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Nicolò E, Gianni C, Curigliano G, Reduzzi C, Cristofanilli M. Modeling the management of patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer with liquid biopsy: the future of precision medicine. Curr Opin Oncol 2024:00001622-990000000-00197. [PMID: 39011731 DOI: 10.1097/cco.0000000000001082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW In the evolving landscape of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer (BC) management, liquid biopsy offers unprecedented opportunities for guiding clinical decisions. Here, we review the most recent findings on liquid biopsy applications in HER2-positive BC and its potential role in addressing challenges specific to this BC subtype. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies have highlighted the significance of liquid biopsy analytes, primarily circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs), in stratifying patients' prognosis, predicting treatment response, and monitoring tumor evolution in both early and advanced stages of BC. Liquid biopsy holds promise in studying minimal residual disease to detect and potentially treat disease recurrence before it manifests clinically. Additionally, liquid biopsy may have significant implication in the management of brain metastasis, a major challenge in HER2-positive BC, and could redefine parameters for determining HER2 positivity. Combining ctDNA and CTCs is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of HER2-positive tumors, as they provide complementary insights. SUMMARY Research efforts are needed to address analytical challenges, validate, and broaden the application of liquid biopsy in HER2-positive BC. This effort will ultimately facilitate its integration into clinical practice, optimizing the care of patients with HER2-positive tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Nicolò
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Caterina Gianni
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) 'Dino Amadori', Meldola
| | - Giuseppe Curigliano
- Division of New Drugs and Early Drug Development, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS
- Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Carolina Reduzzi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Massimo Cristofanilli
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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Van Baelen K, Van Cauwenberge J, Maetens M, Beck G, Camden A, Chase MC, Fraser V, Freeney S, Hutcheson L, Levine JK, Lien T, Terveer R, Turner C, Senkus E, Jankowitz RC, Vandecaveye V, Floris G, Neven P, Wildiers H, Sawyer E, Vincent-Salomon A, Derksen PWB, Desmedt C. Reporting on invasive lobular breast cancer in clinical trials: a systematic review. NPJ Breast Cancer 2024; 10:23. [PMID: 38509112 PMCID: PMC10954721 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-024-00627-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Invasive lobular breast cancer (ILC) differs from invasive breast cancer of no special type in many ways. Evidence on treatment efficacy for ILC is, however, lacking. We studied the degree of documentation and representation of ILC in phase III/IV clinical trials for novel breast cancer treatments. Trials were identified on Pubmed and clinicaltrials.gov. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were reviewed for requirements on histological subtype and tumor measurability. Documentation of ILC was assessed and ILC inclusion rate, central pathology and subgroup analyses were evaluated. Inclusion restrictions concerning tumor measurability were found in 39/93 manuscripts. Inclusion rates for ILC were documented in 13/93 manuscripts and varied between 2.0 and 26.0%. No central pathology for ILC was reported and 3/13 manuscripts had ILC sub-analyses. ILC is largely disregarded in most trials with poor representation and documentation. The current inclusion criteria using RECIST v1.1, fall short in recognizing the unique non-measurable metastatic infiltration of ILC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Van Baelen
- Laboratory for Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Josephine Van Cauwenberge
- Laboratory for Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marion Maetens
- Laboratory for Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gabriela Beck
- European Lobular Breast Cancer Consortium, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ann Camden
- Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance inc., Plymouth, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Siobhan Freeney
- European Lobular Breast Cancer Consortium, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Lobular Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | - Tone Lien
- European Lobular Breast Cancer Consortium, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Rian Terveer
- European Lobular Breast Cancer Consortium, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Borstkankervereniging Nederland, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Claire Turner
- European Lobular Breast Cancer Consortium, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Lobular Breast Cancer UK, Manchester, UK
| | - Elzbieta Senkus
- Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Rachel C Jankowitz
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Abramsom Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Vincent Vandecaveye
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Division of Translational MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Giuseppe Floris
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patrick Neven
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hans Wildiers
- Department of General Medical Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Elinor Sawyer
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Guy's Cancer Centre, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Anne Vincent-Salomon
- Department of Pathology, Institut Curie, Paris Sciences Lettres University, Paris, France
| | - Patrick W B Derksen
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Christine Desmedt
- Laboratory for Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Murray NP. Biomarkers of minimal residual disease and treatment. Adv Clin Chem 2024; 119:33-70. [PMID: 38514211 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acc.2024.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Minimal residual disease (MRD) has been defined as a very small numbers of cancer cells that remain in the body after curative treatment. Its presence or absence will ultimately determine prognosis. With the introduction of new technologies the presence of MRD in patients with solid tumours can be detected and characterized. As MRD predicts future relapse, be it early or late treatment failure, in an otherwise asymptomatic patient its treatment and when to start treatment remains to be determined. Thus the concepts of personalized medicine using different biomarkers to classify the biological properties of MRD maybe come possible. Based on this determinations it may be possible to use targeted therapies rather than all patients with the same type of cancer receiving a standard treatment. However, it is important to understand the limitations of the different technologies, what these techniques are detecting and how they may help in the treatment of patients with cancer. The majority of published studies are in patients with metastatic cancer and there are few reports in patients with MRD. In this chapter the concept of MRD, the methods used to detect it and what treatments may be effective based on the biological characteristics of the tumour cells as determined by different biomarkers is reviewed. MRD depends on the phenotypic properties of the tumour cells to survive in their new environment and the anti-tumour immune response. This is a dynamic process and changes with time in the wake of immunosuppression caused by the tumour cells and/or the effects of treatment to select resistant tumour cells. With the use of biomarkers to typify the characteristics of MRD and the development of new drugs a personalized treatment can be designed rather than all patients given the same treatment. Patients who are initially negative for MRD may not require further treatment with liquid biopsies used to monitor the patients during follow-up in order to detect those patients who may become MRD positive. The liquid biopsy used during the follow up of MRD positive patients can be used to detect changes in the biological properties of the tumour cells and thus may need treatment changes to overcome tumour cell resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigel P Murray
- Minimal Residual Disease Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University Finis Terrae, Santiago, Chile.
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Cani AK, Hayes DF. Breast Cancer Circulating Tumor Cells: Current Clinical Applications and Future Prospects. Clin Chem 2024; 70:68-80. [PMID: 38175590 DOI: 10.1093/clinchem/hvad191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identification and characterization of circulating tumor markers, designated as "liquid biopsies," have greatly impacted the care of cancer patients. Although more recently referring to circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), the term liquid biopsy initially was coined to refer to any blood-borne biomarker related to malignancy, including circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood. In this manuscript, we review the specific state of the art of CTCs in breast cancer. CONTENT Liquid biopsies might play a clinical role across the entire spectrum of breast cancer, from risk assessment, prevention, screening, and treatment. CTC counts have been shown to carry clear, independent prognostic information in the latter situation. However, the clinical utility of CTCs in breast cancer remains to be determined. Nonetheless, in addition to CTC enumeration, analyses of CTCs provide tumor molecular information representing the entire, often-heterogeneous disease, relatively noninvasively and longitudinally. Technological advances have allowed the interrogation of CTC-derived information, providing renewed hope for a clinical role in disease monitoring and precision oncology. SUMMARY This narrative review examines CTCs, their clinical validity, and current prospects of clinical utility in breast cancer with the goal of improving patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andi K Cani
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Daniel F Hayes
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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Keup C, Kimmig R, Kasimir-Bauer S. The Diversity of Liquid Biopsies and Their Potential in Breast Cancer Management. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5463. [PMID: 38001722 PMCID: PMC10670968 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15225463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Analyzing blood as a so-called liquid biopsy in breast cancer (BC) patients has the potential to adapt therapy management. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), extracellular vesicles (EVs), cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and other blood components mirror the tumoral heterogeneity and could support a range of clinical decisions. Multi-cancer early detection tests utilizing blood are advancing but are not part of any clinical routine yet. Liquid biopsy analysis in the course of neoadjuvant therapy has potential for therapy (de)escalation.Minimal residual disease detection via serial cfDNA analysis is currently on its way. The prognostic value of blood analytes in early and metastatic BC is undisputable, but the value of these prognostic biomarkers for clinical management is controversial. An interventional trial confirmed a significant outcome benefit when therapy was changed in case of newly emerging cfDNA mutations under treatment and thus showed the clinical utility of cfDNA analysis for therapy monitoring. The analysis of PIK3CA or ESR1 variants in plasma of metastatic BC patients to prescribe targeted therapy with alpesilib or elacestrant has already arrived in clinical practice with FDA-approved tests available and is recommended by ASCO. The translation of more liquid biopsy applications into clinical practice is still pending due to a lack of knowledge of the analytes' biology, lack of standards and difficulties in proving clinical utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna Keup
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital of Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
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Cai S, Deng Y, Wang Z, Zhu J, Huang C, Du L, Wang C, Yu X, Liu W, Yang C, Wang Z, Wang L, Ma K, Huang R, Zhou X, Zou H, Zhang W, Huang Y, Li Z, Qin T, Xu T, Guo X, Yu Z. Development and clinical validation of a microfluidic-based platform for CTC enrichment and downstream molecular analysis. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1238332. [PMID: 37849806 PMCID: PMC10578963 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1238332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Although many CTC isolation and detection methods can provide information on cancer cell counts, downstream gene and protein analysis remain incomplete. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a technology that can provide comprehensive information on both the number and profile of CTC. Methods In this study, we developed a novel microfluidics-based CTC separation and enrichment platform that provided detailed information about CTC. Results This platform exhibits exceptional functionality, achieving high rates of CTC recovery (87.1%) and purification (∼4 log depletion of WBCs), as well as accurate detection (95.10%), providing intact and viable CTCs for downstream analysis. This platform enables successful separation and enrichment of CTCs from a 4 mL whole-blood sample within 15 minutes. Additionally, CTC subtypes, selected protein expression levels on the CTC surface, and target mutations in selected genes can be directly analyzed for clinical utility using immunofluorescence and real-time polymerase chain reaction, and the detected PD-L1 expression in CTCs is consistent with immunohistochemical assay results. Conclusion The microfluidic-based CTC enrichment platform and downstream molecular analysis together provide a possible alternative to tissue biopsy for precision cancer management, especially for patients whose tissue biopsies are unavailable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songhua Cai
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital and Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Youjun Deng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital and Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junyu Zhu
- Institute of Cancer Control, Cancer Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Chujian Huang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital and Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Longde Du
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital and Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chunguang Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital and Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiangyang Yu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital and Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenyi Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital and Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chenglin Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital and Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital and Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lixu Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital and Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kai Ma
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital and Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Rui Huang
- Shenzhen Futian Research Institute, City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhou
- Department of Medical Affairs, Cellomics (ShenZhen) Limited, Shenzhen, China
| | - Heng Zou
- Department of Medical Affairs, Cellomics (ShenZhen) Limited, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenchong Zhang
- Department of Medical Affairs, Cellomics (ShenZhen) Limited, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yan Huang
- Department of Medical Affairs, Cellomics (ShenZhen) Limited, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhi Li
- Department of Medical Affairs, Cellomics (ShenZhen) Limited, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tiaoping Qin
- Department of Medical Affairs, Cellomics (ShenZhen) Limited, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tao Xu
- Department of Medical Affairs, Cellomics (ShenZhen) Limited, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaotong Guo
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital and Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhentao Yu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital and Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
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Munoz-Arcos LS, Nicolò E, Serafini MS, Gerratana L, Reduzzi C, Cristofanilli M. Latest advances in clinical studies of circulating tumor cells in early and metastatic breast cancer. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 381:1-21. [PMID: 37739480 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have emerged as a promising biomarker in breast cancer, offering insights into disease progression and treatment response. While CTCs have demonstrated prognostic relevance in early breast cancer, more validation is required to establish optimal cut-off points. In metastatic breast cancer, the detection of CTCs using the Food and Drug Administration-approved CellSearch® system is a strong independent prognostic factor. However, mesenchymal CTCs and the Parsortix® PC1 system show promise as alternative detection methods. This chapter offers a comprehensive review of clinical studies on CTCs in breast cancer, emphasizing their prognostic and predictive value in different stages of the disease and provides insights into potential future directions in CTC research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura S Munoz-Arcos
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Eleonora Nicolò
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States; Division of New Drugs and Early Drug Development, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy; Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Mara S Serafini
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Lorenzo Gerratana
- Department of Medical Oncology, CRO Aviano, National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Carolina Reduzzi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Massimo Cristofanilli
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States.
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Eslami-S Z, Cortés-Hernández LE, Glogovitis I, Antunes-Ferreira M, D’Ambrosi S, Kurma K, Garima F, Cayrefourcq L, Best MG, Koppers-Lalic D, Wurdinger T, Alix-Panabières C. In vitro cross-talk between metastasis-competent circulating tumor cells and platelets in colon cancer: a malicious association during the harsh journey in the blood. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1209846. [PMID: 37601099 PMCID: PMC10433913 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1209846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Platelets are active players in hemostasis, coagulation and also tumorigenesis. The cross-talk between platelets and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) may have various pro-cancer effects, including promoting tumor growth, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), metastatic cell survival, adhesion, arrest and also pre-metastatic niche and metastasis formation. Interaction with CTCs might alter the platelet transcriptome. However, as CTCs are rare events, the cross-talk between CTCs and platelets is poorly understood. Here, we used our established colon CTC lines to investigate the colon CTC-platelet cross-talk in vitro and its impact on the behavior/phenotype of both cell types. Methods: We exposed platelets isolated from healthy donors to thrombin (positive control) or to conditioned medium from three CTC lines from one patient with colon cancer and then we monitored the morphological and protein expression changes by microscopy and flow cytometry. We then analyzed the transcriptome by RNA-sequencing of platelets indirectly (presence of a Transwell insert) co-cultured with the three CTC lines. We also quantified by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR the expression of genes related to EMT and cancer development in CTCs after direct co-culture (no Transwell insert) with platelets. Results: We observed morphological and transcriptomic changes in platelets upon exposure to CTC conditioned medium and indirect co-culture (secretome). Moreover, the expression levels of genes involved in EMT (p < 0.05) were decreased in CTCs co-cultured with platelets, but not of genes encoding mesenchymal markers (FN1 and SNAI2). The expression levels of genes involved in cancer invasiveness (MYC, VEGFB, IL33, PTGS2, and PTGER2) were increased. Conclusion: For the first time, we studied the CTC-platelet cross-talk using our unique colon CTC lines. Incubation with CTC conditioned medium led to platelet aggregation and activation, supporting the hypothesis that their interaction may contribute to preserve CTC integrity during their journey in the bloodstream. Moreover, co-culture with platelets influenced the expression of several genes involved in invasiveness and EMT maintenance in CTCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Eslami-S
- Laboratory of Rare Circulating Human Cells—University Medical Center of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- CREEC/CANECEV, MIVEGEC (CREES), Université de Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Montpellier, France
- European Liquid Biopsy Society (ELBS), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Luis Enrique Cortés-Hernández
- Laboratory of Rare Circulating Human Cells—University Medical Center of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- CREEC/CANECEV, MIVEGEC (CREES), Université de Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Montpellier, France
- European Liquid Biopsy Society (ELBS), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ilias Glogovitis
- Department of Neurosurgery, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Brain Tumor Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Mafalda Antunes-Ferreira
- Department of Neurosurgery, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Brain Tumor Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Silvia D’Ambrosi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Brain Tumor Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Keerthi Kurma
- Laboratory of Rare Circulating Human Cells—University Medical Center of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- CREEC/CANECEV, MIVEGEC (CREES), Université de Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Montpellier, France
- European Liquid Biopsy Society (ELBS), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Françoise Garima
- Laboratory of Rare Circulating Human Cells—University Medical Center of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- CREEC/CANECEV, MIVEGEC (CREES), Université de Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Montpellier, France
- European Liquid Biopsy Society (ELBS), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Laure Cayrefourcq
- Laboratory of Rare Circulating Human Cells—University Medical Center of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- CREEC/CANECEV, MIVEGEC (CREES), Université de Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Montpellier, France
- European Liquid Biopsy Society (ELBS), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Myron G. Best
- Department of Neurosurgery, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Brain Tumor Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Thomas Wurdinger
- Department of Neurosurgery, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Brain Tumor Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Catherine Alix-Panabières
- Laboratory of Rare Circulating Human Cells—University Medical Center of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- CREEC/CANECEV, MIVEGEC (CREES), Université de Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Montpellier, France
- European Liquid Biopsy Society (ELBS), Hamburg, Germany
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Einloth KR, Gayfield S, McMaster T, Didier A, Dworkin L, Creeden JF. The application, safety, and future of ex vivo immune cell therapies and prognosis in different malignancies. BIOIMPACTS : BI 2023; 13:439-455. [PMID: 38022382 PMCID: PMC10676524 DOI: 10.34172/bi.2023.27521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Immunotherapy has revolutionized how cancer is treated. Many of these immunotherapies rely on ex vivo expansion of immune cells, classically T cells. Still, several immunological obstacles remain, including tumor impermeability by immune cells and the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Logistically, high costs of treatment and variable clinical responses have also plagued traditional T cell-based immunotherapies. Methods To review the existing literature on cellular immunotherapy, the PubMed database was searched for publications using variations of the phrases "cancer immunotherapy", "ex vivo expansion", and "adoptive cell therapy". The Clinicaltrials.gov database was searched for clinical trials related to ex vivo cellular therapies using the same phrases. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for cancer treatment were also referenced. Results To circumvent the challenges of traditional T cell-based immunotherapies, researchers have developed newer therapies including tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL), chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), T cell receptor (TCR) modified T cell, and antibody-armed T cell therapies. Additionally, newer immunotherapeutic strategies have used other immune cells, including natural killer (NK) and dendritic cells (DC), to modulate the T cell immune response to cancers. From a prognostic perspective, circulating tumor cells (CTC) have been used to predict cancer morbidity and mortality. Conclusion This review highlights the mechanism and clinical utility of various types of ex vivo cellular therapies in the treatment of cancer. Comparing these therapies or using them in combination may lead to more individualized and less toxic chemotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn R. Einloth
- Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Scott Gayfield
- Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Thomas McMaster
- Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Alexander Didier
- Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Lance Dworkin
- Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Justin Fortune Creeden
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, USA
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10
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Kamal M, Wang YJ, Plummer S, Dickerson A, Yu M. An Image-Based Identification of Aggressive Breast Cancer Circulating Tumor Cell Subtypes. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2669. [PMID: 37345005 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Using previously established CTC lines from breast cancer patients, we identified different morphometric subgroups of CTCs with one of them having the highest tumorigenic potential in vivo despite the slowest cell proliferation in vitro. This subgroup represents 32% of all cells and contains cells with small cell volume, large nucleus to cell, dense nuclear areas to the nucleus, mitochondria to cell volume ratios and rough texture of cell membrane and termed "Small cell, Large mitochondria, Rough membrane" (SLR). RNA-seq analyses showed that the SLR group is enriched in pathways and cellular processes related to DNA replication, DNA repair and metabolism. SLR upregulated genes are associated with poor survival in patients with ER+ breast cancer based on the KM Plotter database. The high tumorigenic potential, slow proliferation, and enriched DNA replication/repair pathways suggest that the SLR subtype is associated with stemness properties. Our new findings provide a simple image-based identification of CTC subpopulations with elevated aggressiveness, which is expected to provide a more accurate prediction of patient survival and therapy response than total CTC numbers. The detection of morphometric and transcriptomic profiles related to the SLR subgroup of CTCs also opens opportunities for potential targeted cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Kamal
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Benha, Benha 13518, Egypt
| | - Yiru Jess Wang
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Sarai Plummer
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Amber Dickerson
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Min Yu
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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11
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Mohamed BM, Ward MP, Bates M, Spillane CD, Kelly T, Martin C, Gallagher M, Heffernan S, Norris L, Kennedy J, Saadeh FA, Gleeson N, Brooks DA, Brooks RD, Selemidis S, O'Toole S, O'Leary JJ. Ex vivo expansion of circulating tumour cells (CTCs). Sci Rep 2023; 13:3704. [PMID: 36879003 PMCID: PMC9988863 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30733-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) are a critical intermediate step in the process of cancer metastasis. The reliability of CTC isolation/purification has limited both the potential to report on metastatic progression and the development of CTCs as targets for therapeutic intervention. Here we report a new methodology, which optimises the culture conditions for CTCs using primary cancer cells as a model system. We exploited the known biology that CTCs thrive in hypoxic conditions, with their survival and proliferation being reliant on the activation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α). We isolated epithelial-like and quasi-mesenchymal CTC phenotypes from the blood of a cancer patient and successfully cultured these cells for more than 8 weeks. The presence of CTC clusters was required to establish and maintain long-term cultures. This novel methodology for the long-term culture of CTCs will aid in the development of downstream applications, including CTC theranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashir M Mohamed
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. .,Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Mark P Ward
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Mark Bates
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Cathy D Spillane
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Tanya Kelly
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Cara Martin
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Michael Gallagher
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Sheena Heffernan
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Lucy Norris
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - John Kennedy
- HOPE Directorate, St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Feras Abu Saadeh
- Division of Gynaecological Oncology, St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Noreen Gleeson
- Division of Gynaecological Oncology, St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Doug A Brooks
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland.,Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia
| | - Robert D Brooks
- Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia
| | - Stavros Selemidis
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | - Sharon O'Toole
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - John J O'Leary
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland
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12
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Bates M, Mohamed BM, Ward MP, Kelly TE, O'Connor R, Malone V, Brooks R, Brooks D, Selemidis S, Martin C, O'Toole S, O'Leary JJ. Circulating tumour cells: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188863. [PMID: 36796527 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
This review is an overview of the current knowledge regarding circulating tumour cells (CTCs), which are potentially the most lethal type of cancer cell, and may be a key component of the metastatic cascade. The clinical utility of CTCs (the "Good"), includes their diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic potential. Conversely, their complex biology (the "Bad"), including the existence of CD45+/EpCAM+ CTCs, adds insult to injury regarding their isolation and identification, which in turn hampers their clinical translation. CTCs are capable of forming microemboli composed of both non-discrete phenotypic populations such as mesenchymal CTCs and homotypic and heterotypic clusters which are poised to interact with other cells in the circulation, including immune cells and platelets, which may increase their malignant potential. These microemboli (the "Ugly") represent a prognostically important CTC subset, however, phenotypic EMT/MET gradients bring additional complexities to an already challenging situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Bates
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland; Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland.
| | - Bashir M Mohamed
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland; Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Mark P Ward
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland; Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Tanya E Kelly
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland; Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Roisin O'Connor
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland; Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland; Department of Pathology, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Victoria Malone
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland; Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland; Department of Pathology, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Robert Brooks
- Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Doug Brooks
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland; Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Stavros Selemidis
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - Cara Martin
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland; Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland; Department of Pathology, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Sharon O'Toole
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland; Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - John J O'Leary
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland; Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland; Department of Pathology, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
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13
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Nicolò E, Boscolo Bielo L, Curigliano G, Tarantino P. The HER2-low revolution in breast oncology: steps forward and emerging challenges. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2023; 15:17588359231152842. [PMID: 36844387 PMCID: PMC9943960 DOI: 10.1177/17588359231152842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Approximately half of breast cancers (BCs), historically categorized as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, have low expression of HER2 defined as an immunohistochemical (IHC) score of 1+ or 2+ with negative in situ hybridization. Retrospective evidence suggest that HER2-low BC does not represent a distinct subtype from a biological and prognostic perspective. Nonetheless, it currently constitutes an essential biomarker to guide treatment selection and its introduction has led to reconsidering the binary classification of HER2 status according to which only patients with HER2-positive BC were thought to derive benefit from anti-HER2 therapies. Trastuzumab deruxtecan has recently been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with HER2-low metastatic BC based on the results of the DESTINY-Breast04 phase III trial, and other antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting HER2 are showing promising results. Treatment paradigms for both triple-negative and hormone receptor-positive BCs exhibiting HER2-low expression are thus rapidly evolving. Given its therapeutic implications, it is essential to accurately recognize the level of HER2 expression, and the development of more sensitive and reliable methods for HER2 testing and scoring is warranted, especially since the minimum threshold of HER2 expression required for T-DXd efficacy is currently under investigation. Given the signs of activity of T-DXd even in patients with HER2-0 (IHC 0) disease, an evolution in the way we define HER2-low is anticipated. Considering the expansion of the therapeutic armamentarium for BC patients, with several ADCs approaching the clinic, research efforts are needed to clarify whether the expression level of targets can enrich for responders to a given ADC as well as to understand mechanisms of resistance with the goal of optimizing the sequencing of ADCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Nicolò
- Division of New Drugs and Early Drug
Development, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology,
University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Boscolo Bielo
- Division of New Drugs and Early Drug
Development, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology,
University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Curigliano
- Division of New Drugs and Early Drug
Development, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology,
University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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14
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Multi-Parameter Analysis of Disseminated Tumor Cells (DTCs) in Early Breast Cancer Patients with Hormone-Receptor-Positive Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030568. [PMID: 36765527 PMCID: PMC9913363 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with hormone-receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer are at increased risk for late recurrence. One reason might be disseminated tumor cells (DTCs), which split off in the early stages of the disease and metastasize into the bone marrow (BM). METHODS We developed a novel multi-parameter immunofluorescence staining protocol using releasable and bleachable antibody-fluorochrome-conjugates. This sequential procedure enabled us to analyze six distinct phenotypical and therapy-related markers on the same DTC. We characterized BM aspirates from 29 patients with a HR+ tumor and a known positive DTC status-based on the standardized detection of epithelial cells in BM. RESULTS Using the immunofluorescence staining, a total of 153 DTCs were detected. Luminal A patients revealed a higher DTC count compared with luminal B. The majority of the detected DTCs were CK-positive (128/153). However, in 16 of 17 luminal A patients we found HER2-positive DTCs. We detected CK-negative DTCs (25/153) in 12 of 29 patients. Of those cells, 76% were Ki67-positive and 68% were HER2-positive. Moreover, we detected DTC clusters consisting of mixed characteristics in 6 of 29 patients. CONCLUSIONS Using sequential multi-parameter imaging made it possible to identify distinct DTC profiles not solely based on epithelial features. Our findings indicate that characterization rather than quantification of DTCs might be relevant for treatment decisions.
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15
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Dhaka S, Tripathi R, Doval DC, Mehta A, Maheshwari U, Koyyala VPB, Singh J. Role of Circulating Tumor Cells in Determining Prognosis in Metastatic Breast Cancer. South Asian J Cancer 2023; 12:62-67. [PMID: 36851934 PMCID: PMC9966169 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1753477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Dinesh Chandra DovalBackground Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the peripheral blood may play a major role in the metastatic spread of breast cancer. This study was conducted to assess the role of CTCs to determine the prognosis in terms of survival in metastatic breast cancer patients. Methods This prospective study of 36 patients was conducted at the Hospital from April 2016 to May 2018. Details of each patient related to the demographic profile, tumor type, treatment, and follow-up information were recorded. The number of CTCs in the peripheral blood was measured by Celsee PREP 400 sample processing system and Celsee Analyzer imaging station. Results There was a positive correlation between the number of site of metastasis with number of CTCs ( p -value < 0.001). In the patients with clinical/partial response, a significant reduction in the number of CTCs after 1 month of therapy was observed ( p -value = 0.003). When the number of CTCs at baseline and 6 months were compared with the positron emission tomography response at 6 months, a statistically significant difference in CTCs in patients having partial response after 6 months was observed ( p -value = 0.001). On comparison with the responder groups, a statistically significant reduction in CTCs at baseline and 6 months was observed ( p -value = 0.001). Patients with CTCs less than 5 and more than or equal to 5 after 1 month of treatment had a mean progression-free survival of 11.1 months and 7.5 months ( p -value = 0.04) and a mean overall survival of 11.6 and 9.6 months ( p -value = 0.08), respectively. Conclusion Assessment of CTCs provides a more quantifiable response than radiographic evaluation and at a much earlier time point and is also a better predictor of survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Dhaka
- Department of Medical Oncology, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre, Delhi, India.,Equal Contribution
| | - Rupal Tripathi
- Department of Research, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre, Delhi, India.,Equal Contribution
| | - Dinesh Chandra Doval
- Department of Medical Oncology, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre, Delhi, India
| | - Anurag Mehta
- Department of Laboratory Services, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre, Delhi, India
| | - Udip Maheshwari
- Department of Medical Oncology, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre, Delhi, India
| | | | - Jatinderpal Singh
- Department of Gastroenterology, SGHS Super Speciality Hospital, Mohali, Punjab, India
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16
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Yang Y, Li L, Tian W, Qiao Z, Qin Q, Su L, Li P, Chen W, Zhao H. A nomogram for predicting the HER2 status of circulating tumor cells and survival analysis in HER2-negative breast cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:943800. [PMID: 36620609 PMCID: PMC9811813 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.943800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In breast cancer patients with HER2-negative tumors (tHER2-), HER2-positive CTCs (cHER2+) were associated with promising efficacy of HER2-targeted therapy, but controversy has persisted over its prognostic effect. We developed a model including clinicopathologic parameters/blood test variables to predict cHER2 status and evaluated the prognostic value of cHER2+ in tHER2- patients. Methods cHER2+ was detected, blood test results and clinicopathological characteristics were combined, and a nomogram was constructed to predict cHER2 status in tHER2- patients according to logistic regression analysis. The nomogram was evaluated by C-index values and calibration curve. Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank tests, and Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate the prognostic value of cHER2 status. Results TNM stage, white blood cells (WBCs), neutrophils (NEUs), uric acid (UA), De Ritis ratio [aspartate transaminase (AST)/alanine transaminase (ALT)], and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were found to be associated with cHER2 status in tHER2- patients in univariate logistic regression analysis, in which UA and De Ritis ratio remained significant in multivariate logistic regression analysis. A model combining these six variables was constructed, the C-index was 0.745 (95% CI: 0.630-0.860), and the calibration curve presented a perfect predictive consistency. In survival analysis, patients of the subgroups "with cHER2+/UA-low" (p = 0.015) and "with cHER2+/De Ritis ratio - high" (p = 0.006) had a significantly decreased disease-free survival (DFS). Conclusions Our nomogram, based on TNM stage, WBC, NEU, UA, De Ritis ratio, and HDL, may excellently predict the cHER2 status of tHER2- patients. Incorporation with UA and De Ritis ratio may enhance the prognostic value of cHER2 status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqin Yang
- The Cancer Center of The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China,Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Liudan Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhuhai Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenjing Tian
- The Cancer Center of The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhen Qiao
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhuhai Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Qi Qin
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Liqian Su
- Precision Medicine Center of Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Peiqiu Li
- Department of Nephrology, The Fifth Hospital Affiliated of Sun Yat-sen University Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Weirong Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhuhai Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China,*Correspondence: Hong Zhao, ; Weirong Chen,
| | - Hong Zhao
- The Cancer Center of The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China,*Correspondence: Hong Zhao, ; Weirong Chen,
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17
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Wang M, Liu Y, Shao B, Liu X, Hu Z, Wang C, Li H, Zhu L, Li P, Yang Y. HER2 status of CTCs by peptide-functionalized nanoparticles as the diagnostic biomarker of breast cancer and predicting the efficacy of anti-HER2 treatment. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1015295. [PMID: 36246381 PMCID: PMC9554095 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1015295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Efficacy of anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) treatment is impacted by tissue-based evaluation bias due to tumor heterogeneity and dynamic changes of HER2 in breast cancer. Circulating tumor cell (CTC)-based HER2 phenotyping provides integral and real-time assessment, benefiting accurate HER2 diagnosis. This study developed a semi-quantitative fluorescent evaluation system of HER2 immunostaining on CTCs by peptide-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (Pep@MNPs) and immunocytochemistry (ICC). 52 newly-diagnosed advanced breast cancer patients were enrolled for blood samples before and/or after first-line treatment, including 24 patients who were diagnosed with HER2+ tumors and treated with anti-HER2 drugs. We enumerated CTCs and assessed levels of HER2 expression on CTCs in 2.0 ml whole blood. Enumerating CTCs at baseline could distinguish cancer patients (sensitivity, 69.2%; specificity, 100%). 80.8% (42/52) of patients had at least one CTCs before therapy. Patients with <3 CTCs at baseline had significantly longer progression-free survival (medians, 19.4 vs. 9.2 months; log-rank p = 0.046) and overall survival (medians, not yet reached; log-rank p = 0.049) than those with ≥3 CTCs. Both HER2+ and HER2-low patients could be detected with HER2 overexpression on CTCs (CTC-HER2+) (52.6%, 44.4%, respectively), whereas all the HER2-negative patients had no CTC-HER2+ phenotype. Among HER2+ patients with ≥3 CTCs at baseline, objective response only appeared in pretherapeutic CTC-HER2+ cohort (60.0%), rather than in CTC-HER2– cohort (0.0%) (p = 0.034). In conclusion, we demonstrate the significance of CTC enumeration in diagnosis and prognosis of first-line advanced breast cancer, and highlight the value of CTC-HER2 status in predicting efficacy of anti-HER2 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengting Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Key Laboratory of Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yaxin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Breast Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Shao
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Breast Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoran Liu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Breast Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiyuan Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Key Laboratory of Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Key Laboratory of Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huiping Li
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Breast Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Huiping Li, ; Ling Zhu, ; Ping Li, ; Yanlian Yang,
| | - Ling Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Key Laboratory of Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Huiping Li, ; Ling Zhu, ; Ping Li, ; Yanlian Yang,
| | - Ping Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Key Laboratory of Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Huiping Li, ; Ling Zhu, ; Ping Li, ; Yanlian Yang,
| | - Yanlian Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Key Laboratory of Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Huiping Li, ; Ling Zhu, ; Ping Li, ; Yanlian Yang,
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18
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Multianalyte liquid biopsy to aid the diagnostic workup of breast cancer. NPJ Breast Cancer 2022; 8:112. [PMID: 36167819 PMCID: PMC9515081 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-022-00480-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) affects 1 in every 8 women in the United States and is currently the most prevalent cancer worldwide. Precise staging at diagnosis and prognosis are essential components for the clinical management of BC patients. In this study, we set out to evaluate the feasibility of the high-definition single cell (HDSCA) liquid biopsy (LBx) platform to stratify late-stage BC, early-stage BC, and normal donors using peripheral blood samples. Utilizing 5 biomarkers, we identified rare circulating events with epithelial, mesenchymal, endothelial and hematological origin. We detected a higher level of CTCs in late-stage patients, compared to the early-stage and normal donors. Additionally, we observed more tumor-associated large extracellular vesicles (LEVs) in the early-stage, compared to late-stage and the normal donor groups. Overall, we were able to detect reproducible patterns in the enumeration of rare cells and LEVs of cancer vs. normal donors and early-stage vs. late-stage BC with high accuracy, allowing for robust stratification. Our findings illustrate the feasibility of the LBx assay to provide robust detection of rare circulating events in peripheral blood draws and to stratify late-stage BC, early-stage BC, and normal donor samples.
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19
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Darlix A, Cayrefourcq L, Pouderoux S, Menjot de Champfleur N, Bievelez A, Jacot W, Leaha C, Thezenas S, Alix-Panabières C. Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients with Suspected Breast Cancer Leptomeningeal Metastases: A Prospective Study. Clin Chem 2022; 68:1311-1322. [PMID: 35953885 DOI: 10.1093/clinchem/hvac127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diagnosis of breast cancer (BC)-related leptomeningeal metastases (LM) relies on the detection of tumor cells in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using conventional cytology (gold standard). However, the sensitivity of this technique is low. Our goal was to evaluate whether circulating tumor cell (CTC) detection in CSF using the CellSearch® system could be used for LM diagnosis. METHODS This prospective, monocentric study included adult patients with suspected BC-related LM. The clinical sensitivity and specificity of CTC detection in CSF for LM diagnosis were calculated relative to conventional CSF cytology. RESULTS Forty-nine eligible patients were included and 40 were evaluable (CTC detection technical failure: n = 8, eligibility criteria failure: n = 1). Cytology was positive in 18/40 patients. CTCs were detected in these 18 patients (median: 5824 CTC, range: 93 to 45052) and in 5/22 patients with negative cytology (median: 2 CTC, range: 1 to 44). The detection of ≥1 CSF CTC was associated with a clinical sensitivity of 100% (95% CI, 82.4-100) and a specificity of 77.3% (95% CI, 64.3-90.3) for LM diagnosis. HER2+ CTCs were detected in the CSF of 40.6% of patients with HER2- BC (median: 500 CTC, range: 13 to 28 320). CONCLUSIONS The clinical sensitivity of CTC detection in CSF with the CellSearch® system for LM diagnosis is higher than that of CSF cytology. CTC detection in patients with negative cytology, however, must be further investigated. The finding of HER2+ CTCs in patients with HER2- BC suggests that the HER2 status of LM should be evaluated to increase the treatment opportunities for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amélie Darlix
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Régional du Cancer de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, INSERM, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Laure Cayrefourcq
- Laboratory of Rare Human Circulating Cells, University Medical Center of Montpellier, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,CREEC, MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Stéphane Pouderoux
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Régional du Cancer de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Alexis Bievelez
- Biometrics Unit, Institut Régional du Cancer de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - William Jacot
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Régional du Cancer de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier IRCM, INSERM U1194, University of Montpellier; Montpellier, France
| | - Cristina Leaha
- Department of Pathology, Institut Régional du Cancer de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Simon Thezenas
- Biometrics Unit, Institut Régional du Cancer de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Catherine Alix-Panabières
- Laboratory of Rare Human Circulating Cells, University Medical Center of Montpellier, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,CREEC, MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
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20
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Chaperonin containing TCP1 as a marker for identification of circulating tumor cells in blood. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264651. [PMID: 35749519 PMCID: PMC9232171 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Herein we report the use of Chaperonin-Containing TCP-1 (CCT or TRiC) as a marker to detect circulating tumor cells (CTCs) that are shed from tumors during oncogenesis. Most detection methods used in liquid biopsy approaches for enumeration of CTCs from blood, employ epithelial markers like cytokeratin (CK). However, such markers provide little information on the potential of these shed tumor cells, which are normally short-lived, to seed metastatic sites. To identify a marker that could go beyond enumeration and provide actionable data on CTCs, we evaluated CCT. CCT is a protein-folding complex composed of eight subunits. Previously, we found that expression of the second subunit (CCT2 or CCTβ) inversely correlated with cancer patient survival and was essential for tumorigenesis in mice, driving tumor-promoting processes like proliferation and anchorage-independent growth. In this study, we examined CCT2 expression in cancer compared to normal tissues and found statistically significant increases in tumors. Because not all blood samples from cancer patients contain detectable CTCs, we used the approach of spiking a known number of cancer cells into blood from healthy donors to test a liquid biopsy approach using CCT2 to distinguish rare cancer cells from the large number of non-cancer cells in blood. Using a clinically validated method for capturing CTCs, we evaluated detection of intracellular CCT2 staining for visualization of breast cancer and small cell lung (SCLC) cancer cells. We demonstrated that CCT2 staining could be incorporated into a CTC capture and staining protocol, providing biologically relevant information to improve detection of cancer cells shed in blood. These results were confirmed with a pilot study of blood from SCLC patients. Our studies demonstrate that detection of CCT2 could identify rare cancer cells in blood and has application in liquid biopsy approaches to enhance the use of minimally invasive methods for cancer diagnosis.
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21
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de Castro DG, Pellizzon ACA, Braun AC, Chen MJ, Silva MLG, Fogaroli RC, Gondim GRM, Ramos H, Neto ES, Abrahão CH, Yu LS, Abdallah EA, Calsavara VF, Chinen LTD. Heterogeneity of HER2 Expression in Circulating Tumor Cells of Patients with Breast Cancer Brain Metastases and Impact on Brain Disease Control. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14133101. [PMID: 35804873 PMCID: PMC9264951 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14133101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Results from a previous study suggested that the number of circulating tumor cells (CTC) might have a role as a biomarker of early distant brain failure in patients with breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM). However, it remains largely underexplored whether heterogeneous HER2 expression in CTC may have a prognostic implication. We evaluated the status of HER2 expression in CTC before and after radiotherapy/radiosurgery for BCBM and observed that the presence of HER2 expression in any moment was associated with longer distant brain failure-free survival, irrespective of the primary immunophenotype of the breast tumor. This finding suggests that the status of HER2 expression in CTC has the potential to improve the treatment selection for patients with BCBM. Abstract HER2 expression switching in circulating tumor cells (CTC) in breast cancer is dynamic and may have prognostic and predictive clinical implications. In this study, we evaluated the association between the expression of HER2 in the CTC of patients with breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM) and brain disease control. An exploratory analysis of a prospective assessment of CTC before (CTC1) and after (CTC2) stereotactic radiotherapy/radiosurgery (SRT) for BCBM in 39 women was performed. Distant brain failure-free survival (DBFFS), the primary endpoint, and overall survival (OS) were estimated. After a median follow-up of 16.6 months, there were 15 patients with distant brain failure and 16 deaths. The median DBFFS and OS were 15.3 and 19.5 months, respectively. The median DBFFS was 10 months in patients without HER2 expressed in CTC and was not reached in patients with HER2 in CTC (p = 0.012). The median OS was 17 months in patients without HER2 in CTC and was not reached in patients with HER2 in CTC (p = 0.104). On the multivariate analysis, DBFFS was superior in patients who were primary immunophenotype (PIP) HER2-positive (HR 0.128, 95% CI 0.025–0.534; p = 0.013). The expression of HER2 in CTC was associated with a longer DBFFS, and the switching of HER2 expression between the PIP and CTC may have an impact on prognosis and treatment selection for BCBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas Guedes de Castro
- Department of Radiation Oncology, A.C.Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo 01509-010, Brazil; (A.C.A.P.); (M.J.C.); (M.L.G.S.); (R.C.F.); (G.R.M.G.); (H.R.); (E.S.N.); (C.H.A.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Antônio Cássio Assis Pellizzon
- Department of Radiation Oncology, A.C.Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo 01509-010, Brazil; (A.C.A.P.); (M.J.C.); (M.L.G.S.); (R.C.F.); (G.R.M.G.); (H.R.); (E.S.N.); (C.H.A.)
| | - Alexcia Camila Braun
- International Research Center, A.C.Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo 01509-010, Brazil; (A.C.B.); (E.A.A.)
| | - Michael Jenwei Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, A.C.Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo 01509-010, Brazil; (A.C.A.P.); (M.J.C.); (M.L.G.S.); (R.C.F.); (G.R.M.G.); (H.R.); (E.S.N.); (C.H.A.)
| | - Maria Letícia Gobo Silva
- Department of Radiation Oncology, A.C.Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo 01509-010, Brazil; (A.C.A.P.); (M.J.C.); (M.L.G.S.); (R.C.F.); (G.R.M.G.); (H.R.); (E.S.N.); (C.H.A.)
| | - Ricardo Cesar Fogaroli
- Department of Radiation Oncology, A.C.Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo 01509-010, Brazil; (A.C.A.P.); (M.J.C.); (M.L.G.S.); (R.C.F.); (G.R.M.G.); (H.R.); (E.S.N.); (C.H.A.)
| | - Guilherme Rocha Melo Gondim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, A.C.Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo 01509-010, Brazil; (A.C.A.P.); (M.J.C.); (M.L.G.S.); (R.C.F.); (G.R.M.G.); (H.R.); (E.S.N.); (C.H.A.)
| | - Henderson Ramos
- Department of Radiation Oncology, A.C.Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo 01509-010, Brazil; (A.C.A.P.); (M.J.C.); (M.L.G.S.); (R.C.F.); (G.R.M.G.); (H.R.); (E.S.N.); (C.H.A.)
| | - Elson Santos Neto
- Department of Radiation Oncology, A.C.Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo 01509-010, Brazil; (A.C.A.P.); (M.J.C.); (M.L.G.S.); (R.C.F.); (G.R.M.G.); (H.R.); (E.S.N.); (C.H.A.)
| | - Carolina Humeres Abrahão
- Department of Radiation Oncology, A.C.Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo 01509-010, Brazil; (A.C.A.P.); (M.J.C.); (M.L.G.S.); (R.C.F.); (G.R.M.G.); (H.R.); (E.S.N.); (C.H.A.)
| | - Liao Shin Yu
- Department of Imaging, A.C.Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo 01509-010, Brazil;
| | - Emne Ali Abdallah
- International Research Center, A.C.Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo 01509-010, Brazil; (A.C.B.); (E.A.A.)
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22
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Mukherji R, Yin C, Hameed R, Alqahtani AZ, Kulasekaran M, He AR, Weinberg BA, Marshall JL, Hartley ML, Noel MS. The current state of molecular profiling in gastrointestinal malignancies. Biol Direct 2022; 17:15. [PMID: 35668531 PMCID: PMC9172079 DOI: 10.1186/s13062-022-00322-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
This is a review of the current state of molecular profiling in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers and what to expect from this evolving field in the future. Individualized medicine is moving from broad panel testing of numerous genes or gene products in tumor biopsy samples, identifying biomarkers of prognosis and treatment response, to relatively noninvasive liquid biopsy assays, building on what we have learned in our tumor analysis and growing into its own evolving predictive and prognostic subspecialty. Hence, the field of GI precision oncology is exploding, and this review endeavors to summarize where we are now in preparation for the journey ahead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reetu Mukherji
- The Ruesch Center for the Cure of GI Cancers, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3800 Reservoir Rd. NW, Washington, DC, 20007, USA.,MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, 3800 Reservoir Rd. NW, Washington, DC, 20007, USA
| | - Chao Yin
- The Ruesch Center for the Cure of GI Cancers, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3800 Reservoir Rd. NW, Washington, DC, 20007, USA.,MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, 3800 Reservoir Rd. NW, Washington, DC, 20007, USA
| | - Rumaisa Hameed
- The Ruesch Center for the Cure of GI Cancers, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3800 Reservoir Rd. NW, Washington, DC, 20007, USA.,MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, 3800 Reservoir Rd. NW, Washington, DC, 20007, USA
| | - Ali Z Alqahtani
- The Ruesch Center for the Cure of GI Cancers, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3800 Reservoir Rd. NW, Washington, DC, 20007, USA.,MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, 3800 Reservoir Rd. NW, Washington, DC, 20007, USA
| | - Monika Kulasekaran
- The Ruesch Center for the Cure of GI Cancers, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3800 Reservoir Rd. NW, Washington, DC, 20007, USA.,MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, 3800 Reservoir Rd. NW, Washington, DC, 20007, USA
| | - Aiwu R He
- The Ruesch Center for the Cure of GI Cancers, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3800 Reservoir Rd. NW, Washington, DC, 20007, USA.,MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, 3800 Reservoir Rd. NW, Washington, DC, 20007, USA
| | - Benjamin A Weinberg
- The Ruesch Center for the Cure of GI Cancers, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3800 Reservoir Rd. NW, Washington, DC, 20007, USA.,MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, 3800 Reservoir Rd. NW, Washington, DC, 20007, USA
| | - John L Marshall
- The Ruesch Center for the Cure of GI Cancers, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3800 Reservoir Rd. NW, Washington, DC, 20007, USA.,MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, 3800 Reservoir Rd. NW, Washington, DC, 20007, USA
| | - Marion L Hartley
- The Ruesch Center for the Cure of GI Cancers, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3800 Reservoir Rd. NW, Washington, DC, 20007, USA
| | - Marcus S Noel
- The Ruesch Center for the Cure of GI Cancers, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3800 Reservoir Rd. NW, Washington, DC, 20007, USA. .,MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, 3800 Reservoir Rd. NW, Washington, DC, 20007, USA.
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23
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Chedid J, Allam S, Chamseddine N, Bou Zerdan M, El Nakib C, Assi HI. Role of circulating tumor DNA and circulating tumor cells in breast cancer: History and updates. SAGE Open Med 2022; 10:20503121221077838. [PMID: 35223029 PMCID: PMC8874178 DOI: 10.1177/20503121221077838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor DNA, cell-free DNA, and circulating tumor cells have been at the epitome of recent research in breast cancer. These forms of liquid biopsies have been used in monitoring disease progression, estimating the risk of relapse, and response to treatment. Much has been done in relation to serial monitoring of circulating tumor DNA in patients with primary breast cancer for detection of occult metastatic disease. Some studies have also explored their use in monitoring treatment response. As the field of liquid biopsies expands, more prospective studies are needed to tailor management in an individualistic approach. In this literature review, the authors explore the multiple uses of circulating tumor DNA and circulating tumor cells in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Chedid
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saint George Hospital University Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sabine Allam
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Nathalie Chamseddine
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saint George Hospital University Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Maroun Bou Zerdan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Clara El Nakib
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hazem I Assi
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
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24
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Verschoor N, Deger T, Jager A, Sleijfer S, Wilting SM, Martens JW. Validity and utility of HER2/ERBB2 copy number variation assessed in liquid biopsies from breast cancer patients: a systematic review. Cancer Treat Rev 2022; 106:102384. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2022.102384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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25
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Grüntkemeier L, Khurana A, Bischoff FZ, Hoffmann O, Kimmig R, Moore M, Cotter P, Kasimir-Bauer S. Single HER2-positive tumor cells are detected in initially HER2-negative breast carcinomas using the DEPArray™-HER2-FISH workflow. Breast Cancer 2022; 29:487-497. [PMID: 35025065 PMCID: PMC9021056 DOI: 10.1007/s12282-022-01330-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background In breast cancer (BC), overexpression of HER2 on the primary tumor (PT) is determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to stratify samples as negative, equivocal and positive to identify patients (pts) for anti-HER2 therapy. CAP/ASCO guidelines recommend FISH for analyzing HER2/neu (ERBB2) gene amplification and for resolving equivocal HER2 IHC results. However, pre-analytical and analytical aspects are often confounded by sample related limitations and tumor heterogeneity and HER2 expression may differ between the PT and circulating tumor cells (CTCs), the precursors of metastasis. We used a validation cohort of BC patients to establish a new DEPArray™-PT-HER2-FISH workflow for further application in a development cohort, characterized as PT-HER2-negative but CTC-HER2/neu-positive, to identify patients with PT-HER2 amplified cells not detected by routine pathology. Methods 50 µm FFPE tumor curls from the validation cohort (n = 49) and the development cohort (n = 25) underwent cutting, deparaffinization and antigen retrieval followed by dissociation into a single-cell suspension. After staining for cytokeratin, vimentin, DAPI and separation via DEPArray™, single cells were processed for HER2-FISH analysis to assess the number of chromosome 17 and HER2 loci signals for comparison, either with available IHC or conventional tissue section FISH. CTC-HER2/neu status was determined using the AdnaTest BreastCancer (QIAGEN, Hilden, Germany). Results Applying CAP/ASCO guidelines for HER2 evaluation of single PT cells, the comparison of routine pathology and DEPArray™-HER2-FISH analysis resulted in a concordance rate of 81.6% (40/49 pts) in the validation cohort and 84% (21/25 pts) in the development cohort, respectively. In the latter one, 4/25 patients had single HER2-positive tumor cells with 2/25 BC patients proven to be HER2-positive, despite being HER2-negative in routine pathology. The two other patients showed an equivocal HER2 status in the DEPArray™-HER2-FISH workflow but a negative result in routine pathology. Whereas all four patients with discordant HER2 results had already died, 17/21 patients with concordant HER2 results are still alive. Conclusions The DEPArray™ system allows pure tumor cell recovery for subsequent HER2/neu FISH analysis and is highly concordant with conventional pathology. For PT-HER2-negative patients, harboring HER2/neu-positive CTCs, this approach might allow caregivers to more effectively offer anti-HER2 treatment. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12282-022-01330-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Grüntkemeier
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany
| | | | | | - Oliver Hoffmann
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany
| | - Rainer Kimmig
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany
| | | | | | - Sabine Kasimir-Bauer
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany.
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26
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Chelakkot C, Yang H, Shin YK. Relevance of Circulating Tumor Cells as Predictive Markers for Cancer Incidence and Relapse. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:75. [PMID: 35056131 PMCID: PMC8781286 DOI: 10.3390/ph15010075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Shedding of cancer cells from the primary site or undetectable bone marrow region into the circulatory system, resulting in clinically overt metastasis or dissemination, is the hallmark of unfavorable invasive cancers. The shed cells remain in circulation until they extravasate to form a secondary metastatic lesion or undergo anoikis. The circulating tumor cells (CTCs) found as single cells or clusters carry a plethora of information, are acknowledged as potential biomarkers for predicting cancer prognosis and cancer progression, and are supposed to play key roles in determining tailored therapies for advanced diseases. With the advent of novel technologies that allow the precise isolation of CTCs, more and more clinical trials are focusing on the prognostic and predictive potential of CTCs. In this review, we summarize the role of CTCs as a predictive marker for cancer incidence, relapse, and response to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaithanya Chelakkot
- Bio-MAX/N-Bio, Bio-MAX Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 08226, Korea
- Genobio Corp., Seoul 08394, Korea
| | - Hobin Yang
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08226, Korea
| | - Young Kee Shin
- Bio-MAX/N-Bio, Bio-MAX Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 08226, Korea
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08226, Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08226, Korea
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27
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Place des biopsies liquides dans le diagnostic et la caractérisation moléculaire des cancers du sein. Bull Cancer 2022; 108:11S46-11S54. [PMID: 34969515 DOI: 10.1016/s0007-4551(21)00636-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The tumor biopsy remains essential for breast cancer diagnosis and characterization. Indeed, the treatment is decided according to histological subtype, and according to the presence of targetable molecular alterations. Notably, the presence of hormone receptors, ERBB2 hyperexpression or the existence of PIK3CA or ESR1 mutations are among the alterations commonly investigated. But these biological characteristics are determined only partially by tumor biopsy, due to tumor heterogeneity or tumor plasticity that happens spontaneously or under treatment. Liquid biopsy, and in particular circulating tumor DNA and circulating tumor cells, is a non-invasive method to identify and characterize the presence of cancer in the blood. The aim of this review is to determine the value of liquid biopsy to enhance or replace the data provided by a tumor biopsy.
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28
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Burr R, Edd JF, Chirn B, Mishra A, Haber DA, Toner M, Maheswaran S. Negative-Selection Enrichment of Circulating Tumor Cells from Peripheral Blood Using the Microfluidic CTC-iChip. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2471:309-321. [PMID: 35175606 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2193-6_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The ability to isolate and analyze rare circulating tumor cells (CTCs) holds the potential to increase our understanding of cancer evolution and allows monitoring of disease and therapeutic responses through a relatively non-invasive blood-based biopsy. While many methods have been described to isolate CTCs from the blood, the vast majority rely on size-based sorting or positive selection of CTCs based on surface markers, which introduces bias into the downstream product by making assumptions about these heterogenous cells. Here we describe a negative-selection protocol for enrichment of CTCs through removal of blood components including red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells. This procedure results in a product that is amenable to downstream single-cell analytics including RNA-Seq, ATAC-Seq and DNA methylation, droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) for tumor specific transcripts, staining and extensive image analysis, and ex vivo culture of patient-derived CTCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risa Burr
- Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Cancer Research, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Jon F Edd
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brian Chirn
- Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Cancer Research, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Avanish Mishra
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel A Haber
- Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Cancer Research, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mehmet Toner
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Shriners Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shyamala Maheswaran
- Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Cancer Research, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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D’Amico P, Reduzzi C, Qiang W, Zhang Y, Gerratana L, Zhang Q, Davis AA, Shah AN, Manai M, Curigliano G, Cristofanilli M. Single-Cells Isolation and Molecular Analysis: Focus on HER2-Low CTCs in Metastatic Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 14:cancers14010079. [PMID: 35008244 PMCID: PMC8750036 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary While the concept of HER2-low expression is gaining momentum in the scientific landscape of breast cancer research, HER2-low circulating tumor cells (CTCs) also have promising relevance as biomarkers. Unveiling the biological features behind this recently highlighted evidence on CTCs might achieve both goals of speeding up the interpretation of the general understanding of HER2-low expressing breast cancer and declaring their independent biological and predictive value. If, on the one hand, studying CTCs allows to drill down more easily to a single cell resolution, on the other hand, CTC collection still remains a challenging procedure. In order to improve and standardize this process, we developed a structured pipeline for HER2-low CTC detection and collection. We defined and validated the optimal thresholds to select this specific subtype of CTCs using breast cancer cell lines of known HER2 expression. Our study represents the technical and procedural milestone that will allow a standardized collection process for future molecular investigations. Abstract Although the detection of CTCs expressing HER2 at low intensity (HER2-low CTCs) has been shown to have a negative prognostic value in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients, the biological intrinsic nature of HER2-low CTCs remains unexplored. Considering the technical challenges behind the selective collection of immunophenotype-specific CTCs, we developed a pipeline to individually capture HER2-low CTCs. Four different breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, T47D, MDA-MB-453, and SKBR3), that are known to express HER2 at different immunohistochemistry levels (respectively classified as 0, 1+, 2+, and 3+), were spiked in healthy donor blood tubes (7.5 mL) and processed with the CellSearch® (Menarini Silicon Biosystems, Bologna, Italy) for enrichment and the DEPArray NxT™ for single cell selection. The HER2 signal-intensities of each cell line was compared using the nonparametric Mann–Whitney U test. The optimal cut-offs to distinguish HER2 1+ from 0 and 2+ cells were calculated performing the Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Median HER2 signal-intensities detected with the DEPArray NxT™ were: 2.59 (0), 3.58 (1+), 5.23 (2+) and 38.37 (3+). DEPArray NxT efficiently differentiated each single cell line (p < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve was 0.69 and 0.70 (respectively 0 vs. 1+ and 1+ vs. 2+) and the optimal calculated cut-offs were 2.85 (lower) and 4.64 (upper). HER2-low CTCs can be detected and separately collected using predetermined intensity cut-offs. This study will allow standardized single-cell or pooled collection of HER2-low CTCs for downstream molecular analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo D’Amico
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine-Hematology and Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; (C.R.); (W.Q.); (Y.Z.); (Q.Z.); (A.N.S.); (M.M.); (M.C.)
- Division of Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, University of Milano, 20141 Milano, Italy;
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +1-646-359-4224
| | - Carolina Reduzzi
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine-Hematology and Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; (C.R.); (W.Q.); (Y.Z.); (Q.Z.); (A.N.S.); (M.M.); (M.C.)
| | - Wenan Qiang
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine-Hematology and Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; (C.R.); (W.Q.); (Y.Z.); (Q.Z.); (A.N.S.); (M.M.); (M.C.)
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Youbin Zhang
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine-Hematology and Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; (C.R.); (W.Q.); (Y.Z.); (Q.Z.); (A.N.S.); (M.M.); (M.C.)
| | - Lorenzo Gerratana
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy;
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine-Hematology and Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; (C.R.); (W.Q.); (Y.Z.); (Q.Z.); (A.N.S.); (M.M.); (M.C.)
| | - Andrew A. Davis
- Division of Oncology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA;
| | - Ami N. Shah
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine-Hematology and Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; (C.R.); (W.Q.); (Y.Z.); (Q.Z.); (A.N.S.); (M.M.); (M.C.)
| | - Maroua Manai
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine-Hematology and Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; (C.R.); (W.Q.); (Y.Z.); (Q.Z.); (A.N.S.); (M.M.); (M.C.)
| | - Giuseppe Curigliano
- Division of Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, University of Milano, 20141 Milano, Italy;
| | - Massimo Cristofanilli
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine-Hematology and Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; (C.R.); (W.Q.); (Y.Z.); (Q.Z.); (A.N.S.); (M.M.); (M.C.)
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Müller V, Banys-Paluchowski M, Friedl TWP, Fasching PA, Schneeweiss A, Hartkopf A, Wallwiener D, Rack B, Meier-Stiegen F, Huober J, Rübner M, Hoffmann O, Müller L, Janni W, Wimberger P, Jäger B, Pantel K, Riethdorf S, Harbeck N, Fehm T. Prognostic relevance of the HER2 status of circulating tumor cells in metastatic breast cancer patients screened for participation in the DETECT study program. ESMO Open 2021; 6:100299. [PMID: 34839105 PMCID: PMC8637493 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2021.100299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have been reported to predict clinical outcome in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Biology of CTCs may differ from that of the primary tumor and HER2-positive CTCs are found in some patients with HER2-negative tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with HER2-negative MBC were screened for participation in DETECT III and IV trials before the initiation of a new line of therapy. Blood samples were analyzed using CELLSEARCH. CTCs were labeled with an anti-HER2 antibody and classified according to staining intensity (negative, weak, moderate, or strong staining). RESULTS Screening blood samples were analyzed in 1933 patients with HER2-negative MBC. As many as 1217 out of the 1933 screened patients (63.0%) had ≥1 CTC per 7.5 ml blood; ≥5 CTCs were detected in 735 patients (38.0%; range 1-35 078 CTCs, median 8 CTCs). HER2 status of CTCs was assessed in 1159 CTC-positive patients; ≥1 CTC with strong HER2 staining was found in 174 (15.0%) patients. The proportion of CTCs with strong HER2 staining among all CTCs of an individual patient ranged between 0.06% and 100% (mean 15.8%). Patients with estrogen receptor (ER)- and progesterone receptor (PR)-positive tumors were more likely to harbor ≥1 CTC with strong HER2 staining. CTC status was significantly associated with overall survival (OS). Detection of ≥1 CTC with strong HER2 staining was associated with shorter OS [9.7 (7.1-12.3) versus 16.5 (14.9-18.1) months in patients with CTCs with negative-to-moderate HER2 staining only, P = 0.013]. In multivariate analysis, age, ER status, PR status, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, therapy line, and CTC status independently predicted OS. CONCLUSION CTC detection in patients with HER2-negative disease is a strong prognostic factor. Presence of ≥1 CTC with strong HER2 staining was associated with shorter OS, supporting a biological role of HER2 expression on CTCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Müller
- Department of Gynecology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - M Banys-Paluchowski
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, University of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany; Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - T W P Friedl
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - P A Fasching
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - A Schneeweiss
- Division Gynecologic Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg University Hospital and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - A Hartkopf
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - D Wallwiener
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - B Rack
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - F Meier-Stiegen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - J Huober
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - M Rübner
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - O Hoffmann
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - L Müller
- OnkologieUnterEms, Leer, Germany
| | - W Janni
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - P Wimberger
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, TU Dresden, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany
| | - B Jäger
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - K Pantel
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - S Riethdorf
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - N Harbeck
- Breast Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics and CCC Munich, LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - T Fehm
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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31
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Castle J, Blower E, Kirwan CC. Update on the role of circulating tumour cells in cancer-associated thrombosis. THROMBOSIS UPDATE 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tru.2021.100066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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Circulating Tumor Cells: Technologies and Their Clinical Potential in Cancer Metastasis. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9091111. [PMID: 34572297 PMCID: PMC8467892 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9091111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are single cells or clusters of cells within the circulatory system of a cancer patient. While most CTCs will perish, a small proportion will proceed to colonize the metastatic niche. The clinical importance of CTCs was reaffirmed by the 2008 FDA approval of CellSearch®, a platform that could extract EpCAM-positive, CD45-negative cells from whole blood samples. Many further studies have demonstrated the presence of CTCs to stratify patients based on overall and progression-free survival, among other clinical indices. Given their unique role in metastasis, CTCs could also offer a glimpse into the genetic drivers of metastasis. Investigation of CTCs has already led to groundbreaking discoveries such as receptor switching between primary tumors and metastatic nodules in breast cancer, which could greatly affect disease management, as well as CTC-immune cell interactions that enhance colonization. In this review, we will highlight the growing variety of isolation techniques for investigating CTCs. Next, we will provide clinically relevant context for CTCs, discussing key clinical trials involving CTCs. Finally, we will provide insight into the future of CTC studies and some questions that CTCs are primed to answer.
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33
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Hofbauer LC, Bozec A, Rauner M, Jakob F, Perner S, Pantel K. Novel approaches to target the microenvironment of bone metastasis. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2021; 18:488-505. [PMID: 33875860 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-021-00499-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Bone metastases are a frequent and severe complication of advanced-stage cancers. Breast and prostate cancers, the most common malignancies in women and men, respectively, have a particularly high propensity to metastasize to bone. Conceptually, circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in the bloodstream and disseminated tumour cells (DTCs) in the bone marrow provide a snapshot of the dissemination and colonization process en route to clinically apparent bone metastases. Many cell types that constitute the bone microenvironment, including osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteoclasts, adipocytes, endothelial cells, haematopoietic stem cells and immune cells, engage in a dialogue with tumour cells. Some of these cells modify tumour biology, while others are disrupted and out-competed by tumour cells, thus leading to distinct phases of tumour cell migration, dormancy and latency, and therapy resistance and progression to overt bone metastases. Several current bone-protective therapies act by interrupting these interactions, mainly by targeting tumour cell-osteoclast interactions. In this Review, we describe the functional roles of the bone microenvironment and its components in the initiation and propagation of skeletal metastases, outline the biology and clinical relevance of CTCs and DTCs, and discuss established and future therapeutic approaches that specifically target defined components of the bone microenvironment to prevent or treat skeletal metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenz C Hofbauer
- University Center for Healthy Aging, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany. .,Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany. .,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) partner site Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Aline Bozec
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Martina Rauner
- University Center for Healthy Aging, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany.,Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Franz Jakob
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Julius Maximilians University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Department of Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry, Julius Maximilians University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sven Perner
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Pathology, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Borstel, Germany
| | - Klaus Pantel
- Department of Tumor Biology, Center of Experimental Medicine, University Cancer Center Hamburg (UCCH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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34
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Jakabova A, Bielcikova Z, Pospisilova E, Petruzelka L, Blasiak P, Bobek V, Kolostova K. Characterization of circulating tumor cells in early breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2021; 13:17588359211028492. [PMID: 34345252 PMCID: PMC8283058 DOI: 10.1177/17588359211028492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to characterize circulating tumor cells (CTCs) during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in early and locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) patients. Using ultrasound, tumor volume measurement was compared with the presence and the molecular nature of CTCs over multiple time intervals corresponding to treatment periods. Methods: A total of 20 patients diagnosed with breast cancer (BC) of different histotypes were monitored during the NACT period and in the follow-up period (~5 years). Peripheral blood for CTCs (n = 115) was taken prior to NACT, after two to three chemotherapy cycles, after the completion of NACT (before surgery) and at some time points during adjuvant therapy. CTCs were enriched using a size-based filtration method (MetaCell®) capturing viable cells, which enabled vital fluorescence microscopy. A set of tumor-associated (TA) genes and chemoresistance-associated (CA) genes was analyzed by qPCR in the enriched CTC fractions. Results: The analysis of tumor volume reduction after administration of anthracyclines (AC) and taxanes (TAX) during NACT showed that AC therapy was responsive in 60% (12/20) of tumors, whereas TAX therapy was responsive in 30% (6/20; n.s.). After NACT, CTCs were still present in 70.5% (12/17) of patients (responders versus non-responders, 61.5% versus 100%; not significant). In triple-negative BC (TNBC) patients (n = 8), tumor volume reduction was observed in 75% cases. CTCs were significantly reduced in 42.9% of all HER2-negative BC patients. In HER2+ tumors, CTC reduction was reported in 16.6% only. Relapses were also more prevalent in the HER2-positive patient group (28.5 versus 66.6%). During NACT, the presence of CTCs (three tests for each patient) identified patients with relapses and indicated significantly shorter progression-free survival (PFS) rates (p = 0.03). Differentiation between progressive disease and non-progressive disease was obtained when the occurrence of excessive expression for CA genes in CTCs was compared (p = 0.024). Absence of tumor volume reduction was also significantly indicative for progressive disease (p = 0.0224). Disseminated CTCs in HER2-negative tumors expressed HER2 in 29% of samples collected during the overall follow-up period (16/55), and in 32% of samples during the follow-up of NACT (10/31). The change accounted for 78.5% of HER2-negative patients (11/14) in total, and 63.6% of the conversion cases occurred during NACT (7/11). For the remaining four patients (36.3%), conversion to HER2+ CTCs occurred later during adjuvant therapy. We believe there is the possibility of preventing further progression by identifying less responsive tumors during NACT using CTC monitoring, which could also be used effectively during adjuvant therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Jakabova
- Radiotherapy and Oncology Clinic, Laboratory of Personalized Medicine, University Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Bielcikova
- Department of Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eliska Pospisilova
- Radiotherapy and Oncology Clinic, Laboratory of Personalized Medicine, University Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lubos Petruzelka
- Department of Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Piotr Blasiak
- Department and Clinic of Thoracic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Vladimir Bobek
- Radiotherapy and Oncology Clinic, Laboratory of Personalized Medicine, University Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Katarina Kolostova
- Radiotherapy and Oncology Clinic, Laboratory of Personalized Medicine, University Hospital, Kralovske Vinohrady, Srobarova 50, Prague, 100 34, Czech Republic
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Vasseur A, Kiavue N, Bidard F, Pierga J, Cabel L. Clinical utility of circulating tumor cells: an update. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:1647-1666. [PMID: 33289351 PMCID: PMC8169442 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The prognostic role of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) has been clearly demonstrated in many types of cancer. However, their roles in diagnostic and treatment strategies remain to be defined. In this review, we present an overview of the current clinical validity of CTCs in nonmetastatic and metastatic cancer, and the main studies or concepts investigating the clinical utility of CTCs. In particular, we focus on breast, lung, colorectal, and prostate cancer. Two major topics concerning the clinical utility of CTC are discussed: treatment based on CTC count or CTC variations, and treatment based on the molecular characteristics of CTCs. Although some of these studies are inconclusive, many are still ongoing, and their results could help to define the role of CTCs in the management of cancers. A summary of published or ongoing phase II-III trials is also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Vasseur
- Department of Medical OncologyParis and Saint‐Cloud Institut CurieFrance
| | - Nicolas Kiavue
- Department of Medical OncologyParis and Saint‐Cloud Institut CurieFrance
| | - François‐Clément Bidard
- Department of Medical OncologyParis and Saint‐Cloud Institut CurieFrance
- UVSQParis‐Saclay UniversityFrance
- Circulating Tumor Biomarkers laboratoryInserm CIC‐BT 1428Institut CurieParisFrance
| | - Jean‐Yves Pierga
- Department of Medical OncologyParis and Saint‐Cloud Institut CurieFrance
- Circulating Tumor Biomarkers laboratoryInserm CIC‐BT 1428Institut CurieParisFrance
- Paris UniversityFrance
| | - Luc Cabel
- Department of Medical OncologyParis and Saint‐Cloud Institut CurieFrance
- Circulating Tumor Biomarkers laboratoryInserm CIC‐BT 1428Institut CurieParisFrance
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36
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Labib M, Kelley SO. Circulating tumor cell profiling for precision oncology. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:1622-1646. [PMID: 33448107 PMCID: PMC8169448 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) collected from patient's blood offers a broad range of opportunities in the field of precision oncology. With new advances in profiling technology, it is now possible to demonstrate an association between the molecular profiles of CTCs and tumor response to therapy. In this Review, we discuss mechanisms of tumor resistance to therapy and their link to phenotypic and genotypic properties of CTCs. We summarize key technologies used to isolate and analyze CTCs and discuss recent clinical studies that examined CTCs for genomic and proteomic predictors of responsiveness to therapy. We also point out current limitations that still hamper the implementation of CTCs into clinical practice. We finally reflect on how these shortcomings can be addressed with the likely contribution of multiparametric approaches and advanced data analytics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Labib
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of TorontoCanada
| | - Shana O. Kelley
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of TorontoCanada
- Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of TorontoCanada
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of TorontoCanada
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of TorontoCanada
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37
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Yousefi M, Rajaie S, Keyvani V, Bolandi S, Hasanzadeh M, Pasdar A. Clinical significance of circulating tumor cell related markers in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer before and after adjuvant chemotherapy. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10524. [PMID: 34006887 PMCID: PMC8131620 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88780-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have recently been considered as new prognostic and diagnostic markers for various human cancers; however, their significance in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) remains to be elucidated. In this study, using quantitative real-time PCR, we evaluated the expression of EPCAM, MUC1, CEA, HE4 and CA125 mRNAs, as putative markers of CTCs, in the blood of 51 EOC patients before and/or after adjuvant chemotherapy. Our results demonstrated that, before chemotherapy, the expression of EPCAM, MUC1, CEA and HE4 mRNAs were correlated to each other. CEA expression was correlated with tumor stage (r = 0.594, p = 0.000) before chemotherapy, whereas its expression after chemotherapy was correlated with serum levels of CA125 antigen (r = 0.658, p = 0.000). HE4 mRNA showed the highest sensitivity both before and after chemotherapy (82.98% and 85.19%, respectively) and the persistence of this marker after chemotherapy was associated with advanced disease stage. The expression of CA125 mRNA had negative correlation with the other markers and with tumor stage and therapy response (evaluated by the measurement of serum CA125 antigen). Collectively, our results indicated a better clinical significance of tumor-specific markers (CEA and HE4 mRNAs) compared to epithelial-specific markers (EPCAM and MUC1 mRNAs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Meysam Yousefi
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Sara Rajaie
- Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, Arsanjan Branch, Arsanjan, Iran
| | - Vahideh Keyvani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Somayeh Bolandi
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Malihe Hasanzadeh
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Alireza Pasdar
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. .,Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. .,Division of Applied Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK.
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38
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Peng L, Zhang Z, Zhao D, Zhao J, Mao F, Sun Q. Discordance in ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67 Expression Between Primary and Recurrent/Metastatic Lesions in Patients with Primary Early Stage Breast Cancer and the Clinical Significance: Retrospective Analysis of 75 Cases. Pathol Oncol Res 2021; 27:599894. [PMID: 34257555 PMCID: PMC8262146 DOI: 10.3389/pore.2021.599894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Background: The objective was to explore the discordance in the expression of the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and Ki-67 between primary and recurrent/metastatic lesions in patients with early stage breast cancer as well as the prognostic impact. Method: Patients with early-stage primary breast cancer and confirmed recurrence/metastasis at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2005 and August 2018 were screened. The details of discordance in each parameter between primary and recurrent/metastatic lesions and progression were recorded. Regression and survival analysis were applied to determine the association and clinical impact of the discordance. Results: We evaluated 75 patients. The discordance rate of ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67 expression was 9.3, 14.7, 14.7, and 21.5%, respectively. Additionally, 66.7, 11.8, 14.3, and 0% of patients with Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2, and triple-negative primary tumors presented with a different subtype for the recurrent/metastatic tumors, respectively. No statistical difference in progression-free survival was observed according to the subtype of the recurrent or metastatic breast cancer (p > 0.05). Among 69 patients for whom treatment was adjusted after recurrence or metastasis, 66 patients remained recurrence-free during the follow-up period. Conclusion: For patients with early-stage breast cancer, the ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67 expression profile for recurrent/metastatic tumors does not always match that of the primary tumor. After adjusting treatment according to the receptor expression in recurrent/metastatic lesions, most patients remained progression-free during the follow-up period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Peng
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Dachun Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jialin Zhao
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Mao
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Sun
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
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Alix-Panabières C, Pantel K. Liquid Biopsy: From Discovery to Clinical Application. Cancer Discov 2021; 11:858-873. [PMID: 33811121 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-20-1311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 394] [Impact Index Per Article: 131.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Over the past 10 years, circulating tumor cells (CTC) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) have received enormous attention as new biomarkers and subjects of translational research. Although both biomarkers are already used in numerous clinical trials, their clinical utility is still under investigation with promising first results. Clinical applications include early cancer detection, improved cancer staging, early detection of relapse, real-time monitoring of therapeutic efficacy, and detection of therapeutic targets and resistance mechanisms. Here, we propose a conceptual framework of CTC and ctDNA assays and point out current challenges of CTC and ctDNA research, which might structure this dynamic field of translational cancer research. SIGNIFICANCE: The analysis of blood for CTCs or cell-free nucleic acids called "liquid biopsy" has opened new avenues for cancer diagnostics, including early detection of tumors, improved risk assessment and staging, as well as early detection of relapse and monitoring of tumor evolution in the context of cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Alix-Panabières
- Laboratory of Rare Human Circulating Cells (LCCRH), University Medical Centre of Montpellier, Montpellier, France. .,CREEC/CANECEV, MIVEGEC (CREES), University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Klaus Pantel
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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40
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Petrova K, Kello M, Kuruc T, Backorova M, Petrovova E, Vilkova M, Goga M, Rucova D, Backor M, Mojzis J. Potential Effect of Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf Extract and Metabolite Physodic Acid on Tumour Microenvironment Modulation in MCF-10A Cells. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11030420. [PMID: 33809098 PMCID: PMC8000760 DOI: 10.3390/biom11030420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Lichens comprise a number of unique secondary metabolites with remarkable biological activities and have become an interesting research topic for cancer therapy. However, only a few of these metabolites have been assessed for their effectiveness against various in vitro models. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the effect of extract Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf (PSE) and its metabolite physodic acid (Phy) on tumour microenvironment (TME) modulation, focusing on epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) transformation and angiogenesis. Here, we demonstrate, by using flow cytometry, Western blot and immunofluorescence microscopy, that tested compounds inhibited the EMT process in MCF-10A breast cells through decreasing the level of different mesenchymal markers in a time- and dose-dependent manner. By the same mechanisms, PSE and Phy suppressed the function of Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)-stimulated fibroblasts. Moreover, PSE and Phy resulted in a decreasing level of the TGF-β canonical pathway Smad2/3, which is essential for tumour growth. Furthermore, PSE and Phy inhibited angiogenesis ex ovo in a quail embryo chorioallantoic model, which indicates their potential anti-angiogenic activity. These results also provided the first evidence of the modulation of TME by these substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaudia Petrova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (K.P); (T.K.)
| | - Martin Kello
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (K.P); (T.K.)
- Correspondence: (M.K.); (J.M.)
| | - Tomas Kuruc
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (K.P); (T.K.)
| | - Miriam Backorova
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Pharmacognosy and Botany, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia;
| | - Eva Petrovova
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Physiology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia;
| | - Maria Vilkova
- Department of NMR Spectroscopy, Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Moyzesova 11, 040 11 Košice, Slovakia;
| | - Michal Goga
- Core Facility Cell Imaging and Ultrastructure Research, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
- Department of Botany, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Mánesova 23, 041 67 Košice, Slovakia; (D.R.); (M.B.)
| | - Dajana Rucova
- Department of Botany, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Mánesova 23, 041 67 Košice, Slovakia; (D.R.); (M.B.)
| | - Martin Backor
- Department of Botany, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Mánesova 23, 041 67 Košice, Slovakia; (D.R.); (M.B.)
| | - Jan Mojzis
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (K.P); (T.K.)
- Correspondence: (M.K.); (J.M.)
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41
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Theil G, Fornara P, Bialek J. Position of Circulating Tumor Cells in the Clinical Routine in Prostate Cancer and Breast Cancer Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123782. [PMID: 33333999 PMCID: PMC7765455 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Many different therapies are applied to fight tumor disease. Blood-based biosources, like circulating tumor cells (CTCs), offer the opportunity to monitor the healing progression and the real-time response to the therapy. In this review, we analyze the outcomes of the clinical trials and scientific studies of prostate and breast cancer performed in the decade between April 2010 and April 2020. Additionally, we describe the abstracts from the 4th Advances in Circulating Tumor Cells (ACTC) meeting in 2019. We discuss the potential therapeutic opportunities related to the CTCs and the challenges ahead in the routine treatment of cancer. Abstract Prostate cancer and breast cancer are the most common cancers worldwide. Anti-tumor therapies are long and exhaustive for the patients. The real-time monitoring of the healing progression could be a useful tool to evaluate therapeutic response. Blood-based biosources like circulating tumor cells (CTCs) may offer this opportunity. Application of CTCs for the clinical diagnostics could improve the sequenced screening, provide additional valuable information of tumor dynamics, and help personalized management for the patients. In the past decade, CTCs as liquid biopsy (LB) has received tremendous attention. Many different isolation and characterization platforms are developed but the clinical validation is still missing. In this review, we focus on the clinical trials of circulating tumor cells that have the potential to monitor and stratify patients and lead to implementation into clinical practice.
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Okabe T, Togo S, Fujimoto Y, Watanabe J, Sumiyoshi I, Orimo A, Takahashi K. Mesenchymal Characteristics and Predictive Biomarkers on Circulating Tumor Cells for Therapeutic Strategy. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3588. [PMID: 33266262 PMCID: PMC7761066 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis-related events are the primary cause of cancer-related deaths, and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have a pivotal role in metastatic relapse. CTCs include a variety of subtypes with different functional characteristics. Interestingly, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers expressed in CTCs are strongly associated with poor clinical outcome and related to the acquisition of circulating tumor stem cell (CTSC) features. Recent studies have revealed the existence of CTC clusters, also called circulating tumor microemboli (CTM), which have a high metastatic potential. In this review, we present current opinions regarding the clinical significance of CTCs and CTM with a mesenchymal phenotype as clinical surrogate markers, and we summarize the therapeutic strategy according to phenotype characterization of CTCs in various types of cancers for future precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Okabe
- Leading Center for the Development and Research of Cancer Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan;
| | - Shinsaku Togo
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (Y.F.); (J.W.); (I.S.); (K.T.)
- Research Institute for Diseases of Old Ages, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Yuichi Fujimoto
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (Y.F.); (J.W.); (I.S.); (K.T.)
- Research Institute for Diseases of Old Ages, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Junko Watanabe
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (Y.F.); (J.W.); (I.S.); (K.T.)
- Research Institute for Diseases of Old Ages, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Issei Sumiyoshi
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (Y.F.); (J.W.); (I.S.); (K.T.)
- Research Institute for Diseases of Old Ages, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Akira Orimo
- Departments of Pathology and Oncology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan;
| | - Kazuhisa Takahashi
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (Y.F.); (J.W.); (I.S.); (K.T.)
- Research Institute for Diseases of Old Ages, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
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Interleukin-6 trans-signaling is a candidate mechanism to drive progression of human DCCs during clinical latency. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4977. [PMID: 33020483 PMCID: PMC7536220 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18701-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Although thousands of breast cancer cells disseminate and home to bone marrow until primary surgery, usually less than a handful will succeed in establishing manifest metastases months to years later. To identify signals that support survival or outgrowth in patients, we profile rare bone marrow-derived disseminated cancer cells (DCCs) long before manifestation of metastasis and identify IL6/PI3K-signaling as candidate pathway for DCC activation. Surprisingly, and similar to mammary epithelial cells, DCCs lack membranous IL6 receptor expression and mechanistic dissection reveals IL6 trans-signaling to regulate a stem-like state of mammary epithelial cells via gp130. Responsiveness to IL6 trans-signals is found to be niche-dependent as bone marrow stromal and endosteal cells down-regulate gp130 in premalignant mammary epithelial cells as opposed to vascular niche cells. PIK3CA activation renders cells independent from IL6 trans-signaling. Consistent with a bottleneck function of microenvironmental DCC control, we find PIK3CA mutations highly associated with late-stage metastatic cells while being extremely rare in early DCCs. Our data suggest that the initial steps of metastasis formation are often not cancer cell-autonomous, but also depend on microenvironmental signals. Metastatic dissemination in breast cancer patients occurs early in malignant transformation, raising questions about how disseminated cancer cells (DCC) progress at distant sites. Here, the authors show that DCCs in bone marrow are activated via IL6-trans-signaling and thereby acquire stemness traits relevant for metastasis formation.
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44
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Kuroda K, Yashiro M, Miki Y, Sera T, Yamamoto Y, Sugimoto A, Nishimura S, Kushiyama S, Togano S, Okuno T, Ohira M. Circulating tumor cells with FGFR2 expression might be useful to identify patients with existing FGFR2-overexpressing tumor. Cancer Sci 2020; 111:4500-4509. [PMID: 32946655 PMCID: PMC7734156 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) is associated with proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of carcinomas, and FGFR signaling inhibitors are considered a key drug for the treatment of solid tumors with FGFR overexpression. Amplification of FGFR2 is reportedly identified in 3%‐10% of gastric cancers (GCs). The aim of this study is to clarify whether the identification of the circulating tumor cells (CTCs) with FGFR2 overexpression is useful to detect patients with FGFR2‐overexpressing GC. One hundred GC patients who underwent gastrectomy were enrolled. A total volume of 8 mL of peripheral blood was collected from each patient just before gastrectomy, and mononuclear cells were enriched by Ficol density gradient centrifugation. These cells were immunostained with PI/CD45/EpCAM/FGFR2. The number of CTCs with FGFR2 expression in each sample was enumerated by FACScan. The FGFR2 expression level of the resected primary tumor was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The number of FGFR2‐positive CTCs in the GC patients' peripheral blood was significantly correlated with the FGFR2 expression level of the primary GC. The relapse‐free survival of the patients with FGFR2‐positive CTCs (≥5 cells/10 mL blood) was significantly poorer (P = .018, log‐rank) than that of the patients without FGFR2‐positive CTCs (<5 cell/10 mL blood). These findings suggested that the determination of FGFR2‐positive CTCs might help identify an existing tumor with FGFR2 overexpression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Kuroda
- Molecular Oncology and Therapeutics, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.,Cancer Center for Translational Research, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masakazu Yashiro
- Molecular Oncology and Therapeutics, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.,Cancer Center for Translational Research, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Miki
- Molecular Oncology and Therapeutics, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.,Cancer Center for Translational Research, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Sera
- Molecular Oncology and Therapeutics, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.,Cancer Center for Translational Research, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yurie Yamamoto
- Molecular Oncology and Therapeutics, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.,Cancer Center for Translational Research, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Atsushi Sugimoto
- Molecular Oncology and Therapeutics, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.,Cancer Center for Translational Research, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Sadaaki Nishimura
- Molecular Oncology and Therapeutics, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.,Cancer Center for Translational Research, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shuhei Kushiyama
- Molecular Oncology and Therapeutics, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.,Cancer Center for Translational Research, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shingo Togano
- Molecular Oncology and Therapeutics, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.,Cancer Center for Translational Research, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomohisa Okuno
- Molecular Oncology and Therapeutics, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.,Cancer Center for Translational Research, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masaichi Ohira
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
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Mentis AFA, Grivas PD, Dardiotis E, Romas NA, Papavassiliou AG. Circulating tumor cells as Trojan Horse for understanding, preventing, and treating cancer: a critical appraisal. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:3671-3690. [PMID: 32333084 PMCID: PMC11104835 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03529-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are regarded as harbingers of metastases. Their ability to predict response to therapy, relapse, and resistance to treatment has proposed their value as putative diagnostic and prognostic indicators. CTCs represent one of the zeniths of cancer evolution in terms of cell survival; however, the triggers of CTC generation, the identification of potentially metastatic CTCs, and the mechanisms contributing to their heterogeneity and aggressiveness represent issues not yet fully deciphered. Thus, prior to enabling liquid biopsy applications to reach clinical prime time, understanding how the above mechanistic information can be applied to improve treatment decisions is a key challenge. Here, we provide our perspective on how CTCs can provide mechanistic insights into tumor pathogenesis, as well as on CTC clinical value. In doing so, we aim to (a) describe how CTCs disseminate from the primary tumor, and their link to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT); (b) trace the route of CTCs through the circulation, focusing on tumor self-seeding and the possibility of tertiary metastasis; (c) describe possible mechanisms underlying the enhanced metastatic potential of CTCs; (d) discuss how CTC could provide further information on the tissue of origin, especially in cancer of unknown primary origin. We also provide a comprehensive review of meta-analyses assessing the prognostic significance of CTCs, to highlight the emerging role of CTCs in clinical oncology. We also explore how cell-free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis, using a combination of genomic and phylogenetic analysis, can offer insights into CTC biology, including our understanding of CTC heterogeneity and tumor evolution. Last, we discuss emerging technologies, such as high-throughput quantitative imaging, radiogenomics, machine learning approaches, and the emerging breath biopsy. These technologies could compliment CTC and ctDNA analyses, and they collectively represent major future steps in cancer detection, monitoring, and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexios-Fotios A Mentis
- Public Health Laboratories, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
- Department of Microbiology, University Hospital of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Petros D Grivas
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Nicholas A Romas
- Department of Urology, Columbia University Medical Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Athanasios G Papavassiliou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 M. Asias Street-Bldg. 16, 11527, Athens, Greece.
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Agashe R, Kurzrock R. Circulating Tumor Cells: From the Laboratory to the Cancer Clinic. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12092361. [PMID: 32825548 PMCID: PMC7564158 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are cells that are shed from tumors into the bloodstream. Cell enrichment and isolation technology as well as molecular profiling via next-generation sequencing have allowed for a greater understanding of tumor cancer biology via the interrogation of CTCs. CTC detection can be used to predict cancer relapse, progression, and survival; evaluate treatment effectiveness; and explore the ex vivo functional impact of agents. Detection methods can be by either immunoaffinity (positive or negative enrichment strategies) or biophysical strategies. CTC characterization, which is performed by DNA, RNA, and/or protein techniques, can predict metastatic potential. Currently, CTC-derived explant models may mimic patient response to chemotherapy and help with studying druggable targets and testing treatments. The Food and Drug Administration has cleared a CTC blood test to enumerate CTCs derived from breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers. In conclusion, liquid biopsies via CTCs provide a non-invasive way to obtain important diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive information in patients with cancer.
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47
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Eslami-S Z, Cortés-Hernández LE, Alix-Panabières C. Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule: An Anchor to Isolate Clinically Relevant Circulating Tumor Cells. Cells 2020; 9:cells9081836. [PMID: 32764280 PMCID: PMC7464831 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last few decades, the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) has received increased attention as the main membrane marker used in many enrichment technologies to isolate circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Although there has been a great deal of progress in the implementation of EpCAM-based CTC detection technologies in medical settings, several issues continue to limit their clinical utility. The biology of EpCAM and its role are not completely understood but evidence suggests that the expression of this epithelial cell-surface protein is crucial for metastasis-competent CTCs and may not be lost completely during the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. In this review, we summarize the most significant advantages and disadvantages of using EpCAM as a marker for CTC enrichment and its potential biological role in the metastatic cascade.
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48
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Cortés-Hernández LE, Eslami-S Z, Pantel K, Alix-Panabières C. Molecular and Functional Characterization of Circulating Tumor Cells: From Discovery to Clinical Application. Clin Chem 2020; 66:97-104. [PMID: 31811001 DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2019.303586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND One of the objectives for the liquid biopsy is to become a surrogate to tissue biopsies in diagnosis of cancer as a minimally invasive method, with clinical utility in real-time follow-ups of patients. To achieve this goal, it is still necessary to achieve a better understanding of the mechanisms of cancer and the biological principles that govern its behavior, particularly with regard to circulating tumor cells (CTCs). CONTENT The isolation, enumeration, detection, and characterization of CTCs have already proven to provide relevant clinical information about patient prognosis and treatment prediction. Moreover, CTCs can be analyzed at the genome, proteome, transcriptome, and secretome levels and can also be used for functional studies in in vitro and in vivo models. These features, taken together, have made CTCs a very valuable biosource. SUMMARY To further advance the field and discover new clinical applications for CTCs, several studies have been performed to learn more about these cells and better understand the biology of metastasis. In this review, we describe the recent literature on the topic of liquid biopsy with particular focus on the biology of CTCs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zahra Eslami-S
- Laboratory of Rare Human Circulating Cells (LCCRH), University Medical Centre of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Klaus Pantel
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Catherine Alix-Panabières
- Laboratory of Rare Human Circulating Cells (LCCRH), University Medical Centre of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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Evaluation of Next Generation Sequencing for Detecting HER2 Copy Number in Breast and Gastric Cancers. Pathol Oncol Res 2020; 26:2577-2585. [PMID: 32621174 PMCID: PMC7471150 DOI: 10.1007/s12253-020-00844-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Amplicon-based next generation sequencing (NGS) approaches have been preferentially adopted by the clinical laboratories on the basis of a short turnaround time (TAT) and small DNA input needs. However, little work has been done to assess the amplicon-based NGS methods for copy number variation (CNV) detection in comparison with current standard methods like immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The correlation between NGS based CNV detection and the later standard methods has remained unexplored. We developed an amplicon-based panel to detect human epidermal receptor growth factor (HER2) amplification in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissue samples from 280 breast cancer and 50 gastric cancer patients. Assessment by IHC and FISH was conducted in parallel, and descriptive statistics were used to assess the concordance. The copy number detected by NGS was correlated with either the average HER2 copy number (signals/cell) (r = 0.844; p < 0.001) or the HER2/CEP17 ratio (r = 0.815; p < 0.001). We determined a cut-off value for NGS to categorize HER2 amplification status by using 151 HER2 non-amplified FFPE samples. In breast cancer patients, the cut-off value was 2.910, with 95.35%, 98.67% and 97.29% sensitivity, specificity and concordance, respectively. However, this cut-off value displayed low sensitivity in gastric cancer patients (64.71%), and the following macrodissection procedure was not effective for increasing sensitivity (57.14%). Evaluation of HER2 copy number with NGS in our study was comparable with IHC and FISH in breast cancer patients, but concordance in gastric cancer was only moderate. The greater discordance in gastric cancer may reflect the underlying biological mechanisms, and further study is warranted. NGS-based HER2 assessment may decrease the equivocal HER2 determinations in breast cancer patients assessed by FISH/IHC.
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Harigopal M, Kowalski D, Vosoughi A. Enumeration and molecular characterization of circulating tumor cells as an innovative tool for companion diagnostics in breast cancer. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2020; 20:815-828. [PMID: 32546017 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2020.1784009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Circulating tumor cells (CTC) and more recently, CTC clusters are implicated as a fundamental mechanism by which tumor cells break away from the primary site and travel to distant sites. Enumeration of CTC and CTC clusters represents a new approach to prognosis, prediction, and response to therapy in patients with early and metastatic breast cancer. Several recent studies have shown the predictive importance of monitoring CTCs levels in progression-free and overall survival in breast cancer patients. This review will focus on CTC enumeration and characterization in breast cancers. AREAS COVERED We will provide a historical perspective and clinical background of CTC detection in peripheral blood. The current methodologies for studying CTCs and newer technologies for CTC detection will be reviewed together with the current state of the art of CTCs as a biomarker in risk stratification and prognostication in breast cancers. EXPERT OPINION Currently, there is an FDA approved CTC assessment method for clinical use. While CTC enumeration, is a marker for prognostication and survival, molecular characterization of CTC, may be more accurate in monitoring response to treatment due to tumor heterogeneity rather than the tumor phenotype at the primary or metastatic sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malini Harigopal
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine New Haven, Connecticut ., 06520-8023, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Diane Kowalski
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine New Haven, Connecticut ., 06520-8023, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Aram Vosoughi
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine New Haven, Connecticut ., 06520-8023, New Haven, CT, United States
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