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Bidan N, Dunsmore G, Ugrinic M, Bied M, Moreira M, Deloménie C, Ginhoux F, Blériot C, de la Fuente M, Mura S. Multicellular tumor spheroid model to study the multifaceted role of tumor-associated macrophages in PDAC. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024; 14:2085-2099. [PMID: 38062286 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-023-01479-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
While considerable efforts have been made to develop new therapies, progress in the treatment of pancreatic cancer has so far fallen short of patients' expectations. This is due in part to the lack of predictive in vitro models capable of accounting for the heterogeneity of this tumor and its low immunogenicity. To address this point, we have established and characterized a 3D spheroid model of pancreatic cancer composed of tumor cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and blood-derived monocytes. The fate of the latter has been followed from their recruitment into the tumor spheroid to their polarization into a tumor-associated macrophage (TAM)-like population, providing evidence for the formation of an immunosuppressive microenvironment.This 3D model well reproduced the multiple roles of TAMs and their influence on drug sensitivity and cell migration. Furthermore, we observed that lipid-based nanosystems consisting of sphingomyelin and vitamin E could affect the phenotype of macrophages, causing a reduction of characteristic markers of TAMs. Overall, this optimized triple coculture model gives a valuable tool that could find useful application for a more comprehensive understanding of TAM plasticity as well as for more predictive drug screening. This could increase the relevance of preclinical studies and help identify effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadège Bidan
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, 91400, Orsay, France
| | | | - Martina Ugrinic
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, 91400, Orsay, France
| | - Mathilde Bied
- Inserm U1015, Gustave Roussy, 94800, Villejuif, France
| | - Marco Moreira
- Inserm U1015, Gustave Roussy, 94800, Villejuif, France
| | - Claudine Deloménie
- Inserm US31, CNRS UAR3679, Ingénierie Et Plateformes Au Service de L'Innovation Thérapeutique (UMS-IPSIT), Université Paris-Saclay, 91400, Orsay, France
| | | | - Camille Blériot
- Inserm U1015, Gustave Roussy, 94800, Villejuif, France
- CNRS UMR8253, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Maria de la Fuente
- Nano-Oncology and Translational Therapeutics Group, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela SERGAS, 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center On Oncology (CIBERONC), 28029, Madrid, Spain
- DIVERSA Technologies SL, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Simona Mura
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, 91400, Orsay, France.
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Wu D, Gong T, Sun Z, Yao X, Wang D, Chen Q, Guo Q, Li X, Guo Y, Lu Y. Dual-crosslinking gelatin-hyaluronic acid methacrylate based biomimetic PDAC desmoplastic niche enhances tumor-associated macrophages recruitment and M2-like polarization. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 269:131826. [PMID: 38679256 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by deposition of desmoplastic matrix (including collagen and hyaluronic acid). And the interactions between tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and tumor cells play a crucial role in progression of PDAC. Hence, the appropriate model of tumor cell-macrophage interaction within the unique PDAC TME is of significantly important. To this end, a 3D tumor niche based on dual-crosslinking gelatin methacrylate and hyaluronic acid methacrylate hydrogels was constructed to simulate the desmoplastic tumor matrix with matching compressive modulus and composition. The bionic 3D tumor niche creates an immunosuppressive microenvironment characterized by the downregulation of M1 markers and upregulation of M2 markers in TAMs. Mechanistically, RNA-seq analysis revealed that the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway might modulate the phenotypic balance and recruitment of macrophages through regulating SELE and VCAM-1. Furthermore, GO and GSEA revealed the biological process of leukocyte migration and the activation of cytokine-associated signaling were involved. Finally, the 3D tumor-macrophage niches with three different ratios were fabricated which displayed increased M2-like polarization and stemness. The utilization of the 3D tumor niche has the potential to provide a more accurate investigation of the interplay between PDAC tumor cells and macrophages within an in vivo setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, PR China; Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu province 226001, PR China
| | - Tiancheng Gong
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, PR China; Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu province 226001, PR China
| | - Zhongxiang Sun
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu province 226001, PR China
| | - Xihao Yao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, PR China; Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu province 226001, PR China
| | - Dongzhi Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, PR China; Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu province 226001, PR China
| | - Qiyang Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, PR China; Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu province 226001, PR China
| | - Qingsong Guo
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, PR China
| | - Xiaohong Li
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu province 226001, PR China
| | - Yibing Guo
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu province 226001, PR China.
| | - Yuhua Lu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, PR China.
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3
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Tanaka HY, Nakazawa T, Miyazaki T, Cabral H, Masamune A, Kano MR. Targeting ROCK2 improves macromolecular permeability in a 3D fibrotic pancreatic cancer microenvironment model. J Control Release 2024; 369:283-295. [PMID: 38522816 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is characterized by a densely fibrotic stroma. The fibrotic stroma hinders the intratumoral penetration of nanomedicine and diminishes therapeutic efficacy. Fibrosis is characterized by an abnormal organization of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, namely the abnormal deposition and/or orientation of collagen and fibronectin. Abnormal ECM organization is chiefly driven by pathological signaling in pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), the main cell type involved in fibrogenesis. However, whether targeting signaling pathways involved in abnormal ECM organization improves the intratumoral penetration of nanomedicines is unknown. Here, we show that targeting transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ)/Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) 1/2 signaling in PSCs normalizes ECM organization and concomitantly improves macromolecular permeability of the fibrotic stroma. Using a 3-dimensional cell culture model of the fibrotic pancreatic cancer microenvironment, we found that pharmacological inhibition of TGFβ or ROCK1/2 improves the permeation of various macromolecules. By using an isoform-specific pharmacological inhibitor and siRNAs, we show that targeting ROCK2, but not ROCK1, alone is sufficient to normalize ECM organization and improve macromolecular permeability. Moreover, we found that ROCK2 inhibition/knockdown attenuates Yes-associated protein (YAP) nuclear localization in fibroblasts co-cultured with pancreatic cancer cells in 3D. Finally, pharmacological inhibition or siRNA-mediated knockdown of YAP normalized ECM organization and improved macromolecular permeability. Our results together suggest that the TGFβ/ROCK2/YAP signaling axis may be therapeutically targeted to normalize ECM organization and improve macromolecular permeability to augment therapeutic efficacy of nanomedicines in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyoshi Y Tanaka
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama-shi, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Takuya Nakazawa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama-shi, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Takuya Miyazaki
- Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (KISTEC), 705-1 Shimoimaizumi, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa 243-0435, Japan
| | - Horacio Cabral
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Atsushi Masamune
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi 980-8574, Japan
| | - Mitsunobu R Kano
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama-shi, Okayama 700-8530, Japan.
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Zhang Y, Hu Q, Pei Y, Luo H, Wang Z, Xu X, Zhang Q, Dai J, Wang Q, Fan Z, Fang Y, Ye M, Li B, Chen M, Xue Q, Zheng Q, Zhang S, Huang M, Zhang T, Gu J, Xiong Z. A patient-specific lung cancer assembloid model with heterogeneous tumor microenvironments. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3382. [PMID: 38643164 PMCID: PMC11032376 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47737-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer models play critical roles in basic cancer research and precision medicine. However, current in vitro cancer models are limited by their inability to mimic the three-dimensional architecture and heterogeneous tumor microenvironments (TME) of in vivo tumors. Here, we develop an innovative patient-specific lung cancer assembloid (LCA) model by using droplet microfluidic technology based on a microinjection strategy. This method enables precise manipulation of clinical microsamples and rapid generation of LCAs with good intra-batch consistency in size and cell composition by evenly encapsulating patient tumor-derived TME cells and lung cancer organoids inside microgels. LCAs recapitulate the inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity, TME cellular diversity, and genomic and transcriptomic landscape of their parental tumors. LCA model could reconstruct the functional heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblasts and reflect the influence of TME on drug responses compared to cancer organoids. Notably, LCAs accurately replicate the clinical outcomes of patients, suggesting the potential of the LCA model to predict personalized treatments. Collectively, our studies provide a valuable method for precisely fabricating cancer assembloids and a promising LCA model for cancer research and personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanmei Zhang
- Biomanufacturing Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Biomanufacturing and Rapid Forming Technology Key Laboratory of Beijing, Beijing, 100084, China
- Biomanufacturing and Engineering Living Systems Innovation International Talents Base (111 Base), Beijing, 100084, China
- Institute of New Materials and Advanced Manufacturing, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing, 100089, China
| | - Qifan Hu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, BNRIST Bioinformatics Division, Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yuquan Pei
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Thoracic Surgery II, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Hao Luo
- Biomanufacturing Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Biomanufacturing and Rapid Forming Technology Key Laboratory of Beijing, Beijing, 100084, China
- Biomanufacturing and Engineering Living Systems Innovation International Talents Base (111 Base), Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Zixuan Wang
- Biomanufacturing Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Biomanufacturing and Rapid Forming Technology Key Laboratory of Beijing, Beijing, 100084, China
- Biomanufacturing and Engineering Living Systems Innovation International Talents Base (111 Base), Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Xinxin Xu
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- Institute of New Materials and Advanced Manufacturing, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing, 100089, China
| | - Jianli Dai
- Institute of New Materials and Advanced Manufacturing, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing, 100089, China
| | - Qianqian Wang
- Institute of New Materials and Advanced Manufacturing, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing, 100089, China
| | - Zilian Fan
- Biomanufacturing Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Biomanufacturing and Rapid Forming Technology Key Laboratory of Beijing, Beijing, 100084, China
- Biomanufacturing and Engineering Living Systems Innovation International Talents Base (111 Base), Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yongcong Fang
- Biomanufacturing Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Biomanufacturing and Rapid Forming Technology Key Laboratory of Beijing, Beijing, 100084, China
- Biomanufacturing and Engineering Living Systems Innovation International Talents Base (111 Base), Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Min Ye
- Biomanufacturing Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Biomanufacturing and Rapid Forming Technology Key Laboratory of Beijing, Beijing, 100084, China
- Biomanufacturing and Engineering Living Systems Innovation International Talents Base (111 Base), Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Binhan Li
- Biomanufacturing Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Biomanufacturing and Rapid Forming Technology Key Laboratory of Beijing, Beijing, 100084, China
- Biomanufacturing and Engineering Living Systems Innovation International Talents Base (111 Base), Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Mailin Chen
- Department of Radiology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Qi Xue
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Qingfeng Zheng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Shulin Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Miao Huang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Thoracic Surgery II, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Biomanufacturing Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Biomanufacturing and Rapid Forming Technology Key Laboratory of Beijing, Beijing, 100084, China
- Biomanufacturing and Engineering Living Systems Innovation International Talents Base (111 Base), Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Jin Gu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, BNRIST Bioinformatics Division, Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Zhuo Xiong
- Biomanufacturing Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
- Biomanufacturing and Rapid Forming Technology Key Laboratory of Beijing, Beijing, 100084, China.
- Biomanufacturing and Engineering Living Systems Innovation International Talents Base (111 Base), Beijing, 100084, China.
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Wang J, Cheng X, Jin Y, Xia B, Qin R, Zhang W, Hu H, Mao X, Zhou L, Yan J, Zhang X, Xu J. Safety and Clinical Response to Combined Immunotherapy with Autologous iNKT Cells and PD-1 +CD8 + T Cells in Patients Failing First-line Chemotherapy in Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:991-1003. [PMID: 37377605 PMCID: PMC10246506 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Purpose A phase I clinical trial was conducted to assess the safety and feasibility of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells combined with PD-1+CD8+ T cells in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and failing the first-line chemotherapy. Patients and Methods Fifteen eligible patients were enrolled, of whom 9 received at least three cycles of treatment each. In total, 59 courses were administered. Results Fever was the most common adverse event, peaking at about 2-4 hours after cell infusion and reverting within 24 hours without treatment in all patients. Influenza-like reactions such as headache, myalgia, and arthralgia were also observed in 4, 4, and 3 of the patients, respectively. In addition, vomiting and dizziness were prevalent, while abdominal pain, chest pain, rash, and stuffy nose were rare adverse events, each reported in 1 patient. Side effects above grade 2 were not observed. Two patients achieved partial regression, while 1 patient experienced disease progression assessed 4 weeks after the third course. Three patients are still alive at the time of writing and have progression-free survival longer than 12 months. The overall survival time has been extended to over 12 months in 6 of the 9 patients. No constant changes of CD4+ T, B, and NK cells were recorded except for elevated CD8+ T cells after the first course. Conclusions The combination of autologous iNKT cells and PD-1+CD8+ T cells was a safe therapeutic strategy against advanced pancreatic cancer. The patients exhibited a potentially promising prolonged survival time. Further study appears warranted to evaluate the efficacy of these combined cell infusions in pancreatic cancer. Trial registration This trial was included in the clinical trial which was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (ID:NCT03093688) on March 15, 2017. Significance There is an unmet need for novel, more effective, and tolerable therapies for pancreatic cancer. Here we present a phase I clinical trial employing iNKT cells combined with PD-1+CD8+ T cells in 9 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and failing the first-line chemotherapy. The combined immunotherapy was shown to be feasible in the enrolled patients with limited side effects and optimistic clinical responses, which could bring opportunity of therapeutic advancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Xiaobo Cheng
- Clinical Research Center, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Yanling Jin
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Bili Xia
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Ran Qin
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Huiliang Hu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoting Mao
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Liting Zhou
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Jia Yan
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Clinical Center for Biotherapy, Zhongshan Hospital (Xiamen), Fudan University, Xiamen, P.R. China
- Clinical Center for Biotherapy, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Jianqing Xu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Clinical Center for Biotherapy, Zhongshan Hospital (Xiamen), Fudan University, Xiamen, P.R. China
- Clinical Center for Biotherapy, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
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6
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Gollner A, Heine C, Hofbauer KS. Kinase Degraders, Activators, and Inhibitors: Highlights and Synthesis Routes to the Chemical Probes on opnMe.com, Part 1. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202300031. [PMID: 36825440 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300031] [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: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Kinases are among the most important and successful drug targets. Chemical probe compounds have played a critical role in elucidating the role of kinases in many biological pathways. There are currently twelve well-validated chemical probes that target kinases available free-of-cost via the Molecules to Order (M2O) arm of Boehringer Ingelheim's open innovation platform, opnMe.com. Here we present a summary of the key data for each of these probe compounds and the synthesis routes to all twelve compounds. We hope this will aid researchers who use or plan to use these compounds in their research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Gollner
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co. KG, Boehringer-Gasse, Wien, 5-11, 1121 Vienna, Austria
| | - Claudia Heine
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co. KG, 88400, Biberach, Germany
| | - Karin S Hofbauer
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co. KG, Boehringer-Gasse, Wien, 5-11, 1121 Vienna, Austria
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7
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Viscoelastic hydrogels for interrogating pancreatic cancer-stromal cell interactions. Mater Today Bio 2023; 19:100576. [PMID: 36816601 PMCID: PMC9929443 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is known to direct cancer cell growth, migration, invasion into the matrix and distant tissues, and to confer drug resistance in cancer cells. While multiple aspects of TME have been studied using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo tumor models and engineering tools, the influence of matrix viscoelasticity on pancreatic cancer cells and its associated TME remained largely unexplored. In this contribution, we synthesized a new biomimetic hydrogel with tunable matrix stiffness and stress-relaxation for evaluating the effect of matrix viscoelasticity on pancreatic cancer cell (PCC) behaviors in vitro. Using three simple monomers and Reverse-Addition Fragmentation Chain-Transfer (RAFT) polymerization, we synthesized a new class of phenylboronic acid containing polymers (e.g., poly (OEGA-s-HEAA-s-APBA) or PEHA). Norbornene group was conjugated to HEAA on PEHA via carbic anhydride, affording a new NB and BA dually modified polymer - PEHNBA amenable for orthogonal thiol-norbornene photopolymerization and boronate ester diol complexation. The former provided tunable matrix elasticity, while the latter gave rise to matrix stress-relaxation (or viscoelasticity). The new PEHNBA polymers were shown to be highly cytocompatible for in situ encapsulation of PCCs and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Furthermore, we demonstrated that hydrogels with high stress-relaxation promoted spreading of CAFs, which in turns promoted PCC proliferation and spreading in the viscoelastic matrix. Compared with elastic matrix, viscoelastic gels upregulated the secretion of soluble proteins known to promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This study demonstrated the crucial influence of matrix viscoelasticity on pancreatic cancer cell fate and provided an engineered viscoelastic matrix for future studies and applications related to TME.
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8
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Tanaka HY, Nakazawa T, Enomoto A, Masamune A, Kano MR. Therapeutic Strategies to Overcome Fibrotic Barriers to Nanomedicine in the Pancreatic Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030724. [PMID: 36765684 PMCID: PMC9913712 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is notorious for its dismal prognosis. The enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect theory posits that nanomedicines (therapeutics in the size range of approximately 10-200 nm) selectively accumulate in tumors. Nanomedicine has thus been suggested to be the "magic bullet"-both effective and safe-to treat pancreatic cancer. However, the densely fibrotic tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer impedes nanomedicine delivery. The EPR effect is thus insufficient to achieve a significant therapeutic effect. Intratumoral fibrosis is chiefly driven by aberrantly activated fibroblasts and the extracellular matrix (ECM) components secreted. Fibroblast and ECM abnormalities offer various potential targets for therapeutic intervention. In this review, we detail the diverse strategies being tested to overcome the fibrotic barriers to nanomedicine in pancreatic cancer. Strategies that target the fibrotic tissue/process are discussed first, which are followed by strategies to optimize nanomedicine design. We provide an overview of how a deeper understanding, increasingly at single-cell resolution, of fibroblast biology is revealing the complex role of the fibrotic stroma in pancreatic cancer pathogenesis and consider the therapeutic implications. Finally, we discuss critical gaps in our understanding and how we might better formulate strategies to successfully overcome the fibrotic barriers in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyoshi Y. Tanaka
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama-shi 700-8530, Okayama, Japan
| | - Takuya Nakazawa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama-shi 700-8530, Okayama, Japan
| | - Atsushi Enomoto
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya-shi 466-8550, Aichi, Japan
| | - Atsushi Masamune
- Division of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi 980-8574, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Mitsunobu R. Kano
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama-shi 700-8530, Okayama, Japan
- Correspondence:
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9
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Zhang Z, Zhang H, Shi L, Wang D, Tang D. Heterogeneous cancer-associated fibroblasts: A new perspective for understanding immunosuppression in pancreatic cancer. Immunology 2022; 167:1-14. [PMID: 35569095 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has shown promising efficacy in the treatment of a wide range of cancers; however, it has had little effect on pancreatic cancer. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the predominant mesenchymal cells present in the pancreatic cancer microenvironment, are powerful supporters of the malignant progression of pancreatic cancer. CAFs can modify the microenvironment, establish a refuge to aid cancer cells in immune escape by secreting large amounts of extracellular matrix, and produce soluble cytokines and exosomal vesicles. Hence, CAFs are important contributors to the failure of immunotherapy. Current in-depth studies of CAFs have shown that CAFs are a heterogeneous population of mesenchymal cells; therefore, the functional complexity of their populations needs in-depth explorations in future studies. This review summarizes how heterogeneous CAFs help cancer cells achieve immune escape and suggests potential directions for using CAFs as targets to address immune escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhilin Zhang
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Lin Shi
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Daorong Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of General Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, China
| | - Dong Tang
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of General Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, China
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10
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Monteiro MV, Ferreira LP, Rocha M, Gaspar VM, Mano JF. Advances in bioengineering pancreatic tumor-stroma physiomimetic Biomodels. Biomaterials 2022; 287:121653. [PMID: 35803021 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer exhibits a unique bioarchitecture and desmoplastic cancer-stoma interplay that governs disease progression, multi-resistance, and metastasis. Emulating the biological features and microenvironment heterogeneity of pancreatic cancer stroma in vitro is remarkably complex, yet highly desirable for advancing the discovery of innovative therapeutics. Diverse bioengineering approaches exploiting patient-derived organoids, cancer-on-a-chip platforms, and 3D bioprinted living constructs have been rapidly emerging in an endeavor to seamlessly recapitulate major tumor-stroma biodynamic interactions in a preclinical setting. Gathering on this, herein we showcase and discuss the most recent advances in bio-assembling pancreatic tumor-stroma models that mimic key disease hallmarks and its desmoplastic biosignature. A reverse engineering perspective of pancreatic tumor-stroma key elementary units is also provided and complemented by a detailed description of biodesign guidelines that are to be considered for improving 3D models physiomimetic features. This overview provides valuable examples and starting guidelines for researchers envisioning to engineer and characterize stroma-rich biomimetic tumor models. All in all, leveraging advanced bioengineering tools for capturing stromal heterogeneity and dynamics, opens new avenues toward generating more predictive and patient-personalized organotypic 3D in vitro platforms for screening transformative therapeutics targeting the tumor-stroma interplay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria V Monteiro
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Luís P Ferreira
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Marta Rocha
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Vítor M Gaspar
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - João F Mano
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
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11
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Saad MA, Zhung W, Stanley ME, Formica S, Grimaldo-Garcia S, Obaid G, Hasan T. Photoimmunotherapy Retains Its Anti-Tumor Efficacy with Increasing Stromal Content in Heterotypic Pancreatic Cancer Spheroids. Mol Pharm 2022; 19:2549-2563. [PMID: 35583476 PMCID: PMC10443673 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive disease characterized by increased levels of desmoplasia that contribute to reduced drug delivery and poor treatment outcomes. In PDAC, the stromal content can account for up to 90% of the total tumor volume. The complex interplay between stromal components, including pancreatic cancer-associated fibroblasts (PCAFs), and PDAC cells in the tumor microenvironment has a significant impact on the prognoses and thus needs to be recapitulated in vitro when evaluating various treatment strategies. This study is a systematic evaluation of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in 3D heterotypic coculture models of PDAC with varying ratios of patient-derived PCAFs that simulate heterogeneous PDAC tumors with increasing stromal content. The efficacy of antibody-targeted PDT (photoimmunotherapy; PIT) using cetuximab (a clinically approved anti-EGFR antibody) photoimmunoconjugates (PICs) of a benzoporphyrin derivative (BPD) is contrasted with that of liposomal BPD (Visudyne), which is currently in clinical trials for PDT of PDAC. We demonstrate that both Visudyne-PDT and PIT were effective in heterotypic PDAC 3D spheroids with a low stromal content. However, as the stromal content increases above 50% in the 3D spheroids, the efficacy of Visudyne-PDT is reduced by up to 10-fold, while PIT retains its efficacy. PIT was found to be 10-, 19-, and 14-fold more phototoxic in spheroids with 50, 75, and 90% PCAFs, respectively, as compared to Visudyne-PDT. This marked difference in efficacy is attributed to the ability of PICs to penetrate and distribute homogeneously within spheroids with a higher stromal content and the mechanistically different modes of action of the two formulations. This study thus demonstrates how the stromal content in PDAC spheroids directly impacts their responsiveness to PDT and proposes PIT to be a highly suited treatment option for desmoplastic tumors with particularly high degrees of stromal content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad A. Saad
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Wonho Zhung
- Department of Chemistry, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Margaret Elizabeth Stanley
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Sydney Formica
- Bouvè college of Health Science, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Girgis Obaid
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Current address: Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson 75080, Texas, USA
| | - Tayyaba Hasan
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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12
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Monteiro MV, Zhang YS, Gaspar VM, Mano JF. 3D-bioprinted cancer-on-a-chip: level-up organotypic in vitro models. Trends Biotechnol 2022; 40:432-447. [PMID: 34556340 PMCID: PMC8916962 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2021.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Combinatorial conjugation of organ-on-a-chip platforms with additive manufacturing technologies is rapidly emerging as a disruptive approach for upgrading cancer-on-a-chip systems towards anatomic-sized dynamic in vitro models. This valuable technological synergy has potential for giving rise to truly physiomimetic 3D models that better emulate tumor microenvironment elements, bioarchitecture, and response to multidimensional flow dynamics. Herein, we showcase the most recent advances in bioengineering 3D-bioprinted cancer-on-a-chip platforms and provide a comprehensive discussion on design guidelines and possibilities for high-throughput analysis. Such hybrid platforms represent a new generation of highly sophisticated 3D tumor models with improved biomimicry and predictability of therapeutics performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria V Monteiro
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Yu Shrike Zhang
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Vítor M Gaspar
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - João F Mano
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
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13
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Aoki T, Nishida N, Kudo M. Current Perspectives on the Immunosuppressive Niche and Role of Fibrosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and the Development of Antitumor Immunity. J Histochem Cytochem 2022; 70:53-81. [PMID: 34751050 PMCID: PMC8721576 DOI: 10.1369/00221554211056853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have become the mainstay of treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, they are ineffective in some cases. Previous studies have reported that genetic alterations in oncogenic pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin are the important triggers in HCC for primary refractoriness. T-cell exhaustion has been reported in various tumors and is likely to play a prominent role in the emergence of HCC due to chronic inflammation and cirrhosis-associated immune dysfunction. Immunosuppressive cells including regulatory T-cells and tumor-associated macrophages infiltrating the tumor are associated with hyperprogressive disease in the early stages of immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment. In addition, stellate cells and tumor-associated fibroblasts create an abundant desmoplastic environment by producing extracellular matrix. This strongly contributes to epithelial to mesenchymal transition via signaling activities including transforming growth factor beta, Wnt/β-catenin, and Hippo pathway. The abundant desmoplastic environment has been demonstrated in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma to suppress cytotoxic T-cell infiltration, PD-L1 expression, and neoantigen expression, resulting in a highly immunosuppressive niche. It is possible that a similar immunosuppressive environment is created in HCC with advanced fibrosis in the background liver. Although sufficient understanding is required for the establishment of immune therapies of HCC, further investigations are still required in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Aoki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Naoshi Nishida
- Naoshi Nishida, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, 377-2 Ohno-higashi, Osaka-Sayama 589-8511, Japan. E-mail:
| | - Masatoshi Kudo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
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14
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Chakraborty S, DePalma TJ, Skardal A. Increasing Accuracy of In Vitro Cancer Models: Engineering Stromal Complexity into Tumor Organoid Platforms. ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202100061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Srija Chakraborty
- Department of Biomedical Engineering The Ohio State University 3022 Fontana Labs 140 W. 19th Avenue Columbus OH 43210 USA
| | - Thomas J. DePalma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering The Ohio State University 3022 Fontana Labs 140 W. 19th Avenue Columbus OH 43210 USA
| | - Aleksander Skardal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering The Ohio State University 3022 Fontana Labs 140 W. 19th Avenue Columbus OH 43210 USA
- Center for Cancer Engineering The Ohio State University and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center Columbus OH 43210 USA
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15
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Hussain Z, Nigri J, Tomasini R. The Cellular and Biological Impact of Extracellular Vesicles in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13123040. [PMID: 34207163 PMCID: PMC8235245 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13123040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The increased incidence and global failure of ongoing therapies project pancreatic cancer as the second deadliest cancer worldwide. While our knowledge of pancreatic cancer cells’ abilities and specificities has drastically improved based on multi-scaled omics, one must consider that much more remains to be uncovered on the role and impact of stromal cells and the established network of communication with tumor cells. This review article discusses how tumor cells communicate with the various cells composing the stroma and its implication in tumor cells’ abilities, PDA (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma) carcinogenesis and therapeutic response. We will focus on extracellular vesicles-mediated crosstalk and how this multifaceted dialogue impacts both cellular compartments and its subsequent impact on PDA biology. Abstract Deciphering the interactions between tumor and stromal cells is a growing field of research to improve pancreatic cancer-associated therapies and patients’ care. Indeed, while accounting for 50 to 90% of the tumor mass, many pieces of evidence reported that beyond their structural role, the non-tumoral cells composing the intra-tumoral microenvironment influence tumor cells’ proliferation, metabolism, cell death and resistance to therapies, among others. Simultaneously, tumor cells can influence non-tumoral neighboring or distant cells in order to shape a tumor-supportive and immunosuppressive environment as well as influencing the formation of metastatic niches. Among intercellular modes of communication, extracellular vesicles can simultaneously transfer the largest variety of signals and were recently reported as key effectors of cell–cell communication in pancreatic cancer, from its development to its evolution as well as its ability to resist available treatments. This review focuses on extracellular vesicles-mediated communication between different cellular components of pancreatic tumors, from the modulation of cellular activities and abilities to their biological and physiological relevance. Taking into consideration the intra-tumoral microenvironment and its extracellular-mediated crosstalk as main drivers of pancreatic cancer development should open up new therapeutic windows.
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16
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Monteiro MV, Gaspar VM, Mendes L, Duarte IF, Mano JF. Stratified 3D Microtumors as Organotypic Testing Platforms for Screening Pancreatic Cancer Therapies. SMALL METHODS 2021; 5:e2001207. [PMID: 34928079 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202001207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-associated pancreatic stellate cells installed in periacinar/periductal regions are master players in generating the characteristic biophysical shield found in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Recreating this unique PDAC stromal architecture and its desmoplastic microenvironment in vitro is key to discover innovative treatments. However, this still remains highly challenging to realize. Herein, organotypic 3D microtumors that recapitulate PDAC-stroma spatial bioarchitecture, as well as its biomolecular, metabolic, and desmoplastic signatures, are bioengineered. Such newly engineered platforms, termed stratified microenvironment spheroid models - STAMS - mimic the spatial stratification of cancer-stromal cells, exhibit a reproducible morphology and sub-millimeter size. In culture, 3D STAMS secrete the key molecular biomarkers found in human pancreatic cancer, namely TGF-β, FGF-2, IL-1β, and MMP-9, among others. This is accompanied by an extensive desmoplastic reaction where collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) de novo deposition is observed. These stratified models also recapitulate the resistance to various chemotherapeutics when compared to standard cancer-stroma random 3D models. Therapeutics resistance is further evidenced upon STAMS inclusion in a tumor extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimetic hydrogel matrix, reinforcing the importance of mimicking PDAC-stroma bioarchitectural features in vitro. The 3D STAMS technology represents a next generation of biomimetic testing platforms with improved potential for advancing high-throughput screening and preclinical validation of innovative pancreatic cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria V Monteiro
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Vítor M Gaspar
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Luís Mendes
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Iola F Duarte
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
| | - João F Mano
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
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17
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Tanaka HY. [Modeling and Analysis of Disease Microenvironments with 3D Cell Culture Technology]. YAKUGAKU ZASSHI 2021; 141:647-653. [PMID: 33952746 DOI: 10.1248/yakushi.20-00219-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Remarkable progress in our ability to analyze diseased tissue has revolutionized our understanding of disease. From a simplistic understanding of abnormalities in bulk tissue, there is now increasing recognition that the heterogeneous and dynamically evolving disease microenvironment plays a crucial role in disease pathogenesis and progression as well as in the determination of therapeutic response. The disease microenvironment consists of multiple cell types as well as the various factors that these cells secrete. There is now immense interest in treatment strategies that target or modify the abnormal disease microenvironment, and a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that drive the formation, maintenance, and progression of the disease microenvironment is thus necessary. The advent of 3-dimensional (3D) cell culture technology has made possible the reconstitution of the disease microenvironment to a previously unimaginable extent in vitro. As an intermediate between traditional in vitro models based on 2-dimensional (2D) cell culture and in vivo models, 3D models of disease enable the in vitro reconstitution of complex interactions within the disease microenvironment which were unamenable in 2D while simultaneously allowing the mechanistic analysis of these interactions that would be difficult to perform in vivo. This symposium review aims to highlight the promise of using 3D cell culture technology to model and analyze the disease microenvironment using pancreatic cancer as an example.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyoshi Y Tanaka
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University
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18
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Nemec S, Lam J, Zhong J, Heu C, Timpson P, Li Q, Youkhana J, Sharbeen G, Phillips PA, Kilian KA. Interfacial Curvature in Confined Coculture Directs Stromal Cell Activity with Spatial Corralling of Pancreatic Cancer Cells. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2021; 5:e2000525. [PMID: 33754491 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202000525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Interfacial cues in the tumor microenvironment direct the activity and assembly of multiple cell types. Pancreatic cancer, along with breast and prostate cancers, is enriched with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) that activate to coordinate the deposition of the extracellular matrix, which can comprise over 90% of the tumor mass. While it is clear that matrix underlies the severity of the disease, the relationship between stromal-tumor cell assembly and cell-matrix dynamics remains elusive. Micropatterned hydrogels deconstruct the interplay between matrix stiffness and geometric confinement, guiding heterotypic cell populations and matrix assembly in pancreatic cancer. Interfacial cues at the perimeter of microislands guide CAF migration and direct cancer cell assembly. Computational modeling shows curvature-stress dependent cellular localization for cancer and CAFs in coculture. Regions of convex curvature enhance edge stress that activates a myofibroblast phenotype in the CAFs with migration and increased collagen I deposition, ultimately leading to a central "corralling" of cancer cells. Inhibiting mechanotransduction pathways decreases CAF activation and the associated corralling phenotype. Together, this work reveals how interfacial biophysical cues underpin aspects of stromal desmoplasia, a hallmark of disease severity and chemoresistance in the pancreatic, breast, and prostate cancers, thereby providing a tool to expand stroma-targeting therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Nemec
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Joey Lam
- School of Chemistry Australian Centre for Nanomedicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Jingxiao Zhong
- School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Celine Heu
- Biomedical Imaging Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Center, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Paul Timpson
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, 2052, Australia
| | - Qing Li
- School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Janet Youkhana
- Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - George Sharbeen
- Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Phoebe A Phillips
- Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Kristopher A Kilian
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.,School of Chemistry Australian Centre for Nanomedicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
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19
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Blanco‐Fernandez B, Gaspar VM, Engel E, Mano JF. Proteinaceous Hydrogels for Bioengineering Advanced 3D Tumor Models. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:2003129. [PMID: 33643799 PMCID: PMC7887602 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202003129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The establishment of tumor microenvironment using biomimetic in vitro models that recapitulate key tumor hallmarks including the tumor supporting extracellular matrix (ECM) is in high demand for accelerating the discovery and preclinical validation of more effective anticancer therapeutics. To date, ECM-mimetic hydrogels have been widely explored for 3D in vitro disease modeling owing to their bioactive properties that can be further adapted to the biochemical and biophysical properties of native tumors. Gathering on this momentum, herein the current landscape of intrinsically bioactive protein and peptide hydrogels that have been employed for 3D tumor modeling are discussed. Initially, the importance of recreating such microenvironment and the main considerations for generating ECM-mimetic 3D hydrogel in vitro tumor models are showcased. A comprehensive discussion focusing protein, peptide, or hybrid ECM-mimetic platforms employed for modeling cancer cells/stroma cross-talk and for the preclinical evaluation of candidate anticancer therapies is also provided. Further development of tumor-tunable, proteinaceous or peptide 3D microtesting platforms with microenvironment-specific biophysical and biomolecular cues will contribute to better mimic the in vivo scenario, and improve the predictability of preclinical screening of generalized or personalized therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Blanco‐Fernandez
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of AveiroCampus Universitário de SantiagoAveiro3810‐193Portugal
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC)The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBaldiri Reixac 10–12Barcelona08028Spain
| | - Vítor M. Gaspar
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of AveiroCampus Universitário de SantiagoAveiro3810‐193Portugal
| | - Elisabeth Engel
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC)The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBaldiri Reixac 10–12Barcelona08028Spain
- Materials Science and Metallurgical EngineeringPolytechnical University of Catalonia (UPC)Eduard Maristany 16Barcelona08019Spain
- CIBER en BioingenieríaBiomateriales y NanomedicinaCIBER‐BBNMadrid28029Spain
| | - João F. Mano
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of AveiroCampus Universitário de SantiagoAveiro3810‐193Portugal
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20
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Ex vivo culture of intact human patient derived pancreatic tumour tissue. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1944. [PMID: 33479301 PMCID: PMC7820421 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81299-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The poor prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is attributed to the highly fibrotic stroma and complex multi-cellular microenvironment that is difficult to fully recapitulate in pre-clinical models. To fast-track translation of therapies and to inform personalised medicine, we aimed to develop a whole-tissue ex vivo explant model that maintains viability, 3D multicellular architecture, and microenvironmental cues of human pancreatic tumours. Patient-derived surgically-resected PDAC tissue was cut into 1-2 mm explants and cultured on gelatin sponges for 12 days. Immunohistochemistry revealed that human PDAC explants were viable for 12 days and maintained their original tumour, stromal and extracellular matrix architecture. As proof-of-principle, human PDAC explants were treated with Abraxane and we observed different levels of response between patients. PDAC explants were also transfected with polymeric nanoparticles + Cy5-siRNA and we observed abundant cytoplasmic distribution of Cy5-siRNA throughout the PDAC explants. Overall, our novel model retains the 3D architecture of human PDAC and has advantages over standard organoids: presence of functional multi-cellular stroma and fibrosis, and no tissue manipulation, digestion, or artificial propagation of organoids. This provides unprecedented opportunity to study PDAC biology including tumour-stromal interactions and rapidly assess therapeutic response to drive personalised treatment.
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