Mapping the niche of breast cancer metastases in lung and liver

Abstract

Breast cancer progression to visceral organs such as lung and liver is regarded as a dreadful event, unequivocally associated with a poor prognosis. Yet, these vital sites are characterized by highly diverse cellular microenvironments and physiological functions, suggesting that they may influence cancer cells behavior in divergent ways. Unexpectedly, we find that while the liver microenvironment fosters metastasis-promoting properties and boosts secondary spread, the lungs impose a roadblock to the same processes. Using patient data and tissues from rapid autopsy, as well as mouse models with barcode-mediated metastasis tracing, niche labeling technology and single cell analysis of both tumor cells and their direct microenvironment, we dissect cellular and molecular microenvironmental factors that impose this differential behavior. Among these, we identify BMP2-producing endothelial cells as critical players within the liver metastatic niche, capable to enhance metastasis-to-metastasis dissemination. Targeting BMP2 receptor on breast cancer cells suppresses their metastasis-forming ability. Altogether, we reveal a contrast in the site-specific behavior of lung and liver metastases in breast cancer, highlighting microenvironmental factors that contribute to this diversity, as well as organ-specific opportunities for intervention.