The Ewing family of tumors and the search for the Achilles' heel

Abstract

The ideal cancer therapy would accomodate the specific biology of a tumor and be based upon understanding the mechanisms of malignancy. This vision has been the driving force in cancer research. However, the story of success in clinical cancer management is a story of empirie largely independent from progress in basic research. For the Ewing family of tumors (EFT) comprising Ewing's sarcoma and peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor, significant insights into the molecular basis have appeared recently. Some of last year's discoveries may have taken us closer to the identification of the Achilles' heel in this disease. The first clue has been obtained to the mechanism of chromosomal translocation, which constitutes a rate-limiting step in EFT pathogenesis. Also, researchers have progressed in understanding the control of EFT cell proliferation, differentiation, and death. A major role in these processes has been attributed to the EWS-ets gene rearrangement. Specific growth factor circuits appear to be involved in deregulated tumor cell growth. By analogy to heterologous cellular systems, it is possible to postulate an important functional role for CD99(MIC2) as it contributes to the malignant phenotype of EFT. In vitro, as well as the first in vivo, experimental evidence suggests that tumor cell expansion and spread can be counteracted by breaking these physiological pathways. Still, we are far from a tailored biological therapy of EFT. Before this goal may be achieved, we must seek further improvements and diversification of today's standard and intensified treatment regimens.