1
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Cases-Cunillera S, Friker LL, Müller P, Becker AJ, Gielen GH. From bedside to bench: New insights in epilepsy-associated tumors based on recent classification updates and animal models on brain tumor networks. Mol Oncol 2024. [PMID: 38899375 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Low-grade neuroepithelial tumors (LGNTs), particularly those with glioneuronal histology, are highly associated with pharmacoresistant epilepsy. Increasing research focused on these neoplastic lesions did not translate into drug discovery; and anticonvulsant or antitumor therapies are not available yet. During the last years, animal modeling has improved, thereby leading to the possibility of generating brain tumors in mice mimicking crucial genetic, molecular and immunohistological features. Among them, intraventricular in utero electroporation (IUE) has been proven to be a valuable tool for the generation of animal models for LGNTs allowing endogenous tumor growth within the mouse brain parenchyma. Epileptogenicity is mostly determined by the slow-growing patterns of these tumors, thus mirroring intrinsic interactions between tumor cells and surrounding neurons is crucial to investigate the mechanisms underlying convulsive activity. In this review, we provide an updated classification of the human LGNT and summarize the most recent data from human and animal models, with a focus on the crosstalk between brain tumors and neuronal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Cases-Cunillera
- INSERM U1266, Neuronal Signaling in Epilepsy and Glioma, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lea L Friker
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Philipp Müller
- Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Albert J Becker
- Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Gerrit H Gielen
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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2
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Whitehouse JP, Hii H, Mayoh C, Wong M, Ajuyah P, Barahona P, Cui L, Dholaria H, White CL, Buntine MK, Byrne J, Rodrigues da Silva K, Howlett M, Girard EJ, Tsoli M, Ziegler DS, Dyke JM, Lee S, Ekert PG, Cowley MJ, Gottardo NG, Endersby R. In vivo loss of tumorigenicity in a patient-derived orthotopic xenograft mouse model of ependymoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1123492. [PMID: 36937401 PMCID: PMC10020925 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1123492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Ependymomas (EPN) are the third most common malignant brain cancer in children. Treatment strategies for pediatric EPN have remained unchanged over recent decades, with 10-year survival rates stagnating at just 67% for children aged 0-14 years. Moreover, a proportion of patients who survive treatment often suffer long-term neurological side effects as a result of therapy. It is evident that there is a need for safer, more effective treatments for pediatric EPN patients. There are ten distinct subgroups of EPN, each with their own molecular and prognostic features. To identify and facilitate the testing of new treatments for EPN, in vivo laboratory models representative of the diverse molecular subtypes are required. Here, we describe the establishment of a patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) model of posterior fossa A (PFA) EPN, derived from a metastatic cranial lesion. Methods Patient and PDOX tumors were analyzed using immunohistochemistry, DNA methylation profiling, whole genome sequencing (WGS) and RNA sequencing. Results Both patient and PDOX tumors classified as PFA EPN by methylation profiling, and shared similar histological features consistent with this molecular subgroup. RNA sequencing revealed that gene expression patterns were maintained across the primary and metastatic tumors, as well as the PDOX. Copy number profiling revealed gains of chromosomes 7, 8 and 19, and loss of chromosomes 2q and 6q in the PDOX and matched patient tumor. No clinically significant single nucleotide variants were identified, consistent with the low mutation rates observed in PFA EPN. Overexpression of EZHIP RNA and protein, a common feature of PFA EPN, was also observed. Despite the aggressive nature of the tumor in the patient, this PDOX was unable to be maintained past two passages in vivo. Discussion Others who have successfully developed PDOX models report some of the lowest success rates for EPN compared to other pediatric brain cancer types attempted, with loss of tumorigenicity not uncommon, highlighting the challenges of propagating these tumors in the laboratory. Here, we discuss our collective experiences with PFA EPN PDOX model generation and propose potential approaches to improve future success in establishing preclinical EPN models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline P. Whitehouse
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Hilary Hii
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Chelsea Mayoh
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Marie Wong
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Pamela Ajuyah
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Paulette Barahona
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Louise Cui
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Hetal Dholaria
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology/Haematology, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Division of Paediatrics, University of Western Australia Medical School, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Christine L. White
- Genetics and Molecular Pathology Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Molly K. Buntine
- Genetics and Molecular Pathology Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Jacob Byrne
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Keteryne Rodrigues da Silva
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Medical School of Rbeirão Preto (FMRP-USP), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Meegan Howlett
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Emily J. Girard
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Maria Tsoli
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - David S. Ziegler
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Jason M. Dyke
- Department of Neuropathology, PathWest Laboratory Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Sharon Lee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Paul G. Ekert
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark J. Cowley
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicholas G. Gottardo
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology/Haematology, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Raelene Endersby
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
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3
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Grigore FN, Yang SJ, Chen CC, Koga T. Pioneering models of pediatric brain tumors. Neoplasia 2023; 36:100859. [PMID: 36599191 PMCID: PMC9823239 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2022.100859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Among children and adolescents in the United States (0 to 19 years old), brain and other central nervous system tumors are the second most common types of cancers, surpassed in incidence only by leukemias. Despite significant progress in the diagnosis and treatment modalities, brain cancer remains the leading cause of death in the pediatric population. There is an obvious unfulfilled need to streamline the therapeutic strategies and improve survival for these patients. For that purpose, preclinical models play a pivotal role. Numerous models are currently used in pediatric brain tumor research, including genetically engineered mouse models, patient-derived xenografts and cell lines, and newer models that utilize novel technologies such as genome engineering and organoids. Furthermore, extensive studies by the Children's Brain Tumor Network (CBTN) researchers and others have revealed multiomic landscapes of variable pediatric brain tumors. Combined with such integrative data, these novel technologies have enabled numerous applicable models. Genome engineering, including CRISPR/Cas9, expanded the flexibility of modeling. Models generated through genome engineering enabled studying particular genetic alterations in clean isogenic backgrounds, facilitating the dissection of functional mechanisms of those mutations in tumor biology. Organoids have been applied to study tumor-to-tumor-microenvironment interactions and to address developmental aspects of tumorigenesis, which is essential in some pediatric brain tumors. Other modalities, such as humanized mouse models, could potentially be applied to pediatric brain tumors. In addition to current valuable models, such novel models are anticipated to expedite functional tumor biology study and establish effective therapeutics for pediatric brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florina-Nicoleta Grigore
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, MMC96, Room D-429, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Serena Johanna Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, MMC96, Room D-429, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Clark C Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, MMC96, Room D-429, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Tomoyuki Koga
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, MMC96, Room D-429, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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4
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Chen F, Zhang Z, Shen R, Chen M, Li G, Zhu X. Generation and characterization of patient-derived xenografts from patients with osteosarcoma. Tissue Cell 2022; 79:101911. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2022.101911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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5
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Larsson S, Kettunen P, Carén H. Orthotopic Transplantation of Human Paediatric High-Grade Glioma in Zebrafish Larvae. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12050625. [PMID: 35625011 PMCID: PMC9139401 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12050625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain tumours are the most common cause of death among children with solid tumours, and high-grade gliomas (HGG) are among the most devastating forms with very poor outcomes. In the search for more effective treatments for paediatric HGG, there is a need for better experimental models. To date, there are no xenograft zebrafish models developed for human paediatric HGG; existing models rely on adult cells. The use of paediatric models is of great importance since it is well known that the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms behind adult and paediatric disease differ greatly. In this study, we present a clinically relevant in vivo model based on paediatric primary glioma stem cell (GSC) cultures, which after orthotopic injection into the zebrafish larvae, can be monitored using confocal imaging over time. We show that cells invade the brain tissue and can be followed up to 8 days post-injection while they establish in the fore/mid brain. This model offers an in vivo system where tumour invasion can be monitored and drug treatments quickly be evaluated. The possibility to monitor patient-specific cells has the potential to contribute to a better understanding of cellular behaviour and personalised treatments in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Larsson
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden;
| | - Petronella Kettunen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden;
- Department of Neuropathology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Helena Carén
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +46-31-786-3838
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6
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Li Z, Langhans SA. In Vivo and Ex Vivo Pediatric Brain Tumor Models: An Overview. Front Oncol 2021; 11:620831. [PMID: 33869004 PMCID: PMC8047472 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.620831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
After leukemia, tumors of the brain and spine are the second most common form of cancer in children. Despite advances in treatment, brain tumors remain a leading cause of death in pediatric cancer patients and survivors often suffer from life-long consequences of side effects of therapy. The 5-year survival rates, however, vary widely by tumor type, ranging from over 90% in more benign tumors to as low as 20% in the most aggressive forms such as glioblastoma. Even within historically defined tumor types such as medulloblastoma, molecular analysis identified biologically heterogeneous subgroups each with different genetic alterations, age of onset and prognosis. Besides molecularly driven patient stratification to tailor disease risk to therapy intensity, such a diversity demonstrates the need for more precise and disease-relevant pediatric brain cancer models for research and drug development. Here we give an overview of currently available in vitro and in vivo pediatric brain tumor models and discuss the opportunities that new technologies such as 3D cultures and organoids that can bridge limitations posed by the simplicity of monolayer cultures and the complexity of in vivo models, bring to accommodate better precision in drug development for pediatric brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sigrid A. Langhans
- Nemours Biomedical Research, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, United States
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7
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Amatruda JF. Modeling the developmental origins of pediatric cancer to improve patient outcomes. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:14/2/dmm048930. [PMID: 33619212 PMCID: PMC7927656 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.048930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In the treatment of children and adolescents with cancer, multimodal approaches combining surgery, chemotherapy and radiation can cure most patients, but may cause lifelong health problems in survivors. Current therapies only modestly reflect increased knowledge about the molecular mechanisms of these cancers. Advances in next-generation sequencing have provided unprecedented cataloging of genetic aberrations in tumors, but understanding how these genetic changes drive cellular transformation, and how they can be effectively targeted, will require multidisciplinary collaboration and preclinical models that are truly representative of the in vivo environment. Here, I discuss some of the key challenges in pediatric cancer from my perspective as a physician-scientist, and touch on some promising new approaches that have the potential to transform our understanding of these diseases. Summary: This Perspective discusses the special features that make it challenging to develop new therapies for pediatric cancers, and the ways in which collaboration centered on improved models can meet these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- James F Amatruda
- Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
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8
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Patient Derived Xenografts for Genome-Driven Therapy of Osteosarcoma. Cells 2021; 10:cells10020416. [PMID: 33671173 PMCID: PMC7922432 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is a rare malignant primary tumor of mesenchymal origin affecting bone. It is characterized by a complex genotype, mainly due to the high frequency of chromothripsis, which leads to multiple somatic copy number alterations and structural rearrangements. Any effort to design genome-driven therapies must therefore consider such high inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity. Therefore, many laboratories and international networks are developing and sharing OS patient-derived xenografts (OS PDX) to broaden the availability of models that reproduce OS complex clinical heterogeneity. OS PDXs, and new cell lines derived from PDXs, faithfully preserve tumor heterogeneity, genetic, and epigenetic features and are thus valuable tools for predicting drug responses. Here, we review recent achievements concerning OS PDXs, summarizing the methods used to obtain ectopic and orthotopic xenografts and to fully characterize these models. The availability of OS PDXs across the many international PDX platforms and their possible use in PDX clinical trials are also described. We recommend the coupling of next-generation sequencing (NGS) data analysis with functional studies in OS PDXs, as well as the setup of OS PDX clinical trials and co-clinical trials, to enhance the predictive power of experimental evidence and to accelerate the clinical translation of effective genome-guided therapies for this aggressive disease.
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9
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Abstract
Informative and realistic mouse models of high-risk neuroblastoma are central to understanding mechanisms of tumour initiation, progression, and metastasis. They also play vital roles in validating tumour drivers and drug targets, as platforms for assessment of new therapies and in the generation of drug sensitivity data that can inform treatment decisions for individual patients. This review will describe genetically engineered mouse models of specific subsets of high-risk neuroblastoma, the development of patient-derived xenograft models that more broadly represent the diversity and heterogeneity of the disease, and models of primary and metastatic disease. We discuss the research applications, advantages, and limitations of each model type, the importance of model repositories and data standards for supporting reproducible, high-quality research, and potential future directions for neuroblastoma mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvin Kamili
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Caroline Atkinson
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Toby N Trahair
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia.,Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Jamie I Fletcher
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia. .,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia.
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10
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Yamashita K, Kiyonari S, Tsubota S, Kishida S, Sakai R, Kadomatsu K. Thymidylate synthase inhibitor raltitrexed can induce high levels of DNA damage in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cells. Cancer Sci 2020; 111:2431-2439. [PMID: 32415892 PMCID: PMC7385364 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
MYCN gene amplification is consistently associated with poor prognosis in patients with neuroblastoma, a pediatric tumor arising from the sympathetic nervous system. Conventional anticancer drugs, such as alkylating agents and platinum compounds, have been used for the treatment of high-risk patients with MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma, whereas molecule-targeting drugs have not yet been approved. Therefore, the development of a safe and effective therapeutic approach is highly desired. Although thymidylate synthase inhibitors are widely used for colorectal and gastric cancers, their usefulness in neuroblastoma has not been well studied. Here, we investigated the efficacies of approved antifolates, methotrexate, pemetrexed, and raltitrexed (RTX), on MYCN-amplified and nonamplified neuroblastoma cell lines. Cell growth-inhibitory assay revealed that RTX showed a superior inhibitory activity against MYCN-amplified cell lines. We found no significant differences in the protein expression levels of the antifolate transporter or thymidylate synthase, a primary target of RTX, among the cell lines. Because thymidine supplementation could rescue the RTX-induced cell growth suppression, the effect of RTX was mainly due to the reduction in dTTP synthesis. Interestingly, RTX treatments induced single-stranded DNA damage response in MYCN-amplified cells to a greater extent than in the nonamplified cells. We propose that the high DNA replication stress and elevated levels of DNA damage, which are a result of deregulated expression of MYCN target genes, could be the cause of increased sensitivity to RTX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Yamashita
- Department of Biochemistry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shinichi Kiyonari
- Department of Biochemistry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.,Division of Biochemistry, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Shoma Tsubota
- Department of Biochemistry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kishida
- Department of Biochemistry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ryuichi Sakai
- Division of Biochemistry, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Kenji Kadomatsu
- Department of Biochemistry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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11
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Effects of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy on tumor regression: insights from a patient-derived xenograft model. Sci Rep 2020; 10:7078. [PMID: 32341383 PMCID: PMC7184589 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63796-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies, such as checkpoint blockade of programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), have resulted in unprecedented improvements in survival for patients with lung cancer. Nonetheless, not all patients benefit equally and many issues remain unresolved, including the mechanisms of action and the possible effector function of immune cells from non-lymphoid lineages. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether anti-PD-1 immunotherapy acts on malignant tumor cells through mechanisms beyond those related to T lymphocyte involvement. We used a murine patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model of early-stage non–small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) devoid of host lymphoid cells, and studied the tumor and immune non-lymphoid responses to immunotherapy with anti-PD-1 alone or in combination with standard chemotherapy (cisplatin). An antitumor effect was observed in animals that received anti-PD-1 treatment, alone or in combination with cisplatin, likely due to a mechanism independent of T lymphocytes. Indeed, anti-PD-1 treatment induced myeloid cell mobilization to the tumor concomitant with the production of exudates compatible with an acute inflammatory reaction mediated by murine polymorphonuclear leukocytes, specifically neutrophils. Thus, while keeping in mind that more research is needed to corroborate our findings, we report preliminary evidence for a previously undescribed immunotherapy mechanism in this model, suggesting a potential cytotoxic action of neutrophils as PD-1 inhibitor effector cells responsible for tumor regression by necrotic extension.
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12
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Accelerating development of high-risk neuroblastoma patient-derived xenograft models for preclinical testing and personalised therapy. Br J Cancer 2020; 122:680-691. [PMID: 31919402 PMCID: PMC7054410 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-019-0682-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Predictive preclinical models play an important role in the assessment of new treatment strategies and as avatar models for personalised medicine; however, reliable and timely model generation is challenging. We investigated the feasibility of establishing patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of high-risk neuroblastoma from a range of tumour-bearing patient materials and assessed approaches to improve engraftment efficiency. Methods PDX model development was attempted in NSG mice by using tumour materials from 12 patients, including primary and metastatic solid tumour samples, bone marrow, pleural fluid and residual cells from cytogenetic analysis. Subcutaneous, intramuscular and orthotopic engraftment were directly compared for three patients. Results PDX models were established for 44% (4/9) of patients at diagnosis and 100% (5/5) at relapse. In one case, attempted engraftment from pleural fluid resulted in an EBV-associated atypical lymphoid proliferation. Xenogeneic graft versus host disease was observed with attempted engraftment from lymph node and bone marrow tumour samples but could be prevented by T-cell depletion. Orthotopic engraftment was more efficient than subcutaneous or intramuscular engraftment. Conclusions High-risk neuroblastoma PDX models can be reliably established from diverse sample types. Orthotopic implantation allows more rapid model development, increasing the likelihood of developing an avatar model within a clinically useful timeframe.
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13
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Bhimani J, Ball K, Stebbing J. Patient-derived xenograft models-the future of personalised cancer treatment. Br J Cancer 2020; 122:601-602. [PMID: 31919403 PMCID: PMC7054515 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-019-0678-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
For many tumours there is a lack of randomised data from which we can guide systemic treatments. Although gene expression profiling along with proteomics has led to advances in diagnosis, classification and prognosis, our ability to target many cancers has been further limited due to a lack of therapeutic options. The use of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models in the setting of a rare malignancy is discussed here by Kamili et al, with the successful establishment of new model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna Bhimani
- Department of Oncology, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Fulham Palace Road, London, W6 8RF, UK.
| | - Katie Ball
- Department of Oncology, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Fulham Palace Road, London, W6 8RF, UK
| | - Justin Stebbing
- Department of Oncology, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Fulham Palace Road, London, W6 8RF, UK.,Imperial College Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
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14
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Hermans E, Hulleman E. Patient-Derived Orthotopic Xenograft Models of Pediatric Brain Tumors: In a Mature Phase or Still in Its Infancy? Front Oncol 2020; 9:1418. [PMID: 31970083 PMCID: PMC6960099 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, molecular profiling has led to the discovery of an increasing number of brain tumor subtypes, and associated therapeutic targets. These molecular features have been incorporated in the 2016 new World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System (CNS), which now distinguishes tumor subgroups not only histologically, but also based on molecular characteristics. Despite an improved diagnosis of (pediatric) tumors in the CNS however, the survival of children with malignant brain tumors still is far worse than for those suffering from other types of malignancies. Therefore, new treatments need to be developed, based on subgroup-specific genetic aberrations. Here, we provide an overview of the currently available orthotopic xenograft models for pediatric brain tumor subtypes as defined by the 2016 WHO classification, to facilitate the choice of appropriate animal models for the preclinical testing of novel treatment strategies, and to provide insight into the current gaps and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Hermans
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Esther Hulleman
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Departments of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Orthotopic patient-derived xenografts of paediatric solid tumours. Nature 2017; 549:96-100. [PMID: 28854174 PMCID: PMC5659286 DOI: 10.1038/nature23647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Pediatric solid tumors arise from endodermal, ectodermal, or mesodermal lineages1. Although the overall survival of children with solid tumors is 75%, that of children with recurrent disease is below 30%2. To capture the complexity and diversity of pediatric solid tumors and establish new models of recurrent disease, we developed a protocol to produce orthotopic patient-derived xenografts (O-PDXs) at diagnosis, recurrence, and autopsy. Tumor specimens were received from 168 patients, and 67 O-PDXs were established for 12 types of cancer. The origins of the O-PDX tumors were reflected in their gene-expression profiles and epigenomes. Genomic profiling of the tumors, including detailed clonal analysis, was performed to determine whether the clonal population in the xenograft recapitulated the patient’s tumor. We identified several drug vulnerabilities and showed that the combination of a WEE1 inhibitor (AZD1775), irinotecan, and vincristine can lead to complete response in multiple rhabdomyosarcoma O-PDX tumors in vivo.
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