Cell shape ‘maps’ could point to new cancer treatments

NF-kappaB (red) in breast epithelial cells. (photo: Julia Sero) 

Scientists have created a ‘map’ linking the shape of breast cancer cells to the activation of their genes, which could point towards new treatments and help improve the effectiveness of immunotherapies.

In a revolutionary new approach, Cancer Research UK-funded scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, used large sets of data to map out a network of links between cell shape and genes.

The researchers analysed cell shape in millions of images of more than 300,000 breast cancer cells, and data for more than 28,000 different genes.

Their study, published in Genome Research, found that changes in cell shape, which can be caused by physical pressures on the tumour, are then reflected in important changes in gene activity.

When they then used their maps to analyse thousands of samples taken from women who took part in the Cancer Research UK funded METABRIC study, the researchers discovered that these changes are linked to clinical outcomes for patients.

Hubs for information

They also identified key areas or ‘stations’ within the network that acted as hubs for the flow of information, controlling the levels of many other genes.

Specifically, they found that a protein called NF-kappaB plays a central role in this shape-gene network and could drive the growth and spread of cancer cells. This response was associated with tumour grade in patients and could be used to predict survival.

A map of the network of links between cell shape and genes (image: HebaSailem - click to expand) 

These findings suggest that because NF-kappaB is rarely faulty in solid tumours, the surrounding mechanical forces are playing a large role in disease progression by switching the gene on. Because NF-kappaB is an important part of the immune response to cancer, this work also suggests immunotherapies might be improved by changing the mechanical forces in the tumour.

'An exciting link'

Study leader Dr Chris Bakal, team leader in dynamic cell systems at the ICR, said: “Our study reveals an exciting link between the forces that act on cancer cells and the development of the disease.

“We used ‘big data’ approaches to carry out a complex analysis that would once have taken decades in a matter of months. The maps we’ve created of cell shapes and their effects on gene activity provide important pointers to new forms of cancer treatment, and ways of making existing immunotherapies more effective.”

Professor Karen Vousden, Cancer Research UK’s chief scientist, said: “Understanding the links between how a breast cancer looks and acts, alongside its genetic makeup, will help researchers develop a more detailed picture of the disease.

“The insights and approaches used in this research could one day lead to us being able to tell from appearance, how aggressive someone's cancer is and how likely to spread, helping doctors decide the best course of treatment.”