Prognostic value of hemogram parameters in osteosarcoma: The French OS2006 experience.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) ratio at diagnosis and early lymphocytes recovery on doxorubicin-based chemotherapy, may impact the outcome in patients with osteosarcoma (OST). This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of hemogram parameters in patients with OST treated with high-dose methotrexate and etoposide/ifosfamide (M-EI) chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the prognostic value of various hemogram parameters at diagnosis and during therapy in a large consecutive cohort of patients with OST included in the French OS2006 trial and treated with M-EI chemotherapy. RESULTS: A total of 164 patients were analyzed. The median age was 14.7 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 11.7-17). Median follow-up was 5.6 years (IQR: 3.3-7.7 years). Three-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 71.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 64%-78%) and 86.4% (95% CI: 80%-91%), respectively. In univariate analysis, blood count parameters at diagnosis and early lymphocyte recovery at Day 14 were not found prognostic of survival outcomes. By contrast, an increase of NLR ratio at Day 1 of the first EI chemotherapy (NLR-W4) was associated with reduced OS in univariate (p = .0044) and multivariate analysis (hazards ratio [HR] = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1-1.5; p = .002), although not with EFS. After adjustment on histological response and metastatic status, an increase of the ratio NLR-W4 of 1 was associated with an increased risk of death of 30%. CONCLUSIONS: We identified NLR-W4 as a potential early biomarker for survival in patients with OST treated with M-EI chemotherapy. Further studies are required to confirm the prognostic value of NLR and better identify immune mechanisms involved in disease surveillance.

Zoledronic acid enhances tumor growth and metastatic spread in a mouse model of jaw osteosarcoma.

OBJECTIVES: Investigation of the therapeutic effect of zoledronic acid (ZA) in a preclinical model of jaw osteosarcoma (JO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of 100 µg/kg ZA administered twice a week was assessed in a xenogenic mouse model of JO. The clinical (tumor growth, development of lung metastasis), radiological (bone microarchitecture by micro-CT analysis), and molecular and immunohistochemical (TRAP, RANK/RANKL, VEGF, and CD146) parameters were investigated. RESULTS: Animals receiving ZA exhibited an increased tumor volume compared with nontreated animals (71.3 ± 14.3 mm3 vs. 51.9 ± 19.9 mm3 at D14, respectively; p = 0.06) as well as increased numbers of lung metastases (mean 4.88 ± 4.45 vs. 0.50 ± 1.07 metastases, respectively; p = 0.02). ZA protected mandibular bone against tumor osteolysis (mean bone volume of 12.81 ± 0.53 mm3 in the ZA group vs. 11.55 ± 1.18 mm3 in the control group; p = 0.01). ZA induced a nonsignificant decrease in mRNA expression of the osteoclastic marker TRAP and an increase in RANK/RANKL bone remodeling markers. CONCLUSION: The use of bisphosphonates in the therapeutic strategy for JO should be further explored, as should the role of bone resorption in the pathophysiology of the disease.

Jaw osteosarcoma models in mice: first description.

BACKGROUND: Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common cancer of bone. Jaw osteosarcoma (JOS) is rare and it differs from other OS in terms of the time of occurrence (two decades later) and better survival. The aim of our work was to develop and characterize specific mouse models of JOS. METHODS: Syngenic and xenogenic models of JOS were developed in mice using mouse (MOS-J) and human (HOS1544) osteosarcoma cell lines, respectively. An orthotopic patient-derived xenograft model (PDX) was also developed from a mandibular biopsy. These models were characterized at the histological and micro-CT imaging levels, as well as in terms of tumor growth and metastatic spread. RESULTS: Homogeneous tumor growth was observed in both the HOS1544 and the MOS-J JOS models by injection of 0.25 × 106 and 0.50 × 106 tumor cells, respectively, at perimandibular sites. Histological characterization of the tumors revealed features consistent with high grade conventional osteosarcoma, and the micro-CT analysis revealed both osteogenic and osteolytic lesions. Early metastasis was encountered at day 14 in the xenogenic model, while there were no metastatic lesions in the syngenic model and in the PDX models. CONCLUSION: We describe the first animal model of JOS and its potential use for therapeutic applications. This model needs to be compared with the usual long-bone osteosarcoma models to investigate potential differences in the bone microenvironment.

12b80 - Hydroxybisphosphonate Linked Doxorubicin: Bone Targeted Strategy for Treatment of Osteosarcoma.

To reply to as yet unmet medical needs to treat osteosarcoma, a form of primary bone cancer, we conceived the 12b80 compound by covalently conjugating antineoplastic compound doxorubicin to a bone targeting hydroxybisphosphonate vector and turned it into a prodrug through a custom linker designed to specifically trigger doxorubicin release in acidic bone tumor microenvironment. Synthesis of 12b80 was thoroughly optimized to be produced at gram scale. 12b80 was evaluated in vitro for high bone support affinity, specific release of doxorubicin in acidic condition, lower cytotoxicity, and cellular uptake of the prodrug. In vivo in rodents, 12b80 displayed rapid and sustained targeting of bone tissue and tumor-associated heterotopic bone and permitted a higher doxorubicin payload in tumor bone environment compared to nonvectorized doxorubicin. Consequently, 12b80 showed much lower toxicity compared to doxorubicin, promoted strong antitumor effects on rodent orthotopic osteosarcoma, displayed a dose-response therapeutic effect, and was more potent than doxorubicin/zoledronate combination.

New Insights about the Wnt/ß-Catenin Signaling Pathway in Primary Bone Tumors and Their Microenvironment: A Promising Target to Develop Therapeutic Strategies?

Osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma are the most common malignant primary bone tumors mainly occurring in children, adolescents and young adults. Current standard therapy includes multidrug chemotherapy and/or radiation specifically for Ewing sarcoma, associated with tumor resection. However, patient survival has not evolved for the past decade and remains closely related to the response of tumor cells to chemotherapy, reaching around 75% at 5 years for patients with localized forms of osteosarcoma or Ewing sarcoma but less than 30% in metastatic diseases and patients resistant to initial chemotherapy. Despite Ewing sarcoma being characterized by specific EWSR1-ETS gene fusions resulting in oncogenic transcription factors, currently, no targeted therapy could be implemented. It seems even more difficult to develop a targeted therapeutic strategy in osteosarcoma which is characterized by high complexity and heterogeneity in genomic alterations. Nevertheless, the common point between these different bone tumors is their ability to deregulate bone homeostasis and remodeling and divert them to their benefit. Therefore, targeting different actors of the bone tumor microenvironment has been hypothesized to develop new therapeutic strategies. In this context, it is well known that the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway plays a key role in cancer development, including osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma as well as in bone remodeling. Moreover, recent studies highlight the implication of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway in angiogenesis and immuno-surveillance, two key mechanisms involved in metastatic dissemination. This review focuses on the role played by this signaling pathway in the development of primary bone tumors and the modulation of their specific microenvironment.

Epinephrine Infiltration of Adipose Tissue Impacts MCF7 Breast Cancer Cells and Total Lipid Content.

BACKGROUND: Considering the positive or negative potential effects of adipocytes, depending on their lipid composition, on breast tumor progression, it is important to evaluate whether adipose tissue (AT) harvesting procedures, including epinephrine infiltration, may influence breast cancer progression. METHODS: Culture medium conditioned with epinephrine-infiltrated adipose tissue was tested on human Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF7) breast cancer cells, cultured in monolayer or in oncospheres. Lipid composition was evaluated depending on epinephrine-infiltration for five patients. Epinephrine-infiltrated adipose tissue (EI-AT) or corresponding conditioned medium (EI-CM) were injected into orthotopic breast carcinoma induced in athymic mouse. RESULTS: EI-CM significantly increased the proliferation rate of MCF7 cells Moreover EI-CM induced an output of the quiescent state of MCF7 cells, but it could be either an activator or inhibitor of the epithelial mesenchymal transition as indicated by gene expression changes. EI-CM presented a significantly higher lipid total weight compared with the conditioned medium obtained from non-infiltrated-AT of paired-patients. In vivo, neither the EI-CM or EI-AT injection significantly promoted MCF7-induced tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS: Even though conditioned media are widely used to mimic the secretome of cells or tissues, they may produce different effects on tumor progression, which may explain some of the discrepancy observed between in vitro, preclinical and clinical data using AT samples.

Paradoxical side effects of bisphosphonates on the skeleton: What do we know and what can we do?

Bisphosphonates are considered the most effective drugs for controlling adult and pediatric osteolytic diseases. Although they have been used successfully for many years, several side effects, such as osteonecrosis of the jaw, delayed dental eruption, atypical femoral fracture, and alterations to the bone growth system, have been described. After an overview of nitrogenous bisphosphonate, the purpose of this article is to describe their mechanisms of action and current applications, review the preclinical and clinical evidence of their side effects in the skeleton ("what we know"), and describe current recommendations for preventing and managing these effects ("what we can do"). Finally, promising future directions on how to limit the occurrence of these side effects will be presented.

In vitro and in vivo discrepancy in inducing apoptosis by mesenchymal stromal cells delivering membrane-bound tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand in osteosarcoma pre-clinical models.

BACKGROUND: Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most frequent pediatric malignant bone tumor. OS patients have not seen any major therapeutic progress in the last 30 years, in particular in the case of metastatic disease, which requires new therapeutic strategies. The pro-apoptotic cytokine Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (TRAIL) can selectively kill tumor cells while sparing normal cells, making it a promising therapeutic tool in several types of cancer. However, many OS cell lines appear resistant to recombinant human (rh)TRAIL-induced apoptosis. We, therefore, hypothesized that TRAIL presentation at the membrane level of carrier cells might overcome this resistance and trigger apoptosis. METHODS: To address this, human adipose mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) transfected in a stable manner to express membrane-bound full-length human TRAIL (mbTRAIL) were co-cultured with several human OS cell lines. RESULTS: This induced apoptosis by cell-to-cell contact even in cell lines initially resistant to rhTRAIL. In contrast, mbTRAIL delivered by MSCs was not able to counteract tumor progression in this OS orthotopic model. DISCUSSION: This was partly due to the fact that MSCs showed a potential to support tumor development. Moreover, the expression of mbTRAIL did not show caspase activation in adjacent tumor cells.

Zoledronate in combination with chemotherapy and surgery to treat osteosarcoma (OS2006): a randomised, multicentre, open-label, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: Based on preclinical data for the antitumour effect of zoledronate in osteosarcoma, we assessed whether zoledronate combined with chemotherapy and surgery improved event-free survival in children and adults with osteosarcoma. METHODS: In this randomised, multicentre, open-label, phase 3 trial (OS2006), patients aged between 5 years and 50 years with newly diagnosed high-grade osteosarcoma were randomly assigned to receive standard chemotherapy with or without ten zoledronate intravenous infusions (four preoperative and six postoperative). Adults older than 25 years received 4 mg zoledronate per infusion, patients aged 18-25 years received 0·05 mg/kg for the first two infusions and 4 mg for the remaining eight infusions, and younger patients received 0·05 mg/kg per infusion. Chemotherapy comprised high-dose methotrexate based chemotherapy in patients younger than 18 years, and doxorubicin, ifosfamide, and cisplatin in adults older than 25 years; patients aged 18-25 years were treated with either regime at the discretion of the treating centre. Balanced randomisation between the two groups was done centrally with online randomisation software, based on a minimisation algorithm taking into account centre, age, combined with chemotherapy regimen, and risk group (resectable primary and no metastasis vs other). Patients and investigators were not masked to treatment assignment, but the endpoint adjudication committee members who reviewed suspected early progressions were masked to group allocation. The primary endpoint was event-free survival, estimated from the randomisation to the time of first failure (local or distant relapse, progression, death) or to the last follow-up visit for the patients in first complete remission, analysed on a modified intention-to-treat population, which excluded patients found not to have a malignant tumour after central review. Three interim analyses were planned. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00470223. FINDINGS: Between April 23, 2007, and March 11, 2014, 318 patients, median age 15·5 years (range 5·8-50·9), were enrolled from 40 French centres; of whom 158 were assigned to the control group (chemotherapy alone) and 160 to the zoledronate group, including 55 (17%) patients with definite metastases. The trial was stopped for futility after the second interim analysis. With a median follow-up of 3·9 years (IQR 2·7-5·1), 125 events occurred (55 in the control group and 70 in the with zoledronate group). Event-free survival at 3 years for all 315 randomly assigned patients was 60·3% (95% CI 64·5-65·9); 3-year event-free survival was 63·4% (55·2-70·9) for the control group and 57·1% (48·8-65·0) for the zoledronate group. The risk of failure was not reduced and was even marginally higher in the zoledronate group than in the control group (hazard ratio [HR] 1·36 [95% CI 0·95-1·96]; p=0·094). No major increase in severe toxic effects of grade 3 or higher associated with zoledronate, barring expected hypocalcaemia (45 [29%] of 153 participants in the zoledronate group vs ten [6%] of 155 participants in the control group; p<0·0001) and hypophosphataemia (61 [40%] of 151 in the zoledronate group vs 26 [17%] of 156 in the control group; p<0·0001). No significant difference in orthopaedic complications was noted between the two groups (27 in the control group and 29 in the zoledronate group). Two treatment-related deaths were reported (one from cardiomyopathy in the control group and one from multiorgan failure in the zoledronate group before the first zoledronate infusion). INTERPRETATION: From the results observed in this study, we do not recommend zoledronate in osteosarcoma patients. Further biological studies are required to understand the discordance between the results of OS2006 trial and preclinical data. FUNDING: French National Cancer Institute (INCa), Novartis, Chugai, Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Fédération Enfants et Santé, Société Française des Cancers et Leucémies de l'Enfant.

TRAIL delivered by mesenchymal stromal/stem cells counteracts tumor development in orthotopic Ewing sarcoma models.

Ewing sarcoma (EWS) is the second most frequent pediatric malignant bone tumor. EWS patients have not seen any major therapeutic progress in the last 30 years, in particular in the case of metastatic disease, which requires new therapeutic strategies. The pro-apoptotic cytokine TNF-Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (TRAIL) can selectively kill tumor cells while sparing normal cells, making it a promising therapeutic tool in several types of cancer. However, certain EWS cell lines appear resistant to recombinant human (rh) TRAIL-induced apoptosis. We therefore hypothesized that a TRAIL presentation at the surface of the carrier cells might overcome this resistance and trigger apoptosis. For this purpose, human adipose mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSC) transfected in a stable manner to express full-length human TRAIL were co-cultured with several human EWS cell lines, inducing apoptosis by cell-to-cell contact even in cell lines initially resistant to rhTRAIL or AMG655, an antibody agonist to the death receptor, DR5. In vivo, TRAIL delivered by MSCs was able to counteract tumor progression in two orthotopic models of Ewing sarcoma, associated with caspase activation, indicating that a cell-based delivery of a potent apoptosis-inducing factor could be relevant in EWS.

Oncostatin m, an inflammatory cytokine produced by macrophages, supports intramembranous bone healing in a mouse model of tibia injury.

Different macrophage depletion strategies have demonstrated a vital role of macrophages in bone healing, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, with the use of a mouse model of tibia injury, we found that the cytokine oncostatin M [OSM or murine (m)OSM] was overexpressed during the initial inflammatory phase and that depletion of macrophages repressed mOSM expression. In Osm(-/-) mice, by micro-computed tomography and histology we observed a significant reduction in the amount of new intramedullar woven bone formed at the injured site, reduced number of Osterix(+) osteoblastic cells, and reduced expression of the osteoblast markers runt-related transcription factor 2 and alkaline phosphatase. In contrast, osteoclasts were normal throughout the healing period. One day after bone injury, Stat3, the main transcription factor activated by mOSM, was found phosphorylated/activated in endosteal osteoblastic cells located at the hedge of the hematoma. Interestingly, we observed reduced activation of Stat3 in Osm(-/-) mice. In addition, mice deficient in the mOSM receptor (Osmr(-/-)) also had reduced bone formation and osteoblast number within the injury site. These results suggest that mOSM, a product of macrophages, sustains intramembranous bone formation by signaling through Osmr and Stat3, acting on the recruitment, proliferation, and/or osteoblast differentiation of endosteal mesenchymal progenitor cells. Because bone resorption is largely unaltered, OSM could represent a new anabolic treatment for unconsolidated bone fractures.

BYL719, a new α-specific PI3K inhibitor: single administration and in combination with conventional chemotherapy for the treatment of osteosarcoma.

It has been established that disturbances in intracellular signaling pathways play a considerable part in the oncologic process. Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) has become of key interest in cancer therapy because of its high mutation frequency and/or gain in function of its catalytic subunits in cancer cells. We investigated the therapeutic value of BYL719, a new specific PI3Kα inhibitor that blocks the ATP site, on osteosarcoma and bone cells. The in vitro effects of BYL719 on proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle were assessed in human and murine osteosarcoma cell. Its impact on bone cells was determined using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) and human CD14+ osteoclast precursors. Two different murine preclinical models of osteosarcoma were used to analyze the in vivo biological activities of BYL719. BYL719 decreased cell proliferation by blocking cell cycle in G0/G1 phase with no outstanding effects on apoptosis cell death in HOS and MOS-J tumor cells. BYL719 inhibited cell migration and can thus be considered as a cytostatic drug for osteosarcoma. In murine preclinical models of osteosarcoma, BYL719 significantly decreased tumor progression and tumor ectopic bone formation as shown by a decrease of Ki67+ cells and tumor vascularization. To explore the maximum therapeutic potential of BYL719, the drug was studied in combination with conventional chemotherapeutic drugs, revealing promising efficacy with ifosfamide. BYL719 also exhibited dual activities on osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation. Overall, the present work shows that BYL719 is a promising drug in either a single or multidrug approach to curing bone sarcoma.

TRAIL-based therapy in pediatric bone tumors: how to overcome resistance.

Osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma, the two most frequent malignant primary tumors preferentially arise in children and young adults, and have a poor prognosis. TRAIL represents a promising therapeutic approach for most cancers but in the case of primary bone tumors, osteosarcoma cell lines are highly resistant to this pro-apoptotic cytokine. In addition, another signaling pathway mediating cell proliferation and migration may be even activated in this subset of resistant cells leading to protumoral effect. Therapeutic perspectives are linked to possibility to overcome TRAIL resistance by combining other drugs with TRAIL or death receptors agonistic antibodies. We hypothesized that the bone microenvironment may provide a favorable niche for TRAIL resistance that might be targeted by new resensitizing agents.

Loss of connexin43 expression in Ewing's sarcoma cells favors the development of the primary tumor and the associated bone osteolysis.

Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is a primary bone tumor characterized by a chromosomic translocation between the EWS gene and a member of the ETS gene family, mainly FLI1, which leads to an aberrant transcription factor EWS-FLI1 that promotes tumorigenicity. Gap junctions are intercellular channels composed of transmembrane proteins (connexin: Cx), that allow direct intercellular communication between adjacent cells. Numerous studies have shown that tumorigenesis may be associated with a loss of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC). Loss of Cx43 expression was observed at the protein and mRNA levels in ES cell lines compared to those measured in human mesenchymal stem cells. A673 ES cells stably transfected with an shRNA targeting EWS-FLI1 showed an increase in Cx43 expression (at the mRNA, protein and transcriptional levels) and GJIC. In an osteolytic murine model of ES, the overexpression of Cx43 in ES cells dramatically reduced tumor growth, leading to a significant increase in animal survival. In vitro assays showed that Cx43 overexpression increases the p27 level with an associated marked decrease of Rb phosphorylation, consistent with the observed blockade of the cell cycle in G0/G1 phase. In addition, the bone microarchitectural parameters, assessed by micro-CT analysis, showed an increased bone volume when Cx43 expression was enhanced. Histological analysis demonstrated that the overexpression of Cx43 in ES tumor cells inhibits osteoclast activity and therefore bone resorption. Our study demonstrated that the loss of Cx43 expression in ES cells plays a crucial role in the development of the primary tumor and the associated bone osteolysis.

Zoledronic acid inhibits pulmonary metastasis dissemination in a preclinical model of Ewing's sarcoma via inhibition of cell migration.

BACKGROUND: Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is the second most frequent primitive malignant bone tumor in adolescents with a very poor prognosis for high risk patients, mainly when lung metastases are detected (overall survival <15% at 5 years). Zoledronic acid (ZA) is a potent inhibitor of bone resorption which induces osteoclast apoptosis. Our previous studies showed a strong therapeutic potential of ZA as it inhibits ES cell growth in vitro and ES primary tumor growth in vivo in a mouse model developed in bone site. However, no data are available on lung metastasis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of ZA on ES cell invasion and metastatic properties. METHODS: Invasion assays were performed in vitro in Boyden's chambers covered with Matrigel. Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP) activity was analyzed by zymography in ES cell culture supernatant. In vivo, a relevant model of spontaneous lung metastases which disseminate from primary ES tumor was induced by the orthotopic injection of 106 human ES cells in the tibia medullar cavity of nude mice. The effect of ZA (50 µg/kg, 3x/week) was studied over a 4-week period. Lung metastases were observed macroscopically at autopsy and analysed by histology. RESULTS: ZA induced a strong inhibition of ES cell invasion, probably due to down regulation of MMP-2 and -9 activities as analyzed by zymography. In vivo, ZA inhibits the dissemination of spontaneous lung metastases from a primary ES tumor but had no effect on the growth of established lung metastases. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that ZA could be used early in the treatment of ES to inhibit bone tumor growth but also to prevent the early metastatic events to the lungs.

Small rigid platforms functionalization with quaternary ammonium: targeting extracellular matrix of chondrosarcoma.

This work takes place in the "cartilage targeting strategy", consisting in using the quaternary ammonium (QA) function as a vector to proteoglycans (PGs) of extracellular matrix (ECM). The objective was to demonstrate that QA could address gadolinium based small rigid platforms (SRP) to PG-rich tumors. SRP were functionalized with QA, radiolabeled with (111)Indium and evaluated for biodistribution in vivo, respectively to non functionalized SRP, in two experimental models: (i) the HEMCSS human xenograft model; (ii) the Swarm rat chondrosarcoma (SRC) orthotopic model. The contribution of cellular uptake to tumoral accumulation of nano-objects was also determined from in vitro binding. In the SRC model expressing a highly and homogeneously distributed PG content, tumor accumulation and retention of SRP@QA were increased by 40% as compared to non-functionalized SRP. When considering the radiosensitizing potential of gadolinium based SRP, these results provide hopes for the radiobiological approach of highly resistant tumor such as chondrosarcoma. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: In this study, gadolinium-based complexing DOTA-surfaced small polysiloxane nanoparticles were functionalized with quaternary ammonium derivatives that target the extracellular matrix of chondrosarcoma. The authors demonstrate in a rat model that the use of these constructs results in a 40% increase of tumor accumulation and retention compared to non-functionalized (and otherwise same) platforms. Similar approaches would be welcome additions to the clinical armamentarium addressing chondrosarcoma.

Chimeric protein EWS::FLI1 drives cell proliferation in Ewing Sarcoma via aberrant expression of KCNN1/SK1 and dysregulation of calcium signaling.

Ewing sarcoma (ES) is characterized by EWS::FLI1 or EWS::ERG fusion proteins. Knowing that ion channels are involved in tumorigenesis, this work aimed to study the involvement of the KCNN1 gene, which encodes the SK1 potassium channel, in ES development. Bioinformatics analyses from databases were used to study KCNN1 expression in patients and cell lines. Molecular approaches and in vitro assays were used to study the transcriptional regulation of KCNN1 and its involvement in the regulation of ES cell proliferation. KCNN1 is overexpressed in ES patient biopsies, and its expression is inversely correlated with patient survival. EWS::FLI1, like EWS::ERG, promotes KCNN1 and SK1 expression, binding to GGAA microsatellites near the promoter of KCNN1 isoforms. KCNN1 is involved in the regulation of ES cell proliferation, with its silencing being associated with a slowing of the cell cycle, and its expression modulates membrane potential and therefore calcium flux. These results highlight that KCNN1 is a direct target of EWS::FLI1 and EWS::ERG and demonstrate that KCNN1 is involved in the regulation of intracellular calcium activity and ES cell proliferation, making it a promising therapeutic target in ES.

New chondrosarcoma cell lines and mouse models to study the link between chondrogenesis and chemoresistance.

Chondrosarcomas are cartilage-forming, poorly vascularized tumors. They represent the second malignant primary bone tumor of adults after osteosarcoma, but in contrast to osteosarcoma they are resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, surgical excision remaining the only therapeutic option. Few cell lines and animal models are available, and the mechanisms behind their chemoresistance remain largely unknown. Our goal was to establish new cell lines and animal cancer models from human chondrosarcoma biopsies to study their chemoresistance. Between 2007 and 2012, 10 chondrosarcoma biopsies were collected and used for cell culture and transplantation into nude mice. Only one transplanted biopsy and one injected cell line has engrafted successfully leading to conventional central high-grade chondrosarcoma similar to the original biopsies. In culture, two new stable cell lines were obtained, one from a dedifferentiated and one from a grade III conventional central chondrosarcoma biopsy. Their genetic characterization revealed triploid karyotypes, mutations in IDH1, IDH2, and TP53, deletion in CDKN2A and/or MDM2 amplification. These cell lines expressed mesenchymal membrane markers (CD44, 73, 90, 105) and were able to produce a hyaline cartilaginous matrix when cultured in chondrogenic three-dimensional (3D) pellets. Using a high-throughput quantitative RT-PCR approach, we observed that cell lines cultured in monolayer had lost expression of several genes implicated in cartilage development (COL2A1, COMP, ACAN) but restored their expression in 3D cultures. Chondrosarcoma cells in monolayer were sensitive to several conventional chemotherapeutic agents but became resistant to low doses of mafosfamide or doxorubicin when cultured in 3D pellets, in parallel with an altered nucleic accumulation of the drug. Our results indicate that the cartilaginous matrix produced by chondrosarcoma cells may impair diffusion of several drugs and thus contribute to chemoresistance. Therefore, 3D chondrogenic cell pellets constitute a more relevant model to study chondrosarcoma chemoresistance and may be a valuable alternative to animal experimentations.

Oncostatin M is a growth factor for Ewing sarcoma.

Primary bone tumors, osteosarcomas and chondrosarcomas, derive from mesenchymal stem cells committed into osteoblasts and chondrocytes; in Ewing sarcomas (ESs), the oncogenic fusion protein EWS-FLI1 prevents mesenchymal differentiation and induces neuroectodermic features. Oncostatin M (OSM) is a cytokine from the IL-6 family that modulates proliferation and differentiation in numerous cells. The basis for inhibition versus induction of proliferation by this cytokine is obscure, although MYC was described as a potent molecular switch in OSM signaling. We show herein that, in contrast to osteosarcomas and chondrosarcomas, for which OSM was cytostatic, OSM induced proliferation of ES cell lines. Knockdown experiments demonstrated that growth induction by OSM depends on both types I [leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR)] and II [OSM receptor (OSMR)] receptors, high STAT3 activation, and induction of MYC to a high expression level. Indeed, ES cell lines, mice xenografts, and patient biopsy specimens poorly expressed LIF, precluding LIFR lysosomal degradation and OSMR transcriptional induction, thus leading to a high LIFR/OSMR ratio. Because other neuroectodermic tumors (ie, glioma, medulloblastoma, and neuroblastoma) had a similar expression profile, the main role of EWS-FLI1 could be through maintenance of stemness and neuroectodermic features, characterized by a low LIF, a high LIFR/OSMR ratio, and high MYC expression. Thus, this study on rare bone malignancies gives valuable insights on more common cancer regulatory mechanisms and could provide new therapeutic opportunities.

Induction of osteogenesis in mesenchymal stem cells by activated monocytes/macrophages depends on oncostatin M signaling.

Bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts are tightly coupled processes implicating factors in TNF, bone morphogenetic protein, and Wnt families. In osteoimmunology, macrophages were described as another critical cell population regulating bone formation by osteoblasts but the coupling factors were not identified. Using a high-throughput approach, we identified here Oncostatin M (OSM), a cytokine of the IL-6 family, as a major coupling factor produced by activated circulating CD14+ or bone marrow CD11b+ monocytes/macrophages that induce osteoblast differentiation and matrix mineralization from human mesenchymal stem cells while inhibiting adipogenesis. Upon activation of toll-like receptors (TLRs) by lipopolysaccharide or endogenous ligands, OSM was produced in classically activated inflammatory M1 and not M2 macrophages, through a cyclooxygenase-2 and prostaglandin-E2 regulatory loop. Stimulation of osteogenesis by activated monocytes/macrophages was prevented using neutralizing antibodies or siRNA to OSM, OSM receptor subunits gp130 and OSMR, or to the downstream transcription factor STAT3. The induced osteoblast differentiation program culminated with enhanced expression of CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein δ, Cbfa1, and alkaline phosphatase. Overexpression of OSM in the tibia of mice has led to new bone apposition with no sign of bone resorption. Two other cytokines have also a potent role in bone formation induced by monocytes/macrophages and activation of TLRs: IL-6 and leukemia inhibitory factor. We propose that during bone inflammation, infection, or injury, the IL-6 family signaling network activated by macrophages and TLR ligands stimulates bone formation that is largely uncoupled from bone resorption and is thus an important target for anabolic bone therapies.