An insight into the role of myeloid/erythroid progenitors in tumor progression

Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality in women worldwide. In triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) which lacks ER, PR, and HER2 expression, current treatment methods have been ineffective, highlighting the importance of prioritizing breast cancer prevention and treatment. While Red blood cells (RBCs) have traditionally been viewed as oxygen-carrying cells, immature RBCs have immunosuppressive properties. Under physiological conditions, RBCs are produced in the bone marrow. However, stresses such as cancer induce extramedullary erythropoiesis, leading to an abundance of erythroid precursors, defined as CD71+ erythroid cells (CECs), in peripheral organs. This study utilizes a 4T1 cancer model to investigate the role of CECs in tumor progression. Our studies demonstrate that tumor influences erythropoiesis as an escape mechanism to promote myelopoiesis. In this study, we have investigated the role of myeloid/erythroid cells in tumor progression. Using single cell RNA sequencing, we have identified distinct subpopulations of CECs at unique developmental stages to delineate their differentiation pathways in cancer.  In conclusion, this study offers a comprehensive understanding of the complex role of erythroid/myeloid precursors in a murine breast cancer model. This study holds profound potential for identifying novel therapeutic targets by targeting CECs to improve clinical outcomes for patients.