Inflammatory fibroblasts mediate resistance to neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer
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ABSTRACT: Standard cancer therapy targets tumor cells without considering the possible collateral damage on the tumor microenvironment that could impair therapy response. Employing patient-derived tumor organoids and primary stroma cells or a novel murine rectal cancer model, we show that interleukin-1a (IL-1a) dependent inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblast (iCAF) polarization triggers oxidative DNA damage in iCAFs leading to p53-mediated therapy-induced senescence associated with changes in matrisome composition, chemoradiotherapy resistance and disease progression. IL-1 inhibition, prevention of iCAF senescence or senolytic therapy sensitizes mice to irradiation. In rectal cancer patients a dominant iCAF gene signature as well as lower IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) serum levels correlate with poor prognosis. Moreover, conditioned supernatant from patient tumor organoids renders fibroblasts susceptible to radiation-induced senescence in an IL-1-dependent manner. Collectively, we unravel a critical role for iCAFs in therapy resistance and identify IL-1 signaling as an attractive target for stroma-repolarization and prevention of CAF senescence.
INSTRUMENT(S): Orbitrap Fusion
ORGANISM(S): Homo Sapiens (human)
TISSUE(S): Rectum, Epithelial Cell
DISEASE(S): Colorectal Cancer
SUBMITTER: Adele Nicolas
LAB HEAD: Florian R. Greten
PROVIDER: PXD030422 | Pride | 2022-02-08
REPOSITORIES: Pride
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