scholarly journals Metastasis-associated fibroblasts: an emerging target for metastatic cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zimu Wang ◽  
Jiaxin Liu ◽  
Hairong Huang ◽  
Mingxiang Ye ◽  
Xinying Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Metastatic Cancer ◽  
Antiangiogenic Therapy ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Therapeutic Resistance ◽  
Metastatic Tumors ◽  
Stromal Fibroblasts ◽  
Primary Tumors ◽  
Metastatic Sites

AbstractMetastasis suggests a poor prognosis for cancer patients, and treatment strategies for metastatic cancer are still very limited. Numerous studies have shown that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), a large component of the tumor microenvironment, contribute to tumor metastasis. Stromal fibroblasts at metastatic sites are different from CAFs within primary tumors and can be termed metastasis-associated fibroblasts (MAFs), and they also make great contributions to the establishment of metastatic lesions and the therapeutic resistance of metastatic tumors. MAFs are capable of remodeling the extracellular matrix of metastatic tumors, modulating immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, promoting angiogenesis and enhancing malignant tumor phenotypes. Thus, MAFs can help establish premetastatic niches and mediate resistance to therapeutic strategies, including immunotherapy and antiangiogenic therapy. The results of preclinical studies suggest that targeting MAFs can alleviate the progression of metastatic cancer and mitigate therapeutic resistance, indicating that MAFs are a promising target for metastatic cancer. Here, we comprehensively summarize the existing evidence on MAFs and discuss their origins, generation, functions and related therapeutic strategies in an effort to provide a better understanding of MAFs and offer treatment perspectives for metastatic cancer.

scholarly journals Hypoxic tumor microenvironment: Implications for cancer therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 245 (13) ◽  
pp. 1073-1086
Author(s):  
Sukanya Roy ◽  
Subhashree Kumaravel ◽  
Ankith Sharma ◽  
Camille L Duran ◽  
Kayla J Bayless ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Metabolic Regulation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Hypoxia Inducible Factor ◽  
Tumor Vasculature ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Therapeutic Resistance ◽  
Low Oxygen ◽  
Cancer Types

Hypoxia or low oxygen concentration in tumor microenvironment has widespread effects ranging from altered angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, tumor metabolism, growth, and therapeutic resistance in different cancer types. A large number of these effects are mediated by the transcription factor hypoxia inducible factor 1⍺ (HIF-1⍺) which is activated by hypoxia. HIF1⍺ induces glycolytic genes and reduces mitochondrial respiration rate in hypoxic tumoral regions through modulation of various cells in tumor microenvironment like cancer-associated fibroblasts. Immune evasion driven by HIF-1⍺ further contributes to enhanced survival of cancer cells. By altering drug target expression, metabolic regulation, and oxygen consumption, hypoxia leads to enhanced growth and survival of cancer cells. Tumor cells in hypoxic conditions thus attain aggressive phenotypes and become resistant to chemo- and radio- therapies resulting in higher mortality. While a number of new therapeutic strategies have succeeded in targeting hypoxia, a significant improvement of these needs a more detailed understanding of the various effects and molecular mechanisms regulated by hypoxia and its effects on modulation of the tumor vasculature. This review focuses on the chief hypoxia-driven molecular mechanisms and their impact on therapeutic resistance in tumors that drive an aggressive phenotype. Impact statement Hypoxia contributes to tumor aggressiveness and promotes growth of many solid tumors that are often resistant to conventional therapies. In order to achieve successful therapeutic strategies targeting different cancer types, it is necessary to understand the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways that are induced by hypoxia. Aberrant tumor vasculature and alterations in cellular metabolism and drug resistance due to hypoxia further confound this problem. This review focuses on the implications of hypoxia in an inflammatory TME and its impact on the signaling and metabolic pathways regulating growth and progression of cancer, along with changes in lymphangiogenic and angiogenic mechanisms. Finally, the overarching role of hypoxia in mediating therapeutic resistance in cancers is discussed.

Differences in molecular profiles of males and females with colorectal cancer (CRC).

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 623-623
Author(s):  
Afsaneh Barzi ◽  
Mohamed E. Salem ◽  
Joanne Xiu ◽  
Wolfgang Michael Korn ◽  
John Marshall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Location ◽  
Molecular Profile ◽  
Metastatic Tumors ◽  
Primary Tumors ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Number Variation ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Variation Assessment ◽  
Metastatic Sites ◽  
Next Generation Sequencing Ngs

623 Background: Females (F) have a lower incidence of CRC and carry a better overall prognosis than males(M). We explored the differences in the molecular profile of CRC as an explanation for the differences in the outcome. Methods: CRC cases submitted to Caris Life Sciences from 2015 to 2017 were analyzed. These cases were tested with next generation sequencing (NGS) of 592 genes and a panel of IHC and copy number variation assessment. Microsatellite instability (MSI) was evaluated with NGS for known MSI loci in the target regions. High Tumor mutational load (TML-H) was defined as ≥17 mutations/megabase. Results: Data from a total of 1768 CRC tumors (F: 859; M: 909) was available for analysis. The mean age at testing was similar between the two groups (F 59 vs. M 60 years). Tumor location was unknown in more than 40% of the cases. For those with known tumor location (1056) F had a higher rate in right sided than left sided and rectal tumors (51% vs. 47% vs. 40%, p = 0.006). Overall, F carried significantly lower frequency of mutation in APC (68% vs. 74%, p = 0.02), higher frequency of BRAF (11% vs. 6.6%, p = 0.003) and BRCA1 (2% vs. 0.6%, p = 0.007). PDL1 expression was higher in F (4.5% vs. 2.1%, p = 0.006) and MGMT expression was higher in M (63% vs. 56%, p = 0.04). There was no significant difference in the TML-H (F:6.4% vs. M:5.9%) and MSI-high (F:6.2% in vs M:4.8%). When primary (877) and metastatic tumors (838) were investigated separately, mutations in APC was higher in M primary tumors (74% vs. 68% p = 0.03) while not different in metastatic sites. On the contrary, BRCA1 mutations were higher in the metastatic sites for F (2% vs. 0.2%, p = 0.02). PD-L1 was higher in the primary tumor of F (5.2% vs. 1.8%, p = 0.008) and PD-1 on tumor infiltrating lymphocyte in metastatic tumors in F (48% vs. 30%, p = 0.01). Conclusions: The profile of female patients (higher rates of PDL1 in primary and PD1 in metastatic tumors) supports a higher degree of immune evasion. The differences in the profile of metastatic vs. primary sites may be due to the differences in the mechanism of metastasis in females vs. males and may have implications for PDX models.

scholarly journals Therapeutically targeting cyclin D1 in primary tumors arising from loss of Ini1

2010 ◽  
Vol 108 (1) ◽  
pp. 319-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa E. Smith ◽  
Velasco Cimica ◽  
Srinivasa Chinni ◽  
Suman Jana ◽  
Wade Koba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cyclin D1 ◽  
Effective Treatment ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Suppressor Gene ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Primary Tumors ◽  
Rhabdoid Tumors ◽  
High Level ◽  
Resistant Cells

Rhabdoid tumors (RTs) are rare, highly aggressive pediatric malignancies with poor prognosis and with no standard or effective treatment strategies. RTs are characterized by biallelic inactivation of the INI1 tumor suppressor gene. INI1 directly represses CCND1 and activates cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) inhibitors p16Ink4a and p21CIP. RTs are exquisitely dependent on cyclin D1 for genesis and survival. To facilitate translation of unique therapeutic strategies, we have used genetically engineered, Ini1+/− mice for therapeutic testing. We found that PET can be used to noninvasively and accurately detect primary tumors in Ini1+/− mice. In a PET-guided longitudinal study, we found that treating Ini1+/− mice bearing primary tumors with the pan-cdk inhibitor flavopiridol resulted in complete and stable regression of some tumors. Other tumors showed resistance to flavopiridol, and one of the resistant tumors overexpressed cyclin D1, more than flavopiridol-sensitive cells. The concentration of flavopiridol used was not sufficient to down-modulate the high level of cyclin D1 and failed to induce cell death in the resistant cells. Furthermore, FISH and PCR analyses indicated that there is aneuploidy and increased CCND1 copy number in resistant cells. These studies indicate that resistance to flavopiridol may be correlated to elevated cyclin D1 levels. Our studies also indicate that Ini1+/− mice are valuable tools for testing unique therapeutic strategies and for understanding mechanisms of drug resistance in tumors that arise owing to loss of Ini1, which is essential for developing effective treatment strategies against these aggressive tumors.

scholarly journals Metabolic reprogramming and cancer progression

Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 368 (6487) ◽  
pp. eaaw5473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandon Faubert ◽  
Ashley Solmonson ◽  
Ralph J. DeBerardinis
Keyword(s):  
Recent Work ◽  
Experimental Model ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Metastatic Cancer ◽  
Tumor Biology ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Metabolic Reprogramming ◽  
Primary Tumors ◽  
Metabolic Properties ◽  
Metabolic Heterogeneity

Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of malignancy. As our understanding of the complexity of tumor biology increases, so does our appreciation of the complexity of tumor metabolism. Metabolic heterogeneity among human tumors poses a challenge to developing therapies that exploit metabolic vulnerabilities. Recent work also demonstrates that the metabolic properties and preferences of a tumor change during cancer progression. This produces distinct sets of vulnerabilities between primary tumors and metastatic cancer, even in the same patient or experimental model. We review emerging concepts about metabolic reprogramming in cancer, with particular attention on why metabolic properties evolve during cancer progression and how this information might be used to develop better therapeutic strategies.

scholarly journals The Tumor Microenvironment of Primitive and Metastatic Breast Cancer: Implications for Novel Therapeutic Strategies

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (21) ◽  
pp. 8102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Zarrilli ◽  
Gianluca Businello ◽  
Maria Vittoria Dieci ◽  
Silvia Paccagnella ◽  
Valentina Carraro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Metastatic Breast ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Cancer Development ◽  
Lymphatic Endothelial Cells ◽  
Metastatic Sites ◽  
Novel Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Novel Therapeutic

Breast cancer evolves thanks to a dense and close interaction with the surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME). Fibroblasts, leukocytes, blood and lymphatic endothelial cells and extracellular matrix are the constituents of this entity, and they synergistically play a pivotal role in all of the stages of breast cancer development, from its onset to its metastatic spread. Moreover, it has been widely demonstrated that variations to the TME can correspond to prognosis variations. Breast cancer not only modulates the transformation of the environment within the mammary gland, but the same process is observed in metastases as well. In this minireview, we describe the features of TME within the primitive breast cancer, throughout its evolution and spread into the main metastatic sites.

scholarly journals Comparison of Mismatch Repair Status Between Primary and Matched Metastatic Sites in Patients With Colorectal Cancer

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 1174-1183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen-Zhuo He ◽  
Wan-Ming Hu ◽  
Fang Wang ◽  
Yu-Ming Rong ◽  
Lin Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Lymph Node ◽  
Metastatic Cancer ◽  
Ovarian Metastasis ◽  
Primary Cancer ◽  
Metastatic Tumors ◽  
Primary Tumors ◽  
Organ Specific ◽  
High Concordance ◽  
Node Metastases

Background: Differences between the features of primary cancer and matched metastatic cancer have recently drawn attention in research. This study investigated the concordance in microsatellite instability (MSI) and mismatch repair (MMR) status between primary and corresponding metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: Consecutive patients with metastatic CRC who had both primary and metastatic tumors diagnosed at our institution in January 2008 through December 2016 were identified. Immunohistochemistry was used to test the MMR status of both primary and matched metastatic tumors, and PCR analysis was performed to test MSI in patients with deficient MMR (dMMR) status. Results: A total of 369 patients were included. Of the 46 patients with MSI-high primary tumors, 37 (80.4%) also had MSI-high metastatic tumors, whereas 9 (19.6%) had microsatellite stable (MSS) metastatic tumors. A high concordance was found in patients with liver, lung, or distant lymph node metastases. Interestingly, the discrepancy was more likely to be limited to peritoneal (5/20) or ovarian (4/4) metastasis (chi-square test, P<.001). These organ-specific features were also found in the pooled analysis. Along with the change of MSI-high in primary cancer to MSS in metastatic cancer, lymphocyte infiltration decreased significantly (P=.008). However, the change did not influence survival; the median overall survival of MSI-high and MSS metastatic tumors was 21.3 and 21.6 months, respectively (P=.774). The discrepancy rate was 1.6% for patients with proficient MMR primary tumors. Conclusions: For patients with dMMR primary tumors, the concordance of MSI and MMR status in primary CRC and corresponding metastatic cancer is potentially organ-specific. High concordance is found in liver, lung, and distant lymph node metastases, whereas discrepancy is more likely to occur in peritoneal or ovarian metastasis. Rebiopsy to evaluate MSI-high/dMMR status might be needed during the course of anti–PD-1 therapy in cases of peritoneal or ovarian metastasis.

Phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription–3 (p-STAT3) expression concordance in paired primary and metastatic colorectal cancers (mCRC): Updated analysis.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e15137-e15137
Author(s):  
Daniel Yokom ◽  
E. Celia Marginean ◽  
Derek J. Jonker ◽  
Allen M. Gown ◽  
Shelly Sud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rates ◽  
Tissue Microarrays ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Metastatic Tumors ◽  
Primary Tumors ◽  
Disease Outcomes ◽  
One Year ◽  
Metastatic Sites ◽  
Transcription 3

e15137 Background: p-STAT3 is a transcription factor which is associated with poor prognosis in multiple cancers. Overexpression of p-STAT3 by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in tumors of patients with mCRC is associated with more aggressive disease and decreased survival. Concordance of p-STAT3 expression in primary and metastatic tumors was assessed to determine the temporal heterogeneity of expression and correlation with clinical outcomes. Methods: Patients with tissue available from both primary and liver metastases were identified retrospectively. Tissue microarrays (TMA) were constructed using 2 x 2mm cores. Nuclear p-STAT3 expression intensity by IHC was graded as absent, low, or high. Primary outcome was concordance of p-STAT3 expression between primary and metastatic sites. Secondary outcome was correlation of p-STAT3 expression with disease outcomes. Results: 91 patients were identified: 55% were male, median age at diagnosis was 63, 60% had left-sided disease and 81% of metastases were synchronous. Expression of p-STAT3 in primary tumors was 23% high, 47% low and absent in 30% compared to 29% high, 50% low, and 21% absent in metastases. Concordant expression was observed in 23% of patients whereas it increased in 46% and decreased in 31% from primary to metastasis. Pearson’s correlation was 0.119 indicating a weak concordance. After a median follow-up of 7 years, 50 of 91 patients died. One-year and 5-year survival rates were 92% and 44% respectively, while the median overall survival (mOS) was 4.7 years [95%CI 3.1-6.4]. No significant prognostic correlation between primary or metastatic p-STAT3 expression and mOS was found. Conclusions: There was low concordance of p-STAT3 expression in primary and metastatic tumors of patients with mCRC. Tumor staining heterogeneity due to sampling of small cores included in TMA and predominance of synchronous metastases may play a role. Further research in the use of p-STAT3 as a biomarker in patients with mCRC is needed.

scholarly journals A Requirement for p120-catenin in the metastasis of invasive ductal breast cancer

2020 ◽  
pp. jcs.250639
Author(s):  
Sarah J. Kurley ◽  
Verena Tischler ◽  
Brian Bierie ◽  
Sergey V. Novitskiy ◽  
Aurelia Noske ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Primary Tumor ◽  
Distant Metastases ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
P120 Catenin ◽  
Primary Tumors ◽  
Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer ◽  
Metastatic Colonization ◽  
Metastatic Sites

We have examined the effects of targeted p120 KO in a PyMT mouse model of invasive ductal (mammary) cancer (IDC). Mosaic p120 ablation had little effect on primary tumor growth but caused significant pro-metastatic alterations in the tumor microenvironment leading ultimately to a marked increase in the number and size of pulmonary metastases. Surprisingly, although early effects of p120-ablation included decreased cell-cell adhesion and increased invasiveness, cells lacking p120 were almost entirely unable to colonized distant metastatic sites in vivo. The relevance of this observation to human IDC was established by analysis of a large clinical dataset of 1126 IDCs. As reported by others, p120 downregulation in primary IDC predicted worse overall survival. However, as in the mice, distant metastases were almost invariably p120 positive, even in matched cases where the primary tumors were p120 negative. Collectively, our results demonstrate a strong positive role for p120 (and presumably E-cadherin) during metastatic colonization of distant sites. On the other hand, downregulation of p120 in the primary tumor enhanced metastatic dissemination indirectly via pro-metastatic conditioning of the tumor microenvironment.

Targeting Tumour Metastasis: The Emerging Role of Nanotechnology

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 1367-1381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Visentin ◽  
Mirela Sedić ◽  
Sandra Kraljević Pavelić ◽  
Krešimir Pavelić
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Metastatic Cancer ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Metastatic Progression ◽  
Therapeutic Concept ◽  
Molecular Alterations ◽  
Tumour Metastasis ◽  
Metastatic Cells ◽  
Metastatic Process ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

The metastatic process has still not been completely elucidated, probably due to insufficient knowledge of the underlying mechanisms. Here, we provide an overview of the current findings that shed light on specific molecular alterations associated with metastasis and present novel concepts in the treatment of the metastatic process. In particular, we discuss novel pharmacological approaches in the clinical setting that target metastatic progression. New insights into the process of metastasis allow optimisation and design of new treatment strategies, especially in view of the fact that metastatic cells share common features with stem cells. Nano- and micro-technologies are herein elaborated in details as a promising therapeutic concept in targeted drug delivery for metastatic cancer. Progression in the field could provide a more efficient way to tackle metastasis and thus bring about advancements in the treatment and management of patients with advanced cancer.

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