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Piwocka O, Piotrowski I, Suchorska WM, Kulcenty K. Dynamic interactions in the tumor niche: how the cross-talk between CAFs and the tumor microenvironment impacts resistance to therapy. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1343523. [PMID: 38455762 PMCID: PMC10918473 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1343523] [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: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex ecosystem of cells, signaling molecules, and extracellular matrix components that profoundly influence cancer progression. Among the key players in the TME, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have gained increasing attention for their diverse and influential roles. CAFs are activated fibroblasts found abundantly within the TME of various cancer types. CAFs contribute significantly to tumor progression by promoting angiogenesis, remodeling the extracellular matrix, and modulating immune cell infiltration. In order to influence the microenvironment, CAFs engage in cross-talk with immune cells, cancer cells, and other stromal components through paracrine signaling and direct cell-cell interactions. This cross-talk can result in immunosuppression, tumor cell proliferation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition, contributing to disease progression. Emerging evidence suggests that CAFs play a crucial role in therapy resistance, including resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. CAFs can modulate the tumor response to treatment by secreting factors that promote drug efflux, enhance DNA repair mechanisms, and suppress apoptosis pathways. This paper aims to understand the multifaceted functions of CAFs within the TME, discusses cross-talk between CAFs with other TME cells, and sheds light on the contibution of CAFs to therapy resistance. Targeting CAFs or disrupting their cross-talk with other cells holds promise for overcoming drug resistance and improving the treatment efficacy of various cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliwia Piwocka
- Department of Electroradiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
- Doctoral School, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
- Radiobiology Laboratory, Department of Medical Physics, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
| | - Igor Piotrowski
- Radiobiology Laboratory, Department of Medical Physics, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
| | - Wiktoria M. Suchorska
- Department of Electroradiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
- Radiobiology Laboratory, Department of Medical Physics, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kulcenty
- Radiobiology Laboratory, Department of Medical Physics, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
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Brooks A, Zhang Y, Chen J, Zhao CX. Cancer Metastasis-on-a-Chip for Modeling Metastatic Cascade and Drug Screening. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2302436. [PMID: 38224141 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202302436] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Microfluidic chips are valuable tools for studying intricate cellular and cell-microenvironment interactions. Traditional in vitro cancer models lack accuracy in mimicking the complexities of in vivo tumor microenvironment. However, cancer-metastasis-on-a-chip (CMoC) models combine the advantages of 3D cultures and microfluidic technology, serving as powerful platforms for exploring cancer mechanisms and facilitating drug screening. These chips are able to compartmentalize the metastatic cascade, deepening the understanding of its underlying mechanisms. This article provides an overview of current CMoC models, focusing on distinctive models that simulate invasion, intravasation, circulation, extravasation, and colonization, and their applications in drug screening. Furthermore, challenges faced by CMoC and microfluidic technologies are discussed, while exploring promising future directions in cancer research. The ongoing development and integration of these models into cancer studies are expected to drive transformative advancements in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Brooks
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 5005, Australia
| | - Yali Zhang
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 5005, Australia
| | - Jiezhong Chen
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 5005, Australia
| | - Chun-Xia Zhao
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 5005, Australia
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Zhang W, Wang J, Liu C, Li Y, Sun C, Wu J, Wu Q. Crosstalk and plasticity driving between cancer-associated fibroblasts and tumor microenvironment: significance of breast cancer metastasis. J Transl Med 2023; 21:827. [PMID: 37978384 PMCID: PMC10657029 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04714-2] [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: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the most abundant stromal cell population in breast tumors. A functionally diverse population of CAFs increases the dynamic complexity of the tumor microenvironment (TME). The intertwined network of the TME facilitates the interaction between activated CAFs and breast cancer cells, which can lead to the proliferation and invasion of breast cells. Considering the special transmission function of CAFs, the aim of this review is to summarize and highlight the crosstalk between CAFs and breast cancer cells in the TME as well as the relationship between CAFs and extracellular matrix (ECM), soluble cytokines, and other stromal cells in the metastatic state. The crosstalk between cancer-associated fibroblasts and tumor microenvironment also provides a plastic therapeutic target for breast cancer metastasis. In the course of the study, the inhibitory effects of different natural compounds on targeting CAFs and the advantages of different drug combinations were summarized. CAFs are also widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. The cumulative research on this phenomenon supports the establishment of a targeted immune microenvironment as a possible breakthrough in the prevention of invasive metastasis of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, 999078, Macau, China
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261000, China
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Jia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, 999078, Macau, China
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Cun Liu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261000, China
| | - Ye Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, 999078, Macau, China
| | - Changgang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, 999078, Macau, China.
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261000, China.
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, 261000, China.
| | - Jibiao Wu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China.
| | - Qibiao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, 999078, Macau, China.
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