ASCL1 (Achaete-Scute Family BHLH Transcription Factor 1)

Interestingly, a persistent ASCL1 expression also maintains OPCs into postnatal stages by promoting their self-renewal while suppressing their differentiation into postmitotic oligodendrocytes. Together, these findings establish ASCL1 as a key regulator of the spatiotemporal order of glial lineage diversity in cortical GM and callosal WM and implicate ASCL1 dysregulation as an underlying mechanism in the pathogenesis of gliomas.

Pseudotime analyses delineated three gliogenic lineages and revealed two temporally and transcriptionally distinct BG populations, emerging at 11-12PCW and 17PCW, suggesting multiphasic BG ontogeny. Together, these multimodal data link cellular lineage, spatial organization, and molecular identity of human cerebellar glia, providing a framework for future studies on the role of BG in cerebellar function and their potential contributions to vulnerability in neurodevelopmental disorders.

Using phenotype-driven screening, we identified a multi-target small-molecule cocktail DLC79 (DAPT, LDN193189, CHIR99021, I-BET762, and Isx9) that effectively reprograms human glioma cells into neuron-like cells by activating endogenous ASCL1 (174.4-fold) and remodeling the transcriptional landscape...In a subcutaneous xenograft model, brief pretreatment with DLC79 significantly attenuated the tumorigenic potential of glioma cells, reducing tumor bioluminescence by 56% and tumor mass by 47%. Our study establishes pharmacological reprogramming as a promising anti-glioma strategy that leverages neuronal conversion to reduce oncogenic properties, thereby initiating a novel therapeutic paradigm.

ISL1 serves as both a predictive biomarker and functional dependency, as evidenced by essentiality for cell survival and loss following treatment. Prospective studies using ISL1 as a predictive biomarker for lurbinectedin are planned.

These results demonstrate that LCNEC-P represents a distinct subgroup of LCNEC that is characterized by a specific morphological, immunohistochemical, and genetic profile, closely resembling SCLC-P. This study provides insights into the biology of LCNEC-P and supports its classification as a unique entity within LCNEC.

In conclusion, the ASCL1/ZNF582 methylation assay accurately detects high-grade VIN and vulvar cancer, while minimizing the detection of benign and low-grade lesions, indicating its clinical value.

Pathway and perturbation analyses suggested that NCI-LYM-1 harbored a strong dependency on apoptotic pathways, which was confirmed by in vitro organoid testing with the BCL-2/BCL-xL inhibitor navitoclax (IC 50 : 0.27 µM) and the MCL-1 inhibitor AZD-5991 (IC 50 : 0.060 µM). Overall, NCI-LYM-1 recapitulates the clinical aggressiveness and heterogeneity of AVPC, providing a tractable platform to identify novel precision therapies.

SEZ6expression is higher in SCLC than in NE tumors, with notable heterogeneity by subtype, warranting consideration of expanded use of SEZ6-directed therapy. Translational Relevance Statement: This study establishes SEZ6 as a promising therapeutic target in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and transformed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), demonstrating its significantly elevated expression compared to neuroendocrine (NE) tumors and NSCLC. The positive correlation of SEZ6 expression with NE lineage markers, particularly in ASCL1 and NEUROD1 subtypes, highlights its role as a lineage-specific marker, guiding the development of SEZ6-targeted antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Additionally, the increased SEZ6 expression following NSCLC-to-SCLC transformation suggests that SEZ6-targeted therapies could address resistance mechanisms in transformed tumors. Importantly, the association between high SEZ6 expression and shorter survival indicates that integrating SEZ6 status into diagnostic workflows could help stratify patients by risk and guide therapeutic decision-making. The findings from this study will inform future clinical trials, aiming to implement SEZ6-targeted treatments as part of precision oncology strategies for aggressive NE malignancies.

Treatment with second-generation androgen receptor (AR) inhibitors, such as enzalutamide, can trigger lineage plasticity, promoting the transdifferentiation of PCa cells into an AR-independent, poorly differentiated neuroendocrine phenotype (NEPC)...Conclusions. These findings establish HOC as a multifaceted therapeutic entity capable of disrupting key NEPC oncogenic networks, highlighting its potential as a novel lead intervention for aggressive NEPC.

We find that lineage transition is accompanied by a redistribution of FOXA1 and TEAD cistromes from PRAD to NEPC-specific enhancers and requires the pioneering activity of FOXA1. Thus, extracellular matrix/integrin signaling in the PRAD tumor microenvironment restrains NE lineage plasticity, highlighting a potential path for pharmacological inhibitors in modulating treatment-induced lineage change.

We further identify ASCL1 and INSM1 as upstream regulators of MYCL, establishing a conserved neuroendocrine transcriptional axis. Together, these findings define MYCL as a lineage-specific regulator that drives neuroendocrine identity and plasticity in advanced prostate cancer.

Although the contribution of these immune cells to SMARCA4 tumor-suppressor activity remains unknown, these findings suggest distinct roles of SMARCA4 in promoting early tumor development but restraining progression of late-stage, neuroendocrine-low tumors. Implications: This study underscores the importance of tumor context and timing in understanding and targeting SMARCA4 and other chromatin regulators in SCLC.