Open AccessIdentification of metastatic cell nucleus in human prostate cancer by electron microscopy
Author(s) -
Akhouri A. Sinha
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
future science oa
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.825
H-Index - 23
ISSN - 2056-5623
DOI - 10.2144/fsoa-2019-0141
Subject(s) - pathology , metastasis , stromal cell , prostate cancer , cancer cell , cytoplasm , electron microscope , ultrastructure , cell type , biology , nucleus , cancer , cell , cancer research , chemistry , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , physics , optics
Aim: Metastatic prostate cancer is responsible for a large proportion of deaths worldwide. The aim of this study was to identify metastatic cells and determine if stromal invasion by cancer cells differs from those during metastasis. Methods & results: Tissue biopsy/prostatectomy samples, visualized by transmission electron microscopy, identified that metastatic cells are a lineage of stem cells, which have dedifferentiated into cancerous columnar/cuboidal cells. These cells demonstrate nuclear plasticity; the loss of nuclear membranes and boundary between nucleus and cytoplasm; and the presence of electron dense molecules, which can readily pass through basement membranes and enter the capillary, ready for dissemination to metastatic sites. Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate differences between invasive and metastatic cell types.