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Pellow C, Jafari Sojahrood A, Zhao X, Kolios MC, Exner AA, Goertz DE. Synchronous Intravital Imaging and Cavitation Monitoring of Antivascular Focused Ultrasound in Tumor Microvasculature Using Monodisperse Low Boiling Point Nanodroplets. ACS NANO 2024; 18:410-427. [PMID: 38147452 PMCID: PMC10786165 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c07711] [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: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Focused ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles can induce blood flow shutdown and ischemic necrosis at higher pressures in an approach termed antivascular ultrasound. Combined with conventional therapies of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy, this approach has demonstrated tumor growth inhibition and profound synergistic antitumor effects. However, the lower cavitation threshold of microbubbles can potentially yield off-target damage that the polydispersity of clinical agent may further exacerbate. Here we investigate the use of a monodisperse nanodroplet formulation for achieving antivascular effects in tumors. We first develop stable low boiling point monodisperse lipid nanodroplets and examine them as an alternative agent to mediate antivascular ultrasound. With synchronous intravital imaging and ultrasound monitoring of focused ultrasound-stimulated nanodroplets in tumor microvasculature, we show that nanodroplets can trigger blood flow shutdown and do so with a sharper pressure threshold and with fewer additional events than conventionally used microbubbles. We further leverage the smaller size and prolonged pharmacokinetic profile of nanodroplets to allow for potential passive accumulation in tumor tissue prior to antivascular ultrasound, which may be a means by which to promote selective tumor targeting. We find that vascular shutdown is accompanied by inertial cavitation and complex-order sub- and ultraharmonic acoustic signatures, presenting an opportunity for effective feedback control of antivascular ultrasound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly Pellow
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - Amin Jafari Sojahrood
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto M4N 3M5, Canada
- Department of Physics, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto M5B 2K3, Canada
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), a partnership between St. Michael's Hospital, a site of Unity Health Toronto and Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Xiaoxiao Zhao
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto M4N 3M5, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Michael C Kolios
- Department of Physics, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto M5B 2K3, Canada
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), a partnership between St. Michael's Hospital, a site of Unity Health Toronto and Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Agata A Exner
- Department of Radiology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - David E Goertz
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto M4N 3M5, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto M5G 1L7, Canada
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2
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Martinez Lyons A, Boulter L. NOTCH signalling - a core regulator of bile duct disease? Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm050231. [PMID: 37605966 PMCID: PMC10461466 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050231] [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] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The Notch signalling pathway is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism of cell-cell communication that mediates cellular proliferation, fate determination and maintenance of stem/progenitor cell populations across tissues. Although it was originally identified as a critical regulator of embryonic liver development, NOTCH signalling activation has been associated with the pathogenesis of a number of paediatric and adult liver diseases. It remains unclear, however, what role NOTCH actually plays in these pathophysiological processes and whether NOTCH activity represents the reactivation of a conserved developmental programme that is essential for adult tissue repair. In this Review, we explore the concepts that NOTCH signalling reactivation in the biliary epithelium is a reiterative and essential response to bile duct damage and that, in disease contexts in which biliary epithelial cells need to be regenerated, NOTCH signalling supports ductular regrowth. Furthermore, we evaluate the recent literature on NOTCH signalling as a critical factor in progenitor-mediated hepatocyte regeneration, which indicates that the mitogenic role for NOTCH signalling in biliary epithelial cell proliferation has also been co-opted to support other forms of epithelial regeneration in the adult liver.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luke Boulter
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
- CRUK Scottish Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
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3
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Sharma D, Xuan Leong K, Palhares D, Czarnota GJ. Radiation combined with ultrasound and microbubbles: A potential novel strategy for cancer treatment. Z Med Phys 2023; 33:407-426. [PMID: 37586962 PMCID: PMC10517408 DOI: 10.1016/j.zemedi.2023.04.007] [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: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Several emerging technologies are helping to battle cancer. Cancer therapies have been effective at killing cancer cells, but a large portion of patients still die to this disease every year. As such, more aggressive treatments of primary cancers are employed and have been shown to be capable of saving a greater number of lives. Recent research advances the field of cancer therapy by employing the use of physical methods to alter tumor biology. It uses microbubbles to enhance radiation effect by damaging tumor vasculature followed by tumor cell death. The technique can specifically target tumor volumes by conforming ultrasound fields capable of microbubbles stimulation and localizing it to avoid vascular damage in surrounding tissues. Thus, this new application of ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles (USMB) can be utilized as a novel approach to cancer therapy by inducing vascular disruption resulting in tumor cell death. Using USMB alongside radiation has showed to augment the anti-vascular effect of radiation, resulting in enhanced tumor response. Recent work with nanobubbles has shown vascular permeation into intracellular space, extending the use of this new treatment method to potentially further improve the therapeutic effect of the ultrasound-based therapy. The significant enhancement of localized tumor cell kill means that radiation-based treatments can be made more potent with lower doses of radiation. This technique can manifest a greater impact on radiation oncology practice by increasing treatment effectiveness significantly while reducing normal tissue toxicity. This review article summarizes the past and recent advances in USMB enhancement of radiation treatments. The review mainly focuses on preclinical findings but also highlights some clinical findings that use USMB as a therapeutic modality in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepa Sharma
- Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Departments of Radiation Oncology, and Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kai Xuan Leong
- Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniel Palhares
- Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Departments of Radiation Oncology, and Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gregory J Czarnota
- Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Departments of Radiation Oncology, and Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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4
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Padilla F, Brenner J, Prada F, Klibanov AL. Theranostics in the vasculature: bioeffects of ultrasound and microbubbles to induce vascular shutdown. Theranostics 2023; 13:4079-4101. [PMID: 37554276 PMCID: PMC10405856 DOI: 10.7150/thno.70372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Ultrasound-triggered microbubbles destruction leading to vascular shutdown have resulted in preclinical studies in tumor growth delay or inhibition, lesion formation, radio-sensitization and modulation of the immune micro-environment. Antivascular ultrasound aims to be developed as a focal, targeted, non-invasive, mechanical and non-thermal treatment, alone or in combination with other treatments, and this review positions these treatments among the wider therapeutic ultrasound domain. Antivascular effects have been reported for a wide range of ultrasound exposure conditions, and evidence points to a prominent role of cavitation as the main mechanism. At relatively low peak negative acoustic pressure, predominantly non-inertial cavitation is most likely induced, while higher peak negative pressures lead to inertial cavitation and bubbles collapse. Resulting bioeffects start with inflammation and/or loose opening of the endothelial lining of the vessel. The latter causes vascular access of tissue factor, leading to platelet aggregation, and consequent clotting. Alternatively, endothelium damage exposes subendothelial collagen layer, leading to rapid adhesion and aggregation of platelets and clotting. In a pilot clinical trial, a prevalence of tumor response was observed in patients receiving ultrasound-triggered microbubble destruction along with transarterial radioembolization. Two ongoing clinical trials are assessing the effectiveness of ultrasound-stimulated microbubble treatment to enhance radiation effects in cancer patients. Clinical translation of antivascular ultrasound/microbubble approach may thus be forthcoming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederic Padilla
- Focused Ultrasound Foundation, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- Department of Radiology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | | | - Francesco Prada
- Focused Ultrasound Foundation, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- Ultrasound Neuroimaging and Therapy Lab, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Alexander L Klibanov
- Department of Radiology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
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Almasri F, Sakarya EH, Karshafian R. Radioenhancement with the Combination of Docetaxel and Ultrasound Microbubbles: In Vivo Prostate Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051468. [PMID: 37242710 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Using an in vitro prostate cancer model, we previously demonstrated the significant enhancement of radiotherapy (XRT) with the combined treatment of docetaxel (Taxotere; TXT) and ultrasound-microbubbles (USMB). Here, we extend these findings to an in vivo cancer model. Severe combined immune-deficient male mice were xenografted with the PC-3 prostate cancer cell line in the hind leg and treated with USMB, TXT, radiotherapy (XRT), and their combinations. The tumors were imaged with ultrasound pre-treatment and 24 h post-treatment, following which they were extracted for the histological analysis of the tumor-cell death (DN; H&E) and apoptosis (DA; TUNEL). The tumors' growths were assessed for up to ~6 weeks and analysed using the exponential Malthusian tumor-growth model. The tumors' doubling time (VT) was characterized as growth (positive) or shrinkage (negative). The cellular death and apoptosis increased ~5-fold with the TXT + USMB + XRT (Dn = 83% and Da = 71%) compared to the XRT alone (Dn = 16% and Da = 14%), and by ~2-3-fold with the TXT + XRT (Dn = 50% and Da = 38%) and USMB + XRT (Dn = 45% and Da = 27%) compared to the XRT. The USMB enhanced the cellular bioeffects of the TXT by ~2-5-fold with the TXT + USMB (Dn = 42% and Da = 50%), compared with the TXT alone (Dn = 19% and Da = 9%). The USMB alone caused cell death (Dn = 17% and Da = 10%) compared to the untreated control (Dn = 0.4% and Da = 0%). The histological cellular bioeffects were correlated with the changes in the ultrasound RF mid-band-fit data, which were associated with the cellular morphology. The linear regression analysis displayed a positive linear correlation between the mid-band fit and the overall cell death (R2 = 0.9164), as well as a positive linear correlation between the mid-band fit and the apoptosis (R2 = 0.8530). These results demonstrate a correlation between the histological and spectral measurements of the tissue microstructure and that cellular morphological changes can be detected by ultrasound scattering analysis. In addition, the tumor volumes from the triple-combination treatment were significantly smaller than those from the control, XRT, USMB + XRT, and TXT + XRT, from day 2 onward. The TXT + USMB + XRT-treated tumors shrank from day 2 and at each subsequent time-point measured (VT ~-6 days). The growth of the XRT-treated tumors was inhibited during the first 16 days, following which the tumors grew (VT ~9 days). The TXT + XRT and USMB + XRT groups displayed an initial decrease in tumor size (day 1-14; TXT + XRT VT ~-12 days; USMB + XRT VT ~-33 days), followed by a growth phase (day 15-37; TXT + XRT VT ~11 days; USMB + XRT VT ~22 days). The triple-combination therapy induced tumor shrinkage to a greater extent than any of the other treatments. This study demonstrates the in vivo radioenhancement potential of chemotherapy combined with therapeutic ultrasound-microbubble treatment in inducing cell death and apoptosis, as well as long-term tumor shrinkage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Firas Almasri
- Department of Physics, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
- Biomedical Engineering Department, International University of Science and Technology in Kuwait, Ardiya 92400, Kuwait
| | - Emmanuel H Sakarya
- Department of Physics, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), A Partnership Between Toronto Metropolitan University and St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Raffi Karshafian
- Department of Physics, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), A Partnership Between Toronto Metropolitan University and St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada
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Zhao X, Pellow C, Goertz DE. Intravital imaging and cavitation monitoring of antivascular ultrasound in tumor microvasculature. Theranostics 2023; 13:250-266. [PMID: 36593952 PMCID: PMC9800738 DOI: 10.7150/thno.79186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Focused ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles have been shown to be capable of inducing blood flow shutdown and necrosis in a range of tissue types in an approach termed antivascular ultrasound or nonthermal ablation. In oncology, this approach has demonstrated tumor growth inhibition, and profound synergistic antitumor effects when combined with traditional platforms of chemo-, radiation- and immune-therapies. However, the exposure schemes employed have been broad and underlying mechanisms remain unclear with fundamental questions about exposures, vessel types and sizes involved, and the nature of bubble behaviors and their acoustic emissions resulting in vascular damage - impeding the establishment of standard protocols. Methods: Here, ultrasound transmitters and receivers are integrated into a murine dorsal window chamber tumor model for intravital microscopy studies capable of real-time visual and acoustic monitoring during antivascular ultrasound. Vessel type (normal and tumor-affected), caliber, and viability are assessed under higher pressure conditions (1, 2, and 3 MPa), and cavitation signatures are linked to the biological effects. Results: Vascular events occurred preferentially in tumor-affected vessels with greater incidence in smaller vessels and with more severity as a function of increasing pressure. Vascular blood flow shutdown was found to be due to a combination of focal disruption events and network-related flow changes. Acoustic emissions displayed elevated broadband noise and distinct sub- and ultra-harmonics and their associated third-order peaks with increasing pressure. Conclusions: The observed vascular events taken collectively with identified cavitation signatures provide an improved mechanistic understanding of antivascular ultrasound at the microscale, with implications for establishing a specific treatment protocol and control platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Zhao
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Canada.,Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Canada.,✉ Corresponding authors: Xiaoxiao Zhao, E-mail: ; and David Goertz, E-mail: ; 2075 Bayview Ave, Toronto ON, M3C 3Z6
| | | | - David E. Goertz
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Canada.,Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Canada.,✉ Corresponding authors: Xiaoxiao Zhao, E-mail: ; and David Goertz, E-mail: ; 2075 Bayview Ave, Toronto ON, M3C 3Z6
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Application of Ultrasound Combined with Microbubbles for Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084393. [PMID: 35457210 PMCID: PMC9026557 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
At present, cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Treatment failure remains one of the prime hurdles in cancer treatment due to the metastatic nature of cancer. Techniques have been developed to hinder the growth of tumours or at least to stop the metastasis process. In recent years, ultrasound therapy combined with microbubbles has gained immense success in cancer treatment. Ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles (USMB) combined with other cancer treatments including radiation therapy, chemotherapy or immunotherapy has demonstrated potential improved outcomes in various in vitro and in vivo studies. Studies have shown that low dose radiation administered with USMB can have similar effects as high dose radiation therapy. In addition, the use of USMB in conjunction with radiotherapy or chemotherapy can minimize the toxicity of high dose radiation or chemotherapeutic drugs, respectively. In this review, we discuss the biophysical properties of USMB treatment and its applicability in cancer therapy. In particular, we highlight important preclinical and early clinical findings that demonstrate the antitumour effect combining USMB and other cancer treatment modalities (radiotherapy and chemotherapy). Our review mainly focuses on the tumour vascular effects mediated by USMB and these cancer therapies. We also discuss several current limitations, in addition to ongoing and future efforts for applying USMB in cancer treatment.
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Peng C, Wu Y, Yang Y, Li N, Chen X, Gu L, Xu D, Yang C. Using ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction to enhance radiotherapy of glioblastoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2021; 147:1355-1363. [PMID: 33547949 PMCID: PMC8021517 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-021-03542-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy and mechanism of ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) combined with radiotherapy (XRT) on glioblastoma. METHODS The enhanced radiosensitization by UTMD was assessed through colony formation and cell apoptosis in Human glioblastoma cells (U87MG). Subcutaneous transplantation tumors in 24 nude mice implanted with U87MG cells were randomly assigned to 4 different treatment groups (Control, UTMD, XRT, and UTMD + XRT) based on tumor sizes (100-300 mm3). Tumor growth was observed for 10 days after treatment, and then histopathology stains (HE, CD34, and γH2AX) were applied to the tumor samples. A TUNEL staining experiment was applied to detect the apoptosis rate of mice tumor samples. Meanwhile, tissue proteins were extracted from animal specimens, and the expressions of dsDNA break repair-related proteins from animal specimens were examined by the western blot. RESULTS When the radiotherapy dose was 4 Gy, the colony formation rate of U87MG cells in the UTMD + XRT group was 32 ± 8%, lower than the XRT group (54 ± 14%, p < 0.01). The early apoptotic rate of the UTMD + XRT group was 21.1 ± 3% at 48 h, higher than that of the XRT group (15.2 ± 4%). The tumor growth curve indicated that the tumor growth was inhibited in the UTMD + XRT group compared with other groups during 10 days of observation. In TUNEL experiment, the apoptotic cells of the UTMD + XRT group were higher than that of the XRT group (p < 0.05). The UTMD + XRT group had the lowest MVD value, but was not significantly different from other groups (p > 0.05). In addition, γH2AX increased due to the addition of UTMD to radiotherapy compared to XRT in immunohistochemistry (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our study clearly demonstrated the enhanced destructive effect of UTMD combined with 4 Gy radiotherapy on glioblastoma. This could be partly achieved by the increased ability of DNA damage of tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanjuan Peng
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China.,Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yong Wu
- Department of Medical Engineering, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China.,Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China.,Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ningning Li
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China.,Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China.,Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China
| | - Linhui Gu
- Department of Core Facility Service, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China.,Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dong Xu
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China. .,Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Chen Yang
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China. .,Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China.
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Eisenbrey JR, Forsberg F, Wessner CE, Delaney LJ, Bradigan K, Gummadi S, Tantawi M, Lyshchik A, O'Kane P, Liu JB, Intenzo C, Civan J, Maley W, Keith SW, Anton K, Tan A, Smolock A, Shamimi-Noori S, Shaw CM. US-triggered Microbubble Destruction for Augmenting Hepatocellular Carcinoma Response to Transarterial Radioembolization: A Randomized Pilot Clinical Trial. Radiology 2020; 298:450-457. [PMID: 33320067 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2020202321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Background US contrast agents are gas-filled microbubbles (MBs) that can be locally destroyed by using external US. Among other bioeffects, US-triggered MB destruction, also known as UTMD, has been shown to sensitize solid tumors to radiation in preclinical models through localized insult to the vascular endothelial cells. Purpose To evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of combining US-triggered MB destruction and transarterial radioembolization (TARE) in participants with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods In this pilot clinical trial, participants with HCC scheduled for sublobar TARE were randomized to undergo either TARE or TARE with US-triggered MB destruction 1-4 hours and approximately 1 and 2 weeks after TARE. Enrollment took place between July 2017 and February 2020. Safety of US-triggered MB destruction was evaluated by physiologic monitoring, changes in liver function tests, adverse events, and radiopharmaceutical distribution. Treatment efficacy was evaluated by using modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) on cross-sectional images, time to required next treatment, transplant rates, and overall survival. Differences across mRECIST reads were compared by using a Mann-Whitney U test, and the difference in prevalence of tumor response was evaluated by Fisher exact test, whereas differences in time to required next treatment and overall survival curves were compared by using a log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test. Results Safety results from 28 participants (mean age, 70 years ± 10 [standard deviation]; 17 men) demonstrated no significant changes in temperature (P = .31), heart rate (P = .92), diastolic pressure (P = .31), or systolic pressure (P = .06) before and after US-triggered MB destruction. No changes in liver function tests between treatment arms were observed 1 month after TARE (P > .15). Preliminary efficacy results showed a greater prevalence of tumor response (14 of 15 [93%; 95% CI: 68, 100] vs five of 10 [50%; 95% CI: 19, 81]; P = .02) in participants who underwent both US-triggered MB destruction and TARE (P = .02). Conclusion The combination of US-triggered microbubble destruction and transarterial radioembolization is feasible with an excellent safety profile in this patient population and appears to result in improved hepatocellular carcinoma treatment response. © RSNA, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Eisenbrey
- From the Department of Radiology (J.R.E., F.F., C.E.W., L.J.D., K.B., S.G., M.T., A.L., P.O., J.B.L., C.I., K.A., A.T., A.S., S.S.N., C.M.S.), Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology (J.C.), Department of Surgery (W.M.), and Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Biostatistics (S.W.K.), Thomas Jefferson University, 132 S 10th St, 796E Main, Philadelphia, PA 19107; and Department of Surgery, Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, Pa (S.G.)
| | - Flemming Forsberg
- From the Department of Radiology (J.R.E., F.F., C.E.W., L.J.D., K.B., S.G., M.T., A.L., P.O., J.B.L., C.I., K.A., A.T., A.S., S.S.N., C.M.S.), Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology (J.C.), Department of Surgery (W.M.), and Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Biostatistics (S.W.K.), Thomas Jefferson University, 132 S 10th St, 796E Main, Philadelphia, PA 19107; and Department of Surgery, Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, Pa (S.G.)
| | - Corinne E Wessner
- From the Department of Radiology (J.R.E., F.F., C.E.W., L.J.D., K.B., S.G., M.T., A.L., P.O., J.B.L., C.I., K.A., A.T., A.S., S.S.N., C.M.S.), Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology (J.C.), Department of Surgery (W.M.), and Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Biostatistics (S.W.K.), Thomas Jefferson University, 132 S 10th St, 796E Main, Philadelphia, PA 19107; and Department of Surgery, Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, Pa (S.G.)
| | - Lauren J Delaney
- From the Department of Radiology (J.R.E., F.F., C.E.W., L.J.D., K.B., S.G., M.T., A.L., P.O., J.B.L., C.I., K.A., A.T., A.S., S.S.N., C.M.S.), Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology (J.C.), Department of Surgery (W.M.), and Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Biostatistics (S.W.K.), Thomas Jefferson University, 132 S 10th St, 796E Main, Philadelphia, PA 19107; and Department of Surgery, Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, Pa (S.G.)
| | - Kristen Bradigan
- From the Department of Radiology (J.R.E., F.F., C.E.W., L.J.D., K.B., S.G., M.T., A.L., P.O., J.B.L., C.I., K.A., A.T., A.S., S.S.N., C.M.S.), Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology (J.C.), Department of Surgery (W.M.), and Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Biostatistics (S.W.K.), Thomas Jefferson University, 132 S 10th St, 796E Main, Philadelphia, PA 19107; and Department of Surgery, Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, Pa (S.G.)
| | - Sriharsha Gummadi
- From the Department of Radiology (J.R.E., F.F., C.E.W., L.J.D., K.B., S.G., M.T., A.L., P.O., J.B.L., C.I., K.A., A.T., A.S., S.S.N., C.M.S.), Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology (J.C.), Department of Surgery (W.M.), and Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Biostatistics (S.W.K.), Thomas Jefferson University, 132 S 10th St, 796E Main, Philadelphia, PA 19107; and Department of Surgery, Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, Pa (S.G.)
| | - Mohamed Tantawi
- From the Department of Radiology (J.R.E., F.F., C.E.W., L.J.D., K.B., S.G., M.T., A.L., P.O., J.B.L., C.I., K.A., A.T., A.S., S.S.N., C.M.S.), Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology (J.C.), Department of Surgery (W.M.), and Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Biostatistics (S.W.K.), Thomas Jefferson University, 132 S 10th St, 796E Main, Philadelphia, PA 19107; and Department of Surgery, Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, Pa (S.G.)
| | - Andrej Lyshchik
- From the Department of Radiology (J.R.E., F.F., C.E.W., L.J.D., K.B., S.G., M.T., A.L., P.O., J.B.L., C.I., K.A., A.T., A.S., S.S.N., C.M.S.), Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology (J.C.), Department of Surgery (W.M.), and Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Biostatistics (S.W.K.), Thomas Jefferson University, 132 S 10th St, 796E Main, Philadelphia, PA 19107; and Department of Surgery, Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, Pa (S.G.)
| | - Patrick O'Kane
- From the Department of Radiology (J.R.E., F.F., C.E.W., L.J.D., K.B., S.G., M.T., A.L., P.O., J.B.L., C.I., K.A., A.T., A.S., S.S.N., C.M.S.), Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology (J.C.), Department of Surgery (W.M.), and Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Biostatistics (S.W.K.), Thomas Jefferson University, 132 S 10th St, 796E Main, Philadelphia, PA 19107; and Department of Surgery, Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, Pa (S.G.)
| | - Ji-Bin Liu
- From the Department of Radiology (J.R.E., F.F., C.E.W., L.J.D., K.B., S.G., M.T., A.L., P.O., J.B.L., C.I., K.A., A.T., A.S., S.S.N., C.M.S.), Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology (J.C.), Department of Surgery (W.M.), and Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Biostatistics (S.W.K.), Thomas Jefferson University, 132 S 10th St, 796E Main, Philadelphia, PA 19107; and Department of Surgery, Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, Pa (S.G.)
| | - Charles Intenzo
- From the Department of Radiology (J.R.E., F.F., C.E.W., L.J.D., K.B., S.G., M.T., A.L., P.O., J.B.L., C.I., K.A., A.T., A.S., S.S.N., C.M.S.), Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology (J.C.), Department of Surgery (W.M.), and Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Biostatistics (S.W.K.), Thomas Jefferson University, 132 S 10th St, 796E Main, Philadelphia, PA 19107; and Department of Surgery, Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, Pa (S.G.)
| | - Jesse Civan
- From the Department of Radiology (J.R.E., F.F., C.E.W., L.J.D., K.B., S.G., M.T., A.L., P.O., J.B.L., C.I., K.A., A.T., A.S., S.S.N., C.M.S.), Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology (J.C.), Department of Surgery (W.M.), and Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Biostatistics (S.W.K.), Thomas Jefferson University, 132 S 10th St, 796E Main, Philadelphia, PA 19107; and Department of Surgery, Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, Pa (S.G.)
| | - Warren Maley
- From the Department of Radiology (J.R.E., F.F., C.E.W., L.J.D., K.B., S.G., M.T., A.L., P.O., J.B.L., C.I., K.A., A.T., A.S., S.S.N., C.M.S.), Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology (J.C.), Department of Surgery (W.M.), and Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Biostatistics (S.W.K.), Thomas Jefferson University, 132 S 10th St, 796E Main, Philadelphia, PA 19107; and Department of Surgery, Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, Pa (S.G.)
| | - Scott W Keith
- From the Department of Radiology (J.R.E., F.F., C.E.W., L.J.D., K.B., S.G., M.T., A.L., P.O., J.B.L., C.I., K.A., A.T., A.S., S.S.N., C.M.S.), Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology (J.C.), Department of Surgery (W.M.), and Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Biostatistics (S.W.K.), Thomas Jefferson University, 132 S 10th St, 796E Main, Philadelphia, PA 19107; and Department of Surgery, Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, Pa (S.G.)
| | - Kevin Anton
- From the Department of Radiology (J.R.E., F.F., C.E.W., L.J.D., K.B., S.G., M.T., A.L., P.O., J.B.L., C.I., K.A., A.T., A.S., S.S.N., C.M.S.), Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology (J.C.), Department of Surgery (W.M.), and Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Biostatistics (S.W.K.), Thomas Jefferson University, 132 S 10th St, 796E Main, Philadelphia, PA 19107; and Department of Surgery, Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, Pa (S.G.)
| | - Allison Tan
- From the Department of Radiology (J.R.E., F.F., C.E.W., L.J.D., K.B., S.G., M.T., A.L., P.O., J.B.L., C.I., K.A., A.T., A.S., S.S.N., C.M.S.), Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology (J.C.), Department of Surgery (W.M.), and Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Biostatistics (S.W.K.), Thomas Jefferson University, 132 S 10th St, 796E Main, Philadelphia, PA 19107; and Department of Surgery, Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, Pa (S.G.)
| | - Amanda Smolock
- From the Department of Radiology (J.R.E., F.F., C.E.W., L.J.D., K.B., S.G., M.T., A.L., P.O., J.B.L., C.I., K.A., A.T., A.S., S.S.N., C.M.S.), Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology (J.C.), Department of Surgery (W.M.), and Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Biostatistics (S.W.K.), Thomas Jefferson University, 132 S 10th St, 796E Main, Philadelphia, PA 19107; and Department of Surgery, Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, Pa (S.G.)
| | - Susan Shamimi-Noori
- From the Department of Radiology (J.R.E., F.F., C.E.W., L.J.D., K.B., S.G., M.T., A.L., P.O., J.B.L., C.I., K.A., A.T., A.S., S.S.N., C.M.S.), Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology (J.C.), Department of Surgery (W.M.), and Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Biostatistics (S.W.K.), Thomas Jefferson University, 132 S 10th St, 796E Main, Philadelphia, PA 19107; and Department of Surgery, Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, Pa (S.G.)
| | - Colette M Shaw
- From the Department of Radiology (J.R.E., F.F., C.E.W., L.J.D., K.B., S.G., M.T., A.L., P.O., J.B.L., C.I., K.A., A.T., A.S., S.S.N., C.M.S.), Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology (J.C.), Department of Surgery (W.M.), and Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Biostatistics (S.W.K.), Thomas Jefferson University, 132 S 10th St, 796E Main, Philadelphia, PA 19107; and Department of Surgery, Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, Pa (S.G.)
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10
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Yang SS, Yu DY, Du YT, Wang L, Gu L, Zhang YY, Xiao M. Inhibition of Delta-like Ligand 4 enhances the radiosensitivity and inhibits migration in cervical cancer via the reversion of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Cancer Cell Int 2020; 20:344. [PMID: 32742191 PMCID: PMC7388465 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-020-01434-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is the common first-line treatment for patients with advanced cervical cancer. However, radioresistance remains a major clinical challenge, which results in recurrence and poor survival. Many studies have shown the potential of Delta-like Ligand 4 (DLL4) as a novel prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in many solid tumors. Previously, we have found that high DLL4 expression in tumor cells may predict the pelvic lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis in patients with cervical cancer. In our present study, we further studied the effects of DLL4 on the biological behavior and radiosensitivity of cervical cancer cells. Methods The expression of DLL4 and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype markers in cervical cancer cell lines or tissues were detected using Western blotting, and the expression of DLL4 mRNA in cervical cancer cell lines or tissues was detected using Quantitative real-time PCR. The effect of DLL4 on cell proliferation, migration, and radiosensitivity was evaluated using the CCK8 assay, flow cytometry, Transwell assays for cell invasion and migration, and Immunofluorescence staining in vitro. Results The expression of DLL4 in radiotherapy-resistant SiHa cells was significantly higher than that in radiotherapy-sensitive Me-180 cells. Furthermore, downregulation of DLL4 enhanced the radiosensitivity of SiHa and Caski cells via the inhibition of cell proliferation, promotion of radiation-induced apoptosis, and inhibition of the DNA damage repair. Moreover, downregulation of DLL4 inhibited the EMT and reduced the proliferation, invasion, and migration ability in SiHa and Caski cells. Consistent with the DLL4 expression in the cell lines, the expression of DLL4 in the tissues of the radioresistant group was also higher than that of the radiosensitive group. Conclusions Downregulation of DLL4 inhibited the progression and increased the radiosensitivity in cervical cancer cells by reversing EMT. These results indicated the promising prospect of DLL4 against the radioresistance and metastasis of cervical cancer and its potential as a predictive biomarker for radiosensitivity and prognosis in patients with cervical cancer patients receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy (cCRT).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan-Shan Yang
- Department of Gynecological Radiotherapy, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 150 HaPing Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081 China
| | - De-Yang Yu
- Department of Radiation Physics, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081 China
| | - Yu-Ting Du
- Department of Gynecological Radiotherapy, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 150 HaPing Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081 China
| | - Le Wang
- Department of Gynecological Radiotherapy, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 150 HaPing Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081 China
| | - Lina Gu
- Department of Gynecological Radiotherapy, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 150 HaPing Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081 China
| | - Yun-Yan Zhang
- Department of Gynecological Radiotherapy, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 150 HaPing Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081 China
| | - Min Xiao
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 150 HaPing Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081 China
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11
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Xiu MX, Liu YM, Kuang BH. The Role of DLLs in Cancer: A Novel Therapeutic Target. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:3881-3901. [PMID: 32440154 PMCID: PMC7213894 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s244860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Delta-like ligands (DLLs) control Notch signaling. DLL1, DLL3 and DLL4 are frequently deregulated in cancer and influence tumor growth, the tumor vasculature and tumor immunity, which play different roles in cancer progression. DLLs have attracted intense research interest as anti-cancer therapeutics. In this review, we discuss the role of DLLs in cancer and summarize the emerging DLL-relevant targeting methods to aid future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Xi Xiu
- Medical School of Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan-Meng Liu
- Medical School of Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo-Hai Kuang
- Medical School of Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
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12
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Schneider CS, Woodworth GF, Vujaskovic Z, Mishra MV. Radiosensitization of high-grade gliomas through induced hyperthermia: Review of clinical experience and the potential role of MR-guided focused ultrasound. Radiother Oncol 2020; 142:43-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2019.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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13
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Sharma D, Giles A, Hashim A, Yip J, Ji Y, Do NNA, Sebastiani J, Tran WT, Farhat G, Oelze M, Czarnota GJ. Ultrasound microbubble potentiated enhancement of hyperthermia-effect in tumours. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226475. [PMID: 31851698 PMCID: PMC6919613 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
It is now well established that for tumour growth and survival, tumour vasculature is an important element. Studies have demonstrated that ultrasound-stimulated microbubble (USMB) treatment causes extensive endothelial cell death leading to tumour vascular disruption. The subsequent rapid vascular collapse translates to overall increases in tumour response to various therapies. In this study, we explored USMB involvement in the enhancement of hyperthermia (HT) treatment effects. Human prostate tumour (PC3) xenografts were grown in mice and were treated with USMB, HT, or with a combination of the two treatments. Treatment parameters consisted of ultrasound pressures of 0 to 740 kPa, the use of perfluorocarbon-filled microbubbles administered intravenously, and an HT temperature of 43°C delivered for various times (0–50 minutes). Single and multiple repeated treatments were evaluated. Tumour response was monitored 24 hours after treatments and tumour growth was monitored for up to over 30 days for a single treatment and 4 weeks for multiple treatments. Tumours exposed to USMB combined with HT exhibited enhanced cell death (p<0.05) and decreased vasculature (p<0.05) compared to untreated tumours or those treated with either USMB alone or HT alone within 24 hours. Deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining and cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31) staining were used to assess cell death and vascular content, respectively. Further, tumours receiving a single combined USMB and HT treatment exhibited decreased tumour volumes (p<0.05) compared to those receiving either treatment alone when monitored over the duration of 30 days. Additionally, tumour response monitored weekly up to 4 weeks demonstrated a reduced vascular index and tumour volume, increased fibrosis and lesser number of proliferating cells with combined treatment of USMB and HT. Thus in this study, we characterize a novel therapeutic approach that combines USMB with HT to enhance treatment responses in a prostate cancer xenograft model in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepa Sharma
- Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anoja Giles
- Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Amr Hashim
- Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jodi Yip
- Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yipeng Ji
- Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - William Tyler Tran
- Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Golnaz Farhat
- Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Oelze
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, United States of America
| | - Gregory J. Czarnota
- Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- * E-mail:
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14
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El Kaffas A, Al-Mahrouki A, Hashim A, Law N, Giles A, Czarnota GJ. Role of Acid Sphingomyelinase and Ceramide in Mechano-Acoustic Enhancement of Tumor Radiation Responses. J Natl Cancer Inst 2019; 110:1009-1018. [PMID: 29506145 PMCID: PMC6136928 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djy011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background High-dose radiotherapy (>8-10 Gy) causes rapid endothelial cell death via acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase)-induced ceramide production, resulting in biologically significant enhancement of tumor responses. To further augment or solicit similar effects at low radiation doses, we used genetic and chemical approaches to evaluate mechano-acoustic activation of the ASMase-ceramide pathway by ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles (USMB). Methods Experiments were carried out in wild-type and acid sphingomyelinase (asmase) knockout mice implanted with fibrosarcoma xenografts. A cohort of wild-type mice received the ASMase-ceramide pathway inhibitor sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). Mice were treated with varying radiation doses, with or without a priori USMB exposure at different microbubble concentrations. Treatment response was assessed with quantitative 3D Doppler ultrasound and immunohistochemistry at baseline, and at three, 24, and 72 hours after treatment, with three to five mice per treatment group at each time point. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results Results confirmed an interaction between USMB and ionizing radiation at 24 hours (P < .001), with a decrease in tumor perfusion of up to 46.5% by three hours following radiation and USMB. This peaked at 24 hours, persisting for up to 72 hours, and was accompanied by extensive tumor cell death. In contrast, statistically nonsignificant and minimal tumor responses were noted in S1P-treated and asmase knockout mice for all treatments. Conclusions This work is the first to confirm the involvement of the ASMase-ceramide pathway in mechanotransductive vascular targeting using USMB. Results also confirm that an acute vascular effect is driving this form of enhanced radiation response, and that it can be elicited at low radiation doses (<8-10 Gy) by a priori USMB exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed El Kaffas
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Departments of Medical Biophysics and Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Azza Al-Mahrouki
- Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Amr Hashim
- Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Niki Law
- Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anoja Giles
- Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gregory J Czarnota
- Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Departments of Medical Biophysics and Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Yao Z, Sherif ZA. The effect of epigenetic silencing and TP53 mutation on the expression of DLL4 in human cancer stem disorder. Oncotarget 2018; 7:62976-62988. [PMID: 27542210 PMCID: PMC5325341 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS), a genetically rare heterogeneous cancer syndrome, is characterized primarily by a germline p53 (TP53) gene mutation. We recently discovered a balanced reciprocal chromosomal translocation t(11;15)(q23;q15) in the non-cancerous skin fibroblasts of a bilateral breast cancer patient in LFS family. This prompted us to investigate the breakpoint region of the translocation, which uncovered a gene that encodes a Notch ligand, DLL4, (locus at 15q15.1), a key target in tumor vasculature. We analyzed DLL4 gene expression and protein level in LFS non-cancerous skin fibroblast cell lines and non-LFS cancer cell lines. DLL4 is abrogated in all the LFS cells and drastically down-regulated in breast (MCF7) and brain (IMR32) cancer cells and tumor tissue samples. However, DNA methylation studies revealed that DLL4 promoter is silenced only in MCF7 but not in LFS cells. We further investigated the regulation of DLL4 gene expression by ChIP assays, which demonstrated that p53 binds to DLL4 promoter through its association with CTCF, a chromosomal networking protein CCCTC binding factor. This implies a possible karyotype-phenotype correlation with respect to DLL4 in LFS and breast cancer initiation and progression. The drastic reduction or absence in the expression of DLL4 in LFS as well as breast and brain cancer cells is significant and supports the concept that this ligand may also play a role in cancer immune-surveillance; and its resuscitation in the tumor microenvironment may stimulate T-cell immunity and suppress tumor growth. Therefore, DLL4 may provide a strong platform as an immuno-therapeutic target in LFS and cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixing Yao
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Howard University, Washington DC, USA
| | - Zaki A Sherif
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Howard University, Washington DC, USA
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16
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Kasoji SK, Rivera JN, Gessner RC, Chang SX, Dayton PA. Early Assessment of Tumor Response to Radiation Therapy using High-Resolution Quantitative Microvascular Ultrasound Imaging. Am J Cancer Res 2018; 8:156-168. [PMID: 29290799 PMCID: PMC5743466 DOI: 10.7150/thno.19703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Measuring changes in tumor volume using anatomical imaging weeks to months post radiation therapy (RT) is currently the clinical standard for indicating treatment response to RT. For patients whose tumors do not respond successfully to treatment, this approach is suboptimal as timely modification of the treatment approach may lead to better clinical outcomes. We propose to use tumor microvasculature as a biomarker for early assessment of tumor response to RT. Acoustic angiography is a novel contrast ultrasound imaging technique that enables high-resolution microvascular imaging and has been shown to detect changes in microvascular structure due to cancer growth. Data suggest that acoustic angiography can detect longitudinal changes in the tumor microvascular environment that correlate with RT response. Methods: Three cohorts of Fisher 344 rats were implanted with rat fibrosarcoma tumors and were treated with a single fraction of RT at three dose levels (15 Gy, 20 Gy, and 25 Gy) at a dose rate of 300 MU/min. A simple treatment condition was chosen for testing the feasibility of our imaging technique. All tumors were longitudinally imaged immediately prior to and after treatment and then every 3 days after treatment for a total of 30 days. Both acoustic angiography (using in-house produced microbubble contrast agents) and standard b-mode imaging was performed at each imaging time point using a pre-clinical Vevo770 scanner and a custom modified dual-frequency transducer. Results: Results show that all treated tumors in each dose group initially responded to treatment between days 3-15 as indicated by decreased tumor growth accompanied with decreased vascular density. Untreated tumors continued to increase in both volume and vascular density until they reached the maximum allowable size of 2 cm in diameter. Tumors that displayed complete control (no tumor recurrence) continued to decrease in size and vascular density, while tumors that progressed after the initial response presented an increase in tumor volume and volumetric vascular density. The increase in tumor volumetric vascular density in recurring tumors can be detected 10.25 ± 1.5 days, 6 ± 0 days, and 4 ± 1.4 days earlier than the measurable increase in tumor volume in the 15, 20, and 25 Gy dose groups, respectively. A dose-dependent growth rate for tumor recurrence was also observed. Conclusions: In this feasibility study we have demonstrated the ability of acoustic angiography to detect longitudinal changes in vascular density, which was shown to be a potential biomarker for tumor response to RT.
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El Kaffas A, Gangeh MJ, Farhat G, Tran WT, Hashim A, Giles A, Czarnota GJ. Tumour Vascular Shutdown and Cell Death Following Ultrasound-Microbubble Enhanced Radiation Therapy. Am J Cancer Res 2018; 8:314-327. [PMID: 29290810 PMCID: PMC5743550 DOI: 10.7150/thno.19010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
High-dose radiotherapy effects are regulated by acute tumour endothelial cell death followed by rapid tumour cell death instead of canonical DNA break damage. Pre-treatment with ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles (USMB) has enabled higher-dose radiation effects with conventional radiation doses. This study aimed to confirm acute and longitudinal relationships between vascular shutdown and tumour cell death following radiation and USMB in a wild type murine fibrosarcoma model using in vivo imaging. Methods: Tumour xenografts were treated with single radiation doses of 2 or 8 Gy alone, or in combination with low-/high-concentration USMB. Vascular changes and tumour cell death were evaluated at 3, 24 and 72 h following therapy, using high-frequency 3D power Doppler and quantitative ultrasound spectroscopy (QUS) methods, respectively. Staining using in situ end labelling (ISEL) and cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31) of tumour sections were used to assess cell death and vascular distributions, respectively, as gold standard histological methods. Results: Results indicated a decrease in the power Doppler signal of up to 50%, and an increase of more than 5 dBr in cell-death linked QUS parameters at 24 h for tumours treated with combined USMB and radiotherapy. Power Doppler and quantitative ultrasound results were significantly correlated with CD31 and ISEL staining results (p < 0.05), respectively. Moreover, a relationship was found between ultrasound power Doppler and QUS results, as well as between micro-vascular densities (CD31) and the percentage of cell death (ISEL) (R2 0.5-0.9). Conclusions: This study demonstrated, for the first time, the link between acute vascular shutdown and acute tumour cell death using in vivo longitudinal imaging, contributing to the development of theoretical models that incorporate vascular effects in radiation therapy. Overall, this study paves the way for theranostic use of ultrasound in radiation oncology as a diagnostic modality to characterize vascular and tumour response effects simultaneously, as well as a therapeutic modality to complement radiation therapy.
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Xiao YF, Yong X, Tang B, Qin Y, Zhang JW, Zhang D, Xie R, Yang SM. Notch and Wnt signaling pathway in cancer: Crucial role and potential therapeutic targets (Review). Int J Oncol 2015; 48:437-49. [PMID: 26648421 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2015.3280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
There is no radical cure for all cancer types. The most frequently used therapies are surgical treatment, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, recrudescence, radiation resistance and chemotherapy resistance are the most challenging issues in clinical practice. To address these issues, they should be further studied at the molecular level, and the signaling pathways involved represent a promising avenue for this research. In the present review, we mainly discuss the components and mechanisms of activation of the Notch and Wnt signaling pathways, and we summarize the recent research efforts on these two pathways in different cancers. We also evaluate the ideal drugs that could target these two signaling pathways for cancer therapy, summarize alterations in the Notch and Wnt signaling pathways in cancer, and discuss potential signaling inhibitors as effective drugs for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Feng Xiao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Xin Yong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Bo Tang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Yong Qin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Jian-Wei Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Rui Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Shi-Ming Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
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Yang YU, Bai W, Chen Y, Lin Y, Hu B. Optimization of low-frequency low-intensity ultrasound-mediated microvessel disruption on prostate cancer xenografts in nude mice using an orthogonal experimental design. Oncol Lett 2015; 10:2999-3007. [PMID: 26722279 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2015.3716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Accepted: 07/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to provide a complete exploration of the effect of sound intensity, frequency, duty cycle, microbubble volume and irradiation time on low-frequency low-intensity ultrasound (US)-mediated microvessel disruption, and to identify an optimal combination of the five factors that maximize the blockage effect. An orthogonal experimental design approach was used. Enhanced US imaging and acoustic quantification were performed to assess tumor blood perfusion. In the confirmatory test, in addition to acoustic quantification, the specimens of the tumor were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and observed using light microscopy. The results revealed that sound intensity, frequency, duty cycle, microbubble volume and irradiation time had a significant effect on the average peak intensity (API). The extent of the impact of the variables on the API was in the following order: Sound intensity; frequency; duty cycle; microbubble volume; and irradiation time. The optimum conditions were found to be as follows: Sound intensity, 1.00 W/cm2; frequency, 20 Hz; duty cycle, 40%; microbubble volume, 0.20 ml; and irradiation time, 3 min. In the confirmatory test, the API was 19.97±2.66 immediately subsequent to treatment, and histological examination revealed signs of tumor blood vessel injury in the optimum parameter combination group. In conclusion, the Taguchi L18 (3)6 orthogonal array design was successfully applied for determining the optimal parameter combination of API following treatment. Under the optimum orthogonal design condition, a minimum API of 19.97±2.66 subsequent to low-frequency and low-intensity mediated blood perfusion blockage was obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y U Yang
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai 200233, P.R. China
| | - Wenkun Bai
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai 200233, P.R. China
| | - Yini Chen
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai 200233, P.R. China
| | - Yanduan Lin
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai 200233, P.R. China
| | - Bing Hu
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai 200233, P.R. China
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Ji Y, Han Z, Shao L, Zhao Y. Antitumor effects of combining tumor radiation with the antivascular action of ultrasound stimulated microbubbles. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2015; 8:9958-9974. [PMID: 26617705 PMCID: PMC4637790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 08/20/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE More and more evidence indicates tumor vasculature plays an important role in tumor radiation response. In this study, we investigated ultrasound stimulated microbubbles to enhance the effects of radiation. METHODS Human bladder cancer HT-1376 xenografts in severe combined immuno-deficient mice were used. High-frequency (25 MHz) ultrasound was used to image tumor responses caused by ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles in combination with radiation. Human bladder xenografts grown in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice were treated using microbubbles stimulated with ultrasound at 250, 570, or 750 kPa, and exposed to 0, 2, or 8 Gy of radiation. Tumors were imaged prior to treatment and 24 hours after treatment. Spectral analysis of images acquired from treated tumors revealed overall increases in ultrasound backscatter intensity and the spectral intercept parameter. RESULTS There existed a synergistic effect in vivo with combined single treatments of ultrasound-stimulated microbubble vascular perturbation and radiation inducing an over 10-fold greater cell kill with combined treatments. We further demonstrate that induction of ceramide-related endothelial cell apoptosis, leading to vascular disruption, is a causative mechanism. In vivo experiments with ultrasound and bubbles permit radiation doses to be decreased significantly for comparable effect. CONCLUSION We envisage this unique combined ultrasound-based vascular perturbation and radiation treatment method being used to enhance the effects of radiation in a tumor, leading to greater tumor eradication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanlei Ji
- Department of Special Diagnosis, Shandong Cancer Hospital and InstituteChina
| | - Zhen Han
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jinan Second People’s HospitalChina
| | - Limei Shao
- Department of Special Diagnosis, Shandong Cancer Hospital and InstituteChina
| | - Yuehuan Zhao
- Department of Special Diagnosis, Shandong Cancer Hospital and InstituteChina
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El Kaffas A, Czarnota GJ. Biomechanical effects of microbubbles: from radiosensitization to cell death. Future Oncol 2015; 11:1093-108. [DOI: 10.2217/fon.15.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles have been demonstrated to mechanically perturb cell membranes, resulting in the activation of biological signaling pathways that significantly enhance the effects of radiation. The underlying mechanism involves augmented ceramide production following both microbubble stimulation and irradiation, leading to rapid and extensive endothelial apoptosis and tumor cell death as a result of vascular collapse. Endothelial cells are particularly sensitive to ceramide-induced cell death due to an enriched presence of sphingomyelinase in their membranes. In tumors, this consequent rapid vascular shutdown translates to an overall increase in tumor responses to radiation treatments. This review summarizes the groundwork behind endothelial-based radiation enhancement with ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles, and presents ongoing research on the use of microbubbles as therapeutic agents in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed El Kaffas
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Imaging Research & Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gregory J Czarnota
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Imaging Research & Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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