CREB3L1

Gene Summary

Gene:CREB3L1; cAMP responsive element binding protein 3 like 1
Aliases: OI16, OASIS
Location:11p11.2
Summary:The protein encoded by this gene is normally found in the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). However, upon stress to the ER, the encoded protein is cleaved and the released cytoplasmic transcription factor domain translocates to the nucleus. There it activates the transcription of target genes by binding to box-B elements. [provided by RefSeq, Jun 2013]
Databases:OMIM, HGNC, Ensembl, GeneCard, Gene
Protein:cyclic AMP-responsive element-binding protein 3-like protein 1
Source:NCBIAccessed: 31 August, 2019

Ontology:

What does this gene/protein do?
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Cancer Overview

Research Indicators

Publications Per Year (1994-2019)
Graph generated 31 August 2019 using data from PubMed using criteria.

Literature Analysis

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Tag cloud generated 31 August, 2019 using data from PubMed, MeSH and CancerIndex

Specific Cancers (4)

Data table showing topics related to specific cancers and associated disorders. Scope includes mutations and abnormal protein expression.

Note: list is not exhaustive. Number of papers are based on searches of PubMed (click on topic title for arbitrary criteria used).

Latest Publications: CREB3L1 (cancer-related)

Denard B, Jiang S, Peng Y, Ye J
CREB3L1 as a potential biomarker predicting response of triple negative breast cancer to doxorubicin-based chemotherapy.
BMC Cancer. 2018; 18(1):813 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
BACKGROUND: Doxorubicin-based chemotherapy is currently the most frequently used treatment for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), yet the response rate is not high due to the lack of a biomarker allowing identification of responsive patients before the chemotherapy is initiated. We have demonstrated that doxorubicin inhibits proliferation of cancer cells through proteolytic activation of a transcription factor called CREB3L1 (cAMP response element binding protein 3-like 1), and that CREB3L1 expression in cancer cells is a key determinant of their sensitivity to doxorubicin when they are cultured in vitro or established as xenograft tumors in mice. The purpose of this study is to determine whether CREB3L1 expression in tumor cells of TNBC patients can be established as a biomarker to predict outcomes of doxorubicin-based chemotherapy.
METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis on breast core biopsy tissue samples taken from 18 TNBC patients before they were treated with doxorubicin-based chemotherapy. CREB3L1 expression in the cancer cells was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and quantified using the Immunoreactive Score (IRS). Outcomes of the chemotherapy were measured by the residual cancer burden (RCB) system.
RESULTS: CREB3L1 expression levels in TNBC responsive to doxorubicin-based chemotherapy (RCB class 0-2) were significantly higher than that in resistant cancers (RCB class 3) (unpaired two-tailed t test, p = 0.0005; Statistical power 99.8 at 95% confidence level). All cancers expressing higher levels of CREB3L1 (IRS 4-12) responded to doxorubicin-based chemotherapy, whereas all cancers resisting the treatment expressed lower levels of CREB3L1 (IRS 0-3).
CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that CREB3L1 expression level may be used as a biomarker to identify TNBC patients who are more likely to benefit from doxorubicin-based chemotherapy.

Lauber C, Klink B, Seifert M
Comparative analysis of histologically classified oligodendrogliomas reveals characteristic molecular differences between subgroups.
BMC Cancer. 2018; 18(1):399 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
BACKGROUND: Molecular data of histologically classified oligodendrogliomas are available offering the possibility to stratify these human brain tumors into clinically relevant molecular subtypes.
METHODS: Gene copy number, mutation, and expression data of 193 histologically classified oligodendrogliomas from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were analyzed by well-established computational approaches (unsupervised clustering, statistical testing, network inference).
RESULTS: We applied hierarchical clustering to tumor gene copy number profiles and revealed three molecular subgroups within histologically classified oligodendrogliomas. We further screened these subgroups for molecular glioma markers (1p/19q co-deletion, IDH mutation, gain of chromosome 7 and loss of chromosome 10) and found that our subgroups largely resemble known molecular glioma subtypes. We excluded glioblastoma-like tumors (7a10d subgroup) and derived a gene expression signature distinguishing histologically classified oligodendrogliomas with concurrent 1p/19q co-deletion and IDH mutation (1p/19q subgroup) from those with predominant IDH mutation alone (IDHme subgroup). Interestingly, many signature genes were part of signaling pathways involved in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and cell-cell contacts. We further learned a gene regulatory network associated with the gene expression signature revealing novel putative major regulators with functions in cytoskeleton remodeling (e.g. APBB1IP, VAV1, ARPC1B), apoptosis (CCNL2, CREB3L1), and neural development (e.g. MYTIL, SCRT1, MEF2C) potentially contributing to the manifestation of differences between both subgroups. Moreover, we revealed characteristic expression differences of several HOX and SOX transcription factors suggesting the activity of different glioma stemness programs in both subgroups.
CONCLUSIONS: We show that gene copy number profiles alone are sufficient to derive molecular subgroups of histologically classified oligodendrogliomas that are well-embedded into general glioma classification schemes. Moreover, our revealed novel putative major regulators and characteristic stemness signatures indicate that different developmental programs might be active in these subgroups, providing a basis for future studies.

Liu LQ, Feng LF, Nan CR, Zhao ZM
CREB3L1 and PTN expressions correlate with prognosis of brain glioma patients.
Biosci Rep. 2018; 38(3) [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
The present study was conducted to investigate the clinical significance of cAMP responsive element binding protein 3 like 1 (CREB3L1) and pleiotrophin (PTN) expression in prognosis of patients with brain gliomas. Human brain tissue samples were collected from normal glial tissues (control), low- and high-grade glioma tissues. CREB3L1 and PTN expression levels in cells were assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and population distribution of the CREB3L1- and PTN-presenting patients was examined. The

Dierssen-Sotos T, Palazuelos-Calderón C, Jiménez-Moleón JJ, et al.
Reproductive risk factors in breast cancer and genetic hormonal pathways: a gene-environment interaction in the MCC-Spain project.
BMC Cancer. 2018; 18(1):280 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
BACKGROUND: Reproductive factors are well known risk factors for breast cancer; however, little is known about how genetic variants in hormonal pathways interact with that relationship.
METHODS: One thousand one hundred thirty nine cases of breast cancer in women and 1322 frequency-matched controls were compared. Genetic variants in hormonal pathways (identified in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) were screened according to their relationship with breast cancer using the Cochran-Armitage statistic. Information on reproductive factors was obtained using a face-to-face questionnaire. The interaction among the selected genetic variants and reproductive factors was tested with logistic regression.
RESULTS: Concerning C allele in rs2229712, compared to nulliparity in non-carriers the ORs for 1-2 and > 2 deliveries were 0.48 (0.28-0.81) and 0.34 (0.19-0.59), and in C carriers they were 0.92 (0.42-1.98) and 0.71 (0.31-1.61). Similar results were found in women carrying the C allele in rs1269851. Carriers of Allele T in rs35652107 and allele C in rs6018027 had the delivery number effect more pronounced.
CONCLUSIONS: The number of deliveries had a dose-response protective effect on breast cancer; women carrying C allele in rs2229712 did not benefit from this protective effect.

Mok Y, Pang YH, Sanjeev JS, et al.
Primary Renal Hybrid Low-grade Fibromyxoid Sarcoma-Sclerosing Epithelioid Fibrosarcoma: An Unusual Pediatric Case With EWSR1-CREB3L1 Fusion.
Pediatr Dev Pathol. 2018 Nov-Dec; 21(6):574-579 [PubMed] Related Publications
Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) and sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF) are rare tumors with distinct sets of morphological features, both characterized by MUC4 immunoreactivity. Tumors exhibiting features of both entities are considered hybrid LGFMS-SEF lesions. While the majority of LGFMS cases are characterized by FUS-CREB3L2 gene fusions, most cases of pure SEF show EWSR1 gene rearrangements. In the largest study of hybrid LGFMS-SEF tumors to date, all cases exhibited FUS rearrangements, a similar genetic profile to LGFMS. We herein describe the clinicopathological features and genetic findings of a case of primary renal hybrid LGFMS-SEF occurring in a 10-year-old child, with disseminated metastases. Fusion gene detection using a next-generation sequencing-based anchored multiplex PCR technique (Archer FusionPlex Sarcoma Panel) was performed on both the primary renal tumor that showed the morphology of a LGFMS, and a cervical metastasis that showed the morphology of SEF. An EWSR1-CREB3L1 gene fusion occurring between exon 11 of EWSR1 and exon 6 of CREB3L1 was present in both the LGFMS and SEF components. This unusual case provides evidence that a subset of hybrid LGFMS-SEF harbor EWSR1-CREB3L1 gene fusions. In this case, these features were associated with an aggressive clinical course, with disease-associated mortality occurring within 12 months of diagnosis.

Laliberte C, Leong IT, Holmes H, et al.
Sclerosing Epithelioid Fibrosarcoma of the Jaw: Late Recurrence from a Low Grade Fibromyxoid Sarcoma.
Head Neck Pathol. 2018; 12(4):619-622 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF) is an uncommon variant of fibrosarcoma that is characterized by a distinct morphology. It most frequently presents in the deep soft tissues of the lower extremities, often in intimate association with fascia and periosteum, although reports of the head and neck involvement have been reported. A minority of cases show morphological, immunohistochemical and molecular overlap with low grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LG-FMS). Herein, we describe a case of a bland spindle cell neoplasm presenting in the jaw that was initially incompletely excised. Over the course of 20 years the tumor subsequently recurred with a SEF morphology. Molecular testing performed on both specimens subsequently confirmed the presence of an EWSR1-CREB3L1 gene fusion. This report highlights the diagnostic difficulty with LG-FMS, particularly in unusual anatomic locations; reiterates the potential for the uncommon EWSR1-CREB3L1 fusion product in LG-FMS; and, reaffirms the potential for progression and/or overlap between LG-FMS to SEF over time.

Creytens D, Ferdinande L, Van Dorpe J
A Sclerosing Perineurioma With Collagen Rosette Formation: Benign Mimic of Low-Grade Fibromyxoid Sarcoma.
Int J Surg Pathol. 2018; 26(2):145-147 [PubMed] Related Publications
We report the case of a sclerosing perineurioma with conspicious collagen rosette formation in a 20-year-old male presenting with a firm, painless nodule on the palmar side of his right ring finger. The main differential diagnosis is a low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma. The distinction between these entities is important because low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma has a metastatic potential, while, as a rule, perineuriomas are benign. The presence of collagen rosettes in this current case makes this distinction even more difficult given that approximately 30% of low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma cases show the focal presence of collagen rosettes. The demonstration of the characteristic t(7;16), t(11;16) or t(11;22) translocations (resulting in the FUS-CREB3L2, FUS-CREB3L1 or EWSR1-CREB3L1 fusion genes, respectively) or immunoreactivity for MUC4, a recently described sensitive and specific marker for low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma, remain the gold standard in the diagnosis of low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma, differentiating it from perineurioma. This case is, to our knowledge, the first report on collagen rosettes in sclerosing perineurioma, extremely well mimicking low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma, and further expanding the morphological spectrum of this rare subtype of perineurioma.

Feng YX, Jin DX, Sokol ES, et al.
Cancer-specific PERK signaling drives invasion and metastasis through CREB3L1.
Nat Commun. 2017; 8(1):1079 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
PERK signaling is required for cancer invasion and there is interest in targeting this pathway for therapy. Unfortunately, chemical inhibitors of PERK's kinase activity cause on-target side effects that have precluded their further development. One strategy for resolving this difficulty would be to target downstream components of the pathway that specifically mediate PERK's pro-invasive and metastatic functions. Here we identify the transcription factor CREB3L1 as an essential mediator of PERK's pro-metastatic functions in breast cancer. CREB3L1 acts downstream of PERK, specifically in the mesenchymal subtype of triple-negative tumors, and its inhibition by genetic or pharmacological methods suppresses cancer cell invasion and metastasis. In patients with this tumor subtype, CREB3L1 expression is predictive of distant metastasis. These findings establish CREB3L1 as a key downstream mediator of PERK-driven metastasis and a druggable target for breast cancer therapy.

Arbajian E, Puls F, Antonescu CR, et al.
In-depth Genetic Analysis of Sclerosing Epithelioid Fibrosarcoma Reveals Recurrent Genomic Alterations and Potential Treatment Targets.
Clin Cancer Res. 2017; 23(23):7426-7434 [PubMed] Related Publications

Dhingra P, Martinez-Fundichely A, Berger A, et al.
Identification of novel prostate cancer drivers using RegNetDriver: a framework for integration of genetic and epigenetic alterations with tissue-specific regulatory network.
Genome Biol. 2017; 18(1):141 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
We report a novel computational method, RegNetDriver, to identify tumorigenic drivers using the combined effects of coding and non-coding single nucleotide variants, structural variants, and DNA methylation changes in the DNase I hypersensitivity based regulatory network. Integration of multi-omics data from 521 prostate tumor samples indicated a stronger regulatory impact of structural variants, as they affect more transcription factor hubs in the tissue-specific network. Moreover, crosstalk between transcription factor hub expression modulated by structural variants and methylation levels likely leads to the differential expression of target genes. We report known prostate tumor regulatory drivers and nominate novel transcription factors (ERF, CREB3L1, and POU2F2), which are supported by functional validation.

Asakra R, Zaidi S, Thway K
Metastatic Sclerosing Epithelioid Fibrosarcoma in Bone Marrow.
Int J Surg Pathol. 2017; 25(8):702-704 [PubMed] Related Publications
Sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF) is an aggressive neoplasm thought to be related to low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma, which typically occurs in middle-aged adults in the deep soft tissues of the lower extremities and trunk. It comprises nests and cords of relatively uniform epithelioid polygonal cells with clear or eosinophilic cytoplasm in densely sclerotic stroma, and it is typically associated with EWSR1 gene rearrangements, and most commonly EWSR1-CREB3L1 fusions. As primary SEF can arise in bone, and bone is also a common metastatic site for SEF, its recognition at this site is important. We illustrate bone marrow showing diffuse infiltration by SEF and highlight the potential for confusion with a range of neoplasms such as carcinoma, hematolymphoid neoplasms, and other sarcomas.

Mohamed M, Fisher C, Thway K
Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma: Clinical, morphologic and genetic features.
Ann Diagn Pathol. 2017; 28:60-67 [PubMed] Related Publications
Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) is a bland spindle cell neoplasm that typically arises in the deep soft tissues of the proximal extremities or trunk of young adults. The majority of LGFMS are characterized by a recurrent (7;16)(q34;p11) translocation, resulting in the FUS-CREB3L2 fusion gene, which generates a chimeric protein with transcriptional regulatory activity. Small numbers harbor a FUS-CREB3L1 fusion resulting from t(11;16)(p11;p11), whilst rare cases harbor the EWSR1-CREB3L1 fusion. LGFMS is of low to moderate cellularity and consists of bland spindle cells with small, angulated nuclei and scant, wispy cytoplasm, arranged in a whorled growth pattern and typically showing abrupt transition from myxoid to fibrous areas. Immunohistochemical expression of MUC4 is a consistent finding. Hyalinized spindle cell tumor with giant rosettes (HSCTGR) is a morphological variant of LGFMS that shares the same balanced translocation, and is also immunoreactive for MUC4. A potential relationship between LGFMS and sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF), a rare fibroblastic neoplasm that most commonly arises in the deep soft tissues of the lower extremities, limb girdles or trunk, has also been suggested. SEF is classically composed of nests and cords of epithelioid cells with clear or eosinophilic cytoplasm embedded within densely sclerotic stroma. In some cases, areas indistinguishable from LGFMS are present, and these have been shown to contain FUS-CREB3L2 fusion transcripts. The majority of pure SEF tumors harbor EWSR1 rearrangements, with EWSR1-CREB3L1 and more rarely EWSR1-CREB3L2 gene fusions more common than those involving FUS. MUC4 immunoreactivity is also seen in approximately 70% of SEF. Surgical resection of these tumors with clear margins is the treatment of choice. Correct diagnosis is important because of the significant potential for recurrence and late metastatic spread. We review LGFMS and SEF, discussing morphology and immunohistochemistry, genetics and molecular findings, and the differential diagnosis.

Zhang Y, Qu X, Jiang L
An oasis in the desert of cancer chemotherapeutic resistance: The enlightenment from reciprocal crosstalk between signaling pathways of UPR and autophagy in cancers.
Biomed Pharmacother. 2017; 92:972-981 [PubMed] Related Publications
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER), principal but complex, functions as the pleiotropic organelle for proper protein folding, Ca

Dewaele B, Libbrecht L, Levy G, et al.
A novel EWS-CREB3L3 gene fusion in a mesenteric sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma.
Genes Chromosomes Cancer. 2017; 56(9):695-699 [PubMed] Related Publications
Sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF) is a rare, malignant fibroblastic neoplasm, morphologically composed of cords, nests or sheets of monotonous epithelioid cells within a collagenous matrix. It has been recently characterized by recurrent pathogenic EWS-CREB3L1/2 or FUS-CREB3L2 fusions and common MUC4 protein expression by immunohistochemistry. Typically SEF occur in middle-aged adults and rarely have been reported within the abdominal cavity. Here we report an 18-year-old man with intraabdominal tumor and multiple disseminated liver metastases, presenting pure SEF histologic and immunophenotypic features. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis showed unbalanced rearrangement of Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1 (EWSR1) gene. Genomic profiling by array CGH, followed by RT-PCR and sequencing analysis, revealed a previously not reported EWSR1 translocation partner, cAMP-responsive element-binding protein 3-like 3 (CREB3L3). The novel EWSR1-CREB3L3 fusion further extends the range of fusion types involving EWSR1 that are characteristic for SEF.

Brunetti M, Agostini A, Davidson B, et al.
Recurrent fusion transcripts in squamous cell carcinomas of the vulva.
Oncotarget. 2017; 8(10):16843-16850 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Juxtaposition of two different genes or gene parts due to chromosomal rearrangement is a well-known neoplasia-associated pathogenetic mechanism. The detection and characterization of such tumorigenic fusions is of great importance both research-wise, diagnostically because they may be specific for distinct tumor entities, and because they may serve as therapeutic targets for antioncogenic drugs that interact directly with the molecular changes responsible for neoplastic transformation.At present, more than 10,000 fusion transcripts have been reported in different types of neoplasia, with one tenth of them being identified in squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of different locations. No recurrent fusion gene has to date been identified in SCC of the vulva.We performed high-throughput paired-end RNA-sequencing of 12 vulvar SCC and found two recurrent fusions with the STIP1-CREB3L1 and ZDHHC5-GPR137 being present in two tumors each. The transcripts were detected only in the tumor samples, not in normal vulvar tissue from healthy donors used as control. The CREB3L1 and ZDHHC5 genes encode proteins involved in transcription suggesting that the chimeras may alter downstream events in their respective pathways. Expression analysis of the CREB3L1 gene showed the presence of two distinct groups of tumors, one having fusion and downregulation of the gene and the other showing upregulation of CREB3L1.

Cui X, Cui M, Asada R, et al.
The androgen-induced protein AIbZIP facilitates proliferation of prostate cancer cells through downregulation of p21 expression.
Sci Rep. 2016; 6:37310 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Androgen-Induced bZIP (AIbZIP) is structurally a bZIP transmembrane transcription factor belonging to the CREB/ATF family. This molecule is highly expressed in androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cells and is transcriptionally upregulated by androgen treatment. Here, we investigated molecular mechanism of androgen-dependent expression of AIbZIP and its physiological function in prostate cancer cells. Our data showed that SAM pointed domain-containing ETS transcription factor (SPDEF), which is upregulated by androgen treatment, directly activates transcription of AIbZIP. Knockdown of AIbZIP caused a significant reduction in the proliferation of androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cells with robust expression of p21. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that AIbZIP interacts with old astrocyte specifically induced substance (OASIS), which is a CREB/ATF family transcription factor, and prevents OASIS from promoting transcription of its target gene p21. These findings showed that AIbZIP induced by the androgen receptor (AR) axis plays a crucial role in the proliferation of androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cells, and could be a novel target of therapy for prostate cancer.

Patterson JW, Tchernev G, Chokoeva AA, Wick MR
Sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma.
Wien Med Wochenschr. 2017; 167(5-6):120-123 [PubMed] Related Publications
We report the case of a 55-year-old woman who developed a mass in the soft tissue of the anterior right proximal thigh. Microscopic findings in the biopsy specimen supported the diagnosis of sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF). This entity is part of a spectrum of lesions that includes low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) and hyalinizing spindle cell tumor with giant rosettes (HSCTGR). It shares with LGFMS occasional overlapping histopathologic features and immunopositivity for MUC4. Although FUS and CREB3L2 gene rearrangements, characteristics of LGFMS, have been found in hybrid tumors (those with features of both SEF and LGFMS) and in examples of LGFMS with relapses showing SEF morphology, it appears that EWSR1 and CREB3L1 rearrangements predominate over FUS and CREB3L2 rearrangements among "pure" SEF tumors. Recent information about SEF is briefly reviewed.

Ward AK, Mellor P, Smith SE, et al.
Epigenetic silencing of CREB3L1 by DNA methylation is associated with high-grade metastatic breast cancers with poor prognosis and is prevalent in triple negative breast cancers.
Breast Cancer Res. 2016; 18(1):12 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
BACKGROUND: CREB3L1 (cAMP-responsive element-binding protein 3-like protein 1), a member of the unfolded protein response, has recently been identified as a metastasis suppressor in both breast and bladder cancer.
METHODS: Quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) and immunoblotting were used to determine the impact of histone deacetylation and DNA methylation inhibitors on CREB3L1 expression in breast cancer cell lines. Breast cancer cell lines and tumor samples were analyzed similarly, and CREB3L1 gene methylation was determined using sodium bisulfite conversion and DNA sequencing. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine nuclear versus cytoplasmic CREB3L1 protein. Large breast cancer database analyses were carried out to examine relationships between CREB3L1 gene methylation and mRNA expression in addition to CREB3L1 mRNA expression and prognosis.
RESULTS: This study demonstrates that the low CREB3L1 expression previously seen in highly metastatic breast cancer cell lines is caused in part by epigenetic silencing. Treatment of several highly metastatic breast cancer cell lines that had low CREB3L1 expression with DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase inhibitors induced expression of CREB3L1, both mRNA and protein. In human breast tumors, CREB3L1 mRNA expression was upregulated in low and medium-grade tumors, most frequently of the luminal and HER2 amplified subtypes. In contrast, CREB3L1 expression was repressed in high-grade tumors, and its loss was most frequently associated with triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs). Importantly, bioinformatics analyses of tumor databases support these findings, with methylation of the CREB3L1 gene associated with TNBCs, and strongly negatively correlated with CREB3L1 mRNA expression. Decreased CREB3L1 mRNA expression was associated with increased tumor grade and reduced progression-free survival. An immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that low-grade breast tumors frequently had nuclear CREB3L1 protein, in contrast to the high-grade breast tumors in which CREB3L1 was cytoplasmic, suggesting that differential localization may also regulate CREB3L1 effectiveness in metastasis suppression.
CONCLUSIONS: Our data further strengthens the role for CREB3L1 as a metastasis suppressor in breast cancer and demonstrates that epigenetic silencing is a major regulator of the loss of CREB3L1 expression. We also highlight that CREB3L1 expression is frequently altered in many cancer types suggesting that it could have a broader role in cancer progression and metastasis.

Raymond YC, Glenda CS, Meng LK
Effects of High Doses of Vitamin C on Cancer Patients in Singapore: Nine Cases.
Integr Cancer Ther. 2016; 15(2):197-204 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
UNLABELLED: Introduction Intravenous high-dose vitamin C therapy is widely used in naturopathic and integrative oncology; however, a study reviewing its effects has never been performed in Singapore. This article serves to document administration of supportive vitamin C therapy for cancer patients in Singapore.
METHODS: The clinical response of 9 cancer patients of differing stages to the regular administration of large doses (25-100 g/d) of intravenous vitamin C (IVC; ascorbic acid) is outlined. Tumor pathology and patient health were verified by doctors who do not practice vitamin C treatment.
RESULTS: Cases suggesting survival beyond prognosis, improvement in quality of life, safe coadministration with and improved tolerance of conventional therapy, and deterioration in clinical condition following withdrawal of vitamin C therapy are documented clinically. Some patients experience the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction-the release of endotoxin from microorganism death resulting in pimples, fever, and body odor-for a few hours after the therapy, but these are resolved quickly with no lasting effects.
CONCLUSION: Randomized trials of IVC therapy are recommended because it has minimal side effects and has shown promising results.

Ertoy Baydar D, Kosemehmetoglu K, Aydin O, et al.
Primary sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma of kidney with variant histomorphologic features: report of 2 cases and review of the literature.
Diagn Pathol. 2015; 10:186 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
The authors present two cases of primary sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF) of the kidney. Both patients had a mass in the upper part of the left kidney without any primary extrarenal neoplastic lesions. Grossly, the tumors were solid masses both measuring 7.5 cm in the greatest diameter. Histologically, one of the lesions exhibited a predominantly lobular growth of round or oval small uniform epithelioid cells in variable cellularity. Circular zones of crowded tumor cells alternating with hypocellular collagenous tissue in a concentric fashion around entrapped native renal tubules were distinctive. The second case was distinctive with significant cytological atypia in the neoplastic cells and prominent reactive proliferations in the trapped renal tubules. Immunohistochemically, vimentin, bcl-2 and MUC4 were diffusely positive in both. They were negative for S-100 protein, CD34, and desmin, whereas CD99 were positive in one lesion. Fluorescence in situ hybridization assay using dual staining probes detected EWSR1-CREB3L1 fusion in each lesion, which is characteristic molecular findings of SEF. One patient presented widespread distant metastases at the time of diagnosis. In the other, no tumor deposits were detected other than primary. Both patients have been alive with 30 and 10 month follow-ups, respectively. These tumors are 6th and 7th cases of primary renal SEF in the literature confirmed by FISH study, which exhibit unique and remarkable histomorphologic features.

Denard B, Pavia-Jimenez A, Chen W, et al.
Identification of CREB3L1 as a Biomarker Predicting Doxorubicin Treatment Outcome.
PLoS One. 2015; 10(6):e0129233 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
BACKGROUND: Doxorubicin has been shown to inhibit proliferation of cancer cells through proteolytic activation of CREB3L1 (cAMP response element binding protein 3-like 1), a transcription factor synthesized as a membrane-bound precursor. Upon doxorubicin treatment, CREB3L1 is cleaved so that the N-terminal domain of the protein can reach the nucleus where it activates transcription of genes that inhibit cell proliferation. These results suggest that the level of CREB3L1 in cancer cells may determine their sensitivity to doxorubicin.
METHODS: Mice transplanted with 6 lines of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were injected with doxorubicin to observe the effect of the chemotherapy on tumor growth. Immunohistochemistry and bioinformatics analyses were performed to compare CREB3L1 levels in types of cancer known to respond to doxorubicin versus those resistant to doxorubicin.
RESULTS: Higher levels of CREB3L1 protein are correlated with increased doxorubicin sensitivity of xenograft RCC tumors (p = 0.017 by Pearson analysis). From patient tumor biopsies we analyzed, CREB3L1 was expressed in 19% of RCC, which is generally resistant to doxorubicin, but in 70% of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma that is sensitive to doxorubicin. Doxorubicin is used as the standard treatment for cancers that express the highest levels of CREB3L1 such as osteosarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma but is not generally used to treat those that express the lowest levels of CREB3L1 such as RCC.
CONCLUSION: Identification of CREB3L1 as the biomarker for doxorubicin sensitivity may markedly improve the doxorubicin response rate by applying doxorubicin only to patients with cancers expressing CREB3L1.

Ohlmann CH, Brecht IB, Junker K, et al.
Sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma of the kidney: clinicopathologic and molecular study of a rare neoplasm at a novel location.
Ann Diagn Pathol. 2015; 19(4):221-5 [PubMed] Related Publications
Sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF) is a rare fibrosarcoma variant with specific histomorphology and consistent translocation (EWSR1-CREB3L1/2). To date, 110 cases have been reported; only 15 originated within the abdomen. With only 2 cases reported parallel to our study and one case briefly mentioned in a previous series, primary renal SEF is exceptionally rare but might be underrecognized. We herein describe 2 cases affecting a 23-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man. Tumor size was 22 and 4.2 cm, respectively. Patient 1 developed skeletal and multiple pulmonary metastases. She died of disease 82 months later, despite aggressive multimodality therapy. Patient 2 has no evidence of recurrence or metastasis (8 months after surgery). Histologic examination showed similar appearance with monotonous bland medium-sized epithelioid cells with rounded slightly vesicular nuclei and clear cytoplasm imparting a carcinoma-like appearance set within a highly sclerotic hyaline fibrous stroma. The tumor cells were arranged in nests, single cell cords, trabeculae, or solid sheets with frequent entrapment of renal tubules and glomeruli. Immunohistochemistry showed strong expression of vimentin, bcl2, CD99, and MUC4, whereas cytokeratin and other markers were negative. Fluorescence in situ hybridization showed a translocation involving the EWSR1 gene locus in case 2. Molecular analysis in case 1 was not successful due to poor signal quality. To our knowledge, this is the second report documenting primary renal SEF. Awareness of this entity would help avoid misinterpretation as clear cell carcinoma, sclerosing perivascular epithelioid cell tumor, Xp.11 translocation carcinoma, and other more frequent neoplasms at this site.

Rose M, Schubert C, Dierichs L, et al.
OASIS/CREB3L1 is epigenetically silenced in human bladder cancer facilitating tumor cell spreading and migration in vitro.
Epigenetics. 2014; 9(12):1626-40 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
CREB3L1 has been recently proposed as a novel metastasis suppressor gene in breast cancer. Our current study highlights CREB3L1 expression, regulation, and function in bladder cancer. We demonstrate a significant downregulation of CREB3L1 mRNA expression (n = 64) in primary bladder cancer tissues caused by tumor-specific CREB3L1 promoter hypermethylation (n = 51). Based on pyrosequencing CREB3L1 methylation was shown to be potentially associated with a more aggressive phenotype of bladder cancer. These findings were verified by an independent public data set containing data from 184 bladder tumors. In addition, immunohistochemical evaluation showed that CREB3L1 protein expression is decreased in bladder cancer tissues as well. Interestingly, protein loss is predominately observed in the nuclei of aggressive tumor cells. Based on in vitro models we clearly show that CREB3L1 re-expression mediates suppression of tumor cell migration and colony growth of high grade and invasive bladder cancer cells. The candidate tumor suppressor and TGF-β signaling inhibitor HTRA3 was furthermore identified as putative target gene of CREB3L1 in both invasive J82 bladder cells and primary bladder tumors. Hence, our data provide for the first time evidence that the transcription factor CREB3L1 may have an important role as a putative tumor suppressor in bladder cancer.

Argani P, Lewin JR, Edmonds P, et al.
Primary renal sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma: report of 2 cases with EWSR1-CREB3L1 gene fusion.
Am J Surg Pathol. 2015; 39(3):365-73 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
We report the first 2 genetically confirmed cases of primary renal sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF), occurring in a 17-year-old boy and a 61-year-old woman. In both cases, the tumors demonstrated the typical epithelioid clear cell morphology associated with extensive hyalinizing fibrosis, raising the differential diagnosis of solitary fibrous tumor, metanephric stromal tumor, and the sclerosing variant of clear cell sarcoma of the kidney. Both neoplasms demonstrated diffuse immunoreactivity for MUC4, a highly specific marker for SEF, and both demonstrated evidence of rearrangement of both the EWSR1 and CREB3L1 genes, which have recently been shown to be fused in this entity. Both neoplasms presented with metastatic disease. Primary renal SEF represents yet another translocation-associated sarcoma now shown to arise primarily in the kidney.

Prieto-Granada C, Zhang L, Chen HW, et al.
A genetic dichotomy between pure sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF) and hybrid SEF/low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma: a pathologic and molecular study of 18 cases.
Genes Chromosomes Cancer. 2015; 54(1):28-38 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF) is a rare soft tissue tumor exhibiting considerable morphologic overlap with low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS). Moreover, both SEF and LGFMS show MUC4 expression by immunohistochemistry. While the majority of LGFMS cases are characterized by a FUS-CREB3L1 fusion, both FUS-CREB3L2 and EWSR1-CREB3L1 fusions were recently demonstrated in a small number of LGFMS and SEF/LGFMS hybrid tumors. In contrast, recent studies pointed out that SEF harbor frequent EWSR1 rearrangements, with only a minority of cases showing FUS-CREB3L2 fusions. In an effort to further characterize the molecular characteristics of pure SEF and hybrid SEF/LGFMS lesions, we undertook a clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical and genetic analysis of a series of 10 SEF and 8 hybrid SEF/LGFMS tumors. The mortality rate was similar between the two groups, 44% within the pure SEF group and 37% in the hybrid SEF/LGFMS with a mean overall follow-up of 66 months. All but one pure SEF and all hybrid SEF/LGFMS-tested cases showed MUC4 immunoreactivity. The majority (90%) of pure SEF cases showed EWSR1 gene rearrangements by fluorescence in situ hybridization with only one case exhibiting FUS rearrangement. Of the nine EWSR1 positive cases, six cases harbored CREB3L1 break-apart, two had CREB3L2 rearrangement (a previously unreported finding) and one lacked evidence of CREB3L1/2 abnormalities. In contrast, all hybrid SEF/LGFMS tumors exhibited FUS and CREB3L2 rearrangements. These results further demarcate a relative cytogenetic dichotomy between pure SEF, often characterized by EWSR1 rearrangements, and hybrid SEF/LGFMS, harboring FUS-CREB3L2 fusion; the latter group recapitulating the genotype of LGFMS.

Stockman DL, Ali SM, He J, et al.
Sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma presenting as intraabdominal sarcomatosis with a novel EWSR1-CREB3L1 gene fusion.
Hum Pathol. 2014; 45(10):2173-8 [PubMed] Related Publications
We report a case of intraabdominal sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF) with a t (11;22)(p11.2;q12.2) Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1-cAMP-responsive element-binding protein 3-like 1 translocation. A 43-year old man presented with massive ascites and shortness of breath. Imaging studies revealed a large mesenteric-based mass with extensive omental/peritoneal disease. After resection and cytoreductive surgery, the tumor recurred with metastasis to the lungs; the patient is still alive with disease. Histologically, there was a uniform population of epithelioid cells arranged in cords and nests, embedded in a dense collagenous matrix; no areas of low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma were identified. All immunohistochemical markers were nonreactive. Fluorescence in situ hybridization studies showed rearrangement of Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1. Genomic profiling by clinical grade next-generation sequencing revealed a fusion gene between intron 11 of Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1 (22q12.2) and intron 5 of cAMP-responsive element-binding protein 3-like 1 (11p11.2). This is the first report of "pure" or true SEF presenting as intraabdominal sarcomatosis with confirmation of the recently described unique Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1-cAMP-responsive element-binding protein 3-like 1 gene fusion in SEF without areas of low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma.

Rubinstein JC, Visa A, Zhang L, et al.
Primary low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma of the kidney in a child with the alternative EWSR1-CREB3L1 gene fusion.
Pediatr Dev Pathol. 2014 Jul-Aug; 17(4):321-6 [PubMed] Related Publications
We present the case of a 6-year-old boy with a deceptively bland spindle cell renal neoplasm found to harbor the EWSR1-CREB3L1 gene fusion. This fusion has recently been described as a variant translocation in low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS), a tumor more typically characterized by a recurrent t(7;16) chromosomal translocation, resulting in the fusion of FUS and CREB3L2 genes. LGFMS is an indolent tumor with late metastatic potential and a propensity for long-term disease recurrence. The tumor is rare in children, with only 33 published cases. In the pediatric population, it has not previously been reported arising in the kidney.

Pawlikowska I, Wu G, Edmonson M, et al.
The most informative spacing test effectively discovers biologically relevant outliers or multiple modes in expression.
Bioinformatics. 2014; 30(10):1400-8 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
SUMMARY: Several outlier and subgroup identification statistics (OASIS) have been proposed to discover transcriptomic features with outliers or multiple modes in expression that are indicative of distinct biological processes or subgroups. Here, we borrow ideas from the OASIS methods in the bioinformatics and statistics literature to develop the 'most informative spacing test' (MIST) for unsupervised detection of such transcriptomic features. In an example application involving 14 cases of pediatric acute megakaryoblastic leukemia, MIST more robustly identified features that perfectly discriminate subjects according to gender or the presence of a prognostically relevant fusion-gene than did seven other OASIS methods in the analysis of RNA-seq exon expression, RNA-seq exon junction expression and micorarray exon expression data. MIST was also effective at identifying features related to gender or molecular subtype in an example application involving 157 adult cases of acute myeloid leukemia.
AVAILABILITY: MIST will be freely available in the OASIS R package at http://www.stjuderesearch.org/site/depts/biostats
CONTACT: stanley.pounds@stjude.org
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Arbajian E, Puls F, Magnusson L, et al.
Recurrent EWSR1-CREB3L1 gene fusions in sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma.
Am J Surg Pathol. 2014; 38(6):801-8 [PubMed] Related Publications
Sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF) and low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) are 2 distinct types of sarcoma, with a subset of cases showing overlapping morphologic and immunohistochemical features. LGFMS is characterized by expression of the MUC4 protein, and about 90% of cases display a distinctive FUS-CREB3L2 gene fusion. In addition, SEF is often MUC4 positive, but is genetically less well studied. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies have shown involvement of the FUS gene in the majority of so-called hybrid LGFMS/SEF and in 10% to 25% of sarcomas with pure SEF morphology. In this study, we investigated a series of 10 primary tumors showing pure SEF morphology, 4 cases of LGFMS that at local or distant relapse showed predominant SEF morphology, and 1 primary hybrid LGFMS/SEF. All but 1 case showed diffuse expression for MUC4. Using FISH, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and/or mRNA sequencing in selected cases, we found recurrent EWSR1-CREB3L1 fusion transcripts by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in 3/10 pure SEF cases and splits and deletions of the EWSR1 and/or CREB3L1 genes by FISH in 6 additional cases. All 5 cases of LGFMS with progression to SEF morphology or hybrid features had FUS-CREB3L2 fusion transcripts. Our results indicate that EWSR1 and CREB3L1 rearrangements are predominant over FUS and CREB3L2 rearrangements in pure SEF, highlighting that SEF and LGFMS are different tumor types, with different impacts on patient outcome.

Mellor P, Deibert L, Calvert B, et al.
CREB3L1 is a metastasis suppressor that represses expression of genes regulating metastasis, invasion, and angiogenesis.
Mol Cell Biol. 2013; 33(24):4985-95 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
The unfolded protein response (UPR) is activated in response to hypoxia-induced stress such as in the tumor microenvironment. This study examined the role of CREB3L1 (cyclic AMP [cAMP]-responsive element-binding protein 3-like protein 1), a member of the UPR, in breast cancer development and metastasis. Initial experiments identified the loss of CREB3L1 expression in metastatic breast cancer cell lines compared to low-metastasis or nonmetastatic cell lines. When metastatic cells were transfected with CREB3L1, they demonstrated reduced invasion and migration in vitro, as well as a significantly decreased ability to survive under nonadherent or hypoxic conditions. Interestingly, in an in vivo rat mammary tumor model, not only did CREB3L1-expressing cells fail to form metastases compared to CREB3L1 null cells but regression of the primary tumors was seen in 70% of the animals as a result of impaired angiogenesis. Microarray and chromatin immunoprecipitation with microarray technology (ChIP on Chip) analyses identified changes in the expression of many genes involved in cancer development and metastasis, including a decrease in those involved in angiogenesis. These data suggest that CREB3L1 plays an important role in suppressing tumorigenesis and that loss of expression is required for the development of a metastatic phenotype.

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