Oncogenomics of Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors
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ABSTRACT: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are a group of highly aggressive soft tissue sarcomas that may occur sporadically, in association with neurofibromatosis type I (NF1-associated), or after radiotherapy (RT-associated). We utilized comprehensive genomic approaches and identified recurrent loss-of-function somatic alterations in the Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) core components EED or SUZ12. Genetic loss of either of these two genes results in complete loss of H3K27me3 and aberrant transcriptional programming in the affected tumors.
SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA259582PRJNA259583
REPOSITORIES: dbGaP
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Project description:Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) patients develop benign neurofibromas and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). These incurable peripheral nerve tumors result from loss of NF1 tumor suppressor gene function, causing hyperactive Ras signaling. Activated Ras controls numerous downstream effectors, but specific pathways mediating effects of hyperactive Ras in NF1 tumors are unknown. Cross-species transcriptome analyses of mouse and human neurofibromas and MPNSTs identified global negative feedback of genes that regulate Ras-Raf- MEK- extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) signaling in both species. Nonetheless, activation of ERK was sustained in mouse and human neurofibromas and MPNST. PD0325901, a highly selective pharmacological inhibitor of MEK, was used to test whether sustained Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK signaling contributes to neurofibroma growth in the Nf1fl/fl;Dhh-cre mouse model or in NF1 patient MPNST cell xenografts. PD0325901 treatment reduced aberrantly proliferating cells in neurofibroma and MPNST, prolonged survival of mice implanted with human MPNST cells, and shrank neurofibromas in >80% of mice tested. PD0325901 also caused effects on tumor vasculature. Our data demonstrate that deregulated Ras/ERK signaling is critical for the growth of NF1 peripheral nerve tumors and provide strong rationale for testing MEK inhibitors in NF1 clinical trials. 83 microarrays: Mouse control (15), Mouse neurofibroma (15), Mouse MPNST (18); Human nerve (3), Human neurofibroma (26), Human MPNST (6) We used the same human tumor samples as in series GSE14038 (dNF, pNF and MPNST). However, instead of referencing gene expression changes to the normal human Schwann cell samples (NHSC) as we did in series GSE14038, we generated three (new) normal nerve samples (samples jan-N1-3) and referenced gene expression changes to those samples. Moreover, the analysis of series GSE14038 evaluated changes in expression between NHSC, benign tumor subtypes (dNF and pNF), and malignant tumors (MPNST), while our present submission evaluated changes between normal nerve, benign tumors (combined dNF and pNF),and malignant tumors (MPNST). The Series supplementary 'merged_data.txt' file contains the data for 9,891 transcripts that were statistically different in at least one of the two species and present in both mouse and human data sets.
2012-12-28 | E-GEOD-41747 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Understanding biological pathways critical for common neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) peripheral nerve tumors is essential, as tumor biomarkers, prognostic factors and therapeutics are all lacking. We used gene expression profiling to define transcriptional changes between primary normal Schwann cells (n = 10), NF1-derived primary benign neurofibroma Schwann cells (n = 22), malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) cell lines (n = 13), benign neurofibromas (n = 26) and MPNST (n = 6). Dermal and plexiform neurofibromas were indistinguishable. A prominent theme in the analysis was aberrant differentiation. Neurofibromas repressed gene programs normally active in Schwann cell precursors and immature Schwann cells. MPNST signatures strongly differed; genes upregulated in the sarcomas were significantly enriched for genes activated in neural crest cells. We validated differential expression of 82 genes including the neural crest transcription factor SOX9 and SOX9 predicted targets. SOX9 immunoreactivity was robust in neurofibroma and MPSNT tissue sections and targeting SOX9 - strongly expressed in NF1-related tumors - caused MPNST cell death. SOX9 is a biomarker of neurofibroma and MPNST, and possibly a therapeutic target in NF1. Keywords: tumor stage 86 microarrays, consisting of 77 samples and 9 batch reference samples: NHSC (10), dNFSC (11), pNFSC (11), MPNST cell lines (13), dNF (13), pNF (13), MPNST (6)
2009-07-15 | E-GEOD-14038 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) patients develop benign neurofibromas and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). These incurable peripheral nerve tumors result from loss of NF1 tumor suppressor gene function, causing hyperactive Ras signaling. Activated Ras controls numerous downstream effectors, but specific pathways mediating effects of hyperactive Ras in NF1 tumors are unknown. Cross-species transcriptome analyses of mouse and human neurofibromas and MPNSTs identified global negative feedback of genes that regulate Ras-Raf- MEK- extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) signaling in both species. Nonetheless, activation of ERK was sustained in mouse and human neurofibromas and MPNST. PD0325901, a highly selective pharmacological inhibitor of MEK, was used to test whether sustained Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK signaling contributes to neurofibroma growth in the Nf1fl/fl;Dhh-cre mouse model or in NF1 patient MPNST cell xenografts. PD0325901 treatment reduced aberrantly proliferating cells in neurofibroma and MPNST, prolonged survival of mice implanted with human MPNST cells, and shrank neurofibromas in >80% of mice tested. PD0325901 also caused effects on tumor vasculature. Our data demonstrate that deregulated Ras/ERK signaling is critical for the growth of NF1 peripheral nerve tumors and provide strong rationale for testing MEK inhibitors in NF1 clinical trials.
2012-12-28 | GSE41747 | GEO
Project description:Plexiform neurofibromas (PN) are benign nerve sheath Schwann cell tumors, common in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), that are characterized by biallelic mutations in the NF1 tumor suppressor gene. Atypical neurofibromas (ANF) show additional frequent loss of CDKN2A/Ink4a/Arf and may be precursor lesions of aggressive malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). We combined loss of Nf1 in developing
2020-12-23 | GSE148249 | GEO
Project description:Understanding biological pathways critical for common neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) peripheral nerve tumors is essential, as tumor biomarkers, prognostic factors and therapeutics are all lacking. We used gene expression profiling to define transcriptional changes between primary normal Schwann cells (n = 10), NF1-derived primary benign neurofibroma Schwann cells (n = 22), malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) cell lines (n = 13), benign neurofibromas (n = 26) and MPNST (n = 6). Dermal and plexiform neurofibromas were indistinguishable. A prominent theme in the analysis was aberrant differentiation. Neurofibromas repressed gene programs normally active in Schwann cell precursors and immature Schwann cells. MPNST signatures strongly differed; genes upregulated in the sarcomas were significantly enriched for genes activated in neural crest cells. We validated differential expression of 82 genes including the neural crest transcription factor SOX9 and SOX9 predicted targets. SOX9 immunoreactivity was robust in neurofibroma and MPSNT tissue sections and targeting SOX9 - strongly expressed in NF1-related tumors - caused MPNST cell death. SOX9 is a biomarker of neurofibroma and MPNST, and possibly a therapeutic target in NF1. Keywords: tumor stage
2009-07-15 | GSE14038 | GEO
Project description:Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are the leading cause of premature death for patients with Neurofibromatosis type 1 and no approved targeted therapies are available. Transformation from Nf1-null benign plexiform neurofibromas is driven by the loss of the Cdkn2a (Arf) locus. Here, genetically engineered mouse models with combined Nf1 flox/flox and Arf flox/flox alleles were used (crossed with Postn-Cre+ mice). Tissue from MPNSTs that form in the Nf1-/-;Arf-/- setting were used for mRNA sequencing and compared to benign plexiform neurofibroma tissue (Nf1-/- from Nf1 flox/flox; Postn-Cre+ mice, GSE213789) to identify transcriptome signatures from MPNST and compare them to benign plexiform neurofibroma.
2023-12-12 | GSE232707 | GEO
Project description:Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are aggressive soft tissue sarcomas developed from Schwann cell lineage. They account for up to 10% of all soft tissue sarcomas. Although there is an unmet need for new therapeutic agents for MPNSTs, to date there have been few transcriptomic analyses of this tumor type. We studied FDA approved drugs for MPNST treatment and compared their transcriptomic changes in cell lines before and after treatment. We demonstrated that Fludarabine treated NF1 MPNST cells exhibited altered signaling pathways such as the upregulation of the Wnt/Ca+ pathway and downregulation of the hedgehog and hypoxia signaling pathways in the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) analysis. The combined Colchicine and Fludarabine treatment enhanced the cytotoxicity of sporadic MPNST cells through altered signaling pathways, including increased Wnt/β-catenin pathway and others. The transcriptomic analysis comparing NF1/sporadic MPNST cells and normal Schwann cells indicated that NF1 MPNST cells had more splicing events, fewer single nucleotide variants, and induced RNA expression than sporadic MPNST cells. In summary, we identified a transcriptomic differences between MPNSTs and Schwann cells, between sporadic MPNST cells and NF1 MPNST cells, and between drug treated MPNST cells and vehicle treated cells.
2023-10-21 | GSE159896 | GEO
Project description:Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is a common cancer predisposition syndrome, caused by heterozygous loss of function mutations in the tumor suppressor gene NF1. Individuals with NF1 develop benign tumors of the peripheral nervous system (neurofibromas), originating from the Schwann cell linage after somatic loss of the wild type NF1 allele, some of which progress further to malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). There is only one FDA approved targeted therapy for symptomatic plexiform neurofibromas and none approved for MPNST. The genetic basis of NF1 syndrome makes associated tumors ideal for using synthetic drug sensitivity approaches to uncover vulnerabilities. We developed a drug discovery pipeline to identify therapeutics for NF1-related tumors using isogeneic pairs of NF1 proficient and deficient immortalized human Schwann cells. We utilized these in a large-scale high throughput screen (HTS) for drugs that preferentially kill NF1 deficient cells, which identified 23 compounds capable of killing NF1 deficient Schwann cells with selectivity. Multiple hits from this screen clustered into classes defined by method of action. Four clinically interesting drugs from these classes were tested in vivo using both a genetically engineered mouse model of high-grade peripheral nerve sheath tumors and human MPNST xenografts. All trugs tested showed single agent efficacy in these models as well as significant synergy when used in combination with the MEK inhibitor selumetinib. This HTS platform has yielded novel therapeutically relevant compounds for the treatment of NF1-associated tumors and can serve as a tool to rapidly evaluate new compounds and combinations in the future.
2024-03-21 | GSE262030 | GEO
Project description:<p>Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common tumor-predisposition disorder due to germline mutations in the tumor suppressor gene <i>NF1</i>. A virtually pathognomonic finding of NF1 is the plexiform neurofibroma (PN), a benign, likely congenital tumor that arises from biallelic inactivation of <i>NF1</i>. PN can undergo transformation to a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, an aggressive soft-tissue sarcoma. To better understand the non-<i>NF1</i> genetic contributions to PN pathogenesis, we performed whole-exome sequencing and genome-wide copy-number determination for 23 low-passage Schwann cell cultures established from surgical PN material with matching germline DNA. All resected tumors were derived from routine debulking surgeries. None of the tumors were considered at risk for malignant transformation at the time, <i>e.g.</i>, there was no pain or rapid growth. Deep (~500X) <i>NF1</i> exon sequencing was also conducted on tumor DNA. Non-<i>NF1</i> somatic mutation verification was performed using the Ampliseq/IonTorrent platform. We identified 100% of the germline <i>NF1</i> mutations and found somatic <i>NF1</i> inactivation in 74% of the PN. One individual with three PNs had different <i>NF1</i> somatic mutations in each tumor. The median number of somatic mutations per sample, including <i>NF1</i>, was one (range 0 - 8). <i>NF1</i> was the only gene that was recurrently somatically inactivated in multiple tumors. We found no recurrent non-<i>NF1</i> locus copy-number variation in PN. This is the first multi-sample whole-exome sequencing study of <i>NF1</i>-associated PN. Taken together with concurrent copy-number data, our comprehensive genetic analysis reveals the primacy of <i>NF1</i> loss as the driver of PN tumorigenesis.</p>
| phs001403 | dbGaP
Project description:To define alterations early in tumor formation, we studied nerve tumors in neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1), a tumor predisposition syndrome in which affected individuals develop plexiform neurofibroma (PN). These benign tumors are driven by NF1 loss in Schwann cells (SC). By comparing normal nerve cells to PN cells using single cell and bulk RNA sequencing, we identified changes in five SC populations, including a de novo Schwann cell progenitor-like population. Long after Nf1 loss, SC populations developed PN-specific expression of Dcn, Postn, and CD74, and showed dramatic expansion of immune and stromal cell populations; in human PN, immune and stromal cells comprised 90% of cells. Label transfer enabled verification of each SC population and predicted tumor unique patterns of cell-cell communication in each SC population. We identified PROS-AXL, FGF-FGFR, and MIF-CD74 and its effector pathway NFkB as deregulated in NF1 SC populations, including SCP-like cells. Each receptor-ligand pair was predicted to influence surrounding cells in mouse and human. These findings highlight remarkable changes in all PN cells driven by loss of NF1 in multiple types of SCs and identify therapeutic targets for PN.
2022-11-23 | GSE181985 | GEO