scholarly journals Atypical BRAF and NRAS Mutations in Mucosal Melanoma

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Dumaz ◽  
Fanélie Jouenne ◽  
Julie Delyon ◽  
Samia Mourah ◽  
Armand Bensussan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Mucosal Melanoma ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Nras Mutation ◽  
Viral Oncogene ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Murine Sarcoma ◽  
Worse Prognosis ◽  
Viral Oncogene Homolog

Primary mucosal melanomas represent a minority of melanomas, but have a significantly worse prognosis than cutaneous melanomas. A better characterization of the molecular pathogenesis of this melanoma subtype could help us understand the risk factors associated with the development of mucosal melanomas and highlight therapeutic targets. Because the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) pathway plays such a significant role in melanoma development, we explore v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF) and neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog (NRAS) mutations in mucosal melanoma and compare them to the mutation profiles in cutaneous melanoma and other tumors with BRAF and NRAS mutations. We show that in addition to being less frequent, BRAF and NRAS mutations are different in mucosal melanoma compared to cutaneous melanomas. Strikingly, the BRAF and NRAS mutation profiles in mucosal melanoma are closer to those found in cancers such as lung cancer, suggesting that mutations in mucosal melanoma could be linked to some genotoxic agents that remain to be identified. We also show that the atypical BRAF and NRAS mutations found in mucosal melanomas have particular effects on protein activities, which could be essential for the transformation of mucosal melanocytes.

scholarly journals Tumor Microenvironment: Implications in Melanoma Resistance to Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2870 ◽  
Author(s):  
Italia Falcone ◽  
Fabiana Conciatori ◽  
Chiara Bazzichetto ◽  
Gianluigi Ferretti ◽  
Francesco Cognetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Targeted Therapy ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Acquired Drug Resistance ◽  
Viral Oncogene ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Melanoma Treatment ◽  
Tumor Types ◽  
Murine Sarcoma ◽  
Viral Oncogene Homolog

Antitumor therapies have made great strides in recent decades. Chemotherapy, aggressive and unable to discriminate cancer from healthy cells, has given way to personalized treatments that, recognizing and blocking specific molecular targets, have paved the way for targeted and effective therapies. Melanoma was one of the first tumor types to benefit from this new care frontier by introducing specific inhibitors for v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), v-kit Hardy–Zuckerman 4 feline sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KIT), and, recently, immunotherapy. However, despite the progress made in the melanoma treatment, primary and/or acquired drug resistance remains an unresolved problem. The molecular dynamics that promote this phenomenon are very complex but several studies have shown that the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays, certainly, a key role. In this review, we will describe the new melanoma treatment approaches and we will analyze the mechanisms by which TME promotes resistance to targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

scholarly journals BRAF Inhibitors in Thyroid Cancer: Clinical Impact, Mechanisms of Resistance and Future Perspectives

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabiana Crispo ◽  
Tiziana Notarangelo ◽  
Michele Pietrafesa ◽  
Giacomo Lettini ◽  
Giovanni Storto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Mapk Signaling ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Human Thyroid ◽  
Braf Inhibitors ◽  
Thyroid Carcinomas ◽  
Viral Oncogene ◽  
Viral Oncogene Homolog

The Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (RAS)/v-raf-1 murine leukemia viral oncogene homolog 1 (RAF)/mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK) signaling cascade is the most important oncogenic pathway in human cancers. Tumors leading mutations in the gene encoding for v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF) serine-threonine kinase are reliant on the MAPK signaling pathway for their growth and survival. Indeed, the constitutive activation of MAPK pathway results in continuous stimulation of cell proliferation, enhancement of the apoptotic threshold and induction of a migratory and metastatic phenotype. In a clinical perspective, this scenario opens to the possibility of targeting BRAF pathway for therapy. Thyroid carcinomas (TCs) bearing BRAF mutations represent approximately 29–83% of human thyroid malignancies and, differently from melanomas, are less sensitive to BRAF inhibitors and develop primary or acquired resistance due to mutational events or activation of alternative signaling pathways able to reactivate ERK signaling. In this review, we provide an overview on the current knowledge concerning the mechanisms leading to resistance to BRAF inhibitors in human thyroid carcinomas and discuss the potential therapeutic strategies, including combinations of BRAF inhibitors with other targeted agents, which might be employed to overcome drug resistance and potentiate the activity of single agent BRAF inhibitors.

scholarly journals Mechanisms of Acquired BRAF Inhibitor Resistance in Melanoma: A Systematic Review

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2801
Author(s):  
Ilaria Proietti ◽  
Nevena Skroza ◽  
Nicoletta Bernardini ◽  
Ersilia Tolino ◽  
Veronica Balduzzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Combination Therapy ◽  
Braf Inhibitor ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Resistance Development ◽  
Viral Oncogene ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Inhibitor Resistance ◽  
Viral Oncogene Homolog

This systematic review investigated the literature on acquired v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) inhibitor resistance in patients with melanoma. We searched MEDLINE for articles on BRAF inhibitor resistance in patients with melanoma published since January 2010 in the following areas: (1) genetic basis of resistance; (2) epigenetic and transcriptomic mechanisms; (3) influence of the immune system on resistance development; and (4) combination therapy to overcome resistance. Common resistance mutations in melanoma are BRAF splice variants, BRAF amplification, neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog (NRAS) mutations and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2) mutations. Genetic and epigenetic changes reactivate previously blocked mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, activate alternative signaling pathways, and cause epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Once BRAF inhibitor resistance develops, the tumor microenvironment reverts to a low immunogenic state secondary to the induction of programmed cell death ligand-1. Combining a BRAF inhibitor with a MEK inhibitor delays resistance development and increases duration of response. Multiple other combinations based on known mechanisms of resistance are being investigated. BRAF inhibitor-resistant cells develop a range of ‘escape routes’, so multiple different treatment targets will probably be required to overcome resistance. In the future, it may be possible to personalize combination therapy towards the specific resistance pathway in individual patients.

Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway in Cutaneous Melanoma: An Updated Review

2016 ◽  
Vol 140 (11) ◽  
pp. 1290-1296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andres Martin Acosta ◽  
ShriHari S. Kadkol
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Cutaneous Melanoma ◽  
Mapk Signaling ◽  
Mapk Signaling Pathway ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Braf Mutations ◽  
Viral Oncogene ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Viral Oncogene Homolog

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is a cascade of protein kinases that act in a sequential and predominantly linear fashion, albeit displaying some cross talk with other signaling cascades. Mutations in proteins integral to the MAPK signaling pathway are present in more than 50% of cutaneous melanomas. The most frequently mutated protein is v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF), followed by neuroblastoma Ras viral oncogene homolog (NRAS). Recently, the development of targeted drugs for the treatment of BRAF-mutant melanoma has led to the widespread implementation of molecular assays for the detection of specific BRAF mutations. There have been some attempts to standardize testing of BRAF mutations, but this has not been achieved so far. Here we provide an updated review on the role of the MAPK signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of cutaneous melanoma, focusing on several different BRAF mutations and their diagnostic and therapeutic implications.

scholarly journals The Genomic Landscape of Thyroid Cancer Tumourigenesis and Implications for Immunotherapy

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1082
Author(s):  
Amandeep Singh ◽  
Jeehoon Ham ◽  
Joseph William Po ◽  
Navin Niles ◽  
Tara Roberts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Metastatic Potential ◽  
Pi3k Pathway ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Genetic Aberrations ◽  
Progression Model ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

Thyroid cancer is the most prevalent endocrine malignancy that comprises mostly indolent differentiated cancers (DTCs) and less frequently aggressive poorly differentiated (PDTC) or anaplastic cancers (ATCs) with high mortality. Utilisation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) and advanced sequencing data analysis can aid in understanding the multi-step progression model in the development of thyroid cancers and their metastatic potential at a molecular level, promoting a targeted approach to further research and development of targeted treatment options including immunotherapy, especially for the aggressive variants. Tumour initiation and progression in thyroid cancer occurs through constitutional activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway through mutations in BRAF, RAS, mutations in the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway and/or receptor tyrosine kinase fusions/translocations, and other genetic aberrations acquired in a stepwise manner. This review provides a summary of the recent genetic aberrations implicated in the development and progression of thyroid cancer and implications for immunotherapy.

Review of treatment and therapeutic targets in brain arteriovenous malformation

2021 ◽  
pp. 0271678X2110267
Author(s):  
Peipei Pan ◽  
Shantel Weinsheimer ◽  
Daniel Cooke ◽  
Ethan Winkler ◽  
Adib Abla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Therapeutic Targets ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
De Novo Mutations ◽  
Genetic Syndromes ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

Brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVM) are an important cause of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), especially in younger patients. The pathogenesis of bAVM are largely unknown. Current understanding of bAVM etiology is based on studying genetic syndromes, animal models, and surgically resected specimens from patients. The identification of activating somatic mutations in the Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homologue (KRAS) gene and other mitogen-activated protein kinase ( MAPK) pathway genes has opened up new avenues for bAVM study, leading to a paradigm shift to search for somatic, de novo mutations in sporadic bAVMs instead of focusing on inherited genetic mutations. Through the development of new models and understanding of pathways involved in maintaining normal vascular structure and functions, promising therapeutic targets have been identified and safety and efficacy studies are underway in animal models and in patients. The goal of this paper is to provide a thorough review or current diagnostic and treatment tools, known genes and key pathways involved in bAVM pathogenesis to summarize current treatment options and potential therapeutic targets uncovered by recent discoveries.

scholarly journals Expression of transgenes enriched in rare codons is enhanced by the MAPK pathway

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jackson Peterson ◽  
Siqi Li ◽  
Erin Kaltenbrun ◽  
Ozgun Erdogan ◽  
Christopher M. Counter
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Rare Codons ◽  
Synonymous Codons ◽  
Multiple Components ◽  
Human Genes ◽  
Regulatory Module ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

AbstractThe ability to translate three nucleotide sequences, or codons, into amino acids to form proteins is conserved across all organisms. All but two amino acids have multiple codons, and the frequency that such synonymous codons occur in genomes ranges from rare to common. Transcripts enriched in rare codons are typically associated with poor translation, but in certain settings can be robustly expressed, suggestive of codon-dependent regulation. Given this, we screened a gain-of-function library for human genes that increase the expression of a GFPrare reporter encoded by rare codons. This screen identified multiple components of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway enhancing GFPrare expression. This effect was reversed with inhibitors of this pathway and confirmed to be both codon-dependent and occur with ectopic transcripts naturally coded with rare codons. Finally, this effect was associated, at least in part, with enhanced translation. We thus identify a potential regulatory module that takes advantage of the redundancy in the genetic code to modulate protein expression.

scholarly journals A Rare p.T599dup BRAF Mutant NSCLC in a Non-Smoker

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 196-202
Author(s):  
Alla Turshudzhyan ◽  
James Vredenburgh
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Targeted Therapies ◽  
Kinase Activity ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Braf Mutations ◽  
Activating Mutations ◽  
Extracellular Signal ◽  
Activating Mutation ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Murine Sarcoma

V-RAF murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) mutated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is an exceptionally rare form of lung cancer, found only in one to two percent of patients with an NSCLC diagnosis. BRAF NSCLC traditionally affects former or active smokers. BRAF mutations have always been of special interest to the oncological community, as they offer potential for targeted therapies. BRAF mutation spectrum includes mutations that are of both V600 and non-V600 types. BRAF V600 is an activating mutation, which results in high kinase activity and overproduction of active oncoproteins such as rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma (RAF). This makes them susceptible to targeted therapies with RAF inhibitors. There has been little evidence, however, regarding efficacy of RAF inhibitors towards non-activating mutations that have intermediate to low kinase activity, such as non-V600 BRAF mutations. While several approaches have been investigated to overcome the limitations of RAF inhibitors, such as use of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitors or combination of MEK and RAF inhibitors, none of them have been proven to have a superior efficacy for low kinase activity non-V600 BRAF tumors. We present a case of an extremely rare variant of NSCLC BRAF p.T599dup mutation in a non-smoker that responded to a targeted combination therapy with RAF and MEK inhibitors. The patient responded well to therapy that usually targets high kinase activity V600 mutations. Our hope is to bring more attention to non-V600 mutations and document their responses to existing and new therapies.

MKK3-p38 signaling promotes apoptosis and the early inflammatory response in the obstructed mouse kidney

2007 ◽  
Vol 293 (5) ◽  
pp. F1556-F1563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Y. Ma ◽  
Greg H. Tesch ◽  
Richard A. Flavell ◽  
Roger J. Davis ◽  
David J. Nikolic-Paterson
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
P38 Mapk ◽  
Renal Injury ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Direct Role ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Early Inflammatory Response ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Activation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway induces inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis. However, little is known of the contribution of the upstream kinases, MMK3 and MKK6, to activation of the p38 kinase in the kidney and consequent renal injury. This study investigated the contribution of MKK3 to p38 MAPK activation and renal injury in the obstructed kidney. Groups of eight wild-type (WT) or Mkk3−/− mice underwent unilateral ureteric obstruction (UUO) and were killed 3 or 7 days later. Western blotting showed a marked increase in phospho-p38 (p-p38) MAPK in UUO WT kidney. The same trend of increased p-p38 MAPK was seen in the UUO Mkk3−/− kidney, although the actual level of p-p38 MAPK was significantly reduced compared with WT, and this could not be entirely compensated for by the increase in MKK6 expression in the Mkk3−/− kidney. Apoptosis of tubular and interstitial cells in WT UUO mice was reduced by 50% in Mkk3−/− UUO mice. Furthermore, cultured Mkk3−/− tubular epithelial cells showed resistance to H2O2-induced apoptosis, suggesting a direct role for MKK3-p38 signaling in tubular apoptosis. Upregulation of MCP-1 mRNA levels and macrophage infiltration seen on day 3 in WT UUO mice was significantly reduced in Mkk3−/− mice, but this difference was not evident by day 7. The development of renal fibrosis in Mkk3−/− UUO mice was not different from that seen in WT UUO mice. In conclusion, these studies identify discrete roles for MKK3-p38 signaling in renal cell apoptosis and the early inflammatory response in the obstructed kidney.

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