[Molecular pathogenesis of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (1): angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified and anaplastic large cell lymphoma]

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) belong to the group of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and particularly that of mature T/NK cells lymphoproliferative neoplasms. The 2008 WHO classification describes different PTCL entities with varying prevalence. With the exception of the histological subtype "ALK positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma", PTCL are characterized by a poor prognosis. The mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of these lymphomas are not yet fully understood, but development of genomic high-throughput analysis techniques now allows to extensively identify the molecular abnormalities present in tumor cells. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge and recent advances about the molecular events occurring at the origin or during the natural history of main entities of PTCL. It will be published in two parts : the first is focused on the three more frequent entities, angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified, and anaplastic large cell lymphoma. The second (which will appear in the november issue) will describe other subtypes less frequent and of poor prognosis : extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, and enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma. T or NK cell lymphoproliferative disorders with leukemic presentation, primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and very rare subtypes of PTCL whose prevalence is less than 5% (hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma and subcutaneous panniculitis-like T cell lymphoma) will not be discussed herein.

[Analysis of oncogenic signaling induced by tyrosine kinases in tumors by SILAC-based quantitative proteomic approach]

Protein tyrosine kinases (TK) transmit intracellular signaling induced by many extracellular stimuli resulting in cell growth or adhesion. Deregulation of their activity leads to malignant cell transformation that plays an important role in human cancer. The signaling pathways involved in this oncogenic process are however only partially elucidated. Interestingly, SILAC-based quantitative proteomics allow the identification of the whole spectrum of TK substrates and the dynamic of phosphorylation state involved in oncogenic signaling. For example, this approach has highlighted the unsuspected complexity of the oncogenic signaling induced by the TK Src in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. In this review, we describe a new SILAC-based technology applied to in vivo models of human tumors engrafted in nude mice. This method revealed significant differences between Src-oncogenic signaling of CRC cells in tumors and in culture. Finally, we discuss the interest of SILAC with recently described in vivo proteomic methods and in cancer, including the analysis of oncogenic signaling in tumor progression and the anti-tumoral activity of TK inhibitors in vivo.

[Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts in cancer: the great escape]

Cellular and molecular crosstalks between cancer and non-cancer tumor-associated cells result in tumor growth and metastatic spreading. During carcinoma development, tumor cells secrete signaling molecules that influence the surrounding non-cancer cells, which, in return, favor tumor cell growth, survival, migration and metastasis. Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAF) are the most abundant population of non-cancer cells found in tumors, and their presence is often associated with poor clinical prognosis. Here, we summarize the pro-carcinogenic roles of CAF cells during carcinogenesis, with a specific focus on their abilities to drive cancer cell-dependent pro-invasive extracellular matrix remodeling.

[Tumor microenvironment and therapeutic resistance process]

Over the last decade, it has become clear that cancer is not just a disease of the genes, and that the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in cancer progression. Interactions between tumor cells and the TME, made of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and of non-transformed cells (designated here as stromal cells), promote cancer cell survival and drug resistance. Many of the mechanisms involved are known and are either contact-dependent or contact-independent. Contact between tumor cells and the ECM or stromal cells as well as the production of soluble factors and microvesicles all contribute. The bone marrow plays a special role in environment-mediated drug resistance as it is not only a sanctuary protecting tumor cells from cytotoxic drugs, but also a source of many stromal cells that colonize primary tumors and contribute to the pre-metastatic niche. As our understanding of the mechanisms by which the tumor microenvironment promotes therapeutic resistance progresses, clinical trials testing agents that disrupt the interaction between tumor cells and the stroma have been initiated. This new avenue of therapy is promising.

[Tumor microenvironment: regulatory cells and immunosuppressive cytokines]

Immunosuppression is a mechanism developed by cancer cells to help them escape the immune system. Immunosuppression involves expansion of various cell types and production of a variety of cytokines. In this review, we explore the duality of three cancer induced cell populations, regulatory T lymphocytes, Th17 lymphocytes and MDSC, and also the pleiotropic effects of several cytokines induced during cancer development.