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Nicolò E, Gianni C, Pontolillo L, Serafini MS, Munoz-Arcos LS, Andreopoulou E, Curigliano G, Reduzzi C, Cristofanilli M. Circulating tumor cells et al.: towards a comprehensive liquid biopsy approach in breast cancer. TRANSLATIONAL BREAST CANCER RESEARCH : A JOURNAL FOCUSING ON TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH IN BREAST CANCER 2024; 5:10. [PMID: 38751670 PMCID: PMC11093063 DOI: 10.21037/tbcr-23-55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Liquid biopsy has emerged as a crucial tool in managing breast cancer (BC) patients, offering a minimally invasive approach to detect circulating tumor biomarkers. Until recently, the majority of the studies in BC focused on evaluating a single liquid biopsy analyte, primarily circulating tumor DNA and circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Despite the proven prognostic and predictive value of CTCs, their low abundance when detected using enrichment methods, especially in the early stages, poses a significant challenge. It is becoming evident that combining diverse circulating biomarkers, each representing different facets of tumor biology, has the potential to enhance the management of patients with BC. This article emphasizes the importance of considering these biomarkers as complementary/synergistic rather than competitive, recognizing their ability to contribute to a comprehensive disease profile. The review provides an overview of the clinical significance of simultaneously analyzing CTCs and other biomarkers, including cell-free circulating DNA, extracellular vesicles, non-canonical CTCs, cell-free RNAs, and non-malignant cells. Such a comprehensive liquid biopsy approach holds promise not only in BC but also in other cancer types, offering opportunities for early detection, prognostication, and therapy monitoring. However, addressing associated challenges, such as refining detection methods and establishing standardized protocols, is crucial for realizing the full potential of liquid biopsy in transforming our understanding and approach to BC. As the field evolves, collaborative efforts will be instrumental in unlocking the revolutionary impact of liquid biopsy in BC research and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Nicolò
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Division of Early Drug Development, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Gianni
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, Meldola, Italy
| | - Letizia Pontolillo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Medical Oncology Department, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Mara Serena Serafini
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura Sofia Munoz-Arcos
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eleni Andreopoulou
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Giuseppe Curigliano
- Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Division of Early Drug Development, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Carolina Reduzzi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Massimo Cristofanilli
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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Gaya A, Rohatgi N, Limaye S, Shreenivas A, Ajami R, Akolkar D, Datta V, Srinivasan A, Patil D. Liquid Biopsy for Detection of Pancreaticobiliary Cancers by Functional Enrichment and Immunofluorescent Profiling of Circulating Tumor Cells and Their Clusters. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1400. [PMID: 38611078 PMCID: PMC11010988 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16071400] [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: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have historically been used for prognostication in oncology. We evaluate the performance of liquid biopsy CTC assay as a diagnostic tool in suspected pancreaticobiliary cancers (PBC). The assay utilizes functional enrichment of CTCs followed by immunofluorescent profiling of organ-specific markers. The performance of the assay was first evaluated in a multicentric case-control study of blood samples from 360 participants, including 188 PBC cases (pre-biopsy samples) and 172 healthy individuals. A subsequent prospective observational study included pre-biopsy blood samples from 88 individuals with suspicion of PBC and no prior diagnosis of cancer. CTCs were harvested using a unique functional enrichment method and used for immunofluorescent profiling for CA19.9, Maspin, EpCAM, CK, and CD45, blinded to the tissue histopathological diagnosis. TruBlood® malignant or non-malignant predictions were compared with tissue diagnoses to establish sensitivity and specificity. The test had 95.9% overall sensitivity (95% CI: 86.0-99.5%) and 92.3% specificity (95% CI: 79.13% to 98.38%) to differentiate PBC (n = 49) from benign conditions (n = 39). The high accuracy of the CTC-based TruBlood test demonstrates its potential clinical application as a diagnostic tool to assist the effective detection of PBC when tissue sampling is unviable or inconclusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Gaya
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Cromwell Hospital, London SW5 0TU, UK
| | - Nitesh Rohatgi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram 122002, HR, India
| | - Sewanti Limaye
- Department of Medical and Precision Oncology, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai 400004, MH, India
| | - Aditya Shreenivas
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Ramin Ajami
- Department of Oncology, The Royal Free Hospital, London NW3 2QG, UK
| | - Dadasaheb Akolkar
- Department of Research and Innovation, Datar Cancer Genetics, Nasik 422010, MH, India; (D.A.); (V.D.); (A.S.); (D.P.)
| | - Vineet Datta
- Department of Research and Innovation, Datar Cancer Genetics, Nasik 422010, MH, India; (D.A.); (V.D.); (A.S.); (D.P.)
| | - Ajay Srinivasan
- Department of Research and Innovation, Datar Cancer Genetics, Nasik 422010, MH, India; (D.A.); (V.D.); (A.S.); (D.P.)
| | - Darshana Patil
- Department of Research and Innovation, Datar Cancer Genetics, Nasik 422010, MH, India; (D.A.); (V.D.); (A.S.); (D.P.)
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Shi L, Zhang D, Han H, Zhang L, Li S, Yang F, He C. HOTAIR knockdown impairs metastasis of cervical cancer cells by down-regulating metastasis-related genes. J OBSTET GYNAECOL 2023; 43:2181060. [PMID: 36972141 DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2023.2181060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the role of LncRNA HOTAIR knockdown in the biological impacts on cervical cancer cells. The HOTAIR gene in two human cervical cancer cell lines was silenced with small interfering (si) RNA siHOTAIR. Proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of cells were assessed following the knockdown. The expressions of Notch1, EpCAM, E-cadherin, vimentin and STAT3 were assessed using qRT-PCR and Western blotting analysis. Compared with controls, HOTAIR levels were reduced significantly, the OD values of cells were significantly decreased in proliferation assays, cell apoptosis was significantly increased, cell migration and invasion were significantly reduced after HOTAIR knockdown. Molecular analysis showed that Notch1, EpCAM, vimentin and STAT3 expressions were decreased significantly, while the expression of E-cadherin was significantly increased after HOTAIR knockdown. Rescue experiments further confirmed that Notch1 and STAT3 were involved in siHOTAIR-mediated reduction of migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Long non-coding RNAs including HOTAIR, is implicated in occurrence and development of cancer and have been explored to develop new therapeutic options for cancer.What do the results of this study add? HOTAIR silencing significantly reduces the viability and migration ability of cells and induces cell apoptosis, adding experimental data supporting the potential use of HOTAIR specific-siRNA as a therapeutic avenue for the cancer.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The finding from this study would help develop clinically applicable therapeutic avenues for the cancer and identify new treatment targets in the relevant pathways leading to new drugs or treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Daqing Oilfield General Hospital, Daqing, P.R. China
| | - Dehui Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Daqing Oilfield General Hospital and Huiren Cancer Hospital, Daqing, P.R. China
| | - Huijuan Han
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the 962 Hospital, Joint Logistics Support of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Harbin, P.R. China
| | - Liangyu Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Daqing Oilfield General Hospital, Daqing, P.R. China
| | - Sirui Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Daqing Oilfield General Hospital, Daqing, P.R. China
| | - Fang Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Daqing Oilfield General Hospital, Daqing, P.R. China
| | - Caijun He
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the 962 Hospital, Joint Logistics Support of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Harbin, P.R. China
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Xanthopoulos A, Samt AK, Guder C, Taylor N, Roberts E, Herf H, Messner V, Trill A, Holzmann KLK, Kiechle M, Seifert-Klauss V, Zschaeck S, Schatka I, Tauber R, Schmidt R, Enste K, Pockley AG, Lobinger D, Multhoff G. Hsp70-A Universal Biomarker for Predicting Therapeutic Failure in Human Female Cancers and a Target for CTC Isolation in Advanced Cancers. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2276. [PMID: 37626772 PMCID: PMC10452093 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is frequently overexpressed in many different tumor types. However, Hsp70 has also been shown to be selectively presented on the plasma membrane of tumor cells, but not normal cells, and this membrane form of Hsp70 (mHsp70) could be considered a universal tumor biomarker. Since viable, mHsp70-positive tumor cells actively release Hsp70 in lipid micro-vesicles, we investigated the utility of Hsp70 in circulation as a universal tumor biomarker and its potential as an early predictive marker of therapeutic failure. We have also evaluated mHsp70 as a target for the isolation and enumeration of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with different tumor entities. Circulating vesicular Hsp70 levels were measured in the peripheral blood of tumor patients with the compHsp70 ELISA. CTCs were isolated using cmHsp70.1 and EpCAM monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based bead approaches and characterized by immunohistochemistry using cytokeratin and CD45-specific antibodies. In two out of 35 patients exhibiting therapeutic failure two years after initial diagnosis of non-metastatic breast cancer, progressively increasing levels of circulating Hsp70 had already been observed during therapy, whereas levels in patients without subsequent recurrence remained unaltered. With regards to CTC isolation from patients with different tumors, an Hsp70 mAb-based selection system appears superior to an EpCAM mAb-based approach. Extracellular and mHsp70 can therefore serve as a predictive biomarker for therapeutic failure in early-stage tumors and as a target for the isolation of CTCs in various tumor diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexia Xanthopoulos
- Center for Translational Cancer Research TU München (TranslaTUM), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (A.X.); (A.-K.S.); (C.G.); (N.T.); (E.R.); (H.H.); (V.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Ann-Kathrin Samt
- Center for Translational Cancer Research TU München (TranslaTUM), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (A.X.); (A.-K.S.); (C.G.); (N.T.); (E.R.); (H.H.); (V.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Christiane Guder
- Center for Translational Cancer Research TU München (TranslaTUM), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (A.X.); (A.-K.S.); (C.G.); (N.T.); (E.R.); (H.H.); (V.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Nicholas Taylor
- Center for Translational Cancer Research TU München (TranslaTUM), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (A.X.); (A.-K.S.); (C.G.); (N.T.); (E.R.); (H.H.); (V.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Erika Roberts
- Center for Translational Cancer Research TU München (TranslaTUM), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (A.X.); (A.-K.S.); (C.G.); (N.T.); (E.R.); (H.H.); (V.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Hannah Herf
- Center for Translational Cancer Research TU München (TranslaTUM), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (A.X.); (A.-K.S.); (C.G.); (N.T.); (E.R.); (H.H.); (V.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Verena Messner
- Center for Translational Cancer Research TU München (TranslaTUM), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (A.X.); (A.-K.S.); (C.G.); (N.T.); (E.R.); (H.H.); (V.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Anskar Trill
- Center for Translational Cancer Research TU München (TranslaTUM), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (A.X.); (A.-K.S.); (C.G.); (N.T.); (E.R.); (H.H.); (V.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Katharina Larissa Kreszentia Holzmann
- Center for Translational Cancer Research TU München (TranslaTUM), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (A.X.); (A.-K.S.); (C.G.); (N.T.); (E.R.); (H.H.); (V.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Marion Kiechle
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (M.K.); (V.S.-K.)
| | - Vanadin Seifert-Klauss
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (M.K.); (V.S.-K.)
| | - Sebastian Zschaeck
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Radiotherapy, Charité Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Imke Schatka
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Charité Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Robert Tauber
- Department of Urology, Klinkum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany;
| | - Robert Schmidt
- Krankenhaus für Naturheilweisen, 81545 Munich, Germany; (R.S.); (K.E.)
| | - Katrin Enste
- Krankenhaus für Naturheilweisen, 81545 Munich, Germany; (R.S.); (K.E.)
| | - Alan Graham Pockley
- John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK;
| | - Dominik Lobinger
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, München Klinik Bogenhausen, Lehrkrankenhaus der TU München, 81925 Munich, Germany;
| | - Gabriele Multhoff
- Center for Translational Cancer Research TU München (TranslaTUM), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (A.X.); (A.-K.S.); (C.G.); (N.T.); (E.R.); (H.H.); (V.M.); (A.T.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany
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Mentink A, Isebia KT, Kraan J, Terstappen LWMM, Stevens M. Measuring antigen expression of cancer cell lines and circulating tumour cells. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6051. [PMID: 37055551 PMCID: PMC10101999 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33179-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
When evaluating EpCAM-based enrichment technologies for circulating tumour cells (CTCs), the cell lines used should closely resemble real CTCs, meaning the EpCAM expression of CTCs needs to be known, but also the EpCAM expression of cell lines at different institutions and times is important. As the number of CTCs in the blood is low, we enriched CTCs through the depletion of leukocytes from diagnostic leukapheresis products of 13 prostate cancer patients and measured EpCAM expression using quantitative flow cytometry. Antigen expression was compared between multiple institutions by measuring cultures from each institution. Capture efficiency was also measured for one of the used cell lines. Results show CTCs derived from castration-sensitive prostate cancer patients have varying but relatively low EpCAM expression, with median expression per patient ranging from 35 to 89,534 (mean 24,993) molecules per cell. A large variation in the antigen expression of identical cell lines cultured at different institutions was found, resulting in recoveries when using the CellSearch system ranging from 12 up to 83% for the same cell line. We conclude that large differences in capture efficiency can occur while using the same cell line. To closely resemble real CTCs from castration-sensitive prostate cancer patients, a cell line with a relatively low EpCAM expression should be used, and its expression should be monitored frequently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anouk Mentink
- Medical Cell Biophysics Group, Techmed Center, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, PO Box 217, 7500 AE, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Khrystany T Isebia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jaco Kraan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Leon W M M Terstappen
- Medical Cell Biophysics Group, Techmed Center, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, PO Box 217, 7500 AE, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Michiel Stevens
- Medical Cell Biophysics Group, Techmed Center, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, PO Box 217, 7500 AE, Enschede, The Netherlands.
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Limaye S, Chowdhury S, Rohatgi N, Ranade A, Syed N, Riedemann J, Patil D, Akolkar D, Datta V, Patel S, Chougule R, Shejwalkar P, Bendale K, Apurwa S, Schuster S, John J, Srinivasan A, Datar R. Accurate prostate cancer detection based on enrichment and characterization of prostate cancer specific circulating tumor cells. Cancer Med 2023; 12:9116-9127. [PMID: 36718027 PMCID: PMC10166919 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The low specificity of serum PSA resulting in the inability to effectively differentiate prostate cancer from benign prostate conditions is a persistent clinical challenge. The low sensitivity of serum PSA results in false negatives and can miss high-grade prostate cancers. We describe a non-invasive test for detection of prostate cancer based on functional enrichment of prostate adenocarcinoma associated circulating tumor cells (PrAD-CTCs) from blood samples followed by their identification by immunostaining for pan-cytokeratins (PanCK), prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), alpha methyl-acyl coenzyme-A racemase (AMACR), epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), and common leucocyte antigen (CD45). METHODS Analytical validation studies were performed to establish the performance characteristics of the test using VCaP prostate cancer cells spiked into healthy donor blood (HDB). The clinical performance characteristics of the test were evaluated in a case-control study with 160 known prostate cancer cases and 800 healthy males, followed by a prospective clinical study of 210 suspected cases of prostate cancer. RESULTS Analytical validation established analyte stability as well as acceptable performance characteristics. The test showed 100% specificity and 100% sensitivity to differentiate prostate cancer cases from healthy individuals in the case control study and 91.2% sensitivity and 100% specificity to differentiate prostate cancers from benign prostate conditions in the prospective clinical study. CONCLUSIONS The test accurately detects PrAD-CTCs with high sensitivity and specificity irrespective of stage, serum PSA or Gleason score, which translates into low risks of false negatives or overdiagnosis. The high accuracy of the test could offer advantages over PSA based prostate cancer detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sewanti Limaye
- Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research CentreMumbaiIndia
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Lin CC, Yang CY, Hung TC, Wang CH, Wei SW, Schiro P, Tseng JY, Lin CH, Jiang JK. MiSelect R System: the validation of a new detection system of CTCs and their correlation with prognosis in non-metastatic CRC patients. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4773. [PMID: 36959311 PMCID: PMC10036555 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31346-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood are accepted as a prognostic marker for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). However, there is limited data on the use of CTCs as a prognostic marker for non-metastatic patients. In the current study, we used a rare cell automated analysis platform, the MiSelect R System, to enumerate CTCs from blood in non-metastatic CRC patients, and corelated the number of CTCs with the clinical staging and survival. The presence of CTCs in mesenteric vein blood (MVB) samples from 101 CRC patients was significantly associated with T stage. Patients with 1 or more CTCs per 8 mL of MVB exhibited significantly worse disease-free survival (DFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) compared to patient without CTCs. The presence of CTCs before surgery is an independent marker for both DFS and CSS. CTC presence after surgical resection is also a prognostic marker. CTCs are a potentially useful prognostic and predictive biomarker in non-metastatic CRC patients that may further stratify patient's risk status within different stages of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Chi Lin
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No.201, Shipai Rd. Sec. 2, Beitou Dist., Taipei City, 112, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yung Yang
- Department of Teaching and Research, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei City, 104, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Chao Hung
- MiCareo Taiwan Co., Ltd., 5F., No. 69, Ln. 77, Xing Ai Rd., Neihu Dist., Taipei City, 114, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hung Wang
- MiCareo Taiwan Co., Ltd., 5F., No. 69, Ln. 77, Xing Ai Rd., Neihu Dist., Taipei City, 114, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Wen Wei
- MiCareo Taiwan Co., Ltd., 5F., No. 69, Ln. 77, Xing Ai Rd., Neihu Dist., Taipei City, 114, Taiwan
| | - Perry Schiro
- MiCareo Taiwan Co., Ltd., 5F., No. 69, Ln. 77, Xing Ai Rd., Neihu Dist., Taipei City, 114, Taiwan
| | - Ju-Yu Tseng
- MiCareo Taiwan Co., Ltd., 5F., No. 69, Ln. 77, Xing Ai Rd., Neihu Dist., Taipei City, 114, Taiwan.
| | - Chi-Hung Lin
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang-Ming Chiao-Tung University, Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming Chiao-Tung University, Taipei City, 112, Taiwan
- Cancer Progression Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao-Tung University, Taipei City, 112, Taiwan
| | - Jeng-Kai Jiang
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No.201, Shipai Rd. Sec. 2, Beitou Dist., Taipei City, 112, Taiwan.
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming Chiao-Tung University, Taipei City, 112, Taiwan.
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Comparative analysis of EpCAM high-expressing and low-expressing circulating tumour cells with regard to their clonal relationship and clinical value. Br J Cancer 2023; 128:1742-1752. [PMID: 36823365 PMCID: PMC10133238 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02179-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) are mainly enriched based on the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM). Although it was shown that an EpCAM low-expressing CTC fraction is not captured by such approaches, knowledge about its prognostic and predictive relevance and its relation to EpCAM-positive CTCs is lacking. METHODS We developed an immunomagnetic assay to enrich CTCs from metastatic breast cancer patients EpCAM independently using antibodies against Trop-2 and CD-49f and characterised their EpCAM expression. DNA of single EpCAM high expressing and low expressing CTCs was analyzed regarding chromosomal aberrations and predictive mutations. Additionally, we compared CTC-enrichment on the CellSearch system using this antibody mix and the EpCAM based enrichment. RESULTS Both antibodies acted synergistically in capturing CTCs. Patients with EpCAM high-expressing CTCs had a worse overall and progression-free survival. EpCAM high- and low-expressing CTCs presented similar chromosomal aberrations and mutations indicating a close evolutionary relationship. A sequential enrichment of CTCs from the EpCAM-depleted fraction yielded a population of CTCs not captured EpCAM dependently but harbouring predictive information. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that EpCAM low-expressing CTCs could be used as a valuable tumour surrogate material-although they may be prognostically less relevant than EpCAM high-expressing CTCs-and have particular benefit if no CTCs are detected using EpCAM-dependent technologies.
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Pallares-Rusiñol A, Moura SL, Martí M, Pividori MI. Electrochemical Genosensing of Overexpressed GAPDH Transcripts in Breast Cancer Exosomes. Anal Chem 2023; 95:2487-2495. [PMID: 36683335 PMCID: PMC9893220 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c04773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Exosomes are receiving highlighted attention as new biomarkers for the detection of cancer since they are profusely released by tumor cells in different biological fluids. In this paper, the exosomes are preconcentrated from the serum by immunomagnetic separation (IMS) based on a CD326 receptor as a specific epithelial cancer-related biomarker and detected by glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) transcripts. Following the lysis of the captured exosomes, the released GAPDH transcripts are amplified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with a double-tagging set of primers on poly(dT)-modified-MPs to increase the sensitivity. The double-tagged amplicon is then quantified by electrochemical genosensing. The IMS/double-tagging RT-PCR/electrochemical genosensing approach is first demonstrated for the sensitive detection of exosomes derived from MCF7 breast cancer cells and compared with CTCs in terms of the analytical performance, showing an LOD of 4 × 102 exosomes μL-1. The genosensor was applied to human samples by immunocapturing the exosomes directly from serum from breast cancer patients and showed a higher electrochemical signal (3.3-fold, p < 0.05), when compared with healthy controls, suggesting an overexpression of GAPDH on serum-derived exosomes from breast cancer patients. The detection of GAPDH transcripts is performed from only 1.0 mL of human serum using specific magnetic particles, improving the analytical simplification and avoiding ultracentrifugation steps, demonstrating to be a promising strategy for minimal invasive liquid biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnau Pallares-Rusiñol
- Grup
de Sensors i Biosensors, Departament de Química, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra 08193, Spain,Biosensing
and Bioanalysis Group, Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra 08193, Spain
| | - Silio Lima Moura
- Grup
de Sensors i Biosensors, Departament de Química, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra 08193, Spain
| | - Mercè Martí
- Biosensing
and Bioanalysis Group, Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra 08193, Spain
| | - Maria Isabel Pividori
- Grup
de Sensors i Biosensors, Departament de Química, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra 08193, Spain,Biosensing
and Bioanalysis Group, Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra 08193, Spain,. Tel.: +34 93 581 2806. Fax: +34 93 581 2379
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10
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Copy Number Variations as Determinants of Colorectal Tumor Progression in Liquid Biopsies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021738. [PMID: 36675253 PMCID: PMC9866722 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the years, increasing evidence has shown that copy number variations (CNVs) play an important role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of Colorectal Cancer (CRC). Colorectal adenomas are highly prevalent lesions, but only 5% of these adenomas ever progress to carcinoma. This review summarizes the different CNVs associated with adenoma-carcinoma CRC progression and with CRC staging. Characterization of CNVs in circulating free-RNA and in blood-derived exosomes augers well with the potential of using such assays for patient management and early detection of metastasis. To overcome the limitations related to tissue biopsies and tumor heterogeneity, using CNVs to characterize tumor-derived materials in biofluids provides less invasive sampling methods and a sample that collectively represents multiple tumor sites in heterogeneous samples. Liquid biopsies provide a source of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), tumor-derived exosomes (TDE), circulating free RNA, and non-coding RNA. This review provides an overview of the current diagnostic and predictive models from liquid biopsies.
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11
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Vasantharajan SS, Barnett E, Gray ES, Rodger EJ, Eccles MR, Pattison S, Munro F, Chatterjee A. Size-Based Method for Enrichment of Circulating Tumor Cells from Blood of Colorectal Cancer Patients. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2588:231-248. [PMID: 36418692 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2780-8_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are precursors of the metastatic cascade, which is responsible for 90% of all cancer-related deaths. CTCs arise from solid tumors and travel through the bloodstream and lymphatic system. Developments in the isolation and analysis of CTCs promise potential biomarker assays for detection and monitoring of cancer through a minimally invasive procedure. Despite this, the precise role of CTCs in metastasis remains poorly characterized, mainly due to the low density of CTCs (1-10 CTCs per 10 mL of blood) present in patient blood and the lack of robust methods for their isolation in a standard laboratory setting. CellSearch is currently the only FDA-approved CTC enrichment protocol, but limitations of this EpCAM-based method include cost, availability, and the use of a single surface marker for capture. To address these limitations, we have optimized an existing method, MetaCell, which exploits the differences in size of CTCs compared to other blood cells for CTC enrichment from blood. MetaCell contains a membrane with 8 μm pores, and blood is filtered through this kit by capillary action and CTCs, which are typically larger than the pores and remain on top of the membrane, while most leukocytes pass through the pores. The membrane along with these CTCs can be detached and transferred to 6-well plates for culturing or directly used for characterization. Here, we provide a detailed protocol for enrichment of CTCs using the filtration device MetaCell and a procedure for characterization of CTCs by immunohistochemical staining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Shyam Vasantharajan
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
| | - Edward Barnett
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Elin S Gray
- Centre for Precision Health, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia
| | - Euan J Rodger
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Michael R Eccles
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Sharon Pattison
- Department of Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Fran Munro
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Aniruddha Chatterjee
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
- UPES University, School of Health Sciences, Dehradun, India.
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12
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Słomka A, Wang B, Mocan T, Horhat A, Willms AG, Schmidt-Wolf IGH, Strassburg CP, Gonzalez-Carmona MA, Lukacs-Kornek V, Kornek MT. Extracellular Vesicles and Circulating Tumour Cells - complementary liquid biopsies or standalone concepts? Theranostics 2022; 12:5836-5855. [PMID: 35966579 PMCID: PMC9373826 DOI: 10.7150/thno.73400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid biopsies do promise a lot, but are they keeping it? In the past decade, additional novel biomarkers qualified to be called like that, of which, some took necessary hurdles resulting in FDA approval and clinical use. Some others are since a while around, well known and were once regarded to be a game changer in cancer diagnosis or cancer screening. But, during their clinical use limitations were observed from statistical significance and questions raised regarding their robustness, that eventually led to be dropped from associated clinical guidelines for certain applications including cancer diagnosis. The purpose of this review isn't to give a broad overview of all current liquid biopsy as biomarkers, weight them and promise a brighter future in cancer prevention, but rather to take a deeper look on two of those who do qualify to be called liquid biopsies now or then. These two are probably of greatest interest conceptually and methodically, and likely have the highest chances to be in clinical use soon, with a portfolio extension over their original conceptual usage. We aim to dig deeper beyond cancer diagnosis or cancer screening. Actually, we aim to review in depth extracellular vesicles (EVs) and compare with circulating tumour cells (CTCs). The latter methodology is partially FDA approved and in clinical use. We will lay out similarities as taking advantage of surface antigens on EVs and CTCs in case of characterization and quantification. But drawing readers' attention to downstream application based on capture/isolation methodology and simply on their overall nature, here apparently being living material eventually recoverable as CTCs are vs. dead material with transient effects on recipient cell as in case of EVs. All this we try to bring in perspective, compare and conclude towards which future direction we are aiming for, or should aim for. Do we announce a winner between CTCs vs EVs? No, but we provide good reasons to intensify research on them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Słomka
- Department of Pathophysiology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, 85-067 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Bingduo Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Bonn of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, 53127 Bonn, Germany.,Institute of Molecular Medicine & Experimental Immunology, University Hospital Bonn of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Tudor Mocan
- Octavian Fodor Institute for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Iuliu Haţieganu, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Adelina Horhat
- Octavian Fodor Institute for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Iuliu Haţieganu, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Arnulf G Willms
- Institute of Molecular Medicine & Experimental Immunology, University Hospital Bonn of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, 53127 Bonn, Germany.,Department of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery, German Armed Forces Hospital Hamburg, 22049 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ingo G H Schmidt-Wolf
- Department of Integrated Oncology, Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO), University Hospital Bonn of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Christian P Strassburg
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Bonn of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Maria A Gonzalez-Carmona
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Bonn of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Veronika Lukacs-Kornek
- Institute of Molecular Medicine & Experimental Immunology, University Hospital Bonn of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Miroslaw T Kornek
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Bonn of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, 53127 Bonn, Germany
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13
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Crook T, Leonard R, Mokbel K, Thompson A, Michell M, Page R, Vaid A, Mehrotra R, Ranade A, Limaye S, Patil D, Akolkar D, Datta V, Fulmali P, Apurwa S, Schuster S, Srinivasan A, Datar R. Accurate Screening for Early-Stage Breast Cancer by Detection and Profiling of Circulating Tumor Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:3341. [PMID: 35884402 PMCID: PMC9316476 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The early detection of breast cancer (BrC) is associated with improved survival. We describe a blood-based breast cancer detection test based on functional enrichment of breast-adenocarcinoma-associated circulating tumor cells (BrAD-CTCs) and their identification via multiplexed fluorescence immunocytochemistry (ICC) profiling for GCDFP15, GATA3, EpCAM, PanCK, and CD45 status. METHODS The ability of the test to differentiate BrC cases (N = 548) from healthy women (N = 9632) was evaluated in a case-control clinical study. The ability of the test to differentiate BrC cases from those with benign breast conditions was evaluated in a prospective clinical study of women (N = 141) suspected of BrC. RESULTS The test accurately detects BrAD-CTCs in breast cancers, irrespective of age, ethnicity, disease stage, grade, or hormone receptor status. Analytical validation established the high accuracy and reliability of the test under intended use conditions. The test detects and differentiates BrC cases from healthy women with 100% specificity and 92.07% overall sensitivity in a case-control study. In a prospective clinical study, the test shows 93.1% specificity and 94.64% overall sensitivity in differentiating breast cancer cases (N = 112) from benign breast conditions (N = 29). CONCLUSION The findings reported in this manuscript support the clinical potential of this test for blood-based BrC detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Crook
- Department of Oncology, The London Clinic, London W1G 6BW, UK
| | - Robert Leonard
- Department of Oncology, Cromwell Hospital, London SW5 0TU, UK;
| | - Kefah Mokbel
- The London Breast Institute, Princess Grace Hospital, London W1U 5NY, UK;
| | - Alastair Thompson
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Michael Michell
- National Breast Screening Training Centre, King’s College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, UK;
| | - Raymond Page
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA 01609, USA;
| | - Ashok Vaid
- Department of Medical and Haemato Oncology, Medanta-The Medicity, Gurugram 122001, India;
| | - Ravi Mehrotra
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
| | | | - Sewanti Limaye
- Department of Medical and Precision Oncology, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai 400004, India;
| | - Darshana Patil
- Department of Research and Innovations, Datar Cancer Genetics, Nasik 422010, India; (D.P.); (D.A.); (V.D.); (P.F.); (S.A.); (A.S.); (R.D.)
| | - Dadasaheb Akolkar
- Department of Research and Innovations, Datar Cancer Genetics, Nasik 422010, India; (D.P.); (D.A.); (V.D.); (P.F.); (S.A.); (A.S.); (R.D.)
| | - Vineet Datta
- Department of Research and Innovations, Datar Cancer Genetics, Nasik 422010, India; (D.P.); (D.A.); (V.D.); (P.F.); (S.A.); (A.S.); (R.D.)
| | - Pradip Fulmali
- Department of Research and Innovations, Datar Cancer Genetics, Nasik 422010, India; (D.P.); (D.A.); (V.D.); (P.F.); (S.A.); (A.S.); (R.D.)
| | - Sachin Apurwa
- Department of Research and Innovations, Datar Cancer Genetics, Nasik 422010, India; (D.P.); (D.A.); (V.D.); (P.F.); (S.A.); (A.S.); (R.D.)
| | - Stefan Schuster
- Department of Research and Innovations, Datar Cancer Genetics Europe GmbH, 95488 Eckersdorf, Germany;
| | - Ajay Srinivasan
- Department of Research and Innovations, Datar Cancer Genetics, Nasik 422010, India; (D.P.); (D.A.); (V.D.); (P.F.); (S.A.); (A.S.); (R.D.)
| | - Rajan Datar
- Department of Research and Innovations, Datar Cancer Genetics, Nasik 422010, India; (D.P.); (D.A.); (V.D.); (P.F.); (S.A.); (A.S.); (R.D.)
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14
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Chaperonin containing TCP1 as a marker for identification of circulating tumor cells in blood. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264651. [PMID: 35749519 PMCID: PMC9232171 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Herein we report the use of Chaperonin-Containing TCP-1 (CCT or TRiC) as a marker to detect circulating tumor cells (CTCs) that are shed from tumors during oncogenesis. Most detection methods used in liquid biopsy approaches for enumeration of CTCs from blood, employ epithelial markers like cytokeratin (CK). However, such markers provide little information on the potential of these shed tumor cells, which are normally short-lived, to seed metastatic sites. To identify a marker that could go beyond enumeration and provide actionable data on CTCs, we evaluated CCT. CCT is a protein-folding complex composed of eight subunits. Previously, we found that expression of the second subunit (CCT2 or CCTβ) inversely correlated with cancer patient survival and was essential for tumorigenesis in mice, driving tumor-promoting processes like proliferation and anchorage-independent growth. In this study, we examined CCT2 expression in cancer compared to normal tissues and found statistically significant increases in tumors. Because not all blood samples from cancer patients contain detectable CTCs, we used the approach of spiking a known number of cancer cells into blood from healthy donors to test a liquid biopsy approach using CCT2 to distinguish rare cancer cells from the large number of non-cancer cells in blood. Using a clinically validated method for capturing CTCs, we evaluated detection of intracellular CCT2 staining for visualization of breast cancer and small cell lung (SCLC) cancer cells. We demonstrated that CCT2 staining could be incorporated into a CTC capture and staining protocol, providing biologically relevant information to improve detection of cancer cells shed in blood. These results were confirmed with a pilot study of blood from SCLC patients. Our studies demonstrate that detection of CCT2 could identify rare cancer cells in blood and has application in liquid biopsy approaches to enhance the use of minimally invasive methods for cancer diagnosis.
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15
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Diaz M, Singh P, Kotchetkov IS, Skakodub A, Meng A, Tamer C, Young RJ, Reiner AS, Panageas KS, Ramanathan LV, Pentsova E. Quantitative assessment of circulating tumor cells in cerebrospinal fluid as a clinical tool to predict survival in leptomeningeal metastases. J Neurooncol 2022; 157:81-90. [PMID: 35113288 PMCID: PMC9119011 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-022-03949-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Circulating tumor cells in cerebrospinal fluid are a quantitative diagnostic tool for leptomeningeal metastases from solid tumors, but their prognostic significance is unclear. Our objective was to evaluate CSF-CTC quantification in predicting outcomes in LM. METHODS This is a single institution retrospective study of patients with solid tumors who underwent CSF-CTC quantification using the CellSearch® platform between 04/2016 and 06/2019. Information on neuroaxis imaging, CSF results, and survival was collected. LM was diagnosed by MRI and/or CSF cytology. Survival analyses were performed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards modeling, and CSF-CTC splits associated with survival were identified through recursive partitioning analysis. RESULTS Out of 290 patients with CNS metastases, we identified a cohort of 101 patients with newly diagnosed LM. In this group, CSF-CTC count (median 200 CTCs/3 ml) predicted survival continuously (HR = 1.005, 95% CI: 1.002-1.009, p = 0.0027), and the risk of mortality doubled (HR = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.45-5.56, p = 0.0023) at the optimal cutoff of ≥ 61 CSF-CTCs/3 ml. Neuroimaging findings of LM (assessed by 3 independent neuroradiologists) were associated with a higher CSF-CTC count (median CSF-CTCs range 1.5-4 for patients without radiographic LM vs 200 for patients with radiographic LM, p < 0.001), but did not predict survival. CONCLUSION Our data shows that CSF-CTCs quantification predicts survival in newly diagnosed LM, and outperforms neuroimaging. CSF-CTC analysis can be used as a prognostic tool in patients with LM and provides quantitative assessment of disease burden in the CNS compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Diaz
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | | | - Ivan S. Kotchetkov
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Anna Skakodub
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Alicia Meng
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Christel Tamer
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Robert J. Young
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Anne S. Reiner
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Katherine S. Panageas
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Lakshmi V. Ramanathan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Elena Pentsova
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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16
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Rupp B, Ball H, Wuchu F, Nagrath D, Nagrath S. Circulating tumor cells in precision medicine: challenges and opportunities. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2022; 43:378-391. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2022.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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17
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Gurioli G, Conteduca V, Brighi N, Scarpi E, Basso U, Fornarini G, Mosca A, Nicodemo M, Banna GL, Lolli C, Schepisi G, Ravaglia G, Bondi I, Ulivi P, De Giorgi U. Circulating tumor cell gene expression and plasma AR gene copy number as biomarkers for castration-resistant prostate cancer patients treated with cabazitaxel. BMC Med 2022; 20:48. [PMID: 35101049 PMCID: PMC8805338 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-022-02244-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cabazitaxel improves overall survival (OS) in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients progressing after docetaxel. In this prospective study, we evaluated the prognostic role of CTC gene expression on cabazitaxel-treated patients and its association with plasma androgen receptor (AR) copy number (CN). METHODS Patients receiving cabazitaxel 20 or 25 mg/sqm for mCRPC were enrolled. Digital PCR was performed to assess plasma AR CN status. CTC enrichment was assessed using the AdnaTest EMT-2/StemCell kit. CTC expression analyses were performed for 17 genes. Data are expressed as hazard ratio (HR) or odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI. RESULTS Seventy-four patients were fully evaluable. CTC expression of AR-V7 (HR=2.52, 1.24-5.12, p=0.011), AKR1C3 (HR=2.01, 1.06-3.81, p=0.031), AR (HR=2.70, 1.46-5.01, p=0.002), EPCAM (HR=3.75, 2.10-6.71, p< 0.0001), PSMA (HR=2.09, 1.19-3.66, p=0.01), MDK (HR=3.35, 1.83-6.13, p< 0.0001), and HPRT1 (HR=2.46, 1.44-4.18, p=0.0009) was significantly associated with OS. ALDH1 (OR=5.50, 0.97-31.22, p=0.05), AR (OR=8.71, 2.32-32.25, p=0.001), EPCAM (OR=7.26, 1.47-35.73, p=0.015), PSMA (OR=3.86, 1.10-13.50, p=0.035), MDK (OR=6.84, 1.87-24.98, p=0.004), and HPRT1 (OR=7.41, 1.82-30.19, p=0.005) expression was associated with early PD. AR CN status was significantly correlated with AR-V7 (p=0.05), EPCAM (p=0.02), and MDK (p=0.002) expression. In multivariable model, EPCAM and HPRT1 CTC expression, plasma AR CN gain, ECOG PS=2, and liver metastases and PSA were independently associated with poorer OS. In patients treated with cabazitaxel 20 mg/sqm, median OS was shorter in AR-V7 positive than negative patients (6.6 versus 14 months, HR=3.46, 1.47-8.17], p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS Baseline CTC biomarkers may be prognosticators for cabazitaxel-treated mCRPC patients. Cabazitaxel at lower (20 mg/sqm) dose was associated with poorer outcomes in AR-V7 positive patients compared to AR-V7 negative patients in a post hoc subgroup analysis. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03381326 . Retrospectively registered on 18 December 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Gurioli
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy.
| | - Vincenza Conteduca
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy.,Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Medical Oncology and Biomolecular Therapy, University of Foggia, Policlinico Riuniti, Foggia, Italy
| | - Nicole Brighi
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Emanuela Scarpi
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Umberto Basso
- Medical Oncology Unit 1, Department of Clinical and Experimental Oncology, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Fornarini
- Medical Oncology Department, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino - IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genova, Italy
| | - Alessandra Mosca
- Multidisciplinary Oncology Outpatient Clinic, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Maurizio Nicodemo
- Medical Oncology, Ospedale Sacro Cuore don Calabria, Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Cristian Lolli
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Schepisi
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Giorgia Ravaglia
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Isabella Bondi
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Paola Ulivi
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Ugo De Giorgi
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
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18
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Topa J, Grešner P, Żaczek AJ, Markiewicz A. Breast cancer circulating tumor cells with mesenchymal features-an unreachable target? Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:81. [PMID: 35048186 PMCID: PMC8770434 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04064-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) mediate dissemination of solid tumors and can be an early sign of disease progression. Moreover, they show a great potential in terms of non-invasive, longitudinal monitoring of cancer patients. CTCs have been extensively studied in breast cancer (BC) and were shown to present a significant phenotypic plasticity connected with initiation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Apart from conferring malignant properties, EMT affects CTCs recovery rate, making a significant portion of CTCs from patients’ samples undetected. Wider application of methods and markers designed to isolate and identify mesenchymal CTCs is required to expand our knowledge about the clinical impact of mesenchymal CTCs. Therefore, here we provide a comprehensive review of clinical significance of mesenchymal CTCs in BC together with statistical analysis of previously published data, in which we assessed the suitability of a number of methods/markers used for isolation of CTCs with different EMT phenotypes, both in in vitro spike-in tests with BC cell lines, as well as clinical samples. Results of spiked-in cell lines indicate that, in general, methods not based on epithelial enrichment only, capture mesenchymal CTCs much more efficiently that CellSearch® (golden standard in CTCs detection), but at the same time are not much inferior to Cell Search®, though large variation in recovery rates of added cells among the methods is observed. In clinical samples, where additional CTCs detection markers are needed, positive epithelial-based CTCs enrichment was the most efficient in isolating CTCs with mesenchymal features from non-metastatic BC patients. From the marker side, PI3K and VIM were contributing the most to detection of CTCs with mesenchymal features (in comparison to SNAIL) in non-metastatic and metastatic BC patients, respectively. However, additional data are needed for more robust identification of markers for efficient detection of CTCs with mesenchymal features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Topa
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Debinki 1, 80-211, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Peter Grešner
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Debinki 1, 80-211, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Anna J Żaczek
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Debinki 1, 80-211, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Markiewicz
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Debinki 1, 80-211, Gdansk, Poland.
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Bulska-Będkowska W, Czajka-Francuz P, Jurek-Cisoń S, Owczarek AJ, Francuz T, Chudek J. The Predictive Role of Serum Levels of Soluble Cell Adhesion Molecules (sCAMs) in the Therapy of Advanced Breast Cancer—A Single-Centre Study. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 58:medicina58020153. [PMID: 35208477 PMCID: PMC8876996 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58020153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Soluble cell adhesion molecules (sCAMs) play a significant role in the metastatic potential of breast cancer (BC). They might block lymphocytes and promote angiogenesis and migration of cancer cells. We assessed the usefulness of sCAMs in the prognosis and monitoring of the progression of advanced BC. Materials and Methods: We assessed soluble E-selectin, P-selectin, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, EpCAM, IL-6Ra, TNF-R1, and TNF-R2 in 39 women with aBC. Blood samples were obtained at the beginning of the treatment and after 2 months. Results: The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 9 months, and overall survival (OS) was 27 months. The higher levels of sICAM-1 (HR = 2.60, p = 0.06) and lower levels of sEpCAM (HR = 2.72, p < 0.05) were associated with faster progression of aBC. High levels of sEpCAM through the follow-up period were significantly associated with a lower risk of progression (HR = 0.40, p < 0.01). We found the independent predictive value of higher than median sICAM-1 levels for PFS (HR = 2.07, p = 0.08) and of sVCAM-1 levels for OS (HR = 2.59, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our data support the predictive value of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 and suggest that they could become markers for tailoring new therapies in aBC. sEpCAM level could be used as an early indicator of response to the therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weronika Bulska-Będkowska
- Department of Internal Diseases and Oncological Chemotherapy, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-027 Katowice, Poland; (P.C.-F.); (S.J.-C.); (J.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-32-252-60-91
| | - Paulina Czajka-Francuz
- Department of Internal Diseases and Oncological Chemotherapy, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-027 Katowice, Poland; (P.C.-F.); (S.J.-C.); (J.C.)
| | - Sylwia Jurek-Cisoń
- Department of Internal Diseases and Oncological Chemotherapy, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-027 Katowice, Poland; (P.C.-F.); (S.J.-C.); (J.C.)
| | - Aleksander J. Owczarek
- Health Promotion and Obesity Management Unit, Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, Poland;
| | - Tomasz Francuz
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, Poland;
| | - Jerzy Chudek
- Department of Internal Diseases and Oncological Chemotherapy, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-027 Katowice, Poland; (P.C.-F.); (S.J.-C.); (J.C.)
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20
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Chelakkot C, Yang H, Shin YK. Relevance of Circulating Tumor Cells as Predictive Markers for Cancer Incidence and Relapse. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:75. [PMID: 35056131 PMCID: PMC8781286 DOI: 10.3390/ph15010075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Shedding of cancer cells from the primary site or undetectable bone marrow region into the circulatory system, resulting in clinically overt metastasis or dissemination, is the hallmark of unfavorable invasive cancers. The shed cells remain in circulation until they extravasate to form a secondary metastatic lesion or undergo anoikis. The circulating tumor cells (CTCs) found as single cells or clusters carry a plethora of information, are acknowledged as potential biomarkers for predicting cancer prognosis and cancer progression, and are supposed to play key roles in determining tailored therapies for advanced diseases. With the advent of novel technologies that allow the precise isolation of CTCs, more and more clinical trials are focusing on the prognostic and predictive potential of CTCs. In this review, we summarize the role of CTCs as a predictive marker for cancer incidence, relapse, and response to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaithanya Chelakkot
- Bio-MAX/N-Bio, Bio-MAX Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 08226, Korea
- Genobio Corp., Seoul 08394, Korea
| | - Hobin Yang
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08226, Korea
| | - Young Kee Shin
- Bio-MAX/N-Bio, Bio-MAX Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 08226, Korea
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08226, Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08226, Korea
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21
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Espejo-Cruz ML, González-Rubio S, Zamora-Olaya J, Amado-Torres V, Alejandre R, Sánchez-Frías M, Ciria R, De la Mata M, Rodríguez-Perálvarez M, Ferrín G. Circulating Tumor Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Review and Critical Appraisal. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222313073. [PMID: 34884878 PMCID: PMC8657934 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222313073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common neoplasm and a major cause of cancer-related death worldwide. There is no ideal biomarker allowing early diagnosis of HCC and tumor surveillance in patients receiving therapy. Liquid biopsy, and particularly circulating tumor cells (CTCs), have emerged as a useful tool for diagnosis and monitoring therapeutic responses in different tumors. In the present manuscript, we evaluate the current evidence supporting the quantitative and qualitative assessment of CTCs as potential biomarkers of HCC, as well as technical aspects related to isolation, identification, and classification of CTCs. Although the dynamic assessment of CTCs in patients with HCC may aid the decision-making process, there are still many uncertainties and technical caveats to be solved before this methodology has a true impact on clinical practice guidelines. More studies are needed to identify the optimal combination of surface markers, to increase the efficiency of ex-vivo expansion of CTCs, or even to target CTCs as a potential therapeutic strategy to prevent HCC recurrence after surgery or to hamper tumor progression and extrahepatic spreading.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Lola Espejo-Cruz
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Sandra González-Rubio
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Javier Zamora-Olaya
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Víctor Amado-Torres
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Rafael Alejandre
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Marina Sánchez-Frías
- Department of Pathology, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain;
| | - Rubén Ciria
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Manuel De la Mata
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Rodríguez-Perálvarez
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Gustavo Ferrín
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Circulating Tumour Cell Numbers Correlate with Platelet Count and Circulating Lymphocyte Subsets in Men with Advanced Prostate Cancer: Data from the ExPeCT Clinical Trial (CTRIAL-IE 15-21). Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184690. [PMID: 34572916 PMCID: PMC8466183 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer cells (CTCs) can be found in the bloodstream in men with advanced prostate cancer. Blood platelets, which normally help the blood to clot, may help the cancer cells to spread throughout the body by preventing the body’s immune system from finding and destroying them while they are in the bloodstream. Blood samples were taken from men with prostate cancer who were involved in the ExPeCT clinical trial, some of whom were taking part in a regular exercise programme. The numbers of CTCs, platelets and immune system cells were counted and compared. Blood samples with more CTCs had higher numbers of platelets and higher numbers of some types of immune system cells. Some differences were also found in men involved in the exercise programme. This study helps to show that CTCs numbers are related to platelet and immune cell numbers in the blood. Abstract Interactions between circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and platelets are thought to inhibit natural killer(NK)-cell-induced lysis. We attempted to correlate CTC numbers in men with advanced prostate cancer with platelet counts and circulating lymphocyte numbers. Sixty-one ExPeCT trial participants, divided into overweight/obese and normal weight groups on the basis of a BMI ≥ 25 or <25, were randomized to participate or not in a six-month exercise programme. Blood samples at randomization, and at three and six months, were subjected to ScreenCell filtration, circulating platelet counts were obtained, and flow cytometry was performed on a subset of samples (n = 29). CTC count positively correlated with absolute total lymphocyte count (r2 = 0.1709, p = 0.0258) and NK-cell count (r2 = 0.49, p < 0.0001). There was also a positive correlation between platelet count and CTC count (r2 = 0.094, p = 0.0001). Correlation was also demonstrated within the overweight/obese group (n = 123, p < 0.0001), the non-exercise group (n = 79, p = 0.001) and blood draw samples lacking platelet cloaking (n = 128, p < 0.0001). By flow cytometry, blood samples from the exercise group (n = 15) had a higher proportion of CD3+ T-lymphocytes (p = 0.0003) and lower proportions of B-lymphocytes (p = 0.0264) and NK-cells (p = 0.015) than the non-exercise group (n = 14). These findings suggest that CTCs engage in complex interactions with the coagulation cascade and innate immune system during intravascular transit, and they present an attractive target for directed therapy at a vulnerable stage in metastasis.
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Varty K, O’Brien C, Ignaszak A. Breast Cancer Aptamers: Current Sensing Targets, Available Aptamers, and Their Evaluation for Clinical Use in Diagnostics. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13163984. [PMID: 34439139 PMCID: PMC8391819 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13163984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women worldwide, and the rate of diagnosis continues to increase. Early detection and targeted treatment towards histological type is crucial to improving outcomes, but current screening methods leave some patients at risk of late diagnosis. The risk of late diagnosis and progressed disease is of particular concern for young women as current screening methods are not recommended early in life. Aptamers are oligonucleotides that can bind with high specificity to target molecules such as proteins, peptides, and other small molecules. They are relatively cheap to produce and are invariable from batch to batch, making them ideal for use in large-scale clinical or screening programs. The use of aptamers for breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and therapeutics is promising, but comparison of these aptamers and their corresponding biomarkers for use in breast cancer is significantly lacking. Here, we compare the currently available aptamers for breast cancer biomarkers and their respective biomarkers, as well as highlight the electrochemical sensors that are in development.
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24
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Hassan S, Blick T, Thompson EW, Williams ED. Diversity of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Phenotypes in Circulating Tumour Cells from Prostate Cancer Patient-Derived Xenograft Models. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13112750. [PMID: 34206049 PMCID: PMC8198708 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Spread of prostate cancer to other parts of the body is responsible for the majority of deaths. Tumour cell epithelial mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) increases their metastatic potential and facilitates their survival in the blood as circulating tumour cells (CTCs). The aim of this study was to molecularly characterise CTCs in a panel of prostate cancer patient-derived xenografts using genes associated with epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes, and to compare the EMP status of CTCs with their matched primary tumours. The study highlights high heterogeneity in CTC enumeration and EMP gene expression between tumour-bearing mice and within individual blood samples, and therefore caution should be taken when interpreting pooled CTC analyses. Critically, tumour cells were present in the epithelial-mesenchymal hybrid state in the circulation. The study also demonstrates that there is high variation in CTC size, which would introduce sample bias to size-based CTC isolation techniques. Abstract Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) status of primary tumours has relevance to metastatic potential and therapy resistance. Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) provide a window into the metastatic process, and molecular characterisation of CTCs in comparison to their primary tumours could lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the metastatic cascade. In this study, paired blood and tumour samples were collected from four prostate cancer patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models (BM18, LuCaP70, LuCaP96, LuCaP105) and assessed using an EMP-focused, 42 gene human-specific, nested quantitative RT-PCR assay. CTC burden varied amongst the various xenograft models with LuCaP96 having the highest number of CTCs per mouse (mean: 704; median: 31) followed by BM18 (mean: 101; median: 21), LuCaP70 (mean: 73; median: 16) and LuCaP105 (mean: 57; median: 6). A significant relationship was observed between tumour size and CTC number (p = 0.0058). Decreased levels of kallikrein-related peptidase 3 (KLK3) mRNA (which encodes prostate-specific antigen; PSA) were observed in CTC samples from all four models compared to their primary tumours. Both epithelial- and mesenchymal-associated genes were commonly expressed at higher levels in CTCs compared to the bulk primary tumour, although some common EMT-associated genes (CDH1, VIM, EGFR, EPCAM) remained unchanged. Immunofluorescence co-staining for pan-cytokeratin (KRT) and vimentin (VIM) indicated variable proportions of CTCs across the full EMP axis, even in the same model. EMP hybrids predominated in the BM18 and LuCaP96 models, but were not detected in the LuCaP105 model, and variable numbers of KRT+ and human VIM+ cells were observed in each model. SERPINE1, which encodes plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), was enriched at the RNA level in CTCs compared to primary tumours and was the most commonly expressed mesenchymal gene in the CTCs. Co-staining for SERPINE1 and KRT revealed SERPINE1+ cells in 7/11 samples, six of which had SERPINE+KRT+ CTCs. Cell size variation was observed in CTCs. The majority of samples (8/11) contained larger CTCs ranging from 15.3 to 37.8 µm, whilst smaller cells (10.7 ± 4.1 µm, similar in size to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)) were identified in 6 of 11 samples. CTC clusters were also identified in 9/11 samples, containing 2–100 CTCs per cluster. Where CTC heterogeneity was observed in the clusters, epithelial-like cells (KRT+VIM−) were located on the periphery of the cluster, forming a layer around hybrid (KRT+VIM+) or mesenchymal-like (KRT−VIM+) cells. The CTC heterogeneity observed in these models emphasises the complexity in CTC isolation and classification and supports the increasingly recognised importance of the epithelial-mesenchymal hybrid state in cancer progression and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Hassan
- Faculty of Health and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane City, QLD 4000, Australia; (S.H.); (T.B.)
- Translational Research Institute (TRI), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Tony Blick
- Faculty of Health and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane City, QLD 4000, Australia; (S.H.); (T.B.)
- Translational Research Institute (TRI), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Erik W. Thompson
- Faculty of Health and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane City, QLD 4000, Australia; (S.H.); (T.B.)
- Translational Research Institute (TRI), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- Correspondence: (E.W.T.); (E.D.W.)
| | - Elizabeth D. Williams
- Faculty of Health and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane City, QLD 4000, Australia; (S.H.); (T.B.)
- Translational Research Institute (TRI), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre—Queensland (APCRC-Q), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- Correspondence: (E.W.T.); (E.D.W.)
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Agnoletto C, Caruso C, Garofalo C. Heterogeneous Circulating Tumor Cells in Sarcoma: Implication for Clinical Practice. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092189. [PMID: 34063272 PMCID: PMC8124844 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The present review is aimed to discuss the relevance of assaying for the presence and isolation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with sarcoma. Just a few studies have been performed to detect and enumerate viable CTCs in sarcoma and a majority of them still represent proof-of-concept studies, while more frequently tumor cells have been detected in the circulation by using the PCR-based method. Nevertheless, recent advances in technologies allowed detection of epithelial–mesenchymal transitioned CTCs from patients with mesenchymal malignancies, despite results being mostly preliminary. The possibility to identify CTCs holds a great promise for both applications of liquid biopsy in sarcoma for precision medicine, and for research purposes to pinpoint the mechanism of the metastatic process through the characterization of tumor mesenchymal cells. Coherently, clinical trials in sarcoma have been designed accordingly to detect CTCs, for diagnosis, identification of novel therapeutic targets and resistance mechanisms of systemic therapies, and patient stratification. Abstract Bone and soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) represent a group of heterogeneous rare malignant tumors of mesenchymal origin, with a poor prognosis. Due to their low incidence, only a few studies have been reported addressing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in sarcoma, despite the well-documented relevance for applications of liquid biopsy in precision medicine. In the present review, the most recent data relative to the detection and isolation of viable and intact CTCs in these tumors will be reviewed, and the heterogeneity in CTCs will be discussed. The relevance of epithelial–mesenchymal plasticity and stemness in defining the phenotypic and functional properties of these rare cells in sarcoma will be highlighted. Of note, the existence of dynamic epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related processes in sarcoma tumors has only recently been related to their clinical aggressiveness. Also, the presence of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)-positive CTC in sarcoma has been weakly correlated with poor outcome and disease progression, thus proving the existence of both epithelial and mesenchymal CTC in sarcoma. The advancement in technologies for capturing and enumerating all diverse CTCs phenotype originating from these mesenchymal tumors are presented, and results provide a promising basis for clinical application of CTC detection in sarcoma.
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Human Plasma Extracellular Vesicle Isolation and Proteomic Characterization for the Optimization of Liquid Biopsy in Multiple Myeloma. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2261:151-191. [PMID: 33420989 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1186-9_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells secrete membranous extracellular vesicles (EVs) which contain specific oncogenic molecular cargo (including oncoproteins, oncopeptides, and RNA) into their microenvironment and the circulation. As such, EVs including exosomes (small EVs) and microvesicles (large EVs) represent important circulating biomarkers for various diseases, including cancer and its progression. These circulating biomarkers offer a potentially minimally invasive and repeatable targets for analysis (liquid biopsy) that could aid in the diagnosis, risk stratification, and monitoring of cancer. Although their potential as cancer biomarkers has been promising, the identification and quantification of EVs in clinical samples remain challenging. Like EVs, other types of circulating biomarkers (including cell-free nucleic acids, cf-NAs; or circulating tumor cells, CTCs) may represent a complementary or alternative approach to cancer diagnosis. In the context of multiple myeloma (MM), a systemic cancer type that causes cancer cells to accumulate in the bone marrow, the specific role for EVs as biomarkers for diagnosis and monitoring remains undefined. Tumor heterogeneity along with the various subtypes of MM (such as non-secretory MM) that cannot be monitored using conventional testing (e.g. sequential serological testing and bone marrow biopsies) render liquid biopsy and circulating tumor-derived EVs a promising approach. In this protocol, we describe the isolation and purification of EVs from peripheral blood plasma (PBPL) collected from healthy donors and patients with MM for a biomarker discovery strategy. Our results demonstrate detection of circulating EVs from as little as 1 mL of MM patients' PBPL. High-resolution mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics promises to provide new avenues in identifying novel markers for detection, monitoring, and therapeutic intervention of disease. We describe biophysical characterization and quantitative proteomic profiling of disease-specific circulating EVs which may provide important implications for the development of cancer diagnostics in MM.
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Genetic and Non-Genetic Mechanisms Underlying Cancer Evolution. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061380. [PMID: 33803675 PMCID: PMC8002988 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Our manuscript summarizes the up-to-date data on the complex and dynamic nature of adaptation mechanisms and evolutionary processes taking place during cancer initiation, development and progression. Although for decades cancer has been viewed as a process governed by genetic mechanisms, it is becoming more and more clear that non-genetic mechanisms may play an equally important role in cancer evolution. In this review, we bring together these fundamental concepts and discuss how those tightly interconnected mechanisms lead to the establishment of highly adaptive quickly evolving cancers. Furthermore, we argue that in depth understanding of cancer progression from the evolutionary perspective may allow the prediction and direction of the evolutionary path of cancer populations towards drug sensitive phenotypes and thus facilitate the development of more effective anti-cancer approaches. Abstract Cancer development can be defined as a process of cellular and tissular microevolution ultimately leading to malignancy. Strikingly, though this concept has prevailed in the field for more than a century, the precise mechanisms underlying evolutionary processes occurring within tumours remain largely uncharacterized and rather cryptic. Nevertheless, although our current knowledge is fragmentary, data collected to date suggest that most tumours display features compatible with a diverse array of evolutionary paths, suggesting that most of the existing macro-evolutionary models find their avatar in cancer biology. Herein, we discuss an up-to-date view of the fundamental genetic and non-genetic mechanisms underlying tumour evolution with the aim of concurring into an integrated view of the evolutionary forces at play throughout the emergence and progression of the disease and into the acquisition of resistance to diverse therapeutic paradigms. Our ultimate goal is to delve into the intricacies of genetic and non-genetic networks underlying tumour evolution to build a framework where both core concepts are considered non-negligible and equally fundamental.
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Pereira-Veiga T, González-Conde M, León-Mateos L, Piñeiro-Cid R, Abuín C, Muinelo-Romay L, Martínez-Fernández M, Brea Iglesias J, García González J, Anido U, Aguín-Losada S, Cebey V, Costa C, López-López R. Longitudinal CTCs gene expression analysis on metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients treated with docetaxel reveals new potential prognosis markers. Clin Exp Metastasis 2021; 38:239-251. [PMID: 33635497 PMCID: PMC7987626 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-021-10075-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
CTCs have extensively been used for the monitoring and characterization of metastatic prostate cancer, but their application in the clinic is still very scarce. Besides, the resistance mechanisms linked to prostate cancer treatment remain unclear. Liquid biopsies represent the most promising alternative due to the complexity of biopsying bone metastasis and the duration of the disease. We performed a prospective longitudinal study in CTCs from 20 castration-resistant prostate cancer patients treated with docetaxel. For that, we used CellSearch® technology and a custom gene expression panel with qRT-PCR using a CTCs negative enrichment approach. We found that CTCs showed a hybrid phenotype during the disease, where epithelial features were associated with the presence of ≥ 5 CTCs/7.5 mL of blood, while high relative expression of the gene MYCL was observed preferentially in the set of samples with < 5 CTCs/7.5 mL of blood. At baseline, patients whose CTCs had stem or hybrid features showed a later progression. After 1 cycle of docetaxel, high relative expression of ZEB1 indicated worse outcome, while KRT19 and KLK3 high expression could predisposed the patients to a worse prognosis at clinical progression. In the present work we describe biomarkers with clinical relevance for the prediction of early response or resistance in castration-resistant prostate cancer patients. Besides, we question the utility of targeted isolated CTCs and the use of a limited number of markers to define the CTCs population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thais Pereira-Veiga
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group, Oncomet, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Travesía da Choupana s/n, 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Department of Tumor Biology, Center of Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Miriam González-Conde
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group, Oncomet, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Travesía da Choupana s/n, 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Luis León-Mateos
- Medical Oncology Department, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Roberto Piñeiro-Cid
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group, Oncomet, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Travesía da Choupana s/n, 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, CIBERONC, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Abuín
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group, Oncomet, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Travesía da Choupana s/n, 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Laura Muinelo-Romay
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, CIBERONC, 28029, Madrid, Spain.,Liquid Biopsy Analysis Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Travesía da Choupana s/n, 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Mónica Martínez-Fernández
- Genomes and Disease Lab. CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Avda. Barcelona 31, 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Jenifer Brea Iglesias
- Genomes and Disease Lab. CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Avda. Barcelona 31, 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Jorge García González
- Medical Oncology Department, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, CIBERONC, 28029, Madrid, Spain.,Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Urbano Anido
- Medical Oncology Department, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Santiago Aguín-Losada
- Medical Oncology Department, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Víctor Cebey
- Medical Oncology Department, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Clotilde Costa
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group, Oncomet, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Travesía da Choupana s/n, 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain. .,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, CIBERONC, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Rafael López-López
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group, Oncomet, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Travesía da Choupana s/n, 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Medical Oncology Department, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, CIBERONC, 28029, Madrid, Spain.,Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Phenotypic Plasticity of Cancer Cells Based on Remodeling of the Actin Cytoskeleton and Adhesive Structures. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041821. [PMID: 33673054 PMCID: PMC7918886 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
There is ample evidence that, instead of a binary switch, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer results in a flexible array of phenotypes, each one uniquely suited to a stage in the invasion-metastasis cascade. The phenotypic plasticity of epithelium-derived cancer cells gives them an edge in surviving and thriving in alien environments. This review describes in detail the actin cytoskeleton and E-cadherin-based adherens junction rearrangements that cancer cells need to implement in order to achieve the advantageous epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype and plasticity of migratory phenotypes that can arise from partial EMT.
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30
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Heyward CY, Dong L, Shakhzadyan H, Wan C, Stokol T. Detection of Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule in Feline Normal and Tumor Cell Lines and Tissues With Selected Commercial Anti-human EpCAM Antibodies. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:622189. [PMID: 33614766 PMCID: PMC7890202 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.622189] [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: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a transmembrane protein expressed at intercellular junctions in epithelial cells. As an epithelial biomarker, it used for immunologic-based capture of epithelial-derived circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in human patients with different carcinomas. EpCAM expression has not been described in normal or neoplastic epithelial tissues in cats. Our goal was to find a commercial antibody that recognizes surface EpCAM expression for CTC detection. We tested two anti-human EpCAM antibodies, designated for use with flow cytometry, for detection of surface EpCAM expression on feline cell lines derived from normal mammary and renal epithelia and mammary and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas in cats. Only one of the antibodies, a goat polyclonal antibody, labeled normal and neoplastic feline mammary epithelial cells and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells; no labeling was observed for normal feline kidney epithelial cells. At low dilution, this antibody immunohistochemically stained the intercellular junctions of normal pancreatic, intestinal and mammary epithelium, as well as neoplastic mammary epithelium in feline tissues; however, oral mucosa, skin, and an oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma showed no positive immunostaining. The antibody only weakly bound feline squamous cell carcinoma cell lines under static adhesion. Our results indicate that EpCAM is expressed in specific epithelia in cats but is variably expressed in feline mammary tumors and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. A higher avidity cross-reactive or feline-specific antibody will be required to further investigate EpCAM expression in normal and neoplastic feline tissue or for detecting CTCs in the blood of tumor-bearing cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christa Y Heyward
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Lynn Dong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Hayk Shakhzadyan
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Christopher Wan
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Tracy Stokol
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
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31
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Neves RPL, Ammerlaan W, Andree KC, Bender S, Cayrefourcq L, Driemel C, Koch C, Luetke-Eversloh MV, Oulhen M, Rossi E, Alix-Panabières C, Betsou F, Farace F, Riethdorf S, Schlange T, Wikman H, Zamarchi R, Pantel K, Terstappen LWMM, Stoecklein NH. Proficiency Testing to Assess Technical Performance for CTC-Processing and Detection Methods in CANCER-ID. Clin Chem 2021; 67:631-641. [PMID: 33491069 DOI: 10.1093/clinchem/hvaa322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple technologies are available for detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), but standards to evaluate their technical performance are still lacking. This limits the applicability of CTC analysis in clinic routine. Therefore, in the context of the CANCER-ID consortium, we established a platform to assess technical validity of CTC detection methods in a European multi-center setting using non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as a model. METHODS We characterized multiple NSCLC cell lines to define cellular models distinct in their phenotype and molecular characteristics. Standardized tumor-cell-bearing blood samples were prepared at a central laboratory and sent to multiple European laboratories for processing according to standard operating procedures. The data were submitted via an online tool and centrally evaluated. Five CTC-enrichment technologies were tested. RESULTS We could identify 2 cytokeratin expressing cell lines with distinct levels of EpCAM expression: NCI-H441 (EpCAMhigh, CKpos) and NCI-H1563 (EpCAMlow, CKpos). Both spiked tumor cell lines were detected by all technologies except for the CellSearch system that failed to enrich EpCAMlow NCI-H1563 cells. Mean recovery rates ranged between 49% and 75% for NCI-H411 and 32% and 76% for NCI-H1563 and significant differences were observed between the tested methods. CONCLUSIONS This multi-national proficiency testing of CTC-enrichment technologies has importance in the establishment of guidelines for clinically applicable (pre)analytical workflows and the definition of minimal performance qualification requirements prior to clinical validation of technologies. It will remain in operation beyond the funding period of CANCER-ID in the context of the European Liquid Biopsy Society (ELBS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui P L Neves
- Department of General, Visceral and Paediatric Surgery, University Hospital and Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Wim Ammerlaan
- Integrated BioBank of Luxembourg, Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | - Kiki C Andree
- Department of Medical Cell BioPhysics, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | | | - Laure Cayrefourcq
- Laboratory of Rare Human Circulating Cells, University Medical Centre of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Christiane Driemel
- Department of General, Visceral and Paediatric Surgery, University Hospital and Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Claudia Koch
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Marianne Oulhen
- Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, "Circulating Tumor Cells" Translational Platform, CNRS UMS3655-INSERM US23 AMMICA, Villejuif, France
| | - Elisabetta Rossi
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy.,Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Catherine Alix-Panabières
- Laboratory of Rare Human Circulating Cells, University Medical Centre of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Fay Betsou
- Integrated BioBank of Luxembourg, Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | - Françoise Farace
- Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, "Circulating Tumor Cells" Translational Platform, CNRS UMS3655-INSERM US23 AMMICA, Villejuif, France
| | - Sabine Riethdorf
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Harriet Wikman
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Rita Zamarchi
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Klaus Pantel
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Leon W M M Terstappen
- Department of Medical Cell BioPhysics, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Nikolas H Stoecklein
- Department of General, Visceral and Paediatric Surgery, University Hospital and Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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32
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Mal A, Bukhari AB, Singh RK, Kapoor A, Barai A, Deshpande I, Wadasadawala T, Ray P, Sen S, De A. EpCAM-Mediated Cellular Plasticity Promotes Radiation Resistance and Metastasis in Breast Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:597673. [PMID: 33490064 PMCID: PMC7815650 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.597673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Substantial number of breast cancer (BC) patients undergoing radiation therapy (RT) develop local recurrence over time. During RT therapy, cells can gradually acquire resistance implying adaptive radioresistance. Here we probe the mechanisms underlying this acquired resistance by first establishing radioresistant lines using ZR-75-1 and MCF-7 BC cells through repeated exposure to sub-lethal fractionated dose of 2Gy up to 15 fractions. Radioresistance was found to be associated with increased cancer stem cells (CSCs), and elevated EpCAM expression in the cell population. A retrospective analysis of TCGA dataset indicated positive correlation of high EpCAM expression with poor response to RT. Intriguingly, elevated EpCAM expression in the radioresistant CSCs raise the bigger question of how this biomarker expression contributes during radiation treatment in BC. Thereafter, we establish EpCAM overexpressing ZR-75-1 cells (ZR-75-1EpCAM), which conferred radioresistance, increased stemness through enhanced AKT activation and induced a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype with enhanced contractility and invasiveness. In line with these observations, orthotopic implantation of ZR-75-1EpCAM cells exhibited faster growth, lesser sensitivity to radiation therapy and increased lung metastasis than baseline ZR-75-1 cells in mice. In summary, this study shows that similar to radioresistant BC cells, EpCAM overexpressing cells show high degree of plasticity and heterogeneity which ultimately induces radioresistant and metastatic behavior of cancer cells, thus aggravating the disease condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arijit Mal
- Molecular Functional Imaging Laboratory, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India.,Life Science, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Amirali B Bukhari
- Molecular Functional Imaging Laboratory, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Ram K Singh
- Imaging Cell Signaling & Therapeutics Lab, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Aastha Kapoor
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Amlan Barai
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Ishan Deshpande
- Molecular Functional Imaging Laboratory, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India
| | | | - Pritha Ray
- Life Science, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India.,Imaging Cell Signaling & Therapeutics Lab, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Shamik Sen
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Abhijit De
- Molecular Functional Imaging Laboratory, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India.,Life Science, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
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33
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Tinganelli W, Durante M. Tumor Hypoxia and Circulating Tumor Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249592. [PMID: 33339353 PMCID: PMC7766826 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are a rare tumor cell subpopulation induced and selected by the tumor microenvironment's extreme conditions. Under hypoxia and starvation, these aggressive and invasive cells are able to invade the lymphatic and circulatory systems. Escaping from the primary tumor, CTCs enter into the bloodstream to form metastatic deposits or re-establish themselves in cancer's primary site. Although radiotherapy is widely used to cure solid malignancies, it can promote metastasis. Radiation can disrupt the primary tumor vasculature, increasing the dissemination of CTCs. Radiation also induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and eliminates suppressive signaling, causing the proliferation of existent, but previously dormant, disseminated tumor cells (DTCs). In this review, we collect the results and evidence underlying the molecular mechanisms of CTCs and DTCs and the effects of radiation and hypoxia in developing these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Tinganelli
- Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany;
| | - Marco Durante
- Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany;
- Institut für Festkörperphysik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Okabe T, Togo S, Fujimoto Y, Watanabe J, Sumiyoshi I, Orimo A, Takahashi K. Mesenchymal Characteristics and Predictive Biomarkers on Circulating Tumor Cells for Therapeutic Strategy. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3588. [PMID: 33266262 PMCID: PMC7761066 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis-related events are the primary cause of cancer-related deaths, and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have a pivotal role in metastatic relapse. CTCs include a variety of subtypes with different functional characteristics. Interestingly, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers expressed in CTCs are strongly associated with poor clinical outcome and related to the acquisition of circulating tumor stem cell (CTSC) features. Recent studies have revealed the existence of CTC clusters, also called circulating tumor microemboli (CTM), which have a high metastatic potential. In this review, we present current opinions regarding the clinical significance of CTCs and CTM with a mesenchymal phenotype as clinical surrogate markers, and we summarize the therapeutic strategy according to phenotype characterization of CTCs in various types of cancers for future precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Okabe
- Leading Center for the Development and Research of Cancer Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan;
| | - Shinsaku Togo
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (Y.F.); (J.W.); (I.S.); (K.T.)
- Research Institute for Diseases of Old Ages, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Yuichi Fujimoto
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (Y.F.); (J.W.); (I.S.); (K.T.)
- Research Institute for Diseases of Old Ages, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Junko Watanabe
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (Y.F.); (J.W.); (I.S.); (K.T.)
- Research Institute for Diseases of Old Ages, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Issei Sumiyoshi
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (Y.F.); (J.W.); (I.S.); (K.T.)
- Research Institute for Diseases of Old Ages, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Akira Orimo
- Departments of Pathology and Oncology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan;
| | - Kazuhisa Takahashi
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (Y.F.); (J.W.); (I.S.); (K.T.)
- Research Institute for Diseases of Old Ages, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
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Xin Y, Li K, Yang M, Tan Y. Fluid Shear Stress Induces EMT of Circulating Tumor Cells via JNK Signaling in Favor of Their Survival during Hematogenous Dissemination. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218115. [PMID: 33143160 PMCID: PMC7663710 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells metastasize to distal organs mainly through hematogenous dissemination, where they experience considerable levels of fluid shear stress. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a critical role in tumor metastasis. However, how fluid shear stress influences the EMT phenotype of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in suspension has not been fully understood. The role of shear-induced EMT in cell survival under blood shear flow remains unclear. This study shows that the majority of breast CTCs underwent apoptosis under shear flow and the surviving cells exhibited mesenchymal phenotype, suggesting that fluid shear stress induces EMT. Mechanistically, fluid shear stress-activated Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling, inhibition/activation of which suppressed/promoted the EMT phenotype. In particular, shear flow facilitated the JNK-dependent transition of epithelial CTCs into the mesenchymal status and maintained the pre-existing mesenchymal cells. Importantly, the induction of EMT suppressed the pro-apoptosis gene p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) and enhanced the survival of suspended CTCs in fluid shear stress, which was rescued by overexpressing PUMA or silencing JNK signaling, suggesting that shear-induced EMT promotes CTC survival through PUMA downregulation and JNK activation. Further, the expressions of EMT markers and JUN were correlated with poor patient survival. In summary, our findings have demonstrated that fluid shear stress induces EMT in suspended CTCs via JNK signaling that promotes their survival in shear flow. This study thus unveils a new role of blood shear stress in CTC survival and facilitates the development of novel therapeutics against tumor metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xin
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; (Y.X.); (K.L.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China;
| | - Keming Li
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; (Y.X.); (K.L.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China;
| | - Mo Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China;
| | - Youhua Tan
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; (Y.X.); (K.L.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China;
- Correspondence:
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36
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Cohen EN, Jayachandran G, Hardy MR, Venkata Subramanian AM, Meng X, Reuben JM. Antigen-agnostic microfluidics-based circulating tumor cell enrichment and downstream molecular characterization. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241123. [PMID: 33095819 PMCID: PMC7584183 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTC) isolated from the peripheral blood of cancer patients by a minimally invasive procedure provide surrogate markers of the tumor that can be repeatedly sampled. However, the selection and enumeration of CTCs by traditional methods based on surface proteins like EPCAM may not detect CTCs with a mesenchymal phenotype. Here, we employed an antibody-agnostic platform, the Parsortix® PR1 system, which enriches CTCs based on cell size and membrane deformability. We evaluated the linearity, sensitivity, and specificity of the Parsortix PR1 system in tandem with 3 downstream molecular characterization techniques using healthy donor blood spiked with cultured cell lines. Signal amplification of mRNA using a QuantiGene 25-gene assay was able to quantitate multiple epithelial genes, including CDH1, EGFR, ERBB2, KRT18, and MUC1, from high numbers of spiked cells and was able to detect KRT18 when only 50 MCF-7 or SUM190 cells were spiked into healthy donor blood. However, target amplification of mRNA by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) showed better sensitivity; qPCR without pre-amplification was able to detect CTC-related genes in Parsortix PR1-enriched cells when as few as 5 SKBR3 cells were spiked into blood. Finally, the HTG EdgeSeq nuclease protection assay was able to profile mRNA expression of over 2,560 cancer-related genes from Parsortix PR1 enriched cells, showing enrichment in cancer signaling pathways and ERBB2, KRT19, and KRT7. Overall, the Parsortix PR1 platform may be amenable to transition into routine clinical workflows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan N. Cohen
- Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Gitanjali Jayachandran
- Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Max R. Hardy
- Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Ananya M. Venkata Subramanian
- Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Xiangtian Meng
- Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - James M. Reuben
- Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
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Gires O, Pan M, Schinke H, Canis M, Baeuerle PA. Expression and function of epithelial cell adhesion molecule EpCAM: where are we after 40 years? Cancer Metastasis Rev 2020; 39:969-987. [PMID: 32507912 PMCID: PMC7497325 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-020-09898-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
EpCAM (epithelial cell adhesion molecule) was discovered four decades ago as a tumor antigen on colorectal carcinomas. Owing to its frequent and high expression on carcinomas and their metastases, EpCAM serves as a prognostic marker, a therapeutic target, and an anchor molecule on circulating and disseminated tumor cells (CTCs/DTCs), which are considered the major source for metastatic cancer cells. Today, EpCAM is reckoned as a multi-functional transmembrane protein involved in the regulation of cell adhesion, proliferation, migration, stemness, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of carcinoma cells. To fulfill these functions, EpCAM is instrumental in intra- and intercellular signaling as a full-length molecule and following regulated intramembrane proteolysis, generating functionally active extra- and intracellular fragments. Intact EpCAM and its proteolytic fragments interact with claudins, CD44, E-cadherin, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and intracellular signaling components of the WNT and Ras/Raf pathways, respectively. This plethora of functions contributes to shaping intratumor heterogeneity and partial EMT, which are major determinants of the clinical outcome of carcinoma patients. EpCAM represents a marker for the epithelial status of primary and systemic tumor cells and emerges as a measure for the metastatic capacity of CTCs. Consequentially, EpCAM has reclaimed potential as a prognostic marker and target on primary and systemic tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Gires
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
- Clinical Cooperation Group "Personalized Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer", Helmholtz Zentrum, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Min Pan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Henrik Schinke
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Canis
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Patrick A Baeuerle
- Institute for Immunology, LMU Munich, Grosshadernerstr. 9, 82152 Planegg, Martinsried, Germany
- MPM Capital, Cambridge MA, 450 Kendall Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
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Ahrens TD, Bang-Christensen SR, Jørgensen AM, Løppke C, Spliid CB, Sand NT, Clausen TM, Salanti A, Agerbæk MØ. The Role of Proteoglycans in Cancer Metastasis and Circulating Tumor Cell Analysis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:749. [PMID: 32984308 PMCID: PMC7479181 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are accessible by liquid biopsies via an easy blood draw. They represent not only the primary tumor site, but also potential metastatic lesions, and could thus be an attractive supplement for cancer diagnostics. However, the analysis of rare CTCs in billions of normal blood cells is still technically challenging and novel specific CTC markers are needed. The formation of metastasis is a complex process supported by numerous molecular alterations, and thus novel CTC markers might be found by focusing on this process. One example of this is specific changes in the cancer cell glycocalyx, which is a network on the cell surface composed of carbohydrate structures. Proteoglycans are important glycocalyx components and consist of a protein core and covalently attached long glycosaminoglycan chains. A few CTC assays have already utilized proteoglycans for both enrichment and analysis of CTCs. Nonetheless, the biological function of proteoglycans on clinical CTCs has not been studied in detail so far. Therefore, the present review describes proteoglycan functions during the metastatic cascade to highlight their importance to CTCs. We also outline current approaches for CTC assays based on targeting proteoglycans by their protein cores or their glycosaminoglycan chains. Lastly, we briefly discuss important technical aspects, which should be considered for studying proteoglycans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa D. Ahrens
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sara R. Bang-Christensen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- VarCT Diagnostics, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Caroline Løppke
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Charlotte B. Spliid
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Nicolai T. Sand
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas M. Clausen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Ali Salanti
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mette Ø. Agerbæk
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- VarCT Diagnostics, Copenhagen, Denmark
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39
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Nanou A, Zeune LL, Bidard FC, Pierga JY, Terstappen LWMM. HER2 expression on tumor-derived extracellular vesicles and circulating tumor cells in metastatic breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res 2020; 22:86. [PMID: 32787900 PMCID: PMC7424685 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-020-01323-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (tdEVs) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood of metastatic cancer patients associate with poor outcomes. In this study, we explored the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression on CTCs and tdEVs of metastatic breast cancer patients. Methods Blood samples from 98 patients (CLCC-IC-2006-04 study) were originally processed with the CellSearch® system using the CTC kit and anti-HER2 as an additional marker in the staining cocktail. CTCs and tdEVs were automatically enumerated from the generated CellSearch images using the open-source ACCEPT software. Results CTCs and tdEVs were subdivided based on their cytokeratin (CK) and HER2 phenotype into CK+HER2−, CK−HER2+, and CK+HER2+. The inclusion of anti-HER2 increased the percentage of informative samples with ≥ 1 detectable CTC from 89 to 95%. CK− CTCs and tdEVs correlated equally well with the clinical outcome as CK+ CTCs and tdEVs. Inter- and intra-patient heterogeneity was found for the CTC/tdEV phenotypes, and the presence of 2 or 3 classes of CTCs/tdEVs was associated with worse prognosis compared to a uniform CTC/tdEV phenotype present (1 class). The use of ≥ 7% HER2+CK+ tdEVs can predict HER2 expression of the tissue with 74% sensitivity and specificity using the HER2 amplification status of the primary tumor as a classification variable. Conclusions HER2 can be detected on CTCs and tdEVs not expressing CK, and these CK− CTCs/tdEVs have similar clinical relevance to CTCs and tdEVs expressing CK. tdEVs perform better than CTCs in predicting the HER2 status of the primary tissue. CTC and tdEV heterogeneity in the blood of patients is inversely associated with overall survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afroditi Nanou
- Department of Medical Cell BioPhysics, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Carré Room CR4433, Hallenweg 23, 7522 NH, Enschede, The Netherlands.
| | - Leonie Laura Zeune
- Department of Medical Cell BioPhysics, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Carré Room CR4433, Hallenweg 23, 7522 NH, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Francois-Clement Bidard
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris and Saint Cloud, France.,Circulating Tumor Biomarkers Laboratory, SiRIC, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France.,UVSQ, Paris-Saclay University, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Yves Pierga
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris and Saint Cloud, France.,Circulating Tumor Biomarkers Laboratory, SiRIC, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
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40
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Ivanova E, Ward A, Wiegmans AP, Richard DJ. Circulating Tumor Cells in Metastatic Breast Cancer: From Genome Instability to Metastasis. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:134. [PMID: 32766277 PMCID: PMC7378584 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.00134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of clinical resistance in repeatedly treated cancers extends from the primary tumor's capability to exploit genome instability to adapt, escape, and progress. Triple negative breast cancer serves as a good example of such a response demonstrating poor clinical outcome due to a high rate of cellular heterogeneity resulting in metastatic relapse. The capability to effectively track the emergence of therapeutic resistance in real-time and adapt the clinical response is the holy grail for precision medicine and has yet to be realized. In this review we present liquid biopsy using CTCs and ctDNA as a potential replacement and/or addition to the current diagnostic tests to deliver personalized therapies to patients with advanced breast cancer. We outline current uses of liquid biopsy in the metastatic breast cancer setting and discuss their limitations. In addition, we provide a detailed overview of common genome instability events in patients with metastatic breast cancer and how these can be tracked using liquid biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Ivanova
- Cancer and Ageing Research Program, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Woolongabba, QLD, Australia.,Centre for Tumour and Immune Biology (ZTI), Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ambber Ward
- Tumor Microenvironment Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Adrian P Wiegmans
- Cancer and Ageing Research Program, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Woolongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Derek John Richard
- Cancer and Ageing Research Program, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Woolongabba, QLD, Australia
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41
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Koch C, Kuske A, Joosse SA, Yigit G, Sflomos G, Thaler S, Smit DJ, Werner S, Borgmann K, Gärtner S, Mossahebi Mohammadi P, Battista L, Cayrefourcq L, Altmüller J, Salinas-Riester G, Raithatha K, Zibat A, Goy Y, Ott L, Bartkowiak K, Tan TZ, Zhou Q, Speicher MR, Müller V, Gorges TM, Jücker M, Thiery JP, Brisken C, Riethdorf S, Alix-Panabières C, Pantel K. Characterization of circulating breast cancer cells with tumorigenic and metastatic capacity. EMBO Mol Med 2020; 12:e11908. [PMID: 32667137 PMCID: PMC7507517 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201911908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional studies giving insight into the biology of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) remain scarce due to the low frequency of CTCs and lack of appropriate models. Here, we describe the characterization of a novel CTC‐derived breast cancer cell line, designated CTC‐ITB‐01, established from a patient with metastatic estrogen receptor‐positive (ER+) breast cancer, resistant to endocrine therapy. CTC‐ITB‐01 remained ER+ in culture, and copy number alteration (CNA) profiling showed high concordance between CTC‐ITB‐01 and CTCs originally present in the patient with cancer at the time point of blood draw. RNA‐sequencing data indicate that CTC‐ITB‐01 has a predominantly epithelial expression signature. Primary tumor and metastasis formation in an intraductal PDX mouse model mirrored the clinical progression of ER+ breast cancer. Downstream ER signaling was constitutively active in CTC‐ITB‐01 independent of ligand availability, and the CDK4/6 inhibitor Palbociclib strongly inhibited CTC‐ITB‐01 growth. Thus, we established a functional model that opens a new avenue to study CTC biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Koch
- Department of Tumor Biology, Center of Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andra Kuske
- Department of Tumor Biology, Center of Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Simon A Joosse
- Department of Tumor Biology, Center of Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gökhan Yigit
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - George Sflomos
- ISREC - Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sonja Thaler
- European Centre for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Daniel J Smit
- Institute of Biochemistry and Signal Transduction, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Werner
- Department of Tumor Biology, Center of Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Borgmann
- Radiobiology& Experimental Radiooncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Gärtner
- Department of Tumor Biology, Center of Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Parinaz Mossahebi Mohammadi
- Department of Tumor Biology, Center of Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Laura Battista
- ISREC - Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laure Cayrefourcq
- Laboratory of Rare Human Circulating Cells (LCCRH), University Medical Centre, Montpellier, France.,Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Janine Altmüller
- Cologne Center for Genomics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Gabriela Salinas-Riester
- NGS Integrative Genomics Core Unit, Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kaamini Raithatha
- NGS Integrative Genomics Core Unit, Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Arne Zibat
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Yvonne Goy
- Radiobiology& Experimental Radiooncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Leonie Ott
- Department of Tumor Biology, Center of Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kai Bartkowiak
- Department of Tumor Biology, Center of Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tuan Zea Tan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore City, Singapore
| | - Qing Zhou
- Institute of Human Genetics, Diagnostic and Research Center for Molecular BioMedicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Michael R Speicher
- Institute of Human Genetics, Diagnostic and Research Center for Molecular BioMedicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Volkmar Müller
- Department of Gynecology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tobias M Gorges
- Department of Tumor Biology, Center of Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Manfred Jücker
- Institute of Biochemistry and Signal Transduction, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jean-Paul Thiery
- INSERM Unit 1186, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Cathrin Brisken
- ISREC - Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Breast Cancer Now Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Sabine Riethdorf
- Department of Tumor Biology, Center of Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Catherine Alix-Panabières
- Laboratory of Rare Human Circulating Cells (LCCRH), University Medical Centre, Montpellier, France.,Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Klaus Pantel
- Department of Tumor Biology, Center of Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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42
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Li Y, Wu G, Yang W, Wang X, Duan L, Niu L, Zhang Y, Liu J, Hong L, Fan D. Prognostic value of circulating tumor cells detected with the CellSearch system in esophageal cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:581. [PMID: 32571299 PMCID: PMC7310134 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-07059-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Esophageal carcinoma (EC) is the seventh-most prevalent tumor in the world, which is still one of the primary causes of tumor-related death. Identifying noteworthy biomarkers for EC is particularly significant in guiding effective treatment. Recently, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in peripheral blood (PB) were intensively discussed as prognostic markers in patients with EC. However, an ongoing controversy still exists regarding the prognostic significance of CTCs determined by the CellSearch system in EC sufferers. This meta-analysis was designed to approach this topic. Methods We systematically conducted searches using PubMed, Medline, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library for relevant studies, which were published through February 20, 2020. Using the random-effects model, our study was performed in Review Manager software, with odds ratios (ORs), risk ratios (RRs), hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) as the effect values. Results Totally 7 articles were finally included in this study. For clinicopathological characteristics, the pooled results on TNM stage indicated that the III/IV group had higher rate of CTCs compared with the I/II group (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 0.68–2.71, I2 = 0%). Incidence of CTCs was higher in patients with T3/T4 stage (OR = 2.92, 95% CI: 1.31–6.51, I2 = 0%) and distant metastasis group (OR = 5.18, 95% CI: 2.38–11.25, I2 = 0%) compared to patients with T1/T2 stage or non-metastatic group. The pooled analysis revealed that CTC positivity detected in EC patients was correlated with poor overall survival (OS) (HR = 2.83, 95% CI:1.99–4.03, I2 = 0%) and relapse-free survival (RFS) (HR = 4.71, 95% CI:2.73–8.13, I2 = 0%). When pooling the estimated RR, a poor therapeutic response to chemoradiotherapy was discovered in patients with CTC positivity (RR = 1.99, 95% CI:1.73–2.29, I2 = 60%). Conclusions In summary, our meta-analysis demonstrated that CTCs positivity determined by the CellSearch system are correlated with the prognosis of EC patients and might indicate a poor therapeutic response to chemotherapy in EC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiding Li
- State key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710032, PR China
| | - Guiling Wu
- School of Aerospace Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Wanli Yang
- State key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710032, PR China
| | - Xiaoqian Wang
- State key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710032, PR China
| | - Lili Duan
- State key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710032, PR China
| | - Liaoran Niu
- State key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710032, PR China
| | - Yujie Zhang
- State key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710032, PR China
| | - Jinqiang Liu
- State key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710032, PR China
| | - Liu Hong
- State key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710032, PR China.
| | - Daiming Fan
- State key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710032, PR China
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Genna A, Vanwynsberghe AM, Villard AV, Pottier C, Ancel J, Polette M, Gilles C. EMT-Associated Heterogeneity in Circulating Tumor Cells: Sticky Friends on the Road to Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1632. [PMID: 32575608 PMCID: PMC7352430 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) generate hybrid phenotypes with an enhanced ability to adapt to diverse microenvironments encountered during the metastatic spread. Accordingly, EMTs play a crucial role in the biology of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and contribute to their heterogeneity. Here, we review major EMT-driven properties that may help hybrid Epithelial/Mesenchymal CTCs to survive in the bloodstream and accomplish early phases of metastatic colonization. We then discuss how interrogating EMT in CTCs as a companion biomarker could help refine cancer patient management, further supporting the relevance of CTCs in personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Genna
- GIGA-Cancer, Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, CHU Sart-Tilman, University of Liège, Pathology Tower, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (A.G.); (A.M.V.); (A.V.V.); (C.P.)
| | - Aline M. Vanwynsberghe
- GIGA-Cancer, Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, CHU Sart-Tilman, University of Liège, Pathology Tower, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (A.G.); (A.M.V.); (A.V.V.); (C.P.)
| | - Amélie V. Villard
- GIGA-Cancer, Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, CHU Sart-Tilman, University of Liège, Pathology Tower, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (A.G.); (A.M.V.); (A.V.V.); (C.P.)
| | - Charles Pottier
- GIGA-Cancer, Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, CHU Sart-Tilman, University of Liège, Pathology Tower, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (A.G.); (A.M.V.); (A.V.V.); (C.P.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Julien Ancel
- CHU (Centre Hopitalier Universitaire) de Reims, Hôpital Maison Blanche, Service de Pneumologie, 51092 Reims, France;
- INSERM, UMR (Unité Mixte de Recherche)-S1250, SFR CAP-SANTE, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51097 Reims, France;
| | - Myriam Polette
- INSERM, UMR (Unité Mixte de Recherche)-S1250, SFR CAP-SANTE, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51097 Reims, France;
- CHU de Reims, Hôpital Maison Blanche, Laboratoire de Pathologie, 51092 Reims, France
| | - Christine Gilles
- GIGA-Cancer, Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, CHU Sart-Tilman, University of Liège, Pathology Tower, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (A.G.); (A.M.V.); (A.V.V.); (C.P.)
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Bhatia S, Wang P, Toh A, Thompson EW. New Insights Into the Role of Phenotypic Plasticity and EMT in Driving Cancer Progression. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:71. [PMID: 32391381 PMCID: PMC7190792 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.00071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells demonstrate substantial plasticity in their genotypic and phenotypic characteristics. Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) can be characterized into dynamic intermediate states and can be orchestrated by many factors, either intercellularly via epigenetic reprograming, or extracellularly via growth factors, inflammation and/or hypoxia generated by the tumor stromal microenvironment. EMP has the capability to alter phenotype and produce heterogeneity, and thus by changing the whole cancer landscape can attenuate oncogenic signaling networks, invoke anti-apoptotic features, defend against chemotherapeutics and reprogram angiogenic and immune recognition functions. We discuss here the role of phenotypic plasticity in tumor initiation, progression and metastasis and provide an update of the modalities utilized for the molecular characterization of the EMT states and attributes of cellular behavior, including cellular metabolism, in the context of EMP. We also summarize recent findings in dynamic EMP studies that provide new insights into the phenotypic plasticity of EMP flux in cancer and propose therapeutic strategies to impede the metastatic outgrowth of phenotypically heterogeneous tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sugandha Bhatia
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Peiyu Wang
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Alan Toh
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Erik W Thompson
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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45
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Wu J, Hu S, Zhang L, Xin J, Sun C, Wang L, Ding K, Wang B. Tumor circulome in the liquid biopsies for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Theranostics 2020; 10:4544-4556. [PMID: 32292514 PMCID: PMC7150480 DOI: 10.7150/thno.40532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid biopsy is a convenient, fast, non-invasive and reproducible sampling method that can dynamically reflect the changes in tumor gene expression profile, and provide a robust basis for individualized therapy and early diagnosis of cancer. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are the currently approved diagnostic biomarkers for screening cancer patients. In addition, tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (tdEVs), circulating tumor-derived proteins, circulating tumor RNA (ctRNA) and tumor-bearing platelets (TEPs) are other components of liquid biopsies with diagnostic potential. In this review, we have discussed the clinical applications of these biomarkers, and the factors that limit their implementation in routine clinical practice. In addition, the most recent developments in the isolation and analysis of circulating tumor biomarkers have been summarized, and the potential of non-blood liquid biopsies in tumor diagnostics has also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jicheng Wu
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education), The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China
| | - Shen Hu
- Department of Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Lihong Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Biomedical Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Jinxia Xin
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education), The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China
| | - Chongran Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Liquan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Kefeng Ding
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education), The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Ben Wang
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education), The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China
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Fabisiewicz A, Szostakowska-Rodzos M, Zaczek AJ, Grzybowska EA. Circulating Tumor Cells in Early and Advanced Breast Cancer; Biology and Prognostic Value. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1671. [PMID: 32121386 PMCID: PMC7084781 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21051671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer metastasis is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women and is difficult to combat due to the long periods in which disseminated cells retain a potential to be re-activated and start the relapse. Assessing the number and molecular profile of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in breast cancer patients, especially in early breast cancer, should help in identifying the possibility of relapse in time for therapeutic intervention to prevent or delay recurrence. While metastatic breast cancer is considered incurable, molecular analysis of CTCs still have a potential to define particular susceptibilities of the cells representing the current tumor burden, which may differ considerably from the cells of the primary tumor, and offer more tailored therapy to the patients. In this review we inspect the routes to metastasis and how they can be linked to specific features of CTCs, how CTC analysis may be used in therapy, and what is the current status of the research and efforts to include CTC analysis in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Fabisiewicz
- Department of Molecular and Translational Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Roentgena 5, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland; (A.F.); (M.S.-R.)
| | - Malgorzata Szostakowska-Rodzos
- Department of Molecular and Translational Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Roentgena 5, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland; (A.F.); (M.S.-R.)
| | - Anna J. Zaczek
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Debinki 1, 80-211 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Ewa A. Grzybowska
- Department of Molecular and Translational Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Roentgena 5, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland; (A.F.); (M.S.-R.)
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Matrix Effect in the Isolation of Breast Cancer-Derived Nanovesicles by Immunomagnetic Separation and Electrochemical Immunosensing-A Comparative Study. SENSORS 2020; 20:s20040965. [PMID: 32054015 PMCID: PMC7071381 DOI: 10.3390/s20040965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Exosomes are cell-derived nanovesicles released into biological fluids, which are involved in cell-to-cell communication. The analysis of the content and the surface of the exosomes allow conclusions about the cells they are originating from and the underlying condition, pathology or disease. Therefore, the exosomes are currently considered good candidates as biomarkers to improve the current methods for clinical diagnosis, including cancer. However, due to their low concentration, conventional procedures for exosome detection including biosensing usually require relatively large sample volumes and involve preliminary purification and preconcentration steps by ultracentrifugation. In this paper, the immunomagnetic separation is presented as an alternative method for the specific isolation of exosomes in serum. To achieve that, a rational study of the surface proteins in exosomes, which can be recognized by magnetic particles, is presented. The characterization was performed in exosomes obtained from cell culture supernatants of MCF7, MDA-MB-231 and SKBR3 breast cancer cell lines, including TEM and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). For the specific characterization by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, different commercial antibodies against selected receptors were used, including the general tetraspanins CD9, CD63 and CD81, and cancer-related receptors (CD24, CD44, CD54, CD326 and CD340). The effect of the serum matrix on the immunomagnetic separation was then carefully evaluated by spiking the exosomes in depleted human serum. Based on this study, the exosomes were preconcentrated by immunomagnetic separation on antiCD81-modified magnetic particles in order to achieve further magnetic actuation on the surface of the electrode for the electrochemical readout. The performance of this approach is discussed and compared with classical characterization methods.
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Circulating Tumor Cell Detection and Polyomavirus Status in Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1612. [PMID: 32005907 PMCID: PMC6994658 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-58572-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare and highly metastatic skin malignancy, has sharply increased in the last decade. Clinical biomarkers are urgently needed for MCC prognosis, treatment response monitoring, and early diagnosis of relapse. The clinical interest of circulating tumors cells (CTCs) has been validated in many solid cancers. The aim of this study was to compare CTC detection and characterization in blood samples of patients with MCC using the CellSearch System and the RosetteSep -DEPArray workflow, an innovative procedure to enrich, detect and isolate single CTCs. In preliminary experiments (using spiked MCC cell lines) both methods allowed detecting very few MCC cells. In blood samples from 19 patients with MCC at different stages, CellSearch detected MCC CTCs in 26% of patients, and the R-D workflow in 42% of patients. The detection of CTC-positive patients increased to 52% by the cumulative positivity rate of both methodologies. Moreover, Merkel cell polyomavirus DNA, involved in MCC oncogenesis, was detected in tumor biopsies, but not in all single CTCs from the same patient, reflecting the tumor heterogeneity. Our data demonstrate the possibility to detect, isolate and characterize CTCs in patients with MCC using two complementary approaches.
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Dynamic changes of Receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB expression in Circulating Tumor Cells during Denosumab predict treatment effectiveness in Metastatic Breast Cancer. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1288. [PMID: 31992773 PMCID: PMC6987166 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-58339-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Receptor-activator of nuclear-factor -κB-ligand (RANKL) and its receptor RANK have been recently identified as key players in breast cancer bone metastases. Since Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) are considered a crucial step of metastatic process, we explored RANK expression on CTCs in metastatic breast cancer (MBC), and the predictive value of RANK-positive CTCs in monitoring patients during treatment with denosumab (anti-RANKL antibody). To this purpose, we developed a novel CTC assay to quantify RANK-positive CTCs in forty-two bone MBC patients, candidates to denosumab treatment. Companion algorithms ΔAUC and Slope were developed, and correlated with time to first skeletal-related-events (SRE), time to bone metastasis progression and time to visceral metastasis progression. Twenty-seven patients had at least one CTC at baseline and, among these, nineteen (70%) had one or more RANK-positive CTCs. Notably, the baseline total CTCs, but not the RANK-positive, were associated with Time-to-first-SRE, Time-to-Bone-Metastasis-Progression and Time-to-Visceral-Metastasis-Progression. Conversely, during treatment monitoring, positive ΔAUC value, expression of RANK-positive CTCs persistence, correlated with longer Time-to-first-SRE (p = 0.0002) and Time-to-Bone-Metastasis-Progression (p = 0.0012). Furthermore, the early increase at second day, in RANK-positive CTCs (Positive-Slope) was associated with delay in time-to-first-SRE (p = 0.0038) and Time-to-Bone-Metastasis-Progression (p = 0.0024). We demonstrate, for the first time, the expression of RANK on CTCs in MBC patients and that the persistence of RANK expression determines denosumab effectiveness.
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Vismara M, Reduzzi C, Daidone MG, Cappelletti V. Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) Heterogeneity in Metastatic Breast Cancer: Different Approaches for Different Needs. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1220:81-91. [PMID: 32304081 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-35805-1_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In metastatic breast cancer the role of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) enumeration for predicting clinical outcome is supported by many studies, most of them dealing with strictly epithelial cells. However, it is becoming clear that CTCs are a heterogeneous cell population characterized by plasticity and including also cells which have lost the epithelial phenotype. Here we review literature data on CTC heterogeneity both at phenotype and at molecular level and discuss the possible contribute of single cell analyses in precision medicine. We conclude with some remarks about the steps still necessary to achieve clinical validity and utility when considering also CTC phenotypic and molecular heterogeneity beyond a simple enumeration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Vismara
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Carolina Reduzzi
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Daidone
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Vera Cappelletti
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy.
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