Project description:A subset of tumor-initiating cells (TIC) drives colorectal cancer (CRC) progression in serial mouse xenografts. The TIC compartment itself is heterogeneous and comprises hierarchically organized long-term TIC, tumor transient amplifying cells, and delayed contributing TIC. To address the genomic heterogeneity of the CRC TIC compartment, genome-wide high-coverage whole genome sequencing was performed on patient tumors (n=3), corresponding serially passaged TIC-enriched spheres, and serial xenografts.HIPO P002
Project description:To identify the regulatory mechanisms and signalling pathways involved in colorectal cancer (CRC) development, we compared the transcriptome of patient-derived tumor-initiating cells (TICs) with their normal stem cell counterparts of the same patient. This study demonstrates the relevance of AKT-signalling in colonic TIC proliferation and survival. Functional testing uncovered the selective AKT-inhibitor MK-2206 as a potential therapeutic for TIC-directed therapy in CRC. Gene expression profiling of tumor and normal tissues from 5 patients.
Project description:Intra-tumor heterogeneity of tumor-initiating cell (TIC) activity drives colorectal cancer (CRC) progression and therapy resistance. Here, we used single-cell mRNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) of patient-derived CRC models to decipher distinct cell subpopulations based on their transcriptional profiles. Cell type-specific expression modules of stem-like, transit amplifying-like, and differentiated CRC cells resemble differentiation states of normal intestinal epithelial cells. Strikingly, identified subpopulations differ in proliferative activity and metabolic state. In summary, we here show at single-cell resolution that transcriptional heterogeneity identifies functional states during TIC differentiation. Targeting transcriptional states associated to cancer cell differentiation might unravel vulnerabilities in human CRC.
Project description:To identify the regulatory mechanisms and signalling pathways involved in colorectal cancer (CRC) development, we compared the transcriptome of patient-derived tumor-initiating cells (TICs) with their normal stem cell counterparts of the same patient. This study demonstrates the relevance of AKT-signalling in colonic TIC proliferation and survival. Functional testing uncovered the selective AKT-inhibitor MK-2206 as a potential therapeutic for TIC-directed therapy in CRC.
Project description:Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Re-evaluating our current knowledge on CRC and developing novel therapeutic strategies is still crucial. Accumulating evidence suggests that cancer cells possess characters reminiscent of those of normal stem cells. Unveiling small RNAs responsible for cell stemness and chemoradioresistance should eventually lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Expression profiles of parental CRC cells and cancer spheres expanded under stem cell medium cultivation were generated for identifying key regulators.
Project description:The colorectal cancer (CRC) cell line pair SW480/SW620 is an accepted model to study CRC progression and metastasis formation. Studying gene expression differences might allow to uncover molecular mechanisms that underlie metastasis initiation Both cell lines are derived from the same patient, but at different stages of the disease. They might show differences in tumor-initiating cell (TIC) potential.
Project description:The colorectal cancer (CRC) cell line pair SW480/SW620 is an accepted model to study CRC progression and metastasis formation. Studying miRNA expression differences might allow to uncover molecular mechanisms that underlie metastasis initiation Both cell lines are derived from the same patient, but at different stages of the disease. They might show differences in tumor-initiating cell (TIC) potential.
Project description:Using established human CRC cell lines, we showed that progastrin expression were enriched under conditions that promote tumor-initiating cells (TIC) self-renewal.