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Al Hmada Y, Brodell RT, Kharouf N, Flanagan TW, Alamodi AA, Hassan SY, Shalaby H, Hassan SL, Haikel Y, Megahed M, Santourlidis S, Hassan M. Mechanisms of Melanoma Progression and Treatment Resistance: Role of Cancer Stem-like Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:470. [PMID: 38275910 PMCID: PMC10814963 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the third most common type of skin cancer, characterized by its heterogeneity and propensity to metastasize to distant organs. Melanoma is a heterogeneous tumor, composed of genetically divergent subpopulations, including a small fraction of melanoma-initiating cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) and many non-cancer stem cells (non-CSCs). CSCs are characterized by their unique surface proteins associated with aberrant signaling pathways with a causal or consequential relationship with tumor progression, drug resistance, and recurrence. Melanomas also harbor significant alterations in functional genes (BRAF, CDKN2A, NRAS, TP53, and NF1). Of these, the most common are the BRAF and NRAS oncogenes, with 50% of melanomas demonstrating the BRAF mutation (BRAFV600E). While the successful targeting of BRAFV600E does improve overall survival, the long-term efficacy of available therapeutic options is limited due to adverse side effects and reduced clinical efficacy. Additionally, drug resistance develops rapidly via mechanisms involving fast feedback re-activation of MAPK signaling pathways. This article updates information relevant to the mechanisms of melanoma progression and resistance and particularly the mechanistic role of CSCs in melanoma progression, drug resistance, and recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssef Al Hmada
- Department of Pathology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, USA; (Y.A.H.); (R.T.B.)
| | - Robert T. Brodell
- Department of Pathology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, USA; (Y.A.H.); (R.T.B.)
| | - Naji Kharouf
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (N.K.); (Y.H.)
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Dental Faculty, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas W. Flanagan
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | - Abdulhadi A. Alamodi
- College of Health Sciences, Jackson State University, 310 W Woodrow Wilson Ave Ste 300, Jackson, MS 39213, USA;
| | - Sofie-Yasmin Hassan
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Dusseldorf, Germany;
| | - Hosam Shalaby
- Department of Urology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | - Sarah-Lilly Hassan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Dusseldorf, Germany;
| | - Youssef Haikel
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (N.K.); (Y.H.)
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Dental Faculty, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Pôle de Médecine et Chirurgie Bucco-Dentaire, Hôpital Civil, Hôpitaux Universitaire de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Mosaad Megahed
- Clinic of Dermatology, University Hospital of Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
| | - Simeon Santourlidis
- Epigenetics Core Laboratory, Medical Faculty, Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Dusseldorf, Germany;
| | - Mohamed Hassan
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (N.K.); (Y.H.)
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Dental Faculty, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Research Laboratory of Surgery-Oncology, Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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Lin R, Zhao F, Xiong T, Lai L, Li H, Lin W, Xiao T, Lin W. Genetic mapping identifies SNP mutations in MITF-M promoter associated with melanin formation in Putian black duck. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103191. [PMID: 37980740 PMCID: PMC10679944 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The coloration of plumage in poultry species has substantial economic significance. Putian black ducks encompass 2 distinct strains characterized by black and white plumage variations resulting from selective breeding. This study aimed to identify the molecular mechanisms responsible for plumage coloration in these 2 distinct strains. A comprehensive genome-wide association study was conducted using DNA data sourced from a F2 segregating population, consisting of 71 individuals with black plumage and 39 individuals with white plumage, derived from these distinct 2 strains. This analysis revealed that 894 nucleotide polymorphisms and identified 58 candidate genes. Subsequent Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes coenrichment analyses identified MITF as a key candidate gene implicated in melanin biosynthesis. Furthermore, extensive screening of significant polymorphic loci within MITF was carried out via mass spectrometry in 3 distinct populations: 100 individuals with black plumage and 100 individuals with white plumage from the F0 generation; and 50 with black plumage form the F1 generation). Eighteen candidate polymorphic loci were identified demonstrating significant associations with variations in black and white plumage. Notably, 8 of these loci were located within the 2,000 bp region upstream of MITF-M. To validate the critical regulatory role of MITF-M in black and white plumage formation, a dual-fluorescence reporter system was constructed, and dual-fluorescence activity was assessed. The results revealed that the fluorescence activity at wild-type sites (corresponding to black plumage) was significantly higher than that at the mutant-type sites (associated with white plumage) (P < 0.01). To corroborate the pivotal role of MITF-M in black and white plumage formation, qPCR was employed to evaluate the expression levels of various MITF variants in black and white feather bulbs. This analysis demonstrated that only MITF-M exhibited specific expression in black feather bulbs. These results elucidate the central role of polymorphic mutations within the MITF promoter region in the regulation of black and white plumage coloration in Putian black ducks. This study extends our understanding of mechanisms governing duck plumage coloration and provides valuable molecular markers for future research in duck production and breeding based on plumage coloration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyi Lin
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
| | - Fanglu Zhao
- Department of Animal Science, Jiangxi Biological Vocational College, No. 608 Nanlian Road, Nanchang 330200, China
| | - Taimin Xiong
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
| | - Lianjie Lai
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
| | - Huihuang Li
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
| | - Weilong Lin
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
| | - Tianfang Xiao
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
| | - Weimin Lin
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China.
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Kuras M. Exploring the Complex and Multifaceted Interplay between Melanoma Cells and the Tumor Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14403. [PMID: 37762707 PMCID: PMC10531837 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is a very aggressive skin cancer, characterized by a heterogeneous nature and high metastatic potential. The incidence of melanoma is continuously increasing worldwide, and it is one of the most common cancers in young adults. In the past twenty years, our understanding of melanoma biology has increased profoundly, and disease management for patients with disseminated disease has improved due to the emergence of immunotherapy and targeted therapy. However, a significant fraction of patients relapse or do not respond adequately to treatment. This can partly be explained by the complex signaling between the tumor and its microenvironment, giving rise to melanoma phenotypes with different patterns of disease progression. This review focuses on the key aspects and complex relationship between pathogenesis, genetic abnormalities, tumor microenvironment, cellular plasticity, and metabolic reprogramming in melanoma. By acquiring a deeper understanding of the multifaceted features of melanomagenesis, we can reach a point of more individualized and patient-centered disease management and reduced costs of ineffective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Kuras
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden;
- Section for Clinical Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
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Hench J, Mihic-Probst D, Agaimy A, Frank S, Meyer P, Hultschig C, Simi S, Alos L, Balamurugan T, Blokx W, Bosisio F, Cappellesso R, Griewank K, Hadaschik E, van Kempen LC, Kempf W, Lentini M, Mazzucchelli L, Rinaldi G, Rutkowski P, Schadendorf D, Schilling B, Szumera-Cieckiewicz A, van den Oord J, Mandalà M, Massi D. Clinical, histopathological and molecular features of dedifferentiated melanomas: An EORTC Melanoma Group Retrospective Analysis. Eur J Cancer 2023; 187:7-14. [PMID: 37098294 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2023.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Dedifferentiated melanoma (DedM) poses significant diagnostic challenges. We aimed to investigate the clinical, histopathological and molecular features of DedM. Methylation signature (MS) and copy number profiling (CNP) were carried out in a subgroup of cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective series of 78 DedM tissue samples from 61 patients retrieved from EORTC (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer) Melanoma Group centres were centrally reviewed. Clinical and histopathological features were retrieved. In a subgroup of patients, genotyping through Infinium Methylation microarray and CNP analysis was carried out. RESULTS Most patients (60/61) had a metastatic DedM showing most frequently an unclassified pleomorphic, spindle cell, or small round cell morphology akin to undifferentiated soft tissue sarcoma, rarely associated with heterologous elements. Overall, among 20 successfully analysed tissue samples from 16 patients, we found retained melanoma-like MS in only 7 tissue samples while a non-melanoma-like MS was observed in 13 tissue samples. In two patients from whom multiple specimens were analysed, some of the samples had a preserved cutaneous melanoma MS while other specimens exhibited an epigenetic shift towards a mesenchymal/sarcoma-like profile, matching the histological features. In these two patients, CNP was largely identical across all analysed specimens, in line with their common clonal origin, despite significant modification of their epigenome. CONCLUSIONS Our study further highlights that DedM represents a real diagnostic challenge. While MS and genomic CNP may help pathologists to diagnose DedM, we provide proof-of-concept that dedifferentiation in melanoma is frequently associated with epigenetic modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juergen Hench
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Mihic-Probst
- Institute of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Abbas Agaimy
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Hospital, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stephan Frank
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Peter Meyer
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Claus Hultschig
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sara Simi
- Section of Pathology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Lucia Alos
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Willeke Blokx
- Department of Pathology, Division of Laboratories, Pharmacy and Biomedical Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Francesca Bosisio
- Department of Imaging & Pathology, Laboratory of Translational Cell & Tissue Research and Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rocco Cappellesso
- Pathological Anatomy Unit, Padua University Hospital, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Klaus Griewank
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Essen, West German Cancer Center, University Duisburg-Essen and the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen, Germany
| | - Eva Hadaschik
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Essen, West German Cancer Center, University Duisburg-Essen and the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen, Germany
| | - Leon C van Kempen
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Pathology, University Hospital Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Werner Kempf
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maria Lentini
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Luca Mazzucchelli
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - Gaetana Rinaldi
- Sezione di Oncologia, Dipartimento di Discipline Chirurgiche, Oncologiche e Stomatologiche (Di.Chir.On.S.), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Piotr Rutkowski
- Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dirk Schadendorf
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Essen, West German Cancer Center, University Duisburg-Essen and the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen, Germany
| | - Bastian Schilling
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anna Szumera-Cieckiewicz
- Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joost van den Oord
- Department of Imaging & Pathology, Laboratory of Translational Cell & Tissue Research and Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mario Mandalà
- University of Perugia, Unit of Medical Oncology, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Daniela Massi
- Section of Pathology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Pagliuca C, Di Leo L, De Zio D. New Insights into the Phenotype Switching of Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246118. [PMID: 36551603 PMCID: PMC9776915 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is considered one of the deadliest skin cancers, partly because of acquired resistance to standard therapies. The most recognized driver of resistance relies on acquired melanoma cell plasticity, or the ability to dynamically switch among differentiation phenotypes. This confers the tumor noticeable advantages. During the last year, two new features have been included in the hallmarks of cancer, namely "Unlocking phenotypic plasticity" and "Non-mutational epigenetic reprogramming". Such are inextricably intertwined as, most of the time, plasticity is not discernable at the genetic level, as it rather consists of epigenetic reprogramming heavily influenced by external factors. By analyzing current literature, this review provides reasoning about the origin of plasticity and clarifies whether such features already exist among tumors or are acquired by selection. Moreover, markers of plasticity, molecular effectors, and related tumor advantages in melanoma will be explored. Ultimately, as this new branch of tumor biology opened a wide landscape of therapeutic possibilities, in the final paragraph of this review, we will focus on newly characterized drugs targeting melanoma plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Pagliuca
- Melanoma Research Team, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Luca Di Leo
- Melanoma Research Team, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Daniela De Zio
- Melanoma Research Team, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence:
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Ten Years of CRISPRing Cancers In Vitro. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235746. [PMID: 36497228 PMCID: PMC9738354 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell lines have always constituted a good investigation tool for cancer research, allowing scientists to understand the basic mechanisms underlying the complex network of phenomena peculiar to the transforming path from a healthy to cancerous cell. The introduction of CRISPR in everyday laboratory activity and its relative affordability greatly expanded the bench lab weaponry in the daily attempt to better understand tumor biology with the final aim to mitigate cancer's impact in our lives. In this review, we aim to report how this genome editing technique affected in the in vitro modeling of different aspects of tumor biology, its several declinations, and analyze the advantages and drawbacks of each of them.
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