Cancer-associated fibroblasts, matrix metalloproteinase-9 and lymphatic vessel density are associated with progression from adenocarcinoma in situ to invasive adenocarcinoma of the lung

Phenotypic Heterogeneity of Cancer Associated Fibroblasts in Cervical Cancer Progression: FAP as a Central Activation Marker

Cervical cancer (CC) is the fourth leading cancer among women and is one of the principal gynecological malignancies. In the tumor microenvironment, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a crucial role during malignant progression, exhibiting a variety of heterogeneous phenotypes. CAFs express phenotypic markers like fibroblast activation protein (FAP), vimentin, S100A4, α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), and functional markers such as MMP9. This study aimed to evaluate the protein expression of vimentin, S100A4, αSMA, FAP, and MMP9 in mesenchymal stem cells (MSC)-CAF cells, as well as in cervical cancer samples. MSC cells were stimulated with HeLa and SiHa tumor cell supernatants, followed by protein evaluation and cytokine profile to confirm differentiation towards a CAF phenotype. In addition, automated immunohistochemistry (IHQa) was performed to evaluate the expression of these proteins in CC samples at different stages. Our findings revealed a high expression of FAP in stimulated MSC cells, accompanied by the secretion of pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines. In the other hand, CC samples were observed to have high expression of FAP, vimentin, αSMA, and MMP9. Most importantly, there was a high expression of their activation proteins αSMA and FAP during the different stages. In the early stages, a myofibroblast-like phenotype (CAFs αSMA+ FAP+), and in the late stages a protumoral phenotype (CAF αSMA- FAP+). In summary, FAP has a crucial role in the activation of CAFs during cervical cancer progression.

Micropapillary or solid component predicts worse prognosis in pathological IA stage lung adenocarcinoma: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Micropapillary and solid patterns indicate worse survival in lung adenocarcinoma patients, even in pathological stage IB patients. However, whether the presence of micropapillary or solid components is related to worse prognosis in pathological IA stage lung adenocarcinoma remains unclear.

METHODS

Several databases were searched up to December 31, 2022 for relevant studies investigating the association between micropapillary and solid components and the survival of IA stage lung adenocarcinoma patients. Primary and secondary outcomes are disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS), respectively. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confident intervals (CIs) were combined, and subgroup analysis stratified by the pathological subtype and proportion of components was further performed.

RESULTS

A total of 19 studies with 12,562 cases were included. Pooled results indicated that micropapillary or solid components obviously predicted worse DFS (HR = 2.40, 95% CI: 1.96-2.94, P < .001) and OS (HR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.68-3.15, P < .001). Subgroup analysis based on pathological subtype showed that both micropapillary and solid components were significantly associated with worse DFS (micropapillary: HR = 2.70, 95% CI: 1.70-4.28, P < .001; solid: HR = 3.98, 95% CI: 2.10-7.54, P < .001) and OS (micropapillary: HR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.17-4.48, P = .015; solid: HR = 4.18, 95% CI: 1.72-10.17, P = .002). In addition, further subgroup analysis stratified by the proportion of micropapillary and solid components (>5%/1% or predominant) showed similar results.

CONCLUSION

Micropapillary and solid patterns predicted a significantly worse prognosis in pathological IA stage lung adenocarcinoma patients.

Biophysical and mechanobiological considerations for T-cell-based immunotherapy

Immunotherapies modulate the body's defense system to treat cancer. While these therapies have shown efficacy against multiple types of cancer, patient response rates are limited, and the off-target effects can be severe. Typical approaches in developing immunotherapies tend to focus on antigen targeting and molecular signaling, while overlooking biophysical and mechanobiological effects. Immune cells and tumor cells are both responsive to biophysical cues, which are prominent in the tumor microenvironment. Recent studies have shown that mechanosensing - including through Piezo1, adhesions, and Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) - influences tumor-immune interactions and immunotherapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, biophysical methods such as fluidic systems and mechanoactivation schemes can improve the controllability and manufacturing of engineered T cells, with potential for increasing therapeutic efficacy and specificity. This review focuses on leveraging advances in immune biophysics and mechanobiology toward improving chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell and anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) therapies.

Does the presence of a micropapillary component predict worse prognosis in pathological stage IA lung adenocarcinoma?

Considerable evidence has verified that the micropapillary pattern is significantly associated with worse prognosis in pulmonary adenocarcinoma. However, whether the presence of a micropapillary component in pathological stage IA lung adenocarcinoma is also related to worse prognosis remains unclear up to now. The aim of this meta-analysis was to identify the prognostic role of presence of a micropapillary component in pathological stage IA lung adenocarcinoma patients. Relevant studies were searched from the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and CNKI databases and reviewed. The primary and secondary outcomes were the recurrence risk and long-term survival including the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), respectively. All statistical analysis were conducted by STATA 12.0 software. A total of 5257 lung adenocarcinoma patients at the pathological stage IA from ten retrospective studies were enrolled. The recurrence rates in pathological stage IA lung adenocarcinoma patients with and without the a micropapillary component were 32% [95% confidence interval (CI): 20%- 44%] and 7% (95% CI: 4%-10%) separately and pooled results indicated that presence of a micropapillary component was an obvious risk factor for recurrence [odds ratio (OR)= 3.41, 95% CI: 2.80-4.16, P＜0.001]. Besides, the presence of a micropapillary component was significantly related to poorer OS [hazard ratio (HR)= 2.44, 95% CI: 1.28-4.68, P = 0.007] and DFS (HR=2.60, 95% CI: 1.63-4.16, P＜0.001). Subgroup analysis focusing on invasive adenocarcinoma manifested consistent results. In pathological stage IA lung adenocarcinoma, the presence of a micropapillary component predicts obviously higher recurrence risk and worse prognosis even after focusing on invasive adenocarcinoma. However, more prospective high-quality studies are still needed to verify our findings.

Interaction of tumor‑associated macrophages with stromal and immune components in solid tumors: Research progress (Review)

Tumor‑associated macrophages (TAMs) are crucial cells of the tumor microenvironment (TME), which belong to the innate immune system and regulate primary tumor growth, immunosuppression, angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling and metastasis. The review discusses current knowledge of essential cell‑cell interactions of TAMs within the TME of solid tumors. It summarizes the mechanisms of stromal cell (including cancer‑associated fibroblasts and endothelial cells)‑mediated monocyte recruitment and regulation of differentiation, as well as pro‑tumor and antitumor polarization of TAMs. Additionally, it focuses on the perivascular TAM subpopulations that regulate angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. It describes the possible mechanisms of reciprocal interactions of TAMs with other immune cells responsible for immunosuppression. Finally, it highlights the perspectives for novel therapeutic approaches to use combined cellular targets that include TAMs and other stromal and immune cells in the TME. The collected data demonstrated the importance of understanding cell‑cell interactions in the TME to prevent distant metastasis and reduce the risk of tumor recurrence.

Research Progress on Therapeutic Targeting of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts to Tackle Treatment-Resistant NSCLC

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for most lung cancer cases and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Treatment options for lung cancer are no longer limited to surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, as targeted therapy and immunotherapy offer a new hope for patients. However, drug resistance in chemotherapy and targeted therapy, and the low response rates to immunotherapy remain important challenges. Similar to tumor development, drug resistance occurs because of significant effects exerted by the tumor microenvironment (TME) along with cancer cell mutations. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a key component of the TME and possess multiple functions, including cross-talking with cancer cells, remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM), secretion of various cytokines, and promotion of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, which in turn provide support for the growth, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance of cancer cells. Therefore, CAFs represent valuable therapeutic targets for lung cancer. Herein, we review the latest progress in the use of CAFs as potential targets and mediators of drug resistance for NSCLC treatment. We explored the role of CAFs on the regulation of the TME and surrounding ECM, with particular emphasis on treatment strategies involving combined CAF targeting within the current framework of cancer treatment.

Spheroid Formation and Peritoneal Metastasis in Ovarian Cancer: The Role of Stromal and Immune Components

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most common gynecological cancers, with the worst prognosis and the highest mortality rate. Peritoneal dissemination (or carcinomatosis) accompanied by ascites formation is the most unfavorable factor in the progression and recurrence of OC. Tumor cells in ascites are present as either separate cells or, more often, as cell aggregates, i.e., spheroids which promote implantation on the surface of nearby organs and, at later stages, metastases to distant organs. Malignant ascites comprises a unique tumor microenvironment; this fact may be of relevance in the search for new prognostic and predictive factors that would make it possible to personalize the treatment of patients with OC. However, the precise mechanisms of spheroid formation and carcinomatosis are still under investigation. Here, we summarize data on ascites composition as well as the activity of fibroblasts and macrophages, the key stromal and immune components, in OC ascites. We describe current knowledge about the role of fibroblasts and macrophages in tumor spheroid formation, and discuss the specific functions of fibroblasts, macrophages and T cells in tumor peritoneal dissemination and implantation.

Significance of stratifin in early progression of lung adenocarcinoma and its potential therapeutic relevance

Lung cancer is the most common cause of global cancer-related mortality, and the main histological type is adenocarcinoma, accounting for 50% of non-small cell lung cancer. In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) histological classification defined the concepts of "adenocarcinoma in situ" (AIS) and "minimally invasive adenocarcinoma" (MIA), which are considered to be adenocarcinomas at a very early stage. Although AIS and MIA have a very favorable outcome, once they progress to early but invasive adenocarcinoma (eIA), they can sometimes have a fatal outcome. We previously compared the expression profiles of eIA and AIS, and identified stratifin (SFN; 14-3-3 sigma) as a protein showing significantly higher expression in eIA than in AIS. Expression of SFN is controlled epigenetically by DNA demethylation, and its overexpression is significantly correlated with poorer outcome. In vitro and in vivo analyses have shown that SFN facilitates early progression of adenocarcinoma by enhancing cell proliferation. This review summarizes genetic and epigenetic abnormalities that can occur in early-stage lung adenocarcinoma and introduces recent findings regarding the biological significance of SFN overexpression during the course of lung adenocarcinoma progression. Therapeutic strategies for targeting SFN are also discussed.

Normal and cancer fibroblasts differentially regulate TWIST1, TOX and cytokine gene expression in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is a primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) that transforms from mature, skin-homing T cells and progresses during the early stages in the skin. The role of the skin microenvironment in MF development is unclear, but recent findings in a variety of cancers have highlighted the role of stromal fibroblasts in promoting or inhibiting tumorigenesis. Stromal fibroblasts are an important part of the cutaneous tumor microenvironment (TME) in MF. Here we describe studies into the interaction of TME-fibroblasts and malignant T cells to gain insight into their role in CTCL.

METHODS

Skin from normal (n = 3) and MF patients (n = 3) were analyzed for FAPα by immunohistochemistry. MyLa is a CTCL cell line that retains expression of biomarkers TWIST1 and TOX that are frequently detected in CTCL patients. MyLa cells were cultured in the presence or absence of normal or MF skin derived fibroblasts for 5 days, trypsinized to detached MyL a cells, and gene expression analyzed by RT-PCR for MF biomarkers (TWIST1 and TOX), Th1 markers (IFNG, TBX21), Th2 markers (GATA3, IL16), and proliferation marker (MKI67). Purified fibroblasts were assayed for VIM and ACTA2 gene expression. Cellular senescence assay was performed to assess senescence.

RESULTS

MF skin fibroblast showed increased expression of FAP-α with increasing stage compared to normal. Normal fibroblasts co-cultured with MyLa cells suppressed expression of TWIST1 (p < 0.0006), and TOX (p < 0.03), GATA3 (p < 0.02) and IL16 (p < 0.03), and increased expression of IFNG (p < 0.03) and TBX21 (p < 0.03) in MyLa cells. In contrast, MyLa cells cultured with MF fibroblasts retained high expression of TWIST1, TOX and GATA3. MF fibroblasts co-culture with MyLa cells increased expression of IL16 (p < 0.01) and IL4 (p < 0.02), and suppressed IFNG and TBX21 in MyLa cells. Furthermore, expression of MKI67 in MyLa cells was suppressed by normal fibroblasts compared to MF fibroblasts.

CONCLUSION

Skin fibroblasts represent important components of the TME in MF. In co-culture model, normal and MF fibroblasts have differential influence on T-cell phenotype in modulating expression of Th1 cytokine and CTCL biomarker genes to reveal distinct roles with implications in MF progression.