1
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Reese KL, Pantel K, Smit DJ. Multibiomarker panels in liquid biopsy for early detection of pancreatic cancer - a comprehensive review. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:250. [PMID: 39218911 PMCID: PMC11367781 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03166-w] [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: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is frequently detected in late stages, which leads to limited therapeutic options and a dismal overall survival rate. To date, no robust method for the detection of early-stage PDAC that can be used for targeted screening approaches is available. Liquid biopsy allows the minimally invasive collection of body fluids (typically peripheral blood) and the subsequent analysis of circulating tumor cells or tumor-associated molecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, or metabolites that may be useful for the early diagnosis of PDAC. Single biomarkers may lack sensitivity and/or specificity to reliably detect PDAC, while combinations of these circulating biomarkers in multimarker panels may improve the sensitivity and specificity of blood test-based diagnosis. In this narrative review, we present an overview of different liquid biopsy biomarkers for the early diagnosis of PDAC and discuss the validity of multimarker panels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim-Lea Reese
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, Hamburg, 20246, Germany
| | - Klaus Pantel
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, Hamburg, 20246, Germany.
| | - Daniel J Smit
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, Hamburg, 20246, Germany.
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2
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Guo T, Xu J. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: a versatile mediator in tumor progression, metastasis, and targeted therapy. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:1095-1116. [PMID: 38602594 PMCID: PMC11300527 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-024-10186-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment (TME) has been demonstrated to play a significant role in tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the major component of TME and exhibit heterogeneous properties in their communication with tumor cells. This heterogeneity of CAFs can be attributed to various origins, including quiescent fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), adipocytes, pericytes, endothelial cells, and mesothelial cells. Moreover, single-cell RNA sequencing has identified diverse phenotypes of CAFs, with myofibroblastic CAFs (myCAFs) and inflammatory CAFs (iCAFs) being the most acknowledged, alongside newly discovered subtypes like antigen-presenting CAFs (apCAFs). Due to these heterogeneities, CAFs exert multiple functions in tumorigenesis, cancer stemness, angiogenesis, immunosuppression, metabolism, and metastasis. As a result, targeted therapies aimed at the TME, particularly focusing on CAFs, are rapidly developing, fueling the promising future of advanced tumor-targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianchen Guo
- Women's Reproductive Health Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junfen Xu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China.
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3
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Diep CH, Spartz A, Truong TH, Dwyer AR, El-Ashry D, Lange CA. Progesterone Receptor Signaling Promotes Cancer Associated Fibroblast Mediated Tumorigenicity in ER+ Breast Cancer. Endocrinology 2024; 165:bqae092. [PMID: 39041201 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqae092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer progression involves intricate interactions between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME). This study elucidates the critical role of progesterone receptor (PR) signaling in mediating the protumorigenic effects of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) on estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) luminal breast cancer cells. We demonstrate that CAFs produce physiologically relevant levels of estrogen and progesterone, which significantly contribute to breast cancer tumorigenicity. Specifically, CAF conditioned media (CM) promoted PR-dependent anchorage-independent growth, tumorsphere formation/stem cell expansion, and CD44 upregulation. CAF cells formed co-clusters more frequently with PR+ breast cancer cells relative to PR-null models. While both PR isoforms mediated these actions, PR-A was a dominant driver of tumorsphere formation/stemness, while PR-B induced robust CD44 expression and CAF/tumor cell co-cluster formation. CD44 knockdown impaired CAF/tumor cell co-clustering. Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), also secreted by CAFs, phosphorylated PR (Ser294) in a MAPK-dependent manner and activated PR to enhance CD44 expression and breast cancer tumorigenicity. The FGF receptor (FGFR) inhibitor PD173074 diminished CAF- and FGF2-dependent PR activation, tumorsphere formation, and co-clustering. In summary, this study reveals a novel mechanism through which stromal CAFs orchestrate elevated PR signaling in ER+ luminal breast cancer via secretion of both progesterone and FGF2, a potent activator of ERK1/2. Understanding tumor cell/TME interactions provides insights into potential therapeutic strategies aimed at disrupting PR- and/or FGF2/FGFR-dependent signaling pathways to prevent early metastasis in patients with ER+ breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline H Diep
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Angela Spartz
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Thu H Truong
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Amy R Dwyer
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Dorraya El-Ashry
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Carol A Lange
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology & Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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4
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Zhang YW, Gvozdenovic A, Aceto N. A Molecular Voyage: Multiomics Insights into Circulating Tumor Cells. Cancer Discov 2024; 14:920-933. [PMID: 38581442 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-24-0218] [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: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) play a pivotal role in metastasis, the leading cause of cancer-associated death. Recent improvements of CTC isolation tools, coupled with a steady development of multiomics technologies at single-cell resolution, have enabled an extensive exploration of CTC biology, unlocking insights into their molecular profiles. A detailed molecular portrait requires CTC interrogation across various levels encompassing genomic, epigenetic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolic features. Here, we review how state-of-the-art multiomics applied to CTCs are shedding light on how cancer spreads. Further, we highlight the potential implications of CTC profiling for clinical applications aimed at enhancing cancer diagnosis and treatment. SIGNIFICANCE Exploring the complexity of cancer progression through cutting-edge multiomics studies holds the promise of uncovering novel aspects of cancer biology and identifying therapeutic vulnerabilities to suppress metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wei Zhang
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ana Gvozdenovic
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicola Aceto
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Zurich, Switzerland
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5
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Devarasou S, Kang M, Shin JH. Biophysical perspectives to understanding cancer-associated fibroblasts. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:021507. [PMID: 38855445 PMCID: PMC11161195 DOI: 10.1063/5.0199024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The understanding of cancer has evolved significantly, with the tumor microenvironment (TME) now recognized as a critical factor influencing the onset and progression of the disease. This broader perspective challenges the traditional view that cancer is primarily caused by mutations, instead emphasizing the dynamic interaction between different cell types and physicochemical factors within the TME. Among these factors, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) command attention for their profound influence on tumor behavior and patient prognoses. Despite their recognized importance, the biophysical and mechanical interactions of CAFs within the TME remain elusive. This review examines the distinctive physical characteristics of CAFs, their morphological attributes, and mechanical interactions within the TME. We discuss the impact of mechanotransduction on CAF function and highlight how these cells communicate mechanically with neighboring cancer cells, thereby shaping the path of tumor development and progression. By concentrating on the biomechanical regulation of CAFs, this review aims to deepen our understanding of their role in the TME and to illuminate new biomechanical-based therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayadineshraj Devarasou
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Minwoo Kang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jennifer H. Shin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
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6
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Sánchez-Ramírez D, Mendoza-Rodríguez MG, Alemán OR, Candanedo-González FA, Rodríguez-Sosa M, Montesinos-Montesinos JJ, Salcedo M, Brito-Toledo I, Vaca-Paniagua F, Terrazas LI. Impact of STAT-signaling pathway on cancer-associated fibroblasts in colorectal cancer and its role in immunosuppression. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16:1705-1724. [PMID: 38764833 PMCID: PMC11099434 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i5.1705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the most commonly diagnosed and deadliest types of cancer worldwide. CRC displays a desmoplastic reaction (DR) that has been inversely associated with poor prognosis; less DR is associated with a better prognosis. This reaction generates excessive connective tissue, in which cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are critical cells that form a part of the tumor microenvironment. CAFs are directly involved in tumorigenesis through different mechanisms. However, their role in immunosuppression in CRC is not well understood, and the precise role of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) in mediating CAF activity in CRC remains unclear. Among the myriad chemical and biological factors that affect CAFs, different cytokines mediate their function by activating STAT signaling pathways. Thus, the harmful effects of CAFs in favoring tumor growth and invasion may be modulated using STAT inhibitors. Here, we analyze the impact of different STATs on CAF activity and their immunoregulatory role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damián Sánchez-Ramírez
- Unidad de Investigacion en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Tlalnepantla 54090, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Mónica G Mendoza-Rodríguez
- Unidad de Investigacion en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Tlalnepantla 54090, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Omar R Alemán
- Department of Biology, Facultad de Quimica, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Fernando A Candanedo-González
- Department of Pathology, National Medical Center Century XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Miriam Rodríguez-Sosa
- Unidad de Investigacion en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Tlalnepantla 54090, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Juan José Montesinos-Montesinos
- Laboratorio de Células Troncales Mesenquimales, Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Oncológicas, Hospital de Oncología Centro Medico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Mauricio Salcedo
- Unidad de Investigacion en Biomedicina y Oncologia Genomica, Instituto Mexciano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 07300, Mexico
| | - Ismael Brito-Toledo
- Servicio de Colon y Recto, Hospital de Oncología Centro Medico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Felipe Vaca-Paniagua
- Unidad de Investigacion en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Tlalnepantla 54090, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
- Laboratorio Nacional en Salud, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Luis I Terrazas
- Unidad de Investigacion en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Tlalnepantla 54090, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
- Laboratorio Nacional en Salud, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
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7
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Gan D, Zhu Y, Lu X, Li J. SCIPAC: quantitative estimation of cell-phenotype associations. Genome Biol 2024; 25:119. [PMID: 38741183 PMCID: PMC11089691 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-024-03263-1] [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: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Numerous algorithms have been proposed to identify cell types in single-cell RNA sequencing data, yet a fundamental problem remains: determining associations between cells and phenotypes such as cancer. We develop SCIPAC, the first algorithm that quantitatively estimates the association between each cell in single-cell data and a phenotype. SCIPAC also provides a p-value for each association and applies to data with virtually any type of phenotype. We demonstrate SCIPAC's accuracy in simulated data. On four real cancerous or noncancerous datasets, insights from SCIPAC help interpret the data and generate new hypotheses. SCIPAC requires minimum tuning and is computationally very fast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dailin Gan
- Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, 46556, IN, USA
| | - Yini Zhu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Harper Cancer Research Institute, Integrated Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, 46556, IN, USA
| | - Xin Lu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Harper Cancer Research Institute, Integrated Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, 46556, IN, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, 46202, IN, USA
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, 46556, IN, USA.
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8
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Booijink R, Terstappen LWMM, Dathathri E, Isebia K, Kraan J, Martens J, Bansal R. Identification of functional and diverse circulating cancer-associated fibroblasts in metastatic castration-naïve prostate cancer patients. Mol Oncol 2024. [PMID: 38634185 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13653] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
In prostate cancer (PCa), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) promote tumor progression, drug resistance, and metastasis. Although circulating tumor cells are studied as prognostic and diagnostic markers, little is known about other circulating cells and their association with PCa metastasis. Here, we explored the presence of circulating CAFs (cCAFs) in metastatic castration-naïve prostate cancer (mCNPC) patients. cCAFs were stained with fibroblast activation protein (FAP), epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), and receptor-type tyrosine-protein phosphatase C (CD45), then FAP+EpCAM- cCAFs were enumerated and sorted using fluorescence-activated cell sorting. FAP+EpCAM- cCAFs ranged from 60 to 776 (389 mean ± 229 SD) per 2 × 108 mononuclear cells, whereas, in healthy donors, FAP+ EpCAM- cCAFs ranged from 0 to 71 (28 mean ± 22 SD). The mCNPC-derived cCAFs showed positivity for vimentin and intracellular collagen-I. They were viable and functional after sorting, as confirmed by single-cell collagen-I secretion after 48 h of culturing. Two cCAF subpopulations, FAP+CD45- and FAP+CD45+, were identified, both expressing collagen-I and vimentin, but with distinctly different morphologies. Collectively, this study demonstrates the presence of functional and viable circulating CAFs in mCNPC patients, suggesting the role of these cells in prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richell Booijink
- Personalized Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Department of Bioengineering Technologies, Technical Medical Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Leon W M M Terstappen
- Department of Medical Cell BioPhysics, Technical Medical Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University, Germany
| | - Eshwari Dathathri
- Department of Medical Cell BioPhysics, Technical Medical Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Khrystany Isebia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jaco Kraan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - John Martens
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ruchi Bansal
- Personalized Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Department of Bioengineering Technologies, Technical Medical Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
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9
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Sayed ZS, Khattap MG, Madkour MA, Yasen NS, Elbary HA, Elsayed RA, Abdelkawy DA, Wadan AHS, Omar I, Nafady MH. Circulating tumor cells clusters and their role in Breast cancer metastasis; a review of literature. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:94. [PMID: 38557916 PMCID: PMC10984915 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-00949-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a significant and deadly threat to women globally. Moreover, Breast cancer metastasis is a complicated process involving multiple biological stages, which is considered a substantial cause of death, where cancer cells spread from the original tumor to other organs in the body-representing the primary mortality factor. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are cancer cells detached from the primary or metastatic tumor and enter the bloodstream, allowing them to establish new metastatic sites. CTCs can travel alone or in groups called CTC clusters. Studies have shown that CTC clusters have more potential for metastasis and a poorer prognosis than individual CTCs in breast cancer patients. However, our understanding of CTC clusters' formation, structure, function, and detection is still limited. This review summarizes the current knowledge of CTC clusters' biological properties, isolation, and prognostic significance in breast cancer. It also highlights the challenges and future directions for research and clinical application of CTC clusters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab S Sayed
- Faculty of Applied Medical Science, Misr University for Science and Technology, 26Th of July Corridor, 6Th of October, Giza Governorate, Postal Code: 77, Egypt
| | - Mohamed G Khattap
- Technology of Radiology and Medical Imaging Program, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences Technology, Galala University, Suez, 435611, Egypt
| | | | - Noha S Yasen
- Radiology and Imaging Technology Department, Faculty of Applied Health Science Technology, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa, Al Mansurah, Egypt
| | - Hanan A Elbary
- Faculty of Applied Medical Science, Misr University for Science and Technology, 26Th of July Corridor, 6Th of October, Giza Governorate, Postal Code: 77, Egypt
| | - Reem A Elsayed
- Faculty of Applied Medical Science, Misr University for Science and Technology, 26Th of July Corridor, 6Th of October, Giza Governorate, Postal Code: 77, Egypt
| | - Dalia A Abdelkawy
- Faculty of Applied Medical Science, Misr University for Science and Technology, 26Th of July Corridor, 6Th of October, Giza Governorate, Postal Code: 77, Egypt
| | | | - Islam Omar
- Faculty of Pharmacy, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Mohamed H Nafady
- Radiation Sciences Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
- Faculty of Applied Health Science Technology, Misr University for Science and Technology, 6th of october, Egypt.
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10
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Grasset EM, Barillé-Nion S, Juin PP. Stress in the metastatic journey - the role of cell communication and clustering in breast cancer progression and treatment resistance. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050542. [PMID: 38506114 PMCID: PMC10979546 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer stands as the most prevalent malignancy afflicting women. Despite significant advancements in its diagnosis and treatment, breast cancer metastasis continues to be a leading cause of mortality among women. To metastasize, cancer cells face numerous challenges: breaking away from the primary tumor, surviving in the circulation, establishing in a distant location, evading immune detection and, finally, thriving to initiate a new tumor. Each of these sequential steps requires cancer cells to adapt to a myriad of stressors and develop survival mechanisms. In addition, most patients with breast cancer undergo surgical removal of their primary tumor and have various therapeutic interventions designed to eradicate cancer cells. Despite this plethora of attacks and stresses, certain cancer cells not only manage to persist but also proliferate robustly, giving rise to substantial tumors that frequently culminate in the patient's demise. To enhance patient outcomes, there is an imperative need for a deeper understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that empower cancer cells to not only survive but also expand. Herein, we delve into the intrinsic stresses that cancer cells encounter throughout the metastatic journey and the additional stresses induced by therapeutic interventions. We focus on elucidating the remarkable strategies adopted by cancer cells, such as cell-cell clustering and intricate cell-cell communication mechanisms, to ensure their survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloïse M. Grasset
- Université de Nantes, INSERM, CNRS, CRCI2NA, 44000 Nantes, France
- Équipe Labellisée LIGUE Contre le Cancer CRCI2NA, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Sophie Barillé-Nion
- Université de Nantes, INSERM, CNRS, CRCI2NA, 44000 Nantes, France
- Équipe Labellisée LIGUE Contre le Cancer CRCI2NA, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Philippe P. Juin
- Université de Nantes, INSERM, CNRS, CRCI2NA, 44000 Nantes, France
- Équipe Labellisée LIGUE Contre le Cancer CRCI2NA, 44000 Nantes, France
- Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest, 44805 Saint Herblain, France
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11
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Piñeiro R. Editorial: Mechanisms of metastasis from circulating and disseminated tumor cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1386050. [PMID: 38476261 PMCID: PMC10927939 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1386050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Piñeiro
- Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- European Liquid Biopsy Society (ELBS), Hamburg, Germany
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12
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Mucciolo G, Araos Henríquez J, Jihad M, Pinto Teles S, Manansala JS, Li W, Ashworth S, Lloyd EG, Cheng PSW, Luo W, Anand A, Sawle A, Piskorz A, Biffi G. EGFR-activated myofibroblasts promote metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Cancer Cell 2024; 42:101-118.e11. [PMID: 38157863 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a dismal prognosis. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are recognized potential therapeutic targets, but poor understanding of these heterogeneous cell populations has limited the development of effective treatment strategies. We previously identified transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) as a main driver of myofibroblastic CAFs (myCAFs). Here, we show that epidermal growth factor receptor/Erb-B2 receptor (EGFR/ERBB2) signaling is induced by TGF-β in myCAFs through an autocrine process mediated by amphiregulin. Inhibition of this EGFR/ERBB2-signaling network in PDAC organoid-derived cultures and mouse models differentially impacts distinct CAF subtypes, providing insights into mechanisms underpinning their heterogeneity. Remarkably, EGFR-activated myCAFs promote PDAC metastasis in mice, unmasking functional significance in myCAF heterogeneity. Finally, analyses of other cancer datasets suggest that these processes might operate in other malignancies. These data provide functional relevance to myCAF heterogeneity and identify a candidate target for preventing tumor invasion in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Mucciolo
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Joaquín Araos Henríquez
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Muntadher Jihad
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Sara Pinto Teles
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Judhell S Manansala
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Wenlong Li
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Sally Ashworth
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Eloise G Lloyd
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Priscilla S W Cheng
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Weike Luo
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Akanksha Anand
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Ashley Sawle
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Anna Piskorz
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Giulia Biffi
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK.
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13
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Gu Y, Chen Q, Yin H, Zeng M, Gao S, Wang X. Cancer-associated fibroblasts in neoadjuvant setting for solid cancers. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 193:104226. [PMID: 38056580 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic approaches for cancer have become increasingly diverse in recent times. A comprehensive understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME) holds great potential for enhancing the precision of tumor therapies. Neoadjuvant therapy offers the possibility of alleviating patient symptoms and improving overall quality of life. Additionally, it may facilitate the reduction of inoperable tumors and prevent potential preoperative micrometastases. Within the TME, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a prominent role as they generate various elements that contribute to tumor progression. Particularly, extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by CAFs prevents immune cell infiltration into the TME, hampers drug penetration, and diminishes therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, this review provides a summary of the heterogeneity and interactions of CAFs within the TME, with a specific focus on the influence of neoadjuvant therapy on the microenvironment, particularly CAFs. Finally, we propose several potential and promising therapeutic strategies targeting CAFs, which may efficiently eliminate CAFs to decrease stroma density and impair their functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Gu
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital and Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Interventional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qiangda Chen
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hanlin Yin
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Mengsu Zeng
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital and Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Shanshan Gao
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital and Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Xiaolin Wang
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital and Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Interventional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University Shanghai, 200032, China.
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14
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Urban L, Novák Š, Čoma M, Dvořánková B, Lacina L, Šáchová J, Hradilová M, Svatoňová P, Kolář M, Strnad H, Březinová J, Smetana K, Gál P, Szabo P. Unravelling heterogeneous effects of cancer‑associated fibroblasts on poor prognosis markers in breast cancer EM‑G3 cell line: In vitro‑targeted treatment (anti‑IL-6, anti‑VEGF-A, anti‑MFGE8) based on transcriptomic profiling. Oncol Rep 2024; 51:3. [PMID: 37975220 PMCID: PMC10688412 DOI: 10.3892/or.2023.8662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. Although dramatically increased survival rates of early diagnosed cases have been observed, late diagnosed patients and metastatic cancer may still be considered fatal. The present study's main focus was on cancer‑associated fibroblasts (CAFs) which is an active component of the tumor microenvironment (TME) regulating the breast cancer ecosystem. Transcriptomic profiling and analysis of CAFs isolated from breast cancer skin metastasis, cutaneous basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma unravelled major gene candidates such as IL6, VEGFA and MFGE8 that induced co‑expression of keratins‑8/‑14 in the EM‑G3 cell line derived from infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma. Western blot analysis of selected keratins (keratin‑8, ‑14, ‑18, ‑19) and epithelial‑mesenchymal transition‑associated markers (SLUG, SNAIL, ZEB1, E‑/N‑cadherin, vimentin) revealed specific responses pointing to certain heterogeneity of the studied CAF populations. Experimental in vitro treatment using neutralizing antibodies against IL-6, VEGF‑A and MFGE8 attenuated the modulatory effect of CAFs on EM‑G3 cells. The present study provided novel data in characterizing and understanding the interactions between CAFs and EM‑G3 cells in vitro. CAFs of different origins support the pro‑inflammatory microenvironment and influence the biology of breast cancer cells. This observation potentially holds significant interest for the development of novel, clinically relevant approaches targeting the TME in breast cancer. Furthermore, its implications extend beyond breast cancer and have the potential to impact a wide range of other cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukáš Urban
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, 040 11 Košice, Slovak Republic
- Department for Biomedical Research, East-Slovak Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Inc., 040 11 Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Štepán Novák
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, 150 06 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Matúš Čoma
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, 040 11 Košice, Slovak Republic
- Department for Biomedical Research, East-Slovak Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Inc., 040 11 Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Barbora Dvořánková
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic
- BIOCEV, Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Sciences, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Lacina
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic
- BIOCEV, Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Sciences, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
- Department of Dermatovenereology, General University Hospital in Prague and First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Šáchová
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Miluše Hradilová
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Svatoňová
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Kolář
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Hynek Strnad
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Březinová
- Cytogenetic Laboratory, Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Smetana
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic
- BIOCEV, Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Sciences, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Peter Gál
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, 040 11 Košice, Slovak Republic
- Department for Biomedical Research, East-Slovak Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Inc., 040 11 Košice, Slovak Republic
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University in Bratislava, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovak Republic
- Prague Burn Center, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 100 34 Prague, Czech Republic
- Insitute of Neurobiology, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, 040 01 Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Pavol Szabo
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic
- BIOCEV, Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Sciences, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
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15
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Saxena N, Chakraborty S, Dutta S, Bhardwaj G, Karnik N, Shetty O, Jadhav S, Zafar H, Sen S. Stiffness-dependent MSC homing and differentiation into CAFs - implications for breast cancer invasion. J Cell Sci 2024; 137:jcs261145. [PMID: 38108421 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.261145] [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: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular heterogeneity and extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffening have been shown to be drivers of breast cancer invasiveness. Here, we examine how stiffness-dependent crosstalk between cancer cells and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) within an evolving tumor microenvironment regulates cancer invasion. By analyzing previously published single-cell RNA sequencing datasets, we establish the existence of a subpopulation of cells in primary tumors, secondary sites and circulatory tumor cell clusters of highly aggressive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) that co-express MSC and cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) markers. By using hydrogels with stiffnesses of 0.5, 2 and 5 kPa to mimic different stages of ECM stiffening, we show that conditioned medium from MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells cultured on 2 kPa gels, which mimic the pre-metastatic stroma, drives efficient MSC chemotaxis and induces stable differentiation of MSC-derived CAFs in a TGFβ (TGFB1)- and contractility-dependent manner. In addition to enhancing cancer cell proliferation, MSC-derived CAFs on 2 kPa gels maximally boost local invasion and confer resistance to flow-induced shear stresses. Collectively, our results suggest that homing of MSCs at the pre-metastatic stage and their differentiation into CAFs actively drives breast cancer invasion and metastasis in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Saxena
- Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Bombay,Mumbai 400076, India
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Soura Chakraborty
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, IIT Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India
| | - Sarbajeet Dutta
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Garvit Bhardwaj
- Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India
| | - Nupur Karnik
- Department of Pathology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai 400012, India
| | - Omshree Shetty
- Department of Pathology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai 400012, India
| | - Sameer Jadhav
- Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Bombay,Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Hamim Zafar
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, IIT Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India
- Mehta Family Centre for Engineering in Medicine , IIT Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India
| | - Shamik Sen
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
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16
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Zhan Q, Liu B, Situ X, Luo Y, Fu T, Wang Y, Xie Z, Ren L, Zhu Y, He W, Ke Z. New insights into the correlations between circulating tumor cells and target organ metastasis. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:465. [PMID: 38129401 PMCID: PMC10739776 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01725-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Organ-specific metastasis is the primary cause of cancer patient death. The distant metastasis of tumor cells to specific organs depends on both the intrinsic characteristics of the tumor cells and extrinsic factors in their microenvironment. During an intermediate stage of metastasis, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are released into the bloodstream from primary and metastatic tumors. CTCs harboring aggressive or metastatic features can extravasate to remote sites for continuous colonizing growth, leading to further lesions. In the past decade, numerous studies demonstrated that CTCs exhibited huge clinical value including predicting distant metastasis, assessing prognosis and monitoring treatment response et al. Furthermore, increasingly numerous experiments are dedicated to identifying the key molecules on or inside CTCs and exploring how they mediate CTC-related organ-specific metastasis. Based on the above molecules, more and more inhibitors are being developed to target CTCs and being utilized to completely clean CTCs, which should provide promising prospects to administer advanced tumor. Recently, the application of various nanomaterials and microfluidic technologies in CTCs enrichment technology has assisted to improve our deep insights into the phenotypic characteristics and biological functions of CTCs as a potential therapy target, which may pave the way for us to make practical clinical strategies. In the present review, we mainly focus on the role of CTCs being involved in targeted organ metastasis, especially the latest molecular mechanism research and clinical intervention strategies related to CTCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinru Zhan
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Bixia Liu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Xiaohua Situ
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Yuting Luo
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Tongze Fu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Yanxia Wang
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Zhongpeng Xie
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Lijuan Ren
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China.
| | - Weiling He
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
- School of Medicine, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, 361000, Xiamen, Fujian, P.R. China.
| | - Zunfu Ke
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China.
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China.
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17
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Domínguez-Cejudo MA, Gil-Torralvo A, Cejuela M, Molina-Pinelo S, Salvador Bofill J. Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment in Breast Cancer: Prognostic and Predictive Significance and Therapeutic Opportunities. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16771. [PMID: 38069096 PMCID: PMC10706312 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent tumors among women. Its prognosis and treatment outcomes depend on factors related to tumor cell biology. However, recent studies have revealed the critical role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in the development, progression, and treatment response of breast cancer. In this review, we explore the different components of the TME and their relevance as prognostic and predictive biomarkers in breast cancer. In addition, techniques for assessing the tumor microenvironment, such as immunohistochemistry or gene expression profiling, and their clinical utility in therapeutic decision-making are examined. Finally, therapeutic strategies targeting the TME are reviewed, highlighting their potential clinical benefits. Overall, this review emphasizes the importance of the TME in breast cancer and its potential as a clinical tool for better patient stratification and the design of personalized therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- María A. Domínguez-Cejudo
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), HUVR, CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain (S.M.-P.)
- Andalusian—Roche Network Mixed Alliance in Precision Medical Oncology, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Ana Gil-Torralvo
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), HUVR, CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain (S.M.-P.)
- Andalusian—Roche Network Mixed Alliance in Precision Medical Oncology, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
- Medical Oncology Department, Virgen del Rocio Hospital, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Mónica Cejuela
- Medical Oncology Department, Virgen del Rocio Hospital, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Sonia Molina-Pinelo
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), HUVR, CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain (S.M.-P.)
- Andalusian—Roche Network Mixed Alliance in Precision Medical Oncology, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Javier Salvador Bofill
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), HUVR, CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain (S.M.-P.)
- Andalusian—Roche Network Mixed Alliance in Precision Medical Oncology, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
- Medical Oncology Department, Virgen del Rocio Hospital, 41013 Seville, Spain
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18
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Zhang W, Wang J, Liu C, Li Y, Sun C, Wu J, Wu Q. Crosstalk and plasticity driving between cancer-associated fibroblasts and tumor microenvironment: significance of breast cancer metastasis. J Transl Med 2023; 21:827. [PMID: 37978384 PMCID: PMC10657029 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04714-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the most abundant stromal cell population in breast tumors. A functionally diverse population of CAFs increases the dynamic complexity of the tumor microenvironment (TME). The intertwined network of the TME facilitates the interaction between activated CAFs and breast cancer cells, which can lead to the proliferation and invasion of breast cells. Considering the special transmission function of CAFs, the aim of this review is to summarize and highlight the crosstalk between CAFs and breast cancer cells in the TME as well as the relationship between CAFs and extracellular matrix (ECM), soluble cytokines, and other stromal cells in the metastatic state. The crosstalk between cancer-associated fibroblasts and tumor microenvironment also provides a plastic therapeutic target for breast cancer metastasis. In the course of the study, the inhibitory effects of different natural compounds on targeting CAFs and the advantages of different drug combinations were summarized. CAFs are also widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. The cumulative research on this phenomenon supports the establishment of a targeted immune microenvironment as a possible breakthrough in the prevention of invasive metastasis of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, 999078, Macau, China
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261000, China
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Jia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, 999078, Macau, China
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Cun Liu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261000, China
| | - Ye Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, 999078, Macau, China
| | - Changgang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, 999078, Macau, China.
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261000, China.
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, 261000, China.
| | - Jibiao Wu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China.
| | - Qibiao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, 999078, Macau, China.
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19
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Sun B, Ji WD, Wang WC, Chen L, Ma JY, Tang EJ, Lin MB, Zhang XF. Circulating tumor cells participate in the formation of microvascular invasion and impact on clinical outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Genet 2023; 14:1265866. [PMID: 38028589 PMCID: PMC10652898 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1265866] [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: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor worldwide. Although the treatment strategies have been improved in recent years, the long-term prognosis of HCC is far from satisfactory mainly due to high postoperative recurrence and metastasis rate. Vascular tumor thrombus, including microvascular invasion (MVI) and portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT), affects the outcome of hepatectomy and liver transplantation. If vascular invasion could be found preoperatively, especially the risk of MVI, more reasonable surgical selection will be chosen to reduce the risk of postoperative recurrence and metastasis. However, there is a lack of reliable prediction methods, and the formation mechanism of MVI/PVTT is still unclear. At present, there is no study to explore the possibility of tumor thrombus formation from a single circulating tumor cell (CTC) of HCC, nor any related study to describe the possible leading role and molecular mechanism of HCC CTCs as an important component of MVI/PVTT. In this study, we review the current understanding of MVI and possible mechanisms, discuss the function of CTCs in the formation of MVI and interaction with immune cells in the circulation. In conclusion, we discuss implications for potential therapeutic targets and the prospect of clinical treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Sun
- Center for Clinical Research and Translational Medicine, Yangpu Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei-Dan Ji
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital and National Center for Liver Cancer, Navy Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Chao Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Yangpu Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Yangpu Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun-Yong Ma
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Navy Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Er-Jiang Tang
- Center for Clinical Research and Translational Medicine, Yangpu Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Mou-Bin Lin
- Department of General Surgery, Yangpu Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Zhang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Navy Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
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20
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Zhao Y, Shen M, Wu L, Yang H, Yao Y, Yang Q, Du J, Liu L, Li Y, Bai Y. Stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment: accomplices of tumor progression? Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:587. [PMID: 37666813 PMCID: PMC10477351 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06110-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is made up of cells and extracellular matrix (non-cellular component), and cellular components include cancer cells and non-malignant cells such as immune cells and stromal cells. These three types of cells establish complex signals in the body and further influence tumor genesis, development, metastasis and participate in resistance to anti-tumor therapy. It has attracted scholars to study immune cells in TME due to the significant efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) in solid tumors and hematologic tumors. After more than 10 years of efforts, the role of immune cells in TME and the strategy of treating tumors based on immune cells have developed rapidly. Moreover, ICI have been recommended by guidelines as first- or second-line treatment strategies in a variety of tumors. At the same time, stromal cells is another major class of cellular components in TME, which also play a very important role in tumor metabolism, growth, metastasis, immune evasion and treatment resistance. Stromal cells can be recruited from neighboring non-cancerous host stromal cells and can also be formed by transdifferentiation from stromal cells to stromal cells or from tumor cells to stromal cells. Moreover, they participate in tumor genesis, development and drug resistance by secreting various factors and exosomes, participating in tumor angiogenesis and tumor metabolism, regulating the immune response in TME and extracellular matrix. However, with the deepening understanding of stromal cells, people found that stromal cells not only have the effect of promoting tumor but also can inhibit tumor in some cases. In this review, we will introduce the origin of stromal cells in TME as well as the role and specific mechanism of stromal cells in tumorigenesis and tumor development and strategies for treatment of tumors based on stromal cells. We will focus on tumor-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), tumor-associated adipocytes (CAAs), tumor endothelial cells (TECs) and pericytes (PCs) in stromal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhao
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 130033, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Meili Shen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 130033, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Liangqiang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Special Engineering Plastics Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 130012, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Haiqin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Special Engineering Plastics Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 130012, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yixuan Yao
- Key Laboratory of Special Engineering Plastics Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 130012, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Qingbiao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Special Engineering Plastics Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 130012, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jianshi Du
- Key Laboratory of Lymphatic Surgery Jilin Province, Jilin Engineering Laboratory for Lymphatic Surgery Jilin Province, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 130033, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Linlin Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 130033, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yapeng Li
- Key Laboratory of Special Engineering Plastics Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 130012, Changchun, Jilin, China.
| | - Yuansong Bai
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 130033, Changchun, Jilin, China.
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21
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Muchlińska A, Wenta R, Ścińska W, Markiewicz A, Suchodolska G, Senkus E, Żaczek AJ, Bednarz-Knoll N. Improved Characterization of Circulating Tumor Cells and Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in One-Tube Assay in Breast Cancer Patients Using Imaging Flow Cytometry. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4169. [PMID: 37627197 PMCID: PMC10453498 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating cancer-associated fibroblasts (cCAFs) have been individually considered strong indicators of cancer progression. However, technical limitations have prevented their simultaneous analysis in the context of CTC phenotypes different from epithelial. This study aimed to analyze CTCs and cCAFs simultaneously in the peripheral blood of 210 breast cancer patients using DAPI/pan-keratin (K)/vimentin (V)/alpha-SMA/CD29/CD45/CD31 immunofluorescent staining and novel technology-imaging flow cytometry (imFC). Single and clustered CTCs of different sizes and phenotypes (i.e., epithelial phenotype K+/V- and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related CTCs, such as K+/V+, K-/V+, and K-/V-) were detected in 27.6% of the samples and correlated with metastases. EMT-related CTCs interacted more frequently with normal cells and tended to occur in patients with tumors progressing during therapy, while cCAFs coincided with CTCs (mainly K+/V- and K-/V-) in seven (3.3%) patients and seemed to correlate with the presence of metastases, particularly visceral ones. This study emphasizes the advantages of imFC in the field of liquid biopsy and highlights the importance of multimarker-based analysis of different subpopulations and phenotypes of cancer progression-related cells, i.e., CTCs and cCAFs. The co-detection of CTCs and cCAFs might improve the identification of patients at higher risk of progression and their monitoring during therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Muchlińska
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Robert Wenta
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Wiktoria Ścińska
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Markiewicz
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Grażyna Suchodolska
- Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Senkus
- Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Anna J. Żaczek
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Natalia Bednarz-Knoll
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland
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22
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Si H, Esquivel M, Mendoza Mendoza E, Roarty K. The covert symphony: cellular and molecular accomplices in breast cancer metastasis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1221784. [PMID: 37440925 PMCID: PMC10333702 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1221784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer has emerged as the most commonly diagnosed cancer and primary cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Although significant progress has been made in targeting the primary tumor, the effectiveness of systemic treatments to prevent metastasis remains limited. Metastatic disease continues to be the predominant factor leading to fatality in the majority of breast cancer patients. The existence of a prolonged latency period between initial treatment and eventual recurrence in certain patients indicates that tumors can both adapt to and interact with the systemic environment of the host, facilitating and sustaining the progression of the disease. In order to identify potential therapeutic interventions for metastasis, it will be crucial to gain a comprehensive framework surrounding the mechanisms driving the growth, survival, and spread of tumor cells, as well as their interaction with supporting cells of the microenvironment. This review aims to consolidate recent discoveries concerning critical aspects of breast cancer metastasis, encompassing the intricate network of cells, molecules, and physical factors that contribute to metastasis, as well as the molecular mechanisms governing cancer dormancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjiang Si
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Madelyn Esquivel
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Erika Mendoza Mendoza
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Kevin Roarty
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, United States
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23
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Borah S, Mishra R, Dey S, Suchanti S, Bhowmick NA, Giri B, Haldar S. Prognostic Value of Circulating Mitochondrial DNA in Prostate Cancer and Underlying Mechanism. Mitochondrion 2023; 71:40-49. [PMID: 37211294 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2023.05.005] [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: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Circulating DNAs are considered as degraded DNA fragments of approximately 50-200 bp, found in blood plasma, consisting of cell-free mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. Such cell-free DNAs in the blood are found to be altered in different pathological conditions including lupus, heart disease, and malignancies. While nuclear DNAs are being used and being developed as a powerful clinical biomarker in liquid biopsies, mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs) are associated with inflammatory conditions including cancer progression. Patients with cancer including prostate cancer are found to have measurable concentrations of mitochondrial DNA in circulation in comparison with healthy controls. The plasma content of mitochondrial DNA is dramatically elevated in both prostate cancer patients and mouse models treated with the chemotherapeutic drug. Cell-free mtDNA, in its oxidized form, induced a pro-inflammatory condition and activates NLRP3-mediated inflammasome formation which causes IL-1β-mediated activation of growth factors. On the other hand, interacting with TLR9, mtDNAs trigger NF-κB-mediated complement C3a positive feedback paracrine loop and activate pro-proliferating signaling through upregulating AKT, ERK, and Bcl2 in the prostate tumor microenvironment. In this review, we discuss the growing evidence supporting cell-free mitochondrial DNA copy number, size, and mutations in mtDNA genes as potential prognostic biomarkers in different cancers and targetable prostate cancer therapeutic candidates impacting stromal-epithelial interactions essential for chemotherapy response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supriya Borah
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles 90048, CA, USA
| | - Rajeev Mishra
- Department of Life Sciences, CSJM University, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 208012, India
| | - Sananda Dey
- Department of Research, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA
| | - Surabhi Suchanti
- Department of Biosciences, Manipal University Jaipur, Rajasthan 303007, India
| | - Neil A Bhowmick
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles 90048, CA, USA; Department of Research, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA
| | - Biplab Giri
- Department of Physiology, University of Gour Banga, Malda 732103, India.
| | - Subhash Haldar
- Department of Biochemistry, Bose Institute, Kolkata 700091, India.
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24
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Leitão TP, Corredeira P, Kucharczak S, Rodrigues M, Piairo P, Rodrigues C, Alves P, Cavaco AM, Miranda M, Antunes M, Ferreira J, Palma Reis J, Lopes T, Diéguez L, Costa L. Clinical Validation of a Size-Based Microfluidic Device for Circulating Tumor Cell Isolation and Analysis in Renal Cell Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098404. [PMID: 37176111 PMCID: PMC10178884 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) presents as metastatic disease in one third of cases. Research on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and liquid biopsies is improving the understanding of RCC biology and metastases formation. However, a standardized, sensitive, specific, and cost-effective CTC detection technique is lacking. The use of platforms solely relying on epithelial markers is inappropriate in RCC due to the frequent epithelial-mesenchymal transition that CTCs undergo. This study aimed to test and clinically validate RUBYchip™, a microfluidic label-free CTC detection platform, in RCC patients. The average CTC capture efficiency of the device was 74.9% in spiking experiments using three different RCC cell lines. Clinical validation was performed in a cohort of 18 patients, eight non-metastatic (M0), five metastatic treatment-naïve (M1TN), and five metastatic progressing-under-treatment (M1TP). An average CTC detection rate of 77.8% was found and the average (range) total CTC count was 6.4 (0-27), 101.8 (0-255), and 3.2 (0-10), and the average mesenchymal CTC count (both single and clustered cells) was zero, 97.6 (0-255), and 0.2 (0-1) for M0, M1TN, and M1TP, respectively. CTC clusters were detected in 25% and 60% of M0 and M1TN patients, respectively. These results show that RUBYchip™ is an effective CTC detection platform in RCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tito Palmela Leitão
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
- Urology Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Corredeira
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sandra Kucharczak
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Erling Skjalgsons gate 1, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Margarida Rodrigues
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
- Biological Engineering Department, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Paulina Piairo
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Avenida Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal
- RUBYnanomed Lda, Praça Conde de Agrolongo 123, 4700-312 Braga, Portugal
| | - Carolina Rodrigues
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Avenida Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Alves
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Martins Cavaco
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel Miranda
- Urology Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Marília Antunes
- CEAUL-Centro de Estatística e Aplicações, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - João Ferreira
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - José Palma Reis
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
- Urology Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tomé Lopes
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Lorena Diéguez
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Avenida Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal
- RUBYnanomed Lda, Praça Conde de Agrolongo 123, 4700-312 Braga, Portugal
| | - Luís Costa
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
- Oncology Division, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
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25
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Minini M, Fouassier L. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and Extracellular Matrix: Therapeutical Strategies for Modulating the Cholangiocarcinoma Microenvironment. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:4185-4196. [PMID: 37185432 PMCID: PMC10137461 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30040319] [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: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
During the last decade, immunotherapy has radically changed perspectives on anti-tumor treatments. However, solid tumor treatment by immunotherapy has not met expectations. Indeed, poor clinical response to treatment has highlighted the need to understand and avoid immunotherapy resistance. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second cause of hepatic cancer-related deaths because of drug inefficacy and chemo-resistance in a majority of patients. Thus, intense research is ongoing to better understand the mechanisms involved in the chemo-resistance processes. The tumor microenvironment (TME) may be involved in tumor therapy resistance by limiting drug access. Indeed, cells such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) alter TME by producing in excess an aberrant extracellular matrix (ECM). Interestingly, CAFs are the dominant stromal component in CCA that secrete large amounts of stiff ECM. Stiff ECM could contribute to immune exclusion by limiting anti-tumor T-cells drop-in. Herein, we summarize features, functions, and interactions among CAFs, tumor-associated ECM, and immune cells in TME. Moreover, we discuss the strategies targeting CAFs and the remodeling of the ECM to improve immunotherapy and drug therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Minini
- Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, CRSA, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Laura Fouassier
- Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, CRSA, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, 75012 Paris, France
- Association Pour L'étude des Cancers et Affections des Voies Biliaires (ACABi), 75012 Paris, France
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26
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Chhabra Y, Weeraratna AT. Fibroblasts in cancer: Unity in heterogeneity. Cell 2023; 186:1580-1609. [PMID: 37059066 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Tumor cells do not exist in isolation in vivo, and carcinogenesis depends on the surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME), composed of a myriad of cell types and biophysical and biochemical components. Fibroblasts are integral in maintaining tissue homeostasis. However, even before a tumor develops, pro-tumorigenic fibroblasts in close proximity can provide the fertile 'soil' to the cancer 'seed' and are known as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). In response to intrinsic and extrinsic stressors, CAFs reorganize the TME enabling metastasis, therapeutic resistance, dormancy and reactivation by secreting cellular and acellular factors. In this review, we summarize the recent discoveries on CAF-mediated cancer progression with a particular focus on fibroblast heterogeneity and plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yash Chhabra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Ashani T Weeraratna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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27
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Hu C, Zhang Y, Wu C, Huang Q. Heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblasts in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: opportunities and challenges. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:124. [PMID: 37055382 PMCID: PMC10102018 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01428-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is among the most severe and complex malignant diseases with a high level of heterogeneity and, as a result, a wide range of therapeutic responses, regardless of clinical stage. Tumor progression depends on ongoing co-evolution and cross-talk with the tumor microenvironment (TME). In particular, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), embedded in the extracellular matrix (ECM), induce tumor growth and survival by interacting with tumor cells. Origin of CAFs is quite varied, and the activation patterns of CAFs are also heterogeneous. Crucially, the heterogeneity of CAFs appears to play a key role in ongoing tumor expansion, including facilitating proliferation, enhancing angiogenesis and invasion, and promoting therapy resistance, through the production of cytokines, chemokines, and other tumor-promotive molecules in the TME. This review describes the various origin and heterogeneous activation mechanisms of CAFs, and biological heterogeneity of CAFs in HNSCC is also included. Moreover, we have highlighted versatility of CAFs heterogeneity in HNSCC progression, and have discussed different tumor-promotive functions of CAFs respectively. In the future, it is a promising strategy for the therapy of HNSCC that specifically targeting tumor-promoting CAF subsets or the tumor-promoting functional targets of CAFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Hu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100730, Beijing, China
| | - Yifan Zhang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, 200031, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunping Wu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, 200031, Shanghai, China.
| | - Qiang Huang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, 200031, Shanghai, China.
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28
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Fröhlich E. The Variety of 3D Breast Cancer Models for the Study of Tumor Physiology and Drug Screening. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087116. [PMID: 37108283 PMCID: PMC10139112 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and responsible for multiple deaths worldwide. 3D cancer models enable a better representation of tumor physiology than the conventional 2D cultures. This review summarizes the important components of physiologically relevant 3D models and describes the spectrum of 3D breast cancer models, e.g., spheroids, organoids, breast cancer on a chip and bioprinted tissues. The generation of spheroids is relatively standardized and easy to perform. Microfluidic systems allow control over the environment and the inclusion of sensors and can be combined with spheroids or bioprinted models. The strength of bioprinting relies on the spatial control of the cells and the modulation of the extracellular matrix. Except for the predominant use of breast cancer cell lines, the models differ in stromal cell composition, matrices and fluid flow. Organoids are most appropriate for personalized treatment, but all technologies can mimic most aspects of breast cancer physiology. Fetal bovine serum as a culture supplement and Matrigel as a scaffold limit the reproducibility and standardization of the listed 3D models. The integration of adipocytes is needed because they possess an important role in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonore Fröhlich
- Center for Medical Research, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
- Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering GmbH, 8010 Graz, Austria
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29
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Shen C, Rawal S, Brown R, Zhou H, Agarwal A, Watson MA, Cote RJ, Yang C. Automatic detection of circulating tumor cells and cancer associated fibroblasts using deep learning. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5708. [PMID: 37029224 PMCID: PMC10082202 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32955-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) from whole blood are emerging as important biomarkers that potentially aid in cancer diagnosis and prognosis. The microfilter technology provides an efficient capture platform for them but is confounded by two challenges. First, uneven microfilter surfaces makes it hard for commercial scanners to obtain images with all cells in-focus. Second, current analysis is labor-intensive with long turnaround time and user-to-user variability. Here we addressed the first challenge through developing a customized imaging system and data pre-processing algorithms. Utilizing cultured cancer and CAF cells captured by microfilters, we showed that images from our custom system are 99.3% in-focus compared to 89.9% from a top-of-the-line commercial scanner. Then we developed a deep-learning-based method to automatically identify tumor cells serving to mimic CTC (mCTC) and CAFs. Our deep learning method achieved precision and recall of 94% (± 0.2%) and 96% (± 0.2%) for mCTC detection, and 93% (± 1.7%) and 84% (± 3.1%) for CAF detection, significantly better than a conventional computer vision method, whose numbers are 92% (± 0.2%) and 78% (± 0.3%) for mCTC and 58% (± 3.9%) and 56% (± 3.5%) for CAF. Our custom imaging system combined with deep learning cell identification method represents an important advance on CTC and CAF analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Shen
- Department of Electrical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Siddarth Rawal
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Rebecca Brown
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Haowen Zhou
- Department of Electrical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Ashutosh Agarwal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, DJTMF Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, USA
| | - Mark A Watson
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Richard J Cote
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - Changhuei Yang
- Department of Electrical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA.
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30
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Rozenberg JM, Buzdin AA, Mohammad T, Rakitina OA, Didych DA, Pleshkan VV, Alekseenko IV. Molecules promoting circulating clusters of cancer cells suggest novel therapeutic targets for treatment of metastatic cancers. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1099921. [PMID: 37006265 PMCID: PMC10050392 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1099921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment of metastatic disease remains among the most challenging tasks in oncology. One of the early events that predicts a poor prognosis and precedes the development of metastasis is the occurrence of clusters of cancer cells in the blood flow. Moreover, the presence of heterogeneous clusters of cancerous and noncancerous cells in the circulation is even more dangerous. Review of pathological mechanisms and biological molecules directly involved in the formation and pathogenesis of the heterotypic circulating tumor cell (CTC) clusters revealed their common properties, which include increased adhesiveness, combined epithelial-mesenchymal phenotype, CTC-white blood cell interaction, and polyploidy. Several molecules involved in the heterotypic CTC interactions and their metastatic properties, including IL6R, CXCR4 and EPCAM, are targets of approved or experimental anticancer drugs. Accordingly, analysis of patient survival data from the published literature and public datasets revealed that the expression of several molecules affecting the formation of CTC clusters predicts patient survival in multiple cancer types. Thus, targeting of molecules involved in CTC heterotypic interactions might be a valuable strategy for the treatment of metastatic cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian M. Rozenberg
- Laboratory of Translational Bioinformatics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Anton A. Buzdin
- Laboratory of Translational Bioinformatics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
- PathoBiology Group, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), Brussels, Belgium
- Group for Genomic Analysis of Cell Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Laboratory for Clinical Genomic Bioinformatics, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
- *Correspondence: Anton Buzdin,
| | - Tharaa Mohammad
- Laboratory of Translational Bioinformatics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Olga A. Rakitina
- Gene Immunooncotherapy Group, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry A. Didych
- Laboratory of human genes structure and functions, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Victor V. Pleshkan
- Gene Immunooncotherapy Group, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Gene oncotherapy sector, Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre (Kurchatov Institute), Moscow, Russia
| | - Irina V. Alekseenko
- Gene Immunooncotherapy Group, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Gene oncotherapy sector, Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre (Kurchatov Institute), Moscow, Russia
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Oncogynecology and Mammology, National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology Named after Academician V.I. Kulakov, Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
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31
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High-performance glass filters for capturing and culturing circulating tumor cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4130. [PMID: 36914725 PMCID: PMC10011408 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31265-9] [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: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Various liquid biopsy methods have been developed for the non-invasive and early detection of diseases. In particular, the detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in blood has been receiving a great deal of attention. We have been developing systems and materials to facilitate such liquid biopsies. In this study, we further developed glass filters (with various patterns of holes, pitches, and non-adhesive coating) that can capture CTCs, but not white blood cells. We optimized the glass filters to capture CTCs, and demonstrated that they could be used to detect CTCs from lung cancer patients. We also used the optimized glass filters for detecting CAFs. Additionally, we further developed a system for visualizing the captured cells on the glass filters. Finally, we demonstrated that we could directly culture the captured cells on the glass filters. Based on these results, our high-performance glass filters appear to be useful for capturing and culturing CTCs and CAFs for further examinations.
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Lu T, Oomens L, Terstappen LWMM, Prakash J. In Vivo Detection of Circulating Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Breast Tumor Mouse Xenograft: Impact of Tumor Stroma and Chemotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041127. [PMID: 36831470 PMCID: PMC9954095 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041127] [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: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are important drivers in the tumor microenvironment and facilitate the growth and survival of tumor cells, as well as metastasis formation. They may travel together with tumor cells to support their survival and aid in the formation of a metastatic niche. In this study, we aimed to study circulating CAFs (cCAFs) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in a preclinical breast tumor model in mice in order to understand the effect of chemotherapy on cCAFs and CTC formation. Tumors with MDA-MB-231 human breast tumor cells with/without primary human mammary fibroblasts (representing CAFs) were coinjected in SCID mice to develop tumors. We found that the tumors with CAFs grew faster than tumors without CAFs. To study the effect of the stroma on CTCs and cCAFs, we isolated cells using microsieve filtration technology and established ITGA5 as a new cCAF biomarker, which showed good agreement with the CAF markers FAP and α-SMA. We found that ITGA5+ cCAFs shed in the blood of mice bearing stroma-rich coinjection-based tumors, while there was no difference in CTC formation. Although treatment with liposomal doxorubicin reduced tumor growth, it increased the numbers of both cCAFs and CTCs in blood. Moreover, cCAFs and CTCs were found to form clusters in the chemotherapy-treated mice. Altogether, these findings indicate that the tumor stroma supports tumor growth and the formation of cCAFs. Furthermore, chemotherapy may exacerbate the formation of cCAFs and CTCs, which may eventually support the formation of a metastasis niche in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Lu
- Engineered Therapeutics, Department of Advanced Organ Bioengineering and Therapeutics, TechMed Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Lisa Oomens
- VyCAP B.V., Capitool 41, 7521 PL Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Leon W. M. M. Terstappen
- Medical Cell BioPhysics, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Hallenweg 23, 7522 NH Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Jai Prakash
- Engineered Therapeutics, Department of Advanced Organ Bioengineering and Therapeutics, TechMed Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
- Correspondence:
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Miao L, Ma H, Dong T, Zhao C, Gao T, Wu T, Xu H, Zhang J. Ginsenoside Rg3 liposomes regulate tumor microenvironment for the treatment of triple negative breast cancer. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 2023; 49:139-148. [PMID: 36881020 DOI: 10.1080/03639045.2023.2188078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To improve the solubility and targeting of Ginsenoside Rg3 (G-Rg3), in the current study, we constructed a novel targeting functional material folic acid -poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-cholesteryl methyl carbonate (FA-PEOz-CHMC, FPC) modified G-Rg3 liposomes (FPC-Rg3-L). METHODS FPC was synthesized by using folic acid (FA) as a targeted head coupling with acid-activated poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-cholesteryl methyl carbonate. The inhibitory effects of the G-Rg3 preparations on mouse breast cancer cells (4T1) were investigated by CCK-8 assay. Paraffin sections of female BALB/c mice viscera were taken for hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining after continuous tail vein injection of G-Rg3 preparations. BALB/c mice bearing triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) were used as animal models to investigate the inhibition of G-Rg3 preparations on tumor growth and improving quality of life. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and α-smooth muscular actin (α-SMA) were used to investigate the expression of two fibrosis factors in tumor tissues by western blotting. RESULTS Compared with G-Rg3 solution (Rg3-S) and Rg3-L, FPC-Rg3-L had a significant inhibitory effect on 4T1 cells (p < .01), and the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of FPC-Rg3-L was significantly lower (p < .01). The H&E results showed that the injection of FPC-Rg3-L and Rg3-S did not cause damage to the organs of mice. Compared with the control group, tumor growth was significantly inhibited in mice treated with FPC-Rg3-L and G-Rg3 solutions (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS This study presents a new and safe treatment for TNBC, reduces the toxic and side effects of the drug, and provides a reference for the efficient use of Chinese herbal medicine components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linan Miao
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Ma
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Tingjun Dong
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengcheng Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Tingyu Gao
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianyi Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Huan Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of TCM, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
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Bae G, Berezhnoy G, Koch A, Cannet C, Schäfer H, Kommoss S, Brucker S, Beziere N, Trautwein C. Stratification of ovarian cancer borderline from high-grade serous carcinoma patients by quantitative serum NMR spectroscopy of metabolites, lipoproteins, and inflammatory markers. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1158330. [PMID: 37168255 PMCID: PMC10166069 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1158330] [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: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Traditional diagnosis is based on histology or clinical-stage classification which provides no information on tumor metabolism and inflammation, which, however, are both hallmarks of cancer and are directly associated with prognosis and severity. This project was an exploratory approach to profile metabolites, lipoproteins, and inflammation parameters (glycoprotein A and glycoprotein B) of borderline ovarian tumor (BOT) and high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) for identifying additional useful serum markers and stratifying ovarian cancer patients in the future. Methods: This project included 201 serum samples of which 50 were received from BOT and 151 from high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), respectively. All the serum samples were validated and phenotyped by 1H-NMR-based metabolomics with in vitro diagnostics research (IVDr) standard operating procedures generating quantitative data on 38 metabolites, 112 lipoprotein parameters, and 5 inflammation markers. Uni- and multivariate statistics were applied to identify NMR-based alterations. Moreover, biomarker analysis was carried out with all NMR parameters and CA-125. Results: Ketone bodies, glutamate, 2-hydroxybutyrate, glucose, glycerol, and phenylalanine levels were significantly higher in HGSOC, while the same tumors showed significantly lower levels of alanine and histidine. Furthermore, alanine and histidine and formic acid decreased and increased, respectively, over the clinical stages. Inflammatory markers glycoproteins A and B (GlycA and GlycB) increased significantly over the clinical stages and were higher in HGSOC, alongside significant changes in lipoproteins. Lipoprotein subfractions of VLDLs, IDLs, and LDLs increased significantly in HGSOC and over the clinical stages, while total plasma apolipoprotein A1 and A2 and a subfraction of HDLs decreased significantly over the clinical stages. Additionally, LDL triglycerides significantly increased in advanced ovarian cancer. In biomarker analysis, glycoprotein inflammation biomarkers behaved in the same way as the established clinical biomarker CA-125. Moreover, CA-125/GlycA, CA-125/GlycB, and CA-125/Glycs are potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Last, the quantitative inflammatory parameters clearly displayed unique patterns of metabolites, lipoproteins, and CA-125 in BOT and HGSOC with clinical stages I-IV. Conclusion: 1H-NMR-based metabolomics with commercial IVDr assays could detect and identify altered metabolites and lipoproteins relevant to EOC development and progression and show that inflammation (based on glycoproteins) increased along with malignancy. As inflammation is a hallmark of cancer, glycoproteins, thereof, are promising future serum biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response of EOC. This was supported by the definition and stratification of three different inflammatory serum classes which characterize specific alternations in metabolites, lipoproteins, and CA-125, implicating that future diagnosis could be refined not only by diagnosed histology and/or clinical stages but also by glycoprotein classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyuntae Bae
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Georgy Berezhnoy
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - André Koch
- Department of Women’s Health, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | | | - Stefan Kommoss
- Department of Women’s Health, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sara Brucker
- Department of Women’s Health, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nicolas Beziere
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence CMFI (EXC 2124) “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections”, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Trautwein
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Christoph Trautwein,
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Hurtado P, Martínez-Pena I, Yepes-Rodríguez S, Bascoy-Otero M, Abuín C, Fernández-Santiago C, Sánchez L, López-López R, Piñeiro R. Modelling metastasis in zebrafish unveils regulatory interactions of cancer-associated fibroblasts with circulating tumour cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1076432. [PMID: 36949770 PMCID: PMC10025339 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1076432] [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: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The dynamic intercommunication between tumour cells and cells from the microenvironment, such as cancer-associated fibroblast (CAFs), is a key factor driving breast cancer (BC) metastasis. Clusters of circulating tumour cells (CTCs), known to bare a higher efficiency at establishing metastases, are found in the blood of BC patients, often accompanied by CAFs in heterotypic CTC-clusters. Previously we have shown the utility of CTC-clusters models and the zebrafish embryo as a model of metastasis to understand the biology of breast cancer CTC-clusters. In this work, we use the zebrafish embryo to study the interactions between CTCs in homotypic clusters and CTC-CAFs in heterotypic CTC-clusters to identify potential pro-metastatic traits derived from CTC-CAF communication. We found that upon dissemination CAFs seem to exert a pro-survival and pro-proliferative effect on the CTCs, but only when CTCs and CAFs remain joined as cell clusters. Our data indicate that the clustering of CTC and CAF allows the establishment of physical interactions that when maintained over time favour the selection of CTCs with a higher capacity to survive and proliferate upon dissemination. Importantly, this effect seems to be dependent on the survival of disseminated CAFs and was not observed in the presence of normal fibroblasts. Moreover, we show that CAFs can exert regulatory effects on the CTCs without being involved in promoting tumour cell invasion. Lastly, we show that the physical communication between BC cells and CAFs leads to the production of soluble factors involved in BC cell survival and proliferation. These findings suggest the existence of a CAF-regulatory effect on CTC survival and proliferation sustained by cell-to-cell contacts and highlight the need to understand the molecular mechanisms that mediate the interaction between the CTCs and CAFs in clusters enhancing the metastatic capacity of CTCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Hurtado
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, Madrid, Spain
| | - Inés Martínez-Pena
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sabrina Yepes-Rodríguez
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Miguel Bascoy-Otero
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Carmen Abuín
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Cristóbal Fernández-Santiago
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Laura Sánchez
- Departamento de Zoología, Genética y Antropología Física, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Rafael López-López
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, Madrid, Spain
- Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela (SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Department of Oncology, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- *Correspondence: Roberto Piñeiro, ; Rafael López-López,
| | - Roberto Piñeiro
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Roberto Piñeiro, ; Rafael López-López,
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Yang Y, Ma B, Han L, Xu W, Du X, Wei W, Liao T, Ji Q, Qu N, Wang Y. Integrated single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing analyses reveal a prognostic signature of cancer-associated fibroblasts in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Front Genet 2022; 13:1028469. [PMID: 36568368 PMCID: PMC9775281 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1028469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: To identify a prognosis-related subtype of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and comprehend its contributions to molecular characteristics, immune characteristics, and their potential benefits in immunotherapy and chemotherapy for HNSCC. Materials and Methods: We performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis of CAFs from the samples of HNSCC patients derived from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), to identify the prognosis-related subtype of CAFs. CAFs were clustered into five subtypes, and a prognosis-related subtype was identified. Univariate and multivariate cox regression analyses were performed on the cohort selected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to determine signature construction, which was validated in GSE65858 and GSE42743. A prognostic signature based on 4 genes was constructed, which were derived from prognosis-related CAFs. The molecular characteristics, immune characteristics as well as the predicted chemosensitivity and immunotherapeutic response in the signature-defined subgroups were analyzed subsequently. Results: The patients with higher CAF scores correlated with poor survival outcomes. Additionally, a high CAF score correlated with lower infiltration levels of many immune cells including M1 macrophages, CD8+ T cells, follicular T helper cells, monocytes, and naïve B cells. High CAF score also demonstrated different enrichment pathways, mutation genes and copy number variated genes. Furthermore, patients with high CAF scores showed lower sensitivity for chemotherapy and immunotherapy than those with low CAF scores. Conclusion: The results of our study indicate the potential of the CAF signature as a biomarker for the prognosis of HNSCC patients. Furthermore, the signature could be a prospective therapeutic target in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichen Yang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ben Ma
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Litao Han
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weibo Xu
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoxue Du
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjun Wei
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tian Liao
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qinghai Ji
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Qinghai Ji, ; Ning Qu, ; Yu Wang,
| | - Ning Qu
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Qinghai Ji, ; Ning Qu, ; Yu Wang,
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Qinghai Ji, ; Ning Qu, ; Yu Wang,
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Zarubova J, Hasani-Sadrabadi MM, Norris SCP, Majedi FS, Xiao C, Kasko AM, Li S. Cell-Taxi: Mesenchymal Cells Carry and Transport Clusters of Cancer Cells. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2203515. [PMID: 36307906 PMCID: PMC9772300 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202203515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Cell clusters that collectively migrate from primary tumors appear to be far more potent in forming distant metastases than single cancer cells. A better understanding of the collective cell migration phenomenon and the involvement of various cell types during this process is needed. Here, an in vitro platform based on inverted-pyramidal microwells to follow and quantify the collective migration of hundreds of tumor cell clusters at once is developed. These results indicate that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) or cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the heterotypic tumor cell clusters may facilitate metastatic dissemination by transporting low-motile cancer cells in a Rac-dependent manner and that extracellular vesicles secreted by mesenchymal cells only play a minor role in this process. Furthermore, in vivo studies show that cancer cell spheroids containing MSCs or CAFs have faster spreading rates. These findings highlight the active role of co-traveling stromal cells in the collective migration of tumor cell clusters and may help in developing better-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Zarubova
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, 420 Westwood Plaza, 5121 Engineering V, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1600, USA
- Department of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 14220, Czech Republic
| | - Mohammad Mahdi Hasani-Sadrabadi
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, 420 Westwood Plaza, 5121 Engineering V, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1600, USA
| | - Sam C P Norris
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, 420 Westwood Plaza, 5121 Engineering V, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1600, USA
| | - Fatemeh Sadat Majedi
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, 420 Westwood Plaza, 5121 Engineering V, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1600, USA
| | - Crystal Xiao
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, 420 Westwood Plaza, 5121 Engineering V, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1600, USA
| | - Andrea M Kasko
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, 420 Westwood Plaza, 5121 Engineering V, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1600, USA
| | - Song Li
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, 420 Westwood Plaza, 5121 Engineering V, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1600, USA
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Connecting multiple microenvironment proteomes uncovers the biology in head and neck cancer. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6725. [PMID: 36344512 PMCID: PMC9640649 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34407-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The poor prognosis of head and neck cancer (HNC) is associated with metastasis within the lymph nodes (LNs). Herein, the proteome of 140 multisite samples from a 59-HNC patient cohort, including primary and matched LN-negative or -positive tissues, saliva, and blood cells, reveals insights into the biology and potential metastasis biomarkers that may assist in clinical decision-making. Protein profiles are strictly associated with immune modulation across datasets, and this provides the basis for investigating immune markers associated with metastasis. The proteome of LN metastatic cells recapitulates the proteome of the primary tumor sites. Conversely, the LN microenvironment proteome highlights the candidate prognostic markers. By integrating prioritized peptide, protein, and transcript levels with machine learning models, we identify nodal metastasis signatures in blood and saliva. We present a proteomic characterization wiring multiple sites in HNC, thus providing a promising basis for understanding tumoral biology and identifying metastasis-associated signatures.
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Xu M, Zhang T, Xia R, Wei Y, Wei X. Targeting the tumor stroma for cancer therapy. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:208. [PMID: 36324128 PMCID: PMC9628074 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01670-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumors are comprised of both cancer cells and surrounding stromal components. As an essential part of the tumor microenvironment, the tumor stroma is highly dynamic, heterogeneous and commonly tumor-type specific, and it mainly includes noncellular compositions such as the extracellular matrix and the unique cancer-associated vascular system as well as a wide variety of cellular components including activated cancer-associated fibroblasts, mesenchymal stromal cells, pericytes. All these elements operate with each other in a coordinated fashion and collectively promote cancer initiation, progression, metastasis and therapeutic resistance. Over the past few decades, numerous studies have been conducted to study the interaction and crosstalk between stromal components and neoplastic cells. Meanwhile, we have also witnessed an exponential increase in the investigation and recognition of the critical roles of tumor stroma in solid tumors. A series of clinical trials targeting the tumor stroma have been launched continually. In this review, we introduce and discuss current advances in the understanding of various stromal elements and their roles in cancers. We also elaborate on potential novel approaches for tumor-stroma-based therapeutic targeting, with the aim to promote the leap from bench to bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maosen Xu
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Ruolan Xia
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yuquan Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Xiawei Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China.
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Peltier A, Seban RD, Buvat I, Bidard FC, Mechta-Grigoriou F. Fibroblast heterogeneity in solid tumors: From single cell analysis to whole-body imaging. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:262-272. [PMID: 35489628 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) represent the most prominent component of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Recent studies demonstrated that CAF are heterogeneous and composed of different subpopulations exerting distinct functions in cancer. CAF populations differentially modulate various aspects of tumor growth, including cancer cell proliferation, extra-cellular matrix remodeling, metastatic dissemination, immunosuppression and resistance to treatment. Among other markers, the Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) led to the identification of a specific CAF subpopulation involved in metastatic spread and immunosuppression. Expression of FAP at the surface of CAF is detected in many different cancer types of poor prognosis. Thus, FAP recently appears as an appealing target for therapeutic and molecular imaging applications. In that context, 68Ga-labeled radiopharmaceutical-FAP-inhibitors (FAPI) have been recently developed and validated for quantitatively mapping FAP expression over the whole-body using Positron Emission Tomography (PET/CT). In this review, we describe the main current knowledge on CAF subpopulations and their distinct functions in solid tumors, as well as the promising diagnostic and therapeutic implications of radionuclides targeting FAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agathe Peltier
- Institut Curie, Stress and Cancer Laboratory, Equipe labélisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, PSL Research University, 26, rue d'Ulm, F-75248 Paris, France; Inserm, U830, 26, rue d'Ulm, Paris, F-75005 France
| | - Romain-David Seban
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Institut Curie Hospital Group, 35 rue Dailly, 92210 Saint-Cloud, France; Laboratoire d'Imagerie Translationnelle en Oncologie (LITO), U1288 Inserm, Institut Curie, Orsay, France
| | - Irène Buvat
- Laboratoire d'Imagerie Translationnelle en Oncologie (LITO), U1288 Inserm, Institut Curie, Orsay, France.
| | - François-Clément Bidard
- Department of Medical Oncology, Inserm CIC-BT 1428, Institut Curie, UVSQ/Paris Saclay University, Saint-Cloud, France.
| | - Fatima Mechta-Grigoriou
- Institut Curie, Stress and Cancer Laboratory, Equipe labélisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, PSL Research University, 26, rue d'Ulm, F-75248 Paris, France; Inserm, U830, 26, rue d'Ulm, Paris, F-75005 France.
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Fridrichova I, Kalinkova L, Ciernikova S. Clinical Relevancy of Circulating Tumor Cells in Breast Cancer: Epithelial or Mesenchymal Characteristics, Single Cells or Clusters? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12141. [PMID: 36292996 PMCID: PMC9603393 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is typically an incurable disease with high mortality rates; thus, early identification of metastatic features and disease recurrence through precise biomarkers is crucial. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) consisting of heterogeneous subpopulations with different morphology and genetic, epigenetic, and gene expression profiles represent promising candidate biomarkers for metastatic potential. The experimentally verified role of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cancer dissemination has not been clearly described in BC patients, but the stemness features of CTCs strongly contributes to metastatic potency. Single CTCs have been shown to be protected in the bloodstream against recognition by the immune system through impaired interactions with T lymphocytes and NK cells, while associations of heterotypic CTC clusters with platelets, leucocytes, neutrophils, tumor-associated macrophages, and fibroblasts improve their tumorigenic behavior. In addition to single CTC and CTC cluster characteristics, we reviewed CTC evaluation methods and clinical studies in early and metastatic BCs. The variable CTC tests were developed based on specific principles and strategies. However, CTC count and the presence of CTC clusters were shown to be most clinically relevant in existing clinical trials. Despite the known progress in CTC research and sampling of BC patients, implementation of CTCs and CTC clusters in routine diagnostic and treatment strategies still requires improvement in detection sensitivity and precise molecular characterizations, focused predominantly on the role of CTC clusters for their higher metastatic potency.
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Detection and Characterization of Circulating Tumor Cells Using Imaging Flow Cytometry—A Perspective Study. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14174178. [PMID: 36077716 PMCID: PMC9454939 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Liquid biopsy is non-invasive approach used to prognose and monitor tumor progression based on the detection and examination of metastasis-related events found in the patients’ blood (such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs), extracellular vesicles, and circulating nucleic acids). Different ultrasensitive techniques are applied to study those events and the biology of tumor dissemination, which in the future might complement standard diagnostics. Here, we suggest that CTCs analysis could be improved by the usage of imaging flow cytometry, combining advantages of both standard flow cytometry (high-scale analysis) and microscopy (high resolution) to investigate detailed features of those cells. From this perspective, we discuss the potential of this technology in the CTC field and present representative images of CTCs from breast and prostate cancer patients analyzed with this method. Abstract Tumor dissemination is one of the most-investigated steps of tumor progression, which in recent decades led to the rapid development of liquid biopsy aiming to analyze circulating tumor cells (CTCs), extracellular vesicles (EVs), and circulating nucleic acids in order to precisely diagnose and monitor cancer patients. Flow cytometry was considered as a method to detect CTCs; however, due to the lack of verification of the investigated cells’ identity, this method failed to reach clinical utility. Meanwhile, imaging flow cytometry combining the sensitivity and high throughput of flow cytometry and image-based detailed analysis through a high-resolution microscope might open a new avenue in CTC technologies and provide an open-platform system alternative to CellSearch®, which is still the only gold standard in this field. Hereby, we shortly review the studies on the usage of flow cytometry in CTC identification and present our own representative images of CTCs envisioned by imaging flow cytometry providing rationale that this novel technology might be a good tool for studying tumor dissemination, and, if combined with a high CTC yield enrichment method, could upgrade CTC-based diagnostics.
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43
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Glabman RA, Choyke PL, Sato N. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts: Tumorigenicity and Targeting for Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14163906. [PMID: 36010899 PMCID: PMC9405783 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14163906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are found in the tumor microenvironment and exhibit several protumorigenic functions. Preclinical studies suggest that CAFs can be reduced, eliminated, or reprogrammed; however, clinical translation has not yet occurred. A better understanding of these cells and their functions will undoubtedly improve cancer treatments. In this review, we summarize current research, highlight major challenges, and discuss future opportunities for improving our knowledge of CAF biology and targeting. Abstract Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a heterogenous group of activated fibroblasts and a major component of the tumor stroma. CAFs may be derived from fibroblasts, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, cancer stem cells, adipocytes, pericytes, or stellate cells. These complex origins may underlie their functional diversity, which includes pro-tumorigenic roles in extracellular matrix remodeling, the suppression of anti-tumor immunity, and resistance to cancer therapy. Several methods for targeting CAFs to inhibit tumor progression and enhance anti-tumor immunity have recently been reported. While preclinical studies have shown promise, to date they have been unsuccessful in human clinical trials against melanoma, breast cancer, pancreas cancer, and colorectal cancers. This review summarizes recent and major advances in CAF-targeting therapies, including DNA-based vaccines, anti-CAF CAR-T cells, and modifying and reprogramming CAF functions. The challenges in developing effective anti-CAF treatment are highlighted, which include CAF heterogeneity and plasticity, the lack of specific target markers for CAFs, the limitations in animal models recapitulating the human cancer microenvironment, and the undesirable off-target and systemic side effects. Overcoming these challenges and expanding our understanding of the basic biology of CAFs is necessary for making progress towards safe and effective therapeutic strategies against cancers in human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raisa A. Glabman
- Molecular Imaging Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Department of Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Peter L. Choyke
- Molecular Imaging Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Noriko Sato
- Molecular Imaging Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-240-858-3079
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Synergistic effects of radiotherapy and targeted immunotherapy in improving tumor treatment efficacy: a review. CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL ONCOLOGY : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE FEDERATION OF SPANISH ONCOLOGY SOCIETIES AND OF THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE OF MEXICO 2022; 24:2255-2271. [PMID: 35913663 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-022-02888-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Radiotherapy (RT), unlike chemotherapy, is one of the most routinely used and effective genotoxic and immune response inducing cancer therapies with an advantage of reduced side effects. However, cancer can relapse after RT owing to multiple factors, including acquired tumor resistance, immune suppressive microenvironment buildup, increased DNA repair, thus favoring tumor metastasis. Efforts to mitigate these undesirable effects have drawn interest in combining RT with immunotherapy, particularly the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors, to tilt the pre-existing tumor stromal microenvironment into long-lasting therapy-induced antitumor immunity at multiple metastatic sites (abscopal effects). This multimodal therapeutic strategy can alleviate the increased T cell priming and decrease tumor growth and metastasis, thus emerging as a significant approach to sustain as long-term antitumor immunity. To understand more about this synergism, a detailed cellular mechanism underlying the dynamic interaction between tumor and immune cells within the irradiated tumor microenvironment needs to be explored. Hence, in the present review, we have attempted to evaluate various RT-inducible immune factors, which can be targeted by immunotherapy and provide detailed explanation to optimally maximize their synergy with immunotherapy for long-lasting antitumor immunity. Moreover, we have critically assessed various combinatorial approaches along with their challenges and described strategies to modify them in addition to providing approaches for optimal synergistic effects of the combination.
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45
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Tao J, Zhu L, Yakoub M, Reißfelder C, Loges S, Schölch S. Cell-Cell Interactions Drive Metastasis of Circulating Tumor Microemboli. Cancer Res 2022; 82:2661-2671. [PMID: 35856896 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-0906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells are the cellular mediators of distant metastasis in solid malignancies. Their metastatic potential can be augmented by clustering with other tumor cells or nonmalignant cells, forming circulating tumor microemboli (CTM). Cell-cell interactions are key regulators within CTM that convey enhanced metastatic properties, including improved cell survival, immune evasion, and effective extravasation into distant organs. However, the cellular and molecular mechanism of CTM formation, as well as the biology of interactions between tumor cells and immune cells, platelets, and stromal cells in the circulation, remains to be determined. Here, we review the current literature on cell-cell interactions in homotypic and heterotypic CTM and provide perspectives on therapeutic strategies to attenuate CTM-mediated metastasis by targeting cell-cell interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxin Tao
- JCCU Translational Surgical Oncology (A430), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Lei Zhu
- JCCU Translational Surgical Oncology (A430), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Mina Yakoub
- JCCU Translational Surgical Oncology (A430), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Christoph Reißfelder
- DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sonja Loges
- DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.,Division of Personalized Medical Oncology (A420), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Personalized Oncology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sebastian Schölch
- JCCU Translational Surgical Oncology (A430), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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46
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Luo X, Zhang Q, Chen H, Hou K, Zeng N, Wu Y. Smart Nanoparticles for Breast Cancer Treatment Based on the Tumor Microenvironment. Front Oncol 2022; 12:907684. [PMID: 35720010 PMCID: PMC9204624 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.907684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignant tumor in women. There are different risk characteristics and treatment strategies for different subtypes of BC. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is of great significance for understanding the occurrence, development, and metastasis of tumors. The TME plays an important role in all stages of BC metastasis, immune monitoring, immune response avoidance, and drug resistance, and also plays an important role in the diagnosis, prevention, and prognosis of BC. Smart nanosystems have broad development prospect in the regulation of the BC drug delivery based on the response of the TME. In particular, TME-responsive nanoparticles cleverly utilize the abnormal features of BC tissues and cells to achieve targeted transport, stable release, and improved efficacy. We here present a review of the mechanisms underlying the response of the TME to BC to provide potential nanostrategies for future BC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Luo
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongbo Chen
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kai Hou
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ning Zeng
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yiping Wu
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Al-Kharashi LA, Tulbah A, Arafah M, Eldali AM, Al-Tweigeri T, Aboussekhra A. High DNMT1 Expression in Stromal Fibroblasts Promotes Angiogenesis and Unfavorable Outcome in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer Patients. Front Oncol 2022; 12:877219. [PMID: 35719957 PMCID: PMC9202650 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.877219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Active breast cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a leading role in breast carcinogenesis through promoting angiogenesis and resistance to therapy. Consequently, these active stromal cells have significant influence on patient outcome. Therefore, we explored here the role of the DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) protein in CAF-dependent promotion of angiogenesis as well as the prognostic power of DNMT1 level in both cancer cells and their adjacent CAFs in locally advanced breast cancer patients. Methods We applied immunohistochemistry to evaluate the level of DNMT1 in breast cancer tissues and their adjacent normal counterparts. Quantitative RT-PCR and immunoblotting were performed to investigate the role of DNMT1 in regulating the expression of pro-angiogenic genes in active CAFs and also their response to the DNMT1 inhibitors decitabine (DAC) as well as eugenol. Results We have shown that DNMT1 controls the pro-angiogenic potential of CAFs both in vitro and in vivo through positive regulation of the expression/secretion of 2 important pro-angiogenic factors VEGF-A and IL-8 as well as their upstream effectors mTOR and HIF-1α. To confirm this, we have shown that these DNMT1-related pro-angiogenic effects were suppressed by 2 DNMT1 inhibitors decitabine and eugenol. Interestingly, in a cohort of 100 tumors from locally advanced breast cancer patients (LABC), we have shown that high expression of DNMT1 in tumor cells and their adjacent stromal fibroblasts is correlated with poor survival of these patients. Conclusion DNMT1 upregulation in breast stromal fibroblasts promotes angiogenesis via IL-8/VEGF-A upregulation, and correlates well with poor survival of LABC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layla A Al-Kharashi
- Department of Molecular Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Asma Tulbah
- Department of Pathology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maria Arafah
- Department of Pathology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdelmonneim M Eldali
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Scientific Computing, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Taher Al-Tweigeri
- Department of Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdelilah Aboussekhra
- Department of Molecular Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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48
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Romano V, Ruocco MR, Carotenuto P, Barbato A, Venuta A, Acampora V, De Lella S, Vigliar E, Iaccarino A, Troncone G, Calì G, Insabato L, Russo D, Franco B, Masone S, Velotti N, Accurso A, Pellegrino T, Fiume G, Belviso I, Montagnani S, Avagliano A, Arcucci A. Generation and Characterization of a Tumor Stromal Microenvironment and Analysis of Its Interplay with Breast Cancer Cells: An In Vitro Model to Study Breast Cancer-Associated Fibroblast Inactivation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126875. [PMID: 35743318 PMCID: PMC9224278 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer-associated fibroblasts (BCAFs), the most abundant non-cancer stromal cells of the breast tumor microenvironment (TME), dramatically sustain breast cancer (BC) progression by interacting with BC cells. BCAFs, as well as myofibroblasts, display an up regulation of activation and inflammation markers represented by α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). BCAF aggregates have been identified in the peripheral blood of metastatic BC patients. We generated an in vitro stromal model consisting of human primary BCAFs grown as monolayers or 3D cell aggregates, namely spheroids and reverted BCAFs, obtained from BCAF spheroids reverted to 2D cell adhesion growth after 216 h of 3D culture. We firstly evaluated the state of activation and inflammation and the mesenchymal status of the BCAF monolayers, BCAF spheroids and reverted BCAFs. Then, we analyzed the MCF-7 cell viability and migration following treatment with conditioned media from the different BCAF cultures. After 216 h of 3D culture, the BCAFs acquired an inactivated phenotype, associated with a significant reduction in α-SMA and COX-2 protein expression. The deactivation of the BCAF spheroids at 216 h was further confirmed by the cytostatic effect exerted by their conditioned medium on MCF-7 cells. Interestingly, the reverted BCAFs also retained a less activated phenotype as indicated by α-SMA protein expression reduction. Furthermore, the reverted BCAFs exhibited a reduced pro-tumor phenotype as indicated by the anti-migratory effect exerted by their conditioned medium on MCF-7 cells. The deactivation of BCAFs without drug treatment is possible and leads to a reduced capability of BCAFs to sustain BC progression in vitro. Consequently, this study could be a starting point to develop new therapeutic strategies targeting BCAFs and their interactions with cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Romano
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.R.); (A.V.); (V.A.); (S.D.L.); (E.V.); (A.I.); (G.T.); (I.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Maria Rosaria Ruocco
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Pietro Carotenuto
- TIGEM, Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, 80078 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (A.B.); (B.F.)
- Medical Genetics, Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Barbato
- TIGEM, Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, 80078 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (A.B.); (B.F.)
| | - Alessandro Venuta
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.R.); (A.V.); (V.A.); (S.D.L.); (E.V.); (A.I.); (G.T.); (I.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Vittoria Acampora
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.R.); (A.V.); (V.A.); (S.D.L.); (E.V.); (A.I.); (G.T.); (I.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Sabrina De Lella
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.R.); (A.V.); (V.A.); (S.D.L.); (E.V.); (A.I.); (G.T.); (I.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Elena Vigliar
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.R.); (A.V.); (V.A.); (S.D.L.); (E.V.); (A.I.); (G.T.); (I.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Antonino Iaccarino
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.R.); (A.V.); (V.A.); (S.D.L.); (E.V.); (A.I.); (G.T.); (I.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Giancarlo Troncone
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.R.); (A.V.); (V.A.); (S.D.L.); (E.V.); (A.I.); (G.T.); (I.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Gaetano Calì
- IEOS Istituto di Endocrinologia e Oncologia Sperimentale ‘G. Salvatore’, National Council of Research, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Luigi Insabato
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.I.); (D.R.)
| | - Daniela Russo
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.I.); (D.R.)
| | - Brunella Franco
- TIGEM, Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, 80078 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (A.B.); (B.F.)
- Medical Genetics, Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Scuola Superiore Meridionale, School for Advanced Studies, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Masone
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Nunzio Velotti
- Department of Advanced Biochemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Antonello Accurso
- Department of General, Oncological, Bariatric and Endocrine-Metabolic Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Tommaso Pellegrino
- DAI Chirurgia Generale, Endocrinologia, Ortopedia e Riabilitazione, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Fiume
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | - Immacolata Belviso
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.R.); (A.V.); (V.A.); (S.D.L.); (E.V.); (A.I.); (G.T.); (I.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Stefania Montagnani
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.R.); (A.V.); (V.A.); (S.D.L.); (E.V.); (A.I.); (G.T.); (I.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Angelica Avagliano
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.R.); (A.V.); (V.A.); (S.D.L.); (E.V.); (A.I.); (G.T.); (I.B.); (S.M.)
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (A.A.); Tel.: +39-081-7463422 (A.A. & A.A.)
| | - Alessandro Arcucci
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.R.); (A.V.); (V.A.); (S.D.L.); (E.V.); (A.I.); (G.T.); (I.B.); (S.M.)
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (A.A.); Tel.: +39-081-7463422 (A.A. & A.A.)
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Götze J, Nitschke C, Uzunoglu FG, Pantel K, Sinn M, Wikman H. Tumor-Stroma Interaction in PDAC as a New Approach for Liquid Biopsy and its Potential Clinical Implications. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:918795. [PMID: 35712663 PMCID: PMC9197075 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.918795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The extremely poor prognosis for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has remained unchanged for decades. As a hallmark of PDAC histology, the distinct desmoplastic response in the tumor microenvironment is considered a key factor exerting pro- and antitumor effects. Increasing emphasis has been placed on cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), whose heterogeneity and functional diversity is reflected in the numerous subtypes. The myofibroblastic CAFs (myCAFs), inflammatory CAFs (iCAFs) and antigen presenting CAFs (apCAFs) are functionally divergent CAF subtypes with tumor promoting as well as repressing effects. Precise knowledge of the underlying interactions is the basis for a variety of treatment approaches, which are subsumed under the term antistromal therapy. Clinical implementation is still pending due to the lack of benefit-as well as paradoxical preclinical findings. While the prominent significance of CAFs in the immediate environment of the tumor is becoming clear, less is known about the circulating (c)CAFs. cCAFs are of particular interest as they seem not only to be potential new liquid biopsy biomarkers but also to support the survival of circulating tumor cells (CTC) in the bloodstream. In PDAC, CTCs correlate with an unfavorable outcome and can also be employed to monitor treatment response, but the current clinical relevance is limited. In this review, we discuss CTCs, cCAFs, secretomes that include EVs or fragments of collagen turnover as liquid biopsy biomarkers, and clinical approaches to target tumor stroma in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Götze
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, University Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.,Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christine Nitschke
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Faik G Uzunoglu
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Klaus Pantel
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marianne Sinn
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, University Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Harriet Wikman
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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50
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Yang R, Zheng S, Dong R. Circulating tumor cells in neuroblastoma: Current status and future perspectives. Cancer Med 2022; 12:7-19. [PMID: 35632981 PMCID: PMC9844658 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.4893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children, accounting for 10% to 20% of deaths of pediatric malignancies. Due to the poor prognosis and significant biological heterogeneity of neuroblastoma, it is essential to develop personalized therapeutics and monitor treatment response. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), as one of the important analytes for liquid biopsy, could facilitate response assessment and outcome prediction for patients in a non-invasive way. Several methods and platforms have been used for the enrichment and detection of CTCs. The enumeration of CTCs counts and evaluation of tumor-specific mRNA transcript levels could provide prognostic information at diagnosis, during or after chemotherapy, and during the process of disease progression. So far, studies into neuroblastoma CTCs are only in the preliminary stages. The quality-controlled large prospective cohort studies are needed to evaluate the clinical significance and statistical rigor of CTC detection methods. Moreover, there remains a lot to be explored and investigated in genotyping characterization of neuroblastoma (NB) CTCs and construction of in-vitro or in-vivo functional models. CTCs and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis will be complementary in understanding tumor heterogeneity and evolution over the course of therapy for patients with NB in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Yang
- Department of Pediatric SurgeryChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Shan Zheng
- Department of Pediatric SurgeryChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Rui Dong
- Department of Pediatric SurgeryChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
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