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Gaudenzi G, Vitale G. Transplantable zebrafish models of neuroendocrine tumors. ANNALES D'ENDOCRINOLOGIE 2019; 80:149-152. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ando.2019.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Gaudenzi G, Albertelli M, Dicitore A, Würth R, Gatto F, Barbieri F, Cotelli F, Florio T, Ferone D, Persani L, Vitale G. Patient-derived xenograft in zebrafish embryos: a new platform for translational research in neuroendocrine tumors. Endocrine 2017; 57:214-219. [PMID: 27481363 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-016-1048-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Preclinical research on neuroendocrine tumors usually involves immortalized cell lines and few animal models. In the present study we described an in vivo model based on patient-derived xenografts of neuroendocrine tumor cells in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos, allowing a rapid analysis of the angiogenic and invasive potential. Patient-derived neuroendocrine tumor cells were transplanted in 48 hours post-fertilization Tg(fli1a:EGFP) y1 zebrafish embryos that express enhanced green fluorescent protein in the entire vasculature. Neuroendocrine tumor cells, stained with CM-Dil, were injected into the subperidermal (perivitelline) space, close to the developing subintestinal venous plexus. A proper control group, represented by zebrafish injected with only D-PBS, was included in this study. Angiogenic and invasive potentials of each patient-derived xenograft were evaluated by both epifluorescence and confocal microscopes. Six out of eight neuroendocrine tumor samples were successfully transplanted in zebrafish embryos. Although the implanted tumor mass had a limited size (about 100 cells for embryos), patient-derived xenografts showed pro-angiogenic (5 cases) and invasive (6 cases) behaviors within 48 hours post injection. Patient-derived xenograft in zebrafish embryos appears to be a reliable in vivo preclinical model for neuroendocrine tumors, tumors with often limited cell availability. The rapidity of this procedure makes our model a promising platform to perform preclinical drug screening and opens a new scenario for personalized treatment in patients with neuroendocrine tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germano Gaudenzi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health (DISCCO), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Manuela Albertelli
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Dicitore
- Laboratory of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Würth
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federico Gatto
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federica Barbieri
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Franco Cotelli
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Tullio Florio
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Diego Ferone
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Luca Persani
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health (DISCCO), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Laboratory of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Vitale
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health (DISCCO), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Laboratory of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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Seilicovich A, Pisera D, Sciascia SA, Candolfi M, Puntel M, Xiong W, Jaita G, Castro MG. Gene therapy for pituitary tumors. Curr Gene Ther 2006; 5:559-72. [PMID: 16457646 PMCID: PMC2696484 DOI: 10.2174/156652305774964721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Pituitary tumors are the most common primary intracranial neoplasms. Although most pituitary tumors are considered typically benign, others can cause severe and progressive disease. The principal aims of pituitary tumor treatment are the elimination or reduction of the tumor mass, normalization of hormone secretion and preservation of remaining pituitary function. In spite of major advances in the therapy of pituitary tumors, for some of the most difficult tumors, current therapies that include medical, surgical and radiotherapeutic methods are often unsatisfactory and there is a need to develop new treatment strategies. Gene therapy, which uses nucleic acids as drugs, has emerged as an attractive therapeutic option for the treatment of pituitary tumors that do not respond to classical treatment strategies if the patients become intolerant to the therapy. The development of animal models for pituitary tumors and hormone hypersecretion has proven to be critical for the implementation of novel treatment strategies and gene therapy approaches. Preclinical trials using several gene therapy approaches for the treatment of anterior pituitary diseases have been successfully implemented. Several issues need to be addressed before clinical implementation becomes a reality, including the development of more effective and safer viral vectors, uncovering novel therapeutic targets and development of targeted expression of therapeutic transgenes. With the development of efficient gene delivery vectors allowing long-term transgene expression with minimal toxicity, gene therapy will become one of the most promising approaches for treating pituitary adenomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Seilicovich
- Centro de Investigaciones en Reproducción, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, Buenos Aires (C1121ABG), Argentina.
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Abstract
In the majority of cases, acromegaly is due to GH hypersecretion by a somatotroph pituitary tumor. The etiology of acromegaly is not known, and may be related to GHRH hypersecretion, intrinsic pituitary defect, or a combination thereof. Recent physiologic data and molecular biology techniques provide insights into the pathophysiology of this condition. Treatment options include surgery, radiation, and judicious administration of pharmacologic compounds inhibiting GH secretion and tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Barkan
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0354, USA
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Puchner MJ, Lüdecke DK, Knappe UJ, Saeger W, Herrmann HD. Autoradiographic demonstration of in vivo 125I-growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) binding by human GH-secreting pituitary adenomas transplanted on athymic nude mice. Mol Cell Endocrinol 1992; 85:157-64. [PMID: 1634014 DOI: 10.1016/0303-7207(92)90254-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
This study was designed for the purpose of investigating a method for in vivo tumor labelling of human GH (hGH) secreting pituitary adenomas. Pituitary adenoma tissue removed from four acromegalic patients was transplanted into 62 athymic nude mice. After positive GHRH stimulation tests 125I-GHRH(1-44) NH2 was injected intravenously (i.v.) in ten nude mice. 10 min after 125I-GHRH injection, the nude mice were sacrificed, the transplants excised and prepared for light microscopical autoradiography. The mouse pituitary and skeletal muscle specimens served as controls. After the i.v. injection of 125I-GHRH we observed a marked accumulation of silver grains within the adenoma tissue indicating tumor labelling. This study is a first step in investigating a new method for labelling small residues of hGH secreting pituitary adenomas intraoperatively.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Puchner
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Hamburg, Germany
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