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Involvement of the central nervous system in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: opinions on molecular mechanisms and clinical implications based on recent data.

ABSTRACT: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer. One of the major clinical challenges is adequate diagnosis and treatment of central nervous system (CNS) involvement in this disease. Intriguingly, there is little solid evidence on the mechanisms sustaining CNS disease in ALL. Here, we present and discuss recent data on this topic, which are mainly derived from preclinical model systems. We thereby highlight sites and routes of leukemic CNS infiltration, cellular features promoting infiltration and survival of leukemic cells in a presumably hostile niche, and dormancy as a potential mechanism of survival and relapse in CNS leukemia. We also focus on the impact of ALL cytogenetic subtypes on features associated with a particular CNS tropism. Finally, we speculate on new perspectives in the treatment of ALL in the CNS, including ideas on the impact of novel immunotherapies.

SUBMITTER: Lenk L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7098933 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Involvement of the central nervous system in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: opinions on molecular mechanisms and clinical implications based on recent data.

Lenk Lennart L Alsadeq Ameera A Schewe Denis M DM

Cancer metastasis reviews 20200301 1

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer. One of the major clinical challenges is adequate diagnosis and treatment of central nervous system (CNS) involvement in this disease. Intriguingly, there is little solid evidence on the mechanisms sustaining CNS disease in ALL. Here, we present and discuss recent data on this topic, which are mainly derived from preclinical model systems. We thereby highlight sites and routes of leukemic CNS infiltration, cellular features p ...[more]

PMID: 31970588

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Project description:Delivery of effective anti-leukemic agents to the central nervous system (CNS) is considered essential for cure of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Current CNS-directed therapy comprises systemic therapy with good CNS-penetration accompanied by repeated intrathecal treatments up to 26 times over 2-3 years. This approach prevents most CNS relapses, but is associated with significant short and long term neurotoxicity. Despite this burdensome therapy, there have been no new drugs licensed for CNS-leukemia since the 1960s, when very limited anti-leukemic agents were available and there was no mechanistic understanding of leukemia survival in the CNS. Another major barrier to improved treatment is that we cannot accurately identify children at risk of CNS relapse, or monitor response to treatment, due to a lack of sensitive biomarkers. A paradigm shift in treating the CNS is needed. The challenges are clear - we cannot measure CNS leukemic load, trials have been unable to establish the most effective CNS treatment regimens, and non-toxic approaches for relapsed, refractory, or intolerant patients are lacking. In this review we discuss these challenges and highlight research advances aiming to provide solutions. Unlocking the potential of risk-adapted non-toxic CNS-directed therapy requires; (1) discovery of robust diagnostic, prognostic and response biomarkers for CNS-leukemia, (2) identification of novel therapeutic targets combined with associated investment in drug development and early-phase trials and (3) engineering of immunotherapies to overcome the unique challenges of the CNS microenvironment. Fortunately, research into CNS-ALL is now making progress in addressing these unmet needs: biomarkers, such as CSF-flow cytometry, are now being tested in prospective trials, novel drugs are being tested in Phase I/II trials, and immunotherapies are increasingly available to patients with CNS relapses. The future is hopeful for improved management of the CNS over the next decade.

Project description:BackgroundAcute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is prone to metastasize to the central nervous system (CNS), which is an important cause of poor treatment outcomes and unfavorable prognosis. However, the pathogenesis of CNS metastasis of ALL cells has not been fully illuminated. Recent reports have shed some light on the correlation between neural mechanisms and ALL CNS metastasis. These progressions prompt us to study the relationship between ALL central nervous system metastasis and neuronal development, exploring potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets of CNS metastasis.Materials and methodsALL central nervous system metastasis- and neuronal development-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by analyzing gene expression datasets GSE60926 and GSE13715. Target prediction and network analysis methods were applied to assess protein-protein interaction networks. Gene Ontology (GO) terms and pathway enrichment for DEGs were assessed. Co-expressed differentially expressed genes (co-DEGs) coupled with corresponding predicted microRNAs (miRNAs) were studied as well. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and flow cytometry were employed for the validation of key co-DEGs in primary ALL cells. Furthermore, ALL cells were treated with a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor to block neuronal development and assess changes in the co-DEGs.ResultsWe identified 216, 208, and 204 DEGs in ALL CNS metastasis specimens and neuronal development samples (GSE60926 and GSE13715). CD2, CD3G, CD3D, and LCK may be implicated in ALL CNS metastasis. LAMB1, MATN3, IGFBP3, LGALS1, and NEUROD1 may be associated with neuronal development. Specifically, four co-DEGs (LGALS1, TMEM71, SHISA2, and S100A11) may link ALL central nervous system metastasis and neuronal development process. The miRNAs for each co-DEG could be potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets for ALL central nervous system metastasis, especially hsa-miR-22-3p, hsa-miR-548t-5p, and hsa-miR-6134. Additionally, four co-DEGs (LGALS1, TMEM71, SHISA2, and S100A11) were validated in CNS-infiltrated ALL cells. The VEGF inhibitor demonstrated a suppressive effect on mRNA and protein expression of key co-DEGs.ConclusionThe bioinformatic survey and key gene validation suggest a possible correlation between ALL CNS metastasis and the neuronal development process. Simulating the neuronal development process might be a possible strategy for CNS metastasis in ALL. LGALS1, TMEM71, SHISA2, and S100A11 genes are promising and novel biomarkers and targets in ALL CNS metastasis.

Project description:BackgroundRefractory central nervous system (CNS) involvement is among the major causes of therapy failure in childhood acute leukemia. Applying contemporary diagnostic methods, CNS disease is often underdiagnosed. To explore more sensitive and less invasive CNS status indicators, we examined microRNA (miR) expressions and extracellular vesicle (EV) characteristics.MethodsIn an acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) discovery cohort, 47 miRs were screened using Custom TaqMan Advanced Low-Density Array gene expression cards. As a validation step, a candidate miR family was further scrutinized with TaqMan Advanced miRNA Assays on serial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood samples with different acute leukemia subtypes. Furthermore, small EV-rich fractions were isolated from CSF and the samples were processed for immunoelectron microscopy with anti-CD63 and anti-CD81 antibodies, simultaneously.ResultsRegarding the discovery study, principal component analysis identified the role of miR-181-family (miR-181a-5p, miR-181b-5p, miR-181c-5p) in clustering CNS-positive (CNS+) and CNS-negative (CNS‒) CSF samples. We were able to validate miR-181a expression differences: it was about 52 times higher in CSF samples of CNS+ ALL patients compared to CNS‒ cases (n = 8 vs. n = 10, ΔFC = 52.30, p = 1.5E-4), and CNS+ precursor B cell subgroup also had ninefold higher miR-181a levels in their BM (p = 0.04). The sensitivity of CSF miR-181a measurement in ALL highly exceeded those of conventional cytospin in the initial diagnosis of CNS leukemia (90% vs. 54.5%). Pellet resulting from ultracentrifugation of CNS+ CSF samples of ALL patients showed atypical CD63-/CD81- small EVs in high density by immunoelectron microscopy.ConclusionsAfter validating in extensive cohorts, quantification of miR-181a or a specific EV subtype might provide novel tools to monitor CNS disease course and further adjust CNS-directed therapy in pediatric ALL.

Project description:Background. Flow cytometry (FCM) identifies leukemic blasts in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in approximately 30% of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), whereas conventional cytospin preparations frequently miss such involvement. <br>Procedure. To explore biological properties of leukemic cells that migrate into central nervous system (CNS), we compared gene expression profiles of leukemic cells from 26 patients with CNS involvement and 138 patients without CNS leukemia as determined by FCM and/or cytospin preparations. Results were validated by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). <br>Results. We found the cysteine endopeptidase legumain (LGMN) that plays a role in hydrolysis of proteins and small molecules to be significantly differentially expressed between FCM+ and FCM- B-cell precursor (BCP) ALL patients. When LGMN expression was validated by qPCR it stayed differentially expressed between FCM+ and FCM- BCP-ALL patients (P=0.006), and also between FCM+ and cytospin-negative BCP-ALL patients (P=0.01). In multivariate regression analysis including sex, age and WBC, LGMN expression levels above population median were associated with an odds ratio of 9.1 for CNS involvement as determined by FCM compared with expression less than the median (95% CI, 1.26 to 65.50; P=0.03). Conclusions. The use of more sensitive methods for detecting and quantifying CNS involvement, such as FCM, may facilitate detection of markers of leukemia biology, such as LGMN, which could have therapeutical implications for future CNS-directed therapy.<br>FCM+: Patients had leukemic cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) detected by flow cytometry and no blood contamination. FCM-: Patients had no leukemic cells in the CSF detected by flow cytometry with or without blood contamination.<br>CNS1: No leukemic cells in CSF detected by cytospin examination with or without blood contamination and no other clinical signs of central nervous system (CNS) leukaemia. CNS2: CSF leukocyte count <5 x106/ÂµL with blasts on cytospin examination and no blood contamination. CNS3: CSF leukocyte count >5 x106/ÂµL with blasts on cytospin examination and no blood contamination, and/or cranial nerve palsy, and/or CNS leukaemia by neuroimaging.

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Involvement of the central nervous system in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: opinions on molecular mechanisms and clinical implications based on recent data.

Publications

Involvement of the central nervous system in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: opinions on molecular mechanisms and clinical implications based on recent data.

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