Identification of TP53 germline variants in pediatric patients undergoing tumor testing: strategy and prevalence.

BACKGROUND: TP53 alterations are common in certain pediatric cancers, making identification of putative germline variants through tumor genomic profiling crucial for patient management. METHODS: We analyzed TP53 alterations in 3123 tumors from 2788 pediatric patients sequenced using tumor-only or tumor-normal paired panels. Germline confirmatory testing was performed when indicated. Somatic and germline variants were classified following published guidelines. RESULTS: In 248 tumors from 222 patients, 284 Tier 1/2 TP53 sequence and small copy number variants were detected. Following germline classification, 73.9% of 142 unique variants were pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP). Confirmatory testing on 118 patients revealed germline TP53 variants in 28 patients (23 P/LP and 5 uncertain significance), suggesting a minimum Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) incidence of 0.8% (23/2788) in this cohort, 10.4% (23/222) in patients with TP53 variant-carrying tumors, and 19.5% (23/118) with available normal samples. About 25% (7/28) of patients with germline TP53 variants did not meet LFS diagnostic/testing criteria while 20.9% (28/134) with confirmed or inferred somatic origins did. TP53 biallelic inactivation occurred in 75% of germline carrier tumors and was also prevalent in other groups, causing an elevated tumor-observed variant allelic fraction (VAF). However, somatic evidence including low VAF correctly identified only 27.8% (25/90) of patients with confirmed somatic TP53 variants. CONCLUSION: The high incidence and variable phenotype of LFS in this cohort highlights the importance of assessing germline status of TP53 variants identified in all pediatric tumors. Without clear somatic evidence, distinguishing somatic from germline origins is challenging. Classifying germline and somatic variants should follow appropriate guidelines.

Update on cancer predisposition syndromes and surveillance guidelines for childhood brain tumors.

Tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) comprise the second most common group of neoplasms in childhood. The incidence of germline predisposition among children with brain tumors continues to grow as our knowledge on disease aetiology increases. Some children with brain tumors may present with non-malignant phenotypic features of specific syndromes (e.g. nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, neurofibromatosis type 1 and type 2, DICER1 syndrome, and constitutional mismatch repair deficiency), while others may present with a strong family history of cancer (e.g. Li-Fraumeni syndrome), or with a rare tumor commonly found in the context of germline predisposition (e.g. rhabdoid tumor predisposition syndrome). Approximately 50% of patients with a brain tumor may be the first in a family identified to have a predisposition. The past decade has witnessed a rapid expansion in our molecular understanding of CNS tumors. A significant proportion of CNS tumors are now well characterized and known to harbor specific genetic changes that can be found in the germline. Additional novel predisposition syndromes are also being described. Identification of these germline syndromes in individual patients has not only enabled cascade testing of family members and early tumor surveillance but increasingly has also impacted cancer management in those patients. Therefore, the AACR Cancer Predisposition Working Group chose to highlight these advances in CNS tumor predisposition and summarize and/or generate surveillance recommendations for established and more recently emerging pediatric brain tumor predisposition syndromes.

Developmental and behavioral phenotypes of pediatric patients with PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome.

Our study characterized the neurodevelopmental spectrum of individuals with PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome (PHTS), a syndrome that predisposes to both neurodevelopmental phenotypes and cancer risk. We aim to better understand life-impacting neurodevelopmental features of PHTS. Our study recruited 20 children/adolescents with PHTS, who were then administered assessments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurocognitive measures, including assessment of IQ, executive and adaptive functioning, and health-related quality of life. Thirteen individuals (65%) were identified as having ASD, of which five were newly diagnosed during the study. Of those, ASD symptom severity was in the mild-moderate range for 77%. Overall, IQ was in the average range, with a mean of 92.61 (SD 24.45, p = 0.5), though there was a non-statistically significant trend toward individuals without ASD having a higher mean IQ (102.7 vs 82.3; p = 0.1). Subjects had significant impairment in processing speed (mean 75.38, SD 24.75, p < 0.05), decreased adaptive functioning skills across all domains, and a trend toward having more executive functioning problems. Individuals with PHTS are at increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, including ASD and impaired executive and adaptive functioning. Although clear guidelines exist for cancer surveillance for individuals with PHTS, additional guidelines and screening for neurodevelopmental disorders are warranted.

Genomic profiling of pediatric hematologic malignancies and diagnosis of cancer predisposition syndromes: tumor-only versus paired tumor-normal sequencing.

Not available.

Adult-Onset Cancer Predisposition Syndromes in Children and Adolescents-To Test or not to Test?

With the increasing use of comprehensive germline genetic testing of children and adolescents with cancer, it has become evident that pathogenic variants (PV) in adult-onset cancer predisposition genes (aoCPG) underlying adult-onset cancer predisposition syndromes, such as Lynch syndrome or hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, are enriched and reported in 1% to 2% of children and adolescents with cancer. However, the causal relationship between PVs in aoCPGs and childhood cancer is still under investigation. The best-studied examples include heterozygous PVs in mismatch repair genes associated with Lynch syndrome in children with mismatch repair deficient high-grade glioma, heterozygous PVs in BARD1 in childhood neuroblastoma, and heterozygous PVs in BRCA2 in children with rhabdomyosarcoma. The low penetrance for pediatric cancers is considered to result from a combination of the low baseline risk of cancer in childhood and the report of only a modest relative risk of disease in childhood. Therefore, we do not advise that healthy children empirically be tested for PVs in an aoCPG before adulthood outside a research study. However, germline panel testing is increasingly being performed in children and adolescents with cancer, and exome and genome sequencing may be offered more commonly in this population in the future. The precise pediatric cancer risks and spectra associated with PVs in aoCPGs, underlying cellular mechanisms and somatic mutational signatures, as well as treatment response, second neoplasm risks, and psycho-oncological aspects require further research.

B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and juvenile xanthogranuloma in a patient with ETV6 thrombocytopenia and leukemia predisposition syndrome: novel clinical presentation and perspective.

Not available.

DICER1 RNase IIIb domain mutations trigger widespread miRNA dysregulation and MAPK activation in pediatric thyroid cancer.

DICER1 is a highly conserved RNase III endoribonuclease essential for the biogenesis of single-stranded mature microRNAs (miRNAs) from stem-loop precursor miRNAs. Somatic mutations in the RNase IIIb domain of DICER1 impair its ability to generate mature 5p miRNAs and are believed to drive tumorigenesis in DICER1 syndrome-associated and sporadic thyroid tumors. However, the DICER1-driven specific changes in miRNAs and resulting changes in gene expression are poorly understood in thyroid tissue. In this study, we profiled the miRNA (n=2,083) and mRNA (n=2,559) transcriptomes of 20 non-neoplastic, 8 adenomatous and 60 pediatric thyroid cancers (13 follicular thyroid cancers [FTC] and 47 papillary thyroid cancers [PTC]) of which 8 had DICER1 RNase IIIb mutations. All DICER1-mutant differentiated thyroid cancers (DTC) were follicular patterned (six follicular variant PTC and two FTC), none had lymph node metastasis. We demonstrate that DICER1 pathogenic somatic mutations were associated with a global reduction of 5p-derived miRNAs, including those particularly abundant in the non-neoplastic thyroid tissue such as let-7 and mir-30 families, known for their tumor suppressor function. There was also an unexpected increase of 3p miRNAs, possibly associated with DICER1 mRNA expression increase in tumors harboring RNase IIIb mutations. These abnormally expressed 3p miRNAs, which are otherwise low or absent in DICER1-wt DTC and non-neoplastic thyroid tissues, make up exceptional markers for malignant thyroid tumors harboring DICER1 RNase IIIb mutations. The extensive disarray in the miRNA transcriptome results in gene expression changes, which were indicative of positive regulation of cell-cycle. Moreover, differentially expressed genes point to increased MAPK signaling output and loss of thyroid differentiation comparable to the RAS-like subgroup of PTC (as coined by The Cancer Genome Atlas), which is reflective of the more indolent clinical behavior of these tumors.

Collaboration to Promote Research and Improve Clinical Care in the Evolving Field of Childhood Cancer Predisposition.

Germline pathogenic variants in cancer susceptibility genes are identified in up to 18% of all children with cancer. Because pediatric cancer predisposition syndromes (CPS) themselves are rare and underrecognized, there are limited data to guide the diagnosis and management of affected children and at-risk relatives. Furthermore, the care of affected children requires distinct considerations given the early onset of cancers, lifelong risks of additional cancers, and potential late effects of therapy. Herein, we discuss efforts to leverage existing infrastructure, organize experts, and develop a new consortium to optimize care and advance research for children with CPS. A 2016 workshop organized by the American Association for Cancer Research united many experts in childhood cancer predisposition and resulted in publication of multiple consensus guidelines for tumor surveillance. More recently, several of these authors established the Consortium for Childhood Cancer Predisposition (C3P), a multi-institutional collaboration that provides a structure for systematic research in cancer predisposition, screening, and prevention in children. The Consortium intends to work with other cooperative groups to merge longitudinal data from children with CPS throughout the continuum of the cancer risk period, as well as cancer treatment and survivorship care, to optimize overall outcomes.

FOCAD Indel in a Family With Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome.

Juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS) is a childhood polyposis syndrome with up to a 50% lifetime risk of gastrointestinal cancer. Germline pathogenic variants in BMPR1A and SMAD4 are responsible for around 40% of cases of JPS, but for the majority of individuals, the underlying genetic cause is unknown. We identified a family for which polyposis spanned four generations, and the proband had a clinical diagnosis of JPS. Next-generation sequencing was conducted, followed by Sanger sequencing confirmation. We identified an internal deletion of the FOCAD gene in all family members tested that altered the reading frame and is predicted to be pathogenic. We conclude that inactivation of the FOCAD gene is likely to cause JPS in this family.

Poloxamer-linked prodrug of a topoisomerase I inhibitor SN22 shows efficacy in models of high-risk neuroblastoma with primary and acquired chemoresistance.

High-risk solid tumors continue to pose a tremendous therapeutic challenge due to multidrug resistance. Biological mechanisms driving chemoresistance in high-risk primary and recurrent disease are distinct: in newly diagnosed patients, non-response to therapy is often associated with a higher level of tumor "stemness" paralleled by overexpression of the ABCG2 drug efflux pump, whereas in tumors relapsing after non-curative therapy, poor drug sensitivity is most commonly linked to the dysfunction of the tumor suppressor protein, p53. In this study, we used preclinical models of aggressive neuroblastoma featuring these characteristic mechanisms of primary and acquired drug resistance to experimentally evaluate a macromolecular prodrug of a structurally enhanced camptothecin analog, SN22, resisting ABCG2-mediated export, and glucuronidation. Together with extended tumor exposure to therapeutically effective drug levels via reversible conjugation to Pluronic F-108 (PF108), these features translated into rapid tumor regression and long-term survival in models of both ABCG2-overexpressing and p53-mutant high-risk neuroblastomas, in contrast to a marginal effect of the clinically used camptothecin derivative, irinotecan. Our results demonstrate that pharmacophore enhancement, increased tumor uptake, and optimally stable carrier-drug association integrated into the design of the hydrolytically activatable PF108-[SN22]2  have the potential to effectively combat multiple mechanisms governing chemoresistance in newly diagnosed (chemo-naïve) and recurrent forms of aggressive malignancies. As a macromolecular carrier-based delivery system exhibiting remarkable efficacy against two particularly challenging forms of high-risk neuroblastoma, PF108-[SN22]2 can pave the way to a robust and clinically viable therapeutic strategy urgently needed for patients with multidrug-resistant disease presently lacking effective treatment options.

Nanocarrier-Based Delivery of SN22 as a Tocopheryl Oxamate Prodrug Achieves Rapid Tumor Regression and Extends Survival in High-Risk Neuroblastoma Models.

Despite the use of intensive multimodality therapy, the majority of high-risk neuroblastoma (NB) patients do not survive. Without significant improvements in delivery strategies, anticancer agents used as a first-line treatment for high-risk tumors often fail to provide clinically meaningful results in the settings of disseminated, recurrent, or refractory disease. By enhancing pharmacological selectivity, favorably shifting biodistribution, strengthening tumor cell killing potency, and overcoming drug resistance, nanocarrier-mediated delivery of topoisomerase I inhibitors of the camptothecin family has the potential to dramatically improve treatment efficacy and minimize side effects. In this study, a structurally enhanced camptothecin analog, SN22, reversibly coupled with a redox-silent tocol derivative (tocopheryl oxamate) to allow its optimally stable encapsulation and controlled release from PEGylated sub-100 nm nanoparticles (NP), exhibited strong NB cell growth inhibitory activity, translating into rapid regression and durably suppressed regrowth of orthotopic, MYCN-amplified NB tumors. The robust antitumor effects and markedly extended survival achieved in preclinical models recapitulating different phases of high-risk disease (at diagnosis vs. at relapse with an acquired loss of p53 function after intensive multiagent chemotherapy) demonstrate remarkable potential of SN22 delivered in the form of a hydrolytically cleavable superhydrophobic prodrug encapsulated in biodegradable nanocarriers as an experimental strategy for treating refractory solid tumors in high-risk cancer patients.

Environment-Sensitive Polymeric Micelles Encapsulating SN-38 Potently Suppress Growth of Neuroblastoma Cells Exhibiting Intrinsic and Acquired Drug Resistance.

Conventional treatment approaches fail to provide durable control over aggressive malignancies due to intrinsic or acquired drug resistance characteristic of high-risk disease. SN-38, a potent camptothecin analog specifically targeting DNA topoisomerase I cleavage complexes, has shown promise in preclinical studies against aggressive solid tumors. However, its clinical utility is limited by inadequate solubility in pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles and by poor chemical and metabolic stability. Micelles formulated from amphiphilic invertible polymers (AIPs) can address these issues by concomitantly enabling solubilization of water-insoluble molecular cargoes and by protecting chemically labile agents from inactivation. Furthermore, the inversion of the AIP and disruption of the carrier-drug complexes triggered by contact with cell membranes makes it possible to deliver the therapeutic payload into the cell interior without compromising its biological activity. In the present study, we characterized a novel AIP-based micellar formulation of SN-38 and evaluated its growth inhibitory effect on neuroblastoma (NB) cells derived either at diagnosis or at relapse after intensive chemoradiotherapy. Colloidally stable, drug-loaded micellar assemblies with a uniform <100 nm size were prepared using an AIP consisting of alternating blocks of poly(ethylene glycol) and polytetrahydrofuran (PEG600-PTHF650). The micellar drug applied in a low nanomolar range (10-50 nM) completely suppressed the growth of chemo-naïve NB cells even after a brief (10 min) exposure. Furthermore, extending the exposure to 24 h resulted in a profound and lasting inhibitory effect of the micellar formulation on the growth of NB cells exhibiting an acquired loss of p53 function. These results suggest that micelle-mediated delivery of SN-38 can potentially offer a new and effective strategy for treating different phases of high-risk disease, including those showing poor response to conventional therapies.

Phenotypic Differences in Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome With or Without a Disease-causing SMAD4/BMPR1A Variant.

Juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS) is a clinically diagnosed hamartomatous polyposis syndrome that increases the risk of gastrointestinal cancer. Approximately 40%-50% of JPS is caused by a germline disease-causing variant (DCV) in the SMAD4 or BMPR1A genes. The aim of this study was to characterize the phenotype of DCV-negative JPS and compare it with DCV-positive JPS. Herein, we analyzed a cohort of 145 individuals with JPS from nine institutions, including both pediatric and adult centers. Data analyzed included age at diagnosis, family history, cancer history, need for colectomy/gastrectomy, and polyp number and location. Compared with DCV-positive JPS, DCV-negative JPS was associated with younger age at diagnosis (P < 0.001), lower likelihood of having a family history of JPS (P < 0.001), and a lower risk of colectomy (P = 0.032). None of the DCV-negative individuals had gastric or duodenal polyps, and polyp burden decreased after the first decade compared with DCV-positive JPS. Subgroup analysis between SMAD4 and BMPR1A carriers showed that SMAD4 carriers were more likely to have a family history of JPS and required gastrectomy. Taken together, these data provide the largest phenotypic characterization of individuals with DCV-negative JPS to date, showing that this group has distinct differences compared with JPS due to a SMAD4 or BMPR1A variant. Better understanding of phenotype and cancer risk associated with JPS both with and without a DCV may ultimately allow for individualized management of polyposis and cancer risk.Prevention Relevance: Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome (JPS) is a gastrointestinal cancer predisposition syndrome requiring lifelong surveillance, however there is limited data comparing individuals with and without a germline disease-causing variant in SMAD4 or BMPR1A Herein we show that individuals with JPS without an underlying disease-causing variant have distinct phenotypic differences including lack of upper gastrointestinal polyps and lower rates of a family history of JPS, suggesting that a different approach to management may be appropriate in this population.

Nanomicellar Lenalidomide-Fenretinide Combination Suppresses Tumor Growth in an MYCN Amplified Neuroblastoma Tumor.

PURPOSE: In a previous study, we demonstrated that the combination of fenretinide with lenalidomide, administered by a novel nanomicellar formulation (FLM), provided a strong antitumor effect in a neuroblastoma TrkB-expressing tumor. In this study, we tested the nanomicellar combination in an MYCN amplified neuroblastoma xenograft to assess its efficacy in different tumor genotypes and evaluate the interactions of the nanomicelles with the tumor cells. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: FLM was administered to mice bearing human NLF xenografts to evaluate its efficacy in comparison with the nanomicelles containing fenretinide alone (FM). Confocal laser-scanning fluorescence microscopy images of the NLF cells treated with FLM and FM allowed us to estimate the nanomicelle ability to transport the encapsulated drugs inside the tumor cells. Flow cytometric analysis of the cells from treated tumors was performed to assess the effect of treatment on GD2 expression and NK cell infiltration. RESULTS: FLM and FM decreased the growth of NLF xenografts at comparable extents during the treatment period. Afterwards, FLM induced a progressive tumor regression without regrowth, while FM treatment was followed by regrowth within 15-20 days after the end of treatment. Both FLM and FM were able to penetrate the tumor cells transporting the encapsulated drugs. FLM transported higher amount of fenretinide inside the cells. Also, FLM treatment strongly increased GD2 expression in treated tumors and slightly decreased the NK infiltration compared to FM. CONCLUSION: FLM treatment induced a superior antitumor response than FM in NLF xenografts, presumably due to the combined effects of fenretinide cytotoxicity and lenalidomide antiangiogenic activity. The ability of FLM to penetrate tumor cells, transporting the encapsulated drugs, substantially improved the therapeutic efficiency of this system. Moreover, the enhancement of GD2 expression in FLM treated tumors offers the possibility to further increase the antitumor effect by the use of anti-GD2 CAR-T cells and anti-GD2 antibodies in combination with FLM in multimodal therapies.

Structural Optimization and Enhanced Prodrug-Mediated Delivery Overcomes Camptothecin Resistance in High-Risk Solid Tumors.

Camptothecins are potent topoisomerase I inhibitors used to treat high-risk pediatric solid tumors, but they often show poor efficacy due to intrinsic or acquired chemoresistance. Here, we developed a multivalent, polymer-based prodrug of a structurally optimized camptothecin (SN22) designed to overcome key chemoresistance mechanisms. The ability of SN22 vs. SN38 (the active form of irinotecan/CPT-11) to overcome efflux pump-driven drug resistance was tested. Tumor uptake and biodistribution of SN22 as a polymer-based prodrug (PEG-[SN22]4) compared with SN38 was determined. The therapeutic efficacy of PEG-[SN22]4 to CPT-11 was compared in: (i) spontaneous neuroblastomas (NB) in transgenic TH-MYCN mice; (ii) orthotopic xenografts of a drug-resistant NB line SK-N-BE(2)C (mutated TP53); (iii) flank xenografts of a drug-resistant NB-PDX; and (iv) xenografts of Ewing sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. Unlike SN38, SN22 inhibited NB cell growth regardless of ABCG2 expression levels. SN22 prodrug delivery resulted in sustained intratumoral drug concentrations, dramatically higher than those of SN38 at all time points. CPT-11/SN38 treatment had only marginal effects on tumors in transgenic mice, but PEG-[SN22]4 treatment caused complete tumor regression lasting over 6 months (tumor free at necropsy). PEG-[SN22]4 also markedly extended survival of mice with drug-resistant, orthotopic NB and it caused long-term (6+ months) remissions in 80% to 100% of NB and sarcoma xenografts. SN22 administered as a multivalent polymeric prodrug resulted in increased and protracted tumor drug exposure compared with CPT-11, leading to long-term "cures" in NB models of intrinsic or acquired drug resistance, and models of high-risk sarcomas, warranting its further development for clinical trials. SIGNIFICANCE: SN22 is an effective and curative multivalent macromolecular agent in multiple solid tumor mouse models, overcoming common mechanisms of drug resistance with the potential to elicit fewer toxicities than most cancer therapeutics.

RET receptor expression and interaction with TRK receptors in neuroblastomas.

Neuroblastomas (NBs) have heterogeneous clinical behavior, from spontaneous regression or differentiation to relentless progression. Evidence from our laboratory and others suggests that neurotrophin receptors contribute to these disparate behaviors. Previously, the role of TRK receptors in NB pathogenesis was investigated. In the present study, the expression of RET and its co­receptors in a panel of NB cell lines was investigated and responses to cognate ligands GDNF, NRTN, and ARTN with GFRα1­3 co­receptor expression, respectively were found to be correlated. RET expression was high in NBLS, moderate in SY5Y, low/absent in NBEBc1 and NLF cells. All cell lines expressed at least one of GFRα co­receptors. In addition, NBLS, SY5Y, NBEBc1 and NLF cells showed different morphological changes in response to ligands. As expected, activation of RET/GFRα3 by ARTN resulted in RET phosphorylation. Interestingly, activation of TrkA by its cognate ligand NGF resulted in RET phosphorylation at Y905, Y1015, and Y1062, and this was inhibited in a dose­dependent manner by the TRK inhibitor (CEP­701). Conversely, RET activation by ARTN in NBLS cells led to phosphorylation of TrkA. This suggests a physical association between RET and TRK proteins, and cross­talk between these two receptor pathways. Finally, RET, GFR and TRK expression in primary tumors was investigated and a significant association between RET, its co­receptors and TRK expression was demonstrated. Thus, the present data support a complex model of interacting neurotrophin receptor pathways in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation in NBs.

The Clinical Spectrum of PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome: Exploring the Value of Thyroid Surveillance.

INTRODUCTION: Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS) comprises a collection of clinical features characterized by constitutional variants in PTEN. Several guidelines recommend thyroid screening, beginning at the pediatric age at the time of PHTS diagnosis; however, the benefits of early surveillance has not been well defined. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective investigation of patients followed up at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia with a diagnosis of PHTS between January 2003 and June 2019. In total, 81 patients younger than 19 years were identified. RESULTS: The most common clinical feature at presentation was macrocephaly (85.1%), followed by impaired development (42.0%), skin/oral lesions (30.9%), and autism spectrum disorder (27.2%). A total of 58 of 81 patients underwent thyroid surveillance, with 30 patients (51.7%) found to have a nodule(s). Ultimately, 16 patients underwent thyroidectomy, with 7.4% (6/81) diagnosed with thyroid cancer. All thyroid cancer patients were older than 10 years at diagnosis, and all displayed low-invasive behavior. Of the patients younger than 10 years at the time of thyroid ultrasound (US) surveillance, 71.4% (15/21) had a normal US. The remaining 6 patients had thyroid nodules, including 4 undergoing thyroid surgery with benign histology. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Patients with macrocephaly, impaired cognitive development and thyroid nodules, and/or early-onset gastrointestinal polyps should undergo constitutional testing for PHTS. There does not appear to be a clinical advantage to initiating thyroid US surveillance before 10 years of age. In PHTS patients with a normal physical examination, thyroid US surveillance can be delayed until 10 years of age.

Mechanisms of Entrectinib Resistance in a Neuroblastoma Xenograft Model.

TrkB with its ligand, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), are overexpressed in the majority of high-risk neuroblastomas (NB). Entrectinib is a novel pan-TRK, ALK, and ROS1 inhibitor that has shown excellent preclinical efficacy in NB xenograft models, and recently it has entered phase 1 trials in pediatric relapsed/refractory solid tumors. We examined entrectinib-resistant NB cell lines to identify mechanisms of resistance. Entrectinib-resistant cell lines were established from five NB xenografts initially sensitive to entrectinib therapy. Clonal cell lines were established in increasing concentrations of entrectinib and had >10X increase in IC50 Cell lines underwent genomic and proteomic analysis using whole-exome sequencing, RNA-Seq, and proteomic expression profiling with confirmatory RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. There was no evidence of NTRK2 (TrkB) gene mutation in any resistant cell lines. Inhibition of TrkB was maintained in all cell lines at increasing concentrations of entrectinib (target independent). PTEN pathway downregulation and ERK/MAPK pathway upregulation were demonstrated in all resistant cell lines. One of these clones also had increased IGF1R signaling, and two additional clones had increased P75 expression, which likely increased TrkB sensitivity to ligand. In conclusion, NB lines overexpressing TrkB developed resistance to entrectinib by multiple mechanisms, including activation of ERK/MAPK and downregulation of PTEN signaling. Individual cell lines also had IGF1R activation and increased P75 expression, allowing preservation of downstream TrkB signaling in the presence of entrectinib. An understanding of changes in patterns of expression can be used to inform multimodal therapy planning in using entrectinib in phase II/III trial planning.

The effectiveness of Wilms tumor screening in Beckwith-Wiedemann spectrum.

PURPOSE: It is well documented that patients with Beckwith-Wiedemann spectrum (BWS) have a significantly higher risk of developing Wilms tumor (WT) than the general population. There has been little research on the timing of WT diagnosis in BWS in regard to optimizing suggested screening protocols. METHODS: A literature search was performed to identify all reports of patients with BWS and WT. These data were combined with unpublished data from patients in the authors' cohorts. Age at WT diagnosis was compared against data collected through the NIH Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) registry. RESULTS: Patients with BWS had a significantly higher incidence of WT diagnoses between age 12 and 84 months compared to patients in the SEER registry. Patients with BWS and WT diagnosed through screening had significantly lower stages at diagnosis compared to patients with BWS that were not screened. CONCLUSIONS: Screening until age 7 years is effective in detecting close to 95% of all WT in patients with BWS.