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Zhou S, Xu H, Duan Y, Tang Q, Huang H, Bi F. Survival mechanisms of circulating tumor cells and their implications for cancer treatment. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:941-957. [PMID: 38436892 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-024-10178-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Metastasis remains the principal trigger for relapse and mortality across diverse cancer types. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), which originate from the primary tumor or its metastatic sites, traverse the vascular system, serving as precursors in cancer recurrence and metastasis. Nevertheless, before CTCs can establish themselves in the distant parenchyma, they must overcome significant challenges present within the circulatory system, including hydrodynamic shear stress (HSS), oxidative damage, anoikis, and immune surveillance. Recently, there has been a growing body of compelling evidence suggesting that a specific subset of CTCs can persist within the bloodstream, but the precise mechanisms of their survival remain largely elusive. This review aims to present an outline of the survival challenges encountered by CTCs and to summarize the recent advancements in understanding the underlying survival mechanisms, suggesting their implications for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Zhou
- Division of Abdominal Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center and Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy in Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Huanji Xu
- Division of Abdominal Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center and Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy in Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Yichun Duan
- Division of Abdominal Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center and Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy in Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Qiulin Tang
- Division of Abdominal Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center and Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy in Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Huixi Huang
- Division of Abdominal Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center and Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy in Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Feng Bi
- Division of Abdominal Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center and Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy in Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
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Li W, Zhang X, Yang Y, Lin J, Zhou K, Sun R, Dang C, Diao D. Circulating tumor cells are a good predictor of tumor recurrence in clinical patients with gastric cancer. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12758. [PMID: 38830909 PMCID: PMC11148116 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63305-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) as a liquid biopsy have great potential in clinical applications and basic cancer research, but their clinical use in gastric cancer remains unclear. This study investigated whether CTCs could be used as a potential prognosis predictor in patients with gastric cancer. A total of 120 patients with pathologically confirmed gastric cancer were enrolled from January 1, 2015, to December 1, 2019. All patients were initially diagnosed without previous treatment, and then the number of CTCs was detected using the NEimFISH method before radical surgical resection. Regular follow-up was performed in all patients, and the correlations between the number of CTCs and clinical endpoints, such as disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS), were evaluated. The univariate and multivariate hazard ratios were calculated using the Cox proportional hazard model. Based on the number of CTCs, we defined CTCs ≥ 2 per 7.5 mL of whole blood as the positive group and CTCs < 2 as the negative group. Among the 120 patients who underwent CTC detection before surgery, the rate of CTC-positive patients was 64.17% (77/120) of which stage I and II patients accounted for 22.50% and stage III patients accounted for 41.67% (P = 0.014). By detecting CTCs before surgery and at the time of recurrence, the number of CTCs tends to increase concomitantly with disease progression (median: 2 VS 5 per 7.5 mL). Multivariate analysis showed that age (HR, 0.259; 95% CI, 0.101-0.662; P = 0.005), D-dimer (HR, 3.146; 95% CI, 1.169-8.461; P = 0.023), and lymph node metastasis (HR, 0.207; 95% CI, 0.0071-0.603; P = 0.004) were factors correlated with CTCs. In addition, the median follow-up of all the patients was 38.0 months (range of 28-80 months); the DFS in CTC-positive patients was significantly shorter than that of the CTC-negative patients, and a significant difference was found based on the Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis (44.52 ± 2.83 m vs. 74.99 ± 2.78 m, HR = 4.550, P = 0.018). The OS was shorter in the CTC-positive group than in the CTC-negative group before the operation, but the result was not significant based on the Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis (47.58 ± 2.46 m vs. 70.68 ± 3.53 m, HR = 2.261, P = 0.083). The number of CTCs tends to increase concomitantly with disease progression. In addition, the detection of CTCs was an independent predictor of shorter DFS in gastric cancer. However, the relationship between CTCs and OS needs to be determined in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxing Li
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Medical College First Affiliated Hospital, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Medical College First Affiliated Hospital, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yanqi Yang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jinhe Lin
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Medical College First Affiliated Hospital, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Kai Zhou
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Medical College First Affiliated Hospital, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ruifang Sun
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chengxue Dang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Medical College First Affiliated Hospital, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Dongmei Diao
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Medical College First Affiliated Hospital, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China.
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Nosaka T, Murata Y, Akazawa Y, Tanaka T, Takahashi K, Naito T, Matsuda H, Ohtani M, Imamura Y, Nakamoto Y. Programmed Death Ligand 1 Expression in Circulating Tumor Cells as a Predictor and Monitor of Response to Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab Treatment in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1785. [PMID: 38730737 PMCID: PMC11083531 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16091785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
There remains no reliable biomarker of therapeutic efficacy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for the PD-L1 inhibitor atezolizumab and bevacizumab (Atezo/Bev). Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) enable the serial collection of living tumor cells. Pre-treatment and serial CTC gene expression changes and tumor histology were evaluated to identify predictors of response to Atezo/Bev. Peripheral blood from 22 patients with HCC treated with Atezo/Bev and 24 patients treated with lenvatinib was serially collected. The RNA expression in CTCs was analyzed using qRT-PCR. Higher PD-L1 expression in pre-treatment CTCs was associated with response and improved prognosis with Atezo/Bev treatment, but not with lenvatinib. There was no correlation between PD-L1 expression in CTCs and that in liver tumor biopsy specimens scored using imaging software. Furthermore, PD-L1 RNA expression in CTCs was dynamically altered by Atezo/Bev, decreasing during effective response and increasing upon progression. CTC-derived RNA collected during Atezo/Bev indicates that patients with higher PD-L1 expression in CTCs at baseline were 3.9 times more responsive to treatment. Therefore, PD-L1 RNA levels in CTCs are an accurate response predictor and may be a monitorable biomarker that changes dynamically to reflect the response during Atezo/Bev treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuto Nosaka
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan; (T.N.); (Y.M.); (Y.A.); (T.T.); (K.T.); (T.N.); (H.M.); (M.O.)
| | - Yosuke Murata
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan; (T.N.); (Y.M.); (Y.A.); (T.T.); (K.T.); (T.N.); (H.M.); (M.O.)
| | - Yu Akazawa
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan; (T.N.); (Y.M.); (Y.A.); (T.T.); (K.T.); (T.N.); (H.M.); (M.O.)
| | - Tomoko Tanaka
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan; (T.N.); (Y.M.); (Y.A.); (T.T.); (K.T.); (T.N.); (H.M.); (M.O.)
| | - Kazuto Takahashi
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan; (T.N.); (Y.M.); (Y.A.); (T.T.); (K.T.); (T.N.); (H.M.); (M.O.)
| | - Tatsushi Naito
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan; (T.N.); (Y.M.); (Y.A.); (T.T.); (K.T.); (T.N.); (H.M.); (M.O.)
| | - Hidetaka Matsuda
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan; (T.N.); (Y.M.); (Y.A.); (T.T.); (K.T.); (T.N.); (H.M.); (M.O.)
| | - Masahiro Ohtani
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan; (T.N.); (Y.M.); (Y.A.); (T.T.); (K.T.); (T.N.); (H.M.); (M.O.)
| | - Yoshiaki Imamura
- Division of Diagnostic Pathology/Surgical Pathology, University of Fukui Hospital, Fukui 910-1193, Japan;
| | - Yasunari Nakamoto
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan; (T.N.); (Y.M.); (Y.A.); (T.T.); (K.T.); (T.N.); (H.M.); (M.O.)
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Kotsifaki A, Maroulaki S, Armakolas A. Exploring the Immunological Profile in Breast Cancer: Recent Advances in Diagnosis and Prognosis through Circulating Tumor Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4832. [PMID: 38732051 PMCID: PMC11084220 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
This review offers a comprehensive exploration of the intricate immunological landscape of breast cancer (BC), focusing on recent advances in diagnosis and prognosis through the analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Positioned within the broader context of BC research, it underscores the pivotal role of the immune system in shaping the disease's progression. The primary objective of this investigation is to synthesize current knowledge on the immunological aspects of BC, with a particular emphasis on the diagnostic and prognostic potential offered by CTCs. This review adopts a thorough examination of the relevant literature, incorporating recent breakthroughs in the field. The methodology section succinctly outlines the approach, with a specific focus on CTC analysis and its implications for BC diagnosis and prognosis. Through this review, insights into the dynamic interplay between the immune system and BC are highlighted, with a specific emphasis on the role of CTCs in advancing diagnostic methodologies and refining prognostic assessments. Furthermore, this review presents objective and substantiated results, contributing to a deeper understanding of the immunological complexity in BC. In conclusion, this investigation underscores the significance of exploring the immunological profile of BC patients, providing valuable insights into novel advances in diagnosis and prognosis through the utilization of CTCs. The objective presentation of findings emphasizes the crucial role of the immune system in BC dynamics, thereby opening avenues for enhanced clinical management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Athanasios Armakolas
- Physiology Laboratory, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (A.K.); (S.M.)
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Wang X, Wang L, Lin H, Zhu Y, Huang D, Lai M, Xi X, Huang J, Zhang W, Zhong T. Research progress of CTC, ctDNA, and EVs in cancer liquid biopsy. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1303335. [PMID: 38333685 PMCID: PMC10850354 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1303335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), and extracellular vehicles (EVs) have received significant attention in recent times as emerging biomarkers and subjects of transformational studies. The three main branches of liquid biopsy have evolved from the three primary tumor liquid biopsy detection targets-CTC, ctDNA, and EVs-each with distinct benefits. CTCs are derived from circulating cancer cells from the original tumor or metastases and may display global features of the tumor. ctDNA has been extensively analyzed and has been used to aid in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of neoplastic diseases. EVs contain tumor-derived material such as DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids, sugar structures, and metabolites. The three provide different detection contents but have strong complementarity to a certain extent. Even though they have already been employed in several clinical trials, the clinical utility of three biomarkers is still being studied, with promising initial findings. This review thoroughly overviews established and emerging technologies for the isolation, characterization, and content detection of CTC, ctDNA, and EVs. Also discussed were the most recent developments in the study of potential liquid biopsy biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, therapeutic monitoring, and prognosis prediction. These included CTC, ctDNA, and EVs. Finally, the potential and challenges of employing liquid biopsy based on CTC, ctDNA, and EVs for precision medicine were evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoling Wang
- Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Lijuan Wang
- Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Haihong Lin
- Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Yifan Zhu
- Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Defa Huang
- Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Mi Lai
- Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Xuxiang Xi
- Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Junyun Huang
- Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Wenjuan Zhang
- Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Tianyu Zhong
- Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
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Li X, Zhang Y, Zhu C, Xu W, Hu X, Martínez DAS, Romero JLA, Yan M, Dai Y, Wang H. Circulating blood biomarkers correlated with the prognosis of advanced triple negative breast cancer. BMC Womens Health 2024; 24:38. [PMID: 38218823 PMCID: PMC10787989 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-023-02871-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can improve survivals of metastatic triple negative breast cancer (mTNBC); however, we still seek circulating blood biomarkers to predict the efficacy of ICIs. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, we analyzed the data of ICIs treated mTNBC collected in Anhui Medical University affiliated hospitals from 2018 to 2023. The counts of lymphocytes, monocytes, platelets, and ratio indexes (NLR, MLR, PLR) in peripheral blood were investigated via the Kaplan-Meier curves and the Cox proportional-hazards model. RESULTS The total of 50 mTNBC patients were treated with ICIs. High level of peripheral lymphocytes and low level of NLR and MLR at baseline and post the first cycle of ICIs play the predictable role of immunotherapies. Lymphocytes counts (HR = 0.280; 95% CI: 0.095-0.823; p = 0.021) and NLR (HR = 1.150; 95% CI: 1.052-1.257; p = 0.002) are significantly correlated with overall survival. High NLR also increases the risk of disease progression (HR = 2.189; 95% CI:1.085-4.414; p = 0.029). When NLR at baseline ≥ 2.75, the hazard of death (HR = 2.575; 95% CI:1.217-5.447; p = 0.013) and disease progression (HR = 2.189; 95% CI: 1.085-4.414; p = 0.029) significantly rise. HER-2 expression and anti-tumor therapy lines are statistically correlated with survivals. CONCLUSIONS Before the initiation of ICIs, enriched peripheral lymphocytes and poor neutrophils and NLR contribute to the prediction of survivals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyu Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Jixi Road 218, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Yanyan Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Jixi Road 218, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Cheng Zhu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Jixi Road 218, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Wentao Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Jixi Road 218, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Xiaolei Hu
- Breast Center, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | | | - José Luis Alonso Romero
- Department of Medical Oncology, Clinical University Hospital Virgen Arrixaca, Murcia, 30120, Spain
| | - Ming Yan
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Ying Dai
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Jixi Road 218, Hefei, 230022, China.
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Jixi Road 218, Hefei, 230022, China.
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Yang J, Qiu L, Wang X, Chen X, Cao P, Yang Z, Wen Q. Liquid biopsy biomarkers to guide immunotherapy in breast cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1303491. [PMID: 38077355 PMCID: PMC10701691 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1303491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) therapy has emerged as a promising treatment strategy for breast cancer (BC). However, current reliance on immunohistochemical (IHC) detection of PD-L1 expression alone has limited predictive capability, resulting in suboptimal efficacy of ICIs for some BC patients. Hence, developing novel predictive biomarkers is indispensable to enhance patient selection for immunotherapy. In this context, utilizing liquid biopsy (LB) can provide supplementary or alternative value to PD-L1 IHC testing for identifying patients most likely to benefit from immunotherapy and exhibit favorable responses. This review discusses the predictive and prognostic value of LB in breast cancer immunotherapy, as well as its limitations and future directions. We aim to promote the individualization and precision of immunotherapy in BC by elucidating the role of LB in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinghan Yang
- Department of Biological Science, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Liang Qiu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Human Resource, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Pingdong Cao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhe Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Qiang Wen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
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Muraro E, Brisotto G. Circulating tumor cells and host immunity: A tricky liaison. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 381:131-157. [PMID: 37739482 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
During their dissemination, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) steadily face the immune system, which is a key player in the whole metastatic cascade, from intravasation to the CTC colonization of distant sites. In this chapter, we will go through the description of immune cells involved in this controversial dialogue encompassing both the anti-tumor activity and the tumor-promoting and immunosuppressive function mediated by several circulating immune effectors as natural killer (NK) cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, T helper 17, regulatory T cells, neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, dendritic cells, and platelets. Then, we will report on the same interaction from the CTCs point of view, depicting the direct and indirect mechanisms of crosstalk with the above mentioned immune cells. Finally, we will report the recent literature evidence on the potential prognostic role of the integrated CTCs and immune cells monitoring in cancer patients management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Muraro
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers Units, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Aviano, Italy
| | - Giulia Brisotto
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers Units, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Aviano, Italy.
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Torres JA, Brito ABC, Silva VSE, Messias IM, Braun AC, Ruano APC, Buim MEC, Carraro DM, Chinen LTD. CD47 Expression in Circulating Tumor Cells and Circulating Tumor Microemboli from Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Is a Poor Prognosis Factor. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11958. [PMID: 37569332 PMCID: PMC10419161 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241511958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and/or circulating tumor microemboli (CTM) from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients may be a non-invasive tool for prognosis, acting as liquid biopsy. CTCs interact with platelets through the transforming growth factor-β/transforming growth factor-β receptor type 1 (TGF-β/TGFβRI) forming clusters. CTCs also may express the Cluster of Differentiation 47 (CD47) protein, responsible for the inhibition of phagocytosis, the "don't eat me" signal to macrophages. OBJECTIVES To isolate, quantify and analyze CTCs/CTMs from metastatic NSCLC patients, identify TGFβRI/CD47 expression in CTCs/CTMs, and correlate with progression-free survival (PFS). METHODS Blood (10 mL) was collected at two time-points: T1 (before the beginning of any line of treatment; T2 (60 days after initial collection). CTCs were isolated using ISET®. Immunocytochemistry was conducted to evaluate TGFβRI/CD47 expression. RESULTS 45 patients were evaluated. CTCs were observed in 82.2% of patients at T1 (median: 1 CTC/mL; range: 0.33-11.33 CTCs/mL) and 94.5% at T2 (median: 1.33 CTC/mL; 0.33-9.67). CTMs were observed in 24.5% of patients and significantly associated with poor PFS (10 months vs. 17 months for those without clusters; p = 0.05) and disease progression (p = 0.017). CTMs CD47+ resulted in poor PFS (p = 0.041). TGFβRI expression in CTCs/CTMs was not associated with PFS. CONCLUSION In this study, we observed that CTC/CTM from NSCLC patients express the immune evasion markers TGFβRI/CD47. The presence of CTMs CD47+ is associated with poor PFS. This was the first study to investigate CD47 expression in CTCs/CTM of patients with NSCLC and its association with poor PFS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Virgilio Souza e Silva
- Department of Clinical Oncology, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo 01509-900, Brazil
| | - Iara Monique Messias
- International Research Center, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo 01508-010, Brazil; (J.A.T.)
| | - Alexcia Camila Braun
- International Research Center, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo 01508-010, Brazil; (J.A.T.)
| | - Anna Paula Carreta Ruano
- International Research Center, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo 01508-010, Brazil; (J.A.T.)
| | | | - Dirce Maria Carraro
- International Research Center, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo 01508-010, Brazil; (J.A.T.)
| | - Ludmilla Thomé Domingos Chinen
- International Research Center, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo 01508-010, Brazil; (J.A.T.)
- Translational Medicine Laboratory, Núcleo de Pesquisa e Ensino da Rede São Camilo, São Paulo 04014-002, Brazil
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Zhou Y, Zhou J, Hao X, Shi H, Li X, Wang A, Hu Z, Yang Y, Jiang Z, Wang T. Efficacy relevance of PD-L1 expression on circulating tumor cells in metastatic breast cancer patients treated with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2023:10.1007/s10549-023-06972-6. [PMID: 37227611 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-023-06972-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Breast cancer has become the leading cause of cancer mortality in women. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting programmed death-1 (PD-1) are promising, it remains unclear whether PD-L1 expression on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) has predictive and prognostic values in predicting and stratifying metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients who can benefit from anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. METHODS Twenty six MBC patients that received anti-PD-1 immunotherapy were enrolled in this study. The peptide-based Pep@MNPs method was used to isolate and enumerate CTCs from 2.0 ml of peripheral venous blood. The expression of PD-L1 on CTCs was evaluated by an established immunoscoring system categorizing into four classes (negative, low, medium, and high). RESULTS Our data showed that 92.3% (24/26) of patients had CTCs, 83.3% (20/26) of patients had PD-L1-positive CTCs, and 65.4% (17/26) of patients had PD-L1-high CTCs. We revealed that the clinical benefit rate (CBR) of patients with a cut-off value of ≥ 35% PD-L1-high CTCs (66.6%) was higher than the others (29.4%). We indicated that PD-L1 expression on CTCs from MBC patients treated with anti-PD-1 monotherapy was dynamic. We demonstrated that MBC patients with a cut-off value of ≥ 35% PD-L1-high CTCs had longer PFS (P = 0.033) and OS (P = 0.00058) compared with patients with a cut-off value of < 35% PD-L1-high CTCs. CONCLUSION Our findings suggested that PD-L1 expression on CTCs could predict the therapeutic response and clinical outcomes, providing a valuable predictive and prognostic biomarker for patients treated with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhou
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Translational Research in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, China
| | - Jinmei Zhou
- Breast Cancer Department, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaopeng Hao
- Department of General Surgery, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Haoyuan Shi
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Translational Research in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, China
| | - Xuejie Li
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Translational Research in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, China
| | - Anqi Wang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Translational Research in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiyuan Hu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Translational Research in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
- CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, China.
- School of Nanoscience and Technology, Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Yanlian Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, China.
- School of Nanoscience and Technology, Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Zefei Jiang
- Breast Cancer Department, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Tao Wang
- Breast Cancer Department, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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11
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Gong N, Hamilton AG, Mitchell MJ. Exosome-disrupting peptides for cancer immunotherapy. NATURE MATERIALS 2023; 22:530-531. [PMID: 36991148 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-023-01525-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ningqiang Gong
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alex G Hamilton
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael J Mitchell
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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12
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Kurniali PC, Storandt MH, Jin Z. Utilization of Circulating Tumor Cells in the Management of Solid Tumors. J Pers Med 2023; 13:jpm13040694. [PMID: 37109080 PMCID: PMC10145886 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13040694] [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: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are tumor cells shed from the primary tumor into circulation, with clusters of CTCs responsible for cancer metastases. CTC detection and isolation from the bloodstream are based on properties distinguishing CTCs from normal blood cells. Current CTC detection techniques can be divided into two main categories: label dependent, which depends upon antibodies that selectively bind cell surface antigens present on CTCs, or label-independent detection, which is detection based on the size, deformability, and biophysical properties of CTCs. CTCs may play significant roles in cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment navigation, including prognostication and precision medicine, and surveillance. In cancer screening, capturing and evaluating CTCs from peripheral blood could be a strategy to detect cancer at its earliest stage. Cancer diagnosis using liquid biopsy could also have tremendous benefits. Full utilization of CTCs in the clinical management of malignancies may be feasible in the near future; however, several challenges still exist. CTC assays currently lack adequate sensitivity, especially in early-stage solid malignancies, due to low numbers of detectable CTCs. As assays improve and more trials evaluate the clinical utility of CTC detection in guiding therapies, we anticipate increased use in cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter C Kurniali
- Sanford Cancer Center, 701 E Rosser Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58203, USA
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13
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Strati A, Markou A, Kyriakopoulou E, Lianidou E. Detection and Molecular Characterization of Circulating Tumour Cells: Challenges for the Clinical Setting. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15072185. [PMID: 37046848 PMCID: PMC10092977 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade, liquid biopsy has gained much attention as a powerful tool in personalized medicine since it enables monitoring cancer evolution and follow-up of cancer patients in real time. Through minimally invasive procedures, liquid biopsy provides important information through the analysis of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and circulating tumour-derived material, such as circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), circulating miRNAs (cfmiRNAs) and extracellular vehicles (EVs). CTC analysis has already had an important impact on the prognosis, detection of minimal residual disease (MRD), treatment selection and monitoring of cancer patients. Numerous clinical trials nowadays include a liquid biopsy arm. CTC analysis is now an exponentially expanding field in almost all types of solid cancers. Functional studies, mainly based on CTC-derived cell-lines and CTC-derived explants (CDx), provide important insights into the metastatic process. The purpose of this review is to summarize the latest findings on the clinical significance of CTCs for the management of cancer patients, covering the last four years. This review focuses on providing a comprehensive overview of CTC analysis in breast, prostate and non-small-cell lung cancer. The unique potential of CTC single-cell analysis for understanding metastasis biology, and the importance of quality control and standardization of methodologies used in this field, is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Areti Strati
- Analysis of Circulating Tumour Cells Lab, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Athina Markou
- Analysis of Circulating Tumour Cells Lab, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Evi Lianidou
- Analysis of Circulating Tumour Cells Lab, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
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14
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Hoffmann O, Wormland S, Bittner AK, Collenburg M, Horn PA, Kimmig R, Kasimir-Bauer S, Rebmann V. Programmed death receptor ligand-2 (PD-L2) bearing extracellular vesicles as a new biomarker to identify early triple-negative breast cancer patients at high risk for relapse. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:1159-1174. [PMID: 35366112 PMCID: PMC9984327 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-03980-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Based on the tumor-promoting features of extracellular vesicles (EV) and PD-L1/2-bearing EV subpopulations (PD-L1/2EV), we evaluated their potential as surrogate markers for disease progression or eligibility criteria for PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) approaches in early triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). METHODS After enrichment of EV from plasma samples of 56 patients before and 50 after chemotherapy (CT), we determined levels of EV particle number and PD-L1/2EV by nanoparticle tracking analysis or ELISA and associated the results with clinical status/outcome and the presence of distinct circulating tumor cells (CTC) subpopulations. RESULTS Compared to healthy controls, patients had a tenfold higher EV concentration and significantly elevated PD L2EV but not PD L1EV levels. The most important clinical implications were found for PD-L2EV. High PD-L2EV levels were associated with a significantly reduced 3-year progression-free and overall survival (PFS and OS). A loss of PD-L2EV after CT was significantly more prominent in patients achieving pathological complete response (pCR). Increased pre-CT PD-L2EV levels were found in patients having NOTCH1-positive or ERBB3-positive CTC. The presence of ERBB3-positive CTC combined with high pre-CT PD-L2EV resulted in a shorter PFS. CONCLUSION This study highlights PD L2EV as a promising biomarker for risk assessment of TNBC patients and represents the basic for additional studies introducing PD-L2EV as an eligibility criterion for PD-1 ICI approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Hoffmann
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital of Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany.
| | - Sebastian Wormland
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Bittner
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital of Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany
| | - Monika Collenburg
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany
| | - Peter A Horn
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany
| | - Rainer Kimmig
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital of Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany
| | - Sabine Kasimir-Bauer
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital of Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany
| | - Vera Rebmann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany.
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15
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Pang S, Xu S, Wang L, Wu H, Chu Y, Ma X, Li Y, Zou B, Wang S, Zhou G. Molecular profiles of single circulating tumor cells from early breast cancer patients with different lymph node statuses. Thorac Cancer 2022; 14:156-167. [PMID: 36408679 PMCID: PMC9834698 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.14728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Characterization of early breast cancer circulating tumor cells (CTCs) may provide valuable information on tumor metastasis. METHODS We used immunomagnetic nanospheres to capture CTCs from the peripheral blood of eight early breast cancer patients and then performed single-cell RNA sequencing using our proposed bead-dd-seq method. RESULTS CTCs displayed obvious tumor cell characteristics, such as the activation of oxidative stress, proliferation, and promotion of metastasis. CTCs were clustered into two subtypes significantly correlated with the lymph node metastasis status of patients. CTCs in subtype 1 showed a strong metastatic ability because these CTCs have the phenotype of partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition and enriched transcripts, indicating breast cancer responsiveness and proliferation. Furthermore, DNA damage repair pathways were significantly upregulated in subtype 1. We performed in vitro and in vivo investigations, and found that cellular oxidative stress and further DNA damage existed in CTCs. The activated DNA damage repair pathway in CTCs favors resistance to cisplatin. A checkpoint kinase 1 inhibitor sensitized CTCs to cisplatin in mouse models of breast cancer metastasis. CONCLUSION The present study dissects the molecular characteristics of CTCs from early-stage breast cancer, providing novel insight into the understanding of CTC behavior in breast cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyun Pang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Jinling Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science & Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular MedicineMedical School of Nanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Shu Xu
- School of Basic Medical Science and Clinical PharmacyChina Pharmaceutical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Lulu Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Jinling HospitalMedical School of Nanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Haiping Wu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Jinling Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science & Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular MedicineMedical School of Nanjing UniversityNanjingChina,School of Pharmaceutical ScienceSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yanan Chu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Jinling Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science & Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular MedicineMedical School of Nanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Xueping Ma
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Jinling Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science & Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular MedicineMedical School of Nanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yujiao Li
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Jinling Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science & Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular MedicineMedical School of Nanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Bingjie Zou
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, School of PharmacyChina Pharmaceutical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Shaohua Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Jinling HospitalMedical School of Nanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Guohua Zhou
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Jinling Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science & Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular MedicineMedical School of Nanjing UniversityNanjingChina,School of Pharmaceutical ScienceSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina,School of PharmacyNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
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16
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Oh HH, Park YL, Park SY, Myung E, Im CM, Yu HJ, Han B, Seo YJ, Kim KH, Myung DS, Cho SB, Lee WS, Park D, Joo YE. CD47 mediates the progression of colorectal cancer by inducing tumor cell apoptosis and angiogenesis. Pathol Res Pract 2022; 240:154220. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.154220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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17
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Schreier S, Budchart P, Borwornpinyo S, Arpornwirat W, Lertsithichai P, Chirappapha P, Triampo W. New inflammatory indicators for cell-based liquid biopsy: association of the circulating CD44+/CD24− non-hematopoietic rare cell phenotype with breast cancer residual disease. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2022:10.1007/s00432-022-04330-5. [PMID: 36100762 PMCID: PMC9470072 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04330-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Breast cancer residual disease assessment in early-stage patients has been challenging and lacks routine identification of adjuvant therapy benefit and objective measure of therapy success. Liquid biopsy assays targeting tumor-derived entities are investigated for minimal residual disease detection, yet perform low in clinical sensitivity. We propose the detection of CD44−related systemic inflammation for the assessment of residual cancer. Methods Circulating CD44+/CD45− rare cells from healthy, noncancer- and cancer-afflicted donors were enriched by CD45 depletion and analyzed by immuno-fluorescence microscopy. CD44+ rare cell subtyping was based on cytological feature analysis and referred to as morphological index. AUC analysis was employed for identification of the most cancer-specific CD44+ subtype. Results The EpCam−/CD44+/CD24−/CD71−/CD45−/DNA+ phenotype alludes to a distinct cell type and was found frequently at concentrations below 5 cells per 5 mL in healthy donors. Marker elevation by at least 5 × on average was observed in all afflicted cohorts. The positive predicted value for the prediction of malignancy-associated systemic inflammation of a CD44+ rare cell subtype with a higher morphological index was 87%. An outlook for the frequency of sustained inflammation in residual cancer may be given to measure 78%. Conclusion The CD44+ rare cell and subtype denotes improvement in detection of residual cancer disease and may provide an objective and alternative measure of disease burden in early-stage breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Schreier
- School of Bioinnovation and Bio-Based Product Intelligence, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama VI Rd, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
- Thailand Center of Excellence in Physics, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, 328 Si Ayutthaya Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
- Premise Biosystems Co. Ltd, Bangkok, 10540, Thailand.
| | | | - Suparerk Borwornpinyo
- Premise Biosystems Co. Ltd, Bangkok, 10540, Thailand
- Excellent Center for Drug Discovery, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama VI Rd, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Wichit Arpornwirat
- Department of Oncology, Bangkok Hospital, 2 Soi Soonvijai 7, New Petchburi Rd, Huaykwang, Bangkok, 10310, Thailand
| | - Panuwat Lertsithichai
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Prakasit Chirappapha
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Wannapong Triampo
- Thailand Center of Excellence in Physics, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, 328 Si Ayutthaya Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
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18
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Liquid Biopsy as a Tool for the Diagnosis, Treatment, and Monitoring of Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179952. [PMID: 36077348 PMCID: PMC9456236 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is a highly heterogeneous disease. The treatment of BC is complicated owing to intratumoral complexity. Tissue biopsy and immunohistochemistry are the current gold standard techniques to guide breast cancer therapy; however, these techniques do not assess tumoral molecular heterogeneity. Personalized medicine aims to overcome these biological and clinical complexities. Advances in techniques and computational analyses have enabled increasingly sensitive, specific, and accurate application of liquid biopsy. Such progress has ushered in a new era in precision medicine, where the objective is personalized treatment of breast cancer, early screening, accurate diagnosis and prognosis, relapse detection, longitudinal monitoring, and drug selection. Liquid biopsy can be defined as the sampling of components of tumor cells that are released from a tumor and/or metastatic deposits into the blood, urine, feces, saliva, and other biological substances. Such components include circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) or circulating tumor RNA (ctRNA), platelets, and exosomes. This review aims to highlight the role of liquid biopsy in breast cancer and precision medicine.
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Muraro E, Del Ben F, Turetta M, Cesselli D, Bulfoni M, Zamarchi R, Rossi E, Spazzapan S, Dolcetti R, Steffan A, Brisotto G. Clinical relevance of the combined analysis of circulating tumor cells and anti-tumor T-cell immunity in metastatic breast cancer patients. Front Oncol 2022; 12:983887. [PMID: 36081561 PMCID: PMC9446887 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.983887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Metastatic breast cancer (mBC) is a heterogeneous disease with varying responses to treatments and clinical outcomes, still requiring the identification of reliable predictive biomarkers. In this context, liquid biopsy has emerged as a powerful tool to assess in real-time the evolving landscape of cancer, which is both orchestrated by the metastatic process and immune-surveillance mechanisms. Thus, we investigated circulating tumor cells (CTCs) coupled with peripheral T-cell immunity to uncover their potential clinical relevance in mBC. Methods A cohort of 20 mBC patients was evaluated, before and one month after starting therapy, through the following liquid biopsy approaches: CTCs enumerated by a metabolism-based assay, T-cell responses against tumor-associated antigens (TAA) characterized by interferon-γ enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISpot), and the T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire investigated by a targeted next-generation sequencing technique. TCR repertoire features were characterized by the Morisita’s overlap and the Productive Simpson Clonality indexes, and the TCR richness. Differences between groups were calculated by Fisher’s, Mann-Whitney or Kruskal-Wallis test, as appropriate. Prognostic data analysis was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. Results Stratifying patients for their prognostic level of 6 CTCs before therapy, TAA specific T-cell responses were detected only in patients with a low CTC level. By analyzing the TCR repertoire, the highest TCR clonality was observed in the case of CTCs under the cut-off and a positive ELISpot response (p=0.03). Whereas, at follow-up, patients showing a good clinical response coupled with a low number of CTCs were characterized by the most elevated TCR clonality (p<0.05). The detection of CTCs≥6 in at least one time-point was associated with a lower TCR clonality (p=0.02). Intriguingly, by combining overall survival analysis with TCR repertoire, we highlighted a potential prognostic role of the TCR clonality measured at follow-up (p=0.03). Conclusion These data, whether validated in a larger cohort of patients, suggest that the combined analysis of CTCs and circulating anti-tumor T-cell immunity could represent a valuable immune-oncological biomarker for the liquid biopsy field. The clinical application of this promising tool could improve the management of mBC patients, especially in the setting of immunotherapy, a rising approach for BC treatment requiring reliable predictive biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Muraro
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers Units, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Aviano, Italy
- *Correspondence: Elena Muraro,
| | - Fabio Del Ben
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Matteo Turetta
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers Units, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Aviano, Italy
| | - Daniela Cesselli
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Udine (Azienda sanitaria universitaria Friuli Centrale, ASUFC), Udine, Italy
| | - Michela Bulfoni
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Udine (Azienda sanitaria universitaria Friuli Centrale, ASUFC), Udine, Italy
| | - Rita Zamarchi
- Department of Surgery, Oncology & Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Rossi
- Department of Surgery, Oncology & Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Padua, Italy
| | - Simon Spazzapan
- Medical Oncology and Cancer Prevention Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Aviano, Italy
| | - Riccardo Dolcetti
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Agostino Steffan
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers Units, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Aviano, Italy
| | - Giulia Brisotto
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers Units, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Aviano, Italy
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Papadaki MA, Mala A, Merodoulaki AC, Vassilakopoulou M, Mavroudis D, Agelaki S. Investigating the Role of CTCs with Stem/EMT-like Features in Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Eribulin Mesylate. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14163903. [PMID: 36010896 PMCID: PMC9405936 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14163903] [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: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Eribulin mesylate, an anti-mitotic drug used for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (BC), exhibits significant effects on cancer cell migration, invasion, and metastatic seeding in experimental models. Interestingly, eribulin treatment has been shown to target the cancer stem cell (CSC) subsets in vitro and reverse the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) state of BC cells. In the current study, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) identified in the peripheral blood of patients with metastatic BC were analyzed at different time points during eribulin treatment and on disease progression. The results contribute new data on the mechanisms of resistance to eribulin mesylate and the prognostic relevance of CTC analyses for eribulin-treated metastatic BC. Abstract We herein aimed to assess the effect of eribulin mesylate on the cancer stem cell (CSC)/EMT-like phenotype of CTCs, and to investigate the prognostic role of CTC detection and monitoring for eribulin-treated BC patients. Peripheral blood was obtained at baseline (n = 42 patients) and 8 days after treatment initiation (C1D8: n = 22), and on disease progression (PD: n = 26). PBMCs cytospins were immunofluorescently stained for Cytokeratins/ALDH1/TWIST1/DAPI and analyzed via Ariol microscopy. CTCs were detected in 33.3%, 27.3%, and 23.1% of patients at baseline, C1D8, and PD, respectively. Accordingly, partial-EMT+ CTCs represented 61.3%, 0%, and 37.5% of total CTCs, whereas the CSC-like phenotype was consistently expressed by 87.5%, 75%, and 91.7% of CTCs at the respective time points. Interestingly, the CSC+/partial-EMT+ subset prevailed at baseline, but it was eradicated on C1D8 and resurged again during PD. CTC detection at baseline was associated with reduced PFS (p = 0.007) and OS (p = 0.005), and was an independent risk factor for death (HR: 3.779, p = 0.001; multivariate analysis). The CSC+/partial-EMT+ CTCs emerged as the only subset with adverse prognostic significance, while CTC monitoring during eribulin therapy improved the prediction of disease progression. These results indicate that resistant CTC subsets persevere eribulin treatment and highlight the prognostic implications of CTC analyses for eribulin-treated BC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A. Papadaki
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
- Correspondence:
| | - Anastasia Mala
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
- Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, 71500 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Aikaterini C. Merodoulaki
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Maria Vassilakopoulou
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Mavroudis
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
- Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, 71500 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Sofia Agelaki
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
- Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, 71500 Heraklion, Greece
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21
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Agnoletto C, Volinia S. Mitochondria dysfunction in circulating tumor cells. Front Oncol 2022; 12:947479. [PMID: 35992829 PMCID: PMC9386562 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.947479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) represent a subset of heterogeneous cells, which, once released from a tumor site, have the potential to give rise to metastasis in secondary sites. Recent research focused on the attempt to detect and characterize these rare cells in the circulation, and advancements in defining their molecular profile have been reported in diverse tumor species, with potential implications for clinical applications. Of note, metabolic alterations, involving mitochondria, have been implicated in the metastatic process, as key determinants in the transition of tumor cells to a mesenchymal or stemness-like phenotype, in drug resistance, and in induction of apoptosis. This review aimed to briefly analyse the most recent knowledge relative to mitochondria dysfunction in CTCs, and to envision implications of altered mitochondria in CTCs for a potential utility in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Agnoletto
- Rete Oncologica Veneta (ROV), Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Stefano Volinia
- Laboratorio per le Tecnologie delle Terapie Avanzate (LTTA), Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Biological and Chemical Research Centre (CNBCh UW), University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Center of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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22
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Malla R, Puvalachetty K, Vempati RK, Marni R, Merchant N, Nagaraju GP. Cancer Stem Cells and Circulatory Tumor Cells Promote Breast Cancer Metastasis. Clin Breast Cancer 2022; 22:507-514. [PMID: 35688785 DOI: 10.1016/j.clbc.2022.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is a highly metastatic, pathological cancer that significantly affects women worldwide. The mortality rate of BC is related to its heterogeneity, aggressive phenotype, and metastasis. Recent studies have highlighted that the tumor microenvironment (TME) is critical for the interplay between metastasis mediators in BC. BC stem cells, tumor-derived exosomes, circulatory tumor cells (CTCs), and signaling pathways dynamically remodel the TME and promote metastasis. This review examines the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) that facilitate metastasis. This review also discusses the role of cancer stem cells (CSCs), tumor-derived exosomes, and CTs in promoting BC metastasis. Furthermore, the review emphasizes major signaling pathways that mediate metastasis in BC. Finally, the interplay among CSCs, exosomes, and CTCs in mediating metastasis have been highlighted. Therefore, understanding the molecular cues that mediate the association of CSCs, exosomes, and CTCs in TME helps to optimize systemic therapy to target metastatic BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- RamaRao Malla
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, GITAM School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Kiran Puvalachetty
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, GITAM School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Rahul K Vempati
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, GITAM School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Rakshmitha Marni
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, GITAM School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Neha Merchant
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Banasthali University, Vanasthali, Rajasthan, India
| | - Ganji Purnachandra Nagaraju
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, School of medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.
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23
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In Early Breast Cancer, the Ratios of Neutrophils, Platelets and Monocytes to Lymphocytes Significantly Correlate with the Presence of Subsets of Circulating Tumor Cells but Not with Disseminated Tumor Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143299. [PMID: 35884360 PMCID: PMC9320225 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are potential precursors of metastasis and while travelling through the peripheral blood, they crosstalk with different blood cells before a few of them manage to settle down as disseminated tumor cells (DTCs). Little is known about the correlation of blood cells with CTCs/DTCs in early breast cancer (BC). We retrospectively recorded clinical data, results for CTCs, DTCs and blood cell counts from 171 early staged diagnosed BC patients and demonstrated that the presence of epithelial CTCs was related to reduced lymphocyte and monocyte counts, to elevated neutrophil to lymphocyte and platelet to lymphocyte ratios while CTCs in epithelial mesenchymal transition associated with a reduced monocyte to lymphocyte ratio. No significant correlations were found for DTCs, however, DTC-positive patients, harboring a lower platelet to lymphocyte ratio, had a significant shorter overall survival. We confirm that pro-inflammatory markers in blood are closely related to the presence of CTC subtypes, the precursors of metastasis. Abstract Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) crosstalk with different blood cells before a few of them settle down as disseminated tumor cells (DTCs). We evaluated the correlation between CTC subtypes, DTCs and the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR) for better prognostication of 171 early staged diagnosed breast cancer (BC) patients. —Clinical data and blood values before treatment were retrospectively recorded, representing the 75% percentile, resulting in 3.13 for NLR, 222.3 for PLR and 0.39 for MLR, respectively. DTCs were analyzed by immunocytochemistry using the pan-cytokeratin antibodyA45-B/B3. CTCs were determined applying the AdnaTests BreastCancerDetect and EMT (Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition) Detect. —Reduced lymphocyte (p = 0.007) and monocyte counts (p = 0.012), an elevated NLR (p = 0.003) and PLR (p = 0.001) significantly correlated with the presence of epithelial CTCs while a reduced MLR was related to EMT-CTCs (p = 0.045). PLR (p = 0.029) and MLR (p = 0.041) significantly related to lymph node involvement and monocyte counts significantly correlated with OS (p = 0.034). No correlations were found for NLR, PLR and MLR with DTCs, however, DTC-positive patients, harboring a lower PLR, had a significant shorter OS (p = 0.043). —Pro-inflammatory markers are closely related to different CTC subsets. This knowledge might improve risk prognostication of these patients.
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Naimi A, Mohammed RN, Raji A, Chupradit S, Yumashev AV, Suksatan W, Shalaby MN, Thangavelu L, Kamrava S, Shomali N, Sohrabi AD, Adili A, Noroozi-Aghideh A, Razeghian E. Tumor immunotherapies by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs); the pros and cons. Cell Commun Signal 2022; 20:44. [PMID: 35392976 PMCID: PMC8991803 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-00854-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 65.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The main breakthrough in tumor immunotherapy was the discovery of immune checkpoint (IC) proteins, which act as a potent suppressor of the immune system by a myriad of mechanisms. After that, scientists focused on the immune checkpoint molecules mainly. Thereby, much effort was spent to progress novel strategies for suppressing these inhibitory axes, resulting in the evolution of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Then, ICIs have become a promising approach and shaped a paradigm shift in tumor immunotherapies. CTLA-4 plays an influential role in attenuation of the induction of naïve and memory T cells by engagement with its responding ligands like B7-1 (CD80) and B7-2 (CD86). Besides, PD-1 is predominantly implicated in adjusting T cell function in peripheral tissues through its interaction with programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and PD-L2. Given their suppressive effects on anti-tumor immunity, it has firmly been documented that ICIs based therapies can be practical and rational therapeutic approaches to treat cancer patients. Nonetheless, tumor inherent or acquired resistance to ICI and some treatment-related toxicities restrict their application in the clinic. The current review will deliver a comprehensive overview of the ICI application to treat human tumors alone or in combination with other modalities to support more desired outcomes and lower toxicities in cancer patients. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adel Naimi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
| | - Rebar N. Mohammed
- Medical Laboratory Analysis Department, Cihan University Sulaimaniya, Sulaymaniyah, 46001 Kurdistan Region Iraq
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Suleimanyah, Iraq
| | - Ahmed Raji
- College of Medicine, University of Babylon, Department of Pathology, Babylon, Iraq
| | - Supat Chupradit
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
| | | | - Wanich Suksatan
- Faculty of Nursing, HRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical Science, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, 10210 Thailand
| | - Mohammed Nader Shalaby
- Associate Professor of Biological Sciences and Sports Health Department, Faculty of Physical Education, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Lakshmi Thangavelu
- Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Science, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - Siavash Kamrava
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Navid Shomali
- Immunology Research Center (IRC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Armin D. Sohrabi
- Immunology Research Center (IRC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Adili
- Department of Oncology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Noroozi-Aghideh
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Paramedicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Razeghian
- Human Genetics Division, Medical Biotechnology Department, National Institute of Genetics Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
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25
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Fatima S, Ma Y, Safrachi A, Haider S, Spring KJ, Vafaee F, Scott KF, Roberts TL, Becker TM, de Souza P. Harnessing Liquid Biopsies to Guide Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:1669. [PMID: 35406441 PMCID: PMC8997025 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy (IO), involving the use of immune checkpoint inhibition, achieves improved response-rates and significant disease-free survival for some cancer patients. Despite these beneficial effects, there is poor predictability of response and substantial rates of innate or acquired resistance, resulting in heterogeneous responses among patients. In addition, patients can develop life-threatening adverse events, and while these generally occur in patients that also show a tumor response, these outcomes are not always congruent. Therefore, predicting a response to IO is of paramount importance. Traditionally, tumor tissue analysis has been used for this purpose. However, minimally invasive liquid biopsies that monitor changes in blood or other bodily fluid markers are emerging as a promising cost-effective alternative. Traditional biomarkers have limitations mainly due to difficulty in repeatedly obtaining tumor tissue confounded also by the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of tumours. Liquid biopsy has the potential to circumvent tumor heterogeneity and to help identifying patients who may respond to IO, to monitor the treatment dynamically, as well as to unravel the mechanisms of relapse. We present here a review of the current status of molecular markers for the prediction and monitoring of IO response, focusing on the detection of these markers in liquid biopsies. With the emerging improvements in the field of liquid biopsy, this approach has the capacity to identify IO-eligible patients and provide clinically relevant information to assist with their ongoing disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shadma Fatima
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (Y.M.); (S.H.); (K.J.S.); (K.F.S.); (T.L.R.); (T.M.B.); (P.d.S.)
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; (A.S.); (F.V.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
| | - Yafeng Ma
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (Y.M.); (S.H.); (K.J.S.); (K.F.S.); (T.L.R.); (T.M.B.); (P.d.S.)
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
- Centre for Circulating Tumor Cell Diagnosis and Research, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Azadeh Safrachi
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; (A.S.); (F.V.)
| | - Sana Haider
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (Y.M.); (S.H.); (K.J.S.); (K.F.S.); (T.L.R.); (T.M.B.); (P.d.S.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
| | - Kevin J. Spring
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (Y.M.); (S.H.); (K.J.S.); (K.F.S.); (T.L.R.); (T.M.B.); (P.d.S.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
| | - Fatemeh Vafaee
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; (A.S.); (F.V.)
- UNSW Data Science Hub, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Kieran F. Scott
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (Y.M.); (S.H.); (K.J.S.); (K.F.S.); (T.L.R.); (T.M.B.); (P.d.S.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
| | - Tara L. Roberts
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (Y.M.); (S.H.); (K.J.S.); (K.F.S.); (T.L.R.); (T.M.B.); (P.d.S.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Therese M. Becker
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (Y.M.); (S.H.); (K.J.S.); (K.F.S.); (T.L.R.); (T.M.B.); (P.d.S.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
- Centre for Circulating Tumor Cell Diagnosis and Research, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Paul de Souza
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (Y.M.); (S.H.); (K.J.S.); (K.F.S.); (T.L.R.); (T.M.B.); (P.d.S.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
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26
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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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27
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TLR4 and pSTAT3 Expression on Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) and Immune Cells in the Peripheral Blood of Breast Cancer Patients: Prognostic Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14041053. [PMID: 35205801 PMCID: PMC8869985 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14041053] [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: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
TLR4 and pSTAT3 are key players in cancer inflammation and immune evasion; however, their role in the peripheral blood (PB) is largely unexplored. Herein we evaluated their expression in the circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with early (n = 99) and metastatic (n = 100) breast cancer (BC). PB samples obtained prior to adjuvant and first-line therapy, were immunofluorescently stained for Cytokeratins/TLR4/pSTAT3/DAPI and analyzed via Ariol microscopy. TLR4+ CTCs were detected in 50% and 68% of early and metastatic CTC-positive patients, respectively, and pSTAT3+ CTCs in 83% and 68%, respectively. In metastatic patients, CTC detection was associated with a high risk of death (HR: 1.764, p = 0.038), while TLR4+ CTCs correlated with a high risk of disease progression (HR: 1.964, p = 0.030). Regarding PBMCs, TLR4 expression prevailed in metastatic disease (p = 0.029), while pSTAT3 expression was more frequent in early disease (p = 0.014). In early BC, TLR4 expression on PBMCs independently predicted for high risk of relapse (HR: 3.549; p = 0.009), whereas in metastatic BC, TLR4+/pSTAT3- PBMCs independently predicted for high risk of death (HR: 2.925; p = 0.012). These results suggest that TLR4/pSTAT3 signaling on tumor- and immune-cell compartments in the PB could play a role in BC progression, and may hold independent prognostic implications for BC patients.
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Chen BH, Kao CC, Xu T, Yang YN, Cha TL, Tsai YT, Liu SY, Wu ST, Meng E, Tsao CW, Chen CL, Sun GH, Yu DS, Chang SY, Yang MH. Determining programmed cell death ligand 1 expression in circulating tumor cells of patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma and its correlation with response to programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitors. Int J Urol 2022; 29:947-954. [PMID: 35132699 DOI: 10.1111/iju.14812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There is a great interest in determining whether the expression of the programmed cell death ligand 1 is correlated with the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma; however, primary tumor biopsies can only provide limited information. Therefore, we explored the expression of programmed cell death ligand 1 on circulating tumor cells, which is a potential predictor of therapeutic response. METHODS Circulating tumor cells were isolated from 20 clear cell renal cell carcinoma patients based on cell surface markers targeting clear cell renal cell carcinoma using IsoFlux device, followed by identification according to cell morphology and immunofluorescence studies. Programmed cell death ligand 1 expression status and clinical correlations were also analyzed. RESULTS Before treatment with programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitors, circulating tumor cells were detected in all patients, ranging from 1 to 22 (median 7), with 75% (15/20) of the patients having programmed cell death ligand 1 + circulating tumor cells. Circulating tumor cell programmed cell death ligand 1 expression did not correlate with the immunohistochemical staining of programmed cell death ligand 1 in primary tumors. During treatment with programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitors, the disease control rate was much higher in the patients harboring programmed cell death ligand 1 + circulating tumor cells (73%, 11/15) than others (20%, 1/5). We also found that changes in total circulating tumor cell numbers and programmed cell death ligand 1 + circulating tumor cell counts correlated well with the disease outcome. CONCLUSION We showed that the presence of programmed cell death ligand 1 + circulating tumor cells before programmed cell death protein 1 inhibition treatment could be a prognosis predictive factor and that the dynamic changes in circulating tumor cell numbers may be used to monitor the therapeutic response. Our study confirms the possibility of programmed cell death ligand 1 + circulating tumor cell detection in clear cell renal cell carcinoma patients' blood samples, which can potentially be used as an individualized immunotherapy molecular biomarker for real-time exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Han Chen
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Surgery, Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chang Kao
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ting Xu
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Ning Yang
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Lung Cha
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ta Tsai
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Yu Liu
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Tang Wu
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - En Meng
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Wei Tsao
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Li Chen
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Guang-Huan Sun
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Dah-Shyong Yu
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sun-Yran Chang
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hsin Yang
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
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29
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Chen N, Higashiyama N, Hoyos V. Predictive Biomarkers of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Response in Breast Cancer: Looking beyond Tumoral PD-L1. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1863. [PMID: 34944679 PMCID: PMC8698415 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9121863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors utilize the immune system to kill cancer cells and are now widely applied across numerous malignancies. Pembrolizumab has two breast-specific indications in triple-negative disease. Currently, programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression on tumor and surrounding immune cells is the only validated predictive biomarker for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in breast cancer; however, it can be imprecise. Additional biomarkers are needed to identify the patient population who will derive the most benefit from these therapies. The tumor immune microenvironment contains many biomarker candidates. In tumor cells, tumor mutational burden has emerged as a robust biomarker across malignancies in general, with higher burden cancers demonstrating improved response, but will need further refinement for less mutated cancers. Preliminary studies suggest that mutations in breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA-2) are associated with increased immune infiltration and response to ICI therapy. Other genomic alterations are also being investigated as potential predictive biomarkers. In immune cells, increased quantity of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells have correlated with response to immunotherapy treatment. The role of other immune cell phenotypes is being investigated. Peripherally, many liquid-based biomarker strategies such as PD-L1 expression on circulating tumor cells and peripheral immune cell quantification are being studied; however, these strategies require further standardization and refinement prior to large-scale testing. Ultimately, multiple biomarkers utilized together may be needed to best identify the appropriate patients for these treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Chen
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (N.H.); (V.H.)
| | | | - Valentina Hoyos
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (N.H.); (V.H.)
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Lin D, Shen L, Luo M, Zhang K, Li J, Yang Q, Zhu F, Zhou D, Zheng S, Chen Y, Zhou J. Circulating tumor cells: biology and clinical significance. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:404. [PMID: 34803167 PMCID: PMC8606574 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00817-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 294] [Impact Index Per Article: 98.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are tumor cells that have sloughed off the primary tumor and extravasate into and circulate in the blood. Understanding of the metastatic cascade of CTCs has tremendous potential for the identification of targets against cancer metastasis. Detecting these very rare CTCs among the massive blood cells is challenging. However, emerging technologies for CTCs detection have profoundly contributed to deepening investigation into the biology of CTCs and have facilitated their clinical application. Current technologies for the detection of CTCs are summarized herein, together with their advantages and disadvantages. The detection of CTCs is usually dependent on molecular markers, with the epithelial cell adhesion molecule being the most widely used, although molecular markers vary between different types of cancer. Properties associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and stemness have been identified in CTCs, indicating their increased metastatic capacity. Only a small proportion of CTCs can survive and eventually initiate metastases, suggesting that an interaction and modulation between CTCs and the hostile blood microenvironment is essential for CTC metastasis. Single-cell sequencing of CTCs has been extensively investigated, and has enabled researchers to reveal the genome and transcriptome of CTCs. Herein, we also review the clinical applications of CTCs, especially for monitoring response to cancer treatment and in evaluating prognosis. Hence, CTCs have and will continue to contribute to providing significant insights into metastatic processes and will open new avenues for useful clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danfeng Lin
- Department of Breast Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education), the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Lesang Shen
- Department of Breast Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Meng Luo
- Department of Breast Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education), the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jinfan Li
- Department of Pathology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi Yang
- Department of Pathology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fangfang Zhu
- Department of Breast Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dan Zhou
- Department of Surgery, Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital of Zhuji, Shaoxing, China
| | - Shu Zheng
- Department of Breast Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education), the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yiding Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education), the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Jiaojiao Zhou
- Department of Breast Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education), the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
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Jiang M, Jin S, Han J, Li T, Shi J, Zhong Q, Li W, Tang W, Huang Q, Zong H. Detection and clinical significance of circulating tumor cells in colorectal cancer. Biomark Res 2021; 9:85. [PMID: 34798902 PMCID: PMC8605607 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-021-00326-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Histopathological examination (biopsy) is the "gold standard" for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, biopsy is an invasive method, and due to the temporal and spatial heterogeneity of the tumor, a single biopsy cannot reveal the comprehensive biological characteristics and dynamic changes of the tumor. Therefore, there is a need for new biomarkers to improve CRC diagnosis and to monitor and treat CRC patients. Numerous studies have shown that "liquid biopsy" is a promising minimally invasive method for early CRC detection. A liquid biopsy mainly samples circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), microRNA (miRNA) and extracellular vesicles (EVs). CTCs are malignant cells that are shed from the primary tumors and/or metastases into the peripheral circulation. CTCs carry information on both primary tumors and metastases that can reflect dynamic changes in tumors in a timely manner. As a promising biomarker, CTCs can be used for early disease detection, treatment response and disease progression evaluation, disease mechanism elucidation, and therapeutic target identification for drug development. This review will discuss currently available technologies for plasma CTC isolation and detection, their utility in the management of CRC patients and future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Jiang
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, NO.1 Eastern Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Shuiling Jin
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, NO.1 Eastern Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Jinming Han
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, NO.1 Eastern Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Tong Li
- BGI College, Zhengzhou University, 40 Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Jianxiang Shi
- BGI College, Zhengzhou University, 40 Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.,Precision Medicine Center, Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 40 Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Qian Zhong
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, NO.1 Eastern Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Wen Li
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, NO.1 Eastern Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Wenxue Tang
- Departments of Otolaryngology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China.
| | - Qinqin Huang
- Academy of medical science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
| | - Hong Zong
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, NO.1 Eastern Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
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Yang J, Cheng S, Zhang N, Jin Y, Wang Y. Liquid biopsy for ovarian cancer using circulating tumor cells: Recent advances on the path to precision medicine. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1877:188660. [PMID: 34800546 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most lethal gynecologic malignance worldwide. Considering its metastasis nature, oncologists shift focus towards circulating tumor cells (CTCs), a progenitor that originates from primary tumor and undergoes morphologic/genetic alterations to enter bloodstream and invade nearby tissues. Mountains of evidence suggested that CTCs could provide deep insights into genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic profiling of OC metastatic cascades. To pave the way for precision medicine, researchers exert great efforts to develop isolation/detection methodologies and construct CTCs-derived propagation platforms, including traditional cell cultures, patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), and organoids. From bench to bedside, CTCs provide minimally-invasive means to inform early diagnosis, predict prognosis, and guide treatment decisions. This review shined a spotlight on biology, detection technologies, and propagation platforms for CTCs. Of note, we also reviewed clinical applications of CTCs in liquid biopsy-based personalized cancer treatment and critically appraised limitations in routine clinical practice on the path to precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiani Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shanshan Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Jin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.
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Mach P, Kimmig R, Kasimir-Bauer S, Buderath P. Association of Soluble B7-H4 and Circulating Tumor Cells in Blood of Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Patients. Front Oncol 2021; 11:721067. [PMID: 34778036 PMCID: PMC8586654 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.721067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the deadliest gynecologic malignancy worldwide. Reliable predictive biomarkers are urgently needed to estimate the risk of relapse and to improve treatment management. Soluble immune-checkpoints in EOC are promising molecules serving as prognostic biomarkers accessible via liquid biopsy. We thus, aimed at elucidating the role of sB7-H4 in EOC. Material and Methods We analyzed soluble serum B7-H4 (sB7-H4) using ELISA and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood applying the AdnaTest OvarianCancer in 85 patients suffering from advanced EOC. Findings were correlated with clinical parameters as well as survival data. Results sB7-H4 was detectable in 14.1% patients, CTCs in 32.9% patients and simultaneous presence of CTCs and sB7-H4 was found in 7% patients, respectively. Although no association between sB7-H4 and CTC could be documented, each of them served as independent predictive factors for overall survival (OS). Conclusion sB7-H4 and CTCs are independent prognostic biomarkers for impaired survival in EOC. As they are easily accessible via liquid biopsy, they may be of potential benefit for the prediction of therapy response and survival for EOC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawel Mach
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Rainer Kimmig
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sabine Kasimir-Bauer
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Paul Buderath
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
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Gameiro A, Nascimento C, Correia J, Ferreira F. VISTA Is a Diagnostic Biomarker and Immunotherapy Target of Aggressive Feline Mammary Carcinoma Subtypes. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13215559. [PMID: 34771722 PMCID: PMC8583306 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Mammary tumors are common in cats, showing aggressive behavior and few therapeutic options. Recently, feline mammary carcinomas have become a reliable cancer model for human breast cancer studies, due to the similarities between the two species. Thus, the identification of new tumor biomarkers and therapeutic targets to improve cat’s prognosis is needed. VISTA is an important immune checkpoint protein that has gained importance over the past few years in women’s cancers. In this study, the serum VISTA levels and tumor expression were analyzed in cats with mammary tumors, being correlated with other immune checkpoints. In the diseased animals, VISTA is overexpressed in more aggressive tumor subtypes (HER2-positive and triple-negative), showing a positive correlation with the expression of VISTA in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and is associated with an immunosuppressive status, suggesting that VISTA could be a promising non-invasive prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in cats with mammary carcinomas, as reported in humans. Abstract Feline mammary carcinoma (FMC) is a common neoplasia, showing aggressive clinicopathological features, without viable therapeutic options. The study of tumor microenvironment has gained importance, due to the ability to control tumor progression by regulating the immune response. Considering the lack of knowledge, feline serum VISTA levels from cats with mammary carcinoma were compared with healthy controls, and with serum levels of PD-1/PD-L1, CTLA-4, LAG-3, IL-6, and TNF-α. In parallel, VISTA tumor expression was evaluated in FMC samples. The obtained data revealed that serum VISTA levels were significantly higher in cats presenting HER2-positive (p = 0.0025) or triple-negative subtypes (p = 0.0019), with higher serum levels in luminal A (p = 0.0025) correlated to the presence of metastasis (p = 0.0471). Furthermore, in HER2-positive or triple-negative tumors, correlations were obtained between serum VISTA levels and the serum levels of the above-mentioned molecules. In tumors, VISTA expression revealed a stronger intensity in cancer cells, when compared to TILs (p < 0.0001). Stratifying the samples by subtypes, a higher number of VISTA-positive TILs was observed in the HER2-positive subtype, compared with triple-negative tumors (p = 0.0138). In conclusion, results support the development of therapeutic strategies for HER2-positive and triple-negative FMC subtypes, reinforcing the use of cats as a human oncology model.
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Jeong S, Lee N, Park MJ, Jeon K, Song W. Currently Used Laboratory Methodologies for Assays Detecting PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2 and Soluble PD-L1 in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205225. [PMID: 34680373 PMCID: PMC8534186 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205225] [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: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Several methods targeting the programmed death protein-1 (PD-1) axis have been developed and evaluated for the detection of immune checkpoint levels that are strongly involved in immunotherapy for patients with metastatic breast cancer. Variations in different assays used in diverse studies have affected their result interpretation and clinical utility. When applying these assays to the laboratory, a comprehensive understanding of the characteristics of them should be recognized. We reviewed applied laboratory techniques for detecting PD-1, PD-ligand (L)1, PD-L2, and soluble PD-L1, which are important for selecting metastatic cancer patients for immunotherapy. Advances in methodologies according to the epoch are also investigated to gain insight into immunologic techniques and to facilitate appropriate laboratory settings for evaluating the PD-1 axis status, which are useful for estimating outcomes and planning patient-tailored immunotherapy strategies. Abstract Approximately 20% of breast cancer (BC) patients suffer from distant metastasis. The incidence and prevalence rates of metastatic BC have increased annually. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are an emerging area of treatment, especially for metastatic patients with poor outcomes. Several antibody drugs have been developed and approved for companion testing of the programmed death protine-1 (PD-1) axis. We reviewed currently used laboratory methodologies for assays determining PD-1 axis to provide a comprehensive understanding of principles, advantages, and drawbacks involved in their implementation. The most commonly used method is immunohistochemistry (92.9%) for PD-L1 expression using tissue samples (96.4%). The commonly used anti-PD-L1 antibody clone were commercially available 22C3 (30.8%), SP142 (19.2%), SP263 (15.4%), and E1L3N (11.5%). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and electrochemiluminescent immunoassay that target soluble PD-ligand (L)1 were developed and popularized in 2019–2021, in contrast to 2016–2018. Easy accessibility and non-invasiveness due to the use of blood samples, quantitative outputs, and relatively rapid turnaround times make them more preferable. Regarding scoring methods, a combination of tumor and immune cells (45.5% in 2016–2018 to 57.1% in 2019–2021) rather than each cell alone became more popular. Information about antibody clones, platforms, scoring methods, and related companion drugs is recommended for reporting PD-L1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seri Jeong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07440, Korea; (S.J.); (N.L.); (M.-J.P.)
| | - Nuri Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07440, Korea; (S.J.); (N.L.); (M.-J.P.)
| | - Min-Jeong Park
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07440, Korea; (S.J.); (N.L.); (M.-J.P.)
| | - Kibum Jeon
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07440, Korea;
| | - Wonkeun Song
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07440, Korea; (S.J.); (N.L.); (M.-J.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-829-5259
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Ouyang Y, Liu W, Zhang N, Yang X, Li J, Long S. Prognostic significance of programmed cell death-ligand 1 expression on circulating tumor cells in various cancers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer Med 2021; 10:7021-7039. [PMID: 34423578 PMCID: PMC8525108 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.4236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The prognostic significance of programmed cell death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) has been explored but is still in controversy. We performed, for the first time, a meta‐analysis to systematically evaluate its prognostic value in human cancers. Methods Literature databases were searched for eligible studies prior to June 30, 2021. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated for the associations of pre‐treatment and post‐treatment PD‐L1+ CTCs with progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Subgroup analyses with regards to cancer type, treatment, CTC enrichment method, PD‐L1 detection method, cut‐off, and specifically the comparison model were performed. Results We included 30 eligible studies (32 cohorts, 1419 cancer patients) in our analysis. Pre‐treatment PD‐L1+ CTCs detected by immunofluorescence (IF) tended to predict better PFS (HR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.28–1.08, p = 0.084) and OS (HR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.36–1.04, p = 0.067) for immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment, but were significantly associated with unfavorable survival for non‐ICI therapies (PFS: HR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.21–2.85, p = 0.005; OS: HR = 2.44, 95% CI 1.69–3.51, p < 0.001). Post‐treatment PD‐L1+ CTCs predicted markedly worse PFS and OS. The prognostic value was obviously modulated by comparison models. Among patients with detectable CTCs, PD‐L1+ individuals had comparable survival to PD‐L1− individuals, except ICI treatment for which PD‐L1+ may predict better PFS (HR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.17–1.06, p = 0.067). Patients with PD‐L1+ CTCs had worse survival prognosis compared to those without PD‐L1+ CTCs in overall analysis (PFS: HR = 2.10, 95% CI 1.59–2.77, p < 0.001; OS: HR = 2.55, 95% CI 1.70–3.81, p < 0.001) and in most subgroups. Conclusions Our analysis demonstrated that PD‐L1 positive expression on CTCs predicted better survival prognosis for ICI treatment but worse survival for other therapies, which thus can be potentially used as a prognostic marker of malignant tumor treatment. However, the prognostic value of PD‐L1+ CTCs for ICI treatment needs validation by more large‐scale studies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yushu Ouyang
- Department of Intervention, The Second Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wendao Liu
- Department of Intervention, The Second Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ningning Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Heping Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, China
| | - Xiaobing Yang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinwei Li
- Department of Intervention, The Second Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shunqin Long
- Department of Oncology, The Second Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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Gameiro A, Urbano AC, Ferreira F. Emerging Biomarkers and Targeted Therapies in Feline Mammary Carcinoma. Vet Sci 2021; 8:164. [PMID: 34437486 PMCID: PMC8402877 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8080164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Feline mammary carcinoma (FMC) is a common aggressive malignancy with a low survival rate that lacks viable therapeutic options beyond mastectomy. Recently, increasing efforts have been made to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying FMC development, using the knowledge gained from studies on human breast cancer to discover new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, thus reinforcing the utility of the cat as a cancer model. In this article, we review the current knowledge on FMC pathogenesis, biomarkers, and prognosis factors and offer new insights into novel therapeutic options for HER2-positive and triple-negative FMC subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fernando Ferreira
- CIISA—Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.G.); (A.C.U.)
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Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 Expression in Circulating Tumor Cells as a Predictor of Treatment Response in Patients with Urothelial Carcinoma. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10070674. [PMID: 34356529 PMCID: PMC8301435 DOI: 10.3390/biology10070674] [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: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors are commonly used in treating advanced-stage urothelial carcinoma. Contrary to evaluating PD-L1 expression in tumor biopsy samples, this study assessed whether PD-L1 expression in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) can be a predictor of treatment response to PD-L1 inhibitors. The current study proved that there was no statistically significant correlation between the presence of PD-L1-positive CTCs and PD-L1 expression in tumor tissues. Moreover, PD-L1-positive CTCs at baseline could be used as a biomarker to identify patients suitable for PD-L1 blockade therapy. Dynamic changes in PD-L1-positive CTCs during the course of treatment are predictive factors of immunotherapy response and prognostic factors of disease control. Abstract Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors are commonly used in treating advanced-stage urothelial carcinoma (UC). Therefore, this study evaluated the relationship between PD-L1 expression in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and treatment response to PD-L1 inhibitors using blood samples collected from patients with UC (n = 23). Subsequently, PD-L1 expression and its clinical correlation were analyzed. All patients had CTCs before PD-L1 inhibitory treatment, of which 15 had PD-L1-positive CTCs. However, PD-L1-positive expression in CTCs was not correlated with PD-L1 expression in tumor biopsy samples. Patients with PD-L1-positive CTCs had better disease control (DC) rates than those without PD-L1-positive CTCs. Moreover, changes in the proportion of PD-L1-positive CTCs were associated with disease outcomes. Furthermore, the PD-L1-positive CTC count in 9 of 11 patients who achieved DC had significantly decreased (p = 0.01). In four patients with progressive disease, this was higher or did not change. PD-L1-positive CTCs at baseline could be used as a biomarker to identify patients suitable for PD-L1 blockade therapy. Dynamic changes in PD-L1-positive CTCs during the course of treatment are predictive factors of immunotherapy response and prognostic factors of disease control. Hence, PD-L1-positive CTCs could be employed as a real-time molecular biomarker for individualized immunotherapy.
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Breast cancer brain metastasis: insight into molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies. Br J Cancer 2021; 125:1056-1067. [PMID: 34226684 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01424-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies in women worldwide. Early-stage breast cancer is considered a curable disease; however, once distant metastasis occurs, the 5-year overall survival rate of patients becomes significantly reduced. There are four distinct metastatic patterns in breast cancer: bone, lung, liver and brain. Among these, breast cancer brain metastasis (BCBM) is the leading cause of death; it is highly associated with impaired quality of life and poor prognosis due to the limited permeability of the blood-brain barrier and consequent lack of effective treatments. Although the sequence of events in BCBM is universally accepted, the underlying mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. In this review, we outline progress surrounding the molecular mechanisms involved in BCBM as well as experimental methods and research models to better understand the process. We further discuss the challenges in the management of brain metastases, as well as providing an overview of current therapies and highlighting innovative research towards developing novel efficacious targeted therapies.
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Kong D, Zhang W, Yang Z, Li G, Cheng S, Zhang K, Feng L. Correlation between PD-L1 expression ON CTCs and prognosis of patients with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Oncoimmunology 2021; 10:1938476. [PMID: 34211802 PMCID: PMC8218685 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2021.1938476] [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] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are considered to be related to the prognosis of cancer patients. CTC is a powerful indicator for recurrence or metastasis. The relationship, however, between the expression of programmed cell death receptor ligand 1 (PD-L1) on CTCs in peripheral blood and the prognosis, is still controversial. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate its prognostic value. A total of 20 articles were screened from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI) and WanFang Database, and the Hazard Ratio (HR) along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of each article were combined to study the relationship between PD-L1 expression on CTCs and prognosis. The expression of PD-L1 on CTCs in the peripheral blood of cancer patients is associated with poor prognosis. The pooled HRs for overall survival (OS) in cancer patients were 1.85 (95% CI, 1.29-2.66, P = .001). The pooled HRs for progression-free survival (PFS) in cancer patients were 1.50 (95% CI, 1.12-2.01; P = .007). This is the first meta-analysis to clarify the expression of PD-L1 on CTCs at baseline affects the prognosis of cancer patients. Patients with CTCs expressing PD-L1 had a shorter survival time than patients with CTCs not expressing PD-L1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Defeng Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Department of Immunology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China
| | - Zhenrong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China
| | - Guoliang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China
| | - Shujun Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China
| | - Kaitai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China
| | - Lin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China
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Li Z, Li Y, Gao J, Fu Y, Hua P, Jing Y, Cai M, Wang H, Tong T. The role of CD47-SIRPα immune checkpoint in tumor immune evasion and innate immunotherapy. Life Sci 2021; 273:119150. [PMID: 33662426 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
As a transmembrane protein, CD47 plays an important role in mediating cell proliferation, migration, phagocytosis, apoptosis, immune homeostasis, inhibition of NO signal transduction and other related reactions. Upon the interaction of innate immune checkpoint CD47-SIRPα occurrence, they send a "don't eat me" signal to the macrophages. This signal ultimately helps tumors achieve immune escape by inhibiting macrophage contraction to prevent tumor cells from phagocytosis. Therefore, the importance of CD47-SIRPα immune checkpoint inhibitors in tumor immunotherapy has attracted more attention in recent years. Based on the cognitive improvement of the effect with CD47 in tumor microenvironment and tumor characteristics, the pace of tumor treatment strategies for CD47-SIRPα immune checkpoint inhibitors has gradually accelerated. In this review, we introduced the high expression of CD47 in cancer cells to avoid phagocytosis by immune cells and the importance of CD47 in the structure of cancer microenvironment and the maintenance of cancer cell characteristics. Given the role of the innate immune system in tumorigenesis and development, an improved understanding of the anti-tumor process of innate immune checkpoint inhibitors can lay the foundation for more effective combinations with other anti-tumor treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihao Li
- The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, China
| | - Yue Li
- The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, China
| | - Jing Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Research Center of Biomembranomics, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin 130022, China
| | - Yilin Fu
- The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, China
| | - Peiyan Hua
- The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, China
| | - Yingying Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Research Center of Biomembranomics, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin 130022, China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Mingjun Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Research Center of Biomembranomics, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin 130022, China
| | - Hongda Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Research Center of Biomembranomics, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin 130022, China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qing dao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Wenhai Road, Aoshanwei, Jimo, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Ti Tong
- The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, China.
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Assessment of the Efficacy and Clinical Utility of Different Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) Detection Assays in Patients with Chemotherapy-Naïve Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020925. [PMID: 33477700 PMCID: PMC7831933 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
We herein investigated the detection frequency and clinical relevance of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in chemotherapy-naïve stage IIIB/IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), by using the CellSearch and real-time CEACAM5mRNA assays. Blood samples from 43 patients were obtained at different time points during first-line chemotherapy. CellSearch revealed the detection of ≥1 CTCs in 41.9%, 40.9%, and 16.7% of patients at baseline, post-1st, and post-2nd treatment cycle, respectively, and of ≥5 CTCs in 11.6%, 9.1%, and 5.6%, respectively. CEACAM5mRNA+ CTCs were detected in 29.3% and 16% of patients pre- and post-treatment, respectively. The positivity concordance between the two assays was 2.2%. CTC-detection by CellSearch (≥5 CTCs: p = 0.004), CEACAM5mRNA (p = 0.010), or by any assay (p = 0.000) was associated with disease progression. Reduced survival was demonstrated for patients harboring ≥5 CTCs (progression-free survival; PFS: p = 0.000; overall survival; OS: p = 0.009), CEACAM5mRNA+ CTCs (PFS: p = 0.043; OS: p = 0.039), and CTCs by any assay (PFS: p = 0.005; OS: p = 0.006, respectively). CTC-detection by any assay independently predicted for increased risk of relapse (hazard ratio; HR: 3.496; p = 0.001) and death (HR: 2.866; p = 0.008). CellSearch-positivity either pre-, post-1st, or post-2nd cycle, was predictive for shorter PFS (p = 0.036) compared to negativity in all time points. Persistent CEACAM5mRNA-positivity pre- and post-treatment was associated with reduced PFS (p = 0.036) and OS (p = 0.026). In conclusion, CTC detection and monitoring using the CellSearch and CEACAM5mRNA assays provides valuable and complementary clinical information for chemo-naïve advanced or metastatic NSCLC.
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Kaur S, Isenberg JS, Roberts DD. CD47 (Cluster of Differentiation 47). ATLAS OF GENETICS AND CYTOGENETICS IN ONCOLOGY AND HAEMATOLOGY 2021; 25:83-102. [PMID: 34707698 PMCID: PMC8547767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
CD47, also known as integrin-associated protein, is a constitutively and ubiquitously expressed transmembrane receptor. CD47 is conserved across amniotes including mammals, reptiles, and birds. Expression is increased in many cancers and, in non-malignant cells, by stress and with aging. The up-regulation of CD47 expression is generally epigenetic, whereas gene amplification occurs with low frequency in some cancers. CD47 is a high affinity signaling receptor for the secreted protein thrombospondin-1 (THBS1) and the counter-receptor for signal regulatory protein-α (SIRPA, SIRPα) and SIRPγ (SIRPG). CD47 interaction with SIRPα serves as a marker of self to innate immune cells and thereby protects cancer cells from phagocytic clearance. Consequently, higher CD47 correlates with a poor prognosis in some cancers, and therapeutic blockade can suppress tumor growth by enhancing innate antitumor immunity. CD47 expressed on cytotoxic T cells, dendritic cells, and NK cells mediates inhibitory THBS1 signaling that further limits antitumor immunity. CD47 laterally associates with several integrins and thereby regulates cell adhesion and migration. CD47 has additional lateral binding partners in specific cell types, and ligation of CD47 in some cases modulates their function. THBS1-CD47 signaling in non-malignant cells inhibits nitric oxide/cGMP, calcium, and VEGF signaling, mitochondrial homeostasis, stem cell maintenance, protective autophagy, and DNA damage response, and promotes NADPH oxidase activity. CD47 signaling is a physiological regulator of platelet activation, angiogenesis and blood flow. THBS1/CD47 signaling is frequently dysregulated in chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukhbir Kaur
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | | | - David D Roberts
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
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Polioudaki H, Mala A, Gkimprixi E, Papadaki MA, Chantziou A, Tzardi M, Mavroudis D, Agelaki S, Theodoropoulos PA. Epithelial/Mesenchymal Characteristics and PD-L1 Co-Expression in CTCs of Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Eribulin: Correlation with Clinical Outcome. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123735. [PMID: 33322610 PMCID: PMC7764288 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We aimed to evaluate the co-expression of PD-L1 and epithelial-mesenchymal markers in CTCs from metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients and to determine if there is any relationship with patients' outcome after eribulin treatment. Using cytospin preparations of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from MBC patients treated with eribulin and a combination of immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence, we quantified PD-L1, keratins and vimentin in single and cluster CTCs on days 1 and 8 of the first-treatment cycle. CTCs (n = 173) were found in 31 out of 38 patients. At baseline, the presence of cluster CTCs (p = 0.048), cluster mesenchymal CTCs (mCTCs) (p = 0.0003) or cluster PD-L1+mCTCs (p = 0.006) was associated with shorter overall survival (OS). In multivariate cox regression analysis, the detection of cluster mCTCs was the only parameter associated with increased risk of death (p = 0.024). On day 8 post-eribulin administration, PD-L1+mCTCs and especially single PD-L1+mCTCs decreased in 75% and 89% of patients, respectively. The detection of single PD-L1+mCTCs after eribulin treatment was correlated with shorter PFS (p = 0.047) and OS (p = 0.020). In conclusion, our study identified for the first time that cluster and single PD-L1+mCTCs subpopulations are of clinical significance in patients with MBC and highlighted the importance of CTC phenotyping during treatment with eribulin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hara Polioudaki
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (H.P.); (E.G.); (A.C.)
| | - Anastasia Mala
- Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (A.M.); (D.M.); (S.A.)
| | - Eleni Gkimprixi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (H.P.); (E.G.); (A.C.)
| | - Maria A. Papadaki
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece;
| | - Amanda Chantziou
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (H.P.); (E.G.); (A.C.)
| | - Maria Tzardi
- Department of Pathology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece;
| | - Dimitris Mavroudis
- Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (A.M.); (D.M.); (S.A.)
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece;
| | - Sofia Agelaki
- Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (A.M.); (D.M.); (S.A.)
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece;
| | - Panayiotis A. Theodoropoulos
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (H.P.); (E.G.); (A.C.)
- Correspondence:
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Abdulla A, Zhang T, Ahmad KZ, Li S, Lou J, Ding X. Label-free Separation of Circulating Tumor Cells Using a Self-Amplified Inertial Focusing (SAIF) Microfluidic Chip. Anal Chem 2020; 92:16170-16179. [PMID: 33232155 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c03920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are rare cells existing in the bloodstream with a relatively low number, which facilitate as a predictor of cancer progress. However, it is difficult to obtain highly purified intact CTCs with desired viability due to the low percentage of CTCs among blood cells. In this work, we demonstrate a novel self-amplified inertial focused (SAIF) microfluidic chip that enables size-based, high-throughput, label-free separation of CTCs from a patient's blood. The SAIF chip introduced in this study demonstrated the feasibility of an extremely narrow zigzag channel (with 40 μm channel width) connected with two expansion regions to effectively separate different-sized cells with amplified separation distance. The chip performance was optimized with different-sized polystyrene (PS) particles and blood cells spiked with three different types of cancer cells. The separation efficiencies for blood cells and spiked cancer cells are higher than 80%. Recovery rates of cancer cells were tested by spiking 1500 lung cancer cells (A549), breast cancer cells (MCF-7), and cervical cancer cells (HeLa) separately to 3 mL 0.09% saline with 3 × 106 white blood cells (WBCs). The recovery rates for larger cells (MCF-7 and HeLa) were 79.1 and 85.4%, respectively. Viabilities of the cells harvested from outlets were all higher than 97% after culturing for 24, 48, and 72 h. The SAIF chip performance was further confirmed using the real clinical patient blood samples from four lung cancer patients. Theoretical force balance analysis in physics, computational simulations, and experimental observations indicate that the SAIF chip is simple but effective, and high-throughput separation CTCs can be readily achieved without complex structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aynur Abdulla
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No. 1954, Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No. 1954, Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Khan Zara Ahmad
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No. 1954, Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Shanhe Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No. 1954, Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Jiatao Lou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No. 241 Huaihai West Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Xianting Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No. 1954, Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
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Keup C, Kimmig R, Kasimir-Bauer S. Liquid Biopsies to Evaluate Immunogenicity of Gynecological/Breast Tumors: On the Way to Blood-Based Biomarkers for Immunotherapies. Breast Care (Basel) 2020; 15:470-480. [PMID: 33223990 PMCID: PMC7650128 DOI: 10.1159/000510509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the assumption of breast cancer (BC) as a cold, non-immunogenic tumor, immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy is favorable for a subgroup of patients. Immunohistochemical assessment of the programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is the only approved companion diagnostic for anti-PD-L1 therapy in metastatic triple-negative BC; however, challenges regarding the standardization of PD-L1 scoring in tumor tissue still remain. Consequently, to select patients most likely to respond to ICI, blood-based biomarkers are urgently needed. SUMMARY AND KEY MESSAGES Liquid biopsy, comprising circulating immune cells, circulating tumor cells and extracellular vesicles, as well as their surface proteins, is of high potential, and these analytes were already shown to be molecular correlates or regulators of the evasion from antitumoral immune reaction. Liquid biopsy, also enabling the evaluation of tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability, and the T-cell receptor repertoire, allows serial sampling for monitoring purposes and reflects intra-tumoral heterogeneity which qualifies as marker for immunogenicity. Only a very few studies have already elucidated the potential of these analytes as biomarkers under ICI therapy. Nonetheless, the topic is of growing interest and has high relevance for the future. However, for clinical implementation, these multifarious analytes first need to pass robust standardization and validation procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sabine Kasimir-Bauer
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
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Liu Y, Du Q, Sun D, Han R, Teng M, Chen S, You H, Dong Y. Clinical applications of circulating tumor DNA in monitoring breast cancer drug resistance. Future Oncol 2020; 16:2863-2878. [PMID: 32976028 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2019-0760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide. Unfortunately, treatments often fail because of the development of drug resistance, the underlying mechanisms of which remain unclear. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is free DNA released into the blood by necrosis, apoptosis or direct secretion by tumor cells. In contrast to repeated, highly invasive tumor biopsies, ctDNA reflects all molecular alterations of tumors dynamically and captures both spatial and temporal tumor heterogeneity. Highly sensitive technologies, including personalized digital PCR and deep sequencing, make it possible to monitor response to therapies, predict drug resistance and tailor treatment regimens by identifying the genomic alteration profile of ctDNA, thereby achieving precision medicine. This review focuses on the current status of ctDNA biology, the technologies used to detect ctDNA and the potential clinical applications of identifying drug resistance mechanisms by detecting tumor-specific genomic alterations in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, PR China
| | - Qian Du
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, PR China
| | - Dan Sun
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, PR China
| | - Ruiying Han
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, PR China
| | - Mengmeng Teng
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, PR China
| | - Siying Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, PR China
| | - Haisheng You
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, PR China
| | - Yalin Dong
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, PR China
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Cellular Mechanisms of Circulating Tumor Cells During Breast Cancer Metastasis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21145040. [PMID: 32708855 PMCID: PMC7404335 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21145040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are cancer cells that detach from the primary site and travel in the blood stream. A higher number of CTCs increases the risk of breast cancer metastasis, and it is inversely associated with the survival rates of patients with breast cancer. Although the numbers of CTCs are generally low and the majority of CTCs die in circulation, the survival of a few CTCs can seed the development of a tumor at a secondary location. An increasing number of studies demonstrate that CTCs undergo modification in response to the dynamic biophysical environment in the blood due in part to fluid shear stress. Fluid shear stress generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), triggers redox-sensitive cell signaling, and alters the function of intracellular organelles. In particular, the mitochondrion is an important target organelle in determining the metastatic phenotype of CTCs. In healthy cells, mitochondria produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) via oxidative phosphorylation in the electron transport chain, and during oxidative phosphorylation, they produce physiological levels of ROS. Mitochondria also govern death mechanisms such as apoptosis and mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening to, in order eliminate unwanted or damaged cells. However, in cancer cells, mitochondria are dysregulated, causing aberrant energy metabolism, redox homeostasis, and cell death pathways that may favor cancer invasiveness. In this review, we discuss the influence of fluid shear stress on CTCs with an emphasis on breast cancer pathology, then discuss alterations of cellular mechanisms that may increase the metastatic potentials of CTCs.
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Papadaki MA, Sotiriou AI, Vasilopoulou C, Filika M, Aggouraki D, Tsoulfas PG, Apostolopoulou CA, Rounis K, Mavroudis D, Agelaki S. Optimization of the Enrichment of Circulating Tumor Cells for Downstream Phenotypic Analysis in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Anti-PD-1 Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061556. [PMID: 32545559 PMCID: PMC7352396 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The current study aimed at the optimization of circulating tumor cell (CTC) enrichment for downstream protein expression analyses in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to serve as a tool for the investigation of immune checkpoints in real time. Different enrichment approaches—ficoll density, erythrolysis, their combination with magnetic separation, ISET, and Parsortix—were compared in spiking experiments using the A549, H1975, and SKMES-1 NSCLC cell lines. The most efficient methods were tested in patients (n = 15) receiving immunotherapy targeting programmed cell death-1 (PD-1). Samples were immunofluorescently stained for a) cytokeratins (CK)/epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)/leukocyte common antigen (CD45), and b) CK/programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1)/ indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). Ficoll, ISET, and Parsortix presented the highest yields and compatibility with phenotypic analysis; however, at the patient level, they provided discordant CTC positivity (13%, 33%, and 60% of patients, respectively) and enriched for distinct CTC populations. IDO and PD-L1 were expressed in 44% and 33% and co-expressed in 19% of CTCs. CTC detection was associated with progressive disease (PD) (p = 0.006), reduced progression-free survival PFS (p = 0.007), and increased risk of relapse (hazard ratio; HR: 10.733; p = 0.026). IDO-positive CTCs were associated with shorter PFS (p = 0.039) and overall survival OS (p = 0.021) and increased risk of death (HR: 5.462; p = 0.039). The current study indicates that CTC analysis according to distinct immune checkpoints is feasible and may provide valuable biomarkers to monitor NSCLC patients treated with anti-PD-1 agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Papadaki
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71110 Heraklion, Vassilika Vouton, Crete, Greece; (M.A.P.); (A.I.S.); (C.V.); (M.F.); (D.A.); (P.G.T.); (C.A.A.); (D.M.)
| | - Afroditi I Sotiriou
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71110 Heraklion, Vassilika Vouton, Crete, Greece; (M.A.P.); (A.I.S.); (C.V.); (M.F.); (D.A.); (P.G.T.); (C.A.A.); (D.M.)
| | - Christina Vasilopoulou
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71110 Heraklion, Vassilika Vouton, Crete, Greece; (M.A.P.); (A.I.S.); (C.V.); (M.F.); (D.A.); (P.G.T.); (C.A.A.); (D.M.)
| | - Maria Filika
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71110 Heraklion, Vassilika Vouton, Crete, Greece; (M.A.P.); (A.I.S.); (C.V.); (M.F.); (D.A.); (P.G.T.); (C.A.A.); (D.M.)
| | - Despoina Aggouraki
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71110 Heraklion, Vassilika Vouton, Crete, Greece; (M.A.P.); (A.I.S.); (C.V.); (M.F.); (D.A.); (P.G.T.); (C.A.A.); (D.M.)
| | - Panormitis G Tsoulfas
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71110 Heraklion, Vassilika Vouton, Crete, Greece; (M.A.P.); (A.I.S.); (C.V.); (M.F.); (D.A.); (P.G.T.); (C.A.A.); (D.M.)
| | - Christina A Apostolopoulou
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71110 Heraklion, Vassilika Vouton, Crete, Greece; (M.A.P.); (A.I.S.); (C.V.); (M.F.); (D.A.); (P.G.T.); (C.A.A.); (D.M.)
| | - Konstantinos Rounis
- Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Vassilika Vouton, Crete, Greece;
| | - Dimitrios Mavroudis
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71110 Heraklion, Vassilika Vouton, Crete, Greece; (M.A.P.); (A.I.S.); (C.V.); (M.F.); (D.A.); (P.G.T.); (C.A.A.); (D.M.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Vassilika Vouton, Crete, Greece;
| | - Sofia Agelaki
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71110 Heraklion, Vassilika Vouton, Crete, Greece; (M.A.P.); (A.I.S.); (C.V.); (M.F.); (D.A.); (P.G.T.); (C.A.A.); (D.M.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Vassilika Vouton, Crete, Greece;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-2810394712
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Serum PD-1/PD-L1 Levels, Tumor Expression and PD-L1 Somatic Mutations in HER2-Positive and Triple Negative Normal-Like Feline Mammary Carcinoma Subtypes. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061386. [PMID: 32481540 PMCID: PMC7352561 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment has gained great relevance due to its ability to regulate distinct checkpoints mediators, orchestrating tumor progression. Serum programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) levels were compared with healthy controls and with serum cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels in order to understand the role of PD-1/PD-L1 axis in cats with mammary carcinoma. PD-1 and PD-L1 expression was evaluated in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and cancer cells, as the presence of somatic mutations. Results showed that serum PD-1 and PD-L1 levels were significantly higher in cats with HER2-positive (p = 0.017; p = 0.032) and triple negative (TN) normal-like mammary carcinomas (p = 0.004; p = 0.015), showing a strong positive correlation between serum CTLA-4 and TNF-α levels. In tumors, PD-L1 expression in cancer cells was significantly higher in HER2-positive samples than in TN normal-like tumors (p = 0.010), as the percentage of PD-L1-positive TILs (p = 0.037). PD-L1 gene sequencing identified two heterozygous mutations in exon 4 (A245T; V252M) and one in exon 5 (T267S). In summary, results support the use of spontaneous feline mammary carcinoma as a model for human breast cancer and suggest that the development of monoclonal antibodies may be a therapeutic strategy.
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