of molecular biomarkers for the purpose of diagnosis and prognosis and predicting response to molecular therapy. Hereditary conditions that play a key role in determining predisposition to many types of endocrine tumors are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio De Leo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Martina Ruscelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Thais Maloberti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sara Coluccelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Repaci
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes Prevention and Care, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Dario de Biase
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBit), University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Tallini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy.
- Solid Tumor Molecular Pathology Laboratory, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy.
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15
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Martinerie L, Bouligand J, North MO, Bertherat J, Assié G, Espiard S. Consensus statement by the French Society of Endocrinology (SFE) and French Society of Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetology (SFEDP) for the diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome: Genetics of Cushing's syndrome. ANNALES D'ENDOCRINOLOGIE 2024:S0003-4266(24)00005-2. [PMID: 38253221 DOI: 10.1016/j.ando.2024.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Cushing's syndrome is due to overproduction of cortisol, leading to abnormal and prolonged exposure to cortisol. The most common etiology is Cushing disease, while adrenal causes are rarer. Knowledge of the genetics of Cushing's syndrome, and particularly the adrenal causes, has improved considerably over the last 10 years, thanks in particular to technical advances in high-throughput sequencing. The present study, by a group of experts from the French Society of Endocrinology and the French Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, reviewed the literature on germline genetic alterations leading to a predisposition to develop Cushing's syndrome. The review led to a consensus statement on genetic screening for Cushing disease and adrenal Cushing's syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laetitia Martinerie
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, CHU Robert-Debré, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Jérôme Bouligand
- Faculté de médecine Paris-Saclay, Inserm Unit UMRS1185 Endocrine Physiology and Physiopathology, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Odile North
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, hôpital Cochin, AP-HP, University of Paris, Paris, France
| | - Jérôme Bertherat
- Endocrinology Department, centre de référence maladies rares de la surrénale (CRMRS), hôpital Cochin, AP-HP, University of Paris, Paris, France
| | - Guillaume Assié
- Endocrinology Department, centre de référence maladies rares de la surrénale (CRMRS), hôpital Cochin, AP-HP, University of Paris, Paris, France
| | - Stéphanie Espiard
- Service d'endocrinologie, diabétologie, métabolisme et nutrition, CHU de Lille, 59000 Lille, France.
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16
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Yue F, Ku AT, Stevens PD, Michalski MN, Jiang W, Tu J, Shi Z, Dou Y, Wang Y, Feng XH, Hostetter G, Wu X, Huang S, Shroyer NF, Zhang B, Williams BO, Liu Q, Lin X, Li Y. Loss of ZNRF3/RNF43 Unleashes EGFR in Cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.10.574969. [PMID: 38260423 PMCID: PMC10802575 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.10.574969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
ZNRF3 and RNF43 are closely related transmembrane E3 ubiquitin ligases with significant roles in development and cancer. Conventionally, their biological functions have been associated with regulating WNT signaling receptor ubiquitination and degradation. However, our proteogenomic studies have revealed EGFR as the most negatively correlated protein with ZNRF3/RNF43 mRNA levels in multiple human cancers. Through biochemical investigations, we demonstrate that ZNRF3/RNF43 interact with EGFR via their extracellular domains, leading to EGFR ubiquitination and subsequent degradation facilitated by the E3 ligase RING domain. Overexpression of ZNRF3 reduces EGFR levels and suppresses cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo, whereas knockout of ZNRF3/RNF43 stimulates cell growth and tumorigenesis through upregulated EGFR signaling. Together, these data highlight ZNRF3 and RNF43 as novel E3 ubiquitin ligases of EGFR and establish the inactivation of ZNRF3/RNF43 as a driver of increased EGFR signaling, ultimately promoting cancer progression. This discovery establishes a connection between two fundamental signaling pathways, EGFR and WNT, at the level of cytoplasmic membrane receptor, uncovering a novel mechanism underlying the frequent co-activation of EGFR and WNT signaling in development and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Yue
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Amy T. Ku
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Payton D. Stevens
- Van Andel Institute, Department of Cell Biology, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49503, USA
| | - Megan N. Michalski
- Van Andel Institute, Department of Cell Biology, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49503, USA
| | - Weiyu Jiang
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Jianghua Tu
- Texas Therapeutics Institute and Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Zhongcheng Shi
- Advanced Technology Cores, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Yongchao Dou
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Yi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Xin-Hua Feng
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Galen Hostetter
- Van Andel Institute, Core Technologies and Services, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, USA
| | - Xiangwei Wu
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Shixia Huang
- Advanced Technology Cores, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Education, Innovation & Technology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Noah F. Shroyer
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Bing Zhang
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Bart O. Williams
- Van Andel Institute, Department of Cell Biology, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49503, USA
- Van Andel Institute, Core Technologies and Services, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, USA
| | - Qingyun Liu
- Texas Therapeutics Institute and Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Xia Lin
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Yi Li
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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17
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Starostina EA, Molashenko NV, Levshina AR, Pachuashvili NV, Chevais A, Isaeva MP, Getazheev KV, Beltsevich DG, Platonova NM, Troshina EA. [Adrenocortical cancer: late diagnosis of the disease on the example of a clinical case. Case report]. TERAPEVT ARKH 2023; 95:1179-1184. [PMID: 38785058 DOI: 10.26442/00403660.2023.12.202430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignant tumor originating in the adrenal cortex and characterized by poor 5-year survival. It occurs with a frequency of 2-4 cases per 2 million in the population. Women are more frequently affected than men and it is mostly detected in the fourth and fifth decades. In the most of cases, the cancerogenesis occurs sporadically because of gene driver mutations in somatic adrenocortical cells, in other cases it can be found as part of a genetically determined syndrome such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome or Wermer's syndrome (multiple endocrine adenomatosis type I). ACC most frequently happens occurs without symptoms in the initial stages leading to poor diagnoses. Because of this lack of early detection, the tumor is not considered malignant reducing the benefits of further treatment. Sometimes the fact that the resected tumor is indeed adrenocortical carcinoma becomes clear only after recurrence, or after the appearance of metastases. We present a case of adrenocortical carcinoma in a 46-year-old woman who went to the doctor in 1.5 year after symptoms were manfested. This clinical case illustrates the consequences of late diagnosis of a malignant tumor. We would like to emphasize the importance of timely detection of a neoplasm, using all of the potential of laboratory-instrumental and genomic analysis. Due to low oncological awareness, our patient was slow to seek medical help, which in turn led not only to metastases, but also to complications in the cardiovascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - A R Levshina
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)
| | - N V Pachuashvili
- Endocrinology Research Centre
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)
| | | | | | - K V Getazheev
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University
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18
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Lalli E. A reappraisal of transcriptional regulation by NR5A1 and beta-catenin in adrenocortical carcinoma. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1303332. [PMID: 38155952 PMCID: PMC10753177 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1303332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Overexpression of the transcription factor NR5A1 and constitutive activation of canonical Wnt signalling leading to nuclear translocation of beta-catenin are hallmarks of malignancy in adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). Based on the analysis of genomic profiles in H295R ACC cells, Mohan et al. (Cancer Res. 2023; 83: 2123-2141) recently suggested that a major determinant driving proliferation and differentiation in malignant ACC is the interaction of NR5A1 and beta-catenin on chromatin to regulate gene expression. Methods I reanalyzed the same set of data generated by Mohan et al. and other published data of knockdown-validated NR5A1 and beta-catenin target genes. Results Beta-catenin is mainly found in association to canonical T cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor (TCF/LEF) motifs in genomic DNA. NR5A1 and beta-catenin regulate distinct target gene sets in ACC cells. Conclusion Overall, my analysis suggests a model where NR5A1 overexpression and beta-catenin activation principally act independently, rather than functionally interacting, to drive ACC malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enzo Lalli
- Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire CNRS UMR 7275, Valbonne, France
- Université Côte d’Azur, Valbonne, France
- Inserm, Valbonne, France
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19
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Ghosh C, Hu J, Kebebew E. Advances in translational research of the rare cancer type adrenocortical carcinoma. Nat Rev Cancer 2023; 23:805-824. [PMID: 37857840 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00623-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare malignancy with an annual worldwide incidence of 1-2 cases per 1 million and a 5-year survival rate of <60%. Although adrenocortical carcinoma is rare, such rare cancers account for approximately one third of patients diagnosed with cancer annually. In the past decade, there have been considerable advances in understanding the molecular basis of adrenocortical carcinoma. The genetic events associated with adrenocortical carcinoma in adults are distinct from those of paediatric cases, which are often associated with germline or somatic TP53 mutations and have a better prognosis. In adult primary adrenocortical carcinoma, the main somatic genetic alterations occur in genes that encode proteins involved in the WNT-β-catenin pathway, cell cycle and p53 apoptosis pathway, chromatin remodelling and telomere maintenance pathway, cAMP-protein kinase A (PKA) pathway or DNA transcription and RNA translation pathways. Recently, integrated molecular studies of adrenocortical carcinomas, which have characterized somatic mutations and the methylome as well as gene and microRNA expression profiles, have led to a molecular classification of these tumours that can predict prognosis and have helped to identify new therapeutic targets. In this Review, we summarize these recent translational research advances in adrenocortical carcinoma, which it is hoped could lead to improved patient diagnosis, treatment and outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jiangnan Hu
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Electron Kebebew
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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20
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Walenciak J, Urbanska Z, Pastorczak A, Babol-Pokora K, Wypyszczak K, Bien E, Gawlowska-Marciniak A, Kobos J, Grajkowska W, Smyczynska J, Mlynarski W, Janczar S. An Asymptomatic, Ectopic Mass as a Presentation of Adrenocortical Carcinoma Due to a Novel Germline TP53 p.Phe338Leu Tetramerisation Domain Variant. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1793. [PMID: 38002884 PMCID: PMC10670401 DOI: 10.3390/children10111793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare cancer in childhood. ACC is frequently associated with germline TP53 variants, with founder effects especially due to the p.Arg337His mutation. ACC leads to the secretion of adrenocortical hormones, resulting in endocrine syndromes, which is the usual trigger for establishing the diagnosis. We present a surprising ACC pathology in a non-secreting, ectopic retroperitoneal tumour in a 4-year-old boy, successfully controlled with chemotherapy and mitotane after microscopically incomplete tumour resection with spillage. Genomic analysis (gene panel sequencing and copy-number microarray) demonstrated a novel p.Phe338Leu tetramerisation domain (TD) TP53 variant in the proband and his cancer-free mother and a monoallelic deletion encompassing the TP53 locus in cancer tissue, consistent with cancer-predisposition syndrome. While the recurrent p.Arg337His variant translates into high ACC risk, residue 338 and, in general, TD domain variants drive heterogeneous clinical scenarios, despite generally being considered less disruptive than TP53 DNA-binding domain mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Walenciak
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Haematology, Medical University of Lodz, 91-738 Lodz, Poland; (J.W.); (Z.U.); (A.P.); (K.B.-P.); (K.W.); (W.M.)
| | - Zuzanna Urbanska
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Haematology, Medical University of Lodz, 91-738 Lodz, Poland; (J.W.); (Z.U.); (A.P.); (K.B.-P.); (K.W.); (W.M.)
| | - Agata Pastorczak
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Haematology, Medical University of Lodz, 91-738 Lodz, Poland; (J.W.); (Z.U.); (A.P.); (K.B.-P.); (K.W.); (W.M.)
| | - Katarzyna Babol-Pokora
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Haematology, Medical University of Lodz, 91-738 Lodz, Poland; (J.W.); (Z.U.); (A.P.); (K.B.-P.); (K.W.); (W.M.)
| | - Kamila Wypyszczak
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Haematology, Medical University of Lodz, 91-738 Lodz, Poland; (J.W.); (Z.U.); (A.P.); (K.B.-P.); (K.W.); (W.M.)
| | - Ewa Bien
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Aleksandra Gawlowska-Marciniak
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Oncology, Central University Hospital, Medical University of Lodz, 91-738 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Jozef Kobos
- Department of Normal and Clinical Anatomy, Chair of Anatomy and Histology, Medical University of Lodz, 92-213 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Wieslawa Grajkowska
- Department of Pathology, The Children’s Memorial Health Institute, 04-736 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Joanna Smyczynska
- Department of Pediatrics, Endocrinology, Diabetology and Nephrology, Medical University of Lodz, 91-738 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Wojciech Mlynarski
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Haematology, Medical University of Lodz, 91-738 Lodz, Poland; (J.W.); (Z.U.); (A.P.); (K.B.-P.); (K.W.); (W.M.)
| | - Szymon Janczar
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Haematology, Medical University of Lodz, 91-738 Lodz, Poland; (J.W.); (Z.U.); (A.P.); (K.B.-P.); (K.W.); (W.M.)
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21
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Martin-Hernandez R, Espeso-Gil S, Domingo C, Latorre P, Hervas S, Hernandez Mora JR, Kotelnikova E. Machine learning combining multi-omics data and network algorithms identifies adrenocortical carcinoma prognostic biomarkers. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1258902. [PMID: 38028548 PMCID: PMC10658191 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1258902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Rare endocrine cancers such as Adrenocortical Carcinoma (ACC) present a serious diagnostic and prognostication challenge. The knowledge about ACC pathogenesis is incomplete, and patients have limited therapeutic options. Identification of molecular drivers and effective biomarkers is required for timely diagnosis of the disease and stratify patients to offer the most beneficial treatments. In this study we demonstrate how machine learning methods integrating multi-omics data, in combination with system biology tools, can contribute to the identification of new prognostic biomarkers for ACC. Methods: ACC gene expression and DNA methylation datasets were downloaded from the Xena Browser (GDC TCGA Adrenocortical Carcinoma cohort). A highly correlated multi-omics signature discriminating groups of samples was identified with the data integration analysis for biomarker discovery using latent components (DIABLO) method. Additional regulators of the identified signature were discovered using Clarivate CBDD (Computational Biology for Drug Discovery) network propagation and hidden nodes algorithms on a curated network of molecular interactions (MetaBase™). The discriminative power of the multi-omics signature and their regulators was delineated by training a random forest classifier using 55 samples, by employing a 10-fold cross validation with five iterations. The prognostic value of the identified biomarkers was further assessed on an external ACC dataset obtained from GEO (GSE49280) using the Kaplan-Meier estimator method. An optimal prognostic signature was finally derived using the stepwise Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) that allowed categorization of samples into high and low-risk groups. Results: A multi-omics signature including genes, micro RNA's and methylation sites was generated. Systems biology tools identified additional genes regulating the features included in the multi-omics signature. RNA-seq, miRNA-seq and DNA methylation sets of features revealed a high power to classify patients from stages I-II and stages III-IV, outperforming previously identified prognostic biomarkers. Using an independent dataset, associations of the genes included in the signature with Overall Survival (OS) data demonstrated that patients with differential expression levels of 8 genes and 4 micro RNA's showed a statistically significant decrease in OS. We also found an independent prognostic signature for ACC with potential use in clinical practice, combining 9-gene/micro RNA features, that successfully predicted high-risk ACC cancer patients. Conclusion: Machine learning and integrative analysis of multi-omics data, in combination with Clarivate CBDD systems biology tools, identified a set of biomarkers with high prognostic value for ACC disease. Multi-omics data is a promising resource for the identification of drivers and new prognostic biomarkers in rare diseases that could be used in clinical practice.
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22
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Wang Q, Sun N, Meixner R, Le Gleut R, Kunzke T, Feuchtinger A, Wang J, Shen J, Kircher S, Dischinger U, Weigand I, Beuschlein F, Fassnacht M, Kroiss M, Walch A. Metabolic heterogeneity in adrenocortical carcinoma impacts patient outcomes. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e167007. [PMID: 37606037 PMCID: PMC10543722 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.167007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Spatially resolved metabolomics enables the investigation of tumoral metabolites in situ. Inter- and intratumor heterogeneity are key factors associated with patient outcomes. Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an exceedingly rare tumor associated with poor survival. Its clinical prognosis is highly variable, but the contributions of tumor metabolic heterogeneity have not been investigated thus far to our knowledge. An in-depth understanding of tumor heterogeneity requires molecular feature-based identification of tumor subpopulations associated with tumor aggressiveness. Here, using spatial metabolomics by high-mass resolution MALDI Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry imaging, we assessed metabolic heterogeneity by de novo discovery of metabolic subpopulations and Simpson's diversity index. After identification of tumor subpopulations in 72 patients with ACC, we additionally performed a comparison with 25 tissue sections of normal adrenal cortex to identify their common and unique metabolic subpopulations. We observed variability of ACC tumor heterogeneity and correlation of high metabolic heterogeneity with worse clinical outcome. Moreover, we identified tumor subpopulations that served as independent prognostic factors and, furthermore, discovered 4 associated anticancer drug action pathways. Our research may facilitate comprehensive understanding of the biological implications of tumor subpopulations in ACC and showed that metabolic heterogeneity might impact chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wang
- Research Unit Analytical Pathology and
| | - Na Sun
- Research Unit Analytical Pathology and
| | - Raphael Meixner
- Core Facility Statistical Consulting, Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Ronan Le Gleut
- Core Facility Statistical Consulting, Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt, Neuherberg, Germany
| | | | | | - Jun Wang
- Research Unit Analytical Pathology and
| | - Jian Shen
- Research Unit Analytical Pathology and
| | | | - Ulrich Dischinger
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Isabel Weigand
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, LMU Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Felix Beuschlein
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, LMU Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fassnacht
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Kroiss
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, LMU Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
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23
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Kerdivel G, Amrouche F, Calmejane MA, Carallis F, Hamroune J, Hantel C, Bertherat J, Assié G, Boeva V. DNA hypermethylation driven by DNMT1 and DNMT3A favors tumor immune escape contributing to the aggressiveness of adrenocortical carcinoma. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:121. [PMID: 37528470 PMCID: PMC10394822 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01534-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adrenocortical carcinoma is rare and aggressive endocrine cancer of the adrenal gland. Within adrenocortical carcinoma, a recently described subtype characterized by a CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) has been associated with an especially poor prognosis. However, the drivers of CIMP remain unknown. Furthermore, the functional relation between CIMP and poor clinical outcomes of patients with adrenocortical carcinoma stays elusive. RESULTS Here, we show that CIMP in adrenocortical carcinoma is linked to the increased expression of DNA methyltransferases DNMT1 and DNMT3A driven by a gain of gene copy number and cell hyperproliferation. Importantly, we demonstrate that CIMP contributes to tumor aggressiveness by favoring tumor immune escape. This effect could be at least partially reversed by treatment with the demethylating agent 5-azacytidine. CONCLUSIONS In sum, our findings suggest that co-treatment with demethylating agents might enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy and could represent a novel therapeutic approach for patients with high CIMP adrenocortical carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwenneg Kerdivel
- INSERM, U1016, Cochin Institute, CNRS UMR8104, University of Paris, 24 rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, Paris, France
| | - Floriane Amrouche
- INSERM, U1016, Cochin Institute, CNRS UMR8104, University of Paris, 24 rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Ange Calmejane
- INSERM, U1016, Cochin Institute, CNRS UMR8104, University of Paris, 24 rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, Paris, France
| | | | - Juliette Hamroune
- INSERM, U1016, Cochin Institute, CNRS UMR8104, University of Paris, 24 rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, Paris, France
| | - Constanze Hantel
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jérôme Bertherat
- INSERM, U1016, Cochin Institute, CNRS UMR8104, University of Paris, 24 rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, Paris, France
| | - Guillaume Assié
- INSERM, U1016, Cochin Institute, CNRS UMR8104, University of Paris, 24 rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, Paris, France
| | - Valentina Boeva
- INSERM, U1016, Cochin Institute, CNRS UMR8104, University of Paris, 24 rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, Paris, France.
- Department of Computer Science, Institute for Machine Learning, ETH Zurich, Universitätstrasse 6, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Zurich, Switzerland.
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24
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Lippert J, Dischinger U, Appenzeller S, Prete A, Kircher S, Skordilis K, Elhassan YS, Altieri B, Fassnacht M, Ronchi CL. Performance of DNA-based biomarkers for classification of adrenocortical carcinoma: a prognostic study. Eur J Endocrinol 2023; 189:262-270. [PMID: 37590967 DOI: 10.1093/ejendo/lvad112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare aggressive malignancy with heterogeneous clinical outcomes. Recent studies proposed a combination of clinical/histopathological parameters (S-GRAS score) or molecular biomarkers (BMs) to improve prognostication. We performed a comparative analysis of DNA-based BMs by evaluating their added prognostic value to the S-GRAS score. DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 194 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) ACC samples were analysed, including a retrospective training cohort (n = 107) and a prospective validation cohort (n = 87). Targeted DNA sequencing and pyrosequencing were used to detect somatic single-nucleotide variations in ACC-specific genes and methylation in the promoter region of paired box 5 (PAX5). The European Network for the Study of Adrenocortical Tumors (ENSAT) tumour stage, age, symptoms at presentation, resection status, and Ki-67 were combined to calculate S-GRAS. Endpoints were overall (OS), progression-free (PFS), and disease-free survival (DFS). Prognostic role was evaluated by multivariable survival analysis and their performance compared by Harrell's concordance index (C index). RESULTS In training cohort, an independent prognostic role was confirmed at multivariate analysis for two DNA-based BMs: alterations in Wnt/β-catenin and Rb/p53 pathways and hypermethylated PAX5 (both P< .05 for PFS and DFS, hazard ratio [HR] 1.47-2.33). These were combined to S-GRAS to obtain a combined (COMBI) score. At comparative analysis, the best discriminative prognostic model was COMBI score in both cohorts for all endpoints, followed by S-GRAS score (C index for OS 0.724 and 0.765, PFS 0.717 and 0.670, and DFS 0.699 and 0.644, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Targeted DNA-based BM evaluated on routinely available FFPE samples improves prognostication of ACC beyond routinely available clinical and histopathological parameters. This approach may help to better individualise patient's management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Lippert
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Dischinger
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Silke Appenzeller
- Core Unit Bioinformatics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Hospital Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Alessandro Prete
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B152TT, United Kingdom
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (CEDAM), Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham B152TT, United Kingdom
- NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University of Birmingham and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B152TT, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Kircher
- Department of Pathology, University of Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kassiani Skordilis
- Department of Histopathology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B152GW, United Kingdom
| | - Yasir S Elhassan
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B152TT, United Kingdom
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (CEDAM), Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham B152TT, United Kingdom
| | - Barbara Altieri
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Martin Fassnacht
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Centre Mainfranken (CCCM), University of Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
- Central Labor, University Hospital of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Cristina L Ronchi
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B152TT, United Kingdom
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (CEDAM), Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham B152TT, United Kingdom
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25
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Warde KM, Smith LJ, Basham KJ. Age-related Changes in the Adrenal Cortex: Insights and Implications. J Endocr Soc 2023; 7:bvad097. [PMID: 37564884 PMCID: PMC10410302 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvad097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging is characterized by a gradual decline in physiological function. This process affects all organs including the adrenal cortex, which normally functions to produce essential steroid hormones including mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and androgens. With increasing age, features such as reduced adrenal cortex size, altered zonation, and increased myeloid immune cell infiltration substantially alter the structure and function of the adrenal cortex. Many of these hallmark features of adrenal cortex aging occur both in males and females, yet are more enhanced in males. Hormonally, a substantial reduction in adrenal androgens is a key feature of aging, which is accompanied by modest changes in aldosterone and cortisol. These hormonal changes are associated with various pathological consequences including impaired immune responses, decreased bone health, and accelerated age-related diseases. One of the most notable changes with adrenal aging is the increased incidence of adrenal tumors, which is sex dimorphic with a higher prevalence in females. Increased adrenal tumorigenesis with age is likely driven by both an increase in genetic mutations as well as remodeling of the tissue microenvironment. Novel antiaging strategies offer a promising avenue to mitigate adrenal aging and alleviate age-associated pathologies, including adrenal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate M Warde
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Lorenzo J Smith
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Kaitlin J Basham
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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26
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Penny MK, Lerario AM, Basham KJ, Chukkapalli S, Mohan DR, LaPensee C, Converso-Baran K, Hoenerhoff MJ, Suárez-Fernández L, del Rey CG, Giordano TJ, Han R, Newman EA, Hammer GD. Targeting Oncogenic Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling in Adrenocortical Carcinoma Disrupts ECM Expression and Impairs Tumor Growth. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3559. [PMID: 37509222 PMCID: PMC10377252 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare but highly aggressive cancer with limited treatment options and poor survival for patients with advanced disease. An improved understanding of the transcriptional programs engaged in ACC will help direct rational, targeted therapies. Whereas activating mutations in Wnt/β-catenin signaling are frequently observed, the β-catenin-dependent transcriptional targets that promote tumor progression are poorly understood. To address this question, we analyzed ACC transcriptome data and identified a novel Wnt/β-catenin-associated signature in ACC enriched for the extracellular matrix (ECM) and predictive of poor survival. This suggested an oncogenic role for Wnt/β-catenin in regulating the ACC microenvironment. We further investigated the minor fibrillar collagen, collagen XI alpha 1 (COL11A1), and found that COL11A1 expression originates specifically from cancer cells and is strongly correlated with both Wnt/β-catenin activation and poor patient survival. Inhibition of constitutively active Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the human ACC cell line, NCI-H295R, significantly reduced the expression of COL11A1 and other ECM components and decreased cancer cell viability. To investigate the preclinical potential of Wnt/β-catenin inhibition in the adrenal microenvironment, we developed a minimally invasive orthotopic xenograft model of ACC and demonstrated that treatment with the newly developed Wnt/β-catenin:TBL1 inhibitor Tegavivint significantly reduced tumor growth. Together, our data support that the inhibition of aberrantly active Wnt/β-catenin disrupts transcriptional reprogramming of the microenvironment and reduces ACC growth and survival. Furthermore, this β-catenin-dependent oncogenic program can be therapeutically targeted with a newly developed Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor. These results show promise for the further clinical development of Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors in ACC and unveil a novel Wnt/β-catenin-regulated transcriptome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan K. Penny
- Doctoral Program in Cancer Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Antonio M. Lerario
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Kaitlin J. Basham
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sahiti Chukkapalli
- Mott Solid Tumor Oncology Program, C.S. Mott Children’s and Women’s Hospital, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Dipika R. Mohan
- Doctoral Program in Cancer Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Chris LaPensee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Kimber Converso-Baran
- UMH Frankel Cardiovascular Center Physiology and Phenotyping Core, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Mark J. Hoenerhoff
- In Vivo Animal Core, Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Laura Suárez-Fernández
- Department Head and Neck Oncology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias, 33011 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Carmen González del Rey
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias, 33011 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Thomas J. Giordano
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Ruolan Han
- Iterion Therapeutics, Inc., Houston, TX 77021, USA
| | - Erika A. Newman
- Mott Solid Tumor Oncology Program, C.S. Mott Children’s and Women’s Hospital, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Gary D. Hammer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Endocrine Oncology Program, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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27
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Lukacova E, Burjanivova T, Podlesniy P, Grendar M, Turyova E, Kasubova I, Laca L, Mikolajcik P, Kudelova E, Vanochova A, Miklusica J, Mersakova S, Lasabova Z. Hypermethylated GRIA4, a potential biomarker for an early non-invasive detection of metastasis of clinically known colorectal cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1205791. [PMID: 37476382 PMCID: PMC10354553 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1205791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Colorectal cancer (CRC) can develop through several dysregulated molecular pathways, including the serrated pathway, characterized by CpG island methylator (CIMP) phenotype. Although the tumor tissue is a commonly tested material, sample types such as stool or plasma, bring a new, non-invasive approach. Several cancer-related methylated genes have been identified in CRC patients, including gene GRIA4, showing promising diagnostic potential. The aim of our study was to develop a sensitive droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assay to examine GRIA4 hypermethylation status in CRC patients and evaluate its diagnostic potential in tissue and liquid biopsy samples. Methods In total, 23 patients participated in this study, 7 patients with primary CRC and 16 patients with liver metastasis of clinically known CRC. We obtained tumor and non-tumor tissues (N=17), blood samples pre- and post-surgery (N=22), and blood of five volunteers without a personal cancer history. We have developed and optimized a ddPCR assay for GRIA4 hypermethylation detection, from tissue and plasma samples. Results We detected significantly increased GRIA4 methylation in tumor tissues compared to their adjacent non-tumor tissue, p<0.0001. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis defined cutoff values to separate primary tumors and metastases from non-tumor colon/rectum, specifically 36.85% for primary tumors and 34.81% for metastases. All primary tumors were above this threshold. When comparing the methylation levels of metastatic vs. non-tumor tissue, a smaller increase was observed in liver metastasis versus colon tissue (3.6× gain; p=0.001), then in liver metastasis versus adjacent liver tissue (17.4× gain; p<0.0001). On average, GRIA4 hypermethylation in primary tumor plasma was 2.8-fold higher (p=0.39), and in metastatic plasma, 16.4-fold higher (p=0.0011) compared to healthy individuals. Hypermethylation in metastatic plasma was on average 5.9 times higher (p=0.051) than in primary tumor plasma. After tumor removal surgery, average hypermethylation decrease in plasma was 1.6× for primary (p=0.037) and 4.5× for metastatic patients (p=0.023). Discussion Based on our data, it can be inferred that GRIA4 serves as a tissue specific biomarker for the colon/rectum tissue, thus is suitable for cancer classification. This biomarker showed the potential to be an attractive target for early non-invasive detection of metastases of clinically known CRC, although additional analysis has to be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Lukacova
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics, Comenius University in Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin (JFM CU), Martin, Slovakia
| | - Tatiana Burjanivova
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics, Comenius University in Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin (JFM CU), Martin, Slovakia
| | - Petar Podlesniy
- Centro Investigacion Biomedica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CiberNed), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marian Grendar
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Biomedical Center Martin JFM CU, Commenius University in Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin (JFM CU), Martin, Slovakia
| | - Eva Turyova
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics, Comenius University in Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin (JFM CU), Martin, Slovakia
| | - Ivana Kasubova
- Biomedical Center Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Ludovit Laca
- Clinic of Surgery and Transplant Center, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Peter Mikolajcik
- Clinic of Surgery and Transplant Center, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Eva Kudelova
- Clinic of Surgery and Transplant Center, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Andrea Vanochova
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics, Comenius University in Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin (JFM CU), Martin, Slovakia
| | - Juraj Miklusica
- Clinic of Surgery and Transplant Center, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Sandra Mersakova
- Biomedical Center Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Zora Lasabova
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics, Comenius University in Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin (JFM CU), Martin, Slovakia
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28
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Mohan DR, Borges KS, Finco I, LaPensee CR, Rege J, Solon AL, Little DW, Else T, Almeida MQ, Dang D, Haggerty-Skeans J, Apfelbaum AA, Vinco M, Wakamatsu A, Mariani BMP, Amorim LC, Latronico AC, Mendonca BB, Zerbini MCN, Lawlor ER, Ohi R, Auchus RJ, Rainey WE, Marie SKN, Giordano TJ, Venneti S, Fragoso MCBV, Breault DT, Lerario AM, Hammer GD. β-Catenin-Driven Differentiation Is a Tissue-Specific Epigenetic Vulnerability in Adrenal Cancer. Cancer Res 2023; 83:2123-2141. [PMID: 37129912 PMCID: PMC10330305 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-2712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare cancer in which tissue-specific differentiation is paradoxically associated with dismal outcomes. The differentiated ACC subtype CIMP-high is prevalent, incurable, and routinely fatal. CIMP-high ACC possess abnormal DNA methylation and frequent β-catenin-activating mutations. Here, we demonstrated that ACC differentiation is maintained by a balance between nuclear, tissue-specific β-catenin-containing complexes, and the epigenome. On chromatin, β-catenin bound master adrenal transcription factor SF1 and hijacked the adrenocortical super-enhancer landscape to maintain differentiation in CIMP-high ACC; off chromatin, β-catenin bound histone methyltransferase EZH2. SF1/β-catenin and EZH2/β-catenin complexes present in normal adrenals persisted through all phases of ACC evolution. Pharmacologic EZH2 inhibition in CIMP-high ACC expelled SF1/β-catenin from chromatin and favored EZH2/β-catenin assembly, erasing differentiation and restraining cancer growth in vitro and in vivo. These studies illustrate how tissue-specific programs shape oncogene selection, surreptitiously encoding targetable therapeutic vulnerabilities. SIGNIFICANCE Oncogenic β-catenin can use tissue-specific partners to regulate cellular differentiation programs that can be reversed by epigenetic therapies, identifying epigenetic control of differentiation as a viable target for β-catenin-driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipika R. Mohan
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Doctoral Program in Cancer Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kleiton S. Borges
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Isabella Finco
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Christopher R. LaPensee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Juilee Rege
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - April L. Solon
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Donald W. Little
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Tobias Else
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Madson Q. Almeida
- Unidade de Suprarrenal, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular/LIM42, Hospital das Clínicas, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Disciplina de Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo (ICESP), Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Derek Dang
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Laboratory of Brain Tumor Metabolism and Epigenetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - James Haggerty-Skeans
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Laboratory of Brain Tumor Metabolism and Epigenetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - April A. Apfelbaum
- Doctoral Program in Cancer Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Michelle Vinco
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Alda Wakamatsu
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Beatriz M. P. Mariani
- Unidade de Suprarrenal, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular/LIM42, Hospital das Clínicas, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Disciplina de Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Larissa Costa Amorim
- Unidade de Suprarrenal, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular/LIM42, Hospital das Clínicas, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Disciplina de Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo (ICESP), Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Claudia Latronico
- Unidade de Suprarrenal, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular/LIM42, Hospital das Clínicas, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Disciplina de Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Berenice B. Mendonca
- Unidade de Suprarrenal, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular/LIM42, Hospital das Clínicas, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Disciplina de Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Elizabeth R. Lawlor
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ryoma Ohi
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Richard J. Auchus
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. Kettles Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - William E. Rainey
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Suely K. N. Marie
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Celular/LIM15, Departamento de Neurologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Thomas J. Giordano
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center Endocrine Oncology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sriram Venneti
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Laboratory of Brain Tumor Metabolism and Epigenetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Maria Candida Barisson Villares Fragoso
- Unidade de Suprarrenal, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular/LIM42, Hospital das Clínicas, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Disciplina de Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo (ICESP), Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - David T. Breault
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Antonio Marcondes Lerario
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Co-senior authors
| | - Gary D. Hammer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center Endocrine Oncology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Co-senior authors
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29
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Warde KM, Smith LJ, Liu L, Stubben CJ, Lohman BK, Willett PW, Ammer JL, Castaneda-Hernandez G, Imodoye SO, Zhang C, Jones KD, Converso-Baran K, Ekiz HA, Barry M, Clay MR, Kiseljak-Vassiliades K, Giordano TJ, Hammer GD, Basham KJ. Senescence-induced immune remodeling facilitates metastatic adrenal cancer in a sex-dimorphic manner. NATURE AGING 2023; 3:846-865. [PMID: 37231196 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-023-00420-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Aging markedly increases cancer risk, yet our mechanistic understanding of how aging influences cancer initiation is limited. Here we demonstrate that the loss of ZNRF3, an inhibitor of Wnt signaling that is frequently mutated in adrenocortical carcinoma, leads to the induction of cellular senescence that remodels the tissue microenvironment and ultimately permits metastatic adrenal cancer in old animals. The effects are sexually dimorphic, with males exhibiting earlier senescence activation and a greater innate immune response, driven in part by androgens, resulting in high myeloid cell accumulation and lower incidence of malignancy. Conversely, females present a dampened immune response and increased susceptibility to metastatic cancer. Senescence-recruited myeloid cells become depleted as tumors progress, which is recapitulated in patients in whom a low myeloid signature is associated with worse outcomes. Our study uncovers a role for myeloid cells in restraining adrenal cancer with substantial prognostic value and provides a model for interrogating pleiotropic effects of cellular senescence in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate M Warde
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Lorenzo J Smith
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Lihua Liu
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Chris J Stubben
- Bioinformatics Shared Resource, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Brian K Lohman
- Bioinformatics Shared Resource, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Parker W Willett
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Julia L Ammer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Sikiru O Imodoye
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Chenge Zhang
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Kara D Jones
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Kimber Converso-Baran
- Frankel Cardiovascular Center Physiology and Phenotyping Core, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - H Atakan Ekiz
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Izmir Institute of Technology, Urla Izmir, Turkey
| | - Marc Barry
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Michael R Clay
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado School of Medicine at Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Katja Kiseljak-Vassiliades
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine at Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Thomas J Giordano
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Endocrine Oncology Program, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Gary D Hammer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Endocrine Oncology Program, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kaitlin J Basham
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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30
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Yang H, Almadani N, Thompson EF, Tessier-Cloutier B, Chen J, Ho J, Senz J, McConechy MK, Chow C, Ta M, Cheng A, Karnezis A, Huvila J, McAlpine JN, Gilks B, Jamieson A, Hoang LN. Classification of Vulvar Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Precursor Lesions by p16 and p53 Immunohistochemistry: Considerations, Caveats, and an Algorithmic Approach. Mod Pathol 2023; 36:100145. [PMID: 36828360 DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2023.100145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
There is emerging evidence that vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) can be prognostically subclassified into 3 groups based on human papillomavirus (HPV) and p53 status: HPV-associated (HPV+), HPV-independent/p53 wild-type (HPV-/p53wt), or HPV-independent/p53 abnormal (HPV-/p53abn). Our goal was to assess the feasibility of separating VSCC and its precursors into these 3 groups using p16 and p53 immunohistochemistry (IHC). A tissue microarray containing 225 VSCC, 43 usual vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (uVIN/HSIL), 10 verruciform acanthotic vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (vaVIN), and 34 differentiated VIN (dVIN), was stained for p16 and p53. Noncomplementary p16 and p53 patterns were resolved by repeating p53 IHC and HPV RNA in situ hybridization (ISH) on whole sections, and sequencing for TP53. Of 82 p16-positive VSCC, 73 (89%) had complementary p16 and p53 patterns and were classified into the HPV+ group, 4 (4.9%) had wild-type p53 staining, positive HPV ISH and were classified into the HPV+ group, whereas 5 (6.1%) had p53 abnormal IHC patterns (1 null, 4 overexpression), negativity for HPV ISH, and harbored TP53 mutations (1 splice site, 4 missense); they were classified as HPV-/p53abn. Of 143 p16-negative VSCC, 142 (99.3%) had complementary p53 and p16 patterns: 115 (80.4%) HPV-/p53abn and 27 (18.9%) HPV-/p53wt. One had a basal-sparing p53 pattern, positivity for HPV ISH and was negative for TP53 mutations-HPV+ category. The use of IHC also led to revised diagnoses-HSIL to dVIN (3/43), dVIN to vaVIN (8/34), and dVIN to HSIL (3/34). Overall, 215/225 VSCC (95.6%) could be easily classifiable into 3 groups with p16 and p53 IHC. We identified several caveats, with the major caveat being that "double-positive" p16/p53 should be classified as HPV-/p53abn. We propose an algorithm that will facilitate the application of p16 and p53 IHC to classify VSCC in pathology practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Yang
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia and Vancouver General Hospital, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Noorah Almadani
- Department of Pathology, Ministry of the National Guard - Health Affairs, and King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Emily F Thompson
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia and Vancouver General Hospital, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Julia Chen
- Medical Undergraduate Program, University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Julie Ho
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia and Vancouver General Hospital, British Columbia, Canada; Genetic Pathology Evaluation Center (GPEC) and Molecular and Advanced Pathology Core (MAPcore), British Columbia, Canada
| | - Janine Senz
- Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Christine Chow
- Genetic Pathology Evaluation Center (GPEC) and Molecular and Advanced Pathology Core (MAPcore), British Columbia, Canada
| | - Monica Ta
- Genetic Pathology Evaluation Center (GPEC) and Molecular and Advanced Pathology Core (MAPcore), British Columbia, Canada
| | - Angela Cheng
- Genetic Pathology Evaluation Center (GPEC) and Molecular and Advanced Pathology Core (MAPcore), British Columbia, Canada
| | - Anthony Karnezis
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, California
| | - Jutta Huvila
- Department of Pathology, University of Turku, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Jessica N McAlpine
- Gynecologic Oncology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Blake Gilks
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia and Vancouver General Hospital, British Columbia, Canada; Genetic Pathology Evaluation Center (GPEC) and Molecular and Advanced Pathology Core (MAPcore), British Columbia, Canada
| | - Amy Jamieson
- Gynecologic Oncology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lynn N Hoang
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia and Vancouver General Hospital, British Columbia, Canada; Genetic Pathology Evaluation Center (GPEC) and Molecular and Advanced Pathology Core (MAPcore), British Columbia, Canada.
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Karapanagioti A, Nasiri-Ansari N, Moustogiannis A, Trigas GC, Zografos G, Aggeli C, Kyriakopoulos G, Choreftaki T, Philippou A, Kaltsas G, Kassi E, Angelousi A. What is the role of CHCHD2 in adrenal tumourigenesis? Endocrine 2023:10.1007/s12020-023-03393-9. [PMID: 37221428 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-023-03393-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE CHCHD2 is an antiapoptotic mitochondrial protein acting through the BCL2/BAX pathway in various cancers. However, data on the regulatory role of CHCHD2 in adrenal tumourigenesis are scarce. METHODS We studied the expression of CHCHD2, BCL2, and BAX in human adrenocortical tissues and SW13 cells. mRNA and protein levels were analyzed through qPCR and immunoblotting, respectively, in 16 benign adrenocortical neoplasms (BANs), along with their adjacent normal adrenal tissues (controls), and 10 adrenocortical carcinomas (ACCs). BCL2/BAX mRNA expression was also analyzed in SW13 cells after CHCHD2 silencing. MTS, flow cytometry and scratch assays were performed to assess cell viability, apoptosis, and invasion, respectively. RESULTS BCL2 and CHCHCD2 mRNA and protein expression was increased in BANs compared to normal adrenal tissues whereas BAX was decreased. BAX and CHCHD2 mRNA and protein levels were significantly downregulated and upregulated, respectively, in ACCs compared with either BANs or controls. Expression of the studied genes was not different among cortisol-secreting and nonfunctional ACAs. No significant association was found between genes' expression and other established prognostic markers of ACCs patients. In vitro analysis showed that CHCHD2 silencing resulted in reduced cell viability and invasion as well as increased SW13 cells apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS CHCHD2 expression seems to be implicated in adrenal tumourigenesis and its absence resulted to increased apoptosis in vitro. However, the exact mechanism of action and particularly its association with the BAX/BCL2 pathway needs to be further studied and evaluate whether it could be a protentional therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angeliki Karapanagioti
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- 1st Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Laikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Narjes Nasiri-Ansari
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios Moustogiannis
- Department of Experimental Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - George C Trigas
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Zografos
- 3rd Department of Surgery, General Hospital of Athens "G. Gennimatas", Athens, Greece
| | - Chrysanthi Aggeli
- 3rd Department of Surgery, General Hospital of Athens "G. Gennimatas", Athens, Greece
| | | | - Theodosia Choreftaki
- Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Athens "G. Gennimatas", Athens, Greece
| | - Anastassios Philippou
- Department of Experimental Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Gregory Kaltsas
- 1st Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Laikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eva Kassi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- 1st Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Laikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Anna Angelousi
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, Laikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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Sedlack AJH, Hatfield SJ, Kumar S, Arakawa Y, Roper N, Sun NY, Nilubol N, Kiseljak-Vassiliades K, Hoang CD, Bergsland EK, Hernandez JM, Pommier Y, del Rivero J. Preclinical Models of Adrenocortical Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2873. [PMID: 37296836 PMCID: PMC10251941 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15112873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Adrenocortical cancer is an aggressive endocrine malignancy with an incidence of 0.72 to 1.02 per million people/year, and a very poor prognosis with a five-year survival rate of 22%. As an orphan disease, clinical data are scarce, meaning that drug development and mechanistic research depend especially on preclinical models. While a single human ACC cell line was available for the last three decades, over the last five years, many new in vitro and in vivo preclinical models have been generated. Herein, we review both in vitro (cell lines, spheroids, and organoids) and in vivo (xenograft and genetically engineered mouse) models. Striking leaps have been made in terms of the preclinical models of ACC, and there are now several modern models available publicly and in repositories for research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J. H. Sedlack
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Samual J. Hatfield
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Suresh Kumar
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yasuhiro Arakawa
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Nitin Roper
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Nai-Yun Sun
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Naris Nilubol
- Surgical Oncology Program National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Katja Kiseljak-Vassiliades
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80016, USA
| | - Chuong D. Hoang
- Thoracic Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Emily K. Bergsland
- University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | | | - Yves Pommier
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jaydira del Rivero
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Shin HJ, Hua JT, Li H. Recent advances in understanding DNA methylation of prostate cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1182727. [PMID: 37234978 PMCID: PMC10206257 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1182727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, is widely studied in cancer. DNA methylation patterns have been shown to distinguish between benign and malignant tumors in various cancers, including prostate cancer. It may also contribute to oncogenesis, as it is frequently associated with downregulation of tumor suppressor genes. Aberrant patterns of DNA methylation, in particular the CpG island hypermethylator phenotype (CIMP), have shown associative evidence with distinct clinical features and outcomes, such as aggressive subtypes, higher Gleason score, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and overall tumor stage, overall worse prognosis, as well as reduced survival. In prostate cancer, hypermethylation of specific genes is significantly different between tumor and normal tissues. Methylation patterns could distinguish between aggressive subtypes of prostate cancer, including neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) and castration resistant prostate adenocarcinoma. Further, DNA methylation is detectable in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and is reflective of clinical outcome, making it a potential biomarker for prostate cancer. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding DNA methylation alterations in cancers with the focus on prostate cancer. We discuss the advanced methodology used for evaluating DNA methylation changes and the molecular regulators behind these changes. We also explore the clinical potential of DNA methylation as prostate cancer biomarkers and its potential for developing targeted treatment of CIMP subtype of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Jin Shin
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Junjie T Hua
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Haolong Li
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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Arend R, Dholakia J, Castro C, Matulonis U, Hamilton E, Jackson CG, LyBarger K, Goodman HM, Duska LR, Mahdi H, ElNaggar AC, Kagey MH, Liu A, Piper D, Barroilhet LM, Bradley W, Sachdev J, Sirard CA, O'Malley DM, Birrer M. DKK1 is a predictive biomarker for response to DKN-01: Results of a phase 2 basket study in women with recurrent endometrial carcinoma. Gynecol Oncol 2023; 172:82-91. [PMID: 37001446 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2023.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) is a Wnt signaling modulator promoting tumor growth, metastasis, angiogenesis, and immunosuppression by regulating innate immunity. DKK1 is over-expressed in gynecologic cancers and is associated with shortened survival. DKN-01 is a humanized monoclonal antibody with DKK1 neutralizing activity that may provide clinical benefit to patients whose tumors have overexpression of DKK1 or Wnt genetic alterations. METHODS We conducted an open-label, Phase 2 basket study with 2-stage design in patients with endometrial carcinoma (EC) and platinum-resistant/refractory epithelial ovarian cancer. DKN-01 was administered either as monotherapy or in combination with weekly paclitaxel at investigator's discretion. All patients underwent NGS testing prior to enrollment; tumor tissue was also tested for DKK1 expression by RNAscope pre-treatment and after cycle 1 if available. At least 50% of patients were required to have a Wnt signaling alteration either directly or tangentially. This publication reports results from the EC population overall and by DKK1-expression. RESULTS DKN-01 monotherapy and in combination with paclitaxel was more effective in patients with high DKK1-expressing tumors compared to low-expressing tumors. DKN-01 monotherapy demonstrated an objective response rate [ORR] of 25.0% vs. 0%; disease control rate [DCR] of 62.5% vs. 6.7%; median progression-free survival [PFS] was 4.3 vs. 1.8 months, and overall survival [OS] was 11.0 vs. 8.2 months in DKK1-high vs DKK1-low patients. Similarly, DKN-01 in combination with paclitaxel demonstrated greater clinical activity in patients with DKK1-high tumors compared to DKK1-low tumors: DCR was 55% vs. 44%; median PFS was 5.4 vs. 1.8 months; and OS was 19.1 vs. 10.1 months. Wnt activating mutations correlated with higher DKK1 expression. DKN-01 was well tolerated as a monotherapy and in combination with paclitaxel. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, data demonstrates promising clinical activity of a well-tolerated drug, DKN-01, in EC patients with high tumoral DKK1 expression which frequently corresponded to the presence of a Wnt activating mutation. Future development will focus on using DKN-01 in DKK1-high EC patients in combination with immunotherapy.
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Leo J, Dondossola E, Basham KJ, Wilson NR, Alhalabi O, Gao J, Kurnit KC, White MG, McQuade JL, Westin SN, Wellberg EA, Frigo DE. Stranger Things: New Roles and Opportunities for Androgen Receptor in Oncology Beyond Prostate Cancer. Endocrinology 2023; 164:bqad071. [PMID: 37154098 PMCID: PMC10413436 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) is one of the oldest therapeutic targets in oncology and continues to dominate the treatment landscape for advanced prostate cancer, where nearly all treatment regimens include some form of AR modulation. In this regard, AR remains the central driver of prostate cancer cell biology. Emerging preclinical and clinical data implicate key roles for AR in additional cancer types, thereby expanding the importance of this drug target beyond prostate cancer. In this mini-review, new roles for AR in other cancer types are discussed as well as their potential for treatment with AR-targeted agents. Our understanding of these additional functions for AR in oncology expand this receptor's potential as a therapeutic target and will help guide the development of new treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Leo
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Eleonora Dondossola
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology and the David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kaitlin J Basham
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Nathaniel R Wilson
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Omar Alhalabi
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology and the David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jianjun Gao
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology and the David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Katherine C Kurnit
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Section of Gynecologic Oncology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Michael G White
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jennifer L McQuade
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shannon N Westin
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Wellberg
- Department of Pathology, Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, and Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Daniel E Frigo
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology and the David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
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The Characteristics of Tumor Microenvironment Predict Survival and Response to Immunotherapy in Adrenocortical Carcinomas. Cells 2023; 12:cells12050755. [PMID: 36899891 PMCID: PMC10000893 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence confirms that tumor microenvironment (TME) can influence tumor progression and treatment, but TME is still understudied in adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). In this study, we first scored TME using the xCell algorithm, then defined genes associated with TME, and then used consensus unsupervised clustering analysis to construct TME-related subtypes. Meanwhile, weighted gene co-expression network analysis was used to identify modules correlated with TME-related subtypes. Ultimately, the LASSO-Cox approach was used to establish a TME-related signature. The results showed that TME-related scores in ACC may not correlate with clinical features but do promote a better overall survival. Patients were classified into two TME-related subtypes. Subtype 2 had more immune signaling features, higher expression of immune checkpoints and MHC molecules, no CTNNB1 mutations, higher infiltration of macrophages and endothelial cells, lower tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion scores, and higher immunophenoscore, suggesting that subtype 2 may be more sensitive to immunotherapy. 231 modular genes highly relevant to TME-related subtypes were identified, and a 7-gene TME-related signature that independently predicted patient prognosis was established. Our study revealed an integrated role of TME in ACC and helped to identify those patients who really responded to immunotherapy, while providing new strategies on risk management and prognosis prediction.
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Steroidogenic Factor 1, a Goldilocks Transcription Factor from Adrenocortical Organogenesis to Malignancy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043585. [PMID: 36835002 PMCID: PMC9959402 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1, also termed Ad4BP; NR5A1 in the official nomenclature) is a nuclear receptor transcription factor that plays a crucial role in the regulation of adrenal and gonadal development, function and maintenance. In addition to its classical role in regulating the expression of P450 steroid hydroxylases and other steroidogenic genes, involvement in other key processes such as cell survival/proliferation and cytoskeleton dynamics have also been highlighted for SF-1. SF-1 has a restricted pattern of expression, being expressed along the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and in steroidogenic organs since the time of their establishment. Reduced SF-1 expression affects proper gonadal and adrenal organogenesis and function. On the other hand, SF-1 overexpression is found in adrenocortical carcinoma and represents a prognostic marker for patients' survival. This review is focused on the current knowledge about SF-1 and the crucial importance of its dosage for adrenal gland development and function, from its involvement in adrenal cortex formation to tumorigenesis. Overall, data converge towards SF-1 being a key player in the complex network of transcriptional regulation within the adrenal gland in a dosage-dependent manner.
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Padua TCD, Marandino L, Raggi D, Hallanger-Johnson J, Kutikov A, Spiess PE, Necchi A. A Systematic Review of Published Clinical Trials in the Systemic Treatment of Adrenocortical Carcinoma: An Initiative Led on Behalf of the Global Society of Rare Genitourinary Tumors. Clin Genitourin Cancer 2023; 21:1-7. [PMID: 36376169 DOI: 10.1016/j.clgc.2022.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a very rare endocrine cancer and is associated with a poor prognosis. There is a paucity of randomized clinical trials for this rare disease. We aimed to perform a systematic review of the literature on systemic therapy options in different stages of ACC. A systematic review was performed using Pubmed and Embase databases according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. A total of 24 trials of systemic therapy in the treatment of ACC were identified and included in this review. Only one clinical trial in the adjuvant setting was identified, the negative phase III trial ADIUVO, which tested mitotane in low to intermediate-risk ACC patients. In the treatment of advanced ACC, cisplatin-based chemotherapy was evaluated in small and non-randomized phase II trials, and response rates ranged from 21% to 53.5%. The phase III trial FIRM-ACT compared etoposide, doxorubicin, cisplatin, and mitotane versus treatment with streptozotocin and mitotane and showed no difference in OS, but higher RR and PFS were reported with the multi-drug regimen. Six clinical trials of immunotherapy and seven studies of targeted therapy in advanced ACC were included, with modest activity and no phase 3 trials were identified. Treatment recommendations of ACC are based on retrospective and small studies with limited systemic therapy options. International and multi-center collaboration is essential to expand clinical research and improve outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Marandino
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, MI, Italy
| | - Daniele Raggi
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, MI, Italy
| | | | - Alexander Kutikov
- Division of Urology and Urologic Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Philippe E Spiess
- Department of Genitourinary Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
| | - Andrea Necchi
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, MI, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, MI, Italy
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Hofstedter R, Sanabria-Salas MC, Di Jiang M, Ezzat S, Mete O, Kim RH. FLCN-Driven Functional Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma with High Mitotic Tumor Grade: Extending the Endocrine Manifestations of Birt-Hogg-Dubé Syndrome. Endocr Pathol 2023:10.1007/s12022-023-09748-2. [PMID: 36701047 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-023-09748-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Adrenal cortical carcinoma is an aggressive and rare malignancy of steroidogenic cells of the adrenal gland. Most adult adrenal cortical carcinomas are sporadic, but a small fraction may be associated with inherited tumor syndromes, such as Li-Fraumeni, multiple endocrine neoplasia 1, Lynch syndrome, and Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, as well as isolated case reports of non-syndromic manifestations occurring in the context of other pathogenic germline variants. Birt-Hogg-Dubé (BHD) is a rare autosomal dominant syndrome caused by germline pathogenic variants in the FLCN gene. BHD syndrome causes a constellation of symptoms, including cutaneous manifestations, pulmonary cysts and pneumothorax, and risk of renal tumors. With the exception of a single case of adrenal cortical carcinoma, very few reports on the occurrence of adrenal cortical neoplasia in patients with BHD syndrome have been described. However, information on variant allele fraction in the tumor was not available in the index case, which precludes any mechanism supporting loss of heterozygosity. Here we present a case of an adult-onset adrenal cortical carcinoma in a 50-year-old female, found to harbor a germline likely pathogenic variant in the FLCN gene, denoted as c.694C > T (p.Gln232Ter). Genetic testing on the tumor revealed the same FLCN variant at an allele fraction of 83%, suggesting a contributory role to the pathogenesis of the adrenal cortical carcinoma. This case further supports the expansion of the clinical presentation and tumor spectrum of BHD syndrome and the need to consider germline FLCN testing in the clinical genetic workup of patients with adrenal cortical carcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renee Hofstedter
- Bhalwani Familial Cancer Clinic, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - María Carolina Sanabria-Salas
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C1, Canada
| | - Maria Di Jiang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C1, Canada
| | - Shereen Ezzat
- Endocrine Oncology Site Group, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ozgur Mete
- Department of Pathology, University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital, 11th floor, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Raymond H Kim
- Bhalwani Familial Cancer Clinic, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C1, Canada.
- Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Updates in neuroendocrine neoplasms: From mechanisms to the clinic. ANNALES D'ENDOCRINOLOGIE 2023; 84:291-297. [PMID: 36690074 DOI: 10.1016/j.ando.2022.12.424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Scientific advances constantly improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis, allowing us now to analyze cancer in a more precise manner and to identify at an earlier stage the tumors that have greater risk of aggressive behavior. Understanding neuroendocrine neoplasms at molecular level has enabled increasingly targeted treatments, with safety and efficacy validated in large randomized trials. Moreover, the first studies of targeted therapies after molecular profiling of neuroendocrine neoplasms have shown encouraging results, allowing us to foresee ever more personalized medical treatments in the future. This literature review aims to summarize recent advances in the study of neuroendocrine neoplasms and to show how identification of new mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis can be of benefit in clinical practice.
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Subramanian M, Kabir AU, Barisas D, Krchma K, Choi K. Conserved angio-immune subtypes of the tumor microenvironment predict response to immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:100896. [PMID: 36630952 PMCID: PMC9873950 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy has revolutionized cancer treatment. However, only a fraction of patients respond to ICB therapy. Accurate prediction of patients to likely respond to ICB would maximize the efficacy of ICB therapy. The tumor microenvironment (TME) dictates tumor progression and therapy outcome. Here, we classify the TME by analyzing the transcriptome from 11,069 cancer patients based on angiogenesis and T cell activity. We find three distinct angio-immune TME subtypes conserved across 30 non-hematological cancers. There is a clear inverse relationship between angiogenesis and anti-tumor immunity in TME. Remarkably, patients displaying TME with low angiogenesis with strong anti-tumor immunity show the most significant responses to ICB therapy in four cancer types. Re-evaluation of the renal cell carcinoma clinical trials provides compelling evidence that the baseline angio-immune state is robustly predictive of ICB responses. This study offers a rationale for incorporating baseline angio-immune scores for future ICB treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhav Subramanian
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ashraf Ul Kabir
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Derek Barisas
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Immunology Program, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Karen Krchma
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kyunghee Choi
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Immunology Program, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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Williams JL, Smith C, Hall C, Khaled Z, Maharaj A, Kwong R, Pittaway J, Casas J, Parvanta L, Abdel-Aziz TE, Palazzo F, Chung TT, Guasti L, Metherell L, Prasad R. Elevated sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase leads to increased metabolism and reduced survival in adrenocortical carcinoma. Eur J Endocrinol 2023; 188:lvac007. [PMID: 36651165 DOI: 10.1093/ejendo/lvac007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Adrenocortical carcinomas (ACCs) are invasive tumours arising in the adrenal cortex, and steroidogenic tumours are associated with worse prognostic outcomes. Loss-of-function mutations in sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase (SGPL1) cause primary adrenal insufficiency and as a key degradative enzyme in the sphingolipid pathway, SGPL1 also influences the balance of pro-proliferative and pro-apoptotic sphingolipids. We, therefore, hypothesized increased SGPL1 may be linked to increased disease severity in ACC. DESIGN Analyse SGPL1 expression impact on patient survival and adrenal cancer cell phenotype. We analysed two ACC cohorts with survival and corresponding transcriptomic data, focusing on SGPL1 and sphingolipid pathway genes. In vitro, we generated SGPL1-knockout and overexpressing H295R adrenocortical cells to investigate the role of SGPL1 in cell signalling in ACCs. RESULTS We found increased expression of several sphingolipid pathway receptors and enzymes, most notably SGPL1 correlated with reduced patient survival in both cohorts. Overexpression of SGPL1 in the H295R cell line increased proliferation and migration while reducing apoptosis, while SGPL1 knockout had the opposite effect. RNA-seq revealed a global increase in the expression of genes in the electron transport chain in overexpressing cells, correlating with increased aerobic respiration and glycolysis. Furthermore, the opposite phenotype was seen in cells lacking SGPL1. We subsequently found the increased proliferation is linked to metabolic substrate availability and increased capacity to use different fuel sources, but particularly glucose, in overexpressing cells. CONCLUSIONS We, therefore, propose that SGPL1-overexpressing ACC tumours reduce patient survival by increasing fuel usage for anabolism and energy production to facilitate growth and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack L Williams
- Centre for Endocrinology, Charterhouse Square, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Smith
- Centre for Endocrinology, Charterhouse Square, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte Hall
- Centre for Endocrinology, Charterhouse Square, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Zakaa Khaled
- Centre for Endocrinology, Charterhouse Square, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Avinaash Maharaj
- Centre for Endocrinology, Charterhouse Square, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth Kwong
- Centre for Endocrinology, Charterhouse Square, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - James Pittaway
- Centre for Endocrinology, Charterhouse Square, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Josefina Casas
- Research Unit on BioActive Molecules (RUBAM), Department of Biological Chemistry IQAC-CSIC, Barcelona and Liver and Digestive Diseases Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBEREHD). ISCIII. Madrid, Spain
| | - Laila Parvanta
- Department of Surgery, St Bartholomew's Hospital, West Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE, United Kingdom
| | - Tarek Ezzat Abdel-Aziz
- Department of Endocrinology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, NW1 2PG London, United Kingdom
| | - Fausto Palazzo
- Department of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgery, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, W12 0HS London, United Kingdom
| | - Teng-Teng Chung
- Department of Endocrinology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, NW1 2PG London, United Kingdom
| | - Leonardo Guasti
- Centre for Endocrinology, Charterhouse Square, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Lou Metherell
- Centre for Endocrinology, Charterhouse Square, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Rathi Prasad
- Centre for Endocrinology, Charterhouse Square, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
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Ko YL, Kumar V, Lippert J, Diaz-Cano S, Skordilis K, Kimpel O, Kircher S, Asia M, Elhassan YS, Altieri B, Ronchi CL. Coincidence of primary adrenocortical carcinoma and melanoma: three CASE reports. BMC Endocr Disord 2023; 23:4. [PMID: 36604647 PMCID: PMC9817389 DOI: 10.1186/s12902-022-01253-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare endocrine malignancy with a heterogeneous prognosis, while adrenal metastasis from other primary cancers, including melanoma, may occur more frequently. ACC may rarely occur as part of familial cancer syndromes, but even in sporadic cases, a significant proportion of patients had other malignancies before or after diagnosis of ACC. Herein we present three cases where sporadic ACC was identified in patients with coexistent or previous history of melanoma. CASE DESCRIPTION Patient 1 - A 37-yr-old man with a superficial spreading BRAF-positive melanoma was found to harbour a progressively growing left adrenal mass. Initially, he was suspected of having adrenal metastasis, but the histology after adrenalectomy confirmed ACC. Patient 2 - A 68-year-old man with a history of recurrent BRAF-positive melanoma was diagnosed with disseminated metastatic melanoma recurrence, including a rapidly enlarging left adrenal mass. Consequently, he underwent left adrenalectomy, and histology again confirmed ACC. Patient 3 - A 50-yr-old man was referred with histological diagnosis of metastatic ACC. He had a background history of pT1 melanoma. We undertook targeted sequencing of ACC tissue samples in all cases. Somatic variants were observed in the known driver genes CTNNB1 (Patient 1), APC and KMT2D (Patient 2), and APC and TP53 (Patient 3). Germline TP53 variants (Li-Fraumeni syndrome) were excluded in all cases. Retrospective review of our patient cohort in the last 21 years revealed a frequency of 0.5% of histologically diagnosed melanoma metastasis among patients referred for adrenal masses. On the other hand, 1.6% of patients with histologically confirmed ACC had a previous history of melanoma. CONCLUSION Sporadic ACC can occur in the background of melanoma, even if adrenal metastasis might appear to be the most likely diagnosis. Coexistent primary adrenal malignancy should be considered and investigated for in all patients with a history of melanoma with suspicious adrenal lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Lynn Ko
- Department of Endocrinology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Vaishnavi Kumar
- Department of Endocrinology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Juliane Lippert
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Salvador Diaz-Cano
- Department of Histopathology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Kassiani Skordilis
- Department of Histopathology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Otilia Kimpel
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Kircher
- Institute for Pathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Miriam Asia
- Department of Endocrinology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Yasir S Elhassan
- Institute of Metabolism and System Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, UK
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (CEDAM), Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK
| | - Barbara Altieri
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Cristina L Ronchi
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
- Institute of Metabolism and System Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, UK.
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (CEDAM), Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK.
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Abstract
Adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and aggressive malignancy that poses challenging issues regarding the diagnostic workup. Indeed, no presurgical technique or clinical parameters can reliably distinguish between adrenal cortical adenomas, which are more frequent and have a favorable outcome, and ACC, and the final diagnosis largely relies on histopathologic analysis of the surgical specimen. However, even the pathologic assessment of malignancy in an adrenal cortical lesion is not straightforward and requires a combined evaluation of multiple histopathologic features. Starting from the Weiss score, which was developed in 1984, several histopathologic scoring systems have been designed to tackle the difficulties of ACC diagnosis. Dealing with specific histopathologic variants (eg, Liss-Weiss-Bisceglia scoring system for oncocytic ACC) or patient characteristics (eg, Wieneke index in the pediatric setting), these scores remarkably improved the diagnostic workup of ACC and its subtypes. Nevertheless, cases with misleading features or discordant correlations between pathologic findings and clinical behavior still occur. Owing to multicentric collaborative studies integrating morphologic features with ancillary immunohistochemical markers and molecular analysis, ACC has eventually emerged as a multifaceted, heterogenous malignancy, and, while innovative and promising approaches are currently being tested, the future clinical management of patients with ACC will mainly rely on personalized medicine and target-therapy protocols. At the dawn of the new Fifth World Health Organization classification of endocrine tumors, this review will tackle ACC from the pathologist's perspective, thus focusing on the main available diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive tissue-tethered features and biomarkers and providing relevant clinical and molecular correlates.
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Aono D, Kometani M, Asano T, Konishi S, Karashima S, Ikeda H, Nohara T, Yoneda T. A case of adrenocortical carcinoma diagnosed 9 years after the discovery of adrenal incidentaloma. Endocr J 2022; 69:1415-1421. [PMID: 35934796 DOI: 10.1507/endocrj.ej22-0171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an uncommon cause of adrenal incidentaloma (AI). ACCs generally occur in large sizes, >4 cm in diameter, at initial presentation and grow rapidly. Therefore, there have been few reports of cases with long-term follow-up with imaging before ACC was diagnosed. Herein, we present a case of an adrenal mass that had remained small and unchanged for 5 years but later grew rapidly and was finally diagnosed as ACC. A 77-year-old hypertensive woman was referred to our hospital for the examination of a 5.4-cm left adrenal mass. Upon reviewing her previous unenhanced computed tomography (CT) scan, a 1.6-cm and 30 Hounsfield units (HU), homogeneous, round, left adrenal mass was incidentally detected 9 years ago. This mass remained unchanged until 4 years ago. One year ago, the mass enlarged to 3.0-cm and changed into an irregular form with heterogeneous density. The hormonal evaluation during the 9 years from the discovery of the AI was inadequate. The present examination diagnosed this case as ACC with subclinical Cushing's syndrome. The patient underwent laparoscopic left adrenalectomy, and a histological diagnosis of high-grade ACC was made. The resected tumor had the CTNNB1 gene mutation. High unenhanced CT attenuation values (>10 HU) are one of the findings that raise suspicion of malignancy. This case suggests that patients with findings atypical of adenomas on an initial unenhanced CT might be carefully followed up given the possibility of development of ACCs, even if the initial tumor size is small.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Aono
- Department of Health Promotion and Medicine of the Future, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa 920-8641, Japan
- Medical Education Research Center, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Kometani
- Department of Health Promotion and Medicine of the Future, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Takahiro Asano
- Department of Health Promotion and Medicine of the Future, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Seigo Konishi
- Department of Health Promotion and Medicine of the Future, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Shigehiro Karashima
- Department of Health Promotion and Medicine of the Future, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Hiroko Ikeda
- Division of Diagnostic Pathology, Kanazawa University Hospital, Ishikawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Takahiro Nohara
- Integrative Cancer Therapy and Urology, Division of Cancer Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Takashi Yoneda
- Department of Health Promotion and Medicine of the Future, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa 920-8641, Japan
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46
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Moore EC, Ioannou L, Ruseckaite R, Serpell J, Ahern S. Hereditary Endocrine Tumor Registries. J Endocr Soc 2022; 7:bvac194. [PMID: 36632485 PMCID: PMC9825730 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvac194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Context Endocrine neoplasia syndromes are phenotypically complex, and there is a misconception that they are universally rare. Genetic alterations are increasingly recognized; however, true prevalence is unknown. The purpose of a clinical registry is to monitor the quality of health care delivered to a specified group of patients through the collection, analysis, and reporting of relevant health-related information. This leads to improved clinical practice, decision-making, patient satisfaction, and outcome. Objective This review aims to identify, compare, and contrast active registries worldwide that capture data relevant to hereditary endocrine tumors (HETs). Methods Clinical registries were identified using a systematic approach from publications (Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE) peer consultation, clinical trials, and web searches. Inclusion criteria were hereditary endocrine tumors, clinical registries, and English language. Exclusion criteria were institutional audits, absence of clinical data, or inactivity. Details surrounding general characteristics, funding, data fields, collection periods, and entry methods were collated. Results Fifteen registries specific for HET were shortlisted with 136 affiliated peer-reviewed manuscripts. Conclusion There are few clinical registries specific to HET. Most of these are European, and the data collected are highly variable. Further research into their effectiveness is warranted. We note the absence of an Australian registry for all HET, which would provide potential health and economic gains. This review presents a unique opportunity to harmonize registry data for HET locally and further afield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwina C Moore
- Correspondence: Edwina C. Moore, MBBS (HONS), BMedSci, Peninsula Private Hospital, 525 McClelland Dr, Ste 16, Langwarrin, VIC, 3199, Australia.
| | - Liane Ioannou
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Rasa Ruseckaite
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Jonathan Serpell
- Department of Breast, Endocrine and General Surgery, Alfred Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Susannah Ahern
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
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Zhao X, Zhang X, Shao S, Yang Q, Shen C, Yang X, Jiao W, Liu J, Wang Y. High expression of GMNN predicts malignant progression and poor prognosis in ACC. Eur J Med Res 2022; 27:301. [PMID: 36539849 PMCID: PMC9764478 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-022-00950-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare endocrine neoplasm, which is characterized by poor prognosis and high recurrence rate. Novel and reliable prognostic and metastatic biomarkers are lacking for ACC patients. This study aims at screening potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets of ACC through bioinformatic methods and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis. METHODS In the present study, by using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in ACC and validated these DEGs in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) ACC cohort. A DEGs-based signature was additionally constructed and we assessed its prognosis and prescient worth for ACC by survival analysis and nomogram. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to verify the relationship between hub gene-GMNN expressions and clinicopathologic outcomes in ACC patients. RESULTS A total of 24 DEGs correlated with the prognosis of ACC were screened from the TCGA and GEO databases. Five DEGs were subsequently selected in a signature which was closely related to the survival rates of ACC patients and GMNN was identified as the core gene in this signature. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression showed that the GMNN was an independent prognostic factor for ACC patients (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, GMNN was closely related to the OS and PFI of ACC patients treated with mitotane (P < 0.001). IHC confirmed that GMNN protein was overexpressed in ACC tissues compared with normal adrenal tissues and significantly correlated with stage (P = 0.011), metastasis (P = 0.028) and Ki-67 index (P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS GMNN is a novel tumor marker for predicting the malignant progression, metastasis and prognosis of ACC, and may be a potential therapeutic target for ACC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinzhao Zhao
- grid.412521.10000 0004 1769 1119Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong China
| | - Xuezhou Zhang
- grid.412521.10000 0004 1769 1119Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong China
| | - Shixiu Shao
- grid.412521.10000 0004 1769 1119Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong China
| | - Qingbo Yang
- grid.412521.10000 0004 1769 1119Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong China
| | - Chengquan Shen
- grid.412521.10000 0004 1769 1119Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong China
| | - Xuecheng Yang
- grid.412521.10000 0004 1769 1119Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong China
| | - Wei Jiao
- grid.412521.10000 0004 1769 1119Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong China
| | - Jing Liu
- grid.412521.10000 0004 1769 1119Department of Research Management and International Cooperation, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong China
| | - Yonghua Wang
- grid.412521.10000 0004 1769 1119Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong China
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Bueno AC, More CB, Marrero-Gutiérrez J, de Almeida E Silva DC, Leal LF, Montaldi AP, Ramalho FS, Vêncio RZN, de Castro M, Antonini SRR. Vitamin D receptor activation is a feasible therapeutic target to impair adrenocortical tumorigenesis. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2022; 558:111757. [PMID: 36049598 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2022.111757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the therapeutic potential of vitamin D receptor (VDR) signaling in adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) cells. METHODS We evaluated VDR's methylation pattern in H295R ACC cells, and investigated the effects of calcitriol and seocalcitol treatments on adrenocortical tumorigenesis. RESULTS VDR was hypermethylated and underexpressed in basal H295R cells. Treatments with calcitriol and seocalcitol restored VDR signaling, resulted in antiproliferative effects, and impaired Wnt/B-catenin signaling. RNAseq of treated cells demonstrated VDR activation on steroid hormones biosynthesis and Rap1 signaling, among others. In vivo, seocalcitol constrained the growth of H295R xenografts and reduced autonomous tumor steroid secretion without hypercalcemia-associated side effects. CONCLUSIONS H295R cells present VDR hypermethylation, which can be responsible for its underexpression and signaling inactivation under basal conditions. VDR signaling promoted antiproliferative effects in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that it may be a potential therapeutic target for ACC and a valuable tool for patient's clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina Bueno
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Candy Bellido More
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Junier Marrero-Gutiérrez
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Danillo C de Almeida E Silva
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Leticia Ferro Leal
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Montaldi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernando Silva Ramalho
- Department of Pathology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Zorzetto Nicoliello Vêncio
- Department of Computation and Mathematics, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Margaret de Castro
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Sonir Roberto R Antonini
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil.
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Guan Y, Yue S, Chen Y, Pan Y, An L, Du H, Liang C. Molecular Cluster Mining of Adrenocortical Carcinoma via Multi-Omics Data Analysis Aids Precise Clinical Therapy. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233784. [PMID: 36497046 PMCID: PMC9737968 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a malignancy of the endocrine system. We collected clinical and pathological features, genomic mutations, DNA methylation profiles, and mRNA, lncRNA, microRNA, and somatic mutations in ACC patients from the TCGA, GSE19750, GSE33371, and GSE49278 cohorts. Based on the MOVICS algorithm, the patients were divided into ACC1-3 subtypes by comprehensive multi-omics data analysis. We found that immune-related pathways were more activated, and drug metabolism pathways were enriched in ACC1 subtype patients. Furthermore, ACC1 patients were sensitive to PD-1 immunotherapy and had the lowest sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs. Patients with the ACC2 subtype had the worst survival prognosis and the highest tumor-mutation rate. Meanwhile, cell-cycle-related pathways, amino-acid-synthesis pathways, and immunosuppressive cells were enriched in ACC2 patients. Steroid and cholesterol biosynthetic pathways were enriched in patients with the ACC3 subtype. DNA-repair-related pathways were enriched in subtypes ACC2 and ACC3. The sensitivity of the ACC2 subtype to cisplatin, doxorubicin, gemcitabine, and etoposide was better than that of the other two subtypes. For 5-fluorouracil, there was no significant difference in sensitivity to paclitaxel between the three groups. A comprehensive analysis of multi-omics data will provide new clues for the prognosis and treatment of patients with ACC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Guan
- Department of Urology, The First Affifiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218th Jixi Road, Hefei 230022, China
- Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, 81th Meishan Road, Hefei 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University (AHMU), 81th Meishan Road, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Shaoyu Yue
- Department of Urology, The First Affifiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218th Jixi Road, Hefei 230022, China
- Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, 81th Meishan Road, Hefei 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University (AHMU), 81th Meishan Road, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Yiding Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affifiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218th Jixi Road, Hefei 230022, China
- Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, 81th Meishan Road, Hefei 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University (AHMU), 81th Meishan Road, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Yuetian Pan
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Lingxuan An
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Hexi Du
- Department of Urology, The First Affifiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218th Jixi Road, Hefei 230022, China
- Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, 81th Meishan Road, Hefei 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University (AHMU), 81th Meishan Road, Hefei 230022, China
- Correspondence: (H.D.); (C.L.); Tel.: +86-18856040979 (H.D.); +86-13505604595 (C.L.)
| | - Chaozhao Liang
- Department of Urology, The First Affifiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218th Jixi Road, Hefei 230022, China
- Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, 81th Meishan Road, Hefei 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University (AHMU), 81th Meishan Road, Hefei 230022, China
- Correspondence: (H.D.); (C.L.); Tel.: +86-18856040979 (H.D.); +86-13505604595 (C.L.)
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50
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Melmed S, Kaiser UB, Lopes MB, Bertherat J, Syro LV, Raverot G, Reincke M, Johannsson G, Beckers A, Fleseriu M, Giustina A, Wass JAH, Ho KKY. Clinical Biology of the Pituitary Adenoma. Endocr Rev 2022; 43:1003-1037. [PMID: 35395078 PMCID: PMC9695123 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnac010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
All endocrine glands are susceptible to neoplastic growth, yet the health consequences of these neoplasms differ between endocrine tissues. Pituitary neoplasms are highly prevalent and overwhelmingly benign, exhibiting a spectrum of diverse behaviors and impact on health. To understand the clinical biology of these common yet often innocuous neoplasms, we review pituitary physiology and adenoma epidemiology, pathophysiology, behavior, and clinical consequences. The anterior pituitary develops in response to a range of complex brain signals integrating with intrinsic ectodermal cell transcriptional events that together determine gland growth, cell type differentiation, and hormonal production, in turn maintaining optimal endocrine health. Pituitary adenomas occur in 10% of the population; however, the overwhelming majority remain harmless during life. Triggered by somatic or germline mutations, disease-causing adenomas manifest pathogenic mechanisms that disrupt intrapituitary signaling to promote benign cell proliferation associated with chromosomal instability. Cellular senescence acts as a mechanistic buffer protecting against malignant transformation, an extremely rare event. It is estimated that fewer than one-thousandth of all pituitary adenomas cause clinically significant disease. Adenomas variably and adversely affect morbidity and mortality depending on cell type, hormone secretory activity, and growth behavior. For most clinically apparent adenomas, multimodal therapy controlling hormone secretion and adenoma growth lead to improved quality of life and normalized mortality. The clinical biology of pituitary adenomas, and particularly their benign nature, stands in marked contrast to other tumors of the endocrine system, such as thyroid and neuroendocrine tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ursula B Kaiser
- Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - M Beatriz Lopes
- University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Jerome Bertherat
- Université de Paris, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Luis V Syro
- Hospital Pablo Tobon Uribe and Clinica Medellin - Grupo Quirónsalud, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Gerald Raverot
- Hospices Civils de Lyon and Lyon 1 University, Lyon, France
| | - Martin Reincke
- University Hospital of LMU, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Gudmundur Johannsson
- Sahlgrenska University Hospital & Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | | | - Andrea Giustina
- San Raffaele Vita-Salute University and IRCCS Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Ken K Y Ho
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and St. Vincents Hospital, Sydney, Australia
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