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Sahoo S, Ramu S, Nair MG, Pillai M, San Juan BP, Milioli HZ, Mandal S, Naidu CM, Mavatkar AD, Subramaniam H, Neogi AG, Chaffer CL, Prabhu JS, Somarelli JA, Jolly MK. Increased prevalence of hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal state and enhanced phenotypic heterogeneity in basal breast cancer. iScience 2024; 27:110116. [PMID: 38974967 PMCID: PMC11225361 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Intra-tumoral phenotypic heterogeneity promotes tumor relapse and therapeutic resistance and remains an unsolved clinical challenge. Decoding the interconnections among different biological axes of plasticity is crucial to understand the molecular origins of phenotypic heterogeneity. Here, we use multi-modal transcriptomic data-bulk, single-cell, and spatial transcriptomics-from breast cancer cell lines and primary tumor samples, to identify associations between epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and luminal-basal plasticity-two key processes that enable heterogeneity. We show that luminal breast cancer strongly associates with an epithelial cell state, but basal breast cancer is associated with hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype(s) and higher phenotypic heterogeneity. Mathematical modeling of core underlying gene regulatory networks representative of the crosstalk between the luminal-basal and epithelial-mesenchymal axes elucidate mechanistic underpinnings of the observed associations from transcriptomic data. Our systems-based approach integrating multi-modal data analysis with mechanism-based modeling offers a predictive framework to characterize intra-tumor heterogeneity and identify interventions to restrict it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarthak Sahoo
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Soundharya Ramu
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Madhumathy G. Nair
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John’s Research Institute, St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Maalavika Pillai
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | | | | | - Susmita Mandal
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Chandrakala M. Naidu
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John’s Research Institute, St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Apoorva D. Mavatkar
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John’s Research Institute, St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Harini Subramaniam
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Arpita G. Neogi
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Christine L. Chaffer
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- University of New South Wales, UNSW Medicine, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Jyothi S. Prabhu
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John’s Research Institute, St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore 560012, India
| | | | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
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Joo EH, Kim S, Park D, Lee T, Park WY, Han KY, Lee JE. Migratory Tumor Cells Cooperate with Cancer Associated Fibroblasts in Hormone Receptor-Positive and HER2-Negative Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5876. [PMID: 38892065 PMCID: PMC11172245 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer (HR+/HER2-BC) is the most common type with a favorable prognosis under endocrine therapy. However, it still demonstrates unpredictable progression and recurrences influenced by high tumoral diversity and microenvironmental status. To address these heterogeneous molecular characteristics of HR+/HER2-BC, we aimed to simultaneously characterize its transcriptomic landscape and genetic architecture at the same resolution. Using advanced single-cell RNA and DNA sequencing techniques together, we defined four distinct tumor subtypes. Notably, the migratory tumor subtype was closely linked to genomic alterations of EGFR, related to the tumor-promoting behavior of IL6-positive inflammatory tumor-associated fibroblast, and contributing to poor prognosis. Our study comprehensively utilizes integrated analysis to uncover the complex dynamics of this breast cancer subtype, highlighting the pivotal role of the migratory tumor subtype in influencing surrounding cells. This sheds light on potential therapeutic targets by offering enhanced insights for HR+/HER2-BC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Hye Joo
- Samsung Genome Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea; (E.H.J.); (W.-Y.P.)
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06355, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangmin Kim
- Department of Breast Cancer Center, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea;
- Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Donghyun Park
- Planit Healthcare Inc., Seoul 06235, Republic of Korea;
| | - Taeseob Lee
- Department of Digital Health, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06355, Republic of Korea;
| | - Woong-Yang Park
- Samsung Genome Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea; (E.H.J.); (W.-Y.P.)
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06355, Republic of Korea
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Yeon Han
- Samsung Genome Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea; (E.H.J.); (W.-Y.P.)
| | - Jeong Eon Lee
- Department of Breast Cancer Center, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea;
- Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea
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Waldum H, Slupphaug G. Correctly identifying the cells of origin is essential for tailoring treatment and understanding the emergence of cancer stem cells and late metastases. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1369907. [PMID: 38660133 PMCID: PMC11040596 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1369907] [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: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Malignancy manifests itself by deregulated growth and the ability to invade surrounding tissues or metastasize to other organs. These properties are due to genetic and/or epigenetic changes, most often mutations. Many aspects of carcinogenesis are known, but the cell of origin has been insufficiently focused on, which is unfortunate since the regulation of its growth is essential to understand the carcinogenic process and guide treatment. Similarly, the concept of cancer stem cells as cells having the ability to stop proliferation and rest in a state of dormancy and being resistant to cytotoxic drugs before "waking up" and become a highly malignant tumor recurrence, is not fully understood. Some tumors may recur after decades, a phenomenon probably also connected to cancer stem cells. The present review shows that many of these questions are related to the cell of origin as differentiated cells being long-term stimulated to proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helge Waldum
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Wicker MN, Wagner KU. Cellular Plasticity in Mammary Gland Development and Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5605. [PMID: 38067308 PMCID: PMC10705338 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15235605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Cellular plasticity is a phenomenon where cells adopt different identities during development and tissue homeostasis as a response to physiological and pathological conditions. This review provides a general introduction to processes by which cells change their identity as well as the current definition of cellular plasticity in the field of mammary gland biology. Following a synopsis of the evolving model of the hierarchical development of mammary epithelial cell lineages, we discuss changes in cell identity during normal mammary gland development with particular emphasis on the effect of the gestation cycle on the emergence of new cellular states. Next, we summarize known mechanisms that promote the plasticity of epithelial lineages in the normal mammary gland and highlight the importance of the microenvironment and extracellular matrix. A discourse of cellular reprogramming during the early stages of mammary tumorigenesis that follows focuses on the origin of basal-like breast cancers from luminal progenitors and oncogenic signaling networks that orchestrate diverse developmental trajectories of transforming epithelial cells. In addition to the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, we highlight events of cellular reprogramming during breast cancer progression in the context of intrinsic molecular subtype switching and the genesis of the claudin-low breast cancer subtype, which represents the far end of the spectrum of epithelial cell plasticity. In the final section, we will discuss recent advances in the design of genetically engineered models to gain insight into the dynamic processes that promote cellular plasticity during mammary gland development and tumorigenesis in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kay-Uwe Wagner
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine and Tumor Biology Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, 4100 John R, EL01TM, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
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Phoenix JT, Budreika A, Kostlan RJ, Hwang JH, Fanning SW, Kregel S. Editorial: Hormone resistance in cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1272932. [PMID: 37693345 PMCID: PMC10484586 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1272932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- John T. Phoenix
- Department of Cancer Biology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
- Integrated Program in Biomedical Science, Biochemistry, Molecular and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
| | - Audris Budreika
- Department of Cancer Biology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
| | - Raymond J. Kostlan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
- Integrated Program in Biomedical Science, Biochemistry, Molecular and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
| | - Justin H. Hwang
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Sean W. Fanning
- Department of Cancer Biology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
| | - Steven Kregel
- Department of Cancer Biology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
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Bobbitt JR, Seachrist DD, Keri RA. Chromatin Organization and Transcriptional Programming of Breast Cancer Cell Identity. Endocrinology 2023; 164:bqad100. [PMID: 37394919 PMCID: PMC10370366 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad100] [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: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
The advent of sequencing technologies for assessing chromosome conformations has provided a wealth of information on the organization of the 3-dimensional genome and its role in cancer progression. It is now known that changes in chromatin folding and accessibility can promote aberrant activation or repression of transcriptional programs that can drive tumorigenesis and progression in diverse cancers. This includes breast cancer, which comprises several distinct subtypes defined by their unique transcriptomes that dictate treatment response and patient outcomes. Of these, basal-like breast cancer is an aggressive subtype controlled by a pluripotency-enforcing transcriptome. Meanwhile, the more differentiated luminal subtype of breast cancer is driven by an estrogen receptor-dominated transcriptome that underlies its responsiveness to antihormone therapies and conveys improved patient outcomes. Despite the clear differences in molecular signatures, the genesis of each subtype from normal mammary epithelial cells remains unclear. Recent technical advances have revealed key distinctions in chromatin folding and organization between subtypes that could underlie their transcriptomic and, hence, phenotypic differences. These studies also suggest that proteins controlling particular chromatin states may be useful targets for treating aggressive disease. In this review, we explore the current state of understanding of chromatin architecture in breast cancer subtypes and its potential role in defining their phenotypic characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R Bobbitt
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Darcie D Seachrist
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Ruth A Keri
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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