Propagated circulating tumor cells uncovers the role of NFκB and COP1 in metastasis

Abstract

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), a population of cancer cells that represents the seeds of metastatic nodules, are a promising model system for studying metastasis. However, expansion of patient-derived CTCs ex vivo is challenging and dependent on the collection of high numbers of CTCs, which are ultra-rare. Here, we report the development of a combined CTC and CTC-derived xenograft (CDX) platform for expanding and studying patient-derived CTCs from metastatic colon, lung, and pancreatic cancers. Propagated CTCs yielded a highly aggressive population of cells that could be used to routinely and robustly establish primary tumors and metastatic lesions in CDXs. Differential gene analysis of the resultant CTC models emphasized a role for NF-kB signaling as a pan-cancer signaling pathway involved in metastasis. Furthermore, metastatic CTCs were identified through a prospective 5-gene signature (BCAR1, COL1A1, IGSF3, RRAD, and TFPI2). Whole-exome sequencing of CDX models and metastases further identified mutations in constitutive photomorphogenesis protein 1 (COP1) as a potential driver of metastasis. These findings illustrate the utility of the combined patient-derived CTC model and provide a glimpse of the promise of CTCs in identifying drivers of cancer metastasis.

Advancements and Applications of Liquid Biopsies in Oncology: A Narrative Review

“…In local invasion, cancer cells break surrounding structural barriers and tissues such as the extracellular matrix (ECM), basement membranes, or neighboring cells. This process involves the activation of specific signaling pathways, such as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Notch, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and the secretion of enzymes, such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), cathepsins, serine proteases (including urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA)), hyaluronidase, and A disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAMs), that degrade the ECM, allowing cancer cells to invade adjacent tissues [13]. Specific signaling pathways and enzymes involved in local invasion vary and depend on the tumor's cancer type and individual characteristics.…”