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Bharadwaj AG, McLean ME, Dahn ML, Cahill HF, Wasson MD, Arun RP, Walker OL, Cruickshank BM, Fernando W, Venkatesh J, Barnes PJ, Bethune G, Knapp G, Helyer LK, Giacomantonio CA, Waisman DM, Marcato P. ALDH1A3 promotes invasion and metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer by regulating the plasminogen activation pathway. Mol Oncol 2024; 18:91-112. [PMID: 37753740 PMCID: PMC10766202 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A3 (ALDH1A3) is a cancer stem cell marker that promotes metastasis. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) progression has been linked to ALDH1A3-induced gene expression changes. To investigate the mechanism of ALDH1A3-mediated breast cancer metastasis, we assessed the effect of ALDH1A3 on the expression of proteases and the regulators of proteases that degrade the extracellular matrix, a process that is essential for invasion and metastasis. This revealed that ALDH1A3 regulates the plasminogen activation pathway; it increased the levels and activity of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA). This resulted in a corresponding increase in the activity of serine protease plasmin, the enzymatic product of tPA and uPA. The ALDH1A3 product all-trans-retinoic acid similarly increased tPA and plasmin activity. The increased invasion of TNBC cells by ALDH1A3 was plasminogen-dependent. In patient tumours, ALDH1A3 and tPA are co-expressed and their combined expression correlated with the TNBC subtype, high tumour grade and recurrent metastatic disease. Knockdown of tPA in TNBC cells inhibited plasmin generation and lymph node metastasis. These results identify the ALDH1A3-tPA-plasmin axis as a key contributor to breast cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gregory Knapp
- Department of SurgeryDalhousie UniversityHalifaxCanada
| | | | - Carman A. Giacomantonio
- Department of PathologyDalhousie UniversityHalifaxCanada
- Department of SurgeryDalhousie UniversityHalifaxCanada
| | - David M. Waisman
- Department of PathologyDalhousie UniversityHalifaxCanada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyDalhousie UniversityHalifaxCanada
| | - Paola Marcato
- Department of PathologyDalhousie UniversityHalifaxCanada
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyDalhousie UniversityHalifaxCanada
- Nova Scotia Health AuthorityHalifaxCanada
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2
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Vidovic D, Simms GA, Pasternak S, Walsh M, Peltekian K, Stein J, Helyer LK, Giacomantonio CA. Case Report: Combined Intra-Lesional IL-2 and Topical Imiquimod Safely and Effectively Clears Multi-Focal, High Grade Cutaneous Squamous Cell Cancer in a Combined Liver and Kidney Transplant Patient. Front Immunol 2021; 12:678028. [PMID: 34122442 PMCID: PMC8190543 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.678028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common non-melanoma skin cancer worldwide, with ever increasing incidence and mortality. While most patients can be treated successfully with surgical excision, cryotherapy, or radiation therapy, there exist a subset of patients with aggressive cSCC who lack adequate therapies. Among these patients are solid organ transplant recipients who due to their immunosuppression, develop cSCC at a dramatically increased rate compared to the normal population. The enhanced ability of the tumor to effectively undergo immune escape in these patients leads to more aggressive tumors with a propensity to recur and metastasize. Herein, we present a case of aggressive, multi-focal cSCC in a double organ transplant recipient to frame our discussion and current understanding of the immunobiology of cSCC. We consider factors that contribute to the significantly increased incidence of cSCC in the context of immunosuppression in this patient population. Finally, we briefly review current literature describing experience with localized therapies for cSCC and present a strong argument and rationale for consideration of an IL-2 based intra-lesional treatment strategy for cSCC, particularly in this immunosuppressed patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dejan Vidovic
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax Regional Municipality, NS, Canada
| | - Gordon A. Simms
- Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax Regional Municipality, NS, Canada
| | - Sylvia Pasternak
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax Regional Municipality, NS, Canada
| | - Mark Walsh
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax Regional Municipality, NS, Canada
| | - Kevork Peltekian
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax Regional Municipality, NS, Canada
| | - John Stein
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax Regional Municipality, NS, Canada
| | - Lucy K. Helyer
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax Regional Municipality, NS, Canada
| | - Carman A. Giacomantonio
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax Regional Municipality, NS, Canada
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3
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Sultan M, Nearing JT, Brown JM, Huynh TT, Cruickshank BM, Lamoureaux E, Vidovic D, Dahn ML, Fernando W, Coyle KM, Giacomantonio CA, Langille MGI, Marcato P. An in vivo genome-wide shRNA screen identifies BCL6 as a targetable biomarker of paclitaxel resistance in breast cancer. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:2046-2064. [PMID: 33932086 PMCID: PMC8333778 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Paclitaxel is a common breast cancer drug; however, some tumors are resistant. The identification of biomarkers for paclitaxel resistance or sensitivity would enable the development of strategies to improve treatment efficacy. A genome-wide in vivo shRNA screen was performed on paclitaxel-treated mice with MDA-MB-231 tumors to identify genes associated with paclitaxel sensitivity or resistance. Gene expression of the top screen hits was associated with tumor response (resistance or sensitivity) among patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy containing paclitaxel. We focused our validation on screen hit B-cell lymphoma 6 (BCL6), which is a therapeutic target in cancer but for which no effects on drug response have been reported. Knockdown of BCL6 resulted in increased tumor regression in mice treated with paclitaxel. Similarly, inhibiting BCL6 using a small molecule inhibitor enhanced paclitaxel treatment efficacy both in vitro and in vivo in breast cancer models. Mechanism studies revealed that reduced BCL6 enhances the efficacy of paclitaxel by inducing sustained G1/S arrest, concurrent with increased apoptosis and expression of target gene cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A. In summary, the genome-wide shRNA knockdown screen has identified BCL6 as a potential targetable resistance biomarker of paclitaxel response in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Sultan
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Jacob T Nearing
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Justin M Brown
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Thomas T Huynh
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | | | - Emily Lamoureaux
- Department of Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Dejan Vidovic
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Margaret L Dahn
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | | | - Krysta M Coyle
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Carman A Giacomantonio
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.,Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | | | - Paola Marcato
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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4
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Wright FC, Kellett S, Hong NJL, Sun AY, Hanna TP, Nessim C, Giacomantonio CA, Temple-Oberle CF, Song X, Petrella TM. Locoregional management of in-transit metastasis in melanoma: an Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) clinical practice guideline. Curr Oncol 2020; 27:e318-e325. [PMID: 32669939 PMCID: PMC7339852 DOI: 10.3747/co.27.6523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The purpose of this guideline is to provide guidance on appropriate management of satellite and in-transit metastasis (itm) from melanoma. Methods The guideline was developed by the Program in Evidence-Based Care (pebc) of Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) and the Melanoma Disease Site Group. Recommendations were drafted by a Working Group based on a systematic review of publications in the medline and embase databases. The document underwent patient- and caregiver-specific consultation and was circulated to the Melanoma Disease Site Group and the pebc Report Approval Panel for internal review; the revised document underwent external review. Recommendations "Minimal itm" is defined as lesions in a location with limited spread (generally 1-4 lesions); the lesions are generally superficial, often clustered together, and surgically resectable. "Moderate itm" is defined as more than 5 lesions covering a wider area, or the rapid development (within weeks) of new in-transit lesions. "Maximal itm" is defined as large-volume disease with multiple (>15-20) 2-3 cm nodules or subcutaneous or deeper lesions over a wide area.■ In patients presenting with minimal itm, complete surgical excision with negative pathologic margins is recommended. In addition to complete surgical resection, adjuvant treatment may be considered.■ In patients presenting with moderate unresectable itm, consider using this approach for localized treatment: intralesional interleukin 2 or talimogene laherparepvec as 1st choice, topical diphenylcyclopropenone as 2nd choice, or radiation therapy as 3rd choice. Evidence is insufficient to recommend intralesional bacille Calmette- Guérin or CO2 laser ablation outside of a research setting.■ In patients presenting with maximal itm confined to an extremity, isolated limb perfusion, isolated limb infusion, or systemic therapy may be considered. In extremely select cases, amputation could be considered as a final option in patients without systemic disease after discussion at a multidisciplinary case conference.■ In cases in which local, regional, or surgical treatments for itm might be ineffective or unable to be performed, or if a patient has systemic metastases at the same time, systemic therapy may be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- F C Wright
- Department of General Surgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre/Odette Regional Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON
| | - S Kellett
- Program in Evidence-Based Care, Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario), and Department of Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON
| | - N J Look Hong
- Department of General Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
| | - A Y Sun
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Health Network, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON
| | - T P Hanna
- Department of Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON
| | - C Nessim
- Division of General Surgery, The Ottawa Hospital, and Department of Surgery, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON
| | - C A Giacomantonio
- Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Capital District Health, and Departments of Surgery and Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
| | - C F Temple-Oberle
- Departments of Oncology and Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB
| | - X Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Ottawa, and The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, Ottawa, ON
| | - T M Petrella
- Division of Medical Oncology, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
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5
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Dahn ML, Cruickshank BM, Jackson AJ, Dean C, Holloway RW, Hall SR, Coyle KM, Maillet H, Waisman DM, Goralski KB, Giacomantonio CA, Weaver ICG, Marcato P. Decitabine Response in Breast Cancer Requires Efficient Drug Processing and Is Not Limited by Multidrug Resistance. Mol Cancer Ther 2020; 19:1110-1122. [PMID: 32156786 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-19-0745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation of DNA methylation is an established feature of breast cancers. DNA demethylating therapies like decitabine are proposed for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) and indicators of response need to be identified. For this purpose, we characterized the effects of decitabine in a panel of 10 breast cancer cell lines and observed a range of sensitivity to decitabine that was not subtype specific. Knockdown of potential key effectors demonstrated the requirement of deoxycytidine kinase (DCK) for decitabine response in breast cancer cells. In treatment-naïve breast tumors, DCK was higher in TNBCs, and DCK levels were sustained or increased post chemotherapy treatment. This suggests that limited DCK levels will not be a barrier to response in patients with TNBC treated with decitabine as a second-line treatment or in a clinical trial. Methylome analysis revealed that genome-wide, region-specific, tumor suppressor gene-specific methylation, and decitabine-induced demethylation did not predict response to decitabine. Gene set enrichment analysis of transcriptome data demonstrated that decitabine induced genes within apoptosis, cell cycle, stress, and immune pathways. Induced genes included those characterized by the viral mimicry response; however, knockdown of key effectors of the pathway did not affect decitabine sensitivity suggesting that breast cancer growth suppression by decitabine is independent of viral mimicry. Finally, taxol-resistant breast cancer cells expressing high levels of multidrug resistance transporter ABCB1 remained sensitive to decitabine, suggesting that the drug could be used as second-line treatment for chemoresistant patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret L Dahn
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | - Ainsleigh J Jackson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Cheryl Dean
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Ryan W Holloway
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Steven R Hall
- Department of Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Krysta M Coyle
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Hillary Maillet
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - David M Waisman
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Kerry B Goralski
- Department of Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Carman A Giacomantonio
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Ian C G Weaver
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Brain Repair Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Paola Marcato
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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6
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Giacomantonio MA, Sterea AM, Kim Y, Paulo JA, Clements DR, Kennedy BE, Bydoun MJ, Shi G, Waisman DM, Gygi SP, Giacomantonio CA, Murphy JP, Gujar S. Quantitative Proteome Responses to Oncolytic Reovirus in GM-CSF- and M-CSF-Differentiated Bone Marrow-Derived Cells. J Proteome Res 2020; 19:708-718. [PMID: 31884793 PMCID: PMC7294930 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.9b00583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The efficacy of oncolytic viruses (OVs), such as reovirus, is dictated by host immune responses, including those mediated by the pro- versus anti-inflammatory macrophages. As such, a detailed understanding of the interaction between reovirus and different macrophage types is critical for therapeutic efficacy. To explore reovirus-macrophage interactions, we performed tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative temporal proteomics on mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) generated with two cytokines, macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and granulocytic-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), representing anti- and proinflammatory macrophages, respectively. We quantified 6863 proteins across five time points in duplicate, comparing M-CSF (M-BMM) and GM-CSF (GM-BMM) in response to OV. We find that GM-BMMs have lower expression of key intrinsic proteins that facilitate an antiviral immune response, express higher levels of reovirus receptor protein JAM-A, and are more susceptible to oncolytic reovirus infection compared to M-BMMs. Interestingly, although M-BMMs are less susceptible to reovirus infection and subsequent cell death, they initiate an antireovirus adaptive T cell immune response comparable to that of GM-BMMs. Taken together, these data describe distinct proteome differences between these two macrophage populations in terms of their ability to mount antiviral immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andra M Sterea
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology , Dalhousie University , Halifax , Nova Scotia B3H 4R2 , Canada
| | - Youra Kim
- Department of Pathology , Dalhousie University , Halifax , Nova Scotia B3H 4R2 , Canada
| | - Joao A Paulo
- Department of Cell Biology , Harvard Medical School , Boston , Massachusetts 02115-5730 , United States
| | - Derek R Clements
- Department of Pathology , Dalhousie University , Halifax , Nova Scotia B3H 4R2 , Canada
| | - Barry E Kennedy
- Department of Pathology , Dalhousie University , Halifax , Nova Scotia B3H 4R2 , Canada
| | - Moamen J Bydoun
- Department of Pathology , Dalhousie University , Halifax , Nova Scotia B3H 4R2 , Canada
| | - Ge Shi
- Department of Pathology , Dalhousie University , Halifax , Nova Scotia B3H 4R2 , Canada
| | - David M Waisman
- Department of Pathology , Dalhousie University , Halifax , Nova Scotia B3H 4R2 , Canada
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology , Dalhousie University , Halifax , Nova Scotia B3H 4R2 , Canada
| | - Steven P Gygi
- Department of Cell Biology , Harvard Medical School , Boston , Massachusetts 02115-5730 , United States
| | - Carman A Giacomantonio
- Department of Pathology , Dalhousie University , Halifax , Nova Scotia B3H 4R2 , Canada
- Department of Surgery , Dalhousie University , Halifax , Nova Scotia B3H 4R2 , Canada
| | - J Patrick Murphy
- Department of Pathology , Dalhousie University , Halifax , Nova Scotia B3H 4R2 , Canada
- Department of Biology , University of Prince Edward Island , Room 443, Duffy Science Centre, 550 University Avenue , Charlottetown , Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3 , Canada
| | - Shashi Gujar
- Department of Pathology , Dalhousie University , Halifax , Nova Scotia B3H 4R2 , Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology , Dalhousie University , Halifax , Nova Scotia B3H 4R2 , Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute , Halifax , Nova Scotia B3H 4R2 , Canada
- Department of Biology , Dalhousie University , Halifax , Nova Scotia B3H 4R2 , Canada
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7
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Sharif T, Martell E, Dai C, Ghassemi-Rad MS, Hanes MR, Murphy PJ, Margam NN, Parmar HB, Giacomantonio CA, Duncan R, Lee PW, Gujar S. HDAC6 differentially regulates autophagy in stem-like versus differentiated cancer cells. Autophagy 2019; 15:686-706. [PMID: 30444165 PMCID: PMC6526821 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2018.1548547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs), a small population of pluripotent cells residing within heterogeneous tumor mass, remain highly resistant to various chemotherapies as compared to the differentiated cancer cells. It is being postulated that CSCs possess unique molecular mechanisms, such as autophagic homeostasis, that allow CSCs to withstand the therapeutic assaults. Here we demonstrate that HDAC6 inhibition differentially modulates macroautophagy/autophagy in CSCs as compared to that of differentiated cancer cells. Using human and murine CSC models and differentiated cells, we show that the inhibition or knockdown (KD) of HDAC6 decreases CSC pluripotency by downregulating major pluripotency factors POU5F1, NANOG and SOX2. This decreased HDAC6 expression increases ACTB, TUBB3 and CSN2 expression and promotes differentiation in CSCs in an apoptosis-independent manner. Mechanistically, HDAC6 KD in CSCs decreases pluripotency by promoting autophagy, whereas the inhibition of pluripotency via retinoic acid treatment, POU5F1 or autophagy-related gene (ATG7 and ATG12) KD in CSCs decreases HDAC6 expression and promotes differentiation. Interestingly, HDAC6 KD-mediated CSC growth inhibition is further enhanced in the presence of autophagy inducers Tat-Beclin 1 peptide and rapamycin. In contrast to the results observed in CSCs, HDAC6 KD in differentiated breast cancer cells downregulates autophagy and increases apoptosis. Furthermore, the autophagy regulator p-MTOR, upstream negative regulators of p-MTOR (TSC1 and TSC2) and downstream effectors of p-MTOR (p-RPS6KB and p-EIF4EBP1) are differentially regulated in CSCs versus differentiated cancer cells following HDAC6 KD. Overall these data identify the differential regulation of autophagy as a molecular link behind the differing chemo-susceptibility of CSCs and differentiated cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanveer Sharif
- Deaprtment of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Emma Martell
- Deaprtment of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Cathleen Dai
- Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | - Mark Robert Hanes
- Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Patrick J. Murphy
- Deaprtment of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Nandini N. Margam
- Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | - Carman A. Giacomantonio
- Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Roy Duncan
- Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Patrick W.K. Lee
- Deaprtment of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Shashi Gujar
- Deaprtment of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Centre for Innovative and Collaborative Health Systems Research, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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8
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Sharif T, Dai C, Martell E, Ghassemi-Rad MS, Hanes MR, Murphy PJ, Kennedy BE, Venugopal C, Subapanditha M, Giacomantonio CA, Marcato P, Singh SK, Gujar S. TAp73 Modifies Metabolism and Positively Regulates Growth of Cancer Stem-Like Cells in a Redox-Sensitive Manner. Clin Cancer Res 2018; 25:2001-2017. [PMID: 30593514 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-17-3177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Stem-like cancer cells, with characteristic self-renewal abilities, remain highly refractory to various clinical interventions. As such, stemness-inhibiting entities, such as tumor suppressor p53, are therapeutically pursued for their anticancer activities. Interestingly, similar implications for tumor suppressor TAp73 in regulating stemness features within stem-like cancer cells remain unknown.Experimental Design: This study utilizes various in vitro molecular biology techniques, including immunoblotting, qRT-PCR, and mass spectrometry-based proteomics, and metabolomics approaches to study the role of TAp73 in human and murine embryonal carcinoma stem-like cells (ECSLC) as well as human breast cancer stem-like cells (BCSLC). These findings were confirmed using patient-derived brain tumor-initiating cells (BTIC) and in vivo xenograft models. RESULTS TAp73 inhibition decreases the expression of stem cell transcription factors Oct4, Nanog, and Sox-2, as well as tumorsphere formation capacity in ECSLCs. In vivo, TAp73-deficient ECSLCs and BCSLCs demonstrate decreased tumorigenic potential when xenografted in mice. Mechanistically, TAp73 modifies the proline regulatory axis through regulation of enzymes GLS, OAT, and PYCR1 involved in the interconversion of proline-glutamine-ornithine. Further, TAp73 deficiency exacerbates glutamine dependency, enhances accumulation of reactive oxygen species through reduced superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) expression, and promotes differentiation by arresting cell cycle and elevating autophagy. Most importantly, the knockdown of TAp73 in CD133HI BTICs, separated from three different glioblastoma patients, strongly decreases the expression of prosurvival factors Sox-2, BMI-1, and SOD1, and profoundly decreases their self-renewal capacity as evidenced through their reduced tumorsphere formation ability. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, we reveal a clinically relevant aspect of cancer cell growth and stemness regulation through TAp73-mediated redox-sensitive metabolic reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanveer Sharif
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Cathleen Dai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Emma Martell
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | - Mark Robert Hanes
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Patrick J Murphy
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Barry E Kennedy
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Chitra Venugopal
- McMaster Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Minomi Subapanditha
- McMaster Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carman A Giacomantonio
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Paola Marcato
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Sheila K Singh
- McMaster Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shashi Gujar
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Centre for Innovative and Collaborative Health Systems Research, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Coyle KM, Dean CA, Vidovic D, Weaver IC, Giacomantonio CA, Marcato P. Abstract 3064: Retinoic acid: An effective therapy for basal-like breast cancer. Cancer Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2017-3064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
We have identified a novel strategy to identify breast cancer patients who will benefit from an existing anti-cancer agent, retinoic acid (RA). While RA has not yet achieved success in the treatment of breast cancers, we hypothesized that it can be an effective therapy for a subset of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. TNBC is among the most aggressive breast cancers, and lacks targeted therapies. TNBCs can be further subtyped into basal-like and claudin-low, which differ in gene expression and drug sensitivities. Understanding the molecular basis of these subtypes will lead to the development of more effective treatment options for TNBC. To test this hypothesis, we performed tumor growth assays on TNBC cell lines and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). We found that RA treatment decreased the tumor growth of four basal-like TNBC cell lines (MDA-MB-468, HCC70, SUM149, HCC1937). In contrast, RA increased the tumor growth of two claudin-low TNBC cell lines (MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-436). Gene expression and methylation analysis of these affected cell lines revealed subtype-specific expression of RA-inducible genes due to silencing by DNA methylation, e.g. of the RA-inducible tumor-suppressor gene RARRES1. RARRES1 is silenced by methylation in claudin-low cell lines, but is hypomethylated and expressed in basal-like cells. Use of the subtype-specific expression and methylation profiles allowed us to accurately predict the response of 4 PDXs to RA treatment. Continued classification of TNBCs into these two subtypes will enable clinical use of RA, in part due to the subtype-specific hypomethylation of RA-inducible tumor suppressor genes including RARRES1. We have identified additional subtype-specific biomarkers which can predict the response of patient tumors to RA treatment, thus identifying a novel targeted therapy strategy for TNBCs.
Citation Format: Krysta Mila Coyle, Cheryl A. Dean, Dejan Vidovic, Ian C. Weaver, Carman A. Giacomantonio, Paola Marcato. Retinoic acid: An effective therapy for basal-like breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3064. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3064
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Sultan M, Huynh TT, Thomas ML, Coyle KM, Giacomantonio CA, Marcato P. Abstract B26: Identification of genes that predict response to paclitaxel in breast cancer using an in vivo genome-wide knockdown screen. Mol Cancer Res 2016. [DOI: 10.1158/1557-3125.advbc15-b26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Treatment decisions for breast cancer are based upon stage, tumor grade and hormone receptor status, and can include surgical resection, hormone receptor antagonists, radiation, and chemotherapy (e.g. paclitaxel). Breast cancer treatment success depends upon avoidance of chemotherapy resistance (i.e. achieving complete response) and prevention of both over- and under-treatment. Increased understanding of the genes which cause resistance and sensitivity to currently used drugs would lead to development of more effective therapeutic strategies that are specifically tailored to patient groups based on molecular profiling of their tumors (i.e. personalized medicine). Being able to identify the genes which when expressed in a tumor predict sensitivity or resistance to treatment prior to administration of paclitaxel would improve treatment efficacy and patient survival. We performed an in vivo shRNA genome-wide screen with MDA-MB-231 tumors treated with paclitaxel for the purpose of identifying genes which determine breast cancer response to paclitaxel. Completion of 6 replicates of the in vivo screen identified 26 putative paclitaxel sensitivity genes and 14 putative paclitaxel resistance genes (e.g. BCL6) for breast cancer. Screen-identified putative paclitaxel resistance were verified by individual knockdown clone generation and comparison of their sensitivity to paclitaxel-induced decreased cell proliferation, cell-cycle arrest, and apoptosis to a shRNA scramble control clone. Upon individual knockdown of the putative resistance genes (e.g. BCL6), MDA-MB-231 cells were more sensitive to paclitaxel and demonstrated increased apoptosis and decreased paclitaxel IC50 concentrations. Finally, expression of a preliminary gene signature generated from the screen-identified hits was tested for its ability to predict response to paclitaxel in two archived patient data sets. The preliminary gene signature predicted response to paclitaxel in the datasets with an accuracy ranging from 70 to 100%. Further confirmation experiments of the remaining potential resistance and sensitivity genes will help to generate a more robust genetic profile which can be used to identify candidate breast cancer patients who would most benefit from paclitaxel treatment as opposed to treatment with other drugs.
Citation Format: Mohammad Sultan, Thomas Tan Huynh, Margaret Lois Thomas, Krysta Mila Coyle, Carman A. Giacomantonio, Paola Marcato. Identification of genes that predict response to paclitaxel in breast cancer using an in vivo genome-wide knockdown screen. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Breast Cancer Research; Oct 17-20, 2015; Bellevue, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2016;14(2_Suppl):Abstract nr B26.
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Mathenge EG, Dean C, Clements D, Vagharkashani A, Photopoulos S, Coyle K, Malueth BA, Giacomantonio M, Nunokawa A, Jordan J, Gujar S, Marcato P, Lee P, Giacomantonio CA. Abstract 1665: Biopsy induced metastasis: Role of SOX4/TGF-β driven EMT and immunosuppressive microenvironment. Cancer Res 2014. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2014-1665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
As a consequence of advances in digital diagnostic imaging, breast cancers are being diagnosed earlier in their development. These smaller tumors are less likely to be metastatic at time of discovery. The majority of newly diagnosed breast cancers in North America are confirmed using an incisional core needle biopsy (CNB). However an increasing number of studies highlight the pro-metastatic inflammatory and microenvironment changes occurring after incisional procedures on breast cancer tumors. This may account for reported higher incidences of lymph node metastases with increased risk of local recurrence and distant metastasis among patients undergoing incisional procedures.
Evidence from our studies using a metastatic mouse model shows that incisional core needle biopsies lead to increased pulmonary metastasis. To study the mechanism(s) involved we monitored changes in circulating tumor cells (CTC), cytokine levels, variations in gene expression, microenvironment alteration and pulmonary metastatic burden, following CNB.
Gene expression analysis by real-time qPCR showed increased TGF-β expression accompanied by SOX4 upregulation at 3 hours post biopsy (SOX4 is a Master regulator of EMT). This was followed, at 24 hours post biopsy, by significantly increased levels of the SOX4-associated Ezh2 gene and other EMT genes (ZEB2, SNAI2, SNAI3, and CDH2). Monitoring of CTCs over the same time frame showed them to be significantly increased in biopsied mice from 6 to 24 hours post biopsy, indicating continual CTC egress from biopsied tumors. Flow cytometry analysis of tumor microenvironment showed an immunosuppressive microenvironment with increased MDSC levels, reduced CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, macrophage and NKT cell. Interestingly, similar analysis of the Lung microenvironment 4 days later (day 7 post biopsy) revealed an inversion of the tumor situation, in the form of a significant uptick in Th1 type changes described by increased CD4+ and CD8+ type T cells, macrophages and NK cells, as well as increased TNF-β gene expression indicators corresponding to an early response to growth of metastases. We also compared H&E stained histological sections of lungs from biopsied and un-biopsied mice and recorded significant increase in pulmonary metastasis for the biopsied group.
The findings of our study indicate that performance of CNB results in increased metastasis with immunomodulation of the tumor microenvironment and unregulated SOX4/TGF- β. Additional studies are needed to further elucidate the mechanism, and explore mitigating strategies to counter CNB related metastasis.
Citation Format: Edward G. Mathenge, Cheryl Dean, Derek Clements, Ahmad Vagharkashani, Steffany Photopoulos, Krysta Coyle, Benjamin A. Malueth, Mike Giacomantonio, Anna Nunokawa, Julie Jordan, Shashi Gujar, Paola Marcato, Partick Lee, Carman A. Giacomantonio. Biopsy induced metastasis: Role of SOX4/TGF-β driven EMT and immunosuppressive microenvironment. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1665. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1665
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cheryl Dean
- Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Krysta Coyle
- Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Julie Jordan
- Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Shashi Gujar
- Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | - Partick Lee
- Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Marcato P, Dean CA, Liu RZ, Coyle KM, Bydoun M, Wallace M, Clements D, Turner C, Mathenge EG, Gujar SA, Giacomantonio CA, Mackey JR, Godbout R, Lee PWK. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A3 influences breast cancer progression via differential retinoic acid signaling. Mol Oncol 2014; 9:17-31. [PMID: 25106087 DOI: 10.1016/j.molonc.2014.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2014] [Revised: 07/12/2014] [Accepted: 07/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) 1A enzymes produce retinoic acid (RA), a transcription induction molecule. To investigate if ALDH1A1 or ALDH1A3-mediated RA signaling has an active role in breast cancer tumorigenesis, we performed gene expression and tumor xenograft studies. Analysis of breast patient tumors revealed that high levels of ALDH1A3 correlated with expression of RA-inducible genes with retinoic acid response elements (RAREs), poorer patient survival and triple-negative breast cancers. This suggests a potential link between ALDH1A3 expression and RA signaling especially in aggressive and/or triple-negative breast cancers. In MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-435 cells, ALDH1A3 and RA increased expression of RA-inducible genes. Interestingly, ALDH1A3 had opposing effects in tumor xenografts, increasing tumor growth and metastasis of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435 cells, but decreasing tumor growth of MDA-MB-468 cells. Exogenous RA replaced ALDH1A3 in inducing the same opposing tumor growth and metastasis effects, suggesting that ALDH1A3 mediates these effects by promoting RA signaling. Genome expression analysis revealed that ALDH1A3 induced largely divergent gene expression in MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells which likely resulted in the opposing tumor growth effects. Treatment with DNA methylation inhibitor 5-aza-2'deoxycytidine restored uniform RA-inducibility of RARE-containing HOXA1 and MUC4 in MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells, suggesting that differences in epigenetic modifications contribute to differential ALDH1A3/RA-induced gene expression in breast cancer. In summary, ALDH1A3 induces differential RA signaling in breast cancer cells which affects the rate of breast cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Marcato
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
| | - Cheryl A Dean
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Rong-Zong Liu
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Krysta M Coyle
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Moamen Bydoun
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Melissa Wallace
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Derek Clements
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Colin Turner
- Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | | | - Shashi A Gujar
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; Strategy and Organizational Performance, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | | | - John R Mackey
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Roseline Godbout
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Patrick W K Lee
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
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Giacomantonio CA, Dean CA, Mathenge EG, Black AA, Schulte W, Pink DB, Marcato P, Lee PW, Zijlstra A, Lewis JD. Association of core needle biopsies with increase in metastatic dissemination of breast cancer. J Clin Oncol 2012. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2012.30.15_suppl.e21090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
e21090 Background: Given the reported association between incisional procedures performed on cancer patients and subsequent increases in metastasis, as well as the established inverse relationship between metastasis and patient survival, this study establishes the extent to which incisional core needle biopsies (CNB) affects tumor growth and metastatic dissemination in two distinct breast cancer animal models. Methods: Using the chick embryo system (CES) and murine breast cancer model (MuBC)the impact of CNB on cancer metastases was evaluated. Human MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435 cancer cells were used in the xenograft / CES, and murine 4T1 Breast cancer cells for the syngeneic MuBC . In each model, tumors were biopsied in half of the animals while the other half were left undisturbed (CES:n=40, MuBC:n=40). The impact of CNB on tumor growth, necrosis and metastases was assessed. Metastases levels in the CES was determined by quantitative PCR for human alu sequence DNA in chick tissue extracts. Metastatic burden in the MuBC model was evaluated by microscopic quantification of metastatic areas in sectioned and H-E stained mouse organs. Results: When biopsied and un-biopsied groups were compared, both models showed significant difference in pulmonary metastasis. MDA-MB-435 CES (p=0.025) and 4T1 MuBC (p=0.026). MDA-MB-231 CES showed no significant change in lung metastases in the CES but did however show increased Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) metastasis (p=0.018) and both cell lines showed statistically significant alteration in Liver metastasis, (MDA-MB-231 CES (p=0.006); MDA-MB-435 CES (p=0.004)). Interestingly only MDA-MB-435 (CES) tumor growth was significantly increased after CNB (p=0.002). Conclusions: These results offer the first experimental evidence that core needle biopsies result in an increased risk of metastatic dissemination and affect metastatic tropic behavior. They also reinforce the concept of a multi-step metastatic pathway and suggest involvement of extrinsic factors that influence the extravastion and intravasation steps. The clinical implications are considerable and follow-up studies examining potential mechanisms and countermeasures are urgently required
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Affiliation(s)
- Carman A. Giacomantonio
- Cancer Care Nova Scotia/Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre/Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Cheryl A. Dean
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Edward G. Mathenge
- Department of Surgery/Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Paola Marcato
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Patrick W. Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cancer Research Laboratory, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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McConnell YJ, Giacomantonio CA. Malignant triton tumors--complete surgical resection and adjuvant radiotherapy associated with improved survival. J Surg Oncol 2012; 106:51-6. [PMID: 22253011 DOI: 10.1002/jso.23042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2011] [Accepted: 12/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malignant triton tumors (MTT) are a rare form of peripheral nerve sheath tumors that follows a particularly aggressive course. Given its rarity, only case reports and small series of patients have been published. METHODS A Pubmed search was conducted (1966-2009) using the terms "triton tumor," "rhabdomyosarcoma," and "malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor." The reference lists of retrieved articles were searched. Cases were included when the diagnosis was clear, the patient underwent surgery, and follow-up data were available. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted for predictors of positive resection margin, local recurrence/progression, development of metastases, and mortality. RESULTS A total of 124 cases were included. The overall 5-year survival was 14% and the median time to death was 13 months. The overall local recurrence/progression rate was 50% and the median time to recurrence/progression was 6 months. On multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis, positive margin status (HR 2.2, P = 0.01), local recurrence/progression (HR 3.1, P = 0.003), and development of metastases (HR 2.6, P = 0.003) were associated with mortality. Adjuvant radiotherapy was associated with improved survival (HR 0.4, P = 0.005). CONCLUSION Complete surgical resection and adjuvant radiotherapy should be the cornerstones of treatment for MTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yarrow J McConnell
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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Marcato P, Dean CA, Pan D, Araslanova R, Gillis M, Joshi M, Helyer L, Pan L, Leidal A, Gujar S, Giacomantonio CA, Lee PWK. Aldehyde dehydrogenase activity of breast cancer stem cells is primarily due to isoform ALDH1A3 and its expression is predictive of metastasis. Stem Cells 2011; 29:32-45. [PMID: 21280157 DOI: 10.1002/stem.563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 340] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are proposed to initiate cancer and propagate metastasis. Breast CSCs identified by aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity are highly tumorigenic in xenograft models. However, in patient breast tumor immunohistological studies, where CSCs are identified by expression of ALDH isoform ALDH1A1, CSC prevalence is not correlative with metastasis, raising some doubt as to the role of CSCs in cancer. We characterized the expression of all 19 ALDH isoforms in patient breast tumor CSCs and breast cancer cell lines by total genome microarray expression analysis, immunofluorescence protein expression studies, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. These studies revealed that ALDH activity of patient breast tumor CSCs and cell lines correlates best with expression of another isoform, ALDH1A3, not ALDH1A1. We performed shRNA knockdown experiments of the various ALDH isoforms and found that only ALDH1A3 knockdown uniformly reduced ALDH activity of breast cancer cells. Immunohistological studies with fixed patient breast tumor samples revealed that ALDH1A3 expression in patient breast tumors correlates significantly with tumor grade, metastasis, and cancer stage. Our results, therefore, identify ALDH1A3 as a novel CSC marker with potential clinical prognostic applicability, and demonstrate a clear correlation between CSC prevalence and the development of metastatic breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Marcato
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Marcato P, Dean CA, Giacomantonio CA, Lee PWK. Aldehyde dehydrogenase: its role as a cancer stem cell marker comes down to the specific isoform. Cell Cycle 2011; 10:1378-84. [PMID: 21552008 DOI: 10.4161/cc.10.9.15486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 387] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that enhanced aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity is a hallmark of cancer stem cells (CSC) measurable by the aldefluor assay. ALDH1A1, one of 19 ALDH isoforms expressed in humans, was generally believed to be responsible for the ALDH activity of CSCs. More recently, experiments with murine hematopoietic stem cells, murine progenitor pancreatic cells, and human breast CSCs indicate that other ALDH isoforms, particularly ALDH1A3, significantly contribute to aldefluor positivity, which may be tissue and cancer specific. Therefore, potential prognostic application involving the use of CSC prevalence in tumor tissue to predict patient outcome requires the identification and quantification of specific ALDH isoforms. Herein we review the suggested roles of ALDH in CSC biology and the immunohistological studies testing the potential application of ALDH isoforms as novel cancer prognostic indicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Marcato
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Novia Scotia, Canada
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Hilchie AL, Furlong SJ, Sutton K, Richardson A, Robichaud MRJ, Giacomantonio CA, Ridgway ND, Hoskin DW. Curcumin-induced apoptosis in PC3 prostate carcinoma cells is caspase-independent and involves cellular ceramide accumulation and damage to mitochondria. Nutr Cancer 2010; 62:379-89. [PMID: 20358476 DOI: 10.1080/01635580903441238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Curcumin, the principal curcuminoid of tumeric, has potent anticancer activity. To determine the mechanism of curcumin-induced cytotoxicity in prostate cancer cells, we exposed PC3 prostate carcinoma cells to 25 to 100 microM curcumin for 24 to 72 h. Curcumin treatment of PC3 cells caused time- and dose-dependent induction of apoptosis and depletion of cellular reduced glutathione (GSH). Exogenous GSH and its precursor N-acetyl-cysteine, but not ascorbic acid (AA) or ebselen, decreased curcumin accumulation in PC3 cells and also prevented curcumin-induced DNA fragmentation. The failure of AA and ebselen to protect PC3 cells from curcumin-induced apoptosis argued against the involvement of reactive oxygen species; rather, GSH-mediated inhibition of curcumin-induced cytotoxicity was due to reduced curcumin accumulation in PC3 cells. Curcumin-treated PC3 cells showed apoptosis-inducing cellular ceramide accumulation and activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 were activated, and cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) were released from mitochondria following curcumin treatment. Interestingly, curcumin-induced apoptosis was not prevented by p38 MAPK, JNK, or caspase inhibition. We conclude that curcumin-induced cytotoxicity was due to cellular ceramide accumulation and damage to mitochondria that resulted in apoptosis mediated by AIF and other caspase-independent processes.
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Watson JL, Hill R, Yaffe PB, Greenshields A, Walsh M, Lee PW, Giacomantonio CA, Hoskin DW. Curcumin causes superoxide anion production and p53-independent apoptosis in human colon cancer cells. Cancer Lett 2010; 297:1-8. [PMID: 20472336 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2010.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2010] [Revised: 04/07/2010] [Accepted: 04/08/2010] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Curcumin from the rhizome of theCurcuma longa plant has chemopreventative activity and inhibits the growth of neoplastic cells. Since p53 has been suggested to be important for anticancer activity by curcumin, we investigated curcumin-induced cytotoxicity in cultures of p53(+/+) and p53(-/-) HCT-116 colon cancer cells, as well as mutant p53 HT-29 colon cancer cells. Curcumin killed wild-type p53 HCT-116 cells and mutant p53 HT-29 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, curcumin-treated p53(+/+) HCT-116 cells and mutant p53 HT-29 cells showed upregulation of total and activated p53, as well as increased expression of p53-regulated p21, PUMA (p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis), and Bax; however, an equivalent cytotoxic effect by curcumin was observed in p53(+/+) and p53(-/-) HCT-116 cells, demonstrating that curcumin-induced cytotoxicity was independent of p53 status. Similar results were obtained when the cytotoxic effect of curcumin was assessed in wild-type p53 HCT-116 cells after siRNA-mediated p53 knockdown. Chromatin condensation, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 cleavage and reduced pro-caspase-3 levels in curcumin-treated p53(+/+) and p53(-/-) HCT-116 cells suggested that curcumin caused apoptosis. In addition, exposure to curcumin resulted in superoxide anion production and phosphorylation of oxidative stress proteins in p53(+/+) and p53(-/-) HCT-116 cells. Collectively, our results indicate that, despite p53 upregulation and activation, curcumin-induced apoptosis in colon cancer cells was independent of p53 status and involved oxidative stress. Curcumin may therefore have therapeutic potential in the management of colon cancer, especially in tumorsthatare resistant to conventional chemotherapydue todefects inp53 expression or function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane L Watson
- Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Marcato P, Dean CA, Giacomantonio CA, Lee PWK. If cancer stem cells are resistant to current therapies, what's next? Future Oncol 2010; 5:747-50. [PMID: 19663722 DOI: 10.2217/fon.09.58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
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Watson JL, Greenshields A, Hill R, Hilchie A, Lee PW, Giacomantonio CA, Hoskin DW. Curcumin-induced apoptosis in ovarian carcinoma cells is p53-independent and involves p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation and downregulation of Bcl-2 and survivin expression and Akt signaling. Mol Carcinog 2009; 49:13-24. [DOI: 10.1002/mc.20571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Conrad DM, Robichaud MRJ, Mader JS, Boudreau RTM, Richardson AM, Giacomantonio CA, Hoskin DW. 2-Chloro-2'-deoxyadenosine-induced apoptosis in T leukemia cells is mediated via a caspase-3-dependent mitochondrial feedback amplification loop. Int J Oncol 2008; 32:1325-33. [PMID: 18497995 DOI: 10.3892/ijo_32_6_1325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
2-Chloro-2'-deoxyadenosine (CdA; cladribine) is a chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of certain leukemias. However, the signalling events that govern CdA-mediated cytotoxicity in leukemia cells remain unclear. We show here that CdA treatment caused Jurkat human T leukemia cells to die via apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Bcl-2 overexpression protected Jurkat T leukemia cells from CdA-induced apoptosis and loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (Delta Psi m). Furthermore, mitochondria that were isolated from Jurkat T leukemia cells and then exposed to CdA showed a loss of Delta Psi m, indicating that CdA directly compromised outer mitochondrial membrane integrity. CdA treatment of Jurkat T leukemia cells resulted in the activation of caspase-3, -8, and -9, while inhibition of these caspases prevented the CdA-induced loss of Delta Psi m, as well as DNA fragmentation. In addition, caspase-3 inhibition prevented caspase-8 activation while caspase-8 inhibition prevented caspase-9 activation. Death receptor signalling was not involved in CdA-induced apoptosis since cytotoxicity was not affected by FADD-deficiency or antibody neutralization of either Fas ligand or tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). Taken together, these data suggested that CdA-induced apoptosis in Jurkat T leukemia cells was mediated via a caspase-3-dependent mitochondrial feedback amplification loop. CdA treatment also increased p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation in Jurkat T leukemia cells. Although ERK1/2 inhibition did not affect CdA-mediated cytotoxicity, inhibition of p38 MAPK had an enhancing effect, which suggested a cytoprotective function for p38 MAPK. Agents that inhibit p38 MAPK might therefore increase the effectiveness of CdA-based chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Conrad
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1X5, Canada
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Watson JL, Hill R, Lee PW, Giacomantonio CA, Hoskin DW. Curcumin induces apoptosis in HCT-116 human colon cancer cells in a p21-independent manner. Exp Mol Pathol 2008; 84:230-3. [PMID: 18423603 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2008.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2008] [Accepted: 02/11/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Several micronutrients present in fruits and vegetables exhibit anticancer activity as a result of their actions on molecular targets involved in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Curcumin, a phenolic phytochemical derived from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, exhibits both cancer-preventative activity and growth inhibitory effects on neoplastic cells. Several studies report that curcumin inhibits cancer cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in cancer cells through p21-mediated cell cycle arrest. Cancer cells that are deficient in p21 are also reported to be more prone to undergo apoptosis in response to a variety of cytotoxic agents. In this study, we determined whether curcumin-induced cytotoxicity in cultures of HCT-116 human colon cancer cells was dependent on p21 status. Curcumin killed wild-type HCT-116 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, as measured in an MTT cell viability assay. Moreover, an equivalent cytotoxic effect by curcumin was observed in both p21(+/+) and p21(-/-)HCT-116 cells, indicating that curcumin-induced cytotoxicity was p21-independent. Primary cultures of human dermal fibroblasts were less sensitive than HCT-116 colon cancer cells to lower doses of curcumin, suggesting a degree of selectivity for neoplastic cells. Western blot analysis showed that cell death in curcumin-treated cultures of p21(+/+) and p21(-/-) HCT-116 cells was associated with a reduction in pro-caspase-3 and PARP-1 cleavage, which are indicative of apoptosis. We conclude that curcumin-induced apoptosis in HCT-116 colon cancer cells does not depend on p21 status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane L Watson
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Tatlidil C, Parkhill WS, Giacomantonio CA, Greer WL, Morris SF, Walsh NMG. Detection of tyrosinase mRNA in the sentinel lymph nodes of melanoma patients is not a predictor of short-term disease recurrence. Mod Pathol 2007; 20:427-34. [PMID: 17334354 DOI: 10.1038/modpathol.3800754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Sentinel lymph node evaluation has enabled identification of patients with cutaneous melanoma who might benefit from elective regional lymph node dissection. Sentinel nodes are currently assessed by histologic and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) evaluation for melanocyte-specific markers. The clinical significance of positive findings by RT-PCR in the absence of histologic evidence of metastasis (HIS(NEG)/PCR(POS)) remains unclear. Examination of 264 lymph nodes from 139 patients revealed histopathologic positivity in 34 patients (24.5%), in which 26 also demonstrated simultaneous RT-PCR positivity (HIS(POS)/PCR(POS)). Of 35 HIS(NEG)/PCR(POS) patients (25.2%), five also had nodal capsular nevi. In total, capsular nevi were detected in 13 patients (9.4%). A total of 70 patients (50.4%) had negative sentinel nodes by both histopathology and RT-PCR (HIS(NEG)/PCR(NEG)). Over a median follow-up of 25 months, local and/or systemic recurrence developed in 31 patients (22.3%). Recurrence rates were similar among patients with histopathologic evidence of sentinel lymph node metastasis, irrespective of RT-PCR status (HIS(POS)/PCR(POS) 62%; HIS(POS)/PCR(NEG) 75%). In contrast, only 10% of HIS(NEG)/PCR(NEG) patients developed recurrence, significantly less than those in either HIS(POS) group (P<0.0001). Recurrence in the HIS(NEG)/PCR(POS)/CN(NEG) group (7.7%) was comparable to that in HIS(NEG)/PCR(NEG) patients and significantly lower than that in either HIS(POS) group (P<0.0001). The only independent prognostic factors identified by multivariate analysis were the Breslow thickness of the primary tumour and histopathologic positivity of sentinel nodes. Our findings support previous observations that histopathologic evidence of metastatic melanoma in sentinel lymph nodes is an independent predictor of disease recurrence. In contrast, detection of tyrosinase mRNA by RT-PCR alone does not appear to increase the likelihood of short-term disease recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuneyt Tatlidil
- Department of Pathology, Capital District Health Authority, Halifax, NS, Canada
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Tarrant JP, Walsh MJ, Blanchard MC, Lee TDG, Hoskin DW, Giacomantonio CA. Reduced tumorigenicity of B16-F10 mouse melanoma cells transfected with mycobacterial antigen 85A. Int J Oncol 2004; 25:1693-9. [PMID: 15547707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy based on the administration of the mycobacterium bacillus Calmette-Guerin has been successfully used in the treatment of in situ transitional cell bladder cancer, and may be applicable to the treatment of cutaneous malignant melanoma. Antigen 85A (Ag85A) and heat shock protein 65 kDa (hsp65) are major secreted proteins of Mycobacterium species and potent stimulators of cell-mediated immunity. This study evaluated the ability of Ag85A and hsp65 gene transfection to limit tumor growth by B16-F10 mouse melanoma cells. Immunoblotting confirmed protein expression and secretion by B16-F10 cells that were transiently transfected with plasmid DNA containing the Ag85A or hsp65 gene. Groups of syngeneic C57BL/6 mice were injected subcutaneously with 1x10(5) untransfected B16-F10 cells or B16-F10 cells transiently transfected with either empty vector or vector containing the Ag85A or hsp65 gene. Ag85A-expressing B16-F10 cells exhibited a dramatic 76% reduction (p<0.05, Mann-Whitney U test) in tumor weight in comparison to empty vector controls at 14 days post-inoculation. In contrast, hsp65-transfected B16-F10 cells did not show any change in tumorigenicity. Decreased tumorigenicity by Ag85A-transfected B16-F10 cells was not due to a reduced ability of Ag85A-transfected B16-F10 cells to proliferate since both mock- and Ag85A-transfected B16-F10 cells showed increased in vitro proliferation in comparison to untransfected cells. Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that Ag85A-transfected B16-F10 tumors contained an inflammatory leukocyte infiltrate that was not present in hsp65-transfected tumors. Reduced tumor progression by Ag85A-transfected B16-F10 melanoma cells suggests that immunotherapy based on the transient induction of Ag85A expression may be an effective approach for the treatment of cutaneous malignant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian P Tarrant
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 1X5, Canada
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Giacomantonio CA, Temple WJ. Quality of cancer surgery: challenges and controversies. Surg Oncol Clin N Am 2000; 9:51-60, vii. [PMID: 10601524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
It is generally accepted that the quality of cancer surgery delivered to a patient impacts the patient's overall prognosis significantly. Often, the fact that all surgery and surgeons are not equal is not considered. Furthermore, it should not be assumed that surgeons who perform a particular operation frequently perform it better. Using breast cancer, melanoma, and colorectal cancer as examples, this article illustrates that proper surgical education and training are paramount in assuring that both the selection and delivery of a particular procedure is appropriate in the management of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Giacomantonio
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Koulack J, McAlister VC, Giacomantonio CA, Bitter-Suermann H, MacDonald AS, Lee TD. Development of a mouse aortic transplant model of chronic rejection. Microsurgery 1995; 16:110-3. [PMID: 7783601 DOI: 10.1002/micr.1920160213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Chronic rejection is the most common cause of late graft failure after solid organ transplantation. A model of chronic rejection, the rat aortic allograft, has histologic features that parallel those in the vessels of human transplanted organs. However, the molecular tools required to dissect the immunology of chronic rejection are unavailable in the rat. We developed aortic transplantation in the mouse as a new model of chronic rejection. This will allow the use of the diversity of recombinant cytokines and monoclonal antibodies available for the mouse and its well-defined genetics to investigate chronic rejection in greater detail. We describe the perioperative care and surgical technique for the model in which a 1 cm segment of donor thoracic aorta was used to replace a section of recipient abdominal aorta below the renal arteries and above the aortic bifurcation. Mortality rates were initially high (70%) due to thrombosis and shock. Changes in technique and operator facility resulted in a high rate of success (75%). After 192 operations, the current success rate is > 80%. Mice free from complications at 12 hrs postop had indefinite survival, and after 2 months the typical vascular lesion of chronic rejection was present. This new model of chronic rejection will be a valuable tool to study the molecular immunology and genetics of chronic rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Koulack
- Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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