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Toomajian VA, Tundo A, Ural EE, Greeson EM, Contag CH, Makela AV. Magnetic Particle Imaging Reveals that Iron-Labeled Extracellular Vesicles Accumulate in Brains of Mice with Metastases. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024. [PMID: 38860682 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c04920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
The incidence of breast cancer remains high worldwide and is associated with a significant risk of metastasis to the brain that can be fatal; this is due, in part, to the inability of therapeutics to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been found to cross the BBB and further have been used to deliver drugs to tumors. EVs from different cell types appear to have different patterns of accumulation and retention as well as the efficiency of bioactive cargo delivery to recipient cells in the body. Engineering EVs as delivery tools to treat brain metastases, therefore, will require an understanding of the timing of EV accumulation and their localization relative to metastatic sites. Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is a sensitive and quantitative imaging method that directly detects superparamagnetic iron. Here, we demonstrate MPI as a novel tool to characterize EV biodistribution in metastatic disease after labeling EVs with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles. Iron-labeled EVs (FeEVs) were collected from iron-labeled parental primary 4T1 tumor cells and brain-seeking 4T1BR5 cells, followed by injection into the mice with orthotopic tumors or brain metastases. MPI quantification revealed that FeEVs were retained for longer in orthotopic mammary carcinomas compared to SPIOs. MPI signal due to iron could only be detected in brains of mice bearing brain metastases after injection of FeEVs, but not SPIOs, or FeEVs when mice did not have brain metastases. These findings indicate the potential use of EVs as a therapeutic delivery tool in primary and metastatic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria A Toomajian
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Anthony Tundo
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Evran E Ural
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Emily M Greeson
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
- Department of Microbiology, Genetics & Immunology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Christopher H Contag
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
- Department of Microbiology, Genetics & Immunology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Ashley V Makela
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
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Di Lisa D, Cortese K, Chiappalone M, Arnaldi P, Martinoia S, Castagnola P, Pastorino L. Electrophysiological and morphological modulation of neuronal-glial network by breast cancer and nontumorigenic mammary cell conditioned medium. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1368851. [PMID: 38638322 PMCID: PMC11024227 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1368851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a significant global health concern, with the overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/ERBB2) being a driver oncogene in 20%-30% of cases. Indeed, HER2/ERBB2 plays a crucial role in regulating cell growth, differentiation, and survival via a complex signaling network. Overexpression of HER2/ERBB2 is associated with more aggressive behavior and increased risk of brain metastases, which remains a significant clinical challenge for treatment. Recent research has highlighted the role of breast cancer secretomes in promoting tumor progression, including excessive proliferation, immune invasion, and resistance to anti-cancer therapy, and their potential as cancer biomarkers. In this study, we investigated the impact of ERBB2+ breast cancer SKBR-3 cell line compared with MCF10-A mammary non-tumorigenic cell conditioned medium on the electrophysiological activity and morphology of neural networks derived from neurons differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Our findings provide evidence of active modulation of neuronal-glial networks by SKBR-3 and MCF10-A conditioned medium. These results provide insights into the complex interactions between breast cancer cells and the surrounding microenvironment. Further research is necessary to identify the specific factors within breast cancer conditioned medium that mediate these effects and to develop targeted therapies that disrupt this interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Di Lisa
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and Systems Engineering, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Katia Cortese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Cellular Electron Microscopy Lab, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Michela Chiappalone
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and Systems Engineering, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- RAISE Ecosystem, Genova, Italy
| | - Pietro Arnaldi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Cellular Electron Microscopy Lab, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Sergio Martinoia
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and Systems Engineering, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- RAISE Ecosystem, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Laura Pastorino
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and Systems Engineering, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- RAISE Ecosystem, Genova, Italy
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3
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Robert P, Vives V, Rasschaert M, Hao J, Soares M, Lemaître M, Dencausse A, Catoen S. Detection of Brain Metastases by Contrast-Enhanced MRI: Comparison of Gadopiclenol and Gadobenate in a Mouse Model. Invest Radiol 2024; 59:131-139. [PMID: 37921777 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000001032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of gadopiclenol, a high-relaxivity gadolinium-based contrast agent to detect brain metastases in mice as a function of dose (0.08 mmol/kg or 0.1 mmol/kg) compared with gadobenate at 0.1 mmol/kg. MATERIALS AND METHODS Brain metastases were induced by ultrasound-guided intracardiac implantation of 1.10 5 MDA-MB-231Br cells in the left ventricle of 18 anesthetized Balb/c Nude nu/nu female mice. At day 28 ± 3 after cell injection, each mouse received 2 crossover intravenous injections at 24-hour intervals, randomly selected from 2 doses of gadopiclenol (0.08 mmol/kg or 0.1 mmol/kg) and gadobenate (0.1 mmol/kg) with n = 6 mice/group (3 groups). Brain magnetic resonance imaging sessions were performed at 4 weeks on a 2.35 T magnet with a 3-dimensional T1-weighted high-resolution gradient echo sequence, before and after each injection. Images were blindly and randomly analyzed to detect enhancing lesions. Contrast-to-noise ratio between the metastases and the surrounding healthy parenchyma was calculated, based on region-of-interest signal measurements. In 2 animals per group, an early time point was added to the protocol (day 22 ± 3) to evaluate the sensitivity of detection as a function of time. After the last imaging session, the presence and location of whole-brain metastases were confirmed by histology in 4 mice. RESULTS After gadopiclenol, approximately twice as many metastases were detected compared with gadobenate, regardless of the dose. Contrast-to-noise ratios of the detected metastases were 2.3 and 3.3 times higher with gadopiclenol at 0.08 mmol/kg and 0.1 mmol/kg, respectively, compared with gadobenate at 0.1 mmol/kg ( P < 0.0001). Gadopiclenol at the dose of 0.1 mmol/kg resulted in a 1.4-fold higher contrast compared with gadopiclenol at 0.08 mmol/kg ( P < 0.02). In a subset of mice that were imaged 1 week earlier, 2 metastases were detected with gadopiclenol and not with gadobenate. CONCLUSIONS The high-relaxivity macrocyclic gadolinium-based contrast agent gadopiclenol allowed higher diagnostic performance for detecting brain enhancing metastases in terms of contrast-to-noise ratio and number of detected metastases compared with gadobenate, at both equal (0.1 mmol/kg) dose and 20% lower Gd dose (0.08 mmol/kg). Tumor detection was higher after gadopiclenol at the dose of 0.1 mmol/kg compared with 0.08 mmol/kg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Robert
- From the Research and Innovation Department, Guerbet, Roissy CDG Cedex, France
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4
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Zhao Z, Chen Y, Sun T, Jiang C. Nanomaterials for brain metastasis. J Control Release 2024; 365:833-847. [PMID: 38065414 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Tumor metastasis is a significant contributor to the mortality of cancer patients. Specifically, current conventional treatments are unable to achieve complete remission of brain metastasis. This is due to the unique pathological environment of brain metastasis, which differs significantly from peripheral metastasis. Brain metastasis is characterized by high tumor mutation rates and a complex microenvironment with immunosuppression. Additionally, the presence of blood-brain barrier (BBB)/blood tumor barrier (BTB) restricts drug leakage into the brain. Therefore, it is crucial to take account of the specific characteristics of brain metastasis when developing new therapeutic strategies. Nanomaterials offer promising opportunities for targeted therapies in treating brain metastasis. They can be tailored and customized based on specific pathological features and incorporate various treatment approaches, which makes them advantageous in advancing therapeutic strategies for brain metastasis. This review provides an overview of current clinical treatment options for patients with brain metastasis. It also explores the roles and changes that different cells within the complex microenvironment play during tumor spread. Furthermore, it highlights the use of nanomaterials in current brain treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhao Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Tao Sun
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Chen Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.
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Giordano G, Griguolo G, Landriscina M, Meattini I, Carbone F, Leone A, Del Re M, Fogli S, Danesi R, Colamaria A, Dieci MV. Multidisciplinary management of HER2-positive breast cancer with brain metastases: An evidence-based pragmatic approach moving from pathophysiology to clinical data. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2023; 192:104185. [PMID: 37863404 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION About 30-50 % of stage IV HER2+ breast cancers (BC) will present brain metastases (BMs). Their management is based on both local treatment and systemic therapy. Despite therapeutic advances, BMs still impact on survival and quality of life and the development of more effective systemic therapies represents an unmet clinical need. MATERIALS AND METHODS A thorough analysis of the published literature including ongoing clinical trials has been performed, investigating concepts spanning from the pathophysiology of tumor microenvironment to clinical considerations with the aim to summarize the current and future locoregional and systemic strategies. RESULTS Different trials have investigated monotherapies and combination treatments, highlighting how the blood-brain barrier (BBB) represents a major problem hindering diffusion and consequently efficacy of such options. Trastuzumab has long been the mainstay of systemic therapy and over the last two decades other HER2-targeted agents including lapatinib, pertuzumab, and trastuzumab emtansine, as well as more recently neratinib, tucatinib, and trastuzumab deruxtecan, have been introduced in clinical practice after showing promising results in randomized controlled trials. CONCLUSIONS We ultimately propose an evidence-based treatment algorithm for clinicians treating HER2 + BCs patients with BMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Giordano
- Unit of Medical Oncology and Biomolecular Therapy, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - Policlinico Riuniti, University of Foggia, Foggia 71122, Italy.
| | - Gaia Griguolo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova 35128, Italy; Division of Oncology 2, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padova 35128, Italy
| | - Matteo Landriscina
- Unit of Medical Oncology and Biomolecular Therapy, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - Policlinico Riuniti, University of Foggia, Foggia 71122, Italy
| | - Icro Meattini
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Oncology Department, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy; Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences M Serio, University of Florence, Florence, Italy, Oncology Department, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesco Carbone
- Department of Neurosurgery, Städtisches Klinikum Karlsruhe, Karlsruher Neurozentrum, Karlsruhe 76133, Germany
| | - Augusto Leone
- Department of Neurosurgery, Städtisches Klinikum Karlsruhe, Karlsruher Neurozentrum, Karlsruhe 76133, Germany; Faculty of Human Medicine, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Marzia Del Re
- Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Fogli
- Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Romano Danesi
- Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonio Colamaria
- Division of Neurosurgery, Policlinico Riuniti Foggia, Foggia 71122, Italy
| | - Maria Vittoria Dieci
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova 35128, Italy; Division of Oncology 2, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padova 35128, Italy
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Hunt AL, Khan I, Wu AML, Makohon-Moore SC, Hood BL, Conrads KA, Abulez T, Ogata J, Mitchell D, Gist G, Oliver J, Wei D, Chung MA, Rahman S, Bateman NW, Zhang W, Conrads TP, Steeg PS. The murine metastatic microenvironment of experimental brain metastases of breast cancer differs by host age in vivo: a proteomic study. Clin Exp Metastasis 2023:10.1007/s10585-023-10233-7. [PMID: 37917186 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-023-10233-7] [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: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer in young patients is known to exhibit more aggressive biological behavior and is associated with a less favorable prognosis than the same disease in older patients, owing in part to an increased incidence of brain metastases. The mechanistic explanations behind these findings remain poorly understood. We recently reported that young mice, in comparison to older mice, developed significantly greater brain metastases in four mouse models of triple-negative and luminal B breast cancer. Here we have performed a quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis to identify proteins potentially contributing to age-related disparities in the development of breast cancer brain metastases. Using a mouse hematogenous model of brain-tropic triple-negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231BR), we harvested subpopulations of tumor metastases, the tumor-adjacent metastatic microenvironment, and uninvolved brain tissues via laser microdissection followed by quantitative proteomic analysis using high resolution mass spectrometry to characterize differentially abundant proteins potentially contributing to age-dependent rates of brain metastasis. Pathway analysis revealed significant alterations in signaling pathways, particularly in the metastatic microenvironment, modulating tumorigenesis, metabolic processes, inflammation, and neuronal signaling. Tenascin C (TNC) was significantly elevated in all laser microdissection (LMD) enriched compartments harvested from young mice relative to older hosts, which was validated and confirmed by immunoblot analysis of whole brain lysates. Additional in vitro studies including migration and wound-healing assays demonstrated TNC as a positive regulator of tumor cell migration. These results provide important new insights regarding microenvironmental factors, including TNC, as mechanisms contributing to the increased brain cancer metastatic phenotype observed in young breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison L Hunt
- Women's Health Integrated Research Center, Inova Women's Service Line, Inova Health System, 3289 Woodburn Rd, Annandale, VA, 22042, USA
- Gynecologic Cancer Center of Excellence and the Women's Health Integrated Research Center, Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, Uniformed Services University and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20889, USA
| | - Imran Khan
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Building 37, Room 1126, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Alex M L Wu
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Building 37, Room 1126, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Zymeworks Inc, Vancouver, BC, V5T 1G4, Canada
| | - Sasha C Makohon-Moore
- Gynecologic Cancer Center of Excellence and the Women's Health Integrated Research Center, Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, Uniformed Services University and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20889, USA
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Suite 100, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Brian L Hood
- Gynecologic Cancer Center of Excellence and the Women's Health Integrated Research Center, Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, Uniformed Services University and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20889, USA
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Suite 100, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Kelly A Conrads
- Gynecologic Cancer Center of Excellence and the Women's Health Integrated Research Center, Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, Uniformed Services University and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20889, USA
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Suite 100, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Tamara Abulez
- Gynecologic Cancer Center of Excellence and the Women's Health Integrated Research Center, Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, Uniformed Services University and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20889, USA
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Suite 100, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Jonathan Ogata
- Gynecologic Cancer Center of Excellence and the Women's Health Integrated Research Center, Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, Uniformed Services University and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20889, USA
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Suite 100, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Dave Mitchell
- Gynecologic Cancer Center of Excellence and the Women's Health Integrated Research Center, Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, Uniformed Services University and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20889, USA
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Suite 100, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Glenn Gist
- Gynecologic Cancer Center of Excellence and the Women's Health Integrated Research Center, Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, Uniformed Services University and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20889, USA
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Suite 100, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Julie Oliver
- Gynecologic Cancer Center of Excellence and the Women's Health Integrated Research Center, Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, Uniformed Services University and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20889, USA
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Suite 100, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Debbie Wei
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Building 37, Room 1126, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Monika A Chung
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Building 37, Room 1126, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 185 S Orange Ave, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Samiur Rahman
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Building 37, Room 1126, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Nicholas W Bateman
- Gynecologic Cancer Center of Excellence and the Women's Health Integrated Research Center, Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, Uniformed Services University and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20889, USA
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Suite 100, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
- Department of Surgery, The John P. Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Uniformed Services University, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20889, USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Building 37, Room 1126, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Thomas P Conrads
- Women's Health Integrated Research Center, Inova Women's Service Line, Inova Health System, 3289 Woodburn Rd, Annandale, VA, 22042, USA.
- Gynecologic Cancer Center of Excellence and the Women's Health Integrated Research Center, Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, Uniformed Services University and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20889, USA.
- Department of Surgery, The John P. Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Uniformed Services University, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20889, USA.
| | - Patricia S Steeg
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Building 37, Room 1126, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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Sevieri M, Mazzucchelli S, Barbieri L, Garbujo S, Carelli S, Bonizzi A, Rey F, Recordati C, Recchia M, Allevi R, Sitia L, Morasso C, Zerbi P, Prosperi D, Corsi F, Truffi M. Ferritin nanoconjugates guide trastuzumab brain delivery to promote an antitumor response in murine HER2 + breast cancer brain metastasis. Pharmacol Res 2023; 196:106934. [PMID: 37734460 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Brain metastasis (BM) represents a clinical challenge for patients with advanced HER2 + breast cancer (BC). The monoclonal anti-HER2 antibody trastuzumab (TZ) improves survival of BC patients, but it has low central nervous system penetrance, being ineffective in treating BM. Previous studies showed that ferritin nanoparticles (HFn) may cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) through binding to the transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1). However, whether this has efficacy in promoting the trans-BBB delivery of TZ and combating BC BM was not studied yet. Here, we investigated the potential of HFn to drive TZ brain delivery and promote a targeted antitumor response in a murine model of BC BM established by stereotaxic injection of engineered BC cells overexpressing human HER2. HFn were covalently conjugated with TZ to obtain a nanoconjugate endowed with HER2 and TfR1 targeting specificity (H-TZ). H-TZ efficiently achieved TZ brain delivery upon intraperitoneal injection and triggered stable targeting of cancer cells. Treatment with H-TZ plus docetaxel significantly reduced tumor growth and shaped a protective brain microenvironment by engaging macrophage activation toward cancer cells. H-TZ-based treatment also avoided TZ-associated cardiotoxicity by preventing drug accumulation in the heart and did not induce any other major side effects when combined with docetaxel. These results provided in vivo demonstration of the pharmacological potential of H-TZ, able to tackle BC BM in combination with docetaxel. Indeed, upon systemic administration, the nanoconjugate guides TZ brain accumulation, reduces BM growth and limits side effects in off-target organs, thus showing promise for the management of HER2 + BC metastatic to the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Sevieri
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Serena Mazzucchelli
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Linda Barbieri
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, P.zza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Stefania Garbujo
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, P.zza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Stephana Carelli
- Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy; Center of Functional Genomics and Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Buzzi Children's Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Arianna Bonizzi
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, via Maugeri 4, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Federica Rey
- Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy; Center of Functional Genomics and Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Buzzi Children's Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Camilla Recordati
- Mouse and Animal Pathology Laboratory, Fondazione Unimi, viale Ortles 22/4, 20139 Milano, Italy; Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali, Università di Milano, via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Matteo Recchia
- Mouse and Animal Pathology Laboratory, Fondazione Unimi, viale Ortles 22/4, 20139 Milano, Italy; Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali, Università di Milano, via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Raffaele Allevi
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Leopoldo Sitia
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Morasso
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, via Maugeri 4, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Pietro Zerbi
- Anatomia Patologica, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, via Pio II, 3, Milano, Italy
| | - Davide Prosperi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, P.zza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Fabio Corsi
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milan, Italy; Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, via Maugeri 4, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
| | - Marta Truffi
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, via Maugeri 4, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
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8
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Zhao Z, Li C, Zhang Y, Li C, Chu Y, Li X, Liu P, Chen H, Wang Y, Su B, Chen Q, Sun T, Jiang C. Nanomaterials with dual immunomodulatory functions for synergistic therapy of breast cancer brain metastases. Bioact Mater 2023; 27:474-487. [PMID: 37159612 PMCID: PMC10163467 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
A long-standing paucity of effective therapies results in the poor outcomes of triple-negative breast cancer brain metastases. Immunotherapy has made progress in the treatment of tumors, but limited by the non-immunogenicity of tumors and strong immunosuppressive environment, patients with TNBC brain metastases have not yet benefited from immunotherapy. Dual immunoregulatory strategies with enhanced immune activation and reversal of the immunosuppressive microenvironment provide new therapeutic options for patients. Here, we propose a cocktail-like therapeutic strategy of microenvironment regulation-chemotherapy-immune synergistic sensitization and construct reduction-sensitive immune microenvironment regulation nanomaterials (SIL@T). SIL@T modified with targeting peptide penetrates the BBB and is subsequently internalized into metastatic breast cancer cells, releasing silybin and oxaliplatin responsively in the cells. SIL@T preferentially accumulates at the metastatic site and can significantly prolong the survival period of model animals. Mechanistic studies have shown that SIL@T can effectively induce immunogenic cell death of metastatic cells, activate immune responses and increase infiltration of CD8+ T cells. Meanwhile, the activation of STAT3 in the metastatic foci is attenuated and the immunosuppressive microenvironment is reversed. This study demonstrates that SIL@T with dual immunomodulatory functions provides a promising immune synergistic therapy strategy for breast cancer brain metastases.
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9
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Kim AE, Nieblas-Bedolla E, de Sauvage MA, Brastianos PK. Leveraging translational insights toward precision medicine approaches for brain metastases. NATURE CANCER 2023; 4:955-967. [PMID: 37491527 PMCID: PMC10644911 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-023-00585-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Due to increasing incidence and limited treatments, brain metastases (BM) are an emerging unmet need in modern oncology. Development of effective therapeutics has been hindered by unique challenges. Individual steps of the brain metastatic cascade are driven by distinctive biological processes, suggesting that BM possess intrinsic biological differences compared to primary tumors. Here, we discuss the unique physiology and metabolic constraints specific to BM as well as emerging treatment strategies that leverage potential vulnerabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert E Kim
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Edwin Nieblas-Bedolla
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Magali A de Sauvage
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Priscilla K Brastianos
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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10
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Chew Minmin S, Bacotti A, Chen Y, Anders C, Sambade M, Deal AM, Trembath D, McKee MJ, Brogi E, Seidman AD. Impact of prior systemic therapy on lymphocytic infiltration in surgically resected breast cancer brain metastases. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2023; 199:99-107. [PMID: 36930347 PMCID: PMC10865424 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-023-06908-0] [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: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have been positively correlated with response to systemic therapy for triple-negative and HER2 + subtypes and improved clinical outcomes in early breast cancer (BC). Less is known about TILs in metastatic sites, particularly brain metastases (BM), where unique immune regulation governs stromal composition. Reactive glial cells actively participate in cytokine-mediated T cell stimulation. The impact of prior medical therapy (chemotherapy, endocrine, and HER2-targeted therapy) on the presence of TILs and gliosis in human breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM) has not been previously reported. METHODS We examined prior treatment data for 133 patients who underwent craniotomy for resection of BMs from the electronic medical record. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) from the time of BM diagnosis. We examined the relationship between prior systemic therapy exposure and the histologic features of gliosis, necrosis, hemorrhage, and lymphocyte infiltration (LI) in BCBMs resected at subsequent craniotomy in univariate analyses. RESULTS Complete treatment data were available for 123 patients. BCBM LI was identified in 35 of 116 (30%) patients who had received prior systemic treatment versus 5 of 7 (71.4%) who had not {significant by Fisher's exact test p = 0.045}. There were no statistically significant relationships between prior systemic therapy and the three other histologic variables examined. CONCLUSIONS This observation suggests that systemic therapy may interfere with the immune response to BCBMs and cause exhaustion of anti-tumor immunity. This motivates clinical investigation of strategies to enhance LI for therapeutic benefit to improve outcomes for patients with BCBMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Chew Minmin
- Breast Medicine Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - A Bacotti
- Breast Medicine Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Y Chen
- Breast Medicine Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - C Anders
- Medical Oncology, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - M Sambade
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - A M Deal
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - D Trembath
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - M J McKee
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - E Brogi
- Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - A D Seidman
- Breast Medicine Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
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11
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Luca FD, Roda E, Ratto D, Desiderio A, Venuti MT, Ramieri M, Bottone MG, Savino E, Rossi P. Fighting secondary triple-negative breast cancer in cerebellum: A powerful aid from a medicinal mushrooms blend. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 159:114262. [PMID: 36657301 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the second most common cause of brain metastasis onset in patients, with the cerebellum accounting for the 33% of cases. In the current study, using a 4T1 triple-negative mouse BC model, we revealed that an orally administered medicinal mushrooms (MM) blend, rich in β-glucans, played a direct and specific anti-cancer action on cerebellar metastases, also bettering locomotor performances. The neuroprotective effect of the MM blend plays through (i) a direct and specific inhibition of cerebellar metastatization pattern typical of TNBC (with an induced reduction of about 50% of metastases density) and (ii) the regulation of apoptosis and proliferation-related genes, as suggested by expression changes of specific molecular markers, i.e. PCNA, p53, Bcl2, BAX, CASP9, CASP3, Hsp70 and AIF. Therefore, inhibiting the metastatization process, triggering a significant apoptosis increase, and lessening cell proliferation, this MM supplement, employed as adjuvant treatment in association with conventional therapy, could represent a promising approach, in the field of Integrative Oncology, for patients' management in both prevention and treatment of brain metastases from BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio De Luca
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
| | - Elisa Roda
- Laboratory of Clinical & Experimental Toxicology, Pavia Poison Centre, National Toxicology Information Centre, Toxicology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
| | - Daniela Ratto
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
| | - Anthea Desiderio
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
| | - Maria Teresa Venuti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
| | - Martino Ramieri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
| | - Maria Grazia Bottone
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
| | - Elena Savino
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
| | - Paola Rossi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
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12
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Locally sourced: site-specific immune barriers to metastasis. Nat Rev Immunol 2023:10.1038/s41577-023-00836-2. [PMID: 36750616 PMCID: PMC9904275 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-023-00836-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Tumour cells migrate very early from primary sites to distant sites, and yet metastases often take years to manifest themselves clinically or never even surface within a patient's lifetime. This pause in cancer progression emphasizes the existence of barriers that constrain the growth of disseminated tumour cells (DTCs) at distant sites. Although the nature of these barriers to metastasis might include DTC-intrinsic traits, recent studies have established that the local microenvironment also controls the formation of metastases. In this Perspective, I discuss how site-specific differences of the immune system might be a major selective growth restraint on DTCs, and argue that harnessing tissue immunity will be essential for the next stage in immunotherapy development that reliably prevents the establishment of metastases.
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13
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Long H, Zhang P, Bi Y, Yang C, Wu M, He D, Huang S, Yang K, Qi S, Wang J. MRI radiomic features of peritumoral edema may predict the recurrence sites of glioblastoma multiforme. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1042498. [PMID: 36686829 PMCID: PMC9845721 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1042498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and purpose As one of the most aggressive malignant tumor in the central nervous system, the main cause of poor outcome of glioblastoma (GBM) is recurrence, a non-invasive method which can predict the area of recurrence pre-operation is necessary.To investigate whether there is radiological heterogeneity within peritumoral edema and identify the reproducible radiomic features predictive of the sites of recurrence of glioblastoma(GBM), which may be of value to optimize patients' management. Materials and methods The clinical information and MR images (contrast-enhanced T1 weighted and FLAIR sequences) of 22 patients who have been histologically proven glioblastoma, were retrospectively evaluated. Kaplan-Meier methods was used for survival analysis. Oedematous regions were manually segmented by an expert into recurrence region, non-recurrence region. A set of 94 radiomic features were obtained from each region using the function of analyzing MR image of 3D slicer. Paired t test was performed to identify the features existing significant difference. Subsequently, the data of two patients from TCGA database was used to evaluate whether these features have clinical value. Results Ten features with significant differences between the recurrence and non-recurrence subregions were identified and verified on two individual patients from the TCGA database with pathologically confirmed diagnosis of GBM. Conclusions Our results suggested that heterogeneity does exist in peritumoral edema, indicating that the radiomic features of peritumoral edema from routine MR images can be utilized to predict the sites of GBM recurrence. Our findings may further guide the surgical treatment strategy for GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Long
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China,The First Clinical Medicine College, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ping Zhang
- Department of oncology, Guangdong 999 Brain Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuewei Bi
- The First Clinical Medicine College, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China,Neural Networks Surgery Team, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chen Yang
- The First Clinical Medicine College, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China,Neural Networks Surgery Team, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Manfeng Wu
- The First Clinical Medicine College, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China,Neural Networks Surgery Team, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dian He
- The First Clinical Medicine College, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China,Neural Networks Surgery Team, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaozhuo Huang
- The First Clinical Medicine College, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China,Neural Networks Surgery Team, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kaijun Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China,The First Clinical Medicine College, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Songtao Qi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China,The First Clinical Medicine College, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China,The First Clinical Medicine College, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China,Neural Networks Surgery Team, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Jun Wang,
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14
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Gabrielli M, Raffaele S, Fumagalli M, Verderio C. The multiple faces of extracellular vesicles released by microglia: Where are we 10 years after? Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:984690. [PMID: 36176630 PMCID: PMC9514840 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.984690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
As resident component of the innate immunity in the central nervous system (CNS), microglia are key players in pathology. However, they also exert fundamental roles in brain development and homeostasis maintenance. They are extremely sensitive and plastic, as they assiduously monitor the environment, adapting their function in response to stimuli. On consequence, microglia may be defined a heterogeneous community of cells in a dynamic equilibrium. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by microglia mirror the dynamic nature of their donor cells, exerting important and versatile functions in the CNS as unbounded conveyors of bioactive signals. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on EVs released by microglia, highlighting their heterogeneous properties and multifaceted effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Gabrielli
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Vedano al Lambro, Italy
- *Correspondence: Martina Gabrielli,
| | - Stefano Raffaele
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Fumagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Verderio
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Vedano al Lambro, Italy
- Claudia Verderio,
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15
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Substrate viscosity impairs temozolomide-mediated inhibition of glioblastoma cells' growth. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2022; 1868:166513. [PMID: 35932892 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2022.166513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanical state of the extracellular environment of the brain cells considerably affects their phenotype during the development of central nervous system (CNS) pathologies, and when the cells respond to drugs. The reports on the evaluation of the viscoelastic properties of different brain tumors have shown that both tissue stiffness and viscosity can be altered during cancer development. Although a compelling number of reports established the role of substrate stiffness on the proliferation, motility, and drug sensitivity of brain cancer cells, there is a lack of parallel data in terms of alterations in substrate viscosity. METHODS Based on viscoelasticity measurements of rat brain samples using strain rheometry, polyacrylamide (PAA) hydrogels mimicking elastic and viscous parameters of the tissues were prepared. Optical microscopy and flow cytometry were employed to assess the differences in glioblastoma cells morphology, proliferation, and cytotoxicity of anticancer drug temozolomide (TZM) due to increased substrate viscosity. RESULTS Our results indicate that changes in substrate viscosity affect the proliferation of untreated glioma cells to a lesser extent, but have a significant impact on the apoptosis-associated depolarization of mitochondria and level of DNA fragmentation. This suggests that viscosity sensing and stiffness sensing machinery can activate different signaling pathways in glioma cells. CONCLUSION Collected data indicate that viscosity should be considered an important parameter in in vitro polymer-based cell culture systems used for drug screening.
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16
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Solar P, Hendrych M, Barak M, Valekova H, Hermanova M, Jancalek R. Blood-Brain Barrier Alterations and Edema Formation in Different Brain Mass Lesions. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:922181. [PMID: 35910247 PMCID: PMC9334679 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.922181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Differential diagnosis of brain lesion pathologies is complex, but it is nevertheless crucial for appropriate clinical management. Advanced imaging methods, including diffusion-weighted imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient, can help discriminate between brain mass lesions such as glioblastoma, brain metastasis, brain abscesses as well as brain lymphomas. These pathologies are characterized by blood-brain barrier alterations and have been extensively studied. However, the changes in the blood-brain barrier that are observed around brain pathologies and that contribute to the development of vasogenic brain edema are not well described. Some infiltrative brain pathologies such as glioblastoma are characterized by glioma cell infiltration in the brain tissue around the tumor mass and thus affect the nature of the vasogenic edema. Interestingly, a common feature of primary and secondary brain tumors or tumor-like brain lesions characterized by vasogenic brain edema is the formation of various molecules that lead to alterations of tight junctions and result in blood-brain barrier damage. The resulting vasogenic edema, especially blood-brain barrier disruption, can be visualized using advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques, such as diffusion-weighted imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient. This review presents a comprehensive overview of blood-brain barrier changes contributing to the development of vasogenic brain edema around glioblastoma, brain metastases, lymphomas, and abscesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Solar
- Department of Neurosurgery, St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
- Department of Neurosurgery, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czechia
| | - Michal Hendrych
- First Department of Pathology, St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
- First Department of Pathology, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czechia
| | - Martin Barak
- Department of Neurosurgery, St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
- Department of Neurosurgery, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czechia
| | - Hana Valekova
- Department of Neurosurgery, St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
- Department of Neurosurgery, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czechia
| | - Marketa Hermanova
- First Department of Pathology, St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
- First Department of Pathology, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czechia
| | - Radim Jancalek
- Department of Neurosurgery, St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
- Department of Neurosurgery, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Radim Jancalek,
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17
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Siegl F, Vecera M, Roskova I, Smrcka M, Jancalek R, Kazda T, Slaby O, Sana J. The Significance of MicroRNAs in the Molecular Pathology of Brain Metastases. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143386. [PMID: 35884446 PMCID: PMC9322877 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain metastases are the most frequent intracranial tumors in adults and the cause of death in almost one-fourth of cases. The incidence of brain metastases is steadily increasing. The main reason for this increase could be the introduction of new and more efficient therapeutic strategies that lead to longer survival but, at the same time, cause a higher risk of brain parenchyma infiltration. In addition, the advances in imaging methodology, which provide earlier identification of brain metastases, may also be a reason for the higher recorded number of patients with these tumors. Metastasis is a complex biological process that is still largely unexplored, influenced by many factors and involving many molecules. A deeper understanding of the process will allow the discovery of more effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches that could improve the quality and length of patient survival. Recent studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) are essential molecules that are involved in specific steps of the metastatic cascade. MiRNAs are endogenously expressed small non-coding RNAs that act as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression and thus regulate most cellular processes. The dysregulation of these molecules has been implicated in many cancers, including brain metastases. Therefore, miRNAs represent promising diagnostic molecules and therapeutic targets in brain metastases. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the importance of miRNAs in brain metastasis, focusing on their involvement in the metastatic cascade and their potential clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frantisek Siegl
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (F.S.); (M.V.); (O.S.)
| | - Marek Vecera
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (F.S.); (M.V.); (O.S.)
| | - Ivana Roskova
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (I.R.); (M.S.)
| | - Martin Smrcka
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (I.R.); (M.S.)
| | - Radim Jancalek
- Department of Neurosurgery, St. Annes University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Tomas Kazda
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute and Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University, 656 53 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Ondrej Slaby
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (F.S.); (M.V.); (O.S.)
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Sana
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (F.S.); (M.V.); (O.S.)
- Department of Comprehensive Cancer Care, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute and Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University, 656 53 Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Brno, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-549-495-246
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18
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Ippolitov D, Arreza L, Munir MN, Hombach-Klonisch S. Brain Microvascular Pericytes—More than Bystanders in Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11081263. [PMID: 35455945 PMCID: PMC9028330 DOI: 10.3390/cells11081263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain tissue contains the highest number of perivascular pericytes compared to other organs. Pericytes are known to regulate brain perfusion and to play an important role within the neurovascular unit (NVU). The high phenotypic and functional plasticity of pericytes make this cell type a prime candidate to aid physiological adaptations but also propose pericytes as important modulators in diverse pathologies in the brain. This review highlights known phenotypes of pericytes in the brain, discusses the diverse markers for brain pericytes, and reviews current in vitro and in vivo experimental models to study pericyte function. Our current knowledge of pericyte phenotypes as it relates to metastatic growth patterns in breast cancer brain metastasis is presented as an example for the crosstalk between pericytes, endothelial cells, and metastatic cells. Future challenges lie in establishing methods for real-time monitoring of pericyte crosstalk to understand causal events in the brain metastatic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danyyl Ippolitov
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada; (D.I.); (L.A.); (M.N.M.)
| | - Leanne Arreza
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada; (D.I.); (L.A.); (M.N.M.)
| | - Maliha Nuzhat Munir
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada; (D.I.); (L.A.); (M.N.M.)
| | - Sabine Hombach-Klonisch
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada; (D.I.); (L.A.); (M.N.M.)
- Department of Pathology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0Z2, Canada
- Correspondence:
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19
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Strickland MR, Alvarez-Breckenridge C, Gainor JF, Brastianos PK. Tumor Immune Microenvironment of Brain Metastases: Toward Unlocking Antitumor Immunity. Cancer Discov 2022; 12:1199-1216. [PMID: 35394521 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-21-0976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Brain metastasis (BrM) is a devastating complication of solid tumors associated with poor outcomes. Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized the treatment of cancer, but determinants of response are incompletely understood. Given the rising incidence of BrM, improved understanding of immunobiologic principles unique to the central nervous system (CNS) and dissection of those that govern the activity of ICIs are paramount toward unlocking BrM-specific antitumor immunity. In this review, we seek to discuss the current clinical landscape of ICI activity in the CNS and CNS immunobiology, and we focus, in particular, on the role of glial cells in the CNS immune response to BrM. SIGNIFICANCE There is an urgent need to improve patient selection for and clinical activity of ICIs in patients with cancer with concomitant BrM. Increased understanding of the unique immunobiologic principles that govern response to ICIs in the CNS is critical toward identifying targets in the tumor microenvironment that may potentiate antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Justin F Gainor
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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20
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Herrera RA, Deshpande K, Martirosian V, Saatian B, Julian A, Eisenbarth R, Das D, Iyer M, Neman J. Cortisol promotes breast-to-brain metastasis through the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2022; 5:e1351. [PMID: 33635590 PMCID: PMC9124512 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elevated basal cortisol levels are present in women with primary and metastatic breast cancer. Although cortisol's potential role in breast-to-brain metastasis has yet to be sufficiently studied, prior evidence indicates that it functions as a double-edged sword-cortisol induces breast cancer metastasis in vivo, but strengthens the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) to protect the brain from microbes and peripheral immune cells. AIMS In this study, we provide a novel examination on whether cortisol's role in tumor invasiveness eclipses its supporting role in strengthening the CNS barriers. We expanded our study to include the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB), an underexamined site of tumor entry. METHODS AND RESULTS Utilizing in vitro BBB and BCSFB models to measure barrier strength in the presence of hydrocortisone (HC). We established that lung tumor cells migrate through both CNS barriers equally while breast tumors cells preferentially migrate through the BCSFB. Furthermore, HC treatment increased breast-to-brain metastases (BBM) but not primary breast tumor migratory capacity. When examining the transmigration of breast cancer cells across the BCSFB, we demonstrate that HC induces increased traversal of BBM but not primary breast cancer. We provide evidence that HC increases tightness of the BCSFB akin to the BBB by upregulating claudin-5, a tight junction protein formerly acknowledged as exclusive to the BBB. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate, for the first time that increased cortisol levels facilitate breast-to-brain metastasis through the BCSFB-a vulnerable point of entry which has been typically overlooked in brain metastasis. Our study suggests cortisol plays a pro-metastatic role in breast-to-brain metastasis and thus caution is needed when using glucocorticoids to treat breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A. Herrera
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and ImmunologyKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Krutika Deshpande
- Department of Neurological SurgeryKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Vahan Martirosian
- Department of Neurological SurgeryKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Behnaz Saatian
- Department of Neurological SurgeryKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Alex Julian
- Department of Neurological SurgeryKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Rachel Eisenbarth
- Department of Neurological SurgeryKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Diganta Das
- Department of Neurological SurgeryKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Mukund Iyer
- Department of Neurological SurgeryKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Josh Neman
- Department of Neurological SurgeryKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
- Department of Physiology and NeuroscienceKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer CenterKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
- Brain Tumor CenterKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
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21
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Wang L, Zeng D, Wang Q, Liu L, Lu T, Gao Y. Screening and Identification of Novel Potential Biomarkers for Breast Cancer Brain Metastases. Front Oncol 2022; 11:784096. [PMID: 35096583 PMCID: PMC8792448 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.784096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain metastases represent a major cause of mortality among patients with breast cancer, and few effective targeted treatment options are currently available. Development of new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM) is therefore urgently needed. In this study, we compared the gene expression profiles of the brain metastatic cell line MDA-MB-231-BR (231-BR) and its parental MDA-MB-231, and identified a total of 84 genes in the primary screening through a series of bioinformatic analyses, including construction of protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks by STRING database, identification of hub genes by applying of MCODE and Cytohubba algorithms, identification of leading-edge subsets of Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), and identification of most up-regulated genes. Eight genes were identified as candidate genes due to their elevated expression in brain metastatic 231-BR cells and prognostic values in patients with BCBM. Then we knocked down the eight individual candidate genes in 231-BR cells and evaluated their impact on cell migration through a wound-healing assay, and four of them (KRT19, FKBP10, GSK3B and SPANXB1) were finally identified as key genes. Furthermore, the expression of individual key genes showed a correlation with the infiltration of major immune cells in the brain tumor microenvironment (TME) as analyzed by Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), suggesting possible roles of them in regulation of the tumor immune response in TME. Therefore, the present work may provide new potential biomarkers for BCBM. Additionally, using GSEA, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) Enrichment Analysis, we determined the top enriched cellular functions or pathways in 231-BR cells, which may help better understand the biology governing the development and progression of BCBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Beijing, China.,Cancer Institute of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Zeng
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Experimental Center for Basic Medical Teaching, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Lu
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Gao
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Beijing, China.,Cancer Institute of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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22
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Badiuk SR, Thiessen JD, Maleki Vareki S, Foster PJ, Chen JZ, Wong E. Glial activation positron emission tomography imaging in radiation treatment of breast cancer brain metastases. Phys Imaging Radiat Oncol 2022; 21:115-122. [PMID: 35359488 PMCID: PMC8961463 DOI: 10.1016/j.phro.2022.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain metastases affect more breast cancer patients than ever before due to increased overall patient survival with improved molecularly targeted treatments. Approximately 25–34% of breast cancer patients develop brain metastases in their lifetime. Due to the blood–brain barrier (BBB), the standard treatment for breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM) is surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and/or whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT). At the cost of cognitive side effects, WBRT has proven efficacy in treating brain metastases when used with local therapies such as SRS and surgery. This review investigated the potential use of glial activation positron emission tomography (PET) imaging for radiation treatment of BCBM. In order to put these studies into context, we provided background on current radiation treatment approaches for BCBM, our current understanding of the brain microenvironment, its interaction with the peripheral immune system, and alterations in the brain microenvironment by BCBM and radiation. We summarized preclinical literature on the interactions between glial activation and cognition and clinical studies using translocator protein (TSPO) PET to image glial activation in the context of neurological diseases. TSPO-PET is not employed clinically in assessing and guiding cancer therapies. However, it has gained traction in preclinical studies where glial activation was investigated from primary brain cancer, metastases and radiation treatments. Novel glial activation PET imaging and its applications in preclinical studies using breast cancer models and glial immunohistochemistry are highlighted. Lastly, we discuss the potential clinical application of glial activation imaging to improve the therapeutic ratio of radiation treatments for BCBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sawyer Rhae Badiuk
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Jonathan D Thiessen
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Medical Imaging, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Imaging Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada
| | - Saman Maleki Vareki
- Cancer Research Laboratory Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6A5 W9, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Division of Experimental Oncology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Paula J Foster
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Imaging Research Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Jeff Z Chen
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada
| | - Eugene Wong
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
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23
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Thorny ground, rocky soil: Tissue-specific mechanisms of tumor dormancy and relapse. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 78:104-123. [PMID: 33979673 PMCID: PMC9595433 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) spread systemically yet distinct patterns of metastasis indicate a range of tissue susceptibility to metastatic colonization. Distinctions between permissive and suppressive tissues are still being elucidated at cellular and molecular levels. Although there is a growing appreciation for the role of the microenvironment in regulating metastatic success, we have a limited understanding of how diverse tissues regulate DTC dormancy, the state of reversible quiescence and subsequent awakening thought to contribute to delayed relapse. Several themes of microenvironmental regulation of dormancy are beginning to emerge, including vascular association, co-option of pre-existing niches, metabolic adaptation, and immune evasion, with tissue-specific nuances. Conversely, DTC awakening is often associated with injury or inflammation-induced activation of the stroma, promoting a proliferative environment with DTCs following suit. We review what is known about tissue-specific regulation of tumor dormancy on a tissue-by-tissue basis, profiling major metastatic organs including the bone, lung, brain, liver, and lymph node. An aerial view of the barriers to metastatic growth may reveal common targets and dependencies to inform the therapeutic prevention of relapse.
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24
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Carney CP, Pandey N, Kapur A, Woodworth GF, Winkles JA, Kim AJ. Harnessing nanomedicine for enhanced immunotherapy for breast cancer brain metastases. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2021; 11:2344-2370. [PMID: 34716900 PMCID: PMC8568876 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-021-01039-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Brain metastases (BMs) are the most common type of brain tumor, and the incidence among breast cancer (BC) patients has been steadily increasing over the past two decades. Indeed, ~ 30% of all patients with metastatic BC will develop BMs, and due to few effective treatments, many will succumb to the disease within a year. Historically, patients with BMs have been largely excluded from clinical trials investigating systemic therapies including immunotherapies (ITs) due to limited brain penetration of systemically administered drugs combined with previous assumptions that BMs are poorly immunogenic. It is now understood that the central nervous system (CNS) is an immunologically distinct site and there is increasing evidence that enhancing immune responses to BCBMs will improve patient outcomes and the efficacy of current treatment regimens. Progress in IT for BCBMs, however, has been slow due to several intrinsic limitations to drug delivery within the brain, substantial safety concerns, and few known targets for BCBM IT. Emerging studies demonstrate that nanomedicine may be a powerful approach to overcome such limitations, and has the potential to greatly improve IT strategies for BMs specifically. This review summarizes the evidence for IT as an effective strategy for BCBM treatment and focuses on the nanotherapeutic strategies currently being explored for BCBMs including targeting the blood-brain/tumor barrier (BBB/BTB), tumor cells, and tumor-supporting immune cells for concentrated drug release within BCBMs, as well as use of nanoparticles (NPs) for delivering immunomodulatory agents, for inducing immunogenic cell death, or for potentiating anti-tumor T cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine P Carney
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Nikhil Pandey
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Anshika Kapur
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Graeme F Woodworth
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Winkles
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
- Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
- Department of Surgery and Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 800 West Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
| | - Anthony J Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Pharmacology, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
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25
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Steeg PS. The blood-tumour barrier in cancer biology and therapy. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2021; 18:696-714. [PMID: 34253912 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-021-00529-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The protective blood-brain barrier has a major role in ensuring normal brain function by severely limiting and tightly controlling the ingress of substances into the brain from the circulation. In primary brain tumours, such as glioblastomas, as well as in brain metastases from cancers in other organs, including lung and breast cancers and melanoma, the blood-brain barrier is modified and is referred to as the blood-tumour barrier (BTB). Alterations in the BTB affect its permeability, and this structure participates in reciprocal regulatory pathways with tumour cells. Importantly, the BTB typically retains a heterogeneous capacity to restrict the penetration of many therapeutic agents into intracranial tumours, and overcoming this challenge is a key to improving the effectiveness of treatment and patient quality of life. Herein, current knowledge of BTB structure and function is reviewed from a cell and cancer biology standpoint, with a focus on findings derived from in vivo models and human tumour specimens. Additionally, how this knowledge can be translated into clinical advances for patients with cancer is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia S Steeg
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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26
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Guan Z, Lan H, Cai X, Zhang Y, Liang A, Li J. Blood-Brain Barrier, Cell Junctions, and Tumor Microenvironment in Brain Metastases, the Biological Prospects and Dilemma in Therapies. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:722917. [PMID: 34504845 PMCID: PMC8421648 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.722917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain metastasis is the most commonly seen brain malignancy, frequently originating from lung cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma. Brain tumor has its unique cell types, anatomical structures, metabolic constraints, and immune environment, which namely the tumor microenvironment (TME). It has been discovered that the tumor microenvironment can regulate the progression, metastasis of primary tumors, and response to the treatment through the particular cellular and non-cellular components. Brain metastasis tumor cells that penetrate the brain–blood barrier and blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier to alter the function of cell junctions would lead to different tumor microenvironments. Emerging evidence implies that these tumor microenvironment components would be involved in mechanisms of immune activation, tumor hypoxia, antiangiogenesis, etc. Researchers have applied various therapeutic strategies to inhibit brain metastasis, such as the combination of brain radiotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and monoclonal antibodies. Unfortunately, they hardly access effective treatment. Meanwhile, most clinical trials of target therapy patients with brain metastasis are always excluded. In this review, we summarized the clinical treatment of brain metastasis in recent years, as well as their influence and mechanisms underlying the differences between the composition of tumor microenvironments in the primary tumor and brain metastasis. We also look forward into the feasibility and superiority of tumor microenvironment-targeted therapies in the future, which may help to improve the strategy of brain metastasis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongyu Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yichi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Annan Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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27
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Ahuja S, Lazar IM. Systems-Level Proteomics Evaluation of Microglia Response to Tumor-Supportive Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines. Front Immunol 2021; 12:646043. [PMID: 34566949 PMCID: PMC8458581 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.646043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Microglia safeguard the CNS against injuries and pathogens, and in the presence of certain harmful stimuli are capable of inducing a disease-dependent inflammatory response. When exposed to anti-inflammatory cytokines, however, these cells possess the ability to switch from an inflammatory to an immunosuppressive phenotype. Cancer cells exploit this property to evade the immune system, and elicit an anti-inflammatory microenvironment that facilitates tumor attachment and growth. Objective The tumor-supportive biological processes that are activated in microglia cells in response to anti-inflammatory cytokines released from cancer cells were explored with mass spectrometry and proteomic technologies. Methods Serum-depleted and non-depleted human microglia cells (HMC3) were treated with a cocktail of IL-4, IL-13, IL-10, TGFβ, and CCL2. The cellular protein extracts were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Using functional annotation clustering tools, statistically significant proteins that displayed a change in abundance between cytokine-treated and non-treated cells were mapped to their biological networks and pathways. Results The proteomic analysis of HMC3 cells enabled the identification of ~10,000 proteins. Stimulation with anti-inflammatory cytokines resulted in the activation of distinct, yet integrated clusters of proteins that trigger downstream a number of tumor-promoting biological processes. The observed changes could be classified into four major categories, i.e., mitochondrial gene expression, ECM remodeling, immune response, and impaired cell cycle progression. Intracellular immune activation was mediated mainly by the transducers of MAPK, STAT, TGFβ, NFKB, and integrin signaling pathways. Abundant collagen formation along with the expression of additional receptors, matrix components, growth factors, proteases and protease inhibitors, was indicative of ECM remodeling processes supportive of cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion. Overexpression of integrins and their modulators was reflective of signaling processes that link ECM reorganization with cytoskeletal re-arrangements supportive of cell migration. Antigen processing/presentation was represented by HLA class I histocompatibility antigens, and correlated with upregulated proteasomal subunits, vesicular/viral transport, and secretory processes. Immunosuppressive and proangiogenic chemokines, as well as anti-angiogenic factors, were detectable in low abundance. Pronounced pro-inflammatory, chemotactic or phagocytic trends were not observed, however, the expression of certain receptors, signaling and ECM proteins indicated the presence of such capabilities. Conclusions Comprehensive proteomic profiling of HMC3 cells stimulated with anti-inflammatory cytokines revealed a spectrum of microglia phenotypes supportive of cancer development in the brain via microenvironment-dependent biological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreya Ahuja
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Iulia M. Lazar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
- Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
- Carilion School of Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
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28
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Rat Adipose-Derived Stromal Cells (ADSCs) Increases the Glioblastoma Growth and Decreases the Animal Survival. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 18:1495-1509. [PMID: 34403074 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-021-10227-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Many studies have shown that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and their secreted factors may modulate the biology of tumor cells. However, how these interactions happen in vivo remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of rat adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) and their conditioned medium (ADSC-CM) in glioma tumor growth and malignancy in vivo. Our results showed that when we co-injected C6 cells plus ADSCs into the rat brains, the tumors generated were larger and the animals exhibited shorter survival, when compared with tumors of the animals that received only C6 cells or C6 cells pre-treated with ADSC-CM. We further showed that the animals that received C6 plus ADSC did not present enhanced expression of CD73 (a gene highly expressed in ADSCs), indicating that the tumor volume observed in these animals was not a mere consequence of the higher density of cells administered in this group. Finally, we showed that the animals that received C6 + ADSC presented tumors with larger necrosis areas and greater infiltration of immune cells. These results indicate that the immunoregulatory properties of ADSCs and its contribution to tumor stroma can support tumor growth leading to larger zones of necrosis, recruitment of immune cells, thus facilitating tumor progression. Our data provide new insights into the way by which ADSCs and tumor cells interact and highlight the importance of understanding the fate and roles of MSCs in tumor sites in vivo, as well as their intricate crosstalk with cancer cells.
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29
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Serpe C, Monaco L, Relucenti M, Iovino L, Familiari P, Scavizzi F, Raspa M, Familiari G, Civiero L, D’Agnano I, Limatola C, Catalano M. Microglia-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles Reduce Glioma Growth by Modifying Tumor Cell Metabolism and Enhancing Glutamate Clearance through miR-124. Cells 2021; 10:2066. [PMID: 34440835 PMCID: PMC8393731 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain homeostasis needs continuous exchange of intercellular information among neurons, glial cells, and immune cells, namely microglial cells. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are active players of this process. All the cells of the body, including the brain, release at least two subtypes of EVs, the medium/large EVs (m/lEVs) and small EVs (sEVs). sEVs released by microglia play an important role in brain patrolling in physio-pathological processes. One of the most common and malignant forms of brain cancer is glioblastoma. Altered intercellular communications constitute a base for the onset and the development of the disease. In this work, we used microglia-derived sEVs to assay their effects in vitro on murine glioma cells and in vivo in a glioma model on C57BL6/N mice. Our findings indicated that sEVs carry messages to cancer cells that modify glioma cell metabolism, reducing lactate, nitric oxide (NO), and glutamate (Glu) release. sEVs affect Glu homeostasis, increasing the expression of Glu transporter Glt-1 on astrocytes. We demonstrated that these effects are mediated by miR-124 contained in microglia-released sEVs. The in vivo benefit of microglia-derived sEVs results in a significantly reduced tumor mass and an increased survival of glioma-bearing mice, depending on miR-124.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmela Serpe
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.S.); (L.M.)
| | - Lucia Monaco
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.S.); (L.M.)
| | - Michela Relucenti
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.R.); (G.F.)
| | - Ludovica Iovino
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (L.I.); (L.C.)
| | - Pietro Familiari
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Division of Neurosurgery, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Ferdinando Scavizzi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), CNR, 00015 Monterotond, Italy; (F.S.); (M.R.)
| | - Marcello Raspa
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), CNR, 00015 Monterotond, Italy; (F.S.); (M.R.)
| | - Giuseppe Familiari
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.R.); (G.F.)
| | - Laura Civiero
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (L.I.); (L.C.)
- IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, 30126 Venice, Italy
| | - Igea D’Agnano
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, CNR, 20054 Segrate, Italy;
| | - Cristina Limatola
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Myriam Catalano
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.S.); (L.M.)
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MRI and PET of Brain Tumor Neuroinflammation in the Era of Immunotherapy, From the AJR Special Series on Inflammation. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2021; 218:582-596. [PMID: 34259035 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.21.26159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
With the emergence of immune-modulating therapies, brain tumors present significant diagnostic imaging challenges. These challenges include planning personalized treatment and adjudicating accurate monitoring approaches and therapeutically specific response criteria. This has been due, in part, to the reliance on nonspecific imaging metrics, such as gadolinium-contrast-enhanced MRI or FDG PET, and rapidly evolving biologic understanding of neuroinflammation. The importance of the tumor-immune interaction and ability to therapeutically augment inflammation to improve clinical outcomes necessitates that the radiologist develop a working knowledge of the immune system and its role in clinical neuroimaging. In this article, we review relevant biologic concepts of the tumor microenvironment of primary and metastatic brain tumors, these tumors' interactions with the immune system, and MRI and PET methods for imaging inflammatory elements associated with these malignancies. Recognizing the growing fields of immunotherapeutics and precision oncology, we highlight clinically translatable imaging metrics for the diagnosis and monitoring of brain tumor neuroinflammation. Practical guidance is provided for implementing iron nanoparticle imaging, including imaging indications, protocol, interpretation, and pitfalls. A comprehensive understanding of the inflammatory mechanisms within brain tumors and their imaging features will facilitate the development of innovative non-invasive prognostic and predictive imaging strategies for precision oncology.
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31
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Yu Z, Song M, Chouchane L, Ma X. Functional Genomic Analysis of Breast Cancer Metastasis: Implications for Diagnosis and Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13133276. [PMID: 34208889 PMCID: PMC8268362 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Metastasis remains the greatest cause of fatalities in breast cancer patients world-wide. The process of metastases is highly complex, and the current research efforts in this area are still rather fragmented. The revolution of genomic profiling methods to analyze samples from human and animal models dramatically improved our understanding of breast cancer metastasis. This article summarizes the recent breakthroughs in genomic analyses of breast cancer metastasis and discusses their implications for prognostic and therapeutic applications. Abstract Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most diagnosed cancers worldwide and is the second cause of cancer related death in women. The most frequent cause of BC-related deaths, like many cancers, is metastasis. However, metastasis is a complicated and poorly understood process for which there is a shortage of accurate prognostic indicators and effective treatments. With the rapid and ever-evolving development and application of genomic sequencing technologies, many novel molecules were identified that play previously unappreciated and important roles in the various stages of metastasis. In this review, we summarize current advancements in the functional genomic analysis of BC metastasis and discuss about the potential prognostic and therapeutic implications from the recent genomic findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqi Yu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA;
- Correspondence: (Z.Y.); (X.M.)
| | - Mei Song
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA;
| | - Lotfi Chouchane
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Doha P.O. Box 24144, Qatar;
| | - Xiaojing Ma
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA;
- Correspondence: (Z.Y.); (X.M.)
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Onyeisi JOS, Greve B, Espinoza-Sánchez NA, Kiesel L, Lopes CC, Götte M. microRNA-140-3p modulates invasiveness, motility, and extracellular matrix adhesion of breast cancer cells by targeting syndecan-4. J Cell Biochem 2021; 122:1491-1505. [PMID: 34180077 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Syndecan-4, a predicted target of the microRNA miR-140-3p, plays an important role in multiple steps of tumor progression and is the second most abundant heparan sulfate proteoglycan produced by breast carcinoma cell lines. To investigate the potential functional relationship of miR-140-3p and syndecan-4, MDA-MB-231, SKBR3, and MCF-7 breast cancer (BC) cells were transiently transfected with pre-miR-140-3p, syndecan-4 small interfering RNAJ, or control reagents, respectively. Altered cell behavior was monitored by adhesion, migration, and invasion chamber assays. Moreover, the prognostic value of syndecan-4 was assessed by Kaplan-Maier Plotter analysis of gene expression data from tumor samples of 4929 patients. High expression of syndecan-4 was associated with better relapse-free survival in the whole collective of BC patients, but correlated with a worse survival in the subgroup of estrogen receptor negative and estrogen/progesterone-receptor negative patients. miR-140-3p expression was associated with improved survival irrespective of hormone receptor status. miR-140-3p overexpression induced posttranscriptional downregulation of syndecan-4, as demonstrated by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), flow cytometry, and luciferase assays, resulting in decreased BC cell migration and matrigel invasiveness. Furthermore, miR-140-3p overexpression and syndecan-4 silencing increased the adhesion of BC to fibronectin and laminin. qPCR analysis demonstrated that syndecan-4 silencing leads to altered gene expression of adhesion-related molecules, such as fibronectin and focal adhesion kinase, as well as in the gene expression of the proinvasive factors matrix metalloproteinase 2 and heparanase (also known as HPSE). We conclude that syndecan-4 is a novel target of miR-140-3p that regulates BC cell invasiveness and cell-matrix interactions in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Oyie Sousa Onyeisi
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Münster University Hospital, Münster, Germany.,Disciplina de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Burkhard Greve
- Department of Radiotherapy-Radiooncology, Münster University Hospital, Münster, Germany
| | - Nancy Adriana Espinoza-Sánchez
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Münster University Hospital, Münster, Germany.,Department of Radiotherapy-Radiooncology, Münster University Hospital, Münster, Germany
| | - Ludwig Kiesel
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Münster University Hospital, Münster, Germany
| | - Carla Cristina Lopes
- Disciplina de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Martin Götte
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Münster University Hospital, Münster, Germany
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Molecular Profiles of Brain Metastases: A Focus on Heterogeneity. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13112645. [PMID: 34071176 PMCID: PMC8198739 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Precision cancer medicine depends on the characterization of tumor samples, usually by a single-tumor biopsy, to administer an optimal therapeutic. However, primary tumors and their metastases are often heterogeneous. A metastatic lesion may harbor a completely different genetic makeup to that of its parent tumor, and a single tumor sampling may be ineffective in selecting the most efficient therapy. Brain metastases, due to their low availability and specific microenvironment, pose a particular challenge for precision medicine. In this review, we highlight the genetic landscape of brain metastases, with a particular focus on their heterogeneity. To illustrate this problem, we present phenotypic alterations in brain metastases originating from lung cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma. This article may help clinicians better understand alterations in brain metastases and the relevance of their heterogeneity. Abstract Brain metastasis is a common and devastating clinical entity. Intratumor heterogeneity in brain metastases poses a crucial challenge to precision medicine. However, advances in next-generation sequencing, new insight into the pathophysiology of driver mutations, and the creation of novel tumor models have allowed us to gain better insight into the genetic landscapes of brain metastases, their temporal evolution, and their response to various treatments. A plethora of genomic studies have identified the heterogeneous clonal landscape of tumors and, at the same time, introduced potential targets for precision medicine. As an example, we present phenotypic alterations in brain metastases originating from three malignancies with the highest brain metastasis frequency: lung cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma. We discuss the barriers to precision medicine, tumor heterogeneity, the significance of blood-based biomarkers in tracking clonal evolution, the phylogenetic relationship between primary and metastatic tumors, blood–brain barrier heterogeneity, and limitations to ongoing research.
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Kim SH, Gwak HS, Lee Y, Park NY, Han M, Kim Y, Kim SY, Kim HJ. Evaluation of Serum Neurofilament Light Chain and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein as Screening and Monitoring Biomarkers for Brain Metastases. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092227. [PMID: 34066445 PMCID: PMC8125258 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092227] [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: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Approximately 20% of patients with cancer develop brain metastases (BM). Early BM diagnosis is critical to enable less invasive or toxic approaches. Sensitive and easy-to-use blood-based BM biomarkers may allow early diagnosis and appropriate timely treatment and may improve overall survival. This study aimed to evaluate the potential roles of serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) and serum glial fibrillary acidic protein (sGFAP) for diagnosing and monitoring BM. We found significant differences in the sNfL and the sGFAP levels between patients with and without BMs. The optimal cutoff-levels of sNfL and sGFAP had sensitivities of 91% and 91%, respectively, and combining the two biomarkers (sNfL or sGFAP) improved the sensitivity to up to 98%, with an overall accuracy higher than 91%. Thus, sNfL and sGFAP may be used as biomarkers for BM screening in patients with cancer. Abstract We evaluated the potential serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) and serum glial fibrillary acidic protein (sGFAP) roles in diagnosing and monitoring brain metastases (BMs). We included 70 patients with newly diagnosed BMs, 71 age- and cancer type-matched patients without BMs, and 67 healthy controls (HCs). We compared sNfL and sGFAP levels among the groups using a single-molecule array immunoassay. We prospectively followed 26 patients with BMs every 2–3 months by measuring sNfL and sGFAP levels and performing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The sNfL and the sGFAP levels were higher in patients with BMs (medians: sNfL, 63.7 µL; sGFAP, 819.5 pg/µL) than in those without BMs (sNfL, 13.3 µL; sGFAP, 154 pg/µL; p < 0.001) and HCs (sNfL, 12.5 µL; sGFAP, 135 pg/µL; p < 0.001). The sNfL and the sGFAP cutoff levels had a sensitivity and a specificity of 91%. The sGFAP cutoff level had a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 97%. The sNfL and the sGFAP levels were related to the BM size but not to the primary cancer type. After BM treatment, sNfL and sGFAP levels decreased with reduced BM lesions on MRI; however, they increased when BMs progressed. sNfL and sGFAP are potential biomarkers for BM screening in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Hyun Kim
- Department of Neurology, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Korea; (N.-Y.P.); (Y.K.); (S.-Y.K.); (H.J.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-31-920-1683; Fax: +82-31-920-1275
| | - Ho-Shin Gwak
- Department of Cancer Control, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang 10408, Korea;
| | - Youngjoo Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Korea;
| | - Na-Young Park
- Department of Neurology, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Korea; (N.-Y.P.); (Y.K.); (S.-Y.K.); (H.J.K.)
| | - Mira Han
- Biometric Research Branch, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Korea;
| | - Yeseul Kim
- Department of Neurology, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Korea; (N.-Y.P.); (Y.K.); (S.-Y.K.); (H.J.K.)
| | - So-Yeon Kim
- Department of Neurology, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Korea; (N.-Y.P.); (Y.K.); (S.-Y.K.); (H.J.K.)
| | - Ho Jin Kim
- Department of Neurology, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Korea; (N.-Y.P.); (Y.K.); (S.-Y.K.); (H.J.K.)
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López Vázquez M, Du W, Kanaya N, Kitamura Y, Shah K. Next-generation immunotherapies for brain metastatic cancers. Trends Cancer 2021; 7:809-822. [PMID: 33722479 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2021.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Patients with extracranial tumors, like lung, breast, and skin cancers, often develop brain metastases (BM) during the course of their diseases and BM commonly represent the terminal stage of cancer progression. Recent insights in the immune biology of BM and the increasing focus of immunotherapy as a therapeutic option for cancer has prompted testing of promising biological immunotherapies, including immune cell-targeting, virotherapy, vaccines, and different cell-based therapies. Here, we review the pathobiology of BM progression and evaluate the potential of next-generation immunotherapies for BM tumors. We also provide future perspectives on the development and implementation of such therapies for brain metastatic cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- María López Vázquez
- Center for Stem Cell Therapeutics and Imaging (CSTI), Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Wanlu Du
- Center for Stem Cell Therapeutics and Imaging (CSTI), Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1085, USA
| | - Nobuhiko Kanaya
- Center for Stem Cell Therapeutics and Imaging (CSTI), Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Yohei Kitamura
- Center for Stem Cell Therapeutics and Imaging (CSTI), Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Khalid Shah
- Center for Stem Cell Therapeutics and Imaging (CSTI), Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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Maiti A, Hait NC. Autophagy-mediated tumor cell survival and progression of breast cancer metastasis to the brain. J Cancer 2021; 12:954-964. [PMID: 33442395 PMCID: PMC7797661 DOI: 10.7150/jca.50137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain metastases represent a substantial amount of morbidity and mortality in breast cancer (BC). Metastatic breast tumor cells committed to brain metastases are unique because they escape immune surveillance, can penetrate the blood-brain barrier, and also adapt to the brain tissue microenvironment (TME) for colonization and outgrowth. In addition, dynamic intracellular interactions between metastatic cancer cells and neighboring astrocytes in the brain are thought to play essential roles in brain tumor progression. A better understanding of the above mechanisms will lead to developing more effective therapies for brain metastases. Growing literature suggests autophagy, a conserved lysosomal degradation pathway involved in cellular homeostasis under stressful conditions, plays essential roles in breast tumor metastatic transformation and brain metastases. Cancer cells must adapt under various microenvironmental stresses, such as hypoxia, and nutrient (glucose) deprivation, in order to survive and progress. Clinical studies reveal that tumoral expression of autophagy-related proteins is higher in brain metastasis compared to primary breast tumors. In this review, we outline the molecular mechanisms underlying autophagy-mediated BC cell survival and metastasis to the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparna Maiti
- Division of Breast Surgery and Department of Surgical Oncology, Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, 14263, USA
| | - Nitai C. Hait
- Division of Breast Surgery and Department of Surgical Oncology, Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, 14263, USA
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37
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Xu Y, Zhu Y, Yue Y, Pu S, Wu J, Lv Y, Du D. Tamoxifen attenuates reactive astrocyte-induced brain metastasis and drug resistance through the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2020; 52:1299-1305. [PMID: 33355355 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmaa127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain metastasis affects approximately 20%-30% of patients with triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs). Even small metastatic lesions in the brain can trigger severe neurological impairments and result in extremely short survival time. Recently, active astrocytes were reported to be associated with brain metastases. However, how activated astrocytes regulate the behaviors of disseminated breast cancer cells in the brain remains unknown. In this study, human primary astrocytes were stimulated with IL-1β to form active astrocytes to study the cross-talk between stromal cells (astrocytes) and TNBC cells in brain metastases. Our results showed that active astrocytes significantly increase the malignancy of TNBC cells and prevent them from undergoing apoptosis caused by doxorubicin. We also found that the high level of IL-6 secreted by activated astrocytes was responsible for the drug resistance of breast cancer, which could be abolished by treatment of astrocytes with tamoxifen (TAM). The blockage of active astrocyte-derived IL-6 by a neutralizing antibody resulted in the attenuation of drug resistance, consequently enhancing the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to doxorubicin. Furthermore, the possible involved TAM-modulated drug resistance mechanism may be associated with a decrease in IL-6 expression in astrocytes and the downregulation of MAPK and JAK2/STAT3 signaling in cancer cells. Our data suggested that TAMs might reduce drug resistance through the IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, providing a possible therapy to treat brain metastasis in TNBCs, as estrogen receptor inhibitors (TAMs, etc.) can cross the blood-brain barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongming Xu
- Department of Pain Management, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Yanrong Zhu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng 252000, China
| | - Yong Yue
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhejiang Putuo Hospital, Zhoushan 316100, China
| | - Shaofeng Pu
- Department of Pain Management, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Junzhen Wu
- Department of Pain Management, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Yingying Lv
- Department of Pain Management, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Dongping Du
- Department of Pain Management, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200233, China
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38
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Valiente M, Van Swearingen AED, Anders CK, Bairoch A, Boire A, Bos PD, Cittelly DM, Erez N, Ferraro GB, Fukumura D, Gril B, Herlyn M, Holmen SL, Jain RK, Joyce JA, Lorger M, Massague J, Neman J, Sibson NR, Steeg PS, Thorsen F, Young LS, Varešlija D, Vultur A, Weis-Garcia F, Winkler F. Brain Metastasis Cell Lines Panel: A Public Resource of Organotropic Cell Lines. Cancer Res 2020; 80:4314-4323. [PMID: 32641416 PMCID: PMC7572582 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-0291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Spread of cancer to the brain remains an unmet clinical need in spite of the increasing number of cases among patients with lung, breast cancer, and melanoma most notably. Although research on brain metastasis was considered a minor aspect in the past due to its untreatable nature and invariable lethality, nowadays, limited but encouraging examples have questioned this statement, making it more attractive for basic and clinical researchers. Evidences of its own biological identity (i.e., specific microenvironment) and particular therapeutic requirements (i.e., presence of blood-brain barrier, blood-tumor barrier, molecular differences with the primary tumor) are thought to be critical aspects that must be functionally exploited using preclinical models. We present the coordinated effort of 19 laboratories to compile comprehensive information related to brain metastasis experimental models. Each laboratory has provided details on the cancer cell lines they have generated or characterized as being capable of forming metastatic colonies in the brain, as well as principle methodologies of brain metastasis research. The Brain Metastasis Cell Lines Panel (BrMPanel) represents the first of its class and includes information about the cell line, how tropism to the brain was established, and the behavior of each model in vivo. These and other aspects described are intended to assist investigators in choosing the most suitable cell line for research on brain metastasis. The main goal of this effort is to facilitate research on this unmet clinical need, to improve models through a collaborative environment, and to promote the exchange of information on these valuable resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Valiente
- Brain Metastasis Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain.
| | | | - Carey K Anders
- Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis, Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Amos Bairoch
- CALIPHO group, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Adrienne Boire
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Department of Neurology, Brain Tumor Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Paula D Bos
- Department of Pathology, and Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Diana M Cittelly
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Neta Erez
- Department of Pathology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Gino B Ferraro
- E.L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Dai Fukumura
- E.L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Meenhard Herlyn
- Molecular & Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sheri L Holmen
- Huntsman Cancer Institute and Department of Surgery, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Rakesh K Jain
- E.L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Johanna A Joyce
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mihaela Lorger
- Brain Metastasis Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Joan Massague
- Cancer Cell Biology Program, Brain Tumor Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Josh Neman
- Departments of Neurological Surgery, Physiology & Neuroscience, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Nicola R Sibson
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Frits Thorsen
- The Molecular Imaging Center, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University and Brain Science Research Institute, Shandong University, Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Remodeling, Shandong, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Leonie S Young
- Endocrine Oncology Research Group, Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Damir Varešlija
- Endocrine Oncology Research Group, Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Adina Vultur
- Molecular & Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Frances Weis-Garcia
- Antibody & Bioresource Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Frank Winkler
- Neurology Clinic and National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, and Clinical Cooperation Unit Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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39
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McAvoy MB, Choi BD, Jones PS. Immune Therapy for Central Nervous System Metastasis. Neurosurg Clin N Am 2020; 31:627-639. [PMID: 32921357 DOI: 10.1016/j.nec.2020.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Brain metastases lead to substantial morbidity and mortality among patients with advanced malignancies. Although treatment options have traditionally included largely palliative measures, studies of brain metastasis response to immunotherapy are promising. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown efficacy in studies of patients with melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, and lung cancer brain metastases. Patients with brain metastases are more frequently included in clinical trials, ushering in a new era in immunotherapy and management for patients with brain metastases. Gaining an understanding of the molecular determination for response to immunotherapies remains a major challenge and is an active area of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malia B McAvoy
- University of Washington Medical Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, Box 356470, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195-6470, USA
| | - Bryan D Choi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 15 Parkman Street, WAC 3, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Pamela S Jones
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 15 Parkman Street, WAC 745, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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40
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Ren D, Cheng H, Wang X, Vishnoi M, Teh BS, Rostomily R, Chang J, Wong ST, Zhao H. Emerging treatment strategies for breast cancer brain metastasis: from translational therapeutics to real-world experience. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2020; 12:1758835920936151. [PMID: 32655700 PMCID: PMC7328353 DOI: 10.1177/1758835920936151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic therapies for primary breast cancer have made great progress over the past two decades. However, oncologists confront an insidious and particularly difficult problem: in those patients with metastatic breast cancer, up to 50% of human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-positive and 25-40% of triple-negative subtypes, brain metastases (BM) kill most of them. Fortunately, standard- of-care treatments for BM have improved rapidly, with a decline in whole brain radiation therapy and use of fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery as well as targeted therapies and immunotherapies. Meanwhile, advances in fundamental understanding of the basic biological processes of breast cancer BM (BCBM) have led to many novel experimental therapeutic strategies. In this review, we describe the most recent clinical treatment options and emerging experimental therapeutic strategies that have the potential to combat BCBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ding Ren
- Outpatient Department, PLA Navy NO.905 Hospital,
Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Hao Cheng
- Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital,
Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Systems Medicine and
Bioengineering, Houston Methodist Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine,
Houston, TX, USA
| | - Monika Vishnoi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist
Hospital, Weill Cornell Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Bin S. Teh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston
Methodist Hospital, Weill Cornell Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Robert Rostomily
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist
Hospital, Weill Cornell Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jenny Chang
- Houston Methodist Cancer Center, Weill Cornell
Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Stephen T. Wong
- Department of Systems Medicine and
Bioengineering, Houston Methodist Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine,
6670 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hong Zhao
- Department of Systems Medicine and
Bioengineering, Houston Methodist Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine,
6670 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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41
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Zimmer AS, Steinberg SM, Smart DD, Gilbert MR, Armstrong TS, Burton E, Houston N, Biassou N, Gril B, Brastianos PK, Carter S, Lyden D, Lipkowitz S, Steeg PS. Temozolomide in secondary prevention of HER2-positive breast cancer brain metastases. Future Oncol 2020; 16:899-909. [PMID: 32270710 PMCID: PMC7270957 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2020-0094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain metastases occur in up to 25-55% of patients with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer. Standard treatment has high rates of recurrence or progression, limiting survival and quality of life in most patients. Temozolomide (TMZ) is known to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and is US FDA approved for treatment of glioblastoma. Our group has demonstrated that low doses of TMZ administered in a prophylactic, metronomic fashion can significantly prevent development of brain metastases in murine models of breast cancer. Based on these findings, we initiated a secondary-prevention clinical trial with oral TMZ given to HER2-positive breast cancer patients with brain metastases after recent local treatment in combination with T-DM1 for systemic control of disease. Primary end point is freedom from new brain metastases at 1 year. (NCT03190967).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra S Zimmer
- Women's Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Seth M Steinberg
- Biostatistics & Data Management Section, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Dee Dee Smart
- Radiation Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Mark R Gilbert
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Terri S Armstrong
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Eric Burton
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Nicole Houston
- Women's Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Nadia Biassou
- Neuro-Radiology, Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Brunilde Gril
- Women's Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Priscilla K Brastianos
- Central Nervous System Metastases Program, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Cancer Center Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Scott Carter
- Biostatistics and Computation Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - David Lyden
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Stanley Lipkowitz
- Women's Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Patricia S Steeg
- Women's Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
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42
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You H, Baluszek S, Kaminska B. Supportive roles of brain macrophages in CNS metastases and assessment of new approaches targeting their functions. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:2949-2964. [PMID: 32194848 PMCID: PMC7053204 DOI: 10.7150/thno.40783] [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: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastases to the central nervous system (CNS) occur frequently in adults and their frequency increases with the prolonged survival of cancer patients. Patients with CNS metastases have short survival, and modern therapeutics, while effective for extra-cranial cancers, do not reduce metastatic burden. Tumor cells attract and reprogram stromal cells, including tumor-associated macrophages that support cancer growth by promoting tissue remodeling, invasion, immunosuppression and metastasis. Specific roles of brain resident and infiltrating macrophages in creating a pre-metastatic niche for CNS invading cancer cells are less known. There are populations of CNS resident innate immune cells such as: parenchymal microglia and non-parenchymal, CNS border-associated macrophages that colonize CNS in early development and sustain its homeostasis. In this study we summarize available data on potential roles of different brain macrophages in most common brain metastases. We hypothesize that metastatic cancer cells exploit CNS macrophages and their cytoprotective mechanisms to create a pre-metastatic niche and facilitate metastatic growth. We assess current pharmacological strategies to manipulate functions of brain macrophages and hypothesize on their potential use in a therapy of CNS metastases. We conclude that the current data strongly support a notion that microglia, as well as non-parenchymal macrophages and peripheral infiltrating macrophages, are involved in multiple stages of CNS metastases. Understanding their contribution will lead to development of new therapeutic strategies.
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43
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Mills MN, Figura NB, Arrington JA, Yu HHM, Etame AB, Vogelbaum MA, Soliman H, Czerniecki BJ, Forsyth PA, Han HS, Ahmed KA. Management of brain metastases in breast cancer: a review of current practices and emerging treatments. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2020; 180:279-300. [PMID: 32030570 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-020-05552-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM) are becoming an increasingly common diagnosis due to improved systemic control and more routine surveillance imaging. Treatment continues to require a multidisciplinary approach managing systemic and intracranial disease burden. Although, improvements have been made in the diagnosis and management of BCBM, brain metastasis patients continue to pose a challenge for practitioners. METHODS In this review, a group of medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, breast surgeons, and neurosurgeons specializing in the treatment of breast cancer reviewed the available published literature and compiled a comprehensive review on the current state of BCBM. RESULTS We discuss the pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment options (including systemic, surgical, and radiotherapy treatment modalities), and treatment response evaluation for BCBM. Furthermore, we discuss the ongoing prospective trials enrolling BCBM patients and their biologic rationale. CONCLUSIONS BCBM management is an increasing clinical concern. Multidisciplinary management combining the strengths of surgical, systemic, and radiation treatment modalities with prospective trials incorporating knowledge from the basic and translational sciences will ultimately lead to improved clinical outcomes for BCBM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew N Mills
- Department of Radiation Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Dr, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Nicholas B Figura
- Department of Radiation Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Dr, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - John A Arrington
- Department of Radiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Hsiang-Hsuan Michael Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Dr, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Arnold B Etame
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Michael A Vogelbaum
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Hatem Soliman
- Department of Breast Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Brian J Czerniecki
- Department of Breast Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Peter A Forsyth
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Hyo S Han
- Department of Breast Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Kamran A Ahmed
- Department of Radiation Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Dr, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
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Caban-Toktas S, Sahin A, Lule S, Esendagli G, Vural I, Karlı Oguz K, Soylemezoglu F, Mut M, Dalkara T, Khan M, Capan Y. Combination of Paclitaxel and R-flurbiprofen loaded PLGA nanoparticles suppresses glioblastoma growth on systemic administration. Int J Pharm 2020; 578:119076. [PMID: 31988035 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2020.119076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Malignant gliomas are highly lethal. Delivering chemotherapeutic drugs to the brain in sufficient concentration is the major limitation in their treatment due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Drug delivery systems may overcome this limitation and can improve the transportation through the BBB. Paclitaxel is an antimicrotubule agent with effective anticancer activity but limited BBB permeability. R-Flurbiprofen is a nonsteroidal antienflammatory drug and has potential anticancer activity. Accordingly, we designed an approach combining R-flurbiprofen and paclitaxel and positively-charged chitosan-modified poly-lactide-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) and to transport them to glioma tissue. NPs were characterized and, cytotoxicity and cellular uptake studies were carried out in vitro. The in vivo efficacy of the combination and formulations were evaluated using a rat RG2 glioma tumor model. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) modified and chitosan-coated PLGA NPs demonstrated efficient cytotoxic activity and were internalized by the tumor cells in RG2 cell culture. In vivo studies showed that the chitosan-coated and PEGylated NPs loaded with paclitaxel and R-flurbiprofen exhibited significantly higher therapeutic activity against glioma. In conclusion, PLGA NPs can efficiently carry their payloads to glioma tissue and the combined use of anticancer and anti-inflammatory drugs may exert additional anti-tumor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Secil Caban-Toktas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Adem Sahin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sevda Lule
- Institute of Neurological Sciences and Psychiatry, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Gunes Esendagli
- Department of Basic Oncology, Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Imran Vural
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Kader Karlı Oguz
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey; National Magnetic Resonance Research Center (UMRAM), Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Figen Soylemezoglu
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Melike Mut
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Turgay Dalkara
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Institute of Neurological Sciences and Psychiatry, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Mansoor Khan
- Texas A&M Health Science Center, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas, USA.
| | - Yilmaz Capan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
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45
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Interaction of tumor cells and astrocytes promotes breast cancer brain metastases through TGF-β2/ANGPTL4 axes. NPJ Precis Oncol 2019; 3:24. [PMID: 31602400 PMCID: PMC6776663 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-019-0094-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic outcomes depend on the interactions of metastatic cells with a specific organ microenvironment. Our previous studies have shown that triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) MDA-MB-231 cells passaged in astrocyte-conditioned medium (ACM) show proclivity to form brain metastases, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. The combination of microarray analysis, qPCR, and ELISA assay were carried out to demonstrate the ACM-induced expression of angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) in TNBC cells. A stable ANGPTL4-knockdown MDA-MB-231 cell line was generated by ANGPTL4 short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) and inoculated into mice via left ventricular injection to evaluate the role of ANGPTL4 in brain metastasis formation. The approaches of siRNA, neutralizing antibodies, inhibitors, and immunoprecipitation were used to demonstrate the involved signaling molecules. We first found that ACM-conditioned TNBC cells upregulated the expression of ANGPTL4, a secreted glycoprotein whose effect on tumor progression is known to be tumor microenvironment- and tumor-type dependent. Knockdown of ANGPTL4 in TNBC MDA-MB-231 cells with shRNA decreased ACM-induced tumor cell metastatic growth in the brain and attributed to survival in a mouse model. Furthermore, we identified that astrocytes produced transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-β2), which in part is responsible for upregulation of ANGPTL4 expression in TNBC through induction of SMAD signaling. Moreover, we identified that tumor cells communicate with astrocytes, where tumor cell-derived interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) increased the expression of TGF-β2 in astrocytes. Collectively, these findings indicate that the invading TNBC cells interact with astrocytes in the brain microenvironment that facilitates brain metastases of TNBC cells through a TGF-β2/ANGPTL4 axis. This provides groundwork to target ANGPTL4 as a treatment for breast cancer brain metastases.
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46
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You H, Baluszek S, Kaminska B. Immune Microenvironment of Brain Metastases-Are Microglia and Other Brain Macrophages Little Helpers? Front Immunol 2019; 10:1941. [PMID: 31481958 PMCID: PMC6710386 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain metastases are common intracranial neoplasms and their frequency increases with prolonged survival of cancer patients. New pharmaceuticals targeting oncogenic kinases and immune checkpoint inhibitors augment both overall and progression-free survival in patients with brain metastases, but are not fully successful in reducing metastatic burden and still a majority of oncologic patients die due to dissemination of the disease. Despite therapy advancements, median survival of patients with brain metastases is several months, although it may vary in different types or subtypes of cancer. Contribution of the innate immune system to cancer progression is well established. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), instead of launching antitumor responses, promote extracellular matrix degradation, secrete immunosuppressive cytokines, promote neoangiogenesis and tumor growth. While their roles as pro-tumorigenic cells facilitating tissue remodeling, invasion and metastasis is well documented, much less is known about the immune microenvironment of brain metastases and roles of specific immune cells in those processes. The central nervous system (CNS) is armed in resident myeloid cells: microglia and perivascular macrophages which colonize CNS in early development and maintain homeostasis in brain parenchyma and at brain-blood vessels interfaces. In this study we discuss available data on the immune composition of most common brain metastases, focusing on interactions between metastatic cancer cells and microglia, perivascular and meningeal macrophages. Cancer cells ‘highjack’ several CNS protective mechanisms and may employ microglia and CNS-border associated macrophages into helping cancer cells to colonize a pre-metastatic niche. We describe emerging molecular insights into mechanisms governing communication between microglia and metastatic cancer cells that culminate in activation of CNS resident microglia and trafficking of monocytic cells from the periphery. We present mechanisms controlling those processes in brain metastases and hypothesize on potential therapeutic approaches. In summary, microglia and non-parenchymal brain macrophages are involved in multiple stages of a metastatic disease and, unlike tumor cells, are genetically stable and predictable, which makes them an attractive target for anticancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua You
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,School of Laboratory Medicine, YouJiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China.,Affiliated Hospital of Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Szymon Baluszek
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bozena Kaminska
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
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47
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Liang Y, Zhang H, Song X, Yang Q. Metastatic heterogeneity of breast cancer: Molecular mechanism and potential therapeutic targets. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 60:14-27. [PMID: 31421262 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 409] [Impact Index Per Article: 81.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 08/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies among women throughout the world and is the major cause of most cancer-related deaths. Several explanations account for the high rate of mortality of breast cancer, and metastasis to vital organs is identified as the principal cause. Over the past few years, intensive efforts have demonstrated that breast cancer exhibits metastatic heterogeneity with distinct metastatic precedence to various organs, giving rise to differences in prognoses and responses to therapy in breast cancer patients. Bone, lung, liver, and brain are generally accepted as the primary target sites of breast cancer metastasis. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of metastatic heterogeneity of breast cancer remains to be further elucidated. Recently, the advent of novel genomic and pathologic approaches as well as technological breakthroughs in imaging analysis and animal modelling have yielded an unprecedented change in our understanding of the heterogeneity of breast cancer metastasis and provided novel insight for establishing more effective therapeutics. This review summarizes recent molecular mechanisms and emerging concepts on the metastatic heterogeneity of breast cancer and discusses the potential of identifying specific molecules against tumor cells or tumor microenvironments to thwart the development of metastatic disease and improve the prognosis of breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiran Liang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, PR China
| | - Hanwen Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, PR China
| | - Xiaojin Song
- Department of Breast Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, PR China
| | - Qifeng Yang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, PR China; Pathology Tissue Bank, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, PR China.
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48
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Yang L, Li J, Fu S, Ren P, Tang J, Wang N, Shi X, Wu J, Lin S. Up-regulation of Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3 Is Associated with Brain Metastasis in Lung Adenocarcinoma. Mol Cells 2019; 42:321-332. [PMID: 31085806 PMCID: PMC6530643 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2019.2441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 12/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The brain is the most common metastatic site of lung adenocarcinoma; however, the mechanism of this selective metastasis remains unclear. We aimed to verify the hypothesis that exposure of tumor cells to the brain microenvironment leads to changes in their gene expression, which promotes their oriented transfer to the brain. A549 and H1299 lung adenocarcinoma cells were exposed to human astrocyte-conditioned medium to simulate the brain microenvironment. Microarray analysis was used to identify differentially expressed genes, which were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting. Knockdown experiments using microRNAs and the overexpression of genes by cell transfection were performed in addition to migration and invasion assays. In vitro findings were confirmed in clinical specimens using immunohistochemistry. We found and confirmed a significant increase in insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP3) levels. Our results also showed that the up-regulation of IGFBP3 promoted A549 cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration, and invasion, while the knockdown of IGFBP3 resulted in decreased cell motility. We also found that Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4 (Smad4)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition was likely IGFBP3-dependent in A549 cells. Finally, expression of IGFBP3 was significantly elevated in pulmonary cancer tissues and intracranial metastatic tissues. Our data indicate that up-regulation of IGFBP3 might mediate brain metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma, which makes it a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lishi Yang
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000,
China
| | - Junyang Li
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000,
China
| | - Shaozhi Fu
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000,
China
| | - Peirong Ren
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000,
China
| | - Juan Tang
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000,
China
| | - Na Wang
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000,
China
| | - Xiangxiang Shi
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000,
China
| | - Jingbo Wu
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000,
China
| | - Sheng Lin
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000,
China
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000,
China
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49
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Cominetti MR, Altei WF, Selistre-de-Araujo HS. Metastasis inhibition in breast cancer by targeting cancer cell extravasation. BREAST CANCER-TARGETS AND THERAPY 2019; 11:165-178. [PMID: 31114313 PMCID: PMC6497883 DOI: 10.2147/bctt.s166725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The spread of cells from primary tumors toward distant tissues and organs, also known as metastasis, is responsible for most cancer-associated deaths. The metastasis cascade comprises a series of events, characterized by the displacement of tumor cells (TCs) from the primary tumor to distant organs by traveling through the bloodstream, and their subsequent colonization. The first step in metastasis involves loss of cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions, increased invasiveness and migratory abilities, leading to intravasation of TCs into the blood or lymphatic vessels. Stationary TCs must undergo the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in order to achieve this migratory and invasive phenotype. Circulating tumor cells that have survived in the circulation and left the blood or lymphatic vessels will reach distant sites where they may stay dormant for many years or grow to form secondary tumors. To do this, cells need to go through the mesenchymal-epithelial transition to revert the phenotype in order to regain epithelial cell-to-cell junctions, grow and become a clinically relevant and detectable tumor mass. This work will review the main steps of the metastatic cascade and describe some strategies to inhibit metastasis by reducing cancer cell extravasation presenting recent studies in the context of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Márcia R Cominetti
- Department of Gerontology, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Wanessa F Altei
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
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50
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Doron H, Pukrop T, Erez N. A Blazing Landscape: Neuroinflammation Shapes Brain Metastasis. Cancer Res 2019; 79:423-436. [PMID: 30679177 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-1805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 09/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Brain metastases are more common than primary CNS tumors and confer grave prognosis on patients, as existing treatments have very limited efficacy. The tumor microenvironment has a central role in facilitating tumorigenesis and metastasis. In recent years, there has been much progress in our understanding of the functional role of the brain metastatic microenvironment. In this review, we discuss the latest advances in brain metastasis research, with special emphasis on the role of the brain microenvironment and neuroinflammation, integrating insights from comparable findings in neuropathologies and primary CNS tumors. In addition, we overview findings on the formation of a hospitable metastatic niche and point out the major gaps in knowledge toward developing new therapeutics that will cotarget the stromal compartment in an effort to improve the treatment and prevention of brain metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hila Doron
- Department of Pathology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tobias Pukrop
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Neta Erez
- Department of Pathology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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