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Shrestha P, Kao S, Cheung VK, Cooper WA, van Zandwijk N, Rasko JEJ, Yeo D. Circulating tumor cells: advancing personalized therapy in small cell lung cancer patients. Mol Oncol 2024. [PMID: 38956984 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly aggressive cancer with a dismal 5-year survival of < 7%, despite the addition of immunotherapy to first-line chemotherapy. Specific tumor biomarkers, such as delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) and schlafen11 (SLFN11), may enable the selection of more efficacious, novel immunomodulating targeted treatments like bispecific T-cell engaging monoclonal antibodies (tarlatamab) and chemotherapy with PARP inhibitors. However, obtaining a tissue biopsy sample can be challenging in SCLC. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have the potential to provide molecular insights into a patient's cancer through a "simple" blood test. CTCs have been studied for their prognostic ability in SCLC; however, their value in guiding treatment decisions is yet to be elucidated. This review explores novel and promising targeted therapies in SCLC, summarizes current knowledge of CTCs in SCLC, and discusses how CTCs can be utilized for precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prajwol Shrestha
- Li Ka Shing Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
- Precision Oncology Program, Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program, Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
- Medical Oncology, Calvary Mater Newcastle, Waratah, Australia
| | - Steven Kao
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia
- Medical Oncology, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Veronica K Cheung
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia
- Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, NSW Health Pathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Wendy A Cooper
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia
- Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, NSW Health Pathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Australia
| | - Nico van Zandwijk
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia
- Cell and Molecular Therapies, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, Camperdown, Australia
- Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, Concord, Australia
| | - John E J Rasko
- Li Ka Shing Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
- Precision Oncology Program, Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program, Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
- Cell and Molecular Therapies, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Dannel Yeo
- Li Ka Shing Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
- Precision Oncology Program, Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program, Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
- Cell and Molecular Therapies, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, Camperdown, Australia
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Brückner DB, Broedersz CP. Learning dynamical models of single and collective cell migration: a review. REPORTS ON PROGRESS IN PHYSICS. PHYSICAL SOCIETY (GREAT BRITAIN) 2024; 87:056601. [PMID: 38518358 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6633/ad36d2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Single and collective cell migration are fundamental processes critical for physiological phenomena ranging from embryonic development and immune response to wound healing and cancer metastasis. To understand cell migration from a physical perspective, a broad variety of models for the underlying physical mechanisms that govern cell motility have been developed. A key challenge in the development of such models is how to connect them to experimental observations, which often exhibit complex stochastic behaviours. In this review, we discuss recent advances in data-driven theoretical approaches that directly connect with experimental data to infer dynamical models of stochastic cell migration. Leveraging advances in nanofabrication, image analysis, and tracking technology, experimental studies now provide unprecedented large datasets on cellular dynamics. In parallel, theoretical efforts have been directed towards integrating such datasets into physical models from the single cell to the tissue scale with the aim of conceptualising the emergent behaviour of cells. We first review how this inference problem has been addressed in both freely migrating and confined cells. Next, we discuss why these dynamics typically take the form of underdamped stochastic equations of motion, and how such equations can be inferred from data. We then review applications of data-driven inference and machine learning approaches to heterogeneity in cell behaviour, subcellular degrees of freedom, and to the collective dynamics of multicellular systems. Across these applications, we emphasise how data-driven methods can be integrated with physical active matter models of migrating cells, and help reveal how underlying molecular mechanisms control cell behaviour. Together, these data-driven approaches are a promising avenue for building physical models of cell migration directly from experimental data, and for providing conceptual links between different length-scales of description.
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Affiliation(s)
- David B Brückner
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Am Campus 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Chase P Broedersz
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Arnold Sommerfeld Center for Theoretical Physics and Center for NanoScience, Department of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munich, Theresienstr. 37, D-80333 Munich, Germany
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Sayed ZS, Khattap MG, Madkour MA, Yasen NS, Elbary HA, Elsayed RA, Abdelkawy DA, Wadan AHS, Omar I, Nafady MH. Circulating tumor cells clusters and their role in Breast cancer metastasis; a review of literature. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:94. [PMID: 38557916 PMCID: PMC10984915 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-00949-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a significant and deadly threat to women globally. Moreover, Breast cancer metastasis is a complicated process involving multiple biological stages, which is considered a substantial cause of death, where cancer cells spread from the original tumor to other organs in the body-representing the primary mortality factor. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are cancer cells detached from the primary or metastatic tumor and enter the bloodstream, allowing them to establish new metastatic sites. CTCs can travel alone or in groups called CTC clusters. Studies have shown that CTC clusters have more potential for metastasis and a poorer prognosis than individual CTCs in breast cancer patients. However, our understanding of CTC clusters' formation, structure, function, and detection is still limited. This review summarizes the current knowledge of CTC clusters' biological properties, isolation, and prognostic significance in breast cancer. It also highlights the challenges and future directions for research and clinical application of CTC clusters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab S Sayed
- Faculty of Applied Medical Science, Misr University for Science and Technology, 26Th of July Corridor, 6Th of October, Giza Governorate, Postal Code: 77, Egypt
| | - Mohamed G Khattap
- Technology of Radiology and Medical Imaging Program, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences Technology, Galala University, Suez, 435611, Egypt
| | | | - Noha S Yasen
- Radiology and Imaging Technology Department, Faculty of Applied Health Science Technology, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa, Al Mansurah, Egypt
| | - Hanan A Elbary
- Faculty of Applied Medical Science, Misr University for Science and Technology, 26Th of July Corridor, 6Th of October, Giza Governorate, Postal Code: 77, Egypt
| | - Reem A Elsayed
- Faculty of Applied Medical Science, Misr University for Science and Technology, 26Th of July Corridor, 6Th of October, Giza Governorate, Postal Code: 77, Egypt
| | - Dalia A Abdelkawy
- Faculty of Applied Medical Science, Misr University for Science and Technology, 26Th of July Corridor, 6Th of October, Giza Governorate, Postal Code: 77, Egypt
| | | | - Islam Omar
- Faculty of Pharmacy, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Mohamed H Nafady
- Radiation Sciences Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
- Faculty of Applied Health Science Technology, Misr University for Science and Technology, 6th of october, Egypt.
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Ren F, Fei Q, Qiu K, Zhang Y, Zhang H, Sun L. Liquid biopsy techniques and lung cancer: diagnosis, monitoring and evaluation. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:96. [PMID: 38561776 PMCID: PMC10985944 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03026-7] [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: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer stands as the most prevalent form of cancer globally, posing a significant threat to human well-being. Due to the lack of effective and accurate early diagnostic methods, many patients are diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. Although surgical resection is still a potential means of eradicating lung cancer, patients with advanced lung cancer usually miss the best chance for surgical treatment, and even after surgical resection patients may still experience tumor recurrence. Additionally, chemotherapy, the mainstay of treatment for patients with advanced lung cancer, has the potential to be chemo-resistant, resulting in poor clinical outcomes. The emergence of liquid biopsies has garnered considerable attention owing to their noninvasive nature and the ability for continuous sampling. Technological advancements have propelled circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), extracellular vesicles (EVs), tumor metabolites, tumor-educated platelets (TEPs), and tumor-associated antigens (TAA) to the forefront as key liquid biopsy biomarkers, demonstrating intriguing and encouraging results for early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of lung cancer. This review provides an overview of molecular biomarkers and assays utilized in liquid biopsies for lung cancer, encompassing CTCs, ctDNA, non-coding RNA (ncRNA), EVs, tumor metabolites, TAAs and TEPs. Furthermore, we expound on the practical applications of liquid biopsies, including early diagnosis, treatment response monitoring, prognostic evaluation, and recurrence monitoring in the context of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Ren
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shen Yang, 110000, China
| | - Qian Fei
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shen Yang, 110000, China
| | - Kun Qiu
- Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shen Yang, 110000, China
| | - Yuanjie Zhang
- Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shen Yang, 110000, China
| | - Heyang Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shen Yang, 110000, China.
| | - Lei Sun
- Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shen Yang, 110000, China.
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Eskandarion MR, Eskandarieh S, Tutunchi S, Shakoori Farahani A, Shirkoohi R. Investigating the role of circulating tumor cells in gastric cancer: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Exp Med 2024; 24:59. [PMID: 38554188 PMCID: PMC10981629 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-024-01310-6] [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: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
Investigating the role of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and their characteristics is still controversial in patients with gastric cancer (GC). Therefore, in this study, to provide a comprehensive review and meta-analyses of the literature on association of CTCs with gastric cancer, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Medline were searched for systematic reviews and meta-analyses conducted during February 2022 using the keywords. Risk of bias, hazard ratios (HRs), and risk differences (RD) were assessed. Forty-five studies containing 3,342 GC patients from nine countries were assessed. The overall prevalence of CTC in GC was 69.37% (60.27, 77.78). The pooled result showed that increased mortality in GC patients was significantly associated with positive CTCs, poor overall survival (HR = 2.73, 95%CI 2.34-3.24, p < 0.001), and progression-free survival rate (HR = 2.78, 95%CI 2.01-3.85, p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses regarding markers, detection methods, treatment type, presence of distance metastasis, presence of lymph node metastasis, and overall risk of bias showed significant associations between the groups in terms of the incidence rates of CTCs, OS, and PFS. In addition, the results of risk differences based on sampling time showed that the use of the cell search method (RD: - 0.19, 95%CI (- 0.28, - 0.10), p < 0.001), epithelial marker (RD: - 0.12, 95%CI (- 0.25, 0.00), p 0.05) and mesenchymal markers (RD: - 0.35, 95%CI (- 0.57, - 0.13), p 0.002) before the treatment might have a higher diagnostic power to identify CTCs and also chemotherapy treatment (RD: - 0.17, 95%CI (- 0.31, - 0.03), p 0.016) could significantly reduce the number of CTCs after the treatment. We also found that the risk differences between the clinical early and advanced stages were not statistically significant (RD: - 0.10, 95%CI (- 0.23, 0.02), P 0.105). Also, in the Lauren classification, the incidence of CTC in the diffuse type (RD: - 0.19, 95%CI (- 0.37, - 0.01), P0.045) was higher than that in the intestinal type. Meta-regression analysis showed that baseline characteristics were not associated with the detection of CTCs in GC patients. According to our systematic review and meta-analysis, CTCs identification may be suggested as a diagnostic technique for gastric cancer screening, and the outcomes of CTC detection may also be utilized in the future to create personalized medicine programs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sharareh Eskandarieh
- Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara Tutunchi
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Shakoori Farahani
- Medical Genetics Ward, IKHC Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Shirkoohi
- Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute, IKHC, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Stosic K, Senar OA, Tarfouss J, Bouchart C, Navez J, Van Laethem JL, Arsenijevic T. A Comprehensive Review of the Potential Role of Liquid Biopsy as a Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Predictive Biomarker in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cells 2023; 13:3. [PMID: 38201207 PMCID: PMC10778087 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010003] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the most lethal malignant diseases, with a mortality rate being close to incidence. Due to its heterogeneity and plasticity, as well as the lack of distinct symptoms in the early phases, it is very often diagnosed at an advanced stage, resulting in poor prognosis. Traditional tissue biopsies remain the gold standard for making a diagnosis, but have an obvious disadvantage in their inapplicability for frequent sampling. Blood-based biopsies represent a non-invasive method which potentially offers easy and repeated sampling, leading to the early detection and real-time monitoring of the disease and hopefully an accurate prognosis. Given the urgent need for a reliable biomarker that can estimate a patient's condition and response to an assigned treatment, blood-based biopsies are emerging as a potential new tool for improving patients' survival and surveillance. In this article, we discuss the current advances and challenges in using liquid biopsies for pancreatic cancer, focusing on circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), extracellular vesicles (EVs), and circulating tumour cells (CTCs), and compare the performance and reliability of different biomarkers and combinations of biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosta Stosic
- Laboratory of Experimental Gastroenterology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium (O.A.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Oier Azurmendi Senar
- Laboratory of Experimental Gastroenterology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium (O.A.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Jawad Tarfouss
- Laboratory of Experimental Gastroenterology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium (O.A.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Christelle Bouchart
- Laboratory of Experimental Gastroenterology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium (O.A.S.); (C.B.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hopital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B.), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Julie Navez
- Laboratory of Experimental Gastroenterology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium (O.A.S.); (C.B.)
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Hopital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B.), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jean-Luc Van Laethem
- Laboratory of Experimental Gastroenterology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium (O.A.S.); (C.B.)
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Digestive Oncology, Hopital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B.), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tatjana Arsenijevic
- Laboratory of Experimental Gastroenterology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium (O.A.S.); (C.B.)
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Digestive Oncology, Hopital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B.), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
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Karacosta LG, Pancirer D, Preiss JS, Benson JA, Trope W, Shrager JB, Sung AW, Neal JW, Bendall SC, Wakelee H, Plevritis SK. Phenotyping EMT and MET cellular states in lung cancer patient liquid biopsies at a personalized level using mass cytometry. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21781. [PMID: 38065965 PMCID: PMC10709404 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46458-5] [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: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) can be utilized as liquid biopsy for phenotyping malignant cells and for precision immunotherapy, yet MPEs are inadequately studied at the single-cell proteomic level. Here we leverage mass cytometry to interrogate immune and epithelial cellular profiles of primary tumors and pleural effusions (PEs) from early and late-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, with the goal of assessing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) states in patient specimens. By using the EMT-MET reference map PHENOSTAMP, we observe a variety of EMT states in cytokeratin positive (CK+) cells, and report for the first time MET-enriched CK+ cells in MPEs. We show that these states may be relevant to disease stage and therapy response. Furthermore, we found that the fraction of CD33+ myeloid cells in PEs was positively correlated to the fraction of CK+ cells. Longitudinal analysis of MPEs drawn 2 months apart from a patient undergoing therapy, revealed that CK+ cells acquired heterogeneous EMT features during treatment. We present this work as a feasibility study that justifies deeper characterization of EMT and MET states in malignant cells found in PEs as a promising clinical platform to better evaluate disease progression and treatment response at a personalized level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loukia G Karacosta
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77054, USA
| | - Danny Pancirer
- Stanford Cancer Institute - Clinical Trials Office, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Jordan S Preiss
- Stanford Cancer Institute - Clinical Trials Office, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Jalen A Benson
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Winston Trope
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Joseph B Shrager
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Palo Alto VA Health Care System, Palo Alto, USA
| | - Arthur Wai Sung
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Joel W Neal
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Sean C Bendall
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Heather Wakelee
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Sylvia K Plevritis
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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Nasr MM, Lynch CC. How circulating tumor cluster biology contributes to the metastatic cascade: from invasion to dissemination and dormancy. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:1133-1146. [PMID: 37442876 PMCID: PMC10713810 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10124-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are known to be prognostic for metastatic relapse and are detected in patients as solitary cells or cell clusters. Circulating tumor cell clusters (CTC clusters) have been observed clinically for decades and are of significantly higher metastatic potential compared to solitary CTCs. Recent studies suggest distinct differences in CTC cluster biology regarding invasion and survival in circulation. However, differences regarding dissemination, dormancy, and reawakening require more investigations compared to solitary CTCs. Here, we review the current state of CTC cluster research and consider their clinical significance. In addition, we discuss the concept of collective invasion by CTC clusters and molecular evidence as to how cluster survival in circulation compares to that of solitary CTCs. Molecular differences between solitary and clustered CTCs during dormancy and reawakening programs will also be discussed. We also highlight future directions to advance our current understanding of CTC cluster biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa M Nasr
- Tumor Biology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
- Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Conor C Lynch
- Tumor Biology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
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Khan SU, Fatima K, Malik F, Kalkavan H, Wani A. Cancer metastasis: Molecular mechanisms and clinical perspectives. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 250:108522. [PMID: 37661054 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Metastatic progression combined with non-responsiveness towards systemic therapy often shapes the course of disease for cancer patients and commonly determines its lethal outcome. The complex molecular events that promote metastasis are a combination of both, the acquired pro-metastatic properties of cancer cells and a metastasis-permissive or -supportive tumor micro-environment (TME). Yet, dissemination is a challenging process for cancer cells that requires a series of events to enable cancer cell survival and growth. Metastatic cancer cells have to initially detach themselves from primary tumors, overcome the challenges of their intravasal journey and colonize distant sites that are suited for their metastases. The implicated obstacles including anoikis and immune surveillance, can be overcome by intricate intra- and extracellular signaling pathways, which we will summarize and discuss in this review. Further, emerging modulators of metastasis, like the immune-microenvironment, microbiome, sublethal cell death engagement, or the nervous system will be integrated into the existing working model of metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameer Ullah Khan
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Division of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Division of Cancer Pharmacology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Kaneez Fatima
- Division of Cancer Pharmacology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu and Kashmir, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (ASIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Fayaz Malik
- Division of Cancer Pharmacology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu and Kashmir, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (ASIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
| | - Halime Kalkavan
- Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Abubakar Wani
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38105, United States.
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Hapeman JD, Carneiro CS, Nedelcu AM. A model for the dissemination of circulating tumour cell clusters involving platelet recruitment and a plastic switch between cooperative and individual behaviours. BMC Ecol Evol 2023; 23:39. [PMID: 37605189 PMCID: PMC10440896 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-023-02147-5] [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: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In spite of extensive research, cancer remains a major health problem worldwide. As cancer progresses, cells acquire traits that allow them to disperse and disseminate to distant locations in the body - a process known as metastasis. While in the vasculature, these cells are referred to as circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and can manifest either as single cells or clusters of cells (i.e., CTC clusters), with the latter being the most aggressive. The increased metastatic potential of CTC clusters is generally associated with cooperative group benefits in terms of survival, including increased resistance to shear stress, anoikis, immune attacks and drugs. However, the adoption of a group phenotype poses a challenge when exiting the vasculature (extravasation) as the large size can hinder the passage through vessel walls. Despite their significant role in the metastatic process, the mechanisms through which CTC clusters extravasate remain largely unknown. Based on the observed in vivo association between CTC clusters and platelets, we hypothesized that cancer cells take advantage of the platelet-derived Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 (TGF-β1) - a signalling factor that has been widely implicated in many aspects of cancer, to facilitate their own dissemination. To address this possibility, we evaluated the effect of exogenous TGF-β1 on an experimentally evolved non-small cell lung cancer cell line that we previously developed and used to investigate the biology of CTC clusters. RESULTS We found that exogenous TGF-β1 induced the dissociation of clusters in suspension into adherent single cells. Once adhered, cells released their own TGF-β1 and were able to individually migrate and invade in the absence of exogenous TGF-β1. Based on these findings we developed a model that involves a TGF-β1-mediated plastic switch between a cooperative phenotype and a single-celled stage that enables the extravasation of CTC clusters. CONCLUSIONS This model allows for the possibility that therapies can be developed against TGF-β1 signalling components and/or TGF-β1 target genes to suppress the metastatic potential of CTC clusters. Considering the negative impact that metastasis has on cancer prognosis and the lack of therapies against this process, interfering with the ability of CTC clusters to switch between cooperative and individual behaviours could provide new strategies to improve patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorian D Hapeman
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3, Canada
| | - Caroline S Carneiro
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3, Canada
| | - Aurora M Nedelcu
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3, Canada.
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Gallerani G, Rossi T, Ferracin M, Bonafè M. Settling the uncertainty about unconventional circulating tumor cells: Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, cell fusion and trogocytosis. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 381:99-111. [PMID: 37739485 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) were first described 150 years ago. The so-called "classical" CTC populations (EpCAM+/CK+/CD45-) have been fully characterized and proposed as the most representative CTC subset, with clinical relevance. Nonetheless, other "atypical" or "unconventional" CTCs have also been identified, and their critical role in metastasis formation was demonstrated. In this chapter we illustrate the studies that led to the discovery of unconventional CTCs, defined as CTCs that display both epithelial and mesenchymal markers, or both cancer and immune markers, also in the form of hybrid cancer-immune cells. We also present biological explanations for the origin of these unconventional CTCs: epithelial to mesenchymal transition, cell-cell fusion and trogocytosis. We believe that a deeper knowledge on the biology of CTCs is needed to fully elucidate their role in cancer progression and their use as cancer biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Gallerani
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Tania Rossi
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Manuela Ferracin
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Bonafè
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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12
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He Y, Zhang Q, Chen Y, Wu Y, Quan Y, Chen W, Yao J, Zhang P. ZHX2 deficiency enriches hybrid MET cells through regulating E-cadherin expression. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:444. [PMID: 37460540 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05974-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence indicates that the epithelial to mesenchymal (E/M) hybrid state plays a key role in tumorigenesis. Importantly, a hybrid mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) state in which individual cells express both epithelial and mesenchymal markers was recently identified in vivo, further strengthening the bonds between the hybrid EMT state and cancer progression. However, the role and the molecular mechanisms by which the hybrid MET state is maintained in triple-negative breast cancer cells (TNBC) remain elusive. Here, we find that loss of ZHX2 expression results in the hybrid MET phenotype in mesenchymal TNBC cells. Mechanistically, through directly binding to the CDH1 promoter, depletion of ZHX2 specifically reactivates expression of CDH1 encoding E-cadherin, an epithelial marker that is crucial for maintaining epithelial phenotype. Functionally, loss of ZHX2 expression enriches the hybrid MET cells and inhibits the migration and dissemination of TNBC cells or organoids, which could be reversed by restoration of E-cadherin. Moreover, depletion of ZHX2 suppresses lung metastasis in preclinical models of TNBC. In patients with TNBC, ZHX2 expression was amplified and negatively correlated with the expression of E-cadherin. These findings suggest that loss of ZHX2 promotes the hybrid MET state to impair TNBC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan He
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qimin Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuanhong Chen
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yingjian Wu
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan Quan
- Stem Cell Laboratory, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China.
| | - Weihua Chen
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Yao
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Peijing Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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13
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Li S, Zhang H, Zhu M, Kuang Z, Li X, Xu F, Miao S, Zhang Z, Lou X, Li H, Xia F. Electrochemical Biosensors for Whole Blood Analysis: Recent Progress, Challenges, and Future Perspectives. Chem Rev 2023. [PMID: 37262362 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Whole blood, as one of the most significant biological fluids, provides critical information for health management and disease monitoring. Over the past 10 years, advances in nanotechnology, microfluidics, and biomarker research have spurred the development of powerful miniaturized diagnostic systems for whole blood testing toward the goal of disease monitoring and treatment. Among the techniques employed for whole-blood diagnostics, electrochemical biosensors, as known to be rapid, sensitive, capable of miniaturization, reagentless and washing free, become a class of emerging technology to achieve the target detection specifically and directly in complex media, e.g., whole blood or even in the living body. Here we are aiming to provide a comprehensive review to summarize advances over the past decade in the development of electrochemical sensors for whole blood analysis. Further, we address the remaining challenges and opportunities to integrate electrochemical sensing platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoguang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Hongyuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Man Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Zhujun Kuang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Xun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Fan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Siyuan Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Zishuo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Xiaoding Lou
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Hui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Fan Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
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14
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Hong B, Zhang X, Du X, Yang D, Hu Z, Zhang X, Zhang N. Exploring the Potential Driver Gene Mutations That Promote Renal Cancer Cell Metastasis and Implantation Based on Circulating Tumor Cells Culture. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13111855. [PMID: 37296706 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13111855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies have shown that the circulating tumor cell (CTC) is a necessary condition for the invasion and distant metastasis of renal cell carcimona (RCC). However, few CTCs-related gene mutations have been developed which could promote the metastasis and implantation of RCC. The objective of this study is to explore the potential driver gene mutations that promote RCC metastasis and implantation based on CTCs culture. Fifteen patients with primary mRCC and three healthy subjects were included, and peripheral blood was obtained. After the preparation of synthetic biological scaffolds, peripheral blood CTCs were cultured. Successful cultured CTCs were applied to construct CTCs-derived xenograft (CDX) models, followed by DNA extraction, whole exome sequencing (WES) and bioinformatics analysis. Synthetic biological scaffolds were constructed based on previously applied techniques, and peripheral blood CTCs culture was successfully performed. We then constructed CDX models and performed WES, and explored the potential driver gene mutations that may promote RCC metastasis and implantation. Bioinformatics analysis showed that KAZN and POU6F2 may be closely related to the prognosis of RCC. We successfully performed the culture of peripheral blood CTCs and, on this basis we initially explored the potential driver mutations for the metastasis and implantation of RCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoan Hong
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Urology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Xuezhou Zhang
- Department of Urology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xin Du
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Urology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Dazhi Yang
- Acrogenic Biotechnologies INC, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Zhiyuan Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Xiuli Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Department of Urology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, China
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15
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Carneiro CS, Hapeman JD, Nedelcu AM. Synergistic inter-clonal cooperation involving crosstalk, co-option and co-dependency can enhance the invasiveness of genetically distant cancer clones. BMC Ecol Evol 2023; 23:20. [PMID: 37226092 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-023-02129-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite intensive research, cancer remains a major health problem. The difficulties in treating cancer reflect the complex nature of this disease, including high levels of heterogeneity within tumours. Intra-tumour heterogeneity creates the conditions for inter-clonal competition and selection, which could result in selective sweeps and a reduction in levels of heterogeneity. However, in addition to competing, cancer clones can also cooperate with each other, and the positive effects of these interactions on the fitness of clones could actually contribute to maintaining the heterogeneity of tumours. Consequently, understanding the evolutionary mechanisms and pathways involved in such activities is of great significance for cancer treatment. This is particularly relevant for metastasis (i.e., tumor cell migration, invasion, dispersal and dissemination), which is the most lethal phase during cancer progression. To explore if and how genetically distant clones can cooperate during migration and invasion, this study used three distinct cancer cell lines with different metastatic potentials. RESULTS We found that (i) the conditioned media from two invasive lines (breast and lung) increased the migration and invasion potential of a poorly metastatic line (breast), and (ii) this inter-clonal cooperative interaction involved the TGF-β1 signalling pathway. Furthermore, when the less aggressive line was co-cultured with the highly metastatic breast line, the invasive potential of both lines was enhanced, and this outcome was dependent on the co-option (through TGF-β1 autocrine-paracrine signalling) of the weakly metastatic clone into expressing an enhanced malignant phenotype that benefited both clones (i.e., a "help me help you" strategy). CONCLUSIONS Based on our findings, we propose a model in which crosstalk, co-option, and co-dependency can facilitate the evolution of synergistic cooperative interactions between genetically distant clones. Specifically, we suggest that synergistic cooperative interactions can easily emerge, regardless of the degree of overall genetic/genealogical relatedness, via crosstalk involving metastatic clones able to constitutively secrete molecules that induce and maintain their own malignant state (producer-responder clones) and clones that have the ability to respond to those signals (responder clones) and express a synergistic metastatic behaviour. Taking into account the lack of therapies that directly affect the metastatic process, interfering with such cooperative interactions during the early steps in the metastatic cascade could provide additional strategies to increase patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline S Carneiro
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3, Canada
| | - Jorian D Hapeman
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3, Canada
| | - Aurora M Nedelcu
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3, Canada.
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16
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Neuendorf HM, Simmons JL, Boyle GM. Therapeutic targeting of anoikis resistance in cutaneous melanoma metastasis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1183328. [PMID: 37181747 PMCID: PMC10169659 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1183328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The acquisition of resistance to anoikis, the cell death induced by loss of adhesion to the extracellular matrix, is an absolute requirement for the survival of disseminating and circulating tumour cells (CTCs), and for the seeding of metastatic lesions. In melanoma, a range of intracellular signalling cascades have been identified as potential drivers of anoikis resistance, however a full understanding of the process is yet to be attained. Mechanisms of anoikis resistance pose an attractive target for the therapeutic treatment of disseminating and circulating melanoma cells. This review explores the range of small molecule, peptide and antibody inhibitors targeting molecules involved in anoikis resistance in melanoma, and may be repurposed to prevent metastatic melanoma prior to its initiation, potentially improving the prognosis for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M. Neuendorf
- Cancer Drug Mechanisms Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jacinta L. Simmons
- Cancer Drug Mechanisms Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Glen M. Boyle
- Cancer Drug Mechanisms Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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17
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Rozenberg JM, Buzdin AA, Mohammad T, Rakitina OA, Didych DA, Pleshkan VV, Alekseenko IV. Molecules promoting circulating clusters of cancer cells suggest novel therapeutic targets for treatment of metastatic cancers. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1099921. [PMID: 37006265 PMCID: PMC10050392 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1099921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment of metastatic disease remains among the most challenging tasks in oncology. One of the early events that predicts a poor prognosis and precedes the development of metastasis is the occurrence of clusters of cancer cells in the blood flow. Moreover, the presence of heterogeneous clusters of cancerous and noncancerous cells in the circulation is even more dangerous. Review of pathological mechanisms and biological molecules directly involved in the formation and pathogenesis of the heterotypic circulating tumor cell (CTC) clusters revealed their common properties, which include increased adhesiveness, combined epithelial-mesenchymal phenotype, CTC-white blood cell interaction, and polyploidy. Several molecules involved in the heterotypic CTC interactions and their metastatic properties, including IL6R, CXCR4 and EPCAM, are targets of approved or experimental anticancer drugs. Accordingly, analysis of patient survival data from the published literature and public datasets revealed that the expression of several molecules affecting the formation of CTC clusters predicts patient survival in multiple cancer types. Thus, targeting of molecules involved in CTC heterotypic interactions might be a valuable strategy for the treatment of metastatic cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian M. Rozenberg
- Laboratory of Translational Bioinformatics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Anton A. Buzdin
- Laboratory of Translational Bioinformatics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
- PathoBiology Group, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), Brussels, Belgium
- Group for Genomic Analysis of Cell Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Laboratory for Clinical Genomic Bioinformatics, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
- *Correspondence: Anton Buzdin,
| | - Tharaa Mohammad
- Laboratory of Translational Bioinformatics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Olga A. Rakitina
- Gene Immunooncotherapy Group, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry A. Didych
- Laboratory of human genes structure and functions, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Victor V. Pleshkan
- Gene Immunooncotherapy Group, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Gene oncotherapy sector, Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre (Kurchatov Institute), Moscow, Russia
| | - Irina V. Alekseenko
- Gene Immunooncotherapy Group, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Gene oncotherapy sector, Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre (Kurchatov Institute), Moscow, Russia
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Oncogynecology and Mammology, National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology Named after Academician V.I. Kulakov, Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
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18
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Ricordel C, Chaillot L, Vlachavas EI, Logotheti M, Jouannic A, Desvallees T, Lecuyer G, Aubry M, Kontogianni G, Mastrokalou C, Jouan F, Jarry U, Corre R, Le Guen Y, Guillaudeux T, Lena H, Chatziioannou A, Pedeux R. Genomic characteristics and clinical significance of CD56+ circulating tumor cells in small cell lung cancer. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3626. [PMID: 36869231 PMCID: PMC9984363 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30536-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTC) have been studied in various solid tumors but clinical utility of CTC in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) remains unclear. The aim of the CTC-CPC study was to develop an EpCAM-independent CTC isolation method allowing isolation of a broader range of living CTC from SCLC and decipher their genomic and biological characteristics. CTC-CPC is a monocentric prospective non-interventional study including treatment-naïve newly diagnosed SCLC. CD56+ CTC were isolated from whole blood samples, at diagnosis and relapse after first-line treatment and submitted to whole-exome-sequencing (WES). Phenotypic study confirms tumor lineage and tumorigenic properties of isolated cells for the 4 patients analyzed with WES. WES of CD56+ CTC and matched tumor biopsy reveal genomic alteration frequently impaired in SCLC. At diagnosis CD56+ CTC were characterized by a high mutation load, a distinct mutational profile and a unique genomic signature, compared to match tumors biopsies. In addition to classical pathways altered in SCLC, we found new biological processes specifically affected in CD56+ CTC at diagnosis. High numeration of CD56+ CTC (> 7/ml) at diagnosis was associated with ES-SCLC. Comparing CD56+ CTC isolated at diagnosis and relapse, we identify differentially altered oncogenic pathways (e.g. DLL3 or MAPK pathway). We report a versatile method of CD56+ CTC detection in SCLC. Numeration of CD56+ CTC at diagnosis is correlated with disease extension. Isolated CD56+ CTC are tumorigenic and show a distinct mutational profile. We report a minimal gene set as a unique signature of CD56+ CTC and identify new affected biological pathways enriched in EpCAM-independent isolated CTC in SCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Ricordel
- INSERM, OSS (Oncogenesis Stress Signaling), UMR_S 1242, CLCC Eugene Marquis, Univ Rennes 1, 35000, Rennes, France.
- Service de Pneumologie, Hôpital Pontchaillou, CHU Rennes, 2 Rue Henri Le Guilloux, 35033, Rennes, France.
| | - L Chaillot
- INSERM, OSS (Oncogenesis Stress Signaling), UMR_S 1242, CLCC Eugene Marquis, Univ Rennes 1, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - E I Vlachavas
- e-NIOS PC, Kallithea-Athens, Greece
- Division of Molecular Genome Analysis (B050), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - A Jouannic
- INSERM, OSS (Oncogenesis Stress Signaling), UMR_S 1242, CLCC Eugene Marquis, Univ Rennes 1, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - T Desvallees
- CNRS, INSERM, BIOSIT UAR 3480, US_S 018, Oncotrial, Univ Rennes, 35000, Rennes, France
- Unité De Pharmacologie Préclinique, Biotrial Pharmacology, Rennes, France
| | - G Lecuyer
- INSERM, OSS (Oncogenesis Stress Signaling), UMR_S 1242, CLCC Eugene Marquis, Univ Rennes 1, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - M Aubry
- INSERM, OSS (Oncogenesis Stress Signaling), UMR_S 1242, CLCC Eugene Marquis, Univ Rennes 1, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - G Kontogianni
- Centre of Systems Biology, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou Street, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | | | - F Jouan
- INSERM, OSS (Oncogenesis Stress Signaling), UMR_S 1242, CLCC Eugene Marquis, Univ Rennes 1, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - U Jarry
- CNRS, INSERM, BIOSIT UAR 3480, US_S 018, Oncotrial, Univ Rennes, 35000, Rennes, France
- Unité De Pharmacologie Préclinique, Biotrial Pharmacology, Rennes, France
| | - R Corre
- Service de Pneumologie, Hôpital Pontchaillou, CHU Rennes, 2 Rue Henri Le Guilloux, 35033, Rennes, France
| | - Y Le Guen
- Service de Pneumologie, Hôpital Pontchaillou, CHU Rennes, 2 Rue Henri Le Guilloux, 35033, Rennes, France
| | - T Guillaudeux
- INSERM, OSS (Oncogenesis Stress Signaling), UMR_S 1242, CLCC Eugene Marquis, Univ Rennes 1, 35000, Rennes, France
- CNRS, INSERM, BIOSIT UAR 3480, US_S 018, Oncotrial, Univ Rennes, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - H Lena
- INSERM, OSS (Oncogenesis Stress Signaling), UMR_S 1242, CLCC Eugene Marquis, Univ Rennes 1, 35000, Rennes, France
- Service de Pneumologie, Hôpital Pontchaillou, CHU Rennes, 2 Rue Henri Le Guilloux, 35033, Rennes, France
| | - A Chatziioannou
- e-NIOS PC, Kallithea-Athens, Greece
- Centre of Systems Biology, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou Street, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Rémy Pedeux
- INSERM, OSS (Oncogenesis Stress Signaling), UMR_S 1242, CLCC Eugene Marquis, Univ Rennes 1, 35000, Rennes, France.
- CNRS, INSERM, BIOSIT UAR 3480, US_S 018, Oncotrial, Univ Rennes, 35000, Rennes, France.
- CLCC Eugène Marquis, INSERM U1242-OSS, Université Rennes 1, Rue Bataille Flandres Dunkerque, 35042, Rennes, France.
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19
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Zhou XH, Li JR, Zheng TH, Chen H, Cai C, Ye SL, Gao B, Xue TC. Portal vein tumor thrombosis in hepatocellular carcinoma: molecular mechanism and therapy. Clin Exp Metastasis 2023; 40:5-32. [PMID: 36318440 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-022-10188-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT), a common complication of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), remains the bottleneck of the treatments. Liver cancer cells potentially experienced multi-steps during PVTT process, including cancer cells leave from cancer nest, migrate in extracellular matrix, invade the vascular barrier, and colonize in the portal vein. Accumulated evidences have revealed numerous of molecular mechanisms including genetic and epigenetic regulation, cancer stem cells, immunosuppressive microenvironment, hypoxia, et al. contributed to the PVTT formation. In this review, we discuss state-of-the-art PVTT research on the potential molecular mechanisms and experimental models. In addition, we summarize PVTT-associated clinical trials and current treatments for PVTT and suppose perspectives exploring the molecular mechanisms and improving PVTT-related treatment for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Hao Zhou
- Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Hepatic Oncology, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai, 200032, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jing-Ru Li
- Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Hepatic Oncology, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai, 200032, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Tang-Hui Zheng
- Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Hepatic Oncology, Xiamen Branch, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen, 361015, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Hepatic Oncology, Xiamen Branch, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen, 361015, China
| | - Chen Cai
- Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Hepatic Oncology, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai, 200032, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Sheng-Long Ye
- Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Hepatic Oncology, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai, 200032, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Bo Gao
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Tong-Chun Xue
- Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Department of Hepatic Oncology, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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20
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Gangadhar A, Sari-Sarraf H, Vanapalli SA. Deep learning assisted holography microscopy for in-flow enumeration of tumor cells in blood. RSC Adv 2023; 13:4222-4235. [PMID: 36760296 PMCID: PMC9892890 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra07972k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in cancer patient blood samples relies on immunostaining, which does not provide access to live CTCs, limiting the breadth of CTC-based applications. Here, we take the first steps to address this limitation, by demonstrating staining-free enumeration of tumor cells spiked into lysed blood samples using digital holographic microscopy (DHM), microfluidics and machine learning (ML). A 3D-printed module for laser assembly was developed to simplify the optical set up for holographic imaging of cells flowing through a sheath-based microfluidic device. Computational reconstruction of the holograms was performed to localize the cells in 3D and obtain the plane of best focus images to train deep learning models. We developed a custom-designed light-weight shallow Network dubbed s-Net and compared its performance against off-the-shelf CNN models including ResNet-50. The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the s-Net model was found to be higher than the off-the-shelf ML models. By applying an optimized decision threshold to mixed samples prepared in silico, the false positive rate was reduced from 1 × 10-2 to 2.77 × 10-4. Finally, the developed DHM-ML framework was successfully applied to enumerate spiked MCF-7 breast cancer cells and SkOV3 ovarian cancer cells from lysed blood samples containing white blood cells (WBCs) at concentrations typical of label-free enrichment techniques. We conclude by discussing the advances that need to be made to translate the DHM-ML approach to staining-free enumeration of actual CTCs in cancer patient blood samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anirudh Gangadhar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University Lubbock TX 79409 USA
| | - Hamed Sari-Sarraf
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas Tech UniversityLubbockTX 79409USA
| | - Siva A. Vanapalli
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech UniversityLubbockTX 79409USA
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21
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Phenotypic Characterization of Circulating Tumor Cells Isolated from Non-Small and Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010171. [PMID: 36612166 PMCID: PMC9818148 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we evaluated the expression of JUNB and CXCR4 in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) of lung cancer patients and investigated whether these proteins have prognostic clinical relevance. Peripheral blood from 30 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was filtered using ISET membranes, and cytospins from 37 patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) were analyzed using confocal and VyCAP microscopy. Both JUNB and CXCR4 were expressed in the vast majority of lung cancer patients. Interestingly, the phenotypic patterns differed between NSCLC and SCLC patients; the (CK+/JUNB+/CXCR4+) phenotype was present in 50% of NSCLC vs. 71% of SCLC patients. Similarly, the (CK+/JUNB+/CXCR4−) was present in 44% vs. 71%, the (CK+/JUNB−/CXCR4+) in 6% vs. 71%, and the (CK+/JUNB−/CXCR4−) phenotype in 38% vs. 84%. In NSCLC, the presence of ≥1 CTCs with the (CK+/JUNB+/CXCR4+) phenotype was associated with worse progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.007, HR = 5.21) while ≥2 with poorer overall survival (OS) (p < 0.001, HR = 2.16). In extensive stage SCLC patients, the presence of ≥4 CXCR4-positive CTCs was associated with shorter OS (p = 0.041, HR = 5.01). Consequently, JUNB and CXCR4 were expressed in CTCs from lung cancer patients, and associated with patients’ survival, underlying their key role in tumor progression.
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22
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Fridrichova I, Kalinkova L, Ciernikova S. Clinical Relevancy of Circulating Tumor Cells in Breast Cancer: Epithelial or Mesenchymal Characteristics, Single Cells or Clusters? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12141. [PMID: 36292996 PMCID: PMC9603393 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is typically an incurable disease with high mortality rates; thus, early identification of metastatic features and disease recurrence through precise biomarkers is crucial. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) consisting of heterogeneous subpopulations with different morphology and genetic, epigenetic, and gene expression profiles represent promising candidate biomarkers for metastatic potential. The experimentally verified role of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cancer dissemination has not been clearly described in BC patients, but the stemness features of CTCs strongly contributes to metastatic potency. Single CTCs have been shown to be protected in the bloodstream against recognition by the immune system through impaired interactions with T lymphocytes and NK cells, while associations of heterotypic CTC clusters with platelets, leucocytes, neutrophils, tumor-associated macrophages, and fibroblasts improve their tumorigenic behavior. In addition to single CTC and CTC cluster characteristics, we reviewed CTC evaluation methods and clinical studies in early and metastatic BCs. The variable CTC tests were developed based on specific principles and strategies. However, CTC count and the presence of CTC clusters were shown to be most clinically relevant in existing clinical trials. Despite the known progress in CTC research and sampling of BC patients, implementation of CTCs and CTC clusters in routine diagnostic and treatment strategies still requires improvement in detection sensitivity and precise molecular characterizations, focused predominantly on the role of CTC clusters for their higher metastatic potency.
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23
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Yao J, Xie M, Ma X, Song J, Wang Y, Xue X. PIWI-interacting RNAs in cancer: Biogenesis, function, and clinical significance. Front Oncol 2022; 12:965684. [PMID: 36212439 PMCID: PMC9539321 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.965684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a less-studied class of small non-coding RNAs approximately 24–31 nucleotides in length. They express in germline and somatic cells and form complexes with PIWI proteins to exert regulatory effects. New studies show that piRNAs are aberrantly expressed in various cancers. In this review, we focus on those piRNAs that are associated with cancer hallmarks such as proliferation, invasion, and chemoresistance and discuss their potential as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Mei Xie
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, The Chinese People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xidong Ma
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, The Chinese People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jialin Song
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, Weifang Medical College, Weifang, China
| | - Yuanyong Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xinying Xue
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, Weifang Medical College, Weifang, China
- *Correspondence: Xinying Xue,
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24
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Ma X, Ou K, Liu X, Yang L. Application progress of liquid biopsy in gastric cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:969866. [PMID: 36185234 PMCID: PMC9521037 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.969866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant tumors globally. Guiding the individualized treatment of GC is the focus of research. Obtaining representative biological samples to study the biological characteristics of GC is the focus of diagnosis and treatment of GC. Liquid biopsy technology can use high-throughput sequencing technology to detect biological genetic information in blood. Compared with traditional tissue biopsy, liquid biopsy can determine the dynamic changes of tumor. As a noninvasive auxiliary diagnostic method, liquid biopsy can provide diagnostic and prognostic information concerning the progression of the disease. Liquid biopsy includes circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor DNA, circulating tumor RNA, tumor educated platelets, exosomes, and cytokines. This article describes the classification of liquid biopsy and its application value in the occurrence, development, and therapeutic efficacy of GC.
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25
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Huang Y, Hong W, Wei X. The molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies of EMT in tumor progression and metastasis. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:129. [PMID: 36076302 PMCID: PMC9461252 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01347-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 96.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an essential process in normal embryonic development and tissue regeneration. However, aberrant reactivation of EMT is associated with malignant properties of tumor cells during cancer progression and metastasis, including promoted migration and invasiveness, increased tumor stemness, and enhanced resistance to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. EMT is tightly regulated by a complex network which is orchestrated with several intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including multiple transcription factors, post-translational control, epigenetic modifications, and noncoding RNA-mediated regulation. In this review, we described the molecular mechanisms, signaling pathways, and the stages of tumorigenesis involved in the EMT process and discussed the dynamic non-binary process of EMT and its role in tumor metastasis. Finally, we summarized the challenges of chemotherapy and immunotherapy in EMT and proposed strategies for tumor therapy targeting EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhe Huang
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Weiqi Hong
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiawei Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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26
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Sun Z, Li P, Wu Z, Li B, Li W, Zhao M, Zhou X, Wang Z, Yu Z, Liu W, Zhu W, Wang H, Wang Y. Circulating CD45+EpCAM+ cells as a diagnostic marker for early-stage primary lung cancer. FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2022; 4:982308. [PMID: 36147748 PMCID: PMC9487715 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2022.982308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is a highly prevalent type of cancer, accounting for 11.6% of all cancer incidences. Early detection and treatment can significantly improve the survival rate and quality of life of patients; however, there is no accurate, effective, and easy-to-use test for early lung cancer screening. In this study, flow cytometry was used to detect the presence of CD45+EpCAM+ cells in tumor tissues and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with lung cancer. Moreover, the proportion of CD45+EpCAM+ cells in PBMCs of patients with lung cancer was found to be significantly higher than that of healthy volunteers. Tumor-related serum markers level was also measured in the peripheral blood of these patients using an electrochemiluminescence assay. The correlation between CD45+EpCAM+ cells, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and lung cancer was investigated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, which showed the sensitivity and specificity of the CD45+EpCAM+ cell to be 81.58% and 88.89%, respectively. Further analysis yielded an area under the ROC curve (ROC/area under the curve [AUC]) of 0.845 in patients PBMCs with lung cancer, which was slightly higher than that of CEA (0.732). Therefore, the detection of CD45+EpCAM+ cells in PBMCs may be helpful for the early screening and auxiliary diagnosis of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Sun
- Qingdao Sino-Cell Biomed Co., Ltd., Qingdao, China
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhaojun Wu
- Qingdao Sino-Cell Biomed Co., Ltd., Qingdao, China
| | - Bin Li
- Qingdao Sino-Cell Biomed Co., Ltd., Qingdao, China
| | - Wenjing Li
- Qingdao Sino-Cell Biomed Co., Ltd., Qingdao, China
| | | | - Xiaobin Zhou
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zeyao Wang
- Qingdao Sino-Cell Biomed Co., Ltd., Qingdao, China
| | - Zhongjie Yu
- Qingdao Sino-Cell Biomed Co., Ltd., Qingdao, China
| | - Wenna Liu
- Qingdao Sino-Cell Biomed Co., Ltd., Qingdao, China
| | - Wenshu Zhu
- Qingdao Sino-Cell Biomed Co., Ltd., Qingdao, China
| | - Haibo Wang
- Institute of Translational Research for Solid Tumor, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- *Correspondence: Haibo Wang
| | - Yongjie Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Yongjie Wang
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27
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Agnoletto C, Volinia S. Mitochondria dysfunction in circulating tumor cells. Front Oncol 2022; 12:947479. [PMID: 35992829 PMCID: PMC9386562 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.947479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) represent a subset of heterogeneous cells, which, once released from a tumor site, have the potential to give rise to metastasis in secondary sites. Recent research focused on the attempt to detect and characterize these rare cells in the circulation, and advancements in defining their molecular profile have been reported in diverse tumor species, with potential implications for clinical applications. Of note, metabolic alterations, involving mitochondria, have been implicated in the metastatic process, as key determinants in the transition of tumor cells to a mesenchymal or stemness-like phenotype, in drug resistance, and in induction of apoptosis. This review aimed to briefly analyse the most recent knowledge relative to mitochondria dysfunction in CTCs, and to envision implications of altered mitochondria in CTCs for a potential utility in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Agnoletto
- Rete Oncologica Veneta (ROV), Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Stefano Volinia
- Laboratorio per le Tecnologie delle Terapie Avanzate (LTTA), Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Biological and Chemical Research Centre (CNBCh UW), University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Center of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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28
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Fu T, Li S, Wei L, Huang S, Xue Y, Cui K. Optimal whole blood dilution protocol for preprocessing samples prior to circulating tumor cell capture by size-based isolation. J Clin Lab Anal 2022; 36:e24524. [PMID: 35657145 PMCID: PMC9279958 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.24524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study compared whole blood dilution versus density gradient centrifugation for pre-processing blood samples prior to circulating tumor cell (CTC) capture on the efficiency of CTC separation by size-based isolation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Whole blood from a healthy volunteer spiked with SKBR3 cells was used to optimize the whole blood dilution protocol for sample volume, dilution ratio, and paraformaldehyde (PFA) concentration. Whole blood from healthy volunteers spiked with SKBR3, A549, or PC3 cells, and whole blood from patients with advanced gastric, esophageal, or liver cancer, was used to compare pre-processing by the optimal whole blood dilution protocol with density-gradient centrifugation. All statistical evaluations were performed using Student t test of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 17.0). RESULTS In blood samples from healthy volunteers, spiked SKBR3 cell recovery rates were highest in 5 ml of whole blood, diluted with 2.5 ml buffer, and fixed with 0.2% PFA, and spiked SKBR3, A549, and PC3 cell recovery rates from 5 ml whole blood were significantly greater when using the optimized whole blood dilution protocol (87.67% ± 1.76%, 79.50% ± 0.50% and 71.83% ± 1.04%, respectively) compared to density-gradient centrifugation (46.83 ± 1.76%, 37.00 ± 1.50% and 41.00 ± 1.50%, respectively).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianhao Fu
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanningChina
| | - Sheng Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shandong Cancer Hospital, Cheeloo College of MedicineShandong UniversityJinanChina
- Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesJinanChina
| | - Liang Wei
- Wuhan YZY Medical Science & Technology Co., LtdWuhanChina
| | - Shaoyi Huang
- Wuhan YZY Medical Science & Technology Co., LtdWuhanChina
| | - Yan Xue
- Jinan Children's HospitalJinanChina
| | - Kai Cui
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shandong Cancer Hospital, Cheeloo College of MedicineShandong UniversityJinanChina
- Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesJinanChina
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29
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High throughput, label-free isolation of circulating tumor cell clusters in meshed microwells. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3385. [PMID: 35697674 PMCID: PMC9192591 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31009-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Extremely rare circulating tumor cell (CTC) clusters are both increasingly appreciated as highly metastatic precursors and virtually unexplored. Technologies are primarily designed to detect single CTCs and often fail to account for the fragility of clusters or to leverage cluster-specific markers for higher sensitivity. Meanwhile, the few technologies targeting CTC clusters lack scalability. Here, we introduce the Cluster-Wells, which combines the speed and practicality of membrane filtration with the sensitive and deterministic screening afforded by microfluidic chips. The >100,000 microwells in the Cluster-Wells physically arrest CTC clusters in unprocessed whole blood, gently isolating virtually all clusters at a throughput of >25 mL/h, and allow viable clusters to be retrieved from the device. Using the Cluster-Wells, we isolated CTC clusters ranging from 2 to 100+ cells from prostate and ovarian cancer patients and analyzed a subset using RNA sequencing. Routine isolation of CTC clusters will democratize research on their utility in managing cancer. Metastatic CTC clusters remain relatively unexplored due to the lack of optimized and practical technologies for their detection. Here the authors report Cluster-Wells to isolate CTC clusters in whole blood; they show this allows viable cluster retrieval for further molecular and functional analysis.
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Abstract
Metastasis is responsible for a large majority of death from malignant solid tumors. Bone is one of the most frequently affected organs in cancer metastasis, especially in breast and prostate cancer. Development of bone metastasis requires cancer cells to successfully complete a number of challenging steps, including local invasion and intravasation, survival in circulation, extravasation and initial seeding, and finally, formation of metastatic colonies after a period of dormancy or indolent growth. During this process, cancer cells often undergo a series of cellular and molecular changes to gain cellular plasticity that helps them adapt to various environments they encounter along the journey of metastasis. Understanding the mechanisms behind cellular plasticity and adaptation during the formation of bone metastasis is crucial for the development of novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cao Fang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Yibin Kang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
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31
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Burr R, Edd JF, Chirn B, Mishra A, Haber DA, Toner M, Maheswaran S. Negative-Selection Enrichment of Circulating Tumor Cells from Peripheral Blood Using the Microfluidic CTC-iChip. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2471:309-321. [PMID: 35175606 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2193-6_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The ability to isolate and analyze rare circulating tumor cells (CTCs) holds the potential to increase our understanding of cancer evolution and allows monitoring of disease and therapeutic responses through a relatively non-invasive blood-based biopsy. While many methods have been described to isolate CTCs from the blood, the vast majority rely on size-based sorting or positive selection of CTCs based on surface markers, which introduces bias into the downstream product by making assumptions about these heterogenous cells. Here we describe a negative-selection protocol for enrichment of CTCs through removal of blood components including red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells. This procedure results in a product that is amenable to downstream single-cell analytics including RNA-Seq, ATAC-Seq and DNA methylation, droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) for tumor specific transcripts, staining and extensive image analysis, and ex vivo culture of patient-derived CTCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risa Burr
- Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Cancer Research, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Jon F Edd
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brian Chirn
- Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Cancer Research, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Avanish Mishra
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel A Haber
- Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Cancer Research, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mehmet Toner
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Shriners Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shyamala Maheswaran
- Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Cancer Research, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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32
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Zhao W, Dai S, Yue L, Xu F, Gu J, Dai X, Qian X. Emerging mechanisms progress of colorectal cancer liver metastasis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1081585. [PMID: 36568117 PMCID: PMC9772455 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1081585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy and the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. A total of 20% of CRC patients present with distant metastasis. The hepatic portal venous system, responsible for collecting most intestinal blood, makes the liver the most common site of CRC metastasis. The formation of liver metastases from colorectal cancer is a long and complex process. It involves the maintenance of primary tumors, vasculature invasion, distant colonization, and metastasis formation. In this review, we serve on how the CRC cells acquire stemness, invade the vascular, and colonize the liver. In addition, we highlight how the resident cells of the liver and immune cells interact with CRC cells. We also discuss the current immunotherapy approaches and challenges we face, and finally, we look forward to finding new therapeutic targets based on novel sequencing technologies.
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33
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Kitz J, Lefebvre C, Carlos J, Lowes LE, Allan AL. Reduced Zeb1 Expression in Prostate Cancer Cells Leads to an Aggressive Partial-EMT Phenotype Associated with Altered Global Methylation Patterns. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312840. [PMID: 34884649 PMCID: PMC8657557 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men and the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Most of these deaths are associated with metastasis, a process involving the epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT) transition. Furthermore, growing evidence suggests that partial-EMT (p-EMT) may lead to more aggressive disease than complete EMT. In this study, the EMT-inducing transcription factor Zeb1 was knocked down in mesenchymal PC-3 prostate cancer cells (Zeb1KD) and resulting changes in cellular phenotype were assessed using protein and RNA analysis, invasion and migration assays, cell morphology assays, and DNA methylation chip analysis. Inducible knockdown of Zeb1 resulted in a p-EMT phenotype including co-expression of epithelial and mesenchymal markers, a mixed epithelial/mesenchymal morphology, increased invasion and migration, and enhanced expression of p-EMT markers relative to PC-3 mesenchymal controls (p ≤ 0.05). Treatment of Zeb1KD cells with the global de-methylating drug 5-azacytidine (5-aza) mitigated the observed aggressive p-EMT phenotype (p ≤ 0.05). DNA methylation chip analysis revealed 10 potential targets for identifying and/or targeting aggressive p-EMT prostate cancer in the future. These findings provide a framework to enhance prognostic and/or therapeutic options for aggressive prostate cancer in the future by identifying new p-EMT biomarkers to classify patients with aggressive disease who may benefit from 5-aza treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna Kitz
- London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Sciences Centre, Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Western University, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada; (J.K.); (C.L.)
| | - Cory Lefebvre
- London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Sciences Centre, Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Western University, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada; (J.K.); (C.L.)
| | - Joselia Carlos
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada;
| | - Lori E. Lowes
- Flow Cytometry, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada;
| | - Alison L. Allan
- London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Sciences Centre, Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Western University, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada; (J.K.); (C.L.)
- Department of Oncology, Western University, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada
- Cancer Research Laboratory Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2R5, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-519-685-8600 (ext. 55134)
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Yu JJ, Shu C, Yang HY, Huang Z, Li YN, Tao R, Chen YY, Chen Q, Chen XP, Xiao W. The Presence of Circulating Tumor Cell Cluster Characterizes an Aggressive Hepatocellular Carcinoma Subtype. Front Oncol 2021; 11:734564. [PMID: 34722281 PMCID: PMC8554092 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.734564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Growing evidence suggests that circulating tumor cell (CTC) clusters may be an important factor in the metastatic process, but their role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. This study aimed to characterize the molecular and clinical features of CTC cluster-positive human HCC and to assess its prognostic value in HCC patients. Methods The CTCs and CTC clusters were evaluated in 204 HCC patients using CellSearch™ System. The counts of CTCs and CTC clusters were correlated with different clinical features, while their associations with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated integrally and hierarchically by Kaplan–Meier estimates or Cox proportional regression analysis. Five cases each of CTC cluster-negative and cluster-positive patients were selected for RNA-sequencing analysis. The results of gene enrichment analysis were further verified using tissue microarray (TMA) by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results CTCs and CTC clusters were detected in 76 (37.3%) and 19 (9.3%) of 204 preoperative samples, respectively. CTC cluster-positive HCC represented an aggressive HCC phenotype with larger tumor size, more frequent microvascular invasion, and higher tumor stages. The survival of HCC patients utilizing CTCs and CTC clusters individually showed prognostic significance, while joint analysis revealed patients in Group III (CTC ≥ 2 and CTC cluster > 0) had the worst outcome. Stratified analysis of outcomes in Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) and tumor–node–metastasis (TNM) stages indicated that patients with CTC clusters had significantly poorer prognosis in each stage than those without CTC clusters. Moreover, the RNA sequencing and TMA staining results showed that CTC cluster-positive HCCs were usually associated with Wnt/β-catenin signaling activation. Conclusion The presence of CTC clusters characterizes an aggressive HCC subtype. CTC clusters may be used as a biomarker in predicting the prognosis on each stage of malignancy in HCC, which provides evidence for formulating therapeutic strategies for more precise treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Jing Yu
- Hepatic Surgery Center and Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chang Shu
- Hepatic Surgery Center and Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui-Yuan Yang
- Hepatic Surgery Center and Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhao Huang
- Hepatic Surgery Center and Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ya-Ni Li
- Hepatic Surgery Center and Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ran Tao
- Hepatic Surgery Center and Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yue-Yue Chen
- Hepatic Surgery Center and Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qian Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao-Ping Chen
- Hepatic Surgery Center and Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Xiao
- Hepatic Surgery Center and Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Kamińska P, Buszka K, Zabel M, Nowicki M, Alix-Panabières C, Budna-Tukan J. Liquid Biopsy in Melanoma: Significance in Diagnostics, Prediction and Treatment Monitoring. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9714. [PMID: 34575876 PMCID: PMC8468624 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liquid biopsy is a common term referring to circulating tumor cells and other biomarkers, such as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) or extracellular vesicles. Liquid biopsy presents a range of clinical advantages, such as the low invasiveness of the blood sample collection and continuous control of the tumor progression. In addition, this approach enables the mechanisms of drug resistance to be determined in various methods of cancer treatment, including immunotherapy. However, in the case of melanoma, the application of liquid biopsy in patient stratification and therapy needs further investigation. This review attempts to collect all of the relevant and recent information about circulating melanoma cells (CMCs) related to the context of malignant melanoma and immunotherapy. Furthermore, the biology of liquid biopsy analytes, including CMCs, ctDNA, mRNA and exosomes, as well as techniques for their detection and isolation, are also described. The available data support the notion that thoughtful selection of biomarkers and technologies for their detection can contribute to the development of precision medicine by increasing the efficacy of cancer diagnostics and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Kamińska
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland; (P.K.); (K.B.); (M.N.)
| | - Karolina Buszka
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland; (P.K.); (K.B.); (M.N.)
| | - Maciej Zabel
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Góra, 65-046 Zielona Góra, Poland;
| | - Michał Nowicki
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland; (P.K.); (K.B.); (M.N.)
| | - Catherine Alix-Panabières
- Laboratory of Rare Human Circulating Cells (LCCRH), University Medical Centre of Montpellier, 34093 Montpellier, France;
- CREEC/CANECEV, MIVEGEC (CREES), University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Joanna Budna-Tukan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland; (P.K.); (K.B.); (M.N.)
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Partial EMT in head and neck cancer biology: a spectrum instead of a switch. Oncogene 2021; 40:5049-5065. [PMID: 34239045 PMCID: PMC8934590 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01868-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Our understanding of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has slowly evolved from a simple two state, binary model to a multi-step, dynamic continuum of epithelial-to-mesenchymal plasticity, with metastable intermediate transition states that may drive cancer metastasis. Head and neck cancer is no exception, and in this review, we use head and neck as a case study for how partial-EMT (p-EMT) cell states may play an important role in cancer progression. In particular, we summarize recent in vitro and in vivo studies that uncover these intermediate transition states, which exhibit both epithelial and mesenchymal properties and appear to have distinct advantages in migration, survival in the bloodstream, and seeding and propagation within secondary metastatic sites. We then summarize the common and distinct regulators of p-EMT as well as methodologies for identifying this unique cellular subpopulation, with a specific emphasis on the role of cutting-edge technologies, such as single cell approaches. Finally, we propose strategies to target p-EMT cells, highlighting potential opportunities for therapeutic intervention to specifically target the process of metastasis. Thus, although significant challenges remain, including numerous gaps in current knowledge, a deeper understanding of EMT plasticity and a genuine identification of EMT as spectrum rather than a switch will be critical for improving patient diagnosis and treatment across oncology.
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Zhang Z, Liu Q, Tan J, Zhan X, Liu T, Wang Y, Lu G, Wu M, Zhang Y. Coating with flexible DNA network enhanced T-cell activation and tumor killing for adoptive cell therapy. Acta Pharm Sin B 2021; 11:1965-1977. [PMID: 34386331 PMCID: PMC8343197 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) is an emerging powerful cancer immunotherapy, which includes a complex process of genetic modification, stimulation and expansion. During these in vitro or ex vivo manipulation, sensitive cells are inescapability subjected to harmful external stimuli. Although a variety of cytoprotection strategies have been developed, their application on ACT remains challenging. Herein, a DNA network is constructed on cell surface by rolling circle amplification (RCA), and T cell-targeted trivalent tetrahedral DNA nanostructure is used as a rigid scaffold to achieve high-efficient and selective coating for T cells. The cytoprotective DNA network on T-cell surface makes them aggregate over time to form cell clusters, which exhibit more resistance to external stimuli and enhanced activities in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and liver cancer organoid killing model. Overall, this work provides a novel strategy for in vitro T cell-selective protection, which has a great potential for application in ACT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyan Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- National and Local United Engineering Lab of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Qiaojuan Liu
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jizhou Tan
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xiaoxia Zhan
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Ting Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yuting Wang
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Gen Lu
- Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Centre, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Minhao Wu
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yuanqing Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- National and Local United Engineering Lab of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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Lengyel CG, Hussain S, Trapani D, El Bairi K, Altuna SC, Seeber A, Odhiambo A, Habeeb BS, Seid F. The Emerging Role of Liquid Biopsy in Gastric Cancer. J Clin Med 2021; 10:2108. [PMID: 34068319 PMCID: PMC8153353 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10102108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Liquid biopsy (LB) is a novel diagnostic method with the potential of revolutionizing the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of several solid tumors. The present paper aims to summarize the current knowledge and explore future possibilities of LB in the management of metastatic gastric cancer. (2) Methods: This narrative review examined the most recent literature on the use of LB-based techniques in metastatic gastric cancer and the current LB-related clinical trial landscape. (3) Results: In gastric cancer, the detection of circulating cancer cells (CTCs) has been recognized to have a prognostic role in all the disease stages. In the setting of localized disease, cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) qualitative and quantitative detection have the potential to inform on the risk of cancer recurrence and metastatic dissemination. In addition, gastric cancer-released exosomes may play an essential part in metastasis formation. In the metastatic setting, the levels of cfDNA show a positive correlation with tumor burden. There is evidence that circulating tumor microemboli (CTM) in the blood of metastatic patients is an independent prognostic factor for shorter overall survival. Gastric cancer-derived exosomal microRNAs or clonal mutations and copy number variations detectable in ctDNA may contribute resistance to chemotherapy or targeted therapies, respectively. There is conflicting and limited data on CTC-based PD-L1 verification and cfDNA-based Epstein-Barr virus detection to predict or monitor immunotherapy responses. (4) Conclusions: Although preliminary studies analyzing LBs in patients with advanced gastric cancer appear promising, more research is required to obtain better insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance to systemic therapies. Moreover, validation and standardization of LB methods are crucial before introducing them in clinical practice. The feasibility of repeatable, minimally invasive sampling opens up the possibility of selecting or dynamically changing therapies based on prognostic risk or predictive biomarkers, such as resistance markers. Research is warranted to exploit a possible transforming area of cancer care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sadaqat Hussain
- North West Cancer Center, Altnagelvin Hospital, Londonderry BT47 6SB, UK;
| | - Dario Trapani
- European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy;
| | | | | | - Andreas Seeber
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - Andrew Odhiambo
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Nairobi, Nairobi 30197, Kenya;
| | - Baker Shalal Habeeb
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shaqlawa Teaching Hospital, Shaqlawa, Erbil 44005, Iraq;
| | - Fahmi Seid
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa 1560, Ethiopia;
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Clinical Relevance of Mesenchymal- and Stem-Associated Phenotypes in Circulating Tumor Cells Isolated from Lung Cancer Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092158. [PMID: 33947159 PMCID: PMC8124761 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Lung cancer is the most frequent malignancy in the world. Most lung cancer patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage. To make matters worse, the survival of patients is very poor. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), albeit rare, have been portrayed as essential players in the progression of lung cancer. It is definitely not easy being a CTC. First, they escape from the primary tumor, then they travel in the bloodstream, have to survive really harsh conditions, and finally, they form metastases. The adoption of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition as well as cancer stem cell features has been suggested to allow CTCs to survive and metastasize. This review will focus on how these features can be used to estimate the prognosis of lung cancer patients. Abstract Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. Among the types of lung cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is more common, while small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is less frequent yet more aggressive. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), albeit rare, have been portrayed as essential players in the progression of lung cancer. CTCs are considered to adopt an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype and characteristics of cancer stem cells (CSCs). This EMT (or partial) phenotype affords these cells the ability to escape from the primary tumor, travel into the bloodstream, and survive extremely adverse conditions, before colonizing distant foci. Acquisition of CSC features, such as self-renewal, differentiation, and migratory potential, further reflect CTCs’ invasive potential. CSCs have been identified in lung cancer, and expression of EMT markers has previously been correlated with poor clinical outcomes. Thus far, a vast majority of studies have concentrated on CTC detection and enumeration as a prognostic tools of patients’ survival or for monitoring treatment efficacy. In this review, we highlight EMT and CSC markers in CTCs and focus on the clinical significance of these phenotypes in the progression of both non-small- and small-cell lung cancer.
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40
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Zhang P, Draz MS, Xiong A, Yan W, Han H, Chen W. Immunoengineered magnetic-quantum dot nanobead system for the isolation and detection of circulating tumor cells. J Nanobiotechnology 2021; 19:116. [PMID: 33892737 PMCID: PMC8063296 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-021-00860-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Highly efficient capture and detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) remain elusive mainly because of their extremely low concentration in patients’ peripheral blood. Methods We present an approach for the simultaneous capturing, isolation, and detection of CTCs using an immuno-fluorescent magnetic nanobead system (iFMNS) coated with a monoclonal anti-EpCAM antibody. Results The developed antibody nanobead system allows magnetic isolation and fluorescent-based quantification of CTCs. The expression of EpCAM on the surface of captured CTCs could be directly visualized without additional immune-fluorescent labeling. Our approach is shown to result in a 70–95% capture efficiency of CTCs, and 95% of the captured cells remain viable. Using our approach, the isolated cells could be directly used for culture, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and immunocytochemistry (ICC) identification. We applied iFMNS for testing CTCs in peripheral blood samples from a lung cancer patient. Conclusions It is suggested that our iFMNS approach would be a promising tool for CTCs enrichment and detection in one step. Graphic abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12951-021-00860-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China.,Department of Central Laboratory, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200443, China
| | - Mohamed S Draz
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Anwen Xiong
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Wannian Yan
- Department of Central Laboratory, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200443, China
| | - Huanxing Han
- Department of Pharmacy, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China. .,Ailex Technology Group Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 201108, China.
| | - Wansheng Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China. .,Research and Development Center of Chinese Medicine Resources and Biotechnology, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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Foy V, Lindsay CR, Carmel A, Fernandez-Gutierrez F, Krebs MG, Priest L, Carter M, Groen HJM, Hiltermann TJN, de Luca A, Farace F, Besse B, Terstappen L, Rossi E, Morabito A, Perrone F, Renehan A, Faivre-Finn C, Normanno N, Dive C, Blackhall F, Michiels S. EPAC-lung: European pooled analysis of the prognostic value of circulating tumour cells in small cell lung cancer. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2021; 10:1653-1665. [PMID: 34012782 PMCID: PMC8107738 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-20-1061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circulating tumour cell (CTC) number is an independent prognostic factor in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) but there is no consensus on the CTC threshold for prognostic significance. We undertook a pooled analysis of individual patient data to clinically validate CTC enumeration and threshold for prognostication. METHODS Four European cancer centres, experienced in CellSearch CTC enumeration for SCLC provided pseudo anonymised data for patients who had undergone pre-treatment CTC count. Data was collated, and Cox regression models, stratified by centre, explored the relationship between CTC count and survival. The added value of incorporating CTCs into clinico-pathological models was investigated using likelihood ratio tests. RESULTS A total of 367 patient records were evaluated. A one-unit increase in log-transformed CTC counts corresponded to an estimated hazard ratio (HR) of 1.24 (95% CI: 1.19-1.29, P<0.0001) for progression free survival (PFS) and 1.23 (95% CI: 1.18-1.28, P<0.0001) for overall survival (OS). CTC count of ≥15 or ≥50 was significantly associated with an increased risk of progression (CTC ≥15: HR 3.20, 95% CI: 2.50-4.09, P<0.001; CTC ≥50: HR 2.56, 95% CI: 2.01-3.25, P<0.001) and an increased risk of death (CTC ≥15: HR 2.90, 95% CI: 2.28-3.70, P<0.001; CTC ≥50: HR 2.47, 95% CI: 1.95-3.13, P<0.001). There was no significant inter-centre heterogeneity observed. Addition of CTC count to clinico-pathological models as a continuous log-transformed variable, offers further prognostic value (both likelihood ratio P<0.001 for OS and PFS). CONCLUSIONS Higher pre-treatment CTC counts are a negative independent prognostic factor in SCLC when considered as a continuous variable or dichotomised counts of ≥15 or ≥50. Incorporating CTC counts, as a continuous variable, improves clinic-pathological prognostic models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Foy
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute Cancer Biomarker Centre, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4BX, UK
| | - Colin R Lindsay
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4BX, UK
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, UK
| | - Alexandra Carmel
- Service de Biostatistique et d'Épidémiologie, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- INSERM U1018 OncoStat, CESP, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, labeled by Ligue Contre le Cancer, France
| | - Fabiola Fernandez-Gutierrez
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute Cancer Biomarker Centre, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, UK
| | - Matthew G Krebs
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4BX, UK
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, UK
| | - Lynsey Priest
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute Cancer Biomarker Centre, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4BX, UK
| | - Mathew Carter
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute Cancer Biomarker Centre, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4BX, UK
| | - Harry J M Groen
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - T Jeroen N Hiltermann
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Antonella de Luca
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Francoise Farace
- INSERM, U981 "Predictive Biomarkers and New Therapeutics in Oncology", F-94805, Villejuif, France
- Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay. "Rare Circulating Cells" Translational Platform, CNRS UMS3655 - INSERM US23, AMMICA, Villejuif, France
| | - Benjamin Besse
- Department of Cancer Medicine, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France; Paris-Sud University, Orsay, France
| | - Leon Terstappen
- Department of Medical Cell BioPhysics, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Elisabetta Rossi
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Oncology Section, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Alessandro Morabito
- Thoracic Medical Oncology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Francesco Perrone
- Clinical Trials Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Andrew Renehan
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Corinne Faivre-Finn
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Nicola Normanno
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Caroline Dive
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute Cancer Biomarker Centre, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, UK
| | - Fiona Blackhall
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4BX, UK
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, UK
| | - Stefan Michiels
- Service de Biostatistique et d'Épidémiologie, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- INSERM U1018 OncoStat, CESP, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, labeled by Ligue Contre le Cancer, France
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Ward MP, E Kane L, A Norris L, Mohamed BM, Kelly T, Bates M, Clarke A, Brady N, Martin CM, Brooks RD, Brooks DA, Selemidis S, Hanniffy S, Dixon EP, A O'Toole S, J O'Leary J. Platelets, immune cells and the coagulation cascade; friend or foe of the circulating tumour cell? Mol Cancer 2021; 20:59. [PMID: 33789677 PMCID: PMC8011144 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01347-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells that transit from primary tumours into the circulatory system are known as circulating tumour cells (CTCs). These cancer cells have unique phenotypic and genotypic characteristics which allow them to survive within the circulation, subsequently extravasate and metastasise. CTCs have emerged as a useful diagnostic tool using "liquid biopsies" to report on the metastatic potential of cancers. However, CTCs by their nature interact with components of the blood circulatory system on a constant basis, influencing both their physical and morphological characteristics as well as metastatic capabilities. These properties and the associated molecular profile may provide critical diagnostic and prognostic capabilities in the clinic. Platelets interact with CTCs within minutes of their dissemination and are crucial in the formation of the initial metastatic niche. Platelets and coagulation proteins also alter the fate of a CTC by influencing EMT, promoting pro-survival signalling and aiding in evading immune cell destruction. CTCs have the capacity to directly hijack immune cells and utilise them to aid in CTC metastatic seeding processes. The disruption of CTC clusters may also offer a strategy for the treatment of advance staged cancers. Therapeutic disruption of these heterotypical interactions as well as direct CTC targeting hold great promise, especially with the advent of new immunotherapies and personalised medicines. Understanding the molecular role that platelets, immune cells and the coagulation cascade play in CTC biology will allow us to identify and characterise the most clinically relevant CTCs from patients. This will subsequently advance the clinical utility of CTCs in cancer diagnosis/prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark P Ward
- Department of Histopathology and Morbid Anatomy, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 8, Ireland.
- Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland.
- Trinity St. James's Cancer Institute, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland.
| | - Laura E Kane
- Department of Histopathology and Morbid Anatomy, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 8, Ireland
- Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
- Trinity St. James's Cancer Institute, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Lucy A Norris
- Trinity St. James's Cancer Institute, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Bashir M Mohamed
- Department of Histopathology and Morbid Anatomy, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 8, Ireland
- Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
- Trinity St. James's Cancer Institute, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Tanya Kelly
- Department of Histopathology and Morbid Anatomy, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 8, Ireland
- Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
- Trinity St. James's Cancer Institute, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Mark Bates
- Department of Histopathology and Morbid Anatomy, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 8, Ireland
- Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
- Trinity St. James's Cancer Institute, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Andres Clarke
- Department of Histopathology and Morbid Anatomy, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 8, Ireland
- Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
- Trinity St. James's Cancer Institute, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Nathan Brady
- Department of Histopathology and Morbid Anatomy, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 8, Ireland
- Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
- Trinity St. James's Cancer Institute, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Cara M Martin
- Department of Histopathology and Morbid Anatomy, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 8, Ireland
- Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
- Trinity St. James's Cancer Institute, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Robert D Brooks
- Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, 5001, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Doug A Brooks
- Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, 5001, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Stavros Selemidis
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Victoria, 3083, Bundoora, Australia
| | | | - Eric P Dixon
- BD Technologies and Innovation, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Sharon A O'Toole
- Department of Histopathology and Morbid Anatomy, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 8, Ireland
- Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
- Trinity St. James's Cancer Institute, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - John J O'Leary
- Department of Histopathology and Morbid Anatomy, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 8, Ireland
- Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
- Trinity St. James's Cancer Institute, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
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Zhang Q, Xing W, Zhang J, Hu J, Qi L, Xiang B. Circulating Tumor Cells Undergoing the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition: Influence on Prognosis in Cytokeratin 19-Positive Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Onco Targets Ther 2021; 14:1543-1552. [PMID: 33688202 PMCID: PMC7936932 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s298576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to elucidate the relationship between cytokeratin 19 (CK19) expression and levels of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in preoperative peripheral blood of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the potential influence of that relationship on prognosis. Patients and Methods CanPatrol™ CTC-enrichment technique and in situ hybridization (ISH) were used to enrich and classify CTCs undergoing the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) from blood samples of 105 HCC patients. CK19 immunohistochemistry staining was performed on HCC tissues and compared with demographic and clinical data. Results In total, 27 of 105 (25.7%) HCC patients were CK19-positive. CK19-positive patients had significantly lower median tumor-free survival (TFS) than CK19-negative patients (5 vs 10 months, P = 0.047). In total, 98 (93.3%) patients showed pre-surgery peripheral blood CTCs (range: 0–76, median: 6), and 57 of 105 (54.3%) patients displayed CTC counts ≥6. Furthermore, CK19-positive patients with CTC count ≥6 showed significantly higher percentage than CK19-negative ones (77.8% vs 46.2%, P = 0.004). CK19-positive patients showed a significantly higher proportion of mesenchymal CTCs among CTCs undergoing EMT than CK19-negative patients (mean rank: 62.28 vs 49.79, P = 0.046). We also found that CK19-positive patients with high CTC count showed significantly shorter median tumor-free survival than CK19-negative patients with low CTC count (5 vs 16 months, P = 0.039). Conclusion High CTC count and high percentage of mesenchymal CTCs are closely related to the expression of CK19, which is associated with poor prognosis in HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumors, Ministry of Education, Nanning, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanting Xing
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumors, Ministry of Education, Nanning, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumors, Ministry of Education, Nanning, People's Republic of China
| | - Junwen Hu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumors, Ministry of Education, Nanning, People's Republic of China
| | - Lunan Qi
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumors, Ministry of Education, Nanning, People's Republic of China.,Guangxi Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering and Technology Research Center, Nanning, People's Republic of China
| | - Bangde Xiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumors, Ministry of Education, Nanning, People's Republic of China.,Guangxi Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering and Technology Research Center, Nanning, People's Republic of China
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44
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Phenotypic Plasticity of Cancer Cells Based on Remodeling of the Actin Cytoskeleton and Adhesive Structures. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041821. [PMID: 33673054 PMCID: PMC7918886 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
There is ample evidence that, instead of a binary switch, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer results in a flexible array of phenotypes, each one uniquely suited to a stage in the invasion-metastasis cascade. The phenotypic plasticity of epithelium-derived cancer cells gives them an edge in surviving and thriving in alien environments. This review describes in detail the actin cytoskeleton and E-cadherin-based adherens junction rearrangements that cancer cells need to implement in order to achieve the advantageous epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype and plasticity of migratory phenotypes that can arise from partial EMT.
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45
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Liu J, Liu Y, Gu C, Zhang L, Lu X. Longitudinal Change of Circulating Tumor Cells During Chemoradiation and Its Correlation with Prognosis in Advanced Nonsmall-Cell Lung Cancer Patients. Cancer Biother Radiopharm 2021. [PMID: 33481670 DOI: 10.1089/cbr.2020.4096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to investigate the association of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) change during chemoradiation with the treatment response and survival profiles in advanced nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Materials and Methods: Fifty-eight advanced NSCLC patients who underwent concurrent chemoradiation were enrolled, then their peripheral blood samples were collected before chemoradiation, and at 1 month postchemoradiation assessed the CTCs using a CTC-Biopsy system. Moreover, CTCs were classified as CTCs positive and CTCs negative according to CTCs' count, and change of CTCs was calculated. In addition, response of chemoradiation was evaluated at 1 month postchemoradiation, then progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed. Results: Prechemoradiation CTCs positive were associated with increased TNM stage, but not other clinicopathologic characteristics. After chemoradiation, the CTCs' number [1.0 (0.0-3.0) vs. 4.0 (2.0-10.0)] and the percentage of CTC-positive cases (37.9% vs. 77.6%) were both decreased compared to those before chemoradiation. Regarding treatment response, prechemoradiation CTCs positive were associated with lower partial response; postchemoradiation CTCs positive were associated with reduced disease control rate, while CTCs' change during chemoradiation was not associated with treatment response. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that postchemoradiation CTCs positive and increased CTCs' number during chemoradiation were associated with reduced PFS, then multivariate Cox's regression analysis disclosed that they independently predicted decreased PFS. However, no correlation of CTCs' status or CTCs' change with OS was observed. Conclusions: Prechemoradiation CTCs relate to increased TNM stage and worse prognosis in chemoradiation-treated advanced NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Liu
- Department of Radiotherapy, Changzhou Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Yongping Liu
- Clinical Oncology Laboratory, Department of Oncology, Changzhou Tumour Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Cheng Gu
- Department of Radiotherapy, Changzhou Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Radiotherapy, Changzhou Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Xujing Lu
- Department of Radiotherapy, Changzhou Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Changzhou, China
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46
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Jiang K, Jokhun DS, Lim CT. Microfluidic detection of human diseases: From liquid biopsy to COVID-19 diagnosis. J Biomech 2021; 117:110235. [PMID: 33486262 PMCID: PMC7832952 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Microfluidic devices can be thought of as comprising interconnected miniaturized compartments performing multiple experimental tasks individually or in parallel in an integrated fashion. Due to its small size, portability, and low cost, attempts have been made to incorporate detection assays into microfluidic platforms for diseases such as cancer and infection. Some of these technologies have served as point-of-care and sample-to-answer devices. The methods for detecting biomarkers in different diseases usually share similar principles and can conveniently be adapted to cope with arising health challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic is one such challenge that is testing the performance of both our conventional and newly-developed disease diagnostic technologies. In this mini-review, we will first look at the progress made in the past few years in applying microfluidics for liquid biopsy and infectious disease detection. Following that, we will use the current pandemic as an example to discuss how such technological advancements can help in the current health challenge and better prepare us for future ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan Jiang
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Chwee Teck Lim
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), National University of Singapore, Singapore.
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47
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Stock C. Circulating Tumor Cells: Does Ion Transport Contribute to Intravascular Survival, Adhesion, Extravasation, and Metastatic Organotropism? Rev Physiol Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 182:139-175. [DOI: 10.1007/112_2021_68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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48
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Brady L, Hayes B, Sheill G, Baird AM, Guinan E, Stanfill B, Vlajnic T, Casey O, Murphy V, Greene J, Allott EH, Hussey J, Cahill F, Van Hemelrijck M, Peat N, Mucci L, Cunningham M, Grogan L, Lynch T, Manecksha RP, McCaffrey J, O’Donnell D, Sheils O, O’Leary J, Rudman S, McDermott R, Finn S. Platelet cloaking of circulating tumour cells in patients with metastatic prostate cancer: Results from ExPeCT, a randomised controlled trial. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0243928. [PMID: 33338056 PMCID: PMC7748139 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) represent a morphologically distinct subset of cancer cells, which aid the metastatic spread. The ExPeCT trial aimed to examine the effectiveness of a structured exercise programme in modulating levels of CTCs and platelet cloaking in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. Methods Participants (n = 61) were randomised into either standard care (control) or exercise arms. Whole blood was collected for all participants at baseline (T0), three months (T3) and six months (T6), and analysed for the presence of CTCs, CTC clusters and platelet cloaking. CTC data was correlated with clinico-pathological information. Results Changes in CTC number were observed within group over time, however no significant difference in CTC number was observed between groups over time. Platelet cloaking was identified in 29.5% of participants. A positive correlation between CTC number and white cell count (WCC) was observed (p = 0.0001), in addition to a positive relationship between CTC clusters and PSA levels (p = 0.0393). Conclusion The presence of platelet cloaking has been observed in this patient population for the first time, in addition to a significant correlation between CTC number and WCC. Trial registration ClincalTrials.gov identifier NCT02453139.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Brady
- Department of Histopathology and Morbid Anatomy, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Brian Hayes
- Department of Histopathology, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
- Department of Pathology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Gráinne Sheill
- Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anne-Marie Baird
- Department of Histopathology and Morbid Anatomy, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Emer Guinan
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Bryan Stanfill
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, United States of America
| | - Tatjana Vlajnic
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - John Greene
- Department of Histopathology and Morbid Anatomy, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Emma H. Allott
- Department of Histopathology and Morbid Anatomy, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Juliette Hussey
- Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fidelma Cahill
- King’s College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Translational Oncology and Urology (TOUR), London, United Kingdom
| | - Mieke Van Hemelrijck
- King’s College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Translational Oncology and Urology (TOUR), London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Peat
- Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lorelei Mucci
- Harvard T.H. Chan school of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Moya Cunningham
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St Luke’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Liam Grogan
- Department of Oncology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Thomas Lynch
- Department of Urology, St James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rustom P. Manecksha
- Department of Urology, St James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Surgery, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - John McCaffrey
- Department of Oncology, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Orla Sheils
- Department of Histopathology and Morbid Anatomy, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - John O’Leary
- Department of Histopathology, St James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sarah Rudman
- Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ray McDermott
- Department of Oncology, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Stephen Finn
- Department of Histopathology and Morbid Anatomy, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Cancer Trials Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Histopathology, St James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- * E-mail:
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49
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Polioudaki H, Mala A, Gkimprixi E, Papadaki MA, Chantziou A, Tzardi M, Mavroudis D, Agelaki S, Theodoropoulos PA. Epithelial/Mesenchymal Characteristics and PD-L1 Co-Expression in CTCs of Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Eribulin: Correlation with Clinical Outcome. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123735. [PMID: 33322610 PMCID: PMC7764288 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We aimed to evaluate the co-expression of PD-L1 and epithelial-mesenchymal markers in CTCs from metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients and to determine if there is any relationship with patients' outcome after eribulin treatment. Using cytospin preparations of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from MBC patients treated with eribulin and a combination of immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence, we quantified PD-L1, keratins and vimentin in single and cluster CTCs on days 1 and 8 of the first-treatment cycle. CTCs (n = 173) were found in 31 out of 38 patients. At baseline, the presence of cluster CTCs (p = 0.048), cluster mesenchymal CTCs (mCTCs) (p = 0.0003) or cluster PD-L1+mCTCs (p = 0.006) was associated with shorter overall survival (OS). In multivariate cox regression analysis, the detection of cluster mCTCs was the only parameter associated with increased risk of death (p = 0.024). On day 8 post-eribulin administration, PD-L1+mCTCs and especially single PD-L1+mCTCs decreased in 75% and 89% of patients, respectively. The detection of single PD-L1+mCTCs after eribulin treatment was correlated with shorter PFS (p = 0.047) and OS (p = 0.020). In conclusion, our study identified for the first time that cluster and single PD-L1+mCTCs subpopulations are of clinical significance in patients with MBC and highlighted the importance of CTC phenotyping during treatment with eribulin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hara Polioudaki
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (H.P.); (E.G.); (A.C.)
| | - Anastasia Mala
- Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (A.M.); (D.M.); (S.A.)
| | - Eleni Gkimprixi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (H.P.); (E.G.); (A.C.)
| | - Maria A. Papadaki
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece;
| | - Amanda Chantziou
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (H.P.); (E.G.); (A.C.)
| | - Maria Tzardi
- Department of Pathology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece;
| | - Dimitris Mavroudis
- Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (A.M.); (D.M.); (S.A.)
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece;
| | - Sofia Agelaki
- Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (A.M.); (D.M.); (S.A.)
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece;
| | - Panayiotis A. Theodoropoulos
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (H.P.); (E.G.); (A.C.)
- Correspondence:
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50
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Bersani F, Morena D, Picca F, Morotti A, Tabbò F, Bironzo P, Righi L, Taulli R. Future perspectives from lung cancer pre-clinical models: new treatments are coming? Transl Lung Cancer Res 2020; 9:2629-2644. [PMID: 33489823 PMCID: PMC7815341 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-20-189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer currently stands out as both the most common and the most lethal type of cancer, the latter feature being partly explained by the fact that the majority of lung cancer patients already display advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. In recent years, the development of specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) for the therapeutic benefit of patients harboring certain molecular aberrations and the introduction of prospective molecular profiling in the clinical practice have revolutionized the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the identification of the best strategies to enhance treatment effectiveness and to avoid the critical phenomenon of drug tolerance and acquired resistance in patients with lung cancer still remains an unmet medical need. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) are two complementary approaches to define tumor heterogeneity and clonal evolution in a non-invasive manner and to perform functional studies on metastatic cells. Finally, the recent discovery that the tumor microenvironment architecture can be faithfully recapitulated in vitro represents a novel pre-clinical frontier with the potential to optimize more effective immunology-based precision therapies that could rapidly move forward to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Bersani
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Deborah Morena
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10043 Orbassano, Italy.,Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies (CeRMS), AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Francesca Picca
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10043 Orbassano, Italy.,Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies (CeRMS), AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Alessandro Morotti
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Tabbò
- Thoracic Unit and Medical Oncology Division, Department of Oncology at San Luigi Hospital, University of Torino, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
| | - Paolo Bironzo
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10043 Orbassano, Italy.,Thoracic Unit and Medical Oncology Division, Department of Oncology at San Luigi Hospital, University of Torino, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
| | - Luisella Righi
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10043 Orbassano, Italy.,Pathology Unit, Department of Oncology at San Luigi Hospital, University of Torino, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
| | - Riccardo Taulli
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10043 Orbassano, Italy.,Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies (CeRMS), AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
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