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Karnik I, Her Z, Neo SH, Liu WN, Chen Q. Emerging Preclinical Applications of Humanized Mouse Models in the Discovery and Validation of Novel Immunotherapeutics and Their Mechanisms of Action for Improved Cancer Treatment. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1600. [PMID: 37376049 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15061600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer therapeutics have undergone immense research over the past decade. While chemotherapies remain the mainstay treatments for many cancers, the advent of new molecular techniques has opened doors for more targeted modalities towards cancer cells. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in treating cancer, adverse side effects related to excessive inflammation are often reported. There is a lack of clinically relevant animal models to probe the human immune response towards ICI-based interventions. Humanized mouse models have emerged as valuable tools for pre-clinical research to evaluate the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy. This review focuses on the establishment of humanized mouse models, highlighting the challenges and recent advances in these models for targeted drug discovery and the validation of therapeutic strategies in cancer treatment. Furthermore, the potential of these models in the process of uncovering novel disease mechanisms is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isha Karnik
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore
| | - Zhisheng Her
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Shu Hui Neo
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Wai Nam Liu
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Qingfeng Chen
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Singapore 138648, Singapore
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Chuprin J, Buettner H, Seedhom MO, Greiner DL, Keck JG, Ishikawa F, Shultz LD, Brehm MA. Humanized mouse models for immuno-oncology research. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023; 20:192-206. [PMID: 36635480 PMCID: PMC10593256 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-022-00721-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment paradigm for many malignancies and is transforming the drug development landscape. Although immunotherapeutic agents have demonstrated clinical efficacy, they are associated with variable clinical responses, and substantial gaps remain in our understanding of their mechanisms of action and specific biomarkers of response. Currently, the number of preclinical models that faithfully recapitulate interactions between the human immune system and tumours and enable evaluation of human-specific immunotherapies in vivo is limited. Humanized mice, a term that refers to immunodeficient mice co-engrafted with human tumours and immune components, provide several advantages for immuno-oncology research. In this Review, we discuss the benefits and challenges of the currently available humanized mice, including specific interactions between engrafted human tumours and immune components, the development and survival of human innate immune populations in these mice, and approaches to study mice engrafted with matched patient tumours and immune cells. We highlight the latest advances in the generation of humanized mouse models, with the aim of providing a guide for their application to immuno-oncology studies with potential for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Chuprin
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Hannah Buettner
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Mina O Seedhom
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Dale L Greiner
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Michael A Brehm
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
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Abstract
As medical and pharmacological technology advances, new and complex modalities of disease treatment that are more personalized and targeted are being developed. Often these modalities must be validated in the presence of critical components of the human biological system. Given the incongruencies between murine and human biology, as well as the human-tropism of certain drugs and pathogens, the selection of animal models that accurately recapitulate the intricacies of the human biological system becomes more salient for disease modeling and preclinical testing. Immunodeficient mice engrafted with functional human tissues (so-called humanized mice), which allow for the study of physiologically relevant disease mechanisms, have thus become an integral aspect of biomedical research. This review discusses the recent advancements and applications of humanized mouse models on human immune system and liver humanization in modeling human diseases, as well as how they can facilitate translational medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijian Ye
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Qingfeng Chen
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; ,
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Preclinical models and technologies to advance nanovaccine development. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 172:148-182. [PMID: 33711401 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The remarkable success of targeted immunotherapies is revolutionizing cancer treatment. However, tumor heterogeneity and low immunogenicity, in addition to several tumor-associated immunosuppression mechanisms are among the major factors that have precluded the success of cancer vaccines as targeted cancer immunotherapies. The exciting outcomes obtained in patients upon the injection of tumor-specific antigens and adjuvants intratumorally, reinvigorated interest in the use of nanotechnology to foster the delivery of vaccines to address cancer unmet needs. Thus, bridging nano-based vaccine platform development and predicted clinical outcomes the selection of the proper preclinical model will be fundamental. Preclinical models have revealed promising outcomes for cancer vaccines. However, only few cases were associated with clinical responses. This review addresses the major challenges related to the translation of cancer nano-based vaccines to the clinic, discussing the requirements for ex vivo and in vivo models of cancer to ensure the translation of preclinical success to patients.
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Wang W, Xue C, Mao X. Radioprotective effects and mechanisms of animal, plant and microbial polysaccharides. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 153:373-384. [PMID: 32087223 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.02.203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Ionizing radiation is increasingly used to successfully diagnose many human health problems, but ionizing radiation may cause damage to organs/tissues in the living organisms such as the spleen, liver, skin, and brain. Many radiation protective agents have been discovered, with the deepening of radiation research. Unfortunately, these protective agents have many side effects, which cause drug resistance, nausea, vomiting, osteoporosis, etc. The polysaccharides extracted from natural sources are widely available and low in toxicity. In vivo and in vitro experiments have demonstrated that polysaccharides have anti-radiation activity through anti-oxidation, immune regulation, protection of hematopoietic system and protection against DNA damage. Recently, some studies have shown that polysaccharides were resistant to radiation. In the review, the anti-radiation activities of polysaccharides from different sources are summarized, and the anti-radiation mechanisms are discussed as well. It can be used to develop more effective anti-radiation management drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Wang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Changhu Xue
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts of Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266200, China.
| | - Xiangzhao Mao
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts of Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266200, China.
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Chen Q, Wang J, Liu WN, Zhao Y. Cancer Immunotherapies and Humanized Mouse Drug Testing Platforms. Transl Oncol 2019; 12:987-995. [PMID: 31121491 PMCID: PMC6529825 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2019.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is a type of treatment that restores and stimulates human immune system to inhibit cancer growth or eradicate cancer. It serves as one of the latest systemic therapies, which has been approved to treat different types of cancer in patients. Nevertheless, the clinical response rate is unsatisfactory and the response observed is mostly a partial response in patients. Despite the continuous improvement and identification of novel cancer immunotherapy, there is a pressing need to establish a robust platform to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pre-clinical drugs, simulate the interaction between patients’ tumor and immune system, and predict patients’ responses to the treatment. In this review, we summarize the pros and cons of existing immuno-oncology assay platforms, especially the humanized mouse models for the screening of cancer immunotherapy drugs. In addition, various emerging trends and progress of utilizing humanized mouse models as the screening tool are discussed. Of note, humanized mouse models can also be used for further development of personalized precision medicines to treat cancer. Collectively, these highlight the significance of humanized mouse models as the important platform for the screening of next generation cancer immunotherapy in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingfeng Chen
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore; Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Jiaxu Wang
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Wai Nam Liu
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Yue Zhao
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore.
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Brodská B, Šašinková M, Kuželová K. Nucleophosmin in leukemia: Consequences of anchor loss. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2019; 111:52-62. [PMID: 31009764 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2019.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Nucleophosmin (NPM), one of the most abundant nucleolar proteins, has crucial functions in ribosome biogenesis, cell cycle control, and DNA-damage repair. In human cells, NPM occurs mainly in oligomers. It functions as a chaperone, undergoes numerous interactions and forms part of many protein complexes. Although NPM role in carcinogenesis is not fully elucidated, a variety of tumor suppressor as well as oncogenic activities were described. NPM is overexpressed, fused with other proteins, or mutated in various tumor types. In the acute myeloid leukemia (AML), characteristic mutations in NPM1 gene, leading to modification of NPM C-terminus, are the most frequent genetic aberration. Although multiple mutation types of NPM are found in AML, they are all characterized by aberrant cytoplasmic localization of the mutated protein. In this review, current knowledge of the structure and function of NPM is presented in relation to its interaction network, in particular to the interaction with other nucleolar proteins and with proteins active in apoptosis. Possible molecular mechanisms of NPM mutation-driven leukemogenesis and NPM therapeutic targeting are discussed. Finally, recent findings concerning the immunogenicity of the mutated NPM and specific immunological features of AML patients with NPM mutation are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbora Brodská
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, U Nemocnice 1, 128 20 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Markéta Šašinková
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, U Nemocnice 1, 128 20 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Kuželová
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, U Nemocnice 1, 128 20 Prague 2, Czech Republic.
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