Epithelial-mesenchymal transition phenotypes of circulating tumor cells correlate with the clinical stages and cancer metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma patients

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 487-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Chen ◽  
Shun-Wang Cao ◽  
Zhen Cai ◽  
Lei Zheng ◽  
Qian Wang
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Circulating Tumor Cells ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Clinical Stages

scholarly journals A Novel Ex Vivo System Using 3D Polymer Scaffold to Culture Circulating Tumor Cells from Breast Cancer Patients Exhibits Dynamic E-M Phenotypes

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 1473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamasa De ◽  
Shina Goyal ◽  
Gowri Balachander ◽  
Kaushik Chatterjee ◽  
Prashant Kumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patient ◽  
Breast Cancer Patient ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Circulating Tumor Cells ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

The majority of the cancer-associated deaths is due to metastasis—the spread of tumors to other organs. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), which are shed from the primary tumor into the circulation, serve as precursors of metastasis. CTCs have now gained much attention as a new prognostic and diagnostic marker, as well as a screening tool for patients with metastatic disease. However, very little is known about the biology of CTCs in cancer metastasis. An increased understanding of CTC biology, their heterogeneity, and interaction with other cells can help towards a better understanding of the metastatic process, as well as identify novel drug targets. Here we present a novel ex vivo 3D system for culturing CTCs from breast cancer patient blood samples using porous poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds. As a proof of principle study, we show that ex vivo culture of 12/16 (75%) advanced stage breast cancer patient blood samples were enriched for CTCs identified as CK+ (cytokeratin positive) and CD45− (CD45 negative) cells. The deposition of extracellular matrix proteins on the PCL scaffolds permitted cellular attachment to these scaffolds. Detection of Ki-67 and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) positive cells revealed proliferating cell population in the 3D scaffolds. The CTCs cultured without prior enrichment exhibited dynamic differences in epithelial (E) and mesenchymal (M) composition. Thus, our 3D PCL scaffold system offers a physiologically relevant model to be used for studying CTC biology as well as for individualized testing of drug susceptibility. Further studies are warranted for longitudinal monitoring of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in CTCs for clinical association.

scholarly journals Development and Validation for Prognostic Nomogram of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Recurrence based on Circulating Tumor Cells and Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiani Yang ◽  
Jun Ma ◽  
Yue Jin ◽  
Shanshan Cheng ◽  
Shan Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Risk Stratification ◽  
Epithelial Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Circulating Tumor Cells ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Ca 125 ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Cox Regression Analysis ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract We aimed to determine prognosis value of circulating tumor cells(CTCs) undergoing epithelial–mesenchymal transition(EMT) in epithelial ovarian cancer(EOC) recurrence. We used CanPatrol CTC-enrichment technique to detect CTCs from blood samples and classify subpopulations into epithelial, mesenchymal and hybrids. To construct nomogram, prognostic factors were selected by Cox regression analysis. Risk stratification was performed through Kaplan–Meier analysis among training group(n=114) and validation group(n=38). By regression screening, both CTC counts(HR 1.187; 95%CI 1.098-1.752; p=0.012) and M-CTC(HR 1.098; 95%CI 1.047-1.320; p=0.009) were demonstrated as independent factors for recurrence. Other variables including pathological grade, FIGO stage, lymph node metastasis, ascites and CA-125 were also collected(p < 0.005) to construct nomogram. The C-index of internal and external validation for nomogram was 0.913 and 0.874. We found significant predictive value for nomogram with/without CTCs (AUC 0.8705 and 0.8097). Taking CTC counts and M-CTC into separation, the values were 0.8075 and 0.8262. Finally, survival curves of risk stratification based on CTC counts(p=0.0241), M-CTC(p=0.0107) and the nomogram(p=0.0021) were drawn with significant difference. In conclusion, CTCs could serve as a novel factor for EOC prognosis. Nomogram model constructed by CTCs and other clinical parameters could predict EOC recurrence and perform risk stratification for clinical decision-making.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-DDD-16009601, October 25, 2016

scholarly journals Role of Metabolic Reprogramming in Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 2042 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyunkoo Kang ◽  
Hyunwoo Kim ◽  
Sungmin Lee ◽  
HyeSook Youn ◽  
BuHyun Youn
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Progression ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Metabolic Reprogramming ◽  
Metabolic Enzyme ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Altered Glucose

Activation of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is thought to be an essential step for cancer metastasis. Tumor cells undergo EMT in response to a diverse range of extra- and intracellular stimulants. Recently, it was reported that metabolic shifts control EMT progression and induce tumor aggressiveness. In this review, we summarize the involvement of altered glucose, lipid, and amino acid metabolic enzyme expression and the underlying molecular mechanisms in EMT induction in tumor cells. Moreover, we propose that metabolic regulation through gene-specific or pharmacological inhibition may suppress EMT and this treatment strategy may be applied to prevent tumor progression and improve anti-tumor therapeutic efficacy. This review presents evidence for the importance of metabolic changes in tumor progression and emphasizes the need for further studies to better understand tumor metabolism.

scholarly journals Heterogeneity in Circulating Tumor Cells: The Relevance of the Stem-Cell Subset

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Agnoletto ◽  
Fabio Corrà ◽  
Linda Minotti ◽  
Federica Baldassari ◽  
Francesca Crudele ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Circulating Tumor Cells ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Cell Subset ◽  
Intermediate Phenotype ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Early Event ◽  
Tumor Type ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Immunodeficient Mice

The release of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) into vasculature is an early event in the metastatic process. The analysis of CTCs in patients has recently received widespread attention because of its clinical implications, particularly for precision medicine. Accumulated evidence documents a large heterogeneity in CTCs across patients. Currently, the most accepted view is that tumor cells with an intermediate phenotype between epithelial and mesenchymal have the highest plasticity. Indeed, the existence of a meta-stable or partial epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) cell state, with both epithelial and mesenchymal features, can be easily reconciled with the concept of a highly plastic stem-like state. A close connection between EMT and cancer stem cells (CSC) traits, with enhanced metastatic competence and drug resistance, has also been described. Accordingly, a subset of CTCs consisting of CSC, present a stemness profile, are able to survive chemotherapy, and generate metastases after xenotransplantation in immunodeficient mice. In the present review, we discuss the current evidence connecting CTCs, EMT, and stemness. An improved understanding of the CTC/EMT/CSC connections may uncover novel therapeutic targets, irrespective of the tumor type, since most cancers seem to harbor a pool of CSCs, and disclose important mechanisms underlying tumorigenicity.

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