Data documento
06/05/2024

Título
Digital expression profile of immune checkpoint genes in medulloblastomas identifies CD24 and CD276 as putative immunotherapy targets

Autor(es)
Marques R.F. - Moreno D.A. - da Silva L. - Leal L.F. - de Paula F.E. - Santana I. - Teixeira G. - Saggioro F. - Neder L. - Junior C.A. - Mançano B. - Reis R.M.

Palavras chave
immune checkpoints - immune profile - immunotherapy - medulloblastoma - nCounter mRNA expression assay

Resumo
Introduction: Medulloblastoma is the most common and lethal pediatric malignant brain tumor. It comprises four main molecular subgroups: WNT-activated, SHH-activated, Group 3, and Group 4. Medulloblastoma treatment is surgical resection, craniospinal radiation, and chemotherapy. However, many patients do not respond to therapy, and most suffer severe side effects. Cancer immunotherapy targeting immune checkpoints (IC) (PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA4) has been getting disappointing outcomes in brain tumors. Nevertheless, other less explored immune checkpoints may be promising candidates for medulloblastoma therapy. Objectives: In the present study, we aimed to characterize the expression profile of 19 immune checkpoints in medulloblastoma. Methods: We analyzed 88 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded medulloblastomas previously classified for each molecular subgroup and three non-tumoral brain tissue. mRNA levels of 19 immune checkpoint-related genes were quantified using the nCounter (PanCancer Immune Profiling Panel) assay. Further in silico analysis was performed in two larger public microarray datasets, one of which enabled comparisons between tumoral and non-tumoral tissues. Immunohistochemistry of PD-L1 was performed in a subset of cases. Microsatellite instability was also molecularly analyzed. Results: We observed an absence of expression of the canonic ICs, namely PDCD1 (PD-1), CD274 (PD-L1), and CTLA4, as well as CD80, CD86, BTLA, IDO1, CD48, TNFSF14, CD160, CEACAM1, and CD244. PD-L1 protein expression was also practically absent. We found higher mRNA levels of CD24, CD47, CD276 (B7-H3), and PVR, and lower mRNA levels of HAVCR2, LAG3, and TIGIT genes, with significant differences across the four molecular subgroups. Compared to the non-tumor tissues, the expression levels of CD276 in all subgroups and CD24 in SHH, Group 3, and Group 4 subgroups are significantly higher. The in silico analysis confirmed the expression profile found in the Brazilian cohort, including the lower/absent expression of the canonic ICs. Moreover, it confirmed the overexpression of CD24 and CD276 in medulloblastomas compared with the non-tumor tissue. Additionally, CD276 and CD24 high levels were associated with worse survival. Conclusion: These results highlight the low or absence of mRNA levels of the canonic targetable ICs in medulloblastomas. Importantly, the analysis revealed overexpression of CD24 and CD276, which can constitute prognostic biomarkers and attractive immunotherapy targets for medulloblastomas.

Citação
Marques RF, Moreno DA, da Silva L, Leal LF, de Paula FE, Santana I, Teixeira G, Saggioro F, Neder L, Junior CA, Mançano B, Reis RM. Digital expression profile of immune checkpoint genes in medulloblastomas identifies CD24 and CD276 as putative immunotherapy targets. Front Immunol. 2023 Feb 7;14:1062856. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1062856. PMID: 36825029; PMCID: PMC9941636.

Data documento
02/05/2024

Título
High frequency of WNT-activated medulloblastomas with CTNNB1 wild type suggests a higher proportion of hereditary cases in a Latin-Iberian population

Autor(es)
Moreno DA - Bonatelli M - Antoniazzi AP - de Paula FE - Leal LF - Garcia FAO - de Paula AE - Teixeira GR - Santana IVV - Saggioro F - Neder L - Valera ET - Scrideli CA - Stavale J - Malheiros SMF - Lima M - Hajj GNM - Garcia-Rivello H - Christiansen S - Nunes S - Gil-da-Costa MJ - Pinheiro J - Martins FD - Junior CA - Mançano BM - Reis RM.

Resumo
Medulloblastomas are the most common primary malignant brain tumors in children. They are divided into molecular subgroups: WNT-activated, SHH-Activated, TP53 mutant or wild type, and non-WNT/non-SHH (Groups 3 and 4). WNT-activated medulloblastomas are usually caused by mutations in the CTNNB1 gene (85%–90%), and most remaining cases of CTNNB1 wild type are thought to be caused by germline mutations in APC. So far, the frequencies of CTNNB1 have been reported mainly in North American and European populations. The aim of this study was to report the frequency of CTNNB1 mutations in WNT-activated medulloblastomas in a Latin-Iberian population and correlate with their clinicopathological characteristics.

Citação
Moreno DA, Bonatelli M, Antoniazzi AP, de Paula FE, Leal LF, Garcia FAO, de Paula AE, Teixeira GR, Santana IVV, Saggioro F, Neder L, Valera ET, Scrideli CA, Stavale J, Malheiros SMF, Lima M, Hajj GNM, Garcia-Rivello H, Christiansen S, Nunes S, Gil-da-Costa MJ, Pinheiro J, Martins FD, Junior CA, Mançano BM, Reis RM. High frequency of WNT-activated medulloblastomas with CTNNB1 wild type suggests a higher proportion of hereditary cases in a Latin-Iberian population. Front Oncol. 2023 Sep 4;13:1237170. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1237170. PMID: 37746264; PMCID: PMC10513896.