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Jermakowicz AM, Kurimchak AM, Johnson KJ, Bourgain-Guglielmetti F, Kaeppeli S, Affer M, Pradhyumnan H, Suter RK, Walters W, Cepero M, Duncan JS, Ayad NG. RAPID resistance to BET inhibitors is mediated by FGFR1 in glioblastoma. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9284. [PMID: 38654040 PMCID: PMC11039727 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60031-8] [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: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins are therapeutic targets in several cancers including the most common malignant adult brain tumor glioblastoma (GBM). Multiple small molecule inhibitors of BET proteins have been utilized in preclinical and clinical studies. Unfortunately, BET inhibitors have not shown efficacy in clinical trials enrolling GBM patients. One possible reason for this may stem from resistance mechanisms that arise after prolonged treatment within a clinical setting. However, the mechanisms and timeframe of resistance to BET inhibitors in GBM is not known. To identify the temporal order of resistance mechanisms in GBM we performed quantitative proteomics using multiplex-inhibitor bead mass spectrometry and demonstrated that intrinsic resistance to BET inhibitors in GBM treatment occurs rapidly within hours and involves the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) protein. Additionally, small molecule inhibition of BET proteins and FGFR1 simultaneously induces synergy in reducing GBM tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Further, FGFR1 knockdown synergizes with BET inhibitor mediated reduction of GBM cell proliferation. Collectively, our studies suggest that co-targeting BET and FGFR1 may dampen resistance mechanisms to yield a clinical response in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Jermakowicz
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, 20007, USA
| | - Alison M Kurimchak
- Cancer Signaling and Microenvironment Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| | - Katherine J Johnson
- Cancer Signaling and Microenvironment Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| | - Florence Bourgain-Guglielmetti
- Department of Neurosurgery, Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Fl, 33136, USA
| | - Simon Kaeppeli
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, 20007, USA
| | - Maurizio Affer
- Department of Neurosurgery, Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Fl, 33136, USA
| | - Hari Pradhyumnan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Fl, 33136, USA
| | - Robert K Suter
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, 20007, USA
| | - Winston Walters
- Department of Neurosurgery, Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Fl, 33136, USA
| | - Maria Cepero
- Department of Neurosurgery, Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Fl, 33136, USA
| | - James S Duncan
- Cancer Signaling and Microenvironment Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| | - Nagi G Ayad
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, 20007, USA.
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2
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Fallon I, Hernando H, Almacellas-Rabaiget O, Marti-Fuster B, Spadoni C, Bigner DD, Méndez E. Development of a high-throughput screening platform to identify new therapeutic agents for Medulloblastoma Group 3. SLAS DISCOVERY : ADVANCING LIFE SCIENCES R & D 2024; 29:100147. [PMID: 38355016 DOI: 10.1016/j.slasd.2024.100147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Pediatric brain tumors (PBTs) represent about 25 % of all pediatric cancers and are the most common solid tumors in children and adolescents. Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most frequently occurring malignant PBT, accounting for almost 10 % of all pediatric cancer deaths. MB Group 3 (MB G3) accounts for 25-30 % of all MB cases and has the worst outcome, particularly when associated with MYC amplification. However, no targeted treatments for this group have been developed so far. Here we describe a unique high throughput screening (HTS) platform specifically designed to identify new therapies for MB G3. The platform incorporates optimized and validated 2D and 3D efficacy and toxicity models, that account for tumor heterogenicity, limited efficacy and unacceptable toxicity from the very early stage of drug discovery. The platform has been validated by conducting a pilot HTS campaign with a 1280 lead-like compound library. Results showed 8 active compounds, targeting MB reported targets and several are currently approved or in clinical trials for pediatric patients with PBTs, including MB. Moreover, hits were combined to avoid tumor resistance, identifying 3 synergistic pairs, one of which is currently under clinical study for recurrent MB and other PBTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inés Fallon
- Oncoheroes Biosciences S.L., Barcelona, Spain; Grup d'Enginyeria de Materials, Institut Químic de Sarrià, Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, 08017, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | - Darell D Bigner
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Eva Méndez
- Oncoheroes Biosciences S.L., Barcelona, Spain.
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3
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Wolin AR, Vincent MY, Hotz T, Purdy SC, Rosenbaum SR, Hughes CJ, Hsu JY, Oliphant MUJ, Armstrong B, Wessells V, Varella-Garcia M, Galbraith MD, Pierce A, Wang D, Venkataraman S, Danis E, Veo B, Serkova N, Espinosa JM, Gustafson DL, Vibhakar R, Ford HL. EYA2 tyrosine phosphatase inhibition reduces MYC and prevents medulloblastoma progression. Neuro Oncol 2023; 25:2287-2301. [PMID: 37486991 PMCID: PMC10708924 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad128] [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: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medulloblastoma is the most common pediatric brain malignancy. Patients with the Group 3 subtype of medulloblastoma (MB) often exhibit MYC amplification and/or overexpression and have the poorest prognosis. While Group 3 MB is known to be highly dependent on MYC, direct targeting of MYC remains elusive. METHODS Patient gene expression data were used to identify highly expressed EYA2 in Group 3 MB samples, assess the correlation between EYA2 and MYC, and examine patient survival. Genetic and pharmacological studies were performed on EYA2 in Group 3 derived MB cell models to assess MYC regulation and viability in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS EYA2 is more highly expressed in Group 3 MB than other MB subgroups and is essential for Group 3 MB growth in vitro and in vivo. EYA2 regulates MYC expression and protein stability in Group 3 MB, resulting in global alterations of MYC transcription. Inhibition of EYA2 tyrosine phosphatase activity, using a novel small molecule inhibitor (NCGC00249987, or 9987), significantly decreases Group 3 MB MYC expression in both flank and intracranial growth in vivo. Human MB RNA-seq data show that EYA2 and MYC are significantly positively correlated, high EYA2 expression is significantly associated with a MYC transcriptional signature, and patients with high EYA2 and MYC expression have worse prognoses than those that do not express both genes at high levels. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate that EYA2 is a critical regulator of MYC in Group 3 MB and suggest a novel therapeutic avenue to target this highly lethal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur R Wolin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (AMC), Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Colorado AMC, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Melanie Y Vincent
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (AMC), Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Taylor Hotz
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (AMC), Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Stephen C Purdy
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (AMC), Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, University of Colorado AMC, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Sheera R Rosenbaum
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (AMC), Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Connor J Hughes
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (AMC), Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Pharmacology Graduate Program, University of Colorado AMC, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado AMC, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Jessica Y Hsu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (AMC), Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Pharmacology Graduate Program, University of Colorado AMC, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Michael U J Oliphant
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (AMC), Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Integrated Physiology Graduate Program, University of Colorado AMC, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Brock Armstrong
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (AMC), Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Veronica Wessells
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado AMC, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Marileila Varella-Garcia
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado AMC, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Matthew D Galbraith
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (AMC), Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado AMC, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Angela Pierce
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Colorado AMC, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Dong Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Colorado AMC, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Sujatha Venkataraman
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Colorado AMC, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Etienne Danis
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (AMC), Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Bethany Veo
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Colorado AMC, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Natalie Serkova
- Department of Radiology, University of Colorado AMC, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Joaquin M Espinosa
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (AMC), Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado AMC, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Daniel L Gustafson
- Clinical Sciences Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Rajeev Vibhakar
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Colorado AMC, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Heide L Ford
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (AMC), Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Colorado AMC, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, University of Colorado AMC, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Pharmacology Graduate Program, University of Colorado AMC, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado AMC, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Integrated Physiology Graduate Program, University of Colorado AMC, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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4
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Chen X, Jiang Q, Ren L, Ren H, Xu H, Wang J, Wang P, Chen S, Hua Y, Ren S, Huang N, Zhang L, Xiao L. BET proteins inhibitor JQ1 impairs GM-CSF-promoted peritoneal macrophage self-renewal and IL-4-induced alternative polarization. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 124:110942. [PMID: 37716160 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Peritoneal macrophages (PMs), which resided in peritoneal cavity, are crucial to maintain tissue homeostasis and immunity. Macrophage self-renewal and polarization states are critical for PM population homeostasis and function. However, the underlying molecular mechanism that regulates self-renewal and polarization of PMs is still unclear and needs to be explored. Here, we demonstrated that PMs self-renewal was stimulated by granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), but not by macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). Pharmacological inhibition of Bromodomain & Extraterminal (BET) Proteins by either JQ1 or ARV-825 significantly reduced GM-CSF-dependent peritoneal macrophage self-renewal by abrogating cell proliferation and decreasing self-renewal-related gene expression, such as MYC and Klf4, at transcriptional and protein levels. In addition, transcriptomic analysis showed that JQ1 blocked alternative PMs polarization by downregulating key transcriptional factor IRF4 expression, but not the activation of AKT or STAT6 in PMs. These findings illustrated that the significance of BET family proteins in GM-CSF-induced PMs self-renewal and IL-4-induced alternative polarization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine Center, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518101, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiong Jiang
- Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Disease, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518107, Guangdong, China
| | - Laibin Ren
- Department of Pathophysiology, West China College of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Hongyu Ren
- Department of Pathophysiology, West China College of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Haizhao Xu
- Department of Respiratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinyong Wang
- Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Disease, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518107, Guangdong, China
| | - Pengbo Wang
- School of Professional Studies, Columbia University, NY 10027, NY, USA
| | - Shanze Chen
- Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Disease, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518107, Guangdong, China; Department of Pathophysiology, West China College of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuanqi Hua
- Department of Pathophysiology, West China College of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Sichong Ren
- Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu 610500, Sichuan, China
| | - Ning Huang
- Department of Pathophysiology, West China College of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.
| | - Lanlan Zhang
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.
| | - Lijia Xiao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine Center, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518101, Guangdong, China.
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5
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Slika H, Alimonti P, Raj D, Caraway C, Alomari S, Jackson EM, Tyler B. The Neurodevelopmental and Molecular Landscape of Medulloblastoma Subgroups: Current Targets and the Potential for Combined Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3889. [PMID: 37568705 PMCID: PMC10417410 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153889] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. Despite the use of multiple therapeutic approaches consisting of surgical resection, craniospinal irradiation, and multiagent chemotherapy, the prognosis of many patients with medulloblastoma remains dismal. Additionally, the high doses of radiation and the chemotherapeutic agents used are associated with significant short- and long-term complications and adverse effects, most notably neurocognitive delay. Hence, there is an urgent need for the development and clinical integration of targeted treatment regimens with greater efficacy and superior safety profiles. Since the adoption of the molecular-based classification of medulloblastoma into wingless (WNT) activated, sonic hedgehog (SHH) activated, group 3, and group 4, research efforts have been directed towards unraveling the genetic, epigenetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic profiles of each subtype. This review aims to delineate the progress that has been made in characterizing the neurodevelopmental and molecular features of each medulloblastoma subtype. It further delves into the implications that these characteristics have on the development of subgroup-specific targeted therapeutic agents. Furthermore, it highlights potential future avenues for combining multiple agents or strategies in order to obtain augmented effects and evade the development of treatment resistance in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Slika
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon;
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
| | - Paolo Alimonti
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Divyaansh Raj
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
| | - Chad Caraway
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
| | - Safwan Alomari
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
| | - Eric M. Jackson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
| | - Betty Tyler
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
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6
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Czerwinska P, Mackiewicz AA. Bromodomain (BrD) Family Members as Regulators of Cancer Stemness-A Comprehensive Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:995. [PMID: 36674511 PMCID: PMC9861003 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24020995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms involving DNA methylation and chromatin modifications have emerged as critical facilitators of cancer heterogeneity, substantially affecting cancer development and progression, modulating cell phenotypes, and enhancing or inhibiting cancer cell malignant properties. Not surprisingly, considering the importance of epigenetic regulators in normal stem cell maintenance, many chromatin-related proteins are essential to maintaining the cancer stem cell (CSC)-like state. With increased tumor-initiating capacities and self-renewal potential, CSCs promote tumor growth, provide therapy resistance, spread tumors, and facilitate tumor relapse after treatment. In this review, we characterized the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate the acquisition and maintenance of cancer stemness concerning selected epigenetic factors belonging to the Bromodomain (BrD) family of proteins. An increasing number of BrD proteins reinforce cancer stemness, supporting the maintenance of the cancer stem cell population in vitro and in vivo via the utilization of distinct mechanisms. As bromodomain possesses high druggable potential, specific BrD proteins might become novel therapeutic targets in cancers exhibiting de-differentiated tumor characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrycja Czerwinska
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
- Department of Diagnostics and Cancer Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
| | - Andrzej Adam Mackiewicz
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
- Department of Diagnostics and Cancer Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
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7
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Zhou Z, Zhu B, Meng Q, Zhang T, Wu Y, Yu R, Gao S. Research progress in molecular pathology markers in medulloblastoma. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2023; 4:139-156. [PMID: 36937322 PMCID: PMC10017192 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2023.00126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the commonest primary malignant brain cancer. The current treatment of MB is usually surgical resection combined with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Although great progress has been made in the clinical management of MB, tumor metastasis and recurrence are still the main cause of death. Therefore, definitive and timely diagnosis is of great importance for improving therapeutic effects on MB. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) divided MB into four subtypes: wingless-type mouse mammary tumor virus integration site (WNT), sonic hedgehog (SHH), non-WNT/non-SHH group 3, and group 4. Each subtype of MB has a unique profile in copy number variation, DNA alteration, gene transcription, or post-transcriptional/translational modification, all of which are associated with different biological manifestations, clinical features, and prognosis. This article reviewed the research progress of different molecular pathology markers in MB and summarized some targeted drugs against these molecular markers, hoping to stimulate the clinical application of these molecular markers in the classification, diagnosis, and treatment of MB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixuan Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bingxin Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuzhou Children’s Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qingming Meng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yihao Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rutong Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuzhou Children’s Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Correspondence: Rutong Yu, Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Xuzhou Children’s Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Shangfeng Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Shangfeng Gao, Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China.
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8
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Meneceur S, Grunewald CM, Niegisch G, Hoffmann MJ. Epigenetic Priming and Development of New Combination Therapy Approaches. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2684:259-281. [PMID: 37410240 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3291-8_16] [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] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (MIBC) has been treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy for over 30 years. With the advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors, antibody drug conjugates and FGFR3 inhibitors new therapeutic options have been approved for patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) and are still under investigation regarding association between patients' response and recently defined molecular subtypes. Unfortunately, similar to chemotherapy, only a fraction of UC patients responds to these new treatment approaches. Thus, either further new efficacious therapeutic options for treatment of individual subtypes or new approaches to overcome treatment resistance and to increase patients' response to standard of care treatment are needed.Epigenetic modifications of DNA and chromatin are known to mediate cellular plasticity or treatment resistance, and the responsible epigenetic regulators are frequently mutated or aberrantly expressed in UC. Thus, these enzymes provide targets for novel drug combination therapies to "episensitize" toward approved standard therapies by epigenetic priming. In general, these epigenetic regulators comprise writers and erasers like DNA methyltransferases and DNA demethylases (for DNA methylation), histone methyltransferases and histone demethylases (for histone methylation), as well as acetyl transferases and histone deacetylases (for histone and nonhistone acetylation). Such modifications, e.g., acetyl groups, are recognized by further epigenetic reader proteins, e.g., like the bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) family proteins that often interact in multi-protein complexes and finally regulate chromatin conformation and transcriptional activity.Concurringly, epigenetic regulators target a plethora of cellular functions. Their pharmaceutical inhibitors often inhibit enzymatic activity of more than one isoenzyme or may have further noncanonical cytotoxic effects. Thus, analysis of their functions in UC pathogenesis as well as of the antineoplastic capacity of corresponding inhibitors alone or in combination with other approved drugs should follow a multidimensional approach. Here, we present our standard approach to analyze cellular effects of new epigenetic inhibitors on UC cells alone to define their potency and to conclude on putative reasonable combination therapy partners. We further describe our approach to identify efficacious synergistic combination therapies (e.g., with cisplatin or PARP inhibitors) that may have reduced normal toxicity through dose reduction, which can then be further analyzed in animal experiments. This approach may also serve as prototype for the preclinical evaluation of other epigenetic treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Meneceur
- Department of Urology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Duesseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Camilla M Grunewald
- Department of Urology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Duesseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Günter Niegisch
- Department of Urology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Duesseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Michèle J Hoffmann
- Department of Urology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany.
- German Study Group of Bladder Cancer (DFBK e.V.), Munich, Germany.
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9
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Targeting emerging cancer hallmarks by transition metal complexes: Epigenetic reprogramming and epitherapies. Part II. Coord Chem Rev 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2022.214899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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10
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Skouras P, Markouli M, Strepkos D, Piperi C. Advances on Epigenetic Drugs for Pediatric Brain Tumors. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:1519-1535. [PMID: 36154607 PMCID: PMC10472812 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666220922150456] [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: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pediatric malignant brain tumors represent the most frequent cause of cancer-related deaths in childhood. The therapeutic scheme of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy has improved patient management, but with minimal progress in patients' prognosis. Emerging molecular targets and mechanisms have revealed novel approaches for pediatric brain tumor therapy, enabling personalized medical treatment. Advances in the field of epigenetic research and their interplay with genetic changes have enriched our knowledge of the molecular heterogeneity of these neoplasms and have revealed important genes that affect crucial signaling pathways involved in tumor progression. The great potential of epigenetic therapy lies mainly in the widespread location and the reversibility of epigenetic alterations, proposing a wide range of targeting options, including the possible combination of chemoand immunotherapy, significantly increasing their efficacy. Epigenetic drugs, including inhibitors of DNA methyltransferases, histone deacetylases and demethylases, are currently being tested in clinical trials on pediatric brain tumors. Additional novel epigenetic drugs include protein and enzyme inhibitors that modulate epigenetic modification pathways, such as Bromodomain and Extraterminal (BET) proteins, Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 9 (CDK9), AXL, Facilitates Chromatin Transcription (FACT), BMI1, and CREB Binding Protein (CBP) inhibitors, which can be used either as standalone or in combination with current treatment approaches. In this review, we discuss recent progress on epigenetic drugs that could possibly be used against the most common malignant tumors of childhood, such as medulloblastomas, high-grade gliomas and ependymomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Skouras
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Mariam Markouli
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Strepkos
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Piperi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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11
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Li M, Han Y, Wang C, Kang W, Jiang W, Zhang L, Tang Y. Dissecting super-enhancer driven transcriptional dependencies reveals novel therapeutic strategies and targets for group 3 subtype medulloblastoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:311. [PMID: 36273157 PMCID: PMC9587669 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02506-y] [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: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor and group 3 subtype medulloblastoma (G3-MB) exhibits the worst prognosis. Super enhancers (SEs) are large clusters of enhancers that play important roles in cancer through transcriptional control of cell identity genes, oncogenes and tumor-dependent genes. Dissecting SE-driven transcriptional dependencies of cancer leads to identification of novel oncogenic mechanisms, therapeutic strategies and targets. METHODS Integrative SE analyses of primary tissues and patient-derived tumor cell lines of G3-MB were performed to extract the conserved SE-associated gene signatures and their oncogenic potentials were evaluated by gene expression, tumor-dependency and patient prognosis analyses. SE-associated subtype-specific upregulated tumor-dependent genes, which were revealed as members of SE-driven core transcriptional regulatory network of G3-MB, were then subjected to functional validation and mechanistic investigation. SE-associated therapeutic potential was further explored by genetic or pharmaceutical targeting of SE complex components or SE-associated subtype-specific upregulated tumor-dependent genes individually or in combination, and the underlying therapeutic mechanisms were also examined. RESULTS The identified conserved SE-associated transcripts of G3-MB tissues and cell lines were enriched of subtype-specifically upregulated tumor-dependent genes and MB patients harboring enrichment of those transcripts exhibited worse prognosis. Fourteen such conserved SE-associated G3-MB-specific upregulated tumor-dependent genes were identified to be members of SE-driven core transcriptional regulatory network of G3-MB, including three well-recognized TFs (MYC, OTX2 and CRX) and eleven newly identified downstream effector genes (ARL4D, AUTS2, BMF, IGF2BP3, KIF21B, KLHL29, LRP8, MARS1, PSMB5, SDK2 and SSBP3). An OTX2-SE-ARL4D regulatory axis was further revealed to represent a subtype-specific tumor dependency and therapeutic target of G3-MB via contributing to maintaining cell cycle progression and inhibiting neural differentiation of tumor cells. Moreover, BET inhibition with CDK7 inhibition or proteasome inhibition, two combinatory strategies of targeting SE complex components (BRD4, CDK7) or SE-associated effector gene (PSMB5), were shown to exhibit synergistic therapeutic effects against G3-MB via stronger suppression of SE-associated transcription or higher induction of ER stress, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our study verifies the oncogenic role and therapeutic potential of SE-driven transcriptional dependencies of G3-MB, resulting in better understanding of its tumor biology and identification of novel SE-associated therapeutic strategies and targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Li
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of National Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, 200025 Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yujie Han
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of National Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, 200025 Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chaochen Wang
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Breast Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China ,grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XZJU-UoE Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenfeng Kang
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of National Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, 200025 Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenyan Jiang
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of National Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, 200025 Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lei Zhang
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of National Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, 200025 Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yujie Tang
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of National Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, 200025 Shanghai, People’s Republic of China ,grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025 People’s Republic of China
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12
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Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal Protein Inhibitors: Biologic Insights and Therapeutic Potential in Pediatric Brain Tumors. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15060665. [PMID: 35745584 PMCID: PMC9227239 DOI: 10.3390/ph15060665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric brain tumors have surpassed leukemia as the leading cause of cancer-related death in children. Several landmark studies from the last two decades have shown that many pediatric brain tumors are driven by epigenetic dysregulation within specific developmental contexts. One of the major determinants of epigenetic control is the histone code, which is orchestrated by a number of enzymes categorized as writers, erasers, and readers. Bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins are reader proteins that bind to acetylated lysines in histone tails and play a crucial role in regulating gene transcription. BET inhibitors have shown efficacy in a wide range of cancers, and a number have progressed to clinical phase testing. Here, we review the evidence for BET inhibitors in pediatric brain tumor experimental models, as well as their translational potential.
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13
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Wang Y, Wu Y, Jiang J, Zhang Y, Fu Y, Zheng M, Tao X, Yi J, Mu D, Cao X. The prognostic significance of bromodomain protein 4 expression in solid tumor patients: A meta-analysis. Pathol Res Pract 2022; 234:153918. [PMID: 35561521 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.153918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. At present, several inhibitors of bromodomain protein 4 have shown promising anti-tumor responses in clinical trials. Numerous studies have reported the value of bromodomain protein 4 expression in predicting the prognosis of patients with cancers, but their conclusions remain controversial. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to explore the association between bromodomain protein 4 and patient prognosis with the aim to provide new directions for the development of strategies for targeted cancer therapy. METHODS The meta-analysis was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/; Registration No. CRD42020184948) and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. PubMed Central, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase were thoroughly searched to identify eligible studies published through March 31, 2021. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to demonstrate the relationship between bromodomain protein 4 expression and clinicopathological features. We computed pooled estimated hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals using Stata 12.0 software to clarify the relationship between bromodomain protein 4 expression and overall survival of various cancers. A quality assessment of the eligible articles was performed based on the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. RESULTS A total of 974 patients from 10 studies were enrolled in the meta-analysis. Our results revealed that compared to low bromodomain protein 4 expression, high bromodomain protein 4 expression in cancer tissues was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (Odds ratio = 3.59, 95% confidence interval: 2.62-4.91), distant metastasis (Odds ratio = 4.22, 95% confidence interval: 2.40-7.45), advanced TNM stage (III+IV vs. I+II: Odds ratio = 3.23, 95% confidence interval: 1.29-8.08), and poorly differentiated tumors (Odds ratio = 1.87, 95% confidence interval: 1.33-2.63). In addition, an elevated expression of bromodomain protein 4 tended to shorten survival time (Hazard ratio = 2.23, 95% confidence interval: 1.62-3.07). The subgroup analysis results showed that bromodomain protein 4 upregulation was related to poor prognosis in patients with digestive system cancers (Hazard ratio = 2.54, 95% confidence interval: 1.85-3.50). CONCLUSION This meta-analysis indicated that bromodomain protein 4 may serve as a promising prognostic biomarker for cancers and a direct effective cancer treatment target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueqi Wang
- Division of Clinical Research, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
| | - Yanhua Wu
- Division of Clinical Research, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
| | - Jing Jiang
- Division of Clinical Research, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
| | - Yangyu Zhang
- Division of Clinical Research, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
| | - Yingli Fu
- Division of Clinical Research, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
| | - Min Zheng
- Division of Clinical Research, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
| | - Xuerong Tao
- Division of Clinical Research, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
| | - Jiaxin Yi
- Division of Clinical Research, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
| | - Dongmei Mu
- Division of Clinical Research, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
| | - Xueyuan Cao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
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14
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Kumar VE, Nambiar R, De Souza C, Nguyen A, Chien J, Lam KS. Targeting Epigenetic Modifiers of Tumor Plasticity and Cancer Stem Cell Behavior. Cells 2022; 11:cells11091403. [PMID: 35563709 PMCID: PMC9102449 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor heterogeneity poses one of the greatest challenges to a successful treatment of cancer. Tumor cell populations consist of different subpopulations that have distinct phenotypic and genotypic profiles. Such variability poses a challenge in successfully targeting all tumor subpopulations at the same time. Relapse after treatment has been previously explained using the cancer stem cell model and the clonal evolution model. Cancer stem cells are an important subpopulation of tumor cells that regulate tumor plasticity and determine therapeutic resistance. Tumor plasticity is controlled by genetic and epigenetic changes of crucial genes involved in cancer cell survival, growth and metastasis. Targeting epigenetic modulators associated with cancer stem cell survival can unlock a promising therapeutic approach in completely eradicating cancer. Here, we review various factors governing epigenetic dysregulation of cancer stem cells ranging from the role of epigenetic mediators such as histone and DNA methyltransferases, histone deacetylases, histone methyltransferases to various signaling pathways associated with cancer stem cell regulation. We also discuss current treatment regimens targeting these factors and other promising inhibitors in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vigneshwari Easwar Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (V.E.K.); (R.N.); (C.D.S.); (A.N.); (K.S.L.)
| | - Roshni Nambiar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (V.E.K.); (R.N.); (C.D.S.); (A.N.); (K.S.L.)
| | - Cristabelle De Souza
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (V.E.K.); (R.N.); (C.D.S.); (A.N.); (K.S.L.)
- Department of Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Audrey Nguyen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (V.E.K.); (R.N.); (C.D.S.); (A.N.); (K.S.L.)
| | - Jeremy Chien
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (V.E.K.); (R.N.); (C.D.S.); (A.N.); (K.S.L.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Kit S. Lam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (V.E.K.); (R.N.); (C.D.S.); (A.N.); (K.S.L.)
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15
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Mladek AC, Yan H, Tian S, Decker PA, Burgenske DM, Bakken K, Hu Z, He L, Connors MA, Carlson BL, Wilson J, Bommi-Reddy A, Conery A, Eckel-Passow JE, Sarkaria JN, Kitange GJ. RBBP4-p300 axis modulates expression of genes essential for cell survival and is a potential target for therapy in glioblastoma. Neuro Oncol 2022; 24:1261-1272. [PMID: 35231103 PMCID: PMC9340617 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noac051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND RBBP4 activates transcription by histone acetylation, but the partner histone acetyltransferases are unknown. Thus, we investigated the hypothesis that RBBP4 interacts with p300 in a complex in glioblastoma (GBM). METHODS shRNA silencing of RBBP4 or p300 and RNAseq was used to identify genes co-regulated by RBBP4 and p300 in GBM43 patient-derived xenograft (PDX). RBBP4/p300 complex was demonstrated using proximity ligation assay (PLA) and ChIPseq delineated histone H3 acetylation and RBBP4/p300 complex binding in promoters/enhancers. Temozolomide (TMZ)-induced DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) were evaluated by γ-H2AX and proliferation by CyQuant and live cell monitoring assays. In vivo efficacy was based on survival of mice with orthotopic tumors. RESULTS shRBBP4 and shp300 downregulated 4768 genes among which 1485 (31%) were commonly downregulated by both shRNAs, while upregulated genes were 2484, including 863 (35%) common genes. The pro-survival genes were the top-ranked among the downregulated genes, including C-MYC. RBBP4/p300 complex was demonstrated in the nucleus, and shRBBP4 or shp300 significantly sensitized GBM cells to TMZ compared to the control shNT in vitro (P < .05). Moreover, TMZ significantly prolonged the survival of mice bearing GBM22-shRBBP4 orthotopic tumors compared with control shNT tumors (median shNT survival 52 days vs. median shRBBP4 319 days; P = .001). CREB-binding protein (CBP)/p300 inhibitor CPI-1612 suppressed H3K27Ac and RBBP4/p300 complex target proteins, including C-MYC, and synergistically sensitized TMZ in vitro. Pharmacodynamic evaluation confirmed brain penetration by CPI-1612 supporting further investigation to evaluate efficacy to sensitize TMZ. CONCLUSIONS RBBP4/p300 complex is present in GBM cells and is a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann C Mladek
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Huihuang Yan
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Shulan Tian
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Paul A Decker
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Katrina Bakken
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Zeng Hu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Lihong He
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Margaret A Connors
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Brett L Carlson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jonathan Wilson
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Andy Conery
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Jann N Sarkaria
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Gaspar J Kitange
- Corresponding Author: Gaspar J. Kitange, MD, PhD, Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA (/)
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16
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Epigenetic mechanisms in paediatric brain tumours: regulators lose control. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:167-185. [PMID: 35076654 DOI: 10.1042/bst20201227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms are essential to regulate gene expression during normal development. However, they are often disrupted in pathological conditions including tumours, where they contribute to their formation and maintenance through altered gene expression. In recent years, next generation genomic techniques has allowed a remarkable advancement of our knowledge of the genetic and molecular landscape of paediatric brain tumours and have highlighted epigenetic deregulation as a common hallmark in their pathogenesis. This review describes the main epigenetic dysregulations found in paediatric brain tumours, including at DNA methylation and histone modifications level, in the activity of chromatin-modifying enzymes and in the expression of non-coding RNAs. How these altered processes influence tumour biology and how they can be leveraged to dissect the molecular heterogeneity of these tumours and contribute to their classification is also addressed. Finally, the availability and value of preclinical models as well as the current clinical trials exploring targeting key epigenetic mediators in paediatric brain tumours are discussed.
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17
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Woods AD, Berlow NE, Ortiz MV, Cruz FD, Siddiquee A, Coutinho DF, Purohit R, Freier KET, Michalek JE, Lathara M, Matlock K, Srivivasa G, Royer-Pokora B, Veselska R, Kung AL, Keller C. Bromodomain 4 inhibition leads to MYCN downregulation in Wilms tumor. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2022; 69:e29401. [PMID: 34693628 PMCID: PMC9450910 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wilms tumor is the most common childhood kidney cancer. Two distinct histological subtypes of Wilms tumor have been described: tumors lacking anaplasia (the favorable subtype) and tumors displaying anaplastic features (the unfavorable subtype). Children with favorable disease generally have a very good prognosis, whereas those with anaplasia are oftentimes refractory to standard treatments and suffer poor outcomes, leading to an unmet clinical need. MYCN dysregulation has been associated with a number of pediatric cancers including Wilms tumor. PROCEDURES In this context, we undertook a functional genomics approach to uncover novel therapeutic strategies for those patients with anaplastic Wilms tumor. Genomic analysis and in vitro experimentation demonstrate that cell growth can be reduced by modulating MYCN overexpression via bromodomain 4 (BRD4) inhibition in both anaplastic and nonanaplastic Wilms tumor models. RESULTS We observed a time-dependent reduction of MYCN and MYCC protein levels upon BRD4 inhibition in Wilms tumor cell lines, which led to cell death and proliferation suppression. BRD4 inhibition significantly reduced tumor volumes in Wilms tumor patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse models. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that AZD5153, a novel dual-BRD4 inhibitor, can reduce MYCN levels in both anaplastic and nonanaplastic Wilms tumor cell lines, reduces tumor volume in Wilms tumor PDXs, and should be further explored for its therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D. Woods
- Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR USA,correspondence to: Charles Keller MD, 12655 SW Beaverdam Rd W, Beaverton OR 97005 USA, tel: 801-232-8038, fax: 270-675-3313,
| | - Noah E. Berlow
- Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR USA
| | - Michael V. Ortiz
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York USA
| | - Filemon Dela Cruz
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York USA
| | - Armaan Siddiquee
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York USA
| | - Diego F. Coutinho
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York USA
| | - Reshma Purohit
- Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR USA
| | | | - Joel E. Michalek
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX USA
| | | | | | | | - Brigitte Royer-Pokora
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Renata Veselska
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Andrew L. Kung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York USA
| | - Charles Keller
- Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR USA,correspondence to: Charles Keller MD, 12655 SW Beaverdam Rd W, Beaverton OR 97005 USA, tel: 801-232-8038, fax: 270-675-3313,
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18
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The Current Landscape of Targeted Clinical Trials in Non-WNT/Non-SHH Medulloblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030679. [PMID: 35158947 PMCID: PMC8833659 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Medulloblastoma is a form of malignant brain tumor that arises predominantly in infants and young children and can be divided into different groups based on molecular markers. The group of non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma includes a spectrum of heterogeneous subgroups that differ in their biological characteristics, genetic underpinnings, and clinical course of disease. Non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma is currently treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy; however, new drugs are needed to treat patients who are not yet curable and to reduce treatment-related toxicity and side effects. We here review which new treatment options for non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma are currently clinically tested. Furthermore, we illustrate the challenges that have to be overcome to reach a new therapeutic standard for non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma, for instance the current lack of good preclinical models, and the necessity to conduct trials in a comparably small patient collective. Abstract Medulloblastoma is an embryonal pediatric brain tumor and can be divided into at least four molecularly defined groups. The category non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma summarizes medulloblastoma groups 3 and 4 and is characterized by considerable genetic and clinical heterogeneity. New therapeutic strategies are needed to increase survival rates and to reduce treatment-related toxicity. We performed a noncomprehensive targeted review of the current clinical trial landscape and literature to summarize innovative treatment options for non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma. A multitude of new drugs is currently evaluated in trials for which non-WNT/non-SHH patients are eligible, for instance immunotherapy, kinase inhibitors, and drugs targeting the epigenome. However, the majority of these trials is not restricted to medulloblastoma and lacks molecular classification. Whereas many new molecular targets have been identified in the last decade, which are currently tested in clinical trials, several challenges remain on the way to reach a new therapeutic strategy for non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma. These include the severe lack of faithful preclinical models and predictive biomarkers, the question on how to stratify patients for clinical trials, and the relative lack of studies that recruit large, homogeneous patient collectives. Innovative trial designs and international collaboration will be a key to eventually overcome these obstacles.
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Czerwinska P, Jaworska AM, Wlodarczyk NA, Cisek M, Karwacka M, Lipowicz J, Ostapowicz J, Rosochowicz M, Mackiewicz AA. The association between bromodomain (BrD) proteins and cancer stemness in different solid tumor types. Int J Cancer 2022; 150:1838-1849. [PMID: 35049055 PMCID: PMC9303422 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33937] [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: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stemness, which covers the stem cell‐like molecular traits of cancer cells, is essential for tumor development, progression and relapse. Both transcriptional and epigenetic aberrations are essentially connected with cancer stemness. The engagement of bromodomain (BrD) proteins—a family of epigenetic factors—has been presented in the pathogenesis of several tumor types, although their association with cancer stemness remains largely unknown. Here, we harnessed TCGA and GEO databases and used several bioinformatic tools (ie, Oncomine, PrognoScan, GEPIA2, TIMER2.0, TISIDB, GSEA, R2 platform) to characterize the association between the BrD family members' expression and cancer stemness in solid tumors. Our results demonstrate that significant upregulation of ATAD2 and SMARCA4, and downregulation of SMARCA2 is consistently associated with enriched cancer stem cell‐like phenotype, respectively. Especially, higher‐grade tumors that display stem cell‐like properties overexpress ATAD2. In contrast to most BrD members, the gene expression profiles of ATAD2HIGH expressing tumors are strongly enriched with known markers of stem cells and with specific targets for c‐Myc transcription factor. For other BrD proteins, the association with cancer de‐differentiation status is rather tumor‐specific. Our results demonstrate for the first time the relation between distinct BrD family proteins and cancer stemness across 27 solid tumor types. Specifically, our approach allowed us to discover a robust association of high ATAD2 expression with cancer stemness and reveal its' versatility in tumors. As bromodomains are attractive targets from a chemical and structural perspective, we propose ATAD2 as a novel druggable target for de‐differentiated tumors, especially those overexpressing MYC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrycja Czerwinska
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Chair of Medical Biotechnology Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 15 Garbary St. Poznan Poland
- Department of Diagnostics and Cancer Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Centre,15 Garbary St., 61‐866 Poznan Poland
| | - Anna Maria Jaworska
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Chair of Medical Biotechnology Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 15 Garbary St. Poznan Poland
| | - Nikola Agata Wlodarczyk
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Chair of Medical Biotechnology Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 15 Garbary St. Poznan Poland
| | - Małgorzata Cisek
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Chair of Medical Biotechnology Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 15 Garbary St. Poznan Poland
| | - Marianna Karwacka
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Chair of Medical Biotechnology Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 15 Garbary St. Poznan Poland
| | - Julia Lipowicz
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Chair of Medical Biotechnology Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 15 Garbary St. Poznan Poland
| | - Julia Ostapowicz
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Chair of Medical Biotechnology Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 15 Garbary St. Poznan Poland
| | - Monika Rosochowicz
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Chair of Medical Biotechnology Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 15 Garbary St. Poznan Poland
| | - Andrzej Adam Mackiewicz
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Chair of Medical Biotechnology Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 15 Garbary St. Poznan Poland
- Department of Diagnostics and Cancer Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Centre,15 Garbary St., 61‐866 Poznan Poland
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20
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Min J, Mayasundari A, Keramatnia F, Jonchere B, Yang SW, Jarusiewicz J, Actis M, Das S, Young B, Slavish J, Yang L, Li Y, Fu X, Garrett SH, Yun M, Li Z, Nithianantham S, Chai S, Chen T, Shelat A, Lee RE, Nishiguchi G, White SW, Roussel MF, Potts PR, Fischer M, Rankovic Z. Phenyl‐Glutarimides: Alternative Cereblon Binders for the Design of PROTACs. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202108848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jaeki Min
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Anand Mayasundari
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Fatemeh Keramatnia
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Barbara Jonchere
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Seung Wook Yang
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Jamie Jarusiewicz
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Marisa Actis
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Sourav Das
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Brandon Young
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Jake Slavish
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Lei Yang
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Xiang Fu
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Shalandus H. Garrett
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Mi‐Kyung Yun
- Department of Structural Biology St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Zhenmei Li
- Department of Structural Biology St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Stanley Nithianantham
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Sergio Chai
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Taosheng Chen
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Anang Shelat
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Richard E. Lee
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Gisele Nishiguchi
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Stephen W. White
- Department of Structural Biology St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Martine F. Roussel
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Patrick Ryan Potts
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Marcus Fischer
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
- Department of Structural Biology St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
| | - Zoran Rankovic
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN 38105 USA
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21
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Min J, Mayasundari A, Keramatnia F, Jonchere B, Yang SW, Jarusiewicz J, Actis M, Das S, Young B, Slavish J, Yang L, Li Y, Fu X, Garrett SH, Yun MK, Li Z, Nithianantham S, Chai S, Chen T, Shelat A, Lee RE, Nishiguchi G, White SW, Roussel MF, Potts PR, Fischer M, Rankovic Z. Phenyl-Glutarimides: Alternative Cereblon Binders for the Design of PROTACs. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:26663-26670. [PMID: 34614283 PMCID: PMC8648984 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202108848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Targeting cereblon (CRBN) is currently one of the most frequently reported proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) approaches, owing to favorable drug-like properties of CRBN ligands, immunomodulatory imide drugs (IMiDs). However, IMiDs are known to be inherently unstable, readily undergoing hydrolysis in body fluids. Here we show that IMiDs and IMiD-based PROTACs rapidly hydrolyze in commonly utilized cell media, which significantly affects their cell efficacy. We designed novel CRBN binders, phenyl glutarimide (PG) analogues, and showed that they retained affinity for CRBN with high ligand efficiency (LE >0.48) and displayed improved chemical stability. Our efforts led to the discovery of PG PROTAC 4 c (SJ995973), a uniquely potent degrader of bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins that inhibited the viability of human acute myeloid leukemia MV4-11 cells at low picomolar concentrations (IC50 =3 pM; BRD4 DC50 =0.87 nM). These findings strongly support the utility of PG derivatives in the design of CRBN-directed PROTACs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaeki Min
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Anand Mayasundari
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Fatemeh Keramatnia
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Barbara Jonchere
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Seung Wook Yang
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Jamie Jarusiewicz
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Marisa Actis
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Sourav Das
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Brandon Young
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Jake Slavish
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Lei Yang
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Xiang Fu
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Shalandus H. Garrett
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Mi-Kyung Yun
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Zhenmei Li
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Stanley Nithianantham
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Sergio Chai
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Taosheng Chen
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Anang Shelat
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Richard E. Lee
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Gisele Nishiguchi
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Stephen W. White
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Martine F. Roussel
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Patrick Ryan Potts
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Marcus Fischer
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Zoran Rankovic
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
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22
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Mandhair HK, Novak U, Radpour R. Epigenetic regulation of autophagy: A key modification in cancer cells and cancer stem cells. World J Stem Cells 2021; 13:542-567. [PMID: 34249227 PMCID: PMC8246247 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v13.i6.542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant epigenetic alterations play a decisive role in cancer initiation and propagation via the regulation of key tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes or by modulation of essential signaling pathways. Autophagy is a highly regulated mechanism required for the recycling and degradation of surplus and damaged cytoplasmic constituents in a lysosome dependent manner. In cancer, autophagy has a divergent role. For instance, autophagy elicits tumor promoting functions by facilitating metabolic adaption and plasticity in cancer stem cells (CSCs) and cancer cells. Moreover, autophagy exerts pro-survival mechanisms to these cancerous cells by influencing survival, dormancy, immunosurveillance, invasion, metastasis, and resistance to anti-cancer therapies. In addition, recent studies have demonstrated that various tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes involved in autophagy, are tightly regulated via different epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs. The impact of epigenetic regulation of autophagy in cancer cells and CSCs is not well-understood. Therefore, uncovering the complex mechanism of epigenetic regulation of autophagy provides an opportunity to improve and discover novel cancer therapeutics. Subsequently, this would aid in improving clinical outcome for cancer patients. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the existing knowledge available on epigenetic regulation of autophagy and its importance in the maintenance and homeostasis of CSCs and cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harpreet K Mandhair
- Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern 3008, Switzerland
- Department of Medical Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern 3008, Switzerland
| | - Urban Novak
- Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern 3008, Switzerland
- Department of Medical Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern 3008, Switzerland
| | - Ramin Radpour
- Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern 3008, Switzerland
- Department of Medical Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern 3008, Switzerland
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23
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Genovesi LA, Millar A, Tolson E, Singleton M, Hassall E, Kojic M, Brighi C, Girard E, Andradas C, Kuchibhotla M, Bhuva DD, Endersby R, Gottardo NG, Bernard A, Adolphe C, Olson JM, Taylor MD, Davis MJ, Wainwright BJ. Systems pharmacogenomics identifies novel targets and clinically actionable therapeutics for medulloblastoma. Genome Med 2021; 13:103. [PMID: 34154646 PMCID: PMC8215804 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-021-00920-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant paediatric brain tumour and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality and morbidity. Existing treatment protocols are aggressive in nature resulting in significant neurological, intellectual and physical disabilities for the children undergoing treatment. Thus, there is an urgent need for improved, targeted therapies that minimize these harmful side effects. METHODS We identified candidate drugs for MB using a network-based systems-pharmacogenomics approach: based on results from a functional genomics screen, we identified a network of interactions implicated in human MB growth regulation. We then integrated drugs and their known mechanisms of action, along with gene expression data from a large collection of medulloblastoma patients to identify drugs with potential to treat MB. RESULTS Our analyses identified drugs targeting CDK4, CDK6 and AURKA as strong candidates for MB; all of these genes are well validated as drug targets in other tumour types. We also identified non-WNT MB as a novel indication for drugs targeting TUBB, CAD, SNRPA, SLC1A5, PTPRS, P4HB and CHEK2. Based upon these analyses, we subsequently demonstrated that one of these drugs, the new microtubule stabilizing agent, ixabepilone, blocked tumour growth in vivo in mice bearing patient-derived xenograft tumours of the Sonic Hedgehog and Group 3 subtype, providing the first demonstration of its efficacy in MB. CONCLUSIONS Our findings confirm that this data-driven systems pharmacogenomics strategy is a powerful approach for the discovery and validation of novel therapeutic candidates relevant to MB treatment, and along with data validating ixabepilone in PDX models of the two most aggressive subtypes of medulloblastoma, we present the network analysis framework as a resource for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Genovesi
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Amanda Millar
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Elissa Tolson
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Matthew Singleton
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Emily Hassall
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Marija Kojic
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Caterina Brighi
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Emily Girard
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Clara Andradas
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Mani Kuchibhotla
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Dharmesh D Bhuva
- Bioinformatics Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Raelene Endersby
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Nicholas G Gottardo
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Anne Bernard
- QFAB Bioinformatics, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Christelle Adolphe
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - James M Olson
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Michael D Taylor
- Programme in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, MSG 1X8, Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, MSG 1X8, Canada
| | - Melissa J Davis
- Bioinformatics Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
| | - Brandon J Wainwright
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia.
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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24
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Katsushima K, Lee B, Kunhiraman H, Zhong C, Murad R, Yin J, Liu B, Garancher A, Gonzalez-Gomez I, Monforte HL, Stapleton S, Vibhakar R, Bettegowda C, Wechsler-Reya RJ, Jallo G, Raabe E, Eberhart CG, Perera RJ. The long noncoding RNA lnc-HLX-2-7 is oncogenic in Group 3 medulloblastomas. Neuro Oncol 2021; 23:572-585. [PMID: 33844835 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noaa235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medulloblastoma (MB) is an aggressive brain tumor that predominantly affects children. Recent high-throughput sequencing studies suggest that the noncoding RNA genome, in particular long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), contributes to MB subgrouping. Here we report the identification of a novel lncRNA, lnc-HLX-2-7, as a potential molecular marker and therapeutic target in Group 3 MBs. METHODS Publicly available RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data from 175 MB patients were interrogated to identify lncRNAs that differentiate between MB subgroups. After characterizing a subset of differentially expressed lncRNAs in vitro and in vivo, lnc-HLX-2-7 was deleted by CRISPR/Cas9 in the MB cell line. Intracranial injected tumors were further characterized by bulk and single-cell RNA-seq. RESULTS Lnc-HLX-2-7 is highly upregulated in Group 3 MB cell lines, patient-derived xenografts, and primary MBs compared with other MB subgroups as assessed by quantitative real-time, RNA-seq, and RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization. Depletion of lnc-HLX-2-7 significantly reduced cell proliferation and 3D colony formation and induced apoptosis. Lnc-HLX-2-7-deleted cells injected into mouse cerebellums produced smaller tumors than those derived from parental cells. Pathway analysis revealed that lnc-HLX-2-7 modulated oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and sirtuin signaling pathways. The MYC oncogene regulated lnc-HLX-2-7, and the small-molecule bromodomain and extraterminal domain family‒bromodomain 4 inhibitor Jun Qi 1 (JQ1) reduced lnc-HLX-2-7 expression. CONCLUSIONS Lnc-HLX-2-7 is oncogenic in MB and represents a promising novel molecular marker and a potential therapeutic target in Group 3 MBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Katsushima
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.,Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, Petersburg, Florida
| | - Bongyong Lee
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.,Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, Petersburg, Florida
| | - Haritha Kunhiraman
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.,Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, Petersburg, Florida
| | - Cuncong Zhong
- University of Kansas, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Lawrence, Kansas
| | - Rabi Murad
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Jun Yin
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Ben Liu
- University of Kansas, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Lawrence, Kansas
| | | | | | | | | | - Rajeev Vibhakar
- University of Colorado School of Medicine Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Chetan Bettegowda
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - George Jallo
- Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, Petersburg, Florida
| | - Eric Raabe
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Charles G Eberhart
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ranjan J Perera
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.,Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, Petersburg, Florida.,Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
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25
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Epigenetic-Based Therapy-A Prospective Chance for Medulloblastoma Patients' Recovery. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094925. [PMID: 34066495 PMCID: PMC8124462 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is one of the most frequent and malignant brain tumors in children. The prognosis depends on the advancement of the disease and the patient's age. Current therapies, which include surgery, chemotherapy, and irradiation, despite being quite effective, cause significant side effects that influence the central nervous system's function and cause neurocognitive deficits. Therefore, they substantially lower the quality of life, which is especially severe in a developing organism. Thus, there is a need for new therapies that are less toxic and even more effective. Recently, knowledge about the epigenetic mechanisms that are responsible for medulloblastoma development has increased. Epigenetics is a phenomenon that influences gene expression but can be easily modified by external factors. The best known epigenetic mechanisms are histone modifications, DNA methylation, or noncoding RNAs actions. Epigenetic mechanisms comprehensively explain the complex phenomena of carcinogenesis. At the same time, they seem to be a potential key to treating medulloblastoma with fewer complications than past therapies. This review presents the currently known epigenetic mechanisms that are involved in medulloblastoma pathogenesis and the potential therapies that use epigenetic traits to cure medulloblastoma while maintaining a good quality of life and ensuring a higher median overall survival rate.
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26
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Veo B, Danis E, Pierce A, Wang D, Fosmire S, Sullivan KD, Joshi M, Khanal S, Dahl N, Karam S, Serkova N, Venkataraman S, Vibhakar R. Transcriptional control of DNA repair networks by CDK7 regulates sensitivity to radiation in MYC-driven medulloblastoma. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109013. [PMID: 33910002 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
MYC-driven medulloblastoma is a major therapeutic challenge due to frequent metastasis and a poor 5-year survival rate. MYC gene amplification results in transcriptional dysregulation, proliferation, and survival of malignant cells. To identify therapeutic targets in MYC-amplified medulloblastoma, we employ a CRISPR-Cas9 essentiality screen targeting 1,140 genes. We identify CDK7 as a mediator of medulloblastoma tumorigenesis. Using chemical inhibitors and genetic depletion, we observe cessation of tumor growth in xenograft mouse models and increases in apoptosis. The results are attributed to repression of a core set of MYC-driven transcriptional programs mediating DNA repair. CDK7 inhibition alters RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) and MYC association at DNA repair genes. Blocking CDK7 activity sensitizes cells to ionizing radiation leading to accrual of DNA damage, extending survival and tumor latency in xenograft mouse models. Our studies establish the selective inhibition of MYC-driven medulloblastoma by CDK7 inhibition combined with radiation as a viable therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany Veo
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Etienne Danis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Angela Pierce
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's, Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Dong Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Susan Fosmire
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | | | | | - Nathan Dahl
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's, Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Sana Karam
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Natalie Serkova
- Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Sujatha Venkataraman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's, Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Rajeev Vibhakar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's, Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA.
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27
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Epigenetic Treatment of Urothelial Carcinoma Cells Sensitizes to Cisplatin Chemotherapy and PARP Inhibitor Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061376. [PMID: 33803654 PMCID: PMC8002916 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UC) is treated with chemotherapies based on the DNA-damaging drug cisplatin, which only works temporarily due to the development of drug resistance. In this study, we show that it may be possible to overcome such resistances by treating the cancer cells with specific epigenetic drugs. We investigated the “epidrug” PLX51107 that inhibits the chromatin regulator BRD4 (Bromodomain Containing 4). PLX51107 inhibited cell growth, caused DNA damage, and blocked DNA repair response in UC cells. Concomitant application of PLX51107 with cisplatin or the drug talazoparib, interfering with DNA repair, caused cell death very efficiently. PLX51107 thus sensitizes UC cells to other drugs and may allow therapy with novel effective anti-tumor drugs like talazoparib that normally only work in a small proportion of patients with specific gene mutations. These results may help to improve current standard therapy and to develop new treatment options urgently required for UC patients. Abstract Muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (UC) is treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy, which is only moderately efficient, mostly due to development of resistance. New therapy approaches are therefore urgently needed. Epigenetic alterations due to frequent mutations in epigenetic regulators contribute to development of the disease and to treatment resistance, and provide targets for novel drug combination therapies. Here, we determined the cytotoxic impact of the second-generation bromodomain protein inhibitor (BETi) PLX51107 on UC cell lines (UCC) and normal HBLAK control cells. PLX51107 inhibited proliferation, induced apoptosis, and acted synergistically with the histone deacetylase inhibitor romidepsin. While PLX51107 caused significant DNA damage, DNA damage signaling and DNA repair were impeded, a state defined as BRCAness. Accordingly, the drug strongly synergized with cisplatin more efficiently than romidepsin, and with the PARP inhibitor talazoparib to inhibit proliferation and induce cell death in UCC. Thus, a BETi can be used to “episensitize” UC cells to cytotoxic chemotherapy and inhibitors of DNA repair by inducing BRCAness in non BRCA1/2 mutated cancers. In clinical applications, the synergy between PLX51107 and other drugs should permit significant dosage reductions to minimize effects on normal tissues.
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28
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Targeting non-canonical activation of GLI1 by the SOX2-BRD4 transcriptional complex improves the efficacy of HEDGEHOG pathway inhibition in melanoma. Oncogene 2021; 40:3799-3814. [PMID: 33958721 PMCID: PMC8175236 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01783-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Despite the development of new targeted and immune therapies, the prognosis of metastatic melanoma remains bleak. Therefore, it is critical to better understand the mechanisms controlling advanced melanoma to develop more effective treatment regimens. Hedgehog/GLI (HH/GLI) signaling inhibitors targeting the central pathway transducer Smoothened (SMO) have shown to be clinical efficacious in skin cancer; however, several mechanisms of non-canonical HH/GLI pathway activation limit their efficacy. Here, we identify a novel SOX2-BRD4 transcriptional complex driving the expression of GLI1, the final effector of the HH/GLI pathway, providing a novel mechanism of non-canonical SMO-independent activation of HH/GLI signaling in melanoma. Consistently, we find a positive correlation between the expression of GLI1 and SOX2 in human melanoma samples and cell lines. Further, we show that combined targeting of canonical HH/GLI pathway with the SMO inhibitor MRT-92 and of the SOX2-BRD4 complex using a potent Proteolysis Targeted Chimeras (PROTACs)-derived BRD4 degrader (MZ1), yields a synergistic anti-proliferative effect in melanoma cells independently of their BRAF, NRAS, and NF1 mutational status, with complete abrogation of GLI1 expression. Combination of MRT-92 and MZ1 strongly potentiates the antitumor effect of either drug as single agents in an orthotopic melanoma model. Together, our data provide evidence of a novel mechanism of non-canonical activation of GLI1 by the SOX2-BRD4 transcriptional complex, and describe the efficacy of a new combinatorial treatment for a subset of melanomas with an active SOX2-BRD4-GLI1 axis.
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Damiani E, Duran MN, Mohan N, Rajendran P, Dashwood RH. Targeting Epigenetic 'Readers' with Natural Compounds for Cancer Interception. J Cancer Prev 2020; 25:189-203. [PMID: 33409252 PMCID: PMC7783241 DOI: 10.15430/jcp.2020.25.4.189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural compounds from diverse sources, including botanicals and commonly consumed foods and beverages, exert beneficial health effects via mechanisms that impact the epigenome and gene expression during disease pathogenesis. By targeting the so-called epigenetic 'readers', 'writers', and 'erasers', dietary phytochemicals can reverse abnormal epigenome signatures in cancer cells and preneoplastic stages. Thus, such agents provide avenues for cancer interception via prevention or treatment/therapeutic strategies. To date, much of the focus on dietary agents has been directed towards writers (e.g., histone acetyltransferases) and erasers (e.g., histone deacetylases), with less attention given to epigenetic readers (e.g., BRD proteins). The drug JQ1 was developed as a prototype epigenetic reader inhibitor, selectively targeting members of the bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) family, such as BRD4. Clinical trials with JQ1 as a single agent, or in combination with standard of care therapy, revealed antitumor efficacy but not without toxicity or resistance. In pursuit of second-generation epigenetic reader inhibitors, attention has shifted to natural sources, including dietary agents that might be repurposed as 'JQ1-like' bioactives. This review summarizes the current status of nascent research activity focused on natural compounds as inhibitors of BET and other epigenetic 'reader' proteins, with a perspective on future directions and opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Damiani
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of the Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Munevver N. Duran
- Center for Epigenetics & Disease Prevention, Texas A&M Health Science Center, TX, USA
| | - Nivedhitha Mohan
- Center for Epigenetics & Disease Prevention, Texas A&M Health Science Center, TX, USA
| | - Praveen Rajendran
- Center for Epigenetics & Disease Prevention, Texas A&M Health Science Center, TX, USA
| | - Roderick H. Dashwood
- Center for Epigenetics & Disease Prevention, Texas A&M Health Science Center, TX, USA
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Texas A&M College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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BET bromodomains as novel epigenetic targets for brain health and disease. Neuropharmacology 2020; 181:108306. [PMID: 32946883 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic pharmacotherapy for CNS-related diseases is a burgeoning area of research. In particular, members of the bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) family of proteins have emerged as intriguing therapeutic targets due to their putative involvement in an array of brain diseases. With their ability to bind to acetylated histones and act as a scaffold for chromatin modifying complexes, BET proteins were originally thought of as passive epigenetic 'reader' proteins. However, new research depicts a more complex reality where BET proteins act as key nodes in lineage-specific and signal-dependent transcriptional mechanisms to influence disease-relevant functions. Amid a recent wave of drug development efforts from basic scientists and pharmaceutical companies, BET inhibitors are currently being studied in several CNS-related disease models, but safety and tolerability remain a concern. Here we review the progress in understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of BET proteins and the therapeutic potential of targeting BET proteins for brain health and disease.
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Wang Q, Kumar V, Lin F, Sethi B, Coulter DW, McGuire TR, Mahato RI. ApoE mimetic peptide targeted nanoparticles carrying a BRD4 inhibitor for treating Medulloblastoma in mice. J Control Release 2020; 323:463-474. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.04.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Wang R, Yang JF, Ho F, Robertson ES, You J. Bromodomain-Containing Protein BRD4 Is Hyperphosphorylated in Mitosis. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1637. [PMID: 32575711 PMCID: PMC7353023 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The epigenetic reader BRD4 binds acetylated histones and plays a central role in controlling cellular gene transcription and proliferation. Dysregulation of BRD4's activity has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a wide variety of cancers. While blocking BRD4 interaction with acetylated histones using BET inhibitors (BETis) has been tested in clinical trials, many cancers have acquired BETi resistance. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood and BETi resistance remains a pressing clinical problem. We previously showed that BRD4 phosphorylation supports stronger chromatin binding and target oncogene expression. In this study, we discovered that BRD4 is hyperphosphorylated by CDK1 during mitosis and determined the major CDK1 phosphorylation sites in BRD4. Using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, we replaced endogenous BRD4 with a non-phosphorylatable mutant and demonstrated that CDK1-mediated BRD4 phosphorylation contributes to BETi resistance. CDK1 over-activation frequently observed in cancers has the potential to cause aberrant BRD4 hyperphosphorylation persisting outside of mitosis to strengthen its target gene binding and confer BETi resistance. We found that dual CDK1 and BET inhibition generates a synergistic effect in killing BETi-resistant cancer cells. Our study therefore suggests that CDK1 inhibition can be employed to overcome tumor BETi resistance and improve treatments for BRD4-associated cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranran Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (R.W.); (J.F.Y.); (F.H.)
| | - June F. Yang
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (R.W.); (J.F.Y.); (F.H.)
| | - Flora Ho
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (R.W.); (J.F.Y.); (F.H.)
| | - Erle S. Robertson
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Jianxin You
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (R.W.); (J.F.Y.); (F.H.)
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Laneve P, Caffarelli E. The Non-coding Side of Medulloblastoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:275. [PMID: 32528946 PMCID: PMC7266940 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common pediatric brain tumor and a primary cause of cancer-related death in children. Until a few years ago, only clinical and histological features were exploited for MB pathological classification and outcome prognosis. In the past decade, the advancement of high-throughput molecular analyses that integrate genetic, epigenetic, and expression data, together with the availability of increasing wealth of patient samples, revealed the existence of four molecularly distinct MB subgroups. Their further classification into 12 subtypes not only reduced the well-characterized intertumoral heterogeneity, but also provided new opportunities for the design of targets for precision oncology. Moreover, the identification of tumorigenic and self-renewing subpopulations of cancer stem cells in MB has increased our knowledge of its biology. Despite these advancements, the origin of MB is still debated, and its molecular bases are poorly characterized. A major goal in the field is to identify the key genes that drive tumor growth and the mechanisms through which they are able to promote tumorigenesis. So far, only protein-coding genes acting as oncogenic drivers have been characterized in each MB subgroup. The contribution of the non-coding side of the genome, which produces a plethora of transcripts that control fundamental biological processes, as the cell choice between proliferation and differentiation, is still unappreciated. This review wants to fill this major gap by summarizing the recent findings on the impact of non-coding RNAs in MB initiation and progression. Furthermore, their potential role as specific MB biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets is also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Laneve
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Caffarelli
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
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Moreira DC, Venkataraman S, Subramanian A, Desisto J, Balakrishnan I, Prince E, Pierce A, Griesinger A, Green A, Eberhardt CG, Foreman NK, Vibhakar R. Targeting MYC-driven replication stress in medulloblastoma with AZD1775 and gemcitabine. J Neurooncol 2020; 147:531-545. [PMID: 32180106 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-020-03457-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE MYC-driven medulloblastomas are highly aggressive childhood tumors with dismal outcomes and a lack of new treatment paradigms. We identified that targeting replication stress through WEE1 inhibition to suppress the S-phase replication checkpoint, combined with the attenuation of nucleotide synthesis with gemcitabine, is an effective strategy to induce apoptosis in MYC-driven medulloblastoma that could be rapidly translated into early phase clinical trials in children. Attenuation of replication stress is a key component of MYC-driven oncogenesis. Previous studies revealed a vulnerability in MYC medulloblastoma through WEE1 inhibition. Here, we focused on elucidating combinations of agents to synergize with WEE1 inhibition and drive replication stress toward cell death. METHODS We first analyzed WEE1 expression in patient tissues by immunohistochemistry. Next, we used high-throughput drug screens to identify agents that would synergize with WEE1 inhibition. Synergy was confirmed by in vitro live cell imaging, ex vivo slice culture models, and in vivo studies using orthotopic and flank xenograft models. RESULTS WEE1 expression was significantly higher in Group 3 and 4 medulloblastoma patients. The WEE1 inhibitor AZD1775 synergized with inhibitors of nucleotide synthesis, including gemcitabine. AZD1775 with gemcitabine suppressed proliferation and induced apoptosis. Ex vivo modeling demonstrated efficacy in Group 3 medulloblastoma patients, and in vivo modeling confirmed that combining AZD1775 and gemcitabine effectively suppressed tumor growth. CONCLUSION Our results identified a potent new synergistic treatment combination for MYC-driven medulloblastoma that warrants exploration in early phase clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel C Moreira
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Sujatha Venkataraman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Apurva Subramanian
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - John Desisto
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Ilango Balakrishnan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Eric Prince
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Angela Pierce
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Andrea Griesinger
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Adam Green
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Charles G Eberhardt
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nicholas K Foreman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Rajeev Vibhakar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
- Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.
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Identification of a stemness-related gene panel associated with BET inhibition in triple negative breast cancer. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2020; 43:431-444. [PMID: 32166583 PMCID: PMC7214516 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-020-00497-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are enriched in cells bearing stem-like features, i.e., cancer stem cells (CSCs), which underlie cancer progression. Thus, targeting stemness may be an interesting treatment approach. The epigenetic machinery is crucial for maintaining the stemness phenotype. Bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) epigenetic reader family members are emerging as novel targets for cancer therapy, and have already shown preclinical effects in breast cancer. Here, we aimed to evaluate the effect of the BET inhibitor JQ1 on stemness in TNBC. Methods Transcriptomic, functional annotation and qRT-PCR studies were performed on JQ1-exposed TNBC cells in culture. The results obtained were confirmed in spheroids and spheroid-derived tumours. In addition, limiting dilution, secondary and tertiary tumour sphere formation, matrigel invasion, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry assays were performed to evaluate the effect of JQ1 on CSC features. For clinical outcome analyses, the online tool Kaplan-Meier Plotter and an integrated response database were used. Results We found that JQ1 modified the expression of stemness-related genes in two TNBC-derived cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and BT549. Among these changes, the CD44 Antigen/CD24 Antigen (CD44/CD24) ratio and Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Family Member A1 (ALDH1A1) expression level, i.e., both classical stemness markers, were found to be decreased by JQ1. Using a validated spheroid model to mimic the intrinsic characteristics of CSCs, we found that JQ1 decreased surface CD44 expression, inhibited self-renewal and invasion, and induced cell cycle arrest in G0/G1, thereby altering the stemness phenotype. We also found associations between four of the identified stemness genes, Gap Junction Protein Alpha 1 (GJA1), CD24, Epithelial Adhesion Molecule (EPCAM) and SRY-related HMG-box gene 9 (SOX9), and a worse TNBC patient outcome. The expression of another two of the stemness-related genes was found to be decreased by JQ1, i.e., ATP Binding Cassette Subfamily G Member 2 (ABCG2) and RUNX2, and predicted a low response to chemotherapy in TNBC patients, which supports a role for RUNX2 as a potential predictive marker for chemotherapy response in TNBC. Conclusions We identified a stemness-related gene panel associated with JQ1 and describe how this inhibitor modifies the stemness landscape in TNBC. Therefore, we propose a novel role for JQ1 as a stemness-targeting drug. Loss of the stem cell phenotype via JQ1 treatment could lead to less aggressive and more chemo-sensitive tumours, reflecting a better patient prognosis. Thus, the identified gene panel may be of interest for the clinical management of patients with aggressive TNBC. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s13402-020-00497-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Garcia TB, Uluisik RC, van Linden AA, Jones KL, Venkataraman S, Vibhakar R, Porter CC. Increased HDAC Activity and c-MYC Expression Mediate Acquired Resistance to WEE1 Inhibition in Acute Leukemia. Front Oncol 2020; 10:296. [PMID: 32195191 PMCID: PMC7066074 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
WEE1 is a cell cycle and DNA damage response kinase that is emerging as a therapeutic target for cancer. AZD1775 is a small molecule inhibitor of WEE1, currently in early phase clinical trials as a single agent and in combination with more conventional anti-neoplastic agents. As resistance to kinase inhibitors is frequent, we sought to identify mechanisms of resistance to WEE1 inhibition in acute leukemia. We found that AZD1775 resistant cell lines are dependent upon increased HDAC activity for their survival, in part due to increased KDM5A activity. In addition, gene expression analyses demonstrate HDAC dependent increase in MYC expression and c-MYC activity in AZD1775 treated resistant cells. Overexpression of c-MYC confers resistance to AZD1775 in cell lines with low baseline expression. Pharmacologic inhibition of BRD4, and thereby c-MYC, partially abrogated resistance to AZD1775. Thus, acquired resistance to WEE1 inhibition may be reversed by HDAC or BRD4 inhibition in leukemia cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara B. Garcia
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Rizvan C. Uluisik
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Annemie A. van Linden
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Kenneth L. Jones
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Sujatha Venkataraman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Rajeev Vibhakar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Christopher C. Porter
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Bahmad HF, Poppiti RJ. Medulloblastoma cancer stem cells: molecular signatures and therapeutic targets. J Clin Pathol 2020; 73:243-249. [PMID: 32034059 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2019-206246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant primary intracranial neoplasm diagnosed in childhood. Although numerous efforts have been made during the past few years to exploit novel targeted therapies for this aggressive neoplasm, there still exist substantial hitches hindering successful management of MB. Lately, progress in cancer biology has shown evidence that a subpopulation of cells within the tumour, namely cancer stem cells (CSCs), are thought to be responsible for the resistance to most chemotherapeutic agents and radiation therapy, accounting for cancer recurrence. Hence, it is crucial to identify the molecular signatures and genetic aberrations that characterise those CSCs and develop therapies that specifically target them. In this review, we aim to give an overview of the main genetic and molecular cues that depict MB-CSCs and provide a synopsis of the novel therapeutic approaches that specifically target this population of cells to attain enhanced antitumorous effects and therefore overcome resistance to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisham F Bahmad
- Arkadi M Rywlin MD Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, Florida, USA.,Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Robert J Poppiti
- Arkadi M Rywlin MD Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, Florida, USA .,Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
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An epigenetic screening determines BET proteins as targets to suppress self-renewal and tumorigenicity in canine mammary cancer cells. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17363. [PMID: 31758045 PMCID: PMC6874531 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53915-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting self-renewal and tumorigenicity has been proposed as a potential strategy against cancer stem cells (CSCs). Epigenetic proteins are key modulators of gene expression and cancer development contributing to regulation and maintenance of self-renewal and tumorigenicity. Here, we have screened a small-molecule epigenetic inhibitor library using 3D in vitro models in order to determine potential epigenetic targets associated with self-renewal and tumorigenicity in Canine Mammary Cancer (CMC) cells. We identified inhibition of BET proteins as a promising strategy to inhibit CMC colonies and tumorspheres formation. Low doses of (+)-JQ1 were able to downregulate important genes associated to self-renewal pathways such as WNT, NOTCH, Hedgehog, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, EGF receptor and FGF receptor in CMC tumorspheres. In addition, we observed downregulation of ZEB2, a transcription factor important for the maintenance of self-renewal in canine mammary cancer cells. Furthermore, low doses of (+)-JQ1 were not cytotoxic in CMC cells cultured in 2D in vitro models but induced G2/M cell cycle arrest accompanied by upregulation of G2/M checkpoint-associated genes including BTG2 and CCNG2. Our work indicates the BET inhibition as a new strategy for canine mammary cancers by modulating the self-renewal phenotype in tumorigenic cells such as CSCs.
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Time series modeling of cell cycle exit identifies Brd4 dependent regulation of cerebellar neurogenesis. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3028. [PMID: 31292434 PMCID: PMC6620341 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10799-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebellar neuronal progenitors undergo a series of divisions before irreversibly exiting the cell cycle and differentiating into neurons. Dysfunction of this process underlies many neurological diseases including ataxia and the most common pediatric brain tumor, medulloblastoma. To better define the pathways controlling the most abundant neuronal cells in the mammalian cerebellum, cerebellar granule cell progenitors (GCPs), we performed RNA-sequencing of GCPs exiting the cell cycle. Time-series modeling of GCP cell cycle exit identified downregulation of activity of the epigenetic reader protein Brd4. Brd4 binding to the Gli1 locus is controlled by Casein Kinase 1δ (CK1 δ)-dependent phosphorylation during GCP proliferation, and decreases during GCP cell cycle exit. Importantly, conditional deletion of Brd4 in vivo in the developing cerebellum induces cerebellar morphological deficits and ataxia. These studies define an essential role for Brd4 in cerebellar granule cell neurogenesis and are critical for designing clinical trials utilizing Brd4 inhibitors in neurological indications. The mechanisms controlling irreversible cell cycle exit in cerebellar granule progenitors (GCPs) have not been fully elucidated. Here, the authors performed RNA-sequencing of GCPs exiting the cell cycle to identify downregulation of Brd4 activity as an early event during cell cycle exit which subsequently regulates Shh activity and is needed for proper cerebellar development
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Bandopadhayay P, Piccioni F, O'Rourke R, Ho P, Gonzalez EM, Buchan G, Qian K, Gionet G, Girard E, Coxon M, Rees MG, Brenan L, Dubois F, Shapira O, Greenwald NF, Pages M, Balboni Iniguez A, Paolella BR, Meng A, Sinai C, Roti G, Dharia NV, Creech A, Tanenbaum B, Khadka P, Tracy A, Tiv HL, Hong AL, Coy S, Rashid R, Lin JR, Cowley GS, Lam FC, Goodale A, Lee Y, Schoolcraft K, Vazquez F, Hahn WC, Tsherniak A, Bradner JE, Yaffe MB, Milde T, Pfister SM, Qi J, Schenone M, Carr SA, Ligon KL, Kieran MW, Santagata S, Olson JM, Gokhale PC, Jaffe JD, Root DE, Stegmaier K, Johannessen CM, Beroukhim R. Neuronal differentiation and cell-cycle programs mediate response to BET-bromodomain inhibition in MYC-driven medulloblastoma. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2400. [PMID: 31160565 PMCID: PMC6546744 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10307-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BET-bromodomain inhibition (BETi) has shown pre-clinical promise for MYC-amplified medulloblastoma. However, the mechanisms for its action, and ultimately for resistance, have not been fully defined. Here, using a combination of expression profiling, genome-scale CRISPR/Cas9-mediated loss of function and ORF/cDNA driven rescue screens, and cell-based models of spontaneous resistance, we identify bHLH/homeobox transcription factors and cell-cycle regulators as key genes mediating BETi's response and resistance. Cells that acquire drug tolerance exhibit a more neuronally differentiated cell-state and expression of lineage-specific bHLH/homeobox transcription factors. However, they do not terminally differentiate, maintain expression of CCND2, and continue to cycle through S-phase. Moreover, CDK4/CDK6 inhibition delays acquisition of resistance. Therefore, our data provide insights about the mechanisms underlying BETi effects and the appearance of resistance and support the therapeutic use of combined cell-cycle inhibitors with BETi in MYC-amplified medulloblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratiti Bandopadhayay
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | | | - Ryan O'Rourke
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
| | - Patricia Ho
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Gonzalez
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
| | - Graham Buchan
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
| | - Kenin Qian
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
| | - Gabrielle Gionet
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
| | - Emily Girard
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, USA
| | - Margo Coxon
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, USA
| | | | - Lisa Brenan
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
| | - Frank Dubois
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
- Division of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA
| | - Ofer Shapira
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
- Division of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA
| | - Noah F Greenwald
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
- Division of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Melanie Pages
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
| | - Amanda Balboni Iniguez
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
| | - Brenton R Paolella
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
- Division of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA
| | - Alice Meng
- Division of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA
| | - Claire Sinai
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, USA
- Division of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA
| | - Giovanni Roti
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Hematology and BMT, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Neekesh V Dharia
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | | | | | - Prasidda Khadka
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Adam Tracy
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
| | - Hong L Tiv
- Experimental Therapeutics Core and Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Boston, USA
| | - Andrew L Hong
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Shannon Coy
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Rumana Rashid
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Jia-Ren Lin
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
- Ludwig Center for Cancer Research at Harvard, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Glenn S Cowley
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
- Discovery Science, Janssen Research and Development (Johnson & Johnson), Spring House, PA, USA
| | - Fred C Lam
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, USA
| | - Amy Goodale
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
| | - Yenarae Lee
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
| | | | | | - William C Hahn
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
- Division of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | | | - James E Bradner
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
- Division of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael B Yaffe
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, USA
| | - Till Milde
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- CCU Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, and Immunology, Center for Child and Adolescent Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan M Pfister
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jun Qi
- Division of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA
| | | | | | - Keith L Ligon
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
- Department of Oncologic Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Mark W Kieran
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Sandro Santagata
- Division of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - James M Olson
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, USA
| | - Prafulla C Gokhale
- Experimental Therapeutics Core and Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Boston, USA
| | | | - David E Root
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
| | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | | | - Rameen Beroukhim
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA.
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, USA.
- Division of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.
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41
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Thomas A, Noël G. Medulloblastoma: optimizing care with a multidisciplinary approach. J Multidiscip Healthc 2019; 12:335-347. [PMID: 31118657 PMCID: PMC6498429 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s167808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is a malignant tumor of the cerebellum and the most frequent malignant brain tumor in children. The standard of care consists of maximal resection surgery, followed by craniospinal irradiation and chemotherapy. Such treatment allows long-term survival rates of nearly 70%; however, there are wide disparities among patient outcomes, and in any case, major long-term morbidity is observed with conventional treatment. In the last two decades, the molecular understanding of medulloblastoma has improved drastically, allowing us to revolutionize our understanding of medulloblastoma pathophysiological mechanisms. These advances led to an international consensus in 2010 that defined four prognostic molecular subgroups named after their affected signaling pathways, that is, WNT, SHH, Group 3 and Group 4. The molecular understanding of medulloblastoma is starting to translate through to clinical settings due to the development of targeted therapies. Moreover, recent improvements in radiotherapy modalities and the reconsideration of craniospinal irradiation according to the molecular status hold promise for survival preservation and the reduction of radiation-induced morbidity. This review is an overview of the current knowledge of medulloblastoma through a molecular approach, and therapeutic prospects currently being developed in surgery, radiotherapy and targeted therapies to optimize the treatment of medulloblastoma with a multidisciplinary approach will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Thomas
- Radiotherapy Department, Centre Paul Strauss, UNICANCER, F-67065 Strasbourg, France,
| | - Georges Noël
- Radiotherapy Department, Centre Paul Strauss, UNICANCER, F-67065 Strasbourg, France, .,Radiobiology Lab, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, Centre Paul Strauss, UNICANCER, F-67000 Strasbourg, France,
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42
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Alqahtani A, Choucair K, Ashraf M, Hammouda DM, Alloghbi A, Khan T, Senzer N, Nemunaitis J. Bromodomain and extra-terminal motif inhibitors: a review of preclinical and clinical advances in cancer therapy. Future Sci OA 2019; 5:FSO372. [PMID: 30906568 PMCID: PMC6426170 DOI: 10.4155/fsoa-2018-0115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 186] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone lysine acetylation is critical in regulating transcription. Dysregulation of this process results in aberrant gene expression in various diseases, including cancer. The bromodomain, present in several proteins, recognizes promotor lysine acetylation and recruits other transcription factors. The bromodomain extra-terminal (BET) family of proteins consists of four conserved mammalian members that regulate transcription of oncogenes such as MYC and the NUT fusion oncoprotein. Targeting the acetyl-lysine-binding property of BET proteins is a potential therapeutic approach of cancer. Consequently, following the demonstration that thienotriazolodiazepine small molecules effectively inhibit BET, clinical trials were initiated. We thus discuss the mechanisms of action of various BET inhibitors and the prospects for their clinical use as cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Alqahtani
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Khalil Choucair
- Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Mushtaq Ashraf
- Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Danae M Hammouda
- Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Abduraham Alloghbi
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Talal Khan
- Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Neil Senzer
- Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - John Nemunaitis
- Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
- ProMedica Health System, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA
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43
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Alimova I, Pierce A, Danis E, Donson A, Birks DK, Griesinger A, Foreman NK, Santi M, Soucek L, Venkataraman S, Vibhakar R. Inhibition of MYC attenuates tumor cell self-renewal and promotes senescence in SMARCB1-deficient Group 2 atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors to suppress tumor growth in vivo. Int J Cancer 2019; 144:1983-1995. [PMID: 30230537 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Loss of SMARCB1 is the hallmark genetic event that characterizes rhabdoid tumors in children. Rhabdoid tumors of the brain (ATRT) occur in young children and are particularly challenging with poor long-term survival. SMARCB1 is a member of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex that is responsible for determining cellular pluripotency and lineage commitment. The mechanisms by which SMARCB1 deletion results in tumorigenesis remain unclear. Recent studies demonstrate that ATRT consists of 3 genomic subgroups with a subset of poor outcome tumors expressing high BMP and MYC pathway activation. Here we show that MYC occupies distinct promoter loci in ATRT compared to embryonic stem (ES) cells. Furthermore, using human ATRT cell lines, patient-derived cell culture, ex vivo patient-derived tumor, and orthotopic xenograft models, we show that MYC inhibition is a molecular vulnerability in SMARCB1-deleted tumors and that such inhibition effectively suppresses BMP and pluripotency-associated genomic programs, attenuates tumor cell self-renewal, promotes senescence, and inhibits ATRT tumor growth in vivo. Transgenic expression of Omomyc (a bona-fide MYC dominant negative) or chemical inhibition of MYC transcriptomic programs with the BET inhibitor JQ1 phenocopy genetic depletion of MYC, effectively restricting ATRT tumor growth and opening a promising therapeutic avenue for rhabdoid tumors in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Alimova
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Angela Pierce
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Etienne Danis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Andrew Donson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Diane K Birks
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Andrea Griesinger
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Nicholas K Foreman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.,Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Mariarita Santi
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania Perelman, School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Laura Soucek
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Cellex Centre, Barcelona, 08035, Spain.,Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, 08010, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Sujatha Venkataraman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.,Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Rajeev Vibhakar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.,Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
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44
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Veo B, Danis E, Pierce A, Sola I, Wang D, Foreman NK, Jin J, Ma A, Serkova N, Venkataraman S, Vibhakar R. Combined functional genomic and chemical screens identify SETD8 as a therapeutic target in MYC-driven medulloblastoma. JCI Insight 2019; 4:122933. [PMID: 30626740 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.122933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most prevalent malignant brain tumor in children, accounting for 20% of all childhood brain tumors. The molecular profiling of MB into 4 major subgroups (WNT, SHH, Grp3, and Grp4) emphasizes the heterogeneity of MB and opens paths in which treatments may be targeted to molecularly aggressive and distinct tumors. Current therapeutic strategies for Group 3 MB are challenging and can be accompanied by long-term side effects from treatment. The involvement of altered epigenetic machinery in neoplastic transformation in MB has become more evident. Thus, we performed an epigenomic RNAi and chemical screen and identified SETD8/PRE-SET7/KMT5a as a critical player in maintaining proliferation and cell survival of MB cells. We have found that inhibition of SETD8 effects the migration/invasive ability of MB cells. SETD8 alters H4K20me chromatin occupancy at key genes involved in tumor invasiveness and pluripotency. Interestingly, these results link the aggressive and metastatic behavior of MYC-driven MB with SETD8 activity. Based on our results, we suggest that SETD8 has a critical role mediating Group 3 MB tumorigenesis. Establishing a role for SETD8 as a factor in MYC-driven MB has potential to lead to more effective therapies needed to improve outcomes in high-risk patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany Veo
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Etienne Danis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Angela Pierce
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Ismail Sola
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Dong Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Nicholas K Foreman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Jian Jin
- Center for Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Anqi Ma
- Center for Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Sujatha Venkataraman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Rajeev Vibhakar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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45
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Han Y, Lindner S, Bei Y, Garcia HD, Timme N, Althoff K, Odersky A, Schramm A, Lissat A, Künkele A, Deubzer HE, Eggert A, Schulte JH, Henssen AG. Synergistic activity of BET inhibitor MK-8628 and PLK inhibitor Volasertib in preclinical models of medulloblastoma. Cancer Lett 2019; 445:24-33. [PMID: 30611741 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most prevalent central nervous system tumor in children. Targeted treatment approaches for patients with high-risk medulloblastoma are needed as current treatment regimens are not curative in many cases and cause significant therapy-related morbidity. Medulloblastoma harboring MYC amplification have the most aggressive clinical course and worst outcome. Targeting the BET protein BRD4 has significant anti-tumor effects in preclinical models of MYC-amplified medulloblastoma, however, in most cases these are not curative. We here assessed the therapeutic efficacy of the orally bioavailable BRD4 inhibitor, MK-8628, in preclinical models of medulloblastoma. MK-8628 showed therapeutic efficacy against in vitro and in vivo models of MYC-amplified medulloblastoma by inducing apoptotic cell death and cell cycle arrest. Gene expression analysis of cells treated with MK-8628 showed that anti-tumor effects were accompanied by significant repression of MYC transcription as well as disruption of MYC-regulated transcriptional programs. Additionally, we found that targeting of MYC protein stability through pharmacological PLK1 inhibition showed synergistic anti-medulloblastoma effects when combined with MK-8628 treatment. Thus, MK-8628 is effective against preclinical high-risk medulloblastoma models and its effects can be enhanced through simultaneous targeting of PLK1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youjia Han
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Sven Lindner
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children's Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Yi Bei
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Natalie Timme
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Kristina Althoff
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children's Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Andrea Odersky
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children's Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Alexander Schramm
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children's Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Andrej Lissat
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Annette Künkele
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany; German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Hedwig E Deubzer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany; German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany; Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) of the Charité and the Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Angelika Eggert
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany; German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Berlin, Germany
| | - Johannes H Schulte
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany; German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Berlin, Germany
| | - Anton G Henssen
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany; German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany.
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46
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Abstract
Pediatric brain tumors are the primary cause of cancer-related death during childhood. Unfortunately, the number of primary and metastatic brain tumors is steadily increasing while the mortality rates for many central nervous system (CNS) lesions have remained stagnant. Molecularly defined tumor classes have been added to the most recent 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) Classification System of Central Nervous System Brain Tumors, driving potential new treatments and identifying targets to improve survival for these patients. Focusing on the genetic mutations most commonly seen in the pediatric CNS tumor population provides the ability to better define tumors based on shared molecular characteristics. Consequently, there is the potential for greater efficacy in targeted therapy to treat these identified genetic aberrations. Understanding the growing importance of molecular diagnosis in pediatric CNS tumors is vital to successfully using novel targeted therapies and improving patient outcomes.
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47
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Khatua S, Song A, Citla Sridhar D, Mack SC. Childhood Medulloblastoma: Current Therapies, Emerging Molecular Landscape and Newer Therapeutic Insights. Curr Neuropharmacol 2018; 16:1045-1058. [PMID: 29189165 PMCID: PMC6120114 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x15666171129111324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in children, currently treated uniformly based on histopathology and clinico-radiological risk stratification leading to unpredictable relapses and therapeutic failures. Identification of molecular subgroups have thrown light on the reasons for these and now reveals clues to profile molecularly based personalized therapy against these tumors. Methods: Research and online contents were evaluated for pediatric medulloblastoma which included latest information on the molecular subgroups and their clinical relevance and update on efforts to translate them into clinics. Results: Scientific endeavors over the last decade have clearly identified four molecular variants (WNT, SHH, Group 3, and Group 4) and their demographic, genomic, and epigenetic profile. Latest revelations include significant heterogeneity within these subgroups and 12 different subtypes of MB are now identified with disparate outcomes and biology. These findings have important implications for stratification and profiling future clinical trials against these formidable tumors. Conclusion: With the continued outpouring of genomic/epigenomic data of these molecular subgroups and evolution of further subtypes in each subgroup, the challenge lies in comprehensive evaluation of these informations. Current and future endeavors are now needed to profile personalized therapy for each child based on the molecular risk stratification of medulloblastoma, with a hope to improve survival outcome and reduce relapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumen Khatua
- Department of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Pediatrics Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Anne Song
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Pediatrics Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Divyaswathi Citla Sridhar
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Pediatrics Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Stephen C Mack
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Pediatrics Houston, Texas, United States
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48
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Rivero-Hinojosa S, Lau LS, Stampar M, Staal J, Zhang H, Gordish-Dressman H, Northcott PA, Pfister SM, Taylor MD, Brown KJ, Rood BR. Proteomic analysis of Medulloblastoma reveals functional biology with translational potential. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2018; 6:48. [PMID: 29880060 PMCID: PMC5992829 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-018-0548-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic characterization has begun to redefine diagnostic classifications of cancers. However, it remains a challenge to infer disease phenotypes from genomic alterations alone. To help realize the promise of genomics, we have performed a quantitative proteomics investigation using Stable Isotope Labeling by Amino Acids in Cell Culture (SILAC) and 41 tissue samples spanning the 4 genomically based subgroups of medulloblastoma and control cerebellum. We have identified and quantitated thousands of proteins across these groups and find that we are able to recapitulate the genomic subgroups based upon subgroup restricted and differentially abundant proteins while also identifying subgroup specific protein isoforms. Integrating our proteomic measurements with genomic data, we calculate a poor correlation between mRNA and protein abundance. Using EPIC 850 k methylation array data on the same tissues, we also investigate the influence of copy number alterations and DNA methylation on the proteome in an attempt to characterize the impact of these genetic features on the proteome. Reciprocally, we are able to use the proteome to identify which genomic alterations result in altered protein abundance and thus are most likely to impact biology. Finally, we are able to assemble protein-based pathways yielding potential avenues for clinical intervention. From these, we validate the EIF4F cap-dependent translation pathway as a novel druggable pathway in medulloblastoma. Thus, quantitative proteomics complements genomic platforms to yield a more complete understanding of functional tumor biology and identify novel therapeutic targets for medulloblastoma.
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49
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Vo BT, Kwon JA, Li C, Finkelstein D, Xu B, Orr BA, Sherr CJ, Roussel MF. Mouse medulloblastoma driven by CRISPR activation of cellular Myc. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8733. [PMID: 29880921 PMCID: PMC5992137 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-24956-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
MYC-driven Group 3 (G3) medulloblastoma (MB) is the most aggressive of four molecular subgroups classified by transcriptome, genomic landscape and clinical outcomes. Mouse models that recapitulate human G3 MB all rely on retroviral vector-induced Myc expression driven by viral regulatory elements (Retro-Myc tumors). We used nuclease-deficient CRISPR/dCas9-based gene activation with combinatorial single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) to enforce transcription of endogenous Myc in Trp53-null neurospheres that were orthotopically transplanted into the brains of naïve animals. Three combined sgRNAs linked to dCas9-VP160 induced cellular Myc expression and large cell anaplastic MBs (CRISPR-Myc tumors) which recapitulated the molecular characteristics of mouse and human G3 MBs. The BET inhibitor JQ1 suppressed MYC expression in a human G3 MB cell line (HD-MB03) and CRISPR-Myc, but not in Retro-Myc MBs. This G3 MB mouse model in which Myc expression is regulated by its own promoter will facilitate pre-clinical studies with drugs that regulate Myc transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- BaoHan T Vo
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Jin Ah Kwon
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Chunliang Li
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - David Finkelstein
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Beisi Xu
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Brent A Orr
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Charles J Sherr
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Martine F Roussel
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
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