Studying cancer metastasis: Existing models, challenges and future perspectives.

Cancer metastasis causes most cancer-related deaths. Several model systems to study the complex and multi step process of metastasis exist, including in vitro systems, ex-vivo organ slices, Drosophila Melanogaster and zebrafish models and the use of the chorio allantoic membrane (CAM) of fertilized chicken eggs. These models are relatively easy and cheap but often lack the opportunity to study the complete metastasis cascade.

CXCR4 and CXCL12 Expression in Rectal Tumors of Stage IV Patients Before and After Local Radiotherapy and Systemic Neoadjuvant Treatment.

Metastatic rectal cancer patients could benefit from novel therapeutic approaches. The signaling network formed by chemokines and their receptors can promote metastasis and resistance to current anticancer treatments. This study assessed the expression of chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and its ligand CXCL12 immuhistochemically in stage IV rectal tumors.

CXCR4 inhibition enhances radiosensitivity, while inducing cancer cell mobilization in a prostate cancer mouse model.

Preclinical studies show that stroma affects sensitivity of prostate cancer cells via activation of the CXCR4/CXCL12 pathway. Here we studied the effect of CXCR4 inhibition combined with irradiation in prostate cancer cells. In an in vitro co-culture with stromal cells, the CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3100 sensitized prostate cancer cell lines PC3-Luc and LNCaP to irradiation (P = 0.

[⁹⁹mTc]O₂-AMD3100 as a SPECT tracer for CXCR4 receptor imaging.

Purpose: CXCR4 plays an important role in HIV infection, tumor progression, neurogenesis, and inflammation. In-vivo imaging of CXCR4 could provide more insight in the role of this receptor in health and disease. The aim of this study was to investigate [(99m)Tc]O₂-AMD3100 as a potential SPECT tracer for imaging of CXCR4.

CXCR4 inhibition with AMD3100 sensitizes prostate cancer to docetaxel chemotherapy.

Several in vitro and in vivo models have revealed the key role of CXCR4/CXCL12 axis in tumor-stroma interactions. Stromal cells present in the tumor microenvironment express high levels of CXCL12 protein, directly stimulating proliferation and migration of CXCR4-expressing cancer cells. This specific prosurvival influence of stromal cells on tumor cells is thought to protect them from cytotoxic chemotherapy and is postulated as a possible explanation for the minimal residual disease in hematological and solid cancers.

A review on CXCR4/CXCL12 axis in oncology: no place to hide.

Classical chemotherapeutic anti-cancer treatments induce cell death through DNA damage by taking advantage of the proliferative behaviour of cancer cells. The more recent approach of targeted therapy (usually protein-targeted) has led to many treatments that are currently available or are under development, all of which are designed to strike at the critical driving forces of cancer cells. The interaction of the cancer cells with their microenvironment is one of these fundamental features of neoplasms that could be targeted in such cancer treatments.