NPPB is a novel candidate biomarker expressed by cancer-associated fibroblasts in epithelial ovarian cancer.

ABSTRACT: Most solid tumors contain cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) that support tumorigenesis and malignant progression. However, the cellular origins of CAFs in epithelial ovarian cancers (EOCs) remain poorly understood, and their utility as a source of clinical biomarkers for cancer diagnosis has not been explored in great depth. Here, we report establishing in vitro and in vivo models of CAFs in ovarian cancer development. Normal ovarian fibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells cultured in the presence of EOC cells acquired a CAF-like phenotype, and promoted EOC cell migration in vitro. CAFs also promoted ovarian cancer growth in vivo in both subcutaneous and intraperitoneal murine xenograft assays. Molecular profiling of CAFs identified gene expression signatures that were highly enriched fo

SUBMITTER: Lawrenson K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4289413 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature