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Lei X, Yamamoto D, Kitamura H, Kita K, Inaki N, Murakami K, Nakayama M, Oshima H, Oshima M. Neutral selection and clonal expansion during the development of colon cancer metastasis. J Biochem 2024; 176:187-195. [PMID: 38889670 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvae044] [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: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Intratumour heterogeneity has been shown to play a role in the malignant progression of cancer. The clonal evolution in primary cancer has been well studied, however, that in metastatic tumorigenesis is not fully understood. In this study, we established human colon cancer-derived organoids and investigated clonal dynamics during liver metastasis development by tracking barcode-labelled subclones. Long-term subclone co-cultures showed clonal drift, with a single subclone becoming dominant in the cell population. Interestingly, the selected subclones were not always the same, suggesting that clonal selection was not based on cell intrinsic properties. Furthermore, liver tumours developed by co-transplantation of organoid subclones into the immunodeficient mouse spleen showed a progressive drastic reduction in clonal diversity, and only one or two subclones predominated in the majority of large metastatic tumours. Importantly, selections were not limited to particular subclones but appeared to be random. A trend towards a reduction in clonal diversity was also found in liver metastases of multiple colour-labelled organoids of mouse intestinal tumours. Based on these results, we propose a novel mechanism of metastasis development, i.e. a subclone population of the disseminated tumour cells in the liver is selected by neutral selection during colonization and constitutes large metastatic tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuelian Lei
- Division of Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Daisuke Yamamoto
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8641, 13-1 Takara-machi, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Kitamura
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Ishikawa Prefectural Central Hospital, 2-1 Kuratsuki-Higashi, Kanazawa 920-8530, Japan
| | - Kenji Kita
- Central Research Resource Branch, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Inaki
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8641, 13-1 Takara-machi, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Murakami
- Division of Epithelial Stem Cell Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Mizuho Nakayama
- Division of Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
- WPI Nano-Life Science Institute, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Hiroko Oshima
- Division of Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
- WPI Nano-Life Science Institute, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Masanobu Oshima
- Division of Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
- WPI Nano-Life Science Institute, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
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Liu Y, Chen S, Wan X, Wang R, Luo H, Chang C, Dai P, Gan Y, Guo Y, Hou Y, Sun Y, Teng Y, Cui X, Liu M. Tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase-positive matrix fibroblasts fuel breast cancer lung metastasis via kynurenine-mediated ferroptosis resistance of metastatic cells and T cell dysfunction. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2024. [PMID: 39221971 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor metastasis is a major threat to cancer patient survival. The organ-specific niche plays a pivotal role in tumor organotropic metastasis. Fibroblasts serve as a vital component of the metastatic microenvironment, but how heterogeneous metastasis-associated fibroblasts (MAFs) promote organotropic metastasis is poorly characterized. Here, we aimed to decipher the heterogeneity of MAFs and elucidate the distinct roles of these fibroblasts in pulmonary metastasis formation in breast cancer. METHODS Mouse models of breast cancer pulmonary metastasis were established using an in vivo selection method of repeated injections of metastatic cells purified from the mouse lung. Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) was employed to investigate the heterogeneity of MAFs. Transgenic mice were used to examine the contribution of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase-positive matrix fibroblasts (TDO2+ MFs) in lung metastasis. RESULTS We uncovered 3 subtypes of MAFs in the lung metastatic microenvironment, and their transcriptome profiles changed dynamically as lung metastasis evolved. As the predominant subtype, MFs were exclusively marked by platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) and mainly located on the edge of the metastasis, and T cells were enriched around MFs. Notably, high MF signatures were significantly associated with poor survival in breast cancer patients. Lung metastases were markedly diminished, and the suppression of T cells was dramatically attenuated in MF-depleted experimental metastatic mouse models. We found that TDO2+ MFs controlled pulmonary metastasis by producing kynurenine (KYN), which upregulated ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) level in disseminated tumor cells (DTCs), enabling DTCs to resist ferroptosis. Moreover, TDO2+ MF-secreted chemokines C-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CCL8) and C-C motif chemokine ligand 11 (CCL11) recruited T cells. TDO2+ MF-derived KYN induced T cell dysfunction. Conditional knockout of Tdo2 in MFs diminished lung metastasis and enhanced immune activation. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals crucial roles of TDO2+ MFs in promoting lung metastasis and DTCs' immune evasion in the metastatic niche. It suggests that targeting the metabolism of lung-specific stromal cells may be an effective treatment strategy for breast cancer patients with lung metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongcan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Shanchun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Xueying Wan
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Rui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Haojun Luo
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Chao Chang
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Peijin Dai
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Yubi Gan
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Yuetong Guo
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Yixuan Hou
- Experimental Teaching Center of Basic Medicine Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Yan Sun
- Department of Cell Biology and Medical Genetics, Basic Medical School, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Yong Teng
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Xiaojiang Cui
- Department of Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Manran Liu
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
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Salvà F, Saoudi N, Rodríguez M, Baraibar I, Ros J, García A, Tabernero J, Elez E. Determinants of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer With Permanent Liver- Limited Disease. Clin Colorectal Cancer 2024; 23:207-214. [PMID: 38981843 DOI: 10.1016/j.clcc.2024.05.010] [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: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a complex and genetically heterogeneous disease presenting a specific metastatic pattern, with the liver being the most common site of metastasis. Around 20%-25% of patients with CRC will develop exclusively hepatic metastatic disease throughout their disease history. With its specific characteristics and therapeutic options, liver-limited disease (LLD) should be considered as a specific entity. The identification of these patients is particularly relevant in view of the growing interest in liver transplantation in selected patients with advanced CRC. Identifying why some patients will develop only LLD remains a challenge, mainly because of a lack of a systemic understanding of this complex and interlinked phenomenon given that cancer has traditionally been investigated according to distinct physiological compartments. Recently, multidisciplinary efforts and new diagnostic tools have made it possible to study some of these complex issues in greater depth and may help identify targets and specific treatment strategies to benefit these patients. In this review we analyze the underlying biology and available tools to help clinicians better understand this increasingly common and specific disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesc Salvà
- Medical Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Nadia Saoudi
- Medical Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Rodríguez
- Medical Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Iosune Baraibar
- Medical Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Ros
- Medical Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ariadna García
- Medical Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Tabernero
- Medical Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Elez
- Medical Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
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Cañellas-Socias A, Sancho E, Batlle E. Mechanisms of metastatic colorectal cancer. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 21:609-625. [PMID: 38806657 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-024-00934-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Despite extensive research and improvements in understanding colorectal cancer (CRC), its metastatic form continues to pose a substantial challenge, primarily owing to limited therapeutic options and a poor prognosis. This Review addresses the emerging focus on metastatic CRC (mCRC), which has historically been under-studied compared with primary CRC despite its lethality. We delve into two crucial aspects: the molecular and cellular determinants facilitating CRC metastasis and the principles guiding the evolution of metastatic disease. Initially, we examine the genetic alterations integral to CRC metastasis, connecting them to clinically marked characteristics of advanced CRC. Subsequently, we scrutinize the role of cellular heterogeneity and plasticity in metastatic spread and therapy resistance. Finally, we explore how the tumour microenvironment influences metastatic disease, emphasizing the effect of stromal gene programmes and the immune context. The ongoing research in these fields holds immense importance, as its future implications are projected to revolutionize the treatment of patients with mCRC, hopefully offering a promising outlook for their survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrià Cañellas-Socias
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain.
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Elena Sancho
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Batlle
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain.
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain.
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5
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Handler JS, Li Z, Dveirin RK, Fang W, Goodarzi H, Fertig EJ, Kalhor R. Identifying a gene signature of metastatic potential by linking pre-metastatic state to ultimate metastatic fate. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.14.607813. [PMID: 39185156 PMCID: PMC11343111 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.14.607813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Identifying the key molecular pathways that enable metastasis by analyzing the eventual metastatic tumor is challenging because the state of the founder subclone likely changes following metastatic colonization. To address this challenge, we labeled primary mouse pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) subclones with DNA barcodes to characterize their pre-metastatic state using ATAC-seq and RNA-seq and determine their relative in vivo metastatic potential prospectively. We identified a gene signature separating metastasis-high and metastasis-low subclones orthogonal to the normal-to-PDAC and classical-to-basal axes. The metastasis-high subclones feature activation of IL-1 pathway genes and high NF-κB and Zeb/Snail family activity and the metastasis-low subclones feature activation of neuroendocrine, motility, and Wnt pathway genes and high CDX2 and HOXA13 activity. In a functional screen, we validated novel mediators of PDAC metastasis in the IL-1 pathway, including the NF-κB targets Fos and Il23a, and beyond the IL-1 pathway including Myo1b and Tmem40. We scored human PDAC tumors for our signature of metastatic potential from mouse and found that metastases have higher scores than primary tumors. Moreover, primary tumors with higher scores are associated with worse prognosis. We also found that our metastatic potential signature is enriched in other human carcinomas, suggesting that it is conserved across epithelial malignancies. This work establishes a strategy for linking cancer cell state to future behavior, reveals novel functional regulators of PDAC metastasis, and establishes a method for scoring human carcinomas based on metastatic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse S Handler
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Zijie Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Rachel K Dveirin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Weixiang Fang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Hani Goodarzi
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Arc Institute, Palo Alto 94305, USA
| | - Elana J Fertig
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins Data Science and AI Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Reza Kalhor
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Department of Neuroscience, Department of Medicine, Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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6
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He KJ, Gong G. Global trends and projections of colorectal, esophageal and stomach cancer burden among youth associated with diet: A analysis of 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019 and until 2040. Transl Oncol 2024; 46:101984. [PMID: 38824874 PMCID: PMC11170277 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2024.101984] [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: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Unhealthy diets significantly contribute to stomach, colorectal and esophageal cancer burden globally. Western diets high in processed and red meats promote carcinogenesis in these gastrointestinal cancers. However, adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients' unique needs regarding these cancers have been neglected. METHODS Data from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease study was used to quantify stomach, colorectal and esophageal cancer burden among AYAs from 1990 to 2040 across 204 countries. Correlations between the burden of these cancers and the Socio-demographic Index were examined. RESULTS High SDI locations experienced the largest reduction in cancer DALY rate change from 1990 to 2019 (-22% [-12 to -33]), compared to a small increase in low-middle SDI regions. Middle SDI areas saw the largest reduction in DALY rate change from 1990 to 2019 (-62% [-32 to -75]), compared to a small decrease in low-middle SDI locations (-9% [-27 to 10]) in esophageal cancer. From 1990-2019, stomach cancer deaths and DALYs declined across all SDI regions, with the largest reductions in high SDI locations (-61% [-57 to -69]) and smallest in low-middle SDI areas (-25% [-13 to -34]). Colorectal cancer deaths and DALYs rose across all SDI regions except high SDI locations, which showed a slight decrease. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates the evolving global burden of stomach, colorectal and esophageal cancers among AYAs. The highest burden was in high-middle and high SDI regions, underscoring the need to prioritize initiatives targeting these gastrointestinal malignancies in youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke-Jie He
- The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People's Hospital, Quzhou city, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Guoyu Gong
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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7
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Ríos-Hoyo A, Monzonís X, Vidal J, Linares J, Montagut C. Unveiling acquired resistance to anti-EGFR therapies in colorectal cancer: a long and winding road. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1398419. [PMID: 38711991 PMCID: PMC11070789 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1398419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Emergence of acquired resistance limits the efficacy of the anti-EGFR therapies cetuximab and panitumumab in metastatic colorectal cancer. In the last decade, preclinical and clinical cohort studies have uncovered genomic alterations that confer a selective advantage to tumor cells under EGFR blockade, mainly downstream re-activation of RAS-MEK signaling and mutations in the extracellular domain of EGFR (EGFR-ECD). Liquid biopsies (genotyping of ctDNA) have been established as an excellent tool to easily monitor the dynamics of genomic alterations resistance in the blood of patients and to select patients for rechallenge with anti-EGFR therapies. Accordingly, several clinical trials have shown clinical benefit of rechallenge with anti-EGFR therapy in genomically-selected patients using ctDNA. However, alternative mechanisms underpinning resistance beyond genomics -mainly related to the tumor microenvironment-have been unveiled, specifically relevant in patients receiving chemotherapy-based multi-drug treatment in first line. This review explores the complexity of the multifaceted mechanisms that mediate secondary resistance to anti-EGFR therapies and potential therapeutic strategies to circumvent acquired resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Ríos-Hoyo
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Xavier Monzonís
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joana Vidal
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jenniffer Linares
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Clara Montagut
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
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8
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Bezrookove V, Kianian S, McGeever L, Jones R, Caressi C, Nosrati M, Kim KB, Leong SP, Miller JR, Desprez PY, Kashani-Sabet M. The Molecular Evolution of Melanoma Distant Metastases. J Invest Dermatol 2024:S0022-202X(24)00271-9. [PMID: 38582370 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2024.03.029] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
The evolution of primary melanoma to lymph node and distant metastasis is incompletely understood. We examined the genomic diversity in melanoma progression in matched primary melanomas and lymph node and distant metastases from 17 patients. FISH analysis revealed cancer cell fractions with monotonic copy number alterations, including PHIP gain and PTEN loss, in the metastatic cascade. By contrast, the cancer cell fraction with copy number alterations for BPTF and MITF was reduced in lymph node metastases but increased in distant metastases. Separately, the cancer cell fraction with NCOA3 copy number alteration was comparable between primary tumors and lymph node metastases yet increased in distant metastases. These results suggest enrichment of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase and MITF pathways in the transition through the metastatic cascade. By contrast, next-generation sequencing analysis did not identify a consistent pattern of changes in variant allele frequency while revealing several intriguing findings, including decreased variant allele frequency in distant metastases and distinct drivers in lymph node versus distant metastases. These results provide evidence that distant melanoma metastasis does not always emanate from lymph node metastasis. These results enhance our understanding of clonal patterns of melanoma metastasis, with possible implications for targeted therapy and metastasis competency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Bezrookove
- Center for Melanoma Research and Treatment, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA; California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Sara Kianian
- Center for Melanoma Research and Treatment, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA; California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Lea McGeever
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Robyn Jones
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Chongshan Caressi
- Center for Melanoma Research and Treatment, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA; California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Mehdi Nosrati
- Center for Melanoma Research and Treatment, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA; California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Kevin B Kim
- Center for Melanoma Research and Treatment, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA; California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Stanley P Leong
- Center for Melanoma Research and Treatment, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA; California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - James R Miller
- Center for Melanoma Research and Treatment, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA; California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Pierre-Yves Desprez
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Mohammed Kashani-Sabet
- Center for Melanoma Research and Treatment, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA; California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, California, USA.
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9
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Lin K, Chowdhury S, Zeineddine MA, Zeineddine FA, Hornstein NJ, Villarreal OE, Maru DM, Haymaker CL, Vauthey JN, Chang GJ, Bogatenkova E, Menter D, Kopetz S, Shen JP. Identification of Colorectal Cancer Cell Stemness from Single-Cell RNA Sequencing. Mol Cancer Res 2024; 22:337-346. [PMID: 38156967 PMCID: PMC10987274 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-23-0468] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSC) play a critical role in metastasis, relapse, and therapy resistance in colorectal cancer. While characterization of the normal lineage of cell development in the intestine has led to the identification of many genes involved in the induction and maintenance of pluripotency, recent studies suggest significant heterogeneity in CSC populations. Moreover, while many canonical colorectal cancer CSC marker genes have been identified, the ability to use these classical markers to annotate stemness at the single-cell level is limited. In this study, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing on a cohort of 6 primary colon, 9 liver metastatic tumors, and 11 normal (nontumor) controls to identify colorectal CSCs at the single-cell level. Finding poor alignment of the 11 genes most used to identify colorectal CSC, we instead extracted a single-cell stemness signature (SCS_sig) that robustly identified "gold-standard" colorectal CSCs that expressed all marker genes. Using this SCS_sig to quantify stemness, we found that while normal epithelial cells show a bimodal distribution, indicating distinct stem and differentiated states, in tumor epithelial cells stemness is a continuum, suggesting greater plasticity in these cells. The SCS_sig score was quite variable between different tumors, reflective of the known transcriptomic heterogeneity of CRC. Notably, patients with higher SCS_sig scores had significantly shorter disease-free survival time after curative intent surgical resection, suggesting stemness is associated with relapse. IMPLICATIONS This study reveals significant heterogeneity of expression of genes commonly used to identify colorectal CSCs, and identifies a novel stemness signature to identify these cells from scRNA-seq data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangyu Lin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Saikat Chowdhury
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Mohammad A. Zeineddine
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Fadl A. Zeineddine
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Nicholas J. Hornstein
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Oscar E. Villarreal
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Dipen M. Maru
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Cara L. Haymaker
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jean-Nicolas Vauthey
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - George J. Chang
- Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, The University of Texas-MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Elena Bogatenkova
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - David Menter
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Scott Kopetz
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - John Paul Shen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
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10
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Wang Z, Xia Y, Mills L, Nikolakopoulos AN, Maeser N, Dehm SM, Sheltzer JM, Sun R. Evolving copy number gains promote tumor expansion and bolster mutational diversification. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2025. [PMID: 38448455 PMCID: PMC10918155 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46414-5] [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: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The timing and fitness effect of somatic copy number alterations (SCNA) in cancer evolution remains poorly understood. Here we present a framework to determine the timing of a clonal SCNA that encompasses multiple gains. This involves calculating the proportion of time from its last gain to the onset of population expansion (lead time) as well as the proportion of time prior to its first gain (initiation time). Our method capitalizes on the observation that a genomic segment, while in a specific copy number (CN) state, accumulates point mutations proportionally to its CN. Analyzing 184 whole genome sequenced samples from 75 patients across five tumor types, we commonly observe late gains following early initiating events, occurring just before the clonal expansion relevant to the sampling. These include gains acquired after genome doubling in more than 60% of cases. Notably, mathematical modeling suggests that late clonal gains may contain final-expansion drivers. Lastly, SCNAs bolster mutational diversification between subpopulations, exacerbating the circle of proliferation and increasing heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zicheng Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- School of Data Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK-Shenzhen), Shenzhen, China
| | - Yunong Xia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Lauren Mills
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Athanasios N Nikolakopoulos
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Nicole Maeser
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Scott M Dehm
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Urology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | - Ruping Sun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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11
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Banerjee M, Srivastava S, Rai SN, States JC. Chronic arsenic exposure induces malignant transformation of human HaCaT cells through both deterministic and stochastic changes in transcriptome expression. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2024; 484:116865. [PMID: 38373578 PMCID: PMC10994602 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2024.116865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Biological processes are inherently stochastic, i.e., are partially driven by hard to predict random probabilistic processes. Carcinogenesis is driven both by stochastic and deterministic (predictable non-random) changes. However, very few studies systematically examine the contribution of stochastic events leading to cancer development. In differential gene expression studies, the established data analysis paradigms incentivize expression changes that are uniformly different across the experimental versus control groups, introducing preferential inclusion of deterministic changes at the expense of stochastic processes that might also play a crucial role in the process of carcinogenesis. In this study, we applied simple computational techniques to quantify: (i) The impact of chronic arsenic (iAs) exposure as well as passaging time on stochastic gene expression and (ii) Which genes were expressed deterministically and which were expressed stochastically at each of the three stages of cancer development. Using biological coefficient of variation as an empirical measure of stochasticity we demonstrate that chronic iAs exposure consistently suppressed passaging related stochastic gene expression at multiple time points tested, selecting for a homogenous cell population that undergo transformation. Employing multiple balanced removal of outlier data, we show that chronic iAs exposure induced deterministic and stochastic changes in the expression of unique set of genes, that populate largely unique biological pathways. Together, our data unequivocally demonstrate that both deterministic and stochastic changes in transcriptome-wide expression are critical in driving biological processes, pathways and networks towards clonal selection, carcinogenesis, and tumor heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayukh Banerjee
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, 505, S. Hancock Street, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, 505, S. Hancock Street, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Sudhir Srivastava
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, University of Louisville, 505, S. Hancock Street, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Shesh N Rai
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, University of Louisville, 505, S. Hancock Street, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Facility, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, 505, S. Hancock Street, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; Biostatistics and Informatics Facility Core, Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, 505, S. Hancock Street, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - J Christopher States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, 505, S. Hancock Street, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, 505, S. Hancock Street, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
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12
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Thng DKH, Hooi L, Siew BE, Lee KY, Tan IJW, Lieske B, Lin NS, Kow AWC, Wang S, Rashid MBMA, Ang C, Koh JJM, Toh TB, Tan KK, Chow EKH. A functional personalised oncology approach against metastatic colorectal cancer in matched patient derived organoids. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:52. [PMID: 38413740 PMCID: PMC10899621 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00543-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Globally, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequently occurring cancer. Progression on to an advanced metastatic malignancy (metCRC) is often indicative of poor prognosis, as the 5-year survival rates of patients decline rapidly. Despite the availability of many systemic therapies for the management of metCRC, the long-term efficacies of these regimens are often hindered by the emergence of treatment resistance due to intratumoral and intertumoral heterogeneity. Furthermore, not all systemic therapies have associated biomarkers that can accurately predict patient responses. Hence, a functional personalised oncology (FPO) approach can enable the identification of patient-specific combinatorial vulnerabilities and synergistic combinations as effective treatment strategies. To this end, we established a panel of CRC patient-derived organoids (PDOs) as clinically relevant biological systems, of which three pairs of matched metCRC PDOs were derived from the primary sites (ptCRC) and metastatic lesions (mCRC). Histological and genomic characterisation of these PDOs demonstrated the preservation of histopathological and genetic features found in the parental tumours. Subsequent application of the phenotypic-analytical drug combination interrogation platform, Quadratic Phenotypic Optimisation Platform, in these pairs of PDOs identified patient-specific drug sensitivity profiles to epigenetic-based combination therapies. Most notably, matched PDOs from one patient exhibited differential sensitivity patterns to the rationally designed drug combinations despite being genetically similar. These findings collectively highlight the limitations of current genomic-driven precision medicine in guiding treatment strategies for metCRC patients. Instead, it suggests that epigenomic profiling and application of FPO could complement the identification of novel combinatorial vulnerabilities to target synchronous ptCRC and mCRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dexter Kai Hao Thng
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lissa Hooi
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bei En Siew
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kai-Yin Lee
- Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ian Jse-Wei Tan
- Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bettina Lieske
- Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Norman Sihan Lin
- Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Alfred Wei Chieh Kow
- Division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shi Wang
- Department of Pathology, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Chermaine Ang
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jasmin Jia Min Koh
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tan Boon Toh
- The N.1 Institute for Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- The Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ker-Kan Tan
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Edward Kai-Hua Chow
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- The N.1 Institute for Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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13
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Ceresa D, Alessandrini F, Lucchini S, Marubbi D, Piaggio F, Mena Vera JM, Ceccherini I, Reverberi D, Appolloni I, Malatesta P. Early clonal extinction in glioblastoma progression revealed by genetic barcoding. Cancer Cell 2023; 41:1466-1479.e9. [PMID: 37541243 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma progression in its early stages remains poorly understood. Here, we transfer PDGFB and genetic barcodes in mouse brain to initiate gliomagenesis and enable direct tracing of glioblastoma evolution from its earliest possible stage. Unexpectedly, we observe a high incidence of clonal extinction events and progressive divergence in clonal sizes, even after the acquisition of malignant phenotype. Computational modeling suggests these dynamics result from clonal-based cell-cell competition. Through bulk and single-cell transcriptome analyses, coupled with lineage tracing, we reveal that Myc transcriptional targets have the strongest correlation with clonal size imbalances. Moreover, we show that the downregulation of Myc expression is sufficient to drive competitive dynamics in intracranially transplanted gliomas. Our findings provide insights into glioblastoma evolution that are inaccessible using conventional retrospective approaches, highlighting the potential of combining clonal tracing and transcriptomic analyses in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Ceresa
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Francesco Alessandrini
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Sara Lucchini
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Daniela Marubbi
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | | | - Jorge Miguel Mena Vera
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Isabella Ceccherini
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics of Rare Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | | | - Irene Appolloni
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Paolo Malatesta
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy.
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14
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Webster J, Dang HX, Chauhan PS, Feng W, Shiang A, Harris PK, Pachynski RK, Chaudhuri AA, Maher CA. PACT: a pipeline for analysis of circulating tumor DNA. Bioinformatics 2023; 39:btad489. [PMID: 37549060 PMCID: PMC10415172 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btad489] [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: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION Detection of genomic alterations in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is currently used for active clinical monitoring of cancer progression and treatment response. While methods for analysis of small mutations are more developed, strategies for detecting structural variants (SVs) in ctDNA are limited. Additionally, reproducibly calling small-scale mutations, copy number alterations, and SVs in ctDNA is challenging due to the lack to unified tools for these different classes of variants. RESULTS We developed a unified pipeline for the analysis of ctDNA [Pipeline for the Analysis of ctDNA (PACT)] that accurately detects SVs and consistently outperformed similar tools when applied to simulated, cell line, and clinical data. We provide PACT in the form of a Common Workflow Language pipeline which can be run by popular workflow management systems in high-performance computing environments. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION PACT is freely available at https://github.com/ChrisMaherLab/PACT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jace Webster
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63108, United States
| | - Ha X Dang
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63108, United States
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
| | - Pradeep S Chauhan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
| | - Wenjia Feng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
| | - Alex Shiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
| | | | - Russell K Pachynski
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
| | - Aadel A Chaudhuri
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63130, United States
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63130, United States
| | - Christopher A Maher
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63108, United States
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63130, United States
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15
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Chiorazzi M, Martinek J, Krasnick B, Zheng Y, Robbins KJ, Qu R, Kaufmann G, Skidmore Z, Juric M, Henze LA, Brösecke F, Adonyi A, Zhao J, Shan L, Sefik E, Mudd J, Bi Y, Goedegebuure SP, Griffith M, Griffith O, Oyedeji A, Fertuzinhos S, Garcia-Milian R, Boffa D, Detterbeck F, Dhanasopon A, Blasberg J, Judson B, Gettinger S, Politi K, Kluger Y, Palucka K, Fields RC, Flavell RA. Autologous humanized PDX modeling for immuno-oncology recapitulates features of the human tumor microenvironment. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e006921. [PMID: 37487666 PMCID: PMC10373695 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-006921] [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] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interactions between immune and tumor cells are critical to determining cancer progression and response. In addition, preclinical prediction of immune-related drug efficacy is limited by interspecies differences between human and mouse, as well as inter-person germline and somatic variation. To address these gaps, we developed an autologous system that models the tumor microenvironment (TME) from individual patients with solid tumors. METHOD With patient-derived bone marrow hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), we engrafted a patient's hematopoietic system in MISTRG6 mice, followed by transfer of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tissue, providing a fully genetically matched model to recapitulate the individual's TME. We used this system to prospectively study tumor-immune interactions in patients with solid tumor. RESULTS Autologous PDX mice generated innate and adaptive immune populations; these cells populated the TME; and tumors from autologously engrafted mice grew larger than tumors from non-engrafted littermate controls. Single-cell transcriptomics revealed a prominent vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) signature in TME myeloid cells, and inhibition of human VEGF-A abrogated enhanced growth. CONCLUSIONS Humanization of the interleukin 6 locus in MISTRG6 mice enhances HSPC engraftment, making it feasible to model tumor-immune interactions in an autologous manner from a bedside bone marrow aspirate. The TME from these autologous tumors display hallmarks of the human TME including innate and adaptive immune activation and provide a platform for preclinical drug testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Chiorazzi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Medical Oncology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jan Martinek
- Jackson Laboratory - Farmington, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Bradley Krasnick
- Alvin J Siteman Cancer Center, St Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Yunjiang Zheng
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Keenan J Robbins
- Alvin J Siteman Cancer Center, St Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Rihao Qu
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Gabriel Kaufmann
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Medical Oncology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Zachary Skidmore
- Alvin J Siteman Cancer Center, St Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Melani Juric
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Medical Oncology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Laura A Henze
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Frederic Brösecke
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Adam Adonyi
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jun Zhao
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Liang Shan
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Esen Sefik
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jacqueline Mudd
- Alvin J Siteman Cancer Center, St Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Ye Bi
- Alvin J Siteman Cancer Center, St Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - S Peter Goedegebuure
- Alvin J Siteman Cancer Center, St Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Malachi Griffith
- Alvin J Siteman Cancer Center, St Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Obi Griffith
- Alvin J Siteman Cancer Center, St Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Abimbola Oyedeji
- Alvin J Siteman Cancer Center, St Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Sofia Fertuzinhos
- Bioinformatics Support Program, Cushing/Whitney Medical Library, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Rolando Garcia-Milian
- Bioinformatics Support Program, Cushing/Whitney Medical Library, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Daniel Boffa
- Department of Surgery, Section of Thoracic Oncology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Frank Detterbeck
- Department of Surgery, Section of Thoracic Oncology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Andrew Dhanasopon
- Department of Surgery, Section of Thoracic Oncology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Justin Blasberg
- Department of Surgery, Section of Thoracic Oncology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Benjamin Judson
- Department of Surgery, Section of Otolaryngology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Scott Gettinger
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Medical Oncology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Katerina Politi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Medical Oncology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yuval Kluger
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Ryan C Fields
- Alvin J Siteman Cancer Center, St Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Richard A Flavell
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, New York, USA
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16
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Vredevoogd DW, Peeper DS. Heterogeneity in functional genetic screens: friend or foe? Front Immunol 2023; 14:1162706. [PMID: 37398651 PMCID: PMC10312307 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1162706] [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: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional genetic screens to uncover tumor-intrinsic nodes of immune resistance have uncovered numerous mechanisms by which tumors evade our immune system. However, due to technical limitations, tumor heterogeneity is imperfectly captured with many of these analyses. Here, we provide an overview of the nature and sources of heterogeneity that are relevant for tumor-immune interactions. We argue that this heterogeneity may actually contribute to the discovery of novel mechanisms of immune evasion, given a sufficiently large and heterogeneous set of input data. Taking advantage of tumor cell heterogeneity, we provide proof-of-concept analyses of mechanisms of TNF resistance. Thus, consideration of tumor heterogeneity is imperative to increase our understanding of immune resistance mechanisms.
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17
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Liu QL, Zhou H, Zhou ZG, Chen HN. Colorectal cancer liver metastasis: genomic evolution and crosstalk with the liver microenvironment. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:575-587. [PMID: 37061644 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10107-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) patients frequently develop liver metastases, which are the major cause of cancer-related mortality. The molecular basis and management of colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs) remain a challenging clinical issue. Recent genomic evidence has demonstrated the liver tropism of CRC and the presence of a stricter evolutionary bottleneck in the liver as a target organ compared to lymph nodes. This bottleneck challenging CRC cells in the liver is organ-specific and requires adaptation not only at the genetic level, but also at the phenotypic level to crosstalk with the hepatic microenvironment. Here, we highlight the emerging evidence on the clonal evolution of CRLM and review recent insights into the molecular mechanisms orchestrating the bidirectional interactions between metastatic CRC cells and the unique liver microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu-Luo Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Colorectal Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Huijie Zhou
- Department of Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zong-Guang Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Colorectal Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hai-Ning Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Colorectal Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
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18
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Celis-Pinto JC, Fernández-Velasco AA, Corte-Torres MD, Santos-Juanes J, Blanco-Agudín N, Piña Batista KM, Merayo-Lloves J, Quirós LM, Fernández-Vega I. PINK1 Immunoexpression Predicts Survival in Patients Undergoing Hepatic Resection for Colorectal Liver Metastases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076506. [PMID: 37047483 PMCID: PMC10095114 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
PTEN-induced kinase-1 (PINK1) is the initiator of the canonical mitophagy pathway. Our aim was to study the immunoexpression of PINK1 in surgical specimens from ninety patients with metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC) to the liver (CRLM). Tissue arrays were produced, and immunohistochemical studies were analyzed by the H-Score method. The mean immunoexpression of PINK1 in normal tissues was between 40 to 100 points. In tumoral tissues, positive PINK1 immunoexpression was observed in all samples, and no differences were noted between CRCs. In CRLMs, a significant under-expression was noted for PINK1 from the rectum (71.3 ± 30.8; p < 0.042) compared to other sites. Altered PINK1 immunoexpression in CRCs, either higher than 100 points or lower than 40 points, was associated with worse overall survival (OS) (p < 0.012) due to a shorter post-metastatic survival (PMS) (p < 0.023), and it was found to be a significant independent predictor of prognosis in a multivariate model for OS and PMS (HR = 1.972, 95% CI 0.971–4.005; p = 0.022. HR = 2.023, 95% CI 1.003–4.091; p = 0.037, respectively). In conclusion, altered PINK1 immunoexpression determined in CRCs with resected CRLM predicts a worse prognosis, possibly due to the abnormal function of mitophagy.
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19
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Caligiuri G, Tuveson DA. Activated fibroblasts in cancer: Perspectives and challenges. Cancer Cell 2023; 41:434-449. [PMID: 36917949 PMCID: PMC11022589 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Activated fibroblasts in tumors, or cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), have become a popular research area over the past decade. As important players in many aspects of tumor biology, with functions ranging from collagen deposition to immunosuppression, CAFs have been the target of clinical and pre-clinical studies that have revealed their potential pro- and anti-tumorigenic dichotomy. In this review, we describe the important role of CAFs in the tumor microenvironment and the technological advances that made these discoveries possible, and we detail the models that are currently available for CAF investigation. Additionally, we present evidence to support the value of encompassing CAF investigation as a future therapeutic avenue alongside immune and cancer cells while highlighting the challenges that must be addressed for successful clinical translation of new findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Caligiuri
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA; Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - David A Tuveson
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA; Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA.
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20
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Yamamoto A, Doak AE, Cheung KJ. Orchestration of Collective Migration and Metastasis by Tumor Cell Clusters. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY 2023; 18:231-256. [PMID: 36207009 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathmechdis-031521-023557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Metastatic dissemination has lethal consequences for cancer patients. Accruing evidence supports the hypothesis that tumor cells can migrate and metastasize as clusters of cells while maintaining contacts with one another. Collective metastasis enables tumor cells to colonize secondary sites more efficiently, resist cell death, and evade the immune system. On the other hand, tumor cell clusters face unique challenges for dissemination particularly during systemic dissemination. Here, we review recent progress toward understanding how tumor cell clusters overcome these disadvantages as well as mechanisms they utilize to gain advantages throughout the metastatic process. We consider useful models for studying collective metastasis and reflect on how the study of collective metastasis suggests new opportunities for eradicating and preventing metastatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ami Yamamoto
- Translational Research Program, Public Health Sciences and Human Biology Divisions, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA; , , .,Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Andrea E Doak
- Translational Research Program, Public Health Sciences and Human Biology Divisions, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA; , , .,Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kevin J Cheung
- Translational Research Program, Public Health Sciences and Human Biology Divisions, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA; , ,
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21
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Zanella ER, Grassi E, Trusolino L. Towards precision oncology with patient-derived xenografts. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2022; 19:719-732. [PMID: 36151307 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-022-00682-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Under the selective pressure of therapy, tumours dynamically evolve multiple adaptive mechanisms that make static interrogation of genomic alterations insufficient to guide treatment decisions. Clinical research does not enable the assessment of how various regulatory circuits in tumours are affected by therapeutic insults over time and space. Likewise, testing different precision oncology approaches informed by composite and ever-changing molecular information is hard to achieve in patients. Therefore, preclinical models that incorporate the biology and genetics of human cancers, facilitate analyses of complex variables and enable adequate population throughput are needed to pinpoint randomly distributed response predictors. Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models are dynamic entities in which cancer evolution can be monitored through serial propagation in mice. PDX models can also recapitulate interpatient diversity, thus enabling the identification of response biomarkers and therapeutic targets for molecularly defined tumour subgroups. In this Review, we discuss examples from the past decade of the use of PDX models for precision oncology, from translational research to drug discovery. We elaborate on how and to what extent preclinical observations in PDX models have confirmed and/or anticipated findings in patients. Finally, we illustrate emerging methodological efforts that could broaden the application of PDX models by honing their predictive accuracy or improving their versatility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elena Grassi
- Candiolo Cancer Institute - FPO IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Livio Trusolino
- Candiolo Cancer Institute - FPO IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy. .,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Italy.
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22
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Zhang X, Yang L, Lei W, Hou Q, Huang M, Zhou R, Enver T, Wu S. Single-cell sequencing reveals CD133+CD44−-originating evolution and novel stemness related variants in human colorectal cancer. EBioMedicine 2022; 82:104125. [PMID: 35785618 PMCID: PMC9254347 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tumor heterogeneity of human colorectal cancer (CRC)-initiating cells (CRCICs) in cancer tissues often represents aggressive features of cancer progression. For high-resolution examination of CRCICs, we performed single-cell whole-exome sequencing (scWES) and bulk cell targeted exome sequencing (TES) of CRCICs to investigate stemness-specific somatic alterations or clonal evolution. Methods Single cells of three subpopulations of CRCICs (CD133+CD44+, CD133−CD44+, and CD133+CD44− cells), CRC cells (CRCCs), and control cells from one CRC tissue were sorted for scWES. Then, we set up a mutation panel from scWES data and TES was used to validate mutation distribution and clonal evolution in additional 96 samples (20 patients) those were also sorted into the same three groups of CRCICs and CRCCs. The knock-down experiments were used to analyze stemness-related mutant genes. Neoantigens of these mutant genes and their MHC binding affinity were also analyzed. Findings Clonal evolution analysis of scWES and TES showed that the CD133+CD44− CRCICs were the likely origin of CRC before evolving into other groups of CRCICs/CRCCs. We revealed that AHNAK2, PLIN4, HLA-B, ALK, CCDC92 and ALMS1 genes were specifically mutated in CRCICs followed by the validation of their functions. Furthermore, four predicted neoantigens of AHNAK2 were identified and validated, which might have applications in immunotherapy for CRC patients. Interpretation All the integrative analyses above revealed clonal evolution of CRC and new markers for CRCICs and demonstrate the important roles of CRCICs in tumorigenesis and progression of CRCs. Funding A full list of funding bodies that contributed to this study can be found in the Acknowledgements section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Zhang
- Department of Radiotherapy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ling Yang
- Department of Radiotherapy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Wanjun Lei
- Novogene Bioinformatics Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Hou
- Clinical laboratory, Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ming Huang
- Clinical laboratory, Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Rongjing Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tariq Enver
- Cancer Institute, University College London, United Kingdom.
| | - Shixiu Wu
- Department of Radiotherapy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
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23
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Clonal evolution and expansion associated with therapy resistance and relapse of colorectal cancer. MUTATION RESEARCH. REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2022; 790:108445. [PMID: 36371022 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2022.108445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) arises by a continuous process of genetic diversification and clonal evolution. Multiple genes and pathways have a role in tumor initiation and progression. The gradual accumulation of genetic and epigenetic processes leads to the establishment of adenoma and cancer. The important 'driver' mutations in tumor suppressor genes (such as TP53, APC, and SMAD4) and oncogenes (such as KRAS, NRAS, MET, and PIK3CA) confer selective growth advantages and cause CRC advancement. Clonal evolution induced by therapeutic pressure, as well as intra-tumoral heterogeneity, has been a great challenge in the treatment of metastatic CRC. Tumors often develop resistance to treatments as a result of intra-tumor heterogeneity, clonal evolution, and selection. Hence, the development of a multidrug personalized approach should be prioritized to pave the way for therapeutics repurposing and combination therapy to arrest tumor progression. This review summarizes how selective drug pressure can impact tumor evolution, resulting in the formation of polyclonal resistance mechanisms, ultimately promoting cancer progression. Current strategies for targeting clonal evolution are described. By understanding sources and consequences of tumor heterogeneity, customized and effective treatment plans to combat drug resistance may be devised.
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24
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Siesing C, Petersson A, Ulfarsdottir T, Chattopadhyay S, Nodin B, Eberhard J, Brändstedt J, Syk I, Gisselsson D, Jirström K. Delineating the intra-patient heterogeneity of molecular alterations in treatment-naïve colorectal cancer with peritoneal carcinomatosis. Mod Pathol 2022; 35:979-988. [PMID: 35169225 PMCID: PMC9249627 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-022-01012-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In a non-negligible number of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), the peritoneum is the predominant site of dissemination. Cure can be achieved by cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), but this procedure is associated with long-term morbidity and high relapse rates. Thus, there is a pressing need for improved therapeutic strategies and complementary biomarkers. The present study explored the molecular heterogeneity in mCRC with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC), and the potential clinical implications thereof. Multi-region immunohistochemical profiling and deep targeted DNA-sequencing was performed on chemotherapy-naïve tumours from seven patients with synchronous colorectal PC who underwent CRS and HIPEC. In total, 88 samples (5-19 per patient) were analysed, representing primary tumour, lymph node metastases, tumour deposits, PC and liver metastases. Expression of special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 2 (SATB2), a marker of colorectal lineage, was lacking in the majority of cases, and a conspicuous intra-patient heterogeneity was denoted for expression of the proposed prognostic and predictive biomarker RNA-binding motif protein 3 (RBM3). Loss of mismatch repair proteins MLH1 and PSM2, observed in one case, was concordant with microsatellite instability and the highest tumour mutational burden. When present in a patient, mutations in key CRC driver genes, i.e., KRAS, APC and TP53, were homogenously distributed across all samples, while less common mutations were more heterogenous. On the same note, copy number variations showed intra-patient as well inter-patient heterogeneity. In two out of seven cases, hierarchical clustering revealed that samples from the PC and lymph node metastases were more similar to each other than to the primary tumour. In summary, these findings should encourage additional studies addressing the potential distinctiveness of mCRC with PC, which might pave the way for improved personalized treatment of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Siesing
- Division of Oncology and Therapeutic Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Alexandra Petersson
- Division of Oncology and Therapeutic Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Subhayan Chattopadhyay
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Björn Nodin
- Division of Oncology and Therapeutic Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jakob Eberhard
- Division of Oncology and Therapeutic Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jenny Brändstedt
- Division of Surgery, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Ingvar Syk
- Division of Surgery, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - David Gisselsson
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karin Jirström
- Division of Oncology and Therapeutic Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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25
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Chen Q, Wu QN, Rong YM, Wang S, Zuo Z, Bai L, Zhang B, Yuan S, Zhao Q. Deciphering clonal dynamics and metastatic routines in a rare patient of synchronous triple-primary tumors and multiple metastases with MPTevol. Brief Bioinform 2022; 23:6590438. [DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbac175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Multiple primary tumor (MPT) is a special and rare cancer type, defined as more than two primary tumors presenting at the diagnosis in a single patient. The molecular characteristics and tumorigenesis of MPT remain unclear due to insufficient approaches. Here, we present MPTevol, a practical computational framework for comprehensively exploring the MPT from multiregion sequencing (MRS) experiments. To verify the utility of MPTevol, we performed whole-exome MRS for 33 samples of a rare patient with triple-primary tumors and three metastatic sites and systematically investigated clonal dynamics and metastatic routines. MPTevol assists in comparing genomic profiles across samples, detecting clonal evolutionary history and metastatic routines and quantifying the metastatic history. All triple-primary tumors were independent origins and their genomic characteristics were consistent with corresponding sporadic tumors, strongly supporting their independent tumorigenesis. We further showed two independent early monoclonal seeding events for the metastases in the ovary and uterus. We revealed that two ovarian metastases were disseminated from the same subclone of the primary tumor through undergoing whole-genome doubling processes, suggesting metastases-to-metastases seeding occurred when tumors had similar microenvironments. Surprisingly, according to the metastasis timing model of MPTevol, we found that primary tumors of about 0.058–0.124 cm diameter have been disseminating to distant organs, which is much earlier than conventional clinical views. We developed MPT-specialized analysis framework MPTevol and demonstrated its utility in explicitly resolving clonal evolutionary history and metastatic seeding routines with a rare MPT case. MPTevol is implemented in R and is available at https://github.com/qingjian1991/MPTevol under the GPL v3 license.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingjian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Department of Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China
| | - Qi-Nian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Department of Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Ming Rong
- Department of VIP Region, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P. R. China
| | - Shixiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Department of Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China
| | - Zhixiang Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Department of Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China
| | - Long Bai
- Department of VIP Region, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P. R. China
| | - Bei Zhang
- Department of VIP Region, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P. R. China
| | - Shuqiang Yuan
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Qi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Department of Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China
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26
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Zhu P, Lu T, Chen Z, Liu B, Fan D, Li C, Wu J, He L, Zhu X, Du Y, Tian Y, Fan Z. 5-hydroxytryptamine produced by enteric serotonergic neurons initiates colorectal cancer stem cell self-renewal and tumorigenesis. Neuron 2022; 110:2268-2282.e4. [PMID: 35550066 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer stem cells (CSCs) contribute to colorectal tumorigenesis and metastasis. Colorectal CSCs reside within specialized niches and harbor self-renewal and differentiation capacities. However, the niche regulations of CSCs remain unclear. Here, we show that intestinal nerve cells are required for CSC self-renewal and colorectal tumorigenesis. Enteric serotonergic neurons produce 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) to function as a modulator of CSC self-renewal. 5-HT receptors HTR1B/1D/1F are highly expressed in colorectal CSCs and engage with 5-HT to initiate Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Mechanistically, colorectal cancer (CRC)-enriched microbiota metabolite isovalerate suppresses the enrichment of the NuRD complex onto Tph2 promoter to initiate Tph2 expression, leading to 5-HT production. 5-HT signaling is correlated with CRC severity. Blocking 5-HT signaling in mice not only inhibits the self-renewal of colorectal CSCs but also displays therapeutic efficacy against CRC tumors. Our findings reveal a cross talk between intestinal neurons and tumor cells that serves as an additional layer for CSC regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingping Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China.
| | - Tiankun Lu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhenzhen Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Benyu Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Research Center of Basic Medicine, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | - Dongdong Fan
- CAS Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Core Facility for Protein Research, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Chong Li
- Core Facility for Protein Research, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Zhongke Jianlan (Beijing) Institute of Medicine, Beijing 101407, China
| | - Jiayi Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; School of Medicine, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Luyun He
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China; Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Core Facility for Protein Research, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Ying Du
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yong Tian
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; CAS Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Zusen Fan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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27
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Miller CA. Efficient Algorithms Unlock Understanding of Clonal Evolution in Cancer. Blood Cancer Discov 2022; 3:176-177. [PMID: 35510362 PMCID: PMC9245365 DOI: 10.1158/2643-3230.bcd-22-0036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In this issue of Blood Cancer Discovery, Wintersinger and colleagues present a new algorithm for quickly and accurately inferring clonal phylogenies from heterogeneous tumors sampled at many timepoints and/or many sites. When coupled with serial sequencing of tumors, this advance promises to increase our understanding of the clonal dynamics that shape tumor evolution and response to therapy. See related article by Wintersinger et al., p. 208 (9).
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A. Miller
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri.,Corresponding Author: Christopher A. Miller, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8007, St Louis, MO 63110. E-mail:
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28
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Hyun S, Park D. Challenges in genomic analysis of model systems and primary tumors of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:4806-4815. [PMID: 36147673 PMCID: PMC9464644 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.08.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by aggressive tumor behavior and poor prognosis. Recent next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based genomic studies have provided novel treatment modes for pancreatic cancer via the identification of cancer driver variants and molecular subtypes in PDAC. Genome-wide approaches have been extended to model systems such as patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), organoids, and cell lines for pre-clinical purposes. However, the genomic characteristics vary in the model systems, which is mainly attributed to the clonal evolution of cancer cells during their construction and culture. Moreover, fundamental limitations such as low tumor cellularity and the complex tumor microenvironment of PDAC hinder the confirmation of genomic features in the primary tumor and model systems. The occurrence of these phenomena and their associated complexities may lead to false insights into the understanding of mechanisms and dynamics in tumor tissues of patients. In this review, we describe various model systems and discuss differences in the results based on genomics and transcriptomics between primary tumors and model systems. Finally, we introduce practical strategies to improve the accuracy of genomic analysis of primary tissues and model systems.
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29
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Niida A, Mimori K, Shibata T, Miyano S. Modeling colorectal cancer evolution. J Hum Genet 2021; 66:869-878. [PMID: 33986478 PMCID: PMC8384629 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-021-00930-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Understanding cancer evolution provides a clue to tackle therapeutic difficulties in colorectal cancer. In this review, together with related works, we will introduce a series of our studies, in which we constructed an evolutionary model of colorectal cancer by combining genomic analysis and mathematical modeling. In our model, multiple subclones were generated by driver mutation acquisition and subsequent clonal expansion in early-stage tumors. Among the subclones, the one obtaining driver copy number alterations is endowed with malignant potentials to constitute a late-stage tumor in which extensive intratumor heterogeneity is generated by the accumulation of neutral mutations. We will also discuss how to translate our understanding of cancer evolution to a solution to the problem related to therapeutic resistance: mathematical modeling suggests that relapse caused by acquired resistance could be suppressed by utilizing clonal competition between sensitive and resistant clones. Considering the current rate of technological development, modeling cancer evolution by combining genomic analysis and mathematical modeling will be an increasingly important approach for understanding and overcoming cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Niida
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Human Genome Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Koshi Mimori
- Department of Surgery, Kyushu University Beppu Hospital, Beppu, Japan
| | - Tatsuhiro Shibata
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Human Genome Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Cancer Genomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoru Miyano
- M&D Data Science Center, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
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30
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Wu Y, Yang S, Ma J, Chen Z, Song G, Rao D, Cheng Y, Huang S, Liu Y, Jiang S, Liu J, Huang X, Wang X, Qiu S, Xu J, Xi R, Bai F, Zhou J, Fan J, Zhang X, Gao Q. Spatiotemporal Immune Landscape of Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis at Single-Cell Level. Cancer Discov 2021; 12:134-153. [PMID: 34417225 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-21-0316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 329] [Impact Index Per Article: 109.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Liver metastasis, the leading cause of colorectal cancer mortality, exhibits a highly heterogeneous and suppressive immune microenvironment. Here, we sequenced 97 matched samples by using single-cell RNA-seq and Spatial Transcriptomics. Strikingly, metastatic microenvironment underwent remarkable spatial reprogramming of immunosuppressive cells such as MRC1+ CCL18+ M2-like macrophages. We further developed scMetabolism, a computational pipeline for quantifying single-cell metabolism, and observed that those macrophages harbored enhanced metabolic activity. Interestingly, neoadjuvant chemotherapy could block this status and restore the antitumor immune balance in responsive patients, while the non-responsive patients deteriorated into a more suppressive one. Our work described the immune evolution of metastasis and uncovered the black box of how tumors respond to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingcheng Wu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University
| | - Shuaixi Yang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University
| | - Jiaqiang Ma
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences
| | - Zechuan Chen
- Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences
| | - Guohe Song
- Hepatic oncology, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital and Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis & Cancer Invasion, The Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Dongning Rao
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University
| | - Yifei Cheng
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University
| | - Siyuan Huang
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University
| | - Yifei Liu
- Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University
| | - Shan Jiang
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University; School of Medicine, Nantong University
| | - Xiaowu Huang
- Departmemt of liver surgery and tranplantation, Zhongshan Hospital
| | - Xiaoying Wang
- Liver Cancer Institute, Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University
| | - Shuangjian Qiu
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University
| | - Jianmin Xu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, The Fifth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital
| | - Ruibin Xi
- School of Mathematical Sciences and Center for Statistical Science, School of Mathematical Sciences and Center for Statistical Science, Peking University
| | - Fan Bai
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Peking University
| | - Jian Zhou
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University
| | - Jia Fan
- Department of Liver Surgery, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University
| | - Xiaoming Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institute Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences
| | - Qiang Gao
- Depart. of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhong Shan Hospital and Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University,
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31
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Wrenn E, Huang Y, Cheung K. Collective metastasis: coordinating the multicellular voyage. Clin Exp Metastasis 2021; 38:373-399. [PMID: 34254215 PMCID: PMC8346286 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-021-10111-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The metastatic process is arduous. Cancer cells must escape the confines of the primary tumor, make their way into and travel through the circulation, then survive and proliferate in unfavorable microenvironments. A key question is how cancer cells overcome these multiple barriers to orchestrate distant organ colonization. Accumulating evidence in human patients and animal models supports the hypothesis that clusters of tumor cells can complete the entire metastatic journey in a process referred to as collective metastasis. Here we highlight recent studies unraveling how multicellular coordination, via both physical and biochemical coupling of cells, induces cooperative properties advantageous for the completion of metastasis. We discuss conceptual challenges and unique mechanisms arising from collective dissemination that are distinct from single cell-based metastasis. Finally, we consider how the dissection of molecular transitions regulating collective metastasis could offer potential insight into cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Wrenn
- Translational Research Program, Public Health Sciences and Human Biology Divisions, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Yin Huang
- Translational Research Program, Public Health Sciences and Human Biology Divisions, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Kevin Cheung
- Translational Research Program, Public Health Sciences and Human Biology Divisions, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.
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32
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Chen Z, Wu J, Liu B, Zhang G, Wang Z, Zhang L, Wang K, Fan Z, Zhu P. Identification of cis-HOX-HOXC10 axis as a therapeutic target for colorectal tumor-initiating cells without APC mutations. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109431. [PMID: 34320348 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, in which adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) mutations are frequently and uniquely observed. Here we find that cis-HOX (circular RNA stabilizing HOXC10) is robustly expressed in colorectal tumor-initiating cells (TICs). cis-HOX knockout decreases colorectal TIC numbers and impairs the self-renewal, tumorigenesis, and metastatic capacities of TICs, whereas cis-HOX overexpression drives colorectal TIC self-renewal and metastasis. Mechanistically, cis-HOX binds to HOXC10 mRNA to attenuate its decay through blocking the K-homology splicing regulatory protein (KSRP)-binding sequence of HOXC10 3' UTR. HOXC10 is highly expressed in colorectal tumors and TICs and triggers Wnt/β-catenin activation by activating FZD3 expression. HOXC10 inhibitor salinomycin exerts efficient therapeutic effects in APC-wild-type colorectal tumors, but not in tumors with APC nonsense mutations. Therefore, the cis-HOX-HOXC10 pathway drives colorectal tumorigenesis, stemness, and metastasis and serves as a potential therapeutic target for APC-wild-type colorectal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; International Joint Laboratory for Protein and Peptide Drugs of Henan Province, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
| | - Jiayi Wu
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Benyu Liu
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Guangtan Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Henan University, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 7 Weiwu Road, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450003, China
| | - Zhiwei Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Lulu Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Kaili Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Zusen Fan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Pingping Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450052, China.
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33
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Zeng H, Zhang J, Preising GA, Rubel T, Singh P, Ritz A. Graphery: interactive tutorials for biological network algorithms. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:W257-W262. [PMID: 34037782 PMCID: PMC8262715 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Networks have been an excellent framework for modeling complex biological information, but the methodological details of network-based tools are often described for a technical audience. We have developed Graphery, an interactive tutorial webserver that illustrates foundational graph concepts frequently used in network-based methods. Each tutorial describes a graph concept along with executable Python code that can be interactively run on a graph. Users navigate each tutorial using their choice of real-world biological networks that highlight the diverse applications of network algorithms. Graphery also allows users to modify the code within each tutorial or write new programs, which all can be executed without requiring an account. Graphery accepts ideas for new tutorials and datasets that will be shaped by both computational and biological researchers, growing into a community-contributed learning platform. Graphery is available at https://graphery.reedcompbio.org/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heyuan Zeng
- Computer Science Department, Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97202, USA.,Biology Department, Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97202, USA
| | - Jinbiao Zhang
- Information and Communication Technology Department, Xiamen University Malaysia, Jalan Sunsuria, Bandar Sunsuria, 43900 Sepang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Gabriel A Preising
- Biology Department, Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97202, USA
| | - Tobias Rubel
- Biology Department, Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97202, USA
| | - Pramesh Singh
- Biology Department, Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97202, USA
| | - Anna Ritz
- Biology Department, Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97202, USA
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34
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Mazouji O, Ouhajjou A, Incitti R, Mansour H. Updates on Clinical Use of Liquid Biopsy in Colorectal Cancer Screening, Diagnosis, Follow-Up, and Treatment Guidance. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:660924. [PMID: 34150757 PMCID: PMC8213391 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.660924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, being the third most diagnosed in the world and the second deadliest. Solid biopsy provides an essential guide for the clinical management of patients with colorectal cancer; however, this method presents several limitations, in particular invasiveness, and cannot be used repeatedly. Recently, clinical research directed toward the use of liquid biopsy, as an alternative tool to solid biopsy, showed significant promise in several CRC clinical applications, as (1) detect CRC patients at early stage, (2) make treatment decision, (3) monitor treatment response, (4) predict relapses and metastases, (5) unravel tumor heterogeneity, and (6) detect minimal residual disease. The purpose of this short review is to describe the concept, the characteristics, the genetic components, and the technologies used in liquid biopsy in the context of the management of colorectal cancer, and finally we reviewed gene alterations, recently described in the literature, as promising potential biomarkers that may be specifically used in liquid biopsy tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omayma Mazouji
- GES-LCM2E, FPN, Mohamed First University, Oujda, Morocco
| | | | - Roberto Incitti
- Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hicham Mansour
- GES-LCM2E, FPN, Mohamed First University, Oujda, Morocco
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35
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Nathanson SD, Detmar M, Padera TP, Yates LR, Welch DR, Beadnell TC, Scheid AD, Wrenn ED, Cheung K. Mechanisms of breast cancer metastasis. Clin Exp Metastasis 2021; 39:117-137. [PMID: 33950409 PMCID: PMC8568733 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-021-10090-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Invasive breast cancer tends to metastasize to lymph nodes and systemic sites. The management of metastasis has evolved by focusing on controlling the growth of the disease in the breast/chest wall, and at metastatic sites, initially by surgery alone, then by a combination of surgery with radiation, and later by adding systemic treatments in the form of chemotherapy, hormone manipulation, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and other treatments aimed at inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells. It would be valuable for us to know how breast cancer metastasizes; such knowledge would likely encourage the development of therapies that focus on mechanisms of metastasis and might even allow us to avoid toxic therapies that are currently used for this disease. For example, if we had a drug that targeted a gene that is critical for metastasis, we might even be able to cure a vast majority of patients with breast cancer. By bringing together scientists with expertise in molecular aspects of breast cancer metastasis, and those with expertise in the mechanical aspects of metastasis, this paper probes interesting aspects of the metastasis cascade, further enlightening us in our efforts to improve the outcome from breast cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- S David Nathanson
- Department of Surgery, Henry Ford Cancer Institute, 2799 W Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI, USA.
| | - Michael Detmar
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Timothy P Padera
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Danny R Welch
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center and University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Thomas C Beadnell
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center and University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Adam D Scheid
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center and University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Emma D Wrenn
- Translational Research Program, Public Health Sciences and Human Biology Divisions, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.,Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kevin Cheung
- Translational Research Program, Public Health Sciences and Human Biology Divisions, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
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36
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Sun R, Nikolakopoulos AN. Elements and evolutionary determinants of genomic divergence between paired primary and metastatic tumors. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1008838. [PMID: 33730105 PMCID: PMC8007046 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Can metastatic-primary (M-P) genomic divergence measured from next generation sequencing reveal the natural history of metastatic dissemination? This remains an open question of utmost importance in facilitating a deeper understanding of metastatic progression, and thereby, improving its prevention. Here, we utilize mathematical and computational modeling to tackle this question as well as to provide a framework that illuminates the fundamental elements and evolutionary determinants of M-P divergence. Our framework facilitates the integration of sequencing detectability of somatic variants, and hence, paves the way towards bridging the measurable between-tumor heterogeneity with analytical modeling and interpretability. We show that the number of somatic variants of the metastatic seeding cell that are experimentally undetectable in the primary tumor, can be characterized as the path of the phylogenetic tree from the last appearing variant of the seeding cell back to the most recent detectable variant. We find that the expected length of this path is principally determined by the decay in detectability of the variants along the seeding cell's lineage; and thus, exhibits a significant dependence on the underlying tumor growth dynamics. A striking implication of this fact, is that dissemination from an advanced detectable subclone of the primary tumor can lead to an abrupt drop in the expected measurable M-P divergence, thereby breaking the previously assumed monotonic relation between seeding time and M-P divergence. This is emphatically verified by our single cell-based spatial tumor growth simulation, where we find that M-P divergence exhibits a non-monotonic relationship with seeding time when the primary tumor grows under branched and linear evolution. On the other hand, a monotonic relationship holds when we condition on the dynamics of progressive diversification, or by restricting the seeding cells to always originate from undetectable subclones. Our results highlight the fact that a precise understanding of tumor growth dynamics is the sine qua non for exploiting M-P divergence to reconstruct the chronology of metastatic dissemination. The quantitative models presented here enable further careful evaluation of M-P divergence in association with crucial evolutionary and sequencing parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruping Sun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Athanasios N. Nikolakopoulos
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
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37
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Neothalfine, a potent natural anti-tumor agent against metastatic colorectal cancer and its primary mechanism. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 29:115849. [PMID: 33221063 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Neothalfine is a natural bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid with the abundant resource in medicinal plants and has not been reported its anti-tumor efficacy. In the present study, the anti-tumor efficacy was investigated and it showed broad-spectrum activity against several cancer cell lines, especially metastatic colorectal cancer (HCT116, SW620, T84) with the IC50 values of 7.2, 5.9, 8.2 nM, respectively, roughly equal to well-known anti-tumor agent docetaxel (4.0, 4.7, 2.7 nM) and nearly 1000 folds than CPT-11 (4.4, 5.1, 6.9 μM). Furthermore, neothalfine inhibited colorectal cell proliferation by resulting in cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and induced apoptosis through the dysfunction of mitochondria to trigger intrinsic apoptotic pathway by untargeted metabolomic method, mitochondrial membrane potential, and caspase-3/7 activity assay. Moreover, neothalfine damaged colorectal cancer clonal spheres expansion significantly at the concentration of 3.5 nM with nearly 1000 folds efficacy than CPT-11 (3.0 µM). The results supported that neothalfine might be an anti-tumor lead for further investigation.
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38
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Tong Y, Song Y, Xia C, Deng S. Theoretical and in silico Analyses Reveal MYC as a Dynamic Network Biomarker in Colon and Rectal Cancer. Front Genet 2020; 11:555540. [PMID: 33193630 PMCID: PMC7606845 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.555540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In this article, we make a theoretical and in silico study for uncovering and evaluating biomarkers in colon and rectal cancer (CRC) by the dynamic network biomarker (DNB) theory. We propose a strategy to employ the theoretical concept of UICC TNM classification in CRC. To reveal the critical transition of CRC, the DNB algorithm was implemented to analyze the genome-wide dynamic network through temporal gene expression data. The relationship between gene sets and clinical features was evaluated by weighted gene co-expression network analysis. The results show that MYC was significantly associated with tumor amplification, tumor immune cells, and survival times. The candidate tumor suppressor genes were ZBTB16, MAL, LIFR, and SLIT2. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis shows that these candidate tumor suppressor genes were significant in immune cells. Data from the Human Protein Atlas showed that a high expression of these candidate tumor suppressor genes was associated with favorable prognosis in TNM stages I-IV. In conclusion, this work provides significant and novel information regarding the TNM stage, cause, and consequences of elevated MYC expression in CRC. MYC expression levels had significant negative correlations with tumor suppressor genes and immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqiu Tong
- Department of Broadcasting and TV, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, China
- Laboratory of Forensic Medicine and Biomedical Informatics, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Song
- Department of Medical Informatics, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chuanhui Xia
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shixiong Deng
- Laboratory of Forensic Medicine and Biomedical Informatics, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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39
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Siraj S, Masoodi T, Siraj AK, Azam S, Qadri Z, Ahmed SO, AlBalawy WN, Al-Obaisi KA, Parvathareddy SK, AlManea HM, AlHussaini HF, Abduljabbar A, Alhomoud S, Al-Dayel FH, Alkuraya FS, Al-Kuraya KS. Clonal Evolution and Timing of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102938. [PMID: 33053768 PMCID: PMC7601934 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide, where ~50% of patients develop metastasis, despite current improved management. Genomic characterisation of metastatic CRC, and elucidating the effects of therapy on the metastatic process, are essential to help guide precision medicine. Multi-region whole-exome sequencing was performed on 191 sampled tumour regions of patient-matched therapy-naïve and treated CRC primary tumours (n = 92 tumour regions) and metastases (n = 99 tumour regions), in 30 patients. Somatic variants were analysed to define the origin, composition, and timing of seeding in the metastatic progression of therapy-naïve and treated metastatic CRC. High concordance, with few genomic differences, was observed between primary CRC and metastases. Most cases supported a late dissemination model, via either monoclonal or polyclonal seeding. Polyclonal seeding appeared more common in therapy-naïve metastases than in treated metastases. Whereby, treatment prompted for the selection of distinct resistant clones, through monoclonal seeding to distant metastatic sites. Overall, this study reinforces the importance of early clinical detection and surgical excision of the CRC tumour, whilst further highlighting the clinical challenges for metastatic CRC with increased intratumour heterogeneity (either due to early dissemination or polyclonal metastatic spread) and the underlying risk of future therapeutic resistance in treated patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Siraj
- Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (S.S.); (T.M.); (A.K.S.); (S.A.); (Z.Q.); (S.O.A.); (W.N.A.); (K.A.A.-O.); (S.K.P.)
| | - Tariq Masoodi
- Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (S.S.); (T.M.); (A.K.S.); (S.A.); (Z.Q.); (S.O.A.); (W.N.A.); (K.A.A.-O.); (S.K.P.)
| | - Abdul K. Siraj
- Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (S.S.); (T.M.); (A.K.S.); (S.A.); (Z.Q.); (S.O.A.); (W.N.A.); (K.A.A.-O.); (S.K.P.)
| | - Saud Azam
- Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (S.S.); (T.M.); (A.K.S.); (S.A.); (Z.Q.); (S.O.A.); (W.N.A.); (K.A.A.-O.); (S.K.P.)
| | - Zeeshan Qadri
- Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (S.S.); (T.M.); (A.K.S.); (S.A.); (Z.Q.); (S.O.A.); (W.N.A.); (K.A.A.-O.); (S.K.P.)
| | - Saeeda O. Ahmed
- Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (S.S.); (T.M.); (A.K.S.); (S.A.); (Z.Q.); (S.O.A.); (W.N.A.); (K.A.A.-O.); (S.K.P.)
| | - Wafaa N. AlBalawy
- Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (S.S.); (T.M.); (A.K.S.); (S.A.); (Z.Q.); (S.O.A.); (W.N.A.); (K.A.A.-O.); (S.K.P.)
| | - Khadija A. Al-Obaisi
- Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (S.S.); (T.M.); (A.K.S.); (S.A.); (Z.Q.); (S.O.A.); (W.N.A.); (K.A.A.-O.); (S.K.P.)
| | - Sandeep K. Parvathareddy
- Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (S.S.); (T.M.); (A.K.S.); (S.A.); (Z.Q.); (S.O.A.); (W.N.A.); (K.A.A.-O.); (S.K.P.)
| | - Hadeel M. AlManea
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (H.M.A.); (H.F.A.); (F.H.A.-D.)
| | - Hussah F. AlHussaini
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (H.M.A.); (H.F.A.); (F.H.A.-D.)
| | - Alaa Abduljabbar
- Department of Surgery, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.); (S.A.)
| | - Samar Alhomoud
- Department of Surgery, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.); (S.A.)
| | - Fouad H. Al-Dayel
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (H.M.A.); (H.F.A.); (F.H.A.-D.)
| | - Fowzan S. Alkuraya
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khawla S. Al-Kuraya
- Human Cancer Genomic Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (S.S.); (T.M.); (A.K.S.); (S.A.); (Z.Q.); (S.O.A.); (W.N.A.); (K.A.A.-O.); (S.K.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +966-112-055-2167
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