Project description:Background: Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common malignant childhood tumor of the eye and results from inactivation of both alleles of the RB1 gene. Nowadays RB genetic diagnosis requires classical chromosome investigations, Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification analysis (MLPA) and Sanger sequencing. Nevertheless, these techniques show some limitations. We report our experience on a cohort of RB patients using a combined approach of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and RB1 custom array-Comparative Genomic Hybridization (aCGH). Methods: A total of 65 patients with retinoblastoma were studied: 29 cases of bilateral RB and 36 cases of unilateral RB. All patients were previously tested with conventional cytogenetics and MLPA techniques. Fifty-three samples were then analysed using NGS. Eleven cases were analysed by RB1 custom aCGH. One last case was studied only by classic cytogenetics. Finally, it has been tested, in a lab sensitivity assay, the capability of NGS to detect artificial mosaicism series in previously recognized samples prepared at 3 different mosaicism frequencies: 10%, 5%, 1%. Results: Of the 29 cases of bilateral RB, 28 resulted positive (96.5%) to the genetic investigation: 22 point mutations and 6 genomic rearrangements (four intragenic and two macrodeletion). A novel germline intragenic duplication, from exon18 to exon 23, was identified in a proband with bilateral RB. Of the 36 available cases of unilateral RB, 8 patients resulted positive (22%) to the genetic investigation: 3 patients showed point mutations while 5 carried large deletion. Finally, we successfully validated, in a lab sensitivity assay, the capability of NGS to accurately measure level of artificial mosaicism down to 1%. Conclusions: NGS and RB1-custom aCGH have demonstrated to be an effective combined approach in order to optimize the overall diagnostic procedures of RB. Custom aCGH is able to accurately detect genomic rearrangements allowing the characterization of their extension. NGS is extremely accurate in detecting single nucleotide variants, relatively simple to perform, cost savings and efficient and has confirmed a high sensitivity and accuracy in identifying low levels of artificial mosaicisms.
Project description:It is widely believed that the molecular and cellular features of a tumor reflect its cell-of-origin and can thus provide clues about treatment targets. The retinoblastoma cell-of-origin has been debated for over a century. Here we report that human and mouse retinoblastomas have molecular, cellular, and neurochemical features of multiple cell classes, principally amacrine/horizontal interneurons, retinal progenitor cells, and photoreceptors. Importantly, single-cell gene expression array analysis showed that these multiple cell type–specific developmental programs are coexpressed in individual retinoblastoma cells, which creates a progenitor/neuronal hybrid cell. Importantly, neurotransmitter receptors, transporters, and biosynthetic enzymes are expressed in human retinoblastoma, and targeted disruption of these pathways reduces retinoblastoma growth in vivo and in vitro. Our finding that retinoblastoma tumor cells express multiple neuronal differentiation programs that are normally incompatible in development suggests that the pathways that control retinal development and establish distinct cell types are perturbed during tumorigenesis. Therefore, the cell-of-origin for retinoblastoma cannot be inferred from the features of the tumor cells themselves. However, we now have a detailed understanding of the neuronal pathways that are deregulated in retinoblastoma and targeting the catecholamine and indolamine receptors or downstream components could provide useful therapeutic approaches in future studies. This example highlights the importance of comprehensive molecular, cellular and physiological characterization of human cancers with single cell resolution as we incorporate molecular targeted therapy into treatment regimens. 20 single cells isolated from primary pediatric retinoblastoma tumors were assayed to asses the within tumor consistency of expression signals
Project description:It is widely believed that the molecular and cellular features of a tumor reflect its cell-of-origin and can thus provide clues about treatment targets. The retinoblastoma cell-of-origin has been debated for over a century. Here we report that human and mouse retinoblastomas have molecular, cellular, and neurochemical features of multiple cell classes, principally amacrine/horizontal interneurons, retinal progenitor cells, and photoreceptors. Importantly, single-cell gene expression array analysis showed that these multiple cell type–specific developmental programs are coexpressed in individual retinoblastoma cells, which creates a progenitor/neuronal hybrid cell. Importantly, neurotransmitter receptors, transporters, and biosynthetic enzymes are expressed in human retinoblastoma, and targeted disruption of these pathways reduces retinoblastoma growth in vivo and in vitro. Our finding that retinoblastoma tumor cells express multiple neuronal differentiation programs that are normally incompatible in development suggests that the pathways that control retinal development and establish distinct cell types are perturbed during tumorigenesis. Therefore, the cell-of-origin for retinoblastoma cannot be inferred from the features of the tumor cells themselves. However, we now have a detailed understanding of the neuronal pathways that are deregulated in retinoblastoma and targeting the catecholamine and indolamine receptors or downstream components could provide useful therapeutic approaches in future studies. This example highlights the importance of comprehensive molecular, cellular and physiological characterization of human cancers with single cell resolution as we incorporate molecular targeted therapy into treatment regimens. 55 primary pediatric retinoblastoma tumors were collected and assayed and compared to with 3 passaged xenografts and 4 RB cell lines
Project description:Retinoblastoma (RB) is a malignant intraocular neoplasm occurs mostly in children. The malignancy caused due to altered miRNA expression in cancer tumors and circulating body fluids has been reported in several cancers. The aberrantly expressed microRNAs are useful for diagnosis and prognosticating the tumors. Circulating miRNAs have been identified as potential markers in neoplastic and non -neoplastic diseases. The aim of the study involves identifying microRNA signatures of serum of Retinoblastoma and possible use of differential miRNA as unique biomarker for RB. Agilent Single Color Whole miRNA microarray: 14 advanced stage Retinoblastoma Serum (pooled) Vs 14 Non-Retinoblastoma Serum (pooled) samples
Project description:It is widely believed that the molecular and cellular features of a tumor reflect its cell-of-origin and can thus provide clues about treatment targets. The retinoblastoma cell-of-origin has been debated for over a century. Here we report that human and mouse retinoblastomas have molecular, cellular, and neurochemical features of multiple cell classes, principally amacrine/horizontal interneurons, retinal progenitor cells, and photoreceptors. Importantly, single-cell gene expression array analysis showed that these multiple cell type–specific developmental programs are coexpressed in individual retinoblastoma cells, which creates a progenitor/neuronal hybrid cell. Importantly, neurotransmitter receptors, transporters, and biosynthetic enzymes are expressed in human retinoblastoma, and targeted disruption of these pathways reduces retinoblastoma growth in vivo and in vitro. Our finding that retinoblastoma tumor cells express multiple neuronal differentiation programs that are normally incompatible in development suggests that the pathways that control retinal development and establish distinct cell types are perturbed during tumorigenesis. Therefore, the cell-of-origin for retinoblastoma cannot be inferred from the features of the tumor cells themselves. However, we now have a detailed understanding of the neuronal pathways that are deregulated in retinoblastoma and targeting the catecholamine and indolamine receptors or downstream components could provide useful therapeutic approaches in future studies. This example highlights the importance of comprehensive molecular, cellular and physiological characterization of human cancers with single cell resolution as we incorporate molecular targeted therapy into treatment regimens.
Project description:Retinoblastoma (RB, OMIM:180200) is the most common malignant childhood tumor of the eye with an estimated incidence between 1 in 16,000 and 1 in 18,000 live births [1,2]. RB is the first disease for which a genetic etiology of cancer has been described [3] being caused by mutations in the first tumor suppressor gene identified (RB1, Genbank accession # L11910). Mutations in both alleles of the RB1 gene are required for the development of this neoplasm [4], and, depending on the germ-line or somatic origin of the defect, a heritable or sporadic form can be distinguished. RB is unilateral in 60% of cases and only 15% of these are heritable [5]; in contrast, 40% of retinoblastomas are bilateral with risk of transmission to the offspring. Heritable retinoblastoma constitutes a cancer predisposition syndrome [6]. RB1 is located on chromosome 13 at band q14 and can be affected by a heterogeneous spectrum of genetic abnormalities, including chromosome translocation/deletion, genomic rearrangements, ranging from whole gene microdeletion to intragenic exons loss or duplication, and more than 900 different point mutations [7]. Mutational analysis is performed to search for the predisposing RB1 gene mutation in peripheral blood of patients with RB, but the molecular diagnosis requires several technical approaches to cover the entire field of oncogenic RB1 defects, frequently resulting in numerous, expensive and time consuming procedures. In particular, cytogenetic tools, such as classical chromosome investigations and Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH), in addition to Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) technique, may account for detection of about 16% of RB1 abnormalities [8], while the remaining large amount of point mutations need to be investigated using sequencing analysis. Since the 1970s, Sanger sequencing has been recognized as the gold standard for mutation analysis in molecular diagnostics; however, its low-throughput, long turnaround time and overall cost [9] have called for new paradigms. Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) can massively sequence millions of DNA segments, promising low costs, increased workflow speed and enhanced sensitivity in mutation detection [9,10,11] On the other hand, conventional and molecular cytogenetic analysis, have been replaced by modern high-throughput investigations, such as array Comparative Genomic Hybridization (aCGH), that can reveal and measure cryptic genomic imbalances. In addition, aCGH can be focused on specific DNA segments or genes maximizing the resolution via a customized process. Based on these observations, we have recruited a cohort of retinoblastoma patients we previously investigated with conventional cytogenetics and MLPA. Patients diagnosed with RB but negative to the above standard screening have been tested with NGS to assess its ability in identifying RB causative mutations. On the other hand, patients positive to standard screening have been further investigated with RB1-custom array CGH analysis to characterize the genomic rearrangements with a better resolution compared to the conventional techniques. The complementary aCGH data set related to this study has also been deposited at ArrayExpress, under accession number E-MTAB-3492: https://www.ebi.ac.uk/arrayexpress/experiments/E-MTAB-3492/
Project description:It is widely believed that the molecular and cellular features of a tumor reflect its cell-of-origin and can thus provide clues about treatment targets. The retinoblastoma cell-of-origin has been debated for over a century. Here we report that human and mouse retinoblastomas have molecular, cellular, and neurochemical features of multiple cell classes, principally amacrine/horizontal interneurons, retinal progenitor cells, and photoreceptors. Importantly, single-cell gene expression array analysis showed that these multiple cell type–specific developmental programs are coexpressed in individual retinoblastoma cells, which creates a progenitor/neuronal hybrid cell. Importantly, neurotransmitter receptors, transporters, and biosynthetic enzymes are expressed in human retinoblastoma, and targeted disruption of these pathways reduces retinoblastoma growth in vivo and in vitro. Our finding that retinoblastoma tumor cells express multiple neuronal differentiation programs that are normally incompatible in development suggests that the pathways that control retinal development and establish distinct cell types are perturbed during tumorigenesis. Therefore, the cell-of-origin for retinoblastoma cannot be inferred from the features of the tumor cells themselves. However, we now have a detailed understanding of the neuronal pathways that are deregulated in retinoblastoma and targeting the catecholamine and indolamine receptors or downstream components could provide useful therapeutic approaches in future studies. This example highlights the importance of comprehensive molecular, cellular and physiological characterization of human cancers with single cell resolution as we incorporate molecular targeted therapy into treatment regimens.
Project description:It is widely believed that the molecular and cellular features of a tumor reflect its cell-of-origin and can thus provide clues about treatment targets. The retinoblastoma cell-of-origin has been debated for over a century. Here we report that human and mouse retinoblastomas have molecular, cellular, and neurochemical features of multiple cell classes, principally amacrine/horizontal interneurons, retinal progenitor cells, and photoreceptors. Importantly, single-cell gene expression array analysis showed that these multiple cell type–specific developmental programs are coexpressed in individual retinoblastoma cells, which creates a progenitor/neuronal hybrid cell. Importantly, neurotransmitter receptors, transporters, and biosynthetic enzymes are expressed in human retinoblastoma, and targeted disruption of these pathways reduces retinoblastoma growth in vivo and in vitro. Our finding that retinoblastoma tumor cells express multiple neuronal differentiation programs that are normally incompatible in development suggests that the pathways that control retinal development and establish distinct cell types are perturbed during tumorigenesis. Therefore, the cell-of-origin for retinoblastoma cannot be inferred from the features of the tumor cells themselves. However, we now have a detailed understanding of the neuronal pathways that are deregulated in retinoblastoma and targeting the catecholamine and indolamine receptors or downstream components could provide useful therapeutic approaches in future studies. This example highlights the importance of comprehensive molecular, cellular and physiological characterization of human cancers with single cell resolution as we incorporate molecular targeted therapy into treatment regimens.