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Boe RH, Triandafillou CG, Lazcano R, Wargo JA, Raj A. Spatial transcriptomics reveals influence of microenvironment on intrinsic fates in melanoma therapy resistance. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.30.601416. [PMID: 39005406 PMCID: PMC11244927 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.30.601416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Resistance to cancer therapy is driven by both cell-intrinsic and microenvironmental factors. Previous work has revealed that multiple resistant cell fates emerge in melanoma following treatment with targeted therapy and that, in vitro, these resistant fates are determined by the transcriptional state of individual cells prior to exposure to treatment. What remains unclear is whether these resistant fates are shared across different genetic backgrounds and how, if at all, these resistant fates interact with the tumor microenvironment. Through spatial transcriptomics and single-cell RNA sequencing, we uncovered distinct resistance programs in melanoma cells shaped by both intrinsic cellular states and the tumor microenvironment. Consensus non-negative matrix factorization revealed shared intrinsic resistance programs across different cell lines, highlighting the presence of universal and unique resistance pathways. In patient samples, we demonstrated that these resistance programs coexist within individual tumors and associate with diverse immune signatures, suggesting that the tumor microenvironment and distribution of resistant fates are closely connected. Single-cell resolution spatial transcriptomics in xenograft models revealed both intrinsically determined and extrinsically influenced resistant fates. Overall, this work demonstrates that each therapy resistant fate coexists with a distinct immune microenvironment in tumors and that, in vivo, tissue features, such as regions of necrosis, can influence which resistant fate is adopted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan H. Boe
- Genetics and Epigenetics Program, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Catherine G. Triandafillou
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Rossana Lazcano
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Jennifer A. Wargo
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Arjun Raj
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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2
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Gambelli A, Nespolo A, Rampioni Vinciguerra GL, Pivetta E, Pellarin I, Nicoloso MS, Scapin C, Stefenatti L, Segatto I, Favero A, D'Andrea S, Mucignat MT, Bartoletti M, Lucia E, Schiappacassi M, Spessotto P, Canzonieri V, Giorda G, Puglisi F, Vecchione A, Belletti B, Sonego M, Baldassarre G. Platinum-induced upregulation of ITGA6 promotes chemoresistance and spreading in ovarian cancer. EMBO Mol Med 2024; 16:1162-1192. [PMID: 38658801 PMCID: PMC11099142 DOI: 10.1038/s44321-024-00069-3] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Platinum (PT)-resistant Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC) grows as a metastatic disease, disseminating in the abdomen and pelvis. Very few options are available for PT-resistant EOC patients, and little is known about how the acquisition of PT-resistance mediates the increased spreading capabilities of EOC. Here, using isogenic PT-resistant cells, genetic and pharmacological approaches, and patient-derived models, we report that Integrin α6 (ITGA6) is overexpressed by PT-resistant cells and is necessary to sustain EOC metastatic ability and adhesion-dependent PT-resistance. Using in vitro approaches, we showed that PT induces a positive loop that, by stimulating ITGA6 transcription and secretion, contributes to the formation of a pre-metastatic niche enabling EOC cells to disseminate. At molecular level, ITGA6 engagement regulates the production and availability of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), over-stimulating the IGF1R pathway and upregulating Snail expression. In vitro data were recapitulated using in vivo models in which the targeting of ITGA6 prevents PT-resistant EOC dissemination and improves PT-activity, supporting ITGA6 as a promising druggable target for EOC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Gambelli
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Anna Nespolo
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Gian Luca Rampioni Vinciguerra
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Eliana Pivetta
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Ilenia Pellarin
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Milena S Nicoloso
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Chiara Scapin
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Linda Stefenatti
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Ilenia Segatto
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Andrea Favero
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Sara D'Andrea
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Mucignat
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Michele Bartoletti
- Deparment of Medical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Emilio Lucia
- Gynecological Surgery Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Monica Schiappacassi
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Paola Spessotto
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Canzonieri
- Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, TS, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giorda
- Gynecological Surgery Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Fabio Puglisi
- Deparment of Medical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, UD, Italy
| | - Andrea Vecchione
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Belletti
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Maura Sonego
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Gustavo Baldassarre
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy.
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3
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Banerjee M, Srivastava S, Rai SN, States JC. Chronic arsenic exposure induces malignant transformation of human HaCaT cells through both deterministic and stochastic changes in transcriptome expression. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2024; 484:116865. [PMID: 38373578 PMCID: PMC10994602 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2024.116865] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Biological processes are inherently stochastic, i.e., are partially driven by hard to predict random probabilistic processes. Carcinogenesis is driven both by stochastic and deterministic (predictable non-random) changes. However, very few studies systematically examine the contribution of stochastic events leading to cancer development. In differential gene expression studies, the established data analysis paradigms incentivize expression changes that are uniformly different across the experimental versus control groups, introducing preferential inclusion of deterministic changes at the expense of stochastic processes that might also play a crucial role in the process of carcinogenesis. In this study, we applied simple computational techniques to quantify: (i) The impact of chronic arsenic (iAs) exposure as well as passaging time on stochastic gene expression and (ii) Which genes were expressed deterministically and which were expressed stochastically at each of the three stages of cancer development. Using biological coefficient of variation as an empirical measure of stochasticity we demonstrate that chronic iAs exposure consistently suppressed passaging related stochastic gene expression at multiple time points tested, selecting for a homogenous cell population that undergo transformation. Employing multiple balanced removal of outlier data, we show that chronic iAs exposure induced deterministic and stochastic changes in the expression of unique set of genes, that populate largely unique biological pathways. Together, our data unequivocally demonstrate that both deterministic and stochastic changes in transcriptome-wide expression are critical in driving biological processes, pathways and networks towards clonal selection, carcinogenesis, and tumor heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayukh Banerjee
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, 505, S. Hancock Street, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, 505, S. Hancock Street, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Sudhir Srivastava
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, University of Louisville, 505, S. Hancock Street, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Shesh N Rai
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, University of Louisville, 505, S. Hancock Street, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Facility, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, 505, S. Hancock Street, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; Biostatistics and Informatics Facility Core, Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, 505, S. Hancock Street, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - J Christopher States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, 505, S. Hancock Street, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, 505, S. Hancock Street, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
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4
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Grasset EM, Barillé-Nion S, Juin PP. Stress in the metastatic journey - the role of cell communication and clustering in breast cancer progression and treatment resistance. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050542. [PMID: 38506114 PMCID: PMC10979546 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050542] [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] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer stands as the most prevalent malignancy afflicting women. Despite significant advancements in its diagnosis and treatment, breast cancer metastasis continues to be a leading cause of mortality among women. To metastasize, cancer cells face numerous challenges: breaking away from the primary tumor, surviving in the circulation, establishing in a distant location, evading immune detection and, finally, thriving to initiate a new tumor. Each of these sequential steps requires cancer cells to adapt to a myriad of stressors and develop survival mechanisms. In addition, most patients with breast cancer undergo surgical removal of their primary tumor and have various therapeutic interventions designed to eradicate cancer cells. Despite this plethora of attacks and stresses, certain cancer cells not only manage to persist but also proliferate robustly, giving rise to substantial tumors that frequently culminate in the patient's demise. To enhance patient outcomes, there is an imperative need for a deeper understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that empower cancer cells to not only survive but also expand. Herein, we delve into the intrinsic stresses that cancer cells encounter throughout the metastatic journey and the additional stresses induced by therapeutic interventions. We focus on elucidating the remarkable strategies adopted by cancer cells, such as cell-cell clustering and intricate cell-cell communication mechanisms, to ensure their survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloïse M. Grasset
- Université de Nantes, INSERM, CNRS, CRCI2NA, 44000 Nantes, France
- Équipe Labellisée LIGUE Contre le Cancer CRCI2NA, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Sophie Barillé-Nion
- Université de Nantes, INSERM, CNRS, CRCI2NA, 44000 Nantes, France
- Équipe Labellisée LIGUE Contre le Cancer CRCI2NA, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Philippe P. Juin
- Université de Nantes, INSERM, CNRS, CRCI2NA, 44000 Nantes, France
- Équipe Labellisée LIGUE Contre le Cancer CRCI2NA, 44000 Nantes, France
- Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest, 44805 Saint Herblain, France
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5
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Lu J, Guo Y, Hao H, Ma J, Lu Y, Sun Y, Shi Z, Dong X, Zhang B, Fang L, Che J. Targeted delivery of cathepsin-activatable near-infrared fluorescence probe for ultrahigh specific imaging of peritoneal metastasis. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 262:115909. [PMID: 37907024 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115909] [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] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Inadequate cytoreductive surgery (CRS) has been identified as a prognostic factor for poor patient outcomes in cases of peritoneal metastasis. While imaging probes are used to identify peritoneal metastasis to facilitate CRS, many of these probes exhibit high background signals, resulting in a significant delay in achieving a satisfactory tumor-to-normal ratio (TNR) due to prolonged clearance time. In this study, we designed a novel fluorescent probe named Tras-AA-Cy NH2, which enables the relatively rapid imaging of subcutaneous tumors and peritoneal tumors while maintaining a high TNR. Mechanistically, Tras-AA-Cy NH2 exhibits selective targeting towards the Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 on the surface of cancer cells. Following internalization, it undergoes enzymatic cleavage catalyzed by the overexpressed cathepsin, leading to the subsequent release of near-infrared fluorophores. Consequently, Tras-AA-Cy NH2 achieved a TNR of 7.8 at 6 h and 21.4 at 24 h in subcutaneous tumor mice. Even after 522 h of in vivo circulation, the TNR remained above 5, indicating an ultralong imaging time window. It is noteworthy that Tras-AA-Cy NH2 has demonstrated successful utilization for peritoneal tumor-specific imaging and further affirmed its tumor tissue-specific recognition capability using human resected tissues. In summary, these findings underscore the rational design of Tras-AA-Cy NH2 for visualizing peritoneal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialiang Lu
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yu Guo
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Huimin Hao
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Junjie Ma
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China
| | - Yang Lu
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yue Sun
- The Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zheng Shi
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Xinhua Hospital of Zhejiang Province), Hangzhou, 310005, China
| | - Xiaowu Dong
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China; National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China; Department of Pharmacy, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China.
| | - Luo Fang
- The Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Jinxin Che
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China; National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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6
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Pericoli G, Galardi A, Paolini A, Petrilli LL, Pepe G, Palma A, Colletti M, Ferretti R, Giorda E, Levi Mortera S, Burford A, Carai A, Mastronuzzi A, Mackay A, Putignani L, Jones C, Pascucci L, Peinado H, Helmer-Citterich M, de Billy E, Masotti A, Locatelli F, Di Giannatale A, Vinci M. Inhibition of exosome biogenesis affects cell motility in heterogeneous sub-populations of paediatric-type diffuse high-grade gliomas. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:207. [PMID: 37957701 PMCID: PMC10641969 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01166-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paediatric-type diffuse High-Grade Gliomas (PDHGG) are highly heterogeneous tumours which include distinct cell sub-populations co-existing within the same tumour mass. We have previously shown that primary patient-derived and optical barcoded single-cell-derived clones function as interconnected networks. Here, we investigated the role of exosomes as a route for inter-clonal communication mediating PDHGG migration and invasion. RESULTS A comprehensive characterisation of seven optical barcoded single-cell-derived clones obtained from two patient-derived cell lines was performed. These analyses highlighted extensive intra-tumour heterogeneity in terms of genetic and transcriptional profiles between clones as well as marked phenotypic differences including distinctive motility patterns. Live single-cell tracking analysis of 3D migration and invasion assays showed that the single-cell-derived clones display a higher speed and longer travelled distance when in co-culture compared to mono-culture conditions. To determine the role of exosomes in PDHGG inter-clonal cross-talks, we isolated exosomes released by different clones and characterised them in terms of marker expression, size and concentration. We demonstrated that exosomes are actively internalized by the cells and that the inhibition of their biogenesis, using the phospholipase inhibitor GW4689, significantly reduced the cell motility in mono-culture and more prominently when the cells from the clones were in co-culture. Analysis of the exosomal miRNAs, performed with a miRNome PCR panel, identified clone-specific miRNAs and a set of miRNA target genes involved in the regulation of cell motility/invasion/migration. These genes were found differentially expressed in co-culture versus mono-culture conditions and their expression levels were significantly modulated upon inhibition of exosome biogenesis. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, our study highlights for the first time a key role for exosomes in the inter-clonal communication in PDHGG and suggests that interfering with the exosome biogenesis pathway may be a valuable strategy to inhibit cell motility and dissemination for these specific diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Pericoli
- Department of Onco-hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Galardi
- Department of Onco-hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Paolini
- Multifactorial and Complex Phenotype Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Lisa Petrilli
- Department of Onco-hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Gerardo Pepe
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Palma
- Department of Onco-hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Colletti
- Department of Onco-hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Ferretti
- Department of Onco-hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Ezio Giorda
- Core Facilities research laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Levi Mortera
- Multimodal Laboratory Medicine Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Burford
- Department of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Andrea Carai
- Oncological Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Mastronuzzi
- Department of Onco-hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alan Mackay
- Department of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Lorenza Putignani
- Multimodal Laboratory Medicine Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Chris Jones
- Department of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Luisa Pascucci
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Hector Peinado
- Microenvironment & Metastasis Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Emmanuel de Billy
- Department of Onco-hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Masotti
- Multifactorial and Complex Phenotype Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Onco-hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Di Giannatale
- Department of Onco-hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Vinci
- Department of Onco-hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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7
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Li Z, Cai H, Zheng J, Chen X, Liu G, Lv Y, Ye H, Cai G. Mitochondrial-related genes markers that predict survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma affect immunomodulation through hypoxia, glycolysis, and angiogenesis pathways. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:10347-10369. [PMID: 37796226 PMCID: PMC10599748 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205081] [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] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria play a crucial role in the occurrence and development of tumors. We used mitochondria-related genes for consistent clustering to identify three stable molecular subtypes of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with different prognoses, mutations, and immune characteristics. Significant differences were observed in clinical characteristics, immune microenvironment, immune cell infiltration, and immune cell scores. TP53 was the most significantly mutated; cell cycle-related pathways and tumorigenesis-related pathways were activated in different subtypes. Risk modeling was conducted using a multifactor stepwise regression method, and nine genes were identified as mitochondria-related genes affecting prognosis (DKK1, EFNB2, ITGA5, AREG, EPHX3, CHGB, P4HA1, CCND1, and JCHAIN). Risk score calculations revealed significant differences in prognosis, immune cell scores, immune cell infiltration, and responses to conventional chemotherapy drugs. Glycolysis, angiogenesis, hypoxia, and tumor-related pathways were positively correlated with the RiskScore. Clinical samples were subjected to qPCR to validate the results. In this work, we constructed a prognostic model based on the mitochondrial correlation score, which well reflects the risk and positive factors for the prognosis of patients with HNSCC. This model can be used to guide individualized adjuvant and immunotherapy in patients with HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhonghua Li
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou 362000, China
| | - Haoxi Cai
- School of Stomatology, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Jinyang Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou 362000, China
| | - Xun Chen
- Department of Oral Surgery, Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou 362000, China
| | - Guancheng Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Hospital Affiliated of Guilin Medical College, Guilin 541000, China
| | - Yunxia Lv
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital to Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Hui Ye
- Haicang Hospital Affiliated of Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen 361026, China
| | - Gengming Cai
- Haicang Hospital Affiliated of Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen 361026, China
- The School of Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 361026, China
- The Graduate School of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 361026, China
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8
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Nelson L, Barnes BM, Tighe A, Littler S, Coulson-Gilmer C, Golder A, Desai S, Morgan RD, McGrail JC, Taylor SS. Exploiting a living biobank to delineate mechanisms underlying disease-specific chromosome instability. Chromosome Res 2023; 31:21. [PMID: 37592171 PMCID: PMC10435626 DOI: 10.1007/s10577-023-09731-x] [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: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Chromosome instability (CIN) is a cancer hallmark that drives tumour heterogeneity, phenotypic adaptation, drug resistance and poor prognosis. High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), one of the most chromosomally unstable tumour types, has a 5-year survival rate of only ~30% - largely due to late diagnosis and rapid development of drug resistance, e.g., via CIN-driven ABCB1 translocations. However, CIN is also a cell cycle vulnerability that can be exploited to specifically target tumour cells, illustrated by the success of PARP inhibitors to target homologous recombination deficiency (HRD). However, a lack of appropriate models with ongoing CIN has been a barrier to fully exploiting disease-specific CIN mechanisms. This barrier is now being overcome with the development of patient-derived cell cultures and organoids. In this review, we describe our progress building a Living Biobank of over 120 patient-derived ovarian cancer models (OCMs), predominantly from HGSOC. OCMs are highly purified tumour fractions with extensive proliferative potential that can be analysed at early passage. OCMs have diverse karyotypes, display intra- and inter-patient heterogeneity and mitotic abnormality rates far higher than established cell lines. OCMs encompass a broad-spectrum of HGSOC hallmarks, including a range of p53 alterations and BRCA1/2 mutations, and display drug resistance mechanisms seen in the clinic, e.g., ABCB1 translocations and BRCA2 reversion. OCMs are amenable to functional analysis, drug-sensitivity profiling, and multi-omics, including single-cell next-generation sequencing, and thus represent a platform for delineating HGSOC-specific CIN mechanisms. In turn, our vision is that this understanding will inform the design of new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louisa Nelson
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ, UK
| | - Bethany M Barnes
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ, UK
| | - Anthony Tighe
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ, UK
| | - Samantha Littler
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ, UK
| | - Camilla Coulson-Gilmer
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ, UK
| | - Anya Golder
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ, UK
| | - Sudha Desai
- Department of Histopathology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Rd, Manchester, M20 4BX, UK
| | - Robert D Morgan
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ, UK
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4BX, UK
| | - Joanne C McGrail
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ, UK
| | - Stephen S Taylor
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ, UK.
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9
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Ceresa D, Alessandrini F, Lucchini S, Marubbi D, Piaggio F, Mena Vera JM, Ceccherini I, Reverberi D, Appolloni I, Malatesta P. Early clonal extinction in glioblastoma progression revealed by genetic barcoding. Cancer Cell 2023; 41:1466-1479.e9. [PMID: 37541243 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma progression in its early stages remains poorly understood. Here, we transfer PDGFB and genetic barcodes in mouse brain to initiate gliomagenesis and enable direct tracing of glioblastoma evolution from its earliest possible stage. Unexpectedly, we observe a high incidence of clonal extinction events and progressive divergence in clonal sizes, even after the acquisition of malignant phenotype. Computational modeling suggests these dynamics result from clonal-based cell-cell competition. Through bulk and single-cell transcriptome analyses, coupled with lineage tracing, we reveal that Myc transcriptional targets have the strongest correlation with clonal size imbalances. Moreover, we show that the downregulation of Myc expression is sufficient to drive competitive dynamics in intracranially transplanted gliomas. Our findings provide insights into glioblastoma evolution that are inaccessible using conventional retrospective approaches, highlighting the potential of combining clonal tracing and transcriptomic analyses in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Ceresa
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Francesco Alessandrini
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Sara Lucchini
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Daniela Marubbi
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | | | - Jorge Miguel Mena Vera
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Isabella Ceccherini
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics of Rare Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | | | - Irene Appolloni
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Paolo Malatesta
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy.
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10
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Orsini A, Diquigiovanni C, Bonora E. Omics Technologies Improving Breast Cancer Research and Diagnostics. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12690. [PMID: 37628869 PMCID: PMC10454385 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612690] [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] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) has yielded approximately 2.26 million new cases and has caused nearly 685,000 deaths worldwide in the last two years, making it the most common diagnosed cancer type in the world. BC is an intricate ecosystem formed by both the tumor microenvironment and malignant cells, and its heterogeneity impacts the response to treatment. Biomedical research has entered the era of massive omics data thanks to the high-throughput sequencing revolution, quick progress and widespread adoption. These technologies-liquid biopsy, transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics, metabolomics, pharmaco-omics and artificial intelligence imaging-could help researchers and clinicians to better understand the formation and evolution of BC. This review focuses on the findings of recent multi-omics-based research that has been applied to BC research, with an introduction to every omics technique and their applications for the different BC phenotypes, biomarkers, target therapies, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, to provide a comprehensive overview of the possibilities of BC research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chiara Diquigiovanni
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40131 Bologna, Italy; (A.O.); (E.B.)
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11
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Goyal Y, Busch GT, Pillai M, Li J, Boe RH, Grody EI, Chelvanambi M, Dardani IP, Emert B, Bodkin N, Braun J, Fingerman D, Kaur A, Jain N, Ravindran PT, Mellis IA, Kiani K, Alicea GM, Fane ME, Ahmed SS, Li H, Chen Y, Chai C, Kaster J, Witt RG, Lazcano R, Ingram DR, Johnson SB, Wani K, Dunagin MC, Lazar AJ, Weeraratna AT, Wargo JA, Herlyn M, Raj A. Diverse clonal fates emerge upon drug treatment of homogeneous cancer cells. Nature 2023; 620:651-659. [PMID: 37468627 PMCID: PMC10628994 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06342-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Even among genetically identical cancer cells, resistance to therapy frequently emerges from a small subset of those cells1-7. Molecular differences in rare individual cells in the initial population enable certain cells to become resistant to therapy7-9; however, comparatively little is known about the variability in the resistance outcomes. Here we develop and apply FateMap, a framework that combines DNA barcoding with single-cell RNA sequencing, to reveal the fates of hundreds of thousands of clones exposed to anti-cancer therapies. We show that resistant clones emerging from single-cell-derived cancer cells adopt molecularly, morphologically and functionally distinct resistant types. These resistant types are largely predetermined by molecular differences between cells before drug addition and not by extrinsic factors. Changes in the dose and type of drug can switch the resistant type of an initial cell, resulting in the generation and elimination of certain resistant types. Samples from patients show evidence for the existence of these resistant types in a clinical context. We observed diversity in resistant types across several single-cell-derived cancer cell lines and cell types treated with a variety of drugs. The diversity of resistant types as a result of the variability in intrinsic cell states may be a generic feature of responses to external cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yogesh Goyal
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Gianna T Busch
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Maalavika Pillai
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jingxin Li
- Genetics and Epigenetics, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ryan H Boe
- Genetics and Epigenetics, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Emanuelle I Grody
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Manoj Chelvanambi
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ian P Dardani
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Benjamin Emert
- Genomics and Computational Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nicholas Bodkin
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jonas Braun
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Amanpreet Kaur
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Naveen Jain
- Genetics and Epigenetics, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Pavithran T Ravindran
- Genetics and Epigenetics, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ian A Mellis
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Genomics and Computational Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Karun Kiani
- Genetics and Epigenetics, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Gretchen M Alicea
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mitchell E Fane
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Syeda Subia Ahmed
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Haiyin Li
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Cedric Chai
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Center for Reproductive Science, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Russell G Witt
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Rossana Lazcano
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Davis R Ingram
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sarah B Johnson
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Khalida Wani
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Margaret C Dunagin
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alexander J Lazar
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ashani T Weeraratna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer A Wargo
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Arjun Raj
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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12
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Emond R, Griffiths JI, Grolmusz VK, Nath A, Chen J, Medina EF, Sousa RS, Synold T, Adler FR, Bild AH. Cell facilitation promotes growth and survival under drug pressure in breast cancer. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3851. [PMID: 37386030 PMCID: PMC10310817 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39242-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The interplay of positive and negative interactions between drug-sensitive and resistant cells influences the effectiveness of treatment in heterogeneous cancer cell populations. Here, we study interactions between estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cell lineages that are sensitive and resistant to ribociclib-induced cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibition. In mono- and coculture, we find that sensitive cells grow and compete more effectively in the absence of treatment. During treatment with ribociclib, sensitive cells survive and proliferate better when grown together with resistant cells than when grown in monoculture, termed facilitation in ecology. Molecular, protein, and genomic analyses show that resistant cells increase metabolism and production of estradiol, a highly active estrogen metabolite, and increase estrogen signaling in sensitive cells to promote facilitation in coculture. Adding estradiol in monoculture provides sensitive cells with increased resistance to therapy and cancels facilitation in coculture. Under partial inhibition of estrogen signaling through low-dose endocrine therapy, estradiol supplied by resistant cells facilitates sensitive cell growth. However, a more complete blockade of estrogen signaling, through higher-dose endocrine therapy, diminished the facilitative growth of sensitive cells. Mathematical modeling quantifies the strength of competition and facilitation during CDK4/6 inhibition and predicts that blocking facilitation has the potential to control both resistant and sensitive cancer cell populations and inhibit the emergence of a refractory population during cell cycle therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rena Emond
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Jason I Griffiths
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Vince Kornél Grolmusz
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Aritro Nath
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Jinfeng Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Eric F Medina
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Rachel S Sousa
- Department of Mathematics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
- Department of Mathematical, Computational, and Systems Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Timothy Synold
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Frederick R Adler
- Department of Mathematics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.
| | - Andrea H Bild
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA.
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13
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Lee ND, Kaveh K, Bozic I. Clonal interactions in cancer: integrating quantitative models with experimental and clinical data. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 92:61-73. [PMID: 37023969 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.04.002] [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: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Tumors consist of different genotypically distinct subpopulations-or subclones-of cells. These subclones can influence neighboring clones in a process called "clonal interaction." Conventionally, research on driver mutations in cancer has focused on their cell-autonomous effects that lead to an increase in fitness of the cells containing the driver. Recently, with the advent of improved experimental and computational technologies for investigating tumor heterogeneity and clonal dynamics, new studies have shown the importance of clonal interactions in cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. In this review we provide an overview of clonal interactions in cancer, discussing key discoveries from a diverse range of approaches to cancer biology research. We discuss common types of clonal interactions, such as cooperation and competition, its mechanisms, and the overall effect on tumorigenesis, with important implications for tumor heterogeneity, resistance to treatment, and tumor suppression. Quantitative models-in coordination with cell culture and animal model experiments-have played a vital role in investigating the nature of clonal interactions and the complex clonal dynamics they generate. We present mathematical and computational models that can be used to represent clonal interactions and provide examples of the roles they have played in identifying and quantifying the strength of clonal interactions in experimental systems. Clonal interactions have proved difficult to observe in clinical data; however, several very recent quantitative approaches enable their detection. We conclude by discussing ways in which researchers can further integrate quantitative methods with experimental and clinical data to elucidate the critical-and often surprising-roles of clonal interactions in human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D Lee
- Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Kamran Kaveh
- Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Ivana Bozic
- Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America; Herbold Computational Biology Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America.
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14
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Natterson-Horowitz B, Aktipis A, Fox M, Gluckman PD, Low FM, Mace R, Read A, Turner PE, Blumstein DT. The future of evolutionary medicine: sparking innovation in biomedicine and public health. FRONTIERS IN SCIENCE 2023; 1:997136. [PMID: 37869257 PMCID: PMC10590274 DOI: 10.3389/fsci.2023.997136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Evolutionary medicine - i.e. the application of insights from evolution and ecology to biomedicine - has tremendous untapped potential to spark transformational innovation in biomedical research, clinical care and public health. Fundamentally, a systematic mapping across the full diversity of life is required to identify animal model systems for disease vulnerability, resistance, and counter-resistance that could lead to novel clinical treatments. Evolutionary dynamics should guide novel therapeutic approaches that target the development of treatment resistance in cancers (e.g., via adaptive or extinction therapy) and antimicrobial resistance (e.g., via innovations in chemistry, antimicrobial usage, and phage therapy). With respect to public health, the insight that many modern human pathologies (e.g., obesity) result from mismatches between the ecologies in which we evolved and our modern environments has important implications for disease prevention. Life-history evolution can also shed important light on patterns of disease burden, for example in reproductive health. Experience during the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has underlined the critical role of evolutionary dynamics (e.g., with respect to virulence and transmissibility) in predicting and managing this and future pandemics, and in using evolutionary principles to understand and address aspects of human behavior that impede biomedical innovation and public health (e.g., unhealthy behaviors and vaccine hesitancy). In conclusion, greater interdisciplinary collaboration is vital to systematically leverage the insight-generating power of evolutionary medicine to better understand, prevent, and treat existing and emerging threats to human, animal, and planetary health.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. Natterson-Horowitz
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Athena Aktipis
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- Center for Evolution and Medicine, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Molly Fox
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Peter D. Gluckman
- Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Felicia M. Low
- Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ruth Mace
- Department of Anthropology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Read
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, United States
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, United States
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, United States
| | - Paul E. Turner
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
- Program in Microbiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Daniel T. Blumstein
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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15
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Shan NL, Kahn A, Pusztai L. Intratumour heterogeneity, from hypothesis to the clinic. Br J Cancer 2023; 128:459-460. [PMID: 36216884 PMCID: PMC9938204 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-02008-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent technological advances uncovered intricate biological processes underlying intratumor heterogeneity with clinical implications. These insights led to novel biomarkers for immunotherapies, justified serial tumour biopsies for therapeutic target profiling, inspired new treatment strategies, and ultimately might yield novel therapeutics that target clonal interdependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naing Lin Shan
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar St., PO Box 208032, New Haven, CT, 05620, USA
| | - Adriana Kahn
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar St., PO Box 208032, New Haven, CT, 05620, USA
| | - Lajos Pusztai
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar St., PO Box 208032, New Haven, CT, 05620, USA.
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16
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Bassiouni R, Idowu MO, Gibbs LD, Robila V, Grizzard PJ, Webb MG, Song J, Noriega A, Craig DW, Carpten JD. Spatial Transcriptomic Analysis of a Diverse Patient Cohort Reveals a Conserved Architecture in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancer Res 2023; 83:34-48. [PMID: 36283023 PMCID: PMC9812886 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-2682] [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: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive disease that disproportionately affects African American (AA) women. Limited targeted therapeutic options exist for patients with TNBC. Here, we employ spatial transcriptomics to interrogate tissue from a racially diverse TNBC cohort to comprehensively annotate the transcriptional states of spatially resolved cellular populations. A total of 38,706 spatial features from a cohort of 28 sections from 14 patients were analyzed. Intratumoral analysis of spatial features from individual sections revealed heterogeneous transcriptional substructures. However, integrated analysis of all samples resulted in nine transcriptionally distinct clusters that mapped across all individual sections. Furthermore, novel use of join count analysis demonstrated nonrandom directional spatial dependencies of the transcriptionally defined shared clusters, supporting a conserved spatio-transcriptional architecture in TNBC. These findings were substantiated in an independent validation cohort comprising 17,861 spatial features representing 15 samples from 8 patients. Stratification of samples by race revealed race-associated differences in hypoxic tumor content and regions of immune-rich infiltrate. Overall, this study combined spatial and functional molecular analyses to define the tumor architecture of TNBC, with potential implications in understanding TNBC disparities. SIGNIFICANCE Spatial transcriptomics profiling of a diverse cohort of triple-negative breast cancers and innovative informatics approaches reveal a conserved cellular architecture across cancers and identify proportional differences in tumor cell composition by race.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania Bassiouni
- Department of Translational Genomics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California; Los Angeles, CA
| | - Michael O. Idowu
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University; Richmond, VA
| | - Lee D. Gibbs
- Department of Translational Genomics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California; Los Angeles, CA
| | - Valentina Robila
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University; Richmond, VA
| | | | - Michelle G. Webb
- Department of Translational Genomics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California; Los Angeles, CA
| | - Jiarong Song
- Department of Translational Genomics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California; Los Angeles, CA
| | - Ashley Noriega
- Department of Translational Genomics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California; Los Angeles, CA
| | - David W. Craig
- Department of Translational Genomics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California; Los Angeles, CA
- Translational and Clinical Sciences Program, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California; Los Angeles, CA
| | - John D. Carpten
- Department of Translational Genomics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California; Los Angeles, CA
- Translational and Clinical Sciences Program, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California; Los Angeles, CA
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17
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Jeong BY, Cho KH, Jeong KJ, Cho SJ, Won M, Kim SH, Cho NH, Hur GM, Yoon SH, Park HW, Mills GB, Lee HY. Lysophosphatidic acid-induced amphiregulin secretion by cancer-associated fibroblasts augments cancer cell invasion. Cancer Lett 2022; 551:215946. [PMID: 36209972 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215946] [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: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are key structural components of the tumor microenvironment and are closely associated with tumor invasion and metastasis. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a biolipid produced extracellularly and involved in tumorigenesis and metastasis. LPA has recently been implicated in the education and transdifferentiation of normal fibroblasts (NFs) into CAFs. However, little is known about the effects of LPA on CAFs and their participation in cancer cell invasion. In the present study, we identified a critical role of LPA-induced amphiregulin (AREG) secreted from CAFs in cancer invasiveness. CAFs secrete higher amounts of AREG than NFs, and LPA induces AREG expression in CAFs to augment their invasiveness. Strikingly, knocking out the AREG gene in CAFs attenuates cancer invasiveness and metastasis. Mechanistically, LPA induces Yes-associated protein (YAP) activation and Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (Zeb1) expression through the LPAR1 and LPAR3/Gi/Rho signaling axes, leading to AREG expression. Furthermore, we provide evidence that metformin, a biguanide derivative, significantly inhibits LPA-induced AREG expression in CAFs to attenuate cancer cell invasiveness. Collectively, the present data show that LPA induces AREG expression through YAP and Zeb1 in CAFs to promote cancer cell invasiveness, with the process being inhibited by metformin, providing potential biomarkers and therapeutic avenues to interdict cancer cell invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Young Jeong
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, 35365, Republic of Korea; Division of Oncological Sciences Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Kyung Hwa Cho
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, 35365, Republic of Korea
| | - Kang Jin Jeong
- Division of Oncological Sciences Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Su Jin Cho
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, 35365, Republic of Korea
| | - Minho Won
- Biotechnology Process Engineering Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Cheongju, 28116, Republic of Korea; Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 35015, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Hwa Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, 35365, Republic of Korea
| | - Nam Hoon Cho
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Gang Min Hur
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 35015, Republic of Korea
| | - Se-Hee Yoon
- Division of Nephrology and Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, 35364, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwan-Woo Park
- Department of Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, 35365, Republic of Korea
| | - Gordon B Mills
- Division of Oncological Sciences Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Hoi Young Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, 35365, Republic of Korea.
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18
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Lyubetskaya A, Rabe B, Fisher A, Lewin A, Neuhaus I, Brett C, Brett T, Pereira E, Golhar R, Kebede S, Font-Tello A, Mosure K, Van Wittenberghe N, Mavrakis KJ, MacIsaac K, Chen BJ, Drokhlyansky E. Assessment of spatial transcriptomics for oncology discovery. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2022; 2:100340. [PMID: 36452860 PMCID: PMC9701619 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2022.100340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Tumor heterogeneity is a major challenge for oncology drug discovery and development. Understanding of the spatial tumor landscape is key to identifying new targets and impactful model systems. Here, we test the utility of spatial transcriptomics (ST) for oncology discovery by profiling 40 tissue sections and 80,024 capture spots across a diverse set of tissue types, sample formats, and RNA capture chemistries. We verify the accuracy and fidelity of ST by leveraging matched pathology analysis, which provides a ground truth for tissue section composition. We then use spatial data to demonstrate the capture of key tumor depth features, identifying hypoxia, necrosis, vasculature, and extracellular matrix variation. We also leverage spatial context to identify relative cell-type locations showing the anti-correlation of tumor and immune cells in syngeneic cancer models. Lastly, we demonstrate target identification approaches in clinical pancreatic adenocarcinoma samples, highlighting tumor intrinsic biomarkers and paracrine signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lyubetskaya
- Research and Early Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, 100 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Brian Rabe
- Research and Early Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, 100 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Andrew Fisher
- Research and Early Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, 100 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Anne Lewin
- Research and Early Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, 100 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Isaac Neuhaus
- Research and Early Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Route 206 & Province Line Road, Princeton, NJ 08543, USA
| | - Constance Brett
- Aggregate Genius, Inc., 560 Fulford-Ganges Road, Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 2K1, Canada
| | - Todd Brett
- Aggregate Genius, Inc., 560 Fulford-Ganges Road, Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 2K1, Canada
| | - Ethel Pereira
- Research and Early Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, 100 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Ryan Golhar
- Research and Early Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Route 206 & Province Line Road, Princeton, NJ 08543, USA
| | - Sami Kebede
- Research and Early Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, 100 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Alba Font-Tello
- Research and Early Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, 100 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Kathy Mosure
- Research and Early Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, 100 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Nicholas Van Wittenberghe
- Research and Early Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, 100 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Konstantinos J. Mavrakis
- Research and Early Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, 100 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Kenzie MacIsaac
- Research and Early Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, 100 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Benjamin J. Chen
- Research and Early Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, 100 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Eugene Drokhlyansky
- Research and Early Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, 100 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
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19
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Rivera M, Toledo-Jacobo L, Romero E, Oprea TI, Moses ME, Hudson LG, Wandinger-Ness A, Grimes MM. Agent-based modeling predicts RAC1 is critical for ovarian cancer metastasis. Mol Biol Cell 2022; 33:ar138. [PMID: 36200848 PMCID: PMC9727804 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e21-11-0540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Experimental and computational studies pinpoint rate-limiting step(s) in metastasis governed by Rac1. Using ovarian cancer cell and animal models, Rac1 expression was manipulated, and quantitative measurements of cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesion, cell invasion, mesothelial clearance, and peritoneal tumor growth discriminated the tumor behaviors most highly influenced by Rac1. The experimental data were used to parameterize an agent-based computational model simulating peritoneal niche colonization, intravasation, and hematogenous metastasis to distant organs. Increased ovarian cancer cell survival afforded by the more rapid adhesion and intravasation upon Rac1 overexpression is predicted to increase the numbers of and the rates at which tumor cells are disseminated to distant sites. Surprisingly, crowding of cancer cells along the blood vessel was found to decrease the numbers of cells reaching a distant niche irrespective of Rac1 overexpression or knockdown, suggesting that sites for tumor cell intravasation are rate limiting and become accessible if cells intravasate rapidly or are displaced due to diminished viability. Modeling predictions were confirmed through animal studies of Rac1-dependent metastasis to the lung. Collectively, the experimental and modeling approaches identify cell adhesion, rapid intravasation, and survival in the blood as parameters in the ovarian metastatic cascade that are most critically dependent on Rac1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Rivera
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131
| | - Leslie Toledo-Jacobo
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131
| | - Elsa Romero
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131
| | - Tudor I. Oprea
- Division of Translational Informatics, Department of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131,Translational Informatics, Roivant Discovery, Boston, MA 02210
| | - Melanie E. Moses
- Department of Computer Science, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131
| | - Laurie G. Hudson
- Cancer Research Facility, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131
| | - Angela Wandinger-Ness
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131,Cancer Research Facility, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131,*Address correspondence to: Angela Wandinger-Ness ()
| | - Martha M. Grimes
- Cancer Research Facility, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131
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20
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Liu F, Wang P, Sun W, Jiang Y, Gong Q. Identification of Ligand-Receptor Pairs Associated With Tumour Characteristics in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:874056. [PMID: 35734169 PMCID: PMC9207243 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.874056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumour microenvironment (TME) of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) comprises multiple cell types, which promote tumour progression and modulate drug resistance and immune cell infiltrations via ligand-receptor (LR) interactions. However, the interactions, expression patterns, and clinical relevance of LR in the TME in ccRCC are insufficiently characterised. This study characterises the complex composition of the TME in ccRCC by analysing the single-cell sequencing (scRNA-seq) data of patients with ccRCC from the Gene expression omnibus database. On analysing the scRNA-seq data combined with the cancer genome atlas kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (TCGA-KIRC) dataset, 46 LR-pairs were identified that were significantly correlated and had prognostic values. Furthermore, a new molecular subtyping model was proposed based on these 46 LR-pairs. Molecular subtyping was performed in two ccRCC cohorts, revealing significant differences in prognosis between the subtypes of the two ccRCC cohorts. Different molecular subtypes exhibited different clinicopathological features, mutational, pathway, and immune signatures. Finally, the LR.score model that was constructed using ten essential LR-pairs that were identified based on LASSO Cox regression analysis revealed that the model could accurately predict the prognosis of patients with ccRCC. In addition, the differential expression of ten LR-pairs in tumour and normal cell lines was identified. Further functional experiments showed that CX3CL1 can exert anti-tumorigenic role in ccRCC cell line. Altogether, the effects of immunotherapy were connected to LR.scores, indicating that potential medications targeting these LR-pairs could contribute to the clinical benefit of immunotherapy. Therefore, this study identifies LR-pairs that could be effective biomarkers and predictors for molecular subtyping and immunotherapy effects in ccRCC. Targeting LR-pairs provides a new direction for immunotherapy regimens and prognostic evaluations in ccRCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahui Liu
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Fujian Provincial Geriatric Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wenjuan Sun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Yan Jiang
- Guixi Key Laboratory for High Incidence Diseases, Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
- *Correspondence: Qiming Gong, ; Yan Jiang,
| | - Qiming Gong
- Department of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
- *Correspondence: Qiming Gong, ; Yan Jiang,
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21
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Zhang Q, Ding J, Wang Y, He L, Xue F. Tumor microenvironment manipulates chemoresistance in ovarian cancer (Review). Oncol Rep 2022; 47:102. [PMID: 35362546 DOI: 10.3892/or.2022.8313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the leading cause of mortality among the various types of gynecological cancer, and >75% of the cases are diagnosed at a late stage. Although platinum‑based chemotherapy is able to help the majority of patients to achieve remission, the disease frequently recurs and acquires chemoresistance, resulting in high mortality rates. The complexity of OC therapy is not solely governed by the intrinsic characteristics of the OC cells (OCCs) themselves, but is also largely dependent on the dynamic communication between OCCs and various components of their surrounding microenvironment. The present review attempts to describe the mutual interplay between OCCs and their surrounding microenvironment. Tumor‑associated macrophages (TAMs) and cancer‑associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the most abundant stromal cell types in OC. Soluble factors derived from CAFs steadily nourish both the OCCs and TAMs, facilitating their proliferation and immune evasion. ATP binding cassette transporters facilitate the extrusion of cytotoxic molecules, eventually promoting cell survival and multidrug resistance. Extracellular vesicles fulfill their role as genetic exchange vectors, transferring cargo from the donor cells to the recipient cells and propagating oncogenic signaling. A greater understanding of the vital roles of the tumor microenvironment will allow researchers to be open to the prospect of developing therapeutic approaches for combating OC chemoresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoling Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Jiashan Ding
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Yingmei Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Linsheng He
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Fengxia Xue
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
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22
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Harryman WL, Marr KD, Nagle RB, Cress AE. Integrins and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Cooperation in the Tumor Microenvironment of Muscle-Invasive Lethal Cancers. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:837585. [PMID: 35300411 PMCID: PMC8921537 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.837585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscle-invasive lethal carcinomas traverse into and through this specialized biophysical and growth factor enriched microenvironment. We will highlight cancers that originate in organs surrounded by smooth muscle, which presents a barrier to dissemination, including prostate, bladder, esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancers. We propose that the heterogeneity of cell-cell and cell-ECM adhesion receptors is an important driver of aggressive tumor networks with functional consequences for progression. Phenotype heterogeneity of the tumor provides a biophysical advantage for tumor network invasion through the tensile muscle and survival of the tumor network. We hypothesize that a functional epithelial-mesenchymal cooperation (EMC)exists within the tumor invasive network to facilitate tumor escape from the primary organ, invasion and traversing of muscle, and navigation to metastatic sites. Cooperation between specific epithelial cells within the tumor and stromal (mesenchymal) cells interacting with the tumor is illustrated using the examples of laminin-binding adhesion molecules—especially integrins—and their response to growth and inflammatory factors in the tumor microenvironment. The cooperation between cell-cell (E-cadherin, CDH1) and cell-ECM (α6 integrin, CD49f) expression and growth factor receptors is highlighted within poorly differentiated human tumors associated with aggressive disease. Cancer-associated fibroblasts are examined for their role in the tumor microenvironment in generating and organizing various growth factors. Cellular structural proteins are potential utility markers for future spatial profiling studies. We also examine the special characteristics of the smooth muscle microenvironment and how invasion by a primary tumor can alter this environment and contribute to tumor escape via cooperation between epithelial and stromal cells. This cooperative state allows the heterogenous tumor clusters to be shaped by various growth factors, co-opt or evade immune system response, adapt from hypoxic to normoxic conditions, adjust to varying energy sources, and survive radiation and chemotherapeutic interventions. Understanding the epithelial-mesenchymal cooperation in early tumor invasive networks holds potential for both identifying early biomarkers of the aggressive transition and identification of novel agents to prevent the epithelial-mesenchymal cooperation phenotype. Epithelial-mesenchymal cooperation is likely to unveil new tumor subtypes to aid in selection of appropriate therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- William L Harryman
- Cancer Biology Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Kendra D Marr
- Cancer Biology Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Cancer Biology Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Medical Scientist Training Program, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Ray B Nagle
- Cancer Biology Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Anne E Cress
- Cancer Biology Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
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23
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A Cell Double-Barcoding System for Quantitative Evaluation of Primary Tumors and Metastasis in Animals That Uncovers Clonal-Specific Anti-Cancer Drug Effects. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14061381. [PMID: 35326533 PMCID: PMC8946264 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14061381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The main problem in treating advanced cancers is a metastatic spread when individual cancer cells leave the primary tumor and colonize to distant organs. In drug development, it is important to quantitatively assess effects of novel drug candidates on both primary tumors and metastasis. Unfortunately, current methods of monitoring metastasis in mouse models have low sensitivity and are not quantitative. Here, we developed a methodology to monitor drug effects on metastasis that is quantitative and has a very high sensitivity and resolution. In fact, it allows monitoring effects of drugs on individual cancer cells in animals. Abstract Imaging in monitoring metastasis in mouse models has low sensitivity and is not quantitative. Cell DNA barcoding, demonstrating high sensitivity and resolution, allows monitoring effects of drugs on the number of tumor and metastatic clones. However, this technology is not suitable for comparison of sizes of metastatic clones in different animals, for example, drug treated and untreated, due to high biological and technical variability upon tumor and metastatic growth and isolation of barcodes from tissue DNA. However, both numbers of clones and their sizes are critical parameters for analysis of drug effects. Here we developed a modification of the barcoding approach for monitoring drug effects on tumors and metastasis that is quantitative, highly sensitive and highly reproducible. This novel cell double-barcoding system allows simultaneously following the fate of two or more cell variants or cell lines in xenograft models in vivo, and also following the fates of individual clones within each of these populations. This system allows comparing effects of drugs on different cell populations and thus normalizing drug effects by drug-resistant lines, which corrects for both biological and technical variabilities and significantly increases the reproducibility of results. Using this barcoding system, we uncovered that effects of a novel DYRK1B kinase inhibitor FX9847 on primary tumors and metastasis is clone-dependent, while a distinct drug osimertinib demonstrated clone-independent effects on cancer cell populations. Overall, a cell double-barcoding approach can significantly enrich our understanding of drug effects in basic research and preclinical studies.
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24
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Flores-Téllez TDNJ, Baena E. Experimental challenges to modeling prostate cancer heterogeneity. Cancer Lett 2022; 524:194-205. [PMID: 34688843 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Tumor heterogeneity plays a key role in prostate cancer prognosis, therapy selection, relapse, and acquisition of treatment resistance. Prostate cancer presents a heterogeneous diversity at inter- and intra-tumor and inter-patient levels which are influenced by multiple intrinsic and/or extrinsic factors. Recent studies have started to characterize the complexity of prostate tumors and these different tiers of heterogeneity. In this review, we discuss the most common factors that contribute to tumoral diversity. Moreover, we focus on the description of the in vitro and in vivo approaches, as well as high-throughput technologies, that help to model intra-tumoral diversity. Further understanding tumor heterogeneities and the challenges they present will guide enhanced patient risk stratification, aid the design of more precise therapies, and ultimately help beat this chameleon-like disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresita Del N J Flores-Téllez
- Prostate Oncobiology Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park, Alderley Edge, Macclesfield, SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Esther Baena
- Prostate Oncobiology Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park, Alderley Edge, Macclesfield, SK10 4TG, UK; Belfast-Manchester Movember Centre of Excellence, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park, SK10 4TG, UK.
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25
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Kuiken HJ, Dhakal S, Selfors LM, Friend CM, Zhang T, Callari M, Schackmann RCJ, Gray GK, Crowdis J, Bhang HEC, Baslan T, Stegmeier F, Gygi SP, Caldas C, Brugge JS. Clonal populations of a human TNBC model display significant functional heterogeneity and divergent growth dynamics in distinct contexts. Oncogene 2022; 41:112-124. [PMID: 34703030 PMCID: PMC8727509 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-02075-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Intratumoral heterogeneity has been described for various tumor types and models of human cancer, and can have profound effects on tumor progression and drug resistance. This study describes an in-depth analysis of molecular and functional heterogeneity among subclonal populations (SCPs) derived from a single triple-negative breast cancer cell line, including copy number analysis, whole-exome and RNA sequencing, proteome analysis, and barcode analysis of clonal dynamics, as well as functional assays. The SCPs were found to have multiple unique genetic alterations and displayed significant variation in anchorage independent growth and tumor forming ability. Analyses of clonal dynamics in SCP mixtures using DNA barcode technology revealed selection for distinct clonal populations in different in vitro and in vivo environmental contexts, demonstrating that in vitro propagation of cancer cell lines using different culture conditions can contribute to the establishment of unique strains. These analyses also revealed strong enrichment of a single SCP during the development of xenograft tumors in immune-compromised mice. This SCP displayed attenuated interferon signaling in vivo and reduced sensitivity to the antiproliferative effects of type I interferons. Reduction in interferon signaling was found to provide a selective advantage within the xenograft microenvironment specifically. In concordance with the previously described role of interferon signaling as tumor suppressor, these findings suggest that similar selective pressures may be operative in human cancer and patient-derived xenograft models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik J Kuiken
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Ludwig Center at Harvard, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, 1066 CX, the Netherlands
| | - Sabin Dhakal
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Ludwig Center at Harvard, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Inzen Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Laura M Selfors
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Ludwig Center at Harvard, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Chandler M Friend
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Ludwig Center at Harvard, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Tian Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Maurizio Callari
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Ron C J Schackmann
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Ludwig Center at Harvard, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Merus, Utrecht, 3584 CM, the Netherlands
| | - G Kenneth Gray
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Ludwig Center at Harvard, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jett Crowdis
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Ludwig Center at Harvard, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Hyo-Eun C Bhang
- Department of Oncology, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Civetta Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Timour Baslan
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Frank Stegmeier
- Department of Oncology, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- KSQ Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Steven P Gygi
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Carlos Caldas
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Joan S Brugge
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Ludwig Center at Harvard, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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26
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Cell-of-Origin and Genetic, Epigenetic, and Microenvironmental Factors Contribute to the Intra-Tumoral Heterogeneity of Pediatric Intracranial Ependymoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13236100. [PMID: 34885210 PMCID: PMC8657076 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13236100] [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: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Intra-tumoral heterogeneity (ITH) is a complex multifaceted phenomenon that posits major challenges for the clinical management of cancer patients. Genetic, epigenetic, and microenvironmental factors are concurrent drivers of diversity among the distinct populations of cancer cells. ITH may also be installed by cancer stem cells (CSCs), that foster unidirectional hierarchy of cellular phenotypes or, alternatively, shift dynamically between distinct cellular states. Ependymoma (EPN), a molecularly heterogeneous group of tumors, shows a specific spatiotemporal distribution that suggests a link between ependymomagenesis and alterations of the biological processes involved in embryonic brain development. In children, EPN most often arises intra-cranially and is associated with an adverse outcome. Emerging evidence shows that EPN displays large intra-patient heterogeneity. In this review, after touching on EPN inter-tumoral heterogeneity, we focus on the sources of ITH in pediatric intra-cranial EPN in the framework of the CSC paradigm. We also examine how single-cell technology has shed new light on the complexity and developmental origins of EPN and the potential impact that this understanding may have on the therapeutic strategies against this deadly pediatric malignancy.
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Wrenn E, Huang Y, Cheung K. Collective metastasis: coordinating the multicellular voyage. Clin Exp Metastasis 2021; 38:373-399. [PMID: 34254215 PMCID: PMC8346286 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-021-10111-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The metastatic process is arduous. Cancer cells must escape the confines of the primary tumor, make their way into and travel through the circulation, then survive and proliferate in unfavorable microenvironments. A key question is how cancer cells overcome these multiple barriers to orchestrate distant organ colonization. Accumulating evidence in human patients and animal models supports the hypothesis that clusters of tumor cells can complete the entire metastatic journey in a process referred to as collective metastasis. Here we highlight recent studies unraveling how multicellular coordination, via both physical and biochemical coupling of cells, induces cooperative properties advantageous for the completion of metastasis. We discuss conceptual challenges and unique mechanisms arising from collective dissemination that are distinct from single cell-based metastasis. Finally, we consider how the dissection of molecular transitions regulating collective metastasis could offer potential insight into cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Wrenn
- Translational Research Program, Public Health Sciences and Human Biology Divisions, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Yin Huang
- Translational Research Program, Public Health Sciences and Human Biology Divisions, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Kevin Cheung
- Translational Research Program, Public Health Sciences and Human Biology Divisions, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.
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Noble RJ, Walther V, Roumestand C, Hochberg ME, Hibner U, Lassus P. Paracrine Behaviors Arbitrate Parasite-Like Interactions Between Tumor Subclones. Front Ecol Evol 2021; 9. [PMID: 35096847 PMCID: PMC8794381 DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.675638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Explaining the emergence and maintenance of intratumor heterogeneity is an important question in cancer biology. Tumor cells can generate considerable subclonal diversity, which influences tumor growth rate, treatment resistance, and metastasis, yet we know remarkably little about how cells from different subclones interact. Here, we confronted two murine mammary cancer cell lines to determine both the nature and mechanisms of subclonal cellular interactions in vitro. Surprisingly, we found that, compared to monoculture, growth of the “winner” was enhanced by the presence of the “loser” cell line, whereas growth of the latter was reduced. Mathematical modeling and laboratory assays indicated that these interactions are mediated by the production of paracrine metabolites resulting in the winner subclone effectively “farming” the loser. Our findings add a new level of complexity to the mechanisms underlying subclonal growth dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Noble
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Correspondence: Patrice Lassus, Robert J. Noble
| | - Viola Walther
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Christian Roumestand
- Centre de Biochimie Structurale INSERM U1054, CNRS UMR 5048, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Michael E. Hochberg
- Institute of Evolutionary Sciences, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM, United States
| | - Urszula Hibner
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Patrice Lassus
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
- Correspondence: Patrice Lassus, Robert J. Noble
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Roles for growth factors and mutations in metastatic dissemination. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:1409-1423. [PMID: 34100888 PMCID: PMC8286841 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is initiated largely by specific cohorts of genetic aberrations, which are generated by mutagens and often mimic active growth factor receptors, or downstream effectors. Once initiated cells outgrow and attract blood vessels, a multi-step process, called metastasis, disseminates cancer cells primarily through vascular routes. The major steps of the metastatic cascade comprise intravasation into blood vessels, circulation as single or collectives of cells, and eventual colonization of distant organs. Herein, we consider metastasis as a multi-step process that seized principles and molecular players employed by physiological processes, such as tissue regeneration and migration of neural crest progenitors. Our discussion contrasts the irreversible nature of mutagenesis, which establishes primary tumors, and the reversible epigenetic processes (e.g. epithelial-mesenchymal transition) underlying the establishment of micro-metastases and secondary tumors. Interestingly, analyses of sequencing data from untreated metastases inferred depletion of putative driver mutations among metastases, in line with the pivotal role played by growth factors and epigenetic processes in metastasis. Conceivably, driver mutations may not confer the same advantage in the microenvironment of the primary tumor and of the colonization site, hence phenotypic plasticity rather than rigid cellular states hardwired by mutations becomes advantageous during metastasis. We review the latest reported examples of growth factors harnessed by the metastatic cascade, with the goal of identifying opportunities for anti-metastasis interventions. In summary, because the overwhelming majority of cancer-associated deaths are caused by metastatic disease, understanding the complexity of metastasis, especially the roles played by growth factors, is vital for preventing, diagnosing and treating metastasis.
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