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Gu X, Wei S, Lv X. Circulating tumor cells: from new biological insights to clinical practice. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:226. [PMID: 39218931 PMCID: PMC11366768 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01938-6] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The primary reason for high mortality rates among cancer patients is metastasis, where tumor cells migrate through the bloodstream from the original site to other parts of the body. Recent advancements in technology have significantly enhanced our comprehension of the mechanisms behind the bloodborne spread of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). One critical process, DNA methylation, regulates gene expression and chromosome stability, thus maintaining dynamic equilibrium in the body. Global hypomethylation and locus-specific hypermethylation are examples of changes in DNA methylation patterns that are pivotal to carcinogenesis. This comprehensive review first provides an overview of the various processes that contribute to the formation of CTCs, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), immune surveillance, and colonization. We then conduct an in-depth analysis of how modifications in DNA methylation within CTCs impact each of these critical stages during CTC dissemination. Furthermore, we explored potential clinical implications of changes in DNA methylation in CTCs for patients with cancer. By understanding these epigenetic modifications, we can gain insights into the metastatic process and identify new biomarkers for early detection, prognosis, and targeted therapies. This review aims to bridge the gap between basic research and clinical application, highlighting the significance of DNA methylation in the context of cancer metastasis and offering new avenues for improving patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuyu Gu
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shiyou Wei
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Lv
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
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2
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Kamalabadi Farahani M, Farjadmehr M, Atashi A, Momeni A, Behzadifard M. Concise review: breast cancer stems cells and their role in metastases. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2024; 86:5266-5275. [PMID: 39238997 PMCID: PMC11374310 DOI: 10.1097/ms9.0000000000002270] [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: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) have been suggested to be responsible for the development of Breast cancer (BC). The aim of this study was to evaluate BCSCs and the target organs microenvironment immunophenotyping markers in common BC metastases, and therapeutic targets regarding to the mentioned criteria. Material and methods This narrative review involved searching international databases; PubMed, Google Scholar using predetermined keywords including breast cancer, breast cancer stem cells, breast cancer metastases, immunophenotyping, immunohistochemistry and metastases. The search results were assessed based on the title, abstract, and full text of the articles, and relevant findings were included in the review. Results BCSCs express high amounts of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1), Ganglioside 2 (GD2), CD44 and CD133 but are negative for CD24 marker. CXCR4 and OPN have high expression in the cells and may contribute in BC metastasis to the bone. Nestin, CK5, prominin-1 (CD133) markers in BCSCs have been reported to correlate with brain metastasis. High expression of CD44 in BCSCs and CXCL12 expression in the liver microenvironment may contribute to BC metastasis to the liver. Aberrantly expressed vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) that binds to collagen and elastin fibers on pulmonary parenchyma, and CXCR4 of BCSCs and CXCL12 in lung microenvironment may promote the cells homing and metastasis to lung. Conclusion As in various types of BC metastases different markers that expressed by the cells and target organ microenvironment are responsible, BCSCs immunophenotyping can be used as target markers to predict the disease prognosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Amir Atashi
- Department of Tissue Engineering, School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences
| | - Alireza Momeni
- Department of hematology and Oncology, School of Medicine
| | - Mahin Behzadifard
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran
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Brown SR, Radcliffe ME, Danner JT, Andújar Cruz WJ, Lackey KH, Park HA, Weinman ST, Kim Y. Extracellular Vesicle-Mediated Modulation of Stem-like Phenotype in Breast Cancer Cells under Fluid Shear Stress. Biomolecules 2024; 14:757. [PMID: 39062471 PMCID: PMC11274421 DOI: 10.3390/biom14070757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are some of the key culprits that cause cancer metastasis and metastasis-related deaths. These cells exist in a dynamic microenvironment where they experience fluid shear stress (FSS), and the CTCs that survive FSS are considered to be highly metastatic and stem cell-like. Biophysical stresses such as FSS are also known to cause the production of extracellular vesicles (EVs) that can facilitate cell-cell communication by carrying biomolecular cargos such as microRNAs. Here, we hypothesized that physiological FSS will impact the yield of EV production, and that these EVs will have biomolecules that transform the recipient cells. The EVs were isolated using direct flow filtration with and without FSS from the MDA-MB-231 cancer cell line, and the expression of key stemness-related genes and microRNAs was characterized. There was a significantly increased yield of EVs under FSS. These EVs also contained significantly increased levels of miR-21, which was previously implicated to promote metastatic progression and chemotherapeutic resistance. When these EVs from FSS were introduced to MCF-7 cancer cells, the recipient cells had a significant increase in their stem-like gene expression and CD44+/CD24- cancer stem cell-like subpopulation. There was also a correlated increased proliferation along with an increased ATP production. Together, these findings indicate that the presence of physiological FSS can directly influence the EVs' production and their contents, and that the EV-mediated transfer of miR-21 can have an important role in FSS-existing contexts, such as in cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spenser R. Brown
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA (S.T.W.)
| | - Margaret E. Radcliffe
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA (S.T.W.)
| | - Joseph T. Danner
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA (S.T.W.)
| | - Wilmer J. Andújar Cruz
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA (S.T.W.)
| | - Kimberly H. Lackey
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA;
| | - Han-A Park
- Department of Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA;
| | - Steven T. Weinman
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA (S.T.W.)
| | - Yonghyun Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA (S.T.W.)
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Yu W, Srivastava R, Srivastava S, Ma Y, Shankar S, Srivastava RK. Oncogenic Role of SATB2 In Vitro: Regulator of Pluripotency, Self-Renewal, and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Prostate Cancer. Cells 2024; 13:962. [PMID: 38891096 PMCID: PMC11171950 DOI: 10.3390/cells13110962] [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: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Special AT-rich sequence binding protein-2 (SATB2) is a nuclear matrix protein that binds to nuclear attachment regions and is involved in chromatin remodeling and transcription regulation. In stem cells, it regulates the expression of genes required for maintaining pluripotency and self-renewal and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In this study, we examined the oncogenic role of SATB2 in prostate cancer and assessed whether overexpression of SATB2 in human normal prostate epithelial cells (PrECs) induces properties of cancer stem cells (CSCs). The results demonstrate that SATB2 is highly expressed in prostate cancer cell lines and CSCs, but not in PrECs. Overexpression of SATB2 in PrECs induces cellular transformation which was evident by the formation of colonies in soft agar and spheroids in suspension. Overexpression of SATB2 in PrECs also resulted in induction of stem cell markers (CD44 and CD133), pluripotency-maintaining transcription factors (cMYC, OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and NANOG), CADHERIN switch, and EMT-related transcription factors. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated that SATB2 can directly bind to promoters of BCL-2, BSP, NANOG, MYC, XIAP, KLF4, and HOXA2, suggesting SATB2 is capable of directly regulating pluripotency/self-renewal, cell survival, and proliferation. Since prostate CSCs play a crucial role in cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis, we also examined the effects of SATB2 knockdown on stemness. SATB2 knockdown in prostate CSCs inhibited spheroid formation, cell viability, colony formation, cell motility, migration, and invasion compared to their scrambled control groups. SATB2 knockdown in CSCs also upregulated the expression of E-CADHERIN and inhibited the expression of N-CADHERIN, SNAIL, SLUG, and ZEB1. The expression of SATB2 was significantly higher in prostate adenocarcinoma compared to normal tissues. Overall, our data suggest that SATB2 acts as an oncogenic factor where it is capable of inducing malignant changes in PrECs by inducing CSC characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yu
- Kansas City VA Medical Center, 4801 Linwood Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 66128, USA (Y.M.)
| | - Rashmi Srivastava
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA
| | | | - Yiming Ma
- Kansas City VA Medical Center, 4801 Linwood Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 66128, USA (Y.M.)
| | - Sharmila Shankar
- Kansas City VA Medical Center, 4801 Linwood Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 66128, USA (Y.M.)
- John W. Deming Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, 2400 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119, USA
| | - Rakesh K. Srivastava
- Kansas City VA Medical Center, 4801 Linwood Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 66128, USA (Y.M.)
- GLAX LLC, 3500 S Dupont Highway, Dover, DE 19901, USA
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Espinoza AF, Kureti P, Patel RH, Do SL, Govindu SR, Armbruster BW, Urbicain M, Patel KR, Lopez-Terrada D, Vasudevan SA, Woodfield SE. An indocyanine green-based liquid biopsy test for circulating tumor cells for pediatric liver cancer. Hepatol Commun 2024; 8:e0435. [PMID: 38727682 PMCID: PMC11093570 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatoblastoma and HCC are the most common malignant hepatocellular tumors seen in children. The aim of this study was to develop a liquid biopsy test for circulating tumor cells (CTCs) for these tumors that would be less invasive and provide real-time information about tumor response to therapy. METHODS For this test, we utilized indocyanine green (ICG), a far-red fluorescent dye used clinically to identify malignant liver cells during surgery. We assessed ICG accumulation in cell lines using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. For our CTC test, we developed a panel of liver tumor-specific markers, including ICG, Glypican-3, and DAPI, and tested it with cell lines and noncancer control blood samples. We then used this panel to analyze whole-blood samples for CTC burden with a cohort of 15 patients with hepatoblastoma and HCC and correlated with patient characteristics and outcomes. RESULTS We showed that ICG accumulation is specific to liver cancer cells, compared to nonmalignant liver cells, non-liver solid tumor cells, and other nonmalignant cells, and can be used to identify liver tumor cells in a mixed population of cells. Experiments with the ICG/Glypican-3/DAPI panel showed that it specifically tagged malignant liver cells. Using patient samples, we found that CTC burden from sequential blood samples from the same patients mirrored the patients' responses to therapy. CONCLUSIONS Our novel ICG-based liquid biopsy test for CTCs can be used to specifically detect and quantify CTCs in the blood of pediatric patients with liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres F. Espinoza
- Pediatric Surgical Oncology Laboratory, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Divisions of Pediatric Surgery and Surgical Research, Texas Children’s Surgical Oncology Program, Texas Children’s Liver Tumor Program, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Pavan Kureti
- Pediatric Surgical Oncology Laboratory, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Divisions of Pediatric Surgery and Surgical Research, Texas Children’s Surgical Oncology Program, Texas Children’s Liver Tumor Program, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Roma H. Patel
- Pediatric Surgical Oncology Laboratory, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Divisions of Pediatric Surgery and Surgical Research, Texas Children’s Surgical Oncology Program, Texas Children’s Liver Tumor Program, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Susan L. Do
- Pediatric Surgical Oncology Laboratory, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Divisions of Pediatric Surgery and Surgical Research, Texas Children’s Surgical Oncology Program, Texas Children’s Liver Tumor Program, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Saiabhiroop R. Govindu
- Pediatric Surgical Oncology Laboratory, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Divisions of Pediatric Surgery and Surgical Research, Texas Children’s Surgical Oncology Program, Texas Children’s Liver Tumor Program, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Bryan W. Armbruster
- Pediatric Surgical Oncology Laboratory, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Divisions of Pediatric Surgery and Surgical Research, Texas Children’s Surgical Oncology Program, Texas Children’s Liver Tumor Program, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Martin Urbicain
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Department of Pathology, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kalyani R. Patel
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Department of Pathology, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Dolores Lopez-Terrada
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Department of Pathology, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sanjeev A. Vasudevan
- Pediatric Surgical Oncology Laboratory, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Divisions of Pediatric Surgery and Surgical Research, Texas Children’s Surgical Oncology Program, Texas Children’s Liver Tumor Program, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sarah E. Woodfield
- Pediatric Surgical Oncology Laboratory, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Divisions of Pediatric Surgery and Surgical Research, Texas Children’s Surgical Oncology Program, Texas Children’s Liver Tumor Program, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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6
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Sun S, Yang Q, Jiang D, Zhang Y. Nanobiotechnology augmented cancer stem cell guided management of cancer: liquid-biopsy, imaging, and treatment. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:176. [PMID: 38609981 PMCID: PMC11015566 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02432-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent both a key driving force and therapeutic target of tumoral carcinogenesis, tumor evolution, progression, and recurrence. CSC-guided tumor diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance are strategically significant in improving cancer patients' overall survival. Due to the heterogeneity and plasticity of CSCs, high sensitivity, specificity, and outstanding targeting are demanded for CSC detection and targeting. Nanobiotechnologies, including biosensors, nano-probes, contrast enhancers, and drug delivery systems, share identical features required. Implementing these techniques may facilitate the overall performance of CSC detection and targeting. In this review, we focus on some of the most recent advances in how nanobiotechnologies leverage the characteristics of CSC to optimize cancer diagnosis and treatment in liquid biopsy, clinical imaging, and CSC-guided nano-treatment. Specifically, how nanobiotechnologies leverage the attributes of CSC to maximize the detection of circulating tumor DNA, circulating tumor cells, and exosomes, to improve positron emission computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, and to enhance the therapeutic effects of cytotoxic therapy, photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy therapy, and radioimmunotherapy are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Qiang Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Dawei Jiang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, China.
- Key Laboratory of Biological Targeted Therapy, the Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430022, China.
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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Uddin MH, Zhang D, Muqbil I, El-Rayes BF, Chen H, Philip PA, Azmi AS. Deciphering cellular plasticity in pancreatic cancer for effective treatments. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:393-408. [PMID: 38194153 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10164-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Cellular plasticity and therapy resistance are critical features of pancreatic cancer, a highly aggressive and fatal disease. The pancreas, a vital organ that produces digestive enzymes and hormones, is often affected by two main types of cancer: the pre-dominant ductal adenocarcinoma and the less common neuroendocrine tumors. These cancers are difficult to treat due to their complex biology characterized by cellular plasticity leading to therapy resistance. Cellular plasticity refers to the capability of cancer cells to change and adapt to different microenvironments within the body which includes acinar-ductal metaplasia, epithelial to mesenchymal/epigenetic/metabolic plasticity, as well as stemness. This plasticity allows heterogeneity of cancer cells, metastasis, and evasion of host's immune system and develops resistance to radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. To overcome this resistance, extensive research is ongoing exploring the intrinsic and extrinsic factors through cellular reprogramming, chemosensitization, targeting metabolic, key survival pathways, etc. In this review, we discussed the mechanisms of cellular plasticity involving cellular adaptation and tumor microenvironment and provided a comprehensive understanding of its role in therapy resistance and ways to overcome it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Hafiz Uddin
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, HWCRC 740, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
| | - Dingqiang Zhang
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, 21000 W 10 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI, 48075, USA
| | - Irfana Muqbil
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, 21000 W 10 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI, 48075, USA
| | - Bassel F El-Rayes
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Herbert Chen
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Philip A Philip
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, HWCRC 740, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
- Henry Ford Health Systems, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Asfar S Azmi
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, HWCRC 740, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
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Bhat GR, Sethi I, Sadida HQ, Rah B, Mir R, Algehainy N, Albalawi IA, Masoodi T, Subbaraj GK, Jamal F, Singh M, Kumar R, Macha MA, Uddin S, Akil ASAS, Haris M, Bhat AA. Cancer cell plasticity: from cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms to tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:197-228. [PMID: 38329598 PMCID: PMC11016008 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-024-10172-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is a complex disease displaying a variety of cell states and phenotypes. This diversity, known as cancer cell plasticity, confers cancer cells the ability to change in response to their environment, leading to increased tumor diversity and drug resistance. This review explores the intricate landscape of cancer cell plasticity, offering a deep dive into the cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms that underlie this phenomenon. Cancer cell plasticity is intertwined with processes such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the acquisition of stem cell-like features. These processes are pivotal in the development and progression of tumors, contributing to the multifaceted nature of cancer and the challenges associated with its treatment. Despite significant advancements in targeted therapies, cancer cell adaptability and subsequent therapy-induced resistance remain persistent obstacles in achieving consistent, successful cancer treatment outcomes. Our review delves into the array of mechanisms cancer cells exploit to maintain plasticity, including epigenetic modifications, alterations in signaling pathways, and environmental interactions. We discuss strategies to counteract cancer cell plasticity, such as targeting specific cellular pathways and employing combination therapies. These strategies promise to enhance the efficacy of cancer treatments and mitigate therapy resistance. In conclusion, this review offers a holistic, detailed exploration of cancer cell plasticity, aiming to bolster the understanding and approach toward tackling the challenges posed by tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance. As articulated in this review, the delineation of cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms underlying tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance seeks to contribute substantially to the progress in cancer therapeutics and the advancement of precision medicine, ultimately enhancing the prospects for effective cancer treatment and patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gh Rasool Bhat
- Advanced Centre for Human Genetics, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Itty Sethi
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Jammu, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Hana Q Sadida
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Bilal Rah
- Iron Biology Group, Research Institute of Medical and Health Science, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Rashid Mir
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Fahad Bin Sultan Chair for Biomedical Research, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naseh Algehainy
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Fahad Bin Sultan Chair for Biomedical Research, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Tariq Masoodi
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Farrukh Jamal
- Dr. Rammanohar, Lohia Avadh University, Ayodhya, India
| | - Mayank Singh
- Department of Medical Oncology (Lab.), Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Dr. BRAIRCH, All India, New Delhi, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- School of Biotechnology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Muzafar A Macha
- Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Laboratory Animal Research Centre, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ammira S Al-Shabeeb Akil
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammad Haris
- Laboratory Animal Research Centre, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
| | - Ajaz A Bhat
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar.
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9
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Luo L, Xu N, Fan W, Wu Y, Chen P, Li Z, He Z, Liu H, Lin Y, Zheng G. The TGFβ2-Snail1-miRNA TGFβ2 Circuitry is Critical for the Development of Aggressive Functions in Breast Cancer. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1558. [PMID: 38299307 PMCID: PMC10831563 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1558] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
There have been contradictory reports on the biological role of transforming growth factor-βs (TGFβs) in breast cancer (BC), especially with regard to their ability to promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Here, we show that TGFβ2 is preferentially expressed in mesenchymal-like BCs and maintains the EMT phenotype, correlating with cancer stem cell-like characteristics, growth, metastasis and chemo-resistance and predicting worse clinical outcomes. However, this is only true in ERα- BC. In ERα+ luminal-type BC, estrogen receptor interacts with p-Smads to block TGFβ signalling. Furthermore, we also identify a microRNAs (miRNAs) signature (miRNAsTGFβ2 ) that is weakened in TGFβ2-overexpressing BC cells. We discover that TGFβ2-Snail1 recruits enhancer of zeste homolog-2 to convert miRNAsTGFβ2 promoters from an active to repressive chromatin configuration and then repress miRNAsTGFβ2 transcription, forming a negative feedback loop. On the other hand, miRNAsTGFβ2 overexpression reverses the mesenchymal-like traits in agreement with the inhibition of TGFβ2-Snail1 signalling in BC cells. These findings clarify the roles of TGFβ2 in BC and suggest novel therapeutic strategies based on the TGFβ2-Snail1-miRNAsTGFβ2 loop for a subset type of human BCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyun Luo
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical UniversityState Key Laboratory of Respiratory DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| | - Ning Xu
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical UniversityState Key Laboratory of Respiratory DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| | - Weina Fan
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical UniversityState Key Laboratory of Respiratory DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| | - Yixuan Wu
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical UniversityState Key Laboratory of Respiratory DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| | - Pingping Chen
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical UniversityState Key Laboratory of Respiratory DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| | - Zhihui Li
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical UniversityState Key Laboratory of Respiratory DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| | - Zhimin He
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical UniversityState Key Laboratory of Respiratory DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| | - Hao Liu
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical UniversityState Key Laboratory of Respiratory DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| | - Ying Lin
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical UniversityState Key Laboratory of Respiratory DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| | - Guopei Zheng
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical UniversityState Key Laboratory of Respiratory DiseaseGuangzhouChina
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Maleki EH, Bahrami AR, Matin MM. Cancer cell cycle heterogeneity as a critical determinant of therapeutic resistance. Genes Dis 2024; 11:189-204. [PMID: 37588236 PMCID: PMC10425754 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Intra-tumor heterogeneity is now arguably one of the most-studied topics in tumor biology, as it represents a major obstacle to effective cancer treatment. Since tumor cells are highly diverse at genetic, epigenetic, and phenotypic levels, intra-tumor heterogeneity can be assumed as an important contributing factor to the nullification of chemotherapeutic effects, and recurrence of the tumor. Based on the role of heterogeneous subpopulations of cancer cells with varying cell-cycle dynamics and behavior during cancer progression and treatment; herein, we aim to establish a comprehensive definition for adaptation of neoplastic cells against therapy. We discuss two parallel and yet distinct subpopulations of tumor cells that play pivotal roles in reducing the effects of chemotherapy: "resistant" and "tolerant" populations. Furthermore, this review also highlights the impact of the quiescent phase of the cell cycle as a survival mechanism for cancer cells. Beyond understanding the mechanisms underlying the quiescence, it provides an insightful perspective on cancer stem cells (CSCs) and their dual and intertwined functions based on their cell cycle state in response to treatment. Moreover, CSCs, epithelial-mesenchymal transformed cells, circulating tumor cells (CTCs), and disseminated tumor cells (DTCs), which are mostly in a quiescent state of the cell cycle are proved to have multiple biological links and can be implicated in our viewpoint of cell cycle heterogeneity in tumors. Overall, increasing our knowledge of cell cycle heterogeneity is a key to identifying new therapeutic solutions, and this emerging concept may provide us with new opportunities to prevent the dreadful cancer recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebrahim H. Maleki
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, 9177948974 Mashhad, Iran
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, 31-007 Krakow, Poland
- Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, 30-348 Krakow, Poland
| | - Ahmad Reza Bahrami
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, 9177948974 Mashhad, Iran
- Industrial Biotechnology Research Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, 9177948974 Mashhad, Iran
| | - Maryam M. Matin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, 9177948974 Mashhad, Iran
- Novel Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, 9177948974 Mashhad, Iran
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Iranian Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Khorasan Razavi Branch, 917751376 Mashhad, Iran
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11
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Huang CH, Pai PC, Lei KF. Investigation of Stem Cell-Like Characteristics and Immune Cell Interaction of Tumor Cells Survived from Continuous Shear Flow Environment. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2024; 8:e2300332. [PMID: 37752715 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202300332] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
When tumor cells are released from a primary tumor into the bloodstream or lymphatic circulation system, they are exposed to a continuous shear flow environment. This environment exerts physical stresses on the tumor cells, which can activate apoptotic pathways. However, certain tumor cells have the ability to adapt to these mechanical stresses, enhancing their likelihood of survival and promoting metastasis. In this study, these tumor cells survived from shear flow environment are examined and revealed to closely link to stem cell-like characteristics. Higher gene expression levels of self-renewal and differentiation markers and enhanced abilities of migration, spheroid formation, and colony formation are shown. Moreover, the interaction between immune cells and the surviving cells is investigated. The results show that the surviving cells possess immune escape capabilities, implying their ability to evade immune surveillance. Additionally, these surviving cells display characteristics reminiscent of stem cells. This study holds great importance in advancing the understanding of tumor biology. By comprehending the behavior and properties of these surviving cells, new therapeutic strategies can be developed to specifically target circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and enhance cancer treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hao Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan
| | - Ping-Ching Pai
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, 33305, Taiwan
| | - Kin Fong Lei
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, 33305, Taiwan
- Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
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12
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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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13
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Nasr MM, Lynch CC. How circulating tumor cluster biology contributes to the metastatic cascade: from invasion to dissemination and dormancy. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:1133-1146. [PMID: 37442876 PMCID: PMC10713810 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10124-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are known to be prognostic for metastatic relapse and are detected in patients as solitary cells or cell clusters. Circulating tumor cell clusters (CTC clusters) have been observed clinically for decades and are of significantly higher metastatic potential compared to solitary CTCs. Recent studies suggest distinct differences in CTC cluster biology regarding invasion and survival in circulation. However, differences regarding dissemination, dormancy, and reawakening require more investigations compared to solitary CTCs. Here, we review the current state of CTC cluster research and consider their clinical significance. In addition, we discuss the concept of collective invasion by CTC clusters and molecular evidence as to how cluster survival in circulation compares to that of solitary CTCs. Molecular differences between solitary and clustered CTCs during dormancy and reawakening programs will also be discussed. We also highlight future directions to advance our current understanding of CTC cluster biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa M Nasr
- Tumor Biology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
- Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Conor C Lynch
- Tumor Biology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
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14
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Nicolazzo C, Francescangeli F, Magri V, Giuliani A, Zeuner A, Gazzaniga P. Is cancer an intelligent species? Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:1201-1218. [PMID: 37540301 PMCID: PMC10713722 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10123-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Some relevant emerging properties of intelligent systems are "adaptation to a changing environment," "reaction to unexpected situations," "capacity of problem solving," and "ability to communicate." Single cells have remarkable abilities to adapt, make adequate context-dependent decision, take constructive actions, and communicate, thus theoretically meeting all the above-mentioned requirements. From a biological point of view, cancer can be viewed as an invasive species, composed of cells that move from primary to distant sites, being continuously exposed to changes in the environmental conditions. Blood represents the first hostile habitat that a cancer cell encounters once detached from the primary site, so that cancer cells must rapidly carry out multiple adaptation strategies to survive. The aim of this review was to deepen the adaptation mechanisms of cancer cells in the blood microenvironment, particularly referring to four adaptation strategies typical of animal species (phenotypic adaptation, metabolic adaptation, niche adaptation, and collective adaptation), which together define the broad concept of biological intelligence. We provided evidence that the required adaptations (either structural, metabolic, and related to metastatic niche formation) and "social" behavior are useful principles allowing putting into a coherent frame many features of circulating cancer cells. This interpretative frame is described by the comparison with analog behavioral traits typical of various animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Nicolazzo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Francescangeli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Magri
- Department of Pathology, Oncology and Radiology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Giuliani
- Environment and Health Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Ann Zeuner
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Gazzaniga
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.
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15
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Keup C, Kimmig R, Kasimir-Bauer S. The Diversity of Liquid Biopsies and Their Potential in Breast Cancer Management. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5463. [PMID: 38001722 PMCID: PMC10670968 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15225463] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Analyzing blood as a so-called liquid biopsy in breast cancer (BC) patients has the potential to adapt therapy management. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), extracellular vesicles (EVs), cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and other blood components mirror the tumoral heterogeneity and could support a range of clinical decisions. Multi-cancer early detection tests utilizing blood are advancing but are not part of any clinical routine yet. Liquid biopsy analysis in the course of neoadjuvant therapy has potential for therapy (de)escalation.Minimal residual disease detection via serial cfDNA analysis is currently on its way. The prognostic value of blood analytes in early and metastatic BC is undisputable, but the value of these prognostic biomarkers for clinical management is controversial. An interventional trial confirmed a significant outcome benefit when therapy was changed in case of newly emerging cfDNA mutations under treatment and thus showed the clinical utility of cfDNA analysis for therapy monitoring. The analysis of PIK3CA or ESR1 variants in plasma of metastatic BC patients to prescribe targeted therapy with alpesilib or elacestrant has already arrived in clinical practice with FDA-approved tests available and is recommended by ASCO. The translation of more liquid biopsy applications into clinical practice is still pending due to a lack of knowledge of the analytes' biology, lack of standards and difficulties in proving clinical utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna Keup
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital of Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
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16
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Tan Z, Ko JMY, Yu VZ, Lam KO, Kwong DLW, Wong IYH, Chan FSY, Wong CLY, Chan KK, Law TT, Choy FSF, Ng HY, Law SYK, Lung ML. Multigene Profiling of Circulating Tumor Cells in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Identifies Prognostic Cancer Driver Genes Associated with Epithelial-Mesenchymal-Transition Progression and Chemoresistance. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5329. [PMID: 38001588 PMCID: PMC10670643 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15225329] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated the clinical significance of CTCs in cancer progression by detecting multiple cancer driver genes associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) at the transcript level. The 10-gene panel, comprising CCND1, ECT2, EpCAM, FSCN1, KRT5, KRT18, MET, TFRC, TWIST1, and VEGFC, was established for characterizing CTCs from mouse ESCC xenograft models and clinical ESCC peripheral blood (PB) samples. Correlations between gene expression in CTCs from PB samples (n = 77) and clinicopathological features in ESCC patients (n = 55) were examined. The presence of CTCs at baseline was significantly correlated with tumor size (p = 0.031). The CTC-high patients were significantly correlated with advanced cancer stages (p = 0.013) and distant metastasis (p = 0.029). High mRNA levels of TWIST1 (Hazard Ratio (HR) = 5.44, p = 0.007), VEGFC (HR = 6.67, p < 0.001), TFRC (HR = 2.63, p = 0.034), and EpCAM (HR = 2.53, p = 0.041) at baseline were significantly associated with a shorter overall survival (OS) in ESCC patients. This study also revealed that TWIST1 facilitates EMT and enhances malignant potential by promoting tumor migration, invasion, and cisplatin chemoresistance through the TWIST1-TGFBI-ZEB1 axis in ESCC, highlighting the prognostic and therapeutic potential of TWIST1 in clinical ESCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Tan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Josephine Mun-Yee Ko
- Department of Clinical Oncology, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Valen Zhuoyou Yu
- Department of Clinical Oncology, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ka-On Lam
- Department of Clinical Oncology, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Dora Lai-Wan Kwong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ian Yu-Hong Wong
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Fion Siu-Yin Chan
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Claudia Lai-Yin Wong
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kwan-Kit Chan
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tsz-Ting Law
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Faith Sin-Fai Choy
- Department of Clinical Oncology, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hoi-Yan Ng
- Department of Clinical Oncology, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Simon Ying-Kit Law
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Maria Li Lung
- Department of Clinical Oncology, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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17
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Yu J, Yang M, Peng T, Liu Y, Cao Y. Evaluation of cell surface vimentin positive circulating tumor cells as a prognostic biomarker for stage III/IV colorectal cancer. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18791. [PMID: 37914786 PMCID: PMC10620146 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45951-1] [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: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, little is known about the phenotypes of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), particularly epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes, and their impact on the prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. This study aims to investigate the CTC phenotypes and their prognostic implications in stage III/IV CRC. Patients who were diagnosed with CRC and underwent CTC detection at two hospitals were included. CTCs were detected using a mesenchymal CTC kit, and the clinical and pathological characteristics of CTCs were compared with those of cell surface vimentin-positive CTCs (CSV-CTCs). Disease-free survival (DFS) was assessed and used as an indicator of CTC phenotype-related prognosis. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were made to identify risk factors, and nomogram models were employed for prognostic prediction. A total of 82 patients were enrolled, with a CTC detection rate of 86.6%. Among the detected CTCs, 60% were CSV-CTCs. The CSV-CTC count showed a positive correlation with the T-stage, the M-stage, and the location of the primary tumor (P = 0.01, P = 0.014, and P = 0.01, respectively). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that CSV-CTCs were associated with worse DFS in patients receiving first-line oxaliplatin chemotherapy (hazard ratio (HR) = 3.78, 95% CI 1.55-9.26, p = 0.04). When the cut-off value of the CSV-CTC count was 3, the optimal prognostic prediction was achieved. Compound models considering CSV-CTCs, TNM staging, the site of the primary tumor and the Ras gene status yielded the best results in both the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and the decision curve analysis (DCA). This study indicates that CSV-CTCs predominate in CTCs of CRC patients, and a count of CSV-CTCs ≥ 3 is an independent risk factor for worse prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiazi Yu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Ningbo Medical Centre Li Huili Hospital, Ningbo, People's Republic of China
- Department of General Surgery, Ningbo Medical Treatment Centre Li Huili Hospital, 1111 Jiangnan Road, Ningbo, 315000, People's Republic of China
| | - Mian Yang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Ningbo Medical Centre Li Huili Hospital, Ningbo, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Peng
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Ningbo Medical Centre Li Huili Hospital, Ningbo, People's Republic of China
| | - Yelei Liu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuepeng Cao
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, People's Republic of China.
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18
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Singla RK, Wang X, Gundamaraju R, Joon S, Tsagkaris C, Behzad S, Khan J, Gautam R, Goyal R, Rakmai J, Dubey AK, Simal-Gandara J, Shen B. Natural products derived from medicinal plants and microbes might act as a game-changer in breast cancer: a comprehensive review of preclinical and clinical studies. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2023; 63:11880-11924. [PMID: 35838143 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2097196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent neoplasm among women. Genetic and environmental factors lead to BC development and on this basis, several preventive - screening and therapeutic interventions have been developed. Hormones, both in the form of endogenous hormonal signaling or hormonal contraceptives, play an important role in BC pathogenesis and progression. On top of these, breast microbiota includes both species with an immunomodulatory activity enhancing the host's response against cancer cells and species producing proinflammatory cytokines associated with BC development. Identification of novel multitargeted therapeutic agents with poly-pharmacological potential is a dire need to combat advanced and metastatic BC. A growing body of research has emphasized the potential of natural compounds derived from medicinal plants and microbial species as complementary BC treatment regimens, including dietary supplements and probiotics. In particular, extracts from plants such as Artemisia monosperma Delile, Origanum dayi Post, Urtica membranacea Poir. ex Savigny, Krameria lappacea (Dombey) Burdet & B.B. Simpson and metabolites extracted from microbes such as Deinococcus radiodurans and Streptomycetes strains as well as probiotics like Bacillus coagulans and Lactobacillus brevis MK05 have exhibited antitumor effects in the form of antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity, increase in tumors' chemosensitivity, antioxidant activity and modulation of BC - associated molecular pathways. Further, bioactive compounds like 3,3'-diindolylmethane, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, rutin, resveratrol, lycopene, sulforaphane, silibinin, rosmarinic acid, and shikonin are of special interest for the researchers and clinicians because these natural agents have multimodal action and act via multiple ways in managing the BC and most of these agents are regularly available in our food and fruit diets. Evidence from clinical trials suggests that such products had major potential in enhancing the effectiveness of conventional antitumor agents and decreasing their side effects. We here provide a comprehensive review of the therapeutic effects and mechanistic underpinnings of medicinal plants and microbial metabolites in BC management. The future perspectives on the translation of these findings to the personalized treatment of BC are provided and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeev K Singla
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- iGlobal Research and Publishing Foundation, New Delhi, India
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- Department of Pathology, Clinical Medical College and the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Rohit Gundamaraju
- ER Stress and Mucosal Immunology Lab, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Shikha Joon
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- iGlobal Research and Publishing Foundation, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Sahar Behzad
- Evidence-based Phytotherapy and Complementary Medicine Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Johra Khan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah, Saudi Arabia
- Health and Basic Sciences Research Center, Majmaah University, Majmaah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rupesh Gautam
- Department of Pharmacology, MM School of Pharmacy, MM University, Sadopur, Haryana, India
| | - Rajat Goyal
- Department of Pharmacology, MM School of Pharmacy, MM University, Sadopur, Haryana, India
| | - Jaruporn Rakmai
- Kasetsart Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Product Improvement Institute (KAPI), Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Jesus Simal-Gandara
- Nutrition and Bromatology Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Science, Faculty of Science, Universidade de Vigo, Ourense, Spain
| | - Bairong Shen
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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19
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Gohlke L, Alahdab A, Oberhofer A, Worf K, Holdenrieder S, Michaelis M, Cinatl J, Ritter CA. Loss of Key EMT-Regulating miRNAs Highlight the Role of ZEB1 in EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor-Resistant NSCLC. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14742. [PMID: 37834189 PMCID: PMC10573279 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914742] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite recent advances in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), acquired drug resistance to targeted therapy remains a major obstacle. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been identified as a key resistance mechanism in NSCLC. Here, we investigated the mechanistic role of key EMT-regulating small non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) in sublines of the NSCLC cell line HCC4006 adapted to afatinib, erlotinib, gefitinib, or osimertinib. The most differentially expressed miRNAs derived from extracellular vesicles were associated with EMT, and their predicted target ZEB1 was significantly overexpressed in all resistant cell lines. Transfection of a miR-205-5p mimic partially reversed EMT by inhibiting ZEB1, restoring CDH1 expression, and inhibiting migration in erlotinib-resistant cells. Gene expression of EMT-markers, transcription factors, and miRNAs were correlated during stepwise osimertinib adaptation of HCC4006 cells. Temporally relieving cells of osimertinib reversed transition trends, suggesting that the implementation of treatment pauses could provide prolonged benefits for patients. Our results provide new insights into the contribution of miRNAs to drug-resistant NSCLC harboring EGFR-activating mutations and highlight their role as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linus Gohlke
- Institute of Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacy, University Greifswald, Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Str. 17, 17489 Greifswald, Germany;
| | - Ahmad Alahdab
- Institute of Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacy, University Greifswald, Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Str. 17, 17489 Greifswald, Germany;
| | - Angela Oberhofer
- Munich Biomarker Research Center, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, German Heart Center, Technical University Munich, 80636 Munich, Germany; (A.O.); (K.W.); (S.H.)
| | - Karolina Worf
- Munich Biomarker Research Center, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, German Heart Center, Technical University Munich, 80636 Munich, Germany; (A.O.); (K.W.); (S.H.)
| | - Stefan Holdenrieder
- Munich Biomarker Research Center, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, German Heart Center, Technical University Munich, 80636 Munich, Germany; (A.O.); (K.W.); (S.H.)
| | - Martin Michaelis
- School of Biosciences, Division of Natural Sciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NJ, UK;
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany;
| | - Christoph A Ritter
- Institute of Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacy, University Greifswald, Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Str. 17, 17489 Greifswald, Germany;
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Espinoza AF, Kureti P, Patel RH, Govindu SR, Armbruster BW, Urbicain M, Patel KR, Lopez-Terrada D, Vasudevan SA, Woodfield SE. An indocyanine green-based liquid biopsy test for circulating tumor cells for pediatric liver cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.03.547557. [PMID: 37461615 PMCID: PMC10349946 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.03.547557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Background and Aims Hepatoblastoma (HB) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are the most common malignant hepatocellular tumors seen in children. The aim of this work was to develop a liquid biopsy test for circulating tumor cells (CTCs) for these tumors that would be less invasive and provide information about the real-time state of tumors in response to therapies. Methods For this test, we utilized indocyanine green (ICG), a far-red fluorescent dye that is used clinically to identify malignant liver cells in the body during surgery. We assessed ICG accumulation in cell lines with fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. For our CTC test, we developed a panel of liver tumor-specific markers, ICG, Glypican-3 (GPC3), and DAPI and tested this panel with cell lines and non-cancer control blood samples. We then used this panel to analyze whole blood samples for CTC burden with a cohort of 14 HB and HCC patients and correlated with patient characteristics and outcomes. Results We showed that ICG accumulation is specific to liver cancer cells, compared to non-malignant liver cells, non-liver solid tumor cells, and non-malignant cells and can be used to identify liver tumor cells in a mixed population of cells. Experiments with the ICG/GPC3/DAPI panel showed that it specifically tagged malignant liver cells. With patient samples, we found that CTC burden from sequential blood samples from the same patients mirrored the patients' responses to therapy. Conclusions Our novel ICG-based liquid biopsy test for CTCs can be used to specifically count CTCs in the blood of pediatric liver cancer patients. Impact and implications This manuscript represents the first report of circulating tumor cells in the blood of pediatric liver cancer patients. The novel and innovative assay for CTCs shown in this paper will facilitate future work examining the relationship between CTC numbers and patient outcomes, forming the foundation for incorporation of liquid biopsy into routine clinical care for these patients. Graphical abstract Overview of novel liquid biopsy test for circulating tumor cells for pediatric liver cancer. Figure made with Biorender.
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Kamal M, Wang YJ, Plummer S, Dickerson A, Yu M. An Image-Based Identification of Aggressive Breast Cancer Circulating Tumor Cell Subtypes. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2669. [PMID: 37345005 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102669] [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: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Using previously established CTC lines from breast cancer patients, we identified different morphometric subgroups of CTCs with one of them having the highest tumorigenic potential in vivo despite the slowest cell proliferation in vitro. This subgroup represents 32% of all cells and contains cells with small cell volume, large nucleus to cell, dense nuclear areas to the nucleus, mitochondria to cell volume ratios and rough texture of cell membrane and termed "Small cell, Large mitochondria, Rough membrane" (SLR). RNA-seq analyses showed that the SLR group is enriched in pathways and cellular processes related to DNA replication, DNA repair and metabolism. SLR upregulated genes are associated with poor survival in patients with ER+ breast cancer based on the KM Plotter database. The high tumorigenic potential, slow proliferation, and enriched DNA replication/repair pathways suggest that the SLR subtype is associated with stemness properties. Our new findings provide a simple image-based identification of CTC subpopulations with elevated aggressiveness, which is expected to provide a more accurate prediction of patient survival and therapy response than total CTC numbers. The detection of morphometric and transcriptomic profiles related to the SLR subgroup of CTCs also opens opportunities for potential targeted cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Kamal
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Benha, Benha 13518, Egypt
| | - Yiru Jess Wang
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Sarai Plummer
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Amber Dickerson
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Min Yu
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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Xiao X, Miao X, Duan S, Liu S, Cao Q, Wu R, Tao C, Zhao J, Qu Q, Markiewicz A, Peng R, Chen Y, Żaczek A, Liu J. Single-Cell Enzymatic Screening for Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition with an Ultrasensitive Superwetting Droplet-Array Microchip. SMALL METHODS 2023:e2300096. [PMID: 37086121 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The phenotypic changes of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) during the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) have been a hot topic in tumor biology and cancer therapeutic development. Here, an integrated platform of single-cell fluorescent enzymatic assays with superwetting droplet-array microchips (SDAM) for ultrasensitive functional screening of epithelial-mesenchymal sub-phenotypes of CTCs is reported. The SDAM can generate high-density, volume well-defined droplet (0.66 nL per droplet) arrays isolating single tumor cells via a discontinuous dewetting effect. It enables sensitive detection of MMP9 enzyme activities secreted by single tumor cells, correlating to their epithelial-mesenchymal sub-phenotypes. In the pilot clinical double-blind tests, the authors have demonstrated that SDAM assays allow for rapid identification and functional screening of CTCs with different epithelial-mesenchymal properties. The consistency with the clinical outcomes validates the usefulness of single-cell secreted MMP9 as a biomarker for selective CTC screening and tumor metastasis monitoring. Convenient addressing and recovery of individual CTCs from SDAM have been demonstrated for gene mutation sequencing, immunostaining, and transcriptome analysis, revealing new understandings of the signaling pathways between MMP9 secretion and the EMT regulation of CTCs. The SDAM approach combined with sequencing technologies promises to explore the dynamic EMT plasticity of tumors at the single-cell level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Xiao
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Joint International Research Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Xinxing Miao
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Joint International Research Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Shanzhou Duan
- Department of thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Sidi Liu
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Joint International Research Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Qinghua Cao
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Joint International Research Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Renfei Wu
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Joint International Research Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Chengcheng Tao
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Joint International Research Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Jian Zhao
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Joint International Research Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Qing Qu
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Joint International Research Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Aleksandra Markiewicz
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdańsk, 80-211, Poland
| | - Rui Peng
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Joint International Research Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Yongbing Chen
- Department of thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Anna Żaczek
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdańsk, 80-211, Poland
| | - Jian Liu
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Joint International Research Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
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Chittineedi P, Mohammed A, Abdul Razab MKA, Mat Nawi N, Pandrangi SL. Polyherbal formulation conjugated to gold nanoparticles induced ferroptosis in drug-resistant breast cancer stem cells through ferritin degradation. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1134758. [PMID: 37050902 PMCID: PMC10083297 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1134758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: Due to their minimal side effects, the anti-cancer properties of the polyherbal formulation are being investigated. However, due to their low absorption potential, the administration of polyherbal formulations is restricted. Loading the polyherbal formulation into gold nanoparticles enhances the bioavailability of the polyherbal formulation (PHF) accompanied by reducing the concentration of doxorubicin (dox). Ferroptosis is one of the novel pathways that specifically target cancer stem cells due to high ferritin levels. Hence, in the present study, we conjugated polyherbal formulation with gold nanoparticles and studied its effect on inducing ferroptosis in drug-resistant breast cancer cell lines.Materials and methods: PHF and dox conjugated to gold nanoparticles were characterized using FTIR, UV-Vis spectrophotometer, DLS, particle size analyzer, and XRD. The drug entrapment and efficiency studies were performed to assess the biodegradable potential of the synthesized gold nanoparticles. Paclitaxel-resistant breast cancer stem cells were generated, and an MTT assay was performed to evaluate the cytotoxicity potential of AuNP-PHF and AuNP-dox. Scratch assay and clonogenic assay were performed to assess the migration and proliferation of the cells after treatment with chosen drug combinations. The ability of PHF and dox conjugated to gold nanoparticles to induce ferritinophagy was evaluated by RT-PCR. Finally, image analysis was performed to check apoptosis and cellular ROS using inverted fluorescent microscope. The ability to induce cell cycle arrest was assessed by cell cycle analysis using flow cytometer.Results and conclusion: PHF and dox conjugated to gold nanoparticles showed high stability and showed to induce ferritin degradation in drug resistant breast cancer stem cells through ferritin degradation. AuNP-PHF in combination with low dose of AuNP-Dox nanoconjugate could be used as an effective cancer therapeutic agent, by targeting the autophagy necroptosis axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasanthi Chittineedi
- Onco-Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be) University, Visakhapatnam, India
| | - Arifullah Mohammed
- Department of Agriculture Science, Faculty of Agro-Based Industry, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | | | - Norazlina Mat Nawi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy and Oncology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health campus, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
- *Correspondence: Santhi Latha Pandrangi, ; Norazlina Mat Nawi,
| | - Santhi Latha Pandrangi
- Onco-Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be) University, Visakhapatnam, India
- *Correspondence: Santhi Latha Pandrangi, ; Norazlina Mat Nawi,
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Menyailo ME, Zainullina VR, Khozyainova AA, Tashireva LA, Zolotareva SY, Gerashchenko TS, Alifanov VV, Savelieva OE, Grigoryeva ES, Tarabanovskaya NA, Popova NO, Choinzonov EL, Cherdyntseva NV, Perelmuter VM, Denisov EV. Heterogeneity of Circulating Epithelial Cells in Breast Cancer at Single-Cell Resolution: Identifying Tumor and Hybrid Cells. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2023; 7:e2200206. [PMID: 36449636 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202200206] [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: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells and hybrid cells formed by the fusion of tumor cells with normal cells are leading players in metastasis and have prognostic relevance. This study applies single-cell RNA sequencing to profile CD45-negative and CD45-positive circulating epithelial cells (CECs) in nonmetastatic breast cancer patients. CECs are represented by transcriptionally-distinct populations that include both aneuploid and diploid cells. CD45- CECs are predominantly aneuploid, but one population contained more diploid than aneuploid cells. CD45+ CECs mostly diploid: only two populations have aneuploid cells. Diploid CD45+ CECs annotated as different immune cells, surprisingly harbored many copy number aberrations, and positively correlated to tumor grade. It is noteworthy that cancer-associated signaling pathways areabundant only in one aneuploid CD45- CEC population, which may represent an aggressive subset of circulating tumor cells. Thus, CD45- and CD45+ CECs are highly heterogeneous in breast cancer patients and include aneuploid cells, which are most likely circulating tumor and hybrid cells, respectively, and diploid cells. DNA ploidy analysis can be an effective instrument for identifying tumor and hybrid cells among CECs. Further follow-up study is needed to determine which subsets of circulating tumor and hybrid cells contribute to breast cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim E Menyailo
- Laboratory of Cancer Progression Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Viktoria R Zainullina
- Laboratory of Cancer Progression Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Anna A Khozyainova
- Laboratory of Cancer Progression Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Liubov A Tashireva
- Department of General and Molecular Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Sofia Yu Zolotareva
- Laboratory of Cancer Progression Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Tatiana S Gerashchenko
- Laboratory of Cancer Progression Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Vladimir V Alifanov
- Department of General and Molecular Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Olga E Savelieva
- Department of General and Molecular Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Evgeniya S Grigoryeva
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Nataliya A Tarabanovskaya
- Department of General Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Nataliya O Popova
- Department of Chemotherapy, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Evgeny L Choinzonov
- Department of Head and Neck Cancer, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Nadezhda V Cherdyntseva
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Vladimir M Perelmuter
- Department of General and Molecular Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Evgeny V Denisov
- Laboratory of Cancer Progression Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
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Stergiopoulou D, Markou A, Strati A, Zavridou M, Tzanikou E, Mastoraki S, Kallergi G, Georgoulias V, Lianidou E. Comprehensive liquid biopsy analysis as a tool for the early detection of minimal residual disease in breast cancer. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1258. [PMID: 36690653 PMCID: PMC9870904 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25400-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Liquid biopsy (LB) provides a unique minimally invasive tool to follow-up cancer patients over time, to detect minimal residual disease (MRD), to study metastasis-biology and mechanisms of therapy-resistance. Molecular characterization of CTCs offers additionally the potential to understand resistance to therapy and implement individualized targeted treatments which can be modified during the disease evolution and follow-up period of a patient. In this study, we present a long-term follow-up of operable breast cancer patients based on a comprehensive liquid biopsy analysis. We performed a comprehensive liquid biopsy analysis in peripheral blood of 13 patients with early-stage operable breast cancer at several time points for a period of ten years, consisting of: (a) CTC enumeration using the CellSearch system, (b) phenotypic analysis of CTCs using Immunofluorescence, (c) gene expression analysis, in EpCAM(+) CTCs for CK-19, CD24,CD44, ALDH1, and TWIST1, (d) analysis of PIK3CA and ESR1 mutations in EpCAM(+) CTCs and corresponding plasma ctDNA and (e) DNA methylation of ESR1 in CTCs. 10/13 (77%) patients were found negative for LB markers in PB during the whole follow-up period, and these patients did not relapse during the follow-up. However, 3/13(18%) patients that were positive for at least one LB marker relapsed within the follow-up period. The molecular characteristics of CTCs were highly different even for the same patient at different time points, and always increased before the clinical relapse. Our results indicate that liquid biopsy can reveal the presence of MRD at least 4 years before the appearance of clinically detectable metastatic disease demonstrating that a comprehensive liquid biopsy analysis provides highly important information for the therapeutic management of breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Stergiopoulou
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells Lab, Lab of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Athina Markou
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells Lab, Lab of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Areti Strati
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells Lab, Lab of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Martha Zavridou
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells Lab, Lab of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Tzanikou
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells Lab, Lab of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Sophia Mastoraki
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells Lab, Lab of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Galatea Kallergi
- Division of Genetics, Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26500, Patras, Greece
| | - Vassilis Georgoulias
- First Department of Medical Oncology, METROPOLITAN General Hospital, 264, Mesogion Av, Cholargos, Athens, Greece
| | - Evi Lianidou
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells Lab, Lab of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771, Athens, Greece.
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Isolation, Detection and Analysis of Circulating Tumour Cells: A Nanotechnological Bioscope. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15010280. [PMID: 36678908 PMCID: PMC9864919 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010280] [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: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the dreaded diseases to which a sizeable proportion of the population succumbs every year. Despite the tremendous growth of the health sector, spanning diagnostics to treatment, early diagnosis is still in its infancy. In this regard, circulating tumour cells (CTCs) have of late grabbed the attention of researchers in the detection of metastasis and there has been a huge surge in the surrounding research activities. Acting as a biomarker, CTCs prove beneficial in a variety of aspects. Nanomaterial-based strategies have been devised to have a tremendous impact on the early and rapid examination of tumor cells. This review provides a panoramic overview of the different nanotechnological methodologies employed along with the pharmaceutical purview of cancer. Initiating from fundamentals, the recent nanotechnological developments toward the detection, isolation, and analysis of CTCs are comprehensively delineated. The review also includes state-of-the-art implementations of nanotechnological advances in the enumeration of CTCs, along with future challenges and recommendations thereof.
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An Overview of Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Mesenchymal-to-Epithelial Transition in Canine Tumors: How Far Have We Come? Vet Sci 2022; 10:vetsci10010019. [PMID: 36669020 PMCID: PMC9865109 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10010019] [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: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Historically, pre-clinical and clinical studies in human medicine have provided new insights, pushing forward the contemporary knowledge. The new results represented a motivation for investigators in specific fields of veterinary medicine, who addressed the same research topics from different perspectives in studies based on experimental and spontaneous animal disease models. The study of different pheno-genotypic contexts contributes to the confirmation of translational models of pathologic mechanisms. This review provides an overview of EMT and MET processes in both human and canine species. While human medicine rapidly advances, having a large amount of information available, veterinary medicine is not at the same level. This situation should provide motivation for the veterinary medicine research field, to apply the knowledge on humans to research in pets. By merging the knowledge of these two disciplines, better and faster results can be achieved, thus improving human and canine health.
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Signatures of Breast Cancer Progression in the Blood: What Could Be Learned from Circulating Tumor Cell Transcriptomes. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225668. [PMID: 36428760 PMCID: PMC9688726 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225668] [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: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene expression profiling has revolutionized our understanding of cancer biology, showing an unprecedented ability to impact patient management especially in breast cancer. The vast majority of breast cancer gene expression signatures derive from the analysis of the tumor bulk, an experimental approach that limits the possibility to dissect breast cancer heterogeneity thoroughly and might miss the message hidden in biologically and clinically relevant cell populations. During disease progression or upon selective pressures, cancer cells undergo continuous transcriptional changes, which inevitably affect tumor heterogeneity, response to therapy and tendency to disseminate. Therefore, metastasis-associated signatures and transcriptome-wide gene expression measurement at single-cell resolution hold great promise for the future of breast cancer clinical care. Seen from this perspective, transcriptomics of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) represent an attractive opportunity to bridge the knowledge gap and develop novel biomarkers. This review summarizes the current state-of-the-science on CTC gene expression analysis in breast cancer, addresses technical and clinical issues related to the application of CTC-derived signatures, and discusses potential research directions.
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29
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Ramos EK, Tsai CF, Jia Y, Cao Y, Manu M, Taftaf R, Hoffmann AD, El-Shennawy L, Gritsenko MA, Adorno-Cruz V, Schuster EJ, Scholten D, Patel D, Liu X, Patel P, Wray B, Zhang Y, Zhang S, Moore RJ, Mathews JV, Schipma MJ, Liu T, Tokars VL, Cristofanilli M, Shi T, Shen Y, Dashzeveg NK, Liu H. Machine learning-assisted elucidation of CD81-CD44 interactions in promoting cancer stemness and extracellular vesicle integrity. eLife 2022; 11:e82669. [PMID: 36193887 PMCID: PMC9581534 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-initiating cells with reprogramming plasticity or stem-progenitor cell properties (stemness) are thought to be essential for cancer development and metastatic regeneration in many cancers; however, elucidation of the underlying molecular network and pathways remains demanding. Combining machine learning and experimental investigation, here we report CD81, a tetraspanin transmembrane protein known to be enriched in extracellular vesicles (EVs), as a newly identified driver of breast cancer stemness and metastasis. Using protein structure modeling and interface prediction-guided mutagenesis, we demonstrate that membrane CD81 interacts with CD44 through their extracellular regions in promoting tumor cell cluster formation and lung metastasis of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) in human and mouse models. In-depth global and phosphoproteomic analyses of tumor cells deficient with CD81 or CD44 unveils endocytosis-related pathway alterations, leading to further identification of a quality-keeping role of CD44 and CD81 in EV secretion as well as in EV-associated stemness-promoting function. CD81 is coexpressed along with CD44 in human circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and enriched in clustered CTCs that promote cancer stemness and metastasis, supporting the clinical significance of CD81 in association with patient outcomes. Our study highlights machine learning as a powerful tool in facilitating the molecular understanding of new molecular targets in regulating stemness and metastasis of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika K Ramos
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern UniversityChicagoUnited States
- Driskill Graduate Program in Life Science, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern UniversityChicagoUnited States
| | - Chia-Feng Tsai
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National LaboratoryWashingtonUnited States
| | - Yuzhi Jia
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern UniversityChicagoUnited States
| | - Yue Cao
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, TEES-AgriLife Center for Bioinformatics and Genomic Systems Engineering, Texas A&M UniversityCollege StationUnited States
| | - Megan Manu
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern UniversityChicagoUnited States
| | - Rokana Taftaf
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern UniversityChicagoUnited States
- Driskill Graduate Program in Life Science, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern UniversityChicagoUnited States
| | - Andrew D Hoffmann
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern UniversityChicagoUnited States
| | | | - Marina A Gritsenko
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National LaboratoryWashingtonUnited States
| | | | - Emma J Schuster
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern UniversityChicagoUnited States
- Driskill Graduate Program in Life Science, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern UniversityChicagoUnited States
| | - David Scholten
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern UniversityChicagoUnited States
- Driskill Graduate Program in Life Science, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern UniversityChicagoUnited States
| | - Dhwani Patel
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern UniversityChicagoUnited States
| | - Xia Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern UniversityChicagoUnited States
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of KentuckyLexingtonUnited States
| | - Priyam Patel
- Quantitative Data Science Core, Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoUnited States
| | - Brian Wray
- Quantitative Data Science Core, Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoUnited States
| | - Youbin Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology Division, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern UniversityChicagoUnited States
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- Pathology Core Facility, Northwestern UniversityChicagoUnited States
| | - Ronald J Moore
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National LaboratoryWashingtonUnited States
| | - Jeremy V Mathews
- Pathology Core Facility, Northwestern UniversityChicagoUnited States
| | - Matthew J Schipma
- Quantitative Data Science Core, Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoUnited States
| | - Tao Liu
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National LaboratoryWashingtonUnited States
| | - Valerie L Tokars
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern UniversityChicagoUnited States
| | - Massimo Cristofanilli
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology Division, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern UniversityChicagoUnited States
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern UniversityChicagoUnited States
| | - Tujin Shi
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National LaboratoryWashingtonUnited States
| | - Yang Shen
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, TEES-AgriLife Center for Bioinformatics and Genomic Systems Engineering, Texas A&M UniversityCollege StationUnited States
| | | | - Huiping Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern UniversityChicagoUnited States
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology Division, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern UniversityChicagoUnited States
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern UniversityChicagoUnited States
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Chen L, Zhou W, Ye Z, Zhong X, Zhou J, Chen S, Liu W, Sun Y, Ren L, Tan X, Cui J, Zeng Z, He W, Ke Z. Predictive Value of Circulating Tumor Cells Based on Subtraction Enrichment for Recurrence Risk in Stage II Colorectal Cancer. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:35389-35399. [PMID: 35904812 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c08560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Current guidelines recommend adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) for stage II colorectal cancer (CRC) patients by using clinical high risk factors, with which circulating tumor cells (CTCs) were not considered. Here, an assessment to detect CTCs based on subtraction enrichment mediated by magnetic beads conjugated with CD45, immunofluorescence staining of CK, and fluorescence in situ hybridization of CEP8 is established. Both CEP8- and CK-positive CTCs have the potential to improve the risk stratification of stage II CRC patients. Patients with preoperative CTCs of ≥4 had a significantly higher recurrence risk than those with preoperative CTCs of <4 in two external validation cohorts (P < 0.0001). In the subgroup with clinical high risk, when preoperative CTCs were <4, patients did not benefit from ACT (P = 0.5764); however, when preoperative CTCs were ≥4, patients received benefit from ACT (P = 0.0064). Additionally, regardless of clinical risk status and preoperative CTC levels, if postoperative CTC levels were ≥4 for more than three consecutive time points (monitoring time interval, 2-6 months), the recurrence rate was 100%. Our findings suggested that the subtraction enrichment of CTCs could provide a reliable method to stratify the recurrence risk and make therapeutic decisions after surgery in stage II CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Chen
- Molecular Diagnosis and Gene Testing Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Wenpeng Zhou
- Molecular Diagnosis and Gene Testing Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Ziyin Ye
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoming Zhong
- School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Jianwen Zhou
- Molecular Diagnosis and Gene Testing Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Shaohong Chen
- Department of Pathology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou 510180, P. R. China
| | - Wei Liu
- School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Yu Sun
- Molecular Diagnosis and Gene Testing Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
- Department of Dermatology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, P. R. China
| | - Lijuan Ren
- Molecular Diagnosis and Gene Testing Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Xiaojun Tan
- Department of Pathology, Guangzhou Medical University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510095, P. R. China
| | - Ji Cui
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510080 Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Zhirong Zeng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Weiling He
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510080 Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Zunfu Ke
- Molecular Diagnosis and Gene Testing Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
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Kwizera EA, Ou W, Lee S, Stewart S, Shamul JG, Xu J, Tait N, Tkaczuk KHR, He X. Greatly Enhanced CTC Culture Enabled by Capturing CTC Heterogeneity Using a PEGylated PDMS-Titanium-Gold Electromicrofluidic Device with Glutathione-Controlled Gentle Cell Release. ACS NANO 2022; 16:11374-11391. [PMID: 35797466 PMCID: PMC9649890 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c05195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The circulating tumor cells (CTCs, the root cause of cancer metastasis and poor cancer prognosis) are very difficult to culture for scale-up in vitro, which has hampered their use in cancer research/prognosis and patient-specific therapeutic development. Herein, we report a robust electromicrofluidic chip for not only efficient capture of heterogeneous (EpCAM+ and CD44+) CTCs with high purity but also glutathione-controlled gentle release of the CTCs with high efficiency and viability. This is enabled by coating the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface in the device with a 10 nm gold layer through a 4 nm titanium coupling layer, for convenient PEGylation and linkage of capture antibodies via the thiol-gold chemistry. Surprisingly, the percentage of EpCAM+ mammary CTCs can be as low as ∼35% (∼70% on average), showing that the commonly used approach of capturing CTCs with EpCAM alone may miss many EpCAM- CTCs. Furthermore, the CD44+ CTCs can be cultured to form 3D spheroids efficiently for scale-up. In contrast, the CTCs captured with EpCAM alone are poor in proliferation in vitro, consistent with the literature. By capture of the CTC heterogeneity, the percentage of stage IV patients whose CTCs can be successfully cultured/scaled up is improved from 12.5% to 68.8%. These findings demonstrate that the common practice of CTC capture with EpCAM alone misses the CTC heterogeneity including the critical CD44+ CTCs. This study may be valuable to the procurement and scale-up of heterogeneous CTCs, to facilitate the understanding of cancer metastasis and the development of cancer metastasis-targeted personalized cancer therapies conveniently via the minimally invasive liquid/blood biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elyahb A Kwizera
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Wenquan Ou
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Sojeong Lee
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Samantha Stewart
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - James G Shamul
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Jiangsheng Xu
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Nancy Tait
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Katherine H R Tkaczuk
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Xiaoming He
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
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Chang PH, Lee CH, Wu TMH, Yeh KY, Wang HM, Huang WK, Chan SC, Chou WC, Kuan FC, Kuo HC, Kuo YC, Hu CC, Hsieh JCH. Association of early changes of circulating cancer stem-like cells with survival among patients with metastatic breast cancer. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2022; 14:17588359221110182. [PMID: 35860832 PMCID: PMC9290096 DOI: 10.1177/17588359221110182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to investigate the role of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating cancer stem-like cells (cCSCs) before and after one cycle of chemotherapy and assessed the effects of early changes in CTCs and cCSCs on the outcomes of patients with metastatic breast cancer. Methods: Patients with stage IV invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast who received first-line chemotherapy between April 2014 and January 2016 were enrolled. CTCs and cCSCs were measured before the first cycle of chemotherapy (baseline) and on day 21, before the second cycle of chemotherapy commenced; a negative selection strategy and flow cytometry protocol were employed. Results: CTC and cCSC counts declined in 68.8 and 45.5% of patients, respectively. Declines in CTCs and cCSCs following the first chemotherapy cycle were associated with superior chemotherapy responses, longer progression-free survival (PFS), and longer overall survival (OS). An early decline in cCSCs remained an independent prognostic indicator for OS and PFS in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: A cCSC decline after one cycle of chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer is predictive of a superior chemotherapy response and longer PFS and OS, implying that cCSC dynamic monitoring may be helpful in early prediction of treatment response and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Hung Chang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Keelung City
| | - Chun-Hui Lee
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City
| | - Tyler Min-Hsien Wu
- Circulating Tumour Cell Lab, Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan City
| | - Kun-Yun Yeh
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Keelung City
| | - Hung-Ming Wang
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City
| | - Wen-Kuan Huang
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City
| | - Sheng-Chieh Chan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien City
| | - Wen-Chi Chou
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City
| | - Feng-Che Kuan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Puzi City
| | - Hsuan-Chih Kuo
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City
| | - Yung-Chia Kuo
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City
| | - Ching-Chih Hu
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Keelung City
| | - Jason Chia-Hsun Hsieh
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, 259 Wen-Hwa 1st Road, Kwei-Shan, Taoyuan City 333
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Crook T, Leonard R, Mokbel K, Thompson A, Michell M, Page R, Vaid A, Mehrotra R, Ranade A, Limaye S, Patil D, Akolkar D, Datta V, Fulmali P, Apurwa S, Schuster S, Srinivasan A, Datar R. Accurate Screening for Early-Stage Breast Cancer by Detection and Profiling of Circulating Tumor Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:3341. [PMID: 35884402 PMCID: PMC9316476 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The early detection of breast cancer (BrC) is associated with improved survival. We describe a blood-based breast cancer detection test based on functional enrichment of breast-adenocarcinoma-associated circulating tumor cells (BrAD-CTCs) and their identification via multiplexed fluorescence immunocytochemistry (ICC) profiling for GCDFP15, GATA3, EpCAM, PanCK, and CD45 status. METHODS The ability of the test to differentiate BrC cases (N = 548) from healthy women (N = 9632) was evaluated in a case-control clinical study. The ability of the test to differentiate BrC cases from those with benign breast conditions was evaluated in a prospective clinical study of women (N = 141) suspected of BrC. RESULTS The test accurately detects BrAD-CTCs in breast cancers, irrespective of age, ethnicity, disease stage, grade, or hormone receptor status. Analytical validation established the high accuracy and reliability of the test under intended use conditions. The test detects and differentiates BrC cases from healthy women with 100% specificity and 92.07% overall sensitivity in a case-control study. In a prospective clinical study, the test shows 93.1% specificity and 94.64% overall sensitivity in differentiating breast cancer cases (N = 112) from benign breast conditions (N = 29). CONCLUSION The findings reported in this manuscript support the clinical potential of this test for blood-based BrC detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Crook
- Department of Oncology, The London Clinic, London W1G 6BW, UK
| | - Robert Leonard
- Department of Oncology, Cromwell Hospital, London SW5 0TU, UK;
| | - Kefah Mokbel
- The London Breast Institute, Princess Grace Hospital, London W1U 5NY, UK;
| | - Alastair Thompson
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Michael Michell
- National Breast Screening Training Centre, King’s College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, UK;
| | - Raymond Page
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA 01609, USA;
| | - Ashok Vaid
- Department of Medical and Haemato Oncology, Medanta-The Medicity, Gurugram 122001, India;
| | - Ravi Mehrotra
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
| | | | - Sewanti Limaye
- Department of Medical and Precision Oncology, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai 400004, India;
| | - Darshana Patil
- Department of Research and Innovations, Datar Cancer Genetics, Nasik 422010, India; (D.P.); (D.A.); (V.D.); (P.F.); (S.A.); (A.S.); (R.D.)
| | - Dadasaheb Akolkar
- Department of Research and Innovations, Datar Cancer Genetics, Nasik 422010, India; (D.P.); (D.A.); (V.D.); (P.F.); (S.A.); (A.S.); (R.D.)
| | - Vineet Datta
- Department of Research and Innovations, Datar Cancer Genetics, Nasik 422010, India; (D.P.); (D.A.); (V.D.); (P.F.); (S.A.); (A.S.); (R.D.)
| | - Pradip Fulmali
- Department of Research and Innovations, Datar Cancer Genetics, Nasik 422010, India; (D.P.); (D.A.); (V.D.); (P.F.); (S.A.); (A.S.); (R.D.)
| | - Sachin Apurwa
- Department of Research and Innovations, Datar Cancer Genetics, Nasik 422010, India; (D.P.); (D.A.); (V.D.); (P.F.); (S.A.); (A.S.); (R.D.)
| | - Stefan Schuster
- Department of Research and Innovations, Datar Cancer Genetics Europe GmbH, 95488 Eckersdorf, Germany;
| | - Ajay Srinivasan
- Department of Research and Innovations, Datar Cancer Genetics, Nasik 422010, India; (D.P.); (D.A.); (V.D.); (P.F.); (S.A.); (A.S.); (R.D.)
| | - Rajan Datar
- Department of Research and Innovations, Datar Cancer Genetics, Nasik 422010, India; (D.P.); (D.A.); (V.D.); (P.F.); (S.A.); (A.S.); (R.D.)
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Yu E, Allan AL, Sanatani M, Lewis D, Warner A, Dar AR, Yaremko BP, Lowes LE, Palma DA, Raphael J, Vincent MD, Rodrigues GB, Fortin D, Inculet RI, Frechette E, Bierer J, Law J, Younus J, Malthaner RA. Circulating tumor cells detected in follow-up predict survival outcomes in tri-modality management of advanced non-metastatic esophageal cancer: a secondary analysis of the QUINTETT randomized trial. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:746. [PMID: 35804307 PMCID: PMC9264673 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09846-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Our aim was to establish if presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) predicted worse outcome in patients with non-metastatic esophageal cancer undergoing tri-modality therapy. Methods We prospectively collected CTC data from patients with operable non-metastatic esophageal cancer from April 2009 to November 2016 enrolled in our QUINTETT esophageal cancer randomized trial (NCT00907543). Patients were randomized to receive either neoadjuvant cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) plus radiotherapy followed by surgical resection (Neoadjuvant) or adjuvant cisplatin, 5-FU, and epirubicin chemotherapy with concurrent extended volume radiotherapy following surgical resection (Adjuvant). CTCs were identified with the CellSearch® system before the initiation of any treatment (surgery or chemoradiotherapy) as well as at 6-, 12-, and 24-months post-treatment. The threshold for CTC positivity was one and the findings were correlated with patient prognosis. Results CTC data were available for 74 of 96 patients and identified in 27 patients (36.5%) at a median follow-up of 13.1months (interquartile range:6.8-24.1 months). Detection of CTCs at any follow-up visit was significantly predictive of worse disease-free survival (DFS;hazard ratio [HR]: 2.44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.41-4.24; p=0.002), regional control (HR: 6.18; 95% CI: 1.18-32.35; p=0.031), distant control (HR: 2.93; 95% CI: 1.52-5.65;p=0.001) and overall survival (OS;HR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.16-3.51; p=0.013). After adjusting for receiving neoadjuvant vs. adjuvant chemoradiotherapy, the presence of CTCs at any follow-up visit remained significantly predictive of worse OS ([HR]:2.02;95% [Cl]:1.16-3.51; p=0.013) and DFS (HR: 2.49;95% Cl: 1.43-4.33; p=0.001). Similarly, any observed increase in CTCs was significantly predictive of worse OS (HR: 3.14; 95% CI: 1.56-6.34; p=0.001) and DFS (HR: 3.34; 95% CI: 1.67-6.69; p<0.001). Conclusion The presence of CTCs in patients during follow-up after tri-modality therapy was associated with significantly poorer DFS and OS regardless of timing of chemoradiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Yu
- Department of Oncology, Divisions of Radiation Oncology, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, N6A3K7, Canada.
| | | | | | - Debra Lewis
- Thoracic Surgery and Surgical Oncology, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew Warner
- Department of Oncology, Divisions of Radiation Oncology, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, N6A3K7, Canada
| | - A Rashid Dar
- Department of Oncology, Divisions of Radiation Oncology, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, N6A3K7, Canada
| | - Brian P Yaremko
- Department of Oncology, Divisions of Radiation Oncology, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, N6A3K7, Canada
| | - Lori E Lowes
- Pathology & laboratory medicine, London Health Science Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - David A Palma
- Department of Oncology, Divisions of Radiation Oncology, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, N6A3K7, Canada
| | | | | | - George B Rodrigues
- Department of Oncology, Divisions of Radiation Oncology, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, N6A3K7, Canada
| | - Dalilah Fortin
- Thoracic Surgery and Surgical Oncology, London, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Eric Frechette
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Sherbrooke University, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Joel Bierer
- Department of Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeffery Law
- Department of Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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Revisiting Epithelial Carcinogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137437. [PMID: 35806442 PMCID: PMC9267463 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The origin of cancer remains one of the most important enigmas in modern biology. This paper presents a hypothesis for the origin of carcinomas in which cellular aging and inflammation enable the recovery of cellular plasticity, which may ultimately result in cancer. The hypothesis describes carcinogenesis as the result of the dedifferentiation undergone by epithelial cells in hyperplasia due to replicative senescence towards a mesenchymal cell state with potentially cancerous behavior. In support of this hypothesis, the molecular, cellular, and histopathological evidence was critically reviewed and reinterpreted when necessary to postulate a plausible generic series of mechanisms for the origin and progression of carcinomas. In addition, the implications of this theoretical framework for the current strategies of cancer treatment are discussed considering recent evidence of the molecular events underlying the epigenetic switches involved in the resistance of breast carcinomas. The hypothesis also proposes an epigenetic landscape for their progression and a potential mechanism for restraining the degree of dedifferentiation and malignant behavior. In addition, the manuscript revisits the gradual degeneration of the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease to propose an integrative generalized mechanistic explanation for the involution and carcinogenesis of tissues associated with aging. The presented hypothesis might serve to understand and structure new findings into a more encompassing view of the genesis of degenerative diseases and may inspire novel approaches for their study and therapy.
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Wu M, Huang Y, Zhou Y, Zhao H, Lan Y, Yu Z, Jia C, Cong H, Zhao J. The Discovery of Novel Circulating Cancer-Related Cells in Circulation Poses New Challenges to Microfluidic Devices for Enrichment and Detection. SMALL METHODS 2022; 6:e2200226. [PMID: 35595707 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202200226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) enumeration has been widely used as a surrogate predictive marker for early diagnoses, the evaluation of chemotherapy efficacy, and cancer prognosis. Microfluidic technologies for CTCs enrichment and detection have been developed and commercialized as automation platforms. Currently, in addition to CTCs, some new types of circulating cancer-related cells (e.g., CCSCs, CTECs, CAMLs, and heterotypic CTC clusters) in circulation are also reported to be correlated to cancer diagnosis, metastasis, or prognosis. And they widely differ from the conventional CTCs in positive markers, cellular morphology, or size, which presents a new technological challenge to microfluidic devices that use affinity-based capture methods or size-based filtration methods for CTCs detection. This review focuses on the biological and physical properties as well as clinical significance of the novel circulating cancer-related cells, and discusses the challenges of their discovery to microfluidic chip for enrichment. Finally, the current challenges of CTCs detection in clinical application and future opportunities are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yuhang Huang
- Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yuwei Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhibin Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Chunping Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hui Cong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Jianlong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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37
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Sierra-Agudelo J, Rodriguez-Trujillo R, Samitier J. Microfluidics for the Isolation and Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1379:389-412. [PMID: 35761001 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-04039-9_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nowadays, liquid biopsy represents one of the most promising techniques for early diagnosis, monitoring, and therapy screening of cancer. This novel methodology includes, among other techniques, the isolation, capture, and analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Nonetheless, the identification of CTC from whole blood is challenging due to their extremely low concentration (1-100 per ml of whole blood), and traditional methods result insufficient in terms of purity, recovery, throughput and/or viability of the processed sample. In this context, the development of microfluidic devices for detecting and isolating CTCs offers a wide range of new opportunities due to their excellent properties for cell manipulation and the advantages to integrate and bring different laboratory processes into the microscale improving the sensitivity, portability, reducing cost and time. This chapter explores current and recent microfluidic approaches that have been developed for the analysis and detection of CTCs, which involve cell capture methods based on affinity binding and label-free methods and detection based on electrical, chemical, and optical sensors. All the exposed technologies seek to overcome the limitations of commercial systems for the analysis and isolation of CTCs, as well as to provide extended analysis that will allow the development of novel and more efficient diagnostic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Sierra-Agudelo
- Nanobioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Romen Rodriguez-Trujillo
- Nanobioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain. .,Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Josep Samitier
- Nanobioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
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38
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Kudaravalli S, den Hollander P, Mani SA. Role of p38 MAP kinase in cancer stem cells and metastasis. Oncogene 2022; 41:3177-3185. [PMID: 35501462 PMCID: PMC9166676 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02329-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic resistance and metastatic progression are responsible for the majority of cancer mortalities. In particular, the development of resistance is a significant barrier to the efficacy of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) underlie treatment resistance and metastasis. p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) is downstream of several CSC-specific signaling pathways, and it plays an important role in CSC development and maintenance and contributes to metastasis and chemoresistance. Therefore, the development of therapeutic approaches targeting p38 can sensitize tumors to chemotherapy and prevent metastatic progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sriya Kudaravalli
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Rice University, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Petra den Hollander
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Sendurai A Mani
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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39
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Huang Z, Zhang Z, Zhou C, Liu L, Huang C. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition: The history, regulatory mechanism, and cancer therapeutic opportunities. MedComm (Beijing) 2022; 3:e144. [PMID: 35601657 PMCID: PMC9115588 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a program wherein epithelial cells lose their junctions and polarity while acquiring mesenchymal properties and invasive ability. Originally defined as an embryogenesis event, EMT has been recognized as a crucial process in tumor progression. During EMT, cell–cell junctions and cell–matrix attachments are disrupted, and the cytoskeleton is remodeled to enhance mobility of cells. This transition of phenotype is largely driven by a group of key transcription factors, typically Snail, Twist, and ZEB, through epigenetic repression of epithelial markers, transcriptional activation of matrix metalloproteinases, and reorganization of cytoskeleton. Mechanistically, EMT is orchestrated by multiple pathways, especially those involved in embryogenesis such as TGFβ, Wnt, Hedgehog, and Hippo, suggesting EMT as an intrinsic link between embryonic development and cancer progression. In addition, redox signaling has also emerged as critical EMT modulator. EMT confers cancer cells with increased metastatic potential and drug resistant capacity, which accounts for tumor recurrence in most clinic cases. Thus, targeting EMT can be a therapeutic option providing a chance of cure for cancer patients. Here, we introduce a brief history of EMT and summarize recent advances in understanding EMT mechanisms, as well as highlighting the therapeutic opportunities by targeting EMT in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy Chengdu 610041 China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy Chengdu 610041 China
| | - Chengwei Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery the Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University Ningbo China
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery the Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University Ningbo China
| | - Canhua Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy Chengdu 610041 China
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40
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Abstract
Metastasis is responsible for a large majority of death from malignant solid tumors. Bone is one of the most frequently affected organs in cancer metastasis, especially in breast and prostate cancer. Development of bone metastasis requires cancer cells to successfully complete a number of challenging steps, including local invasion and intravasation, survival in circulation, extravasation and initial seeding, and finally, formation of metastatic colonies after a period of dormancy or indolent growth. During this process, cancer cells often undergo a series of cellular and molecular changes to gain cellular plasticity that helps them adapt to various environments they encounter along the journey of metastasis. Understanding the mechanisms behind cellular plasticity and adaptation during the formation of bone metastasis is crucial for the development of novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cao Fang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Yibin Kang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
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41
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Transcriptional and post-transcriptional control of epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity: why so many regulators? Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:182. [PMID: 35278142 PMCID: PMC8918127 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04199-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The dynamic transition between epithelial-like and mesenchymal-like cell states has been a focus for extensive investigation for decades, reflective of the importance of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) through development, in the adult, and the contributing role EMT has to pathologies including metastasis and fibrosis. Not surprisingly, regulation of the complex genetic networks that underlie EMT have been attributed to multiple transcription factors and microRNAs. What is surprising, however, are the sheer number of different regulators (hundreds of transcription factors and microRNAs) for which critical roles have been described. This review seeks not to collate these studies, but to provide a perspective on the fundamental question of whether it is really feasible that so many regulators play important roles and if so, what does this tell us about EMT and more generally, the genetic machinery that controls complex biological processes.
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42
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Circulating tumour cells in the -omics era: how far are we from achieving the 'singularity'? Br J Cancer 2022; 127:173-184. [PMID: 35273384 PMCID: PMC9296521 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-01768-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, cancer diagnosis has expanded to include liquid biopsies in addition to tissue biopsies. Liquid biopsies can result in earlier and more accurate diagnosis and more effective monitoring of disease progression than tissue biopsies as samples can be collected frequently. Because of these advantages, liquid biopsies are now used extensively in clinical care. Liquid biopsy samples are analysed for circulating tumour cells (CTCs), cell-free DNA, RNA, proteins and exosomes. CTCs originate from the tumour, play crucial roles in metastasis and carry information on tumour heterogeneity. Multiple single-cell omics approaches allow the characterisation of the molecular makeup of CTCs. It has become evident that CTCs are robust biomarkers for predicting therapy response, clinical development of metastasis and disease progression. This review describes CTC biology, molecular heterogeneity within CTCs and the involvement of EMT in CTC dynamics. In addition, we describe the single-cell multi-omics technologies that have provided insights into the molecular features within therapy-resistant and metastasis-prone CTC populations. Functional studies coupled with integrated multi-omics analyses have the potential to identify therapies that can intervene the functions of CTCs.
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43
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Conde I, Ribeiro AS, Paredes J. Breast Cancer Stem Cell Membrane Biomarkers: Therapy Targeting and Clinical Implications. Cells 2022; 11:934. [PMID: 35326385 PMCID: PMC8946706 DOI: 10.3390/cells11060934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy affecting women worldwide. Importantly, there have been significant improvements in prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment options, which resulted in a significant decrease in breast cancer mortality rates. Nevertheless, the high rates of incidence combined with therapy resistance result in cancer relapse and metastasis, which still contributes to unacceptably high mortality of breast cancer patients. In this context, a small subpopulation of highly tumourigenic cancer cells within the tumour bulk, commonly designated as breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), have been suggested as key elements in therapy resistance, which are responsible for breast cancer relapses and distant metastasis. Thus, improvements in BCSC-targeting therapies are crucial to tackling the metastatic progression and might allow therapy resistance to be overcome. However, the design of effective and specific BCSC-targeting therapies has been challenging since there is a lack of specific biomarkers for BCSCs, and the most common clinical approaches are designed for commonly altered BCSCs signalling pathways. Therefore, the search for a new class of BCSC biomarkers, such as the expression of membrane proteins with cancer stem cell potential, is an area of clinical relevance, once membrane proteins are accessible on the cell surface and easily recognized by specific antibodies. Here, we discuss the significance of BCSC membrane biomarkers as potential prognostic and therapeutic targets, reviewing the CSC-targeting therapies under clinical trials for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Conde
- i3S, Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (I.C.); (A.S.R.)
- Ipatimup, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Sofia Ribeiro
- i3S, Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (I.C.); (A.S.R.)
- Ipatimup, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Paredes
- i3S, Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (I.C.); (A.S.R.)
- Ipatimup, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
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44
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Radfar P, Aboulkheyr Es H, Salomon R, Kulasinghe A, Ramalingam N, Sarafraz-Yazdi E, Thiery JP, Warkiani ME. Single-cell analysis of circulating tumour cells: enabling technologies and clinical applications. Trends Biotechnol 2022; 40:1041-1060. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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45
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The potential of liquid biopsy in the management of cancer patients. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 84:69-79. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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46
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Yan Q, Lin HM, Zhu K, Cao Y, Xu XL, Zhou ZY, Xu LB, Liu C, Zhang R. Immune Checkpoint FGL1 Expression of Circulating Tumor Cells Is Associated With Poor Survival in Curatively Resected Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:810269. [PMID: 35273912 PMCID: PMC8901582 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.810269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
LAG-3 is one of the common tumor immune checkpoints. LAG-3 can inhibit the activation and proliferation of T cells, and can also suppress immunity by regulating other immune-related cell functions. FGL1 was recently discovered to be the main ligand of immune checkpoint LAG-3 and play a critical role in the inhibition of T cells. However, the FGL1 expression in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and its clinical significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. Therefore, this bioinformatics analysis was performed to assess the expression of FGL1 in various tumors and its association with immune infiltration. After that, CTCs from 109 HCC patients were detected and the immunofluorescence staining was performed (CD45, EpCAM, CK8/18/19, Vimentin, Twist, DAPI and FGL1). Then, we investigated FGL1 expression and EMT of CTCs and analyzed its relationship with patient survival and clinical relevance. Bioinformatic results showed that FGL1 expression was abnormal in various tumor and it was correlated with the infiltration level of several immune cells. FGL1 expression was detected in CTCs of 40 patients (36.7%). The proportion of advanced TNM stage (P<0.001) and distant metastasis(P=0.020) in FGL1 positive patients was higher than that of FGL1 negative patients. In addition, patients with FGL1 positive circulating tumor cells had worse postoperative survival than FGL1 negative patients (p=0.0297). The mixed phenotypic CTC presented a higher level of FGL1 expression than any other types, the number of which also predicted worse prognosis(p=0.0443). We also found that the expression of FGL1 on CTCs was associated with the level of FGL1 in tumor tissues. Of 12 patients receiving PD-1/PD-L1 blockade in a total of 109 cases, 8 out of 10 patients with FGL1 positive CTC showed immunotherapy resistance. It is the first study that suggested FGL1 expression in CTCs as an indicator of the poor prognosis in HCC patients. CTC detection may serve as a promising replacement for determination of tumor tissue FGL1 expression and provide evidence for the application of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Yan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation and Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Hao-Ming Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation and Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ke Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation and Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Cao
- Department of Emergency, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Xu
- Department of Ultrasound, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zi-Yu Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation and Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei-bo Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation and Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation and Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation and Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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47
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Circulating Tumor Cells in Breast Cancer Patients: A Balancing Act between Stemness, EMT Features and DNA Damage Responses. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14040997. [PMID: 35205744 PMCID: PMC8869884 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14040997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) traverse vessels to travel from the primary tumor to distant organs where they adhere, transmigrate, and seed metastases. To cope with these challenges, CTCs have reached maximal flexibility to change their differentiation status, morphology, migratory capacity, and their responses to genotoxic stress caused by metabolic changes, hormones, the inflammatory environment, or cytostatic treatment. A significant percentage of breast cancer cells are defective in homologous recombination repair and other mechanisms that protect the integrity of the replication fork. To prevent cell death caused by broken forks, alternative, mutagenic repair, and bypass pathways are engaged but these increase genomic instability. CTCs, arising from such breast tumors, are endowed with an even larger toolbox of escape mechanisms that can be switched on and off at different stages during their journey according to the stress stimulus. Accumulating evidence suggests that DNA damage responses, DNA repair, and replication are integral parts of a regulatory network orchestrating the plasticity of stemness features and transitions between epithelial and mesenchymal states in CTCs. This review summarizes the published information on these regulatory circuits of relevance for the design of biomarkers reflecting CTC functions in real-time to monitor therapeutic responses and detect evolving chemoresistance mechanisms.
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48
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Topa J, Grešner P, Żaczek AJ, Markiewicz A. Breast cancer circulating tumor cells with mesenchymal features-an unreachable target? Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:81. [PMID: 35048186 PMCID: PMC8770434 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04064-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) mediate dissemination of solid tumors and can be an early sign of disease progression. Moreover, they show a great potential in terms of non-invasive, longitudinal monitoring of cancer patients. CTCs have been extensively studied in breast cancer (BC) and were shown to present a significant phenotypic plasticity connected with initiation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Apart from conferring malignant properties, EMT affects CTCs recovery rate, making a significant portion of CTCs from patients’ samples undetected. Wider application of methods and markers designed to isolate and identify mesenchymal CTCs is required to expand our knowledge about the clinical impact of mesenchymal CTCs. Therefore, here we provide a comprehensive review of clinical significance of mesenchymal CTCs in BC together with statistical analysis of previously published data, in which we assessed the suitability of a number of methods/markers used for isolation of CTCs with different EMT phenotypes, both in in vitro spike-in tests with BC cell lines, as well as clinical samples. Results of spiked-in cell lines indicate that, in general, methods not based on epithelial enrichment only, capture mesenchymal CTCs much more efficiently that CellSearch® (golden standard in CTCs detection), but at the same time are not much inferior to Cell Search®, though large variation in recovery rates of added cells among the methods is observed. In clinical samples, where additional CTCs detection markers are needed, positive epithelial-based CTCs enrichment was the most efficient in isolating CTCs with mesenchymal features from non-metastatic BC patients. From the marker side, PI3K and VIM were contributing the most to detection of CTCs with mesenchymal features (in comparison to SNAIL) in non-metastatic and metastatic BC patients, respectively. However, additional data are needed for more robust identification of markers for efficient detection of CTCs with mesenchymal features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Topa
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Debinki 1, 80-211, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Peter Grešner
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Debinki 1, 80-211, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Anna J Żaczek
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Debinki 1, 80-211, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Markiewicz
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Debinki 1, 80-211, Gdansk, Poland.
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49
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Wilczyński JR. Cancer Stem Cells: An Ever-Hiding Foe. EXPERIENTIA SUPPLEMENTUM (2012) 2022; 113:219-251. [PMID: 35165866 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-91311-3_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells are a population of cells enable to reproduce the original phenotype of the tumor and capable to self-renewal, which is crucial for tumor proliferation, differentiation, recurrence, and metastasis, as well as chemoresistance. Therefore, the cancer stem cells (CSCs) have become one of the main targets for anticancer therapy and many ongoing clinical trials test anti-CSCs efficacy of plenty of drugs. This chapter describes CSCs starting from general description of this cell population, through CSCs markers, signaling pathways, genetic and epigenetic regulation, role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) transition and autophagy, cooperation with microenvironment (CSCs niche), and finally role of CSCs in escaping host immunosurveillance against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacek R Wilczyński
- Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Gynecologic Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
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50
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Lyu J, Cheng C. Regulation of Alternative Splicing during Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. Cells Tissues Organs 2022; 211:238-251. [PMID: 34348273 PMCID: PMC8741878 DOI: 10.1159/000518249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing is an essential mechanism of gene regulation, giving rise to remarkable protein diversity in higher eukaryotes. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a developmental process that plays an essential role in metazoan embryogenesis. Recent studies have revealed that alternative splicing serves as a fundamental layer of regulation that governs cells to undergo EMT. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the functional impact of alternative splicing in EMT and EMT-associated activities. We then discuss the regulatory mechanisms that control alternative splicing changes during EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Lyu
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Department of Molecular
& Human Genetics, Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Baylor College
of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate
Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Chonghui Cheng
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Department of Molecular
& Human Genetics, Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Baylor College
of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate
Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,To whom correspondence should be addressed:
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