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Hasselluhn MC, Klein L, Patzak MS, Buchholz SM, Ströbel P, Ellenrieder V, Maisonneuve P, Neesse A. Stromal Features of the Primary Tumor Are Not Prognostic in Genetically Engineered Mice of Pancreatic Cancer. Cells 2019; 9:cells9010058. [PMID: 31878349 PMCID: PMC7017324 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The KrasG12D/+;LSL-Trp53R172H/+;Pdx-1-Cre (KPC) mouse model is frequently employed for preclinical therapeutic testing, in particular in regard to antistromal therapies. Here, we investigate the prognostic implications of histopathological features that may guide preclinical trial design. Pancreatic tumor tissue from n = 46 KPC mice was quantitatively analyzed using immunohistochemistry and co-immunofluorescence for proliferation (Ki67), mitotic rate (phospho-Histone 3, PHH3), apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3, CC3), collagen content, secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), hyaluronic acid (HA), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Furthermore, mean vessel density (MVD), mean lumen area (MLA), grading, activated stroma index (ASI), and fibroblast-proliferation rate (α-SMA/Ki67) were assessed. Univariate analysis using the Kaplan–Meier estimator and Cox regression model for continuous variables did not show association between survival and any of the analyzed parameters. Spearman correlation demonstrated that desmoplasia was inversely correlated with differentiated tumor grade (ρ = −0.84). Ki67 and PHH3 synergized as proliferation markers (ρ = 0.54), while SPARC expression was positively correlated with HA content (ρ = 0.37). MVD and MLA were correlated with each other (ρ = 0.31), while MLA positively correlated with CC3 (ρ = 0.45). Additionally, increased MVD was correlated with increased fibroblast proliferation rate (α-SMA + Ki67; ρ = 0.36). Our pilot study provides evidence that individual histopathological parameters of the primary tumor of KPC mice are not associated with survival, and may hint at the importance of systemic tumor-related effects such as cachexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie C. Hasselluhn
- Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, University Medical Center, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (M.C.H.); (L.K.); (V.E.)
| | - Lukas Klein
- Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, University Medical Center, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (M.C.H.); (L.K.); (V.E.)
| | - Melanie S. Patzak
- Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, University Medical Center, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (M.C.H.); (L.K.); (V.E.)
| | - Sören M. Buchholz
- Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, University Medical Center, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (M.C.H.); (L.K.); (V.E.)
| | - Philipp Ströbel
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center, 37075 Göttingen, Germany;
| | - Volker Ellenrieder
- Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, University Medical Center, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (M.C.H.); (L.K.); (V.E.)
| | - Patrick Maisonneuve
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, IEO Istituto Europeo di Oncologia IRCCS, P.I. 08691440153 Milan, Italy;
| | - Albrecht Neesse
- Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, University Medical Center, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (M.C.H.); (L.K.); (V.E.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-551-39-63201
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Ramu I, Buchholz SM, Patzak MS, Goetze RG, Singh SK, Richards FM, Jodrell DI, Sipos B, Ströbel P, Ellenrieder V, Hessmann E, Neesse A. SPARC dependent collagen deposition and gemcitabine delivery in a genetically engineered mouse model of pancreas cancer. EBioMedicine 2019; 48:161-168. [PMID: 31597597 PMCID: PMC6838446 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterised by extensive matrix deposition that has been implicated in impaired drug delivery and therapeutic resistance. Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is a matricellular protein that regulates collagen deposition and is highly upregulated in the activated stroma subtype with poor prognosis in PDAC patients. METHODS KrasG12D;p48-Cre;SPARC-/- (KC-SPARC-/-) and KrasG12D;p48-Cre;SPARCWT (KC-SPARCWT) were generated and analysed at different stages of carcinogenesis by histological grading, immunohistochemistry for epithelial and stromal markers, survival and preclinical analysis. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies were conducted by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and immunohistochemistry following gemcitabine treatment (100 mg/kg) in vivo. FINDINGS Global genetic ablation of SPARC in a KrasG12D driven mouse model resulted in significantly reduced overall and mature collagen deposition around early and advanced pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) lesions and in invasive PDAC (p < .001). However, detailed pathological scoring and molecular analysis showed no effects on PanIN to PDAC progression, vessel density (CD31), tumour incidence, grading or metastatic frequency. Despite comparable tumour kinetics, ablation of SPARC resulted in a significantly shortened survival in KC-SPARC-/- mice (280 days versus 485 days, p < .03, log-rank-test). Using LC-MS/MS, we show that SPARC dependent collagen deposition does not affect intratumoural gemcitabine accumulation or immediate therapeutic response in tumour bearing KC-SPARCWT and KC-SPARC-/-mice. INTERPRETATION Global SPARC ablation reduces the collagen-rich microenvironment in murine PDAC. Moreover, global SPARC depletion did not affect tumour growth kinetics, grading or metastatic frequency. Notably, the dense-collagen matrix did not restrict access of gemcitabine to the tumour. These findings may have direct translational implications in clinical trial design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iswarya Ramu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sören M Buchholz
- Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Germany
| | - Melanie S Patzak
- Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Germany
| | - Robert G Goetze
- Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Germany
| | - Shiv K Singh
- Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Germany
| | - Frances M Richards
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, The University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Duncan I Jodrell
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, The University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Bence Sipos
- Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, University Clinic Tübingen, Germany
| | - Philipp Ströbel
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Germany
| | - Volker Ellenrieder
- Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Hessmann
- Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Germany
| | - Albrecht Neesse
- Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Germany.
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Patzak MS, Kari V, Patil S, Hamdan FH, Goetze RG, Brunner M, Gaedcke J, Kitz J, Jodrell DI, Richards FM, Pilarsky C, Gruetzmann R, Rümmele P, Knösel T, Hessmann E, Ellenrieder V, Johnsen SA, Neesse A. Cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase 1A is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer and mediates gemcitabine resistance by reducing intracellular gemcitabine metabolites. EBioMedicine 2019; 40:394-405. [PMID: 30709769 PMCID: PMC6413477 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.01.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase 1A (NT5C1A) dephosphorylates non-cyclic nucleoside monophosphates to produce nucleosides and inorganic phosphates. Here, we investigate NT5C1A expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and its impact on gemcitabine metabolism and therapeutic efficacy. METHODS NT5C1A expression was determined by semiquantitative immunohistochemistry using tissue microarrays. Gemcitabine metabolites and response were assessed in several human and murine PDAC cell lines using crystal violet assays, Western blot, viability assays, and liquid chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). FINDINGS NT5C1A was strongly expressed in tumor cells of a large subgroup of resected PDAC patients in two independent patient cohorts (44-56% score 2 and 8-26% score 3, n = 414). In contrast, NT5C1A was expressed at very low levels in the tumor stroma, and neither stromal nor tumoral expression was a prognostic marker for postoperative survival. In vitro, NT5C1A overexpression increased gemcitabine resistance by reducing apoptosis levels and significantly decreased intracellular amounts of cytotoxic dFdCTP in +NT5C1A tumor cells. Co-culture experiments with conditioned media from +NT5C1A PSCs improved gemcitabine efficacy in tumor cells. In vivo, therapeutic efficacy of gemcitabine was significantly decreased and serum levels of the inactive gemcitabine metabolite dFdU significantly increased in mice bearing NT5C1A overexpressing tumors. INTERPRETATION NT5C1A is robustly expressed in tumor cells of resected PDAC patients. Moreover, NT5C1A mediates gemcitabine resistance by decreasing the amount of intracellular dFdCTP, leading to reduced tumor cell apoptosis and larger pancreatic tumors in mice. Further studies should clarify the role of NT5C1A as novel predictor for gemcitabine treatment response in patients with PDAC.
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MESH Headings
- 5'-Nucleotidase/genetics
- Animals
- Biomarkers, Tumor
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/genetics
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Deoxycytidine/analogs & derivatives
- Deoxycytidine/pharmacokinetics
- Deoxycytidine/pharmacology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- Gene Expression
- Humans
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Models, Biological
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/genetics
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/metabolism
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology
- Prognosis
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- Gemcitabine
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie S Patzak
- University Medical Center Goettingen, Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Vijayalakshmi Kari
- University Medical Center Goettingen, Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Shilpa Patil
- University Medical Center Goettingen, Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Feda H Hamdan
- University Medical Center Goettingen, Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Robert G Goetze
- University Medical Center Goettingen, Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Marius Brunner
- University Medical Center Goettingen, Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Jochen Gaedcke
- University Medical Center Goettingen, Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Julia Kitz
- University Medical Center Goettingen, Institute of Pathology, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Duncan I Jodrell
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Frances M Richards
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Christian Pilarsky
- University Medical Center Erlangen, Department of Surgery, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Robert Gruetzmann
- University Medical Center Erlangen, Department of Surgery, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Petra Rümmele
- University Medical Center Erlangen, Institute of Pathology, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas Knösel
- Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Institute of Pathology, Munich, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Hessmann
- University Medical Center Goettingen, Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Volker Ellenrieder
- University Medical Center Goettingen, Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Steven A Johnsen
- University Medical Center Goettingen, Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Albrecht Neesse
- University Medical Center Goettingen, Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, Goettingen, Germany.
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Hessmann E, Patzak MS, Klein L, Chen N, Kari V, Ramu I, Bapiro TE, Frese KK, Gopinathan A, Richards FM, Jodrell DI, Verbeke C, Li X, Heuchel R, Löhr JM, Johnsen SA, Gress TM, Ellenrieder V, Neesse A. Fibroblast drug scavenging increases intratumoural gemcitabine accumulation in murine pancreas cancer. Gut 2018; 67:497-507. [PMID: 28077438 PMCID: PMC5868285 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2016-311954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Revised: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Desmoplasia and hypovascularity are thought to impede drug delivery in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, stromal depletion approaches have failed to show clinical responses in patients. Here, we aimed to revisit the role of the tumour microenvironment as a physical barrier for gemcitabine delivery. DESIGN Gemcitabine metabolites were analysed in LSL-KrasG12D/+ ; LSL-Trp53R172H/+ ; Pdx-1-Cre (KPC) murine tumours and matched liver metastases, primary tumour cell lines, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry. Functional and preclinical experiments, as well as expression analysis of stromal markers and gemcitabine metabolism pathways were performed in murine and human specimen to investigate the preclinical implications and the mechanism of gemcitabine accumulation. RESULTS Gemcitabine accumulation was significantly enhanced in fibroblast-rich tumours compared with liver metastases and normal liver. In vitro, significantly increased concentrations of activated 2',2'-difluorodeoxycytidine-5'-triphosphate (dFdCTP) and greatly reduced amounts of the inactive gemcitabine metabolite 2',2'-difluorodeoxyuridine were detected in PSCs and CAFs. Mechanistically, key metabolic enzymes involved in gemcitabine inactivation such as hydrolytic cytosolic 5'-nucleotidases (Nt5c1A, Nt5c3) were expressed at low levels in CAFs in vitro and in vivo, and recombinant expression of Nt5c1A resulted in decreased intracellular dFdCTP concentrations in vitro. Moreover, gemcitabine treatment in KPC mice reduced the number of liver metastases by >50%. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that fibroblast drug scavenging may contribute to the clinical failure of gemcitabine in desmoplastic PDAC. Metabolic targeting of CAFs may thus be a promising strategy to enhance the antiproliferative effects of gemcitabine.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Hessmann
- Department Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, University Medical Centre Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - M S Patzak
- Department Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, University Medical Centre Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - L Klein
- Department Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, University Medical Centre Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - N Chen
- Department Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, University Medical Centre Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - V Kari
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - I Ramu
- Department Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, University Medical Centre Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - T E Bapiro
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, The University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, UK
- Oncology iMED DMPK AstraZeneca UK Ltd, HODGKIN C/o B310 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge, UK
| | - K K Frese
- The University of Manchester, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, Manchester, UK
| | - A Gopinathan
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, The University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - F M Richards
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, The University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - D I Jodrell
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, The University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - C Verbeke
- Department of Pathology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - X Li
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet and Center for Digestive Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - R Heuchel
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet and Center for Digestive Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J M Löhr
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet and Center for Digestive Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - S A Johnsen
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - T M Gress
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - V Ellenrieder
- Department Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, University Medical Centre Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - A Neesse
- Department Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, University Medical Centre Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
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Patzak MS, Ellenrieder V, Neesse A. Intratumoral bacteria as potential contributor of gemcitabine resistance. Transl Cancer Res 2018. [DOI: 10.21037/tcr.2017.12.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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