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Zeng M, Ruan Z, Tang J, Liu M, Hu C, Fan P, Dai X. Generation, evolution, interfering factors, applications, and challenges of patient-derived xenograft models in immunodeficient mice. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:120. [PMID: 37344821 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02953-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Establishing appropriate preclinical models is essential for cancer research. Evidence suggests that cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease. This follows the growing use of cancer models in cancer research to avoid these differences between xenograft tumor models and patient tumors. In recent years, a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumor model has been actively generated and applied, which preserves both cell-cell interactions and the microenvironment of tumors by directly transplanting cancer tissue from tumors into immunodeficient mice. In addition to this, the advent of alternative hosts, such as zebrafish hosts, or in vitro models (organoids and microfluidics), has also facilitated the advancement of cancer research. However, they still have a long way to go before they become reliable models. The development of immunodeficient mice has enabled PDX to become more mature and radiate new vitality. As one of the most reliable and standard preclinical models, the PDX model in immunodeficient mice (PDX-IM) exerts important effects in drug screening, biomarker development, personalized medicine, co-clinical trials, and immunotherapy. Here, we focus on the development procedures and application of PDX-IM in detail, summarize the implications that the evolution of immunodeficient mice has brought to PDX-IM, and cover the key issues in developing PDX-IM in preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingtang Zeng
- Department of Pharmacy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Zijing Ruan
- Department of Pharmacy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jiaxi Tang
- Department of Pharmacy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Maozhu Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Chengji Hu
- Department of Pharmacy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Ping Fan
- Department of Pharmacy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Xinhua Dai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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De Angelis ML, Francescangeli F, Zeuner A, Baiocchi M. Orthotopic Xenografts of Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2429:555-565. [PMID: 35507189 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1979-7_39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for the initiation of primary tumors and for metastasis seeding at distant organs. Therefore, they represent crucial targets for the study and preclinical testing of new antimetastatic approaches. We recently generated a molecularly characterized biobank of colorectal CSCs, isolated from individual patients and cultured in serum-free medium as multicellular spheroids. Here, we describe in detail the generation of a metastatic model of colorectal cancer based on the orthotopic injection of CSCs into the cecum serosa of immunodeficient mice. Such a model represents an excellent experimental system to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in colorectal cancer metastasis, to analyze rare premetastatic elements such as circulating and disseminated tumor cells, and for the preclinical testing of new agents with potential antimetastatic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Laura De Angelis
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Ann Zeuner
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Baiocchi
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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Durinikova E, Buzo K, Arena S. Preclinical models as patients' avatars for precision medicine in colorectal cancer: past and future challenges. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:185. [PMID: 34090508 PMCID: PMC8178911 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01981-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a complex and heterogeneous disease, characterized by dismal prognosis and low survival rate in the advanced (metastatic) stage. During the last decade, the establishment of novel preclinical models, leading to the generation of translational discovery and validation platforms, has opened up a new scenario for the clinical practice of CRC patients. To bridge the results developed at the bench with the medical decision process, the ideal model should be easily scalable, reliable to predict treatment responses, and flexibly adapted for various applications in the research. As such, the improved benefit of novel therapies being tested initially on valuable and reproducible preclinical models would lie in personalized treatment recommendations based on the biology and genomics of the patient's tumor with the overall aim to avoid overtreatment and unnecessary toxicity. In this review, we summarize different in vitro and in vivo models, which proved efficacy in detection of novel CRC culprits and shed light into the biology and therapy of this complex disease. Even though cell lines and patient-derived xenografts remain the mainstay of colorectal cancer research, the field has been confidently shifting to the use of organoids as the most relevant preclinical model. Prioritization of organoids is supported by increasing body of evidence that these represent excellent tools worth further therapeutic explorations. In addition, novel preclinical models such as zebrafish avatars are emerging as useful tools for pharmacological interrogation. Finally, all available models represent complementary tools that can be utilized for precision medicine applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Durinikova
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS, Strada Provinciale 142, Km 3.95, 10060, Candiolo, TO, Italy
| | - Kristi Buzo
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS, Strada Provinciale 142, Km 3.95, 10060, Candiolo, TO, Italy
| | - Sabrina Arena
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS, Strada Provinciale 142, Km 3.95, 10060, Candiolo, TO, Italy.
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Strada Provinciale 142, Km 3.95, 10060, Candiolo, TO, Italy.
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Rizzo G, Bertotti A, Leto SM, Vetrano S. Patient-derived tumor models: a more suitable tool for pre-clinical studies in colorectal cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:178. [PMID: 34074330 PMCID: PMC8168319 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01970-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC), despite the advances in screening and surveillance, remains the second most common cause of cancer death worldwide. The biological inadequacy of pre-clinical models to fully recapitulate the multifactorial etiology and the complexity of tumor microenvironment and human CRC's genetic heterogeneity has limited cancer treatment development. This has led to the development of Patient-derived models able to phenocopy as much as possible the original inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity of CRC, reflecting the tumor microenvironment's cellular interactions. Implantation of patient tissue into immunodeficient mice hosts and the culture of tumor organoids have allowed advances in cancer biology and metastasis. This review highlights the advantages and limits of Patient-derived models as innovative and valuable pre-clinical tools to study progression and metastasis of CRC, develop novel therapeutic strategies by creating a drug screening platform, and predict the efficacy of clinical response to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Rizzo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini, Pieve Emanuele, 20090, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Bertotti
- Laboratory of Translational Cancer Medicine, Candiolo Cancer Institute - FPO IRCCs, Candiolo, 10060, Torino, Italy
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino School of Medicine, Candiolo, 10060, Torino, Italy
| | - Simonetta Maria Leto
- Laboratory of Translational Cancer Medicine, Candiolo Cancer Institute - FPO IRCCs, Candiolo, 10060, Torino, Italy
| | - Stefania Vetrano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini, Pieve Emanuele, 20090, Milan, Italy.
- IBD Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.
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Xu Y, Zhang L, Wang Q, Zheng M. Comparison of Different Colorectal Cancer With Liver Metastases Models Using Six Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines. Pathol Oncol Res 2020; 26:2177-2183. [PMID: 32172478 DOI: 10.1007/s12253-020-00805-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
At present, modeling methods of colorectal cancer with liver metastases have significant limitations. Here, we established orthotopic and ectopic hepatic metastases models using six colorectal cancer cell lines to choose an ideal animal model for studying colorectal cancer growth and liver metastases. Luciferin-expressing six colorectal cancer cell lines were used to induce animal models of colorectal cancer with liver metastases by intra-splenic injection or implantation of tumor tissue in the caecum. Tumors growth and metastatic events were observed by bioluminescence imaging. In orthotopic transplantation group, six cell lines all had taken rates of 100% for orthotopic tumors but showed variations in rates of growth. HCT-116 cell developed the 50% liver metastases. However, the ectopic transplantation group achieved higher liver metastatic rate, with the highest frequencies for HCT116 cell (90%) and SW620 cell (77.8%). Furthermore, the time to develop liver metastases and survival rates of bearing-tumor mice were shorter than orthotopic transplantation group. Additionally, six colorectal cancer cell lines resulted in more lymph node metastases in orthotopic transplantation group, whereas produced widespread peritoneal seeding in ectopic transplantation group. Bioluminescence imaging and pathological findings confirmed the growth and metastatic characteristics of tumors. Two animal models of colorectal cancer using six cell lines showed highly variations in rates of growth, survival rates of bearing-tumor mice and frequencies of metastases. The study provides useful information for the establishment of clinically relevant colorectal cancer with liver metastases animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Xu
- Department of Pathology, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Lin Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qingling Wang
- Department of Pathology, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Maojin Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
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Invrea F, Rovito R, Torchiaro E, Petti C, Isella C, Medico E. Patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) as model systems for human cancer. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2020; 63:151-156. [PMID: 32070860 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2020.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) are obtained by transplanting fragments of a patient's tumour into immunodeficient mice. Growth and propagation of PDXs allows correlating therapeutic response in vivo with extensive, multi-dimensional molecular annotation, leading to identification of predictive biomarkers. PDXs are increasingly recognised as clinically relevant models of cancer for several reasons, of which the main is the possibility of studying the behaviour of cancer cells in a natural microenvironment, where they interact with stromal components accrued from the mouse host. PDXs maintain close similarities with the tumour of origin, in terms of tissue architecture, molecular features and response to treatments. Indeed, preclinical trials in PDXs have been shown to match and also anticipate data obtained in patients. Exploration of more complex processes like metastatic evolution and antitumour immune responses is actively pursued with PDXs, as new generations of host models emerge on the horizon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Invrea
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, strada Prov. 142, km 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Roberta Rovito
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, strada Prov. 142, km 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Erica Torchiaro
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, strada Prov. 142, km 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Consalvo Petti
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, strada Prov. 142, km 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Claudio Isella
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, strada Prov. 142, km 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy; University of Torino, Department of Oncology, strada Prov. 142, km 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Enzo Medico
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, strada Prov. 142, km 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy; University of Torino, Department of Oncology, strada Prov. 142, km 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy.
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