Capicua (CIC) mutations in gliomas in association with MAPK activation for exposing a potential therapeutic target

• DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02071-0
• Publication Date: 2023-06-08T18:01:57Z
• Authors: Sourat Darabi; Joanne Xiu; Timothy Samec; Santosh Kesari; Jose Carrillo; Sonikpreet Aulakh; Kyle M. Walsh; Soma Sengupta; Ashley Sumrall; David Spetzler; Michael Glantz; Michael J. Demeure
• Keywords: Repressor Proteins; Original Paper; Treatment Outcome; Brain Neoplasms; Oligodendroglioma; Mutation; Humans; Glioma; 3. Good health

AbstractGliomas are the most prevalent neurological cancer in the USA and care modalities are not able to effectively combat these aggressive malignancies. Identifying new, more effective treatments require a deep understanding of the complex genetic variations and relevant pathway associations behind these cancers. Drawing connections between gene mutations with a responsive genetic target can help drive therapy selections to enhance patient survival. We have performed extensive molecular profiling of the Capicua gene (CIC), a tumor and transcriptional suppressor gene, and its mutation prevalence in reference to MAPK activation within clinical glioma tissue. CIC mutations occur far more frequently in oligodendroglioma (52.1%) than in low-grade astrocytoma or glioblastoma. CIC-associated mutations were observed across all glioma subtypes, and MAPK-associated mutations were most prevalent in CIC wild-type tissue regardless of the glioma subtype. MAPK activation, however, was enhanced in CIC-mutated oligodendroglioma. The totality of our observations reported supports the use of CIC as a relevant genetic marker for MAPK activation. Identification of CIC mutations, or lack thereof, can assist in selecting, implementing, and developing MEK/MAPK-inhibitory trials to improve patient outcomes potentially.