Inflammatory cells in tumor microenvironment

The image shows prostate cancer cells in which KLF4 (red) and the CD44 protein (green) on the cell membrane are stained.
Credit: Kirsi Kainulainen, University of Eastern Finland, Institute of Biomedicine
…promote the transformation of prostate cancer cells into treatment-resistant cells.
There is a challenge related to prostate and many other cancers that cancer cells form resistance to treatments as the disease progresses. However, these resistance mechanisms are not yet fully understood. A new study by the University of Eastern Finland found that inflammation-promoting immune cells, M1 macrophages, can transform cancer cells into stem-like cells and thus immune to treatment. The results were published in OncoImmunology journal.
The study examined the impact of factors promoting inflammation in a tumour microenvironment on the progression of prostate cancer. Researchers focused particularly on the role of M1 and M2 macrophages in the tumour microenvironment. Macrophages are immune cells whose large number in the tumour area is often a sign of poor prognosis in relation to prostate cancer. The study found that pro-inflammatory macrophages (M1) increase the stem cell traits of cancer cells and weaken the androgen response.
“We found that pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages secreted factors that increased the expression of stem cell markers such as NANOG, KLF4, SOX2 and CD44 in prostate cancer cells. Based on our research, it seems that inflammatory tumour microenvironment promotes the transformation of prostate cancer cells into a stem cell-like state where they are resistant to traditional therapies,” says Doctoral Researcher Kirsi Kainulainen.
The results help us understand how immune response affects the progression of prostate cancer and resistance to treatments. Observations on the effects of immune cells on the transformation capacity of cancer cells may open up new treatment opportunities for prostate cancer.
The study was carried out by Senior University Lecturer Sanna Pasonen-Seppänen and Research Director Kirsi Ketola at the University of Eastern Finland’s Institute of Biomedicine. The study has been supported by the Academy of Finland, the Sigrid Juselius Foundation, the Cancer Foundation Finland, the North Savo Cancer Association, the Finnish Cultural Foundation, the Northern Savo Cultural Foundation, the Paavo Koistinen Foundation and the Kuopio University Foundation.
Journal: OncoImmunology
DOI: 10.1080/2162402X.2024.2393442
Method of Research: Experimental study
Subject of Research: Cells
Article Title: Secreted factors from M1 macrophages drive prostate cancer stem cell plasticity by upregulating NANOG, SOX2, and CD44 through NFκB-signaling.
Article Publication Date: 21-Aug-2024
All latest news from the category: Life Sciences and Chemistry
Articles and reports from the Life Sciences and chemistry area deal with applied and basic research into modern biology, chemistry and human medicine.
Valuable information can be found on a range of life sciences fields including bacteriology, biochemistry, bionics, bioinformatics, biophysics, biotechnology, genetics, geobotany, human biology, marine biology, microbiology, molecular biology, cellular biology, zoology, bioinorganic chemistry, microchemistry and environmental chemistry.
Newest articles

Hybrid Job Training Boosts Women’s Participation in Nepal
Globally, women’s workforce participation is about 25% lower than men’s, often due to barriers such as domestic responsibilities and cultural norms. Vocational training can increase employment opportunities, but women may…

Drying and Rewetting Cycles Boost Soil CO2 Emissions
Niigata, Japan – The amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) released by microbial decomposition of soil organic carbon on a global scale is approximately five times greater than the amount of…

Improved Treatment Method for Rare Pregnancy-Related Cancer
PORTLAND, Ore. – A new drug delivery system shows promise for treating a rare, aggressive form of cancer affecting pregnant women and new mothers, and it has potential with other…