Quantitative proteomics and phosphoproteomics analysis of patient-derived ovarian cancer stem cells

ABSTRACT: High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is the deadliest gynecologic cancer. Key to the progression and ultimate lethality of this subtype is the intra-tumoral heterogeneity (ITH), which is defined as the coexistence of different cell types and populations within a single tumor. Among those, ovarian cancer stem cells (OCSCs) are a distinct subpopulation of tumor cells endowed with stem-like properties, which can survive current standard therapies, resulting in tumor recurrence. Here, we generated ex vivo primary OCSC-enriched three-dimensional (3D) spheres from ten distinct treatment naive patient-derived adherent (2D) cultures. We used state-of-the-art quantitative mass spectrometry to characterize the molecular events associated with OCSCs by analyzing their phosphoproteome and proteome. Our data revealed a stemness-related protein signature, shared within a heterogeneous patient cohort, which correlates with chemo-refractoriness in a clinical proteomics dataset. Moreover, we identified targetable deregulated kinases and aberrant PDGF receptor activation in OCSCs. Pharmacological inhibition of PDGFR in adherent OC cells reduced the stemness potential, measured by sphere formation assay. Overall, we provide a valuable resource to identify new OCSC markers and putative targets for OCSC-directed therapies.

INSTRUMENT(S): Orbitrap Exploris 480

ORGANISM(S): Homo Sapiens (human)

TISSUE(S): Epithelial Cell, Stem Cell, Cell Culture, Ovary Epithelium

DISEASE(S): Malignant Neoplasm Of Ovary

SUBMITTER: Giulia Franciosa  

LAB HEAD: Jesper V. Olsen

PROVIDER: PXD061015 | Pride | 2025-04-24

REPOSITORIES: Pride