An increasing body of evidence suggests that cancer cells acquire "stem-like" epigenetic and signaling characteristics during the tumorigenic process, including global DNA hypo-methylation, gene-specific DNA hyper-methylation, and small RNA deregulation. RNAs have been known to be epigenetic regulators, both in stem cells and in differentiated cells. A novel class of small RNAs, called piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), maintains genome integrity by epigenetically silencing transposons via DNA methylation, especially in germline stem cells. piRNAs interact exclusively with the Piwi family of proteins. The human Piwi ortholog, Hiwi, has been found to be aberrantly expressed in a variety of human cancers and in some, its expression correlates with poor clinical prognosis. However, there has been little investigation into the potential role that Piwi and piRNAs might play in contributing to the "stem-like" epigenetic state of a cancer. This review will highlight the current evidence supporting the importance of Piwi and piRNAs in the epigenetics of cancer and provide a potential model for the role of Piwi and piRNAs in tumorigenesis.

The essence and origin of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) have been debated for now close to five decades. Originally characterized as a morphologically unique soft tissue sarcoma subtype in 1963 of unclear etiology with a following decade and a half of research only to conclude that "the issue of histogenesis [of MFH] is largely unresolvable"; it is "now regarded as synonymous with [high grade] undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma [HGUPS] and essentially represents a diagnosis of exclusion". Yet despite this apparent lack of progress, the first decade of the 21 st century has seen some significant progress in terms of defining the origins of MFH. Perhaps more importantly these origins might also pave the way for novel therapies. This manuscript will highlight MFH's troubled history, discuss recent advances, comment as to what the coming years may promise, and what further needs to be done to make sure that progress continues. KeywordsMalignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH); undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas; mesenchymal stem cells; differentiation therapy; classification Classification of SarcomasThere are approximately 12,000 new adult sarcoma cases each year [1], encompassing seventy different histologic types of mesenchymal tumors that arise from bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. An in depth understanding of the molecular biology for most of these tumor types is unfortunately lacking [2] thus greatly hindering our abilities to develop rational therapeutic options.Cytogenetics has long been used to divide sarcomas into two broad groups [3]: (1) sarcomas with specific genetic alterations and usually simple karyotypes, including reciprocal translocations that result in fusion genes; and (2) sarcomas with nonspecific genetic

Expression of Piwi proteins is confined to early development and stem cells during which they suppress transposon migration via DNA methylation to ensure genomic stability. Piwi's genomic protective function conflicts with reports that its human ortholog, Hiwi, is expressed in numerous cancers and prognosticates shorter survival. However, the role of Hiwi in tumorigenesis has not been examined. Here we demonstrate that (1) over-expressing Hiwi in sarcoma precursors inhibits their differentiation in vitro and generates sarcomas in vivo; (2) transgenic mice expressing Hiwi (mesodermally restricted) develop sarcomas; and (3) inducible down-regulation of Hiwi in human sarcomas inhibits growth and re-establishes differentiation. Our data indicates that Hiwi is directly tumorigenic and Hiwi-expressing cancers may be addicted to Hiwi expression. We further show that Hiwi associated DNA methylation and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKI) silencing is reversible along with Hiwi-induced tumorigenesis, via DNA-methyltransferase inhibitors. Our studies reveal for the first time not only a novel oncogenic role for Hiwi as a driver of tumorigenesis, but also suggest that the use of epigenetic agents may be clinically beneficial for treatment of tumors that express Hiwi. Additionally, our data showing that Hiwi-associated DNA hyper-methylation with subsequent genetic and epigenetic changes favoring a tumorigenic state reconciles the conundrum of how Hiwi may act appropriately to promote genomic integrity during early development (via transposon silencing) and inappropriately in adult tissues with subsequent tumorigenesis.

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Sarcomas are the mesenchymal-derived malignant tumors of connective tissues (e.g., fat, bone, and cartilage) presumed to arise from aberrant development or differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Appropriate control of stem cell maintenance versus differentiation allows for normal connective tissue development. Current theories suggest that loss of this control—through accumulation of genetic lesions in MSCs at various points in the differentiation process —leads to development of sarcomas, including undifferentiated, high grade sarcoma tumors [1]. The initiation of stem cell differentiation is highly associated with alteration of gene expression, which depends on chromatin remodeling [2, 3]. Epigenetic chromatin modifying agents have been shown to induce cancer cell differentiation and are currently being used clinically to treat cancer. This review will focus on the importance of epigenetic chromatin remodeling in the context of mesenchymal stem cells, sarcoma tumorigenesis and differentiation therapy.