scholarly journals Somatic driver mutation prevalence in 1844 prostate cancers identifies ZNRF3 loss as a predictor of metastatic relapse

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Fraser ◽  
Julie Livingstone ◽  
Jeffrey L. Wrana ◽  
Antonio Finelli ◽  
Housheng Hansen He ◽  
...  

AbstractDriver gene mutations that are more prevalent in metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) than localized disease represent candidate prognostic biomarkers. We analyze 1,844 localized (1,289) or mCRPC (555) tumors and quantify the prevalence of 113 somatic driver single nucleotide variants (SNVs), copy number aberrations (CNAs), and structural variants (SVs) in each state. One-third are significantly more prevalent in mCRPC than expected while a quarter are less prevalent. Mutations in AR and its enhancer are more prevalent in mCRPC, as are those in TP53, MYC, ZNRF3 and PRKDC. ZNRF3 loss is associated with decreased ZNRF3 mRNA abundance, WNT, cell cycle & PRC1/2 activity, and genomic instability. ZNRF3 loss, RNA downregulation and hypermethylation are prognostic of metastasis and overall survival, independent of clinical and pathologic indices. These data demonstrate a strategy for identifying biomarkers of localized cancer aggression, with ZNRF3 loss as a predictor of metastasis in prostate cancer.

Author(s):  
Haiqing He ◽  
Jun Hao ◽  
Xin Dong ◽  
Yu Wang ◽  
Hui Xue ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) remains the leading systemic therapy for locally advanced and metastatic prostate cancers (PCa). While a majority of PCa patients initially respond to ADT, the durability of response is variable and most patients will eventually develop incurable castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Our research objective is to identify potential early driver genes responsible for CRPC development. Methods We have developed a unique panel of hormone-naïve PCa (HNPC) patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models at the Living Tumor Laboratory. The PDXs provide a unique platform for driver gene discovery as they allow for the analysis of differentially expressed genes via transcriptomic profiling at various time points after mouse host castration. In the present study, we focused on genes with expression changes shortly after castration but before CRPC has fully developed. These are likely to be potential early drivers of CRPC development. Such genes were further validated for their clinical relevance using data from PCa patient databases. ZRSR2 was identified as a top gene candidate and selected for further functional studies. Results ZRSR2 is significantly upregulated in our PDX models during the early phases of CRPC development after mouse host castration and remains consistently high in fully developed CRPC PDX models. Moreover, high ZRSR2 expression is also observed in clinical CRPC samples. Importantly, elevated ZRSR2 in PCa samples is correlated with poor patient treatment outcomes. ZRSR2 knockdown reduced PCa cell proliferation and delayed cell cycle progression at least partially through inhibition of the Cyclin D1 (CCND1) pathway. Conclusion Using our unique HNPC PDX models that develop into CRPC after host castration, we identified ZRSR2 as a potential early driver of CRPC development.


2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard J. Auchus ◽  
Nima Sharifi

The prostate is an androgen-dependent organ that develops only in male mammals. Prostate cancer is the most common nonskin malignancy in men and the second leading cause of cancer deaths. Metastatic prostate cancer initially retains its androgen dependence, and androgen-deprivation therapy often leads to disease control; however, the cancer inevitably progresses despite treatment as castration-resistant prostate cancer, the lethal form of the disease. Although it was assumed that the cancer became androgen independent during this transition, studies over the last two decades have shown that these tumors evade treatment via mechanisms that augment acquisition of androgens from circulating precursors, increase sensitivity to androgens and androgen precursors, bypass the androgen receptor, or a combination of these mechanisms. This review summarizes the history of prostate cancer research leading to the contemporary view of androgen dependence for prostate cancers and the current treatment approaches based on this modern paradigm.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew J Mosquera ◽  
Rohan Bareja ◽  
Jacob M Bernheim ◽  
Muhammad Asad ◽  
Cynthia Cheung ◽  
...  

Following treatment with androgen receptor (AR) pathway inhibitors, ~20% of prostate cancer patients progress by shedding their dependence on AR. These tumors undergo epigenetic reprogramming turning castration-resistant prostate cancer adenocarcinoma (CRPC-Adeno) into neuroendocrine prostate cancer (CRPC-NEPC). Currently, no targeted therapies are available for CRPC-NEPCs. A major hurdle in the development of new therapies and treatment of CRPC-NEPC is the lack of accurate models to test candidate treatments. Such models would ideally capture components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) factors, which likely regulate the phenotypic, genetic, and epigenetic underpinnings of this aggressive subset. The TME is a complex system comprised not only of malignant prostate cells but also stromal and inflammatory cells and a scaffold of extracellular matrix (ECM). ECM proteins are implicated in the survival and progression of cancer and development of chemoresistance, while are equally integral to the development of prostate cancer organoids. Here, using a combination of patient tumor proteomics and RNA sequencing, we define putative ECM cues that may guide the growth of prostate tumors in patients. Using this molecular information, we developed synthetic hydrogels that recapitulate the tumor ECM. Organoids cultured in the synthetic hydrogel niches demonstrate that ECM subtypes regulate the morphology, transcriptome, and epigenetics hallmarks of CRPC-Adeno and CRPC-NEPC. CRPC-NEPC organoid showed a differential response to small molecule inhibitors of epigenetic repressor EZH2 and Dopamine Receptor D2 (DRD2), the latter being a novel target in CRPC-NEPC when grown in tumor-specific ECM. Finally, in those synthetic ECM niches where drug resistance was observed in CRPC-NEPCs, cellular reprogramming by a synergistic combination of EZH2 inhibitors with DRD2 antagonists inhibited tumor growth. The synthetic platform can provide a more realistic prostate-specific microenvironment and subsequently enable the development of effective targeted therapeutics for prostate cancers.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. 247-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroji Uemura ◽  
Noriaki Arakawa ◽  
Yusuke Itoh ◽  
Takashi Kawahara ◽  
Yasuhide Miyoshi ◽  
...  

247 Background: It is well known that prostate specific antigen (PSA) level has no reliable correlation with pathological malignancy of prostate cancer and is not a predictor for the development of castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The aim of this study is to explore novel biomarkers to predict the development of CRPC by using proteomics from secreted proteins from human prostate cancer cells. Methods: The proteins secreted from 6 prostate cancers in culture medium were analyzed and compared with 8 other cancer cells including renal and urothelial cancers using LTQ Orbitrap mass spectrometer. With the focus on high tissue specificity, the candidate biomarker proteins were then identified through analysis of gene expressions in proteins common to human prostate cancers by real time qPCR. Next, a system to measure the identified mouse monoclonal antibodies against the focused proteins was established. Finally, serum levels of these proteins from 33 patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), 31 with untreated prostate cancer (PCa) and 35 with CRPC, were measured. Results: The proteome analysis identified 12 candidates of secreted cell membrane proteins as new biomarkers. The proteome analysis indicated that not only matured GDF15, but pro-peptide as well as fragments (GDDP) are released from prostate cancer cells. Patients’ serum was analyzed for matured and pro-peptide GDF15 using ELISA and immunoprecipitation-MRM mass spectrometry. The results showed that the serum level of GDDP-1, one of the processing forms of GDDP, was significantly higher in CRPC than those in BPH and untreated PCa (P < 0.01). ROC analysis also showed that the AUC of GDDP-1(0.86) was higher than that of matured GDF15 (0.76). When the cutoff value of GDDP-1 was set at 4.0 ng/mL, there was a significant difference of overall survival (OS) in CRPC patients between those with more than 4.0 ng/mL compared to less than 4.0 ng/mL of GDDP-1, whereas there was no significant difference of OS measurable by PSA in CRPC patients. These data suggest that GDDP-1 may be a novel biomarker for CRPC. Conclusions: GDDP-1 shows potential as a novel biomarker for CRPC.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiyuan Li ◽  
Shen Lin ◽  
Lixian Zhong ◽  
Shaohong Luo ◽  
Xiaoting Huang ◽  
...  

Aim: To compare the cost–effectiveness of olaparib versus control treatment in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients with at least one gene mutation in BRCA1, BRCA2 or ATM from the US payer perspective. Methods: A Markov model was constructed to assess the quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and incremental cost–effectiveness ratios. Sensitivity analyses and scenario analyses were conducted to explore the impact of uncertainties. Results: The base-case result indicated that, for patients with specific gene mutations, olaparib gained 1.26 QALYs and USD$ 157,732 total cost. Compared with control treatment, the incremental cost–effectiveness ratio of olaparib was USD$ 248,248/QALY. The price of olaparib was the most influential parameter. Conclusion: Olaparib is not cost-effective in comparison with control treatment in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients with specific gene mutations.


Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 3467
Author(s):  
Albert Jang ◽  
Oliver Sartor ◽  
Pedro C. Barata ◽  
Channing J. Paller

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is an incurable malignancy with a poor prognosis. Up to 30% of patients with mCRPC have mutations in homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors take advantage of HRR deficiency to kill tumor cells based on the concept of synthetic lethality. Several PARP inhibitors (PARPis) have been successful in various malignancies with HRR gene mutations including BRCA1/2, especially in breast cancer and ovarian cancer. More recently, olaparib and rucaparib were approved for mCRPC refractory to novel hormonal therapies, and other PARPis will likely follow. This article highlights the mechanism of action of PARPis at the cellular level, the preclinical data regarding a proposed mechanism of action and the effectiveness of PARPis in cancer cell lines and animal models. The article expands on the clinical development of PARPis in mCRPC, discusses potential biomarkers that may predict successful tumor control, and summarizes present and future clinical research on PARPis in the metastatic disease landscape.


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