Genetic and pharmacologic disruption of N-Myc suppresses basal cell carcinoma
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE320484 | GEO | 2026/09/12
REPOSITORIES: GEO
Similar Datasets
Project description:Driver mutations that activate upstream Hedgehog (Hh) signaling are well-known to promote basal cell carcinoma (BCC); however, the role of recurrent secondary mutations, such as MYCN amplification, is less well understood. Here, we performed spatial transcriptomics to show that nascent murine BCC-like tumors are comprised of two tumor sub-populations that differ in expression of Hh, stem cell and differentiation markers. Using a newly developed cell culture formulation termed “RRi conditions,” we established several mouse BCC cell lines, identify novel genes associated with Hh pathway activation (Wnt7b, Tgfb3, Cxcl14), and show that inducible N-MYC expression suppresses Notch signaling and Krt10, a canonical squamous differentiation marker. Furthermore, we report that genetically ablating N-Myc slows tumor initiation and progression, and that an immunomodulatory drug, imiquimod, can suppress N-Myc and regress nascent lesions. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that BCCs upregulate N-MYC to counteract differentiation, and support the use of imiquimod to restrict tumor progression.
2026-09-12 | GSE320565 | GEO
Project description:Imiquimod is a Toll-like receptor (TLR)-7 agonist capable of inducing complete clearance of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and other cutaneous malignancies. We hypothesized that the characterization of the early transcriptional events induced by imiquimod may provide insights about immunological events preceding acute tissue and/or tumor rejection. We report a paired analysis of adjacent punch biopsies obtained pre- and post-treatment from 36 patients with BCC subjected to local application of imiquimod (N = 22) or vehicle cream (N=14) in a blinded, randomized protocol. Four treatments were assessed (q12 applications for 2 or 4 days, or q24 hrs for 4 or 8 days). RNA was amplified and hybridized to 17.5K cDNA arrays. All treatment schedules similarly affected the transcriptional profile of BCC; however, the q12 X 4days regimen, associated with highest effectiveness, induced the most changes with 637 genes unequivocally stimulated by imiquimod. A minority of transcripts (98 genes) confirmed previous reports of interferon-Â involvement. The remaining 539 genes portrayed additional immunological functions predominantly involving the activation of cellular innate and adaptive immune-effector mechanisms. Importantly, these effector signatures recapitulate previous observations of tissue rejection in the context of cancer immunotherapy, acute allograft rejection and autoimmunity. This study based on a powerful and reproducible model of cancer eradication by innate immune mechanisms provides the first insight in humans of the early transcriptional events associated with immune rejection. This model is likely representative of constant immunological pathways through which innate and adaptive immune responses combine to induce tissue destruction. Keywords: compound treatment design We report a paired analysis of adjacent punch biopsies obtained pre- and post-treatment from 36 patients with BCC subjected to local application of imiquimod (N = 22) or vehicle cream (N=14) in a blinded, randomized protocol. Four treatments were assessed (q12 applications for 2 or 4 days, or q24 hrs for 4 or 8 days). RNA was amplified and hybridized to 17.5K cDNA arrays.
2006-10-04 | E-GEOD-5121 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Aberrant activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is implicated in the pathogenesis of many cancers, including medulloblastoma and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). In this study, using neonatally irradiated Ptch1+/- mice as a model of Hh-dependent tumors, we investigated the in vivo effects of MK-4101, a novel SMO antagonist, for treatment of medulloblastoma and BCC. Results clearly demonstrate a robust antitumor activity of MK-4101, achieved through the inhibition of proliferation and induction of extensive apoptosis in tumor cells. Of note, beside antitumor activity on transplanted tumors, MK-4101 was highly efficacious against primary medulloblastoma and BCC developing in the cerebellum and skin of Ptch1+/- mice. By identifying the changes induced by MK-4101 in gene expression profiles in tumors, we also elucidate the mechanism of action of this novel, orally administrable compound. MK-4101 targets the Hh pathway in the tumor cells, showing the maximum inhibitory effect on Gli1 activity. MK-4101 also induced deregulation of cell cycle and block of DNA replication in tumors. Members of the IGF and Wnt signaling pathways , were among the most highly deregulated genes by MK-4101, suggesting that the interplay among Hh, IGF and Wnt is crucial in Hh-dependent tumorigenesis. Altogether, the results of this preclinical study support a therapeutic opportunity for MK-4101 in the treatment of Hh-driven cancers, also providing useful information for combination therapy with drugs targeting pathways cooperating with Hh oncogenic activity. Gene expression data was generated (in replicates) from Medulloblastoma allografts collected at various time points and following low (40mpk) or high (80 mpk) or vehicle single dose (QD) or mutiple dose (BID) treatment with a SHH pathway inhibitor.
2016-03-14 | E-GEOD-77042 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Aberrant activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is implicated in the pathogenesis of many cancers, including medulloblastoma and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). In this study, using neonatally irradiated Ptch1+/- mice as a model of Hh-dependent tumors, we investigated the in vivo effects of MK-4101, a novel SMO antagonist, for treatment of medulloblastoma and BCC. Results clearly demonstrate a robust antitumor activity of MK-4101, achieved through the inhibition of proliferation and induction of extensive apoptosis in tumor cells. Of note, beside antitumor activity on transplanted tumors, MK-4101 was highly efficacious against primary medulloblastoma and BCC developing in the cerebellum and skin of Ptch1+/- mice. By identifying the changes induced by MK-4101 in gene expression profiles in tumors, we also elucidate the mechanism of action of this novel, orally administrable compound. MK-4101 targets the Hh pathway in the tumor cells, showing the maximum inhibitory effect on Gli1 activity. MK-4101 also induced deregulation of cell cycle and block of DNA replication in tumors. Members of the IGF and Wnt signaling pathways , were among the most highly deregulated genes by MK-4101, suggesting that the interplay among Hh, IGF and Wnt is crucial in Hh-dependent tumorigenesis. Altogether, the results of this preclinical study support a therapeutic opportunity for MK-4101 in the treatment of Hh-driven cancers, also providing useful information for combination therapy with drugs targeting pathways cooperating with Hh oncogenic activity.
2016-03-14 | GSE77042 | GEO
Project description:The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway regulates normal development and cell proliferation, whereas its aberrant activation causes tumor formation. Hh-induced tumors can arise from different tissues and can be indolent or highly aggressive, such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the skin and neural progenitor-derived medulloblastoma (MB), respectively. Little is known about cell-intrinsic factors that control the development of such diverse Hh-dependent tumors. Transcription factor Zfx is required for the self-renewal of several stem cell types, whereas its role in malignant transformation remains controversial. We found that the deletion of Zfx prevented BCC formation and significantly delayed MB development caused by Hh activation in vivo. In contrast, Zfx was dispensable for the development of Hh-independent brain tumor glioblastoma. We used genome-wide expression and chromatin binding analysis in a human MB cell line to identify direct, evolutionarily conserved targets of Zfx. These targets included the Hh signal transducer Smoothened (Smo), suggesting that Zfx may directly control Hh pathway activation in tumors. Two additional targets of Zfx, Dis3L and Ube2j1, were also required for the growth of MB cells in vitro. These results identify a common cell-intrinsic regulator of diverse Hh-induced tumors, and suggest Zfx and Zfx-controlled genes as possible therapeutic targets in these malignancies.
2014-12-31 | GSE45394 | GEO
Project description:The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway regulates normal development and cell proliferation, whereas its aberrant activation causes tumor formation. Hh-induced tumors can arise from different tissues and can be indolent or highly aggressive, such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the skin and neural progenitor-derived medulloblastoma (MB), respectively. Little is known about cell-intrinsic factors that control the development of such diverse Hh-dependent tumors. Transcription factor Zfx is required for the self-renewal of several stem cell types, whereas its role in malignant transformation remains controversial. We found that the deletion of Zfx prevented BCC formation and significantly delayed MB development caused by Hh activation in vivo. In contrast, Zfx was dispensable for the development of Hh-independent brain tumor glioblastoma. We used genome-wide expression and chromatin binding analysis in a human MB cell line to identify direct, evolutionarily conserved targets of Zfx. These targets included the Hh signal transducer Smoothened (Smo), suggesting that Zfx may directly control Hh pathway activation in tumors. Two additional targets of Zfx, Dis3L and Ube2j1, were also required for the growth of MB cells in vitro. These results identify a common cell-intrinsic regulator of diverse Hh-induced tumors, and suggest Zfx and Zfx-controlled genes as possible therapeutic targets in these malignancies.
2014-12-31 | GSE45265 | GEO
Project description:Sox9 is a transcription factor expressed in most solid tumors. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying Sox9 function during tumorigenesis remain unclear. Here, using a genetic mouse model of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most frequent cancer in human, we show that Sox9 is expressed from the earliest step of tumor formation in a Wnt/β-catenin dependent manner. Deletion of Sox9 together with the constitutive activation of Hedgehog (HH) signaling completely prevents BCC formation and leads to a progressive loss of oncogene expressing cells. Transcriptional profiling of oncogene expressing cells with Sox9 deletion, combined with in vivo ChIP-sequencing uncovers a cancer-specific gene network regulated by Sox9 that promotes stemness, extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and cytoskeleton remodeling while repressing epidermal differentiation. Our study identifies the molecular mechanisms regulated by Sox9 that links tumor initiation and invasion. Sox9 ChIP-seq analysis in K14CreER SmoM2 cells.
2015-05-13 | E-GEOD-68755 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Imiquimod is a Toll-like receptor (TLR)-7 agonist capable of inducing complete clearance of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and other cutaneous malignancies. We hypothesized that the characterization of the early transcriptional events induced by imiquimod may provide insights about immunological events preceding acute tissue and/or tumor rejection. We report a paired analysis of adjacent punch biopsies obtained pre- and post-treatment from 36 patients with BCC subjected to local application of imiquimod (N = 22) or vehicle cream (N=14) in a blinded, randomized protocol. Four treatments were assessed (q12 applications for 2 or 4 days, or q24 hrs for 4 or 8 days). RNA was amplified and hybridized to 17.5K cDNA arrays. All treatment schedules similarly affected the transcriptional profile of BCC; however, the q12 X 4days regimen, associated with highest effectiveness, induced the most changes with 637 genes unequivocally stimulated by imiquimod. A minority of transcripts (98 genes) confirmed previous reports of interferon- involvement. The remaining 539 genes portrayed additional immunological functions predominantly involving the activation of cellular innate and adaptive immune-effector mechanisms. Importantly, these effector signatures recapitulate previous observations of tissue rejection in the context of cancer immunotherapy, acute allograft rejection and autoimmunity. This study based on a powerful and reproducible model of cancer eradication by innate immune mechanisms provides the first insight in humans of the early transcriptional events associated with immune rejection. This model is likely representative of constant immunological pathways through which innate and adaptive immune responses combine to induce tissue destruction. Keywords: compound treatment design
2006-10-04 | GSE5121 | GEO
Project description:Sox9 is a transcription factor expressed in most solid tumors. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying Sox9 function during tumorigenesis remain unclear. Here, using a genetic mouse model of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most frequent cancer in human, we show that Sox9 is expressed from the earliest step of tumor formation in a Wnt/β-catenin dependent manner. Deletion of Sox9 together with the constitutive activation of Hedgehog (HH) signaling completely prevents BCC formation and leads to a progressive loss of oncogene expressing cells. Transcriptional profiling of oncogene expressing cells with Sox9 deletion, combined with in vivo ChIP-sequencing uncovers a cancer-specific gene network regulated by Sox9 that promotes stemness, extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and cytoskeleton remodeling while repressing epidermal differentiation. Our study identifies the molecular mechanisms regulated by Sox9 that links tumor initiation and invasion.
2015-05-13 | GSE68755 | GEO
Project description:Sox9 is a transcription factor expressed in most solid tumors. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying Sox9 function during tumorigenesis remain unclear. Here, using a genetic mouse model of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most frequent cancer in human, we show that Sox9 is expressed from the earliest step of tumor formation in a Wnt/β-catenin dependent manner. Deletion of Sox9 together with the constitutive activation of Hedgehog (HH) signaling completely prevents BCC formation and leads to a progressive loss of oncogene expressing cells. Transcriptional profiling of oncogene expressing cells with Sox9 deletion, combined with in vivo ChIP-sequencing uncovers a cancer-specific gene network regulated by Sox9 that promotes stemness, extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and cytoskeleton remodeling while repressing epidermal differentiation. Our study identifies the molecular mechanisms regulated by Sox9 that links tumor initiation and invasion.
2015-05-13 | GSE68613 | GEO