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Blakstad H, Mendoza Mireles EE, Kierulf-Vieira KS, Singireddy D, Mdala I, Heggebø LC, Magelssen H, Sprauten M, Johannesen TB, Leske H, Niehusmann P, Skogen K, Helseth E, Emblem KE, Vik-Mo EO, Brandal P. The impact of cancer patient pathway on timing of radiotherapy and survival: a cohort study in glioblastoma patients. J Neurooncol 2024:10.1007/s11060-024-04709-z. [PMID: 38762830 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-024-04709-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor in which primary therapy is standardized and consists of surgery, radiotherapy (RT), and chemotherapy. However, the optimal time from surgery to start of RT is unknown. A high-grade glioma cancer patient pathway (CPP) was implemented in Norway in 2015 to avoid non-medical delays and regional disparity, and to optimize information flow to patients. This study investigated how CPP affected time to RT after surgery and overall survival. METHODS This study included consecutive GBM patients diagnosed in South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority from 2006 to 2019 and treated with RT. The pre CPP implementation group constituted patients diagnosed 2006-2014, and the post CPP implementation group constituted patients diagnosed 2016-2019. We evaluated timing of RT and survival in relation to CPP implementation. RESULTS A total of 1212 patients with GBM were included. CPP implementation was associated with significantly better outcomes (p < 0.001). Median overall survival was 12.9 months. The odds of receiving RT within four weeks after surgery were significantly higher post CPP implementation (p < 0.001). We found no difference in survival dependent on timing of RT below 4, 4-6 or more than 6 weeks (p = 0.349). Prognostic factors for better outcomes in adjusted analyses were female sex (p = 0.005), younger age (p < 0.001), solitary tumors (p = 0.008), gross total resection (p < 0.001), and higher RT dose (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION CPP implementation significantly reduced time to start of postoperative RT. Survival was significantly longer in the period after the CPP implementation, however, timing of postoperative RT relative to time of surgery did not impact survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanne Blakstad
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Eduardo Erasmo Mendoza Mireles
- Department of Neurosurgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Vilhelm Magnus Laboratory, Institute for Surgical Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kirsten Strømme Kierulf-Vieira
- Vilhelm Magnus Laboratory, Institute for Surgical Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Divija Singireddy
- Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ibrahimu Mdala
- Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Liv Cathrine Heggebø
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Mette Sprauten
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tom Børge Johannesen
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway
| | - Henning Leske
- Vilhelm Magnus Laboratory, Institute for Surgical Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Pitt Niehusmann
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Karoline Skogen
- Department of Radiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eirik Helseth
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Neurosurgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kyrre Eeg Emblem
- Department of Physics and Computational Radiology, Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Einar O Vik-Mo
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Neurosurgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Vilhelm Magnus Laboratory, Institute for Surgical Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Petter Brandal
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Alberti G, Amico MD, Caruso Bavisotto C, Rappa F, Marino Gammazza A, Bucchieri F, Cappello F, Scalia F, Szychlinska MA. Speeding up Glioblastoma Cancer Research: Highlighting the Zebrafish Xenograft Model. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5394. [PMID: 38791432 PMCID: PMC11121320 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a very aggressive and lethal primary brain cancer in adults. The multifaceted nature of GBM pathogenesis, rising from complex interactions between cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME), has posed great treatment challenges. Despite significant scientific efforts, the prognosis for GBM remains very poor, even after intensive treatment with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Efficient GBM management still requires the invention of innovative treatment strategies. There is a strong necessity to complete cancer in vitro studies and in vivo studies to properly evaluate the mechanisms of tumor progression within the complex TME. In recent years, the animal models used to study GBM tumors have evolved, achieving highly invasive GBM models able to provide key information on the molecular mechanisms of GBM onset. At present, the most commonly used animal models in GBM research are represented by mammalian models, such as mouse and canine ones. However, the latter present several limitations, such as high cost and time-consuming management, making them inappropriate for large-scale anticancer drug evaluation. In recent years, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model has emerged as a valuable tool for studying GBM. It has shown great promise in preclinical studies due to numerous advantages, such as its small size, its ability to generate a large cohort of genetically identical offspring, and its rapid development, permitting more time- and cost-effective management and high-throughput drug screening when compared to mammalian models. Moreover, due to its transparent nature in early developmental stages and genetic and anatomical similarities with humans, it allows for translatable brain cancer research and related genetic screening and drug discovery. For this reason, the aim of the present review is to highlight the potential of relevant transgenic and xenograft zebrafish models and to compare them to the traditionally used animal models in GBM research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giusi Alberti
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (M.D.A.); (C.C.B.); (F.R.); (A.M.G.); (F.B.); (F.C.); (F.S.)
| | - Maria Denise Amico
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (M.D.A.); (C.C.B.); (F.R.); (A.M.G.); (F.B.); (F.C.); (F.S.)
| | - Celeste Caruso Bavisotto
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (M.D.A.); (C.C.B.); (F.R.); (A.M.G.); (F.B.); (F.C.); (F.S.)
- Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Science and Technology (IEMEST), 90139 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesca Rappa
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (M.D.A.); (C.C.B.); (F.R.); (A.M.G.); (F.B.); (F.C.); (F.S.)
- The Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonella Marino Gammazza
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (M.D.A.); (C.C.B.); (F.R.); (A.M.G.); (F.B.); (F.C.); (F.S.)
| | - Fabio Bucchieri
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (M.D.A.); (C.C.B.); (F.R.); (A.M.G.); (F.B.); (F.C.); (F.S.)
| | - Francesco Cappello
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (M.D.A.); (C.C.B.); (F.R.); (A.M.G.); (F.B.); (F.C.); (F.S.)
- Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Science and Technology (IEMEST), 90139 Palermo, Italy
| | - Federica Scalia
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (M.D.A.); (C.C.B.); (F.R.); (A.M.G.); (F.B.); (F.C.); (F.S.)
| | - Marta Anna Szychlinska
- Department of Precision Medicine in Medical, Surgical and Critical Care (Me.Pre.C.C.), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
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3
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Tang L, Zhang R, Wang Y, Liu M, Hu D, Wang Y, Yang L. A blood-brain barrier- and blood-brain tumor barrier-penetrating siRNA delivery system targeting gliomas for brain tumor immunotherapy. J Control Release 2024; 369:642-657. [PMID: 38575072 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Glioma is recognized as the most infiltrative and lethal form of central nervous system tumors and is known for its limited response to standard therapeutic interventions, high recurrence rate, and unfavorable prognosis. Recent progress in gene and immunotherapy presents a renewed sense of optimism in the treatment of glioblastoma. However, the barriers to overcome include the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the blood-brain tumor barrier (BBTB), as well as the suppressive immune microenvironment. Overcoming these barriers remains a significant challenge. Here, we developed a lipid nanoparticle platform incorporating a dual-functional peptide (cholesterol-DP7-ACP-T7-modified DOTAP or DAT-LNP) capable of targeting glioma across the BBB and BBTB for brain tumor immunotherapy. This system was designed to achieve two key functions. First, the system could effectively penetrate the BBB during accumulation within brain tissue following intravenous administration. Second, this system enhances the maturation of dendritic cells, the polarization of M1 macrophages, and the activation of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. This multifaceted approach effectively mitigates the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment of glioma and promotes robust antitumor immune responses. Overall, the intravenous administration of the delivery system designed in this study demonstrates significant therapeutic potential for glioma and holds promising applications in the field of cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Tang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yusi Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Mohan Liu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Die Hu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yefeng Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Li Yang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
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Pöhlmann J, Weller M, Marcellusi A, Grabe-Heyne K, Krott-Coi L, Rabar S, Pollock RF. High costs, low quality of life, reduced survival, and room for improving treatment: an analysis of burden and unmet needs in glioma. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1368606. [PMID: 38571509 PMCID: PMC10987841 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1368606] [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: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Gliomas are a group of heterogeneous tumors that account for substantial morbidity, mortality, and costs to patients and healthcare systems globally. Survival varies considerably by grade, histology, biomarkers, and genetic alterations such as IDH mutations and MGMT promoter methylation, and treatment, but is poor for some grades and histologies, with many patients with glioblastoma surviving less than a year from diagnosis. The present review provides an introduction to glioma, including its classification, epidemiology, economic and humanistic burden, as well as treatment options. Another focus is on treatment recommendations for IDH-mutant astrocytoma, IDH-mutant oligodendroglioma, and glioblastoma, which were synthesized from recent guidelines. While recommendations are nuanced and reflect the complexity of the disease, maximum safe resection is typically the first step in treatment, followed by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy using temozolomide or procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine. Immunotherapies and targeted therapies currently have only a limited role due to disappointing clinical trial results, including in recurrent glioblastoma, for which the nitrosourea lomustine remains the de facto standard of care. The lack of treatment options is compounded by frequently suboptimal clinical practice, in which patients do not receive adequate therapy after resection, including delayed, shortened, or discontinued radiotherapy and chemotherapy courses due to treatment side effects. These unmet needs will require significant efforts to address, including a continued search for novel treatment options, increased awareness of clinical guidelines, improved toxicity management for chemotherapy, and the generation of additional and more robust clinical and health economic evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Weller
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Marcellusi
- Economic Evaluation and HTA (EEHTA)-Centre for Economic and International Studies (CEIS), Faculty of Economics, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Silvia Rabar
- Covalence Research Ltd, Harpenden, United Kingdom
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Blakstad H, Mendoza Mireles EE, Heggebø LC, Magelssen H, Sprauten M, Johannesen TB, Vik-Mo EO, Leske H, Niehusmann P, Skogen K, Helseth E, Emblem KE, Brandal P. Incidence and outcome of pseudoprogression after radiation therapy in glioblastoma patients: A cohort study. Neurooncol Pract 2024; 11:36-45. [PMID: 38222046 PMCID: PMC10785573 DOI: 10.1093/nop/npad063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Differentiating post-radiation MRI changes from progressive disease (PD) in glioblastoma (GBM) patients represents a major challenge. The clinical problem is two-sided; avoid termination of effective therapy in case of pseudoprogression (PsP) and continuation of ineffective therapy in case of PD. We retrospectively assessed the incidence, management, and prognostic impact of PsP and analyzed factors associated with PsP in a GBM patient cohort. Methods Consecutive GBM patients diagnosed in the South-Eastern Norway Health Region from 2015 to 2018 who had received RT and follow-up MRI were included. Tumor, patient, and treatment characteristics were analyzed in relationship to re-evaluated MRI examinations at 3 and 6 months post-radiation using Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology criteria. Results A total of 284 patients were included in the study. PsP incidence 3 and 6 months post-radiation was 19.4% and 7.0%, respectively. In adjusted analyses, methylated O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter and the absence of neurological deterioration were associated with PsP at both 3 (p < .001 and p = .029, respectively) and 6 months (p = .045 and p = .034, respectively) post-radiation. For patients retrospectively assessed as PD 3 months post-radiation, there was no survival benefit of treatment change (p = .838). Conclusions PsP incidence was similar to previous reports. In addition to the previously described correlation of methylated MGMT promoter with PsP, we also found that absence of neurological deterioration significantly correlated with PsP. Continuation of temozolomide courses did not seem to compromise survival for patients with PD at 3 months post-radiation; therefore, we recommend continuing adjuvant temozolomide courses in case of inconclusive MRI findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanne Blakstad
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eduardo Erasmo Mendoza Mireles
- Department of Neurosurgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Vilhelm Magnus Laboratory, Institute for Surgical Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Liv Cathrine Heggebø
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Mette Sprauten
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tom Børge Johannesen
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway
| | - Einar Osland Vik-Mo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Vilhelm Magnus Laboratory, Institute for Surgical Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Henning Leske
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo
- University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Pitt Niehusmann
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo
| | - Karoline Skogen
- Department of Radiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eirik Helseth
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Neurosurgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kyrre Eeg Emblem
- Department of Physics and Computational Radiology, Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Petter Brandal
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Bao H, Wang H, Sun Q, Wang Y, Liu H, Liang P, Lv Z. The involvement of brain regions associated with lower KPS and shorter survival time predicts a poor prognosis in glioma. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1264322. [PMID: 38111796 PMCID: PMC10725945 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1264322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Isocitrate dehydrogenase-wildtype glioblastoma (IDH-wildtype GBM) and IDH-mutant astrocytoma have distinct biological behaviors and clinical outcomes. The location of brain tumors is closely associated not only with clinical symptoms and prognosis but also with key molecular alterations such as IDH. Therefore, we hypothesize that the key brain regions influencing the prognosis of glioblastoma and astrocytoma are likely to differ. This study aims to (1) identify specific regions that are associated with the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) or overall survival (OS) in IDH-wildtype GBM and IDH-mutant astrocytoma and (2) test whether the involvement of these regions could act as a prognostic indicator. Methods A total of 111 patients with IDH-wildtype GBM and 78 patients with IDH-mutant astrocytoma from the Cancer Imaging Archive database were included in the study. Voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping (VLSM) was used to identify key brain areas for lower KPS and shorter OS. Next, we analyzed the structural and cognitive dysfunction associated with these regions. The survival analysis was carried out using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Another 72 GBM patients and 48 astrocytoma patients from Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital were used as a validation cohort. Results Tumors located in the insular cortex, parahippocampal gyrus, and middle and superior temporal gyrus of the left hemisphere tended to lead to lower KPS and shorter OS in IDH-wildtype GBM. The regions that were significantly correlated with lower KPS in IDH-mutant astrocytoma included the subcallosal cortex and cingulate gyrus. These regions were associated with diverse structural and cognitive impairments. The involvement of these regions was an independent predictor for shorter survival in both GBM and astrocytoma. Conclusion This study identified the specific regions that were significantly associated with OS or KPS in glioma. The results may help neurosurgeons evaluate patient survival before surgery and understand the pathogenic mechanisms of glioma in depth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbo Bao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Huan Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Qian Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yujie Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Peng Liang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Zhonghua Lv
- Department of Neurosurgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
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Kałuzińska-Kołat Ż, Kołat D, Kośla K, Płuciennik E, Bednarek AK. Molecular landscapes of glioblastoma cell lines revealed a group of patients that do not benefit from WWOX tumor suppressor expression. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1260409. [PMID: 37781246 PMCID: PMC10540236 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1260409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Glioblastoma (GBM) is notorious for its clinical and molecular heterogeneity, contributing to therapeutic failure and a grim prognosis. WWOX is one of the tumor suppressor genes important in nervous tissue or related pathologies, which was scarcely investigated in GBM for reliable associations with prognosis or disease progression despite known alterations. Recently, we observed a phenotypic heterogeneity between GBM cell lines (U87MG, T98G, U251MG, DBTRG-05MG), among which the anti-GBM activity of WWOX was generally corresponding, but colony growth and formation were inconsistent in DBTRG-05MG. This prompted us to investigate the molecular landscapes of these cell lines, intending to translate them into the clinical context. Methods U87MG/T98G/U251MG/DBTRG-05MG were subjected to high-throughput sequencing, and obtained data were explored via weighted gene co-expression network analysis, differential expression analysis, functional annotation, and network building. Following the identification of the most relevant DBTRG-distinguishing driver genes, data from GBM patients were employed for, e.g., differential expression analysis, survival analysis, and principal component analysis. Results Although most driver genes were unique for each cell line, some were inversely regulated in DBTRG-05MG. Alongside driver genes, the differentially-expressed genes were used to build a WWOX-related network depicting protein-protein interactions in U87MG/T98G/U251MG/DBTRG-05MG. This network revealed processes distinctly regulated in DBTRG-05MG, e.g., microglia proliferation or neurofibrillary tangle assembly. POLE4 and HSF2BP were selected as DBTRG-discriminating driver genes based on the gene significance, module membership, and fold-change. Alongside WWOX, POLE4 and HSF2BP expression was used to stratify patients into cell lines-resembling groups that differed in, e.g., prognosis and treatment response. Some differences from a WWOX-related network were certified in patients, revealing genes that clarify clinical outcomes. Presumably, WWOX overexpression in DBTRG-05MG resulted in expression profile change resembling that of patients with inferior prognosis and drug response. Among these patients, WWOX may be inaccessible for its partners and does not manifest its anti-cancer activity, which was proposed in the literature but not regarding glioblastoma or concerning POLE4 and HSF2BP. Conclusion Cell lines data enabled the identification of patients among which, despite high expression of WWOX tumor suppressor, no advantageous outcomes were noted due to the cancer-promoting profile ensured by other genes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Damian Kołat
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kośla
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | | | - Andrzej K. Bednarek
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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