Journal Article

TSC1/2 mutations define a molecular subset of HCC with aggressive behaviour and treatment implication

Yau, Derek T W, Chiu, Yung T, Li, Miao X, Xu, Iris M J, Lo, Irene L O, Tang, Victor W L, Cheung, Tan T, Wong, Chun M, Ho, Daniel W H, Poon, Ronnie T P, Ng, Irene O L, Chan, Lo K, Lam, Polly W Y, Tang, Chung N

2017

Overview

ObjectiveWe investigated the mutational landscape of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling cascade in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) with chronic HBV background, aiming to evaluate and delineate mutation-dependent mechanism of mTOR hyperactivation in hepatocarcinogenesis.DesignWe performed next-generation sequencing on human HCC samples and cell line panel. Systematic mutational screening of mTOR pathway-related genes was undertaken and mutant genes were evaluated based on their recurrence. Protein expressions of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)1, TSC2 and pRPS6 were assessed by immunohistochemistry in human HCC samples. Rapamycin sensitivity was estimated by colony-formation assay in HCC cell lines and the treatment was further tested using our patient-derived tumour xenograft (PDTX) models.ResultsWe identified and confirmed multiple mTOR components as recurrently mutated in HBV-associated HCCs. Of significance, we detected frequent (16.2%, n=18/111) mutations of TSC1 and TSC2 genes in the HCC samples. The spectrum of TSC1/2 mutations likely disrupts the endogenous gene functions in suppressing the downstream mTOR activity through different mechanisms and leads to more aggressive tumour behaviour. Mutational disruption of TSC1 and TSC2 was also observed in HCC cell lines and our PDTX models. TSC-mutant cells exhibited reduced colony-forming ability on rapamycin treatment. With the use of biologically relevant TSC2-mutant PDTXs, we demonstrated the therapeutic benefits of the hypersensitivity towards rapamycin treatment.ConclusionsTaken together, our findings suggest the significance of previously undocumented mutation-dependent mTOR hyperactivation and frequent TSC1/2 mutations in HBV-associated HCCs. They define a molecular subset of HCC having genetic aberrations in mTOR signalling, with potential significance of effective specific drug therapy.

• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group LTD,BMJ Publishing Group
• Subject: Adult / Aged / Animals / Antibiotics, Antineoplastic - pharmacology / Antibiotics, Antineoplastic - therapeutic use / Axin Protein - genetics / beta Catenin - genetics / Cancer therapies / Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - chemistry / Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - genetics / Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - metabolism / Cell Line, Tumor / Cell Proliferation - drug effects / Cell Proliferation - genetics / Colonies / DNA Mutational Analysis / Epidermal growth factor / FDA approval / Female / Gastroenterology / Genomes / Hepatocellular carcinoma / Hepatology / Humans / Hypersensitivity / Immunohistochemistry / Infections / Insulin-like growth factors / Kinases / Ligands / Liver cancer / Liver Neoplasms - chemistry / Liver Neoplasms - genetics / Liver Neoplasms - metabolism / Male / Mice / Middle Aged / Mutation / Mutation Rate / Neoplasm Transplantation / Next-generation sequencing / Nuclear Proteins - genetics / Patients / Rapamycin / Signal Transduction / Sirolimus - pharmacology / Sirolimus - therapeutic use / TOR protein / TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases - metabolism / Transcription Factors - genetics / Tuberous sclerosis / Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 / Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 / Tumor Stem Cell Assay / Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 - genetics / Tumor Suppressor Proteins - analysis / Tumor Suppressor Proteins - genetics / Tumors / Xenografts / Young Adult