leukemia propagating cells rebuild an evolving niche in response to therapy

Residence of cancer-propagating cells (CPCs) within preferential microenvironmental niches has a major part in evading therapy. However, the nature of niches involved and the mechanisms protecting CPCs remain largely unknown. We addressed these issues in mouse transplantation models of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). When the engrafted leukemic cells substantially damaged adjacent vascular structures and endosteal linings in the bone marrow (BM), after chemotherapy small foci of CPCs were retained, surrounded by sheaths of supporting cells that comprise a novel niche. We investigated patients BM biopsies and found evidence of a similar process in patients receiving induction-therapy. The efficacy of chemotherapy was enhanced by interfering with the niche formation or niche-CPC interaction. We therefore identified a therapy-induced niche that protects CPCs.

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Duan CW, Shi J, Chen J, Wang B, Yu YH, Qin X, Zhou XC, Cai YJ, Li ZQ, Zhang F, Yin MZ, Tao Y, Mi JQ, Li LH, Enver T, Chen GQ, Hong DL