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Williams KB, Larsson AT, Keller BJ, Chaney KE, Williams RL, Bhunia MM, Draper GM, Jubenville TA, Rathe SK, Moertel CL, Ratner N, Largaespada DA. Pharmacogenomic synthetic lethal screens reveal hidden vulnerabilities and new therapeutic approaches for treatment of NF1-associated tumors. bioRxiv 2024:2024.03.25.585959. [PMID: 38585724 PMCID: PMC10996510 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.25.585959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is a common cancer predisposition syndrome, caused by heterozygous loss of function mutations in the tumor suppressor gene NF1. Individuals with NF1 develop benign tumors of the peripheral nervous system (neurofibromas), originating from the Schwann cell linage after somatic loss of the wild type NF1 allele, some of which progress further to malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). There is only one FDA approved targeted therapy for symptomatic plexiform neurofibromas and none approved for MPNST. The genetic basis of NF1 syndrome makes associated tumors ideal for using synthetic drug sensitivity approaches to uncover therapeutic vulnerabilities. We developed a drug discovery pipeline to identify therapeutics for NF1-related tumors using isogeneic pairs of NF1-proficient and deficient immortalized human Schwann cells. We utilized these in a large-scale high throughput screen (HTS) for drugs that preferentially kill NF1-deficient cells, through which we identified 23 compounds capable of killing NF1-deficient Schwann cells with selectivity. Multiple hits from this screen clustered into classes defined by method of action. Four clinically interesting drugs from these classes were tested in vivo using both a genetically engineered mouse model of high-grade peripheral nerve sheath tumors and human MPNST xenografts. All drugs tested showed single agent efficacy in these models as well as significant synergy when used in combination with the MEK inhibitor selumetinib. This HTS platform yielded novel therapeutically relevant compounds for the treatment of NF1-associated tumors and can serve as a tool to rapidly evaluate new compounds and combinations in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle B Williams
- Department of Pediatrics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Alex T Larsson
- Department of Pediatrics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Bryant J Keller
- Department of Pediatrics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Katherine E Chaney
- Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Rory L Williams
- Department of Pediatrics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Minu M Bhunia
- Department of Pediatrics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
| | - Garrett M Draper
- Department of Pediatrics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Tyler A Jubenville
- Department of Pediatrics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Sue K Rathe
- Department of Pediatrics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Christopher L Moertel
- Department of Pediatrics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Nancy Ratner
- Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - David A Largaespada
- Department of Pediatrics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
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Patritti Cram J, Wu J, Coover RA, Rizvi TA, Chaney KE, Ravindran R, Cancelas JA, Spinner RJ, Ratner N. P2RY14 cAMP signaling regulates Schwann cell precursor self-renewal, proliferation, and nerve tumor initiation in a mouse model of neurofibromatosis. eLife 2022; 11:73511. [PMID: 35311647 PMCID: PMC8959601 DOI: 10.7554/elife.73511] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is characterized by nerve tumors called neurofibromas, in which Schwann cells (SCs) show deregulated RAS signaling. NF1 is also implicated in regulation of cAMP. We identified the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) P2ry14 in human neurofibromas, neurofibroma-derived SC precursors (SCPs), mature SCs, and mouse SCPs. Mouse Nf1-/- SCP self-renewal was reduced by genetic or pharmacological inhibition of P2ry14. In a mouse model of NF1, genetic deletion of P2ry14 rescued low cAMP signaling, increased mouse survival, delayed neurofibroma initiation, and improved SC Remak bundles. P2ry14 signals via Gi to increase intracellular cAMP, implicating P2ry14 as a key upstream regulator of cAMP. We found that elevation of cAMP by either blocking the degradation of cAMP or by using a P2ry14 inhibitor diminished NF1-/- SCP self-renewal in vitro and neurofibroma SC proliferation in in vivo. These studies identify P2ry14 as a critical regulator of SCP self-renewal, SC proliferation, and neurofibroma initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Patritti Cram
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cancer & Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, United States.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Jianqiang Wu
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cancer & Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Robert A Coover
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cancer & Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Tilat A Rizvi
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cancer & Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Katherine E Chaney
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cancer & Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Ramya Ravindran
- Molecular and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Jose A Cancelas
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cancer & Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, United States.,Hoxworth Blood Center, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Robert J Spinner
- Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, United States
| | - Nancy Ratner
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cancer & Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, United States
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Chaney KE, Perrino MR, Kershner LJ, Patel AV, Wu J, Choi K, Rizvi TA, Dombi E, Szabo S, Largaespada DA, Ratner N. Cdkn2a Loss in a Model of Neurofibroma Demonstrates Stepwise Tumor Progression to Atypical Neurofibroma and MPNST. Cancer Res 2020; 80:4720-4730. [PMID: 32816910 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-1429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Plexiform neurofibromas are benign nerve sheath Schwann cell tumors characterized by biallelic mutations in the neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) tumor suppressor gene. Atypical neurofibromas show additional frequent loss of CDKN2A/Ink4a/Arf and may be precursor lesions of aggressive malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). Here we combined loss of Nf1 in developing Schwann cells with global Ink4a/Arf loss and identified paraspinal plexiform neurofibromas and atypical neurofibromas. Upon transplantation, atypical neurofibromas generated genetically engineered mice (GEM)-PNST similar to human MPNST, and tumors showed reduced p16INK4a protein and reduced senescence markers, confirming susceptibility to transformation. Superficial GEM-PNST contained regions of nerve-associated plexiform neurofibromas or atypical neurofibromas and grew rapidly on transplantation. Transcriptome analyses showed similarities to corresponding human tumors. Thus, we recapitulated nerve tumor progression in NF1 and provided preclinical platforms for testing therapies at each tumor grade. These results support a tumor progression model in which loss of NF1 in Schwann cells drives plexiform neurofibromas formation, additional loss of Ink4a/Arf contributes to atypical neurofibromas formation, and further changes underlie transformation to MPNST. SIGNIFICANCE: New mouse models recapitulate the stepwise progression of NF1 tumors and will be useful to define effective treatments that halt tumor growth and tumor progression in NF1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E Chaney
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Melissa R Perrino
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Leah J Kershner
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Ami V Patel
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Jianqiang Wu
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Kwangmin Choi
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Tilat A Rizvi
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Eva Dombi
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Sara Szabo
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Pediatric Pathology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - David A Largaespada
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Nancy Ratner
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.
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Guo J, Chaney KE, Choi K, Witek G, Patel AV, Xie H, Lin D, Whig K, Xiong Y, Schultz DC, Ratner N, Field J. Polo-like kinase 1 as a therapeutic target for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) and schwannomas. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:856-869. [PMID: 32266095 PMCID: PMC7136923] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) are two dominantly inherited disorders that cause tumors in Schwann cells. NF1 patients have a high risk for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST), which are often inoperable and do not respond well to current chemotherapies or radiation. NF2 patients have a high risk for schwannomas. To identify potential therapeutic targets in these two tumors, we screened the NF1 MPNST cell line, ST88-14, and the NF2 schwannoma cell line, HEI-193, against ~2000 drugs of known mechanisms of action (including ~600 cancer relevant drugs), and also screened the cell lines against an siRNA library targeting most protein kinases. Both the drug screen and the siRNA screen identified Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) among the most potent hits in both cell lines. Since PLK1 acts on the cell cycle primarily at the G2/M transition, the same stage where aurora kinase (AURKA) acts, we explored PLK1 and its relationship to aurora kinase in MPNST. Quantitative profiling of PLK1 inhibitors against a panel of 10 neurofibromatosis cell lines found that they were potent inhibitors and, unlike AURKA inhibitors, were not more selective for NF1 over NF2 tumor cells. Furthermore, one PLK1 inhibitor, BI6727 stabilized tumor volume in MPNST xenografts. We conclude that PLK1 is a therapeutic target for MPNSTs and schwannomas, but inhibitors may have a narrow therapeutic index that limits their use as a single agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianman Guo
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Qilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinan 250012, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Katherine E Chaney
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Kwangmin Choi
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Gabriela Witek
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ami V Patel
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Hong Xie
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Danny Lin
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kanupriya Whig
- High Throughput Screening Core, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yao Xiong
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - David C Schultz
- High Throughput Screening Core, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nancy Ratner
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Jeffrey Field
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Ramkissoon A, Chaney KE, Milewski D, Williams KB, Williams RL, Choi K, Miller A, Kalin TV, Pressey JG, Szabo S, Azam M, Largaespada DA, Ratner N. Targeted Inhibition of the Dual Specificity Phosphatases DUSP1 and DUSP6 Suppress MPNST Growth via JNK. Clin Cancer Res 2019; 25:4117-4127. [PMID: 30936125 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-3224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE In neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and in highly aggressive malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs), constitutively active RAS-GTP and increased MAPK signaling are important in tumorigenesis. Dual specificity phosphatases (DUSPs) are negative regulators of MAPK signaling that dephosphorylate p38, JNK, and ERK in different settings. Although often acting as tumor suppressors, DUSPs may also act as oncogenes, helping tumor cells adapt to high levels of MAPK signaling. We hypothesized that inhibiting DUSPs might be selectively toxic to cells from NF1-driven tumors. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We examined DUSP gene and protein expression in neurofibroma and MPNSTs. We used small hairpin RNA (shRNA) to knock down DUSP1 and DUSP6 to evaluate cell growth, downstream MAPK signaling, and mechanisms of action. We evaluated the DUSP inhibitor, (E)-2-benzylidene-3-(cyclohexylamino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one (BCI), in MPNST cell lines and in cell-line and patient-derived MPNST xenografts. RESULTS DUSP1 and DUSP6 are expressed in NF1-deleted tumors. Knockdown of DUSP1 and DUSP6, alone or in combination, reduced MPNST cell growth and led to ERK and JNK hyperactivation increasing downstream TP53 and p-ATM. The DUSP inhibitor, BCI, diminished the survival of NF1-deleted Schwann cells and MPNST cell lines through activation of JNK. In vivo, treatment of an established cell-line xenograft or a novel patient-derived xenograft (PDX) of MPNSTs with BCI increased ERK and JNK activation, caused tumor necrosis and fibrosis, and reduced tumor volume in one model. CONCLUSIONS Targeting DUSP1 and DUSP6 genetically or with BCI effectively inhibits MPNST cell growth and promotes cell death, in vitro and in xenograft models. The data support further investigation of DUSP inhibition in MPNSTs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - David Milewski
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Kyle B Williams
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Rory L Williams
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Kwangmin Choi
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Adam Miller
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Tanya V Kalin
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | | | - Sara Szabo
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Mohammad Azam
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | | | - Nancy Ratner
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH.
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
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Coover RA, Healy TE, Guo L, Chaney KE, Hennigan RF, Thomson CS, Aschbacher-Smith LE, Jankowski MP, Ratner N. Tonic ATP-mediated growth suppression in peripheral nerve glia requires arrestin-PP2 and is evaded in NF1. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2018; 6:127. [PMID: 30470263 PMCID: PMC6251093 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-018-0635-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Normal Schwann cells (SCs) are quiescent in adult nerves, when ATP is released from the nerve in an activity dependent manner. We find that suppressing nerve activity in adult nerves causes SC to enter the cell cycle. In vitro, ATP activates the SC G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) P2Y2. Downstream of P2Y2, β-arrestin-mediated signaling results in PP2-mediated de-phosphorylation of AKT, and PP2 activity is required for SC growth suppression. NF1 deficient SC show reduced growth suppression by ATP, and are resistant to the effects of β-arrestin-mediated signaling, including PP2-mediated de-phosphorylation of AKT. In patients with the disorder Neurofibromatosis type 1, NF1 mutant SCs proliferate and form SC tumors called neurofibromas. Elevating ATP levels in vivo reduced neurofibroma cell proliferation. Thus, the low proliferation characteristic of differentiated adult peripheral nerve may require ongoing, nerve activity-dependent, ATP. Additionally, we identify a mechanism through which NF1 SCs may evade growth suppression in nerve tumors.
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Currier MA, Sprague L, Rizvi TA, Nartker B, Chen CY, Wang PY, Hutzen BJ, Franczek MR, Patel AV, Chaney KE, Streby KA, Ecsedy JA, Conner J, Ratner N, Cripe TP. Aurora A kinase inhibition enhances oncolytic herpes virotherapy through cytotoxic synergy and innate cellular immune modulation. Oncotarget 2017; 8:17412-17427. [PMID: 28147331 PMCID: PMC5392259 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [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: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) and neuroblastoma models respond to the investigational small molecule Aurora A kinase inhibitor, alisertib. We previously reported that MPNST and neuroblastomas are also susceptible to oncolytic herpes virus (oHSV) therapy. Herein, we show that combination of alisertib and HSV1716, a virus derived from HSV-1 and attenuated by deletion of RL1, exhibits significantly increased antitumor efficacy compared to either monotherapy. Alisertib and HSV1716 reduced tumor growth and increased survival in two xenograft models of MPNST and neuroblastoma. We found the enhanced antitumor effect was due to multiple mechanisms that likely each contribute to the combination effect. First, oncolytic herpes virus increased the sensitivity of uninfected cells to alisertib cytotoxicity, a process we term virus-induced therapeutic adjuvant (VITA). Second, alisertib increased peak virus production and slowed virus clearance from tumors, both likely a consequence of it preventing virus-mediated increase of intratumoral NK cells. We also found that alisertib inhibited virus-induced accumulation of intratumoral myeloid derived suppressor cells, which normally are protumorigenic. Our data suggest that clinical trials of the combination of oHSV and alisertib are warranted in patients with neuroblastoma or MPNST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Currier
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Les Sprague
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Tilat A Rizvi
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Brooke Nartker
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Chun-Yu Chen
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Pin-Yi Wang
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Brian J Hutzen
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Meghan R Franczek
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Ami V Patel
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Katherine E Chaney
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Keri A Streby
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Division of Hematology/Oncology/Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Joe Conner
- Virttu Biologics, Ltd, Biocity, Scotland, Newhouse, United Kingdom
| | - Nancy Ratner
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Timothy P Cripe
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Division of Hematology/Oncology/Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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8
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Patel AV, Chaney KE, Choi K, Largaespada DA, Kumar AR, Ratner N. An ShRNA Screen Identifies MEIS1 as a Driver of Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors. EBioMedicine 2016; 9:110-119. [PMID: 27333032 PMCID: PMC4972548 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [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: 02/08/2016] [Revised: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are rare soft tissue sarcomas that are a major source of mortality in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) patients. To identify MPNST driver genes, we performed a lentiviral short hairpin (sh) RNA screen, targeting all 130 genes up-regulated in neurofibroma and MPNSTs versus normal human nerve Schwann cells. NF1 mutant cells show activation of RAS/MAPK signaling, so a counter-screen in RAS mutant carcinoma cells was performed to exclude common RAS-pathway driven genes. We identified 7 genes specific for survival of MPSNT cells, including MEIS1. MEIS1 was frequently amplified or hypomethylated in human MPSNTs, correlating with elevated MEIS1 gene expression. In MPNST cells and in a genetically engineered mouse model, MEIS1 expression in developing nerve glial cells was necessary for MPNST growth. Mechanistically, MEIS1 drives MPNST cell growth via the transcription factor ID1, thereby suppressing expression of the cell cycle inhibitor p27Kip and maintaining cell survival. Targeting over-expressed genes facilitates identification of sarcoma driver genes. We identify MEIS1 as a MPNST oncogene. MEIS1 suppresses p27Kip enabling MPNST survival.
We identify MEIS1 as a sarcoma oncogene, and identify an additional 7 genes specific for survival of malignant peripheral nerve sheath cells. MEIS1 was frequently amplified or hypomethylated in human tumors, correlating with elevated MEIS1 gene and protein expression. MEIS1 enables cell cycle progression in these tumor cells through downregulation of expression of a pro-cell death protein p27Kip. Thus, inhibitors targeting cell cycle checkpoints and/or upregulating p27Kip may have therapeutic value for these patients, and perhaps for other tumor types in which MEIS1 is an oncogene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ami V Patel
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229-0713, United States
| | - Katherine E Chaney
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229-0713, United States
| | - Kwangmin Choi
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229-0713, United States
| | - David A Largaespada
- Department of Pediatrics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States
| | - Ashish R Kumar
- Division of Bone Marrow Transplantation & Immune Deficiency, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229-0713, United States
| | - Nancy Ratner
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229-0713, United States.
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