Project description:BackgroundLycorine has been revealed to inhibit the development of many kinds of malignant tumors, including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Although compelling evidences demonstrated Lycorine's inhibition on cancers through some peripheral mechanism, in-depth mechanism studies of Lycotine's anti-GBM effects still call for further exploration. Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) gene amplification and mutations are the most common oncogenic events in GBM. Targeting EGFR by small molecular inhibitors is a rational strategy for GBM treatment.MethodsThe molecular docking modeling and in vitro EGFR kinase activity system were employed to identify the potential inhibitory effects of Lycorine on EGFR. And the Biacore assay was used to confirm the direct binding status between Lycorine and the intracellular EGFR (696-1022) domain. In vitro assays were conducted to test the suppression of Lycorine on the biological behavior of GBM cells. By RNA interference, EGFR expression was reduced then cells underwent proliferation assay to investigate whether Lycorine's inhibition on GBM cells was EGFR-dependent or not. RT-PCR and western blotting analysis were carried out to investigate the underlined molecular mechanism that Lycorine exerted on EGFR itself and EGFR signaling pathway. Three different xenograft models (an U251-luc intracranially orthotopic transplantation model, an EGFR stably knockdown U251 subcutaneous xenograft model and a patient-derived xenograft model) were performed to verify Lycorine's therapeutic potential on GBM in vivo.ResultsWe identified a novel small natural molecule Lycorine binding to the intracellular EGFR (696-1022) domain as an inhibitor of EGFR. Lycorine decreased GBM cell proliferation, migration and colony formation by inducing cell apoptosis in an EGFR-mediated manner. Furthermore, Lycorine inhibited the xenograft tumor growths in three animal models in vivo. Besides, Lycorine impaired the phosphorylation of EGFR, AKT, which were mechanistically associated with expression alteration of a series of cell survival and death regulators and metastasis-related MMP9 protein.ConclusionsOur findings identify Lycorine directly interacts with EGFR and inhibits EGFR activation. The most significant result is that Lycorine displays satisfactory therapeutic effect in our patient-derived GBM tumor xenograft, thus supporting the conclusion that Lycorine may be considered as a promising candidate in clinical therapy for GBM.
Project description:Glioblastomas are the most frequent and aggressive primary brain tumors which are expressing various evolutions, aggressiveness, and prognosis. Thus, the 2007 World Health Organization classification based solely on the histological criteria is no longer sufficient. It should be complemented by molecular analysis for a true histomolecular classification. The new 2016 WHO classification of tumors of the central nervous system uses molecular parameters in addition to histology to reclassify these tumors and reduce the interobserver variability. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of IDH mutations and EGFR amplifications in the population of the northeast region of Morocco and then to compare the results with other studies. Methods. IDH1 codon 132 and IDH2 codon 172 were directly sequenced and the amplification of exon 20 of EGFR gene was investigated by qPCR in 65 glioblastoma tumors diagnosed at the University Hospital of Fez between 2010 and 2014. Results. The R132H IDH1 mutation was observed in 8 of 65 tumor samples (12.31%). No mutation of IDH2 was detected. EGFR amplification was identified in 17 cases (26.15%). Conclusion. A systematic search of both histological and molecular markers should be requisite for a good diagnosis and a better management of glioblastomas.
Project description:Chromosome 1p36.23 is frequently deleted in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). miR-34a localizes in this region. Our experiments found that miR-34a was often deleted and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was frequently amplified in genomic DNA of 55 GBMs using single-nucleotide polymorphism DNA microarray. Notably, we found that the mean survival time was significantly shortened for patients whose GBMs had both EGFR amplification and miR-34a deletion. Expression of miR-34a was significantly lower in GBM samples compared with normal brain tissue. Forced expression of miR-34a in GBM cells decreased their ability to migrate and profoundly decreased their levels of cyclin-A1, -B1, -D1, and -D3, as well as cyclin-dependent kinase and increased expression of cyclin kinase inhibitor proteins (p21, p27). Also, human GBM cells (U251) stable overexpressing mir-34a formed smaller tumors when growing as xenografts in immunodeficient mice compared with wild-type U251 GBM cells. Furthermore, the protein expression of EGFR decreased in the cells with forced overexpression of miR-34a. Additional studies showed that mir-34a targeted Yin Yang-1 (YY1) and YY1 is a transcription factor that can stimulate the expression of EGFR. Thus, our data suggest that miR-34a acts as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting growth of GBM cells in vitro and in vivo associated with moderating the expression of cell-cycle proteins and EGFR. Moreover, we discovered for the first time that both deletion of miR-34a and amplification of EGFR were associated with significantly decreased overall survival of GBM patients.
Project description:Our goals are to develop a computational histopathology pipeline for characterizing tumor types that are being generated by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) for genomic association. TCGA is a national collaborative program where different tumor types are being collected, and each tumor is being characterized using a variety of genome-wide platforms. Here, we have developed a tumor-centric analytical pipeline to process tissue sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for visualization and cell-by-cell quantitative analysis. Thus far, analysis is limited to Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) and kidney renal clear cell carcinoma tissue sections. The final results are being distributed for subtyping and linking the histology sections to the genomic data.A computational pipeline has been designed to continuously update a local image database, with limited clinical information, from an NIH repository. Each image is partitioned into blocks, where each cell in the block is characterized through a multidimensional representation (e.g., nuclear size, cellularity). A subset of morphometric indices, representing potential underlying biological processes, can then be selected for subtyping and genomic association. Simultaneously, these subtypes can also be predictive of the outcome as a result of clinical treatments. Using the cellularity index and nuclear size, the computational pipeline has revealed five subtypes, and one subtype, corresponding to the extreme high cellularity, has shown to be a predictor of survival as a result of a more aggressive therapeutic regime. Further association of this subtype with the corresponding gene expression data has identified enrichment of (i) the immune response and AP-1 signaling pathways, and (ii) IFNG, TGFB1, PKC, Cytokine, and MAPK14 hubs.While subtyping is often performed with genome-wide molecular data, we have shown that it can also be applied to categorizing histology sections. Accordingly, we have identified a subtype that is a predictor of the outcome as a result of a therapeutic regime. Computed representation has become publicly available through our Web site.
Project description:BackgroundWe aimed to evaluate the mutation profile, transcriptional variants, and prognostic impact of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-wildtype glioblastomas (GBMs).MethodsWe sequenced EGFR, evaluated the EGFR splicing profile using a next-generation sequencing oncopanel, and analyzed the outcomes in 138 grade IV IDH-wildtype GBM cases.ResultsEGFR mutations were observed in 10% of GBMs. A total of 23.9% of the GBMs showed EGFR amplification. Moreover, 25% of the EGFR mutations occurred in the kinase domain. Notably, EGFR alterations were a predictor of good prognosis (p = 0.035). GBM with EGFR alterations was associated with higher Karnofsky Performance Scale scores (p = 0.014) and lower Ki-67 scores (p = 0.005) than GBM without EGFR alterations. EGFRvIII positivity was detected in 21% of EGFR-amplified GBMs. We identified two other EGFR variants in GBM cases with deletions of exons 6-7 (Δe 6-7) and exons 2-14 (Δe 2-14). In one case, the initial EGFRvIII mutation transformed into an EGFR Δe 2-14 mutation during recurrence.ConclusionsWe found that the EGFR gene profiles of GBM differ among cohorts and that EGFR alterations are good prognostic markers of overall survival in patients with IDH-wildtype GBM. Additionally, we identified rare EGFR variants with longitudinal and temporal transformations of EGFRvIII.
Project description:Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a highly invasive and incurable tumor, is the humans' foremost, commonest, and deadliest brain cancer. As in other cancers, distinct combinations of genetic alterations (GA) in GBM induce a diversity of metabolic phenotypes resulting in enhanced malignancy and altered sensitivity to current therapies. Furthermore, GA as a hallmark of cancer, dysregulated cell metabolism in GBM has been recently linked to the acquired GA. Indeed, Numerous point mutations and copy number variations have been shown to drive glioma cells' metabolic state, affecting tumor growth and patient outcomes. Among the most common, IDH mutations, EGFR amplification, mutation, PTEN loss, and MGMT promoter mutation have emerged as key patterns associated with upregulated glycolysis and OXPHOS glutamine addiction and altered lipid metabolism in GBM. Therefore, current Advances in cancer genetic and metabolic profiling have yielded mechanistic insights into the metabolism rewiring of GBM and provided potential avenues for improved therapeutic modalities. Accordingly, actionable metabolic dependencies are currently used to design new treatments for patients with glioblastoma. Herein, we capture the current knowledge of genetic alterations in GBM, provide a detailed understanding of the alterations in metabolic pathways, and discuss their relevance in GBM therapy.
Project description:Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and amplifications are frequently reported in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients. In this case report, we utilize next-generation sequencing (NGS) and EGFR molecular imaging to investigate intratumoral heterogeneity in a male patient presenting with GBM. Further, we describe the patient's clinical course as well as outcomes of targeted EGFR therapy with erlotinib, an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). NGS demonstrated the presence of an EGFR mutation and amplification in our patient. Molecular imaging revealed a heterogeneous expression pattern of EGFR in the frontal and temporal lobes. This patient briefly responded to erlotinib therapy. However, the patient relapsed and died from progressive neurological deterioration. Partial response and acquired secondary resistance may be attributed to intratumoral heterogeneity. Combination of NGS and EGFR molecular imaging may be helpful in understanding intratumoral molecular heterogeneity and may aid in developing individualized GBM treatments, thereby improving outcomes.
Project description:To reveal the potential molecular mechanism of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and provide the candidate biomarkers for GBM gene therapy. Microarray dataset GSE50161 was obtained from GEO database. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between GBM samples and control samples, followed by the module partition analysis based on WGCNA. Then, the pathway and functional enrichment analyses of DEGs were performed. The hub genes were further investigated, followed by the survival analysis and data validation. A total of 1913 DEGs were investigated between two groups, followed by analysis of 5 modules using WGCNA. These DEGs were mainly enriched in functions like inflammatory response. The hub genes including upregulated N-Myc and STAT Interactor (NMI), Capping Actin Protein-Gelsolin Like (CAPG), and Proteasome Subunit Beta 8 (PSMB8) were revealed as potential liquid biopsy molecules for GBM diagnose. Moreover, Nucleolar and Spindle Associated Protein 1 (NUSAP1) and G Protein-Coupled Receptor 65 (GPR65) were outstanding genes in survival analysis. Our results suggested that CPNE6, HAPLN2, CMTM3, NMI, CAPG, and PSMB8 might be used as potential molecules for liquid biopsy of GBM. NUSAP1 and GPR65 might be novel prognostic targets for GBM gene therapy. Furthermore, the upregulated NMI might play an important role in GBM progression via inflammatory response.
Project description:Background Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) typically presents in the supratentorial white matter, commonly within the centrum semiovale as a ring-enhancing lesion with areas of necrosis. An atypical presentation of this lesion, both anatomically as well as radiographically, is significant and must be part of the differential for a neoplasm in this anatomical location. Case Description We present a case of a 62-year-old woman with headaches, increasing somnolence, and cognitive decline for several weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated mild left ventricular dilatation with a well-marginated, homogeneous, and nonhemorrhagic lesion located at the ceiling of the third ventricle within the junction of the septum pellucidum and fornix, without exhibiting the typical radiographic features of hemorrhage or necrosis. Final pathology reports confirmed the diagnosis of GBM. Conclusion This case report describes an unusual location for the most common primary brain neoplasm. Moreover, this case identifies the origin of a GBM related to the paracentral ventricular structures infiltrating the body of the fornix and leaves of the septum pellucidum. To our knowledge this report is the first reported case of a GBM found in this anatomical location with an entirely atypical radiographic presentation.