ASCL1 represses a SOX9⁺ neural crest stem-like state in small cell lung cancer.

ABSTRACT: ASCL1 is a neuroendocrine lineage-specific oncogenic driver of small cell lung cancer (SCLC), highly expressed in a significant fraction of tumors. However, ∼25% of human SCLC are ASCL1-low and associated with low neuroendocrine fate and high MYC expression. Using genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs), we show that alterations in Rb1/Trp53/Myc in the mouse lung induce an ASCL1⁺ state of SCLC in multiple cells of origin. Genetic depletion of ASCL1 in MYC-driven SCLC dramatically inhibits tumor initiation and progression to the NEUROD1⁺ subtype of SCLC. Surprisingly, ASCL1 loss promotes a SOX9⁺ mesenchymal/neural crest stem-like state and the emergence of osteosarcoma and chondroid tumors, whose propensity is impacted by cell of origin. ASCL1 is

SUBMITTER: Olsen RR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8168563 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature