bims-myxlip Biomed News
on Myxoid liposarcoma
Issue of 2020‒12‒13
ninety-one papers selected by
Laura Mannarino
Mario Negri Institute
  1. Cancer Testis Antigens and Immunotherapy: Expression of PRAME Is Associated with Prognosis in Soft Tissue Sarcoma.
  2. Detection of Structural Variants in Circulating Cell-Free DNA from Sarcoma Patients Using Next Generation Sequencing.
  3. Tazemetostat for advanced epithelioid sarcoma: current status and future perspectives.
  4. Differences in the efficacy and safety of eribulin in patients with soft tissue sarcoma by histological subtype and treatment line.
  5. Early Outcomes of Preoperative 5-Fraction Radiation Therapy for Soft Tissue Sarcoma Followed by Immediate Surgical Resection.
  6. Preoperative accelerated radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy in a defined cohort of patients with high risk soft tissue sarcoma: a Scandinavian Sarcoma Group study.
  7. GD2 or HER2 targeting T cell engaging bispecific antibodies to treat osteosarcoma.
  8. S100 and Pan-Trk Staining to Report NTRK Fusion-Positive Uterine Sarcoma: Proceedings of the ISGyP Companion Society Session at the 2020 USCAP Annual Meeting.
  9. Biological features of tissue and bone sarcomas investigated using an in vitro model of clonal selection.
  10. Total Intravenous Anesthesia and Acute Normovolemic Hemodilution for Sarcoma Surgery.
  11. Therapy-Related Imaging Findings in Patients with Sarcoma.
  12. Evaluating the Soft Tissue Sarcoma Paradigm for the Local Management of Extraskeletal Ewing Sarcoma.
  13. Homogenous and Heterogenous Prognostic Factors for Patients with Bone Sarcoma.
  14. Role of immunotherapy in Ewing sarcoma.
  15. NCCN Guidelines Insights: Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Version 1.2021.
  16. Efficacy of Gemcitabine-based Chemotherapy in Clear Cell Sarcoma of Soft Tissue.
  17. Efficacy and safety of anlotinib in patients with unresectable or metastatic well-differentiated/dedifferentiated liposarcoma: a single-center retrospective study.
  18. Pharmacogenetic Study of Trabectedin-Induced Severe Hepatotoxicity in Patients with Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcoma.
  19. SARC025 arms 1 and 2: A phase 1 study of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor niraparib with temozolomide or irinotecan in patients with advanced Ewing sarcoma.
  20. Soft Tissue Sarcoma Follow-up Imaging: Strategies to Distinguish Post-treatment Changes from Recurrence.
  21. Solitary Fibrous Tumors Of The Pleura - 20-Year Experience.
  22. Pediatric fibromyxoid soft tissue tumour with PLAG1 fusion: A novel entity?
  23. Is there a role for immune checkpoint inhibitors in selected rare subtypes of soft tissue sarcoma?
  24. Delayed Initiation of Treatment Is Associated With Metastasis of Soft-tissue Sarcoma.
  25. A Pan-Cancer Study of Somatic TERT Promoter Mutations and Amplification in 30,773 Tumors Profiled By Clinical Genomic Sequencing.
  26. Transient rho-associated coiled-coil containing kinase (ROCK) inhibition on human retinal pigment epithelium results in persistent Rho/ROCK downregulation.
  27. CtIP -mediated alternative mRNA splicing finetunes the DNA damage response.
  28. Overactivation of the IGF signalling pathway in osteosarcoma: a potential therapeutic target?
  29. Integrated imaging and molecular analysis to decipher tumor microenvironment in the era of immunotherapy.
  30. Toll-like receptor-4 deficiency inhibits ultraviolet radiation-induced tumor development by modulation of immune and inflammatory responses.
  31. Chromosomal localization of Ewing sarcoma EWSR1/FLI1 protein promotes the induction of aneuploidy.
  32. Case Series and Review on Managing Abscesses Secondary to Hyaluronic Acid Soft Tissue Fillers with Recommended Management Guidelines.
  33. Growth Hormone Upregulates Mediators of Melanoma Drug Efflux and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition In Vitro and In Vivo.
  34. Predicting immunotherapy response through genomics.
  35. Wnt-inducible Lrp6-APEX2 interacting proteins identify ESCRT machinery and Trk-fused gene as components of the Wnt signaling pathway.
  36. Combination of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor with Cu(II) 5,5- diethylbarbiturate Complex Induces Apoptosis in Breast Cancer Stem Cells: A Promising Novel Approach.
  37. Amnion-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes-Mediated Autophagy Promotes the Survival of Trophoblasts Under Hypoxia Through mTOR Pathway by the Downregulation of EZH2.
  38. Proteomic signatures of 16 major types of human cancer reveal universal and cancer-type-specific proteins for the identification of potential therapeutic targets.
  39. Role of Nucleotide Excision Repair in Cisplatin Resistance.
  40. Functional crosstalk between myeloid Foxo1-β-catenin axis and Hedgehog/Gli1 signaling in oxidative stress response.
  41. The route to diagnosis of sarcoma patients: Results from an interview study in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
  42. Seeking international consensus on approaches to primary tumour treatment in Ewing sarcoma.
  43. Outcome of Soft-tissue Reconstruction in the Setting of Combined Preoperative and Intraoperative Radiotherapy for Extremity Soft-tissue Sarcomas.
  44. Clinical Outcome of Leiomyosarcomas With Somatic Alteration in Homologous Recombination Pathway Genes.
  45. Emerging roles of RNA modifications in genome integrity.
  46. What sports activity levels are achieved in long-term survivors with modular endoprosthetic humerus reconstruction following primary bone sarcoma resection?
  47. Doxorubicin increases permeability of murine small intestinal epithelium and cultured T84 monolayers.
  48. The Role of Mitochondrial Fat Oxidation in Cancer Cell Proliferation and Survival.
  49. Neoadjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer, current state of the art.
  50. The Two-Way Relationship Between Calcium and Metabolism in Cancer.
  51. The protective role of short-chain fatty acids acting as signal molecules in chemotherapy- or radiation-induced intestinal inflammation.
  52. Antitumor Drugs and Their Targets.
  53. Canonical and noncanonical TGF-β signaling regulate fibrous tissue differentiation in the axial skeleton.
  54. Genome-wide off-rates reveal how DNA binding dynamics shape transcription factor function.
  55. Cell-cell fusion of mesenchymal cells with distinct differentiations triggers genomic and transcriptomic remodelling toward tumour aggressiveness.
  56. Fatty acid binding protein-4 promotes alcohol-dependent hepatosteatosis and hepatocellular carcinoma progression.
  57. Real-world outcomes of patients with locally advanced or metastatic epithelioid sarcoma.
  58. Monoclonal Antibody to CD14, TLR4, or CD11b: Impact of Epitope and Isotype Specificity on ROS Generation by Human Granulocytes and Monocytes.
  59. Assessing immune infiltration and the tumor microenvironment for the diagnosis and prognosis of sarcoma.
  60. Histone deacetylase 6 inhibition in urothelial cancer as a potential new strategy for cancer treatment.
  61. Interventional Techniques for Bone and Musculoskeletal Soft Tissue Tumors: Current Practices and Future Directions - Part I. Ablation.
  62. Acer tegmentosum Maxim Inhibits Adipogenesis in 3t3-l1 Adipocytes and Attenuates Lipid Accumulation in Obese Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet.
  63. Targeting PIM Kinases to Overcome Therapeutic Resistance in Cancer.
  64. Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and Docking Study of New Pyrimidine Compounds as Anticancer Agents.
  65. Radiation and immunotherapy: emerging mechanisms of synergy.
  66. Targeting tumor-associated macrophages as an antitumor strategy.
  67. Mutations in DNA Repair Genes and Clinical Outcomes of Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Receiving Oxaliplatin or Irinotecan-containing Regimens.
  68. Applying graph database technology for analyzing perturbed co-expression networks in cancer.
  69. YAP/TAZ and EZH2 synergize to impair tumor suppressor activity of TGFBR2 in non-small cell lung cancer.
  70. Integrin α11β1 is a receptor for collagen XIII.
  71. Collagen in combination with the acid form of carboxymethylcellulose in the form of a nonwoven textile as a modern wound dressing - formulation, preparation and evaluation.
  72. Patient-Derived Tumor Organoids for Drug Repositioning in Cancer Care: A Promising Approach in the Era of Tailored Treatment.
  73. Exploring protein stabilized multiple emulsion with permeation enhancer for oral delivery of insulin.
  74. The pleiotropic role of transcription factor STAT3 in oncogenesis and its targeting through natural products for cancer prevention and therapy.
  75. Inhibitory effects of iron depletion plus eribulin on the breast cancer microenvironment.
  76. TRPS1 and YAP1 Regulate Cell Proliferation and Drug Resistance of Osteosarcoma via Competitively Binding to the Target of circTADA2A - miR-129-5p.
  77. Mechanisms by which adiponectin reverses high fat diet-induced insulin resistance in mice.
  78. SKP1 promotes YAP-mediated colorectal cancer stemness via suppressing RASSF1.
  79. Small molecular drugs reshape tumor microenvironment to synergize with immunotherapy.
  80. Anticancer therapeutics: a brief account on wide refinements.
  81. Insights on TAM Formation from a Boolean Model of Macrophage Polarization Based on In Vitro Studies.
  82. The LEAP program: lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab for the treatment of advanced solid tumors.
  83. Adipose Tissue Immunomodulation: A Novel Therapeutic Approach in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases.
  84. Nuclear mechanisms of gene expression control: pre-mRNA splicing as a life or death decision.
  85. Molecular Bases of VEGFR-2-Mediated Physiological Function and Pathological Role.
  86. Circulatory miRNA-155, miRNA-21 target PTEN expression and activity as a factor in breast cancer development.
  87. The promise and current status of CDK12/13 inhibition for the treatment of cancer.
  88. A PI3K inhibitor-induced growth inhibition of cancer cells is linked to MEK-ERK pathway.
  89. Effective Inhibition of MYC-Amplified Group 3 Medulloblastoma Through Targeting EIF4A1.
  90. Oxidation resistance 1 functions in the maintenance of cellular survival and genome stability in response to oxidative stress-independent DNA damage.
  91. PARPBP is a prognostic marker and confers anthracycline resistance to breast cancer.
  1. Cancers (Basel). 2020 Dec 03. pii: E3612. [Epub ahead of print]12(12):
    Cancer Testis Antigens and Immunotherapy: Expression of PRAME Is Associated with Prognosis in Soft Tissue Sarcoma.
    Markus Albertsmeier, Annelore Altendorf-Hofmann, Lars H Lindner, Rolf D Issels, Eric Kampmann, Hans-Roland Dürr, Gabriele Schubert-Fritschle, Martin K Angele, Thomas Kirchner, Achim A Jungbluth, Thomas Knösel.
      (1) Background: PRAME, NY-ESO-1, and SSX2 are cancer testis antigens (CTAs), which are expressed in testicular germ cells with re-expression in numerous cancer types. Their ability to elicit humoral and cellular immune responses have rendered them promising targets for cancer immunotherapy, but they have never been studied in a large and well-characterised cohort of soft tissue sarcomas (STS). (2) Methods: On a protein level, we examined PRAME, NY-ESO-1, and SSX2 expression in tumour tissues of 249 high-risk STS using immunohistochemistry. We correlated expression levels with clinicopathological parameters including tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) counts, grading, and long-term survival. (3) Results: Expression of PRAME, NY-ESO-1, and SSX2 was observed in 25 (10%), 19 (8%), and 11 (4%) of 249 specimens with distinct patterns for histo-subtypes. Expression of PRAME was associated with shorter patient survival (p = 0.005) and higher grade (G2 vs. G3, p = 0.001), while NY-ESO-1 expression was correlated with more favourable survival (p = 0.037) and lower grade (G2 vs. G3, p = 0.029). Both PRAME and NY-ESO-1 expression were more frequent in STS with low TIL counts. In multivariate analysis, high PRAME and low SSX2 expression levels as well as metastatic disease and non-radical resections were independent predictors of shorter overall survival. (4) Conclusions: CTAs PRAME, NY-ESO-1, and SSX2 show distinct expression patterns in different STS subtypes. These results demonstrate their prognostic relevance and may guide future immunotherapeutic approaches in STS.
    Keywords:  NY-ESO-1; PRAME; SSX2; biomarker; cancer/testis antigens; human; immunohistochemistry; soft tissue sarcoma; tumour infiltrating lymphocytes
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12123612
  2. Cancers (Basel). 2020 Dec 03. pii: E3627. [Epub ahead of print]12(12):
    Detection of Structural Variants in Circulating Cell-Free DNA from Sarcoma Patients Using Next Generation Sequencing.
    Lauren Mc Connell, Jana Gazdova, Katja Beck, Shambhavi Srivastava, Louise Harewood, J P Stewart, Daniel Hübschmann, Albrecht Stenzinger, Hanno Glimm, Christoph E Heilig, Stefan Fröhling, David Gonzalez.
      Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) analysis using next generation sequencing (NGS) is being implemented in clinical practice for treatment stratification and disease monitoring. However, using ctDNA to detect structural variants, a common occurrence in sarcoma, can be challenging. Here, we use a sarcoma-specific targeted NGS panel to identify translocations and copy number variants in a cohort of 12 tissue specimens and matched circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from soft tissue sarcoma patients, including alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 2), Ewing's Sarcoma (n = 2), synovial sarcoma (n = 2), extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (n = 1), clear cell sarcoma (n = 1), undifferentiated round cell sarcoma (n = 1), myxoid liposarcoma (n = 1), alveolar soft part cell sarcoma (n = 1) and dedifferentiated liposarcoma (n = 1). Structural variants were detected in 11/12 (91.6%) and 6/12 (50%) of tissue and plasma samples, respectively. Structural variants were detected in cfDNA at variant allele frequencies >0.2% with an average sequencing depth of 1026×. The results from this cohort show clinical potential for using NGS in ctDNA to aid in the diagnosis and clinical monitoring of sarcomas and warrant additional studies in larger cohorts.
    Keywords:  cell-free DNA; next generation sequencing; sarcoma; translocations
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12123627
  3. Future Oncol. 2020 Dec 08.
    Tazemetostat for advanced epithelioid sarcoma: current status and future perspectives.
    Noemi Simeone, Anna Maria Frezza, Nadia Zaffaroni, Silvia Stacchiotti.
      Epithelioid sarcoma (ES) is an aggressive ultra-rare soft-tissue sarcoma marked by SMARCB1/INI1 deficiency. SMARCB1/INI1 deficiency leads to elevated expression of EZH2, a component of polycomb repressive complex 2, which mediates gene silencing by catalyzing H3K27me3. Tazemetostat is an oral, SAM-competitive inhibitor of EZH2, whose blockade prevents the methylation of histone H3K27, thus decreasing the growth of EZH2 mutated or over-expressing cancer cells. Tazemetostat has been approved for treatment of patients aged 16 years and older with metastatic or advanced ES not eligible for complete resection, based on the positive results of a single-arm Phase II basket study. Tazemetostat though represents a new treatment option for ES patients, although clinical/molecular predictors of response are still to be identified. The combination of tazemetostat with other drugs like doxorubicin and immunotherapeutic agents is currently under investigation in ES patients.
    Keywords:  epigenetics; epithelioid sarcoma; inhibitor of the enhancer of zeste homolog 2; integrase interactor 1; tazemetostat
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.2217/fon-2020-0781
  4. Mol Clin Oncol. 2021 Jan;14(1): 13
    Differences in the efficacy and safety of eribulin in patients with soft tissue sarcoma by histological subtype and treatment line.
    Kenji Nakano, Keiko Hayakawa, Yuki Funauchi, Taisuke Tanizawa, Keisuke Ae, Seiichi Matsumoto, Junichi Tomomatsu, Makiko Ono, Shinichiro Taira, Masatoshi Nishizawa, Xiaofei Wang, Akihiro Ohmoto, Yasuyoshi Sato, Naoki Fukuda, Tetsuya Urasaki, Shunji Takahashi.
      Clinical evidence regarding eribulin treatment for patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is limited to those with L-sarcoma (leiomyosarcoma and liposarcoma) who have completed at least two chemotherapies. Whether histological subtypes and treatment lines affect the efficacy and safety of eribulin for patients with STS has yet to be elucidated. The current study retrospectively reviewed patients with STS receiving eribulin at the Cancer Institute Hospital of JFCR and evaluated the prognostic factors affecting its efficacy and safety by histological diagnoses and treatment lines. A total of 41 patients with STS, including 26 with L-sarcoma, underwent eribulin treatment. Additionally, a total of and 14 patients, including 12 with L-sarcoma, received eribulin as a second-line treatment. The results revealed that patients with L-sarcoma demonstrated longer progression-free survival (PFS) rates compared with patients without L-sarcoma (4.5 vs. 2.3 months; P=0.005). Furthermore, differences in treatment line significantly affected PFS (4.5 months in second-line treatment vs. 2.4 months in later lines; P=0.037). A high number of patients with L-sarcoma received eribulin as a second-line treatment. Regarding safety, several adverse events were reported, such as neutropenia, which were more frequently observed in patients with L-sarcoma or other patients receiving eribulin as a second-line treatment. However, most adverse events were tolerable. The clinical efficacy of eribulin was increased in patients with L-sarcoma, which was similar to previous clinical trials. However, treatment lines could also affect its efficacy. When evaluating the clinical value of eribulin to STS, it is important to consider treatment lines.
    Keywords:  chemotherapy; eribulin; leiomyosarcoma; liposarcoma; soft tissue sarcoma
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2020.2175
  5. Adv Radiat Oncol. 2020 Nov-Dec;5(6):5(6): 1274-1279
    Early Outcomes of Preoperative 5-Fraction Radiation Therapy for Soft Tissue Sarcoma Followed by Immediate Surgical Resection.
    Shireen Parsai, Joshua Lawrenz, Scott Kilpatrick, Brian Rubin, Cory Hymes, Michele Gray, Nathan Mesko, Chirag Shah, Lukas Nystrom, Jacob G Scott.
      Purpose: There are limited data regarding the use of hypofractionated radiation therapy (RT) for soft tissue sarcoma. We report early oncologic outcomes and wound complications of patients undergoing preoperative hypofractionated (5 fraction) RT followed by immediate surgical resection.Methods and Materials: An institutional review board-approved database of patients treated with preoperative RT for soft tissue sarcoma was queried. Patients treated with a hypofractionated dosing regimen followed by immediate (within 7 days) planned wide surgical resection were identified.
    Results: Between 2016 and 2019, 16 patients met eligibility criteria. The median patient age was 64 years old (range, 33-88). Ten of the sarcomas were located in the lower extremity, 4 in the upper extremity, and 2 were located in the trunk. Four patients had metastatic disease at diagnosis. The majority of the patients received a total radiation dose of 30 Gy in 5 fractions (range, 27.5-40 Gy) on consecutive days. All patients were planned with intensity modulated radiation therapy or volumetric arc therapy. The median time to surgical resection after the completion of RT was 1 day (range, 0-7 days). The median time from initial biopsy results to completion of primary oncologic therapy was 20 days (range, 16-35). Ten patients achieved R0 resection, whereas the remaining 6 patients achieved R1 resection. Of the 13 patients assessed for local control, no patients developed local failure. Within the median follow-up time of 10.7 months (range, 1.7-33.2), 5 patients developed wound healing complications (31%), of which only 3 patients (19%) required return to the operating room.
    Conclusions: Treatment of soft tissue sarcoma with preoperative hypofractionated RT followed by immediate resection resulted in a median of 20 days from biopsy results to completion of oncologic therapy. Early outcomes demonstrate favorable wound healing. Further prospective data with long-term follow-up is required to determine the oncologic outcomes and toxicity of hypofractionated preoperative RT.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adro.2020.06.024
  6. Clin Sarcoma Res. 2020 Nov 17. 10(1): 22
    Preoperative accelerated radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy in a defined cohort of patients with high risk soft tissue sarcoma: a Scandinavian Sarcoma Group study.
    Kirsten Sundby Hall, Øyvind S Bruland, Bodil Bjerkehagen, Elisabet Lidbrink, Nina Jebsen, Hans Hagberg, Karin Papworth, Oskar Hagberg, Clement Trovik, Henrik Bauer, Mikael Eriksson.
      BACKGROUND: We recently reported outcomes from a Scandinavian Sarcoma Group adjuvant study (SSG XX group A) conducted on localized and operable high risk soft tissue sarcoma (STS) of the extremities and trunk wall. SSG XX, group B, comprised of patients in a defined cohort with locally advanced STS considered at high risk for intralesional surgery. These patients received preoperative accelerated radiotherapy, together with neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy. Herein we report the results of this group B.METHODS: Twenty patients with high-grade, locally advanced and deep STS located in lower extremities (n = 12), upper extremities (5) or trunk wall (3) were included. The median age was 59 years and 14 patients were males. The treatment regimen consisted of 6 cycles of doxorubicin (60 mg/m2) and ifosfamide (6 g/m2), with three cycles given neoadjuvantly, and preoperative radiotherapy (1, 8 Gyx2/daily to 36 Gy) between cycles 2 and 3. After a repeated MRI surgery was then conducted, and the remaining 3 chemotherapy cycles were given postoperatively at 3 weeks intervals. Survival data, local control, toxicity of chemotherapy and postoperative complications are presented.
    RESULTS: Median follow-up time for metastasis-free survival (MFS) was 2.8 years (range 0.3-10.4). The 5-year MFS was 49.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 31.7-77.4). The median follow-up time was 5.4 years (range 0.3-10.4) for overall survival (OS). The 5-year OS was 64.0% (95% CI 45.8-89.4). The median tumour size was 13 cm, with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (n = 10) and synovial sarcoma (n = 6) diagnosed most frequently. All patients completed surgery. Resection margins were R0 in 19 patients and R1 in 1 patient. No patients had evidence of disease progression preoperatively. Three patients experienced a local recurrence, in 2 after lung metastases had already been diagnosed. Eleven patients (55%) had postoperative wound problems (temporary in 8 and persistent in 3).
    CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy were associated with temporary wound-healing problems. Survival outcomes, local control and toxicities were deemed satisfactory when considering the locally advanced sarcoma disease status at primary diagnosis. Trial registration This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT00790244 and with European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials No. EUDRACT 2007-001152-39.
    Keywords:  Accelerated; Adjuvant; Chemotherapy; Preoperative; Radiotherapy; Soft tissue sarcoma; Survival; Toxicity
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1186/s13569-020-00145-5
  7. J Hematol Oncol. 2020 Dec 10. 13(1): 172
    GD2 or HER2 targeting T cell engaging bispecific antibodies to treat osteosarcoma.
    Jeong A Park, Nai-Kong V Cheung.
      BACKGROUND: The cure rate for metastatic osteosarcoma has not substantially improved over the past decades. Clinical trials of anti-HER2 trastuzumab or anti-GD2 dinutuximab for metastatic or refractory osteosarcoma were not successful, and neither was immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).METHODS: We tested various target antigen expressions on osteosarcoma cell lines using flow cytometry and analyzed in vitro T cell engaging BsAb (T-BsAb)-dependent T cell-mediated cytotoxicity using 4-h 51Cr release assay. We tested in vivo anti-tumor activities of T-BsAb targeting GD2 or HER2 in established osteosarcoma cell line or patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse models carried out in BALB-Rag2-/-IL-2R-γc-KO (BRG) mice. We also generated ex vivo BsAb-armed T cells (EATs) and studied their tumor-suppressive effect against osteosarcoma xenografts. In order to improve the anti-tumor response, ICIs, anti-human PD-1 (pembrolizumab) or anti-human PD-L1 (atezolizumab) antibodies were tested their synergy with GD2- or HER2-BsAb against osteosarcoma.
    RESULTS: GD2 and HER2 were chosen from a panel of surface markers on osteosarcoma cell lines and PDXs. Anti-GD2 BsAb or anti-HER2 BsAb exerted potent anti-tumor effect against osteosarcoma tumors in vitro and in vivo. T cells armed with anti-GD2-BsAb (GD2-EATs) or anti-HER2-BsAb (HER2-EATs) showed significant anti-tumor activities as well. Anti-PD-L1 combination treatment enhanced BsAb-armed T cell function in vivo and improved tumor control and survival of the mice, when given sequentially and continuously.
    CONCLUSION: Anti-GD2 and anti-HER2 BsAbs were effective in controlling osteosarcoma. These data support the clinical investigation of GD2 and HER2 targeted T-BsAb treatment in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors, particularly anti-PD-L1, in patients with osteosarcoma to improve their treatment outcome.
    Keywords:  Bispecific antibody; Disialogangliosides; Ex vivo bispecific antibody-armed T cells (EATs); Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2; Immunotherapy; Osteosarcoma; Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1); Programmed cell death-1 ligand 1(PD-L1); T cell arming
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1186/s13045-020-01012-y
  8. Int J Gynecol Pathol. 2021 Jan;40(1): 24-27
    S100 and Pan-Trk Staining to Report NTRK Fusion-Positive Uterine Sarcoma: Proceedings of the ISGyP Companion Society Session at the 2020 USCAP Annual Meeting.
    Sarah Chiang.
      NTRK fusion-positive uterine sarcoma is a recently recognized mesenchymal tumor that is defined by its morphologic resemblance to soft tissue fibrosarcoma, NTRK gene rearrangements, and potential response to Trk inhibition. Reported lesions affect premenopausal women with a median age of 32 yr, and most arise in the uterine cervix. Haphazard, storiform, or herringbone patterns of spindle cells with mild to moderate nuclear atypia are characteristic. SMA, CD34, and S100 are variably positive, but tumors are negative for desmin, ER, PR, and SOX10 and retain H3K27me3 expression. While pan-Trk immunohistochemistry is positive in these tumors, it has decreased sensitivity and specificity in the evaluation of sarcomas in general and the detection of NTRK3 rearrangements. A variety of molecular methods such as fluorescence in situ hybridization and next-generation sequencing may be useful in confirming NTRK fusion in fibrosarcoma-like uterine sarcomas.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1097/PGP.0000000000000702
  9. Pathol Res Pract. 2020 Sep 13. pii: S0344-0338(20)32069-0. [Epub ahead of print]217 153214
    Biological features of tissue and bone sarcomas investigated using an in vitro model of clonal selection.
    N A Avdonkina, A B Danilova, V A Misyurin, E A Prosekina, D V Girdyuk, N V Emelyanova, T L Nekhaeva, G I Gafton, I A Baldueva.
      The malignancy progression is an evolutionary process in which tumor clones are selected and competed for the duration of the disease. Intratumor heterogeneity is one of the key problems in the development of treatment methods for cancer patients. In this study we obtained metastatic soft tissue and bone sarcomas (STBSs) cultures from 54 patients, performed in vitro cloning and randomly selected 83 clones. Cloning was successful in 22 cases (40.7%). STBSs cultures with a high clonogenic potential (CP) were characterized by greater proliferative activity and increased Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) expression. We studied the transcription activity of the following cancer-testis genes (CTG): MAGE, NY-ESO-1, PRAME, GAGE, SSX1, HAGE1, PASD1, SCP1, SEMG1, SLLP1 and SPANXA1. The SEMG1 expression wasn't registered in any studied case. CTG activity wasn't observed in 10 cases out of 52 (19,2%) STBS cultures. We observed CTG activation and increased transcription activity in 82 STBSs clones. Clustering by the gene profile has revealed three different patterns: 1 st - with low expression CTG, 2nd - with co-expression GAGE1, PASD1 and PRAME, 3d - with co-expression SLLP1 and GAGE1. The last two clusters included most cloned cell lines and their clones. CP of STBSs cell lines was associated with the parameters of patients overall survival (OS) at comparable progression-free survival (PFS). Among patients with STBSs with the high CP, median OS was 7.6 months (min 0.7 - max 11.0 months). In the group with the low CP, OS did not reach the median value by the end of the five-year observation period. PFS was 5.6 months (min 0.2 - max 19.2 months) in the first group and 3.2 months (min 0.3- max 71.3 months) in the second group. Resistance to therapeutic doses of chemotherapy drugs was correlated with CP cultures STBSs. We suggest that chemotherapy-resistant clones are pre-existing in the tumor rather than being formed under the influence of chemotherapy. Highly aggressive metastatic sarcomas may be a promising candidate for immunotherapy against cancer-testis antigens (CTAs).
    Keywords:  cancer stem cells markers; cancer-testis genes; chemoresistance and proliferative activity of tumor cells; clonogenic; intratumor heterogeneity; metastatic soft tissue and bone sarcoma; potential; tumor biology; tumor cell culture
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prp.2020.153214
  10. Cureus. 2020 Nov 03. 12(11): e11319
    Total Intravenous Anesthesia and Acute Normovolemic Hemodilution for Sarcoma Surgery.
    Vincent Y Ng, Kimberly N Hollander, Shamus R Carr, Kenichi Tanaka.
      Despite optimal local control for high-risk soft tissue sarcomas (STS) with radiation and surgery, there are no other interventions that clearly and significantly reduce the risk of distant relapse after resection. Cytotoxic chemotherapy for localized STS is controversial and is associated with significant side effects. There are significant biologic perturbations that occur at the time of operation and numerous studies have demonstrated that surgical removal of the primary tumor can accelerate the growth of subclinical metastases. While the exact etiology of this phenomenon is unknown, there is some evidence to suggest that allogeneic blood transfusion and volatile inhaled anesthetics may be associated with tumor-promoting processes. At our institution, we have utilized acute normovolemic hemodilution and total intravenous propofol-based anesthesia to avoid these potentially detrimental factors.
    Keywords:  intravenous anesthesia; normovolemic hemodilution; sarcoma
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.11319
  11. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 2020 Dec;24(6): 676-691
    Therapy-Related Imaging Findings in Patients with Sarcoma.
    Johan L Bloem, Dennis Vriens, Augustinus D G Krol, Murat Özdemir, Michiel A J van de Sande, Hans Gelderblom, Judith V M G Bovee, Jos A van der Hage, Iris M Noebauer-Huhmann.
      Knowledge of imaging findings related to therapy administered to patients with sarcoma is pivotal in selecting appropriate care for these patients. Imaging studies are performed as surveillance in asymptomatic patients or because symptoms, including anxiety, develop. In addition to detection of recurrent disease and assessment of response to therapy, diagnosis of conditions related to therapy that may or may not need treatment has a marked positive impact on quality of life. The purpose of this review is to assist radiologists, nuclear physicians, and others clinicians involved in the diagnosis and treatment of these patients in recognizing imaging findings related to therapy and not to activity of the previously treated sarcoma. Imaging findings are time dependent and often specific in relation to therapy given.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1721097
  12. Oncologist. 2020 Dec 01.
    Evaluating the Soft Tissue Sarcoma Paradigm for the Local Management of Extraskeletal Ewing Sarcoma.
    David Boyce-Fappiano, B Ashleigh Guadagnolo, Ravin Ratan, Wei-Lien Wang, Michael J Wagner, Shreyaskumar Patel, John A Livingston, Patrick P Lin, Kevin Diao, Devarati Mitra, Ahsan Farooqi, Alexander J Lazar, Christina L Roland, Andrew J Bishop.
      OBJECTIVES: We reviewed our experience treating patients with localized extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma (EES) to determine optimal local management strategies for this rare disease.METHODS: Sixty patients with localized EES treated at our institution between 1994 and 2018 were reviewed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimates disease outcomes.
    RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 74 months (interquartile range [IQR], 17-121). Half the patients (n=30) received combined modality local therapy (CMT) with both surgery and radiation therapy (RT), whereas the other half received single modality local therapy (SMT) with either surgery or RT. All patients received chemotherapy. The 5-year OS was 76%. Twenty-two patients (37%) developed recurrence at a median time of 15 months (IQR, 5-56 months) resulting in 3-year PFS 65%. On univariate analysis, the use of both neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved 5-year PFS (71% vs 50%, p=0.04) compared to those who received one or the other. Furthermore, eleven patients (18%) developed local recurrences at a median time of 14 months (IQR, 2-19 months) resulting in 5-year LC rate of 77%. Use of CMT was not associated with improved LC (83% vs. 72% SMT, P=0.41). Also, use of CMT was the only factor associated with poorer DSS (vs. SMT; HR 3.4, p=0.047, 95% CI 1.01-11.4).
    CONCLUSION: For patients with EES, CMT was not associated with a decreased rate of local relapse. These data suggest that SMT alone may be sufficient for LC in select patients. A multi-institutional collaborative effort should be considered to validate these findings.
    IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma is a rare chemo-sensitive sarcoma whose clinical course more closely follows Ewing's sarcoma of bone rather than that of other soft tissue sarcomas. Based on our study, combined modality local therapy did not confer a local control advantage compared to single modality local therapy. Therefore, single modality local therapy is likely adequate in select patients with favorable disease features, which has the advantage of ensuring prompt administration of systemic therapy. A multi-institutional collaborative effort is warranted to determine which patients may benefit from de-escalated local therapy.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/onco.13616
  13. Orthop Surg. 2020 Dec 10.
    Homogenous and Heterogenous Prognostic Factors for Patients with Bone Sarcoma.
    Guijun Xu, Haixiao Wu, Yao Xu, Yanting Zhang, Feng Lin, Vladimir P Baklaushev, Vladimir P Chekhonin, Karl Peltzer, Xin Wang, Min Mao, Guowen Wang, Ping Cui, Chao Zhang.
      OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the survival rate of patients with different bone sarcomas and to investigate homogenous and heterogenous prognostic factors for different types of bone sarcomas.METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of records from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result (SEER) database. Clear information on the distant metastasis of cancer is provided in the SEER database for patients diagnosed between January 2010 and December 2016. Data for the four types of malignant bone sarcomas were extracted, including osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and chordoma. Patients with bone sarcomas originated from other sites, diagnosed at autopsy, or indicated in death certification were excluded. The overall survival was calculated for the entire cohort and across different bone sarcomas using the Kaplan-Meier method. A subgroup analysis of the different survival rates of four types of bone sarcomas in various levels of each variable was conducted and the differences were tested with the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to determine the prognostic factors. Variables with P < 0.05 in the univariate Cox regression analysis were further analyzed using a multivariate Cox regression analysis. The prognostic factors in four groups of bone sarcomas were compared to determine the homogenous and heterogenous factors.
    RESULTS: A total of 4732 patients were included with a follow up of 25 (0-83) months. The mean age of patients was 39.7 ± 24.1 years. The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year overall survival rate for the entire cohort was 86.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 85.2%-87.2%), 70.5% (95% CI: 68.9%-72.1%), and 63.0% (95% CI: 61.2%-64.8%), respectively. Factors including age older than 40 years, higher grade, regional and distant stage, tumor in the extremities, T2 stage, bone and lung metastases, and non-surgery were significantly associated with the poor survival of the entire cohort. The mean overall survival duration of patients with chordoma, chondrosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and osteosarcoma was 66.86 (95% CI: 64.06-69.66), 63.53 (95% CI: 61.81-65.25), 58.06 (95% CI: 55.49-60.62) and 54.91 (95% CI: 53.14-56.69) months, respectively. Compared with chordoma, the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CI for patients with chondrosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and osteosarcoma were 1.30 (95% CI: 1.04-1.62; P = 0.023), 1.69 (95% CI: 1.33-2.14; P < 0.001), and 2.00 (95% CI: 1.61-2.48; P <0.001), respectively. Different bone sarcomas showed homogenous and heterogenous prognostic factors.
    CONCLUSION: Different clinicopathological characteristics and prognoses were revealed in patients with osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and chordoma. The risk factors can potentially guide prognostic prediction and sarcoma-specific treatment.
    Keywords:  Chondrosarcoma; Chordoma; Ewing sarcoma; Osteosarcoma; Prognosis
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1111/os.12851
  14. J Immunother Cancer. 2020 Dec;pii: e000653. [Epub ahead of print]8(2):
    Role of immunotherapy in Ewing sarcoma.
    Erin Morales, Michael Olson, Fiorella Iglesias, Saurabh Dahiya, Tim Luetkens, Djordje Atanackovic.
      Ewing sarcoma (ES) is thought to arise from mesenchymal stem cells and is the second most common bone sarcoma in pediatric patients and young adults. Given the dismal overall outcomes and very intensive therapies used, there is an urgent need to explore and develop alternative treatment modalities including immunotherapies. In this article, we provide an overview of ES biology, features of ES tumor microenvironment (TME) and review various tumor-associated antigens that can be targeted with immune-based approaches including cancer vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, T cell receptor-transduced T cells, and chimeric antigen receptor T cells. We highlight key reasons for the limited efficacy of various immunotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of ES to date. These factors include absence of human leukocyte antigen class I molecules from the tumor tissue, lack of an ideal surface antigen, and immunosuppressive TME due to the presence of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, F2 fibrocytes, and M2-like macrophages. Lastly, we offer insights into strategies for novel therapeutics development in ES. These strategies include the development of gene-modified T cell receptor T cells against cancer-testis antigen such as XAGE-1, surface target discovery through detailed profiling of ES surface proteome, and combinatorial approaches. In summary, we provide state-of-the-art science in ES tumor immunology and immunotherapy, with rationale and recommendations for future therapeutics development.
    Keywords:  adoptive; chimeric antigen; immunotherapy; receptors; t-lymphocytes; vaccination
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1136/jitc-2020-000653
  15. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2020 12 02. pii: jnccnGLINS1812. [Epub ahead of print]18(12): 1604-1612
    NCCN Guidelines Insights: Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Version 1.2021.
    Margaret von Mehren, John M Kane, Marilyn M Bui, Edwin Choy, Mary Connelly, Sarah Dry, Kristen N Ganjoo, Suzanne George, Ricardo J Gonzalez, Martin J Heslin, Jade Homsi, Vicki Keedy, Ciara M Kelly, Edward Kim, David Liebner, Martin McCarter, Sean V McGarry, Christian Meyer, Alberto S Pappo, Amanda M Parkes, I Benjamin Paz, Ivy A Petersen, Matthew Poppe, Richard F Riedel, Brian Rubin, Scott Schuetze, Jacob Shabason, Jason K Sicklick, Matthew B Spraker, Melissa Zimel, Mary Anne Bergman, Giby V George.
      The NCCN Guidelines for Soft Tissue Sarcoma provide recommendations for the diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and follow-up for patients with soft tissue sarcomas. These NCCN Guidelines Insights summarize the panel discussion behind recent important updates to the guidelines, including the development of a separate and distinct guideline for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs); reconception of the management of desmoid tumors; inclusion of further recommendations for the diagnosis and management of extremity/body wall, head/neck sarcomas, and retroperitoneal sarcomas; modification and addition of systemic therapy regimens for sarcoma subtypes; and revision of the principles of radiation therapy for soft tissue sarcomas.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.6004/jnccn.2020.0058
  16. Anticancer Res. 2020 Dec;40(12): 7003-7007
    Efficacy of Gemcitabine-based Chemotherapy in Clear Cell Sarcoma of Soft Tissue.
    Elena Cojocaru, Khin Thway, Cyril Fisher, Christina Messiou, Shane Zaidi, Aisha B Miah, Charlotte Benson, Spyridon Gennatas, Paul Huang, Robin L Jones.
      BACKGROUND/AIM: Clear cell sarcoma (CCS) is an aggressive sarcoma subtype, resistant to conventional anthracycline-based chemotherapy and radiation. The diagnosis is often challenging due to similarities with malignant melanoma.PATIENTS AND METHODS: We aimed to analyse the activity of gemcitabine-based chemotherapy in a cohort of patients with CCS treated at the Royal Marsden Hospital.
    RESULTS: Five patients with metastatic CCS received gemcitabine as first- or second-line systemic therapy. The median time-to-progression was 10 weeks. The median number of cycles of gemcitabine-based therapy was 3 (range=2-7 cycles). Median overall survival in our cohort was 66 months from the initial diagnosis but in the metastatic setting, the overall survival was reduced to 28 months.
    CONCLUSION: Gemcitabine-based therapy has modest activity in CCS. There remains a significant unmet medical need for novel, effective therapies for this disease.
    Keywords:  Clear cell sarcoma; EWSR1 translocation; chemotherapy; gemcitabine
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.21873/anticanres.14725
  17. Anticancer Drugs. 2020 Dec 07.
    Efficacy and safety of anlotinib in patients with unresectable or metastatic well-differentiated/dedifferentiated liposarcoma: a single-center retrospective study.
    Zhi-Ke Li, Jie Liu, Yao-Tiao Deng, Yu Jiang.
      BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Treatment options for unresectable local recurrence or metastatic well-differentiated/dedifferentiated liposarcoma (WDLS/DDLS) remain limited. Different liposarcoma subtypes have varying clinical features and sensitivities to treatment regimens. The multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as pazopanib and regorafenib, have been approved for use in nonadipocytic soft tissue sarcomas (STS). Anlotinib, another TKI, has been approved in China for treating metastatic STS that has progressed after the use of anthracycline-based regimens. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of anlotinib in the treatment of local recurrence or metastatic WDLS/DDLS.METHODS: From August 2018 to June 2020, 17 patients with unresectable local recurrence or metastatic WDLS/DDLS treated with anlotinib in our center were included. The follow-up cutoff time was set as 20 October 2020. Baseline and observation indicators were collected and analyzed.
    RESULTS: Estimated median progression-free survival (PFS) was 27.9 weeks, the PFS rate at 24 weeks was 58.8%, overall survival (OS) was 56.6 weeks, the disease control rate was 64.7% and no complete response or partial response was detected. Grade 3/4 adverse events occurred in four cases and could be managed.
    CONCLUSIONS: Anlotinib is a potential treatment option for unresectable local recurrence or metastatic WDLS/DDLS.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1097/CAD.0000000000001023
  18. Cancers (Basel). 2020 Dec 04. pii: E3647. [Epub ahead of print]12(12):
    Pharmacogenetic Study of Trabectedin-Induced Severe Hepatotoxicity in Patients with Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcoma.
    Maud Maillard, Christine Chevreau, Félicien Le Louedec, Manon Cassou, Caroline Delmas, Laure Gourdain, Jean-Yves Blay, Didier Cupissol, Emmanuelle Bompas, Antoine Italiano, Nicolas Isambert, Corinne Delcambre-Lair, Nicolas Penel, François Bertucci, Cécile Guillemet, Julien Plenecassagnes, Stéphanie Foulon, Étienne Chatelut, Axel Le Cesne, Fabienne Thomas.
      Hepatotoxicity is an important concern for nearly 40% of the patients treated with trabectedin for advanced soft tissue sarcoma (ASTS). The mechanisms underlying these liver damages have not yet been elucidated but they have been suggested to be related to the production of reactive metabolites. The aim of this pharmacogenetic study was to identify genetic variants of pharmacokinetic genes such as CYP450 and ABC drug transporters that could impair the trabectedin metabolism in hepatocytes. Sixty-three patients with ASTS from the TSAR clinical trial (NCT02672527) were genotyped by next-generation sequencing for 11 genes, and genotype-toxicity association analyses were performed with R package SNPassoc. Among the results, ABCC2 c.1249A allele (rs2273697) and ABCG2 intron variant c.-15994T (rs7699188) were associated with an increased risk of severe cytolysis, whereas ABCC2 c.3563A allele had a protective effect, as well as ABCB1 variants rs2032582 and rs1128503 (p-value < 0.05). Furthermore, CYP3A5*1 rs776746 (c.6986A > G) increased the risk of severe overall hepatotoxicity (p = 0.012, odds ratio (OR) = 5.75), suggesting the implication of metabolites in the hepatotoxicity. However, these results did not remain significant after multiple analysis correction. These findings need to be validated on larger cohorts of patients, with mechanistic studies potentially being able to validate the functional consequences of these variants.
    Keywords:  ABC transporters; CYP450; advanced soft tissue sarcoma; hepatotoxicity; next-generation sequencing; pharmacogenetic; trabectedin
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12123647
  19. Cancer. 2020 Dec 08.
    SARC025 arms 1 and 2: A phase 1 study of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor niraparib with temozolomide or irinotecan in patients with advanced Ewing sarcoma.
    Rashmi Chugh, Karla V Ballman, Lee J Helman, Shreyaskumar Patel, Jeremy S Whelan, Brigitte Widemann, Yao Lu, Douglas S Hawkins, Leo Mascarenhas, John W Glod, Jiuping Ji, Yiping Zhang, Denise Reinke, Sandra J Strauss.
      BACKGROUND: In preclinical Ewing sarcoma (ES) models, poly(adenosine diphosphate ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors were identified as a potential therapeutic strategy with synergy in combination with cytotoxic agents. This study evaluated the safety and dosing of the PARP1/2 inhibitor niraparib (NIR) with temozolomide (TMZ; arm 1) or irinotecan (IRN; arm 2) in patients with pretreated ES.METHODS: Eligible patients in arm 1 received continuous NIR daily and escalating TMZ (days 2-6 [D2-6]) in cohort A. Subsequent patients received intermittent NIR dosing (cohort B), with TMZ re-escalation in cohort C. In arm 2, patients were assigned to NIR (days 1-7 [D1-7]) and escalating doses of IRN (D2-6).
    RESULTS: From July 2014 to May 2018, 29 eligible patients (23 males and 6 females) were enrolled in arms 1 and 2, which had 7 dose levels combined. Five patients experienced at least 1 dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) in arm 1 (grade 4 [G4] neutropenia for >7 days or G4 thrombocytopenia), and 3 patients experienced at least 1 DLT in arm 2 (grade 3 [G3] colitis, G3 anorexia, or G3 alanine aminotransferase elevation). The maximum tolerated dose was NIR at 200 mg every day on D1-7 plus TMZ at 30 mg/m2 every day on D2-6 (arm 1) or NIR at 100 mg every day on D1-7 plus IRN at 20 mg/m2 every day on D2-6 (arm 2). One confirmed partial response was observed in arm 2; the median progression-free survival was 9.0 weeks (95% CI, 7.0-10.1 weeks) and 16.3 weeks (95% CI, 5.1-69.7 weeks) in arms 1 and 2, respectively. The median decrease in tumor poly(ADP-ribose) activity was 89% (range, 83%-98%).
    CONCLUSIONS: The combination of NIR and TMZ or IRN was tolerable, but at lower doses in comparison with conventional cytotoxic combinations. A triple-combination study of NIR, IRN, and TMZ has commenced.
    Keywords:  Ewing sarcoma; irinotecan; niraparib; poly(adenosine diphosphate ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition; temozolomide
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.33349
  20. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 2020 Dec;24(6): 627-644
    Soft Tissue Sarcoma Follow-up Imaging: Strategies to Distinguish Post-treatment Changes from Recurrence.
    Iris-M Noebauer-Huhmann, Snehansh R Chaudhary, Olympia Papakonstantinou, Joannis Panotopoulos, Marc-André Weber, Radhesh K Lalam, Omar M Albtoush, Barbara J Fueger, Pavol Szomolanyi, Thomas Grieser, Johan L Bloem.
      Soft tissue sarcomas encompass multiple entities with differing recurrence rates and follow-up intervals. The detection of recurrences and their differentiation from post-therapeutic changes is therefore complex, with a central role for the clinical radiologist. This article describes approved recommendations. Prerequisite is a precise knowledge of the current clinical management and surgical techniques. We review recurrence rates and treatment modalities. An adequate imaging technique is paramount, and comparison with previous imaging is highly recommended. We describe time-dependent therapy-related complications on magnetic resonance imaging compared with the spectrum of regular post-therapeutic changes. Early complications such as seromas, hematomas, and infections, late complications such as edema and fibrosis, and inflammatory pseudotumors are elucidated. The appearance of recurrences and radiation-associated sarcomas is contrasted with these changes. This systematic approach in follow-up imaging of soft tissue sarcoma patients will facilitate the differentiation of post-therapeutic changes from recurrences.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1721464
  21. Rev Port Cir Cardiotorac Vasc. 2020 Oct-Dec;27(4):27(4): 273
    Solitary Fibrous Tumors Of The Pleura - 20-Year Experience.
    Agata Nawojowska, Cristina Rodrigues, Samuel Mendes, Daniel Cabral, Mariana Antunes, Carolina Torres, Magda Alvoeiro, Telma Calado, Francisco Félix.
      Introduction Solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura (SFTP) are rare, slowly growing pleural neoplasms. Patients are usually diagnosed in their 5th to 8th decade, without associated symptoms. The best treatment consists of margin free surgical resection (R0). Objectives We analysed our center's surgical experience with SFTP, describing the demographic and individual patient/tumor characteristics, the surgical options and results over a period of 20 years. Materials and Methods The Department's database was searched for SFTP between January 2000 and July 2020, resulting in total of 58 cases. 51 patients were included in the final analysis. Results 31 were women (61%) and 20 men (39%). Most (88%) were diagnosed over age 50, the average age being 60.2 years (range 30 - 78). Symptoms were present in 43% of the patients (22 cases), most commonly coughing, dyspnea or unspecific symptoms (weight loss, tiredness, anorexia). Thoracalgia was present in 17.6% (9) and 7.8% (4) had finger clubbing and polyarthralgia. Doege-Potter syndrome was found in one case (1.9%) and completely resolved after surgery. The largest tumor diameter was 22 cm and the smallest one 2 cm, with an average size of 6,62 cm. Videothoracoscopy was performed in 35% (18 cases) and thoracotomy in the remaining 33 (65%). R0 ressection rate was 90.2%. Lung resection, along with the mass, was performed whenever the origin was the visceral pleura, to insure a safe margin: wedge resection in 49% (25 cases), lobectomy in 5.9% (3 cases) and bilobectomy and pneumonectomy each in 1.9% (one case). Other structural en-bloc resections were also necessary at times: ribs in one case (1.9%) and diaphragm in 2 (3.9%). Predictors of recurrency were present in 30 patients: pleural effusion (1 case, 1.9%), atypical localization (41.2%; 21 cases), histological criteria for malignancy (7 cases,13.7%) and border-line in 1 (1.9%). There were 4 recurrences (7.8%). 3 out of these 4 patients had an atypical localization of the tumor defined as parietal or costal/cisural pleura. In all cases the resection was deemed complete, none had histological criteria for malignancy, but necrosis was present in 3 cases and atypia in the other 2. Disease free survival was 49 months (range 13 - 105). Conclusions Solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura are characterized by uncertain behavior. They often present as large assymptomatic masses. En bloc complete resection is the most important prognostic factor. Relapse can occur more than a decade after the initial diagnosis.
  22. Genes Chromosomes Cancer. 2020 Dec 09.
    Pediatric fibromyxoid soft tissue tumour with PLAG1 fusion: A novel entity?
    Catherine T Chung, Cristina R Antonescu, Brendan C Dickson, Rose Chami, Paula Marrano, Rong Fan, Mary Shago, Meera Hameed, Paul S Thorner.
      The classification of undifferentiated soft tissue tumours continues to evolve with the expanded application of molecular analysis in clinical practice. We report three cases of a unique soft tissue tumour in young children (5 months to 2 years old) displaying a purely fibromyxoid histology, with positive staining for desmin and CD34. In two cases, RNA sequencing detected a YWHAZ-PLAG1 gene fusion, while in the third case, a previously unreported EEF1A1-PLAG1 fusion was identified. PLAG1 fusions have been reported in several pathologic entities including pleomorphic adenoma, myoepithelial tumours of skin and soft tissue, and lipoblastoma, the latter occurring preferentially in young children. In these tumours, expression of a full length PLAG1 protein comes under the control of the constitutively active promoter of the partner gene in the fusion, and the current cases conform to that model. Overexpression of PLAG1 was confirmed by diffusely positive immunostaining for PLAG1 in all three cases. Our findings raise the possibility of a novel fibromyxoid neoplasm in childhood associated with these rare PLAG1 fusion variants. The only other report of a PLAG1-YWHAZ fusion occurred in a pediatric tumour diagnosed as a 'fibroblastic lipoblastoma'. This finding raises the possibility of a relationship with our three cases, even though our cases lacked any fat component. Further studies with regard to a shared pathogenesis are required. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
    Keywords:  EEF1A1; PLAG1; YWHAZ; lipoblastoma; soft tissue; translocation; tumour
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/gcc.22926
  23. Immunotherapy. 2020 Dec 09.
    Is there a role for immune checkpoint inhibitors in selected rare subtypes of soft tissue sarcoma?
    Tarek Assi, Axel Le Cesne, Olivier Mir.
      
    Keywords:  cancer; checkpoint inhibitors; immunotherapy; pembrolizumab; rare; sarcoma
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.2217/imt-2020-0301
  24. Anticancer Res. 2020 Dec;40(12): 7009-7015
    Delayed Initiation of Treatment Is Associated With Metastasis of Soft-tissue Sarcoma.
    Yoshihiro Araki, Norio Yamamoto, Katsuhiro Hayashi, Akihiko Takeuchi, Shinji Miwa, Kentaro Igarashi, Higuchi Takashi, Abe Kensaku, Yuta Taniguchi, Hirotaka Yonezawa, S E Morinaga, Yohei Asano, Hiroyuki Tsuchiya.
      BACKGROUND/AIM: The delayed initiation of treatment is associated with poor clinical outcomes in patients with malignancies. However, few previous studies have investigated prognostic factors, including the delayed initiation of treatment, in soft-tissue sarcoma.PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty-three patients with soft-tissue sarcoma were enrolled. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors predicting metastasis, including factors that delay the initiation of treatment.
    RESULTS: The multivariate analysis revealed that high histological grade (p<0.01), tumor located in the trunk (p=0.04), >5-month delay from symptom initiation to consultation of general practitioner (p=0.02), and >29-day delay in referral to a specialized hospital by general practitioners (p=0.03) were independently associated with metastasis of soft tissue sarcoma.
    CONCLUSION: Early consultation of a general practitioner and early referral to a specialized hospital might be essential for preventing metastasis of soft-tissue sarcoma.
    Keywords:  Soft-tissue sarcoma; early consultation; early referral; histological grade; metastasis; tumor site
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.21873/anticanres.14726
  25. J Mol Diagn. 2020 Dec 04. pii: S1525-1578(20)30577-8. [Epub ahead of print]
    A Pan-Cancer Study of Somatic TERT Promoter Mutations and Amplification in 30,773 Tumors Profiled By Clinical Genomic Sequencing.
    Sounak Gupta, Chad Vanderbilt, Yun-Te Lin, Jamal K Benhamida, Achim A Jungbluth, Satshil Rana, Amir M Boroujeni, Jason C Chang, Tiffany Mcfarlane, Paulo Salazar, Kerry Mullaney, Sumit Middha, Ahmet Zehir, Anuradha Gopalan, Tejus A Bale, Ian Ganly, Maria E Arcila, Ryma Benayed, Michael F Berger, Marc Ladanyi, Snjezana Dogan.
      Promoter mutations involving the TERT gene have been identified in multiple cancer types. Other TERT alterations remain poorly characterized. Sequencing data from 30,773 tumors analyzed by a hybridization capture next-generation sequencing assay (MSK- IMPACT) was analyzed for the presence of TERT alterations. Promoter rearrangements (500 bases upstream of the transcriptional start site), hypermethylation (n=57) and gene expression (n=155) was evaluated for a subset of cases. We identified mutually exclusive and recurrent promoter mutations at 3 hotspots upstream of the transcriptional start site in 11.3% of cases (-124: 74%; -146: 24%; -136: <2%). Mutually exclusive amplification events were identified in another 2.3% of cases, while mutually exclusive rearrangements proximal to the TERT gene were seen in 24 cases. The highest incidence of TERT promoter mutations was seen in cutaneous melanoma (82%), while amplification events significantly outnumbered promoter mutations in well differentiated/ dedifferentiated liposarcoma (14.1% vs 2.4%) and adrenocortical carcinoma (13.6% vs 4.5%). Gene expression analysis suggests that the highest levels of gene expression are seen in cases with amplifications and rearrangements. Hypermethylation events upstream of the TERT coding sequence were not found to be mutually exclusive with known pathogenic alterations. Future studies aimed at defining the prevalence and prognostic impact of TERT alterations should attempt to incorporate other pathogenic TERT alterations as these might significantly impact telomerase function.
    Keywords:  Amplification; Methylation; Promoter Mutation; Rearrangement; TERT
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmoldx.2020.11.003
  26. Biochem Biophys Rep. 2020 Dec;24 100841
    Transient rho-associated coiled-coil containing kinase (ROCK) inhibition on human retinal pigment epithelium results in persistent Rho/ROCK downregulation.
    Shohei Kitahata, Hinako Ichikawa, Yuji Tanaka, Tatsuya Inoue, Kazuaki Kadonosono.
      Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells is the outermost layer of the retina and RPE dysfunction is a key factor in the disease pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Transplantation therapy using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived RPEs has recently received much attention as a treatment for AMD. Preserving these cells under the best possible conditions is important, and preservation methods using Y-27632 have been reported. Rho-associated coiled-coil containing kinase (ROCK) inhibitors are known to inhibit cell death, emerging as important drug candidates for stem cell differentiation and regenerative medicine. However, it has recently been shown that ROCK inhibitors may have a vasodilatory effect on human retinal arterioles, a side effect that should ideally be avoided in RPE transplantation. Although ROCK inhibitors hold great potential, optimizing efficacy while minimizing adverse reactions is critical for translation into a clinical treatment. We examined the effect of transient exposure of RPE cells to ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 to determine whether the extracellular presence of the drug is necessary for ongoing Rho/ROCK downregulation. Human RPE cells were subcultured as a suspension for 4 h in drug-free medium following exposure to Y-27632 for 2 h. A Y-27632 concentration of >10 μM improved cell survival beyond 4 h and cell proliferation in recovery culture medium. ROCK2 expression levels were specifically downregulated by Y-27632 in the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the effect of Y-27632 is not dependent on its extracellular availability and can last beyond the 2 h of exposure. The lasting Rho/ROCK signaling pathway downregulation by Y-27632 suggests that RPE cell transplantation with ROCK inhibitor-free media is possible, which can minimize side effects to host tissue and have wider implications for transplantation methods requiring ROCK inhibition.
    Keywords:  Cell preservation; Retinal pigment epithelium; Rho-associated coiled-coil containing kinase (ROCK) inhibitor; Transient exposure
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrep.2020.100841
  27. RNA. 2020 Dec 09. pii: rna.078519.120. [Epub ahead of print]
    CtIP -mediated alternative mRNA splicing finetunes the DNA damage response.
    Rosario Prados-Carvajal, Guillermo Rodriguez-Real, Gabriel Gutierrez-Pozo, Pablo Huertas.
      In order to survive to the exposure of DNA damaging agents, cells activate a complex response that coordinates the cellular metabolism, cell cycle progression and DNA repair. Among many other events, recent evidence has described global changes in mRNA splicing in cells treated with genotoxic agents. Here, we explore further this DNA damage-dependent alternative splicing. Indeed, we show that both the splicing factor SF3B2 and the repair protein CtIP contribute to the global pattern of splicing both in cells treated or not to DNA damaging agents. Additionally, we focus on a specific DNA damage- and CtIP-dependent alternative splicing event of the helicase PIF1 and explore its relevance for the survival of cells upon exposure to ionizing radiation. Indeed, we described how the nuclear, active form of PIF1 is substituted by a splicing variant, named vPIF1, in a fashion that requires both the presence of DNA damage and CtIP. Interestingly, timely expression of vPIF1 is required for optimal survival to exposure to DNA damaging agents, but early expression of this isoform delays early events of the DNA damage response. On the contrary, expression of the full length PIF1 facilitates those early events, but increases the sensitivity to DNA damaging agents if the expression is maintained long-term.
    Keywords:  Alternative Splicing; CtIP; DNA Damage Response; SF3B
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1261/rna.078519.120
  28. J Pathol Clin Res. 2020 Dec 08.
    Overactivation of the IGF signalling pathway in osteosarcoma: a potential therapeutic target?
    Baptiste Ameline, Michal Kovac, Michaela Nathrath, Maxim Barenboim, Olaf Witt, Andreas H Krieg, Daniel Baumhoer.
      Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumour in children and adolescents. More than a third of patients do not respond to standard therapy and urgently require alternative treatment options. Due to a high degree of inter- and intra-tumoural genomic heterogeneity and complexity, recurrent molecular alterations that could serve as prognostic predictors or therapeutic targets are still lacking in osteosarcoma. Copy number (CN) gains involving the IGF1R gene, however, have been suggested as a potential surrogate marker for treating a subset of patients with IGF1R inhibitors. In this study, we screened a large set of osteosarcomas and found specific CN gains of the IGF1R gene in 18 of 253 (7.1%) cases with corresponding IGF1R overexpression. Despite the discouraging results observed in clinical trials in other tumours so far, focusing only on selected patients with osteosarcoma that show evidence of IGF pathway activation might represent a promising new and innovative treatment approach.
    Keywords:  IGF1R; chromoanagenesis; osteosarcoma; targeted treatment
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/cjp2.191
  29. Semin Cancer Biol. 2020 Dec 05. pii: S1044-579X(20)30264-9. [Epub ahead of print]
    Integrated imaging and molecular analysis to decipher tumor microenvironment in the era of immunotherapy.
    Jia Wu, Aaron T Mayer, Ruijiang Li.
      Radiological imaging is an integral component of cancer care, including diagnosis, staging, and treatment response monitoring. It contains rich information about tumor phenotypes that are governed not only by cancer cell-intrinsic biological processes but also by the tumor microenvironment, such as the composition and function of tumor-infiltrating immune cells. By analyzing the radiological scans using a quantitative radiomics approach, robust relations between specific imaging and molecular phenotypes can be established. Indeed, a number of studies have demonstrated the feasibility of radiogenomics for predicting intrinsic molecular subtypes and gene expression signatures in breast cancer based on MRI. In parallel, promising results have been shown for inferring the amount of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, a key factor for the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy, from standard-of-care radiological images. Compared with the biopsy-based approach, radiogenomics offers a unique avenue to profile the molecular makeup of the tumor and immune microenvironment as well as its evolution in a noninvasive and holistic manner through longitudinal imaging scans. Here, we provide a systematic review of the state of the art radiogenomics studies in the era of immunotherapy and discuss emerging paradigms and opportunities in AI and deep learning approaches. These technical advances are expected to transform the radiogenomics field, leading to the discovery of reliable imaging biomarkers. This will pave the way for their clinical translation to guide precision cancer therapy.
    Keywords:  immunotherapy; machine learning; radiogenomics; radiomics; tumor immune microenvironment
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.12.005
  30. Mol Carcinog. 2020 Dec 07.
    Toll-like receptor-4 deficiency inhibits ultraviolet radiation-induced tumor development by modulation of immune and inflammatory responses.
    Israr Ahmad, Tahseen H Nasti, Heba M Rihan, Hugo Jimenez, Craig A Elmets, Nabiha Yusuf.
      Ultraviolet (UV) B irradiation of the skin induces acute inflammation, as characterized by erythema, edema, and immunosuppression, and is subsequently linked to the progression of skin cancer. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a component of innate immunity, has been shown to play an important role in cancer. To elucidate the role of TLR4 in UVB-induced tumor development, TLR4-proficient (C3H/HeN) and TLR4-deficient (C3H/HeJ) mice were exposed to multiple doses of UVB radiation (200 mJ/cm2 ) for 40 weeks. Photocarcinogenesis was retarded in terms of tumor incidence, and tumor latency, in mice deficient in TLR4 compared with TLR4-proficient mice, whereas significantly greater numbers of tumors occurred in TLR4-proficient mice. There was significant upregulation of inflammatory markers like COX-2, PGE2 , S100A8, and S100A9 in the skin of TLR4-proficient mice than the skin of TLR4-deficient mice. Furthermore, we found that TLR4-proficient mice had a significantly higher number of Gr1+CD11b+ myeloid cells CD4+CD25+ regulatory T-cells than TLR4-deficient mice. Furthermore, the levels of interferon (IFN)-γ cytokine was increased and the levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, and IL-17 cytokines were decreased in serum, skin, and tumor lysates of TLR4-deficient mice in comparison with samples from TLR4-proficient mice. Together, our data indicate that TLR4-mediated inflammation may cause suppression of antitumor responses and trigger the development of UVB-induced skin cancers. Thus, strategies to inhibit TLR4-mediated immune suppression may allow us to develop preventive and therapeutic approaches for the management of UVB-induced cutaneous tumors.
    Keywords:  Toll-like receptor-4; immune system; skin cancer; ultraviolet radiation
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/mc.23271
  31. J Biol Chem. 2020 Dec 07. pii: jbc.RA120.014328. [Epub ahead of print]
    Chromosomal localization of Ewing sarcoma EWSR1/FLI1 protein promotes the induction of aneuploidy.
    Hyewon Park, Haeyoung Kim, Victoria Hassebroek, Yoshiaki Azuma, Chad Slawson, Mizuki Azuma.
      Ewing sarcoma is a pediatric bone cancer that expresses the chimeric protein EWSR1/FLI1. We previously demonstrated that EWSR1/FLI1 impairs the localization of Aurora B kinase to the midzone (the midline structure located between segregating chromosomes) during anaphase. While localization of Aurora B is essential for faithful cell division, it is unknown whether interference with midzone organization by EWSR1/FLI1 induces aneuploidy. To address this, we generated stable Tet-on inducible cell lines with EWSR1/FLI1, using CRISPR/Cas9 technology to integrate the transgene at the safe-harbor AAVS1 locus in DLD-1 cells. Induced cells expressing EWSR1/FLI1 displayed an increased incidence of aberrant localization of Aurora B, and greater levels of aneuploidy, compared to non-induced cells. Furthermore, the expression of EWSR1/FLI1-T79A, containing a threonine (Thr) to alanine (Ala) substitution at amino acid 79, failed to induce these phenotypes, indicating that Thr 79 is critical for EWSR1/FLI1 interference with mitosis. In contrast, the phosphomimetic mutant EWSR1/FLI1-T79D (Thr to aspartic acid (Asp)) retained the high activity as wildtype EWSR1/FLI1. Together, these findings suggest that phosphorylation of EWSR1/FLI1 at Thr 79 promotes the co-localization of EWSR1/FLI1 and Aurora B on the chromosomes during prophase and metaphase, and in addition, impairs the localization of Aurora B during anaphase, leading to induction of aneuploidy. This is the first demonstration of the mechanism for EWSR1/FLI1-dependent induction of aneuploidy associated with mitotic dysfunction, and the identification of the phosphorylation of the Thr 79 of EWSR1/FLI1 as a critical residue required for this induction.
    Keywords:  cancer biology; chromosomes; fusion protein; mitosis; pathogenesis
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.RA120.014328
  32. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2020 Nov;13(11): 37-43
    Case Series and Review on Managing Abscesses Secondary to Hyaluronic Acid Soft Tissue Fillers with Recommended Management Guidelines.
    Zoya Diwan, Sanjay Trikha, Sepideh Etemad-Shahidi, Surbhi Virmani, Catherine Denning, Yusra Al-Mukhtar, Christopher Rennie, Amanda Penny, Yalda Jamali, Nina Cassandra Edwards Parrish.
      With the number of aesthetic soft tissue filler treatments rapidly increasing, we have witnessed an increase in complications associated with such treatments. While rare, abscesses can arise as a result of these treatments, and current detailed guidelines do not exist detailing exactly how to manage them. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to develop evidence-based and experience-based guidelines on how to, specifically, manage abscesses secondary to hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. METHODS: A thorough MEDLINE literature search of keywords, including abscess, abscess management/treatment, hyaluronic acid, dermal fillers, and soft tissue fillers, was completed to collect specific cases of abscesses secondary to soft tissue filler. Inclusion criteria involved papers published from 2010 to 2020 that focused specifically on soft tissue fillers in the face. In addition, we looked at papers that discussed abscesses secondary to soft tissue fillers in general and their management. We also reported three cases of abscesses secondary to hyaluronic acid dermal fillers that have been described by three different practitioners, detailing their history, examination, management, and outcomes. Experience and evidence have been collated to produce management guidelines. RESULTS and CONCLUSION: It is clear that each case is unique, but there is no current universal consensus on the risk assessment before treatment nor general management of abscesses secondary to soft tissue filler. The majority of the reports and cases discussed in the paper suggested the use of co-amoxiclav along with a macrolide or quinolone for at least two weeks. Incision and drainage are universally accepted as gold standard management. Microbiology, sensitivities, and cultures are also recommended. Hyaluronidase use, while controversial, is encouraged in effectively managing abscesses secondary to hyaluronic acid dermal filler.
    Keywords:  Hyaluronic acid; abscess; complications; cosmetic complications management; dermal filler complications; management guidelines
  33. Cancers (Basel). 2020 Dec 04. pii: E3640. [Epub ahead of print]12(12):
    Growth Hormone Upregulates Mediators of Melanoma Drug Efflux and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition In Vitro and In Vivo.
    Yanrong Qian, Reetobrata Basu, Samuel C Mathes, Nathan A Arnett, Silvana Duran-Ortiz, Kevin R Funk, Alison L Brittain, Prateek Kulkarni, Joseph C Terry, Emily Davis, Jordyn T Singerman, Brooke E Henry, Edward O List, Darlene E Berryman, John J Kopchick.
      Growth hormone (GH) and the GH receptor (GHR) are expressed in a wide range of malignant tumors including melanoma. However, the effect of GH/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) on melanoma in vivo has not yet been elucidated. Here we assessed the physical and molecular effects of GH on mouse melanoma B16-F10 and human melanoma SK-MEL-30 cells in vitro. We then corroborated these observations with syngeneic B16-F10 tumors in two mouse lines with different levels of GH/IGF: bovine GH transgenic mice (bGH; high GH, high IGF-1) and GHR gene-disrupted or knockout mice (GHRKO; high GH, low IGF-1). In vitro, GH treatment enhanced mouse and human melanoma cell growth, drug retention and cell invasion. While the in vivo tumor size was unaffected in both bGH and GHRKO mouse lines, multiple drug-efflux pumps were up regulated. This intrinsic capacity of therapy resistance appears to be GH dependent. Additionally, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) gene transcription markers were significantly upregulated in vivo supporting our current and recent in vitro observations. These syngeneic mouse melanoma models of differential GH/IGF action can be valuable tools in screening for therapeutic options where lowering GH/IGF-1 action is important.
    Keywords:  epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition; growth hormone; growth hormone receptor; insulin-like growth factor-1; melanoma; multidrug efflux pumps
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12123640
  34. Curr Opin Genet Dev. 2020 Dec 08. pii: S0959-437X(20)30150-7. [Epub ahead of print]66 1-9
    Predicting immunotherapy response through genomics.
    Marina Candido Visontai Cormedi, Eliezer M Van Allen, Leandro Machado Colli.
      Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) aim to restore the immune system anti-tumor function by blocking two inhibitory axes: CTLA-4/CD28 and PD1/PDL1. ICI is established as a treatment option for multiple cancers, but their remarkable clinical impact is observed only in a fraction of patients. Together with their adverse effects and high cost, it's imperative to identify patients who are likely to benefit from this type of treatment. Genomic features represent promising candidates as predictive biomarkers of response to ICI, with agnostic FDA-approvals of an anti-PD1 drug for tumors with microsatellite instability and tumors with a high mutational burden. Other genomic markers are also emerging to help refine patient selection. In this review, we discuss recent progress in genomic biomarkers development and its challenges, with a focus on alterations in the neoantigen burden, immune, and oncogenic pathways.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gde.2020.11.004
  35. Sci Rep. 2020 Dec 09. 10(1): 21555
    Wnt-inducible Lrp6-APEX2 interacting proteins identify ESCRT machinery and Trk-fused gene as components of the Wnt signaling pathway.
    Gabriele Colozza, Yasaman Jami-Alahmadi, Alyssa Dsouza, Nydia Tejeda-Muñoz, Lauren V Albrecht, Eric A Sosa, James A Wohlschlegel, Edward M De Robertis.
      The canonical Wnt pathway serves as a hub connecting diverse cellular processes, including β-catenin signaling, differentiation, growth, protein stability, macropinocytosis, and nutrient acquisition in lysosomes. We have proposed that sequestration of β-catenin destruction complex components in multivesicular bodies (MVBs) is required for sustained canonical Wnt signaling. In this study, we investigated the events that follow activation of the canonical Wnt receptor Lrp6 using an APEX2-mediated proximity labeling approach. The Wnt co-receptor Lrp6 was fused to APEX2 and used to biotinylate targets that are recruited near the receptor during Wnt signaling at different time periods. Lrp6 proximity targets were identified by mass spectrometry, and revealed that many endosomal proteins interacted with Lrp6 within 5 min of Wnt3a treatment. Interestingly, we found that Trk-fused gene (TFG), previously known to regulate the cell secretory pathway and to be rearranged in thyroid and lung cancers, was strongly enriched in the proximity of Lrp6. TFG depletion with siRNA, or knock-out with CRISPR/Cas9, significantly reduced Wnt/β-catenin signaling in cell culture. In vivo, studies in the Xenopus system showed that TFG is required for endogenous Wnt-dependent embryonic patterning. The results suggest that the multivesicular endosomal machinery and the novel player TFG have important roles in Wnt signaling.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-78019-5
  36. Anticancer Agents Med Chem. 2020 Dec 06.
    Combination of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor with Cu(II) 5,5- diethylbarbiturate Complex Induces Apoptosis in Breast Cancer Stem Cells: A Promising Novel Approach.
    Merve Erkisa, Nazlihan Aztopal, Elif Erturk, Engin Ulukaya, Veysel T Yilmaz, Ferda Ari.
      BACKGROUND: Cancer stem cells (CSC) are subpopulation within the tumor that acts a part in the initiation, progression, recurrence, resistance to drugs and metastasis of cancer. It is well known that epigenetic changes lead to tumor formation in cancer stem cells and show drug resistance. Epigenetic modulators and /or their combination with different agents have been used in cancer therapy.OBJECTIVE: In our study we scope out the effects of combination of a histone deacetylases inhibitor, valproic acid (VPA), and Cu(II) complex [Cu(barb-κN)(barb-κ2N,O)(phen-κN,N')]·H2O] on cytotoxicity/apoptosis in a stem-cell enriched population (MCF-7s) obtained from parental breast cancer cell line (MCF-7).
    METHODS: Viability of the cells was measured by the ATP assay. Apoptosis was elucidated via the assessment of caspase-cleaved cytokeratin 18 (M30 ELISA) and a group of flow cytometry analysis (caspase 3/7 activity, phosphatidylserine translocation by annexin V-FITC assay, DNA damage and oxidative stress) and 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate staining.
    RESULTS: The VPA combined with Cu(II) complex showed anti proliferative activity on MCF-7s cells in a dose- and time-dependently. Treatment with combination of 2.5 mM VPA and 3.12 μM Cu(II) complex induces oxidative stress in a time-dependent manner, as well as apoptosis that is evidenced by the increase in caspase 3/7 activity, positive annexin-V-FITC, and increase in M30 levels.
    CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the combination therapy induces apoptosis following increased oxidative stress, thereby making it a possible promising therapeutic strategy that further analysis is required.
    Keywords:  Cu(II) complex; Epigenetic modulators; apoptosis; breast cancer stem cell; histone deacetylase inhibitor. ; valproic acid
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.2174/1871520621666201207090702
  37. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2020 ;8 545852
    Amnion-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes-Mediated Autophagy Promotes the Survival of Trophoblasts Under Hypoxia Through mTOR Pathway by the Downregulation of EZH2.
    Yijing Chu, Weiping Chen, Wei Peng, Yong Liu, Lin Xu, Jianxin Zuo, Jun Zhou, Yan Zhang, Ning Zhang, Jing Li, Ling Liu, Ke Yao, Guoqiang Gao, Xiaofei Wang, Rendong Han, Chong Liu, Yan Li, Huansheng Zhou, Yuxiang Huang, Yuanhua Ye.
      Human amnion-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) have been reported as a promising effective treatment to repair tissue. Trophoblast dysfunction during pregnancy is significantly involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE). To understand how AD-MSCs regulated trophoblast function, we treated trophoblasts with AD-MSC-derived exosomes under hypoxic conditions. The treatment markedly enhanced the trophoblast proliferation and autophagy. Furthermore, significant decrease of EZH2 levels and inactivation of mTOR signaling were observed in AD-MSC exosomes-treated trophoblasts. Consistent with these findings, overexpression of EZH2 activated the mTOR signaling in trophoblasts, and reduced the autophagy and survival of trophoblasts, even in the presence of AD-MSC-derived exosomes. In addition, EZH2 inhibition exhibited the same trophoblast autophagy-promoting effect as induced by AD-MSC-derived exosomes, also accompanied by the inactivation of mTOR signaling. Importantly, when EZH2 was overexpressed in trophoblasts treated with PQR620, a specific mTOR signaling inhibitor, the autophagy and proliferation in trophoblasts were decreased. Studies on human placental explants also confirmed our findings by showing that the expression levels of EZH2 and mTOR were decreased while the autophagy-associated protein level was increased by AD-MSC-derived exosome treatment. In summary, our results suggest that EZH2-dependent mTOR signaling inactivation mediated by AD-MSC-derived exosomes is a prerequisite for autophagy augmentation in hypoxic trophoblasts.
    Keywords:  EZH2; autophagy; chorionic villous-derived mesenchymal stem cells; mTOR signaling; trophoblasts
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2020.545852
  38. J Hematol Oncol. 2020 Dec 07. 13(1): 170
    Proteomic signatures of 16 major types of human cancer reveal universal and cancer-type-specific proteins for the identification of potential therapeutic targets.
    Yangying Zhou, T Mamie Lih, Jianbo Pan, Naseruddin Höti, Mingming Dong, Liwei Cao, Yingwei Hu, Kyung-Cho Cho, Shao-Yung Chen, Rodrigo Vargas Eguez, Edward Gabrielson, Daniel W Chan, Hui Zhang, Qing Kay Li.
      BACKGROUND: Proteomic characterization of cancers is essential for a comprehensive understanding of key molecular aberrations. However, proteomic profiling of a large cohort of cancer tissues is often limited by the conventional approaches.METHODS: We present a proteomic landscape of 16 major types of human cancer, based on the analysis of 126 treatment-naïve primary tumor tissues, 94 tumor-matched normal adjacent tissues, and 12 normal tissues, using mass spectrometry-based data-independent acquisition approach.
    RESULTS: In our study, a total of 8527 proteins were mapped to brain, head and neck, breast, lung (both small cell and non-small cell lung cancers), esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, colon, kidney, bladder, prostate, uterus and ovary cancers, including 2458 tissue-enriched proteins. Our DIA-based proteomic approach has characterized major human cancers and identified universally expressed proteins as well as tissue-type-specific and cancer-type-specific proteins. In addition, 1139 therapeutic targetable proteins and 21 cancer/testis (CT) antigens were observed.
    CONCLUSIONS: Our discoveries not only advance our understanding of human cancers, but also have implications for the design of future large-scale cancer proteomic studies to assist the development of diagnostic and/or therapeutic targets in multiple cancers.
    Keywords:  Cancer therapeutic targets; Cancer-associated proteins; Data-independent acquisition; Proteomic analysis; Tissue-enriched proteins
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1186/s13045-020-01013-x
  39. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Dec 04. pii: E9248. [Epub ahead of print]21(23):
    Role of Nucleotide Excision Repair in Cisplatin Resistance.
    Mingrui Duan, Jenna Ulibarri, Ke Jian Liu, Peng Mao.
      Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic drug used for the treatment of a number of cancers. The efficacy of cisplatin relies on its binding to DNA and the induction of cytotoxic DNA damage to kill cancer cells. Cisplatin-based therapy is best known for curing testicular cancer; however, treatment of other solid tumors with cisplatin has not been as successful. Pre-clinical and clinical studies have revealed nucleotide excision repair (NER) as a major resistance mechanism against cisplatin in tumor cells. NER is a versatile DNA repair system targeting a wide range of helix-distorting DNA damage. The NER pathway consists of multiple steps, including damage recognition, pre-incision complex assembly, dual incision, and repair synthesis. NER proteins can recognize cisplatin-induced DNA damage and remove the damage from the genome, thereby neutralizing the cytotoxicity of cisplatin and causing drug resistance. Here, we review the molecular mechanism by which NER repairs cisplatin damage, focusing on the recent development of genome-wide cisplatin damage mapping methods. We also discuss how the expression and somatic mutations of key NER genes affect the response of cancer cells to cisplatin. Finally, small molecules targeting NER factors provide important tools to manipulate NER capacity in cancer cells. The status of research on these inhibitors and their implications in cancer treatment will be discussed.
    Keywords:  CSB; DNA damage; ERCC1-XPF; XPA; chemotherapy
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21239248
  40. Cell Death Differ. 2020 Dec 07.
    Functional crosstalk between myeloid Foxo1-β-catenin axis and Hedgehog/Gli1 signaling in oxidative stress response.
    Changyong Li, Mingwei Sheng, Yuanbang Lin, Dongwei Xu, Yizhu Tian, Yongqiang Zhan, Longfeng Jiang, Ana J Coito, Ronald W Busuttil, Douglas G Farmer, Jerzy W Kupiec-Weglinski, Bibo Ke.
      Foxo1 transcription factor is an evolutionarily conserved regulator of cell metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Activation of Hedgehog/Gli signaling is known to regulate cell growth, differentiation, and immune function. However, the molecular mechanisms by which interactive cell signaling networks restrain oxidative stress response and necroptosis are still poorly understood. Here, we report that myeloid-specific Foxo1 knockout (Foxo1M-KO) mice were resistant to oxidative stress-induced hepatocellular damage with reduced macrophage/neutrophil infiltration, and proinflammatory mediators in liver ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI). Foxo1M-KO enhanced β-catenin-mediated Gli1/Snail activity, and reduced receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) and NIMA-related kinase 7 (NEK7)/NLRP3 expression in IR-stressed livers. Disruption of Gli1 in Foxo1M-KO livers deteriorated liver function, diminished Snail, and augmented RIPK3 and NEK7/NLRP3. Mechanistically, macrophage Foxo1 and β-catenin colocalized in the nucleus, whereby the Foxo1 competed with T-cell factor (TCF) for interaction with β-catenin under inflammatory conditions. Disruption of the Foxo1-β-catenin axis by Foxo1 deletion enhanced β-catenin/TCF binding, activated Gli1/Snail signaling, leading to inhibited RIPK3 and NEK7/NLRP3. Furthermore, macrophage Gli1 or Snail knockout activated RIPK3 and increased hepatocyte necroptosis, while macrophage RIPK3 ablation diminished NEK7/NLRP3-driven inflammatory response. Our findings underscore a novel molecular mechanism of the myeloid Foxo1-β-catenin axis in regulating Hedgehog/Gli1 function that is key in oxidative stress-induced liver inflammation and necroptosis.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41418-020-00695-7
  41. PLoS One. 2020 ;15(12): e0243439
    The route to diagnosis of sarcoma patients: Results from an interview study in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
    Vicky L M N Soomers, Winette T A van der Graaf, Shane Zaidi, Suzanne E J Kaal, Andrew J Hayes, Bart H W B Schreuder, Robin L Jones, Ingrid M E Desar, Olga Husson.
      INTRODUCTION: Sarcomas are rare tumours. Early diagnosis is challenging, but important for local control and potentially survival and quality of life(QoL). We investigated (1)the route to diagnosis (RtD) experienced by sarcoma patients, including factors contributing to the length of the RtD from patients' perspective; (2)the impact of the RtD on QoL and care satisfaction; and (3)differences in aims 1-2 between English and Dutch patients.METHODS: Fifteen sarcoma patients from The Royal Marsden Hospital, United Kingdom, and Radboud University Medical Centre, The Netherlands, were interviewed, exploring RtD experiences. Interviews were analysed according to qualitative content analysis.
    RESULTS: The main themes were: patient interval, diagnostic interval, reflection on the RtD and recommendations for improvement. Patient interval was long if symptoms were attributed as benign, did not interfere with daily life or were expected to cease. An incorrect working diagnosis, ineffective process of additional investigations, long referral times and lack of a lead clinician lengthened the diagnostic interval. Long waiting times, false reassurance and inadequate information provision led to dissatisfaction and a high emotional burden. Factors for improvement included increasing awareness of patients and healthcare providers, empowering patients, and having a lead clinician.
    CONCLUSION: The RtD of sarcoma patients is complex. Increasing awareness of patients and healthcare providers may contribute to shorten the RtD.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0243439
  42. Clin Sarcoma Res. 2020 Nov 17. 10(1): 21
    Seeking international consensus on approaches to primary tumour treatment in Ewing sarcoma.
    Craig Gerrand, Jessica Bate, Beatrice Seddon, Uta Dirksen, R Lor Randall, Michiel van de Sande, Paul O'Donnell, John Tuckett, David Peake, Lee Jeys, Asif Saifuddin, Mel Grainger, Jeremy Whelan.
      BACKGROUND: The local treatment of Ewing sarcoma of bone involves surgery, radiotherapy or both. The selection of treatment depends on the anatomical extent of the tumour, the effectiveness of the proposed treatment, its morbidity, and the expectation of cure. However, not only are there variations in the approach to local treatment between individual patients, but also between treatment centres and countries. Our aim was to explore variation in practice and develop consensus statements about local treatment.METHODS: A three stage modified Delphi technique was used with international collaborators. This involved an expert panel to identify areas of controversy, an online survey of international collaborators and a consensus meeting in London, UK in June 2017. In the consensus meeting, teams of clinicians discussed the local management of selected cases and their responses were collected with electronic voting.
    RESULTS: Areas of greater or less consensus were identified. The lack of evidence underpinning different approaches was noted and areas for collaborative research became apparent.
    CONCLUSION: This has demonstrated that there is an international consensus around many aspects of the local treatment of Ewing sarcoma of bone, including the use of specialist MultiDisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings with access to all appropriate treatments. However, considerable variation remains including the use of different staging investigations, decision making, definitions of response, and radiotherapy doses and timing. Further collaborative work should be undertaken to determine the impact of these variations in order to define best practice.
    Keywords:  Combined modality; Ewing sarcoma; Limb salvage; Radiotherapy; Surgery
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1186/s13569-020-00144-6
  43. Anticancer Res. 2020 Dec;40(12): 6941-6945
    Outcome of Soft-tissue Reconstruction in the Setting of Combined Preoperative and Intraoperative Radiotherapy for Extremity Soft-tissue Sarcomas.
    Rachel L Honig, Meagan E Tibbo, Katherine E Mallett, Karim Bakri, Safia K Ahmed, Ivy A Petersen, Peter S Rose, Steven L Moran, Matthew T Houdek.
      BACKGROUND/AIM: Reconstruction for soft-tissue sarcomas is complex and often uses soft-tissue flaps. To preserve critical structures, intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) can be used to boost the total dose to these critical structures and close margins; however, there are limited data on the outcome of soft-tissue reconstruction in patients treated with IORT.PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients received IORT with soft-tissue flap coverage. There were 14 tumors of the lower extremities and six of the upper, including seven free-flaps and 13 pedicle flaps. Mean preoperative and IORT doses were 49.4 Gy and 10.4 Gy, respectively, with a mean total dose of 59.8 Gy.
    RESULTS: Seven (35%) patients had a complication, most commonly an infection (n=4, 27%). Total flap loss occurred in one treated with pedicle flap. Four (20%) patients suffered a radiation-associated fracture. At the final follow-up, the mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score was 75±11%.
    CONCLUSION: Complications and postoperative fractures were common with IORT, however, there were no cases requiring amputation.
    Keywords:  IORT; Intraoperative radiotherapy; flap; limb salvage; soft-tissue reconstruction
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.21873/anticanres.14718
  44. JCO Precis Oncol. 2020 ;pii: PO.20.00122. [Epub ahead of print]4
    Clinical Outcome of Leiomyosarcomas With Somatic Alteration in Homologous Recombination Pathway Genes.
    Evan Rosenbaum, Philip Jonsson, Kenneth Seier, Li-Xuan Qin, Ping Chi, Mark Dickson, Mrinal Gounder, Ciara Kelly, Mary L Keohan, Benjamin Nacev, Mark T A Donoghue, Sarah Chiang, Samuel Singer, Marc Ladanyi, Cristina R Antonescu, Martee L Hensley, Sujana Movva, Sandra P D'Angelo, William D Tap.
      PURPOSE: To detect alterations in DNA damage repair (DDR) genes, measure homologous recombination deficiency (HRD), and correlate these findings with clinical outcome in patients with leiomyosarcoma (LMS).PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with LMS treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center who consented to prospective targeted next-generation sequencing with MSK-IMPACT were screened for oncogenic somatic variants in one of 33 DDR genes; where feasible, an experimental HRD score was calculated from IMPACT data. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated after stratifying patients by DDR gene alteration status and HRD score.
    RESULTS: Of 211 patients with LMS, 20% had an oncogenic DDR gene alteration. Univariable analysis of PFS in 117 patients who received standard frontline chemotherapy in the metastatic setting found that an altered homologous recombination pathway gene was significantly associated with shorter PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.79; 95% CI, 1.04 to 3.07; P = .035). Non-BRCA homologous recombination gene alteration was associated with shorter PFS (HR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.35 to 5.04; P = .004) compared with BRCA-altered and wild-type homologous recombination genes. Univariable analysis of OS from diagnosis in the entire cohort of 211 patients found that age, tumor size, number of metastatic sites, localized disease, and non-BRCA homologous recombination gene alteration were significantly associated with OS. On multivariable analysis, non-BRCA homologous recombination pathway gene alteration remained significant (HR, 4.91; 95% CI, 2.47 to 9.76; P < .001). High HRD score was not associated with a different PFS or OS.
    CONCLUSION: Patients with LMS with homologous recombination pathway gene alterations have poor clinical outcomes, particularly those with non-BRCA gene alterations. HRD score calculated from a targeted exome panel did not discern disparate clinical outcomes.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1200/PO.20.00122
  45. Brief Funct Genomics. 2020 Dec 07. pii: elaa022. [Epub ahead of print]
    Emerging roles of RNA modifications in genome integrity.
    Seo Yun Lee, Jae Jin Kim, Kyle M Miller.
      Post-translational modifications of proteins are well-established participants in DNA damage response (DDR) pathways, which function in the maintenance of genome integrity. Emerging evidence is starting to reveal the involvement of modifications on RNA in the DDR. RNA modifications are known regulators of gene expression but how and if they participate in DNA repair and genome maintenance has been poorly understood. Here, we review several studies that have now established RNA modifications as key components of DNA damage responses. RNA modifying enzymes and the binding proteins that recognize these modifications localize to and participate in the repair of UV-induced and DNA double-strand break lesions. RNA modifications have a profound effect on DNA-RNA hybrids (R-loops) at DNA damage sites, a structure known to be involved in DNA repair and genome stability. Given the importance of the DDR in suppressing mutations and human diseases such as neurodegeneration, immunodeficiencies, cancer and aging, RNA modification pathways may be involved in human diseases not solely through their roles in gene expression but also by their ability to impact DNA repair and genome stability.
    Keywords:  DNA damage; DNA repair; R-loops; RNA modification; genome integrity; transcription
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1093/bfgp/elaa022
  46. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2020 Dec 09.
    What sports activity levels are achieved in long-term survivors with modular endoprosthetic humerus reconstruction following primary bone sarcoma resection?
    Nikolaus W Lang, Maximilian F Kasparek, Lukas Synak, Wenzel Waldstein, Philipp T Funovics, Reinhard Windhager, Gerhard M Hobusch.
      BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to assess (1) sports activity, (2) sports involving the upper extremities, (3) functional outcome and (4) sports-related complications of long-term survivors of primary malignant bone tumors of the proximal humerus.METHODS: A total of 18 patients with an endoprosthetic reconstruction for primary malignant bone sarcoma of the proximal humerus (8 male, 10 female, mean age 19.9 ± 8.4 years, range 7.8-37.4 years) with an average follow-up of 18.1 ± 7.4 years (range 6.7-29.8 years) were included. The type of sport, frequency, duration of each sport session and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) activity score were assessed before surgery, at 1 year, 3 years and at the latest follow-up. Functional outcome was assessed by the Toronto extremity salvage score (TESS).
    RESULTS: The mean UCLA activity score decreased from 8.0 (±1.3, range 5-9) preoperative to 4.2 (±1.7, range 3-8) at 1‑year follow-up (p < 0.05). After 3 years it increased to 5.1 (±1.75, range 3-8) and further to 7 (±1.8, range 4-9) at the last follow-up. The mean postoperative TESS was 80.8 (±6.4, range 75.7-91.4) at the latest follow-up. Patients who were initially more active without reconstruction including a synthetic mesh were more likely to develop soft tissue complications accompanied by proximal endoprothesis migration.
    CONCLUSION: Patients with a modular endoprosthetic reconstruction of the humerus following primary bone sarcoma resume participation in sports. Regarding the low incidence of periprosthetic infections, utilization of a synthetic mesh for reconstruction to prevent soft tissue complications in active patients should be considered.
    Keywords:  Bone sarcoma; Complications; Megaprosthesis; Postoperative functional outcome; Synthetic mesh
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-020-01779-7
  47. Sci Rep. 2020 Dec 08. 10(1): 21486
    Doxorubicin increases permeability of murine small intestinal epithelium and cultured T84 monolayers.
    Paul Cray, Breanna J Sheahan, Jocsa E Cortes, Christopher M Dekaney.
      Enteric bacteria and/or their products are necessary for doxorubicin (DXR)-induced small intestine mucosal damage. While DXR does not induce gross loss of epithelium, others have shown elevated serum endotoxin after DXR administration. However, the mechanism of movement is unknown. We hypothesized that DXR treatment resulted in increased paracellular translocation of bacteria or bacterial products through the small intestinal epithelium. We measured permeability after DXR administration using transepithelial resistance and macromolecular flux and assessed tight junctional gene expression and protein localization both in vitro using T84 cells and ex vivo using murine jejunum. DXR treatment increased flux of 4 kDa dextrans in mouse jejenum, but increased flux of 4, 10 and 20 kDa dextrans in T84 cells. Following DXR, we observed increased permeability, both in vitro and ex vivo, independent of bacteria. DXR induced increased expression of Cldn2 and Cldn4 in murine small intestine but increased only CLDN2 expression in T84 cells. DXR treatment induced disorganization of tight junctional proteins. We conclude that DXR increases paracellular transit of small macromolecules, including bacterial products, through the epithelium, by altering expression of tight junctional components and dynamic loosening of cellular tight junctions.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-78473-1
  48. Cells. 2020 Dec 04. pii: E2600. [Epub ahead of print]9(12):
    The Role of Mitochondrial Fat Oxidation in Cancer Cell Proliferation and Survival.
    Matheus Pinto De Oliveira, Marc Liesa.
      Tumors remodel their metabolism to support anabolic processes needed for replication, as well as to survive nutrient scarcity and oxidative stress imposed by their changing environment. In most healthy tissues, the shift from anabolism to catabolism results in decreased glycolysis and elevated fatty acid oxidation (FAO). This change in the nutrient selected for oxidation is regulated by the glucose-fatty acid cycle, also known as the Randle cycle. Briefly, this cycle consists of a decrease in glycolysis caused by increased mitochondrial FAO in muscle as a result of elevated extracellular fatty acid availability. Closing the cycle, increased glycolysis in response to elevated extracellular glucose availability causes a decrease in mitochondrial FAO. This competition between glycolysis and FAO and its relationship with anabolism and catabolism is conserved in some cancers. Accordingly, decreasing glycolysis to lactate, even by diverting pyruvate to mitochondria, can stop proliferation. Moreover, colorectal cancer cells can effectively shift to FAO to survive both glucose restriction and increases in oxidative stress at the expense of decreasing anabolism. However, a subset of B-cell lymphomas and other cancers require a concurrent increase in mitochondrial FAO and glycolysis to support anabolism and proliferation, thus escaping the competing nature of the Randle cycle. How mitochondria are remodeled in these FAO-dependent lymphomas to preferably oxidize fat, while concurrently sustaining high glycolysis and increasing de novo fatty acid synthesis is unclear. Here, we review studies focusing on the role of mitochondrial FAO and mitochondrial-driven lipid synthesis in cancer proliferation and survival, specifically in colorectal cancer and lymphomas. We conclude that a specific metabolic liability of these FAO-dependent cancers could be a unique remodeling of mitochondrial function that licenses elevated FAO concurrent to high glycolysis and fatty acid synthesis. In addition, blocking this mitochondrial remodeling could selectively stop growth of tumors that shifted to mitochondrial FAO to survive oxidative stress and nutrient scarcity.
    Keywords:  ATF4; ISR; cancer; fatty acid oxidation; glycolysis; lipogenesis; mitochondria
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9122600
  49. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2020 Nov 12. pii: S1040-8428(20)30308-5. [Epub ahead of print]157 103172
    Neoadjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer, current state of the art.
    Olivia Le Saux, Yasmine Lounici, Pauline Wajda, Sarah Barrin, Christophe Caux, Bertrand Dubois, Isabelle Ray-Coquard.
      Immunotherapy has been a revolution in cancer management in the metastatic setting. This has led to a prompt evaluation of such therapies in earlier stages. This article discusses the still limited amount of data finding the rationale to assess such therapy in this setting and reviews preclinical and clinical data available. Overall, neoadjuvant immunotherapy is a promising approach for the treatment of cancers and the rationale supporting its use is strong. Neoadjuvant immunotherapy resulted, in the majority of clinical trials, in improved pathologic complete response rates with a favorable toxicity profile and no delay in surgery. Various regimens were effective: inhibitory immune check-point blockers (IICPB) alone, combination of PD-1 and CTLA-4 inhibitors, combination of chemotherapy (CT) and IICPB, phased CT and IICPB (either IICPB before CT or IICPB after CT). Yet the question whether neoadjuvant immunotherapy will benefit to patients in terms of disease-free and, ultimately, overall survival remains unknown.
    Keywords:  Cancer; Immunotherapy; Neoadjuvant; Preclinical data
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.critrevonc.2020.103172
  50. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2020 ;8 573747
    The Two-Way Relationship Between Calcium and Metabolism in Cancer.
    Camille Dejos, Dimitra Gkika, Anna Rita Cantelmo.
      Calcium ion (Ca2+) signaling is critical to many physiological processes, and its kinetics and subcellular localization are tightly regulated in all cell types. All Ca2+ flux perturbations impact cell function and may contribute to various diseases, including cancer. Several modulators of Ca2+ signaling are attractive pharmacological targets due to their accessibility at the plasma membrane. Despite this, the number of specific inhibitors is still limited, and to date there are no anticancer drugs in the clinic that target Ca2+ signaling. Ca2+ dynamics are impacted, in part, by modifications of cellular metabolic pathways. Conversely, it is well established that Ca2+ regulates cellular bioenergetics by allosterically activating key metabolic enzymes and metabolite shuttles or indirectly by modulating signaling cascades. A coordinated interplay between Ca2+ and metabolism is essential in maintaining cellular homeostasis. In this review, we provide a snapshot of the reciprocal interaction between Ca2+ and metabolism and discuss the potential consequences of this interplay in cancer cells. We highlight the contribution of Ca2+ to the metabolic reprogramming observed in cancer. We also describe how the metabolic adaptation of cancer cells influences this crosstalk to regulate protumorigenic signaling pathways. We suggest that the dual targeting of these processes might provide unprecedented opportunities for anticancer strategies. Interestingly, promising evidence for the synergistic effects of antimetabolites and Ca2+-modulating agents is emerging.
    Keywords:  calcium; cancer; interplay; metabolism; signaling
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2020.573747
  51. Am J Cancer Res. 2020 ;10(11): 3508-3531
    The protective role of short-chain fatty acids acting as signal molecules in chemotherapy- or radiation-induced intestinal inflammation.
    Tian Tian, Yangzhi Zhao, Yi Yang, Tiejun Wang, Shunzi Jin, Jie Guo, Zhongshan Liu.
      A compelling set of links between chemotherapy- or radiation-induced intestinal inflammation and microbial dysbiosis has emerged. It is the proportional imbalance between pathogenic and beneficial bacteria that aggravates intestinal mucositis. Bacteria that ferment fibers and produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), (such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate) are typically reduced in the mucosa and feces of patients undergoing cancer therapy. In contrast, increasing lipopolysaccharide-producing bacteria result in proinflammatory events by interacting with Toll-like receptors. A collective acceptance is that bacterial metabolites are critical in recovering intestinal homeostasis. We herein review evidence supporting the positive roles carried out by SCFAs. SCFAs, acting as signaling molecules, directly activate G-coupled-receptors and inhibit histone deacetylases. Thus, SCFAs are able to strengthen the gut barrier and regulate immunomodulatory functions. Furthermore, it is possible to reverse intestinal microbial dysbiosis and subsequently suppress the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by directly applying SCFA-producing bacteria. In addition, anticancer effects of SCFAs have proved in the colorectal cancer. In this review, we discuss microbial dysbiosis and its impact on chemotherapy- or radiation-induced intestinal mucositis. Moreover, we summarize the mechanisms of SCFA production and its effects on intestinal mucositis. This review suggests the therapeutic potential of SCFAs for the management of chemotherapy- or radiation-induced intestinal inflammation.
    Keywords:  Short-chain fatty acids; chemotherapy; dysbiosis; intestinal inflammation; radiotherapy
  52. Molecules. 2020 Dec 07. pii: E5776. [Epub ahead of print]25(23):
    Antitumor Drugs and Their Targets.
    Zlatko Dembic.
      Through novel methodologies, including both basic and clinical research, progress has been made in the therapy of solid cancer. Recent innovations in anticancer therapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitor biologics, therapeutic vaccines, small drugs, and CAR-T cell injections, mark a new epoch in cancer research, already known for faster (epi-)genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics. As the long-sought after personalization of cancer therapies comes to fruition, the need to evaluate all current therapeutic possibilities and select the best for each patient is of paramount importance. This is a novel task for medical care that deserves prominence in therapeutic considerations in the future. This is because cancer is a complex genetic disease. In its deadly form, metastatic cancer, it includes altered genes (and their regulators) that encode ten hallmarks of cancer-independent growth, dodging apoptosis, immortalization, multidrug resistance, neovascularization, invasiveness, genome instability, inflammation, deregulation of metabolism, and avoidance of destruction by the immune system. These factors have been known targets for many anticancer drugs and treatments, and their modulation is a therapeutic goal, with the hope of rendering solid cancer a chronic rather than deadly disease. In this article, the current therapeutic arsenal against cancers is reviewed with a focus on immunotherapies.
    Keywords:  biologics; cancer; cancer hallmarks; chemotherapy; immune checkpoint; immune system; immunotherapy
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25235776
  53. Sci Rep. 2020 Dec 07. 10(1): 21364
    Canonical and noncanonical TGF-β signaling regulate fibrous tissue differentiation in the axial skeleton.
    Sade W Clayton, Ga I Ban, Cunren Liu, Rosa Serra.
      Previously, we showed that embryonic deletion of TGF-β type 2 receptor in mouse sclerotome resulted in defects in fibrous connective tissues in the spine. Here we investigated how TGF-β regulates expression of fibrous markers: Scleraxis, Fibromodulin and Adamtsl2. We showed that TGF-β stimulated expression of Scleraxis mRNA by 2 h and Fibromodulin and Adamtsl2 mRNAs by 8 h of treatment. Regulation of Scleraxis by TGF-β did not require new protein synthesis; however, protein synthesis was required for expression of Fibromodulin and Adamtsl2 indicating the necessity of an intermediate. We subsequently showed Scleraxis was a potential intermediate for TGF-β-regulated expression of Fibromodulin and Adamtsl2. The canonical effector Smad3 was not necessary for TGF-β-mediated regulation of Scleraxis. Smad3 was necessary for regulation of Fibromodulin and Adamtsl2, but not sufficient to super-induce expression with TGF-β treatment. Next, the role of several noncanonical TGF-β pathways were tested. We found that ERK1/2 was activated by TGF-β and required to regulate expression of Scleraxis, Fibromodulin, and Adamtsl2. Based on these results, we propose a model in which TGF-β regulates Scleraxis via ERK1/2 and then Scleraxis and Smad3 cooperate to regulate Fibromodulin and Adamtsl2. These results define a novel signaling mechanism for TGFβ-mediated fibrous differentiation in sclerotome.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-78206-4
  54. Mol Syst Biol. 2020 10;16(10): e9885
    Genome-wide off-rates reveal how DNA binding dynamics shape transcription factor function.
    Wim J de Jonge, Mariël Brok, Philip Lijnzaad, Patrick Kemmeren, Frank Cp Holstege.
      Protein-DNA interactions are dynamic, and these dynamics are an important aspect of chromatin-associated processes such as transcription or replication. Due to a lack of methods to study on- and off-rates across entire genomes, protein-DNA interaction dynamics have not been studied extensively. Here, we determine in vivo off-rates for the Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromatin organizing factor Abf1, at 191 sites simultaneously across the yeast genome. Average Abf1 residence times span a wide range, varying between 4.2 and 33 min. Sites with different off-rates are associated with different functional characteristics. This includes their transcriptional dependency on Abf1, nucleosome positioning and the size of the nucleosome-free region, as well as the ability to roadblock RNA polymerase II for termination. The results show how off-rates contribute to transcription factor function and that DIVORSEQ (Determining In Vivo Off-Rates by SEQuencing) is a meaningful way of investigating protein-DNA binding dynamics genome-wide.
    Keywords:  DNA binding dynamics; epigenetics; genomics; systems biology; transcription
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.15252/msb.20209885
  55. Sci Rep. 2020 Dec 10. 10(1): 21634
    Cell-cell fusion of mesenchymal cells with distinct differentiations triggers genomic and transcriptomic remodelling toward tumour aggressiveness.
    Lucile Delespaul, Caroline Gélabert, Tom Lesluyes, Sophie Le Guellec, Gaëlle Pérot, Laura Leroy, Jessica Baud, Candice Merle, Lydia Lartigue, Frédéric Chibon.
      Cell-cell fusion is a physiological process that is hijacked during oncogenesis and promotes tumour evolution. The main known impact of cell fusion is to promote the formation of metastatic hybrid cells following fusion between mobile leucocytes and proliferating tumour cells. We show here that cell fusion between immortalized myoblasts and transformed fibroblasts, through genomic instability and expression of a specific transcriptomic profile, leads to emergence of hybrid cells acquiring dissemination properties. This is associated with acquisition of clonogenic ability by fused cells. In addition, by inheriting parental properties, hybrid tumours were found to mimic the histological characteristics of a specific histotype of sarcomas: undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas with incomplete muscular differentiation. This finding suggests that cell fusion, as macroevolution event, favours specific sarcoma development according to the differentiation lineage of parent cells.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-78502-z
  56. Transl Oncol. 2020 Dec 05. pii: S1936-5233(20)30467-8. [Epub ahead of print]14(1): 100975
    Fatty acid binding protein-4 promotes alcohol-dependent hepatosteatosis and hepatocellular carcinoma progression.
    Neha Attal, Mariel T Sullivan, Cara A Girardi, Kyle J Thompson, Iain H McKillop.
      Fatty liver disease (hepatosteatosis) is a common early pathology in alcohol-dependent and obese patients. Fatty acid binding protein-4 (FABP4) is normally expressed in adipocytes and macrophages and functions as a regulator of intracellular lipid movement/storage. This study sought to investigate hepatic FABP4 expression and function in alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Using chronic ethanol fed mouse models and patient samples FABP4 expression was analyzed. Human HCC cells, and HCC cells transfected to express CYP2E1, were exposed to ethanol and analyzed for FABP4 expression, or exposed to rhFABP4 (in the absence/presence of ERK, p38-MAPK or JNK1/2 inhibitors) and cell proliferation and migration measured. Hepatosteatotic-ALD mouse models exhibited increased hepatic FABP4 mRNA and protein levels, with FABP4 expression confirmed in hepatocytes. In HCC cells, CYP2E1-dependent ethanol metabolism induced FABP4 expression in vitro and exogenous rhFABP4 stimulated proliferation and migration, effects abrogated by ERK and JNK1/2 inhibition. Increased FABP4 was also detected in ALD/ALD-HCC patients, but not patients with viral hepatitis/HCC. Collectively these data demonstrate ethanol metabolism induces hepatic FABP4 expression and FABP4 promotes hepatoma cell proliferation/migration. These data suggest liver-derived FABP4 may be an important paracrine-endocrine factor during hepatic foci expansion and/or hepatoma progression in the underlying setting of ALD.
    Keywords:  Alcohol; Fatty acid binding protein 4; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Hepatosteatosis; Liver
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranon.2020.100975
  57. Cancer. 2020 Dec 09.
    Real-world outcomes of patients with locally advanced or metastatic epithelioid sarcoma.
    Mrinal M Gounder, Priscilla Merriam, Ravin Ratan, Shreyaskumar R Patel, Rashmi Chugh, Victor M Villalobos, Mark Thornton, Brian A Van Tine, Amr H Abdelhamid, Jennifer Whalen, Jay Yang, Anand Rajarethinam, Mei Sheng Duh, Priyanka J Bobbili, Lynn Huynh, Todor I Totev, Angela K Lax, Shefali Agarwal, George D Demetri.
      BACKGROUND: Limited data are available on the real-world effectiveness and safety of systemic therapies for advanced (surgically unresectable and/or metastatic) epithelioid sarcoma (ES).METHODS: A retrospective medical records review was conducted in patients with advanced ES who were initiating first-line or ≥2 lines of systemic therapy (2000-2017) at 5 US cancer centers. The real-world overall response rate (rwORR), the duration of response (rwDOR), the disease control rate (rwDCR) (defined as stable disease for ≥32 weeks or any duration of response), and progression-free survival (rwPFS) were assessed by radiology reports. Overall survival (OS), rwDOR, and rwPFS were estimated from the time therapy was initiated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Serious adverse events were assessed.
    RESULTS: Of 74 patients (median age at diagnosis, 33 years; range, 10.6-76.3 years), 72% were male, and 85% had metastatic disease. The median number of lines of therapy was 2 (range, 1-7 lines of therapy), and 46 patients (62%) received ≥2 lines of systemic therapy. First-line regimens were usually anthracycline-based (54%) or gemcitabine-based (24%). For patients receiving first-line systemic therapy, the rwORR was 15%, the rwDCR was 20%, the median rwDOR was 3.3 months (95% CI, 2.1-5.2 months), the median rwPFS was 2.5 months (95% CI, 1.7, 6.9 months), and the median OS was 15.2 months (95% CI, 11.4-21.7 months). For those who received ≥2 lines of systemic therapy, the rwORR was 9%, the rwDCR was 20%, the median rwDOR was 4.5 months (95% CI, 0.7-5.6 months), and the median rwPFS was 6.0 months (95% CI, 3.2-7.4 months). Over one-half of patients (51.4%) experienced an adverse event, most frequently febrile neutropenia (14%), pain (10%), anemia, dyspnea, fever, thrombocytopenia, or transaminitis (5% each).
    CONCLUSIONS: Systemic therapies demonstrate limited efficacy in patients with advanced ES and have associated toxicities.
    Keywords:  chemotherapy; epithelioid; natural history; personal medical records; review of reported cases; sarcoma; treatment efficacy
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.33365
  58. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2020 ;2020 5708692
    Monoclonal Antibody to CD14, TLR4, or CD11b: Impact of Epitope and Isotype Specificity on ROS Generation by Human Granulocytes and Monocytes.
    Dmitry S Kabanov, Sergey V Grachev, Isabella R Prokhorenko.
      Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs or endotoxins) from Gram-negative bacteria represent pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) that are recognized by CD14 and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Lipopolysaccharides prime polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) for substantial production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during its response to secondary stimuli such as chemoattractants or pathogens. The excessive ROS production can damage surrounding host tissues, thereby amplifying the inflammatory reaction caused by pathogens. Today, specific antibodies against CD14, TLR4, and CD11b are being used as the essential tools to elucidate the role of these receptors in acute inflammation and some of these antibodies have advised as therapeutic agents for clinical use. Because each antibody has two antigen-binding arms [F(ab')2] and one Fc arm, its effect on cellular response is much more complicated rather than simple blockage of target receptor. In fact, IgG antibody, once bound to target receptor, engages Fc receptors γ (FcγRs) and thereby is able to activate the adaptive immune system. The consequences of antibody-dependent binary heterotypic association of CD14, TLR4, or CD11b with FcγRs as well as homotypic one on ROS production are not well elucidated. Moreover, the consequences of antigenic recognition of CD14, TLR4, or CD11b by specific F(ab')2 fragments are not always investigated. In this review, we will discuss known mechanisms underlying the therapeutic efficiency of CD14, TLR4, and CD11b/CD18 antibodies with a focus on LPS-dependent ROS or cytokine production by PMNs or monocytes. The impacts of F(ab')2 as well as antibody IgG subclasses (isotypes) in therapeutic efficiency or agonistic potency of known antibodies against abovementioned receptors are presented. We also pay attention to how the efficiency of different IgG antibody subclasses is modulated during LPS-induced inflammation and by production of priming agents such as interferon γ (IFN-γ). Our review reinforces the molecular targets and therapeutic approaches to amelioration of harmful consequences of excessive activation of human pattern recognition receptors.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/5708692
  59. Cancer Cell Int. 2020 Dec 02. 20(1): 577
    Assessing immune infiltration and the tumor microenvironment for the diagnosis and prognosis of sarcoma.
    Naiqiang Zhu, Jingyi Hou.
      BACKGROUND: Sarcomas, cancers originating from mesenchymal cells, are comprehensive tumors with poor prognoses, yet their tumorigenic mechanisms are largely unknown. In this study, we characterize infiltrating immune cells and analyze immune scores to identify the molecular mechanism of immunologic response to sarcomas.METHOD: The "CIBERSORT" algorithm was used to calculate the amount of L22 immune cell infiltration in sarcomas. Then, the "ESTIMATE" algorithm was used to assess the "Estimate," "Immune," and "Stromal" scores. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was utilized to identify the significant module related to the immune therapeutic target. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed using the "clusterProfiler" package in R for annotation and visualization.
    RESULTS: Macrophages were the most common immune cells infiltrating sarcomas. The number of CD8 T cells was negatively associated with that of M0 and M2 macrophages, and positively associated with M macrophages in sarcomas samples. The clinical parameters (disease type, gender) significantly increased with higher Estimate, Immune, and Stromal scores, and with a better prognosis. The blue module was significantly associated with CD8 T cells. Functional enrichment analysis showed that the blue module was mainly involved in chemokine signaling and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. CD48, P2RY10 and RASAL3 were identified and validated at the protein level.
    CONCLUSION: Based on the immune cell infiltration and immune microenvironment, three key genes were identified, thus presenting novel molecular mechanisms of sarcoma metastasis.
    Keywords:  Immune infiltration; Prognosis; Sarcomas; Tumor microenvironment; Weighted gene co-expression analysis
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1186/s12935-020-01672-3
  60. Oncol Lett. 2021 Jan;21(1): 64
    Histone deacetylase 6 inhibition in urothelial cancer as a potential new strategy for cancer treatment.
    Hiroo Kuroki, Tsutomu Anraku, Akira Kazama, Yuko Shirono, Vladimir Bilim, Yoshihiko Tomita.
      Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are enzymes that remove acetyl groups from histones and have attracted attention as potential targets for cancer therapy. Several small molecule inhibitors have been developed to target HDACs; however, clinical trials of pan-HDAC inhibitors have found these types of inhibitors to be inefficient and to be relatively highly toxic. In the present study, the role of one HDAC isozyme, HDAC6, in urothelial cancer was investigated. Protein expression levels and subcellular localization of HDAC6 was identified in surgically resected bladder tumors using immunohistochemistry. The antitumor effects of 12 small molecule HDAC6 inhibitors were also examined in vitro using cultured urothelial cancer cells. The HDAC6 inhibitors decreased cell viability, with IC50 values in the low µM range, as low as 2.20 µM. HDACi D, E and F had the lowest IC50 values. HDAC6 has been previously reported to regulate programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and PD-L1 expression was found to be a predictor of decreased overall survival time. There was no association between the protein expression level of HDAC6 and PD-L1 in tumor tissues; however, HDAC6 inhibition by specific small molecule inhibitors resulted in decreased expression levels of membranous PD-L1 in cultured urothelial cancer cell lines. The results suggested that inhibition of HDAC6 could be a promising novel approach for the treatment of urothelial cancer.
    Keywords:  HDAC6; apoptosis; bladder cancer; cell cycle; small molecule inhibitor
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2020.12315
  61. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 2020 Dec;24(6): 692-709
    Interventional Techniques for Bone and Musculoskeletal Soft Tissue Tumors: Current Practices and Future Directions - Part I. Ablation.
    Danoob Dalili, Amanda Isaac, Alberto Bazzocchi, Gunnar Åström, Jonas Bergh, Radhesh Lalam, Marc-André Weber, Jan Fritz, Ramy Mansour.
      Musculoskeletal (MSK) image-guided oncologic intervention is an established field within radiology. Numerous studies have described its clinical benefits, safety, cost effectiveness, patient satisfaction, and improved quality of life, thereby establishing image-guided oncologic intervention as a preferred pathway in treating patients presenting with specific benign MSK tumors. But there is a paradigm shift on the horizon because these techniques may also support established pillars (surgery, systemic treatment, radiotherapy) in the treatment of malignant MSK tumors. Unlike benign tumors, where they are used as primary therapy lines with curative intent, such interventions can be selected for malignant tumors as adjuvant treatment in painful or unstable bone or soft tissue lesions or as more palliative therapy strategies. Using examples from our clinical practices, we elaborate on the benefits of applying a multidisciplinary approach (traditionally involving MSK radiologists, oncologists, orthopaedic surgeons, microbiologists, pathologists, physiotherapists, and pain management experts), ideally within a sarcoma treatment center to deliver a patient-specific therapy plan and illustrate methods to assess the benefits of this model of care.In this article, we review the current repertoire of ablation techniques, demonstrate why such procedures offer value-based alternatives to conventional treatments of specific tumors, and reflect on future directions. Additionally, we review the advantages and limitations of each technique and offer guidance to improve outcomes.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1719103
  62. Nutrients. 2020 Dec 07. pii: E3753. [Epub ahead of print]12(12):
    Acer tegmentosum Maxim Inhibits Adipogenesis in 3t3-l1 Adipocytes and Attenuates Lipid Accumulation in Obese Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet.
    Hang-Hee Cho, Soo-Jung Lee, Sung-Ho Kim, Sun-Hee Jang, Chungkil Won, Hong-Duck Kim, Tae Hoon Kim, Jae-Hyeon Cho.
      We investigated the effect of Acer tegmentosum Maxim (ATM) on adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells and anti-obesity properties in obese rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Cellular lipid content in DMI (dexamethasone, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, and insulin mixture)-treated cells increased, while ATM treatment caused a significant reduction in lipid accumulation in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. ATM (60 ug/mL) caused inhibition of adipogenesis via down-regulation of the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ) (48%), C/EBPα (66%), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) (64%) expressions in 3T3-L1 cells. Moreover, ATM induced a decrease in the expressions of adipocyte-specific genes, such as adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein-2 (aP2), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and lipoprotein lipase (LPL). Protein kinase B (Akt) and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) phosphorylation was also decreased by ATM treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We investigated the anti-obesity effects of ATM on HFD-induced obese rats. Rats fed with an HFD demonstrated elevations in body weight gain, while the administration of ATM reversed body weight (BW) gains and adipose tissue weights in rats fed an HFD. ATM supplementation caused a decrease in the circulating triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and led to inhibition of lipid accumulation in the adipose tissues in HFD-induced obese rats. Epididymal fat exhibited significantly larger adipocytes in the HFD group than it did in the ATM-treated group. These results demonstrate that ATM administration caused a reduction in adiposity via attenuation in adipose tissue mass and adipocyte size.
    Keywords:  3T3-L1 cells; Acer tegmentosum Maxim; adipocyte differentiation; high-fat diet; obesity
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12123753
  63. Mol Cancer Ther. 2020 Dec 10.
    Targeting PIM Kinases to Overcome Therapeutic Resistance in Cancer.
    Rachel K Toth, Noel A Warfel.
      Cancer progression and the onset of therapeutic resistance are often the results of uncontrolled activation of survival kinases. The proviral integration for the Moloney murine leukemia virus (PIM) kinases are oncogenic serine/threonine kinases that regulate tumorigenesis by phosphorylating a wide range of substrates that control cellular metabolism, proliferation, and survival. Because of their broad impact on cellular processes that facilitate progression and metastasis in many cancer types, it has become clear that the activation of PIM kinases is a significant driver of resistance to various types of anticancer therapies. As a result, efforts to target PIM kinases for anticancer therapy have intensified in recent years. Clinical and preclinical studies indicate that pharmacologic inhibition of PIM has the potential to significantly improve the efficacy of standard and targeted therapies. This review focuses on the signaling pathways through which PIM kinases promote cancer progression and resistance to therapy, as well as highlights biological contexts and promising strategies to exploit PIM as a therapeutic target in cancer.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-20-0535
  64. Drug Res (Stuttg). 2020 Dec 07.
    Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and Docking Study of New Pyrimidine Compounds as Anticancer Agents.
    Shahin Boumi, Jafar Moghimirad, Seyed Nasser Ostad, Massoud Amanlou, Shohreh Tavajohi, Mohsen Amini.
      OBJECTIVES: The microtubule is composed of αβ tubulin heterodimers and is an attractive target for the design of anticancer drugs. Over the years, various compounds have been developed and their effect on tubulin polymerization has been studied. Despite a great efforts to make an effective drug, no drug has been introduced which inhibit Colchicine binding site.METHODS: In the current work a series of pyrimidine derivatives were designed and synthesized. Furthermore their cytotoxic activities were evaluated and molecular docking studies were performed. Twelve compounds of pyrimidine were synthesized in 3 different groups. In the first group, 4,6-diaryl pyrimidine was connected to the third aryl group via thio-methylene spacer. In the second group, this linker was substituted by sulfoxide-methylene moiety and in the third group sulfone-methylene group was used as spacer.
    RESULTS: The cytotoxic activity of these compounds were evaluated against 3 different cancerous cell lines (HT-29, MCF-7, T47D) as well as normal cell line (NIH3T3). Compounds in group 2 showed the best cytotoxicity and compound 7D: showed the most potent cytotoxic activity against all cell lines. Molecular modelling studies revealed that compound 7D: could strongly bind to the colchicine binding site of tubulin.
    CONCLUSION: Altogether, with respect to obtained results, it is attractive and beneficial to further investigation on pyrimidine scaffold as antimitotic agents.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1306-0202
  65. J Thorac Dis. 2020 Nov;12(11): 7011-7023
    Radiation and immunotherapy: emerging mechanisms of synergy.
    William G Breen, Konstantinos Leventakos, Haidong Dong, Kenneth W Merrell.
      Immunotherapy (IO) has become a standard treatment in patients with metastatic and locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and is now being tested in patients with early stage disease. IO agents currently in use for lung cancer target PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4. While survival and tumor control have improved with IO, many patients have limited or short responses to IO. Therefore, methods to improve the systemic response to IO are needed. Radiation therapy (RT) is an integral component of lung cancer treatment, and may improve systemic response to IO by increasing antigen presentation, increasing co-stimulatory signaling, increasing T-cells recruitment, upregulating PD-L1, increasing tumor stromal lymphocyte infiltration, and altering the microenvironment. IO after definitive chemoradiation is now standard treatment in unresectable stage III NSCLC following publication of the PACIFIC clinical trial. For early stage NSCLC, IO is being investigated in conjunction with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). The benefit of adding RT to IO in patients with metastatic disease may be especially pronounced in patients with low baseline PD-L1 expression, potentially when delivered as a short course of SBRT, as supported by the PEMBRO-RT clinical trial. Current and ongoing clinical trials are evaluating the optimal radiation dose, timing, and sequencing of RT with IO.
    Keywords:  Radiation therapy (RT); SBRT; immunotherapy (IO); lung cancer; metastatic disease
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.21037/jtd-2019-cptn-07
  66. Biochem Pharmacol. 2020 Dec 03. pii: S0006-2952(20)30590-6. [Epub ahead of print] 114354
    Targeting tumor-associated macrophages as an antitumor strategy.
    Nan Cheng, Xuexia Bai, Yuxin Shu, Owais Ahmad, Pingping Shen.
      Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the most widely infiltrating immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Clinically, the number of TAMs is closely correlated with poor outcomes in multiple cancers. The biological actions of TAMs are complex and diverse, including mediating angiogenesis, promoting tumor invasion and metastasis, and building an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Given these pivotal roles of TAMs in tumor development, TAM-based strategies are attractive and used in certain tumor therapies, including inhibition of angiogenic signalling, blockade of the immune checkpoint, and macrophage enhancement phagocytosis. Several attempts to develop TAM-targeted agents have been made to deplete TAMs or reprogram the behaviour of TAMs. Some have shown a favourable curative effect in monotherapy, combination with chemotherapy or immunotherapy in clinical trials. Additionally, a new macrophage-based cell therapeutic technology was recently developed by equipping macrophages with CAR molecules. It is expected to break through barriers to solid tumor treatment. Although TAM-related studies have yielded positive antitumor outcomes, further investigations are needed to better characterize TAMs, which will benefit further establishment of novel strategies for tumor therapy. Here, we concisely summarize the functions of TAMs in the TME and comprehensively introduce the latest TAM-based regimens in cancer treatment.
    Keywords:  TAMs; cancer immunotherapy; combinatory strategies; therapeutic target; tumor microenvironment
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114354
  67. Am J Clin Oncol. 2020 Dec 08.
    Mutations in DNA Repair Genes and Clinical Outcomes of Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Receiving Oxaliplatin or Irinotecan-containing Regimens.
    Eric I Marks, Robert Matera, Adam J Olszewski, Evgeny Yakirevich, Wafik S El-Deiry, Howard Safran, Benedito A Carneiro.
      OBJECTIVES: First-line regimens in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) combine a fluoropyrimidine with oxaliplatin (FOLFOX/XELOX) or irinotecan (FOLFIRI). There is limited efficacy data to guide the selection of one treatment over the other. This study investigated whether mutations affecting DNA damage response (DDR) could differentially influence the response to oxaliplatin and irinotecan-containing regimens.METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 49 patients with mCRC for whom treatment outcomes and results of comprehensive genomic profiling of tumors were available. Specimens with at least 1 pathogenic mutation involving BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM, BARD1, BRIP1, CDK12, CHEK1, CHEK2, FANCL, PALB2, PPP2R2A, RAD51B, RAD51C, RAD51D, or RAD54L were classified as DDR-mutated, while those without mutations were DDR-wild-type (WT). We compared the overall survival (OS), disease control rate, and response rate (RR) between the DDR-mutated and DDR-WT groups.
    RESULTS: DDR mutations occurred in 11 patients (22%). First-line treatment with an oxaliplatin-containing regimen was administered to 33 patients (31 FOLFOX, 2 XELOX), while 16 patients received FOLFIRI. Among DDR-mutated cases, first-line treatment with FOLFOX/XELOX correlated with a statistically significant improvement in median OS compared with FOLFIRI (3.4 vs.1.8 y; P=0.042) and numerically higher RR (50% vs. 33%; P=0.58). No significant difference in OS (2.4 vs. 2.5 y; P=0.42), RR, disease control rate was observed between the 2 regimens in patients with DDR-WT tumors.
    CONCLUSIONS: Mutations in DDR genes were present in 22% of patients with mCRC. In patients with DDR-mutated tumors, initial treatment with FOLFOX/XELOX correlated with improved OS and a numerically higher RR compared with FOLFIRI.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1097/COC.0000000000000785
  68. Database (Oxford). 2020 Dec 11. pii: baaa110. [Epub ahead of print]2020
    Applying graph database technology for analyzing perturbed co-expression networks in cancer.
    Claire M Simpson, Florian Gnad.
      Graph representations provide an elegant solution to capture and analyze complex molecular mechanisms in the cell. Co-expression networks are undirected graph representations of transcriptional co-behavior indicating (co-)regulations, functional modules or even physical interactions between the corresponding gene products. The growing avalanche of available RNA sequencing (RNAseq) data fuels the construction of such networks, which are usually stored in relational databases like most other biological data. Inferring linkage by recursive multiple-join statements, however, is computationally expensive and complex to design in relational databases. In contrast, graph databases store and represent complex interconnected data as nodes, edges and properties, making it fast and intuitive to query and analyze relationships. While graph-based database technologies are on their way from a fringe domain to going mainstream, there are only a few studies reporting their application to biological data. We used the graph database management system Neo4j to store and analyze co-expression networks derived from RNAseq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Comparing co-expression in tumors versus healthy tissues in six cancer types revealed significant perturbation tracing back to erroneous or rewired gene regulation. Applying centrality, community detection and pathfinding graph algorithms uncovered the destruction or creation of central nodes, modules and relationships in co-expression networks of tumors. Given the speed, accuracy and straightforwardness of managing these densely connected networks, we conclude that graph databases are ready for entering the arena of biological data.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1093/database/baaa110
  69. Cancer Lett. 2020 Dec 06. pii: S0304-3835(20)30636-4. [Epub ahead of print]
    YAP/TAZ and EZH2 synergize to impair tumor suppressor activity of TGFBR2 in non-small cell lung cancer.
    Federica Lo Sardo, Claudio Pulito, Andrea Sacconi, Etleva Korita, Marius Sudol, Sabrina Strano, Giovanni Blandino.
      Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, worldwide. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most prevalent lung cancer subtype. YAP and TAZ have been implicated in lung cancer by acting as transcriptional co-activators of oncogenes or as transcriptional co-repressors of tumor suppressor genes. Previously we reported that YAP and TAZ regulate microRNAs expression in NSCLC. Among the set of regulated miRNAs, the oncogenic miR-25, 93, and 106b, clustering within the MCM7 gene were selected for further studies. We firstly identified Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) Receptor 2 (TGFBR2), a member of the TGF-β signaling, as a target of the miRNA cluster, which exhibited prognostic value because of its tumor suppressor activity. We found that YAP/TAZ-mediated repression of TGFBR2 occurs both: post-transcriptionally through the miR-106b-25 cluster and transcriptionally by engaging the EZH2 epigenetic repressor that we reported here as a novel target gene of YAP/TAZ. Furthermore, we document that YAP/TAZ and EZH2 cooperate in lung tumorigenesis by transcriptionally repressing a specific subset of tumor suppressor genes, including TGFBR2. Our findings point to YAP/TAZ and EZH2 as potential therapeutic targets for NSCLC treatment.
    Keywords:  Dasatinib; Hippo pathway; Lung cancer; PRC2; Tazemetostat
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canlet.2020.11.037
  70. Cell Tissue Res. 2020 Dec 11.
    Integrin α11β1 is a receptor for collagen XIII.
    Jarkko Koivunen, Hongmin Tu, Antti Kemppainen, Padmanabhan Anbazhagan, Mikko A Finnilä, Simo Saarakkala, Jarmo Käpylä, Ning Lu, Anne Heikkinen, André H Juffer, Jyrki Heino, Donald Gullberg, Taina Pihlajaniemi.
      Collagen XIII is a conserved transmembrane collagen mainly expressed in mesenchymal tissues. Previously, we have shown that collagen XIII modulates tissue development and homeostasis. Integrins are a family of receptors that mediate signals from the environment into the cells and vice versa. Integrin α11β1 is a collagen receptor known to recognize the GFOGER (O=hydroxyproline) sequence in collagens. Interestingly, collagen XIII and integrin α11β1 both have a role in the regulation of bone homeostasis. To study whether α11β1 is a receptor for collagen XIII, we utilized C2C12 cells transfected to express α11β1 as their only collagen receptor. The interaction between collagen XIII and integrin α11β1 was also confirmed by surface plasmon resonance and pull-down assays. We discovered that integrin α11β1 mediates cell adhesion to two collagenous motifs, namely GPKGER and GF(S)QGEK, that were shown to act as the recognition sites for the integrin α11-I domain. Furthermore, we studied the in vivo significance of the α11β1-collagen XIII interaction by crossbreeding α11 null mice (Itga11-/-) with mice overexpressing Col13a1 (Col13a1oe). When we evaluated the bone morphology by microcomputed tomography, Col13a1oe mice had a drastic bone overgrowth followed by severe osteoporosis, whereas the double mutant mouse line showed a much milder bone phenotype. To conclude, our data identifies integrin α11β1 as a new collagen XIII receptor and demonstrates that this ligand-receptor pair has a role in the maintenance of bone homeostasis.
    Keywords:  Bone homeostasis; Cell adhesion; Collagen; ECM receptors; Integrin
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-020-03300-y
  71. Ceska Slov Farm. 2020 ;69(4): 163-171
    Collagen in combination with the acid form of carboxymethylcellulose in the form of a nonwoven textile as a modern wound dressing - formulation, preparation and evaluation.
    Kateřina Tenorová, Ruta Masteiková, Jana Jarábková, David Vetchý, Jurga Bernatonien.
      The acid form of carboxymethylcellulose (HCMC) is less known than its sodium salt (NaCMC). However, it is commonly used as a sorbent for chromatographic columns and has a number of valuable properties for its use in wound care. As a wound dressing in the form of hydrofibers, it is already commercially available on our market. Collagen, the most abundant protein in the human body, fulfils both a building and a physiological function in the body, also has an irreplaceable place in the treatment of wounds. It is important in the process of wound healing and is used in wound therapy in various forms. It exhibits very good film-forming properties as well, but the collagen-based films themselves have weaker mechanical resistance, which limits their successful application to a wound. Therefore, the effort is to combine collagen with other materials in order to ensure better mechanical and application properties even in the wet state. The aim of this experiment was to create a wound dressing by combining a collagen film with HCMC in the form of a nonwoven textile. The resulting dressing had satisfactory organoleptic, physicochemical (pH, absorbency) and application properties for its use in wound therapy. The textile HCMC formed a mechanical support for collagen, which enabled its saving during the dressing preparation and partly served as an absorbent layer.
  72. Cancers (Basel). 2020 Dec 04. pii: E3636. [Epub ahead of print]12(12):
    Patient-Derived Tumor Organoids for Drug Repositioning in Cancer Care: A Promising Approach in the Era of Tailored Treatment.
    Silvia Vivarelli, Saverio Candido, Giuseppe Caruso, Luca Falzone, Massimo Libra.
      Malignancies heterogeneity represents a critical issue in cancer care, as it often causes therapy resistance and tumor relapse. Organoids are three-dimensional (3D) miniaturized representations of selected tissues within a dish. Lately, organoid technology has been applied to oncology with growing success and Patients Derived Tumor Organoids (PDTOs) constitute a novel available tool which fastens cancer research. PDTOs are in vitro models of cancer, and importantly, they can be used as a platform to validate the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs. For that reason, they are currently utilized in clinics as emerging in vitro screening technology to tailor the therapy around the patient, with the final goal of beating cancer resistance and recurrence. In this sense, PDTOs biobanking is widely used and PDTO-libraries are helping the discovery of novel anticancer molecules. Moreover, they represent a good model to screen and validate compounds employed for other pathologies as off-label drugs potentially repurposed for the treatment of tumors. This will open up novel avenues of care thus ameliorating the life expectancy of cancer patients. This review discusses the present advancements in organoids research applied to oncology, with special attention to PDTOs and their translational potential, especially for anti-cancer drug testing, including off-label molecules.
    Keywords:  Patients Derived Tumor Organoids (PDTOs); anti-cancer care; drug repurposing; living biobank; translational oncology
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12123636
  73. Int J Biol Macromol. 2020 Dec 03. pii: S0141-8130(20)35127-8. [Epub ahead of print]167 491-501
    Exploring protein stabilized multiple emulsion with permeation enhancer for oral delivery of insulin.
    Ishneet Kaur, Bhargavi Nallamothu, Kaushik Kuche, Sameer S Katiyar, Dasharath Chaudhari, Sanyog Jain.
      In present study, we have developed W/O/W microemulsion (ME) containing piperine (PiP) as a permeation enhancer and albumin (Alb) serving as a stabilizer for oral delivery of insulin (INS). The resultant formulation, ME(INS)-PiP-Alb exhibited droplet size of 3.35 ± 0.25 μm along with polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.30 ± 0.10. The formulation process employed for developing ME(INS)-PiP-Alb showed no effect on INS's chemical and conformational stability. Further, ME(INS)-PiP-Alb was able to maintain desired attributes (size & PDI) along with INS stability in simulated gastrointestinal fluids. Also, ME(INS)-PiP-Alb rendered higher protection to INS in presence of pepsin and trypsin than ME(INS)-PiP. In qualitative Caco-2 cell uptake, INS loaded ME's showed higher uptake in comparison to free INS. Whereas, in permeability studies ME(INS)-PiP-Alb showed ~4 and ~1.5-fold enhanced permeation than free INS and ME(INS) without PiP groups respectively. Also, in ex vivo intestinal permeation studies similar fold increment in permeation were observed. Interestingly, the pharmacodynamic studies revealed ~3.2-fold higher hypoglycemic effect in animals treated with ME(INS)-PiP-Alb in comparison to ME(INS)-PiP. Similarly, the pharmacokinetic studies also revealed ~1.6 fold higher AUC for ME(INS)-PiP-Alb than ME(INS)-PiP. Thus, in vivo results suggested that Alb as a stabilizer can assist in improving the hypoglycemic effect of the developed ME with PiP. Hence, this strategy can also be extrapolated for delivering other bio-macromolecules orally.
    Keywords:  Insulin and Oral route; Multiple emulsion; Permeation enhancer; Suicidal inhibitor
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.11.190
  74. Med Res Rev. 2020 Dec 01.
    The pleiotropic role of transcription factor STAT3 in oncogenesis and its targeting through natural products for cancer prevention and therapy.
    Manoj Garg, Muthu K Shanmugam, Vipul Bhardwaj, Akul Goel, Rajat Gupta, Arundhiti Sharma, Prakash Baligar, Alan Prem Kumar, Boon Cher Goh, Lingzhi Wang, Gautam Sethi.
      Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is one of the crucial transcription factors, responsible for regulating cellular proliferation, cellular differentiation, migration, programmed cell death, inflammatory response, angiogenesis, and immune activation. In this review, we have discussed the classical regulation of STAT3 via diverse growth factors, cytokines, G-protein-coupled receptors, as well as toll-like receptors. We have also highlighted the potential role of noncoding RNAs in regulating STAT3 signaling. However, the deregulation of STAT3 signaling has been found to be associated with the initiation and progression of both solid and hematological malignancies. Additionally, hyperactivation of STAT3 signaling can maintain the cancer stem cell phenotype by modulating the tumor microenvironment, cellular metabolism, and immune responses to favor drug resistance and metastasis. Finally, we have also discussed several plausible ways to target oncogenic STAT3 signaling using various small molecules derived from natural products.
    Keywords:  STAT; natural products; stem cells; tumorigenesis
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/med.21761
  75. BMC Cancer. 2020 Dec 10. 20(1): 1215
    Inhibitory effects of iron depletion plus eribulin on the breast cancer microenvironment.
    Wataru Goto, Shinichiro Kashiwagi, Yuka Asano, Koji Takada, Tamami Morisaki, Katsuyuki Takahashi, Hisakazu Fujita, Masatsune Shibutani, Ryosuke Amano, Tsutomu Takashima, Shuhei Tomita, Kosei Hirakawa, Masaichi Ohira.
      BACKGROUND: Iron is required for the proliferation of cancer cells, and its depletion suppresses tumor growth. Eribulin mesylate (eribulin), a non-taxane microtubule inhibitor, disrupts the tumor microenvironment via vascular remodeling and obstruction of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Herein, we investigated the effects of the iron chelator on tumor-related properties of breast cancer cells and the effects of iron chelator plus eribulin on tumor growth in vivo.METHODS: Two triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and BT-549, and one hormone-receptor positive breast cancer cell line, MCF-7, were used in our study. Cell proliferation, cell migration, cell cycle position, and gene expression were analyzed via MTT assays, wound-healing assays, flow cytometry, and quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. For the in vivo experiments, mice with breast cancer xenografts were treated with the inhibitors, alone or together, and tumor volume was determined.
    RESULTS: Iron chelator inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation and decreased the proportion of S-phase cells. Conversely, it induced hypoxia, angiogenesis, EMT, and immune checkpoints, as determined by quantifying the expression of marker mRNAs in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. Eribulin suppressed the expression of the hypoxia and EMT related marker mRNAs in the presence of iron chelator. Iron chelator plus eribulin inhibited tumor growth in vivo to a greater extent than did either inhibitor alone.
    CONCLUSIONS: Although iron chelator induces oncogenic events (hypoxia, angiogenesis, EMT, and immune checkpoints), it may be an effective treatment for breast cancer when administered in combination with eribulin.
    Keywords:  Breast cancer; Epithelial-mesenchymal transition; Eribulin mesylate; Immune checkpoints; Iron chelator; Xenograft
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-020-07673-9
  76. Onco Targets Ther. 2020 ;13 12397-12407
    TRPS1 and YAP1 Regulate Cell Proliferation and Drug Resistance of Osteosarcoma via Competitively Binding to the Target of circTADA2A - miR-129-5p.
    Jinyu Zhang, Xiang Ma, Ruiqi Zhou, Yichi Zhou.
      Introduction: The yes-associated protein (YAP) and trichorhinophalangeal syndrome 1 (TRPS1) have been reported to account for the pathogenesis of cancers and may play an important role in osteosarcoma (OS). This study intended to investigate the modulatory effect and relationship of TRPS1 and YAP1 in OS cells.Methods: The expression difference of YAP1 and TRPS1 in OS cells was measured. Then, the effect of circTADA2A silence on YAP1 and TRPS1 expression as well as OS proliferation and drug resistance was estimated.
    Results: TRPS1 and YAP1 were upregulated in OS cell lines, and TRPS1 and YAP1 were highly expressed in MG63 and U2OS cells, respectively. The cell proliferation of MG63 was lower than that of U2OS, but the opposite result was observed in the presence of cisplatin (DDP). CircTADA2A was upregulated while miR-129-5p was downregulated in MG63 and U2OS cells compared. Besides, circTADA2A knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and reduced DDP resistance in both MG63 and U2OS. MiR-129-5p was increased but TRPS1 and YAP1 were decreased by circTADA2A knockdown. Meanwhile, circTADA2A knockdown reduced TRPS1 protein expression but enhanced phosphorylated (p)-YAP1. In xenograft OS tumor mice, circTADA2A knockdown inhibited tumor growth in the absence or presence of DDP. Finally, miR-129-5p could bind to circTADA2A, TRPS1 and YAPS.
    Discussion: CircRNA TADA2A could target miR-129-5p, which was competitively bound by TRPS1 and YAP1, thereby regulating OS cell proliferation and drug resistance.
    Keywords:  circRNA; drug resistance; osteosarcoma; trichorhinophalangeal syndrome 1; yes-associated protein 1
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.2147/OTT.S276953
  77. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 Dec 08. pii: 201922169. [Epub ahead of print]
    Mechanisms by which adiponectin reverses high fat diet-induced insulin resistance in mice.
    Xiruo Li, Dongyan Zhang, Daniel F Vatner, Leigh Goedeke, Sandro M Hirabara, Ye Zhang, Rachel J Perry, Gerald I Shulman.
      Adiponectin has emerged as a potential therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus, but the molecular mechanism by which adiponectin reverses insulin resistance remains unclear. Two weeks of globular adiponectin (gAcrp30) treatment reduced fasting plasma glucose, triglyceride (TAG), and insulin concentrations and reversed whole-body insulin resistance, which could be attributed to both improved insulin-mediated suppression of endogenous glucose production and increased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in muscle and adipose tissues. These improvements in liver and muscle sensitivity were associated with ∼50% reductions in liver and muscle TAG and plasma membrane (PM)-associated diacylglycerol (DAG) content and occurred independent of reductions in total ceramide content. Reductions of PM DAG content in liver and skeletal muscle were associated with reduced PKCε translocation in liver and reduced PKCθ and PKCε translocation in skeletal muscle resulting in increased insulin-stimulated insulin receptor tyrosine1162 phosphorylation, IRS-1/IRS-2-associated PI3-kinase activity, and Akt-serine phosphorylation. Both gAcrp30 and full-length adiponectin (Acrp30) treatment increased eNOS/AMPK activation in muscle and muscle fatty acid oxidation. gAcrp30 and Acrp30 infusions also increased TAG uptake in epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT), which could be attributed to increased lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity. These data suggest that adiponectin and adiponectin-related molecules reverse lipid-induced liver and muscle insulin resistance by reducing ectopic lipid storage in these organs, resulting in decreased plasma membrane sn-1,2-DAG-induced nPKC activity and increased insulin signaling. Adiponectin mediates these effects by both promoting the storage of TAG in eWAT likely through stimulation of LPL as well as by stimulation of AMPK in muscle resulting in increased muscle fat oxidation.
    Keywords:  adiponectin; ceramides; diacylglycerol; lipoprotein lipase; protein kinase C
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1922169117
  78. Cancer Cell Int. 2020 Dec 03. 20(1): 579
    SKP1 promotes YAP-mediated colorectal cancer stemness via suppressing RASSF1.
    Cong Tian, Tingyuan Lang, Jiangfeng Qiu, Kun Han, Lei Zhou, Daliu Min, Zhiqi Zhang, Dachuan Qi.
      BACKGROUND: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been recognized as an important drug target, however, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully understood. SKP1 is a traditional drug target for cancer therapy, while, whether SKP1 promotes colorectal cancer (CRC) stem cells (CRC-SCs) and the underlying mechanisms have remained elusive.METHODS: Human CRC cell lines and primary human CRC cells were used in this study. Gene manipulation was performed by lentivirus system. The mRNA and protein levels of target genes were examined by qRT-PCR and western blot. The sphere-forming and in vitro migration capacities were determined by sphere formation and transwell assay. The self-renewal was determined by limiting dilution assay. The tumorigenicity and metastasis of cancer cells were examined by xenograft model. The promoter activity was examined by luciferase reporter assay. Nuclear run-on and Chromatin immunoprecipitation-PCR (ChIP-PCR) assay were employed to examine the transcription and protein-DNA interaction. Co-immunoprecipitation assay was used to test protein-protein interaction. The relationship between gene expression and survival was analyzed by Kaplan-meier analysis. The correlation between two genes was analyzed by Spearman analysis. Data are represented as mean ± SD and the significance was determined by Student's t test.
    RESULTS: SKP1 was upregulated in CRC-SCs and predicted poor prognosis of colon cancer patients. Overexpression of SKP1 promoted the stemness of CRC cells reflected by increased sphere-forming, migration and self-renewal capacities as well as the expression of CSCs markers. In contrast, SKP1 depletion produced the opposite effects. SKP1 strengthened YAP activity and knockdown of YAP abolished the effect of SKP1 on the stemness of CRC cells. SKP1 suppressed RASSF1 at both mRNA and protein level. Overexpression of RASSF1 abolished the effect of SKP1 on YAP activity and CRC stemness.
    CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that SKP1 suppresses RASSF1 at both mRNA and protein level, attenuates Hippo signaling, activates YAP, and thereby promoting the stemness of CRC cells.
    Keywords:  Colorectal cancer; RASSF1; SKP1; Stemness; YAP
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1186/s12935-020-01683-0
  79. Oncogene. 2020 Dec 07.
    Small molecular drugs reshape tumor microenvironment to synergize with immunotherapy.
    Chuanhui Han, Anli Zhang, Zhida Liu, Casey Moore, Yang-Xin Fu.
      Recently, immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), especially anti-programmed death 1 (anti-PD-1) and anti-programmed death-ligand 1 (anti-PD-L1) therapy, has become an increasingly appealing therapeutic strategy for cancer patients. However, only a small portion of patients responds to anti-PD treatment. Therefore, treatment strategies are urgently needed to reverse the ICB-resistant tumor microenvironment (TME). It has become clear that the TME has diminished innate sensing that is critical to activate adaptive immunity. In addition, tumor cells upregulate various immunosuppressive factors to diminish the immune response and resist immunotherapy. In this review, we briefly update the current small molecular drugs that could synergize with immunotherapy, especially anti-PD therapy. We will discuss the modes of action by those drugs including inducing innate sensing and limiting immunosuppressive factors in the TME.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41388-020-01575-7
  80. Am J Cancer Res. 2020 ;10(11): 3599-3621
    Anticancer therapeutics: a brief account on wide refinements.
    Fiza Ur Rehman, Mansoor Al-Waeel, Syeda Sohaila Naz, Kifayat Ullah Shah.
      The flustering rise in cancer incidence along with treatment anomalies has made cancer the second leading cause of death globally. The total annual economic impact of cancer is pronounced and is increasing. Besides the lack of proper curative therapy, treatment associated adverse effects, drug resistance, and tumor relapse are the instigations behind increased morbidity and mortality. Meanwhile, the survival rate has inclined impressively. In the last few decades, cancer treatment has undergone wide refinements aiming towards cancer prevention, complete tumor regression, subsiding treatment adverse effects, improving patient's life standard and avoiding tumor relapse. Chemotherapy has been successfully extended towards natural, cheaper and bioactive anti-inflammatory agents manifesting potent anticancer activity. Antibody-based cancer therapy has become well established as a vital and effective strategy for treating hematological malignancies as well as solid tumors. Individualized immunotherapy is becoming the forefront of cancer treatment enabling personalized, precise and patient's cancer mutanome specific adjustable regimen. The emergence of anti-neoangiogenesis and cancer stem cell targeting techniques have dropped cancer recurrence significantly. Advancements in hyperthermia and photodynamic therapies along with improvements in cancer vaccination have declined death rate and amplified survival rate convincingly.
    Keywords:  Anticancer therapeutics; cancer targeting; conventional and non-conventional chemotherapy; hyperthermia treatment; monoclonal antibodies (mAb’s); photodynamic therapy (PDT)
  81. Cancers (Basel). 2020 Dec 07. pii: E3664. [Epub ahead of print]12(12):
    Insights on TAM Formation from a Boolean Model of Macrophage Polarization Based on In Vitro Studies.
    Malvina Marku, Nina Verstraete, Flavien Raynal, Miguel Madrid-Mencía, Marcin Domagala, Jean-Jacques Fournié, Loïc Ysebaert, Mary Poupot, Vera Pancaldi.
      The tumour microenvironment is the surrounding of a tumour, including blood vessels, fibroblasts, signaling molecules, the extracellular matrix and immune cells, especially neutrophils and monocyte-derived macrophages. In a tumour setting, macrophages encompass a spectrum between a tumour-suppressive (M1) or tumour-promoting (M2) state. The biology of macrophages found in tumours (Tumour Associated Macrophages) remains unclear, but understanding their impact on tumour progression is highly important. In this paper, we perform a comprehensive analysis of a macrophage polarization network, following two lines of enquiry: (i) we reconstruct the macrophage polarization network based on literature, extending it to include important stimuli in a tumour setting, and (ii) we build a dynamical model able to reproduce macrophage polarization in the presence of different stimuli, including the contact with cancer cells. Our simulations recapitulate the documented macrophage phenotypes and their dependencies on specific receptors and transcription factors, while also unravelling the formation of a special type of tumour associated macrophages in an in vitro model of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. This model constitutes the first step towards elucidating the cross-talk between immune and cancer cells inside tumours, with the ultimate goal of identifying new therapeutic targets that could control the formation of tumour associated macrophages in patients.
    Keywords:  Boolean model; chronic lymphocytic leukaemia; macrophage polarization; nurse-like cells; tumour associated macrophage
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12123664
  82. Future Oncol. 2020 Dec 10.
    The LEAP program: lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab for the treatment of advanced solid tumors.
    Matthew H Taylor, Emmett V Schmidt, Corina Dutcus, Elaine M Pinheiro, Yasuhiro Funahashi, Gregory Lubiniecki, Drew Rasco.
      Tumor progression and immune evasion result from multiple oncogenic and immunosuppressive signals within the tumor microenvironment. The combined blockade of VEGF and inhibitory immune checkpoint signaling has been shown to enhance immune activation and tumor destruction in preclinical models. The LEAP clinical trial program is evaluating the safety and efficacy of lenvatinib (a multikinase inhibitor) plus pembrolizumab (a PD-1 inhibitor) across several solid tumor types. Preliminary results from ongoing trials demonstrate robust antitumor activity and durable responses across diverse tumor types with a manageable safety profile. Thus, lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab is anticipated to be an important potential new regimen for several solid cancers that currently have limited therapeutic options. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT03884101, NCT03713593, NCT03820986, NCT03776136, NCT03797326, NCT03829319, NCT03829332, NCT03976375, NCT04428151, NCT04199104, NCT03898180, NCT04246177 (ClinicalTrials.gov).
    Keywords:  LEAP program; combination therapy; lenvatinib; pembrolizumab; solid tumors
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.2217/fon-2020-0937
  83. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2020 ;7 602088
    Adipose Tissue Immunomodulation: A Novel Therapeutic Approach in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases.
    Ibrahim AlZaim, Safaa H Hammoud, Houssam Al-Koussa, Alaa Ghazi, Ali H Eid, Ahmed F El-Yazbi.
      Adipose tissue is a critical regulator of systemic metabolism and bodily homeostasis as it secretes a myriad of adipokines, including inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. As the main storage pool of lipids, subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues undergo marked hypertrophy and hyperplasia in response to nutritional excess leading to hypoxia, adipokine dysregulation, and subsequent low-grade inflammation that is characterized by increased infiltration and activation of innate and adaptive immune cells. The specific localization, physiology, susceptibility to inflammation and the heterogeneity of the inflammatory cell population of each adipose depot are unique and thus dictate the possible complications of adipose tissue chronic inflammation. Several lines of evidence link visceral and particularly perivascular, pericardial, and perirenal adipose tissue inflammation to the development of metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. In addition to the implication of the immune system in the regulation of adipose tissue function, adipose tissue immune components are pivotal in detrimental or otherwise favorable adipose tissue remodeling and thermogenesis. Adipose tissue resident and infiltrating immune cells undergo metabolic and morphological adaptation based on the systemic energy status and thus a better comprehension of the metabolic regulation of immune cells in adipose tissues is pivotal to address complications of chronic adipose tissue inflammation. In this review, we discuss the role of adipose innate and adaptive immune cells across various physiological and pathophysiological states that pertain to the development or progression of cardiovascular diseases associated with metabolic disorders. Understanding such mechanisms allows for the exploitation of the adipose tissue-immune system crosstalk, exploring how the adipose immune system might be targeted as a strategy to treat cardiovascular derangements associated with metabolic dysfunctions.
    Keywords:  adipose tissue; adipose tissue browning; adipose tissue immunology; adipose tissue inflammation-definition of metabolic syndrome-insulin resistance-myokines-systemic inflammation; immunometabolism
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2020.602088
  84. Curr Opin Genet Dev. 2020 Dec 05. pii: S0959-437X(20)30148-9. [Epub ahead of print]67 67-76
    Nuclear mechanisms of gene expression control: pre-mRNA splicing as a life or death decision.
    Jackson M Gordon, David V Phizicky, Karla M Neugebauer.
      Thousands of genes produce polyadenylated mRNAs that still contain one or more introns. These transcripts are known as retained intron RNAs (RI-RNAs). In the past 10 years, RI-RNAs have been linked to post-transcriptional alternative splicing in a variety of developmental contexts, but they can also be dead-end products fated for RNA decay. Here we discuss the role of intron retention in shaping gene expression programs, as well as recent evidence suggesting that the biogenesis and fate of RI-RNAs is regulated by nuclear organization. We discuss the possibility that proximity of RNA to nuclear speckles - biomolecular condensates that are highly enriched in splicing factors and other RNA binding proteins - is associated with choices ranging from efficient co-transcriptional splicing, export and stability to regulated post-transcriptional splicing and possible vulnerability to decay.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gde.2020.11.002
  85. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2020 ;8 599281
    Molecular Bases of VEGFR-2-Mediated Physiological Function and Pathological Role.
    Xinrong Wang, Alfredo Maria Bove, Giuseppe Simone, Binyun Ma.
      The vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and their receptors (VEGFRs) play crucial roles in vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is an important mechanism in many physiological and pathological processes, and is involved in endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and survival, then leads to further tubulogenesis, and finally promotes formation of vessels. This series of signaling cascade pathways are precisely mediated by VEGF/VEGFR-2 system. The VEGF binding to the IgD2 and IgD3 of VEGFR-2 induces the dimerization of the receptor, subsequently the activation and trans-autophosphorylation of the tyrosine kinase, and then the initiation of the intracellular signaling cascades. Finally the VEGF-activated VEGFR-2 stimulates and mediates variety of signaling transduction, biological responses, and pathological processes in angiogenesis. Several crucial phosphorylated sites Tyr801, Try951, Try1175, and Try1214 in the VEGFR-2 intracellular domains mediate several key signaling processes including PLCγ-PKC, TSAd-Src-PI3K-Akt, SHB-FAK-paxillin, SHB-PI3K-Akt, and NCK-p38-MAPKAPK2/3 pathways. Based on the molecular structure and signaling pathways of VEGFR-2, the strategy of the VEGFR-2-targeted therapy should be considered to employ in the treatment of the VEGF/VEGFR-2-associated diseases by blocking the VEGF/VEGFR-2 signaling pathway, inhibiting VEGF and VEGFR-2 gene expression, blocking the binding of VEGF and VEGFR-2, and preventing the proliferation, migration, and survival of vascular endothelial cells expressing VEGFR-2.
    Keywords:  VEGF; VEGFR-2; angiogenesis; function and role; structure; vasculogenesis
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2020.599281
  86. Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2020 Oct 31. 66(7): 44-50
    Circulatory miRNA-155, miRNA-21 target PTEN expression and activity as a factor in breast cancer development.
    Saman Abdulrahman Ali, Zirak Faqia Ahmed Abdulrahman, Hemin Nasradeen Faraidun.
      Breast cancer is a complex disease with multiple factors involved in its pathophysiological development. genetic mutations of BRCA1, BRCA2 and p53 are among the most well-studied factors. The role of other genetic factors like altered expression profiles, SNPs in the regulatory regions of different genes or epigenetic factors like promoter methylation and histone modifications are also well studied but no solid understanding is available on distinct key players triggering malignancy in breast cancer, (Phosphatase and tensin homolog) PTEN is known to be a crucial tumor suppressor as it has been reported to be missing or abnormally expressed in many cancer cells. Here in this were studied how PTEN is expressed in malignant and benign cancer cells by investigating its expression profile and cellular location using Immuno-fluorescence microscopy. At the same time, quantitative studies of the circulatory mi-RNAs related to the downregulation of PTEN, namely mir-21 and mir-155 have studied also. Sixty biopsy samples, forty were diagnosed to be malignant and twenty were benign. It has been found that PTEN is normally expressed in benign samples and its normally localized in the cell membrane, while in malignant samples the expression level of PTEN is lower or absent and it is translocated to the cytoplasm. Interestingly the quantitative expression of circulatory mir-21 and mir-155 in the blood plasma of the corresponding patients showed a related pattern with higher expression in malignant samples, therefore can it's clear that PTEN is in the cross-talk of genetics and epigenetic regulation in regard of the development of malignant breast cancer. At the same time, this study confirms the importance of circulatory miRNAs as a biomarker for early breast cancer detection.
    Keywords:  Breast cancer, Immuno-fluorescence assay, RNA Expression, PTEN, mir-21 and mir-155
  87. Future Med Chem. 2020 Dec 09.
    The promise and current status of CDK12/13 inhibition for the treatment of cancer.
    Solomon Tadesse, Derek R Duckett, Andrii Monastyrskyi.
      CDK12 and CDK13 are Ser/Thr protein kinases that regulate transcription and co-transcriptional processes. Genetic silencing of CDK12 is associated with genomic instability in a variety of cancers, including difficult-to-treat breast, ovarian, colorectal, brain and pancreatic cancers, and is synthetic lethal with PARP, MYC or EWS/FLI inhibition. CDK13 is amplified in hepatocellular carcinoma. Consequently, selective CDK12/13 inhibitors constitute powerful research tools as well as promising anti-cancer therapeutics, either alone or in combination therapy. Herein the authors discuss the role of CDK12 and CDK13 in normal and cancer cells, describe their utility as a biomarker and therapeutic target, review the medicinal chemistry optimization of existing CDK12/13 inhibitors and outline strategies for the rational design of CDK12/13 selective inhibitors.
    Keywords:  CDK12; CDK13; CTD; RNA polymerase II; biomarkers; cancer; chemical probes; inhibitors; therapeutic targets; transcription
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.4155/fmc-2020-0240
  88. Anticancer Drugs. 2020 Dec 07.
    A PI3K inhibitor-induced growth inhibition of cancer cells is linked to MEK-ERK pathway.
    Angela Duff, Llona Kavege, Jocelyn Baquier, Tang Hu.
      Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinases (PI3Ks) regulate several important cellular and subcellular processes including cell proliferation and differentiation. LY294002 was originally reported to be a selective inhibitor of PI3K-Akt. Later, it showed that this compound also inhibits several other molecules. In this study, we investigated the effect of LY294002 on the growth of suspension (MV4-11 and TF-1a) and tissue (Hep-G2) cells. In exponential phase, MV4-11 cells, but not TF-1a and Hep-G2 cells, expressed a low level of PI3Kp85 and addition of LY294002 inhibited the phosphorylation of PI3Kp85. LY294002 also significantly inhibited the proliferation of MV4-11, TF-1a and Hep-G2 cell and caused formation of cell clusters/aggregates measured by MTT and BrdU assays, and observed under an inverted microscope, respectively. Surprisingly, we found that LY294002 markedly repressed the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal molecules, MEK and ERK, in all these cells. The inhibition of MEK and ERK was confirmed by using MEK stimulators, GM-CSF and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, and MEK-specific inhibitor, PD98059. Although transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) also inhibited the growth of Hep-G2 cells, it had no effect on the activity of MEK and ERK. The clusters/aggregates found in LY294002-treated cells were not detectable in TGFβ-treated cells. Our data suggest that LY294002 may directly inhibit the activation of MEK and ERK by its ability to bind to the ATP-binding site of the MAPK molecules.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1097/CAD.0000000000001024
  89. Cancer Manag Res. 2020 ;12 12473-12485
    Effective Inhibition of MYC-Amplified Group 3 Medulloblastoma Through Targeting EIF4A1.
    Yang Zhao, Tiantian Li, Shuaiwei Tian, Wei Meng, Yi Sui, Jian Yang, Baocheng Wang, Zhuangzhuang Liang, Heng Zhao, Yipeng Han, Yujie Tang, Lei Zhang, Jie Ma.
      Purpose: In medulloblastoma (MB), group 3 (G3) patients with MYC amplification tend to exhibit worse prognosis, thus creating a need for novel effective therapies. As the driver and crucial dependency for MYC-amplified G3-MB, MYC has been proven to be a prospective therapeutic target. Here, we aimed to identify novel effective therapeutic strategies against MYC-amplified G3-MB via targeting MYC translation.Materials and Methods: Major components of translation initiation complex eIF4F were subjected to MB tumor dataset analysis, and EIF4A1 was identified to be a potential therapeutic target of MYC-amplified G3-MB. Validation was performed through genetic or pharmacological approaches with multiple patient-derived tumor models of MYC-amplified G3-MB in vitro and in vivo. Underlying mechanisms were further explored by Western blot, quantitative real-time PCR and mass spectrometry (MS) analyses.
    Results: MB tumor datasets analyses showed that EIF4A1 was significantly up-regulated in G3-MB patients relative to normal cerebella, positively correlated with MYC in G3-MB at transcriptional level and a crucial cancer dependency in MYC-amplified G3-MB cells. Targeting EIF4A1 with a CRISPR/Cas9 approach or small-molecule inhibitor silvestrol effectively attenuated growth in multiple preclinical models of MYC-amplified G3-MB via blocking proliferation and inducing apoptosis. Mechanistically, EIF4A1 inhibition effectively impeded MYC expression at translational level, and its potency was positively associated with MYC level. Whole-proteome MS analysis of silvestrol-treated cells further unveiled other biological functions and pathways influenced by EIF4A1 inhibition.
    Conclusion: Our investigation shows that interrupting MYC translation by EIF4A1 inhibition could be a potential effective therapeutic approach when treating patients with MYC-amplified G3-MB.
    Keywords:  EIF4A1; MYC-amplified group 3 medulloblastoma; Silvestrol; eIF4F complex; translation inhibition
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.2147/CMAR.S278844
  90. Genes Environ. 2020 Nov 10. 42(1): 29
    Oxidation resistance 1 functions in the maintenance of cellular survival and genome stability in response to oxidative stress-independent DNA damage.
    Ako Matsui, Kazunari Hashiguchi, Masao Suzuki, Qiu-Mei Zhang-Akiyama.
      BACKGROUND: DNA damage is generated by various intrinsic and extrinsic sources such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and environmental mutagens, and causes genomic alterations. DNA damage response (DDR) is activated to induce cell cycle arrest and DNA repair. Oxidation resistance 1 (OXR1) is a protein that defends cells against oxidative stress. We previously reported that OXR1 protein functions in the regulation of G2-phase cell cycle arrest in cells irradiated with gamma-rays, suggesting that OXR1 directly responds to DNA damage.PURPOSE: To clarify the functions of OXR1 against ROS-independent DNA damage, HeLa and OXR1-depleted HeLa cells were treated with heavy-ion beams and the ROS-independent DNA-damaging agent methyl methanesulfonate (MMS).
    RESULTS: First, OXR1-depleted cells exhibited higher sensitivity to MMS and heavy-ion beams than control cells. Next, OXR1 depletion increased micronucleus formation and shortened the duration of G2-phase arrest after treatment with MMS or heavy-ion beams. These results suggest that OXR1 functions in the maintenance of cell survival and genome stability in response to DNA damage. Furthermore, the OXR1 protein level was increased by MMS and heavy-ion beams in HeLa cells.
    CONCLUSIONS: Together with our previous study, the present study suggests that OXR1 plays an important role in the response to DNA damage, not only when DNA damage is generated by ROS.
    Keywords:  Cell cycle checkpoint; Cellular survival; DNA damage response; OXR1; Protein expression
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1186/s41021-020-00168-w
  91. Ther Adv Med Oncol. 2020 ;12 1758835920974212
    PARPBP is a prognostic marker and confers anthracycline resistance to breast cancer.
    Bo Chen, Jianguo Lai, Danian Dai, Rong Chen, Ning Liao, Guanfeng Gao, Hailin Tang.
      Background: PARPBP (PARP1 binding protein) is an important suppressor of homologous recombination during DNA repair, but the expression and function of PARPBP in breast cancer remain unclear.Methods: PARPBP expression was analyzed in breast cancer patient samples and public datasets for its correlation with clinical outcome. The function of PARPBP in breast cancer cell proliferation and anthracycline treatment response were studied both in vitro and in vivo.
    Results: PARPBP was upregulated significantly at both mRNA and protein levels in breast cancer tissues compared with normal breast tissues. PARPBP high expression group had poorer overall survival (OS) than the PARPBP low expression group. Knockdown of PARPBP suppressed breast cancer cell proliferation and colony formation while overexpression of PARPBP did the opposite. We found that transcription factor forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) could activate PARPBP expression by directly binding to the promoter of PARPBP. In addition, high expression of PARPBP related with anthracycline resistance in breast cancer. Depletion of PARPBP increased breast cancer cell apoptosis and DNA damage caused by epirubicin. Moreover, tumor xenograft experiments further demonstrated that PARPBP was involved in breast cancer anthracycline resistance.
    Conclusion: Taken together, our results highlight that PARPBP is a prognostic marker and confers anthracycline resistance on breast cancer.
    Keywords:  PARPBP; biomarker; breast cancer; chemotherapy; prognosis
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1177/1758835920974212
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