Research Highlights FAM3C's Crucial Role in Breast Cancer Progression

Abstract

Adipose tissue within the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a critical role in supporting breast cancer progression. In this study, we identified FAM3 metabolism-regulating signaling molecule C (FAM3C) produced by cancer-associated adipocytes (CAAs) as a key regulator of tumor progression. FAM3C overexpression in cultured adipocytes significantly reduced cell death in both adipocytes and co-cultured breast cancer cells while suppressing markers of fibrosis. Conversely, FAM3C depletion in CAAs resulted in adipocyte-mesenchymal transition (AMT) and increased fibrosis within the TME. Adipocyte FAM3C expression was driven by TGF-β signaling from breast cancer cells and was reduced upon treatment with a TGF-β-neutralizing antibody. FAM3C knockdown in CAAs early in tumorigenesis in a genetically engineered mouse model of breast cancer significantly inhibited primary and metastatic tumor growth. Circulating FAM3C levels were elevated in patients with metastatic breast cancer compared to those with non-metastatic breast cancer. These results suggest that therapeutic inhibition of FAM3C expression levels in CAAs during early tumor development could be a promising approach in the treatment of patients with breast cancer.

A groundbreaking study conducted by Professor Jiyoung Park and her research team in the Department of Biological Sciences at UNIST has identified FAM3C, a metabolism-regulating signaling molecule produced by cancer-associated adipocytes (CAAs), as a key regulator of breast cancer progression within the tumor microenvironment (TME). The findings, published in the prestigious academic journal Cancer Research, shed light on the potential for targeted therapies in the treatment of breast cancer.

The study demonstrates that overexpression of FAM3C in cultured adipocytes significantly reduces cell death in both adipocytes and co-cultured breast cancer cells, while suppressing markers of fibrosis. Conversely, depletion of FAM3C in CAAs leads to adipocyte-mesenchymal transition (AMT) and increased fibrosis within the TME. The research team also discovered that breast cancer cells stimulate the expression of FAM3C in adipocytes through TGF-β signaling, which can be inhibited by a TGF-β-neutralizing antibody.

In a genetically engineered mouse model of breast cancer, early knockdown of FAM3C in CAAs significantly inhibited primary and metastatic tumor growth. Furthermore, elevated levels of circulating FAM3C were observed in patients with metastatic breast cancer compared to those with non-metastatic breast cancer.

"These findings suggest that therapeutic inhibition of FAM3C expression in CAAs during early tumor development could hold promise as a novel approach in the treatment of patients with breast cancer," said Professor Jiyoung Park. "Understanding the role of cancer-associated adipocytes and their secretory molecules, such as FAM3C, opens up new avenues for the development of early diagnosis markers and targeted treatments for breast cancer."

The findings of this study have been published in the online version of Cancer Research on December 20, 2023. This research was conducted with the support of the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), the Basic Science Research Program, as well as a grant of the Korea Health Technology R&D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), funded by the Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea.

Journal Reference

Sahee Kim, Jiyoung Oh, Chanho Park, et al., "FAM3C in cancer-associated adipocytes promotes breast cancer cell survival and metastasis," Cancer Research, (2023).