Cortactin regulates metastatic dormancy of circulating tumor cells by suppressing mTOR-dependent senescence

Abstract

Metastatic dormancy often refers to the stable cell cycle arrest of disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) at distant sites. However, whether circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood microenvironment can enter a dormant state prior to extravasation and becoming DTCs remains unclear. Using patient-derived melanoma CTC lines and animal explant models (CDX), we identified a previously unrecognized role of the cytoskeletal regulator cortactin (encoded by CTTN) in controlling mTOR/p53-dependent senescence and metastatic dormancy. Cortactin was localized to Rab7-postive endosomes and engaged in late endosomal tethering and homeostasis. The depletion of cortactin resulted in the accumulation of aberrantly enlarged late endosomal aggregates that were positive for Rab7 and mTOR. The mTOR protein complex was accumulated and activated within these abnormal vesicular structures, leading to robust p53 activation through phosphorylation at serine (S) 15 and S33 sites. Consequently, melanoma CTCs underwent G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and entered cellular senescence. This unusual oncogene-induced senescence (OIS) mechanism was characterized by SASP upregulation, {beta}-galactosidase activity, depletion of Ki-67 and Lamin B1, and elevated mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) levels. Notably, a positive feedback loop between p53 and mtROS was essential for maintaining stable senescence in CTCs. In preclinical CDX mouse models, we developed a sequential therapeutic strategy combining cortactin depletion with anti-Bcl-xL senolytic drugs. Such "One-two punch" treatment strategy effectively eliminated viable CTCs and suppressed metastatic tumor growth in vivo. Thus, targeting cortactin to induce CTC senescence, followed by senolytic therapy, may represent a promising strategy to block CTC-mediated metastatic progression.