scholarly journals Cancer-associated Fibroblasts: Origins, Heterogeneity and Functions in Tumor Microenvironment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Dzobo
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Tumor Cell ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Tumor Stroma ◽  
Bioinformatic Analysis ◽  
Therapy Resistance ◽  
Response To Therapy ◽  
The Cancer Genome Atlas ◽  
Cancer Associated Fibroblasts

Current therapeutic strategies targeting cancer cells within solid tumors have displayed limited success owing to the presence of non-cancer components referred to as the tumor stroma within the tumor microenvironment (TM). These stromal cells, extracellular matrix and blood vessels influence cancer cell response to therapy and play key roles in tumor relapse and resistance. Of the stromal cells present in the TM, a lot of attention has been given to cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) as they are the most abundant and are important in cancer initiation, progression and therapy resistance. In this updated review I emphasize the role of CAFs in the regulation of tumor cell behaviour and reveal how CAF-derived factors and signaling influence tumor cell heterogeneity and development of novel strategies to combat cancer. To investigate the expression of CAF markers in tumor tissues versus normal tissues, transcriptomic data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) databases was used. Bioinformatic analysis reveals differential expression of CAF markers in several cancer types, underscoring the need for further multiomics and biochemical studies on CAFs, CAF subsets and markers. Differences in CAF markers’ expression could be due to different cellular origins as well as the effect of cancer-specific tumor microenvironmental effect on CAFs. Lastly, I present recent advances in therapeutic targeting of CAFs and the success of such endeavours or its lack thereof. It is recommended that for patients’ outcomes to improve, cancer treatment be combinatorial in nature, targeting both cancer cells and stromal cells and interactions.

scholarly journals The Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and Extracellular Vesicles in Tumorigenesis

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (18) ◽  
pp. 6837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Issraa Shoucair ◽  
Fernanda Weber Mello ◽  
James Jabalee ◽  
Saeideh Maleki ◽  
Cathie Garnis
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Therapy Resistance ◽  
The Other ◽  
Cancer Associated Fibroblasts ◽  
Metastatic Niche ◽  
Niche Formation ◽  
Molecular Aspects

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a key role in the communication between cancer cells and stromal components of the tumor microenvironment (TME). In this context, cancer cell-derived EVs can regulate the activation of a CAF phenotype in TME cells, which can be mediated by several EV cargos (e.g., miRNA, proteins, mRNA and lncRNAs). On the other hand, CAF-derived EVs can mediate several processes during tumorigenesis, including tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, and therapy resistance. This review aimed to discuss the molecular aspects of EV-based cross-talk between CAFs and cancer cells during tumorigenesis, in addition to assessing the roles of EV cargo in therapy resistance and pre-metastatic niche formation.

scholarly journals Three-dimensional models of breast cancer–fibroblasts interactions

2020 ◽  
Vol 245 (10) ◽  
pp. 879-888
Author(s):  
Sunil Singh ◽  
Sydnie Tran ◽  
Justin Putman ◽  
Hossein Tavana
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Tumor Stroma ◽  
Cancer Drug ◽  
Cancer Drugs ◽  
Tumor Models ◽  
Primary Tumors

Tumor microenvironment is a complex niche consisting of cancer cells and stromal cells in a network of extracellular matrix proteins and various soluble factors. Dynamic interactions among cellular and non-cellular components of the tumor microenvironment regulate tumor initiation and progression. Fibroblasts are the most abundant stromal cell type and dynamically interact with cancer cells both in primary tumors and in metastases. Cancer cells activate resident fibroblasts to produce and secrete soluble signaling molecules that support proliferation, migration, matrix invasion, and drug resistance of cancer cell and tumor angiogenesis. In recent years, various forms of three-dimensional tumor models have been developed to study tumor–stromal interactions and to identify anti-cancer drugs that block these interactions. There is currently a technological gap in development of tumor models that are physiologically relevant, scalable, and allow convenient, on-demand addition of desired components of the tumor microenvironment. In this review, we discuss three studies from our group that focus on developing bioengineered models to study tumor-stromal signaling. We will present these studies chronologically and based on their increasing complexity. We will discuss the validation of the models using a CXCL12-CXCR4 chemokine-receptor signaling present among activated fibroblasts and breast cancer cells in solid tumors, highlight the advantages and shortcomings of the models, and conclude with our perspectives on their applications. Impact statement Tumor stroma plays an important role in progression of cancers to a fatal metastatic disease. Modern treatment strategies are considering targeting tumor stroma to improve outcomes for cancer patients. A current challenge to develop stroma-targeting therapeutics is the lack of preclinical physiologic tumor models. Animal models widely used in cancer research lack human stroma and are not amenable to screening of chemical compounds for cancer drug discovery. In this review, we outline in vitro three-dimensional tumor models that we have developed to study the interactions among cancer cells and stromal cells. We describe development of the tumor models in a modular fashion, from a spheroid model to a sophisticated organotypic model, and discuss the importance of using correct physiologic models to recapitulate tumor-stromal signaling. These biomimetic tumor models will facilitate understanding of tumor-stromal signaling biology and provide a scalable approach for testing and discovery of cancer drugs.

scholarly journals Influence of Tumor Microenvironment and Fibroblast Population Plasticity on Melanoma Growth, Therapy Resistance and Immunoescape

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 5283
Author(s):  
Veronica Romano ◽  
Immacolata Belviso ◽  
Alessandro Venuta ◽  
Maria Rosaria Ruocco ◽  
Stefania Masone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Normal Skin ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Therapy Resistance ◽  
Dermal Fibroblasts ◽  
Stromal Fibroblast ◽  
Cellular Interactions ◽  
Cellular Modifications

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) tissue represents a network constituted by cancer cells and tumor microenvironment (TME). A key feature of CM is the high structural and cellular plasticity of TME, allowing its evolution with disease and adaptation to cancer cell and environmental alterations. In particular, during melanoma development and progression each component of TME by interacting with each other and with cancer cells is subjected to dramatic structural and cellular modifications. These alterations affect extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling, phenotypic profile of stromal cells, cancer growth and therapeutic response. The stromal fibroblast populations of the TME include normal fibroblasts and melanoma-associated fibroblasts (MAFs) that are highly abundant and flexible cell types interacting with melanoma and stromal cells and differently influencing CM outcomes. The shift from the normal microenvironment to TME and from normal fibroblasts to MAFs deeply sustains CM growth. Hence, in this article we review the features of the normal microenvironment and TME and describe the phenotypic plasticity of normal dermal fibroblasts and MAFs, highlighting their roles in normal skin homeostasis and TME regulation. Moreover, we discuss the influence of MAFs and their secretory profiles on TME remodelling, melanoma progression, targeted therapy resistance and immunosurveillance, highlighting the cellular interactions, the signalling pathways and molecules involved in these processes.

scholarly journals Role of glutamine and its metabolite ammonia in crosstalk of cancer-associated fibroblasts and cancer cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Li ◽  
Hongming Zhu ◽  
Weixuan Sun ◽  
Xingru Yang ◽  
Qing Nie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Tumor Stroma ◽  
Cancer Associated Fibroblasts ◽  
Tumor Treatment ◽  
Nucleotide Synthesis ◽  
Nitrogenous Compounds ◽  
Therapeutic Implications ◽  
Cancer Initiation

AbstractCancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the most abundant cells in the tumor microenvironment, play an indispensable role in cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, and metabolism. The limitations of traditional treatments can be partly attributed to the lack of understanding of the role of the tumor stroma. For this reason, CAF targeting is gradually gaining attention, and many studies are trying to overcome the limitations of tumor treatment with CAF as a breakthrough. Glutamine (GLN) has been called a “nitrogen reservoir” for cancer cells because of its role in supporting anabolic processes such as fuel proliferation and nucleotide synthesis, but ammonia is a byproduct of the metabolism of GLN and other nitrogenous compounds. Moreover, in some studies, GLN has been reported as a fundamental nitrogen source that can support tumor biomass. In this review, we discuss the latest findings on the role of GLN and ammonia in the crosstalk between CAFs and cancer cells as well as the potential therapeutic implications of nitrogen metabolism.

scholarly journals Cancer Associated Fibroblasts: Naughty Neighbors That Drive Ovarian Cancer Progression

Cancers ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subramanyam Dasari ◽  
Yiming Fang ◽  
Anirban K. Mitra
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Tumor Stroma ◽  
Major Constituent ◽  
Cancer Associated Fibroblasts ◽  
Normal Cells ◽  
Patient Prognosis

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy, and patient prognosis has not improved significantly over the last several decades. In order to improve therapeutic approaches and patient outcomes, there is a critical need for focused research towards better understanding of the disease. Recent findings have revealed that the tumor microenvironment plays an essential role in promoting cancer progression and metastasis. The tumor microenvironment consists of cancer cells and several different types of normal cells recruited and reprogrammed by the cancer cells to produce factors beneficial to tumor growth and spread. These normal cells present within the tumor, along with the various extracellular matrix proteins and secreted factors, constitute the tumor stroma and can compose 10–60% of the tumor volume. Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major constituent of the tumor microenvironment, and play a critical role in promoting many aspects of tumor function. This review will describe the various hypotheses about the origin of CAFs, their major functions in the tumor microenvironment in ovarian cancer, and will discuss the potential of targeting CAFs as a possible therapeutic approach.

scholarly journals Mitochondria at Center of Exchanges between Cancer Cells and Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts during Tumor Progression

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 3017
Author(s):  
Lisa Nocquet ◽  
Philippe P. Juin ◽  
Frédérique Souazé
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Progression ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Tumor Stroma ◽  
Solid Cancer ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Cancer Associated Fibroblasts ◽  
Metabolic Functions ◽  
Mutational Status

Resistance of solid cancer cells to chemotherapies and targeted therapies is not only due to the mutational status of cancer cells but also to the concurring of stromal cells of the tumor ecosystem, such as immune cells, vasculature and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). The reciprocal education of cancer cells and CAFs favors tumor growth, survival and invasion. Mitochondrial function control, including the regulation of mitochondrial metabolism, oxidative stress and apoptotic stress are crucial for these different tumor progression steps. In this review, we focus on how CAFs participate in cancer progression by modulating cancer cells metabolic functions and mitochondrial apoptosis. We emphasize that mitochondria from CAFs influence their activation status and pro-tumoral effects. We thus advocate that understanding mitochondria-mediated tumor–stroma interactions provides the possibility to consider cancer therapies that improve current treatments by targeting these interactions or mitochondria directly in tumor and/or stromal cells.

scholarly journals Targeting E-selectin to Tackle Cancer Using Uproleselan

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 335
Author(s):  
Barbara Muz ◽  
Anas Abdelghafer ◽  
Matea Markovic ◽  
Jessica Yavner ◽  
Anupama Melam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Metastatic Tumor ◽  
Therapy Resistance ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Cell Trafficking ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Novel Therapy ◽  
Tumor Dissemination

E-selectin is a vascular adhesion molecule expressed mainly on endothelium, and its primary role is to facilitate leukocyte cell trafficking by recognizing ligand surface proteins. E-selectin gained a new role since it was demonstrated to be involved in cancer cell trafficking, stem-like properties and therapy resistance. Therefore, being expressed in the tumor microenvironment, E-selectin can potentially be used to eradicate cancer. Uproleselan (also known as GMI-1271), a specific E-selectin antagonist, has been tested on leukemia, myeloma, pancreatic, colon and breast cancer cells, most of which involve the bone marrow as a primary or as a metastatic tumor site. This novel therapy disrupts the tumor microenvironment by affecting the two main steps of metastasis—extravasation and adhesion—thus blocking E-selectin reduces tumor dissemination. Additionally, uproleselan mobilized cancer cells from the protective vascular niche into the circulation, making them more susceptible to chemotherapy. Several preclinical and clinical studies summarized herein demonstrate that uproleselan has favorable safety and pharmacokinetics and is a tumor microenvironment-disrupting agent that improves the efficacy of chemotherapy, reduces side effects such as neutropenia, intestinal mucositis and infections, and extends overall survival. This review highlights the critical contribution of E-selectin and its specific antagonist, uproleselan, in the regulation of cancer growth, dissemination, and drug resistance in the context of the bone marrow microenvironment.

scholarly journals Hampering Stromal Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment as a Therapeutic Strategy to Destem Cancer Stem Cells

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 3191
Author(s):  
Katherine Po Sin Chung ◽  
Rainbow Wing Hei Leung ◽  
Terence Kin Wah Lee
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Intrinsic Regulation ◽  
Mechanistic Basis ◽  
Novel Therapeutic Strategies

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) within the tumor bulk play crucial roles in tumor initiation, recurrence and therapeutic resistance. In addition to intrinsic regulation, a growing body of evidence suggests that the phenotypes of CSCs are also regulated extrinsically by stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we discuss the current knowledge of the interplay between stromal cells and cancer cells with a special focus on how stromal cells drive the stemness of cancer cells and immune evasive mechanisms of CSCs. Knowledge gained from the interaction between CSCs and stromal cells will provide a mechanistic basis for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancers.

scholarly journals miR-200 deficiency promotes lung cancer metastasis by activating cancer-associated fibroblasts

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Xue ◽  
Chen-Hua Chuang ◽  
Haydn M. Prosser ◽  
Cesar Seigi Fuziwara ◽  
Claudia Chan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Lung Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Lung Cancer Mortality ◽  
Tumor Stroma ◽  
Metastatic Potential ◽  
Human Lung Cancer ◽  
Cancer Associated Fibroblasts

AbstractLung adenocarcinoma, the most prevalent lung cancer subtype, is characterized by its high propensity to metastasize. Despite the importance of metastasis in lung cancer mortality, its underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain largely elusive. Here, we identified miR-200 miRNAs as potent suppressors for lung adenocarcinoma metastasis. miR-200 expression is specifically repressed in mouse metastatic lung adenocarcinomas, and miR-200 decrease strongly correlates with poor patient survival. Consistently, deletion of mir-200c/141 in the KrasLSL-G12D/+; Trp53flox/flox lung adenocarcinoma mouse model significantly promoted metastasis, generating a desmoplastic tumor stroma highly reminiscent of metastatic human lung cancer. miR-200 deficiency in lung cancer cells promotes the proliferation and activation of adjacent cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which in turn elevates the metastatic potential of cancer cells. miR-200 regulates the functional interaction between cancer cells and CAFs, at least in part, by targeting Notch ligand Jagged1 and Jagged2 in cancer cells and inducing Notch activation in adjacent CAFs. Hence, the interaction between cancer cells and CAFs constitutes an essential mechanism to promote metastatic potential.

scholarly journals P11.41 Comparison of fibroblast activation protein expression and localization in glioblastomas and brain metastases

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii52-iii52
Author(s):  
P Busek ◽  
M Zubal ◽  
B Chmielova ◽  
Z Vanickova ◽  
P Hrabal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Brain Metastases ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Brain Tissue ◽  
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Glioma Cells ◽  
Fibroblast Activation Protein ◽  
Epithelial Cancer ◽  
Fibroblast Activation

Abstract BACKGROUND Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a transmembrane serine protease that is frequently upregulated in the tumor microenvironment. In several cases, FAP protein itself and/or FAP expressing stromal cells have been shown to contribute to cancer progression and to be associated with more aggressive cancer behaviour and shorter patient survival. The aim of this study was to determine FAP expression in glioblastomas and brain metastases and to identify the cell types that express FAP in the microenvironment of these malignancies. MATERIAL AND METHODS FAP enzymatic activity and protein concentration were determined in samples from patients with brain metastases, glioblastomas and pharmacoresistant epilepsy (control non-tumorous brain tissue) by an enzymatic assay using a specific fluorogenic substrate and ELISA, respectively. Immunohistochemical labelling with antibodies against FAP and markers of astroglia, epithelial cancer cells and mesenchymal stromal cells was performed to characterize FAP expressing cells. RESULTS FAP was significantly upregulated in the majority of glioblastomas and brain metastases in comparison to non-tumorous brain tissue. In glioblastomas, FAP was localized perivascularly and in mesenchymal cells, and in part of the tumors also in the glioma cells. In brain metastases, FAP positivity was abundantly present in the stroma and predominantly co-localised with markers of mesenchymal stromal cells (TE-7, SMA, PDGFRbeta, NG2), but there was no overlap between FAP and markers of epithelial cancer cells (EpCAM, pancytokeratin). CONCLUSION FAP is upregulated in the microenvironment of human glioblastomas and brain metastases compared to non-tumorous brain tissue. In glioblastomas, FAP is expressed in part of the glioma cells, in pericytes and mesenchymal stromal cells, whereas no positivity in cancer cells and more abundant FAP+ stroma was detected in brain metastases. The selective expression of FAP in these brain tumors may be useful for the visualization and possibly therapeutic targeting of their tumor microenvironment. GRANT SUPPORT Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic, grant No. 15-31379A, Progres Q28/LF1, 2015064 LM EATRIS and the project,Center for Tumor Ecology - Research of the Cancer Microenvironment Supporting Cancer Growth and Spread” (reg. n. CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16_019/0000785) supported by the Operational Programme Research, Development and Education.

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