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Abdulrezzak U, Akgun H, Tutus A, Kula M, Dogan S, Oz AB, Ok E. Evaluation of blood supply and metabolism in tumor, axillary lymph node and normal breast tissue with F-18 FDG PET/CT in breast cancer: comparison with pathological prognostic factors. BMC Womens Health 2024; 24:45. [PMID: 38229093 PMCID: PMC10792953 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-023-02858-3] [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: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Perfusion parameters obtained in F-18 FDG PET/CT performed for staging purposes in breast cancers may provide additional information about tumor biology as well as glucose metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate throughout F-18 FDG PET/CT the relationship between blood flow and glucose metabolism and histological parameters of the primary tumor, normal mammary gland, and axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty six female patients (mean age 51 y ± 12,81) were prospectively included to this study. We performed dynamic blood flow (f) study that started with 296-444 MBq (8-12 mCi) F-18 FDG injection and lasted for 10 minutes, and glucose metabolism (m) imaging one hour later. On each frame, mean activity concentration (AC) values (Bq/mL) were recorded on a spherical volume of interest (VOI) having a volume of ~ 1 cm3 on the hottest voxel of primary tumor (T), across normal breast gland (NG) and ipsilaterally axillary lymph nodes (iLN). Correlations among PET parameters and estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (c-erbB2) and Ki67 index were analyzed. RESULTS T volume (TV) ranged from 1.1 to 85.28 cm3 [median (IR): 6.44 (11.78)]. There were positive correlations between c-erbB2 and TACf and between c-erbB2 and iLNACf (p = 0.045, r = + 0.248; p = 0.050, r = + 0.242). In the ER positive (ERP) patients, TV and TACm were significantly lower than those of ER negative (ERN) (respectively p = 0.044 and p = 0.041). In patients with two positive Ki-67 indices, iLN-SUVmax was significantly higher than one-positive patients (p = 0.020). There was a negative correlation between NGACm and histological grade of tumor (p = 0.005, r = - 0.365). CONCLUSIONS Breast cancer shows differences in progression, metastasis and survival due to its diversity in terms of molecular, biological and angiogenesis. High glucose metabolism in breast cancers is associated with tumor aggressiveness. Being able to examine tumor tissue characteristics such as blood flow and glucose metabolism with a single diagnostic technique and to reveal its relationship with histological parameters can provide a reliable pretherapeutic evaluation in breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ummuhan Abdulrezzak
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Erciyes University, School of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey.
| | - Hulya Akgun
- Department of Pathology, Erciyes University, School of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Tutus
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Erciyes University, School of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Kula
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Erciyes University, School of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Serap Dogan
- Department of Radiology, Erciyes University, School of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Abdullah Bahadır Oz
- Department of General Surgery, Erciyes University, School of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Engin Ok
- Department of General Surgery, Erciyes University, School of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey
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Giorello MB, Martinez LM, Borzone FR, Padin MDR, Mora MF, Sevic I, Alaniz L, Calcagno MDL, García-Rivello H, Wernicke A, Labovsky V, Chasseing NA. CD105 expression in cancer-associated fibroblasts: a biomarker for bone metastasis in early invasive ductal breast cancer patients. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1250869. [PMID: 37719885 PMCID: PMC10501720 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1250869] [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: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Bone metastasis is one of the causes that mainly decrease survival in patients with advanced breast cancer. Therefore, it is essential to find prognostic markers for the occurrence of this type of metastasis during the early stage of the disease. Currently, cancer-associated fibroblasts, which represent 80% of the fibroblasts present in the tumor microenvironment, are an interesting target for studying new biomarkers and developing alternative therapies. This study evaluated the prognostic significance of the CD105 expression in cancer-associated fibroblasts in early breast cancer patients. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to assess CD105 expression in invasive ductal breast carcinomas (n = 342), analyzing its association with clinical and pathological characteristics. Results: High CD105 expression in cancer-associated fibroblasts was associated with an increased risk of metastatic occurrence (p = 0.0003), particularly bone metastasis (p = 0.0005). Furthermore, high CD105 expression was associated with shorter metastasis-free survival, bone metastasis-free survival, and overall survival (p = 0.0002, 0.0006, and 0.0002, respectively). CD105 expression also constituted an independent prognostic factor for metastasis-free survival, bone metastasis-free survival, and overall survival (p = 0.0003, 0.0006, and 0.0001, respectively). Discussion: The high CD105 expression in cancer-associated fibroblasts is an independent prognostic marker for bone metastasis in early breast cancer patients. Therefore, the evaluation of CD105(+) CAFs could be crucial to stratify BCPs based on their individual risk profile for the development of BM, enhancing treatment strategies and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Belén Giorello
- Laboratorio de Inmunohematología, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Leandro Marcelo Martinez
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Francisco Raúl Borzone
- Laboratorio de Inmunohematología, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | | | - Ina Sevic
- Laboratorio de Microambiente Tumoral, Centro de Investigaciones Basicas y Aplicadas (CIBA), Junín, Argentina
| | - Laura Alaniz
- Laboratorio de Microambiente Tumoral, Centro de Investigaciones Basicas y Aplicadas (CIBA), Junín, Argentina
| | | | | | - Alejandra Wernicke
- Departamento de Anatomía Patológica, Hospital Italiano, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Vivian Labovsky
- Laboratorio de Inmunohematología, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Norma Alejandra Chasseing
- Laboratorio de Inmunohematología, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Kehrberg RJ, Bhyravbhatla N, Batra SK, Kumar S. Epigenetic regulation of cancer-associated fibroblast heterogeneity. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188901. [PMID: 37120098 PMCID: PMC10375465 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), a significant component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), contribute to cancer progression through the secretion of extracellular matrix (ECM), growth factors, and metabolites. It is now well recognized that CAFs are a heterogenous population with ablation experiments leading to reduced tumor growth and single-cell RNA sequencing demonstrating CAF subgroups. CAFs lack genetic mutations yet substantially differ from their normal stromal precursors. Here, we review epigenetic changes in CAF maturation, focusing on DNA methylation and histone modifications. DNA methylation changes in CAFs have been demonstrated globally, while roles of methylation at specific genes affect tumor growth. Further, loss of CAF histone methylation and gain of histone acetylation has been shown to promote CAF activation and tumor promotion. Many CAF activating factors, such as transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), lead to these epigenetic changes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) serve as targets and orchestrators of epigenetic modifications that influence gene expression. Bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET), an epigenetic reader, recognizes histone acetylation and activates the transcription of genes leading to the pro-tumor phenotype of CAFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel J Kehrberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Namita Bhyravbhatla
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - Sushil Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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Lindgren M, Rask G, Jonsson J, Berglund A, Lundin C, Jonsson P, Ljuslinder I, Nyström H. Type IV Collagen in Human Colorectal Liver Metastases—Cellular Origin and a Circulating Biomarker. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143396. [PMID: 35884455 PMCID: PMC9325127 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM) can be cured through surgery if metastases are detected early in disease progression. Today, CLM diagnosis relies heavily on diagnostic imaging, and cheap, non-invasive, and efficiently measurable biomarkers are needed. Circulating type IV collagen (COL IV) is a potential biomarker for detecting CLM. Patients with CLM show elevated circulating levels of COL IV and increased tissue expression of COL IV in CLM tissue, which could result from enhanced production and degradation of COL IV. This study aimed to establish the cellular source behind enhanced COL IV levels, which is helpful in the evaluation of the biomarker potential of COL IV. We show that fibroblasts express COL IV both in vitro and in the stromal tissue of CLM. We also found that CLM tissue expresses COL IV-degrading proteases. Lastly, CLM patients have higher circulating COL IV levels than healthy controls. Abstract Circulating type IV collagen (cCOL IV) is a potential biomarker for patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM) who present with elevated levels of COL IV in both CLM tissue and circulation. This study aimed to establish the cellular origin of elevated levels of COL IV and analyze circulating COL IV in CLM patients. The cellular source was established through in situ hybridization, immunohistochemical staining, and morphological evaluation. Cellular expression in vitro was assessed by immunofluorescence. Tissue expression of COL IV-degrading matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-2, -7, -9, and -13 was studied with immunohistochemical staining. Plasma levels of COL IV in CLM patients and healthy controls were analyzed with ELISA. This study shows that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) express COL IV in the stroma of CLM and that COL IV is expressed in vitro by fibroblasts but not by tumor cells. MMP-2, -7, -9, and -13 are expressed in CLM tissue, mainly by hepatocytes and immune cells, and circulating COL IV is significantly elevated in CLM patients compared with healthy controls. Our study shows that stromal cells, not tumor cells, produce COL IV in CLM, and that circulating COL IV is elevated in patients with CLM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moa Lindgren
- Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences/Surgery, Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden; (G.R.); (J.J.); (A.B.); (C.L.); (H.N.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Gunilla Rask
- Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences/Surgery, Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden; (G.R.); (J.J.); (A.B.); (C.L.); (H.N.)
- Department of Medical Biosciences/Pathology, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Josefin Jonsson
- Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences/Surgery, Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden; (G.R.); (J.J.); (A.B.); (C.L.); (H.N.)
| | - Anette Berglund
- Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences/Surgery, Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden; (G.R.); (J.J.); (A.B.); (C.L.); (H.N.)
| | - Christina Lundin
- Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences/Surgery, Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden; (G.R.); (J.J.); (A.B.); (C.L.); (H.N.)
| | - Pär Jonsson
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, SE-907 36 Umeå, Sweden;
| | - Ingrid Ljuslinder
- Department of Radiation Sciences/Oncology, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden;
| | - Hanna Nyström
- Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences/Surgery, Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden; (G.R.); (J.J.); (A.B.); (C.L.); (H.N.)
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
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Han L, Seward C, Leone G, Ostrowski MC. Origin, activation and heterogeneity of fibroblasts associated with pancreas and breast cancers. Adv Cancer Res 2022; 154:169-201. [PMID: 35459469 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Pancreas and breast cancers both contain abundant stromal components within the tumor tissues. A prominent cell type within the stroma is cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). CAFs play critical and complex roles establishing the tumor microenvironment to either promote or prevent tumor progression. Recently, complex genetic models and single cell-based techniques have provided emerging insights on the precise functions and cellular heterogeneity of CAFs. The transformation of normal fibroblasts into CAFs is a key event during tumor initiation and progression. Such coordination between tumor cells and fibroblasts plays an important role in cancer development. Reprograming fibroblasts is currently being explored for therapeutic benefits. In this review, we will discuss recent literature shedding light on the tissues of origin, activation mechanisms, and heterogeneity of CAFs comparing pancreas and breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Han
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.
| | - Cara Seward
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Gustavo Leone
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center, Medical college of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Michael C Ostrowski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.
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He X, Lee B, Jiang Y. Extracellular matrix in cancer progression and therapy. MEDICAL REVIEW (2021) 2022; 2:125-139. [PMID: 37724245 PMCID: PMC10471113 DOI: 10.1515/mr-2021-0028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
The tumor ecosystem with heterogeneous cellular compositions and the tumor microenvironment has increasingly become the focus of cancer research in recent years. The extracellular matrix (ECM), the major component of the tumor microenvironment, and its interactions with the tumor cells and stromal cells have also enjoyed tremendously increased attention. Like the other components of the tumor microenvironment, the ECM in solid tumors differs significantly from that in normal organs and tissues. We review recent studies of the complex roles the tumor ECM plays in cancer progression, from tumor initiation, growth to angiogenesis and invasion. We highlight that the biomolecular, biophysical, and mechanochemical interactions between the ECM and cells not only regulate the steps of cancer progression, but also affect the efficacy of systemic cancer treatment. We further discuss the strategies to target and modify the tumor ECM to improve cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuxiu He
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Byoungkoo Lee
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Yi Jiang
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Jacquemin V, Antoine M, Dom G, Detours V, Maenhaut C, Dumont JE. Dynamic Cancer Cell Heterogeneity: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:280. [PMID: 35053446 PMCID: PMC8773841 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Though heterogeneity of cancers is recognized and has been much discussed in recent years, the concept often remains overlooked in different routine examinations. Indeed, in clinical or biological articles, reviews, and textbooks, cancers and cancer cells are generally presented as evolving distinct entities rather than as an independent heterogeneous cooperative cell population with its self-oriented biology. There are, therefore, conceptual gaps which can mislead the interpretations/diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. In this short review, we wish to summarize and discuss various aspects of this dynamic evolving heterogeneity and its biological, pathological, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic implications, using thyroid carcinoma as an illustrative example.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Jacquemin
- Correspondence: (V.J.); (J.E.D.); Tel.: +32-2-555-32-26 (V.J.); +32-2-555-41-34 (J.E.D.)
| | | | | | | | | | - Jacques E. Dumont
- Institut de Recherche Interdisciplinaire en Biologie Humaine et Moléculaire (IRIBHM), Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (M.A.); (G.D.); (V.D.); (C.M.)
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Jia W, Liang S, Cheng B, Ling C. The Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and the Value of Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment. Front Oncol 2021; 11:763519. [PMID: 34868982 PMCID: PMC8636329 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.763519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasion and metastasis are the main reasons for the high mortality of liver cancer, which involve the interaction of tumor stromal cells and malignant cells. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of the major constituents of tumor stromal cells affecting tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. The heterogeneous properties and sources of CAFs make both tumor-supporting and tumor-suppression effects possible. The mechanisms for CAFs in supporting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression can be categorized into upregulated aggressiveness and stemness, transformed metabolism toward glycolysis and glutamine reductive carboxylation, polarized tumor immunity toward immune escape of HCC cells, and increased angiogenesis. The tumor-suppressive effect of fibroblasts highlights the functional heterogenicity of CAF populations and provides new insights into tumor–stromal interplay mechanisms. In this review, we introduced several key inflammatory signaling pathways in the transformation of CAFs from normal stromal cells and the heterogeneous biofunctions of activated CAFs. In view of the pleiotropic regulation properties of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and heterogeneous effects of CAFs, we also introduced the application and values of TCM in the treatment of HCC through targeting CAFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Jia
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shufang Liang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Binbin Cheng
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Changquan Ling
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
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Shin E, Koo JS. Glucose Metabolism and Glucose Transporters in Breast Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:728759. [PMID: 34552932 PMCID: PMC8450384 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.728759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide and is associated with high mortality rates despite the continuously advancing treatment strategies. Glucose is essential for cancer cell metabolism owing to the Warburg effect. During the process of glucose metabolism, various glycolytic metabolites, such as serine and glycine metabolites, are produced and other metabolic pathways, such as the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), are associated with the process. Glucose is transported into the cell by glucose transporters, such as GLUT. Breast cancer shows high expressions of glucose metabolism-related enzymes and GLUT, which are also related to breast cancer prognosis. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is a high-grade breast cancer, is especially dependent on glucose metabolism. Breast cancer also harbors various stromal cells such as cancer-associated fibroblasts and immune cells as tumor microenvironment, and there exists a metabolic interaction between these stromal cells and breast cancer cells as explained by the reverse Warburg effect. Breast cancer is heterogeneous, and, consequently, its metabolic status is also diverse, which is especially affected by the molecular subtype, progression stage, and metastatic site. In this review, we will focus on glucose metabolism and glucose transporters in breast cancer, and we will additionally discuss their potential applications as cancer imaging tracers and treatment targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ja Seung Koo
- Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
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10
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Giorello MB, Borzone FR, Labovsky V, Piccioni FV, Chasseing NA. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in the Breast Tumor Microenvironment. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2021; 26:135-155. [PMID: 33398516 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-020-09475-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Years of investigation have shed light on a theory in which breast tumor epithelial cells are under the effect of the stromal microenvironment. This review aims to discuss recent findings concerning the phenotypic and functional characteristics of cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and their involvement in tumor evolution, as well as their potential implications for anti-cancer therapy. In this manuscript, we reviewed that CAFs play a fundamental role in initiation, growth, invasion, and metastasis of breast cancer, and also serve as biomarkers in the clinical diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Belén Giorello
- Laboratorio de Inmunohematología (IBYME) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, CP, 1428, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Francisco Raúl Borzone
- Laboratorio de Inmunohematología (IBYME) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, CP, 1428, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Vivian Labovsky
- Laboratorio de Inmunohematología (IBYME) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, CP, 1428, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Flavia Valeria Piccioni
- Laboratorio de Oncología Molecular y Nuevos Blancos Terapéuticos (IBYME) y Laboratorio de Inmunohematología (IBYME) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, CP, 1428, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Norma Alejandra Chasseing
- Laboratorio de Inmunohematología (IBYME) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, CP, 1428, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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11
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Lappano R, Rigiracciolo DC, Belfiore A, Maggiolini M, De Francesco EM. Cancer associated fibroblasts: role in breast cancer and potential as therapeutic targets. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2020; 24:559-572. [PMID: 32249708 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2020.1751819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the largest population of stromal cells in breast tumors. Emerging evidence has suggested that CAFs are important players not only in fostering tumor growth and spread but also in altering the tumor response to therapeutic agents. On the basis of these observations, huge efforts have been made to exploit CAFs as potential targets for breast cancer therapy.Areas covered: The current understanding of the hallmarks and biology of CAFs, their multilayered interplay with various cell populations of breast tumor microenvironment toward cancer initiation, progression, metastasis and resistance to anticancer therapies are discussed. In addition, a comprehensive overview of the CAFs-based molecular druggable targets in breast tumors is provided. The most relevant literature, in particular the studies retrieved in Medline in the last 10 years, served for this purpose.Expert opinion: The interest on CAFs as a target to fight breast cancer has becoming a hot topic for drug discovery. Indeed, several CAFs-targeted approaches are emerging as appealing therapeutic strategies in breast cancer. At pre-clinical level, this research field is speedily advancing toward the assessment of successful tactics targeting CAFs in breast cancer. Therefore, anti-CAFs therapies may display an intriguing potential to be exploited in clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosamaria Lappano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | | | - Antonino Belfiore
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Marcello Maggiolini
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
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Henke E, Nandigama R, Ergün S. Extracellular Matrix in the Tumor Microenvironment and Its Impact on Cancer Therapy. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 6:160. [PMID: 32118030 PMCID: PMC7025524 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2019.00160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 496] [Impact Index Per Article: 124.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Solid tumors are complex organ-like structures that consist not only of tumor cells but also of vasculature, extracellular matrix (ECM), stromal, and immune cells. Often, this tumor microenvironment (TME) comprises the larger part of the overall tumor mass. Like the other components of the TME, the ECM in solid tumors differs significantly from that in normal organs. Intratumoral signaling, transport mechanisms, metabolisms, oxygenation, and immunogenicity are strongly affected if not controlled by the ECM. Exerting this regulatory control, the ECM does not only influence malignancy and growth of the tumor but also its response toward therapy. Understanding the particularities of the ECM in solid tumor is necessary to develop approaches to interfere with its negative effect. In this review, we will also highlight the current understanding of the physical, cellular, and molecular mechanisms by which the pathological tumor ECM affects the efficiency of radio-, chemo-, and immunotherapy. Finally, we will discuss the various strategies to target and modify the tumor ECM and how they could be utilized to improve response to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Henke
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Rajender Nandigama
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Süleyman Ergün
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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13
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Restriction of drug transport by the tumor environment. Histochem Cell Biol 2018; 150:631-648. [DOI: 10.1007/s00418-018-1744-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Wang B, Xi C, Liu M, Sun H, Liu S, Song L, Kang H. Breast fibroblasts in both cancer and normal tissues induce phenotypic transformation of breast cancer stem cells: a preliminary study. PeerJ 2018; 6:e4805. [PMID: 29780673 PMCID: PMC5958881 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are associated with the invasion of breast cancer. In recent years, studies have demonstrated different phenotypes among BCSCs. Furthermore, BCSCs of diverse phenotypes are present at different tumour sites and different histological stages. Fibroblasts are involved in the phenotypic transformation of BCSCs. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) participate in the induction of epithelial–mesenchymal transition, thereby promoting the acquisition of stem cell characteristics, but little is known about the role of normal fibroblasts (NFs) in the phenotypic transformation of BCSCs or about the effect of CAFs and NFs on BCSC phenotypes. Methods A total of six pairs of primary CAFs and NFs were isolated from surgical samples of breast cancer patients and subjected to morphological, immunohistochemical, cell invasion and proteomics analyses. After establishing a cell culture system with conditioned medium from CAFs and NFs, we used the mammosphere formation assay to explore the effect of CAFs and NFs on the self-renewal ability of BCSCs. The effect of CAFs and NFs on the phenotypic differentiation of BCSCs was further analysed by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. Results The isolated CAFs and NFs did not show significant differences in cell morphology or alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, but cell invasion and proteomics analyses demonstrated heterogeneity among these fibroblasts. Both CAFs and NFs could promote the generation of BCSCs, but CAFs displayed a greater ability than NFs in promoting mammosphere formation. Conditioned medium from CAFs increased the proportion of aldehyde dehydrogenase-1 positive (ALDH1+) BCSCs, but conditioned medium from NFs was more likely to promote the generation of CD44+CD24− BCSCs from MCF-7 cells. Discussion This study validated the heterogeneity among CAFs and NFs and expanded on the conclusion that fibroblasts promote the generation of cancer stem cells. Our results particularly emphasized the effect of NFs on the phenotypic transformation of BCSCs. In addition, this study further highlighted the roles of CAFs and NFs in the induction of different phenotypes in BCSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bixiao Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chunfang Xi
- Department of General Surgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Breast Surgery, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Mingwei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing Proteome Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Haichen Sun
- Surgery Lab, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuang Liu
- Surgery Lab, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Song
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing Proteome Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Kang
- Department of General Surgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Lamprecht S, Sigal-Batikoff I, Shany S, Abu-Freha N, Ling E, Delinasios GJ, Moyal-Atias K, Delinasios JG, Fich A. Teaming Up for Trouble: Cancer Cells, Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Signaling and the Epigenetic Corruption of Stromal Naïve Fibroblasts. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10030061. [PMID: 29495500 PMCID: PMC5876636 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10030061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2017] [Revised: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well recognized that cancer cells subvert the phenotype of stromal naïve fibroblasts and instruct the neighboring cells to sustain their growth agenda. The mechanisms underpinning the switch of fibroblasts to cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the focus of intense investigation. One of the most significant hallmarks of the biological identity of CAFs is that their tumor-promoting phenotype is stably maintained during in vitro and ex vivo propagation without the continual interaction with the adjacent cancer cells. In this review, we discuss robust evidence showing that the master cytokine Transforming Growth Factor-β1 (TGFβ-1) is a prime mover in reshaping, via epigenetic switches, the phenotype of stromal fibroblasts to a durable state. We also examine, in detail, the pervasive involvement of TGFβ-1 signaling from both cancer cells and CAFs in fostering cancer development, taking colorectal cancer (CRC) as a paradigm of human neoplasia. Finally, we review the stroma-centric anticancer therapeutic approach focused on CAFs—the most abundant cell population of the tumor microenvironment (TME)—as target cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Lamprecht
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva 8410500, Israel.
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva 8410500, Israel.
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Soroka University Medical Center, Beersheva 8410100, Israel.
| | - Ina Sigal-Batikoff
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva 8410500, Israel.
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva 8410500, Israel.
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Soroka University Medical Center, Beersheva 8410100, Israel.
| | - Shraga Shany
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva 8410500, Israel.
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva 8410500, Israel.
| | - Naim Abu-Freha
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva 8410500, Israel.
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Soroka University Medical Center, Beersheva 8410100, Israel.
| | - Eduard Ling
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva 8410500, Israel.
- Pediatrics Department B, Soroka University Medical Center, Beersheva 8410100, Israel.
| | - George J Delinasios
- International Institute of Anticancer Research, Kapandriti, Athens 19014, Greece.
| | - Keren Moyal-Atias
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva 8410500, Israel.
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Soroka University Medical Center, Beersheva 8410100, Israel.
| | - John G Delinasios
- International Institute of Anticancer Research, Kapandriti, Athens 19014, Greece.
| | - Alexander Fich
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva 8410500, Israel.
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Soroka University Medical Center, Beersheva 8410100, Israel.
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16
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Identification of differentially expressed genes regulated by molecular signature in breast cancer-associated fibroblasts by bioinformatics analysis. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2017; 297:161-183. [PMID: 29063236 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-017-4562-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Breast cancer is a severe risk to public health and has adequately convoluted pathogenesis. Therefore, the description of key molecular markers and pathways is of much importance for clarifying the molecular mechanism of breast cancer-associated fibroblasts initiation and progression. Breast cancer-associated fibroblasts gene expression dataset was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database. METHODS A total of nine samples, including three normal fibroblasts, three granulin-stimulated fibroblasts and three cancer-associated fibroblasts samples, were used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between normal fibroblasts, granulin-stimulated fibroblasts and cancer-associated fibroblasts samples. The gene ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis was performed, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of the DEGs was constructed by NetworkAnalyst software. RESULTS Totally, 190 DEGs were identified, including 66 up-regulated and 124 down-regulated genes. GO analysis results showed that up-regulated DEGs were significantly enriched in biological processes (BP), including cell-cell signalling and negative regulation of cell proliferation; molecular function (MF), including insulin-like growth factor II binding and insulin-like growth factor I binding; cellular component (CC), including insulin-like growth factor binding protein complex and integral component of plasma membrane; the down-regulated DEGs were significantly enriched in BP, including cell adhesion and extracellular matrix organization; MF, including N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfate 6-O-sulfotransferase activity and calcium ion binding; CC, including extracellular space and extracellular matrix. WIKIPATHWAYS analysis showed the up-regulated DEGs were enriched in myometrial relaxation and contraction pathways. WIKIPATHWAYS, REACTOME, PID_NCI and KEGG pathway analysis showed the down-regulated DEGs were enriched endochondral ossification, TGF beta signalling pathway, integrin cell surface interactions, beta1 integrin cell surface interactions, malaria and glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis-chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulphate. The top 5 up-regulated hub genes, CDKN2A, MME, PBX1, IGFBP3, and TFAP2C and top 5 down-regulated hub genes VCAM1, KRT18, TGM2, ACTA2, and STAMBP were identified from the PPI network, and subnetworks revealed these genes were involved in significant pathways, including myometrial relaxation and contraction pathways, integrin cell surface interactions, beta1 integrin cell surface interaction. Besides, the target hsa-mirs for DEGs were identified. hsa-mir-759, hsa-mir-4446-5p, hsa-mir-219a-1-3p and hsa-mir-26a-5p were important miRNAs in this study. CONCLUSIONS We pinpoint important key genes and pathways closely related with breast cancer-associated fibroblasts initiation and progression by a series of bioinformatics analysis on DEGs. These screened genes and pathways provided for a more detailed molecular mechanism underlying breast cancer-associated fibroblasts occurrence and progression, holding promise for acting as molecular markers and probable therapeutic targets.
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