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Ntzifa A, Lianidou E. Pre-analytical conditions and implementation of quality control steps in liquid biopsy analysis. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2023; 60:573-594. [PMID: 37518938 DOI: 10.1080/10408363.2023.2230290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Over the last decade, great advancements have been made in the field of liquid biopsy through extensive research and the development of new technologies that facilitate the use of liquid biopsy for cancer patients. This is shown by the numerous liquid biopsy tests that gained clearance by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in recent years. Liquid biopsy has significantly altered cancer treatment by providing clinicians with powerful and immediate information about therapeutic decisions. However, the clinical integration of liquid biopsy is still challenging and there are many critical factors to consider prior to its implementation into routine clinical practice. Lack of standardization due to technical challenges and the definition of the clinical utility of specific assays further complicates the establishment of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in liquid biopsy. Harmonization of laboratories to established guidelines is of major importance to overcome inter-lab variabilities observed. Quality control assessment in diagnostic laboratories that offer liquid biopsy testing will ensure that clinicians can base their therapeutic decisions on robust results. The regular participation of laboratories in external quality assessment schemes for liquid biopsy testing aims to promptly pinpoint deficiencies and efficiently educate laboratories to improve their quality of services. Accreditation of liquid biopsy diagnostic laboratories based on the ISO15189 standard in Europe or by CLIA/CAP accreditation procedures in the US is the best way to achieve the adaptation of liquid biopsy into the clinical setting by assuring reliable results for the clinicians and their cancer patients. Nowadays, various organizations from academia, industry, and regulatory agencies collaborate to set a framework that will include all procedures from the pre-analytical phase and the analytical process to the final interpretation of results. In this review, we underline several challenges in the analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) concerning standardization of protocols, quality control assessment, harmonization of laboratories, and compliance to specific guidelines that need to be thoroughly considered before liquid biopsy enters the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliki Ntzifa
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells Lab, Lab of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Evi Lianidou
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells Lab, Lab of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Guo S, Huang J, Li G, Chen W, Li Z, Lei J. The role of extracellular vesicles in circulating tumor cell-mediated distant metastasis. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:193. [PMID: 38037077 PMCID: PMC10688140 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01909-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Current research has demonstrated that extracellular vesicles (EVs) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are very closely related in the process of distant tumor metastasis. Primary tumors are shed and released into the bloodstream to form CTCs that are referred to as seeds to colonize and grow in soil-like distant target organs, while EVs of tumor and nontumor origin act as fertilizers in the process of tumor metastasis. There is no previous text that provides a comprehensive review of the role of EVs on CTCs during tumor metastasis. In this paper, we reviewed the mechanisms of EVs on CTCs during tumor metastasis, including the ability of EVs to enhance the shedding of CTCs, protect CTCs in circulation and determine the direction of CTC metastasis, thus affecting the distant metastasis of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyin Guo
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Jing Huang
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Genpeng Li
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Wenjie Chen
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Zhihui Li
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Jianyong Lei
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
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Liu F, Wang Y, Gu H, Wang X. Technologies and applications of single-cell DNA methylation sequencing. Theranostics 2023; 13:2439-2454. [PMID: 37215576 PMCID: PMC10196823 DOI: 10.7150/thno.82582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is the most stable epigenetic modification. In mammals, it usually occurs at the cytosine of CpG dinucleotides. DNA methylation is essential for many physiological and pathological processes. Aberrant DNA methylation has been observed in human diseases, particularly cancer. Notably, conventional DNA methylation profiling technologies require a large amount of DNA, often from a heterogeneous cell population, and provide an average methylation level of many cells. It is often not realistic to collect sufficient numbers of cells, such as rare cells and circulating tumor cells in peripheral blood, for bulk sequencing assays. It is therefore essential to develop sequencing technologies that can accurately profile DNA methylation using small numbers of cells or even single cells. Excitingly, many single-cell DNA methylation sequencing and single-cell omics sequencing technologies have been developed, and applications of these methods have greatly expanded our understanding of the molecular mechanism of DNA methylation. Here, we summaries single-cell DNA methylation and multi-omics sequencing methods, delineate their applications in biomedical sciences, discuss technical challenges, and present our perspective on future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
- Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, China
| | - Yunfei Wang
- Zhejiang ShengTing Biotech. Ltd, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Hongcang Gu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
- Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, China
| | - Xiaoxue Wang
- Department of Hematology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China
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Phenotypic Plasticity in Circulating Tumor Cells Is Associated with Poor Response to Therapy in Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15051616. [PMID: 36900406 PMCID: PMC10000974 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are indicators of metastatic spread and progression. In a longitudinal, single-center trial of patients with metastatic breast cancer starting a new line of treatment, a microcavity array was used to enrich CTCs from 184 patients at up to 9 timepoints at 3-month intervals. CTCs were analyzed in parallel samples from the same blood draw by imaging and by gene expression profiling to capture CTC phenotypic plasticity. Enumeration of CTCs by image analysis relying primarily on epithelial markers from samples obtained before therapy or at 3-month follow-up identified the patients at the highest risk of progression. CTC counts decreased with therapy, and progressors had higher CTC counts than non-progressors. CTC count was prognostic primarily at the start of therapy in univariate and multivariate analyses but had less prognostic utility at 6 months to 1 year later. In contrast, gene expression, including both epithelial and mesenchymal markers, identified high-risk patients after 6-9 months of treatment, and progressors had a shift towards mesenchymal CTC gene expression on therapy. Cross-sectional analysis showed higher CTC-related gene expression in progressors 6-15 months after baseline. Furthermore, patients with higher CTC counts and CTC gene expression experienced more progression events. Longitudinal time-dependent multivariate analysis indicated that CTC count, triple-negative status, and CTC expression of FGFR1 significantly correlated with inferior progression-free survival while CTC count and triple-negative status correlated with inferior overall survival. This highlights the utility of protein-agnostic CTC enrichment and multimodality analysis to capture the heterogeneity of CTCs.
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Huang XY, Zhang JT, Li F, Li TT, Shi XJ, Huang J, Huang XY, Zhou J, Tang ZY, Huang ZL. Exosomal proteomics identifies RAB13 as a potential regulator of metastasis for HCC. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0006. [PMID: 36633475 PMCID: PMC9827969 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exosomal proteins from cancer cells are becoming new biomarkers for cancer monitoring and efficacy evaluation. However, their biological function and molecular mechanism underlying tumor metastasis are largely unknown. METHODS Bioinformatic methods such as bulk gene expression analysis, single-cell RNA sequencing data analysis, and gene set enrichment analysis were employed to identify metastasis-associated proteins. The in vitro and in vivo experiments were used to investigate the function of RAB13 in HCC metastasis. RESULTS We identified RAB13 as one of the critical regulators of metastasis in HCC-derived exosomes for the first time. In vitro, the invasiveness of HCC cell lines could be attenuated by RAB13 silence. In vivo, tumor size and proportion of high-grade lung metastatic nodule could be reduced in the mice with orthotopic transplantation of tumors and intravenously injected with exosomes derived from MHCC97H cell with RAB13 silence (si-RAB13-Exo), as compared with those without RAB13 silence (si-NC-Exo). Moreover, in si-RAB13-Exo group, circulating tumor cell counts were decreased at the third, fourth, and fifth weeks after orthotopic transplantation of tumors, and MMP2 (matrix metalloproteinase 2)/TIMP2 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2) ratio was also significantly decreased. In addition, RAB13 expression was also associated with VEGF levels, microvessel density, and tube formation of vascular endothelial cells by both in vitro and in vivo models, indicating that RAB13 was associated with angiogenesis in HCC. CONCLUSIONS We have demonstrated exosomal RAB13 as a potential regulator of metastasis for HCC by in silico, in vitro, and in vivo methods, which greatly improve our understanding of the functional impact of exosomal proteins on HCC metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiu-Yan Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jun-Tao Zhang
- Institute of Microsurgery on Extremities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Feng Li
- School of Materials of Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Ting-Ting Li
- Department of Infectious Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Xiang-Jun Shi
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jin Huang
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Xin-Yu Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Zhao-You Tang
- Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Zi-Li Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, PR China
- Department of Radiology, Xuhui District Central Hospital of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
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Highly stable, non-toxic and functionalized nanoemulsion for the early diagnosis and amelioration of cancer. Pharm Pat Anal 2022; 11:155-162. [PMID: 36200656 DOI: 10.4155/ppa-2021-0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Aim: To overcome the limitations associated with conventional formulations for cancer treatment by the effective utilization of nanoemulsion with therapy and diagnosis through the single unit. Patent: US20210275687 describes the usage of functionalized various oil-in-water nanoemulsions as pharmacological vehicles with theranostic potential in cancer treatment. Materials & methods: Vitamin E, oleic acid, sphingomyelin, ligands for functionalization, contrast agents and therapeutic biomolecules. Results: The toxicity studies conducted on healthy mice did not show any apparent toxicity issues. The stability studies conducted at 40 °C and 75% relative humidity, which is mandatory for regulatory approval, indicated the adequate physical stability of the formulation. Conclusion: The studies exhibited the promising theranostic potential of the developed nanoemulsion for the effective management and diagnosis of cancer and metastatic diseases.
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Modelling the procoagulatory effect of Anastrozole relative to ERα and ERβ expression in breast cancer cells. J Thromb Thrombolysis 2022; 54:401-410. [PMID: 35932382 DOI: 10.1007/s11239-022-02690-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anastrozole is commonly used for the treatment of oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer but can increase thromboembolic risk. It is unclear if ER presentation is associated with platelet-mediated hypercoagulation. We investigated the relationship between hypercoagulation and ERα and ERβ expression in breast cancer cell lines under Anastrozole treatment. METHODS In Model 1, MCF-7 or T47D cancer cells were treated with Anastrozole, then exposed to whole blood and platelet-rich plasma, modelling platelet engagement in the tumour bed. In Model 2, blood components were treated with Anastrozole, then exposed to cancer cells, modelling circulatory effects in the vasculature. Hypercoagulation was assessed as a combined function of thrombin activity, platelet CD62P and CD63 expression, and corresponding platelet ultrastructure. Tumour ERα and ERβ were immunolocalised and following quantification assessed for correlation with hypercoagulatory parameters. RESULTS Anastrozole enhanced hypercoagulation in both Models and cell lines. T47D cells induced more distinct features of hypercoagulation and responded by heightening ERβ expression and sustaining expression of ERα, indicative of a more aggressive phenotype. Post-exposure to cell lines, CD62P and CD63 expression correlated, but this was not maintained following Anastrozole treatment. Substantive correlations could not be found explaining the changes in ER expression and hypercoagulatory parameters, indicating unknown causative factors. CONCLUSION These results provide basic science evidence showing that the hypercoagulatory effects induced by Anastrozole treatment may be related to the tumour subphenotype. Clinical studies are required to determine whether tracking of hypercoagulatory parameters may hold value in describing subphenotypic alterations or metastatic potential during tumour progression.
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Liquid Biopsies: Flowing Biomarkers. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1379:341-368. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-04039-9_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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