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2.
FASEB J ; 38(10): e23689, 2024 May 31.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38785406

ABSTRACT

Neuroblastoma, a prevalent extracranial solid tumor in children, arises from undifferentiated nerve cells. While tumor vasculature, often characterized by increased permeability, influences metastasis and recurrence, the direct impact of blood-borne molecules on tumor progression remains unclear. In the present study, we focused on the effect of exposure to albumin, one of the most abundant proteins in the serum, on human neuroblastoma cells. Albumin exposure elevated oxidative stress and led to mitochondria dysfunction via the activation of TGFß and PI3K pathways, accompanied by an increase in the metastatic and invasive properties of neuroblastoma cells. Proteins relevant to the induction of autophagy were upregulated in response to prolonged albumin exposure. Additionally, pre-exposure to albumin before treatment resulted in increased resistance to paclitaxel. Two valeriana-type iridoid glycosides, patrisophoroside and patrinalloside, recently isolated from Nardostachys jatamansi significantly mitigated the effect of albumin on oxidative stress, cell invasiveness, and chemoresistance. These findings illuminate the potential role of blood-borne molecules, such as albumin, in the progression and metastasis of neuroblastoma, as well as the possible therapeutic implications of valeriana-type iridoid glycosides in anti-cancer treatment.


Subject(s)
Drug Resistance, Neoplasm , Iridoid Glycosides , Neuroblastoma , Paclitaxel , Humans , Neuroblastoma/pathology , Neuroblastoma/metabolism , Neuroblastoma/drug therapy , Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects , Paclitaxel/pharmacology , Iridoid Glycosides/pharmacology , Cell Line, Tumor , Neoplasm Invasiveness , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology , Valerian/chemistry , Serum Albumin/metabolism
3.
Molecules ; 29(10)2024 May 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38792167

ABSTRACT

Methylglyoxal-induced ROS elevation is the primary cause of neuronal damage. Metformin is a traditional hypoglycemic drug that has been reported to be beneficial to the nervous system. In this study, flavonoids were found to enhance the protective effect of metformin when added at a molar concentration of 0.5%. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis indicated that ortho- substitution in the B ring, and the absence of double bonds between the 2 and 3 position combined with the gallate substitution with R configuration at the 3 position in the C ring played crucial roles in the synergistic effects, which could be beneficial for designing a combination of the compounds. Additionally, the mechanism study revealed that a typical flavonoid, EGCG, enhanced ROS scavenging and anti-apoptotic ability via the BCL2/Bax/Cyto C/Caspase-3 pathway, and synergistically inhibited the expression of GSK-3ß, BACE-1, and APP in PC-12 cells when used in combination with metformin. The dose of metformin used in the combination was only 1/4 of the conventional dose when used alone. These results suggested that ROS-mediated apoptosis and the pathways related to amyloid plaques (Aß) formation can be the targets for the synergistic neuroprotective effects of flavonoids and metformin.


Subject(s)
Apoptosis , Drug Synergism , Flavonoids , Metformin , Pyruvaldehyde , Reactive Oxygen Species , Metformin/pharmacology , Metformin/chemistry , Rats , Flavonoids/pharmacology , Flavonoids/chemistry , PC12 Cells , Animals , Structure-Activity Relationship , Apoptosis/drug effects , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Neuroblastoma/metabolism , Neuroblastoma/pathology , Neuroblastoma/drug therapy , Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology , Neuroprotective Agents/chemistry , Signal Transduction/drug effects
4.
J Cell Mol Med ; 28(10): e18360, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38785199

ABSTRACT

Neuroblastoma (NB), a common solid tumour in young children originating from the sympathetic nervous system during embryonic development, poses challenges despite therapeutic advances like high-dose chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Some survivors still grapple with severe side effects and drug resistance. The role of lncRNA NUTM2A-AS1 has been explored in various cancers, but its function in drug-resistant NB progression is unclear. Our study found that NUTM2A-AS1 expression in cisplatin-resistant NB cells increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Knockdown of NUTM2A-AS1 significantly improved NB cell sensitivity to cisplatin and inhibited metastatic abilities. Additionally, we identified B7-H3, an immune checkpoint-related protein, as a NUTM2A-AS1-associated protein in NB cells. NUTM2A-AS1 was shown to inhibit the protein degradation of B7-H3. Moreover, NUTM2A-AS1 modulated immune evasion in cisplatin-resistant NB cells through B7-H3. Furthermore, NUTM2A-AS1 expression in cisplatin-resistant NB cells was transactivated by NR1D1. In summary, our results unveil the molecular or biological relationship within the NR1D1/NUTM2A-AS1/B7-H3 axis in NB cells under cisplatin treatment, providing an intriguing avenue for fundamental research into cisplatin-resistant NB.


Subject(s)
B7 Antigens , Cisplatin , Drug Resistance, Neoplasm , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Neuroblastoma , RNA, Long Noncoding , Humans , Neuroblastoma/genetics , Neuroblastoma/pathology , Neuroblastoma/drug therapy , Neuroblastoma/metabolism , Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics , B7 Antigens/metabolism , B7 Antigens/genetics , RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics , Cisplatin/pharmacology , Cell Line, Tumor , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects , Immune Evasion , Animals , Proteolysis/drug effects , Mice
5.
Biol Res ; 57(1): 33, 2024 May 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38802872

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There is a need for novel treatments for neuroblastoma, despite the emergence of new biological and immune treatments, since refractory pediatric neuroblastoma is still a medical challenge. Phyto cannabinoids and their hemisynthetic derivatives have shown evidence supporting their anticancer potential. The aim of this research was to examine Phytocannabinoids or hemisynthetic cannabinoids, which reduce the SHSY-5Y, neuroblastoma cell line's viability. METHODS: Hexane and acetyl acetate extracts were produced starting with Cannabis sativa L. as raw material, then, 9-tetrahidrocannabinol, its acid counterpart and CBN were isolated. In addition, acetylated derivatives of THC and CBN were synthesized. The identification and purity of the chemicals was determined by High Performance Liquid Chromatography and 1H y 13C Magnetic Nuclear Resonance. Then, the capacity to affect the viability of SHSY-5Y, a neuroblastoma cell line, was examined using the resazurin method. Finally, to gain insight into the mechanism of action of the extracts, phytocannabinoids and acetylated derivatives on the examined cells, a caspase 3/7 determination was performed on cells exposed to these compounds. RESULTS: The structure and purity of the isolated compounds was demonstrated. The extracts, the phytocannabinoids and their acetylated counterparts inhibited the viability of the SHSY 5Y cells, being CBN the most potent of all the tested molecules with an inhibitory concentration of 50 percent of 9.5 µM. CONCLUSION: Each of the evaluated molecules exhibited the capacity to activate caspases 3/7, indicating that at least in part, the cytotoxicity of the tested phytocannabinoids and their hemi-synthetic derivatives is mediated by apoptosis.


Subject(s)
Cannabinoids , Cannabis , Caspase 3 , Cell Survival , Neuroblastoma , Plant Extracts , Humans , Cannabis/chemistry , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Cell Line, Tumor , Neuroblastoma/drug therapy , Cell Survival/drug effects , Caspase 3/metabolism , Caspase 3/drug effects , Cannabinoids/pharmacology , Cannabinoids/chemistry , Caspase 7/metabolism , Apoptosis/drug effects , Acetylation/drug effects , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
6.
JCO Precis Oncol ; 8: e2300713, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38810175

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Our study aimed to explore real-world treatment scenarios for children and adolescents with neurotrophic tropomyosin receptor kinase (NTRK)-fused tumors, emphasizing access, responses, side effects, and outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Pooled clinical data from 17 pediatric cases (11 soft-tissue sarcomas, five brain tumors, and one neuroblastoma) treated with larotrectinib and radiologic images for 14 patients were centrally reviewed. Testing for gene fusions was prompted by poor response to treatment, tumor progression, or aggressiveness. RESULTS: Six different NTRK fusion subtypes were detected, and various payment sources for testing and medication were reported. Radiologic review revealed objective tumor responses (OR) in 11 of 14 patients: Complete responses: two; partial responses: nine; and stable disease: three cases. Grades 1 or 2 Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events adverse effects were reported in five patients. Regarding the entire cohort's clinical information, 15 of 17 patients remain alive (median observation time: 25 months): four with no evidence of disease and 11 alive with disease (10 without progression). One patient developed resistance to the NTRK inhibitor and died from disease progression while another patient died due to an unrelated cause. CONCLUSION: This real-world study confirms favorable agnostic tumor OR rates to larotrectinib in children with NTRK-fused tumors. Better coordination to facilitate access to medication remains a challenge, particularly in middle-income countries like Brazil.


Subject(s)
Protein Kinase Inhibitors , Pyrazoles , Humans , Child , Male , Female , Adolescent , Pyrazoles/therapeutic use , Child, Preschool , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Pyrimidines/therapeutic use , Receptor, trkA/genetics , Receptor, trkA/antagonists & inhibitors , Brain Neoplasms/drug therapy , Brain Neoplasms/genetics , Sarcoma/drug therapy , Sarcoma/genetics , Neuroblastoma/drug therapy , Neuroblastoma/genetics , Infant , Receptor, trkB/genetics , Receptor, trkC/genetics , Clinical Trials as Topic
7.
JCO Clin Cancer Inform ; 8: e2400009, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38815188

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Although the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group Data Commons (INRGdc) has enabled seminal large cohort studies, the research is limited by the lack of real-world, electronic health record (EHR) treatment data. To address this limitation, we evaluated the feasibility of extracting treatment data directly from EHRs using the REDCap Clinical Data Interoperability Services (CDIS) module for future submission to the INRGdc. METHODS: Patients enrolled on the Children's Oncology Group neuroblastoma biology study ANBL00B1 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00904241) who received care at the University of Chicago (UChicago) or the Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) after the go-live dates for the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR)-compliant EHRs were identified. Antineoplastic drug orders were extracted using the CDIS module. To validate the CDIS output, antineoplastic agents extracted through FHIR were compared with those queried through EHR relational databases (UChicago's Clinical Research Data Warehouse and VUMC's Epic Clarity database) and manual chart review. RESULTS: The analytic cohort consisted of 41 patients at UChicago and 32 VUMC patients. Antineoplastic drug orders were identified in the extracted EHR records of 39 (95.1%) UChicago patients and 26 (81.3%) VUMC patients. Manual chart review confirmed that patients with missing (n = 8) or discontinued (n = 1) orders in the CDIS output did not receive antineoplastic agents during the timeframe of the study. More than 99% of the antineoplastic drug orders in the EHR relational databases were identified in the corresponding CDIS output. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate the feasibility of extracting EHR treatment data with high fidelity using HL7-FHIR via REDCap CDIS for future submission to the INRGdc.


Subject(s)
Electronic Health Records , Neuroblastoma , Humans , Neuroblastoma/drug therapy , Neuroblastoma/therapy , Female , Male , Child , Child, Preschool , Health Information Interoperability , Infant , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Databases, Factual
8.
Int J Mol Sci ; 25(9)2024 Apr 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38732012

ABSTRACT

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most commonly diagnosed extracranial solid tumor in children, accounting for 15% of all childhood cancer deaths. Although the 5-year survival rate of patients with a high-risk disease has increased in recent decades, NB remains a challenge in pediatric oncology, and the identification of novel potential therapeutic targets and agents is an urgent clinical need. The RNA-binding protein LIN28B has been identified as an oncogene in NB and is associated with a poor prognosis. Given that LIN28B acts by negatively regulating the biogenesis of the tumor suppressor let-7 miRNAs, we reasoned that selective interference with the LIN28B/let-7 miRNA interaction would increase let-7 miRNA levels, ultimately leading to reduced NB aggressiveness. Here, we selected (-)-epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG) out of 4959 molecules screened as the molecule with the best inhibitory activity on LIN28B/let-7 miRNA interaction and showed that treatment with PLC/PLGA-PEG nanoparticles containing EGCG (EGCG-NPs) led to an increase in mature let-7 miRNAs and a consequent inhibition of NB cell growth. In addition, EGCG-NP pretreatment reduced the tumorigenic potential of NB cells in vivo. These experiments suggest that the LIN28B/let-7 miRNA axis is a good therapeutic target in NB and that EGCG, which can interfere with this interaction, deserves further preclinical evaluation.


Subject(s)
Catechin , MicroRNAs , Neuroblastoma , RNA-Binding Proteins , Catechin/analogs & derivatives , Catechin/pharmacology , Neuroblastoma/genetics , Neuroblastoma/pathology , Neuroblastoma/metabolism , Neuroblastoma/drug therapy , MicroRNAs/genetics , MicroRNAs/metabolism , Humans , RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , Animals , Mice , Cell Line, Tumor , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays , Mice, Nude
9.
Int Immunopharmacol ; 133: 112145, 2024 May 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38691920

ABSTRACT

Treatment strategies for paediatric neuroblastoma as well as many other cancers are limited by the unfavourable tumour microenvironment (TME). In this study, the TMEs of neuroblastoma were grouped by their genetic signatures into four distinct subtypes: immune enriched, immune desert, non-proliferative and fibrotic. An Immune Score and a Proliferation Score were constructed based on the molecular features of the subtypes to quantify the immune microenvironment or malignancy degree of cancer cells in neuroblastoma, respectively. The Immune Score correlated with a patient's response to immunotherapy; the Proliferation Score was an independent prognostic biomarker for neuroblastoma and proved to be more accurate than the existing clinical predictors. This double scoring system was further validated and the conserved molecular pattern associated with immune landscape and malignancy degree was confirmed. Axitinib and BI-2536 were confirmed as candidate drugs for neuroblastoma by the double scoring system. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that axitinib-induced pyroptosis of neuroblastoma cells activated anti-tumour immunity and inhibited tumour growth; BI-2536 induced cell cycle arrest at the S phase in neuroblastoma cells. The comprehensive double scoring system of neuroblastoma may predict prognosis and screen for therapeutic strategies which could provide personalized treatments.


Subject(s)
Axitinib , Immunotherapy , Neuroblastoma , Tumor Microenvironment , Neuroblastoma/immunology , Neuroblastoma/therapy , Neuroblastoma/pathology , Neuroblastoma/drug therapy , Humans , Tumor Microenvironment/immunology , Prognosis , Animals , Immunotherapy/methods , Cell Line, Tumor , Axitinib/therapeutic use , Child , Male , Female , Child, Preschool , Mice , Infant , Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays , Cell Proliferation/drug effects
10.
PLoS One ; 19(5): e0303643, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38809883

ABSTRACT

Neuroblastoma is the most common solid extracranial tumour in children. Despite major advances in available therapies, children with drug-resistant and/or recurrent neuroblastoma have a dismal outlook with 5-year survival rates of less than 20%. Therefore, tackling relapsed tumour biology by developing and characterising clinically relevant models is a priority in finding targetable vulnerability in neuroblastoma. Using matched cisplatin-sensitive KellyLuc and resistant KellyCis83Luc cell lines, we developed a cisplatin-resistant metastatic MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma model. The average number of metastases per mouse was significantly higher in the KellyCis83Luc group than in the KellyLuc group. The vast majority of sites were confirmed as having lymph node metastasis. Their stiffness characteristics of lymph node metastasis values were within the range reported for the patient samples. Targeted transcriptomic profiling of immuno-oncology genes identified tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 4 (TNFRSF4) as a significantly dysregulated MYCN-independent gene. Importantly, differential TNFRSF4 expression was identified in tumour cells rather than lymphocytes. Low TNFRSF4 expression correlated with poor prognostic indicators in neuroblastoma, such as age at diagnosis, stage, and risk stratification and significantly associated with reduced probability of both event-free and overall survival in neuroblastoma. Therefore, TNFRSF4 Low expression is an independent prognostic factor of survival in neuroblastoma.


Subject(s)
Cisplatin , Drug Resistance, Neoplasm , Neuroblastoma , Neuroblastoma/genetics , Neuroblastoma/pathology , Neuroblastoma/drug therapy , Neuroblastoma/mortality , Neuroblastoma/metabolism , Humans , Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics , Animals , Cisplatin/therapeutic use , Cisplatin/pharmacology , Mice , Cell Line, Tumor , Prognosis , N-Myc Proto-Oncogene Protein/genetics , N-Myc Proto-Oncogene Protein/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Female , Lymphatic Metastasis
11.
J Immunother Cancer ; 12(5)2024 May 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38782540

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Approximately half of the neuroblastoma patients develop high-risk neuroblastoma. Current treatment involves a multimodal strategy, including immunotherapy with dinutuximab (IgG ch14.18) targeting GD2. Despite achieving promising results, the recurrence rate remains high and poor survival persists. The therapeutic efficacy of dinutuximab is compromised by suboptimal activation of neutrophils and severe neuropathic pain, partially induced by complement activation. METHODS: To enhance neutrophil cytotoxicity, IgG ch14.18 was converted to the IgA isotype, resulting in potent neutrophil-mediated antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), without complement activation. However, myeloid checkpoint molecules hamper neutrophil cytotoxicity, for example through CD47 that is overexpressed on neuroblastomas and orchestrates an immunosuppressive environment upon ligation to signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) expressed on neutrophils. In this study, we combined IgA therapy with CD47 blockade. RESULTS: In vitro killing assays showed enhanced IgA-mediated ADCC by neutrophils targeting neuroblastoma cell lines and organoids in comparison to IgG. Notably, when combined with CD47 blockade, both IgG and IgA therapy were enhanced, though the combination with IgA resulted in the greatest improvement of ADCC. Furthermore, in a neuroblastoma xenograft model, we systemically blocked CD47 with a SIRPα fusion protein containing an ablated IgG1 Fc, and compared IgA therapy to IgG therapy. Only IgA therapy combined with CD47 blockade increased neutrophil influx to the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, the IgA combination strategy hampered tumor outgrowth most effectively and prolonged tumor-specific survival. CONCLUSION: These promising results highlight the potential to enhance immunotherapy efficacy against high-risk neuroblastoma through improved neutrophil cytotoxicity by combining IgA therapy with CD47 blockade.


Subject(s)
CD47 Antigen , Immunoglobulin A , Neuroblastoma , Neutrophils , CD47 Antigen/antagonists & inhibitors , CD47 Antigen/metabolism , CD47 Antigen/immunology , Humans , Neuroblastoma/immunology , Neuroblastoma/drug therapy , Neutrophils/immunology , Neutrophils/metabolism , Animals , Mice , Immunoglobulin A/immunology , Immunoglobulin A/pharmacology , Immunoglobulin A/metabolism , Cell Line, Tumor , Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity , Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology , Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use , Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays , Immunotherapy/methods , Female , Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/therapeutic use
12.
Cell Rep ; 43(5): 114165, 2024 May 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38691450

ABSTRACT

The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification is an important regulator of gene expression. m6A is deposited by a methyltransferase complex that includes methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) and methyltransferase-like 14 (METTL14). High levels of METTL3/METTL14 drive the growth of many types of adult cancer, and METTL3/METTL14 inhibitors are emerging as new anticancer agents. However, little is known about the m6A epitranscriptome or the role of the METTL3/METTL14 complex in neuroblastoma, a common pediatric cancer. Here, we show that METTL3 knockdown or pharmacologic inhibition with the small molecule STM2457 leads to reduced neuroblastoma cell proliferation and increased differentiation. These changes in neuroblastoma phenotype are associated with decreased m6A deposition on transcripts involved in nervous system development and neuronal differentiation, with increased stability of target mRNAs. In preclinical studies, STM2457 treatment suppresses the growth of neuroblastoma tumors in vivo. Together, these results support the potential of METTL3/METTL14 complex inhibition as a therapeutic strategy against neuroblastoma.


Subject(s)
Cell Differentiation , Cell Proliferation , Methyltransferases , Neuroblastoma , Methyltransferases/metabolism , Methyltransferases/antagonists & inhibitors , Neuroblastoma/pathology , Neuroblastoma/metabolism , Neuroblastoma/drug therapy , Neuroblastoma/genetics , Humans , Cell Differentiation/drug effects , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Cell Line, Tumor , Animals , Mice , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects , Adenosine/analogs & derivatives , Adenosine/metabolism , Adenosine/pharmacology
14.
Molecules ; 29(7)2024 Apr 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38611871

ABSTRACT

Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) are endogenous lipids that act as agonists of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα). Recently, an interest in the role of these lipids in malignant tumors has emerged. Nevertheless, the effects of OEA and PEA on human neuroblastoma cells are still not documented. Type I interferons (IFNs) are immunomodulatory cytokines endowed with antiviral and anti-proliferative actions and are used in the treatment of various pathologies such as different cancer forms (i.e., non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, melanoma, leukemia), hepatitis B, hepatitis C, multiple sclerosis, and many others. In this study, we investigated the effect of OEA and PEA on human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells treated with IFNß. We focused on evaluating cell viability, cell proliferation, and cell signaling. Co-exposure to either OEA or PEA along with IFNß leads to increased apoptotic cell death marked by the cleavage of caspase 3 and poly-(ADP ribose) polymerase (PARP) alongside a decrease in survivin and IKBα levels. Moreover, we found that OEA and PEA did not affect IFNß signaling through the JAK-STAT pathway and the STAT1-inducible protein kinase R (PKR). OEA and PEA also increased the phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression both in full cell lysate and surface membranes. Furthermore, GW6471, a PPARα inhibitor, and the genetic silencing of the receptor were shown to lower PD-L1 and cleaved PARP levels. These results reveal the presence of a novel mechanism, independent of the IFNß-prompted pathway, by which OEA and PEA can directly impair cell survival, proliferation, and clonogenicity through modulating and potentiating the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in human SH-SY5Y cells.


Subject(s)
Amides , Endocannabinoids , Ethanolamines , Neuroblastoma , Oleic Acids , Humans , Neuroblastoma/drug therapy , B7-H1 Antigen , Janus Kinases , PPAR alpha , Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors , STAT Transcription Factors , Signal Transduction , Apoptosis , Palmitic Acids/pharmacology
15.
J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab ; 37(5): 482-485, 2024 May 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38618883

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Childhood cancer survivors are at risk for premature ovarian insufficiency, especially after treatment with alkylating agents. The objective of this report is to highlight a case in which this phenomenon caused a false-positive pregnancy test. CASE PRESENTATION: A workup was performed in a 14-year-old girl with a positive pregnancy test. She was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma of the left adrenal gland at the age of 4 years. She received extensive treatment, including alkylating agents, and had been diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency. An LH/hCG suppression test was performed using high dose 17 bèta-estradiol: hCG levels normalized. CONCLUSIONS: The pregnancy test was false-positive due to production of low amounts of hCG by the pituitary gland as a result of high LH concentrations following premature ovarian insufficiency. It may be helpful to perform the LH/hCG suppression test to prove pituitary origin of the hCG overproduction.


Subject(s)
Primary Ovarian Insufficiency , Humans , Female , Primary Ovarian Insufficiency/diagnosis , Primary Ovarian Insufficiency/pathology , Adolescent , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Tests , Neuroblastoma/complications , Neuroblastoma/pathology , Neuroblastoma/drug therapy , Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/complications , Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/pathology , Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/diagnosis , False Positive Reactions , Luteinizing Hormone/blood , Prognosis
17.
Pediatr Blood Cancer ; 71(6): e30976, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38577760

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Survival rates of patients with high-risk neuroblastoma are unacceptable. A time-intensified treatment strategy with delayed local treatment to control systemic diseases has been developed in Japan. We conducted a nationwide, prospective, single-arm clinical trial with delayed local treatment. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of delayed surgery to increase treatment intensity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-five patients with high-risk neuroblastoma were enrolled in this study between May 2011 and September 2015. Delayed local treatment consisted of five courses of induction chemotherapy (cisplatin, pirarubicin, vincristine, and cyclophosphamide) and myeloablative high-dose chemotherapy (melphalan, etoposide, and carboplatin), followed by local tumor extirpation with surgery and irradiation. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), response rate, adverse events, and surgical complications. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients were enrolled, and 64 were evaluable (stage 3, n = 8; stage 4, n = 56). The estimated 3-year PFS and OS rates (95% confidence interval [CI]) were 44.4% [31.8%-56.3%] and 80.7% [68.5%-88.5%], resspectively. The response rate of INRC after completion of the treatment protocol was 66% (42/64; 95% CI: 53%-77%; 23 CR [complete response], 10 VGPR [very good partial response], and nine PR [partial response]). None of the patients died during the protocol treatment or within 30 days of completion. Grade 4 adverse effects, excluding hematological adverse effects, occurred in 48% of patients [31/64; 95% CI: 36%-61%]. Major Surgical complications were observed in 25% of patients [13/51; 95% CI: 14%-40%]. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that delayed local treatment is feasible and shows promising efficacy, suggesting that this treatment should be considered further in a comparative study of high-risk neuroblastoma.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols , Doxorubicin/analogs & derivatives , Neuroblastoma , Humans , Neuroblastoma/drug therapy , Neuroblastoma/therapy , Neuroblastoma/mortality , Neuroblastoma/pathology , Female , Male , Child, Preschool , Infant , Child , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Japan/epidemiology , Prospective Studies , Survival Rate , Adolescent , Induction Chemotherapy , Etoposide/administration & dosage , Follow-Up Studies , Vincristine/administration & dosage , Vincristine/therapeutic use , Combined Modality Therapy , Cyclophosphamide/administration & dosage , Cyclophosphamide/therapeutic use , Prognosis , Doxorubicin/administration & dosage , Doxorubicin/therapeutic use , Melphalan/administration & dosage , Melphalan/therapeutic use , Cisplatin/administration & dosage , Cisplatin/therapeutic use
18.
Nat Commun ; 15(1): 3422, 2024 Apr 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38653965

ABSTRACT

Targeting Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is a promising therapeutic strategy for aberrant ALK-expressing malignancies including neuroblastoma, but resistance to ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ALK TKI) is a distinct possibility necessitating drug combination therapeutic approaches. Using high-throughput, genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screens, we identify miR-1304-5p loss as a desensitizer to ALK TKIs in aberrant ALK-expressing neuroblastoma; inhibition of miR-1304-5p decreases, while mimics of this miRNA increase the sensitivity of neuroblastoma cells to ALK TKIs. We show that miR-1304-5p targets NRAS, decreasing cell viability via induction of apoptosis. It follows that the farnesyltransferase inhibitor (FTI) lonafarnib in addition to ALK TKIs act synergistically in neuroblastoma, inducing apoptosis in vitro. In particular, on combined treatment of neuroblastoma patient derived xenografts with an FTI and an ALK TKI complete regression of tumour growth is observed although tumours rapidly regrow on cessation of therapy. Overall, our data suggests that combined use of ALK TKIs and FTIs, constitutes a therapeutic approach to treat high risk neuroblastoma although prolonged therapy is likely required to prevent relapse.


Subject(s)
Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase , Dibenzocycloheptenes , Farnesyltranstransferase , GTP Phosphohydrolases , MicroRNAs , Neuroblastoma , Piperidines , Protein Kinase Inhibitors , Pyridines , Animals , Female , Humans , Mice , Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase/genetics , Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase/metabolism , Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase/antagonists & inhibitors , Apoptosis/drug effects , Apoptosis/genetics , Cell Line, Tumor , Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics , Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects , Drug Synergism , Farnesyltranstransferase/antagonists & inhibitors , Farnesyltranstransferase/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects , GTP Phosphohydrolases/genetics , GTP Phosphohydrolases/metabolism , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Membrane Proteins/genetics , MicroRNAs/genetics , MicroRNAs/metabolism , Mutation , Neuroblastoma/drug therapy , Neuroblastoma/genetics , Neuroblastoma/pathology , Neuroblastoma/metabolism , Piperidines/pharmacology , Piperidines/therapeutic use , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Pyridines/pharmacology , Pyridines/therapeutic use , Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
19.
Cancer Med ; 13(9): e7207, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38686627

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Most high-risk neuroblastoma patients who relapse succumb to disease despite the existing therapy. We recently reported increased event-free and overall survival in neuroblastoma patients receiving difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) during maintenance therapy. The effect of DFMO on cellular processes associated with neuroblastoma tumorigenesis needs further elucidation. Previous studies have shown cytotoxicity with IC50 values >5-15 mM, these doses are physiologically unattainable in patients, prompting further mechanistic studies at therapeutic doses. METHODS: We characterized the effect of DFMO on cell viability, cell cycle, apoptosis, neurosphere formation, and protein expression in vitro using five established neuroblastoma cell lines (BE2C, CHLA-90, SHSY5Y, SMS-KCNR, and NGP) at clinically relevant doses of 0, 50, 100, 500, 1000, and 2500 µM. Limiting Dilution studies of tumor formation in murine models were performed. Statistical analysis was done using GraphPad and the level of significance set at p = 0.05. RESULTS: There was not a significant loss of cell viability or gain of apoptotic activity in the in vitro assays (p > 0.05). DFMO treatment initiated G1 to S phase cell cycle arrest. There was a dose-dependent decrease in frequency and size of neurospheres and a dose-dependent increase in beta-galactosidase activity in all cell lines. Tumor formation was decreased in xenografts both with DFMO-pretreated cells and in mice treated with DFMO. CONCLUSION: DFMO treatment is cytostatic at physiologically relevant doses and inhibits tumor initiation and progression in mice. This study suggests that DFMO, inhibits neuroblastoma by targeting cellular processes integral to neuroblastoma tumorigenesis at clinically relevant doses.


Subject(s)
Apoptosis , Cell Survival , Eflornithine , Neuroblastoma , Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays , Neuroblastoma/drug therapy , Neuroblastoma/pathology , Neuroblastoma/metabolism , Humans , Animals , Cell Line, Tumor , Mice , Apoptosis/drug effects , Eflornithine/pharmacology , Eflornithine/therapeutic use , Cell Survival/drug effects , Carcinogenesis/drug effects , Cell Cycle/drug effects , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Female
20.
Cell Rep ; 43(5): 114134, 2024 May 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38662542

ABSTRACT

Tumor MYCN amplification is seen in high-risk neuroblastoma, yet direct targeting of this oncogenic transcription factor has been challenging. Here, we take advantage of the dependence of MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cells on increased protein synthesis to inhibit the activity of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A1 (eIF4A1) using an amidino-rocaglate, CMLD012824. Consistent with the role of this RNA helicase in resolving structural barriers in 5' untranslated regions (UTRs), CMLD012824 increased eIF4A1 affinity for polypurine-rich 5' UTRs, including that of the MYCN and associated transcripts with critical roles in cell proliferation. CMLD012824-mediated clamping of eIF4A1 spanned the full lengths of mRNAs, while translational inhibition was mediated through 5' UTR binding in a cap-dependent and -independent manner. Finally, CMLD012824 led to growth inhibition in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma models without generalized toxicity. Our studies highlight the key role of eIF4A1 in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma and demonstrate the therapeutic potential of disrupting its function.


Subject(s)
5' Untranslated Regions , Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4A , N-Myc Proto-Oncogene Protein , Neuroblastoma , Neuroblastoma/genetics , Neuroblastoma/pathology , Neuroblastoma/metabolism , Neuroblastoma/drug therapy , Humans , 5' Untranslated Regions/genetics , N-Myc Proto-Oncogene Protein/metabolism , N-Myc Proto-Oncogene Protein/genetics , Cell Line, Tumor , Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4A/metabolism , Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4A/genetics , Cell Proliferation , Animals , Mice , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , RNA, Messenger/genetics
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