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Cheng Y, Li J, Feng X, Wu Y, Wu X, Lau BWM, Ng SSM, Lee SMY, Seto SW, Leung GPH, Hu Y, Fu C, Zhang S, Zhang J. Taohong Siwu decoction enhances the chemotherapeutic efficacy of doxorubicin by promoting tumor vascular normalization. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 134:155995. [PMID: 39270591 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2024] [Revised: 08/14/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Instead of completely suppressing blood vessels inside tumors, vascular normalization therapy is proposed to normalize and prune the abnormal vasculature in tumor microenvironment (TME) to acquire a normal and stable blood flow and perfusion. The theoretical basis for the use of "blood-activating and stasis-resolving" formulas in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat cancer is highly consistent with the principle of vascular normalization therapy, suggesting the potential application of these traditional formulas in vascular normalization therapy. PURPOSE To study the underlying mechanisms of a classical "blood-activating and stasis-resolving" formula, Taohong Siwu decoction (TSD), in enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy for breast cancer treatment. STUDY DESIGN HUVECs and transgenic zebrafish embryos were used as the major model in vitro. A 4T1 mouse breast cancer model was applied to study tumor vasculature normalization of TSD and the combination effects with DOX. RESULTS Our data showed that TSD exhibited anti-angiogenic potential in HUVECs and transgenic zebrafish embryos. After 20 days treatment, TSD significantly normalized the tumor vasculature by remodeling vessel structure, reducing intratumoral hypoxia and vessel leakage, and promoting vessel maturation and blood perfusion in 4T1 breast tumor-bearing mice. Moreover, the anti-tumor efficacy of doxorubicin liposome in 4T1 breast tumors was significantly improved by TSD, including the suppression of tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis, hypoxia, and the increase of cell apoptosis, which is likely through the vascular normalization induced by TSD. TSD also shifted the macrophage polarization from M2 to M1 phenotype in TME during the combination therapy, as evidenced by the reduced number of CD206+ macrophages and increased number of CD86+ macrophages. Additionally, TSD treatment protected against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in animals, as evidenced by the reduced cardiomyocytes apoptosis and improved heart function. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated for the first time that TSD as a classical Chinese formula can enhance the drug efficacy and reduce the side effects of doxorubicin. These findings can support that TSD could be used as an adjuvant therapy in combination with conventional chemotherapy for the future breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfen Cheng
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), University of Chengdu, Chengdu, China; State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.1166 Liutai Avenue,Wenjiang District, Chengdu city, Chengdu, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Regions of China; The Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Regions of China.
| | - Xi Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.1166 Liutai Avenue,Wenjiang District, Chengdu city, Chengdu, China
| | - Yihan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.1166 Liutai Avenue,Wenjiang District, Chengdu city, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoping Wu
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Regions of China
| | - Benson Wui Man Lau
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Regions of China
| | - Shamay Sheung Mei Ng
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Regions of China; The Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Regions of China
| | - Simon Ming-Yuen Lee
- The Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Regions of China; Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Science, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Regions of China
| | - Sai-Wang Seto
- The Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Regions of China; Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Science, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Regions of China
| | - George Pak-Heng Leung
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Regions of China
| | - Yichen Hu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), University of Chengdu, Chengdu, China
| | - Chaomei Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.1166 Liutai Avenue,Wenjiang District, Chengdu city, Chengdu, China
| | - Siyuan Zhang
- Sichuan Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Prevention and Control Technology of Veterinary Drug Residue in Animal-origin Food, School of Laboratory Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China; The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, China National Nuclear Corporation 416 Hospital, Chengdu, China.
| | - Jinming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.1166 Liutai Avenue,Wenjiang District, Chengdu city, Chengdu, China.
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Xue T, Wang X, Pan X, Liu M, Xu F. PTX promotes breast cancer migration and invasion by recruiting ATF4 to upregulate FGF19. Cell Signal 2024; 122:111309. [PMID: 39053672 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2024.111309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Widely-spread among women, breast cancer is a malignancy with fatalities, and chemotherapy is a vital treatment option for it. Recent studies have underscored the potential of chemotherapeutic agents such as paclitaxel, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, and gemcitabine, among others, in facilitating tumor metastasis, with paclitaxel being extensively researched in this context. The molecular mechanism of these genes and their potential relevance to breast cancer is noteworthy. METHOD Clinical tissue specimens were used to analyze the expression and clinical significance of FGF19 or P-FGFR4 in patients with breast cancer before and after chemotherapy. qRT-PCR, ELISA, immunofluorescence and Western blotting were used to detect the expression level of FGF19 in breast cancer cells. The biological impacts of paclitaxel, FGF19, and ATF4 on breast cancer cells were assessed through CCK8, Transwell, and Western blot assays. The expression of ATF4 in breast cancer cells was determined through database analysis, Western blot analysis, qRT-PCR, and immunofluorescence. The direct interaction between FGF19 and ATF4 was confirmed by a luciferase assay, and Western blotting was used to assess the levels of key proteins in the stress response pathway. To confirm the effects of PTX and FGF19 in vivo, we established a lung metastasis model in nude mice. RESULTS FGF19 expression was increased in breast cancer patients after chemotherapy. Paclitaxel can boost the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells, accompanied by an increase in FGF19 expression. ATF4 might be involved in facilitating the enhancing effect of FGF19 on breast cancer cell migration. Finally, stimulation during paclitaxel treatment could trigger a stress response, influencing the expression of FGF19 and the migration of breast cancer cells. CONCLUSION These data suggest that paclitaxel regulates FGF19 expression through ATF4 and thus promotes breast cancer cell migration and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Xue
- School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuezhen Wang
- School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianjun Pan
- Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing 400030, People's Republic of China
| | - Mei Liu
- Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing 400030, People's Republic of China
| | - Faliang Xu
- School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China; Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing 400030, People's Republic of China.
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Ho AY, Shiao S, Kobald SA, Chen J, Duda DG, Ly A, Bossuyt V, Cho HL, Arnold B, Knott S, Gupta GP, McAndrew P, Karlan S, Tighiouart M, Muzikansky A, Basho R, McArthur H. PEARL: A Phase Ib/II Biomarker Study of Adding Radiation Therapy to Pembrolizumab Before Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Negative Breast Cancer. J Clin Oncol 2024:JCO2400003. [PMID: 39298718 DOI: 10.1200/jco.24.00003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess safety and immune biomarkers after preoperative radiation therapy (RT) and anti-PD1 therapy in breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS A phase I/IIb trial of pembrolizumab with RT was conducted in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) breast cancer. All received pembrolizumab followed by a second cycle + RT (anti-PD1/RT) of 24 Gy/three daily fractions delivered to the breast tumor and then neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Blood and tumor biopsies were obtained at baseline, after anti-PD1, and after anti-PD-RT. Coprimary end points were safety and change in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Secondary end points were pathologic complete response (pCR), residual cancer burden (RCB) rates, and event-free survival (EFS). RESULTS Sixty-six patients with stage I-III breast cancer (54 TNBC, 12 HR+/HER2-) were enrolled. The median follow-up was 32 months. Safety end point was met. Incidence of grade ≥3 toxicities was 41%. The pCR rate was 59.2%, 33.3%, and 54.5% for the TNBC, HR+/HER2-, and entire cohort, respectively. A total of 77.8% of TNBC and 41.6% of HR+/HER2- had a near pCR (RCB 0-1). The 3-year EFS was 80%. In the entire cohort, PD-L1 expression increased after anti-PD1 (median Combined Positive Score [CPS], 7.49-23.20; 95% CI, -41.88 to -6.30; P = .044) and anti-PD1/RT (median CPS, 7.49-23.41; 95% CI, -41.88 to -6.30; P = .009), compared with baseline. In TNBC, adding RT to anti-PD1 significantly decreased TILs (28.9%-17.1%; 95% CI, 2.46 to 21.09; P = .014). Baseline TILs correlated with PD-L1 expression and TNF-a. CONCLUSION Preoperative RT with pembrolizumab is safe and results in high pCR rates and 3-year EFS, despite the lack of pembrolizumab during NAC. PD-L1 and TILs may be predictive biomarkers for preoperative anti-PD1/RT response. Reduction in TILs after adding RT to anti-PD1 highlights the importance of treatment sequencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Y Ho
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Stephen Shiao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | | | | | - Dan G Duda
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Amy Ly
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Philomena McAndrew
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Scott Karlan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Mourad Tighiouart
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | | | - Reva Basho
- Ellison Institute of Technology, Los Angeles, CA
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Famta P, Shah S, Vambhurkar G, Pandey G, Bagasariya D, Kumar KC, Prasad SB, Shinde A, Wagh S, Srinivasarao DA, Kumar R, Khatri DK, Asthana A, Srivastava S. Amelioration of breast cancer therapies through normalization of tumor vessels and microenvironment: paradigm shift to improve drug perfusion and nanocarrier permeation. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024:10.1007/s13346-024-01669-9. [PMID: 39009931 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-024-01669-9] [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: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women. Chemo-, immune- and photothermal therapies are employed to manage BC. However, the tumor microenvironment (TME) prevents free drugs and nanocarriers (NCs) from entering the tumor premises. Formulation scientists rely on enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) to extravasate NCs in the TME. However, recent research has demonstrated the inconsistent nature of EPR among different patients and tumor types. In addition, angiogenesis, high intra-tumor fluid pressure, desmoplasia, and high cell and extracellular matrix density resist the accumulation of NCs in the TME. In this review, we discuss TME normalization as an approach to improve the penetration of drugs and NCSs in the tumor premises. Strategies such as normalization of tumor vessels, reversal of hypoxia, alleviation of high intra-tumor pressure, and infiltration of lymphocytes for the reversal of therapy failure have been discussed in this manuscript. Strategies to promote the infiltration of anticancer immune cells in the TME after vascular normalization have been discussed. Studies strategizing time points to administer TME-normalizing agents are highlighted. Mechanistic pathways controlling the angiogenesis and normalization processes are discussed along with the studies. This review will provide greater tumor-targeting insights to the formulation scientists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paras Famta
- Pharmaceutical Innovation and Translational Research Lab (PITRL), Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Balanagar, Hyderabad, 500037, Telangana, India
| | - Saurabh Shah
- Pharmaceutical Innovation and Translational Research Lab (PITRL), Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Balanagar, Hyderabad, 500037, Telangana, India
| | - Ganesh Vambhurkar
- Pharmaceutical Innovation and Translational Research Lab (PITRL), Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Balanagar, Hyderabad, 500037, Telangana, India
| | - Giriraj Pandey
- Pharmaceutical Innovation and Translational Research Lab (PITRL), Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Balanagar, Hyderabad, 500037, Telangana, India
| | - Deepkumar Bagasariya
- Pharmaceutical Innovation and Translational Research Lab (PITRL), Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Balanagar, Hyderabad, 500037, Telangana, India
| | - Kondasingh Charan Kumar
- Pharmaceutical Innovation and Translational Research Lab (PITRL), Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Balanagar, Hyderabad, 500037, Telangana, India
| | - Sajja Bhanu Prasad
- Pharmaceutical Innovation and Translational Research Lab (PITRL), Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Balanagar, Hyderabad, 500037, Telangana, India
| | - Akshay Shinde
- Pharmaceutical Innovation and Translational Research Lab (PITRL), Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Balanagar, Hyderabad, 500037, Telangana, India
| | - Suraj Wagh
- Pharmaceutical Innovation and Translational Research Lab (PITRL), Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Balanagar, Hyderabad, 500037, Telangana, India
| | - Dadi A Srinivasarao
- Pharmaceutical Innovation and Translational Research Lab (PITRL), Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Balanagar, Hyderabad, 500037, Telangana, India
| | - Rahul Kumar
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, India
| | - Dharmendra Kumar Khatri
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, India
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Nims Institute of Pharmacy, Nims University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Amit Asthana
- Department of Medical Devices, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad, India
| | - Saurabh Srivastava
- Pharmaceutical Innovation and Translational Research Lab (PITRL), Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Balanagar, Hyderabad, 500037, Telangana, India.
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Mazard T, Mollevi C, Loyer EM, Léger J, Chautard R, Bouché O, Borg C, Armand-Dujardin P, Bleuzen A, Assenat E, Lecomte T. Prognostic value of the tumor-to-liver density ratio in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with bevacizumab-based chemotherapy. A post-hoc study of the STIC-AVASTIN trial. Cancer Imaging 2024; 24:77. [PMID: 38886836 PMCID: PMC11181627 DOI: 10.1186/s40644-024-00722-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) are often inadequate for the early assessment of the response to cancer therapy, particularly bevacizumab-based chemotherapy. In a first cohort of patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM), we showed that variations of the tumor-to-liver density (TTLD) ratio and modified size-based criteria determined using computed tomography (CT) data at the first restaging were better prognostic criteria than the RECIST. The aims of this study were to confirm the relevance of these radiological biomarkers as early predictors of the long-term clinical outcome and to assess their correlation with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) parameters in a new patient cohort. METHODS In this post-hoc study of the multicenter STIC-AVASTIN trial, we retrospectively reviewed CT data of patients with CRLM treated with bevacizumab-based regimens. We determined the size, density and TTLD ratio of target liver lesions at baseline and at the first restaging and also performed a morphologic evaluation according to the MD Anderson criteria. We assessed the correlation of these parameters with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) using the log-rank test and a Cox proportional hazard model. We also examined the association between TTLD ratio and quantitative CEUS parameters. RESULTS This analysis concerned 79 of the 137 patients included in the STIC-AVASTIN trial. PFS and OS were significantly longer in patients with tumor size reduction > 15% at first restaging, but were not correlated with TTLD ratio variations. However, PFS was longer in patients with TTLD ratio > 0.6 at baseline and first restaging than in those who did not reach this threshold. In the multivariate analysis, only baseline TTLD ratio > 0.6 was a significant survival predictor. TTLD ratio > 0.6 was associated with improved perfusion parameters. CONCLUSIONS Although TTLD ratio variations did not correlate with the long-term clinical outcomes, TTLD absolute values remained a good predictor of survival at baseline and first restaging, and may reflect tumor microvascular features that might influence bevacizumab-based treatment efficiency. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT00489697, registration number of the STIC-AVASTIN trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibault Mazard
- Medical Oncology Department, Montpellier Cancer Institute (ICM), University of Montpellier, Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), INSERM U1194, 208 avenue des apothicaires, Parc Euromédecine, Montpellier Cedex 5, Montpellier, 34298, France.
| | - Caroline Mollevi
- Institute Desbrest of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Montpellier, INSERM, Cancer Institute of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Evelyne M Loyer
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Julie Léger
- INSERM CIC 1415, CHRU de Tours, Tours Cedex 9, 37044, France
| | - Romain Chautard
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology and Digestive Oncology, UMR INSERM U 1069, Hôpital Trousseau, CHRU de Tours, Université de Tours, Tours Cedex 9, 37044, France
| | - Olivier Bouché
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Hôpital Robert Debré, CHU de Reims, Avenue Général Koenig, Reims Cedex, 51092, France
| | - Christophe Borg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hôpital Jean Minjoz, CHRU de Besançon, 3 Boulevard Alexandre Fleming, Besançon, 25000, France
| | | | - Aurore Bleuzen
- Department of Radiology, CHRU de Tours, Tours Cedex 9, 37044, France
| | - Eric Assenat
- Medical Oncology Department, Montpellier Cancer Institute (ICM), University of Montpellier, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Thierry Lecomte
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology and Digestive Oncology, UMR INSERM U 1069, Hôpital Trousseau, CHRU de Tours, Université de Tours, Tours Cedex 9, 37044, France
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De Palma M, Hanahan D. Milestones in tumor vascularization and its therapeutic targeting. NATURE CANCER 2024; 5:827-843. [PMID: 38918437 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-024-00780-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Research into the mechanisms and manifestations of solid tumor vascularization was launched more than 50 years ago with the proposition and experimental demonstrations that angiogenesis is instrumental for tumor growth and was, therefore, a promising therapeutic target. The biological knowledge and therapeutic insights forthcoming have been remarkable, punctuated by new concepts, many of which were not foreseen in the early decades. This article presents a perspective on tumor vascularization and its therapeutic targeting but does not portray a historical timeline. Rather, we highlight eight conceptual milestones, integrating initial discoveries and recent progress and posing open questions for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele De Palma
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Agora Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Douglas Hanahan
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Agora Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Lin X, Yang C, Lv Y, Zhang B, Kan J, Li H, Tao J, Yang C, Li X, Liu Y. Preclinical multi-physiologic monitoring of immediate-early responses to diverse treatment strategies in breast cancer by optoacoustic imaging. JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2024; 17:e202300457. [PMID: 38221652 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.202300457] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Optoacoustic imaging enables the measurement of tissue oxygen saturation (sO2) and blood perfusion while being utilized for detecting tumor microenvironments. Our aim was to employ multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) to assess immediate-early changes of hemoglobin level and sO2 within breast tumors during diverse treatments. Mouse breast cancer models were allocated into four groups: control, everolimus (EVE), paclitaxel (PTX), and photodynamic therapy (PDT). Hemoglobin was quantified daily, as well as sO2 and blood perfusion were verified by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. MSOT showed a temporal window of enhanced oxygenation and improved perfusion in EVE and PTX groups, while sO2 consistently remained below baseline in PDT. The same results were obtained for the IHC. Therefore, MSOT can monitor tumor hypoxia and indirectly reflect blood perfusion in a non-invasive and non-labeled way, which has the potential to monitor breast cancer progression early and enable individualized treatment in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqian Lin
- School of Medical Imaging, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, People's Republic of China
| | - Changfeng Yang
- School of Medical Imaging, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yijie Lv
- School of Medical Imaging, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, People's Republic of China
| | - Bowen Zhang
- School of Medical Imaging, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, People's Republic of China
| | - Junnan Kan
- School of Medical Imaging, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Li
- School of Medical Imaging, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin Tao
- School of Medical Imaging, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, People's Republic of China
| | - Caixia Yang
- School of Medical Imaging, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianglin Li
- School of Medical Imaging, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Liu
- School of Medical Imaging, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, People's Republic of China
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8
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da Silva WN, Carvalho Costa PA, Scalzo Júnior SRA, Ferreira HAS, Prazeres PHDM, Campos CLV, Rodrigues Alves MT, Alves da Silva NJ, de Castro Santos AL, Guimarães LC, Chen Ferris ME, Thatte A, Hamilton A, Bicalho KA, Lobo AO, Santiago HDC, da Silva Barcelos L, Figueiredo MM, Teixeira MM, Vasconcelos Costa V, Mitchell MJ, Frézard F, Pires Goulart Guimaraes P. Ionizable Lipid Nanoparticle-Mediated TRAIL mRNA Delivery in the Tumor Microenvironment to Inhibit Colon Cancer Progression. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:2655-2673. [PMID: 38500680 PMCID: PMC10946446 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s452896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment by harnessing the immune system to enhance antitumor responses while minimizing off-target effects. Among the promising cancer-specific therapies, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has attracted significant attention. Methods Here, we developed an ionizable lipid nanoparticle (LNP) platform to deliver TRAIL mRNA (LNP-TRAIL) directly to the tumor microenvironment (TME) to induce tumor cell death. Our LNP-TRAIL was formulated via microfluidic mixing and the induction of tumor cell death was assessed in vitro. Next, we investigated the ability of LNP-TRAIL to inhibit colon cancer progression in vivo in combination with a TME normalization approach using Losartan (Los) or angiotensin 1-7 (Ang(1-7)) to reduce vascular compression and deposition of extracellular matrix in mice. Results Our results demonstrated that LNP-TRAIL induced tumor cell death in vitro and effectively inhibited colon cancer progression in vivo, particularly when combined with TME normalization induced by treatment Los or Ang(1-7). In addition, potent tumor cell death as well as enhanced apoptosis and necrosis was found in the tumor tissue of a group treated with LNP-TRAIL combined with TME normalization. Discussion Together, our data demonstrate the potential of the LNP to deliver TRAIL mRNA to the TME and to induce tumor cell death, especially when combined with TME normalization. Therefore, these findings provide important insights for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the immunotherapy of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walison Nunes da Silva
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | | | - Heloísa A S Ferreira
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Lays Cordeiro Guimarães
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Maria Eduarda Chen Ferris
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ajay Thatte
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alex Hamilton
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | | | - Helton da Costa Santiago
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Lucíola da Silva Barcelos
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Mauro Martins Teixeira
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | | | - Michael J Mitchell
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Frédéric Frézard
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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9
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Yin J, Dong F, An J, Guo T, Cheng H, Zhang J, Zhang J. Pattern recognition of microcirculation with super-resolution ultrasound imaging provides markers for early tumor response to anti-angiogenic therapy. Theranostics 2024; 14:1312-1324. [PMID: 38323316 PMCID: PMC10845201 DOI: 10.7150/thno.89306] [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: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Cancer treatment outcome is traditionally evaluated by tumor volume change in clinics, while tumor microvascular heterogeneity reflecting tumor response has not been fully explored due to technical limitations. Methods: We introduce a new paradigm in super-resolution ultrasound imaging, termed pattern recognition of microcirculation (PARM), which identifies both hemodynamic and morphological patterns of tumor microcirculation hidden in spatio-temporal space trajectories of microbubbles. Results: PARM demonstrates the ability to distinguish different local blood flow velocities separated by a distance of 24 μm. Compared with traditional vascular parameters, PARM-derived heterogeneity parameters prove to be more sensitive to microvascular changes following anti-angiogenic therapy. Particularly, PARM-identified "sentinel" microvasculature, exhibiting evident structural changes as early as 24 hours after treatment initiation, correlates significantly with subsequent tumor volume changes (|r| > 0.9, P < 0.05). This provides prognostic insight into tumor response much earlier than clinical criteria. Conclusions: The ability of PARM to noninvasively quantify tumor vascular heterogeneity at the microvascular level may shed new light on early-stage assessment of cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Yin
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Feihong Dong
- College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, and Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China
- National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian An
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyu Guo
- College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Heping Cheng
- College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, and Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China
- National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Research Unit of Mitochondria in Brain Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, PKU-Nanjing Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiabin Zhang
- College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, and Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China
- National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jue Zhang
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
- National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Research Unit of Mitochondria in Brain Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, PKU-Nanjing Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanjing, China
- College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China
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10
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Matsunaga S, Tomita S. [The effect of PHD inhibitor on tumor microenvironment and tumor immune response]. Nihon Yakurigaku Zasshi 2024; 159:169-172. [PMID: 38692882 DOI: 10.1254/fpj.23091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Since the approval of HIF-PH inhibitors, HIF-PH inhibitors have been used clinically, and many studies and clinical case reports have been reported in Japan. A lot of information has been accumulated on clinical usage. However, HIF-PH inhibitors require careful administration for cancer patients due to their action mechanism through upregulating hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) level. In cancer cells, HIFs affect tumor progression and contribute to chemo- and radio-resistance. On the other hand, upregulation of HIFs in immune cells is associated with inflammation and suppress tumor progression. However, these controversial effects are not clear in in vivo model. It is needed to reveal whether upregulating HIFs level is beneficial for cancer therapy or not. We have previously reported that HIF-PH inhibitor treatment in tumor bearing mice model led to reconstitute tumor blood vessel and inhibit tumor growth. In addition, these phenomena were caused by tumor infiltrated macrophages and they altered these phenotypes. In this review, we will describe our findings on the mechanism of tumor growth suppression by HIF-PH inhibitors. We also want to mention the risks and benefits of future HIF-PH inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Matsunaga
- Department of Pharmacology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Shuhei Tomita
- Department of Pharmacology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine
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11
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Mascheroni P, Penta R, Merodio J. The impact of vascular volume fraction and compressibility of the interstitial matrix on vascularised poroelastic tissues. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2023; 22:1901-1917. [PMID: 37587330 PMCID: PMC10613172 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-023-01742-1] [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: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
In this work we address the role of the microstructural properties of a vascularised poroelastic material, characterised by the coupling between a poroelastic matrix and a viscous fluid vessels network, on its overall response in terms of pressures, velocities and stress maps. We embrace the recently developed model (Penta and Merodio in Meccanica 52(14):3321-3343, 2017) as a theoretical starting point and present the results obtained by solving the full interplay between the microscale, represented by the intervessels' distance, and the macroscale, representing the size of the overall tissue. We encode the influence of the vessels' density and the poroelastic matrix compressibility in the poroelastic coefficients of the model, which are obtained by solving appropriate periodic cell problem at the microscale. The double-poroelastic model (Penta and Merodio 2017) is then solved at the macroscale in the context of vascular tumours, for different values of vessels' walls permeability. The results clearly indicate that improving the compressibility of the matrix and decreasing the vessels' density enhances the transvascular pressure difference and hence transport of fluid and drug within a tumour mass after a transient time. Our results suggest to combine vessel and interstitial normalization in tumours to allow for better drug delivery into the lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Mascheroni
- Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire de Physique, Université Grenoble Alpes, 140, Rue de la Physique, 38402, Saint Martin d'Héres, France
| | - Raimondo Penta
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Glasgow, University Place, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
| | - José Merodio
- Departamento de Matemática Aplicada a las TIC ETS de Ingeniería de Sistemas Informáticos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28031, Madrid, Spain
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12
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Choi Y, Jung K. Normalization of the tumor microenvironment by harnessing vascular and immune modulation to achieve enhanced cancer therapy. Exp Mol Med 2023; 55:2308-2319. [PMID: 37907742 PMCID: PMC10689787 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01114-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Solid tumors are complex entities that actively shape their microenvironment to create a supportive environment for their own growth. Angiogenesis and immune suppression are two key characteristics of this tumor microenvironment. Despite attempts to deplete tumor blood vessels using antiangiogenic drugs, extensive vessel pruning has shown limited efficacy. Instead, a targeted approach involving the judicious use of drugs at specific time points can normalize the function and structure of tumor vessels, leading to improved outcomes when combined with other anticancer therapies. Additionally, normalizing the immune microenvironment by suppressing immunosuppressive cells and activating immunostimulatory cells has shown promise in suppressing tumor growth and improving overall survival. Based on these findings, many studies have been conducted to normalize each component of the tumor microenvironment, leading to the development of a variety of strategies. In this review, we provide an overview of the concepts of vascular and immune normalization and discuss some of the strategies employed to achieve these goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yechan Choi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Keehoon Jung
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Institute of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
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13
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Gacche RN. Changing landscape of anti-angiogenic therapy: Novel approaches and clinical perspectives. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:189020. [PMID: 37951481 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Targeting angiogenesis has remained one of the important aspects in disease biology in general and cancer in particular. Currently (June 2023), over 593 clinical trials have been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov having inference of term 'angiogenesis'. A panel of 14 anti-angiogenic drugs have been approved by FDA for the treatment of variety of cancers and other human ailments. Although the anti-angiogenic therapy (AAT) has gained significant clinical attention as a promising approach in the treatment of various diseases, particularly cancer, however, sizable literature has accumulated in the recent past describing the aggressive nature of tumours after the drug holidays, evolving drug resistance and off-target toxicities. Nevertheless, the emergence of inscrutable compensatory or alternative angiogenic mechanisms is limiting the efficacy of anti-angiogenic drugs and focussing the therapeutic regime as a puzzle of 'Lernaean hydra'. This review offers an overview of recent updates on the efficacy of antiangiogenic therapy and the current clinical performance of aaRTK inhibitors. Additionally, it also explores the changing application landscape of AAT, focusing on its role in diabetic nephropathy, age-related macular degeneration and other neovascular ocular disorders. Combination therapy with antiangiogenic drugs and immune check point inhibitors (ICIs) has emerged as a potential strategy to enhance the therapeutic index of cancer immunotherapy. While clinical studies have demonstrated the clinical efficacy of this approach, they also highlight the complex and sometimes unpredictable adverse events associated with it. Normalizing tumour vasculature has been identified as a key factor in unlocking the full potential of ICIs, thereby providing hope for improved treatment outcomes. The future prospects and challenges of AAT have been described with special reference to integration of technological advances for enhancing its efficacy and applications beyond its discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh N Gacche
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411007, MS, India.
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14
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Zhou Y, Zhang A, Fang C, Yuan L, Shao A, Xu Y, Zhou D. Oxidative stress in pituitary neuroendocrine tumors: Affecting the tumor microenvironment and becoming a new target for pituitary neuroendocrine tumor therapy. CNS Neurosci Ther 2023; 29:2744-2759. [PMID: 37341156 PMCID: PMC10493678 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Pituitary adenomas (PAs), or pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs), are commonly found in the anterior pituitary gland. Although the majority of PitNETs are benign and stable, several tumors have malignant characteristics. The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in the process of tumorigenesis and is composed of several types of cells. Various cells in the TME are significantly affected by oxidative stress. It has been reported that immunotherapeutic strategies have good effects in several cancers. However, the clinical potential of immunotherapies in PitNETs has not yet been fully discussed. Oxidative stress can regulate PitNET cells and immune cells in the TME, thus affecting the immune status of the TME of PitNETs. Therefore, modulation of oxidative stress-regulated immune cells using a combination of several agents and the immune system to suppress PitNETs is a promising therapeutic direction. In this review, we systematically analyzed the oxidative stress process within PitNET cells and various immune cells to elucidate the potential value of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhang Zhou
- The First Clinical Medical CollegeHeilongjiang University of Chinese MedicineHarbinChina
- Health Management CenterTongde Hospital of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouChina
| | - Anke Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Chaoyou Fang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai General Hospital, School of MedicineShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Ling Yuan
- School of Public Health, School of MedicineShanghai Jiaotong UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Anwen Shao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Yuanzhi Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, School of MedicineFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Danyang Zhou
- Health Management CenterTongde Hospital of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouChina
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15
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Su JX, Li SJ, Zhou XF, Zhang ZJ, Yan Y, Liu SL, Qi Q. Chemotherapy-induced metastasis: molecular mechanisms and clinical therapies. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2023; 44:1725-1736. [PMID: 37169853 PMCID: PMC10462662 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-023-01093-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy, the most widely accepted treatment for malignant tumors, is dependent on cell death induced by various drugs including antimetabolites, alkylating agents, mitotic spindle inhibitors, antitumor antibiotics, and hormonal anticancer drugs. In addition to causing side effects due to non-selective cytotoxicity, chemotherapeutic drugs can initiate and promote metastasis, which greatly reduces their clinical efficacy. The knowledge of how they induce metastasis is essential for developing strategies that improve the outcomes of chemotherapy. Herein, we summarize the recent findings on chemotherapy-induced metastasis and discuss the underlying mechanisms including tumor-initiating cell expansion, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, extracellular vesicle involvement, and tumor microenvironment alterations. In addition, the use of combination treatments to overcome chemotherapy-induced metastasis is also elaborated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Xuan Su
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment; MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Si-Jia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment; MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment; MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Zhi-Jing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment; MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yu Yan
- Functional Experimental Teaching Center, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Song-Lin Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
| | - Qi Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment; MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
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16
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Bhargava A, Popel AS, Pathak AP. Vascular phenotyping of the invasive front in breast cancer using a 3D angiogenesis atlas. Microvasc Res 2023; 149:104555. [PMID: 37257688 PMCID: PMC10526652 DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2023.104555] [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: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Vascular remodeling at the invasive tumor front (ITF) plays a critical role in progression and metastasis of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Therefore, there is a crucial need to characterize the vascular phenotype (i.e. changes in the structure and function of vasculature) of the ITF and tumor core (TC) in TNBC. This requires high-resolution, 3D structural and functional microvascular data that spans the ITF and TC (i.e. ∼4-5 mm from the tumor's edge). Since such data are often challenging to obtain with most conventional imaging approaches, we employed a unique "3D whole-tumor angiogenesis atlas" derived from orthotopic xenografts to characterize the vascular phenotype of the ITF and TC in TNBC. METHODS First, high-resolution (8 μm) computed tomography (CT) images of "whole-tumor" microvasculature were acquired from eight orthotopic TNBC xenografts, of which three tumors were excised at post-inoculation day 21 (i.e. early-stage) and five tumors were excised at post-inoculation day 35 (i.e. advanced-stage). These 3D morphological CT data were combined with soft tissue contrast from MRI as well as functional data generated in silico using image-based hemodynamic modeling to generate a multi-layered "angiogenesis atlas". Employing this atlas, blood vessels were first spatially stratified within the ITF (i.e. ≤1 mm from the tumor's edge) and TC (i.e. >1 mm from the tumor's edge) of each tumor xenograft. Then, a novel method was developed to visualize and characterize microvascular remodeling and perfusion changes in terms of distance from the tumor's edge. RESULTS The angiogenesis atlas enabled the 3D visualization of changes in tumor vessel growth patterns, morphology and perfusion within the ITF and TC. Early and advanced stage tumors demonstrated significant differences in terms of their edge-to-center distributions for vascular surface area density, vascular length density, intervessel distance and simulated perfusion density (p ≪ 0.01). Elevated vascular length density, vascular surface area density and perfusion density along the circumference of the ITF was suggestive of a preferential spatial pattern of angiogenic growth in this tumor cohort. Finally, we demonstrated the feasibility of differentiating the vascular phenotypes of ITF and TC in these TNBC xenografts. CONCLUSIONS The combination of a 3D angiogenesis atlas and image-based hemodynamic modeling heralds a new approach for characterizing the role of vascular remodeling in cancer and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha Bhargava
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Aleksander S Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Electrical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Arvind P Pathak
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Electrical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University; Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.
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17
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Tan KF, In LLA, Vijayaraj Kumar P. Surface Functionalization of Gold Nanoparticles for Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment to Improve Antitumor Efficiency. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2023; 6:2944-2981. [PMID: 37435615 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have undergone significant research for their use in the treatment of cancer. Numerous researchers have established their potent antitumor properties, which have greatly impacted the treatment of cancer. AuNPs have been used in four primary anticancer treatment modalities, namely radiation, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and chemotherapy. However, the ability of AuNPs to destroy cancer is lacking and can even harm healthy cells without the right direction to transport them to the tumor microenvironment. Consequently, a suitable targeting technique is needed. Based on the distinct features of the human tumor microenvironment, this review discusses four different targeting strategies that target the four key features of the tumor microenvironment, including abnormal vasculature, overexpression of specific receptors, an acidic microenvironment, and a hypoxic microenvironment, to direct surface-functionalized AuNPs to the tumor microenvironment and increase antitumor efficacies. In addition, some current completed or ongoing clinical trials of AuNPs will also be discussed below to further reinforce the concept of using AuNPs in anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kin Fai Tan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University, No. 1, Jalan Menara Gading, Taman Connaught, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Lionel Lian Aun In
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Palanirajan Vijayaraj Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University, No. 1, Jalan Menara Gading, Taman Connaught, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
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18
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Sun Z, Zhou Y, Li L, Zhou C, Jia W, Liu Y, Cao X, Su S, Zhao Z, Zhen M, Wang C. Inhibiting redox-mediated endothelial migration by gadofullerenes for inducing tumor vascular normalization and improving chemotherapy. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2023; 68:1651-1661. [PMID: 37453828 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2023.06.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Tumor vascular normalization (TVN) reverses abnormal tumor vasculatures, which could boost anti-cancer efficiency and especially increase drug intratumoral delivery. Endothelial cells play a vital role in angiogenesis, yet continuous modulating endothelial cell migration to improve TVN is ingenious but challenging. Here we propose a potential strategy for TVN based on inhibiting endothelial migration using antioxidative fullerene nanoparticles (FNPs). We demonstrate that FNPs inhibit cell migration upon their anti-oxidation effects in vitro. The optimized alanine-modified gadofullerene (GFA) exhibits superior TVN ability and inhibits tumor growth in vivo. Mechanically, facilitated with the protein microarray, we confirm that GFA could suppress the focal adhesion pathway to restrain endothelial migration. Subsequently, remarkable anti-tumor efficacy of chemotherapy synergy was obtained, which benefited from a more normalized vascular network by GFA. Together, our study introduces the potential of FNPs as promising TVN boosters to consider in cancer nanomedicine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihao Sun
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yue Zhou
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lei Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chen Zhou
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wang Jia
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xinran Cao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shenge Su
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhongpu Zhao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Mingming Zhen
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Chunru Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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19
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Milosevic V, Edelmann RJ, Winge I, Strell C, Mezheyeuski A, Knutsvik G, Askeland C, Wik E, Akslen LA, Östman A. Vessel size as a marker of survival in estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2023:10.1007/s10549-023-06974-4. [PMID: 37222874 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-023-06974-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Angiogenesis is crucial for tumor growth and is one of the hallmarks of cancer. In this study, we analyzed microvessel density, vessel median size, and perivascular a-SMA expression as prognostic biomarkers in breast cancer. METHODS Dual IHC staining was performed where alpha-SMA antibodies were used together with antibodies against the endothelial cell marker CD34. Digital images of stainings were analyzed to extract quantitative data on vessel density, vessel size, and perivascular alpha-SMA status. RESULTS The analyses in the discovery cohort (n = 108) revealed a statistically significant relationship between large vessel size and shorter disease-specific survival (p = 0.007, log-rank test; p = 0.01, HR 3.1; 95% CI 1.3-7.4, Cox-regression analyses). Subset analyses indicated that the survival association of vessel size was strengthened in ER + breast cancer. To consolidate these findings, additional analyses were performed on a validation cohort (n = 267) where an association between large vessel size and reduced survival was also detected in ER + breast cancer (p = 0.016, log-rank test; p = 0.02; HR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1-4.7, Cox-regression analyses). CONCLUSION Alpha-SMA/CD34 dual-IHC staining revealed breast cancer heterogeneity regarding vessel size, vessel density, and perivascular a-SMA status. Large vessel size was linked to shorter survival in ER + breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladan Milosevic
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Reidunn J Edelmann
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ingeborg Winge
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Carina Strell
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Artur Mezheyeuski
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gøril Knutsvik
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Cecilie Askeland
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Elisabeth Wik
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lars A Akslen
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Arne Östman
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
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20
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Pericytes in the tumor microenvironment. Cancer Lett 2023; 556:216074. [PMID: 36682706 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Pericytes are a type of mural cell located between the endothelial cells of capillaries and the basement membrane, which function to regulate the capillary vasomotor and maintain normal microcirculation of local tissues and organs and have been identified as a significant component in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Pericytes have various interactions with different components of the TME, such as constituting the pre-metastatic niche, promoting the growth of cancer cells and drug resistance through paracrine activity, and inducing M2 macrophage polarization. While changes in the TME can affect the number, phenotype, and molecular markers of pericytes. For example, pericyte detachment from endothelial cells in the TME facilitates tumor cells in situ to invade the circulating blood and is beneficial to local capillary basement membrane enzymatic hydrolysis and endothelial cell proliferation and budding, which contribute to tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. In this review, we discuss the emerging role of pericytes in the TME, and tumor treatment related to pericytes. This review aimed to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the function of pericytes and the relationship between pericytes and tumors and to provide ideas for the treatment and prevention of malignant tumors.
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21
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Jiang S, Zhou Y, Zou L, Chu L, Chu X, Ni J, Li Y, Guo T, Yang X, Zhu Z. Low- dose Apatinib promotes vascular normalization and hypoxia reduction and sensitizes radiotherapy in lung cancer. Cancer Med 2023; 12:4434-4445. [PMID: 36065943 PMCID: PMC9972072 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Abnormal vascular network of tumor can create a hypoxic microenvironment, and reduce radiotherapy sensitivity. Normalization of tumor vasculature can be a new therapeutic strategy for sensitizing radiotherapy. This study aimed to explore the effect of apatinib on vascular normalization, as well as the syngeneic effect with radiotherapy on lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) xenograft-bearing female C57BL/6 mice were treated with different doses of apatinib (30, 60, and 120 mg/kg per day) and/or radiation therapy (8 Gy/1F) and then sacrificed to harvest tumor tissue for immunohistochemical test. Further 18 F-FMISO micro- PET in vivo explored the degree of hypoxia. RESULTS Immunohistochemistry of CD31 and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) proved that low-dose apatinib can normalize vasculature in tumor, especially on Day 10. Tissue staining of hypoxyprobe-1 and 18 F-FMISO micro- PET in vivo showed that 60 mg/kg/day of apatinib significantly alleviates hypoxia. Moreover, this study further proved that low-dose apatinib (60 mg/kg/day) can enhance the radio-response of LLC xenograft mice. CONCLUSION Our data suggested that low- dose apatinib can successfully induce a vascular normalization window and function as a radio- sensitizer in the lung cancer xenografts model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Zhou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liqing Zou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Chu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Chu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianjiao Ni
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yida Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tiantian Guo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengfei Zhu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Thoracic Oncology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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22
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Patel SA, Nilsson MB, Le X, Cascone T, Jain RK, Heymach JV. Molecular Mechanisms and Future Implications of VEGF/VEGFR in Cancer Therapy. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:30-39. [PMID: 35969170 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-1366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 98.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Angiogenesis, the sprouting of new blood vessels from existing vessels, is one of six known mechanisms employed by solid tumors to recruit blood vessels necessary for their initiation, growth, and metastatic spread. The vascular network within the tumor facilitates the transport of nutrients, oxygen, and immune cells and is regulated by pro- and anti-angiogenic factors. Nearly four decades ago, VEGF was identified as a critical factor promoting vascular permeability and angiogenesis, followed by identification of VEGF family ligands and their receptors (VEGFR). Since then, over a dozen drugs targeting the VEGF/VEGFR pathway have been approved for approximately 20 solid tumor types, usually in combination with other therapies. Initially designed to starve tumors, these agents transiently "normalize" tumor vessels in preclinical and clinical studies, and in the clinic, increased tumor blood perfusion or oxygenation in response to these agents is associated with improved outcomes. Nevertheless, the survival benefit has been modest in most tumor types, and there are currently no biomarkers in routine clinical use for identifying which patients are most likely to benefit from treatment. However, the ability of these agents to reprogram the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment into an immunostimulatory milieu has rekindled interest and has led to the FDA approval of seven different combinations of VEGF/VEGFR pathway inhibitors with immune checkpoint blockers for many solid tumors in the past 3 years. In this review, we discuss our understanding of the mechanisms of response and resistance to blocking VEGF/VEGFR, and potential strategies to develop more effective therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia A Patel
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Monique B Nilsson
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Xiuning Le
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Tina Cascone
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Rakesh K Jain
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - John V Heymach
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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23
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Zhang Q, Gao Y, Zhang Y, Jing M, Wang D, Wang Y, Khattak S, Qi H, Cai C, Zhang J, Ngowi EE, Khan NH, Li T, Ji A, Jiang Q, Ji X, Li Y, Wu D. Cystathionine γ-lyase mediates cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Oncogene 2022; 41:5238-5252. [PMID: 36310322 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02512-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an epithelia-derived malignancy with a distinctive geographic distribution. Cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) is involved in cancer development and progression. Nevertheless, the role of CSE in the growth of NPC is unknown. In this study, we found that CSE levels in human NPC cells were higher than those in normal nasopharyngeal cells. CSE overexpression enhanced the proliferative, migrative, and invasive abilities of NPC cells and CSE downregulation exerted reverse effects. Overexpression of CSE decreased the expressions of cytochrome C, cleaved caspase (cas)-3, cleaved cas-9, and cleaved poly-ADP-ribose polymerase, whereas CSE knockdown exhibited reverse effects. CSE overexpression decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and the expressions of phospho (p)-extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2, p-c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p-p38, but promoted the expressions of p-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), p-AKT, and p-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), whereas CSE knockdown showed oppose effects. In addition, CSE overexpression promoted NPC xenograft tumor growth and CSE knockdown decreased tumor growth by modulating proliferation, angiogenesis, cell cycle, and apoptosis. Furthermore, DL-propargylglycine (an inhibitor of CSE) dose-dependently inhibited NPC cell growth via ROS-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways without significant toxicity. In conclusion, CSE could regulate the growth of NPC cells through ROS-mediated MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR cascades. CSE might be a novel tumor marker for the diagnosis and prognosis of NPC. Novel donors/drugs that inhibit the expression/activity of CSE can be developed in the treatment of NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China.,Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Yingran Gao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China.,Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Yanxia Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China.,Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Mirong Jing
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China.,Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Di Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China.,Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Yizhen Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China.,Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Saadullah Khattak
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China.,School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Huiwen Qi
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China.,Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Chunbo Cai
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China.,Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China.,Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Ebenezeri Erasto Ngowi
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China.,Kaifeng Municipal Key Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Henan Provincial Engineering Centre for Tumor Molecular Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China.,Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Dar es Salaam University College of Education, Dar es Salaam, 2329, Tanzania
| | - Nazeer Hussain Khan
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China.,School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Tao Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China.,Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Ailing Ji
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China.,Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Qiying Jiang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China.,Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Xinying Ji
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China. .,Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China. .,Kaifeng Municipal Key Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Henan Provincial Engineering Centre for Tumor Molecular Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China.
| | - Yanzhang Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China. .,Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China.
| | - Dongdong Wu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China. .,Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China. .,School of Stomatology, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China.
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24
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Kudelova E, Smolar M, Holubekova V, Hornakova A, Dvorska D, Lucansky V, Koklesova L, Kudela E, Kubatka P. Genetic Heterogeneity, Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314937. [PMID: 36499265 PMCID: PMC9735793 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterogeneity of triple-negative breast cancer is well known at clinical, histopathological, and molecular levels. Genomic instability and greater mutation rates, which may result in the creation of neoantigens and enhanced immunogenicity, are additional characteristics of this breast cancer type. Clinical outcome is poor due to early age of onset, high metastatic potential, and increased likelihood of distant recurrence. Consequently, efforts to elucidate molecular mechanisms of breast cancer development, progression, and metastatic spread have been initiated to improve treatment options and improve outcomes for these patients. The extremely complex and heterogeneous tumor immune microenvironment is made up of several cell types and commonly possesses disorganized gene expression. Altered signaling pathways are mainly associated with mutated genes including p53, PIK3CA, and MAPK, and which are positively correlated with genes regulating immune response. Of note, particular immunity-associated genes could be used in prognostic indexes to assess the most effective management. Recent findings highlight the fact that long non-coding RNAs also play an important role in shaping tumor microenvironment formation, and can mediate tumor immune evasion. Identification of molecular signatures, through the use of multi-omics approaches, and effector pathways that drive early stages of the carcinogenic process are important steps in developing new strategies for targeted cancer treatment and prevention. Advances in immunotherapy by remodeling the host immune system to eradicate tumor cells have great promise to lead to novel therapeutic strategies. Current research is focused on combining immune checkpoint inhibition with chemotherapy, PARP inhibitors, cancer vaccines, or natural killer cell therapy. Targeted therapies may improve therapeutic response, eliminate therapeutic resistance, and improve overall patient survival. In the future, these evolving advancements should be implemented for personalized medicine and state-of-art management of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Kudelova
- Clinic of Surgery and Transplant Centre, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, 03601 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Marek Smolar
- Clinic of Surgery and Transplant Centre, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, 03601 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Veronika Holubekova
- Biomedical Centre, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, 03601 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Andrea Hornakova
- Biomedical Centre, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, 03601 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Dana Dvorska
- Biomedical Centre, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, 03601 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Vincent Lucansky
- Biomedical Centre, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, 03601 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Lenka Koklesova
- Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, 03601 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Erik Kudela
- Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, 03601 Martin, Slovakia
- Correspondence:
| | - Peter Kubatka
- Department of Medical Biology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, 03601 Martin, Slovakia
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25
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Zheng W, Qian C, Tang Y, Yang C, Zhou Y, Shen P, Chen W, Yu S, Wei Z, Wang A, Lu Y, Zhao Y. Manipulation of the crosstalk between tumor angiogenesis and immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment: Insight into the combination therapy of anti-angiogenesis and immune checkpoint blockade. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1035323. [PMID: 36439137 PMCID: PMC9684196 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1035323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has been recognized as an effective and important therapeutic modality for multiple types of cancer. Nevertheless, it has been increasing recognized that clinical benefits of immunotherapy are less than expected as evidenced by the fact that only a small population of cancer patients respond favorably to immunotherapy. The structurally and functionally abnormal tumor vasculature is a hallmark of most solid tumors and contributes to an immunosuppressive microenvironment, which poses a major challenge to immunotherapy. In turn, multiple immune cell subsets have profound consequences on promoting neovascularization. Vascular normalization, a promising anti-angiogenic strategy, can enhance vascular perfusion and promote the infiltration of immune effector cells into tumors via correcting aberrant tumor blood vessels, resulting in the potentiation of immunotherapy. More interestingly, immunotherapies are prone to boost the efficacy of various anti-angiogenic therapies and/or promote the morphological and functional alterations in tumor vasculature. Therefore, immune reprograming and vascular normalization appear to be reciprocally regulated. In this review, we mainly summarize how tumor vasculature propels an immunosuppressive phenotype and how innate and adaptive immune cells modulate angiogenesis during tumor progression. We further highlight recent advances of anti-angiogenic immunotherapies in preclinical and clinical settings to solidify the concept that targeting both tumor blood vessels and immune suppressive cells provides an efficacious approach for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Zheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Cheng Qian
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu Tang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunmei Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yueke Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Peiliang Shen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenxing Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Prevention and Treatment of Tumor, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Suyun Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhonghong Wei
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Aiyun Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Prevention and Treatment of Tumor, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yin Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Prevention and Treatment of Tumor, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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26
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Zhang G, Lei YM, Li N, Yu J, Jiang XY, Yu MH, Hu HM, Zeng SE, Cui XW, Ye HR. Ultrasound super-resolution imaging for differential diagnosis of breast masses. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1049991. [PMID: 36408165 PMCID: PMC9669901 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1049991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ultrasound imaging has been widely used in breast cancer screening. Recently, ultrasound super-resolution imaging (SRI) has shown the capability to break the diffraction limit to display microvasculature. However, the application of SRI on differential diagnosis of breast masses remains unknown. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the feasibility and clinical value of SRI for visualizing microvasculature and differential diagnosis of breast masses. METHODS B mode, color-Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) images of 46 patients were collected respectively. SRI were generated by localizations of each possible contrast signals. Micro-vessel density (MVD) and microvascular flow rate (MFR) were calculated from SRI and time to peak (TTP), peak intensity (PI) and area under the curve (AUC) were obtained by quantitative analysis of CEUS images respectively. Pathological results were considered as the gold standard. Independent chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed using these parameters to examine the correlation. RESULTS The results showed that SRI technique could be successfully applied on breast masses and display microvasculature at a significantly higher resolution than the conventional CDFI and CEUS images. The results showed that the PI, AUC, MVD and MFR of malignant breast masses were significantly higher than those of benign breast masses, while TTP was significantly lower than that of benign breast masses. Among all five parameters, MVD showed the highest positive correlation with the malignancy of breast masses. CONCLUSIONS SRI is able to successfully display the microvasculature of breast masses. Compared with CDFI and CEUS, SRI can provide additional morphological and functional information for breast masses. MVD has a great potential in assisting the differential diagnosis of breast masses as an important imaging marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge Zhang
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, China Resources & Wisco General Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu-Meng Lei
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, China Resources & Wisco General Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Nan Li
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, China Resources & Wisco General Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Yu
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, China Resources & Wisco General Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xian-Yang Jiang
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, China Resources & Wisco General Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Mei-Hui Yu
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, China Resources & Wisco General Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hai-Man Hu
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shu-E Zeng
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin-Wu Cui
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hua-Rong Ye
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, China Resources & Wisco General Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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27
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Duan SF, Zhang MM, Zhang X, Liu W, Zhang SH, Yang B, Dong Q, Han JG, Yu HL, Li T, Ji XY, Wu DD, Zhang XJ. HA-ADT suppresses esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression via apoptosis promotion and autophagy inhibition. Exp Cell Res 2022; 420:113341. [PMID: 36075445 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2022.113341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a major cause of cancer-related deaths. We have previously connected a non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan, hyaluronic acid (HA), with a common hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donor, 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3H-1,2-dithiol-3-thione (ADT-OH), to reconstruct a novel conjugate, HA-ADT. In this study, we determined the effect of HA-ADT on the growth of ESCC. Our data suggested that HA-ADT exerted more potent effects than sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, a fast H2S-releasing donor) and morpholin-4-ium (4-methoxyphenyl)-morpholin-4-ylsulfanylidenesulfido-λ5-phosphane (GYY4137, a slow H2S-releasing donor) on inhibiting the viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion of human ESCC cells. HA-ADT increased apoptosis by suppressing the protein expressions of phospho (p)-Ser473-protein kinase B (PKB/AKT), p-Tyr199/Tyr458-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and p-Ser2448-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), but suppressed autophagy through the inhibition of the protein levels of p-Ser552-β-catenin, p-Ser9-glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), and Wnt3a in human ESCC cells. In addition, HA-ADT was more effective in terms of the growth inhibition of human ESCC xenograft tumor than NaHS and GYY4137. In conclusion, HA-ADT can suppress ESCC progression via apoptosis promotion and autophagy inhibition. HA-ADT might be efficacious for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Feng Duan
- Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Meng-Meng Zhang
- Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Shi-Hui Zhang
- Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Qian Dong
- Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Ju-Guo Han
- Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Hai-Lan Yu
- Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Tao Li
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Xin-Ying Ji
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China.
| | - Dong-Dong Wu
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China; School of Stomatology, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China.
| | - Xiao-Ju Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, China.
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Lawler J. Counter Regulation of Tumor Angiogenesis by Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Thrombospondin-1. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:126-135. [PMID: 36191900 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Considerable progress has been made in our understanding of the process of angiogenesis in the context of normal and tumor tissue over the last fifty years. Angiogenesis, like most physiological processes, is carefully controlled by dynamic and opposing effects of positive factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and negative factors, such as thrombospondin-1. In most cases, the progression of a small mass of cancerous cells to a life-threatening tumor depends upon the initiation of angiogenesis and involves the dysregulation of the angiogenic balance. Whereas our newfound appreciation for the role of angiogenesis in cancer has opened up new avenues for treatment, the success of these treatments, which have focused almost exclusively on antagonizing the VEGF pathway, has been limited to date. It is anticipated that this situation will improve as more therapeutics that target other pathways are developed, more strategies for combination therapies are advanced, more detailed stratification of patient populations occurs, and a better understanding of resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy is gained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Lawler
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, The Center for Vascular Biology Research, 99 Brookline Ave, Boston MA 02215, United States.
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29
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Salavati H, Debbaut C, Pullens P, Ceelen W. Interstitial fluid pressure as an emerging biomarker in solid tumors. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188792. [PMID: 36084861 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The physical microenvironment of cancer is characterized by elevated stiffness and tissue pressure, the main component of which is the interstitial fluid pressure (IFP). Elevated IFP is an established negative predictive and prognostic parameter, directly affecting malignant behavior and therapy response. As such, measurement of the IFP would allow to develop strategies aimed at engineering the physical microenvironment of cancer. Traditionally, IFP measurement required the use of invasive methods. Recent progress in dynamic and functional imaging methods such as dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging and elastography, combined with numerical models and simulation, allows to comprehensively assess the biomechanical landscape of cancer, and may help to overcome physical barriers to drug delivery and immune cell infiltration. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the origin of elevated IFP, and its role in the malignant phenotype. Also, we review the methods used to measure IFP using invasive and imaging based methods, and highlight remaining obstacles and potential areas of progress in order to implement IFP measurement in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hooman Salavati
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; IBitech- Biommeda, Department of Electronics and Information Systems, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Debbaut
- IBitech- Biommeda, Department of Electronics and Information Systems, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pim Pullens
- Department of Radiology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium; Ghent Institute of Functional and Metabolic Imaging (GIFMI), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; IBitech- Medisip, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wim Ceelen
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
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Bhandari A, Jaiswal K, Singh A, Zhan W. Convection-Enhanced Delivery of Antiangiogenic Drugs and Liposomal Cytotoxic Drugs to Heterogeneous Brain Tumor for Combination Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14174177. [PMID: 36077714 PMCID: PMC9454524 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Although developed anticancer drugs have shown desirable effects in preclinical trials, the clinical efficacy of chemotherapy against brain cancer remains disappointing. One of the important obstacles is the highly heterogeneous environment in tumors. This study aims to evaluate the performance of an emerging treatment using antiangiogenic and cytotoxic drugs. Our mathematical modelling confirms the advantage of this combination therapy in homogenizing the intratumoral environment for better drug delivery outcomes. In addition, the effects of local microvasculature and cell density on this therapy are also discussed. The results would contribute to the development of more effective treatments for brain cancer. Abstract Although convection-enhanced delivery can successfully bypass the blood-brain barrier, its clinical performance remains disappointing. This is primarily attributed to the heterogeneous intratumoral environment, particularly the tumor microvasculature. This study investigates the combined convection-enhanced delivery of antiangiogenic drugs and liposomal cytotoxic drugs in a heterogeneous brain tumor environment using a transport-based mathematical model. The patient-specific 3D brain tumor geometry and the tumor’s heterogeneous tissue properties, including microvascular density, porosity and cell density, are extracted from dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging data. Results show that antiangiogenic drugs can effectively reduce the tumor microvascular density. This change in tissue structure would inhibit the fluid loss from the blood to prevent drug concentration from dilution, and also reduce the drug loss by blood drainage. The comparisons between different dosing regimens demonstrate that the co-infusion of liposomal cytotoxic drugs and antiangiogenic drugs has the advantages of homogenizing drug distribution, increasing drug accumulation, and enlarging the volume where tumor cells can be effectively killed. The delivery outcomes are susceptible to the location of the infusion site. This combination treatment can be improved by infusing drugs at higher microvascular density sites. In contrast, infusion at a site with high cell density would lower the treatment effectiveness of the whole brain tumor. Results obtained from this study can deepen the understanding of this combination therapy and provide a reference for treatment design and optimization that can further improve survival and patient quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Bhandari
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad 826004, India
- Correspondence: (A.B.); (W.Z.)
| | - Kartikey Jaiswal
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad 826004, India
| | - Anup Singh
- Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Wenbo Zhan
- School of Engineering, King’s College, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK
- Correspondence: (A.B.); (W.Z.)
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Yang C, Zhang J, Zhang Y, Ji F, Chen Y, Zhu T, Zhang L, Gao H, Yang M, Li J, Cheng M, Wang K. Low-dose apatinib combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (LANCET): a single-center, single-arm, phase II trial. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2022; 14:17588359221118053. [PMID: 35983024 PMCID: PMC9379563 DOI: 10.1177/17588359221118053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Antiangiogenic therapy combined with chemotherapy could improve pathological complete response (pCR) for breast cancer. Apatinib is an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor that selectively inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2. We assessed the efficacy and safety of apatinib combined with standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Materials and methods: This single-arm, phase II study enrolled patients aged 18–70 years with previously untreated stage IIA-IIIB TNBC. Patients received oral apatinib at a dose of 250 mg once daily and intravenously docetaxel every 3 weeks for four cycles, followed by epirubicin plus cyclophosphamide every 3 weeks for four cycles. The primary endpoint was the pCR rate in the breast and lymph nodes. Secondary endpoints included objective response rate, event-free survival (EFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. Results: In all, 31 patients were enrolled, and the median follow-up time was 22.9 months (range: 10.1–41.6 months). The pCRs in both breast and lymph nodes were achieved in 17 [54.8%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 36.0–72.7] of 31 patients. Objective responses were achieved in 29 patients (93.5%; 95% CI: 78.6–99.2), and disease control was achieved in 31 patients (100%; 95% CI: 88.8–100.0). The 2-year EFS and 2-year OS were 90.9% and 94.4%, respectively. The five most common treatment-related adverse events were fatigue (51%), hypertension (41%), anorexia (39%), hand–foot syndrome (35%), and diarrhea (32%). Few grade 3 or more adverse events were observed. Conclusion: The combination of apatinib with docetaxel followed by epirubicin plus cyclophosphamide showed excellent efficacy and manageable toxicities; and further randomized controlled phase III trials are warranted. Trial registration: This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03243838) on 5 August 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciqiu Yang
- Department of Breast Cancer, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junsheng Zhang
- Department of Breast Cancer, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Breast Cancer, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fei Ji
- Department of Breast Cancer, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yitian Chen
- Department of Breast Cancer, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Teng Zhu
- Department of Breast Cancer, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liulu Zhang
- Department of Breast Cancer, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongfei Gao
- Department of Breast Cancer, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mei Yang
- Department of Breast Cancer, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jieqing Li
- Department of Breast Cancer, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Minyi Cheng
- Department of Breast Cancer, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Department of Breast Cancer, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, No. 123 Huifu West Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China
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Liu J, Gao T, Tan Z, Li S, Xu J, Bai C, Xue R, Xie L, Zhang L, Fan Z, Guo W. Phase II Study of TQB2450, a Novel PD-L1 Antibody, in Combination with Anlotinib in Patients with Locally Advanced or Metastatic Soft Tissue Sarcoma. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:3473-3479. [PMID: 35675031 PMCID: PMC9662895 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-0871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore the efficacy and safety of TQB2450 combined with anlotinib in patients with locally advanced or metastatic soft-tissue sarcoma (LA/M STS). PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a single arm phase II study (TQB2450-Ib-02 study) performed at two hospitals in China to assess the potency of TQB2450 combined with anlotinib in patients with LA/M STS. Patients were previously unresponsive to at least one chemotherapy regimen. Anlotinib (12 mg every day) was administered orally from day 1 to day 14 every 3 weeks. TQB2450 was administered by intravenous infusion at 1,200 mg on day 1 every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate (ORR). The secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), disease control rate (DCR), and safety. RESULTS Between January 2019 and June 2020, 30 patients were enrolled. The ORR was 36.67% and the DCR was 76.67%. The median PFS was 7.85 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.89-23.06] and the median OS was not reached [95% CI, 10.58-not estimable (NE)]. Among the patients with alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS; 12/30, 40%), the ORR was 75% and the median PFS was 23.06 months (95% CI, 8.97-NE). The most common treatment related adverse events were hypothyroidism (76.67%), hypertriglyceridemia (63.33%), hypercholesterolemia (60.00%), and elevated blood lactate dehydrogenase (53.33%). CONCLUSIONS The study showed the promising activity in patients with ASPS, also indicating the trend of treatment efficacy in other sarcomas. The toxicity was tolerable. More studies with larger sample size and controlled arm were warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Tian Gao
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Zhichao Tan
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Shu Li
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Xu
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Chujie Bai
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ruifeng Xue
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Xie
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Zhengfu Fan
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
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Ileiwat ZE, Tabish TA, Zinovkin DA, Yuzugulen J, Arghiani N, Pranjol MZI. The mechanistic immunosuppressive role of the tumour vasculature and potential nanoparticle-mediated therapeutic strategies. Front Immunol 2022; 13:976677. [PMID: 36045675 PMCID: PMC9423123 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.976677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumour vasculature is well-established to display irregular structure and hierarchy that is conducive to promoting tumour growth and metastasis while maintaining immunosuppression. As tumours grow, their metabolic rate increases while their distance from blood vessels furthers, generating a hypoxic and acidic tumour microenvironment. Consequently, cancer cells upregulate the expression of pro-angiogenic factors which propagate aberrant blood vessel formation. This generates atypical vascular features that reduce chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy efficacy. Therefore, the development of therapies aiming to restore the vasculature to a functional state remains a necessary research target. Many anti-angiogenic therapies aim to target this such as bevacizumab or sunitinib but have shown variable efficacy in solid tumours due to intrinsic or acquired resistance. Therefore, novel therapeutic strategies such as combination therapies and nanotechnology-mediated therapies may provide alternatives to overcoming the barriers generated by the tumour vasculature. This review summarises the mechanisms that induce abnormal tumour angiogenesis and how the vasculature’s features elicit immunosuppression. Furthermore, the review explores examples of treatment regiments that target the tumour vasculature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zakaria Elias Ileiwat
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedicine, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Tanveer A. Tabish
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jale Yuzugulen
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, Cyprus
| | - Nahid Arghiani
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedicine, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Nahid Arghiani, ; Md Zahidul I. Pranjol,
| | - Md Zahidul I. Pranjol
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedicine, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Nahid Arghiani, ; Md Zahidul I. Pranjol,
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Elebiyo TC, Rotimi D, Evbuomwan IO, Maimako RF, Iyobhebhe M, Ojo OA, Oluba OM, Adeyemi OS. Reassessing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in anti-angiogenic cancer therapy. Cancer Treat Res Commun 2022; 32:100620. [PMID: 35964475 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2022.100620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Vascularization is fundamental to the growth and spread of tumor cells to distant sites. As a consequence, angiogenesis, the sprouting of new blood vessels from existing ones, is a characteristic trait of cancer. In 1971, Judah Folkman postulated that tumour growth is angiogenesis dependent and that by cutting off blood supply, a neoplastic lesion could be potentially starved into remission. Decades of research have been devoted to understanding the role that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays in tumor angiogenesis, and it has been identified as a significant pro-angiogenic factor that is frequently overexpressed within a tumor mass. Today, anti-VEGF drugs such as Sunitinib, Sorafenib, Axitinib, Tanibirumab, and Ramucirumab have been approved for the treatment of advanced and metastatic cancers. However, anti-angiogenic therapy has turned out to be more complex than originally thought. The failure of this therapeutic option calls for a reevaluation of VEGF as the major target in anti-angiogenic cancer therapy. The call for reassessment is based on two rationales: first, tumour blood vessels are abnormal, disorganized, and leaky; this not only prevents optimal drug delivery but it also promotes hypoxia and metastasis; secondly, tumour growth or regrowth might be blood vessel dependent and not angiogenesis dependent as tumour cells can acquire blood vessels via non-angiogenic mechanisms. Therefore, a critical assessment of VEGF, VEGFRs, and their inhibitors could glean newer options such as repurposing anti-VEGF drugs as vascular normalizing agents to enhance drug delivery of immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Damilare Rotimi
- Department of Biochemistry, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
| | | | | | | | - Oluwafemi Adeleke Ojo
- Phytomedicine, Molecular Toxicology, and Computational Biochemistry Research Laboratory (PMTCB-RL), Department of Biochemistry, Bowen University, Iwo, 232101, Nigeria..
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35
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Shen R, Peng L, Zhou W, Wang D, Jiang Q, Ji J, Hu F, Yuan H. Anti-angiogenic nano-delivery system promotes tumor vascular normalizing and micro-environment reprogramming in solid tumor. J Control Release 2022; 349:550-564. [PMID: 35841997 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant tumor vasculature leads to the malignant tumor microenvironment (TME) for tumor progression. Research has found temporary tumor vascular normalization after treated with low-dose anti-angiogenic agents, however, has paid little attention to prolonging the normalization window and its further influence on tumor tissue. Based on the dose- and time-dependent effect of anti-angiogenic agents, we developed V@LDL NPs, a nano-delivery system sustainedly releasing Vandetanib, an anti-VEGFR2 inhibitor, to control the dose of drug to the normalizing level, and prove its stable tumor vascular normalizing effect in 4 T1 breast cancer model. Furthermore, long-term normalized vasculature could improve tumor perfusion, then provide a circulation to reverse abnormalities in TME, such as hypoxia and heterogeneity, and also inhibit tumor progression. Our findings demonstrate that stable tumor vascular normalization could be a considerable strategy for long-term change to remodel TME and probably result in a therapeutic benefit to anti-cancer treatment, which could be achieved by anti-angiogenic nano-delivery system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoyu Shen
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Lijun Peng
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Wentao Zhou
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Ding Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Jiang
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Ji
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zhe Da Road, Hangzhou 310027, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Fuqiang Hu
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Yuan
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China.
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Martin JD, Lanning RM, Chauhan VP, Martin MR, Mousa AS, Kamoun WS, Han HS, Lee H, Stylianopoulos T, Bawendi MG, Duda DG, Brown EB, Padera TP, Fukumura D, Jain RK. Multiphoton Phosphorescence Quenching Microscopy Reveals Kinetics of Tumor Oxygenation during Antiangiogenesis and Angiotensin Signaling Inhibition. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:3076-3090. [PMID: 35584239 PMCID: PMC9355624 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-0486] [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: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The abnormal function of tumor blood vessels causes tissue hypoxia, promoting disease progression and treatment resistance. Although tumor microenvironment normalization strategies can alleviate hypoxia globally, how local oxygen levels change is not known because of the inability to longitudinally assess vascular and interstitial oxygen in tumors with sufficient resolution. Understanding the spatial and temporal heterogeneity should help improve the outcome of various normalization strategies. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We developed a multiphoton phosphorescence quenching microscopy system using a low-molecular-weight palladium porphyrin probe to measure perfused vessels, oxygen tension, and their spatial correlations in vivo in mouse skin, bone marrow, and four different tumor models. Further, we measured the temporal and spatial changes in oxygen and vessel perfusion in tumors in response to an anti-VEGFR2 antibody (DC101) and an angiotensin-receptor blocker (losartan). RESULTS We found that vessel function was highly dependent on tumor type. Although some tumors had vessels with greater oxygen-carrying ability than those of normal skin, most tumors had inefficient vessels. Further, intervessel heterogeneity in tumors is associated with heterogeneous response to DC101 and losartan. Using both vascular and stromal normalizing agents, we show that spatial heterogeneity in oxygen levels persists, even with reductions in mean extravascular hypoxia. CONCLUSIONS High-resolution spatial and temporal responses of tumor vessels to two agents known to improve vascular perfusion globally reveal spatially heterogeneous changes in vessel structure and function. These dynamic vascular changes should be considered in optimizing the dose and schedule of vascular and stromal normalizing strategies to improve the therapeutic outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D. Martin
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Ryan M. Lanning
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Vikash P. Chauhan
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Margaret R. Martin
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ahmed S. Mousa
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Walid S. Kamoun
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Hee-Sun Han
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Hang Lee
- Biostatistics Center, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Moungi G. Bawendi
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Dan G. Duda
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Edward B. Brown
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Timothy P. Padera
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Dai Fukumura
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Rakesh K. Jain
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Corresponding Author: Rakesh K. Jain, Department of Radiation Oncology, 100 Blossom Street, Cox 7, Boston, MA 02114. E-mail:
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Kong BT, Fan QS, Wang XM, Zhang Q, Zhang GL. Clinical implications and mechanism of histopathological growth pattern in colorectal cancer liver metastases. World J Gastroenterol 2022; 28:3101-3115. [PMID: 36051338 PMCID: PMC9331533 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i26.3101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver is the most common site of metastases of colorectal cancer, and liver metastases present with distinct histopathological growth patterns (HGPs), including desmoplastic, pushing and replacement HGPs and two rare HGPs. HGP is a miniature of tumor-host reaction and reflects tumor biology and pathological features as well as host immune dynamics. Many studies have revealed the association of HGPs with carcinogenesis, angiogenesis, and clinical outcomes and indicates HGP functions as bond between microscopic characteristics and clinical implications. These findings make HGP a candidate marker in risk stratification and guiding treatment decision-making, and a target of imaging observation for patient screening. Of note, it is crucial to determine the underlying mechanism shaping HGP, for instance, immune infiltration and extracellular matrix remodeling in desmoplastic HGP, and aggressive characteristics and special vascularization in replacement HGP (rHGP). We highlight the importance of aggressive features, vascularization, host immune and organ structure in formation of HGP, hence propose a novel "advance under camouflage" hypothesis to explain the formation of rHGP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing-Tan Kong
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100010, China
- School of Graduates, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Qing-Sheng Fan
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100010, China
| | - Xiao-Min Wang
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100010, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100010, China
| | - Gan-Lin Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100010, China
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Cystathionine β-Synthase Regulates the Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Thyroid Carcinoma Cells. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:8678363. [PMID: 35795862 PMCID: PMC9252770 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8678363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is considered to be one of the most common endocrine tumors worldwide. Cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) plays a crucial role in the occurrence of several types of malignancies. And yet, the mechanism of action of CBS in the growth of thyroid carcinoma cells is still unrevealed. We found that CBS level in thyroid carcinoma tissue was higher than that in adjacent normal tissue. The overexpression of CBS enhanced the proliferation, migration, and invasion of thyroid cancer cells, while the downregulation of CBS exerted reverse effects. CBS overexpression reduced the levels of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase in thyroid cancer cells, whereas CBS knockdown showed reverse trends. CBS overexpression decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels but increased the levels of Wnt3a and phosphorylations of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (PKB/AKT), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), β-catenin, and glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta, while CBS knockdown exerted opposite effects. In addition, CBS overexpression promoted the growth of xenografted thyroid carcinoma, whereas CBS knockdown decreased the tumor growth by modulating angiogenesis, cell cycle, and apoptosis. Furthermore, aminooxyacetic acid (an inhibitor of CBS) dose-dependently inhibited thyroid carcinoma cell growth. CBS can regulate the proliferation, migration, and invasion of human thyroid cancer cells via ROS-mediated PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. CBS can be a potential biomarker for diagnosing or prognosing thyroid carcinoma. Novel donors that inhibit the expression of CBS can be developed in the treatment of thyroid carcinoma.
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Guzzeloni V, Veschini L, Pedica F, Ferrero E, Ferrarini M. 3D Models as a Tool to Assess the Anti-Tumor Efficacy of Therapeutic Antibodies: Advantages and Limitations. Antibodies (Basel) 2022; 11:antib11030046. [PMID: 35892706 PMCID: PMC9326665 DOI: 10.3390/antib11030046] [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: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are an emerging and very active frontier in clinical oncology, with hundred molecules currently in use or being tested. These treatments have already revolutionized clinical outcomes in both solid and hematological malignancies. However, identifying patients who are most likely to benefit from mAbs treatment is currently challenging and limiting the impact of such therapies. To overcome this issue, and to fulfill the expectations of mAbs therapies, it is urgently required to develop proper culture models capable of faithfully reproducing the interactions between tumor and its surrounding native microenvironment (TME). Three-dimensional (3D) models which allow the assessment of the impact of drugs on tumors within its TME in a patient-specific context are promising avenues to progressively fill the gap between conventional 2D cultures and animal models, substantially contributing to the achievement of personalized medicine. This review aims to give a brief overview of the currently available 3D models, together with their specific exploitation for therapeutic mAbs testing, underlying advantages and current limitations to a broader use in preclinical oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Guzzeloni
- B-Cell Neoplasia Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy; (V.G.); (E.F.)
| | - Lorenzo Veschini
- Academic Centre of Reconstructive Science, Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK;
| | - Federica Pedica
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Elisabetta Ferrero
- B-Cell Neoplasia Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy; (V.G.); (E.F.)
| | - Marina Ferrarini
- B-Cell Neoplasia Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy; (V.G.); (E.F.)
- Correspondence:
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Melo V, Bremer E, Martin JD. Towards Immunotherapy-Induced Normalization of the Tumor Microenvironment. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:908389. [PMID: 35712656 PMCID: PMC9196132 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.908389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies modulate the function of immune cells to eradicate cancer cells through various mechanisms. These therapies are successful across a spectrum of cancers, but they are curative only in a subset of patients. Indeed, a major obstacle to the success of immunotherapies is the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment (TME), comprising the stromal component and immune infiltrate of tumors. Importantly, the TME in most solid cancers is characterized by sparsely perfused blood vessels resulting from so-called pathological angiogenesis. In brief, dysregulated development of new vessels results in leaky tumor blood vessels that inefficiently deliver oxygen and other nutrients. Moreover, the occurrence of dysregulated fibrosis around the lesion, known as pathological desmoplasia, further compresses tumor blood vessels and impairs blood flow. TME normalization is a clinically tested treatment strategy to reverse these tumor blood vessel abnormalities resulting in stimulated antitumor immunity and enhanced immunotherapy efficacy. TME normalization includes vascular normalization to reduce vessel leakiness and reprogramming of cancer-associated fibroblast to decompress vessels. How immunotherapies themselves normalize the TME is poorly understood. In this review, we summarize current concepts and progress in TME normalization. Then, we review observations of immunotherapy-induced TME normalization and discuss the considerations for combining vascular normalizing and immunotherapies. If TME could be more completely normalized, immunotherapies could be more effective in more patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicio Melo
- Department of Hematology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Edwin Bremer
- Department of Hematology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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Munir MU. Nanomedicine Penetration to Tumor: Challenges, and Advanced Strategies to Tackle This Issue. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14122904. [PMID: 35740570 PMCID: PMC9221319 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14122904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanomedicine has been under investigation for several years to improve the efficiency of chemotherapeutics, having minimal pharmacological effects clinically. Ineffective tumor penetration is mediated by tumor environments, including limited vascular system, rising cancer cells, higher interstitial pressure, and extra-cellular matrix, among other things. Thus far, numerous methods to increase nanomedicine access to tumors have been described, including the manipulation of tumor micro-environments and the improvement of nanomedicine characteristics; however, such outdated approaches still have shortcomings. Multi-functional convertible nanocarriers have recently been developed as an innovative nanomedicine generation with excellent tumor infiltration abilities, such as tumor-penetrating peptide-mediated transcellular transport. The developments and limitations of nanomedicines, as well as expectations for better outcomes of tumor penetration, are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Usman Munir
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Aljouf, Saudi Arabia
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Quiros-Gonzalez I, Tomaszewski MR, Golinska MA, Brown E, Ansel-Bollepalli L, Hacker L, Couturier DL, Sainz RM, Bohndiek SE. Photoacoustic Tomography Detects Response and Resistance to Bevacizumab in Breast Cancer Mouse Models. Cancer Res 2022; 82:1658-1668. [PMID: 35404400 PMCID: PMC9359720 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-0626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is an established prognostic factor in advanced breast cancer, yet response to antiangiogenic therapies in this disease remains highly variable. Noninvasive imaging biomarkers could help identify patients that will benefit from antiangiogenic therapy and provide an ideal tool for longitudinal monitoring, enabling dosing regimens to be altered with real-time feedback. Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) is an emerging imaging modality that provides a direct readout of tumor hemoglobin concentration and oxygenation. We hypothesized that PAT could be used in the longitudinal setting to provide an early indication of response or resistance to antiangiogenic therapy. To test this hypothesis, PAT was performed over time in estrogen receptor-positive and estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer xenograft mouse models undergoing treatment with the antiangiogenic bevacizumab as a single agent. The cohort of treated tumors, which were mostly resistant to the treatment, contained a subset that demonstrated a clear survival benefit. At endpoint, the PAT data from the responding subset showed significantly lower oxygenation and higher hemoglobin content compared with both resistant and control tumors. Longitudinal analysis revealed that tumor oxygenation diverged significantly in the responding subset, identifying early treatment response and the evolution of different vascular phenotypes between the subsets. Responding tumors were characterized by a more angiogenic phenotype when analyzed with IHC, displaying higher vessel density, yet poorer vascular maturity and elevated hypoxia. Taken together, our findings indicate that PAT shows promise in providing an early indication of response or resistance to antiangiogenic therapy. SIGNIFICANCE Photoacoustic assessment of tumor oxygenation is a noninvasive early indicator of response to bevacizumab therapy, clearly distinguishing between control, responding, and resistant tumors within just a few weeks of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Quiros-Gonzalez
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Michal R. Tomaszewski
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Monika A. Golinska
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Brown
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Ansel-Bollepalli
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Lina Hacker
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Dominique-Laurent Couturier
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Rosa M. Sainz
- Cell Morphology and Biology Department, IUOPA and ISPA, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Sarah E. Bohndiek
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Ikeda-Imafuku M, Wang LLW, Rodrigues D, Shaha S, Zhao Z, Mitragotri S. Strategies to improve the EPR effect: A mechanistic perspective and clinical translation. J Control Release 2022; 345:512-536. [PMID: 35337939 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.03.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Many efforts have been made to achieve targeted delivery of anticancer drugs to enhance their efficacy and to reduce their adverse effects. These efforts include the development of nanomedicines as they can selectively penetrate through tumor blood vessels through the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. The EPR effect was first proposed by Maeda and co-workers in 1986, and since then various types of nanoparticles have been developed to take advantage of the phenomenon with regards to drug delivery. However, the EPR effect has been found to be highly variable and thus unreliable due to the complex tumor microenvironment. Various physical and pharmacological strategies have been explored to overcome this challenge. Here, we review key advances and emerging concepts of such EPR-enhancing strategies. Furthermore, we analyze 723 clinical trials of nanoparticles with EPR enhancers and discuss their clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayumi Ikeda-Imafuku
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Cambridge, MA 20138, USA
| | - Lily Li-Wen Wang
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Cambridge, MA 20138, USA; Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Danika Rodrigues
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Cambridge, MA 20138, USA
| | - Suyog Shaha
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Cambridge, MA 20138, USA
| | - Zongmin Zhao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; Translational Oncology Program, University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
| | - Samir Mitragotri
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Cambridge, MA 20138, USA.
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Miller B, Sewell-Loftin MK. Mechanoregulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 in Angiogenesis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 8:804934. [PMID: 35087885 PMCID: PMC8787114 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.804934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The endothelial cells that compose the vascular system in the body display a wide range of mechanotransductive behaviors and responses to biomechanical stimuli, which act in concert to control overall blood vessel structure and function. Such mechanosensitive activities allow blood vessels to constrict, dilate, grow, or remodel as needed during development as well as normal physiological functions, and the same processes can be dysregulated in various disease states. Mechanotransduction represents cellular responses to mechanical forces, translating such factors into chemical or electrical signals which alter the activation of various cell signaling pathways. Understanding how biomechanical forces drive vascular growth in healthy and diseased tissues could create new therapeutic strategies that would either enhance or halt these processes to assist with treatments of different diseases. In the cardiovascular system, new blood vessel formation from preexisting vasculature, in a process known as angiogenesis, is driven by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) binding to VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) which promotes blood vessel development. However, physical forces such as shear stress, matrix stiffness, and interstitial flow are also major drivers and effectors of angiogenesis, and new research suggests that mechanical forces may regulate VEGFR-2 phosphorylation. In fact, VEGFR-2 activation has been linked to known mechanobiological agents including ERK/MAPK, c-Src, Rho/ROCK, and YAP/TAZ. In vascular disease states, endothelial cells can be subjected to altered mechanical stimuli which affect the pathways that control angiogenesis. Both normalizing and arresting angiogenesis associated with tumor growth have been strategies for anti-cancer treatments. In the field of regenerative medicine, harnessing biomechanical regulation of angiogenesis could enhance vascularization strategies for treating a variety of cardiovascular diseases, including ischemia or permit development of novel tissue engineering scaffolds. This review will focus on the impact of VEGFR-2 mechanosignaling in endothelial cells (ECs) and its interaction with other mechanotransductive pathways, as well as presenting a discussion on the relationship between VEGFR-2 activation and biomechanical forces in the extracellular matrix (ECM) that can help treat diseases with dysfunctional vascular growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bronte Miller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Mary Kathryn Sewell-Loftin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States.,O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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Harry JA, Ormiston ML. Novel Pathways for Targeting Tumor Angiogenesis in Metastatic Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:772305. [PMID: 34926282 PMCID: PMC8678517 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.772305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women and is the second leading cause of cancer related death worldwide. Angiogenesis, the process of new blood vessel development from pre-existing vasculature, has been implicated in the growth, progression, and metastasis of cancer. Tumor angiogenesis has been explored as a key therapeutic target for decades, as the blockade of this process holds the potential to reduce the oxygen and nutrient supplies that are required for tumor growth. However, many existing anti-angiogenic approaches, such as those targeting Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Notch, and Angiopoietin signaling, have been associated with severe side-effects, limited survival advantage, and enhanced cancer regrowth rates. To address these setbacks, alternative pathways involved in the regulation of tumor angiogenesis are being explored, including those involving Bone Morphogenetic Protein-9 signaling, the Sonic Hedgehog pathway, Cyclooxygenase-2, p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase, and Chemokine Ligand 18. This review article will introduce the concept of tumor angiogenesis in the context of breast cancer, followed by an overview of current anti-angiogenic therapies, associated resistance mechanisms and novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan A Harry
- Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Mark L Ormiston
- Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.,Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.,Department of Surgery, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
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Meng Q, Hu H, Jing X, Sun Y, Zhou L, Zhu Y, Yu B, Cong H, Shen Y. A modular ROS-responsive platform co-delivered by 10-hydroxycamptothecin and dexamethasone for cancer treatment. J Control Release 2021; 340:102-113. [PMID: 34718005 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Traditional and single treatment strategies are difficult to achieve good results due to tumor resistance and complex mechanisms. Combination therapy through co-delivery systems is one of the methods to improve the effectiveness of cancer treatment. The polyprodrug platform has inherent advantages such as high drug loading and strong stability. Herein, a new reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive micelle composed of poly 10-hydroxycamptothecin (pHCPT) and PEG is reported, which loaded dexamethasone (DEX) as synergistic drugs. The micelles collapse in the complex microenvironment of tumor cells to release DEX. The first released DEX can increase the ROS level of tumor cells, thereby facilitating the cleavage of thioketal bonds to release intact HCPT molecules. Meanwhile, DEX can normalize tumor blood vessels, reduce adverse reactions, and further improve the efficacy of HCPT. This co-delivery system shows an ideal tumor suppressive effect in vivo and in vitro. Designing drugs into a modular multi-drug platform and selecting appropriate synergistic drugs according to the treatment plan provides a convenient strategy for future clinical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingye Meng
- Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Hao Hu
- Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xiaodong Jing
- Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Ying Sun
- Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Liping Zhou
- Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yaowei Zhu
- Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Bing Yu
- Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for New Fiber Materials and Modern Textile, Growing Base for State Key Laboratory, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Hailin Cong
- Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for New Fiber Materials and Modern Textile, Growing Base for State Key Laboratory, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
| | - Youqing Shen
- Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Center for Bionanoengineering, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
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Yuan M, Zhu Z, Mao W, Wang H, Qian H, Wu J, Guo X, Xu Q. Anlotinib Combined With Anti-PD-1 Antibodies Therapy in Patients With Advanced Refractory Solid Tumors: A Single-Center, Observational, Prospective Study. Front Oncol 2021; 11:683502. [PMID: 34692475 PMCID: PMC8529018 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.683502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Anlotinib (AL3818) is a novel multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and suppressing tumor growth. Modulation of tumor suppressive immune microenvironment via the inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor may augment the activity of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Here we described the results of safety, and clinical efficacy of anlotinib combined with immunotherapy in patients with advanced solid tumors, the serum cytokine levels, and peripheral blood T lymphocyte populations were detected simultaneously. Methods Twenty six cases with advanced late-stage cancers including lung, gallbladder, endometrial, gastric, pancreatic, penile cancers and melanoma were treated since January 2019. Patients received a combination of anlotinib (12mg) once daily on day 1 to day 14 (21 days as a course) plus anti-PD-1 antibodies every 3 weeks until progression or intolerable toxicity. Imaging was performed every 6 weeks for the first year of therapy. Blood samples were collected from patients prospectively. Serum interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and circulating immune cell subsets were measured at baseline and after two cycles of treatment via flow cytometry. Results There were ten tumor types enrolled with lung, gallbladder, cholangiocarcinoma and soft tissue sarcoma being the most common. Most patients had received front line treatments for metastatic disease (80.8%). The objective response rate (ORR) was 23.1%, including one complete response (CR) (3.8%) and five partial responses (PR) (19.2%) and a disease control rate (DCR=CR+PR+SD) of 80.8% (21 of 26). The median PFS was 8.37 months (95% CI: 6.5-10.0 months). Three patients (11.5%) had grade 3 treatment-related adverse events. There were no grade 4 or 5 treatment-related adverse events. Grades 3 toxicities included hand-foot syndrome (n=2) and hypertension (n=1). Higher serum IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ levels and lower ratios of CD4/CD8 T cells were found in the responders compared with non-responders. Conclusions The preliminary data showed that the combination of anlotinib and anti-PD-1 antibodies demonstrated promising durable antitumor efficacy with acceptable toxicity in patients with various advance tumors, and promoted favorable changes in serum IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ levels and circulating immune cell subsets in clinical responders. It is worth to further validate the efficacy in a randomized prospective trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Yuan
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongzheng Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Mao
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Qian
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianguo Wu
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianling Guo
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Xu
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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Yang T, Xiao H, Liu X, Wang Z, Zhang Q, Wei N, Guo X. Vascular Normalization: A New Window Opened for Cancer Therapies. Front Oncol 2021; 11:719836. [PMID: 34476218 PMCID: PMC8406857 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.719836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Preclinical and clinical antiangiogenic approaches, with multiple side effects such as resistance, have not been proved to be very successful in treating tumor blood vessels which are important targets for tumor therapy. Meanwhile, restoring aberrant tumor blood vessels, known as tumor vascular normalization, has been shown not only capable of reducing tumor invasion and metastasis but also of enhancing the effectiveness of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. In addition to the introduction of such methods of promoting tumor vascular normalization such as maintaining the balance between proangiogenic and antiangiogenic factors and targeting endothelial cell metabolism, microRNAs, and the extracellular matrix, the latest molecular mechanisms and the potential connections between them were primarily explored. In particular, the immunotherapy-induced normalization of blood vessels further promotes infiltration of immune effector cells, which in turn improves immunotherapy, thus forming an enhanced loop. Thus, immunotherapy in combination with antiangiogenic agents is recommended. Finally, we introduce the imaging technologies and serum markers, which can be used to determine the window for tumor vascular normalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Hongqi Xiao
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xiaoxia Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhihui Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Qingbai Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Nianjin Wei
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xinggang Guo
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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Normalizing Tumor Vasculature to Reduce Hypoxia, Enhance Perfusion, and Optimize Therapy Uptake. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13174444. [PMID: 34503254 PMCID: PMC8431369 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In order for solid tumors to grow, they need to develop new blood vessels in order to support their increasing metabolic requirements. To facilitate the novel vessel formation, the tumor initiates an aggressive pro-angiogenic program. As a result of the aggressive angiogenesis, blood vessels form very rapidly and are often malformed and dysfunctional. There is a reduction in perfusion to the tumor, and often the tumors exhibit significant areas of tumor hypoxia. This review paper discusses the pro-tumorigenic environment induced by tumor hypoxia and how this can be targeted through normalization of the tumor vasculature. Here, we review tumor angiogenesis, the development of a hypoxic phenotype, and how this contributes to sustained tumorigenesis and resistance to therapy. We further discuss the potential of vascular normalization to reduce tumor hypoxia and facilitate uptake and efficacy of a variety of therapies. Abstract A basic requirement of tumorigenesis is the development of a vascular network to support the metabolic requirements of tumor growth and metastasis. Tumor vascular formation is regulated by a balance between promoters and inhibitors of angiogenesis. Typically, the pro-angiogenic environment created by the tumor is extremely aggressive, resulting in the rapid vessel formation with abnormal, dysfunctional morphology. The altered morphology and function of tumor blood and lymphatic vessels has numerous implications including poor perfusion, tissue hypoxia, and reduced therapy uptake. Targeting tumor angiogenesis as a therapeutic approach has been pursued in a host of different cancers. Although some preclinical success was seen, there has been a general lack of clinical success with traditional anti-angiogenic therapeutics as single agents. Typically, following anti-angiogenic therapy, there is remodeling of the tumor microenvironment and widespread tumor hypoxia, which is associated with development of therapy resistance. A more comprehensive understanding of the biology of tumor angiogenesis and insights into new clinical approaches, including combinations with immunotherapy, are needed to advance vascular targeting as a therapeutic area.
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