Fibroblast growth factor signals drive the metastatic behavior in small cell lung cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Early metastatic spread represents a challenge in fighting small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The molecular mechanisms underlying metastatic dissemination remain unclear in this devastating disease.

Methods

Invasive traits were investigated in 13 SCLC cell lines using 3D-spheroid formation, sprouting assays, co-cultures and a zebrafish xenograft model. Proteomic analysis was performed to unravel metastatic drivers, which were validated by qPCR, growth factor arrays and specific inhibitors.

Results

Overall, 8 cell lines formed spheroids, and half of these displayed invasive sprouting in collagen. The 'sprouter' SCLC cells, which all had a YAP1-dominant subtype, showed increased migration in zebrafish larvae and penetrated endothelial cell monolayers to a higher

SUBMITTER: Ernhofer B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12859120 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature