Evaluation of glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor (GITR) expression in breast cancer and across multiple tumor types.

Glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor (GITR) is an emerging immunotherapy target that is expressed at high levels on regulatory T cells. Agonistic anti-GITR antibodies have anti-tumor activity in cancer mouse models, and recent phase 1 trials have demonstrated their safe pharmacological profile. However, there is limited knowledge on the relationship between GITR expression and the tumor microenvironment. GITR protein expression was assayed by immunohistochemistry on 3992 breast cancer surgical excision specimens assembled into tissue microarrays and scored visually by a pathologist for GITR expression on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and on carcinoma cells. GITR expression by the malignant cells was further surveyed in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (N = 713), lung carcinoma (N = 705), pancreatic cancer (N = 486), ovarian cancer (N = 445), bladder cancer (N = 88), prostate cancer (N = 88), testicular cancer (N = 76), melanoma (N = 75), renal cell carcinoma (N = 68),  epithelioid sarcoma (N = 53), and neuroendocrine tumors (N = 41). In breast cancer, GITR expression on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (12.4%) correlated with other immune response biomarkers (PD-L1+ on tumor cells, and PD-1+, LAG-3+, TIM-3+ lymphocytes; p < 0.001), and T-cell markers (CD8+, FOXP3+; p < 0.001). GITR+ carcinoma cells were observed in 6.0% of breast cancer cases and correlated with worse relapse-free survival (p = 0.015). Among the additional tumor types examined, cancers with GITR+ malignant cells included bladder cancer (5.7%), primary (but not metastatic) melanoma (4.5%), and ovarian cancer (3.2%); no expression was identified among examined sarcomas. To our knowledge, this is the first immunohistochemistry study to report the frequency and pattern of GITR expression in a large breast cancer cohort, or to report membranous GITR expression on malignant cells. The co-infiltration of GITR with other immune biomarkers and T-cell markers supports a potential role for anti-GITR agents in combination immunotherapies. In addition, GITR expression on carcinoma cells could imply the existence of a novel cancer immune evasion strategy worthy of further investigation.

Establishment and characterization of a new human myxoid liposarcoma cell line (DL-221) with the FUS-DDIT3 translocation.

Myxoid liposarcoma has the pathognomonic fusion oncogene FUS-DDIT3 encoding a chimeric transcription factor. Metastatic risk is higher with an increased round cell component and has been linked to aberrations involving the IGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway. These molecular insights have yet to translate to targeted therapies, and the lack of experimental models is a major hindrance. We describe the initial in-depth characterization of a new cell line (DL-221) and establishment of a mouse xenograft model. The cell line DL-221 was derived from a metastatic pleural lesion showing myxoid and round cell histology. This newly established cell line was characterized for phenotypic properties and molecular cytogenetic profile, using PCR, COBRA-FISH, and western blot. Next-generation whole-exome sequencing was performed to further characterize the cell line and the parent tumor. NOD-SCID-IL2R gamma knockout mice were xenograft hosts. DL-221 cells grew an adhering monolayer and COBRA-FISH showed an aneuploid karyotype with t(12;16)(q13;p11) and several other rearrangements; RT-PCR demonstrated a FUS-DDIT3 fusion transcript type 1. Both the cell line and the original tumor harbored a TP53 compound heterozygous mutation in exon 4 and 7, and were wild-type for PIK3CA. Moreover, among the 1254 variants called by whole-exome sequencing, there was 77% concordance between the cell line and parent tumor. The recently described hotspot mutation in the TERT promoter region in myxoid liposarcomas was also found at C228T in DL-221. Xenografts suitable for additional preclinical studies were successfully established in mice after subcutaneous injection. The established DL-221 cell line is the only published available myxoid liposarcoma cell line that underwent spontaneous immortalization, without requiring SV40 transformation. The cell line and its xenograft model are unique and helpful tools to study the biology and novel potential-targeted treatment approaches for myxoid liposarcoma.

ASPSCR1-TFE3 reprograms transcription by organizing enhancer loops around hexameric VCP/p97.

The t(X,17) chromosomal translocation, generating the ASPSCR1::TFE3 fusion oncoprotein, is the singular genetic driver of alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) and some Xp11-rearranged renal cell carcinomas (RCCs), frustrating efforts to identify therapeutic targets for these rare cancers. Here, proteomic analysis identifies VCP/p97, an AAA+ ATPase with known segregase function, as strongly enriched in co-immunoprecipitated nuclear complexes with ASPSCR1::TFE3. We demonstrate that VCP is a likely obligate co-factor of ASPSCR1::TFE3, one of the only such fusion oncoprotein co-factors identified in cancer biology. Specifically, VCP co-distributes with ASPSCR1::TFE3 across chromatin in association with enhancers genome-wide. VCP presence, its hexameric assembly, and its enzymatic function orchestrate the oncogenic transcriptional signature of ASPSCR1::TFE3, by facilitating assembly of higher-order chromatin conformation structures demonstrated by HiChIP. Finally, ASPSCR1::TFE3 and VCP demonstrate co-dependence for cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenesis in vitro and in ASPS and RCC mouse models, underscoring VCP's potential as a novel therapeutic target.

ASPSCR1-TFE3 reprograms transcription by organizing enhancer loops around hexameric VCP/p97.

The t(X,17) chromosomal translocation, generating the ASPSCR1-TFE3 fusion oncoprotein, is the singular genetic driver of alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) and some Xp11-rearranged renal cell carcinomas (RCC), frustrating efforts to identify therapeutic targets for these rare cancers. Proteomic analysis showed that VCP/p97, an AAA+ ATPase with known segregase function, was strongly enriched in co-immunoprecipitated nuclear complexes with ASPSCR1-TFE3. We demonstrate that VCP is a likely obligate co-factor of ASPSCR1-TFE3, one of the only such fusion oncoprotein co-factors identified in cancer biology. Specifically, VCP co-distributed with ASPSCR1-TFE3 across chromatin in association with enhancers genome-wide. VCP presence, its hexameric assembly, and its enzymatic function orchestrated the oncogenic transcriptional signature of ASPSCR1-TFE3, by facilitating assembly of higher-order chromatin conformation structures as demonstrated by HiChIP. Finally, ASPSCR1-TFE3 and VCP demonstrated co-dependence for cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenesis in vitro and in ASPS and RCC mouse models, underscoring VCP's potential as a novel therapeutic target.

The epigenomics of sarcoma.

Epigenetic regulation is critical to physiological control of development, cell fate, cell proliferation, genomic integrity and, fundamentally, transcriptional regulation. This epigenetic control occurs at multiple levels including through DNA methylation, histone modification, nucleosome remodelling and modulation of the 3D chromatin structure. Alterations in genes that encode chromatin regulators are common among mesenchymal neoplasms, a collection of more than 160 tumour types including over 60 malignant variants (sarcomas) that have unique and varied genetic, biological and clinical characteristics. Herein, we review those sarcomas in which chromatin pathway alterations drive disease biology. Specifically, we emphasize examples of dysregulation of each level of epigenetic control though mechanisms that include alterations in metabolic enzymes that regulate DNA methylation and histone post-translational modifications, mutations in histone genes, subunit loss or fusions in chromatin remodelling and modifying complexes, and disruption of higher-order chromatin structure. Epigenetic mechanisms of tumorigenesis have been implicated in mesenchymal tumours ranging from chondroblastoma and giant cell tumour of bone to chondrosarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour, synovial sarcoma, epithelioid sarcoma and Ewing sarcoma - all diseases that present in a younger patient population than most cancers. Finally, we review current and potential future approaches for the development of sarcoma therapies based on this emerging understanding of chromatin dysregulation.

The FUS-DDIT3 Interactome in Myxoid Liposarcoma.

Myxoid liposarcoma is a malignant lipogenic tumor that develops in deep soft tissues. While local control rates are good, current chemotherapy options remain ineffective against metastatic disease. Myxoid liposarcoma is characterized by the FUS-DDIT3 fusion oncoprotein that is proposed to function as an aberrant transcription factor, but its exact mechanism of action has remained unclear. To identify the key functional interacting partners of FUS-DDIT3, this study utilized immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry (IP-MS) to identify the FUS-DDIT3 interactome in whole cell lysates of myxoid liposarcoma cells, and results showed an enrichment of RNA processing proteins. Further quantitative MS analyses of FUS-DDIT3 complexes isolated from nuclear lysates showed that members of several chromatin regulatory complexes were present in the FUS-DDIT3 interactome, including NuRD, SWI/SNF, PRC1, PRC2, and MLL1 COMPASS-like complexes. Co-immunoprecipitation validated the associations of FUS-DDIT3 with BRG1/SMARCA4, BAF155/SMARCC1, BAF57/SMARCE1, and KDM1A. Data from this study provides candidates for functional validation as potential therapeutic targets, particularly for emerging epigenetic drugs.