Targeting cancer stem cells in medulloblastoma by inhibiting AMBRA1 dual function in autophagy and STAT3 signalling

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Francesca Nazio
  • Agnese Po
  • Luana Abballe
  • Claudio Ballabio
  • Francesca Diomedi Camassei
  • Matteo Bordi
  • Antonio Camera
  • Simona Caruso
  • Ignazio Caruana
  • Marco Pezzullo
  • Caterina Ferraina
  • Giacomo Milletti
  • Matteo Gianesello
  • Sofia Reddel
  • Carmen Dolores De Luca
  • Donatella Ceglie
  • Sara Marinelli
  • Silvia Campello
  • Elena Papaleo
  • Evelina Miele
  • Antonella Cacchione
  • Andrea Carai
  • Maria Vinci
  • Enrico Velardi
  • Biagio De Angelis
  • Luca Tiberi
  • Concetta Quintarelli
  • Angela Mastronuzzi
  • Franco Locatelli
  • Francesco Cecconi

Medulloblastoma (MB) is a childhood malignant brain tumour comprising four main subgroups characterized by different genetic alterations and rate of mortality. Among MB subgroups, patients with enhanced levels of the c-MYC oncogene (MBGroup3) have the poorest prognosis. Here we identify a previously unrecognized role of the pro-autophagy factor AMBRA1 in regulating MB. We demonstrate that AMBRA1 expression depends on c-MYC levels and correlates with Group 3 patient poor prognosis; also, knockdown of AMBRA1 reduces MB stem potential, growth and migration of MBGroup3 stem cells. At a molecular level, AMBRA1 mediates these effects by suppressing SOCS3, an inhibitor of STAT3 activation. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of autophagy profoundly affects both stem and invasion potential of MBGroup3 stem cells, and a combined anti-autophagy and anti-STAT3 approach impacts the MBGroup3 outcome. Taken together, our data support the c-MYC/AMBRA1/STAT3 axis as a strong oncogenic signalling pathway with significance for both patient stratification strategies and targeted treatments of MBGroup3.

Original languageEnglish
JournalActa Neuropathologica
Volume142
Pages (from-to)537-564
Number of pages28
ISSN0001-6322
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

    Research areas

  • Cancer stem cells, Autophagy, Brain tumours, Therapy, MOLECULAR SUBGROUPS, REGULATES AUTOPHAGY, T-CELLS, BRAIN, MYC, EXPRESSION, PROLIFERATION, IDENTIFICATION, CHEMOTHERAPY, ACTIVATION

ID: 275483445