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Journal of Breast Imaging Sep 2021Fibromatosis of the breast is a rare, benign locally infiltrative tumor without metastatic potential. Patients typically present with a painless, palpable, firm breast...
Fibromatosis of the breast is a rare, benign locally infiltrative tumor without metastatic potential. Patients typically present with a painless, palpable, firm breast mass, which may be mobile or fixed to the pectoralis muscle. While some cases are related to familial mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene, the majority are sporadic due to somatic mutations or prior injury to the breast tissue. On mammography, fibromatosis is typically seen as an irregular, dense, spiculated mass. US demonstrates a hypoechoic, irregular mass with indistinct margins. Fibromatosis is indistinguishable from breast cancer on imaging, and core biopsy is required for definitive diagnosis. Wide local excision is the historical standard for treatment; however, recurrence rates are high, and other emerging therapies are being explored. This article reviews the clinical features, imaging and histopathologic findings, along with brief overview of management.
PubMed: 38424943
DOI: 10.1093/jbi/wbab051 -
Nature Jun 2021A delicate equilibrium of WNT agonists and antagonists in the intestinal stem cell (ISC) niche is critical to maintaining the ISC compartment, as it accommodates the...
A delicate equilibrium of WNT agonists and antagonists in the intestinal stem cell (ISC) niche is critical to maintaining the ISC compartment, as it accommodates the rapid renewal of the gut lining. Disruption of this balance by mutations in the tumour suppressor gene APC, which are found in approximately 80% of all human colon cancers, leads to unrestrained activation of the WNT pathway. It has previously been established that Apc-mutant cells have a competitive advantage over wild-type ISCs. Consequently, Apc-mutant ISCs frequently outcompete all wild-type stem cells within a crypt, thereby reaching clonal fixation in the tissue and initiating cancer formation. However, whether the increased relative fitness of Apc-mutant ISCs involves only cell-intrinsic features or whether Apc mutants are actively involved in the elimination of their wild-type neighbours remains unresolved. Here we show that Apc-mutant ISCs function as bona fide supercompetitors by secreting WNT antagonists, thereby inducing differentiation of neighbouring wild-type ISCs. Lithium chloride prevented the expansion of Apc-mutant clones and the formation of adenomas by rendering wild-type ISCs insensitive to WNT antagonists through downstream activation of WNT by inhibition of GSK3β. Our work suggests that boosting the fitness of healthy cells to limit the expansion of pre-malignant clones may be a powerful strategy to limit the formation of cancers in high-risk individuals.
Topics: Adenoma; Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein; Animals; Cell Competition; Cell Differentiation; Female; Genes, APC; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; Humans; Intestinal Neoplasms; Lithium Chloride; Male; Mice; Mutation; Organoids; Wnt Proteins
PubMed: 34079128
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03558-4 -
Cancer Research and Treatment Oct 2023Loss-of-function mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene are common in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, the characteristic of APC specific...
PURPOSE
Loss-of-function mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene are common in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, the characteristic of APC specific mutations in mCRC is poorly understood. Here, we explored the clinical and molecular characteristics of N-terminal and C-terminal side APC mutations in Chinese patients with mCRC.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Hybrid capture-based next-generation sequencing was performed on tumor tissues from 275 mCRC pati-ents to detect mutations in 639 tumor-associated genes. The prognostic value and gene-pathway difference between APC specific mutations in mCRC patients were analyzed.
RESULTS
APC mutations were highly clustered, accounting for 73% of all mCRC patients, and most of them were truncating mutations. The tumor mutation burden of the N-terminal side APC mutations group (n=76) was significantly lower than that of the C-terminal side group (n=123) (p < 0.001), further confirmed by the public database. Survival analysis showed that mCRC patients with N-terminus side APC mutations had longer overall survival than C-terminus side. Tumor gene pathway analysis showed that gene mutations in the RTK/RAS, Wnt and transforming growth factor β signaling pathways of the C-terminal group were significantly higher than those of the N-terminal group (p < 0.05). Additionally, KRAS, AMER1, TGFBR2, and ARID1A driver mutations were more common in patients with C-terminal side APC mutations.
CONCLUSION
APC specific mutations have potential function as mCRC prognostic biomarkers. There are obvious differences in the gene mutation patterns between the C-terminus and N-terminus APC mutations group, which may have certain guiding significance for the subsequent precise treatment of mCRC.
Topics: Humans; Prognosis; Colorectal Neoplasms; Adenomatous Polyposis Coli; Mutation; Colonic Neoplasms; Rectal Neoplasms
PubMed: 37114476
DOI: 10.4143/crt.2023.415 -
The Prostate Sep 2023Tobacco smoking is known to cause cancers potentially predisposed by genetic risks. We compared the frequency of gene mutations using a next generation sequencing...
OBJECTIVES
Tobacco smoking is known to cause cancers potentially predisposed by genetic risks. We compared the frequency of gene mutations using a next generation sequencing database of smokers and nonsmokers with prostate cancer (PCa) to identify subsets of patients with potential genetic risks.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Data from the American Association for Cancer Research Project Genomics Evidence Neoplasia Information Exchange (GENIE) registry was analyzed. The GENIE registry contains clinically annotated sequenced tumor samples. We included 1832 men with PCa in our cohort, categorized as smokers and nonsmokers, and compared the frequency of mutations (point mutations, copy number variations, and structural variants) of 47 genes with more than 5% mutation rate between the two categories and correlated with overall survival using logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS
Overall, 1007 (55%) patients were nonsmokers, and 825 (45%) were smokers. The mutation frequency was significantly higher in smokers compared to nonsmokers, 47.6% and 41.3%, respectively (p = 0.02). The median tumor mutational burden was also significantly higher in the samples from smokers (3.59 mut/MB) compared to nonsmokers (1.87 mut/MB) (p < 0.001). Patients with a smoking history had a significantly higher frequency of PREX2, PTEN, AGO2, KMT2C, and a lower frequency of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and KMT2A mutations than compared to nonsmokers. The overall mortality rate (28.5% vs. 22.8%) was significantly higher among smokers (p = 0.006). On a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the presence of metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis (OR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.78-2.89, p < 0.001), smoking history (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.05-1.65, p = 0.02), and higher frequency of PTEN somatic gene mutation (OR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.46-2.45, p < 0.001) were independent predictors of increased overall mortality among patients with PCa. Patients with PTEN mutation had poorer overall survival compared to men without PTEN mutations: 96.00 (95% CI: 65.36-113.98) and 120.00 (95% CI: 115.05-160.00) months, respectively (p < 0.001) irrespective of smoking history although the G129R PTEN mutation was characteristically detected in smokers.
CONCLUSIONS
PCa patients with a tobacco smoking history demonstrated a significantly higher frequency of somatic genetic mutations. Whereas mutations of PREX2, KMT2C, AGO2, and PTEN genes were higher in smokers, the APC and KMT2A mutations were higher in nonsmokers. The PTEN somatic gene mutation was associated with increased overall mortality among patients with PCa irrespective of smoking history. We found that G129R PTEN mutation known to reduce the PTEN phosphatase activity and K267Rfs*9 a frameshift deletion mutation in the C2 domain of PTEN associated with membrane binding exclusively detected in smokers and nonsmokers, respectively. These findings may be used to further our understanding of PCa associated with smoking.
Topics: Male; Humans; DNA Copy Number Variations; Mutation; Smoking; Tobacco Smoking; Prostatic Neoplasms
PubMed: 37455402
DOI: 10.1002/pros.24554 -
Cellular Signalling Dec 2022Molecular alterations in oncogenes and tumor suppressors in various signaling pathways are basis for personalized therapy in cancer. Periampullary carcinoma behaves... (Review)
Review
Molecular alterations in oncogenes and tumor suppressors in various signaling pathways are basis for personalized therapy in cancer. Periampullary carcinoma behaves differently from pancreatic carcinoma both in prognosis and outcome, therefore it needs special attention. Pancreatic cancer have higher incidence of nodal spread and perineural &lymphovascular invasion suggesting it biologically more aggressive tumor compared to periampullary cancer. Since PAC tumors consist of heterogenous tissue of origin, they might contain different mutations in tumor associated genes and other changes in tissue composition among different subgroups clubbed together. Significant progress has been made in understanding the molecular nature of PAC in the previous two decades, and a large number of mutations and other genetic changes have been identified as being responsible for the disease. This review article targets to collate and discuss the molecular evolution of PAC and their implication in its outcome. As per literature, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K), and Wnt signaling are the most common pathways involved in PAC. Mutations in KRAS, TP53, CTNNB1, SMAD4 and APC genes were the most frequently reported. I-subtype resembles colorectal cancer while the morphology of PB-type shows close resemblance to pancreatic tumors. The frequency of driver gene mutations is higher in I-type compared to PB-type of PAC indicating I-type to be genetically more unstable. The genetic landscape of PAC obtained from WES data highlighted PI3/AKT pathway to be a primary target in I-type and RAS/RAF in PB-type.
PubMed: 36096460
DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110461 -
Gastroenterology May 2023Aberrant DNA methylation is frequent in colorectal cancer (CRC), but underlying mechanisms and pathologic consequences are poorly understood.
BACKGROUND & AIMS
Aberrant DNA methylation is frequent in colorectal cancer (CRC), but underlying mechanisms and pathologic consequences are poorly understood.
METHODS
We disrupted active DNA demethylation genes Tet1 and/or Tdg from Apc mice and characterized the methylome and transcriptome of colonic adenomas. Data were compared to human colonic adenocarcinomas (COAD) in The Cancer Genome Atlas.
RESULTS
There were increased numbers of small intestinal adenomas in Apc mice expressing the Tdg allele, whereas Tet1-deficient and Tet1/Tdg-double heterozygous Apc colonic adenomas were larger with features of erosion and invasion. We detected reduction in global DNA hypomethylation in colonic adenomas from Tet1- and Tdg-mutant Apc mice and hypermethylation of CpG islands in Tet1-mutant Apc adenomas. Up-regulation of inflammatory, immune, and interferon response genes was present in Tet1- and Tdg-mutant colonic adenomas compared to control Apc adenomas. This up-regulation was also seen in murine colonic organoids and human CRC lines infected with lentiviruses expressing TET1 or TDG short hairpin RNA. A 127-gene inflammatory signature separated colonic adenocarcinomas into 4 groups, closely aligned with their microsatellite or chromosomal instability and characterized by different levels of DNA methylation and DNMT1 expression that anticorrelated with TET1 expression. Tumors with the CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) had concerted high DNMT1/low TET1 expression. TET1 or TDG knockdown in CRC lines enhanced killing by natural killer cells.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings reveal a novel epigenetic regulation, linked to the type of genomic instability, by which TET1/TDG-mediated DNA demethylation decreases methylation levels and inflammatory/interferon/immune responses. CIMP in CRC is triggered by an imbalance of methylating activities over demethylating activities. These mice represent a model of CIMP CRC.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Mice; Adenocarcinoma; Adenoma; Carcinogenesis; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Colonic Neoplasms; Colorectal Neoplasms; CpG Islands; DNA Methylation; DNA-Binding Proteins; Epigenesis, Genetic; Mixed Function Oxygenases; Phenotype; Proto-Oncogene Proteins
PubMed: 36764492
DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2023.01.039 -
Cancer Management and Research 2021The canonical model for hereditary cancer predisposition is a cancer predisposition gene (CPG) that drives either one or both of two fundamental hallmarks of cancer,... (Review)
Review
The canonical model for hereditary cancer predisposition is a cancer predisposition gene (CPG) that drives either one or both of two fundamental hallmarks of cancer, defective genomic integrity and deregulated cell proliferation, ultimately resulting in the accumulation of mutations within cells. Thus, the genes most commonly associated with cancer-predisposing genetic syndromes are tumor suppressor genes that regulate DNA repair (eg, genes) and/or cell cycle (eg, ). In recent years, however, the spectrum of high-penetrance CPGs has expanded considerably to include genes in non-canonical pathways such as oncogenic signaling, metabolism, and protein translation. We propose here that, given the variety of pathways that may ultimately affect genome integrity and cell proliferation, the model of cancer genetic predisposition needs to be expanded to account for diverse mechanisms. This synthesis calls for modeling and multi-omic studies applying novel experimental and computational approaches to understand cancer genetic predisposition.
PubMed: 34103990
DOI: 10.2147/CMAR.S311548 -
Frontiers in Genetics 2023Colorectal cancer is a complex disease resulting from the interaction of genetics, epigenetics, and environmental factors. DNA methylation is frequently found in tumor... (Review)
Review
Colorectal cancer is a complex disease resulting from the interaction of genetics, epigenetics, and environmental factors. DNA methylation is frequently found in tumor suppressor genes to promote cancer development. Several factors are associated with changes in the DNA methylation pattern, and recently, the gastrointestinal microbiota could be associated with this epigenetic change. The predominant phyla in gut microbiota are Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes; however, an enrichment of , , and , among others, has been reported in colorectal cancer, although the composition could be influenced by several factors, including diet, age, sex, and cancer stage, a gram-negative anaerobic bacillus, is mainly associated with colorectal cancer patients positive for the CpG island methylator phenotype, although hypermethylation in genes such as , , , , , , and has also been described. Moreover, , a gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium, is related to hypermethylation in , , , , , , , and genes. The underlying epigenetic mechanism is unclear, although it could be implicated in the regulation of DNA methyltransferases, enzymes that catalyze the transfer of a methyl group on cytosine of CpG sites. Since DNA methylation is a reversible event, changes in gut microbiota could modulate the gene expression through DNA methylation and improve the colorectal cancer prognosis.
PubMed: 37614819
DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1037406 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2023Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a genetic syndrome characterized by the presence of multiple polyps in the gastrointestinal tract and a wide range of systemic... (Review)
Review
Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a genetic syndrome characterized by the presence of multiple polyps in the gastrointestinal tract and a wide range of systemic extra-intestinal manifestations. Patients affected will inevitably undergo abdominal surgery due to the malignant transformation of one or more adenomas. The pathogenesis of the disease is based on a loss of function mutation in adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), a tumor-suppressor gene, inherited following a Mendelian pattern. This gene is a key component of multiple cell functions that cooperate for homeostasis; when mutated, it contributes to the progression of colorectal adenoma into cancer. Recent studies have demonstrated that several additional mechanisms may influence this process, such as alterations in gut microbiota composition and mucosal barrier immunity, interaction with the immune microenvironment and inflammation, the hormone estrogen, and other signaling pathways. These factors represent promising targets of future therapies and chemoprevention, aiming to alter the progressive nature of the disease and improve the quality of life of families affected. Therefore, we performed a narrative review about the current knowledge of the aforementioned pathways involved in colorectal cancer pathogenesis in FAP, exploring the genetic and environmental factors that may contribute to the development of CRC in FAP.
Topics: Humans; Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein; Quality of Life; Adenomatous Polyposis Coli; Colorectal Neoplasms; Genes, APC; Adenoma; Carcinogenesis; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 36982759
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065687 -
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers &... Mar 2021DNA methylation is the main epigenetic event for gene silencing and is associated with carcinogenesis. In this meta-analysis, we evaluated the association between the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
DNA methylation is the main epigenetic event for gene silencing and is associated with carcinogenesis. In this meta-analysis, we evaluated the association between the methylation of the promoter regions of , and genes and the risk of cervical cancer development and progression. Overall, 194 eligible studies were identified assessing the associations of promoter methylation status of aforementioned genes with low- and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL and HSIL) and cervical cancer development. The majority of studies were conducted on Caucasian and Asian populations, whereas rare studies were available on the African population. Promoter methylation frequencies were shown to be significantly higher in LSIL and HSIL cervical cancer cases as compared to control specimens for , and genes. A moderate association was found between promoter methylation, whereas , and promoter methylation was not correlated with cervical cancer development. Promoter methylation could be considered as a noninvasive biomarker for early cervical lesions, making them highly promising targets for a personalized therapeutic approach.
Topics: DNA Methylation; Female; Humans; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
PubMed: 33441308
DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-20-0833