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Nasr MM, Lynch CC. How circulating tumor cluster biology contributes to the metastatic cascade: from invasion to dissemination and dormancy. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:1133-1146. [PMID: 37442876 PMCID: PMC10713810 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10124-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are known to be prognostic for metastatic relapse and are detected in patients as solitary cells or cell clusters. Circulating tumor cell clusters (CTC clusters) have been observed clinically for decades and are of significantly higher metastatic potential compared to solitary CTCs. Recent studies suggest distinct differences in CTC cluster biology regarding invasion and survival in circulation. However, differences regarding dissemination, dormancy, and reawakening require more investigations compared to solitary CTCs. Here, we review the current state of CTC cluster research and consider their clinical significance. In addition, we discuss the concept of collective invasion by CTC clusters and molecular evidence as to how cluster survival in circulation compares to that of solitary CTCs. Molecular differences between solitary and clustered CTCs during dormancy and reawakening programs will also be discussed. We also highlight future directions to advance our current understanding of CTC cluster biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa M Nasr
- Tumor Biology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
- Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Conor C Lynch
- Tumor Biology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
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2
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Xue J, Yan X, Ding Q, Li N, Wu M, Song J. Effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on the immune microenvironment of gynaecological tumours. Ann Med 2023; 55:2282181. [PMID: 37983527 PMCID: PMC10836282 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2282181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: To assess the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) on the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in gynaecological tumors, with a focus on understanding the potential for enhanced combination therapies.Methods: We systematically queried the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases, encompassing reviews, clinical trials, and case studies, to undertake a thorough analysis of the impact of NACT on the TIME of gynaecological tumors.Results: NACT induces diverse immune microenvironment changes in gynaecological tumors. In cervical cancer, NACT boosts immune-promoting cells, enhancing tumor clearance. Ovarian cancer studies yield variable outcomes, influenced by patient-specific factors and treatment regimens. Limited research exists on NACT's impact on endometrial cancer's immune microenvironment, warranting further exploration. In summary, NACT-induced immune microenvironment changes display variability. Clinical trials highlight personalized immunotherapy's positive impact on gynaecological tumor prognosis, suggesting potential avenues for future cancer treatments. However, rigorous investigation is needed to determine the exact efficacy and safety of combining NACT with immunotherapy.Conclusion: This review provides a solid foundation for the development of late-stage immunotherapy and highlights the importance of therapeutic strategies targeting immune cells in TIME in anti-tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xue
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, PR China
- Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, PR China
| | - Xia Yan
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, PR China
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Translational Nuclear Medicine and Precision Protection, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, PR China
| | - Qin Ding
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, PR China
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Translational Nuclear Medicine and Precision Protection, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, PR China
| | - Nan Li
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, PR China
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Translational Nuclear Medicine and Precision Protection, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, PR China
| | - Menghan Wu
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, PR China
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Translational Nuclear Medicine and Precision Protection, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, PR China
| | - Jianbo Song
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, PR China
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Translational Nuclear Medicine and Precision Protection, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, PR China
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3
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Andrikou K, Rossi T, Verlicchi A, Priano I, Cravero P, Burgio MA, Crinò L, Bandini S, Ulivi P, Delmonte A. Circulating Tumour Cells: Detection and Application in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16085. [PMID: 38003273 PMCID: PMC10671094 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the deadliest diseases worldwide. Tissue biopsy is the current gold standard for the diagnosis and molecular profiling of NSCLC. However, this approach presents some limitations due to inadequate tissue sampling, and intra- and intertumour heterogenicity. Liquid biopsy is a noninvasive method to determine cancer-related biomarkers in peripheral blood, and can be repeated at multiple timepoints. One of the most studied approaches to liquid biopsies is represented by circulating tumour cells (CTCs). Several studies have evaluated the prognostic and predictive role of CTCs in advanced NSCLC. Despite the limitations of these studies, the results of the majority of studies seem to be concordant regarding the correlation between high CTC count and poor prognosis in patients with NSCLC. Similarly, the decrease of CTC count during treatment may represent an important predictive marker of sensitivity to therapy in advanced NSCLC. Furthermore, molecular characterization of CTCs can be used to provide information on tumour biology, and on the mechanisms involved in resistance to targeted treatment. This review will discuss the current status of the clinical utility of CTCs in patients with advanced NSCLC, highlighting their potential application to prognosis and to treatment decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalliopi Andrikou
- Medical Oncology Department, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (K.A.); (A.V.); (I.P.); (P.C.); (M.A.B.); (L.C.); (A.D.)
| | - Tania Rossi
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (S.B.); (P.U.)
| | - Alberto Verlicchi
- Medical Oncology Department, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (K.A.); (A.V.); (I.P.); (P.C.); (M.A.B.); (L.C.); (A.D.)
| | - Ilaria Priano
- Medical Oncology Department, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (K.A.); (A.V.); (I.P.); (P.C.); (M.A.B.); (L.C.); (A.D.)
| | - Paola Cravero
- Medical Oncology Department, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (K.A.); (A.V.); (I.P.); (P.C.); (M.A.B.); (L.C.); (A.D.)
| | - Marco Angelo Burgio
- Medical Oncology Department, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (K.A.); (A.V.); (I.P.); (P.C.); (M.A.B.); (L.C.); (A.D.)
| | - Lucio Crinò
- Medical Oncology Department, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (K.A.); (A.V.); (I.P.); (P.C.); (M.A.B.); (L.C.); (A.D.)
| | - Sara Bandini
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (S.B.); (P.U.)
| | - Paola Ulivi
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (S.B.); (P.U.)
| | - Angelo Delmonte
- Medical Oncology Department, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (K.A.); (A.V.); (I.P.); (P.C.); (M.A.B.); (L.C.); (A.D.)
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Vardas V, Ju JA, Christopoulou A, Xagara A, Georgoulias V, Kotsakis A, Alix-Panabières C, Martin SS, Kallergi G. Functional Analysis of Viable Circulating Tumor Cells from Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Patients Using TetherChip Technology. Cells 2023; 12:1940. [PMID: 37566019 PMCID: PMC10416943 DOI: 10.3390/cells12151940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastasis, rather than the growth of the primary tumor, accounts for approximately 90% of breast cancer patient deaths. Microtentacles (McTNs) formation represents an important mechanism of metastasis. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype with limited targeted therapies. The present study aimed to isolate viable circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and functionally analyze them in response to drug treatment. CTCs from 20 TNBC patients were isolated and maintained in culture for 5 days. Biomarker expression was identified by immunofluorescence staining and VyCap analysis. Vinorelbine-induced apoptosis was evaluated based on the detection of M30-positive cells. Our findings revealed that the CTC absolute number significantly increased using TetherChips analysis compared to the number of CTCs in patients' cytospins (p = 0.006) providing enough tumor cells for drug evaluation. Vinorelbine treatment (1 h) on live CTCs led to a significant induction of apoptosis (p = 0.010). It also caused a significant reduction in Detyrosinated α-tubulin (GLU), programmed death ligand (PD-L1)-expressing CTCs (p < 0.001), and disruption of McTNs. In conclusion, this pilot study offers a useful protocol using TetherChip technology for functional analysis and evaluation of drug efficacy in live CTCs, providing important information for targeting metastatic dissemination at a patient-individualized level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasileios Vardas
- Laboratory of Biochemistry/Metastatic Signaling, Section of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, Department of Biology, University of Patras, GR-26504 Patras, Greece;
| | - Julia A. Ju
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (J.A.J.); (S.S.M.)
| | | | - Anastasia Xagara
- Laboratory of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, GR-41110 Larissa, Greece; (A.X.); (A.K.)
| | | | - Athanasios Kotsakis
- Laboratory of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, GR-41110 Larissa, Greece; (A.X.); (A.K.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Larissa, GR-41110 Larissa, Greece
| | - Catherine Alix-Panabières
- Laboratory of Rare Human Circulating Cells (LCCRH), University Medical Center of Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France;
- CREEC/CANECEV, MIVEGEC (CREES), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, 34090 Montpellier, France
- European Liquid Biopsy Society (ELBS), 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stuart S. Martin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (J.A.J.); (S.S.M.)
| | - Galatea Kallergi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry/Metastatic Signaling, Section of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, Department of Biology, University of Patras, GR-26504 Patras, Greece;
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Vardas V, Tolios A, Christopoulou A, Georgoulias V, Xagara A, Koinis F, Kotsakis A, Kallergi G. Immune Checkpoint and EMT-Related Molecules in Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) from Triple Negative Breast Cancer Patients and Their Clinical Impact. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1974. [PMID: 37046635 PMCID: PMC10093450 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15071974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype. There are few targeted therapies for these patients, leading to an unmet need for new biomarkers. The present study aimed to investigate the expression of PD-L1, CTLA-4, GLU, and VIM in CTCs of TNBC patients. Ninety-five patients were enrolled in this study: sixty-four TNBC and thirty-one luminal. Of these patients, 60 were in the early stage, while 35 had metastatic disease. Protein expression was identified by immunofluorescence staining experiments and VyCAP analysis. All the examined proteins were upregulated in TNBC patients. The expression of the GLU+VIM+CK+ phenotype was higher (50%) in metastatic TNBC compared to early TNBC patients (17%) (p = 0.005). Among all the BC patients, a significant correlation was found between PD-L1+CD45-CK+ and CTLA-4+CD45-CK+ phenotypes (Spearman test, p = 0.024), implying an important role of dual inhibition in BC. Finally, the phenotypes GLU+VIM+CK+ and PD-L1+CD45-CK+ were associated with shorter OS in TNBC patients (OS: log-rank p = 0.048, HR = 2.9, OS: log-rank p < 0.001, HR = 8.7, respectively). Thus, PD-L1, CTLA-4, GLU, and VIM constitute significant biomarkers in TNBC associated with patients' outcome, providing new therapeutic targets for this difficult breast cancer subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasileios Vardas
- Laboratory of Biochemistry/Metastatic Signaling, Section of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, Department of Biology, University of Patras, GR-26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Anastasios Tolios
- Laboratory of Biochemistry/Metastatic Signaling, Section of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, Department of Biology, University of Patras, GR-26504 Patras, Greece
| | | | | | - Anastasia Xagara
- Laboratory of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, GR-41110 Larissa, Greece
| | - Filippos Koinis
- Laboratory of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, GR-41110 Larissa, Greece
- Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Larissa, GR-41110 Larissa, Greece
| | - Athanasios Kotsakis
- Laboratory of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, GR-41110 Larissa, Greece
- Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Larissa, GR-41110 Larissa, Greece
| | - Galatea Kallergi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry/Metastatic Signaling, Section of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, Department of Biology, University of Patras, GR-26504 Patras, Greece
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Phenotypic Characterization of Circulating Tumor Cells Isolated from Non-Small and Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010171. [PMID: 36612166 PMCID: PMC9818148 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we evaluated the expression of JUNB and CXCR4 in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) of lung cancer patients and investigated whether these proteins have prognostic clinical relevance. Peripheral blood from 30 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was filtered using ISET membranes, and cytospins from 37 patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) were analyzed using confocal and VyCAP microscopy. Both JUNB and CXCR4 were expressed in the vast majority of lung cancer patients. Interestingly, the phenotypic patterns differed between NSCLC and SCLC patients; the (CK+/JUNB+/CXCR4+) phenotype was present in 50% of NSCLC vs. 71% of SCLC patients. Similarly, the (CK+/JUNB+/CXCR4−) was present in 44% vs. 71%, the (CK+/JUNB−/CXCR4+) in 6% vs. 71%, and the (CK+/JUNB−/CXCR4−) phenotype in 38% vs. 84%. In NSCLC, the presence of ≥1 CTCs with the (CK+/JUNB+/CXCR4+) phenotype was associated with worse progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.007, HR = 5.21) while ≥2 with poorer overall survival (OS) (p < 0.001, HR = 2.16). In extensive stage SCLC patients, the presence of ≥4 CXCR4-positive CTCs was associated with shorter OS (p = 0.041, HR = 5.01). Consequently, JUNB and CXCR4 were expressed in CTCs from lung cancer patients, and associated with patients’ survival, underlying their key role in tumor progression.
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Investigating the Function of Human Jumping Translocation Breakpoint Protein (hJTB) and Its Interacting Partners through In-Solution Proteomics of MCF7 Cells. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27238301. [PMID: 36500393 PMCID: PMC9740069 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27238301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Human jumping translocation breakpoint (hJTB) gene is located on chromosome 1q21 and is involved in unbalanced translocation in many types of cancer. JTB protein is ubiquitously present in normal cells but it is found to be overexpressed or downregulated in various types of cancer cells, where this protein and its isoforms promote mitochondrial dysfunction, resistance to apoptosis, genomic instability, proliferation, invasion and metastasis. Hence, JTB could be a tumor biomarker for different types of cancer, such as breast cancer (BC), and could be used as a drug target for therapy. However, the functions of the protein or the pathways through which it increases cell proliferation and invasiveness of cancer cells are not well-known. Therefore, we aim to investigate the functions of JTB by using in-solution digestion-based cellular proteomics of control and upregulated and downregulated JTB protein in MCF7 breast cancer cell line, taking account that in-solution digestion-based proteomics experiments are complementary to the initial in-gel based ones. Proteomics analysis allows investigation of protein dysregulation patterns that indicate the function of the protein and its interacting partners, as well as the pathways and biological processes through which it functions. We concluded that JTB dysregulation increases the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) potential and cell proliferation, harnessing cytoskeleton organization, apical junctional complex, metabolic reprogramming, and cellular proteostasis. Deregulated JTB expression was found to be associated with several proteins involved in mitochondrial organization and function, oxidative stress (OS), apoptosis, and interferon alpha and gamma signaling. Consistent and complementary to our previous results emerged by using in-gel based proteomics of transfected MCF7 cells, JTB-related proteins that are overexpressed in this experiment suggest the development of a more aggressive phenotype and behavior for this luminal type A non-invasive/poor-invasive human BC cell line that does not usually migrate or invade compared with the highly metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells. This more aggressive phenotype of MCF7 cells related to JTB dysregulation and detected by both in-gel and in-solution proteomics could be promoted by synergistic upregulation of EMT, Mitotic spindle and Fatty acid metabolism pathways. However, in both JTB dysregulated conditions, several downregulated JTB-interacting proteins predominantly sustain antitumor activities, attenuating some of the aggressive phenotypical and behavioral traits promoted by the overexpressed JTB-related partners.
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Wang Y, Gao P, Hao Z, Chen L, Li X, Jiao Y, Liu J, Li J, Zhang Y, Peng X, Ning B, Zhan X. The effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on the tumor immune microenvironment in gastrointestinal tumors. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1054598. [DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1054598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, numerous studies have demonstrated that the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) is capable of regulating the growth of tumors, and tumor-infiltrating immune cells in the TIME can affect the prognosis and treatment responses of patients. Consequently, therapies targeting these immune cells have emerged as important antitumor treatments. As a crucial componet of the perioperative treatment of malignant tumors, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) can improve the surgical resection rate and prognosis of patients and is a suitable clinical model to evaluate the effect of chemotherapy on the TIME. To provide a rationale for developing valid combinational therapies, this review summarizes the impact of NACT on the TIME, the relationship between tumor-infiltrating immune cells and treatment responses of patients, and the prognostic value of these infiltrating immune cells.
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Jayathirtha M, Neagu AN, Whitham D, Alwine S, Darie CC. Investigation of the effects of downregulation of jumping translocation breakpoint (JTB) protein expression in MCF7 cells for potential use as a biomarker in breast cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:4373-4398. [PMID: 36225631 PMCID: PMC9548009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
MCF7 is a commonly used luminal type A non-invasive/poor-invasive human breast cancer cell line that does not usually migrate or invade compared with MDA-MB-231 highly metastatic cells, which emphasize an invasive and migratory behavior. Under special conditions, MCF7 cells might acquire invasive features. The aberration in expression and biological functions of the jumping translocation breackpoint (JTB) protein is associated with malignant transformation of cells, based on mitochondrial dysfunction, inhibition of tumor suppressive function of TGF-β, and involvement in cancer cell cycle. To investigate new putative functions of JTB by cellular proteomics, we analyzed the biological processes and pathways that are associated with the JTB protein downregulation. The results demonstrated that MCF7 cell line developed a more "aggressive" phenotype and behavior. Most of the proteins that were overexpressed in this experiment promoted the actin cytoskeleton reorganization that is involved in growth and metastatic dissemination of cancer cells. Some of these proteins are involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process (ACTBL2, TUBA4A, MYH14, CSPG5, PKM, UGDH, HSP90AA2, and MIF), in correlation with the energy metabolism reprogramming (PKM, UGDH), stress-response (HSP10, HSP70A1A, HSP90AA2), and immune and inflammatory response (MIF and ERp57-TAPBP). Almost all upregulated proteins in JTB downregulated condition promote viability, motility, proliferation, invasion, survival into a hostile microenvironment, metabolic reprogramming, and escaping of tumor cells from host immune control, leading to a more invasive phenotype for MCF7 cell line. Due to their downregulated condition, four proteins, such as CREBZF, KMT2B, SELENOS and CACNA1I are also involved in maintenance of the invasive phenotype of cancer cells, promoting cell proliferation, migration, invasion and tumorigenesis. Other downregulated proteins, such as MAZ, PLEKHG2, ENO1, TPI2, TOR2A, and CNNM1, may promote suppression of cancer cell growth, invasion, EMT, tumorigenic abilities, interacting with glucose and lipid metabolism, disrupting nuclear envelope stability, or suppressing apoptosis and developing anti-angiogenetic activities. Therefore, the main biological processes and pathways that may increase the tumorigenic potential of the MCF7 cells in JTB downregulated condition are related to the actin cytoskeleton organization, EMT, mitotic cell cycle, glycolysis and fatty acid metabolism, inflammatory response and macrophage activation, chemotaxis and migration, cellular response to stress condition (oxidative stress and hypoxia), transcription control, histone modification and ion transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhuri Jayathirtha
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Group, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson UniversityPotsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA
| | - Anca-Narcisa Neagu
- Laboratory of Animal Histology, Faculty of Biology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of IasiCarol I bvd. No. 22, Iasi 700505, Romania
| | - Danielle Whitham
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Group, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson UniversityPotsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA
| | - Shelby Alwine
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Group, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson UniversityPotsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA
| | - Costel C Darie
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Group, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson UniversityPotsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA
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Abstract
Metastasis is responsible for a large majority of death from malignant solid tumors. Bone is one of the most frequently affected organs in cancer metastasis, especially in breast and prostate cancer. Development of bone metastasis requires cancer cells to successfully complete a number of challenging steps, including local invasion and intravasation, survival in circulation, extravasation and initial seeding, and finally, formation of metastatic colonies after a period of dormancy or indolent growth. During this process, cancer cells often undergo a series of cellular and molecular changes to gain cellular plasticity that helps them adapt to various environments they encounter along the journey of metastasis. Understanding the mechanisms behind cellular plasticity and adaptation during the formation of bone metastasis is crucial for the development of novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cao Fang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Yibin Kang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
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Mathias TJ, Ju JA, Lee RM, Thompson KN, Mull ML, Annis DA, Chang KT, Ory EC, Stemberger MB, Hotta T, Ohi R, Vitolo MI, Moutin MJ, Martin SS. Tubulin Carboxypeptidase Activity Promotes Focal Gelatin Degradation in Breast Tumor Cells and Induces Apoptosis in Breast Epithelial Cells That Is Overcome by Oncogenic Signaling. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14071707. [PMID: 35406479 PMCID: PMC8996877 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The recent discovery of the genetic identity of the tubulin carboxypeptidase (TCP) provides a unique opportunity to study the role of the detyrosination of α-tubulin (deTyr-Tub), as performed by the TCP, in breast epithelial cells and breast cancer cells. Previous research has shown that elevated deTyr-Tub conveys a poor prognosis in breast cancer and is upregulated in a coordinated manner at the invasive margin of patient tumor samples. Using TCP expression constructs, we have shown that increased deTyr-Tub promotes apoptosis in normal breast epithelial cells, that does not occur in the same cells with an oncogenic KRas mutation or Bcl-2/Bcl-xL overexpression. Furthermore, the addition of the TCP to the breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and Hs578t, also harboring Ras mutations, leads to increased focal gelatin degradation. Abstract Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of the microtubule network impart differential functions across normal cell types and their cancerous counterparts. The removal of the C-terminal tyrosine of α-tubulin (deTyr-Tub) as performed by the tubulin carboxypeptidase (TCP) is of particular interest in breast epithelial and breast cancer cells. The recent discovery of the genetic identity of the TCP to be a vasohibin (VASH1/2) coupled with a small vasohibin-binding protein (SVBP) allows for the functional effect of this tubulin PTM to be directly tested for the first time. Our studies revealed the immortalized breast epithelial cell line MCF10A undergoes apoptosis following transfection with TCP constructs, but the addition of oncogenic KRas or Bcl-2/Bcl-xL overexpression prevents subsequent apoptotic induction in the MCF10A background. Functionally, an increase in deTyr-Tub via TCP transfection in MDA-MB-231 and Hs578t breast cancer cells leads to enhanced focal gelatin degradation. Given the elevated deTyr-Tub at invasive tumor fronts and the correlation with poor breast cancer survival, these new discoveries help clarify how the TCP synergizes with oncogene activation, increases focal gelatin degradation, and may correspond to increased tumor cell invasion. These connections could inform more specific microtubule-directed therapies to target deTyr-tubulin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor J. Mathias
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (T.J.M.); (J.A.J.); (R.M.L.); (K.N.T.); (M.L.M.); (D.A.A.); (K.T.C.); (E.C.O.); (M.B.S.); (M.I.V.)
- Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 800 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), University of Maryland School of Medicine, 800 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Julia A. Ju
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (T.J.M.); (J.A.J.); (R.M.L.); (K.N.T.); (M.L.M.); (D.A.A.); (K.T.C.); (E.C.O.); (M.B.S.); (M.I.V.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Rachel M. Lee
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (T.J.M.); (J.A.J.); (R.M.L.); (K.N.T.); (M.L.M.); (D.A.A.); (K.T.C.); (E.C.O.); (M.B.S.); (M.I.V.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Keyata N. Thompson
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (T.J.M.); (J.A.J.); (R.M.L.); (K.N.T.); (M.L.M.); (D.A.A.); (K.T.C.); (E.C.O.); (M.B.S.); (M.I.V.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Makenzy L. Mull
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (T.J.M.); (J.A.J.); (R.M.L.); (K.N.T.); (M.L.M.); (D.A.A.); (K.T.C.); (E.C.O.); (M.B.S.); (M.I.V.)
- Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 800 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - David A. Annis
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (T.J.M.); (J.A.J.); (R.M.L.); (K.N.T.); (M.L.M.); (D.A.A.); (K.T.C.); (E.C.O.); (M.B.S.); (M.I.V.)
- Graduate Program in Epidemiology and Human Genetics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 800 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Katarina T. Chang
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (T.J.M.); (J.A.J.); (R.M.L.); (K.N.T.); (M.L.M.); (D.A.A.); (K.T.C.); (E.C.O.); (M.B.S.); (M.I.V.)
- Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 800 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Eleanor C. Ory
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (T.J.M.); (J.A.J.); (R.M.L.); (K.N.T.); (M.L.M.); (D.A.A.); (K.T.C.); (E.C.O.); (M.B.S.); (M.I.V.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Megan B. Stemberger
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (T.J.M.); (J.A.J.); (R.M.L.); (K.N.T.); (M.L.M.); (D.A.A.); (K.T.C.); (E.C.O.); (M.B.S.); (M.I.V.)
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 108 N. Greene St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Takashi Hotta
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (T.H.); (R.O.)
| | - Ryoma Ohi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (T.H.); (R.O.)
| | - Michele I. Vitolo
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (T.J.M.); (J.A.J.); (R.M.L.); (K.N.T.); (M.L.M.); (D.A.A.); (K.T.C.); (E.C.O.); (M.B.S.); (M.I.V.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Marie-Jo Moutin
- Grenoble Institut Neurosciences, University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, CEA, CNRS, 38000 Grenoble, France;
| | - Stuart S. Martin
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (T.J.M.); (J.A.J.); (R.M.L.); (K.N.T.); (M.L.M.); (D.A.A.); (K.T.C.); (E.C.O.); (M.B.S.); (M.I.V.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- United States Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-410-706-6601
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12
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Katsarou SD, Messaritakis I, Voumvouraki A, Kakavogiannis S, Κotsakis A, Alkahtani S, Stournaras C, Martin SS, Georgoulias V, Kallergi G. Detyrosinated α-Tubulin, Vimentin and PD-L1 in Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) Isolated from Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Patients. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12020154. [PMID: 35207643 PMCID: PMC8875112 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12020154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Upregulation of Vimentin (VIM), alpha-Tubulin (TUB) and Detyrosinated tubulin (GLU) in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) derived from breast cancer patients is related to poor prognosis. In the current study we evaluated for the first time, these cytoskeletal proteins in sixty Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients’ CTCs (33 treatment-naïve and 27 pre-treated). Samples were isolated using the ISET platform and stained with a pancytokeratin (CK)/CD45/TUB, CK/GLU/VIM and CK/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) combination of antibodies. Subsequently, slides were analyzed using confocal laser scanning microscopy. CTCs were detected in 86.7% of the patients. CTCs with TUB expression were identified in 65.4% (34/52) of the CK (+)-patients. GLU, VIM and PD-L1 were also evaluated. The frequency of the observed phenotypes was as follow: (CK+/GLU−/VIM−): 35.2%, (CK+/GLU+/VIM+): 63.0%, (CK+/GLU+/VIM−): 16.7%, (CK+/GLU−/VIM+): 72.2%, (CK+/PD-L1−): 75% and (CK+/PD-L1+): 55%. The OS was significantly decreased in patients with high GLU (3.8 vs. 7.9 months; p = 0.018) and/or high VIM (3.2 vs. 7.1 months; p = 0.029) expression in their CTCs. PD-L1 was also related to OS (3.4 vs. 7.21 months; p = 0.035). Moreover, TUB-high and TUB-low expression in CTCs inversely influenced patients’ OS as independent prognostic factors (p = 0.041 and p = 0.009). The current study revealed that TUB, GLU, VIM and PD-L1 were overexpressed in CTCs from NSCLC patients. Furthermore, the presence of GLU, VIM-positive and PD-L1 in CTCs is potentially related to patients’ outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spyridoula D. Katsarou
- Division of Genetics, Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (S.D.K.); (S.K.)
- Department of Zoology, Science College, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece; (A.V.); (C.S.)
| | - Ippokratis Messaritakis
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece;
| | - Anastasia Voumvouraki
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece; (A.V.); (C.S.)
| | - Stavros Kakavogiannis
- Division of Genetics, Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (S.D.K.); (S.K.)
| | - Athanasios Κotsakis
- Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Larisa, 41334 Larisa, Greece;
- Hellenic Oncology Research Group (HORG), 11526 Athens, Greece;
| | - Saad Alkahtani
- Department of Zoology, Science College, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece; (A.V.); (C.S.)
| | - Christos Stournaras
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece; (A.V.); (C.S.)
| | - Stuart S. Martin
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA;
| | | | - Galatea Kallergi
- Division of Genetics, Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (S.D.K.); (S.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-26-1096-9248
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13
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Topa J, Grešner P, Żaczek AJ, Markiewicz A. Breast cancer circulating tumor cells with mesenchymal features-an unreachable target? Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:81. [PMID: 35048186 PMCID: PMC8770434 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04064-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) mediate dissemination of solid tumors and can be an early sign of disease progression. Moreover, they show a great potential in terms of non-invasive, longitudinal monitoring of cancer patients. CTCs have been extensively studied in breast cancer (BC) and were shown to present a significant phenotypic plasticity connected with initiation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Apart from conferring malignant properties, EMT affects CTCs recovery rate, making a significant portion of CTCs from patients’ samples undetected. Wider application of methods and markers designed to isolate and identify mesenchymal CTCs is required to expand our knowledge about the clinical impact of mesenchymal CTCs. Therefore, here we provide a comprehensive review of clinical significance of mesenchymal CTCs in BC together with statistical analysis of previously published data, in which we assessed the suitability of a number of methods/markers used for isolation of CTCs with different EMT phenotypes, both in in vitro spike-in tests with BC cell lines, as well as clinical samples. Results of spiked-in cell lines indicate that, in general, methods not based on epithelial enrichment only, capture mesenchymal CTCs much more efficiently that CellSearch® (golden standard in CTCs detection), but at the same time are not much inferior to Cell Search®, though large variation in recovery rates of added cells among the methods is observed. In clinical samples, where additional CTCs detection markers are needed, positive epithelial-based CTCs enrichment was the most efficient in isolating CTCs with mesenchymal features from non-metastatic BC patients. From the marker side, PI3K and VIM were contributing the most to detection of CTCs with mesenchymal features (in comparison to SNAIL) in non-metastatic and metastatic BC patients, respectively. However, additional data are needed for more robust identification of markers for efficient detection of CTCs with mesenchymal features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Topa
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Debinki 1, 80-211, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Peter Grešner
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Debinki 1, 80-211, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Anna J Żaczek
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Debinki 1, 80-211, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Markiewicz
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Debinki 1, 80-211, Gdansk, Poland.
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14
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Schuster E, Taftaf R, Reduzzi C, Albert MK, Romero-Calvo I, Liu H. Better together: circulating tumor cell clustering in metastatic cancer. Trends Cancer 2021; 7:1020-1032. [PMID: 34481763 PMCID: PMC8541931 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2021.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are vital components of liquid biopsies for diagnosis of residual cancer, monitoring of therapy response, and prognosis of recurrence. Scientific dogma focuses on metastasis mediated by single CTCs, but advancement of CTC detection technologies has elucidated multicellular CTC clusters, which are associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes and a 20- to 100-fold greater metastatic potential than single CTCs. While the mechanistic understanding of CTC cluster formation is still in its infancy, multiple cell adhesion molecules and tight junction proteins have been identified that underlie the outperforming attributes of homotypic and heterotypic CTC clusters, such as cell survival, cancer stemness, and immune evasion. Future directions include high-resolution characterization of CTCs at multiomic levels for diagnostic/prognostic evaluations and targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Schuster
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA; Driskill Graduate Program in Life Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Rokana Taftaf
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA; Driskill Graduate Program in Life Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Carolina Reduzzi
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mary K Albert
- Biomedical Visualization Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Isabel Romero-Calvo
- Biomedical Visualization Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Huiping Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA; Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA; Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
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15
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Chantzara E, Xenidis N, Kallergi G, Georgoulias V, Kotsakis A. Circulating tumor cells as prognostic biomarkers in breast cancer: current status and future prospects. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2021; 21:1037-1048. [PMID: 34328384 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2021.1962710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Introduction : Despite advances in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques breast cancer is still associated with significant morbidity and mortality. CTCs play a crucial role in the metastatic process, which is the main cause of death in BC patients.Areas covered : This review discusses the prognostic and predictive value of CTCs and their prospective in management of BC patients.Expert opinion : The analysis of CTCs through improved technologies offers a new insight into the metastatic cascade. Assessment of the number and molecular profile of CTCs holds great promises for disease monitoring and therapeutic decisions. However, more research is needed until they can be used in therapeutic decisions in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evagelia Chantzara
- Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Thessaly, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Xenidis
- Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Thrace, Greece
| | - Galatea Kallergi
- Division of Genetics, Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Vassilis Georgoulias
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hellenic Oncology Research Group (HORG), Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios Kotsakis
- Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Thessaly, Greece.,Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Thessaly, Greece
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16
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Clinical Relevance of Mesenchymal- and Stem-Associated Phenotypes in Circulating Tumor Cells Isolated from Lung Cancer Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092158. [PMID: 33947159 PMCID: PMC8124761 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Lung cancer is the most frequent malignancy in the world. Most lung cancer patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage. To make matters worse, the survival of patients is very poor. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), albeit rare, have been portrayed as essential players in the progression of lung cancer. It is definitely not easy being a CTC. First, they escape from the primary tumor, then they travel in the bloodstream, have to survive really harsh conditions, and finally, they form metastases. The adoption of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition as well as cancer stem cell features has been suggested to allow CTCs to survive and metastasize. This review will focus on how these features can be used to estimate the prognosis of lung cancer patients. Abstract Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. Among the types of lung cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is more common, while small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is less frequent yet more aggressive. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), albeit rare, have been portrayed as essential players in the progression of lung cancer. CTCs are considered to adopt an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype and characteristics of cancer stem cells (CSCs). This EMT (or partial) phenotype affords these cells the ability to escape from the primary tumor, travel into the bloodstream, and survive extremely adverse conditions, before colonizing distant foci. Acquisition of CSC features, such as self-renewal, differentiation, and migratory potential, further reflect CTCs’ invasive potential. CSCs have been identified in lung cancer, and expression of EMT markers has previously been correlated with poor clinical outcomes. Thus far, a vast majority of studies have concentrated on CTC detection and enumeration as a prognostic tools of patients’ survival or for monitoring treatment efficacy. In this review, we highlight EMT and CSC markers in CTCs and focus on the clinical significance of these phenotypes in the progression of both non-small- and small-cell lung cancer.
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17
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Spiliotaki M, Kallergi G, Nikolaou C, Xenidis N, Politaki E, Apostolaki S, Georgoulia N, Koinis F, Tsoukalas N, Hatzidaki D, Kotsakis A, Georgoulias V. Dynamic changes of CTCs in patients with metastatic HR(+)/HER2(-) breast cancer receiving salvage treatment with everolimus/exemestane. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2021; 87:277-287. [PMID: 33515073 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-020-04227-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Detection of CTCs represents a poor prognostic factor in patients with early and metastatic breast cancer (mBC) and treatment with everolimus-exemestane (E/E) is an established effective treatment in hormone receptor-positive/HER2-negative mBC patients. The effect of E/E on CTCs in mBC patients was prospectively investigated. METHODS CTCs from 50 pre-treated patients with mBC receiving E/E were analyzed using the CellSearch (CS) platform and triple immunofluorescence (IF) staining for cytokeratin, M30 and Ki67 expression to assess their proliferative and apoptotic status. RESULTS CTCs (by CS) were detected in 64% of patients before treatment and E/E administration resulted in their decreased prevalence [(n = 18; 36%, p = 0.004) and (n = 7; 19.4%, p = 0.019) post-1st and post-3rd treatment cycle, respectively] whereas it was significantly increased at disease progression (PD: 61%) compared to post-1st and post-3rd cycle (p = 0.049 and p = 0.021, respectively). Ki67-positive CTCs were detected in 60%, 60%, 17% and 50% of patients before treatment, post-1st, post-3rd cycle and at PD, respectively, while the opposite was observed for M30-positive CTCs (0% at baseline, 10% after the 1st cycle, 50% after the 3rd cycle and 0% at PD). The detection of even ≥ 1 CTC/5 ml after one cycle was associated with decreased PFS (3.3 vs 9.0 months, p = 0.025) whereas the detection of even ≥ 2 CTCs at PD was associated with decreased OS (32.4 vs 19.5 months; p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS The combination of E/E resulted in early elimination of proliferating CTCs in mBC patients and this effect was associated with a favorable clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Spiliotaki
- Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Crete, Greece
| | - Galatea Kallergi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Crete Medical School, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Christos Nikolaou
- Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Crete, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Xenidis
- Hellenic Oncology Research Group (HORG), 55 Lombardou str, 11474, Athens, Greece.,Department of Medical Oncology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Xanthi, Greece
| | - Eleni Politaki
- Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Crete, Greece
| | - Stella Apostolaki
- Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Crete, Greece
| | - Nefeli Georgoulia
- Hellenic Oncology Research Group (HORG), 55 Lombardou str, 11474, Athens, Greece
| | - Filippos Koinis
- Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Crete, Greece.,Hellenic Oncology Research Group (HORG), 55 Lombardou str, 11474, Athens, Greece.,Department of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University Hospital of Larissa & Laboratory of Oncology, University of Thessaly Mezourlo, Larissa, Thessaly, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Tsoukalas
- Hellenic Oncology Research Group (HORG), 55 Lombardou str, 11474, Athens, Greece.,Medical Oncology Unit, NIMITS Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Dora Hatzidaki
- Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Crete, Greece.,Hellenic Oncology Research Group (HORG), 55 Lombardou str, 11474, Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios Kotsakis
- Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Crete, Greece.,Hellenic Oncology Research Group (HORG), 55 Lombardou str, 11474, Athens, Greece.,Department of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University Hospital of Larissa & Laboratory of Oncology, University of Thessaly Mezourlo, Larissa, Thessaly, Greece
| | - Vassilis Georgoulias
- Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Crete, Greece. .,Hellenic Oncology Research Group (HORG), 55 Lombardou str, 11474, Athens, Greece.
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18
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Ntzifa A, Strati A, Kallergi G, Kotsakis A, Georgoulias V, Lianidou E. Gene expression in circulating tumor cells reveals a dynamic role of EMT and PD-L1 during osimertinib treatment in NSCLC patients. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2313. [PMID: 33504904 PMCID: PMC7840727 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82068-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid biopsy is a tool to unveil resistance mechanisms in NSCLC. We studied changes in gene expression in CTC-enriched fractions of EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients under osimertinib. Peripheral blood from 30 NSCLC patients before, after 1 cycle of osimertinib and at progression of disease (PD) was analyzed by size-based CTC enrichment combined with RT-qPCR for gene expression of epithelial (CK-8, CK-18, CK-19), mesenchymal/EMT (VIM, TWIST-1, AXL), stem cell (ALDH-1) markers, PD-L1 and PIM-1. CTCs were also analyzed by triple immunofluorescence for 45 identical blood samples. Epithelial and stem cell profile (p = 0.043) and mesenchymal/EMT and stem cell profile (p = 0.014) at PD were correlated. There was a strong positive correlation of VIM expression with PIM-1 expression at baseline and increased PD-L1 expression levels at PD. AXL overexpression varied among patients and high levels of PIM-1 transcripts were detected. PD-L1 expression was significantly increased at PD compared to baseline (p = 0.016). The high prevalence of VIM positive CTCs suggest a dynamic role of EMT during osimertinib treatment, while increased expression of PD-L1 at PD suggests a theoretical background for immunotherapy in EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients that develop resistance to osimertinib. This observation merits to be further evaluated in a prospective immunotherapy trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliki Ntzifa
- grid.5216.00000 0001 2155 0800Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells Lab, Lab of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Areti Strati
- grid.5216.00000 0001 2155 0800Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells Lab, Lab of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Galatea Kallergi
- grid.11047.330000 0004 0576 5395Division of Genetics, Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Athanasios Kotsakis
- grid.411299.6Department of Medical Oncology, General University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
| | | | - Evi Lianidou
- grid.5216.00000 0001 2155 0800Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells Lab, Lab of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
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19
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Okabe T, Togo S, Fujimoto Y, Watanabe J, Sumiyoshi I, Orimo A, Takahashi K. Mesenchymal Characteristics and Predictive Biomarkers on Circulating Tumor Cells for Therapeutic Strategy. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3588. [PMID: 33266262 PMCID: PMC7761066 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis-related events are the primary cause of cancer-related deaths, and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have a pivotal role in metastatic relapse. CTCs include a variety of subtypes with different functional characteristics. Interestingly, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers expressed in CTCs are strongly associated with poor clinical outcome and related to the acquisition of circulating tumor stem cell (CTSC) features. Recent studies have revealed the existence of CTC clusters, also called circulating tumor microemboli (CTM), which have a high metastatic potential. In this review, we present current opinions regarding the clinical significance of CTCs and CTM with a mesenchymal phenotype as clinical surrogate markers, and we summarize the therapeutic strategy according to phenotype characterization of CTCs in various types of cancers for future precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Okabe
- Leading Center for the Development and Research of Cancer Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan;
| | - Shinsaku Togo
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (Y.F.); (J.W.); (I.S.); (K.T.)
- Research Institute for Diseases of Old Ages, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Yuichi Fujimoto
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (Y.F.); (J.W.); (I.S.); (K.T.)
- Research Institute for Diseases of Old Ages, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Junko Watanabe
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (Y.F.); (J.W.); (I.S.); (K.T.)
- Research Institute for Diseases of Old Ages, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Issei Sumiyoshi
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (Y.F.); (J.W.); (I.S.); (K.T.)
- Research Institute for Diseases of Old Ages, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Akira Orimo
- Departments of Pathology and Oncology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan;
| | - Kazuhisa Takahashi
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine & Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (Y.F.); (J.W.); (I.S.); (K.T.)
- Research Institute for Diseases of Old Ages, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
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Martos T, Casadevall D, Albanell J. Circulating Tumor Cells: Applications for Early Breast Cancer. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1220:135-146. [PMID: 32304084 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-35805-1_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women. Most of breast cancer patients are diagnosed in early stages and will be treated with curative intent. Despite this, some patients will relapse. The identification of patients at high risk remains an important challenge. CTCs can be useful to identify this patients, to assess tumor dynamics and to monitoring therapy. There is definitive evidence on the prognostic role of CTCs in early breast cancer (eBC) but its clinical utility in daily practice is still lacking. We have to take into consideration that the studies published to date mainly evaluated the presence of CTC based on the expression of epithelial surface markers. Future studies need to overcome this limitation and important advances in technical methods can assess CTCs and capture the heterogeneity of the tumor landscape. It is also tempting to speculate that CTCs may also provide complementary information on the interplay of tumor cells with the immune system. The combination of different methods to detect tumoral disease by liquid biopsy may provide new ways to personalize in an unprecedented manner the management of patients with eBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Martos
- Servei d'Oncologia Mèdica, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Casadevall
- Servei d'Oncologia Mèdica, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain.,Cancer Research Program, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Albanell
- Servei d'Oncologia Mèdica, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain. .,Cancer Research Program, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain. .,CEXS Department, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain. .,CIOCC HM Delfos, Barcelona, Spain.
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21
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Li X, Wang H, Li T, Wang L, Wu X, Liu J, Xu Y, Wei W. Circulating tumor DNA/circulating tumor cells and the applicability in different causes induced hepatocellular carcinoma. Curr Probl Cancer 2019; 44:100516. [PMID: 31836136 DOI: 10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2019.100516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In 2015, liquid biopsy was rated one of the top 10 breakthrough technologies of the year by MIT Technology Review. Liquid biopsy is a type of in vitro diagnostic method involving a noninvasive blood test. It is also a breakthrough technology used to detect tumors and cancers and assist in therapeutic strategies. The most widely used markers are circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Primary carcinoma of the liver is a malignancy of hepatocytes or intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells. The most common type of liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the causes of which mainly include infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV), alcohol abuse, aflatoxicosis, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/ nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. As there are few typical clinical characteristics during the early stage of the disease, early diagnosis of HCC is very challenging. However, CTCs and ctDNA carry tumor-specific information. Therefore, the detection and analysis of CTCs and ctDNA can provide evidence for the early diagnosis of HCC and guide treatment. Furthermore, several studies have indicated that different inducers of HCC cause different DNA mutations, and accordingly, detection of specific mutations in ctDNA will facilitate the determination of the HCC type and help physicians provide distinctive therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Huihui Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Anhui Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine innovation team, Hefei, China.
| | - Lianzi Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xian Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jiaqing Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yuanhong Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Anhui Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine innovation team, Hefei, China.
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22
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Insights on CTC Biology and Clinical Impact Emerging from Advances in Capture Technology. Cells 2019; 8:cells8060553. [PMID: 31174404 PMCID: PMC6627072 DOI: 10.3390/cells8060553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor microemboli (CTM) have been shown to correlate negatively with patient survival. Actual CTC counts before and after treatment can be used to aid in the prognosis of patient outcomes. The presence of circulating tumor materials (CTMat) can advertise the presence of metastasis before clinical presentation, enabling the early detection of relapse. Importantly, emerging evidence is indicating that cancer treatments can actually increase the incidence of CTCs and metastasis in pre-clinical models. Subsequently, the study of CTCs, their biology and function are of vital importance. Emerging technologies for the capture of CTC/CTMs and CTMat are elucidating vitally important biological and functional information that can lead to important alterations in how therapies are administered. This paves the way for the development of a "liquid biopsy" where treatment decisions can be informed by information gleaned from tumor cells and tumor cell debris in the blood.
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Agnoletto C, Corrà F, Minotti L, Baldassari F, Crudele F, Cook WJJ, Di Leva G, d'Adamo AP, Gasparini P, Volinia S. Heterogeneity in Circulating Tumor Cells: The Relevance of the Stem-Cell Subset. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11040483. [PMID: 30959764 PMCID: PMC6521045 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11040483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The release of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) into vasculature is an early event in the metastatic process. The analysis of CTCs in patients has recently received widespread attention because of its clinical implications, particularly for precision medicine. Accumulated evidence documents a large heterogeneity in CTCs across patients. Currently, the most accepted view is that tumor cells with an intermediate phenotype between epithelial and mesenchymal have the highest plasticity. Indeed, the existence of a meta-stable or partial epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) cell state, with both epithelial and mesenchymal features, can be easily reconciled with the concept of a highly plastic stem-like state. A close connection between EMT and cancer stem cells (CSC) traits, with enhanced metastatic competence and drug resistance, has also been described. Accordingly, a subset of CTCs consisting of CSC, present a stemness profile, are able to survive chemotherapy, and generate metastases after xenotransplantation in immunodeficient mice. In the present review, we discuss the current evidence connecting CTCs, EMT, and stemness. An improved understanding of the CTC/EMT/CSC connections may uncover novel therapeutic targets, irrespective of the tumor type, since most cancers seem to harbor a pool of CSCs, and disclose important mechanisms underlying tumorigenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Agnoletto
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Fabio Corrà
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Linda Minotti
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Federica Baldassari
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Francesca Crudele
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | | | - Gianpiero Di Leva
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT, UK.
| | - Adamo Pio d'Adamo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health-IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Paolo Gasparini
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health-IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Stefano Volinia
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
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Tellez-Gabriel M, Cochonneau D, Cadé M, Jubellin C, Heymann MF, Heymann D. Circulating Tumor Cell-Derived Pre-Clinical Models for Personalized Medicine. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 11:cancers11010019. [PMID: 30586936 PMCID: PMC6356998 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11010019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The main cause of death from cancer is associated with the development of metastases, resulting from the inability of current therapies to cure patients at metastatic stages. Generating preclinical models to better characterize the evolution of the disease is thus of utmost importance, in order to implement effective new cancer biomarkers and therapies. Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) are good candidates for generating preclinical models, making it possible to follow up the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of tumor tissues. This method is a non-invasive liquid biopsy that can be obtained at any stage of the disease. It partially summarizes the molecular heterogeneity of the corresponding tumors at a given time. Here, we discuss the CTC-derived models that have been generated so far, from simplified 2D cultures to the most complex CTC-derived explants (CDX models). We highlight the challenges and strengths of these preclinical tools, as well as some of the recent studies published using these models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Tellez-Gabriel
- RNA and Molecular Pathology Research Group, Department of Medical Biology, The Artic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Denis Cochonneau
- LabCT, Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest, CRCINA, Université d'Angers, 44805 Saint Herblain CEDEX, France.
| | - Marie Cadé
- INSERM, European Associated Laboratory "Sarcoma Research Unit", University of Nantes, 44035 Nantes, France.
| | - Camille Jubellin
- INSERM, European Associated Laboratory "Sarcoma Research Unit", University of Nantes, 44035 Nantes, France.
| | - Marie-Françoise Heymann
- LabCT, Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest, CRCINA, Université d'Angers, 44805 Saint Herblain CEDEX, France.
| | - Dominique Heymann
- LabCT, Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest, CRCINA, Université d'Angers, 44805 Saint Herblain CEDEX, France.
- INSERM, European Associated Laboratory "Sarcoma Research Unit", University of Nantes, 44035 Nantes, France.
- Department of Oncology & Metabolism, The Medical School, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK.
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