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Soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) are rare tumors whose oncogenesis remains unknown and for which no common therapeutic target has yet been identified. Analysis of 318 STS by CGH array evidenced a frequent deletion affecting the DMD gene (encoding dystrophin isoforms) in 16.5% of STS, including sarcomas with complex genomics, gastrointestinal tumors (GIST), and synovial sarcomas (SS). These deletions are significantly associated with metastatic progression, thus suggesting the role of DMD downregulation in the acquisition of aggressive phenotypes. We observed that targeted deletions of DMD were restricted to the 5&rsquo, region of the gene, which is responsible for the transcription of Dp427. Analysis of STS tumors and cell lines by RNA sequencing revealed that only the Dp71 isoform was widely expressed. Dp427 depletion had no effect on cell growth or migration. However, Dp71 inhibition by shRNA dramatically reduced the cell proliferation and clonogenicity of three STS cell lines, likely by altering the cell cycle progression through the G2/M-phase. Our work demonstrates that DMD deletions are not restricted to myogenic tumors and could be used as a biomarker for metastatic evolution in STS. Dp71 seems to play an essential role in tumor growth, thus providing a potential target for future STS treatments.

By inhibiting Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1-Receptor (IGF-1R) signaling, Klotho (KL) acts like an aging- and tumor-suppressor. We investigated whether KL impacts the aggressiveness of liposarcomas, in which IGF-1R signaling is frequently upregulated. Indeed, we observed that a higher KL expression in liposarcomas is associated with a better outcome for patients. Moreover, KL is downregulated in dedifferentiated liposarcomas (DDLPS) compared to well-differentiated tumors and adipose tissue. Because DDLPS are high-grade tumors associated with poor prognosis, we examined the potential of KL as a tool for overcoming therapy resistance. First, we confirmed the attenuation of IGF-1-induced calcium (Ca2+)-response and Extracellular signal-Regulated Kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation in KL-overexpressing human DDLPS cells. KL overexpression also reduced cell proliferation, clonogenicity, and increased apoptosis induced by gemcitabine, thapsigargin, and ABT-737, all of which are counteracted by IGF-1R-dependent signaling and activate Ca2+-dependent endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Then, we monitored cell death and cytosolic Ca2+-responses and demonstrated that KL increases the reticular Ca2+-leakage by maintaining TRPC6 at the ER and opening the translocon. Only the latter is necessary for sensitizing DDLPS cells to reticular stressors. This was associated with ERK1/2 inhibition and could be mimicked with IGF-1R or MEK inhibitors. These observations provide a new therapeutic strategy in the management of DDLPS.

Sarcomas are rare malignant tumors that form a heterogeneous group with numerous histotypes and molecular subtypes. Among them, sarcomas with complex genomic profiles displaying no specific and recurrent genetic alterations represent 50% of all soft tissue sarcomas, and poorly respond to systemic treatment. It is therefore needed to improve our understanding of the mechanisms involved in response to chemotherapy and ultimately find new therapeutic targets.One hundred and six sarcoma samples were analyzed by CGH and cDNA arrays in order to establish both genomic and transcriptomic data from each sample. This analysis highlighted RCBTB1 and DMD genes which are lost and down-regulated in 41% and 15% of cases respectively. Their lost are significantly associated with metastatic evolution.Our results show that the deletion of RCBTB1 is prognostic of the metastatic evolution. It appears that this is due to the sensitization of the cells to specific chemotherapies, more particularly docetaxel, when RCBTB1 is overexpressed. Indeed, we have showed that overexpression of this gene increased the percentage of cells in mitosis. Docetaxel acting only in mitosis, this explains the sensitization of cells to docetaxel. Finally, we validated the effects of docetaxel sensitization in vivo by studying tumor growth after treatment.Concerning DMD, our results obtained by RNA-sequencing show that only two isoforms are expressed in sarcomas with complex genomics: Dp427 and Dp71. However, in 20% of tumors, we observed a deletion specifically targeting the Dp427 isoform. Since the deletion of Dp427 did not affect aggressiveness of cells, I tested the hypothesis that Dp71 would have an oncogenic role. Thus, inhibition of Dp71 reveals that it is necessary for cell growth and for the formation of clones, because its inhibition results in blocking of the G2 / M phase cell cycle, Les sarcomes sont des tumeurs rares (environ 1% des cancers) des tissus mous. Leur rareté et leur hétérogénéité clinique rend la prise en charge des patients très difficile. Ainsi, il est nécessaire d'identifier et de comprendre les mécanismes de l'oncogenèse de ces tumeurs.Pour cela, notre équipe a analysé 106 sarcomes par CGH-array et puces d'expression afin d'identifier des gènes d'intérêt pour expliquer la biologie de ces tumeurs. Grâce à des analyses intégratives bio-informatiques, deux gènes candidats ont été identifiés : les gènes RCBTB1 et DMD, dont la perte génomique dans respectivement 41% et 15% des cas et la diminution d'expression sont significativement associées à l'évolution métastatique. Nos résultats montrent que la délétion de RCBTB1 est pronostique de l'évolution métastatique. Il semblerait que cela soit dû à la sensibilisation des cellules à certaines chimiothérapies, plus particulièrement le docétaxel, lorsque RCBTB1 est surexprimé. En effet, nous avons pu montrer qu'une surexpression de ce gène augmentait le pourcentage de cellules en mitose or, le docétaxel agissant uniquement en mitose, ceci explique la sensibilisation des cellules au docétaxel. Enfin, nous avons vérifié les effets de la sensibilisation au docétaxel in vivo, en étudiant la croissance tumorale après traitement en fonction de l'expression de RCBTB1.Concernant DMD, nos résultats obtenus par RNA-seq montrent que seules deux isoformes sont exprimées dans les tumeurs d'origine myogénique : Dp427 et Dp71. Cependant, dans environ 20% des tumeurs, nous observons une délétion ciblant spécifiquement l'isoforme Dp427. Etant donné que la délétion de Dp427 n'a pas d'effet sur l'agressivité des cellules, j'ai testé l'hypothèse selon laquelle Dp71 aurait un rôle oncogénique. Ainsi, l'inhibition de Dp71 révèle qu'elle est nécessaire à la croissance cellulaire et à la formation de clones, car son inhibition entraîne un blocage du cycle cellulaire en phase G2/M