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Mathieson L, Koppensteiner L, Dorward DA, O'Connor RA, Akram AR. Cancer-associated fibroblasts expressing fibroblast activation protein and podoplanin in non-small cell lung cancer predict poor clinical outcome. Br J Cancer 2024; 130:1758-1769. [PMID: 38582812 PMCID: PMC11130154 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02671-1] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a dominant cell type in the stroma of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Fibroblast heterogeneity reflects subpopulations of CAFs, which can influence prognosis and treatment efficacy. We describe the subtypes of CAFs in NSCLC. METHODS Primary human NSCLC resections were assessed by flow cytometry and multiplex immunofluorescence for markers of fibroblast activation which allowed identification of CAF subsets. Survival data were analysed for our NSCLC cohort consisting of 163 patients to understand prognostic significance of CAF subsets. RESULTS We identified five CAF populations, termed CAF S1-S5. CAF-S5 represents a previously undescribed population, and express FAP and PDPN but lack the myofibroblast marker αSMA, whereas CAF-S1 populations express all three. CAF-S5 are spatially further from tumour regions then CAF-S1 and scRNA data demonstrate an inflammatory phenotype. The presence of CAF-S1 or CAF-S5 is correlated to worse survival outcome in NSCLC, despite curative resection, highlighting the prognostic importance of CAF subtypes in NSCLC. TCGA data suggest the predominance of CAF-S5 has a poor prognosis across several cancer types. CONCLUSION This study describes the fibroblast heterogeneity in NSCLC and the prognostic importance of the novel CAF-S5 subset where its presence correlates to worse survival outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layla Mathieson
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Dr, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
- Translational Healthcare Technologies Group, Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Dr, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Lilian Koppensteiner
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Dr, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
- Translational Healthcare Technologies Group, Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Dr, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - David A Dorward
- Department of Pathology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Richard A O'Connor
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Dr, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
- Translational Healthcare Technologies Group, Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Dr, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Ahsan R Akram
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Dr, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK.
- Translational Healthcare Technologies Group, Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Dr, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK.
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh, EH4 2XR, UK.
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Inoue C, Miki Y, Suzuki T. New Perspectives on Sex Steroid Hormones Signaling in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3620. [PMID: 37509283 PMCID: PMC10377312 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The importance of sex hormones, especially estrogen, in the pathogenesis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has attracted attention due to its high incidence among young adults and nonsmokers, especially those who are female. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) reside in the cancer stroma and influence cancer growth, invasion, metastasis, and acquisition of drug resistance through interactions with cancer cells and other microenvironmental components. Hormone-mediated cell-cell interactions are classic cell-cell interactions and well-known phenomena in breast cancer and prostate cancer CAFs. In cancers of other organs, including NSCLC, the effects of CAFs on hormone-receptor expression and hormone production in cancer tissues have been reported; however, there are few such studies. Many more studies have been performed on breast and prostate cancers. Recent advances in technology, particularly single-cell analysis techniques, have led to significant advances in the classification and function of CAFs. However, the importance of sex hormones in cell-cell interactions of CAFs in NSCLC remains unclear. This review summarizes reports on CAFs in NSCLC and sex hormones in cancer and immune cells surrounding CAFs. Furthermore, we discuss the prospects of sex-hormone research involving CAFs in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chihiro Inoue
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Miki
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Takashi Suzuki
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
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3
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Miyata-Morita K, Morita S, Dejima H, Saito K, Sakao Y, Mochizuki M, Sasajima Y. Cytological features of stromal spindle cells and their prognostic significance in lung adenocarcinoma. Cytopathology 2023; 34:337-345. [PMID: 36946097 DOI: 10.1111/cyt.13232] [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: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumour microenvironment play a key role in tumour development, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. The cytological features of spindle cells including CAFs-defined as stromal spindle cells (SSCs) adjacent to cancer cells-are frequently encountered in pulmonary adenocarcinomas. This study aimed to investigate the association between the presence of SSCs in cytological specimens and the clinicopathological features. METHODS We evaluated 211 patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma who underwent surgical resection. All participants had cytological specimens corresponding to the histological specimens available for review. RESULTS Of the 211 cases examined, 89 were SSC-positive (SSC+ ) and 122 were SSC-negative (SSC- ). SSC+ cases were more frequently associated with higher pathological stage (P < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.002), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement (P = 0.04), high tumour grade (P < 0.001), solid and micropapillary predominant pattern (P = 0.02), and lymphatic vessel (P = 0.003), blood vessel (P < 0.001), and pleural invasion (P = 0.03) as compared to SSC- cases. Patients with SSC+ adenocarcinoma had a significantly shorter recurrence-free survival than those with SSC- adenocarcinoma (P = 0.009). Cytologically, necrotic background (P = 0.002), mucinous cancer cells (P = 0.02), pleomorphic cells (P < 0.001), and mutual cell inclusions (P = 0.01) were observed more frequently in SSC+ adenocarcinomas. CONCLUSIONS The presence of SSCs could be an important cytological feature for predicting poor prognosis in lung adenocarcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kana Miyata-Morita
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Medical Technology, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigeki Morita
- Department of Pathology, Mitsui Memorial Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Pathology, Teikyo University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Dejima
- Department of Surgery, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Saito
- Department of Pathology, Teikyo University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukinori Sakao
- Department of Surgery, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Mochizuki
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Medical Technology, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuko Sasajima
- Department of Pathology, Teikyo University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
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Herzog BH, Baer JM, Borcherding N, Kingston NL, Belle JI, Knolhoff BL, Hogg GD, Ahmad F, Kang LI, Petrone J, Lin CY, Govindan R, DeNardo DG. Tumor-associated fibrosis impairs immune surveillance and response to immune checkpoint blockade in non-small cell lung cancer. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eadh8005. [PMID: 37285399 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adh8005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Immune checkpoint blockade has improved survival for many patients with NSCLC, but most fail to obtain long-term benefit. Understanding the factors leading to reduced immune surveillance in NSCLC is critical in improving patient outcomes. Here, we show that human NSCLC harbors large amounts of fibrosis that correlates with reduced T cell infiltration. In murine NSCLC models, the induction of fibrosis led to increased lung cancer progression, impaired T cell immune surveillance, and failure of immune checkpoint blockade efficacy. Associated with these changes, we observed that fibrosis leads to numerically and functionally impaired dendritic cells and altered macrophage phenotypes that likely contribute to immunosuppression. Within cancer-associated fibroblasts, distinct changes within the Col13a1-expressing population suggest that these cells produce chemokines to recruit macrophages and regulatory T cells while limiting recruitment of dendritic cells and T cells. Targeting fibrosis through transforming growth factor-β receptor signaling overcame the effects of fibrosis to enhance T cell responses and improved the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade but only in the context of chemotherapy. Together, these data suggest that fibrosis in NSCLC leads to reduced immune surveillance and poor responsiveness to checkpoint blockade and highlight antifibrotic therapies as a candidate strategy to overcome immunotherapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett H Herzog
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - John M Baer
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Nicholas Borcherding
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Natalie L Kingston
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jad I Belle
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Brett L Knolhoff
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Graham D Hogg
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Faiz Ahmad
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Liang-I Kang
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jessica Petrone
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Chieh-Yu Lin
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Ramaswamy Govindan
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - David G DeNardo
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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Paulsen EE, Andersen S, Rakaee M, Pedersen MI, Lombardi AP, Pøhl M, Kilvaer T, Busund LT, Pezzella F, Donnem T. Impact of microvessel patterns and immune status in NSCLC: a non-angiogenic vasculature is an independent negative prognostic factor in lung adenocarcinoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1157461. [PMID: 37182191 PMCID: PMC10169734 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1157461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) exhibit different microvessel patterns (MVPs). Basal (BA), diffuse (DA) and papillary (PA) patterns show signs of angiogenesis (new blood vessels), while an alveolar pattern indicates that tumors are co-opting existing normal vessels (non-angiogenic alveolar, NAA). NAA tumor growth is known to exist in NSCLC, but little is known about its prognostic impact in different histological subgroups, and about associations between MVPs and immune cell infiltration. Methods Detailed patterns of angiogenic and non-angiogenic tumor growth were evaluated by CD34 immunohistochemistry in whole tissue slides from 553 surgically treated patients with NSCLC stage I-IIIB disease. Associations with clinicopathological variables and markers related to tumor immunology-, angiogenesis- and hypoxia/metabolism were explored, and disease-specific survival (DSS) was analyzed according to histological subtypes. Results The predominant MVP was angiogenic in 82% of tumors: BA 40%, DA 34%, PA 8%, while a NAA pattern dominated in 18%. A contribution of the NAA pattern >5% (NAA+), i.e., either dominant or minority, was observed in 40.1% of tumors and was associated with poor disease-specific survival (DSS) (p=0.015). When stratified by histology, a significantly decreased DSS for NAA+ was found for adenocarcinomas (LUAD) only (p< 0.003). In multivariate analyses, LUAD NAA+ pattern was a significant independent prognostic factor; HR 2.37 (CI 95%, 1.50-3.73, p< 0.001). The immune cell density (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD45RO, CD204, PD1) added prognostic value in squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) and LUAD with 0-5% NAA (NAA-), but not in LUAD NAA+. In correlation analyses, there were several significant associations between markers related to tumor metabolism (MCT1, MCT4, GLUT1) and different MVPs. Conclusion The NAA+ pattern is an independent poor prognostic factor in LUAD. In NAA+ tumors, several immunological markers add prognostic impact in LUSC but not in LUAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erna-Elise Paulsen
- Department of Pulmonology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromso, Norway
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromso, Norway
| | - Sigve Andersen
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromso, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
| | - Mehrdad Rakaee
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
- Department of Molecular Pathology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromso, Norway
| | - Mona Irene Pedersen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
| | - Ana Paola Lombardi
- Institute of Medical Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
| | - Mette Pøhl
- Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Kilvaer
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromso, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
| | - Lill-Tove Busund
- Institute of Medical Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
- Department of Clinical Pathology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromso, Norway
| | - Francesco Pezzella
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Donnem
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromso, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
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Tumor-to-blood ratio for assessment of fibroblast activation protein receptor density in pancreatic cancer using [ 68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2023; 50:929-936. [PMID: 36334106 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-022-06010-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT has been widely used in clinical diagnosis and radiopharmaceutical therapy. In this study, tumor-to-blood ratio (TBR) was evaluated as a powerful tool for semiquantitative assessment of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 tumor uptake and as an effective index for tumors with high FAP expression in theranostics. METHODS Nine patients with pancreatic cancer underwent a 60-min dynamic PET/CT scan by total-body PET/CT (with a long AFOV of 194 cm) after injection of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04. After dynamic PET/CT scan, three patients received chemotherapy and underwent the second dynamic scan to evaluate treatment response. Time-activity curves (TACs) were obtained by drawing regions of interest for primary pancreatic lesions and metastatic lesions. The lesion TACs were fitted using four compartment models by the software PMOD PKIN kinetic modeling. The preferred pharmacokinetic model for [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 was evaluated based on the Akaike information criterion. The correlations between simplified methods for quantification of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 (SUVs; tumor-to-blood ratios [TBRs]) and the total distribution volume (Vt) estimates obtained from pharmacokinetic analysis were calculated. RESULTS In total, 9 primary lesions and 25 metastatic lesions were evaluated. The reversible two-tissue compartment model (2TCM) was the most appropriate model among the four compartment models. The total distribution volume Vt values derived from 2TCM varied significantly in pathological lesions and background regions. A strong positive correlation was observed between TBRmean and Vt from the 2TCM model in pathological lesions (R2=0.92, P<0.001). The relative difference range for TBRmean was 2.1% compared to the reduction rate of Vt in the patients who were treated with chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS A strong positive correlation was observed between TBRmean and Vt for [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04. TBRmean reflects FAP receptor density better than SUVmean and SUVmax, and would be the preferred measurement tool for semiquantitative assessment of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 tumor uptake and as a means for evaluating treatment response.
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Prognostic role of annexin A2 and cancer-associated fibroblasts in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: Implication in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and gefitinib resistance. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 241:154293. [PMID: 36586309 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.154293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite advances in treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), its prognosis remains dismal. Development of drug resistance is a major obstacle against success of targeted epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) -tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) therapy. This study aimed to assess the prognostic role of annexin A2 (ANXA2) expression, within both tumor cells and stroma, as well as cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in NSCLC and to investigate their potential role in induction of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and resistance to gefitinib. METHOD Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate tumoral and stromal ANXA2 expression and α-SMA-stained CAFs in 110 advanced NSCLC patients. Furthermore, STAT3 and E-cadherin mRNA expression was studied by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). RESULTS Both tumoral and stromal ANXA2 as well as CAFs were significantly related to clinical stage IV and malignant pleural effusion, while tumoral ANXA2 was significantly related to poor tumor differentiation. EGFR mutation and high tumoral ANXA2 were independent factors for poor overall survival, whereas high stromal and tumoral ANXA2 and high CAFs were independent predictors for poor progression-free survival. Moreover, high ANXA2 and CAFs were significantly associated with high STAT3 and low E-cadherin mRNA expression. Focusing on EGFR mutated cases, gefitinib resistance was significantly associated with high tumoral and stromal ANXA2, high CAFs, high STAT3 and low E-cadherin. CONCLUSION CAFs and ANXA2 could be considered as poor prognostic parameters in advanced NSCLC and are potential factors for gefitinib therapy resistance through EMT induction.
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Peterfi L, Yusenko MV, Kovacs G, Beothe T. FAPα and αSMA mark different subsets of fibroblasts in normal kidney and conventional renal cell carcinoma. Neoplasia 2022; 35:100854. [PMID: 36516488 PMCID: PMC9755362 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2022.100854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies suggested a correlation between cancer associated fibroblasts (CAF) and cancer progression, but data on conventional renal cell carcinoma (cRCC) is still lacking. We aimed to analyse the impact of αSMA positive myo-CAF and FAPα expressing i-CAF on postoperative relapse of cRCC. We applied immunohistochemistry on tissue-multiarray (TMA) containing 736 consecutively operated cRCC without metastasis at the time of diagnosis. We analysed the correlation between the amount and pattern of αSMA and FAPα expressing CAFs and tumour cells and postoperative tumour relapse. Stromal fibroblasts of each cRCC displayed αSMA immunreaction but only 142 of the 736 tumours showed positive FAPα staining. There was no correlation between the amount of αSMA and or FAPα positive CAFs and tumour progression. However, tumours with large tourtous vessels with strong αSMA positive immunreaction have more then two times higher risk of postoperative tumour relapse (RR=2.198, p = 0.005). Patients with cRCC (57) showing cytoplasmic αSMA staining of tumour cells had a nearly two times higher risk for postoperative progression (RR=1.776, p = 0.014). There is no significant correlation between the density of αSMA or FAPα positive CAFs and postoperative relapse of cRCCs, therefore CAFs in cRCC are not suitable targets for therapy. Further limitation of anti-CAF therapy of cRCC that stromal cells of normal kidney are positive with αSMA antibody.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lehel Peterfi
- Department of Urology, Medical School, University of Pecs, Hungary
| | - Maria V. Yusenko
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Gyula Kovacs
- Department of Urology, Medical School, University of Pecs, Hungary,Medical Faculty, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany,Correspondending author at: Department of Urology, Munkacsy M utca 2, 7621 Pecs, Hungary.
| | - Tamas Beothe
- Department of Urology, Peterfy Sandor Hospital, Budapest, Hungary
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Parker AL, Bowman E, Zingone A, Ryan BM, Cooper WA, Kohonen-Corish M, Harris CC, Cox TR. Extracellular matrix profiles determine risk and prognosis of the squamous cell carcinoma subtype of non-small cell lung carcinoma. Genome Med 2022; 14:126. [PMID: 36404344 PMCID: PMC9677915 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-022-01127-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) is a subtype of non-small cell lung cancer for which patient prognosis remains poor. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is critical in regulating cell behavior; however, its importance in tumor aggressiveness remains to be comprehensively characterized. METHODS Multi-omics data of SqCC human tumor specimens was combined to characterize ECM features associated with initiation and recurrence. Penalized logistic regression was used to define a matrix risk signature for SqCC tumors and its performance across a panel of tumor types and in SqCC premalignant lesions was evaluated. Consensus clustering was used to define prognostic matreotypes for SqCC tumors. Matreotype-specific tumor biology was defined by integration of bulk RNAseq with scRNAseq data, cell type deconvolution, analysis of ligand-receptor interactions and enriched biological pathways, and through cross comparison of matreotype expression profiles with aging and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis lung profiles. RESULTS This analysis revealed subtype-specific ECM signatures associated with tumor initiation that were predictive of premalignant progression. We identified an ECM-enriched tumor subtype associated with the poorest prognosis. In silico analysis indicates that matrix remodeling programs differentially activate intracellular signaling in tumor and stromal cells to reinforce matrix remodeling associated with resistance and progression. The matrix subtype with the poorest prognosis resembles ECM remodeling in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and may represent a field of cancerization associated with elevated cancer risk. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, this analysis defines matrix-driven features of poor prognosis to inform precision medicine prevention and treatment strategies towards improving SqCC patient outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia L. Parker
- grid.415306.50000 0000 9983 6924Matrix and Metastasis Lab, Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, 384 Victoria St, Darlinghurst, NSW 2052 Australia ,grid.1005.40000 0004 4902 0432School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, 2052 Australia
| | - Elise Bowman
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Adriana Zingone
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Brid M. Ryan
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA ,Present address: MiNA Therapeutics, London, UK
| | - Wendy A. Cooper
- grid.413249.90000 0004 0385 0051Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, NSW Health Pathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW 2050 Australia ,grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XSydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050 Australia ,grid.1029.a0000 0000 9939 5719Discipline of Pathology, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Liverpool, NSW 2170 Australia
| | - Maija Kohonen-Corish
- grid.417229.b0000 0000 8945 8472Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2037 Australia ,grid.1005.40000 0004 4902 0432Microbiome Research Centre, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, 2052 Australia ,grid.415306.50000 0000 9983 6924Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010 Australia
| | - Curtis C. Harris
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Thomas R. Cox
- grid.415306.50000 0000 9983 6924Matrix and Metastasis Lab, Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, 384 Victoria St, Darlinghurst, NSW 2052 Australia ,grid.1005.40000 0004 4902 0432School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, 2052 Australia
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Zhang J, Chen M, Fang C, Luo P. A cancer-associated fibroblast gene signature predicts prognosis and therapy response in patients with pancreatic cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1052132. [PMID: 36465388 PMCID: PMC9716208 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1052132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a lethal malignancy with a 5-year survival rate of about 10% in the United States, and it is becoming an increasingly prominent cause of cancer death. Among pancreatic cancer patients, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) accounts for more than 90% of all cases and has a very poor prognosis with an average survival of only 1 year in about 18% of all tumor stages. In the past years, there has been an increasing interest in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and their roles in PDAC. Recent data reveals that CAFs in PDAC are heterogeneous and various CAF subtypes have been demonstrated to promote tumor development while others hinder cancer proliferation. Furthermore, CAFs and other stromal populations can be potentially used as novel prognostic markers in cancer. In the present study, in order to evaluate the prognostic value of CAFs in PDAC, CAF infiltration rate was evaluated in 4 PDAC datasets of TCGA, GEO, and ArrayExpress databases and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between CAF-high and CAF-low patients were identified. Subsequently, a CAF-based gene expression signature was developed and studied for its association with overall survival (OS). Additionally, functional enrichment analysis, somatic alteration analysis, and prognostic risk model construction was conducted on the identified DEGs. Finally, oncoPredict algorithm was implemented to assess drug sensitivity prediction between high- and low-risk cohorts. Our results revealed that CAF risk-high patients have a worse survival rate and increased CAF infiltration is a poor prognostic indicator in pancreatic cancer. Functional enrichment analysis also revealed that "extracellular matrix organization" and "vasculature development" were the top enriched pathways among the identified DEGs. We also developed a panel of 12 genes, which in additional to its prognostic value, could predict higher chemotherapy resistance rate. This CAF-based panel can be potentially utilized alone or in conjunction with other clinical parameters to make early predictions and prognosticate responsiveness to treatment in PDAC patients. Indeed, it is necessary to conduct extensive prospective investigations to confirm the clinical utility of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinbao Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Meiling Chen
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory on Hematology, Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Chuanfa Fang
- Department of Gastroenteric Hernia Surgery, Ganzhou Hospital Affiliated to Nanchang University, Jiangxi, Ganzhou, China
| | - Peng Luo
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
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11
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Li C, Qiu Y, Zhang Y. Research Progress on Therapeutic Targeting of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts to Tackle Treatment-Resistant NSCLC. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:1411. [PMID: 36422541 PMCID: PMC9696940 DOI: 10.3390/ph15111411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for most lung cancer cases and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Treatment options for lung cancer are no longer limited to surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, as targeted therapy and immunotherapy offer a new hope for patients. However, drug resistance in chemotherapy and targeted therapy, and the low response rates to immunotherapy remain important challenges. Similar to tumor development, drug resistance occurs because of significant effects exerted by the tumor microenvironment (TME) along with cancer cell mutations. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a key component of the TME and possess multiple functions, including cross-talking with cancer cells, remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM), secretion of various cytokines, and promotion of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, which in turn provide support for the growth, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance of cancer cells. Therefore, CAFs represent valuable therapeutic targets for lung cancer. Herein, we review the latest progress in the use of CAFs as potential targets and mediators of drug resistance for NSCLC treatment. We explored the role of CAFs on the regulation of the TME and surrounding ECM, with particular emphasis on treatment strategies involving combined CAF targeting within the current framework of cancer treatment.
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12
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Borgonje PE, Andrews LM, Herder GJM, de Klerk JMH. Performance and Prospects of [ 68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT Scans in Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225566. [PMID: 36428657 PMCID: PMC9688494 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) could be a promising target for tumor imaging and therapy, as it is expressed in >90% of epithelial cancers. A high level of FAP-expression might be associated with worse prognosis in several cancer types, including lung cancer. FAPI binds this protein and allows for labelling to Gallium-68, as well as several therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. As FAP is only expressed at insignificant levels in adult normal tissue, FAPI provides a highly specific tumor-marker for many epithelial cancers. In this review, current information on the use of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT in lung cancer is presented. [68Ga]Ga-FAPI shows a high uptake (standardized uptake value = SUVmax) and tumor-to-background ratio (TBR) in primary lung cancer lesions, as well as in metastatic lesions of other tumor types located in the lung and in lung cancer metastases located throughout the body. Where a comparison was made to [18F]FDG PET/CT, [68Ga]Ga-FAPI showed a similar or higher SUVmax and TBR. In brain and bone metastases, [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT outperformed [18F]FDG PET/CT. In addition to this strong diagnostic performance, a possible prognostic value of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT in lung cancer is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula E. Borgonje
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Meander Medical Center, Maatweg 3, 3813 TZ Amersfoort, The Netherlands
| | - Louise M. Andrews
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Meander Medical Center, Maatweg 3, 3813 TZ Amersfoort, The Netherlands
| | - Gerarda J. M. Herder
- Department of Pulmonology, Meander Medical Center, Maatweg 3, 3813 TZ Amersfoort, The Netherlands
| | - John M. H. de Klerk
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Meander Medical Center, Maatweg 3, 3813 TZ Amersfoort, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-33-850-5050
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13
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Wong KY, Cheung AH, Chen B, Chan WN, Yu J, Lo KW, Kang W, To KF. Cancer-associated fibroblasts in nonsmall cell lung cancer: From molecular mechanisms to clinical implications. Int J Cancer 2022; 151:1195-1215. [PMID: 35603909 PMCID: PMC9545594 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34127] [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: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the common and leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The tumor microenvironment has been recognized to be instrumental in tumorigenesis. To have a deep understanding of the molecular mechanism of nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have gained increasing research interests. CAFs belong to the crucial and dominant cell population in the tumor microenvironment to support the cancer cells. The interplay and partnership between cancer cells and CAFs contribute to each stage of tumorigenesis. CAFs exhibit prominent heterogeneity and secrete different kinds of cytokines and chemokines, growth factors and extracellular matrix proteins involved in cancer cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis and chemoresistance. Many studies focused on the protumorigenic functions of CAFs, yet many challenges about the heterogeneity of CAFS remain unresolved. This review comprehensively summarized the tumor-promoting role and molecular mechanisms of CAFs in NSCLC, including their origin, phenotypic changes and heterogeneity and their functional roles in carcinogenesis. Meanwhile, we also highlighted the updated molecular classifications based on the molecular features and functional roles of CAFs. With the development of cutting-edge platforms and further investigations of CAFs, novel therapeutic strategies for accurately targeting CAFs in NSCLC may be developed based on the increased understanding of the relevant molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kit Yee Wong
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyPrince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
| | - Alvin Ho‐Kwan Cheung
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyPrince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
| | - Bonan Chen
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyPrince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
| | - Wai Nok Chan
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyPrince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
| | - Jun Yu
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Department of Medicine and TherapeuticsThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
| | - Kwok Wai Lo
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyPrince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
| | - Wei Kang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyPrince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
| | - Ka Fai To
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyPrince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
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14
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Yanagawa N, Sugai M, Shikanai S, Sugimoto R, Osakabe M, Uesugi N, Saito H, Maemondo M, Sugai T. High expression of fibroblast-activating protein is a prognostic marker in non-small cell lung carcinoma. Thorac Cancer 2022; 13:2377-2384. [PMID: 35818720 PMCID: PMC9376177 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.14579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fibroblast‐activating protein (FAP) is expressed in cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in many human carcinomas and in some types of carcinoma cells. Here, we examined the proportion of FAP protein expression in non‐small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and investigated the correlation of FAP expression with clinicopathological background. Methods In total, 344 NSCLC tissues were examined. Tissue microarrays were constructed, and FAP expression was analyzed using immunohistochemistry. The status of FAP expression in tumor cells and CAFs was correlated with clinicopathological background, molecular features, and patient outcomes. Results A total of 280 patients (81.4%) had low FAP expression, and 64 patients (18.6%) had high FAP expression in tumor cells. In CAFs, 230 patients (66.9%) had low FAP expression, and 114 patients (33.1%) had high FAP expression. In multivariate analyses, high FAP expression in tumor cells was an independent predictive factor of both overall survival (OS; hazard ratio [HR] = 2.57, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.49–4.42, p < 0.001) and recurrence‐free survival (RFS; HR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.38–3.29, p < 0.001). Based on combinations of FAP expression in tumor cells and CAFs, patients with LowT/LowCAFs had better OS and RFS than did those in the other subgroups. By contrast, patients with HighT/HighCAFs had poor OS and RFS compared with those in the other subgroups. Conclusions Overall, FAP expression in tumor cells and the combination FAP expression in tumor cells and CAFs were strongly associated with patient survival and may be useful predictive biomarkers for patient outcomes in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Yanagawa
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
| | - Mayu Sugai
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Shikanai
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
| | - Ryo Sugimoto
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
| | - Mitsumasa Osakabe
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Uesugi
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
| | - Hajime Saito
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
| | - Makoto Maemondo
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
| | - Tamotsu Sugai
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
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15
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Sugai M, Yanagawa N, Shikanai S, Hashimoto M, Saikawa H, Osakabe M, Saito H, Maemondo M, Sugai T. Correlation of tumor microenvironment-related markers with clinical outcomes in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2022; 11:975-990. [PMID: 35832444 PMCID: PMC9271437 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-22-10] [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: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Background Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the major histological type in lung cancer (LC). The tumor microenvironment (TME) drives tumor progression and metastasis. In the TME, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play key roles in carcinogenesis. However, the roles of CAFs in lung SCC remain unknown. In this study, we evaluated whether the CAF phenotype was determined by various CAF-related proteins and whether CAF-related protein expression contributed to clinical outcomes in patients with lung SCC. Methods We examined the associations of CAF- and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers expressed in CAFs, including α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), CD10, podoplanin, fibroblast-specific protein 1 (FSP1), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) α, PDGFRβ, adipocyte enhancer-binding protein 1 (AEBP1), fibroblast activation protein (FAP), tenascin-C, Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1), and twist homolog 1 gene (TWIST1), in 108 lung SCC tissues using immunohistochemistry. In addition, cluster analysis was used to identify objective expression patterns of immunohistochemical markers. Finally, the CD3/CD8 ratio was evaluated in order to identify the associations of CAF-related proteins with the CD3/CD8 ratio using immunohistochemistry. Results SCC samples were classified into two subgroups (CAF-phenotype), which were significantly correlated with disease-free and overall survival using univariate and multivariate analyses. Moreover, high AEBP1 expression was identified as an independent prognostic marker in this cohort by univariate and multivariate analyses. The CD3/CD8 ratio was not correlated with the CAF-phenotype. Conclusions The presence of a specific subgroup defined by multiple markers could be used for prediction of prognosis in patients with lung SCC. In addition, AEBP1 overexpression played key roles in prediction of a poor prognosis in patients with lung SCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayu Sugai
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwagun, Japan.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwagun, Japan
| | - Naoki Yanagawa
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwagun, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Shikanai
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwagun, Japan
| | - Mai Hashimoto
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwagun, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Saikawa
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwagun, Japan
| | - Mitsumasa Osakabe
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwagun, Japan
| | - Hajime Saito
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwagun, Japan
| | - Makoto Maemondo
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwagun, Japan
| | - Tamotsu Sugai
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwagun, Japan
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16
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Ji Q, Huang K, Jiang Y, Lei K, Tu Z, Luo H, Zhu X. Comprehensive analysis of the prognostic and role in immune cell infiltration of MSR1 expression in lower-grade gliomas. Cancer Med 2022; 11:2020-2035. [PMID: 35142109 PMCID: PMC9089222 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.4603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The therapeutic effects of conventional treatment on gliomas are not promising. The tumor microenvironment (TME) has a close association with the invasiveness of multiple types of tumors, including low-grade gliomas (LGG). This study aims to validate the prognostic and immune-related role of macrophage scavenger receptor 1 (MSR1) in LGG patients. METHODS Data in this study were obtained from public databases. The differential expression of MSR1 was analyzed in LGG patients with different clinicopathological characteristics. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, a time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and Cox regression analysis were used to assess the prognostic value of MSR1. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened between the high and low expression groups of MSR1. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were used to annotate the function of these DEGs. Hallmark gene sets were identified based on MSR1 by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). Difference analysis and correlation analysis were used to study the relationship between MSR1 and TME-related scores, tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs), immune-related gene sets, and immune checkpoints (ICPs). The single-cell sequencing data were processed to identify the cell types expressing MSR1. The quantification of TIICs in TME was calculated by single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA). The differential expression of MSR1 in LGG and control brain tissues was verified by experiments. RESULTS There were significant differences in the expression level of MSR1 in different types of tissues and cells. MSR1 has a high prognostic value in LGG patients and can be used as an independent prognostic factor. MSR1 is closely related to TME and may play an important role in the immunotherapy of LGG patients. CONCLUSIONS The result of our study demonstrated that MSR1 is an independent prognostic biomarker in LGG patients and may play an important role in the TME of LGGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiankun Ji
- Department of NeurosurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiChina
| | - Kai Huang
- Department of NeurosurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiChina
- Institute of NeuroscienceNanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiChina
| | - Yuan Jiang
- Department of NeurosurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiChina
- Institute of NeuroscienceNanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiChina
| | - Kunjian Lei
- Department of NeurosurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiChina
- Institute of NeuroscienceNanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiChina
| | - Zewei Tu
- Department of NeurosurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiChina
- Institute of NeuroscienceNanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiChina
| | - Haitao Luo
- Department of NeurosurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiChina
- Institute of NeuroscienceNanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiChina
| | - Xingen Zhu
- Department of NeurosurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiChina
- Institute of NeuroscienceNanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiChina
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17
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Nucleolin Overexpression Predicts Patient Prognosis While Providing a Framework for Targeted Therapeutic Intervention in Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092217. [PMID: 35565346 PMCID: PMC9101044 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Despite the clinical benefit of new anticancer therapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, lung cancer remains the most frequent cause of cancer-related death worldwide, thus supporting the need to develop novel anticancer treatments. Endothelial cells of the tumor-associated vasculature are easily accessible to drugs administered intravenously, besides having greater genetic stability than neoplastic cells and thus lowering the risk of developing drug resistance. In this respect, the identification of alternative targets, and therapeutic strategies, within the tumor vasculature is of high relevance. Accordingly, this work aimed at characterizing nucleolin expression in patient-derived pulmonary carcinomas and further validating nucleolin as a novel target to mediate successful therapeutic interventions against human lung cancers. The highlighted prognostic value of nucleolin points towards the applicability of nucleolin-based targeting strategies against nucleolinhigh pulmonary carcinomas, present in every disease stage, in a clinical trial setting. Abstract Notwithstanding the advances in the treatment of lung cancer with immune checkpoint inhibitors, the high percentage of non-responders supports the development of novel anticancer treatments. Herein, the expression of the onco-target nucleolin in patient-derived pulmonary carcinomas was characterized, along with the assessment of its potential as a therapeutic target. The clinical prognostic value of nucleolin for human pulmonary carcinomas was evaluated through data mining from the Cancer Genome Atlas project and immunohistochemical detection in human samples. Cell surface expression of nucleolin was evaluated by flow cytometry and subcellular fraction Western blotting in lung cancer cell lines. Nucleolin mRNA overexpression correlated with poor overall survival of lung adenocarcinoma cancer patients and further predicted the disease progression of both lung adenocarcinoma and squamous carcinoma. Furthermore, a third of the cases presented extra-nuclear expression, contrasting with the nucleolar pattern in non-malignant tissues. A two- to twelve-fold improvement in cytotoxicity, subsequent to internalization into the lung cancer cell lines of doxorubicin-loaded liposomes functionalized by the nucleolin-binding F3 peptide, was correlated with the nucleolin cell surface levels and the corresponding extent of cell binding. Overall, the results suggested nucleolin overexpression as a poor prognosis predictor and thus a target for therapeutic intervention in lung cancer.
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18
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Mathieson L, O'Connor RA, Stewart H, Shaw P, Dhaliwal K, Williams GOS, Megia-Fernandez A, Akram AR. Fibroblast Activation Protein Specific Optical Imaging in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:834350. [PMID: 35359378 PMCID: PMC8961646 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.834350] [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: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a cell surface propyl-specific serine protease involved in the regulation of extracellular matrix. Whilst expressed at low levels in healthy tissue, upregulation of FAP on fibroblasts can be found in several solid organ malignancies, including non-small cell lung cancer, and chronic inflammatory conditions such as pulmonary fibrosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Their full role remains unclear, but FAP expressing cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been found to relate to a poor prognosis with worse survival rates in breast, colorectal, pancreatic, and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Optical imaging using a FAP specific chemical probe, when combined with clinically compatible imaging systems, can provide a readout of FAP activity which could allow disease monitoring, prognostication and potentially stratify therapy. However, to derive a specific signal for FAP any sequence must retain specificity over closely related endopeptidases, such as prolyl endopeptidase (PREP), and be resistant to degradation in areas of active inflammation. We describe the iterative development of a FAP optical reporter sequence which retains FAP specificity, confers resistance to degradation in the presence of activated neutrophil proteases and demonstrates clinical tractability ex vivo in NSCLC samples with an imaging platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layla Mathieson
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Translational Healthcare Technologies Group, Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Richard A O'Connor
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Translational Healthcare Technologies Group, Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Hazel Stewart
- Translational Healthcare Technologies Group, Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Paige Shaw
- EaStCHEM, The University of Edinburgh School of Chemistry, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin Dhaliwal
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Translational Healthcare Technologies Group, Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth O S Williams
- Translational Healthcare Technologies Group, Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ahsan R Akram
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Translational Healthcare Technologies Group, Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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19
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Tagirasa R, Yoo E. Role of Serine Proteases at the Tumor-Stroma Interface. Front Immunol 2022; 13:832418. [PMID: 35222418 PMCID: PMC8873516 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.832418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
During tumor development, invasion and metastasis, the intimate interaction between tumor and stroma shapes the tumor microenvironment and dictates the fate of tumor cells. Stromal cells can also influence anti-tumor immunity and response to immunotherapy. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern this complex and dynamic interplay, thus is important for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Proteolytic enzymes that are expressed and secreted by both cancer and stromal cells play important roles in modulating tumor-stromal interaction. Among, several serine proteases such as fibroblast activation protein, urokinase-type plasminogen activator, kallikrein-related peptidases, and granzymes have attracted great attention owing to their elevated expression and dysregulated activity in the tumor microenvironment. This review highlights the role of serine proteases that are mainly derived from stromal cells in tumor progression and associated theranostic applications.
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20
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Tang PC, Chung JY, Xue VW, Xiao J, Meng X, Huang X, Zhou S, Chan AS, Tsang AC, Cheng AS, Lee T, Leung K, Lam EW, To K, Tang PM, Lan H. Smad3 Promotes Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Generation via Macrophage-Myofibroblast Transition. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2101235. [PMID: 34791825 PMCID: PMC8728853 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202101235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are important in tumor microenvironment (TME) driven cancer progression. However, CAFs are heterogeneous and still largely underdefined, better understanding their origins will identify new therapeutic strategies for cancer. Here, the authors discovered a new role of macrophage-myofibroblast transition (MMT) in cancer for de novo generating protumoral CAFs by resolving the transcriptome dynamics of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) with single-cell resolution. MMT cells (MMTs) are observed in non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) associated with CAF abundance and patient mortality. By fate-mapping study, RNA velocity, and pseudotime analysis, existence of novel macrophage-lineage-derived CAF subset in the TME of Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) model is confirmed, which is directly transited via MMT from M2-TAM in vivo and bone-marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) in vitro. Adoptive transfer of BMDM-derived MMTs markedly promote CAF formation in LLC-bearing mice. Mechanistically, a Smad3-centric regulatory network is upregulated in the MMTs of NSCLC, where chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing(ChIP-seq) detects a significant enrichment of Smad3 binding on fibroblast differentiation genes in the macrophage-lineage cells in LLC-tumor. More importantly, macrophage-specific deletion and pharmaceutical inhibition of Smad3 effectively block MMT, therefore, suppressing the CAF formation and cancer progression in vivo. Thus, MMT may represent a novel therapeutic target of CAF for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Chiu‐Tsun Tang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular PathologyState Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
- Department of Medicine and TherapeuticsLi Ka Shing Institute of Health SciencesThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Jeff Yat‐Fai Chung
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular PathologyState Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Vivian Wei‐wen Xue
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular PathologyState Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Jun Xiao
- Department of Medicine and TherapeuticsLi Ka Shing Institute of Health SciencesThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | | | - Xiao‐Ru Huang
- Department of Medicine and TherapeuticsLi Ka Shing Institute of Health SciencesThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
- Guangdong‐Hong Kong Joint Laboratory on Immunological and Genetic Kidney DiseasesGuangdong Academy of Medical SciencesGuangdong Provincial People's HospitalGuangzhouChina
| | - Shuang Zhou
- Department of Histology and EmbryologyTongji University School of MedicineTongji University Cancer InstituteShanghaiChina
| | - Alex Siu‐Wing Chan
- Department of Applied Social SciencesThe Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityKowloonHong KongChina
| | - Anna Chi‐Man Tsang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular PathologyState Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | | | - Tin‐Lap Lee
- ReproductionDevelopment and Endocrinology ProgramSchool of Biomedical SciencesThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Kam‐Tong Leung
- Department of PaediatricsPrince of Wales HospitalThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Eric W.‐F. Lam
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Ka‐Fai To
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular PathologyState Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Patrick Ming‐Kuen Tang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular PathologyState Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Hui‐Yao Lan
- Department of Medicine and TherapeuticsLi Ka Shing Institute of Health SciencesThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong‐Guangdong Academy of Sciences/Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital Joint Research Laboratory on Immunological and Genetic Kidney DiseasesThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
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21
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Scaling concepts in 'omics: Nuclear lamin-B scales with tumor growth and often predicts poor prognosis, unlike fibrosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2112940118. [PMID: 34810266 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2112940118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Physicochemical principles such as stoichiometry and fractal assembly can give rise to characteristic scaling between components that potentially include coexpressed transcripts. For key structural factors within the nucleus and extracellular matrix, we discover specific gene-gene scaling exponents across many of the 32 tumor types in The Cancer Genome Atlas, and we demonstrate utility in predicting patient survival as well as scaling-informed machine learning (SIML). All tumors with adjacent tissue data show cancer-elevated proliferation genes, with some genes scaling with the nuclear filament LMNB1, including the transcription factor FOXM1 that we show directly regulates LMNB1 SIML shows that such regulated cancers cluster together with longer overall survival than dysregulated cancers, but high LMNB1 and FOXM1 in half of regulated cancers surprisingly predict poor survival, including for liver cancer. COL1A1 is also studied because it too increases in tumors, and a pan-cancer set of fibrosis genes shows substoichiometric scaling with COL1A1 but predicts patient outcome only for liver cancer-unexpectedly being prosurvival. Single-cell RNA-seq data show nontrivial scaling consistent with power laws from bulk RNA and protein analyses, and SIML segregates synthetic from contractile cancer fibroblasts. Our scaling approach thus yields fundamentals-based power laws relatable to survival, gene function, and experiments.
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22
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Xin L, Gao J, Zheng Z, Chen Y, Lv S, Zhao Z, Yu C, Yang X, Zhang R. Fibroblast Activation Protein-α as a Target in the Bench-to-Bedside Diagnosis and Treatment of Tumors: A Narrative Review. Front Oncol 2021; 11:648187. [PMID: 34490078 PMCID: PMC8416977 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.648187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP) is a type II integral serine protease that is specifically expressed by activated fibroblasts. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor stroma have an abundant and stable expression of FAP, which plays an important role in promoting tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, and immunosuppression. For example, in females with a high incidence of breast cancer, CAFs account for 50–70% of the cells in the tumor’s microenvironment. CAF overexpression of FAP promotes tumor development and metastasis by influencing extracellular matrix remodeling, intracellular signaling, angiogenesis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and immunosuppression. This review discusses the basic biological characteristics of FAP and its applications in the diagnosis and treatment of various cancers. We review the emerging basic and clinical research data regarding the use of nanomaterials that target FAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Xin
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jinfang Gao
- Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Taiyuan, China
| | - Ziliang Zheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yiyou Chen
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Shuxin Lv
- Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Taiyuan, China
| | - Zhikai Zhao
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Chunhai Yu
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiaotang Yang
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Ruiping Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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23
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Chen C, Hou J, Yu S, Li W, Wang X, Sun H, Qin T, Claret FX, Guo H, Liu Z. Role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in the resistance to antitumor therapy, and their potential therapeutic mechanisms in non-small cell lung cancer. Oncol Lett 2021; 21:413. [PMID: 33841574 PMCID: PMC8020389 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality rates, which seriously endangers human health. Although treatment methods continue to evolve, the emergence of drug resistance is inevitable and seriously hinders the treatment of NSCLC. The tumor microenvironment (TME) protects tumor cells from the effects of chemotherapeutic drugs, which can lead to drug resistance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are an important component of the TME, and various studies have demonstrated that CAFs play a crucial role in drug resistance in NSCLC. However, the drug resistance mechanism of CAFs and whether CAFs can be used as a target to reverse the resistance of tumor cells remain unclear. The present review discusses this issue and describes the heterogeneity of CAF markers, as well as their origins and resident organs, and the role and mechanism of this heterogeneity in NSCLC progression. Furthermore, the mechanism of CAF-mediated NSCLC resistance to chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy is introduced, and strategies to reverse this resistance are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congcong Chen
- School of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, P.R. China
| | - Jia Hou
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Sizhe Yu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Wenyuan Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Xiao Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Hong Sun
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Tianjie Qin
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Francois X. Claret
- Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston TX77030, USA
| | - Hui Guo
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Ministry of Education of China, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Zhiyan Liu
- School of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, P.R. China
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Xi'an No. 3 Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710018, P.R. China
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24
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Moreno-Ruiz P, Corvigno S, Te Grootenhuis NC, La Fleur L, Backman M, Strell C, Mezheyeuski A, Hoelzlwimmer G, Klein C, Botling J, Micke P, Östman A. Stromal FAP is an independent poor prognosis marker in non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma and associated with p53 mutation. Lung Cancer 2021; 155:10-19. [PMID: 33706022 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2021.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Fibroblasts regulate tumor growth and immune surveillance. Here, we study FAP, PDGFβR and α-SMA fibroblast markers in a well-annotated clinical cohort of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) for analyses of associations with immune cell infiltration, mutation status and survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS A well-annotated NSCLC cohort was subjected to IHC analyses of stromal expression of FAP, PDGFβR and α-SMA and of stromal CD8 density. Fibroblast markers-related measurements were analyzed with regard to potential associations with CD8 density, cancer genetic driver mutations, survival and PD-L1 expression in the whole NSCLC cohort and in subsets of patients. RESULTS High stromal FAP expression was identified as an independent poor prognostic marker in the whole study population (HR 1.481; 95 % CI, 1.012-2.167, p = 0.023) and in the histological subset of adenocarcinoma (HR 1.720; 95 % CI, 1.126-2.627, p = 0.012). Among patients with adenocarcinoma, a particularly strong association of FAP with poor survival was detected in patients with low stromal CD8 infiltration, and in other subpopulations identified by specific clinical characteristics; elderly patients, females, non-smokers and patients with normal ECOG performance status. α-SMA expression was negatively associated with CD8 infiltration in non-smokers, but none of the fibroblast markers expression was associated with CD8 density in the whole study population. Significant associations were detected between presence of p53 mutations and high α-SMA (p = 0.003) and FAP expression (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The study identifies FAP intensity as a candidate independent NSCLC prognostic biomarker. The study also suggests continued analyses of the relationships between genetic driver mutations and the composition of tumor stroma, as well as continued probing of marker-defined fibroblasts as NSCLC subset-specific modifiers of immune surveillance and outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Moreno-Ruiz
- Karolinska Institutet, Cancer Center Karolinska, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sara Corvigno
- Karolinska Institutet, Cancer Center Karolinska, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Stockholm, Sweden; Uppsala University, Genetics and Pathology, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Nienke C Te Grootenhuis
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Linnéa La Fleur
- Uppsala University, Genetics and Pathology, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Max Backman
- Uppsala University, Genetics and Pathology, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Carina Strell
- Karolinska Institutet, Cancer Center Karolinska, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Artur Mezheyeuski
- Karolinska Institutet, Cancer Center Karolinska, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Stockholm, Sweden; Uppsala University, Genetics and Pathology, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | - Johan Botling
- Uppsala University, Genetics and Pathology, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Patrick Micke
- Uppsala University, Genetics and Pathology, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Arne Östman
- Karolinska Institutet, Cancer Center Karolinska, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Stockholm, Sweden.
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25
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Irvine AF, Waise S, Green EW, Stuart B, Thomas GJ. Characterising cancer-associated fibroblast heterogeneity in non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3727. [PMID: 33580106 PMCID: PMC7881148 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81796-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a key component of the tumour microenvironment with evidence suggesting they represent a heterogeneous population. This study summarises the prognostic role of all proteins characterised in CAFs with immunohistochemistry in non-small cell lung cancer thus far. The functions of these proteins in cellular processes crucial to CAFs are also analysed. Five databases were searched to extract survival outcomes from published studies and statistical techniques, including a novel method, used to capture missing values from the literature. A total of 26 proteins were identified, 21 of which were combined into 7 common cellular processes key to CAFs. Quality assessments for sensitivity analyses were carried out for each study using the REMARK criteria whilst publication bias was assessed using funnel plots. Random effects models consistently identified the expression of podoplanin (Overall Survival (OS)/Disease-specific Survival (DSS), univariate analysis HR 2.25, 95% CIs 1.80-2.82) and α-SMA (OS/DSS, univariate analysis HR 2.11, 95% CIs 1.18-3.77) in CAFs as highly prognostic regardless of outcome measure or analysis method. Moreover, proteins involved in maintaining and generating the CAF phenotype (α-SMA, TGF-β and p-Smad2) proved highly significant after sensitivity analysis (HR 2.74, 95% CIs 1.74-4.33) supporting attempts at targeting this pathway for therapeutic benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew F Irvine
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
- Department of Pathology and Data Analytics, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
| | - Sara Waise
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Edward W Green
- The German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Beth Stuart
- Primary Care and Population Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Gareth J Thomas
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
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26
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Targeting Metabolic Cross Talk Between Cancer Cells and Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1311:205-214. [PMID: 34014545 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-65768-0_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Although cancer has classically been regarded as a genetic disease of uncontrolled cell growth, the importance of the tumor microenvironment (TME) [1, 2] is continuously emphasized by the accumulating evidence that cancer growth is not simply dependent on the cancer cells themselves [3, 4] but also dependent on angiogenesis [5-8], inflammation [9, 10], and the supporting roles of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) [11-13]. After the discovery that CAFs are able to remodel the tumor matrix within the TME and provide the nutrients and chemicals to promote cancer cell growth [14], many studies have aimed to uncover the cross talk between cancer cells and CAFs. Moreover, a new paradigm in cancer metabolism shows how cancer cells act like "metabolic parasites" to take up the high-energy metabolites, such as lactate, ketone bodies, free fatty acids, and glutamine from supporting cells, including CAFs and cancer-associated adipocytes (CAAs) [15, 16]. This chapter provides an overview of the metabolic coupling between CAFs and cancer cells to further define the therapeutic options to disrupt the CAF-cancer cell interactions.
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27
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Ragunathan K, Upfold NLE, Oksenych V. Interaction between Fibroblasts and Immune Cells Following DNA Damage Induced by Ionizing Radiation. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228635. [PMID: 33207781 PMCID: PMC7696681 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) form the basis of tumor microenvironment and possess immunomodulatory functions by interacting with other cells surrounding tumor, including T lymphocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells and natural killer cells. Ionizing radiation is a broadly-used method in radiotherapy to target tumors. In mammalian cells, ionizing radiation induces various types of DNA damages and DNA damage response. Being unspecific, radiotherapy affects all the cells in tumor microenvironment, including the tumor itself, CAFs and immune cells. CAFs are extremely radio-resistant and do not initiate apoptosis even at high doses of radiation. However, following radiation, CAFs become senescent and produce a distinct combination of immunoregulatory molecules. Radiosensitivity of immune cells varies depending on the cell type due to inefficient DNA repair in, for example, monocytes and granulocytes. In this minireview, we are summarizing recent findings on the interaction between CAF, ionizing radiation and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalaiyarasi Ragunathan
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7028 Trondheim, Norway; (K.R.); (N.L.E.U.)
| | - Nikki Lyn Esnardo Upfold
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7028 Trondheim, Norway; (K.R.); (N.L.E.U.)
| | - Valentyn Oksenych
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7028 Trondheim, Norway; (K.R.); (N.L.E.U.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition (BioNuT), Karolinska Institutet, 14183 Huddinge, Sweden
- KG Jebsen Centre for B Cell Malignancies, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway
- Correspondence:
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28
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Chen X, Liu Y, Zhang Q, Liu B, Cheng Y, Zhang Y, Sun Y, Liu J. Exosomal miR-590-3p derived from cancer-associated fibroblasts confers radioresistance in colorectal cancer. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2020; 24:113-126. [PMID: 33738143 PMCID: PMC7943971 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Radiotherapeutic resistance is a major obstacle for the effective treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role in chemoresistance and radioresistance. Here, we aimed to investigate whether miR-590-3p participates in the radioresistance of CRC. High expression of miR-590-3p and low expression of CLCA4 were found in both CRC tissues and cell lines. CLCA4 was indicated to be a target gene of miR-590-3p. CAF-derived exosomes were extracted and co-cultured with CRC cells, which were then exposed to radiation. CRC cells were transfected with plasmids and injected into nude mice to detect the in vivo effect of CAF-derived exosomes. Treatment with CAF-derived exosomes decreased the sensitivity of CRC cells to radiation. CAF-derived exosomes overexpressing miR-590-3p increased cell survival and the ratio of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-AKT/AKT while lowering the expressions of cleaved-PARP, cleaved-caspase 3, and γH2AX in cells. Furthermore, in vivo experimental results confirmed that CAF-derived exosomal miR-590-3p stimulated tumor growth in mice following radiotherapy. Our results demonstrate that miR-590-3p delivery via exosomes derived from CAFs enhances radioresistance in CRC through the positive regulation of the CLCA4-dependent PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xijuan Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, P.R. China
| | - Yingqiang Liu
- Department of General Surgery, the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, P.R. China
| | - Qinglan Zhang
- Department of Hematology, the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, P.R. China
| | - Baoxing Liu
- Department of Chest Surgery, the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, P.R. China
| | - Yan Cheng
- Department of Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, P.R. China
| | - Yonglei Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, P.R. China
| | - Yanan Sun
- Department of Radiation Oncology, the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, P.R. China
| | - Junqi Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, P.R. China
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29
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Sweeney M, Corden B, Cook SA. Targeting cardiac fibrosis in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: mirage or miracle? EMBO Mol Med 2020; 12:e10865. [PMID: 32955172 PMCID: PMC7539225 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201910865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis is central to the pathology of heart failure, particularly heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Irrespective of the underlying profibrotic condition (e.g. ageing, diabetes, hypertension), maladaptive cardiac fibrosis is defined by the transformation of resident fibroblasts to matrix-secreting myofibroblasts. Numerous profibrotic factors have been identified at the molecular level (e.g. TGFβ, IL11, AngII), which activate gene expression programs for myofibroblast activation. A number of existing HF therapies indirectly target fibrotic pathways; however, despite multiple clinical trials in HFpEF, a specific clinically effective antifibrotic therapy remains elusive. Therapeutic inhibition of TGFβ, the master-regulator of fibrosis, has unfortunately proven toxic and ineffective in clinical trials to date, and new approaches are needed. In this review, we discuss the pathophysiology and clinical implications of interstitial fibrosis in HFpEF. We provide an overview of trials targeting fibrosis in HFpEF to date and discuss the promise of potential new therapeutic approaches and targets in the context of underlying molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Sweeney
- MRC‐London Institute of Medical SciencesHammersmith Hospital CampusLondonUK
- Wellcome Trust 4i/NIHR Clinical Research FellowImperial CollegeLondonUK
| | - Ben Corden
- MRC‐London Institute of Medical SciencesHammersmith Hospital CampusLondonUK
- National Heart Research Institute SingaporeNational Heart Centre SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders ProgramDuke‐National University of Singapore Medical SchoolSingaporeSingapore
- National Heart and Lung InstituteImperial College LondonLondonUK
| | - Stuart A Cook
- MRC‐London Institute of Medical SciencesHammersmith Hospital CampusLondonUK
- National Heart Research Institute SingaporeNational Heart Centre SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders ProgramDuke‐National University of Singapore Medical SchoolSingaporeSingapore
- National Heart and Lung InstituteImperial College LondonLondonUK
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30
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Targeting Cancer Associated Fibroblasts in Liver Fibrosis and Liver Cancer Using Nanocarriers. Cells 2020; 9:cells9092027. [PMID: 32899119 PMCID: PMC7563527 DOI: 10.3390/cells9092027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAF) and the extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by them have been recognized as key players in cancer biology and emerged as important targets for cancer treatment and drug discovery. Apart from their presence in stroma rich tumors, such as biliary, pancreatic and subtypes of hepatocellular cancer (HCC), both CAF and certain ECM components are also present in cancers without an overt intra-tumoral desmoplastic reaction. They support cancer development, growth, metastasis and resistance to chemo- or checkpoint inhibitor therapy by a multitude of mechanisms, including angiogenesis, ECM remodeling and active immunosuppression by secretion of tumor promoting and immune suppressive cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. CAF resemble activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC)/myofibroblasts, expressing α-smooth muscle actin and especially fibroblast activation protein (FAP). Apart from FAP, CAF also upregulate other functional cell surface proteins like platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ) or the insulin-like growth factor receptor II (IGFRII). Notably, if formulated with adequate size and zeta potential, injected nanoparticles home preferentially to the liver. Several nanoparticular formulations were tested successfully to deliver dugs to activated HSC/myofibroblasts. Thus, surface modified nanocarriers with a cyclic peptide binding to the PDGFRβ or with mannose-6-phosphate binding to the IGFRII, effectively directed drug delivery to activated HSC/CAF in vivo. Even unguided nanohydrogel particles and lipoplexes loaded with siRNA demonstrated a high in vivo uptake and functional siRNA delivery in activated HSC, indicating that liver CAF/HSC are also addressed specifically by well-devised nanocarriers with optimized physicochemical properties. Therefore, CAF have become an attractive target for the development of stroma-based cancer therapies, especially in the liver.
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31
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Li F, Zhao S, Cui Y, Guo T, Qiang J, Xie Q, Yu W, Guo W, Deng W, Gu C, Wu T. α1,6-Fucosyltransferase (FUT8) regulates the cancer-promoting capacity of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) by modifying EGFR core fucosylation (CF) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:816-837. [PMID: 32266093 PMCID: PMC7136908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the main cancer-promoting component in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). α1,6-Fucosyltransferase (FUT8), the key enzyme catalyzing core α1,6-fucosylation (CF), plays a promoting role in multiple malignancies. In the current study, we investigated the function of FUT8 in CAFs and elucidated the mechanism through which FUT8 regulates the cancer-promoting capacity of CAFs in NSCLC. A bioinformatics analysis was performed to reveal the relationship between FUT8 and CAFs. Resected specimens from NSCLC patients were analyzed to assess the expression of FUT8 in CAFs. Primary CAFs and normal lung fibroblasts (NLFs) were extracted from NSCLC patient specimens and were co-cultured with NSCLC cell lines in a novel 3D-printed non-contact co-culture device. An In vivo CAF/NSCLC co-injection tumorigenesis assay was performed using nude mice to study the function of FUT8/CF in TME formation. The current study revealed that FUT8-mediated CF in CAFs plays a positive role in the cancer-promoting capacity of these cells. FUT8 overexpression was observed in CAFs isolated from some lung adenocarcinoma cases. Further investigation showed that FUT8/CF in CAFs promoted the formation of an invasive and malignant TME in vivo and in vitro, and the resulting NSCLC cells exhibited faster proliferation and increased invasiveness. EGFR signaling exerts a catalytic effect on the cancer-promoting capacity of CAFs and is regulated by the CF modification of the EGFR protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengzhou Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical UniversityDalian, China
| | - Shilei Zhao
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical UniversityDalian, China
| | - Yanwei Cui
- Zhongshan Hospital, Dalian UniversityDalian, China
| | - Tao Guo
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical UniversityDalian, China
| | - Jiaqi Qiang
- Dalian Municipal Central Hospital Affiliated to Dalian Medical UniversityDalian, China
| | - Qiang Xie
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical UniversityDalian, China
| | - Wendan Yu
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical UniversityDalian, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical UniversityDalian, China
| | - Wuguo Deng
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Lab of Oncology in South ChinaGuangzhou, China
| | - Chundong Gu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical UniversityDalian, China
| | - Taihua Wu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical UniversityDalian, China
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32
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Oleynikova NA, Danilova NV, Mikhailov IA, Semina EV, Malkov PG. [Cancer-associated fibroblasts and their significance in tumor progression]. Arkh Patol 2020; 82:68-77. [PMID: 32096494 DOI: 10.17116/patol20208201168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Carcinogenesis and tumor progression are not caused not only by malignant epithelial cells, but also by the tumor stroma around cancer stem cells which performs regulatory, nutritional and 'framework' functions. It is represented by mesenchymal cells of various types predominantly by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF). αSMA, FAP-1, desmin, podoplanin, neuron-glial antigen 2 (NG2), PDGFR-α and -β are used for CAF identification but there is no universal markers due to the plasticity of the cell population that underlies the subpopulation division CAF. CAF subpopulations are not described for many tumor types. Recently, evidence has accumulated that CAFs mediate many adverse processes in the tumor, including can support stromal inflammation and cause fibrosis. By forming a niche in cancer stem cells, CAFs mediate chemoresistance and the appearance of dormant metastases. The study of the role of CAF will allow not only to form a fundamentally new understanding of the mechanisms of carcinogenesis, but also to create new diagnostic and therapeutic targets for treating tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - N V Danilova
- M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - I A Mikhailov
- M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - E V Semina
- M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia; National Medical Research Center for Cardiology, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| | - P G Malkov
- M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia; Russian Medical Academy of Continuing Professional Education, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia
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Byrling J, Sasor A, Nilsson J, Said Hilmersson K, Andersson R, Andersson B. Expression of fibroblast activation protein and the clinicopathological relevance in distal cholangiocarcinoma. Scand J Gastroenterol 2020; 55:82-89. [PMID: 31917931 DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2019.1708449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: The current survival of patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma (dCCA) is poor. There is a need to develop new prognostic and predictive biomarkers to improve the survival of patients. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) expression has been associated with survival in several solid malignancies. The goal of this study was to evaluate the expression pattern and prognostic significance of FAP in dCCA.Materials and methods: FAP expression was examined in 57 resected dCCA specimens and 28 paired lymph node metastasis specimens, as well as 10 benign bile ducts using immunohistochemistry. FAP expression was scored in the epithelial and stromal component of the dCCA specimens. The association between FAP expression and prognosis was evaluated using univariable and multivariable statistical modeling.Results: FAP expression was absent in the benign controls. FAP expression was evident in the epithelial 43 (75%) and stromal compartment 34 (60%) of dCCA. There was no association between epithelial or stromal FAP expression and clinicopathological factors. Epithelial FAP expression (HR 0.4 95% CI 0.20-0.78; p=.007) but not stromal FAP expression was significantly associated with better survival in univariable and multivariable analysis.Conclusions: FAP overexpression is evident in dCCA. There was a positive association between epithelial FAP expression and better survival which merits further evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Byrling
- Department of Surgery, Lund University and Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Agata Sasor
- Department of Pathology, Lund University and Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Johan Nilsson
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Lund University and Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Roland Andersson
- Department of Surgery, Lund University and Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Bodil Andersson
- Department of Surgery, Lund University and Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
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Yan L, Wang P, Fang W, Liang C. Cancer‐associated fibroblasts–derived exosomes‐mediated transfer of LINC00355 regulates bladder cancer cell proliferation and invasion. Cell Biochem Funct 2019; 38:257-265. [PMID: 31749189 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yan
- Department of UrologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University Hefei China
- Institute of UrologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University Hefei China
| | - Peiyu Wang
- Department of UrologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University Hefei China
- Institute of UrologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University Hefei China
| | - Weihua Fang
- Department of UrologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University Hefei China
- Institute of UrologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University Hefei China
| | - Chaozhao Liang
- Department of UrologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University Hefei China
- Institute of UrologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University Hefei China
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35
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Dominiak A, Nowicki T, Łacheta D, Nowicka G. Cancer-associated fibroblasts as a potential target in oncology therapy. POSTEP HIG MED DOSW 2019. [DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0013.5379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumors make up a complex environment that consists of intensive proliferating cancer cells surrounded by normal cells. Fibroblasts recruited by cancer termed CAFs, are one of the major cell groups within the reactive stroma of the most common tumors. Because of the crosstalk between quiescent fibroblasts and cancer cells, fibroblasts undergo phenotypic transition and acquire new functions that have been “forced by a tumor”. CAFs affect the development of the drug resistance and cancer progression as they are involved in the growth of cancers, neoangiogenesis, immune evasion and metastatic colonisation in distant organs. Fibroblast-directed therapy offers the opportunity to prevent initiation, progression and metastasis of many invasive tumors. The current studies on CAF-based therapy focus on two strategies. The first strategy leads to the elimination of CAFs and the neutralization of their released factors and the second aims at reverting the CAF-phenotype to a “normal” fibroblast-phenotype. Although the results of preclinical studies conducted on cell cultures and animal models indicate that therapy aimed at reversion or inhibition CAFs function seem to be a promising therapeutic target, available clinical studies have not yet confirmed this. Nevertheless, it is necessary to underline that until now CAF-based therapy has been used in patients with advanced cancer and there is no clinical study using such therapy in the early stage of cancer. The available data also indicates that CAF-based therapy could be used in combination with common anticancer drugs to increase their effectiveness. Therefore, further studies on the usefulness of the proposed CAF-based therapy are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Dominiak
- Zakład Biochemii i Farmakogenomiki, Wydział Farmaceutyczny z Oddziałem Medycyny Laboratoryjnej oraz Laboratorium Biochemii i Chemii Klinicznej Centrum Badań Przedklinicznych, Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Warszawa, Polska
| | - Tomasz Nowicki
- Student II Wydziału Lekarskiego oraz członek SKN FARMAKON, Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Warszawa, Polska
| | - Dominika Łacheta
- Zakład Biochemii i Farmakogenomiki, Wydział Farmaceutyczny z Oddziałem Medycyny Laboratoryjnej oraz Laboratorium Biochemii i Chemii Klinicznej Centrum Badań Przedklinicznych, Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Warszawa, Polska
| | - Grażyna Nowicka
- Zakład Biochemii i Farmakogenomiki, Wydział Farmaceutyczny z Oddziałem Medycyny Laboratoryjnej oraz Laboratorium Biochemii i Chemii Klinicznej Centrum Badań Przedklinicznych, Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Warszawa, Polska
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36
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Teramoto K, Igarashi T, Kataoka Y, Ishida M, Hanaoka J, Sumimoto H, Daigo Y. Clinical significance of PD-L1-positive cancer-associated fibroblasts in pN0M0 non-small cell lung cancer. Lung Cancer 2019; 137:56-63. [PMID: 31546072 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2019.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a dominant cell type in tumor stroma and support the generation of pro-tumorigenic microenvironment. CAFs have frequent opportunities to interact with immune cells infiltrating the tumor stroma, but the process remains to be determined. In this study, we focused on immune checkpoint mechanism. We also examined the induction of programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) on CAFs by immune cell, and the clinical significance of PD-L1-expressed CAFs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS CAFs were isolated from human NSCLC tissues, and PD-L1 expression levels in CAFs were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and flow-cytometry. Following immunohistochemical analysis of PD-L1 in surgically resected pN0M0 NSCLC (n = 125, including 88 invasive adenocarcinomas and 37 squamous cell carcinomas), the correlation of PD-L1-positive CAFs with clinicopathological features was investigated. RESULTS PD-L1 mRNA and protein expression on CAFs was upregulated by exogenously supplemented interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and downregulated through the depletion of IFN-γ. PD-L1 expression on CAFs was upregulated by co-culture with activated lymphocytes releasing IFN-γ. Immunohistochemistry revealed that PD-L1-positive CAFs were observed in 31 cases (24.8%). Postoperative relapse-free survival was significantly prolonged in patients with PD-L1-positive CAFs as compared with those with PD-L1-negative CAFs, with 5-year relapse-free probabilities of 84.5% and 66.3%, respectively (P = 0.031). Multivariate analysis revealed that PD-L1 expression on CAFs was an independent prognostic factor of longer relapse-free survival after surgery (hazard ratio: 3.225, P = 0.027). CONCLUSION PD-L1 expression on CAFs is reversibly regulated by environmental stimuli including IFN-γ from activated lymphocytes. In the non-metastatic NSCLC, PD-L1 expression on CAFs suggests the induction of anti-tumor immune responses, contributing to better prognosis after surgery.
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MESH Headings
- Adenocarcinoma of Lung/drug therapy
- Adenocarcinoma of Lung/immunology
- Adenocarcinoma of Lung/metabolism
- Adenocarcinoma of Lung/pathology
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Antiviral Agents/pharmacology
- B7-H1 Antigen/immunology
- B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/drug effects
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts/drug effects
- Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts/immunology
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/immunology
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/immunology
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Interferon-gamma/pharmacology
- Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Lung Neoplasms/immunology
- Lung Neoplasms/metabolism
- Lung Neoplasms/pathology
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/drug effects
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Neoplasm Grading
- Neoplasm Staging
- Survival Rate
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Teramoto
- Department of Medical Oncology and Cancer Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta-Tsukinowa, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan; Center for Advanced Medicine against Cancer, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta-Tsukinowa, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan; Center for Antibody and Vaccine Therapy, Research Hospital, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan.
| | - Tomoyuki Igarashi
- Department of Surgery, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta-Tsukinowa, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan
| | - Yoko Kataoka
- Department of Surgery, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta-Tsukinowa, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan
| | - Mitsuaki Ishida
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kansai Medical University, 2-5-1 Shin-machi, Hirakata, Osaka 573-1010, Japan
| | - Jun Hanaoka
- Department of Surgery, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta-Tsukinowa, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Sumimoto
- Department of Medical Oncology and Cancer Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta-Tsukinowa, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan; Center for Advanced Medicine against Cancer, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta-Tsukinowa, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan
| | - Yataro Daigo
- Department of Medical Oncology and Cancer Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta-Tsukinowa, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan; Center for Advanced Medicine against Cancer, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta-Tsukinowa, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan; Center for Antibody and Vaccine Therapy, Research Hospital, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan.
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37
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Inoue C, Miki Y, Saito R, Hata S, Abe J, Sato I, Okada Y, Sasano H. PD-L1 Induction by Cancer-Associated Fibroblast-Derived Factors in Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11091257. [PMID: 31462002 PMCID: PMC6770125 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11091257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) exert various effects upon biological behaviours of cancer. In this study, we examined the correlation of CAFs with the intra-tumoural immune system in the lung adenocarcinoma microenvironment. We studied 27 and 113 cases of lung adenocarcinoma tentatively as Cohorts 1 and 2, respectively. The patients in Cohort 1 received epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) for recurrent lung adenocarcinoma. α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), a surrogate marker for CAFs, was examined by immunohistochemistry. We then examined the effects of CAFs isolated from lung cancer tissues on programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. No significant associations were detected between α-SMA status and the ratios of CD8/CD4 and Foxp3/CD8 in Cohort 1. However, α-SMA status was significantly associated with PD-L1 status in both Cohorts 1 and 2. Conditioned medium of CAFs significantly induced PD-L1 expression in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines, A549, PC-9, and H1975. Among the cytokines examined by antibody array, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CXCL2) increased PD-L1 mRNA expression in these cell lines. CXCL2 is therefore considered to have a potential to induce PD-L1 expression in lung adenocarcinoma cells as a result of an interaction between carcinoma cells and CAFs. These findings did firstly demonstrate that CAFs indirectly influenced tumour immunity through increasing PD-L1 expression in lung adenocarcinoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chihiro Inoue
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi 981-8575, Japan.
| | - Yasuhiro Miki
- Department of Disaster Obstetrics and Gynecology, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8573, Japan
| | - Ryoko Saito
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi 981-8575, Japan
| | - Shuko Hata
- Division of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Miyagi 981-8558, Japan
| | - Jiro Abe
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Miyagi Cancer Centre, Natori, Miyagi 981-1293, Japan
| | - Ikuro Sato
- Department of Pathology, Miyagi Cancer Centre, Natori, Miyagi 981-1293, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Okada
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 981-8575, Japan
| | - Hironobu Sasano
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi 981-8575, Japan
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Alcaraz J, Carrasco JL, Millares L, Luis IC, Fernández-Porras FJ, Martínez-Romero A, Diaz-Valdivia N, De Cos JS, Rami-Porta R, Seijo L, Ramírez J, Pajares MJ, Reguart N, Barreiro E, Monsó E. Stromal markers of activated tumor associated fibroblasts predict poor survival and are associated with necrosis in non-small cell lung cancer. Lung Cancer 2019; 135:151-160. [PMID: 31446988 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2019.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Tumor associated fibroblasts (TAFs) are essential contributors of the progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Most lung TAFs exhibit an activated phenotype characterized by the expression of α-SMA and fibrillar collagens. However, the prognostic value of these activation markers in NSCLC remains unclear. MATERIAL AND METHODS We conducted a quantitative image analysis of α-SMA immunostaining and picrosirius red staining of fibrillar collagens imaged by bright-field and polarized microscopy, respectively, using tissue microarrays with samples from 220 surgical patients, which elicited a percentage of positive staining area for each marker and patient. RESULTS Kaplan-Meier curves showed that all TAF activation markers were significantly associated with poor survival, and their prognostic value was independent of TNM staging as revealed by multivariate analysis, which elicited an adjusted increased risk of death after 3 years of 129% and 94% for fibrillar collagens imaged with bright-field (p = 0.004) and polarized light (p = 0.003), respectively, and of 89% for α-SMA (p = 0.009). We also found a significant association between all TAF activation markers and tumor necrosis, which is often indicative of hypoxia, supporting a pathologic link between tumor desmoplasia and necrosis/hypoxia. CONCLUSIONS Our findings identify patients with large histologic coverage of fibrillar collagens and α-SMA + TAFs to be at higher risk of recurrence and death, supporting that they could be considered for adjuvant therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Alcaraz
- Unit of Biophysics and Bioengineering, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias - CIBERES, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Grupo Colaborativo en Cáncer de Pulmón CIBERES-CIBERONC-SEPAR-Plataforma Biobanco Pulmonar, Spain; Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Josep Lluís Carrasco
- Unit of Biostatistics, Department of Basic Clinical Practice, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Millares
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias - CIBERES, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Grupo Colaborativo en Cáncer de Pulmón CIBERES-CIBERONC-SEPAR-Plataforma Biobanco Pulmonar, Spain; Respiratory Medicine, Hospital Universitari Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Spain
| | - Iuliana-Cristiana Luis
- Unit of Biophysics and Bioengineering, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco J Fernández-Porras
- Unit of Biophysics and Bioengineering, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anabel Martínez-Romero
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias - CIBERES, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Muscle Wasting and Cachexia in Chronic Respiratory Diseases and Lung Cancer, IMIM-Hospital del Mar, CEXS, UPF, PRBB, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Natalia Diaz-Valdivia
- Unit of Biophysics and Bioengineering, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julio Sánchez De Cos
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias - CIBERES, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Grupo Colaborativo en Cáncer de Pulmón CIBERES-CIBERONC-SEPAR-Plataforma Biobanco Pulmonar, Spain; Hospital San Pedro de Alcántara, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Ramon Rami-Porta
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias - CIBERES, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Grupo Colaborativo en Cáncer de Pulmón CIBERES-CIBERONC-SEPAR-Plataforma Biobanco Pulmonar, Spain; Hospital Universitari Mutua Terrassa, Terrassa, Spain
| | - Luis Seijo
- Grupo Colaborativo en Cáncer de Pulmón CIBERES-CIBERONC-SEPAR-Plataforma Biobanco Pulmonar, Spain; Fundación Jímenez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Josep Ramírez
- Anatomopathology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María José Pajares
- Grupo Colaborativo en Cáncer de Pulmón CIBERES-CIBERONC-SEPAR-Plataforma Biobanco Pulmonar, Spain; Program in Solid Tumors and Biomarkers, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA) and CIBERONC, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Noemí Reguart
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther Barreiro
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias - CIBERES, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Grupo Colaborativo en Cáncer de Pulmón CIBERES-CIBERONC-SEPAR-Plataforma Biobanco Pulmonar, Spain; Muscle Wasting and Cachexia in Chronic Respiratory Diseases and Lung Cancer, IMIM-Hospital del Mar, CEXS, UPF, PRBB, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Monsó
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias - CIBERES, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Grupo Colaborativo en Cáncer de Pulmón CIBERES-CIBERONC-SEPAR-Plataforma Biobanco Pulmonar, Spain; Respiratory Medicine, Hospital Universitari Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Spain; Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
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39
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Kilvaer TK, Rakaee M, Hellevik T, Vik J, Petris LD, Donnem T, Strell C, Ostman A, Busund LTR, Martinez-Zubiaurre I. Differential prognostic impact of platelet-derived growth factor receptor expression in NSCLC. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10163. [PMID: 31308421 PMCID: PMC6629689 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46510-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Preclinical evidence suggests that stromal expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFRs) stimulates tumor development and diminishes intratumoral drug uptake. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the clinical relevance of stromal PDGFR expression remains uncertain. Tumor specimens from 553 patients with primary operable stage I-IIIB NSCLC was obtained and tissue micro-arrays (TMA) were constructed (Norwegian cohort). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to evaluate the expression of PDGFRα and -β in stromal cells and to explore their impact on patient survival. Results were validated in a non-related cohort consisting of TMAs of 367 stage I (A and B) NSCLC patients (Swedish cohort). High stromal PDGFRα expression was an independent predictor of increased survival in the overall populations and SCC (squamous cell carcinoma) subgroups of both investigated cohorts. PDGFRβ was an independent predictor of poor survival in the overall Norwegian cohort and an independent predictor of increased survival in the ADC (adenocarcinoma) subgroup of the Swedish cohort. Tumors displaying the combination PDGFRα-low/PDGFRβ-high exhibited inferior survival according to increasing stage in the Norwegian cohort. This study confirms that high stromal expression of PDGFRα is a predictor of increased survival in NSCLC. Further exploration of the prognostic impact of PDGFRβ and the relationship between PDGFRα and -β is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Karsten Kilvaer
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromso, Norway. .,Institute of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway.
| | - Mehrdad Rakaee
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway.,Institute of Medical Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
| | - Turid Hellevik
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromso, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
| | - Jørg Vik
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
| | - Luigi De Petris
- Department of Oncology-Pathology Cancer Center Karolinska, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tom Donnem
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromso, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
| | - Carina Strell
- Department of Oncology-Pathology Cancer Center Karolinska, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Arne Ostman
- Department of Oncology-Pathology Cancer Center Karolinska, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lill-Tove Rasmussen Busund
- Institute of Medical Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway.,Department of Clinical Pathology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromso, Norway
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40
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Inoue C, Tamatsuki D, Miki Y, Saito R, Okada Y, Sasano H. Prognostic significance of combining immunohistochemical markers for cancer-associated fibroblasts in lung adenocarcinoma tissue. Virchows Arch 2019; 475:181-189. [PMID: 31134329 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-019-02587-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), activated fibroblasts in a cancer microenvironment, exert various effects upon carcinoma cells including lung adenocarcinoma cells. Various markers identifying CAFs have been proposed, but the correlations among these markers proposed and their clinicopathological significance have remained largely unknown. Therefore, in this study, we immunohistochemically evaluated the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), podoplanin, and periostin among these proposed markers in 92 cases of lung adenocarcinoma. These three markers were weakly correlated, but the relative abundance of α-SMA was significantly associated with high Ki-67 labelling index (LI), lymph node metastasis, and low 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of the patients. That of podoplanin was significantly associated with high pT and Ki-67 LI, distant metastasis, and low 5-year OS rate and that of periostin with high pT and Ki-67 LI. We then tentatively subclassified these cases into four groups according to high or low status of each of paired markers: α-SMA/podoplanin, α-SMA/periostin, and periostin/podoplanin. The α-SMA high/podoplanin high group was associated with the lowest survival rate (53.3%) among the four groups with significance. However, there were no significant differences in overall survival when the patients were classified according to the combinations of α-SMA/periostin or periostin/podoplanin. Results of our study firstly revealed the heterogeneity of CAFs in human lung adenocarcinoma tissue, and the analysis employing multiple markers of CAFs is generally required to study the clinical significance of CAFs in clinical materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chihiro Inoue
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan.
| | | | - Yasuhiro Miki
- Department of Disaster Obstetrics and Gynecology, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Ryoko Saito
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Okada
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Hironobu Sasano
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan
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Loktev A, Lindner T, Burger EM, Altmann A, Giesel F, Kratochwil C, Debus J, Marmé F, Jäger D, Mier W, Haberkorn U. Development of Fibroblast Activation Protein-Targeted Radiotracers with Improved Tumor Retention. J Nucl Med 2019; 60:1421-1429. [PMID: 30850501 PMCID: PMC6785792 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.118.224469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 265] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts constitute a vital subpopulation of the tumor stroma and are present in more than 90% of epithelial carcinomas. The overexpression of the serine protease fibroblast activation protein (FAP) allows a selective targeting of a variety of tumors by inhibitor-based radiopharmaceuticals (FAPIs). Of these compounds, FAPI-04 has been recently introduced as a theranostic radiotracer and demonstrated high uptake into different FAP-positive tumors in cancer patients. To enable the delivery of higher doses, thereby improving the outcome of a therapeutic application, several FAPI variants were designed to further increase tumor uptake and retention of these tracers. Methods: Novel quinoline-based radiotracers were synthesized by organic chemistry and evaluated in radioligand binding assays using FAP-expressing HT-1080 cells. Depending on their in vitro performance, small-animal PET imaging and biodistribution studies were performed on HT-1080-FAP tumor–bearing mice. The most promising compounds were used for clinical PET imaging in 8 cancer patients. Results: Compared with FAPI-04, 11 of 15 FAPI derivatives showed improved FAP binding in vitro. Of these, 7 compounds demonstrated increased tumor uptake in tumor-bearing mice. Moreover, tumor–to–normal-organ ratios were improved for most of the compounds, resulting in images with higher contrast. Notably two of the radiotracers, FAPI-21 and -46, displayed substantially improved ratios of tumor to blood, liver, muscle, and intestinal uptake. A first diagnostic application in cancer patients revealed high intratumoral uptake of both radiotracers already 10 min after administration but a higher uptake in oral mucosa, salivary glands, and thyroid for FAPI-21. Conclusion: Chemical modification of the FAPI framework enabled enhanced FAP binding and improved pharmacokinetics in most of the derivatives, resulting in high-contrast images. Moreover, higher doses of radioactivity can be delivered while minimizing damage to healthy tissue, which may improve therapeutic outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Loktev
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Nuclear Medicine, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Lindner
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eva-Maria Burger
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Annette Altmann
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Nuclear Medicine, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frederik Giesel
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Clemens Kratochwil
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Debus
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frederik Marmé
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Women's Clinic, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Jäger
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg, Germany; and
| | - Walter Mier
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Uwe Haberkorn
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany .,Clinical Cooperation Unit Nuclear Medicine, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.,Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg, German Center for Lung Research, Heidelberg, Germany
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Cruz-Bermúdez A, Laza-Briviesca R, Vicente-Blanco RJ, García-Grande A, Coronado MJ, Laine-Menéndez S, Alfaro C, Sanchez JC, Franco F, Calvo V, Romero A, Martin-Acosta P, Salas C, Garcia JM, Provencio M. Cancer-associated fibroblasts modify lung cancer metabolism involving ROS and TGF-β signaling. Free Radic Biol Med 2019; 130:163-173. [PMID: 30391585 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2018.10.450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer is a major public health problem due to its high incidence and mortality rate. The altered metabolism in lung cancer is key for the diagnosis and has implications on both, the prognosis and the response to treatments. Although Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of the major components of the tumor microenvironment, little is known about their role in lung cancer metabolism. We studied tumor biopsies from a cohort of 12 stage IIIA lung adenocarcinoma patients and saw a positive correlation between the grade of fibrosis and the glycolysis phenotype (Low PGC-1α and High GAPDH/MT-CO1 ratio mRNA levels). These results were confirmed and extended to other metabolism-related genes through the in silico data analysis from 73 stage IIIA lung adenocarcinoma patients available in TCGA. Interestingly, these relationships are not observed with the CAFs marker α-SMA in both cohorts. To characterize the mechanism, in vitro co-culture studies were carried out using two NSCLC cell lines (A549 and H1299 cells) and two different fibroblast cell lines. Our results confirm that a metabolic reprogramming involving ROS and TGF-β signaling occurs in lung cancer cells and fibroblasts independently of α-SMA induction. Under co-culture conditions, Cancer-Associated fibroblasts increase their glycolytic ability. On the other hand, tumor cells increase their mitochondrial function. Moreover, the differential capability among tumor cells to induce this metabolic shift and also the role of the basal fibroblasts Oxphos Phosphorylation (OXPHOS) function modifying this phenomenon could have implications on both, the diagnosis and prognosis of patients. Further knowledge in the mechanism involved may allow the development of new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Cruz-Bermúdez
- Servicio de Oncología Médica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro-Segovia de Arana (IDIPHISA), Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Raquel Laza-Briviesca
- Servicio de Oncología Médica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro-Segovia de Arana (IDIPHISA), Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ramiro J Vicente-Blanco
- Servicio de Oncología Médica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro-Segovia de Arana (IDIPHISA), Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aránzazu García-Grande
- Flow Cytometry Core Facility, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda Calle, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria José Coronado
- Confocal Microscopy Core Facility, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Laine-Menéndez
- Mitochondrial and neuromuscular disease laboratory, Instituto de Investigación Hospital "12 de Octubre" (i+12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Alfaro
- Servicio de Oncología Médica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro-Segovia de Arana (IDIPHISA), Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Cristobal Sanchez
- Servicio de Oncología Médica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro-Segovia de Arana (IDIPHISA), Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Franco
- Servicio de Oncología Médica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro-Segovia de Arana (IDIPHISA), Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Virginia Calvo
- Servicio de Oncología Médica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro-Segovia de Arana (IDIPHISA), Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Atocha Romero
- Servicio de Oncología Médica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro-Segovia de Arana (IDIPHISA), Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paloma Martin-Acosta
- Departamento de Patología, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Clara Salas
- Departamento de Patología, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Miguel Garcia
- Servicio de Oncología Médica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro-Segovia de Arana (IDIPHISA), Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariano Provencio
- Servicio de Oncología Médica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro-Segovia de Arana (IDIPHISA), Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
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Cheng HW, Onder L, Cupovic J, Boesch M, Novkovic M, Pikor N, Tarantino I, Rodriguez R, Schneider T, Jochum W, Brutsche M, Ludewig B. CCL19-producing fibroblastic stromal cells restrain lung carcinoma growth by promoting local antitumor T-cell responses. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2018; 142:1257-1271.e4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2017.12.998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Alkasalias T, Moyano-Galceran L, Arsenian-Henriksson M, Lehti K. Fibroblasts in the Tumor Microenvironment: Shield or Spear? Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19051532. [PMID: 29883428 PMCID: PMC5983719 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19051532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumorigenesis is a complex process involving dynamic interactions between malignant cells and their surrounding stroma, including both the cellular and acellular components. Within the stroma, fibroblasts represent not only a predominant cell type, but also a major source of the acellular tissue microenvironment comprising the extracellular matrix (ECM) and soluble factors. Normal fibroblasts can exert diverse suppressive functions against cancer initiating and metastatic cells via direct cell-cell contact, paracrine signaling by soluble factors, and ECM integrity. The loss of such suppressive functions is an inherent step in tumor progression. A tumor cell-induced switch of normal fibroblasts into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), in turn, triggers a range of pro-tumorigenic signals accompanied by distraction of the normal tissue architecture, thus creating an optimal niche for cancer cells to grow extensively. To further support tumor progression and metastasis, CAFs secrete factors such as ECM remodeling enzymes that further modify the tumor microenvironment in combination with the altered adhesive forces and cell-cell interactions. These paradoxical tumor suppressive and promoting actions of fibroblasts are the focus of this review, highlighting the heterogenic molecular properties of both normal and cancer-associated fibroblasts, as well as their main mechanisms of action, including the emerging impact on immunomodulation and different therapy responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Twana Alkasalias
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Solnavägen 9, SE-17177 Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Salahaddin University, Irbil 44002, Kurdistan-Iraq.
| | - Lidia Moyano-Galceran
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Solnavägen 9, SE-17177 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Marie Arsenian-Henriksson
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Solnavägen 9, SE-17177 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Kaisa Lehti
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Solnavägen 9, SE-17177 Stockholm, Sweden.
- Research Programs Unit, Genome-Scale Biology and Medicum, University of Helsinki, and Helsinki University Hospital, P.O. Box 63, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
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Tumor-Associated CD204-Positive Macrophage Is a Prognostic Marker in Clinical Stage I Lung Adenocarcinoma. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:8459193. [PMID: 29850577 PMCID: PMC5926519 DOI: 10.1155/2018/8459193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 02/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Objective Macrophages are the dominant leukocytes in the tumor microenvironment. Accumulating evidence revealed that CD204-positive (CD204+) tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are associated with the aggressive behavior of various cancers; however, the clinical, pathological, and prognostic associations of CD204+ TAMs with the subtype of lung adenocarcinoma have not been reported. Methods Tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry were constructed from clinical stage I lung adenocarcinomas with radical surgical resection. The intratumoral density of CD204+ cells was calculated using image analysis software for analyses. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results The intratumoral density of CD204 was correlated with T stage, nodal involvement, lymphovascular invasion, and cancer relapse after the surgery, but not with age, gender, or smoking history. The density of CD204 in non-LPD was significantly higher than that in LPD. The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate of CD204 high-density group was significantly worse than that of CD204 low-density group. Conclusions The expression of CD204 in TAMs is associated with the aggressiveness of lung adenocarcinoma. Our results suggest that a specific immune microenvironment may be associated with the biological behavior of lung adenocarcinoma.
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46
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da Silva AC, Jammal MP, Etchebehere RM, Murta EFC, Nomelini RS. Role of Alpha-Smooth Muscle Actin and Fibroblast Activation Protein Alpha in Ovarian Neoplasms. Gynecol Obstet Invest 2018; 83:381-387. [PMID: 29621774 DOI: 10.1159/000488088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Studies show that tumor growth is not just determined by the presence of malignant cells, since interactions between cancer cells and stromal microenvironment have important impacts on the cancer growth and progression. Cancer-associated fibroblasts play a prominent role in this process. The aims of the study were to investigate 2 cancer-associated fibroblasts markers, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAP) in the stromal microenvironment of benign and malignant ovarian epithelial neoplasms, and to relate their tissue expression with prognostic factors in ovarian cancer. METHODS α-SMA and FAP were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in malignant (n = 28) and benign (n = 28) ovarian neoplasms. Fisher's exact test was used with a significance level lower than 0.05. RESULTS FAP immunostaining was stronger in ovarian cancer when compared to benign neoplasms (p = 0.0366). There was no significant difference in relation to α-SMA expression between malignant and benign ovarian neoplasms as well as prognostic factors. In ovarian cancer, FAP stainings 2/3 was significantly related to histological grades 2 and 3 (p = 0.0183). CONCLUSION FAP immunostaining is more intense in malignant neoplasms than in benign ovarian neoplasms, as well as in moderately differentiated and undifferentiated ovarian carcinomas compared to well-differentiated neoplasms, thus indicating that it can be used as a marker of worse prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolinne da Silva
- Research Institute of Oncology (IPON)/Discipline of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Millena Prata Jammal
- Research Institute of Oncology (IPON)/Discipline of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Uberaba, Brazil
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Avery D, Govindaraju P, Jacob M, Todd L, Monslow J, Puré E. Extracellular matrix directs phenotypic heterogeneity of activated fibroblasts. Matrix Biol 2018; 67:90-106. [PMID: 29248556 PMCID: PMC5910258 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2017.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Revised: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Activated fibroblasts are key players in the injury response, tumorigenesis, fibrosis, and inflammation. Dichotomous outcomes in response to varied stroma-targeted therapies in cancer emphasize the need to disentangle the roles of heterogeneous fibroblast subsets in physiological and pathophysiological settings. In wound healing, fibrosis, and myriad tumor types, fibroblast activation protein (FAP) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) identify distinct, yet overlapping, activated fibroblast subsets. Prior studies established that FAPHi reactive fibroblasts and αSMAHi myofibroblasts can exert opposing influences in tumorigenesis. However, the factors that drive this phenotypic heterogeneity and the unique functional roles of these subsets have not been defined. We demonstrate that a convergence of ECM composition, elasticity, and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling governs activated fibroblast phenotypic heterogeneity. Furthermore, FAPHi reactive fibroblasts and αSMAHi myofibroblasts exhibited distinct gene expression signatures and functionality in vitro, illuminating potentially unique roles of activated fibroblast subsets in tissue remodeling. These insights into activated fibroblast heterogeneity will inform the rational design of stroma-targeted therapies for cancer and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Avery
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Pharmacology Graduate Group of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Priya Govindaraju
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Pharmacology Graduate Group of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Michele Jacob
- Envision Pharma Group, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Leslie Todd
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - James Monslow
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ellen Puré
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Pharmacology Graduate Group of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
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Chen L, Chen M, Han Z, Jiang F, Xu C, Qin Y, Ding N, Liu Y, Zhang T, An Z, Guo C. Clinical significance of FAP-α on microvessel and lymphatic vessel density in lung squamous cell carcinoma. J Clin Pathol 2018; 71:721-728. [PMID: 29559517 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2017-204872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS We aimed to determine whether cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are associated with microvessel density (MVD) and lymphatic vessel density (LVD) in lung squamous cell carcinoma, as well as their clinical significance in predicting survival. METHODS 122 patients were enrolled in the study. Samples were obtained on resection at the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the Qingdao Municipal Hospital between January 2011 and December 2014. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine vessel and lymphatic vessel density, and CAF abundance (fibroblast activation protein α (FAP-α) positivity). Statistical analyses were performed on 85 patients to test for correlation of CAF density and other clinicopathological variables with 3-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). RESULTS High stromal CAF abundance significantly correlated with increased MVD and LVD in lung squamous cell carcinoma (p<0.05). χ2 test revealed a significant association of CAF density with lymph node metastasis. Cox proportional hazards model showed that both higher CAF density and lymph node metastasis negatively correlate with survival. CAF density or lymph node status can be used as an independent prognostic factor to predict 3-year OS and DFS. CONCLUSIONS CAF density, identified by FAP-α staining pattern, should be considered as a novel biomarker for disease prognosis in patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Chen
- Department of Oncology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Meihui Chen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao, China
| | - Zenglei Han
- Department of Oncology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Fengxing Jiang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Chunyuan Xu
- Department of Oncology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Yue Qin
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao, China
| | - Ning Ding
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Oncology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Tenglong Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhijie An
- Department of Oncology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Chengye Guo
- Department of Oncology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
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Ji X, Shen Z, Zhao B, Yuan X, Zhu X. CXCL14 and NOS1 expression in specimens from patients with stage I-IIIA nonsmall cell lung cancer after curative resection. Medicine (Baltimore) 2018; 97:e0101. [PMID: 29517684 PMCID: PMC5882435 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000010101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Many studies show that CXC chemokine ligand 14 (CXCL14) is highly expressed in tumor-associated stromal cells, promoting tumor cell growth, and invasion. Because of its unclear receptors, CXCL14-initiated intracellular signal cascades remain largely unknown. However, CXCL14 can regulate nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1) as its intracellular molecular target. In this paper, we investigated the expression of CXCL14 and NOS1 in specimens from patients with stage I-IIIA nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after curative resection, and evaluated the prognostic significance of this gene expression in stromal fibroblasts and cancer cells.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of CXCL14 and NOS1 in 106 formalin fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens from patients with stage I-IIIA NSCLC. The chi-square test was performed to examine the correlation of CXCL14 and NOS1 expression level with clinicopathological features. The effects of the expression of CXCL14 or NOS1 on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were determined by Kaplan-Meier and Cox hazard proportional model.The percentages of high CXCL14 expression in stromal fibroblasts and that in cancer cells were 46.2% (49/106) and 23.6% (25/106), respectively. The positive expression rates of NOS1 in cancer cells were 42.5% (45/106). The result indicated that there was a significant positive correlation between CXCL14 expression level in stromal fibroblasts and that in cancer cells (χ = 4.158, P = .041). In addition, the expression of CXCL14 in stromal fibroblasts was significantly correlated with NOS1 expression in cancer cells (χ = 16.156, P < .001). The 5-year PFS rates with low and high CXCL14 expression in stromal fibroblasts were 66.7% and 14.3% (χ = 44.008, P < .001), respectively, and the 5-year OS rates with those were 87.1% and 43.5% (χ = 21.531, P < .001), respectively. The 5-year PFS rates with negative and positive expression of NOS1 in cancer cells were 62.3% and 15.6% (χ = 33.756, P < .001), respectively, and the 5-year OS rates with those were 86.4% and 40.1% (χ = 24.430, P < 0.01), respectively.Both the high expression of CXCL14 in stromal fibroblasts and the positive expression of NOS1 in cancer cells are independent negative predictors of PFS and OS in patients with stage I-IIIA NSCLC after curative resection.
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Kilvaer TK, Rakaee M, Hellevik T, Østman A, Strell C, Bremnes RM, Busund LT, Dønnem T, Martinez-Zubiaurre I. Tissue analyses reveal a potential immune-adjuvant function of FAP-1 positive fibroblasts in non-small cell lung cancer. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0192157. [PMID: 29415055 PMCID: PMC5802915 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Selective targeting of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) has been proposed to synergize with immune-checkpoint inhibitors. While the roles of CAFs in cancer development are well described, their immune-regulatory properties remain incompletely understood. This study investigates correlations between CAF and immune-markers in tumor stroma from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, and examines whether a combination of CAF and immune cell scores impact patient prognosis. Methods Tumor specimens from 536 primary operable stage I-III NSCLC patients were organized in tissue microarrays. Expression of protein-markers was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results Fibroblast and stromal markers PDGFRα, PDGFRβ, FAP-1 and vimentin showed weak correlations while αSMA, and Masson’s trichrome did not correlate with any of the investigated markers. Hierarchical clustering indicated the existence of different CAF-subsets. No relevant correlations were found between any CAF-marker and the immune-markers CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD68, CD1a, CD56, FoxP3 and CD45RO. High density of fibroblast-activation protein positive mesenchymal cells (CAFFAP) was associated with better prognosis in tumors with high infiltration of CD8 and CD3 T-lymphocytes. Conclusions The presented data suggest that CAFs, irrespective of identity, have low influence on the degree of tumor infiltration by inflammatory- and/or immune-cells. However, CAFFAP may exert immuno-adjuvant roles in NSCLC, and targeting CAFs should be cautiously considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Karsten Kilvaer
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Northern Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Artic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Mehrdad Rakaee
- Department of Medical Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Turid Hellevik
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Northern Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Arne Østman
- Department of Oncology-Pathology Cancer Center Karolinska, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carina Strell
- Department of Oncology-Pathology Cancer Center Karolinska, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Roy M. Bremnes
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Northern Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Artic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Lill-Tove Busund
- Department of Medical Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Clinical Pathology, University Hospital of Northern Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Tom Dønnem
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Northern Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Artic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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