RESUMEN
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most aggressive lung cancer entity with an extremely limited therapeutic outcome. Most patients are diagnosed at an extensive stage. However, the molecular mechanisms driving SCLC invasion and metastasis remain largely elusive. We used an autochthonous SCLC mouse model and matched samples from patients with primary and metastatic SCLC to investigate the molecular characteristics of tumor metastasis. We demonstrate that tumor cell invasion and liver metastasis in SCLC are triggered by an Angiopoietin-2 (ANG-2)/Integrin ß-1-dependent pathway in tumor cells, mediated by focal adhesion kinase/Src kinase signaling. Strikingly, CRISPR-Cas9 KO of Integrin ß-1 or blocking Integrin ß-1 signaling by an anti-ANG-2 treatment abrogates liver metastasis formation in vivo. Interestingly, analysis of a unique collection of matched samples from patients with primary and metastatic SCLC confirmed a strong increase of Integrin ß-1 in liver metastasis in comparison with the primary tumor. We further show that ANG-2 blockade combined with PD-1-targeted by anti-PD-1 treatment displays synergistic treatment effects in SCLC. Together, our data demonstrate a fundamental role of ANG-2/Integrin ß-1 signaling in SCLC cells for tumor cell invasion and liver metastasis and provide a potentially new effective treatment strategy for patients with SCLC.
Asunto(s)
Angiopoyetina 2 , Integrina beta1 , Neoplasias Hepáticas , Neoplasias Pulmonares , Transducción de Señal , Carcinoma Pulmonar de Células Pequeñas , Animales , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Ratones , Angiopoyetina 2/metabolismo , Angiopoyetina 2/genética , Línea Celular Tumoral , Integrina beta1/metabolismo , Integrina beta1/genética , Neoplasias Hepáticas/secundario , Neoplasias Hepáticas/metabolismo , Neoplasias Hepáticas/patología , Neoplasias Hepáticas/genética , Neoplasias Hepáticas/tratamiento farmacológico , Neoplasias Pulmonares/secundario , Neoplasias Pulmonares/patología , Neoplasias Pulmonares/metabolismo , Neoplasias Pulmonares/genética , Neoplasias Pulmonares/tratamiento farmacológico , Invasividad Neoplásica , Metástasis de la Neoplasia , Carcinoma Pulmonar de Células Pequeñas/patología , Carcinoma Pulmonar de Células Pequeñas/metabolismo , Carcinoma Pulmonar de Células Pequeñas/genética , Carcinoma Pulmonar de Células Pequeñas/tratamiento farmacológicoRESUMEN
The interdisciplinary possibilities inherent in nuclear medicine offer an opportunity for the patient-centered development of radioactive pharmaceuticals based on specific research questions. This approach provides radiopharmaceutical manufacturers with a robust scientific foundation on which to navigate the regulatory requirements for drug approval laid down by the law. A vivid illustration of this interdisciplinary cooperation has been the development of a Zr-89-labeled PSMA ligand where reliable results have been obtained across various domains, including chemistry, radiochemistry, biochemistry, and preclinical research. This comprehensive process extended to feasibility studies conducted with carefully selected patients from a single nuclear medicine clinic. The approach demonstrates how far close collaboration between different disciplines within nuclear medicine can further the move towards patient-oriented radiopharmaceutical treatments while simultaneously meeting regulatory demands. With such a strategy, innovative radiopharmaceutical solutions can be brought to the market more swiftly and efficiently, in line with the needs of patients.