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Fang G, Ho BX, Xu H, Gong C, Qiao Z, Liao Y, Zhu S, Lu H, Nie N, Zhou T, Kim M, Huang C, Soh BS, Chen YC. Compressible Hollow Microlasers in Organoids for High-Throughput and Real-Time Mechanical Screening. ACS NANO 2024. [PMID: 39214618 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c08886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Mechanical stress within organoids is a pivotal indicator in disease modeling and pharmacokinetics, yet current tools lack the ability to rapidly and dynamically screen these mechanics. Here, we introduce biocompatible and compressible hollow microlasers that realize all-optical assessment of cellular stress within organoids. The laser spectroscopy yields identification of cellular deformation at the nanometer scale, corresponding to tens of pascals stress sensitivity. The compressibility enables the investigation of the isotropic component, which is the fundamental mechanics of multicellular models. By integrating with a microwell array, we demonstrate the high-throughput screening of mechanical cues in tumoroids, establishing a platform for mechano-responsive drug screening. Furthermore, we showcase the monitoring and mapping of dynamic contractile stress within human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiac organoids, revealing the internal mechanical inhomogeneity within a single organoid. This method eliminates time-consuming scanning and sample damage, providing insights into organoid mechanobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guocheng Fang
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Beatrice Xuan Ho
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Republic of Singapore
| | - Hongmei Xu
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Chaoyang Gong
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Zhen Qiao
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Yikai Liao
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Song Zhu
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Hongxu Lu
- State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1295 Dingxi Road, Shanghai 200050, China
| | - Ningyuan Nie
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Tian Zhou
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Munho Kim
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Changjin Huang
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Boon Seng Soh
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Republic of Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Yu-Cheng Chen
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
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2
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Chenab KK, Malektaj H, Nadinlooie AAR, Mohammadi S, Zamani-Meymian MR. Intertumoral and intratumoral barriers as approaches for drug delivery and theranostics to solid tumors using stimuli-responsive materials. Mikrochim Acta 2024; 191:541. [PMID: 39150483 DOI: 10.1007/s00604-024-06583-y] [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: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
The solid tumors provide a series of biological barriers in cellular microenvironment for designing drug delivery methods based on advanced stimuli-responsive materials. These intertumoral and intratumoral barriers consist of perforated endotheliums, tumor cell crowding, vascularity, lymphatic drainage blocking effect, extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, hypoxia, and acidosis. Triggering opportunities have been drawn for solid tumor therapies based on single and dual stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems (DDSs) that not only improved drug targeting in deeper sites of the tumor microenvironments, but also facilitated the antitumor drug release efficiency. Single and dual stimuli-responsive materials which are known for their lowest side effects can be categorized in 17 main groups which involve to internal and external stimuli anticancer drug carriers in proportion to microenvironments of targeted solid tumors. Development of such drug carriers can circumvent barriers in clinical trial studies based on their superior capabilities in penetrating into more inaccessible sites of the tumor tissues. In recent designs, key characteristics of these DDSs such as fast response to intracellular and extracellular factors, effective cytotoxicity with minimum side effect, efficient permeability, and rate and location of drug release have been discussed as core concerns of designing paradigms of these materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Khanmohammadi Chenab
- Department of Chemistry, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, P.O. Box 16846-13114, Iran
- Department of Physics, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, P.O. Box 16846-13114, Iran
| | - Haniyeh Malektaj
- Department of Materials and Production, Aalborg University, Fibigerstraede 16, 9220, Aalborg, Denmark
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3
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Mpekris F, Panagi M, Charalambous A, Voutouri C, Stylianopoulos T. Modulating cancer mechanopathology to restore vascular function and enhance immunotherapy. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101626. [PMID: 38944037 PMCID: PMC11293360 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101626] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Solid tumor pathology, characterized by abnormalities in the tumor microenvironment (TME), challenges therapeutic effectiveness. Mechanical factors, including increased tumor stiffness and accumulation of intratumoral forces, can determine the success of cancer treatments, defining the tumor's "mechanopathology" profile. These abnormalities cause extensive vascular compression, leading to hypoperfusion and hypoxia. Hypoperfusion hinders drug delivery, while hypoxia creates an unfavorable TME, promoting tumor progression through immunosuppression, heightened metastatic potential, drug resistance, and chaotic angiogenesis. Strategies targeting TME mechanopathology, such as vascular and stroma normalization, hold promise in enhancing cancer therapies with some already advancing to the clinic. Normalization can be achieved using anti-angiogenic agents, mechanotherapeutics, immune checkpoint inhibitors, engineered bacterial therapeutics, metronomic nanomedicine, and ultrasound sonopermeation. Here, we review the methods developed to rectify tumor mechanopathology, which have even led to cures in preclinical models, and discuss their bench-to-bedside translation, including the derivation of biomarkers from tumor mechanopathology for personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fotios Mpekris
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - Myrofora Panagi
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Antonia Charalambous
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Chrysovalantis Voutouri
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.
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4
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Panagi M, Mpekris F, Voutouri C, Hadjigeorgiou AG, Symeonidou C, Porfyriou E, Michael C, Stylianou A, Martin JD, Cabral H, Constantinidou A, Stylianopoulos T. Stabilizing Tumor-Resident Mast Cells Restores T-Cell Infiltration and Sensitizes Sarcomas to PD-L1 Inhibition. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:2582-2597. [PMID: 38578281 PMCID: PMC11145177 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-24-0246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore the cellular cross-talk of tumor-resident mast cells (MC) in controlling the activity of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) to overcome tumor microenvironment (TME) abnormalities, enhancing the efficacy of immune-checkpoint inhibitors in sarcoma. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We used a coculture system followed by further validation in mouse models of fibrosarcoma and osteosarcoma with or without administration of the MC stabilizer and antihistamine ketotifen. To evaluate the contribution of ketotifen in sensitizing tumors to therapy, we performed combination studies with doxorubicin chemotherapy and anti-PD-L1 (B7-H1, clone 10F.9G2) treatment. We investigated the ability of ketotifen to modulate the TME in human sarcomas in the context of a repurposed phase II clinical trial. RESULTS Inhibition of MC activation with ketotifen successfully suppressed CAF proliferation and stiffness of the extracellular matrix accompanied by an increase in vessel perfusion in fibrosarcoma and osteosarcoma as indicated by ultrasound shear wave elastography imaging. The improved tissue oxygenation increased the efficacy of chemoimmunotherapy, supported by enhanced T-cell infiltration and acquisition of tumor antigen-specific memory. Importantly, the effect of ketotifen in reducing tumor stiffness was further validated in sarcoma patients, highlighting its translational potential. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests the targeting of MCs with clinically administered drugs, such as antihistamines, as a promising approach to overcome resistance to immunotherapy in sarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrofora Panagi
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Fotios Mpekris
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Chrysovalantis Voutouri
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Andreas G. Hadjigeorgiou
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | | | - Christina Michael
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Andreas Stylianou
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Basic and Translational Cancer Research Center, School of Sciences, European University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | - Horacio Cabral
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Anastasia Constantinidou
- Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Cyprus Cancer Research Institute, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Medical School, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
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5
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Englezos D, Voutouri C, Stylianopoulos T. Machine learning analysis reveals tumor stiffness and hypoperfusion as biomarkers predictive of cancer treatment efficacy. Transl Oncol 2024; 44:101944. [PMID: 38552284 PMCID: PMC10990740 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2024.101944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
In the pursuit of advancing cancer therapy, this study explores the predictive power of machine learning in analyzing tumor characteristics, specifically focusing on the effects of tumor stiffness and perfusion (i.e., blood flow) on treatment efficacy. Recent advancements in oncology have highlighted the significance of these physiological properties of the tumor microenvironment in determining treatment outcomes. We delve into the relationship between these tumor attributes and the effectiveness of cancer therapies in preclinical tumor models. Utilizing robust statistical methods and machine learning algorithms, our research analyzes data from 1365 cases of various cancer types, assessing how tumor stiffness and perfusion influence the efficacy of treatment protocols. We also investigate the synergistic potential of combining drugs that modulate tumor stiffness and perfusion with standard cytotoxic treatments. By incorporating these predictors into treatment planning, our study aims to enhance the precision of cancer therapy, tailoring treatment to individual tumor profiles. Our findings demonstrate a significant correlation between stiffness/perfusion and treatment efficacy, highlighting a new way for personalized cancer treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demetris Englezos
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Chrysovalantis Voutouri
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.
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6
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Jiang X, Xu S, Miao Y, Huang K, Wang B, Ding B, Zhang Z, Zhao Z, Zhang X, Shi X, Yu M, Tian F, Gan Y. Curvature-mediated rapid extravasation and penetration of nanoparticles against interstitial fluid pressure for improved drug delivery. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2319880121. [PMID: 38768353 PMCID: PMC11145294 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2319880121] [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: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Elevated interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) within pathological tissues (e.g., tumors, obstructed kidneys, and cirrhotic livers) creates a significant hindrance to the transport of nanomedicine, ultimately impairing the therapeutic efficiency. Among these tissues, solid tumors present the most challenging scenario. While several strategies through reducing tumor IFP have been devised to enhance nanoparticle delivery, few approaches focus on modulating the intrinsic properties of nanoparticles to effectively counteract IFP during extravasation and penetration, which are precisely the stages obstructed by elevated IFP. Herein, we propose an innovative solution by engineering nanoparticles with a fusiform shape of high curvature, enabling efficient surmounting of IFP barriers during extravasation and penetration within tumor tissues. Through experimental and theoretical analyses, we demonstrate that the elongated nanoparticles with the highest mean curvature outperform spherical and rod-shaped counterparts against elevated IFP, leading to superior intratumoral accumulation and antitumor efficacy. Super-resolution microscopy and molecular dynamics simulations uncover the underlying mechanisms in which the high curvature contributes to diminished drag force in surmounting high-pressure differentials during extravasation. Simultaneously, the facilitated rotational movement augments the hopping frequency during penetration. This study effectively addresses the limitations posed by high-pressure impediments, uncovers the mutual interactions between the physical properties of NPs and their environment, and presents a promising avenue for advancing cancer treatment through nanomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohe Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Sai Xu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Nanoscience National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing100190, China
| | - Yunqiu Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
| | - Kang Huang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Nanoscience National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing100190, China
| | - Bingqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Bingwen Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Zhuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing210023, China
| | - Zitong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng475004, China
| | - Xinxin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
| | - Xinghua Shi
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Nanoscience National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing100190, China
| | - Miaorong Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Falin Tian
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Nanoscience National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing100190, China
| | - Yong Gan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
- National Medical Products Administration Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Excipients, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing100050, China
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7
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Harkos C, Stylianopoulos T. Investigating the synergistic effects of immunotherapy and normalization treatment in modulating tumor microenvironment and enhancing treatment efficacy. J Theor Biol 2024; 583:111768. [PMID: 38401748 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2024.111768] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
We developed a comprehensive mathematical model of cancer immunotherapy that takes into account: i) Immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs) and the interactions between cancer cells and the immune system, ii) characteristics of the tumor microenvironment, such as the tumor hydraulic conductivity, interstitial fluid pressure, and vascular permeability, iii) spatial and temporal variations of the modeled components within the tumor and the surrounding host tissue, iv) the transport of modeled components through the vasculature and between the tumor-host tissue with convection and diffusion, and v) modeling of the tumor draining lymph nodes were the antigen presentation and the development of cytotoxic immune cells take place. Our model successfully reproduced experimental data from various murine tumor types and predicted immune system profiling, which is challenging to achieve experimentally. It showed that combination of ICB therapy and normalization treatments, that aim to improve tumor perfusion, decreases interstitial fluid pressure and increases the concentration of both innate and adaptive immune cells at the tumor center rather than the periphery. Furthermore, using the model, we investigated the impact of modeled components on treatment outcomes. The analysis found that the number of functional vessels inside the tumor region and the ICB dose administered have the largest impact on treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantinos Harkos
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.
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8
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Pandey M, Suh YJ, Kim M, Davis HJ, Segall JE, Wu M. Mechanical compression regulates tumor spheroid invasion into a 3D collagen matrix. Phys Biol 2024; 21:036003. [PMID: 38574674 DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/ad3ac5] [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: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Uncontrolled growth of tumor cells in confined spaces leads to the accumulation of compressive stress within the tumor. Although the effects of tension within 3D extracellular matrices (ECMs) on tumor growth and invasion are well established, the role of compression in tumor mechanics and invasion is largely unexplored. In this study, we modified a Transwell assay such that it provides constant compressive loads to spheroids embedded within a collagen matrix. We used microscopic imaging to follow the single cell dynamics of the cells within the spheroids, as well as invasion into the 3D ECMs. Our experimental results showed that malignant breast tumor (MDA-MB-231) and non-tumorigenic epithelial (MCF10A) spheroids responded differently to a constant compression. Cells within the malignant spheroids became more motile within the spheroids and invaded more into the ECM under compression; whereas cells within non-tumorigenic MCF10A spheroids became less motile within the spheroids and did not display apparent detachment from the spheroids under compression. These findings suggest that compression may play differential roles in healthy and pathogenic epithelial tissues and highlight the importance of tumor mechanics and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mrinal Pandey
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, 306 Riley-Robb Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States of America
| | - Young Joon Suh
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, 306 Riley-Robb Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States of America
| | - Minha Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Cornell University, 216 Stimson Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States of America
| | - Hannah Jane Davis
- Department of Biological Sciences, Cornell University, 216 Stimson Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey E Segall
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, United States of America
| | - Mingming Wu
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, 306 Riley-Robb Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States of America
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9
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Menshikh K, Banicevic I, Obradovic B, Rimondini L. Biomechanical Aspects in Bone Tumor Engineering. TISSUE ENGINEERING. PART B, REVIEWS 2024; 30:217-229. [PMID: 37830183 PMCID: PMC11001506 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2023.0106] [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: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
In the past decades, anticancer drug development brought the field of tumor engineering to a new level by the need of robust test systems. Simulating tumor microenvironment in vitro remains a challenge, and osteosarcoma-the most common primary bone cancer-is no exception. The growing evidence points to the inevitable connection between biomechanical stimuli and tumor chemosensitivity and aggressiveness, thus making this component of the microenvironment a mandatory requirement to the developed models. In this review, we addressed the question: is the "in vivo - in vitro" gap in osteosarcoma engineering bridged from the perspective of biomechanical stimuli? The most notable biomechanical cues in the tumor cell microenvironment are observed and compared in the contexts of in vivo conditions and engineered three-dimensional in vitro models. Impact statement The importance of biomechanical stimuli in three-dimensional in vitro models for drug testing is becoming more pronounced nowadays. This review might assist in understanding the key players of the biophysical environment of primary bone cancer and the current state of bone tumor engineering from this perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ksenia Menshikh
- Center for Translational Research on Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Ivana Banicevic
- Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Bojana Obradovic
- Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Lia Rimondini
- Center for Translational Research on Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
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10
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Kalli M, Stylianopoulos T. Toward innovative approaches for exploring the mechanically regulated tumor-immune microenvironment. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:011501. [PMID: 38390314 PMCID: PMC10883717 DOI: 10.1063/5.0183302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Within the complex tumor microenvironment, cells experience mechanical cues-such as extracellular matrix stiffening and elevation of solid stress, interstitial fluid pressure, and fluid shear stress-that significantly impact cancer cell behavior and immune responses. Recognizing the significance of these mechanical cues not only sheds light on cancer progression but also holds promise for identifying potential biomarkers that would predict therapeutic outcomes. However, standardizing methods for studying how mechanical cues affect tumor progression is challenging. This challenge stems from the limitations of traditional in vitro cell culture systems, which fail to encompass the critical contextual cues present in vivo. To address this, 3D tumor spheroids have been established as a preferred model, more closely mimicking cancer progression, but they usually lack reproduction of the mechanical microenvironment encountered in actual solid tumors. Here, we review the role of mechanical forces in modulating tumor- and immune-cell responses and discuss how grasping the importance of these mechanical cues could revolutionize in vitro tumor tissue engineering. The creation of more physiologically relevant environments that better replicate in vivo conditions will eventually increase the efficacy of currently available treatments, including immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Kalli
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
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11
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Mpekris F, Papaphilippou PC, Panagi M, Voutouri C, Michael C, Charalambous A, Marinov Dinev M, Katsioloudi A, Prokopi-Demetriades M, Anayiotos A, Cabral H, Krasia-Christoforou T, Stylianopoulos T. Pirfenidone-Loaded Polymeric Micelles as an Effective Mechanotherapeutic to Potentiate Immunotherapy in Mouse Tumor Models. ACS NANO 2023; 17:24654-24667. [PMID: 38054429 PMCID: PMC10753878 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c03305] [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: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Ongoing research is actively exploring the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors to treat solid tumors by inhibiting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis and reactivating the function of cytotoxic T effector cells. Many types of solid tumors, however, are characterized by a dense and stiff stroma and are difficult to treat. Mechanotherapeutics have formed a recent class of drugs that aim to restore biomechanical abnormalities of the tumor microenvironment, related to increased stiffness and hypo-perfusion. Here, we have developed a polymeric formulation containing pirfenidone, which has been successful in restoring the tumor microenvironment in breast tumors and sarcomas. We found that the micellar formulation can induce similar mechanotherapeutic effects to mouse models of 4T1 and E0771 triple negative breast tumors and MCA205 fibrosarcoma tumors but with a dose 100-fold lower than that of the free pirfenidone. Importantly, a combination of pirfenidone-loaded micelles with immune checkpoint inhibition significantly delayed primary tumor growth, leading to a significant improvement in overall survival and in a complete cure for the E0771 tumor model. Furthermore, the combination treatment increased CD4+ and CD8+ T cell infiltration and suppressed myeloid-derived suppressor cells, creating favorable immunostimulatory conditions, which led to immunological memory. Ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) was able to monitor changes in tumor stiffness during treatment, suggesting optimal treatment conditions. Micellar encapsulation is a promising strategy for mechanotherapeutics, and imaging methods, such as SWE, can assist their clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fotios Mpekris
- Cancer
Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing
Engineering, University of Cyprus, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Petri Ch. Papaphilippou
- Polymers
and Polymer Processing Laboratories, Department of Mechanical and
Manufacturing Engineering, University of
Cyprus, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Myrofora Panagi
- Cancer
Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing
Engineering, University of Cyprus, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Chrysovalantis Voutouri
- Cancer
Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing
Engineering, University of Cyprus, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Christina Michael
- Cancer
Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing
Engineering, University of Cyprus, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Antonia Charalambous
- Cancer
Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing
Engineering, University of Cyprus, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Mariyan Marinov Dinev
- Polymers
and Polymer Processing Laboratories, Department of Mechanical and
Manufacturing Engineering, University of
Cyprus, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | - Marianna Prokopi-Demetriades
- Theramir
Ltd, R&D Laboratory, 4101 Limassol, Cyprus
- Biomechanics
and Living Systems Analysis Laboratory, Cyprus University of Technology, 3036 Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Andreas Anayiotos
- Biomechanics
and Living Systems Analysis Laboratory, Cyprus University of Technology, 3036 Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Horacio Cabral
- Department
of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, 113-8656 Tokyo, Japan
| | - Theodora Krasia-Christoforou
- Polymers
and Polymer Processing Laboratories, Department of Mechanical and
Manufacturing Engineering, University of
Cyprus, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
- Cancer
Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing
Engineering, University of Cyprus, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
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12
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Dwairy M, Reddy JN, Righetti R. Predicting stress and interstitial fluid pressure in tumors based on biphasic theory. Comput Biol Med 2023; 167:107651. [PMID: 37931527 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.107651] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
The uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells causes the growth of the tumor mass. Consequently, the normal surrounding tissue exerts a compressive force on the tumor mass to oppose its expansion. These stresses directly promote tumor metastasis and invasion and affect drug delivery. In the past, the mechanical behavior of solid tumors has been extensively studied using linear elastic and nonlinear hyperelastic constitutive models. In this study, we develop a two-dimensional biomechanical model based on the biphasic assumption of the solid matrix and fluid phase of the tissues. Heterogeneous vasculature and nonuniform blood perfusion are also investigated by incorporating in the model a necrotic core and a well-vascularized zone. The findings of our study demonstrate a significant difference between the linear and nonlinear tissue responses to stress, while the interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) distribution is found to be independent of the constitutive model. The proposed biphasic model may be useful for elasticity imaging techniques aiming at predicting stress and IFP in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mutaz Dwairy
- Department of Civil Engineering, Yarmouk University, Irbid, 21163, Jordan.
| | - J N Reddy
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Raffaella Righetti
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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13
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Kumari A, Veena SM, Luha R, Tijore A. Mechanobiological Strategies to Augment Cancer Treatment. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:42072-42085. [PMID: 38024751 PMCID: PMC10652740 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c06451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells exhibit aberrant extracellular matrix mechanosensing due to the altered expression of mechanosensory cytoskeletal proteins. Such aberrant mechanosensing of the tumor microenvironment (TME) by cancer cells is associated with disease development and progression. In addition, recent studies show that such mechanosensing changes the mechanobiological properties of cells, and in turn cells become susceptible to mechanical perturbations. Due to an increasing understanding of cell biomechanics and cellular machinery, several approaches have emerged to target the mechanobiological properties of cancer cells and cancer-associated cells to inhibit cancer growth and progression. In this Perspective, we summarize the progress in developing mechano-based approaches to target cancer by interfering with the cellular mechanosensing machinery and overall TME.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ajay Tijore
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka 560012, India
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14
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Tagay Y, Kheirabadi S, Ataie Z, Singh RK, Prince O, Nguyen A, Zhovmer AS, Ma X, Sheikhi A, Tsygankov D, Tabdanov ED. Dynein-Powered Cell Locomotion Guides Metastasis of Breast Cancer. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2302229. [PMID: 37726225 PMCID: PMC10625109 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202302229] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
The principal cause of death in cancer patients is metastasis, which remains an unresolved problem. Conventionally, metastatic dissemination is linked to actomyosin-driven cell locomotion. However, the locomotion of cancer cells often does not strictly line up with the measured actomyosin forces. Here, a complementary mechanism of metastatic locomotion powered by dynein-generated forces is identified. These forces arise within a non-stretchable microtubule network and drive persistent contact guidance of migrating cancer cells along the biomimetic collagen fibers. It is also shown that the dynein-powered locomotion becomes indispensable during invasive 3D migration within a tissue-like luminal network formed by spatially confining granular hydrogel scaffolds (GHS) made up of microscale hydrogel particles (microgels). These results indicate that the complementary motricity mediated by dynein is always necessary and, in certain instances, sufficient for disseminating metastatic breast cancer cells. These findings advance the fundamental understanding of cell locomotion mechanisms and expand the spectrum of clinical targets against metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yerbol Tagay
- Department of PharmacologyPenn State College of MedicineThe Pennsylvania State UniversityHersheyPA17033USA
| | - Sina Kheirabadi
- Department of Chemical EngineeringThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPA16802USA
| | - Zaman Ataie
- Department of Chemical EngineeringThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPA16802USA
| | - Rakesh K. Singh
- Department of Obstetrics & GynecologyGynecology OncologyUniversity of Rochester Medical CenterRochesterNY14642USA
| | - Olivia Prince
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and ResearchU.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSilver SpringMD20903USA
| | - Ashley Nguyen
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and ResearchU.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSilver SpringMD20903USA
| | - Alexander S. Zhovmer
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and ResearchU.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSilver SpringMD20903USA
| | - Xuefei Ma
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and ResearchU.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSilver SpringMD20903USA
| | - Amir Sheikhi
- Department of Chemical EngineeringThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPA16802USA
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPA16802USA
| | - Denis Tsygankov
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical EngineeringGeorgia Institute of Technology and Emory UniversityAtlantaGA30332USA
| | - Erdem D. Tabdanov
- Department of PharmacologyPenn State College of MedicineThe Pennsylvania State UniversityHersheyPA17033USA
- Penn State Cancer InstitutePenn State College of MedicineThe Pennsylvania State UniversityHersheyPA17033USA
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15
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Kalli M, Poskus MD, Stylianopoulos T, Zervantonakis IK. Beyond matrix stiffness: targeting force-induced cancer drug resistance. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:937-954. [PMID: 37558577 PMCID: PMC10592424 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
During tumor progression, mechanical abnormalities in the tumor microenvironment (TME) trigger signaling pathways in cells that activate cellular programs, resulting in tumor growth and drug resistance. In this review, we describe mechanisms of action for anti-cancer therapies and mechanotransduction programs that regulate cellular processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, survival and phenotype switching. We discuss how the therapeutic response is impacted by the three main mechanical TME abnormalities: high extracellular matrix (ECM) composition and stiffness; interstitial fluid pressure (IFP); and elevated mechanical forces. We also review drugs that normalize these abnormalities or block mechanosensors and mechanotransduction pathways. Finally, we discuss current challenges and perspectives for the development of new strategies targeting mechanically induced drug resistance in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Kalli
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Matthew D Poskus
- Department of Bioengineering and Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.
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16
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Gong X, Ogino N, Leite MF, Chen Z, Nguyen R, Liu R, Kruglov E, Flores K, Cabral A, Mendes GMM, Ehrlich BE, Mak M. Adaptation to volumetric compression drives hepatoblastoma cells to an apoptosis-resistant and invasive phenotype. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.08.561453. [PMID: 37873476 PMCID: PMC10592664 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.08.561453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Liver cancer involves tumor cells rapidly growing within a packed tissue environment. Patient tumor tissues reveal densely packed and deformed cells, especially at tumor boundaries, indicative of physical crowding and compression. It is not well understood how these physical signals modulate tumor evolution and therapeutic susceptibility. Here we investigate the impact of volumetric compression on liver cancer (HepG2) behavior. We find that conditioning cells under a highly compressed state leads to major transcriptional reprogramming, notably the loss of hepatic markers, the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like changes, and altered calcium signaling-related gene expression, over the course of several days. Biophysically, compressed cells exhibit increased Rac1-mediated cell spreading and cell-extracellular matrix interactions, cytoskeletal reorganization, increased YAP and β-catenin nuclear translocation, and dysfunction in cytoplasmic and mitochondrial calcium signaling. Furthermore, compressed cells are resistant to chemotherapeutics and desensitized to apoptosis signaling. Apoptosis sensitivity can be rescued by stimulated calcium signaling. Our study demonstrates that volumetric compression is a key microenvironmental factor that drives tumor evolution in multiple pathological directions and highlights potential countermeasures to re-sensitize therapy-resistant cells. Significance statement Compression can arise as cancer cells grow and navigate within the dense solid tumor microenvironment. It is unclear how compression mediates critical programs that drive tumor progression and therapeutic complications. Here, we take an integrative approach in investigating the impact of compression on liver cancer. We identify and characterize compressed subdomains within patient tumor tissues. Furthermore, using in vitro systems, we induce volumetric compression (primarily via osmotic pressure but also via mechanical force) on liver cancer cells and demonstrate significant molecular and biophysical changes in cell states, including in function, cytoskeletal signaling, proliferation, invasion, and chemoresistance. Importantly, our results show that compressed cells have impaired calcium signaling and acquire resistance to apoptosis, which can be countered via calcium mobilization.
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17
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Jaguri A, Ahmad A. Breaching the Fortress of Tumor Microenvironment to Control Cancer Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4562. [PMID: 37760530 PMCID: PMC10526375 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
As the primary cause of death for >90% of cancers, metastasis is the fourth and final stage of cancer during which cells gain the ability to leave their primary site, invade surrounding tissues, and disseminate to distant organs [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Aayami Jaguri
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha 24811, Qatar;
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
| | - Aamir Ahmad
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
- Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Rumailah Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
- Department of Bioengineering, Integral University, Lucknow 226026, UP, India
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18
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Juste-Lanas Y, Hervas-Raluy S, García-Aznar JM, González-Loyola A. Fluid flow to mimic organ function in 3D in vitro models. APL Bioeng 2023; 7:031501. [PMID: 37547671 PMCID: PMC10404142 DOI: 10.1063/5.0146000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Many different strategies can be found in the literature to model organ physiology, tissue functionality, and disease in vitro; however, most of these models lack the physiological fluid dynamics present in vivo. Here, we highlight the importance of fluid flow for tissue homeostasis, specifically in vessels, other lumen structures, and interstitium, to point out the need of perfusion in current 3D in vitro models. Importantly, the advantages and limitations of the different current experimental fluid-flow setups are discussed. Finally, we shed light on current challenges and future focus of fluid flow models applied to the newest bioengineering state-of-the-art platforms, such as organoids and organ-on-a-chip, as the most sophisticated and physiological preclinical platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Silvia Hervas-Raluy
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Research Institute of Aragón (I3A), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
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19
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Huang J, Zhao G, Peng Q, Yi X, Ji L, Li J, Li P, Guan Y, Ge J, Chen L, Chen R, Hu X, Lee W, Reuben A, Futreal PA, Xia X, Ma J, Zhang J, Chen Z. Analysis of genomic and immune intratumor heterogeneity in linitis plastica via multiregional exome and T-cell receptor sequencing. Mol Oncol 2023; 17:1531-1544. [PMID: 36703611 PMCID: PMC10399711 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13381] [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: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular landscape and the intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) architecture of gastric linitis plastica (LP) are poorly understood. We performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) and T-cell receptor (TCR) sequencing on 40 tumor regions from four LP patients. The landscape and ITH at the genomic and immunological levels in LP tumors were compared with multiple cancers that have previously been reported. The lymphocyte infiltration was further assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in LP tumors. In total, we identified 6339 non-silent mutations from multi-samples, with a median tumor mutation burden (TMB) of 3.30 mutations per Mb, comparable to gastric adenocarcinoma from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort (P = 0.53). An extremely high level of genomic ITH was observed, with only 12.42%, 5.37%, 5.35%, and 30.67% of mutations detectable across 10 regions within the same tumors of each patient, respectively. TCR sequencing revealed that TCR clonality was substantially lower in LP than in multi-cancers. IHC using antibodies against CD4, CD8, and PD-L1 demonstrated scant T-cell infiltration in the four LP tumors. Furthermore, profound TCR ITH was observed in all LP tumors, with no T-cell clones shared across tumor regions in any of the patients, while over 94% of T-cell clones were restricted to individual tumor regions. The Morisita overlap index (MOI) ranged from 0.21 to 0.66 among multi-regions within the same tumors, significantly lower than that of lung cancer (P = 0.002). Our results show that LP harbored extremely high genomic and TCR ITH and suppressed T-cell infiltration, suggesting a potential contribution to the frequent recurrence and poor therapeutic response of this adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Huang
- The Hunan Provincial Key Lab of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Gastrointestinal TumorXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya HospitalXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- International Joint Research Center of Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Technology Equipment & StandardizationChangshaChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya HospitalChangshaChina
| | - Guofeng Zhao
- Geneplus‐Beijing InstituteBeijingChina
- Geneplus‐BeijingBeijingChina
| | - Qiu Peng
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical ScienceCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Xin Yi
- Geneplus‐Beijing InstituteBeijingChina
- Geneplus‐BeijingBeijingChina
| | - Liyan Ji
- Geneplus‐Beijing InstituteBeijingChina
- Geneplus‐BeijingBeijingChina
| | - Jing Li
- Geneplus‐Beijing InstituteBeijingChina
- Geneplus‐BeijingBeijingChina
| | - Pansong Li
- Geneplus‐Beijing InstituteBeijingChina
- Geneplus‐BeijingBeijingChina
| | - Yanfang Guan
- Geneplus‐Beijing InstituteBeijingChina
- Geneplus‐BeijingBeijingChina
| | - Jie Ge
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Ling Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Runzhe Chen
- Department of Thoracic and Head and Neck Medical OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTXUSA
- Department of Genomic MedicineThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTXUSA
| | - Xin Hu
- Department of Thoracic and Head and Neck Medical OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTXUSA
- Department of Genomic MedicineThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTXUSA
| | - Won‐Chul Lee
- Department of Thoracic and Head and Neck Medical OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTXUSA
| | - Alexandre Reuben
- Department of Thoracic and Head and Neck Medical OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTXUSA
| | - P. Andrew Futreal
- Department of Genomic MedicineThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTXUSA
| | | | - Jian Ma
- The Hunan Provincial Key Lab of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Gastrointestinal TumorXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya HospitalChangshaChina
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical ScienceCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Jianjun Zhang
- Department of Thoracic and Head and Neck Medical OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTXUSA
- Department of Genomic MedicineThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTXUSA
| | - Zihua Chen
- The Hunan Provincial Key Lab of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Gastrointestinal TumorXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- International Joint Research Center of Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Technology Equipment & StandardizationChangshaChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya HospitalChangshaChina
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20
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Voutouri C, Mpekris F, Panagi M, Krolak C, Michael C, Martin JD, Averkiou MA, Stylianopoulos T. Ultrasound stiffness and perfusion markers correlate with tumor volume responses to immunotherapy. Acta Biomater 2023:S1742-7061(23)00332-X. [PMID: 37321529 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of dozens of cancers and became a standard of care for some tumor types. However, the majority of patients do not benefit from current immunotherapeutics and many develop severe toxicities. Therefore, the identification of biomarkers to classify patients as likely responders or non-responders to immunotherapy is a timely task. Here, we test ultrasound imaging markers of tumor stiffness and perfusion. Ultrasound imaging is non-invasive and clinically available and can be used both for stiffness and perfusion evaluation. In this study, we employed syngeneic orthotopic models of two breast cancers, a fibrosarcoma and melanoma, to demonstrate that ultrasound-derived measures of tumor stiffness and perfusion (i.e., blood volume) correlate with the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) in terms of changes in primary tumor volume. To modulate tumor stiffness and perfusion and thus, get a range of therapeutic outcomes, we employed the mechanotherapeutic tranilast. Mechanotherapeutics combined with ICI are advancing through clinical trials, but biomarkers of response have not been tested until now. We found the existence of linear correlations between tumor stiffness and perfusion imaging biomarkers as well as strong linear correlations between the stiffness and perfusion markers with ICI efficacy on primary tumor growth rates. Our findings set the basis for ultrasound imaging biomarkers predictive of ICI therapy in combination with mechanotherapeutics. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Hypothesis: Monitoring Tumor Microenvironment (TME) mechanical abnormalities can predict the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) and provide biomarkers predictive of response. Tumor stiffening and solid stress elevation are hallmarks of tumor patho-physiology in desmoplastic tumors. They induce hypo-perfusion and hypoxia by compressing tumor vessels, posing major barriers to immunotherapy. Mechanotherapeutics is a new class of drugs that target the TME to reduce stiffness and improve perfusion and oxygenation. In this study, we show that measures of stiffness and perfusion derived from ultrasound shear wave elastography and contrast enhanced ultrasound can provide biomarkers of tumor response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysovalantis Voutouri
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus
| | - Fotios Mpekris
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus
| | - Myrofora Panagi
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus
| | - Connor Krolak
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Christina Michael
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus
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21
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Kim OH, Jeon TJ, Shin YK, Lee HJ. Role of extrinsic physical cues in cancer progression. BMB Rep 2023; 56:287-295. [PMID: 37037673 PMCID: PMC10230013 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2023-0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex system composed of many cell types and an extracellular matrix (ECM). During tumorigenesis, cancer cells constantly interact with cellular components, biochemical cues, and the ECM in the TME, all of which make the environment favorable for cancer growth. Emerging evidence has revealed the importance of substrate elasticity and biomechanical forces in tumor progression and metastasis. However, the mechanisms underlying the cell response to mechanical signals-such as extrinsic mechanical forces and forces generated within the TME-are still relatively unknown. Moreover, having a deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which cancer cells sense mechanical forces and transmit signals to the cytoplasm would substantially help develop effective strategies for cancer treatment. This review provides an overview of biomechanical forces in the TME and the intracellular signaling pathways activated by mechanical cues as well as highlights the role of mechanotransductive pathways through mechanosensors that detect the altering biomechanical forces in the TME. as an adjuvant for cancer immunotherapy.[BMB Reports 2023; 56(5): 287-295].
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Affiliation(s)
- Ok-Hyeon Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea
| | - Tae Jin Jeon
- Department of Global Innovative Drugs, Graduate School of Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea
| | - Yong Kyoo Shin
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea
| | - Hyun Jung Lee
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea
- Department of Global Innovative Drugs, Graduate School of Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea
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22
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Chen W, Li C, Jiang X. Advanced Biomaterials with Intrinsic Immunomodulation Effects for Cancer Immunotherapy. SMALL METHODS 2023; 7:e2201404. [PMID: 36811240 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202201404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, tumor immunotherapy has achieved significant success in tumor treatment based on immune checkpoint blockers and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy. However, about 70-80% of patients with solid tumors do not respond to immunotherapy due to immune evasion. Recent studies found that some biomaterials have intrinsic immunoregulatory effects, except serve as carriers for immunoregulatory drugs. Moreover, these biomaterials have additional advantages such as easy functionalization, modification, and customization. In this review, the recent advances of these immunoregulatory biomaterials in cancer immunotherapy and their interaction with cancer cells, immune cells, and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment are summarized. Finally, the opportunities and challenges of immunoregulatory biomaterials used in the clinic and the prospect of their future in cancer immunotherapy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weizhi Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology and Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Nanotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Cheng Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology and Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Nanotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Xiqun Jiang
- MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology and Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Nanotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
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23
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Mechanotransduction in tumor dynamics modeling. Phys Life Rev 2023; 44:279-301. [PMID: 36841159 DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2023.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Mechanotherapy is a groundbreaking approach to impact carcinogenesis. Cells sense and respond to mechanical stimuli, translating them into biochemical signals in a process known as mechanotransduction. The impact of stress on tumor growth has been studied in the last three decades, and many papers highlight the role of mechanics as a critical self-inducer of tumor fate at the in vitro and in vivo biological levels. Meanwhile, mathematical models attempt to determine laws to reproduce tumor dynamics. This review discusses biological mechanotransduction mechanisms and mathematical-biomechanical models together. The aim is to provide a common framework for the different approaches that have emerged in the literature from the perspective of tumor avascularity and to provide insight into emerging mechanotherapies that have attracted interest in recent years.
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24
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Panagi M, Mpekris F, Chen P, Voutouri C, Nakagawa Y, Martin JD, Hiroi T, Hashimoto H, Demetriou P, Pierides C, Samuel R, Stylianou A, Michael C, Fukushima S, Georgiou P, Papageorgis P, Papaphilippou PC, Koumas L, Costeas P, Ishii G, Kojima M, Kataoka K, Cabral H, Stylianopoulos T. Polymeric micelles effectively reprogram the tumor microenvironment to potentiate nano-immunotherapy in mouse breast cancer models. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7165. [PMID: 36418896 PMCID: PMC9684407 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34744-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Nano-immunotherapy improves breast cancer outcomes but not all patients respond and none are cured. To improve efficacy, research focuses on drugs that reprogram cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) to improve therapeutic delivery and immunostimulation. These drugs, however, have a narrow therapeutic window and cause adverse effects. Developing strategies that increase CAF-reprogramming while limiting adverse effects is urgent. Here, taking advantage of the CAF-reprogramming capabilities of tranilast, we developed tranilast-loaded micelles. Strikingly, a 100-fold reduced dose of tranilast-micelles induces superior reprogramming compared to free drug owing to enhanced intratumoral accumulation and cancer-associated fibroblast uptake. Combination of tranilast-micelles and epirubicin-micelles or Doxil with immunotherapy increases T-cell infiltration, resulting in cures and immunological memory in mice bearing immunotherapy-resistant breast cancer. Furthermore, shear wave elastography (SWE) is able to monitor reduced tumor stiffness caused by tranilast-micelles and predict response to nano-immunotherapy. Micellar encapsulation is a promising strategy for TME-reprogramming and SWE is a potential biomarker of response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrofora Panagi
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Fotios Mpekris
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Pengwen Chen
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chrysovalantis Voutouri
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Yasuhiro Nakagawa
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - John D Martin
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Hiroi
- Division of Pathology, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroko Hashimoto
- Division of Innovative Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
| | - Philippos Demetriou
- The Center for the Study of Hematological and other Malignancies, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Chryso Pierides
- The Center for the Study of Hematological and other Malignancies, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Rekha Samuel
- Center for Stem Cell Research (a unit of inStem Bengaluru), Christian Medical College Campus Bagayam, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Andreas Stylianou
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Basic and Translational Cancer Research Center, School of Sciences, European University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Christina Michael
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Shigeto Fukushima
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Paraskevi Georgiou
- Basic and Translational Cancer Research Center, School of Sciences, European University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Panagiotis Papageorgis
- Basic and Translational Cancer Research Center, School of Sciences, European University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Petri Ch Papaphilippou
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Laura Koumas
- The Center for the Study of Hematological and other Malignancies, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Karaiskakio Foundation, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Paul Costeas
- The Center for the Study of Hematological and other Malignancies, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Karaiskakio Foundation, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Cyprus Cancer Research Institute, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Genichiro Ishii
- Division of Innovative Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratories, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
| | - Motohiro Kojima
- Division of Pathology, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kazunori Kataoka
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, Kawasaki, Japan
- Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Horacio Cabral
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.
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Tomar A, Uysal-Onganer P, Basnett P, Pati U, Roy I. 3D Disease Modelling of Hard and Soft Cancer Using PHA-Based Scaffolds. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:3549. [PMID: 35884609 PMCID: PMC9321847 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumour cells are shown to change shape and lose polarity when they are cultured in 3D, a feature typically associated with tumour progression in vivo, thus making it significant to study cancer cells in an environment that mimics the in vivo milieu. In this study we established hard (MCF7 and MDA-MB-231, breast cancer) and soft (HCT116, colon cancer) 3D cancer tumour models utilizing a blend of P(3HO-co-3HD) and P(3HB). P(3HO-co-3HD) and P(3HB) belong to a group of natural biodegradable polyesters, PHAs, that are synthesised by microorganisms. The 3D PHA scaffolds produced, with a pore size of 30 to 300 µm, allow for nutrients to diffuse within the scaffold and provide the cells with the flexibility to distribute evenly within the scaffold and grow within the pores. Interestingly, by Day 5, MDA-MB-231 showed dispersed growth in clusters, and MCF7 cells formed an evenly dispersed dense layer, while HCT116 formed large colonies within the pockets of the 3D PHA scaffolds. Our results show Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) marker gene expression profiles in the hard tumour cancer models. In the 3D-based PHA scaffolds, MDA-MB-231 cells expressed higher levels of Wnt-11 and mesenchymal markers, such as Snail and its downstream gene Vim mRNAs, while MCF7 cells exhibited no change in their expression. On the other hand, MCF7 cells exhibited a significantly increased E-Cadherin expression as compared to MDA-MB-231 cells. The expression levels of EMT markers were comparative to their expression reported in the tumour samples, making them good representative of cancer models. In future these models will be helpful in mimicking hypoxic tumours, in studying gene expression, cellular signalling, angiogenesis and drug response more accurately than 2D and perhaps other 3D models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha Tomar
- School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India;
| | - Pinar Uysal-Onganer
- Cancer Research Group, School of Life Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6UW, UK;
| | - Pooja Basnett
- School of Life Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6XH, UK;
| | - Uttam Pati
- School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India;
| | - Ipsita Roy
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
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26
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Varghese JR, Saranya D, Kalyanasundaram S, Kalyanaraman S. Role of podoplanin, E-cadherin, Ki-67 in the dissemination of tumor cells in ovarian surface epithelial carcinoma-An immunohistochemical study. Ann Diagn Pathol 2022; 60:151984. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2022.151984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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27
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Koltai T, Reshkin SJ, Carvalho TMA, Di Molfetta D, Greco MR, Alfarouk KO, Cardone RA. Resistance to Gemcitabine in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Physiopathologic and Pharmacologic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2486. [PMID: 35626089 PMCID: PMC9139729 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a very aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis and inadequate response to treatment. Many factors contribute to this therapeutic failure: lack of symptoms until the tumor reaches an advanced stage, leading to late diagnosis; early lymphatic and hematic spread; advanced age of patients; important development of a pro-tumoral and hyperfibrotic stroma; high genetic and metabolic heterogeneity; poor vascular supply; a highly acidic matrix; extreme hypoxia; and early development of resistance to the available therapeutic options. In most cases, the disease is silent for a long time, andwhen it does become symptomatic, it is too late for ablative surgery; this is one of the major reasons explaining the short survival associated with the disease. Even when surgery is possible, relapsesare frequent, andthe causes of this devastating picture are the low efficacy ofand early resistance to all known chemotherapeutic treatments. Thus, it is imperative to analyze the roots of this resistance in order to improve the benefits of therapy. PDAC chemoresistance is the final product of different, but to some extent, interconnected factors. Surgery, being the most adequate treatment for pancreatic cancer and the only one that in a few selected cases can achieve longer survival, is only possible in less than 20% of patients. Thus, the treatment burden relies on chemotherapy in mostcases. While the FOLFIRINOX scheme has a slightly longer overall survival, it also produces many more adverse eventsso that gemcitabine is still considered the first choice for treatment, especially in combination with other compounds/agents. This review discusses the multiple causes of gemcitabine resistance in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephan Joel Reshkin
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Tiago M. A. Carvalho
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Daria Di Molfetta
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Maria Raffaella Greco
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Khalid Omer Alfarouk
- Zamzam Research Center, Zamzam University College, Khartoum 11123, Sudan;
- Alfarouk Biomedical Research LLC, Temple Terrace, FL 33617, USA
| | - Rosa Angela Cardone
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
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28
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de Melo Quintela B, Hervas-Raluy S, Manuel Garcia Aznar J, Walker D, Wertheim KY, Viceconti M. A Theoretical Analysis of the Scale Separation in a Model to Predict Solid Tumour Growth. J Theor Biol 2022; 547:111173. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2022.111173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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29
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Fromme JE, Zigrino P. The Role of Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Skin Tumor Progression and Therapeutic Resistance. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:864302. [PMID: 35558554 PMCID: PMC9086898 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.864302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix remodeling in the skin results from a delicate balance of synthesis and degradation of matrix components, ensuring tissue homeostasis. These processes are altered during tumor invasion and growth, generating a microenvironment that supports growth, invasion, and metastasis. Apart from the cellular component, the tumor microenvironment is rich in extracellular matrix components and bound factors that provide structure and signals to the tumor and stromal cells. The continuous remodeling in the tissue compartment sustains the developing tumor during the various phases providing matrices and proteolytic enzymes. These are produced by cancer cells and stromal fibroblasts. In addition to fostering tumor growth, the expression of specific extracellular matrix proteins and proteinases supports tumor invasion after the initial therapeutic response. Lately, the expression and structural modification of matrices were also associated with therapeutic resistance. This review will focus on the significant alterations in the extracellular matrix components and the function of metalloproteinases that influence skin cancer progression and support the acquisition of therapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia E. Fromme
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Mildred Scheel School of Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (MSSO ABCD), Cologne, Germany
| | - Paola Zigrino
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- *Correspondence: Paola Zigrino,
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Zhou H, Wang M, Zhang Y, Su Q, Xie Z, Chen X, Yan R, Li P, Li T, Qin X, Yang H, Wu C, You F, Li S, Liu Y. Functions and clinical significance of mechanical tumor microenvironment: cancer cell sensing, mechanobiology and metastasis. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2022; 42:374-400. [PMID: 35470988 PMCID: PMC9118059 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Dynamic and heterogeneous interaction between tumor cells and the surrounding microenvironment fuels the occurrence, progression, invasion, and metastasis of solid tumors. In this process, the tumor microenvironment (TME) fractures cellular and matrix architecture normality through biochemical and mechanical means, abetting tumorigenesis and treatment resistance. Tumor cells sense and respond to the strength, direction, and duration of mechanical cues in the TME by various mechanotransduction pathways. However, far less understood is the comprehensive perspective of the functions and mechanisms of mechanotransduction. Due to the great therapeutic difficulties brought by the mechanical changes in the TME, emerging studies have focused on targeting the adverse mechanical factors in the TME to attenuate disease rather than conventionally targeting tumor cells themselves, which has been proven to be a potential therapeutic approach. In this review, we discussed the origins and roles of mechanical factors in the TME, cell sensing, mechano‐biological coupling and signal transduction, in vitro construction of the tumor mechanical microenvironment, applications and clinical significance in the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanying Zhou
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610054, P. R. China
| | - Meng Wang
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610054, P. R. China
| | - Yixi Zhang
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610054, P. R. China
| | - Qingqing Su
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610054, P. R. China
| | - Zhengxin Xie
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610054, P. R. China
| | - Xiangyan Chen
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610054, P. R. China
| | - Ran Yan
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610054, P. R. China.,Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610072, P. R. China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610054, P. R. China
| | - Tingting Li
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610054, P. R. China
| | - Xiang Qin
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610054, P. R. China
| | - Hong Yang
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610054, P. R. China
| | - Chunhui Wu
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610054, P. R. China
| | - Fengming You
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610072, P. R. China
| | - Shun Li
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610054, P. R. China
| | - Yiyao Liu
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610054, P. R. China.,Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610072, P. R. China
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Yu W, Sharma S, Rao E, Rowat AC, Gimzewski JK, Han D, Rao J. Cancer cell mechanobiology: a new frontier for cancer research. JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL CANCER CENTER 2022; 2:10-17. [PMID: 39035217 PMCID: PMC11256617 DOI: 10.1016/j.jncc.2021.11.007] [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: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of physical and mechanical features of cancer cells, or cancer cell mechanobiology, is a new frontier in cancer research. Such studies may enhance our understanding of the disease process, especially mechanisms associated with cancer cell invasion and metastasis, and may help the effort of developing diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic drug targets. Cancer cell mechanobiological changes are associated with the complex interplay of activation/inactivation of multiple signaling pathways, which can occur at both the genetic and epigenetic levels, and the interactions with the cancer microenvironment. It has been shown that metastatic tumor cells are more compliant than morphologically similar benign cells in actual human samples. Subsequent studies from us and others further demonstrated that cell mechanical properties are strongly associated with cancer cell invasive and metastatic potential, and thus may serve as a diagnostic marker of detecting cancer cells in human body fluid samples. In this review, we provide a brief narrative of the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer cell mechanobiology, the technological platforms utilized to study cancer cell mechanobiology, the status of cancer cell mechanobiological studies in various cancer types, and the potential clinical applications of cancer cell mechanobiological study in cancer early detection, diagnosis, and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weibo Yu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Shivani Sharma
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth Rao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Amy C. Rowat
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California at Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - James K. Gimzewski
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California at Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Dong Han
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Jianyu Rao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, California, USA
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32
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Harkos C, Svensson SF, Emblem KE, Stylianopoulos T. Inducing Biomechanical Heterogeneity in Brain Tumor Modeling by MR Elastography: Effects on Tumor Growth, Vascular Density and Delivery of Therapeutics. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14040884. [PMID: 35205632 PMCID: PMC8870149 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14040884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Biomechanical forces aggravate brain tumor progression. In this study, magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is employed to extract tissue biomechanical properties from five glioblastoma patients and a healthy subject, and data are incorporated in a mathematical model that simulates tumor growth. Mathematical modeling enables further understanding of glioblastoma development and allows patient-specific predictions for tumor vascularity and delivery of drugs. Incorporating MRE data results in a more realistic intratumoral distribution of mechanical stress and anisotropic tumor growth and a better description of subsequent events that are closely related to the development of stresses, including heterogeneity of the tumor vasculature and intrapatient variations in tumor perfusion and delivery of drugs. Abstract The purpose of this study is to develop a methodology that incorporates a more accurate assessment of tissue mechanical properties compared to current mathematical modeling by use of biomechanical data from magnetic resonance elastography. The elastography data were derived from five glioblastoma patients and a healthy subject and used in a model that simulates tumor growth, vascular changes due to mechanical stresses and delivery of therapeutic agents. The model investigates the effect of tumor-specific biomechanical properties on tumor anisotropic growth, vascular density heterogeneity and chemotherapy delivery. The results showed that including elastography data provides a more realistic distribution of the mechanical stresses in the tumor and induces anisotropic tumor growth. Solid stress distribution differs among patients, which, in turn, induces a distinct functional vascular density distribution—owing to the compression of tumor vessels—and intratumoral drug distribution for each patient. In conclusion, incorporating elastography data results in a more accurate calculation of intratumoral mechanical stresses and enables a better mathematical description of subsequent events, such as the heterogeneous development of the tumor vasculature and intrapatient variations in tumor perfusion and delivery of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantinos Harkos
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus;
| | - Siri Fløgstad Svensson
- Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Department of Diagnostic Physics, Oslo University Hospital, 0372 Oslo, Norway; (S.F.S.); (K.E.E.)
- Department of Physics, The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, 0371 Oslo, Norway
| | - Kyrre E. Emblem
- Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Department of Diagnostic Physics, Oslo University Hospital, 0372 Oslo, Norway; (S.F.S.); (K.E.E.)
| | - Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus;
- Correspondence:
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33
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Lysyl-Oxidase Dependent Extracellular Matrix Stiffness in Hodgkin Lymphomas: Mechanical and Topographical Evidence. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14010259. [PMID: 35008423 PMCID: PMC8750937 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010259] [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: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Alterations of the composition and architecture of the extracellular matrix (ECM), leading to increased stiffness, is known to condition development, invasiveness and severity of neoplasms. In this study, we report increased lymph node (LN) stiffness in human lymphomas, measured by LN elastometry or by computerized imaging of bioptic specimens. Stiffness matched to lymphoma histotype and grading. The enzyme lysyl oxidase (LOX) is involved in the rise of collagen cross-linking in Hodgkin lymphomas, while altered architecture, shown by scanning electron microscopy and polarized light microscopy is involved in advanced follicular lymphomas. Based on these data, digital pathology may help in the staging of lymphomas, and lysyl oxidase may represent a target for therapy in Hodgkin lymphomas. Abstract Purpose: The biochemical composition and architecture of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is known to condition development and invasiveness of neoplasms. To clarify this point, we analyzed ECM stiffness, collagen cross-linking and anisotropy in lymph nodes (LN) of Hodgkin lymphomas (HL), follicular lymphomas (FL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL), compared with non-neoplastic LN (LDN). Methods and Results: We found increased elastic (Young’s) modulus in HL and advanced FL (grade 3A) over LDN, FL grade 1–2 and DLBCL. Digital imaging evidenced larger stromal areas in HL, where increased collagen cross-linking was found; in turn, architectural modifications were documented in FL3A by scanning electron microscopy and enhanced anisotropy by polarized light microscopy. Interestingly, HL expressed high levels of lysyl oxidase (LOX), an enzyme responsible for collagen cross-linking. Using gelatin scaffolds fabricated with a low elastic modulus, comparable to that of non-neoplastic tissues, we demonstrated that HL LN-derived mesenchymal stromal cells and HL cells increased the Young’s modulus of the extracellular microenvironment through the expression of LOX. Indeed, LOX inhibition by β-aminopropionitrile prevented the gelatin stiffness increase. Conclusions: These data indicate that different mechanical, topographical and/or architectural modifications of ECM are detectable in human lymphomas and are related to their histotype and grading.
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34
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Luo M, Cai G, Ho KKY, Wen K, Tong Z, Deng L, Liu AP. Compression enhances invasive phenotype and matrix degradation of breast Cancer cells via Piezo1 activation. BMC Mol Cell Biol 2022; 23:1. [PMID: 34979904 PMCID: PMC8722159 DOI: 10.1186/s12860-021-00401-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Uncontrolled growth in solid breast cancer generates mechanical compression that may drive the cancer cells into a more invasive phenotype, but little is known about how such compression affects the key events and corresponding regulatory mechanisms associated with invasion of breast cancer cells including cellular behaviors and matrix degradation. Results Here we show that compression enhanced invasion and matrix degradation of breast cancer cells. We also identified Piezo1 as the putative mechanosensitive cellular component that transmitted compression to not only enhance the invasive phenotype, but also induce calcium influx and downstream Src signaling. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Piezo1 was mainly localized in caveolae, and both Piezo1 expression and compression-enhanced invasive phenotype of the breast cancer cells were reduced when caveolar integrity was compromised by either knocking down caveolin1 expression or depleting cholesterol content. Conclusions Taken together, our data indicate that mechanical compression activates Piezo1 channels to mediate enhanced breast cancer cell invasion, which involves both cellular events and matrix degradation. This may be a critical mechanotransduction pathway during breast cancer metastasis, and thus potentially a novel therapeutic target for the disease. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12860-021-00401-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhi Luo
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Grace Cai
- Applied Physics Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kenneth K Y Ho
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Present address: Center for Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kang Wen
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaowen Tong
- Applied Physics Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Linhong Deng
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Allen P Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. .,Applied Physics Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. .,Department of Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. .,Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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35
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Carvalho TMA, Di Molfetta D, Greco MR, Koltai T, Alfarouk KO, Reshkin SJ, Cardone RA. Tumor Microenvironment Features and Chemoresistance in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Insights into Targeting Physicochemical Barriers and Metabolism as Therapeutic Approaches. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:6135. [PMID: 34885243 PMCID: PMC8657427 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13236135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, the median overall survival of PDAC patients rarely exceeds 1 year and has an overall 5-year survival rate of about 9%. These numbers are anticipated to worsen in the future due to the lack of understanding of the factors involved in its strong chemoresistance. Chemotherapy remains the only treatment option for most PDAC patients; however, the available therapeutic strategies are insufficient. The factors involved in chemoresistance include the development of a desmoplastic stroma which reprograms cellular metabolism, and both contribute to an impaired response to therapy. PDAC stroma is composed of immune cells, endothelial cells, and cancer-associated fibroblasts embedded in a prominent, dense extracellular matrix associated with areas of hypoxia and acidic extracellular pH. While multiple gene mutations are involved in PDAC initiation, this desmoplastic stroma plays an important role in driving progression, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Elucidating the mechanisms underlying PDAC resistance are a prerequisite for designing novel approaches to increase patient survival. In this review, we provide an overview of the stromal features and how they contribute to the chemoresistance in PDAC treatment. By highlighting new paradigms in the role of the stromal compartment in PDAC therapy, we hope to stimulate new concepts aimed at improving patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago M. A. Carvalho
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (S.J.R.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Daria Di Molfetta
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (S.J.R.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Maria Raffaella Greco
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (S.J.R.); (R.A.C.)
| | | | - Khalid O. Alfarouk
- Al-Ghad International College for Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Madinah Al-Munwarah 42316, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Stephan J. Reshkin
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (S.J.R.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Rosa A. Cardone
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (S.J.R.); (R.A.C.)
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36
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Ukidve A, Cu K, Kumbhojkar N, Lahann J, Mitragotri S. Overcoming biological barriers to improve solid tumor immunotherapy. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2021; 11:2276-2301. [PMID: 33611770 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-021-00923-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has been at the forefront of therapeutic interventions for many different tumor types over the last decade. While the discovery of immunotherapeutics continues to occur at an accelerated rate, their translation is often hindered by a lack of strategies to deliver them specifically into solid tumors. Accordingly, significant scientific efforts have been dedicated to understanding the underlying mechanisms that govern their delivery into tumors and the subsequent immune modulation. In this review, we aim to summarize the efforts focused on overcoming tumor-associated biological barriers and enhancing the potency of immunotherapy. We summarize the current understanding of biological barriers that limit the entry of intravascularly administered immunotherapies into the tumors, in vitro techniques developed to investigate the underlying transport processes, and delivery strategies developed to overcome the barriers. Overall, we aim to provide the reader with a framework that guides the rational development of technologies for improved solid tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anvay Ukidve
- John A Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Wyss Institute of Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Katharina Cu
- John A Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Wyss Institute of Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Ninad Kumbhojkar
- John A Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Wyss Institute of Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Joerg Lahann
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Department of Material Science & Engineering, Department of Macromolecular Science & Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Samir Mitragotri
- John A Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
- Wyss Institute of Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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Kishimoto S, Brender JR, Chandramouli GVR, Saida Y, Yamamoto K, Mitchell JB, Krishna MC. Hypoxia-Activated Prodrug Evofosfamide Treatment in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Xenografts Alters the Tumor Redox Status to Potentiate Radiotherapy. Antioxid Redox Signal 2021; 35:904-915. [PMID: 32787454 PMCID: PMC8568781 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2020.8131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Aims: In hypoxic tumor microenvironments, the strongly reducing redox environment reduces evofosfamide (TH-302) to release a cytotoxic bromo-isophosphoramide (Br-IPM) moiety. This drug therefore preferentially attacks hypoxic regions in tumors where other standard anticancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy are often ineffective. Various combination therapies with evofosfamide have been proposed and tested in preclinical and clinical settings. However, the treatment effect of evofosfamide monotherapy on tumor hypoxia has not been fully understood, partly due to the lack of quantitative methods to assess tumor pO2in vivo. Here, we use quantitative pO2 imaging by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) to evaluate the change in tumor hypoxia in response to evofosfamide treatment using two pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma xenograft models: MIA Paca-2 tumors responding to evofosfamide and Su.86.86 tumors that do not respond. Results: EPR imaging showed that oxygenation improved globally after evofosfamide treatment in hypoxic MIA Paca-2 tumors, in agreement with the ex vivo results obtained from hypoxia staining by pimonidazole and in apparent contrast to the decrease in Ktrans observed in dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE MRI). Innovations: The observation that evofosfamide not only kills the hypoxic region of the tumor but also improves oxygenation in the residual tumor regions provides a rationale for combination therapies using radiation and antiproliferatives post evofosfamide for improved outcomes. Conclusion: This study suggests that reoxygenation after evofosfamide treatment is due to decreased oxygen demand rather than improved perfusion. Following the change in pO2 after treatment may therefore yield a way of monitoring treatment response. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 35, 904-915.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun Kishimoto
- Radiation Biology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Brender
- Radiation Biology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Yu Saida
- Radiation Biology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Kazutoshi Yamamoto
- Radiation Biology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - James B Mitchell
- Radiation Biology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Murali C Krishna
- Radiation Biology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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38
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High Prevalence of 5T4/Trophoblast Glycoprotein in Soft Tissue Sarcomas. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13194841. [PMID: 34638324 PMCID: PMC8508483 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194841] [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: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression of 5T4/trophoblast glycoprotein was evaluated in several histological subtypes of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) to determine whether the prevalence and level of expression of this membrane-associated glycoprotein is sufficient for use in targeted therapies. Tumor tissue microarrays containing cores from different histological subtypes of STS were stained using a standardized immunohistochemical staining method to detect 5T4; the level of staining was assessed using a semi-quantitative scoring method. No 5T4 staining was seen in the angiosarcomas and liposarcomas investigated in this study. 5T4 staining in the other STS subtypes was seen in more than 50% of cases, warranting further investigation into whether this antigen could evoke an anti-tumor immune response or can be used as target for the delivery of more potent toxins through antibody drug conjugates.
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Tian BR, Lin WF, Zhang Y. Effects of biomechanical forces on the biological behavior of cancer stem cells. J Cancer 2021; 12:5895-5902. [PMID: 34476003 PMCID: PMC8408108 DOI: 10.7150/jca.60893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), dynamic subsets of cancer cells, are responsible for malignant progression. The unique properties of CSCs, including self-renewal, differentiation, and malignancy, closely depend on the tumor microenvironment. Mechanical components in the microenvironment, including matrix stiffness, fluid shear stress, compression and tension stress, affect the fate of CSCs and further influence the cancer process. This paper reviews recent studies of mechanical components and CSCs, and further discusses the intrinsic correlation among them. Regulatory mechanisms of mechanical microenvironment, which act on CSCs, have great potential for clinical application and provide different perspectives to drugs and treatment design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Ren Tian
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Fan Lin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
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40
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Rey JA, Ewing JR, Sarntinoranont M. A computational model of glioma reveals opposing, stiffness-sensitive effects of leaky vasculature and tumor growth on tissue mechanical stress and porosity. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2021; 20:1981-2000. [PMID: 34363553 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-021-01488-8] [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: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A biphasic computational model of a growing, vascularized glioma within brain tissue was developed to account for unique features of gliomas, including soft surrounding brain tissue, their low stiffness relative to brain tissue, and a lack of draining lymphatics. This model is the first to couple nonlinear tissue deformation with porosity and tissue hydraulic conductivity to study the mechanical interaction of leaky vasculature and solid growth in an embedded glioma. The present model showed that leaky vasculature and elevated interstitial fluid pressure produce tensile stress within the tumor in opposition to the compressive stress produced by tumor growth. This tensile effect was more pronounced in softer tissue and resulted in a compressive stress concentration at the tumor rim that increased when tumor was softer than host. Aside from generating solid stress, fluid pressure-driven tissue deformation decreased the effective stiffness of the tumor while growth increased it, potentially leading to elevated stiffness in the tumor rim. A novel prediction of reduced porosity at the tumor rim was corroborated by direct comparison with estimates from our in vivo imaging studies. Antiangiogenic and radiation therapy were simulated by varying vascular leakiness and tissue hydraulic conductivity. These led to greater solid compression and interstitial pressure in the tumor, respectively, the former of which may promote tumor infiltration of the host. Our findings suggest that vascular leakiness has an important influence on in vivo solid stress, stiffness, and porosity fields in gliomas given their unique mechanical microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian A Rey
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, PO BOX 116250, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - James R Ewing
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Physics, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA
- Department of Neurology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Malisa Sarntinoranont
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, PO BOX 116250, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
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41
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Nedrelow DS, Damodaran KV, Thurston TA, Beyer JP, Barocas VH. Residual stress and osmotic swelling of the periodontal ligament. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2021; 20:2047-2059. [PMID: 34365539 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-021-01493-x] [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: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Osmotic swelling and residual stress are increasingly recognized as important factors in soft tissue biomechanics. Little attention has been given to residual stress in periodontal ligament (PDL) biomechanics despite its rapid growth and remodeling potential. Those tissues that bear compressive loads, e.g., articular cartilage, intervertebral disk, have received much attention related to their capacities for osmotic swelling. To understand residual stress and osmotic swelling in the PDL, it must be asked (1) to what extent, if any, does the PDL exhibit residual stress and osmotic swelling, and (2) if so, whether residual stress and osmotic swelling are mechanically significant to the PDL's stress/strain behavior under external loading. Here, we incrementally built a series of computer models that were fit to uniaxial loading, osmotic swelling and residual stretch data. The models were validated with in vitro shear tests and in vivo tooth-tipping data. Residual stress and osmotic swelling models were used to analyze tension and compression stress (principal stress) effects in PDL specimens under external loads. Shear-to-failure experiments under osmotic conditions were performed and modeled to determine differences in mechanics and failure of swollen periodontal ligament. Significantly higher failure shear stresses in swollen PDL suggested that osmotic swelling reduced tension and thus had a strengthening effect. The in vivo model's first and third principal stresses were both higher with residual stress and osmotic swelling, but smooth stress gradients prevailed throughout the three-dimensional PDL anatomy. The addition of PDL stresses from residual stress and osmotic swelling represents a unique concept in dental biomechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Nedrelow
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, USA.
| | - Kishore V Damodaran
- Department of Developmental and Surgical Sciences, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Theresa A Thurston
- Department of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, USA
| | - John P Beyer
- Department of Developmental and Surgical Sciences, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Victor H Barocas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, USA
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42
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Ceelen W, Demuytere J, de Hingh I. Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy: A Critical Review. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13133114. [PMID: 34206563 PMCID: PMC8268659 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Patients with cancer of the digestive system or ovarian cancer are at risk of developing peritoneal metastases (PM). In some patients with PM, surgery followed by intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy has emerged as a valid treatment option. The addition of hyperthermia is thought to further enhance the efficacy of IP chemotherapy. However, the results of recent clinical trials in large bowel cancer have put into question the use of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Here, we review the rationale and current results of HIPEC for PM and propose a roadmap to further progress. Abstract With increasing awareness amongst physicians and improved radiological imaging techniques, the peritoneal cavity is increasingly recognized as an important metastatic site in various malignancies. Prognosis of these patients is usually poor as traditional treatment including surgical resection or systemic treatment is relatively ineffective. Intraperitoneal delivery of chemotherapeutic agents is thought to be an attractive alternative as this results in high tumor tissue concentrations with limited systemic exposure. The addition of hyperthermia aims to potentiate the anti-tumor effects of chemotherapy, resulting in the concept of heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for the treatment of peritoneal metastases as it was developed about 3 decades ago. With increasing experience, HIPEC has become a safe and accepted treatment offered in many centers around the world. However, standardization of the technique has been poor and results from clinical trials have been equivocal. As a result, the true value of HIPEC in the treatment of peritoneal metastases remains a matter of debate. The current review aims to provide a critical overview of the theoretical concept and preclinical and clinical study results, to outline areas of persisting uncertainty, and to propose a framework to better define the role of HIPEC in the treatment of peritoneal malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wim Ceelen
- Department of GI Surgery, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32-9332-6251
| | - Jesse Demuytere
- Department of GI Surgery, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ignace de Hingh
- Department of Surgery, Catharina Cancer Institute, PO Box 1350, 5602 ZA Eindhoven, The Netherlands;
- GROW—School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
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43
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Xuan B, Ghosh D, Dawson MR. Contributions of the distinct biophysical phenotype of polyploidal giant cancer cells to cancer progression. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 81:64-72. [PMID: 33992783 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs) are a commonly observed histological feature of human tumors and are particularly prominent in late stage and drug resistant cancers. The chromosomal duplication conferred by their aneuploidy gives rise to DNA damage resistance and complex tumor cell karyotypes, a driving factor in chemotherapy resistance and disease relapse. Furthermore, PGCCs also exhibit key cytoskeletal features that give rise to a distinct biophysical phenotype, including increased density of polymerized actin and vimentin intermediate filaments, nuclear and cytoskeletal stiffening, increased traction force, and migratory persistence. Despite recent research highlighting the role PGCCs play in cancer progression, this population of tumor cells remains poorly characterized in terms of their biophysical properties. In this review, we will discuss the various aspects of their biomolecular phenotype, such as increased stemness as well as a mixed EMT signature. These features have been extensively associated with tumorigenesis and recurrence, and aggressive cancers. Additionally, we will also examine the distinct PGCC cytoskeletal features of actin and filamentous vimentin. Specifically, how the differential organization of these networks serve to support their increased size and drive migratory persistence. These findings could shed light on potential therapeutic strategies that allow for specific elimination or mitigation of the invasive potential of these polyploid cancer cells. Lastly, we will examine how the biophysical and molecular phenotype of PGCCs combine to tip the scale in favor of promoting cancer progression, presenting an important target in the clinical treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Botai Xuan
- Brown University, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology, & Biotechnology, Providence, 02912, USA
| | - Deepraj Ghosh
- Brown University, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology, & Biotechnology, Providence, 02912, USA
| | - Michelle R Dawson
- Brown University, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology, & Biotechnology, Providence, 02912, USA; Brown University, Center for Biomedical Engineering, Providence, 02912, USA; Brown University, School of Engineering, Providence, 02912, USA.
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44
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Fuentes-Chandía M, Vierling A, Kappelmann-Fenzl M, Monavari M, Letort G, Höne L, Parma B, Antara SK, Ertekin Ö, Palmisano R, Dong M, Böpple K, Boccaccini AR, Ceppi P, Bosserhoff AK, Leal-Egaña A. 3D Spheroids Versus 3D Tumor-Like Microcapsules: Confinement and Mechanical Stress May Lead to the Expression of Malignant Responses in Cancer Cells. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2021; 5:e2000349. [PMID: 33960743 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202000349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
As 2D surfaces fail to resemble the tumoral milieu, current discussions are focused on which 3D cell culture strategy may better lead the cells to express in vitro most of the malignant hints described in vivo. In this study, this question is assessed by analyzing the full genetic profile of MCF7 cells cultured either as 3D spheroids-considered as "gold standard" for in vitro cancer research- or immobilized in 3D tumor-like microcapsules, by RNA-Seq and transcriptomic methods, allowing to discriminate at big-data scale, which in vitro strategy can better resemble most of the malignant features described in neoplastic diseases. The results clearly show that mechanical stress, rather than 3D morphology only, stimulates most of the biological processes involved in cancer pathogenicity, such as cytoskeletal organization, migration, and stemness. Furthermore, cells entrapped in hydrogel-based scaffolds are likely expressing other physiological hints described in malignancy, such as the upregulated expression of metalloproteinases or the resistance to anticancer drugs, among others. According to the knowledge, this study represents the first attempt to answer which 3D experimental system can better mimic the neoplastic architecture in vitro, emphasizing the relevance of confinement in cancer pathogenicity, which can be easily achieved by using hydrogel-based matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Fuentes-Chandía
- Institute of Biomaterials, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstraße 6, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vierling
- Institute of Biomaterials, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstraße 6, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Melanie Kappelmann-Fenzl
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer-Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Fahrstraße 17, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.,Faculty of Applied Informatics, University of Applied Science Deggendorf, 94469, Deggendorf, Germany
| | - Mahshid Monavari
- Institute of Biomaterials, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstraße 6, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Gaelle Letort
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France UMR7241/U1050. 11, place Marcelin Berthelot, Paris Cedex 05, 75231, France
| | - Lucas Höne
- Institute of Biomaterials, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstraße 6, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Beatrice Parma
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Glueckstraße 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sharmin Khan Antara
- Institute of Biomaterials, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstraße 6, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Özlem Ertekin
- Institute of Biomaterials, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstraße 6, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ralph Palmisano
- Optical Imaging Centre Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstraße 3, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Meng Dong
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch-Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and University of Tübingen, Auerbachstraße 112, 70376, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Kathrin Böpple
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch-Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and University of Tübingen, Auerbachstraße 112, 70376, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Aldo R Boccaccini
- Institute of Biomaterials, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstraße 6, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Paolo Ceppi
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Glueckstraße 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, Odense M, DK-5230, Denmark
| | - Anja K Bosserhoff
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer-Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Fahrstraße 17, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Aldo Leal-Egaña
- Institute of Biomaterials, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstraße 6, 91058, Erlangen, Germany.,Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering, Heidelberg University, In Neuenheimer Feld 253, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
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45
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Neophytou CM, Panagi M, Stylianopoulos T, Papageorgis P. The Role of Tumor Microenvironment in Cancer Metastasis: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092053. [PMID: 33922795 PMCID: PMC8122975 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Metastasis, the process by which cancer cells escape primary tumor site and colonize distant organs, is responsible for most cancer-related deaths. The tumor microenvironment (TME), comprises different cell types, including immune cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts, as well as structural elements, such as collagen and hyaluronan that constitute the extracellular matrix (ECM). Intratumoral interactions between the cellular and structural components of the TME regulate the aggressiveness, and dissemination of malignant cells and promote immune evasion. At the secondary site, the TME also facilitates escape from dormancy to enhance metastatic tumor outgrowth. Moreover, the ECM applies mechanical forces on tumors that contribute to hypoxia and cancer cell invasiveness whereas also hinders drug delivery and efficacy in both primary and metastatic sites. In this review, we summarize the latest developments regarding the role of the TME in cancer progression and discuss ongoing efforts to remodel the TME to stop metastasis in its tracks. Abstract The tumor microenvironment (TME) regulates essential tumor survival and promotion functions. Interactions between the cellular and structural components of the TME allow cancer cells to become invasive and disseminate from the primary site to distant locations, through a complex and multistep metastatic cascade. Tumor-associated M2-type macrophages have growth-promoting and immunosuppressive functions; mesenchymal cells mass produce exosomes that increase the migratory ability of cancer cells; cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) reorganize the surrounding matrix creating migration-guiding tracks for cancer cells. In addition, the tumor extracellular matrix (ECM) exerts determinant roles in disease progression and cancer cell migration and regulates therapeutic responses. The hypoxic conditions generated at the primary tumor force cancer cells to genetically and/or epigenetically adapt in order to survive and metastasize. In the circulation, cancer cells encounter platelets, immune cells, and cytokines in the blood microenvironment that facilitate their survival and transit. This review discusses the roles of different cellular and structural tumor components in regulating the metastatic process, targeting approaches using small molecule inhibitors, nanoparticles, manipulated exosomes, and miRNAs to inhibit tumor invasion as well as current and future strategies to remodel the TME and enhance treatment efficacy to block the detrimental process of metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiana M. Neophytou
- European University Research Center, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus;
- Tumor Microenvironment, Metastasis and Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory, Basic and Translational Cancer Research Center, Department of Life Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 1516, Cyprus
| | - Myrofora Panagi
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 2109, Cyprus; (M.P.); (T.S.)
| | - Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 2109, Cyprus; (M.P.); (T.S.)
| | - Panagiotis Papageorgis
- European University Research Center, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus;
- Tumor Microenvironment, Metastasis and Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory, Basic and Translational Cancer Research Center, Department of Life Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 1516, Cyprus
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +357-22-713158
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Piccotti F, Rybinska I, Scoccia E, Morasso C, Ricciardi A, Signati L, Triulzi T, Corsi F, Truffi M. Lipofilling in Breast Oncological Surgery: A Safe Opportunity or Risk for Cancer Recurrence? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073737. [PMID: 33916703 PMCID: PMC8038405 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipofilling (LF) is a largely employed technique in reconstructive and esthetic breast surgery. Over the years, it has demonstrated to be extremely useful for treatment of soft tissue defects after demolitive or conservative breast cancer surgery and different procedures have been developed to improve the survival of transplanted fat graft. The regenerative potential of LF is attributed to the multipotent stem cells found in large quantity in adipose tissue. However, a growing body of pre-clinical evidence shows that adipocytes and adipose-derived stromal cells may have pro-tumorigenic potential. Despite no clear indication from clinical studies has demonstrated an increased risk of cancer recurrence upon LF, these observations challenge the oncologic safety of the procedure. This review aims to provide an updated overview of both the clinical and the pre-clinical indications to the suitability and safety of LF in breast oncological surgery. Cellular and molecular players in the crosstalk between adipose tissue and cancer are described, and heterogeneous contradictory results are discussed, highlighting that important issues still remain to be solved to get a clear understanding of LF safety in breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Piccotti
- Laboratorio di Nanomedicina ed Imaging Molecolare, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (F.P.); (C.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Ilona Rybinska
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (I.R.); (T.T.)
| | - Elisabetta Scoccia
- Breast Unit, Surgery Department, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (E.S.); (F.C.)
| | - Carlo Morasso
- Laboratorio di Nanomedicina ed Imaging Molecolare, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (F.P.); (C.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Alessandra Ricciardi
- Laboratorio di Nanomedicina ed Imaging Molecolare, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (F.P.); (C.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Lorena Signati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche “L. Sacco”, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy;
| | - Tiziana Triulzi
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (I.R.); (T.T.)
| | - Fabio Corsi
- Breast Unit, Surgery Department, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (E.S.); (F.C.)
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche “L. Sacco”, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy;
| | - Marta Truffi
- Laboratorio di Nanomedicina ed Imaging Molecolare, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (F.P.); (C.M.); (A.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0382-592219
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Hernández-Cáceres MP, Munoz L, Pradenas JM, Pena F, Lagos P, Aceiton P, Owen GI, Morselli E, Criollo A, Ravasio A, Bertocchi C. Mechanobiology of Autophagy: The Unexplored Side of Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:632956. [PMID: 33718218 PMCID: PMC7952994 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.632956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Proper execution of cellular function, maintenance of cellular homeostasis and cell survival depend on functional integration of cellular processes and correct orchestration of cellular responses to stresses. Cancer transformation is a common negative consequence of mismanagement of coordinated response by the cell. In this scenario, by maintaining the balance among synthesis, degradation, and recycling of cytosolic components including proteins, lipids, and organelles the process of autophagy plays a central role. Several environmental stresses activate autophagy, among those hypoxia, DNA damage, inflammation, and metabolic challenges such as starvation. In addition to these chemical challenges, there is a requirement for cells to cope with mechanical stresses stemming from their microenvironment. Cells accomplish this task by activating an intrinsic mechanical response mediated by cytoskeleton active processes and through mechanosensitive protein complexes which interface the cells with their mechano-environment. Despite autophagy and cell mechanics being known to play crucial transforming roles during oncogenesis and malignant progression their interplay is largely overlooked. In this review, we highlight the role of physical forces in autophagy regulation and their potential implications in both physiological as well as pathological conditions. By taking a mechanical perspective, we wish to stimulate novel questions to further the investigation of the mechanical requirements of autophagy and appreciate the extent to which mechanical signals affect this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Paz Hernández-Cáceres
- Laboratory of Autophagy and Metabolism, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica De Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Leslie Munoz
- Laboratory for Mechanobiology of Transforming Systems, Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Medicine and Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Laboratory for Molecular Mechanics of Cell Adhesion, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica De Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Javiera M. Pradenas
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Santiago, Chile
- Laboratory of Investigation in Oncology, Faculty of Biological Sciences Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisco Pena
- Laboratory for Mechanobiology of Transforming Systems, Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Medicine and Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Laboratory for Molecular Mechanics of Cell Adhesion, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica De Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo Lagos
- Laboratory of Autophagy and Metabolism, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica De Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo Aceiton
- Laboratory for Mechanobiology of Transforming Systems, Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Medicine and Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Laboratory for Molecular Mechanics of Cell Adhesion, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica De Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gareth I. Owen
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Santiago, Chile
- Laboratory of Investigation in Oncology, Faculty of Biological Sciences Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago, Chile
| | - Eugenia Morselli
- Laboratory of Autophagy and Metabolism, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica De Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Autophagy Research Center, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Alfredo Criollo
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Santiago, Chile
- Autophagy Research Center, Santiago de Chile, Chile
- Facultad De Odontología, Instituto De Investigación En Ciencias Odontológicas (ICOD), Universidad De Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Andrea Ravasio
- Laboratory for Mechanobiology of Transforming Systems, Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Medicine and Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cristina Bertocchi
- Laboratory for Molecular Mechanics of Cell Adhesion, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica De Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Shang M, Lim SB, Jiang K, Yap YS, Khoo BL, Han J, Lim CT. Microfluidic studies of hydrostatic pressure-enhanced doxorubicin resistance in human breast cancer cells. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:746-754. [PMID: 33502419 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc01103g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Acquired multidrug resistance in tumors is a big challenge in cancer therapy. As an important physical stimulus in the tumor microenvironment, elevated interstitial fluid pressure has been reported to inhibit drug delivery and promote metastasis in solid tumors. However, the direct influence of this fluid pressure on anticancer drug resistance remains unclear. Here, we develop a pressurized in vitro circulating tumor cell (CTC) culture platform for anticancer drug screening. By using human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, we find that doxorubicin resistance can be increased by up to 2.5 times under 30 mmHg culture condition, through ABCC1 overexpression that reduces intracellular doxorubicin concentration. A similar chemoresistance change is also observed in clinical metastatic circulating tumor cells samples. These findings provide a new insight into the chemoresistance mechanism of metastatic human breast cancer cells and elucidate the significance of abnormal hydrostatic pressure in cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menglin Shang
- Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (CAMP) IRG, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) Centre, Singapore and Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Su Bin Lim
- The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Kuan Jiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Yoon Sim Yap
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bee Luan Khoo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Jongyoon Han
- Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (CAMP) IRG, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) Centre, Singapore and Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA and Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA and Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chwee Teck Lim
- Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (CAMP) IRG, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) Centre, Singapore and Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore. and Institute for Health Innovation and Technology, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore and Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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49
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Palmieri B, Palmieri L, Mambrini A, Pepe V, Vadalà M. Onco-Esthetics Dilemma: Is There a Role for Electrocosmetic-Medical Devices? Front Oncol 2021; 10:528624. [PMID: 33585180 PMCID: PMC7879986 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.528624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The primary aim of this review is to verify whether the warning against the use of electromedical instruments in the cosmetic professional or medical cancer patient settings is consistent with evident oncological risks supported by experimental in vitro/in vivo studies or anecdotal clinical reports, or any other reasonable statement. Methods MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, AMED, Ovid, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, and Google Scholar databases were electronically searched. Data relating to research design, sample population, type of electro-cosmetic devices used, were extracted. Results The search strategy identified 50 studies, 30 of which were potentially relevant. Conclusions Our research is in favor of moderate periodical use of cosmetic medical devices in patients bearing tumors, in any stage, like in healthy people. Special consideration is dedicated to massage, manipulation, and pressure delivery upon the cytoskeleton of cancer cells that has proven to be sensitive to mechanical stress at least in some specific locally relapsing cancers such as osteosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beniamino Palmieri
- Department of General Surgery and Surgical Specialties, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Medical School, Surgical Clinic, Modena, Italy.,Second Opinion Medical Network, Modena, Italy
| | - Lucia Palmieri
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Complex Structure, Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Andrea Mambrini
- Medical Oncology Department, ASL Toscana Nord Ovest, Carrara, Italy
| | | | - Maria Vadalà
- Department of General Surgery and Surgical Specialties, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Medical School, Surgical Clinic, Modena, Italy.,Second Opinion Medical Network, Modena, Italy
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50
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Thai VL, Griffin KH, Thorpe SW, Randall RL, Leach JK. Tissue engineered platforms for studying primary and metastatic neoplasm behavior in bone. J Biomech 2021; 115:110189. [PMID: 33385867 PMCID: PMC7855491 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.110189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, claiming more than 560,000 lives each year. Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignant tumor of bone in children and young adults, while bone is a common site of metastasis for tumors initiating from other tissues. The heterogeneity, continual evolution, and complexity of this disease at different stages of tumor progression drives a critical need for physiologically relevant models that capture the dynamic cancer microenvironment and advance chemotherapy techniques. Monolayer cultures have been favored for cell-based research for decades due to their simplicity and scalability. However, the nature of these models makes it impossible to fully describe the biomechanical and biochemical cues present in 3-dimensional (3D) microenvironments, such as ECM stiffness, degradability, surface topography, and adhesivity. Biomaterials have emerged as valuable tools to model the behavior of various cancers by creating highly tunable 3D systems for studying neoplasm behavior, screening chemotherapeutic drugs, and developing novel treatment delivery techniques. This review highlights the recent application of biomaterials toward the development of tumor models, details methods for their tunability, and discusses the clinical and therapeutic applications of these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria L Thai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Katherine H Griffin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States; School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Steven W Thorpe
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States
| | - R Lor Randall
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States
| | - J Kent Leach
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States.
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