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Cellular plasticity in the breast cancer ecosystem

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Cellular plasticity in the breast cancer ecosystem
Authors: Kristian Pietras, Jonas Sjölund
Source: Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol 129, Pp 1-5 (2024)
Publisher Information: Upsala Medical Society, 2024.
Publication Year: 2024
Collection: LCC:Medicine
Subject Terms: tumor microenvironment, tumor-initiating cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, macrophages, Medicine
Description: 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.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 0300-9734
2000-1967
Relation: https://ujms.net/index.php/ujms/article/view/10629; https://doaj.org/toc/0300-9734; https://doaj.org/toc/2000-1967
DOI: 10.48101/ujms.v129.10629
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/b15f6782c06b4255a8bbb5f0c9f2d1fc
Accession Number: edsdoj.b15f6782c06b4255a8bbb5f0c9f2d1fc
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
Description
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 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.
ISSN:03009734
20001967
DOI:10.48101/ujms.v129.10629