A Novel Multidrug-Resistant Cell Line from an Italian Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Patient

Establishment and characterization of a novel multidrug-resistant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell line, PDAC-X1

Drug resistance remains a significant challenge in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. The development of drug-resistant cell lines is crucial to understanding the underlying mechanisms of resistance and developing novel drugs to improve clinical outcomes. Here, a novel pancreatic cancer cell line, PDAC-X1, derived from Chinese patients has been established. PDAC-X1 was characterized by the immune phenotype, biology, genetics, molecular characteristics, and tumorigenicity. In vitro analysis revealed that PDAC-X1 cells exhibited epithelial morphology and cell markers (CK7 and CK19), expressed cancer-associated markers (E-cadherin, Vimentin, Ki-67, CEA, CA19-9), and produced pancreatic cancer-like organs in suspension culture. In vivo analysis showed that PDAC-X1 cells maintained tumorigenicity with a 100% tumor formation rate. This cell line exhibited a complex karyotype, dominated by subtriploid karyotypes. In addition, PDAC-X1 cells exhibited intrinsic multidrug resistance to multiple drugs, including gemcitabine, paclitaxel, 5-fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin. In conclusion, the PDAC-X1 cell line has been established and characterized, representing a useful and valuable preclinical model to study the underlying mechanisms of drug resistance and develop novel drug therapeutics to improve patient outcomes.

A novel multidrug-resistant cell line from a Chinese patient with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Chemotherapy resistance poses clinical challenges in pancreatic cancer treatment. Developing cell lines resistant to chemotherapy is crucial for investigating drug resistance mechanisms and identifying alternative treatment pathways. The genetic and biological attributes of pancreatic cancer depend on its aetiology, racial demographics and anatomical origin, underscoring the need for models that comprehensively represent these characteristics. Here, we introduce PDAC-X2, a pancreatic cancer cell line derived from Chinese patients. We conducted a comprehensive analysis encompassing the immune phenotype, biology, genetics, molecular characteristics and tumorigenicity of the cell line. PDAC-X2 cells displayed epithelial morphology and expressed cell markers (CK7 and CK19) alongside other markers (E-cadherin, Vimentin, Ki-67, CEA and CA19-9). The population doubling time averaged around 69 h. In vivo, PDAC-X2 cells consistently maintained their tumorigenicity, achieving a 100% tumour formation rate. Characterised by a predominantly tetraploid karyotype, this cell line exhibited a complex genetic markup. Notably, PDAC-X2 cells demonstrated resistance to multiple drugs, including gemcitabine, paclitaxel, 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin. In conclusion, PDAC-X2 presents an invaluable preclinical model. Its utility lies in facilitating the study of drug resistance mechanisms and the exploration of alternative therapeutic approaches aimed at enhancing the prognosis of this tumour type.

Establishment and characterization of a new intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cell line, ICC-X3

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is an aggressive cancer of the biliary tract that is prone to recurrence and metastasis and is characterized by poor sensitivity to chemotherapy and overall prognosis. To address this challenge, the establishment of suitable preclinical models is critical. In this study, we successfully established a new ICC cell line, named ICC-X3, from the satellite lesions of one ICC patient. The cell line was characterized with respect to phenotypic, molecular, biomarker, functional and histological properties. STR confirmed that ICC-X3 was highly consistent with primary tumor tissue. ICC-X3 cells positively expressed CK7, CK19, E-cadherin, vimentin, and Ki67. ICC-X3 was all resistant to gemcitabine, paclitaxel, 5-FU, and oxaliplatin. The cell line was able to rapidly form xenograft tumors which were highly similar to the primary tumor. The missense mutation of TP53 exon was detected in ICC-X3 cells. ICC-X3 can be used as a good experimental model to study the progression, metastasis, and drug resistance of ICC.

Establishment and characterization of a new Chinese hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, Hep-X1

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly aggressive and heterogeneous disease. Cell lines are commonly employed as in vitro models for cell type studies. However, the success rate of HCC primary culture establishment is low. In this study, we successfully established a liver cancer cell line, Hep-X1. Primary culture and passage of surgically removed tissues were used to establish hepatoma cell lines. Morphological examination, short tandem repeat (STR) analysis, immunohistochemical staining, doubling time, karyotype analysis, plate tumor formation experiments, organoid culture, and in vivo tumor formation investigations in animals were used to identify the cell lines. A novel liver cancer cell line, Hep-X1, was established based on morphology, immunophenotype, cytogenetics, and STR analysis. The novel cell line can be a valuable model for studying primary liver cancer.

Establishment and characterization of a new intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cell line derived from a Chinese patient

Patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) require chemotherapy due to late detection, rapid disease progression, and low surgical resection rate. Tumor cell lines are extremely important in cancer research for drug discovery and development. Here, we established and characterized a new intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cell line, ICC-X1. STR testing confirmed the absence of cross-contamination and high similarity to the original tissue. ICC-X1 exhibited typical epithelial morphology and formed tumor spheres in the suspension culture. The population doubling time was approximately 48 h. The cell line had a complex hypotriploid karyotype. The cell line exhibited a strong migration ability in vitro and cell inoculation into BALB/c nude mice led to the formation of xenografts. Additionally, ICC-X1 cells were sensitive to gemcitabine and paclitaxel but resistant to 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin. RNA sequencing revealed that the upregulated cancer-related genes were mainly enriched in several signaling pathways, including the TNF signaling pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, and NF-κB signaling pathway. The downregulated cancer-related genes were mainly enriched in the Rap1 signaling pathway and Hippo signaling pathway among other pathways. In conclusion, we have created a new ICC cell line derived from Chinese patients. This cell line can be used as a preclinical model to study ICC, specifically tumor metastasis and drug resistance mechanisms.

Development and Characterization of Human Primary Cholangiocarcinoma Cell Lines

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most common primary liver tumor and is associated with late diagnosis, limited treatment options, and a 5-year survival rate of around 30%. CCA cell lines were first established in 1971, and since then, only 70 to 80 CCA cell lines have been established. These cell lines have been essential in basic and translational research to understand and identify novel mechanistic pathways, biomarkers, and disease-specific genes. Each CCA cell line has unique characteristics, reflecting a specific genotype, sex-related properties, and patient-related signatures, making them scientifically and commercially valuable. CCA cell lines are crucial in the use of novel technologies, such as three-dimensional organoid models, which help to model the tumor microenvironment and cell-to-cell crosstalk between tumor-neighboring cells. This review highlights crucial information on CCA cell lines, including: i) type of CCA (eg, intra- or extrahepatic), ii) isolation source (eg, primary tumor or xenograft), iii) chemical digestion method (eg, trypsin or collagenase), iv) cell-sorting method (colony isolation or removal of fibroblasts), v) maintenance-medium choice (eg, RPMI or Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium), vi) cell morphology (eg, spindle or polygonal shape), and vii) doubling time of cells.

Paclitaxel Restores Sensitivity to Chemotherapy in Preclinical Models of Multidrug-Resistant Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

The treatment of unresectable cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is limited by the development of resistance to conventional first-line chemotherapy based on gemcitabine (GEM). In addition, a prior treatment with GEM frequently induces cross-resistance to other drugs employed in the second-line. Paclitaxel (PTX) is now emerging as an alternative option for the management of advanced/metastatic CCA. In the present work, we evaluate the antitumor activity of PTX in preclinical models of multidrug-resistant intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). In vitro, PTX decreases tumor cell viability by affecting the cell cycle and inducing apoptosis and impairs the stem cell compartment. In vivo, a therapeutic regimen containing albumin-bound nanoparticle (Nab)-PTX overcomes drug resistance resulting in delayed tumor growth, impaired organization of the tumor vasculature, and reduced glucose uptake. Together, our results provide a rationale to consider PTX-based regimens in patients with iCCA who became refractory to conventional therapies.

Chemoresistance and resistance to targeted therapies in biliary tract cancer: What have we learned?

INTRODUCTION

Biliary tract cancer (BTC), including intra- and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer, is a rare and highly difficult to manage human malignancy. Besides late diagnosis and associated unresectability, frequently observed unresponsiveness towards and recurrence following chemotherapy or targeted therapy essentially contribute to the dismal prognosis of BTC patients.

AREAS COVERED

The review provides an update on individual mechanisms involved resistance of BTC towards conventional chemotherapy as well as targeted therapies. We review the distinct mechanisms of pharmacoresistance (MPRs) which have been defined in BTC cells on a molecular basis and examine the specific consequences for the various approaches of chemo-, targeted or immunomodulatory therapies.

EXPERT OPINION

Based on currently available experimental and clinical data, the present knowledge about these MPRs in BTCs are summarized. While some possible tactics for overcoming these mechanisms of resistance have been investigated, a BTC-specific and efficient approach based on comprehensive in vitro and in vivo experimental systems is not yet available. Additionally, a reliable monitoring of therapy-relevant cellular changes needs to be established which allows for choosing the optimal drug (combination) before and/or during pharmacological therapy.

The Application Progress of Patient-Derived Tumor Xenograft Models After Cholangiocarcinoma Surgeries

Surgical treatment is the only possible cure for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) at present. However, the high recurrence rate of postoperative CCA leads to a very poor prognosis for patients, effective postoperative chemotherapy is hence the key to preventing the recurrence of CCA. The sensitivity of CCA to cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs and targeted drugs varies from person to person, and therefore, the screening of sensitive drugs has become an important topic after CCA surgeries. Patient-Derived tumor Xenograft models (PDX) can stably retain the genetic and pathological characteristics of primary tumors, and better simulate the tumor microenvironment of CCA. The model is also of great significance in screening therapeutic targeted drugs after CCA, analyzing predictive biomarkers, and improving signal pathways in prognosis and basic research. This paper will review the current established methods and applications of the patient-derived tumor xenograft model of cholangiocarcinoma, aiming to provide new ideas for basic research and individualized treatment of cholangiocarcinoma after surgery.