Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41319040›Full record

ArticleMolecular oncology2026

ATF4-mediated stress response as a therapeutic vulnerability in chordoma.

Lucia Cottone, James Dunford, Eleanor Calcutt, Vicki Gamble, Filiz Senbabaoglu Aksu, Lorena Ligammari, Georgina Wherry, Giorgia Gaeta, John C Christianson, Adrienne M Flanagan and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Molecular oncology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Lucia CottoneDepartment of Pathology, University College London Cancer Institute, UK.ORCID 0000-0003-2147-630X
James DunfordBotnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, National Institute of Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Unit (BRU), University of Oxford, UK.
Eleanor CalcuttBotnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, National Institute of Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Unit (BRU), University of Oxford, UK.
Vicki GambleBotnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, National Institute of Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Unit (BRU), University of Oxford, UK.
Filiz Senbabaoglu AksuBotnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, National Institute of Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Unit (BRU), University of Oxford, UK.
Lorena LigammariDepartment of Pathology, University College London Cancer Institute, UK.
Georgina WherryDepartment of Pathology, University College London Cancer Institute, UK.
Giorgia GaetaBotnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, National Institute of Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Unit (BRU), University of Oxford, UK.
John C ChristiansonBotnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, National Institute of Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Unit (BRU), University of Oxford, UK.
Adrienne M FlanaganDepartment of Pathology, University College London Cancer Institute, UK.
Udo OppermannBotnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, National Institute of Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Unit (BRU), University of Oxford, UK.
Adam P CribbsBotnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, National Institute of Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Unit (BRU), University of Oxford, UK.ORCID 0000-0001-5288-3077

Funding

Bone Cancer Research TrustCancer Research UK C416/A25145Chordoma FoundationChordoma UKFondation LeducqMedical Research Council MR/V010182/1Sarcoma UK SUKG01.2018
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Chordoma, a rare primary bone malignancy, currently lacks effective targeted therapies. Despite surgical resection and adjuvant radiotherapy, prognosis remains poor. Recent preclinical studies have highlighted potential therapeutic targets, including the transcription factor T-box transcription factor T (TBXT). However, clinical outcomes associated with therapies targeting TBXT remain underexplored or have been modest, warranting further investigation. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of transfer RNA (tRNA) synthetase inhibitors in chordoma treatment. Focused compound screening identified distinct chemotypes targeting human glutamyl-prolyl-tRNA synthetase (EPRS) as being effective in reducing cell viability in chordoma cell lines through a cyclic AMP-dependent transcription factor (ATF4)-mediated stress response rather than through TBXT regulation. Mechanistically significant upregulation of ATF4 and associated stress response genes was identified with consecutive pro-apoptotic DNA damage-inducible transcript 3 protein (DDIT3)-mediated cell death. The prototypic EPRS inhibitor halofuginone demonstrated significant tumour growth inhibition in an in vivo patient-derived xenograft model. These results suggest that targeting metabolic stress pathways via ATF4 activation presents a novel therapeutic approach for chordoma, warranting further clinical investigation.

Indexed as

Activating Transcription Factor 4ChordomaStress, PhysiologicalAnimalsCell Line, TumorCell SurvivalGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticHumansMiceXenograft Model Antitumor AssaysActivating Transcription Factor 4ATF4 protein, humanATF4chordomaprolyl‐tRNA synthetasestress response

Identifiers

PMID41319040
PMCPMC13060635

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.