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González-Callejo P, Vázquez-Aristizabal P, García-Astrain C, Jimenez de Aberasturi D, Henriksen-Lacey M, Izeta A, Liz-Marzán LM. 3D bioprinted breast tumor-stroma models for pre-clinical drug testing. Mater Today Bio 2023; 23:100826. [PMID: 37928251 PMCID: PMC10622882 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100826] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has been proposed for the reproducible production of 3D disease models that can be used for high-throughput drug testing and personalized medicine. However, most such models insufficiently reproduce the features and environment of real tumors. We report the development of bioprinted in vitro 3D tumor models for breast cancer, which physically and biochemically mimic important aspects of the native tumor microenvironment, designed to study therapeutic efficacy. By combining a mix of breast decellularized extracellular matrix and methacrylated hyaluronic acid with tumor-derived cells and non-cancerous stromal cells of biological relevance to breast cancer, we show that biological signaling pathways involved in tumor progression can be replicated in a carefully designed tumor-stroma environment. Finally, we demonstrate proof-of-concept application of these models as a reproducible platform for investigating therapeutic responses to commonly used chemotherapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paula Vázquez-Aristizabal
- CIC BiomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 20014, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Tissue Engineering Group, Paseo Dr. Beguiristain s/n, 20014, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Clara García-Astrain
- CIC BiomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 20014, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 20014, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Dorleta Jimenez de Aberasturi
- CIC BiomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 20014, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 20014, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48009, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Malou Henriksen-Lacey
- CIC BiomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 20014, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 20014, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Ander Izeta
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Tissue Engineering Group, Paseo Dr. Beguiristain s/n, 20014, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Luis M. Liz-Marzán
- CIC BiomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 20014, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 20014, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48009, Bilbao, Spain
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2
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Sela Y, Li J, Maheswaran S, Norgard R, Yuan S, Hubbi M, Doepner M, Xu JP, Ho E, Measaros C, Sheehan C, Croley G, Muir A, Blair IA, Shalem O, Dang CV, Stanger BZ. Bcl-xL Enforces a Slow-Cycling State Necessary for Survival in the Nutrient-Deprived Microenvironment of Pancreatic Cancer. Cancer Res 2022; 82:1890-1908. [PMID: 35315913 PMCID: PMC9117449 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-0431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Solid tumors possess heterogeneous metabolic microenvironments where oxygen and nutrient availability are plentiful (fertile regions) or scarce (arid regions). While cancer cells residing in fertile regions proliferate rapidly, most cancer cells in vivo reside in arid regions and exhibit a slow-cycling state that renders them chemoresistant. Here, we developed an in vitro system enabling systematic comparison between these populations via transcriptome analysis, metabolomic profiling, and whole-genome CRISPR screening. Metabolic deprivation led to pronounced transcriptional and metabolic reprogramming, resulting in decreased anabolic activities and distinct vulnerabilities. Reductions in anabolic, energy-consuming activities, particularly cell proliferation, were not simply byproducts of the metabolic challenge, but rather essential adaptations. Mechanistically, Bcl-xL played a central role in the adaptation to nutrient and oxygen deprivation. In this setting, Bcl-xL protected quiescent cells from the lethal effects of cell-cycle entry in the absence of adequate nutrients. Moreover, inhibition of Bcl-xL combined with traditional chemotherapy had a synergistic antitumor effect that targeted cycling cells. Bcl-xL expression was strongly associated with poor patient survival despite being confined to the slow-cycling fraction of human pancreatic cancer cells. These findings provide a rationale for combining traditional cancer therapies that target rapidly cycling cells with those that target quiescent, chemoresistant cells associated with nutrient and oxygen deprivation. SIGNIFICANCE The majority of pancreatic cancer cells inhabit nutrient- and oxygen-poor tumor regions and require Bcl-xL for their survival, providing a compelling antitumor metabolic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yogev Sela
- Departments of Medicine and Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
| | - Jinyang Li
- Departments of Medicine and Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
| | - Shivahamy Maheswaran
- Departments of Medicine and Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
| | - Robert Norgard
- Departments of Medicine and Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
| | - Salina Yuan
- Departments of Medicine and Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
| | - Maimon Hubbi
- Departments of Medicine and Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
| | - Miriam Doepner
- Departments of Medicine and Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
| | - Jimmy P. Xu
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
| | - Elaine Ho
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
| | - Clementina Measaros
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
| | - Colin Sheehan
- Ben May Department of Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Grace Croley
- Ben May Department of Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Alexander Muir
- Ben May Department of Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Ian A. Blair
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
| | - Ophir Shalem
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Chi V. Dang
- Systems and Computational Biology Center and Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, New York, 10016, USA
| | - Ben Z. Stanger
- Departments of Medicine and Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
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3
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Hu LF, Yang X, Lan HR, Fang XL, Chen XY, Jin KT. Preclinical tumor organoid models in personalized cancer therapy: Not everyone fits the mold. Exp Cell Res 2021; 408:112858. [PMID: 34600901 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.112858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In contrast to conventional cancer treatment, in personalized cancer medicine each patient receives a specific treatment. The response to therapy, clinical outcomes, and tumor behavior such as metastases, tumor progression, carcinogenesis can be significantly affected by the heterogeneous tumor microenvironment (TME) and interpersonal differences. Therefore, using native tumor microenvironment mimicking models is necessary to improving personalized cancer therapy. Both in vitro 2D cell culture and in vivo animal models poorly recapitulate the heterogeneous tumor (immune) microenvironments of native tumors. The development of 3D culture models, native tumor microenvironment mimicking models, made it possible to evaluate the chemoresistance of tumor tissue and the functionality of drugs in the presence of cell-extracellular matrix and cell-cell interactions in a 3D construction. Various personalized tumor models have been designed to preserving the native tumor microenvironment, including patient-derived tumor xenografts and organoid culture strategies. In this review, we will discuss the patient-derived organoids as a native tumor microenvironment mimicking model in personalized cancer therapy. In addition, we will also review the potential and the limitations of organoid culture systems for predicting patient outcomes and preclinical drug screening. Finally, we will discuss immunotherapy drug screening in tumor organoids by using microfluidic technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Feng Hu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Shaoxing People's Hospital (Shaoxing Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine), Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, 312000, China
| | - Xue Yang
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310014, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310014, China; Clinical Research Institute, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310014, China
| | - Huan-Rong Lan
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, 321000, China
| | - Xing-Liang Fang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Shaoxing University College of Medicine (Shaoxing Municipal Hospital), Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, 312000, China
| | - Xiao-Yi Chen
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310014, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310014, China; Clinical Research Institute, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310014, China.
| | - Ke-Tao Jin
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, 321000, China.
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4
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Rijal G. Understanding the Role of Fibroblasts following a 3D Tumoroid Implantation for Breast Tumor Formation. Bioengineering (Basel) 2021; 8:bioengineering8110163. [PMID: 34821729 PMCID: PMC8615023 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering8110163] [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: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
An understanding of the participation and modulation of fibroblasts during tumor formation and growth is still unclear. Among many speculates, one might be the technical challenge to reveal the versatile function of fibroblasts in tissue complexity, and another is the dynamics in tissue physiology and cell activity. The histology of most solid tumors shows a predominant presence of fibroblasts, suggesting that tumor cells recruit fibroblasts for breast tumor growth. In this review paper, therefore, the migration, activation, differentiation, secretion, and signaling systems that are associated with fibroblasts and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) after implantation of a breast tumoroid, i.e., a lab-generated tumor tissue into an animal, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Girdhari Rijal
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences and Public Health, Tarleton State University, a Member of Texas A & M University System, Fort Worth, TX 76104, USA
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5
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Leong TKM, Lo WS, Lee WEZ, Tan B, Lee XZ, Lee LWJN, Lee JYJ, Suresh N, Loo LH, Szu E, Yeong J. Leveraging advances in immunopathology and artificial intelligence to analyze in vitro tumor models in composition and space. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 177:113959. [PMID: 34481035 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.113959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. Unfortunately, efforts to understand this disease are confounded by the complex, heterogenous tumor microenvironment (TME). Better understanding of the TME could lead to novel diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic discoveries. One way to achieve this involves in vitro tumor models that recapitulate the in vivo TME composition and spatial arrangement. Here, we review the potential of harnessing in vitro tumor models and artificial intelligence to delineate the TME. This includes (i) identification of novel features, (ii) investigation of higher-order relationships, and (iii) analysis and interpretation of multiomics data in a (iv) holistic, objective, reproducible, and efficient manner, which surpasses previous methods of TME analysis. We also discuss limitations of this approach, namely inadequate datasets, indeterminate biological correlations, ethical concerns, and logistical constraints; finally, we speculate on future avenues of research that could overcome these limitations, ultimately translating to improved clinical outcomes.
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6
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Kim J, Jang J, Cho DW. Recapitulating the Cancer Microenvironment Using Bioprinting Technology for Precision Medicine. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:1122. [PMID: 34577765 PMCID: PMC8472267 DOI: 10.3390/mi12091122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The complex and heterogenous nature of cancer contributes to the development of cancer cell drug resistance. The construction of the cancer microenvironment, including the cell-cell interactions and extracellular matrix (ECM), plays a significant role in the development of drug resistance. Traditional animal models used in drug discovery studies have been associated with feasibility issues that limit the recapitulation of human functions; thus, in vitro models have been developed to reconstruct the human cancer system. However, conventional two-dimensional and three-dimensional (3D) in vitro cancer models are limited in their ability to emulate complex cancer microenvironments. Advances in technologies, including bioprinting and cancer microenvironment reconstruction, have demonstrated the potential to overcome some of the limitations of conventional models. This study reviews some representative bioprinted in vitro models used in cancer research, particularly fabrication strategies for modeling and consideration of essential factors needed for the reconstruction of the cancer microenvironment. In addition, we highlight recent studies that applied such models, including application in precision medicine using advanced bioprinting technologies to fabricate biomimetic cancer models. Furthermore, we discuss current challenges in 3D bioprinting and suggest possible strategies to construct in vitro models that better mimic the pathophysiology of the cancer microenvironment for application in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisoo Kim
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Korea;
| | - Jinah Jang
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Korea;
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Korea
- Department of Creative IT Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Korea
- Institute for Convergence Research and Education in Advanced Technology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Dong-Woo Cho
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Korea;
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Korea
- Institute for Convergence Research and Education in Advanced Technology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
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7
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Blidisel A, Marcovici I, Coricovac D, Hut F, Dehelean CA, Cretu OM. Experimental Models of Hepatocellular Carcinoma-A Preclinical Perspective. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3651. [PMID: 34359553 PMCID: PMC8344976 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most frequent form of primary liver carcinoma, is a heterogenous and complex tumor type with increased incidence, poor prognosis, and high mortality. The actual therapeutic arsenal is narrow and poorly effective, rendering this disease a global health concern. Although considerable progress has been made in terms of understanding the pathogenesis, molecular mechanisms, genetics, and therapeutical approaches, several facets of human HCC remain undiscovered. A valuable and prompt approach to acquire further knowledge about the unrevealed aspects of HCC and novel therapeutic candidates is represented by the application of experimental models. Experimental models (in vivo and in vitro 2D and 3D models) are considered reliable tools to gather data for clinical usability. This review offers an overview of the currently available preclinical models frequently applied for the study of hepatocellular carcinoma in terms of initiation, development, and progression, as well as for the discovery of efficient treatments, highlighting the advantages and the limitations of each model. Furthermore, we also focus on the role played by computational studies (in silico models and artificial intelligence-based prediction models) as promising novel tools in liver cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandru Blidisel
- Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, RO-300041 Timișoara, Romania; (A.B.); (F.H.); (O.M.C.)
| | - Iasmina Marcovici
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, RO-300041 Timișoara, Romania;
- Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluations, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, RO-300041 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Dorina Coricovac
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, RO-300041 Timișoara, Romania;
- Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluations, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, RO-300041 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Florin Hut
- Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, RO-300041 Timișoara, Romania; (A.B.); (F.H.); (O.M.C.)
| | - Cristina Adriana Dehelean
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, RO-300041 Timișoara, Romania;
- Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluations, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, RO-300041 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Octavian Marius Cretu
- Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, RO-300041 Timișoara, Romania; (A.B.); (F.H.); (O.M.C.)
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8
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Xie J, Kumar A, Dolman MEM, Mayoh C, Khuong-Quang DA, Cadiz R, Wong-Erasmus M, Mould EVA, Grebert-Wade D, Barahona P, Kamili A, Tsoli M, Failes TW, Chow SO, Arndt GM, Bhatia K, Marshall GM, Ziegler DS, Haber M, Lock RB, Tyrrell V, Lau L, Athanasatos P, Gifford AJ. The important role of routine cytopathology in pediatric precision oncology. Cancer Cytopathol 2021; 129:805-818. [PMID: 34043284 DOI: 10.1002/cncy.22448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The development of high-throughput drug screening (HTS) using primary cultures provides a promising, clinically translatable approach to tailoring treatment strategies for patients with cancer. However, this has been challenging for solid tumors because of often limited amounts of tissue available. In most cases, in vitro expansion is required before HTS, which may lead to overgrowth and contamination by non-neoplastic cells. METHODS In this study, hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining were performed on 129 cytopathology cases from 95 patients. These cytopathology cases comprised cell block preparations derived from primary tumor specimens or patient-derived xenografts as part of a pediatric precision oncology trial. Cytopathology cases were compared with the morphology and immunohistochemical staining profile of the original tumor. Cases were reported as tumor cells present, equivocal, or tumor cells absent. The HTS results from cytopathologically validated cultures were incorporated into a multidisciplinary tumor board report issued to the treating clinician to guide clinical decision making. RESULTS On cytopathologic examination, tumor cells were present in 77 of 129 cases (60%) and were absent in 38 of 129 cases (29%), whereas 14 of 129 cases (11%) were equivocal. Cultures that contained tumor cells resembled the tumors from which they were derived. CONCLUSIONS Cytopathologic examination of tumor cell block preparations is feasible and provides detailed morphologic characterization. Cytopathologic examination is essential for ensuring that samples submitted for HTS contain representative tumor cells and that in vitro drug sensitivity data are clinically translatable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhan Xie
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Amit Kumar
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - M Emmy M Dolman
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Chelsea Mayoh
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Dong-Anh Khuong-Quang
- Children's Cancer Center, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Roxanne Cadiz
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Marie Wong-Erasmus
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Emily V A Mould
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Dylan Grebert-Wade
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Paulette Barahona
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alvin Kamili
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Maria Tsoli
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Timothy W Failes
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,Australian Cancer Research Foundation Drug Discovery Center, Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Shu-Oi Chow
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,Australian Cancer Research Foundation Drug Discovery Center, Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Greg M Arndt
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,Australian Cancer Research Foundation Drug Discovery Center, Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kanika Bhatia
- Children's Cancer Center, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Glenn M Marshall
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,Kids Cancer Center, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David S Ziegler
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,Kids Cancer Center, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michelle Haber
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Richard B Lock
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Vanessa Tyrrell
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Loretta Lau
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,Children's Cancer Center, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Penny Athanasatos
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew J Gifford
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Anatomical Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
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9
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION The high failure rate in drug discovery remains a costly and time-consuming challenge. Improving the odds of success in the early steps of drug development requires disease models with high biological relevance for biomarker discovery and drug development. The adoption of three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems over traditional monolayers in cell-based assays is considered a promising step toward improving the success rate in drug discovery. AREAS COVERED In this article, the author focuses on new technologies for 3D cell culture and their applications in cancer drug discovery. Besides the most common 3D cell-culture systems for tumor cells, the article emphasizes the need for 3D cell culture technologies that can mimic the complex tumor microenvironment and cancer stem cell niche. EXPERT OPINION There has been a rapid increase in 3D cell culture technologies in recent years in an effort to more closely mimic in vivo physiology. Each 3D cell culture system has its own strengths and weaknesses with regard to in vivo tumor growth and the tumor microenvironment. This requires careful consideration of which 3D cell culture system is chosen for drug discovery and should be based on factors like drug target and tumor origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigrid A Langhans
- Nemours Biomedical Research, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE
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10
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The design and characterization of a gravitational microfluidic platform for drug sensitivity assay in colorectal perfused tumoroid cultures. NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2020; 30:102294. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2020.102294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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11
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Steinberg E, Orehov N, Tischenko K, Schwob O, Zamir G, Hubert A, Manevitch Z, Benny O. Rapid Clearing for High Resolution 3D Imaging of Ex Vivo Pancreatic Cancer Spheroids. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7703. [PMID: 33081011 PMCID: PMC7589457 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The currently accepted imaging methods have been a central hurdle to imaging the finer details of tumor behavior in three-dimensional (3D) ex vivo multicellular culture models. In our search for an improved way of imaging tumor behavior in its physiological-like niche, we developed a simple, efficient, and straightforward procedure using standard reagents and imaging equipment that significantly enhanced 3D imaging up to a ~200-micron depth. We tested its efficacy on pancreatic spheroids, prototypes of high-density tissues that are difficult to image. We found we could both save time with this method and extract information about pancreatic tumor spheroids that previously was difficult to obtain. We were able to discern clear differences in the organization of pancreatic tumor spheroids generated from different origins, suggesting cell-specific, inherent, bottom-up organization with a correlation to the level of malignancy. We also examined the dynamic changes in the spheroids at predetermined time points, providing important information related to tissue morphogenesis and its metabolic state. Lastly, this process enabled us to assess a drug vehicle's potential to penetrate dense tumor tissue by improving our view of the inert particles' diffusion in the 3D spheroid. This clearing method, a simple procedure, can open the door to more accurate imaging and reveal more about cancer behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliana Steinberg
- The Institute for Drug Research, The School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (E.S.); (N.O.); (K.T.); (O.S.)
| | - Natalie Orehov
- The Institute for Drug Research, The School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (E.S.); (N.O.); (K.T.); (O.S.)
| | - Katerina Tischenko
- The Institute for Drug Research, The School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (E.S.); (N.O.); (K.T.); (O.S.)
| | - Ouri Schwob
- The Institute for Drug Research, The School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (E.S.); (N.O.); (K.T.); (O.S.)
| | - Gideon Zamir
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation Unit, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel;
| | - Ayala Hubert
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel;
| | - Zakhariya Manevitch
- The Core Research Facility, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel;
| | - Ofra Benny
- The Institute for Drug Research, The School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (E.S.); (N.O.); (K.T.); (O.S.)
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12
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Samiei E, Seyfoori A, Toyota B, Ghavami S, Akbari M. Investigating Programmed Cell Death and Tumor Invasion in a Three-Dimensional (3D) Microfluidic Model of Glioblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E3162. [PMID: 32365781 PMCID: PMC7246580 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21093162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a rapidly progressive and deadly form of brain tumor with a median survival rate of ~15 months. GBMs are hard to treat and significantly affect the patient's physical and cognitive abilities and quality of life. Temozolomide (TMZ)-an alkylating agent that causes DNA damage-is the only chemotherapy choice for the treatment of GBM. However, TMZ also induces autophagy and causes tumor cell resistance and thus fails to improve the survival rate among patients. Here, we studied the drug-induced programmed cell death and invasion inhibition capacity of TMZ and a mevalonate cascade inhibitor, simvastatin (Simva), in a three-dimensional (3D) microfluidic model of GBM. We elucidate the role of autophagy in apoptotic cell death by comparing apoptosis in autophagy knockdown cells (Atg7 KD) against their scrambled counterparts. Our results show that the cells were significantly less sensitive to drugs in the 3D model as compared to monolayer culture systems. An immunofluorescence analysis confirmed that apoptosis is the mechanism of cell death in TMZ- and Simva-treated glioma cells. However, the induction of apoptosis in the 3D model is significantly lower than in monolayer cultures. We have also shown that autophagy inhibition (Atg7 KD) did not change TMZ and Simva-induced apoptosis in the 3D microfluidic model. Overall, for the first time in this study we have established the simultaneous detection of drug induced apoptosis and autophagy in a 3D microfluidic model of GBM. Our study presents a potential ex vivo platform for developing novel therapeutic strategies tailored toward disrupting key molecular pathways involved in programmed cell death and tumor invasion in glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Samiei
- Laboratory for Innovation in Microengineering (LiME), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd., Victoria, BC V8P 2C5, Canada; (E.S.); (A.S.)
- Center for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Amir Seyfoori
- Laboratory for Innovation in Microengineering (LiME), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd., Victoria, BC V8P 2C5, Canada; (E.S.); (A.S.)
- Center for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Brian Toyota
- Department of Surgery, Queens University, Kingston, ON K7L 2V7, Canada;
| | - Saeid Ghavami
- Departments of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady Faculty of Health Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada;
- The Biology of Breathing Theme, Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P4, Canada
| | - Mohsen Akbari
- Laboratory for Innovation in Microengineering (LiME), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd., Victoria, BC V8P 2C5, Canada; (E.S.); (A.S.)
- Center for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
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13
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Guerrero YA, Desai D, Sullivan C, Kindt E, Spilker ME, Maurer TS, Solomon DE, Bartlett DW. A Microfluidic Perfusion Platform for In Vitro Analysis of Drug Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) Relationships. AAPS JOURNAL 2020; 22:53. [PMID: 32124093 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-020-0430-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Static in vitro cell culture studies cannot capture the dynamic concentration profiles of drugs, nutrients, and other factors that cells experience in physiological systems. This limits the confidence in the translational relevance of in vitro experiments and increases the reliance on empirical testing of exposure-response relationships and dose optimization in animal models during preclinical drug development, introducing additional challenges owing to species-specific differences in drug pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD). Here, we describe the development of a microfluidic cell culture device that enables perfusion of cells under 2D or 3D culture conditions with temporally programmable concentration profiles. Proof-of-concept studies using doxorubicin and gemcitabine demonstrated the ability of the microfluidic PK-PD device to examine dose- and time-dependent effects of doxorubicin as well as schedule-dependent effects of doxorubicin and gemcitabine combination therapy on cell viability using both step-wise drug concentration profiles and species-specific (i.e., mouse, human) drug PK profiles. The results demonstrate the importance of including physiologically relevant dynamic drug exposure profiles during in vitro drug testing to more accurately mimic in vivo drug effects, thereby improving translatability across nonclinical studies and reducing the reliance on animal models during drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yadir A Guerrero
- Neofluidics, 6650 Lusk Blvd, Suite 101, San Diego, California, 92121, USA
| | - Diti Desai
- Neofluidics, 6650 Lusk Blvd, Suite 101, San Diego, California, 92121, USA
| | - Connor Sullivan
- Neofluidics, 6650 Lusk Blvd, Suite 101, San Diego, California, 92121, USA
| | - Erick Kindt
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, & Metabolism, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., 10646 Science Center Drive, San Diego, California, 92121, USA
| | - Mary E Spilker
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, & Metabolism, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., 10646 Science Center Drive, San Diego, California, 92121, USA
| | - Tristan S Maurer
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, & Metabolism, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139, USA
| | - Deepak E Solomon
- Neofluidics, 6650 Lusk Blvd, Suite 101, San Diego, California, 92121, USA.
| | - Derek W Bartlett
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, & Metabolism, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., 10646 Science Center Drive, San Diego, California, 92121, USA.
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14
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Tate KM, Munson JM. Assessing drug response in engineered brain microenvironments. Brain Res Bull 2019; 150:21-34. [PMID: 31054318 PMCID: PMC6754984 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2019.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Tissue engineered systems are important models for the testing and discovery of therapeutics against a number of diseases. The use of these models in vitro can expand both our understanding of the mechanisms behind disease and allow for higher throughput and personalized modeling of therapeutic response. Over the past decade there has been an explosion of models of neurological disorders that can be used in vitro to study new therapies against devastating neurodegenerative, neurodevelopmental, and neuro-oncological disease. These models span several types of engineered microenvironments which are produced using microfluidic devices, microtissue technology and/or the incorporation of biomaterial scaffolds to model neurological conditions such as; Alzheimer's disease, idiopathic autism, Parkinson's disease, Zika-induced microcephaly and neoplasms. Using engineered brain microenvironments, therapeutics can be tested in more physiologically relevant ways leading to new knowledge of the underlying causes and interactions occurring at the tissue level. However, much is still left to learn and model within these systems to make them truly valuable in the discovery and testing of novel therapies. Here we review the current state of the art of engineered brain microenvironments being used specifically to screen and test new therapeutic strategies and discuss the current benefits and limitations that still exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinsley M Tate
- Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Jennifer M Munson
- Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States.
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15
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Desyatnik I, Krasner M, Frolov L, Ronen M, Guy O, Wasserman D, Tzur A, Avrahami D, Barbiro-Michaely E, Gerber D. An Integrated Microfluidics Approach for Personalized Cancer Drug Sensitivity and Resistance Assay. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 3:e1900001. [PMID: 32648689 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201900001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. Matching proper treatment and dosage is crucial for a positive outcome. Any given drug may affect patients with similar tumors differently. Personalized medicine aims to address this issue. Unfortunately, most cancer samples cannot be expanded in culture, limiting conventional cell-based testing. Herein, presented is a microfluidic device that combines a drug microarray with cell microscopy. The device can perform 512 experiments to test chemosensitivity and resistance to a drug array. MCF7 and 293T cells are cultured inside the device and their chemosensitivity and resistance to docetaxel, applied at various concentrations, are determined. Cell mortality is determined as a function of drug concentration and exposure time. It is found that both cell types form cluster morphology within the device, not evident in conventional tissue culture under similar conditions. Cells inside the clusters are less sensitive to drugs than dispersed cells. These findings support a heterogenous response of cancer cells to drugs. Then demonstrated is the principle of drug microarrays by testing cell response to four different drugs at four different concentrations. This approach may enable the personalization of treatment to the particular tumor and patient and may eventually improve final patient outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inna Desyatnik
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, 52900, Israel
| | - Matan Krasner
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, 52900, Israel
| | - Ludmila Frolov
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, 52900, Israel
| | - Maria Ronen
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, 52900, Israel
| | - Ortal Guy
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, 52900, Israel
| | - Danit Wasserman
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, 52900, Israel
| | - Amit Tzur
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, 52900, Israel
| | - Dorit Avrahami
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, 52900, Israel
| | - Efrat Barbiro-Michaely
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, 52900, Israel
| | - Doron Gerber
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, 52900, Israel
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16
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Simeone K, Guay-Lord R, Lateef MA, Péant B, Kendall-Dupont J, Orimoto AM, Carmona E, Provencher D, Saad F, Gervais T, Mes-Masson AM. Paraffin-embedding lithography and micro-dissected tissue micro-arrays: tools for biological and pharmacological analysis of ex vivo solid tumors. LAB ON A CHIP 2019; 19:693-705. [PMID: 30671574 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00982a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
There is an urgent need and strong clinical and pharmaceutical interest in developing assays that allow for the direct testing of therapeutic agents on primary tissues. Current technologies fail to provide the required sample longevity, throughput, and integration with standard clinically proven assays to make the approach viable. Here we report a microfluidic micro-histological platform that enables ex vivo culture of a large array of prostate and ovarian cancer micro-dissected tissue (MDT) followed by direct on-chip fixation and paraffination, a process we term paraffin-embedding lithography (PEL). The result is a high density MDT-Micro Array (MDTMA) compatible with standard clinical histopathology that can be used to analyse ex vivo tumor response or resistance to therapeutic agents. The cellular morphology and tissue architecture are preserved in MDTs throughout the 15 day culture period. We also demonstrate how this methodology can be used to study molecular pathways involved in cancer by performing in-depth characterization of biological and pharmacological mechanisms such as p65 nuclear translocation via TNF stimuli, and to predict the treatment outcome in the clinic via MDT response to taxane-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla Simeone
- Centre de recherche du CHUM (CRCHUM)/Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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17
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Abstract
Tissue engineering has progressed tremendously over recent decades through the generation of functional tissue analogs. Traditional approaches based on seeding cells into scaffold are limited in their capacity to produce tissues with precise biomimetic properties. Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is one kind of fabrication technology used to precisely dispense cell-laden biomaterials for the construction of functional tissues or organs. In recent years, much research progress has been made in 3D bioprinting technology and its application in generating tissue analogs, including skin, heart valves, blood vessels, bone, and cardiac tissue. However, it still faces many technical challenges. In this review, we introduce the current progress in 3D bioprinting technology and focus on biomaterials and their potential applications in regenerative medicine and drug discovery. Current challenges are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiqing Zhang
- 1 Center for Medical Device Evaluation, China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Haibin Wang
- 2 College of Life Science and Bioengineering, School of Science, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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18
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Cattin S, Ramont L, Rüegg C. Characterization and In Vivo Validation of a Three-Dimensional Multi-Cellular Culture Model to Study Heterotypic Interactions in Colorectal Cancer Cell Growth, Invasion and Metastasis. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2018; 6:97. [PMID: 30065926 PMCID: PMC6056662 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2018.00097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third cause of cancer-related mortality in industrialized countries. Local invasion and metastasis formation are events associated with poor prognosis for which today there are no effective therapeutic options. Invasion and metastasis are strongly modulated by cells of the tumor microenvironment (TME), in particular fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Unraveling interactions between tumor cells and cells of the TME may identify novel mechanisms and therapeutic targets to prevent or treat metastasis. We report here the development and in vivo validation of a 3D tumor spheroid model to study the interactions between CRC cells, fibroblasts and endothelial cells in vitro. Co-cultured fibroblasts promoted SW620 and HCT116 CRC spheroid invasion, and this was prevented by the SRC and FGFR kinase inhibitors Dasatinib and Erdafitinib, respectively. To validate these findings in vivo, we injected SW620 cells alone or together with fibroblasts orthotopically in the caecum of mice. Co-injection with fibroblasts promoted lung metastasis growth, which was fully reversed by treatment with Dasatinib or Erdafitinib. Co-culture of SW620 or HCT116 CRC spheroids with endothelial cells suppressed spheroid growth while it had no effect on cancer cell migration or invasion. Consistent with this in vitro effect, co-injected endothelial cells significantly inhibited primary tumor growth in vivo. From these experiments we conclude that effects on cancer cell invasion and growth induced by co-cultured TME cells and drug treatment in the 3D spheroid model in vitro, are predictive of in vivo effects. The 3D spheroid model may be considered as an attractive model to study the effect of heterotypic cellular interactions and drug activities on cancer cells, as animal testing alternative. This model may be adapted and further developed to include different types of cancer and host cells and to investigate additional functions and drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Cattin
- Department of Oncology, Faculty of Science and Medicine, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Laurent Ramont
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Biology, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Reims, France
| | - Curzio Rüegg
- Department of Oncology, Faculty of Science and Medicine, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.,Swiss Integrative Center for Human Health, Fribourg, Switzerland
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19
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Ande A, Vaidya TR, Tran BN, Vicchiarelli M, Brown AN, Ait-Oudhia S. Utility of a Novel Three-Dimensional and Dynamic (3DD) Cell Culture System for PK/PD Studies: Evaluation of a Triple Combination Therapy at Overcoming Anti-HER2 Treatment Resistance in Breast Cancer. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:403. [PMID: 29765318 PMCID: PMC5938355 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Emergence of Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) therapy resistance in HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer (BC) poses a major clinical challenge. Mechanisms of resistance include the over-activation of the PI3K/mTOR and Src pathways. This work aims to investigate a novel combination therapy that employs paclitaxel (PAC), a mitotic inhibitor, with everolimus (EVE), an mTOR inhibitor, and dasatinib (DAS), an Src kinase inhibitor, as a modality to overcome resistance. Methods: Static (two dimensional, 2D) and three-dimensional dynamic (3DD) cell culture studies were conducted using JIMT-1 cells, a HER2+ BC cell line refractory to HER2 therapies. Cell viability and caspase-3 expression were examined after JIMT-1 cell exposure to agents as monotherapy or in combination using a 2D setting. A pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) combination study with PAC+DAS+EVE was conducted over 3 weeks in a 3DD setting. PAC was administered into the system via a 3 h infusion followed by the addition of a continuous infusion of EVE+DAS 24 h post-PAC dosing. Cell counts and caspase-3 expression were quantified every 2 days. A semi-mechanistic PK/PD model was developed using the 2D data and scaled up to capture the 3DD data. The final model integrated active caspase-3 as a biomarker to bridge between drug exposures and cancer cell dynamics. Model fittings were performed using Monolix software. Results: The triple combination significantly induced caspase-3 activity in the 2D cell culture setting. In the 3DD cell culture setting, sequential dosing of PAC then EVE+DAS showed a 5-fold increase in caspase-3 activity and 8.5-fold decrease in the total cell number compared to the control. The semi-mechanistic PK/PD models fit the data well, capturing the time-course profiles of drug concentrations, caspase-3 expression, and cell counts in the 2D and 3DD settings. Conclusion: A novel, sequential triple combination therapeutic regimen was successfully evaluated in both 2D and 3DD in vitro cell culture systems. The efficacy of this combination at inhibiting the cellular proliferation and re-growth of HER2/mTOR resistant cell line, JIMT-1, is demonstrated. A biomarker-linked PK/PD model successfully captured all time-course data. The latter can be used as a modeling platform for a direct translation from 3DD in vitro settings to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anusha Ande
- Center for Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Tanaya R Vaidya
- Center for Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Bao N Tran
- Center for Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Michael Vicchiarelli
- Institute for Therapeutic Innovation, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Ashley N Brown
- Institute for Therapeutic Innovation, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Sihem Ait-Oudhia
- Center for Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
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20
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Wong JK, Seifalian A, Mohseni R, Hamidieh AA, MacLaren RE, Habib N, Seifalian AM. Emerging In Vitro 3D Tumour Models in Nanoparticle-Based Gene and Drug Therapy. Trends Biotechnol 2018; 36:477-480. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2018.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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21
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Veiga SR, Ge X, Mercer CA, Hernández-Álvarez MI, Thomas HE, Hernandez-Losa J, Ramón Y Cajal S, Zorzano A, Thomas G, Kozma SC. Phenformin-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction Sensitizes Hepatocellular Carcinoma for Dual Inhibition of mTOR. Clin Cancer Res 2018; 24:3767-3780. [PMID: 29691292 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-0177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks second in cancer mortality and has limited therapeutic options. We recently described the synergistic effect of allosteric and ATP-site competitive inhibitors against the mTOR for the treatment of HCC. However, such inhibitors induce hyperglycemia and increase mitochondrial efficiency. Here we determined whether the mitochondrial complex I inhibitor phenformin could reverse both side effects, impose an energetic stress on cancer cells, and suppress the growth of HCC.Experimental Design: Human HCC cell lines were used in vitro to access the signaling and energetic impact of mTOR inhibitors and phenformin, either alone or in combination. Next, the therapeutic utility of these drugs alone or in combination was investigated preclinically in human orthotopic tumors implanted in mice, by analyzing their impact on the tumor burden and overall survival.Results: We found phenformin caused mitochondrial dysfunction and fragmentation, inducing a compensatory shift to glycolysis. In contrast, dual inhibition of mTOR impaired cell growth and glycolysis, while increasing mitochondrial fusion and efficiency. In a mouse model of human HCC, dual inhibition of mTOR, together with phenformin, was highly efficacious in controlling tumor burden. However, more strikingly, pretreatment with phenformin sensitized tumors to dual inhibition of mTOR, leading to a dramatic improvement in survival.Conclusions: Treatment of HCC cells in vitro with the biguanide phenformin causes a metabolic shift to glycolysis, mitochondrial dysfunction and fragmentation, and dramatically sensitizes orthotopic liver tumors to dual inhibition of mTOR. We therefore propose this therapeutic approach should be tested clinically in HCC. Clin Cancer Res; 24(15); 3767-80. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sónia R Veiga
- Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xuemei Ge
- Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carol A Mercer
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - María I Hernández-Álvarez
- Complex Metabolic Diseases and Mitochondria Group, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Hala Elnakat Thomas
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Javier Hernandez-Losa
- Department of Anatomy/Pathology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Santiago Ramón Y Cajal
- Department of Anatomy/Pathology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Zorzano
- Complex Metabolic Diseases and Mitochondria Group, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - George Thomas
- Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Physiological Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sara C Kozma
- Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain. .,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
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Aboulkheyr Es H, Montazeri L, Aref AR, Vosough M, Baharvand H. Personalized Cancer Medicine: An Organoid Approach. Trends Biotechnol 2018; 36:358-371. [PMID: 29366522 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2017] [Revised: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Personalized cancer therapy applies specific treatments to each patient. Using personalized tumor models with similar characteristics to the original tumors may result in more accurate predictions of drug responses in patients. Tumor organoid models have several advantages over pre-existing models, including conserving the molecular and cellular composition of the original tumor. These advantages highlight the tremendous potential of tumor organoids in personalized cancer therapy, particularly preclinical drug screening and predicting patient responses to selected treatment regimens. Here, we highlight the advantages, challenges, and translational potential of tumor organoids in personalized cancer therapy and focus on gene-drug associations, drug response prediction, and treatment selection. Finally, we discuss how microfluidic technology can contribute to immunotherapy drug screening in tumor organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamidreza Aboulkheyr Es
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Montazeri
- Department of Cell Engineering, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Reza Aref
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Massoud Vosough
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Baharvand
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran; Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran.
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De Luca A, Raimondi L, Salamanna F, Carina V, Costa V, Bellavia D, Alessandro R, Fini M, Giavaresi G. Relevance of 3d culture systems to study osteosarcoma environment. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2018; 37:2. [PMID: 29304852 PMCID: PMC5756329 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-017-0663-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignant tumor of bone, which preferentially develops lung metastasis. Although standard chemotherapy has significantly improved long-term survival over the past few decades, the outcome for patients with metastatic or recurrent OS remains dramatically poor. Novel therapies are therefore required to slow progression and eradicate the disease. Furthermore, to better understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for OS onset and progression, the development of novel predictive culture systems resembling the native three-dimensional (3D) tumor microenvironment are mandatory. ‘Tumor engineering’ approaches radically changed the previous scenario, through the development of advanced and alternative 3D cell culture in vitro models able to tightly mimic the in vivo tumor microenvironment. In this review, we will summarize the state of the art in this novel area, illustrating the different methods and techniques employed to realize 3D OS cell culture models and we report the achieved results, which highlight the efficacy of these models in reproducing the tumor milieu. Although data need to be further validated, the scientific studies reviewed here are certainly promising and give new insights into the clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela De Luca
- IRCCS Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Bologna, Italy. .,IRCCS Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Innovative Technologic Platform for Tissue Engineering, Theranostics and Oncology, Via Divisi, 83, 90133, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Lavinia Raimondi
- IRCCS Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Bologna, Italy.,IRCCS Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Innovative Technologic Platform for Tissue Engineering, Theranostics and Oncology, Via Divisi, 83, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Valeria Carina
- IRCCS Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Bologna, Italy.,IRCCS Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Innovative Technologic Platform for Tissue Engineering, Theranostics and Oncology, Via Divisi, 83, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Viviana Costa
- IRCCS Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Bologna, Italy.,IRCCS Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Innovative Technologic Platform for Tissue Engineering, Theranostics and Oncology, Via Divisi, 83, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Daniele Bellavia
- IRCCS Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Bologna, Italy.,IRCCS Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Innovative Technologic Platform for Tissue Engineering, Theranostics and Oncology, Via Divisi, 83, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Riccardo Alessandro
- Biology and Genetics Unit, Department of Biopathology and Medical Biotechnology, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology (IBIM), National Research Council, Palermo, Italy
| | - Milena Fini
- IRCCS Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Laboratory BITTA, Bologna, Italy.,IRCCS Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Laboratory of Preclinical and Surgical Studies, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gianluca Giavaresi
- IRCCS Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Innovative Technologic Platform for Tissue Engineering, Theranostics and Oncology, Via Divisi, 83, 90133, Palermo, Italy.,IRCCS Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Laboratory of Preclinical and Surgical Studies, Bologna, Italy
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Abstract
Cancer is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Around 90% of deaths are caused by metastasis and just 10% by primary tumor. The advancement of treatment approaches is not at the same rhythm of the disease; making cancer a focal target of biomedical research. To enhance the understanding and prompts the therapeutic delivery; concepts of tissue engineering are applied in the development of in vitro models that can bridge between 2D cell culture and animal models, mimicking tissue microenvironment. Tumor spheroid represents highly suitable 3D organoid-like framework elucidating the intra and inter cellular signaling of cancer, like that formed in physiological niche. However, spheroids are of limited value in studying critical biological phenomenon such as tumor-stroma interactions involving extra cellular matrix or immune system. Therefore, a compelling need of tailoring spheroid technologies with physiologically relevant biomaterials or in silico models, is ever emerging. The diagnostic and prognostic role of spheroids rearrangements within biomaterials or microfluidic channel is indicative of patient management; particularly for the decision of targeted therapy. Fragmented information on available in vitro spheroid models and lack of critical analysis on transformation aspects of these strategies; pushes the urge to comprehensively overview the recent technological advancements (e.g. bioprinting, micro-fluidic technologies or use of biomaterials to attain the third dimension) in the shed of translationable cancer research. In present article, relationships between current models and their possible exploitation in clinical success is explored with the highlight of existing challenges in defining therapeutic targets and screening of drug efficacy.
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25
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EMT/MET at the Crossroad of Stemness, Regeneration and Oncogenesis: The Ying-Yang Equilibrium Recapitulated in Cell Spheroids. Cancers (Basel) 2017; 9:cancers9080098. [PMID: 28758926 PMCID: PMC5575601 DOI: 10.3390/cancers9080098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an essential trans-differentiation process, which plays a critical role in embryonic development, wound healing, tissue regeneration, organ fibrosis, and cancer progression. It is the fundamental mechanism by which epithelial cells lose many of their characteristics while acquiring features typical of mesenchymal cells, such as migratory capacity and invasiveness. Depending on the contest, EMT is complemented and balanced by the reverse process, the mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET). In the saving economy of the living organisms, the same (Ying-Yang) tool is integrated as a physiological strategy in embryonic development, as well as in the course of reparative or disease processes, prominently fibrosis, tumor invasion and metastasis. These mechanisms and their related signaling (e.g., TGF-β and BMPs) have been effectively studied in vitro by tissue-derived cell spheroids models. These three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems, whose phenotype has been shown to be strongly dependent on TGF-β-regulated EMT/MET processes, present the advantage of recapitulating in vitro the hypoxic in vivo micro-environment of tissue stem cell niches and their formation. These spheroids, therefore, nicely reproduce the finely regulated Ying-Yang equilibrium, which, together with other mechanisms, can be determinant in cell fate decisions in many pathophysiological scenarios, such as differentiation, fibrosis, regeneration, and oncogenesis. In this review, current progress in the knowledge of signaling pathways affecting EMT/MET and stemness regulation will be outlined by comparing data obtained from cellular spheroids systems, as ex vivo niches of stem cells derived from normal and tumoral tissues. The mechanistic correspondence in vivo and the possible pharmacological perspective will be also explored, focusing especially on the TGF-β-related networks, as well as others, such as SNAI1, PTEN, and EGR1. This latter, in particular, for its ability to convey multiple types of stimuli into relevant changes of the cell transcriptional program, can be regarded as a heterogeneous "stress-sensor" for EMT-related inducers (growth factor, hypoxia, mechano-stress), and thus as a therapeutic target.
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Morgan MM, Johnson BP, Livingston MK, Schuler LA, Alarid ET, Sung KE, Beebe DJ. Personalized in vitro cancer models to predict therapeutic response: Challenges and a framework for improvement. Pharmacol Ther 2016; 165:79-92. [PMID: 27218886 PMCID: PMC5439438 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2016.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Personalized cancer therapy focuses on characterizing the relevant phenotypes of the patient, as well as the patient's tumor, to predict the most effective cancer therapy. Historically, these methods have not proven predictive in regards to predicting therapeutic response. Emerging culture platforms are designed to better recapitulate the in vivo environment, thus, there is renewed interest in integrating patient samples into in vitro cancer models to assess therapeutic response. Successful examples of translating in vitro response to clinical relevance are limited due to issues with patient sample acquisition, variability and culture. We will review traditional and emerging in vitro models for personalized medicine, focusing on the technologies, microenvironmental components, and readouts utilized. We will then offer our perspective on how to apply a framework derived from toxicology and ecology towards designing improved personalized in vitro models of cancer. The framework serves as a tool for identifying optimal readouts and culture conditions, thus maximizing the information gained from each patient sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly M Morgan
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Brian P Johnson
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Megan K Livingston
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Linda A Schuler
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Elaine T Alarid
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Kyung E Sung
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States.
| | - David J Beebe
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States; Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States.
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27
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Halfter K, Hoffmann O, Ditsch N, Ahne M, Arnold F, Paepke S, Grab D, Bauerfeind I, Mayer B. Testing chemotherapy efficacy in HER2 negative breast cancer using patient-derived spheroids. J Transl Med 2016; 14:112. [PMID: 27142386 PMCID: PMC4855689 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-016-0855-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Targeted anti-HER2 therapy has greatly improved the prognosis for many breast cancer patients. However, treatment for HER2 negative disease is currently still selected from a multitude of untargeted chemotherapeutic treatment options. A predictive test was developed using patient-derived spheroids to identify the most effective therapy for patients with HER2 negative breast cancer of all stages, for clinically relevant subgroups, as well as individual patients. METHODS Tumor samples from 120 HER2 negative patients obtained through biopsy or surgical excision were tested in the breast cancer spheroid model using scaffold-free cell culture. Similarly, spheroids were also generated from established HER2 negative breast cancer cell lines T-47D, MCF7, HCC1143, and HCC1937 to compare treatment efficacy of heterogeneous cell populations from patient tumor tissue with homogeneous cell lines. Spheroids were treated in vitro with guideline-recommended compounds. Treatment mediated impact on cell survival was subsequently quantified using an ATP assay. RESULTS Differences were observed in the metabolic activity of the untreated spheroids, whereby cell lines consistently achieved higher values compared to tissue spheroids (p < 0.001). A higher number of cells per spheroid correlated with a higher basal metabolic activity in tissue-derived spheroids (p < 0.01), while the opposite was observed for cell line spheroids (p < 0.01). Recurrent tumors showed a higher mean vitality (p < 0.01) compared to primary tumors. Except for taxanes, treatment efficacy for most tested compounds differed significantly between breast cancer tissue spheroids and breast cancer cell lines. Overall a high variability in treatment response in vitro was seen in the tissue spheroids regardless of the tested substances. A greater response to anthracycline/docetaxel was observed for hormone receptor negative samples (p < 0.01). A higher response to 5-FU (p < 0.01) and anthracycline (p < 0.05) was seen in high grade tumors. Smaller tumor size and negative lymph node status were both associated with a higher treatment efficacy to anthracycline treatment combined with 5-FU (cT1/2 vs cT3/4, p = 0.035, cN+ vs cN-, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The tissue spheroid model reflects current guideline treatment recommendations for HER2 negative breast cancer, whereas tested cell lines did not. This model represents a unique diagnostic method to select the most effective therapy out of several equivalent treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Halfter
- />SpheroTec GmbH, Am Klopferspitz 19, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Oliver Hoffmann
- />SpheroTec GmbH, Am Klopferspitz 19, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Nina Ditsch
- />Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital of the University of Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Mareike Ahne
- />SpheroTec GmbH, Am Klopferspitz 19, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Frank Arnold
- />Department of General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery, Hospital of the LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Paepke
- />Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Technical University Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Dieter Grab
- />Klinikum Harlaching, Sanatoriumsplatz 2, 81545 Munich, Germany
| | - Ingo Bauerfeind
- />Klinikum Landshut, Robert-Koch-Str. 1, 8434 Landshut, Germany
| | - Barbara Mayer
- />SpheroTec GmbH, Am Klopferspitz 19, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
- />Department of General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery, Hospital of the LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
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