Researchers identify point of epigenetic methylation which drives cartilage tumour formation.
Duke researchers have identified that mutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) gene contribute to the formation of benign tumours in cartilage that can be a precursor to malignancies. These benign tumours, known as enchondromas, are associated with severe pain, fractures, and skeletal deformities. They also have the potential to evolve into a cancerous form known as chondrosarcomas. Over 40% of primary bone cancers are chondrosarcomas, according to the American Cancer Society.
These findings are important for cancer treatments, as currently there are no drug therapies for enchondromas and there are no universally effective chemotherapies for chondrosarcomas.
All bones begin as cartilage tissue, and some of this tissue becomes growth-plate cartilage, which is responsible for bone growth. Over time, the growth-plate cells become replaced with bone. When development is complete, only the joint cartilage at the tips of the bone typically remains. The team explain that about five percent of people have some kind of cartilage tumour in their bones, and in most cases it’s because the growth-plate cartilage cells weren’t fully replaced by bone tissue. The current study sought to understand what happens to make those growth-plate cartilage cells remain, and this work will ultimately be used to determine what causes those benign tumours to become malignant.
The researchers identified a broad range of mutations in the IDH gene in cartilage tumours. They used mice and cartilage cells in a dish to study one mutant form of IDH that is identified only in cartilage cells. They found that mutations in the IDH gene alter the way cartilage cells function during bone formation, leaving some cells behind. This is apparently what leads to enchondromas.
Previous studeis on cartilage tumours have been done using models based on genetic mutations that occurred only rarely in enchondromas; however, IDH mutations are present in a high percentage of enchondromas. The researchers hope these findings will aid in developing new treatments by using animal models that more closely represent the types of mutations apparent in the vast majority of patients with enchrondromas.
The team summise that the study provides evidence that drugs designed to block the function of IDH might be useful in treating benign cartilage tumours to possibly prevent their transformation to malignancy. By understanding what causes malignant transformation the medical community can determine what can be done for patients with benign tumours to suppress them before they reach the malignant stage.