1
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de Almeida BC, dos Anjos LG, Dobroff AS, Baracat EC, Yang Q, Al-Hendy A, Carvalho KC. Epigenetic Features in Uterine Leiomyosarcoma and Endometrial Stromal Sarcomas: An Overview of the Literature. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10102567. [PMID: 36289829 PMCID: PMC9599831 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a consensus that epigenetic alterations play a key role in cancer initiation and its biology. Studies evaluating the modification in the DNA methylation and chromatin remodeling patterns, as well as gene regulation profile by non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have led to the development of novel therapeutic approaches to treat several tumor types. Indeed, despite clinical and translational challenges, combinatorial therapies employing agents targeting epigenetic modifications with conventional approaches have shown encouraging results. However, for rare neoplasia such as uterine leiomyosarcomas (LMS) and endometrial stromal sarcomas (ESS), treatment options are still limited. LMS has high chromosomal instability and molecular derangements, while ESS can present a specific gene fusion signature. Although they are the most frequent types of “pure” uterine sarcomas, these tumors are difficult to diagnose, have high rates of recurrence, and frequently develop resistance to current treatment options. The challenges involving the management of these tumors arise from the fact that the molecular mechanisms governing their progression have not been entirely elucidated. Hence, to fill this gap and highlight the importance of ongoing and future studies, we have cross-referenced the literature on uterine LMS and ESS and compiled the most relevant epigenetic studies, published between 2009 and 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Cristine de Almeida
- Laboratório de Ginecologia Estrutural e Molecular (LIM 58), Disciplina de Ginecologia, Departamento de Obstetricia e Ginecologia, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo (HCFMUSP), São Paulo 05403-010, Brazil
| | - Laura Gonzalez dos Anjos
- Laboratório de Ginecologia Estrutural e Molecular (LIM 58), Disciplina de Ginecologia, Departamento de Obstetricia e Ginecologia, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo (HCFMUSP), São Paulo 05403-010, Brazil
| | - Andrey Senos Dobroff
- UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center (UNMCCC), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, (UNM) School of Medicine, UNM Health Sciences Center, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Edmund Chada Baracat
- Laboratório de Ginecologia Estrutural e Molecular (LIM 58), Disciplina de Ginecologia, Departamento de Obstetricia e Ginecologia, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo (HCFMUSP), São Paulo 05403-010, Brazil
| | - Qiwei Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Ayman Al-Hendy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Katia Candido Carvalho
- Laboratório de Ginecologia Estrutural e Molecular (LIM 58), Disciplina de Ginecologia, Departamento de Obstetricia e Ginecologia, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo (HCFMUSP), São Paulo 05403-010, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-011-3061-7486
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2
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Seligson ND, Tang J, Jin DX, Bennett MP, Elvin JA, Graim K, Hays JL, Millis SZ, Miles WO, Chen JL. Drivers of genomic loss of heterozygosity in leiomyosarcoma are distinct from carcinomas. NPJ Precis Oncol 2022; 6:29. [PMID: 35468996 PMCID: PMC9038792 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-022-00271-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a rare, aggressive, mesenchymal tumor. Subsets of LMS have been identified to harbor genomic alterations associated with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD); particularly alterations in BRCA2. Whereas genomic loss of heterozygosity (gLOH) has been used as a surrogate marker of HRD in other solid tumors, the prognostic or clinical value of gLOH in LMS (gLOH-LMS) remains poorly defined. We explore the genomic drivers associated with gLOH-LMS and their clinical import. Although the distribution of gLOH-LMS scores are similar to that of carcinomas, outside of BRCA2, there was no overlap with previously published gLOH-associated genes from studies in carcinomas. We note that early stage tumors with elevated gLOH demonstrated a longer disease-free interval following resection in LMS patients. Taken together, and despite similarities to carcinomas in gLOH distribution and clinical import, gLOH-LMS are driven by different genomic signals. Additional studies will be required to isolate and confirm the unique differences in biological factors driving these differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D Seligson
- Department of Pharmacotherapy and Translational Research, The University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA.,Department of Pharmacogenomics and Translational Research, Nemours Children's Specialty Care, Jacksonville, FL, USA.,Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Joy Tang
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - Monica P Bennett
- Department of Pharmacotherapy and Translational Research, The University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | - Kiley Graim
- Department of Computer and Information Science and Engineering, The University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - John L Hays
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.,Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - Wayne O Miles
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - James L Chen
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
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3
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Dall GV, Hamilton A, Ratnayake G, Scott C, Barker H. Interrogating the Genomic Landscape of Uterine Leiomyosarcoma: A Potential for Patient Benefit. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14061561. [PMID: 35326717 PMCID: PMC8946513 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14061561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS) is a rare and aggressive gynaecological malignancy. Surgical removal and chemotherapy are commonly used to treat uLMS, but recurrence rates are high. Over the last few decades, clarification of the genomic landscape of uLMS has revealed a number of recurring mutations, including TP53, RB1, ATRX, PTEN, and MED12. Such genomic aberrations are difficult to target therapeutically or are actively targeted in other malignancies, and their potential as targets for the treatment of uLMS remains largely unexplored. Recent identification of deficiencies in homologous recombination in a minority of these tumours, however, has provided a rationale for investigation of PARP inhibitors in this sub-set. Here, we review these mutations and the evidence for therapeutic avenues that may be applied in uLMS. We also provide a comprehensive background on diagnosis and current therapeutic strategies as well as reviewing preclinical models of uLMS, which may be employed not only in testing emerging therapies but also in understanding this challenging and deadly disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genevieve V. Dall
- Walter and Eliza Hall, Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (C.S.); (H.B.)
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia;
- Correspondence:
| | - Anne Hamilton
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia;
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia;
| | | | - Clare Scott
- Walter and Eliza Hall, Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (C.S.); (H.B.)
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia;
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia;
| | - Holly Barker
- Walter and Eliza Hall, Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (C.S.); (H.B.)
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia;
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4
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Kodama M, Shimura H, Tien JC, Newberg JY, Kodama T, Wei Z, Rangel R, Yoshihara K, Kuruma A, Nakae A, Hashimoto K, Sawada K, Kimura T, Jenkins NA, Copeland NG. Sleeping Beauty Transposon Mutagenesis Identifies Genes Driving the Initiation and Metastasis of Uterine Leiomyosarcoma. Cancer Res 2021; 81:5413-5424. [PMID: 34475109 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-0356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Uterine leiomyosarcoma (ULMS) is a malignancy, which arises from the uterine smooth muscle. Because of its rarity, aggressive nature, and extremely poor prognosis, the molecular mechanisms driving ULMS remain elusive. To identify candidate cancer genes (CCG) driving ULMS, we conducted an in vivo Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon mutagenesis screen in uterine myometrium-specific, PTEN knockout, KRAS mutant (PTEN KO/KRAS) mice. ULMS quickly developed in SB PTEN KO/KRAS mice, but not in PTEN KO/KRAS mice, demonstrating the critical importance of SB mutagenesis for driving ULMS in this model. Subsequent sequencing of SB insertion sites in these tumors identified 19 ULMS CCGs that were significantly enriched in known cancer genes. Among them, Zfp217 and Sfmbt2 functioned at early stages of tumor initiation and appeared to be oncogenes. Expression of ZNF217, the human homolog of ZFP217, was shown to be elevated in human ULMS compared with paired normal uterine smooth muscle, where it negatively correlated with patient prognosis. Inhibition of ZNF217 suppressed, whereas overexpression induced, proliferation, survival, migration, and stemness of human ULMS. In a second ex vivo ULMS SB metastasis screen, three CCGs were identified that may drive ULMS metastasis to the lung. One of these CCGs, Nrd1 (NRDC in humans), showed stronger expression in human metastatic tumors compared with primary ULMS and negatively associated with patient survival. NRDC knockdown impaired migration and adhesion without affecting cell proliferation, whereas overexpression had the opposite effect. Together, these results reveal novel mechanism driving ULMS tumorigenesis and metastasis and identify ZNF217 and NRDC as potential targets for ULMS therapy. SIGNIFICANCE: An in vivo Sleeping Beauty transposon mutagenesis screen identifies candidate cancer genes that drive initiation and progression of uterine leiomyosarcoma and may serve as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiko Kodama
- Cancer Research Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiroko Shimura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Jean C Tien
- Cancer Research Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas.,Department of Pathology, Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Justin Y Newberg
- Cancer Research Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Takahiro Kodama
- Cancer Research Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Zhubo Wei
- Cancer Research Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas.,Center for Genomic and Precision Medicine, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University, Houston, Texas
| | - Roberto Rangel
- Cancer Research Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas.,Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Kosuke Yoshihara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Airi Kuruma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Aya Nakae
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kae Hashimoto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kenjiro Sawada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tadashi Kimura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Nancy A Jenkins
- Cancer Research Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas.,Genetics Department, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Neal G Copeland
- Cancer Research Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas. .,Genetics Department, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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5
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Modelling Epithelial Ovarian Cancer in Mice: Classical and Emerging Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21134806. [PMID: 32645943 PMCID: PMC7370285 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21134806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
High-grade serous epithelial ovarian cancer (HGSC) is the most aggressive subtype of epithelial ovarian cancer. The identification of germline and somatic mutations along with genomic information unveiled by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and other studies has laid the foundation for establishing preclinical models with high fidelity to the molecular features of HGSC. Notwithstanding such progress, the field of HGSC research still lacks a model that is both robust and widely accessible. In this review, we discuss the recent advancements and utility of HGSC genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) to date. Further analysis and critique on alternative approaches to modelling HGSC considers technological advancements in somatic gene editing and modelling prototypic organs, capable of tumorigenesis, on a chip.
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6
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Hensley ML, Chavan SS, Solit DB, Murali R, Soslow R, Chiang S, Jungbluth AA, Bandlamudi C, Srinivasan P, Tap WD, Rosenbaum E, Taylor BS, Donoghue MTA, Hyman DM. Genomic Landscape of Uterine Sarcomas Defined Through Prospective Clinical Sequencing. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:3881-3888. [PMID: 32299819 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-3959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We examined whether prospective molecular characterization of advanced metastatic disease can reveal grade and/or histology-specific differences to inform diagnosis and facilitate enrollment onto clinical trials. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Patients with uterine sarcoma consented to a prospective study of next-generation sequencing (NGS). Clinical annotations were extracted from their medical record. Tumor and matched normal DNA were subjected to NGS, and the genomic landscape was explored for survival correlations and therapeutic targetability. RESULTS Tumors from 107 women were sequenced and included leiomyosarcoma (n = 80), high-grade non-leiomyosarcoma (n = 22), low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (LG-ESS, n = 4), and smooth muscle tumor of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP, n = 2). Genomic profiling influenced histologic diagnosis in three cases. Common uterine leiomyosarcoma alterations were loss-of-function mutations in TP53 (56%), RB1 (51%), and ATRX (31%). Homozygous deletions of BRCA2 were present in 5% of these patients. PTEN alteration frequency was higher in the metastases samples as compared with the primary samples. Genomes of low-grade tumors were largely silent, while 50.5% of high-grade tumors had whole-genome duplication. Two metastatic uterine leiomyosarcoma cases were hypermutated. Both had prolonged disease-free survival. Potentially actionable mutations were identified in 48 patients (45%), 8 (17%) of whom received matched therapy with 2 achieving clinical responses. Among patients with uterine leiomyosarcoma with somatic BRCA2 alterations, sustained partial responses were observed with PARP inhibitor-containing therapy. DISCUSSION Prospective genomic profiling can contribute to diagnostic precision and inform treatment selection in patients with uterine sarcomas. There was evidence of clinical benefit in patients with uterine leiomyosarcoma with somatic BRCA2 alterations treated with PARP inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martee L Hensley
- Gynecologic Medical Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York. .,Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Shweta S Chavan
- Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Center for Molecular Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - David B Solit
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York.,Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Center for Molecular Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.,Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.,Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Rajmohan Murali
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Robert Soslow
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Sarah Chiang
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Achim A Jungbluth
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Chaitanya Bandlamudi
- Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Center for Molecular Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Preethi Srinivasan
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - William D Tap
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York.,Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Evan Rosenbaum
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Barry S Taylor
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York.,Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Center for Molecular Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.,Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Mark T A Donoghue
- Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Center for Molecular Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - David M Hyman
- Gynecologic Medical Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.,Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
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7
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Caruso C, Garofalo C. Pharmacogenomics Biomarkers of Soft Tissue Sarcoma Therapies. Front Oncol 2020; 10:509. [PMID: 32351891 PMCID: PMC7174622 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are heterogeneous rare malignancies comprising ~1% of all solid cancers in adults and including more than 70 histological and molecular subtypes with different pathological and clinical development characteristics. Over the last two decades, the increased knowledge of the new molecular and genomic mechanisms of different STS histotypes allowed for a reclassification of these tumors and consequently to the development of novel chemotherapeutic agents. Generally, surgery, in combination with radiotherapy only in selected cases of localized disease, represents the most common treatment of primary STS, whereas the principal treatment modality for locally advanced or metastatic disease is first-line chemotherapy. The principal treatment for the preponderance of STS patients is usually an anthracycline (epirubicin and doxorubicin) in monotherapy or in combination with other drug novel chemotherapeutic agents. However, survival for treated patients with metastatic disease is poor, and a 2-years survival rate is about 30%. In this scenario, Pharmacogenomics (PGx) biomarkers that can predict drug response play an important role in the improvement of molecular diagnostics in clinical routines and contribute to elucidating the genetic basis for the differences in treatment efficacy and toxicity among STS patients. This review focuses on recent insight in the PGx biomarkers that have been described to modulate responsiveness and toxicity parameters of conventional and new chemotherapeutics drugs in several STS histotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Caruso
- Advanced Translational Research Laboratory, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Cecilia Garofalo
- Advanced Translational Research Laboratory, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy
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Dvorská D, Škovierová H, Braný D, Halašová E, Danková Z. Liquid Biopsy as a Tool for Differentiation of Leiomyomas and Sarcomas of Corpus Uteri. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E3825. [PMID: 31387281 PMCID: PMC6695893 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20153825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Utilization of liquid biopsy in the management of cancerous diseases is becoming more attractive. This method can overcome typical limitations of tissue biopsies, especially invasiveness, no repeatability, and the inability to monitor responses to medication during treatment as well as condition during follow-up. Liquid biopsy also provides greater possibility of early prediction of cancer presence. Corpus uteri mesenchymal tumors are comprised of benign variants, which are mostly leiomyomas, but also a heterogenous group of malignant sarcomas. Pre-surgical differentiation between these tumors is very difficult and the final description of tumor characteristics usually requires excision and histological examination. The leiomyomas and malignant leiomyosarcomas are especially difficult to distinguish and can, therefore, be easily misdiagnosed. Because of the very aggressive character of sarcomas, liquid biopsy based on early diagnosis and differentiation of these tumors would be extremely helpful. Moreover, after excision of the tumor, liquid biopsy can contribute to an increased knowledge of sarcoma behavior at the molecular level, especially on the formation of metastases which is still not well understood. In this review, we summarize the most important knowledge of mesenchymal uterine tumors, the possibilities and benefits of liquid biopsy utilization, the types of molecules and cells that can be analyzed with this approach, and the possibility of their isolation and capture. Finally, we review the typical abnormalities of leiomyomas and sarcomas that can be searched and analyzed in liquid biopsy samples with the final aim to pre-surgically differentiate between benign and malignant mesenchymal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Dvorská
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Biomedical Center Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Henrieta Škovierová
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Biomedical Center Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Dušan Braný
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Biomedical Center Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia.
| | - Erika Halašová
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Biomedical Center Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Zuzana Danková
- Division of Oncology, Biomedical Center Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
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9
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Seligson ND, Kautto EA, Passen EN, Stets C, Toland AE, Millis SZ, Meyer CF, Hays JL, Chen JL. BRCA1/2 Functional Loss Defines a Targetable Subset in Leiomyosarcoma. Oncologist 2018; 24:973-979. [PMID: 30541756 DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2018-0448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) describe a heterogeneous group of mesenchymal tumors with limited treatment options. Targeted therapies exist for BRCA1/2 gene alterations, but their prevalence and role have not been fully described in STS. Here, we present the largest effort to characterize the frequency of homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair pathway alterations in STS subtypes and highlight the unique nature of leiomyosarcoma (LMS). MATERIALS AND METHODS DNA sequencing data were analyzed for HR pathway alterations for 1,236 patients with STS. DNA sequencing data from an additional 1,312 patients were used to confirm the prevalence of HR pathway alterations in LMS. Four uterine LMS (uLMS) patients with functional BRCA2 loss were evaluated for response to poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition. RESULTS In an unselected STS study population, BRCA2 alterations were identified in 15 (1%) patients, and homozygous BRCA2 loss was detected in 9 (<1%). However, subset analysis revealed that these BRCA2 alterations were concentrated in uLMS as compared with any other STS subtype. Notably, 10% of uLMS tumors had a BRCA2 alteration. We further report that PARP inhibitors had demonstrated durable clinical benefit in four uLMS patients with BRCA2 loss. CONCLUSION HR pathway alterations are rare in most STS. However, we identify uLMS to be enriched for BRCA2 loss and report the positive outcomes of a series of patients treated with PARP inhibitors. Our data suggest that patients with uLMS should be considered for somatic BRCA2 profiling. Prospective trials are necessary to confirm the efficacy of PARP inhibition in uLMS. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Soft-tissue sarcomas are a highly morbid, diverse set of tumors with limited treatment options. This study identifies an increased prevalence of functional BRCA1/2 loss in patients with uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS). It also presents four patients with uLMS and BRCA2 loss who achieved durable clinical benefit from poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibition. These data suggest that patients with uLMS in particular should be screened for BRCA1/2 alterations and may benefit from treatment targeted to these alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D Seligson
- Division of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Esko A Kautto
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Edward N Passen
- Division of Bioinformatics, Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Colin Stets
- Division of Bioinformatics, Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Amanda E Toland
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Christian F Meyer
- Johns Hopkins University Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - John L Hays
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - James L Chen
- Division of Bioinformatics, Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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10
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Tsuyoshi H, Yoshida Y. Molecular biomarkers for uterine leiomyosarcoma and endometrial stromal sarcoma. Cancer Sci 2018; 109:1743-1752. [PMID: 29660202 PMCID: PMC5989874 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Revised: 04/07/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Uterine leiomyosarcoma (u‐LMS) and endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) are among the most frequent soft tissue sarcomas, which, in adults, lead to fatal lung metastases and patients have an extremely poor prognosis. Due to their rarity and heterogeneity, there are no suitable biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis, although some biomarker candidates have appeared. In 2017, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Research Network's work on u‐LMS has confirmed mutations and deletions in RB1,TP53 and PTEN. In addition, whole‐exome sequencing of u‐LMS has confirmed and demonstrated frequent alterations in TP53,RB1, α‐thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome X‐linked (ATRX) and mediator complex subunit 12 (MED12). MED12 is a useful biomarker to diagnose uterine‐derived LMS and tumors arising from (LM) with a relatively favorable prognosis. TP53 and ATRX mutations can be important mechanisms in the pathogenesis of u‐LMS and are correlated with a poor prognosis. In an update based on the 2014 WHO classification, low‐grade ESS is often associated with gene rearrangement bringing about the JAZF 1‐SUZ12 (formerly JAZF1‐JJAZ1) fusion gene, whereas high‐grade ESS is associated with the YWHAE‐NUTM fusion gene. Low‐grade ESS with JAZF1 rearrangement may correlate with metastasis. However, high‐grade ESS with metastasis with YWHAE rearrangement shows a relatively favorable prognosis. The genetic/molecular genetic aberrations in u‐LMS and ESS are reviewed, focusing on molecular biomarkers for these primary and metastatic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideaki Tsuyoshi
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Yoshio Yoshida
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
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Christmann M, Kaina B. Epigenetic regulation of DNA repair genes and implications for tumor therapy. MUTATION RESEARCH-REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2017; 780:15-28. [PMID: 31395346 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2017.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Revised: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
DNA repair represents the first barrier against genotoxic stress causing metabolic changes, inflammation and cancer. Besides its role in preventing cancer, DNA repair needs also to be considered during cancer treatment with radiation and DNA damaging drugs as it impacts therapy outcome. The DNA repair capacity is mainly governed by the expression level of repair genes. Alterations in the expression of repair genes can occur due to mutations in their coding or promoter region, changes in the expression of transcription factors activating or repressing these genes, and/or epigenetic factors changing histone modifications and CpG promoter methylation or demethylation levels. In this review we provide an overview on the epigenetic regulation of DNA repair genes. We summarize the mechanisms underlying CpG methylation and demethylation, with de novo methyltransferases and DNA repair involved in gain and loss of CpG methylation, respectively. We discuss the role of components of the DNA damage response, p53, PARP-1 and GADD45a on the regulation of the DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase DNMT1, the key enzyme responsible for gene silencing. We stress the relevance of epigenetic silencing of DNA repair genes for tumor formation and tumor therapy. A paradigmatic example is provided by the DNA repair protein O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), which is silenced in up to 40% of various cancers through CpG promoter methylation. The CpG methylation status of the MGMT promoter strongly correlates with clinical outcome and, therefore, is used as prognostic marker during glioblastoma therapy. Mismatch repair genes are also subject of epigenetic silencing, which was shown to correlate with colorectal cancer formation. For many other repair genes shown to be epigenetically regulated the clinical outcome is not yet clear. We also address the question of whether genotoxic stress itself can lead to epigenetic alterations of genes encoding proteins involved in the defense against genotoxic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Christmann
- Department of Toxicology, University of Mainz, Obere Zahlbacher Str. 67, D-55131 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Bernd Kaina
- Department of Toxicology, University of Mainz, Obere Zahlbacher Str. 67, D-55131 Mainz, Germany.
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Activity of trabectedin and the PARP inhibitor rucaparib in soft-tissue sarcomas. J Hematol Oncol 2017; 10:84. [PMID: 28399901 PMCID: PMC5387279 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-017-0451-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Trabectedin has recently been approved in the USA and in Europe for advanced soft-tissue sarcoma patients who have been treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy without success. The mechanism of action of trabectedin depends on the status of both the nucleotide excision repair (NER) and homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair pathways. Trabectedin results in DNA double-strand breaks. We hypothesized that PARP-1 inhibition is able to perpetuate trabectedin-induced DNA damage. Methods We explored the effects of combining a PARP inhibitor (rucaparib) and trabectedin in a large panel of soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) cell lines and in a mouse model of dedifferentiated liposarcoma. Results The combination of rucaparib and trabectedin in vitro was synergistic, inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and accumulated in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle with higher efficacy than either single agent alone. The combination also resulted in enhanced γH2AX intranuclear accumulation as a result of DNA damage induction. In vivo, the combination of trabectedin and rucaparib significantly enhanced progression-free survival with an increased percentage of tumor necrosis. Conclusion The combination of PARP inhibitor and trabectedin is beneficial in pre-clinical models of soft-tissue sarcoma and deserves further exploration in the clinical setting.
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Miolo G, Viel A, Canzonieri V, Baresic T, Buonadonna A, Santeufemia DA, Lara DP, Corona G. Association of the germline BRCA2 missense variation Glu2663Lys with high sensitivity to trabectedin-based treatment in soft tissue sarcoma. Cancer Biol Ther 2016; 17:1017-1021. [PMID: 27561088 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2016.1219812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We report an interesting clinical case of a patient carrying a specific BRCA2 germline variant affected by bone and hepatic metastases from a high grade uterine stromal sarcoma who obtained a complete metabolic response after only 3 cycles of trabectedin treatment (1.5 mg/m2 given intravenously over 24 hours every 21 days). Molecular investigations linked this outstanding positive pharmacological response with the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the mutated BRCA2 gene. These data support the hypothesis that the response to trabectedin may be positively conditioned by the different DNA repair defects present in the neoplasm and that BRCAness tumor genotype is important in determining the efficacy of trabectedin-based chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianmaria Miolo
- a Division of Medical Oncology B , IRCCS, National Cancer Institute (CRO) , Aviano , Italy
| | - Alessandra Viel
- b Division of Experimental Oncology 1 , IRCCS, National Cancer Institute (CRO) , Aviano , Italy
| | - Vincenzo Canzonieri
- c Department of Diagnostic Laboratories and Cell Therapy, Division of Pathology , IRCCS, National Cancer Institute (CRO) , Aviano , Italy
| | - Tania Baresic
- d Nuclear Medicine Unit, IRCCS National Cancer Institute (CRO) , Aviano , Italy
| | - Angela Buonadonna
- a Division of Medical Oncology B , IRCCS, National Cancer Institute (CRO) , Aviano , Italy
| | | | - Della Puppa Lara
- b Division of Experimental Oncology 1 , IRCCS, National Cancer Institute (CRO) , Aviano , Italy
| | - Giuseppe Corona
- f Department of Translational Research , IRCCS, National Cancer Institute (CRO) , Aviano , Italy
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Individual and Combined Expression of DNA Damage Response Molecules PARP1, γH2AX, BRCA1, and BRCA2 Predict Shorter Survival of Soft Tissue Sarcoma Patients. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163193. [PMID: 27643881 PMCID: PMC5028069 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA damage response (DDR) molecules are protective against genotoxic stresses. DDR molecules are also involved in the survival of cancer cells in patients undergoing anti-cancer therapies. Therefore, DDR molecules are potential markers of cancer progression in addition to being potential therapeutic targets. In this study, we evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of PARP1, γH2AX, BRCA1, and BRCA2 and their prognostic significance in 112 cases of soft tissue sarcoma (STS). The expression of PARP1, γH2AX, BRCA1, and BRCA2 were significantly associated with each other and were associated with higher tumor stage and presence of distant metastasis. The expression of PARP1, γH2AX, and BRCA2 were significantly associated with shorter disease-specific survival (DSS) and event-free survival (EFS) by univariate analysis. BRCA1 expression was associated with shorter DSS. Multivariate analysis revealed the expression of PARP1 and γH2AX to be independent indicators of poor prognosis of DSS and EFS. BRCA2 expression was an independent indicator of poor prognosis of DSS. In addition, the combined expressional patterns of PARP1, γH2AX, BRCA1, and BRCA2 (CSddrm) were independent prognostic predictors of DSS (P < 0.001) and EFS (P = 0.016). The ten-year DSS rate of the CSddrm-low, CSddrm-intermediate, and CSddrm-high subgroups were 81%, 26%, and 0%, respectively. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the individual and combined expression patterns of the DDR molecules PARP1, γH2AX, BRCA1, and BRCA2 could be predictive of the prognosis of STS patients and suggests that controlling the activity of these DDR molecules could be employed in new therapeutic stratagems for the treatment of STS.
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Wang Y, Cai KQ, Smith ER, Yeasky TM, Moore R, Ganjei-Azar P, Klein-Szanto AJ, Godwin AK, Hamilton TC, Xu XX. Follicle Depletion Provides a Permissive Environment for Ovarian Carcinogenesis. Mol Cell Biol 2016; 36:2418-30. [PMID: 27354067 PMCID: PMC5007791 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00202-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Revised: 05/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We modeled the etiology of postmenopausal biology on ovarian cancer risk using germ cell-deficient white-spotting variant (Wv) mice, incorporating oncogenic mutations. Ovarian cancer incidence is highest in peri- and postmenopausal women, and epidemiological studies have established the impact of reproductive factors on ovarian cancer risk. Menopause as a result of ovarian follicle depletion is thought to contribute to higher cancer risk. As a consequence of follicle depletion, female Wv mice develop ovarian tubular adenomas, a benign epithelial tumor corresponding to surface epithelial invaginations and papillomatosis frequently found in postmenopausal human ovaries. Lineage tracing using MISR2-Cre indicated that the tubular adenomas that developed in Wv mice were largely derived from the MISR2 lineage, which marked only a fraction of ovarian surface and oviduct epithelial cells in wild-type tissues. Deletion of p27, either heterozygous or homozygous, was able to convert the benign tubular adenomas into more proliferative tumors. Restricted deletion of p53 in Wv/Wv mice by either intrabursal injection of adenoviral Cre or inclusion of the MISR2-Cre transgene also resulted in augmented tumor growth. This finding suggests that follicle depletion provides a permissive ovarian environment for oncogenic transformation of epithelial cells, presenting a mechanism for the increased ovarian cancer risk in postmenopausal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA Department of Cell Biology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Kathy Qi Cai
- Ovarian Cancer Programs, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Department of Pathology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Elizabeth R Smith
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA Department of Cell Biology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Toni M Yeasky
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA Department of Cell Biology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Robert Moore
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA Department of Cell Biology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Parvin Ganjei-Azar
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA Department of Pathology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Andres J Klein-Szanto
- Ovarian Cancer Programs, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Department of Pathology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Andrew K Godwin
- Ovarian Cancer Programs, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Thomas C Hamilton
- Ovarian Cancer Programs, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Xiang-Xi Xu
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA Department of Cell Biology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
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Wang X, Khatri S, Broaddus R, Wang Z, Hawkins SM. Deletion of Arid1a in Reproductive Tract Mesenchymal Cells Reduces Fertility in Female Mice. Biol Reprod 2016; 94:93. [PMID: 26962117 PMCID: PMC4861168 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.133637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Women with endometriosis can suffer from decreased fecundity or complete infertility via abnormal oocyte function or impaired placental-uterine interactions required for normal pregnancy establishment and maintenance. Although AT-rich interactive domain 1A (SWI-like) (ARID1A) is a putative tumor suppressor in human endometrial cancers and endometriosis-associated ovarian cancers, little is known about its role in normal uterine function. To study the potential function of ARID1A in the female reproductive tract, we generated mice with a conditional knockout of Arid1a using anti-Müllerian hormone receptor 2-Cre. Female Arid1a conditional knockout mice exhibited a progressive decrease in number of pups per litter, with a precipitous decline after the second litter. We observed no tumors in virgin mice, although one knockout mouse developed a uterine tumor after pregnancy. Unstimulated virgin female knockout mice showed normal oviductal, ovarian, and uterine histology. Uteri of Arid1a knockout mice showed a normal decidualization response and appropriate responses to estradiol and progesterone stimulation. In vitro studies using primary cultures of human endometrial stromal fibroblasts revealed that small interfering RNA knockdown of ARID1A did not affect decidualization in vitro. Timed pregnancy studies revealed the significant resorption of embryos at Embryonic Day 16.5 in knockout mice in the third pregnancy. In addition to evidence of implantation site hemorrhage, pregnant Arid1a knockout mice showed abnormal placental morphology. These results suggest that Arid1a supports successful pregnancy through its role in placental function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiyin Wang
- Indiana University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Shikha Khatri
- Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Houston, Texas
| | - Russell Broaddus
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Houston, Texas
| | - Zhong Wang
- University of Michigan, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Shannon M Hawkins
- Indiana University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indianapolis, Indiana
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Liu T, Shen JK, Li Z, Choy E, Hornicek FJ, Duan Z. Development and potential applications of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology in sarcoma. Cancer Lett 2016; 373:109-118. [PMID: 26806808 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2016.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Revised: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Sarcomas include some of the most aggressive tumors and typically respond poorly to chemotherapy. In recent years, specific gene fusion/mutations and gene over-expression/activation have been shown to drive sarcoma pathogenesis and development. These emerging genomic alterations may provide targets for novel therapeutic strategies and have the potential to transform sarcoma patient care. The RNA-guided nuclease CRISPR-Cas9 (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein-9 nuclease) is a convenient and versatile platform for site-specific genome editing and epigenome targeted modulation. Given that sarcoma is believed to develop as a result of genetic alterations in mesenchymal progenitor/stem cells, CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technologies hold extensive application potentials in sarcoma models and therapies. We review the development and mechanisms of the CRISPR-Cas9 system in genome editing and introduce its application in sarcoma research and potential therapy in clinic. Additionally, we propose future directions and discuss the challenges faced with these applications, providing concise and enlightening information for readers interested in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tang Liu
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Jackson 1115, Boston, MA 02114, United States; Department of Orthopaedic, the 2nd Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 139 Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Jacson K Shen
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Jackson 1115, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Zhihong Li
- Department of Orthopaedic, the 2nd Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 139 Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Edwin Choy
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Jackson 1115, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Francis J Hornicek
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Jackson 1115, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Zhenfeng Duan
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Jackson 1115, Boston, MA 02114, United States.
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Potential Therapeutic Targets in Uterine Sarcomas. Sarcoma 2015; 2015:243298. [PMID: 26576131 PMCID: PMC4632006 DOI: 10.1155/2015/243298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Uterine sarcomas are rare tumors accounting for 3,4% of all uterine cancers. Even after radical hysterectomy, most patients relapse or present with distant metastases. The very limited clinical benefit of adjuvant cytotoxic treatments is reflected by high mortality rates, emphasizing the need for new treatment strategies. This review summarizes rising potential targets in four distinct subtypes of uterine sarcomas: leiomyosarcoma, low-grade and high-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma, and undifferentiated uterine sarcoma. Based on clinical reports, promising approaches for uterine leiomyosarcoma patients include inhibition of VEGF and mTOR signaling, preferably in combination with other targeted or cytotoxic compounds. Currently, the only targeted therapy approved in leiomyosarcoma patients is pazopanib, a multitargeted inhibitor blocking VEGFR, PDGFR, FGFR, and c-KIT. Additionally, preclinical evidence suggests effect of the inhibition of histone deacetylases, tyrosine kinase receptors, and the mitotic checkpoint protein aurora kinase A. In low-grade endometrial stromal sarcomas, antihormonal therapies including aromatase inhibitors and progestins have proven activity. Other potential targets are PDGFR, VEGFR, and histone deacetylases. In high-grade ESS that carry the YWHAE/FAM22A/B fusion gene, the generated 14-3-3 oncoprotein is a putative target, next to c-KIT and the Wnt pathway. The observation of heterogeneity within uterine sarcoma subtypes warrants a personalized treatment approach.
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A Mouse Model That Reproduces the Developmental Pathways and Site Specificity of the Cancers Associated With the Human BRCA1 Mutation Carrier State. EBioMedicine 2015; 2:1318-30. [PMID: 26629527 PMCID: PMC4634618 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2015.08.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2015] [Revised: 08/22/2015] [Accepted: 08/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Predisposition to breast and extrauterine Müllerian carcinomas in BRCA1 mutation carriers is due to a combination of cell-autonomous consequences of BRCA1 inactivation on cell cycle homeostasis superimposed on cell-nonautonomous hormonal factors magnified by the effects of BRCA1 mutations on hormonal changes associated with the menstrual cycle. We used the Müllerian inhibiting substance type 2 receptor (Mis2r) promoter and a truncated form of the Follicle stimulating hormone receptor (Fshr) promoter to introduce conditional knockouts of Brca1 and p53 not only in mouse mammary and Müllerian epithelia, but also in organs that control the estrous cycle. Sixty percent of the double mutant mice developed invasive Müllerian and mammary carcinomas. Mice carrying heterozygous mutations in Brca1 and p53 also developed invasive tumors, albeit at a lesser (30%) rate, in which the wild type alleles were no longer present due to loss of heterozygosity. While mice carrying heterozygous mutations in both genes developed mammary tumors, none of the mice carrying only a heterozygous p53 mutation developed such tumors (P < 0.0001), attesting to a role for Brca1 mutations in tumor development. This mouse model is attractive to investigate cell-nonautonomous mechanisms associated with cancer predisposition in BRCA1 mutation carriers and to investigate the merit of chemo-preventive drugs targeting such mechanisms. Mouse model reproducing both, cell-autonomous and cell-nonautonomous mechanisms of cancer risk in BRCA1 mutation carriers. The Müllerian and mesonephric ducts are embryologically linked, possibly accounting for Müllerian clear cell carcinomas. Foci of endosalpingiosis are at increased risk of cancer in the absence of a functional Brca1.
Most individuals with familial predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer carry germline mutations in BRCA1. Cancer predisposition in such carriers is due not only to effects of these mutations in tissues with an elevated cancer risk, but also in organs that control the menstrual cycle, which influences such tissues. The animal model that we developed mimics both mechanisms, which will facilitate our understanding of the contribution of menstrual cycle regulation to risk of these cancers. Our characterization of this model also led to insights into the origin of the serous and clear cell subtypes of ovarian cancer.
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Neto N, Cunha TM. Do hereditary syndrome-related gynecologic cancers have any specific features? Insights Imaging 2015; 6:545-52. [PMID: 26337050 PMCID: PMC4569599 DOI: 10.1007/s13244-015-0425-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Revised: 07/20/2015] [Accepted: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract Hereditary syndromes are responsible for 10 % of gynaecologic cancers, among which hereditary breast-ovarian cancer and hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer syndromes, known as HBOC and Lynch syndromes respectively, present the highest relative risk. The latter predisposes to endometrial cancer and both contribute to ovarian cancer. Cowden syndrome-related endometrial cancer and the increased risk of ovarian, uterine and cervical cancers associated with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, are also demonstrated, while Li-Fraumeni syndrome patients are prone to develop ovarian and endometrial cancers. Despite these syndromes’ susceptibility to gynaecologic cancers being consensual, it is still not clear whether these tumours have any epidemiologic, clinical, pathologic or imaging specific features that could allow any of the intervening physicians to raise suspicion of a hereditary syndrome in patients without known genetic risk. Moreover, controversy exists regarding both screening and surveillance schemes. Our literature review provides an updated perspective on the evidence-based specific features of tumours related to each of these syndromes as well as on the most accepted screening and surveillance guidelines. In addition, some illustrative cases are presented. Teaching Points • HBOC syndrome is mainly associated with ovarian HGSC, which arises in fallopian fimbriae. • LS-related endometrial tumours show histological diversity and predilection for lower uterine segment. • LS and CS-related ovarian cancers are mostly of non-serous type, usually endometrioid. • Ovarian SCTAT and cervical adenoma malignum are strongly associated with PJS. • Unfortunately, hereditary gynaecologic cancers do not seem to have distinctive imaging features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson Neto
- Radiology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Ocidental, Estrada do Forte do Alto do Duque, 1449-005, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Teresa Margarida Cunha
- Radiology Department, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil, Rua Professor Lima Basto, 1009-023, Lisboa, Portugal
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Brany D, Dvorska D, Nachajova M, Slavik P, Burjanivova T. Malignant tumors of the uterine corpus: molecular background of their origin. Tumour Biol 2015; 36:6615-21. [DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-3824-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 07/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
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Santos JC, Ribeiro ML. Epigenetic regulation of DNA repair machinery in Helicobacter pylori-induced gastric carcinogenesis. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21:9021-9037. [PMID: 26290630 PMCID: PMC4533035 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i30.9021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Revised: 06/02/2015] [Accepted: 07/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although thousands of DNA damaging events occur in each cell every day, efficient DNA repair pathways have evolved to counteract them. The DNA repair machinery plays a key role in maintaining genomic stability by avoiding the maintenance of mutations. The DNA repair enzymes continuously monitor the chromosomes to correct any damage that is caused by exogenous and endogenous mutagens. If DNA damage in proliferating cells is not repaired because of an inadequate expression of DNA repair genes, it might increase the risk of cancer. In addition to mutations, which can be either inherited or somatically acquired, epigenetic silencing of DNA repair genes has been associated with carcinogenesis. Gastric cancer represents the second highest cause of cancer mortality worldwide. The disease develops from the accumulation of several genetic and epigenetic changes during the lifetime. Among the risk factors, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is considered the main driving factor to gastric cancer development. Thus, in this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the role of H. pylori infection on the epigenetic regulation of DNA repair machinery in gastric carcinogenesis.
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Lehman HL, Stairs DB. Single and Multiple Gene Manipulations in Mouse Models of Human Cancer. CANCER GROWTH AND METASTASIS 2015; 8:1-15. [PMID: 26380553 PMCID: PMC4558888 DOI: 10.4137/cgm.s21217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Revised: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 06/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Mouse models of human cancer play a critical role in understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of tumorigenesis. Advances continue to be made in modeling human disease in a mouse, though the relevance of a mouse model often relies on how closely it is able to mimic the histologic, molecular, and physiologic characteristics of the respective human cancer. A classic use of a genetically engineered mouse in studying cancer is through the overexpression or deletion of a gene. However, the manipulation of a single gene often falls short of mimicking all the characteristics of the carcinoma in humans; thus a multiple gene approach is needed. Here we review genetic mouse models of cancers and their abilities to recapitulate human carcinoma with single versus combinatorial approaches with genes commonly involved in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L Lehman
- Department of Pathology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Douglas B Stairs
- Department of Pathology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
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Kawabe S, Mizutani T, Ishikane S, Martinez ME, Kiyono Y, Miura K, Hosoda H, Imamichi Y, Kangawa K, Miyamoto K, Yoshida Y. Establishment and characterization of a novel orthotopic mouse model for human uterine sarcoma with different metastatic potentials. Cancer Lett 2015; 366:182-90. [PMID: 26164209 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2015.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2015] [Revised: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 06/25/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Uterine sarcomas are rare and aggressive gynecologic tumors with a poor prognosis because of recurrence and metastasis. However, the mechanisms of uterine sarcoma metastasis are largely unknown. To investigate this mechanism, we developed a novel uterine sarcoma tissue-derived orthotopic and metastatic model in KSN nude mice using a green fluorescent protein stably expressed uterine sarcoma cell line, MES-SA. Histological analysis showed that all orthotopic primary tumors were undifferentiated sarcoma. Primary tumors were characterized by high (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake with a positive correlation to the number of pulmonary metastases. In addition, we generated uterine sarcoma cell sublines with high or low metastatic potentials by serial in vivo selection. Microarray analysis between orthotopic tumors with high and low metastatic potentials revealed differential expression of genes related to cell proliferation and migration (TNNT1, COL1A2, and ZIC1). Our model would be useful to compensate for the limited clinical cases of uterine sarcoma and to investigate the molecular mechanisms of metastatic uterine sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinya Kawabe
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan; Organization for Life Science Advancement Programs, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Mizutani
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan; Organization for Life Science Advancement Programs, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan.
| | - Shin Ishikane
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan
| | - Miguel Ernesto Martinez
- Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan
| | - Yasushi Kiyono
- Organization for Life Science Advancement Programs, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan; Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan
| | - Koichi Miura
- National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, 5-7-1 Fujishirodai, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Hosoda
- National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, 5-7-1 Fujishirodai, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Imamichi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan; Organization for Life Science Advancement Programs, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan
| | - Kenji Kangawa
- National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, 5-7-1 Fujishirodai, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Japan
| | - Kaoru Miyamoto
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan; Organization for Life Science Advancement Programs, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan
| | - Yoshio Yoshida
- Organization for Life Science Advancement Programs, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan
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Genetically engineered mouse models for epithelial ovarian cancer: are we there yet? Semin Cell Dev Biol 2014; 27:106-17. [PMID: 24685617 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2014.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2014] [Accepted: 03/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The development of preclinical spontaneous genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) requires an understanding of the genetic basis of the human disease. Such robust models have proven invaluable for increasing understanding of human malignancies as well as identifying new biomarkers and testing new therapies for these diseases. While GEMMs have been reported for ovarian cancer, the majority have proven disappointing overall in their recapitulation of paired genetic and histological features especially for serous ovarian epithelial cancer. This review describes GEMMs for ovarian cancer, in particular, high grade serous ovarian cancer and assesses these in light of recent changes in our understanding of the human malignancy.
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27
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Julsing JR, Peters GJ. Methylation of DNA repair genes and the efficacy of DNA targeted anticancer treatment. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.7243/2052-6199-2-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Dual Pten/Tp53 suppression promotes sarcoma progression by activating Notch signaling. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2013; 182:2015-27. [PMID: 23708211 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2013.02.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2012] [Revised: 01/21/2013] [Accepted: 02/11/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Soft tissue sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of tumors associated with poor clinical outcome. Although a subset of soft tissue sarcomas is characterized by simple karyotypes and recurrent chromosomal translocations, the mechanisms driving cytogenetically complex sarcomas are largely unknown. Clinical evidence led us to partially inactivate Pten and Tp53 in the smooth muscle lineage of mice, which developed high-grade undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas, leiomyosarcomas, and carcinosarcomas that widely recapitulate the human disease, including the aberrant karyotype and metastatic behavior. Pten was found haploinsufficient, whereas the wild-type allele of Tp53 invariably gained point mutations. Gene expression profiles showed up-regulated Notch signaling in Pten(Δ/+)Tp53(Δ/+) tumors compared with Pten(+/+)Tp53(Δ/+) tumors. Consistently, Pten silencing exacerbated the clonogenic and invasive potential of Tp53-deficient bone marrow-derived mouse mesenchymal stem cells and tumor cells and activated the Notch pathway. Moreover, the increased oncogenic behavior of Pten(Δ/+)Tp53(Δ/+) and shPten-transduced Pten(+/+)Tp53(Δ/+) tumor cells was counteracted by treatment with a γ-secretase inhibitor, suggesting that the aggressiveness of those tumors can be attributed, at least in part, to enhanced Notch signaling. This study demonstrates a cooperative role for Pten and Tp53 suppression in complex karyotype sarcomas while establishing Notch as an important functional player in the cross talk of these pathways during tumor progression. Our results highlight the importance of molecularly subclassifying patients with high-grade sarcoma for targeted treatments.
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Kobayashi H, Uekuri C, Akasaka J, Ito F, Shigemitsu A, Koike N, Shigetomi H. The biology of uterine sarcomas: A review and update. Mol Clin Oncol 2013; 1:599-609. [PMID: 24649216 PMCID: PMC3916197 DOI: 10.3892/mco.2013.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2012] [Accepted: 04/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Uterine sarcoma is a rare neoplasm, accounting for only 5% of uterine malignancies. The pathogenesis of uterine sarcoma remains largely unknown, although recent basic science and pre-clinical animal models have provided a better understanding of tumor biology. The aim of this study was to review the clinical features, imaging characteristics, genetic aberrations and therapeutic approaches in uterine sarcoma. This study reviewed the English-language literature on clinical and basic studies on uterine sarcoma. The common variants of uterine sarcoma are carcinosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma and endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS). Genetic profiling efforts have identified amplification, overexpression and mutation, while the molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis driven by these genomic and genetic aberrations have yet to be fully elucidated yet. Recent genome-wide studies have also identified complex chromosomal rearrangements as oncogenic mechanisms. The cell cycle regulators, p16 and p53, are frequently over-expressed and appear to be involved in key modifications of sarcomagenesis. Molecular-targeted therapy has now been evaluated in clinical trials for certain subtypes. In conclusion, aberrations of cell cycle control would be a critical step in the development of uterine sarcoma. This review has provided new areas of study targeting molecular and genetic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Kobayashi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Chiaki Uekuri
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Juria Akasaka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Fuminori Ito
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Aiko Shigemitsu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Natsuki Koike
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Shigetomi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, Nara 634-8522, Japan
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Garson K, Gamwell LF, Pitre EM, Vanderhyden BC. Technical challenges and limitations of current mouse models of ovarian cancer. J Ovarian Res 2012. [PMID: 23190474 PMCID: PMC3537528 DOI: 10.1186/1757-2215-5-39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of genetically engineered models (GEM) of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) has been very successful, with well validated models representing high grade and low grade serous adenocarcinomas and endometrioid carcinoma (EC). Most of these models were developed using technologies intended to target the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE), the cell type long believed to be the origin of EOC. More recent evidence has highlighted what is likely a more prevalent role of the secretory cell of the fallopian tube in the ontogeny of EOC, however none of the GEM of EOC have demonstrated successful targeting of this important cell type. The precise technologies exploited to develop the existing GEM of EOC are varied and carry with them advantages and disadvantages. The use of tissue specific promoters to model disease has been very successful, but the lack of any truly specific OSE or oviductal secretory cell promoters makes the outcomes of these models quite unpredictable. Effecting genetic change by the administration of adenoviral vectors expressing Cre recombinase may alleviate the perceived need for tissue specific promoters, however the efficiencies of infection of different cell types is subject to numerous biological parameters that may lead to preferential targeting of certain cell populations. One important future avenue of GEM of EOC is the evaluation of the role of genetic modifiers. We have found that genetic background can lead to contrasting phenotypes in one model of ovarian cancer, and data from other laboratories have also hinted that the exact genetic background of the model may influence the resulting phenotype. The different genetic backgrounds may modify the biology of the tumors in a manner that will be relevant to human disease, but they may also be modifying parameters which impact the response of the host to the technologies employed to develop the model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Garson
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada.
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31
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Nouvelles perspectives et biomarqueurs dans le diagnostic et la prise en charge des tumeurs gynécologiques. ONCOLOGIE 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s10269-012-2204-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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32
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Galizia D, Palesandro E, Nuzzo AM, Pignochino Y, Aliberti S, Aglietta M, Grignani G. Prolonged Disease Stability With Trabectedin in a Heavily Pretreated Elderly Patient With Metastatic Leiomyosarcoma of the Thigh and Renal Failure: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. Oncol Res 2012; 20:483-90. [DOI: 10.3727/096504013x13685487925130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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33
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Koivisto-Korander R, Scélo G, Ferro G, Mellemkjaer L, Hemminki K, Weiderpass E, Tamaro S, Pompe-Kirn V, Tracey E, Brewster DH, Kliewer EV, Tonita JM, Kee-Seng C, Jonasson JG, Martos C, Brennan P, Straif K, Pukkala E. Second primary malignancies among women with uterine sarcoma. Gynecol Oncol 2012; 126:30-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2012.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2012] [Revised: 03/30/2012] [Accepted: 04/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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34
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Shan W, Akinfenwa PY, Savannah KB, Kolomeyevskaya N, Laucirica R, Thomas DG, Odunsi K, Creighton CJ, Lev DC, Anderson ML. A small-molecule inhibitor targeting the mitotic spindle checkpoint impairs the growth of uterine leiomyosarcoma. Clin Cancer Res 2012; 18:3352-65. [PMID: 22535157 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-11-3058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Uterine leiomyosarcoma (ULMS) is a poorly understood cancer with few effective treatments. This study explores the molecular events involved in ULMS with the goal of developing novel therapeutic strategies. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Genome-wide transcriptional profiling, Western blotting, and real-time PCR were used to compare specimens of myometrium, leiomyoma, and leiomyosarcoma. Aurora A kinase was targeted in cell lines derived from metastatic ULMS using siRNA or MK-5108, a highly specific small-molecule inhibitor. An orthotopic model was used to evaluate the ability of MK-5108 to inhibit ULMS growth in vivo. RESULTS We found that 26 of 50 gene products most overexpressed in ULMS regulate mitotic centrosome and spindle functions. These include UBE2C, Aurora A and B kinase, TPX2, and Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1). Targeting Aurora A inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in LEIO285, LEIO505, and SK-LMS1, regardless of whether siRNA or MK-5108 was used. In vitro, MK-5108 did not consistently synergize with gemcitabine or docetaxel. Gavage of an orthotopic ULMS model with MK-5108 at 30 or 60 mg/kg decreased the number and size of tumor implants compared with sham-fed controls. Oral MK-5108 also decreased the rate of proliferation, increased intratumoral apoptosis, and increased expression of phospho-histone H3 in ULMS xenografts. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that dysregulated centrosome function and spindle assembly are a robust feature of ULMS that can be targeted to slow its growth both in vitro and in vivo. These observations identify novel directions that can be potentially used to improve clinical outcomes for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Shan
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Dan L Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Abstract
Ovarian cancer in women is a complex and deadly disease, where the molecular events that initiate and control tumor formation remain poorly defined. Therefore, mouse models provide one approach for determining the mechanisms by which specific oncogenic factors cause ovarian surface epithelial cell and granulosa cell transformation. This minireview summarizes the phenotypes of current mouse models that have been generated and some of the underlying mechanisms they have provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa K Mullany
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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36
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Scarlett UK, Rutkowski MR, Rauwerdink AM, Fields J, Escovar-Fadul X, Baird J, Cubillos-Ruiz JR, Jacobs AC, Gonzalez JL, Weaver J, Fiering S, Conejo-Garcia JR. Ovarian cancer progression is controlled by phenotypic changes in dendritic cells. J Exp Med 2012; 209:495-506. [PMID: 22351930 PMCID: PMC3302234 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20111413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 234] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2011] [Accepted: 01/23/2012] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
We characterized the initiation and evolution of the immune response against a new inducible p53-dependent model of aggressive ovarian carcinoma that recapitulates the leukocyte infiltrates and cytokine milieu of advanced human tumors. Unlike other models that initiate tumors before the development of a mature immune system, we detect measurable anti-tumor immunity from very early stages, which is driven by infiltrating dendritic cells (DCs) and prevents steady tumor growth for prolonged periods. Coinciding with a phenotypic switch in expanding DC infiltrates, tumors aggressively progress to terminal disease in a comparatively short time. Notably, tumor cells remain immunogenic at advanced stages, but anti-tumor T cells become less responsive, whereas their enduring activity is abrogated by different microenvironmental immunosuppressive DCs. Correspondingly, depleting DCs early in the disease course accelerates tumor expansion, but DC depletion at advanced stages significantly delays aggressive malignant progression. Our results indicate that phenotypically divergent DCs drive both immunosurveillance and accelerated malignant growth. We provide experimental support for the cancer immunoediting hypothesis, but we also show that aggressive cancer progression after a comparatively long latency period is primarily driven by the mobilization of immunosuppressive microenvironmental leukocytes, rather than loss of tumor immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Adam M. Rauwerdink
- Department of Radiology, Department of Genetics, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Department of Pathology, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, NH 03756
| | - Jennifer Fields
- Department of Radiology, Department of Genetics, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Department of Pathology, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, NH 03756
| | | | - Jason Baird
- Department of Radiology, Department of Genetics, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Department of Pathology, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, NH 03756
| | - Juan R. Cubillos-Ruiz
- Department of Radiology, Department of Genetics, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Department of Pathology, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, NH 03756
| | - Ana C. Jacobs
- Department of Radiology, Department of Genetics, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Department of Pathology, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, NH 03756
| | - Jorge L. Gonzalez
- Department of Radiology, Department of Genetics, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Department of Pathology, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, NH 03756
| | - John Weaver
- Department of Radiology, Department of Genetics, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Department of Pathology, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, NH 03756
| | - Steven Fiering
- Department of Radiology, Department of Genetics, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Department of Pathology, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, NH 03756
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Classification, molecular characterization, and the significance of pten alteration in leiomyosarcoma. Sarcoma 2012; 2012:380896. [PMID: 22448121 PMCID: PMC3289834 DOI: 10.1155/2012/380896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2011] [Accepted: 11/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Leiomyosarcoma is a malignant smooth muscle neoplasm with a complicated histopathologic classification scheme and marked differences in clinical behavior depending on the anatomic site of origin. Overlapping morphologic features of benign and borderline malignant smooth muscle neoplasms further complicate the diagnostic process. Likewise, deciphering the complex and heterogeneous patterns of genetic changes which occur in this cancer has been challenging. Preliminary studies suggest that reproducible molecular classification may be possible in the near future and new prognostic markers are emerging. Robust recapitulation of leiomyosarcoma in mice with conditional deletion of Pten in smooth muscle and the simultaneous discovery of a novel role for Pten in genomic stability provide a fresh perspective on the mechanism of leiomyosarcomagenesis and promise for therapeutic intervention.
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38
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Mullany LK, Fan HY, Liu Z, White LD, Marshall A, Gunaratne P, Anderson ML, Creighton CJ, Xin L, Deavers M, Wong KK, Richards JS. Molecular and functional characteristics of ovarian surface epithelial cells transformed by KrasG12D and loss of Pten in a mouse model in vivo. Oncogene 2011; 30:3522-36. [PMID: 21423204 PMCID: PMC3139785 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2011.70] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2010] [Revised: 12/16/2010] [Accepted: 01/03/2011] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is a complex and deadly disease that remains difficult to detect at an early curable stage. Furthermore, although some oncogenic (Kras, Pten/PI3K and Trp53) pathways that are frequently mutated, deleted or amplified in ovarian cancer are known, how these pathways initiate and drive specific morphological phenotypes and tumor outcomes remain unclear. We recently generated Pten(fl/fl); Kras(G12D); Amhr2-Cre mice to disrupt the Pten gene and express a stable mutant form of Kras(G12D) in ovarian surface epithelial (OSE) cells. On the basis of histopathologic criteria, the mutant mice developed low-grade ovarian serous papillary adenocarcinomas at an early age and with 100% penetrance. This highly reproducible phenotype provides the first mouse model in which to study this ovarian cancer subtype. OSE cells isolated from ovaries of mutant mice at 5 and 10 weeks of age exhibit temporal changes in the expression of specific Mullerian epithelial marker genes, grow in soft agar and develop ectopic invasive tumors in recipient mice, indicating that the cells are transformed. Gene profiling identified specific mRNAs and microRNAs differentially expressed in purified OSE cells derived from tumors of the mutant mice compared with wild-type OSE cells. Mapping of transcripts or genes between the mouse OSE mutant data sets, the Kras signature from human cancer cell lines and the human ovarian tumor array data sets, documented significant overlap, indicating that KRAS is a key driver of OSE transformation in this context. Two key hallmarks of the mutant OSE cells in these mice are the elevated expression of the tumor-suppressor Trp53 (p53) and its microRNA target, miR-34a-c. We propose that elevated TRP53 and miR-34a-c may exert negatively regulatory effects that reduce the proliferative potential of OSE cells leading to the low-grade serous adenocarcinoma phenotype.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Blotting, Western
- Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial
- Cell Line, Transformed
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/genetics
- Cells, Cultured
- Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous/genetics
- Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous/metabolism
- Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous/pathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Epithelial Cells/metabolism
- Female
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Mice
- Mice, Knockout
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- Neoplasm Transplantation
- Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/genetics
- Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/metabolism
- Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/pathology
- Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
- Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics
- Ovarian Neoplasms/metabolism
- Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology
- Ovary/cytology
- PTEN Phosphohydrolase/genetics
- PTEN Phosphohydrolase/metabolism
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/metabolism
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- L K Mullany
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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39
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Abstract
'Every Hour Hurts, The Last One Kills'. That is an old saying about getting old. Every day, thousands of DNA damaging events take place in each cell of our body, but efficient DNA repair systems have evolved to prevent that. However, our DNA repair system and that of most other organisms are not as perfect as that of Deinococcus radiodurans, for example, which is able to repair massive amounts of DNA damage at one time. In many instances, accumulation of DNA damage has been linked to cancer, and genetic deficiencies in specific DNA repair genes are associated with tumor-prone phenotypes. In addition to mutations, which can be either inherited or somatically acquired, epigenetic silencing of DNA repair genes may promote tumorigenesis. This review will summarize current knowledge of the epigenetic inactivation of different DNA repair components in human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Lahtz
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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40
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Mills J, Hricik T, Siddiqi S, Matushansky I. Chromatin structure predicts epigenetic therapy responsiveness in sarcoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2011; 10:313-24. [PMID: 21216937 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-10-0724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
To formally explore the potential therapeutic effect of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACI) and DNA-methyltransferase inhibitors (DNA-MI) on sarcomas, we treated a large sarcoma cell line panel with five different HDACIs in the absence and presence of the DNA-MI decitabine. We observed that the IC(50) value of each HDACI was consistent for all cell lines whereas decitabine as a single agent showed no growth inhibition at standard doses. Combination HDACI/DNA-MI therapy showed a preferential synergism for specific sarcoma cell lines. Subsequently, we identified and validated (in vitro and in vivo) a two-gene set signature (high CUGBP2; low RHOJ) that associated with the synergistic phenotype. We further uncover that the epigenetic synergism leading to specific upregulation of CDKI p21 in specific cell lines is a function of the differences in the degree of baseline chromatin modification. Finally, we show that these chromatin and gene expression patterns are similarly present in the majority of high-grade primary sarcomas. Our results provide the first demonstration of a gene set that can predict responsiveness to HDACI/DNA-MI and links this responsiveness mechanistically to the baseline chromatin structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joslyn Mills
- Department of Pathology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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41
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Abstract
Soft-tissue sarcomas (STSs) are rare mesenchymal tumors that arise from muscle, fat and connective tissue. Currently, over 75 subtypes of STS are recognized. The rarity and heterogeneity of patient samples complicate clinical investigations into sarcoma biology. Model organisms might provide traction to our understanding and treatment of the disease. Over the past 10 years, many successful animal models of STS have been developed, primarily genetically engineered mice and zebrafish. These models are useful for studying the relevant oncogenes, signaling pathways and other cell changes involved in generating STSs. Recently, these model systems have become preclinical platforms in which to evaluate new drugs and treatment regimens. Thus, animal models are useful surrogates for understanding STS disease susceptibility and pathogenesis as well as for testing potential therapeutic strategies.
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43
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Bednarz N, Eltze E, Semjonow A, Rink M, Andreas A, Mulder L, Hannemann J, Fisch M, Pantel K, Weier HUG, Bielawski KP, Brandt B. BRCA1 loss preexisting in small subpopulations of prostate cancer is associated with advanced disease and metastatic spread to lymph nodes and peripheral blood. Clin Cancer Res 2010; 16:3340-8. [PMID: 20592016 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-10-0150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE A preliminary study performed on a small cohort of multifocal prostate cancer (PCa) detected BRCA1 allelic imbalances among circulating tumor cells (CTC). The present analysis was aimed to elucidate the biological and clinical roles of BRCA1 losses in metastatic spread and tumor progression in PCa patients. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN To map molecular progression in PCa outgrowth, we used fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of primary tumors and lymph node sections, and CTCs from peripheral blood. RESULTS We found that 14% of 133 tested patients carried monoallelic BRCA1 loss in at least one tumor focus. Extended molecular analysis of chr17q revealed that this aberration was often a part of larger cytogenetic rearrangement involving chr17q21 accompanied by allelic imbalance of the tumor suppressor gene PTEN and lack of BRCA1 promoter methylation. The BRCA1 losses correlated with advanced T stage (P < 0.05), invasion to pelvic lymph nodes (P < 0.05), as well as biochemical recurrence (P < 0.01). Their prevalence was twice as high within 62 lymph node metastases (LNM) as in primary tumors (27%, P < 0.01). The analysis of 11 matched primary PCa-LNM pairs confirmed the suspected transmission of genetic abnormalities between these two sites. In four of seven patients with metastatic disease, BRCA1 losses appeared in a minute fraction of cytokeratin- and vimentin-positive CTCs. CONCLUSIONS Small subpopulations of PCa cells bearing BRCA1 losses might be one confounding factor initiating tumor dissemination and might provide an early indicator of shortened disease-free survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Bednarz
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Conditional inactivation of Brca1, p53 and Rb in mouse ovaries results in the development of leiomyosarcomas. PLoS One 2009; 4:e8534. [PMID: 20046869 PMCID: PMC2795167 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2009] [Accepted: 12/10/2009] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is thought to arise in part from the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE); however, the molecular events underlying this transformation are poorly understood. Germline mutations in the BRCA1 tumor suppressor gene result in a significantly increased risk of developing EOC and a large proportion of sporadic EOCs display some sort of BRCA1 dysfunction. To generate a model in which Brca1-mediated transformation can be studied, we previously inactivated Brca1 alone in murine OSE, which resulted in an increased accumulation of premalignant changes, but no tumor formation. In this study, we examined tumor formation in mice with conditionally expressed alleles of Brca1, p53 and Rb, alone or in combination. Intrabursal injection of adenovirus expressing Cre recombinase to inactivate p53 resulted in tumors in 100% of mice. Tumor progression was accelerated in mice with concomitant inactivation of Brca1 and p53, but not Rb and p53. Immunohistologic analyses classified the tumors as leiomyosarcomas that may be arising from the ovarian bursa. Brca1 inactivation in primary cultures of murine OSE cells led to a suppression of proliferation that could be rescued by concomitant inactivation of p53 and/or Rb. Brca1-deficient OSE cells displayed an increased sensitivity to the DNA damaging agent cisplatin, and this effect could be modulated by inactivation of p53 and/or Rb. These results indicate that Brca1 deficiency can accelerate tumor development and alter the sensitivity of OSE cells to chemotherapeutic agents. Intrabursal delivery of adenovirus intended to alter gene expression in the ovarian surface epithelium may, in some strains of mice, result in more rapid transformation of adjacent cells, resulting in leiomyosarcomas.
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Quinn BA, Brake T, Hua X, Baxter-Jones K, Litwin S, Ellenson LH, Connolly DC. Induction of ovarian leiomyosarcomas in mice by conditional inactivation of Brca1 and p53. PLoS One 2009; 4:e8404. [PMID: 20046879 PMCID: PMC2796165 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2009] [Accepted: 11/16/2009] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately one out of every ten cases of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is inherited. The majority of inherited cases of EOC result from mutations in the breast cancer associated gene 1 (BRCA1). In addition to mutation of BRCA1, mutation of the p53 gene is often found in patients with inherited breast and ovarian cancer syndrome. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We investigated the role of loss of function of BRCA1 and p53 in ovarian cancer development using mouse models with conditionally expressed alleles of Brca1 and/or p53. Our results show that ovary-specific Cre-recombinase-mediated conditional inactivation of both Brca1(LoxP/LoxP) and p53(LoxP/LoxP) resulted in ovarian or reproductive tract tumor formation in 54% of mice, whereas conditional inactivation of either allele alone infrequently resulted in tumors (< or =5% of mice). In mice with conditionally inactivated Brca1(LoxP/LoxP) and p53(LoxP/LoxP), ovarian tumors arose after long latency with the majority exhibiting histological features consistent with high grade leiomyosarcomas lacking expression of epithelial, follicular or lymphocyte markers. In addition, tumors with conditional inactivation of both Brca1(LoxP/LoxP) and p53(LoxP/LoxP) exhibited greater genomic instability compared to an ovarian tumor with inactivation of only p53(LoxP/LoxP). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Although conditional inactivation of both Brca1 and p53 results in ovarian tumorigenesis, our results suggest that additional genetic alterations or alternative methods for targeting epithelial cells of the ovary or fallopian tube for conditional inactivation of Brca1 and p53 are required for the development of a mouse model of Brca1-associated inherited EOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget A. Quinn
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Tiffany Brake
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Xiang Hua
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | | | - Samuel Litwin
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Lora Hedrick Ellenson
- NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Weil Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Denise C. Connolly
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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