Loss of tumourigenicity of stably ERbeta-transfected MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Proliferation of breast cancer cells is mediated by estrogen receptors (ER)-ERalpha and ERbeta. At present, contradictory observations complicate the understanding of involvement of ERbeta in breast cancer and functional definition of ERbeta as a prognostic marker. A stable expression of full length ERbeta was established in the ERalpha-positive MCF-7 breast carcinoma cell line to evaluate the role for ERbeta in maintenance of cell viability and estrogenic response, as well as proliferation, morphology and cell cycle progression. In order to verify in vivo tumourigenicity of ERbeta transfectants were transplanted into nude mice. Transfection of ERbeta in MCF-7 resulted in a marginal increase of gelsolin protein expression. Constitutive expression of ERbeta resulted in a significant 30% inhibition of cellular growth compared with transfection of the mock vector alone (p=0.043). This reduction in growth was associated a retardation of transition into S-phase of the cell cycle. The in vitro response to 17beta-estradiol was reversed in cells over-expressing ERbeta (p=0.016). However, no difference in response to the antiestrogens tamoxifen and ICI 182,780 was observed in the presence of ERbeta. Importantly, over-expression of ERbeta prevented establishment and growth of tumours as subcutaneous xenografts in immunodeficient mice in vivo. These observations support the notion that ERbeta is a tumour suppressor and is exploitable in terms of cancer prevention, improving therapeutic response or predicting disease progression.

Enhanced tumorigenicity of fibroblasts transformed with human herpesvirus 8 chemokine receptor vGPCR by successive passage in nude and immunocompetent mice

The human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8)-encoded G protein-coupled chemokine receptor (vGPCR) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), particularly because of its high constitutive signaling activity. Here, we used retroviral transduction to generate vGPCR-expressing 3T3 fibroblasts that are tumorigenic in nude mice, but as expected fail to induce tumors in their immunocompetent counterparts. However, tumor fragments obtained from nude mice grow progressively in immunocompetent BALB/c mice. Unexpectedly, vGPCR-expressing cells established from grafted tumor fragments gave rise to tumors in immunocompetent mice. These tumors exhibit a striking histological resemblance to KS including plump spindle cell morphology, a high degree of vascularization and brisk mitotic activity. High expression of vGPCR was confirmed in the cell lines and tumors using a newly developed vGPCR-specific monoclonal antibody. Finally, short interfering RNA directed at vGPCR abrogated or significantly delayed tumorigenesis in mice, demonstrating that the tumor development is specifically driven by vGPCR. This novel model for vGPCR-mediated oncogenesis will contribute to our understanding of the role of vGPCR in the pathogenesis of HHV-8 and may even be important in identifying critical molecular and epigenetic changes during tumor progression in vivo.

Uptake, biodistribution, and time course of naked plasmid DNA trafficking after intratumoral in vivo jet injection

Nonviral jet injection is an applicable technology for in vivo gene transfer of naked DNA. However, little is known about the biodistribution and clearance of jet-injected DNA, or about its localization within tissue and cells. Therefore, in this study we analyzed the intratumoral and systemic biodistribution of jet-injected naked DNA in human colon carcinoma-bearing NCr-nu/nu mice, which were jet-injected with the pCMVbeta plasmid DNA. Intratumoral and systemic plasmid DNA biodistribution was analyzed 5, 10, 20, and 40 min and 3, 6, 24, 48, and 72 hr after jet injection, using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. In the tumors, a rapid drop in naked DNA load within 24 hr of jet injection was shown. Detailed analysis of intratumoral distribution of rhodamine-labeled DNA revealed the presence of plasmid DNA within tumor cells 5 min after jet injection and further accumulation of significant DNA amounts in the cell nuclei 30 to 60 min after jet injection. In the blood, DNA amounts rapidly dropped within 10 to 40 min of jet injection to less than 0.001 pg of plasmid per 250 ng of tissue DNA and only minimal plasmid DNA dissemination was detected in liver, lung, spleen, kidney, and ovaries, which was cleared 3 to 6 hr after jet injection. By contrast, in heart, bone marrow, and brain almost no plasmid DNA was detectable.

In vivo models for endocrine-dependent breast carcinomas: special considerations of clinical relevance

Tumours in hormone-regulated organs such as the breast, prostate or ovaries are among the most frequent malignancies. Because of their endocrine-dependent development and growth, they offer a unique opportunity for antihormonal treatment either single or long-term or in combination with radio- or chemotherapy. A prominent example is breast carcinoma, for which the anti-oestrogen tamoxifen has been used successfully for several years. Unfortunately, a substantial number of tumours are intrinsically tamoxifen-resistant, despite oestrogen-receptor positivity, and, eventually, almost all breast carcinomas acquire resistance towards tamoxifen. The recently developed pure anti-oestrogen Faslodex and the third-generation aromatase inhibitors (Letrozol, anastrozole (Arimidex) offer the possibility of alternative therapies. Preclinical models are needed, as most of the mechanisms of hormonal tumour dependence and the causes of the appearance of antihormone resistance are not yet fully understood. This review focuses on the development and characterisation of breast cancer xenografts derived directly from surgical resections. With their help, a deeper insight into the mechanisms of hormone regulation and anti-oestrogen resistance can be gained. The xenograft models have already been used in differential gene-expression analysis on DNA microarrays and for the evaluation of approaches to overcoming tamoxifen resistance.

Anticancer drug response and expression of molecular markers in early-passage xenotransplanted colon carcinomas

Despite some success in the treatment of colorectal carcinomas, novel rational therapies targeting specific cancer-related molecules are under development and urgently needed. These approaches need careful preclinical evaluation in models that closely mirror the clinical situation. Therefore, we established a panel of 15 xenotransplantable tumours directly from fresh surgical material. We showed that both the histology and expression of tumour-associated markers (Epithelial Cell Adhesion molecule (EpCAM), E-cadherin, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)) could be maintained during passaging in nude mice. Xenotransplanted tumours were characterised for chemosensitivity and revealed a response rate of 5/15 (33%) for 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), 15/15 (100%) for irinotecan and 8/14 (57%) for oxaliplatin. 5 patients out of 15 were treated with cytostatics because of synchronous metastases. The response to chemotherapy in these patients coincided very closely with the response of the individual xenografts. All of the xenografts expressed the proliferation marker Ki67 and the nuclear enzyme, Topoisomerase IIalpha (Topo IIalpha) at the protein level. Most of the xenografts also expressed the tumour suppressor, p53 (9/14) and the nuclear enzyme Topoisomerase Ialpha (Topo Ialpha) (13/14) at the protein level. Interestingly, the presence of a K-ras mutation in codon 12 (5/15 xenografts) coincided with a low response rate towards oxaliplatin. This observation needs further confirmation using a larger number of tumours. In conclusion, we were able to establish transplantable xenografts suitable to mimic the clinical situation. These well characterised models are useful tools for the preclinical development of novel therapeutic approaches and for investigating translational research aspects.

Antitumor activity of imidazothioxanthones in murine and human tumor models in vitro and in vivo

BACKGROUND

A new series of imidazothioxanthones has recently been synthesized as potential anticancer agents with the aim of overcoming drug resistance. The route of synthesis and DNA-binding properties of the compounds were reported previously. This paper describes the general structure-activity relationships for the class of imidazothioxanthones in panels of human and murine tumor cell lines in vitro, and the in vivo activity against human and murine solid tumors of the most potent compound, N-[3-(Dimethylamino)propylo]-11-oxo-11H-benzothiopyrano [3',2':2,3]pyrido[1,2-a]imidazo-2-carboxamide (10a). In addition, the interaction between compound 10a and DNA is also considered in terms of molecular mechanics methods and flexible docking techniques.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cytotoxicity of compounds 10a, 11-oxo-N-[2-(pyrrolidino)ethylo]-11H-benzothiopyrano [3',2':2,3]pyrido[1,2-a]imidazo-2-carboxamide, 11-oxo-N-[2-(piperidino)ethylo]-11H-benzothiopyrano [3',2':2,3]pyrido[1,2-a]imidazo-2-carboxamide and N-[2-(morpholino)ethylo]-11-oxo-11H-benzothiopyrano [3',2':2,3]pyrido[1,2-a]imidazo-2-carboxamide (10c-10e) was assessed in human tumor cell lines and xenografts using the sulforhodamine B assay, MTT assay and the clonogenic assay. The human ovarian xenograft, PXN/109TC, two human breast carcinomas, MT-1 and MCF-7, and the murine colon adenocarcinoma, MAC15A were used for the in vivo testing of compound 10a. In addition, the interaction between compound 10a and DNA is also considered in terms of molecular mechanics methods and flexible docking techniques.

RESULTS

Two compounds, 10a and 10c, showed cytotoxic activity below 10 mM in the NCI in vitro screen of 60 human tumor cell lines. The IC50 value of compound 10a was 6.8 mM and that of 10c, 8.3 mM. In addition, both compounds possessed differential activity against leukemia, colon and mammary cancer. The activity pattern was confirmed in two further screens using monolayer and clonogenic, assays. In vivo antitumor studies showed that 10a was active against the human mammary carcinoma MT-1 and murine colon cancer MAC15A. Marginal activity was observed in human ovarian cancer model PXN/109T/C and the compound was inactive in human mammary cancer MCF-7.

CONCLUSION

The results warrant further in vivo testing of 10a in additional human solid tumor models. The molecular modeling showed that the planarity of the chromophore and the side-chain conformation could assist the insertion of compound 10a between the base pairs of the double helix. On the other hand, docking to the nucleotide sequence GGAATTGCCTCA suggested that the molecule could also act as a minor groove binder.

Antileukaemic activity of treosulfan in xenografted human acute lymphoblastic leukaemias (ALL)

Treosulfan (L-threitol-1,4-bis-methanesulphonate; Ovastat(R)) is a bifunctional alkylating drug indicated for the treatment of advanced ovarian carcinoma. Recent data revealed immunosuppressive characteristics and substantial haematopoietic stem cell toxicity after repeated dosing of mice. Therefore, treosulfan is considered to be an alternative conditioning agent to busulfan (for example) administered prior to allogeneic/autologous stem cell transplantation of patients with haematological malignancies. An antineoplastic activity for treosulfan has been previously shown in preclinical models of melanoma, breast, lung and renal-cell carcinomas. Here, in vivo antileukaemic activity of treosulfan is compared with the activity of equitoxic doses of cyclophosphamide or busulfan for the first time using human acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)-models of paediatric origin xenotransplanted into non-obese diabetic (NOD)/severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Treosulfan treatment achieved an optimum treated to control (T/C) value of 159% (survival time) against B-ALL-SCID 7 and a T/C value of 0% (tumour growth) against T-ALL-SCID 4 and proB-ALL-SCID 19, respectively. Complete regression of established subcutaneously (s.c.) growing nodules of ALL-SCID 4 and 19 was obvious and long-term survivors without tumour re-growth were observed. Equitoxic doses of busulfan (ALL-SCID 4, 7, 19) or cyclophosphamide (ALL-SCID 19) were less effective with regard to the numbers of complete regressions and the number of cured animals. Side-effects included myelotoxicity and a small reduction in body weight, but these were tolerable. Treosulfan can be considered a highly active antileukaemic drug whose corresponding clinical value is to be tested in appropriate protocols with leukaemic patients.

Sensitive PCR method for the detection and real-time quantification of human cells in xenotransplantation systems

The sensitive detection of human cells in immunodeficient rodents is a prerequisite for the monitoring of micrometastasis of solid tumours, dissemination of leukaemic cells, or engraftment of haematological cells. We developed a universally applicable polymerase chain reaction method for the detection of a human-specific 850-bp fragment of the alpha-satellite DNA on human chromosome 17. The method allows the detection of one human cell in 10(6) murine cells and could be established as both, a conventional DNA polymerase chain reaction-assay for routine screening, and a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction-assay using TaqMan-methodology. It was applied to the following xenotransplantation systems in SCID and NOD/SCID mice: (1) In a limiting dilution assay, cells of the MDA-MB 435 breast carcinoma were injected into the mammary fat pad of NOD/SCID mice. It could be shown that 10 cells mouse(-1) were sufficient to induce a positive polymerase chain reaction signal in liver and lung tissue 30 days after transplantation as an indicator for micrometastasis. At this time a palpable tumour was not yet detectable in the mammary fat pad region. (2) Cells of a newly established human acute lymphatic leukaemia were administered intraperitoneally to SCID mice. These cells apparently disseminated and were detectable as early as day 50 in the peripheral blood of living mice, while the leukaemia manifestation was delayed by day 140. (3) In a transplantation experiment using mature human lymphocytes we wanted to standardise conditions for a successful survival of these cells in NOD/SCID mice. It was established that at least 5 x 10(7) cells given intravenously were necessary and that the mice had to be conditioned by 2 Gy body irradiation to get positive polymerase chain reaction bands in several organs. (4) Engraftment studies with blood stem cells originating from cytapheresis samples of tumour patients or from cord blood were undertaken in NOD/SCID mice in order to define conditions of successful engraftment and to use this model for further optimisation strategies. The polymerase chain reaction method presented allowed a reliable prediction of positive engraftment and agreed well with the results of immunohistochemical or FACS analysis. All together, the polymerase chain reaction method developed allows a sensitive and reliable detection of low numbers of human cells in immunodeficient hosts. In combination with real-time (TaqMan) technique it allows an exact quantification of human cells. As this method can be performed with accessible material of living animals, follow up studies for the monitoring of therapeutic interventions are possible in which the survival time of mice as evaluation criteria can be omitted.

The EORTC Laboratory Research Division. European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer

The Laboratory Research Division (LRD) of the EORTC currently consists of five Groups with expertise that includes pre-clinical drug development, all aspects of cancer pharmacology, clinically-relevant receptor and biomarker studies, functional imaging and contemporary pathology. The LRD provides a Europewide resource for cancer clinical trials with particular expertise in the evolving field of translational research. In the development of therapies designed to exploit the molecular and cellular pathology of cancer, it is essential that translational research is included at all stages and the EORTC, through the LRD, has access to such expertise. In addition to providing support for drug development and clinical trials, the LRD represents a unique forum for the development of contemporary translational research expertise, the establishment of quality standards and the education of young laboratory and clinical scientists embarking on careers in oncology.

Influence of surface-modifying surfactants on the pharmacokinetic behavior of 14C-poly (methylmethacrylate) nanoparticles in experimental tumor models

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the different pharmacokinetic behavior of surface-modified poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) nanoparticles.

METHODS

The particles were 14C-labeled and coated with polysorbate 80, poloxamer 407, and poloxamine 908. Plain particles served as control particles. In vivo studies were performed in three tumor models differing in growth, localization, and origin. Particle suspensions were administered via the tail vein, and at given time animals were killed and organs were dissected for determination of PMMA concentration.

RESULTS

For the PMMA nanoparticles coated with poloxamer 407 or poloxamine 908, high and long-lasting concentrations were observed in the melanoma and at a lower level in the breast cancer model. In an intracerebrally growing glioma xenograft, the lowest concentrations that did not differ between the tumor-loaded and tumor-free hemispheres were measured. Organ distribution of the four investigated batches differed significantly. For instance, poloxamer 407- and poloxamine 908-coated particles circulated over a longer period of time in the blood, leading additionally to a higher tumor accumulation. In contrast, plain and polysorbate 80-coated particles accumulated mainly in the liver. The strong expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and Flk-1 in the melanoma correlated with high concentrations of PMMA in this tumor.

CONCLUSION

The degree of accumulation of PMMA nanoparticles in tumors depended on the particle surface properties and the specific growth differences of tumors.

Early macrophage and cytokine response during the growth of immunogenic and non-immunogenic murine tumors

Very little data exist on the mechanisms of innate immunity during the first days after syngeneic tumor inoculation. Nonspecific macrophage reaction precedes the development of specific immune response and is important for further tumor growth and stroma formation. We investigated two lymphoma cell lines of the same origin, differing in immunogenicity: non-immunogenic parental strain P388 and its highly immunogenic subline P388/adria. Early systemic inflammatory response resulted in the enhancement of nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide production by peritoneal macrophages which was at a maximum on the first day after s.c. tumor inoculation and was observed in mice bearing either of these tumors independently of immunogenicity. It was followed by a transient elevation of the serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines: TNF-alpha IL-6. In order to evaluate the role of inflammatory response, vaccinations with lethally irradiated lymphoma cells were performed. After two weekly injections, the mice were challenged s.c. with live tumor cells of the same subline. Effective vaccination with P388/adria lymphoma cells induced retardation of tumor growth in parallel with down-regulation of peritoneal macrophage activity and abrogation of serum cytokine release. Non-effective immunization with P388 cells influenced neither tumor growth nor macrophage functions and cytokine level. Thus, a positive correlation was found between down-regulation of the inflammatory response and inhibition of tumor growth. We suppose that, in efficiently immunized mice, special mechanisms exist which are responsible for down-regulation of the inflammatory reaction. Macrophage products may facilitate tumor cell survival by preventing apoptosis or participate in the activation of tumor neoangiogenesis. Suppression of these activities may serve as an important tool for the inhibition of tumor growth at the early stages of malignant transformation.

Analysis of mouse beta-haptoglobin chain by lectin affinoblotting detection

Two different human mammary carcinoma cell lines were xenotransplanted into nude mice. Serum samples were obtained prior to and after transplantation and investigated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE). By comparison of these silver-stained patterns additional protein spots were detected resulting either from proteins secreted or shed by the tumor itself or from mouse proteins induced by the tumor or the transplantation procedure. One group of spots detectable in post-transplantation serum as well as in control serum after mock-transplantation but not in pretransplantation serum was microsequenced and identified as mouse beta-haptoglobin. The carbohydrate structures of beta-haptoglobin were characterized by two different immunochemical glycoprotein staining procedures to detect differential terminal glycan modifications.