RESUMO
Our previous studies determined that elevating SOX2 in a wide range of tumor cells leads to a reversible state of tumor growth arrest. Efforts to understand how tumor cell growth is inhibited led to the discovery of a SOX2:MYC axis that is responsible for downregulating c-MYC (MYC) when SOX2 is elevated. Although we had determined that elevating SOX2 downregulates MYC transcription, the mechanism responsible was not determined. Given the challenges of targeting MYC clinically, we set out to identify how elevating SOX2 downregulates MYC transcription. In this study, we focused on the MYC promoter region and an upstream region of the MYC locus that contains a MYC super-enhancer encompassing five MYC enhancers and which is associated with several cancers. Here we report that BRD4 and p300 associate with each of the MYC enhancers in the upstream MYC super-enhancer as well as the MYC promoter region and that elevating SOX2 decreases the recruitment of BRD4 and p300 to these sites. Additionally, we determined that elevating SOX2 leads to increases in the association of SOX2 and H3K27me3 within the MYC super-enhancer and the promoter region of MYC. Importantly, we conclude that the increases in SOX2 within the MYC super-enhancer precipitate a cascade of events that culminates in the repression of MYC transcription. Together, our studies identify a novel molecular mechanism able to regulate MYC transcription in two distinctly different tumor types and provide new mechanistic insights into the molecular interrelationships between two master regulators, SOX2 and MYC, widely involved in multiple cancers.
RESUMO
Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is the most common cause for non-relapse mortality postallogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). However, there are no well-defined biomarkers for cGVHD or late acute GVHD (aGVHD). This study is a longitudinal evaluation of metabolomic patterns of cGVHD and late aGVHD in pediatric HSCT recipients. A quantitative analysis of plasma metabolites was performed on 222 evaluable pediatric subjects from the ABLE/PBMTC1202 study. We performed a risk-assignment analysis at day + 100 (D100) on subjects who later developed either cGVHD or late aGVHD after day 114 to non-cGVHD controls. A second analysis at diagnosis used fixed and mixed multiple regression to compare cGVHD at onset to time-matched non-cGVHD controls. A metabolomic biomarker was considered biologically relevant only if it met all 3 selection criteria: (1) P ≤ .05; (2) effect ratio of ≥1.3 or ≤0.75; and (3) receiver operator characteristic AUC ≥0.60. We found a consistent elevation in plasma α-ketoglutaric acid before (D100) and at the onset of cGVHD, not impacted by cGVHD severity, pubertal status, or previous aGVHD. In addition, late aGVHD had a unique metabolomic pattern at D100 compared with cGVHD. Additional metabolomic correlation patterns were seen with the clinical presentation of pulmonary, de novo, and progressive cGVHD. α-ketoglutaric acid emerged as the single most significant metabolite associated with cGVHD, both in the D100 risk-assignment and later diagnostic onset analysis. These distinctive metabolic patterns may lead to improved subclassification of cGVHD. Future validation of these exploratory results is needed. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02067832.
Assuntos
Doença Enxerto-Hospedeiro/metabolismo , Ácidos Cetoglutáricos/metabolismo , Adolescente , Biomarcadores/sangue , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Doença Crônica , Feminino , Doença Enxerto-Hospedeiro/sangue , Transplante de Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas/efeitos adversos , Humanos , Lactente , Ácidos Cetoglutáricos/sangue , Masculino , Metaboloma , Medição de RiscoRESUMO
Human graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) biology beyond 3 months after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is complex. The Applied Biomarker in Late Effects of Childhood Cancer study (ABLE/PBMTC1202, NCT02067832) evaluated the immune profiles in chronic GVHD (cGVHD) and late acute GVHD (L-aGVHD). Peripheral blood immune cell and plasma markers were analyzed at day 100 post-HSCT and correlated with GVHD diagnosed according to the National Institutes of Health consensus criteria (NIH-CC) for cGVHD. Of 302 children enrolled, 241 were evaluable as L-aGVHD, cGVHD, active L-aGVHD or cGVHD, and no cGVHD/L-aGVHD. Significant marker differences, adjusted for major clinical factors, were defined as meeting all 3 criteria: receiver-operating characteristic area under the curve ≥0.60, P ≤ .05, and effect ratio ≥1.3 or ≤0.75. Patients with only distinctive features but determined as cGVHD by the adjudication committee (non-NIH-CC) had immune profiles similar to NIH-CC. Both cGVHD and L-aGVHD had decreased transitional B cells and increased cytolytic natural killer (NK) cells. cGVHD had additional abnormalities, with increased activated T cells, naive helper T (Th) and cytotoxic T cells, loss of CD56bright regulatory NK cells, and increased ST2 and soluble CD13. Active L-aGVHD before day 114 had additional abnormalities in naive Th, naive regulatory T (Treg) cell populations, and cytokines, and active cGVHD had an increase in PD-1- and a decrease in PD-1+ memory Treg cells. Unsupervised analysis appeared to show a progression of immune abnormalities from no cGVHD/L-aGVHD to L-aGVHD, with the most complex pattern in cGVHD. Comprehensive immune profiling will allow us to better understand how to minimize L-aGVHD and cGVHD. Further confirmation in adult and pediatric cohorts is needed.
Assuntos
Doença Enxerto-Hospedeiro/imunologia , Transplante de Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas/efeitos adversos , Doença Aguda , Antígenos CD/análise , Antígenos CD/imunologia , Linfócitos B/imunologia , Linfócitos B/patologia , Biomarcadores/sangue , Criança , Doença Crônica , Citocinas/sangue , Citocinas/imunologia , Doença Enxerto-Hospedeiro/sangue , Doença Enxerto-Hospedeiro/patologia , Humanos , Células Matadoras Naturais/imunologia , Células Matadoras Naturais/patologia , Linfócitos T/imunologia , Linfócitos T/patologiaRESUMO
Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) and late acute graft-versus-host disease (L-aGVHD) are understudied complications of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children. The National Institutes of Health Consensus Criteria (NIH-CC) were designed to improve the diagnostic accuracy of cGVHD and to better classify graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) syndromes but have not been validated in patients <18 years of age. The objectives of this prospective multi-institution study were to determine: (1) whether the NIH-CC could be used to diagnose pediatric cGVHD and whether the criteria operationalize well in a multi-institution study; (2) the frequency of cGVHD and L-aGVHD in children using the NIH-CC; and (3) the clinical features and risk factors for cGVHD and L-aGVHD using the NIH-CC. Twenty-seven transplant centers enrolled 302 patients <18 years of age before conditioning and prospectively followed them for 1 year posttransplant for development of cGVHD. Centers justified their cGVHD diagnosis according to the NIH-CC using central review and a study adjudication committee. A total of 28.2% of reported cGVHD cases was reclassified, usually as L-aGVHD, following study committee review. Similar incidence of cGVHD and L-aGVHD was found (21% and 24.7%, respectively). The most common organs involved with diagnostic or distinctive manifestations of cGVHD in children include the mouth, skin, eyes, and lungs. Importantly, the 2014 NIH-CC for bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome perform poorly in children. Past acute GVHD and peripheral blood grafts are major risk factors for cGVHD and L-aGVHD, with recipients ≥12 years of age being at risk for cGVHD. Applying the NIH-CC in pediatrics is feasible and reliable; however, further refinement of the criteria specifically for children is needed.
Assuntos
Doença Enxerto-Hospedeiro/diagnóstico , Doença Aguda , Adolescente , Fatores Etários , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Doença Crônica , Conferências para Desenvolvimento de Consenso de NIH como Assunto , Feminino , Doença Enxerto-Hospedeiro/etiologia , Transplante de Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas/efeitos adversos , Humanos , Masculino , Guias de Prática Clínica como Assunto , Fatores de Risco , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Avaliação de Sintomas , Fatores de Tempo , Transplante Homólogo , Estados Unidos , Fluxo de TrabalhoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Quiescent tumor cells pose a major clinical challenge due to their ability to resist conventional chemotherapies and to drive tumor recurrence. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that promote quiescence of tumor cells could help identify therapies to eliminate these cells. Significantly, recent studies have determined that the function of SOX2 in cancer cells is highly dose dependent. Specifically, SOX2 levels in tumor cells are optimized to promote tumor growth: knocking down or elevating SOX2 inhibits proliferation. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that quiescent tumor cells express higher levels of SOX2 compared to adjacent proliferating cells. Currently, the mechanisms through which elevated levels of SOX2 restrict tumor cell proliferation have not been characterized. METHODS: To understand how elevated levels of SOX2 restrict the proliferation of tumor cells, we engineered diverse types of tumor cells for inducible overexpression of SOX2. Using these cells, we examined the effects of elevating SOX2 on their proliferation, both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we examined how elevating SOX2 influences their expression of cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), and p27Kip1. RESULTS: Elevating SOX2 in diverse tumor cell types led to growth inhibition in vitro. Significantly, elevating SOX2 in vivo in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, medulloblastoma, and prostate cancer cells induced a reversible state of tumor growth arrest. In all three tumor types, elevation of SOX2 in vivo quickly halted tumor growth. Remarkably, tumor growth resumed rapidly when SOX2 returned to endogenous levels. We also determined that elevation of SOX2 in six tumor cell lines decreased the levels of cyclins and CDKs that control each phase of the cell cycle, while upregulating p27Kip1. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that elevating SOX2 above endogenous levels in a diverse set of tumor cell types leads to growth inhibition both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, our findings indicate that SOX2 can function as a master regulator by controlling the expression of a broad spectrum of cell cycle machinery. Importantly, our SOX2-inducible tumor studies provide a novel model system for investigating the molecular mechanisms by which elevated levels of SOX2 restrict cell proliferation and tumor growth.
Assuntos
Proliferação de Células/genética , Recidiva Local de Neoplasia/genética , Neoplasias/genética , Fatores de Transcrição SOXB1/genética , Apoptose/genética , Ciclo Celular/genética , Proteínas de Ciclo Celular/genética , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Quinases Ciclina-Dependentes/genética , Ciclinas/genética , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica/genética , Humanos , Recidiva Local de Neoplasia/patologia , Neoplasias/patologiaRESUMO
Medulloblastoma (MB) is a highly aggressive, malignant brain tumor in children with poor prognosis. Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), a serine-threonine kinase, is widely implicated in the control of basal gene expression by phosphorylating Serine 2 (Ser2) of the heptad repeat in the RNA Polymerase II (RNA Pol II) C-terminal domain (CTD). Although CDK9 plays a pathogenic role in various cancers, its function in MB remains unknown. Here, we show that CDK9 is highly expressed in MB tumors and increased CDK9 expression is correlated with high risk MB patients. CDK9 expression along with phospho-Ser2 RNA Pol II (pRNA Pol II ser2) and bromodomain-binding protein 4 (BRD4), which recruits CDK9, were elevated in multiple MB cell lines and in MB tumors originated spontaneously from Ptch1+/-p53-/- mice. Inhibition of CDK9 with LDC067 suppressed MB cell growth, reduced pRNA Pol II ser2 level and expression of oncogenic markers, including MYC. Moreover, LDC067 treatment synergistically sensitizes MB cells to chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin. Further, LDC067 in combination with BRD4 inhibitor decreased MB cells growth, delayed cell migration and attenuated pRNA Pol II ser2 occupancy to CCND1 and BCL2 gene promoters as revealed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay (ChIP). Together, these findings highlight the importance of CDK9 in MB pathogenesis and suggest that it may serve as a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of MB.
Assuntos
Neoplasias Cerebelares/tratamento farmacológico , Quinase 9 Dependente de Ciclina/metabolismo , Meduloblastoma/tratamento farmacológico , Pirimidinas/farmacologia , Sulfonamidas/farmacologia , Animais , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/farmacologia , Proteínas de Ciclo Celular/metabolismo , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Neoplasias Cerebelares/genética , Neoplasias Cerebelares/patologia , Cisplatino/administração & dosagem , Quinase 9 Dependente de Ciclina/antagonistas & inibidores , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Meduloblastoma/genética , Meduloblastoma/patologia , Camundongos Mutantes , Terapia de Alvo Molecular , Neoplasias Experimentais , Pirimidinas/administração & dosagem , RNA Polimerase II/metabolismo , Serina/metabolismo , Sulfonamidas/administração & dosagem , Fatores de Transcrição/metabolismoRESUMO
EBV(-) posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) are rare compared with EBV(+) PTLDs, occur later after transplantation, and have a poor response to treatment. Few studies have reported EBV(-) PTLD in pediatric solid-organ transplantation recipients. We describe 5 cases of EBV(-) PTLD in recipients of combined liver and small bowel allografts ranging in age from 16 months to 7 years. EBV(-) PTLD developed 9-22 months (median, 15) after transplantation. Morphologically, the lesions ranged from atypical plasma cell hyperplasia (a term not currently included in the World Health Organization classification) to plasmacytoma like. In all cases, in situ hybridization for EBV was negative, and molecular studies demonstrated clonal IgH gene rearrangements. Protein electrophoresis showed multiple clonal paraproteins in 4 of 5 cases. In 2 cases with a donor-recipient sex mismatch, FISH cytogenetics demonstrated that the plasma cells were of mixed donor/recipient origin. One patient died before therapy. Four patients were treated with high-dose dexamethasone, and 1 patient subsequently required thalidomide. All 4 remain in remission 75-128 months (median, 86) after diagnosis. In contrast to reports of EBV(-) PTLD in adults, these plasma cell lesions occurred early after transplantation and resolved completely after minimal treatment.
Assuntos
Intestino Delgado/transplante , Transplante de Fígado/efeitos adversos , Mieloma Múltiplo/patologia , Neoplasias de Plasmócitos/patologia , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/patologia , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Evolução Fatal , Feminino , Gastroenteropatias/cirurgia , Herpesvirus Humano 4 , Humanos , Lactente , Masculino , Mieloma Múltiplo/terapia , Neoplasias de Plasmócitos/terapia , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/terapia , Prognóstico , Indução de Remissão , Transplante HomólogoRESUMO
Duplications of the long arm of chromosome 18 have been previously reported in patients with phenotypic findings similar to full trisomy 18. Trisomy 18 increases the risk for Wilms tumor and it is currently recommended that these patients undergo abdominal ultrasonography screening every 6 months. We report on nephroblastomatosis in a 27-month-old male with a 55 Mb duplication of chromosome 18q11.2-q23 (chr18:22693370-77982126, hg 19) and propose that the trisomy 18 tumor screening protocol could also benefit patients with large 18q duplications.
Assuntos
Cromossomos Humanos Par 18 , Macrossomia Fetal/genética , Duplicação Gênica , Trissomia/genética , Tumor de Wilms/genética , Pré-Escolar , Cromossomos Humanos Par 18/genética , Humanos , Masculino , Síndrome da Trissomía do Cromossomo 18RESUMO
While better management of loco-regional prostate cancer (PC) has greatly improved survival, advanced PC remains a major cause of cancer deaths. Identification of novel targetable pathways that contribute to tumor progression in PC could open new therapeutic options. The di-ganglioside GD2 is a target of FDA-approved antibody therapies in neuroblastoma, but the role of GD2 in PC is unexplored. Here, we show that GD2 is expressed in a small subpopulation of PC cells in a subset of patients and a higher proportion of metastatic tumors. Variable levels of cell surface GD2 expression were seen on many PC cell lines, and the expression was highly upregulated by experimental induction of lineage progression or enzalutamide resistance in CRPC cell models. GD2high cell fraction was enriched upon growth of PC cells as tumorspheres and GD2high fraction was enriched in tumorsphere-forming ability. CRISPR-Cas9 knockout (KO) of the rate-limiting GD2 biosynthetic enzyme GD3 Synthase (GD3S) in GD2high CRPC cell models markedly impaired the in vitro oncogenic traits and growth as bone-implanted xenograft tumors and reduced the cancer stem cell and epithelial-mesenchymal transition marker expression. Our results support the potential role of GD3S and its product GD2 in promoting PC tumorigenesis by maintaining cancer stem cells and suggest the potential for GD2 targeting in advanced PC.
Assuntos
Carcinogênese , Gangliosídeos , Células-Tronco Neoplásicas , Sialiltransferases , Masculino , Humanos , Células-Tronco Neoplásicas/metabolismo , Células-Tronco Neoplásicas/patologia , Sialiltransferases/metabolismo , Sialiltransferases/genética , Animais , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Gangliosídeos/metabolismo , Camundongos , Carcinogênese/genética , Neoplasias da Próstata/patologia , Neoplasias da Próstata/genética , Neoplasias da Próstata/metabolismo , Feniltioidantoína/farmacologia , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos/genética , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Benzamidas/farmacologia , Nitrilas/farmacologiaRESUMO
Medulloblastoma (MB) is a malignant pediatric brain tumor which shows upregulation of MYC and sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling. SHH inhibitors face acquired resistance, which is a major cause of relapse. Further, direct MYC oncogene inhibition is challenging, inhibition of MYC upstream insulin-like growth factor/ phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (IGF/PI3K) is a promising alternative. While PI3K inhibition activates resistance mechanisms, simultaneous inhibition of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) and PI3K can overcome resistance. We synthesized a new molecule 8-(2,3-dihydrobenzo[b] [1, 4] dioxin-6-yl)-2-morpholino-4H-chromen-4-one (MDP5) that targets both BRD4 and PI3K pathways. We used X-ray crystal structures and a molecular modeling approach to confirm the interactions between MDP5 with bromo domains (BDs) from both BRD2 and BRD4, and molecular modeling for PI3K binding. MDP5 was shown to inhibit target pathways and MB cell growth in vitro and in vivo. MDP5 showed higher potency in DAOY cells (IC50 5.5 µM) compared to SF2523 (IC50 12.6 µM), and its IC50 values in HD-MB03 cells were like SF2523. Treatment of MB cells with MDP5 significantly decreased colony formation, increased apoptosis, and halted cell cycle progression. Further, MDP5 was well tolerated in NSG mice bearing either xenograft or orthotopic MB tumors at the dose of 20 mg/kg, and significantly reduced tumor growth and prolonged animal survival.
Assuntos
Neoplasias Encefálicas , Neoplasias Cerebelares , Meduloblastoma , Humanos , Camundongos , Animais , Fatores de Transcrição , Proteínas Nucleares , Fosfatidilinositol 3-Quinases/metabolismo , Proteínas Hedgehog , Transdução de Sinais , Proliferação de Células , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Proteínas de Ciclo CelularRESUMO
With nearly all cancer deaths a result of metastasis, elucidating novel pro-metastatic cellular adaptations could provide new therapeutic targets. Here, we show that overexpression of the EPS15-Homology Domain-containing 2 (EHD2) protein in a large subset of breast cancers (BCs), especially the triple-negative (TNBC) and HER2+ subtypes, correlates with shorter patient survival. The mRNAs for EHD2 and Caveolin-1/2, structural components of caveolae, show co-overexpression across breast tumors, predicting shorter survival in basal-like BC. EHD2 shRNA knockdown and CRISPR-Cas9 knockout with mouse Ehd2 rescue, in TNBC cell line models demonstrate a major positive role of EHD2 in promoting tumorigenesis and metastasis. Mechanistically, we link these roles of EHD2 to store-operated calcium entry (SOCE), with EHD2-dependent stabilization of plasma membrane caveolae ensuring high cell surface expression of the SOCE-linked calcium channel Orai1. The novel EHD2-SOCE oncogenic axis represents a potential therapeutic target in EHD2- and CAV1/2-overexpressing BC.
Assuntos
Neoplasias de Mama Triplo Negativas , Humanos , Camundongos , Animais , Neoplasias de Mama Triplo Negativas/genética , Neoplasias de Mama Triplo Negativas/metabolismo , Proteínas de Transporte/genética , Proteínas de Transporte/metabolismo , Cálcio/metabolismo , Membrana Celular/metabolismo , Carcinogênese/genética , Carcinogênese/metabolismo , Transformação Celular Neoplásica/metabolismo , Molécula 1 de Interação Estromal/metabolismoRESUMO
Overexpression of EPS15 Homology Domain containing 1 (EHD1) has been linked to tumorigenesis but whether its core function as a regulator of intracellular traffic of cell surface receptors plays a role in oncogenesis remains unknown. We establish that EHD1 is overexpressed in Ewing sarcoma (EWS), with high EHD mRNA expression specifying shorter patient survival. ShRNA and CRISPR-knockout with mouse Ehd1 rescue established a requirement of EHD1 for tumorigenesis and metastasis. RTK antibody arrays identified the IGF-1R as a target of EHD1 regulation in EWS. Mechanistically, we demonstrate a requirement of EHD1 for endocytic recycling and Golgi to plasma membrane traffic of IGF-1R to maintain its surface expression and downstream signaling. Conversely, EHD1 overexpression-dependent exaggerated oncogenic traits require IGF-1R expression and kinase activity. Our findings define the RTK traffic regulation as a proximal mechanism of EHD1 overexpression-dependent oncogenesis that impinges on IGF-1R in EWS, supporting the potential of IGF-1R and EHD1 co-targeting.
RESUMO
Overexpression of the EPS15 Homology Domain containing 1 (EHD1) protein has been linked to tumorigenesis but whether its core function as a regulator of intracellular traffic of cell surface receptors plays a role in oncogenesis remains unknown. We establish that EHD1 is overexpressed in Ewing sarcoma (EWS), with high EHD1 mRNA expression specifying shorter patient survival. ShRNA-knockdown and CRISPR-knockout with mouse Ehd1 rescue established a requirement of EHD1 for tumorigenesis and metastasis. RTK antibody arrays identified IGF-1R as a target of EHD1 regulation in EWS. Mechanistically, we demonstrate a requirement of EHD1 for endocytic recycling and Golgi to plasma membrane traffic of IGF-1R to maintain its surface expression and downstream signaling. Conversely, EHD1 overexpression-dependent exaggerated oncogenic traits require IGF-1R expression and kinase activity. Our findings define the RTK traffic regulation as a proximal mechanism of EHD1 overexpression-dependent oncogenesis that impinges on IGF-1R in EWS, supporting the potential of IGF-1R and EHD1 co-targeting.
Assuntos
Sarcoma de Ewing , Camundongos , Animais , Sarcoma de Ewing/genética , Sarcoma de Ewing/metabolismo , Sarcoma de Ewing/patologia , Receptor IGF Tipo 1/genética , Receptor IGF Tipo 1/metabolismo , Membrana Celular/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais/fisiologia , Carcinogênese/genética , Carcinogênese/metabolismo , Transformação Celular Neoplásica/genética , Transformação Celular Neoplásica/metabolismoRESUMO
In this study, we identify USP1 as a transcriptional target of EWS::FLI1 and demonstrate the requisite function of USP1 in Ewing sarcoma (EWS) cell survival in response to endogenous replication stress. EWS::FLI1 oncogenic transcription factor drives most EWS, a pediatric bone cancer. EWS cells display elevated levels of R-loops and replication stress. The mechanism by which EWS cells override activation of apoptosis or cellular senescence in response to increased replication stress is not known. We show that USP1 is overexpressed in EWS and EWS::FLI1 regulates USP1 transcript levels. USP1 knockdown or inhibition arrests EWS cell growth and induces cell death by apoptosis. Mechanistically, USP1 regulates Survivin (BIRC5/API4) protein stability and the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3/7 in response to endogenous replication stress. Notably, USP1 inhibition sensitizes cells to doxorubicin and etoposide treatment. Together, our study demonstrates that USP1 is regulated by EWS::FLI1, the USP1-Survivin axis promotes EWS cell survival, and USP1 inhibition sensitizes cells to standard of care chemotherapy. IMPLICATIONS: High USP1 and replication stress levels driven by EWS::FLI1 transcription factor in EWS are vulnerabilities that can be exploited to improve existing treatment avenues and overcome drug resistance.
Assuntos
Sarcoma de Ewing , Humanos , Criança , Sarcoma de Ewing/metabolismo , Proteína Proto-Oncogênica c-fli-1/genética , Proteína Proto-Oncogênica c-fli-1/metabolismo , Survivina/genética , Survivina/metabolismo , Proteína EWS de Ligação a RNA/genética , Proteína EWS de Ligação a RNA/metabolismo , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Proteínas de Fusão Oncogênica/genética , Proteínas de Fusão Oncogênica/metabolismo , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Proteases Específicas de Ubiquitina/metabolismoRESUMO
While better management of loco-regional prostate cancer (PC) has greatly improved survival, advanced PC remains a major cause of cancer deaths. Identification of novel, targetable, pathways that contribute to tumor progression of PC could open new therapeutic options. The di-ganglioside GD2 is a target of FDA-approved antibody therapies in neuroblastoma, but the role of GD2 in PC has been only little explored. Here, we show that GD2 is expressed on a small subpopulation of PC cells in a subset of patients, especially in metastatic PC. Variable levels of cell surface GD2 expression are seen in most PC cell lines, and the expression is highly upregulated by experimental induction of lineage progression or enzalutamide resistance in CRPC cell models. GD2high cell fraction is enriched upon growth of PC cells as tumorspheres and GD2high fraction is enriched in tumorsphere growth. CRISPR-Cas9 knockout (KO) of the rate-limiting GD2 biosynthetic enzyme GD3 Synthase (GD3S) in GD2-high CRPC cell models led to marked impairment of their in vitro oncogenic traits, reduced cancer stem cell (CSC) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker expression and growth as bone-implanted xenograft tumors. Our results support the potential role of GD3S and its product GD2 in promoting PC tumorigenesis by maintaining cancer stem cells and suggest the potential for GD2 targeting in advanced PC.
RESUMO
The National Institutes of Health Consensus criteria for chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) diagnosis can be challenging to apply in children, making pediatric cGVHD diagnosis difficult. We aimed to identify diagnostic pediatric cGVHD biomarkers that would complement the current clinical criteria and help differentiate cGVHD from non-cGVHD. The Applied Biomarkers of Late Effects of Childhood Cancer (ABLE) study, open at 27 transplant centers, prospectively evaluated 302 pediatric patients after hematopoietic cell transplant (234 evaluable). Forty-four patients developed cGVHD. Mixed and fixed effect regression analyses were performed on diagnostic cGVHD onset blood samples for cellular and plasma biomarkers, with individual markers declared relevant if they met 3 criteria: an effect ratio ≥1.3 or ≤0.75; an area under the curve (AUC) of ≥0.60; and a P value <5.814 × 10-4 (Bonferroni correction) (mixed effect) or <.05 (fixed effect). To address the complexity of cGVHD diagnosis in children, we built a machine learning-based classifier that combined multiple cellular and plasma biomarkers with clinical factors. Decreases in regulatory natural killer cells, naïve CD4 T helper cells, and naïve regulatory T cells, and elevated levels of CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, ST2, ICAM-1, and soluble CD13 (sCD13) characterize the onset of cGVHD. Evaluation of the time dependence revealed that sCD13, ST2, and ICAM-1 levels varied with the timing of cGVHD onset. The cGVHD diagnostic classifier achieved an AUC of 0.89, with a positive predictive value of 82% and a negative predictive value of 80% for diagnosing cGVHD. Our polyomic approach to building a diagnostic classifier could help improve the diagnosis of cGVHD in children but requires validation in future prospective studies. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02067832.
Assuntos
Síndrome de Bronquiolite Obliterante , Doença Enxerto-Hospedeiro , Transplante de Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas , Humanos , Criança , Transplante de Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas/efeitos adversos , Molécula 1 de Adesão Intercelular , Proteína 1 Semelhante a Receptor de Interleucina-1 , Doença Enxerto-Hospedeiro/diagnóstico , Doença Enxerto-Hospedeiro/etiologia , BiomarcadoresRESUMO
Our body keeps separating the toxic chemicals in the blood from the brain. A significant number of drugs do not enter the central nervous system (CNS) due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Certain diseases, such as tumor growth and stroke, are known to increase the permeability of the BBB. However, the heterogeneity of this permeation makes it difficult and unpredictable to transport drugs to the brain. In recent years, research has been directed toward increasing drug penetration inside the brain, and nanomedicine has emerged as a promising approach. Active targeting requires one or more specific ligands on the surface of nanoparticles (NPs), which brain endothelial cells (ECs) recognize, allowing controlled drug delivery compared to conventional targeting strategies. This review highlights the mechanistic insights about different cell types contributing to the development and maintenance of the BBB and summarizes the recent advancement in brain-specific NPs for different pathological conditions. Furthermore, fundamental properties of brain-targeted NPs will be discussed, and the standard lesion features classified by neurological pathology are summarized.
Assuntos
Células Endoteliais , Nanopartículas , Barreira Hematoencefálica/metabolismo , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Sistemas de Liberação de Medicamentos , Células Endoteliais/metabolismo , Nanomedicina , Nanopartículas/química , Preparações Farmacêuticas/metabolismoRESUMO
The incidence of pediatric cancers is rising steadily across the world, along with the challenges in understanding the molecular mechanisms and devising effective therapeutic strategies. Pediatric cancers are presented with diverse molecular characteristics and more distinct subtypes when compared to adult cancers. Recent studies on the genomic landscape of pediatric cancers using next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches have redefined this field by providing better subtype characterization and novel actionable targets. Since early identification and personalized treatment strategies influence therapeutic outcomes, survival, and quality of life in pediatric cancer patients, the quest for actionable biomarkers is of great value in this field. Fusion genes that are prevalent and recurrent in several pediatric cancers are ideally suited in this context due to their disease-specific occurrence. In this review, we explore the current status of fusion genes in pediatric cancer subtypes and their use as biomarkers for diagnosis and personalized therapy. We discuss the technological advancements made in recent years in NGS sequencing and their impact on fusion detection algorithms that have revolutionized this field. Finally, we also discuss the advantages of pairing liquid biopsy protocols for fusion detection and their eventual use in diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos/uso terapêutico , Biomarcadores Tumorais/genética , Detecção Precoce de Câncer/métodos , Neoplasias/diagnóstico , Proteínas de Fusão Oncogênica/genética , Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Biomarcadores Tumorais/antagonistas & inibidores , Biomarcadores Tumorais/sangue , Criança , DNA Tumoral Circulante/sangue , DNA Tumoral Circulante/genética , Monitoramento de Medicamentos/métodos , Testes Genéticos/métodos , Genômica/métodos , Sequenciamento de Nucleotídeos em Larga Escala , Humanos , Biópsia Líquida/métodos , Neoplasias/sangue , Neoplasias/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias/genética , Proteínas de Fusão Oncogênica/antagonistas & inibidores , Proteínas de Fusão Oncogênica/sangue , Medicina de Precisão/métodos , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Immunotherapy has emerged at the forefront of cancer treatment. Checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA), a chimeric antibody which targets programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in pediatric patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin's lymphoma. However, there is currently no published data regarding the effects of pembrolizumab on the ovary of female pediatric patients. In this study, prepubertal immunocompetent and immunodeficient female mice were injected with pembrolizumab or anti-mouse PD-1 antibody. The number of primordial follicles significantly decreased post-injection of both pembrolizumab and anti-mouse PD-1 antibody in immunocompetent mice. However, no changes in follicle numbers were observed in immunodeficient nude mice. Superovulation test and vaginal opening experiments suggest that there is no difference in the number of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and the timing of puberty onset between the control and anti-mouse PD-1 antibody treatment groups, indicating that there is no effect on short-term fertility. Elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α following COX-2 upregulation was observed in the ovary. CD3+ T-cell infiltration was detected within some ovarian follicles and between stromal cells of the ovaries in mice following treatment with anti-mouse PD-1 antibody. Thus, PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade affects the ovarian reserve through a mechanism possibly involving inflammation following CD3+ T-cell infiltration.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Monoclonais Humanizados/farmacologia , Folículo Ovariano/efeitos dos fármacos , Maturidade Sexual/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Animais Recém-Nascidos , Anticorpos Monoclonais Humanizados/efeitos adversos , Antineoplásicos Imunológicos/efeitos adversos , Antineoplásicos Imunológicos/farmacologia , Contagem de Células , Feminino , Inibidores de Checkpoint Imunológico/efeitos adversos , Inibidores de Checkpoint Imunológico/farmacologia , Infertilidade Feminina/induzido quimicamente , Infertilidade Feminina/patologia , Camundongos , Camundongos Nus , Oócitos/citologia , Oócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Reserva Ovariana/efeitos dos fármacos , Ovário/efeitos dos fármacos , Ovário/fisiologia , Receptor de Morte Celular Programada 1/antagonistas & inibidores , Receptor de Morte Celular Programada 1/imunologiaRESUMO
Chemoresistance and inadequate therapeutics transport across the blood brain barrier (BBB) remain the major barriers to treating medulloblastoma (MB). Hedgehog (Hh) and IGF/PI3K pathways regulate tumor cell proliferation and resistance in MB. Current Hh inhibitors are effective initially to treat SHH-MB but acquire resistance. Herein, we showed that Hh inhibitor MDB5 and BRD4/PI3K dual inhibitor SF2523 synergistically inhibited the proliferation of DAOY and HD-MB03 cells when used in combination. Treatment of these MB cells with the combination of MDB5 and SF2523 significantly decreased colony formation and expression of MYCN, p-AKT, and cyclin D1 but significantly increased in Bax expression, compared to individual drugs. We used our previously reported copolymer mPEG-b-PCC-g-DC copolymer, which showed 8.7 ± 1.0 and 6.5 ± 0.1% loading for MDB5 and SF2523 when formulated into nanoparticles (NPs). There was sustained drug release from NPs, wherein 100% of MDB5 was released in 50 h, but only 60% of SF2523 was released in 80 h. Targeted NPs prepared by mixing 30:70 ratio of COG-133-PEG-b-PBC and mPEG-b-PCC-g-DC copolymer delivered a significantly higher drug concentration in the cerebellum at 6 and 24h after intravenous injection into orthotopic SHH-MB tumor-bearing NSG mice. Moreover, systemic administration of COG-133-NPs loaded with MDB5 and SF2523 resulted in decreased tumor burden compared to non-targeted drug-loaded NPs, without any hepatic toxicity. In conclusion, our nanomedicine of MDB5 and SF2523 offers a novel therapeutic strategy to treat chemoresistant MB.