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Cellular plasticity in the breast cancer ecosystem

Pietras, Kristian LU orcid and Sjölund, Jonas LU (2024) In Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences 129.
Abstract

The complex interplay between genetically diverse tumor cells and their microenvironment significantly influences cancer progression and therapeutic responses. This review highlights recent findings on cellular plasticity and heterogeneity within the breast cancer ecosystem, focusing on the roles of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). We discuss evidence suggesting that breast cancer cells exhibit phenotypic plasticity driven by both intrinsic genetic factors and external microenvironmental cues, impacting treatment responses and disease recurrence. Moreover, single-cell RNA sequencing studies reveal diverse subtypes of CAFs and TAMs, each with distinct functional gene expression programs and... (More)

The complex interplay between genetically diverse tumor cells and their microenvironment significantly influences cancer progression and therapeutic responses. This review highlights recent findings on cellular plasticity and heterogeneity within the breast cancer ecosystem, focusing on the roles of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). We discuss evidence suggesting that breast cancer cells exhibit phenotypic plasticity driven by both intrinsic genetic factors and external microenvironmental cues, impacting treatment responses and disease recurrence. Moreover, single-cell RNA sequencing studies reveal diverse subtypes of CAFs and TAMs, each with distinct functional gene expression programs and spatial organization within the tumor microenvironment. Understanding the hierarchical relationships and niche cues governing cellular phenotypes offers new opportunities for targeted therapeutic interventions. By elucidating the organizational principles of the tumor ecosystem, future therapies may target phenotypic states or entire cellular niches, advancing precision medicine approaches in breast cancer treatment.

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author
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
cancer-associated fibroblasts, macrophages, Tumor microenvironment, tumor-initiating cells
in
Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences
volume
129
article number
e10629
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • scopus:85189654639
  • pmid:38571887
ISSN
0300-9734
DOI
10.48101/ujms.v129.10629
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
48b34e6b-5f53-41a6-acfe-eeed0b80d711
date added to LUP
2024-04-24 15:36:28
date last changed
2024-06-19 20:44:24
@article{48b34e6b-5f53-41a6-acfe-eeed0b80d711,
  abstract     = {{<p>The complex interplay between genetically diverse tumor cells and their microenvironment significantly influences cancer progression and therapeutic responses. This review highlights recent findings on cellular plasticity and heterogeneity within the breast cancer ecosystem, focusing on the roles of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). We discuss evidence suggesting that breast cancer cells exhibit phenotypic plasticity driven by both intrinsic genetic factors and external microenvironmental cues, impacting treatment responses and disease recurrence. Moreover, single-cell RNA sequencing studies reveal diverse subtypes of CAFs and TAMs, each with distinct functional gene expression programs and spatial organization within the tumor microenvironment. Understanding the hierarchical relationships and niche cues governing cellular phenotypes offers new opportunities for targeted therapeutic interventions. By elucidating the organizational principles of the tumor ecosystem, future therapies may target phenotypic states or entire cellular niches, advancing precision medicine approaches in breast cancer treatment.</p>}},
  author       = {{Pietras, Kristian and Sjölund, Jonas}},
  issn         = {{0300-9734}},
  keywords     = {{cancer-associated fibroblasts; macrophages; Tumor microenvironment; tumor-initiating cells}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences}},
  title        = {{Cellular plasticity in the breast cancer ecosystem}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.48101/ujms.v129.10629}},
  doi          = {{10.48101/ujms.v129.10629}},
  volume       = {{129}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}