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Göbel C, Schoof M, Holdhof D, Spohn M, Schüller U. SMARCA4 Loss and Mutated β-Catenin Induce Proliferative Lesions in the Murine Embryonic Cerebellum. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1605232024. [PMID: 38383496 PMCID: PMC11007475 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1605-23.2024] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Almost all medulloblastomas (MB) of the Wingless/Int-1 (WNT) type are characterized by hotspot mutations in CTNNB1, and mouse models have convincingly demonstrated the tumor-initiating role of these mutations. Additional alterations in SMARCA4 are detected in ∼20% of WNT MB, but their functional role is mostly unknown. We, therefore, amended previously described brain lipid binding protein (Blbp)-cre::Ctnnb1(ex3)fl/wt mice by the introduction of floxed Smarca4 alleles. Unexpectedly, mutated and thereby stabilized β-catenin on its own induced severe developmental phenotypes in male and female Blbp-cre::Ctnnb1(ex3)fl/wt mice in our hands, including a thinned cerebral cortex, hydrocephalus, missing cerebellar layering, and cell accumulations in the brainstem and cerebellum. An additional loss of SMARCA4 even resulted in prenatal death for most mice. Respective Blbp-cre::Ctnnb1(ex3)fl/wt::Smarca4fl/rec mutants (male and female) developed large proliferative lesions in the cerebellum evolving from E13.5 to E16.5. Histological and molecular analysis of these lesions by DNA methylation profiling and single-cell RNA sequencing suggested an origin in early undifferentiated SOX2-positive cerebellar progenitors. Furthermore, upregulated WNT signaling, altered actin/cytoskeleton organization, and reduced neuronal differentiation were evident in mutant cells. In vitro, cells harboring alterations in both Ctnnb1 and Smarca4 were negatively selected and did not show tumorigenic potential after transplantation in adult female recipient mice. However, in cerebellar explant cultures, mutant cells displayed significantly increased proliferation, suggesting an important role of the embryonic microenvironment in the development of lesions. Altogether, these results represent an important first step toward the unraveling of tumorigenic mechanisms induced by aberrant WNT signaling and SMARCA4 deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Göbel
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20251, Germany
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg D-20251, Germany
| | - Melanie Schoof
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20251, Germany
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg D-20251, Germany
| | - Dörthe Holdhof
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20251, Germany
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg D-20251, Germany
| | - Michael Spohn
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg D-20251, Germany
- Bioinformatics Core, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20251, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schüller
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20251, Germany
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg D-20251, Germany
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20251, Germany
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Philchenkov A, Dubrovska A. Cancer Stem Cells as a Therapeutic Target: Current Clinical Development and Future Prospective. Stem Cells 2024; 42:173-199. [PMID: 38096483 DOI: 10.1093/stmcls/sxad092] [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: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2024]
Abstract
The key role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in tumor development and therapy resistance makes them essential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Numerous agents targeting CSCs, either as monotherapy or as part of combination therapy, are currently being tested in clinical trials to treat solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Data from ongoing and future clinical trials testing novel approaches to target tumor stemness-related biomarkers and pathways may pave the way for further clinical development of CSC-targeted treatments and CSC-guided selection of therapeutic regimens. In this concise review, we discuss recent progress in developing CSC-directed treatment approaches, focusing on clinical trials testing CSC-directed therapies. We also consider the further development of CSC-assay-guided patient stratification and treatment personalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Philchenkov
- RE Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Anna Dubrovska
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
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Martín-Rubio P, Espiau-Romera P, Royo-García A, Caja L, Sancho P. Metabolic determinants of stemness in medulloblastoma. World J Stem Cells 2022; 14:587-598. [PMID: 36157911 PMCID: PMC9453267 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v14.i8.587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastomas (MBs) are the most prevalent brain tumours in children. They are classified as grade IV, the highest in malignancy, with about 30% metastatic tumours at the time of diagnosis. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subset of tumour cells that can initiate and support tumour growth. In MB, CSCs contribute to tumour initiation, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Metabolic differences among the different MB groups have started to emerge. Sonic hedgehog tumours show enriched lipid and nucleic acid metabolism pathways, whereas Group 3 MBs upregulate glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, glutamine anabolism, and glutathione-mediated anti-oxidant pathways. Such differences impact the clinical behaviour of MB tumours and can be exploited therapeutically. In this review, we summarise the existing knowledge about metabolic rewiring in MB, with a particular focus on MB-CSCs. Finally, we highlight some of the emerging metabolism-based therapeutic strategies for MB.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alba Royo-García
- Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, IIS Aragón, Zaragoza 50009, Spain
| | - Laia Caja
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE-751, Sweden
| | - Patricia Sancho
- Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, IIS Aragón, Zaragoza 50009, Spain
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Franceschi E, Giannini C, Furtner J, Pajtler KW, Asioli S, Guzman R, Seidel C, Gatto L, Hau P. Adult Medulloblastoma: Updates on Current Management and Future Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153708. [PMID: 35954372 PMCID: PMC9367316 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is a malignant embryonal tumor of the posterior fossa belonging to the family of primitive neuro-ectodermic tumors (PNET). MB generally occurs in pediatric age, but in 14–30% of cases, it affects the adults, mostly below the age of 40, with an incidence of 0.6 per million per year, representing about 0.4–1% of tumors of the nervous system in adults. Unlike pediatric MB, robust prospective trials are scarce for the post-puberal population, due to the low incidence of MB in adolescent and young adults. Thus, current MB treatments for older patients are largely extrapolated from the pediatric experience, but the transferability and applicability of these paradigms to adults remain an open question. Adult MB is distinct from MB in children from a molecular and clinical perspective. Here, we review the management of adult MB, reporting the recent published literature focusing on the effectiveness of upfront chemotherapy, the development of targeted therapies, and the potential role of a reduced dose of radiotherapy in treating this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Franceschi
- Nervous System Medical Oncology Department, IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Caterina Giannini
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 59005, USA;
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Julia Furtner
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Kristian W. Pajtler
- Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sofia Asioli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
- Pituitary Unit, IRCCS Istituto Delle Scienze Neurologiche Di Bologna, Via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy
| | - Raphael Guzman
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Clemens Seidel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Lidia Gatto
- Department of Oncology, AUSL of Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Peter Hau
- Wilhelm Sander NeuroOncology Unit & Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, 93055 Regensburg, Germany;
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Machine learning in neuro-oncology: toward novel development fields. J Neurooncol 2022; 159:333-346. [PMID: 35761160 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-022-04068-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Artificial Intelligence (AI) involves several and different techniques able to elaborate a large amount of data responding to a specific planned outcome. There are several possible applications of this technology in neuro-oncology. METHODS We reviewed, according to PRISMA guidelines, available studies adopting AI in different fields of neuro-oncology including neuro-radiology, pathology, surgery, radiation therapy, and systemic treatments. RESULTS Neuro-radiology presented the major number of studies assessing AI. However, this technology is being successfully tested also in other operative settings including surgery and radiation therapy. In this context, AI shows to significantly reduce resources and costs maintaining an elevated qualitative standard. Pathological diagnosis and development of novel systemic treatments are other two fields in which AI showed promising preliminary data. CONCLUSION It is likely that AI will be quickly included in some aspects of daily clinical practice. Possible applications of these techniques are impressive and cover all aspects of neuro-oncology.
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Parakh S, Davies A, Westcott K, Roos D, Abou-Hamden A, Ahern E, Lau PKH, Cheruvu S, Pranavan G, Pullar A, Lynam J, Gzell C, Whittle JR, Cain S, Inglis PL, Harrup R, Anazodo A, Hovey E, Cher L, Gan HK. Adult medulloblastoma in an Australian population. J Clin Neurosci 2022; 102:65-70. [PMID: 35728397 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2022.06.008] [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: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma in adult patients is a rare condition with limited contemporary demographic and treatment outcome data available in an Australian population. We conducted a retrospective review of patterns of care and outcomes of adult patients diagnosed with medulloblastoma treated at major neuro-oncology centres across Australia between January 2010 and December 2019. A total of 80 patients were identified and the median follow-up after diagnosis was 59.2 (range 0.5-204) months. A variety of chemotherapy regimens were used in the adjuvant and recurrent settings. The median overall survival (mOS) was 78 months (IQR 17.5-94.8). Patients who had no residual disease post-resection or with SHH-subtype tumours had a numerically longer 5-year survival rate than those with residual disease post resection or non-SHH subtypes respectively. The median time to recurrence from diagnosis was 18.4 months. The median OS from 1st relapse was 22.1 months (95% CI 11.7-31.4) and mOS from second relapse was 10.2 months (95% CI 6.6 - NR). This is the largest dataset examining patterns of care of adult patients with medulloblastoma in an Australian population. Substantial variation existed in the chemotherapy agents used in the adjuvant and recurrent setting. As has been demonstrated in a paediatric population, trials such as the upcoming EORTC 1634-BTG/NOA-23 trial (PersoMed-1 study) which are tailoring treatments to molecular profiles are likely to improve outcome in adult medulloblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagun Parakh
- Olivia Newton John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia; La Trobe University, School of Cancer Medicine, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
| | | | - Kerryn Westcott
- Olivia Newton John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Daniel Roos
- Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia; University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Amal Abou-Hamden
- Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia; University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Ahern
- Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia; Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | - Ganesalingam Pranavan
- The Canberra Hospital, Canberra, Australia; The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | | | - James Lynam
- Calvary Mater Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia; University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | | | - James R Whittle
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sarah Cain
- Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Po-Ling Inglis
- Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Antoinette Anazodo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Nelune Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Hovey
- Department of Medical Oncology, Nelune Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales
| | | | - Hui K Gan
- Olivia Newton John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia; La Trobe University, School of Cancer Medicine, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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