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Slika H, Karimov Z, Alimonti P, Abou-Mrad T, De Fazio E, Alomari S, Tyler B. Preclinical Models and Technologies in Glioblastoma Research: Evolution, Current State, and Future Avenues. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16316. [PMID: 38003507 PMCID: PMC10671665 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216316] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most common malignant primary central nervous system tumor and one of the most debilitating cancers. The prognosis of patients with glioblastoma remains poor, and the management of this tumor, both in its primary and recurrent forms, remains suboptimal. Despite the tremendous efforts that are being put forward by the research community to discover novel efficacious therapeutic agents and modalities, no major paradigm shifts have been established in the field in the last decade. However, this does not mirror the abundance of relevant findings and discoveries made in preclinical glioblastoma research. Hence, developing and utilizing appropriate preclinical models that faithfully recapitulate the characteristics and behavior of human glioblastoma is of utmost importance. Herein, we offer a holistic picture of the evolution of preclinical models of glioblastoma. We further elaborate on the commonly used in vitro and vivo models, delving into their development, favorable characteristics, shortcomings, and areas of potential improvement, which aids researchers in designing future experiments and utilizing the most suitable models. Additionally, this review explores progress in the fields of humanized and immunotolerant mouse models, genetically engineered animal models, 3D in vitro models, and microfluidics and highlights promising avenues for the future of preclinical glioblastoma research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Slika
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (H.S.); (Z.K.); (S.A.)
| | - Ziya Karimov
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (H.S.); (Z.K.); (S.A.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Paolo Alimonti
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy; (P.A.); (E.D.F.)
| | - Tatiana Abou-Mrad
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon;
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Emerson De Fazio
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy; (P.A.); (E.D.F.)
| | - Safwan Alomari
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (H.S.); (Z.K.); (S.A.)
| | - Betty Tyler
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (H.S.); (Z.K.); (S.A.)
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Hicks WH, Bird CE, Traylor JI, Shi DD, El Ahmadieh TY, Richardson TE, McBrayer SK, Abdullah KG. Contemporary Mouse Models in Glioma Research. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030712. [PMID: 33806933 PMCID: PMC8004772 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of glioma, outcomes remain dismal. Developing successful treatments for glioma requires faithful in vivo disease modeling and rigorous preclinical testing. Murine models, including xenograft, syngeneic, and genetically engineered models, are used to study glioma-genesis, identify methods of tumor progression, and test novel treatment strategies. Since the discovery of highly recurrent isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations in lower-grade gliomas, there is increasing emphasis on effective modeling of IDH mutant brain tumors. Improvements in preclinical models that capture the phenotypic and molecular heterogeneity of gliomas are critical for the development of effective new therapies. Herein, we explore the current status, advancements, and challenges with contemporary murine glioma models.
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Affiliation(s)
- William H. Hicks
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA; (W.H.H.); (C.E.B.); (J.I.T.); (T.Y.E.A.)
| | - Cylaina E. Bird
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA; (W.H.H.); (C.E.B.); (J.I.T.); (T.Y.E.A.)
| | - Jeffrey I. Traylor
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA; (W.H.H.); (C.E.B.); (J.I.T.); (T.Y.E.A.)
| | - Diana D. Shi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA;
| | - Tarek Y. El Ahmadieh
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA; (W.H.H.); (C.E.B.); (J.I.T.); (T.Y.E.A.)
| | - Timothy E. Richardson
- Department of Pathology, Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 75229, USA;
| | - Samuel K. McBrayer
- Children’s Medical Center Research Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Harrold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
- Correspondence: (S.K.M.); (K.G.A.)
| | - Kalil G. Abdullah
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA; (W.H.H.); (C.E.B.); (J.I.T.); (T.Y.E.A.)
- Harrold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
- Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
- Correspondence: (S.K.M.); (K.G.A.)
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3
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Engineering Inducible Knock-In Mice to Model Oncogenic Brain Tumor Mutations from Endogenous Loci. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1869:207-230. [PMID: 30324526 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8805-1_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
To maximize the physiological relevance of in vivo brain tumor mouse models designed to study the downstream effects of oncogenic mutations, it is important to express the mutated genes at appropriate levels, in relevant cell types, and in the proper developmental context. For recurrent mutations found in the heterozygous state in tumors, expression of the mutation from the endogenous locus is a more physiologically relevant recapitulation of the brain tumor genome. Here, we describe an approach to generate knock-in mice with an inducible mutation recombined into the endogenous locus. In these engineered mice, the mutated allele is designed for expression controlled by the endogenous promoter and regulatory elements after Cre recombinase-mediated deletion of a loxP-STOP-loxP cassette inserted upstream of the translational start site. To preserve the structure of the endogenous locus, mutations or additional elements may need to be inserted at a considerable distance from the loxP-STOP-loxP cassette. We used recombineering to build a construct with two selectable markers and multiple genetic alterations that can be introduced into the endogenous allele in cis with a single ES cell targeting.
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4
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Lavictoire SJ, Gont A, Julian LM, Stanford WL, Vlasschaert C, Gray DA, Jomaa D, Lorimer IAJ. Engineering PTEN-L for Cell-Mediated Delivery. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2017; 9:12-22. [PMID: 29255742 PMCID: PMC5725211 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2017.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The tumor suppressor PTEN is frequently inactivated in glioblastoma. PTEN-L is a long form of PTEN produced by translation from an alternate upstream start codon. Unlike PTEN, PTEN-L has a signal sequence and a tract of six arginine residues that allow PTEN-L to be secreted from cells and be taken up by neighboring cells. This suggests that PTEN-L could be used as a therapeutic to restore PTEN activity. However, effective delivery of therapeutic proteins to treat CNS cancers such as glioblastoma is challenging. One method under evaluation is cell-mediated therapy, where cells with tumor-homing abilities such as neural stem cells are genetically modified to express a therapeutic protein. Here, we have developed a version of PTEN-L that is engineered for enhanced cell-mediated delivery. This was accomplished by replacement of the native leader sequence of PTEN-L with a leader sequence from human light-chain immunoglobulin G (IgG). This version of PTEN-L showed increased secretion and an increased ability to transfer to neighboring cells. Neural stem cells derived from human fibroblasts could be modified to express this version of PTEN-L and were able to deliver catalytically active light-chain leader PTEN-L (lclPTEN-L) to neighboring glioblastoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie J Lavictoire
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Alexander Gont
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Lisa M Julian
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - William L Stanford
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada.,Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Caitlyn Vlasschaert
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Douglas A Gray
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Danny Jomaa
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Ian A J Lorimer
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
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Koschmann C, Calinescu AA, Nunez FJ, Mackay A, Fazal-Salom J, Thomas D, Mendez F, Kamran N, Dzaman M, Mulpuri L, Krasinkiewicz J, Doherty R, Lemons R, Brosnan-Cashman JA, Li Y, Roh S, Zhao L, Appelman H, Ferguson D, Gorbunova V, Meeker A, Jones C, Lowenstein PR, Castro MG. ATRX loss promotes tumor growth and impairs nonhomologous end joining DNA repair in glioma. Sci Transl Med 2016; 8:328ra28. [PMID: 26936505 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aac8228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Recent work in human glioblastoma (GBM) has documented recurrent mutations in the histone chaperone protein ATRX. We developed an animal model of ATRX-deficient GBM and showed that loss of ATRX reduces median survival and increases genetic instability. Further, analysis of genome-wide data for human gliomas showed that ATRX mutation is associated with increased mutation rate at the single-nucleotide variant (SNV) level. In mouse tumors, ATRX deficiency impairs nonhomologous end joining and increases sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents that induce double-stranded DNA breaks. We propose that ATRX loss results in a genetically unstable tumor, which is more aggressive when left untreated but is more responsive to double-stranded DNA-damaging agents, resulting in improved overall survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl Koschmann
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. Departments of Neurosurgery and Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Anda-Alexandra Calinescu
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Felipe J Nunez
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Alan Mackay
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, Institute of Cancer Research, London SM2 5NG, UK
| | - Janet Fazal-Salom
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, Institute of Cancer Research, London SM2 5NG, UK
| | - Daniel Thomas
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Flor Mendez
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Neha Kamran
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Marta Dzaman
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Lakshman Mulpuri
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Johnathon Krasinkiewicz
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Robert Doherty
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Rosemary Lemons
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | | | - Youping Li
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Soyeon Roh
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Lili Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Henry Appelman
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - David Ferguson
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Vera Gorbunova
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
| | - Alan Meeker
- Departments of Pathology and Urology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Chris Jones
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, Institute of Cancer Research, London SM2 5NG, UK
| | - Pedro R Lowenstein
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Maria G Castro
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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6
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Resende FFB, Bai X, Del Bel EA, Kirchhoff F, Scheller A, Titze-de-Almeida R. Evaluation of TgH(CX3CR1-EGFP) mice implanted with mCherry-GL261 cells as an in vivo model for morphometrical analysis of glioma-microglia interaction. BMC Cancer 2016; 16:72. [PMID: 26856327 PMCID: PMC4746826 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-016-2118-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Glioblastoma multiforme is the most aggressive brain tumor. Microglia are prominent cells within glioma tissue and play important roles in tumor biology. This work presents an animal model designed for the study of microglial cell morphology in situ during gliomagenesis. It also allows a quantitative morphometrical analysis of microglial cells during their activation by glioma cells. Methods The animal model associates the following cell types: 1- mCherry red fluorescent GL261 glioma cells and; 2- EGFP fluorescent microglia, present in the TgH(CX3CR1-EGFP) mouse line. First, mCherry-GL261 glioma cells were implanted in the brain cortex of TgH(CX3CR1-EGFP) mice. Epifluorescence − and confocal laser-scanning microscopy were employed for analysis of fixed tissue sections, whereas two-photon laser-scanning microscopy (2P-LSM) was used to track tumor cells and microglia in the brain of living animals. Results Implanted mCherry-GL261 cells successfully developed brain tumors. They mimic the aggressive behavior found in human disease, with a rapid increase in size and the presence of secondary tumors apart from the injection site. As tumor grows, mCherry-GL261 cells progressively lost their original shape, adopting a heterogeneous and diffuse morphology at 14–18 d. Soma size increased from 10–52 μm. At this point, we focused on the kinetics of microglial access to glioma tissues. 2P-LSM revealed an intense microgliosis in brain areas already shortly after tumor implantation, i.e. at 30 min. By confocal microscopy, we found clusters of microglial cells around the tumor mass in the first 3 days. Then cells infiltrated the tumor area, where they remained during all the time points studied, from 6–18 days. Microglia in contact with glioma cells also present changes in cell morphology, from a ramified to an amoeboid shape. Cell bodies enlarged from 366 ± 0.0 μm2, in quiescent microglia, to 1310 ± 146.0 μm2, and the cell processes became shortened. Conclusions The GL261/CX3CR1 mouse model reported here is a valuable tool for imaging of microglial cells during glioma growth, either in fixed tissue sections or living animals. Remarkable advantages are the use of immunocompetent animals and the simplified imaging method without the need of immunohistochemical procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando F B Resende
- Laboratório de Tecnologias para Terapia Gênica, ASS 128, ICC Sul, Universidade de Brasília-UnB, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, FAV., Brasília, DF, Brasil, 70910-970. .,Molecular Physiology, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany.
| | - Xianshu Bai
- Molecular Physiology, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany.
| | - Elaine Aparecida Del Bel
- Laboratório de Neurofisiologia e Biologia Molecular, Department Morfologia Fisiologia e Patologia Básica, FORP, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil, 14040-904.
| | - Frank Kirchhoff
- Molecular Physiology, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany.
| | - Anja Scheller
- Molecular Physiology, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany.
| | - Ricardo Titze-de-Almeida
- Laboratório de Tecnologias para Terapia Gênica, ASS 128, ICC Sul, Universidade de Brasília-UnB, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, FAV., Brasília, DF, Brasil, 70910-970.
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Gilbert MR, Armstrong TS, Pope WB, van den Bent MJ, Wen PY. Facing the future of brain tumor clinical research. Clin Cancer Res 2015; 20:5591-600. [PMID: 25398842 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-14-0835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This edition of CCR Focus provides critical reviews of several important areas in the field, including the application of findings from genomic investigations of brain tumors to improve diagnosis, clinical trial design, and ultimately optimizing individual patient treatment. Another article is a critical review provided by experts in the field that discusses the recent clinical trials using angiogenesis inhibitors, possible explanations for the results, and how to move forward. There is a concise discussion of the application of immunotherapy to brain tumors by key investigators in this field, reflecting the potential opportunities as well as the disease-specific challenges. Finally, leading pediatric brain tumor investigators provide an overview of the field and insights about the recent seminal discoveries in two pediatric brain tumors, supporting the paradigm that laboratory investigations lead to more precise diagnosis, prognosis, and ultimately better treatment. Herein, an overview of the recent advances and challenges in the area of clinical and translational brain tumor research is provided to set the stage for the contributions that follow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark R Gilbert
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
| | - Terri S Armstrong
- University of Texas Health Science Center School of Nursing and Department of Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Whitney B Pope
- Department of Radiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
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Kegelman TP, Hu B, Emdad L, Das SK, Sarkar D, Fisher PB. In vivo modeling of malignant glioma: the road to effective therapy. Adv Cancer Res 2015; 121:261-330. [PMID: 24889534 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-800249-0.00007-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite an increased emphasis on developing new therapies for malignant gliomas, they remain among the most intractable tumors faced today as they demonstrate a remarkable ability to evade current treatment strategies. Numerous candidate treatments fail at late stages, often after showing promising preclinical results. This disconnect highlights the continued need for improved animal models of glioma, which can be used to both screen potential targets and authentically recapitulate the human condition. This review examines recent developments in the animal modeling of glioma, from more established rat models to intriguing new systems using Drosophila and zebrafish that set the stage for higher throughput studies of potentially useful targets. It also addresses the versatility of mouse modeling using newly developed techniques recreating human protocols and sophisticated genetically engineered approaches that aim to characterize the biology of gliomagenesis. The use of these and future models will elucidate both new targets and effective combination therapies that will impact on disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy P Kegelman
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Bin Hu
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Luni Emdad
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Swadesh K Das
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Devanand Sarkar
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Paul B Fisher
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA.
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McEachron TA, Tomboc P, Tran NL. An integrated approach to identifying clinically relevant targets in pediatric gliomas. CNS Oncol 2015; 2:303-6. [PMID: 25054574 DOI: 10.2217/cns.13.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Troy A McEachron
- Integrated Cancer Genomics, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
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10
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Immunocompetent murine models for the study of glioblastoma immunotherapy. J Transl Med 2014; 12:107. [PMID: 24779345 PMCID: PMC4012243 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-12-107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2014] [Accepted: 04/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma remains a lethal diagnosis with a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. (NEJM 352:987-96, 2005) Although immunotherapy-based approaches are capable of inducing detectable immune responses against tumor-specific antigens, improvements in clinical outcomes are modest, in no small part due to tumor-induced immunosuppressive mechanisms that promote immune escape and immuno-resistance. Immunotherapeutic strategies aimed at bolstering the immune response while neutralizing immunosuppression will play a critical role in improving treatment outcomes for glioblastoma patients. In vivo murine models of glioma provide an invaluable resource to achieving that end, and their use is an essential part of the preclinical workup for novel therapeutics that need to be tested in animal models prior to testing experimental therapies in patients. In this article, we review five contemporary immunocompetent mouse models, GL261 (C57BL/6), GL26 (C57BL/6) CT-2A (C57BL/6), SMA-560 (VM/Dk), and 4C8 (B6D2F1), each of which offer a suitable platform for testing novel immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Rao SS, Lannutti JJ, Viapiano MS, Sarkar A, Winter JO. Toward 3D biomimetic models to understand the behavior of glioblastoma multiforme cells. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART B-REVIEWS 2013; 20:314-27. [PMID: 24044776 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2013.0227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumors are one of the most deadly forms of human cancer and despite improved treatments, median survival time for the majority of patients is a dismal 12-15 months. A hallmark of these aggressive tumors is their unique ability to diffusively infiltrate normal brain tissue. To understand this behavior and successfully target the mechanisms underlying tumor progression, it is crucial to develop robust experimental ex vivo disease models. This review discusses current two-dimensional (2D) experimental models, as well as animal-based models used to examine GBM cell migration, including their advantages and disadvantages. Recent attempts to develop three-dimensional (3D) tissue engineering-inspired models and their utility in unraveling the role of microenvironment on tumor cell behaviors are also highlighted. Further, the use of 3D models to bridge the gap between 2D and animal models is explored. Finally, the broad utility of such models in the context of brain cancer research is examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreyas S Rao
- 1 William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University , Columbus, Ohio
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12
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Current status of gene therapy for brain tumors. Transl Res 2013; 161:339-54. [PMID: 23246627 PMCID: PMC3733107 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2012.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2012] [Revised: 11/14/2012] [Accepted: 11/16/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and deadliest primary brain tumor in adults, with current treatments having limited impact on disease progression. Therefore the development of alternative treatment options is greatly needed. Gene therapy is a treatment strategy that relies on the delivery of genetic material, usually transgenes or viruses, into cells for therapeutic purposes, and has been applied to GBM with increasing promise. We have included selectively replication-competent oncolytic viruses within this strategy, although the virus acts directly as a complex biologic anti-tumor agent rather than as a classic gene delivery vehicle. GBM is a good candidate for gene therapy because tumors remain locally within the brain and only rarely metastasize to other tissues; the majority of cells in the brain are post-mitotic, which allows for specific targeting of dividing tumor cells; and tumors can often be accessed neurosurgically for administration of therapy. Delivery vehicles used for brain tumors include nonreplicating viral vectors, normal adult stem/progenitor cells, and oncolytic viruses. The therapeutic transgenes or viruses are typically cytotoxic or express prodrug activating suicide genes to kill glioma cells, immunostimulatory to induce or amplify anti-tumor immune responses, and/or modify the tumor microenvironment such as blocking angiogenesis. This review describes current preclinical and clinical gene therapy strategies for the treatment of glioma.
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