Targeted downregulation of HIF-1α for restraining circulating tumor microemboli mediated metastasis

Tumor metastasis is directly correlated to poor prognosis and high mortality. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) play a pivotal role in metastatic cascades, of which CTC clusters is highly metastatic compared to single CTCs. Although platelets and neutrophils within the bloodstream could further exacerbate the pro-metastatic effect of single CTCs, the influence of platelets and neutrophils on CTC clusters mediated metastasis remains unclear. In this study, a pro-metastatic complex composed of CTC clusters, platelets and neutrophils, namely circulating tumor microemboli (CTM), was identified in vivo among different metastatic tumor, which was demonstrated with highly upregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). While knock-out of HIF-1α or therapeutically downregulating of HIF-1α via HIF-1α inhibitor (BAY87–2243)-loaded neutrophil cyto-pharmaceuticals (PNEs) could efficiently restrain CTM mediated lung metastasis. The underlying mechanism of metastasis inhibition was attributed to the downregulation of HIF-1α-associated PD-L1, which would enhance immune response for inhibiting metastatic cells. Thus, our work here illustrates that hypoxia was an essential factor in promoting CTM colonization in lung. More importantly, we provide a promising strategy by targeted downregulation of HIF-1α in CTM via neutrophil cyto-pharmaceuticals for treatment of CTM mediated metastasis.