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Abstract
In drug targeting, the urgent need for more effective and less iatrogenic therapies is pushing toward a complete revision of carrier setup. After the era of 'articles used as homing systems', novel prototypes are now emerging. Newly conceived carriers are endowed with better biocompatibility, biodistribution and targeting properties. The biomimetic approach bestows such improved functional properties. Exploiting biological molecules, organisms and cells, or taking inspiration from them, drug vector performances are now rapidly progressing toward the perfect carrier. Following this direction, researchers have refined carrier properties, achieving significant results. The present review summarizes recent advances in biomimetic and bioinspired drug vectors, derived from biologicals or obtained by processing synthetic materials with a biomimetic approach.
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Schiariti MP, Restelli F, Ferroli P, Benetti A, Berenzi A, Ferri A, Ceserani V, Ciusani E, Cadei M, Finocchiaro G, Pessina A, Parati E, Pallini R, Alessandri G. Fibronectin-adherent peripheral blood derived mononuclear cells as Paclitaxel carriers for glioblastoma treatment: An in vitro study. Cytotherapy 2017; 19:721-734. [PMID: 28434806 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2017.03.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Revised: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma (GBM) represents the most aggressive malignant brain tumor in adults, with a risible median life expectancy despite gold standard treatment. Novel drug-delivery methods have been explored. Here we evaluated the possibility to use mononuclear cells (MCs) belonging to the monocytic-dendritic lineage as drug-carrier. METHODS MCs were obtained from 10 patients harboring a GBM, and from healthy volunteers, considered as controls. GBM tissue was also obtained from patients. MCs were cultured and the adherent population on fibronectin (FN-MCs), after immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry characterization, was loaded with Paclitaxel (FN-MCs-PTX). Antiproliferative and migration activity of FN-MCs-PTX was evaluated in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) co-culture assays with red fluorescent U87 Malignant Glioma cells and primary GBM cells. Antiangiogenic properties of FN-MCs-PTX were tested on cultures with endothelial cells. RESULTS Phenotypical characterization showed a high expression of monocytic-dendritic markers in GBM cells and FN-MCs. FN-MCs demonstrated to effectively uptake PTX and to strongly inhibit GBM growth in vitro (P <0.01). Moreover, tumor-induced migration of MCs, although partially affected by the PTX cargo, remained statistically significant when compared with unprimed cells and this was confirmed in a 3D Matrigel model (P <0.01) and in a Trans-well assay (P <0.01). FN-MCs-PTX also disclosed considerable antiangiogenic properties. DISCUSSION Our results suggest that the fibronectin-adherent population of MCs isolated from peripheral blood can be an effective tool to inhibit GBM growth. Given the relative facility to obtain such cells and the short time needed for their culture and drug loading this approach may have potential as an adjuvant therapy for GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Paolo Schiariti
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy.
| | - Francesco Restelli
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Ferroli
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Benetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Institute of Pathological Anatomy, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Angiola Berenzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Institute of Pathological Anatomy, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Anna Ferri
- Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Cerebrovascular Diseases, IRCCS Neurological Institute C. Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Ceserani
- Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Cerebrovascular Diseases, IRCCS Neurological Institute C. Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Emilio Ciusani
- Laboratory of Clinical Pathology and Neurogenetic Medicine, IRCCS Neurological Institute C. Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Moris Cadei
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Institute of Pathological Anatomy, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Gaetano Finocchiaro
- Molecular Neuroncology Unit, IRCCS Neurological Institute C. Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Augusto Pessina
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Eugenio Parati
- Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Cerebrovascular Diseases, IRCCS Neurological Institute C. Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Pallini
- Institute of Neurosurgery, Catholic University of Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Giulio Alessandri
- Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Cerebrovascular Diseases, IRCCS Neurological Institute C. Besta, Milan, Italy
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Li SC, Kabeer MH, Vu LT, Keschrumrus V, Yin HZ, Dethlefs BA, Zhong JF, Weiss JH, Loudon WG. Training stem cells for treatment of malignant brain tumors. World J Stem Cells 2014; 6:432-440. [PMID: 25258664 PMCID: PMC4172671 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v6.i4.432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2014] [Revised: 08/09/2014] [Accepted: 09/01/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The treatment of malignant brain tumors remains a challenge. Stem cell technology has been applied in the treatment of brain tumors largely because of the ability of some stem cells to infiltrate into regions within the brain where tumor cells migrate as shown in preclinical studies. However, not all of these efforts can translate in the effective treatment that improves the quality of life for patients. Here, we perform a literature review to identify the problems in the field. Given the lack of efficacy of most stem cell-based agents used in the treatment of malignant brain tumors, we found that stem cell distribution (i.e., only a fraction of stem cells applied capable of targeting tumors) are among the limiting factors. We provide guidelines for potential improvements in stem cell distribution. Specifically, we use an engineered tissue graft platform that replicates the in vivo microenvironment, and provide our data to validate that this culture platform is viable for producing stem cells that have better stem cell distribution than with the Petri dish culture system.
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Ehtesham M, Thompson RC. CXCR4-Expressing Glial Precursor Cells Demonstrate Enhanced Migratory Tropism for Glioma. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 3:1086-1091. [PMID: 23293746 DOI: 10.4236/jct.2012.36142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Malignant glioma remains one of the most intractable of human cancers principally due to the highly infiltrative nature of these neoplasms. The use of neural precursor cells (NPC) has received considerable attention based on their ability to selectively migrate towards disseminated areas of tumor in vivo and their described ability to deliver tumor-directed therapies specifically to infiltrating tumor cells. Fundamental to optimizing the use of these cells for potential clinical translation is the development of an understanding regarding the biologic cues that govern their ability to migrate towards infiltrative glioma foci. To this end, in this paper we detail that NPC selected for double-expression of the glial-precursor marker A2B5 and the cell-surface chemokine receptor, CXCR4, demonstrate enhanced in vitro glioma-directed tropism. These findings demonstrate the relevance of these markers for the phenotypic segregation of an optimally tumor-tropic NPC sub-population as a means of enhancing NPC-based therapeutic strategies for the treatment of glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moneeb Ehtesham
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, USA
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Growth Inhibitory Effect of Palatine Tonsil-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells. Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol 2012; 5:86-93. [PMID: 22737289 PMCID: PMC3380118 DOI: 10.3342/ceo.2012.5.2.86] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2011] [Revised: 12/25/2011] [Accepted: 01/19/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play an important role in the development and growth of tumor cells. However, the effect of human MSCs on the growth of human tumors is not well understood. The purpose of this study is to confirm the growth effect of palatine tonsil-derived MSCs (TD-MSCs) on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines and to elucidate the mechanism of their action. Methods TD-MSCs were isolated from patient with chronic tonsillitis and tonsillar hypertrophy. Two human HNSCC cell lines (PNUH-12 and SNU-899) were studied and cocultured with isolated palatine tonsil-derived MSC. The growth inhibitory effect of MSCs on HNSCC cell lines was tested through methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The apoptosis induction effect of MSCs on cell lines was assessed with flow cytometry and reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR. Results Palatine tonsil-derived MSCs exhibited a growth inhibitory effect on both cell lines. Cell cycle analysis showed an accumulation of tumor cells predominantly in G0/G1 phase with an increase in concentration of TD-MSCs, which was confirmed by increased mRNA expression of cell cycle negative regulator p21. Apoptosis of tumor cells increased significantly as concentration of cocultured TD-MSCs increased. Additionally, mRNA expression of caspase 3 was upregulated with increased concentration of TD-MSCs. Conclusion TD-MSCs have a potential growth inhibitory effect on HNSCC cell lines in vitro by inducing apoptotic cell death and G1 phase arrest of cell lines.
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Wu Q, Wang X. Neuronal stem cells in the central nervous system and in human diseases. Protein Cell 2012; 3:262-70. [PMID: 22528753 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-012-2930-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2012] [Accepted: 04/09/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The process of cortical expansion in the central nervous system is a key step of mammalian brain development to ensure its physiological function. Radial glial (RG) cells are a glial cell type contributing to this progress as intermediate neural progenitor cells responsible for an increase in the number of cortical neurons. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of RG cells during neurogenesis and provide further information on the mechanisms of neurodevelopmental diseases and stem cell-related brain tumorigenesis. Knowledge of neuronal stem cell and relative diseases will bridge benchmark research through translational studies to clinical therapeutic treatments of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
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Meyers CA. Management of cognitive deficits and mood disturbance. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2012; 104:363-369. [PMID: 22230454 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-52138-5.00024-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Christina A Meyers
- Department of Neduro-oncology, University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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Westphal M, Lamszus K. The neurobiology of gliomas: from cell biology to the development of therapeutic approaches. Nat Rev Neurosci 2011; 12:495-508. [PMID: 21811295 DOI: 10.1038/nrn3060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Gliomas are the most common type of primary brain tumour and are often fast growing with a poor prognosis for the patient. Their complex cellular composition, diffuse invasiveness and capacity to escape therapies has challenged researchers for decades and hampered progress towards an effective treatment. Recent molecular characterization of tumour cells combined with new insights into cellular diversification that occurs during development, and the modelling of these processes in transgenic animals have enabled a more detailed understanding of the events that underlie gliomagenesis. Combining this enhanced understanding of the relationship between neural stem cell biology and the cell lineage relationships of tumour cells with model systems offers new opportunities to develop specific and effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Westphal
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
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Wu W, He Q, Li X, Zhang X, Lu A, Ge R, Zhen H, Chang AE, Li Q, Shen L. Long-term cultured human neural stem cells undergo spontaneous transformation to tumor-initiating cells. Int J Biol Sci 2011; 7:892-901. [PMID: 21814484 PMCID: PMC3149283 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.7.892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2011] [Accepted: 07/04/2011] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In this report, we describe the spontaneous malignant transformation of long-term cultured human fetal striatum neural stem cells (hsNSCs, passage 17). After subcutaneous transplantation of long-term cultured hsNSCs into immunodeficient nude mice, 2 out of 15 mice formed xenografts which expressed neuroendocrine tumor markers CgA and NSE. T1 cells, a cell line that we derived from one of the two subcutaneous xenografts, have undergone continuous expansion in vitro. These T1 cells showed stem cell-like features and expressed neural stem cell markers nestin and CD133. The T1 cells were involved in abnormal karyotype, genomic instability and fast proliferation. Importantly, after long-term in vitro culture, the T1 cells did not result in subcutaneous xenografts, but induced intracranial tumor formation, indicating that they adjusted themselves to the intracranial microenvironment. We further found that the T1 cells exhibited an overexpressed level of EGFR, and the CD133 positive T1 cells showed a truncation mutation in the exons 2-7 of the EGFR (EGFRvIII) gene. These results suggest that continuous expansion of neural stem cells in culture may lead to malignant spontaneous transformation. This phenomenon may be functionally related to EGFR by EGFRvIII gene mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihua Wu
- Department of Cell Biology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
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Li SC, Han YP, Dethlefs BA, Loudon WG. Therapeutic window, a critical developmental stage for stem cell therapies. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther 2011. [PMID: 20528752 DOI: 10.2174/157488810793351730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In children, cancers are the deadliest of diseases and second only to accidents as the leading cause of death. The deadliest of the brain cancers are the malignant gliomas. Approximately two-thirds of children can survive less malignant types of brain cancers, however, in ~67% of these survivors recurs under the current regimes of surgery followed by administration of high doses toxic drugs and exposure to high doses of radiation. Even more distressing is that fortunate survivors are generally left with life-long cognitive disabilities. A new medical approach is desperately needed. Stem cells, with their natural ability to seek out brain tumors, could be used to accurately deliver therapy directly to the cancer sparing normal tissues for suppression of tumor growth. Despite exciting initial reports, clinical potency of stem cell therapy in animal brain tumor models has to date proven disappointing. Attempts to extrapolate the animal study results to humans are stymied by the fact that stem cells are heterogeneous, resulting in differences in their efficacy. Indeed, therapeutic success relies on an effective strategy to select for a stem cell sub-population within some particular stage of the development at which they are competitive and capable of targeting brain tumors. To improve this during developmental path, concept of a 'therapeutic window' is proposed. The "therapeutic window" for stem cells or more specifically a "biochemical therapeutic window" can be determined from biochemical assays and a "biological therapeutic window" from biological assays or even a molecular window for genetic description. Taken together, we can use selective processes to generate more effective stem cells to treat cancers as is clearly needed today.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengwen Calvin Li
- Neuro-Oncology Research Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Stem Cell Research, CHOC Children's Hospital, 455 S. Main Street, Orange, CA 92868-3874, USA.
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Retraction. Therapeutic window of stem cell potential for targeting pediatric malignant brain tumors: an opportunity for stem cell therapy. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2010; 5:446. [PMID: 19590989 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-009-9066-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Lee DH, Ahn Y, Kim SU, Wang KC, Cho BK, Phi JH, Park IH, Black PM, Carroll RS, Lee J, Kim SK. Targeting rat brainstem glioma using human neural stem cells and human mesenchymal stem cells. Clin Cancer Res 2009; 15:4925-34. [PMID: 19638465 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-08-3076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Brainstem gliomas are usually inoperable and have a dismal prognosis. Based on the robust tropisms of neural stem cells (NSC) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to brain tumors, we compared the tumor-tropic migratory capacities of these stem cells and evaluated the therapeutic potential of genetically engineered human NSCs encoding cytosine deaminase (CD) and IFNbeta against brainstem gliomas. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The directed migratory capacities of NSCs and MSCs to brainstem glioma (F98) were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. The human NSCs (HB1.F3) and various human MSCs, such as bone marrow-derived MSCs (HM3.B10), adipose tissue-derived MSCs, and umbilical cord blood-derived MSCs, were tested. Human fibroblast cells (HFF-1) were used as the negative control. As a proof of concept, the bioactivity of HB1.F3-CD-IFNbeta was analyzed with a cell viability assay, and animals with brainstem gliomas were injected with HB1.F3-CD-IFNbeta cells followed by systemic 5-fluorocytosine treatment. RESULTS In an in vitro modified Transwell migration assay and in vivo stem cell injection into established brainstem gliomas in rats, all the stem cells showed a significant migratory capacity compared with that of the control (P < 0.01). Histologic analysis showed a 59% reduction in tumor volume in the HB1.F3-CD-IFNbeta-treated group (P < 0.05). Apoptotic cells were increased 2.33-fold in animals treated with HB1.F3-CD-IFNbeta compared with the respective control groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION The brainstem glioma-tropic migratory capacities of MSCs from various sources were similar to those of NSCs. Genetically engineered NSCs show therapeutic efficacy against brainstem gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Do-Hun Lee
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul, Korea
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Recent progress on tissue-resident adult stem cell biology and their therapeutic implications. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 4:27-49. [PMID: 18288619 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-008-9008-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent progress in the field of the stem cell research has given new hopes to treat and even cure diverse degenerative disorders and incurable diseases in human. Particularly, the identification of a rare population of adult stem cells in the most tissues/organs in human has emerged as an attractive source of multipotent stem/progenitor cells for cell replacement-based therapies and tissue engineering in regenerative medicine. The tissue-resident adult stem/progenitor cells offer the possibility to stimulate their in vivo differentiation or to use their ex vivo expanded progenies for cell replacement-based therapies with multiple applications in human. Among the human diseases that could be treated by the stem cell-based therapies, there are hematopoietic and immune disorders, multiple degenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus as well as eye, liver, lung, skin and cardiovascular disorders and aggressive and metastatic cancers. In addition, the genetically-modified adult stem/progenitor cells could also be used as delivery system for expressing the therapeutic molecules in specific damaged areas of different tissues. Recent advances in cancer stem/progenitor cell research also offer the possibility to targeting these undifferentiated and malignant cells that provide critical functions in cancer initiation and progression and disease relapse for treating the patients diagnosed with the advanced and metastatic cancers which remain incurable in the clinics with the current therapies.
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Tyler MA, Sonabend AM, Ulasov IV, Lesniak MS. Vector therapies for malignant glioma: shifting the clinical paradigm. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2008; 5:445-58. [PMID: 18426385 DOI: 10.1517/17425247.5.4.445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malignant glioma represents one of the most aggressive and devastating forms of human cancer. At present, there exists no successful treatment for this disease. Gene therapy, or vector therapy, has emerged as a viable experimental treatment method for intracranial malignancies. OBJECTIVE Vector therapy paradigms that have entered the clinical arena have shown adequate safety; however, the majority of the studies failed to observe significant clinical benefits. As such, researchers have refocused their efforts on developing novel vectors as well as new delivery methods to enhance the therapeutic effect of a particular vector. In this review, we discuss common vector therapy approaches used in clinical trials, their drawbacks and potential ways of overcoming these challenges. METHODS We focus on the experimental evaluation of cell-based vector therapies and adenoviral and herpes simplex virus type 1 vectors in the treatment of malignant glioma. CONCLUSION Vector therapy remains a promising treatment strategy for malignant glioma. Although significant questions remain to be answered, early clinical data suggest safety of this approach and future studies will likely address the efficacy of the proposed therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Tyler
- University of Chicago, The Brain Tumor Center, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, MC 3026, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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Li SC, Loudon WG. A novel and generalizable organotypic slice platform to evaluate stem cell potential for targeting pediatric brain tumors. Cancer Cell Int 2008. [PMID: 18498656 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2867-1188-1189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors are now the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children under age 15. Malignant gliomas are, for all practical purposes, incurable and new therapeutic approaches are desperately needed. One emerging strategy is to use the tumor tracking capacity inherent in many stem cell populations to deliver therapeutic agents to the brain cancer cells. Current limitations of the stem cell therapy strategy include that stem cells are treated as a single entity and lack of uniform technology is adopted for selection of clinically relevant sub-populations of stem cells. Specifically, therapeutic success relies on the selection of a clinically competent stem cell population based on their capacity of targeting brain tumors. A novel and generalizable organotypic slice platform to evaluate stem cell potential for targeting pediatric brain tumors is proposed to fill the gap in the current work flow of stem cell-based therapy. The organotypic slice platform has advantages of being mimic in vivo model, easier to manipulate to optimize parameters than in vivo models such as rodents and primates. This model serves as a framework to address the discrepancy between anticipated in vivo results and actual in vivo results, a critical barrier to timely progress in the field of the use of stem cells for the treatment of neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengwen Calvin Li
- Center for Neuroscience and Stem Cell Research, Neuroscience Institute, Children's Hospital of Orange County Research Institute, 455 S, Main Street, Orange, CA 92868, USA.
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Li SC, Loudon WG. A novel and generalizable organotypic slice platform to evaluate stem cell potential for targeting pediatric brain tumors. Cancer Cell Int 2008; 8:9. [PMID: 18498656 PMCID: PMC2474582 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2867-8-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2007] [Accepted: 05/22/2008] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors are now the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children under age 15. Malignant gliomas are, for all practical purposes, incurable and new therapeutic approaches are desperately needed. One emerging strategy is to use the tumor tracking capacity inherent in many stem cell populations to deliver therapeutic agents to the brain cancer cells. Current limitations of the stem cell therapy strategy include that stem cells are treated as a single entity and lack of uniform technology is adopted for selection of clinically relevant sub-populations of stem cells. Specifically, therapeutic success relies on the selection of a clinically competent stem cell population based on their capacity of targeting brain tumors. A novel and generalizable organotypic slice platform to evaluate stem cell potential for targeting pediatric brain tumors is proposed to fill the gap in the current work flow of stem cell-based therapy. The organotypic slice platform has advantages of being mimic in vivo model, easier to manipulate to optimize parameters than in vivo models such as rodents and primates. This model serves as a framework to address the discrepancy between anticipated in vivo results and actual in vivo results, a critical barrier to timely progress in the field of the use of stem cells for the treatment of neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengwen Calvin Li
- Center for Neuroscience and Stem Cell Research, Neuroscience Institute, Children's Hospital of Orange County Research Institute, 455 S, Main Street, Orange, CA 92868, USA.
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Abstract
New fundamental results on stem cell biology have been obtained in the past 15 years. These results allow us to reinterpret the functioning of the cerebral tissue in health and disease. Proliferating stem cells have been found in the adult brain, which can be involved in postinjury repair and can replace dead cells under specific conditions. Numerous genomic mechanisms controlling stem cell proliferation and differentiation have been identified. The involvement of stem cells in the genesis of malignant tumors has been demonstrated. Neural stem cell tropism toward tumors has been shown. These findings suggest new lines of research on brain functioning and development. Stem cells can be used to develop radically new treatments of neurodegenerative and cancer diseases of the brain.
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Aboody KS, Najbauer J, Danks MK. Stem and progenitor cell-mediated tumor selective gene therapy. Gene Ther 2008; 15:739-52. [PMID: 18369324 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2008.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 221] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The poor prognosis for patients with aggressive or metastatic tumors and the toxic side effects of currently available treatments necessitate the development of more effective tumor-selective therapies. Stem/progenitor cells display inherent tumor-tropic properties that can be exploited for targeted delivery of anticancer genes to invasive and metastatic tumors. Therapeutic genes that have been inserted into stem cells and delivered to tumors with high selectivity include prodrug-activating enzymes (cytosine deaminase, carboxylesterase, thymidine kinase), interleukins (IL-2, IL-4, IL-12, IL-23), interferon-beta, apoptosis-promoting genes (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) and metalloproteinases (PEX). We and others have demonstrated that neural and mesenchymal stem cells can deliver therapeutic genes to elicit a significant antitumor response in animal models of intracranial glioma, medulloblastoma, melanoma brain metastasis, disseminated neuroblastoma and breast cancer lung metastasis. Most studies reported reduction in tumor volume (up to 90%) and increased survival of tumor-bearing animals. Complete cures have also been achieved (90% disease-free survival for >1 year of mice bearing disseminated neuroblastoma tumors). As we learn more about the biology of stem cells and the molecular mechanisms that mediate their tumor-tropism and we identify efficacious gene products for specific tumor types, the clinical utility of cell-based delivery strategies becomes increasingly evident.
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Affiliation(s)
- K S Aboody
- Division of Hematology/Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA.
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Claes A, Idema AJ, Wesseling P. Diffuse glioma growth: a guerilla war. Acta Neuropathol 2007; 114:443-58. [PMID: 17805551 PMCID: PMC2039798 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-007-0293-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 438] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2007] [Revised: 08/23/2007] [Accepted: 08/23/2007] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In contrast to almost all other brain tumors, diffuse gliomas infiltrate extensively in the neuropil. This growth pattern is a major factor in therapeutic failure. Diffuse infiltrative glioma cells show some similarities with guerilla warriors. Histopathologically, the tumor cells tend to invade individually or in small groups in between the dense network of neuronal and glial cell processes. Meanwhile, in large areas of diffuse gliomas the tumor cells abuse pre-existent "supply lines" for oxygen and nutrients rather than constructing their own. Radiological visualization of the invasive front of diffuse gliomas is difficult. Although the knowledge about migration of (tumor)cells is rapidly increasing, the exact molecular mechanisms underlying infiltration of glioma cells in the neuropil have not yet been elucidated. As the efficacy of conventional methods to fight diffuse infiltrative glioma cells is limited, a more targeted ("search & destroy") tactic may be needed for these tumors. Hopefully, the study of original human glioma tissue and of genotypically and phenotypically relevant glioma models will soon provide information about the Achilles heel of diffuse infiltrative glioma cells that can be used for more effective therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- An Claes
- Department of Pathology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Mimeault M, Hauke R, Batra SK. Stem cells: a revolution in therapeutics-recent advances in stem cell biology and their therapeutic applications in regenerative medicine and cancer therapies. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2007; 82:252-64. [PMID: 17671448 DOI: 10.1038/sj.clpt.6100301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 285] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Basic and clinical research accomplished during the last few years on embryonic, fetal, amniotic, umbilical cord blood, and adult stem cells has constituted a revolution in regenerative medicine and cancer therapies by providing the possibility of generating multiple therapeutically useful cell types. These new cells could be used for treating numerous genetic and degenerative disorders. Among them, age-related functional defects, hematopoietic and immune system disorders, heart failures, chronic liver injuries, diabetes, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, arthritis, and muscular, skin, lung, eye, and digestive disorders as well as aggressive and recurrent cancers could be successfully treated by stem cell-based therapies. This review focuses on the recent advancements in adult stem cell biology in normal and pathological conditions. We describe how these results have improved our understanding on critical and unique functions of these rare sub-populations of multipotent and undifferentiated cells with an unlimited self-renewal capacity and high plasticity. Finally, we discuss some major advances to translate the experimental models on ex vivo and in vivo expanded and/or differentiated stem cells into clinical applications for the development of novel cellular therapies aimed at repairing genetically altered or damaged tissues/organs in humans. A particular emphasis is made on the therapeutic potential of different tissue-resident adult stem cell types and their in vivo modulation for treating and curing specific pathological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mimeault
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
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