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Beyond Genetics: Metastasis as an Adaptive Response in Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116271. [PMID: 35682953 PMCID: PMC9181003 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic disease represents the primary cause of breast cancer (BC) mortality, yet it is still one of the most enigmatic processes in the biology of this tumor. Metastatic progression includes distinct phases: invasion, intravasation, hematogenous dissemination, extravasation and seeding at distant sites, micro-metastasis formation and metastatic outgrowth. Whole-genome sequencing analyses of primary BC and metastases revealed that BC metastatization is a non-genetically selected trait, rather the result of transcriptional and metabolic adaptation to the unfavorable microenvironmental conditions which cancer cells are exposed to (e.g., hypoxia, low nutrients, endoplasmic reticulum stress and chemotherapy administration). In this regard, the latest multi-omics analyses unveiled intra-tumor phenotypic heterogeneity, which determines the polyclonal nature of breast tumors and constitutes a challenge for clinicians, correlating with patient poor prognosis. The present work reviews BC classification and epidemiology, focusing on the impact of metastatic disease on patient prognosis and survival, while describing general principles and current in vitro/in vivo models of the BC metastatic cascade. The authors address here both genetic and phenotypic intrinsic heterogeneity of breast tumors, reporting the latest studies that support the role of the latter in metastatic spreading. Finally, the review illustrates the mechanisms underlying adaptive stress responses during BC metastatic progression.
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Shin SU, Cho HM, Das R, Gil-Henn H, Ramakrishnan S, Al Bayati A, Carroll SF, Zhang Y, Sankar AP, Elledge C, Pimentel A, Blonska M, Rosenblatt JD. Inhibition of Vasculogenic Mimicry and Angiogenesis by an Anti-EGFR IgG1-Human Endostatin-P125A Fusion Protein Reduces Triple Negative Breast Cancer Metastases. Cells 2021; 10:cells10112904. [PMID: 34831127 PMCID: PMC8616280 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer subtype with limited therapeutic options. Metastasis is the major cause of TNBC mortality. Angiogenesis facilitates TNBC metastases. Many TNBCs also form vascular channels lined by tumor cells rather than endothelial cells, known as ‘vasculogenic mimicry’ (VM). VM has been linked to metastatic TNBC behavior and resistance to anti-angiogenic agents. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is frequently expressed on TNBC, but anti-EGFR antibodies have limited efficacy. We synthesized an anti-EGFR antibody–endostatin fusion protein, αEGFR IgG1-huEndo-P125A (αEGFR-E-P125A), designed to deliver a mutant endostatin, huEndo-P125A (E-P125A), to EGFR expressing tumors, and tested its effects on angiogenesis, TNBC VM, and motility in vitro, and on the growth and metastasis of two independent human TNBC xenograft models in vivo. αEGFR-E-P125A completely inhibited the ability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells to form capillary-like structures (CLS) and of TNBC cells to engage in VM and form tubes in vitro. αEGFR-E-P125A treatment reduced endothelial and TNBC motility in vitro more effectively than E-P125A or cetuximab, delivered alone or in combination. Treatment of TNBC with αEGFR-E-P125A was associated with a reduction in cytoplasmic and nuclear β-catenin and reduced phosphorylation of vimentin. αEGFR-E-P125A treatment of TNBC xenografts in vivo inhibited angiogenesis and VM, reduced primary tumor growth and lung metastasis of orthotopically implanted MDA-MB-468 TNBC cells, and markedly decreased lung metastases following intravenous injection of MDA-MB-231-4175 lung-tropic TNBC cells. Combined inhibition of angiogenesis, VM, and TNBC motility mediated by αEGFR-E-P125A is a promising strategy for the prevention of TNBC metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Uon Shin
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (UMMSOM), Miami, FL 33136, USA; (S.-U.S.); (H.-M.C.); (A.A.B.); (Y.Z.); (M.B.)
| | - Hyun-Mi Cho
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (UMMSOM), Miami, FL 33136, USA; (S.-U.S.); (H.-M.C.); (A.A.B.); (Y.Z.); (M.B.)
| | - Rathin Das
- Synergys Biotherapeutics Inc., Alamo, CA 94507, USA; (R.D.); (S.F.C.)
| | - Hava Gil-Henn
- The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed 1311502, Israel;
| | - Sundaram Ramakrishnan
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (UMMSOM), Miami, FL 33136, USA;
| | - Ahmed Al Bayati
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (UMMSOM), Miami, FL 33136, USA; (S.-U.S.); (H.-M.C.); (A.A.B.); (Y.Z.); (M.B.)
- Kentucky Clinic, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | | | - Yu Zhang
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (UMMSOM), Miami, FL 33136, USA; (S.-U.S.); (H.-M.C.); (A.A.B.); (Y.Z.); (M.B.)
| | - Ankita P. Sankar
- Sheila and David Fuente Graduate Program in Cancer Biology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (UMMSOM), Miami, FL 33136, USA; (A.P.S.); (C.E.)
| | - Christian Elledge
- Sheila and David Fuente Graduate Program in Cancer Biology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (UMMSOM), Miami, FL 33136, USA; (A.P.S.); (C.E.)
| | - Augustin Pimentel
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (UMMSOM), Miami, FL 33136, USA;
| | - Marzenna Blonska
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (UMMSOM), Miami, FL 33136, USA; (S.-U.S.); (H.-M.C.); (A.A.B.); (Y.Z.); (M.B.)
| | - Joseph D. Rosenblatt
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (UMMSOM), Miami, FL 33136, USA; (S.-U.S.); (H.-M.C.); (A.A.B.); (Y.Z.); (M.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-305-243-4618; Fax: +1-305-243-9161
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He X, You J, Ding H, Zhang Z, Cui L, Shen X, Bian X, Liu Y, Chen J. Vasculogenic mimicry, a negative indicator for progression free survival of lung adenocarcinoma irrespective of first line treatment and epithelial growth factor receptor mutation status. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:132. [PMID: 33549061 PMCID: PMC7866877 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-07863-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Vascular mimicry (VM) was associated with the prognosis of cancers. The aim of the study was to explore the association between VM and anticancer therapy response in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Methods This was a single-center retrospective study of patients with lung adenocarcinoma between March 1st, 2013, to April 1st, 2019, at the Second People’s Hospital of Taizhou City. All included patients were divided into the VM and no-VM groups according to whether VM was observed or not in the specimen. Vessels with positive PAS and negative CD34 staining were confirmed as VM. The main outcome was progression-free survival (PFS). Results Sixty-six (50.4%) patients were male. Eighty-one patients received chemotherapy as the first-line treatment, and 50 patients received TKIs. Forty-five (34.4%) patients were confirmed with VM. There was no difference regarding the first-line treatment between the VM and no-VM groups (P = 0.285). The 86 patients without VM had a median PFS of 279 (range, 90–1095) days, and 45 patients with VM had a median PFS of 167 (range, 90–369) days (P < 0.001). T stage (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.37, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10–1.71), N stage (HR = 1.43, 95%CI: 1.09–1.86), M stage (HR = 2.85, 95%CI: 1.76–4.61), differentiation (HR = 1.85, 95%CI: 1.29–2.65), therapy (HR = 0.32, 95%CI: 0.21–0.49), VM (HR = 2.12, 95%CI: 1.33–3.37), and ECOG (HR = 1.41, 95%CI: 1.09–1.84) were independently associated with PFS. Conclusion The benefits of first-line TKIs for NSCLC with EGFR mutation are possibly better than those of platinum-based regimens in patients without VM, but there is no difference in the benefit of chemotherapy or target therapy for VM-positive NSCLC harboring EGFR mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejun He
- Oncology Department, the Second People's Hospital of Taizhou affiliated to Medical College of Yangzhou University, No. 27, Jiangyan District, Taizhou, 225500, China
| | - Jijun You
- Orthopaedic Department, the Second People's Hospital of Taizhou Affiliated to Medical College of Yangzhou University, Taizhou, China
| | - Haibing Ding
- Orthopaedic Department, the Second People's Hospital of Taizhou Affiliated to Medical College of Yangzhou University, Taizhou, China
| | - Zhisheng Zhang
- Oncology Department, the Second People's Hospital of Taizhou affiliated to Medical College of Yangzhou University, No. 27, Jiangyan District, Taizhou, 225500, China
| | - Lin Cui
- Oncology Department, the Second People's Hospital of Taizhou affiliated to Medical College of Yangzhou University, No. 27, Jiangyan District, Taizhou, 225500, China
| | - Xiaomei Shen
- Oncology Department, the Second People's Hospital of Taizhou affiliated to Medical College of Yangzhou University, No. 27, Jiangyan District, Taizhou, 225500, China
| | - Xiaoxia Bian
- Oncology Department, the Second People's Hospital of Taizhou affiliated to Medical College of Yangzhou University, No. 27, Jiangyan District, Taizhou, 225500, China
| | - Yanqing Liu
- Institute of Medicine, Yangzhou University, No. 88, South Daxue Road, Yangzhou, 225001, China
| | - Jue Chen
- Oncology Department, the Second People's Hospital of Taizhou affiliated to Medical College of Yangzhou University, No. 27, Jiangyan District, Taizhou, 225500, China. .,Institute of Medicine, Yangzhou University, No. 88, South Daxue Road, Yangzhou, 225001, China. .,Respiratory Department, the Second People's Hospital of Taizhou Affiliated to Medical College of Yangzhou University, Taizhou, China.
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Sarnella A, D’Avino G, Hill BS, Alterio V, Winum JY, Supuran CT, De Simone G, Zannetti A. A Novel Inhibitor of Carbonic Anhydrases Prevents Hypoxia-Induced TNBC Cell Plasticity. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218405. [PMID: 33182416 PMCID: PMC7664880 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell plasticity is the ability that cells have to modify their phenotype, adapting to the environment. Cancer progression is under the strict control of the the tumor microenvironment that strongly determines its success by regulating the behavioral changes of tumor cells. The cross-talk between cancer and stromal cells and the interactions with the extracellular matrix, hypoxia and acidosis contribute to trigger a new tumor cell identity and to enhance tumor heterogeneity and metastatic spread. In highly aggressive triple-negative breast cancer, tumor cells show a significant capability to change their phenotype under the pressure of the hypoxic microenvironment. In this study, we investigated whether targeting the hypoxia-induced protein carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) could reduce triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell phenotypic switching involved in processes associated with poor prognosis such as vascular mimicry (VM) and cancer stem cells (CSCs). The treatment of two TNBC cell lines (BT-549 and MDA-MB-231) with a specific CA IX siRNA or with a novel inhibitor of carbonic anhydrases (RC44) severely impaired their ability to form a vascular-like network and mammospheres and reduced their metastatic potential. In addition, the RC44 inhibitor was able to hamper the signal pathways involved in triggering VM and CSC formation. These results demonstrate that targeting hypoxia-induced cell plasticity through CA IX inhibition could be a new opportunity to selectively reduce VM and CSCs, thus improving the efficiency of existing therapies in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annachiara Sarnella
- CNR Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, 80122 Napoli, Italy; (A.S.); (G.D.); (B.S.H.); (V.A.); (G.D.S.)
| | - Giuliana D’Avino
- CNR Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, 80122 Napoli, Italy; (A.S.); (G.D.); (B.S.H.); (V.A.); (G.D.S.)
| | - Billy Samuel Hill
- CNR Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, 80122 Napoli, Italy; (A.S.); (G.D.); (B.S.H.); (V.A.); (G.D.S.)
| | - Vincenzo Alterio
- CNR Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, 80122 Napoli, Italy; (A.S.); (G.D.); (B.S.H.); (V.A.); (G.D.S.)
| | - Jean-Yves Winum
- IBMM, Universite Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34296 Montpellier, France;
| | - Claudiu T. Supuran
- Dipartimento NEUROFARBA, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università di Firenze, Sesto Fiorentino, 50139 Firenze, Italy;
| | - Giuseppina De Simone
- CNR Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, 80122 Napoli, Italy; (A.S.); (G.D.); (B.S.H.); (V.A.); (G.D.S.)
| | - Antonella Zannetti
- CNR Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, 80122 Napoli, Italy; (A.S.); (G.D.); (B.S.H.); (V.A.); (G.D.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-3666115319
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Andonegui-Elguera MA, Alfaro-Mora Y, Cáceres-Gutiérrez R, Caro-Sánchez CHS, Herrera LA, Díaz-Chávez J. An Overview of Vasculogenic Mimicry in Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2020; 10:220. [PMID: 32175277 PMCID: PMC7056883 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is the formation of vascular channels lacking endothelial cells. These channels are lined by tumor cells with cancer stem cell features, positive for periodic acid-Schiff, and negative for CD31 staining. The term VM was introduced by Maniotis et al. (1), who reported this phenomenon in highly aggressive uveal melanomas; since then, VM has been associated with poor prognosis, tumor aggressiveness, metastasis, and drug resistance in several tumors, including breast cancer. It is proposed that VM and angiogenesis (the de novo formation of blood vessels from the established vasculature by endothelial cells, which is observed in several tumors) rely on some common mechanisms. Furthermore, it is also suggested that VM could constitute a means to circumvent anti-angiogenic treatment in cancer. Therefore, it is important to determinant the factors that dictate the onset of VM. In this review, we describe the current understanding of VM formation in breast cancer, including specific signaling pathways, and cancer stem cells. In addition, we discuss the clinical significance of VM in prognosis and new opportunities of VM as a target for breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco A Andonegui-Elguera
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología-Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Yair Alfaro-Mora
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rodrigo Cáceres-Gutiérrez
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología-Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Luis A Herrera
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología-Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico.,Dirección General, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - José Díaz-Chávez
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología-Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
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