Project description:Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a highly aggressive brain tumour that is located in the pons and primarily affects children. Whole-exome sequencing studies have identified recurrent driver mutations in H3F3A (H3.3) and HIST1H3B (H3.1), leading to the expression of histone H3 in which lysine 27 is substituted with methionine (H3K27M) in nearly 80% of DIPGs1-5. H3K27M has been shown to inhibit Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) activity by binding to its catalytic subunit EZH2, and although DIPGs with H3K27M mutation show global loss of H3 with trimethylated lysine 27 (H3K27me3), several genes retain H3K27me3 (Refs. 1-8). Here, we describe a mouse DIPG model in which H3K27M potentiates tumourigenesis. Using this model and primary patient-derived DIPG cell lines, we show that H3K27M expressing tumours require PRC2 for proliferation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that small molecule EZH2 inhibitors abolish tumour cell growth through a mechanism that is dependent on the induction of the tumour suppressor protein p16INK4A. Genome-wide enrichment analyses show that the genes that retain H3K27me3 in H3K27M cells are strong polycomb targets and are highly enriched for H3K27me3/PRC2/PRC1 in cells prior to H3K27M expression. Furthermore, we find a highly significant overlap between genes that retain H3K27me3 in the mouse DIPG model and in human primary DIPGs expressing H3K27M. Taken together, these results show that residual PRC2 activity is required for the proliferation of H3K27M positive DIPGs, and inhibition of EZH2 is as a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of these tumours.
Project description:Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a highly aggressive brain tumour that is located in the pons and primarily affects children. Whole-exome sequencing studies have identified recurrent driver mutations in H3F3A (H3.3) and HIST1H3B (H3.1), leading to the expression of histone H3 in which lysine 27 is substituted with methionine (H3K27M) in nearly 80% of DIPGs1-5. H3K27M has been shown to inhibit Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) activity by binding to its catalytic subunit EZH2, and although DIPGs with H3K27M mutation show global loss of H3 with trimethylated lysine 27 (H3K27me3), several genes retain H3K27me3 (Refs. 1-8). Here, we describe a mouse DIPG model in which H3K27M potentiates tumourigenesis. Using this model and primary patient-derived DIPG cell lines, we show that H3K27M expressing tumours require PRC2 for proliferation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that small molecule EZH2 inhibitors abolish tumour cell growth through a mechanism that is dependent on the induction of the tumour suppressor protein p16INK4A. Genome-wide enrichment analyses show that the genes that retain H3K27me3 in H3K27M cells are strong polycomb targets and are highly enriched for H3K27me3/PRC2/PRC1 in cells prior to H3K27M expression. Furthermore, we find a highly significant overlap between genes that retain H3K27me3 in the mouse DIPG model and in human primary DIPGs expressing H3K27M. Taken together, these results show that residual PRC2 activity is required for the proliferation of H3K27M positive DIPGs, and inhibition of EZH2 is as a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of these tumours.
Project description:Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a highly aggressive brain tumour that is located in the pons and primarily affects children. Whole-exome sequencing studies have identified recurrent driver mutations in H3F3A (H3.3) and HIST1H3B (H3.1), leading to the expression of histone H3 in which lysine 27 is substituted with methionine (H3K27M) in nearly 80% of DIPGs1-5. H3K27M has been shown to inhibit Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) activity by binding to its catalytic subunit EZH2, and although DIPGs with H3K27M mutation show global loss of H3 with trimethylated lysine 27 (H3K27me3), several genes retain H3K27me3 (Refs. 1-8). Here, we describe a mouse DIPG model in which H3K27M potentiates tumourigenesis. Using this model and primary patient-derived DIPG cell lines, we show that H3K27M expressing tumours require PRC2 for proliferation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that small molecule EZH2 inhibitors abolish tumour cell growth through a mechanism that is dependent on the induction of the tumour suppressor protein p16INK4A. Genome-wide enrichment analyses show that the genes that retain H3K27me3 in H3K27M cells are strong polycomb targets and are highly enriched for H3K27me3/PRC2/PRC1 in cells prior to H3K27M expression. Furthermore, we find a highly significant overlap between genes that retain H3K27me3 in the mouse DIPG model and in human primary DIPGs expressing H3K27M. Taken together, these results show that residual PRC2 activity is required for the proliferation of H3K27M positive DIPGs, and inhibition of EZH2 is as a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of these tumours.
Project description:Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a highly aggressive brain tumour that is located in the pons and primarily affects children. Whole-exome sequencing studies have identified recurrent driver mutations in H3F3A (H3.3) and HIST1H3B (H3.1), leading to the expression of histone H3 in which lysine 27 is substituted with methionine (H3K27M) in nearly 80% of DIPGs1-5. H3K27M has been shown to inhibit Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) activity by binding to its catalytic subunit EZH2, and although DIPGs with H3K27M mutation show global loss of H3 with trimethylated lysine 27 (H3K27me3), several genes retain H3K27me3 (Refs. 1-8). Here, we describe a mouse DIPG model in which H3K27M potentiates tumourigenesis. Using this model and primary patient-derived DIPG cell lines, we show that H3K27M expressing tumours require PRC2 for proliferation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that small molecule EZH2 inhibitors abolish tumour cell growth through a mechanism that is dependent on the induction of the tumour suppressor protein p16INK4A. Genome-wide enrichment analyses show that the genes that retain H3K27me3 in H3K27M cells are strong polycomb targets and are highly enriched for H3K27me3/PRC2/PRC1 in cells prior to H3K27M expression. Furthermore, we find a highly significant overlap between genes that retain H3K27me3 in the mouse DIPG model and in human primary DIPGs expressing H3K27M. Taken together, these results show that residual PRC2 activity is required for the proliferation of H3K27M positive DIPGs, and inhibition of EZH2 is as a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of these tumours.
Project description:Diffuse gliomas with K27M histone mutations (H3K27M glioma) are generally characterized by a fatal prognosis, particularly affecting the pediatric population. Based on the molecular heterogeneity observed in this tumor type, personalized treatment is considered to substantially improve therapeutic options. Therefore, clinical evidence for therapy, guided by comprehensive molecular profiling, is urgently required. In this study, we analyzed feasibility and clinical outcomes in a cohort of 12 H3K27M glioma cases treated at two centers. Patients were subjected to personalized treatment either at primary diagnosis or disease progression and received backbone therapy including focal irradiation. Molecular analyses included whole-exome sequencing of tumor and germline DNA, RNA-sequencing, and transcriptomic profiling. Patients were monitored with regular clinical as well as radiological follow-up. In one case, liquid biopsy of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was used. Analyses could be completed in 83% (10/12) and subsequent personalized treatment for one or more additional pharmacological therapies could be recommended in 90% (9/10). Personalized treatment included inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway (3/9), MAPK signaling (2/9), immunotherapy (2/9), receptor tyrosine kinase inhibition (2/9), and retinoic receptor agonist (1/9). The overall response rate within the cohort was 78% (7/9) including one complete remission, three partial responses, and three stable diseases. Sustained responses lasting for 28 to 150 weeks were observed for cases with PIK3CA mutations treated with either miltefosine or everolimus and additional treatment with trametinib/dabrafenib in a case with BRAFV600E mutation. Immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment of a case with increased tumor mutational burden (TMB) resulted in complete remission lasting 40 weeks. Median time to progression was 29 weeks. Median overall survival (OS) in the personalized treatment cohort was 16.5 months. Last, we compared OS to a control cohort (n = 9) showing a median OS of 17.5 months. No significant difference between the cohorts could be detected, but long-term survivors (>2 years) were only present in the personalized treatment cohort. Taken together, we present the first evidence of clinical efficacy and an improved patient outcome through a personalized approach at least in selected cases of H3K27M glioma.
Project description:Pediatric diffuse midline gliomas are devastating diseases. Among them, diffuse midline gliomas H3K27M-mutant are associated with worse prognosis. However, recent studies have highlighted significant differences in clinical behavior and biological alterations within this specific subgroup. In this context, simple markers are needed to refine the prognosis of diffuse midline gliomas H3K27M-mutant and guide the clinical management of patients. The aims of this study were (i) to describe the molecular, immunohistochemical and, especially, chromosomal features of a cohort of diffuse midline gliomas and (ii) to focus on H3K27M-mutant tumors to identify new prognostic markers. Patients were retrospectively selected from 2001 to 2017. Tumor samples were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (including H3K27me3, EGFR, c-MET and p53), next-generation sequencing and comparative genomic hybridization array. Forty-nine patients were included in the study. The median age at diagnosis was 9 years, and the median overall survival (OS) was 9.4 months. H3F3A or HIST1H3B mutations were identified in 80% of the samples. Within the H3K27M-mutant tumors, PDGFRA amplification, loss of 17p and a complex chromosomal profile were significantly associated with worse survival. Three prognostic markers were identified in diffuse midline gliomas H3K27M-mutant: PDGFRA amplification, loss of 17p and a complex chromosomal profile. These markers are easy to detect in daily practice and should be considered to refine the prognosis of this entity.
Project description:Diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) show resistance to many chemotherapeutic agents including temozolomide (TMZ). Histone gene mutations in DMGs trigger epigenetic changes including DNA hypomethylation, one of which is a frequent lack of O6-methyl-guanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation, resulting in increased MGMT expression. We established the NGT16 cell line with HIST1H3B K27M and ACVR1 G328E gene mutations from a DMG patient and used this cell line and other DMG cell lines with H3F3A gene mutation (SF7761, SF8628, JHH-DIPG1) to analyze MGMT promoter methylation, MGMT protein expression, and response to TMZ. Three out of 4 DMG cell lines (NGT16, SF8628, and JHH-DIPG1) had unmethylated MGMT promoter, increased MGMT expression, and showed resistance to TMZ treatment. SF7761 cells with H3F3A gene mutation showed MGMT promoter methylation, lacked MGMT expression, and sensitivity to TMZ treatment. NGT16 line showed response to ALK2 inhibitor K02288 treatment in vitro. We confirmed in vitro that MGMT expression contributes to TMZ resistance in DMG cell lines. There is an urgent need to develop new strategies to treat TMZ-resistant DMGs.