The EACR’s ‘Highlights in Cancer Research’ is a regular summary of the most interesting and impactful recent papers in cancer research, curated by the Board of the European Association for Cancer Research (EACR).
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Zhang, W. et al. Cancer Discov. 13 (2): 474–495 (2023).
doi: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-22-0220.
Summary and graphical abstract by Dr. Alexandra Boitor, EACR Scientific Officer
Summary of the findings
Summary of the findings
Various cancer types, including breast, lung, prostate, and colon cancers often metastasize to the bone and metastasis reoccurrence can be observed even years after tumour removal. The bone tissue and microenvironment are highly dynamic under both homeostatic and pathogenic conditions. In their study, Zhang et al. investigated the relationship between metastasis initiation and bone remodelling by making use of several pre-clinical cancer models including co-culture studies, 3D cell culture and mouse models for spontaneous bone metastasis. Results from their study identified NG2+ cells as modulators of osteogenesis and bone remodelling in homeostatic and fractured (but otherwise healthy) bone and facilitators of metastasis initiation and development in pathogenic conditions. Zhang et al propose that NG2+ cells and disseminated tumour cells directly interact in a unique way through heterotypic adherens junctions and this interaction promotes the proliferation and motility of cancer cells. At the core of this interaction, and therefore responsible for the pro-metastatic abilities gained by cancer cells was proposed to be N-cadherin expressed on NG2+ cells.
Future impact
This study proposes a potential connection between bone remodelling and bone metastasis and may explain some circumstantial epidemiologic observations such as increased risk of metastasis in breast cancer survivors following bone fractures or metastatic spreading to the oral cavity and the jaws following dental implants in some patients diagnosed with breast or lung cancer.
