1
|
Mutational burden, MHC-I expression and immune infiltration as limiting factors for in situ vaccination by TNFα and IL-12 gene electrotransfer. Bioelectrochemistry 2021; 140:107831. [PMID: 33991775 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2021.107831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In situ vaccination is a promising immunotherapeutic approach, where various local ablative therapies are used to induce an immune response against tumor antigens that are released from the therapy-killed tumor cells. We recently proposed using intratumoral gene electrotransfer for concomitant transfection of a cytotoxic cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) to induce in situ vaccination, and an immunostimulatory cytokine interleukin 12 (IL-12) to boost the primed immune response. Here, our aim was to test the local and systemic effectiveness of the approach in tree syngeneic mouse tumor models and associate it with tumor immune profiles, characterized by tumor mutational burden, immune infiltration and expression of PD-L1 and MHC-I on tumor cells. While none of the tested characteristic proved predictive for local effectiveness, high tumor mutational burden, immune infiltration and MHC-I expression were associated with higher abscopal effectiveness. Hence, we have confirmed that both the abundance and presentation of tumor antigens as well as the absence of immunosuppressive mechanisms are important for effective in situ vaccination. These findings provide important indications for future development of in situ vaccination based treatments, and for the selection of tumor types that will most likely benefit from it.
Collapse
|
2
|
Biological factors of the tumour response to electrochemotherapy: Review of the evidence and a research roadmap. Eur J Surg Oncol 2021; 47:1836-1846. [PMID: 33726951 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2021.03.229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The beneficial effects of electrochemotherapy (ECT) for superficial tumours and, more recently, deep-seated malignancies in terms of local control and quality of life are widely accepted. However, the variability in responses across histotypes needs to be explored. Currently, patient selection for ECT is based on clinical factors (tumour size, histotype, and exposure to previous oncological treatments), whereas there are no biomarkers to predict the response to treatment. In this field, two major areas of investigation can be identified, i.e., tumour cell characteristics and the tumour microenvironment (vasculature, extracellular matrix, and immune infiltrate). For each of these areas, we describe the current knowledge and discuss how to foster further investigation. This review aims to provide a summary of the currently used guiding clinical factors and delineates a research roadmap for future studies to identify putative biomarkers of response to ECT. These biomarkers may allow researchers to improve ECT practice by customising treatment parameters, manipulating the tumour and its microenvironment, and exploring novel therapeutic combinations.
Collapse
|
3
|
Zakelj MN, Prevc A, Kranjc S, Cemazar M, Todorovic V, Savarin M, Scancar J, Kosjek T, Groselj B, Strojan P, Sersa G. Electrochemotherapy of radioresistant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells and tumor xenografts. Oncol Rep 2019; 41:1658-1668. [PMID: 30628709 PMCID: PMC6365705 DOI: 10.3892/or.2019.6960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrochemotherapy is an established local ablative method used for the treatment of different tumor types, including tumors of the head and neck area. Clinical studies have demonstrated a lower response rate of tumors that recur in pre-irradiated area. The aim of the present study was to explore the response of experimentally induced radioresistant cells and tumors to electrochemotherapy with cisplatin or bleomycin. The radioresistant cells (FaDu-RR) were established by fractionated irradiation of parental human squamous cell carcinoma cell line, FaDu. We compared the 2 cell lines in response to chemotherapy and electrochemotherapy with cisplatin or bleomycin in vitro and in vivo. Using specific mass spectrometry-based analytical methods we determined the difference in the uptake of chemotherapeutics in tumors after electrochemotherapy. Additionally, we compared the capacity of the cells to repair DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) after exposure to the drugs used in electrochemotherapy with the γH2AX foci resolution determined by immunofluorescence microscopy. Our results indicate radio- and cisplatin cross-resistance, confirmed with the lower response rate of radioresistant tumors after electrochemotherapy with cisplatin. On the other hand, the sensitivity to electrochemotherapy with bleomycin was similar in both cell lines and tumors. While the uptake of chemotherapeutics after electrochemotherapy was comparable in both tumor models, there was a difference between the cell lines in capacity to repair DNA DSB-the radioresistant cells had a lower level of DSB and faster DNA repair rate after exposure to both, cisplatin or bleomycin. Due to the higher complete response rate after electrochemotherapy with bleomycin than with cisplatin, we conclude that the results favor bleomycin-over cisplatin-based electrochemotherapy for treatment of radioresistant tumors and/or tumors that regrow after radiotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Niksic Zakelj
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, SI‑1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ajda Prevc
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, SI‑1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Simona Kranjc
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, SI‑1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, SI‑1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vesna Todorovic
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, SI‑1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Monika Savarin
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, SI‑1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janez Scancar
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jozef Stefan Institute, SI‑1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tina Kosjek
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jozef Stefan Institute, SI‑1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Blaz Groselj
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, SI‑1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Primoz Strojan
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, SI‑1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Sersa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, SI‑1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Znidar K, Bosnjak M, Jesenko T, Heller LC, Cemazar M. Upregulation of DNA Sensors in B16.F10 Melanoma Spheroid Cells After Electrotransfer of pDNA. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2018; 17:1533033818780088. [PMID: 29879868 PMCID: PMC6009088 DOI: 10.1177/1533033818780088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased expression of cytosolic DNA sensors, a category of pattern recognition receptor, after control plasmid DNA electrotransfer was observed in our previous studies on B16.F10 murine melanoma cells. This expression was correlated with the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines and was associated with cell death. Here, we expanded our research to include the influence of features of cells in a 3-dimensional environment, which better represents the tumors' organization in vivo. Our results show that lower number of cells were transfected in spheroids compared to 2-dimensional cultures, that growth was delayed after electroporation alone or after electrotransfer of plasmid DNA, and that DNA sensors DDX60, DAI/ZBP1, and p204 were upregulated 4 hours and 24 hours after electrotransfer of plasmid DNA. Moreover, the cytokines interferon β and tumor necrosis factor α were also upregulated but only 4 hours after electrotransfer of plasmid DNA. Thus, our results confirm the results obtained in 2-dimensional cell cultures demonstrating that electrotransfer of plasmid DNA to tumor cells in spheroids also upregulated cytosolic DNA sensors and cytokines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Znidar
- 1 Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Koper, Slovenia
| | - Masa Bosnjak
- 2 Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tanja Jesenko
- 2 Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Loree C Heller
- 3 Frank Reidy Research Center of Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.,4 School of Medical Diagnostic and Translational Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion, University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Maja Cemazar
- 1 Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Koper, Slovenia.,2 Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Dermol-Černe J, Vidmar J, Ščančar J, Uršič K, Serša G, Miklavčič D. Connecting the in vitro and in vivo experiments in electrochemotherapy - a feasibility study modeling cisplatin transport in mouse melanoma using the dual-porosity model. J Control Release 2018; 286:33-45. [PMID: 30016733 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In electrochemotherapy two conditions have to be met to be successful - the electric field of sufficient amplitude and sufficient uptake of chemotherapeutics in the tumor. Current treatment plans only take into account critical electric field to achieve cell membrane permeabilization. However, permeabilization alone does not guarantee uptake of chemotherapeutics and consequently successful treatment. We performed a feasibility study to determine whether the transport of cisplatin in vivo could be calculated based on experiments performed in vitro. In vitro, a spectrum of parameters can be explored without ethical issues. Mouse melanoma B16-F1 cell suspension and inoculated B16-F10 tumors were exposed to electric pulses in the presence of chemotherapeutic cisplatin. The uptake of cisplatin was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. We modeled the transport of cisplatin with the dual-porosity model, which is based on the diffusion equation, connects pore formation with membrane permeability, and includes transport between several compartments. In our case, there were three compartments - tumor cells, interstitial fraction and peritumoral region. Our hypothesis was that in vitro permeability coefficient could be introduced in vivo, as long as tumor physiology was taken into account. Our hypothesis was confirmed as the connection of in vitro and in vivo experiments was possible by introducing a transformation coefficient which took into account the in vivo characteristics, i.e., smaller available area of the plasma membrane for transport due to cell density, presence of cell-matrix in vivo, and reduced drug mobility. We thus show that it is possible to connect in vitro and in vivo experiments of electrochemotherapy. However, more experimental work is required for model validation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janja Dermol-Černe
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška cesta 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janja Vidmar
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janez Ščančar
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katja Uršič
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Department of Experimental Oncology, Zaloška cesta 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Serša
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Department of Experimental Oncology, Zaloška cesta 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health Sciences, Zdravstvena pot 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Damijan Miklavčič
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška cesta 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Prosen L, Hudoklin S, Cemazar M, Stimac M, Lampreht Tratar U, Ota M, Scancar J, Romih R, Sersa G. Magnetic field contributes to the cellular uptake for effective therapy with magnetofection using plasmid DNA encoding against Mcam in B16F10 melanoma in vivo. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2016; 11:627-41. [PMID: 27021639 DOI: 10.2217/nnm.16.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM We explored the distribution and cellular uptake of intratumorally injected SPIONs-PAA-PEI-pDNA (magnetofection complexes), and antitumor effectiveness of magnetofection with plasmid DNA encoding short hairpin RNA (shRNA) against Mcam (pDNA(anti-MCAM)). MATERIALS & METHODS Analyses were made based on the histology, ultrastructure and quantitative measurements of magnetofection complexes, and quantification of the antitumor effectiveness in B16F10 melanoma in vivo. RESULTS Injected magnetofection complexes were distributed around the injection site. Exposure of tumors to external magnetic field contributed to the uptake of magnetofection complexes from extracellular matrix into melanoma cells. Three consecutive magnetofections of tumors with pDNA(anti-MCAM) resulted in significant reduction of tumor volume. CONCLUSION Magnetofection is effective for gene delivery to melanoma tumors, but requires a magnetic field for cellular uptake and antitumor effect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lara Prosen
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Samo Hudoklin
- Institute of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Polje 42, SI-6310 Izola, Slovenia
| | - Monika Stimac
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ursa Lampreht Tratar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Ota
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janez Scancar
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Rok Romih
- Institute of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Sersa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kranjc S, Kranjc M, Scancar J, Jelenc J, Sersa G, Miklavcic D. Electrochemotherapy by pulsed electromagnetic field treatment (PEMF) in mouse melanoma B16F10 in vivo. Radiol Oncol 2016; 50:39-48. [PMID: 27069448 PMCID: PMC4825331 DOI: 10.1515/raon-2016-0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) induces pulsed electric field, which presumably increases membrane permeabilization of the exposed cells, similar to the conventional electroporation. Thus, contactless PEMF could represent a promising approach for drug delivery. Materials and methods Noninvasive electroporation was performed by magnetic field pulse generator connected to an applicator consisting of round coil. Subcutaneous mouse B16F10 melanoma tumors were treated with intravenously injection of cisplatin (CDDP) (4 mg/kg), PEMF (480 bipolar pulses, at frequency of 80 Hz, pulse duration of 340 μs) or with the combination of both therapies (electrochemotherapy − PEMF + CDDP). Antitumor effectiveness of treatments was evaluated by tumor growth delay assay. In addition, the platinum (Pt) uptake in tumors and serum, as well as Pt bound to the DNA in the cells and Pt in the extracellular fraction were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results The antitumor effectiveness of electrochemotherapy with CDDP mediated by PEMF was comparable to the conventional electrochemotherapy with CDDP, with the induction of 2.3 days and 3.0 days tumor growth delay, respectively. The exposure of tumors to PEMF only, had no effect on tumor growth, as well as the injection of CDDP only. The antitumor effect in combined treatment was related to increased drug uptake into the electroporated tumor cells, demonstrated by increased amount of Pt bound to the DNA. Approximately 2-fold increase in cellular uptake of Pt was measured. Conclusions The obtained results in mouse melanoma model in vivo demonstrate the possible use of PEMF induced electroporation for biomedical applications, such as electrochemotherapy. The main advantages of electroporation mediated by PEMF are contactless and painless application, as well as effective electroporation compared to conventional electroporation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simona Kranjc
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matej Kranjc
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering
| | | | | | - Gregor Sersa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Sungailaitė S, Ruzgys P, Šatkauskienė I, Čepurnienė K, Šatkauskas S. The dependence of efficiency of transmembrane molecular transfer using electroporation on medium viscosity. J Gene Med 2016; 17:80-6. [PMID: 25761762 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.2825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2014] [Revised: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the efficiency of drug and gene electrotransfer into cells in vitro depending on medium viscosity. METHODS Experiments were performed using Chinese hamster ovary cells. Efficiency of molecular electrotransfer depending of medium viscosity was evaluated using two different electroporation conditions: a high-voltage (HV) pulse and a combination of a high-voltage pulse and a low-voltage pulse (HV + LV). To evaluate the efficiency of molecular electrotransfer, anticancer drug bleomycin and two different plasmids coding for green fluorescent protein and luciferase were used. RESULTS We found that a slight increase in medium viscosity from 1.3-1.4 mPa·s significantly decreased the transfection efficiency, both in terms of transfected cells and total protein production, which was abolished completely with an increase in medium viscosity to 6.1 mPa·s. Notably, at this medium viscosity, electrotransfer of the small anticancer drug was still efficient. Using HV and HV + LV pulse combinations, we showed that a decrease of DNA electrotransfer, especially at lower medium viscosities, can be compensated for by the LV pulse to some extent. On the other hand, the addition of the LV pulse after the HV pulse did not have any positive effect on the efficiency of bleomycin electrotransfer. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that transfection is very susceptible to medium viscosity and highlights the importance of the electrophoretic component in experiments when a considerable transfection level is needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Sungailaitė
- Biophysical Research Group, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania.,Emergency Department, Southampton General Hospital, University Hospital Southampton Foundation Trust (UHS), Southampton, UK
| | - Paulius Ruzgys
- Biophysical Research Group, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Ingrida Šatkauskienė
- Biophysical Research Group, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Karolina Čepurnienė
- Biophysical Research Group, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Saulius Šatkauskas
- Biophysical Research Group, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Luft C, Ketteler R. Electroporation Knows No Boundaries: The Use of Electrostimulation for siRNA Delivery in Cells and Tissues. JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR SCREENING 2015; 20:932-42. [PMID: 25851034 PMCID: PMC4543902 DOI: 10.1177/1087057115579638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2015] [Revised: 03/04/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of RNA interference (RNAi) has enabled several breakthrough discoveries in the area of functional genomics. The RNAi technology has emerged as one of the major tools for drug target identification and has been steadily improved to allow gene manipulation in cell lines, tissues, and whole organisms. One of the major hurdles for the use of RNAi in high-throughput screening has been delivery to cells and tissues. Some cell types are refractory to high-efficiency transfection with standard methods such as lipofection or calcium phosphate precipitation and require different means. Electroporation is a powerful and versatile method for delivery of RNA, DNA, peptides, and small molecules into cell lines and primary cells, as well as whole tissues and organisms. Of particular interest is the use of electroporation for delivery of small interfering RNA oligonucleotides and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9 plasmid vectors in high-throughput screening and for therapeutic applications. Here, we will review the use of electroporation in high-throughput screening in cell lines and tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christin Luft
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Robin Ketteler
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Madi M, Rols MP, Gibot L. Efficient In Vitro Electropermeabilization of Reconstructed Human Dermal Tissue. J Membr Biol 2015; 248:903-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s00232-015-9791-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Accepted: 03/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
|
11
|
Cadossi R, Ronchetti M, Cadossi M. Locally enhanced chemotherapy by electroporation: clinical experiences and perspective of use of electrochemotherapy. Future Oncol 2014; 10:877-90. [PMID: 24799067 DOI: 10.2217/fon.13.235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Electroporation is used to enhance drug diffusion and gene delivery into the cytosol. The combination of electroporation and cytotoxic drugs, electrochemotherapy (ECT), is used to treat metastatic tumor nodules located at the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The objective response rate following a single session of treatment exceeds 80%, with minimal toxicity for the patients. The efficacy of ECT in the bone and visceral metastasis is currently investigated, and Phase II studies have been completed. ECT has been used to treat skin primary tumors, except melanoma, and is under investigation for locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Early evidence suggests that treatment of tumor nodules with ECT recruits components of the immune system and eliciting a systemic immune response against cancer is a challenging clinical perspective. Considering the proven safety in several different clinical applications electroporation should be viewed as a clinical platform technology with wide perspectives for use in ECT, gene therapy and DNA vaccination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruggero Cadossi
- Clinical Research, IGEA SpA, Via Parmenide 10/A, Carpi, Italy
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Changing electrode orientation, but not pulse polarity, increases the efficacy of gene electrotransfer to tumors in vivo. Bioelectrochemistry 2014; 100:119-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2013.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2013] [Revised: 12/05/2013] [Accepted: 12/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
|
13
|
The culture of cancer cell lines as tumorspheres does not systematically result in cancer stem cell enrichment. PLoS One 2014; 9:e89644. [PMID: 24586931 PMCID: PMC3933663 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2013] [Accepted: 01/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSC) have raised great excitement during the last decade and are promising targets for an efficient treatment of tumors without relapses and metastases. Among the various methods that enable to enrich cancer cell lines in CSC, tumorspheres culture has been predominantly used. In this report, we attempted to generate tumorspheres from several murine and human cancer cell lines: B16-F10, HT-29, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Tumorspheres were obtained with variable efficiencies from all cell lines except from MDA-MB-231 cells. Then, we studied several CSC characteristics in both tumorspheres and adherent cultures of the B16-F10, HT-29 and MCF-7 cells. Unexpectedly, tumorspheres-forming cells were less clonogenic and, in the case of B16-F10, less proliferative than attached cells. In addition, we did not observe any enrichment in the population expressing CSC surface markers in tumorspheres from B16-F10 (CD133, CD44 and CD24 markers) or MCF-7 (CD44 and CD24 markers) cells. On the contrary, tumorspheres culture of HT-29 cells appeared to enrich in cells expressing colon CSC markers, i.e. CD133 and CD44 proteins. For the B16-F10 cell line, when 1 000 cells were injected in syngenic C57BL/6 mice, tumorspheres-forming cells displayed a significantly lower tumorigenic potential than adherent cells. Finally, tumorspheres culture of B16-F10 cells induced a down-regulation of vimentin which could explain, at least partially, the lower tumorigenicity of tumorspheres-forming cells. All these results, along with the literature, indicate that tumorspheres culture of cancer cell lines can induce an enrichment in CSC but in a cell line-dependent manner. In conclusion, extensive characterization of CSC properties in tumorspheres derived from any cancer cell line or cancer tissue must be performed in order to ensure that the generated tumorspheres are actually enriched in CSC.
Collapse
|
14
|
Bodles-Brakhop AM, Draghia-Akli R. DNA vaccination and gene therapy: optimization and delivery for cancer therapy. Expert Rev Vaccines 2014; 7:1085-101. [DOI: 10.1586/14760584.7.7.1085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
|
15
|
First explanations for differences in electrotransfection efficiency in vitro and in vivo using spheroid model. Int J Pharm 2012; 423:7-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2011.04.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2011] [Revised: 04/21/2011] [Accepted: 04/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
|
16
|
Kandušer M, Pavlin M. Gene Electrotransfer. ADVANCES IN PLANAR LIPID BILAYERS AND LIPOSOMES VOLUME 15 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-396533-2.00001-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
|
17
|
Teissié J, Escoffre JM, Paganin A, Chabot S, Bellard E, Wasungu L, Rols MP, Golzio M. Drug delivery by electropulsation: Recent developments in oncology. Int J Pharm 2011; 423:3-6. [PMID: 21996516 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2011.09.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2011] [Revised: 09/13/2011] [Accepted: 09/26/2011] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Electro-permeabilisation allows the free access of polar compounds to the cytoplasm by a reversible alteration of the cell membrane. It is now used in clinics for the eradication of cutaneous solid tumors. New developments predict its future applications for other anti-cancer treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Teissié
- CNRS, IPBS (Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale), 205 route de Narbonne, F-31077 Toulouse, France.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Cemazar M, Golzio M, Sersa G, Escoffre JM, Coer A, Vidic S, Teissie J. Hyaluronidase and collagenase increase the transfection efficiency of gene electrotransfer in various murine tumors. Hum Gene Ther 2011; 23:128-37. [PMID: 21797718 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2011.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the applications of electroporation/electropulsation in biomedicine is gene electrotransfer, the wider use of which is hindered by low transfection efficiency in vivo compared with viral vectors. The aim of our study was to determine whether modulation of the extracellular matrix in solid tumors, using collagenase and hyaluronidase, could increase the transfection efficiency of gene electrotransfer in histologically different solid subcutaneous tumors in mice. Tumors were treated with enzymes before electrotransfer of plasmid DNA encoding either green fluorescent protein or luciferase. Transfection efficiency was determined 3, 9, and 15 days posttransfection. We demonstrated that pretreatment of tumors with a combination of enzymes significantly increased the transfection efficiency of electrotransfer in tumors with a high extracellular matrix area (LPB fibrosarcoma). In tumors with a smaller extracellular matrix area and less organized collagen lattice, the increase was not so pronounced (SA-1 fibrosarcoma and EAT carcinoma), whereas in B16 melanoma, in which only traces of collagen are present, pretreatment of tumors with hyaluronidase alone was more efficient than pretreatment with both enzymes. In conclusion, our results suggest that modification of the extracellular matrix could improve distribution of plasmid DNA in solid subcutaneous tumors, demonstrated by an increase in transfection efficiency, and thus have important clinical implications for electrogene therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maja Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana , SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Markelc B, Tevz G, Cemazar M, Kranjc S, Lavrencak J, Zegura B, Teissie J, Sersa G. Muscle gene electrotransfer is increased by the antioxidant tempol in mice. Gene Ther 2011; 19:312-20. [PMID: 21716301 PMCID: PMC3298856 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2011.97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Electropermeabilization (EP) is an effective method of gene transfer into different tissues. During EP, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are formed, which could affect transfection efficiency. The role of generated ROS and the role of antioxidants in electrotransfer in myoblasts in vitro and in Musculus tibialis cranialis in mice were, therefore, investigated. We demonstrate in the study that during EP of C2C12 myoblasts, ROS are generated on the surface of the cells, which do not induce long-term genomic DNA damage. Plasmid DNA for transfection (pEGFP-N1), which is present outside the cells during EP, neutralizes the generated ROS. The ROS generation is proportional to the amplitude of the electric pulses and can be scavenged by antioxidants, such as vitamin C or tempol. When antioxidants were used during gene electrotransfer, the transfection efficiency of C2C12 myoblasts was statistically significantly increased 1.6-fold with tempol. Also in vivo, the transfection efficiency of M. tibialis cranialis in mice was statistically significantly increased 1.4-fold by tempol. The study indicates that ROS are generated on cells during EP and can be scavenged by antioxidants. Specifically, tempol can be used to improve gene electrotransfer into the muscle and possibly also to other tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B Markelc
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Gene Transfer: How Can the Biological Barriers Be Overcome? J Membr Biol 2010; 236:61-74. [DOI: 10.1007/s00232-010-9275-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2010] [Accepted: 06/11/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
21
|
Golberg A, Rubinsky B. A statistical model for multidimensional irreversible electroporation cell death in tissue. Biomed Eng Online 2010; 9:13. [PMID: 20187951 PMCID: PMC2839970 DOI: 10.1186/1475-925x-9-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2009] [Accepted: 02/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a minimally invasive tissue ablation technique which utilizes electric pulses delivered by electrodes to a targeted area of tissue to produce high amplitude electric fields, thus inducing irreversible damage to the cell membrane lipid bilayer. An important application of this technique is for cancer tissue ablation. Mathematical modelling is considered important in IRE treatment planning. In the past, IRE mathematical modelling used a deterministic single value for the amplitude of the electric field required for causing cell death. However, tissue, particularly cancerous tissue, is comprised of a population of different cells of different sizes and orientations, which in conventional IRE are exposed to complex electric fields; therefore, using a deterministic single value is overly simplistic. Methods We introduce and describe a new methodology for evaluating IRE induced cell death in tissue. Our approach employs a statistical Peleg-Fermi model to correlate probability of cell death in heterogeneous tissue to the parameters of electroporation pulses such as the number of pulses, electric field amplitude and pulse length. For treatment planning, the Peleg-Fermi model is combined with a numerical solution of the multidimensional electric field equation cast in a dimensionless form. This is the first time in which this concept is used for evaluating IRE cell death in multidimensional situations. Results We illustrate the methodology using data reported in literature for prostate cancer cell death by IRE. We show how to fit this data to a Fermi function in order to calculate the critical statistic parameters. To illustrate the use of the methodology, we simulated 2-D irreversible electroporation protocols and produced 2-D maps of the statistical distribution of cell death in the treated region. These plots were compared to plots produced using a deterministic model of cell death by IRE and the differences were noted. Conclusions In this work we introduce a new methodology for evaluation of tissue ablation by IRE using statistical models of cell death. We believe that the use of a statistical model rather than a deterministic model for IRE cell death will improve the accuracy of treatment planning for cancer treatment with IRE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alex Golberg
- Center for Bioengineering in the Service of Humanity and Society, School of Computer Science and Engineering, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Givat Ram, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Gene electrotransfer: from biophysical mechanisms to in vivo applications : Part 2 - In vivo developments and present clinical applications. Biophys Rev 2009; 1:185. [PMID: 28510026 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-009-0019-2] [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: 08/13/2009] [Accepted: 10/19/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene electrotransfer can be obtained not just on single cells in diluted suspension. For more than 10 years, this is a quasi routine strategy in tissue on the living animal and a few clinical trials have now been approved. New problems have been brought by the close contacts of cells in tissue both on the local field distribution and on the access of DNA to target cells. They need to be solved to provide a further improvement in the efficacy and safety of protein expression. There is a competition between gene transfer and cell destruction. Nevertheless, present results are indicative that electrotransfer is a promising approach for gene therapy. High level and long-lived expression of proteins can be obtained in muscles. This is used for a successful method of electrovaccination.
Collapse
|
23
|
A 3D in vitro spheroid model as a way to study the mechanisms of electroporation. Int J Pharm 2009; 379:278-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2009.03.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2009] [Revised: 03/19/2009] [Accepted: 03/27/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
24
|
Cemazar M, Golzio M, Sersa G, Hojman P, Kranjc S, Mesojednik S, Rols MP, Teissie J. Control by pulse parameters of DNA electrotransfer into solid tumors in mice. Gene Ther 2009; 16:635-44. [DOI: 10.1038/gt.2009.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
|
25
|
André F, Gehl J, Sersa G, Préat V, Hojman P, Eriksen J, Golzio M, Cemazar M, Pavselj N, Rols MP, Miklavcic D, Neumann E, Teissié J, Mir L. Efficiency of High- and Low-Voltage Pulse Combinations for Gene Electrotransfer in Muscle, Liver, Tumor, and Skin. Hum Gene Ther 2008; 19:1261-71. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2008.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- F.M. André
- CNRS, UMR 8121, Institute Gustave-Roussy, F-94805 Villejuif Cédex, France
- Univ Paris-Sud, UMR 8121, France
| | - J. Gehl
- Department of Oncology 54B1, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, DK-2730 Herlev, Denmark
| | - G. Sersa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - V. Préat
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - P. Hojman
- Department of Oncology 54B1, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, DK-2730 Herlev, Denmark
- UMR 5089, IPBS du CNRS, F-31077 Toulouse, France
| | - J. Eriksen
- Department of Oncology 54B1, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, DK-2730 Herlev, Denmark
| | - M. Golzio
- UMR 5089, IPBS du CNRS, F-31077 Toulouse, France
- Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse III, UMR 5089, France
| | - M. Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - N. Pavselj
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - M.-P. Rols
- UMR 5089, IPBS du CNRS, F-31077 Toulouse, France
| | - D. Miklavcic
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - E. Neumann
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bielefeld, D-33502 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - J. Teissié
- UMR 5089, IPBS du CNRS, F-31077 Toulouse, France
- Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse III, UMR 5089, France
| | - L.M. Mir
- CNRS, UMR 8121, Institute Gustave-Roussy, F-94805 Villejuif Cédex, France
- Univ Paris-Sud, UMR 8121, France
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Tevz G, Pavlin D, Kamensek U, Kranjc S, Mesojednik S, Coer A, Sersa G, Cemazar M. Gene electrotransfer into murine skeletal muscle: a systematic analysis of parameters for long-term gene expression. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2008; 7:91-101. [PMID: 18345697 DOI: 10.1177/153303460800700201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle is an attractive target tissue for delivery of therapeutic genes, since it is well vascularized, easily accessible, and has a high capacity for protein synthesis. For efficient transfection in skeletal muscle, several protocols have been described, including delivery of low voltage electric pulses and a combination of high and low voltage electric pulses. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of different parameters of electrotransfection on short-term and long-term transfection efficiency in murine skeletal muscle, and to evaluate histological changes in the treated tissue. Different parameters of electric pulses, different time lags between plasmid DNA injection and application of electric pulses, and different doses of plasmid DNA were tested for electrotransfection of tibialis cranialis muscle of C57Bl/6 mice using DNA plasmid encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP). Transfection efficiency was assessed on frozen tissue sections one week after electrotransfection using a fluorescence microscope and also noninvasively, followed by an in vivo imaging system using a fluorescence stereo microscope over a period of several months. Histological changes in muscle were evaluated immediately or several months after electrotransfection by determining infiltration of inflammatory mononuclear cells and presence of necrotic muscle fibers. The most efficient electrotransfection into skeletal muscle of C57Bl/6 mice in our experiments was achieved when one high voltage (HV) and four low voltage (LV) electric pulses were applied 5 seconds after the injection of 30 microg of plasmid DNA. This protocol resulted in the highest short-term as well as long-term transfection. The fluorescence intensity of the transfected area declined after 2-3 weeks, but GFP fluorescence was still detectable 18 months after electrotransfection. Extensive inflammatory mononuclear cell infiltration was observed immediately after the electrotransfection procedure using the described parameters, but no necrosis or late tissue damage was observed. This study showed that electric pulse parameters, time lag between the injection of DNA and application of electric pulses, and dose of plasmid DNA affected the duration of transgene expression in murine skeletal muscle. Therefore, transgene expression in muscle can be controlled by appropriate selection of electrotransfection protocol.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregor Tevz
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Department of Experimental Oncology, Zaloska 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|