Dataset Information

Tumor-suppressor role of Notch3 in medullary thyroid carcinoma revealed by genetic and pharmacological induction.

ABSTRACT: Notch1-3 are transmembrane receptors that appear to be absent in medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). Previous research has shown that induction of Notch1 has a tumor-suppressor effect in MTC cell lines, but little is known about the biologic consequences of Notch3 activation for the progression of the disease. We elucidate the role of Notch3 in MTC by genetic (doxycycline-inducible Notch3 intracellular domain) and pharmacologic [AB3, novel histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor] approaches. We find that overexpression of Notch3 leads to the dose-dependent reduction of neuroendocrine tumor markers. In addition, Notch3 activity is required to suppress MTC cell proliferation, and the extent of growth repression depends on the amount of Notch3 protein expressed. Moreover, activation of Notch3 induces apoptosis. The translational significance of this finding is highlighted by our observation that MTC tumors lack active Notch3 protein and reinstitution of this isoform could be a therapeutic strategy to treat patients with MTC. We demonstrate, for the first time, that overexpression of Notch3 in MTC cells can alter malignant neuroendocrine phenotype in both in vitro and in vivo models. In addition, our study provides a strong rationale for using Notch3 as a therapeutic target to provide novel pharmacologic treatment options for MTC.

SUBMITTER: Jaskula-Sztul R

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4326595 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Tumor-suppressor role of Notch3 in medullary thyroid carcinoma revealed by genetic and pharmacological induction.

Jaskula-Sztul Renata R Eide Jacob J Tesfazghi Sara S Dammalapati Ajitha A Harrison April D AD Yu Xiao-Min XM Scheinebeck Casi C Winston-McPherson Gabrielle G Kupcho Kevin R KR Robers Matthew B MB Hundal Amrit K AK Tang Weiping W Chen Herbert H

Molecular cancer therapeutics 20141215 2

Notch1-3 are transmembrane receptors that appear to be absent in medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). Previous research has shown that induction of Notch1 has a tumor-suppressor effect in MTC cell lines, but little is known about the biologic consequences of Notch3 activation for the progression of the disease. We elucidate the role of Notch3 in MTC by genetic (doxycycline-inducible Notch3 intracellular domain) and pharmacologic [AB3, novel histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor] approaches. We find th ...[more]

PMID: 25512616

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundThe cyclin-dependent-kinase inhibitors (CDKN)/retinoblastoma (RB1) pathway has been implicated as having a role in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) tumorigenesis. CDKN2C loss has been associated with RET-mediated MTC in humans but with minimal phenotypic correlation provided. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between tumor RET mutation status, CDKN2C loss, and aggressiveness of MTC in a cohort of patients with sporadic disease.MethodsTumors from patients with sporadic MTC treated at a single institution were evaluated for somatic RETM918T mutation and CDKN2C copy number loss. These variables were compared to patient demographics, pathology detail, clinical course, and disease-specific and overall survival.ResultsSixty-two MTC cases with an initial surgery date ranging from 1983 to 2009 met the inclusion criteria, of whom 36 (58%) were male. The median age at initial surgery was 53 years (range 22-81 years). The median tumor size was 30 mm (range 6-145 mm) with 29 (57%) possessing extrathyroidal extension. Nodal and/or distant metastasis at presentation was found in 47/60 (78%) and 12/61 (20%) patients, respectively. Median follow-up time was 10.5 years (range 1.1-27.8 years) for the censored observations. The presence of CDKN2C loss was associated with worse M stage and overall AJCC stage. Median overall survival of patients with versus without CDKN2C loss was 4.14 [confidence interval (CI) 1.93-NA] versus 18.27 [CI 17.24-NA] years (p < 0.0001). Median overall survival of patients with a combined somatic RETM918T mutation and CDKN2C loss versus no somatic RETM918T mutation and CDKN2C loss versus somatic RETM918T mutation and CDKN2C 2N versus no somatic RETM918T mutation and CDKN2C 2N was 2.38 [CI 1.67-NA] years versus 10.81 [CI 2.46-NA] versus 17.24 [CI 9.82-NA] versus not reached [CI 13.46-NA] years (p < 0.0001).ConclusionsThe detection of somatic CDKN2C loss is associated with the presence of distant metastasis at presentation as well decreased overall survival, a relationship enhanced by concomitant RETM918T mutation. Further defining the genes involved in the progression of metastatic MTC will be an important step toward identifying pathways of disease progression and new therapeutic targets.

Project description:Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 is an autosomal dominant inherited syndrome caused by activating mutations in the RET proto-oncogene. The RETK666N DNA variant was previously reported in two isolated medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) cases, but no family studies are available, and its oncogenic significance remains unknown.The clinical features, genetic data, and family information of eight index MTC patients with a germline RETK666N variant were assessed.Four probands presented with MTC and extensive nodal metastasis, one with biopsy-confirmed distant metastasis. Two additional probands presented with localized disease. However, nodal status was not available. Of the final two probands, one had an incidental 1.5?mm MTC and C-cell hyperplasia uncovered after surgery for papillary thyroid carcinoma, and one had two foci of MTC (largest dimension 2.3?cm) detected after surgery for dysphagia. Genetic screening identified 16 additional family members carrying the K666N variant (aged 5-90 years), 11 of whom have documented evaluation for MTC. Of these, only two were found to have elevated basal serum calcitonin upon screening, and the remaining patients had calcitonin levels within the reference range. One patient who elected to have a thyroidectomy at 70 years of age was confirmed to have MTC. The other subject, 57 years old, elected surveillance. Four prophylactic thyroidectomies were performed, with one case of C-cell hyperplasia at 20 years and three cases that revealed normal pathology at ages 21, 30, and 30 years. None of the K666N DNA variant carriers had evidence of primary hyperparathyroidism or pheochromocytoma.From this case series, the largest such experience to date, it is concluded that the RETK666N variant is likely pathogenic and associated with low penetrance of MTC. However, the findings are insufficient to define its pathogenicity clearly and make firm recommendations for screening and treatment. Given the potential benefit associated with early detection of aberrant C-cell growth, and the noninvasive nature of genetic testing, "at risk" individuals should be screened, and if the K666N variant is identified, they should be managed using a personalized screening approach for detection of MTC.

Dataset Information

Tumor-suppressor role of Notch3 in medullary thyroid carcinoma revealed by genetic and pharmacological induction.

Publications

Tumor-suppressor role of Notch3 in medullary thyroid carcinoma revealed by genetic and pharmacological induction.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure