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Žukauskaitė K, Li M, Horvath A, Jarmalaitė S, Stadlbauer V. Cellular and Microbial In Vitro Modelling of Gastrointestinal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:3113. [PMID: 39272971 PMCID: PMC11394127 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16173113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2024] [Revised: 08/27/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Human diseases are multifaceted, starting with alterations at the cellular level, damaging organs and their functions, and disturbing interactions and immune responses. In vitro systems offer clarity and standardisation, which are crucial for effectively modelling disease. These models aim not to replicate every disease aspect but to dissect specific ones with precision. Controlled environments allow researchers to isolate key variables, eliminate confounding factors and elucidate disease mechanisms more clearly. Technological progress has rapidly advanced model systems. Initially, 2D cell culture models explored fundamental cell interactions. The transition to 3D cell cultures and organoids enabled more life-like tissue architecture and enhanced intercellular interactions. Advanced bioreactor-based devices now recreate the physicochemical environments of specific organs, simulating features like perfusion and the gastrointestinal tract's mucus layer, enhancing physiological relevance. These systems have been simplified and adapted for high-throughput research, marking significant progress. This review focuses on in vitro systems for modelling gastrointestinal tract cancer and the side effects of cancer treatment. While cell cultures and in vivo models are invaluable, our main emphasis is on bioreactor-based in vitro modelling systems that include the gut microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Žukauskaitė
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
- Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, 10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Melissa Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
- Biotech Campus Tulln, Fachhochschule Wiener Neustadt, 3430 Tulln, Austria
| | - Angela Horvath
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
- Center for Biomarker Research in Medicine (CBmed GmbH), 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Sonata Jarmalaitė
- Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, 10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
- National Cancer Institute, 08406 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Vanessa Stadlbauer
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
- Center for Biomarker Research in Medicine (CBmed GmbH), 8010 Graz, Austria
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Lu Q, Yan W, Zhu A, Tubin S, Mourad WF, Yang J. Combining spatially fractionated radiation therapy (SFRT) and immunotherapy opens new rays of hope for enhancing therapeutic ratio. Clin Transl Radiat Oncol 2024; 44:100691. [PMID: 38033759 PMCID: PMC10684810 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctro.2023.100691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Spatially Fractionated Radiation Therapy (SFRT) is a form of radiotherapy that delivers a single large dose of radiation within the target volume in a heterogeneous pattern with regions of peak dosage and regions of under dosage. SFRT types can be defined by how the heterogeneous pattern of radiation is obtained. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been approved for various malignant tumors and are widely used to treat patients with metastatic cancer. The efficacy of ICI monotherapy is limited due to the "cold" tumor microenvironment. Fractionated radiotherapy can achieve higher doses per fraction to the target tumor, and induce immune activation (immodulate tumor immunogenicity and microenvironment). Therefore, coupling ICI therapy and fractionated radiation therapy could significantly improve the outcome of metastatic cancer. This review focuses on both preclinical and clinical studies that use a combination of radiotherapy and ICI therapy in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuxia Lu
- Foshan Fosun Chancheng Hospital, P.R. China
- Junxin Precision Oncology Group, P.R. China
| | - Weisi Yan
- Baptist Health System, Lexington, KY, United States
- Junxin Precision Oncology Group, P.R. China
| | - Alan Zhu
- Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Scottsdale, AZ, United States
| | - Slavisa Tubin
- Albert Einstein Collage of Medicine New York, Center for Ion Therapy, Medaustron, Austria
| | - Waleed F. Mourad
- Department of Radiation Medicine Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky - College of Medicine, United States
| | - Jun Yang
- Foshan Fosun Chancheng Hospital, P.R. China
- Junxin Precision Oncology Group, P.R. China
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Bouges E, Segers C, Leys N, Lebeer S, Zhang J, Mastroleo F. Human Intestinal Organoids and Microphysiological Systems for Modeling Radiotoxicity and Assessing Radioprotective Agents. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5859. [PMID: 38136404 PMCID: PMC10741417 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245859] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy is a commonly employed treatment for colorectal cancer, yet its radiotoxicity-related impact on healthy tissues raises significant health concerns. This highlights the need to use radioprotective agents to mitigate these side effects. This review presents the current landscape of human translational radiobiology, outlining the limitations of existing models and proposing engineering solutions. We delve into radiotherapy principles, encompassing mechanisms of radiation-induced cell death and its influence on normal and cancerous colorectal cells. Furthermore, we explore the engineering aspects of microphysiological systems to represent radiotherapy-induced gastrointestinal toxicity and how to include the gut microbiota to study its role in treatment failure and success. This review ultimately highlights the main challenges and future pathways in translational research for pelvic radiotherapy-induced toxicity. This is achieved by developing a humanized in vitro model that mimics radiotherapy treatment conditions. An in vitro model should provide in-depth analyses of host-gut microbiota interactions and a deeper understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms of radioprotective food supplements. Additionally, it would be of great value if these models could produce high-throughput data using patient-derived samples to address the lack of human representability to complete clinical trials and improve patients' quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloïse Bouges
- RadioPharma Research, Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium; (E.B.); (C.S.); (N.L.)
- Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium;
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Charlotte Segers
- RadioPharma Research, Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium; (E.B.); (C.S.); (N.L.)
| | - Natalie Leys
- RadioPharma Research, Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium; (E.B.); (C.S.); (N.L.)
| | - Sarah Lebeer
- Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium;
| | - Jianbo Zhang
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, 1105 BK Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Felice Mastroleo
- RadioPharma Research, Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium; (E.B.); (C.S.); (N.L.)
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LIU F, WEI Y, WANG Z. β-D-Glucan promotes NF-κB activation and ameliorates high-LET carbon-ion irradiation-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell injury. Turk J Med Sci 2023; 53:1621-1634. [PMID: 38813508 PMCID: PMC10760591 DOI: 10.55730/1300-0144.5731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Background/aim Heavy-ion irradiation seriously perturbs cellular homeostasis and thus damages cells. Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) play an important role in the pathological process of radiation damage. Protecting ECs from heavy-ion radiation is of great significance in the radioprotection of normal tissues. In this study, the radioprotective effect of β-D-glucan (BG) derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (EA.hy926) cytotoxicity produced by carbon-ion irradiation was examined and the probable mechanism was established. Materials and methods EA.hy926 cells were divided into seven groups: a control group; 1, 2, or 4 Gy radiation; and 10 μg/mL BG pretreatment for 24 h before 1, 2, or 4 Gy irradiation. Cell survival was assessed by colony formation assay. Cell cycles, apoptosis, DNA damage, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured through flow cytometry. The level of malondialdehyde and antioxidant enzyme activities were analyzed using assay kits. The activation of NF-κB was analyzed using western blotting and a transcription factor assay kit. The expression of downstream target genes was detected by western blotting. Results BG pretreatment significantly increased the survival of irradiated cells, improved cell cycle progression, and decreased DNA damage and apoptosis. The levels of ROS and malondialdehyde were also decreased by BG. Further study indicated that BG increased the antioxidant enzyme activities, activated Src, and promoted NF-κB activation, especially for the p65, p50, and RelB subunits. The activated NF-κB upregulated the expression of antioxidant protein MnSOD, DNA damage-response and repair-related proteins BRCA2 and Hsp90α, and antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. Conclusion Our results demonstrated that BG protects EA.hy926 cells from high linear-energy-transfer carbon-ion irradiation damage through the upregulation of prosurvival signaling triggered by the interaction of BG with its receptor. This confirms that BG is a promising radioprotective agent for heavy-ion exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang LIU
- International Genome Center, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, P.R.
China
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu, P.R.
China
| | - Yanting WEI
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu, P.R.
China
| | - Zhuanzi WANG
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu, P.R.
China
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Pillay V, Shukla L, Herle P, Maciburko S, Bandara N, Reid I, Morgan S, Yuan Y, Luu J, Cowley KJ, Ramm S, Simpson KJ, Achen MG, Stacker SA, Shayan R, Karnezis T. Radiation therapy attenuates lymphatic vessel repair by reducing VEGFR-3 signalling. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1152314. [PMID: 37188266 PMCID: PMC10176020 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1152314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Surgery and radiotherapy are key cancer treatments and the leading causes of damage to the lymphatics, a vascular network critical to fluid homeostasis and immunity. The clinical manifestation of this damage constitutes a devastating side-effect of cancer treatment, known as lymphoedema. Lymphoedema is a chronic condition evolving from the accumulation of interstitial fluid due to impaired drainage via the lymphatics and is recognised to contribute significant morbidity to patients who survive their cancer. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying the damage inflicted on lymphatic vessels, and particularly the lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC) that constitute them, by these treatment modalities, remain poorly understood. Methods: We used a combination of cell based assays, biochemistry and animal models of lymphatic injury to examine the molecular mechanisms behind LEC injury and the subsequent effects on lymphatic vessels, particularly the role of the VEGF-C/VEGF-D/VEGFR-3 lymphangiogenic signalling pathway, in lymphatic injury underpinning the development of lymphoedema. Results: We demonstrate that radiotherapy selectively impairs key LEC functions needed for new lymphatic vessel growth (lymphangiogenesis). This effect is mediated by attenuation of VEGFR-3 signalling and downstream signalling cascades. VEGFR-3 protein levels were downregulated in LEC that were exposed to radiation, and LEC were therefore selectively less responsive to VEGF-C and VEGF-D. These findings were validated in our animal models of radiation and surgical injury. Discussion: Our data provide mechanistic insight into injury sustained by LEC and lymphatics during surgical and radiotherapy cancer treatments and underscore the need for alternative non-VEGF-C/VEGFR-3-based therapies to treat lymphoedema.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinochani Pillay
- O’Brien Institute Department, St Vincent’s Institute for Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Lipi Shukla
- O’Brien Institute Department, St Vincent’s Institute for Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- Department of Plastic Surgery, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, ACU, AORTEC; Australian Catholic University, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Prad Herle
- O’Brien Institute Department, St Vincent’s Institute for Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Simon Maciburko
- O’Brien Institute Department, St Vincent’s Institute for Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Nadeeka Bandara
- O’Brien Institute Department, St Vincent’s Institute for Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Isabella Reid
- O’Brien Institute Department, St Vincent’s Institute for Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Steven Morgan
- O’Brien Institute Department, St Vincent’s Institute for Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Yinan Yuan
- O’Brien Institute Department, St Vincent’s Institute for Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Jennii Luu
- Victorian Centre for Functional Genomics, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Karla J. Cowley
- Victorian Centre for Functional Genomics, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Susanne Ramm
- Victorian Centre for Functional Genomics, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Kaylene J. Simpson
- Victorian Centre for Functional Genomics, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Marc G. Achen
- O’Brien Institute Department, St Vincent’s Institute for Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Steven A. Stacker
- Tumour Angiogenesis and Microenvironment Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ramin Shayan
- O’Brien Institute Department, St Vincent’s Institute for Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- Department of Plastic Surgery, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tara Karnezis
- O’Brien Institute Department, St Vincent’s Institute for Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: Tara Karnezis,
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Chermat R, Ziaee M, Mak DY, Refet-Mollof E, Rodier F, Wong P, Carrier JF, Kamio Y, Gervais T. Radiotherapy on-chip: microfluidics for translational radiation oncology. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:2065-2079. [PMID: 35477748 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00177b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The clinical importance of radiotherapy in the treatment of cancer patients justifies the development and use of research tools at the fundamental, pre-clinical, and ultimately clinical levels, to investigate their toxicities and synergies with systemic agents on relevant biological samples. Although microfluidics has prompted a paradigm shift in drug discovery in the past two decades, it appears to have yet to translate to radiotherapy research. However, the materials, dimensions, design versatility and multiplexing capabilities of microfluidic devices make them well-suited to a variety of studies involving radiation physics, radiobiology and radiotherapy. This review will present the state-of-the-art applications of microfluidics in these fields and specifically highlight the perspectives offered by radiotherapy on-a-chip in the field of translational radiobiology and precision medicine. This body of knowledge can serve both the microfluidics and radiotherapy communities by identifying potential collaboration avenues to improve patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodin Chermat
- μFO Lab, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
- Institut du Cancer de Montréal, (ICM), Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Maryam Ziaee
- μFO Lab, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
- Institut du Cancer de Montréal, (ICM), Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - David Y Mak
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Elena Refet-Mollof
- μFO Lab, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
- Institut du Cancer de Montréal, (ICM), Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Francis Rodier
- Institut du Cancer de Montréal, (ICM), Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada
- Département de radiologie, radio-oncologie et médecine nucléaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Philip Wong
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institut du Cancer de Montréal, (ICM), Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jean-François Carrier
- Département de radiologie, radio-oncologie et médecine nucléaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Département de Physique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Département de Radio-oncologie, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Yuji Kamio
- Département de Radio-oncologie, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada
- Département de Pharmacologie et Physiologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Thomas Gervais
- μFO Lab, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
- Institut du Cancer de Montréal, (ICM), Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada
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