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1.
EMBO J ; 41(8): e108272, 2022 04 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35211994

ABSTRACT

Most cancer deaths result from progression of therapy resistant disease, yet our understanding of this phenotype is limited. Cancer therapies generate stress signals that act upon mitochondria to initiate apoptosis. Mitochondria isolated from neuroblastoma cells were exposed to tBid or Bim, death effectors activated by therapeutic stress. Multidrug-resistant tumor cells obtained from children at relapse had markedly attenuated Bak and Bax oligomerization and cytochrome c release (surrogates for apoptotic commitment) in comparison with patient-matched tumor cells obtained at diagnosis. Electron microscopy identified reduced ER-mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs; ER-mitochondria contacts, ERMCs) in therapy-resistant cells, and genetically or biochemically reducing MAMs in therapy-sensitive tumors phenocopied resistance. MAMs serve as platforms to transfer Ca2+ and bioactive lipids to mitochondria. Reduced Ca2+ transfer was found in some but not all resistant cells, and inhibiting transfer did not attenuate apoptotic signaling. In contrast, reduced ceramide synthesis and transfer was common to resistant cells and its inhibition induced stress resistance. We identify ER-mitochondria-associated membranes as physiologic regulators of apoptosis via ceramide transfer and uncover a previously unrecognized mechanism for cancer multidrug resistance.


Subject(s)
Mitochondria , Neuroblastoma , Apoptosis , Ceramides , Drug Resistance, Multiple , Humans , Mitochondrial Membranes , Neuroblastoma/drug therapy
2.
J Natl Compr Canc Netw ; 22(6)2024 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39151453

ABSTRACT

Neuroblastoma has heterogenous clinical presentations that are reflected by several well-defined clinical factors and biomarkers. Combinations of these clinical and biologic prognostic factors have been used for decades to generate classifiers to stratify patients into risk groups (low, intermediate, and high), which in turn are used to inform and tailor treatment as reported in the new NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Neuroblastoma. Risk classification uses clinical features, such as age and tumor stage, along with the most significant prognostic tumor biomarkers, including histologic features (differentiation and mitosis-karyorrhexis index), MYCN amplification status, chromosomal copy number alterations (segmental or numerical), and ploidy (DNA content). Recent next-generation sequencing approaches have identified additional tumor-specific genetic factors that have potential roles as prognostic and predictive biomarkers. These emerging biomarkers include telomerase maintenance mechanisms, such as telomerase reverse transcription (TERT) expression and alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) status. Somatic alterations of genes, including mutations in the anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene ALK, detected in >10% of patients with newly diagnosed disease, have both prognostic and predictive roles in determining eligibility for targeted therapies (eg, ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors). In addition to diagnostic tumor-derived biomarkers, significant effort is being directed toward identification of markers to predict response to chemotherapy and immunotherapies. With the increasing use of GD2-containing immunotherapy regimens, efforts are aimed at identifying host or tumor microenvironment immune correlatives that can serve as predictive biomarkers. Understanding the potential role of liquid biopsies as biomarkers during and following treatment, including sequential circulating tumor DNA or tumor-specific mRNA transcripts, is expected to enhance the ability to predict recurrences and also inform understanding of tumor evolution and therapy resistance. These and other emerging biomarkers will lead to refinement and optimization of future neuroblastoma risk classification systems.


Subject(s)
Biomarkers, Tumor , Neuroblastoma , Humans , Neuroblastoma/genetics , Neuroblastoma/diagnosis , Neuroblastoma/pathology , Neuroblastoma/therapy , Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics , Risk Assessment/methods , Prognosis
3.
Pediatr Blood Cancer ; 71(10): e31205, 2024 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39010648

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Children with neuroblastoma receiving I-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) therapy require sedation-analgesia for strict radiation safety precautions during MIBG infusion and clearance. We evaluated the sedation-analgesia trends of patients undergoing MIBG therapy using the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective data from 476 patient encounters from the PHIS from 2010 to 2019. RESULTS: Total 240/476 (50.45%) children evaluated were under 6 years of age. Compared to 2010, in 2018 there was a decrease in benzodiazepine infusion use (60% vs. 40%, p < .04), as well as a decrease in use of opiate infusion (35% vs. 25%, p < .001). Compared to 2010, in 2018 we report an increase in the use of ketamine (from 5% to 10%, p < .002), as well as an increase in dexmedetomidine use (0% vs. 30%, p < .001). Dexmedetomidine was the most used medication in the 0-3 years age group compared to children older than 3 years of age (14.19% vs. 5.80%, p < .001). Opiate was the most used medication in children greater than 3 years compared to the 0-3-year age group (36.23 vs. 23.87, p < .05). CONCLUSION: Using PHIS data, we discovered considerable variability in the medications used for sedation in patients undergoing MIBG therapy. Although benzodiazepines and opioids were the most used agents, there was a trend toward decreasing use of benzodiazepines and opioids in these patients. Furthermore, there has been an increasing trend in the use of dexmedetomidine and ketamine.


Subject(s)
3-Iodobenzylguanidine , Databases, Factual , Intensive Care Units, Pediatric , Neuroblastoma , Humans , Child, Preschool , Infant , Child , Male , Female , Retrospective Studies , Neuroblastoma/radiotherapy , 3-Iodobenzylguanidine/therapeutic use , 3-Iodobenzylguanidine/administration & dosage , Adolescent , Infant, Newborn , Analgesia/methods , Analgesia/statistics & numerical data , Iodine Radioisotopes/therapeutic use , Iodine Radioisotopes/administration & dosage , Hypnotics and Sedatives/administration & dosage , Hypnotics and Sedatives/therapeutic use , Follow-Up Studies , Prognosis , Radiopharmaceuticals/therapeutic use , Radiopharmaceuticals/administration & dosage
4.
Pediatr Blood Cancer ; 70 Suppl 6: e30572, 2023 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37458162

ABSTRACT

Neuroblastoma is the most common extra-cranial solid tumor in children and is known for its clinical heterogeneity. A greater understanding of the biology of this disease has led to both improved risk stratification and new approaches to therapy. Outcomes for children with low and intermediate risk disease are excellent overall, and efforts to decrease therapy for such patients have been largely successful. Although survival has improved over time for patients with high-risk disease and treatments evaluated in the relapse setting are now being moved into earlier phases of treatment, much work remains to improve survival and decrease therapy-related toxicities. Studies of highly annotated biobanked samples continue to lead to important insights regarding neuroblastoma biology. Such studies, along with correlative biology studies incorporated into therapeutic trials, are expected to continue to provide insights that lead to new and more effective therapies. A focus on translational science is accompanied by an emphasis on new agent development, optimized risk stratification, and international collaboration to address questions relevant to molecularly defined subsets of patients. In addition, the COG Neuroblastoma Committee is committed to addressing the patient/family experience, mitigating late effects of therapy, and studying social determinants of health in patients with neuroblastoma.


Subject(s)
Neuroblastoma , Child , Humans , Neuroblastoma/pathology , Medical Oncology , Disease Progression
5.
Pediatr Blood Cancer ; 70(8): e30405, 2023 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37158620

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) can inhibit tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, and restore apoptosis in preclinical pediatric solid tumor models. We conducted a phase 1 trial to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of simvastatin with topotecan and cyclophosphamide in children with relapsed/refractory solid and central nervous system (CNS) tumors. METHODS: Simvastatin was administered orally twice daily on days 1-21, with topotecan and cyclophosphamide intravenously on days 1-5 of a 21-day cycle. Four simvastatin dose levels (DLs) were planned, 140 (DL1), 180 (DL2), 225 (DL3), 290 (DL4) mg/m2 /dose, with a de-escalation DL of 100 mg/m2 /dose (DL0) if needed. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analyses were performed during cycle 1. RESULTS: The median age of 14 eligible patients was 11.5 years (range: 1-23). The most common diagnoses were neuroblastoma (N = 4) and Ewing sarcoma (N = 3). Eleven dose-limiting toxicity (DLT)-evaluable patients received a median of four cycles (range: 1-6). There were three cycle 1 DLTs: one each grade 3 diarrhea and grade 4 creatine phosphokinase (CPK) elevations at DL1, and one grade 4 CPK elevation at DL0. All patients experienced at least one grade 3/4 hematologic toxicity. Best overall response was partial response in one patient with Ewing sarcoma (DL0) and stable disease for four or more cycles in four patients. Simvastatin exposure increased with higher doses and may have correlated with toxicity. Plasma interleukin 6 (IL-6) concentrations (N = 6) showed sustained IL-6 reductions with decrease to normal values by day 21 in all patients, indicating potential on-target effects. CONCLUSIONS: The MTD of simvastatin with topotecan and cyclophosphamide was determined to be 100 mg/m2 /dose.


Subject(s)
Central Nervous System Neoplasms , Neoplasms , Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive, Peripheral , Sarcoma, Ewing , Humans , Child , Infant , Child, Preschool , Adolescent , Young Adult , Adult , Topotecan , Simvastatin/adverse effects , Interleukin-6 , Cyclophosphamide , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Central Nervous System Neoplasms/drug therapy , Central Nervous System Neoplasms/etiology , Maximum Tolerated Dose , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects
6.
Pediatr Blood Cancer ; 67(4): e28134, 2020 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31876107

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To determine the maximum tolerated dose, toxicities, and response of sirolimus combined with oral metronomic therapy in pediatric patients with recurrent and refractory solid and brain tumors. PROCEDURE: Patients younger than 30 years of age with recurrent, refractory, or high-risk solid and brain tumors were eligible. Patients received six-week cycles of sirolimus with twice daily celecoxib, and alternating etoposide and cyclophosphamide every three weeks, with Bayesian dose escalation over four dose levels (NCT01331135). RESULTS: Eighteen patients were enrolled: four on dose level (DL) 1, four on DL2, eight on DL3, and two on DL4. Diagnoses included solid tumors (Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, rhabdoid tumor, retinoblastoma) and brain tumors (glioblastoma multiforme [GBM], diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, high-grade glioma [HGG], medulloblastoma, ependymoma, anaplastic astrocytoma, low-grade infiltrative astrocytoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumor, nongerminomatous germ cell tumor]. One dose-limiting toxicity (DLT; grade 4 neutropenia) was observed on DL2, two DLTs (grade 3 abdominal pain and grade 3 mucositis) on DL3, and two DLTs (grade 3 dehydration and grade 3 mucositis) on DL4. The recommended phase II dose of sirolimus was 2 mg/m2 (DL3). Best response was stable disease (SD) in eight patients, and partial response (PR) in one patient with GBM. A patient with HGG was removed from the study with SD and developed PR without further therapy. Western blot analysis showed inhibition of phospho-S6 kinase in all patients during the first cycle of therapy. CONCLUSION: The combination of sirolimus with metronomic chemotherapy is well tolerated in children. A phase II trial of this combination is ongoing.


Subject(s)
Administration, Metronomic , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/administration & dosage , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Sirolimus/administration & dosage , Adolescent , Brain Neoplasms/drug therapy , Celecoxib/administration & dosage , Child , Child, Preschool , Cyclophosphamide/administration & dosage , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Etoposide/administration & dosage , Female , Humans , Male , Maximum Tolerated Dose , Young Adult
7.
Pediatr Blood Cancer ; 66(10): e27920, 2019 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31309744

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Identification and development of young investigators (YI) is critical to the long-term success of research organizations. In 2004, the Children's Oncology Group (COG) created a mentorship program to foster the career development of YIs (faculty <10 years from initial appointment). This study sought to assess mentors' long-term assessment of this program. PROCEDURE: In 2018, 101 past or current mentors in the COG YI mentorship program completed an online survey. Statistical comparisons were made with the Kruskal-Walis test. RESULTS: The response rate was 74.2%. As some mentors had multiple mentees, we report on 138 total mentee-mentor pairs. Mentors were 57.4% male, and mentees were 39.1% male. Mentors rated being mentored as a YI as important with a median rating of 90 on a scale of 1-100, interquartile range (IQR) 80-100. Most mentors reported that being mentored themselves helped their own success within COG (78.2%) and with their overall career development (92.1%). Most mentors enjoyed serving in the program (72.3%) and the median success rating (on a scale of 1-100) across the mentor-mentee pairings was 75, IQR 39-90. Success ratings did not differ by mentor/mentee gender, but improved with increased frequency of mentor-mentee interactions (P < .001). Mentor-mentee pairs who set initial goals reported higher success ratings than those who did not (P < .001). Tangible successes included current mentee COG committee involvement (45.7%), ongoing mentor-mentee collaboration (53.6%), and co-authored manuscript publication (38.4%). CONCLUSION: These data indicate that mentorship is important for successful professional development. Long-term mentoring success improves when mentors and mentees set goals upfront and meet frequently.


Subject(s)
Medical Oncology , Mentoring , Mentors , Female , Humans , Male , Program Evaluation
8.
Transfusion ; 58(5): 1149-1156, 2018 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29399859

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hyperleukocytosis is a serious, life-threatening complication of pediatric acute leukemia that can cause neurologic injury, pulmonary leukostasis, metabolic derangements, and coagulopathy. Acute leukemia has the highest risk of mortality and morbidity at presentation when associated with hyperleukocytosis. Infant leukemia presents unique challenges and treatment considerations due to the disease itself and size and overall health of the patient. While medical management of hyperleukocytosis in older patients with acute leukemia has been described, including cytoreductive procedures with automated leukapheresis (AL) or manual whole blood (WB) exchange transfusion, very little data exist for standardized management of hyperleukocytosis in infant leukemia patients. CASE REPORTS: We describe four cases of infant acute leukemia presenting with hyperleukocytosis and leukostasis who each received manual WB exchange transfusions in conjunction with induction chemotherapy and review the existing literature on the use of procedural leukoreduction in infants with hyperleukocytosis. Special attention is given to challenges and technical aspects of leukapheresis in infants: when to perform manual WB exchange versus AL, optimal vascular access, blood product selection, exchange rates, and the monitoring for complications. Using published cases, we outline benefits versus risks of manual WB exchange and AL in infants less than 10 kg. CONCLUSION: If providers perform procedural leukoreduction, the literature and our experience demonstrate manual WB exchange transfusion is favored over AL in infants less than 10 kg because of technical and complication risks associated with AL. Additional studies are needed to understand the impact of cytoreduction on long-term outcomes.


Subject(s)
Exchange Transfusion, Whole Blood , Leukocytosis , Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/complications , Female , Humans , Infant , Leukocyte Count , Leukocyte Reduction Procedures/methods , Leukostasis , Male , Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/therapy
9.
Pediatr Blood Cancer ; 64(9)2017 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28111898

ABSTRACT

We report a 1-year-old female child presenting with hypereosinophilia who was found to have concurrent myeloid sarcoma and a central nervous system (CNS) atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT). She was later found to have a germline mutation in SMARCB1. Concurrent hematologic malignancy and CNS AT/RT have not previously been described in the context of a SMARCB1 loss-of-function germline mutation.


Subject(s)
Eosinophilia/etiology , Germ-Line Mutation , Neoplasms, Multiple Primary/genetics , Rhabdoid Tumor/genetics , SMARCB1 Protein/genetics , Sarcoma, Myeloid/genetics , Teratoma/genetics , Female , Humans , Infant , Neoplasms, Multiple Primary/complications , Neoplasms, Multiple Primary/pathology , Rhabdoid Tumor/complications , Rhabdoid Tumor/pathology , Sarcoma, Myeloid/complications , Sarcoma, Myeloid/pathology , Teratoma/complications , Teratoma/pathology
10.
BMC Cancer ; 16: 97, 2016 Feb 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26874859

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pediatric patients with high-risk neuroblastoma (HR NB) often fail to respond to upfront intensive multimodal therapy. Tumor-acquired suppression of apoptosis contributes to therapy resistance. Many HR NB tumors depend on the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 for survival, through Bcl-2 sequestration and inhibition of the pro-apoptotic protein, Bim. Bcl-2 dependent xenografts derived from aggressive human NB tumors are cured with a combination of cyclophosphamide and ABT-737, a Bcl-2/Bcl-XL/Bcl-w small molecule antagonist. The oral analogue to ABT-737, Navitoclax (ABT-263), clinically causes an immediate drop in peripheral platelet counts as mature platelets depend on Bcl-xL for survival. This led to the creation of a Bcl-2 selective inhibitor, ABT-199 (Venetoclax). A Phase I trial of ABT-199 in CLL showed remarkable antitumor activity and stable patient platelet counts. Given Bcl-XL does not play a role in HR NB survival, we hypothesized that ABT-199 would be equally potent against HR NB. METHODS: Cytotoxicity and apoptosis were measured in human derived NB cell lines exposed to ABT-199 combinations. Co-Immunoprecipitation evaluated Bim displacement from Bcl-2, following ABT-199. Murine xenografts of NB cell lines were grown and then exposed to a 14-day course of ABT-199 alone and with cyclophosphamide. RESULTS: Bcl-2 dependent NB cell lines are exquisitely sensitive to ABT-199 (IC50 1.5-5 nM) in vitro, where Mcl-1 dependent NBs are completely resistant. Treatment with ABT-199 displaces Bim from Bcl-2 in NB to activate caspase 3, confirming the restoration of mitochondrial apoptosis. Murine xenografts of Mcl-1 and Bcl-2 dependent NBs were treated with a two-week course of ABT-199, cyclophosphamide, or ABT-199/cyclophosphamide combination. Mcl-1 dependent tumors did not respond to ABT-199 alone and showed no significant difference in time to tumor progression between chemotherapy alone or ABT-199/cyclophosphamide combination. In contrast, Bcl-2 dependent xenografts responded to ABT-199 alone and had sustained complete remission (CR) to the ABT-199/cyclophosphamide combination, with one recurrent tumor maintaining Bcl-2 dependence and obtaining a second CR after a second course of therapy. CONCLUSION: HR NB patients are often thrombocytopenic at relapse, raising concerns for therapies like ABT-263 despite its HR NB tumor targeting potential. Our data confirms that Bcl-2 selective inhibitors like ABT-199 are equally potent in HR NB in vitro and in vivo and given their lack of platelet toxicity, should be translated into the clinic for HR NB.


Subject(s)
Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/genetics , Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/administration & dosage , Membrane Proteins/genetics , Neuroblastoma/drug therapy , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics , Proto-Oncogene Proteins/genetics , Sulfonamides/administration & dosage , Aniline Compounds/adverse effects , Apoptosis/drug effects , Bcl-2-Like Protein 11 , Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/adverse effects , Caspase 3/genetics , Cell Line, Tumor , Cyclophosphamide/administration & dosage , Cyclophosphamide/adverse effects , Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics , Humans , Neuroblastoma/genetics , Neuroblastoma/pathology , Platelet Count , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/antagonists & inhibitors , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/biosynthesis , Risk Assessment , Sulfonamides/adverse effects , Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays , bcl-X Protein/genetics
11.
Commun Biol ; 7(1): 426, 2024 Apr 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38589567

ABSTRACT

Wilms tumor (WT) is the most common renal malignancy of childhood. Despite improvements in the overall survival, relapse occurs in ~15% of patients with favorable histology WT (FHWT). Half of these patients will succumb to their disease. Identifying novel targeted therapies remains challenging in part due to the lack of faithful preclinical in vitro models. Here we establish twelve patient-derived WT cell lines and demonstrate that these models faithfully recapitulate WT biology using genomic and transcriptomic techniques. We then perform loss-of-function screens to identify the nuclear export gene, XPO1, as a vulnerability. We find that the FDA approved XPO1 inhibitor, KPT-330, suppresses TRIP13 expression, which is required for survival. We further identify synergy between KPT-330 and doxorubicin, a chemotherapy used in high-risk FHWT. Taken together, we identify XPO1 inhibition with KPT-330 as a potential therapeutic option to treat FHWTs and in combination with doxorubicin, leads to durable remissions in vivo.


Subject(s)
Hydrazines , Kidney Neoplasms , Triazoles , Wilms Tumor , Humans , Exportin 1 Protein , Active Transport, Cell Nucleus , Karyopherins/genetics , Karyopherins/metabolism , Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/genetics , Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/metabolism , Cell Line, Tumor , Apoptosis , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Doxorubicin/pharmacology , Wilms Tumor/drug therapy , Wilms Tumor/genetics , Kidney Neoplasms/drug therapy , Kidney Neoplasms/genetics , ATPases Associated with Diverse Cellular Activities/metabolism , Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism
12.
Case Rep Oncol ; 16(1): 249-255, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37092120

ABSTRACT

Locally advanced cholangiocarcinoma has a poor prognosis, with long-term survival only for patients where complete surgical resection is achieved. Median overall survival with chemotherapy alone is less than 1 year. Novel strategies combining conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy followed by targeted agents can lead to durable treatment responses and are applicable to cholangiocarcinoma management. Pediatric cholangiocarcinoma is exceedingly rare, with an estimate of 15-22 cases reported in the last 40 years. As such, no standard therapeutic regimen exists. We present a case of a 16-year-old previously healthy patient with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma whose tumor genetic sequencing revealed a novel, actionable neuregulin-1 (NRG1) gene translocation. The patient underwent standard systemic chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin followed by hypofractionated proton radiation therapy for local control. The patient then started an oral pan-ERBB (erythroblastic B receptor tyrosine kinases including ErbB1/EGFR, ErbB2/HER2, ErbB3/HER3, ErbB4/HER4) family inhibitor as a maintenance medication, remaining with stable disease and excellent quality of life for over 2 years. This case highlights a novel NRG1 fusion in a rare clinical entity that provided an opportunity to utilize a multimodal therapeutic strategy in the pediatric setting.

13.
Oncoimmunology ; 12(1): 2240678, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37554309

ABSTRACT

Pediatric patients with high-risk neuroblastoma often relapse with chemotherapy-resistant, incurable disease. Relapsed neuroblastomas harbor chemo-resistant mesenchymal tumor cells and increased expression/activity of the transcriptional co-regulator, the Yes-Associated Protein (YAP). Patients with relapsed neuroblastoma are often treated with immunotherapy such as the anti-GD2 antibody, dinutuximab, in combination with chemotherapy. We have previously shown that YAP mediates both chemotherapy and MEK inhibitor resistance in relapsed RAS mutated neuroblastoma and so posited that YAP might also be involved in anti-GD2 antibody resistance. We now show that YAP genetic inhibition significantly enhances sensitivity of mesenchymal neuroblastomas to dinutuximab and gamma delta (γδ) T cells both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, YAP inhibition induces increased GD2 cell surface expression through upregulation of ST8SIA1, the gene encoding GD3 synthase and the rate-limiting enzyme in GD2 biosynthesis. The mechanism of ST8SIA1 suppression by YAP is independent of PRRX1 expression, a mesenchymal master transcription factor, suggesting YAP may be the downstream effector of mesenchymal GD2 resistance. These results therefore identify YAP as a therapeutic target to augment GD2 immunotherapy responses in patients with neuroblastoma.


Subject(s)
Neuroblastoma , Sialyltransferases , YAP-Signaling Proteins , Humans , Down-Regulation , Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism , Homeodomain Proteins/therapeutic use , Immunotherapy/methods , Neuroblastoma/drug therapy , Neuroblastoma/metabolism , Animals , Sialyltransferases/metabolism
14.
Cell Rep Med ; 4(6): 101091, 2023 06 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37343516

ABSTRACT

GD2-targeting immunotherapies have improved survival in children with neuroblastoma, yet on-target, off-tumor toxicities can occur and a subset of patients cease to respond. The majority of neuroblastoma patients who receive immunotherapy have been previously treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy, making it paramount to identify neuroblastoma-specific antigens that remain stable throughout standard treatment. Cell surface glycoproteomics performed on human-derived neuroblastoma tumors in mice following chemotherapy treatment identified protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7) to be abundantly expressed. Furthermore, PTK7 shows minimal expression on pediatric-specific normal tissues. We developed an anti-PTK7 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and find PTK7 CAR T cells specifically target and kill PTK7-expressing neuroblastoma in vitro. In vivo, human/murine binding PTK7 CAR T cells regress aggressive neuroblastoma metastatic mouse models and prolong survival with no toxicity. Together, these data demonstrate preclinical efficacy and tolerability for targeting PTK7 and support ongoing investigations to optimize PTK7-targeting CAR T cells for neuroblastoma.


Subject(s)
Neuroblastoma , Receptors, Chimeric Antigen , Humans , Child , Animals , Mice , Neuroblastoma/therapy , Neuroblastoma/pathology , Immunotherapy , Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
15.
Nat Commun ; 14(1): 2601, 2023 05 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37147298

ABSTRACT

Activating point mutations in Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) have positioned ALK as the only mutated oncogene tractable for targeted therapy in neuroblastoma. Cells with these mutations respond to lorlatinib in pre-clinical studies, providing the rationale for a first-in-child Phase 1 trial (NCT03107988) in patients with ALK-driven neuroblastoma. To track evolutionary dynamics and heterogeneity of tumors, and to detect early emergence of lorlatinib resistance, we collected serial circulating tumor DNA samples from patients enrolled on this trial. Here we report the discovery of off-target resistance mutations in 11 patients (27%), predominantly in the RAS-MAPK pathway. We also identify newly acquired secondary compound ALK mutations in 6 (15%) patients, all acquired at disease progression. Functional cellular and biochemical assays and computational studies elucidate lorlatinib resistance mechanisms. Our results establish the clinical utility of serial circulating tumor DNA sampling to track response and progression and to discover acquired resistance mechanisms that can be leveraged to develop therapeutic strategies to overcome lorlatinib resistance.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung , Circulating Tumor DNA , Lung Neoplasms , Neuroblastoma , Humans , Aminopyridines/therapeutic use , Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase/genetics , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/genetics , Circulating Tumor DNA/genetics , Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics , Lactams, Macrocyclic/therapeutic use , Lung Neoplasms/genetics , Mutation , Neuroblastoma/drug therapy , Neuroblastoma/genetics , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use
16.
Nat Med ; 29(5): 1092-1102, 2023 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37012551

ABSTRACT

Neuroblastomas harbor ALK aberrations clinically resistant to crizotinib yet sensitive pre-clinically to the third-generation ALK inhibitor lorlatinib. We conducted a first-in-child study evaluating lorlatinib with and without chemotherapy in children and adults with relapsed or refractory ALK-driven neuroblastoma. The trial is ongoing, and we report here on three cohorts that have met pre-specified primary endpoints: lorlatinib as a single agent in children (12 months to <18 years); lorlatinib as a single agent in adults (≥18 years); and lorlatinib in combination with topotecan/cyclophosphamide in children (<18 years). Primary endpoints were safety, pharmacokinetics and recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). Secondary endpoints were response rate and 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) response. Lorlatinib was evaluated at 45-115 mg/m2/dose in children and 100-150 mg in adults. Common adverse events (AEs) were hypertriglyceridemia (90%), hypercholesterolemia (79%) and weight gain (87%). Neurobehavioral AEs occurred mainly in adults and resolved with dose hold/reduction. The RP2D of lorlatinib with and without chemotherapy in children was 115 mg/m2. The single-agent adult RP2D was 150 mg. The single-agent response rate (complete/partial/minor) for <18 years was 30%; for ≥18 years, 67%; and for chemotherapy combination in <18 years, 63%; and 13 of 27 (48%) responders achieved MIBG complete responses, supporting lorlatinib's rapid translation into active phase 3 trials for patients with newly diagnosed high-risk, ALK-driven neuroblastoma. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT03107988 .


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung , Lung Neoplasms , Neuroblastoma , Adult , Humans , 3-Iodobenzylguanidine/therapeutic use , Aminopyridines/therapeutic use , Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase/genetics , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy , Lactams, Macrocyclic/adverse effects , Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/drug therapy , Neuroblastoma/drug therapy , Neuroblastoma/genetics , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Child , Infant , Child, Preschool , Adolescent
17.
Oncoimmunology ; 11(1): 2057012, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35371623

ABSTRACT

γδ T lymphocytes represent an emerging class of cellular immunotherapy with preclinical promise to treat cancer, notably neuroblastoma. The innate-like immune cell subset demonstrates inherent cytoxicity toward tumor cells independent of MHC recognition, enabling allogeneic administration of healthy donor-derived γδ T cell therapies. A current limitation is the substantial interindividual γδ T cell expansion variation among leukocyte collections. Overcoming this limitation will enable realization of the full potential of allogeneic γδ T-based cellular therapy. Here, we characterize γδ T cell expansions from healthy adult donors and observe that highly potent natural killer (NK) lymphocytes expand with γδ T cells under zoledronate and IL-2 stimulation. The presence of NK cells correlates with both the expansion potential of γδ T cells and the overall potency of the γδ T cell therapy. However, the potency of the cell therapy in combination with an antibody-based immunotherapeutic, dinutuximab, appears to be independent of γδ T/NK cell content both in vitro and in vivo, which minimizes the implication of interindividual expansion differences toward efficacy. Collectively, these studies highlight the utility of maintaining the NK cell population within expanded γδ T cell therapies and suggest a synergistic action of combined innate cell immunotherapy toward neuroblastoma.


Subject(s)
Neuroblastoma , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta , Cell Proliferation , Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy , Humans , Immunotherapy , Neuroblastoma/therapy
18.
Adv Sci (Weinh) ; 9(23): e2200244, 2022 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35644929

ABSTRACT

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial tumor in children resulting in substantial morbidity and mortality. A deeper understanding of the NB tumor microenvironment (TME) remains an area of active research but there is a lack of reliable and biomimetic experimental models. This study utilizes a 3D bioprinting approach, in combination with NB spheroids, to create an in vitro vascular model of NB for exploring the tumor function within an endothelialized microenvironment. A gelatin methacryloyl (gelMA) bioink is used to create multi-channel cubic tumor analogues with high printing fidelity and mechanical tunability. Human-derived NB spheroids and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) are incorporated into the biomanufactured gelMA and cocultured under static versus dynamic conditions, demonstrating high levels of survival and growth. Quantification of NB-EC integration and tumor cell migration suggested an increased aggressive behavior of NB when cultured in bioprinted endothelialized models, when cocultured with HUVECs, and also as a result of dynamic culture. This model also allowed for the assessment of metabolic, cytokine, and gene expression profiles of NB spheroids under varying TME conditions. These results establish a high throughput research enabling platform to study the TME-mediated cellular-molecular mechanisms of tumor growth, aggression, and response to therapy.


Subject(s)
Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells , Neuroblastoma , Bioprinting , Cell Communication , Child , Gelatin , Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism , Humans , Methacrylates , Neuroblastoma/metabolism , Neuroblastoma/pathology , Printing, Three-Dimensional , Tumor Microenvironment
19.
JCO Precis Oncol ; 6: e2100451, 2022 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35544730

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Profiling of pediatric cancers through deep sequencing of large gene panels and whole exomes is rapidly being adopted in many clinical settings. However, the most impactful approach to genomic profiling of pediatric cancers remains to be defined. METHODS: We conducted a prospective precision medicine trial, using whole-exome sequencing of tumor and germline tissue and whole-transcriptome sequencing (RNA Seq) of tumor tissue to characterize the mutational landscape of 127 tumors from 126 unique patients across the spectrum of pediatric brain tumors, hematologic malignancies, and extracranial solid tumors. RESULTS: We identified somatic tumor alterations in 121/127 (95.3%) tumor samples and identified cancer predisposition syndromes on the basis of known pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline mutations in cancer predisposition genes in 9/126 patients (7.1%). Additionally, we developed a novel scoring system for measuring the impact of tumor and germline sequencing, encompassing therapeutically relevant genomic alterations, cancer-related germline findings, recommendations for treatment, and refinement of risk stratification or prognosis. At least one impactful finding from the genomic results was identified in 108/127 (85%) samples sequenced. A recommendation to consider a targeted agent was provided for 82/126 (65.1%) patients. Twenty patients ultimately received therapy with a molecularly targeted agent, representing 24% of those who received a targeted agent recommendation and 16% of the total cohort. CONCLUSION: Paired tumor/normal whole-exome sequencing and tumor RNA Seq of de novo or relapsed/refractory tumors was feasible and clinically impactful in high-risk pediatric cancer patients.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents , Neoplasms , Child , Genomics/methods , Germ-Line Mutation/genetics , Humans , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Prospective Studies , Exome Sequencing
20.
Cancers (Basel) ; 13(18)2021 Sep 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34572875

ABSTRACT

Neuroblastoma is the most common extra-cranial pediatric solid tumor that accounts for more than 15% of childhood cancer-related deaths. High risk neuroblastomas that recur during or after intense multimodal therapy have a <5% chance at a second sustained remission or cure. The solid tumor microenvironment (TME) has been increasingly recognized to play a critical role in cancer progression and resistance to therapy, including in neuroblastoma. The Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) in the Hippo pathway can regulate cancer proliferation, tumor initiation, and therapy response in many cancer types and as such, its role in the TME has gained interest. In this review, we focus on YAP and its role in neuroblastoma and further describe its demonstrated and potential effects on the neuroblastoma TME. We also discuss the therapeutic strategies for inhibiting YAP in neuroblastoma.

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