Spindle Assembly Checkpoint Gene Expression in Childhood Adrenocortical Tumors (ACT): Overexpression of Aurora Kinases A and B Is Associated With a Poor Prognosis

Author(s):Show less -

Borges, Kleiton Silva ^[1] ; Moreno, Daniel Antunes ^[1] ; Martinelli, Jr., Carlos Eduardo ^[2] ; Rauber Antonini, Sonir Roberto ^[2] ; de Castro, Margaret ^[3] ; Tucci, Jr., Silvio ^[4] ; Neder, Luciano ^[5] ; Zambelli Ramalho, Leandra Naira ^[5] ; Seidinger, Ana Luiza ^{[6, 7]} ; Cardinalli, Izilda ^{[6, 7]} ; Mastellaro, Maria Jose ^{[6, 7]} ; Yunes, Jose Andres ^{[6, 7]} ; Brandalise, Silvia Regina ^{[6, 7]} ; Tone, Luiz Gonzaga ^{[1, 2]} ; Scrideli, Carlos Alberto

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Dept Genet, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Dept Pediat, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Dept Internal Med, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Dept Surg, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Dept Pathol, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[6] Univ Estadual Campinas, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[7] Ctr Infantil Boldrini, Dept Pediat Oncol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER; v. 60, n. 11, p. 1809-1816, NOV 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 13

Abstract

BackgroundPediatric adrenocortical tumors (ACT) are rare malignancies and treatment has a small impact on survival in advanced disease and the discovery of potential target genes could be important in new therapeutic approaches. MethodsThe mRNA expression levels of spindle checkpoint genes AURKA, AURKB, BUB, and BUBR1 were analyzed in 60 children with ACT by quantitative real time PCR. The anticancer effect of ZM447439, an experimental AURK inhibitor, was analyzed in a primary childhood ACT culture carrying the TP53 p.R337H mutation. ResultsA significant association was observed between malignancy as defined by Weiss score 3 and higher AURKA (2.0-fold, P=0.01), AURKB (7.0-fold, P=0.007), and BUBR1 (5.8-fold, P=0.007) gene expression, and between unfavorable event (death or relapse) and higher expression of AURKA (6.0-fold, P=0.034) and AURKB (17-fold, P=0.013). Overexpression of AURKA and AURKB was associated with lower event-free survival in uni- (P<0.001 and P=0.006, respectively) and multivariate (P=0.002 and P=0.03, respectively) analysis. Significant lower Event free survival (EFS) was also observed in patients with moderate/strong immunostaining to AURKA (P=0.012) and AURKB (P=0.045). ZM447439 was able to induce inhibition of proliferation and colony formation in a primary childhood ACT culture carrying the TP53 p.R337H mutation. ConclusionOur results suggest that AURKA and AURKB overexpression in pediatric ACT may be related to more aggressive disease and the inhibition of these proteins could be an interesting approach for the treatment of these tumors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013;60:1809-1816. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/08699-5 - Mechanisms involved in the inhibition of aurora-kinases in adrenal carcinoma
• Grantee: Kleiton Silva Borges
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate