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Brandi G, Relli V, Deserti M, Palloni A, Indio V, Astolfi A, Serravalle S, Mattiaccio A, Vasuri F, Malvi D, Deiana C, Pantaleo MA, Cescon M, Rizzo A, Katoh M, Tavolari S. Activated FGFR2 signalling as a biomarker for selection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients candidate to FGFR targeted therapies. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3136. [PMID: 38326380 PMCID: PMC10850506 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52991-8] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
FGFR inhibitors have been developed to inhibit FGFR activation and signal transduction; notwithstanding, currently the selection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) patients for these drugs only relies on the detection of FGFR2 genetic alterations (GAs) in tumor tissues or circulating tumor DNAs, without concomitant assessment of FGFR2 signalling status. Accordingly, we performed multi-omic analyses of FGFR2 genes and FGFR2 signalling molecules in the tissue samples from 36 iCCA naïve patients. Gain-of-function FGFR2 GAs were detected in 7 patients, including missense mutations (n = 3; p.F276C, p.C382R and p.Y375C), translocations (n = 1) and copy number gain (n = 4; CNV ≥ 4). In contrast, among 29 patients with wild-type FGFR2, 4 cases showed activation of FGFR2 signalling, as they expressed the FGFR2 ligand FGF10 and phosphorylated FGFR2/FRS2α proteins; the remaining 25 cases resulted negative for activated FGFR2 signalling, as they lacked FGFR2 (n = 8) or phosphorylated FRS2α (n = 17) expression. Overall, we found that activation of FGFR2 signalling occurs not only in iCCA naïve patients with FGFR2 GAs, but also in a subgroup carrying wild-type FGFR2. This last finding entails that also this setting of patients could benefit from FGFR targeted therapies, widening indication of these drugs for iCCA patients beyond current approval. Future clinical studies are therefore encouraged to confirm this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Brandi
- Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Valeria Relli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marzia Deserti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Palloni
- Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Indio
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Salvatore Serravalle
- Division of Pediatrics, IRCCS-Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Vasuri
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Deborah Malvi
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Deiana
- Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Abbondanza Pantaleo
- Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Cescon
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- General Surgery and Transplant Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Masaru Katoh
- M & M Precision Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Omics Network, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Simona Tavolari
- Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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2
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Bozzarelli I, Orsini A, Isidori F, Mastracci L, Malvi D, Lugaresi M, Fittipaldi S, Gozzellino L, Astolfi A, Räsänen J, D’Errico A, Rosati R, Fiocca R, Seri M, Krishnadath KK, Bonora E, Mattioli S. miRNA-221 and miRNA-483-3p Dysregulation in Esophageal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:591. [PMID: 38339342 PMCID: PMC10854562 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030591] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Alterations in microRNA (miRNA) expression have been reported in different cancers. We assessed the expression of 754 oncology-related miRNAs in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) samples and evaluated their correlations with clinical parameters. We found that miR-221 and 483-3p were consistently upregulated in EAC patients vs. controls (Wilcoxon signed-rank test: miR-221 p < 0.0001; miR-483-3p p < 0.0001). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed worse cancer-related survival among all EAC patients expressing high miR-221 or miR-483-3p levels (log-rank p = 0.0025 and p = 0.0235, respectively). Higher miR-221 or miR-483-3p levels also correlated with advanced tumor stages (Mann-Whitney p = 0.0195 and p = 0.0085, respectively), and overexpression of miR-221 was associated with worse survival in low-risk EAC patients. Moreover, a significantly worse outcome was associated with the combined overexpression of miR-221 and miR-483-3p (log-rank p = 0.0410). To identify target genes affected by miRNA overexpression, we transfected the corresponding mimic RNA (miRVANA) for either miR-221 or miR-483-3p in a well-characterized esophageal adenocarcinoma cell line (OE19) and performed RNA-seq analysis. In the miRNA-overexpressing cells, we discovered a convergent dysregulation of genes linked to apoptosis, ATP synthesis, angiogenesis, and cancer progression, including a long non-coding RNA associated with oncogenesis, i.e., MALAT1. In conclusion, dysregulated miRNA expression, especially overexpression of miR-221 and 483-3p, was found in EAC samples. These alterations were connected with a lower cancer-specific patient survival, suggesting that these miRNAs could be useful for patient stratification and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isotta Bozzarelli
- Gastrointestinal Genetics Lab, CIC bioGUNE—BRTA, 48160 Derio, Spain;
| | - Arianna Orsini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy (L.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Federica Isidori
- Dipartimento di Genetica Medica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero–Universitaria di Bologna, University of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (F.I.); (D.M.); (M.L.); (S.F.); (A.D.)
| | - Luca Mastracci
- Pathology Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, 16100 Genoa, Italy; (L.M.); (R.F.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16100 Genoa, Italy
| | - Deborah Malvi
- Dipartimento di Genetica Medica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero–Universitaria di Bologna, University of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (F.I.); (D.M.); (M.L.); (S.F.); (A.D.)
- Institute of Oncology and Transplant Pathology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Marialuisa Lugaresi
- Dipartimento di Genetica Medica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero–Universitaria di Bologna, University of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (F.I.); (D.M.); (M.L.); (S.F.); (A.D.)
| | - Silvia Fittipaldi
- Dipartimento di Genetica Medica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero–Universitaria di Bologna, University of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (F.I.); (D.M.); (M.L.); (S.F.); (A.D.)
| | - Livia Gozzellino
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy (L.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy (L.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Jari Räsänen
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00100 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Antonia D’Errico
- Dipartimento di Genetica Medica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero–Universitaria di Bologna, University of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (F.I.); (D.M.); (M.L.); (S.F.); (A.D.)
- Institute of Oncology and Transplant Pathology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Riccardo Rosati
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, San Raffaele Hospital, Vita–Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Roberto Fiocca
- Pathology Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, 16100 Genoa, Italy; (L.M.); (R.F.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16100 Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Seri
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy (L.G.); (M.S.)
- Dipartimento di Genetica Medica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero–Universitaria di Bologna, University of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (F.I.); (D.M.); (M.L.); (S.F.); (A.D.)
| | - Kausilia K. Krishnadath
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP), Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Antwerp, University of Antwerp, 2180 Antwerp, Belgium;
| | - Elena Bonora
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy (L.G.); (M.S.)
- Dipartimento di Genetica Medica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero–Universitaria di Bologna, University of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (F.I.); (D.M.); (M.L.); (S.F.); (A.D.)
| | - Sandro Mattioli
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Maria Cecilia Hospital, 48010 Cotignola, Italy;
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Gozzellino L, Nannini M, Urbini M, Pizzi C, Leone O, Corti B, Baldovini C, Angeli F, Foà A, Pacini D, Folesani G, Costa A, Palumbo T, Nigro MC, Pasquinelli G, Astolfi A, Pantaleo MA. Genomic Landscape Comparison of Cardiac versus Extra-Cardiac Angiosarcomas. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3290. [PMID: 38137511 PMCID: PMC10741871 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11123290] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiosarcomas (ASs) are rare malignant vascular entities that can affect several regions in our body, including the heart. Cardiac ASs comprise 25-40% of cardiac sarcomas and can cause death within months of diagnosis. Thus, our aim was to identify potential differences and/or similarities between cardiac and extra-cardiac ASs to enhance targeted therapies and, consequently, patients' prognosis. Whole-transcriptome analysis of three cardiac and eleven extra-cardiac non-cutaneous samples was performed to investigate differential gene expression and mutational events between the two groups. The gene signature of cardiac and extra-cardiac non-cutaneous ASs was also compared to that of cutaneous angiosarcomas (n = 9). H/N/K-RAS and TP53 alterations were more recurrent in extra-cardiac ASs, while POTE-gene family overexpression was peculiar to cardiac ASs. Additionally, in vitro functional analyses showed that POTEH upregulation conferred a growth advantage to recipient cells, partly supporting the cardiac AS aggressive phenotype and patients' scarce survival rate. These features should be considered when investigating alternative treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Gozzellino
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (L.G.); (M.N.); (F.A.); (M.C.N.); (M.A.P.)
| | - Margherita Nannini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (L.G.); (M.N.); (F.A.); (M.C.N.); (M.A.P.)
- Division of Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Milena Urbini
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy;
| | - Carmine Pizzi
- Unit of Cardiology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (C.P.); (A.F.)
| | - Ornella Leone
- Division of Pathology, Cardiovascular and Cardiac Transplant Pathology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (O.L.); (B.C.); (C.B.)
| | - Barbara Corti
- Division of Pathology, Cardiovascular and Cardiac Transplant Pathology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (O.L.); (B.C.); (C.B.)
| | - Chiara Baldovini
- Division of Pathology, Cardiovascular and Cardiac Transplant Pathology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (O.L.); (B.C.); (C.B.)
| | - Francesco Angeli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (L.G.); (M.N.); (F.A.); (M.C.N.); (M.A.P.)
| | - Alberto Foà
- Unit of Cardiology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (C.P.); (A.F.)
| | - Davide Pacini
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (D.P.); (G.F.)
| | - Gianluca Folesani
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (D.P.); (G.F.)
| | - Alice Costa
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Teresa Palumbo
- Interdepartmental Center Alma Mater Institute on Healthy Planet, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Maria Concetta Nigro
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (L.G.); (M.N.); (F.A.); (M.C.N.); (M.A.P.)
| | - Gianandrea Pasquinelli
- Division of Pathology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (L.G.); (M.N.); (F.A.); (M.C.N.); (M.A.P.)
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Maria Abbondanza Pantaleo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (L.G.); (M.N.); (F.A.); (M.C.N.); (M.A.P.)
- Division of Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
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Costa A, Gozzellino L, Nannini M, Astolfi A, Pantaleo MA, Pasquinelli G. Preclinical Models of Visceral Sarcomas. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1624. [PMID: 38002306 PMCID: PMC10669128 DOI: 10.3390/biom13111624] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Visceral sarcomas are a rare malignant subgroup of soft tissue sarcomas (STSs). STSs, accounting for 1% of all adult tumors, are derived from mesenchymal tissues and exhibit a wide heterogeneity. Their rarity and the high number of histotypes hinder the understanding of tumor development mechanisms and negatively influence clinical outcomes and treatment approaches. Although some STSs (~20%) have identifiable genetic markers, as specific mutations or translocations, most are characterized by complex genomic profiles. Thus, identification of new therapeutic targets and development of personalized therapies are urgent clinical needs. Although cell lines are useful for preclinical investigations, more reliable preclinical models are required to develop and test new potential therapies. Here, we provide an overview of the available in vitro and in vivo models of visceral sarcomas, whose gene signatures are still not well characterized, to highlight current challenges and provide insights for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Costa
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Livia Gozzellino
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Margherita Nannini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Division of Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Abbondanza Pantaleo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Division of Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Gianandrea Pasquinelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Division of Pathology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
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Messelodi D, Strocchi S, Bertuccio SN, Baden P, Indio V, Giorgi FM, Taddia A, Serravalle S, Valente S, di Fonzo A, Frattini E, Bernardoni R, Pession A, Grifoni D, Deleidi M, Astolfi A, Pession A. Neuronopathic Gaucher disease models reveal defects in cell growth promoted by Hippo pathway activation. Commun Biol 2023; 6:431. [PMID: 37076591 PMCID: PMC10115838 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04813-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Gaucher Disease (GD), the most common lysosomal disorder, arises from mutations in the GBA1 gene and is characterized by a wide spectrum of phenotypes, ranging from mild hematological and visceral involvement to severe neurological disease. Neuronopathic patients display dramatic neuronal loss and increased neuroinflammation, whose molecular basis are still unclear. Using a combination of Drosophila dGBA1b loss-of-function models and GD patient-derived iPSCs differentiated towards neuronal precursors and mature neurons we showed that different GD- tissues and neuronal cells display an impairment of growth mechanisms with an increased cell death and reduced proliferation. These phenotypes are coupled with the downregulation of several Hippo transcriptional targets, mainly involved in cells and tissue growth, and YAP exclusion from nuclei. Interestingly, Hippo knock-down in the GBA-KO flies rescues the proliferative defect, suggesting that targeting the Hippo pathway can be a promising therapeutic approach to neuronopathic GD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Messelodi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Silvia Strocchi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, USL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | | | - Pascale Baden
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, 72076, Germany
- Hertie Institut for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Valentina Indio
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Federico M Giorgi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alberto Taddia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Salvatore Serravalle
- Pediatric Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sabrina Valente
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessio di Fonzo
- Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuele Frattini
- Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Bernardoni
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Daniela Grifoni
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences (MeSVA), University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.
| | - Michela Deleidi
- Hertie Institut for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Institut Imagine, INSERM UMR1163, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Pession
- Pediatric Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
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Picardi G, Astolfi A, Chatzievangelou D, Aguzzi J, Calisti M. Underwater legged robotics: review and perspectives. Bioinspir Biomim 2023; 18. [PMID: 36863018 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/acc0bb] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Nowadays, there is a growing awareness on the social and economic importance of the ocean. In this context, being able to carry out a diverse range of operations underwater is of paramount importance for many industrial sectors as well as for marine science and to enforce restoration and mitigation actions. Underwater robots allowed us to venture deeper and for longer time into the remote and hostile marine environment. However, traditional design concepts such as propeller driven remotely operated vehicles, autonomous underwater vehicles, or tracked benthic crawlers, present intrinsic limitations, especially when a close interaction with the environment is required. An increasing number of researchers are proposing legged robots as a bioinspired alternative to traditional designs, capable of yielding versatile multi-terrain locomotion, high stability, and low environmental disturbance. In this work, we aim at presenting the new field of underwater legged robotics in an organic way, discussing the prototypes in the state-of-the-art and highlighting technological and scientific challenges for the future. First, we will briefly recap the latest developments in traditional underwater robotics from which several technological solutions can be adapted, and on which the benchmarking of this new field should be set. Second, we will the retrace the evolution of terrestrial legged robotics, pinpointing the main achievements of the field. Third, we will report a complete state of the art on underwater legged robots focusing on the innovations with respect to the interaction with the environment, sensing and actuation, modelling and control, and autonomy and navigation. Finally, we will thoroughly discuss the reviewed literature by comparing traditional and legged underwater robots, highlighting interesting research opportunities, and presenting use case scenarios derived from marine science applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Picardi
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar (ICM)-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, 56127 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Excellence in Robotics & AI, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - A Astolfi
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, 56127 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Excellence in Robotics & AI, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - D Chatzievangelou
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar (ICM)-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Aguzzi
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar (ICM)-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Calisti
- Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7TS, United Kingdom
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7
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Schipani A, Nannini M, Astolfi A, Pantaleo MA. SDHA Germline Mutations in SDH-Deficient GISTs: A Current Update. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14030646. [PMID: 36980917 PMCID: PMC10048394 DOI: 10.3390/genes14030646] [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: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Loss of function of the succinate dehydrogenase complex characterizes 20–40% of all KIT/PDGFRA-negative GIST. Approximately half of SDH-deficient GIST patients lack SDHx mutations and are caused by a hypermethylation of the SDHC promoter, which causes the repression of SDHC transcription and depletion of SDHC protein levels through a mechanism described as epimutation. The remaining 50% of SDH-deficient GISTs have mutations in one of the SDH subunits and SDHA mutations are the most common (30%), with consequent loss of SDHA and SDHB protein expression immunohistochemically. SDHB, SDHC, and SDHD mutations in GIST occur in only 20–30% of cases and most of these SDH mutations are germline. More recently, germline mutations in SDHA have also been described in several patients with loss of function of the SDH complex. SDHA-mutant patients usually carry two mutational events at the SDHA locus, either the loss of the wild type allele or a second somatic event in compound heterozygosis. This review provides an overview of all data in the literature regarding SDHA-mutated GIST, especially focusing on the prevalence of germline mutations in SDH-deficient GIST populations who harbor SDHA somatic mutations, and offers a view towards understanding the importance of genetic counselling for SDHA-variant carriers and relatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Schipani
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Margherita Nannini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Division of Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-051-2144520
| | - Maria A. Pantaleo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Division of Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
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8
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Mongiorgi S, De Stefano A, Ratti S, Indio V, Astolfi A, Casalin I, Pellagatti A, Paolini S, Parisi S, Cavo M, Pession A, McCubrey JA, Suh PG, Manzoli L, Boultwood J, Finelli C, Cocco L, Follo MY. A miRNA screening identifies miR-192-5p as associated with response to azacitidine and lenalidomide therapy in myelodysplastic syndromes. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:27. [PMID: 36803590 PMCID: PMC9940408 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01441-9] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression and are linked to cancer development and progression. miRNA profiles are currently studied as new prognostic factors or therapeutic perspectives. Among hematological cancers, myelodysplastic syndromes at higher risk of evolution into acute myeloid leukemia are treated with hypomethylating agents, like azacitidine, alone or in combination with other drugs, such as lenalidomide. Recent data showed that, during azacitidine and lenalidomide therapy, the concurrent acquisition of specific point mutations affecting inositide signalling pathways is associated with lack or loss of response to therapy. As these molecules are implicated in epigenetic processes, possibly involving miRNA regulation, and in leukemic progression, through the regulation of proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, here we performed a new miRNA expression analysis of 26 high-risk patients with myelodysplastic syndromes treated with azacitidine and lenalidomide at baseline and during therapy. miRNA array data were processed, and bioinformatic results were correlated with clinical outcome to investigate the translational relevance of selected miRNAs, while the relationship between selected miRNAs and specific molecules was experimentally tested and proven. RESULTS Patients' overall response rate was 76.9% (20/26 cases): complete remission (5/26, 19.2%), partial remission (1/26, 3.8%), marrow complete remission (2/26, 7.7%), hematologic improvement (6/26, 23.1%), hematologic improvement with marrow complete remission (6/26, 23.1%), whereas 6/26 patients (23.1%) had a stable disease. miRNA paired analysis showed a statistically significant up-regulation of miR-192-5p after 4 cycles of therapy (vs baseline), that was confirmed by real-time PCR analyses, along with an involvement of BCL2, that was proven to be a miR-192-5p target in hematopoietic cells by luciferase assays. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier analyses showed a significant correlation between high levels of miR-192-5p after 4 cycles of therapy and overall survival or leukemia-free survival, that was stronger in responders, as compared with patients early losing response and non-responders. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that high levels of miR-192-5p are associated with higher overall survival and leukemia-free survival in myelodysplastic syndromes responding to azacitidine and lenalidomide. Moreover, miR-192-5p specifically targets and inhibits BCL2, possibly regulating proliferation and apoptosis and leading to the identification of new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Mongiorgi
- Cellular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessia De Stefano
- Cellular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Ratti
- Cellular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Indio
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Irene Casalin
- Cellular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Pellagatti
- Blood Cancer UK Molecular Haematology Unit, Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, and Oxford BRC Haematology Theme, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Stefania Paolini
- IRCCS - Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Institute of Hematology " L. e A. Seràgnoli", University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sarah Parisi
- IRCCS - Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Institute of Hematology " L. e A. Seràgnoli", University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Cavo
- IRCCS - Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Institute of Hematology " L. e A. Seràgnoli", University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Pession
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Division of Pediatrics, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - James A McCubrey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Pann-Ghill Suh
- Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, 41062, South Korea
| | - Lucia Manzoli
- Cellular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Jacqueline Boultwood
- Blood Cancer UK Molecular Haematology Unit, Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, and Oxford BRC Haematology Theme, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Carlo Finelli
- IRCCS - Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Institute of Hematology " L. e A. Seràgnoli", University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lucio Cocco
- Cellular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Matilde Y Follo
- Cellular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
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9
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Astolfi A, Gill A, Rubin BP, Montoya D, Rothschild S, Call J, Pantaleo MA. Undetected KIT and PDGFRA mutations: an under-recognised cause of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) incorrectly classified as wild-type. Pathology 2023; 55:136-139. [PMID: 35922263 DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2022.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Astolfi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, DIMES, University of Bologna, Italy.
| | - Anthony Gill
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Brian P Rubin
- Robert J. Tomsich Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | | | | | - Maria A Pantaleo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, DIMES, University of Bologna, Italy; Division of Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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10
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Ruzzi F, Angelicola S, Landuzzi L, Nironi E, Semprini MS, Scalambra L, Altimari A, Gruppioni E, Fiorentino M, Giunchi F, Ferracin M, Astolfi A, Indio V, Ardizzoni A, Gelsomino F, Nanni P, Lollini PL, Palladini A. ADK-VR2, a cell line derived from a treatment-naïve patient with SDC4-ROS1 fusion-positive primarily crizotinib-resistant NSCLC: a novel preclinical model for new drug development of ROS1-rearranged NSCLC. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2022; 11:2216-2229. [PMID: 36519016 PMCID: PMC9742620 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-22-163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND ROS1 fusions are driver molecular alterations in 1-2% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). Several tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have shown high efficacy in patients whose tumors harbour a ROS1 fusion. However, the limited availability of preclinical models of ROS1-positive NSCLC hinders the discovery of new drugs and the understanding of the mechanisms underlying drug resistance and strategies to overcome it. METHODS The ADK-VR2 cell line was derived from the pleural effusion of a treatment-naïve NSCLC patient bearing SDC4-ROS1 gene fusion. The sensitivity of ADK-VR2 and its crizotinib-resistant clone ADK-VR2 AG143 (selected in 3D culture in the presence of crizotinib) to different TKIs was tested in vitro, in both 2D and 3D conditions. Tumorigenic and metastatic ability was assessed in highly immunodeficient mice. In addition, crizotinib efficacy on ADK-VR2 was evaluated in vivo. RESULTS 2D-growth of ADK-VR2 cells was partially inhibited by crizotinib. On the contrary, the treatment with other TKIs, such as lorlatinib, entrectinib and DS-6051b, did not result in cell growth inhibition. TKIs showed dramatically different efficacy on ADK-VR2 cells, depending on the cell culture conditions. In 3D culture, ADK-VR2 growth was indeed almost totally inhibited by lorlatinib and DS-6051b. The clone ADK-VR2 AG143 showed higher resistance to crizotinib treatment in vitro, compared to its parental cell line, in both 2D and 3D cultures. Similarly to ADK-VR2, ADK-VR2 AG143 growth was strongly inhibited by lorlatinib in 3D conditions. Nevertheless, ADK-VR2 AG143 sphere formation was less affected by TKIs treatment, compared to the parental cell line. In vivo experiments highlighted the high tumorigenic and metastatic ability of ADK-VR2 cell line, which, once injected in immunodeficient mice, gave rise to both spontaneous and experimental lung metastases while the crizotinib-resistant clone ADK-VR2 AG143 showed a slower growth in vivo. In addition, ADK-VR2 tumor growth was significantly reduced but not eradicated by crizotinib treatment. CONCLUSIONS The ADK-VR2 cell line is a promising NSCLC preclinical model for the study of novel targeted therapies against ROS1 fusions and the mechanisms of resistance to TKI therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Ruzzi
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastasis, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefania Angelicola
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastasis, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lorena Landuzzi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elena Nironi
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastasis, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Sofia Semprini
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastasis, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Scalambra
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastasis, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Altimari
- Divisione di Anatomia Patologica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Gruppioni
- Divisione di Anatomia Patologica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michelangelo Fiorentino
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Giunchi
- Divisione di Anatomia Patologica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Manuela Ferracin
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Indio
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Ardizzoni
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Divisione di Oncologia Medica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Gelsomino
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Divisione di Oncologia Medica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Patrizia Nanni
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastasis, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Alma Mater Institute on Healthy Planet, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Pier-Luigi Lollini
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastasis, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Alma Mater Institute on Healthy Planet, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Arianna Palladini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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11
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Ravegnini G, Nannini M, Indio V, Serrano C, Gorini F, Astolfi A, Di Vito A, Morroni F, Pantaleo MA, Hrelia P, Angelini S. miRNA Expression May Have Implications for Immunotherapy in PDGFRA Mutant GISTs. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012248. [PMID: 36293105 PMCID: PMC9603477 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012248] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) harboring mutations in the PDGFRA gene occur in only about 5-7% of patients. The most common PDGFRA mutation is exon 18 D842V, which is correlated with specific clinico-pathological features compared to the other PDGFRA mutated GISTs. Herein, we present a miRNA expression profile comparison of PDGFRA D842V mutant GISTs and PDGFRA with mutations other than D842V (non-D842V). miRNA expression profiling was carried out on 10 patients using a TLDA miRNA array. Then, miRNA expression was followed by bioinformatic analysis aimed at evaluating differential expression, pathway enrichment, and miRNA-mRNA networks. We highlighted 24 differentially expressed miRNAs between D842V and non-D842V GIST patients. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that deregulated miRNAs targeted genes that are mainly involved in the immune response pathways. The miRNA-mRNA networks highlighted a signature of miRNAs/mRNA that could explain the indolent behavior of the D842V mutated GIST. The results highlighted a different miRNA fingerprint in PDGFRA D842V GISTs compared to non-D842Vmutated patients, which could explain the different biological behavior of this GIST subset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Ravegnini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Margherita Nannini
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Division of Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Indio
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40164 Ozzano, Italy
| | - Cesar Serrano
- Sarcoma Translational Research Laboratory, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Campus, C/ Natzaret 115-117, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, P/Vall d’Hebron 119, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesca Gorini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Aldo Di Vito
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabiana Morroni
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Abbondanza Pantaleo
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Division of Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Patrizia Hrelia
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Sabrina Angelini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Inter-Departmental Center for Health Sciences & Technologies, CIRI-SDV, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence:
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12
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Vettori G, Di Leonardo L, Secchi S, Astolfi A, Bigozzi L. Primary school children’s verbal working memory performances in classrooms with different acoustic conditions. Cognitive Development 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cogdev.2022.101256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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14
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de Nonneville A, Finetti P, Picard M, Monneur A, Pantaleo MA, Astolfi A, Ostrowski J, Birnbaum D, Mamessier E, Bertucci F. CSPG4 Expression in GIST Is Associated with Better Prognosis and Strong Cytotoxic Immune Response. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14051306. [PMID: 35267618 PMCID: PMC8909029 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051306] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are the most frequent sarcomas of the gastrointestinal tract. Identification of novel prognostic and/or therapeutic targets is a major issue to overcome tyrosine kinase inhibitors resistances. CSPG4, a cell surface proteoglycan, emerged as a potential therapeutic target for immune therapy in different cancers, including sarcomas. CSPG4 expression has never been studied in GIST. In this work we analyzed CSPG4 mRNA expression in a large series of clinical GIST samples given the scarcity of disease (n = 309 patients). We find that high CSPG4 expression is independently associated with disease-free survival, and with an immune landscape favorable to induce strong cytotoxic immune response after NK cell stimulation. Our results suggest the potential value of CSPG4-specific chimeric antigen receptor-redirected cytokine-induced killer lymphocytes treatment in GIST, notably “CSPG4-high” tumors, and calls for preclinical validation, drug testing in vivo, then in clinical trials. Abstract The treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) must be improved through the development of more reliable prognostic factors and of therapies able to overcome imatinib resistance. The immune system represents an attractive tool. CSPG4, a cell surface proteoglycan, emerged as a potential therapeutic target for immune therapy in different cancers, including cell therapy based on CSPG4-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-redirected cytokine-induced killer lymphocytes (CSPG4-CAR.CIKs) in sarcomas. CSPG4 expression has never been studied in GIST. We analyzed CSPG4 mRNA expression data of 309 clinical GIST samples profiled using DNA microarrays and searched for correlations with clinicopathological and immune features. CSPG4 expression, higher in tumors than normal digestive tissues, was heterogeneous across tumors. High expression was associated with AFIP low-risk, gastric site, and localized stage, and independently with longer postoperative disease-free survival (DFS) in localized stage. The correlations between CSPG4 expression and immune signatures highlighted a higher anti-tumor immune response in “CSPG4-high” tumors, relying on both the adaptive and innate immune system, in which the boost of NK cells by CSPG4-CAR.CIKs might be instrumental, eventually combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors. In conclusion, high CSPG4 expression in GIST is associated with better DFS and offers an immune environment favorable to a vulnerability to CAR.CIKs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre de Nonneville
- Predictive Oncology Laboratory, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre Le Cancer, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Inserm UMR1068, CNRS UMR7258, Aix-Marseille University, 13009 Marseille, France; (A.d.N.); (P.F.); (M.P.); (D.B.); (E.M.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, 13009 Marseille, France;
| | - Pascal Finetti
- Predictive Oncology Laboratory, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre Le Cancer, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Inserm UMR1068, CNRS UMR7258, Aix-Marseille University, 13009 Marseille, France; (A.d.N.); (P.F.); (M.P.); (D.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Maelle Picard
- Predictive Oncology Laboratory, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre Le Cancer, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Inserm UMR1068, CNRS UMR7258, Aix-Marseille University, 13009 Marseille, France; (A.d.N.); (P.F.); (M.P.); (D.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Audrey Monneur
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, 13009 Marseille, France;
| | - Maria Abbondanza Pantaleo
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (M.A.P.); (A.A.)
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (M.A.P.); (A.A.)
| | - Jerzy Ostrowski
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Clinical Oncology, Medical Center of Postgraduate Education, 01-813 Warsaw, Poland;
- Department of Genetics, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Daniel Birnbaum
- Predictive Oncology Laboratory, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre Le Cancer, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Inserm UMR1068, CNRS UMR7258, Aix-Marseille University, 13009 Marseille, France; (A.d.N.); (P.F.); (M.P.); (D.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Emilie Mamessier
- Predictive Oncology Laboratory, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre Le Cancer, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Inserm UMR1068, CNRS UMR7258, Aix-Marseille University, 13009 Marseille, France; (A.d.N.); (P.F.); (M.P.); (D.B.); (E.M.)
| | - François Bertucci
- Predictive Oncology Laboratory, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre Le Cancer, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Inserm UMR1068, CNRS UMR7258, Aix-Marseille University, 13009 Marseille, France; (A.d.N.); (P.F.); (M.P.); (D.B.); (E.M.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, 13009 Marseille, France;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-4-91-22-35-37; Fax: +33-4-91-22-36-70
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15
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Messelodi D, Giuliani C, Cipriani F, Armuzzi S, di Palmo E, Garagnani P, Bertelli L, Astolfi A, Luiselli D, Ricci G, Pession A. C5 and SRGAP3 Polymorphisms Are Linked to Paediatric Allergic Asthma in the Italian Population. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13020214. [PMID: 35205259 PMCID: PMC8871526 DOI: 10.3390/genes13020214] [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] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a complex and heterogeneous disease, caused by the interaction between genetic and environmental factors with a predominant allergic background in children. The role of specific genes in asthmatic bronchial reactivity is still not clear, probably because of the many common pathways shared with other allergic disorders. This study is focused on 11 SNPs possibly related to asthma that were previously identified in a GWAS study. The genetic variability of these SNPs has been analysed in a population of 773 Italian healthy controls, and the presence of an association between the polymorphisms and the asthma onset was evaluated performing genotyping analysis on 108 children affected with asthma compared with the controls. Moreover, a pool of 171 patients with only allergic rhinoconjunctivitis has been included in the case–control analysis. The comparison of allele frequencies in asthmatic patients versus healthy controls identified two SNPs—rs1162394 (p = 0.019) and rs25681 (p = 0.044)—associated with the asthmatic condition, which were not differentially distributed in the rhinoconjunctivitis group. The rs25681 SNP, together with three other SNPs, also resulted in not being homogenously distributed in the Italian population. The significantly higher frequency of the rs25681 and rs1162394 SNPs (located, respectively, in the C5 and SRGAP3 genes) in the asthmatic population suggests an involvement of these genes in the asthmatic context, playing a role in increasing the inflammatory condition that may influence asthma onset and clinical course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Messelodi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Cristina Giuliani
- Laboratory of Molecular Anthropology, Centre for Genome Biology, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Francesca Cipriani
- Pediatric Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (F.C.); (E.d.P.); (L.B.); (A.P.)
| | - Silvia Armuzzi
- Institute of Hematology “Seràgnoli”, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (P.G.); (A.A.)
| | - Emanuela di Palmo
- Pediatric Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (F.C.); (E.d.P.); (L.B.); (A.P.)
| | - Paolo Garagnani
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (P.G.); (A.A.)
| | - Luca Bertelli
- Pediatric Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (F.C.); (E.d.P.); (L.B.); (A.P.)
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (P.G.); (A.A.)
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Donata Luiselli
- Laboratory of Ancient DNA (aDNALab), Department of Cultural Heritage (DBC), Ravenna Campus, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Giampaolo Ricci
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Andrea Pession
- Pediatric Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (F.C.); (E.d.P.); (L.B.); (A.P.)
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Russo S, Sarasso S, Puglisi G, Dal Palù D, Pigorini A, Casarotto S, D’Ambrosio S, Astolfi A, Massimini M, Rosanova M, Fecchio M. TAAC - TMS Adaptable Auditory Control: a universal tool to mask TMS click. J Neurosci Methods 2022; 370:109491. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2022.109491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Messelodi D, Bertuccio SN, Indio V, Strocchi S, Taddia A, Serravalle S, Bandini J, Astolfi A, Pession A. iPSC-Derived Gaucher Macrophages Display Growth Impairment and Activation of Inflammation-Related Cell Death. Cells 2021; 10:cells10112822. [PMID: 34831047 PMCID: PMC8616237 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Gaucher disease is a lysosomal storage disorder characterized by β-glucosidase enzyme deficiency and substrate accumulation, especially in cells of the reticuloendothelial system. Typical features of the disease are the unrestrained activation of inflammatory mechanisms, whose molecular pathways are still unclear. To investigate biological mechanisms underlying the macrophage activation in GD, we derived iPSCs from a healthy donor and a GD patient line and differentiated them into hematopoietic progenitors. While GD iPSCs are able to efficiently give rise to CD33+/CD45+ myeloid progenitors, the maturation towards the CD14+/CD163+ monocyte/macrophages fate resulted enhanced in the GD lines, that in addition displayed a decreased growth potential compared to control cells either in semisolid or in liquid culture. The GD lines growth impairment was associated with a significant upregulation of RIPK3 and MLKL, two key effectors of necroptosis, the inflammation related cell death pathway. The activation of necroptosis, which has already been linked to neuronopathic GD, may play a role in the disease proinflammatory condition and in the identified cell growth defects. Understanding the GD macrophage role in the alteration of mechanisms linked to cellular metabolism imbalance, cell death and inflammation are crucial in identifying new ways to approach the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Messelodi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (D.M.); (S.N.B.); (A.T.)
| | - Salvatore Nicola Bertuccio
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (D.M.); (S.N.B.); (A.T.)
| | - Valentina Indio
- Alma Mater Institute on Healthy Planet, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Silvia Strocchi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Ospedale Santa Maria Nuova–IRCCS, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
| | - Alberto Taddia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (D.M.); (S.N.B.); (A.T.)
| | - Salvatore Serravalle
- Division of Pediatrics, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (S.S.); (J.B.); (A.P.)
| | - Jessica Bandini
- Division of Pediatrics, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (S.S.); (J.B.); (A.P.)
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Andrea Pession
- Division of Pediatrics, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (S.S.); (J.B.); (A.P.)
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Simonetti G, Mengucci C, Padella A, Fonzi E, Picone G, Delpino C, Nanni J, De Tommaso R, Franchini E, Papayannidis C, Marconi G, Pazzaglia M, Perricone M, Scarpi E, Fontana MC, Bruno S, Tebaldi M, Ferrari A, Bochicchio MT, Ghelli Luserna Di Rorà A, Ghetti M, Napolitano R, Astolfi A, Baldazzi C, Guadagnuolo V, Ottaviani E, Iacobucci I, Cavo M, Castellani G, Haferlach T, Remondini D, Capozzi F, Martinelli G. Integrated genomic-metabolic classification of acute myeloid leukemia defines a subgroup with NPM1 and cohesin/DNA damage mutations. Leukemia 2021; 35:2813-2826. [PMID: 34193978 PMCID: PMC8478658 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-021-01318-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Although targeting of cell metabolism is a promising therapeutic strategy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), metabolic dependencies are largely unexplored. We aimed to classify AML patients based on their metabolic landscape and map connections between metabolic and genomic profiles. Combined serum and urine metabolomics improved AML characterization compared with individual biofluid analysis. At intracellular level, AML displayed dysregulated amino acid, nucleotide, lipid, and bioenergetic metabolism. The integration of intracellular and biofluid metabolomics provided a map of alterations in the metabolism of polyamine, purine, keton bodies and polyunsaturated fatty acids and tricarboxylic acid cycle. The intracellular metabolome distinguished three AML clusters, correlating with distinct genomic profiles: NPM1-mutated(mut), chromatin/spliceosome-mut and TP53-mut/aneuploid AML that were confirmed by biofluid analysis. Interestingly, integrated genomic-metabolic profiles defined two subgroups of NPM1-mut AML. One was enriched for mutations in cohesin/DNA damage-related genes (NPM1/cohesin-mut AML) and showed increased serum choline + trimethylamine-N-oxide and leucine, higher mutation load, transcriptomic signatures of reduced inflammatory status and better ex-vivo response to EGFR and MET inhibition. The transcriptional differences of enzyme-encoding genes between NPM1/cohesin-mut and NPM1-mut allowed in silico modeling of intracellular metabolic perturbations. This approach predicted alterations in NAD and purine metabolism in NPM1/cohesin-mut AML that suggest potential vulnerabilities, worthy of being therapeutically explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Simonetti
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, FC, Italy.
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Carlo Mengucci
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Cesena, FC, Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonella Padella
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, FC, Italy.
| | - Eugenio Fonzi
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Picone
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Cesena, FC, Italy
| | - Claudio Delpino
- Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Jacopo Nanni
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Istituto di Ematologia "Seràgnoli", Bologna, Italy
| | - Rossella De Tommaso
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Eugenia Franchini
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Cristina Papayannidis
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Istituto di Ematologia "Seràgnoli", Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Marconi
- Hematology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Martina Pazzaglia
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Margherita Perricone
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Emanuela Scarpi
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Fontana
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Samantha Bruno
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michela Tebaldi
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Anna Ferrari
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Bochicchio
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, FC, Italy
| | | | - Martina Ghetti
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Roberta Napolitano
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna and Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Carmen Baldazzi
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Istituto di Ematologia "Seràgnoli", Bologna, Italy
| | - Viviana Guadagnuolo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Emanuela Ottaviani
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Istituto di Ematologia "Seràgnoli", Bologna, Italy
| | - Ilaria Iacobucci
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Michele Cavo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Istituto di Ematologia "Seràgnoli", Bologna, Italy
| | - Gastone Castellani
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Daniel Remondini
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Capozzi
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Cesena, FC, Italy
| | - Giovanni Martinelli
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, FC, Italy
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Yennurajalingam S, Astolfi A, Indio V, Beccaro M, Schipani A, Yu R, Shete S, Reyes-Gibby C, Lu Z, Williams JL, Yeun SC, Anderson AE, Biasco G, Bruera E. Genetic Factors Associated With Pain Severity, Daily Opioid Dose Requirement, and Pain Response Among Advanced Cancer Patients Receiving Supportive Care. J Pain Symptom Manage 2021; 62:785-795. [PMID: 33848569 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.03.024] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current understanding of genetic factors associated with pain severity, and improvement of pain with opioids in advanced cancer patients (AC) is inadequate for delivery of personalized pain therapy (PPT). Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the genetic factors associated with pain severity, daily opioid dose, and pain response in AC patients receiving supportive care. METHODS In this prospective study, AC patients were eligible if they had cancer pain ≥4/10 on Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) - Pain Item and needed opioid rotation for pain control by specialist at the outpatient supportive care center. Association of genetic factors with pain phenotype was assessed using logistic regression models and SKATO (Gene-block) analysis. RESULTS About 174/178 (98%) patient samples were analyzed. After adjustment for demographic and clinical variables, pain severity was negatively associated with intron variant alleles in OPRM1 rs9322446, P = 0.02; rs2270459, P = 0.038; rs62052210, P = 0.038. Opioid daily dose was positively associated NFKBIA rs2233419, P = 0.008; rs2233417, P = 0.007; rs3138054, P = 0.008; rs1050851, P = 0.015; ORPM1 rs9479759, P = 0.046; rs2003185, P = 0.047; rs636433, P = 0.044; COMT (rs9306234, P = 0.014; rs165728, P = 0.014; rs2020917, P = 0.036; rs165728, P = 0.034); ARRB2 (rs1045280, P = 0.045); and pain response to opioids was negatively associated OPRM1 rs1319339, P = 0.024; rs34427887, P = 0.048; and COMT rs4646316, P = 0.03; rs35478083, P = 0.028, respectively. SKATO analysis showed association between pain severity and CXCL8 (P = 0.0056), and STAT6 (P = 0.0297) genes respectively, and pain response with IL-6 (P = 0.00499). CONCLUSIONS This study identified that SNPs of OPRM1, COMT, NFKBIA, CXCL8, IL-6, STAT6, and ARRB2 genes were associated with pain severity, opioid daily dose, and pain response in AC receiving supportive care. Additional studies are needed to validate our findings for PPT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sriram Yennurajalingam
- Department of Palliative care, Rehabilitation Medicine, and Integrative Medicine UT MD Anderson Cancer Center (S.Y., C.R.-G., Z.L., J.L.W., S.-C.Y., A.E.A., E.B.), Houston, Texas.
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- "Giorgio Prodi" Center for Cancer Research, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna (A.A., V.I., A.S., G.B.), Bologna, Italy; Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara (A.A.), Ferrara, Italy
| | - Valentina Indio
- "Giorgio Prodi" Center for Cancer Research, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna (A.A., V.I., A.S., G.B.), Bologna, Italy
| | - Monica Beccaro
- Academy of the Sciences of Palliative Medicine (ASMEPA) (M.B., G.B.), Bentivoglio-Bologna, Italy
| | - Angela Schipani
- "Giorgio Prodi" Center for Cancer Research, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna (A.A., V.I., A.S., G.B.), Bologna, Italy
| | - Robert Yu
- Department of Biostatistics, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center (R.Y., S.S.), Houston, Texas
| | - Sanjay Shete
- Department of Biostatistics, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center (R.Y., S.S.), Houston, Texas
| | - Cielito Reyes-Gibby
- Department of Palliative care, Rehabilitation Medicine, and Integrative Medicine UT MD Anderson Cancer Center (S.Y., C.R.-G., Z.L., J.L.W., S.-C.Y., A.E.A., E.B.), Houston, Texas
| | - Zhanni Lu
- Department of Palliative care, Rehabilitation Medicine, and Integrative Medicine UT MD Anderson Cancer Center (S.Y., C.R.-G., Z.L., J.L.W., S.-C.Y., A.E.A., E.B.), Houston, Texas
| | - Janet L Williams
- Department of Palliative care, Rehabilitation Medicine, and Integrative Medicine UT MD Anderson Cancer Center (S.Y., C.R.-G., Z.L., J.L.W., S.-C.Y., A.E.A., E.B.), Houston, Texas
| | - Sai-Ching Yeun
- Department of Palliative care, Rehabilitation Medicine, and Integrative Medicine UT MD Anderson Cancer Center (S.Y., C.R.-G., Z.L., J.L.W., S.-C.Y., A.E.A., E.B.), Houston, Texas
| | - Aimee E Anderson
- Department of Palliative care, Rehabilitation Medicine, and Integrative Medicine UT MD Anderson Cancer Center (S.Y., C.R.-G., Z.L., J.L.W., S.-C.Y., A.E.A., E.B.), Houston, Texas
| | - Guido Biasco
- "Giorgio Prodi" Center for Cancer Research, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna (A.A., V.I., A.S., G.B.), Bologna, Italy; Academy of the Sciences of Palliative Medicine (ASMEPA) (M.B., G.B.), Bentivoglio-Bologna, Italy
| | - Eduardo Bruera
- Department of Palliative care, Rehabilitation Medicine, and Integrative Medicine UT MD Anderson Cancer Center (S.Y., C.R.-G., Z.L., J.L.W., S.-C.Y., A.E.A., E.B.), Houston, Texas
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20
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Crudele F, Bianchi N, Astolfi A, Grassilli S, Brugnoli F, Terrazzan A, Bertagnolo V, Negrini M, Frassoldati A, Volinia S. The Molecular Networks of microRNAs and Their Targets in the Drug Resistance of Colon Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13174355. [PMID: 34503164 PMCID: PMC8431668 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary We systematically reviewed the recent scientific publications describing the role of microRNAs in the regulation of drug resistance in colon cancer. To clarify the intricate web of resulting genetic and biochemical interactions, we used a machine learning approach aimed at creating: (i) networks of validated miRNA/target interactions involved in drug resistances and (ii) drug-centric networks, from which we identified the major clusters of proteins affected by drugs used in the treatment of colon cancer. Finally, to facilitate a high-level interpretation of these molecular interactions, we determined the cellular pathways related with drug resistance and regulated by the miRNAs in colon cancer. Abstract Drug resistance is one of the major forces driving a poor prognosis during the treatment and progression of human colon carcinomas. The molecular mechanisms that regulate the diverse processes underlying drug resistance are still under debate. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a subgroup of non-coding RNAs increasingly found to be associated with the regulation of tumorigenesis and drug resistance. We performed a systematic review of the articles concerning miRNAs and drug resistance in human colon cancer published from 2013 onwards in journals with an impact factor of 5 or higher. First, we built a network with the most studied miRNAs and targets (as nodes) while the drug resistance/s are indicated by the connections (edges); then, we discussed the most relevant miRNA/targets interactions regulated by drugs according to the network topology and statistics. Finally, we considered the drugs as nodes in the network, to allow an alternative point of view that could flow through the treatment options and the associated molecular pathways. A small number of microRNAs and proteins appeared as critically involved in the most common drugs used for the treatment of patients with colon cancer. In particular, the family of miR-200, miR34a, miR-155 and miR-17 appear as the most relevant microRNAs. Thus, regulating these miRNAs could be useful for interfering with some drug resistance mechanisms in colorectal carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Crudele
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (F.C.); (N.B.); (A.A.); (S.G.); (F.B.); (A.T.); (V.B.); (M.N.)
- Laboratory for Advanced Therapy Technologies (LTTA), Via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Bianchi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (F.C.); (N.B.); (A.A.); (S.G.); (F.B.); (A.T.); (V.B.); (M.N.)
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (F.C.); (N.B.); (A.A.); (S.G.); (F.B.); (A.T.); (V.B.); (M.N.)
| | - Silvia Grassilli
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (F.C.); (N.B.); (A.A.); (S.G.); (F.B.); (A.T.); (V.B.); (M.N.)
- Laboratory for Advanced Therapy Technologies (LTTA), Via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Federica Brugnoli
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (F.C.); (N.B.); (A.A.); (S.G.); (F.B.); (A.T.); (V.B.); (M.N.)
| | - Anna Terrazzan
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (F.C.); (N.B.); (A.A.); (S.G.); (F.B.); (A.T.); (V.B.); (M.N.)
| | - Valeria Bertagnolo
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (F.C.); (N.B.); (A.A.); (S.G.); (F.B.); (A.T.); (V.B.); (M.N.)
| | - Massimo Negrini
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (F.C.); (N.B.); (A.A.); (S.G.); (F.B.); (A.T.); (V.B.); (M.N.)
- Laboratory for Advanced Therapy Technologies (LTTA), Via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Antonio Frassoldati
- Department of Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria St. Anna di Ferrara, Via A. Moro 8, 44124 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Stefano Volinia
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (F.C.); (N.B.); (A.A.); (S.G.); (F.B.); (A.T.); (V.B.); (M.N.)
- Laboratory for Advanced Therapy Technologies (LTTA), Via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Nannini M, Rizzo A, Indio V, Schipani A, Astolfi A, Pantaleo MA. Targeted therapy in SDH-deficient GIST. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2021; 13:17588359211023278. [PMID: 34262616 PMCID: PMC8246492 DOI: 10.1177/17588359211023278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The medical management of advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) has improved with the development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting KIT and PDGFRA mutations. However, approximately 5-10% of GIST lack KIT and PDGFRA mutations, and about a half are deficient in succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) that promotes carcinogenesis by the cytoplasmic accumulation of succinate. This rare group of GIST primarily occurs in the younger patients than other subtypes, and is frequently associated with hereditary syndromes. The role of TKIs in patients with SDH-deficient GIST is controversial, with conflicting results; thus, there is an urgent need to uncover the disease mechanisms, treatment patterns, and responses to systemic therapy among these patients. Here, based on an extensive literature search, we have provided a rigorous overview of the current evidence on the medical treatment of SDH-deficient GIST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Nannini
- Division of Oncology, IRCSS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandro Rizzo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialized Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Indio
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Angela Schipani
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialized Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 70, Ferrara 44121, Italy
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Simonetti G, Angeli D, Petracci E, Fonzi E, Vedovato S, Sperotto A, Padella A, Ghetti M, Ferrari A, Robustelli V, Di Liddo R, Conconi MT, Papayannidis C, Cerchione C, Rondoni M, Astolfi A, Ottaviani E, Martinelli G, Gottardi M. Adrenomedullin Expression Characterizes Leukemia Stem Cells and Associates With an Inflammatory Signature in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Front Oncol 2021; 11:684396. [PMID: 34150648 PMCID: PMC8208888 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.684396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adrenomedullin (ADM) is a hypotensive and vasodilator peptide belonging to the calcitonin gene-related peptide family. It is secreted in vitro by endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells, and is significantly upregulated by a number of stimuli. Moreover, ADM participates in the regulation of hematopoietic compartment, solid tumors and leukemias, such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML). To better characterize ADM involvement in AML pathogenesis, we investigated its expression during human hematopoiesis and in leukemic subsets, based on a morphological, cytogenetic and molecular characterization and in T cells from AML patients. In hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells and T lymphocytes from healthy subjects, ADM transcript was barely detectable. It was expressed at low levels by megakaryocytes and erythroblasts, while higher levels were measured in neutrophils, monocytes and plasma cells. Moreover, cells populating the hematopoietic niche, including mesenchymal stem cells, showed to express ADM. ADM was overexpressed in AML cells versus normal CD34+ cells and in the subset of leukemia compared with hematopoietic stem cells. In parallel, we detected a significant variation of ADM expression among cytogenetic subgroups, measuring the highest levels in inv(16)/t(16;16) or complex karyotype AML. According to the mutational status of AML-related genes, the analysis showed a lower expression of ADM in FLT3-ITD, NPM1-mutated AML and FLT3-ITD/NPM1-mutated cases compared with wild-type ones. Moreover, ADM expression had a negative impact on overall survival within the favorable risk class, while showing a potential positive impact within the subgroup receiving a not-intensive treatment. The expression of 135 genes involved in leukemogenesis, regulation of cell proliferation, ferroptosis, protection from apoptosis, HIF-1α signaling, JAK-STAT pathway, immune and inflammatory responses was correlated with ADM levels in the bone marrow cells of at least two AML cohorts. Moreover, ADM was upregulated in CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells from AML patients compared with healthy controls and some ADM co-expressed genes participate in a signature of immune tolerance that characterizes CD4+ T cells from leukemic patients. Overall, our study shows that ADM expression in AML associates with a stem cell phenotype, inflammatory signatures and genes related to immunosuppression, all factors that contribute to therapy resistance and disease relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Simonetti
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, Meldola, Italy
| | - Davide Angeli
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, Meldola, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Petracci
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, Meldola, Italy
| | - Eugenio Fonzi
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, Meldola, Italy
| | - Susanna Vedovato
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Alessandra Sperotto
- Hematology and Transplant Center Unit, Dipartimento di Area Medica (DAME), Udine University Hospital, Udine, Italy
| | - Antonella Padella
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, Meldola, Italy
| | - Martina Ghetti
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, Meldola, Italy
| | - Anna Ferrari
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, Meldola, Italy
| | - Valentina Robustelli
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Istituto di Ematologia “Seràgnoli”, Bologna, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rosa Di Liddo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Conconi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Cristina Papayannidis
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Istituto di Ematologia “Seràgnoli”, Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudio Cerchione
- Hematology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, Meldola, Italy
| | - Michela Rondoni
- Hematology Unit & Romagna Transplant Network, Ravenna Hospital, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- “Giorgio Prodi” Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Emanuela Ottaviani
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Istituto di Ematologia “Seràgnoli”, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Martinelli
- Scientific Directorate, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, Meldola, Italy
| | - Michele Gottardi
- Onco Hematology, Department of Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV, IRCCS, Padua, Italy
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23
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Pantaleo MA, Mandruzzato M, Indio V, Urbini M, Nannini M, Gatto L, Schipani A, Fiorentino M, Franceschini T, Ambrosini V, Di Scioscio V, Saponara M, Ianni M, Concetti S, Altimari A, Ardizzoni A, Astolfi A. Case Report: The Complete Remission of a Mixed Germ Cell Tumor With Somatic Type Malignancy of Sarcoma Type With a GCT-Oriented Therapy: Clinical Findings and Genomic Profiling. Front Oncol 2021; 11:633543. [PMID: 33796464 PMCID: PMC8008106 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.633543] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatic malignant transformation in a germ cell tumor (GCT) is the development of non-germ malignancies; much of available literature refers to teratoma with malignant transformation (TMT). There are various transformation histologies such as sarcoma, adenocarcinoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumors, and more rarely carcinoid tumors, hemangioendothelioma, lymphoma, or nephroblastoma. The treatments of these entities include surgery and/or chemotherapy. A standard approach in choosing chemotherapy in TMT cases has not yet been established. Many authors suggest using chemotherapeutic agents based on the transformed histology, while others recommend GCT-oriented therapy combined with surgery as the primary treatment, reserving histology-driven chemotherapies for metastatic relapse. We report the clinical findings and the genomic profile of a mixed GCT case with somatic-type malignancy of sarcoma type. We achieved a complete radiological response with GCT-oriented chemotherapy performed as salvage therapy after sarcoma-histology therapy. In addition, molecular profiles with RNA-sequencing and exome sequencing analyses of the primary tumor and the tumor with somatic-type malignancy of sarcoma type were explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Pantaleo
- Division of Oncology, IRCSS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,"Giorgio Prodi Cancer Research Center" and Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialized Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marcella Mandruzzato
- Division of Oncology, IRCSS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Indio
- "Giorgio Prodi Cancer Research Center" and Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialized Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Milena Urbini
- Biosciences Laboratory, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Margherita Nannini
- Division of Oncology, IRCSS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lidia Gatto
- Division of Oncology, IRCSS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Angela Schipani
- "Giorgio Prodi Cancer Research Center" and Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialized Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Tania Franceschini
- Metropolitan Department of Pathology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Ambrosini
- Division of Nuclear Medicine Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valerio Di Scioscio
- Division of Radiology Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maristella Saponara
- Division of Oncology, IRCSS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Manuela Ianni
- "Giorgio Prodi Cancer Research Center" and Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialized Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sergio Concetti
- UOC Urologia, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (AUSL), Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Altimari
- Division of Laboratory of Oncologic Molecular Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Ardizzoni
- Division of Oncology, IRCSS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,"Giorgio Prodi Cancer Research Center" and Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialized Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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24
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Indio V, Schipani A, Nannini M, Urbini M, Rizzo A, De Leo A, Altimari A, Di Scioscio V, Messelodi D, Tarantino G, Astolfi A, Pantaleo MA. Gene Expression Landscape of SDH-Deficient Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10051057. [PMID: 33806389 PMCID: PMC7961685 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10051057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND About 20-40% of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) lacking KIT/PDGFRA mutations show defects in succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) complex. This study uncovers the gene expression profile (GEP) of SDH-deficient GIST in order to identify new signaling pathways or molecular events actionable for a tailored therapy. METHODS We analyzed 36 GIST tumor samples, either from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded by microarray or from fresh frozen tissue by RNA-seq, retrospectively collected among KIT-mutant and SDH-deficient GISTs. Pathway analysis was performed to highlight enriched and depleted transcriptional signatures. Tumor microenvironment and immune profile were also evaluated. RESULTS SDH-deficient GISTs showed a distinct GEP with respect to KIT-mutant GISTs. In particular, SDH-deficient GISTs were characterized by an increased expression of neural markers and by the activation of fibroblast growth factor receptor signaling and several biological pathways related to invasion and tumor progression. Among them, hypoxia and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition emerged as features shared with SDH-deficient pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma. In addition, the study of immune landscape revealed the depletion of tumor microenvironment and inflammation gene signatures. CONCLUSIONS This study provides an update of GEP in SDH-deficient GISTs, highlighting differences and similarities compared to KIT-mutant GISTs and to other neoplasm carrying the SDH loss of function. Our findings add a piece of knowledge in SDH-deficient GISTs, shedding light on their putative histology and on the dysregulated biological processes as targets of new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Indio
- “Giorgio Prodi” Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.I.); (G.T.)
| | - Angela Schipani
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (A.S.); (A.R.)
| | - Margherita Nannini
- Division of Oncology, IRCCS—Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (M.N.); (M.A.P.)
| | - Milena Urbini
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Rizzo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (A.S.); (A.R.)
| | - Antonio De Leo
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS—Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Annalisa Altimari
- Laboratory of Oncologic Molecular Pathology, IRCCS—Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Valerio Di Scioscio
- Radiology Unit, IRCCS—Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Daria Messelodi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Tarantino
- “Giorgio Prodi” Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.I.); (G.T.)
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Maria Abbondanza Pantaleo
- Division of Oncology, IRCCS—Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (M.N.); (M.A.P.)
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25
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Rizzo A, Pantaleo MA, Astolfi A, Indio V, Nannini M. The Identity of PDGFRA D842V-Mutant Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST). Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040705. [PMID: 33572358 PMCID: PMC7916155 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Among the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFRA) mutations in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), the most frequent is the substitution at position 842 in the A-loop of an aspartic acid (D) with a valine (V), widely recognized as D842V, a two-sided mutation providing primary resistance to all currently approved agents for GIST treatment. In recent years, new specific inhibitors have been studied in preclinical and clinical settings, and molecular findings have been accumulated, well describing this complex entity. This paper aims at offering a comprehensive picture of the clinical features and the molecular background of this rare subtype of GIST. Abstract The majority of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) carry a sensitive primary KIT mutation, but approximately 5% to 10% of cases harbor activating mutations of platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFRA), mainly involving the A-loop encoded by exon 18 (~5%), or more rarely the JM domain, encoded by exon 12 (~1%), or the ATP binding domain encoded by exon 14 (<1%). The most frequent mutation is the substitution at position 842 in the A-loop of an aspartic acid (D) with a valine (V) in exon 18, widely recognized as D842V. This mutation, as well known, provides primary resistance to imatinib and sunitinib. Thus, until few years ago, no active drugs were available for this subtype of GIST. Conversely, recent years have witnessed the development of a new specific inhibitor—avapritinib—that has been studied in in vitro and clinical setting with promising results. In light of this primary resistance to conventional therapies, the biological background of D842V-mutant GIST has been deeply investigated to better understand what features characterize this peculiar subset of GIST, and some promising insights have emerged. Hereinafter, we present a comprehensive overview on the clinical features and the molecular background of this rare subtype of GIST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Rizzo
- Division of Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (A.R.); (M.A.P.)
| | - Maria Abbondanza Pantaleo
- Division of Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (A.R.); (M.A.P.)
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialized Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Valentina Indio
- “Giorgio Prodi” Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Margherita Nannini
- Division of Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (A.R.); (M.A.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0512-142-708
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26
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Rampelli S, Turroni S, Mallol C, Hernandez C, Galván B, Sistiaga A, Biagi E, Astolfi A, Brigidi P, Benazzi S, Lewis CM, Warinner C, Hofman CA, Schnorr SL, Candela M. Components of a Neanderthal gut microbiome recovered from fecal sediments from El Salt. Commun Biol 2021; 4:169. [PMID: 33547403 PMCID: PMC7864912 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01689-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [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: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A comprehensive view of our evolutionary history cannot ignore the ancestral features of our gut microbiota. To provide some glimpse into the past, we searched for human gut microbiome components in ancient DNA from 14 archeological sediments spanning four stratigraphic units of El Salt Middle Paleolithic site (Spain), including layers of unit X, which has yielded well-preserved Neanderthal occupation deposits dating around 50 kya. According to our findings, bacterial genera belonging to families known to be part of the modern human gut microbiome are abundantly represented only across unit X samples, showing that well-known beneficial gut commensals, such as Blautia, Dorea, Roseburia, Ruminococcus, Faecalibacterium and Bifidobacterium already populated the intestinal microbiome of Homo since as far back as the last common ancestor between humans and Neanderthals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Rampelli
- Unit of Microbiome Science and Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna, Italy
| | - Silvia Turroni
- Unit of Microbiome Science and Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna, Italy
| | - Carolina Mallol
- Department of Geography and History, University of La Laguna, Campus de Guajara, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.,Archaeological Micromorphology and Biomarker Research Lab, University of La Laguna, Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 2, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.,ICArEHB - Interdisciplinary Center for Archaeology and the Evolution of Human Behaviour, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Edificio 1, Faro, Portugal
| | - Cristo Hernandez
- Department of Geography and History, University of La Laguna, Campus de Guajara, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Bertila Galván
- Department of Geography and History, University of La Laguna, Campus de Guajara, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Ainara Sistiaga
- Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, USA.,GLOBE Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Oester Voldgade 5-7, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elena Biagi
- Unit of Microbiome Science and Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 11, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 70, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Patrizia Brigidi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Benazzi
- Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Via degli Ariani 1, Ravenna, Italy.,Department of Human Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Cecil M Lewis
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, 101 David L. Boren Blvd, Norman, OK, USA.,Department of Anthropology, University of Oklahoma, 455W Lindsey St, Norman, OK, USA
| | - Christina Warinner
- Department of Anthropology, University of Oklahoma, 455W Lindsey St, Norman, OK, USA.,Department of Archaeogenetics, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Kahlaische Strasse 10, Jena, Germany
| | - Courtney A Hofman
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, 101 David L. Boren Blvd, Norman, OK, USA.,Department of Anthropology, University of Oklahoma, 455W Lindsey St, Norman, OK, USA
| | - Stephanie L Schnorr
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Martinstraße 12, Klosterneuburg, Austria. .,Department of Anthropology, University of Nevada, 4505S. Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV, USA.
| | - Marco Candela
- Unit of Microbiome Science and Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna, Italy.
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27
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De Sanctis P, Filardo G, Abruzzo PM, Astolfi A, Bolotta A, Indio V, Di Martino A, Hofer C, Kern H, Löfler S, Marcacci M, Marini M, Zampieri S, Zucchini C. Non-Coding RNAs in the Transcriptional Network That Differentiates Skeletal Muscles of Sedentary from Long-Term Endurance- and Resistance-Trained Elderly. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1539. [PMID: 33546468 PMCID: PMC7913629 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In a previous study, the whole transcriptome of the vastus lateralis muscle from sedentary elderly and from age-matched athletes with an exceptional record of high-intensity, life-long exercise training was compared-the two groups representing the two extremes on a physical activity scale. Exercise training enabled the skeletal muscle to counteract age-related sarcopenia by inducing a wide range of adaptations, sustained by the expression of protein-coding genes involved in energy handling, proteostasis, cytoskeletal organization, inflammation control, and cellular senescence. Building on the previous study, we examined here the network of non-coding RNAs participating in the orchestration of gene expression and identified differentially expressed micro- and long-non-coding RNAs and some of their possible targets and roles. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering analyses of all non-coding RNAs were able to discriminate between sedentary and trained individuals, regardless of the exercise typology. Validated targets of differentially expressed miRNA were grouped by KEGG analysis, which pointed to functional areas involved in cell cycle, cytoskeletal control, longevity, and many signaling pathways, including AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), which had been shown to be pivotal in the modulation of the effects of high-intensity, life-long exercise training. The analysis of differentially expressed long-non-coding RNAs identified transcriptional networks, involving lncRNAs, miRNAs and mRNAs, affecting processes in line with the beneficial role of exercise training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola De Sanctis
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna School of Medicine, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (P.D.S.); (M.M.); (C.Z.)
| | - Giuseppe Filardo
- Applied and Translational Research Center, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Provvidenza Maria Abruzzo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna School of Medicine, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (P.D.S.); (M.M.); (C.Z.)
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, 20148 Milan, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Giorgio Prodi Interdepartimental Center for Cancer Research, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (A.A.); (V.I.)
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bolotta
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna School of Medicine, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (P.D.S.); (M.M.); (C.Z.)
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, 20148 Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Indio
- Giorgio Prodi Interdepartimental Center for Cancer Research, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (A.A.); (V.I.)
| | - Alessandro Di Martino
- Second Orthopaedic and Traumatologic Clinic, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Christian Hofer
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rehabilitation Research, 3100 St. Pölten, Austria; (C.H.); (H.K.); (S.L.)
| | - Helmut Kern
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rehabilitation Research, 3100 St. Pölten, Austria; (C.H.); (H.K.); (S.L.)
| | - Stefan Löfler
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rehabilitation Research, 3100 St. Pölten, Austria; (C.H.); (H.K.); (S.L.)
| | - Maurilio Marcacci
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, 20090 Milan, Italy;
| | - Marina Marini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna School of Medicine, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (P.D.S.); (M.M.); (C.Z.)
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, 20148 Milan, Italy
| | - Sandra Zampieri
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy;
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Cinzia Zucchini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna School of Medicine, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (P.D.S.); (M.M.); (C.Z.)
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28
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Pantaleo MA, Urbini M, Schipani A, Nannini M, Indio V, De Leo A, Vincenzi B, Brunello A, Grignani G, Casagrande M, Fumagalli E, Conca E, Saponara M, Gruppioni E, Altimari A, De Biase D, Tallini G, Ravegnini G, Turchetti D, Seri M, Ardizzoni A, Secchiero P, Astolfi A. SDHA Germline Variants in Adult Patients With SDHA-Mutant Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor. Front Oncol 2021; 11:778461. [PMID: 35059314 PMCID: PMC8764450 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.778461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND SDH-deficient gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) account for 20-40% of all KIT/PDGFRA-negative GIST and are due to mutations in one of the four SDH-complex subunits, with SDHA mutations as the most frequent. Here we sought to evaluate the presence and prevalence of SDHA variants in the germline lineage in a population of SDHA-deficient GIST. METHODS Germline SDHA status was assessed by Sanger sequencing on a series of 14 patients with gastric SDHA-deficient GIST. RESULTS All patients carried a germline SDHA pathogenic variant, ranging from truncating, missense, or splicing variants. The second hit was the loss of the wild-type allele or an additional somatic mutation. One-third of the patients were over 50 years old. GIST was the only disease presentation in all cases except one, with no personal or familial cancer history. Seven metastatic cases received a multimodal treatment integrating surgery, loco-regional and medical therapy. The mean follow-up time was of 10 years, confirming the indolent clinical course of the disease. CONCLUSION SDHA germline variants are highly frequent in SDHA-deficient GIST, and the disease may occur also in older adulthood. Genetic testing and surveillance of SDHA-mutation carriers and relatives should be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A. Pantaleo
- Division of Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialized Medicine, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Milena Urbini
- “Giorgio Prodi” Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- *Correspondence: Milena Urbini,
| | - Angela Schipani
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialized Medicine, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Margherita Nannini
- Division of Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Indio
- “Giorgio Prodi” Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonio De Leo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialized Medicine, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Anatomic Pathology and Molecular Diagnostic Unit-University of Bologna Medical Center, Bologna, Italy
| | - Bruno Vincenzi
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Brunello
- Oncology 1 Unit, Department of Oncology, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV - IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Giovanni Grignani
- Division of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | | | - Elena Fumagalli
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Conca
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maristella Saponara
- Melano and Sarcoma Medical Treatment Unit, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Gruppioni
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Altimari
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Dario De Biase
- Anatomic Pathology and Molecular Diagnostic Unit-University of Bologna Medical Center, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBit), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Tallini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialized Medicine, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Anatomic Pathology and Molecular Diagnostic Unit-University of Bologna Medical Center, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gloria Ravegnini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBit), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Daniela Turchetti
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Seri
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Ardizzoni
- Division of Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Paola Secchiero
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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Urbini M, Astolfi A, Indio V, Nannini M, Schipani A, Bacalini MG, Angelini S, Ravegnini G, Calice G, Del Gaudio M, Secchiero P, Ulivi P, Gruppioni E, Pantaleo MA. Gene duplication, rather than epigenetic changes, drives FGF4 overexpression in KIT/PDGFRA/SDH/RAS-P WT GIST. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19829. [PMID: 33199729 PMCID: PMC7670422 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76519-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal stromal tumours that are wild type for KIT and PDGFRA are referred to as WT GISTs. Of these tumours, SDH-deficient (characterized by the loss of SDHB) and quadruple WT GIST (KIT/PDGFRA/SDH/RAS-P WT) subgroups were reported to display a marked overexpression of FGF4, identifying a putative common therapeutic target for the first time. In SDH-deficient GISTs, methylation of an FGF insulator region was found to be responsible for the induction of FGF4 expression. In quadruple WT, recurrent focal duplication of FGF3/FGF4 was reported; however, how it induced FGF4 expression was not investigated. To assess whether overexpression of FGF4 in quadruple WT could be driven by similar epigenetic mechanisms as in SDH-deficient GISTs, we performed global and locus-specific (on FGF4 and FGF insulator) methylation analyses. However, no epigenetic alterations were detected. Conversely, we demonstrated that in quadruple WT GISTs, FGF4 expression and the structure of the duplication were intimately connected, with the copy of FGF4 closer to the ANO1 super-enhancer being preferentially expressed. In conclusion, we demonstrated that in quadruple WT GISTs, FGF4 overexpression is not due to an epigenetic mechanism but rather to the specific genomic structure of the duplication. Even if FGF4 overexpression is driven by different molecular mechanisms, these findings support an increasing biologic relevance of the FGFR pathway in WT GISTs, both in SDH-deficient and quadruple WT GISTs, suggesting that it may be a common therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Urbini
- Biosciences Laboratory, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST), IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Valentina Indio
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center (CIRC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Margherita Nannini
- Division of Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, Bologna, Italy
| | - Angela Schipani
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center (CIRC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialized Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Sabrina Angelini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gloria Ravegnini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Calice
- Laboratory of Preclinical and Translational Research, IRCCS-Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata (CROB), 85028, Rionero in Vulture, PZ, Italy
| | - Massimo Del Gaudio
- Department of Organ Insufficiencies and Transplantation, General Surgery and Transplantation, S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Paola Secchiero
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Paola Ulivi
- Biosciences Laboratory, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST), IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Elisa Gruppioni
- Laboratory of Oncologic Molecular Pathology, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Abbondanza Pantaleo
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center (CIRC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Division of Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialized Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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30
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Rizzo A, Nannini M, Astolfi A, Indio V, De Iaco P, Perrone A, De Leo A, Ricci A, Nigro M, Pagani R, Di Scioscio V, Pantaleo M. 1637P Impact of adjuvant chemotherapy in early stage uterine leiomyosarcoma: A systematic review and updated meta-analysis. Ann Oncol 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2020.08.1863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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31
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Indio V, Ravegnini G, Astolfi A, Urbini M, Saponara M, De Leo A, Gruppioni E, Tarantino G, Angelini S, Pession A, Pantaleo MA, Nannini M. Gene Expression Profiling of PDGFRA Mutant GIST Reveals Immune Signatures as a Specific Fingerprint of D842V Exon 18 Mutation. Front Immunol 2020; 11:851. [PMID: 32670260 PMCID: PMC7326057 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Platelet Derived Growth Factor Receptor Alpha (PDGFRA) mutations occur in only about 5-7% of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), notably with alterations on exons 12/14/18. The most frequent PDGFRA mutation is the exon 18 D842V, which is correlated to specific clinico-pathological features, such as primary imatinib resistance and higher indolence. Here, we present a gene expression profile (GEP) comparison of D842V vs. PDGFRA with mutations other than D842V (non-D842V). GEP was followed by in silico bioinformatic analysis aimed at evaluating differential expression, tumor microenvironment composition and pathway enrichment. We found a large set of oncogenes, transcription factors and nuclear receptors downregulated in the D842V mutant. Conversely, D842V showed a significant enrichment of immune- and interferon- related gene signatures. Differences in tumor microenvironment composition were also highlighted, including a higher abundance of CD8+ T-cells and an overexpression of the T cell-inflamed signature in the D842V mutant subgroup, which is predictive of immunotherapy response. PDGFRA D842V vs. non-D842V GIST display a different expression profile, with a prominent immunological signature, that could represent a proof of principle for testing immunotherapeutic strategies in this drug-orphan subset of GIST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Indio
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center (CIRC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gloria Ravegnini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Milena Urbini
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center (CIRC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Biosciences Laboratory, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Maristella Saponara
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonio De Leo
- Pathology Unit, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Gruppioni
- Pathology Unit, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Tarantino
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sabrina Angelini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Pession
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center (CIRC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Abbondanza Pantaleo
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center (CIRC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Margherita Nannini
- Medical Oncology Unit, S.Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
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Bolotta A, Filardo G, Abruzzo PM, Astolfi A, De Sanctis P, Di Martino A, Hofer C, Indio V, Kern H, Löfler S, Marcacci M, Zampieri S, Marini M, Zucchini C. Skeletal Muscle Gene Expression in Long-Term Endurance and Resistance Trained Elderly. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21113988. [PMID: 32498275 PMCID: PMC7312229 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Physical exercise is deemed the most efficient way of counteracting the age-related decline of skeletal muscle. Here we report a transcriptional study by next-generation sequencing of vastus lateralis biopsies from elderly with a life-long high-level training practice (n = 9) and from age-matched sedentary subjects (n = 5). Unsupervised mixture distribution analysis was able to correctly categorize trained and untrained subjects, whereas it failed to discriminate between individuals who underwent a prevalent endurance (n = 5) or a prevalent resistance (n = 4) training, thus showing that the training mode was not relevant for sarcopenia prevention. KEGG analysis of transcripts showed that physical exercise affected a high number of metabolic and signaling pathways, in particular those related to energy handling and mitochondrial biogenesis, where AMPK and AKT-mTOR signaling pathways are both active and balance each other, concurring to the establishment of an insulin-sensitive phenotype and to the maintenance of a functional muscle mass. Other pathways affected by exercise training increased the efficiency of the proteostatic mechanisms, consolidated the cytoskeletal organization, lowered the inflammation level, and contrasted cellular senescence. This study on extraordinary individuals who trained at high level for at least thirty years suggests that aging processes and exercise training travel the same paths in the opposite direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Bolotta
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna School of Medicine, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (A.B.); (P.D.S.); (M.M.); (C.Z.)
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, 20148 Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Filardo
- Applied and Translational Research Center, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Provvidenza Maria Abruzzo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna School of Medicine, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (A.B.); (P.D.S.); (M.M.); (C.Z.)
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, 20148 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-051-2094122
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Giorgio Prodi Interdepartimental Center for Cancer Research, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (A.A.); (V.I.)
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Paola De Sanctis
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna School of Medicine, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (A.B.); (P.D.S.); (M.M.); (C.Z.)
| | - Alessandro Di Martino
- Second Orthopaedic and Traumatologic Clinic, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Christian Hofer
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rehabilitation Research, 1160 Wien, Austria; (C.H.); (H.K.); (S.L.)
| | - Valentina Indio
- Giorgio Prodi Interdepartimental Center for Cancer Research, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (A.A.); (V.I.)
| | - Helmut Kern
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rehabilitation Research, 1160 Wien, Austria; (C.H.); (H.K.); (S.L.)
| | - Stefan Löfler
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rehabilitation Research, 1160 Wien, Austria; (C.H.); (H.K.); (S.L.)
| | - Maurilio Marcacci
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Knee Joint Reconstruction Center, 3rd Orthopaedic Division, Humanitas Clinical Institute, Humanitas University, 20089 Milan, Italy;
| | - Sandra Zampieri
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy;
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Marina Marini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna School of Medicine, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (A.B.); (P.D.S.); (M.M.); (C.Z.)
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, 20148 Milan, Italy
| | - Cinzia Zucchini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna School of Medicine, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (A.B.); (P.D.S.); (M.M.); (C.Z.)
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Nannini M, Urbini M, Indio V, Schipani A, Vincenzi B, Silletta M, Grignani G, Tolomeo F, Rizzo A, Fumagalli E, Conca E, Saponara M, Astolfi A, Pantaleo MA. Identification of SDHA germline mutations in sporadic SDHA mutant gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST): The need of a genetic counselling. J Clin Oncol 2020. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2020.38.15_suppl.11537] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
11537 Background: SDH- deficient GIST, as defined by the loss of expression of SDHB, account up to about 10% of all gastric GIST and generally affect younger population. Germline mutations in SDHB, SDHC, and SDHD occur in about 20–30% of SDH- deficient, that may be referred to a hereditary condition known as hereditary GIST-paraganglioma syndrome (Carney-Stratakis Syndrome), whereas germline SDHA mutations have been rarely described in apparently sporadic cases. Currently, even germline testing is recommended for SDH- deficient GIST, there are no clear guidelines for genetic counselling and follow-up of SDH x mutation carriers and relatives, especially for SDHA mutant GIST not yet linked to well-defined hereditary syndrome. The aim of this work was to study the SDHA gene in the normal DNA of patients with SDHA mutant GIST. Methods: Thirteen patients carrying SDHA-mutant GIST were studied (8F/5M). Median age of diagnosis was 45,9 years (range 25-74). All GIST were located in the stomach and 3 patients out 13 presented a metastatic disease. In all cases except one, the GIST was the only cancer presentation and no personal or familial history of cancer was revealed. All cases were negative for SDHB immunohistochemistry. Germline mutations were identified through Sanger sequencing of SDHA in the normal counterpart. Results: Germline mutations were identified in all patients for which normal counterpart was available: 4 cases harboured truncating mutations (S384X, R31X and W119X); 5 cases carried pathogenic missense mutations (G233V, R171H, R589Q, G257A and R600Q) and 2 cases had splice site alterations (c.457-3_457-1 delCAG and c.456+9 C > T). In 8 cases the tumor DNA showed the loss of the corresponding wild-type allele, while in the other 3 cases compound heterozygosity for an additional somatic mutation was detected (R589W, R451C,and R171C). In 2 patients, unfortunately, normal DNA was not available, however both tumours carried two mutational hits on SDHA (one with heterozygous G419R and E564K, and one with homozygous R585Q). Of note, 5 patients presented un-usaul SDHA related clinical characteristics as were not young adult ( > 50 years-old) or no multifocal GIST. Conclusions: We demonstrated that germline SDHA mutations are highly frequent in SDHA- deficient GIST. Therefore, although a clear syndrome has not been defined, genetic counselling and follow-up of SDHA mutation carriers and relatives should be clarified.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Milena Urbini
- Interdepartmental Centre of Cancer Research "Giorgio Prodi", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Indio
- Interdepartmental Centre of Cancer Research "Giorgio Prodi", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Angela Schipani
- Giorgio Prodi” Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Bruno Vincenzi
- Policlinico Universitario Campus, Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Marianna Silletta
- Department of Medical Oncology, Campus Bio-Medico of Rome University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Grignani
- Division of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Francesco Tolomeo
- Division of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Alessandro Rizzo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine – DIMES, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elena Fumagalli
- Adult mesenchymal tumour & Rare cancer Medical Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Conca
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maristella Saponara
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Department of Morphology, Surgery & Experimental Medicine and LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, Italy, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Maria A. Pantaleo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine – DIMES, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Urbini M, Astolfi A, Indio V, Nannini M, Pizzi C, Paolisso P, Tarantino G, Pantaleo MA, Saponara M. Genetic aberrations and molecular biology of cardiac sarcoma. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2020; 12:1758835920918492. [PMID: 32489430 PMCID: PMC7238448 DOI: 10.1177/1758835920918492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac tumors are rare and complex entities. Early assessment and differentiation between non-neoplastic and neoplastic masses, be they benign or malignant, is essential for guiding diagnosis, determining prognosis, and planning therapy. Cardiac sarcomas represent the most frequent primary malignant histotype. They could have manifold presentations so that the diagnosis is often belated. Moreover, considering their rarity and the limitation due to the cardiac location itself, the optimal multimodal management of patients affected by primary cardiac sarcomas still remains highly difficult and outcome dismal. Therefore, there is an urgent need to improve these results mainly focusing on more adequate tools for prompt diagnosis and exploring new and more effective therapies. Knowledge about the molecular landscape and pathogenesis of cardiac sarcoma is even more limited due to the rarity of this disease. In this sense, the molecular characterization of heart tumors could unfold potentially novel, druggable targets. In this review, we focused on genetic aberrations and molecular biology of cardiac sarcomas, collecting the scarce information available and resuming all the molecular findings discovered in each tumor subtype, with the aim to get further insights on mechanisms involved in tumor growth and to possibly highlight specific molecular profiles that can be used as diagnostic tests and unveil new clinically actionable targets in this tricky and challenging disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Urbini
- “Giorgio Prodi” Cancer Research Center,
University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- “Giorgio Prodi” Cancer Research Center,
University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Indio
- “Giorgio Prodi” Cancer Research Center,
University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Margherita Nannini
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and
Diagnostic Medicine, Medical Oncology Unit, Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital,
University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Carmine Pizzi
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and
Diagnostic Medicine, Cardiology and Transplantation, Sant’Orsola-Malpighi
Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Pasquale Paolisso
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and
Diagnostic Medicine, Cardiology and Transplantation, Sant’Orsola-Malpighi
Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Tarantino
- “Giorgio Prodi” Cancer Research Center,
University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Abbondanza Pantaleo
- “Giorgio Prodi” Cancer Research Center,
University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and
Diagnostic Medicine, Medical Oncology Unit, Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital,
University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maristella Saponara
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and
Diagnostic Medicine, Medical Oncology Unit, Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital,
University of Bologna, Via Massarenti, 9, Bologna, Bologna 40138,
Italy
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35
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Astolfi A, Indio V, Nannini M, Saponara M, Schipani A, De Leo A, Altimari A, Vincenzi B, Comandini D, Grignani G, Secchiero P, Urbini M, Pantaleo MA. Targeted Deep Sequencing Uncovers Cryptic KIT Mutations in KIT/PDGFRA/SDH/RAS-P Wild-Type GIST. Front Oncol 2020; 10:504. [PMID: 32391261 PMCID: PMC7188756 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are known to carry oncogenic KIT or PDGFRA mutations, or less commonly SDH or NF1 gene inactivation, with very rare cases harboring mutant BRAF or RAS alleles. Approximately 10% of GISTs are devoid of any of such mutations and are characterized by very limited therapeutic opportunities and poor response to standard treatments. Methods: Twenty-six sporadic KIT/PDGFRA/SDH/RAS-pathway wild type GIST were profiled for the molecular status of genes frequently altered in GIST by a targeted next generation sequencing (NGS) approach. Molecular findings were validated by alternative amplicon-based targeted sequencing, immunohistochemistry, gene expression profiling and Sanger sequencing. Results: Three patients harboring NF1 inactivating mutations were identified and excluded from further analysis. Intriguingly, five patients carried cryptic KIT alterations, mainly represented by low-allele-fraction mutations (12–16% allele ratio). These mutations were confirmed by another targeted NGS approaches and supported by CD117 immuno-staining, gene expression profiling, Sanger sequencing, with peak signals at the level of background noise, and by the patients' clinical course assessment. Conclusion: This study indicates that ~20% patients diagnosed with a KIT/PDGFRA/SDH/RAS-pathway wild-type GIST are bona-fide carriers of pathogenic KIT mutations, thus expected to be eligible for and responsive to the various therapeutic lines of TK-inhibitors in use for KIT/PDGFRA-mutant GIST. The centralization for a second level molecular analysis of GIST samples diagnosed as wild-type for KIT and PDGFRA is once again strongly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Astolfi
- Department of Morphology, Surgery & Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Valentina Indio
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Margherita Nannini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Medical Oncology Unit, S.Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maristella Saponara
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Angela Schipani
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonio De Leo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Altimari
- Laboratory of Oncologic Molecular Pathology, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Bruno Vincenzi
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Danila Comandini
- Medical Oncology 1, Policlinico San Martino, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Giovanni Grignani
- Sarcoma Unit, Candiolo Cancer Institute - FPO, IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Paola Secchiero
- Department of Morphology, Surgery & Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Milena Urbini
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Abbondanza Pantaleo
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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36
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Indio V, Astolfi A, Urbini M, Nannini M, Pantaleo MA. Genetics and treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors with immune checkpoint inhibitors: what do we know? Pharmacogenomics 2020; 21:231-234. [PMID: 31973655 DOI: 10.2217/pgs-2019-0173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Indio
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center (CIRC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center (CIRC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Milena Urbini
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center (CIRC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Margherita Nannini
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center (CIRC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Specialized, Experimental & Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria A Pantaleo
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center (CIRC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Specialized, Experimental & Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Gatto L, Del Gaudio M, Ravaioli M, Cescon M, Tonini V, Cervellera M, Franceschelli A, Pirini MG, Di Scioscio V, Buia F, Niro F, Capizzi E, Fiorentino M, Astolfi A, Indio V, Nannini M, Pantaleo MA, Saponara M. Paratesticular Mesenchymal Malignancies: A Single-Center Case Series, Clinical Management, and Review of Literature. Integr Cancer Ther 2020; 19:1534735419900554. [PMID: 32009477 PMCID: PMC7050957 DOI: 10.1177/1534735419900554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Primary soft tissue sarcomas arising from the male urinary and genital tract are rare tumors, only accounting for 1% to 2% of all malignancies of the genitourinary tract. Clinical management of advanced disease is lacking in standardized recommendations due to the rarity of the disease. To date, complete and extensive surgery represents the only curative and standardized approach for localized disease, while the impact of retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy and adjuvant treatments on clinical outcomes are still unclear. Similarly, a standardized systemic treatment for advanced metastatic disease is still missing. Cases Presentation: Four out of 274 patients have been identified in our sarcoma population. The mean age was 54 years (range = 45-73). The histotypes showed liposarcoma in 2 cases and leiomyosarcoma in the remaining 2 cases. In all 4 cases, the disease was localized at presentation, patients underwent complete surgery, and no adjuvant treatments were done. Three cases presented a recurrence of disease at a mean follow-up of 86 months (range = 60-106 months), more than 7 years. Two cases were treated with a second surgery and chemotherapy and 1 case only with chemotherapy. Discussion and Conclusions: Sharing data about clinical management of paratesticular mesenchymal tumors is a key issue due to the rarity of this tumor's subtype. In this article, we report the clinical history of 4 patients affected by paratesticular mesenchymal tumor. In particular, main issues of interest are the decision of postoperative treatment and systemic treatment at time of disease recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Gatto
- Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.,University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Massimo Del Gaudio
- Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.,University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Ravaioli
- Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.,University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Cescon
- Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.,University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valeria Tonini
- Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.,University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maurizio Cervellera
- Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.,University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Maria Giulia Pirini
- Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.,University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valerio Di Scioscio
- Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.,University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Buia
- Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.,University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Niro
- Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.,University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Capizzi
- Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.,University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Margherita Nannini
- Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.,University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Maristella Saponara
- Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.,University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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De Cesare A, Faria do Valle Ì, Sala C, Sirri F, Astolfi A, Castellani G, Manfreda G. Effect of a low protein diet on chicken ceca microbiome and productive performances. Poult Sci 2019; 98:3963-3976. [PMID: 30953072 DOI: 10.3382/ps/pez132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [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: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of supplementation of a low protein diet on ceca microbiome and productive performances of broiler chickens. A total of 1,170 one-day-old male chicks (Ross 308) were divided in 2 diet groups and reared in the same conditions up to 42 D. Birds belonging to the control group were fed a basal diet. Birds belonging to the low protein group the basal diet with a reduced level of crude protein (-7%). Cecum contents from randomly selected birds were collected at 14 and 42 D within each diet group, submitted to DNA extraction and then tested by shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Abundances of species belonging to Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria were mainly affected by the diet as well as interaction between diet and time, while species belonging to Firmicutes and Cyanobacteria changed mainly according to the age of the birds. At family level, Lactobacillaceae significantly decreased in the low protein group up to 14 D. However, at the end of the rearing period the same family was significantly higher in the low protein group. The most abundant functional genes, represented by cystine desulfurase, alpha-galactosidase, and serine hydroxymethyltransferase, displayed comparable abundances in both diet groups, although significative differences were identified for less abundant functional genes at both sampling times. Birds fed control and low protein diets showed similar productive performances. However, in the finisher phase, feed conversion rate was significantly better in chickens fed the low protein diet. Overall, this study showed that a reduced intake of crude protein in broilers increases the abundance of Lactobacillaceae in the ceca over time and this seems to be linked to a better feed conversion rate between 36 and 42 D. A reduced intake of crude protein in chicken production can help to improve exploitation of edible resources, while reducing the emission of nitrogen pollutants in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra De Cesare
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ìtalo Faria do Valle
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy.,CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, 70040-020, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Claudia Sala
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federico Sirri
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerche sul Cancro "Giorgio Prodi" (CIRC), 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gastone Castellani
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy.,Centro Interdipartimentale "L. Galvani" per Studi Integrati di Bioinformatica, Biofisica, Biocomplessità (CIG), 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gerardo Manfreda
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
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Frega G, Tavolari S, Indio V, Deserti M, Tarantino G, Palloni A, De Lorenzo S, Rizzo A, Astolfi A, Brandi G. Potentially actionable mutations in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Ann Oncol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdz413.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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40
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Saponara M, Indio V, Pizzi C, Serban ED, Urbini M, Astolfi A, Paolisso P, Suarez SM, Nannini M, Pacini D, Agostini V, Leone O, Ambrosini V, Tarantino G, Fanti S, Niro F, Buia F, Attinà D, Pantaleo MA. Successful multidisciplinary clinical approach and molecular characterization by whole transcriptome sequencing of a cardiac myxofibrosarcoma: A case report. World J Clin Cases 2019; 7:3018-3026. [PMID: 31624749 PMCID: PMC6795718 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v7.i19.3018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiac tumors are rare and complex entities. Surgery represents the cornerstone of therapy, while the role of adjuvant treatment remains unclear and, in case of relapse or metastatic disease, the prognosis is very poor. Lack of prospective, randomized clinical trials hinders the generation of high level evidence for the optimal diagnostic workup and multimodal treatment of cardiac sarcomas. Herein, we describe the multidisciplinary clinical management and molecular characterization of a rare case of cardiac myxofibrosarcoma in an elderly woman.
CASE SUMMARY A 73-year-old woman presented signs and symptoms of acute left-sided heart failure. Imaging examination revealed a large, left atrial mass. With suspicion of a myxoma, she underwent surgery, and symptoms were promptly relieved. Histology showed a cardiac myxofibrosarcoma, a rare histotype of cardiac sarcoma. Eight months later, disease unfortunately relapsed, and after a multidisciplinary discussion, a chemotherapy with doxorubicin and then gemcitabine was started, achieving partial radiologic and complete metabolic response, which was maintained up to 2 years and is still present. This report is focused on the entire clinical path of our patient from diagnosis to follow-up, through surgery and strategies adopted at relapse. Moreover, due to their rarity, very little is known about the molecular landscape of myxofibrosarcomas. Thus, we also performed and described preliminary genome analysis of the tumor tissue to get further insight on mechanisms involved in tumor growth, and to possibly unveil new clinically actionable targets.
CONCLUSION We report a case of cardiac myxofibrosarcoma that achieved a very good prognosis due to an integrated surgical, cardiac and oncologic treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maristella Saponara
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Medical Oncology Unit, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Valentina Indio
- “Giorgio Prodi” Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Carmine Pizzi
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Cardiology and Transplantation Unit, Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Elena-Daniela Serban
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Pathology Unit, Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Milena Urbini
- “Giorgio Prodi” Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- “Giorgio Prodi” Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Pasquale Paolisso
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Cardiology and Transplantation Unit, Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Sofia Martin Suarez
- Departments of Cardiovascular Surgery and Transplantation, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Margherita Nannini
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Medical Oncology Unit, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Davide Pacini
- Departments of Cardiovascular Surgery and Transplantation, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Valentina Agostini
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Pathology Unit, Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Ornella Leone
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Pathology Unit, Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Valentina Ambrosini
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Nuclear Medicine Unit, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Tarantino
- “Giorgio Prodi” Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Stefano Fanti
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Nuclear Medicine Unit, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Fabio Niro
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Radiology Unit, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Francesco Buia
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Radiology Unit, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Domenico Attinà
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Radiology Unit, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Maria Abbondanza Pantaleo
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Medical Oncology Unit, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
- “Giorgio Prodi” Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
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Racanelli D, Stacchiotti S, Brenca M, Sbaraglia M, Fassetta K, Baldazzi D, Piccinin S, Brich S, Casali P, Collini P, Dagrada G, Fiore M, Gronchi A, Astolfi A, Pantaleo M, Righi A, Pilotti S, De Tos A, Maestro R. Myoepithelial tumours of soft tissues and extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas feature a distinct transcriptional pattern. Ann Oncol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdz283.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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42
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Ravegnini G, Sammarini G, Moran S, Calice G, Indio V, Urbini M, Astolfi A, Zanotti F, Pantaleo MA, Hrelia P, Angelini S. Mechanisms of resistance to a PI3K inhibitor in gastrointestinal stromal tumors: an omic approach to identify novel druggable targets. Cancer Manag Res 2019; 11:6229-6244. [PMID: 31308757 PMCID: PMC6615718 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s189661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) represent a worldwide paradigm of target therapy. The introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors has deeply changed the prognosis of GIST patients, however, the majority of them acquire secondary mutations and progress. Unfortunately, besides tyrosine-kinase inhibitors, no other therapeutic options are available. Therefore, it is mandatory to identify novel molecules and/or strategies to overcome the inevitable resistance. In this context, after promising preclinical data on the novel PI3K inhibitor BYL719, the NCT01735968 trial in GIST patients who had previously failed treatment with imatinib and sunitinib started. BYL719 has attracted our attention, and we comprehensively characterized genomic and transcriptomic changes taking place during resistance. Methods: For this purpose, we generated two in vitro GIST models of acquired resistance to BYL719 and performed an omic-based analysis by integrating RNA-sequencing, miRNA, and methylation profiles in sensitive and resistant cells. Results: We identified novel epigenomic mechanisms of pharmacological resistance in GISTs suggesting the existence of pathways involved in drug resistance and alternatively acquired mutations. Therefore, epigenomics should be taken into account as an alternative adaptive mechanism. Conclusion: Despite the fact that currently we do not have patients in treatment with BYL719 to verify this hypothesis, the most intriguing result is the involvement of H19 and PSTA1 in GIST resistance, which might represent druggable targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Ravegnini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giulia Sammarini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sebastian Moran
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institue (Idibell), l'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Giovanni Calice
- Laboratory of Preclinical and Translational Research, IRCCS-CROB, Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata, Rionero in Vulture, Italy
| | - Valentina Indio
- Giorgio Prodi Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Milena Urbini
- Giorgio Prodi Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Giorgio Prodi Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Zanotti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria A Pantaleo
- Giorgio Prodi Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Specialized, Experimental, and Diagnostic Medicine, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Patrizia Hrelia
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sabrina Angelini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Pantaleo MA, Tarantino G, Agostinelli C, Urbini M, Nannini M, Saponara M, Castelli C, Stacchiotti S, Fumagalli E, Gatto L, Santini D, De Leo A, Marafioti T, Akarca A, Sabattini E, Pession A, Ardizzoni A, Indio V, Astolfi A. Immune microenvironment profiling of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) shows gene expression patterns associated to immune checkpoint inhibitors response. Oncoimmunology 2019; 8:e1617588. [PMID: 31428517 PMCID: PMC6685519 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2019.1617588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Few studies were conducted investigating the immunological profiles in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Adaptive and innate immune cells are present in the tumor microenvironment, indicating GIST as inflamed tumors. In addition, murine models suggested a potential interaction between immune components and imatinib. In this retrospective study, the GIST immunological profile was investigated through in silico analysis and immunohistochemistry (IHC), exploring the basis for immunotherapy approaches. Gene expression profiles (GEP) from 31 KIT/PDGFRA-mutant GIST were analyzed to evaluate the tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy predictive signatures such as the expanded IFN-γ-induced immune signature (EIIS) and the T-cell-inflamed signature (TIS). GEP and IHC supported the presence of immune infiltrate in GIST, with dominance of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and M2 macrophages showing a remarkable similarity with melanoma microenvironment. The EIIS genes were expressed in most of GIST samples and positively correlated with PD-L1 abundance (p < .0001). Co-expression was also found between PD-L1 and CD8A (p < .0001) or CD8B (p = .0003). Moreover, the median TIS score for GIST was between the 65th and 70th percentile of the Cancer Genome Atlas dataset, in the same range of tumors responding to anti-PD-1/PD-L1. Analysis of the Gene Expression Omnibus database GIST samples pre- and post-treatment confirmed that imatinib downregulates PD-L1 and IRF1 expression through the inhibition of KIT and PDGFRA, thus contributing to counteract the suppressed adaptive immune response against GIST. The presence of a rich immune infiltrate in GIST along with the presence of TIS and EIIS suggests that GIST may benefit from immunotherapy along with tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Pantaleo
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center (CIRC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Tarantino
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center (CIRC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudio Agostinelli
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Milena Urbini
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center (CIRC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Margherita Nannini
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maristella Saponara
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Castelli
- Unit of Immunotherapy of Human Tumours, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Stacchiotti
- Cancer Medicine Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Elena Fumagalli
- Cancer Medicine Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Lidia Gatto
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Donatella Santini
- Pathology Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonio De Leo
- Pathology Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Teresa Marafioti
- Department of Histopathology, University College London, University College Hospital
| | - Ayse Akarca
- Department of Histopathology, University College London, University College Hospital
| | - Elena Sabattini
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Pession
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center (CIRC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna Italy
| | - Andrea Ardizzoni
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Indio
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center (CIRC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center (CIRC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Abstract
BCOR is a gene that encodes for an epigenetic regulator involved in the specification of cell differentiation and body structure development and takes part in the noncanonical polycomb repressive complex 1. This review provides a comprehensive summary of BCOR’s involvement in oncology, illustrating that various BCOR aberrations, such as the internal tandem duplications of the PCGF Ub-like fold discriminator domain and different gene fusions (mainly BCOR–CCNB3, BCOR–MAML3 and ZC3H7B–BCOR), represent driver elements of various sarcomas such as clear cell sarcoma of the kidney, primitive mesenchymal myxoid tumor of infancy, small round blue cell sarcoma, endometrial stromal sarcoma and histologically heterogeneous CNS neoplasms group with similar genomic methylation patterns known as CNS-HGNET-BCOR. Furthermore, other BCOR alterations (often loss of function mutations) recur in a large variety of mesenchymal, epithelial, neural and hematological tumors, suggesting a central role in cancer evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Astolfi
- 'Giorgio Prodi' Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Fiore
- Pediatric Oncology & Hematology Unit 'Lalla Seràgnoli', S Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Fraia Melchionda
- Pediatric Oncology & Hematology Unit 'Lalla Seràgnoli', S Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Indio
- 'Giorgio Prodi' Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Salvatore N Bertuccio
- Pediatric Oncology & Hematology Unit 'Lalla Seràgnoli', S Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Pession
- Pediatric Oncology & Hematology Unit 'Lalla Seràgnoli', S Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy.,Department of Medical & Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, S Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy
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45
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Brenca M, Stacchiotti S, Fassetta K, Sbaraglia M, Janjusevic M, Racanelli D, Polano M, Rossi S, Brich S, Dagrada GP, Collini P, Colombo C, Gronchi A, Astolfi A, Indio V, Pantaleo MA, Picci P, Casali PG, Dei Tos AP, Pilotti S, Maestro R. NR4A3 fusion proteins trigger an axon guidance switch that marks the difference between EWSR1 and TAF15 translocated extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas. J Pathol 2019; 249:90-101. [PMID: 31020999 PMCID: PMC6766969 DOI: 10.1002/path.5284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC) is a rare sarcoma histotype with uncertain differentiation. EMC is hallmarked by the rearrangement of the NR4A3 gene, which in most cases fuses with EWSR1 or TAF15. TAF15‐translocated EMC seem to feature a more aggressive course compared to EWSR1‐positive EMCs, but whether the type of NR4A3 chimera impinges upon EMC biology is still largely undefined. To gain insights on this issue, a series of EMC samples (7 EWSR1‐NR4A3 and 5 TAF15‐NR4A3) were transcriptionally profiled. Our study unveiled that the two EMC variants display a distinct transcriptional profile and that the axon guidance pathway is a major discriminant. In particular, class 4–6 semaphorins and axonal guidance cues endowed with pro‐tumorigenic activity were more expressed in TAF15‐NR4A3 tumors; vice versa, class 3 semaphorins, considered to convey growth inhibitory signals, were more abundant in EWSR1‐NR4A3 EMC. Intriguingly, the dichotomy in axon guidance signaling observed in the two tumor variants was recapitulated in in vitro cell models engineered to ectopically express EWSR1‐NR4A3 or TAF15‐NR4A3. Moreover, TAF15‐NR4A3 cells displayed a more pronounced tumorigenic potential, as assessed by anchorage‐independent growth. Overall, our results indicate that the type of NR4A3 chimera dictates an axon guidance switch and impacts on tumor cell biology. These findings may provide a framework for interpretation of the different clinical–pathological features of the two EMC variants and lay down the bases for the development of novel patient stratification criteria and therapeutic approaches. © 2019 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Brenca
- Unit of Oncogenetics and Functional Oncogenomics, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, Italy
| | - Silvia Stacchiotti
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Kelly Fassetta
- Unit of Oncogenetics and Functional Oncogenomics, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, Italy
| | - Marta Sbaraglia
- Department of Pathology, Treviso Regional Hospital, Treviso, Italy
| | - Milijana Janjusevic
- Unit of Oncogenetics and Functional Oncogenomics, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, Italy
| | - Dominga Racanelli
- Unit of Oncogenetics and Functional Oncogenomics, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, Italy
| | - Maurizio Polano
- Unit of Oncogenetics and Functional Oncogenomics, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, Italy
| | - Sabrina Rossi
- Department of Pathology, Treviso Regional Hospital, Treviso, Italy
| | - Silvia Brich
- Unit of Experimental Molecular Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Gian P Dagrada
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Collini
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Chiara Colombo
- Department of Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gronchi
- Department of Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Indio
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria A Pantaleo
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Piero Picci
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Paolo G Casali
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy.,Oncology and Haemato-Oncology Department, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - Angelo P Dei Tos
- Department of Pathology, Treviso Regional Hospital, Treviso, Italy.,Department of Medicine, University of Padua School of Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - Silvana Pilotti
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Roberta Maestro
- Unit of Oncogenetics and Functional Oncogenomics, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, Italy
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46
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Urbini M, Indio V, Tarantino G, Ravegnini G, Angelini S, Nannini M, Saponara M, Santini D, Ceccarelli C, Fiorentino M, Vincenzi B, Fumagalli E, Casali PG, Grignani G, Pession A, Ardizzoni A, Astolfi A, Pantaleo MA. Gain of FGF4 is a frequent event in KIT/PDGFRA/SDH/RAS-P WT GIST. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2019; 58:636-642. [PMID: 30887595 PMCID: PMC6619263 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.22753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) lacking mutations in KIT/PDGFRA or RAS pathways and retaining an intact SDH complex are usually referred to as KIT/PDGFRA/SDH/RAS‐P WT GIST or more simply quadruple WT GIST (~5% of all GIST). Despite efforts made, no recurrent genetic event in quadruple WT GIST has been identified so far. To further investigate this disease, we performed high throughput copy number analysis on quadruple WT GIST specimens identifying a recurrent focal gain in band 11q13.3 (involving FGF3/FGF4) in 6/8 cases. This event was not found in the other molecular GIST subgroups. FGF3/FGF4 duplication was associated with high expression of FGF4, both at mRNA and protein level, a growth factor normally not expressed in adult tissues or in KIT/PDGFRA‐mutated GIST. FGFR1 was found to be the predominant FGF receptor expressed and phosphorylation of AKT was detected, suggesting that a FGF4‐FGFR1 autocrine loop could stimulate downstream signaling in quadruple WT GIST. Together with the recent reports of quadruple WT cases carrying FGFR1 activating alterations, these findings strengthen the hypothesis of a potential involvement of FGFR pathway deregulation in quadruple WT GIST, which may represent a rationale for novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Urbini
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Indio
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Tarantino
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gloria Ravegnini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, FaBit; University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sabrina Angelini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, FaBit; University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Margherita Nannini
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maristella Saponara
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Donatella Santini
- Pathology Unit, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudio Ceccarelli
- Pathology Unit, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michelangelo Fiorentino
- Laboratory of Oncological and Transplant Molecular Pathology-Pathology Unit, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Bruno Vincenzi
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Fumagalli
- Medical Oncology Unit 2, Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Giovanni Casali
- Medical Oncology Unit 2, Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Grignani
- Sarcoma Unit, Candiolo Cancer Institute - FPO, IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Andrea Pession
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Ardizzoni
- Division of Medical Oncology, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Abbondanza Pantaleo
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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47
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Simonetti G, Padella A, do Valle IF, Fontana MC, Fonzi E, Bruno S, Baldazzi C, Guadagnuolo V, Manfrini M, Ferrari A, Paolini S, Papayannidis C, Marconi G, Franchini E, Zuffa E, Laginestra MA, Zanotti F, Astolfi A, Iacobucci I, Bernardi S, Sazzini M, Ficarra E, Hernandez JM, Vandenberghe P, Cools J, Bullinger L, Ottaviani E, Testoni N, Cavo M, Haferlach T, Castellani G, Remondini D, Martinelli G. Aneuploid acute myeloid leukemia exhibits a signature of genomic alterations in the cell cycle and protein degradation machinery. Cancer 2018; 125:712-725. [PMID: 30480765 PMCID: PMC6587451 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.31837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Background Aneuploidy occurs in more than 20% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases and correlates with an adverse prognosis. Methods To understand the molecular bases of aneuploid acute myeloid leukemia (A‐AML), this study examined the genomic profile in 42 A‐AML cases and 35 euploid acute myeloid leukemia (E‐AML) cases. Results A‐AML was characterized by increased genomic complexity based on exonic variants (an average of 26 somatic mutations per sample vs 15 for E‐AML). The integration of exome, copy number, and gene expression data revealed alterations in genes involved in DNA repair (eg, SLX4IP, RINT1, HINT1, and ATR) and the cell cycle (eg, MCM2, MCM4, MCM5, MCM7, MCM8, MCM10, UBE2C, USP37, CK2, CK3, CK4, BUB1B, NUSAP1, and E2F) in A‐AML, which was associated with a 3‐gene signature defined by PLK1 and CDC20 upregulation and RAD50 downregulation and with structural or functional silencing of the p53 transcriptional program. Moreover, A‐AML was enriched for alterations in the protein ubiquitination and degradation pathway (eg, increased levels of UHRF1 and UBE2C and decreased UBA3 expression), response to reactive oxygen species, energy metabolism, and biosynthetic processes, which may help in facing the unbalanced protein load. E‐AML was associated with BCOR/BCORL1 mutations and HOX gene overexpression. Conclusions These findings indicate that aneuploidy‐related and leukemia‐specific alterations cooperate to tolerate an abnormal chromosome number in AML, and they point to the mitotic and protein degradation machineries as potential therapeutic targets. Aneuploid acute myeloid leukemia (A‐AML) is associated with genomic and transcriptional alterations in the cell cycle and protein degradation pathways. The upregulation of PLK1 and CDC20 and the downregulation of RAD50 and of a p53‐related signature are hallmarks of A‐AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Simonetti
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonella Padella
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Italo Farìa do Valle
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Maria Chiara Fontana
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Eugenio Fonzi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Samantha Bruno
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Carmen Baldazzi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Viviana Guadagnuolo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Manfrini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Anna Ferrari
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefania Paolini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Cristina Papayannidis
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Marconi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Eugenia Franchini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Zuffa
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Antonella Laginestra
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Zanotti
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Giorgio Prodi Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ilaria Iacobucci
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Simona Bernardi
- Unit of Blood Diseases and Stem Cell Transplantation, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Sazzini
- Department of Biological Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Jesus Maria Hernandez
- Fundación de Investigación del Cáncer de la Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | | | - Jan Cools
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Emanuela Ottaviani
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Testoni
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Cavo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Gastone Castellani
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Daniel Remondini
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Martinelli
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
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48
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Ravegnini G, Urbini M, Simeon V, Genovese C, Astolfi A, Nannini M, Gatto L, Saponara M, Ianni M, Indio V, Brandi G, Trino S, Hrelia P, Biasco G, Angelini S, Pantaleo MA. An exploratory study by DMET array identifies a germline signature associated with imatinib response in gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Pharmacogenomics J 2018; 19:390-400. [DOI: 10.1038/s41397-018-0050-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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49
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Bonora E, Bianco F, Stanzani A, Giancola F, Astolfi A, Indio V, Evangelisti C, Martelli AM, Boschetti E, Lugaresi M, Ioannou A, Torresan F, Stanghellini V, Clavenzani P, Seri M, Moonen A, Van Beek K, Wouters M, Boeckxstaens GE, Zaninotto G, Mattioli S, De Giorgio R. INPP4B overexpression and c-KIT downregulation in human achalasia. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2018; 30:e13346. [PMID: 29644781 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.13346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Achalasia is a rare motility disorder characterized by myenteric neuron and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) abnormalities leading to deranged/absent peristalsis and lack of relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. The mechanisms contributing to neuronal and ICC changes in achalasia are only partially understood. Our goal was to identify novel molecular features occurring in patients with primary achalasia. METHODS Esophageal full-thickness biopsies from 42 (22 females; age range: 16-82 years) clinically, radiologically, and manometrically characterized patients with primary achalasia were examined and compared to those obtained from 10 subjects (controls) undergoing surgery for uncomplicated esophageal cancer (or upper stomach disorders). Tissue RNA extracted from biopsies of cases and controls was used for library preparation and sequencing. Data analysis was performed with the "edgeR" option of R-Bioconductor. Data were validated by real-time RT-PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry. KEY RESULTS Quantitative transcriptome evaluation and cluster analysis revealed 111 differentially expressed genes, with a P ≤ 10-3 . Nine genes with a P ≤ 10-4 were further validated. CYR61, CTGF, c-KIT, DUSP5, EGR1 were downregulated, whereas AKAP6 and INPP4B were upregulated in patients vs controls. Compared to controls, immunohistochemical analysis revealed a clear increase in INPP4B, whereas c-KIT immunolabeling resulted downregulated. As INPP4B regulates Akt pathway, we used western blot to show that phospho-Akt was significantly reduced in achalasia patients vs controls. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES The identification of altered gene expression, including INPP4B, a regulator of the Akt pathway, highlights novel signaling pathways involved in the neuronal and ICC changes underlying primary achalasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Bonora
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, DIMEC, University of Bologna and St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - F Bianco
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, DIMEC, University of Bologna and St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Medical and Veterinary Sciences, DIMEVET, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - A Stanzani
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, DIMEC, University of Bologna and St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Medical and Veterinary Sciences, DIMEVET, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - F Giancola
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, DIMEC, University of Bologna and St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Medical and Veterinary Sciences, DIMEVET, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Centro di Ricerca Biomedica Applicata, St.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - A Astolfi
- Interdepartmental Center for Cancer Research "G. Prodi" (CIRC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - V Indio
- Interdepartmental Center for Cancer Research "G. Prodi" (CIRC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - C Evangelisti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, DIMES, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - A M Martelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, DIMES, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - E Boschetti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, DIMEC, University of Bologna and St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.,Centro di Ricerca Biomedica Applicata, St.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - M Lugaresi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, DIMEC, University of Bologna and St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - A Ioannou
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, DIMEC, University of Bologna and St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - F Torresan
- Department of Digestive System, St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - V Stanghellini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, DIMEC, University of Bologna and St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - P Clavenzani
- Department of Medical and Veterinary Sciences, DIMEVET, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - M Seri
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, DIMEC, University of Bologna and St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - A Moonen
- Translational Research in GastroIntestinal Disorders (TARGID), Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, KU Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
| | - K Van Beek
- Translational Research in GastroIntestinal Disorders (TARGID), Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, KU Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
| | - M Wouters
- Translational Research in GastroIntestinal Disorders (TARGID), Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, KU Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
| | - G E Boeckxstaens
- Translational Research in GastroIntestinal Disorders (TARGID), Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, KU Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
| | - G Zaninotto
- Division of Surgery, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - S Mattioli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, DIMEC, University of Bologna and St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - R De Giorgio
- Department of Medical Sciences, Nuovo Arcispedale S.Anna at Cona (Ferrara), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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50
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Saponara M, Ambrosini V, Nannini M, Gatto L, Astolfi A, Urbini M, Indio V, Fanti S, Pantaleo MA. 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging in cardiac tumors: illustrative clinical cases and review of the literature. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2018; 10:1758835918793569. [PMID: 30344650 PMCID: PMC6188102 DOI: 10.1177/1758835918793569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac tumors are a very rare condition. Mostly, they are benign tumors (75%), with myxomas being the most frequent. The remaining 25% are malignant; either primary malignant sarcoma or secondary metastases. Given the small number of cases reported and the lack of prospective and randomized clinical trials, the level of evidence for the optimal multimodal treatment of primary cardiac sarcomas is very low and the optimal imaging diagnostic workup is not well established. In particular, 18F-FDG-PET/CT is not yet included in routine diagnosis of cardiac masses. Here, we report four illustrative clinical cases and a review of the literature on the current available data on the role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT imaging in cardiac tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maristella Saponara
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Valentina Ambrosini
- Division of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Lidia Gatto
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- 'Giorgio Prodi' Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Milena Urbini
- 'Giorgio Prodi' Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Indio
- 'Giorgio Prodi' Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Fanti
- Division of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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