YB-1 (Y-box binding protein 1) is a multifunctional cold-shock protein that has been implicated in all hallmarks of cancer. Elevated YB-1 protein level was associated with poor prognosis in several types of cancers, including breast cancer (BC), where it is a marker of decreased overall survival (OS) and distant metastasis-free survival across all subtypes. YB-1 is also secreted by different cell types and may act as an extracellular mitogen; however the pathological implications of the secreted form of YB-1 (sYB-1) are unknown. Our purpose was to retrospectively evaluate the association between YB-1 measured by ELISA in serum and disease characteristics and outcomes in patients with BC and bone metastases (BM). In our cohort, sYB-1 was detected in the serum of 22 (50%) patients, and was associated with the presence of extra-bone metastases (p=0.044). Positive sYB-1 was also associated with faster bone disease progression (HR 3.1, 95% CI 1.09–8.95, P=0.033), but no significant differences were observed concerning OS, and time to development of skeletal-related events. Moreover, patients with positive sYB-1 also had higher levels of IL-6, a known osteoclastogenic inducer. Therefore, detection of sYB-1 in patients with BC and BM may indicate a higher tumor burden, in bone and extra-bone locations, and is a biomarker of faster bone disease progression.

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Cellular aggregates are used as relevant regenerative building blocks, tissue models, and cell delivery platforms. Biomaterial‐free structures are often assembled either as 2D cell sheets or spherical microaggregates, both incompatible with free‐form deposition, and dependent on challenging processes for macroscale 3D upscaling. The continuous and elongated nature of fiber‐shaped materials enables their deposition in unrestricted multiple directions. Cellular fiber fabrication has often required exogenously provided support proteins and/or the use of biomaterial‐based sacrificial templates. Here, the rapid (<24 h) assembly of fiberoids is reported: living centimeter‐long scaffold‐free fibers of cells produced in the absence of exogenous materials or supplements. Adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cell fiberoids can be easily modulated into complex multidimensional geometries and show tissue‐invasive properties while keeping the secretion of trophic factors. Proangiogenic properties studied on a chick chorioallantoic membrane in an ovo model are observed for heterotypic fiberoids containing endothelial cells. These micro‐to‐macrotissues may find application as morphogenic therapeutic and tissue‐mimetic building blocks, with the ability to integrate 3D and 4D full biological materials.

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