Blocking the adhesion cascade at the premetastatic niche for prevention of breast cancer metastasis

Mol Ther. 2015 Jun;23(6):1044-1054. doi: 10.1038/mt.2015.45. Epub 2015 Mar 27.

Abstract

Shear-resistant adhesion and extravasation of disseminated cancer cells at the target organ is a crucial step in hematogenous metastasis. We found that the vascular adhesion molecule E-selectin preferentially promoted the shear-resistant adhesion and transendothelial migration of the estrogen receptor (ER)(-)/CD44(+) hormone-independent breast cancer cells, but not of the ER(+)/CD44(-/low) hormone-dependent breast cancer cells. Coincidentally, CD44(+) breast cancer cells were abundant in metastatic lung and brain lesions in ER(-) breast cancer, suggesting that E-selectin supports hematogenous metastasis of ER(-)/CD44(+) breast cancer. In an attempt to prevent hematogenous metastasis through the inhibition of a shear-resistant adhesion of CD44(+) cancer cells to E-selectin-expressing blood vessels on the premetastatic niche, an E-selectin targeted aptamer (ESTA) was developed. We demonstrated that a single intravenous injection of ESTA reduced metastases to a baseline level in both syngeneic and xenogeneic forced breast cancer metastasis models without relocating the site of metastasis. The effect of ESTA was absent in E-selectin knockout mice, suggesting that E-selectin is a molecular target of ESTA. Our data highlight the potential application of an E-selectin antagonist for the prevention of hematogenous metastasis of ER(-)/CD44(+) breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / genetics
  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • E-Selectin / genetics
  • E-Selectin / metabolism
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / genetics
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / prevention & control*
  • Receptors, Estrogen / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Estrogen / genetics
  • Receptors, Estrogen / metabolism
  • Transendothelial and Transepithelial Migration / genetics

Substances

  • Aptamers, Nucleotide
  • E-Selectin
  • Receptors, Estrogen