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Pan Y, Cheng J, Zhu Y, Zhang J, Fan W, Chen X. Immunological nanomaterials to combat cancer metastasis. Chem Soc Rev 2024. [PMID: 38745455 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00968d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Metastasis causes greater than 90% of cancer-associated deaths, presenting huge challenges for detection and efficient treatment of cancer due to its high heterogeneity and widespread dissemination to various organs. Therefore, it is imperative to combat cancer metastasis, which is the key to achieving complete cancer eradication. Immunotherapy as a systemic approach has shown promising potential to combat metastasis. However, current clinical immunotherapies are not effective for all patients or all types of cancer metastases owing to insufficient immune responses. In recent years, immunological nanomaterials with intrinsic immunogenicity or immunomodulatory agents with efficient loading have been shown to enhance immune responses to eliminate metastasis. In this review, we would like to summarize various types of immunological nanomaterials against metastasis. Moreover, this review will summarize a series of immunological nanomaterial-mediated immunotherapy strategies to combat metastasis, including immunogenic cell death, regulation of chemokines and cytokines, improving the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment, activation of the STING pathway, enhancing cytotoxic natural killer cell activity, enhancing antigen presentation of dendritic cells, and enhancing chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy. Furthermore, the synergistic anti-metastasis strategies based on the combinational use of immunotherapy and other therapeutic modalities will also be introduced. In addition, the nanomaterial-mediated imaging techniques (e.g., optical imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, photoacoustic imaging, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, radionuclide imaging, etc.) for detecting metastasis and monitoring anti-metastasis efficacy are also summarized. Finally, the current challenges and future prospects of immunological nanomaterial-based anti-metastasis are also elucidated with the intention to accelerate its clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanbo Pan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
- Key Laboratory of Precise Treatment and Clinical Translational Research of Neurological Diseases, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
- Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119074, Singapore.
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Junjie Cheng
- Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119074, Singapore.
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Yang Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, Fujian, China.
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119074, Singapore.
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Jianmin Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
- Key Laboratory of Precise Treatment and Clinical Translational Research of Neurological Diseases, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
- Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Wenpei Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China.
| | - Xiaoyuan Chen
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119074, Singapore.
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
- Theranostics Center of Excellence (TCE), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 11 Biopolis Way, Helios, Singapore 138667, Singapore
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Rieckmann LM, Spohn M, Ruff L, Agorku D, Becker L, Borchers A, Krause J, O'Reilly R, Hille J, Velthaus-Rusik JL, Beumer N, Günther A, Willnow L, Imbusch CD, Iglauer P, Simon R, Franzenburg S, Winter H, Thomas M, Bokemeyer C, Gagliani N, Krebs CF, Sprick M, Hardt O, Riethdorf S, Trumpp A, Stoecklein NH, Peine S, Rosenstiel P, Pantel K, Loges S, Janning M. Diagnostic leukapheresis reveals distinct phenotypes of NSCLC circulating tumor cells. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:93. [PMID: 38720314 PMCID: PMC11077784 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-01984-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) hold immense promise for unraveling tumor heterogeneity and understanding treatment resistance. However, conventional methods, especially in cancers like non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), often yield low CTC numbers, hindering comprehensive analyses. This study addresses this limitation by employing diagnostic leukapheresis (DLA) to cancer patients, enabling the screening of larger blood volumes. To leverage DLA's full potential, this study introduces a novel approach for CTC enrichment from DLAs. METHODS DLA was applied to six advanced stage NSCLC patients. For an unbiased CTC enrichment, a two-step approach based on negative depletion of hematopoietic cells was used. Single-cell (sc) whole-transcriptome sequencing was performed, and CTCs were identified based on gene signatures and inferred copy number variations. RESULTS Remarkably, this innovative approach led to the identification of unprecedented 3,363 CTC transcriptomes. The extensive heterogeneity among CTCs was unveiled, highlighting distinct phenotypes related to the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) axis, stemness, immune responsiveness, and metabolism. Comparison with sc transcriptomes from primary NSCLC cells revealed that CTCs encapsulate the heterogeneity of their primary counterparts while maintaining unique CTC-specific phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, this study pioneers a transformative method for enriching CTCs from DLA, resulting in a substantial increase in CTC numbers. This allowed the creation of the first-ever single-cell whole transcriptome in-depth characterization of the heterogeneity of over 3,300 NSCLC-CTCs. The findings not only confirm the diagnostic value of CTCs in monitoring tumor heterogeneity but also propose a CTC-specific signature that can be exploited for targeted CTC-directed therapies in the future. This comprehensive approach signifies a major leap forward, positioning CTCs as a key player in advancing our understanding of cancer dynamics and paving the way for tailored therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa-Marie Rieckmann
- Department of Personalized Oncology, DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
- Division of Personalized Medical Oncology (A420), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Personalized Oncology, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Michael Spohn
- Bioinformatics Core, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Clinic of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation With Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lisa Ruff
- Department of Personalized Oncology, DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
- Division of Personalized Medical Oncology (A420), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Personalized Oncology, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - David Agorku
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, R&D, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Lisa Becker
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM GmbH), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center, (DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alina Borchers
- III. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Hamburg Center for Translational Immunology (HCTI), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jenny Krause
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Roisin O'Reilly
- Department of Personalized Oncology, DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
- Division of Personalized Medical Oncology (A420), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Personalized Oncology, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jurek Hille
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation With Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Janna-Lisa Velthaus-Rusik
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation With Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Niklas Beumer
- Department of Personalized Oncology, DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
- Division of Personalized Medical Oncology (A420), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Applied Bioinformatics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Armin Günther
- Department of Personalized Oncology, DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
- Division of Personalized Medical Oncology (A420), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Personalized Oncology, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lena Willnow
- Department of Personalized Oncology, DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
- Division of Personalized Medical Oncology (A420), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Personalized Oncology, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Charles D Imbusch
- Division of Applied Bioinformatics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Iglauer
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ronald Simon
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sören Franzenburg
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrechts-University and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Hauke Winter
- Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Department of Thoracic Oncology, Thoraxklinik at University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Thomas
- Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Department of Thoracic Oncology, Thoraxklinik at University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carsten Bokemeyer
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation With Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nicola Gagliani
- Hamburg Center for Translational Immunology (HCTI), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian F Krebs
- III. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Hamburg Center for Translational Immunology (HCTI), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin Sprick
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM GmbH), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center, (DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Olaf Hardt
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, R&D, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Sabine Riethdorf
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Trumpp
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM GmbH), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center, (DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nikolas H Stoecklein
- General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital and Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sven Peine
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Rosenstiel
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrechts-University and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Klaus Pantel
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sonja Loges
- Department of Personalized Oncology, DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
- Division of Personalized Medical Oncology (A420), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Personalized Oncology, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation With Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Janning
- Department of Personalized Oncology, DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
- Division of Personalized Medical Oncology (A420), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Department of Personalized Oncology, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation With Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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Li M. Harnessing atomic force microscopy-based single-cell analysis to advance physical oncology. Microsc Res Tech 2024; 87:631-659. [PMID: 38053519 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24467] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Single-cell analysis is an emerging and promising frontier in the field of life sciences, which is expected to facilitate the exploration of fundamental laws of physiological and pathological processes. Single-cell analysis allows experimental access to cell-to-cell heterogeneity to reveal the distinctive behaviors of individual cells, offering novel opportunities to dissect the complexity of severe human diseases such as cancers. Among the single-cell analysis tools, atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a powerful and versatile one which is able to nondestructively image the fine topographies and quantitatively measure multiple mechanical properties of single living cancer cells in their native states under aqueous conditions with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution. Over the past few decades, AFM has been widely utilized to detect the structural and mechanical behaviors of individual cancer cells during the process of tumor formation, invasion, and metastasis, yielding numerous unique insights into tumor pathogenesis from the biomechanical perspective and contributing much to the field of cancer mechanobiology. Here, the achievements of AFM-based analysis of single cancer cells to advance physical oncology are comprehensively summarized, and challenges and future perspectives are also discussed. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Achievements of AFM in characterizing the structural and mechanical behaviors of single cancer cells are summarized, and future directions are discussed. AFM is not only capable of visualizing cellular fine structures, but can also measure multiple cellular mechanical properties as well as cell-generated mechanical forces. There is still plenty of room for harnessing AFM-based single-cell analysis to advance physical oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Institutes for Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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4
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Buglakova E, Ekelöf M, Schwaiger-Haber M, Schlicker L, Molenaar MR, Mohammed S, Stuart L, Eisenbarth A, Hilsenstein V, Patti GJ, Schulze A, Snaebjornsson MT, Alexandrov T. 13C-SpaceM: Spatial single-cell isotope tracing reveals heterogeneity of de novo fatty acid synthesis in cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.08.18.553810. [PMID: 38464218 PMCID: PMC10925155 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.18.553810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Metabolism has emerged as a key factor in homeostasis and disease including cancer. Yet, little is known about the heterogeneity of metabolic activity of cancer cells due to the lack of tools to directly probe it. Here, we present a novel method, 13C-SpaceM for spatial single-cell isotope tracing of glucose-dependent de novo lipogenesis. The method combines imaging mass spectrometry for spatially-resolved detection of 13C6-glucose-derived 13C label incorporated into esterified fatty acids with microscopy and computational methods for data integration and analysis. We validated 13C-SpaceM on a spatially-heterogeneous normoxia-hypoxia model of liver cancer cells. Investigating cultured cells, we revealed single-cell heterogeneity of lipogenic acetyl-CoA pool labelling degree upon ACLY knockdown that is hidden in the bulk analysis and its effect on synthesis of individual fatty acids. Next, we adapted 13C-SpaceM to analyze tissue sections of mice harboring isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant gliomas. We found a strong induction of de novo fatty acid synthesis in the tumor tissue compared to the surrounding brain. Comparison of fatty acid isotopologue patterns revealed elevated uptake of mono-unsaturated and essential fatty acids in the tumor. Furthermore, our analysis uncovered substantial spatial heterogeneity in the labelling of the lipogenic acetyl-CoA pool indicative of metabolic reprogramming during microenvironmental adaptation. Overall, 13C-SpaceM enables novel ways for spatial probing of metabolic activity at the single cell level. Additionally, this methodology provides unprecedented insight into fatty acid uptake, synthesis and modification in normal and cancerous tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Buglakova
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Måns Ekelöf
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michaela Schwaiger-Haber
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Metabolomics and Isotope Tracing, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Lisa Schlicker
- Division of Tumor Metabolism and Microenvironment, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martijn R. Molenaar
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Shahraz Mohammed
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lachlan Stuart
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Eisenbarth
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Volker Hilsenstein
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gary J. Patti
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Metabolomics and Isotope Tracing, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Almut Schulze
- Division of Tumor Metabolism and Microenvironment, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marteinn T. Snaebjornsson
- Division of Tumor Metabolism and Microenvironment, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Theodore Alexandrov
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
- Metabolomics Core Facility, EMBL, Heidelberg, Germany
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, EMBL and Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- BioStudio, BioInnovation Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
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5
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Wu Z, Huang D, Wang J, Zhao Y, Sun W, Shen X. Engineering Heterogeneous Tumor Models for Biomedical Applications. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2304160. [PMID: 37946674 PMCID: PMC10767453 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Tumor tissue engineering holds great promise for replicating the physiological and behavioral characteristics of tumors in vitro. Advances in this field have led to new opportunities for studying the tumor microenvironment and exploring potential anti-cancer therapeutics. However, the main obstacle to the widespread adoption of tumor models is the poor understanding and insufficient reconstruction of tumor heterogeneity. In this review, the current progress of engineering heterogeneous tumor models is discussed. First, the major components of tumor heterogeneity are summarized, which encompasses various signaling pathways, cell proliferations, and spatial configurations. Then, contemporary approaches are elucidated in tumor engineering that are guided by fundamental principles of tumor biology, and the potential of a bottom-up approach in tumor engineering is highlighted. Additionally, the characterization approaches and biomedical applications of tumor models are discussed, emphasizing the significant role of engineered tumor models in scientific research and clinical trials. Lastly, the challenges of heterogeneous tumor models in promoting oncology research and tumor therapy are described and key directions for future research are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuhao Wu
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyNanjing Drum Tower HospitalSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Danqing Huang
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyNanjing Drum Tower HospitalSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Jinglin Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyNanjing Drum Tower HospitalSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Yuanjin Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyNanjing Drum Tower HospitalSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
- Department of Gastrointestinal SurgeryThe First Affiliated HospitalWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou325035China
| | - Weijian Sun
- Department of Gastrointestinal SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou325027China
| | - Xian Shen
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyNanjing Drum Tower HospitalSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
- Department of Gastrointestinal SurgeryThe First Affiliated HospitalWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou325035China
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6
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Vogel FCE, Chaves-Filho AB, Schulze A. Lipids as mediators of cancer progression and metastasis. NATURE CANCER 2024; 5:16-29. [PMID: 38273023 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-023-00702-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Metastasis formation is a complex process, involving multiple crucial steps, which are controlled by different regulatory mechanisms. In this context, the contribution of cancer metabolism to the metastatic cascade is being increasingly recognized. This Review focuses on changes in lipid metabolism that contribute to metastasis formation in solid tumors. We discuss the molecular mechanisms by which lipids induce a pro-metastatic phenotype and explore the role of lipids in response to oxidative stress and as signaling molecules. Finally, we reflect on potential avenues to target lipid metabolism to improve the treatment of metastatic cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix C E Vogel
- Division of Tumor Metabolism and Microenvironment, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Adriano B Chaves-Filho
- Division of Tumor Metabolism and Microenvironment, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Almut Schulze
- Division of Tumor Metabolism and Microenvironment, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Yang M, Tang Y, Zhu P, Lu H, Wan X, Guo Q, Xiao L, Liu C, Guo L, Liu W, Yang Y. The advances of E2A-PBX1 fusion in B-cell acute lymphoblastic Leukaemia. Ann Hematol 2023:10.1007/s00277-023-05595-7. [PMID: 38148344 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-023-05595-7] [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: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
The E2A-PBX1 gene fusion is a common translocation in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Patients harbouring the E2A-PBX1 fusion gene typically exhibit an intermediate prognosis. Furthermore, minimal residual disease has unsatisfactory prognostic value in E2A-PBX1 B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. However, the mechanism of E2A-PBX1 in the occurrence and progression of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is not well understood. Here, we mainly review the roles of E2A and PBX1 in the differentiation and development of B lymphocytes, the mechanism of E2A-PBX1 gene fusion in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, and the potential therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengting Yang
- Department of Paediatrics (Children Haematological Oncology), Birth Defects and Childhood Haematological Oncology Laboratory, Sichuan Clinical Research Centre for Birth Defects, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Department of Paediatrics, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanhui Tang
- Department of Paediatrics (Children Haematological Oncology), Birth Defects and Childhood Haematological Oncology Laboratory, Sichuan Clinical Research Centre for Birth Defects, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Department of Paediatrics, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Peng Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241000, People's Republic of China
| | - Haiquan Lu
- The Second Hospital, Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Advanced Medical Research Institute, Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaohong Wan
- Department of Paediatrics (Children Haematological Oncology), Birth Defects and Childhood Haematological Oncology Laboratory, Sichuan Clinical Research Centre for Birth Defects, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Department of Paediatrics, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Qulian Guo
- Department of Paediatrics (Children Haematological Oncology), Birth Defects and Childhood Haematological Oncology Laboratory, Sichuan Clinical Research Centre for Birth Defects, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Department of Paediatrics, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Lan Xiao
- Department of Paediatrics (Children Haematological Oncology), Birth Defects and Childhood Haematological Oncology Laboratory, Sichuan Clinical Research Centre for Birth Defects, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Department of Paediatrics, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Chunyan Liu
- Department of Paediatrics (Children Haematological Oncology), Birth Defects and Childhood Haematological Oncology Laboratory, Sichuan Clinical Research Centre for Birth Defects, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Department of Paediatrics, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Ling Guo
- Department of Paediatrics (Children Haematological Oncology), Birth Defects and Childhood Haematological Oncology Laboratory, Sichuan Clinical Research Centre for Birth Defects, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Department of Paediatrics, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Wenjun Liu
- Department of Paediatrics (Children Haematological Oncology), Birth Defects and Childhood Haematological Oncology Laboratory, Sichuan Clinical Research Centre for Birth Defects, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
- Department of Paediatrics, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.
| | - You Yang
- Department of Paediatrics (Children Haematological Oncology), Birth Defects and Childhood Haematological Oncology Laboratory, Sichuan Clinical Research Centre for Birth Defects, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
- Department of Paediatrics, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.
- The Second Hospital, Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Advanced Medical Research Institute, Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
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8
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Wrenn ED, Apfelbaum AA, Rudzinski ER, Deng X, Jiang W, Sud S, Van Noord RA, Newman EA, Garcia NM, Miyaki A, Hoglund VJ, Bhise SS, Kanaan SB, Waltner OG, Furlan SN, Lawlor ER. Cancer-Associated Fibroblast-Like Tumor Cells Remodel the Ewing Sarcoma Tumor Microenvironment. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:5140-5154. [PMID: 37471463 PMCID: PMC10801911 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-1111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Despite limited genetic and histologic heterogeneity, Ewing sarcoma (EwS) tumor cells are transcriptionally heterogeneous and display varying degrees of mesenchymal lineage specification in vitro. In this study, we investigated if and how transcriptional heterogeneity of EwS cells contributes to heterogeneity of tumor phenotypes in vivo. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Single-cell proteogenomic-sequencing of EwS cell lines was performed and integrated with patient tumor transcriptomic data. Cell subpopulations were isolated by FACS for assessment of gene expression and phenotype. Digital spatial profiling and human whole transcriptome analysis interrogated transcriptomic heterogeneity in EwS xenografts. Tumor cell subpopulations and matrix protein deposition were evaluated in xenografts and patient tumors using multiplex immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS We identified CD73 as a biomarker of highly mesenchymal EwS cell subpopulations in tumor models and patient biopsies. CD73+ tumor cells displayed distinct transcriptional and phenotypic properties, including selective upregulation of genes that are repressed by EWS::FLI1, and increased migratory potential. CD73+ cells were distinguished in vitro and in vivo by increased expression of matrisomal genes and abundant deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. In epithelial-derived malignancies, ECM is largely deposited by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), and we thus labeled CD73+ EwS cells, CAF-like tumor cells. Marked heterogeneity of CD73+ EwS cell frequency and distribution was detected in tumors in situ, and CAF-like tumor cells and associated ECM were observed in peri-necrotic regions and invasive foci. CONCLUSIONS EwS tumor cells can adopt CAF-like properties, and these distinct cell subpopulations contribute to tumor heterogeneity by remodeling the tumor microenvironment. See related commentary by Kuo and Amatruda, p. 5002.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma D. Wrenn
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - April A. Apfelbaum
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
- Cancer Biology PhD Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Erin R. Rudzinski
- Pathology Department, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, Washington
| | - Xuemei Deng
- Pathology Department, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, Washington
| | - Wei Jiang
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Sudha Sud
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Erika A. Newman
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Nicolas M. Garcia
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Aya Miyaki
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Virginia J. Hoglund
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Shruti S. Bhise
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Sami B. Kanaan
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Olivia G. Waltner
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Scott N. Furlan
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Elizabeth R. Lawlor
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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9
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Knutsen E, Das Sajib S, Fiskaa T, Lorens J, Gudjonsson T, Mælandsmo GM, Johansen SD, Seternes OM, Perander M. Identification of a core EMT signature that separates basal-like breast cancers into partial- and post-EMT subtypes. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1249895. [PMID: 38111531 PMCID: PMC10726128 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1249895] [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: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular plasticity program critical for embryonic development and tissue regeneration, and aberrant EMT is associated with disease including cancer. The high degree of plasticity in the mammary epithelium is reflected in extensive heterogeneity among breast cancers. Here, we have analyzed RNA-sequencing data from three different mammary epithelial cell line-derived EMT models and identified a robust mammary EMT gene expression signature that separates breast cancers into distinct subgroups. Most strikingly, the basal-like breast cancers form two subgroups displaying partial-EMT and post-EMT gene expression patterns. We present evidence that key EMT-associated transcription factors play distinct roles at different stages of EMT in mammary epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Knutsen
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Centre for Clinical Research and Education, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Saikat Das Sajib
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Tonje Fiskaa
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - James Lorens
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Thorarinn Gudjonsson
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Department of Hematology, Landspitali, University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Gunhild M. Mælandsmo
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Steinar Daae Johansen
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Genomics Division, Faculty of Bioscience and Aquaculture, Nord University, Bodø, Norway
| | - Ole-Morten Seternes
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Maria Perander
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Centre for Clinical Research and Education, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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10
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Raynaud CM, Ahmed EI, Jabeen A, Sanchez A, Sherif S, Carneiro-Lobo TC, Awad A, Awartani D, Naik A, Thomas R, Decock J, Zoppoli G, Bedongnetti D, Hendrickx WRL. Modulation of SLFN11 induces changes in DNA Damage response in breast cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:291. [PMID: 38001424 PMCID: PMC10668346 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03144-w] [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: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lack of Schlafen family member 11 (SLFN11) expression has been recently identified as a dominant genomic determinant of response to DNA damaging agents in numerous cancer types. Thus, several strategies aimed at increasing SLFN11 are explored to restore chemosensitivity of refractory cancers. In this study, we examined various approaches to elevate SLFN11 expression in breast cancer cellular models and confirmed a corresponding increase in chemosensitivity with using the most successful efficient one. As oncogenic transcriptomic downregulation is often driven by methylation of the promotor region, we explore the demethylation effect of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (decitabine), on the SLFN11 gene. Since SLFN11 has been reported as an interferon inducible gene, and interferon is secreted during an active anti-tumor immune response, we investigated the in vitro effect of IFN-γ on SLFN11 expression in breast cancer cell lines. As a secondary approach to pick up cross talk between immune cells and SLFN11 expression we used indirect co-culture of breast cancer cells with activated PBMCs and evaluated if this can drive SLFN11 upregulation. Finally, as a definitive and specific way to modulate SLFN11 expression we implemented SLFN11 dCas9 (dead CRISPR associated protein 9) systems to specifically increase or decrease SLFN11 expression. RESULTS After confirming the previously reported correlation between methylation of SLFN11 promoter and its expression across multiple cell lines, we showed in-vitro that decitabine and IFN-γ could increase moderately the expression of SLFN11 in both BT-549 and T47D cell lines. The use of a CRISPR-dCas9 UNISAM and KRAB system could increase or decrease SLFN11 expression significantly (up to fivefold), stably and specifically in BT-549 and T47D cancer cell lines. We then used the modified cell lines to quantify the alteration in chemo sensitivity of those cells to treatment with DNA Damaging Agents (DDAs) such as Cisplatin and Epirubicin or DNA Damage Response (DDRs) drugs like Olaparib. RNAseq was used to elucidate the mechanisms of action affected by the alteration in SLFN11 expression. In cell lines with robust SLFN11 promoter methylation such as MDA-MB-231, no SLFN11 expression could be induced by any approach. CONCLUSION To our knowledge this is the first report of the stable non-lethal increase of SLFN11 expression in a cancer cell line. Our results show that induction of SLFN11 expression can enhance DDA and DDR sensitivity in breast cancer cells and dCas9 systems may represent a novel approach to increase SLFN11 and achieve higher sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents, improving outcome or decreasing required drug concentrations. SLFN11-targeting therapies might be explored pre-clinically to develop personalized approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eiman I Ahmed
- Tumor Biology and Immunology Lab, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ayesha Jabeen
- Tumor Biology and Immunology Lab, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Apryl Sanchez
- Tumor Biology and Immunology Lab, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shimaa Sherif
- Tumor Biology and Immunology Lab, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Amany Awad
- Tumor Biology and Immunology Lab, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Dina Awartani
- Tumor Biology and Immunology Lab, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Adviti Naik
- Translational Cancer and Immunity Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Center, Doha, Qatar
| | - Remy Thomas
- Translational Cancer and Immunity Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Center, Doha, Qatar
| | - Julie Decock
- Translational Cancer and Immunity Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Center, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
| | - Gabriele Zoppoli
- Department of Internal Medicine (DiMI), University of Genoa and Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Ospedale Policlinico San Martino IRCCS per l'Oncologia, Genoa, Italy
| | - Davide Bedongnetti
- Tumor Biology and Immunology Lab, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Internal Medicine (DiMI), University of Genoa and Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Oncology and Hematology, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Wouter R L Hendrickx
- Tumor Biology and Immunology Lab, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar.
- College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar.
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11
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Schneider F, Kaczorowski A, Jurcic C, Kirchner M, Schwab C, Schütz V, Görtz M, Zschäbitz S, Jäger D, Stenzinger A, Hohenfellner M, Duensing S, Duensing A. Digital Spatial Profiling Identifies the Tumor Periphery as a Highly Active Biological Niche in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5050. [PMID: 37894418 PMCID: PMC10605891 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15205050] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is characterized by a high degree of intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH). Besides genomic ITH, there is considerable functional ITH, which encompasses spatial niches with distinct proliferative and signaling activities. The full extent of functional spatial heterogeneity in ccRCC is incompletely understood. In the present study, a total of 17 ccRCC tissue specimens from different sites (primary tumor, n = 11; local recurrence, n = 1; distant metastasis, n = 5) were analyzed using digital spatial profiling (DSP) of protein expression. A total of 128 regions of interest from the tumor periphery and tumor center were analyzed for the expression of 46 proteins, comprising three major signaling pathways as well as immune cell markers. Results were correlated to clinico-pathological variables. The differential expression of granzyme B was validated using conventional immunohistochemistry and was correlated to the cancer-specific patient survival. We found that a total of 37 proteins were differentially expressed between the tumor periphery and tumor center. Thirty-five of the proteins were upregulated in the tumor periphery compared to the center. These included proteins involved in cell proliferation, MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling, apoptosis regulation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, as well as immune cell markers. Among the most significantly upregulated proteins in the tumor periphery was granzyme B. Granzyme B upregulation in the tumor periphery correlated with a significantly reduced cancer-specific patient survival. In conclusion, this study highlights the unique cellular contexture of the tumor periphery in ccRCC. The correlation between granzyme B upregulation in the tumor periphery and patient survival suggests local selection pressure for aggressive tumor growth and disease progression. Our results underscore the potential of spatial biology for biomarker discovery in ccRCC and cancer in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Schneider
- Molecular Urooncology, Department of Urology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 517, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Adam Kaczorowski
- Molecular Urooncology, Department of Urology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 517, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christina Jurcic
- Molecular Urooncology, Department of Urology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 517, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martina Kirchner
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Constantin Schwab
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Viktoria Schütz
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Heidelberg, and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Im Neuenheimer Feld 420, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Magdalena Görtz
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Heidelberg, and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Im Neuenheimer Feld 420, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Zschäbitz
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Jäger
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Albrecht Stenzinger
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Markus Hohenfellner
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Heidelberg, and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Im Neuenheimer Feld 420, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Duensing
- Molecular Urooncology, Department of Urology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 517, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Heidelberg, and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Im Neuenheimer Feld 420, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anette Duensing
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Heidelberg, and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Im Neuenheimer Feld 420, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5117 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Precision Oncology of Urological Malignancies, Department of Urology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 517, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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12
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Brest P, Mograbi B, Pagès G, Hofman P, Milano G. Checkpoint inhibitors and anti-angiogenic agents: a winning combination. Br J Cancer 2023; 129:1367-1372. [PMID: 37735244 PMCID: PMC10628191 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02437-1] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors and anti-angiogenic agents is a promising new approach in cancer treatment. Immune checkpoint inhibitors block the signals that help cancer cells evade the immune system, while anti-angiogenic agents target the blood vessels that supply the tumour with nutrients and oxygen, limiting its growth. Importantly, this combination triggers synergistic effects based on molecular and cellular mechanisms, leading to better response rates and longer progression-free survival than treatment alone. However, these combinations can also lead to increased side effects and require close monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Brest
- Université Côte d'Azur, Institute of Research on Cancer and Ageing of Nice (IRCAN), CNRS, Inserm, Centre Antoine Lacassagne, FHU-OncoAge, 06107, Nice, France.
| | - Baharia Mograbi
- Université Côte d'Azur, Institute of Research on Cancer and Ageing of Nice (IRCAN), CNRS, Inserm, Centre Antoine Lacassagne, FHU-OncoAge, 06107, Nice, France
| | - Gilles Pagès
- Université Côte d'Azur, Institute of Research on Cancer and Ageing of Nice (IRCAN), CNRS, Inserm, Centre Antoine Lacassagne, FHU-OncoAge, 06107, Nice, France
| | - Paul Hofman
- Université Côte d'Azur, Institute of Research on Cancer and Ageing of Nice (IRCAN), CNRS, Inserm, Centre Antoine Lacassagne, FHU-OncoAge, 06107, Nice, France
- Université Côte d'Azur, CHU-Nice, Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, FHU OncoAge, Hospital-Integrated Biobank (BB-0033-00025), Nice, France
| | - Gerard Milano
- Centre Antoine Lacassagne, Scientific Valorisation Department, Nice, France
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13
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Ashouri A, Zhang C, Gaiti F. Decoding Cancer Evolution: Integrating Genetic and Non-Genetic Insights. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1856. [PMID: 37895205 PMCID: PMC10606072 DOI: 10.3390/genes14101856] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of cancer begins with cells transitioning from their multicellular nature to a state akin to unicellular organisms. This shift leads to a breakdown in the crucial regulators inherent to multicellularity, resulting in the emergence of diverse cancer cell subpopulations that have enhanced adaptability. The presence of different cell subpopulations within a tumour, known as intratumoural heterogeneity (ITH), poses challenges for cancer treatment. In this review, we delve into the dynamics of the shift from multicellularity to unicellularity during cancer onset and progression. We highlight the role of genetic and non-genetic factors, as well as tumour microenvironment, in promoting ITH and cancer evolution. Additionally, we shed light on the latest advancements in omics technologies that allow for in-depth analysis of tumours at the single-cell level and their spatial organization within the tissue. Obtaining such detailed information is crucial for deepening our understanding of the diverse evolutionary paths of cancer, allowing for the development of effective therapies targeting the key drivers of cancer evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arghavan Ashouri
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Chufan Zhang
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Federico Gaiti
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
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14
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Brown HE, Weasner BP, Weasner BM, Kumar JP. Polycomb safeguards imaginal disc specification through control of the Vestigial-Scalloped complex. Development 2023; 150:dev201872. [PMID: 37702007 PMCID: PMC10560572 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201872] [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: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
A fundamental goal of developmental biology is to understand how cell and tissue fates are specified. The imaginal discs of Drosophila are excellent model systems for addressing this paradigm as their fate can be redirected when discs regenerate after injury or when key selector genes are misregulated. Here, we show that when Polycomb expression is reduced, the wing selector gene vestigial is ectopically activated. This leads to the inappropriate formation of the Vestigial-Scalloped complex, which forces the eye to transform into a wing. We further demonstrate that disrupting this complex does not simply block wing formation or restore eye development. Instead, immunohistochemistry and high-throughput genomic analysis show that the eye-antennal disc unexpectedly undergoes hyperplastic growth with multiple domains being organized into other imaginal discs and tissues. These findings provide insight into the complex developmental landscape that tissues must navigate before adopting their final fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley E. Brown
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | | | - Bonnie M. Weasner
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Justin P. Kumar
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
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15
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Panzeri I, Fagnocchi L, Apostle S, Tompkins M, Wolfrum E, Madaj Z, Hostetter G, Liu Y, Schaefer K, Chih-Hsiang Y, Bergsma A, Drougard A, Dror E, Chandler D, Schramek D, Triche TJ, Pospisilik JA. Developmental priming of cancer susceptibility. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.12.557446. [PMID: 37745326 PMCID: PMC10515831 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.12.557446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
DNA mutations are necessary drivers of cancer, yet only a small subset of mutated cells go on to cause the disease. To date, the mechanisms that determine which rare subset of cells transform and initiate tumorigenesis remain unclear. Here, we take advantage of a unique model of intrinsic developmental heterogeneity (Trim28+/D9) and demonstrate that stochastic early life epigenetic variation can trigger distinct cancer-susceptibility 'states' in adulthood. We show that these developmentally primed states are characterized by differential methylation patterns at typically silenced heterochromatin, and that these epigenetic signatures are detectable as early as 10 days of age. The differentially methylated loci are enriched for genes with known oncogenic potential. These same genes are frequently mutated in human cancers, and their dysregulation correlates with poor prognosis. These results provide proof-of-concept that intrinsic developmental heterogeneity can prime individual, life-long cancer risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Panzeri
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
- Department of Epigenetics, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Luca Fagnocchi
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Stefanos Apostle
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Megan Tompkins
- Vivarium and Transgenics Core, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Emily Wolfrum
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Core, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Zachary Madaj
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Core, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Galen Hostetter
- Pathology and Biorepository Core, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Yanqing Liu
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Kristen Schaefer
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genome Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Yang Chih-Hsiang
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
- Department of Epigenetics, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA USA
| | - Alexis Bergsma
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
- Parkinson’s Disease Center, Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Anne Drougard
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Erez Dror
- Department of Epigenetics, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Darrell Chandler
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Daniel Schramek
- Centre for Molecular and Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Timothy J. Triche
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - J. Andrew Pospisilik
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
- Department of Epigenetics, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
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16
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Goyette MA, Lipsyc-Sharf M, Polyak K. Clinical and translational relevance of intratumor heterogeneity. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:726-737. [PMID: 37248149 PMCID: PMC10524913 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.05.001] [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: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) is a driver of tumor evolution and a main cause of therapeutic resistance. Despite its importance, measures of ITH are still not incorporated into clinical practice. Consequently, standard treatment is frequently ineffective for patients with heterogeneous tumors as changes to treatment regimens are made only after recurrence and disease progression. More effective combination therapies require a mechanistic understanding of ITH and ways to assess it in clinical samples. The growth of technologies enabling the spatially intact analysis of tumors at the single-cell level and the development of sophisticated preclinical models give us hope that ITH will not simply be used as a predictor of a poor outcome but will guide treatment decisions from diagnosis through treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Anne Goyette
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marla Lipsyc-Sharf
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kornelia Polyak
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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17
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Wang Y, Ali MA, Vallon-Christersson J, Humphreys K, Hartman J, Rantalainen M. Transcriptional intra-tumour heterogeneity predicted by deep learning in routine breast histopathology slides provides independent prognostic information. Eur J Cancer 2023; 191:112953. [PMID: 37494846 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2023.112953] [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: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intra-tumour heterogeneity (ITH) causes diagnostic challenges and increases the risk for disease recurrence. Quantification of ITH is challenging and has not been demonstrated in large studies. It has previously been shown that deep learning can enable spatially resolved prediction of molecular phenotypes from digital histopathology whole slide images (WSIs). Here we propose a novel method (Deep-ITH) to predict and measure ITH, and we evaluate its prognostic performance in breast cancer. METHODS Deep convolutional neural networks were used to spatially predict gene-expression (PAM50 set) from WSIs. For each predicted transcript, 12 measures of heterogeneity were extracted in the training data set (N = 931). A prognostic score to dichotomise patients into Deep-ITH low- and high-risk groups was established using an elastic-net regularised Cox proportional hazards model (recurrence-free survival). Prognostic performance was evaluated in two independent data sets: SöS-BC-1 (N = 1358) and SCAN-B-Lund (N = 1262). RESULTS We observed an increase in risk of recurrence in the high-risk group with hazard ratio (HR) 2.11 (95%CI:1.22-3.60; p = 0.007) using nested cross-validation. Subgroup analyses confirmed the prognostic performance in oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, grade 3, and large tumour subgroups. The prognostic value was confirmed in the independent SöS-BC-1 cohort (HR=1.84; 95%CI:1.03-3.3; p = 3.99 ×10-2). In the other external cohort, significant HR was observed in the subgroup of histological grade 2 patients, as well as in the subgroup of patients with small tumours (<20 mm). CONCLUSION We developed a novel method for an automated, scalable, and cost-efficient measure of ITH from WSIs that provides independent prognostic value for breast cancer. SIGNIFICANCE Transcriptional ITH predicted by deep learning models enables prediction of patient survival from routine histopathology WSIs in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinxi Wang
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maya Alsheh Ali
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Keith Humphreys
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Hartman
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Clinical Pathology and Cancer Diagnostics, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; MedTechLabs, BioClinicum, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Sweden
| | - Mattias Rantalainen
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; MedTechLabs, BioClinicum, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Sweden.
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18
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Mapping tissue heterogeneity in solid tumours using PET-MRI and machine learning. Nat Biomed Eng 2023; 7:969-970. [PMID: 37277484 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01046-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
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19
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García-Montaño LA, Licón-Muñoz Y, Martinez FJ, Keddari YR, Ziemke MK, Chohan MO, Piccirillo SG. Dissecting Intra-tumor Heterogeneity in the Glioblastoma Microenvironment Using Fluorescence-Guided Multiple Sampling. Mol Cancer Res 2023; 21:755-767. [PMID: 37255362 PMCID: PMC10390891 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-23-0048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The treatment of the most aggressive primary brain tumor in adults, glioblastoma (GBM), is challenging due to its heterogeneous nature, invasive potential, and poor response to chemo- and radiotherapy. As a result, GBM inevitably recurs and only a few patients survive 5 years post-diagnosis. GBM is characterized by extensive phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity, creating a diversified genetic landscape and a network of biological interactions between subclones, ultimately promoting tumor growth and therapeutic resistance. This includes spatial and temporal changes in the tumor microenvironment, which influence cellular and molecular programs in GBM and therapeutic responses. However, dissecting phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity at spatial and temporal levels is extremely challenging, and the dynamics of the GBM microenvironment cannot be captured by analysis of a single tumor sample. In this review, we discuss the current research on GBM heterogeneity, in particular, the utility and potential applications of fluorescence-guided multiple sampling to dissect phenotypic and genetic intra-tumor heterogeneity in the GBM microenvironment, identify tumor and non-tumor cell interactions and novel therapeutic targets in areas that are key for tumor growth and recurrence, and improve the molecular classification of GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leopoldo A. García-Montaño
- The Brain Tumor Translational Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
- University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Yamhilette Licón-Muñoz
- The Brain Tumor Translational Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
- University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Frank J. Martinez
- The Brain Tumor Translational Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
- University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Yasine R. Keddari
- The Brain Tumor Translational Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
- University of California, Merced, California
| | - Michael K. Ziemke
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Muhammad O. Chohan
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Sara G.M. Piccirillo
- The Brain Tumor Translational Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
- University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
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20
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Stashko C, Hayward MK, Northey JJ, Pearson N, Ironside AJ, Lakins JN, Oria R, Goyette MA, Mayo L, Russnes HG, Hwang ES, Kutys ML, Polyak K, Weaver VM. A convolutional neural network STIFMap reveals associations between stromal stiffness and EMT in breast cancer. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3561. [PMID: 37322009 PMCID: PMC10272194 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39085-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Intratumor heterogeneity associates with poor patient outcome. Stromal stiffening also accompanies cancer. Whether cancers demonstrate stiffness heterogeneity, and if this is linked to tumor cell heterogeneity remains unclear. We developed a method to measure the stiffness heterogeneity in human breast tumors that quantifies the stromal stiffness each cell experiences and permits visual registration with biomarkers of tumor progression. We present Spatially Transformed Inferential Force Map (STIFMap) which exploits computer vision to precisely automate atomic force microscopy (AFM) indentation combined with a trained convolutional neural network to predict stromal elasticity with micron-resolution using collagen morphological features and ground truth AFM data. We registered high-elasticity regions within human breast tumors colocalizing with markers of mechanical activation and an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The findings highlight the utility of STIFMap to assess mechanical heterogeneity of human tumors across length scales from single cells to whole tissues and implicates stromal stiffness in tumor cell heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor Stashko
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mary-Kate Hayward
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jason J Northey
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Alastair J Ironside
- Department of Pathology, Western General Hospital, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Johnathon N Lakins
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Roger Oria
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Marie-Anne Goyette
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lakyn Mayo
- Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, School of Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hege G Russnes
- Department of Pathology and Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - E Shelley Hwang
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Matthew L Kutys
- Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, School of Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- UCSF Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kornelia Polyak
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Valerie M Weaver
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- UCSF Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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21
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Cioce M, Marra A, Rutigliano D, Fazio VM. Mapping Non-Coding RNAs in Space and Time: Another Weapon to Dissect Intra-Tumor Heterogeneity in Cancer Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3181. [PMID: 37370791 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
It is increasingly clear that Intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) fuels tumor evolution, matching the concept of cancer as a heterogeneous ecosystem of spatially and temporally modulated cell subpopulations, which exploits dynamic strategies to hijack local and systemic resources and tissue(s) space [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Cioce
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotechnology, Department of Medicine, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Marra
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotechnology, Department of Medicine, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Rutigliano
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotechnology, Department of Medicine, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Vito Michele Fazio
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotechnology, Department of Medicine, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 00133 Rome, Italy
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22
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Grody EI, Abraham A, Shukla V, Goyal Y. Toward a systems-level probing of tumor clonality. iScience 2023; 26:106574. [PMID: 37192968 PMCID: PMC10182304 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer has been described as a genetic disease that clonally evolves in the face of selective pressures imposed by cell-intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Although classical models based on genetic data predominantly propose Darwinian mechanisms of cancer evolution, recent single-cell profiling of cancers has described unprecedented heterogeneity in tumors providing support for alternative models of branched and neutral evolution through both genetic and non-genetic mechanisms. Emerging evidence points to a complex interplay between genetic, non-genetic, and extrinsic environmental factors in shaping the evolution of tumors. In this perspective, we briefly discuss the role of cell-intrinsic and extrinsic factors that shape clonal behaviors during tumor progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. Taking examples of pre-malignant states associated with hematological malignancies and esophageal cancer, we discuss recent paradigms of tumor evolution and prospective approaches to further enhance our understanding of this spatiotemporally regulated process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuelle I. Grody
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60208, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Ajay Abraham
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Vipul Shukla
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Corresponding author
| | - Yogesh Goyal
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60208, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Corresponding author
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23
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Kumar V, Stewart JH. Immunometabolic reprogramming, another cancer hallmark. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1125874. [PMID: 37275901 PMCID: PMC10235624 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1125874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular carcinogenesis is a multistep process that involves acquired abnormalities in key biological processes. The complexity of cancer pathogenesis is best illustrated in the six hallmarks of the cancer: (1) the development of self-sufficient growth signals, (2) the emergence of clones that are resistant to apoptosis, (3) resistance to the antigrowth signals, (4) neo-angiogenesis, (5) the invasion of normal tissue or spread to the distant organs, and (6) limitless replicative potential. It also appears that non-resolving inflammation leads to the dysregulation of immune cell metabolism and subsequent cancer progression. The present article delineates immunometabolic reprogramming as a critical hallmark of cancer by linking chronic inflammation and immunosuppression to cancer growth and metastasis. We propose that targeting tumor immunometabolic reprogramming will lead to the design of novel immunotherapeutic approaches to cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Kumar
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC), New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - John H. Stewart
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC), New Orleans, LA, United States
- Louisiana State University- Louisiana Children’s Medical Center, Stanley S. Scott, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC), New Orleans, LA, United States
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24
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Nikfar M, Mi H, Gong C, Kimko H, Popel AS. Quantifying Intratumoral Heterogeneity and Immunoarchitecture Generated In-Silico by a Spatial Quantitative Systems Pharmacology Model. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2750. [PMID: 37345087 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Spatial heterogeneity is a hallmark of cancer. Tumor heterogeneity can vary with time and location. The tumor microenvironment (TME) encompasses various cell types and their interactions that impart response to therapies. Therefore, a quantitative evaluation of tumor heterogeneity is crucial for the development of effective treatments. Different approaches, such as multiregional sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, analysis of autopsy samples, and longitudinal analysis of biopsy samples, can be used to analyze the intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH) and temporal evolution and to reveal the mechanisms of therapeutic response. However, because of the limitations of these data and the uncertainty associated with the time points of sample collection, having a complete understanding of intratumoral heterogeneity role is challenging. Here, we used a hybrid model that integrates a whole-patient compartmental quantitative-systems-pharmacology (QSP) model with a spatial agent-based model (ABM) describing the TME; we applied four spatial metrics to quantify model-simulated intratumoral heterogeneity and classified the TME immunoarchitecture for representative cases of effective and ineffective anti-PD-1 therapy. The four metrics, adopted from computational digital pathology, included mixing score, average neighbor frequency, Shannon's entropy and area under the curve (AUC) of the G-cross function. A fifth non-spatial metric was used to supplement the analysis, which was the ratio of the number of cancer cells to immune cells. These metrics were utilized to classify the TME as "cold", "compartmentalized" and "mixed", which were related to treatment efficacy. The trends in these metrics for effective and ineffective treatments are in qualitative agreement with the clinical literature, indicating that compartmentalized immunoarchitecture is likely to result in more efficacious treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Nikfar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Haoyang Mi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Chang Gong
- Clinical Pharmacology & Quantitative Pharmacology, AstraZeneca, Waltham, MA 02451, USA
| | - Holly Kimko
- Clinical Pharmacology & Quantitative Pharmacology, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
| | - Aleksander S Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
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25
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Hu J, Tan P, Ishihara M, Bayley NA, Schokrpur S, Reynoso JG, Zhang Y, Lim RJ, Dumitras C, Yang L, Dubinett SM, Jat PS, Van Snick J, Huang J, Chin AI, Prins RM, Graeber TG, Xu H, Wu L. Tumor heterogeneity in VHL drives metastasis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:155. [PMID: 37069149 PMCID: PMC10110583 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01362-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Loss of function of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor gene is a hallmark of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). The importance of heterogeneity in the loss of this tumor suppressor has been under reported. To study the impact of intratumoral VHL heterogeneity observed in human ccRCC, we engineered VHL gene deletion in four RCC models, including a new primary tumor cell line derived from an aggressive metastatic case. The VHL gene-deleted (VHL-KO) cells underwent epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and exhibited increased motility but diminished proliferation and tumorigenicity compared to the parental VHL-expressing (VHL+) cells. Renal tumors with either VHL+ or VHL-KO cells alone exhibit minimal metastatic potential. Combined tumors displayed rampant lung metastases, highlighting a novel cooperative metastatic mechanism. The poorly proliferative VHL-KO cells stimulated the proliferation, EMT, and motility of neighboring VHL+ cells. Periostin (POSTN), a soluble protein overexpressed and secreted by VHL non-expressing (VHL-) cells, promoted metastasis by enhancing the motility of VHL-WT cells and facilitating tumor cell vascular escape. Genetic deletion or antibody blockade of POSTN dramatically suppressed lung metastases in our preclinical models. This work supports a new strategy to halt the progression of ccRCC by disrupting the critical metastatic crosstalk between heterogeneous cell populations within a tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhui Hu
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Ping Tan
- Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Moe Ishihara
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Nicholas A Bayley
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Shiruyeh Schokrpur
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA
| | - Jeremy G Reynoso
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Yangjun Zhang
- Department of Biological Repositories, Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Raymond J Lim
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Camelia Dumitras
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Lu Yang
- Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Steven M Dubinett
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Parmjit S Jat
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, Institute of Prion Diseases, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF, UK
| | | | - Jiaoti Huang
- Department of Pathology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Arnold I Chin
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Robert M Prins
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Thomas G Graeber
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Hua Xu
- Department of Biological Repositories, Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- Cancer Precision Diagnosis and Treatment and Translational Medicine Hubei Engineering Research Center, Wuhan, China.
| | - Lily Wu
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
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26
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Wrenn ED, Apfelbaum AA, Rudzinski ER, Deng X, Jiang W, Sud S, Van Noord RA, Newman EA, Garcia NM, Hoglund VJ, Bhise SS, Kanaan SB, Waltner OG, Furlan SN, Lawlor ER. Carcinoma-associated fibroblast-like tumor cells remodel the Ewing sarcoma tumor microenvironment. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.12.536619. [PMID: 37090655 PMCID: PMC10120623 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.12.536619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Tumor heterogeneity is a major driver of cancer progression. In epithelial-derived malignancies, carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) contribute to tumor heterogeneity by depositing extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins that dynamically remodel the tumor microenvironment (TME). Ewing sarcomas (EwS) are histologically monomorphous, mesenchyme-derived tumors that are devoid of CAFs. Here we identify a previously uncharacterized subpopulation of transcriptionally distinct EwS tumor cells that deposit pro-tumorigenic ECM. Single cell analyses revealed that these CAF-like cells differ from bulk EwS cells by their upregulation of a matrisome-rich gene signature that is normally repressed by EWS::FLI1, the oncogenic fusion transcription factor that underlies EwS pathogenesis. Further, our studies showed that ECM-depositing tumor cells express the cell surface marker CD73, allowing for their isolation ex vivo and detection in situ. Spatial profiling of tumor xenografts and patient biopsies demonstrated that CD73 + EwS cells and tumor cell-derived ECM are prevalent along tumor borders and invasive fronts. Importantly, despite loss of EWS::FLI1-mediated gene repression, CD73 + EwS cells retain expression of EWS::FLI1 and the fusion-activated gene signature, as well as tumorigenic and proliferative capacities. Thus, EwS tumor cells can be reprogrammed to adopt CAF-like properties and these transcriptionally and phenotypically distinct cell subpopulations contribute to tumor heterogeneity by remodeling the TME.
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27
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Brown HE, Weasner BP, Weasner BM, Kumar JP. Polycomb safeguards imaginal disc specification through control of the Vestigial-Scalloped complex. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.11.536444. [PMID: 37090526 PMCID: PMC10120697 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.11.536444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
A fundamental goal of developmental biology is to understand how cell and tissue fates are specified. The imaginal discs of Drosophila are excellent model systems for addressing this paradigm as their fate can be redirected when discs regenerate after injury or when key selector genes are mis-regulated. Here, we show that when Polycomb expression is reduced, the wing selector gene vestigial is ectopically activated. This leads to the inappropriate formation of the Vestigial-Scalloped complex which forces the eye to transform into a wing. We further demonstrate that disrupting this complex does not simply block wing formation or restore eye development. Instead, immunohistochemistry and high throughput genomic analysis show that the eye-antennal disc unexpectedly undergoes hyperplastic growth with multiple domains being organized into other imaginal discs and tissues. These findings provide insight into the complex developmental landscape that tissues must navigate before adopting their final fate. Summary Statement Here we describe a novel mechanism by which Pc promotes an eye fate during normal development and how the eye is reprogrammed into a wing in its absence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley E. Brown
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405 USA
| | | | - Bonnie M. Weasner
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405 USA
| | - Justin P. Kumar
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405 USA
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Lee ND, Kaveh K, Bozic I. Clonal interactions in cancer: integrating quantitative models with experimental and clinical data. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 92:61-73. [PMID: 37023969 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.04.002] [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: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Tumors consist of different genotypically distinct subpopulations-or subclones-of cells. These subclones can influence neighboring clones in a process called "clonal interaction." Conventionally, research on driver mutations in cancer has focused on their cell-autonomous effects that lead to an increase in fitness of the cells containing the driver. Recently, with the advent of improved experimental and computational technologies for investigating tumor heterogeneity and clonal dynamics, new studies have shown the importance of clonal interactions in cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. In this review we provide an overview of clonal interactions in cancer, discussing key discoveries from a diverse range of approaches to cancer biology research. We discuss common types of clonal interactions, such as cooperation and competition, its mechanisms, and the overall effect on tumorigenesis, with important implications for tumor heterogeneity, resistance to treatment, and tumor suppression. Quantitative models-in coordination with cell culture and animal model experiments-have played a vital role in investigating the nature of clonal interactions and the complex clonal dynamics they generate. We present mathematical and computational models that can be used to represent clonal interactions and provide examples of the roles they have played in identifying and quantifying the strength of clonal interactions in experimental systems. Clonal interactions have proved difficult to observe in clinical data; however, several very recent quantitative approaches enable their detection. We conclude by discussing ways in which researchers can further integrate quantitative methods with experimental and clinical data to elucidate the critical-and often surprising-roles of clonal interactions in human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D Lee
- Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Kamran Kaveh
- Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Ivana Bozic
- Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America; Herbold Computational Biology Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America.
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Chiasson-MacKenzie C, Vitte J, Liu CH, Wright EA, Flynn EA, Stott SL, Giovannini M, McClatchey AI. Cellular mechanisms of heterogeneity in NF2-mutant schwannoma. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1559. [PMID: 36944680 PMCID: PMC10030849 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37226-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Schwannomas are common sporadic tumors and hallmarks of familial neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) that develop predominantly on cranial and spinal nerves. Virtually all schwannomas result from inactivation of the NF2 tumor suppressor gene with few, if any, cooperating mutations. Despite their genetic uniformity schwannomas exhibit remarkable clinical and therapeutic heterogeneity, which has impeded successful treatment. How heterogeneity develops in NF2-mutant schwannomas is unknown. We have found that loss of the membrane:cytoskeleton-associated NF2 tumor suppressor, merlin, yields unstable intrinsic polarity and enables Nf2-/- Schwann cells to adopt distinct programs of ErbB ligand production and polarized signaling, suggesting a self-generated model of schwannoma heterogeneity. We validated the heterogeneous distribution of biomarkers of these programs in human schwannoma and exploited the synchronous development of lesions in a mouse model to establish a quantitative pipeline for studying how schwannoma heterogeneity evolves. Our studies highlight the importance of intrinsic mechanisms of heterogeneity across human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Chiasson-MacKenzie
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, 149 13th Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Jeremie Vitte
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC), University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Ching-Hui Liu
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, 149 13th Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Emily A Wright
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, 149 13th Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Flynn
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, 149 13th Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
- Center for Engineering in Medicine and BioMEMS Resource Center, Surgical Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 114 16th Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Shannon L Stott
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, 149 13th Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
- Center for Engineering in Medicine and BioMEMS Resource Center, Surgical Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 114 16th Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Marco Giovannini
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC), University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Andrea I McClatchey
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, 149 13th Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
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Heterogeneity of Extracellular Vesicles and Particles: Molecular Voxels in the Blood Borne "Hologram" of Organ Function, Disfunction and Cancer. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2023; 71:5. [PMID: 36729313 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-023-00671-2] [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: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and particles (EPs) serve as unique carriers of complex molecular information with increasingly recognized roles in health and disease. Individual EVs/EPs collectively contribute to the molecular fingerprint of their producing cell, reflecting its identity, state, function and phenotype. This property is of particular interest in cancer where enormous heterogeneity of cancer cells is compounded by the presence of altered stromal, vascular and immune cell populations, which is further complicated by systemic responses elicited by the disease in individual patients. These diverse and interacting cellular compartments are dynamically represented by myriads of EVs/EPs released into the circulating biofluids (blood) during cancer progression and treatment. Current approaches of liquid biopsy seek to follow specific elements of the EV/EP cargo that may have diagnostic utility (as biomarkers), such as cancer cell-derived mutant oncoproteins or nucleic acids. However, with emerging technologies enabling high-throughput EV/EP analysis at a single particle level, a more holistic approach may be on the horizon. Indeed, each EV/EP carries multidimensional information (molecular "voxel") that could be integrated across thousands of particles into a larger and unbiased landscape (EV/EP "hologram") reflecting the true cellular complexity of the disease, along with cellular interactions, systemic responses and effects of treatment. Thus, the longitudinal molecular mapping of EV/EP populations may add a new dimension to crucial aspects of cancer biology, personalized diagnostics, and therapy.
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31
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Gabai Y, Assouline B, Ben-Porath I. Senescent stromal cells: roles in the tumor microenvironment. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:28-41. [PMID: 36208990 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2022.09.002] [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: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Cellular senescence forms a barrier to tumorigenesis, by inducing cell cycle arrest in damaged and mutated cells. However, once formed, senescent cells often emit paracrine signals that can either promote or suppress tumorigenesis. There is evidence that, in addition to cancer cells, subsets of tumor stromal cells, including fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and immune cells, undergo senescence. Such senescent stromal cells can influence cancer development and progression and represent potential targets for therapy. However, understanding of their characteristics and roles is limited and few studies have dissected their functions in vivo. Here, we discuss current knowledge and pertinent questions regarding the presence of senescent stromal cells in cancers, the triggers that elicit their formation, and their potential roles within the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael Gabai
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Benjamin Assouline
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ittai Ben-Porath
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
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Saeki S, Kumegawa K, Takahashi Y, Yang L, Osako T, Yasen M, Otsuji K, Miyata K, Yamakawa K, Suzuka J, Sakimoto Y, Ozaki Y, Takano T, Sano T, Noda T, Ohno S, Yao R, Ueno T, Maruyama R. Transcriptomic intratumor heterogeneity of breast cancer patient-derived organoids may reflect the unique biological features of the tumor of origin. Breast Cancer Res 2023; 25:21. [PMID: 36810117 PMCID: PMC9942352 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-023-01617-4] [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: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) of cancer cells plays an important role in breast cancer resistance and recurrence. To develop better therapeutic strategies, it is necessary to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying ITH and their functional significance. Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) have recently been utilized in cancer research. They can also be used to study ITH as cancer cell diversity is thought to be maintained within the organoid line. However, no reports investigated intratumor transcriptomic heterogeneity in organoids derived from patients with breast cancer. This study aimed to investigate transcriptomic ITH in breast cancer PDOs. METHODS We established PDO lines from ten patients with breast cancer and performed single-cell transcriptomic analysis. First, we clustered cancer cells for each PDO using the Seurat package. Then, we defined and compared the cluster-specific gene signature (ClustGS) corresponding to each cell cluster in each PDO. RESULTS Cancer cells were clustered into 3-6 cell populations with distinct cellular states in each PDO line. We identified 38 clusters with ClustGS in 10 PDO lines and used Jaccard similarity index to compare the similarity of these signatures. We found that 29 signatures could be categorized into 7 shared meta-ClustGSs, such as those related to the cell cycle or epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and 9 signatures were unique to single PDO lines. These unique cell populations appeared to represent the characteristics of the original tumors derived from patients. CONCLUSIONS We confirmed the existence of transcriptomic ITH in breast cancer PDOs. Some cellular states were commonly observed in multiple PDOs, whereas others were specific to single PDO lines. The combination of these shared and unique cellular states formed the ITH of each PDO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumito Saeki
- grid.410807.a0000 0001 0037 4131Project for Cancer Epigenomics, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31, Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550 Japan ,grid.410807.a0000 0001 0037 4131Breast Surgical Oncology, Breast Oncology Center, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kohei Kumegawa
- grid.410807.a0000 0001 0037 4131Cancer Cell Diversity Project, NEXT-Ganken Program, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoko Takahashi
- grid.410807.a0000 0001 0037 4131Breast Surgical Oncology, Breast Oncology Center, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Liying Yang
- grid.410807.a0000 0001 0037 4131Project for Cancer Epigenomics, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31, Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550 Japan
| | - Tomo Osako
- grid.410807.a0000 0001 0037 4131Division of Pathology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mahmut Yasen
- grid.410807.a0000 0001 0037 4131Cancer Informatics and Biobanking Platform Project, NEXT-Ganken Program, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Otsuji
- grid.410807.a0000 0001 0037 4131Cancer Cell Diversity Project, NEXT-Ganken Program, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenichi Miyata
- grid.410807.a0000 0001 0037 4131Project for Cancer Epigenomics, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31, Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550 Japan
| | - Kaoru Yamakawa
- grid.410807.a0000 0001 0037 4131Cancer Informatics and Biobanking Platform Project, NEXT-Ganken Program, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jun Suzuka
- grid.410807.a0000 0001 0037 4131Cancer Cell Diversity Project, NEXT-Ganken Program, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuri Sakimoto
- grid.410807.a0000 0001 0037 4131Project for Cancer Epigenomics, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31, Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550 Japan
| | - Yukinori Ozaki
- grid.410807.a0000 0001 0037 4131Breast Medical Oncology, Breast Oncology Center, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshimi Takano
- grid.410807.a0000 0001 0037 4131Breast Medical Oncology, Breast Oncology Center, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Sano
- grid.410807.a0000 0001 0037 4131Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Gastroenterological Center, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Noda
- grid.410807.a0000 0001 0037 4131Director’s Room, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinji Ohno
- grid.410807.a0000 0001 0037 4131Breast Oncology Center, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryoji Yao
- grid.410807.a0000 0001 0037 4131Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takayuki Ueno
- grid.410807.a0000 0001 0037 4131Breast Surgical Oncology, Breast Oncology Center, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Reo Maruyama
- Project for Cancer Epigenomics, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31, Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan. .,Cancer Cell Diversity Project, NEXT-Ganken Program, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan.
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Xie W, Cheng J, Hong Z, Cai W, Zhuo H, Hou J, Lin L, Wei X, Wang K, Chen X, Song Y, Wang Z, Cai J. Multi-Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals the Heterogeneity and Tumor-Promoting Role of SPP1/CD44-Mediated Intratumoral Crosstalk in Gastric Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010164. [PMID: 36612160 PMCID: PMC9818284 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
GC is a fatal disease with high heterogeneity and invasiveness. Recently, SPP1 has been reported to be involved in the tumor progression of multiple human cancers; however, the role of SPP1 in GC heterogeneity and whether it is associated with the invasiveness and mortality of GC remain unclear. Here, we combined multiple RNA sequencing approaches to evaluate the impact of SPP1 on GC. Through bulk RNA sequencing (bulk RNA-seq) and immunohistochemistry (IHC), we found that SPP1 was highly expressed in GC, and high levels of SPP1 were associated with macrophage infiltration, an advanced tumor stage, and higher mortality for advanced GC patients. Furthermore, through simultaneous single-cell and spatial analysis, we demonstrated that SPP1+ macrophages are tumor-specific macrophages unique to cancer and enriched in the deep layer of GC tissue. Cell-cell communication analysis revealed that SPP1/CD44 interactions between SPP1+ macrophages and their localized tumor epithelial cells could activate downstream target genes in epithelial cells to promote dynamic changes in intratumor heterogeneity. Moreover, these activated genes were found to be closely associated with poor clinical GC outcomes and with cancer-related pathways that promote GC progression, as shown by survival analysis and enrichment analysis, respectively. Collectively, our study reveals that tumor-specific SPP1+ macrophages drive the architecture of intratumor heterogeneity to evolve with tumor progression and that SPP1 may serve as a prognostic marker for advanced GC patients, as well as a potential therapeutic target for GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Xie
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361001, China
- Xiamen Municipal Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Xiamen 361001, China
| | - Jia Cheng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361001, China
- Xiamen Municipal Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Xiamen 361001, China
| | - Zhijun Hong
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361001, China
- Xiamen Municipal Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Xiamen 361001, China
| | - Wangyu Cai
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361001, China
- Xiamen Municipal Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Xiamen 361001, China
| | - Huiqin Zhuo
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361001, China
- Xiamen Municipal Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Xiamen 361001, China
| | - Jingjing Hou
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361001, China
- Xiamen Municipal Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Xiamen 361001, China
| | - Lingyun Lin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361001, China
- Xiamen Municipal Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Xiamen 361001, China
| | - Xujin Wei
- The Graduate School of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, China
| | - Kang Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361001, China
- Xiamen Municipal Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Xiamen 361001, China
| | - Xin Chen
- The Graduate School of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, China
| | - Yucheng Song
- The Graduate School of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, China
| | - Zhenfa Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361001, China
- Xiamen Municipal Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Xiamen 361001, China
| | - Jianchun Cai
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361001, China
- Xiamen Municipal Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Xiamen 361001, China
- The Graduate School of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, China
- Correspondence:
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Zhong ME, Duan X, Ni-jia-ti MYDL, Qi H, Xu D, Cai D, Li C, Huang Z, Zhu Q, Gao F, Wu X. CT-based radiogenomic analysis dissects intratumor heterogeneity and predicts prognosis of colorectal cancer: a multi-institutional retrospective study. J Transl Med 2022; 20:574. [PMID: 36482390 PMCID: PMC9730572 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03788-8] [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: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to develop a radiogenomic prognostic prediction model for colorectal cancer (CRC) by investigating the biological and clinical relevance of intratumoural heterogeneity. METHODS This retrospective multi-cohort study was conducted in three steps. First, we identified genomic subclones using unsupervised deconvolution analysis. Second, we established radiogenomic signatures to link radiomic features with prognostic subclone compositions in an independent radiogenomic dataset containing matched imaging and gene expression data. Finally, the prognostic value of the identified radiogenomic signatures was validated using two testing datasets containing imaging and survival information collected from separate medical centres. RESULTS This multi-institutional retrospective study included 1601 patients (714 females and 887 males; mean age, 65 years ± 14 [standard deviation]) with CRC from 5 datasets. Molecular heterogeneity was identified using unsupervised deconvolution analysis of gene expression data. The relative prevalence of the two subclones associated with cell cycle and extracellular matrix pathways identified patients with significantly different survival outcomes. A radiogenomic signature-based predictive model significantly stratified patients into high- and low-risk groups with disparate disease-free survival (HR = 1.74, P = 0.003). Radiogenomic signatures were revealed as an independent predictive factor for CRC by multivariable analysis (HR = 1.59, 95% CI:1.03-2.45, P = 0.034). Functional analysis demonstrated that the 11 radiogenomic signatures were predominantly associated with extracellular matrix and immune-related pathways. CONCLUSIONS The identified radiogenomic signatures might be a surrogate for genomic signatures and could complement the current prognostic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Er Zhong
- grid.488525.6Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510655 China ,grid.413405.70000 0004 1808 0686Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China ,grid.488525.6Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Duan
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XSchool of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ma-yi-di-li Ni-jia-ti
- Department of Radiology, The First People’s Hospital of Kashi Prefecture, Kashi, Xinjiang China
| | - Haoning Qi
- grid.488525.6Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510655 China ,grid.488525.6Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dongwei Xu
- grid.488525.6Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510655 China ,grid.488525.6Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Du Cai
- grid.488525.6Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510655 China ,grid.488525.6Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chenghang Li
- grid.488525.6Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510655 China ,grid.488525.6Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zeping Huang
- grid.488525.6Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510655 China ,grid.488525.6Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiqi Zhu
- grid.488525.6Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510655 China ,grid.507012.10000 0004 1798 304XDepartment of Colorectal Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Feng Gao
- grid.488525.6Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510655 China ,grid.488525.6Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China ,Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaojian Wu
- grid.488525.6Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510655 China ,grid.488525.6Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Apfelbaum AA, Wrenn ED, Lawlor ER. The importance of fusion protein activity in Ewing sarcoma and the cell intrinsic and extrinsic factors that regulate it: A review. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1044707. [PMID: 36505823 PMCID: PMC9727305 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1044707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence shows that despite clonal origins tumors eventually become complex communities comprised of phenotypically distinct cell subpopulations. This heterogeneity arises from both tumor cell intrinsic programs and signals from spatially and temporally dynamic microenvironments. While pediatric cancers usually lack the mutational burden of adult cancers, they still exhibit high levels of cellular heterogeneity that are largely mediated by epigenetic mechanisms. Ewing sarcomas are aggressive bone and soft tissue malignancies with peak incidence in adolescence and the prognosis for patients with relapsed and metastatic disease is dismal. Ewing sarcomas are driven by a single pathognomonic fusion between a FET protein and an ETS family transcription factor, the most common of which is EWS::FLI1. Despite sharing a single driver mutation, Ewing sarcoma cells demonstrate a high degree of transcriptional heterogeneity both between and within tumors. Recent studies have identified differential fusion protein activity as a key source of this heterogeneity which leads to profoundly different cellular phenotypes. Paradoxically, increased invasive and metastatic potential is associated with lower EWS::FLI1 activity. Here, we review what is currently understood about EWS::FLI1 activity, the cell autonomous and tumor microenvironmental factors that regulate it, and the downstream consequences of these activity states on tumor progression. We specifically highlight how transcription factor regulation, signaling pathway modulation, and the extracellular matrix intersect to create a complex network of tumor cell phenotypes. We propose that elucidation of the mechanisms by which these essential elements interact will enable the development of novel therapeutic approaches that are designed to target this complexity and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
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van den Bosch T, Derks S, Miedema DM. Chromosomal Instability, Selection and Competition: Factors That Shape the Level of Karyotype Intra-Tumor Heterogeneity. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14204986. [PMID: 36291770 PMCID: PMC9600040 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14204986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Each cancer consists of billions of cells. These cells are far from identical; hence, the population of cells that constitute a tumor is heterogeneous. A salient property that varies between cells in a tumor is their karyotype, the number and configuration of the chromosomes. The level of karyotype heterogeneity can be used to predict the survival of a patient. In this review, we describe the processes that shape the level of karyotype heterogeneity in a cancer. Abstract Intra-tumor heterogeneity (ITH) is a pan-cancer predictor of survival, with high ITH being correlated to a dismal prognosis. The level of ITH is, hence, a clinically relevant characteristic of a malignancy. ITH of karyotypes is driven by chromosomal instability (CIN). However, not all new karyotypes generated by CIN are viable or competitive, which limits the amount of ITH. Here, we review the cellular processes and ecological properties that determine karyotype ITH. We propose a framework to understand karyotype ITH, in which cells with new karyotypes emerge through CIN, are selected by cell intrinsic and cell extrinsic selective pressures, and propagate through a cancer in competition with other malignant cells. We further discuss how CIN modulates the cell phenotype and immune microenvironment, and the implications this has for the subsequent selection of karyotypes. Together, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the biological processes that shape the level of karyotype heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom van den Bosch
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers—Location AMC, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sarah Derks
- Oncode Institute, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers—Location VUmc, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: (S.D.); (D.M.M.)
| | - Daniël M. Miedema
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers—Location AMC, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: (S.D.); (D.M.M.)
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