Pan-cancer Convergence to a Small-Cell Neuroendocrine Phenotype that Shares Susceptibilities with Hematological Malignancies.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Small-cell neuroendocrine cancers (SCNCs) are an aggressive cancer subtype. Transdifferentiation toward an SCN phenotype has been reported as a resistance route in response to targeted therapies. Here, we identified a convergence to an SCN state that is widespread across epithelial cancers and is associated with poor prognosis. More broadly, non-SCN metastases have higher expression of SCN-associated transcription factors than non-SCN primary tumors. Drug sensitivity and gene dependency screens demonstrate that these convergent SCNCs have shared vulnerabilities. These common vulnerabilities are found across unannotated SCN-like epithelial cases, small-round-blue cell tumors, and unexpectedly in hematological malignancies. The SCN convergent phenotype and common sensitivity profiles with hematological cancers can guide treatment options beyond tissue-specific targeted therapies.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Balanis, NG; Sheu, KM; Esedebe, FN; Patel, SJ; Smith, BA; Park, JW; Alhani, S; Gomperts, BN; Huang, J; Witte, ON; Graeber, TG
Published Date
- July 8, 2019
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 36 / 1
Start / End Page
- 17 - 34.e7
PubMed ID
- 31287989
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC6703903
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1878-3686
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1016/j.ccell.2019.06.005
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States