scholarly journals Tumor quiescence: elevating SOX2 in diverse tumor cell types downregulates a broad spectrum of the cell cycle machinery and inhibits tumor growth

BMC Cancer ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethan P. Metz ◽  
Erin L. Wuebben ◽  
Phillip J. Wilder ◽  
Jesse L. Cox ◽  
Kaustubh Datta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Tumor Cell ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cell Cycle Machinery

Abstract Background Quiescent tumor cells pose a major clinical challenge due to their ability to resist conventional chemotherapies and to drive tumor recurrence. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that promote quiescence of tumor cells could help identify therapies to eliminate these cells. Significantly, recent studies have determined that the function of SOX2 in cancer cells is highly dose dependent. Specifically, SOX2 levels in tumor cells are optimized to promote tumor growth: knocking down or elevating SOX2 inhibits proliferation. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that quiescent tumor cells express higher levels of SOX2 compared to adjacent proliferating cells. Currently, the mechanisms through which elevated levels of SOX2 restrict tumor cell proliferation have not been characterized. Methods To understand how elevated levels of SOX2 restrict the proliferation of tumor cells, we engineered diverse types of tumor cells for inducible overexpression of SOX2. Using these cells, we examined the effects of elevating SOX2 on their proliferation, both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we examined how elevating SOX2 influences their expression of cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), and p27Kip1. Results Elevating SOX2 in diverse tumor cell types led to growth inhibition in vitro. Significantly, elevating SOX2 in vivo in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, medulloblastoma, and prostate cancer cells induced a reversible state of tumor growth arrest. In all three tumor types, elevation of SOX2 in vivo quickly halted tumor growth. Remarkably, tumor growth resumed rapidly when SOX2 returned to endogenous levels. We also determined that elevation of SOX2 in six tumor cell lines decreased the levels of cyclins and CDKs that control each phase of the cell cycle, while upregulating p27Kip1. Conclusions Our findings indicate that elevating SOX2 above endogenous levels in a diverse set of tumor cell types leads to growth inhibition both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, our findings indicate that SOX2 can function as a master regulator by controlling the expression of a broad spectrum of cell cycle machinery. Importantly, our SOX2-inducible tumor studies provide a novel model system for investigating the molecular mechanisms by which elevated levels of SOX2 restrict cell proliferation and tumor growth.

scholarly journals Tumor cell-intrinsic PD-1 receptor is a tumor suppressor and mediates resistance to PD-1 blockade therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (12) ◽  
pp. 6640-6650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaodong Wang ◽  
Xiaohui Yang ◽  
Chang Zhang ◽  
Yang Wang ◽  
Tianyou Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Tumor Suppressor ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Tumor Cell ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Colony Formation ◽  
Immune Escape ◽  
Potential Biomarker

The programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) receptor on the surface of immune cells is an immune checkpoint molecule that mediates the immune escape of tumor cells. Consequently, antibodies targeting PD-1 have shown efficacy in enhancing the antitumor activity of T cells in some types of cancers. However, the potential effects of PD-1 on tumor cells remain largely unknown. Here, we show that PD-1 is expressed across a broad range of tumor cells. The silencing of PD-1 or its ligand, PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1), promotes cell proliferation and colony formation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Conversely, overexpression of PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibits tumor cell proliferation and colony formation. Moreover, blocking antibodies targeting PD-1 or PD-L1 promote tumor growth in cell cultures and xenografts. Mechanistically, the coordination of PD-1 and PD-L1 activates its major downstream signaling pathways including the AKT and ERK1/2 pathways, thus enhancing tumor cell growth. This study demonstrates that PD-1/PD-L1 is a potential tumor suppressor and potentially regulates the response to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatments, thus representing a potential biomarker for the optimal cancer immunotherapeutic treatment.

scholarly journals Assessment of phagocytic activity in live macrophages-tumor cells co-cultures by Confocal and Nomarski Microscopy

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalia Martinez-Marin ◽  
Courtney Jarvis ◽  
Thomas Nelius ◽  
Stéphanie Filleur
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Phagocytic Activity ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Functional Assay ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Multiple Cancer

Abstract Macrophages have been recognized as the main inflammatory component of the tumor microenvironment. Although often considered as beneficial for tumor growth and disease progression, tumor-associated macrophages have also been shown to be detrimental to the tumor depending on the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, understanding the molecular interactions between macrophages and tumor cells in relation to macrophages functional activities such as phagocytosis is critical for a better comprehension of their tumor-modulating action. Still, the characterization of these molecular mechanisms in vivo remains complicated due to the extraordinary complexity of the tumor microenvironment and the broad range of tumor-associated macrophage functions. Thus, there is an increasing demand for in vitro methodologies to study the role of cell–cell interactions in the tumor microenvironment. In the present study, we have developed live co-cultures of macrophages and human prostate tumor cells to assess the phagocytic activity of macrophages using a combination of Confocal and Nomarski Microscopy. Using this model, we have emphasized that this is a sensitive, measurable, and highly reproducible functional assay. We have also highlighted that this assay can be applied to multiple cancer cell types and used as a selection tool for a variety of different types of phagocytosis agonists. Finally, combining with other studies such as gain/loss of function or signaling studies remains possible. A better understanding of the interactions between tumor cells and macrophages may lead to the identification of new therapeutic targets against cancer.

scholarly journals Positive feedback between lncRNA FLVCR1-AS1 and KLF10 may inhibit pancreatic cancer progression via the PTEN/AKT pathway

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiewei Lin ◽  
Shuyu Zhai ◽  
Siyi Zou ◽  
Zhiwei Xu ◽  
Jun Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Positive Feedback ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Tumor Tissues ◽  
And Migration

Abstract Background FLVCR1-AS1 is a key regulator of cancer progression. However, the biological functions and underlying molecular mechanisms of pancreatic cancer (PC) remain unknown. Methods FLVCR1-AS1 expression levels in 77 PC tissues and matched non-tumor tissues were analyzed by qRT-PCR. Moreover, the role of FLVCR1-AS1 in PC cell proliferation, cell cycle, and migration was verified via functional in vitro and in vivo experiments. Further, the potential competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network between FLVCR1-AS1 and KLF10, as well as FLVCR1-AS1 transcription levels, were investigated. Results FLVCR1-AS1 expression was low in both PC tissues and PC cell lines, and FLVCR1-AS1 downregulation was associated with a worse prognosis in patients with PC. Functional experiments demonstrated that FLVCR1-AS1 overexpression significantly suppressed PC cell proliferation, cell cycle, and migration both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic investigations revealed that FLVCR1-AS1 acts as a ceRNA to sequester miR-513c-5p or miR-514b-5p from the sponging KLF10 mRNA, thereby relieving their suppressive effects on KLF10 expression. Additionally, FLVCR1-AS1 was shown to be a direct transcriptional target of KLF10. Conclusions Our research suggests that FLVCR1-AS1 plays a tumor-suppressive role in PC by inhibiting proliferation, cell cycle, and migration through a positive feedback loop with KLF10, thereby providing a novel therapeutic strategy for PC treatment.

scholarly journals Induction of Apoptosis of Metastatic Mammary Carcinoma Cells In Vivo by Disruption of Tumor Cell Surface CD44 Function

1997 ◽  
Vol 186 (12) ◽  
pp. 1985-1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qin Yu ◽  
Bryan P. Toole ◽  
Ivan Stamenkovic
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Tumor Cell ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Lung Tissue ◽  
Mammary Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Pulmonary Endothelium ◽  
Soluble Cd44

To understand how the hyaluronan receptor CD44 regulates tumor metastasis, the murine mammary carcinoma TA3/St, which constitutively expresses cell surface CD44, was transfected with cDNAs encoding soluble isoforms of CD44 and the transfectants (TA3sCD44) were compared with parental cells (transfected with expression vector only) for growth in vivo and in vitro. Local release of soluble CD44 by the transfectants inhibited the ability of endogenous cell surface CD44 to bind and internalize hyaluronan and to mediate TA3 cell invasion of hyaluronan-producing cell monolayers. Mice intravenously injected with parental TA3/St cells developed massive pulmonary metastases within 21–28 d, whereas animals injected with TA3sCD44 cells developed few or no tumors. Tracing of labeled parental and transfectant tumor cells revealed that both cell types initially adhered to pulmonary endothelium and penetrated the interstitial stroma. However, although parental cells were dividing and forming clusters within lung tissue 48 h following injection, >80% of TA3sCD44 cells underwent apoptosis. Although sCD44 transfectants displayed a marked reduction in their ability to internalize and degrade hyaluronan, they elicited abundant local hyaluronan production within invaded lung tissue, comparable to that induced by parental cells. These observations provide direct evidence that cell surface CD44 function promotes tumor cell survival in invaded tissue and that its suppression can induce apoptosis of the invading tumor cells, possibly as a result of impairing their ability to penetrate the host tissue hyaluronan barrier.

Thrombin Enhances Spontaneous Tumor Growth and Cell Cycle Activation by Downregulation of p27Kip1 and Upregulation of Skp2 and MiR-222

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 396-396
Author(s):  
Liang Hu ◽  
Sherif Ibrahim ◽  
Cynthia Liu ◽  
Jeffrey Skaar ◽  
Michelle Pagano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Growth Factors ◽  
Cell Growth ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Tumor Cell ◽  
Tumor Volume ◽  
S Phase ◽  
Down Regulation

Abstract Although it has been generally accepted that hypercoagulability contributes to enhancing tumor growth via generation of thrombin (Cancer Cell10:355, 2006), it has not been rigorously proven, nor has the mechanism been established at the cell cycle level. Previous studies have employed thrombin-treated tumor cell lines in vitro and in vivo. In vitro studies were performed in the presence of serum which contains a panoply of growth factors. In vivo studies have used huge non-pathologic concentrations of tumor cells injected into the flank, organ or blood of a mouse. In these situations, tumor growth could be a result of thrombin-induced angiogenesis. We therefore employed a transgenic mouse prostate cancer model (TRAMP) programmed to develop prostate CA over a period of 140–175 days. We treated these animals with thrombin to induce hypercoagulability or hirudin to inhibit endogenous thrombin production, to determine whether thrombin regulates this process independent of angiogenesis. Repetitive thrombin injection enhanced prostate tumor volume 6–8 fold (p<0.04). Repetitive hirudin decreased tumor volume 13–24 fold (p<0.04) via its effect on generated endogenous thrombin, n=6. Thrombin enhanced the production of several vascular growth factors and receptors 2.5 – 3 fold in the liver (VEGF, KDR, ANG-2, Tie2, GRO-1, CD31) and enhanced angiogenesis in the liver, n=3–4. Thrombin had no effect on tumor angiogenesis. Thus, the thrombin-induced spontaneous tumor growth was independent of angiogenesis. We next turned our attention to cell cycle regulators in serum-starved (72 hr) Go-synchronized LNcap prostate CA cells, employing Brdu and Propidium iodide staining. Addition of thrombin (0.5 u/ml) or its PAR-1 receptor agonist, TFLLRN (100 uM) had the same effect as androgen containing serum, inducing cells to leave Go, enter G1 and progress to S-phase. At 8 hrs the number of S-phase cells increased dramatically for both the serum (29 fold) as well as thrombin-treated cells (48 fold), n=3. Similar observations were noted in a Glioblastoma cell line, T98G. We further analyzed the effect of thrombin by performing immunoblots on cell cycle components mediated during cell growth and proliferation. In synchronized Go cells, levels of p27Kip1, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor are high, while levels of cyclins D1 and A, the activation subunits for cyclin-dependent kinases are low. Both thrombin or serum addition led to down-regulation of p27Kip1 with concomitant induction of Skp2, the E3 ubiquitin ligase for p27Kip1. Cyclins D1 and A are induced by similar kinetics, indicating entry into S-phase by 8 hrs. Since p27Kip1 appears to be a rate-limiting down-regulator of the cell cycle (absent with high tumor grade and predicts poor prognosis), we confirmed its role by testing the effect of thrombin or TFLLRN by transfecting p27Kip1 in LNcap cells. This transfection completely prevented the cell cycle stimulation induced by these agonists. A similar approach was used with Skp2 knock down (KD), a negative down-regulator of p27Kip1. KD of Skp2 (over expressed in numerous cancers) completely prevented cell cycle progression induced by thrombin/TFLLRN. MiRNA 222 (upregulated in many cancers) is another down-regulator of p27Kip1. Further analysis following thrombin treatment revealed a robust upregulation at 4 and 8 hrs, providing further proof for the role of thrombin in down-regulating p27Kip1 and stimulating tumor cell entrance into S-phase. Thus, 1) Thrombin enhances spontaneous prostate cell growth in vivo in the absence of enhanced angiogenesis; 2) Thrombin activates the tumor cell cycle by stimulating the down-regulation of p27Kip1 through the upregulation of Skp2 and MiRNA 222.

Effect of cabazitaxel on the growth of human castration-refractory prostate cancer cells in vitro compared to docetaxel and on the anti-tumor properties of the angio-inhibitor PEDF in vivo.

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (7_suppl) ◽  
pp. 205-205
Author(s):  
Thomas Nelius ◽  
Courtney Jarvis ◽  
Dalia Martinez-Marin ◽  
Stephanie Filleur
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
In Vitro Cytotoxicity ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Raw264.7 Macrophages

205 Background: Docetaxel/DTX and cabazitaxel/CBZ have shown promise in the treatment of metastatic Castration-Refractory Prostate Cancer/mCPRC however, comparative studies are missing. Toxicities of these drugs are significant, urging the need to modify taxane regimens. Recently, low-dose metronomic/LDM treatments using conventional chemotherapeutic drugs have shown benefits in CPRC in improving the effect of anti-angiogenic agents. Previously, we have demonstrated that LDM-DTX in combination with PEDF curbs significantly CRPC growth, limits metastases formation and prolongs survival in vivo. In this study, we intended to compare the cytotoxic effect of CBZ and DTX on CRPC cells in vitro and CL1 tumors in vivo. Methods: PC3, DU145 cell lines were from ATCC.CL1 cells were obtained from androgen-deprived LNCaP cells. Cell proliferation was assessed by crystal violet staining and cell cycle analyses. In vitro cytotoxicity assays were performed on CL1 cells/RAW264.7 macrophages co-cultures treated with PEDF and increasing doses of taxanes. For the in vivo studies, CL1 cells were engineered to stably express the DsRed Express protein +/- PEDF. PEDF anti-tumor effects were assessed on s.c. xenografts treated with DTX (5mg/kg ip ev. 4 day) as reference, CBZ (5mg/kg ip ev. 4 days, 1mg/kg for 10 days, 0.5mg/kg q.a.d. and 0.1mg/kg daily) or placebo. Results: CBZ limits cell proliferation with a greater efficacy than DTX in all CRPC cell lines tested. DU145 presented the largest difference. High doses of taxane blocked tumor cells in mitosis, whereas LDM increased the SubG1 population. This effect was significantly higher in DU145 cells treated with CBZ. In vivo, 5mg/kg CBZ delayed tumor growth more efficiently than 5mg/kg DTX. PEDF/5mg/kg CBZ markedly delayed tumor growth compared to all treatments. Finally, engulfment of tumor cells by macrophages was higher in combined treatments suggesting an inflammation-related process. Conclusions: CBZ is more efficient than DTX both in vitro and in vivo.The data also reinforce PEDF as a promising anti-neoplasic agent in combination with LDM taxane chemotherapies.

scholarly journals Cyclin D3-CDK6 Complex Facilitates Tumorigenesis by Regulating the C-Myc/miR-15a/16 Axis in a Feedback Loop in Gastric Cancer

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeting Hong ◽  
Wei He ◽  
Jianbin Zhang ◽  
Lu Shen ◽  
Chong Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Cancer ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Feedback Loop ◽  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cyclin D3 ◽  
Luciferase Reporter

Abstract Background: Cyclin D3-CDK6 complex is a component of the core cell cycle machinery that regulates cell proliferation. By using Human Protein Atlas database, a higher expression level of this complex was found in gastric cancer. However, the function of this complex in gastric cancer remain poorly understood. This study aims to determine the expression pattern of this complex in gastric cancer and to investigate its biological role during tumorigenesis.Methods: To demonstrate that Cyclin D3-CDK6 regulate the c-Myc/miR-15a/16 axis in a feedback loop in gastric cancer, a series of methods were conducted both in vitro and in vivo experiments, including qRT-PCR, western blot analysis, EdU assay, flow cytometry, luciferase reporter assay and immunohistochemical staining. SPSS and Graphpad prism software were used for data analysis.Results: In this study, we found that Cyclin D3 and CDK6 were significantly upregulated in gastric cancer and correlated with poorer overall survival. Further study proved that this complex significantly promoted cell proliferation and cell cycle progression in vitro and accelerated xenografted tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, we explored the molecular mechanisms through which the complex mediated Rb phosphorylation and then promoted c-Myc expression in vitro, we also found c-Myc could suppress miR-15a/16 expression in gastric cancer cell. Finally, we found that miR-15a/16 can simultaneously regulate Cyclin D3 and CDK6 expression as direct target genes.Conclusions: Our findings uncover the Cyclin D3-CDK6/c-Myc/miR-15a/16 feedback loop axis as a pivotal role in the regulation of gastric cancer tumorigenesis, and this regulating axis may provide a potential therapeutic target for gastric cancer treatment.

scholarly journals Downregulation of PLK4 Expression Induces Cellular Dormancy in Colorectal Cancer via Mesenchymal-to-epithelial Transition

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiangdong Tian ◽  
Dongming Liu ◽  
Dejun Zhou ◽  
Lisha Qi ◽  
Zhiqiang Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Tumor Cell ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Quiescent State ◽  
Aggressive Tumor ◽  
Cell Dormancy

Abstract Background: Reactivation of dormant tumor cells is a critical step in the recurrence of many cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Polo-like kinases 4 (PLK4), a central regulator of the cell cycle and proliferation, is a validated oncogene in tumorigenesis. However, the roles of PLK4 in tumor cell dormancy and reactivation still need to be further explored.Methods: The expression level of PLK4 was determined by immunohistochemical staining, Western blotting (WB) and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). PLK4-dependent clinicopathological risk factors and the prognosis of CRC were characterized with 122 clinical samples. The roles of PLK4 in tumor cell dormancy, cell cycle progression, proliferation and invasion were determined by molecular and cell biology methods in vitro and in vivo.Results: The expression of PLK4 was dramatically increased in CRCs and positively correlated with aggressive tumor behavior and clinicopathological risk factors. Downregulation of PLK4 expression contributed to restoring phenotypically aggressive tumor cells to a quiescent state, and this transformation was likely regulated by mesenchymal-to-epithelial transformation (MET) progression in vitro and in vivo.Conclusions: This study elucidates the mechanisms involving PLK4 depletion in the induction and maintenance of CRC dormancy, which are very important in terms of both clinical significance and application value.

p125 focal adhesion kinase promotes malignant astrocytoma cell proliferation in vivo

2000 ◽  
Vol 113 (23) ◽  
pp. 4221-4230 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Wang ◽  
J.R. Grammer ◽  
C.S. Cobbs ◽  
J.E. Stewart ◽  
Z. Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Tumor Cell ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Focal Adhesion ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Astrocytic Tumor ◽  
Malignant Astrocytoma

p125 focal adhesion kinase (p125FAK) is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase that is activated upon engagement of integrin cell adhesion receptors, and initiates several signaling events that modulate cell function in vitro. To determine the biologic role of p125FAK in malignant astrocytic tumor cells, U-251MG human malignant astrocytoma cells were stably transfected with p125FAK cDNA using the TET-ON system, and stable clones isolated that exhibited an estimated 5- or 20-fold increase in p125FAK expression on administration of 0.1 or 2.0 microg/ml doxycycline, respectively. In vitro studies demonstrated that induction of p125FAK resulted in a 2- to 3-fold increase in cell migration, increased p130CAS phosphorylation, localization of exogenous p125FAK to focal adhesions, and a 2-fold increase in soft agar growth. To determine the role of p125FAK in vivo, clones were injected stereotactically into the brains of scid mice. A 4.5-fold estimated increase in p125FAK expression was induced by administration of doxycycline in the drinking water. Analysis of xenograft brains demonstrated that, upon induction of p125FAK, there was a 1.6- to 2.8-fold increase in tumor cell number, and an increase in mAb PCNA-labeling of tumor cells in the absence of a change in the apoptotic index. Compared to normal brain, the expression of p125FAK was elevated in malignant astrocytic tumor biopsies from patient samples. These data demonstrate for the first time that p125FAK promotes tumor cell proliferation in vivo, and that the underlying mechanism is not associated with a reduction in apoptosis.

Platelets, Tumor Cell Invasiveness, and Metastasis

Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. SCI-31-SCI-31
Author(s):  
Richard O. Hynes ◽  
Shahinoor Begum ◽  
Myriam Labelle
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Cell ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Cell Contact ◽  
Cell Arrest

Abstract Platelets have long been known to promote metastasis, and multiple mechanisms have been proposed to explain this phenomenon, including adhesion, coagulation, and protection against natural killer (NK) cells or turbulence. One mechanism that has been little explored is the possibility that platelets might secrete growth factors or provide other stimuli that could enhance the malignant properties of tumor cells. We have shown that pretreatment of carcinoma cells with platelets induces an EMT-like transformation in their properties in vitro and renders them much more metastatic after introduction into mice. TGF-β, produced by platelets and released on their activation is essential for both the in vitro and the in vivo effects. However, TGF-β alone is insufficient; platelet-tumor cell contact is also required and this contact activates NFkB signaling, which synergizes with the TGF-β signaling. Both signals are required for the enhancement of metastasis. In addition to enhancing migration and invasion in vitro, platelets enhance extravasation in vivo. Earlier work has shown that both P-selectin (expressed on platelets) and L-selectin (expressed on leukocytes) are essential for efficient metastasis, and aggregates of tumor cells, platelets, and leukocytes can be observed at sites of tumor cell arrest and extravasation. It has also been demonstrated by others that leukocytes can enhance extravasation and metastatic seeding. Therefore, we have been interested in the question of the relative roles of platelets and leukocytes in these processes. Which cell types are recruited at the sites of metastatic seeding? Does one cell type depend on another? Which cell types enhance metastasis? What roles do the platelets play in recruiting the other cell types? The involvement of platelets in enhancing metastasis also raises questions about the effects of platelets on circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Could platelets enhance the metastatic capacity of CTCs? Could it be the case that only those CTCs that are associated with platelets and/or leukocytes are functionally involved in seeding metastases? Such aggregates are not scored in most current assays for CTCs and will require new investigative approaches. Platelet participation in metastasis also raises the possibility of therapeutic interventions targeting platelet-specific targets and the paracrine interactions between them and other cells. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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