Comprehensive evaluation of MEK inhibitors for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors reveals differences in efficacy and drug resistance development
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ABSTRACT:
ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens
PROVIDER: GSE174100 | GEO | 2022/07/26
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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Project description:Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are lethal, Ras-driven sarcomas that lack effective therapies. Ras effectors, CDK4/6 and MEK, were identified as rational targets for combination therapy from patient tumor analyses and preclinical drug studies. In MPNST cells, low-dose combinations of CDK4/6 and MEK inhibitors synergistically reactivated the retinoblastoma (RB1) tumor suppressor, induced cell death, and decreased clonogenic survival. In immune-deficient mice, dual CDK4/6-MEK inhibition slowed growth but did not shrink MPNSTs in 4 of 5 patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). By comparison, combination therapy of de novo MPNSTs in immunocompetent mice caused tumors to regress, delayed resistant tumor outgrowth, and improved survival relative to monotherapies. While drug-resistant tumors adopted an immunosuppressive microenvironment enriched with MHC II-low macrophages, drug-sensitive tumors that regressed contained plasma cells and increased T cell clustering. In other cancers, intratumoral plasma cells are associated with better response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Impressively, CDK4/6-MEK inhibition sensitized MPNSTs to anti-PD-L1 ICB therapy with some mice displaying complete tumor ablation. These results reveal a novel plasma cell-associated immune response and extended antitumor activity of combined CDK4/6-MEK inhibition in MPNSTs, which dramatically enhanced the efficacy of ICB therapy. This work highlights promising, potentially curative treatment options for MPNSTs.
2023-06-29 | GSE224656 | GEO
Project description:MEK1/2 inhibitors (MEKi) have recently achieved surprising success in treating unresectable plexiform neurofibromas (PNFs). However, few studies have investigated the mechanisms of MEKi resistance in PNF patients. We determined the efficacy of 6 different MEKi for treating PNFs, explored drug resistance mechanisms and identified potential combination therapies to overcome resistance. By screening drug efficacy among 6 MEKi in human NF1-deficient PNF cell lines, TAK-733 was found reduce PNF cell viability the most. We then cultured the TAK-733 resistant cells and explored potential targets for further treatment. Both high-throughput drug screening and RNA sequencing analyses of MEKi-resistant PNF cells identified cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKi) as potential agents for PNFs. Dinaciclib, a CDKi, showed synergistic effects on MEKi-resistant cells. Coadministration of dinaciclib and TAK-733 significantly reduced cell viability, inhibited sphere formation and colony formation. Dinaciclib did not affect MEK signaling but decreased the expression of several prosurvival proteins, including survivin and CDK1, to induce apoptosis and inhibit mitosis. TAK-733/dinaciclib combination therapy induced tumor reduction in PNF patient-derived xenografts mouse models. Therefore, the combination of MEKi and CDKi may be promising for treating inoperable PNFs, especially when drug resistance exists. Our findings provide evidence for future clinical trials with MEKi-resistant PNF patients.
2022-05-01 | GSE173577 | GEO
Project description:Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are deadly sarcomas that lack effective therapies. In most MPNSTs, the retinoblastoma (RB1) tumor suppressor is disabled by hyperactivation of cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs), commonly through loss of CDK inhibitory proteins such as p27(Kip1). RABL6A is an inhibitor of RB1 whose role in MPNSTs is unknown. To gain insight into MPNST development and establish new treatment options, we investigated RABL6A-RB1 signaling and CDK inhibitor-based therapy in MPNSTs.
2020-02-11 | GSE145064 | 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:Patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) develop benign plexiform neurofibromas that frequently progress to become malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). A genetically engineered mouse model that accurately models plexiform neurofibroma-MPNST progression would facilitate the identification of somatic mutations driving this process. We have previously reported that transgenic mice overexpressing the growth factor neuregulin-1 in Schwann cells (P0-GGF?3 mice) develop MPNSTs. To determine whether P0-GGF?3 mice accurately model neurofibroma-MPNST progression, cohorts of these animals were followed to death and necropsied. 94% of the mice developed multiple neurofibromas, with 70% carrying smaller numbers of MPNSTs; nascent MPNSTs were identified within neurofibromas, suggesting that these sarcomas arise from neurofibromas. Although neurofibromin expression was maintained, P0-GGF?3 MPNSTs, like human NF1-associated MPNSTs, demonstrated Ras hyperactivation. P0-GGF?3 MPNSTs also showed abnormalities in the p16INK4A-cyclin D/CDK4-Rb and p19ARF-Mdm-p53 pathways analogous to their human counterparts. Array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) demonstrated reproducible chromosomal alterations in P0-GGF?3 MPNST cells (including universal chromosome 11 gains) and focal gains and losses affecting 39 genes previously implicated in neoplasia (e.g., Pten, Tpd52, Myc , Gli1, Xiap, Bbc3/PUMA). Array CGH also identified recurrent focal copy number variations affecting genes not previously linked to neurofibroma or MPNST pathogenesis. We conclude that P0-GGF?3 mice represent a robust model of neurofibroma-MPNST progression that can be used to identify novel genes driving neurofibroma and MPNST pathogenesis. Array CGH comparison of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) cells vs non-neoplastic Schwann cells
2012-12-31 | E-GEOD-40212 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Background: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are soft-tissue sarcomas that can arise either sporadically or in association with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). These aggressive malignancies confer poor survival, with no effective therapy available. Methods: We generated five patient-derived MPNST orthoxenograft models (three NF1-related and two sporadic) and performed an exhaustive histological and molecular characterization of primary MPNSTs and their corresponding orthoxenografts. Finally, orthoxenografts models were used as an in vivo pre-clinical platform to test several treatment strategies. Results: MPNST orthoxenografts recapitulate the histopathological properties and preserve the genomic and transcriptomic status of their parental primary tumors. Additionally, they mimic distal dissemination properties in mice. Compatible with an origin in a catastrophic event and subsequent stabilization, MPNSTs contained highly altered genomes that remained remarkably stable in orthoxenograft establishment and along passages. Although preliminary, the results presented here point to clear differences between NF1-associated and sporadic MPNSTs. In accordance, mutation frequency in sporadic MPNSTs was an order of magnitude higher than in NF1-associated MPNSTs and unsupervised cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) using a MPNST signature perfectly divided the samples between NF1 and sporadic MPNST. Finally, different therapeutic approaches tested in the validated orthoxenograft MPNST models, reveal that sorafenib, or in combination with doxorubicin or rapamycin caused a great tumor reduction in all models. Conclusion: The development of a well-characterized and standardized preclinical model for MPNSTs has laid the foundations for evaluating novel therapeutic strategies in the clinical setting. Moreover, results obtained strongly support the clinical evaluation of Sorafenib in this subset of patients. Primary MPNSTs were implanted in the sciatic nerve of nude mices to create orthoxenograft MPNST models. Several orthoxenograft passages were created. The primary tumor (when available) and passages 1 and 4 were selected for gene expression profiling to demonstrate that the orthoxenografts closely resemble their primary tumors and are stable along xenograft passages.
2015-04-15 | E-GEOD-60082 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are aggressive cancers that occur spontaneously (sporadic MPNST) or from pre-existing, benign plexiform neurofibromas in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) patients. MPNSTs metastasize easily, are resistant to therapeutic intervention and are frequently fatal. The molecular changes underlying the transition to malignancy in the NF1 setting are incompletely understood. Here we investigate the involvement of microRNAs in this process. Using an RT-PCR platform microRNA expression profiles were determined from a unique series of archival paired samples of plexiform neurofibroma and MPNST. At least 90 differentially expressed microRNAs (p<0.025; FDR<10%) were identified between the paired samples. Most microRNAs (91%) were found downregulated and 9% of the microRNAs were upregulated in MPNST. Based on the fold changes and statistical significance three downregulated microRNAs (let-7b-5p, miR-143-3p, miR-145-5p) and two upregulated microRNAs (miR135b-5p and miR-889-3p) were selected for further functional characterization. Their expression levels were validated in a relevant cell line panel and a series of unpaired fresh frozen tumor samples containing plexiform neurofibromas, atypical neurofibromas and MPNSTs. As part of the validation process we also determined and analyzed microRNA expression profiles of sporadic MPNSTs observing that microRNA expression discriminates NF1-associated and sporadic MPNSTs emphasizing their different etiologies. The involvement of microRNAs in tumorigenesis and cancer progression was examined in NF1-derived MPNST cell lines through modulating microRNA levels by transient transfection of microRNA mimics or inhibitors. The effects of microRNAs on cellular proliferation, migration, invasion and Wnt/ẞ-catenin signaling were determined. Our findings indicate that, some of the selected microRNAs affect migratory and invasive capabilities and Wnt signaling activity. It was observed that the functional effects upon microRNA modulation are distinct in different cell lines. From our study we conclude that miRNAs play essential regulatory roles in MPNST facilitating tumor progression.
2019-11-26 | GSE140986 | GEO
Project description:The diagnosis of Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) can be challenging, but is aided by their characteristic DNA methylation profile (DMP). An MPNST-like group, characterized by retained H3K27me3 expression, was recently recognized. To evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of DMP in pediatric/juvenile MPNSTs, we selected pediatric/juvenile malignancies from the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital DMP database. DMP revealed unexpected molecular heterogeneity in histologically homogenous MPNSTs/Atypical neurofibromas, while samples with MPNST-like DMP manifested histological diversity. In conclusion, DMP is useful in diagnosing MPNST, discriminating morphologic mimics classified as MPNST in premolecular era, and investigating the MPNST-like ‘hybrid’ group in pediatrics.
2024-01-29 | GSE246644 | GEO
Project description:Comparison of copy number changes in MPNST samples against benign neurofibromas in NF1 patients 24 MPNSTs and 3 NF samples were hybridised to the human 32K BAC tiling path array
2010-05-18 | E-GEOD-16041 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Background Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) can arise from atypical neurofibromas (ANF). Loss of the polycomb repressor complex 2 (PRC2) is a common event. Previous studies on PRC2-regulated genes in MPNST used genetic addback experiments in highly aneuploid MPNST cell lines which may miss PRC2-regulated genes in NF1-mutant ANF-like precursor cells. A set of PRC2-regulated genes in human Schwann cells has not been defined. We hypothesized PRC2 loss has direct and indirect effects on gene expression resulting in MPNST, so we sought PRC2-regulated genes in immortalized human Schwann cells (iHSCs). Methods We engineered NF1-deficient iHSCs with loss of function SUZ12 or EED mutations. RNA sequencing revealed 1,327 differentially expressed genes to define PRC2-regulated genes. To investigate MPNST pathogenesis we compared genes in iHSCs to consistent gene expression differences between ANF and MPNSTs. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing was used to further define targets. Methylome and proteomic analyses were performed to further identify enriched pathways. Results We identified potential PRC2-regulated drivers of MPNST progression. Pathway analysis indicates many upregulated cancer-related pathways. We found transcriptional evidence for activated Notch and Sonic Hedgehog signaling in PRC2-deficient iHSCs. Functional studies confirm Notch signaling is active in MPNST cell lines, patient derived xenografts, and transient cell models of PRC2 deficiency. A combination of MEK and γ-secretase inhibition shows synergy in MPNST cell lines. Conclusions We report PRC2-regulated genes and potential drivers of MPNSTs. Our findings support the Notch pathway as a druggable target in MPNSTs. Our identification of PRC2-regulated genes and pathways could result in more novel therapeutic approaches.
2024-04-03 | GSE263127 | GEO