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Lindahl G, Fjellander S, Selvaraj K, Vildeval M, Ali Z, Almter R, Erkstam A, Rodriguez GV, Abrahamsson A, Kersley ÅR, Fahlgren A, Kjølhede P, Linder S, Dabrosin C, Jensen L. Zebrafish tumour xenograft models: a prognostic approach to epithelial ovarian cancer. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:53. [PMID: 38413842 PMCID: PMC10899227 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00550-9] [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: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the gynaecological malignancy with highest mortality. Although adjuvant treatment with carboplatin and paclitaxel leads to an objective response in ~80% of these patients, a majority will relapse within two years. Better methods for assessing long-term treatment outcomes are needed. To address this, we established safe and efficacious doses of carboplatin and paclitaxel using IGROV-1 zebrafish-CDX models. Then fluorescently-labelled cell suspensions from 83 tumour biopsies collected at exploratory laparotomy of women with suspected EOC were generated and 37 (45%) were successfully implanted in zebrafish larvae. Among these 19 of 27 pathology-confirmed EOC samples (70%) engrafted. These zebrafish patient-derived tumour xenograft (ZTX) models were treated with carboplatin or paclitaxel and tumour growth/regression and metastatic dissemination were recorded. In a subgroup of nine patients, four ZTX models regressed during carboplatin treatment. All four corresponding patients had >24 months PFS. Furthermore, both ZTX models established from two patients having <24 months PFS failed to regress during carboplatin treatment. Seven of eight models seeding <6 metastatic cells were established from patients having >24 months PFS. In eleven of fourteen patients, FIGO stage I + II or III tumours gave rise to ZTX models seeding <4 or >4 metastatic cells, respectively. In conclusion, ZTX models predicted patients having >24 or <24 months PFS, based on response/no response to carboplatin. Furthermore, high metastatic dissemination in ZTX models correlated to shorter PFS and more advanced disease at diagnosis. These preliminary results suggest that ZTX models could become a useful prognostic tool in EOC treatment planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Lindahl
- Department of Oncology and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Fjellander
- BioReperia AB, Linköping, Sweden
- Linköping University, Department of Health, Medicine and Care, Division of Diagnostics and Specialist Medicine, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Karthik Selvaraj
- Linköping University, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Annelie Abrahamsson
- Linköping University, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Åsa Rydmark Kersley
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Anna Fahlgren
- BioReperia AB, Linköping, Sweden
- Linköping University, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Preben Kjølhede
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Stig Linder
- Linköping University, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Charlotta Dabrosin
- Department of Oncology and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Lasse Jensen
- BioReperia AB, Linköping, Sweden.
- Linköping University, Department of Health, Medicine and Care, Division of Diagnostics and Specialist Medicine, Linköping, Sweden.
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2
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Kolahi Azar H, Gharibshahian M, Rostami M, Mansouri V, Sabouri L, Beheshtizadeh N, Rezaei N. The progressive trend of modeling and drug screening systems of breast cancer bone metastasis. J Biol Eng 2024; 18:14. [PMID: 38317174 PMCID: PMC10845631 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-024-00408-5] [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: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Bone metastasis is considered as a considerable challenge for breast cancer patients. Various in vitro and in vivo models have been developed to examine this occurrence. In vitro models are employed to simulate the intricate tumor microenvironment, investigate the interplay between cells and their adjacent microenvironment, and evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions for tumors. The endeavor to replicate the latency period of bone metastasis in animal models has presented a challenge, primarily due to the necessity of primary tumor removal and the presence of multiple potential metastatic sites.The utilization of novel bone metastasis models, including three-dimensional (3D) models, has been proposed as a promising approach to overcome the constraints associated with conventional 2D and animal models. However, existing 3D models are limited by various factors, such as irregular cellular proliferation, autofluorescence, and changes in genetic and epigenetic expression. The imperative for the advancement of future applications of 3D models lies in their standardization and automation. The utilization of artificial intelligence exhibits the capability to predict cellular behavior through the examination of substrate materials' chemical composition, geometry, and mechanical performance. The implementation of these algorithms possesses the capability to predict the progression and proliferation of cancer. This paper reviewed the mechanisms of bone metastasis following primary breast cancer. Current models of breast cancer bone metastasis, along with their challenges, as well as the future perspectives of using these models for translational drug development, were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanieh Kolahi Azar
- Department of Pathology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Regenerative Medicine Group (REMED), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Maliheh Gharibshahian
- Department of Tissue Engineering, School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
- Regenerative Medicine Group (REMED), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Rostami
- Division of Food Safety and Hygiene, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Food Science and Nutrition Group (FSAN), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Mansouri
- Gene Therapy Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Regenerative Medicine Group (REMED), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Sabouri
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Paramedicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
- Regenerative Medicine Group (REMED), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Beheshtizadeh
- Department of Tissue Engineering, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Regenerative Medicine Group (REMED), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.
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3
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Hurtado P, Martínez-Pena I, Piñeiro R. Single-Cell Recovery from Tumor Cell Xenotransplanted Zebrafish Embryos for the Study of Metastasis-Initiating Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2752:53-63. [PMID: 38194027 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3621-3_4] [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] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
The study of metastasis-competent cells at the single-cell level represents an opportunity to decipher the molecular mechanisms associated with the metastatic cascade as well as to understand the functional and molecular heterogeneity of these cells. In this context, preclinical in vivo models of cancer metastasis are valuable tools to understand the behavior of cancer cells throughout the process. Here we describe a detailed protocol for the isolation and recovery of individual viable human metastatic cells from zebrafish embryos xenotransplanted with cancer cells for downstream molecular analysis. We cover the critical steps for the dissociation of the xenografted zebrafish embryos to generate a single-cell suspension, and the micromanipulation for their recovery as single cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Hurtado
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group, Gil Casares Hospital, Oncomet, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Inés Martínez-Pena
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group, Gil Casares Hospital, Oncomet, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Roberto Piñeiro
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group, Gil Casares Hospital, Oncomet, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- CIBERONC, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, Madrid, Spain.
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4
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Massa C, Seliger B. Combination of multiple omics techniques for a personalized therapy or treatment selection. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1258013. [PMID: 37828984 PMCID: PMC10565668 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1258013] [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: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite targeted therapies and immunotherapies have revolutionized the treatment of cancer patients, only a limited number of patients have long-term responses. Moreover, due to differences within cancer patients in the tumor mutational burden, composition of the tumor microenvironment as well as of the peripheral immune system and microbiome, and in the development of immune escape mechanisms, there is no "one fit all" therapy. Thus, the treatment of patients must be personalized based on the specific molecular, immunologic and/or metabolic landscape of their tumor. In order to identify for each patient the best possible therapy, different approaches should be employed and combined. These include (i) the use of predictive biomarkers identified on large cohorts of patients with the same tumor type and (ii) the evaluation of the individual tumor with "omics"-based analyses as well as its ex vivo characterization for susceptibility to different therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Massa
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
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5
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Singhal SS, Garg R, Mohanty A, Garg P, Ramisetty SK, Mirzapoiazova T, Soldi R, Sharma S, Kulkarni P, Salgia R. Recent Advancement in Breast Cancer Research: Insights from Model Organisms-Mouse Models to Zebrafish. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15112961. [PMID: 37296923 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15112961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal models have been utilized for decades to investigate the causes of human diseases and provide platforms for testing novel therapies. Indeed, breakthrough advances in genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models and xenograft transplantation technologies have dramatically benefited in elucidating the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of multiple diseases, including cancer. The currently available GEM models have been employed to assess specific genetic changes that underlay many features of carcinogenesis, including variations in tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, and drug resistance. In addition, mice models render it easier to locate tumor biomarkers for the recognition, prognosis, and surveillance of cancer progression and recurrence. Furthermore, the patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model, which involves the direct surgical transfer of fresh human tumor samples to immunodeficient mice, has contributed significantly to advancing the field of drug discovery and therapeutics. Here, we provide a synopsis of mouse and zebrafish models used in cancer research as well as an interdisciplinary 'Team Medicine' approach that has not only accelerated our understanding of varied aspects of carcinogenesis but has also been instrumental in developing novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharad S Singhal
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutic Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Rachana Garg
- Department of Surgery, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Atish Mohanty
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutic Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Pankaj Garg
- Department of Chemistry, GLA University, Mathura 281406, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sravani Keerthi Ramisetty
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutic Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Tamara Mirzapoiazova
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutic Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Raffaella Soldi
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85338, USA
| | - Sunil Sharma
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85338, USA
| | - Prakash Kulkarni
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutic Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutic Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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6
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Yin J, Zhao G, Kalirai H, Coupland SE, Jochemsen AG, Forn-Cuní G, Wierenga APA, Jager MJ, Snaar-Jagalska BE, Groenewoud A. Zebrafish Patient-Derived Xenograft Model as a Preclinical Platform for Uveal Melanoma Drug Discovery. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16040598. [PMID: 37111355 PMCID: PMC10141637 DOI: 10.3390/ph16040598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is a rare malignant cancer of the eye, with up to 50% of patients dying from metastasis, for which no effective treatment is available. Due to the rarity of the disease, there is a great need to harness the limited material available from primary tumors and metastases for advanced research and preclinical drug screening. We established a platform to isolate, preserve, and transiently recover viable tissues, followed by the generation of spheroid cultures derived from primary UM. All assessed tumor-derived samples formed spheroids in culture within 24 h and stained positive for melanocyte-specific markers, indicating the retention of their melanocytic origin. These short-lived spheroids were only maintained for the duration of the experiment (7 days) or re-established from frozen tumor tissue acquired from the same patient. Intravenous injection of fluorescently labeled UM cells derived from these spheroids into zebrafish yielded a reproducible metastatic phenotype and recapitulated molecular features of the disseminating UM. This approach allowed for the experimental replications required for reliable drug screening (at least 2 individual biological experiments, with n > 20). Drug treatments with navitoclax and everolimus validated the zebrafish patient-derived model as a versatile preclinical tool for screening anti-UM drugs and as a preclinical platform to predict personalized drug responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yin
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gangyin Zhao
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Helen Kalirai
- Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Centre, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK
| | - Sarah E Coupland
- Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Centre, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK
| | - Aart G Jochemsen
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gabriel Forn-Cuní
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Annemijn P A Wierenga
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Martine J Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Arwin Groenewoud
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
- Experimental Renal and Cardiovascular Research, Department of Nephropathology, Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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7
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Yu Y, Li K, Peng Y, Wu W, Chen F, Shao Z, Zhang Z. Animal models of cancer metastasis to the bone. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1165380. [PMID: 37091152 PMCID: PMC10113496 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1165380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer metastasis is a major cause of mortality from several tumors, including those of the breast, prostate, and the thyroid gland. Since bone tissue is one of the most common sites of metastasis, the treatment of bone metastases is crucial for the cure of cancer. Hence, disease models must be developed to understand the process of bone metastasis in order to devise therapies for it. Several translational models of different bone metastatic tumors have been developed, including animal models, cell line injection models, bone implant models, and patient-derived xenograft models. However, a compendium on different bone metastatic cancers is currently not available. Here, we have compiled several animal models derived from current experiments on bone metastasis, mostly involving breast and prostate cancer, to improve the development of preclinical models and promote the treatment of bone metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihan Yu
- Department of Orthopedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Kanglu Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yizhong Peng
- Department of Orthopedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wei Wu
- Department of Orthopedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Fengxia Chen
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- *Correspondence: Fengxia Chen, ; Zengwu Shao, ; Zhicai Zhang,
| | - Zengwu Shao
- Department of Orthopedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- *Correspondence: Fengxia Chen, ; Zengwu Shao, ; Zhicai Zhang,
| | - Zhicai Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- *Correspondence: Fengxia Chen, ; Zengwu Shao, ; Zhicai Zhang,
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8
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Al-Hamaly MA, Turner LT, Rivera-Martinez A, Rodriguez A, Blackburn JS. Zebrafish Cancer Avatars: A Translational Platform for Analyzing Tumor Heterogeneity and Predicting Patient Outcomes. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:2288. [PMID: 36768609 PMCID: PMC9916713 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing number of available anti-cancer drugs presents a challenge for oncologists, who must choose the most effective treatment for the patient. Precision cancer medicine relies on matching a drug with a tumor's molecular profile to optimize the therapeutic benefit. However, current precision medicine approaches do not fully account for intra-tumoral heterogeneity. Different mutation profiles and cell behaviors within a single heterogeneous tumor can significantly impact therapy response and patient outcomes. Patient-derived avatar models recapitulate a patient's tumor in an animal or dish and provide the means to functionally assess heterogeneity's impact on drug response. Mouse xenograft and organoid avatars are well-established, but the time required to generate these models is not practical for clinical decision-making. Zebrafish are emerging as a time-efficient and cost-effective cancer avatar model. In this review, we highlight recent developments in zebrafish cancer avatar models and discuss the unique features of zebrafish that make them ideal for the interrogation of cancer heterogeneity and as part of precision cancer medicine pipelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majd A. Al-Hamaly
- Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40356, USA
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Logan T. Turner
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40356, USA
| | | | - Analiz Rodriguez
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Jessica S. Blackburn
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40356, USA
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9
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Li X, Li M. The application of zebrafish patient-derived xenograft tumor models in the development of antitumor agents. Med Res Rev 2023; 43:212-236. [PMID: 36029178 DOI: 10.1002/med.21924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The cost of antitumor drug development is enormous, yet the clinical outcomes are less than satisfactory. Therefore, it is of great importance to develop effective drug screening methods that enable accurate, rapid, and high-throughput discovery of lead compounds in the process of preclinical antitumor drug research. An effective solution is to use the patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumor animal models, which are applicable for the elucidation of tumor pathogenesis and the preclinical testing of novel antitumor compounds. As a promising screening model organism, zebrafish has been widely applied in the construction of the PDX tumor model and the discovery of antineoplastic agents. Herein, we systematically survey the recent cutting-edge advances in zebrafish PDX models (zPDX) for studies of pathogenesis mechanisms and drug screening. In addition, the techniques used in the construction of zPDX are summarized. The advantages and limitations of the zPDX are also discussed in detail. Finally, the prospects of zPDX in drug discovery, translational medicine, and clinical precision medicine treatment are well presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Minyong Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
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10
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Zebrafish Models of Paediatric Brain Tumours. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179920. [PMID: 36077320 PMCID: PMC9456103 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Paediatric brain cancer is the second most common childhood cancer and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children. Despite significant advancements in the treatment modalities and improvements in the 5-year survival rate, it leaves long-term therapy-associated side effects in paediatric patients. Addressing these impairments demands further understanding of the molecularity and heterogeneity of these brain tumours, which can be demonstrated using different animal models of paediatric brain cancer. Here we review the use of zebrafish as potential in vivo models for paediatric brain tumour modelling, as well as catalogue the currently available zebrafish models used to study paediatric brain cancer pathophysiology, and discuss key findings, the unique attributes that these models add, current challenges and therapeutic significance.
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11
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Di Franco G, Usai A, Piccardi M, Cateni P, Palmeri M, Pollina LE, Gaeta R, Marmorino F, Cremolini C, Dente L, Massolo A, Raffa V, Morelli L. Zebrafish Patient-Derived Xenograft Model to Predict Treatment Outcomes of Colorectal Cancer Patients. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10071474. [PMID: 35884780 PMCID: PMC9313122 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of zebrafish embryos for personalized medicine has become increasingly popular. We present a co-clinical trial aiming to evaluate the use of zPDX (zebrafish Patient-Derived Xenografts) in predicting the response to chemotherapy regimens used for colorectal cancer patients. zPDXs are generated by xenografting tumor tissues in two days post-fertilization zebrafish embryos. zPDXs were exposed to chemotherapy regimens (5-FU, FOLFIRI, FOLFOX, FOLFOXIRI) for 48 h. We used a linear mixed effect model to evaluate the zPDX-specific response to treatments showing for 4/36 zPDXs (11%), a statistically significant reduction of tumor size compared to controls. We used the RECIST criteria to compare the outcome of each patient after chemotherapy with the objective response of its own zPDX model. Of the 36 patients enrolled, 8 metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), response rate after first-line therapy, and the zPDX chemosensitivity profile were available. Of eight mCRC patients, five achieved a partial response and three had a stable disease. In 6/8 (75%) we registered a concordance between the response of the patient and the outcomes reported in the corresponding zPDX. Our results provide evidence that the zPDX model can reflect the outcome in mCRC patients, opening a new frontier to personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregorio Di Franco
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.D.F.); (M.P.)
| | - Alice Usai
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, S.S. 12 Abetone e Brennero 4, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (A.U.); (M.P.); (P.C.); (L.D.); (A.M.); (V.R.)
| | - Margherita Piccardi
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, S.S. 12 Abetone e Brennero 4, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (A.U.); (M.P.); (P.C.); (L.D.); (A.M.); (V.R.)
| | - Perla Cateni
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, S.S. 12 Abetone e Brennero 4, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (A.U.); (M.P.); (P.C.); (L.D.); (A.M.); (V.R.)
| | - Matteo Palmeri
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.D.F.); (M.P.)
| | - Luca Emanuele Pollina
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, Division of Surgical Pathology, University of Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (L.E.P.); (R.G.)
| | - Raffaele Gaeta
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, Division of Surgical Pathology, University of Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (L.E.P.); (R.G.)
| | - Federica Marmorino
- Unit of Medical Oncology 2, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.M.); (C.C.)
- Department of Translational Research and New Technology in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Cremolini
- Unit of Medical Oncology 2, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.M.); (C.C.)
- Department of Translational Research and New Technology in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Luciana Dente
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, S.S. 12 Abetone e Brennero 4, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (A.U.); (M.P.); (P.C.); (L.D.); (A.M.); (V.R.)
| | - Alessandro Massolo
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, S.S. 12 Abetone e Brennero 4, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (A.U.); (M.P.); (P.C.); (L.D.); (A.M.); (V.R.)
| | - Vittoria Raffa
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, S.S. 12 Abetone e Brennero 4, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (A.U.); (M.P.); (P.C.); (L.D.); (A.M.); (V.R.)
| | - Luca Morelli
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.D.F.); (M.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-050-996820
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12
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Quadri M, Marconi A, Sandhu SK, Kiss A, Efimova T, Palazzo E. Investigating Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma in vitro and in vivo: Novel 3D Tools and Animal Models. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:875517. [PMID: 35646967 PMCID: PMC9131878 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.875517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (cSCC) represents the second most common type of skin cancer, which incidence is continuously increasing worldwide. Given its high frequency, cSCC represents a major public health problem. Therefore, to provide the best patients’ care, it is necessary having a detailed understanding of the molecular processes underlying cSCC development, progression, and invasion. Extensive efforts have been made in developing new models allowing to study the molecular pathogenesis of solid tumors, including cSCC tumors. Traditionally, in vitro studies were performed with cells grown in a two-dimensional context, which, however, does not represent the complexity of tumor in vivo. In the recent years, new in vitro models have been developed aiming to mimic the three-dimensionality (3D) of the tumor, allowing the evaluation of tumor cell-cell and tumor-microenvironment interaction in an in vivo-like setting. These models include spheroids, organotypic cultures, skin reconstructs and organoids. Although 3D models demonstrate high potential to enhance the overall knowledge in cancer research, they lack systemic components which may be solved only by using animal models. Zebrafish is emerging as an alternative xenotransplant model in cancer research, offering a high-throughput approach for drug screening and real-time in vivo imaging to study cell invasion. Moreover, several categories of mouse models were developed for pre-clinical purpose, including xeno- and syngeneic transplantation models, autochthonous models of chemically or UV-induced skin squamous carcinogenesis, and genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) of cSCC. These models have been instrumental in examining the molecular mechanisms of cSCC and drug response in an in vivo setting. The present review proposes an overview of in vitro, particularly 3D, and in vivo models and their application in cutaneous SCC research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Quadri
- DermoLAB, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Alessandra Marconi
- DermoLAB, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Simran K Sandhu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States.,The George Washington Cancer Center, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States.,Department of Dermatology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Alexi Kiss
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States.,The George Washington Cancer Center, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Tatiana Efimova
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States.,The George Washington Cancer Center, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States.,Department of Dermatology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Elisabetta Palazzo
- DermoLAB, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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13
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Xiao J, McGill JR, Nasir A, Lekan A, Johnson B, Wilkins DJ, Pearson GW, Tanner K, Goodarzi H, Glasgow E, Schlegel R, Agarwal S. Identifying drivers of breast cancer metastasis in progressively invasive subpopulations of zebrafish-xenografted MDA-MB-231. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2022; 3:16. [PMID: 35614362 PMCID: PMC9133282 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-022-00080-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer metastasis is the primary cause of the high mortality rate among human cancers. Efforts to identify therapeutic agents targeting cancer metastasis frequently fail to demonstrate efficacy in clinical trials despite strong preclinical evidence. Until recently, most preclinical studies used mouse models to evaluate anti-metastatic agents. Mouse models are time-consuming and expensive. In addition, an important drawback is that mouse models inadequately model the early stages of metastasis which plausibly leads to the poor correlation with clinical outcomes. Here, we report an in vivo model based on xenografted zebrafish embryos where we select for progressively invasive subpopulations of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. A subpopulation analogous to circulating tumor cells found in human cancers was selected by injection of MDA-MB-231 cells into the yolk sacs of 2 days post-fertilized zebrafish embryos and selecting cells that migrated to the tail. The selected subpopulation derived from MDA-MB-231 cells were increasingly invasive in zebrafish. Isolation of these subpopulations and propagation in vitro revealed morphological changes consistent with activation of an epithelial-mesenchymal transition program. Differential gene analysis and knockdown of genes identified gene-candidates (DDIT4, MT1X, CTSD, and SERPINE1) as potential targets for anti-metastasis therapeutics. Furthermore, RNA-splicing analysis reinforced the importance of BIRC5 splice variants in breast cancer metastasis. This is the first report using zebrafish to isolate and expand progressively invasive populations of human cancer cells. The model has potential applications in understanding the metastatic process, identification and/or development of therapeutics that specifically target metastatic cells and formulating personalized treatment strategies for individual cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerry Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Center for Cell Reprogramming, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.,Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Joseph R McGill
- Hemostasis Branch, Division of Plasma Protein Therapeutics, Office of Tissues and Advanced Therapies, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Apsra Nasir
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Alexander Lekan
- Department of Pathology, Center for Cell Reprogramming, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Bailey Johnson
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Devan J Wilkins
- Department of Pathology, Center for Cell Reprogramming, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.,Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Gray W Pearson
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kandice Tanner
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Hani Goodarzi
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Eric Glasgow
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Richard Schlegel
- Department of Pathology, Center for Cell Reprogramming, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Seema Agarwal
- Department of Pathology, Center for Cell Reprogramming, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.
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14
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Precision Medicine in Head and Neck Cancers: Genomic and Preclinical Approaches. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12060854. [PMID: 35743639 PMCID: PMC9224778 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12060854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancers (HNCs) represent the sixth most widespread malignancy worldwide. Surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic drugs represent the main clinical approaches for HNC patients. Moreover, HNCs are characterised by an elevated mutational load; however, specific genetic mutations or biomarkers have not yet been found. In this scenario, personalised medicine is showing its efficacy. To study the reliability and the effects of personalised treatments, preclinical research can take advantage of next-generation sequencing and innovative technologies that have been developed to obtain genomic and multi-omic profiles to drive personalised treatments. The crosstalk between malignant and healthy components, as well as interactions with extracellular matrices, are important features which are responsible for treatment failure. Preclinical research has constantly implemented in vitro and in vivo models to mimic the natural tumour microenvironment. Among them, 3D systems have been developed to reproduce the tumour mass architecture, such as biomimetic scaffolds and organoids. In addition, in vivo models have been changed over the last decades to overcome problems such as animal management complexity and time-consuming experiments. In this review, we will explore the new approaches aimed to improve preclinical tools to study and apply precision medicine as a therapeutic option for patients affected by HNCs.
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15
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Cascallar M, Alijas S, Pensado-López A, Vázquez-Ríos AJ, Sánchez L, Piñeiro R, de la Fuente M. What Zebrafish and Nanotechnology Can Offer for Cancer Treatments in the Age of Personalized Medicine. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092238. [PMID: 35565373 PMCID: PMC9099873 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer causes millions of deaths each year and thus urgently requires the development of new therapeutic strategies. Nanotechnology-based anticancer therapies are a promising approach, with several formulations already approved and in clinical use. The evaluation of these therapies requires efficient in vivo models to study their behavior and interaction with cancer cells, and to optimize their properties to ensure maximum efficacy and safety. In this way, zebrafish is an important candidate due to its high homology with the human genoma, its large offspring, and the ease in developing specific cancer models. The role of zebrafish as a model for anticancer therapy studies has been highly evidenced, allowing researchers not only to perform drug screenings but also to evaluate novel therapies such as immunotherapies and nanotherapies. Beyond that, zebrafish can be used as an “avatar” model for performing patient-derived xenografts for personalized medicine. These characteristics place zebrafish in an attractive position as a role model for evaluating novel therapies for cancer treatment, such as nanomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Cascallar
- Nano-Oncology and Translational Therapeutics Group, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), SERGAS, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (M.C.); (S.A.); (A.J.V.-R.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus de Lugo, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (A.P.-L.); (L.S.)
| | - Sandra Alijas
- Nano-Oncology and Translational Therapeutics Group, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), SERGAS, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (M.C.); (S.A.); (A.J.V.-R.)
| | - Alba Pensado-López
- Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus de Lugo, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (A.P.-L.); (L.S.)
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine & Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Campus Vida, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Abi Judit Vázquez-Ríos
- Nano-Oncology and Translational Therapeutics Group, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), SERGAS, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (M.C.); (S.A.); (A.J.V.-R.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- DIVERSA Technologies S.L., 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Laura Sánchez
- Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus de Lugo, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (A.P.-L.); (L.S.)
- Preclinical Animal Models Group, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Roberto Piñeiro
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group, Oncomet, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Travesía da Choupana s/n, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - María de la Fuente
- Nano-Oncology and Translational Therapeutics Group, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), SERGAS, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (M.C.); (S.A.); (A.J.V.-R.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- DIVERSA Technologies S.L., 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-981-955-704
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16
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Groenewoud A, Forn-Cuní G, Engel FB, Snaar-Jagalska BE. XePhIR: the zebrafish xenograft phenotype interactive repository. Database (Oxford) 2022; 2022:6575480. [PMID: 35482537 PMCID: PMC9216515 DOI: 10.1093/database/baac028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Zebrafish xenografts are an established model in cancer biology, with a steadily rising number of models and users. However, as of yet, there is no platform dedicated to standardizing protocols and sharing data regarding zebrafish xenograft phenotypes. Here, we present the Xenograft Phenotype Interactive Repository (XePhIR, https://www.xephir.org) as an independent data-sharing platform to deposit, share and repurpose zebrafish xenograft data. Deposition of data and publication with XePhIR will be done after the acceptation of the original publication. This will enhance the reach of the original research article, enhance visibility and do not interfere with the publication or copyrights of the original article. With XePhIR, we strive to fulfill these objectives and reason that this resource will enhance reproducibility and showcase the appeal and applicability of the zebrafish xenograft model.
Database URL: https://www.xephir.org
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Affiliation(s)
- A Groenewoud
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Animal Sciences, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, CC Leiden 2333, The Netherlands
- Experimental Renal and Cardiovascular Research, Department of Nephropathology, Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 12, Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - G Forn-Cuní
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Animal Sciences, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, CC Leiden 2333, The Netherlands
| | - F B Engel
- Experimental Renal and Cardiovascular Research, Department of Nephropathology, Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 12, Erlangen 91054, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Östliche Stadtmauerstraße 30, Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - B E Snaar-Jagalska
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Animal Sciences, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, CC Leiden 2333, The Netherlands
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17
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Sarmiento BE, Callegari S, Ghotme KA, Akle V. Patient-Derived Xenotransplant of CNS Neoplasms in Zebrafish: A Systematic Review. Cells 2022; 11:cells11071204. [PMID: 35406768 PMCID: PMC8998145 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma and neuroblastoma are the most common central nervous system malignant tumors in adult and pediatric populations. Both are associated with poor survival. These tumors are highly heterogeneous, having complex interactions among different cells within the tumor and with the tumor microenvironment. One of the main challenges in the neuro-oncology field is achieving optimal conditions to evaluate a tumor’s molecular genotype and phenotype. In this respect, the zebrafish biological model is becoming an excellent alternative for studying carcinogenic processes and discovering new treatments. This review aimed to describe the results of xenotransplantation of patient-derived CNS tumors in zebrafish models. The reviewed studies show that it is possible to maintain glioblastoma and neuroblastoma primary cell cultures and transplant the cells into zebrafish embryos. The zebrafish is a suitable biological model for understanding tumor progression and the effects of different treatments. This model offers new perspectives in providing personalized care and improving outcomes for patients living with central nervous system tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz E. Sarmiento
- School of Medicine, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá 11711, Colombia; (B.E.S.); (S.C.)
| | - Santiago Callegari
- School of Medicine, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá 11711, Colombia; (B.E.S.); (S.C.)
| | - Kemel A. Ghotme
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá 111071, Colombia;
- Translational Neuroscience Research Lab, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de La Sabana, Chía 250001, Colombia
| | - Veronica Akle
- School of Medicine, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá 11711, Colombia; (B.E.S.); (S.C.)
- Correspondence:
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18
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Ai X, Ye Z, Xiao C, Zhong J, Lancman JJ, Chen X, Pan X, Yang Y, Zhou L, Wang X, Shi H, Zhang D, Yao Y, Cao D, Zhao C. Clinically relevant orthotopic xenograft models of patient-derived glioblastoma in zebrafish. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:274520. [PMID: 35199829 PMCID: PMC9066514 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
An accurate prediction of the intracranial infiltration tendency and drug response of individual glioblastoma (GBM) cells is essential for personalized prognosis and treatment for this disease. However, the clinical utility of mouse patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) models remains limited given current technical constraints, including difficulty in generating sufficient sample numbers from small tissue samples and a long latency period for results. To overcome these issues, we established zebrafish GBM xenografts of diverse origin, which can tolerate intracranial engraftment and maintain their unique histological features. Subsequent single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis confirmed significant transcriptional identity to that of invading GBM microtumors observed in the proportionally larger brains of model animals and humans. Endothelial scRNA-seq confirmed that the zebrafish blood–brain barrier is homologous to the mammalian blood–brain barrier. Finally, we established a rapid and efficient zebrafish PDOX (zPDOX) model, which can predict long-term outcomes of GBM patients within 20 days. The zPDOX model provides a novel avenue for precision medicine of GBM, especially for the evaluation of intracranial infiltration tendency and prediction of individual drug sensitivity. Editor's choice: We established zebrafish glioblastoma (GBM) xenograft models that can be used to perform genetic and biological analysis of GBMs, identify blood–brain barrier-penetrating drugs and predict clinical sensitivity to temozolomide in GBM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Ai
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,Department of Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Zengpanpan Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Chaoxin Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jian Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Joseph J Lancman
- Human Genetics Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Xuelan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiangyu Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Huashan Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Dongmei Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuqin Yao
- West China School of Public Health, No. 4 West China Teaching Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Dan Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Chengjian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
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19
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Costa B, Estrada MF, Barroso MT, Fior R. Zebrafish Patient-Derived Avatars from Digestive Cancers for Anti-cancer Therapy Screening. Curr Protoc 2022; 2:e415. [PMID: 35436037 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), also called "avatars," are generated by the implantation of human primary tumor cells or tissues into a host animal. Given the complexity and unique characteristics of each tumor, PDXs are models of choice in cancer research and precision medicine. In this context, the zebrafish PDX model (zPDX or zAvatar) has been recognized as a promising in vivo model to directly challenge patient cells with anti-cancer therapies in a personalized manner. The assay relies on the injection of tumor cells from patients into zebrafish embryos to then test and identify the best available drug combination for a particular patient. Compared to mouse PDXs, zAvatar assays take less time and do not require in vitro or in vivo cell expansion. The present article describes how to generate zAvatars from resected digestive cancer from surgeries and how to then use them for anti-cancer therapy screening. We describe the steps for tumor sample collection and cryopreservation, sample preparation and fluorescent labeling for microinjection into zebrafish embryos, drug administration, and analysis of tumor behavior by single-cell confocal imaging. We provide detailed protocols and helpful tips for performing this assay, and we address the technical challenges associated with the workflow. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Patient tumor sample collection and cryopreservation Basic Protocol 2: Generation of zAvatars and anti-cancer treatment Basic Protocol 3: Whole-mount immunofluorescence Basic Protocol 4: Confocal imaging and analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Costa
- Champalimaud Foundation, Champalimaud Research, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marta F Estrada
- Champalimaud Foundation, Champalimaud Research, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Rita Fior
- Champalimaud Foundation, Champalimaud Research, Lisbon, Portugal
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20
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Martínez-Pena I, Hurtado P, Carmona-Ule N, Abuín C, Dávila-Ibáñez AB, Sánchez L, Abal M, Chaachou A, Hernández-Losa J, Cajal SRY, López-López R, Piñeiro R. Dissecting Breast Cancer Circulating Tumor Cells Competence via Modelling Metastasis in Zebrafish. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179279. [PMID: 34502201 PMCID: PMC8431683 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer metastasis is a deathly process, and a better understanding of the different steps is needed. The shedding of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and CTC-cluster from the primary tumor, its survival in circulation, and homing are key events of the metastasis cascade. In vitro models of CTCs and in vivo models of metastasis represent an excellent opportunity to delve into the behavior of metastatic cells, to gain understanding on how secondary tumors appear. METHODS Using the zebrafish embryo, in combination with the mouse and in vitro assays, as an in vivo model of the spatiotemporal development of metastases, we study the metastatic competency of breast cancer CTCs and CTC-clusters and the molecular mechanisms. RESULTS CTC-clusters disseminated at a lower frequency than single CTCs in the zebrafish and showed a reduced capacity to invade. A temporal follow-up of the behavior of disseminated CTCs showed a higher survival and proliferation capacity of CTC-clusters, supported by their increased resistance to fluid shear stress. These data were corroborated in mouse studies. In addition, a differential gene signature was observed, with CTC-clusters upregulating cell cycle and stemness related genes. CONCLUSIONS The zebrafish embryo is a valuable model system to understand the biology of breast cancer CTCs and CTC-clusters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inés Martínez-Pena
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group, Oncomet, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Travesía da Choupana s/n, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (I.M.-P.); (P.H.); (N.C.-U.); (C.A.); (A.B.D.-I.); (R.L.-L.)
- CIBERONC, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.A.); (J.H.-L.); (S.R.y.C.)
| | - Pablo Hurtado
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group, Oncomet, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Travesía da Choupana s/n, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (I.M.-P.); (P.H.); (N.C.-U.); (C.A.); (A.B.D.-I.); (R.L.-L.)
| | - Nuria Carmona-Ule
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group, Oncomet, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Travesía da Choupana s/n, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (I.M.-P.); (P.H.); (N.C.-U.); (C.A.); (A.B.D.-I.); (R.L.-L.)
| | - Carmen Abuín
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group, Oncomet, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Travesía da Choupana s/n, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (I.M.-P.); (P.H.); (N.C.-U.); (C.A.); (A.B.D.-I.); (R.L.-L.)
| | - Ana Belén Dávila-Ibáñez
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group, Oncomet, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Travesía da Choupana s/n, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (I.M.-P.); (P.H.); (N.C.-U.); (C.A.); (A.B.D.-I.); (R.L.-L.)
| | - Laura Sánchez
- Departamento de Zoología, Genética y Antropología Física, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain;
| | - Miguel Abal
- CIBERONC, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.A.); (J.H.-L.); (S.R.y.C.)
- Translational Medical Oncology Group, Oncomet, CIBERONC, Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela (SERGAS), Trav. Choupana s/n, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Anas Chaachou
- Translational Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Javier Hernández-Losa
- CIBERONC, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.A.); (J.H.-L.); (S.R.y.C.)
- Translational Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Santiago Ramón y Cajal
- CIBERONC, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.A.); (J.H.-L.); (S.R.y.C.)
- Translational Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Rafael López-López
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group, Oncomet, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Travesía da Choupana s/n, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (I.M.-P.); (P.H.); (N.C.-U.); (C.A.); (A.B.D.-I.); (R.L.-L.)
- CIBERONC, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.A.); (J.H.-L.); (S.R.y.C.)
- Translational Medical Oncology Group, Oncomet, CIBERONC, Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela (SERGAS), Trav. Choupana s/n, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Department of Oncology, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (SERGAS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Roberto Piñeiro
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group, Oncomet, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Travesía da Choupana s/n, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (I.M.-P.); (P.H.); (N.C.-U.); (C.A.); (A.B.D.-I.); (R.L.-L.)
- CIBERONC, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.A.); (J.H.-L.); (S.R.y.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-981-955-602
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21
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Suckert T, Nexhipi S, Dietrich A, Koch R, Kunz-Schughart LA, Bahn E, Beyreuther E. Models for Translational Proton Radiobiology-From Bench to Bedside and Back. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4216. [PMID: 34439370 PMCID: PMC8395028 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of proton therapy centers worldwide are increasing steadily, with more than two million cancer patients treated so far. Despite this development, pending questions on proton radiobiology still call for basic and translational preclinical research. Open issues are the on-going discussion on an energy-dependent varying proton RBE (relative biological effectiveness), a better characterization of normal tissue side effects and combination treatments with drugs originally developed for photon therapy. At the same time, novel possibilities arise, such as radioimmunotherapy, and new proton therapy schemata, such as FLASH irradiation and proton mini-beams. The study of those aspects demands for radiobiological models at different stages along the translational chain, allowing the investigation of mechanisms from the molecular level to whole organisms. Focusing on the challenges and specifics of proton research, this review summarizes the different available models, ranging from in vitro systems to animal studies of increasing complexity as well as complementing in silico approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Suckert
- OncoRay—National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01309 Dresden, Germany; (T.S.); (S.N.); (A.D.); (L.A.K.-S.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sindi Nexhipi
- OncoRay—National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01309 Dresden, Germany; (T.S.); (S.N.); (A.D.); (L.A.K.-S.)
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, 01309 Dresden, Germany
| | - Antje Dietrich
- OncoRay—National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01309 Dresden, Germany; (T.S.); (S.N.); (A.D.); (L.A.K.-S.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Robin Koch
- Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (R.K.); (E.B.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Leoni A. Kunz-Schughart
- OncoRay—National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01309 Dresden, Germany; (T.S.); (S.N.); (A.D.); (L.A.K.-S.)
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Emanuel Bahn
- Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (R.K.); (E.B.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Clinical Cooperation Unit Radiation Oncology, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Elke Beyreuther
- OncoRay—National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01309 Dresden, Germany; (T.S.); (S.N.); (A.D.); (L.A.K.-S.)
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden—Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, 01328 Dresden, Germany
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22
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Barbet V, Broutier L. Future Match Making: When Pediatric Oncology Meets Organoid Technology. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:674219. [PMID: 34327198 PMCID: PMC8315550 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.674219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Unlike adult cancers that frequently result from the accumulation in time of mutational “hits” often linked to lifestyle, childhood cancers are emerging as diseases of dysregulated development through massive epigenetic alterations. The ability to reconstruct these differences in cancer models is therefore crucial for better understanding the uniqueness of pediatric cancer biology. Cancer organoids (i.e., tumoroids) represent a promising approach for creating patient-derived in vitro cancer models that closely recapitulate the overall pathophysiological features of natural tumorigenesis, including intra-tumoral heterogeneity and plasticity. Though largely applied to adult cancers, this technology is scarcely used for childhood cancers, with a notable delay in technological transfer. However, tumoroids could provide an unprecedented tool to unravel the biology of pediatric cancers and improve their therapeutic management. We herein present the current state-of-the-art of a long awaited and much needed matchmaking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Barbet
- Childhood Cancer & Cell Death (C3), Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon (CRCL), Lyon, France
| | - Laura Broutier
- Childhood Cancer & Cell Death (C3), Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon (CRCL), Lyon, France
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23
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Subhan MA, Yalamarty SSK, Filipczak N, Parveen F, Torchilin VP. Recent Advances in Tumor Targeting via EPR Effect for Cancer Treatment. J Pers Med 2021; 11:571. [PMID: 34207137 PMCID: PMC8234032 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11060571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer causes the second-highest rate of death world-wide. A major shortcoming inherent in most of anticancer drugs is their lack of tumor selectivity. Nanodrugs for cancer therapy administered intravenously escape renal clearance, are unable to penetrate through tight endothelial junctions of normal blood vessels and remain at a high level in plasma. Over time, the concentration of nanodrugs builds up in tumors due to the EPR effect, reaching several times higher than that of plasma due to the lack of lymphatic drainage. This review will address in detail the progress and prospects of tumor-targeting via EPR effect for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Abdus Subhan
- Department of Chemistry, Shah Jalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet 3114, Bangladesh
| | - Satya Siva Kishan Yalamarty
- CPBN, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (S.S.K.Y.); (N.F.); (F.P.)
| | - Nina Filipczak
- CPBN, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (S.S.K.Y.); (N.F.); (F.P.)
| | - Farzana Parveen
- CPBN, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (S.S.K.Y.); (N.F.); (F.P.)
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Punjab 63100, Pakistan
| | - Vladimir P. Torchilin
- CPBN, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (S.S.K.Y.); (N.F.); (F.P.)
- Department of Oncology, Radiotherapy and Plastic Surgery, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia
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24
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Li Z, Ma S, Yang X, Zhang L, Liang D, Dong G, Du L, Lv Z, Li M. Development of photocontrolled BRD4 PROTACs for tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). Eur J Med Chem 2021; 222:113608. [PMID: 34119833 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The catalytic properties of small-molecule proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) may lead to uncontrolled degradation. Therefore, the main disadvantages of PROTACs are non-cancer specificity and relatively high toxicity, which limit the clinical application of PROTACs. The photocontrolled PROTACs (photoPROTACs) were proposed to overcome this issue, in which they can be triggered by ultraviolet A (UVA) or visible light to induce the degradation of the target protein. Herein, we designed several photoPROTACs to cause the degradation of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) on-demand using 365 nm light. The representative compound N2 is proved to induce the degradation of BRD4 upon irradiation. Moreover, compound N2 was successfully applied in vivo to inhibit tumor growth in a zebrafish xenograft model of skin cancer tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) in a photocontrol manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Siyue Ma
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Xingye Yang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Dong Liang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Gaopan Dong
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Lupei Du
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.
| | - Zhenghua Lv
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250022, China.
| | - Minyong Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.
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Durinikova E, Buzo K, Arena S. Preclinical models as patients' avatars for precision medicine in colorectal cancer: past and future challenges. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:185. [PMID: 34090508 PMCID: PMC8178911 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01981-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a complex and heterogeneous disease, characterized by dismal prognosis and low survival rate in the advanced (metastatic) stage. During the last decade, the establishment of novel preclinical models, leading to the generation of translational discovery and validation platforms, has opened up a new scenario for the clinical practice of CRC patients. To bridge the results developed at the bench with the medical decision process, the ideal model should be easily scalable, reliable to predict treatment responses, and flexibly adapted for various applications in the research. As such, the improved benefit of novel therapies being tested initially on valuable and reproducible preclinical models would lie in personalized treatment recommendations based on the biology and genomics of the patient's tumor with the overall aim to avoid overtreatment and unnecessary toxicity. In this review, we summarize different in vitro and in vivo models, which proved efficacy in detection of novel CRC culprits and shed light into the biology and therapy of this complex disease. Even though cell lines and patient-derived xenografts remain the mainstay of colorectal cancer research, the field has been confidently shifting to the use of organoids as the most relevant preclinical model. Prioritization of organoids is supported by increasing body of evidence that these represent excellent tools worth further therapeutic explorations. In addition, novel preclinical models such as zebrafish avatars are emerging as useful tools for pharmacological interrogation. Finally, all available models represent complementary tools that can be utilized for precision medicine applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Durinikova
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS, Strada Provinciale 142, Km 3.95, 10060, Candiolo, TO, Italy
| | - Kristi Buzo
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS, Strada Provinciale 142, Km 3.95, 10060, Candiolo, TO, Italy
| | - Sabrina Arena
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS, Strada Provinciale 142, Km 3.95, 10060, Candiolo, TO, Italy.
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Strada Provinciale 142, Km 3.95, 10060, Candiolo, TO, Italy.
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Zampedri C, Martínez-Flores WA, Melendez-Zajgla J. The Use of Zebrafish Xenotransplant Assays to Analyze the Role of lncRNAs in Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:687594. [PMID: 34123857 PMCID: PMC8190406 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.687594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer represents a great challenge since it is the first cause of death by cancer in women worldwide. LncRNAs are a newly described class of non-coding RNAs that participate in cancer progression. Their use as cancer markers and possible therapeutic targets has recently gained strength. Animal xenotransplants allows for in vivo monitoring of disease development, molecular elucidation of pathogenesis and the design of new therapeutic strategies. Nevertheless, the cost and complexities of mice husbandry makes medium to high throughput assays difficult. Zebrafishes (Danio rerio) represent a novel model for these assays, given the ease with which xenotransplantation trials can be performed and the economic and experimental advantages it offers. In this review we propose the use of xenotransplants in zebrafish to study the role of breast cancer lncRNAs using low to medium high throughput assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Zampedri
- Functional Genomics Laboratories, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genomica, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Jorge Melendez-Zajgla
- Functional Genomics Laboratories, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genomica, Mexico City, Mexico
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27
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Edelfosine nanoemulsions inhibit tumor growth of triple negative breast cancer in zebrafish xenograft model. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9873. [PMID: 33972572 PMCID: PMC8110995 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87968-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is known for being very aggressive, heterogeneous and highly metastatic. The standard of care treatment is still chemotherapy, with adjacent toxicity and low efficacy, highlighting the need for alternative and more effective therapeutic strategies. Edelfosine, an alkyl-lysophospholipid, has proved to be a promising therapy for several cancer types, upon delivery in lipid nanoparticles. Therefore, the objective of this work was to explore the potential of edelfosine for the treatment of TNBC. Edelfosine nanoemulsions (ET-NEs) composed by edelfosine, Miglyol 812 and phosphatidylcholine as excipients, due to their good safety profile, presented an average size of about 120 nm and a neutral zeta potential, and were stable in biorelevant media. The ability of ET-NEs to interrupt tumor growth in TNBC was demonstrated both in vitro, using a highly aggressive and invasive TNBC cell line, and in vivo, using zebrafish embryos. Importantly, ET-NEs were able to penetrate through the skin barrier of MDA-MB 231 xenografted zebrafish embryos, into the yolk sac, leading to an effective decrease of highly aggressive and invasive tumoral cells’ proliferation. Altogether the results demonstrate the potential of ET-NEs for the development of new therapeutic approaches for TNBC.
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28
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Corsinovi D, Usai A, Sarlo MD, Giannaccini M, Ori M. Zebrafish Avatar to Develop Precision Breast Cancer Therapies. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2021; 22:748-759. [PMID: 33797388 DOI: 10.2174/1871520621666210402111634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a vertebrate that has become a popular alternative model for the cellular and molecular study of human tumors and for drug testing and validating approaches. Notably, zebrafish embryos, thanks to their accessibility, allow rapid collection of in vivo results prodromal to validation in the murine models in respect to the 3R principles. The generation of tumor xenograft in zebrafish embryos and larvae, or zebrafish avatar, represents a unique opportunity to study tumor growth, angiogenesis, cell invasion and metastatic dissemination, interaction between tumor and host in vivo avoiding immunogenic rejection, representing a promising platform for the translational research and personalized therapies. OBJECTIVE In this mini-review we report recent advances in breast cancer research and drug testing that took advantage of the zebrafish xenograft model using both breast cancer cell lines and patient's biopsy. CONCLUSION Patient derived xenograft, together with the gene editing, the omics biotechnology, the in vivo time lapse imaging and the high-throughput screening that are already set up and largely used in zebrafish, could represent a step forward towards precision and personalized medicine in the breast cancer research field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Corsinovi
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa. Italy
| | - Alice Usai
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa. Italy
| | | | | | - Michela Ori
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa. Italy
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29
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Gamble JT, Elson DJ, Greenwood JA, Tanguay RL, Kolluri SK. The Zebrafish Xenograft Models for Investigating Cancer and Cancer Therapeutics. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10040252. [PMID: 33804830 PMCID: PMC8063817 DOI: 10.3390/biology10040252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary The identification and development of new anti-cancer drugs requires extensive testing in animal models to establish safety and efficacy of drug candidates. The transplantation of human tumor tissue into mouse (tumor xenografts) is commonly used to study cancer progression and to test potential drugs for their anti-cancer activity. Mouse models do not afford the ability to test a large number of drug candidates quickly as it takes several weeks to conduct these experiments. In contrast, tumor xenograft studies in zebrafish provide an efficient platform for rapid testing of safety and efficacy in less than two weeks. Abstract In order to develop new cancer therapeutics, rapid, reliable, and relevant biological models are required to screen and validate drug candidates for both efficacy and safety. In recent years, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as an excellent model organism suited for these goals. Larval fish or immunocompromised adult fish are used to engraft human cancer cells and serve as a platform for screening potential drug candidates. With zebrafish sharing ~80% of disease-related orthologous genes with humans, they provide a low cost, high-throughput alternative to mouse xenografts that is relevant to human biology. In this review, we provide background on the methods and utility of zebrafish xenograft models in cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- John T. Gamble
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA;
| | - Daniel J. Elson
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA;
| | - Juliet A. Greenwood
- School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Arizona State University, Scotsdale, AZ 85257, USA;
| | - Robyn L. Tanguay
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA;
| | - Siva K. Kolluri
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA;
- Correspondence:
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30
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Li Z, Zheng W, Wang H, Cheng Y, Fang Y, Wu F, Sun G, Sun G, Lv C, Hui B. Application of Animal Models in Cancer Research: Recent Progress and Future Prospects. Cancer Manag Res 2021; 13:2455-2475. [PMID: 33758544 PMCID: PMC7979343 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s302565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal models refers to the animal experimental objects and related materials that can simulate human body established in medical research. As the second-largest disease in terms of morbidity and mortality after cardiovascular disease, cancer has always been the focus of human attention all over the world, which makes it a research hotspot in the medical field. At the same time, more and more animal models have been constructed and used in cancer research. With the deepening of research, the construction methods of cancer animal models are becoming more and more diverse, including chemical induction, xenotransplantation, gene programming, and so on. In recent years, patient-derived xenotransplantation (PDX) model has become a research hotspot because it can retain the microenvironment of the primary tumor and the basic characteristics of cells. Animal models can be used not only to study the biochemical and physiological processes of the occurrence and development of cancer in objects but also for the screening of cancer drugs and the exploration of gene therapy. In this paper, several main tumor animal models and the application progress of animal models in tumor research are systematically reviewed. Finally, combined with the latest progress and development trend in this field, the future research of tumor animal model was prospected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhitao Li
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Wubin Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hanjin Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ye Cheng
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yijiao Fang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Guoqiang Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangshun Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengyu Lv
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Bingqing Hui
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
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31
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Reimunde P, Pensado-López A, Carreira Crende M, Lombao Iglesias V, Sánchez L, Torrecilla-Parra M, Ramírez CM, Anfray C, Torres Andón F. Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Glioblastoma and Zebrafish Models for the Discovery of New Treatments. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1087. [PMID: 33802571 PMCID: PMC7961726 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common of all brain malignant tumors; it displays a median survival of 14.6 months with current complete standard treatment. High heterogeneity, aggressive and invasive behavior, the impossibility of completing tumor resection, limitations for drug administration and therapeutic resistance to current treatments are the main problems presented by this pathology. In recent years, our knowledge of GBM physiopathology has advanced significantly, generating relevant information on the cellular heterogeneity of GBM tumors, including cancer and immune cells such as macrophages/microglia, genetic, epigenetic and metabolic alterations, comprising changes in miRNA expression. In this scenario, the zebrafish has arisen as a promising animal model to progress further due to its unique characteristics, such as transparency, ease of genetic manipulation, ethical and economic advantages and also conservation of the major brain regions and blood-brain-barrier (BBB) which are similar to a human structure. A few papers described in this review, using genetic and xenotransplantation zebrafish models have been used to study GBM as well as to test the anti-tumoral efficacy of new drugs, their ability to interact with target cells, modulate the tumor microenvironment, cross the BBB and/or their toxicity. Prospective studies following these lines of research may lead to a better diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of patients with GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Reimunde
- Department of Medicine, Campus de Oza, Universidade da Coruña, 15006 A Coruña, Spain
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Universitario Lucus Augusti, 27003 Lugo, Spain
| | - Alba Pensado-López
- Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Campus de Lugo, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (A.P.-L.); (M.C.C.); (V.L.I.); (L.S.)
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Martín Carreira Crende
- Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Campus de Lugo, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (A.P.-L.); (M.C.C.); (V.L.I.); (L.S.)
| | - Vanesa Lombao Iglesias
- Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Campus de Lugo, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (A.P.-L.); (M.C.C.); (V.L.I.); (L.S.)
| | - Laura Sánchez
- Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Campus de Lugo, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (A.P.-L.); (M.C.C.); (V.L.I.); (L.S.)
| | - Marta Torrecilla-Parra
- IMDEA Research Institute of Food and Health Sciences, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.-P.); (C.M.R.)
| | - Cristina M. Ramírez
- IMDEA Research Institute of Food and Health Sciences, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.-P.); (C.M.R.)
| | - Clément Anfray
- IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Via A. Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy;
| | - Fernando Torres Andón
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Via A. Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy;
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Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. Basic and translational breast cancer research relies heavily on experimental animal models. Ideally, such models for breast cancer should have commonality with human breast cancer in terms of tumor etiology, biological behavior, pathology, and response to therapeutics. This review introduces current progress in different breast cancer experimental animal models and analyzes their characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, and potential applications. Finally, we propose future research directions for breast cancer animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China.,Kunming College of Life Science, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650204, China
| | - Wei Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China.,Kunming College of Life Science, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650204, China
| | - Ce-Shi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China.,KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China. E-mail:
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Antiangiogenic molecules from marine actinomycetes and the importance of using zebrafish model in cancer research. Heliyon 2020; 6:e05662. [PMID: 33319107 PMCID: PMC7725737 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05662] [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: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood vessel sprouting from pre-existing vessels or angiogenesis plays a significant role in tumour progression. Development of novel biomolecules from marine natural sources has a promising role in drug discovery specifically in the area of antiangiogenic chemotherapeutics. Symbiotic actinomycetes from marine origin proved to be potent and valuable sources of antiangiogenic compounds. Zebrafish represent a well-established model for small molecular screening and employed to study tumour angiogenesis over the last decade. Use of zebrafish has increased in the laboratory due to its various advantages like rapid embryo development, optically transparent embryos, large clutch size of embryos and most importantly high genetic conservation comparable to humans. Zebrafish also shares similar physiopathology of tumour angiogenesis with humans and with these advantages, zebrafish has become a popular model in the past decade to study on angiogenesis related disorders like diabetic retinopathy and cancer. This review focuses on the importance of antiangiogenic compounds from marine actinomycetes and utility of zebrafish in cancer angiogenesis research.
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Zeng L, Wu Q, Wang T, Li LP, Zhao X, Chen K, Qian J, Yuan L, Xu H, Mei WJ. Selective stabilization of multiple promoter G-quadruplex DNA by using 2-phenyl-1H-imidazole-based tanshinone IIA derivatives and their potential suppressing function in the metastatic breast cancer. Bioorg Chem 2020; 106:104433. [PMID: 33213893 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.104433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The G-quadruplex (G4) DNA, which has been developed as a potential anticancer target in drug screening and design, plays a crucial role in the oncogene transcription and translation. Tanshinone IIA derivatives with a planar heterocycle structure may function as G4 stabilizers. We present an innovative case of imidazole-based tanshinone IIA derivatives (1-8) especially compound 4 that improve the selectivity and the binding affinity with G4 DNA and enhance the target tumor inhibition. Cellular and in vivo experiments indicate that the tanshinone IIA derivative 4 inhibits the growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis of triple-negative breast cancer cells possibly through the stabilization of multiple G4 DNAs (e.g., c-myc, K-ras, and VEGF) to induce DNA damage. Further investigation of the intermolecular interaction and the molecular docking indicates that tanshinone IIA derivatives have better selective binding capability to various G4 DNAs than to double-stranded DNA. These findings provide guidance in modifying the molecular structures of tanshinone IIA derivatives and reveal their potential to function as specific G4 stabilizers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Zeng
- Department of Pathology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510623, China
| | - Qiong Wu
- The School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Province Engineering Centre for Molecular Probe & Biomedicine Imaging, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Teng Wang
- The School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Li-Ping Li
- Department of Pathology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510623, China
| | - Xuanhao Zhao
- The School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Kai Chen
- Department of Pathology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510623, China
| | - Jiayi Qian
- The School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Li Yuan
- Department of Pathology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510623, China
| | - Hui Xu
- Department of Pathology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510623, China
| | - Wen-Jie Mei
- The School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Province Engineering Centre for Molecular Probe & Biomedicine Imaging, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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Targen S, Kaya T, Avci ME, Gunes D, Keskus AG, Konu O. ZenoFishDb v1.1: A Database for Xenotransplantation Studies in Zebrafish. Zebrafish 2020; 17:305-318. [PMID: 32931381 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2020.1869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapidly accumulating literature has proven feasibility of the zebrafish xenograft models in cancer research. Nevertheless, online databases for searching the current zebrafish xenograft literature are in great demand. Herein, we have developed a manually curated database, called ZenoFishDb v1.1 (https://konulab.shinyapps.io/zenofishdb), based on R Shiny platform aiming to provide searchable information on ever increasing collection of zebrafish studies for cancer cell line transplantation and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). ZenoFishDb v1.1 user interface contains four modules: DataTable, Visualization, PDX Details, and PDX Charts. The DataTable and Visualization pages represent xenograft study details, including injected cell lines, PDX injections, molecular modifications of cell lines, zebrafish strains, as well as technical aspects of the xenotransplantation procedures in table, bar, and/or pie chart formats. The PDX Details module provides comprehensive information on the patient details in table format and can be searched and visualized. Overall, ZenoFishDb v1.1 enables researchers to effectively search, list, and visualize different technical and biological attributes of zebrafish xenotransplantation studies particularly focusing on the new trends that make use of reporters, RNA interference, overexpression, or mutant gene constructs of transplanted cancer cells, stem cells, and PDXs, as well as distinguished host modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seniye Targen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Tuğberk Kaya
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey.,Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - M Ender Avci
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Damla Gunes
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ayse Gokce Keskus
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ozlen Konu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey.,Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey.,UNAM-Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey
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Cabezas-Sáinz P, Pensado-López A, Sáinz B, Sánchez L. Modeling Cancer Using Zebrafish Xenografts: Drawbacks for Mimicking the Human Microenvironment. Cells 2020; 9:E1978. [PMID: 32867288 PMCID: PMC7564051 DOI: 10.3390/cells9091978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The first steps towards establishing xenografts in zebrafish embryos were performed by Lee et al., 2005 and Haldi et al., 2006, paving the way for studying human cancers using this animal species. Since then, the xenograft technique has been improved in different ways, ranging from optimizing the best temperature for xenografted embryo incubation, testing different sites for injection of human tumor cells, and even developing tools to study how the host interacts with the injected cells. Nonetheless, a standard protocol for performing xenografts has not been adopted across laboratories, and further research on the temperature, microenvironment of the tumor or the cell-host interactions inside of the embryo during xenografting is still needed. As a consequence, current non-uniform conditions could be affecting experimental results in terms of cell proliferation, invasion, or metastasis; or even overestimating the effects of some chemotherapeutic drugs on xenografted cells. In this review, we highlight and raise awareness regarding the different aspects of xenografting that need to be improved in order to mimic, in a more efficient way, the human tumor microenvironment, resulting in more robust and accurate in vivo results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Cabezas-Sáinz
- Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus de Lugo, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (P.C.-S.); (A.P.-L.)
| | - Alba Pensado-López
- Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus de Lugo, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (P.C.-S.); (A.P.-L.)
- Genomic Medicine Group, Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Bruno Sáinz
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” CSIC-UAM, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Cancer Stem Cell and Fibroinflammatory Microenvironment Group, Chronic Diseases and Cancer Area 3-Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Sánchez
- Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus de Lugo, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (P.C.-S.); (A.P.-L.)
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Shen W, Pu J, Sun J, Tan B, Wang W, Wang L, Cheng J, Zuo Y. Zebrafish xenograft model of human lung cancer for studying the function of LINC00152 in cell proliferation and invasion. Cancer Cell Int 2020; 20:376. [PMID: 32774169 PMCID: PMC7409423 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-020-01460-z] [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: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Numerous studies have shown that long noncoding RNAs play important roles in human cancer progression. Although zebrafish xenografts have recently become a novel in vivo model for human cancer research, whether such models can be used to study the function of long noncoding RNAs remains unknown. Methods In vitro studies validated the roles of LINC00152 in the proliferation and invasion of lung cancer cells. In vivo studies of zebrafish xenografts also confirmed these roles of LINC00152. In vivo confocal imaging was used to more accurately evaluate the function of LINC00152 in cell proliferation and migration. Pharmacological experiments were further performed to study the potential ability of LINC00152 downregulation combined with an EGFR inhibitor to treat tumors in cultured cells and the zebrafish xenograft model. Results Silencing of LINC00152 suppressed cell proliferation and invasion in SPCA1 and A549 lung cancer cell lines in vitro. In the zebrafish xenograft model, knockdown of LINC00152 reduced the proliferation and migration of lung cancer cells, as indicated by the two imaging methods at different magnifications. Moreover, the knockdown of LINC00152 enhanced the inhibition effect of afatinib for lung cancer progression in cultured cells and the zebrafish xenograft model. Conclusion Our study reveals the oncogenic roles and potential for LINC00152 to be a target for tumor treatment in lung cancer using zebrafish xenograft models, and the findings suggest that this model could be used for functional and application studies of human long noncoding RNAs in tumor biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyi Shen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Lianshui County People's Hospital, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, 223400 China
| | - Juan Pu
- Department of Radiotherapy, Lianshui County People's Hospital, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, 223400 China
| | - Jing Sun
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Lianshui County People's Hospital, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, 223400 China
| | - Bing Tan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Lianshui County People's Hospital, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, 223400 China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Lianshui County People's Hospital, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, 223400 China
| | - Lili Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Lianshui County People's Hospital, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, 223400 China
| | - Jianmeng Cheng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Lianshui County People's Hospital, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, 223400 China
| | - Yangsong Zuo
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Lianshui County People's Hospital, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, 223400 China
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Abstract
Metastasis, the dispersal of cancer cells from a primary tumor to secondary sites within the body, is the leading cause of cancer-related death. Animal models have been an indispensable tool to investigate the complex interactions between the cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment during the metastatic cascade. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a powerful vertebrate model for studying metastatic events in vivo. The zebrafish has many attributes including ex-utero development, which facilitates embryonic manipulation, as well as optically transparent tissues, which enables in vivo imaging of fluorescently labeled cells in real time. Here, we summarize the techniques which have been used to study cancer biology and metastasis in the zebrafish model organism, including genetic manipulation and transgenesis, cell transplantation, live imaging, and high-throughput compound screening. Finally, we discuss studies using the zebrafish, which have complemented and benefited metastasis research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katy R Astell
- The Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, United Kingdom
| | - Dirk Sieger
- The Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, United Kingdom
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Gauert A, Olk N, Pimentel-Gutiérrez H, Astrahantseff K, Jensen LD, Cao Y, Eggert A, Eckert C, Hagemann AI. Fast, In Vivo Model for Drug-Response Prediction in Patients with B-Cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12071883. [PMID: 32668722 PMCID: PMC7408814 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Only half of patients with relapsed B-cell precursor (BCP) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) currently survive with standard treatment protocols. Predicting individual patient responses to defined drugs prior to application would help therapy stratification and could improve survival. With the purpose to aid personalized targeted treatment approaches, we developed a human–zebrafish xenograft (ALL-ZeFiX) assay to predict drug response in a patient in 5 days. Leukemia blast cells were pericardially engrafted into transiently immunosuppressed Danio rerio embryos, and engrafted embryos treated for the test case, venetoclax, before single-cell dissolution for quantitative whole blast cell analysis. Bone marrow blasts from patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed BCP-ALL were successfully expanded in 60% of transplants in immunosuppressed zebrafish embryos. The response of BCP-ALL cell lines to venetoclax in ALL-ZeFiX assays mirrored responses in 2D cultures. Venetoclax produced varied responses in patient-derived BCP-ALL grafts, including two results mirroring treatment responses in two refractory BCP-ALL patients treated with venetoclax. Here we demonstrate proof-of-concept for our 5-day ALL-ZeFiX assay with primary patient blasts and the test case, venetoclax, which after expanded testing for further targeted drugs could support personalized treatment decisions within the clinical time window for decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Gauert
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (A.G.); (N.O.); (H.P.-G.); (K.A.); (A.E.); (C.E.)
| | - Nadine Olk
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (A.G.); (N.O.); (H.P.-G.); (K.A.); (A.E.); (C.E.)
| | - Helia Pimentel-Gutiérrez
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (A.G.); (N.O.); (H.P.-G.); (K.A.); (A.E.); (C.E.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)—German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kathy Astrahantseff
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (A.G.); (N.O.); (H.P.-G.); (K.A.); (A.E.); (C.E.)
| | - Lasse D. Jensen
- Department of Health, Medical and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, Sweden;
| | - Yihai Cao
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Angelika Eggert
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (A.G.); (N.O.); (H.P.-G.); (K.A.); (A.E.); (C.E.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)—German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Cornelia Eckert
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (A.G.); (N.O.); (H.P.-G.); (K.A.); (A.E.); (C.E.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)—German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anja I.H. Hagemann
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (A.G.); (N.O.); (H.P.-G.); (K.A.); (A.E.); (C.E.)
- Correspondence:
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40
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Modeling oncolytic virus dynamics in the tumor microenvironment using zebrafish. Cancer Gene Ther 2020; 28:769-784. [PMID: 32647136 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-020-0194-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We have adapted a zebrafish (Danio rerio) tumor xenograft model for use in the study of oncolytic virotherapy. Following implantation of mammalian cancer cells into the perivitelline space of developing zebrafish embryos, both local and intravenous oncolytic virus treatments produce a tumor-specific infection with measurable antitumor effects. Tumor cells are injected at 48 h post fertilization, with oncolytic virus treatment then being administered 24 h later to allow for an initial period of tumor development and angiogenesis. Confocal fluorescent imaging is used to quantify dynamics within the tumor environment. The natural translucency of zebrafish at the embryo stage, coupled with the availability of strains with fluorescent immune and endothelial cell reporter lines, gives the model broad potential to allow for real time, in vivo investigation of important events within tumors throughout the course of virotherapy. Zebrafish xenografts offer a system with biologic fidelity to processes in human cancer development that influence oncolytic virus efficacy, and to our knowledge this is the first demonstration of the model's use in the context of virotherapy. Compared with other models, our protocol offers a powerful, inexpensive approach to evaluating novel oncolytic viruses and oncolytic virus-based combination therapies, with potential application to investigating the impacts of virotherapy on immune response, tumor vasculature, and metastatic disease.
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Jin M, Gao D, Wang R, Sik A, Liu K. Possible involvement of TGF‑β‑SMAD‑mediated epithelial‑mesenchymal transition in pro‑metastatic property of PAX6. Oncol Rep 2020; 44:555-564. [PMID: 32627030 PMCID: PMC7336511 DOI: 10.3892/or.2020.7644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Paired box 6 (PAX6) is a transcription factor that has oncogenic features. In breast cancer, PAX6 facilitates tumor progression; however, the underlying mechanism is largely unknown. The majority of breast cancer-related mortalities are associated with metastasis of cancer cells. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the role of PAX6 in breast tumor metastasis. PAX6 was stably overexpressed in breast cancer cells to perform tumor migration and metastasis assays in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the expression of PAX6 and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)-SMAD signaling associated proteins on human breast cancer tissue array, as well as key factors involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were assayed to explore the mechanism underlying metastasis of breast cancer cells. The expression levels of PAX6 were demonstrated to be increased in human breast cancer tissues and associated with poor clinical outcomes. Overexpression of PAX6 markedly promoted metastasis. Further investigation revealed that PAX6 overexpression increased TGF-β-SMAD signaling pathway and induced EMT. These results suggested that highly expressed PAX6 led to EMT through TGF-β-SMAD signaling pathway, thereby promoting cell metastasis and ultimately affecting survival in patients with breast cancer. Taken together, findings indicated that PAX6 may serve as a therapeutic target for the clinical treatment of breast cancer and the underlying mechanism could be used to overcome metastasis of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Jin
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, Shandong 250103, P.R. China
| | - Daili Gao
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, Shandong 250103, P.R. China
| | - Rongchun Wang
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, Shandong 250103, P.R. China
| | - Attila Sik
- Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Pécs, H‑7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Kechun Liu
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, Shandong 250103, P.R. China
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Fazio M, Ablain J, Chuan Y, Langenau DM, Zon LI. Zebrafish patient avatars in cancer biology and precision cancer therapy. Nat Rev Cancer 2020; 20:263-273. [PMID: 32251397 PMCID: PMC8011456 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-020-0252-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
In precision oncology, two major strategies are being pursued for predicting clinically relevant tumour behaviours, such as treatment response and emergence of drug resistance: inference based on genomic, transcriptomic, epigenomic and/or proteomic analysis of patient samples, and phenotypic assays in personalized cancer avatars. The latter approach has historically relied on in vivo mouse xenografts and in vitro organoids or 2D cell cultures. Recent progress in rapid combinatorial genetic modelling, the development of a genetically immunocompromised strain for xenotransplantation of human patient samples in adult zebrafish and the first clinical trial using xenotransplantation in zebrafish larvae for phenotypic testing of drug response bring this tiny vertebrate to the forefront of the precision medicine arena. In this Review, we discuss advances in transgenic and transplantation-based zebrafish cancer avatars, and how these models compare with and complement mouse xenografts and human organoids. We also outline the unique opportunities that these different models present for prediction studies and current challenges they face for future clinical deployment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Fazio
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Julien Ablain
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yan Chuan
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - David M Langenau
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Leonard I Zon
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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43
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Xiao J, Glasgow E, Agarwal S. Zebrafish Xenografts for Drug Discovery and Personalized Medicine. Trends Cancer 2020; 6:569-579. [PMID: 32312681 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2020.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world. Given that cancer is a highly individualized disease, predicting the best chemotherapeutic treatment for individual patients can be difficult. Ex vivo models such as mouse patient-derived xenografts (PDX) and organoids are being developed to predict patient-specific chemosensitivity profiles before treatment in the clinic. Although promising, these models have significant disadvantages including long growth times that introduce genetic and epigenetic changes to the tumor. The zebrafish xenograft assay is ideal for personalized medicine. Imaging of the small, transparent fry is unparalleled among vertebrate organisms. In addition, the speed (5-7 days) and small patient tissue requirements (100-200 cells per animal) are unique features of the zebrafish xenograft model that enable patient-specific chemosensitivity analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerry Xiao
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Eric Glasgow
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA.
| | - Seema Agarwal
- Department of Pathology, Center for Cell Reprogramming, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
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Wen J, Yin P, Li L, Kang G, Ning G, Cao Y, Gao F, Su Y, Wu Y, Zhang X. Knockdown of Matrix Metallopeptidase 9 Inhibits Metastasis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in a Zebrafish Xenograft Model. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:4350783. [PMID: 32382550 PMCID: PMC7183015 DOI: 10.1155/2020/4350783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Destruction of extracellular matrix (ECM) is one of the basic steps of tumor invasion and metastasis. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9, a kind of zinc-ion-dependent endopeptidase, can degrade almost all protein components in the ECM, destroy the histological barrier of tumor cell invasion, and play a key role in tumor invasion and metastasis. The role of MMP-9 in tumor invasion and metastasis has attracted increasing attention and is considered the main proteolytic enzyme in this process. Although the overexpression of MMP-9 was detected in Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissues, further basic studies in vivo and in vitro are needed to investigate the role of MMP-9 in OSCCs and provide scientific validation. In this research, we developed a novel OSCC zebrafish xenograft model to study the role of the MMP-9 gene in oral carcinogenesis. Firstly, the MMP-9/shRNA lentiviral clone and control virus were constructed and transfected into OSCC cells. Then, the decreasing expression of MMP-9 was verified by RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay. Colony formation was evaluated by colony formation assay. Cell invasion was evaluated using transwell invasion assay in vitro. In addition, OSCC cells with MMP-9/shRNA knockdown and control vector were injected into zebrafish and an OSCC tumor model in zebrafish was established to evaluate invasion and metastasis in vivo. Knockdown of MMP-9 gene by shRNA could inhibit OSCC cell growth and clone formation and markedly suppress cell invasion in vitro. And the knockdown of the MMP-9 gene could also significantly decrease the metastatic distance and number of metastatic tumor cells or lesions in vivo and suppress the metastasis rate in xenografted zebrafish. Taken together, these evidences indicated that the knockdown of MMP-9 might suppress OSCC cell invasion and metastasis in vivo and in vitro. The MMP-9 gene may be a promising therapeutic target for OSCCs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinlin Wen
- Beijing Institute of Dental Research, Beijing Stomatological Hospital & School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Panpan Yin
- Beijing Institute of Dental Research, Beijing Stomatological Hospital & School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Linwei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guihua Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guozhu Ning
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Gao
- Beijing Institute of Dental Research, Beijing Stomatological Hospital & School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Su
- Beijing Institute of Dental Research, Beijing Stomatological Hospital & School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanlin Wu
- Beijing Institute of Dental Research, Beijing Stomatological Hospital & School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyan Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Dental Research, Beijing Stomatological Hospital & School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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45
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Usai A, Di Franco G, Colucci P, Pollina LE, Vasile E, Funel N, Palmeri M, Dente L, Falcone A, Morelli L, Raffa V. A Model of a Zebrafish Avatar for Co-Clinical Trials. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12030677. [PMID: 32183229 PMCID: PMC7140063 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12030677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal “avatars” and co-clinical trials are being developed for possible use in personalized medicine in oncology. In a co-clinical trial, the cancer cells of the patient’s tumor are xenotransplanted into the animal avatar for drug efficacy studies, and the data collected in the animal trial are used to plan the best drug treatment in the patient trial. Zebrafish have recently been proposed for implementing avatar models, however the lack of a general criterion for the chemotherapy dose conversion from humans to fish is a limitation in terms of conducting co-clinical trials. Here, we validate a simple, reliant and cost-effective avatar model based on the use of zebrafish embryos. By crossing data from safety and efficacy studies, we found a basic formula for estimating the equivalent dose for use in co-clinical trials which we validated in a clinical study enrolling 24 adult patients with solid cancers (XenoZ, NCT03668418).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Usai
- Department of Biology, University di Pisa, S.S. 12 Abetone e Brennero 4, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (P.C.); (L.D.)
- Correspondence: (A.U.); (V.R.); Tel.: +39-050-221-1487 (A.U.)
| | - Gregorio Di Franco
- Department of Traslational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, General Surgery Unit, University of Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.D.F.); (N.F.); (M.P.); (L.M.)
| | - Patrizia Colucci
- Department of Biology, University di Pisa, S.S. 12 Abetone e Brennero 4, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (P.C.); (L.D.)
| | - Luca Emanuele Pollina
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, Division of Surgical Pathology, University of Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Enrico Vasile
- Division of Medical Oncology, Pisa University Hospital, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.V.); (A.F.)
| | - Niccola Funel
- Department of Traslational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, General Surgery Unit, University of Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.D.F.); (N.F.); (M.P.); (L.M.)
| | - Matteo Palmeri
- Department of Traslational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, General Surgery Unit, University of Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.D.F.); (N.F.); (M.P.); (L.M.)
| | - Luciana Dente
- Department of Biology, University di Pisa, S.S. 12 Abetone e Brennero 4, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (P.C.); (L.D.)
| | - Alfredo Falcone
- Division of Medical Oncology, Pisa University Hospital, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.V.); (A.F.)
| | - Luca Morelli
- Department of Traslational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, General Surgery Unit, University of Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.D.F.); (N.F.); (M.P.); (L.M.)
| | - Vittoria Raffa
- Department of Biology, University di Pisa, S.S. 12 Abetone e Brennero 4, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (P.C.); (L.D.)
- Correspondence: (A.U.); (V.R.); Tel.: +39-050-221-1487 (A.U.)
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Zebrafish Avatars towards Personalized Medicine-A Comparative Review between Avatar Models. Cells 2020; 9:cells9020293. [PMID: 31991800 PMCID: PMC7072137 DOI: 10.3390/cells9020293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer frequency and prevalence have been increasing in the past decades, with devastating impacts on patients and their families. Despite the great advances in targeted approaches, there is still a lack of methods to predict individual patient responses, and therefore treatments are tailored according to average response rates. “Omics” approaches are used for patient stratification and choice of therapeutic options towards a more precise medicine. These methods, however, do not consider all genetic and non-genetic dynamic interactions that occur upon drug treatment. Therefore, the need to directly challenge patient cells in a personalized manner remains. The present review addresses the state of the art of patient-derived in vitro and in vivo models, from organoids to mouse and zebrafish Avatars. The predictive power of each model based on the retrospective correlation with the patient clinical outcome will be considered. Finally, the review is focused on the emerging zebrafish Avatars and their unique characteristics allowing a fast analysis of local and systemic effects of drug treatments at the single-cell level. We also address the technical challenges that the field has yet to overcome.
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La transplantation de cellules tumorales chez le poisson zèbre : de la recherche translationnelle à la médecine personnalisée. Bull Cancer 2020; 107:30-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2019.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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48
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Yao Y, Wang L, Wang X. Modeling of Solid-Tumor Microenvironment in Zebrafish (Danio Rerio) Larvae. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1219:413-428. [PMID: 32130712 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-34025-4_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The zebrafish larvae have emerged as a powerful model for studying tumorigenesis in vivo, with remarkable conservation with mammals in genetics, molecular and cell biology. Zebrafish tumor models bear the significant advantages of optical clarity in comparison to that in the mammalian models, allowing noninvasive investigation of the tumor cell and its microenvironment at single-cell resolution. Here we review recent progressions in the field of zebrafish models of solid tumor diseases in two main categories: the genetically engineered tumor models in which all cells in the tumor microenvironment are zebrafish cells, and xenograft tumor models in which the tumor microenvironment is composed of zebrafish cells and cells from other species. Notably, the zebrafish patient-derived xenograft (zPDX) models can be used for personalized drug assessment on primary tumor biopsies, including the pancreatic cancer. For the future studies, a series of high throughput drug screenings on the library of transgenic zebrafish models of solid tumor are expected to provide systematic database of oncogenic mutation, cell-of-origin, and leading compounds; and the humanization of zebrafish in genetics and cellular composition will make it more practical hosts for zPDX modeling. Together, zebrafish tumor model systems are unique and convenient in vivo platforms, with great potential to serve as valuable tools for cancer researches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiao Yao
- Cancer Metabolism Laboratory, Cancer Institute, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Cancer Metabolism Laboratory, Cancer Institute, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Cancer Metabolism Laboratory, Cancer Institute, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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ZeOncoTest: Refining and Automating the Zebrafish Xenograft Model for Drug Discovery in Cancer. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2019; 13:ph13010001. [PMID: 31878274 PMCID: PMC7169390 DOI: 10.3390/ph13010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The xenograft of human cancer cells in model animals is a powerful tool for understanding tumor progression and metastatic potential. Mice represent a validated host, but their use is limited by the elevated experimental costs and low throughput. To overcome these restrictions, zebrafish larvae might represent a valuable alternative. Their small size and transparency allow the tracking of transplanted cells. Therefore, tumor growth and early steps of metastasis, which are difficult to evaluate in mice, can be addressed. In spite of its advantages, the use of this model has been hindered by lack of experimental homogeneity and validation. Considering these facts, the aim of our work was to standardize, automate, and validate a zebrafish larvae xenograft assay with increased translatability and higher drug screening throughput. The ZeOncoTest reliability is based on the optimization of different experimental parameters, such as cell labeling, injection site, automated individual sample image acquisition, and analysis. This workflow implementation finally allows a higher precision and experimental throughput increase, when compared to previous reports. The approach was validated with the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231, the colorectal cancer cells HCT116, and the prostate cancer cells PC3; and known drugs, respectively RKI-1447, Docetaxel, and Mitoxantrone. The results recapitulate growth and invasion for all tested tumor cells, along with expected efficacy of the compounds. Finally, the methodology has proven useful for understanding specific drugs mode of action. The insights gained bring a step further for zebrafish larvae xenografts to enter the regulated preclinical drug discovery path.
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50
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Hason M, Bartůněk P. Zebrafish Models of Cancer-New Insights on Modeling Human Cancer in a Non-Mammalian Vertebrate. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10110935. [PMID: 31731811 PMCID: PMC6896156 DOI: 10.3390/genes10110935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a valuable non-mammalian vertebrate model widely used to study development and disease, including more recently cancer. The evolutionary conservation of cancer-related programs between human and zebrafish is striking and allows extrapolation of research outcomes obtained in fish back to humans. Zebrafish has gained attention as a robust model for cancer research mainly because of its high fecundity, cost-effective maintenance, dynamic visualization of tumor growth in vivo, and the possibility of chemical screening in large numbers of animals at reasonable costs. Novel approaches in modeling tumor growth, such as using transgene electroporation in adult zebrafish, could improve our knowledge about the spatial and temporal control of cancer formation and progression in vivo. Looking at genetic as well as epigenetic alterations could be important to explain the pathogenesis of a disease as complex as cancer. In this review, we highlight classic genetic and transplantation models of cancer in zebrafish as well as provide new insights on advances in cancer modeling. Recent progress in zebrafish xenotransplantation studies and drug screening has shown that zebrafish is a reliable model to study human cancer and could be suitable for evaluating patient-derived xenograft cell invasiveness. Rapid, large-scale evaluation of in vivo drug responses and kinetics in zebrafish could undoubtedly lead to new applications in personalized medicine and combination therapy. For all of the above-mentioned reasons, zebrafish is approaching a future of being a pre-clinical cancer model, alongside the mouse. However, the mouse will continue to be valuable in the last steps of pre-clinical drug screening, mostly because of the highly conserved mammalian genome and biological processes.
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