The promotion of breast cancer metastasis caused by inhibition of CSF-1R/CSF-1 signaling is blocked by targeting the G-CSF receptor

A Swierczak, AD Cook, JC Lenzo, CM Restall… - Cancer immunology …, 2014 - AACR
A Swierczak, AD Cook, JC Lenzo, CM Restall, JP Doherty, RL Anderson, JA Hamilton
Cancer immunology research, 2014AACR
Abstract Treatment options are limited for patients with breast cancer presenting with
metastatic disease. Targeting of tumor-associated macrophages through the inhibition of
colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R), a key macrophage signaling pathway, has
been reported to reduce tumor growth and metastasis, and these treatments are now in
clinical trials. Here, we report that, surprisingly, treatment with neutralizing anti–CSF-1R and
anti–CSF-1 antibodies, or with two different small-molecule inhibitors of CSF-1R, could …
Abstract
Treatment options are limited for patients with breast cancer presenting with metastatic disease. Targeting of tumor-associated macrophages through the inhibition of colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R), a key macrophage signaling pathway, has been reported to reduce tumor growth and metastasis, and these treatments are now in clinical trials. Here, we report that, surprisingly, treatment with neutralizing anti–CSF-1R and anti–CSF-1 antibodies, or with two different small-molecule inhibitors of CSF-1R, could actually increase spontaneous metastasis without altering primary tumor growth in mice bearing two independently derived mammary tumors. The blockade of CSF-1R or CSF-1 led to increased levels of serum G-CSF, increased frequency of neutrophils in the primary tumor and in the metastasis-associated lung, as well as increased numbers of neutrophils and Ly6Chi monocytes in the peripheral blood. Neutralizing antibody against the G-CSF receptor, which regulates neutrophil development and function, reduced the enhanced metastasis and neutrophil numbers that resulted from CSF-1R blockade. These results indicate that the role of the CSF-1R/CSF-1 system in breast cancer is far more complex than originally proposed, and requires further investigation as a therapeutic target. Cancer Immunol Res; 2(8); 765–76. ©2014 AACR.
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