Compared to the numerous broad screens for oncogene mutations in adult cancers, very few have been performed in pediatric solid tumors. To identify novel mutations and potential therapeutic targets in pediatric cancers, we performed a high-throughput Sequenom-based analysis in large sets of several major pediatric solid cancers, including neuroblastoma (NB), Ewing sarcoma (ES), rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), and desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT). Experimental Design We designed a highly multiplexed Sequenom-based assay to interrogate 275 recurrent mutations across 29 genes. Genomic DNA was extracted from 192 NB, 75 ES, 89 RMS, and 24 DSRCT samples. All mutations were verified by Sanger sequencing. Results Mutations were identified in 13% of NB samples, 4% of ES samples, 21.1% of RMS samples, and no DSRCT samples. ALK mutations were present in 10.4% of NB samples. The remainder of NB mutations involved the BRAF, RAS, and MAP2K1 genes and were absent in samples harboring ALK mutations. Mutations were more common in embryonal RMS (ERMS) samples (28.3%) than alveolar RMS (ARMS) (3.5%). In addition to previously identified RAS and FGFR4 mutations, we report for the first time PIK3CA and CTNNB1 (Beta-Catenin) mutations in 4.9% and 3.3% of ERMS, respectively. Conclusions In ERMS, ES, and NB, we identified novel occurrences of several oncogene mutations recognized as drivers in other cancers. Overall, NB and ERMS contain significant subsets of cases with non-overlapping mutated genes in growth signaling pathways. Tumor profiling can identify a subset of pediatric solid tumor patients as candidates for kinase inhibitors or RAS-targeted therapies.

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a cancer of skeletal muscle lineage, is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma in children [1]. Major subtypes of RMS include alveolar (ARMS) and embryonal (ERMS).[2, 3] Whereas ARMS typically contain translocations generating the PAX3-FOXO1 or PAX7-FOXO1 aberrant transcription factors which block terminal myogenic differentiation [4-6], no functionally comparable genetic event has been found in ERMS. Here, we report the discovery, through whole exome sequencing, of a recurrent somatic point mutation Leu122Arg in the myogenic transcription factor, MYOD1, in a distinctive subset of ERMS with poor outcomes that also often contain PI3K/AKT pathway mutations. Previous mutagenesis studies had shown that MYOD1 Leu122Arg can block wild-type MYOD1 function and bind to MYC consensus sequences [7], suggesting a possible switch from differentiation to proliferation. Our functional data now confirm this prediction. RMS with MYOD1 Leu122Arg represents a molecularly defined subset of RMS eligible for high risk protocols and targeted therapeutic development.

RET oncogene mutations are found in familial medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTC) and in one-third of sporadic cases. Oncogenic mechanisms involved in non-RET mutated sporadic MTC remain unclear. To study alterations associated with the development of both inherited and sporadic MTC, pangenomic DNA microarrays were used to analyze the transcriptome of 13 MTCs (four familial and nine sporadic). By using an ANOVA test, a list of 173 gene sequences with at least a twofold change expression was obtained. A subset of differentially expressed genes was controlled by real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry on a larger collection of MTCs. The expression pattern of those genes allowed us to distinguish two groups of sporadic tumors. The first group displays an expression profile similar to that expressed by inherited RET634 tumors. The second presents an expression profile close to that displayed by inherited RET918 tumors and includes tumors from patients with distant metastases. It is characterized by the overexpression of genes involved in proliferation and invasion (PTN, ESM1, and CEACAM6) or matrix remodeling (COL1A1, COL1A2, and FAP). Interestingly, RET918 tumors showed overexpression of the PTN gene, encoding pleiotrophin, a protein associated with metastasis. Using a MTC cell line, silencing of RET induced the inhibition of PTN gene expression. Overall, our results suggest that familial MTC and sporadic MTC could activate similar oncogenic pathways.

Purpose: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), an aggressive rare tumor due to activating mutations in the proto-oncogene RET, requires new therapeutic strategies. Sunitinib, a potent inhibitor of RET, VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-1, VEGFR-2, VEGFR-3, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)α/β, has been reported as clinically effective in some patients with advanced MTC. In this study, we examine molecular mechanisms of action of sunitinib and identify candidate soluble biomarkers of response. Experimental Design: Both in vitro and in vivo assays, using the human TT RETC634W MTC cell line, were done to assess the activity of sunitinib. Kinetic microarray studies were used to analyze molecular pathways modified by sunitinib and to identify candidate biomarkers that were subsequently investigated in the serum of patients. Results: Sunitinib displayed antiproliferative and antiangiogenic activities and inhibited RET autophosphorylation and activation of downstream signaling pathways. We showed that sunitinib treatment induced major changes in the expression of genes involved in tissue invasion and metastasis including vimentin (VIM), urokinase plasminogen (PLAU), tenascin-C (TN-C), SPARC, and CD44. Analyzing downregulated genes, we identified those encoding secreted proteins and, among them, interleukin (IL)-8 was found to be modulated in the serum of xenografted mice under sunitinib treatment. Furthermore, we demonstrated that metastatic MTC patients presented increased serum levels of IL-8 and TGF-β2. Conclusions: Experimental models confirm the clinical efficacy of sunitinib observed in a few studies. Molecular pathways revealed by genomic signatures underline the impact of sunitinib on tissue invasion. Selected soluble candidate biomarkers could be of value for monitoring sunitinib response in metastatic MTC patients. Clin Cancer Res; 17(7); 2044–54. ©2011 AACR.