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O'Donnell E, Muñoz M, Davis R, Randall RL, Tepper C, Carr-Ascher J. Genetic and Epigenetic Characterization of Sarcoma Stem Cells Across Subtypes Identifies EZH2 as a Therapeutic Target. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.14.594060. [PMID: 38798385 PMCID: PMC11118861 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.14.594060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
High-grade complex karyotype soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a heterogeneous and aggressive set of cancers that share a common treatment strategy. Disease progression and failure to respond to anthracycline based chemotherapy, standard first-line treatment, is associated with poor patient outcomes. To address this, we investigated the contribution of STS cancer stem cells (STS-CSCs) to doxorubicin resistance. We identified a positive correlation between CSC abundance and doxorubicin IC 50 in resistant cell lines. We investigated if a common genetic signature across STS-CSCs could be targeted. Utilizing patient derived samples from five sarcoma subtypes we identified Enhancer of Zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a member of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) responsible for H3K27 methylation as being enriched in the CSC population. EZH2 activity and a shared epigenetic profile was observed across subtypes. Targeting of EZH2 using Tazemetostat, an FDA approved inhibitor specifically ablated the STS-CSC population. Treatment of doxorubicin resistant cell lines with tazemetostat resulted in a decrease in the STS-CSC population. Further, co-treatment was not only synergistic in the parent cell lines, but restored chemosensitivity in doxorubicin resistant lines. These data confirm the presence of shared genetic programs across distinct subtypes of CSC-STS that can be therapeutically targeted.
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Abu-Hijlih R, Sharaf B, Salah S, Bani Hani H, Alqaisieh M, Alzibdeh A, Ababneh L, Mahafdah S, Abdel-Razeq H. Germline Genetic Mutations in Adult Patients with Sarcoma: Insight into the Middle East Genetic Landscape. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1668. [PMID: 38730621 PMCID: PMC11083501 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16091668] [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: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Data on germline mutations in soft tissue and bone sarcomas are scarce. We sought to identify the prevalence of germline mutations in adult sarcoma patients treated at a tertiary cancer center. Newly diagnosed patients were offered germline genetic testing via an 84-gene panel. The prevalence of pathogenic germline variants (PGVs) and their association with disease-, and patient- related factors are reported. A total of 87 patients were enrolled, the median age was 48 (19-78) years, and 47 (54%) were females. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (n = 12, 13.8%), liposarcoma (n = 10, 11.5%), and Ewing sarcoma (n = 10, 11.5%) were the main subtypes. A total of 20 PGVs were detected in 18 (20.7%) patients. Variants of uncertain significance, in the absence of PGVs, were detected in 40 (45.9%) patients. Young age (p = 0.031), presence of a second primary cancer (p = 0.019), and female gender (p = 0.042) were correlated with the presence of PGVs. All identified PGVs have potential clinical actionability and cascade testing, and eight (44.44%) suggested eligibility for a targeted therapy. Almost one in five adult patients with soft tissue and bone sarcomas harbor pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants. Many of these variants are potentially actionable, and almost all have implications on cancer screening and family counselling. In this cohort from the Middle East, younger age, presence of a second primary tumor, and female gender were significantly associated with higher PGVs rates. Larger studies able to correlate treatment outcomes with genetic variants are highly needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramiz Abu-Hijlih
- Department of Radiation Oncology, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman 11941, Jordan; (R.A.-H.); (A.A.)
| | - Baha Sharaf
- Department of Internal Medicine, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman 11941, Jordan; (B.S.); (S.S.); (H.B.H.); (M.A.)
| | - Samer Salah
- Department of Internal Medicine, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman 11941, Jordan; (B.S.); (S.S.); (H.B.H.); (M.A.)
| | - Hira Bani Hani
- Department of Internal Medicine, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman 11941, Jordan; (B.S.); (S.S.); (H.B.H.); (M.A.)
| | - Mohammad Alqaisieh
- Department of Internal Medicine, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman 11941, Jordan; (B.S.); (S.S.); (H.B.H.); (M.A.)
| | - Abdulla Alzibdeh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman 11941, Jordan; (R.A.-H.); (A.A.)
| | - Layan Ababneh
- School of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan;
| | - Suleiman Mahafdah
- Department of Surgery, Royal Jordanian Medical Services, Amman 11855, Jordan;
| | - Hikmat Abdel-Razeq
- Department of Internal Medicine, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman 11941, Jordan; (B.S.); (S.S.); (H.B.H.); (M.A.)
- School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
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Katayama H, Fujimura A, Huang R, Otani Y, Itano T, Fujiwara T, Kunisada T, Nakata E, Ozaki T. Role of catecholamine synthases in the maintenance of cancer stem-like cells in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Cancer Sci 2024; 115:871-882. [PMID: 38279513 PMCID: PMC10921001 DOI: 10.1111/cas.16077] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are malignant tumors that are derived from Schwann cell lineage around peripheral nerves. As in many other cancer types, cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified in MPNSTs, and they are considered the cause of treatment resistance, recurrence, and metastasis. As an element defining the cancer stemness of MPNSTs, we previously reported a molecular mechanism by which exogenous adrenaline activates a core cancer stemness factor, YAP/TAZ, through β2 adrenoceptor (ADRB2). In this study, we found that MPNST cells express catecholamine synthases and that these enzymes are essential for maintaining cancer stemness, such as the ability to self-renew and maintain an undifferentiated state. Through gene knockdown and inhibition of these enzymes, we confirmed that catecholamines are indeed synthesized in MPNST cells. The results confirmed that catecholamine synthase knockdown in MPNST cells reduces the activity of YAP/TAZ. These data suggest that a mechanism of YAP/TAZ activation by de novo synthesized adrenaline, as well as exogenous adrenaline, may exist in the maintenance of cancer stemness of MPNST cells. This mechanism not only helps to understand the pathology of MPNST, but could also contribute to the development of therapeutic strategies for MPNST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruyoshi Katayama
- Department of Orthopedic SurgeryOkayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical SciencesOkayamaJapan
| | - Atsushi Fujimura
- Department of Cellular PhysiologyOkayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical SciencesOkayamaJapan
- Neutron Therapy Research CenterOkayama UniversityOkayamaJapan
| | - Rongsheng Huang
- Department of Trauma OrthopedicsThe Second Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDalianChina
| | - Yusuke Otani
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological SurgeryOkayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical SciencesOkayamaJapan
| | - Takuto Itano
- Department of Orthopedic SurgeryOkayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical SciencesOkayamaJapan
| | - Tomohiro Fujiwara
- Department of Orthopedic SurgeryOkayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical SciencesOkayamaJapan
| | - Toshiyuki Kunisada
- Department of Orthopedic SurgeryOkayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical SciencesOkayamaJapan
| | - Eiji Nakata
- Department of Orthopedic SurgeryOkayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical SciencesOkayamaJapan
| | - Toshifumi Ozaki
- Department of Orthopedic SurgeryOkayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical SciencesOkayamaJapan
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Wang Y, Zhang H, La Ferlita A, Sp N, Goryunova M, Sarchet P, Hu Z, Sorkin M, Kim A, Huang H, Zhu H, Tsung A, Pollock RE, Beane JD. Phosphorylation of IWS1 by AKT maintains liposarcoma tumor heterogeneity through preservation of cancer stem cell phenotypes and mesenchymal-epithelial plasticity. Oncogenesis 2023; 12:30. [PMID: 37237004 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-023-00469-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy remains the mainstay of treatment for patients with advanced liposarcoma (LPS), but response rates are only 25% and the overall survival at 5 years is dismal at 20-34%. Translation of other therapies have not been successful and there has been no significant improvement in prognosis for nearly 20 years. The aberrant activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway has been implicated in the aggressive clinical behavior LPS and in resistance to chemotherapy, but the precise mechanism remains elusive and efforts to target AKT clinically have failed. Here we show that the AKT-mediated phosphorylation of the transcription elongation factor IWS1, promotes the maintenance of cancer stem cells in both cell and xenograft models of LPS. In addition, phosphorylation of IWS1 by AKT contributes to a "metastable" cell phenotype, characterized by mesenchymal/epithelial plasticity. The expression of phosphorylated IWS1 also promotes anchorage-dependent and independent growth, cell migration, invasion, and tumor metastasis. In patients with LPS, IWS1 expression is associated with reduced overall survival, increased frequency of recurrence, and shorter time to relapse after resection. These findings indicate that IWS1-mediated transcription elongation is an important regulator of human LPS pathobiology in an AKT-dependent manner and implicate IWS1 as an important molecular target to treat LPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, James Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Institute of Pathology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongji Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, James Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Alessandro La Ferlita
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, James Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Nipin Sp
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, James Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Marina Goryunova
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, James Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Patricia Sarchet
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, James Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Zhiwei Hu
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, James Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Michael Sorkin
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, James Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Alex Kim
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, James Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Hai Huang
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, James Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Hua Zhu
- Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiac Surgery, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Allan Tsung
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, James Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Raphael E Pollock
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, James Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Joal D Beane
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, James Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
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TRUONG NC, HUYNH NT, PHAM KD, PHAM PV. Roles of cancer stem cells in cancer immune surveillance. MINERVA BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOMOLECULAR RESEARCH 2023. [DOI: 10.23736/s2724-542x.23.02944-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
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Non-Healing Perianal Fistulas: A Clinical Model of Tissue Senescence Impairing Both Tissue Fibrosis and Regenerative Potential. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020537. [PMID: 36831073 PMCID: PMC9953590 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Senescent cells and fibrosis are important components that impact the regenerative capacity of skin, particularly when considering chronic non-healing wounds. Anoderm and perianal fistulas in the setting of Crohn's disease are clinically pathophysiological extremes with consequently different healing processes which impact treatment modalities. This study describes the implications of potential senescence reversing techniques including autologous fat grafting and pharmacologic and immunomodulating agents. Given these findings, the authors propose a future direction of study involving exosomes loaded with senolytics as a method for potentially improving chronic wound healing. In conclusion, this manuscript explores the diversity of skin healing and healing outcomes which supports the future investigation of senotherapeutic agents promoting regenerative processes for non-healing wounds.
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Knani I, Yanku Y, Gross-Cohen M, Ilan N, Vlodavsky I. Heparanase 2 (Hpa2) attenuates the growth of human sarcoma. Matrix Biol 2022; 113:22-38. [PMID: 36122821 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2022.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The pro-tumorigenic properties of heparanase are well documented and established. In contrast, the role of heparanase 2 (Hpa2), a close homolog of heparanase, in cancer is not entirely clear. In carcinomas, Hpa2 is thought to attenuate tumor growth, possibly by inhibiting heparanase enzymatic activity. Here, we examine the role of Hpa2 in sarcoma, a group of rare tumors of mesenchymal origin, accounting for approximately 1% of all malignant tumors. Consistently, we found that overexpression of Hpa2 attenuates tumor growth while Hpa2 gene silencing results in bigger tumors. Mechanistically, attenuation of tumor growth by Hpa2 was associated with increased tumor stress conditions, involving ER stress, hypoxia, and JNK phosphorylation, leading to increased apoptotic cell death. In addition, overexpression of Hpa2 induces the expression of the p53 family member, p63 which, in sarcoma, functions to attenuate tumor growth. Moreover, we show that Hpa2 profoundly reduces stem cell characteristics of the sarcoma cells (stemness), most evident by failure of Hpa2 cells to grow as spheroids typical of stem cells. Likewise, expression of CD44, a well-established stem cell marker, was prominently decreased in Hpa2 cells. CD44 is also a cell surface receptor for hyaluronic acid (HA), a nonsulfated glycosaminoglycan that is enriched in connective tissues. Reduced expression of CD44 by Hpa2 may thus represent impaired cross-talk between Hpa2 and the extracellular matrix. Clinically, we found that Hpa2 is expressed by leiomyosarcoma tumor biopsies. Interestingly, nuclear localization of Hpa2 was associated with low-stage tumors. This finding opens a new direction in Hpa2 research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Knani
- Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yifat Yanku
- Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Miriam Gross-Cohen
- Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Neta Ilan
- Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Israel Vlodavsky
- Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel.
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8
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ISG15 as a prognostic biomarker in solitary fibrous tumour. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:434. [PMID: 35864381 PMCID: PMC9304060 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04454-4] [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: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Background Solitary fibrous tumour (SFT) is a rare mesenchymal malignancy that lacks robust prognostic and predictive biomarkers. Interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) is a ubiquitin-like modifier, associated with tumour progression, and with poor survival of SFT patients, as previous published by our group. Here, we describe the role of ISG15 in the biology of this rare tumour. Methods ISG15 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in tissue microarrays from SFT patients and tested for correlation with progression-free survival and overall survival (OS). The effects of ISG15 knockdown or induction were investigated for cancer stem cell (CSC) characteristics and for drug sensitivity in unique in vitro models of SFT. Results The prognostic value of ISG15 for OS was validated at protein level in malignant SFT patients, prospectively treated with pazopanib and enrolled in GEIS-32 trial. In SFT in vitro models, ISG15 knockdown lead to a decrease in the expression of CSC-related genes, including SOX2, NANOG, ALDH1A1, ABCB1 and ABCC1. Likewise, ISG15 downregulation decreased the clonogenic/ tumoursphere-forming ability of SFT cells, while enhancing apoptotic cell death after doxorubicin, pazopanib or trabectedin treatment in 3D cell cultures. The regulation of CSC-related genes by ISG15 was confirmed after inducing its expression with interferon-β1; ISG15 induction upregulated 1.28- to 451-fold the expression of CSC-associated genes. Conclusions ISG15 is a prognostic factor in malignant SFT, regulating the expression of CSC-related genes and CSCs maintenance. Our results suggest that ISG15 could be a novel therapeutic target in SFT, which could improve the efficacy of the currently available treatments. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00018-022-04454-4.
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Fernández-Tabanera E, Melero-Fernández de Mera RM, Alonso J. CD44 In Sarcomas: A Comprehensive Review and Future Perspectives. Front Oncol 2022; 12:909450. [PMID: 35785191 PMCID: PMC9247467 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.909450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
It is widely accepted that the tumor microenvironment, particularly the extracellular matrix, plays an essential role in the development of tumors through the interaction with specific protein-membrane receptors. One of the most relevant proteins in this context is the transmembrane protein CD44. The role of CD44 in tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis has been well established in many cancers, although a comprehensive review concerning its role in sarcomas has not been published. CD44 is overexpressed in most sarcomas and several in vitro and in vivo experiments have shown a direct effect on tumor progression, dissemination, and drug resistance. Moreover, CD44 has been revealed as a useful marker for prognostic and diagnostic (CD44v6 isoform) in osteosarcoma. Besides, some innovative treatments such as HA-functionalized liposomes therapy have become an excellent CD44-mediated intracellular delivery system for osteosarcoma. Unfortunately, the reduced number of studies deciphering the prognostic/diagnostic value of CD44 in other sarcoma subgroups, neither than osteosarcoma, in addition to the low number of patients involved in those studies, have produced inconclusive results. In this review, we have gone through the information available on the role of CD44 in the development, maintenance, and progression of sarcomas, analyzing their implications at the prognostic, therapeutic, and mechanistic levels. Moreover, we illustrate how research involving the specific role of CD44 in the different sarcoma subgroups could suppose a chance to advance towards a more innovative perspective for novel therapies and future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Fernández-Tabanera
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras (IIER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (U758; CB06/07/1009; CIBERER-ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel M. Melero-Fernández de Mera
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras (IIER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (U758; CB06/07/1009; CIBERER-ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Alonso
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras (IIER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (U758; CB06/07/1009; CIBERER-ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Javier Alonso,
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10
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Dolatabadi S, Jonasson E, Andersson L, Luna Santamaría M, Lindén M, Österlund T, Åman P, Ståhlberg A. FUS-DDIT3 Fusion Oncoprotein Expression Affects JAK-STAT Signaling in Myxoid Liposarcoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:816894. [PMID: 35186752 PMCID: PMC8851354 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.816894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Myxoid liposarcoma is one of the most common sarcoma entities characterized by FET fusion oncogenes. Despite a generally favorable prognosis of myxoid liposarcoma, chemotherapy resistance remains a clinical problem. This cancer stem cell property is associated with JAK-STAT signaling, but the link to the myxoid-liposarcoma-specific FET fusion oncogene FUS-DDIT3 is not known. Here, we show that ectopic expression of FUS-DDIT3 resulted in elevated levels of STAT3 and phosphorylated STAT3. RNA sequencing identified 126 genes that were regulated by both FUS-DDIT3 expression and JAK1/2 inhibition using ruxolitinib. Sixty-six of these genes were connected in a protein interaction network. Fifty-three and 29 of these genes were confirmed as FUS-DDIT3 and STAT3 targets, respectively, using public chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing data sets. Enriched gene sets among the 126 regulated genes included processes related to cytokine signaling, adipocytokine signaling, and chromatin remodeling. We validated CD44 as a target gene of JAK1/2 inhibition and as a potential cancer stem cell marker in myxoid liposarcoma. Finally, we showed that FUS-DDIT3 interacted with phosphorylated STAT3 in association with subunits of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex and PRC2 repressive complex. Our data show that the function of FUS-DDIT3 is closely connected to JAK-STAT signaling. Detailed deciphering of molecular mechanisms behind tumor progression opens up new avenues for targeted therapies in sarcomas and leukemia characterized by FET fusion oncogenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soheila Dolatabadi
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Emma Jonasson
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lisa Andersson
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Manuel Luna Santamaría
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Malin Lindén
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Tobias Österlund
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Region Västra Götaland, Department of Clinical Genetics and Genomics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Pierre Åman
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anders Ståhlberg
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Region Västra Götaland, Department of Clinical Genetics and Genomics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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11
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Watson S. [New data on the molecular biology of soft tissue sarcoma]. Bull Cancer 2021; 108:654-667. [PMID: 33985762 DOI: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2021.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Sarcoma consists in a group of rare malignant tumours of mesenchymal origin characterized by their vast clinical, pathological and biological heterogeneity. The pathological diagnosis of sarcoma relies classically of the differentiation features of tumour cells, with dozens of different tumour subtypes described in the last international classifications. Over the last decades, the advances in the development of new techniques of molecular biology have led to a major complexification of sarcoma classification, with the identification of multiple and specific molecular alterations that have led to significant changes for patients diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic management. This review aims at giving an overview on the current knowledge of the molecular biology of soft tissue sarcoma, and emphasizes on their consequences for the daily management of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Watson
- Institut Curie, département d'oncologie médicale, Inserm U830, 26, rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France.
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12
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Zając A, Król SK, Rutkowski P, Czarnecka AM. Biological Heterogeneity of Chondrosarcoma: From (Epi) Genetics through Stemness and Deregulated Signaling to Immunophenotype. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1317. [PMID: 33804155 PMCID: PMC8001927 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chondrosarcoma (ChS) is a primary malignant bone tumor. Due to its heterogeneity in clinical outcomes and resistance to chemo- and radiotherapies, there is a need to develop new potential therapies and molecular targets of drugs. Many genes and pathways are involved in in ChS progression. The most frequently mutated genes are isocitrate dehydrogenase ½ (IDH1/2), collagen type II alpha 1 chain (COL2A1), and TP53. Besides the point mutations in ChS, chromosomal aberrations, such as 12q13 (MDM2) amplification, the loss of 9p21 (CDKN21/p16/INK4A and INK4A-p14ARF), and several gene fusions, commonly occurring in sarcomas, have been found. ChS involves the hypermethylation of histone H3 and the decreased methylation of some transcription factors. In ChS progression, changes in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K-AKT-mTOR) and hedgehog pathways are known to play a role in tumor growth and chondrocyte proliferation. Due to recent discoveries regarding the potential of immunotherapy in many cancers, in this review we summarize the current state of knowledge concerning cellular markers of ChS and tumor-associated immune cells. This review compares the latest discoveries in ChS biology from gene alterations to specific cellular markers, including advanced molecular pathways and tumor microenvironment, which can help in discovering new potential checkpoints in inhibitory therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Zając
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland; (A.Z.); (P.R.)
| | - Sylwia K. Król
- Department of Molecular and Translational Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Piotr Rutkowski
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland; (A.Z.); (P.R.)
| | - Anna M. Czarnecka
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland; (A.Z.); (P.R.)
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-176 Warsaw, Poland
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Establishment and Characterization of a Sclerosing Spindle Cell Rhabdomyosarcoma Cell Line with a Complex Genomic Profile. Cells 2020; 9:cells9122668. [PMID: 33322555 PMCID: PMC7763666 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Sclerosing spindle cell rhabdomyosarcoma (SSRMS) is a rare rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) subtype. Especially cases bearing a myogenic differentiation 1 (MYOD1) mutation are characterized by a high recurrence and metastasis rate, often leading to a fatal outcome. SSRMS cell lines are valuable in vitro models for studying disease mechanisms and for the preclinical evaluation of new therapeutic approaches. In this study, a cell line established from a primary SSRMS tumor of a 24-year-old female after multimodal chemotherapeutic pretreatment has been characterized in detail, including immunohistochemistry, growth characteristics, cytogenetic analysis, mutation analysis, evaluation of stem cell marker expression, differentiation potential, and tumorigenicity in mice. The cell line which was designated SRH exhibited a complex genomic profile, including several translocations and deletions. Array-comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) revealed an overall predominating loss of gene loci. The mesenchymal tumor origin was underlined by the expression of mesenchymal markers and potential to undergo adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation. Despite myogenic marker expression, terminal myogenic differentiation was inhibited, which might be elicited by the MYOD1 hotspot mutation. In vivo tumorigenicity could be confirmed after subcutaneous injection into NOD/SCID/γcnull mice. Summarized, the SRH cell line is the first adult SSRMS cell line available for preclinical research on this rare RMS subtype.
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