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Beylerli O, Shi H, Begliarzade S, Shumadalova A, Ilyasova T, Sufianov A. MiRNAs as new potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in brain metastasis. Noncoding RNA Res 2024; 9:678-686. [PMID: 38577014 PMCID: PMC10987301 DOI: 10.1016/j.ncrna.2024.02.014] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Brain metastases represent a formidable challenge in cancer management, impacting a significant number of patients and contributing significantly to cancer-related mortality. Conventional diagnostic methods frequently fall short, underscoring the imperative for non-invasive alternatives. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), specifically microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), present promising avenues for exploration. These ncRNAs exert influence over the prognosis and treatment resistance of brain metastases, offering valuable insights into underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. Dysregulated ncRNAs have been identified in brain metastases originating from various primary cancers, unveiling opportunities for intervention and prevention. The analysis of ncRNA expression in bodily fluids, such as serum and cerebrospinal fluid, provides a noninvasive means to differentiate brain metastases from primary tumors. NcRNAs, particularly miRNAs, assume a pivotal role in orchestrating the immune response within the brain microenvironment. MiRNAs exhibit promise in diagnosing brain metastases, effectively distinguishing between normal and cancer cells, and pinpointing the tissue of origin for metastatic brain tumors. The manipulation of miRNAs holds substantial potential in cancer treatment, offering the prospect of reducing toxicity and enhancing efficacy. Given the limited treatment options and the formidable threat of brain metastases in cancer patients, non-coding RNAs, especially miRNAs, emerge as beacons of hope, serving as both diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets. Further clinical studies are imperative to validate the specificity and sensitivity of ncRNAs, potentially reshaping approaches to tackle this challenge and elevate treatment outcomes for affected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozal Beylerli
- Central Research Laboratory, Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Republic of Bashkortostan, 3 Lenin Street, 450008, Russia
| | - Huaizhang Shi
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Youzheng Street 23, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150001, China
| | - Sema Begliarzade
- Department of Oncology, Radiology and Radiotherapy, Tyumen State Medical University, 54 Odesskaya Street, 625023, Tyumen, Russia
| | - Alina Shumadalova
- Department of General Chemistry, Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Republic of Bashkortostan, 3 Lenin Street, 450008, Russia
| | - Tatiana Ilyasova
- Department of Internal Diseases, Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Republic of Bashkortostan, 450008, Russia
| | - Albert Sufianov
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119992, Russia
- Educational and Scientific Institute of Neurosurgery, Рeoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya St, Moscow, 117198, Russia
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Alqualo NO, Campos-Fernandez E, Picolo BU, Ferreira EL, Henriques LM, Lorenti S, Moreira DC, Simião MPS, Oliveira LBT, Alonso-Goulart V. Molecular biomarkers in prostate cancer tumorigenesis and clinical relevance. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 194:104232. [PMID: 38101717 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104232] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most frequent type of cancer in men and assessing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) by liquid biopsy is a promising tool to help in cancer early detection, staging, risk of recurrence evaluation, treatment prediction and monitoring. Blood-based liquid biopsy approaches enable the enrichment, detection and characterization of CTCs by biomarker analysis. Hence, comprehending the molecular markers, their role on each stage of cancer development and progression is essential to provide information that can help in future implementation of these biomarkers in clinical assistance. In this review, we studied the molecular markers most associated with PCa CTCs to better understand their function on tumorigenesis and metastatic cascade, the methodologies utilized to analyze these biomarkers and their clinical significance, in order to summarize the available information to guide researchers in their investigations, new hypothesis formulation and target choice for the development of new diagnostic and treatment tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalia Oliveira Alqualo
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Prof. Dr. Luiz Ricardo Goulart Filho, Institute of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlandia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Esther Campos-Fernandez
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Prof. Dr. Luiz Ricardo Goulart Filho, Institute of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlandia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Bianca Uliana Picolo
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Prof. Dr. Luiz Ricardo Goulart Filho, Institute of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlandia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Emanuelle Lorrayne Ferreira
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Prof. Dr. Luiz Ricardo Goulart Filho, Institute of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlandia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Laila Machado Henriques
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Prof. Dr. Luiz Ricardo Goulart Filho, Institute of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlandia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Sabrina Lorenti
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Prof. Dr. Luiz Ricardo Goulart Filho, Institute of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlandia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Danilo Caixeta Moreira
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Prof. Dr. Luiz Ricardo Goulart Filho, Institute of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlandia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Maria Paula Silva Simião
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Prof. Dr. Luiz Ricardo Goulart Filho, Institute of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlandia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Luciana Beatriz Tiago Oliveira
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Prof. Dr. Luiz Ricardo Goulart Filho, Institute of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlandia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Vivian Alonso-Goulart
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Prof. Dr. Luiz Ricardo Goulart Filho, Institute of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlandia, MG 38400-902, Brazil.
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Witz A, Dardare J, Betz M, Gilson P, Merlin JL, Harlé A. Tumor-derived cell-free DNA and circulating tumor cells: partners or rivals in metastasis formation? Clin Exp Med 2024; 24:2. [PMID: 38231464 PMCID: PMC10794481 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-023-01278-9] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
The origin of metastases is a topic that has sparked controversy. Despite recent advancements, metastatic disease continues to pose challenges. The first admitted model of how metastases develop revolves around cells breaking away from the primary tumor, known as circulating tumor cells (CTCs). These cells survive while circulating through the bloodstream and subsequently establish themselves in secondary organs, a process often referred to as the "metastatic cascade". This intricate and dynamic process involves various steps, but all the mechanisms behind metastatic dissemination are not yet comprehensively elucidated. The "seed and soil" theory has shed light on the phenomenon of metastatic organotropism and the existence of pre-metastatic niches. It is now established that these niches can be primed by factors secreted by the primary tumor before the arrival of CTCs. In particular, exosomes have been identified as important contributors to this priming. Another concept then emerged, i.e. the "genometastasis" theory, which challenged all other postulates. It emphasizes the intriguing but promising role of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in metastasis formation through oncogenic formation of recipient cells. However, it cannot be ruled out that all these theories are intertwined. This review outlines the primary theories regarding the metastases formation that involve CTCs, and depicts cfDNA, a potential second player in the metastasis formation. We discuss the potential interrelationships between CTCs and cfDNA, and propose both in vitro and in vivo experimental strategies to explore all plausible theories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andréa Witz
- Département de Biopathologie, Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine, CNRS UMR 7039 CRAN-Université de Lorraine, 6 avenue de Bourgogne, 54519, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy Cedex, France.
| | - Julie Dardare
- Département de Biopathologie, Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine, CNRS UMR 7039 CRAN-Université de Lorraine, 6 avenue de Bourgogne, 54519, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy Cedex, France
| | - Margaux Betz
- Département de Biopathologie, Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine, CNRS UMR 7039 CRAN-Université de Lorraine, 6 avenue de Bourgogne, 54519, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy Cedex, France
| | - Pauline Gilson
- Département de Biopathologie, Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine, CNRS UMR 7039 CRAN-Université de Lorraine, 6 avenue de Bourgogne, 54519, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy Cedex, France
| | - Jean-Louis Merlin
- Département de Biopathologie, Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine, CNRS UMR 7039 CRAN-Université de Lorraine, 6 avenue de Bourgogne, 54519, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy Cedex, France
| | - Alexandre Harlé
- Département de Biopathologie, Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine, CNRS UMR 7039 CRAN-Université de Lorraine, 6 avenue de Bourgogne, 54519, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy Cedex, France
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Schegoleva AA, Khozyainova AA, Gerashchenko TS, Zhuikova LD, Denisov EV. Metastasis prevention: targeting causes and roots. Clin Exp Metastasis 2022. [PMID: 35347574 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-022-10162-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The spread of tumor cells from the primary focus, metastasis, is the main cause of cancer mortality. Therefore, anticancer therapy should be focused on the prevention of metastatic disease. Key targets can be conditions in the primary tumor that are favorable for the appearance of metastatic cells and the first steps of the metastatic cascade. Here, we discuss different approaches for targeting metastasis causes (hypoxia, metabolism changes, and tumor microenvironment) and roots (angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration, and invasion). Also, we emphasize the challenges of the existing approaches for metastasis prevention and suggest opportunities to overcome them. In conclusion, we highlight the importance of clinical evaluation of the agents showing antimetastatic effects in vivo, especially in patients with early-stage cancers, the identification of metastatic seeds, and the development of therapeutics for their eradication.
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Wu J, Long Y, Li M, He Q. Emerging nanomedicine-based therapeutics for hematogenous metastatic cascade inhibition: Interfering with the crosstalk between "seed and soil". Acta Pharm Sin B 2021; 11:2286-305. [PMID: 34522588 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2020.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite considerable progresses in cancer treatment, tumor metastasis is still a thorny issue, which leads to majority of cancer-related deaths. In hematogenous metastasis, the concept of “seed and soil” suggests that the crosstalk between cancer cells (seeds) and premetastatic niche (soil) facilitates tumor metastasis. Considerable efforts have been dedicated to inhibit the tumor metastatic cascade, which is a highly complicated process involving various pathways and biological events. Nonetheless, satisfactory therapeutic outcomes are rarely observed, since it is a great challenge to thwart this multi-phase process. Recent advances in nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems have shown great potential in the field of anti-metastasis, especially compared with conventional treatment methods, which are limited by serious side effects and poor efficacy. In this review, we summarized various factors involved in each phase of the metastatic cascade ranging from the metastasis initiation to colonization. Then we reviewed current approaches of targeting these factors to stifle the metastatic cascade, including modulating primary tumor microenvironment, targeting circulating tumor cells, regulating premetastatic niche and eliminating established metastasis. Additionally, we highlighted the multi-phase targeted drug delivery systems, which hold a better chance to inhibit metastasis. Besides, we demonstrated the limitation and future perspectives of nanomedicine-based anti-metastasis strategies.
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Kemper M, Schiecke A, Maar H, Nikulin S, Poloznikov A, Galatenko V, Tachezy M, Gebauer F, Lange T, Riecken K, Tonevitsky A, Aigner A, Izbicki J, Schumacher U, Wicklein D. Integrin alpha-V is an important driver in pancreatic adenocarcinoma progression. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:214. [PMID: 34174926 PMCID: PMC8235815 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01946-2] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Background Mesothelial E- and P-selectins substantially mediate the intraperitoneal spread of Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) cells in xenograft models. In the absence of selectins in the host, the integrin subunit alpha-V (ITGAV, CD51) was upregulated in the remaining metastatic deposits. Here we present the first experimental study to investigate if ITGAV plays a functional role in PDA tumor growth and progression with a particular focus on intraperitoneal carcinomatosis. Methods Knockdown of ITGAV was generated using an RNA interference-mediated approach in two PDA cell lines. Tumor growth, intraperitoneal and distant metastasis were analyzed in a xenograft model. Cell lines were characterized in vitro. Gene expression of the xenograft tumors was analyzed. Patient samples were histologically classified and associations to survival were evaluated. Results The knockdown of ITGAV in PDA cells strongly reduces primary tumor growth, peritoneal carcinomatosis and spontaneous pulmonary metastasis. ITGAV activates latent TGF-β and thereby drives epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Combined depletion of ITGAV on the tumor cells and E- and P-selectins in the tumor-host synergistically almost abolishes intraperitoneal spread. Accordingly, high expression of ITGAV in PDA cells was associated with reduced survival in patients. Conclusion Combined depletion of ITGAV in PDA cells and E- and P-selectins in host mice massively suppresses intraperitoneal carcinomatosis of PDA cells xenografted into immunodeficient mice, confirming the hypothesis of a partly redundant adhesion cascade of metastasizing cancer cells. Our data strongly encourage developing novel therapeutic approaches for the combined targeting of E- and P-selectins and ITGAV in PDA. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-021-01946-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Kemper
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany. .,Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, University Medical-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Alina Schiecke
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, University Medical-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hanna Maar
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, University Medical-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sergey Nikulin
- Dmitry Rogachev Federal Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey Poloznikov
- Dmitry Rogachev Federal Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir Galatenko
- Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Michael Tachezy
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Florian Gebauer
- Department of General, Visceral and Tumor Surgery, University Hospital Cologne, Köln, Germany
| | - Tobias Lange
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, University Medical-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kristoffer Riecken
- Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Tonevitsky
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Higher School of Economics University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Achim Aigner
- Rudolf-Boehm-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Clinical Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jakob Izbicki
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Udo Schumacher
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, University Medical-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Wicklein
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, University Medical-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Rhodes A, Hillen T. A mathematical model for the immune-mediated theory of metastasis. J Theor Biol 2019; 482:109999. [PMID: 31493486 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2019.109999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating experimental and clinical evidence suggest that the immune response to cancer is not exclusively anti-tumor. Indeed, the pro-tumor roles of the immune system - as suppliers of growth and pro-angiogenic factors or defenses against cytotoxic immune attacks, for example - have been long appreciated, but relatively few theoretical works have considered their effects. Inspired by the recently proposed "immune-mediated" theory of metastasis, we develop a mathematical model for tumor-immune interactions at two anatomically distant sites, which includes both anti- and pro-tumor immune effects, and the experimentally observed tumor-induced phenotypic plasticity of immune cells (tumor "education" of the immune cells). Upon confrontation of our model to experimental data, we use it to evaluate the implications of the immune-mediated theory of metastasis. We find that tumor education of immune cells may explain the relatively poor performance of immunotherapies, and that many metastatic phenomena, including metastatic blow-up, dormancy, and metastasis to sites of injury, can be explained by the immune-mediated theory of metastasis. Our results suggest that further work is warranted to fully elucidate the pro-tumor effects of the immune system in metastatic cancer.
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Hill BS, Sarnella A, D'Avino G, Zannetti A. Recruitment of stromal cells into tumour microenvironment promote the metastatic spread of breast cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 60:202-213. [PMID: 31377307 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [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: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Currently, metastasis remains the primary cause of death of patients with breast cancer despite the important advances in the treatment of this disease. In the complex tumour microenvironment network, several malignant and non-malignant cell types as well as components of extracellular matrix cooperate in promoting the metastatic spread of breast carcinoma. Many components of the stromal compartment are recruited from distant sites to the tumour including mesenchymal stem cells, endothelial cells, macrophages and other immune cells whereas other cells such as fibroblasts are already present in both primary and secondary lesions. When these cells come into contact with cancer cells they are "educated" and acquire a pro-tumoural phenotype, which support all the steps of the metastatic cascade. In this Review, we highlight the role played by each stromal component in guiding cancer cells in their venture towards colonizing metastatic sites.
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Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) constitutes the scaffold of tissues and organs. It is a complex network of extracellular proteins, proteoglycans and glycoproteins, which form supramolecular aggregates, such as fibrils and sheet-like networks. In addition to its biochemical composition, including the covalent intermolecular cross-linkages, the ECM is also characterized by its biophysical parameters, such as topography, molecular density, stiffness/rigidity and tension. Taking these biochemical and biophysical parameters into consideration, the ECM is very versatile and undergoes constant remodeling. This review focusses on this remodeling of the ECM under the influence of a primary solid tumor mass. Within this tumor stroma, not only the cancer cells but also the resident fibroblasts, which differentiate into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), modify the ECM. Growth factors and chemokines, which are tethered to and released from the ECM, as well as metabolic changes of the cells within the tumor bulk, add to the tumor-supporting tumor microenvironment. Metastasizing cancer cells from a primary tumor mass infiltrate into the ECM, which variably may facilitate cancer cell migration or act as barrier, which has to be proteolytically breached by the infiltrating tumor cell. The biochemical and biophysical properties therefore determine the rates and routes of metastatic dissemination. Moreover, primed by soluble factors of the primary tumor, the ECM of distant organs may be remodeled in a way to facilitate the engraftment of metastasizing cancer cells. Such premetastatic niches are responsible for the organotropic preference of certain cancer entities to colonize at certain sites in distant organs and to establish a metastasis. Translational application of our knowledge about the cancer-primed ECM is sparse with respect to therapeutic approaches, whereas tumor-induced ECM alterations such as increased tissue stiffness and desmoplasia, as well as breaching the basement membrane are hallmark of malignancy and diagnostically and histologically harnessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes A Eble
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Münster, Waldeyerstr. 15, 48149, Münster, Germany.
| | - Stephan Niland
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Münster, Waldeyerstr. 15, 48149, Münster, Germany
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Abstract
Approximately a decade ago the first MicroRNAs (MiRNAs) participating in cancer metastasis were identified and metastmiRs were initially only a handful. Since those first reports, MiRNA research has explosively thrived, mainly due to their revolutionary mechanism of action and the hope of having at hand a novel tool to control cancer aggressiveness. This has ultimately led to delineate an almost impenetrable regulatory network: hundreds of MiRNAs transversally dominating every aspect of normal and cancer biology, each MiRNA having hundreds of targets and context-dependent activity. Providing a comprehensive description of MiRNA roles in cancer metastasis is a daunting task; nevertheless, we still believe that grasping the big picture of MiRNAs in cancer metastasis can give a different perspective on the potential insights and approaches that MiRNAs can offer to understand cancer complexity (e.g., as predictive and prognostic markers) and to tackle cancer metastasis (e.g., as therapeutic targets or tools). This chapter presents a schematic overview of the role of MiRNAs in governing cancer metastasis, describing step by step the cellular and molecular processes whereby cancer cells conquer distant organs and can grow as secondary tumors at different distant sites, and for each step, we will introduce how MiRNAs impinge on each one of them. We deeply apologize with our colleagues for any of their research work that, for clarity, for our effort to streamline and due to space limitations, we did not cite.
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Abstract
Solid tumor dissemination from the primary site to the sites of metastasis involves tumor cell transport through the blood or lymph circulation systems. Once the tumor cells enter the bloodstream, they encounter a new hostile microenvironment. The cells must withstand hemodynamic forces and overcome the effects of fluid shear. The cells are exposed to immunological signaling insults from leukocytes, to collisions with erythrocytes, and to interactions with platelets or macrophages. Finally, the cells need to attach to the blood vessel walls and extravasate to the surrounding stroma to form tumor metastases. Although only a small fraction of invasive cells is able to complete the metastatic process, most cancer-related deaths are the result of tumor metastasis. Thus, investigating the intracellular properties of circulating tumor cells and the extracellular conditions that allow the tumor cells to survive and thrive in this microenvironment is of vital interest. In this chapter, we discuss the intravascular microenvironment that the circulating tumor cells must endure. We summarize the current experimental and computational literature on tumor cells in the circulation system. We also illustrate various aspects of the intravascular transport of circulating tumor cells using a mathematical model based on immersed boundary principles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna A Rejniak
- Integrated Mathematical Oncology Department, Center of Excellence in Cancer Imaging and Technology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA. .,Department of Oncologic Sciences, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
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Samatov TR, Shkurnikov MU, Tonevitskaya SA, Tonevitsky AG. Modelling the metastatic cascade by in vitro microfluidic platforms. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 49:21-9. [PMID: 25759320 DOI: 10.1016/j.proghi.2015.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The metastatic cascade comprises the following steps in sequential manner: the future metastatic cell has to leave the primary tumor mass, degrade the surrounding extracellular matrix, extravasate and circulate within in the bloodstream. Thereafter it has to attach to the endothelium of a target organ, intravasate into the connective tissue and has to proliferate to form a clinically detectable metastasis. We overview the in vitro microfluidic platforms modelling the metastatic cascade and the evolution towards systems capable of recapitulating all the steps by a single comprehensive model.
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Paschos KA, Majeed AW, Bird NC. Natural history of hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer - pathobiological pathways with clinical significance. World J Gastroenterol 2014; 20:3719-3737. [PMID: 24744570 PMCID: PMC3983432 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i14.3719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2013] [Revised: 11/12/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer hepatic metastases represent the final stage of a multi-step biological process. This process starts with a series of mutations in colonic epithelial cells, continues with their detachment from the large intestine, dissemination through the blood and/or lymphatic circulation, attachment to the hepatic sinusoids and interactions with the sinusoidal cells, such as sinusoidal endothelial cells, Kupffer cells, stellate cells and pit cells. The metastatic sequence terminates with colorectal cancer cell invasion, adaptation and colonisation of the hepatic parenchyma. All these events, termed the colorectal cancer invasion-metastasis cascade, include multiple molecular pathways, intercellular interactions and expression of a plethora of chemokines and growth factors, and adhesion molecules, such as the selectins, the integrins or the cadherins, as well as enzymes including matrix metalloproteinases. This review aims to present recent advances that provide insights into these cell-biological events and emphasizes those that may be amenable to therapeutic targeting.
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Fernández-Antón Martínez MC, Parra-Blanco V, Avilés Izquierdo JA, Suárez Fernández RM. Cutaneous metastases of internal tumors. Actas Dermosifiliogr 2012; 104:841-53. [PMID: 22853962 DOI: 10.1016/j.ad.2012.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 12/06/2011] [Revised: 05/23/2012] [Accepted: 06/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous metastases are relatively rare in clinical practice and their diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion because clinical findings can be subtle. These metastases reveal the presence of disseminated malignant disease and can lead to the diagnosis of unsuspected internal tumors or the spread or recurrence of an already diagnosed tumor. Early recognition of cutaneous metastases can facilitate prompt and accurate diagnosis resulting in early treatment; however, they are generally indicative of a poor prognosis. Some tumors have a predilection to metastasize to specific areas. Recognition of these patterns provides essential information that can guide the search for the underlying tumor.
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