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Ben Ghedalia Peled N, Hoffman DK, Barsky L, Zer NS, Amar K, Rapaport H, Gheber LA, Zhang XHF, Vago R. Bone Endosteal Mimics Regulates Breast Cancer Development and Phenotype. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:2338-2347. [PMID: 38499995 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c01217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Bone is a frequent site for metastatic development in various cancer types, including breast cancer, with a grim prognosis due to the distinct bone environment. Despite considerable advances, our understanding of the underlying processes leading to bone metastasis progression remains elusive. Here, we applied a bioactive three-dimensional (3D) model capable of mimicking the endosteal bone microenvironment. MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 breast cancer cells were cultured on the scaffolds, and their behaviors and the effects of the biomaterial on the cells were examined over time. We demonstrated that close interactions between the cells and the biomaterial affect their proliferation rates and the expression of c-Myc, cyclin D, and KI67, leading to cell cycle arrest. Moreover, invasion assays revealed increased invasiveness within this microenvironment. Our findings suggest a dual role for endosteal mimicking signals, influencing cell fate and potentially acting as a double-edged sword, shuttling between cell cycle arrest and more active, aggressive states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noa Ben Ghedalia Peled
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Dane K Hoffman
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Cancer and Cell Biology Graduate Program (CCB), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Livnat Barsky
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Noy S Zer
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Katya Amar
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Hanna Rapaport
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
- Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology (IKI), Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Levi A Gheber
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Xiang H-F Zhang
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Razi Vago
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
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2
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Gayan S, Teli A, Sonawane A, Dey T. Impact of Chemotherapeutic Stress Depends on The Nature of Breast Cancer Spheroid and Induce Behavioral Plasticity to Resistant Population. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2024; 8:e2300271. [PMID: 38063815 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202300271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Cellular or tumor dormancy, identified recently as one of the main reasons behind post-therapy recurrence, can be caused by diverse reasons. Chemotherapy has recently been recognized as one of such reasons. However, in-depth studies of chemotherapy-induced dormancy are lacking due to the absence of an in vitro human-relevant model tailor-made for such a scenario. This report utilized multicellular breast cancer spheroid to create a primary platform for establishing a chemotherapy-induced dormancy model. It is observed that extreme chemotherapeutic stress affects invasive and non-invasive spheroids differently. Non-invasive spheroids exhibit more resilience and maintain viability and migrational ability, while invasive spheroids display heightened susceptibility and improved tumorigenic capacity. Heterogenous spheroids exhibit increased tumorigenic capacity while show minimal survival ability. Further probing of chemotherapeutically dormant spheroids is needed to understand the molecular mechanism and identify dormancy-related markers to achieve therapeutic success in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukanya Gayan
- Department of Biotechnology (merged with Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology), Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Abhishek Teli
- Department of Biotechnology (merged with Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology), Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Akshay Sonawane
- Department of Biotechnology (merged with Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology), Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Tuli Dey
- Department of Biotechnology (merged with Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology), Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411007, India
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3
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Richbourg NR, Irakoze N, Kim H, Peyton SR. Outlook and opportunities for engineered environments of breast cancer dormancy. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadl0165. [PMID: 38457510 PMCID: PMC10923521 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl0165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Dormant, disseminated breast cancer cells resist treatment and may relapse into malignant metastases after decades of quiescence. Identifying how and why these dormant breast cancer cells are triggered into outgrowth is a key unsolved step in treating latent, metastatic breast cancer. However, our understanding of breast cancer dormancy in vivo is limited by technical challenges and ethical concerns with triggering the activation of dormant breast cancer. In vitro models avoid many of these challenges by simulating breast cancer dormancy and activation in well-controlled, bench-top conditions, creating opportunities for fundamental insights into breast cancer biology that complement what can be achieved through animal and clinical studies. In this review, we address clinical and preclinical approaches to treating breast cancer dormancy, how precisely controlled artificial environments reveal key interactions that regulate breast cancer dormancy, and how future generations of biomaterials could answer further questions about breast cancer dormancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan R. Richbourg
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Ninette Irakoze
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Hyuna Kim
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Shelly R. Peyton
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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4
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Singvogel K, Schittek B. Dormancy of cutaneous melanoma. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:88. [PMID: 38419052 PMCID: PMC10903048 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03278-5] [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: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Many cancer-related deaths including melanoma result from metastases that develop months or years after the initial cancer therapy. Even the most effective drugs and immune therapies rarely eradicate all tumor cells. Instead, they strongly reduce cancer burden, permitting dormant cancer cells to persist in niches, where they establish a cellular homeostasis with their host without causing clinical symptoms. Dormant cancers respond poorly to most drugs and therapies since they do not proliferate and hide in niches. It therefore remains a major challenge to develop novel therapies for dormant cancers. In this review we focus on the mechanisms regulating the initiation of cutaneous melanoma dormancy as well as those which are involved in reawakening of dormant cutaneous melanoma cells. In recent years the role of neutrophils and niche components in reawakening of melanoma cells came into focus and indicate possible future therapeutic applications. Sophisticated in vitro and in vivo melanoma dormancy models are needed to make progress in this field and are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Singvogel
- Division of Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, University of Tübingen, Liebermeisterstr. 25, D -72076 , Tübingen, Germany
| | - Birgit Schittek
- Division of Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, University of Tübingen, Liebermeisterstr. 25, D -72076 , Tübingen, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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5
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Katti PD, Jasuja H. Current Advances in the Use of Tissue Engineering for Cancer Metastasis Therapeutics. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:617. [PMID: 38475301 DOI: 10.3390/polym16050617] [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: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and results in nearly 10 million deaths each year. The global economic burden of cancer from 2020 to 2050 is estimated to be USD 25.2 trillion. The spread of cancer to distant organs through metastasis is the leading cause of death due to cancer. However, as of today, there is no cure for metastasis. Tissue engineering is a promising field for regenerative medicine that is likely to be able to provide rehabilitation procedures to patients who have undergone surgeries, such as mastectomy and other reconstructive procedures. Another important use of tissue engineering has emerged recently that involves the development of realistic and robust in vitro models of cancer metastasis, to aid in drug discovery and new metastasis therapeutics, as well as evaluate cancer biology at metastasis. This review covers the current studies in developing tissue-engineered metastasis structures. This article reports recent developments in in vitro models for breast, prostate, colon, and pancreatic cancer. The review also identifies challenges and opportunities in the use of tissue engineering toward new, clinically relevant therapies that aim to reduce the cancer burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preeya D Katti
- American University of Caribbean, Miramar, FL 33025, USA
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6
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Abstract
The pattern of delayed recurrence in a subset of breast cancer patients has long been explained by a model that incorporates a variable period of cellular or tumor mass dormancy prior to disease relapse. In this review, we critically evaluate existing data to develop a framework for inferring the existence of dormancy in clinical contexts of breast cancer. We integrate these clinical data with rapidly evolving mechanistic insights into breast cancer dormancy derived from a broad array of genetically engineered mouse models as well as experimental models of metastasis. Finally, we propose actionable interventions and discuss ongoing clinical trials that translate the wealth of knowledge gained in the laboratory to the long-term clinical management of patients at a high risk of developing recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Dalla
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine and Department of Otolaryngology, Department of Oncological Sciences, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA
| | - Amulya Sreekumar
- Department of Cancer Biology and Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Julio A Aguirre-Ghiso
- Department of Cell Biology, Department of Oncology, Cancer Dormancy and Tumor Microenvironment Institute, Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center, Gruss Lipper Biophotonics Center, Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
| | - Lewis A Chodosh
- Department of Cancer Biology and Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Department of Medicine, Abramson Cancer Center, and 2-PREVENT Translational Center of Excellence, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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7
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Review old bone, new tricks. Clin Exp Metastasis 2022; 39:727-742. [PMID: 35907112 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-022-10176-5] [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: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Despite the significant progress made over the past decade with combination of molecular profiling data and the development of new clinical strategies, our understanding of metastasis remains elusive. Bone metastasis is a complex process and a major cause of mortality in breast and prostate cancer patients, for which there is no effective treatment to-date. The current review summarizes the routes taken by the metastatic cells and the interactions between them and the bone microenvironment. We emphasize the role of the specified niches and cues that promote cellular adhesion, colonization, prolonged dormancy, and reactivation. Understanding these mechanisms will provide better insights for future studies and treatment strategies for bone metastatic conditions.
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8
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Stromal Co-Cultivation for Modeling Breast Cancer Dormancy in the Bone Marrow. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143344. [PMID: 35884405 PMCID: PMC9320268 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143344] [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] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancers metastasize to the bone marrow before primary tumors can be detected. Bone marrow micrometastases are resistant to therapy, and while they are able to remain dormant for decades, they recur steadily and result in incurable metastatic disease. The bone marrow microenvironment maintains the dormancy and chemoresistance of micrometastases through interactions with multiple cell types and through structural and soluble factors. Modeling dormancy in vitro can identify the mechanisms of these interactions. Modeling also identifies mechanisms able to disrupt these interactions or define novel interactions that promote the reawakening of dormant cells. The in vitro modeling of the interactions of cancer cells with various bone marrow elements can generate hypotheses on the mechanisms that control dormancy, treatment resistance and reawakening in vivo. These hypotheses can guide in vivo murine experiments that have high probabilities of succeeding in order to verify in vitro findings while minimizing the use of animals in experiments. This review outlines the existing data on predominant stromal cell types and their use in 2D co-cultures with cancer cells.
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9
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Recent insights into the effects of metabolism on breast cancer cell dormancy. Br J Cancer 2022; 127:1385-1393. [PMID: 35715635 PMCID: PMC9553927 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-01869-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) remains the most common cancer, as well as the leading cause of cancer mortality in women worldwide [1]. Approximately 30% of patients with early-stage BC experience metastasis or a recurrent form of the disease [2]. The phenomenon of BC dormancy, where metastasised cancer cells remain in a quiescent phase at their disseminated location and for unknown reasons can become actively proliferative again, further adds to BC’s clinical burden with treatment at this secondary stage typically proving futile. An emerging avenue of research focuses on the metabolic properties of dormant BC cells (BCCs) and potential metabolic changes causing BCCs to enter/exit their quiescent state. Here we explore several studies that have uncovered changes in carbon metabolism underlying a dormant state, with conflicting studies uncovering shifts towards both glycolysis and/or oxidative phosphorylation. This review highlights that the metabolic states/shifts of dormant BCCs seem to be dependent on different BC subtypes and receptor status; however, more work needs to be done to fully map these differences. Building on the research that this review outlines could provide new personalised therapeutic possibilities for BC patients.
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10
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Farino Reyes CJ, Slater JH. Tuning Hydrogel Adhesivity and Degradability to Model the Influence of Premetastatic Niche Matrix Properties on Breast Cancer Dormancy and Reactivation. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2022; 6:e2200012. [PMID: 35277951 PMCID: PMC9090988 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202200012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2000] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Dormant, disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) can persist for decades in secondary tissues before being reactivated to form tumors. The properties of the premetastatic niche can influence the DTC phenotype. To better understand how matrix properties of premetastatic niches influence DTC behavior, three hydrogel formulations are implemented to model a permissive niche and two nonpermissive niches. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based hydrogels with varying adhesivity ([RGDS]) and degradability ([N-vinyl pyrrolidinone]) are implemented to mimic a permissive niche with high adhesivity and degradability and two nonpermissive niches, one with moderate adhesivity and degradability and one with no adhesivity and high degradability. The influence of matrix properties on estrogen receptor positive (ER+ ) breast cancer cells (MCF7s) is determined via a multimetric analysis. MCF7s cultured in the permissive niche adopted a growth state, while those in the nonpermissive niche with reduced adhesivity and degradability underwent tumor mass dormancy. Complete removal of adhesivity while maintaining high degradability induced single cell dormancy. The ability to mimic reactivation of dormant cells through a dynamic increase in [RGDS] is also demonstrated. This platform provides the capability of inducing growth, dormancy, and reactivation of ER+ breast cancer and can be useful in understanding how premetastatic niche properties influence cancer cell fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy J. Farino Reyes
- Department of Biomedical Engineering University of Delaware 590 Avenue 1743, Biomedical Engineering Newark DE 19713 USA
| | - John H. Slater
- Department of Biomedical Engineering University of Delaware 590 Avenue 1743, Biomedical Engineering Newark DE 19713 USA
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11
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Ronaldson-Bouchard K, Baldassarri I, Tavakol DN, Graney PL, Samaritano M, Cimetta E, Vunjak-Novakovic G. Engineering complexity in human tissue models of cancer. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 184:114181. [PMID: 35278521 PMCID: PMC9035134 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Major progress in the understanding and treatment of cancer have tremendously improved our knowledge of this complex disease and improved the length and quality of patients' lives. Still, major challenges remain, in particular with respect to cancer metastasis which still escapes effective treatment and remains responsible for 90% of cancer related deaths. In recent years, the advances in cancer cell biology, oncology and tissue engineering converged into the engineered human tissue models of cancer that are increasingly recapitulating many aspects of cancer progression and response to drugs, in a patient-specific context. The complexity and biological fidelity of these models, as well as the specific questions they aim to investigate, vary in a very broad range. When selecting and designing these experimental models, the fundamental question is "how simple is complex enough" to accomplish a specific goal of cancer research. Here we review the state of the art in developing and using the human tissue models in cancer research and developmental drug screening. We describe the main classes of models providing different levels of biological fidelity and complexity, discuss their advantages and limitations, and propose a framework for designing an appropriate model for a given study. We close by outlining some of the current needs, opportunities and challenges in this rapidly evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kacey Ronaldson-Bouchard
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, VC12-234, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Ilaria Baldassarri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, VC12-234, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Daniel Naveed Tavakol
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, VC12-234, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Pamela L Graney
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, VC12-234, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Maria Samaritano
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, VC12-234, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Elisa Cimetta
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padua, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy; Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Corso Stati Uniti 4, 35127 Padova, Italy
| | - Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, VC12-234, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Medicine, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, VC12-234, New York, NY 10032, USA; College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, VC12-234, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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12
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Modeling the Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Tumor Cell Invasion. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14040962. [PMID: 35205707 PMCID: PMC8870277 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14040962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Accurate in vitro modeling of diseases is essential to making breakthrough and clinically relevant discoveries. Assays to examine the process of invasion—a classical hallmark of cancer—have evolved over the years to overcome shortfalls in their design and accommodate new knowledge in the field, such as the role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in propagating this process. The goals of this review are two-fold: To walk through the tried-and-true plus novel and new invasion assays currently used in cancer research with a focus on those incorporating cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and to be a resource for researchers to find the correct invasion assays that suit their own unique needs and biological questions. Abstract The major cause of cancer-related deaths can be attributed to the metastatic spread of tumor cells—a dynamic and complex multi-step process beginning with tumor cells acquiring an invasive phenotype to allow them to travel through the blood and lymphatic vessels to ultimately seed at a secondary site. Over the years, various in vitro models have been used to characterize specific steps in the cascade to collectively begin providing a clearer picture of the puzzle of metastasis. With the discovery of the TME’s supporting role in activating tumor cell invasion and metastasis, these models have evolved in parallel to accommodate features of the TME and to observe its interactions with tumor cells. In particular, CAFs that reside in reactive tumor stroma have been shown to play a substantial pro-invasive role through their matrix-modifying functions; accordingly, this warranted further investigation with the development and use of invasion assays that could include these stromal cells. This review explores the growing toolbox of assays used to study tumor cell invasion, from the simple beginnings of a tumor cell and extracellular matrix set-up to the advent of models that aim to more closely recapitulate the interplay between tumor cells, CAFs and the extracellular matrix. These models will prove to be invaluable tools to help tease out the intricacies of tumor cell invasion.
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13
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Romani P, Nirchio N, Arboit M, Barbieri V, Tosi A, Michielin F, Shibuya S, Benoist T, Wu D, Hindmarch CCT, Giomo M, Urciuolo A, Giamogante F, Roveri A, Chakravarty P, Montagner M, Calì T, Elvassore N, Archer SL, De Coppi P, Rosato A, Martello G, Dupont S. Mitochondrial fission links ECM mechanotransduction to metabolic redox homeostasis and metastatic chemotherapy resistance. Nat Cell Biol 2022; 24:168-180. [PMID: 35165418 PMCID: PMC7615745 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-022-00843-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Metastatic breast cancer cells disseminate to organs with a soft microenvironment. Whether and how the mechanical properties of the local tissue influence their response to treatment remains unclear. Here we found that a soft extracellular matrix empowers redox homeostasis. Cells cultured on a soft extracellular matrix display increased peri-mitochondrial F-actin, promoted by Spire1C and Arp2/3 nucleation factors, and increased DRP1- and MIEF1/2-dependent mitochondrial fission. Changes in mitochondrial dynamics lead to increased production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and activate the NRF2 antioxidant transcriptional response, including increased cystine uptake and glutathione metabolism. This retrograde response endows cells with resistance to oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species-dependent chemotherapy drugs. This is relevant in a mouse model of metastatic breast cancer cells dormant in the lung soft tissue, where inhibition of DRP1 and NRF2 restored cisplatin sensitivity and prevented disseminated cancer-cell awakening. We propose that targeting this mitochondrial dynamics- and redox-based mechanotransduction pathway could open avenues to prevent metastatic relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Romani
- Department of Molecular Medicine (DMM), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Nunzia Nirchio
- Department of Molecular Medicine (DMM), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Mattia Arboit
- Department of Biology (DiBio), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Vito Barbieri
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DiSCOG), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Anna Tosi
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Federica Michielin
- Institute of Child Health, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, UK
| | - Soichi Shibuya
- Institute of Child Health, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, UK
| | - Thomas Benoist
- Institute of Child Health, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, UK
| | - Danchen Wu
- Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Monica Giomo
- Department of Industrial Engineering (DII), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padua, Italy
| | - Anna Urciuolo
- Department of Molecular Medicine (DMM), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica (IRP), Città della Speranza, Padua, Italy
| | - Flavia Giamogante
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (DSB), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Antonella Roveri
- Department of Molecular Medicine (DMM), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Marco Montagner
- Department of Molecular Medicine (DMM), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Tito Calì
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (DSB), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Nicola Elvassore
- Institute of Child Health, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, UK
- Department of Industrial Engineering (DII), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padua, Italy
| | - Stephen L Archer
- Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paolo De Coppi
- Institute of Child Health, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, UK
| | - Antonio Rosato
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DiSCOG), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Sirio Dupont
- Department of Molecular Medicine (DMM), University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
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14
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Current challenges in metastasis research and future innovation for clinical translation. Clin Exp Metastasis 2022; 39:263-277. [PMID: 35072851 PMCID: PMC8971179 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-021-10144-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
While immense strides have been made in understanding tumor biology and in developing effective treatments that have substantially improved the prognosis of cancer patients, metastasis remains the major cause of cancer-related death. Improvements in the detection and treatment of primary tumors are contributing to a growing, detailed understanding of the dynamics of metastatic progression. Yet challenges remain in detecting metastatic dissemination prior to the establishment of overt metastases and in predicting which patients are at the highest risk of developing metastatic disease. Further improvements in understanding the mechanisms governing metastasis have great potential to inform the adaptation of existing therapies and the development of novel approaches to more effectively control metastatic disease. This article presents a forward-looking perspective on the challenges that remain in the treatment of metastasis, and the exciting emerging approaches that promise to transform the treatment of metastasis in cancer patients.
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15
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Li L, Chandra V, McAllister F, Zhang Y. Mouse Models to Study Secondary Cancer Prevention. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2435:215-223. [PMID: 34993950 PMCID: PMC10947581 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2014-4_16] [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] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Secondary prevention is a set of procedures involved in discovering early recurrence, local or systemic metastasis before the clinical signs or symptoms. We describe a mouse model with orthotopic pancreatic tumor implantation followed by distal pancreatectomy. The bioluminescence imaging and MRI could be used for screening the resected primary tumor recurrence and secondary cancer development. Different types of surgical procedures, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy can be engaged in reducing the metastasis potential of primary cancers. This model has been proved to be safe and easy to establish, which can mimic the clinical scenario and expand perspectives for studying the effects of tumor resection and adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy on secondary cancer prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Li
- Departments of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vidhi Chandra
- Departments of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Florencia McAllister
- Departments of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yu Zhang
- Departments of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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16
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Transcriptome analysis of heterogeneity in mouse model of metastatic breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res 2021; 23:93. [PMID: 34579762 PMCID: PMC8477508 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-021-01468-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer metastasis is a complex process involving the spread of malignant cells from a primary tumor to distal organs. Understanding this cascade at a mechanistic level could provide critical new insights into the disease and potentially reveal new avenues for treatment. Transcriptome profiling of spontaneous cancer models is an attractive method to examine the dynamic changes accompanying tumor cell spread. However, such studies are complicated by the underlying heterogeneity of the cell types involved. The purpose of this study was to examine the transcriptomes of metastatic breast cancer cells using the well-established MMTV-PyMT mouse model. Methods Organ-derived metastatic cell lines were harvested from 10 female MMTV-PyMT mice. Cancer cells were isolated and sorted based on the expression of CD44low/EpCAMhigh or CD44high/EpCAMhigh surface markers. RNA from each cell line was extracted and sequenced using the NextSeq 500 Illumina platform. Tissue-specific genes were compared across the different metastatic and primary tumor samples. Reads were mapped to the mouse genome using STAR, and gene expression was quantified using RSEM. Single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) was performed on select samples using the ddSeq platform by BioRad and analyzed using Seurat v3.2.3. Monocle2 was used to infer pseudo-time progression. Results Comparison of RNA sequencing data across all cell populations produced distinct gene clusters. Differential gene expression patterns related to CD44 expression, organ tropism, and immunomodulatory signatures were observed. scRNA-seq identified expression profiles based on tissue-dependent niches and clonal heterogeneity. These cohorts of data were narrowed down to identify subsets of genes with high expression and known metastatic propensity. Dot plot analyses further revealed clusters expressing cancer stem cell and cancer dormancy markers. Changes in relevant genes were investigated across pseudo-time and tissue origin using Monocle2. These data revealed transcriptomes that may contribute to sub-clonal evolution and treatment evasion during cancer progression. Conclusions We performed a comprehensive transcriptome analysis of tumor heterogeneity and organ tropism during breast cancer metastasis. These data add to our understanding of metastatic progression and highlight targets for breast cancer treatment. These markers could also be used to image the impact of tumor heterogeneity on metastases. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13058-021-01468-x.
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17
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Quayle LA, Spicer A, Ottewell PD, Holen I. Transcriptomic Profiling Reveals Novel Candidate Genes and Signalling Programs in Breast Cancer Quiescence and Dormancy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13163922. [PMID: 34439077 PMCID: PMC8392441 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13163922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic recurrence, the major cause of breast cancer mortality, is driven by reactivation of dormant disseminated tumour cells that are defined by mitotic quiescence and chemoresistance. The molecular mechanisms underpinning mitotic quiescence in cancer are poorly understood, severely limiting the development of novel therapies for removal of residual, metastasis-initiating tumour cells. Here, we present a molecular portrait of the quiescent breast cancer cell transcriptome across the four main breast cancer sub-types (luminal, HER2-enriched, basal-like and claudin-low) and identify a novel quiescence-associated 22-gene signature using an established lipophilic-dye (Vybrant® DiD) retention model and whole-transcriptomic profiling (mRNA-Seq). Using functional association network analysis, we elucidate the molecular interactors of these signature genes. We then go on to demonstrate that our novel 22-gene signature strongly correlates with low tumoural proliferative activity, and with dormant disease and late metastatic recurrence (≥5 years after primary tumour diagnosis) in metastatic breast cancer in multiple clinical cohorts. These genes may govern the formation and persistence of disseminated tumour cell populations responsible for breast cancer recurrence, and therefore represent prospective novel candidates to inform future development of therapeutic strategies to target disseminated tumour cells in breast cancer, eliminate minimal residual disease and prevent metastatic recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewis A. Quayle
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK; (A.S.); (P.D.O.); (I.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-114-215-9209
| | - Amy Spicer
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK; (A.S.); (P.D.O.); (I.H.)
- The Francis Crick Institute, Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Penelope D. Ottewell
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK; (A.S.); (P.D.O.); (I.H.)
| | - Ingunn Holen
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK; (A.S.); (P.D.O.); (I.H.)
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18
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Farino Reyes CJ, Pradhan S, Slater JH. The Influence of Ligand Density and Degradability on Hydrogel Induced Breast Cancer Dormancy and Reactivation. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2002227. [PMID: 33929776 PMCID: PMC8555704 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202002227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The role of hydrogel properties in regulating the phenotype of triple negative metastatic breast cancer is investigated using four cell lines: the MDA-MB-231 parental line and three organotropic sublines BoM-1833 (bone-tropic), LM2-4175 (lung-tropic), and BrM2a-831 (brain-tropic). Each line is encapsulated and cultured for 15 days in three poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based hydrogel formulations composed of proteolytically degradable PEG, integrin-ligating RGDS, and the non-degradable crosslinker N-vinyl pyrrolidone. Dormancy-associated metrics including viable cell density, proliferation, metabolism, apoptosis, chemoresistance, phosphorylated-ERK and -p38, and morphological characteristics are quantified. A multimetric classification approach is implemented to categorize each hydrogel-induced phenotype as: 1) growth, 2) balanced tumor dormancy, 3) balanced cellular dormancy, or 4) restricted survival, cellular dormancy. Hydrogels with high adhesivity and degradability promote growth. Hydrogels with no adhesivity, but high degradability, induce restricted survival, cellular dormancy in the parental line and balanced cellular dormancy in the organotropic lines. Hydrogels with reduced adhesivity and degradability induce balanced cellular dormancy in the parental and lung-tropic lines and balanced tumor mass dormancy in bone- and brain-tropic lines. The ability to induce escape from dormancy via dynamic incorporation of RGDS is also presented. These results demonstrate that ECM properties and organ-tropism synergistically regulate cancer cell phenotype and dormancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy J Farino Reyes
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 590 Avenue 1743, Biomedical Engineering, Newark, DE, 19713, USA
| | - Shantanu Pradhan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 590 Avenue 1743, Biomedical Engineering, Newark, DE, 19713, USA
| | - John H Slater
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 590 Avenue 1743, Biomedical Engineering, Newark, DE, 19713, USA
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19
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Bushnell GG, Deshmukh AP, den Hollander P, Luo M, Soundararajan R, Jia D, Levine H, Mani SA, Wicha MS. Breast cancer dormancy: need for clinically relevant models to address current gaps in knowledge. NPJ Breast Cancer 2021; 7:66. [PMID: 34050189 PMCID: PMC8163741 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-021-00269-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the USA. Although advances in treatment over the past several decades have significantly improved the outlook for this disease, most women who are diagnosed with estrogen receptor positive disease remain at risk of metastatic relapse for the remainder of their life. The cellular source of late relapse in these patients is thought to be disseminated tumor cells that reactivate after a long period of dormancy. The biology of these dormant cells and their natural history over a patient's lifetime is largely unclear. We posit that research on tumor dormancy has been significantly limited by the lack of clinically relevant models. This review will discuss existing dormancy models, gaps in biological understanding, and propose criteria for future models to enhance their clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace G Bushnell
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Abhijeet P Deshmukh
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Petra den Hollander
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ming Luo
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rama Soundararajan
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dongya Jia
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics and Departments of Physics and Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Sendurai A Mani
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Max S Wicha
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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20
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Pramod N, Nigam A, Basree M, Mawalkar R, Mehra S, Shinde N, Tozbikian G, Williams N, Majumder S, Ramaswamy B. Comprehensive Review of Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Features of Invasive Lobular Cancer. Oncologist 2021; 26:e943-e953. [PMID: 33641217 DOI: 10.1002/onco.13734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) accounts for 10% to 15% of breast cancers in the United States, 80% of which are estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, with an unusual metastatic pattern of spread to sites such as the serosa, meninges, and ovaries, among others. Lobular cancer presents significant challenges in detection and clinical management given its multifocality and multicentricity at presentation. Despite the unique features of ILC, it is often lumped with hormone receptor-positive invasive ductal cancers (IDC); consequently, ILC screening, treatment, and follow-up strategies are largely based on data from IDC. Despite both being treated as ER-positive breast cancer, querying the Cancer Genome Atlas database shows distinctive molecular aberrations in ILC compared with IDC, such as E-cadherin loss (66% vs. 3%), FOXA1 mutations (7% vs. 2%), and GATA3 mutations (5% vs. 20%). Moreover, compared with patients with IDC, patients with ILC are less likely to undergo breast-conserving surgery, with lower rates of complete response following therapy as these tumors are less chemosensitive. Taken together, this suggests that ILC is biologically distinct, which may influence tumorigenesis and therapeutic strategies. Long-term survival and clinical outcomes in patients with ILC are worse than in stage- and grade-matched patients with IDC; therefore, nuanced criteria are needed to better define treatment goals and protocols tailored to ILC's unique biology. This comprehensive review highlights the histologic and clinicopathologic features that distinguish ILC from IDC, with an in-depth discussion of ILC's molecular alterations and biomarkers, clinical trials and treatment strategies, and future targets for therapy. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The majority of invasive lobular breast cancers (ILCs) are hormone receptor (HR)-positive and low grade. Clinically, ILC is treated similar to HR-positive invasive ductal cancer (IDC). However, ILC differs distinctly from IDC in its clinicopathologic characteristics and molecular alterations. ILC also differs in response to systemic therapy, with studies showing ILC as less sensitive to chemotherapy. Patients with ILC have worse clinical outcomes with late recurrences. Despite these differences, clinical trials treat HR-positive breast cancers as a single disease, and there is an unmet need for studies addressing the unique challenges faced by patients diagnosed with ILC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Pramod
- Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Akanksha Nigam
- Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Mustafa Basree
- University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pikeville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Resham Mawalkar
- Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Saba Mehra
- University of Toledo - Health Science Campus, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Neelam Shinde
- Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Gary Tozbikian
- Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Nicole Williams
- Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Sarmila Majumder
- Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Bhuvaneswari Ramaswamy
- Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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21
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Roarty K, Echeverria GV. Laboratory Models for Investigating Breast Cancer Therapy Resistance and Metastasis. Front Oncol 2021; 11:645698. [PMID: 33777805 PMCID: PMC7988094 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.645698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
While numerous therapies are highly efficacious in early-stage breast cancers and in particular subsets of breast cancers, therapeutic resistance and metastasis unfortunately arise in many patients. In many cases, tumors that are resistant to standard of care therapies, as well as tumors that have metastasized, are treatable but incurable with existing clinical strategies. Both therapy resistance and metastasis are multi-step processes during which tumor cells must overcome diverse environmental and selective hurdles. Mechanisms by which tumor cells achieve this are numerous and include acquisition of invasive and migratory capabilities, cell-intrinsic genetic and/or epigenetic adaptations, clonal selection, immune evasion, interactions with stromal cells, entering a state of dormancy or senescence, and maintaining self-renewal capacity. To overcome therapy resistance and metastasis in breast cancer, the ability to effectively model each of these mechanisms in the laboratory is essential. Herein we review historic and the current state-of-the-art laboratory model systems and experimental approaches used to investigate breast cancer metastasis and resistance to standard of care therapeutics. While each model system has inherent limitations, they have provided invaluable insights, many of which have translated into regimens undergoing clinical evaluation. We will discuss the limitations and advantages of a variety of model systems that have been used to investigate breast cancer metastasis and therapy resistance and outline potential strategies to improve experimental modeling to further our knowledge of these processes, which will be crucial for the continued development of effective breast cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Roarty
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Gloria V Echeverria
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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22
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Zangrossi M, Romani P, Chakravarty P, Ratcliffe CD, Hooper S, Dori M, Forcato M, Bicciato S, Dupont S, Sahai E, Montagner M. EphB6 Regulates TFEB-Lysosomal Pathway and Survival of Disseminated Indolent Breast Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1079. [PMID: 33802447 PMCID: PMC7959459 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Late relapse of disseminated cancer cells is a common feature of breast and prostate tumors. Several intrinsic and extrinsic factors have been shown to affect quiescence and reawakening of disseminated dormant cancer cells (DDCCs); however, the signals and processes sustaining the survival of DDCCs in a foreign environment are still poorly understood. We have recently shown that crosstalk with lung epithelial cells promotes survival of DDCCs of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast tumors. By using a lung organotypic system and in vivo dissemination assays, here we show that the TFEB-lysosomal axis is activated in DDCCs and that it is modulated by the pro-survival ephrin receptor EphB6. TFEB lysosomal direct targets are enriched in DDCCs in vivo and correlate with relapse in ER+ breast cancer patients. Direct coculture of DDCCs with alveolar type I-like lung epithelial cells and dissemination in the lung drive lysosomal accumulation and EphB6 induction. EphB6 contributes to survival, TFEB transcriptional activity, and lysosome formation in DDCCs in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, signaling from EphB6 promotes the proliferation of surrounding lung parenchymal cells in vivo. Our data provide evidence that EphB6 is a key factor in the crosstalk between disseminated dormant cancer cells and the lung parenchyma and that the TFEB-lysosomal pathway plays an important role in the persistence of DDCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Zangrossi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo, 3, 35126 Padua, Italy; (M.Z.); (P.R.); (S.D.)
| | - Patrizia Romani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo, 3, 35126 Padua, Italy; (M.Z.); (P.R.); (S.D.)
| | - Probir Chakravarty
- Bioinformatics Platform, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK;
| | - Colin D.H. Ratcliffe
- Tumor Cell Biology Lab, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK; (C.D.H.R.); (S.H.)
| | - Steven Hooper
- Tumor Cell Biology Lab, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK; (C.D.H.R.); (S.H.)
| | - Martina Dori
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giuseppe Campi, 287, 41125 Modena, Italy; (M.D.); (M.F.); (S.B.)
| | - Mattia Forcato
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giuseppe Campi, 287, 41125 Modena, Italy; (M.D.); (M.F.); (S.B.)
| | - Silvio Bicciato
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giuseppe Campi, 287, 41125 Modena, Italy; (M.D.); (M.F.); (S.B.)
| | - Sirio Dupont
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo, 3, 35126 Padua, Italy; (M.Z.); (P.R.); (S.D.)
| | - Erik Sahai
- Tumor Cell Biology Lab, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK; (C.D.H.R.); (S.H.)
| | - Marco Montagner
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo, 3, 35126 Padua, Italy; (M.Z.); (P.R.); (S.D.)
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23
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A Lung Organotypic Coculture Reveals a Role for TFEB-Lysosomal Axis in the Survival of Disseminated Dormant Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13051007. [PMID: 33670926 PMCID: PMC7957585 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: metastatic relapse following a prolonged period of disease-free survival is a common cause of mortality for many cancer patients. Disseminated dormant cancer cells (DDCCs) lie below the radar before waking up years, or even decades, after the removal of the primary tumor. This implies that they are able to survive in a latent state in a foreign environment for an extended period of time supported by intrinsic and extrinsic factors still to be elucidated. (2) Methods: we employed a coculture of DDCCs with lung epithelial cells together with RNA sequencing analysis to understand the overlap in gene transcription between in vivo and cocultured DDCCs. (3) Results: we found a significant overlap between the processes activated in DDCCs from lungs and in the coculture, as well as in alveolar type I cells in vivo and in coculture. We identified the transcription factor EB (TFEB)-lysosomal axis as a relevant process activated in DDCCs upon dissemination to the lung and confirmed the results in our lung coculture. Interestingly, breast cancer patients with a higher expression of TFEB targets show increased likelihood of developing relapses. (4) Conclusions: we propose that lysosomal accumulation following TFEB activation is an important feature of breast cancer DDCCs that might be exploited for future therapeutic interventions.
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24
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Ombrato L, Montagner M. Technical Advancements for Studying Immune Regulation of Disseminated Dormant Cancer Cells. Front Oncol 2020; 10:594514. [PMID: 33251149 PMCID: PMC7672194 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.594514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastases are a major cause of cancer-related death and despite the fact that they have been focus of intense research over the last two decades, effective therapies for patients with distant secondary lesions are still very limited. In addition, in some tumor types metastases can grow years after the patients have been declared clinically cured, indicating that disseminated cancer cells (DCCs) persist undetected for years, even decades in a quiescent state. Clinical and experimental data highlight the importance of the immune system in shaping the fitness and behaviour of DCCs. Here, we review mechanisms of survival, quiescence and outgrowth of DCCs with a special focus on immune-regulation and we highlight the latest cutting-edge techniques for modelling the biology of DCCs in vitro and for studying the metastatic niche in vivo. We believe that a wide dissemination of those techniques will boost scientific findings towards new therapies to defeat metastatic relapses in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Ombrato
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marco Montagner
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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25
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Hirata E, Ishibashi K, Kohsaka S, Shinjo K, Kojima S, Kondo Y, Mano H, Yano S, Kiyokawa E, Sahai E. The Brain Microenvironment Induces DNMT1 Suppression and Indolence of Metastatic Cancer Cells. iScience 2020; 23:101480. [PMID: 32891059 PMCID: PMC7479628 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain metastasis is an ineffective process, and many cancer cells enter into an indolent state following extravasation in the brain. Single cell RNA sequencing of melanoma brain metastases reveals that non-proliferating brain metastatic melanoma cells exhibit a pattern of gene expression associated with inhibition of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1). The brain microenvironment, specifically the combination of reactive astrocytes and mechanically soft surroundings, suppressed DNMT1 expression in various cancer types and caused cell cycle delay. Somewhat unexpectedly, we find that DNMT1 suppression not only induces cell cycle delay but also activates pro-survival signals in brain metastatic cancer cells, including L1CAM and CRYAB. Our results demonstrate that transcriptional changes triggered by DNMT1 suppression is a key step for cancer cells to survive in the brain microenvironment and that they also restrict cancer cell proliferation. The dual consequences of DNMT1 suppression can explain the persistence of indolent cancer cells in the brain microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eishu Hirata
- Division of Tumor Cell Biology and Bioimaging, Cancer Research Institute of Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
- Nano Life Science Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Kojiro Ishibashi
- Division of Tumor Cell Biology and Bioimaging, Cancer Research Institute of Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Shinji Kohsaka
- Division of Cellular Signaling, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Keiko Shinjo
- Division of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Shinya Kojima
- Division of Cellular Signaling, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kondo
- Division of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Mano
- Division of Cellular Signaling, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Seiji Yano
- Nano Life Science Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
- Division of Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute of Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan
| | - Etsuko Kiyokawa
- Department of Oncologic Pathology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada 920-0293, Japan
| | - Erik Sahai
- Tumour Cell Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
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26
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Manjili MH. The premise of personalized immunotherapy for cancer dormancy. Oncogene 2020; 39:4323-4330. [PMID: 32322001 PMCID: PMC7260096 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-1295-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Progress in cancer therapies has resulted in improved survival of patients with early stage breast cancer. However, mortality remains high in patients with distant recurrence of the disease after initially successful treatment of early stage breast cancer. To this end, tumor recurrences have been attributed to the presence of dormant tumor cells in breast cancer patients and cancer survivors. Current clinical practice guidelines recommend a “wait and watch” approach for tumor recurrence. This is because of our limited understanding of tumor dormancy. Dormant tumor cells are quiescent, and thus, do not respond to chemotherapies or radiation therapies, and they are not operable. Therefore, immunotherapy is the only option for the treatment of tumor dormancy. However, gaps in our knowledge as to dormancy-specific antigens prevent a relapse preventing vaccine design. Here, we provide a critical review of cancer immunotherapy, and discuss empirical evidence related to naturally-occurring tumor dormancy and treatment-induced tumor dormancy at the site of primary tumor and in distant organs before and after cancer therapies. Finally, we suggest that personalized vaccines targeting dormancy-associated neoantigens, which can be given to patients with early stage disease after the completion of neoadjuvant therapies and tumor resection as well as to cancer survivors could eliminate relapse causing dormant cells and offer a cure for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoud H Manjili
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, VCU School of Medicine, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Massey Cancer Center, Richmond, VA, USA.
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