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Yoon H, Sabaté Del Río J, Cho SW, Park TE. Recent advances in micro-physiological systems for investigating tumor metastasis and organotropism. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:1351-1366. [PMID: 38303676 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc01033c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Tumor metastasis involves complex processes that traditional 2D cultures and animal models struggle to fully replicate. Metastatic tumors undergo a multitude of transformations, including genetic diversification, adaptation to diverse microenvironments, and modified drug responses, contributing significantly to cancer-related mortality. Micro-physiological systems (MPS) technology emerges as a promising approach to emulate the metastatic process by integrating critical biochemical, biomechanical, and geometrical cues at a microscale. These systems are particularly advantageous simulating metastasis organotropism, the phenomenon where tumors exhibit a preference for metastasizing to particular organs. Organotropism is influenced by various factors, such as tumor cell characteristics, unique organ microenvironments, and organ-specific vascular conditions, all of which can be effectively examined using MPS. This review surveys the recent developments in MPS research from the past five years, with a specific focus on their applications in replicating tumor metastasis and organotropism. Furthermore, we discuss the current limitations in MPS-based studies of organotropism and propose strategies for more accurately replicating and analyzing the intricate aspects of organ-specific metastasis, which is pivotal in the development of targeted therapeutic approaches against metastatic cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heejeong Yoon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Information and Biotechnology, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jonathan Sabaté Del Río
- Center for Algorithmic and Robotized Synthesis (CARS), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Woo Cho
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Information and Biotechnology, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea.
| | - Tae-Eun Park
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Information and Biotechnology, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea.
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2
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Kim J, Kim J, Jin Y, Cho SW. In situbiosensing technologies for an organ-on-a-chip. Biofabrication 2023; 15:042002. [PMID: 37587753 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/aceaae] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Thein vitrosimulation of organs resolves the accuracy, ethical, and cost challenges accompanyingin vivoexperiments. Organoids and organs-on-chips have been developed to model thein vitro, real-time biological and physiological features of organs. Numerous studies have deployed these systems to assess thein vitro, real-time responses of an organ to external stimuli. Particularly, organs-on-chips can be most efficiently employed in pharmaceutical drug development to predict the responses of organs before approving such drugs. Furthermore, multi-organ-on-a-chip systems facilitate the close representations of thein vivoenvironment. In this review, we discuss the biosensing technology that facilitates thein situ, real-time measurements of organ responses as readouts on organ-on-a-chip systems, including multi-organ models. Notably, a human-on-a-chip system integrated with automated multi-sensing will be established by further advancing the development of chips, as well as their assessment techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyoung Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Junghoon Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoonhee Jin
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Woo Cho
- Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Center for Nanomedicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Graduate Program of Nano Biomedical Engineering (NanoBME), Advanced Science Institute, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
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3
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Singh AK, Malviya R, Prajapati B, Singh S, Yadav D, Kumar A. Nanotechnology-Aided Advancement in Combating the Cancer Metastasis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:899. [PMID: 37375846 PMCID: PMC10304141 DOI: 10.3390/ph16060899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Modern medicine has been working to find a cure for cancer for almost a century, but thus far, they have not been very successful. Although cancer treatment has come a long way, more work has to be carried out to boost specificity and reduce systemic toxicity. The diagnostic industry is on the cusp of a technological revolution, and early diagnosis is essential for improving prognostic outlook and patient quality of life. In recent years, nanotechnology's use has expanded, demonstrating its efficacy in enhancing fields such as cancer treatment, radiation therapy, diagnostics, and imaging. Applications for nanomaterials are diverse, ranging from enhanced radiation adjuvants to more sensitive early detection instruments. Cancer, particularly when it has spread beyond the original site of cancer, is notoriously tough to combat. Many people die from metastatic cancer, which is why it remains a huge issue. Cancer cells go through a sequence of events known as the "metastatic cascade" throughout metastasis, which may be used to build anti-metastatic therapeutic techniques. Conventional treatments and diagnostics for metastasis have their drawbacks and hurdles that must be overcome. In this contribution, we explore in-depth the potential benefits that nanotechnology-aided methods might offer to the detection and treatment of metastatic illness, either alone or in conjunction with currently available conventional procedures. Anti-metastatic drugs, which can prevent or slow the spread of cancer throughout the body, can be more precisely targeted and developed with the help of nanotechnology. Furthermore, we talk about how nanotechnology is being applied to the treatment of patients with cancer metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Kumar Singh
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, Galgotias University, Greater Noida 203201, India; (A.K.S.); (D.Y.)
| | - Rishabha Malviya
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, Galgotias University, Greater Noida 203201, India; (A.K.S.); (D.Y.)
| | - Bhupendra Prajapati
- Shree S. K. Patel College of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Ganpat University, Kherva 384012, India
| | - Sudarshan Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Deepika Yadav
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, Galgotias University, Greater Noida 203201, India; (A.K.S.); (D.Y.)
| | - Arvind Kumar
- Chandigarh Engineering College, Jhanjeri, Mohali 140307, India;
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Yin S, Lu R, Li Y, Sun D, Liu C, Liu B, Li J. A microfluidic device inspired by leaky tumor vessels for hematogenous metastasis mechanism research. Analyst 2023; 148:1570-1578. [PMID: 36892183 DOI: 10.1039/d2an02081e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial intercellular pores of tumor vessels generally lead to enhanced interstitial flow and may facilitate the migration of tumor cells. The permeability of tumor vessels causes a concentration gradient of growth factors (CGGF) from blood vessels to tumor tissues, which is opposite to the direction of interstitial flow. In this work, exogenous chemotaxis under the CGGF is demonstrated as a mechanism of hematogenous metastasis. A bionic microfluidic device inspired by endothelial intercellular pores of tumor vessels has been designed to study the mechanism. A porous membrane vertically integrated into the device using a novel compound mold is utilized to mimic the leaky vascular wall. The formation mechanism of the CGGF caused by endothelial intercellular pores is numerically analyzed and experimentally verified. The migration behavior of U-2OS cells is studied in the microfluidic device. The device is divided into three regions of interest (ROI): primary site, migration zone, and tumor vessel. The number of cells in the migration zone increases significantly under the CGGF, but decreases under no CGGF, indicating tumor cells may be guided to the vascellum by exogenous chemotaxis. Transendothelial migration is subsequently monitored, demonstrating the successful replication of the key steps in vitro in the metastatic cascade by the bionic microfluidic device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuqing Yin
- Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Technology and System of Liaoning Province, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.
| | - Ruoyu Lu
- Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Technology and System of Liaoning Province, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.
| | - Yang Li
- Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Technology and System of Liaoning Province, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.
| | - Dexian Sun
- Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Technology and System of Liaoning Province, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.
| | - Chong Liu
- Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Technology and System of Liaoning Province, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China. .,Key Laboratory for Precision and Non-traditional Machining Technology of Ministry of Education, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Bo Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Liaoning Key Lab of Integrated Circuit and Biomedical Electronic System, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.
| | - Jingmin Li
- Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Technology and System of Liaoning Province, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.
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Monteduro AG, Rizzato S, Caragnano G, Trapani A, Giannelli G, Maruccio G. Organs-on-chips technologies – A guide from disease models to opportunities for drug development. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 231:115271. [PMID: 37060819 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Current in-vitro 2D cultures and animal models present severe limitations in recapitulating human physiopathology with striking discrepancies in estimating drug efficacy and side effects when compared to human trials. For these reasons, microphysiological systems, organ-on-chip and multiorgans microdevices attracted considerable attention as novel tools for high-throughput and high-content research to achieve an improved understanding of diseases and to accelerate the drug development process towards more precise and eventually personalized standards. This review takes the form of a guide on this fast-growing field, providing useful introduction to major themes and indications for further readings. We start analyzing Organs-on-chips (OOC) technologies for testing the major drug administration routes: (1) oral/rectal route by intestine-on-a-chip, (2) inhalation by lung-on-a-chip, (3) transdermal by skin-on-a-chip and (4) intravenous through vascularization models, considering how drugs penetrate in the bloodstream and are conveyed to their targets. Then, we focus on OOC models for (other) specific organs and diseases: (1) neurodegenerative diseases with brain models and blood brain barriers, (2) tumor models including their vascularization, organoids/spheroids, engineering and screening of antitumor drugs, (3) liver/kidney on chips and multiorgan models for gastrointestinal diseases and metabolic assessment of drugs and (4) biomechanical systems recapitulating heart, muscles and bones structures and related diseases. Successively, we discuss technologies and materials for organ on chips, analyzing (1) microfluidic tools for organs-on-chips, (2) sensor integration for real-time monitoring, (3) materials and (4) cell lines for organs on chips. (Nano)delivery approaches for therapeutics and their on chip assessment are also described. Finally, we conclude with a critical discussion on current significance/relevance, trends, limitations, challenges and future prospects in terms of revolutionary impact on biomedical research, preclinical models and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Grazia Monteduro
- Omnics Research Group, Department of Mathematics and Physics "Ennio De Giorgi", University of Salento and Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR-Nanotec and INFN Sezione di Lecce, Via per Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Silvia Rizzato
- Omnics Research Group, Department of Mathematics and Physics "Ennio De Giorgi", University of Salento and Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR-Nanotec and INFN Sezione di Lecce, Via per Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Giusi Caragnano
- Omnics Research Group, Department of Mathematics and Physics "Ennio De Giorgi", University of Salento and Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR-Nanotec and INFN Sezione di Lecce, Via per Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Adriana Trapani
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- National Institute of Gastroenterology IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis", Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maruccio
- Omnics Research Group, Department of Mathematics and Physics "Ennio De Giorgi", University of Salento and Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR-Nanotec and INFN Sezione di Lecce, Via per Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy.
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6
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Martins AM, Brito A, Barbato MG, Felici A, Reis RL, Pires RA, Pashkuleva I, Decuzzi P. Efficacy of molecular and nano-therapies on brain tumor models in microfluidic devices. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2022; 144:213227. [PMID: 36470174 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2022.213227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The three-dimensional (3D) organization of cells affects their mobility, proliferation, and overall response to treatment. Spheroids, organoids, and microfluidic chips are used in cancer research to reproduce in vitro the complex and dynamic malignant microenvironment. Herein, single- and double-channel microfluidic devices are used to mimic the spatial organization of brain tumors and investigate the therapeutic efficacy of molecular and nano anti-cancer agents. Human glioblastoma multiforme (U87-MG) cells were cultured into a Matrigel matrix embedded within the microfluidic devices and exposed to different doses of free docetaxel (DTXL), docetaxel-loaded spherical polymeric nanoparticles (DTXL-SPN), and the aromatic N-glucoside N-(fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl)-glucosamine-6-phosphate (Fmoc-Glc6P). We observed that in the single-channel microfluidic device, brain tumor cells are more susceptible to DTXL treatment as compared to conventional cell monolayers (50-fold lower IC50 values). In the double-channel device, the cytotoxicity of free DTXL and DTXL-SPN is comparable, but significantly lowered as compared to the single-channel configuration. Finally, the administration of 500 μM Fmoc-Glc6P in the double-channel microfluidic device shows a 50 % U87-MG cell survival after only 24 h, and no deleterious effect on human astrocytes over 72 h. Concluding, the proposed microfluidic chips can be used to reproduce the 3D complex spatial arrangement of solid tumors and to assess the anti-cancer efficacy of therapeutic compounds administrated in situ or systemically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Martins
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy.
| | - Alexandra Brito
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Maria Grazia Barbato
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Alessia Felici
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Rui L Reis
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ricardo A Pires
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Iva Pashkuleva
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Paolo Decuzzi
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
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7
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Kim S, Wan Z, Jeon JS, Kamm RD. Microfluidic vascular models of tumor cell extravasation. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1052192. [PMID: 36439519 PMCID: PMC9698448 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1052192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging microfluidic disease models have amply demonstrated their value in many fields of cancer research. These in vitro technologies recapitulate key aspects of metastatic cancer, including the process of tumor cell arrest and extravasation at the site of the metastatic tumor. To date, extensive efforts have been made to capture key features of the microvasculature to reconstitute the pre-metastatic niche and investigate dynamic extravasation behaviors using microfluidic systems. In this mini-review, we highlight recent microfluidic vascular models of tumor cell extravasation and explore how this approach contributes to development of in vitro disease models to enhance understanding of metastasis in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seunggyu Kim
- Mechanobiology Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Biomicrofluidics Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Zhengpeng Wan
- Mechanobiology Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Jessie S. Jeon
- Biomicrofluidics Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Roger D. Kamm
- Mechanobiology Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
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Azimian Zavareh V, Rafiee L, Sheikholeslam M, Shariati L, Vaseghi G, Savoji H, Haghjooy Javanmard S. Three-Dimensional in Vitro Models: A Promising Tool To Scale-Up Breast Cancer Research. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2022; 8:4648-4672. [PMID: 36260561 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c00277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Common models used in breast cancer studies, including two-dimensional (2D) cultures and animal models, do not precisely model all aspects of breast tumors. These models do not well simulate the cell-cell and cell-stromal interactions required for normal tumor growth in the body and lake tumor like microenvironment. Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models are novel approaches to studying breast cancer. They do not have the restrictions of these conventional models and are able to recapitulate the structural architecture, complexity, and specific function of breast tumors and provide similar in vivo responses to therapeutic regimens. These models can be a link between former traditional 2D culture and in vivo models and are necessary for further studies in cancer. This review attempts to summarize the most common 3D in vitro models used in breast cancer studies, including scaffold-free (spheroid and organoid), scaffold-based, and chip-based models, particularly focused on the basic and translational application of these 3D models in drug screening and the tumor microenvironment in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vajihe Azimian Zavareh
- Applied Physiology Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran.,Core Research Facilities (CRF), Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran
| | - Laleh Rafiee
- Applied Physiology Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran
| | - Mohammadali Sheikholeslam
- Department of Biomaterials, Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran.,Biosensor Research Center, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran
| | - Laleh Shariati
- Department of Biomaterials, Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran.,Cancer Prevention Research Center, Omid Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran
| | - Golnaz Vaseghi
- Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran
| | - Houman Savoji
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada.,Research Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada.,Montreal TransMedTech Institute, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Shaghayegh Haghjooy Javanmard
- Applied Physiology Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran
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Wu Y, Zhou Y, Paul R, Qin X, Islam K, Liu Y. Adaptable Microfluidic Vessel-on-a-Chip Platform for Investigating Tumor Metastatic Transport in Bloodstream. Anal Chem 2022; 94:12159-12166. [PMID: 35998619 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c02556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cancer metastasis counts for 90% of cancer fatalities, and its development process is still a mystery. The dynamic process of tumor metastatic transport in the blood vessel is not well understood, in which some biomechanical factors, such as shear stress and various flow patterns, may have significant impacts. Here, we report a microfluidic vessel-on-a-chip platform for recapitulating several key metastatic steps of tumor cells in blood vessels on the same chip, including intravasation, circulating tumor cell (CTC) vascular adhesion, and extravasation. Due to its excellent adaptability, our system can reproduce various microenvironments to investigate the specific interactions between CTCs and blood vessels. On the basis of this platform, effects of important biomechanical factors on CTC adhesion such as vascular surface properties and vessel geometry-dependent hemodynamics were specifically inspected. We demonstrated that CTC adhesion is more likely to occur under certain mechano-physiological situations, such as vessels with vascular glycocalyx (VGCX) shedding and hemodynamic disturbances. Finally, computational models of both the fluidic dynamics in vessels and CTC adhesion were established based on the confocal scanned 3D images. The modeling results are believed to provide insights into exploring tumor metastasis progression and inspire new ideas for anticancer therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wu
- Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Yuyuan Zhou
- Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Ratul Paul
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Xiaochen Qin
- Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Khayrul Islam
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Yaling Liu
- Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States.,Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
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10
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Avula LR, Grodzinski P. Nanotechnology-aided advancement in the combating of cancer metastasis. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2022; 41:383-404. [PMID: 35366154 PMCID: PMC8975728 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-022-10025-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Cancer, especially when it has metastasized to different locations in the body, is notoriously difficult to treat. Metastatic cancer accounts for most cancer deaths and thus remains an enormous challenge. During the metastasis process, cancer cells negotiate a series of steps termed the “metastatic cascadeˮ that offer potential for developing anti-metastatic therapy strategies. Currently available conventional treatment and diagnostic methods addressing metastasis come with their own pitfalls and roadblocks. In this contribution, we comprehensively discuss the potential improvements that nanotechnology-aided approaches are able to bring, either alone or in combination with the existing conventional techniques, to the identification and treatment of metastatic disease. We tie specific nanotechnology-aided strategies to the complex biology of the different steps of the metastatic cascade in order to open up new avenues for fine-tuned targeting and development of anti-metastatic agents designed specifically to prevent or mitigate the metastatic outgrowth of cancer. We also present a viewpoint on the progress of translation of nanotechnology into cancer metastasis patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leela Rani Avula
- Nanodelivery Systems and Devices Branch, Cancer Imaging Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA.
| | - Piotr Grodzinski
- Nanodelivery Systems and Devices Branch, Cancer Imaging Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
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11
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Xu H, Cheng C, Le W. Recent research advances of the biomimetic tumor microenvironment and regulatory factors on microfluidic devices: A systematic review. Electrophoresis 2022; 43:839-847. [PMID: 35179796 DOI: 10.1002/elps.202100360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment is a multicomponent system consisting of tumor cells, noncancer cells, extracellular matrix, and signaling molecules, which hosts tumor cells with integrated biophysical and biochemical elements. Because of its critical involvement in tumor genesis, invasion, metastasis, and resistance, the tumor microenvironment is emerging as a hot topic of tumor biology and a prospective therapeutic target. Unfortunately, the complex of microenvironment modeling in vitro is technically challenging and does not effectively generalize the local tumor tissue milieu. Recently, significant advances in microfluidic technologies have provided us with an approach to imitate physiological systems that can be utilized to mimic the characterization of tumor responses with pathophysiological relevance in vitro. In this review, we highlight the recent progress and innovations in microfluidic technology that facilitates the tumor microenvironment study. We also discuss the progress and future perspective of microfluidic bionic approaches with high efficiency for the study of tumor microenvironment and the challenges encountered in cancer research, drug discovery, and personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Xu
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, P. R. China
| | - Cheng Cheng
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, P. R. China
| | - Weidong Le
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, P. R. China.,Institute of Neurology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences-Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, P. R. China
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Xie H, Appelt JW, Jenkins RW. Going with the Flow: Modeling the Tumor Microenvironment Using Microfluidic Technology. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13236052. [PMID: 34885161 PMCID: PMC8656483 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13236052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The clinical success of cancer immunotherapy targeting immune checkpoints (e.g., PD-1, CTLA-4) has ushered in a new era of cancer therapeutics aimed at promoting antitumor immunity in hopes of offering durable clinical responses for patients with advanced, metastatic cancer. This success has also reinvigorated interest in developing tumor model systems that recapitulate key features of antitumor immune responses to complement existing in vivo tumor models. Patient-derived tumor models have emerged in recent years to facilitate study of tumor–immune dynamics. Microfluidic technology has enabled development of microphysiologic systems (MPSs) for the evaluation of the tumor microenvironment, which have shown early promise in studying tumor–immune dynamics. Further development of microfluidic-based “tumor-on-a-chip” MPSs to study tumor–immune interactions may overcome several key challenges currently facing tumor immunology. Abstract Recent advances in cancer immunotherapy have led a paradigm shift in the treatment of multiple malignancies with renewed focus on the host immune system and tumor–immune dynamics. However, intrinsic and acquired resistance to immunotherapy limits patient benefits and wider application. Investigations into the mechanisms of response and resistance to immunotherapy have demonstrated key tumor-intrinsic and tumor-extrinsic factors. Studying complex interactions with multiple cell types is necessary to understand the mechanisms of response and resistance to cancer therapies. The lack of model systems that faithfully recapitulate key features of the tumor microenvironment (TME) remains a challenge for cancer researchers. Here, we review recent advances in TME models focusing on the use of microfluidic technology to study and model the TME, including the application of microfluidic technologies to study tumor–immune dynamics and response to cancer therapeutics. We also discuss the limitations of current systems and suggest future directions to utilize this technology to its highest potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyan Xie
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (H.X.); (J.W.A.)
| | - Jackson W. Appelt
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (H.X.); (J.W.A.)
| | - Russell W. Jenkins
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (H.X.); (J.W.A.)
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Program in Therapeutic Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +617-726-9372; Fax: +844-542-5959
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Mollica H, Teo YJ, Tan ASM, Tan DZM, Decuzzi P, Pavesi A, Adriani G. A 3D pancreatic tumor model to study T cell infiltration. Biomater Sci 2021; 9:7420-7431. [PMID: 34706370 DOI: 10.1039/d1bm00210d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The desmoplastic nature of the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumor microenvironment (TME) prevents the infiltration of T cells and the penetration of chemotherapeutic drugs, posing a challenge to the validation of targeted therapies, including T cell immunotherapies. We present an in vitro 3D PDAC-TME model to observe and quantify T cell infiltration across the vasculature. In a three-channel microfluidic device, PDAC cells are cultured in a collagen matrix in the central channel surrounded, on one side, by endothelial cells (ECs) to mimic a blood vessel and, on the opposite side, by pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) to simulate exocrine pancreas. The migration of T cells toward the tumor is quantified based on their activation state and TME composition. The presence of EC-lining drastically reduces T cell infiltration, confirming the essential role of the vasculature in controlling T cell trafficking. We show that activated T cells migrate ∼50% more than the not-activated ones toward the cancer cells. Correspondingly, in the absence of cancer cells, both activated and not-activated T cells present similar migration toward the PSCs. The proposed approach could help researchers in testing and optimizing immunotherapies for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilaria Mollica
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Italian Institute of Technology, Via Morego 30, Genova, 16163, Italy
| | - Yi Juan Teo
- Singapore Immunology Network, A*STAR, 8A Biomedical Groove, 138648, Singapore.
| | - Alrina Shin Min Tan
- Singapore Immunology Network, A*STAR, 8A Biomedical Groove, 138648, Singapore.
| | - Damien Zhi Ming Tan
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, 138673, Singapore
| | - Paolo Decuzzi
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Italian Institute of Technology, Via Morego 30, Genova, 16163, Italy
| | - Andrea Pavesi
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, 138673, Singapore
| | - Giulia Adriani
- Singapore Immunology Network, A*STAR, 8A Biomedical Groove, 138648, Singapore. .,Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, 117583, Singapore
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Barbato MG, Pereira RC, Mollica H, Palange A, Ferreira M, Decuzzi P. A permeable on-chip microvasculature for assessing the transport of macromolecules and polymeric nanoconstructs. J Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 594:409-423. [PMID: 33774397 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.03.053] [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: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS The selective permeation of molecules and nanomedicines across the diseased vasculature dictates the success of a therapeutic intervention. Yet, in vitro assays cannot recapitulate relevant differences between the physiological and pathological microvasculature. Here, a double-channel microfluidic device was engineered to comprise vascular and extravascular compartments connected through a micropillar membrane with tunable permeability. EXPERIMENTS The vascular compartment was coated by endothelial cells to achieve permeability values ranging from ~0.1 μm/sec, following a cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) pre-treatment (25 μg/mL), up to ~2 μm/sec, upon exposure to Mannitol, Lexiscan or in the absence of cells. Fluorescent microscopy was used to monitor the vascular behavior of 250 kDa Dextran molecules, 200 nm polystyrene nanoparticles (PB), and 1,000 × 400 nm discoidal polymeric nanoconstructs (DPN), under different permeability and flow conditions. FINDINGS In the proposed on-chip microvasculature, it was confirmed that permeation enhancers could favor the perivascular accumulation of ~200 nm, in a dose and time dependent fashion, while have no effect on larger particles. Moreover, the microfluidic device was used to interrogate the role of particle deformability in vascular dynamics. In the presence of a continuous endothelium, soft DPN attached to the vasculature more avidly at sub-physiological flows (100 μm/sec) than rigid DPN, whose deposition was larger at higher flow rates (1 mm/sec). The proposed double-channel microfluidic device can be efficiently used to systematically analyze the vascular behavior of drug delivery systems to enhance their tissue specific accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grazia Barbato
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy; Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and System Engineering (DIBRIS), University of Genoa, Via Dodecaneso 25, 16146 Genoa, Italy
| | - Rui C Pereira
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Hilaria Mollica
- I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 3, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - AnnaLisa Palange
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Miguel Ferreira
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Paolo Decuzzi
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy.
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Guttenplan APM, Tahmasebi Birgani Z, Giselbrecht S, Truckenmüller RK, Habibović P. Chips for Biomaterials and Biomaterials for Chips: Recent Advances at the Interface between Microfabrication and Biomaterials Research. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2100371. [PMID: 34033239 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202100371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, the use of microfabrication techniques has allowed biomaterials studies which were originally carried out at larger length scales to be miniaturized as so-called "on-chip" experiments. These miniaturized experiments have a range of advantages which have led to an increase in their popularity. A range of biomaterial shapes and compositions are synthesized or manufactured on chip. Moreover, chips are developed to investigate specific aspects of interactions between biomaterials and biological systems. Finally, biomaterials are used in microfabricated devices to replicate the physiological microenvironment in studies using so-called "organ-on-chip," "tissue-on-chip" or "disease-on-chip" models, which can reduce the use of animal models with their inherent high cost and ethical issues, and due to the possible use of human cells can increase the translation of research from lab to clinic. This review gives an overview of recent developments at the interface between microfabrication and biomaterials science, and indicates potential future directions that the field may take. In particular, a trend toward increased scale and automation is apparent, allowing both industrial production of micron-scale biomaterials and high-throughput screening of the interaction of diverse materials libraries with cells and bioengineered tissues and organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander P. M. Guttenplan
- Department of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering MERLN Institute for Technology‐Inspired Regenerative Medicine Maastricht University Universiteitssingel 40 Maastricht 6229ER The Netherlands
| | - Zeinab Tahmasebi Birgani
- Department of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering MERLN Institute for Technology‐Inspired Regenerative Medicine Maastricht University Universiteitssingel 40 Maastricht 6229ER The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Giselbrecht
- Department of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering MERLN Institute for Technology‐Inspired Regenerative Medicine Maastricht University Universiteitssingel 40 Maastricht 6229ER The Netherlands
| | - Roman K. Truckenmüller
- Department of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering MERLN Institute for Technology‐Inspired Regenerative Medicine Maastricht University Universiteitssingel 40 Maastricht 6229ER The Netherlands
| | - Pamela Habibović
- Department of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering MERLN Institute for Technology‐Inspired Regenerative Medicine Maastricht University Universiteitssingel 40 Maastricht 6229ER The Netherlands
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Şen Ö, Emanet M, Ciofani G. Nanotechnology-Based Strategies to Evaluate and Counteract Cancer Metastasis and Neoangiogenesis. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2002163. [PMID: 33763992 PMCID: PMC7610913 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202002163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cancer metastasis is the major cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality. It represents one of the greatest challenges in cancer therapy, both because of the ability of metastatic cells to spread into different organs, and because of the consequent heterogeneity that characterizes primary and metastatic tumors. Nanomaterials can potentially be used as targeting or detection agents owing to unique chemical and physical features that allow tailored and tunable theranostic functions. This review highlights nanomaterial-based approaches in the detection and treatment of cancer metastasis, with a special focus on the evaluation of nanostructure effects on cell migration, invasion, and angiogenesis in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özlem Şen
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Smart Bio-Interfaces Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, Pontedera, Pisa 56025, Italy
| | - Melis Emanet
- Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM) Sabanci University Universite Caddesi 27-1, Tuzla, Istanbul 34956, Turkey
| | - Gianni Ciofani
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Smart Bio-Interfaces Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, Pontedera, Pisa 56025, Italy
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Razavi M, Primavera R, Vykunta A, Thakor AS. Silicone-based bioscaffolds for cellular therapies. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2021; 119:111615. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2020.111615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Mondadori C, Crippa M, Moretti M, Candrian C, Lopa S, Arrigoni C. Advanced Microfluidic Models of Cancer and Immune Cell Extravasation: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:907. [PMID: 32984267 PMCID: PMC7479057 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Extravasation is a multi-step process implicated in many physiological and pathological events. This process is essential to get leukocytes to the site of injury or infection but is also one of the main steps in the metastatic cascade in which cancer cells leave the primary tumor and migrate to target sites through the vascular route. In this perspective, extravasation is a double-edged sword. This systematic review analyzes microfluidic 3D models that have been designed to investigate the extravasation of cancer and immune cells. The purpose of this systematic review is to provide an exhaustive summary of the advanced microfluidic 3D models that have been designed to study the extravasation of cancer and immune cells, offering a perspective on the current state-of-the-art. To this end, we set the literature search cross-examining PUBMED and EMBASE databases up to January 2020 and further included non-indexed references reported in relevant reviews. The inclusion criteria were defined in agreement between all the investigators, aimed at identifying studies which investigate the extravasation process of cancer cells and/or leukocytes in microfluidic platforms. Twenty seven studies among 174 examined each step of the extravasation process exploiting 3D microfluidic devices and hence were included in our review. The analysis of the results obtained with the use of microfluidic models allowed highlighting shared features and differences in the extravasation of immune and cancer cells, in view of the setup of a common framework, that could be beneficial for the development of therapeutic approaches fostering or hindering the extravasation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlotta Mondadori
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Cell and Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Milan, Italy
| | - Martina Crippa
- Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Regenerative Medicine Technologies Laboratory, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Matteo Moretti
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Cell and Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Milan, Italy
- Regenerative Medicine Technologies Laboratory, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Christian Candrian
- Regenerative Medicine Technologies Laboratory, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Lopa
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Cell and Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Arrigoni
- Regenerative Medicine Technologies Laboratory, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Lugano, Switzerland
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Palazzolo G, Mollica H, Lusi V, Rutigliani M, Di Francesco M, Pereira RC, Filauro M, Paleari L, DeCensi A, Decuzzi P. Modulating the Distant Spreading of Patient-Derived Colorectal Cancer Cells via Aspirin and Metformin. Transl Oncol 2020; 13:100760. [PMID: 32247264 PMCID: PMC7118176 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2020.100760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although screening has reduced mortality rates for colorectal cancer (CRC), about 20% of patients still carry metastases at diagnosis. Postsurgery chemotherapy is toxic and induces drug resistance. Promising alternative strategies rely on repurposing drugs such as aspirin (ASA) and metformin (MET). Here, tumor spheroids were generated in suspension by primary CRCs and metastatic lymph nodes from 11 patients. These spheroids presented a heterogeneous cell population including a small core of CD133+/ESA+ cancer stem cells surrounded by a thick corona of CDX2+/CK20+ CRC cells, thus maintaining the molecular hallmarks of the tumor source. Spheroids were exposed to ASA and/or MET at different doses for up to 7 days to assess cell growth, migration, and adhesion in three-dimensional assays. While ASA at 5 mM was always sufficient to mitigate cell migration, the response to MET was patient specific. Only in MET-sensitive spheroids, the 5 mM ASA/MET combination showed an effect. Interestingly, CRCs from diabetic patients daily pretreated with MET gave a very low spheroid yield due to reduced cancer cell survival. This study highlights the potential of ASA/MET treatments to modulate CRC spreading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Palazzolo
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy.
| | - Hilaria Mollica
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Valeria Lusi
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Mariangela Rutigliani
- Department of Laboratory and Service, Histological and Anatomical Pathology Unit, E.O. Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | - Martina Di Francesco
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Rui Cruz Pereira
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Filauro
- Department of Surgery, E.O. Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Andrea DeCensi
- Department of Medicine Area, Medical Oncology Unit, E.O. Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paolo Decuzzi
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy
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Di Mascolo D, Varesano S, Benelli R, Mollica H, Salis A, Zocchi MR, Decuzzi P, Poggi A. Nanoformulated Zoledronic Acid Boosts the Vδ2 T Cell Immunotherapeutic Potential in Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 12:E104. [PMID: 31906080 PMCID: PMC7017311 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12010104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Aminobisphosphonates, such as zoledronic acid (ZA), have shown potential in the treatment of different malignancies, including colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Yet, their clinical exploitation is limited by their high bone affinity and modest bioavailability. Here, ZA is encapsulated into the aqueous core of spherical polymeric nanoparticles (SPNs), whose size and architecture resemble that of biological vesicles. On Vδ2 T cells, derived from the peripheral blood of healthy donors and CRC patients, ZA-SPNs induce proliferation and trigger activation up to three orders of magnitude more efficiently than soluble ZA. These activated Vδ2 T cells kill CRC cells and tumor spheroids, and are able to migrate toward CRC cells in a microfluidic system. Notably, ZA-SPNs can also stimulate the proliferation of Vδ2 T cells from the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes of CRC patients and boost their cytotoxic activity against patients' autologous tumor organoids. These data represent a first step toward the use of nanoformulated ZA for immunotherapy in CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Di Mascolo
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy; (D.D.M.); (H.M.); (P.D.)
| | - Serena Varesano
- Molecular Oncology and Angiogenesis Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Roberto Benelli
- Immunology Unit, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Hilaria Mollica
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy; (D.D.M.); (H.M.); (P.D.)
| | | | - Maria Raffaella Zocchi
- Division of Immunology, Transplants and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Paolo Decuzzi
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy; (D.D.M.); (H.M.); (P.D.)
| | - Alessandro Poggi
- Molecular Oncology and Angiogenesis Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
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