Multimodal Molecular Imaging of the Tumour Microenvironment

Amelioration of Tumor-promoting Microenvironment via Vascular Remodeling and CAF Suppression Using E7130: Biomarker Analysis by Multimodal Imaging Modalities

E7130 is a novel anticancer agent created from total synthetic study of the natural compound norhalichondrin B. In addition to inhibiting microtubule dynamics, E7130 also ameliorates tumor-promoting aspects of the tumor microenvironment (TME) by suppressing cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) and promoting remodeling of tumor vasculature. Here, we demonstrate TME amelioration by E7130 using multi-imaging modalities, including multiplexed mass cytometry [cytometry by time-of-flight (CyTOF)] analysis, multiplex IHC analysis, and MRI. Experimental solid tumors characterized by large numbers of CAFs in TME were treated with E7130. E7130 suppressed LAP-TGFβ1 production, a precursor of TGFβ1, in CAFs but not in cancer cells; an effect that was accompanied by a reduction of circulating TGFβ1 in plasma. To our best knowledge, this is the first report to show a reduction of TGFβ1 production in TME. Furthermore, multiplex IHC analysis revealed reduced cellularity and increased TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells in E7130-treated xenografts. Increased microvessel density (MVD) and collagen IV (Col IV), an extracellular matrix (ECM) component associated with endothelial cells, were also observed in the TME, and plasma Col IV levels were also increased by E7130 treatment. MRI revealed increased accumulation of a contrast agent in xenografts. Moreover, diffusion-weighted MRI after E7130 treatment indicated reduction of tumor cellularity and interstitial fluid pressure. Overall, our findings strongly support the mechanism of action that E7130 alters the TME in therapeutically beneficial ways. Importantly, from a translational perspective, our data demonstrated MRI as a noninvasive biomarker to detect TME amelioration by E7130, supported by consistent changes in plasma biomarkers.

The Traumatic Inoculation Process Affects TSPO Radioligand Uptake in Experimental Orthotopic Glioblastoma

BACKGROUND

The translocator protein (TSPO) has been proven to have great potential as a target for the positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of glioblastoma. However, there is an ongoing debate about the potential various sources of the TSPO PET signal. This work investigates the impact of the inoculation-driven immune response on the PET signal in experimental orthotopic glioblastoma.

METHODS

Serial [18F]GE-180 and O-(2-[18F]fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine ([18F]FET) PET scans were performed at day 7/8 and day 14/15 after the inoculation of GL261 mouse glioblastoma cells (n = 24) or saline (sham, n = 6) into the right striatum of immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice. An additional n = 25 sham mice underwent [18F]GE-180 PET and/or autoradiography (ARG) at days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 50 and 90 in order to monitor potential reactive processes that were solely related to the inoculation procedure. In vivo imaging results were directly compared to tissue-based analyses including ARG and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

We found that the inoculation process represents an immunogenic event, which significantly contributes to TSPO radioligand uptake. [18F]GE-180 uptake in GL261-bearing mice surpassed [18F]FET uptake both in the extent and the intensity, e.g., mean target-to-background ratio (TBRmean) in PET at day 7/8: 1.22 for [18F]GE-180 vs. 1.04 for [18F]FET, p < 0.001. Sham mice showed increased [18F]GE-180 uptake at the inoculation channel, which, however, continuously decreased over time (e.g., TBRmean in PET: 1.20 at day 7 vs. 1.09 at day 35, p = 0.04). At the inoculation channel, the percentage of TSPO/IBA1 co-staining decreased, whereas TSPO/GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein) co-staining increased over time (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

We identify the inoculation-driven immune response to be a relevant contributor to the PET signal and add a new aspect to consider for planning PET imaging studies in orthotopic glioblastoma models.

Elucidating the Influence of MPT-driven necrosis-linked LncRNAs on immunotherapy outcomes, sensitivity to chemotherapy, and mechanisms of cell death in clear cell renal carcinoma

Background

Clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC) stands as the prevailing subtype among kidney cancers, making it one of the most prevalent malignancies characterized by significant mortality rates. Notably,mitochondrial permeability transition drives necrosis (MPT-Driven Necrosis) emerges as a form of cell death triggered by alterations in the intracellular microenvironment. MPT-Driven Necrosis, recognized as a distinctive type of programmed cell death. Despite the association of MPT-Driven Necrosis programmed-cell-death-related lncRNAs (MPTDNLs) with ccRCC, their precise functions within the tumor microenvironment and prognostic implications remain poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a novel prognostic model that enhances prognostic predictions for ccRCC.

Methods

Employing both univariate Cox proportional hazards and Lasso regression methodologies, this investigation distinguished genes with differential expression that are intimately linked to prognosis.Furthermore, a comprehensive prognostic risk assessment model was established using multiple Cox proportional hazards regression. Additionally, a thorough evaluation was conducted to explore the associations between the characteristics of MPTDNLs and clinicopathological features, tumor microenvironment, and chemotherapy sensitivity, thereby providing insights into their interconnectedness.The model constructed based on the signatures of MPTDNLs was verified to exhibit excellent prediction performance by Cell Culture and Transient Transfection, Transwell and other experiments.

Results

By analyzing relevant studies, we identified risk scores derived from MPTDNLs as an independent prognostic determinant for ccRCC, and subsequently we developed a Nomogram prediction model that combines clinical features and associated risk assessment. Finally, the application of experimental techniques such as qRT-PCR helped to compare the expression of MPTDNLs in healthy tissues and tumor samples, as well as their role in the proliferation and migration of renal clear cell carcinoma cells. It was found that there was a significant correlation between CDK6-AS1 and ccRCC results, and CDK6-AS1 plays a key role in the proliferation and migration of ccRCC cells. Impressive predictive results were generated using marker constructs based on these MPTDNLs.

Conclusions

In this research, we formulated a new prognostic framework for ccRCC, integrating mitochondrial permeability transition-induced necrosis. This model holds significant potential for enhancing prognostic predictions in ccRCC patients and establishing a foundation for optimizing therapeutic strategies.

Radiomics: A review of current applications and possibilities in the assessment of tumor microenvironment

With the recent success in the application of immunotherapy for treating various advanced cancers, the tumor microenvironment has rapidly become an important field of research. The tumor microenvironment is complex and its characteristics strongly influence disease biology and potentially responses to systemic therapy. Accurate preoperative assessment of tumor microenvironment is of great significance for the formulation of an immunotherapy strategy and evaluation of patient prognosis. As a research hotspot in medical image analysis technology, radiomics has been applied in the auxiliary diagnosis of the tumor microenvironment. This article reviews the current status of radiomics in the elective application on tumor microenvironment and discusses potential prospects.

Sex-specific radiomic features of L-[S-methyl-11C] methionine PET in patients with newly-diagnosed gliomas in relation to IDH1 predictability

Introduction

Amino-acid positron emission tomography (PET) is a validated metabolic imaging approach for the diagnostic work-up of gliomas. This study aimed to evaluate sex-specific radiomic characteristics of L-[S-methyl-¹¹Cmethionine (MET)-PET images of glioma patients in consideration of the prognostically relevant biomarker isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation status.

Methods

MET-PET of 35 astrocytic gliomas (13 females, mean age 41 ± 13 yrs. and 22 males, mean age 46 ± 17 yrs.) and known IDH mutation status were included. All patients underwent radiomic analysis following imaging biomarker standardization initiative (IBSI)-conform guidelines both from standardized uptake value (SUV) and tumor-to-background ratio (TBR) PET values. Aligned Monte Carlo (MC) 100-fold split was utilized for SUV and TBR dataset pairs for both sex and IDH-specific analysis. Borderline and outlier scores were calculated for both sex and IDH-specific MC folds. Feature ranking was performed by R-squared ranking and Mann-Whitney U-test together with Bonferroni correction. Correlation of SUV and TBR radiomics in relation to IDH mutational status in male and female patients were also investigated.

Results

There were no significant features in either SUV or TBR radiomics to distinguish female and male patients. In contrast, intensity histogram coefficient of variation (ih.cov) and intensity skewness (stat.skew) were identified as significant to predict IDH +/-. In addition, IDH+ females had significant ih.cov deviation (0.031) and mean stat.skew (-0.327) differences compared to IDH+ male patients (0.068 and -0.123, respectively) with two-times higher standard deviations of the normal brain background MET uptake as well.

Discussion

We demonstrated that female and male glioma patients have significantly different radiomic profiles in MET PET imaging data. Future IDH prediction models shall not be built on mixed female-male cohorts, but shall rely on sex-specific cohorts and radiomic imaging biomarkers.

New target DDR1: A "double-edged sword" in solid tumors

Globally, cancer is a major catastrophic disease that seriously threatens human health. Thus, there is an urgent need to find new strategies to treat cancer. Among them, identifying new targets is one of the best ways to treat cancer at present. Especially in recent years, scientists have discovered many new targets and made breakthroughs in the treatment of cancer, bringing new hope to cancer patients. As one of the novel targets for cancer treatment, DDR1 has attracted much attention due to its unique role in cancer. Hence, here, we focus on a new target, DDR1, which may be a "double-edged sword" of human solid tumors. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of how DDR1 acts as a "double-edged sword" in cancer. First, we briefly introduce the structure and normal physiological function of DDR1; Second, we delineate the DDR1 expression pattern in single cells; Next, we sorte out the relationship between DDR1 and cancer, including the abnormal expression of DDR1 in cancer, the mechanism of DDR1 and cancer occurrence, and the value of DDR1 on cancer prognosis. In addition, we introduced the current status of global drug and antibody research and development targeting DDR1 and its future design prospects; Finally, we summarize and look forward to designing more DDR1-targeting drugs in the future to make further progress in the treatment of solid tumors.

Biomimetic nanoparticles for tumor immunotherapy

Currently, tumor treatment research still focuses on the cancer cells themselves, but the fact that the immune system plays an important role in inhibiting tumor development cannot be ignored. The activation of the immune system depends on the difference between self and non-self. Unfortunately, cancer is characterized by genetic changes in the host cells that lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation and evade immune surveillance. Cancer immunotherapy aims to coordinate a patient's immune system to target, fight, and destroy cancer cells without destroying the normal cells. Nevertheless, antitumor immunity driven by the autoimmune system alone may be inadequate for treatment. The development of drug delivery systems (DDS) based on nanoparticles can not only promote immunotherapy but also improve the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (ITM), which provides promising strategies for cancer treatment. However, conventional nano drug delivery systems (NDDS) are subject to several limitations in clinical transformation, such as immunogenicity and the potential toxicity risks of the carrier materials, premature drug leakage at off-target sites during circulation and drug load content. In order to address these limitations, this paper reviews the trends and progress of biomimetic NDDS and discusses the applications of each biomimetic system in tumor immunotherapy. Furthermore, we review the various combination immunotherapies based on biomimetic NDDS and key considerations for clinical transformation.

Interrogating Glioma-Associated Microglia and Macrophage Dynamics Under CSF-1R Therapy with Multitracer In Vivo PET/MRI

Glioma-associated microglia and macrophages (GAMMs) are key players in creating an immunosuppressive microenvironment. They can be efficiently targeted by inhibiting the colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF-1R). We applied noninvasive PET/CT and PET/MRI using ¹⁸F-fluoroethyltyrosine (¹⁸F-FET) (amino acid metabolism) and N,N-diethyl-2-[4-(2-¹⁸F-fluoroethoxy)phenyl]-5,7-dimethylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-acetamide (¹⁸F-DPA-714) (translocator protein) to understand the role of GAMMs in glioma initiation, monitor in vivo therapy-induced GAMM depletion, and observe GAMM repopulation after drug withdrawal. Methods: C57BL/6 mice (n = 44) orthotopically implanted with syngeneic mouse GL261 glioma cells were treated with different regimens using the CSF-1R inhibitor PLX5622 (6-fluoro-N-((5-fluoro-2-methoxypyridin-3-yl)methyl)-5-((5-methyl-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl)methyl)pyridin-2-amine) or vehicle, establishing a preconditioning model and a repopulation model, respectively. The mice underwent longitudinal PET/CT and PET/MRI. Results: The preconditioning model indicated similar tumor growth based on MRI (44.5% ± 24.8%), ¹⁸F-FET PET (18.3% ± 11.3%), and ¹⁸F-DPA-714 PET (16% ± 19.04%) volume dynamics in all groups, suggesting that GAMMs are not involved in glioma initiation. The repopulation model showed significantly reduced ¹⁸F-DPA-714 uptake (-45.6% ± 18.4%), significantly reduced GAMM infiltration even after repopulation, and a significantly decreased tumor volume (-54.29% ± 8.6%) with repopulation as measured by MRI, supported by a significant reduction in ¹⁸F-FET uptake (-50.2% ± 5.3%). Conclusion: ¹⁸F-FET and ¹⁸F-DPA-714 PET/MRI allow noninvasive assessment of glioma growth under various regimens of CSF-1R therapy. CSF-1R-mediated modulation of GAMMs may be of high interest as therapy or cotherapy against glioma.

In vivo multimodal imaging of hyaluronan-mediated inflammatory response in articular cartilage

OBJECTIVE

One driving factor in the progression to posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) is the perpetuation of the inflammatory response to injury into chronic inflammation. Molecular imaging offers many opportunities to complement the sensitivity of current imaging modalities with molecular specificity. The goal of this study was to develop and characterize agents to image hyaluronan (HA)-mediated inflammatory signaling.

DESIGN

We developed optical (Cy5.5-P15-1) and magnetic resonance contrast agents (Gd-DOTA-P15-1) based in a hyaluronan-binding peptide (P15-1) that has shown anti-inflammatory effects on human chondrocytes, and validated them in vitro and in vivo in two animal models of PTOA.

RESULTS

In vitro studies with a near infrared (NIR) Cy5.5-P15-1 imaging agent showed a fast and stable localization of Cy5.5-P15-1 on chondrocytes, but not in synovial cells. In vivo NIR showed significantly higher retention of imaging agent in PTOA knees between 12 and 72 h (n = 8, Cohen's d > 2 after 24 h). NIR fluorescence accumulation correlated with histologic severity in cartilage and meniscus (ρ between 0.37 and 0.57, P < 0.001). By using in vivo magnetic resonance imaging with a Gd-DOTA-P15-1 contrast agent in 12 rats, we detected a significant decrease of T1 on injured knees in all cartilage plates at 48 h (-15%, 95%-confidence interval (CI) = [-18%,-11%]) while no change was observed in the controls (-2%, 95%-CI = [-5%,+1%]).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides the first in vivo evidence that hyaluronan-related inflammatory response in cartilage after injury is a common finding. Beyond P15-1, we have demonstrated that molecular imaging can provide a versatile technology to investigate and phenotype PTOA pathogenesis, as well as study therapeutic interventions.

Imaging of the glioma microenvironment by TSPO PET

Gliomas are highly dynamic and heterogeneous tumours of the central nervous system (CNS). They constitute the most common neoplasm of the CNS and the second most common cause of death from intracranial disease after stroke. The advances in detailing the genetic profile of paediatric and adult gliomas along with the progress in MRI and PET multimodal molecular imaging technologies have greatly improved prognostic stratification of patients with glioma and informed on treatment decisions. Amino acid PET has already gained broad clinical application in the study of gliomas. PET imaging targeting the translocator protein (TSPO) has recently been applied to decipher the heterogeneity and dynamics of the tumour microenvironment (TME) and its various cellular components especially in view of targeted immune therapies with the goal to delineate pro- and anti-glioma immune cell modulation. The current review provides a comprehensive overview on the historical developments of TSPO PET for gliomas and summarizes the most relevant experimental and clinical data with regard to the assessment and quantification of various cellular components with the TME of gliomas by in vivo TSPO PET imaging.

An Investigation of the Antigastric Cancer Effect in Tumor Microenvironment of Radix Rhei Et Rhizome: A Network Pharmacology Study

Background

Tumor microenvironment (TME) takes a vital effect on the occurrence and development of cancer. Radix Rhei Et Rhizome (RRER, Da-Huang in pinyin), a classical Chinese herb, has been widely used in gastric cancer (GC) for many years in China. However, inadequate systematic studies have focused on the anti-GC effect of RRER in TME. This study intended to uncover the mechanism of it by network pharmacology.

Methods

We collected compounds and targets of RRER from traditional Chinese medicine system pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP) and SwissTargetPrediction. GC targets were obtained from GeneCards. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and RRER-GC-target network were built by STRING and Cytoscape 3.2.1. Furthermore, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were performed using Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID).

Results

We obtained 92 compounds of RRER. A total of 10 key compounds and 20 key targets were selected by “RRER-GC-target network” topological analysis. GO analysis showed that the biological process mainly involved in response to the tumor necrosis factor, positive regulation of fibroblast proliferation, and DNA damage response, signal transduction by p53 class mediator resulting in cell cycle arrest. Molecular functions included cyclin-dependent protein serine/threonine kinase activity, RNA polymerase II transcription factor activity, ligand-activated sequence-specific DNA binding, and transmembrane receptor protein tyrosine kinase activity. Cellular components mainly were centrosome, cell surface, and membrane. KEGG pathway enrichment results mainly involved in the p53 signaling pathway, estrogen signaling pathway, and regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes.

Conclusion

This study explored the anti-GC mechanism of RRER from the perspective of TME based on network pharmacology, which contributed to the development and application of RRER.

Achievement in active agent structures as a power tools in tumor angiogenesis imaging

According to World Health Organization (WHO) cancer is the second most important cause of death globally. Because angiogenesis is considered as an essential process of growth, proliferation and tumor progression, within this review we decided to shade light on recent development of chemical compounds which play a significant role in its imaging and monitoring. Indeed, the review gives insight about the current achievements of active agents structures involved in imaging techniques such as: positron emission computed tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), as well as combination PET/MRI and PET/CT. The review aims to provide the journal audience with a comprehensive and in-deep understanding of chemistry policy in tumor angiogenesis imaging.

Metal-phenolic networks for cancer theranostics

Metal-phenolic networks (MPNs) have shown promising potential in biomedical applications since they provide a rapid, simple and robust way to construct multifunctional nanoplatforms. As a novel nanomaterial self-assembled from metal ions and polyphenols, MPNs can be prepared to assist the theranostics of cancer owing to their bio-adhesiveness, good biocompatibility, versatile drug loading, and stimuli-responsive profile. This Critical Review aims to summarize recent progress in MPN-based nanoplatforms for multimodal tumor therapy and imaging. First, the advantages of MPNs as drug carriers are summarized. Then, various tumor therapeutic modalities based on MPNs are introduced. Next, MPN-based theranostic systems are reviewed. In terms of in vivo applications, specific attention is paid to their biosafety, biodistribution, as well as excretion. Finally, some problems and limitations of MPNs are discussed, along with a future perspective on the field.

Imaging temozolomide-induced changes in the myeloid glioma microenvironment

Rationale: The heterogeneous nature of gliomas makes the development and application of novel treatments challenging. In particular, infiltrating myeloid cells play a role in tumor progression and therapy resistance. Hence, a detailed understanding of the dynamic interplay of tumor cells and immune cells in vivo is necessary. To investigate the complex interaction between tumor progression and therapy-induced changes in the myeloid immune component of the tumor microenvironment, we used a combination of [¹⁸F]FET (amino acid metabolism) and [¹⁸F]DPA-714 (TSPO, GAMMs, tumor cells, astrocytes, endothelial cells) PET/MRI together with immune-phenotyping. The aim of the study was to monitor temozolomide (TMZ) treatment response and therapy-induced changes in the inflammatory tumor microenvironment (TME).

Methods: Eighteen NMRI^nu/nu mice orthotopically implanted with Gli36dEGFR cells underwent MRI and PET/CT scans before and after treatment with TMZ or DMSO (vehicle). Tumor-to-background (striatum) uptake ratios were calculated and areas of unique tracer uptake (FET vs. DPA) were determined using an atlas-based volumetric approach.

Results: TMZ therapy significantly modified the spatial distribution and uptake of both tracers. [¹⁸F]FET uptake was significantly reduced after therapy (-53 ± 84%) accompanied by a significant decrease of tumor volume (-17 ± 6%). In contrast, a significant increase (61 ± 33%) of [¹⁸F]DPA-714 uptake was detected by TSPO imaging in specific areas of the tumor. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) validated the reduction in tumor volumes and further revealed the presence of reactive TSPO-expressing glioma-associated microglia/macrophages (GAMMs) in the TME.

Conclusion: We confirm the efficiency of [¹⁸F]FET-PET for monitoring TMZ-treatment response and demonstrate that in vivo TSPO-PET performed with [¹⁸F]DPA-714 can be used to identify specific reactive areas of myeloid cell infiltration in the TME.

Satellitosis, a Crosstalk between Neurons, Vascular Structures and Neoplastic Cells in Brain Tumours; Early Manifestation of Invasive Behaviour

The secondary structures of Scherer commonly known as perineuronal and perivascular satellitosis have been identified as a histopathological hallmark of diffuse, invasive, high-grade gliomas. They are recognised as perineuronal satellitosis when clusters of neoplastic glial cells surround neurons cell bodies and perivascular satellitosis when such tumour cells surround blood vessels infiltrating Virchow-Robin spaces. In this review, we provide an overview of emerging knowledge regarding how interactions between neurons and glioma cells can modulate tumour evolution and how neurons play a key role in glioma growth and progression, as well as the role of perivascular satellitosis into mechanisms of glioma cells spread. At the same time, we review the current knowledge about the role of perineuronal satellitosis and perivascular satellitosis within the tumour microenvironment (TME), in order to highlight critical knowledge gaps in research space.