Despite the central importance of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), understanding of their role in metastasis has been limited by the extreme difficulty of characterizing CTC populations over time and linking them to metastases that occur during natural tumor progression. We propose to develop a novel system that enables longitudinal and dynamic CTC studies in genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs). The system will make possible a series of experiments that can answer fundamental questions about the relationship between CTC characteristics and metastasis: Does the time that CTCs remain in the circulatory system (half-life) change during tumor progression? Are cancer cells in primary tumors predisposed to form metastases soon after initiation or must tumors evolve to acquire metastatic potential? Do chemotherapeutic or anti-angiogenic agents promote CTC intravasation and increase the likelihood of distant metastasis? Beyond the scope of these fundamental questions, developing a system that enables liquid biopsies for dynamic and longitudinal CTC studies in GEMMs will potentiate hypothesis-driven tumor biology studies and large-scale preclinical exploration of therapeutic strategies that are not feasible in patients. Our proposed system will use mice with fluorescent reporters that brightly label all tumor cells, including CTCs a surgically installed arterio-venous shunt;and a microfluidic cell sorter controlled by a real-tie computer system. In operation, the majority of blood from a live mouse will pass through the system and return via catheter. Each time a fluorescent CTC passes through the sorter, the control system will divert a small volume of blood including the CTC to a collection port, producing a dramatically enriched CTC sample. The sample can be further concentrated and manipulated by a variety of techniques.

Public Health Relevance

Despite the central importance of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), understanding of their role in metastasis has been limited by the extreme difficulty of characterizing CTC populations over time and linking them to metastases that occur during natural tumor progression. We propose to develop a novel system that enables longitudinal CTC studies in genetically engineered mouse models. The system will make possible a series of experiments that can answer fundamental questions about the relationship between CTC characteristics and metastasis.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01CA184956-01
Application #
8686204
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZCA1)
Program Officer
Mohla, Suresh
Project Start
2014-09-01
Project End
2018-08-31
Budget Start
2014-09-01
Budget End
2015-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
City
Cambridge
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02142
Roper, Jatin; Tammela, Tuomas; Cetinbas, Naniye Malli et al. (2017) In vivo genome editing and organoid transplantation models of colorectal cancer and metastasis. Nat Biotechnol 35:569-576