Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2025
10:51
Modeling Breast Cancer in Human Breast Tissue using a Microphysiological System
Published on: April 23, 2021
4.2K
FAM3C in Cancer-Associated Adipocytes Promotes Breast Cancer Cell Survival and Metastasis
Sahee Kim1, Jiyoung Oh1, Chanho Park1
1Department of Biological Sciences, College of Information and Biotechnology, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Republic of Korea.
Cancer Research
|December 20, 2023
Summary
Cancer-associated adipocytes produce FAM3C, a molecule that fuels breast cancer progression and metastasis. Inhibiting FAM3C in early tumor development may offer a new therapeutic strategy for breast cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Metabolism
Background:
- Adipose tissue in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial for breast cancer progression.
- Cancer-associated adipocytes (CAA) significantly influence tumor behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key regulators of tumor progression produced by CAAs.
- To investigate the role of FAM3C in breast cancer growth and metastasis.
Main Methods:
- FAM3C expression and function were studied in cultured adipocytes and breast cancer cells.
- FAM3C knockdown was performed in CAAs within a mouse model of breast cancer.
- Circulating FAM3C levels were measured in breast cancer patients.
Main Results:
- FAM3C overexpression in adipocytes reduced cell death and fibrosis.
- FAM3C depletion in CAAs induced adipocyte-mesenchymal transition (AMT) and increased TME fibrosis.
- FAM3C knockdown in CAAs inhibited primary and metastatic tumor growth in mice.
- Elevated circulating FAM3C levels correlated with metastatic breast cancer.
Conclusions:
- FAM3C produced by CAAs is a critical regulator of breast cancer progression and metastasis.
- Targeting FAM3C in CAAs during early tumorigenesis presents a potential therapeutic strategy for breast cancer.
Related Concept Videos
03:03mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
3.8K
The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
The mTOR pathway or the...
3.8K
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
6.6K
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
6.6K
02:53Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
5.8K
Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
5.8K
01:35Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia
2.3K
Invadosome is a broad category of cell surface structures with proteolytic activity that degrades the extracellular matrix (ECM). Invadosomes are present in normal cell types, including macrophages, endothelial cells, and neurons, as well as tumor cells. Although the macrophage podosomes and tumor cell invadopodia are classified as invadosomes, they have different structures, molecular pathways, and functions. Podosomes are short structures that last for a few minutes. However,...
2.3K
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
4.5K
Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
4.5K
02:30Metastasis
5.6K
Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
5.6K