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Hirbe AC, Dehner CA, Dombi E, Eulo V, Gross AM, Sundby T, Lazar AJ, Widemann BC. Contemporary Approach to Neurofibromatosis Type 1-Associated Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2024; 44:e432242. [PMID: 38710002 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_432242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Most malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are clinically aggressive high-grade sarcomas, arising in individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) at a significantly elevated estimated lifetime frequency of 8%-13%. In the setting of NF1, MPNSTs arise from malignant transformation of benign plexiform neurofibroma and borderline atypical neurofibromas. Composed of neoplastic cells from the Schwannian lineage, these cancers recur in approximately 50% of individuals, and most patients die within five years of diagnosis, despite surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy. Treatment for metastatic disease is limited to cytotoxic chemotherapy and investigational clinical trials. In this article, we review the pathophysiology of this aggressive cancer and current approaches to surveillance and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela C Hirbe
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Siteman Cancer Center, Barnes Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO
| | - Carina A Dehner
- Department of Anatomic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Eva Dombi
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Vanessa Eulo
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL
| | - Andrea M Gross
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Taylor Sundby
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Alexander J Lazar
- Departments of Pathology & Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Brigitte C Widemann
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
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Brown R. Management of Central and Peripheral Nervous System Tumors in Patients with Neurofibromatosis. Curr Oncol Rep 2023; 25:1409-1417. [PMID: 37906356 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-023-01451-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type I (NF1), neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), and schwannomatosis represent a diverse group of genetic tumor predisposition syndromes with a shared feature of tumors affecting the peripheral nerve sheaths. PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Many advancements have been made in understanding the biologic underpinnings of these conditions, and in 2016 the first drug was approved by the FDA to treat pediatric symptomatic unresectable plexiform neurofibromas. RECENT FINDINGS: Mek inhibitors have provided a much-needed therapeutic avenue for NF1 patients with unresectable plexiform neurofibromas (PN), both for reduction of tumor bulk and for improvement in symptoms. Selumetinib is the first FDA approved drug for PN, but is only approved for children. Some research suggests that alternative Mek inhibitors and other mixed tyrosine kinase inhibitors may have better efficacy in adults. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor bevacizumab can prolong hearing and delay the need for surgery in NF2 patients with bilateral vestibular schwannomas. This article provides an update regarding considerations and approaches when treating the tumors associated with the neurofibromatoses (NF), including risk and prognosis metrics, clinical trial results, surgical techniques, and radiation therapy recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Brown
- Division of Neuro-Oncology, The Mount Sinai Hospital, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1138, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
- Director of the Neurofibromatosis Clinic at Mount Sinai, 1468 Madison Avenue Annenberg Building, 2nd FL, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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González-Muñoz T, Di Giannatale A, García-Silva S, Santos V, Sánchez-Redondo S, Savini C, Graña-Castro O, Blanco-Aparicio C, Fischer S, De Wever O, Creus-Bachiller E, Ortega-Bertran S, Pisapia DJ, Rodríguez-Peralto JL, Fernández-Rodríguez J, Pérez-Portabella CR, Alaggio R, Benassi MS, Pazzaglia L, Scotlandi K, Ratner N, Yohay K, Theuer CP, Peinado H. Endoglin, a Novel Biomarker and Therapeutical Target to Prevent Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Growth and Metastasis. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:3744-3758. [PMID: 37432984 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-2462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are highly aggressive soft-tissue sarcomas that lack effective treatments, underscoring the urgent need to uncover novel mediators of MPNST pathogenesis that may serve as potential therapeutic targets. Tumor angiogenesis is considered a critical event in MPNST transformation and progression. Here, we have investigated whether endoglin (ENG), a TGFβ coreceptor with a crucial role in angiogenesis, could be a novel therapeutic target in MPNSTs. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN ENG expression was evaluated in human peripheral nerve sheath tumor tissues and plasma samples. Effects of tumor cell-specific ENG expression on gene expression, signaling pathway activation and in vivo MPNST growth and metastasis, were investigated. The efficacy of ENG targeting in monotherapy or in combination with MEK inhibition was analyzed in xenograft models. RESULTS ENG expression was found to be upregulated in both human MPNST tumor tissues and plasma-circulating small extracellular vesicles. We demonstrated that ENG modulates Smad1/5 and MAPK/ERK pathway activation and pro-angiogenic and pro-metastatic gene expression in MPNST cells and plays an active role in tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Targeting with ENG-neutralizing antibodies (TRC105/M1043) decreased MPNST growth and metastasis in xenograft models by reducing tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Moreover, combination of anti-ENG therapy with MEK inhibition effectively reduced tumor cell growth and angiogenesis. CONCLUSIONS Our data unveil a tumor-promoting function of ENG in MPNSTs and support the use of this protein as a novel biomarker and a promising therapeutic target for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa González-Muñoz
- Microenvironment and Metastasis Laboratory, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Angela Di Giannatale
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Susana García-Silva
- Microenvironment and Metastasis Laboratory, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Vanesa Santos
- Microenvironment and Metastasis Laboratory, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Sánchez-Redondo
- Microenvironment and Metastasis Laboratory, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Claudia Savini
- Microenvironment and Metastasis Laboratory, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- Patients in Science, Medical Writing and Communication, Valencia, Spain
| | - Osvaldo Graña-Castro
- Bioinformatics Unit, Structural Biology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Blanco-Aparicio
- Experimental Therapeutics Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Suzanne Fischer
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Olivier De Wever
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Edgar Creus-Bachiller
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Program in Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology (Oncobell), IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sara Ortega-Bertran
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Program in Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology (Oncobell), IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David J Pisapia
- Englander Institute of Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Jose L Rodríguez-Peralto
- Department of Dermatology, 12 de Octubre University Hospital, Complutense University of Madrid, Investigation institute I+12, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juana Fernández-Rodríguez
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Program in Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology (Oncobell), IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Plataforma Mouse Lab, Servicios Científico-Técnicos, IDIBELL, l'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Rita Alaggio
- Pathology Unit, Department of Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Serena Benassi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Pazzaglia
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Katia Scotlandi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Nancy Ratner
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Kaleb Yohay
- New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | | | - Héctor Peinado
- Microenvironment and Metastasis Laboratory, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
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Giraud JS, Bièche I, Pasmant É, Tlemsani C. NF1 alterations in cancers: therapeutic implications in precision medicine. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2023; 32:941-957. [PMID: 37747491 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2023.2263836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION NF1 is a tumor suppressor gene encoding neurofibromin, an inhibitor of the RAS/MAPK and PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathways. NF1 germline pathogenic variants cause the tumor predisposition syndrome neurofibromatosis type 1. Targeted therapies (MEK inhibitors) have been approved for benign nerve sheath tumors in neurofibromatosis type 1 patients. NF1 somatic alterations are present in ~5% of all human sporadic cancers. In melanomas, acute myeloid leukemias and lung adenocarcinomas, the NF1 somatic alteration frequency is higher (~15%). However, to date, the therapeutic impact of NF1 somatic alterations is poorly investigated. AREAS COVERED This review presents a comprehensive overview of targeted therapies and immunotherapies currently developed and evaluated in vitro and in vivo for NF1-altered cancer treatment. A PubMed database literature review was performed to select relevant original articles. Active clinical trials were researched in ClinicalTrials.gov database in August 2022. TCGA and HGMD® databases were consulted. EXPERT OPINION This review highlights the need to better understand the molecular mechanisms of NF1-altered tumors and the development of innovative strategies to effectively target NF1-loss in human cancers. One of the current major challenges in cancer management is the targeting of tumor suppressor genes such as NF1 gene. Currently, most studies are focusing on inhibitors of the RAS/MAPK and PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathways and immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Stéphane Giraud
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université Paris Cité, CARPEM, Paris, France
| | - Ivan Bièche
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université Paris Cité, CARPEM, Paris, France
- Genetic Department, Curie Institute, Paris, France
| | - Éric Pasmant
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université Paris Cité, CARPEM, Paris, France
- Genetic Department, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP.Centre-Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Camille Tlemsani
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université Paris Cité, CARPEM, Paris, France
- Oncology Department, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP.Centre-Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
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Pellerino A, Verdijk RM, Nichelli L, Andratschke NH, Idbaih A, Goldbrunner R. Diagnosis and Treatment of Peripheral and Cranial Nerve Tumors with Expert Recommendations: An EUropean Network for RAre CANcers (EURACAN) Initiative. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15071930. [PMID: 37046591 PMCID: PMC10093509 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15071930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The 2021 WHO classification of the CNS Tumors identifies as "Peripheral nerve sheath tumors" (PNST) some entities with specific clinical and anatomical characteristics, histological and molecular markers, imaging findings, and aggressiveness. The Task Force has reviewed the evidence of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, which is particularly low due to the rarity, and drawn recommendations accordingly. Tumor diagnosis is primarily based on hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections and immunohistochemistry. Molecular analysis is not essential to establish the histological nature of these tumors, although genetic analyses on DNA extracted from PNST (neurofibromas/schwannomas) is required to diagnose mosaic forms of NF1 and SPS. MRI is the gold-standard to delineate the extension with respect to adjacent structures. Gross-total resection is the first choice, and can be curative in benign lesions; however, the extent of resection must be balanced with preservation of nerve functioning. Radiotherapy can be omitted in benign tumors after complete resection and in NF-related tumors, due to the theoretic risk of secondary malignancies in a tumor-suppressor syndrome. Systemic therapy should be considered in incomplete resected plexiform neurofibromas/MPNSTs. MEK inhibitor selumetinib can be used in NF1 children ≥2 years with inoperable/symptomatic plexiform neurofibromas, while anthracycline-based treatment is the first choice for unresectable/locally advanced/metastatic MPNST. Clinical trials on other MEK1-2 inhibitors alone or in combination with mTOR inhibitors are under investigation in plexiform neurofibromas and MPNST, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Pellerino
- Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University and City of Health and Science Hospital, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Robert M Verdijk
- Department of Pathology, Section Ophthalmic Pathology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lucia Nichelli
- Department of Neuroradiology, Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 75610 Paris, France
- Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière-Charles Foix, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Nicolaus H Andratschke
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ahmed Idbaih
- AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires La Pitié Salpêtrière-Charles Foix, Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
- Inserm, CNRS, UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau-Paris Brain Institute, 75013 Paris, France
- ICM, Service de Neurologie 2-Mazarin, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Roland Goldbrunner
- Center for Neurosurgery, Department of General Neurosurgery, University of Cologne, 50923 Cologne, Germany
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Kunisada T, Nakata E, Fujiwara T, Hosono A, Takihira S, Kondo H, Ozaki T. Soft-tissue sarcoma in adolescents and young adults. Int J Clin Oncol 2023; 28:1-11. [PMID: 35084598 DOI: 10.1007/s10147-022-02119-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Soft-tissue sarcoma is a rare cancer that accounts for approximately 1% of all malignant tumors. Although they occur in various age groups, soft-tissue sarcomas account for 8% of all malignant tumors developing in adolescents and young adults, suggesting that they are not rare in this age group. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and pathological characteristics of soft-tissue sarcoma in adolescents and young adults. According to the Bone and Soft-Tissue Tumor Registry in Japan, myxoid liposarcoma is the most common type of soft-tissue sarcoma found in adolescents and young adults; alveolar soft part sarcoma, extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma, epithelioid sarcoma, clear cell sarcoma and synovial sarcoma occur predominantly in this age group among soft-tissue sarcomas. The analysis based on this registry demonstrated that age was not a prognostic factor for poor survival of soft-tissue sarcoma, although the prognosis in adolescents and young adults was better than that in older patients in the US and Scandinavia. Adolescent and young adult patients with soft-tissue sarcoma have age-specific problems, and a multidisciplinary approach to physical, psychological, and social issues is necessary to improve the management of these young patients both during and after treatment.
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7
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Kyriazoglou A, Jespers P, Vandecavaye V, Mir O, Kasper B, Papai Z, Blay JY, Italiano A, Zaffaroni F, Litière S, Nzokirantevye A, Schöffski P. Exploratory analysis of tumor imaging in a Phase 2 trial with cabozantinib in gastrointestinal stromal tumor: lessons learned from study EORTC STBSG 1317 'CaboGIST'. Acta Oncol 2022; 61:663-668. [PMID: 35481400 DOI: 10.1080/0284186x.2022.2068967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are malignant mesenchymal tumors arising in the gastrointestinal tract. Their systemic treatment is based on the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) with imatinib, sunitinib, and regorafenib being the preferred agents. Assessment of tumor response to TKI treatment in GISTs is traditionally done according the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), while Choi criteria have also been proposed as alternative tool assessing both volumetric and density changes on computer tomography (CT) scans. EORTC STBSG 1317 'CaboGIST' was a single-arm prospective Phase 2 trial which met its primary endpoint, as 60% of patients previously treated with imatinib and sunitinib were progression-free at 12 weeks (95% CI 45-74%) based on local RECIST assessment. MATERIALS AND METHODS We report here an exploratory analysis of local versus central RECIST version 1.1 assessment and a comparison of RECIST version 1.1 versus Choi criteria. RESULTS Comparisons between local and central RECIST version 1.1 at week 12 revealed discrepancies in 17/43 evaluable cases (39.5%). When comparing Choi with local and central RECIST version 1.1, discrepancies were observed in 27/43 (62.8%) and 21/43 (48.8%) cases, respectively. A total of 68% of evaluable patients were progression-free and alive at week 12 based on local RECIST, 84% according to central RECIST analysis and 81% when applying Choi criteria. Central assessment upgraded the treatment response both with RECIST version 1.1 and Choi. CONCLUSIONS The results of this exploratory analysis support the conclusion that cabozantinib is active in patients with metastatic or recurrent GIST after treatment with imatinib and sunitinib and confirm once again the limitations of RECIST to capture response to TKI in GIST, and the importance to include density changes in the response evaluation in this setting. Clinical trial number: EORTC 1317, NCT02216578.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasios Kyriazoglou
- Department of General Medical Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven Cancer Institute, Leuven, Belgium
- Second Propaedeutic Department of Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Pieter Jespers
- European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Vincent Vandecavaye
- Department of Radiology, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Olivier Mir
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Bernd Kasper
- Mannheim University Medical Center, Mannheim Cancer Center (MCC), University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | | | - Jean-Yves Blay
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard & Université Claude Bernard Lyon I, Lyon, France
| | | | - Facundo Zaffaroni
- European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Saskia Litière
- European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Patrick Schöffski
- Second Propaedeutic Department of Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Gonzalez-Muñoz T, Kim A, Ratner N, Peinado H. The need for new treatments targeting MPNST: the potential of strategies combining MEK inhibitors with antiangiogenic agents. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:3185-3195. [PMID: 35446392 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-3760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors (MPNSTs) are aggressive soft tissue sarcomas that represent an important clinical challenge, particularly given their strong tendency to relapse and metastasize, and their relatively poor response to conventional therapies. To date, targeted, non-cytotoxic treatments have demonstrated limited clinical success with MPNSTs, highlighting the need to explore other key pathways in order to find novel, improved therapeutic approaches. Here, we review evidence supporting the crucial role of the RAS/MEK/ERK pathway and angiogenesis in MPNST pathogenesis, and we focus on the potential of therapies targeting these pathways to treat this disease. We also present works suggesting that the combination of MEK inhibitors and anti-angiogenic agents could represent a promising therapeutic strategy to manage MPNSTs. In support of this notion, we discuss the preclinical rational and clinical benefits of this combination therapy in other solid tumor types. Finally, we describe other emerging therapeutic approaches that could improve patient outcomes in MPNSTs, such as immune-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - AeRang Kim
- Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Nancy Ratner
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Héctor Peinado
- Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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9
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Newell C, Chalil A, Langdon KD, Karapetyan V, Hebb MO, Siddiqi F, Staudt MD. Cranial nerve and intramedullary spinal malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor associated with neurofibromatosis-1. Surg Neurol Int 2021; 12:630. [PMID: 35350820 PMCID: PMC8942193 DOI: 10.25259/sni_595_2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are uncommon but aggressive neoplasms associated with radiation exposure and neurofibromatosis Type I (NF1). Their incidence is low compared to other nervous system cancers, and intramedullary spinal lesions are exceedingly rare. Only a few case reports have described intramedullary spinal cord MPNST. Case Description: We describe the clinical findings, management, and outcome of a young patient with NF1 who developed aggressive cranial nerve and spinal MPNST tumors. This 35-year-old patient had familial NF1 and a history of optic glioma treated with radiation therapy (RT). She developed a trigeminal MPNST that was resected and treated with RT. Four years later, she developed bilateral lower extremity deficits related to an intramedullary cervical spine tumor, treated surgically, and found to be a second MPNST. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of cranial nerve and intramedullary spinal MPNSTs manifesting in a single patient, and only the third report of a confined intramedullary spinal MPNST. This unusual case is discussed in the context of a contemporary literature review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Newell
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada,
- Department of Pathology, Alberta Health Services, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, USA
| | - Alan Chalil
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada,
| | - Kristopher D. Langdon
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada,
- Department of Pathology, Alberta Health Services, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, USA
| | - Vahagn Karapetyan
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada,
| | - Matthew O. Hebb
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada,
| | - Fawaz Siddiqi
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada,
| | - Michael D. Staudt
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada,
- Department of Neurosurgery, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, USA
- Michigan Head and Spine Institute, Southfield, Michigan, USA
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Montella L, Altucci L, Sarno F, Buonerba C, De Simone S, Facchini BA, Franzese E, De Vita F, Tafuto S, Berretta M, Facchini G. Toward a Personalized Therapy in Soft-Tissue Sarcomas: State of the Art and Future Directions. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2359. [PMID: 34068344 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13102359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Soft-tissue sarcomas are rare tumors characterized by pathogenetic, morphological, and clinical intrinsic variability. Median survival of patients with advanced tumors are usually chemo- and radio-resistant, and standard treatments yield low response rates and poor survival results. The identification of defined genomic alterations in sarcoma could represent the premise for targeted treatments. Summarizing, soft-tissue sarcomas can be differentiated into histotypes with reciprocal chromosomal translocations, with defined oncogenic mutations and complex karyotypes. If the latter are improbably approached with targeted treatments, many suggest that innovative therapies interfering with the identified fusion oncoproteins and altered pathways could be potentially resolutive. In most cases, the characteristic genetic signature is discouragingly defined as "undruggable", which poses a challenge for the development of novel pharmacological approaches. In this review, a summary of genomic alterations recognized in most common soft-tissue sarcoma is reported together with current and future therapeutic opportunities.
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