The emergence of radioresistance is a significant issue in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma. We recently demonstrated that post-radiogenic extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling might decrease radiosensitivity in this cancer type. To further elucidate how tumor-organizing cell types respond to irradiation and ERK pathway inhibition, we analyzed one oral squamous cell carcinoma and one lung cancer cell line (HNSCCUM-02T, A549), fibroblasts (NIH3T3), primary normal and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in vitro. Irradiated cells treated with mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor U0126 were screened for pERK levels. Post-radiogenic cellular responses were functionally analyzed by proliferation and colony assays. We found analogous pERK expression, proliferation and survival of tumor and normal fibroblast cells. CAFs did not show any response to treatment. We hypothesized that radiation and MAPK inhibition have no dose-limiting effect on tumor-surrounding normal tissue. As CAFs are considered to influence the radioresponse of the entire tumor, but are not affected by treatment themselves, potential CAF-mediated tumor protection should be considered in further studies.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.3892/or.2012.2180DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

cancer-associated fibroblasts
8
squamous cell
8
cell carcinoma
8
fibroblasts respond
4
respond combined
4
combined irradiation
4
irradiation kinase
4
kinase inhibitor
4
treatment
4
inhibitor treatment
4

Similar Publications

Spatial profiling of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers in tumor associated cells predicts patient outcomes in pancreatic cancer.

Neoplasia

January 2025

Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales 2031, Australia; UNSW Centre for Childhood Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine &Health, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales 2031, Australia; Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia. Electronic address:

Introduction: The impact of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in tumor-associated cells, such as cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs), immune cells and endothelial cells, on patient outcomes in clinical specimens have not been examined. For the first time, we characterized the expression and spatial locations of ER stress markers, BiP and CHOP, in tumor-associated cells and assessed their prognostic significance in a panel of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patient samples.

Methods: Multiplex immunofluorescence was performed on tumor microarrays and images were analyzed using HALO AI software.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Drug Delivery System Targeting Cancer-Associated Fibroblast for Improving Immunotherapy.

Int J Nanomedicine

January 2025

School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, 610550, People's Republic of China.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a heterogeneous population of non-malignant cells that play a crucial role in the tumor microenvironment, increasingly recognized as key contributors to cancer progression, metastasis, and treatment resistance. So, targeting CAFs has always been considered an important part of cancer immunotherapy. However, targeting CAFs to improve the efficacy of tumor therapy is currently a major challenge.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, particularly pancreatic cancer, are characterized by a dense stromal tumor microenvironment where cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) predominate. CAFs comprise highly heterogeneous subpopulations with different functions, which can be both tumor-promoting and tumor-restraining. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to comprehensively assess the impact of the CAF marker fibroblast-activation protein (FAP) expression on clinical outcomes in GI cancers.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The lung tumor microenvironment is composed of various cell types, including cancer cells, stromal and immune cells, as well as extracellular matrix (ECM). These cells and surrounding ECM create a stiff, hypoxic, acidic, and immunosuppressive microenvironment that can augment the resistance of lung tumors to different forms of cell death and facilitate invasion and metastasis. This environment can induce chemo/radiotherapy resistance by inducing anti-apoptosis mediators such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and nuclear factor of κB (NF-κB), leading to the exhaustion of antitumor immunity and further resistance to chemo/radiotherapy.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The lack of predictive biomarkers contributes notably to the poor outcomes of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the key components of the prominent PDAC stroma. Data on clinical relevance of CAFs entering the bloodstream, known as circulating CAFs (cCAFs) are scarce.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!