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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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2
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Pfeifer CR, Shyer AE, Rodrigues AR. Creative processes during vertebrate organ morphogenesis: Biophysical self-organization at the supracellular scale. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2024; 86:102305. [PMID: 38181658 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2023.102305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Here, we review recent developments in the literature that provide insight into self-organization at supracellular scales in vertebrate organ morphogenesis. We briefly present a historical and conceptual analysis of the term "self-organization." Based on this analysis, we suggest that self-organizing processes, at their root, possess a form of causal relationship, reciprocal causality, that is markedly distinct from linear causal chains. We survey the extent to which reciprocal causality can be used to interpret or clarify supracellular studies in development and disease. Finally, we explore how reciprocal causality can exist across length-scales, identifying situations where multiple scales require simultaneous analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte R Pfeifer
- Laboratory of Morphogenesis, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Amy E Shyer
- Laboratory of Morphogenesis, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Alan R Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Morphogenesis, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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3
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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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4
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Beshay PE, Cortes-Medina MG, Menyhert MM, Song JW. The biophysics of cancer: emerging insights from micro- and nanoscale tools. ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH 2022; 2:2100056. [PMID: 35156093 PMCID: PMC8827905 DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202100056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a complex and dynamic disease that is aberrant both biologically and physically. There is growing appreciation that physical abnormalities with both cancer cells and their microenvironment that span multiple length scales are important drivers for cancer growth and metastasis. The scope of this review is to highlight the key advancements in micro- and nano-scale tools for delineating the cause and consequences of the aberrant physical properties of tumors. We focus our review on three important physical aspects of cancer: 1) solid mechanical properties, 2) fluid mechanical properties, and 3) mechanical alterations to cancer cells. Beyond posing physical barriers to the delivery of cancer therapeutics, these properties are also known to influence numerous biological processes, including cancer cell invasion and migration leading to metastasis, and response and resistance to therapy. We comment on how micro- and nanoscale tools have transformed our fundamental understanding of the physical dynamics of cancer progression and their potential for bridging towards future applications at the interface of oncology and physical sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter E Beshay
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | | | - Miles M Menyhert
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Jonathan W Song
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
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5
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Li H, Bera K, Toro P, Fu P, Zhang Z, Lu C, Feldman M, Ganesan S, Goldstein LJ, Davidson NE, Glasgow A, Harbhajanka A, Gilmore H, Madabhushi A. Collagen fiber orientation disorder from H&E images is prognostic for early stage breast cancer: clinical trial validation. NPJ Breast Cancer 2021; 7:104. [PMID: 34362928 PMCID: PMC8346522 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-021-00310-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Collagen fiber organization has been found to be implicated in breast cancer prognosis. In this study, we evaluated whether computerized features of Collagen Fiber Orientation Disorder in Tumor-associated Stroma (CFOD-TS) on Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) slide images were prognostic of Disease Free Survival (DFS) in early stage Estrogen Receptor Positive (ER+) Invasive Breast Cancers (IBC). A Cox regression model named MCFOD-TS, was constructed using cohort St (N = 78) to predict DFS based on CFOD-TS features. The prognostic performance of MCFOD-TS was validated on cohort Sv (N = 219), a prospective clinical trial dataset (ECOG 2197). MCFOD-TS was prognostic of DFS in both St and Sv, independent of clinicopathological variables. Additionally, the molecular pathways regarding cell cycle regulation were identified as being significantly associated with MCFOD-TS derived risk scores. Our results also found that collagen fiber organization was more ordered in patients with short DFS. Our study provided a H&E image-based pipeline to derive a potential prognostic biomarker for early stage ER+ IBC without the need of special collagen staining or advanced microscopy techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haojia Li
- Case Western Reserve University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Kaustav Bera
- Case Western Reserve University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Paula Toro
- Case Western Reserve University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - PingFu Fu
- Case Western Reserve University, Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Zelin Zhang
- Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Big Data Analysis Technique, Nanjing, China
| | - Cheng Lu
- Case Western Reserve University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Michael Feldman
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shridar Ganesan
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | | | - Nancy E Davidson
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington, and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Akisha Glasgow
- University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - Hannah Gilmore
- University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Anant Madabhushi
- Case Western Reserve University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland, OH, USA. .,Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Administration Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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6
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Zhu Y, Thakore AD, Farry JM, Jung J, Anilkumar S, Wang H, Imbrie-Moore AM, Park MH, Tran NA, Woo YPJ. Collagen-Supplemented Incubation Rapidly Augments Mechanical Property of Fibroblast Cell Sheets. Tissue Eng Part A 2020; 27:328-335. [PMID: 32703108 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2020.0128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell sheet technology using UpCell™ (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Roskilde, Denmark) plates is a modern tool that enables the rapid creation of single-layered cells without using extracellular matrix (ECM) enzymatic digestion. Although this technique has the advantage of maintaining a sheet of cells without needing artificial scaffolds, these cell sheets remain extremely fragile. Collagen, the most abundant ECM component, is an attractive candidate for modulating tissue mechanical properties given its tunable property. In this study, we demonstrated rapid mechanical property augmentation of human dermal fibroblast cell sheets after incubation with bovine type I collagen for 24 h on UpCell plates. We showed that treatment with collagen resulted in increased collagen I incorporation within the cell sheet without affecting cell morphology, cell type, or cell sheet quality. Atomic force microscopy measurements for controls, and cell sheets that received 50 and 100 μg/mL collagen I treatments revealed an average Young's modulus of their respective intercellular regions: 6.6 ± 1.0, 14.4 ± 6.6, and 19.8 ± 3.8 kPa during the loading condition, and 10.3 ± 4.7, 11.7 ± 2.2, and 18.1 ± 3.4 kPa during the unloading condition. This methodology of rapid mechanical property augmentation of a cell sheet has a potential impact on cell sheet technology by improving the ease of construct manipulation, enabling new translational tissue engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanjia Zhu
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.,Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Akshara D Thakore
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Justin M Farry
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jinsuh Jung
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Shreya Anilkumar
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Hanjay Wang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Annabel M Imbrie-Moore
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Matthew H Park
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Nicholas A Tran
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Yi-Ping Joseph Woo
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.,Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
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7
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Xu J, Gulzar A, Yang D, Gai S, He F, Yang P. Tumor self-responsive upconversion nanomedicines for theranostic applications. NANOSCALE 2019; 11:17535-17556. [PMID: 31553008 DOI: 10.1039/c9nr06450h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
To date, malignant tumors continue to be the most lethal disease, causing more than 8.2 million deaths worldwide each year. In recent years, nanostructures based on rare-earth upconversion luminescent nanoparticles have shown significant advantages in the integration of multimodal imaging and therapy. Compared with normal tissues, the tumor microenvironment (TME) exhibits unique characteristics including high interstitial fluid pressure, abnormal blood vessels, a hypoxic and slightly acidic environment, and high levels of glutathione (GSH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). According to these characteristics, increasing attention in the antitumor field has been given to designing nanomedicines with specific responses to the TME based on rare-earth upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and to achieving efficient tumor diagnosis and treatment under the premise of reducing side effects. Nevertheless, a review that systematically summarizes TME-responsive upconversion nanomedicines (UCNMs) for realizing tumor self-enhanced theranostics has not been published to date. In this review, we summarize the recent progress made in UCNP-based nanotherapeutics by highlighting the increasingly developing trend of TME-responsive UCNMs. The general characteristics of the TME are introduced in detail and their utilization in designing TME-responsive UCNMs is systematically discussed. Based on NIR light-excited optical imaging, we discuss the superiority of UCNMs when applied in tumor theranostics with an emphasis on how to use them to realize TME-mediated multimodal imaging-guided therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiating Xu
- Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials and Surface Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China.
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8
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Ansaryan S, Khayamian MA, Saghafi M, Shalileh S, Nikshoar MS, Abbasvandi F, Mahmoudi M, Bahrami F, Abdolahad M. Stretch Induces Invasive Phenotypes in Breast Cells Due to Activation of Aerobic-Glycolysis-Related Pathways. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 3:e1800294. [PMID: 32648669 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201800294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
It is increasingly being accepted that cells' physiological functions are substantially dependent on the mechanical characteristics of their surrounding tissue. This is mainly due to the key role of biomechanical forces on cells and their nucleus' shapes, which have the capacity to regulate chromatin conformation and thus gene regulations. Therefore, it is reasonable to postulate that altering the biomechanical properties of tissue may have the capacity to change cell functions. Here, the role of cell stretching (as a model of biomechanical variations) is probed in cell migration and invasion capacity using human normal and cancerous breast cells. By several analyses (i.e., scratch assay, invasion to endothelial barrier, real-time RNA sequencing, confocal imaging, patch clamp, etc.), it is revealed that the cell-stretching process could increase the migration and invasion capabilities of normal and cancerous cells, respectively. More specifically, it is found that poststretched breast cancer cells are found in low grades of invasion; they substantially upregulate the expression of manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) through activation of H-Ras proteins, which subsequently induce aerobic glycolysis followed by an overproduction of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-reinforced filopodias. Presence of such invadopodias facilitates targeting of the endothelial layer, and increased invasive behaviors in breast cells are observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeid Ansaryan
- Nano Bio Electronic Devices Lab, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14395/515, Tehran, Iran.,Nano Electronic Center of Excellence, Thin Film and Nanoelectronic Lab, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14395/515, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Khayamian
- Nano Bio Electronic Devices Lab, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14395/515, Tehran, Iran.,Nano Electronic Center of Excellence, Thin Film and Nanoelectronic Lab, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14395/515, Tehran, Iran.,School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, 11155-4563, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Saghafi
- Nano Bio Electronic Devices Lab, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14395/515, Tehran, Iran.,Nano Electronic Center of Excellence, Thin Film and Nanoelectronic Lab, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14395/515, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahriar Shalileh
- Nano Bio Electronic Devices Lab, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14395/515, Tehran, Iran.,Nano Electronic Center of Excellence, Thin Film and Nanoelectronic Lab, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14395/515, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Saied Nikshoar
- Nano Bio Electronic Devices Lab, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14395/515, Tehran, Iran.,Nano Electronic Center of Excellence, Thin Film and Nanoelectronic Lab, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14395/515, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Abbasvandi
- ATMP Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, P.O. BOX 15179/64311, Tehran, Iran
| | - Morteza Mahmoudi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Nanotechnology Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 13169-43551, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farideh Bahrami
- Neuroscience Research Center and Dept. of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, P.O.Box: 19839-63113, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Abdolahad
- Nano Bio Electronic Devices Lab, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14395/515, Tehran, Iran.,Nano Electronic Center of Excellence, Thin Film and Nanoelectronic Lab, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14395/515, Tehran, Iran
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9
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El-Sawy HS, Al-Abd AM, Ahmed TA, El-Say KM, Torchilin VP. Stimuli-Responsive Nano-Architecture Drug-Delivery Systems to Solid Tumor Micromilieu: Past, Present, and Future Perspectives. ACS NANO 2018; 12:10636-10664. [PMID: 30335963 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.8b06104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 268] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The microenvironment characteristics of solid tumors, renowned as barriers that harshly impeded many drug-delivery approaches, were precisely studied, investigated, categorized, divided, and subdivided into a complex diverse of barriers. These categories were further studied with a particular perspective, which makes all barriers found in solid-tumor micromilieu turn into different types of stimuli, and were considered triggers that can increase and hasten drug-release targeting efficacy. This review gathers data concerning the nature of solid-tumor micromilieu. Past research focused on the treatment of such tumors, the recent efforts employed for engineering smart nanoarchitectures with the utilization of the specified stimuli categories, the possibility of combining more than one stimuli for much-greater targeting enhancement, examples of the approved nanoarchitectures that already translated clinically as well as the obstacles faced by the use of these nanostructures, and, finally, an overview of the possible future implementations of smart-chemical engineering for the design of more-efficient drug delivery and theranostic systems and for making nanosystems with a much-higher level of specificity and penetrability features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossam S El-Sawy
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy , Egyptian Russian University , Badr City , Cairo 63514 , Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Al-Abd
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy , Gulf Medical University , Ajman , United Arab Emirates
- Pharmacology Department, Medical Division , National Research Centre , Giza 12622 , Egypt
| | - Tarek A Ahmed
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy , King Abdulaziz University , Jeddah 21589 , Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy , Al-Azhar University , Cairo 11651 , Egypt
| | - Khalid M El-Say
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy , King Abdulaziz University , Jeddah 21589 , Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy , Al-Azhar University , Cairo 11651 , Egypt
| | - Vladimir P Torchilin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Nanomedicine , Northeastern University , 140 The Fenway, Room 211/214, 360 Huntington Aveue , Boston , Massachusetts 02115 , United States
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10
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Fernandes C, Suares D, Yergeri MC. Tumor Microenvironment Targeted Nanotherapy. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:1230. [PMID: 30429787 PMCID: PMC6220447 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent developments in nanotechnology have brought new approaches to cancer diagnosis and therapy. While enhanced permeability and retention effect promotes nano-chemotherapeutics extravasation, the abnormal tumor vasculature, high interstitial pressure and dense stroma structure limit homogeneous intratumoral distribution of nano-chemotherapeutics and compromise their imaging and therapeutic effect. Moreover, heterogeneous distribution of nano-chemotherapeutics in non-tumor-stroma cells damages the non-tumor cells, and interferes with tumor-stroma crosstalk. This can lead not only to inhibition of tumor progression, but can also paradoxically induce acquired resistance and facilitate tumor cell proliferation and metastasis. Overall, the tumor microenvironment plays a vital role in regulating nano-chemotherapeutics distribution and their biological effects. In this review, the barriers in tumor microenvironment, its consequential effects on nano-chemotherapeutics, considerations to improve nano-chemotherapeutics delivery and combinatory strategies to overcome acquired resistance induced by tumor microenvironment have been summarized. The various strategies viz., nanotechnology based approach as well as ligand-mediated, redox-responsive, and enzyme-mediated based combinatorial nanoapproaches have been discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mayur C Yergeri
- Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies - NMIMS, Mumbai, India
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11
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Gkretsi V, Stylianopoulos T. Cell Adhesion and Matrix Stiffness: Coordinating Cancer Cell Invasion and Metastasis. Front Oncol 2018; 8:145. [PMID: 29780748 PMCID: PMC5945811 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 250] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is a multistep process in which tumor extracellular matrix (ECM) and cancer cell cytoskeleton interactions are pivotal. ECM is connected, through integrins, to the cell’s adhesome at cell–ECM adhesion sites and through them to the actin cytoskeleton and various downstream signaling pathways that enable the cell to respond to external stimuli in a coordinated manner. Cues from cell-adhesion proteins are fundamental for defining the invasive potential of cancer cells, and many of these proteins have been proposed as potent targets for inhibiting cancer cell invasion and thus, metastasis. In addition, ECM accumulation is quite frequent within the tumor microenvironment leading in many cases to an intense fibrotic response, known as desmoplasia, and tumor stiffening. Stiffening is not only required for the tumor to be able to displace the host tissue and grow in size but also contributes to cell–ECM interactions and can promote cancer cell invasion to surrounding tissues. Here, we review the role of cell adhesion and matrix stiffness in cancer cell invasion and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Gkretsi
- Department of Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences Program, School of Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
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12
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Stylianopoulos T. The Solid Mechanics of Cancer and Strategies for Improved Therapy. J Biomech Eng 2017; 139:2571659. [PMID: 27760260 PMCID: PMC5248974 DOI: 10.1115/1.4034991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Tumor progression and response to treatment is determined in large part by the generation of mechanical stresses that stem from both the solid and the fluid phase of the tumor. Furthermore, elevated solid stress levels can regulate fluid stresses by compressing intratumoral blood and lymphatic vessels. Blood vessel compression reduces tumor perfusion, while compression of lymphatic vessels hinders the ability of the tumor to drain excessive fluid from its interstitial space contributing to the uniform elevation of the interstitial fluid pressure. Hypoperfusion and interstitial hypertension pose major barriers to the systemic administration of chemotherapeutic agents and nanomedicines to tumors, reducing treatment efficacies. Hypoperfusion can also create a hypoxic and acidic tumor microenvironment that promotes tumor progression and metastasis. Hence, alleviation of intratumoral solid stress levels can decompress tumor vessels and restore perfusion and interstitial fluid pressure. In this review, three major types of tissue level solid stresses involved in tumor growth, namely stress exerted externally on the tumor by the host tissue, swelling stress, and residual stress, are discussed separately and details are provided regarding their causes, magnitudes, and remedies. Subsequently, evidence of how stress-alleviating drugs could be used in combination with chemotherapy to improve treatment efficacy is presented, highlighting the potential of stress-alleviation strategies to enhance cancer therapy. Finally, a continuum-level, mathematical framework to incorporate these types of solid stress is outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
- Mem. ASME Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, 1678, Cyprus e-mail:
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13
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Martin JD, Fukumura D, Duda DG, Boucher Y, Jain RK. Reengineering the Tumor Microenvironment to Alleviate Hypoxia and Overcome Cancer Heterogeneity. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2016; 6:a027094. [PMID: 27663981 PMCID: PMC5131751 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a027094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Solid tumors consist of cancer cells and stromal cells, including resident and transiting immune cells-all ensconced in an extracellular matrix (ECM)-nourished by blood vessels and drained by lymphatic vessels. The microenvironment constituents are abnormal and heterogeneous in morphology, phenotype, and physiology. Such irregularities include an inefficient tumor vascular network comprised of leaky and compressed vessels, which impair blood flow and oxygen delivery. Low oxygenation in certain tumor regions-or focal hypoxia-is a mediator of cancer progression, metastasis, immunosuppression, and treatment resistance. Thus, repairing an abnormal and heterogeneous microenvironment-and hypoxia in particular-can significantly improve treatments of solid tumors. Here, we summarize two strategies to reengineer the tumor microenvironment (TME)-vessel normalization and decompression-that can alleviate hypoxia. In addition, we discuss how these two strategies alone and in combination with each other-or other therapeutic strategies-may overcome the challenges posed by cancer heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Martin
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114
| | - Dai Fukumura
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114
| | - Dan G Duda
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114
| | - Yves Boucher
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114
| | - Rakesh K Jain
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114
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Voutouri C, Polydorou C, Papageorgis P, Gkretsi V, Stylianopoulos T. Hyaluronan-Derived Swelling of Solid Tumors, the Contribution of Collagen and Cancer Cells, and Implications for Cancer Therapy. Neoplasia 2016; 18:732-741. [PMID: 27886639 PMCID: PMC5122704 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2016.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Revised: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the important role that mechanical forces play in tumor growth and therapy, the contribution of swelling to tumor mechanopathology remains unexplored. Tumors rich in hyaluronan exhibit a highly negative fixed charge density. Repulsive forces among these negative charges as well as swelling of cancer cells due to regulation of intracellular tonicity can cause tumor swelling and development of stress that might compress blood vessels, compromising tumor perfusion and drug delivery. Here, we designed an experimental strategy, using four orthotopic tumor models, to measure swelling stress and related swelling to extracellular matrix components, hyaluronan and collagen, as well as to tumor perfusion. Subsequently, interventions were performed to measure tumor swelling using matrix-modifying enzymes (hyaluronidase and collagenase) and by repurposing pirfenidone, an approved antifibrotic drug. Finally, in vitro experiments on cancer cell spheroids were performed to identify their contribution to tissue swelling. Swelling stress was measured in the range of 16 to 75 mm Hg, high enough to cause vessel collapse. Interestingly, while depletion of hyaluronan decreased swelling, collagen depletion had the opposite effect, whereas the contribution of cancer cells was negligible. Furthermore, histological analysis revealed the same linear correlation between tumor swelling and the ratio of hyaluronan to collagen content when data from all tumor models were combined. Our data further revealed an inverse relation between tumor perfusion and swelling, suggesting that reduction of swelling decompresses tumor vessels. These results provide guidelines for emerging therapeutic strategies that target the tumor microenvironment to alleviate intratumoral stresses and improve vessel functionality and drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysovalantis Voutouri
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - Christiana Polydorou
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - Panagiotis Papageorgis
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus; Department of Life Sciences, Program in Biological Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - Vasiliki Gkretsi
- 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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15
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Gkretsi V, Stylianou A, Papageorgis P, Polydorou C, Stylianopoulos T. Remodeling Components of the Tumor Microenvironment to Enhance Cancer Therapy. Front Oncol 2015; 5:214. [PMID: 26528429 PMCID: PMC4604307 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Solid tumor pathophysiology is characterized by an abnormal microenvironment that guides tumor progression and poses barriers to the efficacy of cancer therapies. Most common among tumor types are abnormalities in the structure of the tumor vasculature and stroma. Remodeling the tumor microenvironment with the aim to normalize any aberrant properties has the potential to improve therapy. In this review, we discuss structural abnormalities of the tumor microenvironment and summarize the therapeutic strategies that have been developed to normalize tumors as well as their potential to enhance therapy. Finally, we present different in vitro models that have been developed to analyze and better understand the effects of the tumor microenvironment on cancer cell behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Gkretsi
- 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
| | - Panagiotis Papageorgis
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus , Nicosia , Cyprus ; Program in Biological Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, European University Cyprus , Nicosia , Cyprus
| | - Christiana Polydorou
- 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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