Transforming fusions of FGFR and TACC genes in human glioblastoma

Science. 2012 Sep 7;337(6099):1231-5. doi: 10.1126/science.1220834. Epub 2012 Jul 26.

Abstract

The brain tumor glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is among the most lethal forms of human cancer. Here, we report that a small subset of GBMs (3.1%; 3 of 97 tumors examined) harbors oncogenic chromosomal translocations that fuse in-frame the tyrosine kinase coding domains of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) genes (FGFR1 or FGFR3) to the transforming acidic coiled-coil (TACC) coding domains of TACC1 or TACC3, respectively. The FGFR-TACC fusion protein displays oncogenic activity when introduced into astrocytes or stereotactically transduced in the mouse brain. The fusion protein, which localizes to mitotic spindle poles, has constitutive kinase activity and induces mitotic and chromosomal segregation defects and triggers aneuploidy. Inhibition of FGFR kinase corrects the aneuploidy, and oral administration of an FGFR inhibitor prolongs survival of mice harboring intracranial FGFR3-TACC3-initiated glioma. FGFR-TACC fusions could potentially identify a subset of GBM patients who would benefit from targeted FGFR kinase inhibition.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aneuploidy
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Benzamides / pharmacology
  • Brain Neoplasms / genetics
  • Brain Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic*
  • Chromosomal Instability
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Fetal Proteins / chemistry
  • Fetal Proteins / genetics*
  • Fetal Proteins / metabolism
  • Glioblastoma / genetics*
  • Glioblastoma / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / chemistry
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / genetics*
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism
  • Mitosis
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Nuclear Proteins / chemistry
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Oncogene Fusion
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / chemistry
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / metabolism*
  • Piperazines / pharmacology
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1 / chemistry
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1 / genetics*
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1 / metabolism
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3 / chemistry
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3 / genetics*
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3 / metabolism
  • Spindle Apparatus / metabolism
  • Translocation, Genetic
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • AZD4547
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Benzamides
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Fetal Proteins
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • PD 173074
  • Piperazines
  • Pyrazoles
  • Pyrimidines
  • TACC1 protein, human
  • TACC3 protein, human
  • FGFR1 protein, human
  • FGFR3 protein, human
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3