1
|
Splendiani E, Besharat ZM, Covre A, Maio M, Di Giacomo AM, Ferretti E. Immunotherapy in melanoma: Can we predict response to treatment with circulating biomarkers? Pharmacol Ther 2024; 256:108613. [PMID: 38367867 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer, representing approximately 4% of all cutaneous neoplasms and accounting for up to 80% of deaths. Advanced stages of melanoma involve metastatic processes and are associated with high mortality and morbidity, mainly due to the rapid dissemination and heterogeneous responses to current therapies, including immunotherapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are currently used in the treatment of metastatic melanoma (MM) and despite being linked to an increase in patient survival, a high percentage of them still do not benefit from it. Accordingly, the number of therapeutic regimens for MM patients using ICIs either alone or in combination with other therapies has increased, together with the need for reliable biomarkers that can both predict and monitor response to ICIs. In this context, circulating biomarkers, such as DNA, RNA, proteins, and cells, have emerged due to their ability to reflect disease status. Moreover, blood tests are minimally invasive and provide an attractive option to detect biomarkers, avoiding stressful medical procedures. This systematic review aims to evaluate the possibility of a non-invasive biomarker signature that can guide therapeutic decisions. The studies reported here offer valuable insight into how circulating biomarkers can have a role in personalized treatments for melanoma patients receiving ICIs therapy, emphasizing the need for rigorous clinical trials to confirm findings and establish standardized procedures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Splendiani
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Alessia Covre
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; Medical Oncology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Michele Maio
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; Medical Oncology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Di Giacomo
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; Medical Oncology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Rangel-Pozzo A, Wechsler J, Groult J, Da Meda L, Lebbe C, Mai S. Telomere-Associated Changes in Nuclear Architecture of Cancer-Associated Macrophage-like Cells in Liquid Biopsies from Melanoma Patients. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10102391. [PMID: 36289653 PMCID: PMC9598704 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
During phagocytosis, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) can incorporate genetic material from tumor cells. The incorporation of extra genetic material may be responsible for advanced malignant behavior observed in some TAMs, making TAMs potentially important players in cancer progression. More recently, similar cells were described in the blood as cancer-associated macrophage-like cells (CAMLs). CAMLs may be equivalent to TAMs cells in the blood, and they express macrophage markers. However, their origin is still unclear. In a previous study, we showed for the first time the distinct telomere 3D structure of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in melanoma and other cancers. In the present pilot study, we investigated, comparatively, the 3D telomere structure of CAMLs, CTCs and leucocytes from nine melanoma patients with metastatic cutaneous melanoma stage IV. CTC capture was performed by size-based filtration followed by cytological and immunocytological evaluation. Three-dimensional Quantitative Fluorescent in situ Hybridization was performed to measure differences in five 3D telomere parameters. Telomere parameters, such as number, length, telomere aggregates, nuclear volume, and a/c ratio, were compared among different cellular types (CTCs, CAMLs, and normal leucocytes). Three telomere parameters were significantly different between CAMLs and leucocytes. The combination of two telomere parameters (telomere length against the number of telomeres) resulted in the identification of two CAMLs subpopulations with different levels of genomic instability. Those populations were classified as profile 1 and 2. Profile 2, characterized by a high number of short telomeres, was observed in four of the nine melanoma patients. To our knowledge, this is the first pilot study to investigate 3D telomere parameters as hallmarks of nuclear architecture in CAMLs’ population in comparison to leucocytes from the same patient. Further studies involving a larger patient sample size are necessary to validate these findings and explore their potential prognostic value.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aline Rangel-Pozzo
- CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3C 2B1, Canada
- Correspondence: (A.R.-P.); (S.M.); Tel.: +1-(204)-787-2135 (S.M.)
| | - Janine Wechsler
- Screencell Company, 62 rue de Wattignies, F-75012 Paris, France
| | - Jessica Groult
- Screencell Company, 62 rue de Wattignies, F-75012 Paris, France
| | - Laetitia Da Meda
- INSERM U976, Team 1, HIPI, Université de Paris, F-75010 Paris, France
- Service de Dermatologie, AP-HP Hôpital Saint Louis, F-75010 Paris, France
| | - Celeste Lebbe
- INSERM U976, Team 1, HIPI, Université de Paris, F-75010 Paris, France
- Service de Dermatologie, AP-HP Hôpital Saint Louis, F-75010 Paris, France
| | - Sabine Mai
- CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3C 2B1, Canada
- Correspondence: (A.R.-P.); (S.M.); Tel.: +1-(204)-787-2135 (S.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pan Y, Lu B, Peng Y, Wang M, Deng Y, Yin Y, Yang J, Li G. A simple method to assay tumor cells based on target-initiated steric hindrance. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:6522-6525. [PMID: 34105555 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc02532e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We have proposed a simple electrochemical method in this work for the assay of tumor cells through their own steric hindrance effect. Specifically, tumor cells can block the catalysis of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase to the aptamer previously immobilized on the electrode surface. By making use of the hindrance effect, cancer cells can be quantitatively analyzed in the range from 1.6 × 102 to 1.6 × 106 cells per mL without complicated design or cumbersome operation, while the detection limit can be about 53 cells per mL. This method can also show satisfactory performance in complex environments, indicating its potential in clinical application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanhong Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Bing Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Ying Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Minghui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Ying Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Yongmei Yin
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, P. R. China
| | - Jie Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Genxi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China and Center for Molecular Recognition and Biosensing, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Genna A, Vanwynsberghe AM, Villard AV, Pottier C, Ancel J, Polette M, Gilles C. EMT-Associated Heterogeneity in Circulating Tumor Cells: Sticky Friends on the Road to Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1632. [PMID: 32575608 PMCID: PMC7352430 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) generate hybrid phenotypes with an enhanced ability to adapt to diverse microenvironments encountered during the metastatic spread. Accordingly, EMTs play a crucial role in the biology of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and contribute to their heterogeneity. Here, we review major EMT-driven properties that may help hybrid Epithelial/Mesenchymal CTCs to survive in the bloodstream and accomplish early phases of metastatic colonization. We then discuss how interrogating EMT in CTCs as a companion biomarker could help refine cancer patient management, further supporting the relevance of CTCs in personalized medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Genna
- GIGA-Cancer, Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, CHU Sart-Tilman, University of Liège, Pathology Tower, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (A.G.); (A.M.V.); (A.V.V.); (C.P.)
| | - Aline M. Vanwynsberghe
- GIGA-Cancer, Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, CHU Sart-Tilman, University of Liège, Pathology Tower, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (A.G.); (A.M.V.); (A.V.V.); (C.P.)
| | - Amélie V. Villard
- GIGA-Cancer, Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, CHU Sart-Tilman, University of Liège, Pathology Tower, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (A.G.); (A.M.V.); (A.V.V.); (C.P.)
| | - Charles Pottier
- GIGA-Cancer, Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, CHU Sart-Tilman, University of Liège, Pathology Tower, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (A.G.); (A.M.V.); (A.V.V.); (C.P.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Julien Ancel
- CHU (Centre Hopitalier Universitaire) de Reims, Hôpital Maison Blanche, Service de Pneumologie, 51092 Reims, France;
- INSERM, UMR (Unité Mixte de Recherche)-S1250, SFR CAP-SANTE, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51097 Reims, France;
| | - Myriam Polette
- INSERM, UMR (Unité Mixte de Recherche)-S1250, SFR CAP-SANTE, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51097 Reims, France;
- CHU de Reims, Hôpital Maison Blanche, Laboratoire de Pathologie, 51092 Reims, France
| | - Christine Gilles
- GIGA-Cancer, Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, CHU Sart-Tilman, University of Liège, Pathology Tower, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (A.G.); (A.M.V.); (A.V.V.); (C.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Edgar RH, Tarhini A, Sander C, Sanders ME, Cook JL, Viator JA. Predicting Metastasis in Melanoma by Enumerating Circulating Tumor Cells Using Photoacoustic Flow Cytometry. Lasers Surg Med 2020; 53:578-586. [PMID: 32557708 PMCID: PMC7746591 DOI: 10.1002/lsm.23286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives Enumerating circulating tumor cells has been used as a method of monitoring progression of various cancers. Various methods for detecting circulating melanoma cells (CMCs) have been reported, but none has had sufficient sensitivity to determine if the presence of rare CMCs in the blood of Stage I–III melanoma patients predicts if those patients eventually develop metastatic disease. Study Design We quantified CMCs in serial blood samples from 38 early stage melanoma patients to determine if CMC numbers predict development of metastatic melanoma. CMCs were enumerated using a photoacoustic flow cytometric detection system that uses a laser to induce high frequency acoustic signals in pigmented CMCs. Results We observed that detection of greater than 2 CMCs/ml of blood from patients with Stage I–III melanoma predicts metastatic disease. Of the 11 patients we studied who had two or fewer CMCs detected at all time points tested, none progressed to metastatic disease over a mean follow‐up of 1288 days. In contrast, 18 of the 27 patients (67%) having more than 2 CMCs/ml at one or more time points progressed to metastatic disease over a mean follow‐up of 850 days. Conclusions Photoacoustic flow cytometry can detect rare CMCs in the blood of Stage I–III melanoma patients and detectionof these cells is predictive of subsequent development of metastatic disease. Lasers Surg. Med.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert H Edgar
- Department of Engineering, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15282.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 300 Technology Dr, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213
| | - Ahmad Tarhini
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, 33612
| | - Cindy Sander
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 5115 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15232
| | - Martin E Sanders
- Acousys Biodevices Inc., 1777 Highland Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48108
| | - Justin L Cook
- Department of Engineering, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15282
| | - John A Viator
- Department of Engineering, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15282.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 300 Technology Dr, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213.,Acousys Biodevices Inc., 1777 Highland Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48108
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Aya-Bonilla CA, Morici M, Hong X, McEvoy AC, Sullivan RJ, Freeman J, Calapre L, Khattak MA, Meniawy T, Millward M, Ziman M, Gray ES. Detection and prognostic role of heterogeneous populations of melanoma circulating tumour cells. Br J Cancer 2020; 122:1059-1067. [PMID: 32037400 PMCID: PMC7109152 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-020-0750-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) can be assessed through a minimally invasive blood sample with potential utility as a predictive, prognostic and pharmacodynamic biomarker. The large heterogeneity of melanoma CTCs has hindered their detection and clinical application. METHODS Here we compared two microfluidic devices for the recovery of circulating melanoma cells. The presence of CTCs in 43 blood samples from patients with metastatic melanoma was evaluated using a combination of immunocytochemistry and transcript analyses of five genes by RT-PCR and 19 genes by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), whereby a CTC score was calculated. Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) from the same patient blood sample, was assessed by ddPCR targeting tumour-specific mutations. RESULTS Our analysis revealed an extraordinary heterogeneity amongst melanoma CTCs, with multiple non-overlapping subpopulations. CTC detection using our multimarker approach was associated with shorter overall and progression-free survival. Finally, we found that CTC scores correlated with plasma ctDNA concentrations and had similar pharmacodynamic changes upon treatment initiation. CONCLUSIONS Despite the high phenotypic and molecular heterogeneity of melanoma CTCs, multimarker derived CTC scores could serve as viable tools for prognostication and treatment response monitoring in patients with metastatic melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Morici
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Xin Hong
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Ryan Joseph Sullivan
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James Freeman
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Leslie Calapre
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Muhammad Adnan Khattak
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, WA, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Tarek Meniawy
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Michael Millward
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Mel Ziman
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
- School of Biomedical Science, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Elin Solomonovna Gray
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hu B, Tian X, Li Y, Liu Y, Yang T, Han Z, An J, Kong L, Li Y. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition may be involved in the immune evasion of circulating gastric tumor cells via downregulation of ULBP1. Cancer Med 2020; 9:2686-2697. [PMID: 32077634 PMCID: PMC7163085 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.2871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Increasing numbers of studies have demonstrated that circulating tumor cells (CTCs) undergo a phenotypic change termed epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), and researchers have proposed that EMT might provide CTCs with increased potential to survive in the different microenvironments encountered during metastasis through various ways, such as by increasing cell survival and early colonization. However, the exact role of EMT in CTCs remains unclear. Methods In this study, we identified CTCs of 41 patients with gastric cancer using Cyttel‐CTC and im‐FISH (immune‐fluorescence in situ hybridization) methods, and tested the expression of EMT markers and ULBP1 (a major member of the NKG2D—natural killer [NK] group 2 member D—ligand family) on CTCs. Moreover, we investigated the relationship between the expression of EMT markers and ULBP1 on CTCs and gastric cancer cell lines. Results Our results showed that the CTCs of gastric cancer patients exhibited three EMT marker subtypes, and that the expression of ULBP1 was significantly lower on mesenchymal phenotypic CTCs (M+CTCs) than on epithelial phenotypic CTCs (E+CTCs). EMT induced by TGF‐β in vitro produced a similar phenomenon, and we therefore proposed that EMT might be involved in the immune evasion of CTCs from NK cells by altering the expression of ULBP1. Conclusions Our study indicated that EMT might play a vital role in the immune invasion of CTCs by regulating the expression of ULBP1 on CTCs. These findings could provide potential strategies for targeting the immune evasion capacity of CTCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Baoguang Hu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, China
| | - Xiaokun Tian
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, China.,Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, the Sixth People's Hospital of Zibo, Zibo, China
| | - Yanbin Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, China
| | - Yangchun Liu
- Jiangxi Medical College, Queen Mary College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Tao Yang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, China
| | - Zhaodong Han
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, China
| | - Jiajia An
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, China
| | - Lingqun Kong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, China
| | - Yuming Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Jin R, Wang J, Gao M, Zhang X. Aminophenylboronic Acid-Functionalized Thorny-Trap-Shaped Monolayer Microarray for Efficient Capture and Release of Circulating Tumor Cells. Anal Chem 2020; 92:3403-3408. [PMID: 31971366 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b05486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
An aminophenylboronic acid (APBA)-functionalized thorny-trap-shaped monolayer microarray as a 3D fractal structures' substrate was fabricated to capture and release circulating tumor cells (CTCs) efficiently. The microarray can not only trap cells inside by microbowls but also enhance the interaction between cell and substrate by providing more binding sites and facilitating the spread of cell filopodias via the growth of nanorods. Modification of APBA enhanced the interaction further by binding with sialic acid of CTCs surface. The special topological structure achieved a high capture efficiency of 79.5%. The captured cancer cells were released without introducing any affinity molecules by a ligand exchange reaction with up to 70% efficiency and good proliferation. This substrate can isolate 33 tumor cells from a mimic blood sample even at a low spiked number of 50 cancer cells. This study provides valuable guidance for isolation and release of CTCs and is significant for the further study of tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rongrong Jin
- Department of Chemistry and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences , Fudan University , Shanghai 200433 , China
| | - Jiaxi Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences , Fudan University , Shanghai 200433 , China
| | - Mingxia Gao
- Department of Chemistry and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences , Fudan University , Shanghai 200433 , China
| | - Xiangmin Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences , Fudan University , Shanghai 200433 , China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Seyfoori A, Seyyed Ebrahimi SA, Samiei E, Akbari M. Multifunctional Hybrid Magnetic Microgel Synthesis for Immune-Based Isolation and Post-Isolation Culture of Tumor Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:24945-24958. [PMID: 31268286 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b02959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells are of utmost importance among various biomarkers in liquid biopsies as a prognosis indicator of metastasis as well as in chemotherapeutic monitoring. This study introduces an efficient tool composed of soft nano/hybrid immune microgels for magnetic isolation of targeted tumor cells. The development process involves the in situ synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles within the three-dimensional matrix of thermoresponsive microgels. Surface modification and anti-EpCAM conjugation are adjusted by changing the temperature, and a conjugation efficiency of around 70% is achieved by using a protein G linker. Anti-EpCAM-conjugated nano/hybrid magnetic microgels are used to isolate EpCAM-expressing breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells from culture media and whole blood with an efficiency of 75 and 70%, respectively. Furthermore, we demonstrate the ability of the hybrid microgels to isolate cancer cells with a purity of 65% and culture the cells post-isolation for further drug studies. The multifunctional hybrid microcarriers reported in this work can be potentially used for continuous monitoring of cancers and in personalized medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amir Seyfoori
- Advanced Magnetic Materials Research Center, College of Engineering , University of Tehran , Tehran 14399-57131 , Iran
- Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute , ACECR , Tehran 1665659911 , Iran
| | - S A Seyyed Ebrahimi
- Advanced Magnetic Materials Research Center, College of Engineering , University of Tehran , Tehran 14399-57131 , Iran
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Insights on CTC Biology and Clinical Impact Emerging from Advances in Capture Technology. Cells 2019; 8:cells8060553. [PMID: 31174404 PMCID: PMC6627072 DOI: 10.3390/cells8060553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor microemboli (CTM) have been shown to correlate negatively with patient survival. Actual CTC counts before and after treatment can be used to aid in the prognosis of patient outcomes. The presence of circulating tumor materials (CTMat) can advertise the presence of metastasis before clinical presentation, enabling the early detection of relapse. Importantly, emerging evidence is indicating that cancer treatments can actually increase the incidence of CTCs and metastasis in pre-clinical models. Subsequently, the study of CTCs, their biology and function are of vital importance. Emerging technologies for the capture of CTC/CTMs and CTMat are elucidating vitally important biological and functional information that can lead to important alterations in how therapies are administered. This paves the way for the development of a "liquid biopsy" where treatment decisions can be informed by information gleaned from tumor cells and tumor cell debris in the blood.
Collapse
|
11
|
Agnoletto C, Corrà F, Minotti L, Baldassari F, Crudele F, Cook WJJ, Di Leva G, d'Adamo AP, Gasparini P, Volinia S. Heterogeneity in Circulating Tumor Cells: The Relevance of the Stem-Cell Subset. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11040483. [PMID: 30959764 PMCID: PMC6521045 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11040483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The release of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) into vasculature is an early event in the metastatic process. The analysis of CTCs in patients has recently received widespread attention because of its clinical implications, particularly for precision medicine. Accumulated evidence documents a large heterogeneity in CTCs across patients. Currently, the most accepted view is that tumor cells with an intermediate phenotype between epithelial and mesenchymal have the highest plasticity. Indeed, the existence of a meta-stable or partial epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) cell state, with both epithelial and mesenchymal features, can be easily reconciled with the concept of a highly plastic stem-like state. A close connection between EMT and cancer stem cells (CSC) traits, with enhanced metastatic competence and drug resistance, has also been described. Accordingly, a subset of CTCs consisting of CSC, present a stemness profile, are able to survive chemotherapy, and generate metastases after xenotransplantation in immunodeficient mice. In the present review, we discuss the current evidence connecting CTCs, EMT, and stemness. An improved understanding of the CTC/EMT/CSC connections may uncover novel therapeutic targets, irrespective of the tumor type, since most cancers seem to harbor a pool of CSCs, and disclose important mechanisms underlying tumorigenicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Agnoletto
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Fabio Corrà
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Linda Minotti
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Federica Baldassari
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Francesca Crudele
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | | | - Gianpiero Di Leva
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT, UK.
| | - Adamo Pio d'Adamo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health-IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Paolo Gasparini
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health-IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Stefano Volinia
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Aya-Bonilla C, Gray ES, Manikandan J, Freeman JB, Zaenker P, Reid AL, Khattak MA, Frank MH, Millward M, Ziman M. Immunomagnetic-Enriched Subpopulations of Melanoma Circulating Tumour Cells (CTCs) Exhibit Distinct Transcriptome Profiles. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11020157. [PMID: 30769764 PMCID: PMC6406574 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11020157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma circulating tumour cells (CTCs) are phenotypically and molecularly heterogeneous. We profiled the gene expression of CTC subpopulations immunomagnetic-captured by targeting either the melanoma-associated marker, MCSP, or the melanoma-initiating marker, ABCB5. Firstly, the expression of a subset of melanoma genes was investigated by RT-PCR in MCSP-enriched and ABCB5-enriched CTCs isolated from a total of 59 blood draws from 39 melanoma cases. Of these, 6 MCSP- and 6 ABCB5-enriched CTC fractions were further analysed using a genome-wide gene expression microarray. The transcriptional programs of both CTC subtypes included cell survival maintenance, cell proliferation, and migration pathways. ABCB5-enriched CTCs were specifically characterised by up-regulation of genes involved in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), suggesting an invasive phenotype. These findings underscore the presence of at least two distinct melanoma CTC subpopulations with distinct transcriptional programs, which may have distinct roles in disease progression and response to therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Aya-Bonilla
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA 6027, Australia.
| | - Elin S Gray
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA 6027, Australia.
| | | | - James B Freeman
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA 6027, Australia.
| | - Pauline Zaenker
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA 6027, Australia.
| | - Anna L Reid
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA 6027, Australia.
| | - Muhammad A Khattak
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Markus H Frank
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA 6027, Australia.
- Transplantation Research Program, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| | - Michael Millward
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Mel Ziman
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA 6027, Australia.
- School of Biomedical Science, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Tellez-Gabriel M, Cochonneau D, Cadé M, Jubellin C, Heymann MF, Heymann D. Circulating Tumor Cell-Derived Pre-Clinical Models for Personalized Medicine. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 11:cancers11010019. [PMID: 30586936 PMCID: PMC6356998 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11010019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The main cause of death from cancer is associated with the development of metastases, resulting from the inability of current therapies to cure patients at metastatic stages. Generating preclinical models to better characterize the evolution of the disease is thus of utmost importance, in order to implement effective new cancer biomarkers and therapies. Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) are good candidates for generating preclinical models, making it possible to follow up the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of tumor tissues. This method is a non-invasive liquid biopsy that can be obtained at any stage of the disease. It partially summarizes the molecular heterogeneity of the corresponding tumors at a given time. Here, we discuss the CTC-derived models that have been generated so far, from simplified 2D cultures to the most complex CTC-derived explants (CDX models). We highlight the challenges and strengths of these preclinical tools, as well as some of the recent studies published using these models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Tellez-Gabriel
- RNA and Molecular Pathology Research Group, Department of Medical Biology, The Artic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Denis Cochonneau
- LabCT, Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest, CRCINA, Université d'Angers, 44805 Saint Herblain CEDEX, France.
| | - Marie Cadé
- INSERM, European Associated Laboratory "Sarcoma Research Unit", University of Nantes, 44035 Nantes, France.
| | - Camille Jubellin
- INSERM, European Associated Laboratory "Sarcoma Research Unit", University of Nantes, 44035 Nantes, France.
| | - Marie-Françoise Heymann
- LabCT, Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest, CRCINA, Université d'Angers, 44805 Saint Herblain CEDEX, France.
| | - Dominique Heymann
- LabCT, Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest, CRCINA, Université d'Angers, 44805 Saint Herblain CEDEX, France.
- INSERM, European Associated Laboratory "Sarcoma Research Unit", University of Nantes, 44035 Nantes, France.
- Department of Oncology & Metabolism, The Medical School, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK.
| |
Collapse
|