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Zhang X, Taylor H, Valdivia A, Dasari R, Buckley A, Bonacquisti E, Nguyen J, Kanchi K, Corcoran DL, Herring LE, Steindler DA, Baldwin A, Hingtgen S, Satterlee AB. Auto-loaded TRAIL-exosomes derived from induced neural stem cells for brain cancer therapy. J Control Release 2024; 372:433-445. [PMID: 38908756 PMCID: PMC11283351 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.06.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
Transdifferentiation (TD), a somatic cell reprogramming process that eliminates pluripotent intermediates, creates cells that are ideal for personalized anti-cancer therapy. Here, we provide the first evidence that extracellular vesicles (EVs) from TD-derived induced neural stem cells (Exo-iNSCs) are an efficacious treatment strategy for brain cancer. We found that genetically engineered iNSCs generated EVs loaded with the tumoricidal gene product TRAIL at nearly twice the rate of their parental fibroblasts, and TRAIL produced by iNSCs was naturally loaded into the lumen of EVs and arrayed across their outer membrane (Exo-iNSC-TRAIL). Uptake studies in ex vivo organotypic brain slice cultures showed that Exo-iNSC-TRAIL selectively accumulates within tumor foci, and co-culture assays demonstrated that Exo-iNSC-TRAIL killed metastatic and primary brain cancer cells more effectively than free TRAIL. In an orthotopic mouse model of brain cancer, Exo-iNSC-TRAIL reduced breast-to-brain tumor xenografts by approximately 3000-fold compared to treatment with free TRAIL, with all Exo-iNSC-TRAIL treated animals surviving through 90 days post-treatment. In additional in vivo testing against aggressive U87 and invasive GBM8 glioblastoma tumors, Exo-iNSC-TRAIL also induced a statistically significant increase in survival. These studies establish a novel, easily generated, stable, tumor-targeted EV to efficaciously treat multiple forms of brain cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopei Zhang
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Hannah Taylor
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Alain Valdivia
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rajaneekar Dasari
- Eshelman Institute for Innovation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Andrew Buckley
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Emily Bonacquisti
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Juliane Nguyen
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Krishna Kanchi
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - David L Corcoran
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Laura E Herring
- Michael Hooker Proteomics Core, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Dennis A Steindler
- Eshelman Institute for Innovation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Steindler Consulting, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Albert Baldwin
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Shawn Hingtgen
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Andrew Benson Satterlee
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Eshelman Institute for Innovation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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Zhang X, Taylor H, Valdivia A, Dasari R, Buckley A, Bonacquisti E, Nguyen J, Kanchi K, Corcoran DL, Herring LE, Steindler DA, Baldwin A, Hingtgen S, Satterlee AB. Auto-loaded TRAIL-exosomes derived from induced neural stem cells for brain cancer therapy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.24.595724. [PMID: 38854085 PMCID: PMC11160660 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.24.595724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Transdifferentiation (TD), a somatic cell reprogramming process that eliminates pluripotent intermediates, creates cells that are ideal for personalized anti-cancer therapy. Here, we provide the first evidence that extracellular vesicles (EVs) from TD-derived induced neural stem cells (Exo-iNSCs) are an efficacious treatment strategy for brain cancer. We found that genetically engineered iNSCs generated EVs loaded with the tumoricidal gene product TRAIL at nearly twice the rate as their parental fibroblasts, and the TRAIL produced by iNSCs were naturally loaded into the lumen of EVs and arrayed across their outer membrane (Exo-iNSC-TRAIL). Uptake studies in ex vivo organotypic brain slice cultures showed Exo-iNSC-TRAIL selectively accumulates within tumor foci, and co-culture assays showed that Exo-iNSC-TRAIL killed metastatic and primary brain cancer cells more effectively than free TRAIL. In an orthotopic mouse model of brain cancer, Exo-iNSC-TRAIL reduced breast-to-brain tumor xenografts around 3000-fold greater than treatment with free TRAIL, with all Exo-iNSC-TRAIL treated animals surviving through 90 days post-treatment. In additional in vivo testing against aggressive U87 and invasive GBM8 glioblastoma tumors, Exo-iNSC-TRAIL also induced a statistically significant increase in survival. These studies establish a new easily generated, stable, tumor-targeted EV to efficaciously treat multiple forms of brain cancer.
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3
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Jiang MQ, Yu SP, Estaba T, Choi E, Berglund K, Gu X, Wei L. Reprogramming Glioblastoma Cells into Non-Cancerous Neuronal Cells as a Novel Anti-Cancer Strategy. Cells 2024; 13:897. [PMID: 38891029 PMCID: PMC11171681 DOI: 10.3390/cells13110897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor with a high mortality rate. Direct reprogramming of glial cells to different cell lineages, such as induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) and induced neurons (iNeurons), provides genetic tools to manipulate a cell's fate as a potential therapy for neurological diseases. NeuroD1 (ND1) is a master transcriptional factor for neurogenesis and it promotes neuronal differentiation. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the expression of ND1 in GBM cells can force them to differentiate toward post-mitotic neurons and halt GBM tumor progression. In cultured human GBM cell lines, including LN229, U87, and U373 as temozolomide (TMZ)-sensitive and T98G as TMZ-resistant cells, the neuronal lineage conversion was induced by an adeno-associated virus (AAV) package carrying ND1. Twenty-one days after AAV-ND1 transduction, ND1-expressing cells displayed neuronal markers MAP2, TUJ1, and NeuN. The ND1-induced transdifferentiation was regulated by Wnt signaling and markedly enhanced under a hypoxic condition (2% O2 vs. 21% O2). ND1-expressing GBM cultures had fewer BrdU-positive proliferating cells compared to vector control cultures. Increased cell death was visualized by TUNEL staining, and reduced migrative activity was demonstrated in the wound-healing test after ND1 reprogramming in both TMZ-sensitive and -resistant GBM cells. In a striking contrast to cancer cells, converted cells expressed the anti-tumor gene p53. In an orthotopical GBM mouse model, AAV-ND1-reprogrammed U373 cells were transplanted into the fornix of the cyclosporine-immunocompromised C57BL/6 mouse brain. Compared to control GBM cell-formed tumors, cells from ND1-reprogrammed cultures formed smaller tumors and expressed neuronal markers such as TUJ1 in the brain. Thus, reprogramming using a single-factor ND1 overcame drug resistance, converting malignant cells of heterogeneous GBM cells to normal neuron-like cells in vitro and in vivo. These novel observations warrant further research using patient-derived GBM cells and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models as a potentially effective treatment for a deadly brain cancer and likely other astrocytoma tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Q. Jiang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30033, USA; (M.Q.J.); (T.E.); (E.C.); (X.G.)
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30033, USA
| | - Shan Ping Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30033, USA; (M.Q.J.); (T.E.); (E.C.); (X.G.)
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30033, USA
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30033, USA
| | - Takira Estaba
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30033, USA; (M.Q.J.); (T.E.); (E.C.); (X.G.)
| | - Emily Choi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30033, USA; (M.Q.J.); (T.E.); (E.C.); (X.G.)
| | - Ken Berglund
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
| | - Xiaohuan Gu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30033, USA; (M.Q.J.); (T.E.); (E.C.); (X.G.)
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30033, USA
| | - Ling Wei
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30033, USA; (M.Q.J.); (T.E.); (E.C.); (X.G.)
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Shen Y, Thng DKH, Wong ALA, Toh TB. Mechanistic insights and the clinical prospects of targeted therapies for glioblastoma: a comprehensive review. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:40. [PMID: 38615034 PMCID: PMC11015656 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00512-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a fatal brain tumour that is traditionally diagnosed based on histological features. Recent molecular profiling studies have reshaped the World Health Organization approach in the classification of central nervous system tumours to include more pathogenetic hallmarks. These studies have revealed that multiple oncogenic pathways are dysregulated, which contributes to the aggressiveness and resistance of GBM. Such findings have shed light on the molecular vulnerability of GBM and have shifted the disease management paradigm from chemotherapy to targeted therapies. Targeted drugs have been developed to inhibit oncogenic targets in GBM, including receptors involved in the angiogenic axis, the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway, the ubiquitination-proteasome pathway, as well as IDH1/2 pathway. While certain targeted drugs showed promising results in vivo, the translatability of such preclinical achievements in GBM remains a barrier. We also discuss the recent developments and clinical assessments of targeted drugs, as well as the prospects of cell-based therapies and combinatorial therapy as novel ways to target GBM. Targeted treatments have demonstrated preclinical efficacy over chemotherapy as an alternative or adjuvant to the current standard of care for GBM, but their clinical efficacy remains hindered by challenges such as blood-brain barrier penetrance of the drugs. The development of combinatorial targeted therapies is expected to improve therapeutic efficacy and overcome drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yating Shen
- The N.1 Institute for Health (N.1), National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dexter Kai Hao Thng
- The N.1 Institute for Health (N.1), National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Andrea Li Ann Wong
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tan Boon Toh
- The N.1 Institute for Health (N.1), National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- The Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM), National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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Aslani S, Saad MI. Patient-Derived Xenograft Models in Cancer Research: Methodology, Applications, and Future Prospects. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2806:9-18. [PMID: 38676792 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3858-3_2] [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] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) have emerged as a pivotal tool in translational cancer research, addressing limitations of traditional methods and facilitating improved therapeutic interventions. These models involve engrafting human primary malignant cells or tissues into immunodeficient mice, allowing for the investigation of cancer mechanobiology, validation of therapeutic targets, and preclinical assessment of treatment strategies. This chapter provides an overview of PDXs methodology and their applications in both basic cancer research and preclinical studies. Despite current limitations, ongoing advancements in humanized xenochimeric models and autologous immune cell engraftment hold promise for enhancing PDX model accuracy and relevance. As PDX models continue to refine and extend their applications, they are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of translational cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Aslani
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Mohamed I Saad
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
- South Australian immunoGENomics Cancer Institute (SAiGENCI), University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
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Liu W, Zhao Y, Liu Z, Zhang G, Wu H, Zheng X, Tang X, Chen Z. Therapeutic effects against high-grade glioblastoma mediated by engineered induced neural stem cells combined with GD2-specific CAR-NK. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2023; 46:1747-1762. [PMID: 37420122 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-023-00842-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE High-grade glioblastoma is extremely challenging to treat because of its aggressiveness and resistance to conventional chemo- and radio-therapies. On the contrary, genetic and cellular immunotherapeutic strategies based on the stem and immune cells are emerging as promising treatments against glioblastoma (GBM). We aimed to developed a novel combined immunotherapeutic strategy to improve the treatment efficacy using genetically engineered PBMC-derived induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) expressing HSV-TK and second-generation CAR-NK cells against GBM. METHODS iNSCs cells expressing HSV-TK (iNSCsTK) and GD2-specific CAR-NK92 (GD2NK92) were generated from PBMC-derived iNSCs and NK92 cell lines, respectively. The anti-tumor effect of iNSCsTK and the combinational therapeutics of iNSCsTK and GD2NK92 were evaluated by GBM cell line using in vitro and in vivo experiments. RESULTS PBMC-derived iNSCsTK possessed tumor-tropism migration ability in vitro and in vivo, which exhibited considerable anti-tumor activity via bystander effect in the presence of ganciclovir (GCV). iNSCsTK/GCV could slow GBM progression and prolong median survival in tumor-bearing mice. However, the anti-tumor effect was limited to single therapy. Therefore, the combinational therapeutic effect of iNSCsTK/GCV and GD2NK92 against GBM was investigated. This approach displayed a more significant anti-tumor effect in vitro and in xenograft tumor mice. CONCLUSIONS PBMC-derived iNSCsTK showed a significant tumor-tropic migration and an effective anti-tumor activity with GCV in vitro and in vivo. In addition, combined with GD2NK92, iNSCsTK therapeutic efficacy improved dramatically to prolong the tumor-bearing animal model's median survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihua Liu
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Zhongfeng Liu
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Guangji Zhang
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Huantong Wu
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Xin Zheng
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Xihe Tang
- Neurosurgery Center of Aeronautical General Hospital, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Zhiguo Chen
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China.
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China.
- , Beijing, China.
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Zeng J, Zeng XX. Systems Medicine for Precise Targeting of Glioblastoma. Mol Biotechnol 2023; 65:1565-1584. [PMID: 36859639 PMCID: PMC9977103 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-023-00699-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a malignant cancer that is fatal even after standard therapy and the effects of current available therapeutics are not promising due its complex and evolving epigenetic and genetic profile. The mysteries that lead to GBM intratumoral heterogeneity and subtype transitions are not entirely clear. Systems medicine is an approach to view the patient in a whole picture integrating systems biology and synthetic biology along with computational techniques. Since the GBM oncogenesis involves genetic mutations, various therapies including gene therapeutics based on CRISPR-Cas technique, MicroRNAs, and implanted synthetic cells endowed with synthetic circuits against GBM with neural stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells acting as potential vehicles carrying therapeutics via the intranasal route, avoiding the risks of invasive methods in order to reach the GBM cells in the brain are discussed and proposed in this review. Systems medicine approach is a rather novel strategy, and since the GBM of a patient is complex and unique, thus to devise an individualized treatment strategy to tailor personalized multimodal treatments for the individual patient taking into account the phenotype of the GBM, the unique body health profile of the patient and individual responses according to the systems medicine concept might show potential to achieve optimum effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zeng
- Benjoe Institute of Systems Bio-Engineering, High Technology Park, Xinbei District, Changzhou, 213022 Jiangsu People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiao Xue Zeng
- Department of Health Management, Centre of General Practice, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, No. 28, Desheng Road Section, Liguan Road, Lishui Town, Nanhai District, Foshan, 528000 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
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8
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Nehama D, Woodell AS, Maingi SM, Hingtgen SD, Dotti G. Cell-based therapies for glioblastoma: Promising tools against tumor heterogeneity. Neuro Oncol 2023; 25:1551-1562. [PMID: 37179459 PMCID: PMC10484163 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive tumor with a devastating impact on quality-of-life and abysmal survivorship. Patients have very limited effective treatment options. The successes of targeted small molecule drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors seen in various solid tumors have not translated to GBM, despite significant advances in our understanding of its molecular, immune, and microenvironment landscapes. These discoveries, however, have unveiled GBM's incredible heterogeneity and its role in treatment failure and survival. Novel cellular therapy technologies are finding successes in oncology and harbor characteristics that make them uniquely suited to overcome challenges posed by GBM, such as increased resistance to tumor heterogeneity, modularity, localized delivery, and safety. Considering these advantages, we compiled this review article on cellular therapies for GBM, focusing on cellular immunotherapies and stem cell-based therapies, to evaluate their utility. We categorize them based on their specificity, review their preclinical and clinical data, and extract valuable insights to help guide future cellular therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean Nehama
- Department of Internal Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alex S Woodell
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Spencer M Maingi
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Shawn D Hingtgen
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Gianpietro Dotti
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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9
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Beltran-Huarac J, Yamaleyeva DN, Dotti G, Hingtgen S, Sokolsky-Papkov M, Kabanov AV. Magnetic Control of Protein Expression via Magneto-mechanical Actuation of ND-PEGylated Iron Oxide Nanocubes for Cell Therapy. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:19877-19891. [PMID: 37040569 PMCID: PMC10143622 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c00179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Engineered cells used as smart vehicles for delivery of secreted therapeutic proteins enable effective treatment of cancer and certain degenerative, autoimmune, and genetic disorders. However, current cell-based therapies use mostly invasive tools for tracking proteins and do not allow for controlled secretion of therapeutic proteins, which could result in unconstrained killing of surrounding healthy tissues or ineffective killing of host cancer cells. Regulating the expression of therapeutic proteins after success of therapy remains elusive. In this study, a noninvasive therapeutic approach mediated by magneto-mechanical actuation (MMA) was developed to remotely regulate the expression of the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) protein, which is secreted by transduced cells. Stem cells, macrophages, and breast cancer cells were transduced with a lentiviral vector encoding the SGpL2TR protein. SGpL2TR comprises TRAIL and GpLuc domains optimized for cell-based applications. Our approach relies on the remote actuation of cubic-shape highly magnetic field responsive superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) coated with nitrodopamine PEG (ND-PEG), which are internalized within the cells. Cubic ND-PEG-SPIONs actuated by superlow frequency alternating current magnetic fields can translate magnetic forces into mechanical motion and in turn spur mechanosensitive cellular responses. Cubic ND-PEG-SPIONs were artificially designed to effectively operate at low magnetic field strengths (<100 mT) retaining approximately 60% of their saturation magnetization. Compared to other cells, stems cells were more sensitive to the interaction with actuated cubic ND-PEG-SPIONs, which clustered near the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Luciferase, ELISA, and RT-qPCR analyses revealed a marked TRAIL downregulation (secretion levels were depleted down to 30%) when intracellular particles at 0.100 mg/mL Fe were actuated by magnetic fields (65 mT and 50 Hz for 30 min). Western blot studies indicated actuated, intracellular cubic ND-PEG-SPIONs can cause mild ER stress at short periods (up to 3 h) of postmagnetic field treatment thus leading to the unfolded protein response. We observed that the interaction of TRAIL polypeptides with ND-PEG can also contribute to this response. To prove the applicability of our approach, we used glioblastoma cells, which were exposed to TRAIL secreted from stem cells. We demonstrated that in the absence of MMA treatment, TRAIL essentially killed glioblastoma cells indiscriminately, but when treated with MMA, we were able to control the cell killing rate by adjusting the magnetic doses. This approach can expand the capabilities of stem cells to serve as smart vehicles for delivery of therapeutic proteins in a controlled manner without using interfering and expensive drugs, while retaining their potential to regenerate damaged tissue after treatment. This approach brings forth new alternatives to regulate protein expression noninvasively for cell therapy and other cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Beltran-Huarac
- Center
for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery and Division of Pharmacoengineering
and Molecular Therapeutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Department
of Physics, Howell Science Complex, East
Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27858, United States
| | - Dina N. Yamaleyeva
- Joint
UNC/NC State Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Gianpietro Dotti
- Lineberger
Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Shawn Hingtgen
- Division
of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Therapeutics, Eshelman School
of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Marina Sokolsky-Papkov
- Center
for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery and Division of Pharmacoengineering
and Molecular Therapeutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Alexander V. Kabanov
- Center
for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery and Division of Pharmacoengineering
and Molecular Therapeutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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10
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Fan X, Wang K, Lu Q, Lu Y, Sun J. Cell-Based Drug Delivery Systems Participate in the Cancer Immunity Cycle for Improved Cancer Immunotherapy. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2205166. [PMID: 36437050 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202205166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy aims to activate the cancer patient's immune system for cancer therapy. The whole process of the immune system against cancer referred to as the "cancer immunity cycle", gives insight into how drugs can be designed to affect every step of the anticancer immune response. Cancer immunotherapy such as immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy, cancer vaccines, as well as small molecule modulators has been applied to fight various cancers. However, the effect of immunotherapy in clinical applications is still unsatisfactory due to the limited response rate and immune-related adverse events. Mounting evidence suggests that cell-based drug delivery systems (DDSs) with low immunogenicity, superior targeting, and prolonged circulation have great potential to improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Therefore, with the rapid development of cell-based DDSs, understanding their important roles in various stages of the cancer immunity cycle guides the better design of cell-based cancer immunotherapy. Herein, an overview of how cell-based DDSs participate in cancer immunotherapy at various stages is presented and an outlook on possible challenges of clinical translation and application in future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyuan Fan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, China
| | - Kaiyuan Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, China
| | - Qi Lu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, China
| | - Yutong Lu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, China
| | - Jin Sun
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, China
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11
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King JL, Maturavongsadit P, Hingtgen SD, Benhabbour SR. Injectable pH Thermo-Responsive Hydrogel Scaffold for Tumoricidal Neural Stem Cell Therapy for Glioblastoma Multiforme. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14102243. [PMID: 36297678 PMCID: PMC9609352 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14102243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common malignant brain tumor in adults and despite recent advances in treatment modalities, GBM remains incurable. Injectable hydrogel scaffolds are a versatile delivery system that can improve delivery of drug and cell therapeutics for GBM. In this report, we investigated an injectable nanocellulose/chitosan-based hydrogel scaffold for neural stem cell encapsulation and delivery. Hydrogels were prepared using thermogelling beta-glycerophosphate (BGP) and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), chitosan (CS), and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). We evaluated the impact of neural stem cells on hydrogel gelation kinetics, microstructures, and degradation. Furthermore, we investigated the biomaterial effects on cell viability and functionality. We demonstrated that the incorporation of cells at densities of 1, 5 and 10 million does not significantly impact rheological and physical properties CS scaffolds. However, addition of CNCs significantly prolonged hydrogel degradation when cells were seeded at 5 and 10 million per 1 mL hydrogel. In vitro cell studies demonstrated high cell viability, release of TRAIL at therapeutic concentrations, and effective tumor cell killing within 72 h. The ability of these hydrogel scaffolds to support stem cell encapsulation and viability and maintain stem cell functionality makes them an attractive cell delivery system for local treatment of post-surgical cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine L. King
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Panita Maturavongsadit
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Shawn D. Hingtgen
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - S. Rahima Benhabbour
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Correspondence:
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12
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Qian C, Wang Y, Ji Y, Chen D, Wang C, Zhang G, Wang Y. Neural stem cell‑derived exosomes transfer miR‑124‑3p into cells to inhibit glioma growth by targeting FLOT2. Int J Oncol 2022; 61:115. [PMID: 35929514 PMCID: PMC9387557 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2022.5405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, exosomes (EXOs) are being explored as novel drug delivery carriers with greater advantages, including crossing the blood-brain-barrier and loading drugs. The present study utilized EXOs derived from neural stem cells (NSCs) for the delivery of molecular drugs to treat gliomas. miR-124-3p was selected according to previous studies by the authors, and the effects of the delivery of miR-124-3p to glioma cells by NSC-EXOs in vitro and in vivo were evaluated. It was found that NSC-EXOs successfully delivered miR-124-3p into glioma cells, and NSC-EXOs loaded with miR-124-3p significantly inhibited glioma cell proliferation, invasion and migration. Furthermore, the delivery of miR-124-3p by NSC-EXOs suppressed flotillin 2 (FLOT2) expression by specifically binding to the 3' untranslated region of the FLOT2 gene in gliomas; subsequently, AKT1 was found to be associated with the EXO-miR-124-3p/FLOT2 pathway. Moreover, the therapeutic effects of the delivery of miR-124-3p by NSC-EXOs were confirmed in a mouse tumor xenograft model of glioma. Thus, bio-carrier NSC-EXOs loaded with miR-124-3p suppressed glioma growth via the EXO-miR-124-3p/FLOT2/AKT1 pathway. On the whole, the present study provides insight into stem cell-free molecular-targeted therapy based on bio-carrier NSC-EXOs and provides a potential strategy for the treatment of glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Qian
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510260, P.R. China
| | - You Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510260, P.R. China
| | - Yunxiang Ji
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510260, P.R. China
| | - Danmin Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510260, P.R. China
| | - Chuanfang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510260, P.R. China
| | - Guilong Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510260, P.R. China
| | - Yezhong Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510260, P.R. China
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13
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Satterlee AB, Dunn DE, Valdivia A, Malawsky D, Buckley A, Gershon T, Floyd S, Hingtgen S. Spatiotemporal analysis of induced neural stem cell therapy to overcome advanced glioblastoma recurrence. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2022; 26:49-62. [PMID: 35784402 PMCID: PMC9217992 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2022.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetically engineered neural stem cells (NSCs) are a promising therapy for the highly aggressive brain cancer glioblastoma (GBM); however, treatment durability remains a major challenge. We sought to define the events that contribute to dynamic adaptation of GBM during treatment with human skin-derived induced NSCs releasing the pro-apoptotic agent TRAIL (iNSC-TRAIL) and develop strategies that convert initial tumor kill into sustained GBM suppression. In vivo and ex vivo analysis before, during, and after treatment revealed significant shifts in tumor transcriptome and spatial distribution as the tumors adapted to treatment. To address this, we designed iNSC delivery strategies that increased spatiotemporal TRAIL coverage and significantly decreased GBM volume throughout the brain, reducing tumor burden 100-fold as quantified in live ex vivo brain slices. The varying impact of different strategies on treatment durability and median survival of both solid and invasive tumors provides important guidance for optimizing iNSC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew B. Satterlee
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Denise E. Dunn
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27704, USA
| | - Alain Valdivia
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Daniel Malawsky
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Andrew Buckley
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Timothy Gershon
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Scott Floyd
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27704, USA
| | - Shawn Hingtgen
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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14
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Yang X, Shao G, Zhang Y, Wang W, Qi Y, Han S, Li H. Applications of Magnetic Particle Imaging in Biomedicine: Advancements and Prospects. Front Physiol 2022; 13:898426. [PMID: 35846005 PMCID: PMC9285659 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.898426] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is a novel emerging noninvasive and radiation-free imaging modality that can quantify superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles tracers. The zero endogenous tissue background signal and short image scanning times ensure high spatial and temporal resolution of MPI. In the context of precision medicine, the advantages of MPI provide a new strategy for the integration of the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. In this review, after a brief explanation of the simplified theory and imaging system, we focus on recent advances in the biomedical application of MPI, including vascular structure and perfusion imaging, cancer imaging, the MPI guidance of magnetic fluid hyperthermia, the visual monitoring of cell and drug treatments, and intraoperative navigation. We finally optimize MPI in terms of the system and tracers, and present future potential biomedical applications of MPI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Yang
- Beijing You’an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | | | - Yanyan Zhang
- Beijing You’an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Beijing You’an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Qi
- Beijing You’an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuai Han
- Beijing You’an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongjun Li
- Beijing You’an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Hongjun Li,
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15
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Rathi S, Griffith JI, Zhang W, Zhang W, Oh JH, Talele S, Sarkaria JN, Elmquist WF. The influence of the blood-brain barrier in the treatment of brain tumours. J Intern Med 2022; 292:3-30. [PMID: 35040235 DOI: 10.1111/joim.13440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Brain tumours have a poor prognosis and lack effective treatments. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) represents a major hurdle to drug delivery to brain tumours. In some locations in the tumour, the BBB may be disrupted to form the blood-brain tumour barrier (BBTB). This leaky BBTB enables diagnosis of brain tumours by contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging; however, this disruption is heterogeneous throughout the tumour. Thus, relying on the disrupted BBTB for achieving effective drug concentrations in brain tumours has met with little clinical success. Because of this, it would be beneficial to design drugs and drug delivery strategies to overcome the 'normal' BBB to effectively treat the brain tumours. In this review, we discuss the role of BBB/BBTB in brain tumour diagnosis and treatment highlighting the heterogeneity of the BBTB. We also discuss various strategies to improve drug delivery across the BBB/BBTB to treat both primary and metastatic brain tumours. Recognizing that the BBB represents a critical determinant of drug efficacy in central nervous system tumours will allow a more rapid translation from basic science to clinical application. A more complete understanding of the factors, such as BBB-limited drug delivery, that have hindered progress in treating both primary and metastatic brain tumours, is necessary to develop more effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sneha Rathi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Jessica I Griffith
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Wenjuan Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Wenqiu Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Ju-Hee Oh
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Surabhi Talele
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Jann N Sarkaria
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - William F Elmquist
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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16
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Mercer-Smith AR, Buckley A, Valdivia A, Jiang W, Thang M, Bell N, Kumar RJ, Bomba HN, Woodell AS, Luo J, Floyd SR, Hingtgen SD. Next-generation Tumor-homing Induced Neural Stem Cells as an Adjuvant to Radiation for the Treatment of Metastatic Lung Cancer. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2022; 18:2474-2493. [PMID: 35441348 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-022-10375-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The spread of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to the leptomeninges is devastating with a median survival of only a few months. Radiation offers symptomatic relief, but new adjuvant therapies are desperately needed. Spheroidal, human induced neural stem cells (hiNeuroS) secreting the cytotoxic protein, TRAIL, have innate tumoritropic properties. Herein, we provide evidence that hiNeuroS-TRAIL cells can migrate to and suppress growth of NSCLC metastases in combination with radiation. In vitro cell tracking and post-mortem tissue analysis showed that hiNeuroS-TRAIL cells migrate to NSCLC tumors. Importantly, isobolographic analysis suggests that TRAIL with radiation has a synergistic cytotoxic effect on NSCLC tumors. In vivo, mice treated with radiation and hiNeuroS-TRAIL showed significant (36.6%) improvements in median survival compared to controls. Finally, bulk mRNA sequencing analysis showed both NSCLC and hiNeuroS-TRAIL cells showed changes in genes involved in migration following radiation. Overall, hiNeuroS-TRAIL cells +/- radiation have the capacity to treat NSCLC metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison R Mercer-Smith
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Andrew Buckley
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Alain Valdivia
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Wulin Jiang
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Morrent Thang
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Noah Bell
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Rashmi J Kumar
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Hunter N Bomba
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Alex S Woodell
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Jie Luo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Scott R Floyd
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Shawn D Hingtgen
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA. .,Department of Neurosurgery, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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17
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Bomba HN, Carey‐Ewend A, Sheets KT, Valdivia A, Goetz M, Findlay IA, Mercer‐Smith A, Kass LE, Khagi S, Hingtgen SD. Use of
FLOSEAL
® as a scaffold and its impact on induced neural stem cell phenotype, persistence, and efficacy. Bioeng Transl Med 2022; 7:e10283. [PMID: 35600639 PMCID: PMC9115686 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic platform for glioblastoma (GBM). iNSCs have the innate ability to home to tumor foci, making them ideal carriers for antitumor payloads. However, the in vivo persistence of iNSCs limits their therapeutic potential. We hypothesized that by encapsulating iNSCs in the FDA‐approved, hemostatic matrix FLOSEAL®, we could increase their persistence and, as a result, therapeutic durability. Encapsulated iNSCs persisted for 95 days, whereas iNSCs injected into the brain parenchyma persisted only 2 weeks in mice. Two orthotopic GBM tumor models were used to test the efficacy of encapsulated iNSCs. In the GBM8 tumor model, mice that received therapeutic iNSCs encapsulated in FLOSEAL® survived 30 to 60 days longer than mice that received nonencapsulated cells. However, the U87 tumor model showed no significant differences in survival between these two groups, likely due to the more solid and dense nature of the tumor. Interestingly, the interaction of iNSCs with FLOSEAL® appears to downregulate some markers of proliferation, anti‐apoptosis, migration, and therapy which could also play a role in treatment efficacy and durability. Our results demonstrate that while FLOSEAL® significantly improves iNSC persistence, this alone is insufficient to enhance therapeutic durability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hunter N. Bomba
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Abigail Carey‐Ewend
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Kevin T. Sheets
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Alain Valdivia
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Morgan Goetz
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Ingrid A. Findlay
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Alison Mercer‐Smith
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Lauren E. Kass
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Simon Khagi
- Department of Neurosurgery The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Shawn D. Hingtgen
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
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18
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Engineered cells as glioblastoma therapeutics. Cancer Gene Ther 2022; 29:156-166. [PMID: 33753869 PMCID: PMC8850190 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-021-00320-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
In spite of significant recent advances in our understanding of the genetics and cell biology of glioblastoma, to date, this has not led to improved treatments for this cancer. In addition to small molecule, antibody, and engineered virus approaches, engineered cells are also being explored as glioblastoma therapeutics. This includes CAR-T cells, CAR-NK cells, as well as engineered neural stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells. Here we review the state of this field, starting with clinical trial studies. These have established the feasibility and safety of engineered cell therapies for glioblastoma and show some evidence for activity. Next, we review the preclinical literature and compare the strengths and weaknesses of various starting cell types for engineered cell therapies. Finally, we discuss future directions for this nascent but promising modality for glioblastoma therapy.
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19
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Attia N, Mashal M, Pemminati S, Omole A, Edmondson C, Jones W, Priyadarshini P, Mughal T, Aziz P, Zenick B, Perez A, Lacken M. Cell-Based Therapy for the Treatment of Glioblastoma: An Update from Preclinical to Clinical Studies. Cells 2021; 11:116. [PMID: 35011678 PMCID: PMC8750228 DOI: 10.3390/cells11010116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GB), an aggressive primary tumor of the central nervous system, represents about 60% of all adult primary brain tumors. It is notorious for its extremely low (~5%) 5-year survival rate which signals the unsatisfactory results of the standard protocol for GB therapy. This issue has become, over time, the impetus for the discipline of bringing novel therapeutics to the surface and challenging them so they can be improved. The cell-based approach in treating GB found its way to clinical trials thanks to a marvelous number of preclinical studies that probed various types of cells aiming to combat GB and increase the survival rate. In this review, we aimed to summarize and discuss the up-to-date preclinical studies that utilized stem cells or immune cells to treat GB. Likewise, we tried to summarize the most recent clinical trials using both cell categories to treat or prevent recurrence of GB in patients. As with any other therapeutics, cell-based therapy in GB is still hampered by many drawbacks. Therefore, we highlighted several novel techniques, such as the use of biomaterials, scaffolds, nanoparticles, or cells in the 3D context that may depict a promising future when combined with the cell-based approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noha Attia
- The American University of Antigua-College of Medicine, Coolidge 1451, Antigua and Barbuda; (S.P.); (A.O.); (C.E.); (W.J.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (P.A.); (B.Z.); (A.P.); (M.L.)
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, NanoBioCel Group, School of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Histology and Cell Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alexandria, Alexandria 21561, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Mashal
- The American University of Antigua-College of Medicine, Coolidge 1451, Antigua and Barbuda; (S.P.); (A.O.); (C.E.); (W.J.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (P.A.); (B.Z.); (A.P.); (M.L.)
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, NanoBioCel Group, School of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Sudhakar Pemminati
- The American University of Antigua-College of Medicine, Coolidge 1451, Antigua and Barbuda; (S.P.); (A.O.); (C.E.); (W.J.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (P.A.); (B.Z.); (A.P.); (M.L.)
| | - Adekunle Omole
- The American University of Antigua-College of Medicine, Coolidge 1451, Antigua and Barbuda; (S.P.); (A.O.); (C.E.); (W.J.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (P.A.); (B.Z.); (A.P.); (M.L.)
| | - Carolyn Edmondson
- The American University of Antigua-College of Medicine, Coolidge 1451, Antigua and Barbuda; (S.P.); (A.O.); (C.E.); (W.J.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (P.A.); (B.Z.); (A.P.); (M.L.)
| | - Will Jones
- The American University of Antigua-College of Medicine, Coolidge 1451, Antigua and Barbuda; (S.P.); (A.O.); (C.E.); (W.J.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (P.A.); (B.Z.); (A.P.); (M.L.)
| | - Priyanka Priyadarshini
- The American University of Antigua-College of Medicine, Coolidge 1451, Antigua and Barbuda; (S.P.); (A.O.); (C.E.); (W.J.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (P.A.); (B.Z.); (A.P.); (M.L.)
| | - Temoria Mughal
- The American University of Antigua-College of Medicine, Coolidge 1451, Antigua and Barbuda; (S.P.); (A.O.); (C.E.); (W.J.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (P.A.); (B.Z.); (A.P.); (M.L.)
| | - Pauline Aziz
- The American University of Antigua-College of Medicine, Coolidge 1451, Antigua and Barbuda; (S.P.); (A.O.); (C.E.); (W.J.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (P.A.); (B.Z.); (A.P.); (M.L.)
| | - Blesing Zenick
- The American University of Antigua-College of Medicine, Coolidge 1451, Antigua and Barbuda; (S.P.); (A.O.); (C.E.); (W.J.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (P.A.); (B.Z.); (A.P.); (M.L.)
| | - Ambar Perez
- The American University of Antigua-College of Medicine, Coolidge 1451, Antigua and Barbuda; (S.P.); (A.O.); (C.E.); (W.J.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (P.A.); (B.Z.); (A.P.); (M.L.)
| | - Morgan Lacken
- The American University of Antigua-College of Medicine, Coolidge 1451, Antigua and Barbuda; (S.P.); (A.O.); (C.E.); (W.J.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (P.A.); (B.Z.); (A.P.); (M.L.)
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20
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Saeb S, Assche JV, Loustau T, Rohr O, Wallet C, Schwartz C. Suicide gene therapy in cancer and HIV-1 infection: An alternative to conventional treatments. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 197:114893. [PMID: 34968484 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Suicide Gene Therapy (SGT) aims to introduce a gene encoding either a toxin or an enzyme making the targeted cell more sensitive to chemotherapy. SGT represents an alternative approach to combat pathologies where conventional treatments fail such as pancreatic cancer or the high-grade glioblastoma which are still desperately lethal. We review the possibility to use SGT to treat these cancers which have shown promising results in vitro and in preclinical trials. However, SGT has so far failed in phase III clinical trials thus further improvements are awaited. We can now take advantages of the many advances made in SGT for treating cancer to combat other pathologies such as HIV-1 infection. In the review we also discuss the feasibility to add SGT to the therapeutic arsenal used to cure HIV-1-infected patients. Indeed, preliminary results suggest that both productive and latently infected cells are targeted by the SGT. In the last section, we address the limitations of this approach and how we might improve it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepideh Saeb
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran; University of Strasbourg, Research Unit 7292, DHPI, IUT Louis Pasteur, Schiltigheim, France
| | - Jeanne Van Assche
- University of Strasbourg, Research Unit 7292, DHPI, IUT Louis Pasteur, Schiltigheim, France
| | - Thomas Loustau
- University of Strasbourg, Research Unit 7292, DHPI, IUT Louis Pasteur, Schiltigheim, France
| | - Olivier Rohr
- University of Strasbourg, Research Unit 7292, DHPI, IUT Louis Pasteur, Schiltigheim, France
| | - Clémentine Wallet
- University of Strasbourg, Research Unit 7292, DHPI, IUT Louis Pasteur, Schiltigheim, France
| | - Christian Schwartz
- University of Strasbourg, Research Unit 7292, DHPI, IUT Louis Pasteur, Schiltigheim, France.
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21
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Liu D, Bobrovskaya L, Zhou XF. Cell Therapy for Neurological Disorders: The Perspective of Promising Cells. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:1142. [PMID: 34827135 PMCID: PMC8614777 DOI: 10.3390/biology10111142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neurological disorders are big public health challenges that are afflicting hundreds of millions of people around the world. Although many conventional pharmacological therapies have been tested in patients, their therapeutic efficacies to alleviate their symptoms and slow down the course of the diseases are usually limited. Cell therapy has attracted the interest of many researchers in the last several decades and has brought new hope for treating neurological disorders. Moreover, numerous studies have shown promising results. However, none of the studies has led to a promising therapy for patients with neurological disorders, despite the ongoing and completed clinical trials. There are many factors that may affect the outcome of cell therapy for neurological disorders due to the complexity of the nervous system, especially cell types for transplantation and the specific disease for treatment. This paper provides a review of the various cell types from humans that may be clinically used for neurological disorders, based on their characteristics and current progress in related studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xin-Fu Zhou
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; (D.L.); (L.B.)
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22
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Haddad AF, Young JS, Amara D, Berger MS, Raleigh DR, Aghi MK, Butowski NA. Mouse models of glioblastoma for the evaluation of novel therapeutic strategies. Neurooncol Adv 2021; 3:vdab100. [PMID: 34466804 PMCID: PMC8403483 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdab100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is an incurable brain tumor with a median survival of approximately 15 months despite an aggressive standard of care that includes surgery, chemotherapy, and ionizing radiation. Mouse models have advanced our understanding of GBM biology and the development of novel therapeutic strategies for GBM patients. However, model selection is crucial when testing developmental therapeutics, and each mouse model of GBM has unique advantages and disadvantages that can influence the validity and translatability of experimental results. To shed light on this process, we discuss the strengths and limitations of 3 types of mouse GBM models in this review: syngeneic models, genetically engineered mouse models, and xenograft models, including traditional xenograft cell lines and patient-derived xenograft models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander F Haddad
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jacob S Young
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Dominic Amara
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Mitchel S Berger
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - David R Raleigh
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Manish K Aghi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Nicholas A Butowski
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Corresponding Author: Nicholas A. Butowski, MD, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, 400 Parnassus Ave Eighth Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA ()
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23
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The evolution of commercial drug delivery technologies. Nat Biomed Eng 2021; 5:951-967. [PMID: 33795852 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-021-00698-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 451] [Impact Index Per Article: 150.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Drug delivery technologies have enabled the development of many pharmaceutical products that improve patient health by enhancing the delivery of a therapeutic to its target site, minimizing off-target accumulation and facilitating patient compliance. As therapeutic modalities expanded beyond small molecules to include nucleic acids, peptides, proteins and antibodies, drug delivery technologies were adapted to address the challenges that emerged. In this Review Article, we discuss seminal approaches that led to the development of successful therapeutic products involving small molecules and macromolecules, identify three drug delivery paradigms that form the basis of contemporary drug delivery and discuss how they have aided the initial clinical successes of each class of therapeutic. We also outline how the paradigms will contribute to the delivery of live-cell therapies.
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24
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Mercer-Smith AR, Jiang W, Bago JR, Valdivia A, Thang M, Woodell AS, Montgomery SA, Sheets KT, Anders CK, Hingtgen SD. Cytotoxic Engineered Induced Neural Stem Cells as an Intravenous Therapy for Primary Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2021; 20:2291-2301. [PMID: 34433662 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-21-0109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Converting human fibroblasts into personalized induced neural stem cells (hiNSC) that actively seek out tumors and deliver cytotoxic agents is a promising approach for treating cancer. Herein, we provide the first evidence that intravenously-infused hiNSCs secreting cytotoxic agent home to and suppress the growth of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Migration of hiNSCs to NSCLC and TNBC in vitro was investigated using time-lapse motion analysis, which showed directional movement of hiNSCs to both tumor cell lines. In vivo, migration of intravenous hiNSCs to orthotopic NSCLC or TNBC tumors was determined using bioluminescent imaging (BLI) and immunofluorescent post-mortem tissue analysis, which indicated that hiNSCs colocalized with tumors within 3 days of intravenous administration and persisted through 14 days. In vitro, efficacy of hiNSCs releasing cytotoxic TRAIL (hiNSC-TRAIL) was monitored using kinetic imaging of co-cultures, in which hiNSC-TRAIL therapy induced rapid killing of both NSCLC and TNBC. Efficacy was determined in vivo by infusing hiNSC-TRAIL or control cells intravenously into mice bearing orthotopic NSCLC or TNBC and tracking changes in tumor volume using BLI. Mice treated with intravenous hiNSC-TRAIL showed a 70% or 72% reduction in NSCLC or TNBC tumor volume compared with controls within 14 or 21 days, respectively. Safety was assessed by hematology, blood chemistry, and histology, and no significant changes in these safety parameters was observed through 28 days. These results indicate that intravenous hiNSCs-TRAIL seek out and kill NSCLC and TNBC tumors, suggesting a potential new strategy for treating aggressive peripheral cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison R Mercer-Smith
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Wulin Jiang
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Juli R Bago
- Department of Hemato-Oncology, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Alain Valdivia
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Morrent Thang
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Alex S Woodell
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Stephanie A Montgomery
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Kevin T Sheets
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Carey K Anders
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Shawn D Hingtgen
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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25
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Emerging Nano-Carrier Strategies for Brain Tumor Drug Delivery and Considerations for Clinical Translation. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13081193. [PMID: 34452156 PMCID: PMC8399364 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13081193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of brain tumors is challenging since the blood–brain tumor barrier prevents chemotherapy drugs from reaching the tumor site in sufficient concentrations. Nanomedicines have great potential for therapy of brain disorders but are still uncommon in clinical use despite decades of research and development. Here, we provide an update on nano-carrier strategies for improving brain drug delivery for treatment of brain tumors, focusing on liposomes, extracellular vesicles and biomimetic strategies as the most clinically feasible strategies. Finally, we describe the obstacles in translation of these technologies including pre-clinical models, analytical methods and regulatory issues.
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26
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Zhang GL, Wang CF, Qian C, Ji YX, Wang YZ. Role and mechanism of neural stem cells of the subventricular zone in glioblastoma. World J Stem Cells 2021; 13:877-893. [PMID: 34367482 PMCID: PMC8316865 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v13.i7.877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most frequently occurring malignant brain tumor in adults, remains mostly untreatable. Because of the heterogeneity of invasive gliomas and drug resistance associated with the tumor microenvironment, the prognosis is poor, and the survival rate of patients is low. Communication between GBMs and non-glioma cells in the tumor microenvironment plays a vital role in tumor growth and recurrence. Emerging data have suggested that neural stem cells (NSCs) in the subventricular zone (SVZ) are the cells-of-origin of gliomas, and SVZ NSC involvement is associated with the progression and recurrence of GBM. This review highlights the interaction between SVZ NSCs and gliomas, summarizes current findings on the crosstalk between gliomas and other non-glioma cells, and describes the links between SVZ NSCs and gliomas. We also discuss the role and mechanism of SVZ NSCs in glioblastoma, as well as the interventions targeting the SVZ and their therapeutic implications in glioblastoma. Taken together, understanding the biological mechanism of glioma-NSC interactions can lead to new therapeutic strategies for GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gui-Long Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510260, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Chuan-Fang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510260, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Cheng Qian
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510260, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yun-Xiang Ji
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510260, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ye-Zhong Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510260, Guangdong Province, China
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27
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King JL, Benhabbour SR. Glioblastoma Multiforme-A Look at the Past and a Glance at the Future. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13071053. [PMID: 34371744 PMCID: PMC8309001 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13071053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Gliomas are the most common type of brain tumor that occur in adults and children. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common, aggressive form of brain cancer in adults and is universally fatal. The current standard-of-care options for GBM include surgical resection, radiotherapy, and concomitant and/or adjuvant chemotherapy. One of the major challenges that impedes success of chemotherapy is the presence of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Because of the tightly regulated BBB, immune surveillance in the central nervous system (CNS) is poor, contributing to unregulated glioma cell growth. This review gives a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in treatment of GBM with emphasis on the significant advances in immunotherapy and novel therapeutic delivery strategies to enhance treatment for GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine L. King
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Soumya Rahima Benhabbour
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-919-843-6142
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28
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King JL, Benhabbour SR. Glioblastoma Multiforme-A Look at the Past and a Glance at the Future. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1053. [PMID: 34371744 PMCID: PMC8309001 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13071053;] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Gliomas are the most common type of brain tumor that occur in adults and children. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common, aggressive form of brain cancer in adults and is universally fatal. The current standard-of-care options for GBM include surgical resection, radiotherapy, and concomitant and/or adjuvant chemotherapy. One of the major challenges that impedes success of chemotherapy is the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Because of the tightly regulated BBB, immune surveillance in the central nervous system (CNS) is poor, contributing to unregulated glioma cell growth. This review gives a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in treatment of GBM with emphasis on the significant advances in immunotherapy and novel therapeutic delivery strategies to enhance treatment for GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine L. King
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Soumya Rahima Benhabbour
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-919-843-6142
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29
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Mercer-Smith AR, Findlay IA, Bomba HN, Hingtgen SD. Intravenously Infused Stem Cells for Cancer Treatment. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 17:2025-2041. [PMID: 34138421 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-021-10192-0] [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] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Despite the recent influx of immunotherapies and small molecule drugs to treat tumors, cancer remains a leading cause of death in the United States, in large part due to the difficulties of treating metastatic cancer. Stem cells, which are inherently tumoritropic, provide a useful drug delivery vehicle to target both primary and metastatic tumors. Intravenous infusions of stem cells carrying or secreting therapeutic payloads show significant promise in the treatment of cancer. Stem cells may be engineered to secrete cytotoxic products, loaded with oncolytic viruses or nanoparticles containing small molecule drugs, or conjugated with immunotherapies. Herein we describe these preclinical and clinical studies, discuss the distribution and migration of stem cells following intravenous infusion, and examine both the limitations of and the methods to improve the migration and therapeutic efficacy of tumoritropic, therapeutic stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison R Mercer-Smith
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 27599, USA
| | - Ingrid A Findlay
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 27599, USA
| | - Hunter N Bomba
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 27599, USA
| | - Shawn D Hingtgen
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 27599, USA. .,Department of Neurosurgery, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 27599, USA.
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30
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Ahmed N, Gandhi D, Melhem ER, Frenkel V. MRI Guided Focused Ultrasound-Mediated Delivery of Therapeutic Cells to the Brain: A Review of the State-of-the-Art Methodology and Future Applications. Front Neurol 2021; 12:669449. [PMID: 34220679 PMCID: PMC8248790 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.669449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell and immune cell therapies are being investigated as a potential therapeutic modality for CNS disorders, performing functions such as targeted drug or growth factor delivery, tumor cell destruction, or inflammatory regulation. Despite promising preclinical studies, delivery routes for maximizing cell engraftment, such as stereotactic or intrathecal injection, are invasive and carry risks of hemorrhage and infection. Recent developments in MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) technology have significant implications for treating focal CNS pathologies including neurodegenerative, vascular and malignant processes. MRgFUS is currently employed in the clinic for treating essential tremor and Parkinson's Disease by producing precise, incisionless, transcranial lesions. This non-invasive technology can also be modified for non-destructive applications to safely and transiently open the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to deliver a range of therapeutics, including cells. This review is meant to familiarize the neuro-interventionalist with this topic and discusses the use of MRgFUS for facilitating cellular delivery to the brain. A detailed and comprehensive description is provided on routes of cell administration, imaging strategies for targeting and tracking cellular delivery and engraftment, biophysical mechanisms of BBB enhanced permeability, supportive proof-of-concept studies, and potential for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabid Ahmed
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, and Department of Neuroradiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Dheeraj Gandhi
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, and Department of Neuroradiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Elias R Melhem
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, and Department of Neuroradiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Victor Frenkel
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, and Department of Neuroradiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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31
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Jiang W, Yang Y, Mercer-Smith AR, Valdivia A, Bago JR, Woodell AS, Buckley AA, Marand MH, Qian L, Anders CK, Hingtgen SD. Development of next-generation tumor-homing induced neural stem cells to enhance treatment of metastatic cancers. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabf1526. [PMID: 34108203 PMCID: PMC8189583 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abf1526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Engineered tumor-homing neural stem cells (NSCs) have shown promise in treating cancer. Recently, we transdifferentiated skin fibroblasts into human-induced NSCs (hiNSC) as personalized NSC drug carriers. Here, using a SOX2 and spheroidal culture-based reprogramming strategy, we generated a new hiNSC variant, hiNeuroS, that was genetically distinct from fibroblasts and first-generation hiNSCs and had significantly enhanced tumor-homing and antitumor properties. In vitro, hiNeuroSs demonstrated superior migration to human triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells and in vivo rapidly homed to TNBC tumor foci following intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion. In TNBC parenchymal metastasis models, ICV infusion of hiNeuroSs secreting the proapoptotic agent TRAIL (hiNeuroS-TRAIL) significantly reduced tumor burden and extended median survival. In models of TNBC leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, ICV dosing of hiNeuroS-TRAIL therapy significantly delayed the onset of tumor formation and extended survival when administered as a prophylactic treatment, as well as reduced tumor volume while prolonging survival when delivered as established tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wulin Jiang
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27588, USA
| | - Yuchen Yang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27588, USA
- McAllister Heart Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27588, USA
| | - Alison R Mercer-Smith
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27588, USA
| | - Alain Valdivia
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27588, USA
| | - Juli R Bago
- Department of Hemato-Oncology, University Hospital of Ostrava, 708 52 Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, 703 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Alex S Woodell
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27588, USA
| | - Andrew A Buckley
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27588, USA
| | - Michael H Marand
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27588, USA
| | - Li Qian
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27588, USA
- McAllister Heart Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27588, USA
| | - Carey K Anders
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, North Carolina, 27710, USA
| | - Shawn D Hingtgen
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27588, USA.
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27588, USA
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32
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Calinescu AA, Kauss MC, Sultan Z, Al-Holou WN, O'Shea SK. Stem cells for the treatment of glioblastoma: a 20-year perspective. CNS Oncol 2021; 10:CNS73. [PMID: 34006134 PMCID: PMC8162173 DOI: 10.2217/cns-2020-0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma, the deadliest form of primary brain tumor, remains a disease without cure. Treatment resistance is in large part attributed to limitations in the delivery and distribution of therapeutic agents. Over the last 20 years, numerous preclinical studies have demonstrated the feasibility and efficacy of stem cells as antiglioma agents, leading to the development of trials to test these therapies in the clinic. In this review we present and analyze these studies, discuss mechanisms underlying their beneficial effect and highlight experimental progress, limitations and the emergence of promising new therapeutic avenues. We hope to increase awareness of the advantages brought by stem cells for the treatment of glioblastoma and inspire further studies that will lead to accelerated implementation of effective therapies. Glioblastoma is the deadliest and most common form of brain tumor, for which there is no cure. It is very difficult to deliver medicine to the tumor cells, because they spread out widely into the normal brain, and local blood vessels represent a barrier that most medicines cannot cross. It was shown, in many studies over the last 20 years, that stem cells are attracted toward the tumor and that they can deliver many kinds of therapeutic agents directly to brain cancer cells and shrink the tumor. In this review we analyze these studies and present new discoveries that can be used to make stem cell therapies for glioblastoma more effective to prolong the life of patients with brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - McKenzie C Kauss
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.,College of Literature Science & Arts, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Zain Sultan
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.,College of Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Wajd N Al-Holou
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sue K O'Shea
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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33
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Paolillo M, Comincini S, Schinelli S. In Vitro Glioblastoma Models: A Journey into the Third Dimension. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13102449. [PMID: 34070023 PMCID: PMC8157833 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13102449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In this review, the thorny issue of glioblastoma models is addressed, with a focus on 3D in vitro models. In the first part of the manuscript, glioblastoma features and classification are recapitulated, in order to highlight the major critical aspects that should be taken into account when choosing a glioblastoma 3D model. In the second part of the review, the 3D models described in the literature are critically discussed, considering the advantages, disadvantages, and feasibility for each experimental model, in the light of the potential issues that researchers want to address. Abstract Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most lethal primary brain tumor in adults, with an average survival time of about one year from initial diagnosis. In the attempt to overcome the complexity and drawbacks associated with in vivo GBM models, together with the need of developing systems dedicated to screen new potential drugs, considerable efforts have been devoted to the implementation of reliable and affordable in vitro GBM models. Recent findings on GBM molecular features, revealing a high heterogeneity between GBM cells and also between other non-tumor cells belonging to the tumoral niche, have stressed the limitations of the classical 2D cell culture systems. Recently, several novel and innovative 3D cell cultures models for GBM have been proposed and implemented. In this review, we first describe the different populations and their functional role of GBM and niche non-tumor cells that could be used in 3D models. An overview of the current available 3D in vitro systems for modeling GBM, together with their major weaknesses and strengths, is presented. Lastly, we discuss the impact of groundbreaking technologies, such as bioprinting and multi-omics single cell analysis, on the future implementation of 3D in vitro GBM models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayra Paolillo
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Sergio Comincini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Sergio Schinelli
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
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Janjua TI, Rewatkar P, Ahmed-Cox A, Saeed I, Mansfeld FM, Kulshreshtha R, Kumeria T, Ziegler DS, Kavallaris M, Mazzieri R, Popat A. Frontiers in the treatment of glioblastoma: Past, present and emerging. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 171:108-138. [PMID: 33486006 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most aggressive cancers of the brain. Despite extensive research over the last several decades, the survival rates for GBM have not improved and prognosis remains poor. To date, only a few therapies are approved for the treatment of GBM with the main reasons being: 1) significant tumour heterogeneity which promotes the selection of resistant subpopulations 2) GBM induced immunosuppression and 3) fortified location of the tumour in the brain which hinders the delivery of therapeutics. Existing therapies for GBM such as radiotherapy, surgery and chemotherapy have been unable to reach the clinical efficacy necessary to prolong patient survival more than a few months. This comprehensive review evaluates the current and emerging therapies including those in clinical trials that may potentially improve both targeted delivery of therapeutics directly to the tumour site and the development of agents that may specifically target GBM. Particular focus has also been given to emerging delivery technologies such as focused ultrasound, cellular delivery systems nanomedicines and immunotherapy. Finally, we discuss the importance of developing novel materials for improved delivery efficacy of nanoparticles and therapeutics to reduce the suffering of GBM patients.
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Chelliah SS, Paul EAL, Kamarudin MNA, Parhar I. Challenges and Perspectives of Standard Therapy and Drug Development in High-Grade Gliomas. Molecules 2021; 26:1169. [PMID: 33671796 PMCID: PMC7927069 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26041169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite their low incidence rate globally, high-grade gliomas (HGG) remain a fatal primary brain tumor. The recommended therapy often is incapable of resecting the tumor entirely and exclusively targeting the tumor leads to tumor recurrence and dismal prognosis. Additionally, many HGG patients are not well suited for standard therapy and instead, subjected to a palliative approach. HGG tumors are highly infiltrative and the complex tumor microenvironment as well as high tumor heterogeneity often poses the main challenges towards the standard treatment. Therefore, a one-fit-approach may not be suitable for HGG management. Thus, a multimodal approach of standard therapy with immunotherapy, nanomedicine, repurposing of older drugs, use of phytochemicals, and precision medicine may be more advantageous than a single treatment model. This multimodal approach considers the environmental and genetic factors which could affect the patient's response to therapy, thus improving their outcome. This review discusses the current views and advances in potential HGG therapeutic approaches and, aims to bridge the existing knowledge gap that will assist in overcoming challenges in HGG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Sundramurthi Chelliah
- Brain Research Institute Monash Sunway, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Science, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Malaysia; (S.S.C.); (E.A.L.P.); (M.N.A.K.)
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Malaysia
| | - Ervin Ashley Lourdes Paul
- Brain Research Institute Monash Sunway, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Science, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Malaysia; (S.S.C.); (E.A.L.P.); (M.N.A.K.)
| | - Muhamad Noor Alfarizal Kamarudin
- Brain Research Institute Monash Sunway, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Science, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Malaysia; (S.S.C.); (E.A.L.P.); (M.N.A.K.)
| | - Ishwar Parhar
- Brain Research Institute Monash Sunway, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Science, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Malaysia; (S.S.C.); (E.A.L.P.); (M.N.A.K.)
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Bomba HN, Sheets KT, Valdivia A, Khagi S, Ruterbories L, Mariani CL, Borst LB, Tokarz DA, Hingtgen SD. Personalized-induced neural stem cell therapy: Generation, transplant, and safety in a large animal model. Bioeng Transl Med 2021; 6:e10171. [PMID: 33532581 PMCID: PMC7823134 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we take an important step toward clinical translation by generating the first canine-induced neural stem cells (iNSCs). We explore key aspects of scale-up, persistence, and safety of personalized iNSC therapy in autologous canine surgery models. iNSCs are a promising new approach to treat aggressive cancers of the brain, including the deadly glioblastoma. Created by direct transdifferentiation of fibroblasts, iNSCs are known to migrate through the brain, track down invasive cancer foci, and deliver anticancer payloads that significantly reduce tumor burden and extend survival of tumor-bearing mice. Here, skin biopsies were collected from canines and converted into the first personalized canine iNSCs engineered to carry TNFα-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and thymidine kinase (TK), as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents for in vivo tracking. Time-lapse analysis showed canine iNSCs efficiently migrate to human tumor cells, and cell viability assays showed both TRAIL and TK monotherapy markedly reduced tumor growth. Using intraoperative navigation and two delivery methods to closely mimic human therapy, canines received autologous iNSCs either within postsurgical cavities in a biocompatible matrix or via a catheter placed in the lateral ventricle. Both strategies were well tolerated, and serial MRI showed hypointense regions at the implant sites that remained stable through 86 days postimplant. Serial fluid sample testing following iNSC delivery showed the bimodal personalized therapy was well tolerated, with no iNSC-induced abnormal tissue pathology. Overall, this study lays an important foundation as this promising personalized cell therapy advances toward human patient testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hunter N. Bomba
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of PharmacyThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Kevin T. Sheets
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of PharmacyThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Alain Valdivia
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of PharmacyThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Simon Khagi
- Department of NeurosurgeryThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Laura Ruterbories
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary MedicineNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Christopher L. Mariani
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary MedicineNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
- Comparative Medicine InstituteNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Luke B. Borst
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary MedicineNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Debra A. Tokarz
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary MedicineNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Shawn D. Hingtgen
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of PharmacyThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
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Carey-Ewend AG, Hagler SB, Bomba HN, Goetz MJ, Bago JR, Hingtgen SD. Developing Bioinspired Three-Dimensional Models of Brain Cancer to Evaluate Tumor-Homing Neural Stem Cell Therapy. Tissue Eng Part A 2020; 27:857-866. [PMID: 33085922 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2020.0113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineered neural stem cells (NSCs) have recently emerged as a promising therapy. Acting as a tumor-homing drug-delivery system, NSCs migrate through brain tissue to seek out primary and invasive tumor foci. NSCs can deliver therapeutic agents, such as TNFα-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, directly to the tumor and suppress glioblastoma (GBM) in murine models. While the mainstays for evaluating NSC migration and efficacy have been two-dimensional chemotaxis assays and mouse models, these low-throughput and small-scale systems limit our ability to implant and track these cells for human translation. To circumvent these challenges, we developed a three-dimensional culture system using a matrix of poly-l-lactic acid 6100 microfibers suspended in agar. These bioinspired brain matrices were used to model tumor growth, NSC migration, and efficacy of NSC therapy at small and human scale. Kinetic fluorescent imaging confirmed growth of tumors in both small and human-sized bioinspired brain matrix. Tumors proliferated 50-fold and 3-fold for GBM and human metastatic breast cancer, respectively, over 7 days. We next explored the impact of tumor location on NSC migration. When NSCs were implanted 2 mm lateral from the tumor foci, NSCs colocalized with the GBM within 7 days. In models of multifocal disease, NSCs were found to colocalize with multiple tumors, preferentially migrating to tumor foci closest to the site of NSC implantation. Lastly, therapeutic NSCs were implanted at increasing distances (0, 2, 5, or 10 mm) laterally from GBM foci to investigate the effects of distance on NSC efficacy. Serial imaging showed reduced fluorescence at tumor sites, implicating GBM apoptosis across all distances. NSCs coinjected with tumor induced a near-complete response in <10 days, while NSCs implanted 10 mm laterally from the tumor induced a near-complete response by day 30. Lastly, GBM foci were established in each hemisphere of the model and control or therapeutic NSCs were implanted adjacent to tumor cells in the right hemisphere. Kinetic imaging showed that NSC therapy attenuated progression of GBM foci, while GBM cells treated with control NSC expanded rapidly over 21 days. In conclusion, we developed a new bioinspired model that supports growth of human brain cancer cells and enables rapid tracking of NSC therapy. Impact statement Tumor-homing and tumor-killing-engineered neural stem cell (NSC) therapies have shown immense promise in both preclinical and clinical trials. However, as cell therapies continue to evolve, cost-effective and high-throughput screening assays are needed to assess the proliferation, migration, and efficacy of these cells. In this study, we developed a bioinspired brain matrix for the evaluation of engineered NSCs. Importantly, this matrix is easy to fabricate, scalable, and allows for sterile real-time, noninvasive imaging using our custom bioreactor. We then utilized the bioinspired brain matrix system to answer key questions around the tumor-homing migration and efficacy of engineered NSC therapies that are challenging to address with traditional models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail G Carey-Ewend
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Shaye B Hagler
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Hunter N Bomba
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Morgan J Goetz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Juli R Bago
- Department of Hemato-Oncology, University Hospital of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Shawn D Hingtgen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Zaw Thin M, Allan H, Bofinger R, Kostelec TD, Guillaume S, Connell JJ, Patrick PS, Hailes HC, Tabor AB, Lythgoe MF, Stuckey DJ, Kalber TL. Multi-modal imaging probe for assessing the efficiency of stem cell delivery to orthotopic breast tumours. NANOSCALE 2020; 12:16570-16585. [PMID: 32749427 PMCID: PMC7586303 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr03237a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Stem cells have been utilised as anti-cancer agents due to their ability to home to and integrate within tumours. Methods to augment stem cell homing to tumours are being investigated with the goal of enhancing treatment efficacy. However, it is currently not possible to evaluate both cell localisation and cell viability after engraftment, hindering optimisation of therapy. In this study, luciferase-expressing human adipocyte-derived stem cells (ADSCs) were incubated with Indium-111 radiolabelled iron oxide nanoparticles to produce cells with tri-modal imaging capabilities. ADSCs were administered intravenously (IV) or intracardially (IC) to mice bearing orthotopic breast tumours. Cell fate was monitored using bioluminescence imaging (BLI) as a measure of cell viability, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for cell localisation and single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT) for cell quantification. Serial monitoring with multi-modal imaging showed the presence of viable ADSCs within tumours as early as 1-hour post IC injection and the percentage of ADSCs within tumours to be 2-fold higher after IC than IV. Finally, histological analysis was used to validate engraftment of ADSC within tumour tissue. These findings demonstrate that multi-modal imaging can be used to evaluate the efficiency of stem cell delivery to tumours and that IC cell administration is more effective for tumour targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- May Zaw Thin
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, WC1E 6DD, UK.
| | - Helen Allan
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20, Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | - Robin Bofinger
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20, Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | - Tomas D Kostelec
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20, Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | - Simon Guillaume
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20, Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | - John J Connell
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, WC1E 6DD, UK.
| | - P Stephen Patrick
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, WC1E 6DD, UK.
| | - Helen C Hailes
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20, Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | - Alethea B Tabor
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20, Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | - Mark F Lythgoe
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, WC1E 6DD, UK.
| | - Daniel J Stuckey
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, WC1E 6DD, UK.
| | - Tammy L Kalber
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, WC1E 6DD, UK.
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Dual-engineered, “Trojanized” macrophages bio-modally eradicate tumors through biologically and photothermally deconstructing cancer cells in an on-demand, NIR-commanded, self-explosive manner. Biomaterials 2020; 250:120021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Chillà A, Margheri F, Biagioni A, Del Rosso T, Fibbi G, Del Rosso M, Laurenzana A. Cell-Mediated Release of Nanoparticles as a Preferential Option for Future Treatment of Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12071771. [PMID: 32630815 PMCID: PMC7408438 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted and immune therapies have unquestionably improved the prognosis of melanoma patients. However the treatment of this neoplasm still requires approaches with a higher therapeutic index, in order to reduce shortcomings related to toxic effects and aspecific targeting. This means developing therapeutic tools derived with high affinity molecules for tumor components differentially expressed in melanoma cells with respect to their normal counterpart. Nanomedicine has sought to address this problem owing to the high modulability of nanoparticles. This approach exploits not only the enhanced permeability and retention effect typical of the tumor microenvironment (passive targeting), but also the use of specific "molecular antennas" that recognize some tumor-overexpressed molecules (active targeting). This line of research has given rise to the so-called "smart nanoparticles," some of which have already passed the preclinical phase and are under clinical trials in melanoma patients. To further improve nanoparticles partition within tumors, for some years now a line of thought is exploiting the molecular systems that regulate the innate tumor-homing activity of platelets, granulocytes, monocytes/macrophages, stem cells, endothelial-colony-forming cells, and red blood cells loaded with nanoparticles. This new vision springs from the results obtained with some of these cells in regenerative medicine, an approach called "cell therapy." This review takes into consideration the advantages of cell therapy as the only one capable of overcoming the limits of targeting imposed by the increased interstitial pressure of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Chillà
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences School of Health Sciences, University of Florence-Viale G.B. Morgagni, 50–50134 Florence, Italy; (A.C.); (F.M.); (A.B.); (G.F.)
| | - Francesca Margheri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences School of Health Sciences, University of Florence-Viale G.B. Morgagni, 50–50134 Florence, Italy; (A.C.); (F.M.); (A.B.); (G.F.)
| | - Alessio Biagioni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences School of Health Sciences, University of Florence-Viale G.B. Morgagni, 50–50134 Florence, Italy; (A.C.); (F.M.); (A.B.); (G.F.)
| | - Tommaso Del Rosso
- Department of Physics, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, 22451-900 Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil;
| | - Gabriella Fibbi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences School of Health Sciences, University of Florence-Viale G.B. Morgagni, 50–50134 Florence, Italy; (A.C.); (F.M.); (A.B.); (G.F.)
| | - Mario Del Rosso
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences School of Health Sciences, University of Florence-Viale G.B. Morgagni, 50–50134 Florence, Italy; (A.C.); (F.M.); (A.B.); (G.F.)
- Correspondence: (M.D.R.); (A.L.)
| | - Anna Laurenzana
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences School of Health Sciences, University of Florence-Viale G.B. Morgagni, 50–50134 Florence, Italy; (A.C.); (F.M.); (A.B.); (G.F.)
- Correspondence: (M.D.R.); (A.L.)
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Moore KM, Murthy AB, Graham-Gurysh EG, Hingtgen SD, Bachelder EM, Ainslie KM. Polymeric Biomaterial Scaffolds for Tumoricidal Stem Cell Glioblastoma Therapy. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:3762-3777. [PMID: 33463324 PMCID: PMC10373914 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c00477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor and has a poor prognosis; as such, there is an urgent need to develop innovative new therapies. Tumoricidal stem cells are an emerging therapy that has the potential to combat limitations of traditional local and systemic chemotherapeutic strategies for GBM by providing a source for high, sustained concentrations of tumoricidal agents locally to the tumor. One major roadblock for tumoricidal stem cell therapy is that the persistence of tumoricidal stem cells injected as a cell suspension into the GBM surgical resection cavity is limited. Polymeric biomaterial scaffolds have been utilized to enhance the delivery of tumoricidal stem cells in the surgical resection cavity and extend their persistence in the brain, ultimately increasing their therapeutic efficacy against GBM. In this review, we examine three main scaffold categories explored for tumoricidal stem cell therapy: microcapsules, hydrogels, and electrospun scaffolds. Furthermore, considering the significant impact of surgery on the brain and recurrent GBM, we survey a brief history of orthotopic models of GBM surgical resection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M Moore
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Ananya B Murthy
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Elizabeth G Graham-Gurysh
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Shawn D Hingtgen
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Eric M Bachelder
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Kristy M Ainslie
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States.,Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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Generation and Profiling of Tumor-Homing Induced Neural Stem Cells from the Skin of Cancer Patients. Mol Ther 2020; 28:1614-1627. [PMID: 32402245 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The conversion of human fibroblasts into personalized induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) that actively seek out tumors and deliver cytotoxic agents is a highly promising approach for treating various types of cancer. However, the ability to generate iNSCs from the skin of cancer patients has not been explored. Here, we take an important step toward clinical application by generating iNSCs from skin biopsies of human patients undergoing treatment for the aggressive brain cancer, glioblastoma (GBM). We then utilized a panel of functional and genomic studies to investigate the efficacy and tumor-homing capacity of these patient-derived cells, as well as genomic analysis, to characterize the impact of interpatient variability on this personalized cell therapy. From the skin-tissue biopsies, we established fibroblasts and transdifferentiated the cells into iNSCs. Genomic and functional testing revealed marked variability in growth rates, therapeutic agent production, and gene expression during fibroblast-to-iNSC conversion among patient lines. In vivo testing showed patient-derived iNSCs home to tumors, yet rates and expression of homing-related pathways varied among patients. With the use of surgical-resection mouse models of invasive human cluster of differentiation 133+ (CD133+) GBM cells and serial kinetic imaging, we found that "high-performing" patient-derived iNSC lines reduced the volume of GBM cells 60-fold and extended survival from 28 to 45 days. Treatment with "low-performing" patient lines had minimal effect on tumor growth, but the anti-tumor effect could be rescued by increasing the intracavity dose. Together, these data show, for the first time, that tumor-homing iNSCs can be generated from the skin of cancer patients and efficaciously suppress tumor growth. We also begin to define genetic markers that could be used to identify cells that will contain the most effective attributes for tumor homing and kill in human patients, including high gene expression of the semaphorin-3B (SEMA3B), which is known to be involved in neuronal cell migration. These studies should serve as an important guide toward clinical GBM therapy, where the personalized nature of optimized iNSC therapy has the potential to avoid transplant rejection and maximize treatment durability.
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Next-generation stem cells - ushering in a new era of cell-based therapies. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2020; 19:463-479. [PMID: 32612263 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-020-0064-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Naturally occurring stem cells isolated from humans have been used therapeutically for decades. This has primarily involved the transplantation of primary cells such as haematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells and, more recently, derivatives of pluripotent stem cells. However, the advent of cell-engineering approaches is ushering in a new generation of stem cell-based therapies, greatly expanding their therapeutic utility. These next-generation stem cells are being used as 'Trojan horses' to improve the delivery of drugs and oncolytic viruses to intractable tumours and are also being engineered with angiogenic, neurotrophic and anti-inflammatory molecules to accelerate the repair of injured or diseased tissues. Moreover, gene therapy and gene editing technologies are being used to create stem cell derivatives with improved functionality, specificity and responsiveness compared with their natural counterparts. Here, we review these engineering approaches and areas in which they will help broaden the utility and clinical applicability of stem cells.
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Developing Implantable Scaffolds to Enhance Neural Stem Cell Therapy for Post-Operative Glioblastoma. Mol Ther 2020; 28:1056-1067. [PMID: 32109370 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre-clinical and clinical studies have shown that engineered tumoricidal neural stem cells (tNSCs) are a promising treatment strategy for the aggressive brain cancer glioblastoma (GBM). Yet, stabilizing human tNSCs within the surgical cavity following GBM resection is a significant challenge. As a critical step toward advancing engineered human NSC therapy for GBM, we used a preclinical variant of the clinically utilized NSC line HB1.F3.CD and mouse models of human GBM resection/recurrence to identify a polymeric scaffold capable of maximizing the transplant, persistence, and tumor kill of NSC therapy for post-surgical GBM. Using kinetic bioluminescence imaging, we found that tNSCs delivered into the mouse surgical cavity wall by direct injection persisted only 3 days. We found that delivery of tNSCs into the cavity on nanofibrous electrospun poly-l-lactic acid scaffolds extended tNSC persistence to 8 days. Modifications to fiber surface coating, diameter, and morphology of the scaffold failed to significantly extend tNSC persistence in the cavity. In contrast, tNSCs delivered into the post-operative cavity on gelatin matrices (GEMs) persisted 8-fold longer as compared to direct injection. GEMs remained permissive to tumor-tropic homing, as tNSCs migrated off the scaffolds and into invasive tumor foci both in vitro and in vivo. To mirror envisioned human brain tumor trials, we engineered tNSCs to express the prodrug/enzyme thymidine kinase (tNSCstk) and transplanted the therapeutic cells in the post-operative cavity of mice bearing resected orthotopic patient-derived GBM xenografts. Following administration of the prodrug ganciclovir, residual tumor volumes in mice receiving GEM/tNSCs were reduced by 10-fold at day 35, and median survival was extended from 31 to 46 days. Taken together, these data begin to define design parameters for effective scaffold/tNSC composites and suggest a new approach to maximizing the efficacy of tNSC therapy in human patient trials.
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Hossain JA, Marchini A, Fehse B, Bjerkvig R, Miletic H. Suicide gene therapy for the treatment of high-grade glioma: past lessons, present trends, and future prospects. Neurooncol Adv 2020; 2:vdaa013. [PMID: 32642680 PMCID: PMC7212909 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdaa013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Suicide gene therapy has represented an experimental cancer treatment modality for nearly 40 years. Among the various cancers experimentally treated by suicide gene therapy, high-grade gliomas have been the most prominent both in preclinical and clinical settings. Failure of a number of promising suicide gene therapy strategies in the clinic pointed toward a bleak future of this approach for the treatment of high-grade gliomas. Nevertheless, the development of new vectors and suicide genes, better prodrugs, more efficient delivery systems, and new combinatorial strategies represent active research areas that may eventually lead to better efficacy of suicide gene therapy. These trends are evident by the current increasing focus on suicide gene therapy for high-grade glioma treatment both in the laboratory and in the clinic. In this review, we give an overview of different suicide gene therapy approaches for glioma treatment and discuss clinical trials, delivery issues, and immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jubayer A Hossain
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Antonio Marchini
- Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Boris Fehse
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Rolf Bjerkvig
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Hrvoje Miletic
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
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46
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Israel LL, Galstyan A, Holler E, Ljubimova JY. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for imaging, targeting and treatment of primary and metastatic tumors of the brain. J Control Release 2020; 320:45-62. [PMID: 31923537 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Magnetic nanoparticles in general, and iron oxide nanoparticles in particular, have been studied extensively during the past 20 years for numerous biomedical applications. The main applications of these nanoparticles are in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic targeting, gene and drug delivery, magnetic hyperthermia for tumor treatment, and manipulation of the immune system by macrophage polarization for cancer treatment. Recently, considerable attention has been paid to magnetic particle imaging (MPI) because of its better sensitivity compared to MRI. In recent years, MRI and MPI have been combined as a dual or multimodal imaging method to enhance the signal in the brain for the early detection and treatment of brain pathologies. Because magnetic and iron oxide nanoparticles are so diverse and can be used in multiple applications such as imaging or therapy, they have attractive features for brain delivery. However, the greatest limitations for the use of MRI/MPI for imaging and treatment are in brain delivery, with one of these limitations being the brain-blood barrier (BBB). This review addresses the current status, chemical compositions, advantages and disadvantages, toxicity and most importantly the future directions for the delivery of iron oxide based substances across the blood-brain barrier for targeting, imaging and therapy of primary and metastatic tumors of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liron L Israel
- Nanomedicine Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Anna Galstyan
- Nanomedicine Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Eggehard Holler
- Nanomedicine Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Julia Y Ljubimova
- Nanomedicine Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.
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Satterlee AB, Dunn DE, Lo DC, Khagi S, Hingtgen S. Tumoricidal stem cell therapy enables killing in novel hybrid models of heterogeneous glioblastoma. Neuro Oncol 2019; 21:1552-1564. [PMID: 31420675 PMCID: PMC6917409 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noz138] [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] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor-homing tumoricidal neural stem cell (tNSC) therapy is a promising new strategy that recently entered human patient testing for glioblastoma (GBM). Developing strategies for tNSC therapy to overcome intratumoral heterogeneity, variable cancer cell invasiveness, and differential drug response of GBM will be essential for efficacious treatment response in the clinical setting. The aim of this study was to create novel hybrid tumor models and investigate the impact of GBM heterogeneity on tNSC therapies. METHODS We used organotypic brain slice explants and distinct human GBM cell types to generate heterogeneous models ex vivo and in vivo. We then tested the efficacy of mono- and combination therapy with primary NSCs and fibroblast-derived human induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) engineered with tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) or enzyme-prodrug therapy. RESULTS Optical imaging, molecular assays, and immunohistochemistry revealed that the hybrid models recapitulated key aspects of patient GBM, including heterogeneity in TRAIL sensitivity, proliferation, migration patterns, hypoxia, blood vessel structure, cancer stem cell populations, and immune infiltration. To explore the impact of heterogeneity on tNSC therapy, testing in multiple in vivo models showed that tNSC-TRAIL therapy potently inhibited tumor growth and significantly increased survival across all paradigms. Patterns of tumor recurrence varied with therapeutic (tNSC-TRAIL and/or tNSC-thymidine kinase), dose, and route of administration. CONCLUSIONS These studies report new hybrid models that accurately capture key aspects of GBM heterogeneity which markedly impact treatment response while demonstrating the ability of tNSC mono- and combination therapy to overcome certain aspects of heterogeneity for robust tumor kill.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew B Satterlee
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Denise E Dunn
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Donald C Lo
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Simon Khagi
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine; Division of Neuro-oncology, Department of Neurosurgery Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Shawn Hingtgen
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Erharter A, Rizzi S, Mertens J, Edenhofer F. Take the shortcut - direct conversion of somatic cells into induced neural stem cells and their biomedical applications. FEBS Lett 2019; 593:3353-3369. [PMID: 31663609 PMCID: PMC6916337 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2019] [Revised: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Second-generation reprogramming of somatic cells directly into the cell type of interest avoids induction of pluripotency and subsequent cumbersome differentiation procedures. Several recent studies have reported direct conversion of human somatic cells into stably proliferating induced neural stem cells (iNSCs). Importantly, iNSCs are easier, faster, and more cost-efficient to generate than induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and also have a higher level of clinical safety. Stably, self-renewing iNSCs can be derived from different cellular sources, such as skin fibroblasts and peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and readily differentiate into neuronal and glial lineages that are indistinguishable from their iPSC-derived counterparts or from NSCs isolated from primary tissues. This review focuses on the derivation and characterization of iNSCs and their biomedical applications. We first outline different approaches to generate iNSCs and then discuss the underlying molecular mechanisms. Finally, we summarize the preclinical validation of iNSCs to highlight that these cells are promising targets for disease modeling, autologous cell therapy, and precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Erharter
- Department of Molecular Biology & CMBIGenomics, Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative MedicineLeopold‐Franzens‐University InnsbruckAustria
| | - Sandra Rizzi
- Department of Molecular Biology & CMBIGenomics, Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative MedicineLeopold‐Franzens‐University InnsbruckAustria
- Institute of PharmacologyMedical University InnsbruckAustria
| | - Jerome Mertens
- Department of Molecular Biology & CMBIGenomics, Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative MedicineLeopold‐Franzens‐University InnsbruckAustria
| | - Frank Edenhofer
- Department of Molecular Biology & CMBIGenomics, Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative MedicineLeopold‐Franzens‐University InnsbruckAustria
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Roesler R. Interplay between neural stem cells and glioblastoma: possible role of neurotrophin signaling. Clin Transl Oncol 2019; 21:1578-1579. [PMID: 31571153 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-019-02206-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- R Roesler
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500 (ICBS, Campus Centro/UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil.
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Huang RY, Lin YH, Lin SY, Li YN, Chiang CS, Chang CW. Magnetic ternary nanohybrids for nonviral gene delivery of stem cells and applications on cancer therapy. Theranostics 2019; 9:2411-2423. [PMID: 31149052 PMCID: PMC6531296 DOI: 10.7150/thno.29326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer toxic agent-expressing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which possess inherent tumor migration and penetration capabilities, have received increasing attention in cancer therapy. To ensure that this approach is successful, safe and efficient gene delivery methods for stem cell engineering must be developed. Methods: In this study, a magnetic ternary nanohybrid (MTN) system comprising biodegradable cationic materials, nucleic acids, and hyaluronic acid-decorated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles was proposed to construct stem cells expressing the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) via magnetic force and receptor dual targeting. Results: The CD44/magnetic force-mediated enhanced cellular uptake of MTNs by human mesenchymal cells (hMSCs) was confirmed in vitro. Highly efficient transfection was attained using MTNs without having any detrimental effect on the tumor migration and penetration capabilities of hMSCs. TRAIL expressed by the MTN-transfected hMSCs displayed strong anticancer effects through the activation of caspase-3 apoptotic signaling. The MTN-transfected hMSCs can be clearly imaged using magnetic resonance imaging techniques in vivo. In an orthotopic xenograft cancer model, MTN-transfected TRAIL-expressing hMSCs significantly suppressed the progression of human glioma (U87MG) and prolonged the survival of the animal. Conclusions: These findings suggest the considerable potential of utilizing MTNs for effectively constructing tumor toxic agent-expressing stem cells for treating malignant cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Chien-Wen Chang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan R.O.C
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