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Whitman MA, Mantri M, Spanos E, Estroff LA, De Vlaminck I, Fischbach C. Bone mineral density affects tumor growth by shaping microenvironmental heterogeneity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.19.604333. [PMID: 39091735 PMCID: PMC11291034 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.19.604333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer bone metastasis is the leading cause of mortality in patients with advanced breast cancer. Although decreased mineral density is a known risk factor for bone metastasis, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood because studying the isolated effect of bone mineral density on tumor heterogeneity is challenging with conventional approaches. Here, we investigate how bone mineral content affects tumor growth and microenvironmental complexity in vivo by combining single-cell RNA-sequencing with mineral-containing or mineral-free decellularized bone matrices. We discover that the absence of bone mineral significantly influences fibroblast and immune cell heterogeneity, promoting phenotypes that increase tumor growth and alter the response to injury or disease. Importantly, we observe that the stromal response to matrix mineral content depends on host immunocompetence and the murine tumor model used. Collectively, our findings suggest that bone mineral density affects tumor growth by altering microenvironmental complexity in an organism-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A. Whitman
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850
| | - Madhav Mantri
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850
| | - Emmanuel Spanos
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850
| | - Lara A. Estroff
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850
- Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850
| | - Iwijn De Vlaminck
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850
| | - Claudia Fischbach
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850
- Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850
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Nuckhir M, Withey D, Cabral S, Harrison H, Clarke RB. State of the Art Modelling of the Breast Cancer Metastatic Microenvironment: Where Are We? J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2024; 29:14. [PMID: 39012440 PMCID: PMC11252219 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-024-09567-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Metastatic spread of tumour cells to tissues and organs around the body is the most frequent cause of death from breast cancer. This has been modelled mainly using mouse models such as syngeneic mammary cancer or human in mouse xenograft models. These have limitations for modelling human disease progression and cannot easily be used for investigation of drug resistance and novel therapy screening. To complement these approaches, advances are being made in ex vivo and 3D in vitro models, which are becoming progressively better at reliably replicating the tumour microenvironment and will in the future facilitate drug development and screening. These approaches include microfluidics, organ-on-a-chip and use of advanced biomaterials. The relevant tissues to be modelled include those that are frequent and clinically important sites of metastasis such as bone, lung, brain, liver for invasive ductal carcinomas and a distinct set of common metastatic sites for lobular breast cancer. These sites all have challenges to model due to their unique cellular compositions, structure and complexity. The models, particularly in vivo, provide key information on the intricate interactions between cancer cells and the native tissue, and will guide us in producing specific therapies that are helpful in different context of metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia Nuckhir
- Breast Biology Group, Manchester Breast Centre, Division of Cancer Sciences, Oglesby Cancer Research Building, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M20 4GJ, UK
| | - David Withey
- Breast Biology Group, Manchester Breast Centre, Division of Cancer Sciences, Oglesby Cancer Research Building, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M20 4GJ, UK
| | - Sara Cabral
- Breast Biology Group, Manchester Breast Centre, Division of Cancer Sciences, Oglesby Cancer Research Building, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M20 4GJ, UK
| | - Hannah Harrison
- Breast Biology Group, Manchester Breast Centre, Division of Cancer Sciences, Oglesby Cancer Research Building, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M20 4GJ, UK.
| | - Robert B Clarke
- Breast Biology Group, Manchester Breast Centre, Division of Cancer Sciences, Oglesby Cancer Research Building, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M20 4GJ, UK.
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Maugeri S, Sibbitts J, Privitera A, Cardaci V, Di Pietro L, Leggio L, Iraci N, Lunte SM, Caruso G. The Anti-Cancer Activity of the Naturally Occurring Dipeptide Carnosine: Potential for Breast Cancer. Cells 2023; 12:2592. [PMID: 37998326 PMCID: PMC10670273 DOI: 10.3390/cells12222592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Carnosine is an endogenous dipeptide composed of β-alanine and L-histidine, possessing a multimodal pharmacodynamic profile that includes anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities. Carnosine has also shown its ability to modulate cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and even glycolytic energy metabolism, all processes playing a key role in the context of cancer. Cancer is one of the most dreaded diseases of the 20th and 21st centuries. Among the different types of cancer, breast cancer represents the most common non-skin cancer among women, accounting for an estimated 15% of all cancer-related deaths in women. The main aim of the present review was to provide an overview of studies on the anti-cancer activity of carnosine, and in particular its activity against breast cancer. We also highlighted the possible advantages and limitations involved in the use of this dipeptide. The first part of the review entailed a brief description of carnosine's biological activities and the pathophysiology of cancer, with a focus on breast cancer. The second part of the review described the anti-tumoral activity of carnosine, for which numerous studies have been carried out, especially at the preclinical level, showing promising results. However, only a few studies have investigated the therapeutic potential of this dipeptide for breast cancer prevention or treatment. In this context, carnosine has shown to be able to decrease the size of cancer cells and their viability. It also reduces the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cyclin D1, NAD+, and ATP, as well as cytochrome c oxidase activity in vitro. When tested in mice with induced breast cancer, carnosine proved to be non-toxic to healthy cells and exhibited chemopreventive activity by reducing tumor growth. Some evidence has also been reported at the clinical level. A randomized phase III prospective placebo-controlled trial showed the ability of Zn-carnosine to prevent dysphagia in breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy. Despite this evidence, more preclinical and clinical studies are needed to better understand carnosine's anti-tumoral activity, especially in the context of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Maugeri
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Jay Sibbitts
- Ralph N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - Anna Privitera
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cardaci
- Scuola Superiore di Catania, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milano, Italy
| | - Lucia Di Pietro
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Scuola Superiore di Catania, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Loredana Leggio
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Nunzio Iraci
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Susan M. Lunte
- Ralph N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - Giuseppe Caruso
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Unit of Neuropharmacology and Translational Neurosciences, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy
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Sheng X, Li C, Wang Z, Xu Y, Sun Y, Zhang W, Liu H, Wang J. Advanced applications of strontium-containing biomaterials in bone tissue engineering. Mater Today Bio 2023; 20:100636. [PMID: 37441138 PMCID: PMC10333686 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Strontium (Sr) and strontium ranelate (SR) are commonly used therapeutic drugs for patients suffering from osteoporosis. Researches have showed that Sr can significantly improve the biological activity and physicochemical properties of materials in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, a large number of strontium containing biomaterials have been developed for repairing bone defects and promoting osseointegration. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of Sr-containing biomaterials along with the current state of their clinical use. For this purpose, the different types of biomaterials including calcium phosphate, bioactive glass, and polymers are discussed and provided future outlook on the fabrication of the next-generation multifunctional and smart biomaterials.
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Verbruggen ASK, McCarthy EC, Dwyer RM, McNamara LM. Temporal and spatial changes in bone mineral content and mechanical properties during breast-cancer bone metastases. Bone Rep 2022; 17:101597. [PMID: 35754558 PMCID: PMC9218171 DOI: 10.1016/j.bonr.2022.101597] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells favour migration and metastasis to bone tissue for 70–80 % of advanced breast cancer patients and it has been proposed that bone tissue provides attractive physical properties that facilitate tumour invasion, resulting in osteolytic and or osteoblastic metastasis. However, it is not yet known how specific bone tissue composition is associated with tumour invasion. In particular, how compositional and nano-mechanical properties of bone tissue evolve during metastasis, and where in the bone they arise, may affect the overall aggressiveness of tumour invasion, but this is not well understood. The objective of this study is to develop an advanced understanding of temporal and spatial changes in nano-mechanical properties and composition of bone tissue during metastasis. Primary mammary tumours were induced by inoculation of immune-competent BALB/c mice with 4T1 breast cancer cells in the mammary fat pad local to the right femur. Microcomputed tomography and nanoindentation were conducted to quantify cortical and trabecular bone matrix mineralisation and nano-mechanical properties. Analysis was performed in proximal and distal femur regions (spatial analysis) of tumour-adjacent (ipsilateral) and contralateral femurs after 3 weeks and 6 weeks of tumour and metastasis development (temporal analysis). By 3 weeks post-inoculation there was no significant difference in bone volume fraction or nano-mechanical properties of bone tissue between the metastatic femora and healthy controls. However, early osteolysis was indicated by trabecular thinning in the distal and proximal trabecular compartment of tumour-bearing femora. Moreover, cortical thickness was significantly increased in the distal region, and the mean mineral density was significantly higher in cortical and trabecular bone tissue in both proximal and distal regions, of ipsilateral (tumour-bearing) femurs compared to healthy controls. By 6 weeks post-inoculation, overt osteolytic lesions were identified in all ipsilateral metastatic femora, but also in two of four contralateral femora of tumour-bearing mice. Bone volume fraction, cortical area, cortical and trabecular thickness were all significantly decreased in metastatic femora (both ipsilateral and contralateral). Trabecular bone tissue stiffness in the proximal femur decreased in the ipsilateral femurs compared to contralateral and control sites. Temporal and spatial analysis of bone nano-mechanical properties and mineralisation during breast cancer invasion reveals changes in bone tissue composition prior to and following overt metastatic osteolysis, local and distant from the primary tumour site. These changes may alter the mechanical environment of both the bone and tumour cells, and thereby play a role in perpetuating the cancer vicious cycle during breast cancer metastasis to bone tissue. Temporal and spatial analyses of bone tissue properties following breast cancer metastasis Trabecular thinning initiated by 3 weeks but overt osteolysis not evident until 6 weeks. Increased bone mineralisation and distal cortical thickness by 3-weeks post-inoculation
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Affiliation(s)
- Anneke S K Verbruggen
- Mechanobiology and Medical Device Research group (MMDRG), Biomedical Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
| | - Elan C McCarthy
- Discipline of Surgery, Lambe Institute for Translational Research, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
| | - Roisin M Dwyer
- Discipline of Surgery, Lambe Institute for Translational Research, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
| | - Laoise M McNamara
- Mechanobiology and Medical Device Research group (MMDRG), Biomedical Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
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Liu X, Riquelme MA, Tian Y, Zhao D, Acosta FM, Gu S, Jiang JX. ATP Inhibits Breast Cancer Migration and Bone Metastasis through Down-Regulation of CXCR4 and Purinergic Receptor P2Y11. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13174293. [PMID: 34503103 PMCID: PMC8428338 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The skeleton is the most frequent metastatic site for advanced breast cancer, and complications resulting from breast cancer metastasis are a leading cause of death in patients. Therefore, the discovery of new targets for the treatment of breast cancer bone metastasis is of great significance. ATP released by bone osteocytes is shown to activate purinergic signaling and inhibit the metastasis of breast cancer cells in the bone. The aim of our study was to unveil the underlying molecular mechanism of ATP and purinergic signaling in inhibiting the bone metastasis of breast cancer cells. We demonstrated that CXCR4 and P2Y11 are key factors in regulating this process, and understanding of this important mechanism will aid in identifying new targets and developing first-in-class therapeutics. Abstract ATP released by bone osteocytes is shown to activate purinergic signaling and inhibit the metastasis of breast cancer cells into the bone. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is not well understood. Here, we demonstrate the important roles of the CXCR4 and P2Y11 purinergic receptors in mediating the inhibitory effect of ATP on breast cancer cell migration and bone metastasis. Wound-healing and transwell migration assays showed that non-hydrolysable ATP analogue, ATPγS, inhibited migration of bone-tropic human breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. BzATP, an agonist for P2X7 and an inducer for P2Y11 internalization, had a similar dose-dependent inhibition on cell migration. Both ATPγS and BzATP suppressed the expression of CXCR4, a chemokine receptor known to promote breast cancer bone metastasis, and knocking down CXCR4 expression by siRNA attenuated the inhibitory effect of ATPγS on cancer cell migration. While a P2X7 antagonist A804598 had no effect on the impact of ATPγS on cell migration, antagonizing P2Y11 by NF157 ablated the effect of ATPγS. Moreover, the reduction in P2Y11 expression by siRNA decreased cancer cell migration and abolished the impact of ATPγS on cell migration and CXCR4 expression. Similar to the effect of ATPγS on cell migration, antagonizing P2Y11 inhibited bone-tropic breast cancer cell migration in a dose-dependent manner. An in vivo study using an intratibial bone metastatic model showed that ATPγS inhibited breast cancer growth in the bone. Taken together, these results suggest that ATP inhibits bone-tropic breast cancer cells by down-regulating the P2Y11 purinergic receptor and the down-regulation of CXCR4 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowen Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA; (X.L.); (M.A.R.); (Y.T.); (D.Z.); (F.M.A.); (S.G.)
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Manuel A. Riquelme
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA; (X.L.); (M.A.R.); (Y.T.); (D.Z.); (F.M.A.); (S.G.)
| | - Yi Tian
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA; (X.L.); (M.A.R.); (Y.T.); (D.Z.); (F.M.A.); (S.G.)
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Dezhi Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA; (X.L.); (M.A.R.); (Y.T.); (D.Z.); (F.M.A.); (S.G.)
| | - Francisca M. Acosta
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA; (X.L.); (M.A.R.); (Y.T.); (D.Z.); (F.M.A.); (S.G.)
| | - Sumin Gu
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA; (X.L.); (M.A.R.); (Y.T.); (D.Z.); (F.M.A.); (S.G.)
| | - Jean X. Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA; (X.L.); (M.A.R.); (Y.T.); (D.Z.); (F.M.A.); (S.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-210-562-4094
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Watters RJ, Verdelis K, Lucas PC, Jiang S, Chen Y, Lu F, Martin BM, Lukashova L, Pecar G, Morales-Restrepo A, Hankins M, Zhu L, Mittwede P, Hartmaier RJ, Alexander PG, Tseng GC, Weiss KR, Galson DL, Lee AV, Lee B, Oesterreich S. A Novel Mouse Model for SNP in Steroid Receptor Co-Activator-1 Reveals Role in Bone Density and Breast Cancer Metastasis. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6272285. [PMID: 33963375 PMCID: PMC8248588 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1) is a nuclear receptor co-activator, known to play key roles in both estrogen response in bone and in breast cancer metastases. We previously demonstrated that the P1272S single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; P1272S; rs1804645) in SRC-1 decreases the activity of estrogen receptor in the presence of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) and that it is associated with a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) after tamoxifen therapy, suggesting it may disrupt the agonist action of tamoxifen. Given such dual roles of SRC-1 in the bone microenvironment and in tumor cell-intrinsic phenotypes, we hypothesized that SRC-1 and a naturally occurring genetic variant, P1272S, may promote breast cancer bone metastases. We developed a syngeneic, knock-in mouse model to study if the SRC-1 SNP is critical for normal bone homeostasis and bone metastasis. Our data surprisingly reveal that the homozygous SRC-1 SNP knock-in increases tamoxifen-induced bone protection after ovariectomy. The presence of the SRC-1 SNP in mammary glands resulted in decreased expression levels of SRC-1 and reduced tumor burden after orthotopic injection of breast cancer cells not bearing the SRC-1 SNP, but increased metastases to the lungs in our syngeneic mouse model. Interestingly, the P1272S SNP identified in a small, exploratory cohort of bone metastases from breast cancer patients was significantly associated with earlier development of bone metastasis. This study demonstrates the importance of the P1272S SNP in both the effect of SERMs on BMD and the development of tumor in the bone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J Watters
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Correspondence: Rebecca J. Watters, PhD, Bridgeside Point II, 450 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA.
| | - Kostas Verdelis
- Center for Craniofacial Regeneration, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Peter C Lucas
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Shiming Jiang
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yuqing Chen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Feiqi Lu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Benjamin M Martin
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Lyuda Lukashova
- Center for Craniofacial Regeneration, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Geoffrey Pecar
- Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Alejandro Morales-Restrepo
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Margaret Hankins
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Li Zhu
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Peter Mittwede
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Ryan J Hartmaier
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Peter G Alexander
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - George C Tseng
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Kurt R Weiss
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Deborah L Galson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - Adrian V Lee
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Brendan Lee
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Steffi Oesterreich
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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Hinz N, Baranowsky A, Horn M, Kriegs M, Sibbertsen F, Smit DJ, Clezardin P, Lange T, Schinke T, Jücker M. Knockdown of AKT3 Activates HER2 and DDR Kinases in Bone-Seeking Breast Cancer Cells, Promotes Metastasis In Vivo and Attenuates the TGFβ/CTGF Axis. Cells 2021; 10:cells10020430. [PMID: 33670586 PMCID: PMC7922044 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone metastases frequently occur in breast cancer patients and lack appropriate treatment options. Hence, understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the multistep process of breast cancer bone metastasis and tumor-induced osteolysis is of paramount interest. The serine/threonine kinase AKT plays a crucial role in breast cancer bone metastasis but the effect of individual AKT isoforms remains unclear. Therefore, AKT isoform-specific knockdowns were generated on the bone-seeking MDA-MB-231 BO subline and the effect on proliferation, migration, invasion, and chemotaxis was analyzed by live-cell imaging. Kinome profiling and Western blot analysis of the TGFβ/CTGF axis were conducted and metastasis was evaluated by intracardiac inoculation of tumor cells into NOD scid gamma (NSG) mice. MDA-MB-231 BO cells exhibited an elevated AKT3 kinase activity in vitro and responded to combined treatment with AKT- and mTOR-inhibitors. Knockdown of AKT3 significantly increased migration, invasion, and chemotaxis in vitro and metastasis to bone but did not significantly enhance osteolysis. Furthermore, knockdown of AKT3 increased the activity and phosphorylation of pro-metastatic HER2 and DDR1/2 but lowered protein levels of CTGF after TGFβ-stimulation, an axis involved in tumor-induced osteolysis. We demonstrated that AKT3 plays a crucial role in bone-seeking breast cancer cells by promoting metastatic potential without facilitating tumor-induced osteolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nico Hinz
- Center for Experimental Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Signal Transduction, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany; (N.H.); (F.S.); (D.J.S.)
| | - Anke Baranowsky
- Center for Experimental Medicine, Department of Osteology and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany; (A.B.); (T.S.)
- Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Horn
- University Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany;
- Mildred Scheel Cancer Career Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Malte Kriegs
- Department of Radiotherapy & Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany;
- UCCH Kinomics Core Facility, University Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Freya Sibbertsen
- Center for Experimental Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Signal Transduction, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany; (N.H.); (F.S.); (D.J.S.)
| | - Daniel J. Smit
- Center for Experimental Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Signal Transduction, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany; (N.H.); (F.S.); (D.J.S.)
| | - Philippe Clezardin
- INSERM, Research Unit UMR S1033, LyOS, Faculty of Medicine Lyon-Est, University of Lyon 1, 69372 Lyon, France;
| | - Tobias Lange
- Center for Experimental Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Thorsten Schinke
- Center for Experimental Medicine, Department of Osteology and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany; (A.B.); (T.S.)
| | - Manfred Jücker
- Center for Experimental Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Signal Transduction, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany; (N.H.); (F.S.); (D.J.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-(0)-40-7410-56339
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9
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Kar S, Katti DR, Katti KS. Evaluation of quasi-static and dynamic nanomechanical properties of bone-metastatic breast cancer cells using a nanoclay cancer testbed. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3096. [PMID: 33542384 PMCID: PMC7862348 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82664-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, there has been increasing interest in investigating the mechanical properties of individual cells to delineate disease mechanisms. Reorganization of cytoskeleton facilitates the colonization of metastatic breast cancer at bone marrow space, leading to bone metastasis. Here, we report evaluation of mechanical properties of two breast cancer cells with different metastatic ability at the site of bone metastases, using quasi-static and dynamic nanoindentation methods. Our results showed that the significant reduction in elastic modulus along with increased liquid-like behavior of bone metastasized MCF-7 cells was induced by depolymerization and reorganization of F-actin to the adherens junctions, whereas bone metastasized MDA-MB-231 cells showed insignificant changes in elastic modulus and F-actin reorganization over time, compared to their respective as-received counterparts. Taken together, our data demonstrate evolution of breast cancer cell mechanics at bone metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumanta Kar
- Center for Engineered Cancer Test Beds, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58108, USA
| | - Dinesh R Katti
- Center for Engineered Cancer Test Beds, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58108, USA
| | - Kalpana S Katti
- Center for Engineered Cancer Test Beds, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58108, USA.
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10
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Chen M, Zou S, He C, Zhou J, Li S, Shen M, Cheng R, Wang D, Zou T, Yan X, Huang Y, Shen J. Transactivation of SOX5 by Brachyury promotes breast cancer bone metastasis. Carcinogenesis 2020; 41:551-560. [PMID: 31713604 PMCID: PMC7350557 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgz142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The bone marrow has been long known to host a unique environment amenable to colonization by metastasizing tumor cells. Yet, the underlying molecular interactions which give rise to the high incidence of bone metastasis (BM) in breast cancer patients have long remained uncharacterized. In our study, in vitro and in vivo assays demonstrated that Brachyury (Bry) could promote breast cancer BM. Bry drives epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and promotes breast cancer aggressiveness. As an EMT driver, SOX5 involves in breast cancer metastasis and the specific function in BM. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays revealed SOX5 is a direct downstream target gene of Bry. ChIP analysis and reporter assays identified two Bry-binding motifs; one consistent with the classic conserved binding sequence and the other a new motif sequence. This study demonstrates for the first time that Bry promotes breast cancer cells BM through activating SOX5. In clinical practice, targeting the Bry-Sox5-EMT pathway is evolving into a promising avenue for the prevention of bone metastatic relapse, therapeutic resistance and other aspects of breast cancer progression. Brachyury directly regulates the expression of SOX5 by binding to two motifs in its promoter region. The Bry-SOX5-EMT pathway may represent a potential target to develop treatments to prevent and treat bone metastasis from breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Chen
- Department of Orthopeadic Surgery, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shitao Zou
- Suzhou Cancer Center Core Laboratory, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chao He
- Suzhou Cancer Center Core Laboratory, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jundong Zhou
- Suzhou Cancer Center Core Laboratory, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Suoyuan Li
- Department of Orthopeadic Surgery, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Minghong Shen
- Department of Pathology, the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Rulei Cheng
- Department of Pathology, the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Donglai Wang
- Department of Orthopeadic Surgery, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tianming Zou
- Department of Orthopeadic Surgery, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xueqi Yan
- Suzhou Cancer Center Core Laboratory, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ying Huang
- Department of Ultrasonography, the Fifth People’s Hospital of Suzhou, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jun Shen
- Department of Orthopeadic Surgery, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: 008618112603158; Fax: 008651262362502,
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11
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Monteran L, Ershaid N, Sabah I, Fahoum I, Zait Y, Shani O, Cohen N, Eldar-Boock A, Satchi-Fainaro R, Erez N. Bone metastasis is associated with acquisition of mesenchymal phenotype and immune suppression in a model of spontaneous breast cancer metastasis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13838. [PMID: 32796899 PMCID: PMC7429866 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70788-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The most common site of breast cancer metastasis is the bone, occurring in approximately 70% of patients with advanced disease. Bone metastasis is associated with severe morbidities and high mortality. Therefore, deeper understanding of the mechanisms that enable bone-metastatic relapse are urgently needed. We report the establishment and characterization of a bone-seeking variant of breast cancer cells that spontaneously forms aggressive bone metastases following surgical resection of primary tumor. We characterized the modifications in the immune milieu during early and late stages of metastatic relapse and found that the formation of bone metastases is associated with systemic changes, as well as modifications of the bone microenvironment towards an immune suppressive milieu. Furthermore, we characterized the intrinsic changes in breast cancer cells that facilitate bone-tropism and found that they acquire mesenchymal and osteomimetic features. This model provides a clinically relevant platform to study the functional interactions between breast cancer cells and the bone microenvironment, in an effort to identify novel targets for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Monteran
- Department of Pathology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Nour Ershaid
- Department of Pathology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Idan Sabah
- Department of Pathology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ibrahim Fahoum
- Department of Pathology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yael Zait
- Department of Pathology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ophir Shani
- Department of Pathology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Noam Cohen
- Department of Pathology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Anat Eldar-Boock
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ronit Satchi-Fainaro
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Neta Erez
- Department of Pathology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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12
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Kar S, Jasuja H, Katti DR, Katti KS. Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway Regulates Osteogenesis for Breast Cancer Bone Metastasis: Experiments in an In Vitro Nanoclay Scaffold Cancer Testbed. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2019; 6:2600-2611. [PMID: 33463270 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b00923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer shows a high affinity toward bone, causing bone-related complications, leading to a poor clinical prognosis. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway has been well-documented for the bone regenerative process; however, the regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in breast cancer bone metastasis is poorly explored. Here, we report that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway has a significant effect on osteogenesis during breast cancer bone metastasis. In this study, we have created a 3D in vitro breast cancer bone metastatic microenvironment using nanoclay-based scaffolds along with osteogenically differentiated human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and human breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231). The results showed upregulation in expressions of Wnt-related factors (Wnt-5a, β-catenin, AXIN2, and LRP5) in sequential cultures of MSCs with MCF-7 as compared to sequential cultures of MSCs with MDA-MB-231. Sequential cultures of MSCs with MCF-7 also showed higher β-catenin expression on the protein levels than sequential cultures of MSCs with MDA-MB-231. Stimulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in sequential cultures of MSCs with MCF-7 by ET-1 resulted in increased bone formation, whereas inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling by DKK-1 displayed a significant decrease in bone formation, mimicking bone lesions in breast cancer patients. These data collectively demonstrate that Wnt/β-catenin signaling governs osteogenesis within the tumor-harboring bone microenvironment, leading to bone metastasis. The nanoclay scaffold provides a unique testbed approach for analysis of the pathways of cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumanta Kar
- Center for Engineered Cancer Test Beds, Materials and Nanotechnology Program, and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58108, United States
| | - Haneesh Jasuja
- Center for Engineered Cancer Test Beds, Materials and Nanotechnology Program, and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58108, United States
| | - Dinesh R Katti
- Center for Engineered Cancer Test Beds, Materials and Nanotechnology Program, and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58108, United States
| | - Kalpana S Katti
- Center for Engineered Cancer Test Beds, Materials and Nanotechnology Program, and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58108, United States
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13
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Liang Y, Zhang H, Song X, Yang Q. Metastatic heterogeneity of breast cancer: Molecular mechanism and potential therapeutic targets. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 60:14-27. [PMID: 31421262 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 434] [Impact Index Per Article: 86.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 08/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies among women throughout the world and is the major cause of most cancer-related deaths. Several explanations account for the high rate of mortality of breast cancer, and metastasis to vital organs is identified as the principal cause. Over the past few years, intensive efforts have demonstrated that breast cancer exhibits metastatic heterogeneity with distinct metastatic precedence to various organs, giving rise to differences in prognoses and responses to therapy in breast cancer patients. Bone, lung, liver, and brain are generally accepted as the primary target sites of breast cancer metastasis. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of metastatic heterogeneity of breast cancer remains to be further elucidated. Recently, the advent of novel genomic and pathologic approaches as well as technological breakthroughs in imaging analysis and animal modelling have yielded an unprecedented change in our understanding of the heterogeneity of breast cancer metastasis and provided novel insight for establishing more effective therapeutics. This review summarizes recent molecular mechanisms and emerging concepts on the metastatic heterogeneity of breast cancer and discusses the potential of identifying specific molecules against tumor cells or tumor microenvironments to thwart the development of metastatic disease and improve the prognosis of breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiran Liang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, PR China
| | - Hanwen Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, PR China
| | - Xiaojin Song
- Department of Breast Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, PR China
| | - Qifeng Yang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, PR China; Pathology Tissue Bank, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, PR China.
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14
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Valkenburg KC, Amend SR, Verdone JE, van der Toom EE, Hernandez JR, Gorin MA, Pienta KJ. A simple selection-free method for detecting disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) in murine bone marrow. Oncotarget 2018; 7:69794-69803. [PMID: 27634877 PMCID: PMC5342516 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone metastasis is a lethal and incurable disease. It is the result of the dissemination of cancer cells to the bone marrow. Due to the difficulty in sampling and detection, few techniques exist to efficiently and consistently detect and quantify disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) in the bone marrow of cancer patients. Because mouse models represent a crucial tool with which to study cancer metastasis, we developed a novel method for the simple selection-free detection and quantification of bone marrow DTCs in mice. We have used this protocol to detect human and murine DTCs in xenograft, syngeneic, and genetically engineered mouse models. We are able to detect and quantify bone marrow DTCs in mice that do not have overt bone metastasis. This protocol is amenable not only for detection and quantification purposes but also to study the expression of markers of numerous biological processes or tissue-specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth C Valkenburg
- The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Sarah R Amend
- The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - James E Verdone
- The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Emma E van der Toom
- The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - James R Hernandez
- The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Michael A Gorin
- The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Kenneth J Pienta
- The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.,Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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15
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Martine LC, Holzapfel BM, McGovern JA, Wagner F, Quent VM, Hesami P, Wunner FM, Vaquette C, De-Juan-Pardo EM, Brown TD, Nowlan B, Wu DJ, Hutmacher CO, Moi D, Oussenko T, Piccinini E, Zandstra PW, Mazzieri R, Lévesque JP, Dalton PD, Taubenberger AV, Hutmacher DW. Engineering a humanized bone organ model in mice to study bone metastases. Nat Protoc 2017; 12:639-663. [PMID: 28253234 DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2017.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Current in vivo models for investigating human primary bone tumors and cancer metastasis to the bone rely on the injection of human cancer cells into the mouse skeleton. This approach does not mimic species-specific mechanisms occurring in human diseases and may preclude successful clinical translation. We have developed a protocol to engineer humanized bone within immunodeficient hosts, which can be adapted to study the interactions between human cancer cells and a humanized bone microenvironment in vivo. A researcher trained in the principles of tissue engineering will be able to execute the protocol and yield study results within 4-6 months. Additive biomanufactured scaffolds seeded and cultured with human bone-forming cells are implanted ectopically in combination with osteogenic factors into mice to generate a physiological bone 'organ', which is partially humanized. The model comprises human bone cells and secreted extracellular matrix (ECM); however, other components of the engineered tissue, such as the vasculature, are of murine origin. The model can be further humanized through the engraftment of human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that can lead to human hematopoiesis within the murine host. The humanized organ bone model has been well characterized and validated and allows dissection of some of the mechanisms of the bone metastatic processes in prostate and breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laure C Martine
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Boris M Holzapfel
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Orthopedic Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Jacqui A McGovern
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ferdinand Wagner
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Department of Orthopedics for the University of Regensburg, Asklepios Klinikum Bad Abbach, Bad Abbach, Germany.,Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Verena M Quent
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Martin-Luther-Krankenhaus, Academic Teaching Hospital of the Charité Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Parisa Hesami
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Felix M Wunner
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Cedryck Vaquette
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Toby D Brown
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Bianca Nowlan
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Dan Jing Wu
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | | | - Davide Moi
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tatiana Oussenko
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elia Piccinini
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter W Zandstra
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Roberta Mazzieri
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jean-Pierre Lévesque
- Stem Cell Biology Group - Blood and Bone Diseases Program, Mater Research Institute - The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Paul D Dalton
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Department of Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry, and Bavarian Polymer Institute, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Anna V Taubenberger
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Biotec TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Dietmar W Hutmacher
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,George W Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University Munich, Garching, Germany
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16
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Yu C, Wang H, Muscarella A, Goldstein A, Zeng HC, Bae Y, Lee BHI, Zhang XHF. Intra-iliac Artery Injection for Efficient and Selective Modeling of Microscopic Bone Metastasis. J Vis Exp 2016. [PMID: 27768029 DOI: 10.3791/53982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Intra-iliac artery (IIA) injection is an efficient approach to introduce metastatic lesions of various cancer cells in animals. Compared to the widely used intra-cardiac and intra-tibial injections, IIA injection brings several advantages. First, it can deliver a large quantity of cancer cells specifically to hind limb bones, thereby providing spatiotemporally synchronized early-stage colonization events and allowing robust quantification and swift detection of disseminated tumor cells. Second, it injects cancer cells into the circulation without damaging the local tissues, thereby avoiding inflammatory and wound-healing processes that confound the bone colonization process. Third, IIA injection causes very little metastatic growth in non-bone organs, thereby preventing animals from succumbing to other vital metastases, and allowing continuous monitoring of indolent bone lesions. These advantages are especially useful for the inspection of progression from single cancer cells to multi-cell micrometastases, which has largely been elusive in the past. When combined with cutting-edge approaches of biological imaging and bone histology, IIA injection can be applied to various research purposes related to bone metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuijuan Yu
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Hai Wang
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Aaron Muscarella
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Amit Goldstein
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Huan-Chang Zeng
- Graduate Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Yangjin Bae
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Brendan H I Lee
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Xiang H-F Zhang
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine; McNair Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine; Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine;
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17
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Osteocytic connexin hemichannels suppress breast cancer growth and bone metastasis. Oncogene 2016; 35:5597-5607. [PMID: 27041582 PMCID: PMC5050050 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Revised: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Although the skeleton is one of predominant sites for breast cancer metastasis, why breast cancer cells often become dormant after homing to bone is not well understood. Here, we reported an intrinsic self-defense mechanism of bone cells against breast cancer cells: a critical role of connexin (Cx) 43 hemichannels in osteocytes in the suppression of breast cancer bone metastasis. Cx43 hemichannels allow passage of small molecules between the intracellular and extracellular environments. The treatment of bisphosphonate drugs, either alendronate (ALN) or zoledronic acid (ZOL), opened Cx43 hemichannels in osteocytes. Conditioned media (CM) collected from MLO-Y4 osteocyte cells treated with bisphosphonates inhibited the anchorage-independent growth, migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells and Py8119 mouse mammary carcinoma cells and this inhibitory effect was attenuated with Cx43(E2), a specific hemichannel blocking antibody. The opening of osteocytic Cx43 hemichannels by mechanical stimulation had similar inhibitory effects on breast cancer cells and this inhibition was attenuated by Cx43(E2) antibody as well. These inhibitory effects on cancer cells were mediated by ATP released from osteocyte Cx43 hemichannels. Furthermore, both Cx43 osteocyte-specific knockout mice and osteocyte-specific Δ130–136 transgenic mice with impaired Cx43 gap junctions and hemichannels showed significantly increased tumor growth and attenuated the inhibitory effect of ZOL. However, R76W transgenic mice with functional hemichannels but not gap junctions in osteocytes did not display a significant difference. Together, our studies establish the specific inhibitory role of osteocytic Cx43 hemichannels, and exploiting the activity of this channel could serve as a de novo therapeutic strategy.
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18
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Holen I, Walker M, Nutter F, Fowles A, Evans CA, Eaton CL, Ottewell PD. Oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer metastasis to bone: inhibition by targeting the bone microenvironment in vivo. Clin Exp Metastasis 2015; 33:211-24. [PMID: 26585891 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-015-9770-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Clinical trials have shown that adjuvant Zoledronic acid (ZOL) reduces the development of bone metastases irrespective of ER status. However, post-menopausal patients show anti-tumour benefit with ZOL whereas pre-menopausal patients do not. Here we have developed in vivo models of spontaneous ER+ve breast cancer metastasis to bone and investigated the effects of ZOL and oestrogen on tumour cell dissemination and growth. ER+ve (MCF7, T47D) or ER-ve (MDA-MB-231) cells were administered by inter-mammary or inter-cardiac injection into female nude mice ± estradiol. Mice were administered saline or 100 μg/kg ZOL weekly. Tumour growth, dissemination of tumour cells in blood, bone and bone turnover were monitored by luciferase imaging, histology, flow cytometry, two-photon microscopy, micro-CT and TRAP/P1NP ELISA. Estradiol induced metastasis of ER+ve cells to bone in 80-100 % of animals whereas bone metastases from ER-ve cells were unaffected. Administration of ZOL had no effect on tumour growth in the fat pad but significantly inhibited dissemination of ER+ve tumour cells to bone and frequency of bone metastasis. Estradiol and ZOL increased bone volume via different mechanisms: Estradiol increased activity of bone forming osteoblasts whereas administration of ZOL to estradiol supplemented mice decreased osteoclast activity and returned osteoblast activity to levels comparable to that of saline treated mice. ER-ve cells require increased osteoclast activity to grow in bone whereas ER+ve cells do not. Zol does not affect ER+ve tumour growth in soft tissue, however, inhibition of bone turnover by ZOL reduced dissemination and growth of ER+ve breast cancer cells in bone.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Holen
- Academic Unit of Clinical Oncology, Department of Oncology, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK
| | - M Walker
- Academic Unit of Clinical Oncology, Department of Oncology, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK
| | - F Nutter
- Academic Unit of Clinical Oncology, Department of Oncology, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK
| | - A Fowles
- Bone Biology, Department of Human Metabolism, Mellanby Centre for Bone Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK
| | - C A Evans
- Academic Unit of Clinical Oncology, Department of Oncology, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK
| | - C L Eaton
- Bone Biology, Department of Human Metabolism, Mellanby Centre for Bone Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK
| | - P D Ottewell
- Academic Unit of Clinical Oncology, Department of Oncology, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK.
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19
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Zhu W, Holmes B, Glazer RI, Zhang LG. 3D printed nanocomposite matrix for the study of breast cancer bone metastasis. NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2015; 12:69-79. [PMID: 26472048 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2015.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Revised: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Bone is one of the most common metastatic sites of breast cancer, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear, in part due to an absence of advanced platforms for cancer culture and study that mimic the bone microenvironment. In the present study, we integrated a novel stereolithography-based 3D printer and a unique 3D printed nano-ink consisting of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles suspended in hydrogel to create a biomimetic bone-specific environment for evaluating breast cancer bone invasion. Breast cancer cells cultured in a geometrically optimized matrix exhibited spheroid morphology and migratory characteristics. Co-culture of tumor cells with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells increased the formation of spheroid clusters. The 3D matrix also allowed for higher drug resistance of breast cancer cells than 2D culture. These results validate that our 3D bone matrix can mimic tumor bone microenvironments, suggesting that it can serve as a tool for studying metastasis and assessing drug sensitivity. From the Clinical Editor: Cancer remains a major cause of mortality for patients in the clinical setting. For breast cancer, bone is one of the most common metastatic sites. In this intriguing article, the authors developed a bone-like environment using 3D printing technology to investigate the underlying biology of bone metastasis. Their results would also allow a new model for other researchers who work on cancer to use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhu
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Benjamin Holmes
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Robert I Glazer
- Department of Oncology, and Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Lijie Grace Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA; Department of Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
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Ellmann S, Beck M, Kuwert T, Uder M, Bäuerle T. Multimodal imaging of bone metastases: From preclinical to clinical applications. J Orthop Translat 2015; 3:166-177. [PMID: 30035055 PMCID: PMC5986987 DOI: 10.1016/j.jot.2015.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2015] [Revised: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastases to the skeletal system are commonly observed in cancer patients, highly affecting the patients' quality of life. Imaging plays a major role in detection, follow-up, and molecular characterisation of metastatic disease. Thus, imaging techniques have been optimised and combined in a multimodal and multiparametric manner for assessment of complementary aspects in osseous metastases. This review summarises both application of the most relevant imaging techniques for bone metastasis in preclinical models and the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Ellmann
- Institute of Radiology, University Medical Centre Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Beck
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Centre Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Torsten Kuwert
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Centre Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Uder
- Institute of Radiology, University Medical Centre Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tobias Bäuerle
- Institute of Radiology, University Medical Centre Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
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Zhou JZ, Riquelme MA, Gao X, Ellies LG, Sun LZ, Jiang JX. Differential impact of adenosine nucleotides released by osteocytes on breast cancer growth and bone metastasis. Oncogene 2015; 34:1831-42. [PMID: 24837364 PMCID: PMC4315766 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2014.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2013] [Revised: 03/19/2014] [Accepted: 04/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular ATP has been shown to either inhibit or promote cancer growth and migration; however, the mechanism underlying this discrepancy remained elusive. Here we demonstrate the divergent roles of ATP and adenosine released by bone osteocytes on breast cancers. We showed that conditioned media (CM) collected from osteocytes treated with alendronate (AD), a bisphosphonate drug, inhibited the migration of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Removal of the extracellular ATP by apyrase in CM abolished this effect, suggesting the involvement of ATP. ATP exerted its inhibitory effect through the activation of purinergic P2X receptor signaling in breast cancer cells evidenced by the attenuation of the inhibition by an antagonist, oxidized ATP, as well as knocking down P2X7 with small interfering RNA (siRNA), and the inhibition of migration by an agonist, BzATP. Intriguingly, ATP had a biphasic effect on breast cancer cells-lower dosage inhibited but higher dosage promoted its migration. The stimulatory effect on migration was blocked by an adenosine receptor antagonist, MRS1754, ARL67156, an ecto-ATPase inhibitor, and A2A receptor siRNA, suggesting that in contrast to ATP, adenosine, a metabolic product of ATP, promoted migration of breast cancer cells. Consistently, non-hydrolyzable ATP, ATPγS, only inhibited but did not promote cancer cell migration. ATP also had a similar inhibitory effect on the Py8119 mouse mammary carcinoma cells; however, adenosine had no effect owing to the absence of the A2A receptor. Consistently, ATPγS inhibited, whereas adenosine promoted anchorage-independent growth of MDA-MB-231 cells. Our in vivo xenograft study showed a significant delay of tumor growth with the treatment of ATPγS. Moreover, the extent of bone metastasis in a mouse intratibial model was significantly reduced with the treatment of ATPγS. Together, our results suggest the distinct roles of ATP and adenosine released by osteocytes and the activation of corresponding receptors P2X7 and A2A signaling on breast cancer cell growth, migration and bone metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jade Z. Zhou
- Departments of Biochemistry, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
| | - Manuel A. Riquelme
- Departments of Biochemistry, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
| | - Xiaoli Gao
- Departments of Biochemistry, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
| | - Lesley G. Ellies
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0063, USA
| | - Lu-Zhe Sun
- Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
- Cancer Therapy and Research Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
| | - Jean X. Jiang
- Departments of Biochemistry, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
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Zhang XHF, Giuliano M, Trivedi MV, Schiff R, Osborne CK. Metastasis dormancy in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2014; 19:6389-97. [PMID: 24298069 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-13-0838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
About 20% to 40% of patients with breast cancer eventually develop recurrences in distant organs, which are often not detected until years to decades after the primary tumor diagnosis. This phenomenon is especially pronounced in estrogen receptor-positive (ER(+)) breast cancer, suggesting that ER(+) cancer cells may stay dormant for a protracted period of time, despite adjuvant therapies. Multiple mechanisms have been proposed to explain how cancer cells survive and remain in dormancy, and how they become reactivated and exit dormancy. These mechanisms include angiogenic switch, immunosurveillance, and interaction with extracellular matrix and stromal cells. How to eradicate or suppress these dormant cancer cells remains a major clinical issue because of the lack of knowledge about the biologic and clinical nature of these cells. Herein, we review the clinical manifestation of metastasis dormancy in ER(+) tumors, the current biologic insights regarding tumor dormancy obtained from various experimental models, and the clinical challenges to predict, detect, and treat dormant metastases. We also discuss future research directions toward a better understanding of the biologic mechanisms and clinical management of ER(+) dormant metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang H-F Zhang
- Authors' Affiliations: Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine; Department of Clinical Sciences and Administration, University of Houston, College of Pharmacy; McNair Medical Institute, Houston, Texas; and Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
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