1
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Shao S, Delk NA, Jones CN. A microphysiological system reveals neutrophil contact-dependent attenuation of pancreatic tumor progression by CXCR2 inhibition-based immunotherapy. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14142. [PMID: 38898176 PMCID: PMC11187156 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64780-4] [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: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells recruit neutrophils from the bloodstream into the tumor tissue, where these immune cells promote the progression of numerous solid tumors. Studies in mice suggest that blocking neutrophil recruitment to tumors by inhibition of neutrophil chemokine receptor CXCR2 could be a potential immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer. Yet, the mechanisms by which neutrophils promote tumor progression in humans, as well as how CXCR2 inhibition could potentially serve as a cancer therapy, remain elusive. In this study, we developed a human cell-based microphysiological system to quantify neutrophil-tumor spheroid interactions in both "separated" and "contact" scenarios. We found that neutrophils promote the invasion of tumor spheroids through the secretion of soluble factors and direct contact with cancer cells. However, they promote the proliferation of tumor spheroids solely through direct contact. Interestingly, treatment with AZD-5069, a CXCR2 inhibitor, attenuates invasion and proliferation of tumor spheroids by blocking direct contact with neutrophils. Our findings also show that CXCR2 inhibition reduces neutrophil migration toward tumor spheroids. These results shed new light on the tumor-promoting mechanisms of human neutrophils and the tumor-suppressive mechanisms of CXCR2 inhibition in pancreatic cancer and may aid in the design and optimization of novel immunotherapeutic strategies based on neutrophils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Shao
- Department of Bioengineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75235, USA
| | - Nikki A Delk
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Caroline N Jones
- Department of Bioengineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75235, USA.
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2
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Ferrari DP, Ramos-Gomes F, Alves F, Markus MA. KPC-luciferase-expressing cells elicit an anti-tumor immune response in a mouse model of pancreatic cancer. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13602. [PMID: 38866899 PMCID: PMC11169258 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64053-0] [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: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Mouse models for the study of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are well-established and representative of many key features observed in human PDAC. To monitor tumor growth, cancer cells that are implanted in mice are often transfected with reporter genes, such as firefly luciferase (Luc), enabling in vivo optical imaging over time. Since Luc can induce an immune response, we aimed to evaluate whether the expression of Luc could affect the growth of KPC tumors in mice by inducing immunogenicity. Although both cell lines, KPC and Luc transduced KPC (KPC-Luc), had the same proliferation rate, KPC-Luc tumors had significantly smaller sizes or were absent 13 days after orthotopic cell implantation, compared to KPC tumors. This coincided with the loss of bioluminescence signal over the tumor region. Immunophenotyping of blood and spleen from KPC-Luc tumor-bearing mice showed a decreased number of macrophages and CD4+ T cells, and an increased accumulation of natural killer (NK) cells in comparison to KPC tumor mice. Higher infiltration of CD8+ T cells was found in KPC-Luc tumors than in their controls. Moreover, the immune response against Luc peptide was stronger in splenocytes from mice implanted with KPC-Luc cells compared to those isolated from KPC wild-type mice, indicating increased immunogenicity elicited by the presence of Luc in the PDAC tumor cells. These results must be considered when evaluating the efficacy of anti-cancer therapies including immunotherapies in immunocompetent PDAC or other cancer mouse models that use Luc as a reporter for bioluminescence imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Pereira Ferrari
- Translational Molecular Imaging, Max-Planck-Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Hermann Rein‑Straße 3, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Fernanda Ramos-Gomes
- Translational Molecular Imaging, Max-Planck-Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Hermann Rein‑Straße 3, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Frauke Alves
- Translational Molecular Imaging, Max-Planck-Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Hermann Rein‑Straße 3, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Haematology and Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - M Andrea Markus
- Translational Molecular Imaging, Max-Planck-Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Hermann Rein‑Straße 3, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
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3
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Lockhart EJ, Horowitz LF, Rodríguez A, Zhu S, Nguyen T, Mehrabi M, Gujral TS, Folch A. Drug testing of monodisperse arrays of live microdissected tumors using a valved multiwell microfluidic platform. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:2683-2699. [PMID: 38651213 DOI: 10.1039/d4lc00016a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Cancer drug testing in animals is an extremely poor predictor of the drug's safety and efficacy observed in humans. Hence there is a pressing need for functional testing platforms that better predict traditional and immunotherapy responses in human, live tumor tissue or tissue constructs, and at the same time are compatible with the use of mouse tumor tissue to facilitate building more accurate disease models. Since many cancer drug actions rely on mechanisms that depend on the tumor microenvironment (TME), such platforms should also retain as much of the native TME as possible. Additionally, platforms based on miniaturization technologies are desirable to reduce animal use and sensitivity to human tissue scarcity. Present high-throughput testing platforms that have some of these features, e.g. based on patient-derived tumor organoids, require a growth step that alters the TME. On the other hand, microdissected tumors (μDTs) or "spheroids" that retain an intact TME have shown promising responses to immunomodulators acting on native immune cells. However, difficult tissue handling after microdissection has reduced the throughput of drug testing on μDTs, thereby constraining the inherent advantages of producing numerous TME-preserving units of tissue for drug testing. Here we demonstrate a microfluidic 96-well platform designed for drug treatment of hundreds of similarly-sized, cuboidal μDTs ("cuboids") produced from a single tumor sample. The platform organizes a monodisperse array of four cuboids per well in 384 hydrodynamic traps. The microfluidic device, entirely fabricated in thermoplastics, features 96 microvalves that fluidically isolate each well after the cuboid loading step for straightforward multi-drug testing. Since our platform makes the most of scarce tumor tissue, it can potentially be applied to human biopsies that preserve the human TME while minimizing animal testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan J Lockhart
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
| | - Lisa F Horowitz
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
| | - Adán Rodríguez
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
| | - Songli Zhu
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, USA
| | - Tran Nguyen
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
| | | | - Taranjit S Gujral
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, USA
| | - Albert Folch
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
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4
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Kang J, Lee JH, Cha H, An J, Kwon J, Lee S, Kim S, Baykan MY, Kim SY, An D, Kwon AY, An HJ, Lee SH, Choi JK, Park JE. Systematic dissection of tumor-normal single-cell ecosystems across a thousand tumors of 30 cancer types. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4067. [PMID: 38744958 PMCID: PMC11094150 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48310-4] [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: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The complexity of the tumor microenvironment poses significant challenges in cancer therapy. Here, to comprehensively investigate the tumor-normal ecosystems, we perform an integrative analysis of 4.9 million single-cell transcriptomes from 1070 tumor and 493 normal samples in combination with pan-cancer 137 spatial transcriptomics, 8887 TCGA, and 1261 checkpoint inhibitor-treated bulk tumors. We define a myriad of cell states constituting the tumor-normal ecosystems and also identify hallmark gene signatures across different cell types and organs. Our atlas characterizes distinctions between inflammatory fibroblasts marked by AKR1C1 or WNT5A in terms of cellular interactions and spatial co-localization patterns. Co-occurrence analysis reveals interferon-enriched community states including tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS) components, which exhibit differential rewiring between tumor, adjacent normal, and healthy normal tissues. The favorable response of interferon-enriched community states to immunotherapy is validated using immunotherapy-treated cancers (n = 1261) including our lung cancer cohort (n = 497). Deconvolution of spatial transcriptomes discriminates TLS-enriched from non-enriched cell types among immunotherapy-favorable components. Our systematic dissection of tumor-normal ecosystems provides a deeper understanding of inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junho Kang
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Hyeong Lee
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hongui Cha
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinhyeon An
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Joonha Kwon
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Division of Cancer Data Science, National Cancer Center, Bioinformatics Branch, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongwoo Lee
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongryong Kim
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Mert Yakup Baykan
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - So Yeon Kim
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Dohyeon An
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ah-Young Kwon
- Department of Pathology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Jung An
- Department of Pathology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Se-Hoon Lee
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute of Health Science and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jung Kyoon Choi
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
- Penta Medix Co., Ltd., Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jong-Eun Park
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
- Biomedical Research Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
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5
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Shelton SE. Vascular microphysiological systems. Curr Opin Hematol 2024; 31:155-161. [PMID: 38236999 DOI: 10.1097/moh.0000000000000802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review summarizes innovations in vascular microphysiological systems (MPS) and discusses the themes that have emerged from recent works. RECENT FINDINGS Vascular MPS are increasing in complexity and ability to replicate tissue. Many labs use vascular MPS to study transport phenomena such as analyzing endothelial barrier function. Beyond vascular permeability, these models are also being used for pharmacological studies, including drug distribution and toxicity modeling. In part, these studies are made possible due to exciting advances in organ-specific models. Inflammatory processes have also been modeled by incorporating immune cells, with the ability to explore both cell migration and function. Finally, as methods for generating vascular MPS flourish, many researchers have turned their attention to incorporating flow to more closely recapitulate in vivo conditions. SUMMARY These models represent many different types of tissue and disease states. Some devices have relatively simple geometry and few cell types, while others use complex, multicompartmental microfluidics and integrate several cell types and origins. These 3D models enable us to observe model evolution in real time and perform a plethora of functional assays not possible using traditional cell culture methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Shelton
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
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6
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Zhao Y, Wu Y, Islam K, Paul R, Zhou Y, Qin X, Li Q, Liu Y. Microphysiologically Engineered Vessel-Tumor Model to Investigate Vascular Transport Dynamics of Immune Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16. [PMID: 38652824 PMCID: PMC11082852 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c00391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy to combat cancer effectively. However, it is hard to observe and quantify how this in vivo process happens. Three-dimensional (3D) microfluidic vessel-tumor models offer valuable capability to study how immune cells transport during cancer progression. We presented an advanced 3D vessel-supported tumor model consisting of the endothelial lumen and vessel network for the study of T cells' transportation. The process of T cell transport through the vessel network and interaction with tumor spheroids was represented and monitored in vitro. Specifically, we demonstrate that the endothelial glycocalyx serving in the T cells' transport can influence the endothelium-immune interaction. Furthermore, after vascular transport, how programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibition influences the delivered activated-T cells on tumor killing was evaluated. Our in vitro vessel-tumor model provides a microphysiologically engineered platform to represent T cell vascular transportation during tumor immunotherapy. The reported innovative vessel-tumor platform is believed to have the potential to explore the tumor-induced immune response mechanism and preclinically evaluate immunotherapy's effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwen Zhao
- Department
of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Yue Wu
- Department
of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Khayrul Islam
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Ratul Paul
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Yuyuan Zhou
- Department
of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Xiaochen Qin
- Department
of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Qiying Li
- Department
of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Yaling Liu
- Department
of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
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7
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Gaebler D, Hachey SJ, Hughes CCW. Microphysiological systems as models for immunologically 'cold' tumors. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1389012. [PMID: 38711620 PMCID: PMC11070549 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1389012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a diverse milieu of cells including cancerous and non-cancerous cells such as fibroblasts, pericytes, endothelial cells and immune cells. The intricate cellular interactions within the TME hold a central role in shaping the dynamics of cancer progression, influencing pivotal aspects such as tumor initiation, growth, invasion, response to therapeutic interventions, and the emergence of drug resistance. In immunologically 'cold' tumors, the TME is marked by a scarcity of infiltrating immune cells, limited antigen presentation in the absence of potent immune-stimulating signals, and an abundance of immunosuppressive factors. While strategies targeting the TME as a therapeutic avenue in 'cold' tumors have emerged, there is a pressing need for novel approaches that faithfully replicate the complex cellular and non-cellular interactions in order to develop targeted therapies that can effectively stimulate immune responses and improve therapeutic outcomes in patients. Microfluidic devices offer distinct advantages over traditional in vitro 3D co-culture models and in vivo animal models, as they better recapitulate key characteristics of the TME and allow for precise, controlled insights into the dynamic interplay between various immune, stromal and cancerous cell types at any timepoint. This review aims to underscore the pivotal role of microfluidic systems in advancing our understanding of the TME and presents current microfluidic model systems that aim to dissect tumor-stromal, tumor-immune and immune-stromal cellular interactions in various 'cold' tumors. Understanding the intricacies of the TME in 'cold' tumors is crucial for devising effective targeted therapies to reinvigorate immune responses and overcome the challenges of current immunotherapy approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Gaebler
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Stephanie J. Hachey
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Christopher C. W. Hughes
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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8
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Dhamdhere MR, Spiegelman VS. Extracellular vesicles in neuroblastoma: role in progression, resistance to therapy and diagnostics. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1385875. [PMID: 38660306 PMCID: PMC11041043 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1385875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid pediatric cancer, and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in children. Despite the current multi-modal treatment regimens, majority of patients with advanced-stage NBs develop therapeutic resistance and relapse, leading to poor disease outcomes. There is a large body of knowledge on pathophysiological role of small extracellular vesicles (EVs) in progression and metastasis of multiple cancer types, however, the importance of EVs in NB was until recently not well understood. Studies emerging in the last few years have demonstrated the involvement of EVs in various aspects of NB pathogenesis. In this review we summarize these recent findings and advances on the role EVs play in NB progression, such as tumor growth, metastasis and therapeutic resistance, that could be helpful for future investigations in NB EV research. We also discuss different strategies for therapeutic targeting of NB-EVs as well as utilization of NB-EVs as potential biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vladimir S. Spiegelman
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
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9
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Bonnet V, Maikranz E, Madec M, Vertti-Quintero N, Cuche C, Mastrogiovanni M, Alcover A, Di Bartolo V, Baroud CN. Cancer-on-a-chip model shows that the adenomatous polyposis coli mutation impairs T cell engagement and killing of cancer spheroids. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2316500121. [PMID: 38442157 PMCID: PMC10945811 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2316500121] [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: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Evaluating the ability of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) to eliminate tumor cells is crucial, for instance, to predict the efficiency of cell therapy in personalized medicine. However, the destruction of a tumor by CTLs involves CTL migration in the extra-tumoral environment, accumulation on the tumor, antigen recognition, and cooperation in killing the cancer cells. Therefore, identifying the limiting steps in this complex process requires spatio-temporal measurements of different cellular events over long periods. Here, we use a cancer-on-a-chip platform to evaluate the impact of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) mutation on CTL migration and cytotoxicity against 3D tumor spheroids. The APC mutated CTLs are found to have a reduced ability to destroy tumor spheroids compared with control cells, even though APC mutants migrate in the extra-tumoral space and accumulate on the spheroids as efficiently as control cells. Once in contact with the tumor however, mutated CTLs display reduced engagement with the cancer cells, as measured by a metric that distinguishes different modes of CTL migration. Realigning the CTL trajectories around localized killing cascades reveals that all CTLs transition to high engagement in the 2 h preceding the cascades, which confirms that the low engagement is the cause of reduced cytotoxicity. Beyond the study of APC mutations, this platform offers a robust way to compare cytotoxic cell efficiency of even closely related cell types, by relying on a multiscale cytometry approach to disentangle complex interactions and to identify the steps that limit the tumor destruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Bonnet
- Institut Pasteur, Department of Genomes and Genetics, Université Paris Cité, Physical Microfluidics and Bioengineering, ParisF-75015, France
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau91120, France
| | - Erik Maikranz
- Institut Pasteur, Department of Genomes and Genetics, Université Paris Cité, Physical Microfluidics and Bioengineering, ParisF-75015, France
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau91120, France
| | - Marianne Madec
- Unité Biologie Cellulaire des Lymphocytes, Institut Pasteur, Department of immunology, Université Paris Cité, INSERM-U1224, Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Équipe Labellisée Ligue 2018, ParisF-75015, France
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva, Geneva 4CH-1211, Switzerland
| | - Nadia Vertti-Quintero
- Institut Pasteur, Department of Genomes and Genetics, Université Paris Cité, Physical Microfluidics and Bioengineering, ParisF-75015, France
| | - Céline Cuche
- Unité Biologie Cellulaire des Lymphocytes, Institut Pasteur, Department of immunology, Université Paris Cité, INSERM-U1224, Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Équipe Labellisée Ligue 2018, ParisF-75015, France
| | - Marta Mastrogiovanni
- Unité Biologie Cellulaire des Lymphocytes, Institut Pasteur, Department of immunology, Université Paris Cité, INSERM-U1224, Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Équipe Labellisée Ligue 2018, ParisF-75015, France
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, New York, NY10461
| | - Andrés Alcover
- Unité Biologie Cellulaire des Lymphocytes, Institut Pasteur, Department of immunology, Université Paris Cité, INSERM-U1224, Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Équipe Labellisée Ligue 2018, ParisF-75015, France
| | - Vincenzo Di Bartolo
- Unité Biologie Cellulaire des Lymphocytes, Institut Pasteur, Department of immunology, Université Paris Cité, INSERM-U1224, Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Équipe Labellisée Ligue 2018, ParisF-75015, France
| | - Charles N. Baroud
- Institut Pasteur, Department of Genomes and Genetics, Université Paris Cité, Physical Microfluidics and Bioengineering, ParisF-75015, France
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau91120, France
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10
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Tang Y, Liao X, Cao Y. A Proximity-Dependent Biosensor System for Visualizing Cell-Cell Interactions Induced by Therapeutic Antibodies. J Pharm Sci 2024; 113:579-586. [PMID: 38103691 PMCID: PMC10922735 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2023.12.008] [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: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Despite the promise of therapeutic antibodies in engaging the immune system to eliminate malignant cells, many aspects of the complex interplay between immune cells and cancer cells induced by antibody therapy remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to develop a biosensor system that can evaluate direct cell-cell physical contact and interactions between immune effector and target cells induced by therapeutic antibodies in physiologically relevant environments. The system uses two structural complementary luciferase units (SmBit and LgBit) expressed on the respective membranes of effector and target cells. Upon cell-cell contact, the two subunits form active NanoLuc, generating a luminescent signal, allowing for real-time monitoring of cell-cell interactions and quantitatively assessing the pharmacological effects of therapeutic antibodies. We optimized the system to ensure selectivity by adjusting the spacer lengths between two luciferase units to minimize interference from nonspecific intercellular contact. The system was applied to quantitatively monitor cell-cell interactions between NK and target cells induced by rituximab and between T and target cells induced by blinatumomab in a 3D cell culture system. The biosensor system has the potential to characterize antibody pharmacology through a deeper understanding of antibody-mediated cell-cell interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Tang
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC. 27599, United States
| | - XiaoZhi Liao
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC. 27599, United States
| | - Yanguang Cao
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC. 27599, United States; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States.
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11
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Jeffreys N, Brockman JM, Zhai Y, Ingber DE, Mooney DJ. Mechanical forces amplify TCR mechanotransduction in T cell activation and function. APPLIED PHYSICS REVIEWS 2024; 11:011304. [PMID: 38434676 PMCID: PMC10848667 DOI: 10.1063/5.0166848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Adoptive T cell immunotherapies, including engineered T cell receptor (eTCR) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapies, have shown efficacy in treating a subset of hematologic malignancies, exhibit promise in solid tumors, and have many other potential applications, such as in fibrosis, autoimmunity, and regenerative medicine. While immunoengineering has focused on designing biomaterials to present biochemical cues to manipulate T cells ex vivo and in vivo, mechanical cues that regulate their biology have been largely underappreciated. This review highlights the contributions of mechanical force to several receptor-ligand interactions critical to T cell function, with central focus on the TCR-peptide-loaded major histocompatibility complex (pMHC). We then emphasize the role of mechanical forces in (i) allosteric strengthening of the TCR-pMHC interaction in amplifying ligand discrimination during T cell antigen recognition prior to activation and (ii) T cell interactions with the extracellular matrix. We then describe approaches to design eTCRs, CARs, and biomaterials to exploit TCR mechanosensitivity in order to potentiate T cell manufacturing and function in adoptive T cell immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yunhao Zhai
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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12
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Khorsandi D, Yang JW, Foster S, Khosravi S, Hosseinzadeh Kouchehbaghi N, Zarei F, Lee YB, Runa F, Gangrade A, Voskanian L, Adnan D, Zhu Y, Wang Z, Jucaud V, Dokmeci MR, Shen X, Bishehsari F, Kelber JA, Khademhosseini A, de Barros NR. Patient-Derived Organoids as Therapy Screening Platforms in Cancer Patients. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2302331. [PMID: 38359321 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202302331] [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: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) developed ex vivo and in vitro are increasingly used for therapeutic screening. They provide a more physiologically relevant model for drug discovery and development compared to traditional cell lines. However, several challenges remain to be addressed to fully realize the potential of PDOs in therapeutic screening. This paper summarizes recent advancements in PDO development and the enhancement of PDO culture models. This is achieved by leveraging materials engineering and microfabrication technologies, including organs-on-a-chip and droplet microfluidics. Additionally, this work discusses the application of PDOs in therapy screening to meet diverse requirements and overcome bottlenecks in cancer treatment. Furthermore, this work introduces tools for data processing and analysis of organoids, along with their microenvironment. These tools aim to achieve enhanced readouts. Finally, this work explores the challenges and future perspectives of using PDOs in drug development and personalized screening for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danial Khorsandi
- Department of Bioengineering, Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 1018 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 91367, USA
| | - Jia-Wei Yang
- Department of Bioengineering, Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 1018 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 91367, USA
| | - Samuel Foster
- Department of Bioengineering, Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 1018 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 91367, USA
| | - Safoora Khosravi
- Department of Bioengineering, Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 1018 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 91367, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Negar Hosseinzadeh Kouchehbaghi
- Department of Bioengineering, Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 1018 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 91367, USA
- Department of Textile Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Hafez Avenue, Tehran, 1591634311, Iran
| | - Fahimeh Zarei
- Department of Bioengineering, Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 1018 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 91367, USA
| | - Yun Bin Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 1018 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 91367, USA
| | - Farhana Runa
- Department of Biology, California State University Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, California, 91330, USA
| | - Ankit Gangrade
- Department of Bioengineering, Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 1018 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 91367, USA
| | - Leon Voskanian
- Department of Bioengineering, Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 1018 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 91367, USA
| | - Darbaz Adnan
- Rush Center for Integrated Microbiome and Chronobiology Research, Rush Medical College, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Yangzhi Zhu
- Department of Bioengineering, Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 1018 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 91367, USA
| | - Zhaohui Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 1018 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 91367, USA
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Vadim Jucaud
- Department of Bioengineering, Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 1018 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 91367, USA
| | - Mehmet Remzi Dokmeci
- Department of Bioengineering, Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 1018 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 91367, USA
| | - Xiling Shen
- Department of Bioengineering, Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 1018 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 91367, USA
| | - Faraz Bishehsari
- Rush Center for Integrated Microbiome and Chronobiology Research, Rush Medical College, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Rush Center for Integrated Microbiome & Chronobiology Research, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Jonathan A Kelber
- Department of Biology, California State University Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, California, 91330, USA
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, 101 Bagby Ave, Waco, Texas, 76706, USA
| | - Ali Khademhosseini
- Department of Bioengineering, Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 1018 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 91367, USA
| | - Natan Roberto de Barros
- Department of Bioengineering, Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 1018 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 91367, USA
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Zhang Q, Yuan Y, Cao S, Kang N, Qiu F. Withanolides: Promising candidates for cancer therapy. Phytother Res 2024; 38:1104-1158. [PMID: 38176694 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8090] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Natural products have played a significant role throughout history in the prevention and treatment of numerous diseases, particularly cancers. As a natural product primarily derived from various medicinal plants in the Withania genus, withanolides have been shown in several studies to exhibit potential activities in cancer treatment. Consequently, understanding the molecular mechanism of withanolides could herald the discovery of new anticancer agents. Withanolides have been studied widely, especially in the last 20 years, and attracted the attention of numerous researchers. Currently, over 1200 withanolides have been classified, with approximately a quarter of them having been reported in the literature to be able to modulate the survival and death of cancer cells through multiple avenues. To what extent, though, has the anticancer effects of these compounds been studied? How far are they from being developed into clinical drugs? What are their potential, characteristic features, and challenges? In this review, we elaborate on the current knowledge of natural compounds belonging to this class and provide an overview of their natural sources, anticancer activity, mechanism of action, molecular targets, and implications for anticancer drug research. In addition, direct targets and clinical research to guide the design and implementation of future preclinical and clinical studies to accelerate the application of withanolides have been highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Zhang
- School of Medical Technology, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - YongKang Yuan
- School of Medical Technology, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Shijie Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Substance of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Ning Kang
- School of Medical Technology, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Substance of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
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14
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Ahluwalia P, Ballur K, Leeman T, Vashisht A, Singh H, Omar N, Mondal AK, Vaibhav K, Baban B, Kolhe R. Incorporating Novel Technologies in Precision Oncology for Colorectal Cancer: Advancing Personalized Medicine. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:480. [PMID: 38339232 PMCID: PMC10854941 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030480] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most heterogeneous and deadly diseases, with a global incidence of 1.5 million cases per year. Genomics has revolutionized the clinical management of CRC by enabling comprehensive molecular profiling of cancer. However, a deeper understanding of the molecular factors is needed to identify new prognostic and predictive markers that can assist in designing more effective therapeutic regimens for the improved management of CRC. Recent breakthroughs in single-cell analysis have identified new cell subtypes that play a critical role in tumor progression and could serve as potential therapeutic targets. Spatial analysis of the transcriptome and proteome holds the key to unlocking pathogenic cellular interactions, while liquid biopsy profiling of molecular variables from serum holds great potential for monitoring therapy resistance. Furthermore, gene expression signatures from various pathways have emerged as promising prognostic indicators in colorectal cancer and have the potential to enhance the development of equitable medicine. The advancement of these technologies for identifying new markers, particularly in the domain of predictive and personalized medicine, has the potential to improve the management of patients with CRC. Further investigations utilizing similar methods could uncover molecular subtypes specific to emerging therapies, potentially strengthening the development of personalized medicine for CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj Ahluwalia
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (P.A.); (K.B.); (T.L.); (A.V.); (H.S.); (N.O.); (A.K.M.)
| | - Kalyani Ballur
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (P.A.); (K.B.); (T.L.); (A.V.); (H.S.); (N.O.); (A.K.M.)
| | - Tiffanie Leeman
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (P.A.); (K.B.); (T.L.); (A.V.); (H.S.); (N.O.); (A.K.M.)
| | - Ashutosh Vashisht
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (P.A.); (K.B.); (T.L.); (A.V.); (H.S.); (N.O.); (A.K.M.)
| | - Harmanpreet Singh
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (P.A.); (K.B.); (T.L.); (A.V.); (H.S.); (N.O.); (A.K.M.)
| | - Nivin Omar
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (P.A.); (K.B.); (T.L.); (A.V.); (H.S.); (N.O.); (A.K.M.)
| | - Ashis K. Mondal
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (P.A.); (K.B.); (T.L.); (A.V.); (H.S.); (N.O.); (A.K.M.)
| | - Kumar Vaibhav
- Department of Neurosurgery, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA;
| | - Babak Baban
- Departments of Neurology and Surgery, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA;
| | - Ravindra Kolhe
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (P.A.); (K.B.); (T.L.); (A.V.); (H.S.); (N.O.); (A.K.M.)
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15
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Zhou Z, Pang Y, Ji J, He J, Liu T, Ouyang L, Zhang W, Zhang XL, Zhang ZG, Zhang K, Sun W. Harnessing 3D in vitro systems to model immune responses to solid tumours: a step towards improving and creating personalized immunotherapies. Nat Rev Immunol 2024; 24:18-32. [PMID: 37402992 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-023-00896-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
In vitro 3D models are advanced biological tools that have been established to overcome the shortcomings of oversimplified 2D cultures and mouse models. Various in vitro 3D immuno-oncology models have been developed to mimic and recapitulate the cancer-immunity cycle, evaluate immunotherapy regimens, and explore options for optimizing current immunotherapies, including for individual patient tumours. Here, we review recent developments in this field. We focus, first, on the limitations of existing immunotherapies for solid tumours, secondly, on how in vitro 3D immuno-oncology models are established using various technologies - including scaffolds, organoids, microfluidics and 3D bioprinting - and thirdly, on the applications of these 3D models for comprehending the cancer-immunity cycle as well as for assessing and improving immunotherapies for solid tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Zhou
- Biomanufacturing Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Haidian District, Beijing, China
- Biomanufacturing and Rapid Forming Technology Key Laboratory of Beijing, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials Processing Technology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Pang
- Biomanufacturing Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Haidian District, Beijing, China.
- Biomanufacturing and Rapid Forming Technology Key Laboratory of Beijing, Beijing, China.
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials Processing Technology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China.
| | - Jingyuan Ji
- Biomanufacturing Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Haidian District, Beijing, China
- Biomanufacturing and Rapid Forming Technology Key Laboratory of Beijing, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials Processing Technology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Jianyu He
- Biomanufacturing Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Haidian District, Beijing, China
- Biomanufacturing and Rapid Forming Technology Key Laboratory of Beijing, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials Processing Technology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Tiankun Liu
- Biomanufacturing Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Haidian District, Beijing, China
- Biomanufacturing and Rapid Forming Technology Key Laboratory of Beijing, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials Processing Technology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Liliang Ouyang
- Biomanufacturing Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Haidian District, Beijing, China
- Biomanufacturing and Rapid Forming Technology Key Laboratory of Beijing, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials Processing Technology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Department of Immunology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Xue-Li Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kaitai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Aetiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Sun
- Biomanufacturing Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Haidian District, Beijing, China.
- Biomanufacturing and Rapid Forming Technology Key Laboratory of Beijing, Beijing, China.
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials Processing Technology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China.
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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16
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Wu Z, Huang D, Wang J, Zhao Y, Sun W, Shen X. Engineering Heterogeneous Tumor Models for Biomedical Applications. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2304160. [PMID: 37946674 PMCID: PMC10767453 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Tumor tissue engineering holds great promise for replicating the physiological and behavioral characteristics of tumors in vitro. Advances in this field have led to new opportunities for studying the tumor microenvironment and exploring potential anti-cancer therapeutics. However, the main obstacle to the widespread adoption of tumor models is the poor understanding and insufficient reconstruction of tumor heterogeneity. In this review, the current progress of engineering heterogeneous tumor models is discussed. First, the major components of tumor heterogeneity are summarized, which encompasses various signaling pathways, cell proliferations, and spatial configurations. Then, contemporary approaches are elucidated in tumor engineering that are guided by fundamental principles of tumor biology, and the potential of a bottom-up approach in tumor engineering is highlighted. Additionally, the characterization approaches and biomedical applications of tumor models are discussed, emphasizing the significant role of engineered tumor models in scientific research and clinical trials. Lastly, the challenges of heterogeneous tumor models in promoting oncology research and tumor therapy are described and key directions for future research are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuhao Wu
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyNanjing Drum Tower HospitalSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Danqing Huang
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyNanjing Drum Tower HospitalSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Jinglin Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyNanjing Drum Tower HospitalSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Yuanjin Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyNanjing Drum Tower HospitalSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
- Department of Gastrointestinal SurgeryThe First Affiliated HospitalWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou325035China
| | - Weijian Sun
- Department of Gastrointestinal SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou325027China
| | - Xian Shen
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyNanjing Drum Tower HospitalSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
- Department of Gastrointestinal SurgeryThe First Affiliated HospitalWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou325035China
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17
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Xiu Z, Yang Q, Xie F, Han F, He W, Liao W. Revolutionizing digestive system tumor organoids research: Exploring the potential of tumor organoids. J Tissue Eng 2024; 15:20417314241255470. [PMID: 38808253 PMCID: PMC11131411 DOI: 10.1177/20417314241255470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Digestive system tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite ongoing research, our understanding of their mechanisms and treatment remain inadequate. One promising tool for clinical applications is the use of gastrointestinal tract tumor organoids, which serve as an important in vitro model. Tumor organoids exhibit a genotype similar to the patient's tumor and effectively mimic various biological processes, including tissue renewal, stem cell, and ecological niche functions, and tissue response to drugs, mutations, or injury. As such, they are valuable for drug screening, developing novel drugs, assessing patient outcomes, and supporting immunotherapy. In addition, innovative materials and techniques can be used to optimize tumor organoid culture systems. Several applications of digestive system tumor organoids have been described and have shown promising results in related aspects. In this review, we discuss the current progress, limitations, and prospects of this model for digestive system tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhian Xiu
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Clinical Medical College, Affiliated Hospital of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Fusheng Xie
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Clinical Medical College, Affiliated Hospital of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Feng Han
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Clinical Medical College, Affiliated Hospital of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Weiwei He
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Clinical Medical College, Affiliated Hospital of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Weifang Liao
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Clinical Medical College, Affiliated Hospital of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China
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18
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Bozic T, Markelc B. Imaging of Extravasation of Splenocytes in the Dorsal Skinfold Window Chamber. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2773:137-155. [PMID: 38236543 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3714-2_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Infiltration of immune cells into the tumor is one of the major drivers of antitumor immune response, which can direct the outcome of anticancer therapies. In mice, implantation of dorsal skinfold window chamber (DSWC) combined with intravital confocal fluorescence microscopy allows real-time observation of splenocyte extravasation and infiltration into tumors. Here, we describe a detailed procedure of the DSWC implantation, splenocyte isolation and fluorescent labeling, intravenous injection of labeled splenocytes, and imaging of splenocyte extravasation into tumors using confocal fluorescence microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Bozic
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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19
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Desai N, Katare P, Makwana V, Salave S, Vora LK, Giri J. Tumor-derived systems as novel biomedical tools-turning the enemy into an ally. Biomater Res 2023; 27:113. [PMID: 37946275 PMCID: PMC10633998 DOI: 10.1186/s40824-023-00445-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a complex illness that presents significant challenges in its understanding and treatment. The classic definition, "a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells in the body," fails to convey the intricate interaction between the many entities involved in cancer. Recent advancements in the field of cancer research have shed light on the role played by individual cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment as a whole in tumor development and progression. This breakthrough enables the utilization of the tumor and its components as biological tools, opening new possibilities. This article delves deeply into the concept of "tumor-derived systems", an umbrella term for tools sourced from the tumor that aid in combatting it. It includes cancer cell membrane-coated nanoparticles (for tumor theranostics), extracellular vesicles (for tumor diagnosis/therapy), tumor cell lysates (for cancer vaccine development), and engineered cancer cells/organoids (for cancer research). This review seeks to offer a complete overview of the tumor-derived materials that are utilized in cancer research, as well as their current stages of development and implementation. It is aimed primarily at researchers working at the interface of cancer biology and biomedical engineering, and it provides vital insights into this fast-growing topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nimeet Desai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Telangana, India
| | - Pratik Katare
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Telangana, India
| | - Vaishali Makwana
- Center for Interdisciplinary Programs, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Telangana, India
| | - Sagar Salave
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Ahmedabad (NIPER-A), Gujarat, India
| | - Lalitkumar K Vora
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK.
| | - Jyotsnendu Giri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Telangana, India.
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20
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Xie Z, Huang J, Li Y, Zhu Q, Huang X, Chen J, Wei C, Luo S, Yang S, Gao J. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed potential targets for immunotherapy studies in hepatocellular carcinoma. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18799. [PMID: 37914817 PMCID: PMC10620237 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46132-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a solid tumor prone to chemotherapy resistance, and combined immunotherapy is expected to bring a breakthrough in HCC treatment. However, the tumor and tumor microenvironment (TME) of HCC is highly complex and heterogeneous, and there are still many unknowns regarding tumor cell stemness and metabolic reprogramming in HCC. In this study, we combined single-cell RNA sequencing data from 27 HCC tumor tissues and 4 adjacent non-tumor tissues, and bulk RNA sequencing data from 374 of the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) samples to construct a global single-cell landscape atlas of HCC. We analyzed the enrichment of signaling pathways of different cells in HCC, and identified the developmental trajectories of cell subpopulations in the TME using pseudotime analysis. Subsequently, we performed transcription factors regulating different subpopulations and gene regulatory network analysis, respectively. In addition, we estimated the stemness index of tumor cells and analyzed the intercellular communication between tumors and key TME cell clusters. We identified novel HCC cell clusters that specifically express HP (HCC_HP), which may lead to higher tumor differentiation and tumor heterogeneity. In addition, we found that the HP gene expression-positive neutrophil cluster (Neu_AIF1) had extensive and strong intercellular communication with HCC cells, tumor endothelial cells (TEC) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), suggesting that clearance of this new cluster may inhibit HCC progression. Furthermore, ErbB signaling pathway and GnRH signaling pathway were found to be upregulated in almost all HCC tumor-associated stromal cells and immune cells, except NKT cells. Moreover, the high intercellular communication between HCC and HSPA1-positive TME cells suggests that the immune microenvironment may be reprogrammed. In summary, our present study depicted the single-cell landscape heterogeneity of human HCC, identified new cell clusters in tumor cells and neutrophils with potential implications for immunotherapy research, discovered complex intercellular communication between tumor cells and TME cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhouhua Xie
- Laboratory of Infectious Disease, HIV/AIDS Clinical Treatment Center of Guangxi (Nanning) and The Fourth People's Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, 530023, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
- Department of Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS Clinical Treatment Center of Guangxi (Nanning) and The Fourth People's Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, 530023, China
| | - Jinping Huang
- Laboratory of Infectious Disease, HIV/AIDS Clinical Treatment Center of Guangxi (Nanning) and The Fourth People's Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, 530023, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, HIV/AIDS Clinical Treatment Center of Guangxi (Nanning) and The Fourth People's Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, 530023, China
| | - Yanjun Li
- Laboratory of Infectious Disease, HIV/AIDS Clinical Treatment Center of Guangxi (Nanning) and The Fourth People's Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, 530023, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, HIV/AIDS Clinical Treatment Center of Guangxi (Nanning) and The Fourth People's Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, 530023, China
| | - Qingdong Zhu
- Department of Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS Clinical Treatment Center of Guangxi (Nanning) and The Fourth People's Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, 530023, China
| | - Xianzhen Huang
- Department of Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS Clinical Treatment Center of Guangxi (Nanning) and The Fourth People's Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, 530023, China
| | - Jieling Chen
- Laboratory of Infectious Disease, HIV/AIDS Clinical Treatment Center of Guangxi (Nanning) and The Fourth People's Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, 530023, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Cailing Wei
- Laboratory of Infectious Disease, HIV/AIDS Clinical Treatment Center of Guangxi (Nanning) and The Fourth People's Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, 530023, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Shunda Luo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, HIV/AIDS Clinical Treatment Center of Guangxi (Nanning) and The Fourth People's Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, 530023, China
| | - Shixiong Yang
- Laboratory of Infectious Disease, HIV/AIDS Clinical Treatment Center of Guangxi (Nanning) and The Fourth People's Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, 530023, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.
- Administrative Office, HIV/AIDS Clinical Treatment Center of Guangxi (Nanning) and The Fourth People's Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, 530023, China.
| | - Jiamin Gao
- Laboratory of Infectious Disease, HIV/AIDS Clinical Treatment Center of Guangxi (Nanning) and The Fourth People's Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, 530023, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.
- Department of Infectious Diseases, HIV/AIDS Clinical Treatment Center of Guangxi (Nanning) and The Fourth People's Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, 530023, China.
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21
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Cho Y, Kim J, Park J, Doh J. Surface nanotopography and cell shape modulate tumor cell susceptibility to NK cell cytotoxicity. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2023; 10:4532-4540. [PMID: 37559559 DOI: 10.1039/d3mh00367a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate cytotoxic lymphocytes exerting cytotoxicity against virally infected cells and tumor cells. NK cell cytotoxicity is primarily determined by biochemical signals received from ligands expressed on target cell surfaces, but it is also possible that biophysical environments of tumor cells, such as nanoscale surface topography typically existing on extracellular matrixes (ECMs) or cell morphology determined by ECM spaces or cell density, regulate NK cell cytotoxicity. In this study, micro/nanofabrication technology was applied to examine this possibility. Tumor cells were plated on flat or nanogrooved surfaces, or micropatterned into circular or elliptical geometries, and the effects of surface topography and tumor cell morphology on NK cell cytotoxicity were investigated. NK cells exhibited significantly higher cytotoxicity against tumor cells on nanogrooved surfaces or tumor cells in elliptical patterns than tumor cells on flat surfaces or tumor cells in circular patterns, respectively. The amounts of stress fiber formation in tumor cells positively correlated with NK cell cytotoxicity, indicating that increased cellular tension of tumor cells, either mediated by nanogrooved surfaces or elongated morphologies, was a key factor regulating NK cell cytotoxicity. These results may provide insight into the design of NK cell-based cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongbum Cho
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering (I-Bio), Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77, Cheongam-ro, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - JangHyuk Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Jeehun Park
- SOFT Foundry Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Junsang Doh
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
- SOFT Foundry Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
- Institute of Engineering Research, BioMAX, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
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22
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Bolivar AM, Duzagac F, Sinha KM, Vilar E. Advances in vaccine development for cancer prevention and treatment in Lynch Syndrome. Mol Aspects Med 2023; 93:101204. [PMID: 37478804 PMCID: PMC10528439 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2023.101204] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Lynch Syndrome (LS) is one of the most common hereditary cancer syndromes, and is caused by mutations in one of the four DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes, namely MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2. Tumors developed by LS carriers display high levels of microsatellite instability, which leads to the accumulation of large numbers of mutations, among which frameshift insertion/deletions (indels) within microsatellite (MS) loci are the most common. As a result, MMR-deficient (MMRd) cells generate increased rates of tumor-specific neoantigens (neoAgs) that can be recognized by the immune system to activate cancer cell killing. In this context, LS is an ideal disease to leverage immune-interception strategies. Therefore, the identification of these neoAgs is an ongoing effort for the development of LS cancer preventive vaccines. In this review, we summarize the computational methods used for in silico neoAg prediction, including their challenges, and the experimental techniques used for in vitro validation of their immunogenicity. In addition, we outline results from past and on-going vaccine clinical trials and highlight avenues for improvement and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Bolivar
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Fahriye Duzagac
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Krishna M Sinha
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Eduardo Vilar
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA; Clinical Cancer Genetics Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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23
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Liu X, Tian F, Cui J, Gong L, Xiang L, Fan B, Liu S, Zhan J, Zhou Y, Jiang B, Wang M, Sun G, Gong Y, Zou Y. CUL4B functions as a tumor suppressor in KRAS-driven lung tumors by inhibiting the recruitment of myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Oncogene 2023; 42:3113-3126. [PMID: 37653114 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02824-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. KRAS mutations are the most common oncogenic alterations found in lung cancer. Unfortunately, treating KRAS-mutant lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) remains a major oncotherapeutic challenge. Here, we used both autochthonous and transplantable KRAS-mutant tumor models to investigate the role of tumor-derived CUL4B in KRAS-driven lung cancers. We showed that knockout or knockdown of CUL4B promotes lung ADC growth and progression in both models. Mechanistically, CUL4B directly binds to the promoter of Cxcl2 and epigenetically represses its transcription. CUL4B deletion increases the expression of CXCL2, which binds to CXCR2 on myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and promotes their migration to the tumor microenvironment. Targeting of MDSCs significantly delayed the growth of CUL4B knockdown KRAS-mutant tumors. Collectively, our study provides mechanistic insights into the novel tumor suppressor-like functions of CUL4B in regulating KRAS-driven lung tumor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochen Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Fei Tian
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jianfeng Cui
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Li Gong
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Lu Xiang
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Bowen Fan
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Shuangteng Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jiafeng Zhan
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yadi Zhou
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Baichun Jiang
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Molin Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Gongping Sun
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yaoqin Gong
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
| | - Yongxin Zou
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
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24
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Huang S, Xing F, Dai Y, Zhang Z, Zhou G, Yang S, Liu YC, Yuan Z, Luo KQ, Ying T, Chu D, Liu TM, Deng CX, Zhao Q. Navigating chimeric antigen receptor-engineered natural killer cells as drug carriers via three-dimensional mapping of the tumor microenvironment. J Control Release 2023; 362:524-535. [PMID: 37673307 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.09.007] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified natural killer (NK) cells are recognized as promising immunotherapeutic agents for cancer treatment. However, the efficacy and trafficking of CAR-NK cells in solid tumors are hindered by the complex barriers present in the tumor microenvironment (TME). We have developed a novel strategy that utilizes living CAR-NK cells as carriers to deliver anticancer drugs specifically to the tumor site. We also introduce a time-lapse method for evaluating the efficacy and tumor specificity of CAR-NK cells using a two-photon microscope in live mouse models and three-dimensional (3D) tissue slide cultures. Our results demonstrate that CAR-NK cells exhibit enhanced antitumor immunity when combined with photosensitive chemicals in both in vitro and in vivo tumor models. Additionally, we have successfully visualized the trafficking, infiltration, and accumulation of drug-loaded CAR-NK cells in deeply situated TME using non-invasive intravital two-photon microscopy. Our findings highlight that tumor infiltration of CAR-NK cells can be intravitally monitored through the two-photon microscope approach. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the successful integration of CAR-NK cells as drug carriers and paves the way for combined cellular and small-molecule therapies in cancer treatment. Furthermore, our 3D platform offers a valuable tool for assessing the behavior of CAR cells within solid tumors, facilitating the development and optimization of immunotherapeutic strategies with clinical imaging approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigao Huang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China; Department of Cell Biology of National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Radiation Oncology of Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi' an, China
| | - Fuqiang Xing
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China; MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yeneng Dai
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China; MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Zhiming Zhang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China; MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Guangyu Zhou
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China; MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Shuo Yang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China; MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Yu-Cheng Liu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China; MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Zhen Yuan
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China; MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Kathy Qian Luo
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China; MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Tianlei Ying
- MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Synthetic Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dafeng Chu
- Geneleap Biotechnology LLC, Woburn, MA, USA.
| | - Tzu-Ming Liu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China; MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China.
| | - Chu-Xia Deng
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China; MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China.
| | - Qi Zhao
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China; MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China.
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25
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Guterres A, Abrahim M, da Costa Neves PC. The role of immune subtyping in glioma mRNA vaccine development. Immunotherapy 2023; 15:1057-1072. [PMID: 37431617 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2023-0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies on the development of mRNA vaccines for central nervous system tumors have used gene expression profiles, clinical data and RNA sequencing from sources such as The Cancer Genome Atlas and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas to identify effective antigens. These studies revealed several immune subtypes of glioma, each one linked to unique prognoses and genetic/immune-modulatory changes. Potential antigens include ARPC1B, BRCA2, COL6A1, ITGB3, IDH1, LILRB2, TP53 and KDR, among others. Patients with immune-active and immune-suppressive phenotypes were found to respond better to mRNA vaccines. While these findings indicate the potential of mRNA vaccines in cancer therapy, further research is required to optimize administration and adjuvant selection, and precisely identify target antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandro Guterres
- Laboratório de Tecnologia Imunológica, Instituto de Tecnologia em Imunobiológicos, Vice-Diretoria de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Bio-Manguinhos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Mayla Abrahim
- Laboratório de Tecnologia Imunológica, Instituto de Tecnologia em Imunobiológicos, Vice-Diretoria de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Bio-Manguinhos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Cristina da Costa Neves
- Laboratório de Tecnologia Imunológica, Instituto de Tecnologia em Imunobiológicos, Vice-Diretoria de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Bio-Manguinhos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil
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26
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Maffuid K, Cao Y. Decoding the Complexity of Immune-Cancer Cell Interactions: Empowering the Future of Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4188. [PMID: 37627216 PMCID: PMC10453128 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor and tumor microenvironment (TME) consist of a complex network of cells, including malignant, immune, fibroblast, and vascular cells, which communicate with each other. Disruptions in cell-cell communication within the TME, caused by a multitude of extrinsic and intrinsic factors, can contribute to tumorigenesis, hinder the host immune system, and enable tumor evasion. Understanding and addressing intercellular miscommunications in the TME are vital for combating these processes. The effectiveness of immunotherapy and the heterogeneous response observed among patients can be attributed to the intricate cellular communication between immune cells and cancer cells. To unravel these interactions, various experimental, statistical, and computational techniques have been developed. These include ligand-receptor analysis, intercellular proximity labeling approaches, and imaging-based methods, which provide insights into the distorted cell-cell interactions within the TME. By characterizing these interactions, we can enhance the design of cancer immunotherapy strategies. In this review, we present recent advancements in the field of mapping intercellular communication, with a particular focus on immune-tumor cellular interactions. By modeling these interactions, we can identify critical factors and develop strategies to improve immunotherapy response and overcome treatment resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn Maffuid
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
| | - Yanguang Cao
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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27
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Guo S, Ma Y, Li X, Li W, He X, Yuan Z, Hu Y. Identification of stromal cell proportion-related genes in the breast cancer tumor microenvironment using CorDelSFS feature selection: implications for tumor progression and prognosis. Front Genet 2023; 14:1165648. [PMID: 37576555 PMCID: PMC10421750 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1165648] [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: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The tumor microenvironment (TME) of breast cancer (BRCA) is a complex and dynamic micro-ecosystem that influences BRCA occurrence, progression, and prognosis through its cellular and molecular components. However, as the tumor progresses, the dynamic changes of stromal and immune cells in TME become unclear. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify differentially co-expressed genes (DCGs) associated with the proportion of stromal cells in TME of BRCA, to explore the patterns of cell proportion changes, and ultimately, their impact on prognosis. Methods: A new heuristic feature selection strategy (CorDelSFS) was combined with differential co-expression analysis to identify TME-key DCGs. The expression pattern and co-expression network of TME-key DCGs were analyzed across different TMEs. A prognostic model was constructed using six TME-key DCGs, and the correlation between the risk score and the proportion of stromal cells and immune cells in TME was evaluated. Results: TME-key DCGs mimicked the dynamic trend of BRCA TME and formed cell type-specific subnetworks. The IG gene-related subnetwork, plasmablast-specific expression, played a vital role in the BRCA TME through its adaptive immune function and tumor progression inhibition. The prognostic model showed that the risk score was significantly correlated with the proportion of stromal cells and immune cells in TME, and low-risk patients had stronger adaptive immune function. IGKV1D-39 was identified as a novel BRCA prognostic marker specifically expressed in plasmablasts and involved in adaptive immune responses. Conclusions: This study explores the role of proportionate-related genes in the tumor microenvironment using a machine learning approach and provides new insights for discovering the key biological processes in tumor progression and clinical prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sicheng Guo
- Hunan Engineering & Technology Research Centre for Agricultural Big Data Analysis & Decision-Making, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yuting Ma
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaokang Li
- Hunan Engineering & Technology Research Centre for Agricultural Big Data Analysis & Decision-Making, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wei Li
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaogang He
- Hunan Engineering & Technology Research Centre for Agricultural Big Data Analysis & Decision-Making, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zheming Yuan
- Hunan Engineering & Technology Research Centre for Agricultural Big Data Analysis & Decision-Making, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yuan Hu
- Hunan Engineering & Technology Research Centre for Agricultural Big Data Analysis & Decision-Making, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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28
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Yang QC, Wang S, Liu YT, Song A, Wu ZZ, Wan SC, Li HM, Sun ZJ. Targeting PCSK9 reduces cancer cell stemness and enhances antitumor immunity in head and neck cancer. iScience 2023; 26:106916. [PMID: 37305703 PMCID: PMC10250824 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has been demonstrated to play a critical role in regulating cholesterol homeostasis and T cell antitumor immunity. However, the expression, function, and therapeutic value of PCSK9 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remain largely unexplored. Here, we found that the expression of PCSK9 was upregulated in HNSCC tissues, and higher PCSK9 expression indicated poorer prognosis in HNSCC patients. We further found that pharmacological inhibition or siRNA downregulating PCSK9 expression suppressed the stemness-like phenotype of cancer cells in an LDLR-dependent manner. Moreover, PCSK9 inhibition enhanced the infiltration of CD8+ T cells and reduced the myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in a 4MOSC1 syngeneic tumor-bearing mouse model, and it also enhanced the antitumor effect of anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. Together, these results indicated that PCSK9, a traditional hypercholesterolemia target, may be a novel biomarker and therapeutic target to enhance ICB therapy in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Chao Yang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuo Wang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan-Tong Liu
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - An Song
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhi-Zhong Wu
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shu-Cheng Wan
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui-Min Li
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhi-Jun Sun
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Head Neck Oncology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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29
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Huang YL, Dickerson LK, Kenerson H, Jiang X, Pillarisetty V, Tian Q, Hood L, Gujral TS, Yeung RS. Organotypic Models for Functional Drug Testing of Human Cancers. BME FRONTIERS 2023; 4:0022. [PMID: 37849667 PMCID: PMC10275620 DOI: 10.34133/bmef.0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In the era of personalized oncology, there have been accelerated efforts to develop clinically relevant platforms to test drug sensitivities of individual cancers. An ideal assay will serve as a diagnostic companion to inform the oncologist of the various treatments that are sensitive and insensitive, thus improving outcome while minimizing unnecessary toxicities and costs. To date, no such platform exists for clinical use, but promising approaches are on the horizon that take advantage of improved techniques in creating human cancer models that encompass the entire tumor microenvironment, alongside technologies for assessing and analyzing tumor response. This review summarizes a number of current strategies that make use of intact human cancer tissues as organotypic cultures in drug sensitivity testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Ling Huang
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Heidi Kenerson
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Xiuyun Jiang
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Qiang Tian
- National Research Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Leroy Hood
- Institute for Systems Biology, Phenome Health Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Taranjit S. Gujral
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Raymond S. Yeung
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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30
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Andhari MD, Antoranz A, De Smet F, Bosisio FM. Recent advancements in tumour microenvironment landscaping for target selection and response prediction in immune checkpoint therapies achieved through spatial protein multiplexing analysis. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 382:207-237. [PMID: 38225104 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint therapies have significantly advanced cancer treatment. Nevertheless, the high costs and potential adverse effects associated with these therapies highlight the need for better predictive biomarkers to identify patients who are most likely to benefit from treatment. Unfortunately, the existing biomarkers are insufficient to identify such patients. New high-dimensional spatial technologies have emerged as a valuable tool for discovering novel biomarkers by analysing multiple protein markers at a single-cell resolution in tissue samples. These technologies provide a more comprehensive map of tissue composition, cell functionality, and interactions between different cell types in the tumour microenvironment. In this review, we provide an overview of how spatial protein-based multiplexing technologies have fuelled biomarker discovery and advanced the field of immunotherapy. In particular, we will focus on how these technologies contributed to (i) characterise the tumour microenvironment, (ii) understand the role of tumour heterogeneity, (iii) study the interplay of the immune microenvironment and tumour progression, (iv) discover biomarkers for immune checkpoint therapies (v) suggest novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhavi Dipak Andhari
- Translational Cell and Tissue Research Unit, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; The Laboratory for Precision Cancer Medicine, Translational Cell and Tissue Research Unit, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Asier Antoranz
- Translational Cell and Tissue Research Unit, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; The Laboratory for Precision Cancer Medicine, Translational Cell and Tissue Research Unit, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frederik De Smet
- Translational Cell and Tissue Research Unit, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; The Laboratory for Precision Cancer Medicine, Translational Cell and Tissue Research Unit, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Francesca Maria Bosisio
- Translational Cell and Tissue Research Unit, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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31
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Vitale C, Bottino C, Castriconi R. Monocyte and Macrophage in Neuroblastoma: Blocking Their Pro-Tumoral Functions and Strengthening Their Crosstalk with Natural Killer Cells. Cells 2023; 12:885. [PMID: 36980226 PMCID: PMC10047506 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, immunotherapy has represented an enormous step forward in the fight against cancer. Immunotherapeutic approaches have increasingly become a fundamental part of the combined therapies currently adopted in the treatment of patients with high-risk (HR) neuroblastoma (NB). An increasing number of studies focus on the understanding of the immune landscape in NB and, since this tumor expresses low or null levels of MHC class I, on the development of new strategies aimed at enhancing innate immunity, especially Natural Killer (NK) cells and macrophages. There is growing evidence that, within the NB tumor microenvironment (TME), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), which mainly present an M2-like phenotype, have a crucial role in mediating NB development and immune evasion, and they have been correlated to poor clinical outcomes. Importantly, TAM can also impair the antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) mediated by NK cells upon the administration of anti-GD2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), the current standard immunotherapy for HR-NB patients. This review deals with the main mechanisms regulating the crosstalk among NB cells and TAMs or other cellular components of the TME, which support tumor development and induce drug resistance. Furthermore, we will address the most recent strategies aimed at limiting the number of pro-tumoral macrophages within the TME, reprogramming the TAMs functional state, thus enhancing NK cell functions. We also prospectively discuss new or unexplored aspects of human macrophage heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Vitale
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Cristina Bottino
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Roberta Castriconi
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
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32
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Bosque JJ, Calvo GF, Molina-García D, Pérez-Beteta J, García Vicente AM, Pérez-García VM. Metabolic activity grows in human cancers pushed by phenotypic variability. iScience 2023; 26:106118. [PMID: 36843844 PMCID: PMC9950952 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Different evolutionary processes push cancers to increasingly aggressive behaviors, energetically sustained by metabolic reprogramming. The collective signature emerging from this transition is macroscopically displayed by positron emission tomography (PET). In fact, the most readily PET measure, the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), has been found to have prognostic value in different cancers. However, few works have linked the properties of this metabolic hotspot to cancer evolutionary dynamics. Here, by analyzing diagnostic PET images from 512 patients with cancer, we found that SUVmax scales superlinearly with the mean metabolic activity (SUVmean), reflecting a dynamic preferential accumulation of activity on the hotspot. Additionally, SUVmax increased with metabolic tumor volume (MTV) following a power law. The behavior from the patients data was accurately captured by a mechanistic evolutionary dynamics model of tumor growth accounting for phenotypic transitions. This suggests that non-genetic changes may suffice to fuel the observed sustained increases in tumor metabolic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús J. Bosque
- Department of Mathematics, Mathematical Oncology Laboratory (MOLAB), University of Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real, Spain,Corresponding author
| | - Gabriel F. Calvo
- Department of Mathematics, Mathematical Oncology Laboratory (MOLAB), University of Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - David Molina-García
- Department of Mathematics, Mathematical Oncology Laboratory (MOLAB), University of Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Julián Pérez-Beteta
- Department of Mathematics, Mathematical Oncology Laboratory (MOLAB), University of Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Ana M. García Vicente
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Hospital General Universitario de Ciudad Real, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Víctor M. Pérez-García
- Department of Mathematics, Mathematical Oncology Laboratory (MOLAB), University of Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real, Spain
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33
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Martins-Lima C, Chianese U, Benedetti R, Altucci L, Jerónimo C, Correia MP. Tumor microenvironment and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in bladder cancer: Cytokines in the game? Front Mol Biosci 2023; 9:1070383. [PMID: 36699696 PMCID: PMC9868260 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1070383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer (BlCa) is a highly immunogenic cancer. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the standard treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients and, recently, second-line immunotherapies have arisen to treat metastatic BlCa patients. Understanding the interactions between tumor cells, immune cells and soluble factors in bladder tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial. Cytokines and chemokines released in the TME have a dual role, since they can exhibit both a pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory potential, driving infiltration and inflammation, and also promoting evasion of immune system and pro-tumoral effects. In BlCa disease, 70-80% are non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, while 20-30% are muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) at the time of diagnosis. However, during the follow up, about half of treated NMIBC patients recur once or more, with 5-25% progressing to muscle-invasive bladder cancer, which represents a significant concern to the clinic. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is one biological process associated with tumor progression. Specific cytokines present in bladder TME have been related with signaling pathways activation and EMT-related molecules regulation. In this review, we summarized the immune landscape in BlCa TME, along with the most relevant cytokines and their putative role in driving EMT processes, tumor progression, invasion, migration and metastasis formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia Martins-Lima
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) and Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC) Raquel Seruca, Porto, Portugal,Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Ugo Chianese
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosaria Benedetti
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Lucia Altucci
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy,BIOGEM, Molecular Biology and Genetics Research Institute, Avellino, Italy,IEOS, Institute of Endocrinology and Oncology, Naples, Italy
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) and Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC) Raquel Seruca, Porto, Portugal,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology at School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal,*Correspondence: Carmen Jerónimo, , ; Margareta P. Correia,
| | - Margareta P. Correia
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) and Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC) Raquel Seruca, Porto, Portugal,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology at School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal,*Correspondence: Carmen Jerónimo, , ; Margareta P. Correia,
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Merino-Casallo F, Gomez-Benito MJ, Hervas-Raluy S, Garcia-Aznar JM. Unravelling cell migration: defining movement from the cell surface. Cell Adh Migr 2022; 16:25-64. [PMID: 35499121 PMCID: PMC9067518 DOI: 10.1080/19336918.2022.2055520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell motility is essential for life and development. Unfortunately, cell migration is also linked to several pathological processes, such as cancer metastasis. Cells' ability to migrate relies on many actors. Cells change their migratory strategy based on their phenotype and the properties of the surrounding microenvironment. Cell migration is, therefore, an extremely complex phenomenon. Researchers have investigated cell motility for more than a century. Recent discoveries have uncovered some of the mysteries associated with the mechanisms involved in cell migration, such as intracellular signaling and cell mechanics. These findings involve different players, including transmembrane receptors, adhesive complexes, cytoskeletal components , the nucleus, and the extracellular matrix. This review aims to give a global overview of our current understanding of cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Merino-Casallo
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering (M2BE), Aragon Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Maria Jose Gomez-Benito
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering (M2BE), Aragon Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Silvia Hervas-Raluy
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering (M2BE), Aragon Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jose Manuel Garcia-Aznar
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering (M2BE), Aragon Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
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35
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Han HT, Jin WL, Li X. Mesenchymal stem cells-based therapy in liver diseases. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2022; 3:23. [PMID: 35895169 PMCID: PMC9326420 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-022-00088-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple immune cells and their products in the liver together form a complex and unique immune microenvironment, and preclinical models have demonstrated the importance of imbalances in the hepatic immune microenvironment in liver inflammatory diseases and immunocompromised liver diseases. Various immunotherapies have been attempted to modulate the hepatic immune microenvironment for the purpose of treating liver diseases. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have a comprehensive and plastic immunomodulatory capacity. On the one hand, they have been tried for the treatment of inflammatory liver diseases because of their excellent immunosuppressive capacity; On the other hand, MSCs have immune-enhancing properties in immunocompromised settings and can be modified into cellular carriers for targeted transport of immune enhancers by genetic modification, physical and chemical loading, and thus they are also used in the treatment of immunocompromised liver diseases such as chronic viral infections and hepatocellular carcinoma. In this review, we discuss the immunological basis and recent strategies of MSCs for the treatment of the aforementioned liver diseases. Specifically, we update the immune microenvironment of the liver and summarize the distinct mechanisms of immune microenvironment imbalance in inflammatory diseases and immunocompromised liver diseases, and how MSCs can fully exploit their immunotherapeutic role in liver diseases with both immune imbalance patterns.
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Tiwari A, Trivedi R, Lin SY. Tumor microenvironment: barrier or opportunity towards effective cancer therapy. J Biomed Sci 2022; 29:83. [PMID: 36253762 PMCID: PMC9575280 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-022-00866-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment (TME) is a specialized ecosystem of host components, designed by tumor cells for successful development and metastasis of tumor. With the advent of 3D culture and advanced bioinformatic methodologies, it is now possible to study TME’s individual components and their interplay at higher resolution. Deeper understanding of the immune cell’s diversity, stromal constituents, repertoire profiling, neoantigen prediction of TMEs has provided the opportunity to explore the spatial and temporal regulation of immune therapeutic interventions. The variation of TME composition among patients plays an important role in determining responders and non-responders towards cancer immunotherapy. Therefore, there could be a possibility of reprogramming of TME components to overcome the widely prevailing issue of immunotherapeutic resistance. The focus of the present review is to understand the complexity of TME and comprehending future perspective of its components as potential therapeutic targets. The later part of the review describes the sophisticated 3D models emerging as valuable means to study TME components and an extensive account of advanced bioinformatic tools to profile TME components and predict neoantigens. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive account of the current knowledge available to target TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aadhya Tiwari
- Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Rakesh Trivedi
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shiaw-Yih Lin
- Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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37
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Santana-Krímskaya SE, Kawas J, Zarate-Triviño DG, Ramos-Zayas Y, Rodríguez-Padilla C, Franco-Molina MA. Orthotopic and heterotopic triple negative breast cancer preclinical murine models: A tumor microenvironment comparative. Res Vet Sci 2022; 152:364-371. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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38
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Marzagalli M, Pelizzoni G, Fedi A, Vitale C, Fontana F, Bruno S, Poggi A, Dondero A, Aiello M, Castriconi R, Bottino C, Scaglione S. A multi-organ-on-chip to recapitulate the infiltration and the cytotoxic activity of circulating NK cells in 3D matrix-based tumor model. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:945149. [PMID: 35957642 PMCID: PMC9358021 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.945149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The success of immunotherapeutic approaches strictly depends on the immune cells interaction with cancer cells. While conventional in vitro cell cultures under-represent the complexity and dynamic crosstalk of the tumor microenvironment, animal models do not allow deciphering the anti-tumor activity of the human immune system. Therefore, the development of reliable and predictive preclinical models has become crucial for the screening of immune-therapeutic approaches. We here present an organ-on-chip organ on chips (OOC)-based approach for recapitulating the immune cell Natural Killer (NK) migration under physiological fluid flow, infiltration within a 3D tumor matrix, and activation against neuroblastoma cancer cells in a humanized, fluid-dynamic environment. Circulating NK cells actively initiate a spontaneous “extravasation” process toward the physically separated tumor niche, retaining their ability to interact with matrix-embedded tumor cells, and to display a cytotoxic effect (tumor cell apoptosis). Since NK cells infiltration and phenotype is correlated with prognosis and response to immunotherapy, their phenotype is also investigated: most importantly, a clear decrease in CD16-positive NK cells within the migrated and infiltrated population is observed. The proposed immune-tumor OOC-based model represents a promising approach for faithfully recapitulating the human pathology and efficiently employing the immunotherapies testing, eventually in a personalized perspective. An immune-organ on chip to recapitulate the tumor-mediated infiltration of circulating immune cells within 3D tumor model.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giorgia Pelizzoni
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza, Milan, Italy
| | - Arianna Fedi
- National Research Council, CNR-IEIIT, Genoa, Italy
| | - Chiara Vitale
- National Research Council, CNR-IEIIT, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Fontana
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (DiSFeB), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Bruno
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Poggi
- Molecular Oncology and Angiogenesis Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Dondero
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Castriconi
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Cristina Bottino
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Scaglione
- National Research Council, CNR-IEIIT, Genoa, Italy
- *Correspondence: Silvia Scaglione,
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39
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Sandström N, Carannante V, Olofsson K, Sandoz PA, Moussaud-Lamodière EL, Seashore-Ludlow B, Van Ooijen H, Verron Q, Frisk T, Takai M, Wiklund M, Östling P, Önfelt B. Miniaturized and multiplexed high-content screening of drug and immune sensitivity in a multichambered microwell chip. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2022; 2:100256. [PMID: 35880015 PMCID: PMC9308168 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2022.100256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Here, we present a methodology based on multiplexed fluorescence screening of two- or three-dimensional cell cultures in a newly designed multichambered microwell chip, allowing direct assessment of drug or immune cell cytotoxic efficacy. We establish a framework for cell culture, formation of tumor spheroids, fluorescence labeling, and imaging of fixed or live cells at various magnifications directly in the chip together with data analysis and interpretation. The methodology is demonstrated by drug cytotoxicity screening using ovarian and non-small cell lung cancer cells and by cellular cytotoxicity screening targeting tumor spheroids of renal carcinoma and ovarian carcinoma with natural killer cells from healthy donors. The miniaturized format allowing long-term cell culture, efficient screening, and high-quality imaging of small sample volumes makes this methodology promising for individualized cytotoxicity tests for precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Sandström
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Valentina Carannante
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Karl Olofsson
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Patrick A. Sandoz
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | | | - Brinton Seashore-Ludlow
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Hanna Van Ooijen
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Quentin Verron
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Thomas Frisk
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Madoka Takai
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Martin Wiklund
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Päivi Östling
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Björn Önfelt
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
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Skala MC, Deming DA, Kratz JD. Technologies to Assess Drug Response and Heterogeneity in Patient-Derived Cancer Organoids. Annu Rev Biomed Eng 2022; 24:157-177. [PMID: 35259932 PMCID: PMC9177801 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-bioeng-110220-123503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Patient-derived cancer organoids (PDCOs) are organotypic 3D cultures grown from patient tumor samples. PDCOs provide an exciting opportunity to study drug response and heterogeneity within and between patients. This research can guide new drug development and inform clinical treatment planning. We review technologies to assess PDCO drug response and heterogeneity, discuss best practices for clinically relevant drug screens, and assert the importance of quantifying single-cell and organoid heterogeneity to characterize response. Autofluorescence imaging of PDCO growth and metabolic activity is highlighted as a compelling method to monitor single-cell and single-organoid response robustly and reproducibly. We also speculate on the future of PDCOs in clinical practice and drug discovery.Future development will require standardization of assessment methods for both morphology and function in PDCOs, increased throughput for new drug development, prospective validation with patient outcomes, and robust classification algorithms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa C Skala
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA;
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Dustin A Deming
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Division of Hematology Medical Oncology and Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; ,
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jeremy D Kratz
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Division of Hematology Medical Oncology and Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; ,
- Center for Human Genomics and Precision Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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41
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Zhang J, Tavakoli H, Ma L, Li X, Han L, Li X. Immunotherapy discovery on tumor organoid-on-a-chip platforms that recapitulate the tumor microenvironment. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 187:114365. [PMID: 35667465 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has achieved remarkable success over the past decade by modulating patients' own immune systems and unleashing pre-existing immunity. However, only a minority of cancer patients across different cancer types are able to benefit from immunotherapy treatment; moreover, among those small portions of patients with response, intrinsic and acquired resistance remains a persistent challenge. Because the tumor microenvironment (TME) is well recognized to play a critical role in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and the suppression of the immune system and responses to immunotherapy, understanding the interactions between the TME and the immune system is a pivotal step in developing novel and efficient cancer immunotherapies. With unique features such as low reagent consumption, dynamic and precise fluid control, versatile structures and function designs, and 3D cell co-culture, microfluidic tumor organoid-on-a-chip platforms that recapitulate key factors of the TME and the immune contexture have emerged as innovative reliable tools to investigate how tumors regulate their TME to counteract antitumor immunity and the mechanism of tumor resistance to immunotherapy. In this comprehensive review, we focus on recent advances in tumor organoid-on-a-chip platforms for studying the interaction between the TME and the immune system. We first review different factors of the TME that recent microfluidic in vitro systems reproduce to generate advanced tools to imitate the crosstalk between the TME and the immune system. Then, we discuss their applications in the assessment of different immunotherapies' efficacy using tumor organoid-on-a-chip platforms. Finally, we present an overview and the outlook of engineered microfluidic platforms in investigating the interactions between cancer and immune systems, and the adoption of patient-on-a-chip models in clinical applications toward personalized immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Hamed Tavakoli
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Lei Ma
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Xiaochun Li
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Lichun Han
- Xi'an Daxing Hospital, Xi'an 710016, China
| | - XiuJun Li
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968, USA; Border Biomedical Research Center, Forensic Science, & Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968, USA.
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42
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High resolution microfluidic assay and probabilistic modeling reveal cooperation between T cells in tumor killing. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3111. [PMID: 35661707 PMCID: PMC9166723 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30575-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxic T cells are important components of natural anti-tumor immunity and are harnessed in tumor immunotherapies. Immune responses to tumors and immune therapy outcomes largely vary among individuals, but very few studies examine the contribution of intrinsic behavior of the T cells to this heterogeneity. Here we show the development of a microfluidic-based in vitro method to track the outcome of antigen-specific T cell activity on many individual cancer spheroids simultaneously at high spatiotemporal resolution, which we call Multiscale Immuno-Oncology on-Chip System (MIOCS). By combining parallel measurements of T cell behaviors and tumor fates with probabilistic modeling, we establish that the first recruited T cells initiate a positive feedback loop to accelerate further recruitment to the spheroid. We also provide evidence that cooperation between T cells on the spheroid during the killing phase facilitates tumor destruction. Thus, we propose that both T cell accumulation and killing function rely on collective behaviors rather than simply reflecting the sum of individual T cell activities, and the possibility to track many replicates of immune cell-tumor interactions with the level of detail our system provides may contribute to our understanding of immune response heterogeneity. Anti-cancer cytotoxic T cell responses largely vary among individuals. Here authors show, by stochastic modeling on high throughput T cell behavior and matched tumor spheroid fate data generated by a microfluidics system, that tumor killing is dependent on T cell cooperativity, which might contribute to the heterogeneity of T cell responses.
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Editorial overview: Biomedical Engineering and Women’s Health - Breaking new ground in gender and sex-specific research. CURRENT OPINION IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2022.100392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Abstract
Cell manipulation in droplets has emerged as one of the great successes of microfluidic technologies, with the development of single-cell screening. However, the droplet format has also served to go beyond single-cell studies, namely by considering the interactions between different cells or between cells and their physical or chemical environment. These studies pose specific challenges linked to the need for long-term culture of adherent cells or the diverse types of measurements associated with complex biological phenomena. Here we review the emergence of droplet microfluidic methods for culturing cells and studying their interactions. We begin by characterizing the quantitative aspects that determine the ability to encapsulate cells, transport molecules, and provide sufficient nutrients within the droplets. This is followed by an evaluation of the biological constraints such as the control of the biochemical environment and promoting the anchorage of adherent cells. This first part ends with a description of measurement methods that have been developed. The second part of the manuscript focuses on applications of these technologies for cancer studies, immunology, and stem cells while paying special attention to the biological relevance of the cellular assays and providing guidelines on improving this relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Sart
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France.,Physical Microfluidics and Bioengineering, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr. Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Gustave Ronteix
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France.,Physical Microfluidics and Bioengineering, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr. Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Shreyansh Jain
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France.,Physical Microfluidics and Bioengineering, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr. Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Gabriel Amselem
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France.,Physical Microfluidics and Bioengineering, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr. Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Charles N Baroud
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France.,Physical Microfluidics and Bioengineering, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr. Roux, 75015 Paris, France
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Tumor Microenvironment and Hydrogel-Based 3D Cancer Models for In Vitro Testing Immunotherapies. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14041013. [PMID: 35205760 PMCID: PMC8870468 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14041013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Immunotherapies are emerging as promising strategies to cure cancer and extend patients’ survival. Efforts should be focused, however, on the development of preclinical tools better able to predict the therapeutic benefits in individual patients. In this context, the availability of reliable preclinical models capable of recapitulating the tumor milieu while overcoming the limitations of traditional systems is mandatory. Here, we review the tumor immune responses, escape mechanisms, and the most recent 3D biomaterial-based cancer in vitro models useful for investigating the effects of the different immunotherapeutic approaches. The main challenges and possible future trends are also discussed. Abstract In recent years, immunotherapy has emerged as a promising novel therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. In a relevant percentage of patients, however, clinical benefits are lower than expected, pushing researchers to deeply analyze the immune responses against tumors and find more reliable and efficient tools to predict the individual response to therapy. Novel tissue engineering strategies can be adopted to realize in vitro fully humanized matrix-based models, as a compromise between standard two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures and animal tests, which are costly and hardly usable in personalized medicine. In this review, we describe the main mechanisms allowing cancer cells to escape the immune surveillance, which may play a significant role in the failure of immunotherapies. In particular, we discuss the role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in the establishment of a milieu that greatly favors cancer malignant progression and impact on the interactions with immune cells. Then, we present an overview of the recent in vitro engineered preclinical three-dimensional (3D) models that have been adopted to resemble the interplays between cancer and immune cells and for testing current therapies and immunotherapeutic approaches. Specifically, we focus on 3D hydrogel-based tools based on different types of polymers, discussing the suitability of each of them in reproducing the TME key features based on their intrinsic or tunable characteristics. Finally, we introduce the possibility to combine the 3D models with technological fluid dynamics platforms, reproducing the dynamic complex interactions between tumor cells and immune effectors migrated in situ via the systemic circulation, pointing out the challenges that still have to be overcome for setting more predictive preclinical assays.
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He Y, Li J, Shen L, Zhou H, Fei W, Zhang G, Li Z, Wang F, Wen Y. Pan-cancer analysis reveals NUP37 as a prognostic biomarker correlated with the immunosuppressive microenvironment in glioma. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:1033-1047. [PMID: 35093934 PMCID: PMC8833130 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Nucleoporin 37 kDa (NUP37), a member of the nucleoporin family, has been reported to regulate the proliferation and apoptosis of several tumor types. However, its role in the tumor immune microenvironment is unclear. Here, we evaluated the expression, methylation, copy number alteration, and prognostic significance of NUP37 using RNA-seq and clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. We observed higher expression of NUP37 in 28 of 29 tumor types, and high NUP37 expression predicted worse survival status of patients in 15 tumors. Using data from the cBioportal database, we described the gene variation of NUP37 in glioma and pan-cancer. We further assessed the role of NUP37 in the tumor immune microenvironment using immune infiltration data. NUP37 expression was positively associated with the infiltration levels of immunosuppressive cells, such as nTregs, iTregs, and tumor-associated macrophages, and negatively correlated with immune killer cells, such as CD8+ T and NK cells across cancers. Furthermore, NUP37 expression was associated with immune checkpoints and immune regulation-related genes. The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations of anti-cancer drugs were obtained from the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in the Cancer database. The correlation between half-maximal inhibitory concentration and NUP37 expression was evaluated. The patients with the evaluated expression of NUP37 were resistant to several anti-cancer drugs. These results suggest that NUP37 is a potential oncogene and prognostic biomarker in glioma and pan-cancer. Tumor tissues with high NUP37 expression exist in a relatively immunosuppressive microenvironment and are resistant to several anti-cancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya He
- Department of Physical Examination Center, Jiangjin Central Hospital of Chongqing, Jiangjin, Chongqing 402260, China
| | - Jingang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jiangjin Central Hospital of Chongqing, Jiangjin, Chongqing 402260, China
| | - Lan Shen
- Department of Neurology, Jiangjin Central Hospital of Chongqing, Jiangjin, Chongqing 402260, China
| | - Hui Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jiangjin Central Hospital of Chongqing, Jiangjin, Chongqing 402260, China
| | - Wei Fei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jiangjin Central Hospital of Chongqing, Jiangjin, Chongqing 402260, China
| | - Guangliang Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jiangjin Central Hospital of Chongqing, Jiangjin, Chongqing 402260, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jiangjin Central Hospital of Chongqing, Jiangjin, Chongqing 402260, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jiangjin Central Hospital of Chongqing, Jiangjin, Chongqing 402260, China
| | - Yuetao Wen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jiangjin Central Hospital of Chongqing, Jiangjin, Chongqing 402260, China
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Boehnke N, Hammond PT. Power in Numbers: Harnessing Combinatorial and Integrated Screens to Advance Nanomedicine. JACS AU 2022; 2:12-21. [PMID: 35098219 PMCID: PMC8791056 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.1c00313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Nanocarriers have significant potential to advance personalized medicine through targeted drug delivery. However, to date, efforts to improve nanoparticle accumulation at target disease sites have largely failed to translate clinically, stemming from an incomplete understanding of nano-bio interactions. While progress has been made to evaluate the effects of specific physical and chemical nanoparticle properties on trafficking and uptake, there is much to be gained from controlling these properties singularly and in combination to determine their interactions with different cell types. We and others have recently begun leveraging library-based nanoparticle screens to study structure-function relationships of lipid- and polymer-based drug delivery systems to guide nanoparticle design. These combinatorial screening efforts are showing promise in leading to the successful identification of critical characteristics that yield improved and specific accumulation at target sites. However, there is a crucial need to equally consider the influence of biological complexity on nanoparticle delivery, particularly in the context of clinical translation. For example, tissue and cellular heterogeneity presents an additional dimension to nanoparticle trafficking, uptake, and accumulation; applying imaging and screening tools as well as bioinformatics may further expand our understanding of how nanoparticles engage with cells and tissues. Given recent advances in the fields of omics and machine learning, there is substantial promise to revolutionize nanocarrier development through the use of integrated screens, harnessing the combinatorial parameter space afforded both by nanoparticle libraries and clinically annotated biological data sets in combination with high throughput in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Boehnke
- Koch
Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Paula T. Hammond
- Koch
Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, 25 Ames
Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
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Letai A, Bhola P, Welm AL. Functional precision oncology: Testing tumors with drugs to identify vulnerabilities and novel combinations. Cancer Cell 2022; 40:26-35. [PMID: 34951956 PMCID: PMC8752507 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2021.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Functional precision medicine is a strategy whereby live tumor cells from affected individuals are directly perturbed with drugs to provide immediately translatable, personalized information to guide therapy. The heterogeneity of human cancer has led to the realization that personalized approaches are needed to improve treatment outcomes. Precision oncology has traditionally used static features of the tumor to dictate which therapies should be used. Static features can include expression of key targets or genomic analysis of mutations to identify therapeutically targetable "drivers." Although a surprisingly small proportion of individuals derive clinical benefit from the static approach, functional precision medicine can provide additional information regarding tumor vulnerabilities. We discuss emerging technologies for functional precision medicine as well as limitations and challenges in using these assays in the clinical trials that will be necessary to determine whether functional precision medicine can improve outcomes and eventually become a standard tool in clinical oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Letai
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Patrick Bhola
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alana L Welm
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
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3D tumor spheroid microarray for high-throughput, high-content natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Commun Biol 2021; 4:893. [PMID: 34290356 PMCID: PMC8295284 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02417-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach to treating several forms of cancer. Use of immune cells, such as natural killer (NK) cells, along with small molecule drugs and antibodies through antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) has been investigated as a potential combination therapy for some difficult to treat solid tumors. Nevertheless, there remains a need to develop tools that support co-culture of target cancer cells and effector immune cells in a contextually relevant three-dimensional (3D) environment to provide a rapid means to screen for and optimize ADCC-drug combinations. To that end, here we have developed a high throughput 330 micropillar-microwell sandwich platform that enables 3D co-culture of NK92-CD16 cells with pancreatic (MiaPaCa-2) and breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231). The platform successfully mimicked hypoxic conditions found in a tumor microenvironment and was used to demonstrate NK-cell mediated cell cytotoxicity in combination with two monoclonal antibodies; Trastuzumab and Atezolizumab. The platform was also used to show dose response behavior of target cancer cells with reduced EC50 values for paclitaxel (an anti-cancer chemotherapeutic) when treated with both NK cells and antibody. Such a platform may be used to develop more personalized cancer therapies using patient-derived cancer cells.
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Paterson K, Zanivan S, Glasspool R, Coffelt SB, Zagnoni M. Microfluidic technologies for immunotherapy studies on solid tumours. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:2306-2329. [PMID: 34085677 PMCID: PMC8204114 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc01305f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy is a powerful and targeted cancer treatment that exploits the body's immune system to attack and eliminate cancerous cells. This form of therapy presents the possibility of long-term control and prevention of recurrence due to the memory capabilities of the immune system. Various immunotherapies are successful in treating haematological malignancies and have dramatically improved outcomes in melanoma. However, tackling other solid tumours is more challenging, mostly because of the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment (TME). Current in vitro models based on traditional 2D cell monolayers and animal models, such as patient-derived xenografts, have limitations in their ability to mimic the complexity of the human TME. As a result, they have inadequate translational value and can be poorly predictive of clinical outcome. Thus, there is a need for robust in vitro preclinical tools that more faithfully recapitulate human solid tumours to test novel immunotherapies. Microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip technologies offer opportunities, especially when performing mechanistic studies, to understand the role of the TME in immunotherapy, and to expand the experimental throughput when using patient-derived tissue through its miniaturization capabilities. This review first introduces the basic concepts of immunotherapy, presents the current preclinical approaches used in immuno-oncology for solid tumours and then discusses the underlying challenges. We provide a rationale for using microfluidic-based approaches, highlighting the most recent microfluidic technologies and methodologies that have been used for studying cancer-immune cell interactions and testing the efficacy of immunotherapies in solid tumours. Ultimately, we discuss achievements and limitations of the technology, commenting on potential directions for incorporating microfluidic technologies in future immunotherapy studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Paterson
- Centre for Microsystems and Photonics, EEE Department, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.
| | - S Zanivan
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK and Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | - R Glasspool
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK and Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow, UK
| | - S B Coffelt
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK and Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | - M Zagnoni
- Centre for Microsystems and Photonics, EEE Department, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.
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