Project description:<p>We derived faithful cancer cell lines from patients with a diagnosis of renal medullary carcinomas (RMC). These models have been sequenced with whole genome, exome and transcriptome technologies along with the patient's primary germline and tumor samples. We took these faithful models and performed loss-of-function genetic perturbation screens (e.g. RNAi and CRISPR-Cas9) along with an orthogonal small molecule screen. We identified the ubiquitin-proteasome system as an important target in RMC as well as other SMARCB1 deficient cancers.</p>
Project description:Renal medullary carcinomas (RMC) are rare aggressive tumors of the kidneys, characterized by a -mostly- biallelic loss of SMARCB1. Characteristically, these tumors arise in patients with sickle cell trait or other hemoglobinopathies. Recent molecular and landscaping characterization efforts have unraveled oncogenic pathways that drive tumorigenesis. Among these, gene sets that characterize replicative stress and the innate immune response are upregulated in RMCs. Despite comprehensive genetic and transcriptomic characterizations, commonalities or differences to other SMARCB1 deficient entities so far have not been investigated. We analyzed the methylome of four novel primary RMC and compared it to other, SMARCB1 deficient entities such as rhabdoid tumors (RT) and epithelioid sarcomas using 850K methylation arrays. In accordance with previous gene expression data, we find that RMCs separate from other SMARCB1 deficient entities such as extra-and intracranial rhabdoid tumors, pointing to a potentially different cell of origin and a role of additional mutations or genetic aberrations that may drive tumorigenesis and thus alter the methylome when compared to rhabdoid tumors. In a focused analysis of genes that are important for nephrogenesis, we detected particularly genes that govern early nephrogenesis such as FOXI to be hypomethylated and expressed at high levels in RMC. Overall, our analyses underscore the fact that RMCs represent a separate entity with limited similarities to rhabdoid tumors warranting specific treatment, tailored to the aggressiveness of the disease.
Project description:LC-MS/MS based proteomics study of chromophobe renal cell carcinomas versus the adjacent healthy kidney tissues, nine patients included. The chromophobe renal cell carcinoma cells (UOK276) under different conditions were also analyzed.
Project description:LC-MS/MS based proteomics study of chromophobe renal cell carcinomas versus the adjacent healthy kidney tissues, ten patients included.
Project description:This study examined the expression profile of medullary carcioma of the colon compared to adjacent histologically normal colonic mucosa. Medullary carcinomas of the colon were selected from Rhode Island Hosptial and The Miriam Hospital to identify new molecular markers of this disease. Medullary carcinoma was defined by applying strict morphologic criteria and demonstration of mismatch repair protein deficiency (MMRd) by IHC.