Cited by 125Cancer Cells and MetastasisAngiogenesis and VEGF in CancerCancer, Lipids, and Metabolism

Oncogenic KRAS Drives Lipofibrogenesis to Promote Angiogenesis and Colon Cancer Progression

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Hsu, Wen-Hao, LaBella, Kyle A., Lin, Yiyun, Xu, Ping, Lee, Rumi, Hsieh, Cheng-En, Yang, Lei, Zhou, Ashley +11 more·2023·Cancer Discovery

Published version of a preprint

Abstract

Oncogenic KRAS (KRAS*) contributes to many cancer hallmarks. In colorectal cancer, KRAS* suppresses antitumor immunity to promote tumor invasion and metastasis. Here, we uncovered that KRAS* transforms the phenotype of carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAF) into lipid-laden CAFs, promoting angiogenesis and tumor progression. Mechanistically, KRAS* activates the transcription factor CP2 (TFCP2) that upregulates the expression of the proadipogenic factors BMP4 and WNT5B, triggering the transformation of CAFs into lipid-rich CAFs. These lipid-rich CAFs, in turn, produce VEGFA to spur angiogenesis. In KRAS*-driven colorectal cancer mouse models, genetic or pharmacologic neutralization of TFCP2 reduced lipid-rich CAFs, lessened tumor angiogenesis, and improved overall survival. Correspondingly, in human colorectal cancer, lipid-rich CAF and TFCP2 signatures correlate with worse prognosis. This work unveils a new role for KRAS* in transforming CAFs, driving tumor angiogenesis and disease progression, providing an actionable therapeutic intervention for KRAS*-driven colorectal cancer. Significance: This study identified a molecular mechanism contributing to KRAS*-driven colorectal cancer progression via fibroblast transformation in the tumor microenvironment to produce VEGFA driving tumor angiogenesis. In preclinical models, targeting the KRAS*–TFCP2–VEGFA axis impaired tumor progression, revealing a potential novel therapeutic option for patients with KRAS*-driven colorectal cancer. This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 2489

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Authors
Hsu, W.-H., LaBella, K. A., Lin, Y., Xu, P., Lee, R., Hsieh, C.-E., Yang, L., Zhou, A., Blecher, J. M., Wu, C.-J., Lin, K., Shang, X., Jiang, S., Spring, D. J., Xia, Y., Chen, P., Shen, J. P., Kopetz, S., & DePinho, R. A.
Affiliations
  • The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (US)
  • 3Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
Venue
Cancer Discovery
Published
2023-09-27
Volume
13
Issue
12
Pages
2652-2673
ISSN
  • 2159-8274 (ISSN-L)
  • 2159-8290
OpenAlex
W4387115132
Cited by
125
References
81
Citations by year
2026: 42 · 2025: 53 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 2
FWCI
15.18
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cancer Discovery (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • Digital Commons-TMC (Texas Medical Center) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (RP210028)
  • National Institutes of Health (F99 CA274661, R01 CA231360)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer Cells and Metastasis
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Angiogenesis and VEGF in Cancer
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › Cancer, Lipids, and Metabolism
Keywords
oncogenic KRAS, colorectal cancer, cancer-associated fibroblasts, angiogenesis, VEGF-A, TFCP2, BMP4, Wnt5b, tumor microenvironment, tumor progression, antitumor immunity, prognostic signature, KRAS-targeted therapy
MeSH terms
Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts, Angiogenesis, Animals, Colonic Neoplasms, DNA-Binding Proteins, Fibroblasts, Humans, Lipids, Transcription Factors, Colorectal Neoplasms, Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras), Mice, Tumor Microenvironment

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