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Capasso M, Brignole C, Lasorsa VA, Bensa V, Cantalupo S, Sebastiani E, Quattrone A, Ciampi E, Avitabile M, Sementa AR, Mazzocco K, Cafferata B, Gaggero G, Vellone VG, Cilli M, Calarco E, Giusto E, Perri P, Aveic S, Fruci D, Tondo A, Luksch R, Mura R, Rabusin M, De Leonardis F, Cellini M, Coccia P, Iolascon A, Corrias MV, Conte M, Garaventa A, Amoroso L, Ponzoni M, Pastorino F. From the identification of actionable molecular targets to the generation of faithful neuroblastoma patient-derived preclinical models. J Transl Med 2024; 22:151. [PMID: 38351008 PMCID: PMC10863144 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-04954-w] [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: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma (NB) represents the most frequent and aggressive form of extracranial solid tumor of infants. Although the overall survival of patients with NB has improved in the last years, more than 50% of high-risk patients still undergo a relapse. Thus, in the era of precision/personalized medicine, the need for high-risk NB patient-specific therapies is urgent. METHODS Within the PeRsonalizEd Medicine (PREME) program, patient-derived NB tumors and bone marrow (BM)-infiltrating NB cells, derived from either iliac crests or tumor bone lesions, underwent to histological and to flow cytometry immunophenotyping, respectively. BM samples containing a NB cells infiltration from 1 to 50 percent, underwent to a subsequent NB cells enrichment using immune-magnetic manipulation. Then, NB samples were used for the identification of actionable targets and for the generation of 3D/tumor-spheres and Patient-Derived Xenografts (PDX) and Cell PDX (CPDX) preclinical models. RESULTS Eighty-four percent of NB-patients showed potentially therapeutically targetable somatic alterations (including point mutations, copy number variations and mRNA over-expression). Sixty-six percent of samples showed alterations, graded as "very high priority", that are validated to be directly targetable by an approved drug or an investigational agent. A molecular targeted therapy was applied for four patients, while a genetic counseling was suggested to two patients having one pathogenic germline variant in known cancer predisposition genes. Out of eleven samples implanted in mice, five gave rise to (C)PDX, all preserved in a local PDX Bio-bank. Interestingly, comparing all molecular alterations and histological and immunophenotypic features among the original patient's tumors and PDX/CPDX up to second generation, a high grade of similarity was observed. Notably, also 3D models conserved immunophenotypic features and molecular alterations of the original tumors. CONCLUSIONS PREME confirms the possibility of identifying targetable genomic alterations in NB, indeed, a molecular targeted therapy was applied to four NB patients. PREME paves the way to the creation of clinically relevant repositories of faithful patient-derived (C)PDX and 3D models, on which testing precision, NB standard-of-care and experimental medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Capasso
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80138, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Advanced Biotecnology, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Brignole
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Veronica Bensa
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Sueva Cantalupo
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80138, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Advanced Biotecnology, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Eleonora Ciampi
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marianna Avitabile
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80138, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Advanced Biotecnology, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela R Sementa
- Pathological Anatomy, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Katia Mazzocco
- Pathological Anatomy, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Barbara Cafferata
- Pathological Anatomy, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gabriele Gaggero
- Pathological Anatomy, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Valerio G Vellone
- Pathological Anatomy, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michele Cilli
- Animal Facility, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, 16100, Genoa, Italy
| | - Enzo Calarco
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elena Giusto
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Patrizia Perri
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Sanja Aveic
- Pediatric Research Institute Città Della Speranza, 35127, Padua, Italy
| | - Doriana Fruci
- Department of Emato-Oncology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, 00146, -Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Tondo
- Department of Emato-Oncology, Anna Meyer Children's Hospital, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Roberto Luksch
- Emato-Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Rossella Mura
- Emato-Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Brotzu, 09047, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marco Rabusin
- Pediatric Department, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34137, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Monica Cellini
- Emato-Oncology Unit, University-Hospital Polyclinic of Modena, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Paola Coccia
- University-Hospital of Marche, Presidio Ospedaliero "G. Salesi", 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - Achille Iolascon
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80138, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Advanced Biotecnology, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria V Corrias
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Massimo Conte
- Clinical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, -Genoa, Italy
| | - Alberto Garaventa
- Clinical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, -Genoa, Italy
| | - Loredana Amoroso
- Clinical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, -Genoa, Italy
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
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Cangelosi D, Brignole C, Bensa V, Tamma R, Malaguti F, Carlini B, Calarco E, Perri P, Ribatti D, Fonseca NA, Moreira JN, Eva A, Amoroso L, Conte M, Garaventa A, Sementa AR, Corrias MV, Ponzoni M, Pastorino F. Abstract 1276: Nucleolin has prognostic value in neuroblastoma patients. Cancer Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2022-1276] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Neuroblastoma (NB) represents the most frequent form of extracranial solid tumor of infants, responsible for 15% of childhood cancer deaths. Nucleolin (NCL) prognostic value in NB was here investigated.
Methods: NCL protein expression was evaluated in NB patients at diagnosis and after induction chemotherapy. NCL mRNA prognostic value was first assessed in a cohort of 20 stage M NB patients and confirmed in the MultiPlatform786 including 786 NB patients of all stages. Overall and event-free survival curves were plotted by Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log-rank test.
Findings: NCL protein resulted significantly overexpressed in NB tumors compared to the non tumoral counterpart, and higher in stage M compared to stage L patients. In the stage M cohort and in MultiPlatform786 dataset, patients with high NCL mRNA expression revealed a significant lower survival probability than those with low NCL expression. In MultiPlatform786 dataset, NCL mRNA expression was significantly higher in patients with age >18 months, in stage M and in MYCN amplified tumors than in patients with age ˂18 months and in stage L or MS and with MYCN non amplified tumors, respectively. Multivariate analysis suggested NCL has a significant prognostic value even in the model adjusted for established prognostic markers. NCL significantly stratified patients with age <18 and age >18, stage M, >18 months and stage M tumor, stages L or MS, and with MYCN not amplified. A significant correlation between NCL and MYCN, MYC, and TERT was found in two independent datasets. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed a significant positive enrichment of MYC target genes and genes involved in telomerase maintenance. NCL protein resulted down-modulated after chemotherapy, in association with morphological features of neuroblastic differentiation.
Interpretation: NCL is a novel and independent prognostic marker for NB.
Funding: IMH-EuroNanoMed II-2015 (ER-2015-2360441-Eranet) and AIRC IG n. 24397 to PF.
Citation Format: Davide Cangelosi, Chiara Brignole, Veronica Bensa, Roberto Tamma, Fabiana Malaguti, Barbara Carlini, Enzo Calarco, Patrizia Perri, Domenico Ribatti, Nuno A. Fonseca, Joao N. Moreira, Alessandra Eva, Loredana Amoroso, Massimo Conte, Alberto Garaventa, Angela R. Sementa, Maria V. Corrias, Mirco Ponzoni, Fabio Pastorino. Nucleolin has prognostic value in neuroblastoma patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 1276.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Nuno A. Fonseca
- 3University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joao N. Moreira
- 4University of Coimbra, Faculty of Pharmacy, Coimbra, Portugal
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Brignole C, Bensa V, Fonseca NA, Del Zotto G, Bruno S, Cruz AF, Malaguti F, Carlini B, Morandi F, Calarco E, Perri P, Moura V, Emionite L, Cilli M, De Leonardis F, Tondo A, Amoroso L, Conte M, Garaventa A, Sementa AR, Corrias MV, Ponzoni M, Moreira JN, Pastorino F. Cell surface Nucleolin represents a novel cellular target for neuroblastoma therapy. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:180. [PMID: 34078433 PMCID: PMC8170797 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01993-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [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: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma (NB) represents the most frequent and aggressive form of extracranial solid tumor of infants. Nucleolin (NCL) is a protein overexpressed and partially localized on the cell surface of tumor cells of adult cancers. Little is known about NCL and pediatric tumors and nothing is reported about cell surface NCL and NB. METHODS NB cell lines, Schwannian stroma-poor NB tumors and bone marrow (BM)-infiltrating NB cells were evaluated for the expression of cell surface NCL by Flow Cytometry, Imaging Flow Cytometry and Immunohistochemistry analyses. The cytotoxic activity of doxorubicin (DXR)-loaded nanocarriers decorated with the NCL-recognizing F3 peptide (T-DXR) was evaluated in terms of inhibition of NB cell proliferation and induction of cell death in vitro, whereas metastatic and orthotopic animal models of NB were used to examine their in vivo anti-tumor potential. RESULTS NB cell lines, NB tumor cells (including patient-derived and Patient-Derived Xenografts-PDX) and 70% of BM-infiltrating NB cells show cell surface NCL expression. NCL staining was evident on both tumor and endothelial tumor cells in NB xenografts. F3 peptide-targeted nanoparticles, co-localizing with cell surface NCL, strongly associates with NB cells showing selective tumor cell internalization. T-DXR result significantly more effective, in terms of inhibition of cell proliferation and reduction of cell viability in vitro, and in terms of delay of tumor growth in all NB animal model tested, when compared to both control mice and those treated with the untargeted formulation. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that NCL could represent an innovative therapeutic cellular target for NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Brignole
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Veronica Bensa
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Nuno A Fonseca
- CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Coimbra, Portugal
- TREAT U, SA - Parque Industrial de Taveiro, Lote 44, 3045-508, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Genny Del Zotto
- Department of Research and Diagnostics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Bruno
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ana F Cruz
- CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Coimbra, Portugal
- UC - University of Coimbra, CIBB, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Fabiana Malaguti
- Department of Pathology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Barbara Carlini
- Department of Pathology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Fabio Morandi
- Stem Cell Laboratory and Cell Therapy Center, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Enzo Calarco
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Patrizia Perri
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Vera Moura
- CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Coimbra, Portugal
- TREAT U, SA - Parque Industrial de Taveiro, Lote 44, 3045-508, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Laura Emionite
- Animal Facility, IRCSS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michele Cilli
- Animal Facility, IRCSS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Annalisa Tondo
- UOC Oncologia Pediatrica, Ospedale Meyer, Florence, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Angela R Sementa
- Department of Pathology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria V Corrias
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Joao N Moreira
- CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Coimbra, Portugal
- UC - University of Coimbra, CIBB, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
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Corrias MV, Parodi S, Tchirkov A, Lammens T, Vicha A, Pasqualini C, Träger C, Yáñez Y, Dallorso S, Varesio L, Luksch R, Laureys G, Valteau-Couanet D, Canete A, Pöetschger U, Ladenstein R, Burchill SA. Event-free survival of infants and toddlers enrolled in the HR-NBL-1/SIOPEN trial is associated with the level of neuroblastoma mRNAs at diagnosis. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2018; 65:e27052. [PMID: 29603574 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.27052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Revised: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether levels of neuroblastoma mRNAs in bone marrow and peripheral blood from stage M infants (≤12 months of age at diagnosis, MYCN amplified) and toddlers (between 12 and 18 months, any MYCN status) predict event-free survival (EFS). METHODS Bone marrow aspirates and peripheral blood samples from 97 infants/toddlers enrolled in the European High-Risk Neuroblastoma trial were collected at diagnosis in PAXgene™ blood RNA tubes. Samples were analyzed by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction according to standardized procedures. RESULTS Bone marrow tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) or paired-like homeobox 2b (PHOX2B) levels in the highest tertile were associated with worse EFS; hazard ratios, adjusted for age and MYCN status, were 1.5 and 1.8 respectively. Expression of both TH and PHOX2B in the highest tertile predicted worse outcome (p = 0.015), and identified 20 (23%) infants/toddlers with 5-year EFS of 20% (95%CI: 4%-44%). Prognostic significance was maintained after adjusting for over-fitting bias (p = 0.038), age and MYCN status. In peripheral blood, PHOX2B levels in the highest tertile predicted a two-fold increased risk of an event (p = 0.032), and identified 23 (34%) infants/toddlers with 5-year EFS of 29% (95%CI: 12%-48%). Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic analysis confirmed the prognostic value of combined TH and PHOX2B in bone marrow and of PHOX2B in peripheral blood during the first year of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS High levels of bone marrow TH and PHOX2B and of peripheral blood PHOX2B at diagnosis allow early identification of a group of high-risk infant and toddlers with neuroblastoma who may be candidates for alternative treatments. Integration with additional biomarkers, as well as validation in additional international trials is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria V Corrias
- Unit of Experimental Therapy in Oncology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Stefano Parodi
- Unit of Experimental Therapy in Oncology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrei Tchirkov
- CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Service de Cytogénétique Médicale and Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Tim Lammens
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ales Vicha
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, 2nd Medical Faculty Charles University and Faculty Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Claudia Pasqualini
- Department of Child and Adolescent Cancer, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Catarina Träger
- Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yania Yáñez
- Oncología Pediátrica, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Sandro Dallorso
- Unit of Experimental Therapy in Oncology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Luigi Varesio
- Unit of Experimental Therapy in Oncology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Roberto Luksch
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Genevieve Laureys
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Adela Canete
- Oncología Pediátrica, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ulrike Pöetschger
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, CCRI/St. Anna Children's Hospital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ruth Ladenstein
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, CCRI/St. Anna Children's Hospital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Susan A Burchill
- Children's Cancer Research Group, Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, Leeds, United Kingdom
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Viprey VF, Gregory WM, Corrias MV, Tchirkov A, Swerts K, Vicha A, Dallorso S, Brock P, Luksch R, Valteau-Couanet D, Papadakis V, Laureys G, Pearson AD, Ladenstein R, Burchill SA. Neuroblastoma mRNAs predict outcome in children with stage 4 neuroblastoma: a European HR-NBL1/SIOPEN study. J Clin Oncol 2014; 32:1074-83. [PMID: 24590653 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2013.53.3604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [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] [Indexed: 02/11/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the hypothesis that detection of neuroblastoma mRNAs by reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTqPCR) in peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow aspirates (BM) from children with stage 4 neuroblastoma are clinically useful biomarkers of risk. METHODS RTqPCR for paired-like homeobox 2b (PHOX2B), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and doublecortin (DCX) mRNA in PB and BM of children enrolled onto the High-Risk Neuroblastoma Trial-1 of the European Society of Pediatric Oncology Neuroblastoma Group (HR-NBL1/SIOPEN) was performed at diagnosis and after induction therapy. RESULTS High levels of TH, PHOX2B, or DCX mRNA in PB or BM at diagnosis strongly predicted for worse event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) in a cohort of 290 children. After induction therapy, high levels of these mRNAs predicted worse EFS and OS in BM but not in PB. Combinations of mRNAs in BM did not add to the predictive power of any single mRNA. However, in the original (n = 182) and validation (n = 137) PB cohorts, high TH (log10TH > 0.8) or high PHOX2B (log10PHOX2B > 0.28) identify 19% of children as ultrahigh risk, with 5-year EFS and OS rates of 0%; OS rate was 25% (95% CI, 16% to 36%) and EFS rate was 38% (95% CI, 28% to 49%) in the remaining children. The magnitude of reduction in mRNA level between diagnosis and postinduction therapy in BM or PB was not of additional predictive value. CONCLUSION High levels of TH and PHOX2B mRNA in PB at diagnosis objectively identify children with ultrahigh-risk disease who may benefit from novel treatment approaches. The level of TH, PHOX2B, and DCX mRNA in BM and/or PB at diagnosis might contribute to an algorithm to improve stratification of children for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie F Viprey
- Virginie F. Viprey and Susan A. Burchill, Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology; Walter M. Gregory, Clinical Trials Research Unit, University of Leeds, Leeds; Penelope Brock, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London; Andrew D. Pearson, Institute of Cancer Research/Royal Marsden National Health Service Foundation Trust, Sutton, United Kingdom; Maria V. Corrias and Sandro Dallorso, Gaslini Institute, Genoa; Roberto Luksch, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy; Andrei Tchirkov, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Clermont-Ferrand and Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand; Dominique Valteau-Couanet, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France; Katrien Swerts and Genevieve Laureys, University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium; Ales Vicha, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic; Vassilios Papadakis, Agia Sofia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece; and Ruth Ladenstein, Children's Cancer Research Institute/St Anna Children's Hospital, Vienna, Austria
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Parodi S, Fontana V, Haupt R, Corrias MV. Seasonal variations of date of diagnosis and birth for neuroblastoma patients in Italy. Cancer Epidemiol 2013; 37:575-8. [PMID: 23932492 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2013.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2013] [Revised: 07/15/2013] [Accepted: 07/17/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Analysis of seasonal variation of diagnosis or birth of childhood cancers may provide useful insight about possible aetiological risk factors, such as infectious agents and environmental exposures, but studies on neuroblastoma are lacking. PROCEDURE Two thousand seven hundred fifty-six cases of neuroblastoma, diagnosed between 1980 and 2010, registered in the Italian Neuroblastoma Registry, were included in the study. Subgroup analyses were carried out by age, gender and stage at diagnosis. Seasonal trend was assessed by a harmonic function in a Poisson regression model, adjusted for the number of live births. RESULTS No trend in the date of diagnosis was found either in the entire cohort or in the various sub-groups. Similarly, a seasonal trend of birth was not observed in the whole cohort. Conversely, in the subgroup of infants with stage 4S, a significant peak of July births was found (23.6% increment from the average, p=0.042). The summer peak was confirmed after stratifying 4S patients by gender and period of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS A major effect of risk factors related to seasonality does not appear to affect the risk of developing neuroblastoma. However, the time pattern of birth observed by stage at diagnosis is consistent with the hypothesis that Stage 4S is a distinct disease with probably a different aetiology, as indicated by investigations on its metastatic pattern and its peculiar gene expression. An aetiological role of seasonally related factors, e.g., favouring the survival of defective neural crest stem cells, remains speculative and need confirmation by independent studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Parodi
- Institute of Electronics, Computer and Telecommunication Engineering, National Research Council of Italy, Via De Marini 6, Genoa, Italy.
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Cangemi G, Reggiardo G, Barco S, Barbagallo L, Conte M, D'Angelo P, Bianchi M, Favre C, Galleni B, Melioli G, Haupt R, Garaventa A, Corrias MV. Prognostic value of ferritin, neuron-specific enolase, lactate dehydrogenase, and urinary and plasmatic catecholamine metabolites in children with neuroblastoma. Onco Targets Ther 2012; 5:417-23. [PMID: 23226699 PMCID: PMC3514851 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s36366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Different plasma and urinary parameters have been tested as valuable prognostic markers for children with neuroblastoma (NB), but conclusive results from multivariate analyses are still lacking. Samples collected at diagnosis from 505 patients diagnosed in Italy between June 1994 and November 2010 were analyzed at the Italian reference laboratory according to standard methodologies. Patient clinical data were retrieved from the Italian NB Registry. For statistical analysis, patients were grouped according to stage, age, MYCN status, and outcome. Cumulative survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier procedure using the first quartile of the marker distribution as a cut-off value to stratify the patients. Multivariate analysis was performed by the Cox regression model by considering only the significant variables. When the entire cohort of patients was considered, none of the different parameters had an independent prognostic value. However, in patients with localized disease without MYCN amplification the significant positive associations between urinary and plasmatic vanillylmandelic acid (VMA)/homovanillic acid (HVA) ratio and a better prognosis remained significant (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively), as well as, the positive association between high lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) values and a worse prognosis (P < 0.001). Moreover, in stage 4 patients without MYCN amplification, neuron-specific enolase levels above 200 ng/mL and LDH levels above 2500 IU/mL maintained their significant association with a worse outcome (P = 0.01 and P = 0.0001, respectively). In conclusion, LDH had an independent prognostic value in patients of all stages without MYCN amplification. Moreover, the urinary and plasmatic VMA/HVA ratio was an independent predictor of prognosis in patients with localized disease without MYCN amplification. Since LDH and catecholamine metabolites are measured in all patients at diagnosis, these findings may be helpful for an easy, cost-effective, patient risk stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuliana Cangemi
- Clinical Pathology Laboratory Unit, Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
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8
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Parodi S, Muselli M, Carlini B, Fontana V, Haupt R, Pistoia V, Corrias MV. Restricted ROC curves are useful tools to evaluate the performance of tumour markers. Stat Methods Med Res 2012; 25:294-314. [PMID: 22735161 DOI: 10.1177/0962280212452199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In Clinical Epidemiology, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis is a standard approach for the evaluation of the performance of diagnostic tests for binary classification based on a tumour marker distribution. The area under a ROC curve is a popular indicator of test accuracy, but its use has been questioned when the curve is asymmetric. This situation often happens when the marker concentrations overlap in the two groups under study in the range of low specificity, corresponding to a subset of values useless for classification purposes (non-informative values). The partial area under the curve at a high specificity threshold has been proposed as an alternative, but a method to identify an optimal cut-off that separates informative from non-informative values is not yet available. In this study, a new statistical approach is proposed to perform this task. Furthermore, a statistical test associated with the area under a ROC curve corresponding to informative values only (restricted ROC curve) is provided and its properties are explored by extensive simulations. Finally, the proposed method is applied to a real data set containing peripheral blood levels of six tumour markers proposed for the diagnosis of neuroblastoma. A new approach to combine couples of markers for classification purposes is also illustrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Parodi
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy
| | - M Muselli
- Institute of Electronics, Computer and Telecommunication Engineering, Genoa, Italy
| | - B Carlini
- Laboratory of Oncology, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - V Fontana
- Unit of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy
| | - R Haupt
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Section, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - V Pistoia
- Laboratory of Oncology, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - M V Corrias
- Laboratory of Oncology, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy
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9
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Viprey VF, Lastowska MA, Corrias MV, Swerts K, Jackson MS, Burchill SA. Minimal disease monitoring by QRT-PCR: guidelines for identification and systematic validation of molecular markers prior to evaluation in prospective clinical trials. J Pathol 2008; 216:245-52. [PMID: 18702176 DOI: 10.1002/path.2406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Real-time RT-PCR (QRT-PCR) is a sensitive method for the detection of minimal disease (MD) and may improve monitoring of disease status and stratification of patients for therapy. Where tumour-specific mRNAs have not been identified, the selection of which target(s) is(are) optimal for the detection of MD remains a challenge. This reflects the heterogeneity of tumour cells, the stability of mRNAs and low-level of transcription in cells of the normal haemopoietic compartments. The aim of this study was to establish for the first time guidelines for the systematic prioritization of potential markers of MD detected by QRT-PCR prior to evaluation in multicentre prospective clinical outcome studies. We combined microarray analysis, ESTs gene expression profiles, improved probe-sets sequence annotation, and previously described standard operating procedures for QRT-PCR analysis to identify and prioritize potential markers of MD. Using this methodology, we identified 49 potential markers of MD in neuroblastoma (NB), of which 11 were associated with neuronal function. We found that, in addition to TH, Phox2B and DCX mRNA may be useful targets for the detection of MD in children with NB. This same strategy could be exploited to select MD markers of other solid tumours from the large number of potential targets identified by microarray gene expression profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- V F Viprey
- Candlelighter's Children's Cancer Research Group, Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, Section of Experimental Oncology, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK.
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10
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Gregorio A, Corrias MV, Castriconi R, Dondero A, Mosconi M, Gambini C, Moretta A, Moretta L, Bottino C. Small round blue cell tumours: diagnostic and prognostic usefulness of the expression of B7-H3 surface molecule. Histopathology 2008; 53:73-80. [PMID: 18613926 PMCID: PMC2658025 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2008.03070.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [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] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Aims: To assess whether the expression of B7-H3 surface molecule could improve differential diagnosis of small cell round tumours. Methods and results: One hundred and one well-characterized paraffin-embedded small round cell tumours, stored in the pathology archive of the Gaslini Institute, were immunohistochemically analysed with the 5B14 monoclonal antibody, which recognizes the surface molecule B7-H3. All lymphoblastic lymphomas and the blastematous component of Wilms’ tumours were completely negative and a few Ewing's sarcoma and Burkitt's lymphoma specimens showed focal positivity, whereas 74% of neuroblastomas, 67% of rhabdomyosarcomas and 100% of medulloblastomas were positive. The pattern of immunoreactivity of 5B14 mAb observed in rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma specimens was limited to the cytoplasmic membrane, and in neuroblastomas areas of rosette formation or of ganglion differentiation were preferentially stained. Interestingly, in neuroblastoma patients high expression of the antigen recognized by the 5B14 mAb was associated with a worse event-free survival. Conclusions: The 5B14 mAb represents an additional tool for the differential diagnosis of small round cell tumours and might be useful in identifying neuroblastoma patients at risk of relapse who may take advantage of more careful follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Gregorio
- Department of Pathology, Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
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11
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Corrias MV, Parodi S, Haupt R, Lacitignola L, Negri F, Sementa AR, Dau D, Scuderi F, Carlini B, Bianchi M, Casale F, Faulkner L, Garaventa A. Detection of GD2-positive cells in bone marrow samples and survival of patients with localised neuroblastoma. Br J Cancer 2008; 98:263-9. [PMID: 18182983 PMCID: PMC2361437 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6604179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The impact of bone marrow (BM) GD2-positive cells on survival has been evaluated in 145 Italian children with localised neuroblastoma (NB) evaluated at diagnosis by anti-GD2 immunocytochemistry. Nineteen of these (13.1%) were found to be BM GD2-positive, with the number of positive cells ranging between 1 and 155 out of 1 × 106 total cells analysed. Seven/19 (38.8%) GD2-positive vs 12/126 (9.5%) GD2-negative patients relapsed. The 5-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival of the GD2-positive patients was significantly worse than that of the GD2-negative ones (62.2 vs 89.9%, P<0.001; and 74.9 vs 95.9%, P=0.005, respectively). GD2 positivity was not associated to other known risk factors, and in particular to Myc-N amplification and 1p deletion. Among Myc-N-negative patients, the EFS of those negative for both GD2 and 1p deletion was significantly better than in children positive for either one of these two markers (EFS=96.9 vs 66.0%, P<0.001). In conclusion, GD2 positivity may represent a prognostic marker for patients with non-metastatic NB without Myc-N amplification, and its combination with genetic alterations might help identifying patients that require a more careful follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- M V Corrias
- Department of Experimental and Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Oncology, Gaslini Institute, Largo Gaslini, 5, Genoa 16147, Italy.
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12
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Viprey VF, Corrias MV, Kagedal B, Oltra S, Swerts K, Vicha A, Ladenstein R, Burchill SA. Standardisation of operating procedures for the detection of minimal disease by QRT-PCR in children with neuroblastoma: Quality assurance on behalf of SIOPEN-R-NET. Eur J Cancer 2007; 43:341-50. [PMID: 17023157 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2006.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [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: 05/31/2006] [Revised: 07/14/2006] [Accepted: 08/02/2006] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The clinical utility of detecting minimal residual disease (MRD) in children with neuroblastoma (NB) by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) is not clear. This in part reflects the lack of uniform methodology for analysis and reporting. Reference laboratories across Europe have therefore established standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the detection of NB cells by QRT-PCR. Haemopoietic samples are collected into PAXgene blood RNA tubes, which stabilise mRNA for 48 h at room temperature and more than 6 months at -80 degrees C. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was selected as the target for NB cell detection, expression is normalised to beta2-microglobulin and reported using the DeltaDeltaCt method. The sensitivity of QRT-PCR increased from 58% to 90% following the development of SOPs. A robust, transferable, objective method for the detection of NB cells by QRT-PCR has been defined to improve the power and consistency of studies on MRD in children with NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie F Viprey
- Children's Cancer Research Laboratory, Cancer Research UK Clinical Centre, St James's University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
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13
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Ribatti D, Nico B, Pezzolo A, Vacca A, Meazza R, Cinti R, Carlini B, Parodi F, Pistoia V, Corrias MV. Angiogenesis in a human neuroblastoma xenograft model: mechanisms and inhibition by tumour-derived interferon-gamma. Br J Cancer 2006; 94:1845-52. [PMID: 16721359 PMCID: PMC2361332 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6603186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumour progression in neuroblastoma (NB) patients correlates with high vascular index. We have previously shown that the ACN NB cell line is tumorigenic and angiogenic in immunodeficient mice, and that interferon-γ (IFN-γ) gene transfer dampens ACN tumorigenicity. As IFN-γ represses lymphocyte-induced tumour angiogenesis in various murine models and inhibits proliferation and migration of human endothelial cells, we have investigated the antiangiogenic activity of tumour-derived IFN-γ and the underlying mechanism(s). In addition, we characterised the tumour vasculature of the ACN xenografts, using the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay. We show that the ACN/IFN-γ xenografts had a lower microvessel density and less in vivo angiogenic potential than the vector-transfected ACN/neo. The vascular channels of both xenografts were formed by a mixed endothelial cell population of murine and human origin, as assessed by the FICTION (fluorescence immunophenotyping and interphase cytogenetics) technique. With respect to ACN/neo, the ACN/IFN-γ xenografts showed more terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling-positive human and murine endothelial cells, suggesting that inhibition of angiogenesis by IFN-γ was dependent on the induction of apoptosis, likely mediated by nitric oxide. Once the dual origin of tumour vasculature is confirmed in NB patients, the xenograft model described here will prove useful in testing the efficacy of different antiangiogenic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Ribatti
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Bari Medical School, Italy.
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14
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Airoldi I, Meazza R, Croce M, Di Carlo E, Piazza T, Cocco C, D'Antuono T, Pistoia V, Ferrini S, Corrias MV. Low-dose interferon-gamma-producing human neuroblastoma cells show reduced proliferation and delayed tumorigenicity. Br J Cancer 2004; 90:2210-8. [PMID: 15150552 PMCID: PMC2409504 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6601842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) directs T helper-1 cell differentiation and mediates antitumour effects in preclinical models. However, high-dose IFN-γ is toxic in vivo, and IFN-γ-transfected neuroblastoma (NB) cells secreting high amounts of the cytokine may be lost due to cell apoptosis or differentiation. Two human NB cell lines (ACN and SK-N-BE2(c)) differing as to genetic and phenotypic features were transfected with the human IFN-γ gene and selected on the grounds of the low concentrations of IFN-γ produced. In both IFN-γ-transfected cell lines, autocrine and paracrine activation of IFN-γ-mediated pathways occurred, leading to markedly reduced proliferation rate, to increased expression of surface HLA and CD40 molecules and of functional TNF binding sites. ACN/IFN-γ cells showed a significantly delayed tumorigenicity in nude mice as compared to parental cells. ACN/IFN-γ tumours were smaller, with extensive necrotic area as a result of a damaged and defective microvascular network. In addition, a significant reduction in the proliferation index was observed. This is the first demonstration that IFN-γ inhibits in vivo proliferation of NB cell by acting on the tumour cell itself. This effect adds to the immunoregulatory and antiangiogenic activities operated by IFN-γ in syngeneic tumour-bearing hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Airoldi
- Laboratory of Oncology, Gaslini Institute, Largo Gaslini 5, 16148 Genoa, Italy
| | - R Meazza
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Gaslini Institute, Largo Gaslini 5, 16148 Genoa, Italy
| | - M Croce
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Largo Benzi 12, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - E Di Carlo
- Department of Oncology and Neurosciences, G. D'Annunzio University, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - T Piazza
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Largo Benzi 12, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - C Cocco
- Laboratory of Oncology, Gaslini Institute, Largo Gaslini 5, 16148 Genoa, Italy
| | - T D'Antuono
- Department of Oncology and Neurosciences, G. D'Annunzio University, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - V Pistoia
- Laboratory of Oncology, Gaslini Institute, Largo Gaslini 5, 16148 Genoa, Italy
| | - S Ferrini
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Largo Benzi 12, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - M V Corrias
- Laboratory of Oncology, Gaslini Institute, Largo Gaslini 5, 16148 Genoa, Italy
- Laboratorio Oncologia, Istituto G. Gaslini, L.go Gaslini, 5, 16148 Genova, Italy. E-mail:
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15
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Croce M, De Ambrosis A, Corrias MV, Pistoia V, Occhino M, Meazza R, Giron-Michel J, Azzarone B, Accolla RS, Ferrini S. Different levels of control prevent interferon-gamma-inducible HLA-class II expression in human neuroblastoma cells. Oncogene 2003; 22:7848-57. [PMID: 14586411 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1207054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The HLA class II expression is controlled by the transcriptional activator CIITA. The transcription of CIITA is controlled by different promoters, among which promoter-IV is inducible by IFN-gamma. We analysed the regulation of HLA class II molecules by IFN-gamma in a large series of human neuroblastoma cell lines. No induction of surface or intracellular HLA class II molecules and of specific mRNA was observed, in all neuroblastomas, with the exception of a nonprototypic cell line, ACN. In a large subset of neuroblastomas IFN-gamma induced expression of CIITA mRNA, derived from promoter-IV, which was not methylated. In contrast, in another subset of neuroblastomas, CIITA was not inducible by IFN-gamma and CIITA promoter-IV was either completely or partially methylated. Interestingly, the use of DNA demethylating agents restored CIITA gene transcriptional activation by IFN-gamma, but not HLA class II expression. The defect of HLA class II was not related to alterations in RFX or NF-Y transcription factors, as suggested by EMSA or RFX gene transfection experiments. In addition, the transfection of a functional CIITA cDNA failed to induce HLA class II expression in typical neuroblastoma cells. Confocal microscopy and Western blot analysis suggested a defective nuclear translocation and/or reduced protein synthesis in CIITA-transfected NB cells. Altogether, these data point to multiple mechanisms preventing HLA class II expression in the neuroblastoma, either involving CIITA promoter-IV silencing, or acting at the CIITA post-transcriptional level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Croce
- Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, 16132 Genoa, Italy
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16
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Corrias MV, Bocca P, Anelli E, Cilli M, Occhino M, Pistoia V, Gambini C. A novel syngeneic murine model for thoracic neuroblastoma obtained by intramediastinal injection of tumor cells. Cancer Detect Prev 2003; 26:468-75. [PMID: 12507232 DOI: 10.1016/s0361-090x(02)00129-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
In this study, a new syngeneic murine neuroblastoma (NB) model resembling stage 3 NB with thoracic localization has been set up by intramediastinal injection of tumor cells. Two NB cell lines, the murine Neuro2a, and the hybrid NXS2, have been injected in A/J mice. In vivo tumor growth and dissemination have been assessed by macroscopic and microscopic histological analysis performed at different times post injection. Tumor cell localization and growth patterns were compared to those obtained by i.v. and r.p. injections. The results indicated that in the thoracic model both tumor cell lines grow rapidly as huge tumor masses but do not metastatize to distant organs. This new model may be relevant for testing the efficacy of novel immunotherapeutic strategies for poor prognosis NB patients with localized disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria V Corrias
- Laboratory of Oncology, Istituto G. Gaslini, L go Gaslini 5, Genova 16148, Italy.
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17
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Airoldi I, Lualdi S, Bruno S, Raffaghello L, Occhino M, Gambini C, Pistoia V, Corrias MV. Expression of costimulatory molecules in human neuroblastoma. Evidence that CD40+ neuroblastoma cells undergo apoptosis following interaction with CD40L. Br J Cancer 2003; 88:1527-36. [PMID: 12771917 PMCID: PMC2377102 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6600951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumour cells display low to absent expression of costimulatory molecules. Here, we have investigated the expression of costimulatory molecules (CD40, CD80, CD86, PD-1L, B7H2, OX40L and 4-1BBL) in human neuroblastoma (NB) cells, since virtually no information is available on this issue. Both established NB cell lines and primary tumours were tested by RT-PCR and flow cytometry. Neuroblastoma cell lines expressed the transcripts of all costimulatory molecule genes, but not the corresponding proteins. Culture of NB cell lines with human recombinant (r)IFN-gamma induced surface expression of CD40 in half of them. Primary NB cells showed CD40, CD80, CD86, OX40L, 4-1BBL, but not PD-1L and B7H2, mRNA expression. Surface CD40 was consistently detected on primary NB cells by flow cytometry. Interferon-gamma gene-transfected NB cells expressed constitutively surface CD40 and were induced into apoptosis by incubation with rCD40L through a caspase-8-dependent mechanism. CD40 may represent a novel therapeutic target in NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Airoldi
- Laboratory of Oncology, G Gaslini Institute, Largo G Gaslini, 5, 16148 Genova, Italy
| | - S Lualdi
- Laboratory of Oncology, G Gaslini Institute, Largo G Gaslini, 5, 16148 Genova, Italy
| | - S Bruno
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Anatomy, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - L Raffaghello
- Laboratory of Oncology, G Gaslini Institute, Largo G Gaslini, 5, 16148 Genova, Italy
| | - M Occhino
- Laboratory of Oncology, G Gaslini Institute, Largo G Gaslini, 5, 16148 Genova, Italy
| | - C Gambini
- Service of Pathology, G Gaslini Institute, 16148 Genova, Italy
| | - V Pistoia
- Laboratory of Oncology, G Gaslini Institute, Largo G Gaslini, 5, 16148 Genova, Italy
- Laboratory of Oncology, G Gaslini Institute, Largo G Gaslini, 5, 16148 Genova, Italy. E-mail:
| | - M V Corrias
- Laboratory of Oncology, G Gaslini Institute, Largo G Gaslini, 5, 16148 Genova, Italy
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18
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Corrias MV, Occhino M, Croce M, De Ambrosis A, Pistillo MP, Bocca P, Pistoia V, Ferrini S. Lack of HLA-class I antigens in human neuroblastoma cells: analysis of its relationship to TAP and tapasin expression. Tissue Antigens 2001; 57:110-7. [PMID: 11260505 DOI: 10.1034/j.1399-0039.2001.057002110.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
We studied the constitutive and the interferon (IFN)-gamma-induced expression of HLA class I antigen heavy chain, beta2-microglobulin (beta2m), TAP-1, TAP-2 and tapasin in a panel of eleven neuroblastoma cell lines. Surface expression of HLA class I antigens was low in eight out of eight neuroblastoma cell lines bearing MYC-N amplification and/or 1p deletion, while two out of three neuroblastoma cell lines lacking these genetic alterations showed normal expression. IFN-gamma treatment restored HLA class I antigen surface expression in all neuroblastoma cell lines. Eight out of 11 neuroblastoma cell lines did not express TAP-1 mRNA and three of them also lacked TAP-2 mRNA. beta2 m mRNA was barely detectable or absent in five neuroblastoma cell lines, while tapasin mRNA was always expressed. IFN-gamma upregulated the expression of HLA class I heavy chain, beta2 m, TAP-1, TAP-2 and tapasin, as detected at mRNA or protein level. Post-transcriptional events were involved in altered TAP-1 and beta2 m expression in one peculiar neuroblastoma cell line. These data indicate that multiple mechanisms play a role in the HLA class I antigen-deficient phenotype of human neuroblastoma.
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MESH Headings
- ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 2
- ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 3
- ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/analysis
- ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/genetics
- ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/immunology
- Antigens, Surface/genetics
- Antigens, Surface/immunology
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Antiporters/analysis
- Antiporters/genetics
- Antiporters/immunology
- Blotting, Western
- Brain Neoplasms/immunology
- Extracellular Matrix Proteins/analysis
- Extracellular Matrix Proteins/genetics
- Extracellular Matrix Proteins/immunology
- Gene Deletion
- Gene Expression/drug effects
- Gene Expression/immunology
- Genes, myc
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/analysis
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/genetics
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/immunology
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains/analysis
- Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains/genetics
- Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains/immunology
- Immunoglobulins/analysis
- Immunoglobulins/genetics
- Immunoglobulins/immunology
- Interferon-gamma/pharmacology
- Membrane Transport Proteins
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/analysis
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/immunology
- Neuroblastoma/immunology
- RNA, Messenger/analysis
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- beta 2-Microglobulin/analysis
- beta 2-Microglobulin/genetics
- beta 2-Microglobulin/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- M V Corrias
- Laboratorio di Oncologia, Istituto Scientifico G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
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19
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Panarello C, Morerio C, Russo I, Pasquali F, Rapella A, Corrias MV, Morando A, Rosanda C. Full cytogenetic characterization of a new neuroblastoma cell line with a complex 17q translocation. Cancer Genet Cytogenet 2000; 116:124-32. [PMID: 10640144 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-4608(99)00140-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that structural abnormalities of chromosome 17 resulting in gain of material are the most frequent genetic changes in neuroblastoma. We have established a new neuroblastoma cell line from a patient whose disease had evolved from stage 4s to 4, without evidence of deletion of the short arm of chromosome 1 and MYCN amplification, which are considered the most typical genetic indicators of aggressive disease. The cytogenetic study allowed a full characterization of the chromosome changes, and revealed a complex translocation of chromosome 17 leading to a derivative marker which may be described as follows: der(11)t(11;17)(p15;q12)t(11;17) (q22;q12). This resulted in a gain of part of the long arms of chromosome 17, which was recently associated with poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Panarello
- Divisione di Ematologia ed Oncologia Pediatrica, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
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Corrias MV, Scuderi F, Pasino M, Biglino P, Bocca P, Marotta F, Figini E, Pistoia V, Mori PG. Growth factors increase retroviral transduction but decrease clonogenic potential of umbilical cord blood CD34+ cells. Haematologica 1998; 83:580-6. [PMID: 9718861] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The feasibility of gene marking or gene therapy protocols making use of purified CD34+ cells greatly depends on the efficiency of their stable transduction. The great potential of umbilical cord blood as a source of CD34+ cells combined with the availability of advanced cell purification procedures prompted us to evaluate whether incubation with growth factors might influence the type of cells effectively transduced by retroviral vectors. DESIGN AND METHODS Isolated, at least 95% pure, CD34+ cells were infected with the LXSN murine retrovirus carrying the neomycin-resistance gene. Different schedules of CD34+ cell infection were performed with or without incubation for different times in the presence of Interleukin-3 (IL-3), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and stem cell factor (SCF). Efficiency of transduction was evaluated by clonogenic assays, semiquantitative PCR and RT-PCR analyses performed either immediately or after 7 day expansion of CD34+ cells in liquid culture in the presence of erythropoietin (EPO), IL-3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). RESULTS The results obtained indicated that the amount of transduced cells increased with the lenght of incubation with growth factors, either before or during infections. However, different types of cells were transduced depending on the duration of stimulation and infection. Thus, following one week culture of CD34+ cells in the presence of EPO, IL-3 and GM-CSF the clonogenic potential was affected dyshomogeneously. Precisely, with a single 3-hour infection performed after 12 hours of stimulation with growth factors, the clonogenic potential of the transduced cells greatly increased after one week in culture. In contrast, with a 48 hour infection, the transduced cells completely lost their clonogenic potential after one week in culture. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that a reasonably high transduction efficiency of purified CD34+ cells can be achieved with short schedules of incubation/infection in the absence of stroma or extracellular matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- M V Corrias
- Laboratory of Oncology, G. Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy.
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21
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Faulkner LB, Tamburini A, Tintori V, Paoli A, Tondo A, Bernini G, Medicina D, Brisigotti M, Corrias MV, Scaruffi P, Rosanda C, Lo Piccolo MS, Viscardi E, Milanaccio C, Garaventa A, De Bernardi B. [The identification of minimal residual disease in the bone marrow and peripheral blood in neuroblastoma. The prognostic and therapeutic implications]. Pediatr Med Chir 1998; 20:175-8. [PMID: 9744008] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A highly sensitive and specific methodology to detect neuroblastoma cells in the bone marrow and peripheral blood of children with neuroblastoma is of critical importance for proper staging and treatment of these patients. In addition, patients with bone marrow infiltration at diagnosis need to undergo regular investigation to measure the effectiveness of chemotherapy (so called "in vivo" purging). Finally, the evaluation of autologous stem cells taken from bone marrow or peripheral blood is necessary to rule out or minimise the possibility of reinfusing tumor cells to the patient following myeloablative therapy. The authors provide a "state of the art" data on this complicated issue and give their preliminary results of their own experience, mainly concerning the immunocytological methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- L B Faulkner
- Sezione di Onco-ematologia, Azienda Ospedale Meyer, Università di Firenze, Italia
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22
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Corrias MV, Basso S, Meazza R, Musiani P, Santi L, Bocca P, Occhino M, Ferrini S, Pistoia V. Characterization and tumorigenicity of human neuroblastoma cells transfected with the IL-2 gene. Cancer Gene Ther 1998; 5:38-44. [PMID: 9476965] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Immunization of cancer patients with cytokine-engineered tumor cells is being currently tested in several trials. To test the feasibility of this approach in neuroblastoma (NB) patients we investigated the functional consequences of interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene transfer into NB cell lines. Two human NB cell lines were transfected with the plasmid expression vector RSV.5neo containing the human IL-2 cDNA, and their tumorigenicity was evaluated in a nude mice xenograft model after characterization of the growth patterns and phenotypic features in vitro. The combination of IL-2 gene transfection and the xenograft model in nude mice was chosen on the basis of the low or absent expression of HLA class I antigen in human NB tumors. Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of an immunization protocol that could elicit a nonspecific antitumor response. The IL-2 stable transfectants were morphologically identical to parental or vector-transfected cells but completely lost tumorigenicity and inhibited, through a bystander effect, the growth of parental cells injected simultaneously at the same site. Histologic and immunohistochemical analysis of the nodules showed extensive necrosis with severe endothelial damage. The infiltrating cells were mainly macrophages, while natural killer (NK) cells were scarce. However, depletion of NK cells by anti-CD122 monoclonal antibody indicated that the rejection process required NK cell activity. The relevance of these data for the development of therapeutic approaches using cytokine-engineered NB cell lines is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M V Corrias
- Laboratory of Oncology, G. Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
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Corrias MV, Guarnaccia F, Ponzoni M. Bioavailability of antisense oligonucleotides in neuroblastoma cells: comparison of efficacy among different types of molecules. J Neurooncol 1997; 31:171-80. [PMID: 9049846 DOI: 10.1023/a:1005726623591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
To evaluate the real effectiveness of various chemical modifications in enhancing the ability of antisense molecules to inhibit gene expression, the toxicity, stability, uptake, and intracellular localization of an identical sequence, synthetized either with a phosphodiester or a phosphorothioate backbone, with or without a cholesteryl moiety linked to the 3'-end, were compared in three different human neuroblastoma cell lines. The toxicity, assessed by inhibition of cell viability, greatly depend on the presence of the lipid moiety and to a less extent on the cell line used. At high doses all the antisenses caused a necrotic lysis of plasma membranes. Typical features of apoptotic cell death were never observed. The presence of the lipid moiety enhanced the uptake of antisense molecules while the phosphorothioate backbone, as expected, conferred higher stability. At late times, therefore, the combination of lipid conjugation and phosphorothioate backbone seems to be the most effective in obtaining a consistent antisense accumulation inside the cells. The presence of the cholesteryl moiety also caused a stronger association of the antisense to membraneous compartments, so that a quite different biodistribution occurred among the four antisenses tested. However, the actual amount of antisense molecules found inside NB cells was low in all the conditions tested. Only following cellular permeabilization a significant uptake was obtained, making the use of delivery system mandatory to achieve an efficient inhibition of highly expressed genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M V Corrias
- Laboratory of Oncology, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy
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Abstract
The human MAGE-1, MAGE-3 and MART-1 genes code for antigens that are specifically recognized by cytolytic T lymphocytes in a MHC-restricted manner. The MAGE-1 and MAGE-3 genes are expressed in tumors of different histotypes but not in normal adult tissues (with the exception of testis), while the MART-1 gene appears to be selectively expressed in melanoma. MAGE-1, MAGE-3 and MART-1 antigens may therefore constitute useful targets for specific anti-tumor immunization of cancer patients. Here we have investigated the expression of MAGE-1, MAGE-3 and MART-1 in 11 neuroblastoma (NB) cell lines and 73 NB tumor masses. MAGE-1 and MAGE-3 transcripts were detected simultaneously in 36% of the cell lines and in 16% of tumor samples. The MAGE-1 gene was never expressed alone except in one tumor. In contrast, MAGE-3 mRNA was found in approximately 40% of the NB tumor samples in the absence of MAGE-1 mRNA. No expression of the MART-1 gene was observed in any cell line or tumor sample. No correlation was found between MAGE gene expression and clinical stage, event-free survival and presence or absence of N-myc amplification.
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Affiliation(s)
- M V Corrias
- Laboratory of Oncology, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy
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Corcione A, Corrias MV, Daniele S, Zupo S, Spriano M, Pistoia V. Expression of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor genes in partially overlapping monoclonal B-cell populations from chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients. Blood 1996; 87:2861-9. [PMID: 8639905] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
B lymphocytes were purified from the peripheral blood of 30 B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) patients and tested for the ability to produce granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in vitro. Fifteen Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC)-stimulated, but not unstimulated, B-cell suspensions produced G-CSF in short-term cultures. Accordingly, G-CSF mRNA was detected only in SAC-stimulated B cells. Five CLL B-cell fractions that released G-CSF following exposure to SAC were also incubated with CD40 or anti-mu antibodies in the presence or absence of recombinant (r) interleukin-2 (IL-2) or IL-4. The 5 cell suspensions produced G-CSF only on culture with CD40 monoclonal antibody in combination with rIL-2 or rIL-4. CD5+ B lymphocytes, which represent the normal counterparts of most B-CLL proliferations, did not produce G-CSF under any of the above culture conditions. G-CSF produced by leukemic B lymphocytes was biologically active, because conditioned media of SAC-stimulated cells supported the in vitro growth of myeloid colonies from normal bone marrow progenitors. The colony stimulating activity of CLL B-cell supernatants was ascribed to both G-CSF and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor. G-CSF receptors (G-CSFRs) were detected on freshly isolated B lymphocytes from 7 of 11 B-CLL patients; 5 of these cell suspensions produced G-CSF in culture, whereas 2 did not. rG-CSF rescued 3 of the 7 G-CSFR+ cell fractions from spontaneous apoptosis but had no effect on their in vitro proliferation.
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MESH Headings
- B-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Base Sequence
- Clone Cells
- Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor/biosynthesis
- Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor/genetics
- Humans
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/metabolism
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Receptors, Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- A Corcione
- Laboratory of Oncology, Scientific Institute G. Gaslini, Genova, Italy
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Corrias MV, Gribaudo G, Guarnaccia F, Ponzoni M. Induction of 2.5 OAS gene expression and activity is not sufficient for IFN-gamma-induced neuroblastoma cell differentiation. Int J Cancer 1995; 62:223-9. [PMID: 7622300 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.2910620219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
We showed earlier that interferon-gamma is a powerful inducer of differentiation of human neuroblastoma (NB) cells. Although 2',5' oligo-adenylate synthetase (2,5 OAS) may play a role in mediating the anti-proliferative and/or differentiative effects of interferons (IFNs), direct evidence is lacking. We have investigated gene and protein expression of the 4 different 2,5 OAS isoforms and their cumulative enzymatic activity in a previously characterized IFN-gamma-sensitive human NB cell line, LAN-5. Analysis of total and poly(A)+ RNA by Northern blot and RT-PCR indicated that expression of the mRNA coding for the 40-, 46-and 69-kDa isoforms was induced in a time- and dose-dependent manner, reaching a maximum after a 36-hr treatment with 1000 IU/ml of IFN-gamma. In the absence of treatment, only the mRNA for the 69-kDa isoform was detectable by RT-PCR. Inhibition of transcription with actinomycin D showed that 2,5 OAS mRNA was quite stable, with a half-life of about 4 hr. With respect to the protein content, no 2,5 OAS isoform was present in proliferating LAN-5 cells; following IFN-gamma treatment, the 100-, 69-and 46-kDa isoforms became detectable. Accordingly, 2,5 OAS enzymatic activity, virtually undetectable in untreated LAN-5 cells, increased up to 132 pmol oligoadenylate/micrograms protein/hr after 48 hr of treatment, then slowly decreased, remaining detectable up to 96 hr. However, the 2,5 OAS proteins required an exogenous activation by synthetic dsRNA to exert enzymatic activity. It is therefore conceivable that they do not play a biological role in NB cell functions. Moreover, an increase in 2,5 OAS enzymatic activity was also observed in NB cells resistant to the differentiation-promoting activity of IFN-gamma, further suggesting that 2,5 OAS induction was not sufficient to trigger IFN-gamma-dependent neuronal maturation. Furthermore, other differentiation-inducing agents, such as retinoic acid and cytosine arabinoside, or complete proliferative arrest produced by serum deprivation, failed to enhance 2,5 OAS activity, thus indicating that the 2,5 OAS system is not directly involved in mediating other differentiative pathways of NB cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- M V Corrias
- Laboratory of Oncology, G Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy
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27
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Montaldo PG, Carbone R, Corrias MV, Ferraris PC, Ponzoni M. Synergistic differentiation-promoting activity of interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha: role of receptor regulation on human neuroblasts. J Natl Cancer Inst 1994; 86:1694-701. [PMID: 7966397 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/86.22.1694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) synergize in inducing human neuroblastoma cells to differentiate terminally in vitro into mature nonproliferating neurons. The mechanisms by which this synergistic activity takes place are still obscure. PURPOSE To understand the basis of IFN-gamma-TNF synergism, we investigated the constitutive equipment of receptors to IFN-gamma and TNF in two human neuroblastoma cell lines (i.e., LAN-5 and GI-LI-N) and their quantitative and functional variations following treatment with IFN-gamma or TNF. METHODS IFN-gamma receptors and TNF receptors were assessed and functionally characterized by radioreceptor-binding assay before and after treatment of the cells with IFN-gamma or TNF. The TNF receptor subtypes were identified by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, chemical cross-linking of receptors to iodinated TNF, and inhibition of TNF binding by type-specific anti-TNF receptor monoclonal antibodies. The effects of cytokines on cell differentiation were assessed by thymidine incorporation inhibition and morphologic maturation. RESULTS No quantitative or functional modification of IFN-gamma receptors was observed in TNF-treated cells. However, after treatment with IFN-gamma, TNF receptor numbers were enhanced to a different extent in both cell lines. The two neuroblastoma cell lines expressed, both constitutively and after IFN-gamma induction, only one species of TNF receptor, i.e., the p80 form in LAN-5 and the p60 form in GI-LI-N. Sequential treatment with IFN-gamma followed by TNF, but not in the opposite order, could reproduce the early effects of differentiation in neuroblastoma cells, supporting a role for TNF receptor up-regulation as a basis for the cooperation between the two cytokines. CONCLUSION The results strongly suggest that receptor regulation can be at least one mechanism by which IFN-gamma and TNF exert their synergistic effects. Moreover, it appears that the two TNF receptor types are redundant in signaling neuroblastoma cell differentiation. IMPLICATIONS Our findings can provide a guideline for a rational design of experimental differentiation-based therapeutic protocols in patients with neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- P G Montaldo
- Oncology Research Laboratory, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy
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28
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Pistoia V, Prigione I, Facchetti P, Corrias MV. [Rational bases for new approaches to the therapy of pediatric solid tumors: immunotherapy and gene therapy]. Pediatr Med Chir 1994; 16:219-25. [PMID: 7971443] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is one of the commonest solid tumors in children. Conventional therapeutic approaches, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, fail to control tumor progression in stage III and IV patients. The search for novel therapeutic strategies should necessarily take into account immunotherapy and gene therapy. Here the theoretical bases for the development of such approaches are discussed. Studies carried out with neuroblastoma (NB) cell lines have shown that neoplastic cells express a wide array of potential tumor associated antigens (TAA) but are devoid of HLA molecules which are necessary for TAA presentation to the host immune system. Transfection of NB cells with the interferon gamma gene appears a promising approach, since this cytokine up-regulates the expression of class I HLA molecules in NB cells. Other cytokines of potential interest for gene transfer studies are interleukin 2 (IL2) and interleukin 12 (IL12).
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Affiliation(s)
- V Pistoia
- Laboratorio Scientifico di Oncologia, Istituto Scientifico G. Gaslini, Genova, Italia
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29
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Corrias MV, Guarnaccia F, Cornaglia-Ferraris P, Ponzoni M. Cloning and sequencing of isoform-specific regions of human Ca2+-independent protein kinase C (PKC)-encoding genes. Gene 1994; 141:307-8. [PMID: 8163209 DOI: 10.1016/0378-1119(94)90593-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The cloning and sequencing of the isoform-specific regions of the human Ca2+-independent protein kinase C-encoding genes is described. These clones will serve as correct size probes for screening human genomic or cDNA libraries and isolating full-length clones.
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Affiliation(s)
- M V Corrias
- Oncology Research Laboratory, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy
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30
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Ponzoni M, Guarnaccia F, Corrias MV, Cornaglia-Ferraris P. Uncoordinate induction and differential regulation of HLA class-I and class-II expression by gamma-interferon in differentiating human neuroblastoma cells. Int J Cancer 1993; 55:817-23. [PMID: 8244579 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.2910550521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma) has recently been shown to be one of the most effective inducers of neuroblastoma (NB) cell differentiation. Since increasing evidence indicates that expression of MHC class-I and class-II antigens by tumour cells is important for immunorecognition and cell targeting, we tested whether induction of NB cell differentiation by IFN-gamma is followed by expression of HLA class-I and class-II molecules. LAN-5 human NB cell line completely lacks HLA class-I antigens. Their expression was induced in a dose-dependent manner by IFN-gamma. HLA class-II molecules are also absent on LAN-5 cells, but only DP antigens were dose-dependently induced by IFN-gamma, while DR and DQ molecules were unaffected by the treatment. To confirm and extend the immunological data to all the class-II molecules, we performed Northern blot analysis, observing that DP alpha mRNA was induced in a dose- and time-dependent manner. DO beta and DZ alpha genes were also induced peaking after 3 days of IFN-gamma treatment. DR beta and DQ beta genes, which were not induced by IFN-gamma, gave a normal pattern of enzyme restriction by Southern blot. To get an insight into the regulation of HLA class-II gene expression in the neuronal model, we measured the decline of the steady-state HLA class-II mRNA. DO beta mRNA rapidly returned to baseline level after removing IFN-gamma, while the decay rates of DP alpha and DZ alpha mRNA were very slow. This might indicate different regulation at the post-transcriptional level for DO beta mRNA with respect to DP alpha and DZ alpha mRNA. To strengthen these findings we evaluated the half-lives of the mRNA after IFN-gamma induction by means of actinomycin D treatment. HLA-DO beta mRNA had a shorter half-life, while DZ alpha and DP alpha had a longer decay rate. Finally, we report that treatment of LAN-5 cells with cycloheximide did not alter the rate of transcription of the HLA-DP alpha gene, suggesting that no protein factor(s) is/are needed to maintain DP alpha gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ponzoni
- Oncology Research Laboratory, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy
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31
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Ponzoni M, Lucarelli E, Corrias MV, Cornaglia-Ferraris P. Protein kinase C isoenzymes in human neuroblasts. Involvement of PKC epsilon in cell differentiation. FEBS Lett 1993; 322:120-4. [PMID: 8482377 DOI: 10.1016/0014-5793(93)81550-j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Although neuronal cells are a major target of phorbol ester action, the activity of the various protein kinase C (PKC) isoenzymes have not been studied in detail in human neuroblasts. Differentiation of the LAN-5 human neuroblastoma cell line by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is accompanied by a twofold increase in PKC activity. Since PKC is a multigene family, we investigated which isoforms were expressed in control and differentiated cells, and which of these isoenzymes is involved in neuronal differentiation. We found that: (1) PKC activity is higher in differentiated than in undifferentiated cells; (2) RT-PCR analysis showed the expression of mRNA for PKC alpha, -gamma, -delta, -epsilon and -zeta and the absence of mRNA for beta in untreated LAN-5 cells; (3) Western blot evaluation with PKC isoform-specific antibodies showed the same pattern of PKC expression in non-differentiated cells; (4) Expression of PKC epsilon mRNA was significantly enhanced by IFN-gamma-induced differentiation, while the other isoforms were not affected; (5) Differentiation of LAN-5 cells with IFN-gamma or retinoic acid induced overexpression of the PKC epsilon protein, while inhibition of cell proliferation by fetal calf serum starvation was without effect. These findings suggest that expression of PKC epsilon isoform is tightly coupled with neuronal differentiation and may play a role in the maintenance of the differentiated state.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ponzoni
- Pediatric Oncology Laboratory, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy
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Corrias MV, Tonini GP. An oligomer complementary to the 5' end region of MDR1 gene decreases resistance to doxorubicin of human adenocarcinoma-resistant cells. Anticancer Res 1992; 12:1431-8. [PMID: 1444203] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Acquired resistance to doxorubicin and other anti-cancer drugs is generally dependent on gene amplification of a specific nucleotide sequence, the MDR1 gene. Verapamil, cyclosporin and other drugs have been used to circumvent the resistance in experimental models in vitro and/or in vivo. We have attempted to reverse the MDR phenotype by treating human adenocarcinoma resistant cells with 20 mers of synthetic unmodified oligodeoxynucleotide MDR1 antisenses. Five ODNs towards different mRNA regions and three different schedules of ODN antisense administration were tested. We found that FCS concentration greatly influenced the stability of ODN, whereas heat-inactivated FCS had no effect. The kinetics of ODN cellular uptake suggest the presence of a saturable receptor. Among the five antisense ODNs used, the most efficient was the oligomer (ODN-1) complementary to 20 bases upstream of the AUG initiation codon. No effect was observed with antisense complementary to the nucleotide binding sites. Administration of ODN-1 every 12 hr for 72 hr partially reversed the MDR phenotype. Approximately 60% of the cells lost their resistance to doxorubicin and did not form colonies in the presence of the drug. The MDR1 mRNA was transiently down-regulated so that the level of gp170 was slightly reduced. The incomplete switch off of MDR1 gene expression may be ascribed to the large abundance and great stability of MDR1 messenger RNA. Moreover, the inactivity of the two ODNs complementary to the NBS protein domains suggests that translation inhibition is ineffective. It is likely that ODN-4 and ODN-5 complement a large number of mRNAs competing for duplex formation, because these sequences are highly conserved among many proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- M V Corrias
- Pediatric Oncology Research Laboratory, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genova, Italy
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Cornaglia-Ferraris P, Biano A, Corrias MV, Stradi R. A new peptide analog (RM06) modulates the growth of hematopoietic cells. Int J Immunopharmacol 1991; 13:1005-12. [PMID: 1761346 DOI: 10.1016/0192-0561(91)90054-b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The bombesin carboxy terminal dipeptide Leu-Met, was bound to hypoxanthine with a pentoxy-carbonyl chain. The new purine derivative, N-omega-[5(1,6-dihydro-6-oxo-9-purinyl)] pentoxy-carbonyl-L-leucil-L- methionine-COOH (RM06), significantly augmented human bone-marrow derived granulocyte-monocyte colony forming units (CFU-GM) when added to the cell-culture medium. Moreover, in vivo hemopoietic reconstitution was more rapid in lethally irradiated bone-marrow reconstituted BDF-1 mice, treated with RM06. Both in vitro and in vivo effects were similar to those exerted by recombinant granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). It is concluded that the new modified dipeptide modulates the growth of both human and murine hematopoietic cells in vitro and in vivo.
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Corrias MV, Cornaglia-Ferraris P, Di Martino D, Stenger AM, Lanino E, Boni L, Tonini GP. Expression of multiple drug resistance gene, MDR1, and N-myc oncogene in an Italian population of human neuroblastoma patients. Anticancer Res 1990; 10:897-902. [PMID: 1974410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Thirty-four patients of an Italian population affected by neuroblastoma (NB) were evaluated at diagnosis for multidrug resistance gene (MDR1) and N-myc oncogene amplification. No patients showed MDR1 amplification, while extra copies of the N-myc gene were found in 9 out of 34 patients (26%). N-myc amplification was correlated (p = 0.008) with a shorter progression-free survival. RNA was purified from fresh tumor biopsies and analysed in 29 NB samples. MDR1 gene expression was found to be increased in 5 out of 29 tumor samples at onset (17%) and in 1 out of 3 at relapse, but none of them expressed both MDR1 and N-myc genes simultaneously. No correlation was found between MDR1 or N-myc genes expression and tumor progression. MDR1 mRNA transcription may occur spontaneously after onset, suggesting that certain NB tumors could be resistant to antineoplastic drugs at onset. All 5 patients showing MDR1 mRNA transcription achieved complete or partial clinical remission after polychemotherapy. This was presumably due to inclusion in the therapeutic protocol of a high dose of Cisplatin, a drug not susceptible to the effects of the MDR1 gene product. Our findings show that cells which actively transcribe for the MDR1 gene are present in several untreated NB patients. No gene amplification was detected and probably the MDR1 gene expression is regulated at the transcriptional level.
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Affiliation(s)
- M V Corrias
- Pediatric Oncology Research Laboratory, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genova, Italy
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Roth WW, Bragg PW, Corrias MV, Reddy NS, Dholakia JN, Wahba AJ. Expression of a gene for mouse eucaryotic elongation factor Tu during murine erythroleukemic cell differentiation. Mol Cell Biol 1987; 7:3929-36. [PMID: 3481036 PMCID: PMC368061 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.7.11.3929-3936.1987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [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] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The eucaryotic elongation factor Tu (eEF-Tu) is a single polypeptide with an approximate Mr of 53,000. During protein synthesis eEF-Tu promotes the binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosome. To study the expression of the gene(s) for this factor, a genomic clone was isolated that contains a mouse eEF-Tu gene. We screened a phage genomic library with a synthetic oligonucleotide probe complementary to a region of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Artemia sp. eEF-Tu genes which codes for an area that is highly conserved between both yeast and Artemia sp. eEF-Tu. From approximately 75,000 phage plaques we obtained five isolates with apparently identical inserts. All five clones contained a 3.8-kilobase EcoRI fragment that hybridized to additional oligonucleotide probes corresponding to different conserved regions of eEF-Tu. We sequenced the 5' end of one genomic clone and determined the length of the cloned fragment that was protected by eEF-Tu mRNA in S1 nuclease protection assays. A quantitative S1 nuclease protection assay was used to compare the relative steady-state levels of eEF-Tu mRNA in total mRNA in total RNA isolated from hexamethylene-bisacetamide-induced murine erythroleukemia cells. The results show a dramatic reduction in the steady-state level of eEF-Tu mRNA as differentiation proceeds. A similar reduction in transcription of eEF-Tu mRNA was observed in isolated nuclei. Finally, we examined the in vivo synthesis of eEF-Tu during differentiation and found that it declined in a manner parallel to the decline in the steady-state level of eEF-Tu mRNA. In addition, we have isolated and sequenced a cDNA clone for mouse eEF-Tu. The derived amino acid sequence is compared with sequences from other eucaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- W W Roth
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson 39216
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Corrias MV, Flore O, Broi E, Marongiu ME, Pani A, Torelli S, La Colla P. Characterization and role in morphogenesis of a new subviral particle (55S) isolated from poliovirus-infected cells. J Virol 1987; 61:561-9. [PMID: 3027383 PMCID: PMC253981 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.61.2.561-569.1987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A previously undetected subviral particle, designated the 55S particle because of its position in sucrose density gradients, has been found in cytoplasmic extracts of poliovirus-infected cells. It contains no RNA, is composed of equimolar amounts of the structural polypeptides P1AB, P1C, and P1D, and is stable in vitro under a variety of conditions: presence or absence of EDTA, dilution in low- or high-ionic-strength buffers, suspension in buffers up to pH 10, incubation at 37 degrees C, and centrifugation to equilibrium in CsCl gradients (where it bands at a density of 1.285 g/cm3). Conventional pulse-chase experiments show that 55S particles are the products of the assembly of 14S subunits and the precursors of virions. These data led to the formulation of a model of poliovirus morphogenesis in which the conversion of capsomers into 73S empty capsids does not occur directly, but through the formation of an intermediate structure, the 55S particle.
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La Colla P, Gelli G, Mura L, Landini MP, Corrias MV, Pani A, Marongiu ME. Antiherpes activity of 5-(2-bromoethyl)-2'-deoxyuridine. Antiviral Res 1985; Suppl 1:29-34. [PMID: 3002262 DOI: 10.1016/s0166-3542(85)80005-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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La Colla P, Pani A, Corrias MV, Marongiu ME. [Analogs of pyrimidine nucleosides with selective antiherpetic activity]. G Ital Chemioter 1985; 32:109-18. [PMID: 3007251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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Marongiu ME, Pani A, Corrias MV, Sau M, La Colla P. Poliovirus morphogenesis. I. Identification of 80S dissociable particles and evidence for the artifactual production of procapsids. J Virol 1981; 39:341-7. [PMID: 6268826 PMCID: PMC171342 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.39.2.341-347.1981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The current model of poliovirus morphogenesis postulates a fundamental role for procapsid, 80S shells that, upon interaction with viral RNA and subsequent proteolytic cleavage, give rise to complete virus particles. Although 80S sedimenting particles can, indeed, be isolated from cytoplasmic extracts of infected cells, their physical properties differ from those reported for procapsids. Far from being stable structures, they can be dissociated by pH 8.5 and 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate into slower-sedimenting subunits. The reasons for this discrepancy were investigated, and two main modalities leading to the appearance of procapsids in vitro were identified. The first involves a temperature-mediated conversion of dissociable 80S particles into stable 80S procapsids, and the second involves the self-assembly of endogenous 14S subunits, also primed by an increase in the temperature of cytoplasmic extracts.
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