1
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Shen Y, Thng DKH, Wong ALA, Toh TB. Mechanistic insights and the clinical prospects of targeted therapies for glioblastoma: a comprehensive review. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:40. [PMID: 38615034 PMCID: PMC11015656 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00512-8] [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: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a fatal brain tumour that is traditionally diagnosed based on histological features. Recent molecular profiling studies have reshaped the World Health Organization approach in the classification of central nervous system tumours to include more pathogenetic hallmarks. These studies have revealed that multiple oncogenic pathways are dysregulated, which contributes to the aggressiveness and resistance of GBM. Such findings have shed light on the molecular vulnerability of GBM and have shifted the disease management paradigm from chemotherapy to targeted therapies. Targeted drugs have been developed to inhibit oncogenic targets in GBM, including receptors involved in the angiogenic axis, the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway, the ubiquitination-proteasome pathway, as well as IDH1/2 pathway. While certain targeted drugs showed promising results in vivo, the translatability of such preclinical achievements in GBM remains a barrier. We also discuss the recent developments and clinical assessments of targeted drugs, as well as the prospects of cell-based therapies and combinatorial therapy as novel ways to target GBM. Targeted treatments have demonstrated preclinical efficacy over chemotherapy as an alternative or adjuvant to the current standard of care for GBM, but their clinical efficacy remains hindered by challenges such as blood-brain barrier penetrance of the drugs. The development of combinatorial targeted therapies is expected to improve therapeutic efficacy and overcome drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yating Shen
- The N.1 Institute for Health (N.1), National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dexter Kai Hao Thng
- The N.1 Institute for Health (N.1), National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Andrea Li Ann Wong
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tan Boon Toh
- The N.1 Institute for Health (N.1), National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- The Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM), National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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2
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Zarei P, Ghasemi F. The Application of Artificial Intelligence and Drug Repositioning for the Identification of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors: A Review. Adv Biomed Res 2024; 13:9. [PMID: 38525398 PMCID: PMC10958741 DOI: 10.4103/abr.abr_170_23] [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: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Artificial intelligence talks about modeling intelligent behavior through a computer with the least human involvement. Drug repositioning techniques based on artificial intelligence accelerate the research process and decrease the cost of experimental studies. Dysregulation of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors as the tyrosine kinase family of receptors plays a vital role in a wide range of malignancies. Because of their functional significance, they were considered promising drug targets for the therapy of various cancers. This review has summarized small molecules capable of inhibiting FGF receptors that progressed using artificial intelligence and repositioning drugs examined in clinical trials associated with cancer therapy. This review is based on a literature search in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases to gather the necessary information in each chapter by employing keywords like artificial intelligence, computational drug design, drug repositioning, and FGF receptor inhibitors. To achieve this goal, a spacious literature review of human studies in these fields-published over the last 20 decades-was performed. According to published reports, nonselective FGF receptor inhibitors can be used for cancer management, and multitarget kinase inhibitors are the first drug class approved due to more advanced clinical studies. For example, AZD4547 and BGJ398 are gradually entering the consumption cycle and are good options as combined treatments. Artificial intelligence and drug repositioning methods can help preselect suitable drug targets more successfully for future inhibition of carcinogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvin Zarei
- Department of Bioinformatics, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Fahimeh Ghasemi
- Department of Bioinformatics, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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3
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Saatci O, Sahin O. TACC3: a multi-functional protein promoting cancer cell survival and aggressiveness. Cell Cycle 2023; 22:2637-2655. [PMID: 38197196 PMCID: PMC10936615 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2024.2302243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
TACC3 is the most oncogenic member of the transforming acidic coiled-coil domain-containing protein (TACC) family. It is one of the major recruitment factors of distinct multi-protein complexes. TACC3 is localized to spindles, centrosomes, and nucleus, and regulates key oncogenic processes, including cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and stemness. Recently, TACC3 inhibition has been identified as a vulnerability in highly aggressive cancers, such as cancers with centrosome amplification (CA). TACC3 has spatiotemporal functions throughout the cell cycle; therefore, targeting TACC3 causes cell death in mitosis and interphase in cancer cells with CA. In the clinics, TACC3 is highly expressed and associated with worse survival in multiple cancers. Furthermore, TACC3 is a part of one of the most common fusions of FGFR, FGFR3-TACC3 and is important for the oncogenicity of the fusion. A detailed understanding of the regulation of TACC3 expression, its key partners, and molecular functions in cancer cells is vital for uncovering the most vulnerable tumors and maximizing the therapeutic potential of targeting this highly oncogenic protein. In this review, we summarize the established and emerging interactors and spatiotemporal functions of TACC3 in cancer cells, discuss the potential of TACC3 as a biomarker in cancer, and therapeutic potential of its inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozge Saatci
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Ozgur Sahin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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4
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Golub D, Lynch DG, Pan PC, Liechty B, Slocum C, Bale T, Pisapia DJ, Juthani R. Polymorphous low-grade neuroepithelial tumor of the young with FGFR3-TACC3 fusion mimicking high-grade glioma: case report and series of high-grade correlates. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1307591. [PMID: 38074682 PMCID: PMC10698862 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1307591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Polymorphous low-grade neuroepithelial tumor of the young (PLNTY) is a recently described entity that can mimic high-grade glioma (HGG) in histologic and molecular features; however, factors predicting aggressive behavior in these tumors are unclear. Methods We present an indolent neuroepithelial neoplasm in a 59-year-old female with imaging initially suggestive of HGG, and a series of adult patients with HGG harboring FGFR3-TACC3 fusions are also presented for comparison. Results Pathology in the case patient revealed low-grade cytomorphology, microcalcifications, unusual neovascularization, and a low proliferation index. The lesion was diffusely CD34+ and harbored an FGFR3-TACC3 fusion and TERT promoter mutation. A diagnosis of PLNTY was therefore favored and the patient was observed with no progression at 15-month follow-up. In patients with HGG with FGFR3-TACC3 fusions, molecular findings included IDH-wildtype status, absence of 1p19q codeletion, CDKN2A loss, TERT promoter mutations and lack of MGMT promoter methylation. These patients demonstrated a median 15-month overall survival and a 6-month progression-free survival. Conclusion PLNTY is a rare low-grade entity that can display characteristics of HGG, particularly in adults. Presence of FGFR3-TACC3 fusions and other high-grade features should raise concern for a more malignant precursor lesion when a diagnosis of PLNTY is considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Golub
- Department of Neurosurgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Daniel G. Lynch
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health, Hempstead, NY, United States
| | - Peter C. Pan
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Benjamin Liechty
- Department of Pathology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Cheyanne Slocum
- Department of Pathology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Tejus Bale
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - David J. Pisapia
- Department of Pathology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Rupa Juthani
- Department of Neurosurgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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5
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Ascione CM, Napolitano F, Esposito D, Servetto A, Belli S, Santaniello A, Scagliarini S, Crocetto F, Bianco R, Formisano L. Role of FGFR3 in bladder cancer: Treatment landscape and future challenges. Cancer Treat Rev 2023; 115:102530. [PMID: 36898352 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2023.102530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Bladder cancer is a heterogeneous malignancy and is responsible for approximately 3.2% of new diagnoses of cancer per year (Sung et al., 2021). Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptors (FGFRs) have recently emerged as a novel therapeutic target in cancer. In particular, FGFR3 genomic alterations are potent oncogenic drivers in bladder cancer and represent predictive biomarkers of response to FGFR inhibitors. Indeed, overall ∼50% of bladder cancers have somatic mutations in the FGFR3 -coding sequence (Cappellen et al., 1999; Turner and Grose, 2010). FGFR3 gene rearrangements are typical alterations in bladder cancer (Nelson et al., 2016; Parker et al., 2014). In this review, we summarize the most relevant evidence on the role of FGFR3 and the state-of-art of anti-FGFR3 treatment in bladder cancer. Furthermore, we interrogated the AACR Project GENIE to investigate clinical and molecular features of FGFR3-altered bladder cancers. We found that FGFR3 rearrangements and missense mutations were associated with a lower fraction of mutated genome, compared to the FGFR3 wild-type tumors, as also observed in other oncogene-addicted cancers. Moreover, we observed that FGFR3 genomic alterations are mutually exclusive with other genomic aberrations of canonical bladder cancer oncogenes, such as TP53 and RB1. Finally, we provide an overview of the treatment landscape of FGFR3-altered bladder cancer, discussing future perspectives for the management of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Maria Ascione
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Fabiana Napolitano
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Esposito
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Alberto Servetto
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Belli
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Santaniello
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Sarah Scagliarini
- Division of Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilievo Nazionale A. Cardarelli, Italy
| | - Felice Crocetto
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Bianco
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Formisano
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy.
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6
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Wang CG, Peiris MN, Meyer AN, Nelson KN, Donoghue DJ. Oncogenic driver FGFR3-TACC3 requires five coiled-coil heptads for activation and disulfide bond formation for stability. Oncotarget 2023; 14:133-145. [PMID: 36780330 PMCID: PMC9924825 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28359] [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] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
FGFR3-TACC3 represents an oncogenic fusion protein frequently identified in glioblastoma, lung cancer, bladder cancer, oral cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, gallbladder cancer, and cervical cancer. Various exon breakpoints of FGFR3-TACC3 have been identified in cancers; these were analyzed to determine the minimum contribution of TACC3 for activation of the FGFR3-TACC3 fusion protein. While TACC3 exons 11 and 12 are dispensable for activity, our results show that FGFR3-TACC3 requires exons 13-16 for biological activity. A detailed analysis of exon 13, which consists of 8 heptads forming a coiled coil, further defined the minimal region for biological activity as consisting of 5 heptads from exon 13, in addition to exons 14-16. These conclusions were supported by transformation assays of biological activity, examination of MAPK pathway activation, analysis of disulfide-bonded FGFR3-TACC3, and by examination of the Endoglycosidase H-resistant portion of FGFR3-TACC3. These results demonstrate that clinically identified FGFR3-TACC3 fusion proteins differ in their biological activity, depending upon the specific breakpoint. This study further suggests the TACC3 dimerization domain of FGFR3-TACC3 as a novel target in treating FGFR translocation driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clark G. Wang
- 1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA,2Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Malalage N. Peiris
- 1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - April N. Meyer
- 1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Katelyn N. Nelson
- 1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Daniel J. Donoghue
- 1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA,3Moores UCSD Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA,Correspondence to:Daniel J. Donoghue, email:
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7
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Moes-Sosnowska J, Skupinska M, Lechowicz U, Szczepulska-Wojcik E, Skronska P, Rozy A, Stepniewska A, Langfort R, Rudzinski P, Orlowski T, Popiel D, Stanczak A, Wieczorek M, Chorostowska-Wynimko J. FGFR1-4 RNA-Based Gene Alteration and Expression Analysis in Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810506. [PMID: 36142417 PMCID: PMC9505002 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
While fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) are involved in several biological pathways and FGFR inhibitors may be useful in the treatment of squamous non-small cell lung cancer (Sq-NSCLC), FGFR aberrations are not well characterized in Sq-NSCLC. We comprehensively evaluated FGFR expression, fusions, and variants in 40 fresh-frozen primary Sq-NSCLC (stage IA3−IV) samples and tumor-adjacent normal tissues using real-time PCR and next-generation sequencing (NGS). Protein expression of FGFR1−3 and amplification of FGFR1 were also analyzed. FGFR1 and FGFR4 median gene expression was significantly (p < 0.001) decreased in tumors compared with normal tissue. Increased FGFR3 expression enhanced the recurrence risk (hazard ratio 4.72, p = 0.029), while high FGFR4 expression was associated with lymph node metastasis (p = 0.036). Enhanced FGFR1 gene expression was correlated with FGFR1 protein overexpression (r = 0.75, p = 0.0003), but not with FGFR1 amplification. NGS revealed known pathogenic FGFR2,3 variants, an FGFR3::TACC3 fusion, and a novel TACC1::FGFR1 fusion together with FGFR1,2 variants of uncertain significance not previously reported in Sq-NSCLC. These findings expand our knowledge of the Sq-NSCLC molecular background and show that combining different methods increases the rate of FGFR aberrations detection, which may improve patient selection for FGFRi treatment.
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MESH Headings
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology
- Humans
- Lung Neoplasms/genetics
- Lung Neoplasms/pathology
- Microtubule-Associated Proteins
- Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1/genetics
- Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2/genetics
- Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3/genetics
- Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 4/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Moes-Sosnowska
- Department of Genetics and Clinical Immunology, National Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, 01-138 Warsaw, Poland or
| | - Monika Skupinska
- Preclinical Development Department, Celon Pharma S.A, Research & Development Centre, 05-152 Kazun Nowy, Poland
| | - Urszula Lechowicz
- Department of Genetics and Clinical Immunology, National Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, 01-138 Warsaw, Poland or
| | - Ewa Szczepulska-Wojcik
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, 01-138 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Paulina Skronska
- Department of Genetics and Clinical Immunology, National Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, 01-138 Warsaw, Poland or
| | - Adriana Rozy
- Department of Genetics and Clinical Immunology, National Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, 01-138 Warsaw, Poland or
| | - Aneta Stepniewska
- Department of Genetics and Clinical Immunology, National Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, 01-138 Warsaw, Poland or
| | - Renata Langfort
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, 01-138 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Rudzinski
- Department of Surgery, National Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, 01-138 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tadeusz Orlowski
- Department of Surgery, National Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, 01-138 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Delfina Popiel
- Preclinical Development Department, Celon Pharma S.A, Research & Development Centre, 05-152 Kazun Nowy, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Stanczak
- Clinical Development Department, Celon Pharma S.A., Research & Development Centre, 05-152 Kazun Nowy, Poland
| | - Maciej Wieczorek
- Preclinical Development Department, Celon Pharma S.A, Research & Development Centre, 05-152 Kazun Nowy, Poland
- Clinical Development Department, Celon Pharma S.A., Research & Development Centre, 05-152 Kazun Nowy, Poland
| | - Joanna Chorostowska-Wynimko
- Department of Genetics and Clinical Immunology, National Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, 01-138 Warsaw, Poland or
- Correspondence: or
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8
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FGFR3-TACCs3 Fusions and Their Clinical Relevance in Human Glioblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158675. [PMID: 35955806 PMCID: PMC9369421 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic fusion genes have emerged as successful targets in several malignancies, such as chronic myeloid leukemia and lung cancer. Fusion of the fibroblast growth receptor 3 and the transforming acidic coiled coil containing protein—FGFR3-TACC3 fusion—is prevalent in 3–4% of human glioblastoma. The fusion protein leads to the constitutively activated kinase signaling of FGFR3 and thereby promotes cell proliferation and tumor progression. The subgroup of FGFR3-TACC3 fusion-positive glioblastomas presents with recurrent clinical and histomolecular characteristics, defining a distinctive subtype of IDH-wildtype glioblastoma. This review aims to provide an overview of the available literature on FGFR3-TACC3 fusions in glioblastoma and possible implications for actual clinical practice.
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9
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Teng XQ, Qu J, Li GH, Zhuang HH, Qu Q. Small Interfering RNA for Gliomas Treatment: Overcoming Hurdles in Delivery. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:824299. [PMID: 35874843 PMCID: PMC9304887 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.824299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gliomas are central nervous system tumors originating from glial cells, whose incidence and mortality rise in coming years. The current treatment of gliomas is surgery combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. However, developing therapeutic resistance is one of the significant challenges. Recent research suggested that small interfering RNA (siRNA) has excellent potential as a therapeutic to silence genes that are significantly involved in the manipulation of gliomas’ malignant phenotypes, including proliferation, invasion, metastasis, therapy resistance, and immune escape. However, it is challenging to deliver the naked siRNA to the action site in the cells of target tissues. Therefore, it is urgent to develop delivery strategies to transport siRNA to achieve the optimal silencing effect of the target gene. However, there is no systematic discussion about siRNAs’ clinical potential and delivery strategies in gliomas. This review mainly discusses siRNAs’ delivery strategies, especially nanotechnology-based delivery systems, as a potential glioma therapy. Moreover, we envisage the future orientation and challenges in translating these findings into clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Qi Teng
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jian Qu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Guo-Hua Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hai-Hui Zhuang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qiang Qu
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Qiang Qu,
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10
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Wu Z, Lopes Abath Neto O, Bale TA, Benhamida J, Mata D, Turakulov R, Abdullaev Z, Marker D, Ketchum C, Chung HJ, Giannini C, Quezado M, Pratt D, Aldape K. DNA methylation analysis of glioblastomas harboring FGFR3-TACC3 fusions identifies a methylation subclass with better patient survival. Acta Neuropathol 2022; 144:155-157. [PMID: 35567606 PMCID: PMC10572100 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-022-02430-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhichao Wu
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Osorio Lopes Abath Neto
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Tejus A Bale
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Jamal Benhamida
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Douglas Mata
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Rust Turakulov
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Zied Abdullaev
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Daniel Marker
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Courtney Ketchum
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Hye-Jung Chung
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Caterina Giannini
- Department of Pathology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Martha Quezado
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Drew Pratt
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Kenneth Aldape
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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11
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Li Z, Sun Q, Shi Y. Somatic structural variations in pediatric brain tumors. Minerva Pediatr (Torino) 2022; 74:358-364. [DOI: 10.23736/s2724-5276.17.04830-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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12
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Li W, Wan R, Guo L, Chang G, Jiang D, Meng L, Ying J. Reliability analysis of exonic-breakpoint fusions identified by DNA sequencing for predicting the efficacy of targeted therapy in non-small cell lung cancer. BMC Med 2022; 20:160. [PMID: 35534835 PMCID: PMC9087946 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-022-02362-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diverse genomic breakpoints of fusions that localize to intronic, exonic, or intergenic regions have been identified by DNA next-generation sequencing (NGS), but the role of exonic breakpoints remains elusive. We investigated whether exonic-breakpoint fusions could predict matched targeted therapy efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS NSCLC samples were analyzed by DNA NGS, RNA NGS, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and fluorescence in situ hybridization. RESULTS Using DNA NGS, kinase fusions were identified in 685 of 7148 (9.6%) NSCLCs, with 74 harboring exonic-breakpoint fusions, mostly anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusions. RNA NGS and IHC revealed that 11 of 55 (20%) exonic-breakpoint fusions generated no aberrant transcript/protein, possibly due to open reading frame disruption or different gene transcriptional orientations. Four cases of genomic-positive but RNA/protein-negative fusions were treated with matched targeted therapy, but progressive disease developed within 2 months. Nevertheless, 44 of 55 (80%) exonic-breakpoint fusions produced chimeric transcripts/proteins, possibly owing to various alternative splicing patterns, including exon skipping, alternative splice site selection, and intron retention. Most of these genomic- and RNA/protein-positive fusion cases showed a clinical response to matched targeted therapy. Particularly, there were no differences in objective response rate (P = 0.714) or median progression-free survival (P = 0.500) between intronic-breakpoint (n = 56) and exonic-breakpoint ALK fusion subtypes (n = 11) among ALK RNA/protein-validated patients who received first-line crizotinib. CONCLUSIONS Exonic-breakpoint fusions may generate in-frame fusion transcripts/proteins or not, and thus are unreliable for predicting the efficacy of targeted therapy, which highlights the necessity of implementing RNA or protein assays for functional validation in exonic-breakpoint fusion cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihua Li
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.17 Panjiayuan Nanli, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Rui Wan
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Guo
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.17 Panjiayuan Nanli, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Geyun Chang
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Dong Jiang
- Beijing Novogene Bioinformatics Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Lin Meng
- Beijing Novogene Bioinformatics Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Jianming Ying
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.17 Panjiayuan Nanli, Beijing, 100021, China.
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13
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Roosen M, Odé Z, Bunt J, Kool M. The oncogenic fusion landscape in pediatric CNS neoplasms. Acta Neuropathol 2022; 143:427-451. [PMID: 35169893 PMCID: PMC8960661 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-022-02405-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Pediatric neoplasms in the central nervous system (CNS) are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children. Recent developments in molecular analyses have greatly contributed to a more accurate diagnosis and risk stratification of CNS tumors. Additionally, sequencing studies have identified various, often entity specific, tumor-driving events. In contrast to adult tumors, which often harbor multiple mutated oncogenic drivers, the number of mutated genes in pediatric cancers is much lower and many tumors can have a single oncogenic driver. Moreover, in children, much more than in adults, fusion proteins play an important role in driving tumorigenesis, and many different fusions have been identified as potential driver events in pediatric CNS neoplasms. However, a comprehensive overview of all the different reported oncogenic fusion proteins in pediatric CNS neoplasms is still lacking. A better understanding of the fusion proteins detected in these tumors and of the molecular mechanisms how these proteins drive tumorigenesis, could improve diagnosis and further benefit translational research into targeted therapies necessary to treat these distinct entities. In this review, we discuss the different oncogenic fusions reported in pediatric CNS neoplasms and their structure to create an overview of the variety of oncogenic fusion proteins to date, the tumor entities they occur in and their proposed mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mieke Roosen
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Zelda Odé
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jens Bunt
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel Kool
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center DKFZ and German Cancer Consortium DKTK, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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14
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Thomas J, Sonpavde G. Molecularly Targeted Therapy towards Genetic Alterations in Advanced Bladder Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:1795. [PMID: 35406567 PMCID: PMC8997162 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors and antibody-drug conjugates to the management of advanced urothelial carcinoma, the disease is generally incurable. The increasing incorporation of next-generation sequencing of tumor tissue into the characterization of bladder cancer has led to a better understanding of the somatic genetic aberrations potentially involved in its pathogenesis. Genetic alterations have been observed in kinases, such as FGFRs, ErbBs, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, and Ras-MAPK, and genetic alterations in critical cellular processes, such as chromatin remodeling, cell cycle regulation, and DNA damage repair. However, activating mutations or fusions of FGFR2 and FGFR3 remains the only validated therapeutically actionable alteration, with erdafitinib as the only targeted agent currently approved for this group. Bladder cancer is characterized by genomic heterogeneity and a high tumor mutation burden. This review highlights the potential relevance of aberrations and discusses the current status of targeted therapies directed at them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Thomas
- Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA;
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Guru Sonpavde
- Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA;
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15
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Li J, Lu H, Ng PKS, Pantazi A, Ip CKM, Jeong KJ, Amador B, Tran R, Tsang YH, Yang L, Song X, Dogruluk T, Ren X, Hadjipanayis A, Bristow CA, Lee S, Kucherlapati M, Parfenov M, Tang J, Seth S, Mahadeshwar HS, Mojumdar K, Zeng D, Zhang J, Protopopov A, Seidman JG, Creighton CJ, Lu Y, Sahni N, Shaw KR, Meric-Bernstam F, Futreal A, Chin L, Scott KL, Kucherlapati R, Mills GB, Liang H. A functional genomic approach to actionable gene fusions for precision oncology. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm2382. [PMID: 35138907 PMCID: PMC8827659 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm2382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Fusion genes represent a class of attractive therapeutic targets. Thousands of fusion genes have been identified in patients with cancer, but the functional consequences and therapeutic implications of most of these remain largely unknown. Here, we develop a functional genomic approach that consists of efficient fusion reconstruction and sensitive cell viability and drug response assays. Applying this approach, we characterize ~100 fusion genes detected in patient samples of The Cancer Genome Atlas, revealing a notable fraction of low-frequency fusions with activating effects on tumor growth. Focusing on those in the RTK-RAS pathway, we identify a number of activating fusions that can markedly affect sensitivity to relevant drugs. Last, we propose an integrated, level-of-evidence classification system to prioritize gene fusions systematically. Our study reiterates the urgent clinical need to incorporate similar functional genomic approaches to characterize gene fusions, thereby maximizing the utility of gene fusions for precision oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Li
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hengyu Lu
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Patrick Kwok-Shing Ng
- Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Angeliki Pantazi
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carman Ka Man Ip
- Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kang Jin Jeong
- Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Bianca Amador
- Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Richard Tran
- Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yiu Huen Tsang
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lixing Yang
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research and Department of Human Genetics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Xingzhi Song
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Institute for Applied Cancer Science, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Turgut Dogruluk
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xiaojia Ren
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Angela Hadjipanayis
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christopher A. Bristow
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Institute for Applied Cancer Science, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Semin Lee
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Melanie Kucherlapati
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael Parfenov
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jiabin Tang
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Institute for Applied Cancer Science, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sahil Seth
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Institute for Applied Cancer Science, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Harshad S. Mahadeshwar
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Institute for Applied Cancer Science, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kamalika Mojumdar
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dong Zeng
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Institute for Applied Cancer Science, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jianhua Zhang
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Institute for Applied Cancer Science, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alexei Protopopov
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Institute for Applied Cancer Science, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jonathan G. Seidman
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chad J. Creighton
- Department of Medicine, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yiling Lu
- Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Nidhi Sahni
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX, USA
- Graduate Program in Quantitative and Computational Biosciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kenna R. Shaw
- Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Funda Meric-Bernstam
- Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Andrew Futreal
- Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lynda Chin
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Institute for Applied Cancer Science, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Dell Medical School, The University of Texas Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Kenneth L. Scott
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Medicine, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Raju Kucherlapati
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gordon B. Mills
- Division of Oncologic Sciences, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Han Liang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Graduate Program in Quantitative and Computational Biosciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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16
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Sudhesh Dev S, Zainal Abidin SA, Farghadani R, Othman I, Naidu R. Receptor Tyrosine Kinases and Their Signaling Pathways as Therapeutic Targets of Curcumin in Cancer. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:772510. [PMID: 34867402 PMCID: PMC8634471 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.772510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are transmembrane cell-surface proteins that act as signal transducers. They regulate essential cellular processes like proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation and metabolism. RTK alteration occurs in a broad spectrum of cancers, emphasising its crucial role in cancer progression and as a suitable therapeutic target. The use of small molecule RTK inhibitors however, has been crippled by the emergence of resistance, highlighting the need for a pleiotropic anti-cancer agent that can replace or be used in combination with existing pharmacological agents to enhance treatment efficacy. Curcumin is an attractive therapeutic agent mainly due to its potent anti-cancer effects, extensive range of targets and minimal toxicity. Out of the numerous documented targets of curcumin, RTKs appear to be one of the main nodes of curcumin-mediated inhibition. Many studies have found that curcumin influences RTK activation and their downstream signaling pathways resulting in increased apoptosis, decreased proliferation and decreased migration in cancer both in vitro and in vivo. This review focused on how curcumin exhibits anti-cancer effects through inhibition of RTKs and downstream signaling pathways like the MAPK, PI3K/Akt, JAK/STAT, and NF-κB pathways. Combination studies of curcumin and RTK inhibitors were also analysed with emphasis on their common molecular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sareshma Sudhesh Dev
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Syafiq Asnawi Zainal Abidin
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Reyhaneh Farghadani
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Iekhsan Othman
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Rakesh Naidu
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
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17
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You G, Fan X, Hu H, Jiang T, Chen CC. Fusion Genes Altered in Adult Malignant Gliomas. Front Neurol 2021; 12:715206. [PMID: 34671307 PMCID: PMC8520976 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.715206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant gliomas are highly heterogeneous brain tumors in molecular genetic background. Despite the many recent advances in the understanding of this disease, patients with adult high-grade gliomas retain a notoriously poor prognosis. Fusions involving oncogenes have been reported in gliomas and may serve as novel therapeutic targets to date. Understanding the gene fusions and how they regulate oncogenesis and malignant progression will contribute to explore new approaches for personalized treatment. By now, studies on gene fusions in gliomas remain limited. However, some current clinical trials targeting fusion genes have presented exciting preliminary findings. The aim of this review is to summarize all the reported fusion genes in high-grade gliomas so far, discuss the characterization of some of the most popular gene fusions occurring in malignant gliomas, as well as their function in tumorigenesis, and the underlying clinical implication as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gan You
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Neurophysiology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xing Fan
- Department of Neurophysiology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Huimin Hu
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Molecular Pathology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Clark C Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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18
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Xiao JF, Caliri AW, Duex JE, Theodorescu D. Targetable Pathways in Advanced Bladder Cancer: FGFR Signaling. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4891. [PMID: 34638374 PMCID: PMC8507635 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer is the 10th most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world, accounting for around 573,000 new cases and 213,000 deaths in 2020. The current standard treatment for locally advanced bladder cancer is neoadjuvant cisplatin (NAC)-based chemotherapy followed by cystectomy. The significant progress being made in the genomic and molecular understandings of bladder cancer has uncovered the genetic alterations and signaling pathways that drive bladder cancer progression. These developments have led to a dramatic increase in the evaluation of molecular agents targeting at these alterations. One example is Erdafitinib, a first-in-class FGFR inhibitor being approved as second-line treatment for locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma with FGFR mutations. Immunotherapy has also been approved as second-line treatment for advanced and metastatic bladder cancer. Preclinical studies suggest targeted therapy combined with immunotherapy has the potential to markedly improve patient outcome. Given the prevalence of FGFR alternations in bladder cancer, here we review recent preclinical and clinical studies on FGFR inhibitors and analyze possible drug resistance mechanisms to these agents. We also discuss FGFR inhibitors in combination with other therapies and its potential to improve outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Fen Xiao
- Division of Medical Oncology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; (J.-F.X.); (A.W.C.)
- Department of Surgery (Urology), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA;
| | - Andrew W. Caliri
- Division of Medical Oncology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; (J.-F.X.); (A.W.C.)
- Department of Surgery (Urology), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA;
| | - Jason E. Duex
- Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA;
| | - Dan Theodorescu
- Division of Medical Oncology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; (J.-F.X.); (A.W.C.)
- Department of Surgery (Urology), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA;
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19
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Levy JJ, Chen Y, Azizgolshani N, Petersen CL, Titus AJ, Moen EL, Vaickus LJ, Salas LA, Christensen BC. MethylSPWNet and MethylCapsNet: Biologically Motivated Organization of DNAm Neural Networks, Inspired by Capsule Networks. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2021; 7:33. [PMID: 34417465 PMCID: PMC8379254 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-021-00193-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation (DNAm) alterations have been heavily implicated in carcinogenesis and the pathophysiology of diseases through upstream regulation of gene expression. DNAm deep-learning approaches are able to capture features associated with aging, cell type, and disease progression, but lack incorporation of prior biological knowledge. Here, we present modular, user-friendly deep-learning methodology and software, MethylCapsNet and MethylSPWNet, that group CpGs into biologically relevant capsules-such as gene promoter context, CpG island relationship, or user-defined groupings-and relate them to diagnostic and prognostic outcomes. We demonstrate these models' utility on 3,897 individuals in the classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors. MethylCapsNet and MethylSPWNet provide an opportunity to increase DNAm deep-learning analyses' interpretability by enabling a flexible organization of DNAm data into biologically relevant capsules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua J Levy
- Program in Quantitative Biomedical Sciences, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA.
- Emerging Diagnostic and Investigative Technologies, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA.
| | - Youdinghuan Chen
- Program in Quantitative Biomedical Sciences, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Nasim Azizgolshani
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Curtis L Petersen
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Alexander J Titus
- Department of Life Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Manchester, NH, USA
| | - Erika L Moen
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Lebanon, NH, USA
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Louis J Vaickus
- Emerging Diagnostic and Investigative Technologies, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Lucas A Salas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Brock C Christensen
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
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20
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Gu W, Yang J, Wang Y, Xu J, Wang X, Du F, Hu X, Guo H, Song C, Tao R, Zhang X. Comprehensive identification of FGFR1-4 alterations in 5 557 Chinese patients with solid tumors by next-generation sequencing. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:3893-3906. [PMID: 34522456 PMCID: PMC8414391 DOI: pmid/34522456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Deregulation of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) network is common in cancer due to activating mutations, gene amplifications and chromosomal translocations. Currently, various FGFR inhibitors are being developed. In order to optimize their clinical applications, understanding the frequencies and types of FGFR alterations in multiple cancer types appears to be extremely important. This study characterized FGFR1-4 alterations in solid tumors by next-generation sequencing (NGS). Between Jun. 2019 and Aug. 2020, the sequencing data of 5 557 solid tumors of diverse types in the database of Simcere Diagnostics, Inc. (Nanjing, China) were retrospectively analyzed. A panel-based NGS assay was used to detect FGFR1-4 alterations in tumor samples. 9.2% of cancer cases had FGFR1-4 alterations, in which gene amplifications (51.5%) and mutations (40.7%) were frequent, whereas gene rearrangements were less common (10.0%). FGFR1 was involved in 4.6% of 5 557 cases, FGFR2 in 2.1%, FGFR3 in 1.6%, and FGFR4 in 1.4%. Of patients with FGFR1-4 alterations, TP53, MUC16, NSD3, MYC and LRP1B genes were the top 5 mutant genes. FGFR1-4 aberrations occurred in almost every type of solid tumors, with the most common tumor being endometrial carcinoma (22.2%), followed by sarcoma (17.3%), breast cancer (13.2%), gastric cancer (12.2%), and more. 0.6% of cancer cases harbored FGFR1-4 fusions, with the most common fusion partner being TACC3. Two cases of GBM harboring FGFR3-TACC3 fusions were responsive to anlotinib treatment. In conclusion, FGFR1-4 alterations are prevalent in solid tumors of diverse types, with the majority being gene amplifications and mutations. FGFR1-4 fusions only occur in a minority of cancer cases, and those with glioblastoma harboring FGFR3-TACC3 fusions may benefit from anlotinib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiquan Gu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First People’s Hospital of FoshanFoshan 528041, Guangdong, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First People’s Hospital of FoshanFoshan 528041, Guangdong, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong UniversityJinan 250012, Shandong, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesJinan 250117, Shandong, China
| | - Jun Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesJinan 250117, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd.Nanjing 210042, Jiangsu, China
- Nanjing Simcere Medical Laboratory Science Co., Ltd.Nanjing 210042, Jiangsu, China
| | - Furong Du
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd.Nanjing 210042, Jiangsu, China
- Nanjing Simcere Medical Laboratory Science Co., Ltd.Nanjing 210042, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiangjing Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd.Nanjing 210042, Jiangsu, China
- Nanjing Simcere Medical Laboratory Science Co., Ltd.Nanjing 210042, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hao Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd.Nanjing 210042, Jiangsu, China
- Nanjing Simcere Medical Laboratory Science Co., Ltd.Nanjing 210042, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chao Song
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd.Nanjing 210042, Jiangsu, China
- Nanjing Simcere Medical Laboratory Science Co., Ltd.Nanjing 210042, Jiangsu, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Precision MedicineZhengzhou 450052, Henan, China
| | - Rongjie Tao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesJinan 250117, Shandong, China
| | - Xuchao Zhang
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical SciencesGuangzhou 510080, Guandong, China
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21
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Lu B, Jiang R, Xie B, Wu W, Zhao Y. Fusion genes in gynecologic tumors: the occurrence, molecular mechanism and prospect for therapy. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:783. [PMID: 34381020 PMCID: PMC8357806 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04065-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Gene fusions are thought to be driver mutations in multiple cancers and are an important factor for poor patient prognosis. Most of them appear in specific cancers, thus satisfactory strategies can be developed for the precise treatment of these types of cancer. Currently, there are few targeted drugs to treat gynecologic tumors, and patients with gynecologic cancer often have a poor prognosis because of tumor progression or recurrence. With the application of massively parallel sequencing, a large number of fusion genes have been discovered in gynecologic tumors, and some fusions have been confirmed to be involved in the biological process of tumor progression. To this end, the present article reviews the current research status of all confirmed fusion genes in gynecologic tumors, including their rearrangement mechanism and frequency in ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, endometrial stromal sarcoma, and other types of uterine tumors. We also describe the mechanisms by which fusion genes are generated and their oncogenic mechanism. Finally, we discuss the prospect of fusion genes as therapeutic targets in gynecologic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingfeng Lu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gynecologic Oncology Research Office, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruqi Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gynecologic Oncology Research Office, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bumin Xie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gynecologic Oncology Research Office, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wu Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gynecologic Oncology Research Office, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gynecologic Oncology Research Office, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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22
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Wen YL, Yan SM, Wei W, Yang X, Zhang SW, Yun JP, Liu LL, Luo RZ. Transforming acidic coiled-coil protein-3: a novel marker for differential diagnosis and prognosis prediction in endocervical adenocarcinoma. Mol Med 2021; 27:60. [PMID: 34134633 PMCID: PMC8210387 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-021-00298-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Endocervical adenocarcinoma (ECA) is further classified as human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated (HPVA) or non-HPVA (NHPVA), per the International Endocervical Adenocarcinoma Criteria and Classification (IECC). HPVA is a glandular tumor with stromal invasion and/or exophytic expansile-type invasion, associated with the typical molecular characteristics of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) infection. Transforming acidic coiled-coil protein-3 (TACC3),an oncogene that is frequently abnormally expressed,represents a vital biomarker for multiple human malignancies. This study aimed to examine the role of TACC3 in the diagnosis and prognosis of ECA. Methods We analyzed 264 patients with ECA who underwent surgical resection, classifying their tumors into HPVA and NHPVA subtypes. The expression levels of TACC3, P16, MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, MSH6 and Ki-67 in tumors were evaluated by tissue microarray using immunohistochemistry (IHC). HPV subtypes were identified in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) ECA tissues by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results ECA samples showed increased TACC3 expression relative to adjacent non-carcinoma samples. TACC3 expression was higher in HPVA than in NHPA. In the HPVA subtype, high TACC3 expression was significantly correlated with P16-positive, Ki-67-high expression. Furthermore, TACC3 levels were significantly related to tumor histological type (P = 0.006), nerve invasion (P = 0.003), differentiation (P = 0.004), surgical margin (P = 0.012), parametrium invasion (P = 0.040), P16 expression (P < 0.001), and Ki-67 (P = 0.004). Additionally, Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that TACC3 upregulation was associated with poor overall survival (OS, P = 0.001), disease-free survival (DFS, P < 0.001), and recurrence survival (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that elevated TACC3 expression served as a marker to independently predict ECA prognosis. ROC curve analyses indicated that TACC3, P16, and HPV subtypes showed similar utility for distinguishing HPVA from NHPVA, with areas under the ROC curves of 0.640, 0.649, and 0.675, respectively. The combination of TACC3 and HPV subtypes improved the diagnostic performance of ECA compared with TACC3, P16, and HPV subtypes alone. Conclusions Taken together, our findings identify that TACC3 is a promising complementary biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis for patients with ECA. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s10020-021-00298-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Lin Wen
- Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, 510060, China.,Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651# Dong Feng Road East, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China
| | - Shu-Mei Yan
- Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, 510060, China.,Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651# Dong Feng Road East, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, 510060, China.,Department of Gynecological Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Xia Yang
- Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, 510060, China.,Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651# Dong Feng Road East, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China
| | - Shi-Wen Zhang
- Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, 510060, China.,Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651# Dong Feng Road East, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing-Ping Yun
- Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, 510060, China.,Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651# Dong Feng Road East, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China
| | - Li-Li Liu
- Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, 510060, China. .,Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651# Dong Feng Road East, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China.
| | - Rong-Zhen Luo
- Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, 510060, China. .,Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651# Dong Feng Road East, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China.
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23
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Nita A, Abraham SP, Krejci P, Bosakova M. Oncogenic FGFR Fusions Produce Centrosome and Cilia Defects by Ectopic Signaling. Cells 2021; 10:1445. [PMID: 34207779 PMCID: PMC8227969 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A single primary cilium projects from most vertebrate cells to guide cell fate decisions. A growing list of signaling molecules is found to function through cilia and control ciliogenesis, including the fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR). Aberrant FGFR activity produces abnormal cilia with deregulated signaling, which contributes to pathogenesis of the FGFR-mediated genetic disorders. FGFR lesions are also found in cancer, raising a possibility of cilia involvement in the neoplastic transformation and tumor progression. Here, we focus on FGFR gene fusions, and discuss the possible mechanisms by which they function as oncogenic drivers. We show that a substantial portion of the FGFR fusion partners are proteins associated with the centrosome cycle, including organization of the mitotic spindle and ciliogenesis. The functions of centrosome proteins are often lost with the gene fusion, leading to haploinsufficiency that induces cilia loss and deregulated cell division. We speculate that this complements the ectopic FGFR activity and drives the FGFR fusion cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandru Nita
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (A.N.); (S.P.A.); (P.K.)
| | - Sara P. Abraham
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (A.N.); (S.P.A.); (P.K.)
| | - Pavel Krejci
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (A.N.); (S.P.A.); (P.K.)
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the CAS, 60200 Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, 65691 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Bosakova
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (A.N.); (S.P.A.); (P.K.)
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the CAS, 60200 Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, 65691 Brno, Czech Republic
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24
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Genomic aberrations (mutations, gene fusions, amplifications) and dysregulation of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor (FGFR) signaling pathway are frequently found in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCCs). Targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) or monoclonal antibodies directed against FGF receptors therefore represents a promising approach for the treatment of HNSCC. OBJECTIVE This review article describes the current status of FGFR-directed therapies for head and neck tumors (especially HNSCC) and, in this context, discusses genomic alterations of the FGFR pathway as potential companion predictive biomarkers. METHODS This article is based on searches of PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, and conference proceedings. RESULTS First results prove the efficacy of TKIs both in HNSCC and in adenocarcinomas of the head and neck, especially in thyroid and adenocystic salivary gland carcinomas. CONCLUSION Early clinical and preclinical data point to the promise of biomarker-directed treatment of patients with head and neck tumors using FGFR-targeted TKIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimo Dietrich
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde/Chirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Deutschland.
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25
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Nannapaneni S, Griffith CC, Magliocca KR, Chen W, Lyu X, Chen Z, Wang D, Wang X, Shin DM, Chen ZG, Saba NF. Co-expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 with mutant p53, and its association with worse outcome in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247498. [PMID: 33626078 PMCID: PMC7904228 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) is expressed in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) including oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and is a potential therapeutic target. However, information on its correlation with other relevant cancer related proteins stratified by p16 status and its prognostic significance in OPSCC is limited. We examined FGFR3 expression and its correlation with clinical characteristics, p16 status, and mutant p53 (mp53) among 220 retrospectively collected OPSCC cases and 40 prospectively collected SCCHN cases, including a majority of OPSCC. Correlations of FGFR3 Weighted Index (WI) with p16 status and mp53 WI as well as its association with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated. FGFR3 expression was detected in 61% and 70% of cases in cohorts 1 and 2, respectively. FGFR3 level was significantly higher in p16-negative tumors in both cohorts (p<0.001 and 0.006). FGFR3 expression was highly correlated with mp53 expression in both p16 + and p16- OPSCC (p<0.0001 and p = 0.0006, respectively). In cohort 1, univariate analysis showed that FGFR3 was associated with DFS but not OS. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that higher FGFR3 and mp53 level correlated with worse DFS (p = 0.025) and OS (p = 0.009). As expected, p16 positive status was associated with improved OS and DFS (p<0.001 for both). Our results suggest that high FGFR3 expression is associated with p16 negative status and mp53 expression in OPSCC and correlates with a worse clinical outcome. The biological relationship between FGFR3 and mp53 in OPSCC deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreenivas Nannapaneni
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | | | - Kelly R. Magliocca
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Wanqi Chen
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory University School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Xueying Lyu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory University School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Zhengjia Chen
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Dongsheng Wang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Dong M. Shin
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Zhuo G. Chen
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail: (NFS); (ZGC)
| | - Nabil F. Saba
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail: (NFS); (ZGC)
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26
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Ah-Pine F, Casas D, Menei P, Boisselier B, Garcion E, Rousseau A. RNA-sequencing of IDH-wild-type glioblastoma with chromothripsis identifies novel gene fusions with potential oncogenic properties. Transl Oncol 2021; 14:100884. [PMID: 33074125 PMCID: PMC7569239 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2020.100884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most frequent and most aggressive form of glioma. It is characterized by marked genomic instability, which suggests that chromothripsis (CT) might be involved in GBM initiation. Recently, CT has emerged as an alternative mechanism of cancer development, involving massive chromosome rearrangements in a one-step catastrophic event. The aim of the study was to detect CT in GBM and identify novel gene fusions in CT regions. One hundred and seventy IDH-wild-type GBM were screened for CT patterns using whole-genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays. RNA sequencing was performed in 52 GBM with CT features to identify gene fusions within CT regions. Forty tumors (40/52, 77%) harbored at least one gene fusion within CT regions. We identified 120 candidate gene fusions, 30 of which with potential oncogenic activities. We validated 11 gene fusions, which involved the most recurrent fusion partners (EGFR, SEPT14, VOPP1 and CPM), by RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing. The occurrence of CT points to underlying gene fusions in IDH-wild-type GBM. CT provides exciting new research avenues in this highly aggressive cancer.
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Key Words
- baf, b-allele frequency
- chr, chromosome
- cna, copy number alteration
- cns, central nervous system
- ct, chromothripsis
- fpkm, fragments per kilobase of exon per million fragments mapped
- gbm, glioblastoma multiform
- hd, homozygous deletion
- loh, loss of heterozygosity
- rna-seq, rna sequencing
- rt-pcr, reverse transcriptase – polymerase chain reaction
- snp, single nucleotide polymorphism
- who, world health organization
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Affiliation(s)
- Franck Ah-Pine
- Département de Pathologie Cellulaire et Tissulaire, CHU Angers, 4 rue Larrey, 49100 Angers, France
| | - Déborah Casas
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Université d'Angers, 4 rue Larrey, 49100 Angers, France.
| | - Philippe Menei
- Département de Neurochirurgie, CHU Angers, 4 rue Larrey, 49100 Angers, France.
| | - Blandine Boisselier
- Département de Pathologie Cellulaire et Tissulaire, CHU Angers, 4 rue Larrey, 49100 Angers, France; CRCINA, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Université d'Angers, 4 rue Larrey, 49100 Angers, France
| | - Emmanuel Garcion
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Université d'Angers, 4 rue Larrey, 49100 Angers, France.
| | - Audrey Rousseau
- Département de Pathologie Cellulaire et Tissulaire, CHU Angers, 4 rue Larrey, 49100 Angers, France; CRCINA, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Université d'Angers, 4 rue Larrey, 49100 Angers, France.
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27
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Liu Q, Hu Y, Stucky A, Fang L, Zhong JF, Wang K. LongGF: computational algorithm and software tool for fast and accurate detection of gene fusions by long-read transcriptome sequencing. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:793. [PMID: 33372596 PMCID: PMC7771079 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-07207-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long-read RNA-Seq techniques can generate reads that encompass a large proportion or the entire mRNA/cDNA molecules, so they are expected to address inherited limitations of short-read RNA-Seq techniques that typically generate < 150 bp reads. However, there is a general lack of software tools for gene fusion detection from long-read RNA-seq data, which takes into account the high basecalling error rates and the presence of alignment errors. RESULTS In this study, we developed a fast computational tool, LongGF, to efficiently detect candidate gene fusions from long-read RNA-seq data, including cDNA sequencing data and direct mRNA sequencing data. We evaluated LongGF on tens of simulated long-read RNA-seq datasets, and demonstrated its superior performance in gene fusion detection. We also tested LongGF on a Nanopore direct mRNA sequencing dataset and a PacBio sequencing dataset generated on a mixture of 10 cancer cell lines, and found that LongGF achieved better performance to detect known gene fusions over existing computational tools. Furthermore, we tested LongGF on a Nanopore cDNA sequencing dataset on acute myeloid leukemia, and pinpointed the exact location of a translocation (previously known in cytogenetic resolution) in base resolution, which was further validated by Sanger sequencing. CONCLUSIONS In summary, LongGF will greatly facilitate the discovery of candidate gene fusion events from long-read RNA-Seq data, especially in cancer samples. LongGF is implemented in C++ and is available at https://github.com/WGLab/LongGF .
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Liu
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Yu Hu
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Andres Stucky
- Department of Otolaryngology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Li Fang
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Jiang F Zhong
- Department of Otolaryngology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Kai Wang
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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28
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Qiu H, Shao ZY, Wen X, Zhang LZ. New insights of extrachromosomal DNA in tumorigenesis and therapeutic resistance of cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:4056-4065. [PMID: 33414985 PMCID: PMC7783743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In the past few decades, the studies of extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA), which existed independently of chromosomes, were tepid. However, recent studies on ecDNA rekindled the enthusiasm of oncologists for further studying ecDNA. In this review, we summarized the recent advances of ecDNA in oncogenesis and oncotherapy. ecDNA consists of highly open chromatin, and its circular structure enables ultra-long-range chromatin contacts. ecDNA is not inherited in accordance with Mendel's laws. Furthermore, ecDNA is widely existed in cancer cells, but almost never found in normal cells. It has been found that ecDNA played important roles in tumorigenesis and tumor progression, including oncogene amplification, tumor heterogeneity, enhancer hijacking and genomic rearrangement. More importantly, ecDNA is closely related to cancer treatment resistance. In hence, further understanding of ecDNA would contribute to developing innovative targeting ecDNA therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Qiu
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical UniversityXuzhou 221000, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical UniversityXuzhou 221000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhi-Ying Shao
- Department of Interventional Ultrasound, Institute of Cancer Research and Basic Medical Sciences of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Cancer Hospital of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer HospitalHangzhou 310000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xin Wen
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical UniversityXuzhou 221000, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical UniversityXuzhou 221000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Long-Zhen Zhang
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical UniversityXuzhou 221000, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical UniversityXuzhou 221000, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Center for The Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer BiotherapyJiangsu, China
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29
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Schittenhelm J, Ziegler L, Sperveslage J, Mittelbronn M, Capper D, Burghardt I, Poso A, Biskup S, Skardelly M, Tabatabai G. FGFR3 overexpression is a useful detection tool for FGFR3 fusions and sequence variations in glioma. Neurooncol Pract 2020; 8:209-221. [PMID: 33898054 DOI: 10.1093/nop/npaa075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitors are currently used in clinical development. A subset of glioblastomas carries gene fusion of FGFR3 and transforming acidic coiled-coil protein 3. The prevalence of other FGFR3 alterations in glioma is currently unclear. Methods We performed RT-PCR in 101 glioblastoma samples to detect FGFR3-TACC3 fusions ("RT-PCR cohort") and correlated results with FGFR3 immunohistochemistry (IHC). Further, we applied FGFR3 IHC in 552 tissue microarray glioma samples ("TMA cohort") and validated these results in two external cohorts with 319 patients. Gene panel sequencing was carried out in 88 samples ("NGS cohort") to identify other possible FGFR3 alterations. Molecular modeling was performed on newly detected mutations. Results In the "RT-PCR cohort," we identified FGFR3-TACC3 fusions in 2/101 glioblastomas. Positive IHC staining was observed in 73/1024 tumor samples of which 10 were strongly positive. In the "NGS cohort," we identified FGFR3 fusions in 9/88 cases, FGFR3 amplification in 2/88 cases, and FGFR3 gene mutations in 7/88 cases in targeted sequencing. All FGFR3 fusions and amplifications and a novel FGFR3 K649R missense mutation were associated with FGFR3 overexpression (sensitivity and specificity of 93% and 95%, respectively, at cutoff IHC score > 7). Modeling of these data indicated that Tyr647, a residue phosphorylated as a part of FGFR3 activation, is affected by the K649R mutation. Conclusions FGFR3 IHC is a useful screening tool for the detection of FGFR3 alterations and could be included in the workflow for isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) wild-type glioma diagnostics. Samples with positive FGFR3 staining could then be selected for NGS-based diagnostic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Schittenhelm
- Center for Neuro-Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Tuebingen-Stuttgart, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Lukas Ziegler
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Jan Sperveslage
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Gerhard-Domagk-Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Michel Mittelbronn
- Luxembourg Center of Neuropathology (LCNP), Dudelange, Luxembourg.,Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.,National Center of Pathology (NCP), Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS), Dudelange, Luxembourg.,Department of Oncology (DONC), Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Luxembourg, Luxembourg.,Edinger Institute (Neurological Institute), University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - David Capper
- Institute of Neuropathology, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Isabel Burghardt
- Center for Neuro-Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Tuebingen-Stuttgart, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Department of Neurology & Interdisciplinary Neurooncology, University Hospital Tübingen, Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Antti Poso
- Department of Internal Medicine VIII, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Saskia Biskup
- CeGaT GmbH and Praxis für Humangenetik Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Marco Skardelly
- Center for Neuro-Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Tuebingen-Stuttgart, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Ghazaleh Tabatabai
- Center for Neuro-Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Tuebingen-Stuttgart, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Department of Neurology & Interdisciplinary Neurooncology, University Hospital Tübingen, Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Center for Personalized Medicine, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), DKFZ partner site Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
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30
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Mata DA, Benhamida JK, Lin AL, Vanderbilt CM, Yang SR, Villafania LB, Ferguson DC, Jonsson P, Miller AM, Tabar V, Brennan CW, Moss NS, Sill M, Benayed R, Mellinghoff IK, Rosenblum MK, Arcila ME, Ladanyi M, Bale TA. Genetic and epigenetic landscape of IDH-wildtype glioblastomas with FGFR3-TACC3 fusions. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2020; 8:186. [PMID: 33168106 PMCID: PMC7653727 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-020-01058-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A subset of glioblastomas (GBMs) harbors potentially druggable oncogenic FGFR3-TACC3 (F3T3) fusions. However, their associated molecular and clinical features are poorly understood. Here we analyze the frequency of F3T3-fusion positivity, its associated genetic and methylation profiles, and its impact on survival in 906 IDH-wildtype GBM patients. We establish an F3T3 prevalence of 4.1% and delineate its associations with cancer signaling pathway alterations. F3T3-positive GBMs had lower tumor mutational and copy-number alteration burdens than F3T3-wildtype GBMs. Although F3T3 fusions were predominantly mutually exclusive with other oncogenic RTK pathway alterations, they did rarely co-occur with EGFR amplification. They were less likely to harbor TP53 alterations. By methylation profiling, they were more likely to be assigned the mesenchymal or RTK II subclass. Despite being older at diagnosis and having similar frequencies of MGMT promoter hypermethylation, patients with F3T3-positive GBMs lived about 8 months longer than those with F3T3-wildtype tumors. While consistent with IDH-wildtype GBM, F3T3-positive GBMs exhibit distinct biological features, underscoring the importance of pursuing molecular studies prior to clinical trial enrollment and targeted treatment.
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31
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Woo HY, Na K, Yoo J, Chang JH, Park YN, Shim HS, Kim SH. Glioblastomas harboring gene fusions detected by next-generation sequencing. Brain Tumor Pathol 2020; 37:136-144. [PMID: 32761533 DOI: 10.1007/s10014-020-00377-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Oncogenic gene fusions have been reported in diffuse gliomas and may serve as potential therapeutic targets. Here, using next-generation sequencing analysis (Illumina TruSight Tumor 170 panel), we analyzed a total of 356 diffuse gliomas collected from 2017 to 2019 to evaluate clinical, pathological, and genetic features of gene fusion. We found 53 cases of glioblastomas harboring the following oncogenic gene fusions: MET (n = 18), EGFR (n = 14), FGFR (n = 12), NTRK (n = 5), RET (n = 2), AKT3 (n = 1), and PDGFRA fusions (n = 1). Gene fusions were consistently observed in both IDH-wildtype and IDH-mutant glioblastomas (8.8% and 9.4%, p = 1.000). PTPRZ1-MET fusion was the only fusion that genetically resembled secondary glioblastomas (i.e., high frequency of IDH mutation, ATRX loss, TP53 mutation, and absence of EGFR amplification), whereas other gene fusion types were similar to primary glioblastomas (i.e., high frequency of IDH-wildtype, TERT mutation, EGFR amplification, and PTEN mutation). In IDH-wildtype glioblastoma patients, multivariable analysis revealed that the PTPRZ1-MET fusion was associated with poor progression-free survival (HR [95% CI]: 5.42 (1.72-17.05), p = 0.004). Additionally, we described two novel cases of CCDC6-RET fusion in glioma. Collectively, our findings indicate that targetable gene fusions are associated with aggressive biological behavior and can aid the clinical treatment strategy for glioma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha Young Woo
- Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1, Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Kiyong Na
- Department of Pathology, Kyung Hee University Hospital, 26 Kyungheedae-Ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, South Korea
| | - Jihwan Yoo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1, Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Jong Hee Chang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1, Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Young Nyun Park
- Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1, Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Hyo Sup Shim
- Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1, Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Se Hoon Kim
- Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1, Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea.
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32
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Zhou J, Dong ZN, Qiu BQ, Hu M, Liang XQ, Dai X, Hong D, Sun YF. CircRNA FGFR3 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition of ovarian cancer by regulating miR-29a-3p/E2F1 axis. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:14080-14091. [PMID: 32668414 PMCID: PMC7425466 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression after transcription. However, the specific function of circRNAs in ovarian cancer remains undetermined. Previous studies have demonstrated abnormal expression of circFGFR3 in several cancers. The present study was designed to reveal the roles of circFGFR3 in ovarian cancer (OC). CircFGFR3 expression in OC tissues and cells was detected by RT-qPCR. The effects of CircFGFR3 on OC cells were evaluated by transwell assay and CCK-8 assay. Finally, the underlying mechanism was further revealed by luciferase reporter assay and western blotting. Our results showed that circFGFR3 expression was higher in OC cells and tissues than in normal ovarian cells and adjacent normal tissues; in addition, in OC patients, a high level of CircFGFR3 was related to lower survival rates and higher recurrence rates than a low level of circFGFR3. CircFGFR3 overexpression promotes OC progression by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro. Mechanistically, circFGFR3 upregulates E2F1 expression by sponging miR-29a-3p, and the overexpression of E2F1 or the suppression of miR-29a-3p induces OC cell EMT. Therefore, circFGFR3 serves as a promoter of OC by inducing OC cell EMT via the miR-29a-3p/E2F1 axis and circFGFR3 may be a prognostic biomarker for OC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Forth Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330000, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Ze-Ning Dong
- Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Hunan 410008, P.R. China
| | - Bai-Quan Qiu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330000, P.R. China
| | - Ming Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Forth Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330000, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Qing Liang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Forth Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330000, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Xing Dai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Forth Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330000, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Dan Hong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Forth Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330000, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Yu-Fang Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Forth Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330000, Jiangxi, P.R. China
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33
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Kim P, Yiya K, Zhou X. FGviewer: an online visualization tool for functional features of human fusion genes. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:W313-W320. [PMID: 32421816 PMCID: PMC7319540 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the diverse location of the breakpoints (BPs) of structural variants (SVs), the breakpoints of fusion genes (FGs) are located in the gene bodies. This broken gene context provided the aberrant functional clues to study disease genesis. Many tumorigenic fusion genes have retained or lost functional or regulatory domains and these features impacted tumorigenesis. Full annotation of fusion genes aided by the visualization tool based on two gene bodies will be helpful to study the functional aspect of fusion genes. To date, a specialized tool with effective visualization of the functional features of fusion genes is not available. In this study, we built FGviewer, a tool for visualizing functional features of human fusion genes, which is available at https://ccsmweb.uth.edu/FGviewer. FGviewer gets the input of fusion gene symbols, breakpoint information, or structural variants from whole-genome sequence (WGS) data. For any combination of gene pairs/breakpoints to be involved in fusion genes, the users can search the functional/regulatory aspect of the fusion gene in the three bio-molecular levels (DNA-, RNA-, and protein-levels) and one clinical level (pathogenic-level). FGviewer will be a unique online tool in disease research communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pora Kim
- School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ke Yiya
- College of Electronic and Information Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaobo Zhou
- School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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34
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Lima NC, Atkinson E, Bunney TD, Katan M, Huang PH. Targeting the Src Pathway Enhances the Efficacy of Selective FGFR Inhibitors in Urothelial Cancers with FGFR3 Alterations. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E3214. [PMID: 32370101 PMCID: PMC7246793 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21093214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Selective FGFR inhibitors such as infigratinib (BGJ398) and erdafitinib (JNJ-42756493) have been evaluated in clinical trials for cancers with FGFR3 molecular alterations, particularly in urothelial carcinoma patients. However, a substantial proportion of these patients (up to 50%) display intrinsic resistance to these drugs and receive minimal clinical benefit. There is thus an unmet need for alternative therapeutic strategies to overcome primary resistance to selective FGFR inhibitors. In this study, we demonstrate that cells expressing cancer-associated activating FGFR3 mutants and the FGFR3-TACC3 fusion showed primary resistance to infigratinib in long-term colony formation assays in both NIH-3T3 and urothelial carcinoma models. We find that expression of these FGFR3 molecular alterations resulted in elevated constitutive Src activation compared to wildtype FGFR3 and that cells co-opted this pathway as a means to achieve intrinsic resistance to infigratinib. Targeting the Src pathway with low doses of the kinase inhibitor dasatinib synergistically sensitized multiple urothelial carcinoma lines harbouring endogenous FGFR3 alterations to infigratinib. Our data provide preclinical rationale that supports the use of dasatinib in combination with selective FGFR inhibitors as a means to overcome intrinsic drug resistance in the salvage therapy setting in urothelial cancer patients with FGFR3 molecular alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Carvalho Lima
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SM2 5NG, UK; (N.C.L.); (E.A.)
| | - Eliza Atkinson
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SM2 5NG, UK; (N.C.L.); (E.A.)
| | - Tom D. Bunney
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK; (T.D.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Matilda Katan
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK; (T.D.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Paul H. Huang
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SM2 5NG, UK; (N.C.L.); (E.A.)
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35
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Guo F, Zhang K, Li M, Cui L, Liu G, Yan Y, Tian W, Teng F, Zhang Y, Gao C, Gao J, Wang Y, Xue F. miR‑508‑3p suppresses the development of ovarian carcinoma by targeting CCNA2 and MMP7. Int J Oncol 2020; 57:264-276. [PMID: 32377701 PMCID: PMC7252466 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2020.5055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological tumor, and the 5‑year survival rate is only ~40%. The poor survival rate is due to cancer diagnosis at an advanced stage, when the tumor has metastasized. A better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of tumor growth and metastasis is needed to improve patient prognosis. MicroRNAs (miRs) regulate carcinogenesis and development of cancers. However, the role of miR‑508‑3p in ovarian cancer remains largely unknown. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the possible functions of miR‑508‑3p in the modulation of development of ovarian cancer. The results of the present study demonstrated that miR‑508‑3p mimics inhibited ovarian cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Reporter gene assay results demonstrated that miR‑508‑3p suppressed cancer cell proliferation by directly targeting the 3'‑untranslated region (UTR) of cyclin A2 (CCNA2) and suppressed migration and invasion by directly targeting the 3'‑UTR of matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7). In addition, high CCNA2 and MMP7 expression levels were associated with low miR‑508‑3p expression in ovarian cancer tissues. Furthermore, miR‑508‑3p and CCNA2 were independent predictors for overall survival in patients with ovarian cancer. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrated that miR‑508‑3p suppressed ovarian cancer development by directly targeting CCNA2 and MMP7. The results of this study suggested the potential value of miR‑508‑3p and CCNA2 as prognostic indicators and therapeutics for ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Guo
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Meiyue Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Lei Cui
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin 300192, P.R. China
| | - Guoyan Liu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Ye Yan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Wenyan Tian
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Fei Teng
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Yanfang Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Chao Gao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Jinping Gao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Yingmei Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Fengxia Xue
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
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36
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Bale TA. FGFR- gene family alterations in low-grade neuroepithelial tumors. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2020; 8:21. [PMID: 32085805 PMCID: PMC7035775 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-020-00898-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) gene family alterations as drivers of primary brain tumors has generated significant excitement, both as potential therapeutic targets as well as defining hallmarks of histologic entities. However, FGFR alterations among neuroepithelial lesions are not restricted to high or low grade, nor to adult vs. pediatric-type tumors. While it may be tempting to consider FGFR-altered tumors as a unified group, this underlying heterogeneity poses diagnostic and interpretive challenges. Therefore, understanding the underlying biology of tumors harboring specific FGFR alterations is critical. In this review, recent evidence for recurrent FGFR alterations in histologically and biologically low-grade neuroepithelial tumors (LGNTs) is examined (namely FGFR1 tyrosine kinase domain duplication in low grade glioma, FGFR1-TACC1 fusions in extraventricular neurocytoma [EVN], and FGFR2-CTNNA3 fusions in polymorphous low-grade neuroepithelial tumor of the young [PLNTY]). Additionally, FGFR alterations with less well-defined prognostic implications are considered (FGFR3-TACC3 fusions, FGFR1 hotspot mutations). Finally, a framework for practical interpretation of FGFR alterations in low grade glial/glioneuronal tumors is proposed.
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37
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Abstract
The discovery of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) gene family alterations as drivers of primary brain tumors has generated significant excitement, both as potential therapeutic targets as well as defining hallmarks of histologic entities. However, FGFR alterations among neuroepithelial lesions are not restricted to high or low grade, nor to adult vs. pediatric-type tumors. While it may be tempting to consider FGFR-altered tumors as a unified group, this underlying heterogeneity poses diagnostic and interpretive challenges. Therefore, understanding the underlying biology of tumors harboring specific FGFR alterations is critical. In this review, recent evidence for recurrent FGFR alterations in histologically and biologically low-grade neuroepithelial tumors (LGNTs) is examined (namely FGFR1 tyrosine kinase domain duplication in low grade glioma, FGFR1-TACC1 fusions in extraventricular neurocytoma [EVN], and FGFR2-CTNNA3 fusions in polymorphous low-grade neuroepithelial tumor of the young [PLNTY]). Additionally, FGFR alterations with less well-defined prognostic implications are considered (FGFR3-TACC3 fusions, FGFR1 hotspot mutations). Finally, a framework for practical interpretation of FGFR alterations in low grade glial/glioneuronal tumors is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tejus A Bale
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Street, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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38
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Parker Kerrigan BC, Ledbetter D, Kronowitz M, Phillips L, Gumin J, Hossain A, Yang J, Mendt M, Singh S, Cogdell D, Ene C, Shpall E, Lang FF. RNAi technology targeting the FGFR3-TACC3 fusion breakpoint: an opportunity for precision medicine. Neurooncol Adv 2020; 2:vdaa132. [PMID: 33241214 PMCID: PMC7680176 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdaa132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fusion genes form as a result of abnormal chromosomal rearrangements linking previously separate genes into one transcript. The FGFR3-TACC3 fusion gene (F3-T3) has been shown to drive gliomagenesis in glioblastoma (GBM), a cancer that is notoriously resistant to therapy. However, successful targeting of F3-T3 via small molecular inhibitors has not revealed robust therapeutic responses, and specific targeting of F3-T3 has not been achieved heretofore. Here, we demonstrate that depleting F3-T3 using custom siRNA to the fusion breakpoint junction results in successful inhibition of F3-T3+ GBMs, and that exosomes can successfully deliver these siRNAs. METHODS We engineered 10 unique siRNAs (iF3T3) that specifically spanned the most common F3-T3 breakpoint with varying degrees of overlap, and assayed depletion by qPCR and immunoblotting. Cell viability assays were performed. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (UC-MSC) were electroporated with iF3T3, added to cells, and F3-T3 depletion measured by qPCR. RESULTS We verified that depleting F3-T3 using shRNA to FGFR3 resulted in decreased cell viability and improved survival in glioma-bearing mice. We then demonstrated that 7/10 iF3T3 depleted F3-T3, and importantly, did not affect levels of wild-type (WT) FGFR3 or TACC3. iF3T3 decreased cell viability in both F3T3+ GBM and bladder cancer cell lines. UC-MSC exosomes successfully delivered iF3T3 in vitro, resulting in F3-T3 depletion. CONCLUSION Targeting F3-T3 using siRNAs specific to the fusion breakpoint is capable of eradicating F3T3+ cancers without toxicity related to inhibition of WT FGFR3 or TACC3, and UC-MSC exosomes may be a plausible vehicle to deliver iF3T3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany C Parker Kerrigan
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Brain Tumor Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Daniel Ledbetter
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Brain Tumor Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Matthew Kronowitz
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Brain Tumor Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Lynette Phillips
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Brain Tumor Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Joy Gumin
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Brain Tumor Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Anwar Hossain
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Brain Tumor Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Brain Tumor Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Mayela Mendt
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sanjay Singh
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Brain Tumor Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - David Cogdell
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Chibawanye Ene
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Brain Tumor Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Elizabeth Shpall
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Frederick F Lang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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39
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Granberg KJ, Raita A, Lehtinen B, Tiihonen AM, Kesseli J, Annala M, Rodriguez-Martinez A, Nordfors K, Zhang W, Visakorpi T, Nykter M, Haapasalo H. Moderate-to-strong expression of FGFR3 and TP53 alterations in a subpopulation of choroid plexus tumors. Histol Histopathol 2019; 35:673-680. [PMID: 31660579 DOI: 10.14670/hh-18-180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Deregulation of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signaling is tightly associated with numerous human malignancies, including cancer. Indeed, FGFR inhibitors are being tested as anti-tumor drugs in clinical trials. Among gliomas, FGFR3 fusions occur in IDH wild-type diffuse gliomas leading to high FGFR3 protein expression and both, FGFR3 and FGFR1, show elevated expression in aggressive ependymomas. The aim of this study was to uncover the expression of FGFR1 and FGFR3 proteins in choroid plexus tumors and to further characterize FGFR-related as well as other genetic alterations in FGFR3 expressing tumors. Expression levels of FGFR1 and FGFR3 were detected in 15 choroid plexus tumor tissues using immunohistochemistry of tissue microarrays and 6 samples were subjected to whole mount FGFR3 staining. Targeted sequencing was used for deeper molecular analysis of two FGFR3 positive cases. Moderate expression of FGFR1 or FGFR3 was evidenced in one third of the studied choroid plexus tumors. Targeted sequencing of a choroid plexus carcinoma and an atypical choroid plexus papilloma, both with moderate-to-strong FGFR3 expression, revealed lack of protein-altering mutations or fusions in FGFR1 or FGFR3, but TP53 was altered in both tumors. FGFR3 and FGFR1 proteins are expressed in a subpopulation of choroid plexus tumors. Further studies using larger cohorts of patients will allow identification of the clinicopathological implications of FGFR1 and FGFR3 expression in choroid plexus tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsi J Granberg
- BioMediTech, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland. .,Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,Science Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Annina Raita
- Fimlab Laboratories Ltd., Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,Department of Pathology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Birgitta Lehtinen
- Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Aliisa M Tiihonen
- Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Juha Kesseli
- Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Matti Annala
- Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Alejandra Rodriguez-Martinez
- Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Kristiina Nordfors
- Department of Pediatrics, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,Tampere Center for Child Health Research, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC USA
| | - Tapio Visakorpi
- Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,Fimlab Laboratories Ltd., Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Matti Nykter
- Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,Science Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Hannu Haapasalo
- Fimlab Laboratories Ltd., Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,Department of Pathology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
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Amirfallah A, Arason A, Einarsson H, Gudmundsdottir ET, Freysteinsdottir ES, Olafsdottir KA, Johannsson OT, Agnarsson BA, Barkardottir RB, Reynisdottir I. High expression of the vacuole membrane protein 1 (VMP1) is a potential marker of poor prognosis in HER2 positive breast cancer. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221413. [PMID: 31442252 PMCID: PMC6707546 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Fusion genes result from genomic structural changes, which can lead to alterations in gene expression that supports tumor development. The aim of the study was to use fusion genes as a tool to identify new breast cancer (BC) genes with a role in BC progression. Methods Fusion genes from breast tumors and BC cell lines were collected from publications. RNA-Seq data from tumors and cell lines were retrieved from databanks and analyzed for fusions with SOAPfuse or the analysis was purchased. Fusion genes identified in both tumors (n = 1724) and cell lines (n = 45) were confirmed by qRT-PCR and sequencing. Their individual genes were ranked by selection criteria that included correlation of their mRNA level with copy number. The expression of the top ranked gene was measured by qRT-PCR in normal tissue and in breast tumors from an exploratory cohort (n = 141) and a validation cohort (n = 277). Expression levels were correlated with clinical and pathological factors as well as the patients’ survival. The results were followed up in BC cohorts from TCGA (n = 818) and METABRIC (n = 2509). Results Vacuole membrane protein 1 (VMP1) was the most promising candidate based on specific selection criteria. Its expression was higher in breast tumor tissue than normal tissue (p = 1x10-4), and its expression was significantly higher in HER2 positive than HER2 negative breast tumors in all four cohorts analyzed. High expression of VMP1 associated with breast cancer specific survival (BCSS) in cohort 1 (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.31, CI 1.27–4.18) and METABRIC (HR = 1.26, CI 1.02–1.57), and also after adjusting for HER2 expression in cohort 1 (HR = 2.03, CI 1.10–3.72). BCSS was not significant in cohort 2 or TCGA cohort, which may be due to differences in treatment regimens. Conclusions The results suggest that high VMP1 expression is a potential marker of poor prognosis in HER2 positive BC. Further studies are needed to elucidate how VMP1 could affect pathways supportive of tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arsalan Amirfallah
- Cell Biology Unit at the Pathology Department, Landspitali–The National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- The Biomedical Center, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Adalgeir Arason
- The Biomedical Center, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Molecular Pathology Unit at the Pathology Department, Landspitali–The National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Hjorleifur Einarsson
- Cell Biology Unit at the Pathology Department, Landspitali–The National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Eydis Thorunn Gudmundsdottir
- Cell Biology Unit at the Pathology Department, Landspitali–The National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Edda Sigridur Freysteinsdottir
- Molecular Pathology Unit at the Pathology Department, Landspitali–The National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | - Oskar Thor Johannsson
- Department of Oncology, Landspitali–The National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Bjarni Agnar Agnarsson
- Pathology Department, Landspitali–The National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Rosa Bjork Barkardottir
- The Biomedical Center, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Molecular Pathology Unit at the Pathology Department, Landspitali–The National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Inga Reynisdottir
- Cell Biology Unit at the Pathology Department, Landspitali–The National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- The Biomedical Center, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- * E-mail:
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41
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Ferguson SD, Zhou S, Huse JT, de Groot JF, Xiu J, Subramaniam DS, Mehta S, Gatalica Z, Swensen J, Sanai N, Spetzler D, Heimberger AB. Targetable Gene Fusions Associate With the IDH Wild-Type Astrocytic Lineage in Adult Gliomas. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2019; 77:437-442. [PMID: 29718398 PMCID: PMC5961205 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nly022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene fusions involving oncogenes have been reported in gliomas and may serve as novel therapeutic targets. Using RNA-sequencing, we interrogated a large cohort of gliomas to assess for the incidence of targetable genetic fusions. Gliomas (n = 390) were profiled using the ArcherDx FusionPlex Assay. Fifty-two gene targets were analyzed and fusions with preserved kinase domains were investigated. Overall, 36 gliomas (9%) harbored a total of 37 potentially targetable fusions, the majority of which were found in astrocytomas (n = 34). Within this lineage 11% (25/235) of glioblastomas, 12% (5/42) of anaplastic astrocytomas, 8% (2/25) of grade II astrocytomas, and 33% (2/6) of pilocytic astrocytoma harbored targetable fusions. Fusions were significantly more frequent in IDH wild-type tumors (12%, n = 31/261) relative to IDH mutants (4%; n = 4/109) (p = 0.011). No fusions were seen in oligodendrogliomas. The most frequently observed therapeutically targetable fusions were in FGFR (n = 12), MET (n = 11), and NTRK (n = 8). Several additional novel fusions that have not been previously described in gliomas were identified including EGFR:VWC2 and FGFR3:NBR1. In summary, targetable gene fusions are enriched in IDH wild-type high-grade astrocytic tumors, which will influence enrollment in and interpretation of clinical trials of glioma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherise D Ferguson
- Neurosurgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Shouhao Zhou
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jason T Huse
- Department of Neuropathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - John F de Groot
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Deepa S Subramaniam
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Shwetal Mehta
- Barrow Neurological Institute and Barrow Neurosurgical Associates, Phoenix, Arizona
| | | | | | - Nader Sanai
- Barrow Neurological Institute and Barrow Neurosurgical Associates, Phoenix, Arizona
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42
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Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Signaling in Skin Cancers. Cells 2019; 8:cells8060540. [PMID: 31167513 PMCID: PMC6628025 DOI: 10.3390/cells8060540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)/Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signaling regulates various cellular processes during the embryonic development and in the adult organism. In the skin, fibroblasts and keratinocytes control proliferation and survival of melanocytes in a paracrine manner via several signaling molecules, including FGFs. FGF/FGFR signaling contributes to the skin surface expansion in childhood or during wound healing, and skin protection from UV light damage. Aberrant FGF/FGFR signaling has been implicated in many disorders, including cancer. In melanoma cells, the FGFR expression is low, probably because of the strong endogenous mutation-driven constitutive activation of the downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK-ERK) signaling pathway. FGFR1 is exceptional as it is expressed in the majority of melanomas at a high level. Melanoma cells that acquired the capacity to synthesize FGFs can influence the neighboring cells in the tumor niche, such as endothelial cells, fibroblasts, or other melanoma cells. In this way, FGF/FGFR signaling contributes to intratumoral angiogenesis, melanoma cell survival, and development of resistance to therapeutics. Therefore, inhibitors of aberrant FGF/FGFR signaling are considered as drugs in combination treatment. The ongoing LOGIC-2 phase II clinical trial aims to find out whether targeting the FGF/FGFR signaling pathway with BGJ398 may be a good therapeutic strategy in melanoma patients who develop resistance to v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF)/MEK inhibitors.
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43
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44
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Ballester LY, Moghadamtousi SZ, Leeds NE, Huse JT, Fuller GN. Coexisting FGFR3 p.K650T mutation in two FGFR3-TACC3 fusion glioma cases. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2019; 7:63. [PMID: 31036092 PMCID: PMC6487516 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-019-0721-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
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45
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Tuna M, Amos CI, Mills GB. Molecular mechanisms and pathobiology of oncogenic fusion transcripts in epithelial tumors. Oncotarget 2019; 10:2095-2111. [PMID: 31007851 PMCID: PMC6459343 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recurrent fusion transcripts, which are one of the characteristic hallmarks of cancer, arise either from chromosomal rearrangements or from transcriptional errors in splicing. DNA rearrangements include intrachromosomal or interchromosomal translocation, tandem duplication, deletion, inversion, or result from chromothripsis, which causes complex rearrangements. In addition, fusion proteins can be created through transcriptional read-through. Fusion genes can be transcribed to fusion transcripts and translated to chimeric proteins, with many having demonstrated transforming activities through multiple mechanisms in cells. Fusion proteins represent novel therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers of diagnosis, disease status, or progression. This review focuses on the mechanisms underlying the formation of oncogenic fusion genes and transcripts and their impact on the pathobiology of epithelial tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Musaffe Tuna
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Christopher I Amos
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Gordon B Mills
- Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, Oregon Health Science University, Portland, OR, USA.,Precision Oncology, Knight Cancer Institute, Portland, OR, USA
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46
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Xie Z, Tang Y, Su X, Cao J, Zhang Y, Li H. PAX3-FOXO1 escapes miR-495 regulation during muscle differentiation. RNA Biol 2019; 16:144-153. [PMID: 30593263 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2018.1564464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Pax3 plays an essential role in myogenesis. Previously, we found a tumor-signature chimeric fusion RNA, PAX3-FOXO1 also present during muscle differentiation, raising the possibility of its physiological role. Here we demonstrated that the fusion is needed transiently for muscle lineage commitment. Interestingly, the fusion ortholog was not found in seven mouse muscle differentiation/regeneration systems, nor in other stem cell differentiation systems of another three mammal species. We noticed that Pax3 is expressed at a much lower level in human stem cells, and during muscle differentiation than in other mammals. Given the fact that the fusion and the parental Pax3 share common downstream targets, we reasoned that forming the fusion may be a mechanism for human cells to escape certain microRNA regulation on Pax3. By sequence comparison, we identified 16 candidate microRNAs that may specifically target the human PAX3 3'UTR. We used a luciferase reporter assay, examined the microRNAs expression, and conducted mutagenesis on the reporters, as well as a CRISPR/Cas9 mediated editing on the endogenous allele. Finally, we identified miR-495 as a microRNA that specifically targets human PAX3. Examining several other fusion RNAs revealed that the human-specificity is not limited to PAX3-FOXO1. Based on these observations, we conclude that PAX3-FOXO1 fusion RNA is absent in mouse, or other mammals we tested, the fusion RNA is a mechanism to escape microRNA, miR-495 regulation in humans, and that it is not the only human-specific fusion RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongqiu Xie
- a Department of Pathology , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , VA , USA
| | - Yue Tang
- a Department of Pathology , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , VA , USA.,b College of Life Sciences , Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , Henan , P. R. China
| | - Xiaohu Su
- c College of Life Sciences , Inner Mongolia Agricultural University , Hohhot , Inner Mongolia , China.,d Key Laboratory of Biological Manufacturing of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region , Hohhot , Inner Mongolia , China
| | - Junwei Cao
- a Department of Pathology , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , VA , USA.,c College of Life Sciences , Inner Mongolia Agricultural University , Hohhot , Inner Mongolia , China.,d Key Laboratory of Biological Manufacturing of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region , Hohhot , Inner Mongolia , China
| | - Yanru Zhang
- c College of Life Sciences , Inner Mongolia Agricultural University , Hohhot , Inner Mongolia , China.,d Key Laboratory of Biological Manufacturing of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region , Hohhot , Inner Mongolia , China
| | - Hui Li
- a Department of Pathology , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , VA , USA.,b College of Life Sciences , Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , Henan , P. R. China.,e University of Virginia Cancer Center , Charlottesville , VA , USA
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47
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Fountzilas E, Palmer G, Vining D, Tsimberidou AM. Prolonged Partial Response to Bevacizumab and Valproic Acid in a Patient With Glioblastoma. JCO Precis Oncol 2018; 2. [PMID: 31544169 DOI: 10.1200/po.18.00282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - David Vining
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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48
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Hassanudin SA, Ponnampalam SN, Amini MN. Determination of genetic aberrations and novel transcripts involved in the pathogenesis of oligodendroglioma using array comparative genomic hybridization and next generation sequencing. Oncol Lett 2018; 17:1675-1687. [PMID: 30675227 PMCID: PMC6341554 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.9811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine the genetic aberrations and novel transcripts, particularly the fusion transcripts, involved in the pathogenesis of low-grade and anaplastic oligodendroglioma. In the present study, tissue samples were obtained from patients with oligodendroglioma and additionally from archived tissue samples from the Brain Tumor Tissue Bank of the Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada. Six samples were obtained, three of which were low-grade oligodendroglioma and the other three anaplastic oligodendroglioma. DNA and RNA were extracted from each tissue sample. The resulting genomic DNA was then hybridized using the Agilent CytoSure 4×180K oligonucleotide array. Human reference DNA and samples were labeled using Cy3 cytidine 5′-triphosphate (CTP) and Cy5 CTP, respectively, while human Cot-1 DNA was used to reduce non-specific binding. Microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization data was then analyzed for genetic aberrations using the Agilent Cytosure Interpret software v3.4.2. The total RNA isolated from each sample was mixed with oligo dT magnetic beads to enrich for poly(A) mRNA. cDNAs were then synthesized and subjected to end-repair, poly(A) addition and connected using sequencing adapters using the Illumina TruSeq RNA Sample Preparation kit. The fragments were then purified and selected as templates for polymerase chain reaction amplification. The final library was constructed with fragments between 350–450 base pairs and sequenced using deep transcriptome sequencing on an Illumina HiSeq 2500 sequencer. The array comparative genomic hybridization revealed numerous amplifications and deletions on several chromosomes in all samples. However, the most interesting result was from the next generation sequencing, where one anaplastic oligodendroglioma sample was demonstrated to have five novel fusion genes that may potentially serve a critical role in tumor pathogenesis and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siti A Hassanudin
- Cancer Research Center, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, 50588 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Stephen N Ponnampalam
- Cancer Research Center, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, 50588 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad N Amini
- Cancer Research Center, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, 50588 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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49
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Chromosomal translocation-mediated evasion from miRNA induces strong MEF2D fusion protein expression, causing inhibition of PAX5 transcriptional activity. Oncogene 2018; 38:2263-2274. [PMID: 30478446 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0573-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
MEF2D fusion genes are newly discovered recurrent gene abnormalities that are detected in approximately 5% of acute lymphoblastic leukemia cases. We previously demonstrated that the vector-driven expression of MEF2D fusion proteins was markedly stronger than that of wild-type MEF2D; however, the underlying mechanisms and significance of this expression have yet to be clarified. We herein showed that the strong expression of MEF2D fusion proteins was caused by the loss of the target site of miRNA due to gene translocation. We identified the target region of miRNA located in the coding region and selected miR-122 as a candidate of the responsible miRNA. Mutations at a putative binding site of miR-122 increased MEF2D expression, while the transfection of its miRNA mimic reduced the expression of wild-type MEF2D, but not MEF2D fusion proteins. We also found that MEF2D fusion proteins inhibited the transcriptional activity of PAX5, a B-cell differentiation regulator in a manner that depended on fusion-specific strong expression and an association with histone deacetylase 4, which may lead to the differentiation disorders of B cells. Our results provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying leukemia development by MEF2D fusion genes and the involvement of the deregulation of miRNA-mediated repression in cancer development.
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50
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Nelson KN, Meyer AN, Wang CG, Donoghue DJ. Oncogenic driver FGFR3-TACC3 is dependent on membrane trafficking and ERK signaling. Oncotarget 2018; 9:34306-34319. [PMID: 30344944 PMCID: PMC6188140 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Fusion proteins resulting from chromosomal translocations have been identified as oncogenic drivers in many cancers, allowing them to serve as potential drug targets in clinical practice. The genes encoding FGFRs, Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptors, are commonly involved in such translocations, with the FGFR3-TACC3 fusion protein frequently identified in many cancers, including glioblastoma, cervical cancer, bladder cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and lung adenocarcinoma among others. FGFR3-TACC3 retains the entire extracellular domain and most of the kinase domain of FGFR3, with its C-terminal domain fused to TACC3. We examine here the effects of targeting FGFR3-TACC3 to different subcellular localizations by appending either a nuclear localization signal (NLS) or a myristylation signal, or by deletion of the normal signal sequence. We demonstrate that the oncogenic effects of FGFR3-TACC3 require either entrance to the secretory pathway or plasma membrane localization, leading to overactivation of canonical MAPK/ERK pathways. We also examined the effects of different translocation breakpoints in FGFR3-TACC3, comparing fusion at TACC3 exon 11 with fusion at exon 8. Transformation resulting from FGFR3-TACC3 was not affected by association with the canonical TACC3-interacting proteins Aurora-A, clathrin, and ch-TOG. We have shown that kinase inhibitors for MEK (Trametinib) and FGFR (BGJ398) are effective in blocking cell transformation and MAPK pathway upregulation. The development of personalized medicines will be essential in treating patients who harbor oncogenic drivers such as FGFR3-TACC3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn N Nelson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - April N Meyer
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Clark G Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Daniel J Donoghue
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,UCSD Moores Cancer Center and University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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