Review
Cell Biology
XuLing Ji, Xiaoxia Huang, Chao Li, Ningning Guan, Tingting Pan, Jing Dong, Lin Li
Summary: Macrophages are immune cells that can differentiate and exert either pro-tumor or tumor-suppressive effects in breast tumors by secreting cytokines. Tumor cell pyroptosis can activate anti-tumor immunity, recruit tumor-associated macrophages, and inhibit tumor growth. This paper describes the mechanism of tumor-associated macrophages in affecting breast tumor cell pyroptosis and emphasizes their crucial role in the tumor microenvironment. It provides a basis for further research on using immune cells to impact breast tumors and guide anti-tumor strategies, with important implications for breast tumor prevention and treatment.
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Dandan Sheng, Wei Ma, Rui Zhang, Lei Zhou, Qiaodan Deng, Juchuanli Tu, Weilong Chen, Fuchuang Zhang, Nailong Gao, Mengxue Dong, Dong Wang, Fengkai Li, Yin Liu, Xueyan He, Shengzhong Duan, Lixing Zhang, Tong Liu, Suling Liu
Summary: Our study reveals that DTX-induced CCL3 triggers proinflammatory macrophage polarization and facilitates phagocytosis of cancer cells. CCL3 induction in combination with DTX may provide a promising therapeutic rationale for increasing DTX chemosensitivity in breast cancer.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Srijan Dubey, Sayak Ghosh, Debosmita Goswami, Debapriya Ghatak, Rudranil De
Summary: Macrophages are immune cells that can engulf and destroy target cells, including tumor cells. Some macrophages undergo a change to become polarized M2 macrophages while devouring cancer cells. M2 macrophages play important roles in metastasis, tumor suppression, and angiogenesis.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christina Mertens, Matthias Schnetz, Claudia Rehwald, Stephan Grein, Eiman Elwakeel, Andreas Weigert, Bernhard Bruene, Michaela Jung
Summary: Macrophages in the tumor microenvironment contribute to tumor growth by secreting Lcn-2-bound iron and upregulating FPN expression. Lcn-2 plays a crucial role in tumor iron-management, affecting tumor growth progression.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Federica Papaccio, Daniela Kovacs, Barbara Bellei, Silvia Caputo, Emilia Migliano, Carlo Cota, Mauro Picardo
Summary: Research indicates that cancer-associated fibroblasts play significant roles in tumor growth, extracellular matrix remodeling, and inflammatory response. A thorough understanding of the melanoma-fibroblast relationship can expand treatment options.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Saisai Chen, Kai Lu, Yue Hou, Zonghao You, Chuanjun Shu, Xiaoying Wei, Tiange Wu, Naipeng Shi, Guangyuan Zhang, Jianping Wu, Shuqiu Chen, Lihua Zhang, Wenchao Li, Dingxiao Zhang, Shenghong Ju, Ming Chen, Bin Xu
Summary: The study found that high expression of YY1 is closely associated with M2 macrophages in prostate cancer, promoting tumor development. The study also revealed that treatment targeting YY1 can suppress tumor metastasis and generate synergistic anti-tumor effects. Furthermore, the study revealed that YY1 upregulates IL-6 expression by regulating enhancer-promoter interactions, thereby promoting tumor progression.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Chunxiao Li, Xiaofei Xu, Shuhua Wei, Ping Jiang, Lixiang Xue, Junjie Wang
Summary: Macrophages play a crucial role in the tumor microenvironment, where they can be polarized into tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). The abundance of TAMs in tumors is closely linked with poor prognosis, leading to investigations into therapeutic strategies targeting TAMs. These strategies include inhibiting macrophage recruitment to tumors, repolarizing TAMs towards an anti-tumor phenotype, and inducing macrophage-mediated destruction of cancer cells. As tumor immunotherapy gains more importance, new anti-tumor strategies focusing on TAMs are being discussed.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Lingli Long, Yue Hu, Tengfei Long, Xiaofang Lu, Ying Tuo, Yubing Li, Zunfu Ke
Summary: This study revealed a positive relationship between the formation of OvCa-TAMs spheroids and the malignancy of OvCa cells, with M2-TAMs inducing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of OvCa cells through the release of CCL18. The overexpression of ZEB1 in OvCa cells in ovarian mice models promoted the formation of OvCa-TAMs spheroids in ascites, leading to faster transcoelomic metastasis.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Liaoran Niu, Qi Wang, Fan Feng, Wanli Yang, Zhenyu Xie, Gaozan Zheng, Wei Zhou, Lili Duan, Kunli Du, Yiding Li, Ye Tian, Junfeng Chen, Qibin Xie, Aqiang Fan, Hanjun Dan, Jinqiang Liu, Daiming Fan, Liu Hong, Jian Zhang, Jianyong Zheng
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive summary of the interaction between cancer cells and macrophages in the tumor microenvironment, and discusses the role of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) in this process. It also explores the various effects of macrophage-secreted sEVs on tumor malignant transformation, and addresses the therapeutic advancements and challenges associated with these vesicles.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2024)
Review
Oncology
Mo Zhang, Zhixian Chen, Yan Wang, Hongbo Zhao, Yan Du
Summary: This review focuses on the important role of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the ovarian cancer tumor microenvironment. Different subtypes of CAFs have specific functions in tumor pathogenesis and can be potential treatment targets. Several clinical or preclinical trials have targeted CAFs to enhance ovarian cancer treatment outcomes.
Article
Oncology
Tao Lu, Lisa Oomens, Leon W. M. M. Terstappen, Jai Prakash
Summary: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are important drivers in the tumor microenvironment and facilitate the growth and survival of tumor cells, as well as metastasis formation. In this study, we aimed to study circulating CAFs (cCAFs) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in a preclinical breast tumor model in mice in order to understand the effect of chemotherapy on cCAFs and CTC formation. We found that tumors with CAFs grew faster than tumors without CAFs. Furthermore, chemotherapy may exacerbate the formation of cCAFs and CTCs, which may eventually support the formation of a metastasis niche in breast cancer.
Article
Oncology
Zhengjun Zhou, Pengcheng Wang, Rongqi Sun, Jia Li, Zhiqiang Hu, Haoyang Xin, Chubin Luo, Jian Zhou, Jia Fan, Shaolai Zhou
Summary: The interaction between TANs and TAMs enhances the proliferation and invasion abilities of ICC cells, promoting ICC progression. They can produce Oncostatin M and interleukin-11 in co-culture, activating STAT3 signaling in ICC cells, and silencing STAT3 can disrupt the pro-tumor effect of TANs and TAMs on ICC.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Barbara Bellei, Silvia Caputo, Emilia Migliano, Gianluca Lopez, Valeria Marcaccini, Carlo Cota, Mauro Picardo
Summary: The study showed that the molecule Onco-P20, a combination of paclitaxel and hyaluronic acid, targets cells expressing high levels of CD44 and induces apoptotic cell death in sensitive carcinoma cells while causing growth arrest and gene expression changes in less sensitive fibroblasts. Onco-P20-treated fibroblasts exhibited reduced growth factor production, downmodulation of the Wnt signaling pathway, and acquired a pro-inflammatory profile, leading to reduced proliferation rate of carcinoma cells in their presence. Fibroblasts from skin cancer lesions also displayed anti-neoplastic activity under Onco-P20 treatment, suggesting it as a potential alternative therapy for NMSC.
Review
Oncology
Yifan Tan, Min Wang, Yang Zhang, Shengyang Ge, Fan Zhong, Guowei Xia, Chuanyu Sun
Summary: Macrophages are crucial innate immune cells that can promote tumor progression in the tumor microenvironment. Targeting tumor-associated macrophages has become a significant focus in cancer therapy due to their association with cancer advancement and poor prognosis.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Bo Han, Tao Wang, Zhigang Xue, Tao Wen, Ling Lu, Jie Meng, Jian Liu, Sizhu Wu, Jianchun Yu, Haiyan Xu
Summary: In conclusion, due to its ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species, elemene nanoemulsion effectively inhibited the metastasis of breast cancer cells to the lung and liver, prolonging the survival of TNBC mice. Mechanistic studies showed that the nanoemulsion reduced the stabilization of HIF-1 alpha, decreased angiogenesis, and lowered levels of NLRP3 inflammasomes and IL-1 beta production.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NANOMEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Remya Valsalakumari, Sunil Kumar Yadava, Marzena Szwed, Abhilash D. Pandya, Gunhild Mari Maelandsmo, Maria Lyngaas Torgersen, Tore-Geir Iversen, Tore Skotland, Kirsten Sandvig, Jyotsnendu Giri
Summary: The study found that LNCs-PTX were taken up by MDA-MB-468 cells more effectively than the other two cell lines. Additionally, the cytotoxicity of LNCs-PTX on cells was primarily attributed to endocytosis mechanisms involving Cdc42/GRAF-dependent endocytosis and macropinocytosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Abhilash D. Pandya, Tore-Geir Iversen, Siver Moestue, Maria T. Grinde, Yrr Morch, Sofie Snipstad, Andreas K. O. Aslund, Geir F. Oy, Wanja Kildal, Olav Engebraten, Kirsten Sandvig, Tore Skotland, Gunhild M. Maelandsmo
Summary: PEBCA nanoparticles showed the highest uptake in breast cancer xenografts and lymph nodes, making them the most promising for drug delivery. They also increased infiltration of anti-tumorigenic M1 macrophages in tumors and shifted the M1/M2 macrophage ratio, suggesting potential for modulating immune responses for enhanced therapeutic effects.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mateusz A. Krzyscik, Malgorzata Zakrzewska, Vigdis Sorensen, Geir Frode Oy, Skjalg Brunheim, Ellen M. Haugsten, Gunhild M. Maelandsmo, Antoni Wiedlocha, Jacek Otlewski
Summary: Despite being the second leading cause of death worldwide, cancer still lacks a fully effective therapy, highlighting the urgent need for new targeted anticancer drugs. Researchers have developed novel protein-drug conjugates that successfully inhibit tumor growth in a mouse model of human breast cancer.
Article
Oncology
Sigurdur Trausti Karvelsson, Arnar Sigurdsson, Kotryna Seip, Maria Tunset Grinde, Qiong Wang, Freyr Johannsson, Gunhild Mari Maelandsmo, Siver Andreas Moestue, Ottar Rolfsson, Skarphedinn Halldorsson
Summary: The study reveals that the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition induces metabolic changes in breast epithelial cells, including re-routing of the TCA cycle, increased lipid biosynthesis, and decreased glycolytic rates. The alterations in GSH synthesis modulate the sensitivity of breast epithelial cells to mTOR inhibitors.
MOLECULAR CANCER RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Caroline E. Nunes-Xavier, Wanja Kildal, Andreas Kleppe, Havard E. Danielsen, Hakon Waehre, Roberto Llarena, Gunhild M. Maelandsmo, Oystein Fodstad, Rafael Pulido, Jose I. Lopez
Summary: This study identified distinct clinical relevance of the two immune checkpoint proteins PD-L1 and B7-H3 in prostate cancer, with B7-H3 potentially serving as a significant therapeutic target.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lisa Svartdal Normann, Miriam Ragle Aure, Suvi-Katri Leivonen, Mads Haugland Haugen, Vesa Hongisto, Vessela N. Kristensen, Gunhild Mari Maelandsmo, Kristine Kleivi Sahlberg
Summary: HER2-positive breast cancer patients that do not respond to targeted treatment have a poor prognosis. Through a high-throughput screen, it was found that certain miRNA mimics can sensitize HER2+ breast cancer cells to targeted therapy, with miR-101-5p showing a correlation with better prognosis in patients. This suggests the potential of combining targeted drugs with miRNAs to improve current treatments for HER2+ breast cancers.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Vegar Johansen Dagenborg, Serena Elizabeth Marshall, Krzysztof Grzyb, Asmund Avdem Fretland, Marius Lund-Iversen, Gunhild Mari Maelandsmo, Anne Hansen Ree, Bjorn Edwin, Sheraz Yaqub, Kjersti Flatmark
Summary: The study found a significant accumulation of T-cells in the IM regions of both pCRC and CLM, with lower densities in the IT regions. The correlation between T-cell densities in pCRC and matched CLM was poor for all regions and subtypes. The ratios of TH : CTL and Treg : TH were different between pCRC and CLM, indicating a potential immune suppressive microenvironment in both types of tumors.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Sigurdur Trausti Karvelsson, Qiong Wang, Bylgja Hilmarsdottir, Arnar Sigurdsson, Siver Andreas Moestue, Gunhild Mari Maelandsmo, Skarphedinn Halldorsson, Steinn Gudmundsson, Ottar Rolfsson
Summary: Proteomic data provides more accurate predictions of metabolic fluxes compared to transcriptomic data when describing breast epithelial metabolism in the context of EMT. The altered cholesterol metabolism and increased dependency on argininosuccinate lyase (ASL) following EMT predicted by proteomic GSMMs were confirmed through drug assays and siRNA knockdown experiments. The iBreast2886 metabolic reconstruction model can be utilized to interpret high throughput clinical data and identify subtype-specific vulnerabilities in breast cancer patients.
NPJ SYSTEMS BIOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Meeting Abstract
Oncology
C. E. Nunes-Xavier, M. Emaldi, T. Oyjord, G. Larrinaga, P. Errarte, J. C. Angulo, R. Llarena, G. M. Maelandsmo, O. Fodstad, R. Pulido, J. I. Lopez
ANNALS OF ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marta Nyakas, Karianne Giller Fleten, Mads Haugland Haugen, Nikolai Engedal, Christina Sveen, Inger Nina Farstad, Vivi Ann Florenes, Lina Prasmickaite, Gunhild Mari Maelandsmo, Kotryna Seip
Summary: This study investigated the therapeutic potential of combining an AXL inhibitor (AXLi) and a clinically relevant BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi) for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. The results showed that AXL was expressed in the majority of melanoma lymph node metastases. In vitro experiments demonstrated that the combination of AXLi and BRAFi resulted in the largest reduction in cell viability. Moreover, pre-clinical studies using AXL(high) melanoma models showed a therapeutic benefit of adding AXLi to the BRAF-targeted therapy. Mechanistic insights revealed that AXLi potentiated BRAFi-induced apoptosis, stimulated ferroptosis, and inhibited autophagy. Overall, this study suggests that combining AXLi with standard therapy could improve the therapeutic outcome in metastatic melanoma.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Caroline E. Nunes-Xavier, Janire Mingo, Maite Emaldi, Karine Flem-Karlsen, Gunhild M. Maelandsmo, Oystein Fodstad, Roberto Llarena, Jose I. Lopez, Rafael Pulido
Summary: This study revealed heterogeneous expression of PDH complex components in PCa tumors, with PDH complex components being related to AR signaling and PDK2 expression associated with poor PCa prognosis. These findings highlight the potential of targeting PDH complex components for intervention in PCa.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lisa Svartdal Normann, Mads Haugland Haugen, Vesa Hongisto, Miriam Ragle Aure, Suvi-Katri Leivonen, Vessela N. N. Kristensen, Andliena Tahiri, Olav Engebraaten, Kristine Kleivi Sahlberg, Gunhild Mari Maelandsmo
Article
Oncology
Vigdis Nygaard, Anne Hansen Ree, Vegar Johansen Dagenborg, Anne-Lise Borresen-Dale, Bjorn Edwin, Asmund Avdem Fretland, Krzysztof Grzyb, Mads H. Haugen, Gunhild M. Maelandsmo, Kjersti Flatmark
Summary: A mesenchymal subgroup with an immunosuppressive phenotype, characterized by high expression of immune checkpoints HAVCR2/TIM-3 and VISTA, as well as the M2 macrophage marker CD163, was identified in colorectal cancer liver metastases. These findings suggest potential novel opportunities for immune-based therapy approaches in microsatellite stable colorectal cancer.
CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Margherita Ambrosini, Marzia Del Re, Paolo Manca, Andrew Hendifar, Alexander Drilon, Guilherme Harada, Anne Hansen Ree, Samuel Klempner, Gunhild Mari Maelandsmo, Kjersti Flatmark, Hege G. Russnes, James M. Cleary, Harshabad Singh, Elisa Sottotetti, Antonia Martinetti, Giovanni Randon, Andrea Sartore-Bianchi, Iolanda Capone, Massimo Milione, Maria Di Bartolomeo, Filippo Pietrantonio
Summary: This study collected data from patients with GI cancers and ALK rearrangements, showing remarkable responses and clinical benefit with ALK inhibitors. Despite the low frequency, ALK rearrangements play an important role in personalized treatment for GI cancers.
JCO PRECISION ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Andra S. Martinikova, Miroslav Stoyanov, Anna Oravetzova, Yannick P. Kok, Shibo Yu, Jana Dobrovolna, Pavel Janscak, Marcel van Vugt, Libor Macurek
Summary: Oncogene-induced replication stress is a major cause of genome instability in cancer cells. This study reveals that increased activity of PPM1D exacerbates replication stress caused by cyclin E1 overexpression, leading to abnormal cell cycle progression and accumulation of DNA copy number alterations. Pharmacological inhibition of PPM1D can alleviate replication stress-induced genome instability.
MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Oncology
Alamelu G. Bharadwaj, Meghan E. McLean, Margaret L. Dahn, Hannah F. Cahill, Marie-Claire D. Wasson, Raj Pranap Arun, Olivia L. Walker, Brianne M. Cruickshank, Wasundara Fernando, Jaganathan Venkatesh, Penelope J. Barnes, Gillian Bethune, Gregory Knapp, Lucy K. Helyer, Carman A. Giacomantonio, David M. Waisman, Paola Marcato
Summary: ALDH1A3 regulates the plasminogen activation pathway to promote breast cancer metastasis. Co-expression of ALDH1A3 and tPA is associated with TNBC subtype, high tumor grade, and recurrent metastatic disease.
MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Oncology
Nayela N. Chowdhury, Yi Yang, Ananya Dutta, Michelle Luo, Zimu Wei, Sara R. Abrahams, Alexey S. Revenko, Fenil Shah, Lindsey A. Miles, Robert J. Parmer, Bas de Laat, Alisa S. Wolberg, James P. Luyendyk, Melissa L. Fishel, Matthew J. Flick
Summary: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly fatal metastatic disease associated with robust activation of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems. Primary fibrinolytic protease plasminogen promotes PDAC tumor growth and metastatic potential through engaging plasminogen receptors on tumor cells.
MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Oncology
Nuria Gendrau-Sanclemente, Agnes Figueras, Kristina Gracova, Alvaro Lahiguera, Elisenda Alsina-Sanchis, Juan A. Marin-Jimenez, August Vidal, Xavier Matias-Guiu, Sergi Fernandez-Gonzalez, Marc Barahona, Lola Marti, Jordi Ponce, Francesc Vinals
Summary: High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), the deadliest gynecological malignancy, spreads through transcoelomic dissemination. This study reveals that platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRβ) is essential for the formation of tumorspheres in HGSOC. Inhibition of PDGFRβ blocks the clustering of ovarian cancer cells and prevents peritoneal dissemination.
MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY
(2024)