The Role of N<sup>6</sup>-Methyladenosine in the Promotion of Hepatoblastoma: A Critical Review
Hepatoblastoma (HB) is a rare primary malignancy of the developing fetal liver. Its course is profoundly influenced by genetics, in the context of sporadic mutation or genetic syndromes. Conventionally, subtypes of HB are histologically determined based on the tissue type that is recapitulated by th...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2022-04-01
|
| Series: | Cells |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/11/9/1516 |
| _version_ | 1797505233953226752 |
|---|---|
| author | Finn Morgan Auld Consolato M. Sergi Roger Leng Fan Shen |
| author_facet | Finn Morgan Auld Consolato M. Sergi Roger Leng Fan Shen |
| author_sort | Finn Morgan Auld |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Hepatoblastoma (HB) is a rare primary malignancy of the developing fetal liver. Its course is profoundly influenced by genetics, in the context of sporadic mutation or genetic syndromes. Conventionally, subtypes of HB are histologically determined based on the tissue type that is recapitulated by the tumor and the direction of its differentiation. This classification is being reevaluated based on advances on molecular pathology. The therapeutic approach comprises surgical intervention, chemotherapy (in a neoadjuvant or post-operative capacity), and in some cases, liver transplantation. Although diagnostic modalities and treatment options are evolving, some patients experience complications, including relapse, metastatic spread, and suboptimal response to chemotherapy. As yet, there is no consistent framework with which such outcomes can be predicted. N<sup>6</sup>-methyladenosine (m<sup>6</sup>A) is an RNA modification with rampant involvement in the normal processing of cell metabolism and neoplasia. It has been observed to impact the development of a variety of cancers via its governance of gene expression. M<sup>6</sup>A-associated genes appear prominently in HB. Literature data seem to underscore the role of m<sup>6</sup>A in promotion and clinical course of HB. Illuminating the pathogenetic mechanisms that drive HB are promising additions to the understanding of the clinically aggressive tumor behavior, given its potential to predict disease course and response to therapy. Implicated genes may also act as targets to facilitate the evolving personalized cancer therapy. Here, we explore the role of m<sup>6</sup>A and its genetic associates in the promotion of HB, and the impact this may have on the management of this neoplastic disease. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T04:15:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1cfea041b86b4de08a7de8835dfa661d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4409 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T04:15:42Z |
| publishDate | 2022-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cells |
| spelling | doaj.art-1cfea041b86b4de08a7de8835dfa661d2023-11-23T08:00:20ZengMDPI AGCells2073-44092022-04-01119151610.3390/cells11091516The Role of N<sup>6</sup>-Methyladenosine in the Promotion of Hepatoblastoma: A Critical ReviewFinn Morgan Auld0Consolato M. Sergi1Roger Leng2Fan Shen3Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, CanadaDivision of Anatomical Pathology, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, CanadaDepartment of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, CanadaDepartment of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, CanadaHepatoblastoma (HB) is a rare primary malignancy of the developing fetal liver. Its course is profoundly influenced by genetics, in the context of sporadic mutation or genetic syndromes. Conventionally, subtypes of HB are histologically determined based on the tissue type that is recapitulated by the tumor and the direction of its differentiation. This classification is being reevaluated based on advances on molecular pathology. The therapeutic approach comprises surgical intervention, chemotherapy (in a neoadjuvant or post-operative capacity), and in some cases, liver transplantation. Although diagnostic modalities and treatment options are evolving, some patients experience complications, including relapse, metastatic spread, and suboptimal response to chemotherapy. As yet, there is no consistent framework with which such outcomes can be predicted. N<sup>6</sup>-methyladenosine (m<sup>6</sup>A) is an RNA modification with rampant involvement in the normal processing of cell metabolism and neoplasia. It has been observed to impact the development of a variety of cancers via its governance of gene expression. M<sup>6</sup>A-associated genes appear prominently in HB. Literature data seem to underscore the role of m<sup>6</sup>A in promotion and clinical course of HB. Illuminating the pathogenetic mechanisms that drive HB are promising additions to the understanding of the clinically aggressive tumor behavior, given its potential to predict disease course and response to therapy. Implicated genes may also act as targets to facilitate the evolving personalized cancer therapy. Here, we explore the role of m<sup>6</sup>A and its genetic associates in the promotion of HB, and the impact this may have on the management of this neoplastic disease.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/11/9/1516hepatoblastomaN<sup>6</sup>-Methyladenosinem<sup>6</sup>Abeta-cateninmethyltransferasehepatoblastoma genetics |
| spellingShingle | Finn Morgan Auld Consolato M. Sergi Roger Leng Fan Shen The Role of N<sup>6</sup>-Methyladenosine in the Promotion of Hepatoblastoma: A Critical Review Cells hepatoblastoma N<sup>6</sup>-Methyladenosine m<sup>6</sup>A beta-catenin methyltransferase hepatoblastoma genetics |
| title | The Role of N<sup>6</sup>-Methyladenosine in the Promotion of Hepatoblastoma: A Critical Review |
| title_full | The Role of N<sup>6</sup>-Methyladenosine in the Promotion of Hepatoblastoma: A Critical Review |
| title_fullStr | The Role of N<sup>6</sup>-Methyladenosine in the Promotion of Hepatoblastoma: A Critical Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Role of N<sup>6</sup>-Methyladenosine in the Promotion of Hepatoblastoma: A Critical Review |
| title_short | The Role of N<sup>6</sup>-Methyladenosine in the Promotion of Hepatoblastoma: A Critical Review |
| title_sort | role of n sup 6 sup methyladenosine in the promotion of hepatoblastoma a critical review |
| topic | hepatoblastoma N<sup>6</sup>-Methyladenosine m<sup>6</sup>A beta-catenin methyltransferase hepatoblastoma genetics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/11/9/1516 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT finnmorganauld theroleofnsup6supmethyladenosineinthepromotionofhepatoblastomaacriticalreview AT consolatomsergi theroleofnsup6supmethyladenosineinthepromotionofhepatoblastomaacriticalreview AT rogerleng theroleofnsup6supmethyladenosineinthepromotionofhepatoblastomaacriticalreview AT fanshen theroleofnsup6supmethyladenosineinthepromotionofhepatoblastomaacriticalreview AT finnmorganauld roleofnsup6supmethyladenosineinthepromotionofhepatoblastomaacriticalreview AT consolatomsergi roleofnsup6supmethyladenosineinthepromotionofhepatoblastomaacriticalreview AT rogerleng roleofnsup6supmethyladenosineinthepromotionofhepatoblastomaacriticalreview AT fanshen roleofnsup6supmethyladenosineinthepromotionofhepatoblastomaacriticalreview |