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Mekapogu AR, Xu Z, Pothula S, Perera C, Pang T, Hosen SMZ, Damalanka V, Janetka J, Goldstein D, Pirola R, Wilson J, Apte M. HGF/c-Met pathway inhibition combined with chemotherapy increases cytotoxic T-cell infiltration and inhibits pancreatic tumour growth and metastasis. Cancer Lett 2023:216286. [PMID: 37354984 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a deadly cancer with a high mortality rate. The unique characteristics of PC, including desmoplasia and immunosuppression, have made it difficult to develop effective treatment strategies. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) play a crucial role in the progression of the disease by interacting with cancer cells. One of the key mediators of PSC - cancer cell interactions is the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-MET pathway. Using an immunocompetent in vivo model of PC as well as in vitro experiments, this study has shown that a combined approach using HGF/c-MET inhibitors to target stromal-tumour interactions and chemotherapy (gemcitabine) to target cancer cells effectively decreases tumour volume, EMT, and stemness, and importantly, eliminates metastasis. Notably, HGF/c-MET inhibition decreases TGF-β secretion by cancer cells, resulting in an increase in cytotoxic T-cell infiltration, thus contributing to cancer cell death in tumours. HGF/c-MET inhibition + chemotherapy was also found to normalise the gut microbiome and improve gut microbial diversity. These findings provide a strong platform for assessment of this triple therapy (HGF/c-MET inhibition + chemotherapy) approach in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alpha Raj Mekapogu
- Pancreatic Research Group, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia; Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
| | - Zhihong Xu
- Pancreatic Research Group, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia; Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
| | - Srinivasa Pothula
- Pancreatic Research Group, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia; Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia; AbCellera, Beaconsfield, New South Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Chamini Perera
- Pancreatic Research Group, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia; Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
| | - Tony Pang
- Pancreatic Research Group, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia; Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia; Surgical Innovations Unit, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - S M Zahid Hosen
- Pancreatic Research Group, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia; Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
| | - Vishnu Damalanka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University, St. Louis, USA
| | - James Janetka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University, St. Louis, USA
| | - David Goldstein
- Pancreatic Research Group, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia
| | - Romano Pirola
- Pancreatic Research Group, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia
| | - Jeremy Wilson
- Pancreatic Research Group, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia; Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
| | - Minoti Apte
- Pancreatic Research Group, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia; Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia.
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Pang TCY, Xu Z, Mekapogu AR, Pothula S, Becker T, Corley S, Wilkins MR, Goldstein D, Pirola R, Wilson J, Apte M. HGF/c-Met Inhibition as Adjuvant Therapy Improves Outcomes in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2763. [PMID: 34199452 PMCID: PMC8199621 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inhibition of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-MET pathway, a major mediator of pancreatic stellate cell (PSC)-PC cell interactions, retards local and distant cancer progression. This study examines the use of this treatment in preventing PC progression after resection. We further investigate the postulated existence of circulating PSCs (cPSCs) as a mediator of metastatic PC. METHODS Two orthotopic PC mouse models, produced by implantation of a mixture of luciferase-tagged human pancreatic cancer cells (AsPC-1), and human PSCs were used. Model 1 mice underwent distal pancreatectomy 3-weeks post-implantation (n = 62). One-week post-resection, mice were randomised to four treatments of 8 weeks: (i) IgG, (ii) gemcitabine (G), (iii) HGF/c-MET inhibition (HiCi) and (iv) HiCi + G. Tumour burden was assessed longitudinally by bioluminescence. Circulating tumour cells and cPSCs were enriched by filtration. Tumours of Model 2 mice progressed for 8 weeks prior to the collection of primary tumour, metastases and blood for single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq). RESULTS HiCi treatments: (1) reduced both the risk and rate of disease progression after resection; (2) demonstrated an anti-angiogenic effect on immunohistochemistry; (3) reduced cPSC counts. cPSCs were identified using immunocytochemistry (α-smooth muscle actin+, pan-cytokeratin-, CD45-), and by specific PSC markers. scRNA-seq confirmed the existence of cPSCs and identified potential genes associated with development into cPSCs. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to demonstrate the efficacy of adjuvant HGF/c-Met inhibition for PC and provides the first confirmation of the existence of circulating PSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony C. Y. Pang
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia; (T.C.Y.P.); (Z.X.); (A.R.M.); (S.P.); (D.G.); (R.P.); (J.W.)
- Surgical Innovations Unit, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
- Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Zhihong Xu
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia; (T.C.Y.P.); (Z.X.); (A.R.M.); (S.P.); (D.G.); (R.P.); (J.W.)
| | - Alpha Raj Mekapogu
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia; (T.C.Y.P.); (Z.X.); (A.R.M.); (S.P.); (D.G.); (R.P.); (J.W.)
| | - Srinivasa Pothula
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia; (T.C.Y.P.); (Z.X.); (A.R.M.); (S.P.); (D.G.); (R.P.); (J.W.)
| | - Therese Becker
- Centre for Circulating Tumour Cell Diagnostics and Research, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia;
| | - Susan Corley
- Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; (S.C.); (M.R.W.)
| | - Marc R. Wilkins
- Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; (S.C.); (M.R.W.)
| | - David Goldstein
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia; (T.C.Y.P.); (Z.X.); (A.R.M.); (S.P.); (D.G.); (R.P.); (J.W.)
| | - Romano Pirola
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia; (T.C.Y.P.); (Z.X.); (A.R.M.); (S.P.); (D.G.); (R.P.); (J.W.)
| | - Jeremy Wilson
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia; (T.C.Y.P.); (Z.X.); (A.R.M.); (S.P.); (D.G.); (R.P.); (J.W.)
| | - Minoti Apte
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia; (T.C.Y.P.); (Z.X.); (A.R.M.); (S.P.); (D.G.); (R.P.); (J.W.)
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Pang TCY, Xu Z, Mekapogu AR, Pothula S, Becker TM, Goldstein D, Pirola RC, Wilson JS, Apte MV. An Orthotopic Resectional Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer. J Vis Exp 2020. [PMID: 33044459 DOI: 10.3791/61726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a lack of satisfactory animal models to study adjuvant and/or neoadjuvant therapy in patients being considered for surgery of pancreatic cancer (PC). To address this deficiency, we describe a mouse model involving orthotopic implantation of PC followed by distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. The model has been demonstrated to be safe and suitably flexible for the study of various therapeutic approaches in adjuvant and neo adjuvant settings. In this model, a pancreatic tumor is first generated by implanting a mixture of human pancreatic cancer cells (luciferase-tagged AsPC-1) and human cancer associated pancreatic stellate cells into the distal pancreas of Balb/c athymic nude mice. After three weeks, the cancer is resected by re-laparotomy, distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. In this model, bioluminescence imaging can be used to follow the progress of cancer development and effects of resection/treatments. Following resection, adjuvant therapy can be given. Alternatively, neoadjuvant treatment can be given prior to resection. Representative data from 45 mice are presented. All mice underwent successful distal pancreatectomy/splenectomy with no issues of hemostasis. A macroscopic proximal pancreatic margin greater than 5 mm was achieved in 43 (96%) mice. The technical success rate of pancreatic resection was 100%, with 0% early mortality and morbidity. None of the animals died during the week after resection. In summary, we describe a robust and reproducible technique for a surgical resection model of pancreatic cancer in mice which mimics the clinical scenario. The model may be useful for the testing of both adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony C Y Pang
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales; Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research; Surgical Innovations Unit, Westmead Hospital; Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney;
| | - Zhihong Xu
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales; Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research
| | - Alpha Raj Mekapogu
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales; Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research
| | - Srinivasa Pothula
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales; Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research
| | - Therese M Becker
- Centre for Circulating Tumour Cell Diagnostics and Research, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research
| | - David Goldstein
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales
| | - Romano C Pirola
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales; Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research
| | - Jeremy S Wilson
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales; Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research
| | - Minoti V Apte
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales; Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research;
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Pang TCY, Xu Z, Pothula S, Becker T, Goldstein D, Pirola RC, Wilson JS, Apte MV. Circulating pancreatic stellate (stromal) cells in pancreatic cancer—a fertile area for novel research. Carcinogenesis 2017; 38:588-591. [PMID: 28379317 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgx030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
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Acosta H, Viafara LM, Izquierdo D, Pothula VR, Bear J, Pothula S, Antonio-Drabeck C, Lee K. Atrial lead placement at the lower atrial septum: a potential strategy to reduce unnecessary right ventricular pacing. Europace 2012; 14:1311-6. [DOI: 10.1093/europace/eus043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Pothula S, Sanchala VT, Inchiosa MA, Pack E, Kamaly A. COMPARISON OF STANDARD COAGULATION TESTS WITH ASSESSMENT OF CLOTTING BY LEE-WHITE COAGULATION TIME. Anesth Analg 1995. [DOI: 10.1213/00000539-199504001-00137] [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: 11/05/2022]
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Ediale KR, Pothula S, Kumar V, Inchiosa MA. CHANGES IN RADIAL-AORTIC PRESSURE GRADIENTS, SYSTEMIC VASCULAR RESISTANCE AND CARDIAC INDEX FOLLOWING CARDIO-PULMONARY BYPASS. Anesth Analg 1995. [DOI: 10.1213/00000539-199504001-00071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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