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Fernandes Q, Inchakalody VP, Bedhiafi T, Mestiri S, Taib N, Uddin S, Merhi M, Dermime S. Chronic inflammation and cancer; the two sides of a coin. Life Sci 2024; 338:122390. [PMID: 38160787 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The correlation between chronic inflammation and cancer was initially identified in the 19th century. Biomolecules like interleukins, chemokines, tumor necrosis factors, growth factors, and adhesion molecules, which regulate inflammation, are recognized contributors to neoplastic transformation through various mechanisms, including oncogenic mutations, resistance to apoptosis, and adaptive responses like angiogenesis. This review aims to establish connections between the intricate and complex mechanisms of chronic inflammation and cancer. We illuminate implicit signaling mechanisms that drive the association between chronic inflammation and the initiation/progression of cancer, exploring potential impacts on other diseases. Additionally, we discuss the modalities of currently available therapeutic options for chronic inflammation and cancer, emphasizing the dual nature of such therapies. A thorough understanding of the molecular basis of chronic inflammation is crucial for developing novel approaches in the prevention and treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Queenie Fernandes
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Varghese Philipose Inchakalody
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Takwa Bedhiafi
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sarra Mestiri
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Nassiba Taib
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute and Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Maysaloun Merhi
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Said Dermime
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar.
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2
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Xu R, Wang Y, Kuang Y. Multi-omic analyses of m5C readers reveal their characteristics and immunotherapeutic proficiency. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1651. [PMID: 38238581 PMCID: PMC10796763 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52110-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
5-methylcytosine (m5C) is a post-transcriptional RNA modification identified, m5C readers can specifically identify and bind to m5C. ALYREF and YBX1 as members of m5C readers that have garnered increasing attention in cancer research. However, comprehensive analysis of their molecular functions across pancancer are lacking. Using the TCGA and GTEx databases, we investigated the expression levels and prognostic values of ALYREF and YBX1. Additionally, we assessed the tumor microenvironment, immune checkpoint-related genes, immunomodulators, Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) score and drug resistance of ALYREF and YBX1. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) analyses were performed to investigate the potential functions associated with m5C readers and coexpressed genes. Aberrant expression of ALYREF and YBX1 was observed and positively associated with prognosis in KIRP, LGG and LIHC. Furthermore, the expression levels of ALYREF and YBX1 were significantly correlated with immune infiltration of the tumor microenvironment and immune-related modulators. Last, our analysis revealed significant correlations between ALYREF, YBX1 and eIFs. Our study provides a substantial understanding of m5C readers and the intricate relationship between ALYREF, YBX1, eIFs, and mRNA dynamics. Through multidimensional analysis of immune infiltration and drug sensitivity/resistance in ALYREF and YBX1, we propose a possibility for combined modality therapy utilizing m5C readers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Xu
- Department of Development Planning, International Medical Opening-up Pilot Zone (China), Fangchenggang, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China.
| | - Ye Kuang
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Yan'An Hospital of Kunming City, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China.
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3
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Rhodes A, Hillen T. Implications of immune-mediated metastatic growth on metastatic dormancy, blow-up, early detection, and treatment. J Math Biol 2020; 81:799-843. [PMID: 32789610 DOI: 10.1007/s00285-020-01521-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Metastatic seeding of distant organs can occur in the very early stages of primary tumor development. Once seeded, these micrometastases may enter a dormant phase that can last decades. Curiously, the surgical removal of the primary tumor can stimulate the accelerated growth of distant metastases, a phenomenon known as metastatic blow-up. Recent clinical evidence has shown that the immune response can have strong tumor promoting effects. In this work, we investigate if the pro-tumor effects of the immune response can have a significant contribution to metastatic dormancy and metastatic blow-up. We develop an ordinary differential equation model of the immune-mediated theory of metastasis. We include both anti- and pro-tumor immune effects, in addition to the experimentally observed phenomenon of tumor-induced immune cell phenotypic plasticity. Using geometric singular perturbation analysis, we derive a rather simple model that captures the main processes and, at the same time, can be fully analyzed. Literature-derived parameter estimates are obtained, and model robustness is demonstrated through a time dependent sensitivity analysis. We determine conditions under which the parameterized model can successfully explain both metastatic dormancy and blow-up. The results confirm the significant active role of the immune system in the metastatic process. Numerical simulations suggest a novel measure to predict the occurrence of future metastatic blow-up in addition to new potential avenues for treatment of clinically undetectable micrometastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Rhodes
- Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
| | - Thomas Hillen
- Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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4
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El-Kenawi A, Hänggi K, Ruffell B. The Immune Microenvironment and Cancer Metastasis. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2020; 10:a037424. [PMID: 31501262 PMCID: PMC7117953 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a037424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The dynamic interplay between neoplastic cells and the immune microenvironment regulates every step of the metastatic process. Immune cells contribute to invasion by secreting a cornucopia of inflammatory factors that promote epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and remodeling of the stroma. Cancer cells then intravasate to the circulatory system assisted by macrophages and use several pathways to avoid recognition by cytotoxtic lymphocytes and phagocytes. Circulating tumor cells that manage to adhere to the vasculature and encounter premetastic niches are able to use the associated myeloid cells to extravasate into ectopic organs and establish a dormant microscopic colony. If successful at avoiding repetitive immune attack, dormant cells can subsequently grow into overt, clinically detectable metastatic lesions, which ultimately account to most cancer-related deaths. Understanding how disseminated tumor cells evade and corrupt the immune system during the final stages of metastasis will be pivotal in developing new therapeutic modalities that combat metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmaa El-Kenawi
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA
| | - Kay Hänggi
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA
| | - Brian Ruffell
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA
- Department of Breast Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA
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5
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A mathematical model for the immune-mediated theory of metastasis. J Theor Biol 2019; 482:109999. [PMID: 31493486 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2019.109999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating experimental and clinical evidence suggest that the immune response to cancer is not exclusively anti-tumor. Indeed, the pro-tumor roles of the immune system - as suppliers of growth and pro-angiogenic factors or defenses against cytotoxic immune attacks, for example - have been long appreciated, but relatively few theoretical works have considered their effects. Inspired by the recently proposed "immune-mediated" theory of metastasis, we develop a mathematical model for tumor-immune interactions at two anatomically distant sites, which includes both anti- and pro-tumor immune effects, and the experimentally observed tumor-induced phenotypic plasticity of immune cells (tumor "education" of the immune cells). Upon confrontation of our model to experimental data, we use it to evaluate the implications of the immune-mediated theory of metastasis. We find that tumor education of immune cells may explain the relatively poor performance of immunotherapies, and that many metastatic phenomena, including metastatic blow-up, dormancy, and metastasis to sites of injury, can be explained by the immune-mediated theory of metastasis. Our results suggest that further work is warranted to fully elucidate the pro-tumor effects of the immune system in metastatic cancer.
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Mantovani A, Ponzetta A, Inforzato A, Jaillon S. Innate immunity, inflammation and tumour progression: double-edged swords. J Intern Med 2019; 285:524-532. [PMID: 30873708 PMCID: PMC7174018 DOI: 10.1111/joim.12886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Components of the cellular and the humoral arm of the immune system are essential elements of the tumour microenvironment (TME). The TME includes tumour-associated macrophages which have served as a paradigm for the cancer-promoting inflammation. Cytokines, IL-1 in particular, and complement have emerged as important players in tumour promotion. On the other hand, myeloid cells, innate lymphoid cells and complement have the potential, if unleashed, to mediate anticancer resistance. Targeting checkpoints restraining innate immunity, macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells in particular holds promise as a therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Mantovani
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, (Mi), Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele Milan, Italy.,The William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - A Ponzetta
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, (Mi), Italy
| | - A Inforzato
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, (Mi), Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele Milan, Italy
| | - S Jaillon
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, (Mi), Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele Milan, Italy
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Anderson RL, Balasas T, Callaghan J, Coombes RC, Evans J, Hall JA, Kinrade S, Jones D, Jones PS, Jones R, Marshall JF, Panico MB, Shaw JA, Steeg PS, Sullivan M, Tong W, Westwell AD, Ritchie JWA. A framework for the development of effective anti-metastatic agents. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2019; 16:185-204. [PMID: 30514977 PMCID: PMC7136167 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-018-0134-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Most cancer-related deaths are a result of metastasis, and thus the importance of this process as a target of therapy cannot be understated. By asking 'how can we effectively treat cancer?', we do not capture the complexity of a disease encompassing >200 different cancer types - many consisting of multiple subtypes - with considerable intratumoural heterogeneity, which can result in variable responses to a specific therapy. Moreover, we have much less information on the pathophysiological characteristics of metastases than is available for the primary tumour. Most disseminated tumour cells that arrive in distant tissues, surrounded by unfamiliar cells and a foreign microenvironment, are likely to die; however, those that survive can generate metastatic tumours with a markedly different biology from that of the primary tumour. To treat metastasis effectively, we must inhibit fundamental metastatic processes and develop specific preclinical and clinical strategies that do not rely on primary tumour responses. To address this crucial issue, Cancer Research UK and Cancer Therapeutics CRC Australia formed a Metastasis Working Group with representatives from not-for-profit, academic, government, industry and regulatory bodies in order to develop recommendations on how to tackle the challenges associated with treating (micro)metastatic disease. Herein, we describe the challenges identified as well as the proposed approaches for discovering and developing anticancer agents designed specifically to prevent or delay the metastatic outgrowth of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin L Anderson
- Translational Breast Cancer Program, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- Cancer Therapeutics Cooperative Research Centre (CTx), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Theo Balasas
- Commercial Partnerships, Cancer Research UK (CRUK), London, UK
| | - Juliana Callaghan
- Research and Innovation Services, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK
| | - R Charles Coombes
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Jeff Evans
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Jacqueline A Hall
- Research and Development, Vivacitv Ltd, Chesham, Buckinghamshire, UK
| | - Sally Kinrade
- Cancer Therapeutics Cooperative Research Centre (CTx), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Medicines Development for Global Health, Southbank, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Jones
- Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, London, UK
| | | | - Rob Jones
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - John F Marshall
- Queen Mary University of London, Barts Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | | | - Jacqui A Shaw
- Leicester Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, Leicestershire, UK
| | - Patricia S Steeg
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mark Sullivan
- Cancer Therapeutics Cooperative Research Centre (CTx), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Medicines Development for Global Health, Southbank, Victoria, Australia
| | - Warwick Tong
- Cancer Therapeutics Cooperative Research Centre (CTx), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew D Westwell
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - James W A Ritchie
- Commercial Partnerships, Cancer Research UK (CRUK), London, UK.
- Centre for Drug Development, CRUK, London, UK.
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8
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Abstract
Aging is a key aspect of neoplasia at the level of cells, individuals and populations. Unrestrained expression and production of inflammatory mediators is a key feature of aging at the cellular and organism level. Inflammatory cells and mediators are a key component of the tumor microenvironment and drive tumor progression. Non-resolving smoldering inflammation increases the risk of cancer (the extrinsic pathway connecting inflammation and cancer). In the intrinsic pathway, genetic events that cause neoplasia (oncogenes and oncosupressor genes) orchestrate the construction of cancer-related inflammation. We argue that uncontrolled smoldering inflammation drives carcinogenesis in aging and acts as a common denominator linking aging and cancer.
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Taraballi F, Sushnitha M, Tsao C, Bauza G, Liverani C, Shi A, Tasciotti E. Biomimetic Tissue Engineering: Tuning the Immune and Inflammatory Response to Implantable Biomaterials. Adv Healthc Mater 2018; 7:e1800490. [PMID: 29995315 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201800490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Regenerative medicine technologies rely heavily on the use of well-designed biomaterials for therapeutic applications. The success of implantable biomaterials hinges upon the ability of the chosen biomaterial to negotiate with the biological barriers in vivo. The most significant of these barriers is the immune system, which is composed of a highly coordinated organization of cells that induce an inflammatory response to the implanted biomaterial. Biomimetic platforms have emerged as novel strategies that aim to use the principle of biomimicry as a means of immunomodulation. This principle has manifested itself in the form of biomimetic scaffolds that imitate the composition and structure of biological cells and tissues. Recent work in this area has demonstrated the promising potential these technologies hold in overcoming the barrier of the immune system and, thereby, improve their overall therapeutic efficacy. In this review, a broad overview of the use of these strategies across several diseases and future avenues of research utilizing these platforms is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Taraballi
- Center for Biomimetic Medicine Houston Methodist Research Institute Houston TX 77030 USA
- Department of Orthopedic & Sports Medicine The Houston Methodist Hospital Houston TX 77030 USA
| | - Manuela Sushnitha
- Center for Biomimetic Medicine Houston Methodist Research Institute Houston TX 77030 USA
- Department of Bioengineering Rice University Houston TX 77005 USA
| | - Christopher Tsao
- Center for Biomimetic Medicine Houston Methodist Research Institute Houston TX 77030 USA
| | - Guillermo Bauza
- Center for Biomimetic Medicine Houston Methodist Research Institute Houston TX 77030 USA
- Center for NanoHealth Swansea University Medical School Swansea University Bay Singleton Park Wales Swansea SA2 8PP UK
| | - Chiara Liverani
- Center for Biomimetic Medicine Houston Methodist Research Institute Houston TX 77030 USA
- Biosciences Laboratory Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS Via Piero Maroncelli 40 47014 Meldola FC Italy
| | - Aaron Shi
- Center for Biomimetic Medicine Houston Methodist Research Institute Houston TX 77030 USA
- Wiess School of Natural Sciences Rice University Houston TX 77251‐1892 USA
| | - Ennio Tasciotti
- Center for Biomimetic Medicine Houston Methodist Research Institute Houston TX 77030 USA
- Department of Orthopedic & Sports Medicine The Houston Methodist Hospital Houston TX 77030 USA
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10
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Tamborero D, Rubio-Perez C, Muiños F, Sabarinathan R, Piulats JM, Muntasell A, Dienstmann R, Lopez-Bigas N, Gonzalez-Perez A. A Pan-cancer Landscape of Interactions between Solid Tumors and Infiltrating Immune Cell Populations. Clin Cancer Res 2018; 24:3717-3728. [PMID: 29666300 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-17-3509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 203] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Throughout their development, tumors are challenged by the immune system, and they acquire features to evade its surveillance. A systematic view of these traits, which shed light on how tumors respond to immunotherapies, is still lacking.Experimental Design: Here, we computed the relative abundance of an array of immune cell populations to measure the immune infiltration pattern of 9,174 tumors of 29 solid cancers. We then clustered tumors with similar infiltration pattern to define immunophenotypes. Finally, we identified genomic and transcriptomic traits associated to these immunophenotypes across cancer types.Results: In highly cytotoxic immunophenotypes, we found tumors with low clonal heterogeneity enriched for alterations of genes involved in epigenetic regulation, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, antigen presentation, and cell-cell communication, which may drive resistance in combination with the ectopic expression of negative immune checkpoints. Tumors with immunophenotypes of intermediate cytotoxicity are characterized by an upregulation of processes involved in neighboring tissue invasion and remodeling that may foster the recruitment of immunosuppressive cells. Tumors with poorly cytotoxic immunophenotype tend to be of more advanced stages and bear a greater burden of copy number alterations and frequent alterations of cell cycle, hedgehog, β-catenin, and TGFβ pathways, which may cause immune depletion.Conclusions: We provide a comprehensive landscape of the characteristics of solid tumors that may influence (or be influenced by) the characteristics of their immune infiltrate. These results may help interpret the response of solid tumors to immunotherapies and guide the development of novel drug combination strategies. Clin Cancer Res; 24(15); 3717-28. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Tamborero
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain. .,Institute for Research in Biomedicine, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlota Rubio-Perez
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute for Research in Biomedicine, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ferran Muiños
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Radhakrishnan Sabarinathan
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep M Piulats
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Català d'Oncologia-IDIBELL, CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aura Muntasell
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rodrigo Dienstmann
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain.,Sage Bionetworks, Seattle, Washington
| | - Nuria Lopez-Bigas
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute for Research in Biomedicine, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Abel Gonzalez-Perez
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain. .,Institute for Research in Biomedicine, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
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Pachmayr E, Treese C, Stein U. Underlying Mechanisms for Distant Metastasis - Molecular Biology. Visc Med 2017; 33:11-20. [PMID: 28785563 DOI: 10.1159/000454696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The formation of distant metastases constitutes a complex process with a variety of different genes and pathways involved. To improve patient survival, it is necessary to understand the underlying mechanisms of metastasis to allow for targeted intervention. METHODS This review provides an overview of the general concepts of metastasis, focusing on the most important genes and pathways involved and on interventional strategies. RESULTS Cancer cells undergo different steps to form metastasis: most prominently, local invasion, intravasation, survival in the circulation, arrest at a distant organ site and extravasation, micrometastasis formation, and metastatic colonization. In order to pass these steps, different molecular pathways are of major importance: EGF/RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, HGF/Met, Wnt/β-catenin, and VEGF signaling. The HGF/Met regulator MACC1 and the Wnt signaling target S100A4 have been shown to play a major role in the metastatic process. Each gene and pathway provides an opportunity for therapeutic intervention. CONCLUSION Since metastasis represents a highly limiting factor in cancer therapy causing 90% of cancer deaths, it is imperative to reveal the underlying mechanisms. This is fundamental for uncovering prognostic markers and new targeted therapy options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Pachmayr
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Treese
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases, Rheumatology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrike Stein
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
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