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Sinha S, Farfel A, Luker KE, Parker BA, Yeung KT, Luker GD, Ghosh P. Growth signaling autonomy in circulating tumor cells aids metastatic seeding. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae014. [PMID: 38312224 PMCID: PMC10833458 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Self-sufficiency (autonomy) in growth signaling, the earliest recognized hallmark of cancer, is fueled by the tumor cell's ability to "secrete-and-sense" growth factors (GFs); this translates into cell survival and proliferation that is self-sustained by autocrine/paracrine secretion. A Golgi-localized circuitry comprised of two GTPase switches has recently been implicated in the orchestration of growth signaling autonomy. Using breast cancer cells that are either endowed or impaired (by gene editing) in their ability to assemble the circuitry for growth signaling autonomy, here we define the transcriptome, proteome, and phenome of such an autonomous state, and unravel its role during cancer progression. We show that autonomy is associated with enhanced molecular programs for stemness, proliferation, and epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity. Autonomy is both necessary and sufficient for anchorage-independent GF-restricted proliferation and resistance to anticancer drugs and is required for metastatic progression. Transcriptomic and proteomic studies show that autonomy is associated, with a surprising degree of specificity, with self-sustained epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/ErbB signaling. Derivation of a gene expression signature for autonomy revealed that growth signaling autonomy is uniquely induced in circulating tumor cells (CTCs), the harshest phase in the life of tumor cells when it is deprived of biologically available epidermal growth factor (EGF). We also show that autonomy in CTCs tracks therapeutic response and prognosticates outcome. These data support a role for growth signaling autonomy in multiple processes essential for the blood-borne dissemination of human breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saptarshi Sinha
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Alex Farfel
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA
| | - Kathryn E Luker
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA
| | - Barbara A Parker
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kay T Yeung
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Gary D Luker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA
- Center for Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA
| | - Pradipta Ghosh
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
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2
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Nasr MM, Lynch CC. How circulating tumor cluster biology contributes to the metastatic cascade: from invasion to dissemination and dormancy. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:1133-1146. [PMID: 37442876 PMCID: PMC10713810 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10124-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are known to be prognostic for metastatic relapse and are detected in patients as solitary cells or cell clusters. Circulating tumor cell clusters (CTC clusters) have been observed clinically for decades and are of significantly higher metastatic potential compared to solitary CTCs. Recent studies suggest distinct differences in CTC cluster biology regarding invasion and survival in circulation. However, differences regarding dissemination, dormancy, and reawakening require more investigations compared to solitary CTCs. Here, we review the current state of CTC cluster research and consider their clinical significance. In addition, we discuss the concept of collective invasion by CTC clusters and molecular evidence as to how cluster survival in circulation compares to that of solitary CTCs. Molecular differences between solitary and clustered CTCs during dormancy and reawakening programs will also be discussed. We also highlight future directions to advance our current understanding of CTC cluster biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa M Nasr
- Tumor Biology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
- Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Conor C Lynch
- Tumor Biology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
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3
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Qi C, Xiong XZ. Value of peripheral blood circulating tumor cell detection in the diagnosis of thoracic diseases and the prediction of severity. Clin Exp Med 2023; 23:2331-2339. [PMID: 36929453 PMCID: PMC10543157 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-023-01022-3] [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: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cell (CTC) detection, as a noninvasive liquid biopsy method, has been used in the diagnosis, prognostic indication, and monitoring of a variety of cancers. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether CTC detection could be used in the early diagnosis and prediction of severity of thoracic diseases. We enrolled 168 thoracic disease patients, all of whom underwent pathological biopsy. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) measurement was also performed in 146 patients. There were 131 cases of malignant thoracic diseases and 37 cases of benign lesions. We detected CTCs in a 5 ml peripheral blood sample with the CTCBiopsy® system and analyzed the value of CTC count for predicting disease severity. Of 131 patients with a diagnosis of thoracic malignancy, CTCs were found in blood samples from 122 patients. However, only 2 out of 37 patients with benign thoracic disease had no detectable CTCs. There was no significant correlation between CTC count and benign and malignant lesions (P = 0.986). However, among 131 patients who had been diagnosed with malignant lesions, 33 had lymph node metastasis or distant metastasis. The presence of CTCs was significantly correlated with metastasis (P = 0.016 OR = 1.14). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.625 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.519 to 0.730 P = 0.032). In addition, with stage IA1 as the cutoff, all patients were further divided into an early-stage group and a late-stage group. CTC count was significantly correlated with disease progression (P = 0.031 OR = 1.11), with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.599 (95% CI, 0.506-0.692 P = 0.47). The sensitivity and specificity of CTC detection for the diagnosis of disease stage were 72.3% and 45.5%, respectively. In addition, the cutoff of 2.5 CTCs was the same when predicting disease metastasis and staging. Furthermore, the combination of CTC count, demographic characteristics and tumor markers had better predictive significance for disease staging. CTC count can effectively indicate the stages and metastasis of thoracic diseases, but it cannot differentiate benign and malignant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Qi
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, China
| | - Xian-Zhi Xiong
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, China.
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4
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Yaghoubi Naei V, Bordhan P, Mirakhorli F, Khorrami M, Shrestha J, Nazari H, Kulasinghe A, Ebrahimi Warkiani M. Advances in novel strategies for isolation, characterization, and analysis of CTCs and ctDNA. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2023; 15:17588359231192401. [PMID: 37692363 PMCID: PMC10486235 DOI: 10.1177/17588359231192401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, the detection and analysis of liquid biopsy biomarkers such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) have advanced significantly. They have received recognition for their clinical usefulness in detecting cancer at an early stage, monitoring disease, and evaluating treatment response. The emergence of liquid biopsy has been a helpful development, as it offers a minimally invasive, rapid, real-time monitoring, and possible alternative to traditional tissue biopsies. In resource-limited settings, the ideal platform for liquid biopsy should not only extract more CTCs or ctDNA from a minimal sample volume but also accurately represent the molecular heterogeneity of the patient's disease. This review covers novel strategies and advancements in CTC and ctDNA-based liquid biopsy platforms, including microfluidic applications and comprehensive analysis of molecular complexity. We discuss these systems' operational principles and performance efficiencies, as well as future opportunities and challenges for their implementation in clinical settings. In addition, we emphasize the importance of integrated platforms that incorporate machine learning and artificial intelligence in accurate liquid biopsy detection systems, which can greatly improve cancer management and enable precision diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Yaghoubi Naei
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Pritam Bordhan
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Faculty of Science, Institute for Biomedical Materials & Devices, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
| | - Fatemeh Mirakhorli
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Motahare Khorrami
- Immunology Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Jesus Shrestha
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Hojjatollah Nazari
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Arutha Kulasinghe
- Faculty of Medicine, Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Majid Ebrahimi Warkiani
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, 1, Broadway, Ultimo New South Wales 2007, Australia
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5
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Zhou JS, Liu ZN, Chen YY, Liu YX, Shen H, Hou LJ, Ding Y. New advances in circulating tumor cell‑mediated metastasis of breast cancer (Review). Mol Clin Oncol 2023; 19:71. [PMID: 37614367 PMCID: PMC10442766 DOI: 10.3892/mco.2023.2667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer stands as the most prevalent form of cancer affecting women, with metastasis serving as a leading cause of mortality among patients with breast cancer. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the metastatic mechanism in breast cancer is essential for early detection and precision treatment of the disease. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) play a vital role in this context, representing cancer cells that detach from tumor tissues and enter the bloodstream of cancer patients. These cells travel in the blood circulation as single cells or clusters. Recent research has shed light on the enhanced metastatic potential of CTC clusters compared to single CTCs, despite their limited occurrence. The aim of the present review was to explore recent findings on CTCs with a particular focus on the clustering phenomenon of CTCs observed in breast cancer. Additionally, the present review delved into the comparison between single CTCs and CTC clusters regarding their implications for the treatment and prognosis of patients diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. By examining the role and mechanisms of CTCs in breast cancer metastasis, the present review provided an improved understanding of CTCs and their significance in early detection of breast cancer metastasis through peripheral blood analysis. Moreover, it contributed to the comprehension of cancer prognosis and prediction by highlighting the implications of CTCs in these aspects. Ultimately, the present study seeks to advance knowledge in the field and pave the way for improved approaches to breast cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang-Shan Zhou
- Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
| | - Zi-Ning Liu
- Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Chen
- Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
| | - Yu-Xi Liu
- Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
| | - Hua Shen
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Li-Jun Hou
- Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Pharmacology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
| | - Yi Ding
- Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Pharmacology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
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6
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Fernández-Santiago C, López-López R, Piñeiro R. Models to study CTCs and CTC culture methods. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 381:57-98. [PMID: 37739484 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
The vast majority of cancer-related deaths are due to the presence of disseminated disease. Understanding the metastatic process is key to achieving a reduction in cancer mortality. Particularly, there is a need to understand the molecular mechanisms that drive cancer metastasis, which will allow the identification of curative treatments for metastatic cancers. Liquid biopsies have arisen as a minimally invasive approach to gain insights into the biology of metastasis. Circulating tumour cells (CTCs), shed to the circulation from the primary tumour or metastatic lesions, are a key component of liquid biopsy. As metastatic precursors, CTCs hold the potential to unravel the mechanisms involved in metastasis formation as well as new therapeutic strategies for treating metastatic disease. However, the complex biology of CTCs together with their low frequency in circulation are factors hampering an in-depth mechanistic investigation of the metastatic process. To overcome these problems, CTC-derived models, including CTC-derived xenograft (CDX) and CTC-derived ex vivo cultures, in combination with more traditional in vivo models of metastasis, have emerged as powerful tools to investigate the biological features of CTCs facilitating cancer metastasis and uncover new therapeutic opportunities. In this chapter, we provide an up to date view of the diverse models used in different cancers to study the biology of CTCs, and of the methods developed for CTC culture and expansion, in vivo and ex vivo. We also report some of the main challenges and limitations that these models are facing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristóbal Fernández-Santiago
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Rafael López-López
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain; University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela (CHUS/SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Roberto Piñeiro
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.
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7
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Zhu Z, Hu E, Shen H, Tan J, Zeng S. The functional and clinical roles of liquid biopsy in patient-derived models. J Hematol Oncol 2023; 16:36. [PMID: 37031172 PMCID: PMC10082989 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-023-01433-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The liquid biopsy includes the detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and CTC clusters in blood, as well as the detection of, cell-free DNA (cfDNA)/circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the patient's body fluid. Liquid biopsy has important roles in translational research. But its clinical utility is still under investigation. Newly emerged patient-derived xenograft (PDX) and CTC-derived xenograft (CDX) faithfully recapitulate the genetic and morphological features of the donor patients' tumor and patient-derived organoid (PDO) can mostly mimic tumor growth, tumor microenvironment and its response to drugs. In this review, we describe how the development of these patient-derived models has assisted the studies of CTCs and CTC clusters in terms of tumor biological behavior exploration, genomic analysis, and drug testing, with the help of the latest technology. We then summarize the studies of EVs and cfDNA/ctDNA in PDX and PDO models in early cancer diagnosis, tumor burden monitoring, drug test and response monitoring, and molecular profiling. The challenges faced and future perspectives of research related to liquid biopsy using patient-derived models are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqing Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Radiation Oncology of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Erya Hu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Radiation Oncology of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Shen
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Radiation Oncology of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Tan
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shan Zeng
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Radiation Oncology of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
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8
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Suvilesh KN, Manjunath Y, Pantel K, Kaifi JT. Preclinical models to study patient-derived circulating tumor cells and metastasis. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:355-371. [PMID: 36759267 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) that are detached from the tumor can be precursors of metastasis. The majority of studies focus on enumeration of CTCs from patient blood to predict recurrence and therapy outcomes. Very few studies have managed to expand CTCs to investigate their functional dynamics with respect to genetic changes, tumorigenic potential, and response to drug treatment. A growing amount of evidence based on successful CTC expansion has revealed novel therapeutic targets that are associated with the process of metastasis. In this review, we summarize the successes, challenges, and limitations that collectively contribute to the better understanding of metastasis using patient-derived CTCs as blood-borne seeds of metastasis. The roadblocks and future avenues to move CTC-based scientific discoveries forward are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanve N Suvilesh
- Hugh E. Stephenson Jr., MD, Department of Surgery, Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
| | - Yariswamy Manjunath
- Hugh E. Stephenson Jr., MD, Department of Surgery, Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA; Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Klaus Pantel
- Institute for Tumor Biology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jussuf T Kaifi
- Hugh E. Stephenson Jr., MD, Department of Surgery, Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA; Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA; Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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9
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Hurtado P, Martínez-Pena I, Yepes-Rodríguez S, Bascoy-Otero M, Abuín C, Fernández-Santiago C, Sánchez L, López-López R, Piñeiro R. Modelling metastasis in zebrafish unveils regulatory interactions of cancer-associated fibroblasts with circulating tumour cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1076432. [PMID: 36949770 PMCID: PMC10025339 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1076432] [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: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The dynamic intercommunication between tumour cells and cells from the microenvironment, such as cancer-associated fibroblast (CAFs), is a key factor driving breast cancer (BC) metastasis. Clusters of circulating tumour cells (CTCs), known to bare a higher efficiency at establishing metastases, are found in the blood of BC patients, often accompanied by CAFs in heterotypic CTC-clusters. Previously we have shown the utility of CTC-clusters models and the zebrafish embryo as a model of metastasis to understand the biology of breast cancer CTC-clusters. In this work, we use the zebrafish embryo to study the interactions between CTCs in homotypic clusters and CTC-CAFs in heterotypic CTC-clusters to identify potential pro-metastatic traits derived from CTC-CAF communication. We found that upon dissemination CAFs seem to exert a pro-survival and pro-proliferative effect on the CTCs, but only when CTCs and CAFs remain joined as cell clusters. Our data indicate that the clustering of CTC and CAF allows the establishment of physical interactions that when maintained over time favour the selection of CTCs with a higher capacity to survive and proliferate upon dissemination. Importantly, this effect seems to be dependent on the survival of disseminated CAFs and was not observed in the presence of normal fibroblasts. Moreover, we show that CAFs can exert regulatory effects on the CTCs without being involved in promoting tumour cell invasion. Lastly, we show that the physical communication between BC cells and CAFs leads to the production of soluble factors involved in BC cell survival and proliferation. These findings suggest the existence of a CAF-regulatory effect on CTC survival and proliferation sustained by cell-to-cell contacts and highlight the need to understand the molecular mechanisms that mediate the interaction between the CTCs and CAFs in clusters enhancing the metastatic capacity of CTCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Hurtado
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, Madrid, Spain
| | - Inés Martínez-Pena
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sabrina Yepes-Rodríguez
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Miguel Bascoy-Otero
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Carmen Abuín
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Cristóbal Fernández-Santiago
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Laura Sánchez
- Departamento de Zoología, Genética y Antropología Física, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Rafael López-López
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, Madrid, Spain
- Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela (SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Department of Oncology, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- *Correspondence: Roberto Piñeiro, ; Rafael López-López,
| | - Roberto Piñeiro
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Roberto Piñeiro, ; Rafael López-López,
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10
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Fridrichova I, Kalinkova L, Ciernikova S. Clinical Relevancy of Circulating Tumor Cells in Breast Cancer: Epithelial or Mesenchymal Characteristics, Single Cells or Clusters? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12141. [PMID: 36292996 PMCID: PMC9603393 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is typically an incurable disease with high mortality rates; thus, early identification of metastatic features and disease recurrence through precise biomarkers is crucial. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) consisting of heterogeneous subpopulations with different morphology and genetic, epigenetic, and gene expression profiles represent promising candidate biomarkers for metastatic potential. The experimentally verified role of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cancer dissemination has not been clearly described in BC patients, but the stemness features of CTCs strongly contributes to metastatic potency. Single CTCs have been shown to be protected in the bloodstream against recognition by the immune system through impaired interactions with T lymphocytes and NK cells, while associations of heterotypic CTC clusters with platelets, leucocytes, neutrophils, tumor-associated macrophages, and fibroblasts improve their tumorigenic behavior. In addition to single CTC and CTC cluster characteristics, we reviewed CTC evaluation methods and clinical studies in early and metastatic BCs. The variable CTC tests were developed based on specific principles and strategies. However, CTC count and the presence of CTC clusters were shown to be most clinically relevant in existing clinical trials. Despite the known progress in CTC research and sampling of BC patients, implementation of CTCs and CTC clusters in routine diagnostic and treatment strategies still requires improvement in detection sensitivity and precise molecular characterizations, focused predominantly on the role of CTC clusters for their higher metastatic potency.
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11
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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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12
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Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells facilitate diabetic wound healing through the restoration of epidermal cell autophagy via the HIF-1α/TGF-β1/SMAD pathway. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:314. [PMID: 35841007 PMCID: PMC9284495 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-02996-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The biological activity and regenerative medicine of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have been focal topics in the broad fields of diabetic wound repair. However, the molecular mechanisms are still largely elusive for other cellular processes that are regulated during BMSC treatment. Our previous studies have shown that hypoxia is not only a typical pathological phenomenon of wounds but also exerts a vital regulatory effect on cellular bioactivity. In this study, the beneficial effects of hypoxic BMSCs on the cellular behaviors of epidermal cells and diabetic wound healing were investigated. METHOD The viability and secretion ability of hypoxic BMSCs were detected. The autophagy, proliferation and migration of HaCaT cells cultured with hypoxic BMSCs-derived conditioned medium were assessed by estimating the expression of autophagy-related proteins, MTS, EdU proliferation and scratch assays. And the role of the SMAD signaling pathway during hypoxic BMSC-evoked HaCaT cell autophagy was explored through a series of in vitro gain- and loss-of-function experiments. Finally, the therapeutic effects of hypoxic BMSCs were evaluated using full-thickness cutaneous diabetic wound model. RESULTS First, we demonstrated that hypoxic conditions intensify HIF-1α-mediated TGF-β1 secretion by BMSCs. Then, the further data revealed that BMSC-derived TGF-β1 was responsible for the activation of epidermal cell autophagy, which contributed to the induction of epidermal cell proliferation and migration. Here, the SMAD signaling pathway was identified as downstream of BMSC-derived TGF-β1 to regulate HaCaT cell autophagy. Moreover, the administration of BMSCs to diabetic wounds increased epidermal autophagy and the rate of re-epithelialization, leading to accelerated healing, and these effects were significantly attenuated, accompanied by the downregulation of Smad2 phosphorylation levels due to TGF-β1 interference in BMSCs. CONCLUSION In this report, we present evidence that uncovers a previously unidentified role of hypoxic BMSCs in regulating epidermal cell autophagy. The findings demonstrate that BMSC-based treatment by restoring epidermal cell autophagy could be an attractive therapeutic strategy for diabetic wounds and that the process is mediated by the HIF-1α/TGF-β1/SMAD pathway.
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13
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Souto EP, Dobrolecki LE, Villanueva H, Sikora AG, Lewis MT. In Vivo Modeling of Human Breast Cancer Using Cell Line and Patient-Derived Xenografts. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2022; 27:211-230. [PMID: 35697909 PMCID: PMC9433358 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-022-09520-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Historically, human breast cancer has been modeled largely in vitro using long-established cell lines primarily in two-dimensional culture, but also in three-dimensional cultures of varying cellular and molecular complexities. A subset of cell line models has also been used in vivo as cell line-derived xenografts (CDX). While outstanding for conducting detailed molecular analysis of regulatory mechanisms that may function in vivo, results of drug response studies using long-established cell lines have largely failed to translate clinically. In an attempt to address this shortcoming, many laboratories have succeeded in developing clinically annotated patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of human cancers, including breast, in a variety of host systems. While immunocompromised mice are the predominant host, the immunocompromised rat and pig, zebrafish, as well as the chicken egg chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) have also emerged as potential host platforms to help address perceived shortcomings of immunocompromised mice. With any modeling platform, the two main issues to be resolved are criteria for "credentialing" the models as valid models to represent human cancer, and utility with respect to the ability to generate clinically relevant translational research data. Such data are beginning to emerge, particularly with the activities of PDX consortia such as the NCI PDXNet Program, EuroPDX, and the International Breast Cancer Consortium, as well as a host of pharmaceutical companies and contract research organizations (CRO). This review focuses primarily on these important aspects of PDX-related research, with a focus on breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric P Souto
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Lacey E Dobrolecki
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Hugo Villanueva
- Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Andrew G Sikora
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Michael T Lewis
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, BCM-600; Room N1210, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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14
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Abstract
During cancer progression, metastatic dissemination accounts for ∼90% of death in patients. Metastasis occurs upon dissemination of circulating tumor cells (CTC) through body fluids, in particular the bloodstream, and several key steps remain elusive. Although the majority of CTCs travel as single cells, they can form clusters either with themselves (homoclusters) or with other circulating cells (heteroclusters) and thereby increase their metastatic potential. In addition, cancer cell mechanics and mechanical cues from the microenvironment are important factors during metastatic progression. Recent progress in intravital imaging technologies, biophysical methods, and microfluidic-based isolation of CTCs allow now to probe mechanics at single cell resolution while shedding light on key steps of the hematogenous metastatic cascade. In this review, we discuss the importance of CTC mechanics and their correlation with metastatic success and how such development could lead to the identification of therapeutically relevant targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Peralta
- INSERM UMR_S1109, Tumor Biomechanics, Strasbourg 67000, France.,Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg 67000, France.,Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg 67000, France.,Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer
| | - Naël Osmani
- INSERM UMR_S1109, Tumor Biomechanics, Strasbourg 67000, France.,Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg 67000, France.,Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg 67000, France.,Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer
| | - Jacky G Goetz
- INSERM UMR_S1109, Tumor Biomechanics, Strasbourg 67000, France.,Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg 67000, France.,Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg 67000, France.,Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer
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15
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Khoshbakht S, Azimzadeh Jamalkandi S, Masudi-Nejad A. Involvement of immune system and Epithelial-Mesenchymal-Transition in increased invasiveness of clustered circulatory tumor cells in breast cancer. BMC Med Genomics 2021; 14:273. [PMID: 34801010 PMCID: PMC8605524 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-021-01112-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are the critical initiators of distant metastasis formation. In which, the reciprocal interplay among different metastatic pathways and their metastasis driver genes which promote survival of CTCs is not well introduced using network approaches. Methods Here, to investigate the unknown pathways of single/cluster CTCs, the co-expression network was reconstructed, using WGCNA (Weighted Correlation Network Analysis) method. Having used the hierarchical clustering, we detected the Immune-response and EMT subnetworks. The metastatic potential of genes was assessed and validated through the support vector machine (SVM), neural network, and decision tree methods on two external datasets. To identify the active signaling pathways in CTCs, we reconstructed a casual network. The Log-Rank test and Kaplan–Meier curve were applied to detect prognostic gene signatures for distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS). Finally, a predictive model was developed for metastasis risk of patients using VIF-stepwise feature selection. Results Our results showed the crosstalk among EMT, the immune system, menstrual cycles, and the stemness pathway in CTCs. In which, fluctuation of menstrual cycles is a new detected pathway in breast cancer CTCs. The reciprocal association between immune responses and EMT was identified in CTCs. The SVM model indicated a high metastatic potential of EMT subnetwork (accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity scores were 87%). The DMFS model was identified to predict patients’ metastasis risks. (c-index = 0.7). Finally, novel metastatic biomarkers of KRT18 and KRT19 were detected in breast cancer CTCs. Conclusions In conclusion, the reciprocal interplay among critical unknown pathways in CTCs manifests both their survival in blood and metastatic potentials. Such findings may help to develop more precise predictive metastatic-risk models or detect pivotal metastatic biomarkers. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12920-021-01112-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samane Khoshbakht
- Laboratory of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics (LBB), Department of Bioinformatics, Kish International Campus, University of Tehran, Kish Island, Iran
| | | | - Ali Masudi-Nejad
- Laboratory of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics (LBB), Department of Bioinformatics, Kish International Campus, University of Tehran, Kish Island, Iran. .,Laboratory of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics (LBB), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
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16
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An Updated Comprehensive Review on Vitamin A and Carotenoids in Breast Cancer: Mechanisms, Genetics, Assessment, Current Evidence, and Future Clinical Implications. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13093162. [PMID: 34579037 PMCID: PMC8465379 DOI: 10.3390/nu13093162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitamin A and carotenoids are fat-soluble micronutrients that play important role as powerful antioxidants modulating oxidative stress and cancer development. Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. As the risk of breast cancer is dependent on various lifestyle factors such as dietary modifications, there is increasing interest surrounding the anti-cancerous properties of vitamin A and carotenoids. Despite the suggested protective roles of vitamin A and carotenoids in breast cancer development, their clinical application for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer is limited. In this narrative review, we discuss the roles of vitamin A and carotenoids along with the evaluation method of vitamin A status. We also exhibit the association of genetic variations involved in metabolism of vitamin A and carotenoids with cancers and other diseases. We demonstrate the epidemiological evidence for the relationship of vitamin A and carotenoids with breast cancer risk, their effects on cancer mechanism, and the recent updates in clinical practice of vitamin A or carotenoids as a potential therapeutic agent against breast cancer. This review provides insight into the preventive and therapeutic roles of vitamin A and carotenoids in breast cancer development and progression.
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17
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Schuster E, Taftaf R, Reduzzi C, Albert MK, Romero-Calvo I, Liu H. Better together: circulating tumor cell clustering in metastatic cancer. Trends Cancer 2021; 7:1020-1032. [PMID: 34481763 PMCID: PMC8541931 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2021.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are vital components of liquid biopsies for diagnosis of residual cancer, monitoring of therapy response, and prognosis of recurrence. Scientific dogma focuses on metastasis mediated by single CTCs, but advancement of CTC detection technologies has elucidated multicellular CTC clusters, which are associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes and a 20- to 100-fold greater metastatic potential than single CTCs. While the mechanistic understanding of CTC cluster formation is still in its infancy, multiple cell adhesion molecules and tight junction proteins have been identified that underlie the outperforming attributes of homotypic and heterotypic CTC clusters, such as cell survival, cancer stemness, and immune evasion. Future directions include high-resolution characterization of CTCs at multiomic levels for diagnostic/prognostic evaluations and targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Schuster
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA; Driskill Graduate Program in Life Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Rokana Taftaf
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA; Driskill Graduate Program in Life Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Carolina Reduzzi
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mary K Albert
- Biomedical Visualization Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Isabel Romero-Calvo
- Biomedical Visualization Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Huiping Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA; Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA; Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
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18
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Abdulkareem NM, Bhat R, Qin L, Vasaikar S, Gopinathan A, Mitchell T, Shea MJ, Nanda S, Thangavel H, Zhang B, De Angelis C, Schiff R, Trivedi MV. A novel role of ADGRF1 (GPR110) in promoting cellular quiescence and chemoresistance in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21719. [PMID: 34110646 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100070r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
While G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are known to be excellent drug targets, the second largest family of adhesion-GPCRs is less explored for their role in health and disease. ADGRF1 (GPR110) is an adhesion-GPCR and has an important function in neurodevelopment and cancer. Despite serving as a poor predictor of survival, ADGRF1's coupling to G proteins and downstream pathways remain unknown in cancer. We evaluated the effects of ADGRF1 overexpression on tumorigenesis and signaling pathways using two human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer (BC) cell-line models. We also interrogated publicly available clinical datasets to determine the expression of ADGRF1 in various BC subtypes and its impact on BC-specific survival (BCSS) and overall survival (OS) in patients. ADGRF1 overexpression in HER2+ BC cells increased secondary mammosphere formation, soft agar colony formation, and % of Aldefluor-positive tumorigenic population in vitro and promoted tumor growth in vivo. ADGRF1 co-immunoprecipitated with both Gαs and Gαq proteins and increased cAMP and IP1 when overexpressed. However, inhibition of only the Gαs pathway by SQ22536 reversed the pro-tumorigenic effects of ADGRF1 overexpression. RNA-sequencing and RPPA analysis revealed inhibition of cell cycle pathways with ADGRF1 overexpression, suggesting cellular quiescence, as also evidenced by cell cycle arrest at the G0/1 phase and resistance to chemotherapy in HER2+ BC. ADGRF1 was significantly overexpressed in the HER2-enriched BC compared to luminal A and B subtypes and predicted worse BCSS and OS in these patients. Therefore, ADGRF1 represents a novel drug target in HER2+ BC, warranting discovery of novel ADGRF1 antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noor Mazin Abdulkareem
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Raksha Bhat
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Pharmacy Practice and Translational Research, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lanfang Qin
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Suhas Vasaikar
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ambily Gopinathan
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Translational Research, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Tamika Mitchell
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Martin J Shea
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sarmistha Nanda
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hariprasad Thangavel
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Translational Research, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Bing Zhang
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Carmine De Angelis
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples, Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Rachel Schiff
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Meghana V Trivedi
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Pharmacy Practice and Translational Research, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, TX, USA.,Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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19
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Stulpinas A, Uzusienis T, Imbrasaite A, Krestnikova N, Unguryte A, Kalvelyte AV. Cell-cell and cell-substratum contacts in the regulation of MAPK and Akt signalling: Importance in therapy, biopharmacy and bioproduction. Cell Signal 2021; 84:110034. [PMID: 33933583 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.110034] [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: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The use of cultured cells as a tool for research, precision medicine, biopharmacy, and biomanufacturing is constantly increasing. In parallel, the role of cell-cell and cell-substratum contacts in cell functioning is increasingly validated. Adhesion signalling plays a key role here. The activity of cell fate-regulating signalling molecules is an important factor in determining cell behaviour, as well as their response to treatment, depending on cell phenotypic status and location in the body. Three cellular state models (adherent, single cells in suspension, and aggregated cells) were compared for cell signalling, including focal adhesion (FAK), mitogen-activated (MAPK), as well as Akt protein kinases, and transcription factor cJun, by using lung adenocarcinoma A549, muscle-derived stem Myo, as well as primary lung cancer cell lines. Survival of both A549 and Myo cells was dependent on kinases Akt and ERK in detached conditions. Intercellular contacts in aggregates promoted activation of Akt and ERK, and cell survival. Loss of contacts with the substrate increased phosphorylation of MAP kinases JNK and p38, while decreased Akt phosphorylation by processes involving FAK. Unexpectedly, detachment increased phosphorylation of antiapoptotic kinase ERK in A549, while in Myo stem cells ERK phosphorylation was downregulated. JNK target transcription factor cJun protein level was markedly diminished by contacts between cells possibly involving mechanism of proteasomal degradation. Furthermore, studies revealed the opposite dependence of molecules of the same signalling pathway - phospho-cJun and phospho-JNK - on cell culture density. Differences in ERK activation under detachment conditions indicate that targeting of prosurvival kinases during anoikis should be different in different cells. Moreover, the outcome of JNK activation in cells may depend on the amount of cJun, which is determined by cell-cell contacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurimas Stulpinas
- Dept. of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Centre, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio al. 7, LT-10257, Lithuania
| | - Tomas Uzusienis
- Dept. of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Centre, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio al. 7, LT-10257, Lithuania
| | - Ausra Imbrasaite
- Dept. of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Centre, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio al. 7, LT-10257, Lithuania
| | - Natalija Krestnikova
- Dept. of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Centre, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio al. 7, LT-10257, Lithuania
| | - Ausra Unguryte
- Centre for Innovative Medicine, Santariškių g. 5, LT-08406, Lithuania
| | - Audrone V Kalvelyte
- Dept. of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Centre, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio al. 7, LT-10257, Lithuania.
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20
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Yu T, Wang C, Xie M, Zhu C, Shu Y, Tang J, Guan X. Heterogeneity of CTC contributes to the organotropism of breast cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 137:111314. [PMID: 33581649 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are viewed as pro-metastasis precursors shed from primary tumors or metastatic sites. The phenotypic and molecular heterogeneity of CTCs is associated with breast cancer progression and prognosis. Therefore, we divided CTCs into several subtypes according to their differences in biomarker status, epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype, aggregation status, and other factors to summarize their characteristics. Considering that the organ-specific metastasis is a hallmark of breast cancer, we adopted the "seed and soil" model to further analyze the relationship between the heterogeneity of CTCs and the organotropism of breast cancer. We speculated that CTCs might not only develop their genetic potential but communicate with surroundings, including chemokine systems, hemocytes, and extracellular matrix components, to regulate the organ-specific metastases of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Yu
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Cenzhu Wang
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengyan Xie
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengjun Zhu
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongqian Shu
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinhai Tang
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaoxiang Guan
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.
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21
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Chakraborty P, George JT, Woodward WA, Levine H, Jolly MK. Gene expression profiles of inflammatory breast cancer reveal high heterogeneity across the epithelial-hybrid-mesenchymal spectrum. Transl Oncol 2021; 14:101026. [PMID: 33535154 PMCID: PMC7851345 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101026] [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: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
No unique genome signature or molecular therapy exists for inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), a highly aggressive breast cancer with a 5-year survival rate of less than 30%. We show that various gene lists proposed as molecular footprints of IBC have no overlap and thus very limited predictive accuracy in identifying IBC samples. We observed that single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) of IBC samples along the epithelial-hybrid-mesenchymal spectrum can help IBC identification. IBC samples robustly displayed a higher coefficient of variation in terms of EMT scores, as compared to non-IBC samples. Higher heterogeneity along the epithelial-hybrid-mesenchymal spectrum can be regarded to be a hallmark of IBC and a possibly useful biomarker.
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a highly aggressive breast cancer that metastasizes largely via tumor emboli, and has a 5-year survival rate of less than 30%. No unique genomic signature has yet been identified for IBC nor has any specific molecular therapeutic been developed to manage the disease. Thus, identifying gene expression signatures specific to IBC remains crucial. Here, we compare various gene lists that have been proposed as molecular footprints of IBC using different clinical samples as training and validation sets and using independent training algorithms, and determine their accuracy in identifying IBC samples in three independent datasets. We show that these gene lists have little to no mutual overlap, and have limited predictive accuracy in identifying IBC samples. Despite this inconsistency, single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) of IBC samples correlate with their position on the epithelial-hybrid-mesenchymal spectrum. This positioning, together with ssGSEA scores, improves the accuracy of IBC identification across the three independent datasets. Finally, we observed that IBC samples robustly displayed a higher coefficient of variation in terms of EMT scores, as compared to non-IBC samples. Pending verification that this patient-to-patient variability extends to intratumor heterogeneity within a single patient, these results suggest that higher heterogeneity along the epithelial-hybrid-mesenchymal spectrum can be regarded to be a hallmark of IBC and a possibly useful biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Chakraborty
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Jason T George
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Wendy A Woodward
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA; MD Anderson Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Departments of Physics and Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
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22
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Bonnet J, Rigal L, Mondesert O, Morin R, Corsaut G, Vigneau M, Ducommun B, Lobjois V. Mitotic arrest affects clustering of tumor cells. Cell Div 2021; 16:2. [PMID: 33514388 PMCID: PMC7847029 DOI: 10.1186/s13008-021-00070-z] [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: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer cell aggregation is a key process involved in the formation of tumor cell clusters. It has recently been shown that clusters of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have an increased metastatic potential compared to isolated circulating tumor cells. Several widely used chemotherapeutic agents that target the cytoskeleton microtubules and cause cell cycle arrest at mitosis have been reported to modulate CTC number or the size of CTC clusters. Results In this study, we investigated in vitro the impact of mitotic arrest on the ability of breast tumor cells to form clusters. By using live imaging and quantitative image analysis, we found that MCF-7 cancer cell aggregation is compromised upon incubation with paclitaxel or vinorelbine, two chemotherapeutic drugs that target microtubules. In line with these results, we observed that MCF-7 breast cancer cells experimentally synchronized and blocked in metaphase aggregated poorly and formed loose clusters. To monitor clustering at the single-cell scale, we next developed and validated an in vitro assay based on live video-microscopy and custom-designed micro-devices. The study of cluster formation from MCF-7 cells that express the fluorescent marker LifeAct-mCherry using this new assay allowed showing that substrate anchorage-independent clustering of MCF-7 cells was associated with the formation of actin-dependent highly dynamic cell protrusions. Metaphase-synchronized and blocked cells did not display such protrusions, and formed very loose clusters that failed to compact. Conclusions Altogether, our results suggest that mitotic arrest induced by microtubule-targeting anticancer drugs prevents cancer cell clustering and therefore, could reduce the metastatic potential of circulating tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Bonnet
- Université de Toulouse, ITAV, CNRS, ITAV-USR3505, 1 Place Pierre Potier, Toulouse Cedex 1, 31106, France
| | - Lise Rigal
- Université de Toulouse, ITAV, CNRS, ITAV-USR3505, 1 Place Pierre Potier, Toulouse Cedex 1, 31106, France
| | - Odile Mondesert
- Université de Toulouse, ITAV, CNRS, ITAV-USR3505, 1 Place Pierre Potier, Toulouse Cedex 1, 31106, France
| | | | - Gaëlle Corsaut
- Université de Toulouse, ITAV, CNRS, ITAV-USR3505, 1 Place Pierre Potier, Toulouse Cedex 1, 31106, France
| | - Mathieu Vigneau
- Université de Toulouse, ITAV, CNRS, ITAV-USR3505, 1 Place Pierre Potier, Toulouse Cedex 1, 31106, France
| | - Bernard Ducommun
- Université de Toulouse, ITAV, CNRS, ITAV-USR3505, 1 Place Pierre Potier, Toulouse Cedex 1, 31106, France.,CHU de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Valérie Lobjois
- Université de Toulouse, ITAV, CNRS, ITAV-USR3505, 1 Place Pierre Potier, Toulouse Cedex 1, 31106, France.
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23
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Saxena K, Jolly MK, Balamurugan K. Hypoxia, partial EMT and collective migration: Emerging culprits in metastasis. Transl Oncol 2020; 13:100845. [PMID: 32781367 PMCID: PMC7419667 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2020.100845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular biological process involved in migration of primary cancer cells to secondary sites facilitating metastasis. Besides, EMT also confers properties such as stemness, drug resistance and immune evasion which can aid a successful colonization at the distant site. EMT is not a binary process; recent evidence suggests that cells in partial EMT or hybrid E/M phenotype(s) can have enhanced stemness and drug resistance as compared to those undergoing a complete EMT. Moreover, partial EMT enables collective migration of cells as clusters of circulating tumor cells or emboli, further endorsing that cells in hybrid E/M phenotypes may be the 'fittest' for metastasis. Here, we review mechanisms and implications of hybrid E/M phenotypes, including their reported association with hypoxia. Hypoxia-driven activation of HIF-1α can drive EMT. In addition, cyclic hypoxia, as compared to acute or chronic hypoxia, shows the highest levels of active HIF-1α and can augment cancer aggressiveness to a greater extent, including enriching for a partial EMT phenotype. We also discuss how metastasis is influenced by hypoxia, partial EMT and collective cell migration, and call for a better understanding of interconnections among these mechanisms. We discuss the known regulators of hypoxia, hybrid EMT and collective cell migration and highlight the gaps which needs to be filled for connecting these three axes which will increase our understanding of dynamics of metastasis and help control it more effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kritika Saxena
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
| | - Kuppusamy Balamurugan
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
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24
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Hurtado P, Martínez-Pena I, Piñeiro R. Dangerous Liaisons: Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) and Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs). Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2861. [PMID: 33027902 PMCID: PMC7599894 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The crosstalk between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a key determinant of cancer metastasis. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), one of the main cellular components of TME, promote cancer cell invasion and dissemination through mechanisms including cell-cell interactions and the paracrine secretion of growth factors, cytokines and chemokines. During metastasis, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are shed from the primary tumor to the bloodstream, where they can be detected as single cells or clusters. The current knowledge about the biology of CTC clusters positions them as key actors in metastasis formation. It also indicates that CTCs do not act alone and that they may be aided by stromal and immune cells, which seem to shape their metastatic potential. Among these cells, CAFs are found associated with CTCs in heterotypic CTC clusters, and their presence seems to increase their metastatic efficiency. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the role that CAFs play on metastasis and we discuss their implication on the biogenesis, metastasis-initiating capacity of CTC clusters, and clinical implications. Moreover, we speculate about possible therapeutic strategies aimed to limit the metastatic potential of CTC clusters involving the targeting of CAFs as well as their difficulties and limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Hurtado
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group, Oncomet, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Travesía da Choupana s/n, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (P.H.); (I.M.-P.)
| | - Inés Martínez-Pena
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group, Oncomet, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Travesía da Choupana s/n, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (P.H.); (I.M.-P.)
| | - Roberto Piñeiro
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group, Oncomet, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Travesía da Choupana s/n, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (P.H.); (I.M.-P.)
- CIBERONC, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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25
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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: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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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26
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Cocco S, Piezzo M, Calabrese A, Cianniello D, Caputo R, Di Lauro V, Fusco G, di Gioia G, Licenziato M, de Laurentiis M. Biomarkers in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: State-of-the-Art and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4579. [PMID: 32605126 PMCID: PMC7369987 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21134579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous group of tumors characterized by aggressive behavior, high risk of distant recurrence, and poor survival. Chemotherapy is still the main therapeutic approach for this subgroup of patients, therefore, progress in the treatment of TNBC remains an important challenge. Data derived from molecular technologies have identified TNBCs with different gene expression and mutation profiles that may help developing targeted therapies. So far, however, only a few of these have shown to improve the prognosis and outcomes of TNBC patients. Robust predictive biomarkers to accelerate clinical progress are needed. Herein, we review prognostic and predictive biomarkers in TNBC, discuss the current evidence supporting their use, and look at the future of this research field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Michelino de Laurentiis
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, Via Mariano Semmola, 53, 80131 Napoli NA, Italy; (S.C.); (M.P.); (A.C.); (D.C.); (R.C.); (V.D.L.); (G.F.); (G.d.G.); (M.L.)
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27
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Cho SY. Patient-derived xenografts as compatible models for precision oncology. Lab Anim Res 2020; 36:14. [PMID: 32461927 PMCID: PMC7238616 DOI: 10.1186/s42826-020-00045-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a very heterogeneous disease, displaying heterogeneity between patients (inter-tumoral heterogeneity) and heterogeneity within a patient (intra-tumoral heterogeneity). Precision oncology is a diagnostic and therapeutic approach for cancers based on the stratification of patients using genomic and molecular profiling of tumors. To develop diagnostic and therapeutic tools for the application of precision oncology, appropriate preclinical mouse models that reflect tumor heterogeneity are required. Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models are generated by the engraftment of patient tumors into immunodeficient mice that retain several aspects of the patient’s tumor characteristics, including inter-tumoral heterogeneity and intra-tumoral heterogeneity. Therefore, PDX models can be applied in various developmental steps of cancer diagnostics and therapeutics, such as biomarker development, companion diagnostics, drug efficacy testing, overcoming drug resistance, and co-clinical trials. This review summarizes the diverse aspects of PDX models, addressing the factors considered for PDX generation, application of PDX models for cancer research, and future directions of PDX models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Yup Cho
- 1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080 South Korea.,2Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,3Medical Research Center, Genomic Medicine Institute (GMI), Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
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28
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Amintas S, Bedel A, Moreau-Gaudry F, Boutin J, Buscail L, Merlio JP, Vendrely V, Dabernat S, Buscail E. Circulating Tumor Cell Clusters: United We Stand Divided We Fall. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E2653. [PMID: 32290245 PMCID: PMC7177734 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21072653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and CTC clusters, also known as tumor microemboli, in biological fluids has long been described. Intensive research on single CTCs has made a significant contribution in understanding tumor invasion, metastasis tropism, and intra-tumor heterogeneity. Moreover, their being minimally invasive biomarkers has positioned them for diagnosis, prognosis, and recurrence monitoring tools. Initially, CTC clusters were out of focus, but major recent advances in the knowledge of their biogenesis and dissemination reposition them as critical actors in the pathophysiology of cancer, especially metastasis. Increasing evidence suggests that "united" CTCs, organized in clusters, resist better and carry stronger metastatic capacities than "divided" single CTCs. This review gathers recent insight on CTC cluster origin and dissemination. We will focus on their distinct molecular package necessary to resist multiple cell deaths that all circulating cells normally face. We will describe the molecular basis of their increased metastatic potential as compared to single CTCs. We will consider their clinical relevance as prognostic biomarkers. Finally, we will propose future directions for research and clinical applications in this promising topic in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Amintas
- INSERM U1035, Université de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France; (S.A.); (A.B.); (F.M.-G.); (J.B.); (J.-P.M.); (V.V.)
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Aurélie Bedel
- INSERM U1035, Université de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France; (S.A.); (A.B.); (F.M.-G.); (J.B.); (J.-P.M.); (V.V.)
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - François Moreau-Gaudry
- INSERM U1035, Université de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France; (S.A.); (A.B.); (F.M.-G.); (J.B.); (J.-P.M.); (V.V.)
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Julian Boutin
- INSERM U1035, Université de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France; (S.A.); (A.B.); (F.M.-G.); (J.B.); (J.-P.M.); (V.V.)
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Louis Buscail
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Toulouse, 31000 Toulouse, France; (L.B.); (E.B.)
- INSERM UMR 1037, Toulouse Centre for Cancer Research, University of Toulouse III, 31000 Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-Philippe Merlio
- INSERM U1035, Université de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France; (S.A.); (A.B.); (F.M.-G.); (J.B.); (J.-P.M.); (V.V.)
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Véronique Vendrely
- INSERM U1035, Université de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France; (S.A.); (A.B.); (F.M.-G.); (J.B.); (J.-P.M.); (V.V.)
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Sandrine Dabernat
- INSERM U1035, Université de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France; (S.A.); (A.B.); (F.M.-G.); (J.B.); (J.-P.M.); (V.V.)
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Etienne Buscail
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Toulouse, 31000 Toulouse, France; (L.B.); (E.B.)
- INSERM UMR-1220, IRSD University of Toulouse III, 31000 Toulouse, France
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Heterogeneity of Circulating Tumor Cells in Breast Cancer: Identifying Metastatic Seeds. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21051696. [PMID: 32121639 PMCID: PMC7084665 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21051696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis being the main cause of breast cancer (BC) mortality represents the complex and multistage process. The entrance of tumor cells into the blood vessels and the appearance of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) seeding and colonizing distant tissues and organs are one of the key stages in the metastatic cascade. Like the primary tumor, CTCs are extremely heterogeneous and presented by clusters and individual cells which consist of phenotypically and genetically distinct subpopulations. However, among this diversity, only a small number of CTCs is able to survive in the bloodstream and to form metastases. The identification of the metastasis-initiating CTCs is believed to be a critical issue in developing therapeutic strategies against metastatic disease. In this review, we summarize the available literature addressing morphological, phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity of CTCs and the molecular makeup of specific subpopulations associated with BC metastasis. Special attention is paid to the need for in vitro and in vivo studies to confirm the tumorigenic and metastatic potential of metastasis-associating CTCs. Finally, we consider treatment approaches that could be effective to eradicate metastatic CTCs and to prevent metastasis.
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30
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Invrea F, Rovito R, Torchiaro E, Petti C, Isella C, Medico E. Patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) as model systems for human cancer. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2020; 63:151-156. [PMID: 32070860 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2020.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) are obtained by transplanting fragments of a patient's tumour into immunodeficient mice. Growth and propagation of PDXs allows correlating therapeutic response in vivo with extensive, multi-dimensional molecular annotation, leading to identification of predictive biomarkers. PDXs are increasingly recognised as clinically relevant models of cancer for several reasons, of which the main is the possibility of studying the behaviour of cancer cells in a natural microenvironment, where they interact with stromal components accrued from the mouse host. PDXs maintain close similarities with the tumour of origin, in terms of tissue architecture, molecular features and response to treatments. Indeed, preclinical trials in PDXs have been shown to match and also anticipate data obtained in patients. Exploration of more complex processes like metastatic evolution and antitumour immune responses is actively pursued with PDXs, as new generations of host models emerge on the horizon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Invrea
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, strada Prov. 142, km 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Roberta Rovito
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, strada Prov. 142, km 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Erica Torchiaro
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, strada Prov. 142, km 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Consalvo Petti
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, strada Prov. 142, km 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Claudio Isella
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, strada Prov. 142, km 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy; University of Torino, Department of Oncology, strada Prov. 142, km 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Enzo Medico
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, strada Prov. 142, km 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy; University of Torino, Department of Oncology, strada Prov. 142, km 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy.
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31
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Zheng J, Ye X, Liu Y, Zhao Y, He M, Xiao H. The combination of CTCs and CEA can help guide the management of patients with SPNs suspected of being lung cancer. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:106. [PMID: 32041568 PMCID: PMC7011271 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-6524-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) is a common radiographic finding and require further evaluation because of the possibility of lung cancer. This study aimed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) as a marker for the diagnosis of SPNs and the integration of CTCs, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and imaging findings to improve the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis in patients with SPNs suspected of being lung cancer. Method For the serum biomarker assay, the concentration of CEA was measured by an automated electrochemiluminescence analyzer. CTCs were collected from 6 ml of blood by the SE i-FISH method, which detects the gene copy number in eight chromosomes and the tumour-associated antigen CK18. Results With a threshold of 6 CTC units, the method showed a sensitivity of 67.1% and a specificity of 56.5% in the diagnosis of NSCLC, especially in the upper lobe, in which the diagnostic strength was the highest (P < 0.01). CTCs, CEA and nodule type had the highest diagnostic efficacy (area under the curve, 0.827; 95% confidence interval, 0.752–0.901) in patients with SPNs being suspected lung cancer. Combining CTCs (cut-off value 12 units) with CEA (1.78 ng/ml), the method showed a sensitivity of 77.8% and a specificity of 90% in the diagnosis of NSCLC, especially in the upper lobe, subsolid nodules and nodules ≥8 mm. Conclusions Our results demonstrated that CTCs are feasible diagnostic biomarkers in patients with SPNs, especially in the upper lobe. Furthermore, CTCs combined with CEA showed higher diagnostic efficacy in the upper lobe, subsolid nodules and nodules ≥8 mm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zheng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiong Ye
- College of Clinical Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Science, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanan Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuxia Zhao
- College of Clinical Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Science, Shanghai, China
| | - Mudan He
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai First Hospital of Baoshan Branch, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Xiao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 85Wujin Road, Shanghai, 200080, China.
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Lee NJ, Maeng S, Kim HU, Roh YH, Hwang C, Kim J, Hwang KT, Bong KW. Affinity-Enhanced CTC-Capturing Hydrogel Microparticles Fabricated by Degassed Mold Lithography. J Clin Med 2020; 9:E301. [PMID: 31973077 PMCID: PMC7073783 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9020301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Technologies for the detection and isolation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are essential in liquid biopsy, a minimally invasive technique for early diagnosis and medical intervention in cancer patients. A promising method for CTC capture, using an affinity-based approach, is the use of functionalized hydrogel microparticles (MP), which have the advantages of water-like reactivity, biologically compatible materials, and synergy with various analysis platforms. In this paper, we demonstrate the feasibility of CTC capture by hydrogel particles synthesized using a novel method called degassed mold lithography (DML). This technique increases the porosity and functionality of the MPs for effective conjugation with antibodies. Qualitative fluorescence analysis demonstrates that DML produces superior uniformity, integrity, and functionality of the MPs, as compared to conventional stop flow lithography (SFL). Analysis of the fluorescence intensity from porosity-controlled MPs by each reaction step of antibody conjugation elucidates that more antibodies are loaded when the particles are more porous. The feasibility of selective cell capture is demonstrated using breast cancer cell lines. In conclusion, using DML for the synthesis of porous MPs offers a powerful method for improving the cell affinity of the antibody-conjugated MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nak Jun Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; (N.J.L.); (H.U.K.); (Y.H.R.); (C.H.)
| | - Sejung Maeng
- Department of Surgery, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul 07061, Korea; (S.M.); (J.K.)
| | - Hyeon Ung Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; (N.J.L.); (H.U.K.); (Y.H.R.); (C.H.)
| | - Yoon Ho Roh
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; (N.J.L.); (H.U.K.); (Y.H.R.); (C.H.)
| | - Changhyun Hwang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; (N.J.L.); (H.U.K.); (Y.H.R.); (C.H.)
| | - Jongjin Kim
- Department of Surgery, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul 07061, Korea; (S.M.); (J.K.)
| | - Ki-Tae Hwang
- Department of Surgery, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul 07061, Korea; (S.M.); (J.K.)
| | - Ki Wan Bong
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; (N.J.L.); (H.U.K.); (Y.H.R.); (C.H.)
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