1
|
Rodriguez-Tirado C, Sosa MS. How much do we know about the metastatic process? Clin Exp Metastasis 2024; 41:275-299. [PMID: 38520475 PMCID: PMC11374507 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-023-10248-0] [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: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Cancer cells can leave their primary sites and travel through the circulation to distant sites, where they lodge as disseminated cancer cells (DCCs), even during the early and asymptomatic stages of tumor progression. In experimental models and clinical samples, DCCs can be detected in a non-proliferative state, defined as cellular dormancy. This state can persist for extended periods until DCCs reawaken, usually in response to niche-derived reactivation signals. Therefore, their clinical detection in sites like lymph nodes and bone marrow is linked to poor survival. Current cancer therapy designs are based on the biology of the primary tumor and do not target the biology of the dormant DCC population and thus fail to eradicate the initial or subsequent waves of metastasis. In this brief review, we discuss the current methods for detecting DCCs and highlight new strategies that aim to target DCCs that constitute minimal residual disease to reduce or prevent metastasis formation. Furthermore, we present current evidence on the relevance of DCCs derived from early stages of tumor progression in metastatic disease and describe the animal models available for their study. We also discuss our current understanding of the dissemination mechanisms utilized by genetically less- and more-advanced cancer cells, which include the functional analysis of intermediate or hybrid states of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Finally, we raise some intriguing questions regarding the clinical impact of studying the crosstalk between evolutionary waves of DCCs and the initiation of metastatic disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Rodriguez-Tirado
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.
- Department of Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.
- Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.
- Cancer Dormancy and Tumor Microenvironment Institute/Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.
- Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.
| | - Maria Soledad Sosa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.
- Department of Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.
- Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.
- Cancer Dormancy and Tumor Microenvironment Institute/Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.
- Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cherf GM, Lee RB, Mehta N, Clifford C, Torres K, Kintzing JR, Cochran JR. An engineered ultrahigh affinity bi-paratopic uPAR targeting agent confers enhanced tumor targeting. Biotechnol Bioeng 2024. [PMID: 38965775 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28790] [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: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is overexpressed on tumor cells in multiple types of cancer and contributes to disease progression and metastasis. In this work, we engineered a novel bi-paratopic uPAR targeting agent by fusing the binding domains of two native uPAR ligands: uPA and vitronectin, with a flexible peptide linker. The linker length was optimized to facilitate simultaneous engagement of both domains to their adjacent epitopes on uPAR, resulting in a high affinity and avid binding interaction. Furthermore, the individual domains were affinity-matured using yeast surface display and directed evolution, resulting in a bi-paratopic protein with affinity in the picomolar to femtomolar range. This engineered uPAR targeting agent demonstrated significantly enhanced tumor localization in mouse tumor models compared to the native uPAR ligand and warrants further investigation as a diagnostic and therapeutic agent for cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gerald M Cherf
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Robert B Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Nishant Mehta
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Claire Clifford
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Kathleen Torres
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - James R Kintzing
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jennifer R Cochran
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Amissah HA, Combs SE, Shevtsov M. Tumor Dormancy and Reactivation: The Role of Heat Shock Proteins. Cells 2024; 13:1087. [PMID: 38994941 PMCID: PMC11240553 DOI: 10.3390/cells13131087] [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: 05/24/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumors are a heterogeneous group of cell masses originating in various organs or tissues. The cellular composition of the tumor cell mass interacts in an intricate manner, influenced by humoral, genetic, molecular, and tumor microenvironment cues that dictate tumor growth or suppression. As a result, tumors undergo a period of a dormant state before their clinically discernible stage, which surpasses the clinical dormancy threshold. Moreover, as a genetically imprinted strategy, early-seeder cells, a distinct population of tumor cells, break off to dock nearby or extravasate into blood vessels to secondary tissues, where they form disseminated solitary dormant tumor cells with reversible capacity. Among the various mechanisms underlying the dormant tumor mass and dormant tumor cell formation, heat shock proteins (HSPs) might play one of the most important roles in how the dormancy program plays out. It is known that numerous aberrant cellular processes, such as malignant transformation, cancer cell stemness, tumor invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, and signaling pathway maintenance, are influenced by the HSPs. An accumulating body of knowledge suggests that HSPs may be involved in the angiogenic switch, immune editing, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling cascades, crucial genetically imprinted strategies important to the tumor dormancy initiation and dormancy maintenance program. In this review, we highlight the biological events that orchestrate the dormancy state and the body of work that has been conducted on the dynamics of HSPs in a tumor mass, as well as tumor cell dormancy and reactivation. Additionally, we propose a conceptual framework that could possibly underlie dormant tumor reactivation in metastatic relapse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haneef Ahmed Amissah
- Institute of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Department of Medical Biology and Medical Biology, FEFU Campus, Far Eastern Federal University, 690922 Vladivostok, Russia
- Diagnostics Laboratory Department, Trauma and Specialist Hospital, CE-122-2486, Central Region, Winneba P.O. Box 326, Ghana
| | - Stephanie E Combs
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Technische Universität München (TUM), Klinikum Rechts der Isar, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Maxim Shevtsov
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Technische Universität München (TUM), Klinikum Rechts der Isar, 81675 Munich, Germany
- Laboratory of Biomedical Nanotechnologies, Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), 194064 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Personalized Medicine Centre, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, 197341 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wang Y, Wang L, Wei Y, Wei C, Yang H, Chen Q, Zhang R, Shen H. Advances in the molecular regulation mechanism of tumor dormancy and its therapeutic strategy. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:184. [PMID: 38795254 PMCID: PMC11127899 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-01049-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor dormancy is a stage in the growth and development of malignant cells and is one of the biological characteristics of malignant cells. Complex transitions involving dormant tumor cells between quiescent and proliferative states pose challenges for tumor eradication. This paper explores the biological features and molecular mechanisms of tumor dormancy and highlights emerging therapies. The strategies discussed promise innovative clinical potential against malignant tumors. Understanding the mechanisms of dormancy can help provide valuable insights into the diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumors to advance the fight against this world problem.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Wang
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 51006, People's Republic of China
| | - Linlin Wang
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 51006, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaojun Wei
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 51006, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuang Wei
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 51006, People's Republic of China
| | - Haohang Yang
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 51006, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiurui Chen
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 51006, People's Republic of China
| | - Rongxin Zhang
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 51006, People's Republic of China.
| | - Han Shen
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 51006, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lambert AW, Zhang Y, Weinberg RA. Cell-intrinsic and microenvironmental determinants of metastatic colonization. Nat Cell Biol 2024; 26:687-697. [PMID: 38714854 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-024-01409-8] [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: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Cancer metastasis is a biologically complex process that remains a major challenge in the oncology clinic, accounting for nearly all of the mortality associated with malignant neoplasms. To establish metastatic growths, carcinoma cells must disseminate from the primary tumour, survive in unfamiliar tissue microenvironments, re-activate programs of proliferation, and escape innate and adaptive immunosurveillance. The entire process is extremely inefficient and can occur over protracted timescales, yielding only a vanishingly small number of carcinoma cells that are able to complete all of the required steps. Here we review both the cancer-cell-intrinsic mechanisms and microenvironmental interactions that enable metastatic colonization. In particular, we highlight recent work on the behaviour of already-disseminated tumour cells, since meaningful progress in treating metastatic disease will clearly require a better understanding of the cells that spawn metastases, which generally have disseminated by the time of initial diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arthur W Lambert
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Translational Medicine, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Yun Zhang
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Robert A Weinberg
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- MIT Ludwig Center, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Liu R, Zhao Y, Su S, Kwabil A, Njoku PC, Yu H, Li X. Unveiling cancer dormancy: Intrinsic mechanisms and extrinsic forces. Cancer Lett 2024; 591:216899. [PMID: 38649107 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216899] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Tumor cells disseminate in various distant organs at early stages of cancer progression. These disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) can stay dormant/quiescent without causing patient symptoms for years or decades. These dormant tumor cells survive despite curative treatments by entering growth arrest, escaping immune surveillance, and/or developing drug resistance. However, these dormant cells can reactivate to proliferate, causing metastatic progression and/or relapse, posing a threat to patients' survival. It's unclear how cancer cells maintain dormancy and what triggers their reactivation. What are better approaches to prevent metastatic progression and relapse through harnessing cancer dormancy? To answer these remaining questions, we reviewed the studies of tumor dormancy and reactivation in various types of cancer using different model systems, including the brief history of dormancy studies, the intrinsic characteristics of dormant cells, and the external cues at the cellular and molecular levels. Furthermore, we discussed future directions in the field and the strategies for manipulating dormancy to prevent metastatic progression and recurrence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruihua Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, 010070, China; Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Yawei Zhao
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Shang Su
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Augustine Kwabil
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Prisca Chinonso Njoku
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Haiquan Yu
- School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, 010070, China.
| | - Xiaohong Li
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Reimann M, Lee S, Schmitt CA. Cellular senescence: Neither irreversible nor reversible. J Exp Med 2024; 221:e20232136. [PMID: 38385946 PMCID: PMC10883852 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20232136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Cellular senescence is a critical stress response program implicated in embryonic development, wound healing, aging, and immunity, and it backs up apoptosis as an ultimate cell-cycle exit mechanism. In analogy to replicative exhaustion of telomere-eroded cells, premature types of senescence-referring to oncogene-, therapy-, or virus-induced senescence-are widely considered irreversible growth arrest states as well. We discuss here that entry into full-featured senescence is not necessarily a permanent endpoint, but dependent on essential maintenance components, potentially transient. Unlike a binary state switch, we view senescence with its extensive epigenomic reorganization, profound cytomorphological remodeling, and distinctive metabolic rewiring rather as a journey toward a full-featured arrest condition of variable strength and depth. Senescence-underlying maintenance-essential molecular mechanisms may allow cell-cycle reentry if not continuously provided. Importantly, senescent cells that resumed proliferation fundamentally differ from those that never entered senescence, and hence would not reflect a reversion but a dynamic progression to a post-senescent state that comes with distinct functional and clinically relevant ramifications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maurice Reimann
- Medical Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, and Molekulares Krebsforschungszentrum-MKFZ, Campus Virchow Klinikum, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Soyoung Lee
- Medical Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, and Molekulares Krebsforschungszentrum-MKFZ, Campus Virchow Klinikum, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
- Johannes Kepler University , Linz, Austria
| | - Clemens A Schmitt
- Medical Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, and Molekulares Krebsforschungszentrum-MKFZ, Campus Virchow Klinikum, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
- Johannes Kepler University , Linz, Austria
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kepler University Hospital, Linz, Austria
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association , Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Richbourg NR, Irakoze N, Kim H, Peyton SR. Outlook and opportunities for engineered environments of breast cancer dormancy. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadl0165. [PMID: 38457510 PMCID: PMC10923521 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl0165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Dormant, disseminated breast cancer cells resist treatment and may relapse into malignant metastases after decades of quiescence. Identifying how and why these dormant breast cancer cells are triggered into outgrowth is a key unsolved step in treating latent, metastatic breast cancer. However, our understanding of breast cancer dormancy in vivo is limited by technical challenges and ethical concerns with triggering the activation of dormant breast cancer. In vitro models avoid many of these challenges by simulating breast cancer dormancy and activation in well-controlled, bench-top conditions, creating opportunities for fundamental insights into breast cancer biology that complement what can be achieved through animal and clinical studies. In this review, we address clinical and preclinical approaches to treating breast cancer dormancy, how precisely controlled artificial environments reveal key interactions that regulate breast cancer dormancy, and how future generations of biomaterials could answer further questions about breast cancer dormancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan R. Richbourg
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Ninette Irakoze
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Hyuna Kim
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Shelly R. Peyton
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zhan Q, Liu B, Situ X, Luo Y, Fu T, Wang Y, Xie Z, Ren L, Zhu Y, He W, Ke Z. New insights into the correlations between circulating tumor cells and target organ metastasis. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:465. [PMID: 38129401 PMCID: PMC10739776 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01725-9] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Organ-specific metastasis is the primary cause of cancer patient death. The distant metastasis of tumor cells to specific organs depends on both the intrinsic characteristics of the tumor cells and extrinsic factors in their microenvironment. During an intermediate stage of metastasis, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are released into the bloodstream from primary and metastatic tumors. CTCs harboring aggressive or metastatic features can extravasate to remote sites for continuous colonizing growth, leading to further lesions. In the past decade, numerous studies demonstrated that CTCs exhibited huge clinical value including predicting distant metastasis, assessing prognosis and monitoring treatment response et al. Furthermore, increasingly numerous experiments are dedicated to identifying the key molecules on or inside CTCs and exploring how they mediate CTC-related organ-specific metastasis. Based on the above molecules, more and more inhibitors are being developed to target CTCs and being utilized to completely clean CTCs, which should provide promising prospects to administer advanced tumor. Recently, the application of various nanomaterials and microfluidic technologies in CTCs enrichment technology has assisted to improve our deep insights into the phenotypic characteristics and biological functions of CTCs as a potential therapy target, which may pave the way for us to make practical clinical strategies. In the present review, we mainly focus on the role of CTCs being involved in targeted organ metastasis, especially the latest molecular mechanism research and clinical intervention strategies related to CTCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qinru Zhan
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Bixia Liu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Xiaohua Situ
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Yuting Luo
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Tongze Fu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Yanxia Wang
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Zhongpeng Xie
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Lijuan Ren
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China.
| | - Weiling He
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
- School of Medicine, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, 361000, Xiamen, Fujian, P.R. China.
| | - Zunfu Ke
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China.
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Calvo V, Zheng W, Adam-Artigues A, Staschke KA, Huang X, Cheung JF, Nobre AR, Fujisawa S, Liu D, Fumagalli M, Surguladze D, Stokes ME, Nowacek A, Mulvihill M, Farias EF, Aguirre-Ghiso JA. A PERK-Specific Inhibitor Blocks Metastatic Progression by Limiting Integrated Stress Response-Dependent Survival of Quiescent Cancer Cells. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:5155-5172. [PMID: 37982738 PMCID: PMC10842363 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-1427] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The integrated stress response (ISR) kinase PERK serves as a survival factor for both proliferative and dormant cancer cells. We aim to validate PERK inhibition as a new strategy to specifically eliminate solitary disseminated cancer cells (DCC) in secondary sites that eventually reawake and originate metastasis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN A novel clinical-grade PERK inhibitor (HC4) was tested in mouse syngeneic and PDX models that present quiescent/dormant DCCs or growth-arrested cancer cells in micro-metastatic lesions that upregulate ISR. RESULTS HC4 significantly blocks metastasis, by killing quiescent/slow-cycling ISRhigh, but not proliferative ISRlow DCCs. HC4 blocked expansion of established micro-metastasis that contained ISRhigh slow-cycling cells. Single-cell gene expression profiling and imaging revealed that a significant proportion of solitary DCCs in lungs were indeed dormant and displayed an unresolved ER stress as revealed by high expression of a PERK-regulated signature. In human breast cancer metastasis biopsies, GADD34 expression (PERK-regulated gene) and quiescence were positively correlated. HC4 effectively eradicated dormant bone marrow DCCs, which usually persist after rounds of therapies. Importantly, treatment with CDK4/6 inhibitors (to force a quiescent state) followed by HC4 further reduced metastatic burden. In HNSCC and HER2+ cancers HC4 caused cell death in dormant DCCs. In HER2+ tumors, PERK inhibition caused killing by reducing HER2 activity because of sub-optimal HER2 trafficking and phosphorylation in response to EGF. CONCLUSIONS Our data identify PERK as a unique vulnerability in quiescent or slow-cycling ISRhigh DCCs. The use of PERK inhibitors may allow targeting of pre-existing or therapy-induced growth arrested "persister" cells that escape anti-proliferative therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Calvo
- HiberCell, Inc, 619 West 54th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY USA
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Current affiliation: Pathos, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Wei Zheng
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Cancer Dormancy and Tumor Microenvironment Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Anna Adam-Artigues
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Cancer Dormancy and Tumor Microenvironment Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Kirk A. Staschke
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Xin Huang
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Cancer Dormancy and Tumor Microenvironment Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Julie F. Cheung
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ana Rita Nobre
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sho Fujisawa
- Cancer Dormancy and Tumor Microenvironment Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - David Liu
- HiberCell, Inc, 619 West 54th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY USA
| | - Maria Fumagalli
- HiberCell, Inc, 619 West 54th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY USA
| | - David Surguladze
- HiberCell, Inc, 619 West 54th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY USA
| | | | - Ari Nowacek
- HiberCell, Inc, 619 West 54th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY USA
| | - Mark Mulvihill
- HiberCell, Inc, 619 West 54th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY USA
| | - Eduardo F. Farias
- HiberCell, Inc, 619 West 54th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY USA
- Current affiliation: Serinus Biosciences, New York, NY, USA
| | - Julio A. Aguirre-Ghiso
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Cancer Dormancy and Tumor Microenvironment Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Nasr MM, Lynch CC. How circulating tumor cluster biology contributes to the metastatic cascade: from invasion to dissemination and dormancy. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:1133-1146. [PMID: 37442876 PMCID: PMC10713810 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10124-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are known to be prognostic for metastatic relapse and are detected in patients as solitary cells or cell clusters. Circulating tumor cell clusters (CTC clusters) have been observed clinically for decades and are of significantly higher metastatic potential compared to solitary CTCs. Recent studies suggest distinct differences in CTC cluster biology regarding invasion and survival in circulation. However, differences regarding dissemination, dormancy, and reawakening require more investigations compared to solitary CTCs. Here, we review the current state of CTC cluster research and consider their clinical significance. In addition, we discuss the concept of collective invasion by CTC clusters and molecular evidence as to how cluster survival in circulation compares to that of solitary CTCs. Molecular differences between solitary and clustered CTCs during dormancy and reawakening programs will also be discussed. We also highlight future directions to advance our current understanding of CTC cluster biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa M Nasr
- Tumor Biology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
- Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Conor C Lynch
- Tumor Biology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Zefferino R, Conese M. A Vaccine against Cancer: Can There Be a Possible Strategy to Face the Challenge? Possible Targets and Paradoxical Effects. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1701. [PMID: 38006033 PMCID: PMC10674257 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11111701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Is it possible to have an available vaccine that eradicates cancer? Starting from this question, this article tries to verify the state of the art, proposing a different approach to the issue. The variety of cancers and different and often unknown causes of cancer impede, except in some cited cases, the creation of a classical vaccine directed at the causative agent. The efforts of the scientific community are oriented toward stimulating the immune systems of patients, thereby preventing immune evasion, and heightening chemotherapeutic agents effects against cancer. However, the results are not decisive, because without any warning signs, metastasis often occurs. The purpose of this paper is to elaborate on a vaccine that must be administered to a patient in order to prevent metastasis; metastasis is an event that leads to death, and thus, preventing it could transform cancer into a chronic disease. We underline the fact that the field has not been studied in depth, and that the complexity of metastatic processes should not be underestimated. Then, with the aim of identifying the target of a cancer vaccine, we draw attention to the presence of the paradoxical actions of different mechanisms, pathways, molecules, and immune and non-immune cells characteristic of the tumor microenvironment at the primary site and pre-metastatic niche in order to exclude possible vaccine candidates that have opposite effects/behaviors; after a meticulous evaluation, we propose possible targets to develop a metastasis-targeting vaccine. We conclude that a change in the current concept of a cancer vaccine is needed, and the efforts of the scientific community should be redirected toward a metastasis-targeting vaccine, with the increasing hope of eradicating cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Zefferino
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Massimo Conese
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Rutecki S, Leśniewska-Bocianowska A, Chmielewska K, Matuszewska J, Naumowicz E, Uruski P, Radziemski A, Mikuła-Pietrasik J, Tykarski A, Książek K. Serum starvation-based method of ovarian cancer cell dormancy induction and termination in vitro. Biol Methods Protoc 2023; 8:bpad029. [PMID: 38023348 PMCID: PMC10651433 DOI: 10.1093/biomethods/bpad029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Awakening and growth reinitiation by dormant cells may contribute to epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) relapse. The links between these phenomena are loose because of the limited stock of compelling models of EOC dormancy. Here, we show a simple and convenient dormancy research protocol based on serum starvation. This study was conducted on established EOC cell lines A2780, OVCAR-3, and SKOV-3, as well as on primary EOC cells. Cell growth arrest and proliferation were monitored by assessing the Ki67 antigen, PKH26 fluorescence, and cell cycle distribution. In addition, cells were tested for ERK1/2/p38 MAPK activity ratio, apoptosis, and senescence. The study showed that 72-h serum starvation induces G0/G1 growth arrest of a significant fraction of cells, accompanied by reduced Ki67 and ERK1/2/p38 MAPK activity ratio, without signs of apoptosis or cellular senescence. Moreover, providing cells with 72 h of a medium enriched in 5% serum allows the culture to regain its proliferative potential. At the same time, we attempted to induce and terminate dormancy with Mitomycin C addition and withdrawal, which were unsuccessful. In conclusion, serum starvation is a convenient way to reliably induce dormancy in EOC cells, allowing them to be efficiently awakened for further mechanistic research in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Szymon Rutecki
- Department of Pathophysiology of Ageing and Civilization Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań 61-848, Poland
- Poznan University of Medical Sciences Doctoral School, Poznań 60-812, Poland
| | | | - Klaudia Chmielewska
- Department of Pathophysiology of Ageing and Civilization Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań 61-848, Poland
| | - Julia Matuszewska
- Department of Pathophysiology of Ageing and Civilization Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań 61-848, Poland
| | - Eryk Naumowicz
- General Surgery Ward, Medical Centre HCP, Poznań 61-485, Poland
| | - Paweł Uruski
- Department of Hypertensiology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań 61-848, Poland
| | - Artur Radziemski
- Department of Hypertensiology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań 61-848, Poland
| | - Justyna Mikuła-Pietrasik
- Department of Pathophysiology of Ageing and Civilization Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań 61-848, Poland
| | - Andrzej Tykarski
- Department of Hypertensiology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań 61-848, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Książek
- Department of Pathophysiology of Ageing and Civilization Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań 61-848, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Weston WA, Barr AR. A cell cycle centric view of tumour dormancy. Br J Cancer 2023; 129:1535-1545. [PMID: 37608096 PMCID: PMC10645753 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02401-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumour dormancy and recurrent metastatic cancer remain the greatest clinical challenge for cancer patients. Dormant tumour cells can evade treatment and detection, while retaining proliferative potential, often for years, before relapsing to tumour outgrowth. Cellular quiescence is one mechanism that promotes and maintains tumour dormancy due to its central role in reducing proliferation, elevating cyto-protective mechanisms, and retaining proliferative potential. Quiescence/proliferation decisions are dictated by intrinsic and extrinsic signals, which regulate the activity of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) to modulate cell cycle gene expression. By clarifying the pathways regulating CDK activity and the signals which activate them, we can better understand how cancer cells enter, maintain, and escape from quiescence throughout the progression of dormancy and metastatic disease. Here we review how CDK activity is regulated to modulate cellular quiescence in the context of tumour dormancy and highlight the therapeutic challenges and opportunities it presents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William A Weston
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Alexis R Barr
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College London, Du Cane Rd, London, W12 0NN, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Singh DK, Carcamo S, Farias EF, Hasson D, Zheng W, Sun D, Huang X, Cheung J, Nobre AR, Kale N, Sosa MS, Bernstein E, Aguirre-Ghiso JA. 5-Azacytidine- and retinoic-acid-induced reprogramming of DCCs into dormancy suppresses metastasis via restored TGF-β-SMAD4 signaling. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112560. [PMID: 37267946 PMCID: PMC10592471 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Disseminated cancer cells (DCCs) in secondary organs can remain dormant for years to decades before reactivating into overt metastasis. Microenvironmental signals leading to cancer cell chromatin remodeling and transcriptional reprogramming appear to control onset and escape from dormancy. Here, we reveal that the therapeutic combination of the DNA methylation inhibitor 5-azacytidine (AZA) and the retinoic acid receptor ligands all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) or AM80, an RARα-specific agonist, promotes stable dormancy in cancer cells. Treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) or breast cancer cells with AZA+atRA induces a SMAD2/3/4-dependent transcriptional program that restores transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)-signaling and anti-proliferative function. Significantly, either combination, AZA+atRA or AZA+AM80, strongly suppresses HNSCC lung metastasis formation by inducing and maintaining solitary DCCs in a SMAD4+/NR2F1+ non-proliferative state. Notably, SMAD4 knockdown is sufficient to drive resistance to AZA+atRA-induced dormancy. We conclude that therapeutic doses of AZA and RAR agonists may induce and/or maintain dormancy and significantly limit metastasis development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deepak K Singh
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine and Department of Otolaryngology, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Cancer Dormancy and Tumor Microenvironment Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Saul Carcamo
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Bioinformatics for Next Generation Sequencing Facility, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eduardo F Farias
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine and Department of Otolaryngology, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dan Hasson
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Bioinformatics for Next Generation Sequencing Facility, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wei Zheng
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Cancer Dormancy and Tumor Microenvironment Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Dan Sun
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine and Department of Otolaryngology, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Cancer Dormancy and Tumor Microenvironment Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Xin Huang
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Cancer Dormancy and Tumor Microenvironment Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Julie Cheung
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine and Department of Otolaryngology, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ana Rita Nobre
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine and Department of Otolaryngology, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nupura Kale
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria Soledad Sosa
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Emily Bernstein
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Julio A Aguirre-Ghiso
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine and Department of Otolaryngology, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Cancer Dormancy and Tumor Microenvironment Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Si H, Esquivel M, Mendoza Mendoza E, Roarty K. The covert symphony: cellular and molecular accomplices in breast cancer metastasis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1221784. [PMID: 37440925 PMCID: PMC10333702 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1221784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer has emerged as the most commonly diagnosed cancer and primary cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Although significant progress has been made in targeting the primary tumor, the effectiveness of systemic treatments to prevent metastasis remains limited. Metastatic disease continues to be the predominant factor leading to fatality in the majority of breast cancer patients. The existence of a prolonged latency period between initial treatment and eventual recurrence in certain patients indicates that tumors can both adapt to and interact with the systemic environment of the host, facilitating and sustaining the progression of the disease. In order to identify potential therapeutic interventions for metastasis, it will be crucial to gain a comprehensive framework surrounding the mechanisms driving the growth, survival, and spread of tumor cells, as well as their interaction with supporting cells of the microenvironment. This review aims to consolidate recent discoveries concerning critical aspects of breast cancer metastasis, encompassing the intricate network of cells, molecules, and physical factors that contribute to metastasis, as well as the molecular mechanisms governing cancer dormancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongjiang Si
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Madelyn Esquivel
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Erika Mendoza Mendoza
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Kevin Roarty
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Cheung AHK, Hui CHL, Wong KY, Liu X, Chen B, Kang W, To KF. Out of the cycle: Impact of cell cycle aberrations on cancer metabolism and metastasis. Int J Cancer 2023; 152:1510-1525. [PMID: 36093588 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The use of cell cycle inhibitors has necessitated a better understanding of the cell cycle in tumor biology to optimize the therapeutic approach. Cell cycle aberrations are common in cancers, and it is increasingly acknowledged that these aberrations exert oncogenic effects beyond the cell cycle. Multiple facets such as cancer metabolism, immunity and metastasis are also affected, all of which are beyond the effect of cell proliferation alone. This review comprehensively summarized the important recent findings and advances in these interrelated processes. In cancer metabolism, cell cycle regulators can modulate various pathways in aerobic glycolysis, glucose uptake and gluconeogenesis, mainly through transcriptional regulation and kinase activities. Amino acid metabolism is also regulated through cell cycle progression. On cancer metastasis, metabolic plasticity, immune evasion, tumor microenvironment adaptation and metastatic site colonization are intricately related to the cell cycle, with distinct regulatory mechanisms at each step of invasion and dissemination. Throughout the synthesis of current understanding, knowledge gaps and limitations in the literature are also highlighted, as are new therapeutic approaches such as combinational therapy and challenges in tackling emerging targeted therapy resistance. A greater understanding of how the cell cycle modulates diverse aspects of cancer biology can hopefully shed light on identifying new molecular targets by harnessing the vast potential of the cell cycle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alvin Ho-Kwan Cheung
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chris Ho-Lam Hui
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kit Yee Wong
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Bonan Chen
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wei Kang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ka Fai To
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
DeLuca VJ, Saleh T. Insights into the role of senescence in tumor dormancy: mechanisms and applications. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:19-35. [PMID: 36681750 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10082-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
One of the most formidable challenges in oncology and tumor biology research is to provide an accurate understanding of tumor dormancy mechanisms. Dormancy refers to the ability of tumor cells to go undetected in the body for a prolonged period, followed by "spontaneous" escape. Various models of dormancy have been postulated, including angiogenic, immune-mediated, and cellular dormancy. While the former two propose mechanisms by which tumor growth may remain static at a population level, cellular dormancy refers to molecular processes that restrict proliferation at the cell level. Senescence is a form of growth arrest, during which cells undergo distinct phenotypic, epigenetic, and metabolic changes. Senescence is also associated with the development of a robust secretome, comprised of various chemokines and cytokines that interact with the surrounding microenvironment, including other tumor cells, stromal cells, endothelial cells, and immune cells. Both tumor and non-tumor cells can undergo senescence following various stressors, many of which are present during tumorigenesis and therapy. As such, senescent cells are present within forming tumors and in residual tumors post-treatment and therefore play a major role in tumor biology. However, the contributions of senescence to dormancy are largely understudied. Here, we provide an overview of multiple processes that have been well established as being involved in tumor dormancy, and we speculate on how senescence may contribute to these mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valerie J DeLuca
- Cancer and Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Tareq Saleh
- Department of Pharmacology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Puente-Cobacho B, Varela-López A, Quiles JL, Vera-Ramirez L. Involvement of redox signalling in tumour cell dormancy and metastasis. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:49-85. [PMID: 36701089 PMCID: PMC10014738 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-022-10077-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Decades of research on oncogene-driven carcinogenesis and gene-expression regulatory networks only started to unveil the complexity of tumour cellular and molecular biology. This knowledge has been successfully implemented in the clinical practice to treat primary tumours. In contrast, much less progress has been made in the development of new therapies against metastasis, which are the main cause of cancer-related deaths. More recently, the role of epigenetic and microenviromental factors has been shown to play a key role in tumour progression. Free radicals are known to communicate the intracellular and extracellular compartments, acting as second messengers and exerting a decisive modulatory effect on tumour cell signalling. Depending on the cellular and molecular context, as well as the intracellular concentration of free radicals and the activation status of the antioxidant system of the cell, the signalling equilibrium can be tilted either towards tumour cell survival and progression or cell death. In this regard, recent advances in tumour cell biology and metastasis indicate that redox signalling is at the base of many cell-intrinsic and microenvironmental mechanisms that control disseminated tumour cell fate and metastasis. In this manuscript, we will review the current knowledge about redox signalling along the different phases of the metastatic cascade, including tumour cell dormancy, making emphasis on metabolism and the establishment of supportive microenvironmental connections, from a redox perspective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Puente-Cobacho
- Department of Genomic Medicine, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncology, Pfizer-University of Granada and Andalusian Regional Government, PTS, Granada, Spain
| | - Alfonso Varela-López
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology "José Mataix Verdú", Biomedical Research Center, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - José L Quiles
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology "José Mataix Verdú", Biomedical Research Center, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Laura Vera-Ramirez
- Department of Genomic Medicine, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncology, Pfizer-University of Granada and Andalusian Regional Government, PTS, Granada, Spain. .,Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology "José Mataix Verdú", Biomedical Research Center, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Mukherjee A, Bravo-Cordero JJ. Regulation of dormancy during tumor dissemination: the role of the ECM. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:99-112. [PMID: 36802311 PMCID: PMC10027413 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10094-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
The study of the metastatic cascade has revealed the complexity of the process and the multiple cellular states that disseminated cancer cells must go through. The tumor microenvironment and in particular the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in regulating the transition from invasion, dormancy to ultimately proliferation during the metastatic cascade. The time delay from primary tumor detection to metastatic growth is regulated by a molecular program that maintains disseminated tumor cells in a non-proliferative, quiescence state known as tumor cell dormancy. Identifying dormant cells and their niches in vivo and how they transition to the proliferative state is an active area of investigation, and novel approaches have been developed to track dormant cells during dissemination. In this review, we highlight the latest research on the invasive nature of disseminated tumor cells and their link to dormancy programs. We also discuss the role of the ECM in sustaining dormant niches at distant sites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ananya Mukherjee
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jose Javier Bravo-Cordero
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in tumor recurrence. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:113-142. [PMID: 36640224 PMCID: PMC9840433 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10079-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The establishment of primary tumor cells in distant organs, termed metastasis, is the principal cause of cancer mortality and is a crucial therapeutic target in oncology. Thus, it is critical to establish a better understanding of metastatic progression for the future development of improved therapeutic approaches. Indeed, such development requires insight into the timing of tumor cell dissemination and seeding of distant organs resulting in occult lesions. Following dissemination of tumor cells from the primary tumor, they can reside in niches in distant organs for years or decades, following which they can emerge as an overt metastasis. This timeline of metastatic dormancy is regulated by interactions between the tumor, its microenvironment, angiogenesis, and tumor antigen-specific T-cell responses. An improved understanding of the mechanisms and interactions responsible for immune evasion and tumor cell release from dormancy would help identify and aid in the development of novel targeted therapeutics. One such mediator of dormancy is myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC), whose number in the peripheral blood (PB) or infiltrating tumors has been associated with cancer stage, grade, patient survival, and metastasis in a broad range of tumor pathologies. Thus, extensive studies have revealed a role for MDSCs in tumor escape from adoptive and innate immune responses, facilitating tumor progression and metastasis; however, few studies have considered their role in dormancy. We have posited that MDSCs may regulate disseminated tumor cells resulting in resurgence of senescent tumor cells. In this review, we discuss clinical studies that address mechanisms of tumor recurrence including from dormancy, the role of MDSCs in their escape from dormancy during recurrence, the development of occult metastases, and the potential for MDSC inhibition as an approach to prolong the survival of patients with advanced malignancies. We stress that assessing the impact of therapies on MDSCs versus other cellular targets is challenging within the multimodality interventions required clinically.
Collapse
|
22
|
Elkholi IE, Lalonde A, Park M, Côté JF. Breast Cancer Metastatic Dormancy and Relapse: An Enigma of Microenvironment(s). Cancer Res 2022; 82:4497-4510. [PMID: 36214624 PMCID: PMC9755970 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-1902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Multiple factors act in concert to define the fate of disseminated tumor cells (DTC) to enter dormancy or develop overt metastases. Here, we review these factors in the context of three stages of the metastatic cascade that impact DTCs. First, cells can be programmed within the primary tumor microenvironment to promote or inhibit dissemination, and the primary tumor can condition a premetastatic niche. Then, cancer cells from the primary tumor spread through hematogenous and lymphatic routes, and the primary tumor sends cues systematically to regulate the fate of DTCs. Finally, DTCs home to their metastatic site, where they are influenced by various organ-specific aspects of the new microenvironment. We discuss these factors in the context of breast cancer, where about one-third of patients develop metastatic relapse. Finally, we discuss how the standard-of-care options for breast cancer might affect the fate of DTCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Islam E. Elkholi
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montreal, Québec, Canada.,Molecular Biology Programs, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Québec, Canada.,Corresponding Authors: Jean-François Côté, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), 110 Avenue des Pins Ouest, Montréal H2W 1R7, Québec, Canada. Phone: 514-987-5647; E-mail: ; and Islam E. Elkholi, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), 110 Avenue des Pins Ouest, Montréal (QC) Canada, H2W 1R7. Phone: 514-987-5656; E-mail:
| | - Andréane Lalonde
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montreal, Québec, Canada.,Molecular Biology Programs, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Morag Park
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jean-François Côté
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montreal, Québec, Canada.,Molecular Biology Programs, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Corresponding Authors: Jean-François Côté, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), 110 Avenue des Pins Ouest, Montréal H2W 1R7, Québec, Canada. Phone: 514-987-5647; E-mail: ; and Islam E. Elkholi, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), 110 Avenue des Pins Ouest, Montréal (QC) Canada, H2W 1R7. Phone: 514-987-5656; E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Sun D, Singh DK, Carcamo S, Filipescu D, Khalil B, Huang X, Miles BA, Westra W, Sproll KC, Hasson D, Bernstein E, Aguirre-Ghiso JA. MacroH2A impedes metastatic growth by enforcing a discrete dormancy program in disseminated cancer cells. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo0876. [PMID: 36459552 PMCID: PMC10936054 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo0876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
MacroH2A variants have been linked to inhibition of metastasis through incompletely understood mechanisms. Here, we reveal that solitary dormant disseminated cancer cells (DCCs) display increased levels of macroH2A variants in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma PDX in vivo models and patient samples compared to proliferating primary or metastatic lesions. We demonstrate that dormancy-inducing transforming growth factor-β2 and p38α/β pathways up-regulate macroH2A expression and that macroH2A variant overexpression is sufficient to induce DCC dormancy and suppress metastasis in vivo. Notably, inducible expression of the macroH2A2 variant in vivo suppresses metastasis via a reversible growth arrest of DCCs. This state does not require the dormancy-regulating transcription factors DEC2 and NR2F1; instead, transcriptomic analysis reveals that macroH2A2 overexpression inhibits cell cycle and oncogenic signaling programs, while up-regulating dormancy and senescence-associated inflammatory cytokines. We conclude that the macroH2A2-enforced dormant phenotype results from tapping into transcriptional programs of both quiescence and senescence to limit metastatic outgrowth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Sun
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine and Department of Otolaryngology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Dormancy and Tumor Microenvironment Institute, Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Deepak K. Singh
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine and Department of Otolaryngology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Dormancy and Tumor Microenvironment Institute, Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Saul Carcamo
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Bioinformatics for Next Generation Sequencing (BiNGS) Shared Resource Facility, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dan Filipescu
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bassem Khalil
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine and Department of Otolaryngology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xin Huang
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Dormancy and Tumor Microenvironment Institute, Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Brett A. Miles
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine and Department of Otolaryngology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - William Westra
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Karl Christoph Sproll
- Department of Oral, Maxillofacial and Plastic Facial Surgery, Medical Faculty, University Hospital of the Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Dan Hasson
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Bioinformatics for Next Generation Sequencing (BiNGS) Shared Resource Facility, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Emily Bernstein
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Julio A. Aguirre-Ghiso
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine and Department of Otolaryngology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Dormancy and Tumor Microenvironment Institute, Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Tumor cell dormancy: Molecular mechanisms, and pharmacological approaches to target dormant cells for countering tumor. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2022.103645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
|
25
|
Aramini B, Masciale V, Arienti C, Dominici M, Stella F, Martinelli G, Fabbri F. Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs), Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) and Their Interplay with Cancer Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs): A New World of Targets and Treatments. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14102408. [PMID: 35626011 PMCID: PMC9139858 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The world of small molecules in solid tumors as cancer stem cells (CSCs), circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) continues to be under-debated, but not of minor interest in recent decades. One of the main problems in regard to cancer is the development of tumor recurrence, even in the early stages, in addition to drug resistance and, consequently, ineffective or an incomplete response against the tumor. The findings behind this resistance are probably justified by the presence of small molecules such as CSCs, CTCs and CAFs connected with the tumor microenvironment, which may influence the aggressiveness and the metastatic process. The mechanisms, connections, and molecular pathways behind them are still unknown. Our review would like to represent an important step forward to highlight the roles of these molecules and the possible connections among them. Abstract The importance of defining new molecules to fight cancer is of significant interest to the scientific community. In particular, it has been shown that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subpopulation of cells within tumors with capabilities of self-renewal, differentiation, and tumorigenicity; on the other side, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) seem to split away from the primary tumor and appear in the circulatory system as singular units or clusters. It is becoming more and more important to discover new biomarkers related to these populations of cells in combination to define the network among them and the tumor microenvironment. In particular, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a key component of the tumor microenvironment with different functions, including matrix deposition and remodeling, extensive reciprocal signaling interactions with cancer cells and crosstalk with immunity. The settings of new markers and the definition of the molecular connections may present new avenues, not only for fighting cancer but also for the definition of more tailored therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Aramini
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine—DIMES of the Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, G.B. Morgagni—L. Pierantoni Hospital, 47121 Forlì, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Valentina Masciale
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41122 Modena, Italy; (V.M.); (M.D.)
| | - Chiara Arienti
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (C.A.); (G.M.); (F.F.)
| | - Massimo Dominici
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41122 Modena, Italy; (V.M.); (M.D.)
| | - Franco Stella
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine—DIMES of the Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, G.B. Morgagni—L. Pierantoni Hospital, 47121 Forlì, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Martinelli
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (C.A.); (G.M.); (F.F.)
| | - Francesco Fabbri
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (C.A.); (G.M.); (F.F.)
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Abstract
Metastasis is responsible for a large majority of death from malignant solid tumors. Bone is one of the most frequently affected organs in cancer metastasis, especially in breast and prostate cancer. Development of bone metastasis requires cancer cells to successfully complete a number of challenging steps, including local invasion and intravasation, survival in circulation, extravasation and initial seeding, and finally, formation of metastatic colonies after a period of dormancy or indolent growth. During this process, cancer cells often undergo a series of cellular and molecular changes to gain cellular plasticity that helps them adapt to various environments they encounter along the journey of metastasis. Understanding the mechanisms behind cellular plasticity and adaptation during the formation of bone metastasis is crucial for the development of novel therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cao Fang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Yibin Kang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
España S, Sánchez-Parcerisa D, Bragado P, Gutiérrez-Uzquiza Á, Porras A, Gutiérrez-Neira C, Espinosa A, Onecha VV, Ibáñez P, Sánchez-Tembleque V, Udías JM, Fraile LM. In vivo production of fluorine-18 in a chicken egg tumor model of breast cancer for proton therapy range verification. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7075. [PMID: 35490180 PMCID: PMC9056503 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11037-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Range verification of clinical protontherapy systems via positron-emission tomography (PET) is not a mature technology, suffering from two major issues: insufficient signal from low-energy protons in the Bragg peak area and biological washout of PET emitters. The use of contrast agents including 18O, 68Zn or 63Cu, isotopes with a high cross section for low-energy protons in nuclear reactions producing PET emitters, has been proposed to enhance the PET signal in the last millimeters of the proton path. However, it remains a challenge to achieve sufficient concentrations of these isotopes in the target volume. Here we investigate the possibilities of 18O-enriched water (18-W), a potential contrast agent that could be incorporated in large proportions in live tissues by replacing regular water. We hypothesize that 18-W could also mitigate the problem of biological washout, as PET (18F) isotopes created inside live cells would remain trapped in the form of fluoride anions (F-), allowing its signal to be detected even hours after irradiation. To test our hypothesis, we designed an experiment with two main goals: first, prove that 18-W can incorporate enough 18O into a living organism to produce a detectable signal from 18F after proton irradiation, and second, determine the amount of activity that remains trapped inside the cells. The experiment was performed on a chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane tumor model of head and neck cancer. Seven eggs with visible tumors were infused with 18-W and irradiated with 8-MeV protons (range in water: 0.74 mm), equivalent to clinical protons at the end of particle range. The activity produced after irradiation was detected and quantified in a small-animal PET-CT scanner, and further studied by placing ex-vivo tumours in a gamma radiation detector. In the acquired images, specific activity of 18F (originating from 18-W) could be detected in the tumour area of the alive chicken embryo up to 9 h after irradiation, which confirms that low-energy protons can indeed produce a detectable PET signal if a suitable contrast agent is employed. Moreover, dynamic PET studies in two of the eggs evidenced a minimal effect of biological washout, with 68% retained specific 18F activity at 8 h after irradiation. Furthermore, ex-vivo analysis of 4 irradiated tumours showed that up to 3% of oxygen atoms in the targets were replaced by 18O from infused 18-W, and evidenced an entrapment of 59% for specific activity of 18F after washing, supporting our hypothesis that F- ions remain trapped within the cells. An infusion of 18-W can incorporate 18O in animal tissues by replacing regular water inside cells, producing a PET signal when irradiated with low-energy protons that could be used for range verification in protontherapy. 18F produced inside cells remains entrapped and suffers from minimal biological washout, allowing for a sharper localization with longer PET acquisitions. Further studies must evaluate the feasibility of this technique in dosimetric conditions closer to clinical practice, in order to define potential protocols for its use in patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel España
- Grupo de Física Nuclear and IPARCOS, Facultad de CC. Físicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, CEI Moncloa, 28040, Madrid, Spain. .,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid, Spain. .,Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Daniel Sánchez-Parcerisa
- Grupo de Física Nuclear and IPARCOS, Facultad de CC. Físicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, CEI Moncloa, 28040, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid, Spain.,Sedecal Molecular Imaging, Algete, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paloma Bragado
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Álvaro Gutiérrez-Uzquiza
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Almudena Porras
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carolina Gutiérrez-Neira
- Grupo de Física Nuclear and IPARCOS, Facultad de CC. Físicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, CEI Moncloa, 28040, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Microanálisis de Materiales, CMAM-UAM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrea Espinosa
- Grupo de Física Nuclear and IPARCOS, Facultad de CC. Físicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, CEI Moncloa, 28040, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Víctor V Onecha
- Grupo de Física Nuclear and IPARCOS, Facultad de CC. Físicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, CEI Moncloa, 28040, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paula Ibáñez
- Grupo de Física Nuclear and IPARCOS, Facultad de CC. Físicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, CEI Moncloa, 28040, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Víctor Sánchez-Tembleque
- Grupo de Física Nuclear and IPARCOS, Facultad de CC. Físicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, CEI Moncloa, 28040, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid, Spain
| | - José M Udías
- Grupo de Física Nuclear and IPARCOS, Facultad de CC. Físicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, CEI Moncloa, 28040, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis M Fraile
- Grupo de Física Nuclear and IPARCOS, Facultad de CC. Físicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, CEI Moncloa, 28040, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Janowska A, Iannone M, Fidanzi C, Romanelli M, Filippi L, Del Re M, Martins M, Dini V. The Genetic Basis of Dormancy and Awakening in Cutaneous Metastatic Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2104. [PMID: 35565234 PMCID: PMC9102235 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune dysregulation, in combination with genetic and epigenetic alterations, induces an excessive proliferation of uncontrolled melanoma cells followed by dissemination of the tumor cells to distant sites, invading organs and creating metastasis. Although immunotherapy, checkpoint inhibitors and molecular targeted therapies have been developed as treatment options for advanced melanoma, there are specific mechanisms by which cancer cells can escape treatment. One of the main factors associated with reduced response to therapy is the ability of residual tumor cells to persist in a dormant state, without proliferation. This comprehensive review aimed at understanding the genetic basis of dormancy/awakening phenomenon in metastatic melanoma will help identify the possible therapeutical strategies that might eliminate melanoma circulating tumor cells (CTCs) or keep them in the dormant state forever, thereby repressing tumor relapse and metastatic spread.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agata Janowska
- Unit of Dermatology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.I.); (C.F.); (M.R.); (M.M.); (V.D.)
| | - Michela Iannone
- Unit of Dermatology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.I.); (C.F.); (M.R.); (M.M.); (V.D.)
| | - Cristian Fidanzi
- Unit of Dermatology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.I.); (C.F.); (M.R.); (M.M.); (V.D.)
| | - Marco Romanelli
- Unit of Dermatology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.I.); (C.F.); (M.R.); (M.M.); (V.D.)
| | - Luca Filippi
- Unit of Neonatology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Marzia Del Re
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Manuella Martins
- Unit of Dermatology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.I.); (C.F.); (M.R.); (M.M.); (V.D.)
| | - Valentina Dini
- Unit of Dermatology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.I.); (C.F.); (M.R.); (M.M.); (V.D.)
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Alfano D, Franco P, Stoppelli MP. Modulation of Cellular Function by the Urokinase Receptor Signalling: A Mechanistic View. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:818616. [PMID: 35493073 PMCID: PMC9045800 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.818616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR or CD87) is a glycosyl-phosphatidyl-inositol anchored (GPI) membrane protein. The uPAR primary ligand is the serine protease urokinase (uPA), converting plasminogen into plasmin, a broad spectrum protease, active on most extracellular matrix components. Besides uPA, the uPAR binds specifically also to the matrix protein vitronectin and, therefore, is regarded also as an adhesion receptor. Complex formation of the uPAR with diverse transmembrane proteins, including integrins, formyl peptide receptors, G protein-coupled receptors and epidermal growth factor receptor results in intracellular signalling. Thus, the uPAR is a multifunctional receptor coordinating surface-associated pericellular proteolysis and signal transduction, thereby affecting physiological and pathological mechanisms. The uPAR-initiated signalling leads to remarkable cellular effects, that include increased cell migration, adhesion, survival, proliferation and invasion. Although this is beyond the scope of this review, the uPA/uPAR system is of great interest to cancer research, as it is associated to aggressive cancers and poor patient survival. Increasing evidence links the uPA/uPAR axis to epithelial to mesenchymal transition, a highly dynamic process, by which epithelial cells can convert into a mesenchymal phenotype. Furthermore, many reports indicate that the uPAR is involved in the maintenance of the stem-like phenotype and in the differentiation process of different cell types. Moreover, the levels of anchor-less, soluble form of uPAR, respond to a variety of inflammatory stimuli, including tumorigenesis and viral infections. Finally, the role of uPAR in virus infection has received increasing attention, in view of the Covid-19 pandemics and new information is becoming available. In this review, we provide a mechanistic perspective, via the detailed examination of consolidated and recent studies on the cellular responses to the multiple uPAR activities.
Collapse
|
30
|
Yu S, Sui Y, Wang J, Li Y, Li H, Cao Y, Chen L, Jiang L, Yuan C, Huang M. Crystal structure and cellular functions of uPAR dimer. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1665. [PMID: 35351875 PMCID: PMC8964761 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29344-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractReceptor dimerization of urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) was previously identified at protein level and on cell surface. Recently, a dimeric form of mouse uPAR isoform 2 was proposed to induce kidney disease. Here, we report the crystal structure of human uPAR dimer at 2.96 Å. The structure reveals enormous conformational changes of the dimer compared to the monomeric structure: D1 of uPAR opens up into a large expanded ring that captures a β-hairpin loop of a neighboring uPAR to form an expanded β-sheet, leading to an elongated, highly intertwined dimeric uPAR. Based on the structure, we identify E49P as a mutation promoting dimer formation. The mutation increases receptor binding to the amino terminal fragment of its primary ligand uPA, induces the receptor to distribute to the basal membrane, promotes cell proliferation, and alters cell morphology via β1 integrin signaling. These results reveal the structural basis for uPAR dimerization, its effect on cellular functions, and provide a basis to further study this multifunctional receptor.
Collapse
|
31
|
P C S, Shetty SS, Nalilu SK, Shetty PK, Patil P. Tetraspanin CD9: A friend or foe of head and neck cancer (Review). Oncol Rep 2022; 47:88. [PMID: 35266009 PMCID: PMC8931833 DOI: 10.3892/or.2022.8299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancers are diverse and complex diseases characterised by unregulated growth of tumour cells in various parts of the head and neck region, such as in the buccal mucosa, floor of the mouth, tongue, oropharynx, hypopharynx, oesophagus, nasopharynx and salivary glands. Partial or total glossectomy, radiation or chemotherapy greatly affect patient quality of life. However, even following treatment, patients may relapse. Nicotine-derived nitrosamines and alcohol are the major etiological factors underlying this deadly disease. These compounds induce DNA damage that may lead to mutation in crucial genes, such as p53 and p21, which are important to regulate cell proliferation, thus leading to cancer. CD9 is a tetraspanin, which are a group of transmembrane proteins that have a role in cell motility and adhesion. The present review aimed to explore the role of CD9 in head and neck cancer. Epidermal growth factor receptor activity and cell proliferation are regulated by the CD9-integrin/CD9-transforming growth factor interaction. Hence, CD9 can play a dual role in various types of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suhasini P C
- Central Research Laboratory, K.S. Hegde Medical Academy, Nitte (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, Karnataka 575018, India
| | - Shilpa S Shetty
- Central Research Laboratory, K.S. Hegde Medical Academy, Nitte (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, Karnataka 575018, India
| | - Suchetha Kumari Nalilu
- Department of Biochemistry, K.S. Hegde Medical Academy, Nitte (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, Karnataka 575018, India
| | - Praveen Kumar Shetty
- Department of Biochemistry, K.S. Hegde Medical Academy, Nitte (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, Karnataka 575018, India
| | - Prakash Patil
- Central Research Laboratory, K.S. Hegde Medical Academy, Nitte (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, Karnataka 575018, India
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Ecology and evolution of dormant metastasis. Trends Cancer 2022; 8:570-582. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
|
33
|
Shmakova AA, Klimovich PS, Rysenkova KD, Popov VS, Gorbunova AS, Karpukhina AA, Karagyaur MN, Rubina KA, Tkachuk VA, Semina EV. Urokinase Receptor uPAR Downregulation in Neuroblastoma Leads to Dormancy, Chemoresistance and Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14040994. [PMID: 35205745 PMCID: PMC8870350 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14040994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary uPAR is a membrane receptor that contributes to extracellular matrix remodeling and controls cellular adhesion, proliferation, survival, and migration. We demonstrate that the initially high uPAR expression predicts poor survival in neuroblastoma. However, relapsed neuroblastomas have a significantly decreased uPAR expression. uPAR downregulation in neuroblastoma cells leads to dormancy and resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. In mice, low uPAR-expressing neuroblastoma cells formed smaller primary tumors but more frequent metastasis. Abstract uPAR is a membrane receptor that binds extracellular protease urokinase, contributes to matrix remodeling and plays a crucial role in cellular adhesion, proliferation, survival, and migration. uPAR overexpression in tumor cells promotes mitogenesis, opening a prospective avenue for targeted therapy. However, uPAR targeting in cancer has potential risks. We have recently shown that uPAR downregulation in neuroblastoma promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), potentially associated with metastasis and chemoresistance. We used data mining to evaluate the role of uPAR expression in primary and relapsed human neuroblastomas. To model the decreased uPAR expression, we targeted uPAR using CRISPR/Cas9 and shRNA in neuroblastoma Neuro2a cells and evaluated their chemosensitivity in vitro as well as tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. We demonstrate that the initially high PLAUR expression predicts poor survival in human neuroblastoma. However, relapsed neuroblastomas have a significantly decreased PLAUR expression. uPAR targeting in neuroblastoma Neuro2a cells leads to p38 activation and an increased p21 expression (suggesting a dormant phenotype). The dormancy in neuroblastoma cells can be triggered by the disruption of uPAR-integrin interaction. uPAR-deficient cells are less sensitive to cisplatin and doxorubicin treatment and exhibit lower p53 activation. Finally, low uPAR-expressing Neuro2a cells formed smaller primary tumors, but more frequent metastasis in mice. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study revealing the pathological role of dormant uPAR-deficient cancer cells having a chemoresistant and motile phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna A. Shmakova
- National Cardiology Research Center of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Institute of Experimental Cardiology, 121552 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.S.); (P.S.K.); (K.D.R.); (V.A.T.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia; (V.S.P.); (A.S.G.); (M.N.K.); (K.A.R.)
| | - Polina S. Klimovich
- National Cardiology Research Center of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Institute of Experimental Cardiology, 121552 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.S.); (P.S.K.); (K.D.R.); (V.A.T.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia; (V.S.P.); (A.S.G.); (M.N.K.); (K.A.R.)
| | - Karina D. Rysenkova
- National Cardiology Research Center of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Institute of Experimental Cardiology, 121552 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.S.); (P.S.K.); (K.D.R.); (V.A.T.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia; (V.S.P.); (A.S.G.); (M.N.K.); (K.A.R.)
| | - Vladimir S. Popov
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia; (V.S.P.); (A.S.G.); (M.N.K.); (K.A.R.)
| | - Anna S. Gorbunova
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia; (V.S.P.); (A.S.G.); (M.N.K.); (K.A.R.)
| | - Anna A. Karpukhina
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Science, 117334 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Maxim N. Karagyaur
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia; (V.S.P.); (A.S.G.); (M.N.K.); (K.A.R.)
| | - Kseniya A. Rubina
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia; (V.S.P.); (A.S.G.); (M.N.K.); (K.A.R.)
| | - Vsevolod A. Tkachuk
- National Cardiology Research Center of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Institute of Experimental Cardiology, 121552 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.S.); (P.S.K.); (K.D.R.); (V.A.T.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia; (V.S.P.); (A.S.G.); (M.N.K.); (K.A.R.)
| | - Ekaterina V. Semina
- National Cardiology Research Center of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Institute of Experimental Cardiology, 121552 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.S.); (P.S.K.); (K.D.R.); (V.A.T.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia; (V.S.P.); (A.S.G.); (M.N.K.); (K.A.R.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Metabolic Features of Tumor Dormancy: Possible Therapeutic Strategies. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030547. [PMID: 35158815 PMCID: PMC8833651 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Tumor recurrence still represents a major clinical challenge for cancer patients. Cancer cells may undergo a dormant state for long times before re-emerging. Both intracellular- and extracellular-driven pathways are involved in maintaining the dormant state and the subsequent awakening, with a mechanism that is still mostly unknown. In this scenario, cancer metabolism is emerging as a critical driver of tumor progression and dissemination and have gained increasing attention in cancer research. This review focuses on the metabolic adaptations characterizing the dormant phenotype and supporting tumor re-growth. Deciphering the metabolic adaptation sustaining tumor dormancy may pave the way for novel therapeutic approaches to prevent tumor recurrence based on combined metabolic drugs. Abstract Tumor relapse represents one of the main obstacles to cancer treatment. Many patients experience cancer relapse even decades from the primary tumor eradication, developing more aggressive and metastatic disease. This phenomenon is associated with the emergence of dormant cancer cells, characterized by cell cycle arrest and largely insensitive to conventional anti-cancer therapies. These rare and elusive cells may regain proliferative abilities upon the induction of cell-intrinsic and extrinsic factors, thus fueling tumor re-growth and metastasis formation. The molecular mechanisms underlying the maintenance of resistant dormant cells and their awakening are intriguing but, currently, still largely unknown. However, increasing evidence recently underlined a strong dependency of cell cycle progression to metabolic adaptations of cancer cells. Even if dormant cells are frequently characterized by a general metabolic slowdown and an increased ability to cope with oxidative stress, different factors, such as extracellular matrix composition, stromal cells influence, and nutrient availability, may dictate specific changes in dormant cells, finally resulting in tumor relapse. The main topic of this review is deciphering the role of the metabolic pathways involved in tumor cells dormancy to provide new strategies for selectively targeting these cells to prevent fatal recurrence and maximize therapeutic benefit.
Collapse
|
35
|
Therapeutic Strategies Targeting Urokinase and Its Receptor in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030498. [PMID: 35158766 PMCID: PMC8833673 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies have ascertained that uPA and uPAR do participate in tumor progression and metastasis and are involved in cell adhesion, migration, invasion and survival, as well as angiogenesis. Increased levels of uPA and uPAR in tumor tissues, stroma and biological fluids correlate with adverse clinic-pathologic features and poor patient outcomes. After binding to uPAR, uPA activates plasminogen to plasmin, a broad-spectrum matrix- and fibrin-degrading enzyme able to facilitate tumor cell invasion and dissemination to distant sites. Moreover, uPAR activated by uPA regulates most cancer cell activities by interacting with a broad range of cell membrane receptors. These findings make uPA and uPAR not only promising diagnostic and prognostic markers but also attractive targets for developing anticancer therapies. In this review, we debate the uPA/uPAR structure-function relationship as well as give an update on the molecules that interfere with or inhibit uPA/uPAR functions. Additionally, the possible clinical development of these compounds is discussed.
Collapse
|
36
|
Khalil BD, Sanchez R, Rahman T, Rodriguez-Tirado C, Moritsch S, Martinez AR, Miles B, Farias E, Mezei M, Nobre AR, Singh D, Kale N, Sproll KC, Sosa MS, Aguirre-Ghiso JA. An NR2F1-specific agonist suppresses metastasis by inducing cancer cell dormancy. J Exp Med 2022; 219:e20210836. [PMID: 34812843 PMCID: PMC8614154 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20210836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
We describe the discovery of an agonist of the nuclear receptor NR2F1 that specifically activates dormancy programs in malignant cells. The agonist led to a self-regulated increase in NR2F1 mRNA and protein and downstream transcription of a novel dormancy program. This program led to growth arrest of an HNSCC PDX line, human cell lines, and patient-derived organoids in 3D cultures and in vivo. This effect was lost when NR2F1 was knocked out by CRISPR-Cas9. RNA sequencing revealed that agonist treatment induces transcriptional changes associated with inhibition of cell cycle progression and mTOR signaling, metastasis suppression, and induction of a neural crest lineage program. In mice, agonist treatment resulted in inhibition of lung HNSCC metastasis, even after cessation of the treatment, where disseminated tumor cells displayed an NR2F1hi/p27hi/Ki-67lo/p-S6lo phenotype and remained in a dormant single-cell state. Our work provides proof of principle supporting the use of NR2F1 agonists to induce dormancy as a therapeutic strategy to prevent metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bassem D. Khalil
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Western Atlantic University School of Medicine, Plantation, FL
| | - Roberto Sanchez
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Drug Discovery Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Tasrina Rahman
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Department of Otolaryngology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | | | - Stefan Moritsch
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Alba Rodriguez Martinez
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Brett Miles
- Department of Otolaryngology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Eduardo Farias
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Mihaly Mezei
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Ana Rita Nobre
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Deepak Singh
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Nupura Kale
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Karl Christoph Sproll
- Department of Oral, Maxillofacial and Plastic Facial Surgery, Medical Faculty, University Hospital of the Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Maria Soledad Sosa
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Julio A. Aguirre-Ghiso
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Department of Otolaryngology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Pshennikova ES, Voronina AS. Dormancy: There and Back Again. Mol Biol 2022; 56:735-755. [PMID: 36217335 PMCID: PMC9534470 DOI: 10.1134/s0026893322050119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Many cells are capable of maintaining viability in a non-dividing state with minimal metabolism under unfavorable conditions. These are germ cells, adult stem cells, and microorganisms. Unfortunately, a resting state, or dormancy, is possible for tuberculosis bacilli in a latent form of the disease and cancer cells, which may later form secondary tumors (metastases) in different parts of the body. These cells are resistant to therapy that can destroy intensely dividing cells and to the host immune system. A cascade of reactions that allows cells to enter and exit dormancy is triggered by regulatory factors from the microenvironment in niches that harbor the cells. A ratio of forbidding and permitting signals dictates whether the cells become dormant or start proliferation. The only difference between the cell dormancy regulation in normal and pathological conditions is that pathogens, mycobacteria, and cancer cells can influence their own fate by changing their microenvironment. Certain mechanisms of these processes are considered in the review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E. S. Pshennikova
- Bakh Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - A. S. Voronina
- Bakh Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Di Martino JS, Nobre AR, Mondal C, Taha I, Farias EF, Fertig EJ, Naba A, Aguirre-Ghiso JA, Bravo-Cordero JJ. A tumor-derived type III collagen-rich ECM niche regulates tumor cell dormancy. NATURE CANCER 2022; 3:90-107. [PMID: 35121989 PMCID: PMC8818089 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-021-00291-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells disseminate and seed in distant organs, where they can remain dormant for many years before forming clinically detectable metastases. Here we studied how disseminated tumor cells sense and remodel the extracellular matrix (ECM) to sustain dormancy. ECM proteomics revealed that dormant cancer cells assemble a type III collagen-enriched ECM niche. Tumor-derived type III collagen is required to sustain tumor dormancy, as its disruption restores tumor cell proliferation through DDR1-mediated STAT1 signaling. Second-harmonic generation two-photon microscopy further revealed that the dormancy-to-reactivation transition is accompanied by changes in type III collagen architecture and abundance. Analysis of clinical samples revealed that type III collagen levels were increased in tumors from patients with lymph node-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma compared to patients who were positive for lymph node colonization. Our data support the idea that the manipulation of these mechanisms could serve as a barrier to metastasis through disseminated tumor cell dormancy induction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie S Di Martino
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ana Rita Nobre
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine and Department of Otolaryngology, Department of Oncological Sciences, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Precision Immunology Institute, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chandrani Mondal
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Isra Taha
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- University of Illinois Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Eduardo F Farias
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elana J Fertig
- Departments of Oncology, Applied Mathematics and Statistics and Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alexandra Naba
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- University of Illinois Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Julio A Aguirre-Ghiso
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine and Department of Otolaryngology, Department of Oncological Sciences, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Precision Immunology Institute, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Dormancy and Tumor Microenvironment Institute, Gruss Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Jose Javier Bravo-Cordero
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Ismail AA, Shaker BT, Bajou K. The Plasminogen-Activator Plasmin System in Physiological and Pathophysiological Angiogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010337. [PMID: 35008762 PMCID: PMC8745544 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a process associated with the migration and proliferation of endothelial cells (EC) to form new blood vessels. It is involved in various physiological and pathophysiological conditions and is controlled by a wide range of proangiogenic and antiangiogenic molecules. The plasminogen activator–plasmin system plays a major role in the extracellular matrix remodeling process necessary for angiogenesis. Urokinase/tissue-type plasminogen activators (uPA/tPA) convert plasminogen into the active enzyme plasmin, which in turn activates matrix metalloproteinases and degrades the extracellular matrix releasing growth factors and proangiogenic molecules such as the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A). The plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is the main inhibitor of uPA and tPA, thereby an inhibitor of pericellular proteolysis and intravascular fibrinolysis, respectively. Paradoxically, PAI-1, which is expressed by EC during angiogenesis, is elevated in several cancers and is found to promote angiogenesis by regulating plasmin-mediated proteolysis and by promoting cellular migration through vitronectin. The urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) also induces EC cellular migration during angiogenesis via interacting with signaling partners. Understanding the molecular functions of the plasminogen activator plasmin system and targeting angiogenesis via blocking serine proteases or their interactions with other molecules is one of the major therapeutic strategies scientists have been attracted to in controlling tumor growth and other pathological conditions characterized by neovascularization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Asmaa Anwar Ismail
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; (A.A.I.); (B.T.S.)
- Human Genetics & Stem Cells Research Group, Research Institute of Sciences & Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Baraah Tariq Shaker
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; (A.A.I.); (B.T.S.)
- Human Genetics & Stem Cells Research Group, Research Institute of Sciences & Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Khalid Bajou
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; (A.A.I.); (B.T.S.)
- Human Genetics & Stem Cells Research Group, Research Institute of Sciences & Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Knyazev E, Maltseva D, Raygorodskaya M, Shkurnikov M. HIF-Dependent NFATC1 Activation Upregulates ITGA5 and PLAUR in Intestinal Epithelium in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Front Genet 2021; 12:791640. [PMID: 34858489 PMCID: PMC8632048 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.791640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Intestinal epithelial cells exist in physiological hypoxia, leading to hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) activation and supporting barrier function and cell metabolism of the intestinal epithelium. In contrast, pathological hypoxia is a common feature of some chronic disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This work was aimed at studying HIF-associated changes in the intestinal epithelium in IBD. In the first step, a list of genes responding to chemical activation of hypoxia was obtained in an in vitro intestinal cell model with RNA sequencing. Cobalt (II) chloride and oxyquinoline treatment of both undifferentiated and differentiated Caco-2 cells activate the HIF-signaling pathway according to gene set enrichment analysis. The core gene set responding to chemical hypoxia stimulation in the intestinal model included 115 upregulated and 69 downregulated genes. Of this set, protein product was detected for 32 genes, and fold changes in proteome and RNA sequencing significantly correlate. Analysis of publicly available RNA sequencing set of the intestinal epithelial cells of patients with IBD confirmed HIF-1 signaling pathway activation in sigmoid colon of patients with ulcerative colitis and terminal ileum of patients with Crohn's disease. Of the core gene set from the gut hypoxia model, expression activation of ITGA5 and PLAUR genes encoding integrin α5 and urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) was detected in IBD specimens. The interaction of these molecules can activate cell migration and regenerative processes in the epithelium. Transcription factor analysis with the previously developed miRGTF tool revealed the possible role of HIF1A and NFATC1 in the regulation of ITGA5 and PLAUR gene expression. Detected genes can serve as markers of IBD progression and intestinal hypoxia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evgeny Knyazev
- Laboratory of Microfluidic Technologies for Biomedicine, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Diana Maltseva
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE), Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria Raygorodskaya
- Laboratory of Microfluidic Technologies for Biomedicine, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Maxim Shkurnikov
- Laboratory of Microfluidic Technologies for Biomedicine, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE), Moscow, Russia.,National Center of Medical Radiological Research, P. Hertsen Moscow Oncology Research Institute, Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Three dimensions of autophagy in regulating tumor growth: cell survival/death, cell proliferation, and tumor dormancy. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2021; 1867:166265. [PMID: 34487813 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2021.166265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy is an intracellular lysosomal degradation process involved in multiple facets of cancer biology. Various dimensions of autophagy are associated with tumor growth and cancer progression, and here we focus on the dimensions involved in regulation of cell survival/cell death, cell proliferation and tumor dormancy. The first dimension of autophagy supports cell survival under stress within tumors and under certain contexts drives cell death, impacting tumor growth. The second dimension of autophagy promotes proliferation through directly regulating cell cycle or indirectly maintaining metabolism, increasing tumor growth. The third dimension of autophagy facilitates tumor cell dormancy, contributing to cancer treatment resistance and cancer recurrence. The intricate relationship between these three dimensions of autophagy influences the extent of tumor growth and cancer progression. In this review, we summarize the roles of the three dimensions of autophagy in tumor growth and cancer progression, and discuss unanswered questions in these fields.
Collapse
|
42
|
Chernosky NM, Tamagno I. The Role of the Innate Immune System in Cancer Dormancy and Relapse. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5621. [PMID: 34830776 PMCID: PMC8615859 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic spread and recurrence are intimately linked to therapy failure, which remains an overarching clinical challenge for patients with cancer. Cancer cells often disseminate early in the disease process and can remain dormant for years or decades before re-emerging as metastatic disease, often after successful treatment. The interactions of dormant cancer cells and their metastatic niche, comprised of various stromal and immune cells, can determine the length of time that cancer cells remain dormant, as well as when they reactivate. New studies are defining how innate immune cells in the primary tumor may be corrupted to help facilitate many aspects of dissemination and re-emergence from a dormant state. Although the scientific literature has partially shed light on the drivers of immune escape in cancer, the specific mechanisms regulating metastasis and dormancy in the context of anti-tumor immunity are still mostly unknown. This review follows the journey of metastatic cells from dissemination to dormancy and the onset of metastatic outgrowth and recurrent tumor development, with emphasis on the role of the innate immune system. To this end, further research identifying how immune cells interact with cancer cells at each step of cancer progression will pave the way for new therapies that target the reactivation of dormant cancer cells into recurrent, metastatic cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noah M. Chernosky
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Ilaria Tamagno
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Metrangolo V, Ploug M, Engelholm LH. The Urokinase Receptor (uPAR) as a "Trojan Horse" in Targeted Cancer Therapy: Challenges and Opportunities. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13215376. [PMID: 34771541 PMCID: PMC8582577 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Discovered more than three decades ago, the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) has now firmly established itself as a versatile molecular target holding promise for the treatment of aggressive malignancies. The copious abundance of uPAR in virtually all human cancerous tissues versus their healthy counterparts has fostered a gradual shift in the therapeutic landscape targeting this receptor from function inhibition to cytotoxic approaches to selectively eradicate the uPAR-expressing cells by delivering a targeted cytotoxic insult. Multiple avenues are being explored in a preclinical setting, including the more innovative immune- or stroma targeting therapies. This review discusses the current state of these strategies, their potentialities, and challenges, along with future directions in the field of uPAR targeting. Abstract One of the largest challenges to the implementation of precision oncology is identifying and validating selective tumor-driving targets to enhance the therapeutic efficacy while limiting off-target toxicity. In this context, the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) has progressively emerged as a promising therapeutic target in the management of aggressive malignancies. By focalizing the plasminogen activation cascade and subsequent extracellular proteolysis on the cell surface of migrating cells, uPAR endows malignant cells with a high proteolytic and migratory potential to dissolve the restraining extracellular matrix (ECM) barriers and metastasize to distant sites. uPAR is also assumed to choreograph multiple other neoplastic stages via a complex molecular interplay with distinct cancer-associated signaling pathways. Accordingly, high uPAR expression is observed in virtually all human cancers and is frequently associated with poor patient prognosis and survival. The promising therapeutic potential unveiled by the pleiotropic nature of this receptor has prompted the development of distinct targeted intervention strategies. The present review will focus on recently emerged cytotoxic approaches emphasizing the novel technologies and related limits hindering their application in the clinical setting. Finally, future research directions and emerging opportunities in the field of uPAR targeting are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Metrangolo
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (V.M.); (M.P.)
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Ploug
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (V.M.); (M.P.)
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars H. Engelholm
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (V.M.); (M.P.)
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-31-43-20-77
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Fuh KF, Shepherd RD, Withell JS, Kooistra BK, Rinker KD. Fluid flow exposure promotes epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and adhesion of breast cancer cells to endothelial cells. Breast Cancer Res 2021; 23:97. [PMID: 34641959 PMCID: PMC8507133 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-021-01473-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mechanical interactions between tumor cells and microenvironments are frequent phenomena during breast cancer progression, however, it is not well understood how these interactions affect Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). EMT is associated with the progression of most carcinomas through induction of new transcriptional programs within affected epithelial cells, resulting in cells becoming more motile and adhesive to endothelial cells. METHODS MDA-MB-231, SK-BR-3, BT-474, and MCF-7 cells and normal Human Mammary Epithelial Cells (HMECs) were exposed to fluid flow in a parallel-plate bioreactor system. Changes in expression were quantified using microarrays, qPCR, immunocytochemistry, and western blots. Gene-gene interactions were elucidated using network analysis, and key modified genes were examined in clinical datasets. Potential involvement of Smads was investigated using siRNA knockdown studies. Finally, the ability of flow-stimulated and unstimulated cancer cells to adhere to an endothelial monolayer, migrate and invade membrane pores was evaluated in flow and static adhesion experiments. RESULTS Fluid flow stimulation resulted in upregulation of EMT inducers and downregulation of repressors. Specifically, Vimentin and Snail were upregulated both at the gene and protein expression levels in flow stimulated HMECs and MDA-MB-231 cells, suggesting progression towards an EMT phenotype. Flow-stimulated SNAI2 was abrogated with Smad3 siRNA. Flow-induced overexpression of a panel of cell adhesion genes was also observed. Network analysis revealed genes involved in cell flow responses including FN1, PLAU, and ALCAM. When evaluated in clinical datasets, overexpression of FN1, PLAU, and ALCAM was observed in patients with different subtypes of breast cancer. We also observed increased adhesion, migration and invasion of flow-stimulated breast cancer cells compared to unstimulated controls. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that fluid forces on the order of 1 Pa promote EMT and adhesion of breast cancer cells to an endothelial monolayer and identified biomarkers were distinctly expressed in patient populations. A better understanding of how biophysical forces such as shear stress affect cellular processes involved in metastatic progression of breast cancer is important for identifying new molecular markers for disease progression, and for predicting metastatic risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth F Fuh
- Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering Research Lab, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Robert D Shepherd
- Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering Research Lab, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Jessica S Withell
- Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering Research Lab, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Brayden K Kooistra
- Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering Research Lab, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Kristina D Rinker
- Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering Research Lab, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. .,Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada. .,Centre for Bioengineering Research and Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. .,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. .,Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Gonias SL. Plasminogen activator receptor assemblies in cell signaling, innate immunity, and inflammation. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2021; 321:C721-C734. [PMID: 34406905 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00269.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) are serine proteases and major activators of fibrinolysis in mammalian systems. Because fibrinolysis is an essential component of the response to tissue injury, diverse cells, including cells that participate in the response to injury, have evolved receptor systems to detect tPA and uPA and initiate appropriate cell-signaling responses. Formation of functional receptor systems for the plasminogen activators requires assembly of diverse plasma membrane proteins, including but not limited to: the urokinase receptor (uPAR); integrins; N-formyl peptide receptor-2 (FPR2), receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R), and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (LRP1). The cell-signaling responses elicited by tPA and uPA impact diverse aspects of cell physiology. This review describes rapidly evolving knowledge regarding the structure and function of plasminogen activator receptor assemblies. How these receptor assemblies regulate innate immunity and inflammation is then considered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven L Gonias
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, California
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Abstract
Hypoxia is an important feature of the tumor microenvironment, and is closely associated with cell proliferation, angiogenesis, metabolism and the tumor immune response. All these factors can further promote tumor progression, increase tumor aggressiveness, enhance tumor metastatic potential and lead to poor prognosis. In this review, these effects of hypoxia on tumor biology will be discussed, along with their significance for tumor detection and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University (12387Shenzhen People's Hospital), Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.,The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Clinical Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Long Zhao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University (12387Shenzhen People's Hospital), Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.,Clinical Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University (12387Shenzhen People's Hospital), Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.,Clinical Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Wiecek AJ, Jacobson DH, Lason W, Secrier M. Pan-Cancer Survey of Tumor Mass Dormancy and Underlying Mutational Processes. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:698659. [PMID: 34307377 PMCID: PMC8299471 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.698659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor mass dormancy is the key intermediate step between immune surveillance and cancer progression, yet due to its transitory nature it has been difficult to capture and characterize. Little is understood of its prevalence across cancer types and of the mutational background that may favor such a state. While this balance is finely tuned internally by the equilibrium between cell proliferation and cell death, the main external factors contributing to tumor mass dormancy are immunological and angiogenic. To understand the genomic and cellular context in which tumor mass dormancy may develop, we comprehensively profiled signals of immune and angiogenic dormancy in 9,631 cancers from the Cancer Genome Atlas and linked them to tumor mutagenesis. We find evidence for immunological and angiogenic dormancy-like signals in 16.5% of bulk sequenced tumors, with a frequency of up to 33% in certain tissues. Mutations in the CASP8 and HRAS oncogenes were positively selected in dormant tumors, suggesting an evolutionary pressure for controlling cell growth/apoptosis signals. By surveying the mutational damage patterns left in the genome by known cancer risk factors, we found that aging-induced mutations were relatively depleted in these tumors, while patterns of smoking and defective base excision repair were linked with increased tumor mass dormancy. Furthermore, we identified a link between APOBEC mutagenesis and dormancy, which comes in conjunction with immune exhaustion and may partly depend on the expression of the angiogenesis regulator PLG as well as interferon and chemokine signals. Tumor mass dormancy also appeared to be impaired in hypoxic conditions in the majority of cancers. The microenvironment of dormant cancers was enriched in cytotoxic and regulatory T cells, as expected, but also in macrophages and showed a reduction in inflammatory Th17 signals. Finally, tumor mass dormancy was linked with improved patient survival outcomes. Our analysis sheds light onto the complex interplay between dormancy, exhaustion, APOBEC activity and hypoxia, and sets directions for future mechanistic explorations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Julia Wiecek
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, UCL Genetics Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Hadar Jacobson
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, UCL Genetics Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,UCL Cancer Institute, Paul O'Gorman Building, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Wojciech Lason
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, UCL Genetics Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Secrier
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, UCL Genetics Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Singh DK, Patel VG, Oh WK, Aguirre-Ghiso JA. Prostate Cancer Dormancy and Reactivation in Bone Marrow. J Clin Med 2021; 10:2648. [PMID: 34208521 PMCID: PMC8234151 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10122648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer has a variable clinical course, ranging from curable local disease to lethal metastatic spread. Eradicating metastatic cells is a unique challenge that is rarely met with the available therapies. Thus, targeting prostate cancer cells in earlier disease states is a crucial window of opportunity. Interestingly, cancer cells migrate from their primary site during pre-cancerous and malignant phases to seed secondary organs. These cells, known as disseminated cancer cells (DCCs), may remain dormant for months or decades before activating to form metastases. Bone marrow, a dormancy-permissive site, is the major organ for housed DCCs and eventual metastases in prostate cancer. The dynamic interplay between DCCs and the primary tumor microenvironment (TME), as well as that between DCCs and the secondary organ niche, controls the conversion between states of dormancy and activation. Here, we discuss recent discoveries that have improved our understanding of dormancy signaling and the role of the TME in modulating the epigenetic reprogramming of DCCs. We offer potential strategies to target DCCs in prostate cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deepak K. Singh
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology, Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
| | - Vaibhav G. Patel
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
| | - William K. Oh
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
| | - Julio A. Aguirre-Ghiso
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology, Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Ruth JR, Pant DK, Pan TC, Seidel HE, Baksh SC, Keister BA, Singh R, Sterner CJ, Bakewell SJ, Moody SE, Belka GK, Chodosh LA. Cellular dormancy in minimal residual disease following targeted therapy. Breast Cancer Res 2021; 23:63. [PMID: 34088357 PMCID: PMC8178846 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-021-01416-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer mortality is principally due to tumor recurrence, which can occur following extended periods of clinical remission that may last decades. While clinical latency has been postulated to reflect the ability of residual tumor cells to persist in a dormant state, this hypothesis remains unproven since little is known about the biology of these cells. Consequently, defining the properties of residual tumor cells is an essential goal with important clinical implications for preventing recurrence and improving cancer outcomes. METHODS To identify conserved features of residual tumor cells, we modeled minimal residual disease using inducible transgenic mouse models for HER2/neu and Wnt1-driven tumorigenesis that recapitulate cardinal features of human breast cancer progression, as well as human breast cancer cell xenografts subjected to targeted therapy. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting was used to isolate tumor cells from primary tumors, residual lesions following oncogene blockade, and recurrent tumors to analyze gene expression signatures and evaluate tumor-initiating cell properties. RESULTS We demonstrate that residual tumor cells surviving oncogenic pathway inhibition at both local and distant sites exist in a state of cellular dormancy, despite adequate vascularization and the absence of adaptive immunity, and retain the ability to re-enter the cell cycle and give rise to recurrent tumors after extended latency periods. Compared to primary or recurrent tumor cells, dormant residual tumor cells possess unique features that are conserved across mouse models for human breast cancer driven by different oncogenes, and express a gene signature that is strongly associated with recurrence-free survival in breast cancer patients and similar to that of tumor cells in which dormancy is induced by the microenvironment. Although residual tumor cells in both the HER2/neu and Wnt1 models are enriched for phenotypic features associated with tumor-initiating cells, limiting dilution experiments revealed that residual tumor cells are not enriched for cells capable of giving rise to primary tumors, but are enriched for cells capable of giving rise to recurrent tumors, suggesting that tumor-initiating populations underlying primary tumorigenesis may be distinct from those that give rise to recurrence following therapy. CONCLUSIONS Residual cancer cells surviving targeted therapy reside in a well-vascularized, desmoplastic microenvironment at both local and distant sites. These cells exist in a state of cellular dormancy that bears little resemblance to primary or recurrent tumor cells, but shares similarities with cells in which dormancy is induced by microenvironmental cues. Our observations suggest that dormancy may be a conserved response to targeted therapy independent of the oncogenic pathway inhibited or properties of the primary tumor, that the mechanisms underlying dormancy at local and distant sites may be related, and that the dormant state represents a potential therapeutic target for preventing cancer recurrence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason R Ruth
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- 2-PREVENT Translational Center of Excellence at the Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Dhruv K Pant
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- 2-PREVENT Translational Center of Excellence at the Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Tien-Chi Pan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- 2-PREVENT Translational Center of Excellence at the Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Hans E Seidel
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- 2-PREVENT Translational Center of Excellence at the Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Sanjeethan C Baksh
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- 2-PREVENT Translational Center of Excellence at the Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Blaine A Keister
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Rita Singh
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Christopher J Sterner
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- 2-PREVENT Translational Center of Excellence at the Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Suzanne J Bakewell
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- 2-PREVENT Translational Center of Excellence at the Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Susan E Moody
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- 2-PREVENT Translational Center of Excellence at the Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - George K Belka
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- 2-PREVENT Translational Center of Excellence at the Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Lewis A Chodosh
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- 2-PREVENT Translational Center of Excellence at the Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Sauer S, Reed DR, Ihnat M, Hurst RE, Warshawsky D, Barkan D. Innovative Approaches in the Battle Against Cancer Recurrence: Novel Strategies to Combat Dormant Disseminated Tumor Cells. Front Oncol 2021; 11:659963. [PMID: 33987095 PMCID: PMC8111294 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.659963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer recurrence remains a great fear for many cancer survivors following their initial, apparently successful, therapy. Despite significant improvement in the overall survival of many types of cancer, metastasis accounts for ~90% of all cancer mortality. There is a growing understanding that future therapeutic practices must accommodate this unmet medical need in preventing metastatic recurrence. Accumulating evidence supports dormant disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) as a source of cancer recurrence and recognizes the need for novel strategies to target these tumor cells. This review presents strategies to target dormant quiescent DTCs that reside at secondary sites. These strategies aim to prevent recurrence by maintaining dormant DTCs at bay, or eradicating them. Various approaches are presented, including: reinforcing the niche where dormant DTCs reside in order to keep dormant DTCs at bay; promoting cell intrinsic mechanisms to induce dormancy; preventing the engagement of dormant DTCs with their supportive niche in order to prevent their reactivation; targeting cell-intrinsic mechanisms mediating long-term survival of dormant DTCs; sensitizing dormant DTCs to chemotherapy treatments; and, inhibiting the immune evasion of dormant DTCs, leading to their demise. Various therapeutic approaches, some of which utilize drugs that are already approved, or have been tested in clinical trials and may be considered for repurposing, will be discussed. In addition, clinical evidence for the presence of dormant DTCs will be reviewed, along with potential prognostic biomarkers to enable the identification and stratification of patients who are at high risk of recurrence, and who could benefit from novel dormant DTCs targeting therapies. Finally, we will address the shortcomings of current trial designs for determining activity against dormant DTCs and provide novel approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Scott Sauer
- Vuja De Sciences Inc., Hoboken, NJ, United States
| | - Damon R Reed
- Department of Individualized Cancer Management, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States.,Cancer Biology and Evolution Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States.,Adolescent and Young Adult Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Michael Ihnat
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | | | | | - Dalit Barkan
- Department of Human Biology and Medical Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| |
Collapse
|