1
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Wang M. Comparative analysis of non-invasive and invasive alternating electric fields therapy for malignant gliomas: a simulation study. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin 2024:1-8. [PMID: 38859711 DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2024.2364820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Alternating electric fields (AEFs) at intermediate frequencies (100-300 kHz) and low intensities (1-3 V/cm) have shown promise as an effective approach for inhibiting cancer cell proliferation. However, a noticeable research gap exists in comparing the biophysical properties of invasive and non-invasive AEFs methods, and AEFs delivery strategies require further improvement. In this study, we constructed a realistic head model to simulate the effects of non-invasive and invasive AEFs on malignant gliomas. Additionally, a novel method was proposed involving the placement of a return electrode under the scalp. We simulated the electric field and temperature distributions in the brain tissue for each method. Our results underscore the advantages of invasive AEFs, showcasing their superior tumor-targeting abilities and reduced energy requirements. The analysis of brain tissue temperature changes reveals that non-invasive AEFs primarily generate heat at the scalp level, whereas invasive methods localize heat production within the tumor itself, thereby preserving surrounding healthy brain tissue. Our proposed invasive AEFs method also shows potential for selective electric field intervention. In conclusion, invasive AEFs demonstrate potential for precise and effective tumor treatment. Its enhanced targeting capabilities and limited impact on healthy tissue make it a promising avenue for further research in the realm of cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minmin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Education Ministry, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio-Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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2
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Hjort M, Mousa AH, Bliman D, Shameem MA, Hellman K, Yadav AS, Ekström P, Ek F, Olsson R. In situ assembly of bioresorbable organic bioelectronics in the brain. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4453. [PMID: 37488105 PMCID: PMC10366153 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40175-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioelectronics can potentially complement classical therapies in nonchronic treatments, such as immunotherapy and cancer. In addition to functionality, minimally invasive implantation methods and bioresorbable materials are central to nonchronic treatments. The latter avoids the need for surgical removal after disease relief. Self-organizing substrate-free organic electrodes meet these criteria and integrate seamlessly into dynamic biological systems in ways difficult for classical rigid solid-state electronics. Here we place bioresorbable electrodes with a brain-matched shear modulus-made from water-dispersed nanoparticles in the brain-in the targeted area using a capillary thinner than a human hair. Thereafter, we show that an optional auxiliary module grows dendrites from the installed conductive structure to seamlessly embed neurons and modify the electrode's volume properties. We demonstrate that these soft electrodes set off a controlled cellular response in the brain when relaying external stimuli and that the biocompatible materials show no tissue damage after bioresorption. These findings encourage further investigation of temporary organic bioelectronics for nonchronic treatments assembled in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Hjort
- Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, SE-221 84, Lund, Sweden
| | - Abdelrazek H Mousa
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - David Bliman
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Muhammad Anwar Shameem
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Karin Hellman
- Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, SE-221 84, Lund, Sweden
| | - Amit Singh Yadav
- Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, SE-221 84, Lund, Sweden
| | - Peter Ekström
- Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, SE-221 84, Lund, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Ek
- Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, SE-221 84, Lund, Sweden
| | - Roger Olsson
- Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, SE-221 84, Lund, Sweden.
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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3
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D'Alessandris QG, Menna G, Izzo A, D'Ercole M, Della Pepa GM, Lauretti L, Pallini R, Olivi A, Montano N. Neuromodulation for Brain Tumors: Myth or Reality? A Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11738. [PMID: 37511496 PMCID: PMC10380317 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, research on brain cancers has turned towards the study of the interplay between the tumor and its host, the normal brain. Starting from the establishment of a parallelism between neurogenesis and gliomagenesis, the influence of neuronal activity on the development of brain tumors, particularly gliomas, has been partially unveiled. Notably, direct electrochemical synapses between neurons and glioma cells have been identified, paving the way for new approaches for the cure of brain cancers. Since this novel field of study has been defined "cancer neuroscience", anticancer therapeutic approaches exploiting these discoveries can be referred to as "cancer neuromodulation". In the present review, we provide an up-to-date description of the novel findings and of the therapeutic neuromodulation perspectives in cancer neuroscience. We focus both on more traditional oncologic approaches, aimed at modulating the major pathways involved in cancer neuroscience through drugs or genetic engineering techniques, and on electric stimulation proposals; the latter is at the cutting-edge of neuro-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quintino Giorgio D'Alessandris
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Grazia Menna
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Izzo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela D'Ercole
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maria Della Pepa
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Liverana Lauretti
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Pallini
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Olivi
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Montano
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
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4
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Ibn Essayed W, Jarvis CA, Bernstock JD, Slingerland A, Albanese J, Friedman GK, Arnaout O, Baird L. Positioning Transclival Tumor-Treating Fields for the Treatment of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13030601. [PMID: 36983757 PMCID: PMC10059731 DOI: 10.3390/life13030601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) carries an extremely poor prognosis, with 2-year survival rates of <10% despite the maximal radiation therapy. DIPG cells have previously been shown to be sensitive to low-intensity electric fields in vitro. Accordingly, we sought to determine if the endoscopic endonasal (EE) implantation of an electrode array in the clivus would be feasible for the application of tumor-treating fields (TTF) in DIPG. Anatomic constraints are the main limitation in pediatric EE approaches. In our Boston Children’s Hospital’s DIPG cohort, we measured the average intercarotid distance (1.68 ± 0.36 cm), clival width (1.62 ± 0.19 cm), and clival length from the base of the sella (1.43 ± 0.69 cm). Using a linear regression model, we found that only clival length and sphenoid pneumatization were significantly associated with age (R2 = 0.568, p = 0.005 *; R2 = 0.605, p = 0.0002 *). Critically, neither of these parameters represent limitations to the implantation of a device within the dimensions of those currently available. Our findings confirm that the anatomy present within this age group is amenable to the placement of a 2 × 1 cm electrode array in 94% of patients examined. Our work serves to demonstrate the feasibility of implantable transclival devices for the provision of TTFs as a novel adjunctive therapy for DIPG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walid Ibn Essayed
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02144, USA
- Correspondence: (W.I.E.); (J.D.B.)
| | - Casey A. Jarvis
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02144, USA
| | - Joshua D. Bernstock
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02144, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Correspondence: (W.I.E.); (J.D.B.)
| | - Anna Slingerland
- Department of Neurosurgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02144, USA
| | - John Albanese
- Department of Neurosurgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02144, USA
| | - Gregory K. Friedman
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Omar Arnaout
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Lissa Baird
- Department of Neurosurgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02144, USA
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5
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Foo CY, Munir N, Kumaria A, Akhtar Q, Bullock CJ, Narayanan A, Fu RZ. Medical Device Advances in the Treatment of Glioblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:5341. [PMID: 36358762 PMCID: PMC9656148 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of research and the growing emergence of new treatment modalities, Glioblastoma (GBM) frustratingly remains an incurable brain cancer with largely stagnant 5-year survival outcomes of around 5%. Historically, a significant challenge has been the effective delivery of anti-cancer treatment. This review aims to summarize key innovations in the field of medical devices, developed either to improve the delivery of existing treatments, for example that of chemo-radiotherapy, or provide novel treatments using devices, such as sonodynamic therapy, thermotherapy and electric field therapy. It will highlight current as well as emerging device technologies, non-invasive versus invasive approaches, and by doing so provide a detailed summary of evidence from clinical studies and trials undertaken to date. Potential limitations and current challenges are discussed whilst also highlighting the exciting potential of this developing field. It is hoped that this review will serve as a useful primer for clinicians, scientists, and engineers in the field, united by a shared goal to translate medical device innovations to help improve treatment outcomes for patients with this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cher Ying Foo
- Imperial College School of Medicine, Imperial College London, Fulham Palace Rd., London W6 8RF, UK
| | - Nimrah Munir
- QV Bioelectronics Ltd., 1F70 Mereside, Alderley Park, Nether Alderley, Cheshire SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Ashwin Kumaria
- Department of Neurosurgery, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Qasim Akhtar
- QV Bioelectronics Ltd., 1F70 Mereside, Alderley Park, Nether Alderley, Cheshire SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Christopher J. Bullock
- QV Bioelectronics Ltd., 1F70 Mereside, Alderley Park, Nether Alderley, Cheshire SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Ashwin Narayanan
- QV Bioelectronics Ltd., 1F70 Mereside, Alderley Park, Nether Alderley, Cheshire SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Richard Z. Fu
- QV Bioelectronics Ltd., 1F70 Mereside, Alderley Park, Nether Alderley, Cheshire SK10 4TG, UK
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Michael, Smith Building, Dover St., Manchester M13 9PT, UK
- Department of Neurosurgery, Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, Salford Care Organisation, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, Salford Royal, Stott Lane, Salford M6 8HD, UK
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6
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Deng Z, Jian Y, Cai H. Ropivacaine represses the proliferation, invasion, and migration of glioblastoma via modulating the microRNA-21-5p/KAT8 regulatory NSL complex subunit 2 axis. Bioengineered 2022; 13:5975-5986. [PMID: 35191804 PMCID: PMC8973733 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2022.2037955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Ropivacaine (Rop) is available to suppress the growth of glioblastoma (GBM), while its mechanism has not been completely elaborated. In this study, we explore the latent mechanism of Rop repressing GBM's growth via mediating the microRNA (miR)-21-5p/KAT8 regulatory NSL complex subunit 2 (KANSL2) axis. MiR-21-5p was declined in GBM, while KANSL2 was elevated. Clinical association studies manifested miR-21-5p was distinctly linked to the tumor size and grade of GBM. Rop constrained GBM cell proliferation, invasion, and migration but boosted apoptosis. Elevated miR-21-5p strengthened Rop's action, while augmented KANSL2 weakened Rop's role. Furthermore, the impact of silencing miR-21-5p on GBM was turned around via declining KANSL2 in Rop-treated GBM cells. KANSL2 was the target gene of miR-21-5p. In short, Rop exerted an anti-tumor impact on GBM via mediating the miR-21-5p/KANSL2 axis, which offered novel viewpoints for the later adoption of Rop as GBM drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zexiang Deng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha City, Hunan Province, China
| | - Yanping Jian
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha City, Hunan Province, China
| | - Hongwei Cai
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha City, Hunan Province, China
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7
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Genome-Wide Expression and Anti-Proliferative Effects of Electric Field Therapy on Pediatric and Adult Brain Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23041982. [PMID: 35216098 PMCID: PMC8880247 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23041982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The lack of treatment options for high-grade brain tumors has led to searches for alternative therapeutic modalities. Electrical field therapy is one such area. The Optune™ system is an FDA-approved novel device that delivers continuous alternating electric fields (tumor treating fields—TTFields) to the patient for the treatment of primary and recurrent Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Various mechanisms have been proposed to explain the effects of TTFields and other electrical therapies. Here, we present the first study of genome-wide expression of electrotherapy (delivered via TTFields or Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)) on brain tumor cell lines. The effects of electric fields were assessed through gene expression arrays and combinational effects with chemotherapies. We observed that both DBS and TTFields significantly affected brain tumor cell line viability, with DBS promoting G0-phase accumulation and TTFields promoting G2-phase accumulation. Both treatments may be used to augment the efficacy of chemotherapy in vitro. Genome-wide expression assessment demonstrated significant overlap between the different electrical treatments, suggesting novel interactions with mitochondrial functioning and promoting endoplasmic reticulum stress. We demonstrate the in vitro efficacy of electric fields against adult and pediatric high-grade brain tumors and elucidate potential mechanisms of action for future study.
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8
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Jenkins EPW, Finch A, Gerigk M, Triantis IF, Watts C, Malliaras GG. Electrotherapies for Glioblastoma. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:e2100978. [PMID: 34292672 PMCID: PMC8456216 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202100978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Non-thermal, intermediate frequency (100-500 kHz) electrotherapies present a unique therapeutic strategy to treat malignant neoplasms. Here, pulsed electric fields (PEFs) which induce reversible or irreversible electroporation (IRE) and tumour-treating fields (TTFs) are reviewed highlighting the foundations, advances, and considerations of each method when applied to glioblastoma (GBM). Several biological aspects of GBM that contribute to treatment complexity (heterogeneity, recurrence, resistance, and blood-brain barrier(BBB)) and electrophysiological traits which are suggested to promote glioma progression are described. Particularly, the biological responses at the cellular and molecular level to specific parameters of the electrical stimuli are discussed offering ways to compare these parameters despite the lack of a universally adopted physical description. Reviewing the literature, a disconnect is found between electrotherapy techniques and how they target the biological complexities of GBM that make treatment difficult in the first place. An attempt is made to bridge the interdisciplinary gap by mapping biological characteristics to different methods of electrotherapy, suggesting important future research topics and directions in both understanding and treating GBM. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first paper that attempts an in-tandem assessment of the biological effects of different aspects of intermediate frequency electrotherapy methods, thus offering possible strategies toward GBM treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise P. W. Jenkins
- Division of Electrical EngineeringDepartment of EngineeringUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB3 0FAUK
| | - Alina Finch
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic ScienceUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Magda Gerigk
- Division of Electrical EngineeringDepartment of EngineeringUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB3 0FAUK
| | - Iasonas F. Triantis
- Department of Electrical and Electronic EngineeringCity, University of LondonLondonEC1V 0HBUK
| | - Colin Watts
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic ScienceUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - George G. Malliaras
- Division of Electrical EngineeringDepartment of EngineeringUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB3 0FAUK
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9
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Thermosensitive magnetic nanoparticles exposed to alternating magnetic field and heat-mediated chemotherapy for an effective dual therapy in rat glioma model. NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2020; 31:102319. [PMID: 33068745 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2020.102319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The goal of this study was to develop a new method based on Oncothermia with concomitant use of the temozolomide (TMZ)-loaded magnetic nanoparticles conjugated with folic acid (TMZ/MNPs-FA) and alternative magnetic field (AMF) and evaluate its efficacy in the treatment of C6 glioma in rats. TMZ/MNPs-FA were prepared and evaluated for their size, surface charge, magnetic saturation, hemolysis and in vitro AMF-triggered release. The glioma rat models were treated with free TMZ, MNPs-FA and TMZ/MNPs-FA in the presence or absence of AMF (43 °C). The results confirmed that a combinatorial therapy consisting of AFM hyperthermia and thermosensitive TMZ/MNPs-FA could significantly suppress tumor growth, increase survival rate and promote apoptosis (P < 0.0001). Therefore, this treatment strategy may be a powerful modality for treatment of cancer, as the thermal and mechanical effects of magnetic nanoparticles exposed to AMF can increase the therapeutic efficacy of conventional chemotherapy.
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10
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Iredale E, Deweyert A, Hoover DA, Chen JZ, Schmid S, Hebb MO, Peters TM, Wong E. Optimization of multi-electrode implant configurations and programming for the delivery of non-ablative electric fields in intratumoral modulation therapy. Med Phys 2020; 47:5441-5454. [PMID: 32978963 DOI: 10.1002/mp.14496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Application of low intensity electric fields to interfere with tumor growth is being increasingly recognized as a promising new cancer treatment modality. Intratumoral modulation therapy (IMT) is a developing technology that uses multiple electrodes implanted within or adjacent tumor regions to deliver electric fields to treat cancer. In this study, the determination of optimal IMT parameters was cast as a mathematical optimization problem, and electrode configurations, programming, optimization, and maximum treatable tumor size were evaluated in the simplest and easiest to understand spherical tumor model. The establishment of electrode placement and programming rules to maximize electric field tumor coverage designed specifically for IMT is the first step in developing an effective IMT treatment planning system. METHODS Finite element method electric field computer simulations for tumor models with 2 to 7 implanted electrodes were performed to quantify the electric field over time with various parameters, including number of electrodes (2 to 7), number of contacts per electrode (1 to 3), location within tumor volume, and input waveform with relative phase shift between 0 and 2π radians. Homogeneous tissue specific conductivity and dielectric values were assigned to the spherical tumor and surrounding tissue volume. In order to achieve the goal of covering the tumor volume with a uniform threshold of 1 V/cm electric field, a custom least square objective function was used to maximize the tumor volume covered by 1 V/cm time averaged field, while maximizing the electric field in voxels receiving less than this threshold. An additional term in the objective function was investigated with a weighted tissue sparing term, to minimize the field to surrounding tissues. The positions of the electrodes were also optimized to maximize target coverage with the fewest number of electrodes. The complexity of this optimization problem including its non-convexity, the presence of many local minima, and the computational load associated with these stochastic based optimizations led to the use of a custom pattern search algorithm. Optimization parameters were bounded between 0 and 2π radians for phase shift, and anywhere within the tumor volume for location. The robustness of the pattern search method was then evaluated with 50 random initial parameter values. RESULTS The optimization algorithm was successfully implemented, and for 2 to 4 electrodes, equally spaced relative phase shifts and electrodes placed equidistant from each other was optimal. For 5 electrodes, up to 2.5 cm diameter tumors with 2.0 V, and 4.1 cm with 4.0 V could be treated with the optimal configuration of a centrally placed electrode and 4 surrounding electrodes. The use of 7 electrodes allow for 3.4 cm diameter coverage at 2.0 V and 5.5 cm at 4.0 V. The evaluation of the optimization method using 50 random initial parameter values found the method to be robust in finding the optimal solution. CONCLUSIONS This study has established a robust optimization method for temporally optimizing electric field tumor coverage for IMT, with the adaptability to optimize a variety of parameters including geometrical and relative phase shift configurations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Iredale
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew Deweyert
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Douglas A Hoover
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jeff Z Chen
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada
| | - Susanne Schmid
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Matthew O Hebb
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Terry M Peters
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Eugene Wong
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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11
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Zhai F, Chen X, He Q, Zhang H, Hu Y, Wang D, Liu S, Zhang Y. MicroRNA-181 inhibits glioblastoma cell growth by directly targeting CCL8. Oncol Lett 2019; 18:1922-1930. [PMID: 31423262 PMCID: PMC6607052 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.10480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs), including miR-181, are closely linked to the development and progression of glioblastoma. However, the function of miR-181 in glioblastoma has not been fully clarified. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of miR-181 in glioblastoma. miR-181 was revealed to be downregulated in glioblastoma tissues and cell lines, and associated with poor prognosis in patients with glioblastoma. Overexpression of miR-181 inhibited glioblastoma cell proliferation, invasion and migration, arrested glioblastoma cell cycle in the G1 phase and induced glioblastoma cell apoptosis. miR-181 was demonstrated to decrease expression of C-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CCL8) by directly interacting with its 3′-untranslated region. Overexpression of CCL8 inversely reversed the proliferation, invasion and migration-promoting effects of miR-181 in glioblastoma cells. Furthermore, CCL8 was upregulated in glioblastoma tissues and was negatively correlated with miR-181 expression. These results indicate that miR-181 is a potential molecular biomarker or therapeutic target in the clinical management of glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyu Zhai
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China.,Department of Radiotherapy, Puyang Oil Field General Hospital, Puyang, Henan 457000, P.R. China
| | - Xinfeng Chen
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China.,Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Qianyi He
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Heng Zhang
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Yongqiang Hu
- Department of Radiotherapy, Puyang Oil Field General Hospital, Puyang, Henan 457000, P.R. China
| | - Dan Wang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Shasha Liu
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China.,Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China.,School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P.R. China.,Engineering Key Laboratory for Cell Therapy of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
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Deweyert A, Iredale E, Xu H, Wong E, Schmid S, Hebb MO. Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma cells are vulnerable to low intensity electric fields delivered by intratumoral modulation therapy. J Neurooncol 2019; 143:49-56. [PMID: 30852713 PMCID: PMC6482295 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-019-03145-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a high fatality pediatric brain cancer without effective treatment. The field of electrotherapeutics offers new potential for other forms of glioma but the efficacy of this strategy has not been reported for DIPG. This pilot study evaluated the susceptibility of patient-derived DIPG cells to low intensity electric fields delivered using a developing technology called intratumoral modulation therapy (IMT). Methods DIPG cells from autopsy specimens were treated with a custom-designed, in vitro IMT system. Computer-generated electric field simulation was performed to quantify IMT amplitude and distribution using continuous, low intensity, intermediate frequency stimulation parameters. Treatment groups included sham, IMT, temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy and radiation therapy (RT). The impact of single and multi-modality therapy was compared using spectrophotometric and flow cytometry viability analyses. Results DIPG cells exhibited robust, consistent susceptibility to IMT fields that significantly reduced cell viability compared to untreated control levels. The ratio of viable:non-viable DIPG cells transformed from ~ 6:1 in sham-treated to ~ 1.5:1 in IMT-treated conditions. The impact of IMT was similar to that of dual modality TMZ–RT therapy and the addition of IMT to this treatment combination dramatically reduced DIPG cell viability to ~ 20% of control values. Conclusions This proof-of-concept study provides a novel demonstration of marked DIPG cell susceptibility to low intensity electric fields delivered using IMT. The potent impact as a monotherapy and when integrated into multi-modality treatment platforms justifies further investigations into the potential of IMT as a critically needed biomedical innovation for DIPG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Deweyert
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Erin Iredale
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Hu Xu
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Eugene Wong
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Susanne Schmid
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Matthew O Hebb
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada. .,Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
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